Swann accepted the proffered coffee with tired dignity and sipped at it while waiting for the doors to close behind the last of the servants and supernumeraries for proper privacy. Despite the comfortable chair James could not take advantage of it and sat stiffly with his hat on his lap and his coffee dish clasped gingerly in this hands.

"Last night the East India Trading Company attempted to assassinate me. I require protection and passage back to England. Immediately," Swann said without delicacy. Admiral Bratton had been sipping his coffee and had managed after a slight hesitation to swallow it. He set his dish back upon its saucer with a clink.

"Lord Cutler Beckett is behind the plot and he does not yet know that I have smuggled the Governor out of Port Royal. Officially, I have come here to discuss noninterference with EITC ships, Admiral," Norrington's voice clipped through the silence. Bratton put down his coffee and drummed his fingers on his desk, his eyes flashing betwixt Swann and Norrington.

It was an unconscionable attack against vice-royalty by a chartered company and yet the Admiral knew that such companies were dangerous. Even if the EITC had not broken beyond the confines of its charter, the Admiral did not currently have enough force to recon with it. He shook his head at the idea of giving mercantile civilians the liberties of armies and navies without the responsibilities of upholding the political agendas of England.

"Governor Swann, in light of these abhorrent circumstances," Bratton's sympathy was sincere, "I can have you on a ship departing for England by tomorrow evening. Should there be anything you require, do not hesitate to inform me."

"My daughter, Elizabeth," Weatherby could not finish, suddenly overcome with emotion. "Miss Swann," James began, "was taken hostage by Lord Beckett upon his arrival in Port Royal. She managed to escape and has sought refuge with her fiancé, William Turner, under the protection of the pirate, Jack Sparrow. We ask that all consideration be given to her should she be on a pirate vessel captured by a ship of His Majesty's Royal Navy."

"Naturally," Bratton said, his eyes fixed on Norrington as he politely ignored the Governor until Swann could compose himself. James looked down and realized he had yet to drink any of his coffee. Although he had no thirst, James drank his entire dish to avoid any slight towards the Admiral.

"I am very weary and wish to retire for the time being. I shall leave you and Admiral Norrington to discuss the details of all business, official and unofficial," Swann said as he stood and placed his half-finished dish on the bureau. Admiral Bratton rose smoothly and went to the Governor to show him to the door and arrange for him to be quartered in the meantime.

Flustered by Weatherby's sudden retreat, James stood abruptly and toppled his hat to the floor. Embarrassed, hoping Bratton had not seen such an unseemly thing, he clinked his empty dish onto the bureau next to Swann's and quickly bent to snatch his hat off the floor. He turned, tucking his hat under his arm, and bowed to Swann as he was lead down the hall by a servant.

Bratton closed the door and turned to face Norrington, giving him a hard look before returning to his bureau. James stood rigid under the Admiral's scrutiny and stared fixedly at a place just above the other man's eyes. "You disappoint me," Bratton stated flatly and James flushed like a midshipman. "That aside," the Admiral continued, "it would seem you and I have some matters to discuss. Sit."