Mir Pacifica

Published: 11 Dec 2017

Roger Scully pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders as he stepped from the fast packet boat, the HMS Ranger; a Cutter that was used for fast delivery of orders and personnel by His Majesties Naval Command.

How he had been able to get passage on the ship now he was no longer a member of His Majesties Navy was beyond his understanding but someone, somewhere had managed to pull some strings to get him his berth for the fast trip back to England. It was not for him to question the summons as it had his friend Thomas’s name attached to his orders.

Roger had been enthralled to find that the Captain of the Ranger had been a young midshipman of thirteen years old when he went before the mast under the great man himself, Admiral Nelson during the battle of Trafalgar, which had been his first battle aboard ship.

The Captain was now in his late twenties and had not recognised Roger Scully but over dinner in the Captain’s cabin Roger’s past had been related in detail as one mariner to another. There was also the fact that the Captain had been informed his guest now held the rank of Commodore, albeit of a commercial shipping company and no longer of the Royal Navy.

The trip had been fast and now Roger found himself on the London docks just as darkness was falling. His instructions were to make his way to the Kings Gate tavern where he would meet up with Thomas. As yet Roger had no idea why he had been called away from his task of preparing the three frigates for sea but if Thomas needed him then he was not going to let his friend down.

The usual hustle and bustle of the docks was slowing down as he looked for the Kings Gate sign and in the distance he could make out the men who worked to light the gas lamps as darkness came quicker and the long shadows deepened into dense black spots where any manner of nefarious men may lay in wait for the unwary. It was that time of day when men looked to the taverns after a hard day’s work on the docks and the footpads were on the lookout for easy targets to fill their pockets.

Under his cloak Roger checked to make sure his double barrelled pistol was readily available should he need it and turned his steps towards the distant sign of the tavern at the end of the docks. It was not far to go, perhaps only a few minutes at a fast pace, but Roger felt there was something in the air and that he should take his time making his way towards his intended location.

Roger was no more than a hundred yards from the door of the tavern when it happened. There was no warning and he had not heard the two men sneaking up on him until it was too late to even draw his pistol to defend himself. A thick arm reached around his throat and tightened to restrain him while a second pair of hands quickly threw a dark sack over his head and then bodily lifted him off his feet.

All this was done so swiftly that Roger had no chance of defending himself and even less chance once he was lifted off his feet and carried away between the two unknown assailants even though he tried kicking and wriggling but all to no avail.

Roger felt himself being carried around corners and down what he thought were empty lanes or streets as he could not hear anyone around but the padding of silent feet on the cobbles. It seemed to take forever before the men stopped and rapped sharply on a wooden door. Although Roger was sure it had been no more than a few minutes since the start of the attack but the black sack over his head had left him with no way to actually tell.

Roger felt himself being carried through the door and then upwards on a steep set of stairs before his captors stopped and once again knocked on a door. While the voice was muffled Roger did not think he had heard it before but his interest was piqued when he heard the order from what he presumed was behind the door in front of them.

“Master of Arms, if your duty be complete you may enter.”

Roger heard a heavy latch click loudly in the silence and he was then carried forward into what he thought was a large empty room as there was a faint echo from the two men’s footsteps. It took very little time for Roger to be suddenly up-righted and placed on his feet, the two men still keeping a tight hold on his arms.

It was a few seconds later and Roger felt the black sack being removed from his body. His eyes were suddenly assaulted by the bright candle light and he had to shake his head to clear his vision from the blackness he had been ensconced in. With his eyesight clear the first thing he saw was a pair of long tables on which there were some very old parchments and beside them were a pistol and the familiar black canes. At the position of the last chair, which was empty, he spied the also familiar short baton that his friend Thomas carried everywhere with him.

Roger Scully was no man’s fool and immediately knew he was in the presence of the Black Hand Brotherhood. Why he was here was another matter. Roger raised his eyes from the table top and looked carefully at the faces arrayed before him. The first one he fully recognised was sitting at the far end, it was the slightly chubby figure of Percy Cruikshank but Roger did not recognise the two older men close to him nor any of the other men at the table. That was until one of them leaned slightly forward and he saw the young face of Thomas Marking which carried the faintest of grins on his face.

