ISSUE 15
“ON STRANGER TIDES”
BY
TRAVIS HILTZ
“ON STRANGER TIDES”
BY
TRAVIS HILTZ
The storm had blown itself out. The moon peeked out from behind thinning clouds, with the promise of a better night to come.
The ocean was still slate gray and choppy with foam.
Aquaman broke the surface and brushed the wet hair out of his eyes. He bobbed in the wavy ocean, pausing to take a breath and look out at the clearing sky.
It had been a long day. The storm had been fierce, and between organizing a half dozen aquatic heroes for rescue work and helping the JLA after they’d discovered Major Disaster and the Weather Wizard had been augmenting the storm, he was ready for a rest.
For the moment, things were quiet, and these kinds of moments were rare, so Aquaman was content to just savor it.
“Daydreaming?” A voice shouted, breaking into his thoughts.
Aquaman sighed and glanced around, until he spotted another bobbing figure several yards away.
Lorena Marquez (he was reluctant to call her ‘Aquagirl’), was a subject of an unscrupulous scientist’s experimentation ,which had left her with aquatic abilities, similar to those of the Atlanteans. Lorena had appointed herself Aquaman’s partner and, while not thrilled with the idea, he was self-aware enough to realize he was generally better with someone keeping an eye on him.
She waved, and Aquaman swam over to join her.
“Had enough fun for one night?” He asked.
Lorena was a slim, athletic Hispanic woman in her late teens. Her black hair was shoulder length and plastered to the back of her head. She wore a version of Aquaman’s old blue Atlantean camouflage bodysuit. Hers was two separate pieces, a crop top with chainmail sleeves and camouflage leggings.
“Yeah, I think so,” She nodded in reply. “Sleep sounds really good...though, it was cool meeting the Justice League...!”
“Yeah, they’re okay.” Aquaman smirked. “I think things have settled down. We can let Dane and the others keep an eye on things. I doubt we’ll see any more super villains, gangsters or...”
“Pirate ship!” Aquagirl shouted.
“What? There wasn’t a pirate ship...?”
“No! Over there!” She replied, jumping up, further out of the water and pointing. “Look!”
Aquaman turned, and true to his young friend’s word, there was a 17th century sailing ship bearing down upon them. Its wood weathered, its sails tattered and yellowed with age.
“How?” Aquaman muttered, brow furrowed. “Where did it come from? How did something that big sneak up on us? How could a galleon...”
“Frigate.” Lorena corrected.
“Watch your language, young lady.”
“Really? Dad jokes...now?!” Lorena said.
“Garth would have laughed,” Aquaman muttered, turning to swim towards the mystery ship.
The closer he got, the more worn and ancient the ship looked. Like a museum piece that had been dropped in the water. How the hulk managed to stay afloat, let alone, move at its present speed was amazing.
Aquaman cruised through the water, managing to keep pace.
He thought he spotted figures moving up on deck.
Even at her best, she wasn’t as strong or fast, but after a day of swimming, ferrying victims of the storm to safety and helping fight a super villain, Lorena was struggling to keep up.
Whoever was steering the ship seemed unaware of the ocean-going duo’s presence. Feeling a bit fatigued himself, Aquaman was more focused on keeping up with the ship, than whether his sidekick was falling behind or not.
A frayed rope hung loosely down the side of the ship. Putting on a burst of speed, Aquaman launched himself out of the water and he grabbed hold of it.
Aquaman pulled himself up, eventually bracing his feet against a loose plank, he tightened his grip with one hand and reached out with the other.
He sported a golden wristband and above that, the hand was a mystical construct made of solid water. Aquaman placed his water hand against the wood letting the water that ran down the side of the ship, wash over his hand.
He let his hand go more fluid and flow with the ocean water. A tingle ran up his arm and left him feeling slightly lightheaded.
“Magic,” He muttered. “Of course...!”
Pulling his hand back and willing it solid, Aquaman adjusted his grip on the rope and swung. He arced upwards and over the worn, wooden rail, stumbling slightly, as he landed on the deck.
Looking up, and finding himself surrounded by raggedy pirates, armed with swords, makeshift clubs and flintlock pistols, Aquaman had the sudden realization that Lorena had not followed him up.
They looked too solid and dirty to be ghosts, yet also too real to be guys in costumes.
Mixed among the buccaneers, were men and women in loud tourists clothes, several in naval uniforms, families wearing life jackets, one man in an old fashion diving suit and at least three Atlanteans.
