Captain Fury: Pirate of Berk

43: Out of Time

Forty Three: Out Of Time

"You have got to be kidding me!" Hiccup groaned as Drago's dreadnoughts swung round to intercept the Night Fury as she headed out of Berserk Harbour. "I mean, not even Loki would come up with this number of ridiculous obstacles just when we think we've got away!"

"Good dude, I think you underestimate the Trickster!" Tuffnut said in a surprisingly serious voice. Ruff looked up and nodded, her expression equally intense. Hiccup stared at him and groaned.

"...and of course, you and Ruff both worship..."

"LOKI!!!!" they screamed in unison.

"Oh, Thor," Astrid muttered as she face-palmed. "Why am I not surprised?" But as they swung past the Harbour entrance, Fishlegs frowned for they were now definitely in the firing line for the enormous, heavily-armoured vessels. Both the ugly ships were at least twice as large bow to stern and in the beam as the pirate vessel and almost as fast. He stared at his Captain as the dreadnoughts converged on them.

"Um...Captain? Do we deploy the Thunderdrum?" he asked anxiously. Snapping his attention back to the present, Hiccup slowly levered himself to his feet and stared at the ships.

"No," he said thoughtfully. "I want to keep that in hand until we face the main fleet. Ruff, Tuff-use the normal guns and give them something to think about! Fish-where is that Typhoomerang?"

"Um...you might want to look at the manual..." Fish murmured, looking embarrassed.

"Full sail! Hard-a-port! Lay down a Thorston salvo on their stern!" Hiccup snapped. The crew leapt to their jobs as Fishlegs handed the manual over. He had marked one page that dealt with how the device operated and Hiccup scanned it twice then nodded, his agile mind grasping the principle and realising exactly what the device could do. "Get the device to the stern, guys," he said determinedly and they stared at him as he limped slowly to the prow.

"You okay, cuz?" Snotlout asked slowly as Hiccup slowly gripped the rail. He shook his head.

"Snot, we're out of time," he murmured. "Drago's ships are here for his ally...and that means he'll be heading for Berk as we speak. We need to finish this and then get back. After all, we have the weapons that may be the difference between success and failure and our side will need them..." He turned his head and looked at his crew. "Astrid-look after my son and for the Gods sake, keep him away from the side. I am sure he'd manage to fall overboard if I take my eye off him!"

Arild pouted. "Not fair..." he grumbled. "I wanna see the big ships get destroyed!" Hiccup's darkened green gaze flicked to Astrid and she grabbed the boy's hand, nodding.

"We'll be fine, Hiccup," she assured him, staring for a long moment into his eyes. "Do what you have to do. We'll be safe!" Then they headed into the cabin as Hiccup turned and glared at his crew.

"Ships are closing-why am I not hearing cannon fire?" he asked pointedly. "JUMP TO IT!"

"Whoa, dude-no need to bust your leggings!" Tuffnut protested and leaned to his task. The ships were closing and Roar flung the wheel round, jerking the Night Fury hard to port and away from the closing monster vessels. Everyone leaned as the ship listed and the cannons the enemy ships fired at them all missed. Sharing a very scornful look, Ruff and Tuff fired, double-powder on the waterline. The toughened boards bent and splintered but didn't quite breach. Undeterred, they loaded and fired again, this time punching a small hole in the hull.

"So it can be done," Cami mused, her blue eyes carefully watching the highly excessive amounts of powder the twins were using. "Hey-you'll kill yourselves using that much if it goes wrong!"