Before Roger could take in any more of the strange scene, the eldest of the men spoke up, “Who is this Master at Arms?”

“It be the one who was my duty to secure Cap’n; one Commodore Scully Sir.”

“You may step aside Master at Arms, Commodore Scully is known to us.”

The two men released Roger’s arms and stepped back and then left the room with Roger now standing alone before the table. The elderly man at the head of the table spoke with a firm voice and had the strange twang of older times when the men of the sea were all from the hard streets of the slums.

“Commodore Scully, I am Cap’n Henry Morgan and these are the councillors of the Black Hand Brotherhood. It has come to our attention that you are one who can be trusted and would not shirk in his duty to protect the Brotherhood nor protect his friends, even under threat of death. It is for this reason we have brought you before us and would make an offer of the thirteenth chair now that Cap’n Toro has taken the seventh. What say you Commodore Scully?”

“Thank you Captain Morgan, I feel honoured that the Black Hand Brotherhood would ask me to join them, however, I feel there must be others who would be more deserving of your offer.”

“And why do you think that Commodore Scully?”

Roger took his time and carefully looked around the men arrayed at the tables. It was plainly obvious that most of these men had far more experience on the sea and were of a kind that carried their position seriously and with little thought of what it would take to command respect from even the worst of seamen. Some of the races he recognised but there were a couple of men that he had no knowledge of where they came from. Roger took his time to think of what he wanted to say before he spoke.

“I feel, Captain Morgan that I lack the experience needed to take up the baton of the Brotherhood and although there is not a seaman afloat who does not know of the Brotherhood, I don’t know if I can fulfil its needs.”

“Well Commodore Scully, it may come as some surprise to you that we of the council think differently. Your name has come to us highly recommended and we have also heard of your feats on the high seas as well as your dedication to your friends. Those alone would make you the man we would want to take the vacant chair and that Cap’n Toro has given his personal word that you are the man to fill the chair, then we would have no second thoughts as to your fitness. If you agree then we can begin to take your oath?”

“Then if the Council is sure of my fitness then I cannot say nay. I will accept your offer Captain Morgan.”

Henry Morgan turned to those sitting at the table and addressed them. “Brothers it is time for the vote; all those who would have Commodore Scully sit at the thirteenth chair make your mark.”

Roger stood silently and watched as each of those present twisted the top of their canes and revealed a sharp dagger. Next they all reached forward and plunged the dagger into the centre of the old parchments laid out on the table in front of them. After a few seconds, Captain Morgan looked up at Roger.

“Commodore Scully the vote is unanimous, we would ask you to place your mark on the parchment on the table and take up the baton of the thirteenth chair. Your mark must be made in your own blood and the dagger at the centre is your oath of blood that you will never reveal the secrets of the Brotherhood and, if called you will come to the assistance of any who may call you in the service of the Brotherhood.”

Roger stepped close to the table where a new piece of parchment sat with a new quill sitting beside it. Roger reached for the small black baton and twisted the top as he had seen the others do and withdrew the thin sharp dagger. Before he could use it to make a small cut in his palm, Captain Morgan spoke again.

“We would ask that you select a new name for the Brotherhood to use so as to keep your true identity a secret should the parchment be found by those who are not of the fraternity.”

Roger stood with a blank look on his face as he tried to think of a name that would suit him; before he could think of one, Percy Cruickshank spoke up.

“Brothers, I would make a suggestion if it please the council?”

“Do say Cap’n Rat.” Henry Morgan replied.

“It is obvious to me that the Commodore and our new brother should have a name to inspire fear in our enemies, I would put forward the name Cap’n Skull for his consideration.”

“Commodore Scully, what say you?”

Roger smiled at the name; it would suit him nicely as it would not be easy to forget being as it was so close to his real name. Roger stepped close to the table where a new piece of parchment sat with a new quill sitting beside it. He stared at the baton wondering how he was going to remove the dagger with one hand.

Thomas arose from where he sat and went to Roger’s side; there he took up the baton and twisted the top and removed the small dagger. Next, Thomas held Roger’s outstretched right hand and made the small cut on the palm so he could let a few drops of blood fall on the parchment.

