Getting Shippy With It- Mercenaries approach!

[Ellen & John Anglin]

No: HPFGUIDX 11131

Ok, scuze me if this has been done already.....


    From far over the softly glowing horizon, a speck appears.  As 
dawns rosy fingers brighten the morning sky, the speck revelas itself 
more clearly, tall masts silouetted against a sky rapidly turning 
blood red.  Striped sails snap in the morning breeze, and a murmer 
spreads through the crowds of watchers as the sharp of eye spot an 
inky banner flying from high above the crows nest.

"...Jolly Rodger!"  Murmers one voice.

"....Skull and Crossbones" another.

     Waves crashing against hull, the gaudily painted wooden vessel 
approaches becoming clear at last to even the most nearsighted 
watchers.  It is a fantastically rigged and carved wooden sailing 
ship, lifted straight out of some poor wretches Treasure Island or 
Pirates of the Carribean fantasy.  Gaudily, and sometimes scantily 
clad men and women hang in the rigging, and swarm across the deck, 
tankards and cutlasses flourished with indiscriminate zest- is it a 
party, or threat?- it's impossible to tell.


     At last within hailing distance, the ship slows, sails allowed 
to luff, and a figure is seen clambering up onto the bow railing, 
supporting itself between the wings of the gryphon carving that 
graces the bow of the ship.  Those keen of sight strain to make out 
the name painted on the hull below the great carved beast.  But wait- 
row upon row of names are inscribed, each carefully crossed out, and 
replaced with another, over and over- this ship has obviously changed 
hands many times.

"Ahoy!" the figure calls out, waving the a broad brimmed hat bedecked 
with a fluffy ostritch feather.  It appears to be woman, clad in a 
snug Buff colored leather bodice, full sleves of the white chemise 
rolled up above her elbows, and rainbow striped skirt tucked up and 
knotted, exposing well tanned legs.

"I'm Moriel, momentary representative of the good 
ship....Ummm...Anyship!"  She peers over the side, trying to make out 
which name is currently scrawled on the bow.  Shaking her her head, 
she again addresses her astonished audience, as the colorful mob 
behind her swarms at the railings.

"We hear there's been a bit of a battle going on here, so we have 
dropped in to look over the pick- Oooff!"  She exhales suddenly as 
someone jabs her roughly from behind.  "I mean, to offer our 
assistance!"  She grins broadly, trying her best to look innocent and 
friendly.

"Now I must be honest here...", she adds.  "..Our loyalty will go to 
whomsoever makes it most worth our while- and I can assure you, that 
so long as the stories are good, you'll have our undivided attention 
and reviews!"  She glances back over her soulder, where, even as she 
speaks, crew members are switching sides, and moving back and forth 
across the line that marks the neutral center of the ship.

"We are, she adds, a democratic crew, always ready to welcome new 
hands, and happy to allow each member of our crew to freely follow 
and aid whatever flag catches their eye!'

She again waves her plumed hat, and a cheer erupts from the chaotic 
mob on the raucous ship.  "Let the Wild Rumpus Begin!"