4. Justice

Gonzo looked up from the wheel of the ship. "What in the blazes is that?"

Tall, lithe and built of steel, head towering over the tree line of the island they approached, was a giant -

A giant what?

Tetra frowned. She pressed her hands against the ship's railing. "A giant suit of armour?"

The rest of the crew approached the ship's bow, staring in awe. Gonzo kept his eyes focussed now as he guided the ship into port.

This island - Tower Island, to be precise - was the location of the Grand Pirate Smash. A volcano stood at its centre, dark smoke drifting off its peak, and the trees with their thick, long leaves swayed in the humid air. Toward the coast was the island's only village, home to the tall, white tower that gave the island its name.

The thing they'd spotted - whatever it was - stood in the rough shape of a human, with even the facial features to boot. Tetra peered. The pale blue eyes, glinting under the sun, were clearly some form of crystal. Silver and black paint embellished most of its rivet-covered body. Ladders rested against the torso. Sparks flew as workers hanging by ropes banged the unpainted - and unfinished - steel sections with hammers.

"Armour?" said Senza quietly. "Who would fit in it?"

Mako shook his head. "It's not, um, armour. It's, um -"

"A mechanical man."

The pirates turned towards the sound of Link's voice. He was lying on the deck, hands behind his head, a pair of round spectacles resting on his face as he gazed into the sky.

Tetra's eyes narrowed. He doesn't even need those.

"Hey," said Niko, pulling the pirates' attention away from Link. "Look. The swabbies are having a party!"

The crew peered over the edge. True enough, the docks were filled with revellers - some from the town itself, but mostly pirates like themselves. Drunken laughter and music mixed with angry voices and the occasional crack of pistol fire. There was even a woman breathing fire in front of a rapt pirate audience.

Tetra shifted her eyes back to the angry arguing she'd heard moments earlier. An official of some sort - a scroll and quill in his hands - was in dispute with -

"Sneer." Tetra slapped her thigh. "He's here already. Senza, Link - with me. The rest of you guard that chest. I'll keep in touch with Harkinian with my Pirate Charm."

"Excellent," said the ship. "I recommend you wear it on a necklace."

Tetra paused, suspicion flicking over her face. "Why?"

"So that the charm itself will dangle straight down your shir -"

"Senza," Tetra cut in. "You hold the charm." She pulled the stone from her pocket, then shoved it into Senza's hand.

Tetra looked up at her crew, then nodded and smiled. "You've got your orders, boys."

"Aye, aye, Miss Tetra!" the crew chorused.

Tetra turned. "Link...?"

He was still gazing straight up.

"You coming...?"

"The sky," he said. "A real hero can read the signs."

"Mm-hmm."

I hope he's not going to start seeing things in the clouds now. I don't need a lecture on fluffy sheep.

Link chuckled. "I mean, it's a metaphor, you know?"

Tetra cocked an eyebrow. "For what?"

"Potential," he said, sweeping his hand in front of him. "All those possibilities. So wide and expansive. Don't be so wrapped up in your own little bubble."

"Right," she replied in a neutral voice. "Are you coming, though?"

He drew back his legs, then flipped upright. The spectacles went flying, landing in the sea beyond with a soft splash.

"Yup. Wouldn't miss it." He walked past her. "Hey, sorry for musing. Don't know what comes over me sometimes."

Tetra sighed. "Don't mention it," she mumbled.

One day, she thought. I'll find out exactly what happened to you, Link.

Once the ship had dropped anchor, Tetra led the three of them marching down the shivering wooden plank to the docks. In amongst the noise and the smell - The humble bar of soap. A pirate's eternal foe - they spotted Sneer and five of his men still in heated discussion.

Heat's the right word, thought Tetra as she wiped her brow. So damn hot here.

"Look, Milady," said Senza in a low voice. "It's a Quack."

That was their pet-name for the beak-faced Rito and, indeed, the official facing off with Sneer was a member of the race. Myriad voices swirled around them. Tetra pricked up her ears as they neared.

"Sir," the Rito official said in a firm voice. "Once again, the rules are clear. No one but you and two of your crew are allowed on the island during the Grand Smash."

"Yeah, Sneer," said Tetra. "Just you and two of your miscreants."

Captain Sneer turned to face her. "You," he spat.

"Me."

"Finally made it, didja?" He glanced at Senza and then Link, his eyes twitching as they lingered on the Outset boy. "These two? You've chosen these two?"

The official coughed politely. "As per the rules," he said in a stiff voice as he tapped the quill against his beak. "Now kindly follow suit yourself, sir."

