“They’re shooting at us!” [Port of Danger Bay]

Previously:

Of course, at the Gamboge cabin, the interpretation of his capture was just a little different.

“I wonder how they knew he was going to Superior,” Big A said thinking out loud, “I had no idea he was going.”

“Does it matter? He’s gone!”

“It matters, Millie, he could still try to implicate us in Sig’s murder.”

“Much as I hate her, that marshal’s no fool, she’ll learn that you were still working for Hanssen, and receiving a large amount of money from him. It just wouldn’t make sense for you to kill him.”

“That alone could cause us a lot of trouble.”

“Not the kind of trouble Hans is in.”

“There is that.”

Chapter IX, Lake Erie, Episode 2:

Aboard the Sea Dog the flotilla’s Commodore, Jonathan Hanson, was not pleased. He was so looking forward to engaging the Thunder Bay fleet.

“Are you sure? It has to be the Thunder Bay bunch…” He didn’t get to finish his thought—stopped cold by a cloud of black-powder gun smoke erupting from the other fleet—and geysers of foam from the cannonballs falling just short of his ships…

“They’re shooting at us!” Commodore Hanson exclaimed, “All ships load live rounds and prepare to engage. Raise battle flags!”

“Belay that order!” the foghorn voice of Master Chief Petty Officer Lyle “Cob” Pettigrew reverberated through the flotilla, “All ships turn hard a’port, start engines and drop sails, DO IT!”

“Port guns, load for combat, start engines, helmsman, bring us alongside the Sea Dog,” Daisy bayed.

“Daisy, what are you doing?” Cob asked.

“The commodore will not obey, we must place ourselves between the Sea Dog and the other fleet!”

“All ships, we will engage!” Hanson ordered, “I am in charge of this fleet!”

The captains of the Isle Royal & Superior, both Navy veterans knew the sound of an experienced commander and were already responding to Cob’s orders, the Sea Dog was not. Hanson decided he would rather go down fighting that run from battle. He noticed that the Falcon had not changed course.

“So Jack,” he radioed, “You’re still with me! Good! Let’s give ‘em a fight like they’ve never seen!”

But his elation was short-lived as the Falcon moved quickly beside the Sea Dog between her and the British fleet.

Falcon comes alongside the Sea Dog

“You’re gonna have to fire through us, Commodore,” Cob shouted, his deep voice reverberating throughout both ships, “I don’t believe you want to do that!”

“And the Sea Dog cannot outmaneuver this ship…do not bother trying,” Big Mac rumbled, “You know that! Now stand down, start your engine and turn away.”

“We MUST defend ourselves!”

“Daisy, take aim for Sea Dog’s waterline & prepare to volley!”

“Aye Cob! Port battery, set your guns!” Daisy bayed, “Prepare to volley on Cob’s command!”

“You would fire on us?” Hanson was stunned.

“Gunners ready…steady…” Cob began…

To Be Continued…

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