A Red Sky Is Upon Us Read online

  “Hey, hey, hey… don’t you be knockin’ us,” exclaimed Jack.

  “I’m not knockin’ ye.”

  “It sure sounded like ya were,” said Ripper.

  “That’s not important. Listen to what I have to say. I want the Red Sky for myself.”

  Coral Jack laughed, peeked over the barrel to see if anyone had noticed the three taking a break, and turned back to Riggs.

  “Tough luck with that, mate. Ain’t no way Richardson would turn this ship over to you,” Jack said, wiping his brow.

  Pouring some cold water over his face, Riggs responded, “My sentiments exactly. That’s why the only way to do that is to mutiny.”

  Both of his crewmates nearly spit the saliva from their mouths.

  “Are you tryin’ to get yourself killed?” asked a wide-eyed Jack.

  Ripper just remained quiet, trying to make sense of the proposition.

  “Riggs, are you listening to the words coming out o’ your mouth? Have you actually given any thought to this… at all?”

  “I’ve been thinkin’ about it for a while now. It’s the only way that we can all get what we want. Understand?”

  “You’re crazy. That be what I think,” snickered Jack.

  Ripper broke his silence and said, “Ay, man. I hea’ ya. You be wantin’ mutiny? You have me pistols as your ally.”

  Turning toward Coral Jack, Riggs could see that his crewmate was deep in thought. He was stroking his chin and had a blank look on his face as if he were staring into space. Standing up, all of the blankness left his expression. In its place was seriousness.

  “Riggs… you’ve got me on your side.”

  “Ay! What do you think you’re doing? Resting on the job? Get back to work or you’ll be hanging from the bow of the boat by sundown!”

  Jack had completely forgotten about Captain Richardson. Immediately, he dropped to his knees and resumed scrubbing the deck. In the meantime, Riggs snuck away and tried to plan a bit more for his mutiny. In order for it to be successful, it would have to be during a time when no one would expect it. Another thing he would have to do is get more crewmembers to support him. So far, he had two definite allies in Ripper and Coral Jack. Clint would eventually come over to Riggs’ side. He knew it.

  That made three mutineers. Even for as crazy as he acted, Riggs knew that he needed all of his friends behind him. He just needed more men to make sure that his mutiny was successful. He did not want to end up as a dead body sinking to the depths of the ocean.

  Slipping down to the lower decks, Riggs could finally relax. Captain Richardson rarely ever came below deck because he claimed that the stench was too repulsive. Pushing hammocks out of his face, Riggs made his way down to where the rum was stored. Once he found a bottle, he bit the cork and yanked it out with his teeth.

  “What are you doing down here, boy?”

  Calmly, Riggs looked up and said, “Afternoon, Pete. How’s the job goin’?”

  Gingerly sitting on the ground, old Petey One-Eye responded, “Mighty dandy for me. It’s an absolute hell for everyone else. Nobody else seems to be able to find nothin’.”

  Knocking down another gulp of rum, Riggs shot back, “That’s ‘cause you put stuff where only you know where it is.”

  “Aye, that be true,” said the old man, shrugging his shoulders.

  Sealing the bottle, Riggs continued, “Petey, what’s your opinion of the Captain as of late?”

  “Well… uh… he seems to be nastier, he doesn’t care about us, the crew, and I would daresay that he is as scary as the mermaid’s cry.”

  “Alright. Different choice of words… but we both feel the same ‘bout ‘im. I’ve been talkin’ with some other crewmembers and all of us feel the same. Captain Richardson needs to be put in his place, and that place is not as captain.”

  Shifting uncomfortably, Pete questioned Riggs, “So what would you be proposing?”

  Riggs leaned in closer and said, “A mutiny… with me at its head.”

  The young pirate held out the bottle of rum, waiting for Petey to take it.

  The old man hesitated. Riggs knew that he had been sailing with Richardson for many years, so he gave his one-eyed friend some time to think it through. After about a minute of thinking, a smile appeared through Petey’s gray beard. His face lit up, and he took the bottle, declaring his allegiance to Riggs.

