Steel Crew

Have you heard of the old Captain Tinderbox? In truth his name was Avery Flynt, notorious Pirate of the ship they call the “Toothed Sea-Horse”. When the world of Scathan was shattered by the event known as the “Meltdown”, advanced technology was lost, and civilization turns back on the clock. Back when the Lands are being discovered, and the Age of Piracy in its Golden years. It is here when Captain Flynt made his Renown, or rather Infamy. In his journey of plunder of various treasures and prizes, he has come not only of objects of value, or riches, it is also the old civilized world’s technology. So powerful, and advanced, it would make what is a common Man now, not only rich, or famous, but enough power to maybe even retain the World. Yet Time is often something Man itself cannot catch, yet the opposite is true for Time, it eventually reaches where it should be. The captain was captured, and held for execution of his crimes against various governments. Before he is slain, he said to those who have captured him.

“I have seen what this World has to offer any Man, if you so be brave, seek the Eight Pieces of Silver, then all of what I have gathered, shall be yours!”

And so, the last words of the Greatest Pirate have spurned various seekers, to journey across the Atom Waters, and find the treasures he has seen the World has to give. Yet, is there anything more foolish than to trust the words of a Scoundrel?

In Present Time….

And then there was, a young Pirate, by the name of James Hawkes, “Jimmy” is his name to whom he considers allies. A rather prominent Feature are his slanted eyes, his face resembling someone from the Eastern Seas and Oceans. One could even wonder if James is even his real name, for he does not resemble anyone out in the Western Waters. His hair though kept hidden by his Tricorn sailing hat and robes, can be seen as neatly slicked back. Being of young age, Jimmy is of rather small stature, still growing and carries a smug smile of someone who has yet to see what the World is.

He looks through his Spyglass, seeing various ships and Jolly Rogers flying above their crow’s nests and masts.

“Look over yonder, my metal mateys, couple of Pirate Ships sailing about, reckon we take some of them for plunder?” Jimmy tells to his robotic companion, an automaton named “Reynard”.

The Foxwind, is a Brigantine, reinforced with some armor, powered by two Atomic Masts, that cycles with the Solar Light during the day. By night, its Reactor, located in its Core activates, allowing it to move even when Sunlight is lacking in abundance. Though there is one other difference that sets it apart from other ships used in this maritime activity. The Crew of Foxwind are comprised mainly of Metal Men, assembled automatons that are programmed to assist and follow its Captain, and even fight with him or for him. When Jimmy looks at what he has made, he looks on them proudly, even if they may not respond as a normal Human crew would.

I’ve built myself a merry crew to keep me sane and company, it should very much be enough .

He often tells himself some words of comfort of his own, having to hide certain wayward thoughts. Still to him this is the best Crew one can muster, after all, what is a Pirate without a Crew even when they are made of Steel or Tin?

“Sir, I recognized that one of them is carrying various resources you may need, Sugar, Spices, and possibly pleasurable Drinks.” Reynard calculates through his sensors.

“Well, those Beverages can be sold at a good price at a nearby coastal town, I’d say we take our prize.”

“Initiating naval assault, target, Pirate Brig.” Reynard directs the crew towards the target ship.

The Foxwind then advances forward unto the Ships flying their own flags. Trudging through the waters, before the attack could begin, Jimmy calls out to the opposing side.

“Avast, ye thieves caught red handed! The cargo you be carrying are from way of the honest merchant ships you just robbed, yes? Surrender them to me now, lest you face getting your prize swept from under your feet!” Jimmy shouts towards his opponents.

The captain of the crew he is hassling notices him, yet also sees that his deck is rather empty, assuming that he sails with no Crew and is on his own lone self.

“And who are you to demand such toll from us? You, by yourself? Or your missing crew?” the captain taunts.

“Last chance to comply, Gentlemen, I will give you a couple of seconds…” Jimmy retorts.

The captain gestures one of his men to load one of their own Swivel Guns to shoot Jimmy where he is standing, still smug about the fact he is being held up by a boy half his own age.

