Pyrates!

Your browser lacks required capabilities. Please upgrade it or switch to another to continue.

Loading…

<div class="pixelart-to-css"></div> [[Continue|pcsetup]]

Enter a surname (e.g. Brown, Williams, Penrose...) <<textbox "$sname" "">> When you're ready, [[confirm]].

Enter a first name (e.g. Thomas, Jack, Christopher...) <<textbox "$fname" "">> When you're ready, [[confirm|doublecheck]].

You are $fname $sname, correct? [[Correct]] [[Incorrect|pcsetup]]

Are you primarily... [[Intelligent]] [[Strong]] [[Charismatic]] <<set $int to 0>> <<set $str to 0>> <<set $char to 0>>

Your strength is in your mind. You are a particularly good surgeon, and revel in the books and tools of your trade. What is your weakness? [[Charisma]] [[Strength]] <<set $int to $int + 1>>

You are at your best when fighing or lifting. Your surgical skills are more rough, but well suited for a battlefield. What is your weakness? [[Intelligence]] [[Charisma]] <<set $str to $str + 1>>

Your strength is in interacting with others. You help your patients with both your actions and your words. What is your weakness? [[Intelligence]] [[Strength]] <<set $char to $char + 1>>

You left surgical school to be hired immediately into Her Majesty's Royal Navy. Though you have no sailing experience, the navy was looking to hire medical professionals in advance of a rising dispute with Spain. You are about to board for your first voyage. <<set $love to 0>> Content warning for descriptions of wounds and 1800s medical procedures. <<set $cabinet to false>> [[Continue|setup]] <<set $table to false>> <<set $meds to false>>

You're not the sharpest knife in the drawer, which dulls the efficiency of your practice somewhat. Remember, if you stick to your strengths you have a higher chance of sucess in your endeavors. [[Continue|got it all]]

If it comes to a fight, you might want to keep out of the way. Remember, if you stick to your strengths you have a higher chance of sucess in your endeavors. [[Continue|got it all]]

Your difficulty interacting with people makes for a poor bedside manner. Remember, if you stick to your strengths you have a higher chance of sucess in your endeavors. [[Continue|got it all]]

Ready to proceed, $fname? [[Yes]] [[No, I need to change my name|fixname]] [[No, I need to change my characteristics|Correct]]

Very well. [[Continue|CH1]]

<div class="chapter1"></div> [[Continue|p1]]

"Watch it, sir," one of the two men loading your sea trunk into the row boat below you cautions. It's warm in the summer sun, and this dock is crowded with rowboats taking last minute provisions to a ship a little ways off in the water. She is the HMS //Penelope//, the first ship you have ever worked on, and she is leaving [[Portsmouth]] with the tide. The man below you in the boat finishes adjusting your sea chest and then reaches up for your [[bags]]. You hand them to him. Afterwards, he reaches up to help you into the dinghy. [[You brush him off|epicfail]] [[You take his help|aww]] <<if $str is 1>>[[You smile at the gesture, but climb into the boat easily]] <<else>> <</if>>

Enter a surname (e.g. Williams, Brown, Penrose...) <<textbox "$sname" "">> When you're ready, [[confirm|fixname2]].

Enter a first name (e.g. Thomas, Jack, Christopher...) <<textbox "$fname" "">> When you're ready, [[confirm|fixname3]].

You are $fname $sname, correct? [[Correct|got it all]] [[Incorrect|fixname]]

The port was //busy//. Everywhere, people were loading and unloading small rowboats and larger barges with equipment, supplies, goods, and other people. Out in the deeper water, the ships stood with masts bare against the blue sky. The barges seem to tend to the heavy-loaded ships exclusively. The fact that you are being shuffled into a row boat must mean the //Penelope// is traveling light. <<if $int is 1>>Having done some reading up on ship types you know you should be looking for a bark ship, but your attention keeps being caught by a large snow that must have just been built, the way it shines in the sun.<<else>><</if>> [[You turn back to the rowboat in front of you|p1]]

Your sea chest contains your personal belongings and clothes. The first bag contains your medical tools. Though the ship provides the medicines you must bring your own equipment. The second bag has your medical books, full of instructions and diagrams, and your surgical papers. [[Both are rather heavy|p1]]

The second your feet hit the wood the entire thing rocks and the man has to grab the dock to steady it. Your face is a little red, and you sit down slowly without making eye contact as the man fills the rest of the rowboat with supplies being handed to him from others on the dock. When everything is loaded he sits down and begins to row out. You make your way towards a ship that is on the smaller side of medium and, even to your eyes, looks a little worn. When you get to the ship you sling your bags over your shoulder and [[climb aboard]].

The man helps you into the boat without much trouble. When you're standing steady he smiles at you. "You should sit down, I've got to load a few more things and then we'll just drop you all off at the //Penelope//, alright?" You take a seat and soon enough the boat is filled and the man is pushing off from the dock with oars in his hands. [[''Are you coming on the voyage?''|question]] [[Keep quiet]] <<if $char is 1>>[[''I'm not quite accustomed to boats, yet,'' you smile]] <<else>> <</if>>

The man looks surprised at your dexterity, and gestures you to take a seat. He loads the rowboat full, then pushes off from the dock with the oars in his hands. [[''Are you coming on the voyage?''|question]] [[Keep quiet]]

Sailors on deck are moving around as rapidly as those back on the dock, though there are far fewer here. You're wearing your newly issued blue coat with shining gold buttons over your regular clothes, but you don't feel any more at home on the vessel. Two officers, Lieutenants perhaps, are standing nearby and [[talking]]. [[Move to talk to them|boy]] [[Stay where you are|boy]]

"No, sir, I'm just a dockhand," the man smiles as he rows the boat out to a ship that is on the smaller side of medium and, even to your eyes, looks a little worn. When you reach it, he holds the rope ladder steady against the side of the ship [[as you climb|climb aboard]].

You make your way towards a ship that is on the smaller side of medium and, even to your eyes, looks a little worn. When you get to the ship you sling your bags over your shoulder and [[climb aboard]].

"Don't worry, sir, you'll get used to it soon enough," he laughs a bit. "Just be careful where you put your feet, and use your hands until you're steady." You make your way towards a ship that is on the smaller side of medium and, even to your eyes, looks a little worn. When you reach it, he holds the rope ladder steady against the side of the ship [[as you climb|climb aboard]].

"...with hardly a large enough crew to run the guns, it's ridiculous." <div class="right">"This shouldn't be long, though."</div> "Yet they deemed a surgeon necessary. Perhaps they forsee fighting in Cork?" <div class="right">"I doubt the Irish will come to violence any time soon."</div> "I hope, with the Spanish rearing up we could do without another inconvenience." <div class="right">"It certainly makes me glad that we're picking Commander Bradley up."</div> A deckhand crosses between you and you [[lose the conversation|climb aboard]]

"Doctor $sname, sir?" A small voice comes from your left. When you look you see a boy, maybe twelve years old, in a naval coat too big for him. [[''I'm just a surgeon, 'mister' is fine.'']] [[Nod in acknowledgement]]

<<set $title to "Mr">>"Alright $title $sname, I'm to show you your cabin, and then to the surgery." The boy turns on his heels and heads off below deck, you have a difficult time keeping up. He keeps talking the whole time. "...we don't have a whole lot of people aboard so you won't be disturbed in your cabin none. We're raising anchor soon, Captain says it should be a bit over two days 'cause of the wind. We'll probably have the whole day in Cork but as soon as we pick up Sir Bradley it's out to take care of his business in St. John but I..." He bobs and weaves around the larger sailors that move below deck as you try to keep up. You reach a door and he [[holds it open for you]].

<<set $title to "Doctor">>"Alright $title $sname, I'm to show you your cabin, and then to the surgery." The boy turns on his heels and heads off below deck, you have a difficult time keeping up. He keeps talking the whole time. "...we don't have a whole lot of people aboard so you won't be disturbed in your cabin none. We're raising anchor soon, Captain says it should be a bit over two days 'cause of the wind. We'll probably have the whole day in Cork but as soon as we pick up Sir Bradley it's out to take care of his business in St. John but I..." He bobs and weaves around the larger sailors that move below deck as you try to keep up. You reach a door and he [[holds it open for you]].

Your cabin is small, with a hammock against one wall, an oilskin bag for washing on the right, and a board jutting off one wall with a stool tucked beneath it for writing. The ceiling is very close to your head. Just as you step in a call comes from behind you and your sea chest hits the floor with a resounding crash. The sailor who deposited it claps his hands against his legs and then moves off. The boy peers around the door. "Ready to go to the surgery, [[then]]?"

You barely have enough time to drop your bag of books on the bed before you're chasing the boy again. The surgery is clear on the other side of the ship, and you try your best to keep out of the way. The boy seems to be trying to lose you on purpose. The surgery doesn't have a door, instead there's thick oilskin hanging in front of the doorway. The boy holds it aside and [[gestures you inside]]. <<set $toolset to false>>

The surgery is in better shape than you expected, everything is orderly and though it smells much the way that the rest of belowdeck smells, it's not worse for having seen bloodshed. "I have to go help up now, you good until after we cast off?" The boy asks but before you can respond [[he's gone]].

Trying to avoid being in the way, you set to examine the surgery. There's a flat [[tabletop]] for performing procedures. The ceiling is hung with unlit lanterns. There is a [[cabinet]] set against the opposite wall, with what must be the [[medicine chest]]. <<if $meds is true and $cabinet is true and $table is true>> The ground beneath your feet lurches and you grab on to the table to steady yourself. [[The ship is leaving port]]. <<else>> <</if>>

<<set $table to true>>The surface of the table is stained, you can tell even in the low light. As you run your hand across it you can feel long lines engraved in the wood, where a bone saw had cut through too quickly and lodged into the table. They could clean as much as they wanted, but the surface showed the true age of [[the ship|he's gone]].

<<set $cabinet to true>>You open the doors above the shelf that holds the medicine chest, and find assorted bowls and even a decent mortar and pestle. In the back is a pile of clean rags for bandaging. The doors below the shelf have trays for holding your equipment. <<if $toolset is true>>[[Everything is organized|he's gone]]. <<else>> [[You lay your tools out nicely]] [[You throw your bag in and close the cabinet door]] <</if>>

<<set $meds to true>>You unlatch the wooden chest and peer inside. There are little shelves within that are sectioned off into sqares with wooden dividers to protect the glass containers. You pick up a few bottles to check how much is left and in what condition. Deer fat, conserve of rosemary, Oximel simplex... Not only is the chest freshly stocked but everything in in its place according to [[Woodall's]] ideal organization. [[You couldn't have asked for a better medicine chest|he's gone]].

The lanterns sway above your head and you can hear the sounds of men rushing around and rope slapping the deck as the sails catch the wind. You stand with your feet planted shoulder-width apart, arms braced wherever you can brace them, feeling the movement of the ship. You are even able to experiment with walking a bit before the fabric door is pulled aside and the boy from before peeks his head in. "Captain wants to see you, sir. [[On deck]]."

A well stocked and organized medicine chest could mean life or death on a ship. John Woodall had painstakingly outlined the optimal format in his manual //The Surgeon's Mate//, a copy of which you brought aboard in your book bag. <<if $int is 1>>You always appreciated the way Woodall used charts to organize, though you found his descriptions [[unecessary|medicine chest]]. <<else>>You got your hang of the charts eventually, though you found the short descriptions of the medicines themselves [[more useful|medicine chest]]. <</if>>

<<set $organized to true>>You carefully put each tool in its individual tray before folding your bag up and placing it behind them, then [[closing the doors|he's gone]]. <<set $toolset to true>>

<<set $organized to false>>The metal of your equipment clinks against itself before you [[close the doors|he's gone]]. <<set $toolset to true>>

Everything is calmed down a bit, and you are easily able to follow the boy as he winds his way back up to the deck. As you emerge from the hold you see a man dressed in crisp naval blue descending the stairs of the [[quarterdeck]]. He looks to be in his mid forties, with a white wig and eyes with plenty of laugh lines. He is looking directly at you. "Thank you, Mr Webster, you're dismissed." He glances to the boy before speaking to you. "$fname $sname, yes?" He asks. [[''Yes, sir'']] [[''Yes, captain'']]

You know the quarterdeck is the raised deck towards the back, or aft, of the ship but that's about it. You know you'll get the technical terminology [[eventually|On deck]].

He grins at you. "I don't believe we've been formally introduced. Captain Robinson. How's the infirmary? Everything in good shape?" He winks, as if sharing a conspiratorial secret. "Listen, I would love to talk with you about the state of physicians versus surgeons on Her Majesty's vessels, if you've a moment to spare now. It's a bit of a fascination of mine, and we haven't had a medical man aboard in quite some time." [[''Of course, captain'']] [[''Are you not preoccupied with the ship?'']]

He blinks before roaring with laughter. "I don't believe we've been formally introduced. Captain Robinson. How's the infirmary? Everything in good shape?" He winks, as if sharing a conspiratorial secret. "Listen, I would love to talk with you about the state of physicians versus surgeons on Her Majesty's vessels, if you've a moment to spare now. It's a bit of a fascination of mine, and we haven't had a medical man aboard in quite some time." [[''Of course, captain'']] [[''Are you not preoccupied with the ship?'']]

Captain Robinson barks a laugh and slaps your back again. It stings. "That's the spirit!" He gestures for you to follow him, and he leads you both to his cabin. He promptly pulls a large medical atlas off a shelf and opens it on his desk. [[The questioning begins]].

The captain laughs louder than you've possibly ever heard before, before slapping your back. "Lieutenant Stockbridge already has the ship by the throat, as per usual," he gestures to the upper deck, where a very severe looking young man in uniform is carefully handling the wheel. Captain Robinson gestures for you to follow him, and he leads you both to his cabin. He promptly pulls a large medical atlas off a shelf and opens it on his desk. [[The questioning begins]].

From Captain Robinson's incessant inquiries you begin to understand that there are no other officers that share his level of curiosity. He asks about the medical chest, your education, how many dissections you've attended, if you can name this muscle? Trapezius? Phenomenal! Dinner is brought and taken away, and the captain eventually slows his pace. "Thank you for humoring me, $sname. It really has been a pleasure. Now I'll let you get some rest before the real work begins in the morning," Robinson winks in a good-natured way before closing his cabin door behind you. [[You are exhausted]].

You find your way back to your cabin and begin getting ready to sleep. [[You read a bit before snuffing the candle]] [[You go immediately to sleep]]

You brought mostly instructional manuals, more tools of the trade than entertainment, but a quick review before bed will help prepare you for tomorrow. [[When you extinguish the candle, your cabin is thrown into pitch dark]]

You're lucky you even get out of your boots before you pass out. The sounds of the ship creaking and the water rushing against the side don't even faze you. [[When you extinguish the candle, your cabin is thrown into pitch dark]]

[[You don't dream]]

You awake harshly, to furious shouts and feet thumping the deck above your head. [[Something doesn't seem right|poke]].

