I awoke to ice cold water lapping at my face. Salty ice cold water. I wrinkled my nose in disgust and staggered up; why did I sleep in the ocean again? Oh right—tipsy thoughts about getting back more of my health and stamina. I checked and saw they were at a fourth of their total with spirit at half. It had been worth it… if you discounted the salt coating my face, hair and shirt. Or the cold wet clothes that clung uncomfortably. Or the ache of sleeping on rocks and in cold water… I wasn't sure it was worth it.
I looked up and saw the sun just rising; I have only a few hours to do this before reinforcements arrive and I don't get that optional quest benefits. I went back in and knocked out the few pirates that were waking up and struggling once more before heading into town, lugging the chest of stolen goods and beri's over one shoulder. I saw some marines at the gate and stopped when they requested it.
"May we ask your business?" He eyed my wet condition and chest slung over my shoulder with wariness.
"I just went diving!" I said cheerfully. "Going to my inn now to change and rest. I checked in yesterday."
He nodded dubiously but since I wasn't too threatening looking he let me in. Or maybe it was the grin and early morning diving excuse. I headed straight to the stall of the owner who had started this quest; hoping she would be there. Breathing out a sigh of relief out when I spotted her setting up her market stall I approached her quickly.
"I've got a ... delivery for you." I said with a smirk once I got close enough. "Found it in a certain cave we both know of- liberated it you could say." Her eyes widened and she looked around as well. "Is there a person I can return this to? Someone to make sure it stays hidden and everyone gets their… stuff returned?" I made sure not to say out loud what I was carrying just in case someone might be listening in and run off to tell the corrupt marine what I'd done.
"Louis at the Whalebone tavern. He works as a banker for a ... certain bank." She whispered.
"Thank you so much!"
"It's not over yet, there's still one rotten tree to fell. Help should be here before lunchtime. Think you can send a few people up to that cave I mentioned? The… people I have tied up there shouldn't wake for a while but just in case there should be people watching to make sure they stay put." I gave her a nod and headed off. She'd said a banker for a certain bank; he wouldn't happen to be a Bank of Jones operative would he? If so—I needed to stash loot with him! But first—a quick bath and change of clothes and breakfast.
Cleaned up and with my wounds properly bandaged I headed with my chest of beri's to the tavern. Whalebone Tavern was a nice looking place; not fancy or outstanding but a solid and simple appearance. The walls were stone with dark oak logs acting as the supports and breaking up the stonework. In front was a small patio area with some tables already set up. Inside the furniture was made of matching dark oak while the floor was a pale cherry wood. What stood out were the carpets and paintings that decorated the place. All had oceanic scenes on them. The carpets had wave patterns woven in with a ship or island set in the middle with sea creatures forming a border near the outside. Each painting depicted a ship during a different time of day and weather.
If this was a noble's house I'd steal every last one of them! Pity I don't have a house or boat to decorate them with.
As I was looking at the decoration the man at the bar was watching me. He was a tall broad man, skin weathered by years at sea into a leather like appearance. His bald head had a tattoo covering half of the area; the tattoo was a stormy ocean with a stylized whale.
"Not that I'm one to talk, but isn't it a little early to start drinking?" He said in an amused town. I grinned and shook my head.
"I was referred here by one of the shop keepers." I placed the chest on the bar with a satisfying thud. "I reclaimed some things stolen from them and she said you would be able to ensure it safely got distributed back to their owners." I was quite grateful I'd been increasing my body and doing training; otherwise it'd have taken far too much effort to actually haul the chest here!
"Stolen from a certain group that is hiding out in some caves?" He asked softly, eyes flashing to the door and windows to make sure no one was spying.
"Yup. Said groups been dealt with for now. I'm about to head off and wrap up the main instigator of it all in a bit in fact. Or at least keep an eye on em till my help arrives." He smirked at my words.
"Follow me then so we can get this stored away." He took the chest off the counter and headed through a door behind the bar. I followed him into what appeared to be his cellar. I sighed with envy; barrels lined the place, barrels of different brews from different breweries. One day I'd have a place like this!
"Where'd you get the paintings and carpets?" I asked curiously as I followed him through another door hidden behind one of the walls of barrels. "There's a lady in town who weaves them. The paintings are all from my daughter." His voice was thick with pride.
