Test Your Luck - #85

[Nomics]

There have been rumors coming out of Amino Island about tourists that have won beri from a casino subsequently being waylaid and robbed by a pirate crew. Marine forces are spread really thin in the area and your CO wants you to go lend a hand! Take down the pirates once and for all! 

____________________________________________________

The late evening sky was colored an alluring mixture of purple, red, and orange as the sun descended on the western horizon. The air was fairly clear and it was a comfortable temperature with a slight breeze, about as perfect conditions as could be had in the coldest of Blues during sunset. A perfect night, also, to do some good.

Serine City

A City of Entertainment!

That was the title of the flimsy pamphlet that was folded in the cocoa brown hands of Aruba Fawkes as she gazed out from the small Marine post on the southern edge of the island, just outside city limits.

Make A Fortune in One Night! 

Read the back cover of the brochure and in her mind, the tall Marine woman scoffed. Yea and lose it that same night. The East Blue native was leaned against the outside wall, other hand lightly gripping the tail end of a cigarette as she patiently awaited her partner for this two man operation, or rather two women.

Senshi Odayakama was a name that only rang a bell in Aruba's mind because she had read it once in a status report of recent successful missions in the area, and from what she gathered, the young, freshly minted Petty Officer was an "up and comer". The experienced soldier would be remiss if she said she wasn't excited to be working with the younger woman for this op, if only to gauge the woman's abilities firsthand.

A woman that stresses preparation and information, Fawkes got an early jump on reconnaissance of the so called "Entertainment City" during the daytime. Strolling through the bustling city streets in plain clothes, the golden maned dame was able to take the pulse of the populace and get a feel for what was really going on in the crowded tourist town. Now, mere hours later, she wore a matching vest and pant suit, colored slate grey, and cerulean blue collared shirt, with black platform shoes; completely ready for a night out on the town.

Undercover, amongst the people, was the course of action that the stealthy officer would employ for this mission, as it would be easier to mingle amongst those they were there to protect. But, alas she wasn't the senior officer here and this wasn't her op.

[Dandead10]

Odayakama Senshi the newly anointed petty officer had finally arrived as she had taken step by step through the so called city of fortune. Senshi was never much of a gambler, so she may be the biggest loser of all when it comes to luck. Senshi was unable to bring her weapons with her on this mission seeing she was to blend in with the many faces of the island. She had read a detailed report about her partner/subordinate the previous day. Their mission was to find and defeat the pirates who have been robbing from the locals of the island. Senshi had been rather excited seeing this would be the first time she would be in command of an operation. She had been promoted from a seaman recruit to a petty officer immediately for several reasons. She had contributed and made significant successes in marine operations, followed orders well, was a strong soldier in the making, and most importantly had a devil fruit.

Senshi's long red hair was tied into a ponytail as she had been wearing a red blouse with laces and a white ribbon tied around her waist. She had been wearing a simple gray skirt and black shined shoes at this moment as she walked ever closer to the blonde smoking a cigarette. "Warrant Officer Fawkes Aruba? My name is Petty Officer Odayakama Senshi and I'll be your partner for this operation." The teenager had felt a bit awkward at leading a woman older than herself as she couldn't help but feel slightly nervous...even if she didn't show it. "I'm very sure your already aware of our tasks and I'd appreciate any useful information you could give me about the city." Senshi had looked across the horizon to see the beautiful sky, and felt the cool breeze on her skin. Aruba may or may not know her commanding officer had an Akuma No Mi power in her posession. If she was so eager to see Senshi's combat prowess, perhaps she would like to experience it first hand in a spar. Senshi had looked to the brochure in the woman's hands and had smiled slightly.

"Let's also talk about how to catch our enemy. I'd say the best way to do so is to create a trap with bait that the pirates can't ignore. All we need is to capture a single pirate and then he will lead us to the nest." Senshi had stood straight and tall as her cerulean eyes would meet Aruba's own orbs. Senshi would wonder what her subordinate had thought of her at this moment. She knew that particularly, marines didn't feel comfortable with working under those younger than them. Then again, that goes for everyone doesn't it? Well, Senshi would find out soon enough. Senshi was here to do her job even if her coworkers may not agree with or like her.
She's actually been rather flattered that her name has been gaining a bit more reputation amongst the marines and maybe a bit worried of the expectations that came with it.