You pull on your clothes quickly before you head above deck to see what's going on. After all, if someone is injured it is your responsibility to see to them. Dawn is barely breaking, but the captain is standing directly in front of you when you step out on to the deck. His back is turned to you, [[arguing]] with another man in officer blue. [[''Captain'']]

"We cannot surrender like some civilian merchant vessel! We have higher orders to answer to!"<div class="right">"Lieutenant Stockbridge I could have you flogged for insubordination."</div> "Captain I need to understand before I can ask the men to commit an act of suicide!" <div class="right">"Hardly a day out of port, even accounting for the wind. That desperation means they //will// be caught but it will not be with this crew's blood upon their hands, //lieutenant//."</div> You recognize the voice of the captain, but you could not have imagined the level of venom present in [[his last sentence|Something doesn't seem right]].

Captain Robinson turns around, his face grim. "Ah, $sname, I'm glad I don't have to wake you. We're about to be boarded. I need you to act quickly." He speaks quietly with his eyebrows knit. [[''I don't understand, captain'']] [[''What do you need me to do?'']]

"//Pirates//," the captain's voice hisses. "Would you like to be pressed? Surgeons are valuable, if you'd like to remain free you need to hide your tools and books, //now//." He gives your shoulder a push before returning to shouting commands you don't understand. [[Run to your cabin, to hide your books first]] [[Run to the sick bay, to hide your tools first]]

"I need you to hide your books and tools, they can't know there's a surgeon aboard." The captain squeezes your arm and gives you a quick pitying look before he returns to shoutong commands you don't understand. When you turn around you notice the ship that looms close behind the sails. A flash of black fabric cuts against the sky. You don't have time to consider it. [[Run to your cabin, to hide your books first]] [[Run to the sick bay, to hide your tools first]]

You poke your head out of your door and see the boy - Webster - from yesterday. When you call for his attention he turns, face white. "Came up last night... lights off... my mum will kill me..." he babbles before running off. [[You need to find the captain|Something doesn't seem right]]

<<set $trouble to 1>>You turn on your heels and run to the surgery. Below deck you crash shoulders with other crewmembers as they run above. You throw the fabric of the sick bay partition aside and run to the cabinet. <<if $organized is true>>[[You fumble trying to get all your tools back into the bag|hidetools]] <<else>>[[You grab the bag with your tools and look for a place to hide them|hidetools]] <</if>>

You can only see so many places to stash your bag. [[Throw it under the table to save time, hope they won't see]] [[Move the cabinet and put the tools between it and the wall]]

<<set $stashtools to "under the surgery table">>The metal clanks when it hits the wall, and the bag sits in the shadows. [[Now you just have to take care of your books]]

<<set $stashtools to "behind the cabinet in the sick bay">>It takes a second to move the solid wood cabinet, and you hope you can spare the time. [[Now you just have to take care of your books]]

<<set $trouble to 0>>You turn on your heels and run to your cabin. Below deck you crash shoulders with other crewmembers as they run above. You throw the door open and [[look for a place to hide your books]].

From above your head you hear the sound of wood cracking on wood. Someone is boarding the ship. You're running out of time. [[You have to run faster]]

There are few good places to hide things in the small cabin. [[Put the books on your hammock and throw your blanket over them]] [[Open your sea chest and hide the books under some clothes]]

<<set $stashbooks to "under the blanket in one of the cabin's hammocks">>It's not the sneakiest plan you've ever developed, but it only takes a second. [[Now you just have to take care of your tools]]

<<set $stashbooks to "under some clothes in one of the cabin's sea chests">>You spend a few precious seconds fumbling with the latch and the fabric but eventually you get the books in and shut the lid. [[Now you just have to take care of your tools]]

From above your head you hear the sound of wood cracking on wood. Someone is boarding the ship. You're running out of time. [[You have to run faster|faster2]]

You throw the door to your cabin open and it slams against the wall. There aren't many places to hide your books. [[Put the books on your hammock and throw your blanket over them|hammock]] [[Open your sea chest and hide the books under some clothes|chest]]

Footsteps come from down the hall behind you. It's not the sneakiest plan you've ever developed, but it only takes a second. You have just enough time to whirl around so the pistol that's being pointed at you is leveled at your [[heart]].

Footsteps come down the hall from behind you. You spend a few precious seconds fumbling with the latch and the fabric but eventually you get the books in and shut the lid. You have just enough time to whirl around so the pistol that's being pointed at you is leveled at your [[heart]].

The man brandishing the pistol is looking you dead in the eyes. He doesn't even turn his head to shout back. "Got another one in here," he takes a step back and gestures to the hall the door with the gun. [[Go easily]] [[Make a grab for the pistol]]

You throw the fabric partition of the infirmary aside and run to the cabinet. <<if $organized is true>>[[You fumble trying to get all your tools back into the bag|hidetools2]] <<else>>[[You grab the bag with your tools and look for a place to hide them|hidetools2]] <</if>>

You can only see so many places to stash your bag. [[Throw it under the table to save time, hope they won't see|table2]] [[Move the cabinet and put the tools between it and the wall|cabinet2]]

Footsteps come from down the hall behind you. The metal clanks when it hits the wall, and the bag sits in the shadows. You have just enough time to whirl around so the pistol that's being pointed at you is leveled at your [[heart]].

Footsteps come from down the hall behind you. It takes a second to move the solid wood cabinet, and you hope you can spare the time. You have just enough time to whirl around so the pistol that's being pointed at you is leveled at your [[heart]].

You walk forward, moving slowly. When you get to the deck the other members of the crew are standing in a line, with the captain furthest from you, and the boy from yesterday closest to you. They are all surrounded by pirates brandishing pistols. The man behind you pushes the barrel into your back and you join the line. "Now," a man emerges from the crowd of pirates near the plank they used to board your ship. "[[Let's make this easy, gentlemen]]."

You glance down at the weapon. The man's finger is on the trigger. Looking back up, his mouth has formed into a narrow line at your hesitation. [[Go easily]] [[Make a grab for the pistol|RIP]]

You don't even hear the gunshot. You're blasted back to the ground, and the man turns and walks out of the room. "Nevermind," he shouts. You can feel the blood draining from your face as you raise your fingers to the wound on your chest. Retreating footsteps are dimmed by the rush of blood in your ears. Eventually the shock takes your conciousness from you. [[You don't wake up|END]]

This man seems to be in charge. He's wearing a tri-cornered hat and an ill-fitting jacket over standard sailing clothes. At his hip is a rapier and his right hand holds a pistol loosely. "You're the captain?" he gestures at Captain Robinson. The Captain nods, eyes tight. "We are carrying no cargo, nor anything of worth. The only promise I can make is a short drop if you touch a single member of this crew." His voice is measured, but just barely. The main pirate sighs, and uses the tip of his gun to scratch under his hat. "[[That's unfortunate]]."

"Boys?" The man lowers the gun from the side of his head and looks to the man that brought you above deck. He makes a disappointed face and nods. "Very unfortunate," the man sighs again. "Well, of course we will be reposessing your medical chest and any liquor aboard-" Suddenly a young pirate comes stumbling up from below deck. <<if $trouble is 1>>[[He's holding your bag of medical tools]] <<else>>[[He's holding your medical books]] <</if>>

"Mr Fields, sir, look what I found below, they were $stashtools" he pushes the bag into the man's - Fields's - face. It takes a second for the contents to register. "You've got a surgeon aboard?" Fields asks. Captain Robinson's back stiffens and a look of worry flashes across his face. [[Stay quiet]] [[Speak up]]

"Mr Fields, sir, look what I found below, they were $stashbooks" he pushes the books into the man's - Fields's - face. It takes a second for the subject to register. "You've got a surgeon aboard?" Fields asks. Captain Robinson's back stiffens and a look of worry flashes across his face. [[Stay quiet]] [[Speak up]]

No one on the crew says anything. Seconds pass in agonizing silence. "Our captain needs to speak to you. You won't be hurt." He surveys your crew. [[Stay quiet|SQ2]] [[Speak up]]

"I am," your voice sounds small. "There you go," Fields smiles. "Relatively easy." He turns and motions to a man in the crowd with large, muscular arms and dark hair. "Take him to the captain." [[Struggle]] [[Go easily|GE2]] <<if $str is 1>>[[Put up a real fight]] <<else>> <</if>>

The man's eyes harden and he draws closer to the line of your crew. "This will get much harder if you remain silent." [[Stay quiet|SQ3]] [[Speak up]]

"Alright," Fields swings the gun up into the face of the boy next to you and cocks back the hammer. He doesn't even have to wait for an answer. The boy's eyes widen to the size of saucers and dart to you for a split second. Fields uncocks the pistol. "Take him to [[the captain|thehardway]]." <<set $love to $love - 1>>

A pirate with large, muscled arms and curly dark hair steps up and puts a hand around your forearm, turning to the plank balanced between the ships. [[Struggle]] [[Go easily|GE2]] <<if $str is 1>>[[Put up a real fight]] <<else>> <</if>>

You pull your arm back but your protestations are met with a strong tug that nearly sends you to the floor. He leads you across to the pirate's ship with an [[iron grip|pirate's deck]].

You move quietly along with the man, and his grip softens as he realizes that you're cooperating. He even steadies you as you climb onto the deck of the [[pirate's ship|pirate's deck]]

You manage to slip the muscular man's hold and thrust your elbow into his stomach, winding him. You're about to deliver a real blow to his face when a gun shot rings out from behind you. Fields is scowling, his gun pointing at the sky. "You sure you're a surgeon?" He growls before two massive hands grab you by your shoulders and lift you off the ground. You're carried over to the next ship by a massive man, who only puts you down when you're both squarely standing on the [[pirate's deck]].

The pirate's ship is much [[smaller]] than the //Penelope//. There are only three people on deck, one on the upper deck who abandons the wheel and decends the stairs, opening the door to the cabins below the upper deck and motioning you inside. The man who brought you across pushes you towards the door. After you enter, [[the door is closed behind you]].

You know the term for a ship like this is a //sloop//, because you can remember your amusement when you first learned the term. Under the current circumstances, you feel [[less amused|pirate's deck]].

The man who walked down from the upper deck has his hand on the doorknob. He's almost a full head taller than you, with dark hair long enough to hang down by his chin if he hadn't pulled it back from his face with a scrap of black fabric. His long dark coat is pulled closed, and it matches the bags under his eyes. Despite this, he looks younger than you expected. "I must apologize," he speaks with a steady voice. "I try not to pull men away from their crew but under the circumstances [[I needed to make an exception]]."

He turns from the door and walks further into the room. The cabin is not particularly large, with a cot pushed up against one wall with a sea chest under it, several shelves dedicated to bottles of spirits and one dedicated to books, and a large cabinet stuffed full of maps and navigational equipment. A table in the middle of the room takes up most of the space, along with several chairs. There are two small portholes, covered in thick panes of glass. The man makes his way to the table and sits, motioning for you to join him. [[Sit]] [[Stay standing]]

The man nods, and reaches across the table to pour himself a glass of spirits from a mostly empty bottle. He knocks it back in one go. "I am in a precarious situation where there are several people aboard this ship who require medical supervision. We have been making do with a carpenter and one of our men who previously attended an apothecary but," The man takes a deep breath. "[[It is no longer enough]]."

The man sighs, and reaches across the table to pour himself a glass of spirits from a mostly empty bottle. He knocks it back in one go. "I am in a precarious situation where there are several people aboard this ship who require medical supervision. We have been making do with a carpenter and one of our men who previously attended an apothecary but," The man takes a deep breath. "[[It is no longer enough]]."

The man pulls another glass across the table, and empties the bottle filling them both up. He slides one towards you, but doesn't push it. "We need a proper surgeon aboard. You won't even be required to sign the articles, if we are killed you will be free to say that you were held against your will. Barring that, you would stay aboard the ship." [[''Who needs medical attention?'']] [[Remain silent]]

A slow, sad smile spreads across his face. "Regrettably, myself," the man opens the front of his coat. His chest and stomach are wrapped in scraps of fabric that are soaked through with blood on his right side. <<if $int is 1>>You can tell that without immediate medical attention, he will be in significant trouble. <<else>>It does not look good. It might even be infected. <</if>>He slowly closes his coat over the wound again. [[''How long would I need to stay?'']] [[Remain quiet]] [[''Yes'']] [[''No'']]

You sit quietly for a moment. "If we cannot come to an agreement I will not force you or hurt you," he speaks softly. "An unwilling medical man can do more harm than good, and I wouldn't kill so many men so close to England. You would be left in your ship after it is lightly damaged, to prevent pursuit, but enough that you could make it to land." [[''Who needs medical attention?'']] [[Remain silent|coldshould]] [[''Yes'']] [[''No'']]

The man looks relieved, and stands up with a smile on his face. "I'll have a man bring your things aboard. You'll be set up in the infirmary, so Mr Brito will have to find another hammock." "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr..." <<set $love to $love + 2>> [[Give him your name]] [[Correct him to Doctor]]

The man's face falls. "You're sure?" [[You're sure]] [[You're not sure]]

"Until the crew and I can be given a clean bill of health. Then I will gladly deliver you to any harbor." A strand of hair falls in front of his face and he pushes it back behind his ear. [[''Yes'']] [[Remain quiet|guh]] [[''No'']]

A moment passes with just the creaking of the ship beneath your feet. "If you stay on board, I am willing to offer you two shares of any prizes we take on." [[''How long would I need to stay?'']] [[Remain quiet|coldshould2]] [[''Yes'']] [[''No'']]

When the man speaks again, his voice has a noticeable amount of strain. "If you stay, you'll have a captain's share of any prizes we bring in." <<set $love to $love - 1>> [[Remain silent|coldshould2]] [[''Yes'']] [[''No'']]

"Please." <<set $love to $love - 2>> [[''Yes'']] [[''No'']]

"Please." [[''Yes'']] [[''No'']]

He nods and downs his second glass. Yours remains on the table, untouched. He stands and moves to the door, pulling it open. You notice now that his hand is pressed to his right side. Out on the deck, the pirates are loading your food and water stores onto their ship. The man adresses the pirate that took you aboard, who is standing outside the door. "Bring him back across. We're not recruiting from [[this ship]]."

His eyes are sad. "You are allowed to leave, to turn around and go home." <<set $love to $love + 1>> [[Go|You're sure]] [[Stay]]

The man looks relieved, and stands up. "I'll have a man bring your things aboard, to the infirmary." "Thank you for joining us, Mr..." <<set $love to $love + 3>> [[Give him your name]] [[Correct him to Doctor]]

You're left back on the deck of the //Penelope// as the pirates unhook their sloop from your ship. The frayed ends of recently cut ropes litter the deck around your feet and the crew stands and watches as the ship moves steadily off [[into the distance]].

It takes a bit for the //Penelope// to begin moving again. Upon reaching Cork, Captain Robinson hires a speedy little sloop to deliver the news of the pirates back to Portsmouth. The nobleman - Bradley - boards quietly. The ship refills its supplies and resumes the trip to St. John's. A few days after you arrive, the news reaches St. John's [[from Portsmouth]].

