War Against Piracy

"*It be time to put our differences aside. The First Brethren Court gave us rule of the seas, now that rule is being challenged by Lord Cutler Beckett.*"

## War Against Piracy

### Combatants

East India Trading Company vs Brethren Court

### Location

Caribbean Sea

The **War Against Piracy** was a large scale war between the East India Trading Company and the pirate Brethren Court that spanned the oceans, declared by King George II of England in an attempt to end piracy and all those affiliated with the practice in the Caribbean. As agents of England, the East India Trading Company, lead by Lord Cutler Beckett oversaw martial law in the Caribbean and began hanging all those who had an affiliation or direct involvement in piracy. At first their attempts were incredibly successful, able to execute hundreds of individuals across areas like Port Royal and Tortuga. Their success was aided by Beckett's control over Davy Jones, who had the heart of the pirate delivered to Beckett for use as leverage and thus the *Flying Dutchman* and it's crew became Beckett's to control during the duration of the war. The war oversaw many important milestones in the history of the world, such as the extinction of the last Kraken that he been a beast used to sink ships by Davy Jones. Throughout the war, many pirates attempted to seal their safety from the East India Trading Company through deals and trades, however in the end the East India Trading Company would break their word, and execute the pirates nonetheless. In their desperation, the pirate lords came together at Shipwreck Cove to discuss a means of fighting back against their enemy. Even just bringing the pirate lords together proved difficult to do without EITC intervention, one pirate lord; Sao Feng, being killed before he could arrive. The pirate lords declared war on the EITC, preparing to meet them and the *Flying Dutchman* in battle. They had also used their nine pieces of eight to free the sea goddess Calypso from her human bonds, which gave them the advantage as the final battle approached as Calypso used her power to affect the weather and the ocean to turn the advantage to the pirates. The *Black Pearl* engaged the *Flying Dutchman* in an epic battle in a maelstrom in which they were victorious, defeating Davy Jones, who was replaced by the sailor William Turner. With Turner now at the helm of the *Dutchman,* both ships set out and destroyed the EITC flagship; the *Endeavour*, destroying it and killing Beckett. This won them the war and the EITC retreated from their mission.

## Prelude

The War Against Piracy had been warming up for years as tensions between the British Royal Navy and the local pirates that roamed the seas in the Caribbean only intensified. The Royal Navy had outlawed and punished all those who called themselves pirates, hanging to death those who were caught. The East India Trading Company, connected to the Royal Navy, also found itself in continual combat against pirates.

##### Search for the Dead Man's Chest

Lord Cutler Beckett was given control over Port Royal in 1729 soon after earning his lordship in England. He brought in control over the Royal Marines and the EITC took full authority over the port town. Wishing to use his new position to rid the seas of pirates and exercise his longstanding hatred for the lifestyle, Beckett began a quest to find the Dead Man's Chest, hoping that having the heart of Davy Jones within his power would allow him leverage over the *Flying Dutchman* and give him control over the seas, with which he could eradicate piracy. Within moments of his arrival at Port Royal he sent out Will Turner, who had been arrested by the EITC for aiding the escape of the pirate Jack Sparrow the year prior, with the objective of retrieving Jack's magical compass that would point Beckett in the direction of the Dead Man's Chest. Unknown to Beckett, Sparrow had also started a search for the chest, wishing to use the heart to save himself from a life of servitude aboard the *Dutchman.* This brought Beckett and Sparrow into a race against each other for the Chest.

Ultimately, Beckett was successful in his task. Jack had been able to locate the chest on Isla Cruces, however he had been descended upon by all interested parties who also wanted the chest, such as Will Turner, James Norrington, Pintel & Ragetti, and the crew of the *Flying Dutchman*. In the ensuing fight, James Norrington was able to escape take the heart from under everyone's nose and escape with it on his person without anyone knowing. He left the pirates to fight among themselves, a fight that ended with Jack Sparrow and the *Black Pearl* being sunk by the kraken. James Norrington was confident that by bringing the heart of Beckett, his role within the Royal Navy would be reinstated. He was correct. He brought the heart to Beckett, who took it graciously and awarded Beckett the title of admiral.