  “That sounds like a good plan, lad. We need some young ‘uns running the ship. Old men, not meself, be crotchety an’ ornery an’ not inspirational for crews. Good luck, Riggs. Just let me know when you’re ready.”

  “Thanks for that, Petey,” said Riggs, patting One-Eye on the back.

  “Don’t mention it, mate. Make life interesting on this ship. I know you can do that.”

  Riggs climbed back up to the main deck of the ship, reinvigorated by the rum. He had let all of the negative influence from the Captain drain from his mind. He felt like he was finally doing something to change things for the better. Inspecting the cannons, Riggs felt as if his goal of infamy was a little bit closer. It was resting just inches from his hands, just out of reach. The mutiny was his key to fame, and it would have to work.

  At the casting-off ceremony, Julia and her mother proudly watched Commodore Hamond and his crew as they boarded their majestic ship, the HMS Magistrate. A tremendous sense of pride was growing in Julia’s heart as her father ascended the gangplank and took his place on the ship. The white and dark blue of his uniform made him look like such an imposing figure that Julia could imagine the pirates of the sea shaking in fear as he brought an end to their reign of terror.

  Looking around at the crowd, Julia could feel the eyes of all of the young men following her. She tried to pay them no heed, but she knew that they would keep staring. None of them were worth her time as she noticed several of them downing beers and making fools out of themselves. Granted, she did realize that today was a day for celebration, but in Julia’s mind, she had a different, more patriotic kind of celebration planned.

  “Quite the crowd, don’t you think?”

  Julia turned toward the voice, seeing Lieutenant Daniel Travers standing behind her.

  “Why yes, it is. Such an event deserves a grand ceremony, Daniel,” Julia said with a smile.

  “So it would seem,” said the young man, bowing to his friend.

  Julia returned the gesture with a curtsy.

  “Care to walk with me?” Lieutenant Travers asked.

  “I’d be delighted,” she said.

  Daintily holding onto his arm, she could not help but notice his stiff posture. He was no longer the boy who would relish in his own laziness. Travers was a man now.

  “It looks like time in the Navy has changed you for the better.”

  “Well, your father is a strict man. Anyone who is not a better person after serving under him surely was not doing their best.”

  As the two made their way closer to the ship, Julia asked, “Will this be your first time dealing with the unruliness of the open seas?”

  With a nervous smile, Travers said, “As a matter of fact, yes. We’ll have to let your father decide how I perform on this one.”

  “Oh, I’m sure you’ll do fine,” said Julia.

  “I don’t know. It might take a while longer for me to get used to your father’s harshness.”

  “It’s something that comes with time, Daniel… I mean, Lieutenant.”

  By now, they had reached the foot of the gangplank. Julia released her hold on Travers’ arm and started to curtsy again, but he caught her in a hug. Though he was an officer, he was her friend first and foremost.

  “You really think I was going to leave without a hug?”

  “Of course not,” said Julia, giving Daniel a squeeze.

  Once the two friends let go of each other, Travers hurried up the gangplank and onto the ship while Julia made her way back to the crowd. She tried not to think of how much time had passed since their friendship had started. They had started as childre
n. Now, both of them had become adults, with him rising to the rank of a responsible Navy officer and her growing into a beautiful young lady.

  The entire crowd was cheering as their husbands, sons, nephews, and friends took their places on the Magistrate. Bands were playing. Men were applauding. Women were crying tears of joy. After the band finished its last song, the Commodore moved to the end of the gangplank and extended his hand to quiet the crowd. Julia’s father was going to speak.

  Clearing his throat, the Commodore spoke, “My dear friends… citizens of the English colony of Yorktown… both my crew and I bid thee farewell. However, this farewell is not permanent. I promise to do my best to bring back every single one of my fellow sailors. Without these stouthearted young men, this expedition would not be possible. Without this crew… my crew, injustice would rule the seas in the form of pirates and their violent form of villainy. The colonies would not be safe. Your children would not be safe. We, the crew of the HMS Magistrate, will bring order to the seas. We will destroy any threat to the crown or these colonies. We will be… victorious!”

