Episode 13 - An Uneasy Alliance
31st day of January, 1640.
The Grim Reaper, Baron Boat, and Admiral Tew's two ships, Darkness, and Fear, slipped quietly out of Tortuga bay with a gentle breeze rustling through their sails. Coggy's flagship and the Alliance vessels still bore the damaged received from their run-in with the Spanish Armada, but the lure of Cog's treasure was too great, and the eager swabs prepared their crews for running repairs during their long journey ahead.
"I's headin' over to me flagship within tha hour," said Moose to Cog.
"Aye, 'appen it'll be a fine ting too," replied Coggy, "'cos if'n tha Admiral decides ta bail on us, he'll 'ave tha both of us to contend with now," he said, as he watched the alliance ships come into formation beside Moose's Frigate.
Moose watched as the ships got underway, "Ye do realise that we's sailin' to the most fortified town in all of tha Spanish Main, 'n all we's got 'is four patched up ships and a rumour that tha Ol'Man has part of yer map - that MAY lead to some treasure" he said, with the realization of the task ahead dawning on him.
"Aye, but isn't that tha stuff of legends, mate!" replied Cog with a smile.
Moose thought for a second.
"I still aint convinced." he said.
"Well, would ye rather be shacked up wit a lice-ridden whore back in Tortuga, or sailin' ta hell with yer mates?" Coggy asked, already knowing the answer.
A short while later...
Coggy went below decks with Henry Morgan and found Davey Jones showing the cook how to make rumcake.
"Davey, lad. I wants ta sail ta Santiago before we heads south fer Cartagena" explained Cog, pulling out his chart.
"What the 'ell fer? I thought we wus in a hurry incase some wharf rat squeals on us 'bout our plans" asked the frustrated Davey.
"Aye we are, but I needs ta reassure meself 'bout tha Ol'Man's whereabouts. I's gonna pay a visit to yer mate in Santiago ta see if'n he's tellin' tha truth 'bout the Ol'Bugger bein' in Cart. or not" replied Coggy, as he scrutinized the chart before folding it away again.
"Aye, 'tis better ta be safe than sorry" said Morgan, "We don't wanna be headin' inta 'ell fer nottin'" he added, with a menacing glance towards Coggy.
A few moments later, the Captain and Morgan appeared on deck again and watched Moose make his way down the rope ladder leading to the Baron Boat's open launch.
Coggy called down to his departing mate, "Moose, we's gotta slight change o' plans"
"Arrrgghhh, don't tell me… yee'r missin' me already?" replied Moose, with a sly grin.
"Nay lad, 'appen I's wantin' to stop at Santiago before settin' course for tha Ol'Man," came Coggy's reply.
"What for, Cog?" asked Moose, as he finished settling into the launch.
"I'll tell yew when we gets thar, matey," replied Coggy, "Fairwinds to ya, Moose, sail well and keep an eye on Admiral Tew!"
"Fairwinds to ye, Cap'n Coggy," called Moose, as he gave him a salute.
Five days later, in the coastal waters of Santiago…
The four ships had anchored at a secluded bay, a few miles east of Santiago, and that morning, Moose came aboard Coggy's ship followed by Admiral Tew a few minutes later.
Coggy's crew gave Tew suspicious looks as he made his way to the Bridge.
"Bleedin' alliance scumbag," said irate Pirate Jim under his breath.
"Thought I'd never see tha day when scum like 'im were welcome aboard the Reaper" added another disgruntled crewmember.
Coggy was on the Bridge talking to Morgan and Quinn.
"We can't risk bein' recognized by tha dons" explained a cautious Coggy, "If'n any of tha blaggards made it back ta Santiago after thar 'ill-fated Tortuga invasion, they're sure ta squeal on us." he added.
Tew approached the gathered officers.
After a few uneasy handshakes, Coggy broke the tension, "Admiral Tew, yer welcome aboard me ship"
"Cut the bull, Cognito!" replied Tew, "I's come aboard ta ask ye why we's berthed off Santiago when yew said tha target was Cartagena?"
"Well, Tew, as I wus jus' sayin' to me brethren, 'ere, I wants ta make sure tha Ol'Man is in Cartagena." explained Coggy.
