Chapter 57
Together
The Straw Hat Pirates' enthusiasm had largely dropped. Yet when they had arrived at the water tower about twenty minutes earlier, the conversations had been joyful and determined: the astronauts were finally about to go home and the islanders would be able to start healing from their terrible past.
Franky had taken over the controls at the central computer and communication with the shuttle had been established. As expected, the astronauts were arriving above Earth's orbit and their entry into the atmosphere was imminent. The cyborg had calculated the re-entry trajectory so that they would land on the site provided for this purpose to the north of the island and it was at this moment that the excitement had started to die down. Franky had frozen in front of the screen and Robin had quickly joined him. In the end, all their friends had ended up noticing the silence on their side and they had also come closer.
The cyborg had explained that the shuttle did not have enough fuel to reach the landing site. The astronauts had rationed themselves and used the moon's pull to return, but they had stayed in space far too long. Silence had fallen in the control room and the crew had shared frightened glances.
The astronauts had also figured out their fate when Franky had recalculated the trajectory with a different landing site. Despite this new proposal though, the result had not changed. Either way, the shuttle would start to run out of fuel as soon as it entered the atmosphere and the outcome was inevitable.
"Why do they need fuel to land, I don't get it!" The straw hat boy suddenly got annoyed, crossing his arms over his chest. "They don't need it; they only have to drop down here and we'll catch them!"
Nami shook her head. "Fuel isn't just moving forward, Luffy, it's essential for maneuvering the shuttle, braking, and choosing a direction. You can't catch a shuttle weighing several tons that's falling from the sky."
"We gotta give them fuel then!" His captain insisted stubbornly.
"That'd be ideal, but their engine uses mixtures stored in separate tanks," Franky said. "They're injected into a combustion chamber and then ejected, which is what generates the thrust. That way you can control the combustion and then the thrust quite easily by turning the combustion off and on again."
"It's rather convenient," Jinbei agreed.
"The mixtures are very complex to reduce or increase the speed and thrust." Robin explained, "Here, they used a common couple of liquid oxygen and kerosene."
"But they have some kerosene left!" Usopp reminded them. "Can't we… distribute it?"
"They don't have much left and it might have worked but that's not their main problem," the archaeologist replied.
"What do you mean?" Zoro growled.
"They don't have any liquid oxygen left and that's really not super," Franky confirmed with a grimace. "Considering the time they spent up there, they used it to breathe and we can't blame them but without oxygen, no combustion and without combustion, no braking…"
"So they're just gonna… crash on landing?" Chopper asked in horror.
"That's what we're trying to prevent," Robin agreed.
"What can we do?" Sanji asked.
The cyborg stared at the control panel for a moment. "Not much," he finally admitted. "Apart from helping to change the shuttle's trajectory so that it lands in the water instead of on land to limit the impact…"
"Let's do this!" Nami exclaimed hopefully. "The sea is very close and the seabed is deep as soon as you move away from the coast around here!"
"It's still tricky," the shipwright sighed, "To change the trajectories, we also need to change the speeds and use combustion."
"But you can do it, right?" His captain asked him. Franky nodded, "I thought of something. We're gonna use the weight of the rocket to tilt it in the right direction and plan an optimal angle of reentry into the atmosphere."
"How do you plan to do it?" Brook asked.
"First, they're gonna store all the material they can on one side of the shuttle. It's not much, but nothing should be overlooked. Then, we'll use the carbon dioxide stock."
"What do you mean?" Jinbei wondered.
"It's not enough to provide the astronauts with a constant flow of oxygen during a flight," Robin explained. "Inside, it is also necessary to eliminate the carbon dioxide produced by the crew."
"Their shuttle is equipped with carbon dioxide capture and elimination systems using scrubbers," Franky confirmed. "When the stale air is pumped in, carbon dioxide adheres to it, and when this molecular tape is saturated, all you have to do is close the valves connecting the cabin and open them to the outside to let the carbon dioxide out, which disperses into the vacuum of space. The material is then ready for a new absorption cycle!"
