An Emergence

[PlatonSkull]

He sat on his bed, tinkering with his custom shipwright tool and trusted weapon, the hook shots "Twin Tigers". A lot had happened in the past weeks, and a lot was yet to come, but all in all, things were looking up for Sebastian Clockwork. He was a skilled shipwright and inventor, known among his peers, and he had recently been promoted twice in a relatively short period of time. Warrant Officer Clockwork had a nice ring to it, but it kind of got ruined by everyone on the crew emphasizing it.
Sure, he had contributed a lot to the recent mission, and he couldn't truthfully say he didn't enjoy the positive attention, but it was all starting to get a bit on his nerves.

His Jnr. Grade Lieutenant especially was hyped about Sebastian's sudden boost in ranking. She liked to mention how the Lieutenant, who stood for these promotions, hadn't had such a favorite since as long as she could remember.
Her name was Miss Larson, at least as far as Sebastian knew - everyone addressed her by her last name, since she led the ship and all. And that was probably what bothered Sebastian: people had started addressing him by his last name. As if jumping a few ranks suddenly meant you had to be formal to show respect. He didn't need respect as much as he needed to feel at home, and he wasn't Warrant Officer Clockwork at home, his name was Sebastian.
There wasn't really anything wrong with his devices, he mostly just enjoyed opening them up and checking the interior design. There must be something he could improve, making it pull stronger, shoot faster or more accurately, make the blades more durable (they would blunt very quickly if overused - he actually needed a new pair of them made soon), but as always, he didn't find anything to improve, so he just made sure it was well functioning, closed it up and lied on the bed waiting for something to happen.

"Warrant Officer Clockwork!" God he hated that shouting.
"What is it?" he lied still.
"Miss Larson wants to see you on deck immediately," it was one of the Ensigns, Jackster
"All right then," he sat up and started putting on the Twin Tigers. He barely went outside the cabin without them. When he came out, he immediately noticed an island in the distance. Judging by the sun's position, they were approaching it from the east.
"Oh there you are, Clockwork," Miss Larson said when she spotted him.
"What do you need me for, ma'am?"
"Well, seeing as you are a Warrant officer and thereby the fourth ranking officer in the crew, I thought you might want to know what's going on," she said it like it was so obvious. It wasn't, really. Maybe he just hadn't gotten used to the fact that he was ranks above others, but he knew he had a long way to go before being an authority, and he had forgotten what kind of ship he was on: relatively small, holding one Jnr. Grade Lieutenant (Larson), Two Ensigns (Jackster and a big guy named Shawn), One Warrant Officer (named Sebastian Clockwork), five Chief Petty Officers, and eight Seaman Recruits. Of a crew of 18 people, he was in the top five in terms of ranking, so of course he would be briefed before they lay anchor. He gave Miss Larson a nod.


"The island we're approaching is the Frost Kingdom. We don't have much authority over the place, and the king pretty much does what he wants,"


"The place with the big safari park?" he remembered hearing about the place. Scary creatures were taken there to be killed for fun.


"Yes, and hunters aren't the only ones enjoying the game in there. A group of poachers have been selling rare animal remains for a while, but they haven't been caught yet, in spite of the king's attempts. He has resorted to just keeping them out of the city,"


"So we're supposed to get this group? Don't we need a more specialized team?"

"Let me finish, Clockwork! No, we don't have authority to defeat those guys. But we do have
authority to catch a group that originally sailed world government waters."


"Windtamer Pirates?" Sebastian's very first bits of action as a marine had involved that crew taking over the shipyard where he trained, and defeating their main fleet, making the rest of the Windtamer Pirates scatter around North Blue spurring all kinds of trouble.
"Exactly," Miss Larson said, "and the poachers are known to be more than willing to take in new rookies for their schemes."

"Wait, could we still catch them if they merged with the poachers?"


"That's the problem. We are going to need to stop them from meeting up, or take them before that happens,"


"Sounds like a dilemma."


"We'll be docking soon, and splitting up looking for them. Let me know if you come up with a good idea for this," she smiled a bit. He was starting to be known as the idea guy. You know, him with the whole thinking outside the box thing, always having a cool plan to stop the bad guys. Warrant Officer and Idea Guy Clockwork. How lovely.

