Governor Francorte was up early, ordering the household around as they scurried to get his things ready for the trip to Jamaica. He sent one servant to inform Captain Woodcuffe he would be arriving at the ship within the hour and wanted assistance moving his things into his quarters. When the servant returned he handed Francorte a note with trembling hands.

"What's this then? He snatched the piece of paper and read quickly. His features darkened and he glared at the servant malevolently.

"Get these things loaded in the carriage immediately." All the servants present hastily grabbed bags and trunks and rushed them out to the drive, loading the carriage as fast as they could.

Francorte read the note again and cursed aloud. The sea trial had uncovered a few small flaws but Woodcuffe would not take it to sea until they were corrected and that would be, at the earliest, that evening.

The carriage arrived at the dock and a red-faced Francorte disembarked and strode toward the group of workmen standing with the Captain.

"What is this nonsense about not sailing until this evening? I expressly said we would leave this morning."

"We discovered a few small problems that could become larger problems at sea. As Captain of this ship, holding the responsibility of all aboard, I will not leave until they have been corrected."

"Well I'm here and I intend going aboard and securing my quarters. Have someone show me the way." He turned and signaled the carriage driver to begin unloading his baggage.

"Belay that!" Woodcuffe ordered, pointing a finger at the driver. "Governor Francorte, until I grant the final approval for release of the ship, no passengers will board."

"I'm not just any passenger, Captain, I am the Governor of this island and you are taking me to meet the Governor of Jamaica where I will receive his daughter's hand in marriage, sealing an important pact between our two colonies." He turned and waved a,' carry on' hand at his driver.

"Sergeant, post a man at the gangway and let no one on board until I give the order." Woodcuffe stared hard at the Governor and then in a more conciliatory tone, "Private Benson, conduct the Governor to my office and see that he is made comfortable. You will remain to perform any service he may require. And now, sir, I have a ship to ready - if you will excuse me."

Francorte gaped after the man as he turned away then swung his eyes around, riveting Private Benson with a molten glare, astonished that the man was not in jail as he had demanded.

******

Henry van Dught leaned on the rail amidships and watched the fish swimming next to the hull of his ship. His spy in the Dark Sea work party gave him the news about the new sailing time and he was most pleased.

"Our plan will have a much easier time under cover of dusk or even darkness. I told my man to do what he could to delay it until sunset. He was worried they might catch on but a small bag of gold coins seemed to turn him into a fearless conspirator."

"I am truly impressed and grateful, Henry. Repaying you will be my mission once this is all settled."

"Don't worry, my friend, once you command a ship like the Dark Sea, there will be plenty of opportunity for repayment."

"Once that happens, it won't be the Dark Sea anymore. She'll be docked and repainted and christened anew."

"As?"

"Alicia."

******

A fiery red ball of sun settled gently on the horizon and the Avenger slid silently from its mooring near Port Salut and along the south coast of Hispaniola. At the same time, the Dark Sea left port out of the Canal du Sud, past Jeremie and around the point turning southwest to Jamaica. When she cleared the passage, the Avenger was waiting.

"I'm not pleased with my quarters, Captain. I expected something a little better than steerage." Francorte joined Woodcuffe on the quarter deck, uninvited and huffing and puffing.

"This is not a cruise ship, Governor. It is a Frigate ship of the line."

"Well when we return there had better be another arrangement for my new wife and I. Sir John Dalling, the Governor there, is not a man to toy with, sir."

"I'm quite familiar with the man, Governor and I know his daughter Anne Louise as well."

Francorte looked thunderstruck. "How could you know Sir John and- and Miss Dalling?"

"We served together under James Wolfe in the St. Lawrence campaign against Quebec. After which he went to assume governorship of Jamaica. I also know that Sir John holds little tolerance for the slavers in the Caribbean."

Francorte felt the sting of the comment and diminished in front of the officers with Woodcuffe. He quickly changed the subject and attempted to regain some status.

"There is another matter I would like to take up with you. This Private you have assigned to me," he turned and waved a dismissing hand at Private Benson. "You were supposed to have thrown him in jail."

"I advised you at the time, sir, I am responsible for the disciplining of the men under my command and Private Benson received a fair and adequate punishment."

"I didn't see any where he was punished in any way." Francorte steamed.

"Nevertheless, he was and I might emphasize that while aboard this ship, sir, there is no other authority. Now if you will-"

"Ship bearing two points off the starboard stern!" The cry from the lookout sent everyone scrambling as the intimidating form of the Avenger plowed directly toward them.

"Master gunner!" The command was cut short as a shot splashed directly beside the stern. Woodcuffe shouted for the Marine guards and then because things changed so quickly he had to scream at the crew to prepare for boarding.

