Chapter 15
Ransack
"PIRATES!" "THEY'RE HERE!" Saga dashed forward, sword in hand! This was the last line of defense they found in this base! They had formed a firing squad, shooting anything down the corridor that came in sight! "FIRE!"
Maxwell hid behind the corner as the hail of bullets fired, Schneider joining him. However, he quickly cast a Barrier on Saga as the swordsmen rushed them.
Saga deflected bullets as he ran, the cursed holy sword swatting like flies! He looked like a angry spectre, the way his robes fluttered and the Shichiseiken shone. Those bullets he didn't deflect only grazed the spell Maxwell put on him. He was untouchable, and he was fast!
"SWORDS!" The lead trouper called out. Realizing their firearms weren't slowing him down, they drew blades to combat the pirates. But even that proved folly. Saga tore into them like a meat on a slicer!
Only one marine was left standing, "WAIT! Please, don't kill me!" He stood back against the wall as Saga holding his sword to their throat.
The swordsman pressed the edge closer, "Talk! Where is Lieutenant-Commander Dreak!?"
"O-On his way back from Maruchi Island!" The soldier stammered, "We were able to contact him as his ship departed from the docks!"
"…Thank you," Saga nodded as he withdrew his edge from the marine's throat… However, just as the man sighed in relief, Saga knocked him out with the pommel.
He then turned to his companions, "You hear all of that?" Maxwell, Mekao, and Schneider all jogged up to the swordsman.
"Yeah. We're on a time limit," Maxwell frowned. "Mekao, you said the barracks, the library, and central offices were on this floor?"
The mechanic nodded, pointing to the right, "Follow this hallway and it should take you right to them. I have to go this way though!" Mekao pointed to the left. "If the lift is out, you three will have to hightail it back to the docks to escape. And while you guys are capable, I don't want to see you shot dead in the water, OR have the entire base wiped out. I rather liked this job!" he said with a teasing grin.
"Go. We'll see you in a bit!" Schneider told his friend, and Mekao ran off.
"Alright," the mage already started walking, "Schneider, check the barracks. Saga check the offices! I'll comb over the library. Look for anything that looks like a transaction or blackmail!"
"Right!" Both of the silver haired men replied. The three of them already running in the halls.
"And Saga?"
"Yeah?" Saga looks back at Maxwell.
"I really hope Helsing was telling you the truth."
"…Yeah. Me too."
O O O
A marine saluted, "Commander! We've lost communication with G-8!"
"Just now? Dammit!" Dreak hammered his fist onto railing. They were still an hour out before they could reach the island!
Those pirates were there for the Seventh Star. Dreak was sure of it! He didn't know how the Magister got in contact with the Black Talon, or the traitor. Did the Straw-Hats have contacts the Navy didn't know about? Or was the cripple more resourceful than he gave him credit for?
They were after something if they were still storming the base, though. Those pirates could have easily entered the docks, created a riot in the prison, and left. The fact that only they only freed the Seventh Star was telling. The only question on his mind though was, how was he doing this?
Was the power the Magister wielded actually magic? Did the pirate somehow curse the king into colluding with him? And where were the rest of the Straw-Hats?
Devil Fruit or not though, no pirate with that much power could afford to go free! His bounty reflected the threat he posed to the World Governmant, and he would be put down for it!
The Magister had chosen to invade his island!
For that, he would bury the so-called mage, and wipe the ocean clean of his filth!
O O O
"No… No, no!" Maxwell slammed the cabinet shut! Another dead end.
Like most public libraries, G-8's library was connected to an archive. He had gone over the newspapers first. It made sense that the Navy would receive Creamy Mist's local newspaper, the Fog Lifted.
Ever since Max was introduced to the concept, he found it fascinating! History recorded in real time. Even if it was a written with a heavy bias, and definite censorship.
Maxwell found the articles about Solona Helsing. Her escapades and whatever else the newspaper wrote about her. Saga was right about a Celestial Dragon ruining her life. The articles about the Helsing family had nothing but praises until the Tenryubito's arrival. News afterward became sparse, and praise had changed to slanderous pieces. People lived in fear of the World Government more than Maxwell thought.
However, the articles only really began to increase frequency, recently. That led him to his second subject, Baron "Count" Earl Battler.
