Oh god, why am I updating so late!? And why the hell am I introducing Jean into this story and what am I going to do with him?! I sense a growing love triangle ensuing, deep betrayal and angst… How many pairings will be in this fan fiction? I haven't even gotten to the Erwin x Levi I promised… I feel this story will be more then thirty chapters. If I spelled Jean's last name incorrectly, I apologise.
Early morning - Day 3
Beast peered through the broken and splintered blinds, watching men donned in uniforms of dark blue and gold pass his closed shop window. He sniffed with disgust, forced to hide here until night fall when the Commodore's men. Ever since Captain Levi came into the picture, the good for nothing Captain and the Commodore had destroyed his livelihood. He had absolutely no desire to do the Commodore's dirty work just so he could have revenge. No one told him what and how to obtain whatever he wanted. He did things on his own terms.
The morning was unusually cold for summer. He shivered in his dirty grey over coat, huddled in the far corner of his small dark and damp hut, smelling of sewerage and wet leather. He glared at his surroundings. If he were Captain of his own ship and if he had not been caught by the Commodore Smith, he wouldn't be where he was now. He owed the Commodore nothing… yet he still wanted revenge on the Captain who had taken his ship, crew and his wealth. He was one of Captain Levi's well known enemies. Levi would see right through him and his ulterior motive. Even if he wanted to steal whatever the Commodore needed, he was in no position to infiltrate Captain Levi's crew let alone board the Maria.
In deep aggravation, Beast roughly knocked the empty beer and ale jugs and half eaten gruel off from his mouldy dining table sounding a large crash of broken pottery and spilt liquid, startling a cat nearby. He pulled his hair, collapsing on a three legged stool. What was he to do? Running away wasn't the option. He was surrounded by the Commodore's men, closely guarded since their late night meeting. He was as good as dead at the hands of the Commodore. It was no better than being in the hands and mercy of Captain Levi.
Running a paw like hand through his greasy flea ridden hair, he thought hard completely troubled on what to do. He wanted revenge yes but battling the dangers and facing Levi's crew was absolute suicide. Staying here was also suicide. Erwin's men would have his head displayed on the Trost wall. Running away from the navy would be even worse. He was already considered a fugitive and wanted criminal. If it weren't for the Commodore, he would have been hung, drawn and quartered several months ago.
The idea of obtaining sweet revenge was one thing, but sending yourself to an early grave before hand was another.
If he were to send in his own agents, a recently hired one, things might turn out differently. If the spy died before he obtained these merman abilities, his death would be of little consequence to both parties although the Commodore would be less patient and merciful towards Beast. Then again, once his spy completed his mission, he himself would able to take what was rightfully his and the Commodore will have what he ordered… but finding the right man to do the job would be a challenge. He was a good for nothing cut-throat himself, distrusted and shunned from all levels of society. Even within his own field of under cover men, finding a man he could trust amongst the dregs of society would be extremely difficult.
There was only one man whom he could rely on to keep business deals as long as he was ell ensured. The only problem was whether the Commodore would give his consent.
Heaving a sigh, he furtively looked outside the window once more and was satisfied to discover the area was clear of navy officers before walking back to the most darkened corner of the hut. Bending on all fours, he rapped the floor boards twice, revealing a trap door underneath. Below, a scruffy looking man in his late thirties yawned, shielding his eyes from the light.
"Send word for the Commodore Smith to meet me at Port Trost at midnight… Bring Kirschtein to me, now" Beast reported.
The agent's sleepy eyes widened with shock.
"You heard me… step on it" Beast ordered.
"Y-Yes Captain Beast"
[East Side of Port Trost]
Jean Kirschtein released a yawn, bored of his surroundings and the smell of seaweed and spice but most of all he hated the sight of the uniformed men that flocked the merchant ships that docked the night before. In the shadows, he casually leant against barrels of wheat, chewing on a piece of tobacco enjoying the bitter taste it left in his mouth before spitting the gritty contents on the side walk.
He hated days like this, a day when he was not on the job to personally kill off an unwanted subordinate. He had little to do but carry out what he was trained to do. To assassinate those weaker than his employer, Captain Beast. Although tall and lean, his appearance denied the role of a terrifying killer. Jean was young, still in his late teens, his ash brown hair in a messy mop a top of his head with darker sides and at the back. His face was unusually long, giving him a somewhat 'horse' like appearance. Golden eyes glinted underneath a brown leather hat, a smirk adorning his face. His clothes were that of a merchant's apprentice or a dock worker, pale shirt and plain brown pants. He preferred to walk bare foot.
Yet underneath his exterior was a man who would kill all for the sake of money and fortune. As long as he received the bounty, he would kill without question no matter how difficult the mission was.
"Kirschtein! Kirschtein!"
Jean turned to his left, growling when he discovered a fellow colleague of his, flustered and smelling of old onion soup.
He rolled his eyes.
"What do you want Samuel?" Jean asked, leaning back against the barrels once more.
"The Captain wants you to see you"
"Beast? If it's to dispose any former minions within the vicinity tell him I'm not interested. I'm sick of dealing the usual trash" Jean replied to his comrade.
