Episode 37 - Mako's Rendezvous
In the Rusty Cutlass tavern, William Fly sat talking with his mate, Pike Masters.
"Lad, Ay can do ye a grand deal on some Scots Malt Whisky Ay 'found' in a lil' warehouse up in tha Caymans" explained Fly, with a grin, "Got me four score 'n eight barrels 'o tha stuff"
Pike pulled out a large bag of coins, placed it onto the table and pushed it across to his mate, "This is fer today's delivery," he said, before looking about to make sure no one was listening.
In a hushed tone, he continued, "Fly… I knows yer as clever as a fox an' cud steal da eggs frum under a layin' hen. I asks ye not weffer da malt be stolen… just dis matey - how much ye want fer it 'n how quickly can ye git it 'ere?"
Before he could answer, Fly noticed Captain Mako enter the tavern, "We'll talk 'bout business later. Ay wants ya ta meet a mate 'o mine." he said, as his quickly placed the bag of coins in his tunic pocket and got up to go greet his mate.
"Arrr, Mako! Come have yerself an ale" he called, as the Captain made his way past a few locals at the bar and over to Fly's table.
Pike Masters stood up as Mako approached.
"Pike, this be tha fella Ay told ye 'bout… tha one that got set adrift when 'is ship was jumped by tha French bounty hunter" explained Fly, as the two men shook hands.
"And Mako, this 'ere sly dog be me business associate, Mr Pike Masters" finished Fly.
"Nice ta meet yew, Cap'n" said Pike as he tipped his hat and shook his hand before pouring the new arrival a drink.
"Likewise, matey" replied Mako.
The three men sat down again.
Pike turned to Mako and said "Fly told me 'bout yer skirmish with Cap'n Creed. I's had dealings wit him up in Tortuga. He's a devious bugger fer sure"
Mako took a swig of the ale before answering, "Aye, his timing couldn't 'o been worse, neither. Me fellow officers were 'aving a lil trouble wit the crew. Murmurings of discontent 'n tha like" he explained.
"'Appen Creed showed up 'n got lucky wit a couple 'o broadsides - sent our ship to tha locker, he did. 'E was after a mate 'o mine, Admiral Tew. Perhaps ye heard 'o him too?" he asked.
"Aye dat I have!" replied Pike, "Dark Water swab, as I recall… Beggin' yer pardon."
The three men continued drinking for a moment.
"Come to tink 'o it," added Pike, "Thar's 'nuther Dark Water type about dis very town. Seen him in 'ere a few times" he remarked, as he glanced around the tavern, looking for the man he'd mentioned.
"Aye, mate. Me thinks its Iguana Jack… he's a shipmate 'o mine" replied Mako, "Tha ship I was on was due ta rendezvous here wit him. I needs ta inform him 'o me recent misfortunes."
Fly gulped down his ale and said, "Well stick around 'ere matey, fer he's sure ta come by sooner 'o later. This be the only tavern in town, ye see."
Later that day...
The three sea dogs had enjoyed numerous ales together. William Fly and Pike Masters talked a little about business, and Mako spoke about his plans to link up with Iguana Jack again and salvage what remained of the Dark Water Alliance.
After an hour or so, the man Pike Masters had mentioned earlier, entered the tavern with a couple of companions.
"Here's dat geezer I told ye 'bout, lad" he said, as he brought Mako's attention to the three men at the door.
Mako recognized his shipmate immediately, "Arrrr… I'll leave ya both ta talk business some more while I goes 'n meets me mate" he said as he stood up and bid farewell to his two companions.
"Ok mate. Ay'm gonna be here a while longer. Come say farewell 'afore ye ships out." replied Fly as he tipped his hat to the departing Mako.
At the doorway, Iguana Jack surveyed the dozen or so seamen scattered about the tavern. He soon noticed a familiar face approaching.
"MAKO!" he called, as the two men met and vigorously shook hands, "I didn't know the Insurrection was in port! Where's she berthed 'n where's the Admiral?" asked the broad-grinning Iggy.
Mako's glee at finally meeting his shipmate soon turned sour as he began explaining what had happened, "Insurrections gone mate. Went down off Santa Marta… 'an Tew's in irons on his way to a French gibbet."
Iguana Jack looked stunned at the unwelcome news, "What da 'ell 'appened?" he asked.
"Trouble was brewin' on deck. Ever since we left San Juan back in July thar'd been murmurings," replied Mako.
"The crew made thar feelings felt just 'as Creed caught up wit us." he said.
"Cap'n Creed? Tha French bounty hunter?" enquired Iggy.
"Aye. Tha bastid set me adrift wit a bunch 'o survivors," replied Mako, "Only seventeen 'o us made it ashore… And those ungrateful swabs all deserted me back in Santa Marta… signed up wit new ships, they did." he added, with sorrow in his voice.
The two Captains stood in silence for a moment as they reflected on their ill-fated plans.
Mako broke the short silence and said, "I heard ye aint had no luck, either. Heard yer ship suffered a plague 'o scurvy"
"Aye mate, that we did," explained Iggy, "Six weeks out 'o Tortuga we noticed the first case 'o it. Lost four men to tha blimmy disease 'afore we found a port that'id take us" he replied, before ordering his two accompanying crewmen to go get some ale.
"Anyhow, two months and sixty-nine deaths later, we finally makes it ta this friggin' rendezvous" added Iggy.
"Some rendezvous, mate" replied the downhearted Mako, "Yer ghost ship 'n tha last survivor 'o da Alliance flagship finally hook up - just two bleedin' weeks 'afore we was due to attack the god-forsaken Treasure Fleet" he moaned.