Ahead of the Press Publishing

After the explosion that nearly killed them, Rudy and Rose take refuge at the home of Nancy Ivey, an old friend of Rose’s from her days as a young woman in New York. While Rudy recuperates from severely burned hands, they begin a storytelling session which takes them to a St. Patrick Days celebration after John Paul’s death and the sale of his ship the Gemini. As that story ends, Rose, dressed as Rupert, leaves the home to deliver a message to their crew waiting off-shore, warning them that trouble is afoot and to depart for two weeks while leaving them behind. Returning to the past of her childhood, “Rupert” wanders the streets, reliving the years as the youthful scholar Rose Theodore developed into the woman who would later have the fortitude to stand by reprobate Rudy Blake’s side, captain a ship and develop the skills of a modern-day pirate. Once back at Nancy Ivey’s place of refuge, Rudy is prevailed upon again to detail the story of his life which takes them to the Richmond of 1861 on the verge of Civil War where he reassembles his crew for their high adventures aboard the Profiteer. When Rudy and Rose finally determine it is safe to leave, they sadly depart Nancy’s company to rejoin the crew and make good their departure from New York. But, before they are able to embark on new adventures far away from the torn and bleeding United States, Rudy receives a letter that radically changes his plans – as well as his life.