"Mmm. I'll have to commission both of them once I get my own ship or place. They're lovely! Can you give me their names?" I mentally opened up my game journal and made a note as he obliged. I would be coming back here for decorations!
"Marinna owns the Ocean Weavers store and has merchants deliver her goods throughout the Blue seas. I have a card of hers upstairs that I can give you once we are done. My daughter wanders about and doesn't; really have a good way of contacting her."
"Can I have your denden number then? I can set up a transaction through you." I eyed the bank vault he'd lead me into. "Are you an office of the Bank of Jones?"
His dark eyes glinted. "One of many. Do you know how much is in here?" He asked as he opened the chest and quickly began separating the beri's into different piles and putting the jewels off to the side.
"Nope! Can I set up an account later today? Once this issue is dealt with I can turn in the bounties of your pirate taxers plus I have some goods of my own to store."
"This chest contains more than they've taken from us. Not too much but if my calculations are right there should be enough to help reward you for your efforts. Come back after your done taking down that rotten marine captain and we'll get to setting it up and go over certain rules we have. I'll have the information you requested as well."
"Many thanks!" I chirped as I headed off. A few minutes of walking brought me to the forest bordering the marine's base. I spent the next hour memorizing the patrols around the place as I planned.
At first I had been going to sing my Inspiring Song- but then I realized that I had no way of broadcasting it. My denden mushi was a normal one; it couldn't reach more than one other denden at a time. I could try and sit here or maybe go in a perform… but that would take too long! I could just wait until the backup arrived.. but then I'd miss out on that optional quest!
But was an optional quest really worth it? These marines were wide awake and armed with guns; I had no way of dodging gunfire or blocking it! There were also more of them; at least a good twenty troops. The captain was in his room at the top of the marine base; who else had would wear that large jacket and suit set instead of the official uniform? I'd have to go after all the marines like I had the pirates; they couldn't all be innocent right? They were, after all, aiding the captain in this! If they were true marines they'd have not followed orders or fought to protect the townspeople! If you know it's a bad order you shouldn't follow it! Didn't they take oaths and stuff when they signed up?
As it was I decided to go the more intelligent and less likely to die route; keep an eye on the captain to make sure he didn't escape justice instead of going in swinging. As much as I wanted to take him out and complete that optional quest it was too dangerous. Maybe if my leg wasn't throbbing from the axe wound I'd have risked climbing the wall and scaling the building to reach the top room, but as it was I wasn't sure I'd be able too safely.
Grumbling I backed off and began to look for escape routes the captain had; surely he had to have one! If you went rotten you had to know someone would catch you one day and would have some way to get out safely right? I scoured the bay looking for small ships and found none. I looked at the sun and noticed it was almost noon; turning around I peered out to sea and spotted a familiar set of sails coming into the bay; it was the caravel the marines and I had liberated! Back up is here; now to make sure that man doesn't escape!
I snuck back to the base just in time to see a figure fleeing into the woods.
"Bingo." I whispered with a grin as I took off after him. He must have a boat off in another location! Unfortunately, my wounded thigh I couldn't keep pace with the fleeing marine.
As I paused and tightened my bandage and glared at the blood seeping through a thought occurred to me. I can reinforce my weapon with spirit—can I do that with my body? Would it dull the pain or strengthen my leg so I could keep running? I frowned with concentration and attempted it; what had I to lose? It felt weird; almost like I was pouring cold ice through my veins. I could see my spirit bar loose a small chunk as the ice settled into my legs but the pain remained. I tried to run a few steps to see if there were any changes and there was! I was faster! Each step took less time and covered more distance. The pain still existed and I flinched with each step but it was worth it! I maintained my input of spirit into my legs as I sprinted towards the last location I'd seen the figure fleeing. I soon caught up and finally managed to get a good look at him.
It was a man in a business suit; the same arrogant man I'd seen swaggering about the village yesterday. He was missing his marine captain's jacket though. He had the tanned skin of a sailor and a nasty series of scars stared one cheek and ended somewhere on his chest. His dark hair was slick with sweat and he looked pissed with a bit fear leaking into his eyes when he looked over his shoulder and spotted me.
