It may take a
little longer to knock out the next two chapters. I'm switching over
to MS Word from Open Office and it's going to take some time to
master it. Also I have just proofed Crossbreeds One: Battle Butte for
paperback soon after I will have CB2 Tanglewood Terrorists in
paperback. But in this episode Sharky must deal with a crew that is
ready to mutiny, jealous lovers and a bloody sea battle. And now the
cannon balls are coming.
BLOOD MOON
SOCIAL CLUB
DEATH AND
DOMINATION EPISODE FIFTEEN
By Karl Clay
Vetter & C. Vetter
This is a work of
fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogues are products of the
authors’ imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any
resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely
coincidental.
This story was
inspired by the fictional events and characters created at the Blood
Moon Social Club interactive theater. Produced and directed by Karl
Clay Vetter, C. Vetter and Patrick Foster.
The authors wish to
thank all the Blood Moon Social Club members for their outstanding
performances and support. The fictional characters in this story pay
homage to you each and every one. Proceeds from this book go toward
keeping the Blood Moon Social Club alive.
Copyright protected
© 2015 by Karl Clay Vetter and C. Vetter.
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner
whatsoever without written permission of the creators, except in the
case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Unauthorized digital sharing is a punishable offense.
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CHAPTER 30
SONS OF BASTARDS
Sharky held
the wheel tight as the wind pushed the Pelican to starboard.
“Not so
tight Capetian Sharky don't fight with her. Feel the wind and sea.
Watch your currents and feel your way along.”
“I'm trying
Handy but it feels like we are being pushed around by the sea, the
wind, and big waves.”
Handy
chuckled. “Oh she is tossing around alright but that's not bad
you'll get the right feeling soon. So you never sailed before?”
“No, never.”
she shot him a smile. “I like it and thank you for helping me to
learn I don't think it would be good to be captain and not know how.”
“Oh your
right about that. Captain's got to know the sea.”
She looked
back over her shoulder and saw the Cutlass trailing behind.
“I wonder
what they are up to? Norris seemed a bit stressed when Bret went
over.”
Handy was
quiet and gazed forward.
“Okay first
mate, what are the talking spiders saying that I should be aware of?”
“I was born
on a slave ship. My mother was the galley cook for the humans she was
my first Captain... first woman I ever took orders from. I like
serving for you too.”
“Oh, I see
the men are having a pow wow to bitch about the woman in charge. Well
you take over here and bring us up along side the cutlass.” she
started down the ladder. “When your mother had man trouble what did
she do?”
“Well,
sometimes she would make them something good to eat... and if that
didn't work she had a big heavy iron skillet.”
***
Norris sat at
the head of the table belting down whiskey from his coffee mug.
Barron sat to his right with Bret to his left. On the table were
several charts and the astrolabe.
“I won't
stand for it our deal was I'm captain and you follow me on this
expedition. What the hell does that little blood banker know about
sailing or being a captain? Nothing that's what!”
Barron nodded
in agreement. “True what you say, she is in over her head. Taking
the ship by surprise was a lucky break for her but running the crew
and leading us is another issue. Not to forget my quest was to find
the orb, so far we've done everything but look for it.”
Bret had been
silent but now they were looking at him expecting his input.
“Gentlemen I
hear what you are saying but none of us expected Sky Pirates you have
to admit things have change rapidly and we are all adjusting.”
Norris
bellowed. “What a load of none committal crap. We all know you're
in love with her. But damn it man this is our survival we're talking
about. Now scratch around down there and see if you can find your
balls. We need to stand together. I'd just take over but for that
damn blade of hers. That's a very dangerous thing to be left in the
hands of a silly child.”
Barron pointed
at the astrolabe. “That is our hold card gentlemen. Bret is the
only one who knows how it works so I suggest we keep it over here
under lock for safe keeping. Further more I feel...” he was
interrupted by a knocking outside the hatch.
