"How do you think they'd react if we removed the sea stone from the keels of their ships. Do you think they'd have a heart attack?" Karmen asks Pierce. They're sitting in a concealed location on the cliffs across from a large, bustling naval base only a day away from Galdea Island.
If Pierce had eyes he'd roll them. "I do not believe our wisest option is to set sea kings on marines."
Karmen waves her hand back at him habitually even though she knows he can't see her. "I was talking hypothetically. Besides, they're perfectly capable of handling one or two," she says dismissively. "Sea kings are like big puppies once you get past the scales and teeth."
Pierce turns his face towards her, barely managing to keep from making an incredulous expression. "You have a talent with them. Unfortunately, not everyone shares your skill or interest."
"Not all of them are man-eaters," she says defensively. "You just have to know how to handle them."
"I trust your capabilities, Mistress."
She giggles softly. "We're by ourselves, Pierce," she says gently. "You have no need to be so formal with me."
He gives her a wry smile and nods. "I know, Mistress. It's only that being formal with you has been a means of survival for the majority of my life. I had relaxed a little when we only had a few people with us- when we were with people you and trusted emphatically. However, with so many strangers on the island and constantly being surrounded by so many patients, I fear I'm falling into old habits. I highly respect what you are doing and desire to show you the honor you deserve in front of others. It's how I show respect."
"There's only one thing wrong with that," she tells him as she reaches over to interlace her fingers with his. His larger hand completely engulfs hers, causing her to smile. It reminds her of being wrapped in the expense of his wings. "I can't do any of this without you. You are my partner and my friend and you go above and beyond in the name of duty. Kuma will be proud of how far you've come."
Pierce stiffens at the name as thoughts pour into his head. He doesn't have many physical signs of it, but she can feel the muscles in his hands tensing and his heart rate quickens. His hand tightens on hers and she knows he's feeling the pace of her own heart as he leans forward to ask a question.
"Answer me this, Karmen," he says in a low voice. "If you trust me so much, why aren't you telling me the real reason we're about to break into this base? You've relaxed since making that deal with Mr. Rioux, but you've been tense ever since we arrived."
She gives her hand a slight tug in mock protest. "To get the maps, of course. They're bound to have plenty. Maybe some eternal log poses too. Once we get them and officially sell the necklace, we'll be back on schedule and we can start helping the patients get home. I'm anxious because we've been gone too long and I want to do some actual work."
He taps the back of her hand with his fingers. "You know, your heart rate quickens whether you tell a lie or a half-truth. I know you, Karmen." He doesn't say this angrily or with any edge to his voice. All she hears is concern and duty and she's momentarily conflicted for keeping things from him. "You haven't told me everything because you're afraid of how I'll react. If there's something that you need in this base, tell me so I'll know how to best do my job and protect you."
She lowers her head and looks away from him. "I'm sorry, Pierce. I do trust you- more than anyone, but I'm not ready to talk about it yet. I don't want to give you or myself false hope if there's none to be had."
His hand loosens so that his grip is more comforting instead of binding. "It's about Kuma, isn't it?" He gives her ample time to collect her thoughts and process the emotion that comes with these words.
Karmen's hand trembles and her breathing becomes more shallow. When she speaks, her voice is tight and he knows she's on the verge of a breakdown. "Kuma would never let me look into what they were doing to him and Mihawk was always so tight-lipped about it. I don't even know if the Pacifista Project is managed out of Vegapunk's lab or if it's off-site somewhere.
"Kuma would want me to stay as far away from government facilities as possible, especially one that would be guarded as much as that one- but I can't. I was hoping a marine base stationed somewhere this important would have a little information on it, something to give me a base understanding or an idea of why the government would…"
Why they would pervert the DNA and image of someone she holds so dear and use it to mock everything he stands for. She doesn't have to finish the sentence. He understands that she can't and feels the same way. He produces a wing and wraps it gently around her as she curls into a ball, pressing her securely against his side.
"I fought those things with my crew back on Sabaody," she continues, leaning her head against his shoulder. "They bear his face, but they are nothing like him. It's twisted and sick and wrong. I don't care what kind of miracle of science it took to pull it off. I want… I need to end it."
He shakes his head. "I'm sorry that you've had to deal with that all on your own for so long," he says. "I will be by your side for as long as you desire my aid. I do not know if this goal of yours is achievable, but if there's a way, I know you will find it."
She sighs and closes her eyes. "Thank you, Pierce. I don't know if it's even probable, but it's nice to hear you say that. I don't know what I would do without you."
