A caped figure leaned against the side of a building, watching the waves of the ocean gradually stretch over the horizon. He listened to the distant splashing from the shore and birds flocking from above. In any normal circumstance, this would be considered a peaceful sight - but to him , it was all but a grave reminder of what transpired last week.

The Erebus was destroyed after his run-in with Boochbeard and his accomplice, Gandry. He'd been in the middle of delivering prisoners for questioning when his ship was overrun with pirates. He had a long, almost annoying streak with this ruffian - who trailed after him and thwarted his plans as of late. He lost a few convicts under Boochbeard's foiling before…but nothing like the Erebus.

It sank. He lost nearly all his prisoners, grabbing only a couple with him on his escape boat. Least to say, it wasn't anywhere near what was expected that day, and he suffered for it. He stomped through Valencia afterwards, soaked from head-to-toe, relaying to Kane how he lost his ship and everything on it. To his superior, this was not good news.

It was the most humiliated he'd ever felt. Rooke was present and didn't improve the situation, expressing his disappointment in Deacon, accompanied with Kane's belittling. He asked, desperately , if his father ever received the letter he'd written a week prior - about the rise of piracy on ports and shipping, and his aggressive sweep for criminals and undesirables. He learned shortly that it was intercepted by Boochbeard and Gandry. His efforts were nearly in vain.

He thought his life couldn't get any worse. But things spiraled downwards from there.

For the past week, he was put on hold as an Emissary - refused missions and conferences, not even allowed on Armada ships. To him, this was an unfair punishment. He'd rather be put on standby, out on the seas somewhere, contributing * something * to the Armada. Instead, he drank his problems away and read depressing novels in his free time.

He was happy to be called in today. He'd be receiving a new ship and finally put back on duty. But he remained weary – something didn't feel right about this.

Deacon inhaled his cigarette from under his mask before releasing his breath. The smoke filtered from under the bauta and was carried away by the wind. The door opened. An Armada Soldier peered in his direction. They made eye contact before the other man stepped aside and gestured politely.

"My lord is ready for you."

The spymaster sighed. "Of course he is."

He extinguished his cigarette before entering the office. The soldier escorted him to the door. He found a man propped against a desk facing his direction, his gloved fingertips touching one another as his blue eyes studied his figure. The room was filled with tense silence - no implication of any conversation prior to him opening the door. Deacon cleared his throat and shut it behind him, stepping forward while he tapped his cane on the ground. His eyes wandered as he went. He noticed Queen sitting to the side, leg resting over the other and smiling at him.

He stiffened. There was no reason for her to be here. Did *everyone* have to know his business? His failure? He clenched his jaw at the thought.

" Ciao. " Kane greeted, breaking the silence. He sounded impatient and unhappy. Deacon bowed and moved a hand behind his back. A habit of his, for concealing his pistol.

"Kane…thank you for seeing me. You will not regret this."

"Exactly what we need to talk about." The Supreme Commander snapped to the empty chair across from him. There was no argument as he sat down. His eyes momentarily flicked to the extra company, but went back to Kane when he leaned forward.

"Deacon, I have high expectations of you. I completely entrust you as my representative - your image is my own. You're expected to execute my businesses for me. Failure to do so is not only a burden on you , but on me as well."

His posture deflated. " Hai ragione ."

"When you sank the Erebus last week, you lost valuable intel. Criminals who were going to be questioned and used to our advantage. Not only are we missing * them *, but an expensive ship as well. These matters were in your hands."

"They did not get away without a fight." Deacon defended. They had this conversation already. He was tired of being reminded of his mistakes. "The prisoners were freed and conspired together. I did the best I could, being outnumbered."

"Be that as it may, the results are still the same. I've invested in a new ship for you - but not one you will captain alone."

He quirked an eyebrow under his mask. "What do you mean?"

"You're being assigned a partner." Queen finally spoke, earning his attention. "She will help with your navigation, execute your businesses, and provide a helping hand in case of another… mutiny ."

The spymaster didn't know how to process this information. He preferred working alone so he wouldn't be slowed down - burdened by anyone who couldn't keep with his pace. He was constantly moving, never staying in one place for a long time. He was known for two things: being brief and remaining anonymous. Leaving no trace of his presence or involvement. A coworker would challenge that.

One word managed to leave his lips. "-'She' ?"

She smiled behind the mask she held. He could tell by her tone. "A friend of mine."

This did nothing to assure him. Kane noticed his distress and moved a hand in the air. "She meets all the qualifications. She has prior experience in your field and even basic training. Most importantly, she has no records of negligence."

Deacon trailed his hands over his cane. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was he so incompetent they had to *hire* someone to *help* him..? His fingers twitched in irritation. He was disappointed with himself. How could he prove to be this inept? It felt like a slap in the face, despite Kane and Queen presenting this as a privilege . A punishment worse than being refused any work…

"This is strictly for business." The Supreme Commander resumed. "You two will not convene after-hours, unless so desired. She knows nothing about your identity, as you do with hers. She's supplied with a mask to keep things incognito. Disclosing any information about yourselves is purely out of consent."

He relaxed in his chair. So he didn't have to know anything about her. Or even care at all. 'That's a plus', he thought. He wanted nothing to do with this "helping hand", supplied to him out of pure pity. The situation was already degrading enough, in his eyes.

"She'll meet with you tomorrow at the docks, to your new ship." Kane wrote something down. "You two will track down your lost convicts. The Pirate is already showing interference with our plans. Every one of them is your responsibility, and you are expected to catch them once more."

"I can do that by myself. Is the company necessary ?" He sat back exasperatedly. Kane tilted his head, unimpressed.

"Need I remind you this is your mistake. Since you couldn't do what was asked of you the first time, this is simply a compromise, to make sure that doesn't happen again."

Deacon decided to be quiet. The only smart decision he's made in this conversation. Kane shared a glance with his Queen before rolling up the paper and handing it to him without a word. He saved it in one of his coat's pockets, to read it in his spare time.

"I want to see improvement from this fiasco. You have three months to track down every inmate you lost and bring them in for questioning. If this does not happen, you'll be moved somewhere less… important ."

His life was Hell.