Seafaring Story: Brave the waves.

[RaiRai]

The winds blew calm across the waters. It was a welcome change from the harsh weather in the unusually warm month of March, although it was slightly disturbing that the storm had passed so quickly. For 17 days the seas were rough. The storm had battered the aging ship and much of the cargo had been tossed from the desk and into the water. The crew of 'The Magenta' manned their posts religiously, although their attitudes weren't as alert as before now that the blue skies had reappeared and the sea didn't smell as violent.

"What heading are we now, Myuna?" the captain asked his aide from his bed, his long white beard in desperate need of a good comb or even a trim. His eyes were grey now, once a perfect blue, as a mysterious illness had took a firm grip on his health and was slowly draining his very soul from his body.

His aide was a small female, about 5 feet in height with long brown hair tied back with a white bandana. She wore a very smart uniform. High collared white shirt and red and gold waistcoat. Long beige pants tucked into large boots. At her waist was a thick brown belt with a large buckle on the front in the shape of a ships wheel. She held a jotter firm in her left hand and a quill in her right, looking up from her seat across the large cabin.

"We have only just started moving again, Captain. The storms have delayed us more than two weeks in our journey to port." She replied to his question the best she could. She didn't really know much about the actual running of a ship, and since the captain had been struck down with his sickness, she'd had to rely on the information of others. And not all of the crew on the Magenta were trustworthy.

The captain rubbed his head and struggled to sit up, a large moan exiting his lips as he winced in pain. Myuna ran to his side and helped him with her small hands, he smiled at her politely once he was settled and patted her on her head.

"I fear that once we deliver the cargo to the mainland, my final voyage will be on The Rose..." The captain looked to the window and stared for a while, lost in thought. The Rose was the lifeboat on the Magenta. It was only suitable for the captain and one other companion. He'd always vowed that when his time was over, he would give up the Magenta and travel alone on the Rose, floating out to sea to be alone with the world when he passed on.

Myuna said nothing. She knew what the chances were of the captain recovering and she knew that getting his hopes up on surviving would anger him, so she just moved back to her chair and continued to jot on her pad. It was then she noticed a note on the corner of the page.

Friday. Slate.

So he'd gotten to her room, had he? He'd written on HER paper, had he? She clenched her fist a little and then shook her head. Excusing herself from the captains quarters, she made her way to the drinking room, looking for Slate himself.

[shiney]

Slate watched from the table of shipmates as Myuna strode briskly up to him. He smirked at the fierce look of determination sparkling in her brown eyes, and chuckled to himself as he produced a bit of fabric. Crudely attached was a scrap of paper upon which was scrawled 'bra'. He tossed it to Myuna and let out a burst of laughter, sharing it with the lads about him.

"So you found my note finally," he remarked. "I'd say I'm impressed, except that by my estimate you're about an hour late. A shame." Slate pouted for a half moment, unable to maintain the facade for the mischievous grin that was constantly present on his face.

"I was hoping you would let me see a real one," he said wistfully, tossing the fabric to her, "maybe on my floor?" Another burst of laughter. Perfect.

Subtly he shifted his eyes towards a door on the port side, heading from the galley to a passage which lead towards the bunks in the rear of the ship. With the other crew laughing, they failed to notice his indication to Myuna. "Tell you what, doll." he said simply. "Tell you what. Meet me somewhere else -- out in the open so everyone can hear -- and we'll talk business. But not right now. I got more important things to do right now than you."

Laughter surrounded him as he sat back in his chair, arms crossed, faking a smug smile. It won't be long now.

[RaiRai]

Myuna stood with her hands on her hips, and shook her head once, the stern look never vanishing from her face. She wouldn't bow to his games, not in front of the group he was with. Scanning the faces slowly, she looked at the men with slitted eyes. How most of these people made the crew she would never know. Probably because they were cheap labour, and if they got swept out to sea, no one would really give a damn. Slate, however, was better than that. Why he associated himself with the rabble was beyond her. She stepped forward and took his glass from the table, drinking the remaining liquid from within, drinking slowly with her neck outstretched. Once the glass was empty, she placed it back down slowly, leaning toward Slate with her bust pushed out and stomach sucked in, licking her lips seductively.