With the blood now pooled on the parchment Roger reached for the quill and waited while Thomas replaced the dagger and laid the baton on the table beside the newly signed parchment. Thomas had the barest of smiles on his face as he went back to his seat.

With enough of his own blood now at the centre of the parchment, Roger took up the new quill and signed his name as “Cap’n Skull” and then set the quill aside as the man closest to him wrapped a white silk handkerchief around the wound in his palm.

With his signature now placed on the parchment for evermore, Roger took the last chair at the table and removed his double barrelled Pistol from his coat and laid it beside the new parchment as the others had done with their own. There were a few noticeable smiles from those around the table when they saw his strange pistol, there was only one other person who carried such a weapon.

“Master at Arms!”

Roger Scully watched as the man he had seen driving Mister Percy’s carriage appeared and stood waiting for orders, beside him was a large dark skinned man with what appeared to be very unusual tattoos across his forehead.

“Master at Arms, call for the tots and food, we have business to discuss before this night is over.”

“Aye Cap’n.”

The Master at Arms along with the strange dark skinned man left the room while the others present settled back to relax. It was to be a long night and many decisions would have to be made if the Brotherhood was going to back Captain Toro’s new adventure into the wilds of the Mir Pacifica.

With the rum toast over and done, the food was then served along with copious amounts of red wine. Roger did not miss the arrival of a certain young ex-lieutenant as he carried one of the food trays to the table.

“It’s a surprise to see you here Lieutenant Morgan, are you employed in the tavern? I should have thought your booty from the war would give you a better future.” Roger asked the young teen.

Snot Morgan looked at Roger Scully with a wide open smile on his face.

“Not atall Mister Scully, this bein my home and all. Family it is Mister Scully.”

Roger’s face suddenly looked as though he had suddenly seen a bright light. Of course he had been otherwise occupied with his new station and it had not connected with his thoughts that the two senior Morgan’s were also the parents or grandparents of both Snot and the older gunner Craven, now things began to settle into place.

“So what are your plans now Lieutenant, are you going to settle down as a tavern owner or do you have other plans?”

“Well Mister Scully, I was saying to my Da that I wanted to return to adventuring if I could find the right ship to set sail on. Perhaps you may know of such Sir?”

“Well I have three large Frigates that need good crews and many places have yet to be filled. Perhaps you might think about joining one of them as say…a Midshipman? I am in need of one that is honest and hard working.”

“Right kindly of you Mister Scully, it would suit me purpose right well. My Brother Craven and a number of his gunners were also hoping to find a place aboard ship if you had need for good gunners Sir.”

“I have just the position for your Brother and his friends. Perhaps you could pass on to him that I am in need of a gunnery Officer, he may like to apply to fill that position should you see him some time soon.”

“No problem there Mister Scully. Him and some others is sitting down below in the tavern at this very minute. I shall go and tell him of your needs, perhaps you may wish to speak with him at your leisure Sir?”

“Thank you Snot and yes, I would like to speak with him later. Thank you for your help.”

“Aint never no mind Sir, all part of the service at Kings Gate.”

Snot Morgan gave one of his rather cheeky grins and left the room so the older men could eat and then begin their discussions on the future of the Marking Shipping Company.

The planning went on late into the evening and when the final problem had been solved there was only the manning of the three Frigates left to consider. Once again the council had an answer and it proved to be much simpler than Thomas would have at first thought.

It was the usually silent Percy Cruikshank that came up with a possible answer to manning the three large Frigates.

“From what I understand Mister Scully, you have ample volunteers for the seaman you will need but a great lacking in experienced Officers; is that right?”

“Yes Mister Percy, there are ample men from Thomas’s ranks that want to join him on his adventure and I don’t want to take away any of the Officers from the other Company ships where they are much needed and have their own crews used to their ways.”

“Then we may have a way to get you some very experienced men. With the Peninsular campaign now in its last throws and Wellington chasing Napoleon once again now that the infernal man got away from Elba, the Admiralty is beginning to beach off many of its officers. Especially many of the younger ones. If you were to look around, with a little help from myself, I’m sure you will soon fill the places you need. What do you think you will need for the three ships?”