Aquaman lunged forward and grabbed the nearest pirate with his water hand.
He had a solid grip on the rough cloth of his grimy shirt, but he also felt a faint tingle.
He furrowed his brow, using his telepathy to attempt to get a read on the pirate.
“Strange,” Aquaman muttered. “Maybe time travel...?”
“What you on about, mate?” His captive asked, with the tone you reserved for talking to lunatics, as all his crewmates raised their weapons and moved in closer.
“Take me to your captain.” Aquaman said.
“Um...yes, I can do that,” The obviously confused pirate mumbled.
“Thank you,” Aquaman said, letting go of the pirate’s grubby shirt.
A quartet of pirates crowded close around the king of the seas, various weapons poking him, as they herded him towards the elevated stern deck.
Stationed by the wheel, the captain of this mysterious ship, adjusted course, then snapped off a few orders before turning to face his captive.
He had a heavy, crimson, brocade long coat draped over his shoulders. He was a youngish man, tanned from years at sea, his hair unkempt, despite the small pigtail he sported.
The clothes under the coat were plain and practical, as though the coat was the symbol of his command, or bit of performative vanity.
“What have we here?” He asked, stepping to the edge of the deck. The toe of his boots hung over the edge, and he rocked on his heels, peering down the stairs, at the new arrival.
He raised a curious eyebrow at Aquaman’s colorful costume and his unusual hand.
The pirate leader waved a casual hand and his crew backed away slightly from their prisoner, aside from one overeager cabin boy, who took it upon himself to escort Aquaman closer to the captain.
“You have a name, my friend?”
“Aqua...uh...Arthur, Arthur Curry.” Aquaman said. “And you are...?”
“My birth name is unimportant and lost on the tides,” The flamboyant pirate announced. “Men call me ‘Captain Fear’.”
“Fair enough,” Aquaman nodded. “Where are you taking these people?”
Captain Fear glanced down at Aquaman , then at his crew. There were vague mutterings and shrugs from the pirates.
“Arthur, you puzzle me. How did you come to be upon my ship, yet not know why?” Captain Fear asked, thoughtfully. He strolled down the three steps to the main deck. “Make room, lads, the man’s our guest.”
“He seems an untrustworthy wretch,” The cabin boy growled, in a badly disguised voice.
Aquaman glanced over at his guard. Recognizing the shabbily dressed cabin boy.
“How’d you get here?” He asked under his breath.
Lorena adjusted her tricornered hat.
“Some ropes hanging off the back of the boat,” She whispered back. “I snuck in a port hole and found this great disguise.”
“Uh-huh,” Aquaman nodded., as they walked. “Let’s find out what’s going on, before you start shivering your timbers.”
The odd, mismatched crowd parted for the captain and his new guest. Captain Fear waved away the cabin boy, and the two men stood at the rail.
“Why are you here, Sea king?” The pirate asked, his voice low and serious, his gaze locked upon the night sky and the sea.
“Why are you?” Aquaman countered, relieved and concerned that they were abandoning any pretense. “Why have you taken these people captive?”
“I take no captives,” Captain Fear replied tersely. “These lost souls are my guests, my passengers.”
“Really? Forgive my skepticism,” Aquaman said. “Pirates are, of course, well known for being caring and helpful.”
“You know nothing of me,” Captain Fear growled, turning his gaze upon the aquatic hero, his hand going to the hilt of his sword.
“I’ve met enough pirates in my time,” Aquaman snapped back, fists clenched.
“If I may intrude,” A new voice said. “There is more at stake than ego this night.”
Standing by them was a tall, pale, dressed in all in dark blue, with a long coat that resembled a cloak and a fedora that cast a shadow across his eyes.
“Stranger...?” Aquaman said, surprised.
“ The Grey Walker!” Captain Fear breathed., drawing his sword.
‘” have walked the world, under many names,” The Phantom Stranger said, with a brief tip of his hat. “Your situation is most dire and will require you to pool your efforts.”
“We’re supposed to help this...kidnapper?” Lorena exclaimed, barging in.
“If the Stranger is vouching for him...?” Aquaman said, thoughtfully.
“I am,” The new arrival intoned.
“As if I need my good name to be vouched for!” Captain Fear protested, haughtily.
Aquaman peered at the pirate intently for several moments, before turning and looking across the deck, at the oddly mismatched crew and passengers. He let his telepathy wash over the crowd and then rested his water hand upon the rail.
