Keitaro The Captain of the Sunless Sea-Chapter 3.

The city of Fallen London awoke with a start the crow of several Cockerels waking many across the city, Watch men changed, carriages moved, and the early curses of the arguing denizens was now common place. On Downy Street a single man got up from his bed stretching as he did and popped his backside back into place he sighed as he moved his hand to the side in phantom memory before looking around blinking. He took his hands and rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he made his way over to the window and looked outside and unlatched the window before pushing it open and taking a deep breath of the air.

'A slight burnt smell but overall surprisingly fresh compared to the same blossom smell of that damned Hinata city.' Thought Keitaro briefly remembering the ordeal he had trying to live in the city for three years and go to school all while being the tenant to several angry ,unpredictable ,violent women.

'Man I must have cared a lot not to just pick up and run it was do or die my education or the streets in all honesty think about it I should have chose the streets.' He thought idly to himself thinking back to a few of the times he was injured over the slightest thing he shuddered and wonder just how he was able to go back to sleeping normally.

''My old mentor in archaeology used to say do as the Americans do when something good happens instead of something bad when it should be the opposite. '' Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.''

''I'll be damned if I do it now well time to grab the glasses I can see well enough without them with the surgery I was getting every now and then man I'm lucky I managed to get extra work from Seta's colleagues or I don't know what I would have done. Oh well in the meantime best to try and lay low get some work and get some of that breakfast for now.''

The Ronin added before heading to the shower on the same floor cursing as he saw the soap he had left hidden in the loose tiles was gone as well as the towel he kept in a box on the side of it.

'Better buy some more and keep them in my damn room then.'

He thought angrily as he calmed down and made his way to the lodgings dining room.

''Hello Mr. Hendrickson nice day isn't it?''

''Besides someone taking my soap and towel yeah it looks good outside going to have to head out but I thought I'd grab something to eat before then.''

'"Ah you're just in luck got some dry goods from 's Shipside provisioner's I've got some Rubbery Lumps, Grit Cakes hard to procure those the Khanate's ramped up building ships so the laws cracked down on their goods, right then some fig fruit cakes rare those are to get in the mix boxes, and some meat cake baked dough with a meaty center.''

''Ugh I'll have some sausage to go with some fig pies.''

''Your choice Mr. H right then here you go I wrapped it in some cloth to go in this nail box. ''

''Thank you very much Mr. Cane.''

''No problem your my customer Room and board means room and food in my book and for my wallet wouldn't get much business as an inn otherwise with no food.''

The man said with a smile and Keitaro merely nodded smiling back as he turned up his coat and fastened his rubber boots he turned p his collar and made his way out into London once more.

Wolf stacks Harbor.

''Huh /Yeah I can use a guy for the Morning to evening shift you'd get off at Four to make way for the other guys but that's the way it goes it pays Five Echoes an hour what ya say?.'' Said the older man with finger less gloves a Hampshire accent if Keitaro was right though he was unsure if he was the man was short and had a slightly protruding belly form his white under shirt which had a rubber coat over it the man wearing rubber boots to finish the outfit.

''Yes I'll take it when can I start?''

''Immediately you say you can fix planks I've got several sections of wood rotting off the east end Zee water smooth's them down fast it does we need you to take this hammer and rip up and replace the boards I tell you too am I clear?''

'"Crystal boss.''

''Good right then follow me young one and we can get right to work.''

Moving over and following the dour looking man Keitaro followed him to the edge of the eastern docks where several worn docks by closed off side way where several red buoys lay flashing with tape that said ''CLOSED FOR REPAIRS!YOU TWATS!'' painted on it he walked over stepping up and over a few falling planks before coming to the middle where the peer groaned under the man's wait making Keitaro wince as the man continued to the end and turned to look at him expectantly .Hurrying up and leaping over the edges he ran after him quickly and made his way up to the man standing in front of him.