“Permission
to come aboard Capetian Norris?” The hatch opened and Sharky
entered. The color had returned to her face and she looked in fine
health. She wore high top buccaneer boots, black breaches a white
shirt and black vest. Her long hair had been tide up in a head scarf
over this she wore one of Bedelia's aviator caps. A rather rakish
sash was cinched tight around her waist with her deadly dagger at the
ready. At a distance she might well be mistaken for a young man.
“I see the
three of you are giving those charts a good study. I just conferred
with my first mate, he has made the run to Komotogon many times and
assures me we are dead on course and should make land fall under
cover of night. Bret will have to guide us in. I'm sure you all would
agree we don't want to get caught by surprise. It seems to me we have
the advantage here. The Sky Pirates are drowned and no one as yet
knows the Pelican fell from the sky and certainly not that she sails
now.” She paused and took in their gaping stares. “Good! Then
let's settle this business of our agendas. We each have one and let's
begin with you Barron. Your treasure hunt it would appear has been
postponed. However, I say to you we are right on course. Bret led us
here to seek out Rainhaven and we are coming to that end. If he will
cooperate then all well and good, we will seek out your orb. Would
you say that's about accurate?”
“I can't
argue with that statement, no.”
“Bret you
want to return this gadget and have the reward lifted from your head.
Oh yes and let's not forget that thing you have dwelling in your
eye... That may take some doing but Komotogon is also our destination
for that bit of work too. Am I right on that count?”
“That's
about the size of it.”
“This leads
us to you Captain Norris. Your guidance and expertise has gotten us
this far. I have watched you closely and have learned a great deal
from you. A captain must feel the sea and wind. You don't fight with
your ship you guide her with a gentle touch. But the captain and crew
must be cared for too and I have brought you what you need.” She
called out. “Suki, you can enter now.”
A slender dark
skinned beauty slowly came through the hatch. She was attired in the
silk dragon tapestry Sharky had worn.
Norris blurted
out. “Who in blazes is this?”
“You don't
recognize her as one of my crew, do you? When you saw her last she
was fighting fires on the Pelican. When you remove the slave rags and
scrub the filth off she looks wonderful, doesn't she? Well Gentlemen
I think you would all agree that dress looks much better on her than
me. Suki was born on a small island way south of here. She was sold
to the Duke of Orleans and was treated badly as a slave. Capetian I
trust you will protect her from harm as you did me when I was in your
charge.
“Well...I...
“Good!
Handy, tells me she knows her way around a galley and can turn most
anything into a decent meal. Just remember she is a free woman now,
and if you find treasure a share goes to her. That's the arrangement
I have with my crew.”
“Well I
suppose we could use a cook... but we still need to settle...”
Norris was distracted by the appearance of the lovely young girl and
lost some of his bluster.
Sharky, seized
the opening and interrupted him. “Just a moment Captain Suki, why
don't you find Andre and have him show you where everything is? The
Capetian hasn't had a good meal in days.”
“Aye
Capetian Sharky.” She smiled at Norris gave him a little curtsy and
went out.
Sharky took
the chair opposite the captain and spun it around. She put her boot
in it and leaned over the table.
“Now listen
up you sons of bastards we are going into dangerous territory and we
need to stay focused on the mission at hand. I fought too hard to
free Suki and the others and I'll not see them caught. We get in and
out quick. Bret will pretend to be captain of the Pelican because we
all know what women are worth in this backward hell hole. He will
need the gadget to chart our course so it goes with him back to the
Pelican. Norris you are Captain of the Cutlass but I will run the
Pelican. The way I see it is this, we sail and fight together. There
is no other option we are all outlaws in this world and we have only
ourselves to depend on, so if any of you want out... say so now.”
***
Bedelia
entered the galley where the remaining nine human cargo were gathered
for a meal of fresh caught fish stew. The first protean any had had
in some time. A tall woman was dishing it into their bowls. As soon
as the vampire entered there was a palatable unease in the galley.
She was carrying a trunk filled with weapons and clothing and sat it
down on the deck. A glance at the angry faces told her she was in
hostile territory.