Samuel shook his head.
"No it's not that. The Captain said it's important. Very important. You have to come with me!"
Jean raised an eyebrow, surprised to see his comrade this flustered. He spat the last bit of tobacco juice from his mouth, shrugging his shoulders. He didn't have anything better to do. Maybe this new job would be more interesting the last ones.
Through the debris and people, he followed Samuel through the back alley and down the secret passage way through the sewers to Beast's hut. Jean grimaced as he trudged through the brown and green grime and filth, screwing his nose at the pungent smell of human waste and piss. He held back every urge to vomit. He hated travelling through the catacombs underneath the city. Although the walk was brief, it felt like eternity. As a result, he was relieved when he met the disapproving face of his captain.
"What took you so long Samuel? Time is short"
Samuel crawled out the trapdoor, followed by Jean. The older subordinate bent his head humbly whilst Jean made himself comfortable on one of the wooden box crates that provided the seating.
"I'm sorry Captain. It took me ages to find the lad"
Beast turned to Jean, frowning at his disrespectful attitude. Youths…
"Kirschtein. I have a job for you"
Jean looked at his captain with disdain.
"If you want me to take care of any trash forget it"
"No… it's more then that lad. I need you to do some undercover work, infiltrate a ship. You'll be rewarded quite handsomely"
Jean inclined his head curious but pretended not to care.
"Oh?"
Beast paced up and down his darkened hut, peering through the blinds of his windows every now and again.
"I'm sure you are aware what's been going on between the Royal Utopian Navy and the renegade Captain Levi of the Maria"
Jean shrugged.
"Yeah what about it?"
"The navy want me to obtain an item from the Captain's ship… but I'm in no position to do so. He knows my face. I'm one of his many enemies"
Jean leant back against the cold granite cobblestone wall.
"Yeah, what do I care about the Captain Levi and his enemies?"
Beast shrugged, nonchalant then smiled.
"Oh you will care… the Navy has promised me £5000 pounds for obtaining this item. The Commodore Smith, my client states they're the mythical merman's abilities, powers that give you the ultimate strength"
Jean perked up at this reward. £5000 pounds? That's a fortune!
"I have no need for money. All I want is revenge on the Captain who took my life away from me. Get me these merman abilities and the money is yours" Beast said smoothly.
Jean frowned.
"How do I know you're not lying?"
"Jean… have I ever lied to you before? Have you ever been unrewarded? There's vast quantities of treasure on Captain Levi's ship. It's there for the taking!" Beast tempted him.
"Captain Levi is ruthless. You just want me to do the Commodore's dirty work for you"
"The offer is open. Take it or leave it… but I know you Kirschtein. You'd do anything to get your hands on money… and think of it. If you're lucky, you might be able to kill the most notorious man in the Southern seas. Who knows what the bounty for his head is? Besides, Captain Levi is looking for recruits to fight alongside him. He'll hire anyone… there's no danger. Take it or leave it"
Jean sneered, baring sharp canine teeth. Images of treasure, a glow with a golden hue, gems of sapphire blue, deep reds and mauve sparkling with the gleam. How he longed to sink his hands into this supposed treasure his Captain spoke of.
"What are my orders Captain?" Jean said at last.
Beast felt the corners of his large mouth turn upwards into a satisfied grin.
"Take a two members of the crew, your choice and sail back to Port Hermiha. You will sign up as a crew member for Captain Levi and infiltrate his ship. Find out any battle plans and obtain what the Commodore demands. The spoils are yours once you return" Beast ordered.
Jean saluted still sneering at his Captain.
"When do I leave?"
"Tonight in the cover of darkness. Time is of the essence Mr. Kirschtein"
"Yes Captain"
[Late Evening]
The Commodore Smith sniffed in disgust when Beast presented him the new sleeper agent for the Navy. Apart from Beast and Jean, he was completely alone in Port Trost.
"Commodore, Captain Levi knows me too well… but not Kirschtein. He's my most trusted agent. Quick, and efficient… he may even kill Captain Levi for you"
"How do I know he's not going to run off with the object I require?"
"He's not interested… I assure you all he care's about the reward money you issued and the spoils from the Maria. That is all. He's the perfect assassin" Beast said.
"I don't care whether he's a perfect assassin or not… All I want are the Merman abilities. That is all. He must realise the consequences if he fails"
Jean tensed at the Commodore's hard stare, his ice clue eyes boring into his very soul. He surprised a gulp of fear, his face calm and composed despite the vivid images of men being tortured at the rack racing through his head.
"He understands perfectly Commodore"
"Very well. Since he's infiltrating the ship, he has all the time he needs to befriend Levi's comrades, obtain any useful information and such. I expect him to return with the merman abilities without fail"
"Yes Commodore" Beast replied, not liking the Commodore's tone of voice.
"Very good. Your ship is prepared Mr. Kirschtein. The final battle is approaching… it's best to be on your way"
And done… sorry for the short Chapter. It's just character introduction… oh dear what am I getting myself into?
Eveing Falls.