Grappling hooks sailed through the air as the Avenger drew alongside, their sharp end snagging on the rigging and the hatches, pulling the boats together in a staggering crash. Before the Marines could muster, pirates swarmed across the railings and quickly overwhelmed them. Woodcuffe and his three officers tried to defend the quarterdeck but were immediately outnumbered and quit the fight when one of the officers was cut down. Francorte cowering behind the helm, tried shouting that he was the Governor of Hispaniola, hoping to impress or intimidate the attackers.

"Captain, sir, I am taking command of your ship and removing you and all your crew to the boats."

"This is an outrage, you villainous thug! This is a ship of the line in the King's navy!"

"Not any more, I'm afraid." Hollick dropped down onto the deck from the rail and smiled at Woodcuffe and the Governor.

"You!"

"Yes, Captain, me. Since you drove me from my haven and destroyed my ship, I am taking yours in payment."

"You'll hang for this, Hollick!" Francorte screamed.

"Maybe one day, Governor, but not for this. Oh, and I want to assure you that your daughter is perfectly safe and well. She was a little surprised and understandingly upset, when the Captain here shelled our haven with little regard for her well being. And we both know who ordered that."

"Enough blather," van Dught cut in. "I can't sit around here all day. Get them into the boats."

The pirate crew hustled the Marines into a group and took all their weapons then forced them into one of the longboats. The crew followed, and the few that were hiding below decks were rooted out and shoved into the boats as well.

"Your turn, Captain." Hollick said.

"This is not over, Mister Hollick." Woodcuffe started for the stairs when there was a shout from the Avenger.

"Alicia!" Francorte leaned on the rail and looked across the gap between the ships to his daughter. "Alicia, come now, you'll be safe with me."

"I only stopped you to say goodbye, father. Don't waste your time trying to find me, I feel very safe where I am now."

"ALICIA! What are you saying?"

"Goodbye, is what I'm saying, father."

He swung around and in a fit of rage, his attention fell on Private Benson, who had been ordered to stay with the Governor at all times, and he lunged at him, knocking him into one of the pirate crew. There was a brief, surprise struggle and Francorte stood suddenly, waving the pirate's cutlass. Private Benson tried to scrabble out of the way but a swift slash of the cutlass lacerated his neck and side. Henry van Dught raised his pistol but had to dodge another wild swing.

Hollick called out for him to stop and surrender without more bloodshed but Francorte turned on him and the blow was blocked with Hollick's own blade and the two men thrust together, fire in one, fear in the other.

"Father, stop!" Alicia called, too late. Francorte had lost control of his senses. Blind anger and rage drove his actions as he jumped back and swung again, gouging a chunk from the rail next to Hollick.

"This is futile, sir." Hollick said, grunting as he parried another thrust.

"I'll see you in hell, pirate!" He jumped forward, arm outstretched and missed, losing his balance and crashing down the steps to the main deck. Hollick leaped after him.

Henry stayed the hand of one of his crew who was cocking his pistol. "Let them have at it. It's a need that must be settled between them. See to that lad, he cut."

Francorte clambered to his feet, wincing in pain and clutched at a halyard for support. His leg was bent awkwardly and Hollick could see it was broken.

"Sir, surrender you sword and go to the boats, you will need medical aid for your injury."

"When I see you dead a my feet, then I will go to the boat." He swung on the line and tried jabbing Hollick but couldn't reach him. Woodcuffe, who had stood well back amidships, called to the Governor to give it up and let them get him to a doctor. His plea drew a scathing account of what he could expect when they returned to shore.

Finally, exhausted from trying to reach Hollick, who just stood back and waited, he reached inside his coat and withdrew a small pistol. Without a moment's hesitation, Hollick rushed him and the two men crashed over the rail and into the sea.

"Man overboard!" Henry shouted and several crew members raced to the rail with lines and boat hooks. Two heads bobbed to the surface, the owners clutched in a death grip. Francorte tried twisting his arm around to fire the pistol. but it was too wet and he cursed aloud, doubling his effort to overpower Hollick.

"Ahoy, Captain," one of the crew called. "Line to your port."

Hollick let go of the Governor long enough to grab the line and feel the tug toward the boat. His fingers slipped from Francorte's coat and he watched as the Governor slapped at the water trying to keep afloat. He couldn't kick with the broken leg and he kept sinking under, only to pop up again for a moment.

Hollick untangled the line and began swimming toward him. He called out to grab on but Francorte was slapping the water and swallowing great gulps each time he screamed for help. Just as Hollick reached him, he went under again but didn't surface. Ducking under, he tried to see but the water was opaque and he couldn't distinguish anything... Francorte was gone.