Better To Be A Pirate

Better To Be A Pirate

By. Justin Azevedo

 “The People who say, “it’s a Pirates life for me”, well I never really understood that. To be honest I thought people who said that were a bunch of idiots, because Pirates are low life scum. That is until I got a feel of what a Pirates life was.”
 Deep in the wide open ocean a British Navy Ship is sailing across the seas. A young cabin boy is fishing on the side of the boat, as the rest of the crew is working. “Uuuuh, I’m bored. Why do I always have to do the fishing, why can’t I sharpen the spears, be look out, or steer the ship” the boy said, “HA… You… Steer, that’ll be the day when we see a mermaid, Drake” Navy Officer #1 said, “Hey, if I’m on the wheel I can sail circles on any other ship and one day I’ll be Captain of my own boat. Sailing across the seas for justice and beating every scum Pirate I see” Drake said, the entire crew stared at him and then laughed at his remark. “Captain on the deck” Navy Officer #2 said, Drake then saw the Captain coming his way and stopped right next to him “Drake… How goes the fishing” Captain said, “Nothing yet sir, but I’ll catch something big” Drake said to him, “See that you do. We’re counting on you, to catch us our strength” the Captain said, “Yes Capt. Alastair” Drake said, Captain then walked away to the helm of the ship. “Man Capt. Alastair is the coolest… he’s captured more Pirates then anyone in the Navy” Drake said, “True but… There’s been one who has alluded him more times than one” Navy Officer #3 said, after hearing that Drake looked at the Captain. Then the lookout called to the Captain “Captain, Pirates from the East” the lookout man yelled out, Capt. Alastair took out his monocular and looked towards the Pirate ship and saw a cross bone Hawk emblem on the flag. “Capt. Hawk… Men ready for battle. On this day we put an end to Hawk and his lowlife crew once and for all.

 Meanwhile on the Pirate Ship a crew member was rushing towards the Captains quarters. “Captain, a Navy Ship is heading our way” Pirate #1 yelled out. The Captain then headed out and saw the Navy Ship.  “Men… bring us around. If the Navy wants a fight then will give them a fight. AYE” Capt. Hawk Said encouraging his Crew and them all shouting “AYE” in agreement. As they began to turn around the Pirates fired their canons at the Navy Ship, but with no hit. “Capt. Alastair they’re firing at us” Deck officer said, “Keep our heading. Rash as always hey Hawk” Capt. Alastair said. Once the ships were close enough the pirates began to swing aboard the Navy’s ship and fought against its soldiers. Through the course of the battle, Drake was holding a sword ready to take down a Pirate, but the first one he faced was rather different than what he expected “Your-you’re a girl” Drake said, she then took out her sword, quickly disarmed Drake and kicked him in the groin “You bet I am, Wimp… the names Violet” Violet said to Drake, then ran off leaving him in pain. Later Hawk came aboard the ship and faced Alastair. “Alastair, what’s up chum” Capt. Hawk said, “Just the pleasure I’m going to get as I capture you, make you watch as I destroy your ship, then send you to the Gallows” Capt. Alastair told him, “Oh, that’s great… sadly I’m going to have to disappoint you” Capt. Hawk said.

Alastair then took his sword and swung at Hawk, but he dodged and engaged in a sword fight with Alastair. Over the course of the battle an unexpected, but powerful storm came right at them, shaking the boats. Capt. Hawk looked and saw how fierce the storm is and knocked Alastair to the ground and ordered his men to return to the ship, so they can use the storm to escape. As the Crew followed their orders and returned to the ship, Drake was hit by some of the cargo and was pushed out off the Ship and fell to the water. Hawk saw Drake as the current was too strong for him to stay afloat, he drowned. As Drake drowned and his eyes began to close as he was running out of breath, Hawk jumped into the water and swam to Drake’s aid.

 The next morning Drake woke up below deck. He then went to the upper deck to see what was going on “Man… I had the weirdest dream about Piiiiiiiiiiii-rates” Drake said, shocked to see the pirates that attacked his ship. Drake then slowly walked back then ran across the ship with the Pirates chasing after him. Drake continued to run all across the ship avoiding capture, till Violet who came down swinging from a rope tackled and caught him. Violet and the rest of the crew proceeded to make Drake walk the plank and dessert him on a small island. “Really you’re going to just abandon me on an island” Drake said to them all, “Well the code says we either, leave you to die on an island which that death will lead to hunger, thirst and oh my favorite the slowly decent into madness… oooooor just shoot you, which is fast and boring. I like this method better. Now jump” Violet said to Drake. As the crew continued to push Drake to the edge of the plank so he will fall in the water, but then someone shouted “STOP” Violet and crew looked and saw the Captain. “Stop, what you’re doing, he’s staying on the board” Capt. Hawk said, “WHAT” the crew and Drake shouted in shock, “Why… he’s just a washout Navy Cabin Boy” Violet said, “Hey… Listen I’m not all for being stranded on an island, but yeah why” Drake asked, “Just as Violet said you’re a Cabin boy and we need someone to fix up this ship a bit” Capt. Hawk, “WHAT, if you think I’m going to work for a scum pirate captain and his crew, then you got Barnacles in your head” Drake said, “Your with the Navy correct… that means you believe in Honor correct”, Capt. Hawk said, “Of course without Honor your no better than a bloody pirate” Drake said, “Good cause I saved your life that means you owe me your life, and since you are man of Honor you’re going to repay me” Capt. Hawk happily told him, Drake was a bit stunned, meanwhile the rest of the crew were confused of the captain’s motives. Then Violet walked up to the captain “Hawk, you can’t be serious about letting this wimp stay on board” Violet asked, “HEY” Drake shouted, “Think of it this way, you can order him around every day” Capt. Hawk said persuading Her, Violet then smiled menacingly as she was now all for the idea “Alright Cabin Boy swap the deck” Violet commanded, “Excuse me, but what makes you think I’m gonna agree to all of this” Drake asked, “Its either being our Cabin Boy or the Island to madness” Capt. Hawk said giving him the options, Drake looked at the pirates, then the island, then he gave a deep groan in depressed and was swapping the Deck with Violet watching on a barrel “You missed a spot” Violet told him with a smile, and Drake just getting more depressed.