Lorena fidgeted but knew better than to interrupt. The Phantom Stranger stood, statue still, while Captain Fear visibly bristled with impatience.
“Okay,” Aquaman said, turning to face the Stranger and the pirate. “How can we help?”
“Wait...help...what...?” Lorena exclaimed. “We’re going to help the supernatural pirate that’s kidnapping people...?”
“This isn’t a kidnapping,” Aquaman said, quietly. “It’s a rescue, isn’t it?”
He glanced at the other two men. The Phantom Stranger gave a brief nod, while Captain Fear smiled and clapped the king of Atlantis on the shoulder.
“Rescue? What?” Lorena continued, confused.
“All these people are...victims of the ocean,” Aquaman explained. “Fear isn’t kidnapping them.”
“Yeah, you said that” Lorena muttered. “But, rescuing them from who?”
“From that!” Captain Fear exclaimed, pointing off the stern.
Pursuing the mystical pirate ship, a massive black galleon plowed through the choppy sea.
It too was a weathered hulk; its wood was blackened by ages of canon smoke and dried blood. Draped with black sails, like funeral shrouds.
The decks were a mass of moving figures: dark silhouettes, not entirely human.
“Oh, that’s bad...!” Lorena breathed.
“There are two ships, which harvest souls lost at sea,” Captain Fear said. “Which would you consign them to?”
“We’re here to help,” Aquaman said. “What do you need us to do, Stranger...Stranger...?”
He, Captain Fear and Lorena all glanced around, realizing the Phantom Stranger and left, as quietly and mysteriously as he had arrived.
“What the hell is going on?” Lorena asked.
“You get used to it,” Aquaman told her, before turning to Captain Fear. “So, what’s your plan?”
“Once a year, we make this journey,” The pirate explained. “And while the black galleon always chases us, it rarely beats us to a soul. This voyage...”
“This voyage,” Aquaman interrupted. “You hit a storm generated by a couple of super villains.”
“And the galleon has been breathing down our neck all through the night,” Captain Fear said. “My crew are fierce and brave, but they are only men.”
“And the other crew is...?” Lorena asked, anxiously.
“Not men,” Captain Fear said, simply. “And their captain...well, best see for yourself.”
With that he strode back to the ship’s wheel, with the two ocean going heroes following close behind.
“Full sail!” He shouted, taking back the wheel. “Mister Walter, clear the deck! Simons, you and your son, ready the gun crews!”
Aquaman and Lorena moved to the back rail.
“What are we going to do?” She asked.
“I’m working on it,” Aquaman said, peering off into the night, watching the black ship’s progress, as it crept ever closer.
“If this ship is being run by Captain Fear,” Lorena muttered. “Who is the captain of that ship?”
“Not who,” Captain Fear said, joining them. “But, what.”
He handed Aquagirl a brass telescope and pointed her to a spot at the prow of the black galleon.
“Oh my god...!” She breathed. ”What is that?”
She handed the telescope to Aquaman.
He scanned the wretched black ship, taking in the macabre collection of damned souls, zombie-looking pirates and aquatic monsters, until he spotted a surprising figure that could only be the ship’s captain.
“Great Neptune!”
He was a tall figure, clad in silver armor: looking like some odd mix of robot and medieval knight. Its eyes were merely black slit, and the helmet came to a point.
“The Torpedo man!” Aquaman exclaimed. “I always wondered what happened to him.”
“You know him?” Lorena asked.
“Unless the wind shifts, they’ll be on us soon,” Captain Fear muttered. “We can unleash a broadside upon them, but they have more guns.”
“Let them come,” Aquaman said, handing back the telescope. “I have an idea, if you can handle things up here...?”
“The day I can’t,” Captain Fear said, snapping his telescope closed. “Set me in the corner with a shawl and mug of tea. I’ll rake that ugly hulk with shot and chain.”
“That’s the spirit,” Aquaman said, clapping him on the shoulder and moving to the rail.
“What about me?” Lorena asked.
“Stay here,” He replied., sternly. “If I can’t stop that ship, these people are going to need all the help they can get.”
Her expression was skeptical, but Lorena nodded in agreement.
Aquaman reached over and tipped her pirate hat down.
“Help Fear. Protect these people,” he said. “And don’t forget to shiver your timbers.”
“You’re not funny. “She said, with mock reproach.
Aquaman leapt up, over the rail, and dove into the grey, rolling ocean.
