Chapter 92: Prepare to Board

"Fire!" Charlisse shouted, strain cracking her voice. Four of the six cannons exploded in a thunderous roar, followed within seconds by the remaining two. The guns recoiled, sending a tremble through the Reliance. Billowing smoke saturated the air between the two ships. Charlisse bent over, coughing as acrid fumes filled her nostrils and burned her eyes. Frenzied shouts and curses shot at her from the Satisfaction, and she peered through the haze, suddenly afraid she may have hit the ship.

Sloane took a step toward the rail and swatted at the dissipating smoke.

Jackson barreled up from below, where he had governed the undermanned gun crew.

"Well done, Jackson," Charlisse said, then glanced toward the helm. "Rusty, hard to larboard!"