Cape Harald was one of the busiest merchant ports in all the ocean, and so it was also the busiest port for Piracy.
Huge ships sat in the harbor bobbing on the gentle waves.
A young man with short red hair was creeping around one such boat, his baggy brown pants flapping around his ankles in the cool sea breeze. His dark green vest hanging untied and opened from his shoulders.
But he wasn't the only one creeping around the ship, there were three others as well. Two were bringing goods up from the bottom of the ship.
The redhead was on watch duty today, he laid towards the back of the ship now holding his little sock cap on his head.

"Oy! Daniel Hows it lookin?" One of the men walking up the stairs called.
Daniel, the red haired boy, turned around and looked down at him "So far so good, I wouldn't take to much longer though, They should be heading back soon"

Jacqueline strode down to the pier carrying her purchases. She ignored the stares from the ladies and gentlemen. The mixture of outrage and awe on their faces was a familiar sight when she went ashore. When she first boarded The Divine Retribution the captain had requested she don mens clothing, now two years later she was at home in the green slops and tan shirt. For support she wore her stays over the shirt and buttoned a blue waistcoat to keep it from showing.

Jacqueline turned the corner and could see the docks now. Despite having just docked from a month at sea, she was ready to set sail again. For now it was her watch and she hoped Tar hadn't fallen asleep in the sun again.

"alright then lads" One of the men called form below "Shift yer selves and lets get what we have over to our lady" He cheered a bit as he stomped up the stairs a bag over his shoulder. He was a broad shouldered older man with a long tight brown braid hanging from his chin. His tattered red and green tail coat and the three pointed hat atop his head said he was some higher ranking officer, though not captain.

"Daniel get the boat ready boy!" The bearded man snapped as he kicked at the boy.

Daniel gave a quick salute and hurried to the side of the ship, climbing down a rope ladder to the little dingy they'd tied up just out of sight from the peer. Soon two of the men were making their way up and down the ladder with massive sacks of food and Valuables slung over their shoulders.

When all four men were situated in the boat along with their spoils, each grabbed an oar and began the short trip back to the ship.

Jackie walked to the end of the dock and up the gangway. As she'd suspected old Tar was dozing against the sun warmed rail. After setting her packages down it was easy enough to move around him silently. She pulled her pistol from the leather belt she wore and pressed the muzzle to Tar's back.

He woke with a start, putting his hands up in surrender. "Now if I'd had ill intentions," Jackie said with a smile, "I could have shot you where you slept. The captain doesn't go lightly on slackers." Tar turned, looking appropriately chastised. "Get going, Tar. I won't tattle on you."

When he'd left, Jacqueline quickly took her packages to the hold. When she returned to the deck she took up Tar's position, watching the activity on other ships and on shore. She didn't mind being the only one on board, the pitch and roll of the small waves were comforting to her.

Daniel was probably the only sober one, which was why he was on look out. The other three men laughed and carried on, one of them launching into a drinking song as the rowed away.

Daniel sat in the back, his back pressed against one of the others as they rowed, he was looking back at ship they'd just robbed a huge smile on his face. It was probably one of his first jobs and he was incredibly happy with him self to have done it right. His usual job was as a cabin boy.

Jacqueline walked away from the dock to look out to sea. She heard the rowdy voices of some sailors enjoying their time ashore. As she looked out at the bay she saw the source of the singing.

"Ahoy!" She called to them. They were too far for Jackie to see who was in her dingy. "Where are you headed?"

"Ahoy to you too pretty lass" The bearded man called.

One man slapped him "Thas no Lass mate thas just old jack!" He yelled laughing flopping back a bit in his seat.

"Miss Jacque! Help us get this aboard" Daniel called leaning on the ship a bit "There's some one heading to the ship we robbed, wanna get this in before they notice" He laughed as they pulled the little ship up along the dock.

"Are you insane?" Jacqueline cried. She threw a rope ladder over the side. "I can not believe you went with these fools Daniel. The captain is not going to be happy if this means we have to leave port ahead of schedule."

She threw a rope over the side waited for them to tie a bag to the end. When the rope was secured she hauled the rope over the side with ease. "And if you call me old Jack again, you fat brute, I'll relieve you of several important bits. I'm young enough to be your daughter."