“What now?” Lorena asked, joining Captain Fear at the wheel.
“First, I’d hold on, lass!” The captain said, giving the large, oaken wheel a spin. He laughed wildly, as his ship of souls, swooped, veering into the path of the black galleon, as though to cut it off in line.
The pirate ship moved in wide arcs, from side to side.
The black galleon continued to creep up on it, but could not edge past the pirates, in order to attack.
The storm had past, but it’s effect upon the seas remained, rolling waves and churned up stretches of waters disrupted navigation for both ships, but Captain Fear knew how to play with it, while the black galleon merely plowed along, with dark determination to catch its potential prey.
Despite the danger they were in, Captain Fear had the appearance of a man enjoying himself. He shouted orders, spun the wheel and scanned the horizon with a joyful smile on his face.
Lorena clung to the forecastle rail, at first anxiously, then with an increasing feeling of excitement, as though this was all an elaborate thrill ride.
Most of her days were spent helping the traumatized population of her city, Sub Diego, rebuild their lives.
In the last two days, she’d fought alongside the Justice League, felt like a real superhero, and now, she was a pirate!
Maybe Captain Fear had the right idea. Maybe amongst the threats, the evil and the worry, there will be moments of excitement...moments of fun.
She let go of the rail and moved, haphazardly, along the deck, helping passengers to get below, lending her augmented strength to pull sail ropes or shoulder a cannon into place.
The black galleon crept ever closer, the wretched, ragged figures on her deck, becoming more distinct and disturbing looking. In their hungry eagerness.
“Can’t catch me, can you, you tinplated wretch!” Captain Fear shouted, angling his course so that his ship nearly scraped the prow of the black galleon. “Guns to bear!”
Lorena and the assorted pirates braced themselves, as the ship turned at such a sharp angle, that it felt like it was practically on its side. It righted itself, sliding along a deep trough between waves and coming out ready to strike broadsides.
Just as the gun crews were about to touch match to fuse, a quartet of massive shapes broke the surface: four whales, barreled like freight trains, through the water and crashed into the black galleon from all sides!
The cracking of ancient wood sounded like thunder and the black galleon spun about, like a children’s toy. In desperation, several of the galleon’s cannon fired erratically.
Over on the other ship, the crew flinched at the one cannonball that came close to being a threat. The others fell harmlessly into the sea.
As the whales dropped back into the water Lorena spotted a familiar, orange and green clad figure, kneeling upon on of the whales.
As it swam past, Aquaman gestured they were going to come around and strike.
“He’s going to hit them again!” Lorena shouted. “We can make a break for it!”
“Run, lass?” Captain Fear shouted back. “Not without giving them a heartfelt farewell! Light them up, Mister Walter!”
He yanked the wheel, dodging a whale, in order to comer alongside the black galleon. Her cannons then fired, raking the already battered ship.
Captain Fear gave a jaunty salute, as they passed, and the smoke cleared.
The Torpedo man, enraged, stomped across his, debris-littered deck, with increasing speed. When he reached the broken, gnarled rail, the armored pirate launched himself into the air, speeding towards Captain Fear’s ship, like his namesake missile.
Only to have the whale, ridden by Aquaman, leap up into the water, and clamped its massive jaws down upon the villain, before plunging back into the waves.
Right before the whale dove below, Aquaman leapt to the ship, grabbing the rail and hauling himself onto the deck.
“Well done, Mister Curry!” Captain Fear exclaimed, adjusting his course.
“How are you?” He asked Lorena, as she ran up to him. “Everyone safe?”
“While you were riding a whale to fight a pirate ship, I was stumbling around, trying not to fall over the side,” She grumbled.
“Next time, I promise, you can ride the whale,” He replied, patting her shoulder. “Captain, how fares your crew and passengers?”
“All well,” The pirate captain replied. “And look to starboard, our destination!”
“That’s our cue,” Aquaman said, spotting a glowing portal, like a second sunrise, on the horizon. “We may be passengers on this ship, someday, but today is not that day.”
“Yeah,” Lorena nodded, looking around, at the assorted lost souls coming back up onto the deck. “I am keeping the hat.”
“That seems fair.” Aquaman said. “Captain! Here is where we must part ways!”
“Fair seas, your highness!” Captain Fear exclaimed, happily. “Many thanks to you and your young squire!”
“Your...what?” Lorena grumbled.
“It’s a very effective disguise,” Aquaman smiled, before leaping over the rail.