Maxwell spotted the correlation. For every negative article there was about Helsing, there was a new supportive piece about Battler. His sponsorships, donations, vows to rebuild—all of it was after Helsing was pinned with the vandalism or demolition. Maxwell also noted the Marine's involvement with Battler's philanthropy. So the idea of a marine taking bribes wasn't far off. He was also hiding his full name, so people don't discover him.
Max had found the profile that the Marines had on Earl Battler. Extortion, Black market deals, poaching, trafficking, smuggling, forgery of documents, money-laundering... The man even had a bounty for Andraste's sake! 14.9 million! The only reason no one really bothered to go after him was because his offences were comparatively minor to public safety, and he mostly kept to the Grand Line! No marine vessel was going to lower themselves to bring him in while he sailed around here! So Battler had to be bribing G-8 to keep his presence here!
The only problem was, Maxwell couldn't find it! He looked through the records, trying to find discrepancies in their receipts and budget. But couldn't make the connection!
Maxwell sighed and picked up Karasu's cage as he walked, passing by the two marines he had frozen. He hoped the others were having better luck.
O O O
"Anything here?" Schneider lifted and looked under the mattress of one cot. "Nope." He had been looking for almost every nook and cranny he could in these marine rooms.
"Here?" Schneider worked fast, "Nope," too. Under beds, in and behind lockers, cupboards and shelves. Most of what he found was pocket money, or dirty magazines recruits were trying to hide. There were a few letters, but nothing about receiving a large wad of cash or benefit. Just notes from home.
"Hm…" He looked at the rows of bunkbeds. There wasn't a lot for personal space in these rooms. If a marine had found out someone was taking bribes here, they would have reported it by now… Unless the whole company was corrupt?
"Bullocks!" Schneider sighed, but the old pirate shrugged it off. They were on a time limit. Besides, he was more curious where Buzz flew off too. He should have found them by now.
That, and he was more interested in finding his son.
Roba told him that Ratchet was here, in the archipelago. The turtle-pose had led her to these islands after all.
She told them of all the changes done around the island. How Ratchet had, 'modernized' Shimagame with all his inventions. He barely understood half of it, but he couldn't resist the pride he felt, learning of Ratchet's accomplishments!
Schneider was previously nervous about approaching him. It had been 20 years, and his boy was already meeting royals!
…But it seems his son has forgotten to value family. If Ratchet was in league with this cult, then Schneider couldn't put it off any longer. It was time to meet his son!
O O O
The very first place Saga checked was the Operations room.
This was the space where the marines received and transmitted their information. It was full of mollusks of various sizes—Black, baby, white, visual, cameko, projector—this was where the navy made all their long-distance calls. Faxed their paperwork. And developed photos taken by navy.
He looked through the desks and stacks of papers scattered about the place. A lot of it was orders regarding the public execution taking place next week. Requisition of materials, personnel reassignments, mandatory summons to Marineford; A document regarding a new weapon developed by Dr. Vegapunk caught his eye, but that wasn't what Saga was looking for.
The swordsman decided to move onto the offices. No point digging through lettuce.
He started from the top, Vice Admiral Jonathan's office.
It appeared relatively sparse. A glass cabinet, dresser, closet, and table were in here. The only personal effects he could see was the chessboard and the massive trophy print of an elephant tuna hanging over the door frame. The vice admiral apparently both worked and ate in here.
However, there was something else in that office that immediately caught Saga's attention. A pinboard, covered in maps and images. Multiple coloured strings, wrapped around pins that held the photos to the surface.
It was an evidence board. A conspiracy map of all the crimes committed by the Children of Nightmare, throughout the archipelago. Saga could see scenes of robberies, murders, arsons, public sermons. Jonathan was trying to figure out where the cult's base was located and the identity of their leader.
Saga already knew Vice Admiral Jonathan had a reputation of being a great tactician among the marines. He was Admiral Sakazuki's personal protege, and an upholder to the Red Dog's Absolute Justice.
However, Saga remembered a very different man when the vice admiral visited Asuka Island.
The "Strongmen" unit had come for kendo training, looking to expand their fighting prowess. Being a unit under Jonathan's command, the navy elite wanted to see the dojo himself.
Jonathan's appearance kept people guessing. He had pink hair on a grizzled face, with a chocolate brown handlebar mustache. It made for a rather deceptive facade, and the vice admiral he took advantage of that. He could be kind when he smiled, and harsh when he established order. Jonathan's charisma and wit could inspire countless marines, to believe in the cause.
