The following morning the crew assembled on the deck of the Revenge. Captain Ardent addresses them from the poop deck.
“Well lads, I think it’s safe to say that you’ve just written another chapter in your own legend. The only crew clever and daring enough to steal straight from Port Royal’s treasury. I tip my hat to you all, you may not be the finest of men, but you are the finest of pirates. Now, I know all you want to do is take your share in what is a very large haul, find a tavern, a homely woman and some good food, and I don’t blame you. Under normal circumstances I wouldn’t have a problem at all, but I’ve been informed of a target that’s too big to pass up, so big it will ensure our place is legend as the greatest pirates ever to sail the seas and let us live in luxury for the rest of our lives. So are you with me men, will you stay on board, hold off on the taverns and give yourself a chance to make us all very rich men?”
“This goes to a vote. I for one would follow the Captain anywhere, if he says it’s a haul too big to pass up, then I know it must be so, but each man needs to make his own decision,” said Jackson.
“How big is this haul?”
“That’s a good question, Smithy. I don’t know for certain, but if my source is right, and I’m confident he is, it’ll be enough for us all to live like kings, enough to retire if you want.”
“All those against, raise a hand.”
One or two sailors raise their hands.
“All those fore.”
“Everyone else raises their hand.”
“Okay, this one is going to take skill, cunning and lots of planning, so first we head back to base and rest up for a few days.”

Sometime later, in the port of Hispaniola, sits a merchant vessel, one of a hoard of different ships that Ardent has captured and uses for different tasks. In a tavern frequented by the crews of merchant vessels is Ardent, Jackson and eight of their crew, dressed as Danish merchants. They’re drinking and making merry, befriending anyone in the place, buying drinks for other merchants. A group of Spaniards enter. Ardent catches the eye of his men, all of whom are acting drunk, but are bright-eyed.

After a while, Ardent and Jackson present themselves in front of the Spanish Captain.
“It’s good to meet a fellow captain, a man who shares the responsibility of command. Would you let me buy you a drink?”
“Senior-”
Ardent grabs a passing waitress.
“Julie, bring out a couple of bottles of that Spanish red wine and a bottle of your best Port.”
He returns his gaze to the Spanish captain.
“It’s not particularly good, but it’s the best I can offer, Captain.”
“Senior, I must decline your offer.”
“Nonsense, I will be offended if you don’t have a drink with me. I am Jos van Werter, captain of the Den Vaag. We’re headed for home after making our fortune, loaded with sugar. It’ll be the first time we’ve seen home since we left five years ago, now you understand why my men and I are so jolly?”
“Congratulations, Captain. In such circumstances I will be happy to drink with you.”
“Excellent.”
The drinking goes on, both crews get very drunk, and very chummy. At the end of the night they head back to their vessels, wishing each other well.

The next day, out on the open ocean, two ships, both flying the Spanish standards make their way in balmy, breezy weather. One is the Delgrano, a heavily armed Spanish warship, the other is the Valdez, a merchant vessel, still heavily armed, but sitting heavy in the water, weighed down by a heavy cargo. The quartermaster of the Valdez is looking through a telescope, he turns and steps over to his captain.
“Captain, look, a merchant’s in trouble, it looks like it’s been attacked.”
The Captain grabs the telescope, through it he can see a merchant ship, sails all over the place, debris floating in the sea around it, a wisp of black smoke rising from it’s deck.
“It’s the Den Vaag.”
“Signal the Delgrano that we’re going in to check for survivors and see if they need assistance.”
“Captain, I would suggest caution, it could be a trap.”
“Good thinking, Reyez. Tell the Delgrano to keep an eye out for any ships, tell the marines to prepare in case we need to repel boarders.”
“Aye, Captain.”

