NC-17 - (2/9/99) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Disclaimer: Skinner, Krycek, Mulder, Pendrell, and Scully all belong to Ten Thirteen Productions and I fear they would fail to approve of the use to which I've put the characters. In fact, I'm darned sure of it. Apologies: You know, I'm just sure I had a point when I started this (the story, not this disclaimer although I can already tell it's going to be a long one so the odds are good that I'm going to get lost here, too) but I can't remember what it was. I don't even like AUs! Anyone who has ever had me inflict a lecture on "how to write an AU" on them will take one look at this and sent me a scathing note pointing out that I've broken every one of my own rules. And I'll deserve it. A special apology to George MacDonald Fraser, whose enormously entertaining The Pyrates was a huge factor in deciding how this one would turn out, but you can't blame him because he doesn't even know I bought his book and I'm reasonably certain he didn't intend inspire anything like this. On the other hand, I don't know anything about the guy and he might think it's funny. Hardly relevant, since he isn't going to see it, but I'm feeling chatty today. I should probably apologize to England , Prep Schools, and everyone who has ever been associated with the fine Dr. Who television programme (note the English spelling in honor of the BBC). Also the Spanish, the French, anyone who calls themselves a sailor.... I made up a lot of characters for this one, so there are a lot of OC's. I don't know why I felt compelled to mention that. I don't know anything about boats or pirates so I just made stuff up where I needed it. I figure if saying boat things wrong is the worst thing I do in this story, then I'm in pretty good shape, you know? On the other hand, I did a certain amount of research, so there's stuff in here that's historically accurate from time to time, just to fool you. (I objected madly to the guys insisting that I write this one. It was mostly Alex's fault. He rather fancied himself at the helm of a pirate ship full of nubile and all-too-willing young men. But then he would, wouldn't he?) Also, there's a bit of m/m sex and a lot of references to m/m sex. If you think you're going to be offended, you'd probably better run away now and save your psyche some wear and tear. Blame: Is even more mine than usual, which is fair. Janis tried valiantly to beta this but it was too big a job for any one person. Lynn took one look at what I naively assumed was a final draft and commenced beating me about the head and shoulders with an apostrophe in a vain attempt to teach me the difference between it's and its. They both deserve thanks for insuring that certain tedious passages aren't even more tedious. Please send complaints to AnneZo@fastmail.fm. I'm eager to hear them. ****************************************************************************************** Contents(For those who care about that sort of thing): Disclaimers (Previous) In which the author apologizes to everyone concerned, and to some who weren't. Introduction Includes a Short Discussion of background, by way of an Atmosphere and an Introduction to More Important Things. Chapter, the First - Captain and Crew Wherein we meet the Crafty Cavalier and become familiar with the Technicalities of Recruiting and the Somberness of Ship's Discipline Chapter, the Second - Hero's Welcome Introduces us to our (potential) Hero and shows us how the most Manly of Men can be Laid Low by the Arrows of Love. Chapter, the Third - The Great Pirate Caper Demonstrates how a crew of Piratical Novices becomes Inured to Bloodshed. Chapter, the Fourth - An Awfully Big Adventure During which, the HMS Heroic Encounters the Enemy and comes off Predictably Victorious. But Wait!! Is that Disaster, waiting in the Wings? Chapter, the Fifth - Sailor's Delight Being a Short Diversion to show us the Rewards of Practice and Patience. Chapter, the Sixth - Anchors Aweigh Gives us the Noble Captain torn between Honor and Inclination, and how he satisfies the Demands of Both. Chapter, the Seventh - An Important Interlude Allows the Captain of the Cavalier and his crew some Much-Needed Relaxation. And wherein Two Characters not Previously Acquainted become Well-Acquainted more Quickly than might be believed. Chapter, the Eighth - Fox Hunt In which the fusion of Duty and Desire leads the Heroic on an Epic Journey in search of Love. The reader is glad to note that the chapters begin to shorten, indicating that Action is coming at last. Chapter, the Ninth - Changing Winds Show how the New Acquaintances find Rocks on the Road to Fulfillment. And how a Dastardly Bargain enriches the Cavalier's unwitting crew. Or, does it? Chapter, the Tenth - The Road to Virtue Tells us how a chance meeting leads Our Hero (?) to the Object of his Dreams. Virtue being its own reward, the chapter is brief. Chapter, the Eleventh - All that Glitters Is a Picture of the Tragedy of Riches and the Rewards of Betrayal. Desiring to Get to the Point, the author has settled for a sketch. Chapter, the Twelfth - A Tale of Two Ships In which the Royal Navy is forced to Join Forces with a Band of Rogues. Chapter, the Thirteenth - The Triumph of Virtue is a Short Interlude wherein Two Characters Get Their Just Reward, or some such thing. Chapter the Fourteenth - Denouement (Being Tired of our Characters, We Leave Them. But not before tying up a Few Loose Ends.) In case you really wanted to know what the story is going to be about, you can assume Pirates, a Hero, at least one Maiden who's not noticeably in distress, a very small amount of hurt, a spot of comfort, the odd bit of bloodshed, some rude language, and at least one life-changing hangover. Oh, yeah. And sex. But very little. Assuming you worked your way through the above drivel, you're probably far too tired to go ahead and read the story. Assuming that you aren't, you'll be able to get to it from right here, saving you the effort of scrolling back to the top of the page. (There are just no limits to my thoughtfulness, are there?) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ |
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