The Disposition of the Night

[Mr. Skiperdoo]

Hey everyone! Just like so many of you, I've decided to give my best shot at making a story! So without further ado, I present to you: The Disposition of the Night.

Prologue

A cool night’s breeze made it’s way through the docks of the English port. Few times had the port seen a night quite as busy as this one, for at that moment, the preparations were set for a small fleet to be sent off towards the one of the most dangerous places in all of the British colonies: The Caribbean.

“Preparations are set sir, we’ll be out of here in no time.” A sailor said, addressing a high-ranking officer.

“Very well, see to it that everyone is accounted for. We don’t want anybody left behind, and we don’t want any stowaways for that matter.” The officer replied with a decisive tone.

The sailor whom had recently confronted him stood up, a slightly confused look on his face.

“May I ask sir, what’s the reason we’re shipping off supplies anyways? I mean, It’s not like the navy can’t handle themselves.”

“My good man, the reason we’re sending off all these supplies is because of the cargo itself, not the situation over in some wretched region.” The officer said, taking out a large map that looked like it had been used for decades, yet for some reason it looked like it hadn’t been used at all.

“See this?” The officer said, handing the map over to the sailor. “This is the reason we’re sending them out.” He said, trying to pinpoint a spot on the map.

“But sir, isn’t it dangerous over in the Caribbean colonies? Are you sure these men can handle themselves?” The sailor asked, still confused.

“Well that’s the big question now, isn’t it?” The officer said as he walked over towards a large list that held all of the comings and goings of all the ships stationed in the dock.

“The officers aboard the ship can fill you in with further details. In the meantime, I believe someone should be getting onboard.” The officer said, motioning towards the frigate about to permanently leave England.

“Y-Yes sir.” The sailor said as he ran up onto the ships main deck.

Before long, the dockmaster gave the command to let the ship go of it’s bollards, and eventually the frigate was on It’s way.

Chapter 1:Onboard

“Look at her Ivan, she’s beautiful, is she not?” A man said, standing proudly on the side of the frigate

“I guess, It looks just like every other rock we’ve passed in the last week or so.” Ivan said, obviously not impressed by the island miles away.
“Well you better get used to it, when you’re not out hunting pirates, you’ll probably be out checking the ladies eh?” The man said like a true sailor.

“Howard… you and I both now I’ll be doing little of both.” Ivan said, a bit embarrassed. “I really don’t want to hunt pirates anyways, I’d much rather be in the navy to be honest.” He said, disheartening the look on Howard’s face.

“Well, I’m sure your father would’ve advised against joining the navy.” Howards said. “You know how he hated their system.” He said, looking down into the waters below.

Ivan’s father was known by some in the English colonies as a pirate, but he preferred the term mercenary. There wasn’t any substantial evidence that pointed towards him committing acts of piracy, as most who knew him either was his acquaintance, or his enemy.

“My father would’ve made me join him eventually,” Ivan said. “He did what he loved, yet some still believed he was a pirate.”

“I know all about that Ivan, he was my brother after all.” Howard said, his face not getting any more elated. “He… he was a good man. He… fought for what he thought was right.”

“Uncle Howard, are you ok?” Ivan asked, noticing Howard’s sudden unease.

“No, it’s just… let’s get you ready for your first assignment, shall we?” Uncle Howard walked over towards a navigator situated atop the highest deck of the ship.

“How long till we port sir?” He asked, prompting the navigator to put down his map.

“We should be in port by sunset.” The navigator replied. “I advise that you curtail on your silly antics, Mr. Hood.” The grey-haired navigator said, staring into Howard like a falcon stares into it’s prey.

“Y-Yes sir, I’ll let you get back to your duties.” Howard said, moving away from the navigator, and back towards Ivan.
He had a good idea whom that was, it was either the navigator chosen specifically because Howard was onboard, or maybe it was that guy he met while trying to get clearance for him and Ivan to venture out to the Caribbean.

He certainly hoped it wasn’t the first, ever since he’d become a mercenary himself, he had people watching him everywhere he turned.

“We’ll be in port by-“

“I heard him,” Ivan said, interrupting Howard’s sentence. “Port by sunset.”

“So, you’re all ready?” Howard asked, looking intently.

“How can one be ready for what I’m about to undertake?” Ivan asked walking towards the ship’s lower deck.

“I guess you’re right…” Howard said, heading off to go get ready.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now I know this chapter's short, but belive me, someday I'll update.