“Captain
Sharky, had me go through the belongings of the old captain and his
mate they won't be needing these things. You can divide them up. And
here is soap for washing. The new captain want's her crew looking
sharp.” She started to leave then paused. “Captain Sharky has set
you all free and for what it's worth I am still her prisoner. That is
a funny turn of events. Be advised however when the Lords hear of
this they will come for her with the vengeance of a relentless
hurricane. You will all have to fight for your freedom every day from
now on. I have decided that no mater what happens I'll be standing
with Sharky. In a strange way she has freed me as well. So you can
hate me as you will but I still fight with you when they come.”
The galley
cook spoke up.
“Yes, we are
free for as long as it last and you'll get no more blood from us.
When the hunger takes you and that pretty human form changes to the
un-dead thing behind that mask... we will stake you... burn you and
toss your unholy ashes to the winds.”
Bedelia was
never one to experience fear but the woman's words filled her with an
unfamiliar dread. She left and went back to her berth locking the
flimsy door tight. If they mutinied and came for her it would offer
little security.
***
The whiskey
was sour on his tongue and Norris grimaced. Somehow the liquor had
lost its bite. He sat the mug down and looked at the two vampires
watching him.
“Well what
are you looking at? I thought you blood suckers had hypnotic powers
to dominate mortals?”
Bret nodded.
“Some of us do but Bedelia said she tried and Sharky shrugged it
off. Perhaps that dagger gives her some kind of immunity?”
Barron shook
his head.
“No, I
recall back at the Blood Moon Social Club before she got it. There
was some talk of how she could resist such abilities. From time to
time we encounter a few humans with a strong dynamic will. They are
so driven, so focused that those tricks have no affect on them.”
Bret laughed.
“That little blood banker waltzed in here and shanghaied all of us
sons of bastards into joining her slave rebellion. That took more
than willpower.”
Norris downed
his last shot of sour whiskey and banged the cup on the table.
“Yeah brass
balls bigger than any of us damn her! She tricked us. I'll not stand
for it, she's not ramrodding me!”
Suki knocked
and entered carrying a plate of food. She sat it down in front of
Norris.
“I hope you
like it? I never saw such a wondrous ship. Your mate Andre had to
show me how the galley worked, it was like magic. Are you a
sorcerer?”
“Well in a
manner of speaking.” Norris grinned at her. “Yes I am. Perhaps
after I finish this fine meal I'll show you how I can shape-shift.
These men were about to leave why don't you sit and join me?”
Bret stood.
“Oh yeah, you're not going to stand for any tricks. Good luck with
that mighty wizard.”
CHAPTER 31 EL
TIBUR'ON
“Ah... it
does smell a little better in here. Good work and I see Bedelia
brought you some clean clothing. Please burn those horrible rags you
had on.” Sharky put her hand on the tall woman’s shoulder. “You
are Megan, right?”
“Yes.”
“Well Megan
you have done a good job cleaning up this galley so I'm promoting you
to Handy's old job of quartermaster. You can have his room and he
will move up to a berth. I want you in charge of all food stores and
other supplies. I think it's your job to divvy up booty too. I know
we are low on food and water so when we make land fall you will take
a small group and resupply the ship. I found some coins you can take
them when you go shopping. I can send Bedelia with you to protect you
from other vampires.”
“With your
permission we can find goods without her. I've been to Komotogon I
was a house servant there for a time. I learned to count and read a
little. We can wear a disguise and sneak about. There are places I
can buy supplies from slave run shops and no one will question us.”
“I see...”
Sharky paused looking at her crew. Clearly they despised Bedeila and
all vampires.“I know you have no reason to trust the vampires and I
won't ask you to. I have learned that some can be trusted but that's
on me. In fact you can take this gold and run away if you like.”
she tossed the bag on the table. “If you stay with me it will be
very hard work and dangerous. You are free to choose.”
“Megan
spoke softly to her former slave family. They quickly came to an
agreement.
“We have
nowhere to run to. We've all decided it's better to be pirates with
Captain Sharky than blood slaves under the Lords.”
Sharky grinned
at them, pulled her dagger and held it aloft.
“Then
Pirates it is!”
