Secrets from the Deep

Chapter 5

While Meg, Annie, and Jasper made their way to where Captain Modi and his gang had kidnapped Jasper's friends, Caden was trying to figure out how to escape from the Air Mando with the rest of the captives.

"Alright, so, in the dead of night, we break open this window, which is right above the ship's rescue dinghy. Assuming we can all fit into the small boat, we can row off to safety," Albert suggested.

"Good morning, boys. Today your pirate training begins!" the first mate of the Air Mando said as he opened the door.

"But I don't want to," Alex complained.

"Listen, young man. When you're a captive on the Air Mando, you have two choices. You learn how to be a member of this crew, or you WALK THE PLANK!" the first mate yelled.

"Knowing that we'll be leaving tonight, I guess one day of pirate training will be fine," Alex thought before saying, "Alright, I'll learn how to be a pirate for the dreaded Captain Modi."

"Thank you, but first of all, you do not refer to our leader as dreaded. Instead, you shall refer to him as the powerful Captain Modi, or, if you would prefer, Sir."

The captives walked out onto the upper deck into the sunlight, where the entire pirate crew was waiting for them.

"Good morning, men," a tall man with long black hair tied in a ponytail wearing a scarlet coat and matching hat said as he stepped forward.

"Are you Captain Modi?" Caden asked, confused about this man's attire, after believing the older-looking man he had fought yesterday was the pirate captain.

"Yes, he is, and I am his mentor, Terrance Espen," the older man explained proudly.

"What are we learning today, Sir?" Robert asked.

"The first thing every pirate learns is how to climb up to the crow's nest and be able to hoist the sails. Young man, I can see you right now, don't try to leave," Captain Modi said, taking notice of Charles trying to get to the dinghy and get off the ship.

"If I can't escape like this, then I challenge you to a duel!" Charles announced as he grabbed a sword and charged toward the man who kidnapped him. However, when he was only six feet away from Captain Modi, Charles was defeated instantly, losing his sword to the combatant.

"Wait, what? How is that possible!" Charles demanded.

"After more than twenty years of pirate training, you learn a thing or two about how to use a sword," Captain Modi answered before giving Charles's sword to Terrance.

"Yeah, we need to stop challenging these guys to sword duels," Caden whispered to some of his friends, mildly in awe of the captain pirate's sword skills.

"Anyway, enough with all of these silly attempted escapes. All of you, in a line next to the ladder! Time for your first lesson!" Terrance yelled. The boys obeyed within seconds.

"Your first lesson is simple. Climb up to the crow's nest, hoist the sail and after unleashing it, climb back down," Captain Modi directed as he paced the upper deck and waited for the first captive to attempt the task. Not wanting to walk the plank, Michael immediately started climbing the ladder. At the same time, the others waited and prayed that they would survive till that night when they were planning to escape.