[James Silverstein]

Annette Major, the up and coming bounty hunter, punched the wall in frustration. She’d had absolutely no leads on the vicious group, Elysium. She’d been hunting for clues to their location for weeks with absolutely no leads. They were known for their infamous poaching operations and brutality. Try as she might, no one knew anything, and those that did refused to speak out of fear of retaliation. There was supposedly a hefty bounty on the heads of the Elysium Trifecta, the three heads of the group. With another great sigh, she collapsed into a chair.

“What to do…” she mused, feeling the contours of her chin. The most obvious place to search would be the city. Crowded enough that anyone could blend in, and had the necessary resources for shipping the animals. The downside was that she wouldn’t be able to just shoot them dead in the streets. “However,” Her thoughts continued, “I could kill them in their homes. Few witnesses, and I can snipe from a window.” She picked herself up again, shouldering her larger guns, and making sure Snow and Red were holstered properly. She began to march down to the city.

Once there, she immediately put her guard up. Anyone could be an enemy, any of them could be the criminals she was searching for. Wrapping her scarf around her face, she watched, looking out for the faces she’d burned into her memory the night before. A movement off to the left, she gripped Snow tighter and prepared to draw.

A child, playing with a small dog. Annette breathed a sigh of relief. She loosened her grip but slightly and continued on. As her feet pounded on the cobblestone, the sights and sounds began to overtake her. The comforting smell of a fire prodded her nostrils. Bright colored banners shown on a few buildings, and the chatter of vendors filled her ears. She passed one building, apparently a sporting center, and observed two men wrestling inside. Annette rolled her eyes. She never did understand why these people valued masculinity so much. She honestly thought that the vast majority of the islands inhabitants would fall to her if they were to fight. She was the White Death after all.

Even now, she thought it strange to think about the legacy she’d left behind on Bruma. People didn’t even dare enter the forest she called home because of her legend. The sniper in the trees. A simple flash in the darkness. With it’s proximity to Bruma, she wouldn’t be surprised if several inhabitants had heard of her.

She knew better though. Information was power, and wasn’t to be relinquished willingly. At last, she came to the port. If she was to find evidence of the Trifecta, it would be here. Secreting herself into a corner, she kept a close eye on all that went on. Automatically, her brain became that of a hunter. She began to erase her presence. Her breath slowed, and softened. All of her muscles relaxed and ceased movement. She became a non-entity. If not for the contrast between her clothes and the wall behind her, it would be quite easy to miss her entirely. Still, she looked on. In the distance, she thought she spotted a marine ship. Her brow furrowed. This land was outside the World Governments control. Something bad had to be happening if a ship were to stop here. Yet… it was too small of a vessel to be useful in case of something truly disastrous. What was going on?

[PlatonSkull]

Sebastian was kind of annoyed at the notion that some kingdoms or islands refused to be part of the World Government. That always puts them in a situation like this: a big criminal activity, and nobody to do something about it. Then again, the World Government weren't completely morally unquestionable. Nobody were, really, at least not in these times. But desperate situations required drastic measures, and the marine had, Sebastian certainly knew, done a lot of good.
Maybe his annoyance stemmed from the fact that this mission would be made a lot easier had this poacher group (apparently called Elysium - how incredibly bland) wasn't in the way and causing them problems.
He shot a hook and flew up on the mast, where he hung on to a rope peering out into the distance, assessing the distance to the city. They were quickly closing in - the wall around the city was growing bigger and bigger.

"Miss Larson," he shouted, getting his commander's attention, "do you think this 'Elysium' group is big enough to overshadow new bandit groups?"

"I think to the people of this kingdom, new bandits and Elysium members are synonymous,"

"So in other words, we could just ask around for clues?"

"We have to inform the guards first. They'll be waiting for us at the harbor," she seemed to know what he was thinking.

"Well, we'd better get a head start," he smirked, the walls were nearly close enough.

"Don't do anything rash, Clockwork!"

"Let's make a bet, if I make this jump, I get to look around the city. If I hit the wall or water, you get whatever you want," he braced himself for the leap.

"Wait, from here? Are you sure you can..."

