Episode 1: The Vote

“All hands amid-ships! Avast! Avast! Give ‘em a broadside!” came the various, shrill screeches from the small, black Pawkeet that shuffled along the floor beneath the lines of hammocks and bunks, earning groans and muttering swears as the crew awoke.

“Devil bird…” Jacques groaned as he rolled in his hammock, trying to find enough of the edge to climb out. His ears twitched as a louder screech and a thud rang out, as one of the crew had thrown a boot at Blackie, though missed deliberately in the hopes of just shutting him up. “Oi, belay that! If the captain wants us up, then we’d best get up!”

“Hands to bases! On deck, swab fore n’ aft!” Blackie went on squawking as he made his way to the door, then flew up to Garin’s shoulder.

“Thanks for rousting the crew, lad,” the Usul said, scratching the Pawkeet’s little head and turning to the crew as they dragged themselves out of their hammocks. “Sorry to wake you all so early, but we’ve got an important matter that needs voting on. When you’ve gathered yer wits, come to the galley. Preferably promptly.”

Garin turned and left the quarters and walked towards the galley, with Jacques jogging after him, shaking away the last of his sleep as best as he could manage.

“What’s so urgent? Is it about your meeting with Sea Cat?” he asked.

“Aye, and it’s something we all need to discuss and think on carefully.” Garin said. “I’ll explain when everyone is present.”

“Alright, as you wish.”

It wasn’t too long before the rest of the crew had filed into the galley and seated themselves at the tables. Some of them grabbed various scraps and leftovers to sit down with, but once they were satisfied with their first few mouthfuls, they turned their attention to Garin, who stood at the end of one of the tables, with Blackie still on his shoulder.

“Well lads, I met with Sea Cat last night…”

“How is the little hell cat?”

“She’s fine. In health at least, otherwise… she’s not so well. She came to me to ask for our help in a… rather… well, it’s a touchy matter. But I told her I’d talk it over with you lads first to get your say.”

“What’s wrong?” Jacques asked. Garin sighed.

“Sea Cat has… Well, her agent friends have given her a promotion to Acting Governor of Tartaruga island, not far from here, but they’ve also gone and marooned her, so to speak.”

“Acting Governor? Sea Cat?!”

“How did that happen?”

“I’ll explain all that later.” Garin said, holding up a hand to quiet the crew down. “Yes, Sea Cat’s been made a temporary governor, and she’s tasked with defending a growing port town, but because she’s human anyone the Council tries to recruit leaves her high and dry instead. So, she came to me to ask us to help her defend the port… as privateers.”

The crew went quiet, save for a few murmurs and glances exchanged that Garin could understand clear as day. They were confused, even disgusted by the idea in a sense, however it was clear they were worried about their crewmate, just as he was last night. Jacques looked at Garin.

“Is that all she said?” he asked.

“Sort of.” Garin said, looking back at the crew and raising his voice to be heard. “She asked us to help her in this for exactly one year, and if her help still doesn’t arrive by then, we’re free to leave of our own accord. For all we know we could only be there to help for a month or two, or even only a few weeks.”

“That’s a fair point…” Talak said. “And it is Sea Cat, she’s good for her word.”

“And we can’t just leave her when she needs us, right?” Sam looked up and down the table, then at Garin.

“I agree with Sam, I’m for it.” Jacques said.

“So am I,” Garin said, looking at his friend with a smile, but then looked down the tables at the rest. “But this concerns all of you, my friends. So, we’ll put it to a vote. We all know Sea Cat, she won’t hold a grudge if we say no, and I told her I’d give her our answer by noon today. Talk about it amongst yourselves while we eat some grub, then when we’re through, we’ll put it to a vote.”

“Alright lads, you heard the captain. Eat up and think hard.” Jacques said, standing and walking to the kitchen.

Garin watched as those who still wanted to eat filed into a line to get food, and listened as Blackie affectionately played with his two earrings before sitting at the table. When Jacques returned, he sat beside him and looked at him in concern.

“You alright?”

“Aye, just thinking.” Garin replied. “If we do this, well… you know how I feel. But if we don’t…”

“Then it may be life or death on a lee-shore for Sea Cat.” Jacques said.