They all
brandished their weapons and cheered.
***
Bret entered
the cabin and found Sharky asleep. She'd had a long hard day learning
to sail, establishing a ranking order amongst the crew and pillaging
the dead Duke's fancy wardrobe. She and Bedelia had tried on all his
fine silk shirts and breeches. They had taken what they wanted and
gave the rest to Quartermaster Megan and First Mate Handy those two
were strutting about like pirate peacocks.
She sensed his
presence and squirmed under the fine wool blanket another bit of loot
from the Duke. He knew she was naked under there for she liked
sleeping that way.
“I've been
waiting for you, lover,” she cooed.
“I was
plotting our best approach we make port in a few hours.”
“Good
there's time to play.”
“Not really
I have work to do I just came to...”
She moaned and
ran her fingers through her hair.
“No! Take me
now... Be rough with me. Tie me up you beast!”
“How can you
be so submissive in here and so damned bossy out there?”
She sat up, a
petulant frown on her face.
“So we are
going to get into that are we? You know damn well I have to run this
crew and be as tough as any man or they will not follow me. They sure
as hell aren't going to follow you they hate vampires. The only thing
keeping them from killing you and Bedelia is me.”
He grimaced.
“Yeah and that's another thing what exactly is Bedelia? Your
prisoner, your pet... I don't get what's going on with you two?”
“Oh my God
you're jealous!” she laughed at him.
His anger
swelled. “I just want to know whats...”
She jumped to
her feet in the middle of the bed, the blanket fell away. She was a
bit taller than he now and glared down at him.
“She's my
friend! That's what is up. I'm captain of this ship and you are my
pilot by day and my lover at night that is what's up. Now since you
aren’t in a mood for me being submissive I guess we are going to
change roles. Tonight you get to be my cabin boy.”
“What? Don't
be ridicules!”
“Oh, I know
all about you sailors and those long lonely sea voyages. Now get over
here and pleasure your captain... or do I have to get the strap?”
***
Bedelia paced
back and forth behind Handy who stood at the wheel. In the distance
the midnight sky was dark except for occasional bursts of red and
yellow resembling lightning flashes. Both had seen such flashes
before and knew well it was not a storm. Bret and Sharky came up the
ladder and saw the sky light up and then go dark.
“Bloody
hell!” Bret exclaimed. “Komotogon is under attack.”
Bedelia
sneered. “Thanks for that update we've only been watching it for
the last half hour. So nice you two could drop in, are you sure it's
not an inconvenience?” She gave Bret a scorching glare.
No matter how
angry he got with Sharky, she always knew exactly what to say and do
to defuse him. Bedelia however only re-lit the fuse.
“Move
aside...Tom! Or feel the rough side of my fist.”
Bedeila's hot
temper flashed like the bombardments in the sky. She had heard the
Victorian term for lesbian before but no man had ever dared call her
that to her face.
“I'll rip
out your throat and...”
“Boys-Boys!
Please it's way to early for this.” Sharky stepped between them and
shoved them back away from each other. Now give me some room to
think. Handy, what is going on?”
“Master Bret
had it right there is an assault on the main port but it's too dark
to see who is attacking or how many.”
“How close
are we to the battle?”
“Oh... maybe
an hour away. Unless we change course we will run right into it.”
She turned to
see Bret and Bedelia on the verge of pouncing at each other.
“Bret! You
come with me down to the brig. Bedelia you go aft and signal Norris
to come up here. Do as I say or you both will feel the rough side of
my fist.”
Bret followed
her down and they entered the galley. Megan was busy with
preparations for feeding the crew, heat from the boiler was used to
warm a large pot of gruel.
Sharky sniffed
it. “Uuggh, smells terrible we really need to get some decent grub
in here. Megan, Bret and I will need the brig for a moment and be
advised everyone should be battle ready with in the hour.” She
opened the hatch to the brig and they entered.
“Why did you
tell them that? What are you planing?”
“Just do
your eye thing and report what you see.” She stood guard and made
sure no curious crew member looked in. The crew were already nervous
with the vampires. Should they learn one was possessed with a demon
in his eye socket not even she could control them.
