"HRAAR!" A chorus of shouts and jeers rise from the crew as you pull alongside the merchantman. You swing your grappling hook over your head and let it sail to the deck of the opposing ship. Giving the rope one good tug to snug it in place, you prepare to board. Glancing to your right you can see your pirate lass already swinging into action. Maybe she'll be up for a little celebratory fooling around once we're done here... You smile to yourself imagining the two of you sneaking a private moment together. With a deep breath, you leap onto the opposite deck.
You land with a THUD and immediately draw your pistol, cocking the lock, ready for a fight!
...
Which never comes. The deck is empty. You look around at your crew-mates who are just as confused. "They's pro'ly ho'ed up do'n below!" One the surly men pipes up, "Matters none t'me, easy pickin's, this lot! Lets get them doors broken in!" You stow your pistol back at your side and draw the hefty boarding axe you brought with you. A bit of honest labour required, it seems... A grin tugs at your mouth as you approach the hatch that leads to the cargo hold, you ready your axe and drive it into the soft lumber.
A few minutes of hacking and chopping later, you've created a hole large enough to fit your arm through. You shout in, "If anyone in there has any ill-conceived ideas about fightin' us, I suggest that you reconsider, if you value what little we're gonna be leavin' ya with!" And to punctuate your demands, you draw your pistol and fire a shot through the hole you've created. The black smoke from your weapon gives your arm a little cover as you fumble around through the hole to find some way to unlock the hatch.
You are rewarded when the hatch doors swing open wide to reveal the contents of the hold. "Ah Ha!" You leap into the hold brandishing your axe, ready for any resistance, but there is no one there. A deep, unsettling feeling courses through you and an unbidden shiver runs up your spine, Where's the ships crew? Did they jump ship when they realized we were going to catch them? Your troubled thoughts are interrupted, however, by a very distinct glint at your feet.
"Haha! Look who found us some treasure boys!" A commotion begins outside as word of the loot spreads like wildfire through the ranks. Soon you aren't alone and a dozen of your shipmates make their way into the hold. You lean down to pick up the golden coin by your foot and you're immediately struck by a feeling of vertigo. Your mind feels like it is practically swimming as you lose your balance, but, as quickly as the feeling started, it vanishes and you're left wondering what just happened to you. Looking around, it seems as though no one else noticed your little episode and, indeed, have busied themselves hauling goods and trinkets back to the Antelope. You pocket your little treasure before getting back to work.