Close Calls
"Cease fire! If you hit the Rear Admiral, you'll atone with your life." Musha roared.
"Forget that," Captain Rénar objected. "The captain's standing still; bombard him with shots and bring his smoldering corpse here." But, his words brought no compliance and, once again, only wrought a powerful fist colliding into his jaw, ballooning himself again before impacting a wall and landing smoothly on his feet.
"Cornelious Rashaad," the woman spoke, acid on her tongue, "what are you doing here?"
"Oh, my dear Miko, why do you speak to me with such venom?" Shaad responded in a hurt tone. "I've missed you so much. I heard you've become a Rear Admiral, and that you're in charge of this base. Congratulations," he offered with a genuine smile.
Miko Kusanagi was a shapely woman of fair skin and soft blue eyes, but red colored her fair cheeks as she became more flustered. "Why;" Miko demanded, "have you come to embarrass me again!?"
"Embarrass?" Shaad repeated the word as if it were incomprehensible to him. "At that time our destinies were on different paths, but now I'm sure. . . we are meant to be married." Both Miko and Bo, who remained unmoved, looked at him in confusion as if he spoke in riddles, a madman muttering on nonsensically.
Miko was the first to voice her confusion, "M-Married?" she stammered in shock while Shaad happily nodded his head. "We've met once, and that was a two minute fight."
"See, you remember that moment, too. It was love at first sight."
Before Miko could voice her disagreement, Bo stepped forward and interjected with his own proposal. "Okay, now that we've confirmed he was dropped on his head far too many times as a child, how would you like to join my crew?"
"Hey, I was never dropped on my head. . . At least, I don't think so." Shaad commented, but neither one paid him any mind. Bo didn't care, and Miko was simultaneously too taken aback and captivated by the mysterious gleam of Bo's eyes. Complete thoughts barely formed in her head before they were burned away under the heat of Bo's gaze. Miko was disgusted by her lack of control, but the mesmerizing draw of Bo's stare seemed to have her looking back at herself, her hidden soul, her true desires.
She was only granted release from the almost otherworldly draw as Bo opened his mouth to repeat the offer. "I want you to join my crew. How about it?"
After a few awkward seconds that felt like an eternity for the young Rear Admiral, Miko finally found her voice, and responded with the indignation that had been building inside her. "Why you little -; how dare a mere pirate make fun of me!" Her voice burst from her breast like an erupting volcano causing Shaad's amused expression to falter a bit.
But, Bo remained in firm control, declaring, "I assure you, I'm not making fun. Come on; after a week, you'll be wondering why you'd ever have chosen anything else. It will be entirely of your own volition; it's your choice." Bo's voice, with tone smooth as silk, wrapped Miko in a comforting warmth while an enticing playfulness danced in his strong gaze, hypnotizing the offput marine. She wanted nothing more than to remain under his watchful gaze, those eyes that saw so clearly through her. To stand, fully exposed, under the light of his eyes was her only wish.
Or, so she thought. An explosion between them caused her to raise an arm to cover her face and lifted the fog from her mind. Rénar, having ripped one of the mortars from a lower ranked grunt, fired off a shot to eliminate the pirates, inadvertently freeing his superior officer from the wiley pirate captain's mental grasp.
Miko used the moment of clarity to rush through the dust cloud between them, appearing before Bo, ready to cut him down. Bo was surprised by her speed and couldn't react in time, only able to watch as her blade closed the distance in a flash. But the painful bite never came. From over his shoulder, a sparkling blade entered his vision coming between the Rear Admiral's sword and himself with no time to spare.
Shaad smiled at Miko from behind Bo as he focused his strength on holding her back from the uncomfortable position he found himself in. With a sudden burst of strength, Shaad was able to push her off without showing any strain, and swung around Bo to attack with his other sword while she was still fading. Miko swung around in time to block the strike, but Shaad parried her sword in a tight circle before tossing it aside, leaving her defenseless at the end of his blade. "Sweetie, would you mind letting my new friend go? Think of it as a wedding gift." He spoke in a friendly and sociable manner, one far too personable for his current act of bargaining with her life. Miko remained silent, a defiant look in her eyes as she glared at Shaad's irksome smile. Shaad, taking her silence as a yes, let his smile grow wider. "Thanks, babe. And on our wedding day, you'll receive this sword and everything that comes along with it." He flashed a smile as he turned around and prepared to retreat with Bo, at the same time swiping Miko's wrist with the back of his blade to make her drop her own.
Miko waited for them to get out of range so she could pick up her sword and give chase, but the sound of Shaad's voice briefly gave her pause. "Or, I could hand over him and his entire crew, and we get married tomorrow."
The words had barely left Shaad's mouth before he was roughly yanked aside by Bo, though not before toppling a few more buildings already suffering from structural damage in order to further impede Miko's advancement. "Okay; that's enough, Romeo."
"Wait! . . I don't get the reference."
It didn't take long for Bo and Shaad to reach the docks after that, as there were no guards at the guard station, and the lingering threat of Miko on their heels was their only problem with them no longer in range of the mortars, exacerbated into a real concern primarily by Shaad's near constant complaints that they were running too fast.