"Rest for now so that you'll feel better for the mission," he says softly. "I will monitor the sunlight and wake you before nightfall."
The warmth of his wing and the comfort of his presence lull her into a light sleep.
When he does wake her, the sun is a mere sliver on the horizon. "They'll be changing the guard soon," she says, rubbing her eyes as he shifts to her back. "There are fewer people moving around inside now." She masks their presence and he takes to the air.
Pierce flies in slow circles over the complex while Karmen focuses her haki on the inside of the building.
"It's mostly staffed by grunts," she reports over the wind. "I only sensed three people being saluted. We must have been given a great time window. I'll have to send Shakky a token of my appreciation." She scans the outer defenses. "They have a great formation on the walls and in the water. There are guard towers and boats everywhere and it's all well-lit." She lets out a small giggle. "Too bad none of the spotlights are pointed at the sky. They simply aren't prepared for people like us."
"Still, we should do this quickly and use extreme caution," Pierce comments, warm breath tickling her ear. "I know most marines are incompetent at best in all but menial tasks, but we shouldn't underestimate the officers. They aren't Admirals, but they tend to promote based on strength and tactics."
Karmen is mildly surprised that he voiced his opinion of marines out loud and quietly wonders if it has something to do with the events surrounding her near-wedding and his imprisonment. Now, however, is not the time to have a heart-to-heart.
"I know," she says, keeping most, if not all emotion from her voice. "If they actually helped people, things would be different." She shakes her head. "They have to keep a delicate balance, but a few of them are actually trying. We just have to help shift that balance in the right direction so their efforts do not get lost in the red tape. Anyway, if we go down there before the officers come back, we'll get what we need to tip the scales just a little more."
He nods. "What's our entry point?"
Karmen directs Pierce to a door where the wall connects to the base. He attaches himself upside down above it, clinging to the wall with his claws. Not long after, a low-level marine relieving a man on patrol exits the building. In the three seconds it takes for the door to be shut and locked after him, Pierce has crawled through and hangs from the ceiling on all fours, cradling Karmen to his chest.
Karmen boosts her haki. There is one officer stationed here that Shakky had said might give them trouble, though they're supposed to be out on their ship patrolling for a few days. If Shakky thinks they are dangerous enough to mention specifically, they must be dangerous. Karmen doesn't want to make Pierce worry more than he already does, but she doesn't need to be told to be cautious.
She guides Pierce along a series of turns until they reach a records room. It's guarded by four marines with rifles stationed a few feet on either side of the door. None of them look up or take notice of the two people crawling along above their heads. Karmen asks Pierce to wait on the opposite wall. "Why don't you just flexomn them?" Pierce whispers, shifting his hold slightly.
"I really do not have that much of the toxin," she says. "Just be patient."
"Yes, Mistress."
Eventually, someone walks in- a young man with a few extra bars on his uniform. Pierce scuttles across the ceiling and crawls through the doorway, settling in the upper corner above some filing cabinets. The room is the size of a small office, cluttered with dusty cabinets, bookshelves, and tables- all stacked with boxes containing records that hadn't been sorted yet or didn't fit in the cabinet they go in. On one side is a desk with a lamp, used for reviewing records that aren't needed or allowed outside the room.
The marine stops in the middle of the rows of cabinets and turns in a slow circle. His eyebrows knit together and his lips turn up at the corner as he gives a smug snort. "I can feel your eyes on me," he declares. "You might as well cut this game short so we can get started."
Karmen and Pierce both stiffen, eyes and ears trained on him with bated breath. Pierce's hands slide toward his tonfa blades, but Karmen places a hand on his wrist. "Wait," she whispers. "We're not alone."
Not long afterward, there is a rustling from nearby and a woman steps out from behind a cabinet. "Well you sure are impatient today, sir," she says with a giggle.
He smiles warmly and gives her a proprietary look. "Can you blame me? I haven't seen you all day. I get moody."
She pretends to consider. "No," she says. "I suppose I can't. I am pretty amazing."
The pair closes the distance between them playfully and- after a short petting session- begin kissing deeply.
"Pierce, we can get to work now," Karmen says, prodding his chest.
The bodyguard pulls his visor lower over his shocked face to cover his blush. "R-right." He follows her instructions over to the other side of the room to a specific cabinet. She picks the lock, using her haki to mask the sound as she opens the drawer, and digs through the files. She repeats this process on several drawers and cabinets until her muscles are tense and her forehead taunt.
"What's wrong?" he asks.
"They're not here," she growls in a low voice. "They must be in the officer's office."
"Wouldn't maps be in the navigation room?"
