Era of a Red Sky

by Ryan Gilbert

  After he asked the question, Carter peered around, catching a look at the Dutchman. There did not seem to be much battle damage. Nearly all of the crew seemed to be standing on the deck, watching their leader’s interactions with Carter and the soldiers.

  There was one person that was noticeably absent though.

  “Where is your mermaid friend?” asked Carter as Hades had not bothered to answer his first question.

  Turning back to the Admiral, Hades replied, “She’s searching for something.”

  “And what is that?”

  “Answers that we don’t have.”

  Instantly, Hades latched on to the Admiral’s shoulder with his hand. Dozens of soldiers leveled their guns at the god of death, but he did not seem fazed by it. His focus was on Carter.

  “Lower your weapons, men,” ordered the Admiral, “The good captain here means me no harm.”

  Ignoring the soldiers’ actions and the officer’s order like they had never happened, Hades said, “I am losing faith in Ororis. We had Captain Riggs and the Red Sky in our grasp, but she had to let them slip through her fingers.”

  Through clenched teeth, Hades said, “I fear she’ll betray me.”

  With his arms resting behind his back, Admiral Carter waited for Hades to let go of his shoulder before he spoke. He knew that the best course of action to take was one of reason. Clarity is what Hades needed, and clarity is what he would receive.

  “I recall being in a situation that is highly similar to your own,” Carter replied, “I had an officer under my command that evoked the same sort of feelings in me. His name was Commodore Matthew Hamond.”

  “I’m familiar with that name,” said Hades, nodding his head.

  “I always had the sneaking suspicion that he was not ready to do what needed to be done to bring an end to piracy. He had the unfortunate disadvantage of having lost his daughter to the seduction of the life of a pirate. I could almost predict that he was going to break, but I could not tell when. When he did turn on me, it caused the deaths of dozens of honorable men in the Navy.”

  In an uncommon show of solidarity, Admiral Carter placed his hand on Hades’ shoulder. The men standing around the two could barely tell if it was meant to be reassuring or manipulative.

  “Do not wait until the last minute to find out that someone will turn on you, Jones. Keep a close eye on Ororis, and perhaps you can save yourself and your crew.”

  Without even meeting the Admiral’s stare, Hades said, “Agreed.”

  Before another word could be spoken, the god of death jerked his head to the side, peering out over the water. It seemed like he had spotted something.

  “Do you see anything?” asked Carter.

  “Aye… the wench of which we speak.”

  Pointing his finger at the ocean, Hades drew the Navy officer’s attention toward a black fin barely beneath the surface of the water. The mermaid sped toward the ship like a shark. Seconds later, she burst out of the water, propelling herself onto the deck of the ship as she transformed her fin into black-clad legs.

  “Welcome aboard the HMS Salvation, Ororis,” said Admiral Carter, locking eyes with the mermaid immediately.

  “Pleasure,” replied Ororis with an arrogant, smug look on her face.

  “I know you wouldn’t be here if ye didn’t have answers,” snapped Hades.

  Placing her hand on the god’s chest, Ororis calmly answered him, saying, “Oh, darling, did you think I wasn’t able to get an answer about our little pest?”

  “That remains to be seen,” he replied gruffly.

  Ororis let her hand rest on Hades’ chest as she directed her attention toward Admiral Carter. What she had to say was important.

  “I believe I know where the Red Sky is hiding.”

  “And where might that be?” asked Carter, clasping his hands behind his back.

  “I don’t remember a name, but there is a cluster of islands to the south of us. I remember them from many years ago. That is where I believe the pirates are.”

  “Are we just supposed to believe you?” asked Carter, continuing his line of questions.

  Flashing the Admiral a seductive smile, Ororis replied, “My word is the only option you have if you really want to end the pirate threat.”

  “Isn’t that right, Jones?” she asked, looking up at the god of death.

  Hades cast a glance at Carter, saying, “You are right.”