"I guess we'll meet again later, then."She replied with a small smile, and tossing her hair back over her shoulder, she strutted away toward the door on the port side, her small hand fumbling at the handle before finally swinging the door open and closing it behind her. Thankfully, there was no one else in the corridor when she entered, and she leant against the wall and sighed, shaking her head. What was he playing at this time?

[shiney]

Slate watched Myuna drink his whiskey, his eyebrows slightly arched in amusement, and took the free opportunity to ogle her as she leant down before him. Say what you will, but Myuna was smoking hot as far as Slate was concerned. But, she was the captain's aide, and as such there were rules and regulations prohibiting anyone from making any moves. She was the mythical, the untouchable, and many stories had circled the ship about what men had daydreamed.

However, doing anything would be problematic for Slate's goals and bad for the ship as a whole. He needed her help, not his own desires. As it was, the way things were going, the end could come at any moment and the ship would be thrown instantly into chaos. Pirates were cutthroat, bloodthirsty by nature, and more than prone to violence even at the best of times. And with these disreputables among them...considered bad seeds even by pirates...then when the captain finally set sail on his final voyage there would be no delay before the mutiny happened.

Slate was intent on stopping this. If that was deemed impossible, his second course of action was to make sure he ended up on top. Myuna was instrumental to that plan.

He ordered another drink and finished it quickly, getting up from the table with an excuse to piss. Unsteadily he made his way to the main door, passing out into the cooler night air. As the door shut behind him he felt his senses sharpen almost immediately, the haze no longer clouding his hearing, smell or vision. After taking a moment to ensure there were no others nearby, he stole around to another door leading into the passageway inside which, he hoped, Myuna awaited.

[RaiRai]

Myuna had seated herself upon the floor, the hard wood uncomfortable, but it was a lot easier for her to sit down after having sustained an injury on the stairs to the bottom hold. She rested her hands on her knees, her back straight against the wall of the corridor, light streaming through the small port hole windows. It reflected around the walls, the slight rocking of the ship casting different light and shadows, almost in a dance. She watched in silence for a while before she coughed, alerted from her daydream by her own bodily function.

Looking along the corridor, there stood Slate at the other end. He'd taken the long route around, probably so the lads wouldn't know he was meeting with her, no doubt. She stood up and brushed herself down, walking toward him slowly, rubbing the back of her head with her right hand.

"Will you always make it a habit to embarrass me in front of the crew?" she asked, sighing slightly and then stabilizing herself against the wall with one arm, the other hand taking its favourite rest upon her hip. His cocky attitude had won her attention many times, but in her opinion, he'd be better to lose it before he'd get himself into trouble. He was just lucky he was good at making jokes, otherwise he'd of been hung quite a while ago.

[shiney]

"Ah it's just a bit of fun with the boys," he replied offhandedly. "At least they're the decent ones. They'll be sure to back us." He didn't need to finish the implication.

"To business." he said seriously, as he walked past Myuna, forcing himself to keep his eyes straight forward. "We need to go further in, where there are plugs for all the ears in the walls."

Slate passed the bunks and entered a smaller door set near the rear of the ship, then opened a trapdoor in the floor and beckoned Myuna to follow. Down there they were mostly below the water level, and what noise that was present in the chamber above was now far more muted. The noise even served a double purpose by masking whatever conversations took place in the bowels of their vessel.

Waiting for Myuna to climb down the wooden ladder, he once again let his eyes drift lazily over her body, but neglected to help her. She was considered one of the boys, and any attempt to treat her like a lady was generally met with scorn. Slate had learned this long ago when he tried to help her onto a rowboat to go to shore, and his efforts were rewarded with a dive into the sea.

Once below, his voice became even more serious. "I know the captain is dying," he said somberly. "I know, you know, the captain knows, and the boys will soon. So far there are rumors but nobody has specific knowledge apart from that he's ill. But, one of our...less friendly shipmates is amassing what can only be considered hsi army. To us, they'd be considered the other side. We need to do something about it."