"So you're the wench who took out the pirates…" He said with a growl as he stopped and drew his scimitar.
"Not all of them—you're still here after all!" I cheekily said as I leaped at him with my bo staff.
He blocked with his blade and I quickly backed off before it could slice into my bo staff. While redwood was harder than the bamboo of the old one blades were blades… and I didn't want to lose another weapon so soon!
"I am a marine captain!"
"Could've fooled me." I said as I ducked under his stab and swiped hooked my foot around his and kicked. "You act more like a bandit—not even going to honor you with the word 'pirate.'" I said with a laugh as I rolled away, trying to ignore the pain as a root connected with my wounded thigh. He answered with a growl and slashed at me from his prone position before he got to his feet again.
"Don't mock me! I am stronger than any bandit or pirate!" I leaped to one side avoiding his lunge and lashed out with a wide swing of my bo staff, putting in more spirit to make it hopefully hit. He staggered as it connected with the back of his head but didn't go down.
"Then maybe you shouldn't have forgotten your oaths and honor! What—did they not pay you enough and you thought you could steal from the very people you were supposed to protect?" I grimaced as I wasn't fast enough to dodge his backhand swipe and it cut into my ribs.
"You don't know anything!" He screamed as he twisted the blade deeper. I grabbed it with one hand, feeling it bite into my palm.
"I know enough to know you are trash." I said in a cold voice, angry that he wouldn't even admit he was wrong, that he'd become rotten and corrupt. That he spat upon every other marine and their justice! I gathered a third left of my spirit and stamina and pushed it into my bo staff as I swung it at him. His eyes widened as he realized my iron grip on his weapon meant he had to let go or get hit. He tried to duck while trying to pull his blade out but I was too fast and too close for him to dodge; it connected with a loud crack and he fell limp to the forest floor. "You're supposed to help people- not hurt them." I whispered to his fallen body as I pulled out the blade. It was deeper than expected and the bleeding quickly soaked my shirt. I tore at his shirt to make quick bandages to apply first aide to myself.
This is why I have that skill, I thought with tired amusement as I saw the bleeding effect vanish from my status bar once I tended to it. Now that I had time I pulled up the announcements to see what I'd gotten.
Optional Quest: Personally Defeat the Marines Partially Completed!
+15 exp for partial completion.
+50 exp for defeating Corrupt Captain Finnbar Lapain
+10 exp for a live capture, +10 prestige
Quest: Free Kellbar Completed!
Help has arrived and Kellbar is free once more!
+1 Stat point, +100 exp, +10 prestige
New Skill Learned:
Soru: A Rokushiki technique where the spirit is used to enhance speed. Level capped at 5 until Rokushiki style is learned or a teacher is found.
It has an odd name, I thought as I examined the new skill. What is Rokushiki? Is it a type of fighting style? If so, I need it! Pity I needed a teacher to learn more. I grabbed the captain and headed back to town. Time to see what had happened in town. The quest had been completed which meant the backup had to have arrived and done something right?
As I arrived back at the marine base I heard the sounds of one man yelling. Something about justice, disappointment and stuff; I sort of tuned it out since it wasn't focused at me. Probably those marines getting told, I thought with a smirk.
"One rotten captain delivered." I announced as I entered through the open gate and dropped the body. "He's alive still." I nodded respectfully to the tall marine who had been yelling at the group of marines standing sadly in a group in front of him. I recognized him from the Gilded Lily; he was the captain! Huh; why send him back instead of one of the lieutenants?
"Ah—Jasmine right? You called this in too if I recall right?" He turned to face me. I'd only seen him from a distance on the ship; he'd always been busy and I'd been too nervous to approach him. He had this air about him that made me unwilling to just approach and chat like I had with private Gregor or even the Lieutenants. I was no small woman; in fact I was a head above most the villagers! But this guy made me feel small, like a little girl playing soldier in the back yard. He had height and this aura of RESPONSIBLE ADULT who was TOO BUSY about him. Super serious and stern, not someone to approach causally.
"I did, sir. Took out the pirates last night; they're currently bound up in their cave. I asked the shop lady if she'd send some people to keep an eye on them so there might be villagers there."
He turned to look questioningly at some of the villagers who were happily watching off to one side.