"Has their ship been destroyed yet?" Captain Rénar called to the man coordinating the recovery and reclamation effort within the city.
"No reports have come in as of yet, sir." He responded with a salute, his words deepening the scowl already present on Rénar's face.
When they turned the last corner and entered the main area of the docks where the ship and crew were meant to be waiting, both Shaad and Bo shown looks of surprise at the sight before them.
"Hm. Seems the new additions to your crew are quite competent." Shaad commented with a smirk as he looked at the solid perimeter of men that had secured the docks for their side, anchored by Kayden at the base of a ramp leading onto the battleship.
"So does this mean you've decided to join us?" Bo asked the big fellow as he and Shaad dashed by.
"You betcha," Kaleb sounded, popping up on his brother's broad shoulder. "This is gonna be awesome. The whole world'll know our names."
Bo gave a quick, affirmative nod, positioning himself along the port side rail to issue orders. "All men, orderly retreat onto the ship. Gunners, focus guns on the dock entrance and fire at anyone who approaches." The crewmen immediately complied with his orders while Ray lifted the anchor. The boarding occurred with haste since the ship's guns were covering them, and Kayden brought up the rear, heading to the ship's wheel once everyone was on board. "Shaad, we need a path out of here else this was all for naught." Bo requested upon recalling that the massive steel gates that controlled access to the island were still closed.
"Nothing I can do;" Shaad responded nonchalantly, "I ain't got enough energy to break through nothing that thick." The unexpected answer caused a growl to bubble past Bo's lips and Shaad quickly amended his statement. "I can try, but don't expect a miracle."
With that said, Shaad rushed to the front of the ship while Bo barked further commands. "Man forward cannons! Aim for the center of that gate and await my word."
Shaad heaved a deep breath, gripping both his swords tightly as he clenched his eyes shut and let the sounds of the world fade away. All was calm as he lifted his arms, concentrating fully on putting everything in this strike.
Meanwhile, Kayden and much of the crew worked to turn the ship around and ready the sails for a quick departure once the gate was finally opened. But, with progress slow, all available personnel, headed by Ray, kept the broadside cannons trained on all entrance points for any enemy encroachment and readied their own weapons as well.
With his breathing perfectly in tune with nature, Shaad unleashed a devastating dual slash that rocked the surrounding waters and pushed against the ship's forward motion as it carved into the tempered, layered steel of the gate. Shaad continued to push the attack, biting deeper into the thick material with each press, but his arms began to ache as he reached his limit. With one final push, Shaad released as much energy as he could muster into the waves of his slashes. The attack left a deep scar in the metal, several inches wide and even more deep, but the gate remained firm and unrelenting, daunting with its sheer size and stability.
"Fire every able cannon at the center of that gate! Now. . . Get that damn thing open!" Bo shouted at the top of his lungs, frustration mounting tremendously and knuckles whitening from his tight grip on the rail.
"I told you it wouldn't be that simple," Shaad chimed as he walked by.
The loud bang of cannon shots rang throughout the island, unnerving many of the citizens hidden away in their homes.
"What was that!? What's going on at the docks?"
"Sir, it seems the pirates are trying to blast their way through the main gate."
"Send our strongest squads to secure their area. They'll never even dent that composite; they're sitting ducks."
"Yes, sir."
"And, where is Kusanagi?"
"She's somewhere in the vicinity of the docks, sir."
"Send word that capture is inevitable." Rénar commanded smugly, an air of confidence spreading his chubby cheeks as he looked at the injured being tended to within the base walls. A couple of doctors were attempting to restrain Mizaru who was already moving around, threatening to rip out his stitches in such an early juncture. 'After I catch these filthy pirates, Headquarters will finally see I should've been the head of this base to start with. Then that blind bastard and that meathead will have to listen to me. And, if by some miracle they do escape, the blame lies with the klutz Kusanagi.' Rénar was extremely proud of himself as his assured victory lay before him; nothing could ruin this now.
Even after several successive volleys, the sturdy barrier remained unharmed, only surface marks marring its exterior any worse than what Shaad had already done. But, given this was their only way out in such a dire situation, Bo could not let himself be deterred, and ordered they continue firing, exhaust all ammo if need be. He knew full well if this failed, there was no way any of them left this stronghold of their own will. Though some of the new crew was already coming to regret their decision, they nonetheless followed their captain's orders, well aware of the desperation gripping them all.
As more shots rang out, the tension was palpable. But, just as the lack of progress was causing the dangerous feelings of helplessness and fear of failure to reach a breaking point, a miracle occurred: a sliver of light shone in the shadow of the towering gate, a minute crack as the gate worked itself open.
"Continue firing! We'll rip that gate open." Emblazoned by the small showing, the firing squad redoubled their efforts, firing volley after volley with renewed vigor until the gate was halfway open and moving at a steady pace.
In only a few minutes, the massive gates were fully open and the pirates had begun their long awaited exodus of the Marine stronghold. In their joyous celebration, many barely noticed the gates closing themselves in the background. And, none noticed the figure that jumped onto the rear of the ship from atop the gateway, landing in a crouch.
