Vinon moved to carry his bluff through directly after the Canine marine had realized his situation. An experienced and hardened soldier, he reacted faster than Vinon had anticipated in bringing his musket to bear.

Fortunately for the Feline lad, Henry was right there to cutlass the boarder's musket down. Even better, the marine did not fire his ball, thus preserving the element of surprise Captain Stergeon wished to hold as long as possible.

"I told you not to move and shooting me certainly would have made noise," Vinon said grimly. "On your knees you foolish bastard and pray your last." He cocked his pistol and Henry laughed quietly at the marine's bitter expression. "And no need to yell, surely," Vinon pointed out. "This shot will be all the warning your fellows will require. Half of them are either dead by now or share your position, as it is."

The Canine spat and was silent to feel the pistol's muzzle pressed violently to the back of his skull. His tail went up and quite stiff in dreadful anticipation.

"I will probably join you soon," Vinon confessed. "This is going too well thusfar." Then he pulled the trigger.

The click echoed once dully in the hold and the Canine's eyes widened in relief and surprise, then were quick to narrow with ill intent.

"This IS loaded, sir," Henry cautioned him, holding his musket steady. "By the mercy of a lackstature boy your life remains. Be a man and consider yourself indebted. We mean to kill none of your fellows if it can be helped and for you to warn them in any way would be...unkind. Please hold your tongue and stillness. Go and see about the others, Vinon. Go carefully."

"Yes sir."

The war raging in the captive's mind was evident to Henry. "Would you enjoy helping to kill a crew of boys?"

"All of you are boys?"

"From the captain..." Henry chuckled, "To the cabin boy. Cook, carpenter, signal gunnery, surgeon. And all of them braver than you, willing to risk their lives to spare those of others, from the branded "enemy" to just the fools who like shedding any blood."