Hollick stood with his arm around Alicia as they watched The Avenger sail off in one direction and the long boats with crew and Marines in the other. Henry had left him enough men to sail the Frigate to Mole St. Nicolas, and would then sign on along with the few crew left from the Bright Star until he could bring them back to Santo Domingo.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"I feel sick about the Private, he was the one guarding your cell when-"

"I know, the lads told me. I was thinking of your father actually. Will you be all right?"

"I think so. I don't know, he was my father."

"I did try to-"

"Oh, Hollick, don't blame yourself. You saw what he was like at the end. The same mean, self centred man he always was. Even my mother told me she stopped loving him a long time ago. She stood by him but only out of duty." She leaned into him and wrapped an arm about his waist. "That's something you won't have to worry about with me, my love."

"Yes, well I certainly hope not, I've already chosen the name for this ship when she's refitted."

"Oh, what? Bright Star two?"

"No. I'm calling her, Alicia."

FIVE YEARS LATER

"Belay that jabber and raise yer glasses to the next Captain of the Alicia."

There was a loud roar of agreement and a blur of voices as they joined in the toast. Hollick leaned over and kissed Alicia then bent down and kissed top of the head of their four year old son, Terrance Hollick Jr..

"I wonder what sailing will be like when he's old enough," He said intimately to her.

"I wonder what he'll be like." She smiled back and took his hand.

"Give us a speech on behalf of the young 'un, Captain." The request drew another roar from the crowd in attendance.

Hollick held up a hand and stood. "Alright, you poor excuses for sailors... and you women that put up with them, quiet down and listen." He picked up his glass and drank.

"Today marks not only our son's birthday, but the anniversary of the birth of the Alicia. Before her I was proud to have sailed a magnificent schooner. Bright Star was her name. Some of you sailed her with me through many years of adventure with fair winds and foul. When the British stormed our haven in Tortuga, they ended that era and the Bright Star was sent to the bottom of the sea. That event prompted the hunt for a new ship and it was the very one that sailed against us that we captured. The Dark Sea... now the Alicia." Terrance Jr. began making noises as he banged his fork in the slab of cake on the plate in front of him.

"I don't think this is of much interest to him." Hollick ruffled his hair. "His mother and I have made a decision regarding the ship and what we will be doing with our lives."

This drew some short gasps and murmurs from the crowd.

"Mister Gregory Mullen, a loyal and valued friend for many years will be the new Captain of the Alicia." The silence almost hurt. "Mister Ryan Cafferty will be his first officer and after that, they will choose their own subordinates. It wasn't an easy decision, giving up the sea, but a determined one nonetheless. You won't find two more able men to serve under and you won't find a finer ship since the refitting. I thank all who sailed with me. Fought with me. Laughed and lived the life we wanted together, and I wish you calm seas and fair winds wherever you sail."

There was a round of applause and good wishes as the couple and their son left the boathouse they had used for the occasion, and returned to the ship for the last time.

REVENGE IS A BOOMERANG.

GARRET SMITH, Living Sparks of Life

The officers huddled about the desk in the ship's Captain's quarters, shuffled uncomfortably as the man behind the desk laid out his intent.

"The man I have in irons sailed with Hollick right up to the end and he is going to tell where I can find him."

"Sir, how came we by this prisoner? Is he really an ex crew member? How are we so certain?"

Woodcuffe leaned back and assessed the fresh face, the spotless uniform and the ingratiating use of the royal 'we'.

"He was taken by my Marines in a skirmish off Puerto Rico as he and several others attempted to deliver what they term, aid, to the less fortunate of the populace." Woodcuffe leaned forward on his elbow. "Most were killed right away and the one I have here is the last."

"Most were killed?" Another officer spoke unintentionally.

"Two learned that keel hauling has a poor outcome, Mister Bryce."

The shuffling of feet was the only sound in the oppressive atmosphere.

It turned out Woodcuffe was right. The pirate crew member couldn't stand up to the physical abuse he was subjected to. In the end he revealed Hollick's location and for his trouble, took a musket ball through the face.

"Ready the ship, Mister Cairo, we leave at dusk and we will take our quarry at sun up."

******

Alicia pulled little Terry's nightgown over his head, tried lifting him like she used to do when he was smaller but only managed a grunt, and dropped him onto the cot, tickling and giggling with her son.

"I won't be doing that any more, you are getting to be a heavy little man."

"Will you still tickle?"

Alicia laughed and kissed him hard on the head. "I will always tickle, little man." She pulled the cover up to his chin and told him to close his eyes and go to sleep.

"You are a wonderful mother, my pirate queen." Hollick took her in his arms and twirled slowly, kissing her neck and cheeks. "What do you think about sharing some of that love?"

"Are you saying I don't?" She leaned back out of his arms, smiling.

"No, but tonight I think I would enjoy a larger portion."

His look was pensive and the retort she had ready died on her lips.

"Hollick, is something wrong? What's wrong?"

"Nothing... something... I don't know." He waved a dismissive hand. "Forget it, it's nothing."