Slowly the two ships close on the apparent merchant vessel. The Delgrano keeps her distance, her crew nervously searching the horizon. As the Valdez draws alongside the Den Vaag they see a deck strewn with sails and debris, the aftermath of a fight. The quartermaster shouts:
“Ho there, anyone aboard?”
A few pirate crew, still dressed as merchantmen, looking ragged and weary, slowly creep from hiding places carrying a variety of make-do weapons.
“Captain Rodriguez, am I glad to see you,” replies Ardent. “We were attacked by pirates, we gave them our valuables and then managed to drive them off. We thought you were them returning to try again to take our ship.”
“You look like you put up a good fight, Captain.”
“My crew did me proud, but there were too many of them, my quartermaster, who is also our medical officer, was wounded, have you a surgeon on board?”
“I will send him over presently.” To his quartermaster, “Reyez, fetch the doctor immediately, get the men to fix a plank over to the Den Vaag, tell the marines to stand down and tell the Delgrano to watch for pirates in case they decide to come back.”
“Aye, Captain.”
As the doctor appears on deck the Captain walks down to join him. The crew on both ships finished securing a plank to allow them to cross over. Reyez, you have the ship, I’ll go with the doctor.”
He points at two sailors.
“Martinez, Vasquez, with me.”
“Aye, Captain.”
The four men cross the plank to the other ship. Ardent greets them as they are helped off the other end.
“My thanks, Captain, and to your doctor. He’s this way.”
Ardent leads them below decks to an area where Jackson is lying, looking feverish in some blood soaked sheets. The doctor prepares himself, rolls his sleeves up, opens his bag. As he lifts with bloody sheet Jackson raises a pistol aimed straight at his face. The two sailors are grabbed by Ardent’s men and Ardent pulls a pistol and aims it at the Spanish Captain.
“I’m sorry Captain.”
“What is this?”
Ardent, to one of his men: “Davies, tell the others to prepare, but not to show themselves until I give the signal.”
“Aye, Captain.”
Davies disappears out the door.
“I’m afraid we’re stealing your ship, Captain, we’re pirates.”
“You’ll never take it, I have nearly a hundred men on that ship, fifty of them are marines. And I have a warship with me, you’ll never outrun or outgun her and she has a hundred marines onboard. You won’t get away. You may as well give up now.”
“It’s a tempting offer, Captain, but we’ve got a few tricks up our sleeves yet. Feel free to sit, we may be waiting a while.”
A tense half an hour passes before anyone speaks.
“Face it, Captain, whatever you’re waiting for isn’t coming.”
Some muffled cries come from on deck. Suddenly a sailor shoots his head through the door.
“Sail ahoy, Captain. It’s the Revenge.”
“Very good, tell the others to deploy, making sure to stay out of sight.”
“On your feet please, Captain.”

Ardent leads the Captain, a pistol to his throat, onto the deck. Jackson leads the doctor and two other crewmen bring the remaining sailors. Ardent looks to his first mate and nods. Ardent and the others make for the plank joining the two ships, meanwhile, thirty crew members appear and silently make their way either up rigging or across to the Valdez. The crew of the Valdez are all up at the bow, staring out to watch the Delgrano chase after the Revenge. Ardent and his crew get on deck without being seen.
“Nobody move.”
Instantly the Valdez crewmen all turn round.
“I said: Nobody Move!”
Ardent holds the pistol to Captain Rodriguez’s throat, making sure to use him as a shield. His crew, in the rigging and on the decks of both ships are pointing muskets of all shapes and sizes at the down at the deck.
“I want you all to lay down your arms, right now.”
There’s a pause, nobody moves.
“Do it now or I’m going to blow your captain’s head off.”
Reyez shouts to the crew.
“Okay, lower your weapons.”
They slowly drop their weapons.
“Good, now get moving over the plank and do what your told. If you do as you’re told, no one gets hurt.”
They slowly begin filing down across the deck to the plank and over to the Den Vaag.
“What are you going to do to my crew?”
“Nothing, if they do as they’re told. Richards, you and your squad pick up any stragglers.”
“Aye, Captain.”
A large guy, Richards, and five other men make for below decks.
“Jackson, get this ship ready to run.”
“Aye, Captain.”
Jackson releases the doctor, “Doctor, would you please join the others.”
He looks to his captain, who nods and then heads off to join the other crew filing across the plank. Jackson calls to a few other men who begin rigging the sails.
“You’re stealing my ship.”
“Yes, we are, but it’s the gold, silver and precious gems in your hold we’re interested in.”
“The Delgrano will hunt you down. She’ll sink you rather than lose that treasure. You’ll be dead before you can spend it.”
“Now, now, Captain, there’s no need to be like that. In case you hadn’t noticed, your warship is off chasing one of my other ships, a ship she cannot catch. By the time they realise what’s happening, we’ll be too far away to catch. I’m leaving you the Den Vaag so you and your men can get home, so don’t be too bitter, she’s a good ship, breaks my heart to leave her.”
“Then don’t. Get back on her and I’ll let you and your men sail away under my protection.”
“I’m afraid not, Captain. With the haul in your hold I could buy a fleet of ships identical to her.”
As they finish talking the last of the Spanish crew are ushered aboard the Den Vaag. Jackson appears beside Ardent.
“We’re ready, Captain.”
“Signal the men to come over and get us underway, as much sail as she’ll take.”
“Aye, Captain.”
“Well, it’s time to say goodbye. I enjoyed meeting you, Captain, I hope we don’t part on bad terms, even if I am stealing your ship.”
“I appreciate your treatment of me and my men, Captain, but if I see you again I will kill you.”
“I understand, goodbye.”
Ardent ushers him onto the plank, the minute he steps off it the other end it is ripped away and all lines between the ships cut. The Valdez immediately deploys full sails and moves off, turning sharply and heading away in the opposite direction to the Spanish warship, which is still intent on catching the Revenge.

