"Captain!" Akako Zinnia stretched her arms wide, two cherry-hued hairtails fluttering behind her.
Umeko Ozias looks over his broad shoulder from the ship's deck as a petite girl in thigh-high stockings and a babydoll dress sails toward him. He grunts, stepping back when she envelopes him in her tiny arms. Peering down at her with his violet eyes, his voice low and wary, he asked, "What have you done now, Akako?" Her mischievous grin hinted at trouble only she could bring.
Pushing her lower lip out. "What do you mean?" She tilts her head back, gazing at him with big ruby eyes, "I am entirely innocent." Skipping backward, she places her hands on her hips. Pointing her thumb to her chest, "As your first mate, I am responsible for setting the example…"
A door crashes open, and Akako scurries behind Umeko's tall, muscular frame. Hiding in the folds of his inky trench coat as Amaru Valentine, a lanky snake-necked man with flowing chestnut hair and an open-colored flower shirt, stomps out. Bellowing her name, "Akako!"
Umeko crosses his arms, "What has she done this time?"
"Where is she, Captain?" He towers over Umeko as his eyes jet about, searching for her. Noticing the bulge in the folds of Umeko's coat, he cranes his extra-long neck. "I know you are there! The captain isn't going to save you this time!"
Umeko's coattails flap when Akako bursts forth, holding her gigantic square hammer over her head and calling out, "Super Nova, ugh!" She gasps.
Jerked in mid-air by her collar, she dangles from Umeko's hold. "Enough of that. I don't know what you did, but why don't you apologize?"
Akako chuckles in a cute sing-song tone, "Okay, captain."
Amaru is about to protest when a voice calls from the top of the mast, "Land Ho!"
"Captain," Ozul Crow says, resting his umber hand on the katana's hilt at his waist. His long, thick, ornamented braided locks blow in the breeze like a cape as he looks to the heavens. Stroking the onyx crystal dangling from his neck, he says, "The stars favor us today. The solitary hunter guides our footsteps."
Umeko's shaggy, plum-colored hair rustles between dark, curved horns as he turns toward the island. Akako squeaks against the deck when he releases her from his grip. Sighing, he leans on the railing, "Prepare to dock."
*****
Koala pinched the brim of her hat, holding it firmly against a sudden gust of wind that threatened to whisk it away. "We're almost there," Avian called from the lead, his voice echoing through the narrow, clanking metal tunnel. The scent of salt grew stronger with each step, a telltale sign of the ocean's proximity. Avian peeked his head over the edge of the ventilation shaft, his eyes lighting up as he waved for Koala to crawl closer. "We're here," he announced, a grin spreading across his face.
Koala shuffled forward, her heart pounding as she took in the view. Her eyes bulged at the sight before her. "How exactly is this an escape?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. Below them stretched a vast expanse of water, the waves crashing against the rocks far, far below.
Avian giggled, pointing downward. "We jump."
Koala's stomach dropped as she measured the daunting distance. She swallowed hard, her throat dry. Avian tilted his head, his expression suddenly uncertain. "You can swim, right?"
Koala sighed, her head dropping in resignation. "That's not the concern," she muttered, her voice heavy with unease.
"Is there a complication?" Charlie called from behind, his tone laced with curiosity and a hint of worry.
Koala nervously chuckled, scooting back to make room for him. "You may want to see for yourself," she said, gesturing toward the edge of the ventilation shaft.
Charlie crawled forward, his eyes narrowing as he evaluated the situation. Below them, the ocean stretched endlessly, the waves crashing against jagged rocks far below. He took a deep breath, steadying himself, then turned to Avian, who stood poised and ready to dive. "I assume this is a common occurrence for you," Charlie remarked, his voice dry but tinged with amusement.
Avian's bright white teeth gleamed as he flashed a proud grin, followed by a confident nod. "Okay, then," Charlie said, adjusting his glasses and securing them firmly in place. He glanced back at Koala, who was squinting at the daunting drop. "Ms. Koala, are you ready?"
She hesitated for a moment, then called back, "Yes," her voice firm despite the nervous tremor beneath it.