A pirate vessel that dared to get so close to England was captured. Every man aboard hung from the gallows for three days. By the time your crew is called back to England, [[they aren't there any more|END]].

"$fname $sname," you reply. "Maddock Cooper, Captain of the sloop the //Omen//. Welcome aboard." [[Pick up the glass he offered you earlier]] [[Put your hand out for a handshake]] [[Step to the side and let him open the door]] <<set $title to "Mr">>

"//Doctor// $fname $sname," you correct him. He nods. "Captain Maddock Cooper. Welcome aboard the //Omen//." <<set $love to $love - 1>> [[Pick up the glass he offered you earlier]] [[Put your hand out for a handshake]] [[Step to the side and let him open the door]] <<set $title to "Doctor">>

The glass could be cleaner, but here you are. [[Take a sip]] [[Drink it through in one swig]]

You hold your hand out to bridge the gap between you, and Captain Cooper looks down and blinks. You wonder if you've broken some unspoken rule before he grasps your hand in his own tightly. His hand is large and warm, and his callused fingers hold the back of your hand. He smiles the brightest you've seen so far, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "Let's get you set up, [[shall we]]?"

Captain Cooper bows his head before pulling the door open and standing to the side, letting you exit first. It is [[unfailingly polite|shall we]].

Back on deck, the pirates are loading the //Penelope's// food and water stores onto their sloop - the //Omen// - and the man who brought you over is pulling your sea chest towards the captain's cabin. He brightens when he sees the captain's expression. "This yours? Got the books and tools down already." <<set $settle to false>> [[''Yes''|Nod]] [[Nod]]

Whatever that was, it was atrocious. You put the mostly full glass gingerly back on the table and Captain Cooper looks like he's stifling a laugh. "We should get you [[set up, now|shall we]]."

You make it through without coughing, but you can feel the tears stinging in your eyes. Whatever it is, it's strong enough to strip paint. The captain picks up his empty glass and clinks it against yours. "Now, let's get you set up, [[shall we]]?"

"Have Mr Brito to show him below deck, he has to move his belongings anyway," the captain says. The ship rolls over an undercurrent and the connecting plank between the //Penelope// and the //Omen// cracks against the hulls. "And for God's sake, get us out of here as soon as possible." The captain grimaces. The man nods and shouts to a shorter pirate standing across the ship. The other members of the crew began moving towards the hull facing the //Penelope//. "I will see you soon, $title $sname." The captain offers a quick smile before heading back to the [[upper deck]].

You turn back to the two pirates now standing in front of you. The shorter man speaks to you with a heavy Spanish accent. "You're the surgeon? Take the other end of your trunk. The surgery is close below." He takes up one side of your sea trunk and you take the other. He moves below deck, looking back over his shoulder so he can see where he's going. <<if $str is 1>>[[You end up holding most of the weight of the chest]] <<else>>[[You do your best to keep your side up]] <</if>>

The Spaniard - Brito - looks surprised at your strength. Together you easily manipulate the chest down below deck, and it takes only a few strides before you reach [[the infirmary|the sick bay]]. <<set $med2 to false>> <<set $cab2 to false>> <<set $tab2 to false>>

If you had known that you would have been the one moving your belongings, perhaps you would have packed lighter. Together you manipulate the chest down below deck, and it takes a few heavy strides before you reach [[the infirmary|the sick bay]]. <<set $med2 to false>> <<set $cab2 to false>> <<set $tab2 to false>>

Like the //Penelope's// infirmary, the door is only a piece of fabric. Though on the //Omen// that fabric is only the stitched-together remains of old sails. Inside, the space is smaller. There is still the standard [[surgical table|tab2]], [[instrument cabinet|cab2]], and now [[two medical chests|medz2]]. There is also a decently sized bag on the floor, with a clean white shirt folded on top. <<if $med2 is true and $cab2 is true and $tab2 is true>>Brito drops his side of your chest unceremoniously. "Best to store the chest under the table," he offers before taking his bag and shirt and [[slipping back out]]. <<else>> <</if>>

<<set $consol to false>>You feel a little trapped, sitting below deck with the sounds of creaking wood below you and the furious movement of the pirates above. <<set $chest to false>> [[Settle in as much as you can]] [[Sit on the edge of the table]]

<<set $cab2 to true>>The cabinet was clearly not intended to hold medical supplies, and some of the drawers are missing, but it is made of a thick wood and appears [[sturdy enough|the sick bay]].

<<set $med2 to true>>One of the chests is the //Penelope's//, you can tell immediately. The other is considerably worse for wear, and you'd be willing to be bet that it's [[mostly empty|the sick bay]].

<<set $tab2 to true>>It takes you a second to realize that the surgical table was a table at all, as it was covered with a thin cot and some blankets. It was neatly made, and must have been where Brito was staying. The intention that you now sleep here is clear. You don't know how you feel about sleeping on a table where [[people die|the sick bay]].

<<set $settle to true>>The Ship shifts under your feet, leaving the side of the //Penelope//. You should probably make sure nothing is missing from your chest, as [[the lock is broken]]. The two medicine chests could be consolidated into [[one container]]. Other than that the room is fairly clean and free of clutter, so possible busywork is scarce. <<if $consol is true and $chest is true>>Eventually a soft knock comes from the doorframe and the curtain is [[pulled aside]]. <<else>> <</if>>

<<set $settle to false>>You sit down and let yourself sway with the ship, contemplating your future and whether you're really here of your own volition. You're not sure how much time passes before a soft knock comes from the doorframe and the curtain is pulled aside. A man peers inside, his shock of blonde hair cut close to his scalp. "$title $sname?" He asks in a soft voice. [[You nod]] [[''Yes?''|You nod]]

He takes a tentative step into the surgery. He's tall enough that he has to bend his head forward to prevent hitting it on the ceiling. "I'm Judd Holt, the [[boatswain]]. I came to bring you up to the captain." <<if $int is 1>>[[You follow him out onto the deck and back to the captain's cabin]] <<else>>[[''What does a boatswain do?'']] [[You follow him out onto the deck and back to the captain's cabin]] <</if>>

He pronounces the word as "bo-sun" and you don't immediately recognize it. <<if $int is 1>>You remember reading the term, you're pretty sure that he manages the sails and rigging. <<else>>You remember hearing the term before, but it's unfamiliar. <</if>> [[It takes you a second to make the connection|You nod]]

<<set $chest to true>>You can tell immediately upon opening your sea chest that it had been sifted through. You're not missing anything, however. It [[could be worse|Settle in as much as you can]].

<<set $consol to true>>It takes a bit to organize everything. Though the //Penelope's// medical chest was in beautiful shape, the pirate's old chest is a mess. Nothing is organized, and you have to set aside several unlabeled, unidentifiable bottles. In the end, the nicer chest is bursting with adequate medicines of varying stages of freshness and the old, empty chest sits on the floor at [[the base of the cabinet|Settle in as much as you can]].

A man peers inside, his shock of blonde hair cut close to his scalp. "$title $sname?" He asks in a soft voice. [[You nod]] [[''Yes?''|You nod]]

Holt ushers you through the captain's door and closes it behind you. Inside the cabin, Captain Cooper is sitting at the table, pouring over a map. He turns and stands shakily at your entrance. "Ah, $title $sname. Thank you for visiting me here, I would like to prevent the crew's knowledge of my ailment for as long as possible." He pulls out another chair so the two can face each other without the table in the way. "Please, take a seat." [[Sit down]] [[Keep standing]]

He frowns at you for a second and looks confused. "Didn't we pull you off a navy ship?" [[''I haven't been enlisted for long'']] [[''I'm a surgeon, not a sailor!'']]

"Oh, my apologies," he folds his hands together in front of his chest, embarassed. "I made an incorrect assumption." "I manage the sails and rigging, the technical aspects of controling the ship. I was elected by the crew two years ago and haven't changed positions since. But anyway," he motions to the fabric partition of the infirmary. [[You follow him out onto the deck and back to the captain's cabin]]

Holt raises one eyebrow. He is not impressed. "I manage the sails and the rigging. On a navy ship I'd be classified as an officer but here I'm more of an elected official." He gestures out of the infirmary. "Shall we?" he asks, a little sarcastically. [[You follow him out onto the deck and back to the captain's cabin]]

He sits across from you and opens his coat, slowly pulling his arms from the sleeves. He leaves it hanging against the back of the chair and begins to undo the bandages that wrap around his chest and stomach. After unwrapping the blood-encrusted fabric once or twice around he loses his composure and flinches. [[Reach out to do the rest of it yourself]] [[Let him finish]]

He waits for a second. "Please," he repeats, voice flat. "Sit." <<set $love to $love - 1>> [[You take a seat|Sit down]]

You gently pull the fabric out of his hands and resume uncovering it yourself. He doesn't flinch again, but you can see the lines of his jaw standing out in clear contrast. Eventually you [[see the wound]]. <<set $love to $love + 1>>

He goes a little slower, trying not to twist his torso or lift his arms. After a minute you [[see the wound]].

You lean forward to get a closer look. The edges of the bullet hole are ragged, and you turn your head to check for an exit wound. There is none. The bullet is still inside, and if the captain is particularly unlucky it might be accompanied by a scrap from his shirt. [[Press on the skin around the wound, to see if the bullet is near the surface]] [[Go immediately to get your tools]]

The captain takes a breath as you touch his skin. "Your hands are //cold//," he exhales. [[''Sorry'']] [[Just look for the bullet]] <<if $char is 1>>[[''Yes, that's a requirement for becoming a surgeon'']] <<else>> <</if>>

You stand, and the captain looks up at you, and you can see the nervousness in his eyes. [[''I need to get some supplies'']] [[''I will return quickly'']]

<<set $love to $love + 1>>"No need to apologize. I was just startled." He smiles. You return to [[looking for the bullet|Just look for the bullet]].

You press your fingers around the edges of the wound, but the bullet is lodged too deep for you to make it out, by either touch or sight. The surrounding skin is covered in dried blood, which looks to be what kept the bangages attached to his skin. It's unlikely that he had changed them since he was injured. [[You're going to need your tools|Go immediately to get your tools]]

<<set $love to $love + 2>>The captain laughs, but it's cut short by his injury. You return to [[looking for the bullet|Just look for the bullet]].

The Captain nods, covering his wound with his coat. [[You get down to the infirmary without anyone interrupting]]

<<set $love to $love - 1>>The captain frowns and gives you a slow nod while covering his exposed side with his coat. [[You get down to the infirmary without anyone interrupting]]

You're already mentally compiling a list of the tools and medicines you'll need when you push aside the fabric partition and step back inside the infirmary. <<if $settle is true>>You go to the cabinet, where your tools and the medicine chests are, and begin [[collecting supplies]]. <<else>>You curse yourself for not setting everything up beforehand, and move to [[collect some supplies]]. <</if>>

You quickly pick up your //[[Ganders bille]]// and a [[sounding iron]]. From the medical chest you take [[Venice Trekle]] and [[Oil of Vitriol]]. [[You run back up to the captain's cabin]] [[You take your time returning|You run back up to the captain's cabin]]

You fumble through your bag of tools, looking for your //[[Ganders bille|GB2]]// and [[sounding iron|SI2]]. After you find them you grab some [[Venice Treacle|VT2]] and [[Oil of Vitriol|OoV2]] from the //Penelope's// medicine chest, ignoring whatever supplies might be left in the pirate's original chest. [[You run back up to the captain's cabin]] [[You take your time returning|You run back up to the captain's cabin]]

A long, scissor-like apparatus meant to reach into a wound and retrieve the bullet. <<if $int is 1>>It's all in accordance with Guillimeau's //The French Chirurgerie//, a copy of which you brought with you. Though his later screw designs for bullet extractions make you cringe in imagined pain. <<else>> <</if>>[[You move on|collecting supplies]]

A long, thin metal stick with a blunted end much like a very small spoon, meant to be inserted into the wound to help find the bullet. <<if $int is 1>>Also called an //Esprovette//, some have a needle hole on the opposite end, though yours lacks this feature. <<else>> <</if>>[[You move on|collecting supplies]]

A medicine in a sort of paste form, meant to stop the poisons present in the wound. <<if $int is 1>>You take note that in this particular case, the medicine has already been mixed with the honey, as opposed to being held in its dried form. <<else>> <</if>>[[You move on|collecting supplies]]

A liquid medicine to prevent putrefaction and decomposition of the wound. <<if $int is 1>>It looks much like water, but even holding the vial brings back such strong memories of the sour taste from your school days. <<else>> <</if>>[[You move on|collecting supplies]]

The door to the cabin is still open, and the captain is still sitting at the table in the same position, now with a [[book]] in his hands. He looks up as you close the door behind yourself, and move to set your tools down on the table. You're going to need material for bandages. [[Ask for clean rags]] [[Ask for fabric]]

The captain closes his book and places it on the table. "No, any rags we have are almost guaranteed to have pitch on them. I have my extra shirt on the cot over there. I'd be more than willing to part with it in this case." You pick up the shirt. It's worn but clean linen, and though you pause for a moment you tear it into many long strips and bring them back to [[the table]].

The captain closes his book and places it on the table. "I have my second shirt laid out on the cot over there." You pick up the shirt. It's worn but clean linen, and though you pause for a moment you tear it into many long strips and bring them back to [[the table]].

You'll also need some spirits for cleaning the wound and the surrounding area. [[''I will also need something strong to clean it'']] [[Take a bottle off one of the shelves]]

The captain nods his head towards the shelf of liquor. "Top shelf, in the blue bottle." You pick it up and place it on the table. To get better access to the wound you kneel on the ground next to the chair, pouring some of the alcohol onto a strip of rag. The captain hangs his coat on the back of his chair and you begin cleaning the area around the wound. Though the captain's breath stutters at the temperature, he doesn't move. There's no sound when you run the rag over [[the wound itself]].

<<set $love to $love - 2>>You pick a brown bottle off the shelf at random and put it on the table. To get better access to the wound you kneel on the ground next to the chair, pouring some of the alcohol onto a strip of rag. The captain hangs his coat on the back of his chair and you begin cleaning the area around the wound. Though the captain's breath stutters at the temperature, he doesn't move. There's no sound when you run the rag over [[the wound itself]].

When you're satisfied you turn to pick up the sounding iron. [[Explain the process]] [[Begin searching for the bullet]]

<<set $love to $love + 1>>"I need to find the bullet before I can extract it," you speak quietly, holding his side still with your other hand. "This tool will help with that, when I've located the bullet I'll use another tool to extract it. Then I'll apply medicine and wrap it again." As you speak you slowly maneuver the sounding iron through the wound. The captain manages to stay remarkably still. You find the bullet quickly, it's a straight shot and despite the blood it doesn't look like there's any organ damage. You reach for your //[[Ganders bille|gbbaby]]//.

You steady his wound with your left hand, and begin pressing the sounding iron into the wound. "//Jesus Christ//," he gasps, and grabs your wrist. He quickly lets go. "Oh, my apologies." You pause until his body is still, and then begin with the sounding iron again. You manage to find the bullet quickly, it's a straight shot and despite the blood it doesn't look like there's any organ damage. You move the tool to your left hand, and reach for your //[[Ganders bille|gbbaby2]]//.