“One…”

“You know Boy, in this profession, you gotta know the meaning of how size really matters.”

“Two…”

“Load a shot, shoot the little Birdie down where he is stands.”

“Three…oh, well, Automatons, fire…”

Just then a flurry of bright lights came from the broadside of the Foxwind, with rays descending unto the opposing Pirate Ship. The fast hands of the Metal Men have allowed Jimmy to gain an advantage over his targeted Prize. The battery Cells of the Cannons are then tossed out, and then loaded with a fresh supply of energized ones, now ready to fire another salvo. Before the enemy can recover…

“Fire…” Jimmy commands again.

Another salvo hits the Pirate Ship, knocking out its sails and disabling it.

“Ready grapnels, prepare for boarding…” he commands his metallic Crew.

Grapnels then reel in the disabled vessel, as Jimmy swings over with his Steel drawn. Two of what remains of the crew try to swing at him, but quick with his hands, he deflects their strike, before using the opportunity to cut them down. In the confusion, everyone is shouting at the realization, they are not in fact fighting Men of flesh and bones.

“Automata!”

“Tin Men! Use the electric Prodders!”

Jimmy soon comes across the wounded Captain, with his own sword drawn and pointed at him, he stumbles forward, while Jimmy stands firmly.

“H-He’s the one controlling them, kill him!” the Captain commands his crew.

Everyone then turns their eyes towards Jimmy, and then charges at him, as they do, he sheathes his blades and pulls out his two Charge Locked Laser Pistols, and shoots around him, gunning down those with the intent to strike him down. He then holsters his Pistols again, and faces the kneeling Captain.

“Captain, a respectable Leader, if you so care for your Men, I advise that you do one thing, call surrender, I’ll take ye cargo, and be on my way, no more will have to die.” Jimmy takes a knee facing the Captain.

“You think it’s right and proper, to take a Man’s own purchase, something he toiled for and worked his bones!”

“The Prize you so claim belongs to the effort of honest hardworking Men who would have seen profit had it not been for your interference, they paid dearly with their lives for doing an honest living. Merchant Convoys are rarely defended and supplanted by the Sovereign unless they paid an Official with a hefty number of Cogs or Bearings, so tell me dear Captain…you who took the easy way by claiming a Prize, what gives you the right to question my ways?” Jimmy tells the downtrodden Captain.

With his Pride and Ego bruised, the Captain simply says.

“We surrender Men, give the cargo to this young Captain.”

Jimmy gestures for his Automatons to stand still, and they stopped fighting the others. The rest of the Tin Men then hauls out the Crates of goods into the Foxwind.

“If you are fighting for those innocent Merchants we sank, why are you taking what we took from them?” the Captain questions Jimmy.

“Oh, you are sorely mistaken if that is what you are asking, I am not fighting for them, I am simply stating the reason why I’ve come upon you, and as for these Crates…” Jimmy takes a bottle of Cola, “technically they are no longer theirs, so, I prefer to have them as my own Prize, savvy?”

Eventually the Automatons finish loading up the Crates unto the other ship. Seeing as they already made quite a profitable raid, Jimmy then sails away carrying his loot, leaving the pirates on their own disabled ship.

A bit later…

The Foxwind docks at the humble island of Nestie, a rather unruly place with only soft touches of the larger Sovereign looming over it. It is often a place where other Pirates come hanging about, either looking for other contractual jobs, information, and perhaps even looking to recruit. Though it might seem lawless, it is quite home to some good hearts and innocent minds, looking to ease their own troubles from the politics of crowns and the elected.

“Colas, Spices, Sugar, and even some Leaves, these are fine purchase, Mr. Hawkes!” the Harbour Master tells Jimmy, who sells off the goods he had just procured from the ship he had just plundered.

“A deal well struck then, Mr. Gibson?”

“That is certain aye, I have to say though, there are times when economy on certain Goods can rise or plummet depending on the occasion, prices might get higher, or lower, please keep that in mind, so as to not be surprised if something gets cheap.” the Harbour Master says to Jimmy.

