THE FIGHT FOR THE FOUNTAIN – PARTE TWO
Or
THE RETURN OF CAPTAIN JACK
It has been over a year since the Fight for the Fountain. Don Luis de Alcazar has developed a terrible restlessness ever since he sampled the Aqua de Vida. A hunger to end the years of exile, return to Spain and reclaim his rightful place at court. To that end he has used his influence to procure the rank of Captain General of the Treasure Fleet. This year it is three ships: the flagship El Ballista, and two smaller support vessels El Duque and El Corazon del Mar. The flagship is a proper galleon-rigged Indiaman, and a tough nut to crack. The support vessels are square-rigged merchant – much weaker vessels, but with added soldiers for extra strength. All three ships are carrying treasure – the annual tribute for His Majesty. But the flagship is also carrying the personal fortune of Don Luis, garnered from years of graft in the colonies. The fruits of the Indies indeed.
Rumors abound about the treasure fleet and many ears are listening to the golden words. Among them are the ears of Captain Jack Asse. After the disaster of the Fight for the Fountain, he has endured endless ridicule from his fellow Brethern of the Coast. Captain Jack has a special score to settle with Don Luis. Was it not Don Luis who paid off a unit of buccaneers to arrive late to the battle? Here was a chance to ruin his foe and be richly rewarded for the effort. Yo Ho.
Captain Jack has cobbled together a small fleet of ships. His personal command is the Reaper and two other captains have joined the venture in the Blackheart and Dolphin. These are galleon-rigged ships with as much firepower as the Spanish flagship, and stuffed with swashbucklers eager to board.
Three days out of Vera Cruz, Don Luis is enjoying a luncheon with his daughter Angelica, when the pirate force is sighted. They are coming from the east in line formation with the Blackheart in the lead and the Reaper and Dolphin following behind. The Spanish are sailing from the west in triangle formation with El Ballista in the lead, and the two others following behind.
The Spanish ships turn north for better sailing angles and to present their broadsides to the enemy. The flagship fires at long range and manages a hit on the Blackheart, but the pirates continue to close. El Ballista manages to get into position to rake the Blackheart from short range. The destruction is terrible! Blackheart is crippled and with extra hull damage from a critical hit sinks beneath the waves. Don Luis is clearly not just a fop with a fanciful hat. His many years at court have honed a fine sense for murder.
The pirates are shocked by this sudden twist of fate, and can manage nothing for a time. Once they recover their nerve however, a deadly game of cat-and-mouse begins which will last for the next hour. Most of the cannon fire is at long range. Each side hopes to inflict some critical damage on the other. But to no avail. No further hits are scored.
Eventually the pirates see an opportunity. Captain Jack gets behind Corazon. The smaller vessel cannot turn without getting raked from the Reaper, nor can she outrun her pursuer while close-hauled. Soon the Reaper pulls up beside Corazon muzzle to muzzle, and fires a broadside. Corazon is crippled and her captain is taken below decks mortally-wounded. But the plucky Spanish vessel is not finished. Her crew are all infused with Derring-do. Against the odds the Spanish vessel turns into the Reaper, grapples and boards. The pirates are surprised by the wave of Spanish sailors sweeping onto their deck. But valor only goes so far. Soon enough, the pirates gain the upper hand and Corazon strikes her colors.
One treasure ship captured. Cries of jubilation from the pirates are short-lived however. The Reaper has spent too long grappled to her prey, and El Ballista has closed the distance. Now it is her turn to grind into the pirate ship, grapple, and send out a boarding party. The two groups clash on the bloody deck. It is a close affair, and could go either way. At this moment Don Luis seizes the initiative and personally leads another wave of soldiers lead by their veteran sergeants onto the Reaper. Pirate resistance crumbles. Surrender follows.
Don Luis wipes the sweat from his brow. He stares down at the crumpled form of Captain Jack. “The burro fought like a stallion.” Still this would make his return to Spain so much sweeter.
Thus ended the career of Captain Jack Asse. Some would say he was the unluckiest pirate to ever sail. Others would say he died sword-in-hand on his own deck. There are worse ways to die.
This engagement used the Galleys and Galleons rules. The ships are from the Pirates range from Wizkids.