With your left hand holding the sounding iron against the bullet in the wound, you use your right hand to press the //Ganders bille// alongside it. When you open them to grab the bullet the captain hisses and grabs your left elbow, his hand a vice. You wait until he's still to resume, but he doesn't remove his hand. The bullet is not particularly deep or well lodged, but the skin around the outside of the wound had been held closed by the dried blood so it pulls around the //bille// as you twist the tool out of the captain. As you remove the sounding iron, [[he lets go of your arm]].

You drop your tools onto a rag on the table, where they immediately begin to color the fabric a deep red. The bullet rolls a bit with the swaying of the ship. The edges of your sleeves have small pinpricks of blood on them, and you roll them to your forearm distractedly. You pick up the Venice Treacle and collect a tiny sliver on a finger and turn to apply it to the captain's injury. He is [[quiet and still]].

You press the closed //Ganders bille// into the wound alongside the sounding iron. The bullet is not particularly deep or well lodged, but the skin around the outside of the wound had been held closed by the dried blood so it pulls around the //bille// as you twist the tool out of the captain. He doesn't move or make a sound [[the whole time]].

You reach up for the glass vial of Oil of Vitriol and carefully apply a few drops. The captain keeps staring off into the distance, away from you. You begin wrapping the scraps of shirt around his torso and are nearly finished when he speaks up. "I must apologize," he nods to your arm, and where he had put his hand before there is a red hand print on your skin. [[''It is alright, the mark will be gone soon enough'']] [[Keep silent]] [[''You should mind yourself, next time'']]

<<set $love to $love +1>>"Still, though," he says, and looks a bit sheepish despite the fact that you just pulled a bullet from his stomach. When you finish dressing the wound you stand and collect your belongings. The captain also stands, though slowly, and pulls his coat back on. "I will need to see you soon to re-dress the wound," you say. He nods. "I do hope your time aboard the //Omen// is tolerable, $title $sname" Captain Cooper offers a small smile. "Until then." [[You leave the cabin]]

<<set $love to $love - 1>>Neither of you speak as you finish dressing the wound. When you finish you stand and collect your belongings. The captain also stands, though slowly, and pulls his coat back on. "I will need to see you soon to re-dress the wound," you say. He nods. "Until then." [[You leave the cabin]]

<<set $love to $love - 2>>He's quiet for a moment, before he speaks softly. "I am sorry." When you finish dressing the wound you stand and collect your belongings. The captain also stands, though slowly, and pulls his coat back on. "I will need to see you soon to re-dress the wound," you say. He nods. "Until then." [[You leave the cabin]]

The title, embossed on the cover, is //Excerpted Poetry of Ben Jonson//. You would not have judged the captain as being [[interested in poetry|You run back up to the captain's cabin]].

Every pirate you pass as you return to your cabin is preoccupied with their duties, but you can't help but feel watched. [[You feel like this will be a long voyage|CH2]]

You reach up for the glass vial of Oil of Vitriol and carefully apply a few drops. The captain keeps staring off into the distance, away from you. You begin wrapping the scraps of shirt around his torso and are nearly finished when he speaks up. "I must apologize for reaching for you, I was startled," he sounds embarassed. [[''It's understandable'']] [[You shrug]] [[''Most people are able to tolerate the pain'']]

<<set $love to $love + 1>>"Still," he trails off. When you finish dressing the wound you stand and collect your belongings. The captain also stands, though slowly, and pulls his coat back on. "I will need to see you soon to re-dress the wound," you say. He nods. "I do hope your time aboard the //Omen// is tolerable, $title $sname" Captain Cooper offers a small smile. "Until then." [[You leave the cabin]]

Neither of you speak as you finish dressing the wound. When you finish you stand and collect your belongings. The captain also stands, though slowly, and pulls his coat back on. "I will need to see you soon to re-dress the wound," you say. He nods. "Until then." [[You leave the cabin]]

<<set $love to $love - 1>>He's quiet for a moment, before he speaks softly. "I am sorry." When you finish dressing the wound you stand and collect your belongings. The captain also stands, though slowly, and pulls his coat back on. "I will need to see you soon to re-dress the wound," you say. He nods. "Until then." [[You leave the cabin]]

<div class="chapter2"></div> [[Continue|p2]]

You stay mostly below deck for two days, but eventually the stifling air begins to get to you. It is rapidly getting hotter as the ship sails closer and closer to the equator. Eventually you [[need to get some air]]. <<set $sailingmaster to false>>

When you emerge onto the deck, the first thing that strikes you is the sky. It is a perfect, clear blue. In the distance bright white clouds cut mountainous silhouettes against it. The air is moving quickly, whipping your shirt around you, and the sails are stretched taut. "$title $sname? Pardon me," a voice comes from [[behind you]].

The boatswain waves, a large coil of rope thrown over his shoulder. "Captain Cooper asked me to have you check in with Mr Lane, when you came up again." There is a careful tone in his voice, and he nods his head to the upper deck. "Up there." [[Go to the upper deck|wait]] [[Return to the infirmary to be alone for the rest of the voyage]]

Up the stairs is the massive wheel of the ship, and standing at the helm is an old man, weathered by time and the sea. One of his hands is braced against the wheel, while the other holds a crutch under his left arm. His left leg is missing from [[the knee down]].

You return to the infirmary, secluded from the rest of the ship. No one comes to speak with you, and you only check in on the captain's recovery a few times. His wounds heal well but your interactions are very quiet. [[It takes a long time for the ship to reach a port]]

You reach Barbados after nightfall, and you and your belongings are quickly loaded onto a skiff and pointed in the direction of the port. You can see the pinpricks of lit houses tracing the shape of the island in the dark. [[The captain does not see you off|END]]

As you begin to turn, the boatswain leans forward conspiratorially. "I hope doctors carry earplugs, you might need them," he stage-whispers. [[''Uh-oh'']] [[''I'm a surgeon'']] <<if $char is 1>>[[''Mr Holt, I always come prepared'']] <<else>> <</if>>

The boatswain smiles and gives an exaggerated wink, before he [[turns back to his work|Go to the upper deck]].

The boatswain looks like he's going to say something, but he takes a breath before [[turning back to his work|Go to the upper deck]].

The boatswain laughs, and [[turns back to his work|Go to the upper deck]].

When Lane notices you he looks you up and down. "I thought they were sending the doctor to act as a nanny, not some merchant recruit." His voice is harsh from years of breathing in sea spray. <<set $gay to false>> [[''I am the doctor'']] [[''Technically, I'm a surgeon'']] <<set $ayla to false>>

"We recruited a naval doctor. You're not navy. You don't stand at attention." He shifts the wheel slightly clockwise. [[''Your ship intervened on my first time out'']] [[''From the current crew of this ship, I would think that to be a good thing'']]

Lane gives a short, barking laugh. "'Technically', 'technically', you better quit it with 'technically', we don't need another Deniau on this crew." [[''You know everyone on the crew?'']] [[''I heard you were having pains,'' You get to business|prob]]

"Ah," he nods, considering. "That would explain it. I heard they had become more desperate for recruits. Wonder if they regret letting Cooper go, now." [[''What can you tell me about Captain Cooper?'']] [[''You've been having pains?'' You get to business|prob]]

The man gives a short, barking laugh. "I thought you'd met the captain? He was a naval man." [[''What can you tell me about Captain Cooper?'']] [[''You've been having pains?'' You get to business|prob]]

"Cooper's a good man, the only one I'd ever willingly have replace me. He was in the Navy for a bit, but left soon enough. He was the quartermaster on my beloved //Ayla// for a good amount of time." [[''Why did he leave the Navy?'']] [[''Ayla?'']] [[''Anyway, you are in pain?'' You get to business|prob]]

A glint comes over the man's eyes. "I know everyone and their mother! Go ahead, point to anyone on deck and I can tell you their life story, their family, and how they take their tea." [[Point to a Spaniard reading a large book]] [[Point to a young English man climbing the rigging]] [[Point to a Frenchman arguing with a man with dreadlocks]]

Lane sighs. "My leg hurts sometimes. I'm just getting older, but some are worried for me." He half-smiles. You hear a shout from up on the rigging, and someone points to the horizon behind you. The top of another ship's sails are cresting over the [[line of blue]].

"Ah, the sailing master! Seneca Morales. His situation was similar to yours, but now he won't leave. I'm surprised that Samaras isn't around, usually they're inseperable." <<set $sailingmaster to true>> [[''What can you tell me about Captain Cooper?'']] [[''Anyway, I heard you were in pain?'' You get to business|prob]]

"There, the Englishman up in the rigging," you point above your heads. The man laughs. "Adan McCarthy is no Englishman, though I don't fault your guess from this distance. Irish - his older brother is also aboard, working as the cook. When Adan was pressed Ronan joined, too." [[''What can you tell me about Captain Cooper?'']] [[''Anyway, I heard you were in pain?'' You get to business|prob]]

The two men are arguing over a knot in the rope that stretches over their heads. You can't hear their conversation from this far away, but you can see clearly when the Frenchman pulls hard on the rope with his body weight and the knot slips, his body falling onto the deck with an audible //thump//. The man with dreadlocks puts a hand over his mouth to stifle a laugh. Lane snorts. "Étienne Larousse, great aim with knives but despite his three years aboard he still can't tie a knot for shit. Oluseyi - the other man - will not let him hear the end of it." [[''What can you tell me about Captain Cooper?'']] [[''Anyway, I heard you were in pain?'' You get to business|prob]]

Lane suddenly looks very serious. He looks you up and down slowly before speaking carefully in a measured pace. "The Navy dislikes... certain kinds of men. They let a single aspect of a man's personality condemn him. Those at sea are less... discerning." <<set $gay to true>> [[You don't understand]] [[''Oh.'' You understand]]

Lane sighs. "My old ship, the //Ayla//. She was beautiful, but was wrecked beyond repair in the worst storm I've ever seen. We're lucky most of the crew made it through. Many of this current crew joined //Ayla// originally." He goes silent. <<set $ayla to true>> <<if $gay is false>>[[''Why did the captain leave the Navy?''|''Why did he leave the Navy?'']] <<else>><</if>>[[''I was asked to talk to you about your pain,'' You get to business|prob]]

He gives a light cough. "A popular joke aboard is that the ship isn't called the O//men// for no reason." [[You still don't understand]] [[Now you understand|''Oh.'' You understand]]

The man turns back to looking at the wide expanse of sea. "Even a life like this is better than a short drop and a sudden stop." <<if $ayla is false>>[[''You said something about an Ayla?''|''Ayla?'']] <<else>><</if>>[[''I was sent to see if you're in any pain,'' You get to business|prob]]

"//Jesus//, the man loved another man like a wife. Must I spell it out for you?" Lane scrutinizes you. "Are you sharp enough to be practicing medicine?" <<if $ayla is false>>[[''You said something about an Ayla?''|''Ayla?'']] <<else>><</if>>[[''I was sent to see if you're in any pain,'' You get to business|prob]]

"You should go wait below in the infirmary," Lane says. "If we take this as a prize you don't want to get mixed up in fighting." [[Stay, to try and convince the captain not to take the ship]] [[Go below deck]]

When he realizes you're not leaving, the old man's brow furrows. "//Go//." [[You go below deck|Go below deck]]

You hustle down the stairs, trying to avoid the sudden rush of pirates that swarmed the deck at the call. As you step below deck you can hear the captain's voice beginning to shout orders. For a long time it's just the sounds of men rushing, the swell of the sea, and the crack of the sails in the wind. [[The cannon fire rocks the ship and you nearly fall to the ground]]

There are three shots from the //Omen//, and only one answer from the other ship. It doesn't land. Then comes the sound of ropes slapping the deck above your head. A minute later a gunshot. Then another. [[Then silence]]

It's a while before you can hear the //Omen's// crew begin loading things onto the ship. After about a half hour a man pushes aside the infirmary partition. "Hello, $title $sname?" He speaks with a heavy Greek accent. "Mihail Samaras, I need a needle." Samaras walks haltingly into the infirmary and displays his blood-soaked shoulder. [[You grab your bandages]]

The cut is deep but clean, made by a sharp cutlass. It had finished bleeding, so Samaras was able to walk out of the infirmary with six sutures and a securing bandage. He smiles and waves as he holds the fabric partition open for the boatswain to poke his head in. "The captain'd like to borrow you $title $sname, sir." Holt lets the partition close and disappears. [[You gather your supplies and head to see the captain]]

His door is open when you reach it. The captain is just putting down a small bucket of sea water by his cot. He is wearing a linen shirt, and you don't notice that he is spattered with blood until he turns towards you a bit. "Would you mind terribly closing the door?" he asks as he begins to pull his shirt over his head. You can hear the rushing water under the //Omen// as it retreats, sound filtering in through one of the open port holes. [[You close the door]]

You can tell immediately that he's doing better. The bandages stand out more against the skin that is gaining its color back. He sits on the edge of the cot and dips the shirt in the water, using it to clean his face off. When it's free of blood, he scrubs the fabric in the water until it's clean and moves to hang it in front of the open port hole from two unused lantern hooks. "Thank you for waiting," Cooper moves towards you and pulls two chairs out [[from the table]].

He begins undoing his bandages. <<set $book to false>> [[Sit and begin setting up your supplies]] [[Stand and begin setting up your supplies]]

<<set $love to $love + 1>>The captain leaves the unspooled bandages on top of [[a book]] on the table. The wound looks better. It's not infected and the tissue isn't dying, but it is still bleeding more than it should be and that makes you wish you had checked in with him sooner. You lean forward to take [[a closer look]].

The captain leaves the unspooled bandages on top of [[a book|book2]] on the table. The wound looks better. It's not infected and the tissue isn't dying, but it is still bleeding more than it should be and that makes you wish you had checked in with him sooner. You crouch down, putting one knee on the ground to get [[a closer look]].

The embossed cover declares //Shakespeare's Sonnets//, but it is quickly covered by [[the bandages|Sit and begin setting up your supplies]].

You press around the area, checking for blood flow and pain response. <<set $poetry to false>> [[You try to strike up a conversation]] [[You are silent while you examine him]] <<set $ship to false>> <<set $lane to false>> <<set $book to false>>

The embossed cover declares //Shakespeare's Sonnets//, but it is quickly covered by [[the bandages|Stand and begin setting up your supplies]].

His eyes stay focused on the rafters. His injury seems to be healing fairly well, despite some redness that comes from his insistance on remaining mobile instead of resting. When you're satisfied you [[stand up|done]].

