Chéri

Ch.11: Shiver me Member!

Coarse waters struck against the hull of the boat as harsh wind rolled in from the north. But there were more pressing concerns than the weather.

Cornwallis!

Jackson's eyes went wide.

The young Lord placed his hands behind his back and gave a confident little smirk.

Jackson reached for the pistol by his hip but was beaten to the draw by Amelia, Leigh, Jiayi, Jean-Luc, and Kingsley. Suddenly, the British Lord had five flintlock guns pointed his way. Jackson paused, his fingers running over the hilt of his grandfather's pistol.

"You're an idiot for coming here," said Leigh, her gun leveled at Cornwallis's head.

"Can I get this one, boss?" said Amelia eagerly, "It's been a while since I've dispatched a fellow countryman."

Cornwallis seemed unfazed. He stared back at the pirates with a uniquely listless expression that only someone born into power and privilege could have. He absentmindedly thumbed at his chin and adjusted his jacket.

"Before we kill him, we need to find out who gave us up," said Kingsley with his eyes narrowed, "And how he knew our code."

"I can think of a few ways of getting him to talk," said Amelia.

"I'm afraid torture won't be necessary in this case," said Cornwallis, "As much as you lot might enjoy it, I am already willing to tell you everything."

The group glanced at each other uneasily.

"Then spill it, Lordy. We haven't all day," Leigh said.

Cornwallis played with the sheathed sword at his side. "You lot gave yourselves up when you snuck aboard my boat and killed my man. Reports of a spy matching the description of Leigh Connelly were not hard to track back to your meager little vessel. From there, we were able to follow you all the way from Nassau to Havana. And as to your code, well, that was just a guess. If raising the flag didn't work, I would've just waited for you all to eventually come back."

"D'accord, now we know how he found us. We can kill him now, oui?" asked Jean-Luc.

Cornwallis raised a finger. "I wouldn't do that just yet."

The Lord stamped his foot against the deck. Soon after, the stairwell doors slammed open and men rushed up from below deck, carrying with them each a musket and attached bayonet. They weren't in uniform, but it was clear from their looks that they were redcoats. They quickly formed a circle around the pirates.

Jackson gulped. The soldiers outnumbered them two-to-one.

"This may change things," said Jiayi, adjusting her stance to protect the group's flank.

"Ah, we can still take 'em, can't we, mateys?" Leigh said.

"Aye!" snarled Amelia.

The pirates formed a circle of their own, albeit smaller, facing out at the surrounding soldiers. Their flintlocks were readied against the enemy's rifles. Jackson was nestled tightly between Kingsley and Amelia. He wasn't sure if it'd be more helpful if he raised his weapon or kept it holstered. He'd never shot a gun before, after all.

"Oh please, you're outmatched," said the Lord, "Face reality and give in."

"That'll be the day," said Leigh, her teeth bared.