He paused, not sure if he should continue, but pushed aside the doubts. "I was also thinking we should talk to the captain about this. He's a smart man so he's bound to know what's going to happen. I don't think he would want his ship, his legacy, to be destroyed by those...those god damned..."

Left unsaid was the word 'pirates'.

[RaiRai]

Myuna rubbed her brow. Word couldn't get out about the captains illness. He'd trusted her not to tell anyone, just say to them that he liked his secrecy. She hadn't told anyone, but the longer he remained bedridden, the more speculation over his current state would arise. And it wouldn't be pretty if some of the men found out that the once mighty captain was now a shaking old man. She kicked a stray bucket as she paced around the small secret hold, her mind scanning through a thousand thoughts at once. The main one that stood out was wondering where exactly they were on the ships map. She allowed herself a small smile, curving only one side of her mouth upward and then looked back at Slate, whos serious look brought her back to the bleak reality.

"We should talk to the captain? You mean, I should. I know you, Slate. You can't talk yourself out of having a drink, yet alone speak serious matters with the captain." She didn't say it to be cold, although once the words had been spoken, she could see how they would sound so. The captain refused all visitors. He wouldn't even talk to his elite. It was just Myuna and his servant Bou, who was swept overboard during the storm of the past few weeks. Sighing, Myuna picked up the bucket and turned it over, making a small seat for herself as she rested her legs.

"Truth be told, Slate, he's not sure who to trust anymore. A lot has happened within the last few months to make him feel like everyone, the entire crew of the ship, is against him. You propose that I tell him to back down from his role? Admit his illness and be cast out to sea? Tell him to choose a successor? No. His main objective right now is to get the cargo to port. I'm sure within that time he will have an idea of what to do next, but the best thing we can do right now is remain on course. Without any upset to his ideals. If he'd of still had his health, he'd of hung you for the very thought..."

She sighed again and rubbed her temple. Keeping the secret was a hard task, especially with all of the whispers and the taunts. Keeping a close eye on him had made the men think of her as the captains whore, even though he'd never laid a finger on her in such a manner. She didn't like the comments, but she'd deal with them until they were back on dry land. She looked upto Slate and smiled awkwardly, unsure what to say now.

[shiney]

Slate held up his hands in mock protest. "Whoa whoa whoa, firecracker. I didn't mean to tell him to give up. I mean, he knows he's done. We need his advice on what to do after. His very, very private advice. So we can keep his ship, his legacy alive. So the Magenta is feared but not disdained. Or destroyed. Those fools would drive this ship right into the royal navy within three months. Nobody wants that."

He sighed and rubbed his hand through his light hair. This would all be so much easier if they were naked. Pillow talk. Yeah right. "Still I guess you have a point. You know the cap best out of anyone. Much better'n this crusty seadog." He chuckled -- he was in the prime of his life. Crusty indeed. "This is why I wanted to talk to you instead've run about with my own plans. I'd probably have caused a mutiny myself by now."

"Don't read into that," he added.

[RaiRai]

"Wanted to talk to me? You mean, convince me into talking to the captain about someone taking over his ship, say...someone like...you." Myuna shook her head, her brown hair cascading about her shoulders as her small hand reached for a rung on the ladder. Her small fingers curled the wooden rung delicately as she heaved herself up one step. It wasn't an easy task, but she'd rather die than accept help from any of the males on the ship, including Slate who she liked to consider her closest 'friend', if one could have such a thing upon the Magenta. "You've got a lot of nerve, Slate. I accept that the captain needs to think things through, but are you sure now is the right time? Are you sure he's in the right state of mind to be making such decisions?"

She didn't give him enough time to answer as she made her way up the ladder, pushing the trapdoor up a small way and peering through. Empty. She looked back down at Slate and sighed. "I will speak with him. But I can't make any promises."

[shiney]

"Alright," Slate agreed, and watched Myuna disappear above. He quickly followed, not wishing to be discovered below decks without a valid reason. Plans ornot, he was still a member of the ship and was subject to the rules, and could be thrown overboard if he were suspected of stealing or otherwise breaking the rules. How ironic that was, having rules on a pirate ship. The captain had his nuances though. Eh.