"How's that gonna help us?" Luffy wanted to know, puzzled.
"These guys were far-sighted; they saw the thing coming. They kept the carbon dioxide instead of throwing it!" His shipwright told him.
"That's perfect! The valves can be opened to release it gradually!" Usopp rejoiced.
"But to create a thrust, the carbon dioxide has to burn, right?" Nami pointed out to him.
"That's right, they'll have to activate the combustion with energy," Robin approved. "In their case, a spark should be enough given the concentration."
"Isn't it dangerous?" Chopper asked, frowning.
"The shuttle is designed to withstand fire," the cyborg replied. "The only problem is that once triggered, everything will burn and the action time will be limited."
"Timing will be essential," Jinbei realized.
"I'll calculate the best trajectory and it would be best to trigger the explosion just before they enter the atmosphere to shift the shuttle," Franky decided as he approached the central computer.
"Re-entry into the atmosphere is the most delicate moment," Robin added. "Upon reaching the dense layers of the planet, mechanical and thermal effects develop. The rocket already has a significant speed and if the approach angle is too acute, it'll bounce off the upper atmospheric layers and get lost in deep space. On the other hand, with a too obtuse angle, it'll plunge at a speed increased tenfold by Earth's gravity. The heat released will be too intense and it'll burn in flight like a torch."
"According to their research, for an optimal approach, their ship must enter the atmosphere at an angle of about forty degrees," the cyborg explained while starting the calculations. "Then, after a few seconds, the shuttle straightens up to three degrees, which allows it to lose speed very gently. This entire phase is managed by the onboard computers and the angles are calculated in real time to the nearest tenth of a degree to avoid any risk of incident. Their shuttle also has a special high-temperature heat shield and according to the Vinsmokes' notes, theirs can withstand up to 2192F."
"The slightest failure in this area causes the shuttle to immediately explode because of the superheated air that enters inside," Robin specified.
"I hope their shield is intact then," Zoro grimaced.
"It is," Franky assured them, raising his thumb. "I checked the integrity of the shuttle when we had access to their system!"
"What a relief!" Brook rejoiced.
"The most direct trajectory tallies roughly with the water tower." The cyborg showed them, pointing to his computer. "Actually, it's more like the port, but if we can gain a few degrees, that should do it!"
"The inhabitants are gonna be shocked when they see this thing charging at them," the swordsman muttered.
"Law is with them, he'll protect them," Chopper reminded him.
"Law doesn't care about all of this, he didn't even wanna come," Nami pointed out. "Do you really think he'll help them?"
"Even if he doesn't really care about the safety of the inhabitants, I don't think he'd let them die without lifting a finger," Sanji growled. "Either way, he better do something or he'll have to deal with me…"
"We can try to warn him, I got this!" Usopp decided, grabbing his pocket Den-Den Mushi.
"Something's wrong." Pressed up against the windows of the water tower to try to see something, the Straw Hat Pirates turned to the cyborg who was watching the numbers scrolling in front of him.
"What's going on?" Jinbei asked.
"The shuttle straightened up correctly but it didn't shift enough."
The crew approached the onboard computer on which the shipwright was still typing.
"What does that mean?" Nami asked, worried.
"The carbon dioxide combustion didn't push the shuttle enough," Robin deduced.
Franky nodded, frowning. "That thing burned too quickly and all the thrust went into straightening the rocket…"
"Can they brake?" Brook asked.
"Apart from kerosene, they got nothing left. The shuttle will survive re-entry into the atmosphere but they'll crash 300 feet from the sea!" The cyborg fumed, showing them the trajectory calculation.
"Only 300 feet?" Nami repeated in disbelief.
"That's the difference between a mission succeeding and failing," Zoro noted darkly.
"Have they been warned?" Jinbei asked.
"No, communications are completely cut off during re-entry. They won't be re-established until after."
"Maybe Torao can make a room?" Luffy suggested.