“I think I can understand numbers and basic economics, good Sir, but thank you for telling me, everything is rather fickle these days.” Jimmy replies.

With his Pocket full of newly acquired Currency, Jimmy heads towards the Tavern, in which some old yet familiar faces greet him.

“Good evening, Lads…”

“Ohoho! There he is, the ever so elusive yet it’s a wonder how he still manages to profit, even without a proper sailing Crew, welcome back, James.”

“Benny Horngold, a sight for salty eyes and Eddie Teach, two of my rather old but rambunctious bunch of misfits as mentors.”

“Yahaha!” Eddie laughs, “you’ve got lot to properly learn from us, Jimmy, and much we have yet to show ye.”

“Like how to have your own Men and Crew to sail with, not with those that are made of nuts and bolts.” adds Benny.

“I find them a much better Company than that of Drunkards and loud Scoundrels, no offense.” Jimmy pours himself a glass of grape juice.

“Whew good Lords! Would you listen to the nonsense from this Lad! Good with his Steel, Pistols, and Fists, yet for some reason still unable to say he is shy and lonely!” Benny laughs.

“What good are they for then?” Jimmy sips from the Glass.

“Young Matey, a companion is good for ye Heart, friends to enjoy a proper purchase and Prize, to sing actual songs with as you drift through the teal waters.” Eddie clinks his Mug to Jimmy’s Glass, “give it time Laddie, you’re bound to meet some people, and them you will eventually call your friends.”

“But aren’t you my Friends?”

“Sure…but not the kind we would like to see you have.” says Benny, “you should go visit Dr. Livesey, he is looking for you, maybe get some of your wounds stitched up and dressed.”

“Aye, glad you told me that…”

After drinking some refreshments, Jimmy heads for the Town’s clinic.

Further inland…

Within the Island, in an inconspicuous part of the Village, therein lies a Clinic. On its door nailed a wooden plaque that says “Dr. Davis Livesey”. Jimmy sees the door and knocks on it, hearing a voice from the inside that says…

“Come in, come in! Clinic is still very much open…”

And so, he did, there he sees a man wearing a powder Wig writing notes with his Quill with a dipping Ink nearby. His smile cannot be defined as a mere grin, yet it is worn ever so proudly, like a Gentleman welcoming his customer to his humble Abode. He looks up, and there he sees Jimmy at the doorway, standing.

“Ohoho, what’s the matter Boy? Why don’t you have a seat? I’ll fetch us some Tea, something warm for such a tropical evening.” he says followed by a jovial giggle.

Jimmy does what the Doctor tells him and takes a seat nearby, still rather silent and unsure how to respond to such niceties. Dr. Livesey is hardly a stranger to him, yet every piece of his being is still quite an enigma and unable to be described by mere words, only that his actions will speak to who or how he is. Then there he is, he serves Jimmy a cup of Tea, with some Sugar cubes to help himself, along with his own.

“So, you have come, I see, is there any other particular reason?” Dr. Livesey asks.

Jimmy takes a sip from his cup then answers the Doctor’s rather oddly worded question.

“Ol’ Benny told me you were looking for me, so here I am.”

“Ah yes, yes, I am in fact, though before we get into the matter at hand, I’d like to ask; were you partaking in consumption of anything related to alcohol, hm? Rum, perhaps?”

Jimmy vehemently shakes his head…

“Not a chance Sir! I ought to remember what you told me not to do even as a Buccaneer!”

“That is good, for Rum and Death should mean the same to you, just like what happened to old Billy Bones.”

“The one you were treating for Stroke?”

“Aye, young Sir, now that drink does a lot to good Men’s minds, I don’t want the same happening to you, don’t let your second chances be squandered from what saved you from the Burning of the Old Benbow, hm?”

Jimmy sips more of his Tea…

“I’ll keep that in mind, good Sir, the most I partake in celebratory beverages are Colas and Sarsaparilla roots, if not for the juices of the Oranges, Lemons, and Palm trees.”

