The Price of Freedom
Twenty-five year old Jack Sparrow is a clean-cut merchant seaman pursuing a legitimate career as a first mate for the East India Trading Company. He sometimes thinks back to his boyhood pirating days, but he doesn't miss Teague's scrutiny or the constant threat of the noose. Besides, he doesn't have much choice; he broke the Code when he freed a friend who had been accused of rogue piracy, and he can no longer show his face in Shipwreck Cove./DIV When Jack's ship is attacked by pirates and his Captain dies in the altercation, Jack suddenly finds himself in command. But the wily sailor's skillful negotiations with the pirate captain--who turns out to be a woman from his past--result in a favorable turn-out that puts Jack in line for official promotion. After making port in Africa, Jack is summoned by Cutler Beckett, who makes him Captain of a ship called the Wicked Wench. Beckett gives Jack an assignment. He has heard a legend about a mysterious island named Zezura whose labyrinthine bowels are said to contain a glorious treasure. Beckett suspects that one of his house slaves, a girl named Aisha, is from Zezura. He asks Jack to take her along on his voyage and seduce her into divulging the island's whereabouts. In payment for his services, Beckett promises Jack a share of the treasure. But this task isn't as easy as Jack initially believes. He begins to fall for Aisha, and after winning her trust, he takes her back to Zezura and reports to Beckett that he found nothing. Furious with Jack for his failure, Beckett orders Captain Sparrow to make up for the loss by transporting a new cargo--slaves. Jack wants to refuse, but he has no leverage. He reluctantly agrees and sets out for the Americas. A few days into the voyage, Jack reaches a breaking point. He can't in good conscience continue with the journey, so he sails to Zezura and sets the slaves free. But Beckett is prepared for this; an EITC ship is watching Jack's every move and intercepts the Wicked Wench, ordering her back to Africa. Having lost yet another lucrative venture, Beckett wants to hit Jack where it hurts the most. So he brands Jack as a pirate and then sets fire to the Wicked Wench. DIV Full of love for his ship, Jack dives into the ocean and swims out to the sinking vessel, but he can do nothing to quell the flames. The ship starts to go down, and he goes down with her. At the moment before he loses consciousness, a familiar squid-like face appears. In a last-ditch effort, Jack decides to take a chance. Maybe he can bargain with Davy Jones and somehow get his ship back. . . .