"The blacksmith and his son are there right now sir—shall we show some of your men the way to the cave?" A woman, the same shop keeper who'd started this quest, spoke up.
"Please do." He nodded and turned back to me. "I appreciate the call as well as your aid in this matter—as well as waiting for us to arrive instead of trying to attack the base."
"I didn't want to try and take on a marine base on my own." I said with a polite smile. "Plus as far as I know it might just be the captain who's the rotten apple—the men were just following orders. Bad ones they should have known better to follow but still. It's what they're trained to do."
"A wise decision."
"Ah- I also returned the stolen loot to the villagers. It's been distributed already." I added for some odd reason; something about him told me to be as open and honest as possible. Maybe because he was the captain of a prison ship? That and I wasn't sure if I wanted him to know about the Bank of Jones since it was apparently illegal or 'officially did not exist.' "At least any treasure that the pirates had. Not sure about the captain here." I nudged the fallen man with my toe. I received an approving smile at this; like I was some student who'd showed up with all my homework done for once.
"It appears my Lieutenant was right about you. Are you certain you don't wish to join the marines? You certainly have the sense of justice and morals we look for! And are in need off too, apparently." His eyes narrowed and I could see the anger flash through them as he glared at his fallen compatriot.
"The offer is kind but;" I looked down at the corrupt captain I'd taken out as I paused and gathered my thoughts. "But I want to see the world, see new places, meet new people. Not follow bad orders simply because they came from a superior." The last bit was dry and I looked back up at the Captain. "I want to see where the wind takes me. Maybe once I've seen a bit more of the world I might join up; for now I have my own dreams to pursue." He nodded respectfully but I could tell I'd be getting more recruitment pitches again before I left. "I'm going to go see a doctor and get my wounds checked out for now. When shall I come pick up my bounties?"
"…Bounties?" He seemed confused at the sudden turn.
"Foul Rogue and his first mate Iron Morty." I clarified. "They were the pirates I took out."
"Ah." He eyed my bloody shirt for a second, "Stop by any time before you leave and we shall have it ready for you. Best you get tended too and feed yourself something. Eat some meat to help replenish your lost blood."
I nodded and left for the doctor's office. It was conveniently located next to the tavern, probably to make it easier on him finding patients after a tavern brawl!
On my walk back I kept being stopped and thanked by the villagers; for getting rid of the pirates as well as returning to them their money. I felt slightly guilty that I'd been doing it mostly for the quest and only partly for helping them. It made all their thanks feel like I was cheating them. Sure I'd also done it to help them… but it hadn't been my main thoughts until I'd gone after the marines!
While I was in the doctor's office, resting after he'd finished stitching up my side and thigh, I took the time to pull out a book and pretend to read while I browsed my guide book and tried to figure out a better way to level faster or find quests. The first five had come quickly but it was slowing down. I also needed a plan to keep leveling my various skills: if I ended up relying on leveling to get back all my lost stamina I'd never get anywhere! I need one of those feats that lets me recover faster; like that meat one for health or that Second Wind.
I looked up as the doctor came back in.
"Any idea on how long it'll be for me to heal up?" The ribs were not broken thankfully but the cut on my left hand meant I couldn't effectively use it at all and the leg wound was going to slow me down.
"If you take it easy and don't stress it;" his eyes told me he was doubtful about this fact; he'd be right too. "Then about a month for everything to be completely fine. Unless you've got a stronger body or strange blood than others like some pirates I've heard of, then it might be half that."
"Strange blood?" I tilted my head questioningly. "I know that there are different races out there but there are different types of humans?"
He grinned; "Strong marines and pirates often force their bodies to go beyond their limits. Doing so increases said limit if it doesn't kill them. From what I've seen it gets passed down to their kids sometimes. They heal faster and their body can take more than a normal person. You've got the beginnings of that from what I can tell. A normal person wouldn't just be limping after getting axed in the thigh."
"Ah;" I ran a hand through my bouncy hair with an embarrassed grin. "I guess I am a bit stronger than the normal person. Got any recommendations for how hard I can push myself without undoing all the healing? Or special stretches to keep the scars from crippling me?" I knew that some scars could cause the limb to lose some of its range of motion and I really didn't want that.
