Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 2 - 2 | Page 47

When the Battle Began Shanghai Singapore International School, Gosain, Shimona - 11 “GET THE CANNONS READY! THEY ARE ABOUT TO ATTACK!” My voice screeched across the ship as I ran towards our largest cannon. Soon enough, acidic smoke filled the air. I tried my best to look strong and confident from the outside, but I was terrified and unsure of what I was doing from the inside. I don’t think you understand. Let’s start from the beginning. It all started when I agreed to go on my first ever voyage as captain of The Ming Treasure Fleets, Captain Zheng He. The Chinese king thought I was capable to be captain. He said I had to deliver back the jewels that were stolen before. We were headed all around South-East Asia, going to Vietnam and Indonesia, and then returning back to China. We were ready to set off to Vijaya which is in Vietnam. There, we met the minister. He gave us a tour of his palace and even let us keep some of the gold we were supposed to deliver. He was so generous to the villagers. He was so kind. After a long and tiring day, I went to check where we were going to next and saw that we were going near Indonesia, and my mind drifted into deep thoughts. Shen Chen walked up to me, “What are you thinking about, captain?” “Oh. Hello, Shen Chen. I was just thinking about Chen Zuyi…” I dazed off as I answered. “Chen Zuyi? Who is she?” asked Shen Chen in bewilderment which you could see by the look on his face. “Well… ‘HE’ is an evil pirate who always attacks ships like ours, bigger than his own, and somehow, has not been defeated. If we come across him and his crew, we are doomed.” I explained with a slightly terrified but stern look on my face. “Oh. In that case, you don’t have to worry. We have the best crew members ever and a great captain to guide us. I believe in you, captain.” His words flattered me. The next day, I woke up early, so early that the sun was nowhere close to rising. I got dressed and got to the kitchen for a midnight snack to take my mind of Chen Zuyi. Not so soon after my snack, we docked at Palembang, Indonesia. There was no sign of Chen Zuyi, and I was relived. I was so worried, I didn’t sleep. I tossed and turned all night. Finally, the daylight shined in my room. I changed into my clothes for the day and went to wake up the others. The king had sent us a chariot. How kind of him! The royal guard took us to the king’s palace. It was huge and mostly red and gold in color. We stayed there for hours, touring the city before heading back to the ship. As we docked from Palembang, I was so happy that we had not come across Chen Zuyi yet. Famous last thoughts. The ship suddenly stopped. I went to where the ship was being controlled and there was a BIG problem. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t the pesky little fleets. Give me the gold, and you won’t die. Don’t give me the gold and you die!” Chen Zuyi commanded as he pointed his sword at me. “Look, we don’t have any gold. We are just heading back to China and don’t mean any harm so please, please just let us go,” I say, trying not to get any fright in my voice. “Alright, fine! We will let you go.” He waited for us to move away a bit before yelling, “FIRE AT THEM!” We turned around, surprised, but luckily for us, they had tried to use a broken cannon. I ran across the ship, my voice screeching, “QUICK! GET ALL THE CANNONS READY! HURRY EVERYONE!” Smoke, fire and destruction filled the air, and all I could see were the foggy figures of my crew. The canon fire got louder and louder. I crouched down, moving my hands to cover my ears. I just wanted to go home, but I knew I had to stay strong for my team. Within a second, I stood up. I glanced at my team with faith, “It’s time. We need to use it.” “Are you sure, captain?” Shen Chen shrieked through the sound of the battleships. I nodded with certainty. I knew it was risky, but I knew it was the right thing to do. Our secret weapon: The Golden Cannon, the biggest, most explosive cannon ever invented. Shen Chen fired it up, giving me the most confident smile I’d smiled in a very long time. It flew across the ash-filled seawater and blasted the ship right through the middle. We sunk all their ships, killing more than five thousand people. My crew and I were jumping with joy, hugging one another, when Shen Chen pointed to a man in the waters, “How? That’s Chen Zuyi!” Some men from my crew jumped out into water and dragged Chen Zuyi by his wrists up the ropes towards the ship. We brought Chen Zuyi back to China and he was be-headed. I was so proud of my crew, and they were proud of me. The mission was difficult, but my crew and I are always looking forward to adventures.