"They would, but we're going to the office." Her voice is filled with stern frustration and leaves no room for more questions.
Pierce is silent a moment, but nods. "Whatever you think is best, Mistress," he says. "How are we getting out of here? I think those two will be a while longer and I don't think either of us wish to stick around for what they have planned."
"Agreed," Karmen says wryly before grinning. "I hope they don't mind a briefly opened door."
A "thank Kudra" might have run through his head as he crawls his way to a door on the opposite side of the room. He turns the knob with a clawed foot and they escape out into the hallway. Their exodus is quickly followed by angry yells of how the officer inside pays the guards outside for privacy and discretion.
The exiting pair leave quickly, not wishing to hear more of the aftermath. The offices they're seeking are on the opposite side of the complex near the navigation room. Pierce strains his ears to pick up signs of activity, but Karmen has him drop to the ground and picks the lock without hesitation. She walks in and reads the plaque on the desk out loud:
"Commodore Nivven Leigh."
She reaches over the plaque to dig through the neat piles that had been left out on the desk. "She seems to be the highest ranking officer stationed here. Shakky says her observation haki is supposed to be very strong, so it's probably a good thing that she's out on her ship this week."
"Do you think she's a threat?" Pierce asks.
"I'd love to test her to find out," Karmen says, moving on to pick the laptop drawer's lock and pulls it open. She lifts out a large, stiff piece of paper. "Well that's a little unexpected."
"What is it?"
"She has a signed poster of Captain Hina. She must be a fan," Karmen says. "Hina is a great tactician, and her powers work wonders for her career. It keeps people from getting hurt. I always thought her and Smoker worked well together."
She digs through the drawers then locks them back and turns to the filing cabinets along the far wall. She has to pick those locks too, causing Pierce's ears to twitch. She continues talking about Hina as she thumbs through the files.
"Ah! Here we are," she exclaims, drawing out a stack of wanted posters and slipping another file near them into her bag.
"Will she notice that those files are missing?" Pierce asks.
"She may be more interested in the maps we're going to take, but I'm leaving a placeholder, just in case," she responds. Karmen finds two empty folders and fills them with discarded reports from the wastebasket before sliding them into the gaping holes in the drawer- effectively hiding the fact that anything was taken to a cursory glance. "We can go to the navigation room now."
Her hand remains poised on her bag, itching to pour through the files.
If he noticed the shift in Karmen's focus, he doesn't comment on it. He simply maintains his vigilance as she leaves and locks the office. They move down the hall to the next room- a space filled with maps and bustling people talking quickly into transponder snails and headsets. A large radar pings in the center of the room and people compare it to the maps in their hands. Karmen whisks through the room, completely invisible to the busy marines.
Karmen moves through them methodically, filling the void where a marine had just stood and plucking maps and charts from tables and folders. Pierce has to produce an extra wing to help her hold them all.
By the time they finish, the marines look stressed to the point of a nervous breakdown, frantically searching for the charts they'd just had, sure they'd misplaced them somewhere.
"I almost feel bad for them," Karmen murmurs as they find the closest window they can open. She sets down a gas grenade and triggers the dispersal pin. "This should calm them down for the next hour, at least."
"You feel bad for marines?" he asks, tone bordering on bewilderment.
"Not marines per se, but for the people who made all those maps," she explains, thinking of Nami. "A lot of work goes into them."
He is quiet for a moment. "Would you like to put them back?" he asks softly.
She considers, then shakes her head. "We'll not waste their efforts," she answers. "I reviewed their current operations in Nivven's office. We need them more than the Marines at this time."
"So we send those off to the island, finish the necklace sale, and then what?" he asks.
"Next we find a lot of fruit and go talk to a friend of a friend," she answers.
"And then we're going back?"
"Eventually."
It's clear that he's curious about the details of her plans, but he simply responds with, "I go where you go, Mistress."
Rioux Fabien stands behind five large, waterproof chests on the Eastern beach of Galdea Island, waiting for the elusive woman who had disappeared from his office two days before. The ocean breeze ruffles his hair as he checks his gold pocket watch.
The meeting is scheduled to happen in five minutes. He'd had his burliest employees carry down these five chests of gold that are now burning the beach to glass beside him. He screens his employees and tries to ensure only the trustworthy ones make it to his payroll, but every now and then one of them gets greedy. He doesn't like to show it, but being alone with so much money makes him nervous.
He checks his watch again. Three minutes. So far there is no sign of this Ghost.
He'd sent his helpers away since he'd been instructed to come alone. He'd checked the beach carefully first to ensure he wasn't being set up for a trap, either from her or from them. Ghost seemed an honest woman and he found no hint of foul play. He had no doubt she'd hold up her end of the deal and show up on time.
