Shortly before midnight the Merlions left Singapore, swimming out in all directions, in pairs, each pair heading for a ship. Upon arrival at their allotted vessel each pair quickly set to work underwater, gripping and prising away the boards that held the hull together.
Onshore, on Singapore and the nations surrounding her, the people waited for the first signs of trouble on the water. This would be their signal to attack and capture the ships in port to deal with the pirates enjoying port life- for, as the pirates had had an easy time of it in terms of opposition to their rule, many of them spent their evenings in establishments selling alcohol- and this night was no exception!
The first sign came in Singapore and Johor Baru when shouts were heard from a ship stationed between the two. It’s rear was starting to sink and pirates onboard were starting to panic, some abandoning ship only to find themselves face to face with Merlions.
In both cities the people made their move- some blockading the bars, trapping pirate reinforcements inside, while others made their way to the docks. Gaining entrance was easy- some guards were half-drunk on rum while others were distracted in another way.
So onward they ran to the ships, only half-manned, their distress calls not being answered by comrades-in-arms but angry folk trying to keep their feelings from boiling over as they didn’t want to sink or burn these ships and clog up their own docks. Boarding and overtaking would be enough.
And that they did, easily. The pirates could see there was no point in struggling- the look in the eyes of their attackers told them that much. Their time was over, they were marched to jail.
For his part the Merlion ventured out with the female Merlion the boy had seen him chat with during the journey home. Together they swam in silence to that ship between Singapore and Johor Baru and, near its stern each ripped boards away until they could feel themselves being sucked into the ship.
The Merlion pulled away easily but the female couldn’t and needed him to release her from the forces trying to drag her inside the already sinking ship. They quickly surfaced and after a quick kiss in thanks the two Merlions began to disarm and drag pirates to the shore to be arrested by waiting civilians.
Meanwhile the boy watched what proceedings he could see from his home. His father was storming the docks but he had not been allowed to join in. “You’ve played your part,” his aunt had said, “This is too dangerous for you.”
Instead he watched and wondered what would happen next. Would the Merlion leave, once the pirates were finally defeated? He would have a mate soon, perhaps they would prefer to live on their island.
Of such issues the boy thought as the battle continued, the pirates having been caught off guard and where they fought, they fought a losing battle.
Onshore, on Singapore and the nations surrounding her, the people waited for the first signs of trouble on the water. This would be their signal to attack and capture the ships in port to deal with the pirates enjoying port life- for, as the pirates had had an easy time of it in terms of opposition to their rule, many of them spent their evenings in establishments selling alcohol- and this night was no exception!
The first sign came in Singapore and Johor Baru when shouts were heard from a ship stationed between the two. It’s rear was starting to sink and pirates onboard were starting to panic, some abandoning ship only to find themselves face to face with Merlions.
In both cities the people made their move- some blockading the bars, trapping pirate reinforcements inside, while others made their way to the docks. Gaining entrance was easy- some guards were half-drunk on rum while others were distracted in another way.
So onward they ran to the ships, only half-manned, their distress calls not being answered by comrades-in-arms but angry folk trying to keep their feelings from boiling over as they didn’t want to sink or burn these ships and clog up their own docks. Boarding and overtaking would be enough.
And that they did, easily. The pirates could see there was no point in struggling- the look in the eyes of their attackers told them that much. Their time was over, they were marched to jail.
For his part the Merlion ventured out with the female Merlion the boy had seen him chat with during the journey home. Together they swam in silence to that ship between Singapore and Johor Baru and, near its stern each ripped boards away until they could feel themselves being sucked into the ship.
The Merlion pulled away easily but the female couldn’t and needed him to release her from the forces trying to drag her inside the already sinking ship. They quickly surfaced and after a quick kiss in thanks the two Merlions began to disarm and drag pirates to the shore to be arrested by waiting civilians.
Meanwhile the boy watched what proceedings he could see from his home. His father was storming the docks but he had not been allowed to join in. “You’ve played your part,” his aunt had said, “This is too dangerous for you.”
Instead he watched and wondered what would happen next. Would the Merlion leave, once the pirates were finally defeated? He would have a mate soon, perhaps they would prefer to live on their island.
Of such issues the boy thought as the battle continued, the pirates having been caught off guard and where they fought, they fought a losing battle.
No comments:
Post a Comment