The bearded man only laughed again "Won' have ta leave if we get this all stowed away properly" He said pinching her cheek once he was up the ladder with his own sack "Now get t'helpin the boys."

Daniel looked up at Jacqueline and shrugged "Sorry Got shanghaied for it, Jules threatened to throw me in the water if I didn't"

The bearded man, Jules nodded vigorously "Needed all the hands I could get I did, Tar was sleepin" He grumbled "Or I'd of taken him"

The two other men were occupied with lugging all the bags up on the boat happily.

Jacqueline slapped Jules across the face. He may be bigger than her, but she had a higher rank. "Don't you dare order me around. I've been around longer than you, I ain't gonna take your crap." With that she turned on her heel and went back to her post.

It was always the same with Jules. He could never leave things be. There was enough loot below decks to make them all rich for life, and he had to do something stupid. He was going to get them all hanged.

"Ah Come on then Jacky, my love, my sweet, prettiest little lass what ever sailed the ocean blue" Jules was cooing now, trying to win her over with sweet words, "Come now be a sweet lass and help us unload."

Daniel just shook his head and marched back to the side of the ship to help with the last sack of stuff. He knew where this was going. Those two were volatile when together always arguing. He had a feeling that somewhere deep down they were friends, or at least drinking buddies.

Jacqueline turned at the railing. "No. You do not get to sweet talk me Jules. Get your ill gotten loot below deck yourself."

She turned her back on the large man. On shore there was a small flurry of activity, as the missing cargo was discovered. Several men in military uniforms walked to each ship, inquiring about the stolen items. Jacqueline watched them progress down the line of sloops. She hoped Jules would have the cargo stowed by the time they arrived. She didn't want to have to explain to them. Though she wouldn't have any qualms about turning Jules over at the moment. A night in a cell would do him good.

Jules, despite his ability to play the fool, was quick and efficient. Especially with the other two men and Daniel helping him. All loot was evenly dispersed with objects of their own , nearly indistinguishable from anything they'd already had.

Daniel was first to be turned loose from those duties and walked up on the main deck only to see the men in Military uniforms walking up the gangway to their ship. Daniel had once been in such a uniform before he'd deserted and wound up on the ship. They'd only let him join because his reason had been good hearted reasons desert, not cowardly ones. Daniel was a bit soft, which is why he'd never been promoted past cabin boy(though he was treated better than any other cabin boy on the seas), he was soft but always good in a pinch.

"Aye Jules" Daniel called down below laughing a little "The constables found out what you did to that little lass down at the docks...She musta had herself a husband", wordplay was one of Daniel's many fortes.

Jacqueline greeted the militia as they strode aboard the Divine Retribution. She answered each of their questions with as much honesty a pirate could display. In the end they didn't ask to go below, as the captain was not present.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Jacqueline slumped against the rough wood of the railing. Jules would be the death of her. She had two more hours of guard duty before she was relieved. One could only hope that they would be relatively uneventful. "Jules, You need to give me several good reasons not to rat you out to Captain Atwood. You nearly cost us a good port of call."

Jules shrugged a little and looked her dead in the eye "I don't have a good reason, save that the water was runnin a bit low an so was the other perishables. Plus dear old cookie sent me out for a ration run....I can't help I like to save money where I can"

He stood there not batting an eye, not looking ashamed at all over what he'd done. Jules only reached up and ran one rough calloused hand over that thick braided beard before smiling a bit "Ye can rat me out if you like little miss, I'll take what punishment that comes"

"I cannot let it be Jules. One way or another the captain will find out. You knew what Augustino meant and you chose to do it anyway." Jacqueline was furious. Jules normally got on her nerves every chance he got.

She was the only woman aboard their ship. And on the first night she made it clear to every man aboard the she was not available for pleasurable company. He was the only one that took it personally. She felt sorry for them but not enough to let them use her like some strumpet.

"an I told yeh....I'll take what punishment that comes lass. " He folded those huge arms, "The Captain don't scare me, I respect him but I aint afraid" Jules tromped off back down the stairs waving to her a little "If the good man wants me I'll be in my bunk" He grumbled.