## Recount

##### Control of the Sea

With the heart under his control, Beckett was essentially able to single handedly begin the War Against Piracy, starting by tracking down Davy Jones and alerting the pirate to his ownership of the heart. Jones was forced to submit to the control of Beckett and the EITC, and were brought into their plans to eradicate piracy. A legion of EITC soldiers were brought aboard the *Flying Dutchman* under the command of Admiral James Norrington who in turn commanded Jones and his crew. Jones was also ordered to execute the kraken, as Beckett felt that as long as the creature lived, Jones could have broken free of his grasp. Jones was again forced to submit, killing the creature and allowing it's corpse to wash up on a black sand beach.

Beckett then used the *Flying Dutchman* to begin sinking and destroying any and all pirates who were found by the ship and it's crew, beginning an ocean wide his massacre. His movements were supported by the Royal Navy, who provided Beckett with a large fleet to use at his disposal in battle against any pirates that could be found. To end piracy and officially declare an event that would bring a close to the lives of pirates everywhere, King George II declared martial law in the Caribbean, and placed in law that all those convicted of piracy, or involvement with an individual convicted of piracy would hang by the neck until dead. This began a process of mass hangings across the Caribbean, as individuals were chained and lined up, brought to the gallows to their deaths. The bodies were also burnt in mass. Beckett knew that by doing this, it would eventually prompt a response from the pirate Brethren Court, with which he could begin his hunt for the Court themselves and destroy the pirate leadership.

##### *Hoist the Colours*

In response to their growing dead, the Pirate Lord Hector Barbossa, who had been resurrected by Tia Dalma (Calypso trapped in human form) so that he could use his nine piece of eight to free her from her human bonds, called out for a gathering of the Brethren Court, sending out the song Hoist the Colours. He did this to provide the pirate leadership a chance to discuss a means of defense against the EITC, but also to convince them to release the sea goddess Calypso from human form. The song spread through pirates across the ocean to call for the gathering. The song reached Port Royal while Beckett sat witness. He realized that the song being sung meant his time to begin searching for the Brethren Court had begun.

##### Battle of Singapore

In their quest to gather the Brethren Court, Barbossa had lead the motley crew of the late Jack Sparrow in a quest to find Davy Jones' Locker, so that they may retrieve Jack and the *Black Pearl* so that they may use his piece of eight to free Calypso. To do so, they needed the Mao Kun Map, that lay in Singapore under the watchful eye of Sao Feng, another Pirate Lord. They ventured to Singapore, pursued by a large detachment of the EITC, lead by Ian Mercer. As they arrived in Singapore, Barbossa attempted a quiet theft of the map, sending William Turner into the city to steal it silently. That plan failed however, forcing Barbossa and his crew to enter the city and face Sao Feng, who rightly accused them of trying to steal his map. Barbossa attempted to bide time by alerting Feng to the fact that the Brethren Court had been called, and letting him be privy to his plans to return Jack to the land of the living. Their discussions were interrupted by an attack by the EITC. The pirates defended themselves from the company attack, a large scale conflict that spread through the city into a large scale battle. Ultimately, the pirates were able to escape, Barbossa's crew leaving with the Mao Kun Map and a ship thanks to a deal made by William Turner to hand Jack over to Feng once they had returning him to the living.

In the aftermath of this battle, Barbossa and his crew set out using the Mao Kun Map to venture to the Furthest Gate, where they entered the realm known as Davy Jones' Locker. Inside they found Jack Sparrow and the *Black Pearl.* Once again with the use of the Map they had taken from Singapore, the entire crew, now with the company of Jack and a new ship, returned to the land of the living. Once they had done so, they made plans to set down at an island where they could restock on supplies.