“Quite possibly, and I hope the rest of the crew has that in mind when it comes time to vote.”
~~~
“You really think this fella will come?” the Mynci asked, looking up at the human girl as she paced back and forth slightly, looking around the docks for him.

“He’ll be here, as promised. Though whether his answer will be ‘yes’ or ‘no’ is what’s got a bee in my bonnet,” she replied, stopping as she looked around once more. “And talk of the devil, here he is.”

“Afternoon, ‘Governor’.” Garin said as he walked through the crowd and over to her, Jacques following behind him.

“That word almost leaves a bad taste in my mouth,” said the Kyrii. “But seeing as it’s you, Cat, I’ll grow used to it.”

“Jacques! Good to see you again!” Sea Cat said, and the two embraced briefly before she looked at Garin. “So?”

Garin gave her a nod. “Well the boys don’t like the idea of you on a lee-shore, so to speak… so we’ll do it. But mind, nothing permanent! Just for one year, like you said!”

Sea Cat sighed in relief, and her body relaxed in such a way that no one would have guessed she was on edge until that moment. “Thank you!” she said. “Thank you all so much!”

“So, when do we start, governor?” Jacques asked.

“As soon as we get to Tartaruga Island.” Sea Cat said. “I leave tomorrow once the provisions I ordered are loaded, so that should give you all time to stock up as well.”

“Sounds sensible enough. Mind tagging along with us? The lads are eager to see this side of you.” Garin asked with a smile.

“I don’t think--” the Mynci stood up as he stood, but Sea Cat stopped him with a wave of her hand.

“It’s alright Barney,” she said. “If I didn’t trust Captain Garin with my life I never would have asked him for his help.”

“Very well, ma’am,” the Mynci said with a nod. “Just be back in no more than two hours, ma’am.”

“I won’t let you worry too much, don’t fret.” Sea Cat said with a chuckle, before following Garin and Jacques off through the street.

“Who was your mate?” Jacques asked.

“Barney, my Lieutenant. We’ve known each other for some years, since training, and he’s one of the only recruits who volunteered to be my support while I’m stationed at Tartaruga Island.”

“So aside from us and the crew, how many are there?” Garin asked.

“Well, aside from the villagers, there are about fifteen other recruits on the island.”

“Ouch, that’s not many.”

“Exactly why I’m so relieved you’ve agreed to help. It’s not just the vault that’s at risk if the port should come under attack.” Sea Cat said. “There are about two hundred villagers, farmers and their families, of various rank and classes. And recently we’ve cleared away more land and started building some more houses in anticipation of more arriving in the coming weeks.”

“Which is why you’re bringing supplies back?”

“Aye. The villagers are able to grow their own crops and earn a profit off them, so there’s no danger of going hungry, but until any new settlers work their land and are able to grow them, they’ll need food and tools.”

Garin smiled and looked at Sea Cat. “You’re really putting a lot of thought into this, aren’t you?”

“I have to.” Sea Cat replied with a small sigh. “The council has put a lot of faith in me, faith that isn’t supported by everyone, you see. So every effort I make is critical.”

“Don’t sweat it. We’ll do what we can to help you.” Jacques said, elbowing her in the side in a friendly manner.

“Thank you both. I don’t think I can say that enough.”

When the three arrived at the Black Pawkeet, the crew was waiting for them. Though Garin had filled them in, she was able to answer most of their many questions, while at the same time catch up with them all and ignore their good-natured quips about her uniform. As he listened, Garin looked at Jacques, the look on his face telling his friend that he had just through of something.

“What’s on your mind?” Jacques asked.

“Sea Cat said there’s land ready for new settlers, didn’t she?”

“Aye.”

“I just thought of something… remember our old shipmate said he was looking for a new place to settle down with his missus and little ones?” Garin asked.

“I do… I do, now that you mention it. Think he’d be interested?”

“It’s worth a shot. Plus, I know he’d want to help Sea Cat out as well. I’ll go talk to him, tell Cat I’ll be back in about an hour. And while I’m gone, take inventory and start making a list of what we need. That includes armaments.”

“Aye, aye.” Jacques said, watching as Garin left the deck of the Pawkeet and headed back into town. If all worked out, they would have their old crewmate back, and Tartaruga would have one of the best young families it could ever find.