He set the creaking trapdoor back down and leaned against the wall beside it. Myuna was just now disappearing from sight, headed back towards the bow, likely headed to the cabin thereafter. Possibly to the captain's quarters. What would she tell him? He doubted she would sell him out, but she knew the captain better than he ever would. Unfortunately she had seen right through his plans to be on top of the pile and assume command, so he would have to put that idea by the wayside and just hope that things worked out. Still, it would have been nice.

Eventually he ambled back towards the door to where he had left his mates. From here he could clearly hear the shouts and raucous laughter issuing forth from within, carried on the misty salted air, at once twinging his eyes, nose and ears. The sea had called him from home a lifetime ago. Who would have thought the same scent, the same feeling could be so incredibly different. A young boy, an experienced pirate. One with a future that was unknown, the other with a destiny unfulfilled. It was just a matter of time, really. A matter of time which was rapidly running out.

[RaiRai]

Myuna sat in her high backed chair, running her fingers across the padded arm. The fabric was velvet of texture, but not as high quality. Probably stolen from someones private collection, no doubt. The captain was quite the pirate back in his day. Now he slept soundly, facing away from her, his blankets up around his neck and his bare feet hanging off of the bottom of his bed. She felt sorry for him. Cooped up in his quarters without any visitors and without any source of entertainment other than her daily reports and occasional cups of herbal tea.

She stood from the chair and paced over to the small stove burning in the corner, placing the kettle upon the hook above and just gazing aimlessly into the flames. How would she approach him with the subject of his death? He knew he was dying, but he was still alive for now. She felt like she couldn't prize control of the ship from his hands until his body had no choice but to let go.

"Myuna..."He whispered. Straight away, Myuna scurried to his bedside and got to her knees. The captain turned to face her. Gasping in horror, she backed away a little. The captains eyes were pure white. There wasn't a hint of color within them. She put her hand over her mouth and nodded quickly a few times, unsure of what to say.

The captain licked his bottom lip and then struggled to sit up. Myuna once again helped him, his hand clutching hers tightly before she could withdraw it from his person. His large hand clawed at hers, fingers wrapped tightly around it, the bones within clicking. For a man with an illness, he still possessed some strong willpower. And for the first time since she first arrived on the ship, she was afraid to be in the captains prescence.

"Round up the crew...tell them...there is to be...a celebration..." He mouthed the words slowly, the sound barely audiable. Myuna just nodded, kept on nodding. She tried to withdraw her hand, but his hold was so strong, it felt like it would break if she attempted anything. "I want...the finest wines...taken from the hold..."

"Captain..."Myuna whispered. His eyelids closed for a moment before he let go of her hand, and waved toward the door as if asking for her to leave. She bowed before him once and then ran from the room, down the staircase to his quarters and out into the main lobby. Rubbing her injured hand with her good one, she looked around, a few faces staring at her in bewilderment. She needed to organise the 'celebration' as soon as possible, but without Bou, she didn't know where to begin.

[Gemz]

Staying in the main lobby talking with the guys was Kami. A young, calm man, he had long jet black hair and always kept a clean shave. He was "recruited" aboard the pirate ship about two years ago. There he learned to live without making a big scene or causing any problems. He did different tasks throughout the day, anything from swabbing the decks to fixing up the captains food.

Kami saw Myuna run out into the main lobby rubbing one of her hands like it was hurt. Of course I knew better than to ask, last time I offered to help her I found out the hard way. One week I had to breathe out of my mouth... She has that awful uppercut that will bring any man to his knees. Though this time it was different, it wasn't pain in her eyes. It like she was worried and confused. He gathered up enough guts to ask her what the problem was and if there was anything he could do to help out.

[RaiRai]

Myuna was taken aback. Kami was actually...talking to her. A strange turn of events indeed. She coughed once and rubbed her right eye with a lazy finger. "I'd like you to round up some men, strong men, and bring the crates up from the bottom hold. The finest wine, if you please. I think about 12 crates should cover it."