##### Skirmish off the Black Sand Beach

Unknown to the crew, the *Pearl* had been lured to the island by Will Turner, who had made true on his plans to hand Jack off to Sao Feng. As they arrived at the island to resupply, Sao Feng descended upon them aboard the *Empress.* Feng had in turn made a deal with the EITC to secure his immunity, similarly, in return for handing Jack to Beckett. Once Feng took Jack from Will, Feng handed Jack straight over to Beckett aboard the *Endeavour.* While Jack spoke with Beckett about a deal that secured *his* immunity from both the EITC and Davy Jones, Barbossa spoke with Feng about an alliance against their common enemy; the EITC, planning to free Calypso and use her power to restore power to the pirates. Feng mistook Elizabeth Swann for Calypso, agreeing to partner with Barbossa to fight the EITC, in return for the honor of transporting Calypso (Swann) to Shipwreck Cove himself where the meeting of the Brethren Court would occur. Barbossa, well aware of Feng's mistake, agreed, handing over Elizabeth, who in turn began acting in the role of Calypso. Together, Barbossa and Feng fired on the *Endeavour,* and escaped in opposite directions. Jack was able to escape the EITC ship and land on the *Black Pearl.* Beckett chased down the *Pearl* aboard the *Endeavour* while he sent the *Flying Dutchman* to chase down the *Empress.*

##### Attack on the *Empress*

The *Flying Dutchman* was quickly able to catch the *Empress*, opening fire and quickly killing Sao Feng within the opening seconds of their attack. In Feng's final moments he gave control of the ship and it's crew over to Elizabeth Swann, who by taking Feng's piece of eight and captaincy, became a Pirate Lord in that moment. As captain, this meant Swann was arrested and placed in the brig of the *Dutchman.* James Norrington, who had held romantic interest in Elizabeth for many years, performed an escape for Elizabeth and her new crew, enabling them to escape from the back of the ship and sail away aboard the *Empress,* but at the cost of his own life, as he was stabbed during the getaway by "Bootstrap" Bill, giving him a wound that killed him.

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

Elizabeth Swann and the other pirate lords, including Barbossa and Sparrow, all convened at Shipwreck Cove, not before however Jack had sent Will Turner out to be captured by Beckett so that he could knowingly lure the EITC to Shipwreck Cove into a final conflict that would end one side, but ultimately allow Jack safety from the EITC and Davy Jones. Barbossa presided over the 4th Meeting of the Brethren Court as it began, taking from each pirate lord their piece of eight, holding onto them so that he could free Calypso, with or without their blessing. The discussions about how to fight against the EITC did not go uninterrupted by sprawls and deaths in the midst of disagreement. Ultimately, in order to declare war on the EITC, the pirates needed to elect a new pirate king. Jack broke the tradition that stated each pirate would only vote for themselves, instead casting his vote for Elizabeth Swann. This officially made Elizabeth Swann Pirate King. Swann used her first act as king to declare war upon the EITC and to prepare all their vessels for combat.

##### Final Parley

The pirate war fleet sat outside Shipwreck Cove, aware that their position had been compromised and the EITC was en route to their location where they sat in wait. They were however shocked to see that the war fleet of the EITC was much grander than anticipated, powerful enough to destroy the entire pirate armada. At this point, Swann was forced to call for a parley. Representatives of each side met on a sandbar between the two fleets, Beckett, Jones and Turner for the EITC, and Swann, Barbossa and Sparrow for the pirates. In the midst of their discussions, Beckett revealed to Barbossa and Swann that it was Jack who had let the EITC aware of the pirates location as Shipwreck Cove. Swann brought about a deal to leave with Will and give Jack to the EITC. Both sides agreed. Jack was taken into the brig aboard the *Flying Dutchman*. Elizabeth did not use the parley however to secure safety for the pirates, instead using to tell Beckett that she and the pirates would fight back and kill him.

Each member returned to their fleet. Barbossa had secretly collected all nine pieces of eight, and plotted to go against the Brethren Court's decision not to free Calypso and free her anyway. He used the motley crew to hold Elizabeth prisoner while he prepared the ceremony that would release Calypso. He performed the ritual, successfully releasing Calypso from her human bonds, asking but one favor; that she turn her wrath not to the pirates, but to their enemies.