Bret moved the
patch and looked out the port hole.
“Three ships
are bombarding the port, all are flying different flags. That means
at least three Lords have united against Rainhaven. Two of his ships
are ablaze and sinking. It was most likely a surprise attack
undercover of darkness. They will take the port soon.”
“How many
ships does he have left?”
“Just one...
that's strange he has a fleet but they're not here.”
“The
attackers, are they damaged?”
“Yes they
all have fires burning.”
“How are
they positioned from the battle?”
“Two are
closing in on Rainhaven's gallon the third has fallen back it looks
like that one is listing. It can't fight but it could assist if they
take the port.”
“The broken
one, is it drivable?”
Bret paused.
“Drivable? Well if you mean is it...”
“Never mind
the nautical terms smart ass just can it shoot its guns?”
He gave a low
chuckle. “It looks as if some could but I don't know how accurate
they would be.”
“That's good
enough... let's go.”
He readjusted
his patch and turned to gaze at her with his good eye.
She saw a
crooked smiles on his face.
“What?”
“I see what
your foolhardy plan is now. It is brazen and reckless. By all the
water in Oceanus you are one hell of a pirate.” He took her in his
arms and kissed her hard.
***
Norris pulled
up along side the Pelican perfectly alined without moon or stars. The
night was black as a bottomless pit save for the distant flashes
followed by muffled booming.
“How did you
do that? I can't see anything in this fog.” Suki stood next to him
in the wheel house.
“Just one of
the advantages of being a wolf.”
“I heard
terrible stories about your kind when I was little.”
He put his
arms around her and pulled her close.
“Stories
huh. I'll bet they were scary? You hang around me long enough and
you'll see how scary.” he leaned in to kiss her.
She turned her
head avoiding his lips.
“You're not
going to change into a monster and eat me are you?”
“We're not
like the vampires, we haven't eaten people in decades.”
She seemed
relieved and brought her lips to meet his.”
“Norris,
when you have a moment we are about to invade this island,” Barron
said from the bow.
Bedelia was
tying off the bow line. Bret and Sharky stood near by.
“What makes
you think we are invading?” Bret asked.
Barron looked
at Sharky.
“That is a
battle underway. It can only mean one thing. Rainhaven is under siege
if we hit from behind we have the advantage of surprise and we might
save him from defeat. A powerful debt he would owe us as his savors.
It of course is a very risky move just the sort of thing Captain
Sharky would try. I only have one question. How do we attack without
cannons?”
“That is a
damn good question!” Norris said.
Sharky Stepped
into the center of the gathering.
“It's simple
really we take one ship and turn its guns on the other two. We
convince them reinforcements have arrived and they are caught between
the gallon guarding the port and a fleet of ships behind them. I
strongly suspect if we leave them a narrow opening they will run
rather than fight.”
Norrris
stroked his beard.
“How do we
fool them?
Sharky
grinned.“Oh you have all kinds of nifty gadgets on the Cutlass none
of these characters have ever seen... or heard.”
***
El Tibur'on
was close to capsizing when the Cutlass came up from behind; electric
trolling motors made no sound. Before the battle had begun she had
been a low sleek and fast sloop of war with sixteen guns. Now she
more resembled a wounded orca. The frantic blood slaves were
desperately fighting fires, patching holes and bailing water. The six
vampire officers and their captain were gathered as far away from the
fires as possible. They had lowered a long boat and were preparing to
abandon ship and leave the slaves to drown.
Sharky led a
boarding party quietly over the rail and surprised them. She sounded
the attack with a fierce war cry and was the first to engage. She
buried her blade to the hilt in the chest of an un-dead pirate
wearing a black turban. A moment later the turban crowned a
smoldering pile of bones. Norris took out the next one with his wolf
claws and the fight was over. Believing the ship was about to sink
the captain had no incentive to fight and jumped into the life boat
followed by his remaining officers. They cut the ropes and pushed
off.
Bret sauntered
up next to Sharky. “Next time we can all stay behind while you take
the ship, clearly you don't need any help from us.”
