CHAPTER 7

DOWN AND OUT

Location: The Calico Jack: Brig

Date: 17MAR21

Time: 1500 hours

Instead of Sea Wolf being tied up, I’m the one in chains. I’ve been in here for close to six hours. And time is running out.

Everyone carried out their orders effectively: Smithers tied Sea Wolf up and Franny was a distraction while Brick rammed Sea Wolf. But I ran right into a trip wire and got us trapped. It was like Sea Wolf knew the attack was coming. They tied us all up and threw me into the brig, which is what they call a “prison cell” in the Navy. I don’t know where the rest of the Pawtriots are and I’m starting to get worried.

Suddenly, the door to my cell swings open. It’s Sea Wolf. He’s standing tall and proud, his sword protected in its sheath.

“You’ve been beaten. The sun will be setting in a few hours, and I’ve got me ship, me crew, and me rightful sword is on the way,” says Sea Wolf.

“Rightful sword?” I ask.

“Did you really think I would allow myself to be surprised by a pack of mangy mutts like yourselves?” He laughs. “It was all part of my plan. I wanted to lure you into my trap while the real sword is being retrieved.”

I feel like a fool. I coordinated an operation that was exactly what the enemy expected.

“Here, you can have this one,” says Sea Wolf as he unsheathes his sword and tosses it at my paws.

I don’t even have to pick it up to realize it’s a fake—just sticks wrapped in vines to look like a sword.

Sea Wolf continues, “The real sword is in the Crystal Caves, protected by the Kraken, my tentacled beast friend. One of my five Cutthroats is retrieving it now. Once he returns, the sun will set, the sails of the Calico Jack will unfurl, and the world will know my name once more!”

Not only did I lead us right into an ambush but I had us chasing a decoy, too. I need to think of a new strategy . . . and fast.

“You need to let my unit go!” I holler.

“Need? I don’t need to do anything. You’re in no position to be making demands, now are you? So I think you and your pathetic Pawtriots will stay on this ship, forever a part of me crew,” says Sea Wolf. “Perhaps you’d like to be me first mate?” He lets out a howl.

“We would never serve you,” I say.

“Then you can rot in this cell for all I care. Or perhaps you’d like to take your chances swimming with the fishes. That leg of yours float?” laughs Sea Wolf.

I don’t respond because there’s no point. He’s taunting me and he knows it.

“Take him away,” shouts Sea Wolf as four Cutthroats barge in, unchain me, and forcefully drag me away.

I’m running out of options. I know that if I don’t do something quickly, none of the Pawtriots may ever see home again.

“I’ll serve!” I blurt out.

Sea Wolf motions to stop the four cats. “Let him speak,” he says.

“Take me as part of your crew,” I say.

“And what be in it for you?” asks Sea Wolf.

“The Pawtriots go free in exchange for my pledge of allegiance to you,” I say.

Sea Wolf ponders for a moment and then grins, extending his paw toward me as I extend mine.

“Do we have a deal?” I ask.

“Aye, we have an accord,” says Sea Wolf as we shake paws.

Sea Wolf turns to his crew. “Bring the Pawtriots up to the deck. Their freedom awaits,” he says.

Although I’m nervous about what lies ahead for me, I’m relieved to know that my unit—my friends—will be safe. When I was in the Army, there were times when sacrifices had to be made for the greater good and the sake of the mission. This is one of those times. And it’ll likely be my last.