“Ho yo, me hearties, ho yo...!” She muttered, casting off her disguise clothes, clamping her hand onto her hat, and leaping after him.
END
The ocean was still slate gray and choppy with foam.
Aquaman broke the surface and brushed the wet hair out of his eyes. He bobbed in the wavy ocean, pausing to take a breath and look out at the clearing sky.
It had been a long day. The storm had been fierce, and between organizing a half dozen aquatic heroes for rescue work and helping the JLA after they’d discovered Major Disaster and the Weather Wizard had been augmenting the storm, he was ready for a rest.
For the moment, things were quiet, and these kinds of moments were rare, so Aquaman was content to just savor it.
“Daydreaming?” A voice shouted, breaking into his thoughts.
Aquaman sighed and glanced around, until he spotted another bobbing figure several yards away.
Lorena Marquez (he was reluctant to call her ‘Aquagirl’), was a subject of an unscrupulous scientist’s experimentation ,which had left her with aquatic abilities, similar to those of the Atlanteans. Lorena had appointed herself Aquaman’s partner and, while not thrilled with the idea, he was self-aware enough to realize he was generally better with someone keeping an eye on him.
She waved, and Aquaman swam over to join her.
“Had enough fun for one night?” He asked.
Lorena was a slim, athletic Hispanic woman in her late teens. Her black hair was shoulder length and plastered to the back of her head. She wore a version of Aquaman’s old blue Atlantean camouflage bodysuit. Hers was two separate pieces, a crop top with chainmail sleeves and camouflage leggings.
“Yeah, I think so,” She nodded in reply. “Sleep sounds really good...though, it was cool meeting the Justice League...!”
“Yeah, they’re okay.” Aquaman smirked. “I think things have settled down. We can let Dane and the others keep an eye on things. I doubt we’ll see any more super villains, gangsters or...”
“Pirate ship!” Aquagirl shouted.
“What? There wasn’t a pirate ship...?”
“No! Over there!” She replied, jumping up, further out of the water and pointing. “Look!”
Aquaman turned, and true to his young friend’s word, there was a 17th century sailing ship bearing down upon them. Its wood weathered, its sails tattered and yellowed with age.
“How?” Aquaman muttered, brow furrowed. “Where did it come from? How did something that big sneak up on us? How could a galleon...”
“Frigate.” Lorena corrected.
“Watch your language, young lady.”
“Really? Dad jokes...now?!” Lorena said.
“Garth would have laughed,” Aquaman muttered, turning to swim towards the mystery ship.
The closer he got, the more worn and ancient the ship looked. Like a museum piece that had been dropped in the water. How the hulk managed to stay afloat, let alone, move at its present speed was amazing.
Aquaman cruised through the water, managing to keep pace.
He thought he spotted figures moving up on deck.
Even at her best, she wasn’t as strong or fast, but after a day of swimming, ferrying victims of the storm to safety and helping fight a super villain, Lorena was struggling to keep up.
Whoever was steering the ship seemed unaware of the ocean-going duo’s presence. Feeling a bit fatigued himself, Aquaman was more focused on keeping up with the ship, than whether his sidekick was falling behind or not.
A frayed rope hung loosely down the side of the ship. Putting on a burst of speed, Aquaman launched himself out of the water and he grabbed hold of it.
Aquaman pulled himself up, eventually bracing his feet against a loose plank, he tightened his grip with one hand and reached out with the other.
He sported a golden wristband and above that, the hand was a mystical construct made of solid water. Aquaman placed his water hand against the wood letting the water that ran down the side of the ship, wash over his hand.
He let his hand go more fluid and flow with the ocean water. A tingle ran up his arm and left him feeling slightly lightheaded.
“Magic,” He muttered. “Of course...!”
Pulling his hand back and willing it solid, Aquaman adjusted his grip on the rope and swung. He arced upwards and over the worn, wooden rail, stumbling slightly, as he landed on the deck.
Looking up, and finding himself surrounded by raggedy pirates, armed with swords, makeshift clubs and flintlock pistols, Aquaman had the sudden realization that Lorena had not followed him up.
They looked too solid and dirty to be ghosts, yet also too real to be guys in costumes.
Mixed among the buccaneers, were men and women in loud tourists clothes, several in naval uniforms, families wearing life jackets, one man in an old fashion diving suit and at least three Atlanteans.
Aquaman lunged forward and grabbed the nearest pirate with his water hand.