[[''You boarded the other ship?'']] [[''You're a literary man?'']] [[''I spoke with Mr Lane earlier'']]

Cooper frowns and his brow furrows. "We did." <<set $ship to true>> [[Bring up the blood on his face and shirt]] [[let the subject drop]]

<<set $love to $love + 1>>Cooper nods. "I have always been interested in poetry, though it's been difficult to get my hands on worthwhile publications. Many sailors prefer cheap rag articles." <<set $poetry to true>> [[''Do you have a favorite?'']] [[''Poetry? A Pirate? I'm surprised'']]

"Yes, Mr Lane was captain until he lost his leg and had to step down. Many of his old crew are anxious about his health as of these days." <<set $lane to true>> [[''He was very... talkative'']] [[Report on Mr Lane's health]]

<<set $love to $love + 1>>"Currently? I keep rereading Sonnet 20." [[''I'm not familiar with it.'']] [[''I'm not sure, could you recite a passage?'']] [[''I know it'']]

<<set $love to $love - 2>>He looks down at you and frowns. <<if $ship is false>>[[''You boarded the other ship?'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $lane is false>>[[''I spoke with Mr Lane earlier'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $poetry is true and $ship is true and $lane is true>>You finish examining him and [[stand up|done]].<<else>><</if>>

"I could lend you my copy. That is, if you are interested." He is not making eye contact. [[''I would love that'']] [[''I'm not much for poetry'']]

<<set $love to $love + 3>>"Uh, yes," you glance up at Cooper's face and it's a bit flushed. He closes his eyes. <div class="poetry">"//With shifting change as is false women’s fashion; An eye more bright than theirs, less false in rolling, Gilding the object whereupon it gazeth; A man in hue, all hues in his controlling, Which steals men’s eyes and women’s souls amazeth.//"</div> [[''Beautiful'']] [[''It's alright'']] <<if $int is 1>>[[''I remember it, now'']]<<else>><</if>>

<<set $love to $love + 1>>"I have unfortunately been reading this collection for quite a bit, so I almost have it memorized." <<if $ship is false>>[[''You boarded the other ship?'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $lane is false>>[[''I spoke with Mr Lane earlier'']]<<else>><</if>>

<<set $love to $love + 1>>"Yes, I agree," he smiles. "If you're interested, I can lend you any of the books I have some time." [[''Thank you, I would love that'']] [[''Thank you, but I'm alright'']]

<<set $love to $love - 1>>He doesn't say anything, and you are able to examine him quietly for a bit. <<if $ship is false>>[[''You boarded the other ship?'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $lane is false>>[[''I spoke with Mr Lane earlier'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $poetry is true and $ship is true and $lane is true>>You finish examining him and [[stand up|done]].<<else>><</if>>

<<set $love to $love + 1>>Cooper looks down at you. "You do?" he seems surprised. [[You nod|ye poetry]] [[Recite the next part back to him]]

<<set $love to $love + 1>><div class="poetry">"//And for a woman wert thou first created, Till nature as she wrought thee fell a-doting, And by addition me of thee defeated By adding one thing to my purpose nothing.//"</div> You look up from examining his wound. His face is definitely red. [[''It's a beautiful poem'']] [[Return to examining the wound]]

"I'm glad you remember it," he smiles, opening his eyes. <<if $ship is false>>[[''You boarded the other ship?'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $lane is false>>[[''I spoke with Mr Lane earlier'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $poetry is true and $ship is true and $lane is true>>You finish examining him and [[stand up|done]].<<else>><</if>>

<<set $love to $love + 1>>He pulls the volume out from under the pile of bandages and puts it on the side of the table closer to you. "No pressure to return it any time soon," he smiles. <<set $book to true>> <<if $ship is false>>[[''You boarded the other ship?'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $lane is false>>[[''I spoke with Mr Lane earlier'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $poetry is true and $ship is true and $lane is true>>You finish examining him and [[stand up|done]].<<else>><</if>>

<<set $love to $love - 1>>"Ah," Cooper seems almost disappointed. "That's unfortunate." <<if $ship is false>>[[''You boarded the other ship?'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $lane is false>>[[''I spoke with Mr Lane earlier'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $poetry is true and $ship is true and $lane is true>>You finish examining him and [[stand up|done]].<<else>><</if>>

<<set $love to $love + 1>>He inclines his head towards the bookshelf. "They're yours, any time you want them." <<if $ship is false>>[[''You boarded the other ship?'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $lane is false>>[[''I spoke with Mr Lane earlier'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $poetry is true and $ship is true and $lane is true>>You finish examining him and [[stand up|done]].<<else>><</if>>

"Still, if you ever need anything to read," he inclines his head towards the bookcase. "They're there." <<if $ship is false>>[[''You boarded the other ship?'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $lane is false>>[[''I spoke with Mr Lane earlier'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $poetry is true and $ship is true and $lane is true>>You finish examining him and [[stand up|done]].<<else>><</if>>

You pick up the Venice Trekle, Oil of Vitriol, and bandages. After reapplying the medicine and putting a new pad of fabric over the wound and bandaging it in place you step back to see how well the captain can stand on his own. He does so, almost completely unbothered. He looks like he's about to begin speaking, but the door to the cabin [[slams open]].

<<set $love to $love + 2>>"It is," Cooper agrees. There's a moment of silence before you both cough. <<if $ship is false>>[[''You boarded the other ship?'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $lane is false>>[[''I spoke with Mr Lane earlier'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $poetry is true and $ship is true and $lane is true>>You finish examining him and [[stand up|done]].<<else>><</if>>

Cooper coughs, lightly. <<if $ship is false>>[[''You boarded the other ship?'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $lane is false>>[[''I spoke with Mr Lane earlier'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $poetry is true and $ship is true and $lane is true>>You finish examining him and [[stand up|done]].<<else>><</if>>

"You had a good amount of blood on you." You don't phrase it like a question. He takes a deep breath before he responds. "It did not go as well as it could have." [[''What happened?'']] [[Say nothing|let the subject drop]]

There's a moment's pause before you decide you need to change the subject. <<if $ship is false>>[[''You boarded the other ship?'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $lane is false>>[[''I spoke with Mr Lane earlier'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $poetry is true and $ship is true and $lane is true>>You finish examining him and [[stand up|done]].<<else>><</if>>

Trying to keep his body still, he raises his left hand and uses it to press at his eyes. "I had to prevent the situation from escalating." [[Nod|so many nods]] [[''You did what you felt was necessary'']] [[Leave immediately]]

You don't even wrap up his bandages, just collect your belongings and tell him to be careful while moving until it heals. He doesn't stop you from leaving, doesn't even make eye contact as you dash out [[onto the deck|Return to the infirmary to be alone for the rest of the voyage]].

"I wish I hadn't," Cooper says softly, but offers nothing else. <<if $ship is false>>[[''You boarded the other ship?'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $lane is false>>[[''I spoke with Mr Lane earlier'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $poetry is false>>[[''You seem very smart,'' you nod to the book of poems.|''You're a literary man?'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $poetry is true and $ship is true and $lane is true>>You finish examining him and [[stand up|done]].<<else>><</if>>

<<set $love to $love + 1>>"I wish it wasn't, I wish I was a smarter man and could see a solution without violence." Cooper shakes his head. He focuses his eys on the ceiling again. <<if $ship is false>>[[''You boarded the other ship?'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $lane is false>>[[''I spoke with Mr Lane earlier'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $poetry is false>>[[''You seem very smart,'' you nod to the book of poems.|''You're a literary man?'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $poetry is true and $ship is true and $lane is true>>You finish examining him and [[stand up|done]].<<else>><</if>>

Cooper laughs once, failing to keep still. "He has always been like that, I hope you weren't too bothered." [[''No, not at all'']] [[''A bit, actually'']]

"Mr Lane says that his pain is only from growing older," you relay. The captain ponders this for a moment. "Do you agree with him?" he asks. [[''Yes, it's just from getting older'']] [[''Hard to tell without an examination'']]

<<set $love to $love + 1>>"I'm glad to hear, he's a good man and could always use an audience." [[Report on Mr Lane's health]]

<<set $love to $love - 1>>The smile fades from his face. "Hmm, unfortunate." [[Report on Mr Lane's health]]

He looks very serious while considering. "I cannot force Mr Lane to do anything against his will, but I will try to persuade him to see you if his condition worsens. He's a good man, and I would hate to see anything happen to him." <<if $ship is false>>[[''You boarded the other ship?'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $poetry is false>>[[''You're a literary man?'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $poetry is true and $ship is true and $lane is true>>You finish examining him and [[stand up|done]].<<else>><</if>>

He looks very serious while considering. "I cannot force Mr Lane to do anything against his will, but I will try to persuade him to have an examination. He's a good man, and I would hate to see anything happen to him." <<if $ship is false>>[[''You boarded the other ship?'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $poetry is false>>[[''You're a literary man?'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $poetry is true and $ship is true and $lane is true>>You finish examining him and [[stand up|done]].<<else>><</if>>

<<if $sailingmaster is true>>The sailing master, Seneca Morales, bursts in.<<else>>A young spanish man bursts in.<</if>> He is brandishing a rolled map in his hand, and looks just as startled to see you as you are to see him. "Morales," Captain Cooper's voice is calm, but he is obviously angry at the interruption. "Perhaps you should consider knocking next time. $title $sname, I hope to see you soon, should you decide to spend more of your time outside of the infirmary." [[You feel a little awkward]]

You quickly gather your supplies while Cooper shrugs his coat back on and Morales stands to the side, trying very hard to avoid eye contact. [[When you're done, head out and close the door behind you]] <<if $char is 1>>[[Take a second to quickly introduce yourself to Morales]]<<else>><</if>>

You push the door shut, and not two seconds after the lock clicks you can hear Morales' voice from the inside, barely muffled. "You were //shot//?" You hurry off to return the medicines to [[the chest|CH 3]].

<<set $love to $love + 1>>"Mr. Morales? $title $fname $sname." You reach out for a quick handshake. Morales looks relieved. "Seneca Morales, sailing master." He says with a thick spanish accent, pronouncing his //s// as //th//. [[You turn to leave|When you're done, head out and close the door behind you]]

<div class="chapter3"></div> [[Continue|p3]]

You spend the next morning above deck... [[staring out at the sea]] <<if $int is 1>>[[reading your books]]<<else>><</if>><<if $char is 1>>[[talking to the crew]]<<else>><</if>><<if $str is 1>>[[lending a hand]]<<else>><</if>>

You have your arms folded on the edge of the deck, looking out. The sound of the water rushing against the hull of the ship below you is loud, so it takes you a few seconds to realize that the crew is gathering around the steps to the upper deck behind you. It looks like everyone aboard is there, even those who are on the current sleeping shift. Captain Cooper and Morales stand halfway up the stairs, [[discussing something|listen]].

You're sitting near the railing, and can hear the crashing of the waves against the hull next to you. You almost miss when the crew begins crowding near the steps that lead to the upper deck. It seems that everyone is out, even those that have the current sleeping shift. Halfway up the steps Captain Cooper is standing discussing something with Morales. You put your book down and [[listen]].

You had asked general questions to whichever crew member had stopped to answer, but none stopped to strike up a real conversation until you asked a well dressed Englishman about how he kept his coat in such good condition aboard a ship like this. When the other crew members began crowding around the stairs to the upper deck, the man paused. "Oh yes, the meeting. You should also probably attend, as you hold a vote." You both move towards the steps, where halfway up Captain Cooper is [[talking with Morales|listen]].

You had been shifting barrels and crates since you first asked the man with the shoulder wound if he needed any help. He had smiled and dropped the barrel he had been holding into your open arms. After an hour he taps your shoulder and gestures over to the crowd growing at the base of the stairs to the upper deck, where halfway up Captain Cooper is talking with Morales. "We should join," he offers a crooked smile, and you both make your way to the edge of [[the gathering|listen]].

This is a text based twine game, which means that there will be a lot of reading involved. This specific game follows general twine conventions, such as clicking links at the bottom of the page to choose your character's next action, and clicking [[links]] in the middle of the page to get more information about what was highlighted. This particular game also has a menu that can be reached by clicking the arrow at the bottom left of the window. You can have up to 8 saves at once, and can choose to restart your game at any time. //The game is autosaved in the first slot at the beginning of each chapter// In the beginning you choose something you're good at, and something you're bad at. Your skill will give you additional choices. That's all! [[Ready to play?|start]]

This is an example of what you'll get when investigating. A short section of text further explaining, and at the bottom a link that leads back to the [[previous page|how2play]].

"//Alright!//" Cooper shouts in a commanding voice that, up until now, you would have been hard pressed to imagine him using. It carries across the deck easily, and reaches you as clear as day. "If you haven't heard already it's time you know. On the last prize we took, Mr Coles found a coded map. The ship we boarded was on a reconnaissance mission for a ship that Her Majesty's Royal Navy lost southwest of Andros. The missing ship - HMS //Champion// - was transporting a cache of jewels that would be [[the biggest prize we've taken yet]]."

The crowd stirs, but Cooper is quick to put a hand up. "There is one issue. As we delayed the ship from reporting in on time it is likely that another ship will depart from the Bahamas to complete the trip. Should we proceed, we would be racing against them. They will likely be better supplied and we may face more casualties than we have suffered with our previous, smaller prizes." [[The crew looks between themselves]]

Morales speaks up. "On the matter of following the //Champion//, all against?" One hand in the crowd shoots up. It is the man who moved his belongings out of the infirmary before you, and his face is folded in a frown. [[Raise your hand]] [[Keep your hand down]]

The captain makes eye contact, and acknowledges you with a tilt of his head. "On the matter of following the //Champion//, all for?" The rest of the hands shoot up. "The final count is thirty for, two against." Morales announces, [[unnecessarily]].

"On the matter of following the //Champion//, all for?" [[Raise your hand|RH2]] [[Keep your hand down|HD2]]

The rest of the hands shoot up.The captain makes eye contact, and gives you an odd look. "The final count is thirty for, one against." Morales announces, [[unnecessarily|UNEC]].

The rest of the hands shoot up.The captain makes eye contact, and acknowledges you with a tilt of his head. "The final count is thirty-one for, one against." Morales announces, [[unnecessarily]].

Captain Cooper shouts over the crowd once again. "We will put in at Nassau to resupply but will not stay the night. Mr Holt, with all speed." At this dismissal the crowd breaks, and Holt begins calling orders to rearrange the sail. You get a bit caught up in the whirl of motion, but eventually make it to the side where Mr Lane is sitting [[on an empty crate]].

He offers you a half smile, but it quickly fades from his face. "I'll tell you, $sname, I don't like it. We should put in at Nassau until the storm is over." [[''What do you mean?'']] [[Look to the horizon for a storm cloud]]

He offers you a half smile, but it quickly fades from his face. "I'll tell you, $sname, I don't like it. We should put in at Nassau until the storm is over." [[''What do you mean?''|Q2]] [[Look to the horizon for a storm cloud|Cloud2]]

Mr Lane shakes his head. "I can feel it in my bones, even though the sky is clear we are headed right for something." He stands, leaning on his crutch. "I hope you brought an oilskin," he offers before moving towards the upper deck. [[You don't feel anything in your bones]]

Mr Lane snorts at your action. "Not there, lad. It's in your bones." He rolls his eyes. "Well, maybe not //your// bones. In my bones." He stands, leaning on his crutch. "I hope you brought an oilskin," he offers before moving towards the upper deck. [[You don't feel anything in your bones]]

There's a quiet excitement throughout the entire crew [[over the next days]].