As the group stepped from the murky depths of the fort out into the bright sunshine they hit the wall humid heat that layered the Caribbean in the summer.
“Captain, would you be so kind as to entertain my daughter, I have some things to discuss with the Commodore,” said the Governor.
“Certainly, sir. It would be an honour.”
The Governor turned to Amelia.
“Now don’t be a burden on the young Captain, my dear.”
“I’ll try, father,” despite trying her best, she couldn’t entirely hide her mocking tone, though no one seemed to notice.
They watched the two men slowly wander off to the Commodore’s office.
“Would you like to take a stroll along the battlements, the view is excellent?”
“That would be pleasant.”

Slowly they ascend the steps and break out onto the battlements which provide a clear view out over the bay between the castellations. They wander past the ranks of cannon, ready to rain down on any intruder in the area.
“The Commodore said it was you who caught Ardent.”
“Yes. Well, the traitor Roberts came to me, having heard of me. I then consulted with the Commodore as to the best course of action, but it was I who lead the squad that ambushed Ardent and his crew.”
“That must have been very frightening, taking on a pirate like Ardent.”
“Oh, he’s a fearsome brute, though not as murderous as many, but I knew I could handle him if the going got tough. Her Majesty’s navy is the best in the world, and with my careful planning, Ardent knew he was beaten and didn’t even put up a fight.”
“You show exceptional modesty for your actions, Captain. Tell me, what’s known about Ardent, was he always a pirate?”
“No my lady, that’s the thing, he was once a naval officer. He resigned his commission and sailed to the Caribbean to become a privateer, attacking ships in the name of Her Majesty. Many sailors did this, mainly the undisciplined or disgraced, after hearing stories of fortunes being made. He was very successful, his name became known throughout the Caribbean. He rarely killed crews, instead employing all manner of tricks to get on board and take control of a ship. That’s how he became known as the ‘Gentleman Pirate’. Then one day, a navy frigate stumbled upon his boat and one his ‘prizes.’ Everyone on board — man, woman and child — had been tortured and slain, the women had been violated, the decks were supposedly swimming with blood. The Captain of the naval frigate questioned Ardent, who denied any knowledge of the act, saying he had merely stumbled onto it but a half-hour before their arrival. The Captain of the ship wasn’t satisfied, but when he tried to bring Ardent in for questioning, Ardent shot him. The rest of the crew held off the pirates long enough to escape.”
They walk on in silence.
“He deserves to hang,” said Amelia, taken aback by the story.
“Is there much known about him before he left the navy?”
“Rumours mostly. He’s thought to come from a well to do family, which would account for him being an officer in the navy, and also explains his level of education. Other than that, details are vague, some say he was orphaned, some that his family moved to the Americas.”
Realising she is neglecting the Captain and constantly asking questions about Ardent, Amelia changes tack. “Well I’m very glad you were able to rid us of such a horrible man. I trust you will receive your share of the praise for apprehending him, after all, it sounds as if you did it all, not the Commodore.”
“Well, between you and I, the Commodore believes that this may be enough for him to make Admiral and he’s assured me he would recommend me to replace him as Commodore.”
“Commodore Morgan, that will be grand.”
They stroll on.

