Chapter 6: Finally at Tortuga
Ivan stepped onto the deck, looking around he could see many people either working hard, or sitting around and doing nothing. His eyes were somehow drawn to a group of sailors at the corner of the ship, talking to each other while simultaneously glancing over at Ivan every few seconds.
“Ah, it’s nice to just sit outside and enjoy a nice evening breeze.” Jack said leaning over the deck. “You should be glad the weather’s this lenient, most of the time it’s so hot, you may get second thoughts about taking a nice dip in the sea.” He said, only to be interrupted by Ivan’s urgent tone.
“You see those guys over there?” Ivan said, trying not to be too conspicuous. “Don’t look now, but I think they’ve got something with me.”
“Wait, those guys?” Jack whispered. “I think you’re being a bit paranoid.” He said, not noticing that Ivan already went over towards the bunch.
“Hey where you goi- you better not talk to them.” He said, fearing for Ivan’s safety. “They could be pirates for all we know.”
“Look who’s paranoid.” Ivan said, casually walking over towards the unknown group.
“Good day mate,” The leader of the group said once he noticed footsteps coming towards him. “Lovely day we’re having, isn’t it?” He asked in a somewhat fake tone.
“Yes, and a fine day at that,” Jack said, again speaking up before Ivan had the chance. “But that’s not what we’re here for.” He said, sending a chill down each of the sailor’s spines.
“Well then, what is it may I ask?”
“It’s about the whereabouts of a certain pirate with the name of Marcus Reynard.” Ivan said, making sure he inserted himself into the conversation. “Our orders are to find him, and negotiate with him.”
These words almost stunned the sailors to a point where they were frozen silent. But after a few seconds of peace, the leader spoke up again. “Terrance, James, go to the cabin.” He said waving off his lackeys.
“Alright, let’s make this quick.” The man said, leading them towards a room next to the captain’s quarters. The room was a nicely designed cabin, with tables at each side. This was undoubtedly some sort of planning room.
“This guy, Reynard… is… unbelievable. If you’re looking for him, he knows. He knows whoever decides to cross paths with him, I don’t know how, but he does.”
“Do you know much more about him?” Jack asked.
“Eh, not really; Reynard’s very private, I doubt even he knows much about himself.” The man replied, causing Ivan to step up.
“What does he look like?” Jack asked, making the man throw up his arms in confusion.
“I don’t know… like a pirate? I’m not too sure.”
“Where did you last see him?” Ivan asked, prompting the man to almost laugh at how silly he sounded.
“Last meet him? Last meet him?” The main said, fear in his eyes. “Most people who see him, are dead. The only people I know of that gets to meet him are his close friends. Other than that, you’re as good as dead.”
Jack and Ivan looked at each other with disbelief, were they really ready for the job? If so, they knew they’d be facing threats much greater than they expected, but hopefully, they’d be ready when the time came.
“Ok, let me rephrase that question. Where would we be likely to find him?” Ivan asked.
“You don’t have to worry about that.”
“Why?”
“He’ll find you.”
A silence erupted over the room, only to be broken by a man opening the door behind him.
“We’re about an hour away sirs.” The man whom opened the door said. “I suggest you get ready.” The man said, closing the door.
“Sure, we’ll go do that.” Jack said, motioning for Ivan to follow him.
“No, that’s ok, I’d rather stay here and ask some more questions.” Ivan told Jack. “After all, we’ve found our first real informant.” He said, making Jack shake his head.
“No, we’re not splitting up, that’s the worst thing you can do in these situations.” Jack said. “We don’t even know this guy, and it’s best to keep a gun handy at all times.”
“What? Are you crazy? There’s no way he’ll attack us. At least, not while we’re together.”
“So what’re you suggesting?”
“I… let’s just wait till the time comes.” Ivan said.
“Then what?”
“Then we act.” Ivan said, Jack still shaking his head. He hated the idea of getting found out, yet he believed the man they were just questioning was to be trusted, and knew what he was talking about.
“Alright, until then.” Jack said as he returned to the now bored sailor. “Listen, you’ve been a real big help and all, but I’m afraid we need to know even more about this Marcus fellow.”
“What else is there to know? You don’t have to look for him, my best advice is to turn around where you are, and start running.” The man said, fear still in his eyes.
“However, that’s not what we’re going to do.” Jack said. “We’re going to find him, no matter what it takes.”
“Well than you’re either really brave, or really stupid. Nobody just walks up to Marcus and expects him to listen.” The man said, his eyes widening. “By the way, what business do you have with Reynard in the first place?”
“Personal matters.” Ivan lied, luckily being believed. “Let’s just say he owes me something.”
“Well, good luck with that.” The man said, shaking his head in disbelief. “Once you land on Tortuga, get ready for the fight of your life.”
“Speaking of Tortuga,” Jack said. “Shouldn’t we be getting ready?”
“Yes, we’ll be there in about an hour according to that man, in the meantime, let’s go get our stuff and wait like real gentlemen.” Ivan said, walking back towards the cabin.
