Patchwork Universe

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 157 Location: HMS Justice

Emerging from the mist at the western edge of the patch,Captain Isobel DeRainault and her men moved forward quickly and quietly, scouting with a practised ease learned during raids on French fortresses and pirate hideouts. Communicating with hand signals and nods, the small band edged around corners and through doorways, ever ready to encounter an enemy. Having checked several of the buildings within the patch, and finding them deserted, they continued south until they heard the sound of voices.

Peering round the corner from a position of safety, DeRainault surveyed the scene. As she suspected - it was the usual pirate scum, talking with a nondescript man dressed in grey. The Grey Man, of Jones' pantheon, perhaps? It would not be at all suprising, she reflected, for pirates to take a God hostage. Perhaps more surprisingly, the monochromatic man who was their leader looked uncommon familiar.

Damn! Perhaps *this* was the purpose for which the Gods had brought her to the quilt. After all hunting pirates as something of a - hobby, as it were. But what could Magpie have done to garner the wrath of a higher power? Then again, what couldn't he have done?

Signalling to the others, DeRainault indicated that they should go around to cover the other exits to the room, and take up defensive positions from which they could fire on the group. Listening to the conversation with one ear, the Captain began to count off the necessary minutes to allow her men to get into place. They appeared to be outnumbered by two to one, but the Navy had better discipline, were better fighters - and after all, surprise was on their side.

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 157 Location: HMS Justice

Entering the patch from the South, the second group of Navy officers and crew followed much the same pattern of action as their predecessors, using the same combination of hand signals and nods to silently cover the ground, although more slowly given their fewer numbers. Nontheless, it was inevitable that they should encounter Captain Isobel - although they thankfully managed to do so without alerting the pirates, who continued to converse with the man in grey.

It was with great relief that the Captain's eyes lit up upon seeing her dear friend. A few hasty gestures conveyed "Pirates! God! Ambush!," and the four took up places in the formation, awaiting the signal to strike

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 157 Location: HMS Justice

From her place of concealment, Captain DeRainault could see both the room and her companion, the Doctor, who was likewise armed and waiting for the signal. At the appearance of the Ambassador Liason in the map room, the Captain let out an ever so slight exhalation of breath that in other circumstances might be considered an oath, followed by an eloquent eye-roll that might best be interpreted as "Bloody hell, what's he doing here?!" From her vantage point, Doctor Domenova responded with a sight shrug, to indicate that she had no awareness of the man's subsequent plans, and a sympathetic head-bob, acknowledging the apparent need to change the plan of attack somewhat, so as not to accidentally injure the Ambassador. "Complicated, but not impossible, I think."

With silent agreement, the two resumed the count. A few more moments, and Lieutenant Stafford and the marines would have coordinated with Brewer, Simpson and Habbakuk. That made 8 to 10, far better odds against the pirates, and if Liason and the Grey Man could manage to stay clear of the fighting, it should all be over bar the shouting in a few minutes.

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 157 Location: HMS Justice

[OOC Note - The Navy have now moved to the Pirates! thread, having revealed their presence.]