"I don't think his devil fruit could withstand such a shock," Chopper sighed. "We're talking about speeds of around 15500 miles per hour and he can't create a barrier like Bartolomeo…"
"Even if he could, he wouldn't have time. They'll be here in a few minutes." Franky grimaced as he showed them the flashing dot on the computer.
"What can we do?!" The sniper was terrified, "We can't let them crash into the city!"
"We're gonna use the remaining fuel to create a retrograde thrust," the cyborg decided as he immediately sent the instructions to the shuttle. "Hopefully, that'll be enough to push them off course!"
"It's unlikely," Robin pointed out to him. "The reverse thrust will slow them down but not shift the shuttle enough. There's not enough kerosene left."
"Maybe, but that's all we can do!" The shipwright insisted, "Anything's worth a shot!"
"I think I got an idea." His companions immediately turned to the blond who had just spoken. "If I use the Raid Suit, I could help them."
The little reindeer's eyes widened at these words. "What do you mean? You brought the Raid Suit with you?!"
"Chopper, it can work," he assured him. "The Raid Suit will protect me."
"What do you have in mind?" Usopp asked him, nervous.
"I can help these inhabitants," the cook repeated.
"You can't be serious!" The little reindeer was indignant, "This suit crystallizes the majority of your identity crisis, not to mention that you're currently undergoing an experimental treatment!"
The blond bit his lip as he perceived the doctor's latent anger and also felt the weight of his friends' gaze following his every move. He suddenly met the swordsman's gaze. Zoro knew better than anyone that he could endure it now so he looked into his eyes in return and after a few seconds, the man shook his head.
"Chopper." The little reindeer turned to him. Zoro's gaze was still fixed on the cook. "Trust him."
The doctor stared at him, stunned. "This isn't about trust; this is about common sense! We haven't even done tests this whole time; it's too dangerous!"
"Believe me. He can do it."
The reindeer stared at him even more while the blond's face lit up with a smile. Luffy took a step forward then. "If Sanji and Zoro agree, we gotta let them do it."
Confused, Chopper searched his captain's determined face before turning back to the cook who looked back confidently. Recognizing his defeat, he only shook his head. "I guess you've already put that suit back on without telling me…"
"It wasn't premeditated," his friend assured him.
"All I want is for you not to take any chances," he sighed.
"I swear. I can do without it to a certain extent, but it'll protect me much better than my clothes."
"Sanji-kun, be careful," Nami urged him, worried.
"What do you intend to do?" Jinbei asked.
"If the shuttle can't move on its own, we gotta go directly to the source," his crewmate replied.
"To the source?" Brook repeated, surprised.
Sanji nodded before fixing his gaze one last time on the swordsman's who nodded in return. He then searched his pocket and pulled out the Raid Suit can. A second later, he activated it and the fabric instantly enveloped him.
The blond didn't bother to examine himself this time. He didn't want to and most importantly, he didn't have time. Sanji ran to the window and jumped onto the ledge then launched himself into the sky.
"What do you think he's gonna do?" Usopp nervously asked his companions. Gathered near the windows to try to follow their crewmate's progress, Nami, Chopper and Brook only saw him moving higher and higher towards the clouds thanks to his Sky Walk.
"No idea," the navigator whispered worriedly.
"Our friend seemed to have a precise plan," the musician reminded them.
"Let's hope he doesn't overdo it," the little reindeer sighed.
Near the control panel, Jinbei, Zoro and Luffy headed towards Franky and Robin who had resumed their places near the central computer.
"I reversed the thrust with everything that's left and as soon as communications are restored, I'll switch them to manual control," the cyborg explained.
"The shuttle is decelerating but it won't be able to change course without a powerful energy," Robin specified.
"Everything depends on Sanji now," Jinbei noted.
"There's no need to worry, he'll make it."
The crew simply nodded at the captain's statement. Luffy's words were always sacred.
"The shuttle moved!"
Nami, Brook, Chopper and Usopp turned abruptly towards the rest of their friends. Eyes glued to the onboard computer, Franky had stood up in surprise.
