Izal nodded to his captain/daughter with respect, moving from the wheel of the ship as Delilah stepped in to take control while he focused his attention on the task at hand. Resisting the urge to lick his lips was always difficult when a fight was so near. As he stepped away he shot a glare at Rollands way, threatening him with just a look to so much as think of betraying the trust Delilah showed him. In the veteran former captains eyes there was only the promise of gruesome and slow end. 
Rolland caught the look and tried his best to not look intimidated but knew without doubt he had failed. 

To the raised main deck and the Ballista he went, unconcerned with the projectiles hastily launched by both sides. Crossbows and firearms had good range but there was still too much distance between the two ships for anything substantial to take place. The ballista anchored to the main deck was a different beast entirely. 
Up the steps he went, hoisting a heavy steel tipped bolt from its resting place nearby. With the ease born from years of practice he had the bolt in place and the string brought back, taking aim with care. One figure on the back of TRUE BLUE was resting leisurely but wasn't the target, unwilling to waste a bolt on  a single target of potentially no importance to the sortie to follow.

The only way they could guarantee a fight was to cripple the enemies ability to run. 

"All hands, prepare to board!" Izal shouted to the crew down below, already armed and ready for the fight to come. Teams with ropes and hooks were standing by to throw and pull. If all went smooth it would be a quick fight. Pulling the lever, the iron headed bolt shot straight and true. A single bolt was often incapable of doing much damage but the GREAT AQUARIUS was not armed with regular means.
The tip of its bolts were far more destructive. Hollowed out and filled with a dangerous and volatile oil, impact promised a strong payout.

Izal watched the bolt fly across the blue ocean waves, arcing above TRUE BLUE's quarter deck.. A brief flash of light and the sound of splintering wood was a good sign of a hit, but his sharp eyes caught what he was hoping for. 
The wheel had been blown to splinters. Unable to maneuver, they faced the very real problem of crashing into an island or spinning endlessly through the waves as the currents chose their course. 

GREAT AQUARIUS would never give her enemies a chance to recover.

[hr]

Delilah knew the shot would fly true, trusting in her close friend and the years of experience they both drew on. To the wizard behind her, she gave a shrill whistle to get his attention.

[color=f7976a]"Mister Rolland, if you would." [/color]

The wizard, still shaken, shook himself from the sight of Izals gaze and turned his attention back to conjuring mighty gusts of ethereal wind into the sails. Every gust of wind saw the ship inch closer to their target now unable to maneuver until finally they were in range.

From the wheel, Delilahs voice cut through the air.

[color=f7976a][b]"Fire at will!"[/b][/color]

[hr]

From the dock of TRUE BLUE, a similar shout echoed across the deck as a dozen pirates armed with daggers and axes all whooping. Every single one knew the fight was inevitable and most were eager to take over a superior ship for their own needs. The long bearded dwarf Raz, armed with a heavy crossbow, was first to draw blood.
From the quarter deck he leveled the weapon and fired, the bolt striking one of GREAT AQUARIUS' many shipmates readying a hook and rope with a dull thump as it pierced his heart. 

The other pirates let loose their own inaccurate barrage, firing blindly at the mass of bodies pulling up next to their significantly slower ship. Despite the numbers difference none of the pirates seemed particularly afraid.

Raz bellowed from the deck as he pulled out his gleaming machete, "FOR GOLDWATER!" The others echoed his cheer and warcry, climbing the rigging to grab a rope. A dozen or so pirates, emboldened by their reckless natures, swung high as the GREAT AQUARIUS pulled in. The distance between each ship was roughly 10 feet. 

The first group of pirates landed at the raised main deck with Izal, blades drawn. 

Others tossed their own hooks to latch onto the railing of GREAT AQUARIUS.

The sound of something splashing the water was lost over the sound of gunfire and shouts.




[Hider=Enemy ship]
ROUGH OVERLOOK - Do your best explaining where you are.
[img]http://www.fantasticmaps.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/pirateship.jpg[/img]
[/hider]