Estimating the figures in her head, her eyes flittered a little, moving a few digits around in her mind and then nodding to the conclusion she finally reached. Without another word she took to her heels and ran off to the closed dining room. Usually only used when the captain had visitors aboard ship, it would probably have been the best place for the more elite members of the crew to gather to say their goodbyes. She then turned back to Kami.

"And fetch me Slate. I need him to make an announcement."

[shiney]

Slate sat at the table, his former position regained, surrounded by his shipmates and drinking friends. However his earlier mood, the sharp, fast-witted joking attitude had fled, to be replaced by a more somber feeling. He found himself thinking of his mother. If only you could see me now. I bet I didn't turn out like you had planned.

Son of a royal navy captain, he had all the makings of a fine sailor in his youth. Strong, wiry arms, an innate tolerance to the motion of the sea, an even temperament and a love for adventure and unpredictable events. However his father's domineering military ways caused him to resent the structured environment, and he left home before he could be forced into the service, much to the shame of the man.

Now, years later, he found himself looking back more and more often. He had considered sending letters from time to time, but always stowed them in his bunkhead after writing them. He couldn't bring himself to post them when they would go ashore, for whatever reason he did not know. He suspected it to be guilt, for he was certain his father and mother were broken and that it was his fault.

This wasn't helping. Slate slid back his chair and downed his tankard, then exited the so-called bar through the main doors. Instantly he saw Myuna looking troubled, with Kami standing nearby. He seemed to be offering assistance. Grunting in dissatisfaction, he moved off toward starboard and walked down the narrow aisle at the very side. Halfway down he stopped and turned out to sea, hands gripping the wet wood, and watched aimlessly as the waves drifted by in the soft moonlight.

[Gemz]

Kami nods to Myuna and heads toward the bunks to fetch some buddies to grab the crates. "I wonder where she wants them... Ill put the crates in the dining room." Kami got too the bunks and rounded up some men. "I need about 12 strong men too carry crates up too the dining room. Myuna's orders, I suggest you follow them if you know whats good for you." He looked at a mate, "Go find Slate for me. Direct him toward the dining room to talk to Myuna as soon as possible." Kami goes down too the cargo hold and grabs a crate. "Help me with this one mate, its full with wines, its quite heavy." Loading the crates into the dining room they opened them to find the best of wines. "Stay here with the wines until Myuna tells you what too do with them." Kami travels off to find Slate now, so he checks the bunks and the deck.

[Inbred Chocobo]

The Magenta was a magnifacent ship, and still looked great even after the storm. The Zealot didn't fare so well through the storm. The sails were torn from the fierce winds, and the hull looked like it was about to fall apart. The crew was mostly fresh due to a raid gone bad, so most were now sea sick. Of course, all of this was easy to tell from the steering wheel of the ship. The one in which the Captain was forced to use because his navigator was sick.

"Cap't, what's the course?" A man said. By the looks of him, he was the only one not sea sick. "We are still following the Magenta, though we will take things slower. the last thing I want on my ship is puke from a bunch of fresh fish." The captain responded. The man then went around and told everyone basically what to do.

After a few minutes of silence, it was abruptedly interupted by the man again. "Cap't, I'm here to give you a statis report." The Captain responded "Did they get the leaks stopped up finally? And how is the cargo, or whats left of it?" The man said "Well Fre.. I mean Cap't, the leaks have finally been clogged up, but half the cargo is now water soaked. It won't sell for even a penny at the market." Captain: "Throw it overboard. No use keeping worthless cargo. Oh, and try not to let my name slip out like that. Next time I hear even a fraction of my name, your walking the plank." The man studder in fear. "Ye..e..s Si..i..r"

[RaiRai]

Myuna had seated herself in one of the large chairs around the royal looking dining table. One elbow on the table, and her head resting in her hand, she had dozed off happily while listening to one of the crew whistling as he mopped the deck above her. A familiar sea tune which she'd grown up on as a child.