"What's going on?" The sniper asked.
"The shuttle moved a few feet," Robin replied.
"It's Sanji!" Luffy got enthused.
"How?" Jinbei pointed out in disbelief.
"By kicking the shuttle's ass directly, obviously," Zoro replied. "That's the only thing that could move something so big."
"We haven't seen him for a while, he's gone above the clouds!" Chopper told them, leaning out the window.
"He would have gone up to the shuttle?" Brook marveled.
"This is insane! There's not enough oxygen up there and the friction related to re-entry into the atmosphere is gigantic!" Nami got alarmed.
"Will the shuttle hold?" Robin asked, seeing the point shift a few pixels again.
"With the overheating and Sanji-bro's kicks, it's gonna hurt." The cyborg winced, "I bet he's using at least his Diable Jambe to increase his power…"
"It shouldn't be long before they've visible," Jinbei noted, staring at the screen.
At the window, the rest of the crew pressed up even more in the hope of catching a glimpse of their friend.
"I see the shuttle!" The musician exclaimed after a few moments.
"I do too! But I don't see Sanji!" Chopper was terrified.
"I see him!" Usopp exclaimed.
All his crewmates instantly joined him while the sniper pointed at something in the sky. Thanks to his binoculars, he managed to see beyond the clouds and smoke released by the shuttle above their heads.
"How's he doing?" Nami asked.
"It's hard to say, I can't see much," his friend grimaced.
"They're coming extremely fast," the Fish-Man noted, his eyebrows furrowed.
"The angle seems good, I think they're gonna reach the sea!" Franky got enthused.
"They might hit the seabed a bit, but their chances of survival are unmatched," Robin agreed.
"Something's wrong! Sanji's stuck to the windshield! It's like he's trying to push the shuttle away!" His friends turned to the sniper, taken aback. "He can't try to stop it with his bare hands, it's impossible!" The little reindeer panicked at his side.
"I see him!" Luffy exclaimed in turn as the shuttle approached at full speed.
"The Raid Suit is burning!" Nami was alarmed.
"The heat shocks due to re-entry into the atmosphere must have heated his suit until it melted," Robin said.
"He needs to let go of the shuttle or he's gonna be torpedoed!" The gunner shrieked.
Sanji concentrated all his strength in his arms. The boots of the Raid Suit had stopped propelling him forward to balance him against the phenomenal thrust of the shuttle that threatened to scatter at any time. Facing him, on the other side of the windshield, the crew stared at him. They were terrified. They knew that their survival depended only on this man who was trying to contain the pieces of the nose of their ship that could dislocate any second now.
The blond's kicks had pushed the shuttle towards the sea, but in doing so, the rocket had started to dismantle itself. The journey had already been too long and the shocks due to the friction of the atmosphere had been the last straw. The astronauts had turned right as far as they could when they had regained manual control and they had been able to gain precious feet, but the shuttle could not take it anymore and was about to disintegrate, condemning all its occupants.
Suddenly, the blond's glasses exploded in front of his eyes and pieces flew off at his face, scratching him in the process. Sanji clenched his jaw as the pieces scattered into the sky around him. He was almost there. He could see the port and the sea approaching at high speed out of the corner of his eyes. He could do it. The gloves of the Raid Suit were still resisting even if the suit itself was catching fire and holes were appearing here and there, burning his skin. His cape had been the first to suffer from the friction and it had caught fire because of the overheated shuttle's metal, leaving only pieces of charred fabric. Sanji took a short breath between his clenched teeth. The pressure on his fingers was monumental and his muscles were tetanized.
The cook forced himself to continue his effort. One more minute. A few more seconds. Each moment guaranteed a little more chance of survival for the occupants of the shuttle and for the first time, Sanji prayed that Stealth Black would hold tight. Together, they could do it.
"He's falling down!"
Usopp felt his heart leap in his chest as he saw the blond fall like a stone through his binoculars. The shuttle was now hurling towards the water of the port and Sanji's body was ejected further away because of the wind created by its descent. Thrown at a dizzying speed, they were both going to crash into the ocean.