Meanwhile, in the Commodore’s office, the two men have taken seats around the Commodore’s desk, and are sipping from port from ornate crystal glasses.
“I wanted to talk to you about the treasury, Commodore. I see that we are preparing our largest ever shipment for transport back to England.”
“You’re quite correct, Governor.”
“Do we have adequate protection in place for the shipment, that’s what I’m concerned about. It’s an awful lot of gold and if word of it should get out, every pirate in the Caribbean, the Atlantic and beyond will be after it.”
“Don’t worry, Governor, I’ve taken every precaution. A decoy ship will be loaded during the day, and sent off with two small escort ships, both of which will be loaded with marines, tomorrow evening. Tomorrow night, the real shipment will be loaded onto another ship and escorted by Vigilant and Fearless, which I have requested from the Admiralty specifically for this task, plus two smaller vessels. Vigilant and Fearless are two of our finest ships, they could hold off an entire fleet of pirates. In the meantime, I’ve doubled the number of guards on duty in the treasury, where it will remain under constant guard. I’ve also taken the precaution of limiting the number people allowed into the fort to the bare minimum.
“I can see that you have everything well in hand, Commodore. Well, now that that’s settled, shall we have another glass of port?”
“Excellent idea, Governor.”

The only way to tell it’s night in the cells is by the lack of any of the usual sounds of guards and men moving around, the silence is almost stifling. Ardent lays on the floor, head propped on the crook of a folded arm. His tricorn pulled low over his eyes. The sound of his deep, rhythmic breaths suggest he’s asleep, but his eyes are wide open under the brim of his hat, adjusted to the darkness, they miss nothing. An almost imperceptible muffle is heard, followed by very light footfalls as someone carefully negotiates the stairs that lead to the cells. Ardent doesn’t move, but he’s ready, his eyes search for the first sign of whoever is coming down the stairs.

Roberts appears, carrying a set of keys. Having checked to see if there are any guards about, he hurries over to Ardent’s cell and begins trying keys.
“Captain – Captain,” he whispers.
“You took your time, but it’s good to see you all the same.”
Ardent gets up as Roberts gets the right key and swings the door open.
“Go and free the others, we’ve not got time to waste.”
Slowly the other cells are unlocked and thankful pirates congregate around Ardent.
“All right lads, I think we did an excellent job of convincing the Governor Roberts here had turned traitor, so well done all round. Next up is the hard part. Remember, we’re here for the money, don’t kill anyone you don’t have to, and for God’s sake don’t be seen or heard.”

The group head out of the cells and split up. One group scale the ramparts, knock out and tie up the guards and booby tap the cannons. Another splits off to take out the roving patrols and secure the gate. The final group, led by Ardent, heads for the treasury. They take out the guards and each pair takes a large chest, laden with gold, between them. The boxes are so heavy they struggle to move them, but proceed to load the gold onto a cart that is commandeered from elsewhere in the fort. Once half a dozen boxes are loaded, not the full amount by far, they quietly leave.

As they’re leaving the fort a ship running a flag indicating it carries the plague slips into the harbour. Once inside it lowers two launches, which pull toward the dock with unusual speed and stealth. Ardent and his crew reach the dock as the ship they draw alongside. They load the crates quickly and head back to the ship, which weighs anchor and departs as fast as it can.

The Commodore is standing in the Governor’s study, sunlight pours in via a large window bathing the room in a bright light.
“Gone, what do you mean GONE!”
“Some of the shipment has been stolen. My guards were incapacitated. As best as we can ascertain, Ardent and his men either escaped or were released, and some of the gold taken.”
“And no one saw anything? I find that hard to believe.”
“Captain Hardmore was stationed on the Firefly just outside the harbour.”
“And?”
“One of his men says he saw the plague ship that had been moored off the coast leaving but that it was the only thing on the water all night.”
“Then they must have been on it!”
“Unlikely, sir, that ship has been anchored off the coast for more than a week. Anyone who visited the ship will testify that it was infested.”
“So we don’t know what happened?”
“Not yet, sir, no. I’ve set Captain Morgan to it, sir, I have no doubts that he will find these criminals and bring them to justice.”
“He – Ardent — couldn’t have planned all this, from the start?”
“I don’t believe so, sir, no, he’d have needed to have had the plan in action for a month or more and we didn’t finalise the details until two weeks ago. Besides, who would let themselves be captured?”
“I can’t help feeling we’ve been duped here, Commodore. Put all the resources at your disposal on this case. If it’s Ardent, then fine, if it’s not him I don’t want you wasting time chasing him, is that understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Start with that Roberts fellow.”
“We already tried that, sir. He was killed in a drunken brawl last night, I have a body and witnesses.”
“Keep me informed of any news.”
“Yes, sir.”
“In the meantime, shall I continue with the plan for the rest of the shipment?”
“Yes, I don’t want the stuff lying around under our responsibility a moment longer, get it out to sea, it’s the navy’s fault if they lose it then.”
“Yes, sir.”