He had a solid grip on the rough cloth of his grimy shirt, but he also felt a faint tingle.
He furrowed his brow, using his telepathy to attempt to get a read on the pirate.
“Strange,” Aquaman muttered. “Maybe time travel...?”
“What you on about, mate?” His captive asked, with the tone you reserved for talking to lunatics, as all his crewmates raised their weapons and moved in closer.
“Take me to your captain.” Aquaman said.
“Um...yes, I can do that,” The obviously confused pirate mumbled.
“Thank you,” Aquaman said, letting go of the pirate’s grubby shirt.
A quartet of pirates crowded close around the king of the seas, various weapons poking him, as they herded him towards the elevated stern deck.
Stationed by the wheel, the captain of this mysterious ship, adjusted course, then snapped off a few orders before turning to face his captive.
He had a heavy, crimson, brocade long coat draped over his shoulders. He was a youngish man, tanned from years at sea, his hair unkempt, despite the small pigtail he sported.
The clothes under the coat were plain and practical, as though the coat was the symbol of his command, or bit of performative vanity.
“What have we here?” He asked, stepping to the edge of the deck. The toe of his boots hung over the edge, and he rocked on his heels, peering down the stairs, at the new arrival.
He raised a curious eyebrow at Aquaman’s colorful costume and his unusual hand.
The pirate leader waved a casual hand and his crew backed away slightly from their prisoner, aside from one overeager cabin boy, who took it upon himself to escort Aquaman closer to the captain.
“You have a name, my friend?”
“Aqua...uh...Arthur, Arthur Curry.” Aquaman said. “And you are...?”
“My birth name is unimportant and lost on the tides,” The flamboyant pirate announced. “Men call me ‘Captain Fear’.”
“Fair enough,” Aquaman nodded. “Where are you taking these people?”
Captain Fear glanced down at Aquaman , then at his crew. There were vague mutterings and shrugs from the pirates.
“Arthur, you puzzle me. How did you come to be upon my ship, yet not know why?” Captain Fear asked, thoughtfully. He strolled down the three steps to the main deck. “Make room, lads, the man’s our guest.”
“He seems an untrustworthy wretch,” The cabin boy growled, in a badly disguised voice.
Aquaman glanced over at his guard. Recognizing the shabbily dressed cabin boy.
“How’d you get here?” He asked under his breath.
Lorena adjusted her tricornered hat.
“Some ropes hanging off the back of the boat,” She whispered back. “I snuck in a port hole and found this great disguise.”
“Uh-huh,” Aquaman nodded., as they walked. “Let’s find out what’s going on, before you start shivering your timbers.”
The odd, mismatched crowd parted for the captain and his new guest. Captain Fear waved away the cabin boy, and the two men stood at the rail.
“Why are you here, Sea king?” The pirate asked, his voice low and serious, his gaze locked upon the night sky and the sea.
“Why are you?” Aquaman countered, relieved and concerned that they were abandoning any pretense. “Why have you taken these people captive?”
“I take no captives,” Captain Fear replied tersely. “These lost souls are my guests, my passengers.”
“Really? Forgive my skepticism,” Aquaman said. “Pirates are, of course, well known for being caring and helpful.”
“You know nothing of me,” Captain Fear growled, turning his gaze upon the aquatic hero, his hand going to the hilt of his sword.
“I’ve met enough pirates in my time,” Aquaman snapped back, fists clenched.
“If I may intrude,” A new voice said. “There is more at stake than ego this night.”
Standing by them was a tall, pale, dressed in all in dark blue, with a long coat that resembled a cloak and a fedora that cast a shadow across his eyes.
“Stranger...?” Aquaman said, surprised.
“ The Grey Walker!” Captain Fear breathed., drawing his sword.
‘” have walked the world, under many names,” The Phantom Stranger said, with a brief tip of his hat. “Your situation is most dire and will require you to pool your efforts.”
“We’re supposed to help this...kidnapper?” Lorena exclaimed, barging in.
“If the Stranger is vouching for him...?” Aquaman said, thoughtfully.
“I am,” The new arrival intoned.
“As if I need my good name to be vouched for!” Captain Fear protested, haughtily.
Aquaman peered at the pirate intently for several moments, before turning and looking across the deck, at the oddly mismatched crew and passengers. He let his telepathy wash over the crowd and then rested his water hand upon the rail.
Lorena fidgeted but knew better than to interrupt. The Phantom Stranger stood, statue still, while Captain Fear visibly bristled with impatience.