Her whole childhood was spent upon ships. Her mother was a wench, her father owned his own fishing boat and spent weeks on the sea earning his way. Myuna's mother had died during childbirth upon his ship, and instead of tossing her overboard as his crew had suggested, they had raised her. She was locked in a room on the ship with books to keep her company. It wasn't until she was 7 years old that they could no longer afford to look after her and her father sadly sold her onto another ship. And that was how it was. Ship to ship, boat to boat, harbour to harbour. She'd mapped the entire area in her mind. Remembering each passing island. Each little port. Thankfully, adulthood had treated her more kindly. Now at the age of 17, ten years on from when her father had let her go, she was finally upon a ship which took care of her and treated her with some kind of dignity. Maybe it was because she was the only female aboard, she didn't know. But whatever it was, she didn't want it to end.

Snapping back to reality, after her chin slipped from the comfort of her hand, she looked to the crates stacked up by the door and the men stood waiting. She rubbed her eyes and stood up, pointing to a corner in which they were to pile them. They did so and then left her in peace once again. As soon as the door was closed, she sat back down and leant back. Something inside her didn't feel right.

[Aerozord]

Near by a man stood and watched them bring in the crates. The young man was abit on the tall side at about six foot. He was in excellent shape, but was lean as a swordsman should be. At his left hip were two sheathed swords from the far east. He affectionately named the blades Omen and Prophecy. Around his brow was a tied cloth and his shirt was one of a tan linen cloth. His pants and shoes were of equal quality. Designed to be light, but durible for the voyage.

He had long been on the ship. However no one was quite sure why the captain kept him around. Most assumed he was the captains body guard, but those that knew the captain also knew there was no need. The captain was one of the most feared pirates on the sea.

He never spoke to any of the crew and on was called to the captain on rare occasions. He looked at young Myuna with a very proffesional expression. He then looked around at the others and for once in a long time spoke outloud in a quiet voice to himself. "Soon, it will be very soon."

[shiney]

A splash alerted Slate's attention, and he looked towards the stern. What could that have been? There were no dolphins in this area, nothing else large enough. Odd.

He decided to investigate. Moving quietly towards the read of the ship, he immediately noticed that something was blotting out the stars on the horizon. What could it be? Another ship? The navy? But how could one get so close without alerting the attention of their lookout? And weren't navy ships required to hang lights out in the darkness?

Slate climbed up the ladder to the crow's nest, and discovered with little surprise that their lookout was not there. Probably down getting drunk with everyone else...they hadn't seen a ship in days, after all. He could hardly be blamed. But now wasn't the time for pondering ramifications. It was obviously a ship following them. And that could only mean one thing.

He shimmied down the ladder quickly and ran back to the bow, asking a crew member where to find Myuna. The man motioned vaguely toward the dining room, and Slate nodded in thanks. He opened the door hastily, hand fumbling with the latch, and looked around. Crates were piled in the corner, and she was dozing off across from it.

He rushed over and shook her arm gently. "Myuna, wake up," came his urgent whisper. "We have a problem."

[RaiRai]

Myuna broke free from her daydream. It had been a long time since she'd felt tired, yet alone drifted off to sleep. It had been a long term issue, looking after the captain and making sure the crew actually behaved themselves. Not that she could do much if they didn't. She just had to rely on a smile and a polite tone in asking them to knock it the hell off. She shrugged Slate's hand off of her arm and rubbed her tired eyes, looking up to him with a confused expression. She'd almost forgotten where she was until someone kicked the crates of wine and sent a chilling glassy noise throughout the room. Bolting to attention, she stood up and looked to Slate.

"If it's to do with the captains health..." She began, but the look of urgency on his face told her it wasn't anything to do with that at all. "What...is it?"

[shiney]

"A ship," Slate said simply. "I don't know where our lookout went, I think he is in the drinking hall with everyone. But I was on the port side, just.." he hesitated, not sure how to say what he was thinking about. "Well..thinking. You know," he mumbled awkwardly. "Anyways, I heard a splash..sound travels really far on these calm nights. It sounded like something was thrown overboad, but it was too faint to be from our ship."

He related the remainder of the story to her, and his suspicions on who it might be. "The problem is, if it's navy, then we aren't dealing with the norm this time. This isn'y Her Royal Highness' Navy. This would be a force designed for only one thing. Our other possibility is it is another pirate ship. That would make more sense, but I don't know why they would stalk us like that when we're getting closer and closer to port."