She leaned back into his arms, her cheek against his chest. "This isn't you, Hollick. I know when something is not right."

"It might not be who I was but it's who I am now." He squeezed her closer.

"You frighten me."

"Don't be silly." He leaned down with a kiss and soon the doubt passed as they both fell into the delirium of the moment.

"I believe I could part with a larger portion, sir, if you are still craving enjoyment."

"And I believe I can do justice to your generosity." He laughed, and scooped her up into his arms, staggering slightly to the bedroom.

Dawn broke slowly over the end of the small island where Hollick and Alicia had chosen to live. A stealthy sun crept across the water and painted the wooden boards of their small cottage, gradually peeking through the windows. Hollick woke abruptly and lifted up on his elbows, listening. He glanced over at Alicia, dwelling on the calm, features that so long ago ensnared his heart, then slipped from the bed and walked to the window.

The long boat had been pulled up onto the beach and there was a Marine guard standing beside it. Alarm bells rang in his head and he dashed across the room for his musket and cutlass. The door in the out room crashed open as he came from the bedroom and he froze as half a dozen marines burst inside, muskets leveled at him. Behind them, calmly and wearing the ultimate smug look, Woodcuffe stepped into the room and stopped.

"Well, well. At last, Mister Hollick."

"Captain Woodcuffe. Welcome to my home."

Woodcuffe laughed nastily. "Indeed? Welcome?' He laughed again and paused, looking over Hollick's shoulder. "Aah, Miss Francorte, so nice to see you again."

"It's Mrs. Hollick, sir." She said standing beside her husband.

"Really, you actually have an official paper from the church do you. I thought you pirates just took your women where you found them."

Hollick moved Alicia behind him. "Your reason for this rude arrival, sir?"

Woodcuffe crossed the room and stood almost nose to nose with Hollick. "To extract payment for this, sir." He waved the stump of his arm close to Hollick's face then stepped back a pace. "Take him!"

The Marines moved forward and Alicia screamed no but Hollick held her back. "See to Terry."

"No! They can't do this!"

"Go, Alicia, take care of our son." He could say no more as the Marines forced him outside and down to the beach.

The two guards stood either side of Hollick as Woodcuffe arranged himself in front. Chin high, chest out, he was enjoying every moment.

"As the Military authority representing the King's navy, I, Captain Seth Woodcuffe, Commander of the ship Bold Sea, hereby sentence Pirate Terrance Hollick to death for his crimes against the ships of trade and commerce plying the waters of the Caribbean Sea." He drew his pistol and let it hang down by his side.

"Do you have anything to say, sir, before the sentence is carried out?"

"No! No!" Alicia came out of the cottage, Terry clinging to her skirt. "Have mercy, sir. For the love of God... the child!"

"Mister Cairo, restrain that woman."

"Sir, aye."

"No! Hollick... oh God, no!"

"Well, pirate?"

"Just let my wife and the boy go, you have no need to harm them."

"Is that all?"

"Your word as an officer?"

"I'll give you my word." Woodcuffe raised the pistol and fired.

"NOOOoooo!" Alicia tore loose from the guards and ran down to Hollick, throwing herself across his body. "No, Hollick, no. Don't die on me. Please, God, please."

"Take- take good care of Terry, my pi- pirate quee.........."

"HOLLICK!"

Woodcuffe put his pistol away and wiped his face with a hankie. "Mister Cairo, arrest this woman."

"Sir? What of the boy?"

"I gave you an order, Mister Cairo."

Two guards dragged Alicia from Hollick's body, her hands and blouse soaked with his blood. She squirmed in their grip and shrieked at Woodcuffe.

"Bloody murderer! I'll see you in hell, you- you foul bastard swine!"

"Take her now!"

"Sir! The ship!"

Everything on the beach stopped as they all looked seaward to the flames engulfing the Bold Sea. Laying off her starboard side were the Avenger and the Alicia, cannons now trained on the shore. Woodcuffe stood speechless and before he could gather himself, a party from the ship came from behind the cottage and surrounded the Marines, relieving them of their weapons. Mullen hastily gathered young Terry up and led him away from the scene on the beach. Alicia pulled free of the guards, took one of their pistols and walked with grim deliberation toward Woodcuffe, who was still gazing stunned at his ship going up in flames.

"Mister Woodcuffe."

"Huh?" He turned and Alicia blew most of his head off at close range.

The sea was a rolling swell and white clouds scudded across the sky as if racing the imposing vessel. The crew busied themselves with the rigging and deck maintenance, keeping an ear alert for a sighting by the lookout. When it came, a ripple of excitement stirred them all to their posts and the first mate climbed up to the quarterdeck.

"It's another British Frigate, Skipper, are we engaging?"

"It's what we do, Mister Mullen, it's what we do. Ask Mister Cafferty to tell young Terry to ready the extra pistols in the cabin."

"Aye, aye, Skipper."

"And hoist our colours, Mister Mullen."

The ship made way to come about and she watched the flag run up the line. It flapped proudly with the new name of the ship... The Pirate Queen. Alicia looked up to the clouds, and smiling, gave a tiny wave.

END