"Tough," Sneer replied, leaning in close. "We're entering six."

"Wow," said Tetra. "Surprised you can count past one, Sneer. Send the rest back. We'd like a little clean air for ourselves, thanks very much."

Sneer sneered. "Who's going to stop us?"

Tetra sighed. Sneer was an idiot. He could bring six of his crew, but it's obvious the official here didn't have to log them all. Why the Rito was even bothering to argue was beyond her. Probably just had his pride pricked and wanted to get the last word in.

Men, she thought. Always acting before thin-

Link suddenly stood to attention, swiping his hat off the top of his head. He reached in, and drew out a boomerang. He pulled back his arm, eyes thinned, and then said in a low, menacing voice, "Taste justice."

With a single step forward, Link threw. All eyes watched the path of the boomerang as it cut a spinning 'S' arc through the air.

On its return path, it struck one of Sneer's crew in the head, then another, then a random villager and then another of Sneer's pirates before slicing back toward Link. He snatched it out of the air before drawing himself up to his full height, determination etched on his face. The three pirates collapsed in unison. So did the random villager.

"That'll do nicely," said the official.

Sneer glowered. Tetra managed a weak smile. "Think someone should check on that guy," she said softly, pointing at the village bystander now lying unconscious on the floor.

She moved to leave, but Sneer stepped in front of her.

"I hope we get to face you in the Smash," he growled. "I really do, lass. Finally going to wipe that smug grin off your pretty little face." Sneer turned away. "Boys! Let's get somethin to eat while we wait for the lads to wake up."

Tetra watched him storm off, blinking. "What did I do?" She exhaled as Link and Senza sidled up to her. "I wasn't even grinning. Were you grinning, Senza?" He shook his head."Were you, Li-"

Link was grinning. Nodding in satisfaction, too.

Tetra sighed again. "Never mind."

Her gaze was drawn to the metal giant once more. "And, seriously. What is that thing?"

"I can tell you, toots."

Tetra turned at the sound of the newcomer's voice. Droopy eyes over a blue longcoat stared back at her.

"Linebeck," she said. The sailor had helped Link once, when Tetra had been embarrassingly kidnapped by a ghost ship controlled by some phantom calamari called Bellum. They'd run into Linebeck a few times since, too. "What are you doing here? You're not a pirate. And don't call me toots."

"Please," he replied. "Captain Linebeck Senior, if you will. And why wouldn't a brave adventurer like myself be here to pit my wits against the most ferocious pirates of the Great Sea?"

"Jolene was invited," said Senza. "Wasn't she?"

Jolene was a pirate girl that had taken a shine to Linebeck. After she'd tried to kill him when he'd stolen some of her treasure, of course.

Pirate romance, thought Tetra. Boy meets girl. Boy betrays girl. Girl tries to brutally murderelize boy. Girl falls helplessly in love with her victim. Happy ending, apart from the dagger they each keep hidden under a pillow. Just in case.

Linebeck quickly hid a scowl. "Maybe," he muttered as he scratched his head. "She needs two crew to fight, anyhow. I'm one."

"Who's the other?" asked Senza.

"She's still recruiting."

"So," said Tetra, pointing. "What is that thing?"

Linebeck looked up at the metal giant and grinned. "That," he said, "is the Grand Prize for the Grand Smash. That's what it's called - the Grand-S. How else could you be Ruler of the Sea without being at the helm of that beautiful beast?"

"Helm?" said Senza. "It's controllable...?"

Linebeck nodded. "From the inside, yes."

"A mechanical man," said Link. "Nailed it."

"Who made the Grand-S?" said Tetra. "Who's running this whole gig, Beck?"

"Dunno," said Linebeck. "But the word is they're holed up in that tower." Tetra looked up at the building in question. The smooth, white windowless walls stretched toward the pale blue sky above.

"Never mind that now, though, sweets," said Linebeck, taking her by the elbow. "You got a place to stay? I know the perfect little dive..."

As Captain Linebeck led Tetra and Senza away, Link paused to crouch next to the villager he'd knocked silly with the boomerang. The man was beginning to stir, then looked up, befuddled.

"Hey," said Link softly. "Sorry for the drama." He pushed a gold coin into the man's palm. "For your troubles."

As Link stood, his gaze was taken by the Grand-S. Its sharp edges caught the sunlight and gleamed. It had an awe-inspiring beauty to it. Link smiled. "Oh, yes," he whispered. "I like where this is going."