  Thankfully, Ororis did not notice the subtle nod from the officer to the god.

  “That settles it then,” said Carter, “Lead us to where you think those criminals are hiding, and we will bring them to justice…”

  Laying his hand on the hilt of his sword, he finished, saying, “…or death.”

  With a fiendish look on her face, Ororis made her way to the gangplank, closely followed by Hades. She could not wait to destroy the pirates for good.

  She would show no mercy.

  “Stay close to the Dutchman, Admiral,” she said, “We can’t have you missing the bloodshed.”

  Back on the island, the pirates laid on the sand, looking up at the stars. Most of them slept while the others merely rested their eyes. At last, they were able to relax. They had been lucky enough to find some food, enough to feed all of the surviving members of the crew. Even as they lay there, they kept their weapons near them, ready in case of another fight.

  Riggs leaned back against a large hunk of driftwood that he had been using as a seat. At his side sat Julia, her head propped against his shoulder. Even as he wrapped his arm around her, he could tell that she was fast asleep.

  “Ye look so beautiful,” he said, speaking to the sleeping girl.

  She did not wake, though it was not like he wanted her to. He could feel the gentle rising and falling of her shoulders as she dwelt in the world of her own dreams. He dared not disturb her any further.

  Down at the water’s edge, Riggs could see Coral Jack and Valera frolicking about in the shallows. How the boatswain managed to have the energy, Riggs had no idea. It was just delightful not having to worry about being killed.

  Looking past the two lovers, the Captain laid eyes on the Red Sky. While he and his group had searched for food, Sapphire and the crew that had stayed behind had been hard at work trying to repair the ship.

  From what Riggs could see, they had all done a rather fine job.

  There was still some battle damage, but he could not afford to push Sapphire any more. Neither he nor she knew the limits of her power. Hell, no one knew the limits. At this point, it was best for her to conserve her energy.

  They would need it in case of a battle.

  “Watch yer hand, ye mongrel,” came a tired voice from behind the Captain.

  “Ugh,” murmured Ripper, sliding to the side a bit to keep his arm from apparently hitting a crewmate.

  Riggs smirked as he listened to the exchange from beside the fire. Even as he sat there, his mind drifted between his memories and his thoughts. He could remember the first time that the Red Sky had run from Ororis, back whenever she was still in control of the Black Fog. Sitting on the sand, it brought him back to whenever he was laying on the deck of the Sky with Julia at his side. Back then, he could have never expected for things to have turned out as they had.

  Garrett’s mutiny.

  Finding the trident of Poseidon.

  Discovering Captain Kidd’s treasure.

  Destroying Henry Every.

  Having Julia at his side.

  Riggs would have been crazy if he would have predicted any of that to happen. Much like that moment several years ago, forces beyond his comprehension were bearing down on the Red Sky. It was an impossible task to try to face them alone, but if they wanted to stay alive, the pirates needed to do something.

  Peering around at his crew, Riggs knew that his ragtag group of ruffians would fight their hardest. They had all been through too much to give up now. Not one person on his crew would want to sail the seas if those waters were under the control
of Ororis.

  The combined threat of the mermaid and the Flying Dutchman made matters even worse. Those two were a serious threat that could kill any and all pirates.

  That is why they needed to fight.

  However, before the Red Sky went into battle, there was one more thing for Riggs to take care of. It was something that had been nagging him since their failed rescue attempt in Yorktown.

  At his side, Julia moved a tiny bit, readjusting herself in her sleep. Riggs looked down at her, smiling as he gently brushed her hair away from her face. With the moonlight hitting her face at just the right angle, she looked like an angel.

  There was just one question that needed to be asked.

  *rustle* *rustle*

  Jerking his head to the side, Riggs immediately reached for his pistol. There was a sound coming from further down the beach which he had not heard until now. He cursed silently, rolling over to get a look at what it was that was causing the noise.