In the harbour of Port Royal sits the pirate ship Revenge, a silent floating menace, dark and brooding in the moonlit night. The ship looks to be a hive of activity as small craft return to it and men and merchandise is hauled up the sides. Among the haul are a number of captives to sell as slaves. As the tall, imposing Captain Ardent runs his eye over the men and women his crew have taken, he notices one who stands out amongst the rest: a beautiful young woman with dark flowing hair and impossibly smooth, pale skin, dressed in the finest clothes. Even with he hair a mess, soot streaks on her face and a torn skirt it’s obvious she’s not ordinary. Stopping as he wanders past, he checks the grabs a handful of her dress, feeling the fabric.
“Who brought this woman?” he calls.
A small rodent-like pirate, called Dobs, steps forward.
“I did, Capt’n. Ain’t she a beauty, should fetch a good price.”
“Where did you find her?”
He examines her more closely, grabbing her under the chin and turning her face this way and that like he’s examining cattle. The woman breaks free of his hand.
“Take your filthy hands off me.” The response if fiery and filled with venom.
A sudden urgency comes over Ardent, he turns on his fellow pirate, barely concealed anger in his voice. “Quickly man, where did you find her?”
“L-large house up the hill, like all the other big houses.”
“Did it have a red door with a coat of arms on it?”
“Y-yeah.”
Anger rising: “That’s the Governor’s residence, I thought I made myself very clear when I said no-one was to touch the Governor’s residence.”
“Sorry, Capt’n, I made a mistake.”
“Yes, you did.” He raises his voice to the rest of the crew, not taking his eyes off Dobs. “Did anyone else make a mistake?”
Silence.
“That’s something at least.”
He casts a glance at the rest of the captives. Spotting a reasonably well dressed, rather elderly gentleman. “Dobs, put him and the lady into a launch, we can’t have her rowing back to shore alone. Do it now, do it fast.”
“Aye, Capt’n.”

Ardent returns to the poop deck and watches as Dobs shoves the two prisoners into a small launch and lowers it over the side with the help of another crew member. As Ardent looks on, watching the small launch head back to shore, the old man pulling well, his first mate, Joseph Jackson draws alongside him. Jackson is nearly as tall as Ardent, with a weathered look from the time spent exposed to the Caribbean sun, his powerful upper body has been created by the hard grind of sailing a ship and more hand-to-hand fights than even he can remember.
“I know you said the men weren’t to touch the Governor’s house, I understand that it saves us a whole lot of trouble, but he wouldn’t have cared about one maid, we’d have been better off to keep her.”
Ardent continues to watch the launch, hands clasped behind his back.
“That wasn’t one of the Governor’s maids, that was the Governor’s daughter. And before you say it, yes, we could have ransomed her, but it wasn’t worth the risk, he’d have had the entire British navy, and anyone else he could hire, hunting us down. We’ve got enough problems, and enemies, without adding one as big as that.”
“You’re right, Captain, as usual, it was a good thing you noticed who she was. She’s as beautiful as they say she is then.”
“It would appear so,” said Ardent, grinning as he looks at Jackson.
“Captain, I think it would be wise to tell the crew why you let her go, they’re beginning to think you’re afraid of the Governor and the Royal Navy.”
“Afraid? No, I just afford them the degree of respect they deserve, they’re a formidable foe. Besides, the crew doesn’t care what I do as long as I keep making them money. Tonight’s haul should keep them happy for a while.”
“True, and they’ll be singing your praises and telling stories about this one in bars all over Tortuga, that’s for sure. The entire fort unable to fire their cannons because the powder was spiked, brilliant idea, Captain.”
“Hmm.” He pauses, deep in thought. Tell the crew to make sail, we’re headed out before anyone happens along, no sense letting someone take our dishonest earnings.”
“Aye, Captain.”