"You're safe from that. But I can write down a list for you just in case."
"Thanks! And for payment…?" I trailed off as he shook his head with a smile.
"Paid for already. You got rid of those hurting us and returned our lost money. It's the least I can do to get you back to full health!"
I flushed and tried to pay for his work but it was useless. Doctors knew how to say no and hold their grounds! I headed back to my inn to eat and sleep. It might have been barely past noon but I was exhausted! Plus sleep fills my status bars faster.
The next day dawned bright and early and I found the village in a much better mood than before. The tavern was filled with people gossiping and checking their new bank balances if the discreet pieces of paper Louis was handing out was any indicator. I waited for the rush to calm down and listened.
"I heard Captain Jasoor is here to stay!"
"Apparently he's sailed all around the world on his ship making sure captured pirates got taken to justice!"
"Apparently his wife and kid are coming here!"
"Where'd you hear that?"
"The new marines are all family men apparently and they were talking yesterday about how it would be nice to settle down finally."
"They all have family?"
"It was one of the things the new Captain made sure of when he picked em.. I bet he saw this as a chance to settle down and let his men be with their family's as well as clean up some scum."
"Sounds like a good man. If their families are here then we won't get stepped on I bet!"
Gossip let me finally know the Captain's name. Jasoor. You'd think being on his ship for over a week would have taught me it but nope: I only knew him as captain. And apparently a family man. Good for them I thought as I straightened up and headed over to Louis when he caught my eye and motioned for me.
"Watch the shop." He told the other man behind the bar as he lead me down back to the cellar. "Good job with the marines. It's a good thing you didn't attack the base: they'd have to put a bounty on you then."
"Wait… they'd put a bounty on me even if I'm just freeing a village from a corrupt marines?" I was shocked at this: I was being a hero!
"You attacked a marine base, ergo you are a pirate." He sighed and shook his head. "The World Government is not one to allow anyone to challenge them. And an attack on a base, no matter how justified, is an attack on them."
"I dodged a bullet there." I muttered. It was a good thing I had waited for him to run! Otherwise I'd be arrested by Jasoor!
"Indeed. But on to happier things! I've set up the account for you and used some of the extra money from that chest to pay for the first year's fees."
"Fees?"
"We take 1,000 beri each year as a holding fee. It goes to paying salaries of us bankers, paying layer fees for getting our bankers out of prison if we get caught, and a small tithe to our boss. Items stored here cause a second 1,000 beri charge for the same reason and to help build our special vaults so the often illegal items cannot be stolen. Now rules. We are also willing to trade any treasure you have for beri's with a 10% fee. We do not tell anyone who's account is which nor do we tell what an account has in it. The boss is the only one who knows what's in each bank. If you have a particularly rare or illegal item we will transfer it to one of our secure locations so it does not get lost if a local bank is raided. We also agree to replace any money or items lost at cost should you lose anything from a raid."
I blinked at the sudden rush of information and took a minute to process it. "Do you identify items as well? And if you do transfer an item where can I withdraw it?"
He smiled; "We do indeed help identify items. We can also help you find sellers or, if you are looking for a rare item, we can help you find it. Say you want a certain sword; we keep our bankers on the lookout for information on it. Should a person turn it in, we can let them know there is a potential buyer."
"Handy." I pulled out my large sky dial. "Got any ideas what this is then? I know it's a sky dial and rare but that's it."
Louis leaned in and inspected it. "That would be about the same as what I'd say." He said wryly. "I'll put a note in your account about it so next time you visit our bank we should have an answer. Will you be storing it?"
"Not today. I might find someone on the seas who knows what it is. Plus it's not too heavy. How much exactly do I have?"
"There was 341,015 beri left over from your chest after the fees. The jewelry you have is worth about 50,000 beri and the stones come out to 860 beri right now."
"Can I trade in all the jewelry and stones right now? I'll just leave everything else in there. Where exactly can I find other banks? Since you aren't exactly advertising…"
"Ahh that's easy. Look for the same carpets I have out there. They are sold only to Banks of Jones." He laughed at my startled expression. "We made it as easy as we could without shouting it from the rooftops!"