Dr. Livesey maintains a delighted smile upon hearing Jimmy’s regular preferences of beverages. Not too long ago, the Doctor came across the burning Old Admiral Benbow Inn in one of the many Key islands across the Teal Seas. Nearby is a floating Dinghy, and within, is a young James clutching few possessions, a pair of cutlasses, and a seemingly familiar Hat. His eyes carry the look of someone witnessing something for the first and last time, yet his mind would never forget. The Doctor naturally took pity on the Boy, he treated some of his wounds, some signs of Scurvy, due to lack of acidic fruits out at Sea, he deduced he must have been afloat for a few days at most.

“On that note regarding what you said about the Colas, this is where I have called upon you, you see, normally I would not contract services from Pirates, given their reputation, but you boy…well, you do have a little difference in my eyes.”

Jimmy begins to listen keenly…

“Are you familiar with such a thing called ‘Star Colas’, or ‘Stellar Fizz’ in other terms?”

“I’ve heard they’re valuable, Ships containing them as Cargo are usually Shark Bait for any other Pirates nearby, hence they’re escorted by Gunboats and even Brigs and Frigates, and them is just the common ones bottled from a Factory.” Jimmy tells what he has been told of what is circulating about the Star Colas, fabled beverages of the High Seas.

“You would be right, a hundred thousand Cogs and Bearings for even one bottle, or more if you find what is called ‘Legacy’ bottles.” Dr. Livesey takes an envelope from one of his drawers, “these drinks are empowered by the energy that used to keep the World running before the Meltdown, enhancing the Body for better or for worse.”

“Is the Favor I’m about to do related to these things?” Jimmy questions.

“I’ve got a letter from some friends of mine from a certain Island, they are of the nobility sort, are you familiar with the small Port Town of Royal Harbor?”

“I haven’t been there myself; I stir clear of any Crown colonies if I can avoid them, Star Islands is among those.”

“Well, you won’t be sent there to cause mischief I tell you that, but my friend’s daughter has been put under the shadow of death I’m afraid.”

“What do you mean by that?” what Jimmy just heard gives him pause.

“A ransom from a rather notorious sea bandit, if they don’t deliver crates of the stellar fizz, they will come upon her and her household.”

“So why can’t they trust the Crown Navy?”

Dr. Livesey chuckles, “Ohohoho! Well, I can’t call you naïve given that I told you the standing of the Man who would be your contractor, but the local Governor is expecting also some double the amount of payment for the risk of their services, otherwise they will leave these honest Men to their fates.”

Jimmy looks down a bit, knowing the reality of what the Steel Fox Crew really is, he begins to doubt if the Doctor is making the right decision on this request.

“Doctor, you know the reality of my profession as a Pirate, the Foxwind holds no Crew unlike most of the Ships sailing about. All I have are my Metal Men, and how they are made of wires and gears, not hearts and minds.”

The Doctor once again gives his usual jovial laugh.

“My Dear James Hawkes, this mission is for you to conduct, your Crew as it is now are merely Tools…”

“Then---….”

“But Tools nonetheless, my young Buccaneer, in Time, you will gain the ability to win over what Hearts and Minds, but you are not entirely helpless, do not doubt yourself and act as if you have nothing to show for the World, for the World is just waiting still for you. And with your earned Strength, and Courage, it will be yours one day, a Treasure far greater than a chest full of Gold and Relics.” Dr. Livesey tells Jimmy.

“You really think I can do this?”

“There is only one way to find out, young Sir.”

“Fine, consider this Contract signed, I will see to it that your friend is well assisted, Doctor.”

Dr. Livesey gives a satisfied smile.

“The Morn is still far off, why not take lodgings here to pass the night? There’s a couch there if you would be so inclined to use it.”

“Thank you, Doctor…”

Jimmy then drifts off into the Clinic’s couch, while Dr. Livesey also retires for the night, heading upstairs of his clinic where his private quarters are. As the night grows still, all that can be heard are the Waves coming back and forth from the distant Shore of the island, lulling one into slumber even further.

[To be Continued]