"This is fucking kidding me…" Jeremy murmured with his mouth agape at the scene.
"Hey! Hey sir! What does fucking mean?"
Jeremy continued to stare.
Is this… really Devil's Living Place?
It gotta be, I mean, I asked and everything.
Getting the flight from Zepp to the proud country of Once-America-Now-A Country, was in itself no difficulty, other than convincing the stubborn airship pilots that going to a "primitive" location was of their benefit. Once there, it took a while, but Jeremy finally found the location of Devil's Living Place. It was in a forest outside of a small, but functional village. For a place that was supposed to right next to the home of the next harbinger of doom, the people seemed a bit too cheerful. Hell, the village person was SMILING as she pointed out how to get to the Gear's residence.
This village was too happy for Colt to comprehend why. Then he found out what was the problem.
There was no Gear in the Devil's Living Place. Not even one trace of it. The place was some sort of grove, with a little river, and the statues that littered the place.
And the children.
There were children everywhere, playing around, and swimming, and-
"C'mon, sir! I want to know what it means!" the boy tugged at Jeremy's jacket.
There are children here. And no signs of battle. Where is all the dead stuff?! How late was I?
I AM GOING TO KILL LANCE!
"None of your business." Jeremy coldly reprimanded the child before turning around and marching back down through the thicket that was supposed to be a forest, popping open another bottle of aspirin with his hand to fight back the recurring headaches that made him nearly walk into a tree. Though it was hardly the first time things never went his way, Jeremy's thoughts were still not exactly pleasant as he kicked his way out of a bush and back into the cobblestone streets of the village.
After the War, A Country had lost all of its major cities and means of transport. The great Mississippi was once more the great path to traverse between towns and cities, and this certain village had the privilege of being beside it, as one could tell by the bricked buildings, tiled roofs, and the generous amounts of cobblestone used. Apparently, an aftermath of some big celebration was proceeding, something to do with that large Airship that was floating in the river beside the peaceful homes. The party atmosphere was still around, with people eating and moving outside with joyous looks, everybody wearing fresh clothes, but it was lacking the same amount of energy that a party in full swing would have.
Bah. Wasted so much effort over some Gear already dead. Now what? I suppose just return to Zepp and shave that bastard's head off. Very Slowly. Or just slowly.
Jeremy continued to pace back slowly, having all the time in the world. That and, if he stepped too hard, the jarring would make his head hurt more than it needed it. Noticing something, Jeremy stopped to see the scene in front of him.
Standing close beside a white house, blue skies, a gently downwards sloping street, giving way to the scene of the river, and the green on the other side.
A sense of nostalgia and déjà vu suddenly came upon Jeremy, as something seemed to tug at the back of his mind.
Funny… I don't remember being here before…but then again…
Huh!?
"Daddy? Is the knight better?"
"How do you feel, sir?"
Oh yeah…I was… um… I would have said…uh…The sharp pain in his head suddenly lanced from the back to the front, breaking his memory. Colt gasped at the abruptness of the attack, barely managing to fall against the white plaster of the house beside him as his hand fought to get the object within the insides of his coat, the other gripping his head tightly through the cloth of his hat. A few people that passed by gave worried looks as he gritted his teeth, hoping the sensation would overcome the pain long enough for him to get the aspirin.
"Um… excuse me-" a voice hesitantly began from behind.
Jeremy slightly caught off-guard, twisted around, the hand reaching for the aspirin instinctively grabbing the magnum's handgrip. The cold stare, along with the clenched teeth from the headaches that made him look like some mad animal, made the two girls behind him freeze at his look.
One of them was pretty much a kid, dressed in an orange getup on top of a black jumpsuit. The other was much older, possibly in her teens. She had a bandanna on her head, and a pair of shorts and a sailor shirt that was maybe a size or so too small for her. Interestingly her long locks had the uncommon tint of blue, and the eyes were colored reddish brown. She stuttered under Jeremy's glare.
"A-are you okay? Uh… you didn't look that good, so uh…"
Jeremy didn't respond, but the heavy breaths and the headache told him to get the aspirin already. Relinquishing the control of his gun, he reached back into the pocket of his black coat, and pulled out the bottle. Jeremy after filled his mouth with another batch of pills. The blue haired girl continued to look worried.
"Are you sure you should have that much? If you take too much…"
Gah! Stop being so clingy! Go away! "I'm fine! Piss off!" Jeremy snarled back, trying to recompose himself as the pain in his head drained away.
The blue haired girl gasped like it was the first time she was insulted, but the kid beside her frowned, "Hey! What's your problem? We're just trying to be nice! No need to get all angry!"
Colt snorted, "Those who prey on the weak come in the guise of a Samaritan."
The orange girl fumed at the comment, "What!? That's not true!"
"The world worked that way since I was a kid."
The kid still didn't give up though, and turned to her older comrade, "Dizzy, you tell him how we took you in! That'll show him he's wrong!"
The blue haired girl, apparently named Dizzy, gave a questioning look "Are you sure May?"
"Absolutely!" went the orange clad girl, carrying the thumbs up of good luck.