"What fer?" snapped Tew.
"'Cos, matey, the Ol'Bastid 'appens ta hold tha other part o' me map - me ten million peso treasure map!" replied Coggy, trying to get the Admiral interested in their endeavour.
Tew looked at Coggy's part of the map that was layed on the table in front of them.
"Appen Davey Jones, 'ere, has a mate in Santiago who knows tha Ol'Bugger personally, and I see's no harm in me 'avin a chat wit 'im ta confirm tha Ol'Divils whereabouts." continued Coggy, as he quickly withdrew the map from under Tews nose.
"Ten million, ye sey?" inquired a curious Admiral scratching his chin.
"Aye," said Moose, "and it's all ours if'n we pulls dis thing off"
"Me plan is ta sneak inta Santiago with Davey, who knows where this geezer is -then ol' Coggy can 'ave a word wit tha swab" said Cog.
"So what if'n Davey's mate aint there, or if'n 'es mistakin' 'bout tha Ol'Man?" asked Tew.
"Then poor ol' Davey 'is gonna be swingin' from the yardarm" replied Coggy, putting his arm around Jones' shoulder.
La Foot entered the Bridge. "Hello Sir," he called on recognizing the Admiral.
"Arrrrrrrrggghhhh!, yew filthy bilge rat ye!" shouted the angry Tew on seeing his former alliance member, "So, yer runnin' with this motley lot now, eh?" he asked, with a menacing stare.
"Aye, and I's a full Lieutenant now!, so dats MR Stinky to ye!" said the brazen young officer.
"Coggy, yer scraping the bottom of a barrel of cheap Mexican rum if'n yew has tha likes of HIM in yer crew," said Tew, in disgust.
"Leave him alone, Tew, 'appen tha lil' bugger 'is quite 'andy in a scrap" replied Morgan.
"Enough of dis bickerin'" butted in Coggy.
"Me and Davey 'r headed inta town dis very night, and if'n tha news is bad, then our lil' adventure is over… BUT, if'n it's confirmed the Ol'Man IS in Cartagena - then we's gonna need each other more'n yee'd like ta believe".
"Ok, Coggy," said Tew, "If'n Jones' mate is there, and if'n what 'e seys is true, and if'n we sacks Cart and gets the Ol'Man and yer map - I MAY be interested in yer lil' adventure" said Tew cautiously.
Moose, Morgan, Quinn, and Davey gave a wry smile but Coggy remained stone faced.
"We don't need ye, Tew," butted in La Foot, "Yer sorry fleet 'is all but finished and yee'r an alliance o' one since meself, Captain Blood, and Iguana Jack deserted ye!" he continued, with increasing confidence.
"La Foot, go and get me launch ready," added Coggy quickly.
"Arrrrggghhh you treacherous swine," called out the irate Tew, "For yer information, Lieutenant Stinky, tha good Captain Blood and Iguana Jack sailed south many a month ago, lookin' for dis Ol'Man of yers - on MY orders!" he barked.
There was another uneasy silence before Coggy asked, "So yee've heard of the Ol'Man after all, eh?"
The rage in Tews face calmed a little as he realized he'd revealed a little more than he had hoped, "Aye, 'appen I have," he said before continuing in a calmer tone, "BUT, remember this Cognito - If'n I joins yer pitiful band, the Ol'Bastid is mine!"
"So what's he to you?" asked Morgan.
"Lets just say, tha filthy blaggard and I have got a score to settle," he said, elusively.
"Hmmm, sounds as though ye 'ave an enemy in every port, Admiral," said Coggy sarcastically, "but never ye mind… 'appen we's all united in a common cause here."
"I's not heard from Cap'n Blood or Iguana Jack fer a while, and I wus plannin' on takin' a trip down there meself," added Tew, trying to justify his interest.
"Well, if'n ye sticks with us, yer welcome to one equal share of all ill-gotten gains, Admiral," said Coggy, "Take it 'r leave it - tha choice is yers" he added.
"Ok, Cognito. I'm in - fer now!" replied Tew.
"Right then. Come on Davey, lad, we's goin' ta town" said Coggy, as the two men left the Bridge and prepared to disembark onto the Reapers open launch.