Attack on the Empress

"*Who among you do you name as captain?!"*

The **Attack on the *Empress*** was a small scale assault on the ship known as the *Empress* which acted as the flagship of the pirate lord Sao Feng. The attack was short and yet had large scale consequences. Within the very first shots fired of the battle, Sao Feng was caught in deadly debris, something that proved fatal to the pirate. He died of his wounds within moments of the attack starting, however not before he named Elizabeth Swann a pirate lord, by giving her his piece of eight and naming her captain of his crew and ship. After his death, the crew of the *Flying Dutchman* and EITC boarded what was now Swann's ship and took her and her crew prisoner.

## Prelude

##### En route to the Brethren Court

In order to survive the growing presence of the East India Trading Company, and ensure his immunity, Sao Feng had made deals with the company to hand over the pirate Jack Sparrow at the moment he returned from Davy Jones' Locker. He did so, believing that he had bought himself onto the winning side of the War Against Piracy. He did however, soon learn from Hector Barbossa that he and the other pirate lords had been called to Shipwreck Cove, not just to discuss fighting back against the EITC, but to release Calypso from her human bonds and use her vast powers over the sea to win the war. Sao Feng mistook Elizabeth Swann to be Calypso. He agreed to join the Brethren Court at Shipwreck Cove, but only on the condition that he be granted the honor of transporting Calypso to the location aboard his ship the E*mpress*. Knowing that Sao Feng had mistook Elizabeth for Calypso, Barbossa agreed to these terms. Together, Barbossa and Feng then unleashed fire on the EITC and escape the *Endeavour*, leaving in opposite directions, Sao Feng with Swann in his possession. Cutler Beckett chased down Barbossa who fled aboard the *Black Pearl*, sending Admiral James Norrington and Davy Jones to hunt down the *Empress*.

## Recount

##### The *Dutchman* Attacks

To provide comfort for Calypso, Sao Feng created a clean and calm space, lit with warm candles and scented water. He came down to where Elizabeth had been dressed in fine new clothes. He spoke to who he believed was a sea goddess, revealing that if she were to offer her gifts, he would want to take them. During their conversation, a moment where Sao Feng became tempted to force himself upon Elizabeth, the *Flying Dutchman* interrupted, firing a cannon ball into the ship. The shot flew through the room that Feng and Elizabeth inhabited, showering Feng in a violent wave of shrapnel. Feng was impaled by a large wooden shrapnel piece, bleeding out on the floor. Meanwhile, above deck, the *Empress* came under attack as crew members from the *Dutchman* swung aboard, taking to fighting the crew of Feng's ship with swords. Soldiers present on Jones' ship also swung across, also firing on Feng's men.

Sao spent his dying moments talking to Swann, still under the illusion that she was Calypso. He gave her his nine piece of eight, telling her to go to Shipwreck Cove in his place. He made her captain of the ship and his crew, finally succumbing to his wounds and dying, his final act making Elizabeth Swann a Pirate Lord. As his did so, Tai Huang arrived to hear the captain's orders, only to learn that Feng was dead and that Elizabeth had replaced him. On deck, James Norrington observed as the final crew members were rounded up on the deck of the *Empress.* He watched as both Tai Huang and Elizabeth Swann came running out of the captain's quarters, only to be captured by navy men. James and Elizabeth spotted each other, leading to Elizabeth's escape from capture. They embraced one another among the chaos. The battle came to an end as, who were now Elizabeth's crew, were rounded up and captured. Davy Jones crossed onto Swann's ship, demanding to know who called themselves captain. The crew took the opportunity to accept Elizabeth as their captain. Norrington gave the order to tow the ship to the back of the *Dutchman,* and take the crew to the brig. Elizabeth refused Norrington's offer to take refuge in his quarters, choosing to go to the brig with her crew.

## Aftermath

##### Next: 4th Meeting of the Brethren Court

Once inside the brig, Elizabeth Swann asked around the crew of the *Dutchman* that passed by, asking for "Bootstrap" Bill. She quickly found Bill to be fused as part of the ship at the far wall of the cell she was in. She spoke briefly to Bill about Will. Bill had given up most hope however that he would be rescued. He told Elizabeth to return to Will and tell him not to come, because by saving his father, he would be unable to save Elizabeth, knowing that he who kills Davy Jones must replace him. He told Elizabeth to tell Will it was already too late.

Elizabeth remained in the brig with her men for a long while before eventually, James Norrington cracked under the weight of keeping Elizabeth as his prisoner. He resolved to allow her an escape route, betraying the East India Trading Company. He took the keys that would unlock her cell and told her to come with him. When Elizabeth asked what he was doing, he responded that he was choosing a side. Resolved to help the pirates escape, Norrington lead Elizabeth and her crew to the back of the ship, where they began climbing the ropes that towed the *Empress* behind them. "Bootstrap" Bill, his mental capacity having begun to deteriorate while becoming part of the ship, left the cell too, searching for Elizabeth. Elizabeth was one of the last to leave, asking James to come with her as she escaped. Norrington took responsibility for his sins. Above them "Bootstrap" spied them crossing over to the other ship, calling out. James hurried Elizabeth across, his final words to her a warning against going to Shipwreck Cove. She left, leaving James alone on the back of the *Dutchman* with "Bootstrap" Bill. James tried to hold off Bill as he grew increasingly agitated by the sight of escaping prisoners, eventually calling out attention to all hands, making alert the prisoner escape. Unable to hold of the crew any longer, James shot down the ropes that provided crossing for Elizabeth and her crew. Confirming that Norrington was part of the escape, Bill leapt forward, stabbing Norrington. Norrington died almost immediately, quickly surrounded by the called crew of the *Dutchman.*

##### Skirmish across the *Flying Dutchman*

With Admiral Norrington dead, the crew of the *Dutchman* saw an opportunity to escape the leadership of the EITC, creating a fight across the length of the ship, taking all of the EITC crew members as hostage. Davy Jones and Maccus moved through the chaos to the captains quarters, only to find that his heart still remained at the wrong end of numerous guns and a pair of cannons manned by Murtogg and Mullroy. Mr Mercer stepped forward, key to the chest in hand, claiming that he had control of the ship. Davy Jones unhappily conceded.

## List of Combatants

(Those who lost their lives in combat are noted with a star)

#### *Empress* Crew

1. Captain Sao Feng\*
2. Elizabeth Swann
3. Tai Huang

#### Crew of the *Flying Dutchman / EITC*

1. Admiral James Norrington
2. Captain Davy Jones
3. First Mate Maccus
4. Ratlin
5. Penrod
6. Angler
7. Quartermaster
8. Boatswain Jimmy Legs
9. Head Gunner Ogilvey
10. Primary Navigator Koleniko
11. Navigator Greenbeard
12. Clanker
13. Crash
14. Hadras
15. Wyvern
16. Jones' Bodyguard Palifico
17. Elite Fighter Cannon Arm
18. Elite Fighter Morey

## Appearances

1. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End