  In unison, the crowd began a round of applause. Julia could feel the passion in her father’s voice. That was dedication. That was bravery. That was love. As the applause died down, the Commodore again raised his hand, silencing the masses.

  “This massive vessel was built to bring justice to the seas. The HMS Magistrate will be last thing that evil sees as we blast it apart with our one hundred cannons. Pirates stand no chance against us. There will be no need to fear the seas any longer. It will be safe for everyone.”

  The Commodore once more held his hand up, keeping the crowd from erupting.

  “If you would permit me, I would like to tell you all a story. Even my own daughter has not heard this tale.”

  Instantly, Julia focused her full attention on her father. A story she had never heard? It would have to be extremely exciting. She could not wait. She was already on the edge of her seat.

  “Back when I was a young lad in the Navy, I was commissioned on a vessel much like this one, called the Doomsday Angel. That ship was the fastest, most impressive ship in the Navy at that time. It was quite an honor to be a sailor on board that boat. The captain, though he was a loyal servant to the king, became disillusioned by the stress of the job. He crumbled under pressure and gave in to his inner greed. It was without warning and, it seemed at the time, without reason. However, both myself and the rest of the crew escaped from the ship, not for our own sake, but for the sake of all those that we would have left back home. We all felt the true nature of fear as we swam for our lives. Some did not make it, God rest their souls, but those who did forced themselves to instill in their crews the values that they used to survive and fend off the mere temptation of material objects. I can safely say that I would trust any of these young sailors with my life. For that, I thank you. As a token of that gratitude, please come aboard the ship and bid your protectors farewell.”

  With that, the crowd of people rushed on board the ship to say their final goodbyes. Julia was among the first. She ran up the gangplank and hugged her father tight.

  “That was an amazing speech, father,” said Julia as the Commodore held her in his arms.

  “And not one bit of it was written down,” he laughed.

  “Do you know how long this expedition will be?” asked the girl.

  “No, my dear, I do not. I could be away for as long as a year. But… I have a surprise for you. Don’t worry, I have already spoken to your mother about it.”

  Nearly squealing out of pure joy, Julia asked, “What is it, father? What is it?”

  Turning his daughter around, Commodore Hamond answered, “Well, Julia, do you see that ship over there, the Grandeur?”

  “Yes.”

  “I know how much you like adventure, so I got you a trip to Carolina. That ship is your transportation.”

  Julia could no longer control herself. She leapt into her father’s arms and latched onto him like she was a little girl again.

  “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. This is amazing. I always wanted to travel down south. When does the ship leave?”

  “Today, actually. So, after I cast off, you might want to go pack your bags.”

  “Yes, indeed, father.”

  “Now remember, don’t be running off and getting married before I return. Anyone who is going to be courting my daughter needs my approval first,” he said half-jokingly.

  “You needn’t worry about that,” she said.

  Julia gave her father a kiss and let go of him, slowly moving back to the gangplank.

  “I love you, father. Stay safe.”

  “I love you too, Julia.”

  All of the civilians were then escorted down the gangplank so that the expedition could begin. Tearful mothers and wives watched their sons and husbands sail away, ready to serve the crown proudly or die trying. For Julia, there were no tears. She knew that her father was coming back. She would see him again, one way or another. After a final wave to her father, she rushed back to their mansion to pack for her trip to Carolina.

  As the sun set over the sea, Captain Richardson dismissed the crew from their duties and allowed them to finally have a rest. Many of the pirates immediately went to their beds and fell asleep. However, some of the crew decided to stay awake a little longer. They needed to eat something, or they would not be able to work the next day. Riggs walked over to the group and sat down next to Eli, the ship’s carpenter, and Nimrod Dobbs, the doctor. Handing each of them some bread, Riggs started some small talk.

  “Anythin’ new and excitin’ with you two fellas?”