He folded his arms, a little nervous, tapping his foot. "The captain might know what to do.." he said, trailing off, refusing to say but. Any indication that the captain was losing his battle would be a spark for mutiny. Hopefully he came off as sounding with professional defference, and not uncertainty towards the man's condition.

[Inbred Chocobo]

"Cap't, I have good news." The captain let go of the wheel and turned to the man. "What's that?" "Well Sir, seems this peaceful sailing has helped some of the crew recover from sea sickness." The captain then had a smirk on his face. "Excellent, get those men up on deck and start getting them prepared. From what I have been told by our scout, it seems that most of the guys on the Magenta have went underboard. I guess they are drinking their hearts out." The captain went back and grabbed the wheel and started making for the Magenta. "How long do you estimate till we catch up with them?" The man asked. "Well, if those fresh fish get up here and MAN THE DAMN THING, then I think the ship will be ours by morning." The captain replied, directing his shouting to the men underdeck.

[RaiRai]

Without another word, Myuna turned and fled toward the captains quarters. The door was locked. She fumbled in her pocket for the keys she kept and turned them in the door. The door clicked open and she pushed at it. It jammed. A chair had been wedged under the handle. With a groan she pushed harder, but failed at even budging it an inch. Stepping backwards she ran forward at the door, her shoulder first, and kept doing so until eventually, the legs of the chair broke and she tumbled into the floor. The Captain was sat at the end of his bed, dressed in his best and staring out of the window.

"You could have knocked..."He said, with a pain-filled breath. Myuna rubbed her shoulder as she sat up on the floor, rubbing her head where she had bumped it in her tumble.

"There isn't any time, captain." Myuna explained, crawling forward toward him and kneeling in front of him. "Slate believes that we are being pursued. He is within the understanding that it is either a fleet ship of the Navy, or it is a pirate ship. We need to know what to do, sir. Everyone is preparing for the celebrations you have asked for. And I don't want to cause a panic unless we know for sure that they're hostile..."

"They would...have sent a messenger...if they were on good buisiness..."The captain stood to his shaky feet, Myuna jumping up to hold him steady. Two heads peered around the door, crew alerted by the commotion of Myuna having fallen through the broken door.

"Off with you!"She yelled, the men vanishing from sight almost instantly. "Man the deck. I want every possible person at their positions. Now!"

[Aerozord]

The swordsman had headed for the captains room at much slower and more calmed pace. He calmly passed and stopped in front of the door, his hand on his sword. He looked towards the captain. "Sir, our previous contract will expire soon. However as you know I cannot take a new one until that one becomes void." The captain stayed in silence. "Very well, I shall follow your previous orders." He continues walking halting for a moment. "I just hope you know what your doing old man."

He finally reached the ships edge staring out into the see. The other ships silloute in the distance. Thoughts of the two ships swimmed in his head. "They are not fools. They will know we are preparing for an attack. This will become a slaughter by morning. I only wonder if he will live to see it."

[Gemz]

Kami runs around the ship trying to find slate. He runs past the dinner room and stops completly about falling over from the sudden stop. He peers in and see's Myuna and slate talking too each other. Kami runs up along slate. "There you are, i have been looking all over for you. Where you been? anyways its a good thing your here because Myuna wanted to talk to you. Oh, nevermind she is talking to you." Kami feels kinda stupid at the moment. "Well Myuna, how do you want this set up?"

[shiney]

Slate watched Myuna run out of the room, thankful that he found out before it was too late. Turning to Kami, he pondered what to do. The kid was still fairly new, but not a bad seaman. At least he wasn't right off the docks. Still, he hadn't yet proven himself with the cannons or even fighting. Where would he be best suited? Well, to his standard position for now. It was going to get very dangerous.

"Right now we have to worry about more important things, Kami," said Slate. "We may have a problem coming. We will likely need everyone at their positions -- so wait for an announcement. Don't worry about Myuna or the celebration right now, there is stil time for that."