''Right then here is your hammer I've got some boys rolling up some planks to the safe parts they'll take the planks out and put them further up before the middle it's your job to start form here and work your way all the way back. Yes it's stupid and yes it's going to be methodical but our illustrious employers the Harbor Masters wish for us to get through this as mistake proof as possible so do your best watch your speedy you mess up you'll have to back track and fix it tediously by counting each board till you found the one you messed up on.''

''Yes sir I understand completely sir.''

Looking him in the eye they narrowed a bit before opening to normal width to which the man nodded.

''Good Mr. Hendrickson good hopefully you'll honestly work hard and honestly push up to whatever goal you have in mind as long as it's good and decent I'll be in my office at the Harbor Offices mine isn't the main building per say it's on the right you know where that guy is who tells you about relatives and stuff?''

''Yes sir I do.''

''Good you want to tell him your there for me he'll buzz a button under the desk and a staircase will come down on the side of the building follow it up and you'll be at my office where when you're done you can collect your check and get through it by pressing the button in my office never go up when another employee is coming down .Repeat after me ''Always go through the Harbor masters office.''

''Always go through the Harbor masters office.''

''Good now I'll leave you to it you look trustworthy don't' prove me wrong by stealing form me I'll have someone watching.''

Nodding the Ronin watched as his boss left he sighed as he looked at the work ahead of him.

'It won't be easier but it's less intricate then Tatami mats and I'm used to replacing them especially given the wood I'd have to fix in between the foundations in the old Hinata Inn.'

He thought as he got to work using the hammer to rip up the boards and replace them with the bucket of nails left by the other workers with him .Who Keitaro could see working on the roofs of a nearby building he could also see his minder a tall lanky man with skinny arms and legs far longer than the young man's own looking at him with a partial sneer.

Sighing and getting to work Keitaro worked with a solid methodology rip, pull, replace, nail he said to himself over and over as he worked his way down the line step by step.

Sometime later-Harbor Master's Office.

Keitaro sighed as he came in sweat dripping from his head as he entered the office of the Harbor master's and watched as the old man sitting at the desk face lit up.

''Why Mr. Urashima so nice to see that you're up about and looking better off than before when you've first come in.''

''It's nice to see you Mr. Pickett I didn't get your name last time so much was going on then I was half drowned and disoriented but I remember being led here then I know it was only two days ago but it's been a tremendous difference.''

''So how did meeting your uncle go?''

''Very good I talked with him about several things to be honest I didn't' expect to have a cousin or to meet his lovely wife but it was very enlightening and happy experience.''

''Good I'm sincerely happy for you I'd love to talk more but I'm sure you've no doubt got a job on the docks the hammer tells me you do carpentry.''

'"Ah well I just normally do some odd jobs here or there and well I've got some skill at it.''

''Good good well then up you go do tell Mr. Hicks that I hope he does not make such a fuss to his workers outside of his room I have some people with delicate dispositions coming in today .''

''I will thank you for everything and I will see you later Mr. Picket.''

''And you too Mr. Urashima.''

Heading outside and up the steps Keitaro gulped as he heard his boss chew out another worker.

''And another thing stop taking your lunch break the same time as Hobbs, Pete, and Lopkins your making my job more difficult by being on break all of you the same time if half the crew is gone off the project while the other works that makes getting it done on time difficult.''

''Yes Mr. Hicks I understand I'll try to reschedule it.'

''Good you're a good worker unlike those idiots and that's part of hwy I need someone with some schooling there to make sure the others don't' muck it up.''

''Right then Mr. Hicks I'll just be going then.''

''You do that and you well Hendrickson you're done already?''

''Yes sir I've finished my side of the dock.''

''Hmm either your good or a trying to jip me fine let's head out and see your work then.''

Said the man putting his rubber coat back on and making his way outside ahead of the ronin. Both walked back out the docks and Keitaro noticed as they came up to his section them an looked down carefully before walking over each board slowly stopping a third of the way to bend down and feel it with his hands before moving to the middle.

''Hmmm.''' Was all he said as he got up and moved on.

'What is he thinking? Is my nail work wrong? The setting? Did he want it further out? Damn it talks man talk!'

Thought the young man as his boss finally made his way passed the second third and last third of the docks before shaking his head side to side looking up and saying.