  Biting into his piece of bread, Eli answered, “Riggs, do you really think that anything new or exciting happened today? It was the same stuff as yesterday… and the day before… and the day before that… and every single bloody day that we’ve been on this stinking voyage.”

  “Doc, how ‘bout you?”

  “I’m hearing voices in my head now.”

  Somewhat confused, Riggs asked Eli, “What the blazes is he talkin’ about this time?”

  Eli just shrugged his shoulders.

  Placing a hand on Dobbs’ shoulder, Riggs said, “Just for me own sake, please keep your trap shut, Doc.”

  “Aye, aye, sir.”

  “So… Eli… I take it from your attitude that you’ll not be likin’ the conditions on the Red Sky?”

  “You heard me right, Riggs. The Captain had me cleaning the inside of a cannon today. I’m a carpenter, not a cannon-washer or whatever those poor souls are called. The least he could have me do is make a couple chairs so that we could sell them and get some money. We haven’t gotten any money out of our expeditions, and we desperately need to have some. How are we going to buy supplies in a port when we don’t have any money?”

  “Aye, that is quite absurd,” said Riggs.

  “That it be, that it be. We need some more life on this ship. We need less caution and more flying by the seats of our trousers. We need someone daring.”

  “My point exactly, mate. You want fame and fortune. I want fame and fortune. Does the Captain want either of those? Nay, he be more worried about bein’ caught than anythin’.”

  A suspicious grin appeared on the young pirate’s face.

  Eli raised his eyebrow and said, “You look like you’re planning something devious, Riggs.”

  “Ah, ye caught on quickly.”

  “Care to enlighten us?” asked Eli.

  “Yes, do tell,” said Doc, giving Riggs his full attention.

  Cracking his knuckles, Riggs looked straight at his two crewmates, his grin growing ever wider.

  “I say, mutiny, and make me captain of the Red Sky.”

  Without hesitation, Eli said, “And I would be right there behind you, my friend. You are definitely the man to pull it off. What about the others?”

  “I already have some ready to follow me. Other than that, I’d venture to say that most of these bilge rats would choose to foll
ow youthful blood as well. We’ll just have to see how it turns out.”

  Grabbing a discarded bottle of rum, Eli raised it and said, “Cheers to you, soon-to-be-Captain Riggs. When should I be expecting this mutiny of yours?”

  “Just wait for me to send a signal. You’ll know when it happens,” said Riggs.

  Turning to Doc, whose attention had been averted once again, Riggs asked, “How’s that sound to you?”

  “Huh?”

  “How do you feel about a mutiny?” Riggs repeated.

  “I’m surprised it hasn’t happened yet,” said Doc, unusually cheerful.

  Shaking the old man’s hand, Riggs said, “I’ll take that as a sign that you’re on my side.”

  The three pirates toasted to the plan. With every moment, Riggs’ confidence grew. Everything was falling into place.

  Climbing up onto the deck of the ship, Riggs let it all soak in. His friends on the crew felt the same way he did, and they would support him if he were captain. The Red Sky would finally be his ship. He could do with it as he pleased. No more sunrise-to-sundown workdays. No more extreme caution. No more boredom. No more mediocrity. Riggs wanted to make sure that the pirating world knew the true might of the Red Sky and its crew. Looking out over the water, Riggs could almost hear his destiny calling to him. In a short time, his rise to infamy would begin.

  CHAPTER TWO

  This being her first time on a ship, Julia was quite excited. The sea was an amazing place to travel. There were so many sights, so many sounds. Even her father’s stories about sailing the sea could not have prepared her for what her eyes were seeing. There was something new every day. In the first day, Julia had seen dolphins and sharks, creatures that she had never seen in person before. It was a wonderful experience.

  “The sea is quite a masterpiece, isn’t it, miss?”

  Julia turned around to respond, but when she saw the man who had spoken, she was near speechless. He was extremely handsome. His eyes had a calming effect as Julia stared into them. As he ran his hand through his neatly trimmed hair, Julia was struck by just how perfect he looked. He seemed like everything a man should be, and then some.