Read Online End Online: Volume 5 by D. Wolfin - Free Book Online Page A

masts are made from some form of black cast iron. I
can’t see properly from ground level, but I can vaguely make out more cast iron
supports on other sections of the pirate ship.
    There are seven holes in the side of the boat with cannons
sticking out, and I assume there are an equal amount on the opposite side.
    The two large triangular sails seem ordinary enough, and the
black pirate flag billowing in the wind at the top has the image of a strange
cannon with three barrels. The figurehead is a bowed piece of polished wood,
with nothing carved into it yet.
    CaptainGordon stares up at the ship with boundless pride, “This
‘ere be my ship, the ‘Bastion’.

 
    Chapter 30 – Voyage on the High Seas
(Part 1)
    -Lost-
    I stare up at CaptainGordon’s ship, the ‘Bastion’, and struggle
to find any kind words to describe the vessel. The weight of the metal hanging
on the ship causes it to sit incredibly low in the water, so much so that I
feel like the ship will sink at any moment. While modern day ships are made out
of metal, they are all specially engineered. The metals used to construct them
they are made from are special alloys as well, not simply cast iron and the
like.
    Despite the iron panels randomly attached to the side of the
hull, I have to admit that the black cast iron railing and other architectural
décor does have visual appeal. I look over at CaptainGordon, and he is looking
back at the rest of us with shining eyes. He appears to be waiting for us to
sing praises about his ship. A quick glance at the others reveals they have all
pursed their lips in dissatisfaction.
    Unsure what to say, I speak neutrally.
    “It’s definitely… unique.”
    CaptainGordon seems to take my comment as a positive one, and
repeatedly nods his head while saying, “That it be!”
    The pirate operates his menu, invisible to the rest of us, and
soon enough a plank extends out from a narrow slit just below the deck. As soon
as it reaches the full length, it drops on an invisible hinge and creates a
bridge from deck to shore.
    The captain steps up on it first, walking toward the ship. We
all hastily follow suit and walk up the plank.
    Once on the deck of the ship, I can see the layout and the
decorative cast iron clearly. The deck is separated into three different
sections: the main deck which takes up most of the ship, a small raised
quarterdeck at the bow of the ship which would be used to lookout over the
ocean, and the helm at the stern, sitting on a platform raised over the other
two levels in order to provide a good vantage of the ship’s course. I can vaguely
see the polished mahogany wheel, but another cast iron railing is in the way.
    Below the stern are two symmetrical doors leading to the ship’s
internals. Like the metalwork adorning the rest of the ship, the door frames
and doors are also made out of cast iron, with intricate patterns and artwork
carved into them. I feel an urge to see what is behind those doors, but
restrain myself.
    CaptainGordon is busy running around the deck, lifting up the
anchor before pulling on various ropes and pulleys to operate the sails. One
sail suddenly drops and fully opens and the vessel begins to move through the
water. Once the second sail is unfurled, the speed increases. By now, the
pirate is at the helm, steering the ship through the water.
    ‘What a slow ship!’  I
think, stunned and incredulous.
    All of the comments I’ve heard about this pirate suddenly make
sense. His infamy stems from both personal quirkiness and the ineffectiveness
of this ship.
    I walk up to the captain and voice my concerns. “CaptainGordon,
how long do you think it will take to reach the island?”
    “Aye, I can’t be too sure. Don’t know how far the distance be.”
    “Uh huh. Also, why is it that not a single person from the docks
would take us south yet you are more than happy to?” I have a suspicion that there
may be more at work than meets the eye. This guy is technically a pirate