“Okay,” Aquaman said, turning to face the Stranger and the pirate. “How can we help?”
“Wait...help...what...?” Lorena exclaimed. “We’re going to help the supernatural pirate that’s kidnapping people...?”
“This isn’t a kidnapping,” Aquaman said, quietly. “It’s a rescue, isn’t it?”
He glanced at the other two men. The Phantom Stranger gave a brief nod, while Captain Fear smiled and clapped the king of Atlantis on the shoulder.
“Rescue? What?” Lorena continued, confused.
“All these people are...victims of the ocean,” Aquaman explained. “Fear isn’t kidnapping them.”
“Yeah, you said that” Lorena muttered. “But, rescuing them from who?”
“From that!” Captain Fear exclaimed, pointing off the stern.
Pursuing the mystical pirate ship, a massive black galleon plowed through the choppy sea.
It too was a weathered hulk; its wood was blackened by ages of canon smoke and dried blood. Draped with black sails, like funeral shrouds.
The decks were a mass of moving figures: dark silhouettes, not entirely human.
“Oh, that’s bad...!” Lorena breathed.
“There are two ships, which harvest souls lost at sea,” Captain Fear said. “Which would you consign them to?”
“We’re here to help,” Aquaman said. “What do you need us to do, Stranger...Stranger...?”
He, Captain Fear and Lorena all glanced around, realizing the Phantom Stranger and left, as quietly and mysteriously as he had arrived.
“What the hell is going on?” Lorena asked.
“You get used to it,” Aquaman told her, before turning to Captain Fear. “So, what’s your plan?”
“Once a year, we make this journey,” The pirate explained. “And while the black galleon always chases us, it rarely beats us to a soul. This voyage...”
“This voyage,” Aquaman interrupted. “You hit a storm generated by a couple of super villains.”
“And the galleon has been breathing down our neck all through the night,” Captain Fear said. “My crew are fierce and brave, but they are only men.”
“And the other crew is...?” Lorena asked, anxiously.
“Not men,” Captain Fear said, simply. “And their captain...well, best see for yourself.”
With that he strode back to the ship’s wheel, with the two ocean going heroes following close behind.
“Full sail!” He shouted, taking back the wheel. “Mister Walter, clear the deck! Simons, you and your son, ready the gun crews!”
Aquaman and Lorena moved to the back rail.
“What are we going to do?” She asked.
“I’m working on it,” Aquaman said, peering off into the night, watching the black ship’s progress, as it crept ever closer.
“If this ship is being run by Captain Fear,” Lorena muttered. “Who is the captain of that ship?”
“Not who,” Captain Fear said, joining them. “But, what.”
He handed Aquagirl a brass telescope and pointed her to a spot at the prow of the black galleon.
“Oh my god...!” She breathed. ”What is that?”
She handed the telescope to Aquaman.
He scanned the wretched black ship, taking in the macabre collection of damned souls, zombie-looking pirates and aquatic monsters, until he spotted a surprising figure that could only be the ship’s captain.
“Great Neptune!”
He was a tall figure, clad in silver armor: looking like some odd mix of robot and medieval knight. Its eyes were merely black slit, and the helmet came to a point.
“The Torpedo man!” Aquaman exclaimed. “I always wondered what happened to him.”
“You know him?” Lorena asked.
“Unless the wind shifts, they’ll be on us soon,” Captain Fear muttered. “We can unleash a broadside upon them, but they have more guns.”
“Let them come,” Aquaman said, handing back the telescope. “I have an idea, if you can handle things up here...?”
“The day I can’t,” Captain Fear said, snapping his telescope closed. “Set me in the corner with a shawl and mug of tea. I’ll rake that ugly hulk with shot and chain.”
“That’s the spirit,” Aquaman said, clapping him on the shoulder and moving to the rail.
“What about me?” Lorena asked.
“Stay here,” He replied., sternly. “If I can’t stop that ship, these people are going to need all the help they can get.”
Her expression was skeptical, but Lorena nodded in agreement.
Aquaman reached over and tipped her pirate hat down.
“Help Fear. Protect these people,” he said. “And don’t forget to shiver your timbers.”
“You’re not funny. “She said, with mock reproach.
Aquaman leapt up, over the rail, and dove into the grey, rolling ocean.
“What now?” Lorena asked, joining Captain Fear at the wheel.