"Lead the way!" Charlie declared, his tone encouraging.
With that, Avian propelled himself from the wall, his body arcing gracefully through the air like a bird in flight. Arms spread wide, he bellowed, "Woo-hoo!" his voice echoing against the towering structure. His collared shirt and tailored pants rippled in the whipping wind as he plummeted down the side of the building, the white-capped waves rushing up to meet him. He vanished in a spectacular splash, defying the depths of danger as he resurfaced moments later, shaking water from his hair. Gazing upward with a grin, he called out, "Come on!"
Charlie and Koala exchanged a knowing glance, the unspoken understanding passing between them. Koala's hesitation melted into a smile, and with a deep breath, she leapt, her form cutting through the air with surprising grace. Charlie followed without hesitation, his glasses catching the sunlight as he plunged toward the ocean. The wind roared in their ears, the thrill of the fall mingling with the salt-kissed air. One by one, they hit the water, the cool embrace of the waves swallowing them whole before they emerged.
"This way," Avian's arms start paddling. Charlie slicks the wet hair from his eyes. Wading to Koala, she gestures to him that she is all right before swimming after Avian.
When Charlie noticed their increasing distance from the shoreline, he frowned, his strokes slowing. "Where are we going?" he called to Avian, his voice sharp with suspicion.
Avian broke his stroke, raising a hand to point toward a jagged rocky shoreline in the distance. "We're almost there," he called, his voice carrying over the sound of the waves.
"Why are we?" Charlie muttered under his breath, but Avian ignored him, resuming his steady paddling without explanation. Charlie gritted his teeth in annoyance, his frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. Koala stroked up next to him, her expression thoughtful as she glanced between Charlie and Avian.
"Why do you think he wants us to go there?" she asked, her tone calm but curious.
Charlie sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I'm unsure," he admitted, his voice tinged with resignation. Without another word, he returned to his long, deliberate strokes, the rhythmic motion carrying him forward despite the unanswered questions lingering in his mind.
"You two are slow," Avian teased, sitting up from where he'd been reclining against a boulder, his tone light but mocking. Charlie shot him a glare as he carefully assisted Koala up the jagged rocks, her movements cautious but determined. Without warning, Avian jumped to his feet, his energy boundless. "This way!" he called, already guiding them up a narrow ridge.
Charlie ducked instinctively as they stepped into a concealed passageway, the dim light casting long shadows on the rough stone walls. Reaching the end, Avian scurried to hide behind a rocky outcrop, his movements quick and deliberate. Charlie's brow wrinkled in confusion, but his expression shifted to one of alarm as understanding dawned.
"Hurry!" Avian whispered urgently, vigorously waving them over. "Or they'll see."
Charlie's eyes widened, and he quickly pulled Koala into the shadows, his heart pounding. The sound of distant voices echoed through the passageway, sending a chill down his spine. Charlie takes Koala's hand, pulling her to crouch behind the railing.
"Avian," Charlie whisper-snapped, his voice low but sharp. "What is this place?"
"Isn't it cool?" Avian beamed, his eyes sparkling with excitement as if they'd stumbled upon a treasure trove rather than a hidden, potentially dangerous location.
Charlie placed a frustrated palm on his forehead, sighing deeply. "It looks like a cavern," Koala murmured, peeking over the railing of the narrow ledge they stood on. Her eyes widened as she caught sight of something below. "That's a pirate ship."
"Are you sure?" Charlie asked, his voice tinged with disbelief as he leaned over to look as well.
Koala nodded, pointing downward. "Yeah, see the flag? I think it's the Beast Pirates."
"Do you know them?" Avian scooted up next to them, his tone casual, as if discussing the weather. "They always come here."
Charlie and Koala exchanged a wary glance, their unease growing. "There must be some kind of cove outside the entrance," Koala said, her voice thoughtful as she pursed her lips. She pointed toward a dimly lit area below. "Look, I think those are stairs, and that light might be an office."
Charlie wiped his glasses on his shirt, squinting as he tried to make out the details. "They appear to be loading the ship with those crates," he observed, his voice low.