“Well Mister Percy, as Thomas wants me to take command overall I will need three Captains with voyaging experience and at least twelve senior watch officers. I would then like to have at least eighteen second officers and about twenty four midshipmen to be trained in the ways of ships. If Mister Craven Morgan does join us then I would place him as Gunnery Officer and he would take charge of all training so he will be wanting younger officers under him as well. I am sure I can find the other ranks from the men who want to join us and are waiting in Portugal for the ships to be finished.”

“Well you seem to have given it good thought. The packet ship is not returning to Portugal for another five days so if you can give me the time I will see what I can do and try to get a list of those men you may find suitable for your needs. I guess you and Thomas still have a lot of catching up to do so that should keep you entertained while I go about my work. You will hear from me within the week and well before the Packet departs.”

“Thank you Mister Percy. It’s going to make things a lot easier for all of us.”

“No trouble Mister Scully, you are one of us now and the Brotherhood always looks after its own.”

With most of the plans now made and decisions finalised it was time for the small group of Councillors to make their way back to their individual sleeping places. Most would leave the next day to see to their own business or board their ships for parts unknown. Thomas and Roger were given rooms at a nearby boarding house with the promise of further help if such was needed.

The next day found both Thomas and Roger sitting in the Kings Gate tavern with Craven Morgan as they went over the men they would need for their upcoming adventure into the Mir Pacifica.

“So Mister Morgan, who do you have that will want to go back to sea?” Roger asked Craven.

“Well Mister Scully, there’s three that would like to stay ashore with their families, the years have not been kind to them and they are looking for a quiet place to see out their days. Of the others there be twenty one that still have the salt in their veins and cannot wait to have the taste of salt in their mouths once again. All are top notch gunners and I would not hesitate to have them aboard.”

“Well that suits us well Mister Morgan, I would like you to take the place of Fleet Gunnery Officer, you would be responsible for the training of the gunners on all three ships and those under you would report only to you. Of those men you can trust you can promote to Master Gunners and place them where you think they will do most good. Does that suit you Mister Morgan?”

“Aye Sir, I won’t let you down and nor will the others. I will make sure you have the best gunners on the ocean.”

“What other men will you need?”

“There are plenty of youngun’s that fought with the General that want to follow him to sea so finding good powder monkeys and gun crews will be little problem. There is only the matter of Marines and boarding parties; that’s a little outside my experience Mister Scully.”

“Well don’t give it any thought Mister Morgan, I’m sure there are plenty of those still waiting in Portugal for Thomas’s return that will want to join the ships. Perhaps you had better return with us on the packet to see if you will need anything for your guns, if so we will not have a lot of time before I want to set sail. It is already close to March and will soon be time to set sail if we want to miss most of the storm season in the southern seas.”

“I’m ready when you are Mister Scully. Just give me the date and I’ll be alongside and ready to board.”

“Thank you Mister Morgan and if you see that Brother of yours would you let him know I have a place for him on my deck as a Midshipman. There is something I have been thinking on, from my time when I was injured, and I think his particular talents may be useful.”

“I’ll pass on your words Sir.”

“Thank you again Mister Morgan, do you need assistance with coin for a new uniform? I would like you to show the rank of a Gunnery Commander, the ships Captains will have authority over the operations of the ships but you alone will have charge of the guns. I would suggest you look at a uniform similar to what Thomas men have always worn although I would suggest white trews instead of the black.”

“I shall give it some thought Sir and discuss it with you and the General before proceeding.”

“Good, then that’s all I can think of for now. Anything else we can come up with, we can discuss on the trip back to Portugal.”

Craven Morgan stood up and after shaking hands with the two young men left to find his younger brother and pass on Roger Scully’s request. Thomas and Roger settled back to begin the discussion on uniforms and the many bits and pieces that would make up their small squadron of three Frigates. There was still a mountain of preparations to be made and little time to do it in.

TBC

You are reading Book 3 of Thomas Markings incredible journey. Let Arthur know what you think of this chapter, and more importantly, what you think of continuing this story. Arthur at CastleRoland dot Net