They are scattered, and they are few.

Goldwater: "Reggie, there's sumthin strange about ye. Yer more jumpy than normal, ever since after ye dueled with River. What's eatin ye?"

Reginald: "I honestly don't think you can stop her alone. I only stood a chance because she underestimated me at first. She's no fool, she'll be more careful in the future. For all we know, she will do anything just to get even with Sal. She's dangerous to us all. Together we can end her and be done with it, with minimal casualties, and the rebellion she started will crumble in days."

"Very well. What about the flayer?"

"I don't know what to expect from him, but brutality, tenacity, and ferocity should be anticipated. Fighting that monstrous ship from the water is not an option, so we have to get in close or stay above them."

"We have to sink what's left of their ship. Good call with the chum on the Kalmar, Pathos. The pequod school probably did a number on em. Gather round! Here's the new plan. Pathos, Sven, ye two will accompany Sal back to the Davy Jones. Reggie, yer with me at the waterin' hole. Sven, move the forest garrison southeast."

The cruiser approached the small port town, and came to a stop when a large ship, heavily laden with four front mounted guns, moved to intercept them.

River: "What's the problem?"

"Miss, yer ship is the problem. The pirate lords are lookin' fer one just like it. I'm afraid yer gonna have to surrender now."

"Markus, port shields up."

"We have shields now?"

"I stripped the parts off the Kalmar last night. Port shields up. Now. Ten O'clock, halfway up your console."

A shell flew through the air towards them and exploded on the sensor array. The turrets spun into position and fired. Four HEAT shells tore through the hull of the scuttlegun. Three more shells ricocheted off the shields, bouncing harmlessly into the water. The cruiser limped into the drydock and the gate slammed shut. The workers stood listening while River discussed the state of the vehicle with the foreman. The cruiser creaked and groaned, its armor falling away from the components as the salvaging crew set to work retrofitting it.

"Welcome to the watering hole ma'am, this blueprint is the one ye want?"

"Yeah. Don't cheap out on me."

"Don't worry bout a thing. We heard what ye did to the patchwork's crew, everyone here supports ye, actually standing up to the pirate lords like this. Ye want the hull painted?"

"Yeah, that'd be nice."

"Hmm. This blueprint calls for three turrets, which use up exactly the same total pieces as the two turrets down in the dock. Ye planned this out didn't ye?"

"Never hurts to have a backup plan. Hey, you two! Be careful with those shell racks, drop one and you'll level the whole block!"

"You could have told us that before we started taking them out, you know!"

"Don't worry 'bout them, bunch a cynical sarcastic mechanics and engineers. But they're honest and they get the job done, that's what matters, eh?"

"Yup. I'll be back by nightfall, send someone to find me if you finish up before then."

"Alrighty."

River walked through the deserted streets and came to a plaza as the sun dropped below the skyline. She spotted Markus across the plaza and approached him. Two hooded figures stepped out of an alleyway and stepped between them.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the slippery little rat that's been stirring up so much commotion."

River slipped her hand into her cloak.

"Who are you and what do you want?"

"Captain Goldwater. I was sent to collect yer head in a jar. Captain Sully sends his regards."

"If it's that important, come take it."

The figure removed two cutlasses from his belt. The second figure silently raised his blade toward Markus, who picked up a loose length of lead pipe. Goldwater slashed at River and was met by a long, jagged knife. River twisted the blade from his grip and flung it out of reach before parrying a second blow. Goldwater slashed at her again, and she leapt up, kicked off of the blade mid swing, and landed on her feet behind Goldwater.

"That was pretty impressive. Pity it won't delay the inevitable for long."

Their blades clashed against one another again. Reginald chased Markus out of sight. Markus sidestepped around a cleave. Reginald lifted the blade for another strike. Markus stepped out of reach again.

Markus: "Your form is sloppy. You're not putting your heart into it, even I can see that."

He parried another blow.

Reginald: "What are you getting at?"

River ducked under another swipe. She slashed at Goldwater's face and met only steel. He twisted the blade and tore the knife from her hands. She looked down in time to see a bloodied blade retreating from her side. She hit the ground, and Goldwater chuckled in grim satisfaction as darkness began to fall around her.

"Pathetic. Ye aimed for the moon and ye landed on the rocks. Well, I suppose the time has come to pay the piper."

"Then- aaagh- do it already."

Goldwater shrugged, raised the blade over his head, and the executioner's blade fell.