Captain Nora Gaunson had raced into Matthew Town to pick up refit supplies for her new frigate, the Penelope. Penelope was already quite fast and powerful, but she wanted to see the full faired a bit better to improve speed. And she knew that pirates were in the area, looking for targets.
Having made it safely into Matthew Town, she was taken aback by all the pirates open lounging about the docks. Many famous and dangerous pirate captains peopled the town: how should she ever get out safely? Having concluded her business in town, she decided to make a break for it. She would have to clear the dangerous waters around Matthew Town and reach the safety of the Open Sea.
Upon reaching the sea, she found the wind had turned against her, and she had to hug the islands and their pirate-infested waters. She almost got out. But just before she made reached safety, she was attacked by a very famous pirate, who curiously enough was sailing a packet-boat. Her first instinct, having never seen such an action before, was to run from the fearsome pirate, even though she had by far the superior vessel.
The pirate gave chase, and tried all tactics he could to slow her escape. She sailed on despite all, and suffered only minor damage to her rigging. At one point she turned to fire at the pirate's rigging, only to return to flight. The packet boat was faster, though, and eventually she came to understand that she must turn and fight. Nora gave the order to load the heavy round shot, and when the broadside was ready, she turned and fired. The pirate clearly had not been expecting such a change of heart, and his portside armor almost crumbled.
The success of the Penelope's first broadside emboldened the young Captain, and she gave the orders to break out the pre-measured powder. The Penelope delivered broadside after broadside, blasting large holes in the pirate's hull. The pirate continued doggedly with his destruction of the Penelope's sails, but Nora set her crew to work to repairs while under sail.
In the end, the pirate new that he must withdraw or face the briny deep. With his crew working every bilge pump on board, he gave the order to flee, and tossed his cannon overboard to increase speed. Nora's sails were too damaged to give effective chase; had she had but one more broadside on the miscreant, she might have sent him to his just desserts under the sea. The villain even tipped his hat, which gesture she returned with a polite curtsy from her quarterdeck.
After the fighting was done, and the pirate well away, she joined up with Lisette von Klein and Matthieu Sauviat, the naval officer, who escorted her back to Grenville. Much celebration was had in the tavern.