'''This is some of the finest most detailed work I've seen in years on these docks and to top it off you did it in half the time of the average you've got a real talent young man .''

''Thank you sir.''

''No problem with telling the truth I deal with schmucks most of the time no talent in their fore finger but you I think I'm putting you on the builder's division nothing long term were still in the short match season. Quick patch work and quick builds and temporary placements it's too expensive to go into longer projects these times but when they change you might get a good place here .''

''Thanks sir been thinking about investing my money in something you know that I'll get from here.''

''Well let me take you down to the builders division it pays fifteen echoes an hour because our working from scratch and we need it done as quick and efficiently as possible with the sturdiness of the zee's mountains.''

'Man he sure does love the sound of his own voice but I'm not complaining about the job this could be just what I've needed.'

He thought as he followed the man to the builders section of the docks and was sooner then he thought finished with his work day and collecting his pay.

Streets of London.

''Well look who it is I dare say it's my dear friend Hendrickson!''

''TIM! Tim-Man good to see you how have you been?''

Said Keitaro the young skinny man smiled as he grabbed his friend and pulled him into good shake with some pats on the back.

''Working the dock the last three days over and over I had hoped you'd look me up and noticed you on the street didn't' forget about me did you?''

He asked and Keitaro noticed he carefully was reading his eyes sighing he said honestly.

''No it's just I found out my long thought dead uncle was alive and has a family and on top of that well guess what I had managed to find a job at the docks as a builder.''

'' (whistle) Damn that's hard to do on the first day of work most people don't have the kind of skill to knit and quit the work like it's needed. You're skilled with wood then huh?''

''yeah I've got some skill and I've been thinking about I think I'm going to do it head out to Zee I've got some money saved up for it.''

Grinning the man said.

''Excellent know what kind of ship you'll get and have a first mate yet?''

''No I was thinking about seeing what kind of deal I can get my Uncle works for a subsidiary of the Iron and Misery company.''

''Ah so he'll get a company discount on some things hmm but probably not on others mm ask him about an engine just a ships engine an old lead-born steppes engine it's an old model a bit slow but it can get us to zee.''

''What are you planning?"'

''Well since you been honest with me I can read eyes you know I can keep it a secret or tell you.''

''Tell me.'' Said Keitaro frankly and a bit gruffly and the other young man sighed.

''Spoil sport fine. My father taught me I'll be honest with you with your wood working skills and uncles connection we might be able to buy an engine and build and fit a boat to head out to Zee with .Of course we'd need some coal but you can use your uncles discount to buy fuel cheaply and we can head off with coal, engine and woof metal encrusted boat to Zee! ''

''Are you mad? I've heard some things about the Zee and it seems dangerous.''

''Dangerous yes but worth it yes I've heard of men getting rich off of hunting trophies, artifacts heck even intelligence .''

''You mean the admiralty.''

Smiling the other man nodded.

''Oh yes your well informed their paying for information on other lands with it looking like we'll go to blow with the Khanate and the price is double what they would ordinarily pay. Already several young men like us are out there trying to get some information but the farther from London it is the more valuable.''

Hearing it the Ronin sighed he thought a bit on the way he got in and thought.

'I'm curious what it was I saw what sort of answers it can give if I do go to Zee maybe I can find the place that put me off here and make my way back home with some riches maybe enough to live comfortable get away from Japan and life my life away from crazy women hmm maybe this could work.'

''Alright let's do it then First mate.''

Smiling the other young man said.

''Aye aye captain man finally leaving home waters what a rush I've hoped for so long and now it's almost here I'll go talk to some old friends some urchins I know from me old pick pocket days.''

''And I'll see what I can do with my uncles connections in the meantime we'll work like normal yeah.''

''Oh yeah the Admiralties going to need a lot of reports some on the same places to double check this pay load aren't going nowhere yet especially since the Zee shifts with the strongest tides of the moon.''

Nodding Keitaro bid his friend goodbye and headed off in a different direction his mind on the massive possibilities he may have been facing and the way the future seemed for the first time in a while bright.