“I saw a
nature show once where a pack of hyenas picked off the weaker buffalo
and the rest of the herd backed away. I figured why not give it a try
here.” She saw that Norris was causing panic amongst the humans.
“You better change back Captain or we will have a mutiny. Andre you
help them put that fire out. Bret what will it take to get the
cannons firing at those two ships?”
His assessment
took no more than a minute.
“If we don't
get this tub patched and bail the water out she's lost.”
Sharky
approached a group of slaves who were cowering next to the railing.
“Listen to
me. I'm Captain Sharky, I am not a vampire and I have taken this
ship. From this moment forward you are all free and I give you a
choice. You can join my crew of freed slaves and share in all the
booty we take or you can swim to shore and find new masters. If you
stay with me you better get this ship dry or shes going under. What's
it going to be?”
A big burly
fellow with a black mustache pointed at Norris, Barron and Bret.
“What about them,?”
She grinned.
“They are a new breed of liberators. They follow my orders and we
are here to set you free. But you will have to fight with us to keep
that freedom. Now get to work or get off my damn ship.”
Faced with
such an option they quickly set up a bucket brigade and water flowed
over the side. Bret reexamined the guns and deduced that two were
actually primed to fire. He and Norris set to work adjusting the
elevations.
Barron was
watching Sharky with interest.
“You really
have a knack for leadership, most impressive.”
She smiled at
him. “Thank you Sir, but don't think flattery will get you out of
working... find something useful to do.”
“Yes my
captain,” he said with a salute. “Andre, let's go below and see
if there is an operational bilge pump. Those buckets will take
forever.”
A tense twenty minutes passed before Andre had the pumps
working and water shot from the hold back into the sea. The fires
were extinguished and Bret was waiting for orders to fire.
Sharky
flashed a signal with a strong flashlight from the Cutlass' gear to
Bedelia and Handy on the Pelican to light her running lights. She had
climbed up on some rigging to get a better view.
“Norris,
you take the Cutlass out and blind them with those big floodlights of
yours and play something nice and loud for them. And fire up your
engines no need for stealth now.” She watched him bolt toward the
huge house boat. It looked rather small next to the Tibur'on
beginning to right itself proudly. “Bret ready on my signal!” Her
excitement level was building but she waited until the Cutlass was
lit up. Her floods bathed the battle scene in bright electric light
something unknown in Oceanus. Over his stereo speakers a rousing
sound blast from Pink Floyd rolled across the waves. Suddenly the
flashes of cannon fire halted.
“Fire!”
Bret
lit off both guns.
A
deafening blast, a shower of sparks and deadly balls flew in a high
arch out over the water. Both landed on the deck of the ship closest
to the Tibur'on. Fire and smoke could be seen, amid the explosion
screams could be heard. Sharky had been in a lot of fights but this
was her first act of war, adrenaline surged through her body at the
sight and sound of it.
“Hit
them again!” She looked down from her perch and saw Bret and some
crew members loading for another volley. Across the water there was
confusion but no panic in fact the vessel she had fired on seemed to
be turning to face their guns at her ships. To her left Handy was
firing the harpoons with burning oil rags wrapped around their tips.
The flaming arcs looked like fireworks streaking toward the enemy
ships. She was jolted by a blast from her guns firing again. This
time there were six and the damage to the target ship was massive.
The
other ship let loose a ten gun volley but she fired too soon and the
balls fell just shy of the Tibur'on splashing water over her deck.
“They
have our range now the next round will hit us for sure,” Bret
warned.
“Reload!
We fight to win or die trying!” She commanded.
At
that moment Rainhaven's gallon let fly a twenty gun salute and the
enemy took it hard. It was clear to all that the fight was turning to
Rainhaven's advantage. There was a pause in shooting and the enemy
vessels turned toward the only avenue of escape; the narrow gap in
the trap Sharky had intentionally left open.
“They're
running!” she shouted. “The bloody sons of bastards are running,”
her victorious laugh brought cheers from her newly liberated crew.