Three months later

An ornate carriage arrives at the Governor’s mansion. A servant opens the door to find Commodore Richards, a tall, impossibly thin figure and Captain Morgan, young, athletic, clean cut, both dressed in full Navy uniform despite the sweltering heat. After taking the Commodore’s hat, he leads him through to the hall and and into the Governor’s relaxing room, where he introduces him. The Governor, a rather short, portly gent with glasses, is seated in a satin-covered arm chair, sat at a small table by the window is his daughter, Amelia, looking breathtaking in the warm midday sun.
“Commodore Richards, what a pleasant surprise, and Captain Morgan, how good to see you.” He looks quickly at Amelia. The Commodore is in his late forties, a stern-looking man. Morgan is in his late-twenties, obviously going places.
“We’re happy to announce that we’ve caught the pirate Ardent and nearly twenty of his crew, Governor.” Amelia looks up.
“Excellent news, where is he?”
“Locked in our cells at this very moment. We’re scheduling his hanging for tomorrow morning, I didn’t feel there was any sense in waiting, with your approval, of course.”
“Excellent thinking Commodore, please make the necessary arrangements. I wonder though, would it be possible to see him behind bars before his sentence is carried out, I would like to make sure he is aware of what is going to happen to him after the ordeal he put Amelia through?”
“For you Governor, of course.”
“Excellent, I shall be along this afternoon.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Congratulations once again Commodore, I shall write to London to sing your praises in ridding us of this vile criminal.”
“Thank you, Governor. I look forward to your visit, good day.”
“Good day, Commodore, and to you Captain Morgan.”
“Good day, sir.”
Amelia stands, steps closer to the window and stares out.
“Father, when you go to the cells, can I go with you?”
“Why ever would you want to? I don’t think it’s a place for ladies of your breeding to be seen.”
“It’s just that I think it would put my mind at rest seeing that barbarous pirate, who nearly kidnapped me, behind bars.”
He pauses for a moment.
“Very well. And who knows, we may see that Captain Morgan again.”

The Commodore leads the way into the cells with Captain Morgan, the Governor and Amelia in tow.
“Well, here he is, Governor. James Ardent, supposedly the smartest, most daring, most brilliant pirate in the Caribbean, behind bars.”
“Once again, I extend my congratulations, Commodore. Excellent work.”
He looks Ardent up and down with barely concealed distaste.
“Well, well, Mr Ardent, how does it feel being outwitted for a change?”
“Oh, humbling, sir, so very humbling. It just goes to show that our betters really are better than we.”
“A sore loser I see from your sarcasm.”
“Only when my life’s on the line, if you were to give me leave to go on my way I’d be of much greater cheer I assure you.”
“Your hanging will serve as a warning to all other pirates, no one can elude the law, and those that break it will be punished.”
Ardent simply stares back.
“Allow me to show you some of the others we caught,” said Commodore Richards.
As the Governor is shown further down the cells, Amelia hangs back. She looks at Ardent who is watching the Governor, then notices her.
“It’s a privilege to see you again, my lady. Please excuse my bad manners at our last meeting. Captain James Ardent, at your service.” He performs as mock bow.
“Why did you let me go?”
He straightens up.
“Because I didn’t want to give the Governor a reason to hunt me down.”
“Is that the only reason?”
“Can you think of a better one?”
She turns to join the others.
“Dobs was right about you, my lady, you are extraordinarily beautiful.”
She seems momentarily shaken, not sure whether to be outraged or flattered, then turns and stalks off. Ardent grins. The Commodore walks back toward him.
“We caught them as they came ashore, supposedly sneaking into town to gather supplies. Of course, I can’t take all the credit, we had some help: one of his crew turned traitor. Would you like to know who, Ardent?”
Silence.
“Bring him through.”
A pirate, accompanied by a marine, walks into the cells. Ardent charges the front of his cell. There are jeers from the his crew.
“Roberts, you son of a whore, you gave us up.”
“So would you for the money they offered me, but, truth be told, I’d have done it for free you arrogant ass. You always were a little too cocky. Not for much longer, eh?”
He mimes someone being hanged, his tongue sticking out. Ardent, enraged, slams his cage wall.
“I’ll get you for this, Roberts, in this life or the next. I’ll wander this planet and haunt you, mark my words.” “Now, now, Ardent. I thought you might like to see the person who caused your death, he’s done Her Majesty a great service. I hope you enjoy thinking about your impending death, knowing Roberts here will be walking around a free man long after you’re gone.”
“Not for long, knowing him. One of the others will find you Roberts, they’ll find you and kill you. You won’t be able to enjoy your reward when you’re dead.”