Mr Lane shakes his head "I can feel it in my bones, even though the sky is clear we are headed right for something." He stands, leaning on his crutch. "You had a vote, you know. You're part of the crew, even if you don't want to be," he offers before moving towards the upper deck. [[You don't feel anything in your bones]]

Mr Lane snorts at your action. "Not there, lad. It's in your bones." He rolls his eyes. "Well, maybe not //your// bones. In my bones." He stands, leaning on his crutch. "You had a vote, you know. You're part of the crew, even if you don't want to be," he offers before moving towards the upper deck. [[You don't feel anything in your bones]]

When the //Omen// puts into Nassau, few men want to leave the ship. Now that you spend more time above, you get to see Captain Cooper going through the assembled crew and picking out a small party to retrieve supplies. The three men - Ronan McCarthy the cook, Ernest Owens, and Rhys Howells - move quickly to get down to the skiff. The captain stays on the upper deck, looking out over the entire ship with his mouth set in a [[thin line]].

The crew members that remained aboard are gathered in conversation, talking about what they want to do when they get their hands on the jewel cache. [[Talk to the crew]] [[Talk to the captain]] [[Read alone]]

<<if $char is -1>>You don't see anyone familiar, so you just pick a group and [[walk up]].<<else>>You spot Holt talking with some others, and he gives you a [[little wave]].<</if>>

He turns to you as you walk the steps to the upper deck. [[''How are you feeling?'']] <<if $book is true>>[[''I finished the book you lent me'']]<<else>><</if>> <<if $char is 1>>[[''You know, mental stress is also not good for bullet wounds'']]<<else>><</if>>

You're reading... [[The Surgeon's Mate|vboring]] [[The French Chirurgerie|vboring]] <<if $book is true>>[[The book Cooper lent to you]]<<else>><</if>>

<<set $love to $love + 2>>The pages are well worn, as the book is both old and frequently read. It smells like old paper warm sand. The page for sonnet 20 has been carefully dog eared. After a few hours, the sounds of the skiff returning and new supplies being loaded pull you from your reading. You move from your spot to keep [[out of the way]].

You've read it through a few times, but brushing up is never a bad idea. Especially, you fear, with what Mr Lane had told you after the round of voting. After a few hours, the sounds of the skiff returning and new supplies being loaded pull you from your reading. You move from your spot to keep [[out of the way]].

[[You're asleep when the storm hits]]

You don't know anyone in the group, and end up hanging around the edge and listening in. Eventually, one of the men turns around and speaks to you with a thick French accent. "Ah, the surgeon. Perfect timing. Please help me explain why indulging in new medicinal supplies for our infirmary is a necessity, and well worth sacrificing a few pearls for." The two men he was speaking with [[roll their eyes]].

Holt is talking with two other men you're unfamiliar with. When you get closer he introduces them as Price and Halliday. They both shake your hand before Halliday turns to you. $title $sname, do you play any instruments? [[Piano]] [[Violin]] [[Flute]] [[''No, I don't'']]

The shortest takes a second to introduce them all in a thick Irish brogue. "Sorry for the interruption sir, I'm Finn Gallagher, these are Elias Blake and Bruno Veil." The other man, Blake, speaks a bit too loud. "Veil, I will spend my money how I please, and when I am ill //then// I will invest in a physician." [[The debate continues with minimal required input from you|out of the way]]

"Ah," Halliday nods. "Unfortunately I'm unfamiliar. I play the violin, myself. I was just saying how I'm looking forward to restringing my bow when we retrieve the cache." "I am going to buy a new journal, bound and everything. And a pen and ink set," Price looks dreamily into the distance. The conversation continues until the sounds of the skiff reloading supplies onto the deck forces everyone to [[make room|out of the way]].

Halliday's eyes brighten. "I also play violin! I was just saying how I'm looking forward to restringing my bow when we retrieve the cache." "Do you also draw?" Price turns to you hopefully. [[''Yes''|draw]] [[''No''|nodraw]]

"Ah," Halliday looks a little disappointed. "I play the violin, myself. I was just saying how I'm looking forward to restringing my bow when we retrieve the cache." "I am going to buy a new journal, bound and everything. And a pen and ink set," Price looks dreamily into the distance. The conversation continues until the sounds of the skiff reloading supplies onto the deck forces everyone to [[make room|out of the way]].

"Yes!" Price echoes, looking excited. "When we get the cache //I// am going to buy a new journal, bound and everything! And a pen and ink set." The conversation continues until the sounds of the skiff reloading supplies onto the deck forces everyone to [[make room|out of the way]].

"Oh," Price looks a little down, but then shrugs. "When we get the cache I am going to buy a new journal, bound and everything. And a pen and ink set." The conversation continues until the sounds of the skiff reloading supplies onto the deck forces everyone to [[make room|out of the way]].

"Much better, thank you $title $sname." Cooper offers you a genuine smile. "You've been spending more time above deck, I'm glad." [[''There is better air above deck'']] [[''You've been spending more time outside of your cabin'']]

<<set $love to $love + 1>>Cooper laughs. "Then unfortunately I will have to suffer, at least until the cache has been retrieved." [[''Still, try to take care of yourself before our next check-in'']] [[''Do you think you can retrieve it?'']]

<<set $love to $love + 2>>Cooper's face lights up. "Did you like it? I know sometimes his work can be a bit difficult to read." [[''I liked it'']] [[''I didn't like it'']]

<<set $love to $love + 3>>"You don't have to say that just to humor me, $title $sname," Cooper says, but he is unable to dim his smile. You hold the book out to him and he takes it, running his open hand over the front cover. "I know it must be obvious, from the inside pages, but it is a personal favorite." You can still remember the way the book smelled, like old paper and warm sand, and you wonder for a second if that's what Cooper would smell like [[if you got up close]].

<<set $love to $love - 2>>"Ah," Cooper's look of excitement fades into something unreadable. "Understandable." He doesn't offer anything else. You stand in silence, side by side, until the party returns in the skiff with new supplies and Cooper leaves you alone to oversee [[the unloading|out of the way]].

You hope your thoughts weren't plastered across your face, as the captain coughs and tucks the book under his arm. [[''How are you feeling?'']] [[Turn and look out over the deck in silence|packup]]

<<set $love to $love + 1>>Cooper smiles. "I will give it my best." [[''How are you doing?''|CI2]] [[Turn and look out over the deck with him|packup]]

Cooper smiles. "So little faith, but of course it depends on what we are able to see when we reach the coordinates Morales was able to decode," he shrugs. "We will see." [[''How are you feeling, anyway?''|CI2]] [[Turn and look out over the deck with him|packup]]

Cooper smiles. "Yes, better for balancing the humors I assume?" This seems to be a small joke on his part, and you laugh a bit [[despite yourself|offer any more]].

<<set $love to $love + 1>>Cooper laughs. "I suppose I have," he admits, but doesn't [[offer any more]].

"Much better, thank you $title $sname." Cooper offers you a genuine smile. "You've been spending more time above deck, I'm glad." [[''There is better air above deck''|air]] [[''You've been spending more time outside of your cabin''|out]]

You're both quiet for a long while. Eventually the sounds of the skiff returning and beginning to unpack the new supplies come from the deck below you. "I should oversee the unpacking," Cooper sighs. He leaves the upper deck and begins directing where to put what. The crew is [[back in motion again|out of the way]].

Cooper smiles. "Yes, better for balancing the humors I assume?" This seems to be a small joke on his part, and you laugh a bit despite yourself. From the deck below you come the sounds of the skiff returning and beginning to unpack the new supplies. "I should oversee the unpacking," Cooper sighs. He leaves the upper deck and begins directing where to put what. The crew is [[back in motion again|out of the way]].

<<set $love to $love + 1>>Cooper laughs. "I suppose I have," he admits, but doesn't offer any more. From the deck below you come the sounds of the skiff returning and beginning to unpack the new supplies. "I should oversee the unpacking," Cooper sighs. He leaves the upper deck and begins directing where to put what. The crew is [[back in motion again|out of the way]].

A wind stirrs his hair, and your own shirt whips around you. [[''Mental stress can slow healing'']] [[Turn and look out over the deck with him|packup]]

Cooper laughs. "Then unfortunately I will have to suffer, at least until the cache has been retrieved." [[''Still, try to take care of yourself before our next check-in''|CI3]] [[''Do you think you can retrieve it?''|REt]]

<<set $love to $love + 1>>Cooper smiles. "I will give it my best." From the deck below you come the sounds of the skiff returning and beginning to unpack the new supplies. "I should oversee the unpacking," Cooper sighs. He leaves the upper deck and begins directing where to put what. The crew is [[back in motion again|out of the way]].

Cooper smiles. "So little faith, but of course it depends on what we are able to see when we reach the coordinates Morales was able to decode," he shrugs. "We will see." From the deck below you come the sounds of the skiff returning and beginning to unpack the new supplies. "I should oversee the unpacking," Cooper sighs. He leaves the upper deck and begins directing where to put what. The crew is [[back in motion again|out of the way]].

It had taken a while to get to sleep, because the sea was already roiling beneath the ship. But a final crash of wave against wood wakes you when your head hits the floor. [[Go above deck in your normal clothes]] [[Look for something to keep the water off your skin]] [[Hunker down where you are]]

<<set $oilskin to false>>You wish you had bothered to take a second to look when you step out of the infirmary and see that the water from the storm had already begun to make its way below deck. The ship lurches and you crash into several men moving about. [[They are soaked to the bone]]

<<set $oilskin to true>>Way in the back of the infirmary cabinet, you find an old, cracked oilskin. You throw it over your shoulders before you head out, and as soon as you step out from the infirmary the ship lurches and you crash into several men moving about below deck. [[They are soaked to the bone]]

<<set $oilskin to false>>After about a half hour you stop trying to get things done, and just focus on not getting your head hit. The ship rocks and you're thrown around the infirmary, hands flying for holds on any wall or board. You steady eventually, but your palms are laced with splinters of salty wood. [[It's probably best to wait until the ship is still to remove them]]

One of the men reaches out and holds you steady by the shoulder. It's the boatswain, Holt, and the tips of his fingers are white from working in the water. "The stays of the main foresail were shot, they need help up there." [[Run up to help]] <<if $char is 1>> <<else>>[[''I don't think I can do that'']]<</if>>

The sounds of men shouting and sheets of rain slamming against the wood of the deck are clear now, and the water immediately renders you near blind. A few lines of rope descend from one of the large front sails to lines of men on the deck, pulling them taught. The fabric begins to loosen in the gales. <<if $str is 1>>[[You grab the rope]]<<else>>[[You run to help]]<</if>>

The stress is seeping off Holt in waves. "//Then stay in your damn cabin!//" He pulls his hand roughly from your shoulder and goes back above, holding on to the walls to steady himself as the ship tilts with the storm. [[You stay in the infirmary]]

After about a half hour you stop trying to get things done, and just focus on not getting your head hit. The ship rocks and you're thrown around the infirmary, hands flying for holds on any wall or board. You steady eventually, but your palms are laced with splinters of salty wood. [[It's probably best to wait until the ship is still to remove them]]

Your hands grab on to the wet material, and you know already your palms will be torn by the time the storm has passed.Brito is the last man on the rope nearest to you, and you grab the slack from behind him and start to pull back. He looks over his shoulder for a second, but his attention is quickly pulled back in front of him. [[You pull|pull5]]

Brito is the last man on the rope nearest to you, and you grab the slack from behind him and start to pull back. He looks over his shoulder for a second, but his attention is quickly pulled back in front of him. [[You pull]]

Through the wind, you can hear the wood of the masts creaking. [[You pull|pull2]]

<<if $oilskin is true>>You don't know how much of a difference the oilskin makes.<<else>>You're really feeling cold now, you're sure your lips are blue.<</if>> [[You pull|pull3]]

<<set $love to $love + 1>>The line of men on the rope next to you swings closer as a particularly vicious wave crests over the ship. You're surprised to see the captain among them, and he makes eye contact before shouting a command. The line disappears behind you as they pull the rope completely taught. [[In a few seconds, you hear a similar cry from the front of your line]]

[[You pull|pull4]]

It takes a bit, but eventually the rope is tight enough that it can be secured to the mast behind you. The captain pulls the knot tight, and as soon as you let go you feel your hands stinging. They're covered in blood that's slowly dripping off in the rain. Captain Cooper gets one look at your hands and shouts something at you, pointing back towards below deck. [[You get the gist of it]]

Brito stumbles as the entire line has to take a step back from your added force. [[You pull|pull6]]

Every step takes you closer to the second mast, and a place to tie down the rope you all struggle with. [[You pull|pull7]]

Another pair of hands grabs on to the rope between yours. The captain shouts to you over the din of the storm. "//Almost to the mast!//" [[You pull|pull8]]

<<set $love to $love + 2>>His hands slide down the rope a bit until they hit yours as you all pull until there's enough slack on the end for the captain to shout for Holt to tie it to the mast. When you can finaly release the rope you look down at your hands and notice the smears of blood running off [[in the rain]].

The captain claps his hand on your shoulder and you look up. "//Could use you on that line!//" You think you can hear him shout as he points to the group of men still struggling to pull their rope back enough to tie it down. [[Nod and go to help]] [[Shake your head and offer your hands as explanation]]

<<set $love to $love + 2>>The storm has steadily gotten worse, and you can't even see who you're working behind as your fingers latch on to the new rope. But when the shout comes to //pull// [[you oblige]].

The Captain's face is unreadable in the storm, but you think you can see his head move to dismiss you. The ship rocks in a particularly bad way, and you dive for the infirmary, and [[relative safety of the hold]].

The ship rocks in a particularly bad way, and you dive for the infirmary, and [[relative safety of the hold]].

Back in the infirmary, you wrap your bloody palms with some mostly clean rags you were able to dig out of the cabinet. [[The storm finishes at about sunrise]]

At about sunrise, the storm finally calms. You use a pair of foreceps to dig the splinters out of your hands, and then wrap them in some relatively clean rags you were able to dig out of the cabinet. [[Some water from the storm still seeps through under your door|The storm finishes at about sunrise]]

This rope takes less time to pull back, and as the captain puts the final knot in to keep it down a call comes from above. "//Hold on!//" And a wall of water [[crashes over the ship]].

Your hands are still fastened tightly to the rope, which is good because the ship tilts so severely that your feet leave the ground for a moment. [[Captain Cooper is not so lucky]]

His boots slide on the soaking wood, and he begins to fall towards the edge of the ship. You catch a flash of his eyes, wide as saucers with fear. [[Reach out for him]] [[Throw him a rope]]

<<set $love to $love + 1>>You catch him by the wrist and haul him up to you, where he throws one hand around the mast and the other around your chest, holding you both close to the massive [[piece of wood|thing]].

He reaches up, white fingertips scratching against the dark wood. It takes a second, but he grabs it and holds on, [[knuckles pale|thing]].