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1 hour later
The large frigate came to a slow halt as it docked on Tortuga’s finest. Soon, the dockworkers were able to tie the ship up, use the plank for unloading of untold amounts of both treasures and peoples, and just about everything else that goes on in a routine at the waterfront. But when Ivan stepped off the ship and onto the dock below, he felt something strange, not in the physical sort of way, but in the mental. For some reason, he felt as if everyone was watching… everyone. Even down to the last overgrown chicken.
It was much like Port Royal, or any other port in the Caribbean for that matter. But for some reason, it didn’t feel like he was welcomed there, like he didn’t belong. He looked around for any hope of someone who wasn’t probably hostile. To the left would be a street leading up to the main town, probably where the worst of the worst where. To the right was a bit more promising, but the people there still gave him a look they’d presumably give to every new stranger that enters the docks. But again, for some reason, they were the creepiest bunch Ivan had ever seen… well no there was that one group of merchants back in England, but still.
“Let’s go into the town, I bet we’ll find a mother lode of information there.” Jack said, making Ivan a little nervous.
“Actually, I’d like to check up on that navy outpost if you don’t mind. I’d like to have a good foothold in case we get compromised.”
“…Very well then, I guess we’ll be asking questions in the local tavern then.” Jack said, causing Ivan to roll his eyes.
“I’ll see to it that you stay sober.”
“What? But that makes it no fun!” Jack said, displeased.
“We’re not here for fun, we’re here to kill someone.” Ivan said, trying to insert some seriousness into the conversation.
“Hehe, that rhymes.” Jack said playfully.
“Oh that’s enough,” Ivan said. “We have to find this outpost, or else we may not have a place to sleep tonight!”
“Fine, but I better get some drink tonight.” Jack said, walking down the dusk bathed streets. “It’s not every day I get the opportunity you know.”
Eventually, the two came to a sign that read: Royal Navy Shipment Outpost
“This is it,” Jack said. “It has to be it; I doubt the navy has any other place of business on Tortuga that’s not strictly military.”
The two walked into the naval building, only to find an officer having at it with a lowly recruit.
“I told you, the wildwoods are where they hide out, it’s like a game they play, a game that includes… why I think we have new guests.” The officer said. “Are you two those replacements I sent for?”
“Uhh, no, we’re actually here on other important matters, by this I mean simple mercenary work, nothing unusa- whoa there! What’s wrong?” Jack exclaimed when he saw the naval officer burn with rage.
“I told those incompetent EITC know-it-alls that they weren’t to send any more mercenaries for the next month! How can they expect me to work with all these-“
“With all due respect sir, it wasn’t any EITC man who sent us, it was Commodore John Bishop.” Jack said, causing the officer to look back in disbelief.
“J-John Bishop?” He said, shocked at what he heard. “Commodore Bishop sent you? For what may I ask?”
“Well sir, Mr. Hood here has received orders to take care of Marcus Reynard, by any means possible.”
“Mr. Hood? I don’t believe any of us have met.”
“Oh yes, introductions,” Jack said. “I’m Captain Jack Henson, and this is my temporary partner, Ivan Hood.” Jack said, relieving the officer once he heard that Jack was part of the navy.
“So, you’re telling me that Commodore Bishop sent you on a mission to take down Marcus Reynard?” The man said.
“That’s correct… err…”
“Commander Simon Howell, I’m in charge of keeping the island out of chaos.” The man said, glancing over towards a man residing in the back of the building. “That man over there, he said he was attacked by pirates, maybe you can go ask him a few questions, unfortunately I can’t seem to get a word out of him.” Simon said.
“We’ll be sure to do that,” Jack said, gesturing towards Ivan whom had become acquainted with counting the floorboards. “Come on Ivan, let’s go talk to the fellow in the corner before we have ourselves a night at the tavern.” He said as him and Ivan started walking towards the lonely man sitting alone in a corner.
“Hello my good man, we were wondering if we could ask you a few que-
“No, no! You can’t ask me! If I tell you they’ll kill me!” The man said, looking up with bloodshot eyes. “All of them, they know where I am, I’m not safe here, not anywhere!” He said, attracting lots of attention nearby.
“Why? What’s going on? Who’s after you?” Jack asked, desperately trying to get through to the man.
“I-I can’t tell you, if I do he’ll kill us all!”
“Listen! Get a hold of yourself man! You’ll tell me all you know and you’ll tell it to me without leaving any details out, understand?” Ivan yelled.
“No, no no, I can’t, he’s… after me.” The man said, heavily breathing. I’m not telling you, or anyone else anything.” The man said, and to his word, he spoke no more. Ivan tried to get him to talk, but to no avail.
“It’s no use Ivan, he’s probably still afraid from the attack.” Jack said, putting his hand on Ivan’s shoulder. “Let’s go and have a drink, shall we?” He said, letting out one of the most pleasant words Ivan had heard all day.
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