Slate nodded at the young man and clapped him on the shoulder, then rushed out of the room. He heard the commotion coming from the captain's quarters and watched two seaman scramble away, shouting for everyone to man their positions. He was heading belowdecks when he loked up once more and spied one more of the crew peer into the captain's room and say something. However his demeanor was all off...he knew what he was doing and why. And to have said it right in front of Myuna..she must know too. Who was that man?

There would be time to find out later. Slate finished running downstairs and burst into the drinking hall shouting. A heavy silence fell over everyone and Slate explained the situation. A roar came up from the drunken pirates and as one they rushed the door, Slate leading the way up.

"To your positions!" he shouted. "By order of the captain's aide!"

[Gemz]

After Slate padded kami on the shoulder kami started to wonder where his position was. After some thought he decided to just follow slate. He went down too his bunk to grab his pistol and ammo. Then he went to find Myuna or slate which ever one showed up first. Kami walked past the drinking hall and found many mates yelling and getting ready for battle. He found slate. "Where shall you put me slate? i havent been on a battle aboard the ship yet." Kami was feeling sick however, he didnt have quite a stomach for blood and guts. Hopefully he wont see much and get sick during battle.

[Inbred Chocobo]

"Cap't, whats the battle plan?" The mna asked as the captain manuvered the Zealot on a course to intercept the Magenta. "We want to capture the ship, not destroy it. Do not make the first move with the cannons, the last thing I want is to sink that ship." The man stood a little stupidly, then asked "I wouldn't think a few shoots would sink the ship." "If they are well enough placed. Now, once we get close enough, we will board the ship. It seems like the crew has been drinking, but I don't think that is a factor that wold help us in our fight. So instead we are going to do a ram. That should knock them off their feet, and once the ram hits, we will board them and kill them as they get up." The man says "Some of them will see the ram, and then they will brace themselves." The captain smiled, then said "But not all of them. Once we cut down the ones that fall, the ones that stand will be greatly outnumbered." The the captain stayed silent as they started to close in on the Magenta.

[shiney]

Slate had forgotten that Kami hadn't seen any action yet. He had spent his two years learning the ropes and away from battles as he was considered a liability. This time however, with the situation on the ship deterioriating, it would be best to bring him into the fight.

"Stick with me, kid," he said through gritted teeth, as he strapped pistols to either side of his waist and positioned his sword at the ready. "It may be an interesting battle, because we don't yet know who we're up against." He crackled his knuckles and twisted his neck, popping the vertebrae. "We may even have to fight ourselves," Slate added cryptically.

Looking out to see, he could see an awkward attempt by the other ship's captain to position himself to ram the Magenta. Gaping for a moment in incredulity, Slate wondered what could possibly be going through the man's head. What kind of idiot?

He was about to run up to warn the helmsman when he felt the ship begin to pitch slightly as the helmsman started evasive maneuvers. Good, they were already on top of things. Gazing again at the attacking vessel he decided it couldn't hurt to fire a few shots at it to let them know who they were dealing with.

"Kami, come with me," he said with a commanding tone. Without another word he headed to the hold to organize a cannon party.

[Gemz]

Kami loaded his gun and followed Slate. He was guessing he was going to gather some people to shoot warning shots at the boat. Kami didnt ask questions, he only followed orders. Kami is wondering how this fight would turn out and what slate ment by fighting ourselfs. There was no reason for that thought he could come up with. He knew the captian was sick, but he would appoint someone to captian when he died. "I think thats why Myuna was setting up for" Kami muttered to himself.

[Inbred Chocobo]

The man said "So, how exactly is ramming the ship going to work Cap't" The captain wasn't expecting more questions, so it startled him at first. "Here is how it is going to work" Or at least how its suppose to work He thought to himself "As we hit the ship, it should knock off everyone on the Magenta, or at least stun them. Then we charge them while their down, and ramming the ship will give us a nice bridge to cross so it will be quite easy." The man thought for a second, then said "You know this is pretty much everyone's first ram?" The captain starred at him, then laughed and said. "Guess what? Mine too, so this is going be fun. Everyone brace themselves, will make contact in less than a minute."