"So, what took you so long?" Shaad lightheartedly questioned the newly alighted Mage as the ship embarked towards its next destination.
"Two towers, two levers, and a hundred soldiers," Mage responded in short, his demeanor stoic as usual.
"And the problem?"
"Constant bombardment of cannon fire," came the answer, a hint of sarcasm underlying his tone.
"And you're really okay with letting them foolishly believe the cannons opened that gate?"
"I understand my role; I'm a shadow, nothing more."
"You're no fun," Shaad jokingly complained before pushing off the railing and walking away. "Where to next, I wonder?"
"Based on this map, we should head here." Alexander pointed out the proposed location on the map Bo had sprawled out on the table. Bo had gathered Ray, Alexander, and Johannes, the military commander and newly appointed quartermaster of the crew, in his quarters to discuss the crew's next destination.
"That's the farthest island; we don't have enough supplies for a trip that long." Johannes protested the viability of the former Prince's choice before pointing out a far more direct route for consideration.
"That, fool, is where the Log is pointing. The Marines will be on us in full force now; if we can shake up the route, all the better. Assuming this map's cartography is accurate, of the three possible destinations, this is the safest route. No immediate worry of the Navy, no shallow waters through narrow passageways, and no unknown sea monsters. It's all smooth sailing outside of the giant maelstrom. And, while it may be a close call, there are more than enough supplies for such a voyage."
"Alright then, the navigator has set our course, and I've signed off on it. Ray, inform Kayden of the plan and what to look out for, Johannes, tell the crew our heading; we're going to be stuck together for a long time." Bo issued orders, letting out a sigh as he sat down and relaxed in a high backed recliner.
Before he could get comfortable, though, Ray, having stopped in the doorway, informed him, "Rose wanted to speak with you when you got a moment. That goes for you too, Shaad."
Shaad then popped out from behind the door with a wave, a playful smirk aimed at the group. "Well, I'll see you in the doctor's office, Bo, but if we're gonna be at sea that long, I'm moving in with Miko to make sure no one gets any funny ideas."
It was hard to tell who was most upset by Shaad's comment as both Alexander and Johannes shot to attention, glaring daggers at the uninvited guest while Bo exchanged a glare of his own with the brash swordsman as he passed by him in the doorway.
"She's in the ship's hull." Ray called after the pair before departing himself alongside Johannes, leaving a still heated Alexander alone in Bo's cabin.
Bo and Shaad walked together through the long corridor leading back to the hull. Bo was content to stay silent, but the thoughts running through Shaad's head quickly became vocal. "Okay, I can understand why someone would need to see you; you're the captain. But, why me?"
"Rose is there with Mino. Maybe they're going to confront you about drooling over that marine." Bo offhandedly remarked without so much as a sideways glance.
That comment, though, did manage to fluster Shaad, getting him to stammer like an idiot for a second before he was able to form a complete sentence. "I was not drooling, and you just keep quiet about that whole incident, and I won't out you for making goo goo eyes at her, either."
"Not that it matters, but I wasn't 'making goo goo eyes', I was taking precautions."
"What; by trying to impregnate her with your eyes!? I've seen less electricity in a thundercloud."
"No," Bo stated stiffly, becoming irritated with Shaad's line of thought, or lack thereof. "Now that the Marines are really after us, they'll be keeping a close eye on our actions. With that, they'll eventually uncover that Alexander's no prisoner, not to mention Rose's involvement. I did that to sow seeds of doubt in her. With the amount of control I was able to wrestle from her, she'll fully believe that, given enough time, I could brainwash her into joining us. Once that rumor spreads, they'll be no reason to hide them in the background anymore."
"Smart thinking," Shaad admitted as they neared the steel door that was the entrance to the hull.
"But, if that doesn't work I'll just try to distract everyone with your playboy ways," Bo countered in a rare moment of lightheartedness.
"Don't even play," Shaad demanded, his voice raising a bit. "There's no reason to mention that. I'm not a playboy; I'm just. . . happy to be back on the ship." Shaad's tune and demeanor instantly changed when Bo spun the wheel on the door and opened it. Though he came to regret those last words as well as he was met unceremoniously by Mino in a huff.
"Why didn't you mention how strong that fishman was?" she fumed, Rose, Leon, and an injured Yuda behind her. "He broke some of Yuda's ribs."
"Wait; you fought him? You were just supposed to distract him. How'd you even escape?"
"Yuda had bit him; the poison finally took effect just in time."
"Did you see him die?"
"We have more immediate things to deal with right now," Rose interrupted, stepping in between the two and physically separating them. "Leon's jaw is fractured, at least two ribs are cracked, and he has a concussion."
"Damn, did you run into a train?"
"This isn't funny. Yuda suffered broken bones and a bruised side, too. You two need to get on the same page with the people involved in your plans or else things could be a lot worse the next time.
"If not for most of the crew escaping when Leon started his fight, it would have been worse this time." Ray informed, stepping through the door and into the shallow water in the room. We were lucky to all get away; there's nothing more to be said. So, what happened in there?"
"Leon and I have bounties."