After a minute the ship to right itself, and when it does the captain rises to his feet cautiously. Then he puts his hands on your shoulders and looks you directly in the eye. "//Go back to the infirmary.//" He's not yelling, but despite the noise you can hear him [[perfectly]].

After you turn to go the captain calls out, "//lifelines!//" With the help of the railing you get back to the infirmary in one piece. Back in the infirmary, you wrap your bloody palms with some mostly clean rags you were able to dig out of the cabinet. [[The storm finishes at about sunrise]]

Many come to you for extra rags to cover their palms from heaving wet ropes. You have to start tearing shirts at [[about noon]].

After dinner, everyone is bandaged and back to work. You're halfway through cleaning the table down with something strong from the captain's personal store when the call comes from the crow's nest. [[Someone's sighted land|CH4]]

<div class="chapter4"></div> [[Continue|p4]]

Every member of the crew is above deck, and the setting sun is falling behind your shoulders as you emerge. People are rushing above in the rigging, responding to the call to fold the sails and stop the ship. At the horizon, you can just see the shadow of a landmass. You thought it would be more impressive, but after the storm you're [[glad to see any land]].

From behind you, something metal taps your shoulder. It's Captain Cooper, offering a spyglass out to you. [[Take it, and look out to the land]] [[Leave it]]

Through the lens you can see the island is a little spit of land, with a small forest and beach. On the edge of the shore nearest to the //Omen//, a group of men are digging furiously. On the opposite side, you can see the bright white sails of a large ship. "From this angle, and with our sails stowed," Cooper says. "We're hardly visible. It's best to take a second before [[we move]]."

The captain sighs and lets his arm fall to his side. "The island is small," he says. "There's a bit of a forest, and nearest to us there are a few men digging. The other ship is on the opposite side. From this angle - and with our sails stowed - we're hardly visible. It's best to take a second before [[we move]]."

Cooper walks with you towards a group of five men using a large crate as a desk in the middle of the deck. Holt is there, as well as the man who was in charge when the //Penelope// was attacked - Fields. Lane is sitting on a smaller crate, Morales is leaning up against the mast. Rhys Howells, who supervised the resupply in Nassau, is pouring over the map that's <<if $love gt 5>>[[spread over the crate]].<<else>>[[spread over the crate|sentblow]].<</if>>

The captain pauses before you fully meet the group. "I'd like you to be involved with discussing plans," he explains. "Though I know this would implicate you, I would appreciate your input." [[''I'll help'']] [[''I won't be involved'']]

The captain pauses before you fully meet the group. "We're going to discuss plans, you should stay in the infirmary to avoid implicating yourself." His mouth is set into a tight smile. [[You stay in the infirmary|uweresoclose]]

It takes a while, but eventually you hear the sounds of people departing the ship for the shore. Then everything is quiet for a long time. [[Organize the infirmary|h]] [[Read|h]]

<<set $love to $love + 1>>Captain Cooper smiles, and continues walking towards the gathered group. "Gentlemen," he addresses the men. "We need to develop a plan." [[You keep quiet|silence]] <<if $char is 1>>[[You step up|Sharing ur ideas1]]<<else>><</if>>

Cooper steps to the side, and holds his hand out towards the steps below deck. "Then you'd better remain in the infirmary. If this goes well I will see you when we return. If not..." He shrugs. [[You don't pass anyone on your way back down to the infirmary|uweresoclose]]

[[An hour passes]]

[[Then the gunshots begin]]

They echo from the direction of the island, one after another in quick succession. [[More time passes]]

The next noise you hear is the shuffle of the infirmary's fabric partition as it is pushed to the side by the barrel of a British Naval officer's gun. [[You'll need to explain|END]]

"A show of force would be the best option," Fields says, putting his hand on his hip, where his pistol is holstered. "Anything we do now is a suicide mission, it doesn't matter because they already have the cache," Howells argues. Captain Cooper turns to you. "Any ideas?" He asks. [[''Yes...''|Sharing ur ideas]] [[''No, I'd prefer to vote on other's ideas'']]

<<if $int is 1>>[[You know what you're working with|int sitch]]<<else>><</if>><<if $char is 1>>[[You know what you're working with|char sitch]]<<else>><</if>><<if $str is 1>>[[You know what you're working with|sstr sitch]]<<else>><</if>>

"Taking the cache by force is our best bet," Fields argues. "Surely we can come up with a plan using our available resources, I've already begun compiling a list..." Morales begins flipping through the journal in his hands. "If they're in bad enough shape we could just //convince// them to leave?" Holt offers, wringing the rope in his hands. "We need to [[vote]]," Howells says.

You're sure the //Omen// can sail, even after the storm. The other ship looks like it took a worse beating, but probably didn't take significant casualties. It is late enough that the sailors that dug up the chest would keep working and stay the night outside their ship, though not out of earshot. [[Take the cache by force, and guard the ship while everything is patched up. You'll likely have to fight.|STR LOSE]] [[Give the digging party a sleeping draught from the medicine chest, then take the cache and return to the ship before they wake up.|INT WIN]] [[Convince the opposing crew that they're outnumbered and run as soon as you can.|CHAR LOSE]]

The ship is in decent enough shape after the storm that she can sail safely. The other ship looks like it took a worse beating from the storm, but probably didn't take significant casualties. [[Take the cache by force, and guard the ship while everything is patched up. You'll likely have to fight.|STR LOSE]] [[Convince the opposing crew that they're outnumbered and that the best way to face minimal casualties is to hand over the cache.|CHAR WIN]] [[Intercept the digging party without making any noise and get back to the ship.|INT LOSE]]

The ship is in bad enough shape after the storm that some of the wood in the island's forest could go a long way in making repairs. The other ship looks like it took a worse beating from the storm, and likely took significant casualties. [[Convince the opposing crew that they're outnumbered and run as soon as you can.|CHAR LOSE]] [[Take the cache by force, and guard the ship while everything is patched up. You'll likely have to fight.|STR WIN]] [[Intercept the digging party without making any noise and get back to the ship.|INT LOSE]]

There's no way around it, you're going to have to make the bluff of your life. If you're not completely convincing, it's over for everyone. [[Revisit your options|Sharing ur ideas]] [[You've made your choice|charloseconfirm]]

<<set $love to $love + 1>><<set $win to true>>"It could work," Fields says, eyes unfocused over the horizon. The captain is looking at you, and when he catches your eyes he inclines his head. "I trust $title $sname." "Alright," Holt claps his hands together. "[[You'll need some weapons|pull aside]]."

You're not sure if you'll be able to measure the dose right. [[Revisit your options|Sharing ur ideas]] [[You've made your choice|intloseconfirm]]

You're not sure how well you can fend off the members of the other ship. It's larger than the //Omen//, which means a bigger crew. [[Revisit your options|Sharing ur ideas]] [[You've made your choice|strloseconfirm]]

<<set $win to false>>[[The sun sets faster than any day you've ever known]]

<<set $win to false>>"Alright," Holt claps his hands together. "[[You're going to need to look the part|dressup]]."

<<set $win to false>>"Alright," Holt claps his hands together. "[[You'll need some weapons|pull aside]]."

"$title $sname, you must have a sleeping draught. If we sneak it into their evening meal while they are digging, we can take the cache and be gone before they even have the chance to report." Morales flips through his notebook, passing pages of notes. "It would be easier and faster to intimidate them - their money or their lives," Holt explains. "Take ten men, surround them, tie them up afterwards." "//If// they believe you," Fields chimes in. "Better to take them out from the beginning. Lessen the chance of failure." Captain cooper turns to you. <<if $int is 1>>"$title $sname, [[what do you think|int sitch2]]?<<else>><</if>><<if $char is 1>>"$title $sname, [[what do you think|char sitch2]]?"<<else>><</if>><<if $str is 1>>"$title $sname, [[what do you think|str sitch2]]?"<<else>><</if>>

<<set $love to $love + 1>>The eyes of the group turn to you, waiting for you to [[speak|Sharing ur ideas]].

[[The sun sets faster than any day you've ever known]] <<set $hear to false>>

Fields escorts you from the infirmary when the time has come, and takes you to the deck. In the pitch black, you can barely see anything. Cooper stands with his back to you, near where a ladder hooked to the side of the ship leads down to Howells waiting in a canoe on the water. "You've got it?" Cooper asks you. [[You pull out the vial of sleeping draught from your pocket]]

"Good," he offers a grim smile. "Good luck." You step onto the rope ladder and decend into the canoe. Seconds later, Fields joins you and he and Howells begin rowing towards the island, and the light of the bonfire [[on the shore]].

Fields and Howells, for all their bulk, manage to pull the canoe silently into a little sheltered spot nearby the enemy camp. They climb up and pull it onto shore, signalling with various hand motions that they will remain put until you retrieve them. The only thing left is for you to [[get near the enemy camp]].

The camp is set back on the shore, close enough to the thick underbrush and trees at the edge of the forest that you can jump between areas of cover and still hear [[the conversation]]. You use your hands to steady yourself in a crouched position, and your right hand rests on a large, heavy stone. <<if $hear is true>>[[You have a plan]]. <<else>> <</if>>

<<set $hear to true>>Two large sailors sit around the fire. A bald man looks through a large chest, while a man with a handkerchief tied around his neck is sitting on another chest, tending to a large pot of watery soup on the fire. A third sailor covered in tattoos approaches the others, and sets down a third chest before speaking to the handkerchief'd cook. "How's the food coming?" "It's real shit, didn't get any meat. We supposed to find our own? Bastards." "Well, I dug out the last chest so at least we can relax now." "Still. Bastards." Without a commanding officer around, they speak more like merchant seamen than members of [[Her Majesty's Navy|get near the enemy camp]].

You pick up the rock and toss it away from the camp, further into the forest. The sailors all stiffen, eyes tracking the sound in the dark. "Rabbit?" The sailor with the tattoos asks. "You bet," the bald one narrows his eyes. "Too bad you both are too shit to catch it," handkerchief smirks. Silence for a moment. Then the three men stand and lumber off into the woods, making [[poor attempts at stealth]].

Now is your time to shine. You step forward to the pot and begin measuring out drops of medicine. Enough to keep the men asleep while you move the chests, but not enough to stop their hearts. With drugs this powerful, it's a fine line. And you don't want any blood on your hands. You measure out what you hope is the right amount, then run [[back to cover]].

"I would have //had// it, if you hadn't scared it off!" The voices of the sailors frilter through the underbrush. "You were so far from that rabbit I'm surprised you were still looking on this island," the bald man breaks through the edge of the trees, back to the brighness of the camp. He takes a beat-up tin cup from his belt and collects some soup with it. "It's gonna be watery," handkerchief warns him. The bald man pulls the cup from his mouth. "Of course it's gonna be watery, it's what? Salt water with carrots? surprised they didn't leave us with ocean brine and wish us luck." [[He drinks]]

And almost immediately chokes on it. "Christ almighty //did// you use sea water? There's enough salt in this to cure a tuna." "Ridiculous," handkerchief pulls his own tin cup out and fills it with soup, before taking a healthy swig. "It's fine, maybe not up to //your// standards-" "Oh, come off it you two." The man with the tattoos interrupts, trying his own cup full. He begins drinking and doesn't stop until he's drained the cup and then pauses, thoughtful, before refilling. His companions share a look. "It's not //that// good," the man with the handkerchief says. [[You wait]]

The men eat and argue, but you can tell that the medicine is taking its effect as the space between words grows and their speech begins to slur. One minute more passes before they are all out like a light. You stay still, giving the drug some extra time to work. <<if $win is true>>Then you go to get Fields and Howells to [[move the chests|sucdess]]. <<else>>Then you go to get Fields and Howells to [[move the chests|fail]]. <</if>>

Back at the canoe, you motion to Fields and Howells that the sailors are asleep, though they should still move quietly. The first two chests are easy enough to load onto the canoe, but the man with the handkerchief fell asleep with his back against the last chest. You and Howells carefully lean him back as Fields drags the chest out from under him. They bring the chest away, and you survey the sleeping men once more. You hope they won't get in too much [[trouble for this]].

Back at the canoe, you motion to Fields and Howells that the sailors are asleep, though they should still move quietly. The first two chests are easy enough to load onto the canoe, but the man with the handkerchief fell asleep with his back against the last chest. You and Howells carefully lean him back as Fields drags the chest out from under him. They bring the chest away, and you survey the sleeping men once more. You barely take a step away before [[something catches on your ankle]].

Turning around, you see there's a hand on your boot. A hand that belongs to a man with a handkerchief tied around his neck. It seems you miscalculated the amount of medicine. He swings something up towards your face and you hear the //click// of a pistol being cocked. [[And then nothing else|END]]

<<set $love to $love + 1>>The canoe trip back is faster, Fields and Howells keep turning to smile at each other over the three large treasure chests loaded into the boat. When you finally climb the ladder back up to the //Omen//, Cooper is waiting with an anxious look on his face. With your confirmation that everything is alright, he grins and places an affectionate hand on your shoulder. [[The waxing moon shines overhead|CH5]]

<div class="chapter5"></div> [[Continue|ooh babey]]

You're outfitted with an extra coat from Deniau, and though it's a bit too big for you it makes a terrifying display of all the pistols and knives it's been stuffed with. Pearson, an Englishman, offers the captain some of the finer clothes he'd stolen away from prizes and Ernest Owens opens his sea chest to reveal a tangled mess of every sort of weapon. Ten of the largest men from the crew arm themselves to the teeth, while the others prepare the //Omen// to fly as soon as you are back on board. You climb into a canoe with Cooper just before sunset, and the little boats make their way [[towards the shore]].

You arrive at a little sheltered bit of sand near the enemy camp with the sun setting behind your backs. The crew begins to unload themselves and you move to the undergrowth at the edge of the forest, to scout out the [[other sailors]].

If you thought you were over-armed, the other sailors match you piece for piece. There are three massive chests being carried to a makeshift fire, each end being held up by two men. One man with a shovel rests near three deep holes in the ground. Near the fire a commanding officer stands, brass buttons gleaming in the light. All together, [[eight men]].

You report back to Captian Cooper at the canoes, conveying the situation with a series of gestures to keep quiet. He splits the crew into two groups, and motions for them to surround the camp from either side, via the underbrush. Your group of five begins moving, and soon it's time to step out [[into the camp]].

The officer notices you first, and in a split second their chests have been dropped to the ground and every man has a pistol leveled at another. All ten of your crew make an imposing view, but the men you face look like patriots with well-kept uniforms. The officer is aiming his weapon directly in your face. "Lieutenant Clarence Hughes, of Her Majesty's Royal Navy. [[Identify yourselves and step down]]."

You glance over your men. The captain makes brief eye contact with you from the edge of the underbrush. [[''Crew of the Omen. We're just looking for those chests, not a fight.''|where cap]] [[''Doesn't matter. Give us the chests.''|where cap]]

The lieutenant makes a noise of disgust, his upper lip curling. "You wouldn't dare shoot. Our ship is too close, the fight would be over before it even began." He sniffs with disdain, eyeing your pistols. The ones his men weild are noticeably newer, more polished. "Do your pistols [[even work]]?"