He didn't manage to hear whatever doubting proclamation that sentence was going to end with, because he had already fired two hooks on the yard or the mast in front of him, and reeled himself in, making him soar forward, the wind howling against his ears. He accelerated, then deactivated the hooks, making him fly above the yard in a nearly perfect arch. He made a flip in the air, feeling the weightlessness of flight, and tried streamlining he beginning fall. Would he be able to land on top of the wall? Nearly, but not quite. As soon as he realized that he was going to hit the wall if he kept going, he fired a hook that hit the top of the wall, and quickly reeled himself in. This started a nearly horizontal fall forwards.
He put his legs up, bracing himself for the landing. He hit the ground smoothly, sliding along the ground on his robust shoes, but he quickly closed in on the edge. He made a rolling fall, gliding a few more meters before coming to a halt just in front of the wall's inner edge. He stood up, shaking with adrenaline, looking down upon the city. Where to begin?
The town square! From there, he would ask around in places where the Windtamers might be doing criminal activity. He looked back, gave a quick wave to his crew, and jumped.

"State your business," the guard said firmly.
"We respect this kingdom's boundaries and non-membership of the World Government, but a group of criminals from outside your jurisdiction have recently arrived at this island. If they have been caught, we shall take them with us. If not, we shall be taking them down."
"I shall let the Royal Garde know," the guard replied with a nod, "Does this by any chance have to do with the Elysium?"
"We're here to ensure that it won't," Miss Larson replied, "I have sent a young marine to search the city already," she started walking, signaling the rest of the men to follow.
"Wait, you sent a scout before informing us?"
"No, he sent himself..."

[James Silverstein]

Annette’s careful eyes continued to sweep the pier. No sign of any of grunts of Elysium yet. She still stood and watched , as still as a statue. She was somewhat concerned. Why was there no sign of them? She thought out here, she’d at least be able to see some giveaway. Her eyes had looked at every insignia, flag, and symbol that was in the port. None had the giveaway signature of the poachers. She’d also observed as much of the ships as she could see. Her honed vision couldn’t see any signs that might betray a smuggling hold. There weren’t any suspicious packages on the loading docks. They were either warned of her coming, or far better than she had dared to hope previously. A movement, coming from the skies above sea, indicated something was happening. Her hands flew to Iron Sight, and she almost drew it, when she noticed that it came from the Marine ship. Were they attacking the island?
She focused her vision and saw that it was a lone man, using some sort of grappling device. Why was he jumping in ahead of the crew? Was he a stowaway? Were the marines acting in a… less official capacity? In any case, there was something most definitely wrong with the scene. The man landed, just inside the walls, and out of Annette’s sight. After her time as a mercenary, she’d learned not to believe in coincidence. This man almost certainly had something to do with Elysium. She walked towards the center of the town. Almost no matter the situation, that would be the first place to go. If you needed information, you head to the town center. Needed to hide? The town center.
Major entered the walls and began scanning the crowds for the man. His clothing from a distance, appeared to be a marine uniform. There wouldn’t be many of those around, at least until the rest of the ship arrived. She’d also noticed some cloth flapping from his neck. A scarf in all likelihood. Not that it would help her here, but information was crucial.
She had no luck in her first minute or so of looking, and she soon turned to a stall, selling coffee. She ordered one, and struck up a conversation with the vendor.

“So, did you notice that guy that fell into the city?” She started, he had to have been noticed by everyone and their grandmother.
“Yeah, I saw him, a marine by the looks of him. Don’t know why those World Government brats have to be sticking their noses into our business.” The man was obviously one of those adamantly against the WG.
“Did you see where he went?” She asked, casually as possible.
“I thought I saw him head thataway.” He said with a large gesture.
“Thanks,” Annette said. She placed a few extra beri in his jar and walked off towards where the vendor had pointed. As she drew nearer, she saw him. Definitely a marine uniform, and the hooks he carried with him all but confirmed it. Now that she had a target, Annette would follow him until she divined his purpose. If he was related to Elysium, either as a member or enemy, she would find out.

