Episode 19 - Island of the Sisterhood
One week later, around the coastal waters of Santa Catalina...
The Sisterhood of Pirates Island appeared on the distant horizon and was no more than a few hours sailing away. Coggy's Grim Reaper and Moose's Baron Boat had endured a slow and uneventful journey from Curacao but the crews of both ships where once again in high spirits after spending the previous day preparing for battle with their unknown foes.
A few hours earlier a large merchant fleet with escorting Frigates had passed close by, but much to the pirates' relief, the vessels had continued on with their voyage without paying the two pirate ships, now flying false colors, too much attention.
"I still reckon we should sail right inta da harbor 'n give dem hags tha impression we're just innocent traders. Then hit 'em hard by storming da town 'n take out any ships berthed thar while we're at it." explained Moose to the gathered officers on the Reapers Bridge.
"Aye, but thar aint no guarantee that the wenches will allow us inta port without any trouble," replied Henry Morgan, before adding, "They could wait till we's headed right in to tha harbour - then blow us outta tha water before we knows it!"
Coggy stepped forth, "I don't trust 'em. Thar's no doubt in me mind that Moose's good lady 'n Cap'n Maggie have returned 'ere from thar lil' expedition to the Lesser Antilles," he said.
"And they knows we fly's da black flag 'o piracy 'n that nottin' but troubles afoot when the Reaper 'n Baron Boat comes ta town." he added.
Lieutenant NavyRum echoed Coggy's concerns, "I agrees. From what ye tells me of yer last visit ta these parts, ye weren't exactly welcomed with open arms" he said.
"Darn right mate." replied Cog, "The last time we was here, that blimmy hag, CupperBut, almost necked me parrot. She be one bad hag!" explained the irate Captain, before adding, "I tink we should wait till dark 'n sail to the west side 'o the island. We can use rowboats ta get tha lads ashore, an' hit 'em hard wit a land assault first thing on tha 'morrow"
"Aye! Tha bitches won't know what's hit 'em!" proclaimed Davey Jones with excitement, "Besides, this place aint no Cartagena! I foresee a quick 'n easy skirmish before them whores 'r beggin' fer mercy!" he added.
NavyRum looked a little concerned and added, "Arrr, lets not under estimate 'em, mates. They has 'emselves a fearsome reputation in some parts… and ol' Cap'n Creed tasted a bit 'o tha locker thanks ta these sea-hags"
The gathered pirates continued talking for a few more minutes before ordering the crew to load the rowboats with muskets and powder kegs.
Several hours later...
The two pirate ships soon reached a secluded cove on the western edge of Santa Catalina, but to their dismay, the only suitable anchorage to be found had already been taken by a local Brig.
"Looks like those lubbers 'r preparing to careen thar ship. Thar's a bunch 'o tha crew already ashore" explained Moose as he peered through his spyglass.
"I'll take some 'o me lads ashore wit me and 'persuade' those sorry fools ta move along." remarked Coggy, with an evil smile.
"Just make sure ye do it without drawing too much attention to yerself." explained Morgan, "We's sitting ducks in this 'ere cove an' if'n any patrolling Sisterhood ships come a sniffin' - we's done for."
"Don't ye worry 'Enry, it'll be dark soon an' I'll have those sods shifted from that thar beach before supper." replied Coggy as he motioned a bunch of his marines to lower a rowboat.
Later that afternoon...
It had been two hours since Captain Cognito and twenty-five of his marines had departed the Grim Reaper and landed ashore. The pirates had signaled the Baron Boat that the local folks on the beach had been 'taken care of'
Henry Morgan stood on deck with Moose, Davey Jones, and fifty eager Cutthroats. He watched through a spyglass as the pirates on the beach finished rounding up their newly acquired prisoners, "Right lads Coggy's bastids have cleared tha way fer us. Let's get ashore and be done wit tha Sisterhood once 'n fer all. We's got us a date with the Treasure Fleet and tha only ting in our way be these blimmy whores" he called, as he rallied the remaining crew.
"AND REMEMBER DIS - NO HARM COMES TO ME GOOD WIFE IF'N SHE BE HERE!" shouted Moose as the crew prepared to depart the ships.
NavyRum peered over the Bridge and echoed his own concerns, "AND KEEP YER SCRUVY PAWS OF ME DEAR OL' MOM!" he called, as the on-looking pirates began disembarking the ship.
On the beach, Coggy was interrogating the Captain of the local Brig, "How many Sisterhood ships 'r docked in port?" he asked.
The Captain remained silent and defiant - much to Coggy's irritation. "Listen 'ere, yew pox-ridden curd, I'll gladly unleash me men upon yer hapless crew if'n ye don't loosen that tongue 'o yers!" he said, menacingly.
Still the Brig Captain remained silent. Coggy motioned for his crew to begin menacing the small band of tied up prisoners that sat on the beach.
Just then, one of Cog's marines approached, "Cap'n, some 'o these lubbers aint what they appears ta be!" he called, as he motioned towards the prisoners.
Coggy remained silent for a moment as he scanned the sorry souls he'd yet to meet.
"Sir, twelve 'o 'em are women!" explained the puzzled marine.
Coggy scrutinized the prisoners again before slowly turning to the Brig Captain. In an instant, Cog withdrew his rapier and held it to his prisoners cheek.
Without saying a word, he flicked his sword up and pierced the Captains tricone hat and knocked it to the floor!
The Captains long brown hair slowly unraveled leaving Coggy and his shipmate to look on in bemusement as the officers true identity was revealed.
"Tis a female officer, Sir!" proclaimed the astonished marine.
Coggy looked at the marine with disdain "A woman ye says! I'm glad yer here ta point these things out ta me!!! OF COURSE IT'S A FRIGGIN WOMAN!!!" he barked.
Being a little flustered and angry at the deception, Cog turned to face the woman again and menacingly said, "I deal with yew later!"
Just then, three more rowboats containing the remaining pirates came ashore.
"Take this sneaky hag and put her with the rest 'o her shipmates." added Cog to the marine, who duly proceeded to frog-march the woman along the beach towards the others.
"Ahoy Coggy. What's tha story?" called Moose as he made his way out of a rowboat followed by Davey Jones, Morgan, and NavyRum.
"'Appen these lubbers are mainly of da female persuasion! The lads 'ill enjoy interrogating 'em - that's fer sure!" replied Coggy as he greeted his shipmates. "We caught 'em by complete surprise without havin' ta fire a single shot" he added, gleefully.
"Arrr, if'n this is what the Sisterhood is all about, I reckon we have nay worries when it comes ta attackin' thar lil' town" laughed Davey Jones.
The pirates made their way up the beach to where Coggy's marines stood guarding their prisoners.
"What bout their ship?" asked Moose.
"No worries mate Thar's a bunch 'o me men already aboard it. They report only a skeleton crew left on her." replied Coggy.
The pirates stood leering over their prisoners and looked on with glee at the sight of a dozen female sailors - tied up and ready to be interrogated.
"That thar hag be their Cap'n" explained Cog as he pointed his rapier at the female Captain.
"Stand up, wench! I wants a word with thee" said Coggy.
The woman remained sitting for a moment, before reluctantly getting to her feet.
"Ok missy. What they call ye?" asked Cog, menacingly.
After a few tense moments, the woman spoke for the first time. "My names Annabelle… Captain of the Armistad."
"Correction! yer now the Ex-Cap'n 'o the Armistad" laughed Morgan.
Annabelle looked at the pirates with disdain but remained silent once more.
"Ok… Annabelle… If'n ye values the life of yer crew, tell me how many ships 'r in port" said Coggy calmly, as he tried to coax the information from the woman.