 It’s been a couple of weeks now and Drake is still serving as the pirates new Cabin Boy. He continues to do everything that the pirates tell him and especially Violet who enjoys
watching him have a difficult time. But in time Drake started to get attach more and more to the pirates, learning some swapping techniques and the Captain and Violet teaching him about swordsmanship, which Violets beats him every time they spar. As more and more time goes by Drake shares many adventures with the pirates, like escaping from Native Tribes, Hunting down sea monsters and even fighting other pirates. Drake was gaining more respect from the pirates then he ever did from the Navy. Then one night he went up to the deck and saw the Captain. “Captain… what are you doing up” Drake asked, “I like to take the ship sailing at night feels like I’m sailing on the stars” Capt. Hawk said, “Come on… you give it a try” Capt. Hawk said as he took Drake and put his hands on the wheel. Drake felt such excitement steering the ship “You know, I thought the first Ship a sail would be if I ever became a Captain for the Navy” Drake said, “Well… looks like you skipped ahead” Capt. Hawk said, and they both laughed, “I really don’t understand… your pirates, but you don’t really act like one. You all be better of being in Navy” Drake said, Capt. Hawk looked down “You know I was in the Navy, I always thought they were the one that represent justice, freedom, but then I saw the truth… corruption” Capt. Hawk said, “What do you mean” Drake said, “There have been Navy ships that have been shipping illegal cargo and transporting slaves. When I saw all this I couldn’t be a part of it anymore and fought against it even if it means fighting as a pirate, cause to fight for justice sometime you have to be a criminal and fight the law” Capt. Hawk said, Drake was shocked to hear what he heard “Weeeell, I’m gonna call it a night you can keep steering, someday you just might become a great Captain” Capt. Hawk said to him. As Capt. Hawk went to his quarters, Drake continued to steer the ship pondering of what he learned. Then he saw something it was Capt. Alastair’s ship, he then way anchor right next to his ship and Alastair and his men boarded. “Captain” Drake said, “Drake we thought you were dead” Capt. Alastair said, “No… pirates” Drake was saying but before he finished, “kept you prisoner, are they asleep” Capt. Alastair said interrupting Drake. Drake hesitated for a moment but then replied “Yes”, “Then Men… Take them” Capt. Alastair commanded, and the Navy Officer capture the pirates as well as Violet and Hawk and took them to their ship and made them watch as the Navy destroyed their ship and sank it to the bottom of the see. As the ship was engulfed in flames Drake looked at the pirates with the crew and Hawk disappointed and Violet not even looking at him, Drake felt confused of what he was doing and then went to Capt. Alastair “Captain, please listen. These pirates they’re not bad the ships they’ve been attacking including the Navy ships were all transporting slaves” Drake said to him, Alastair look right at him and said “I know”, “WHAT” Drake was shocked of what he just heard, “It’s one of the most greatest source of income, it’s how to really get by in this world, in fact were shipping a few slaves as we speak and now we can sell a few more” Capt. Alastair said, putting his hand on Violet’s face, but she just spit at him and he then slapped her, “Leave her alone Alastair” Capt. Hawk said, “I yes, you however have an appointment with the Gallows, You should of just followed my orders Hawk… Take them to the brig” Capt. Alastair said, Drake couldn’t believe what he just learned everything he believed in, his belief in Alastair was all a lie and he then knew he had to do something.

 The next morning Drake went down to the brig where the pirates were being held “It’s my shift to watch them give me the key” Drake asked, “HA, you think I’m gonna trust you with the key, just watch them I’m gonna get some grub” the Guard said, as he walked pass Drake and left. Drake then look at the pirates and show them the key in his hand that he swapped. The Pirates were thrilled to see Drake helping them as he open the cell, the Captain look at Drake with a smile as did he and then Drake saw Violet who slapped him “I deserve that” Drake said, “Yes you did, this too” Violet said as he kissed him. “Alright men these Navy Officer destroyed our ship, so it’s only fair that they give us theirs as repayment are you with me” Capt. Hawk said, with all of them giving a loud “AYE” as they charge right out to the Deck and fought against the Navy Officers, with Drake fighting with them as well. As the Crew fought, it was Captain Vs Captain between Hawk and Alastair. Hawk fought hard but was disarmed and cut on the leg, but before Alastair finished him off Drake came grabbed Hawk’s sword and Blocked Alastair’s strike. “You dare turn traitor on me, you Cabin Boy” Capt. Alastair said, “If this is how the Navy, how you do things. Then I say it’s Better to be a PIRATE” Drake said, as he clashed swords with Alastair. Drake fought well but Alastair got the best of him and just before he could end Drake, Hawk shot Alastair in the back with a pistol. Alastair dropped his sword and fell off his ship and drowned, with their Captain perished the rest of the Navy Crew abandon ship.

 With The Navy defeated the slaves Free the Pirates sailed on their new ship waving their Pirate Flag with Capt. Hawk and Violet at the helm as well as Drake now a full Pirate setting off to the next Horizon.

 “Pirates… people say that their low life scum which is kind of true, but sometime to fight for Justice you got to be a criminal and what can I say. I like this life, it really is a the life for me a, Pirates Life that is”.