The Babel Anchor
You are the only person aboard the Gyrfalcon who speaks more than one language, a doubtful honor now that you are cornered in the shadow of Gibraltar. To the west, the Royal Navy patrols with nooses waiting for anyone accused of piracy. To the east, a French privateer flashes signals offering safe harbor—if only you can convince your crew that the Frenchmen aren't trying to lure you into a trap. Unfortunately, your crew is as superstitious as they are monolingual. Led by a boisterous boatswain who mistakes French maritime flags for insults to the King, they are furious, heavily armed, and demanding you declare English loyalty on the spot. Can you untangle the linguistic knots before the cannons start firing? In this comedy of maritime errors, your sharp tongue and quick wit are the only things standing between a miraculous escape and a very damp, very unnecessary war.
Look inside
Salt spray whipped across the quarterdeck of the *Gyrfalcon*, carrying the sulfurous reek of distant cannon fire and the sour tang of unwashed Caribbean privateers on the edge of a riot. To larboard loomed the sheer limestone monster of Gibraltar, bristling with His Majesty's battery guns; to starboard wallowed *L'Audacieux*, a sleek French corvette flying the tricolor. Between them, your vessel bobbed like a fat cork in a millrace, holding twenty chests of illicit Spanish doubloons that neither navy had any business knowing about. "Look at 'em wave them painted rags!" Barnaby "Bellows" Vance slammed a scarred fist onto the teak rail, his missing left earlobe reddening with rage under unruly mutton chops. "They're mocking King George! They're saying we stink of ditch-water, interpreter! Give me the word and I'll lay a nine-pounder right through their galley!" Captain Robert Kidd adjusted his tarnished gold-trimmed tricorn hat, his olive skin pale against the jagged scar running down his cheek. He caught your collar in a grip of iron and tar. "Translate their signal pennants, lad, and translate 'em quick. Vance has a slow match burning behind his back, the garrison gunners on the R…
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CyberStory Originals writes interactive stories on CyberStory.
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