"I'll probably be back this afternoon with the bounties. I stopped by here first to make sure everything was set up before going to talk to the new marines." He nodded as he finished making notes in his book and locking items away and moving money from one vault to another. I left and headed out to the marine base.
"Captain Jasoor will see you in his office." Was the greetings I got from the private manning the front desk. "Head up the stairs and it's on the first right on the next floor."
"Thanks." I grimaced as I felt my thigh complain from walking up the stairs. At least he wasn't on the third floor!
"Jasmine here." I said as I knocked on the door.
"Enter." Jasoor's deep voice commanded and I obeyed. Beyond was what looked to be an office where every paper was stored; I did not envy him having to go through it all! The taller man had a frazzled look on his face and looked like he welcomed the break in paper work. Without his marine cap on I could see he had bushy thick black hair held back in a short club at the base of his neck. His piercing grey eyes seemed to evaluate me as I entered. I had to shove aside the urge to salute him.
"We gathered the entire crew and found them all alive. The first mate- Morty." He had to pause and look at a sheet on his desk. "Did need some medical attention but nothing too permanent was done. The entire crew captured alive; I am impressed. Not many can take out a crew by themselves with only minor injuries."
I winced at that. He made it sound impressive when all I felt was disappointment towards the crew! "They were drunk and not paying attention." I sighed. "It was mostly bashing them over the head from behind when they came out in pairs to change the guard shifts. Morty and Rogue were the only real threats."
He smiled; "The fact remains you took out a crew by yourself. The sergeant reports Rogue had a pouch tied to his belt with some… figurines and a recipe that had some notes?" He looked at me questioningly. I shifted uncomfortably at this; how to tell a marine you didn't feel like taking an overgrown man child's toys or recipe?
"Rogue came across as a… innocent almost. Childish but very loyal and caring of his crew. I found those in his room." I shuddered at the reminder of the putrid stench and he quirked an eyebrow quizzically. "If you think his odor is bad in person his room is ten times worse! It was his recipe and I felt that, since it was actually a good brew, he had a chance at finding an honest job if Alyna managed to get her paws on him… "
The soft chuckle made me look up from the paper I was staring at instead of him but his face hadn't changed a bit, other than a gleam in his eye. "And he was such a kid I.. I felt like if he had to go to prison he ought to have his toys with him… I guess…." It sounded lame even to my ears but it Jasoor must have gotten something out of it since he nodded and moved along after scribbling a note.
"Alyna does have a certain effect on people yes. Hopefully she can prove herself worthy of the Gilded Lily and earn her Captaincy finally."
"So that piece of gossip was right?" I blurted out and once more his eyebrow raised. "The village was full of gossip this morning. They said you were here permanently and that every marine was a family man and that the families would be moving here."
"That is… a lot of rather accurate information for us only being here a day."
"Village ladies like to gossip."
"I will keep that in mind. It is true yes. I will be transferring that sergeant friend of yours here as well; he is up for promotion anyways."
"Ohhh Hilik's gonna be here? Neat. I'll leave some of Foul's Rotgut here for him to try. Make up for the calls out of no where."
"Foul's rotgut?" His tone was that of a man not wanting to know.
"Yeah, the brew that Rogue made. Needs some work which is why I wrote those notes for him but it's actually rather good. Sweet and smooth and not deserving of the name at all but a pirate made it so…" I shrugged.
"And you… drank this?"
"I was hurting and had just suffered a terrible guilt attack. And entered a room that I am trying to forget the smell of. I needed to drink to get over it." I smiled brightly and he sighed.
"You drunk called an officer?"
"Only number I have."
He shook his head and grabbed a briefcase. "Here is the 13 million for the two bounties as well as 10,000 extra from Finnbar's stash as thank you for your actions here. And this…" He put down an envelope. "Is a letter of recommendation should you ever desire to join the marines. I know you have your own dreams." He raised a hand to stop my objections. "But most if not all can be down while serving the people and justice. It's there if you do change your mind."
Gee great. I'd rather more money frankly. "Thank you sir. I will keep it in mind for the future."
"Do you think you could spare some extra time? I would like to hear exactly how you took them out and your reasons. A debrief if you would."