But behind all that bravado, was a sly old fox, who just wanted to fish. Jonathan didn't really subscribe to Absolute Justice. He just used his mind to create the most optimal solution. And the vice admiral had a soft spot for his wife. Both being rather attached to their home base.
Looking at the board, it was one thing to recognize another man's intelligence. It was whole other kettle of fish to see the fruits of that intelligence! Trade routes, probable cause, economic disparity. Gang wars, natural disasters, potential targets; Jonathan was calculating everything to find out where the cult was!
"Interesting…! But useless at this point!" Maxwell had already uncovered the what the cult was doing and what island on. And there seemed to be a glaring hole in the evidence wall. That, being the Creamy Mist Island itself.
How had no one investigated any activity around the volcano? The island was uninhabitable! Surely someone must have spotted some sort of irregularity along the coast!
Saga turned away with a grunt, looking for where Jonathan might keep his personal files. He must have had a safe or something in here!
*BOOM!*
Saga nearly startled as he heard another world shattering noise! It was coming from above! "The hell?"
*BOOM!*
The swordsman immediately ran out of the room.
O O O
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" *BOOM!*
"STOP IT!" Mekao yelled, throwing a wrench at the monster destroying the lift.
"OH YEAH!" *KKKKKKRRRRRR! Ting!*
The lift was actually a giant platform at the bottom of a pit. It was dug into the mountain, beneath a meadow at the mountain's peak. 4 cables and 3 scissor lift supported the platform, lifting supplies to the workers building the twin bridges. And was being destroyed by an intruder wearing a metal gorilla costume!
"I can't believe Honki's been keeping this all to himself! What a rush!" The man laughed as he tore open another shell.
"I SAID, STOP!" This time Mekao through a mallet, and hit hit the helmet with a resounding clang. Only then did the robot stop!
"…Oi, old man, are you trying to hurt yourself?" The metal monstrosity turned around, looking directly at Mekao. He could see the person inside, and they were far smaller than what the armor was designed for. The giant mechanical gauntlets, the cannon mounted pauldrons, the plate armor looked heavy for such a skinny frame! "'Cause I have no problem disrespecting my elders! Or leaving them with liver spots!"
"W-Who are you!?" This time Mekao held a screwdriver, however the mechanic was intimidated by the two cannons now being aimed at him. He had seen the destruction that suit can cause!
"Me? Tch!" The thug hissed a laugh, "I am going to be the future Prime Minister of the world! I don't have time for old men who can barely hold a weapon in their hands!" Mekao looked down and did see that his hands were shaking, wielding the screwdriver.
"HEY!" The old mechanic then looked over to see Schneider, Maxwell, and Saga enter the lift. They had clearly heard the ruckus going on up here!
"What's this? More cockroaches? Seriously, what's with all the old men on this island!?"
Maxwell and Saga looked at each other. Just who was this guy?
"Wait… I know that voice!" Schneider exclaimed. "Is that you Maji!?"
"EH!? How the hell do you know my…!" Maji trailed off as he stared at Schneider, recognizing him. "Holy shit, ol' king Schneider! You're still alive!?"
"Ha! Not for a lack of trying!" Schneider couldn't help but grin. But the old king quickly lost his smile, "Maji. Just what do you think you're doing here?"
Maji couldn't help but chuckle, "What do you think I'm doing? I'm f****** shit up!" You could hear the whirling inside the armor as Maji moved the gauntlets. "Rachet thought it a smart idea to cripple this military base before we started conquering this kingdom! And do you know what's the funny part? This place doesn't even belong to them!"
The "future," prime minister smashed a crate, scattering firearms across the platform. "'World Government.' That supposed to be scary or something? What a joke! This place is barely occupied! I've seen assholes that had more shit in them! How weak are they that they have to build a secret base in the middle of this giant dildo!? Nah, Rachet's got the right idea! We'll conquer this archipelago! Then after that, the world!"
Maxwell was disturbed by the crude language, but didn't say anything. He wasn't opposed to destroying the marine base, but he wasn't about to support an invasion for some despot.
"And just how are you going to do that, Maji!?" Schneider scolded the punk. "The world is larger, and more terrible, than you think!" He had been sailing these seas for 20 years, and seen many things! Some of which defied explanation! "Pirates! Emperors! Admirals! Celestial Dragons! You think these people are just going to roll over for Ratchet!?"
"F*** you, old man," Maji manipulated the arm two show off two middle fingers. "It's our time now, bitches! Ratchet had the right idea, making sure you could never come back."
Schneider gasped, "Then he…!?"
