"Boss, I got a clear look. It's the White Agate, Just Erlan's ship."
The crewman responsible for keeping watch slid down from the crow's nest along a rope and reported what he had seen through his telescope to the captain, Sea Wolf Johnson, who stood on the deck.
"Excellent. A big fish."
Johnson chuckled. He did not care whether Erlan was just or biased. He only wanted to make a quick fortune and flee before nearby naval vessels or ships from the Church of Storms arrived.
As for any resistance the other side might put up, he did not take it seriously at all. His pirate ship could reach sixteen knots, far faster than the mere Passenger Ship White Agate, and it had a full forty cannons. If not for wanting to rob as many Gold Pounds and as much jewelry from the passengers as possible, he could have crossed their bow right now and sent them to the bottom with several broadsides.
"Anderson, full speed ahead! Once we get close, give them a round of cannon fire to scare them, then board them! Burn everything and take everything!"
He turned and shouted, drawing excited roars from the pirates on deck.
"Normally, they'll first close in and fire a broadside as Intimidation. Most ships surrender under those circumstances. A small number will stubbornly resist and engage in a cannon battle, but the result is always the same. They get caught up to, boarded, and then... that depends on the captain's style."
Standing by the window, Flame Danitz carefully explained the usual methods pirates used to raid ships.
"The captain's style?"
Angel asked curiously. She had just taken a glance at the pirate ship outside through Danitz's brass telescope. She could barely make out the red skull flag flying from