"Time at sea, salt, and humitity takes its toll on a weapon. Did you even have time to clean them before you made your move on us?" <<if $win is true>>[[He could be right|wiin]] <<else>>[[He could be right|loose]] <</if>>

You eye the pistol in your hand. [[You cock the gun|hardeyes]] [[''One way to find out.''|hardeyes]]

You eye the pistol in your hand. [[Shoot up into the sky]] [[Cock the pistol]]

The lieutenant's eyes narrow, but in the firelight his face looks a shade or two paler. He may have been ready to die in battle, but calmly choosing to be shot is another matter altogether. "You won't last two weeks before you're picked up." [[You don't lower your weapon]]

His arm slowly drops to his side. His men take a moment before they follow, mixed expressions of relief and disappointment on their faces. [[Your crew moves in]]

Some grab the chests and begin moving them back to the canoes. The captain himself grabs some rope and begins binding the hands of the lieutenant. Everyone moves quickly, and soon the canoes are being pushed back out onto the dark ocean. Despite everyone trying to keep their voices down, some low muttering travels down the little boats. On the canoe next to you you can see Captain Cooper, [[smiling|CH5]].

You swing your arm up in the air, pointing to the darkening sky before squeezing the trigger. A shot rings out and echoes across the island. The lieutenant is silent. A moment later, and the sound of cannonshot responding from his ship crashes down around you. Your eyes widen. The lieutenant smiles. [[You have made one hell of a mistake|END]]

"Are you willing to find out?" You ask, thumb pulling back to set the hammer of the gun in place. The lieutenant's eyes flash between your gun and your face. "I'll take my chances." [[Shoot up in the air]] [[Shoot at the lieutenant]]

You swing your arm up in the air, pointing to the darkening sky before squeezing the trigger. The hammer of the gun clicks forward, but there is no shot. The lieutenant smiles, pistol still aimes at your face. He pulls the trigger. [[This time, there is a shot|END]]

You squeeze the trigger. The hammer of the gun clicks forward, but there is no shot. The lieutenant smiles, pistol still aimes at your face. He pulls the trigger. [[This time, there is a shot|END]]

Ten of the largest men from the crew arm themselves to the teeth, while the others prepare the //Omen// to fly as soon as you are back on board. An Englishman named Ernest Owens opens his sea chest to reveal a tangled mess of every sort of weapon. He outfits you with several loaded pistols and a few cutlasses, in case of misfires. After you get all your weapons, Captain Cooper pulls you aside to an [[empty section of the deck]].

"$title $sname, I wanted to thank you for taking point here," Cooper's brow furrows. "But this mission may require you drawing blood, will you be alright with that?" [[''Yes, I am.''|war]] [[''I don't think it will come to that.''|pax]]

<<set $pax to false>>Cooper places a hand on your shoulder, looking grave, before he turns to continue [[seeing to the ship|come to that]].

<<set $pax to true>>Cooper looks grave. "Let's hope it doesn't [[come to that]]."

Before sunset the men climb into the canoes. You and Cooper climb into the same canoe, but the trip to the island is silent. You arrive at a little sheltered bit of sand near the enemy camp. The crew begins to unload themselves and you move to the undergrowth at the edge of the forest, to scout out the [[other sailors|os2]].

Fields is the first to step out of the underbrush, his pistol leveled at the back of the closest sailor. The shot rings out, and blood blossoms on the sailor's shoulder. [[Then all hell breaks loose]]

The men around you rush out into the camp, and soon a sailor falls on you. Your pistol is in hand. He has a knife raised, looking to strike. <<if $win is true>>[[Shoot him|shoot1]] [[Drop your gun and grab his arms]] <<else>>[[Shoot him|shootfail]] [[Drop your gun and grab his arms|grabfail]] <</if>>

The pistol goes off. The sailor's eyes widen as he is pushed backward by the force of the bullet, the knife falling from his hand to the sand without a sound. Another shot rings out from behind you. You turn to see Captain Cooper, pistol smoking, standing over the officer's body. "We have to move quickly," he says, wiping the spots of blood from his face. "[[They know we're here]]."

You drop the pistol onto the sand and grab your attacker by his forearms. He just keeps pushing forward, and the knife gets closer and closer to your chest. You look around for some maneuver you can make to save yourself, but everyone around you is fighting their own battle, some two to one. [[Headbutt the sailor]] [[Twist the knife towards his body]]

Your pistol misfires, the //click// of the hammer getting lost in the commotion. You hardly notice, though, because the blade of the sailor's knife is buried deep into your chest. He pulls it out, and you don't think there's enough Venice Trekle in the world to help you now. [[The fighting rages around you|END]]

You drop the pistol onto the sand and grab your attacker by his forearms. He just keeps pushing forward, and the knife gets closer and closer to your chest. You look around for some maneuver to make that would save you, but a pistol goes off next to your ear and the sailor doubles his efforts, plunging the knife in just above your heart. He pulls it out, and you don't think there's enough Venice Trekle in the world to help you now. [[The fighting rages around you|END]]

The crew scrambles to get the chests back to the canoes. All of the sailors are dead or incapacitated, and four of your men are so far gone you can only leave their bodies on the sand. The canoes row furiously over the water, but by the time you're most of the way there the large ship is [[rounding the side of the island]].

His eyes are focused on the knife in his hand, so he doesn't even notice when the top of your head collides with his jaw. He is out instantly. A dull //thud// comes from behind you, and you turn to see Captain Cooper, knuckles bloodied, standing over the form of the officer. "We have to move quickly," he says, wiping the smears of blood from his hands. "[[They know we're here]]."

You grab the sailor's hand, using all available force to line it with his chest. He sees what you're doing and fights back, but when a pistol goes off a foot from the back of his head, you take the opportunity to push yourself forward and use your momentum to plunge the knife into his chest. The sailor's arms are still tangled with yours as if he is not aware he has been stabbed just yet. You extracate yourself and he falls to a kneeling position on the sand. Another shot rings out from behind you. You turn to see Captain Cooper, pistol smoking, standing over the officer's body. "We have to move quickly," he says, wiping the spots of blood from his face. "[[They know we're here]]."

The crew loads the chests onto the //Omen// quickly, and Captain Cooper is shouting orders before he even gets on deck. The sails are let down and the sloop immediately catches the wind, taking direction - any direction - away from the encroaching [[larger ship]].

You think you're out of cannon range, until the larger ship fires and water splashes only meters from the side of the side of the //Omen//. You stand against the wall of the upper deck, trying to stay out of the way as men clamber up from below deck, bringing barrels to heave over the edge to lighten the load. The larger ship begins to fade [[into the distance|CH5]].

[[Fields is right. You know you can hold your own in a fight.|STR LOSE1]] [[Morales is right. You know you can measure the draught right to knock them all out.|INT WIN1]] [[Holt is right. You know you can convince the sailors that fighting isn't worth it.|CHAR LOSE1]]

[[Fields is right. You know you can hold your own in a fight.|STR LOSE1]] [[Holt is right. You know you can convince the sailors that fighting isn't worth it.|CHAR WIN1]] [[Morales is right. You know you can measure the draught right to knock them all out.|INT LOSE1]]

[[Holt is right. You know you can convince the sailors that fighting isn't worth it.|CHAR LOSE1]] [[Fields is right. You know you can hold your own in a fight.|STR WIN1]] [[Morales is right. You know you can measure the draught right to knock them all out.|INT LOSE1]]

There's no way around it, you're going to have to make the bluff of your life. If you're not completely convincing, it's over for everyone. [[Revisit your options|vote]] [[You've made your choice|charloseconfirm1]]

Morales counts the votes. It's 5-2, in Field's favor. "Alright," Lane claps his hands together. "[[You'll need some weapons|pull aside]]."

You're not sure if you'll be able to measure the dose right. [[Revisit your options|vote]] [[You've made your choice|intloseconfirm1]]

You're not sure how well you can fend off the members of the other ship. It's larger than the //Omen//, which means a bigger crew. [[Revisit your options|vote]] [[You've made your choice|strloseconfirm1]]

Morales counts the votes. It's 5-2, in Holt's favor. "Alright," Holt claps his hands together. "[[You're going to need to look the part|dressup]]."

Morales counts the votes. It's 5-2, in Morales' favor. "Alright," Lane claps his hands together. "[[Let's get to it, then|nightfall]]."

<<set $win to false>>[[The sun sets faster than any day you've ever known]]

<<set $win to false>>"Alright," Holt claps his hands together. "[[You're going to need to look the part|dressup]]."

"Alright," Lane claps his hands together. "[[You'll need some weapons|pull aside]]."

<<if $love gte 10>>[[The sunset the next night is the most beautiful you've ever seen]]<<else>>[[The sunset the next night is the most beautiful you've ever seen|no love]]<</if>>

You're standing by the edge of the deck, admiring the sight, when Captain Cooper approaches you. "We've set course for Tortuga," he looks over the ocean, avoiding eye contact. "If you would like, we could still use a surgeon aboard." [[Turn to look at him]] [[''Yes''|sureee]] [[''No''|nahh]]

You're standing by the edge of the deck, admiring the sight, when Captain Cooper approaches you. "We've set course for Tortuga," he looks over the ocean, avoiding eye contact. "When we arrive, we will leave you with your luggage and a small compensation." [[Accept]] [[Ask to stay]]

"I will retrieve you when we put into port," Cooper turns and walks away. [[The trip to Tortuga feels like it takes years]]

From the corner of your eye you can see Cooper's face harden. "I don't think that's wise," he turns his back to the ocean. "I will retrieve you when we put into port." His heels click as he walks away. [[The trip to Tortuga feels like it takes years]]

You've completely packed by the time the sails are tied up and the final call goes out. Holt helps you bring your trunk to the deck, and then passes it down to the skiff. Cooper is off to the side, observing the loading. You make eye contact and he gives you a brief nod, before Holt motions for you to climb down [[into the skiff]].

The //Omen// fades into the distance as Holt rows you into Tortuga. [[END]]

<<set $love to $love + 2>>A few pieces of his hair that have avoided being tied back swirl around his face in the light breeze. His face is red, or maybe it's the light, but he doesn't look at you until you've been staring for what is probably an inappropriate amount of time. He looks a little nervous, unsure if he's said the right thing or not. [[''I'll stay'']] [[''I need to go back'']]

A smile crosses his face before a comfortable silence falls between you. The sun sets below the horizon. The air grows cold. <<if $love gte 20>>"No more sun to warm the air," Cooper speaks slowly, testing the waters. "Perhaps we should take this indoors?" [[''Lead the way'']] [[''I actually have to do some cleaning in the surgery'']]<<else>>"No more sun to warm the air. We should turn in." Cooper glances your way. "Thank you for the company, $title $sname. See you tomorrow." His heels click as he walks away. [[You can hardly wait for tomorrow|END]]<</if>>

"I understand," his face is blank. "I will let you know when we put into Tortuga. We will leave you with all your luggage and some small compensation for your time." His heels click as he walks away. [[The trip to Tortuga feels like it takes years]]

Relief crosses his face for a second. He turns his head back to the ocean, but you can still see the smile on his face. A comfortable silence falls between you as the sun sets below the horizon. The air grows cold. <<if $love gte 20>>"No more sun to warm the air," Cooper speaks slowly, testing the waters. "Perhaps we should take this indoors?" [[''Lead the way'']] [[''I actually have to do some cleaning in the surgery'']]<<else>>"No more sun to warm the air. We should turn in." Cooper glances your way. "Thank you for the company, $title $sname. See you tomorrow." His heels click as he walks away. [[You can hardly wait for tomorrow|END]] <</if>>

"I understand," his face turns blank. "I will let you know when we put into Tortuga. We will leave you with all your luggage and some small compensation for your time." His heels click as he walks away. [[The trip to Tortuga feels like it takes years]]

Cooper strides forward, holding the door to the captain's cabin open for you. The door shuts behind the both of you, closed by the difference in temperature. "I don't often have good wine aboard, but I picked up a bottle in Nassau if you're interested." Cooper pulls a glass for himself from a shelf. [[''I'll have some'']] [[''No, thank you'']]

"Ah, perhaps another time," Cooper looks up towards the sky. "Thank you for your company. See you tomorrow, $title $sname." You excuse yourself down to the surgery. [[You know you'll see the captain the next day|END]].

<<set $love to $love + 1>>He takes a second glass and a bottle from a bottom shelf and pours you both some, leaving the bottle and a glass on the table before sitting down. You join him. [[Try some]] [[Leave the glass for now|Try some]]

He pours himself a glass, leaving the bottle on the table before sitting down. [[You join him|Try some]].

Cooper doesn't sip the wine but downs it like a shot. "$title $fname $sname, I have thoroughly enjoyed your company." He adjusts his chair, moving it closer to you. His hands play across the scratched surface of the table. "And although I know this is far from what you came to see for, but I wanted to let you know that I have been changed for the better for having known you..." [[Put your hand on his]] [[Let him continue talking]]

<<set $love to $love + 3>>Cooper stops speaking. <<if $love gte 23>>Then he leans forward, one hand steadying your face as he kisses you. He pulls his face back but he's still close. [[Kiss him]] [[Leave]] <<else>> [[He smiles|END]] <</if>>

"...and I don't want to insinuate anything against your character, in perhaps asking if we could be friends, or closer?" Cooper trails off, his hand tracing an ancient ink stain on the table. [[''I'd like that'']] [[''Thank you, but I don't think so'']]

[[Cooper smiles|END]]

"Ah," The noise Cooper makes breaks off at the end. He stands up. "Well, I have imposed on you long enough, I'll let you go." He opens the door to his cabin, letting in the cool night air. "I will see you tomorrow, $title $sname." The door closes behind you, leaving you outside with the [[sound of the ocean breaking against the hull|END]].

<<set $love to $love + 4>>You lean forward to press your lips together again. [[He obliges you|END]]

<<set $love to $love - 10>>Your chair makes a scratching noise as you push it back. You walk out of the cabin, leaving Cooper sitting at the table alone. [[He doesn't come after you|END]]

Thanks for playing! You scored <<print $love>> of 32 possible points made by twitch user Apollo's Boy 2019 [[Again?|start]]

Mark Kehoe has an amazing website called [[The Pirate Surgeon|http://www.piratesurgeon.com]], which has a ton of wonderful material. [[The Way of the Pirates|http://www.thewayofthepirates.com]] provided info for different kinds of ships, articles of agreement, and ranks on board. The poetry the captain reads is Shakespeare's [[Sonnet 20|https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/50425/sonnet-20-a-womans-face-with-natures-own-hand-painted]] and my own favorite Ben Jonson poem is [[Song to Celia|https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44464/song-to-celia-drink-to-me-only-with-thine-eyes]]. [[Return|start]]

<div class='biggest'>//Pyrates!//</div> <<run UIBar.stow()>> A twine game [[instructions |how2play]] <div class='big'>[[PLAY|Title1]]</div> [[ credits]]