"Heheheh! How do you think we found this place?" Maji grinned beneath his helmet. "Ratchet had me stow away on that ship and steal the compasses just as they left!"
Schneider closed his eyes as he felt his heart break, "…Damn it…!"
"Schneider…" Maxwell felt a pang of empathy for him. Even if it turned out to be a childish prank, a betrayal like this ran deep. Especially from family.
"You know what, it might be better to put you out of your misery, old man!" Maji's iron hands grasped two cords and started pulling them in a rhythm. An attractive chime rang out and the armoured goon's armor began to light up. "With you out of the way, no one can question Ratchet's legitimacy as he takes over the world!"
"MOVE!" *BANG!* Maxwell shouts as the two cannons on fired. The mage tackled Schneider as the cannonballs flew over them! Saga though, drew his sword and split a ball in half!
The two halves exploded behind him and Saga immediately ran forward to slice at the armored thug. Maji's mech-suit, however, proved surprisingly fast for its size when Maji blocked the Shichiseiken with a gauntlet. "Heheh! Nice try, poser!" Maji then followed it up with a counterstrike that sent Saga flying.
Maxwell ran around the mech, leaving Schneider near a crate. He levitated Salem, Mordred, and Mineive's anchors as they fired arcane bolts at the steampunk thug. "The hell—!?" Maji shielded his face from the magical blasts. "Get over here, you little—!" The iron was taking the brunt of the magic as he jogged, lumbering towards Maxwell. Maji swung at the mage, but Maxwell jumped out of the way as the massive fist crashed into the floor!
The steamed punk was frustrated, but turned around, and used the hands to charge hid cannons! Saga dove in again to swipe at the breastplate. "Wah—! Jeez!" That interrupted Maji, but he still missed! Maji swiped at Saga, trying to batter him away again. However, Saga ducked and rolled out of the way.
It was clear to both him and Maxwell that the suit was both strong and durable. However it was also incredibly top heavy! The arms could move, but Maji's mobility in that armor was also limited! The cannons made up for that weakness though…
The suit was fully lit up again and ringing, "LET'S SEE YOU DODGE THIS ONE!" Maji turned and the pauldrons fired, aimed at the mage!
Maxwell though, braced as he donned the Fade Cloak. Letting the cannonballs go straight through him. "HOW THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT!?" And with it, Maxwell saw how the cannons worked.
Maji's firearms weaponized compressed steam instead of gunpowder. He could see the jets of water hiss as the cannons fired. That meant that the giant pack on his back was just a giant water tank!
*BANG! BANG!*
"Gah!" Maji lifted his robot arm as he suddenly felt bullets being fired at him. It was Schneider, now holding his pistol and firing at the mecha suit!
"Keep him alive!" Schneider shouted as he kept firing bullets, "I want to shake down this little punk!"
"Shake down? What kind of old slang are you using, old—!? Huh?"
Maxwell smirked as he conjured an Brittle Glyph beneath Maji's feet. "OH CRAP!" He tried to step out of it, but the armored punk still ended up exploding in a mist of ice. Ice grew all over his body, and frost blanketed his armor. "C-C-C-C-C-COLD!" He could barely move, and the armor felt like it had gained 30 pounds!
Saga looked back, and decided to help grant the old man's wish. "Hey! Hey—! What are you doing!?" Instead of moving in for the kill, Saga slashed at all the tubbing connected on the machine. The pipes shattered like glass! Funnels that were meant to direct the steam spilled cool water onto the ground. "Woah!" Cables snapped as they were suddenly shorn, and the machine collapsed. "Hey!" Maji couldn't get out of the machine even if he wanted to.
"There. Now what do we do with him?" Saga asked Schneider, but the old man had gone to check on his friend.
"Well, we can't take him like this…" Maxwell studied the armor, pondering a way to dismantle it. The outer shell appeared to be a combination of welding lines and steel bolts. They would probably have to disassemble their lower half then yank Maji out by the legs to get him out.
"You think I'd go willingly with you!?" Maji's muffled yells sounded from beneath the machine. "Get me out of here, and I'll show you just what can of whoop-ass I can deal on you cheekbones! I'll give you a knuckle-sandwich you toad eating—!"
The mage tuned him out as he saw Saga turn around, alert! Then Maxwell heard it too. The thunder of dozens of troops, racing footsteps towards battle!
"MAGISTER!"
Lieutenant Commander Dreak had finally arrived.
Great…