Post by Cyrus on Jul 14, 2013 17:18:59 GMT -5
The lookouts in the crow's nest had confirmed their quarry's identity, a sleek fluyt flying Cadari Republic colors. Mr. Montoya, the first mate, bellowed orders at the sailors and now the raider sloop "Mako" was rapidly closing the distance. At the helm, Dread Pirate Roberta watched the fluyt change course. They were running, no doubt about it. Exactly the way Roberta wanted.
"Load the front guns!"
The Mako's expanded front castle bustled with frantic activity as the 6 heavy guns were loaded and winched into position. Then an eerie calm set over the ship as everybody waited for the captain's signal to open this battle.
"Ready... FIRE!"
Fire and thunder erupted from the prow and a second later there were 4 splashes and two thuds as the volley hits it mark a little low. Dread Pirate Roberta shouted the order to reload the guns, then belayed that as she saw the fluyt was turning sharply into the wind. The other captain had panicked and was trying to get out of the guns' field of fire. Exactly the way Roberta wanted.
"Load the cannons! Mr. Montoya, prepare sails to come about"
Dread Pirate Roberta did not consider long guns a real battle. Exchanging broadsides from close enough to see the terror in the other captain's face, that made her blood quicken. Thanks to her opponents' inexperience, she would get her chance any minute now. The Mako's 10 cannons were already being rolled out on deck and prepared for firing.
The fluyt was now well within range, turning again to regain some speed. This too played into Roberta's plan, even though she had underestimated the little ship's nimbleness. But in a few seconds, it would cross the Mako's bow again and Roberta knew the captain would try to pull a surprise turn, cutting just under the long guns' range. Fear controlled him. Fear made him blind to his impending doom.
"On my mark, hard to starboard! Line us up nicely, Mr. Montoya!"
At their captain's sign, the Mako's crew executed the maneuver as they had been drilled to hundreds of time. The ship's mast creaked, the hull groaned and thw whole ship shook and leaned over dangerously as it turned much too sharply for common sense. Then just as suddenly, it lurched upright again, now perfectly aligned with the fluyt and riding steady on its own wave.
"FIRE THE CANNONS!!!"
With a thunderous roar the great catapults on deck unleashed their fury and 9 cannons arced skyward then down on the little fluyt. Exactly the way Roberta wanted.
One cannon snapped the main mast in two as it hit while three more crashed straight through the deck, crushing the hapless crew underneath. Two others slammed into the little ships's hull, leaving gaping holes near the waterline. Three cannons hit the water behind the fluyt, having taking the sails with them. The final cannon still sat on the Mako's deck, in a pile of wooden rubble and one screaming sailor, the catapult having collapsed under the weight of the cannon.
On what was left of the fluyt, the white flag was now waving.
"THIS is why I am the DREAD Pirate Roberta!"
"Also, We'll have one spare cannon for the next battle."
"Load the front guns!"
The Mako's expanded front castle bustled with frantic activity as the 6 heavy guns were loaded and winched into position. Then an eerie calm set over the ship as everybody waited for the captain's signal to open this battle.
"Ready... FIRE!"
Fire and thunder erupted from the prow and a second later there were 4 splashes and two thuds as the volley hits it mark a little low. Dread Pirate Roberta shouted the order to reload the guns, then belayed that as she saw the fluyt was turning sharply into the wind. The other captain had panicked and was trying to get out of the guns' field of fire. Exactly the way Roberta wanted.
"Load the cannons! Mr. Montoya, prepare sails to come about"
Dread Pirate Roberta did not consider long guns a real battle. Exchanging broadsides from close enough to see the terror in the other captain's face, that made her blood quicken. Thanks to her opponents' inexperience, she would get her chance any minute now. The Mako's 10 cannons were already being rolled out on deck and prepared for firing.
The fluyt was now well within range, turning again to regain some speed. This too played into Roberta's plan, even though she had underestimated the little ship's nimbleness. But in a few seconds, it would cross the Mako's bow again and Roberta knew the captain would try to pull a surprise turn, cutting just under the long guns' range. Fear controlled him. Fear made him blind to his impending doom.
"On my mark, hard to starboard! Line us up nicely, Mr. Montoya!"
At their captain's sign, the Mako's crew executed the maneuver as they had been drilled to hundreds of time. The ship's mast creaked, the hull groaned and thw whole ship shook and leaned over dangerously as it turned much too sharply for common sense. Then just as suddenly, it lurched upright again, now perfectly aligned with the fluyt and riding steady on its own wave.
"FIRE THE CANNONS!!!"
With a thunderous roar the great catapults on deck unleashed their fury and 9 cannons arced skyward then down on the little fluyt. Exactly the way Roberta wanted.
One cannon snapped the main mast in two as it hit while three more crashed straight through the deck, crushing the hapless crew underneath. Two others slammed into the little ships's hull, leaving gaping holes near the waterline. Three cannons hit the water behind the fluyt, having taking the sails with them. The final cannon still sat on the Mako's deck, in a pile of wooden rubble and one screaming sailor, the catapult having collapsed under the weight of the cannon.
On what was left of the fluyt, the white flag was now waving.
"THIS is why I am the DREAD Pirate Roberta!"
"Also, We'll have one spare cannon for the next battle."
