CHAPTER 11: [11] EXIT THE STAGE, ENTER THE ROGUE

"What did you just do to them?" Raven’s voice had lost its flirtatious edge, replaced by wary curiosity.

Pierre turned to face her. She’d backed away from the railing, the stolen coins still clutched against her chest. Her eyes darted between him and the unconscious pirates.

"I took something they weren’t using properly," Pierre said with a shrug. "Don’t worry—they’ll live. They’ll just feel like they’ve got the world’s worst hangover for a few days."

Pierre gestured to the coins in her arms. "Planning a solo career?"

"Can you blame me? I don’t know you."

"And yet I just saved your ass."

"My ass didn’t need saving."

"Three against one? I doubt it."

Raven’s chin lifted defiantly. "I’ve faced worse odds."

"I’m sure you have," Pierre conceded.

A crash from the Mariana Cruise drew their attention. The battle between Jack and Captain Redbeard was reaching its climax. Soon, the Navy would arrive, responding to the distress signals. If events followed the original story, Jack would defeat Redbeard just as the Navy ships appeared on the horizon and cash the bounty.

"We need to leave," Pierre said. "The Navy’s coming."

Raven’s expression darkened at the mention of the Navy. "How do you know?"

"Have you seen the Mariana?" Pierre moved to the railing, peering down at the rowboat. "Is that thing seaworthy?"

"It’ll get us to the nearest island."

"Then let’s go."

Raven hesitated, her gaze lingering on the unconscious pirates. "What are you? Some kind of bounty hunter?"

Pierre laughed. "Do I look like a bounty hunter?"

"You don’t look like someone who can take down three pirates without breaking a sweat either."

"Fair point." Pierre extended his hand toward her. "Let’s just say right now I’m an Adventurer for fun."

Raven didn’t take his hand. "That’s not a thing."

"Sure it is." Pierre glanced toward the Mariana Cruise, where the sounds of battle were intensifying. "Look, we can discuss profession after we’re safely away from here. Deal?"

Raven studied him for a long moment, her blue cat-like eyes unreadable. Finally, she nodded.

"Deal. But I want seventy percent of the treasure."

"Fuck no, I saved us so I want half."

"The reason why they were there is because you were too careless. Fifty-five."

Fuck, she had a point.

"Done." Pierre grinned. "Now let’s get out of here before—"

A deafening explosion rocked the Mariana Cruise. Flames erupted from the ballroom, illuminating the night sky. He knew exactly what that was. The moment Jack Steelheart, the story’s hero, unleashed his full power for the first time—and accidentally blew half the ship to hell in the process.

"Before that happens," Pierre finished lamely.

They worked quickly, lowering the remaining treasure into the rowboat before descending the rope ladder. The small craft groaned, rocking precariously as it settled low in the water under their combined weight and the gold.

Raven took the oars, demonstrating surprising strength as she rowed them away from the pirate ship. Pierre kept watch, tracking the burning cruise liner as it receded into the distance. Soon, they were just another shadow on the dark water, invisible to anyone watching from either vessel.

"So," Raven said after they’d put some distance between themselves and the ships, "you never did tell me your full name."

"It’s Pierre." He hesitated, then added, "Just Pierre for now."

"And I’m just Raven. Not Lily."

Pierre laughed. "I knew that was fake."

"Yet you played along."

"Seemed polite at the time."

Raven’s rowing rhythm never faltered. "Where are we headed, Just Pierre?"

"The nearest port town. After that..." He shrugged. "I’m open to suggestions."

"I might have a few," Raven said, her expression guarded. "Depends on what you’re looking for."

Pierre leaned back in the small boat, gazing up at the spray of brilliant stars, a sight his old world had long since lost.

"Freedom," he said finally. "To sail wherever the wind takes me. To see what’s beyond that horizon."

He pointed to where the dark sea met the star-filled sky. "To find out what this world’s really made of."

Raven’s lips curved into a small smile. "I like that answer."

In the original timeline, Raven would have been caught up with Jack Steelheart while attempting to steal from a pirate on a different island. She would have joined his crew out of necessity, eventually becoming devoted to him after he attempted to free her sister.

Now she was here, with Pierre. The butterfly effect was in motion.

Sorry, Jack. I’m stealing your navigator.

And if you’re not careful, I might just steal your whole damn story.

Behind them, the Mariana Cruise burned against the night sky, a beacon marking the beginning of a different story—one where Pierre, not Jack Steelheart, would be the protagonist.

And this time, there would be no Boobie Boost power-ups.

Not if Pierre had anything to say about it.