  Even with the light of the fire behind him, Riggs could make out the flames of several torches bobbing up and down on the far side of the beach. Coral Jack and Valera must have noticed them as well because both of them were crouched down in the shallows, almost fully hidden. The Captain cocked his pistol, ready for a fight if need be.

  As the torches came closer, he could see that those who held them were in fact people. From what the flames illuminated, it seemed like they were other pirates, given by how they were dressed. Their swords and pistols were drawn, but they did not approach with any sort of caution.

  It was strange and rather unsettling.

  As the group of strangers reached the outer edges of the crew of the Red Sky, Riggs kept a close watch on their mannerisms. They did not seem like they were looking for a fight, but they did look like they were willing to fight if provoked.

  Hiding behind the driftwood, Riggs watched as the men grew closer and closer to him. For all they knew, every one of the pirates was sleeping.

  “What do ye reckon ‘appened to these blokes?” one of the strangers asked.

  “Don’t know. Don’t care,” said the man closest to Riggs.

  “Is there anything in partic’lar we should be looking for?”

  *click*

  “How about a shot to the face?” asked Riggs, standing up and pointing his pistol at the closest pirate.

  *click*

  With a look of surprise written on his face, the man responded accordingly, pulling his pistol on the Captain.

  At that first sign of trouble, Jack and Valera burst out of the water, her with her fangs and he with his sword. All the rest of the torch-bearing group whipped out their weapons, preparing for an attack. With all the commotion surrounding them, the crew of the Red Sky groggily scrambled to their feet, seizing their weapons and getting ready for a fight. In the crowded mess of pirates, every man had someone at the tip of his sword or the end of the barrel of his gun.

  It was a standoff.

  “Why don’t ye just stand aside and give us what we want? None of ye will die then,” said the pirate in front of Riggs.

  The Captain shook his head, saying, “Ain’t no one takin’ anythin’ from us, mate.”

  Suddenly, the look on the man’s face seemed to change to one of confusion. Without lowering his pistol, he held the torch forward, illuminating the pirate captain’s face.

  “Why do ye look familiar?” he asked.

  “I’m Captain Riggs of the Red Sky. Does that ring a bell?” Riggs barked, his finger still on the trigger.

  “Everyone just put your weapons away,” begged Julia, clambering to her feet and pulling at her love’s arm.

  At the sight of the girl, the stranger let out a laugh. Almost instantly, he lowered his pistol, holding the torch higher.

  “Now I know who ye are. You’re the mongrel who always kept throwing me out o’ the Goddess of Rum.”

  Turning his attention to Julia, the man said, “I don’t suppose ye’d be up for a boat ride, would ye, lass?”

  “Watch yer mouth,” ordered Riggs, finally recognizing the scoundrel. During Julia’s first visit to Rebelde, Riggs had fought him in the tavern, nearly bringing the whole town down on the pirates of the Red Sky. Thankfully, the pirates in Rebelde were more motivated by money than personal vendettas. The Captain had been throwing the drunkard out of the Goddess of Rum ever since.

  The man holstered his pistol and held up his hand, trying to show that he meant no harm.

  “The name’s Nathan Ward, Captain. I ain’t here to harm ye.”

  “What are you here for?” asked Riggs.

  Smirking, Ward replied, “Well, ain’t gonna lie, we were going to try to steal some stuff, but now that we know who ye are, we’ve got something even better waiting for ye.”

  “Better?” asked Riggs, “What do you mean?”

  Pointing to his men, Ward said, “Whether we like it or not, we all know who ye are. Aye, we’ve had our… disagreements in the past, but right now, we need to put all o’ that aside for the moment.”

  “I assume you’re talking about the Flying Dutchman?” questioned Julia as Riggs cautiously lowered his pistol.

  With a serious look on his face, Ward slowly nodded his head.

  “Both that monstrosity and the Navy. I can’t even tell ye how many ships they’ve sent to the depths.”

  “What does that got to do with us?” asked an inquisitive Riggs.

