Isaac walked down the gangway for the second time. Finally being able to take in the sights of the crystal blue water and lush green trees that were unaffected by the approach of winter.
"Island time, huh?" Isaac asked himself as he walked along the docks and onto solid ground. He looked around only to find the inhabitants staring at him as if they had never seen another person before. Isaac took it in stride and walked up to what he could only assume was a bar.
"I don't have much... will cash from the Union suffice?" Isaac asked as he pulled out a crumpled bill and some coins.
The bartender spoke in a language that Isaac couldnt understand.
"I'm sorry. I can't understand you." Isaac said.
The bartender stopped for a second before speaking again in english.
"Yes. Union currency is fine here. Although you aren't what I envisioned when you said you were Union, boy." The bartender said.
"I usually get that. I don't look like everyone else in the Union, and many despise me for it. But i don't let it get me down. I lived a pretty good life back before this all happened." Isaac said.
"Wait. You're one of them African americans, right? We don't get many visitors out this way but another Union boy said something about having several African americans in his fleet." The bartender said as he produced a picture. He pointed to several people in the photo.
"Yes. That is my race. But that isn't all that I am. The less... kind people call me by a different name but I let it roll off my back. It is what it is." Isaac said as the bartender pushed his money back to him.
"Keep your money, my good man. Drinks here are free. After all, it takes courage to fight. And if your target is those weird black and red ships, you'll need every resource you got." The bartender said as he poured Isaac a shot of whiskey.
"Thank you sir, but i must insist. Maybe when I come back from this mission alive, we'll drop by and I'll get a freebie off you. Until then, I'd like to keep my tab clean." Isaac said as he knocked back his whiskey.
"Alright then, boy. Now, run along. I say you have some of those girls to look after. I heard them say you were leaving at sunrise. If you have anything to trade, we can provide fresh food." The bartender spoke.
"All I have is Union Rations and weapons i took from those pirates. The rations are still good, and one'll sustain you for half a day." Isaac said.
"Hmm. 50 for a crate of fruits and dried meats?" The bartender began.
"If I'm giving up 50, can you spare some clean water as well?" Isaac brokered.
"I think that's agreeable. If you retrieve that, I'll go collect from the village so we can keep up our end of the bargin." The bartender said.
"Alright, I'll have it here in 10." Isaac said as he began walking back to the Eagle.
Elsewhere on the island, the girls had set about different activities to relax and keep themselves occupied.
"Eagle, your conduct earlier was downright deploable and unlady-like." Rodney reprimanded the blushing carrier.
"Shut up, okay? I... I let my emotions get the best of me in that moment." Eagle retorted.
"I'm not saying you can't go for the commander. Hell, I'd be happy for you if he promised himself to you. But don't go making a scene when you fantasize about him. By the queen, at least have some dignity to compose yourself until you're in private." Rodney scolded further.
"I get it, okay?! Besides... I am the flagship. I can have him all to myself any night i want. Then i won't need to hold back." Eagle said before Eldridge zapped her.
"Isaac not toy. Eagle share or Zap." Eldridge said defiantly with a pout on her face. Eagle faced off against Eldridge, their riggings active and ready for battle.
"You know, if anyone else in the fleet wanted him, you two would be out of the running. Making scenes like this is likely to push him away. If you both want him, share him. Because if you two get jealous of this, you could very well ruin the fleet dynamic and put us all in danger." Nimi said as she poked her head out from the trees.
"What are you saying, Nimi? Don't tell me you want him too." Rodney said.
"I'm his teacher first and foremost." Nimi said before disappearing back into the brush.
"Hey! That didnt answer my question!" Rodney shouted.
Back on the docks, Isaac finished unloading the rations that he had kept in a crate.
"Fifty untouched rations, courtesy of the Union Navy." Isaac said as the bartender returned with several helpers, carrying a massive crate.
"What is in there?!" Isaac asked, clearly surprised by the size.
"Dried meat. We also found a fresh hog that we would like to cook here at the port for you and your crew. It looked like there were 7 of you but we figured that they would enjoy such a feast." The bartender spoke.
"Wow. I didnt expect such generosity. Thank you, Mr..." Isaac began.
"Iseleli. But you can call me Eli for short, Mr..." Eli replied.
"Isaac Garner. But call me Isaac." Isaac replied as the two men shook hands.
"Excellent. We will begin cooking right away. We should be ready by supper time." Eli said as the helpers unloaded the hog but went to store the fruit, water, and dried meat aboard the Eagle.
"I have to say, Eli. This is a mighty fine place you have here. I'm thankful you havent had to feel the wrath of the Sirens." Isaac said as he heard the sound of a transport ship horn, signaling its leave.
"Those strange boats? They left us be. A weird girl with yellow eyes and white hair was talking to the chief a couple days ago, but they didnt leave anything behind. The chief said that she wasnt interested in our land and that we would die off soon enough anyway." Eli spoke.
"That was an upper class siren! I'm surprised you all survived." Isaac spoke, his amazement far from hidden.
"Yeah. But her weird ships did sink our fishing boats... thankfully we have saltwater rivers cutting through the island and caves that teem with fish. So we can survive so long as the seas stay plentiful." Eli said.
"Well, I am on a mission. If I succeed, I may be able to secure food shipments from the Philippines." Isaac said.
"If that happens, it would be helpful." Eli said.
"I agree. My base needs the food as well. I'm hoping to get it sorted out with an escort fleet. I already have another battleship potentially." Isaac said.
"I see. Well, don't be a stranger. You will always have a friendly port here, Commander Isaac." Eli said as he shook Isaac's hand. He stood and went to help the others build a fire for the hog roast. Isaac went to the Eagle to radio the kansen to help with dinner.
"Girls. Report to the docks. We're gonna help prepare dinner for tonight." Isaac said through Eagle's radio reciever. As he returned to the docks, he could see all 5 kansen returning from the island's small forest. Isaac went down and greeted them back.
"Did everyone have a good time?" Isaac asked. The group nodded and looked at the bonfire that had been set alight in the port square.
"Go ask Eli what you all can do to help, Nimi, youre with me. We just got a bunch of dried meats and fruit. I need help with inventory." Isaac said.
"As you command, Kommandant." Nimi said as the rest of the girls went to help the villagers. Nimi and Isaac climbed aboard the Eagle once more to begin their inventory.