Explanations are for Idiots

The Adventures Of Virgo Johnson - The Race of the Seven Seas

Previously on the Adventures of Virgo Johnson: Virgo and his men were invited to join the race across the seven seas. Upon receiving the invitation, Virgo’s ship was taken away by pirates. Stranded on a desert island, Virgo sat on a cliff, thinking of a way out. Parts of the previous chapter:

“What kind of a captain would stay hushed like a silenced dog at a time of crisis?” one-eyed Freddy questioned. “Down with him, I say!”

Immediately, a ruckus broke out. Punches and kicks were flying here and there and dare I say moves that aren’t even allowed to be mentioned in adult books. One third of the men supported the captain, another one third of them disliked the way they were being left to die, and the remainder just fought for the sake of fighting.

“SILENCE!” from mute, to maximum volume Captain Johnson shouted. “I have a plan”…

Chapter 5

A plan would naturally be assumed as a method of achieving an end or even a customary method of doing something, but the one deep in the thoughts of our captain were in between the two. An idea that would lead you ‘close’ to the end.

The crew froze upon hearing the words of their captain. However much you may hate a leader, you should never DARE go against his words. Well, that’s how it is in THIS story, anyway. As I was saying, the crew paid their full attention to the captain. Not a foot out of place and not a word more, said.

“Alright you filthy buffoons” said the captain, getting hold of his crew’s attention completely. “we’re going to sail out of here”.

“HURRAY!” shouted his men.

“But how, Capt’n?” asked Pal innocently. “whadaya reckon we do?”

“We’re going to be pulled to land” replied Virgo, with a gleaming smile full of confidence.

They all froze. Wouldn’t YOU? I mean, it makes no sense. Jabana knew this was what he was hired for so he stepped up to question his captain’s actions. “Err… incase you haven’t noticed sir, we’re stranded. And there is water all around us. I don’t think it is possible for our men to pull us to a port.

“Of course not Jabana!” and the captain burst out laughing. Now THAT would be silly. “We’re going to have the Mermaid pull us.”

The moment their captain said those words, the crew felt a part of them had died. Not only had they no way out, but the smartest of their lot had gone bonkers. Well, ALMOST the whole crew gave up, anyway. Pal however was over the moon with the thought of getting back with the help of a mermaid.

“So have we got this mermaid yet captain?” asked Pal, full of hopes. “Can I meet her? Gosh, I hope she’s nice” and he started blushing.

“What??” Virgo said out loud. “My god. You barmy twits! I’m talking about the SHIP!”. Indeed he was, for the thing that caused Virgo to hurry down was the sight of the Mermaid (a ship. You see, ‘Mermaid’ is the name of a ship and it just so happens that this ship was also taking part in the race across the seven seas). “We’re going to hook ourselves onto that ship and sail away from this god forsaken place.”

“A brilliant idea capt’n!” someone from the back praised. “but how are we gonna get near enough to the mermaid? Let alone hook ourselves to it?!”

“Ah my good man, now you see why I am the captain” boasted Virgo “and not YOU” he said suddenly, in a low tone. The crew felt deeply insulted, but they had gotten used to it by now. The captain continued “from what I’ve seen, they will use the weak currents of the shore to slingshot their way to the right. To do so, they will have to come within 200 feet from us”.

“But captain, that doesn’t explain how we’re going to get them to-“ he stopped abruptly. Stevo had noticed the scornful look his captain was giving him right about now. As you can see, Virgo HATES to be interrupted more than anything in the world. Well, ALMOST more than anything.

Virgo continued “Miss Marveck will go on one of our life boats, along with the wimpiest of you lot” Ms. Marveck’s eyes were wide open now. “This oughta let them know that we aren’t a threat to them. While Miss Marveck makes conversation with them, one-eyed Freddy will dive underwater and attach a rope to the bottom of their ship so that the rope is not visible. That way, they won't know how we are following them.”

“but captain, what about us?” questioned another crew member.

Virgo felt a vein pop in his head. He really really really hated interruptions. He continued after a short pause “WE shall tie a second rope from Ms. Marveck’s life boat to another life boat led by me, and a third rope from my life boat to one led by Jabana. My men and Jabana’s will remain hidden under some cloth that makes us look like luggage. Are we clear?”

“I capt’n” they all replied.

~To Be Continued.