Daniel sighed and shook his head a little "You know theres no stopping Jules when he gets something in his mind" He said as he picked up a mop from the side of the ship.

Jacqueline let out a scream of frustration. "I know that, but he's going to get us killed some day. I won't lose my life for that man, or any man for that matter."

She hunched over the railing and watched the militia march back towards the merchant ship they'd come from. Despite the spat they'd just had, Jacqueline wasn't looking forward to turning Jules in. The captain would be back by evening and there was a lot to do before that.

The other two crew in the caper returned to the deck now that the storm clouds had cleared. Jackie turned and marched over to them. "You two. You will go into town. You will buy the rest of the supplies needed for our next voyage. You will bring them back here with no delay. Got it?" They nodded and hurried off to do her bidding. The wrath of Jacqueline Drew was legendary among the crew.

Daniel laughed a bit, he knew what Jules was in for. Then he lowered his head a little, he was probably in for something of the same. He'd been helping him after all. The boy shook his head and sighed a little as he continued to scrub the deck, maybe if he was busy when the Captain heard the news he'd receive a little less of a beating, or lecture. Though with Daniel's position in the crew it looked more like a beating.

Jacqueline turned to the last member of the caper. "You know Daniel, you can tell them no once and a while. They'd probably think more of you for standing up for yourself." She moved slowly back to the gangway.

The sun was moving across the sky with unbearable slowness. The shift was about half over, but Jackie was sure this would be the longer portion of her shift. "When the captain returns I will be sure to let him know that you had nothing to do with the planning of this adventure."

Daniel looked up, some how her words stung more than any lashing he'd ever received. He took a deep breath and let out a long sigh, his gaze diverting to the gentle waters of the bay. He wasn't sure if he wanted to thank her for her efforts or not.

"I do appreciate that Ms.Jackie..." He said softly as he went back to his work, "Your a fine person Indeed". Daniel had figured it was probably in his best interest to show a little gratitude towards her.

It was now that the large figure of the Captain, Captain Anton Ivanov, was making his way towards the ship. He was a broad shouldered Russian man with a head of shoulder length brown hair that hung messily around his clean, newly shaven face. He was decked out in a tattered blue tail coat with gold and silver stitching around the cuffs. He wore a classic three pointed hat atop his head with a large peacock's feather tucked in the band. For the most part he was a good natured man, but when he was angry, well you really didn't want to be around when he was in a foul mood. He clopped up the gangway in his scuffed and muddy boots. He paid no mind to anyone on deck and instead headed directly to his cabin.

Jacqueline looked at him oddly. It was rarely that anyone called her a fine or decent person. Being aboard a pirate vessel the only was to stay alive was to be a ruthless cutthroat. She had hated losing the tender side, but she was glad to have her position on the ship. There was no way she'd go back to being a ladies maid for some upper class biddy.

"Ahoy captain." She said as he climbed the gangplank. "Did you enjoy your time ashore?" He was back earlier than she'd expected. Jackie had hoped to have some time to herself before having to report to her commander.

"Hallo Jacqueline, it is all going well I am presuming" The Captain mumbled in that deep baritone voice of his. He pulled open his cabin doors and stood there looking at her, half waiting for her answer. He reached up pulling off his hat slowly, starting to head into the cabin ever so slowly. Captaion Ivanov didn't seem to be in the best of moods at the moment, his face had a tired look about it.

Daniel hurried across the deck with his bucket, getting as far from the captain as possible before she told him what had happened. He didn't like how things were looking.

Jacqueline walked toward the captain. "Sir, there was an incident with Jules. He took a couple men over to The Graceful Anne and ransacked her hold. The militia were here asking questions."

She hated having to burden the captain with the stupidity of her fellow crew, but if Jules wasn't reprimanded it would only be harder to control him. If Jules got away with this sort of thing, there could be a mutiny on their hand before long.

Captain Ivanov groaned and his shoulders sunk, "He is showing lack of common sense again..." He grumbled.
Reaching up he ran his hands through his hair a little a dark expression on his face, "an where is Jules and his men at the moment..." He asked coldly, "I will speak with them...and perhaps a bit more."

Daniel cringed a bit, making himself as small as possible while still going about his job.