Koala's gaze shifted to the motion in the windows of the makeshift office. "I think there's a meeting happening," she whispered, her tone tense.
"I think this may be what you…" Charlie began, but his words were cut short when someone behind them cleared their throat.
Slowly, they turned. Five large men stood with their arms crossed, their imposing figures casting long shadows in the dim light. They glared down at the trio, their expressions a mix of amusement and menace.
Charlie groaned, his shoulders slumping in defeat. But before he could say anything, Avian let out a battle cry and charged at the men. The pirates laughed as one of them effortlessly kicked Avian aside, sending him flip-flopping into a heap on the ground.
"You're coming with us," one of the men growled, his voice leaving no room for argument. Charlie exchanged a resigned look with Koala, their options dwindling by the second.
*****
Shockwaves of agony crept through Vaughn's shoulder as crimson streams cascaded down his arm, pooling on the cold stone floor. Captain Kai squatted to meet him at eye level, adjusting his glasses with a calm precision that felt almost mocking. "The sooner you cooperate with us," Kai said, his voice smooth but edged with authority, "the sooner your wounds get treated." Vaughn's vision blurred, his only response a pained groan.
Kai turned his attention to Hack, the Fishman slumped against the cell wall, clutching his side with bloodstained hands. "What about you, Fishman? Have anything to say?"
Before Hack could respond, a Marine approached the cell, rustling a handful of papers. "Captain," he said, peering through the bars, "we have their names."
Nuri, standing shirtless with his muscular frame on full display, took the documents from the Marine. His eyes scanned the pages before he announced, "They both have bounties. The Fishman is Hack, affiliated with the Revolutionary Army. The other is unnamed but listed as a petty thief."
The sound of a crashing door echoed through the chamber, snapping everyone to attention. Heavy, ominous footsteps followed, each one reverberating like a drumbeat of impending doom. "Vice Admiral!" the Marine stammered, scrambling to step aside.
Vice Admiral Venus Harlow stormed into the room like a tempest, her manicured hands clenched into fists, her perfectly highlighted blond hair cascading over her shoulders. Her nostrils flared as she zeroed in on Nuri, her voice a missile of fury. "Report!"
"Yes, ma'am!" Nuri stood at attention, holding the documents out for her review. "We currently have two of the perpetrators in custody."
"There are others?" she snapped, her sharp eyes scanning the paperwork.
"Yes, ma'am," Nuri replied, standing tall despite the tension in the air. "The search parties have been dispersed. They should be apprehended soon."
Her brow furrowed, and she stepped closer, her presence suffocating. "And what makes you so confident?" she demanded, her voice dripping with skepticism. Before Nuri could respond, she punched his chest with a fistful of paperwork, the impact forcing a grunt from him. "This is a failure of epic proportions. Where were the two of you when all of this was happening? This was a well-planned assault, and we have not responded! And where the hell is your uniform?"
Her glare shifted to Kai as the cell door creaked open. "What is the status of the prisoners?"
Kai folded his hands behind his back, his demeanor unflappable. "They are suffering from nonfatal injuries. We were in the process of questioning them."
Her eyes narrowed as she took in the red puddles pooling on the floor. "How are they going to answer your questions if they're unconscious from blood loss?"
Kai cocked his head, his expression unreadable. "Ma'am?"
Pinching the bridge of her nose, Vice Admiral Harlow let out a low growl. "I have to do everything myself around here." She pointed sharply at the Marine. "Tend to their wounds!" When no one moved immediately, she snapped, "NOW!"
The Marine scurried away, his footsteps echoing in the tense silence. Vice Admiral Harlo turned back to Nuri and Kai, her voice icy. "Once they've been treated, I will question them myself. You two, make sure the others are located and brought to me! No excuses." Her eyes flicked to Nuri's bare chest, and she added with a scowl, "And put a shirt on!"
The room seemed to hold its breath as her orders hung in the air, the weight of her authority pressing down on everyone present. Vaughn's groans and Hack's labored breathing were the only sounds that dared to break the silence, a grim reminder of the stakes at hand.