"You look like you could use a drink, Captain."

You turn to see Victoria, your first mate. Her purple hair is tied back in a ponytail. It always seemed to be tied a little towards the left side of her head. The thought came up to question why, but you've learned from experience not to question a woman on her hairstyle.

"Way ahead of you, V," you say raising your cup from the bar top for emphasis.

"I'll have what he's having," she addresses towards the bartender.

"Got any news on The Sanguine?" you ask.

"Yeah, boss, and it's not good. Procter is working on the repairs now. He said we might need the hull replaced."

"I sure hope not," you reply.

"We've been through worse, Cap," Victoria replies.

You take another sip from your cup. The latest job smuggling cargo for an English merchant paid well, but the damage sustained fleeing from a Spanish Galleon could very well cost the entire payout, or worse, put you in the hole. The wizard on board the Galleon hit The Sanguine with more than a few nasty spells. If Victoria didn't fire back with a perfectly aimed fire bolt, the entire ship might be at the bottom of the Caribbean.

"I sent Freddy to find us some work," you say to Victoria. "Did he come back with anything?"

"Nothing yet," she replies. "Although knowing Freddy, he probably got distracted by the nearest gambling hole."

"He always comes through in the end, despite his tendencies," you reply.

"What's next for you, Cap?" Victoria asks.

You finish the cup and slam it back down on the bar top. Sunlight pours into the poorly lit building through several open windows creating rectangular beams of yellow. You're reminded of the Caribbean heat each time a wave of warm air floods in. Your crew had certainly seen better days. The last three ships you targeted weren't carrying anything substantial. Your most recent job would have been a huge payday if not for the Galleon's attack. At least you managed to escape alive and with most of your crew. Victoria's former life as naval mage certainly came in handy there.

"Cap?"

"Sorry, V. I must have zoned out for a second. My plan is to..."

You sit here and drink

"…sit here and drink," you say.

"Doesn't seem like much of a plan," Victoria replies.

"The rum helps with brainstorming. A few more of these, and I'll come up with something. Always do," you say with a grin.

"Far be it from me to question the captain," she replies raising two fingers toward the bartender.

Three more later...

"Ha-ha-ha and that's when I hid under the horse carriage and tried to find where I left my clothes! Luckily, I still had my hat to decently cover one side of me!" you finish telling the story to Victoria.

"Ha, Captain! Her father, the magistrate, would have hung you."

"I still have my life...and my hat!" you say plopping the hat onto Victoria's head. She instantly takes it off disgusted by its involvement in your story.

Suddenly, a man sits down next to you and says, "Buy you a drink, Captain?" The antique arquebus upon his back immediately catches your eye.

"You're free to do as you please," you answer. "Might want to buy yourself a modern weapon while you're at it," you add on.

"I assure you, no musket any of these street peddlers sell can compare to ol' Shelly," the man replies tapping the rifle affectionately.

"Fair enough. Thanks for the drink. What's your name, friend?" you ask.

"Dampier," Victoria butts in. "He's one of Rogers' men."

The man, Dampier, nods, "That's right. I've actually been looking for you. My employer, Woodes Rogers, has been looking for a captain of your caliber. He graciously offers an invitation to meet at his estate tonight to discuss business."

You look to Victoria and silently agree there's no choice but to see him out. At least that's what your intoxicated senses tell you.

"Tell Rogers I'll be there," you answer.

"He'll be expecting you. And please try to sober up before then," Dampier replies.

"Excellent idea," you say. "Bartender, two beers please."