“First, I’d hold on, lass!” The captain said, giving the large, oaken wheel a spin. He laughed wildly, as his ship of souls, swooped, veering into the path of the black galleon, as though to cut it off in line.
The pirate ship moved in wide arcs, from side to side.
The black galleon continued to creep up on it, but could not edge past the pirates, in order to attack.
The storm had past, but it’s effect upon the seas remained, rolling waves and churned up stretches of waters disrupted navigation for both ships, but Captain Fear knew how to play with it, while the black galleon merely plowed along, with dark determination to catch its potential prey.
Despite the danger they were in, Captain Fear had the appearance of a man enjoying himself. He shouted orders, spun the wheel and scanned the horizon with a joyful smile on his face.
Lorena clung to the forecastle rail, at first anxiously, then with an increasing feeling of excitement, as though this was all an elaborate thrill ride.
Most of her days were spent helping the traumatized population of her city, Sub Diego, rebuild their lives.
In the last two days, she’d fought alongside the Justice League, felt like a real superhero, and now, she was a pirate!
Maybe Captain Fear had the right idea. Maybe amongst the threats, the evil and the worry, there will be moments of excitement...moments of fun.
She let go of the rail and moved, haphazardly, along the deck, helping passengers to get below, lending her augmented strength to pull sail ropes or shoulder a cannon into place.
The black galleon crept ever closer, the wretched, ragged figures on her deck, becoming more distinct and disturbing looking. In their hungry eagerness.
“Can’t catch me, can you, you tinplated wretch!” Captain Fear shouted, angling his course so that his ship nearly scraped the prow of the black galleon. “Guns to bear!”
Lorena and the assorted pirates braced themselves, as the ship turned at such a sharp angle, that it felt like it was practically on its side. It righted itself, sliding along a deep trough between waves and coming out ready to strike broadsides.
Just as the gun crews were about to touch match to fuse, a quartet of massive shapes broke the surface: four whales, barreled like freight trains, through the water and crashed into the black galleon from all sides!
The cracking of ancient wood sounded like thunder and the black galleon spun about, like a children’s toy. In desperation, several of the galleon’s cannon fired erratically.
Over on the other ship, the crew flinched at the one cannonball that came close to being a threat. The others fell harmlessly into the sea.
As the whales dropped back into the water Lorena spotted a familiar, orange and green clad figure, kneeling upon on of the whales.
As it swam past, Aquaman gestured they were going to come around and strike.
“He’s going to hit them again!” Lorena shouted. “We can make a break for it!”
“Run, lass?” Captain Fear shouted back. “Not without giving them a heartfelt farewell! Light them up, Mister Walter!”
He yanked the wheel, dodging a whale, in order to comer alongside the black galleon. Her cannons then fired, raking the already battered ship.
Captain Fear gave a jaunty salute, as they passed, and the smoke cleared.
The Torpedo man, enraged, stomped across his, debris-littered deck, with increasing speed. When he reached the broken, gnarled rail, the armored pirate launched himself into the air, speeding towards Captain Fear’s ship, like his namesake missile.
Only to have the whale, ridden by Aquaman, leap up into the water, and clamped its massive jaws down upon the villain, before plunging back into the waves.
Right before the whale dove below, Aquaman leapt to the ship, grabbing the rail and hauling himself onto the deck.
“Well done, Mister Curry!” Captain Fear exclaimed, adjusting his course.
“How are you?” He asked Lorena, as she ran up to him. “Everyone safe?”
“While you were riding a whale to fight a pirate ship, I was stumbling around, trying not to fall over the side,” She grumbled.
“Next time, I promise, you can ride the whale,” He replied, patting her shoulder. “Captain, how fares your crew and passengers?”
“All well,” The pirate captain replied. “And look to starboard, our destination!”
“That’s our cue,” Aquaman said, spotting a glowing portal, like a second sunrise, on the horizon. “We may be passengers on this ship, someday, but today is not that day.”
“Yeah,” Lorena nodded, looking around, at the assorted lost souls coming back up onto the deck. “I am keeping the hat.”
“That seems fair.” Aquaman said. “Captain! Here is where we must part ways!”
“Fair seas, your highness!” Captain Fear exclaimed, happily. “Many thanks to you and your young squire!”
“Your...what?” Lorena grumbled.
“It’s a very effective disguise,” Aquaman smiled, before leaping over the rail.
“Ho yo, me hearties, ho yo...!” She muttered, casting off her disguise clothes, clamping her hand onto her hat, and leaping after him.
END