Roping Cable

"I said OPEN!" shouted First Lieutenant Cable as he burst into the captain's quarters axe in hand. It had taken far too long for the crew to break down the captain's door.

Splinters of wood fell helter skelter on the floor of the cabin. There was an odd mix of lingering gun powder, dead flesh and blood bathing the room in a surreal shadow. The only light was from the lamp burning on the Captain's desk. It threw a wicked gleem on the clearly deceased Captain.

The shots, the scuffle, and then the silence. The silence was what convinced Capple that something was terribly wrong. He had banged and shouted for the Captain. At first he thought he was taking a terrible risk, since Captain Downy was not a man to intrude upon. Matter of fact, the Captain was not a man to communicate with. Cable loathed Captain Downy, but was the epitome of a good seaman. But, the light scuffling and occasional moans convinced Cable, he needed to find out what had happened behind that door.

Cable was offended that Captain Downy had excluded him from the disciplining of a seaman. If it had just been an interview to determine the facts, then Cable would have been within his duty to be present during such an interview. But, if was discipline then the Captain was required by the King's Law to "dispense all punishments in full view of al the crew" and "all officer's shall be present to observe at such time." The Captain had always made his own law, and these things greatly bothered the capable Cable.

Cable, the fourth son of the parson of Blakeny, had few to no prospect's of a career. So, when he was just 8 year's old, his father called in a favor from a retired parishner, and off little Tommy Cable went to join His Majesty's royal navy. He showed promise, but no more than anyone else his age. After 10 years, he was the fifth lieutenant on a pirate hunter in the sickness-infected Carribbean, luck struck. In a surprise attack by two pirate ships where the captain and all four of the other officers were killed in action, Tommy distinguished himself nobly, while in full view of the fortress and batteries of Barbados, but just out of cannon-shot. He sunk both pirate ships and limped into port. After finding out that he had captained the ship and displayed such noble heroics, he was on the fast track (as such tracks go) to a promising naval career.

"Lieutenant, look..." passed one of the crew that was following in the lieutenant's wake. "The Cap'n's..." not wanting to speak further.

"Dead...." Cutter let the words fall as he stepped out from behind the captain's wardrobe.

The marines from outside the door made a move towards Cutter with sabres drawn.

"Stop!" growled Lieutenant Cable.

"But, this man's a murderer," retorted the marine Corporal who had assumed command after seeing his dead seargant lying lifeless on the board's of oak in a now still pool of his own darkening blood.

"Do not assume you know the facts Corporal," shot Cable. "This man is not threatening now and I will need time to conduct an investigation.

"Mr. Campbell, would you kindly like to explain the situation, since you, obviously are the only one alive in a room with four dead men?" Cable not sure of what had transpired behind the doors had learned to fully investigate before jumping to conclusions. Especially, since this seemingly ordinary seaman had just killed four men in close quarters. With his future looking bright, Cable had no desire to risk his own life, when he did not perceive Campbell as an enemy.

A sly smile grew across Cutter's face. These men had no idea who he was or what he was doing here. He had bought himself a little time, by not opening the door for the lieutenant. However, it was clear that Cutter had been in the room with dead men and did not open the door. The picture to all standing in the room looked very convicting.

However, Cutter liked this young, ambitious First Lieutenant, who by far, was a promising naval officer with a bright career. It might be hard to win his trust, however, Cable could be a valuable ally.

"Mr. Cable, I surrender myself to you," said Cutter using the gentile manners that Cable, although far removed, would certainly be aware of.

"He can't surrender to you," bellowed the corporal, "he's a regular seaman. He's no gentleman, he's a trickster..."

"Corporal Marlow, please remove yourself from this room to the end of the hallway. Call Mr. Smith to come here and tell Mr. Watson to take the deck."

"Aye, aye sir..." mumbled Marlow as he slunk unconvincingly down the hall.

"The rest of you, please take the dead men to the surgeon's quarters and pass the word for the surgeon. Leave the Captain here."

As the bodies were drug out and the rest of the crew receeded down the hallway and out of earshot the smug Mr. Campbell took the Captain's pipe and lit it. This caused a small grin from Lieutenant Cable.

"Why the smile, Lieutenant?" quizzed Cutter.

"Because you have just made me a very wealthy man."