Two minutes.
He'd wondered about the patients she mentioned. Maybe she ran some sort of hospital and needed food for sick kids. Maybe she was from a mental institution. Maybe she escaped from one. That would explain her willingness to steal such a key item from a Celestial Dragon. She doesn't seem crazy, though. At least, not in a bad, keep-a-defense-weapon-close-and-notify-the-marines kind of way. The truth of the matter is that she interests him and he'd like to see her again, even if things remain strictly business. It was a gamble, sure, but that made him enjoy it even more.
One minute.
"I knew you were a punctual man." Fabien looks up to see a dark haired head rising out of the ocean. The rest of her follows suit, rising vertically from the waves. She's wearing a dark driving suit and has her furry backpack tied to her with red ribbons. She carries a flat wooden box tucked under her arm made of light colored wood. From the looks of it, it's completely waterproof.
He raises his eyebrow at her entrance, but grins broadly. "Ange, it looks like you lead an interesting life."
She steps forward, bare feet seeming to walk on water as she approaches him. "I simply enjoy Davy Jones' form of travel."
"I trust whatever business kept you from my company these past few days has been profitable?" he inquires.
"Very much so," she responds. She holds up the box and nods toward the chests as she reaches the shore. "I presume your time was as well?"
He nods, stepping to the side slightly. "I think you'll find everything to your satisfaction, if I do rightly say so myself."
Water drips off her as she moves forward and kneels in front of the middle chest, setting the box aside. It's large- twice as large as her, coming up to her collar bones. Her hands trace over the lid's smooth wood and the leaf-work carved into the borders.
Her fingers deftly unhook the latch before she lifts the lid and looks inside. The chest is filled with berries in both paper and coin. She digs through them carefully, more as a precautionary measure than any actual distrust- though her scrutiny would have made Nami proud. When she finishes that chest, she closes the lid and checks the others in no particular order.
Fabien waits patiently through her process. She smiles softly, eyes unfocused for a moment as if she's looking through the money- eyes brimming with an emotion that he can't quite name. "I had been getting worried that we'd been taking too much time," she says softly. "Today we get back on track. You're a man of your word. I appreciate that."
His tone matches her warmth as he smiles back at her. "I am always happy to oblige, Ange," he says. He watches her curiously for a moment. "This all seems greatly important to you."
She nods. "So much hinged on this. This will allow me to help so many people…" She rests her hands on the lid for a moment, simply reveling in the finality of it. When she is finished, she picks up the box she'd brought, stands, dusts off the sand, and holds it out to him. "Here. The necklace is yours."
He takes the box from her and inspects the contents as carefully as she had the money, making sure it's the same purple-gemmed necklace she'd shown him two days before. Finally, he grins broadly and gives her a nod, extending his hand. "I do hope my precautions in this matter allow us to do business again in the future."
Ghost takes it, shaking it firmly. "I may not have anything else like that for a while, but if I do I'll keep you on my radar," she says.
His hand tightens on hers. "You seem pretty solid, for a ghost. Perhaps they call you that for… other reasons?" he says. "You aren't the type of woman to skip out on a date, are you?"
She gives a soft snort. "I didn't skip this meeting, did I?" she asks.
"That is the truth of the matter, I rightly suppose," he comments as he releases her. "Now tell me. How is a solid, but- if you don't mind me saying- slight ange such as yourself going to move all of these chests to where you need them to be?"
She fades, disappearing from his view for a few seconds and leaving him slightly shocked. There is a flurry of wind that continues as she reappears a few feet above his head, standing in the air. "When you're dead, you make friends down below." She looks out toward the ocean and smiles at something unseen. "Thank you, Kudra."
A gaping hole appears in the ocean. Nothing seems to be going in or out, but the water divides and the open space grows wider and wider. As he watches this strange effect, the chests beside him bunch together in an arc and begin sliding through the sand toward the ocean.
Ghost grins as they are swallowed up by the sea and the void disappears. The ground rumbles as a monstrous call echoes around them. He stares at the water for a moment, baffled and impressed. "That's some devil fruit you've got."
"I don't have devil fruit powers. I'm just plain Ghost, dear," she says simply. "Well, my ride to our Underworld is ready to depart. I'll see you on the other side, Mr. Rioux. Thank you for making this possible." She gives a small wave and disappears.
Fabien doesn't see her after that, but there is a slight disturbance in the ocean where a person may have entered the water. Or maybe it was just a fish fleeing the path of the undead.