##### Battle of Calypso's Maelstrom

Calypso did as the pirates asked, having learnt that Davy Jones was responsible for telling man how to bind her in human form, she manipulated the weather to create a violent maelstrom, that would turn the advantage in favor of the *Black Pearl.* Both the *Pearl* and the *Flying Dutchman* pushed forward, entering into a final and fateful duel in the heart of the maelstrom. Both ships fired on one another, and crew members engaged in sword fights on the decks of opposing ships. Jack Sparrow used cover of the battle to escape the brig and steal the Dead Man's Chest with the heart inside it. He didn't get far however before he was found by Jones himself who had just killed Ian Mercer and took full command of his own ship back. Jones entered into a duel against Jack for possession of the heart. Elizabeth Swann and William Turner also used what they thought could be their final moments in battle to become a married couple by the authority of Captain Hector Barbossa. Turner, Swann and Sparrow eventually all came to unite and fight against Davy Jones to capture his heart. During the fight however, Jones fatally stabbed Will Turner. Hoping to save Will, Jack gave the heart of Jones to Will, who used the last of his strength to stab the heart, killing Davy Jones. With this, Will Turner became the new captain of the *Flying Dutchman* and had his heart carved out by the crew and placed into the Dead Man's Chest. After a moment of calm, both the *Black Pearl* and the *Flying Dutchman* united their power to surround and fire on the *Endeavour.* With the combined might of the ships, and having taken Beckett completely by surprise, the pirates destroyed the EITC flagship, and killed Lord Cutler Beckett, the face of the war on pirates. With the destruction of the *Endeavour* and death of Beckett, the EITC war fleet retreated.

##### End of the War

In the immediate aftermath of the Battle of Calypso's Maelstrom, the pirate fleet celebrated vigorously. The power of the sea had been returned to Calypso. And the EITC retreated to their port towns. In the face of their embarrassing defeat, King George II called off the War Against Piracy and the conflict was considered ended, with the pirates feeling that they had won the war, not that the EITC would admit to this defeat. The EITC continued to operate throughout the oceans, and continued to convict and punish those found guilty of piracy, however the hunting and destruction of pirates in mass was ended. Pirates continued their unethical lifestyles as was prior to the war.

## Aftermath

##### New Captain of the *Flying Dutchman*

Having defeated Davy Jones, William Turner was condemned to captaincy aboard the *Flying Dutchman*, able to set foot on land only once every 10 years. He spent his last day ashore with Elizabeth Swann, giving her his heart in the Dead Man's Chest before setting out to sea.

##### Quest for the Fountain of Youth

Meanwhile, Hector Barbossa conducted a second mutiny on Jack Sparrow, leaving him and Joshamee Gibbs at Tortuga with a small boat. Having suspected this as his plan, Sparrow stole the Mao Kun Map from Barbossa, using it to begin the quest that Barbossa had similarly planned to embark on... the quest for the Fountain of Youth.

## Combatants

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

### Pirate Armada

1. **Brethren Court** (Commanders)
	1. Pirate King Elizabeth Swann
	2. Captain Hector Barbossa
	3. Captain Jack Sparrow
	4. Captain Sao Feng\*
	5. Captain Ammand
	6. Capitaine Chevalle
	7. Mistress Ching
	8. Gentleman Jocard
	9. Captain Sumbhajee Angria
	10. Captain Eduardo Villanueva
	11. Captain Edward Teague
2. **Motley Crew** (Crew of Jack Sparrow)
	1. Joshamee Gibbs
	2. Will Turner
	3. Marty
	4. Cotton
	5. Pintel
	6. Ragetti
	7. Jack the Monkey
	8. Tai Huang

### East India Trading Company

1. Lord Cutler Beckett\*
2. Ian Mercer\*
3. Admiral James Norrington\*
4. Lieutenant Greitzer (MIA)
5. Lieutenant Theodore Groves
6. EITC second lieutenant\*
7. Endeavour Officer (MIA)
8. Mullroy
9. Murtogg
10. Steng\*

### Crew of the *Flying Dutchman*

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

## Appearances

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