  As soon as the Captain finished his question, Ward let out a quick chuckle. He directed his torch in the direction of the far side of the beach.

  “Come with us, and ye’ll see.”

  Riggs could not tell if that was an order or an invitation. The least that he could do was oblige.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  After nearly an hour of walking, the crew of the Red Sky, led by Nathan Ward and his group of pirates, came across exactly what Nathan had meant. On the other side of the island, completely hidden from their view, were just over twenty ships, each vessel anchored in the shallows. Riggs had seen many of them docked in Rebelde during his visits to the port, but there were still some that he did not know.

  Bonfires were spread out across the beach. Clusters of pirates sat at each one, either keeping warm or eating food that had just finished cooking over the open flames. Some of the pirates seemed like they were much like Ward’s group, surprisingly docile. Others looked rather angry and perturbed, like one tiny thing could set them on a murderous rampage.

  None of the crew wanted that.

  “How long has it been like this?” asked Riggs.

  “At least a couple days by now,” replied Ward, “Me and my crewmates only just got here yesterday, but there are some who’ve been here fer weeks.”

  “Hidin’ from the Navy?”

  “Aye,” was Ward’s only response.

  As they walked through the clusters of pirates, the crew could hear whistles and jeering from the men. Once they saw Julia and Valera, their animal instincts took over. It was not unlike Rebelde, where the women had to deal with much of the same actions.

  Now, however, was not the time to focus on menial actions like that.

  “If ye brought us here to join your pirate haven, I can’t really say I’m impressed,” said Riggs.

  At that, Ward laughed.

  “I never said this was a pirate haven.”

  “Then what is it?”

  Stopping for a moment, Ward turned to face Riggs with a serious look on his face.

  “Right now, we’re nothing. It’s what we can be that’s important.”

  “And what’s that? An armada?” asked Riggs sarcastically.

  “Exactly,” replied Ward.

  Looking around at the clusters of pirates, Riggs said, “Is that your vision or theirs?”

  With a sigh, Ward said, “Right now, it’s mine and a few other captains’ visions. It’s not working out well. A lot of these men don’t have the hope that we do. Some of them just think they’re untouchable. So far, we ain’t been able to
reach ‘em.”

  Pointing his finger at the crew of the Red Sky, Ward began to change his tone, saying, “However, now that you all have arrived, we might actually stand a chance at turning these bilge rats to our side.”

  Turning back to his path, the pirate said to Riggs, “Keep up, Captain. There’s someone who I think might be a bit more familiar with you.”

  As the crew reached the outskirts of the fires, they noticed a small group of people sitting in the darkness. From where Ward was heading, it seemed like they were who he was talking about. With each step that the pirates took, they could make out more and more of their features. When they were about ten yards away, they could see all the features that they needed… or rather, the lack of features.

  It was the skeleton crew of the Blind Justice.

  “Captain Stephenson, ye’ve got some guests,” shouted Ward.

  From inside the crowd of skeletons, both Riggs and Nathan heard a female voice say, “Unless those men have decided to p-pick up their swords and fight, t-then I do not want to see anyone.”

  “Oh, I think ye do,” said Ward with a smirk.

  In front of him, the skeletons parted, allowing the pirate to see the gray eyes of Margaret Stephenson glaring at him. Just as he had predicted, her stern glare turned to joy once she saw the crew that stood behind him.

  “Captain Riggs!” she exclaimed, “What b-brings you here?”

  “Let’s just say a brush with death itself,” said Riggs, stepping past Ward to greet his fellow captain.

  “The Dutchman?” asked Margaret.

  “And Ororis,” said Riggs.

  “Where are they?”

  “I don’t rightly know, but they can’t be that far behind,” said Riggs.

  The female captain let out a sigh and peered down at the ground. It was certainly not the kind of response that the pirate had wanted to see.

  “What’s the problem? We can fight ‘em,” said Riggs, “There are certainly enough ships to take on the Flyin’ Dutchman. We just need to tell them what they’re up against.”