"The shuttle is breaking apart!" Chopper was terrified as he saw the pieces of the rocket scattering in the air.
"Jinbei!" His captain immediately called him.
"I got this," the Fish-Man agreed as he ran down the steps.
For his part, Luffy jumped onto the window sill to throw himself into the void.
"Gum-Gum Finger Net!"
The straw hat boy stretched his intertwined fingers towards the shuttle as gravity propelled him down. Landing on the immense satellite dish, he then used all his strength to try to slow down the shuttle as it was falling into pieces.
The rocket creaked and Luffy winced. He tried to absorb the shock but his elastic skin could only absorb a little of the impact before hitting the sea. Immediately, the captain's energy left him and his hands were exhausted, leaving the shuttle to lift the ocean as it hit it head-on.
When Jinbei dove to recover the occupants of the shuttle now trapped in the sea a few moments later, the eddies of the crash had created an immense wave that rose towards the coast and Nami shrieked.
"The port is gonna be submerged!"
"Shit! They'll never have time to get away!" Franky realized, livid.
At that moment, a room appeared on the shore and Zoro untied his swords from his hip, his gaze fixed on the cook who also hit the ocean. "Robin, you can send me down there?" He asked the archaeologist.
"Of course," she replied, spreading a huge hand on the top of the water tower.
"Brook." The skeleton caught up as best he could the three swords of the first mate who was already running towards the young woman's limb. A second later, a clamor rang out from the port when the surgeon teleported half of the city and Zoro was thrown towards the ocean.
"Sanji, that was so cool!"
Luffy rushed at his cook and jumped into his arms to avoid the sea water in which the blond was still wading, his eyes sparkling with admiration. Sanji wobbled as he caught his captain and Zoro grumbled while stabilizing him with one hand on his shoulder to prevent them both from falling in the water. Sanji then laughed with his captain while around them, the rest of the crew slowly approached to join them, a relieved smile on their lips.
Sanji soon reached the shore and set the straw hat boy down on the sand, the swordsman still attentive behind him. The cook was unconscious when he had fallen into the water and he had avoided drowning thanks to the swordsman who had rescued him. Back on the surface, he had not taken long to reopen his eyes. Still, the blond had trouble standing and the half-torn Raid Suit he was still wearing was proof of the violence of the last few minutes.
"It was completely insane!" Chopper stammered, clinging to his leg with tears in his eyes. "But the crew of the shuttle was saved thanks to you," he added, sniffing.
"Really?" His friend murmured, a smile on his lips.
"Jinbei got them out of the shuttle before it sank completely," Usopp explained as the Fish-man nodded. "None of them have any serious injuries thanks to your intervention," he specified. "They're just in shock."
"We're lucky…"
"The inhabitants probably didn't suffer either, Law made a room before the tidal wave hit the port," Nami reassured him.
"That's great, I was afraid that idiot wouldn't move…" His smile didn't leave the tired face of the blond in front of them and Franky shook his head. "That was a super move, bro, but you scared us…"
"I am certain that your actions will remain in everyone's memory," Robin said.
"Your behavior was absolutely heroic," Brook agreed as he returned his swords to their owner.
"Thank you, all of you. I think I…" The cook suddenly faltered and Zoro caught him with a firm hand. Stifling a laugh, Sanji leaned heavily against his companion who was also still dripping with sea water. "I think I'm a little tired," he admitted with an exhausted smile.
"You need to rest and I need to examine you!" Chopper immediately decided.
"And then, it'll be party time!" Luffy exclaimed.
Around him, his crewmates could only smile in turn.
Musical inspiration: Catapult by 2WEI
This scene is the first I had in mind and it started this whole story. (I had another scene inspired by Lauren Daigle's song You Say but it never became a part of the story in the end). Anyway, I listened to 2WEI's song when walking past a water tower and that was it!
Trailer part 15/16.