[PlatonSkull]

He got himself quite a few glances as he walked around the town square. Could've had something to do with his natural charisma, the genius of his stride, or the fact that he was a marine on a non-government island that just jumped over the friggin' wall. It was probably his looks, though.
Anyway, the reason he had one this, the reason he had taken that long and risky jump from the ship's mast and onto the city wall, was because he had been extremely bored.
He also enjoyed the showing it off part, who wouldn't? But he was definitely bored. Too many protocols and to many ranks and nicknames, and today he would be the guy that jumped atop the wall of the Frost Kingdom in a leap around 40 meters. He knew his limit was around 30, and he might be exaggerating it in his head, but that final part, where he reeled himself forward, that had to count for some meters. That was actually an effective method. 35 meters, he thought to himself, that sounded more realistic.
So here he was, inside the walls, walking around the town square with half a plan and adrenaline in the blood. He had never really gotten to use the Twin Tigers in a city before. They worked great, though not as good as on ships, which was what he had originally made them for. Anyway, he could swing himself from house to house, and launch himself above the rooftops, it was neat.
On the other hand, the whole city would soon talk of the marine kid that literally swung by. That would probably alert the Windtamer Pirates, so he had to find them fast.

"Well yeah, there has been a lot of thievery going on, why do you ask?" the first merchant that wanted to talk to a marine said, his monobrows raising. He was probably not a local, but had been here enough to know of the criminal activities. That's what Sebastian though, anyway.

"I'm here to find a bandit group. They were pirates before, and under the World Government's jurisdiction,"

"That explains the marine outfit you're wearing," he chuckled a bit, his big chest and fat belly rumbling, "but what about those thingies? Are they standard issue nowadays?"

"No, these are of my own invention. But do you have any idea who might be doing this?"

"You should talk to the neighborhood sherif, he's got answers on crime. Lives across the square that way, first building to the left, can't miss it. Are those thingies for sale?"

"No, but thanks for your time," Sebastian had already walked on.

The town square was full of merchants, their products showcased in the fresh air for everyone to see. A bandit group would be an easy business around here. He didn't see any guards anywhere near, there wasn't a very good police force. Maybe that was the point though, maybe they were hiding, going unnoticed until they could strike. His mind wandered off thinking of the people who might look like law enforcers. Special Agents, like his dad.

---

"I will hear of no such accusations!"

"We are not accusing you, we're trying to help you with a problem,"

"Well, the only problems we have came from and are still inside our borders," the chief of the Royal Garde said loudly, "and you know that very well. We have not let any criminals inside our borders!"

"Well," Miss Larson insisted, "they must have led themselves in. Point is, we need your help ensuring that they don't merge with Elysium, cause then you'd have a serious problem,"

The chief took off his glasses, lay them on the desk and sat down, "Miss, if we had any idea where Elysium were hiding or how to control them, don't you think we'd already have done something?"

"Oh, brilliant. We need to work together on this one anyway. Can one of my men check the tolling records, check for suspicious ships?"

"Very well. But you won't find anything, I'm telling ya..."

[James Silverstein]

Annette’s feet pounded quickly as she went after the flying marine. This was her chance to gain a valuable ally to bring down Elysium. The cash would set her up for a good long while. She smiled as she saw him start to turn down a less populated street, easier to talk to him without others hearing. She walked quickly, a pistol grip in her hand as she closed the distance. Suddenly, a cold hand grabbed her elbow, and pulled her into a nearby alley. A gloved hand closed over her mouth, and superhuman strength restrained her arms. How had she, one of the most paranoid, hyper-aware bounty hunters in the blues been captured?! A hollow voice spoke to her, whispering into her ear.

“Hello, Mrs. Major.” He said. She recognized the voice immediately, it was the man who’d contacted her to take this job in the first place. “I’m afraid there’s been a slight change in plans. We hadn’t expected the marines to arrive, nor the interference of another pirate crew. I apologize, but we can’t afford this kind of publicity.” Annette’s heart froze. Was he planning to kill her here? “As a sign of our regret, we have another job that may interest you.” The hands removed themselves. The White Death knew better than to turn around.

“Well if my payment’s cut off I have no reason to stay here. What’s this new job?” She queried.

“There’s a small disturbance that’s arisen on Amino Island. There is a small group there trying to clean it up, but we think someone of your expertise would be quite helpful.” He said. Annette nodded, understanding what was expected of her.

“Is transportation arranged?” She asked.

“But of course.”

“In that case, I’ll depart immediately. Let’s see if I’ll have a chance to actually finish this job.” She said, but her contact was already gone.

Annette’s feet echoed as she ran for the ship. Though she liked the island, the case held almost no excitement for her. This was a chance for something far more interesting. As her boat departed, she tipped her head towards the island.
“Let’s meet again mystery marine.” She said to herself. Manning the rudder, she set course for Amino Island.