Lady Rose

Spyglass held tightly against his eye, a man stared out upon the vast expanse of the sea looking for life, and then he found it. “Ship North by Northwest.” he shouted down to the deck. “It's Sloop class sporting the Union Jack.”

The quartermaster stood upon deck barking orders as sailors skillfully manned their positions and the helmsman charted an intercept course. “Keep her steady,“ the quartermaster shouted as he went below deck only to emerge moments later wearing a British captain's overcoat. Their own Union Jack flying proudly overhead, some of the men had donned dresses and lazed about on deck.

Time passed slowly for the eager crew until finally they were within range. “Raise the Flag,” shouted the quartermaster. “All hands to battle.” There would be no escape for the British ship as the Union Jack came down, replaced with black cloth sporting a crimson rose between the teeth of a skull. The men shed their dresses as concealed swords came out. The Captain's door swung open and a towering woman emerged. Her flaming red hair contrasting sharply with her black gown while lit sparklers exploded within her hair. A terrifying sight, the quartermaster ignored her appearance as he called out, “We're ready, Lady Rose.”

“Open fire!” she shouted, her voice like steel as cannon shot rained down upon the British ship. The first shots scored direct hits upon the mast as chain shot made quick work of the rigging and sails. Before the second salvo could fire, a white flag rose up and she sighed. “Loot what you want,” she commanded the crew, as they came abreast. Another easy victory for Lady Rose, the Black Death, Queen of the Seas. She sighed again. It seemed no worthy adversaries remained.