I swallowed a sigh and agreed; I was going to be sticking around for a bit yet anyways till a ship arrived so I might as well. I hadn't realized I was letting myself into an intense discussion on tactics and stealth. Every action was dissected, especially the fights. He had some suggestions and critiques on my style too. Apparently he'd been watching on the Lily and could recall what style I used. Useful but also mentally stressful. I think he learned more about me than I wanted from that discussion!
I left to deliver my money to my new bank as well as figure out what ships would be coming in and if any were headed to Portal or Louge town.
[[Jasmine bio 1]]
POV change: Captain Jasoor
He'd known something was wrong when he'd stopped in Kellbar and seen the gaunt figures and sensed the anger in the air but with a ship full of prisoners he couldn't just stop and take his time to figure it out. He'd almost left behind one of the lieutenants except each had their duties on board and leaving them a small crew behind was asking for a prisoner revolt on board. It happened often enough before, and he needed every man he had to make sure that no one escaped or sunk the ship.
So he'd left with a note in his mind to contact HQ and ask for an investigation. And then came a call from a sergeant from the island before Kellbar, he couldn't quite recall what it was named, telling him that the guest they'd just dropped off had apparently done his work for him and found out what was wrong. To know a fellow Captain had fallen to such acts of piracy enraged him and Jasoor decided to make his move now. He'd been getting word that a promotion was upcoming for him and the HQ was thinking of promoting Alyna so this would shoot two pirates with one bullet.
He got to clean up the mess before it got too out of hand and would hopefully be given a chance to claim that spot so he could (finally!) settle down and spend some quality time with his wife and little girl, Alyna would get to see if she could handle the ship on her own.
And I get to see if this Jasmine girl is any good; he thought as the small caravel landed and he began ordering his marines to capture Finnbar alive preferably and round up the marines for a good lecture Marine style.
Simon and Alyna had nothing but good to say about the Ohara native; so either she was a good actress or she honestly wasn't one of those archaeologists who kept trying to find out lost knowledge that was better left unknown. But she seemed skilled in brewery and music; perhaps she was one of the few who left Ohara and wasn't a potential rebel?
Then he arrives only to find that not only has Jasmine done his investigation for him, she's taken out the pirates and caught Finnbar! Nice job that; good officer potential there. Take out the target she knew was the most volatile then wait for backup for the other target. He went over the reports from his men that night; reports on how the scene of the fights had looked and the lack of blood. So she's merciful and willing to give them a chance as well as strong enough to take on a small pirate crew. Smart to do so in a way that requires the least amount of work and blood spilt and fast enough to finish her plans.
If I cannot convince her to join, I will simply send word to Admiral Sengoku so he can keep an eye on this potential recruit. The tall broad man smiled to himself as he heard the awaited knock.
"Enter." He barked out and quickly hid the smirk as he took in the tall girl... no the woman before him. Now that he was close enough to actually see details and not distracted he was shocked she looked far more mature than he'd expected. This was no lanky teenager on her first adventure, easily convinced to join a cause; this was a mature adult who had taken the first steps towards a dream.
The tall woman had dark skin which was unusual for Ohara, though the bright intelligent blue eyes were so similar to the archaeologists he's met before. Eager, quick, and always wanting to earn something, they were eyes of an adventurer. Her lean form showed muscle from constant practice while her hands were long and slender; perfect for a musician or martial artist. The hair was bouncy waves of dark brown almost black shoulder length hair that partially defied gravity to poof up beyond the headband that kept it out of her face. She was a pretty woman, though her lean muscled build and broad shoulders and hips did not lend itself well to the classic beauty. Instead her beauty came from the easy grace with which she moved, the quiet confidence, the intelligent eyes, the clean long lines of her body and curve of muscle with an easy smile.
What a waste; he couldn't help thinking. She'd make an excellent officer... though her reasons were good, he felt there was something she didn't mention. Perhaps seeing the execution of Gold Rogers will show her that the Marines are the right way to go instead of adventuring. At least she's not a pirate.
AN: whoops, meant to post this earlier! Also the POV change: I'm thinking of adding lil bits like this every now and then just to give you the other side's pov or help show something I missed. In this case a far better description of what jasmine looks like. Also to set up some events int he future.. but mostly so you can see Hilik's reactions to her drunk calls (some of which are in meetings lol).