"Well, if you say so…" Dizzy turned back to look at Jeremy, "Well you see, I grew up alone, and a lot of people wanted to hurt me… but later May and her friends came and adopted me… they've been very nice, and they never wanted to hurt me…"
"So you see! People can be nice without bad intents!" May exclaimed back at the man.
Jeremy digested the info. A lot of people wanted to hurt Dizzy? Does she have a bounty on her by any chance? Hmmm…
"Are you by any chance… a pimp?" Colt asked the orange clad girl, trying to keep the grin inward as he watched the child explode.
"WHAT!? HOW DARE YOU ACCUSE ME OF SUCH SHAMEFUL PROFESSION!"
"Well, considering you took in an orphan, then have her dressed in that indecent attire… all you have to do is brain-wash her now."
The May kid just pulled her hair in dismay, giving a large groan before dragging her friend off in a huff, "C'mon Dizzy! This jerk has a learning disability!" A few steps later, May then pointed an angry finger at Colt "As for you! I hope you wrinkle up like a prune and die!"
Jeremy smirked as he watch the two disappear down the cobblestone path. I hope I go and die too one day…Anyways, enough fun… pushing himself off the house, Jeremy stretched his shoulders before heading down the same street, headed towards the large Airship floating in the Mississippi beside the village.
Gotta get back to Zepp and kill the fucker. Maybe I can convince the captain to hitch a ride there or something.
-
-
-
Upon reaching the shoreline, Jeremy took in the sights from the new view, primarily the giant ship in front of him.
The size aircraft would have impressed Colt, had there not been a giant gaping hole in the wing of the vehicle towering above him, revealing the entire metal framework beneath, that and all the spray-painted graffiti all over the metal hull. Beggars couldn't be choosers though. It looked fast enough. Probably some transport aircraft or something.
"Oi! Is there a captain up there?" Jeremy then shouted upwards. What resulted was a man dressed in black appearing before the debatable ex-knight, up on the wing above so high, that Jeremy had to crane backwards to notice him, before continuing his questioning. "You the captain?" Instead of getting an answer, all he got was the man in black diving off the side of the wing in an over exaggerate manner. As the man landing perfectly on his feet, Colt critiqued the man's posture.
Black trench coat, black hat, sunglasses, bared chest, cocky grin, dramatic action dive, cool sideways pose as he looks at me, but no girlfriend. This man is one big walking show off.
"You want something buddy?" The man in black, presumably the captain, gave a cheerful smile at the straight-faced Colt.
"Are you really the captain, or his stunt double?"
"I am the captain, Johnny of the Jellyfish Air Transport!" The captain stuck a thumb at his chest.
Jeremy raised an eyebrow underneath the shadow of his hat. This is The Johnny of the Jellyfish Pirates? Or is this just an "Oh-look-at-me, I'm-pretending-to-be-one-of-the-most-notorious-bandits-alive" Joker?
"Never heard of the Jellyfish Air Transport."
"Oh, we're just a fledgling business."
Jeremy stifled the snort from the pathetic lie. This cannot be The Johnny of the Jellyfish Pirates; otherwise the IPF must stupider than I thought to not be able to get this idiot.
"I need a flight to Zepp."
"Sorry, but we're not a airliner."
Predictable. "I'm carrying expensive cargo."
"Oh?" Johnny gave a look of surprise though his sunglasses, and then looked around bit mockingly, "Well, I don't see this expensive cargo of yours."
Jeremy pulled out his Magnum, and opened the chamber. Pulling out one bullet, he held up the metal piece up to their eyelevel. "You know how much this is worth?"
There was a silence as the two realized the reality of the situation. Johnny spoke first. "Is that a real Blacktech Bullet?"
"I'll give you one of these if I get to Zepp."
"You serious?"
"Oh yeah. Out of my own gun too." Except I'll be giving it from the barrel, and into you brain. Jeremy made sure he put the shot back into his gun long enough for the captain to notice he had five others in the gun when he put it back. I'm worth over a million. If he's a real pirate, he'll take the bait.
The captain sighed in defeat and scratched the back of his head. "Well, for you I guess I can consider you cargo…"
"Excellent." I might lose twenty thousand, but from what you're worth, I might get something out of this trip after all.
-
-
-
The night was beginning to fall, and that meant to the pirates May and Dizzy that it was time to return to the Mayship, and back to the sky. The dusk sun that glowed and reflected off the river, along with the lanterns inside and outside of each house they walked past created a beautiful sparkle and homey feeling in the town. The two sighed contently. This was the life.
"It's just too bad we're going to forget the Ice-cream we had once we have dinner."
"Well, I can make some for the crew after dinner for desert." Dizzy suggested.
"Really!?"
"Really."
"That's so cool! This day is so great!" May exclaimed with both fists in the air. Dizzy just giggled and nodded in agreement.
May's mood then darkened somewhat, "It would have been perfect if it weren't for that jerk!"
Dizzy gave a confused look. "Who?"
"You know, that jerk that made fun of us! The one with the headaches!"
"Oh, him."
"Yeah! What a punk. He thinks he such a know it all. Well if I ever see him again, I'll knock him in the head! That ought to serve him right."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah… Anyways, let's get going, it's getting pretty dark!"
When the two aerial buccaneers reached their capital ship, they found themselves in an unexpected commotion. After asking about, it was from their friend April that they managed to get the information.
"What? We're working already?" May reaffirmed with some surprise.
"Yeah, we're supposed to be taking some guy to Zepp. He's giving us a lot of money, from what I heard."
"When are we going to meet this man?" Dizzy then questioned.
"Well, from what I gathered, Johnny's going to introduce him formally or something." The said captain's cough rang loudly for their attention.
"Attention please, my mates. I'm assuming that you all know already that we as 'Jellyfish Air Transport' have decided to carry some very expensive cargo to Zepp. Just so you can identify him, I'll introduce him to you. He's in the crew cafeteria, seeing that he's eating dinner, and that's one of the few places that can hold all of us so that we can see him all see him at once. Luckily he's not as handsome or as talented as you captain, so it's nothing to get excited about."
A few chuckles came but most just followed their fearless leader to their cafeteria. Easily enough they all poured through the door, and May had the luck to be one of the first to satisfy her curiosity.
No…way…But it was, everything from the clothes was right, and if anything could prove it was the same man, it was his swallowing half a bottle of pills without getting sick.
Jeremy looked up to notice the pirate, then merely turned back down to continue eating his meal. May though, was more emotional about this.
"YOU?!"
-
-
-
Dizzy remembered the man as well, but being more forgiving, she accepted her presence easier than her more stubborn friend. Johnny tried to calm his second in command down as best he could, but May continued to indignantly look away from the two men.
"But princess, he's paying us a lot of money…"
"I don't care! I know he's a jerk, and if you help him, I'll refuse to help you fly the ship while he's on it!"
"But I need your help, and with the money I can get you something nice…"
"I don't care!"
Johnny sighed before getting down on his knees to talk to her quietly. "How do you know him?"
"We met in the village, and he made fun of me and Dizzy."
Johnny thought about this for a moment, before an idea came to him. "You know how he's paying us?"
"How?"
"He's giving us a very expensive bullet."
"What's a bullet?" May asked, having a minor recollection of such a word.
"A Blacktech antique."
"Oh."
"He's taking it right out of his gun, and he has five other ones. He's practically giving it away without thinking about it."
May knew this type of attitude, "You mean… he's some sort of rich Zeppian snob?"
"That's what I guess. Anyways, that should mean he has lots of other expensive things one him as well, along with all those bullets. All we need to do is drug him-"
"Then we can rob him to the last penny!" May finished. Johnny nodded understandingly.
"So you see, you can consider this a sort of revenge."
May thought about this. "Well… I still don't like this… but since we are…" The younger captain sighed, "fine… he can stay…"
Grinning, Johnny patted her on the shoulder. "I knew I could count on you. Though, since you're one of the few who don't have duty tonight, you're going to have to show Colt to his room."
"…WHAT?!"
-
-
-
"Didn't expect to run into you again, to tell you the truth. It's like the red string of fate…without the sex of course, 'cause that'd be wrong." Jeremy remarked harmlessly to May as he followed her up the stairs to the crew's quarters. Jeremy once again was carrying the travel bag over his shoulder.
"I don't care, I still think you're an insensitive jerk, who has no idea what he's talking about." May retorted as she unlocked one door that led into a simple room that had a desk, a bed, and a porthole that showed the outside world.
"Not bad." Jeremy noted to himself as he dropped his sack onto the bed, and gave a once over of the room.
"Here." May dully noted as she tossed the room key into Jeremy's awaiting hand. "We're taking off soon, so don't try to sleep just yet. I'll be going now."
The young pirate exited the room, and was began to shut the door behind her.
"Oh, one thing, May." Jeremy called.
"Yeah?"
"Why did you land in this village? I don't see anything this place could offer to an 'aspiring young transport company'." Jeremy asked, a hidden sarcasm in his voice.
"Well, every year or so, we try to land here so we can give clothing and supplies to this village. You should know it was much worse before we came to help. Unfortunately, you seem to be a little slow in that idea of helping others…" May returned just as sarcastically.
Jeremy shrugged. "Well, you're still young, green, and fresh in the business. You'll soon see that people betray each other all the time, and those who help only expect favors. Hasn't your captain gotten betrayed a few times?"
"Puh-lease! All of the crewmembers trust him! He like father to us, and he's going to be my boyfriend one day, so there's no chance anyone could be that mean to him!"
"I see." You people trust too much. "Anyways, I think you got a flying junk pile to take off, so scram."
"Don't make fun of the Mayship!"
"It got a hole in it. And it's got graffiti all over it. And it has the bad fortune of having your name in it. Can you think of any redeeming features?"
"GAH! You have issues!"
"You think?"
May just gave another strangled shout of anger before slamming the door. As she fumed towards the bridge, she planned to make their ascent a little steeper than usual.
Hopefully the jerk will bump his head against something sharp. May angrily thought to herself.
This was going to be a long trip.