[Nomics]

As the sun made it's last impression of the day on the sky, plump, soft lips took a lasting pull on what was left of a cigarette. The woman's bright amber eyes shone brightly in the dull grey of dusk like a singular piece of gold at the bottom of a murky pond, as they peered out at the rather small, yet striking figure that was approaching her position. Scarlet locks and bright red shirt told the tale as the Petty Officer Odayakama mad eher way to the tiny Marine outpost. Finally, letting out the smoke of her last pull, Aruba stood straight up and saluted the much shorter officer.

A patient woman, Warrant Officer Fawkes, who had become accustomed to giving the orders in her operations, let the younger soldier finish her thoughts, before adding her own. "It would seem, ma'am, that great minds do tink alike." Purred the the tall beauty in her signature accent. She very easily noted the lack of proper uniform as a similar thought to her own of going into Serine City in disguise as just everyday tourists. "I agree wid you on di approach. We go in there like two ripe fruit, for the picking, earn some winnin's and then we spring the trap pon dem." As she spoke, Aruba moved away from the outpost and looked out at the bright lights of the city, recalling some of the conversations she had overheard earlier on that evening. "Well, it seem like it's the casino Reno's Wonder that most of the victim dem come from. So the best bet is fi we start over there. Also, the later in the night, the better. These particular hoods like to wait till late fi strike."

It was a simple plan. Execution should be simple. But if Aruba knew anything, she knew that there were always hidden variables that would affect the likeliness of this going without a hitch and as she faced the city, ready to move out and formally start the operation proper, she posed a question to her commanding officer. "I couldn't help but notice seh you no have no weapon pon you. Most likely we'll be in heavy combat. You fine witout that sword mi did hear 'bout?"
  

[Dandead10]

Odayakama Senshi had paid attention to the older woman in front of her and had rubbed the back of her head shyly as she asked her final question. "I couldn't help but notice seh you no have no weapon pon you. Most likely we'll be in heavy combat. You fine witout that sword mi did hear 'bout?" It seems her subordinate this time around didn't know much about her commander. Senshi would suppose should explain why she hadn't brought her standard katana. Aruba Fawkes may be in for a surprise as she probably hadn't expected to meet a devil fruit user on this mission. Senshi though was more surprised that she had heard of her sword but not her devil fruit power. That...was a little embarrassing on her end.

Odayakama Senshi had spoke. "Well you see, the reason why I haven't brought any weapons is because I can easily make my own. I ate the Nama Nama No Mi and I became a lead human capable of creating and controlling lead. Let me give you a demonstration." Senshi had suddenly began to pool a dark black liquid into her hands as it would begin to take form. Senshi had molded it and twisted the blade until a black katana had been revealed. Senshi had brandished the blade and showed it to her as she smiled shyly. Afterwards, she had began to absorb the whole entirety of the sword into her palm and it had dissapeared in a few short seconds.

Senshi had become more skilled in the usage of her devil fruit powers as of late, and was making headway into her life. She was getting stronger all the time, and her rank in the marines has been recognized. Senshi had decided that Reno's wonder was indeed the casino to go if that is where the majority of victims were. All they needed to do was play at the casinos of the bright and colorful city, flaunt the money around, and then purposely get robbed. She wondered what her comrade might think about her now that she knows she has the strange and odd abillities of a devil fruit. Senshi had brought along her most recent pay checks to play a few games. She hated to do this, but if they weren't winning anything, she may have to cheat in a few creative ways. Also, if they didn't win any jackpots, they may not be deemed as worthy to rob. They may be able to follow a big winner though? That was a road they would get to at a later time. "Let's head on out Warrant Officer. Or shall I just call you Aruba for this mission?" Senshi had began to walk off into the extremely bright and loud city as dazzling lights had attracted hordes of gamblers to play games and feed the city the money of the losers.

[Nomics]

Meticulously groomed eyebrows raised in feigned astonishment as the teenage Marine branded the skills provided to her from the blessed (or cursed) fruits that most people would kill for. As the metallic liquid bled out of the red haired beauty, Aruba allowed herself a smirk. It's weird, she thought. She brandishes this power with such pride and gusto.........I wonder, does she know that, it could in fact be her greatest weakness? Yet and still the towering woman stood and spectated as one would be if they were ignorant to the wonders of the Devil fruit. Even going so far as doing a muted clap in response to the performance. 

"It look like you more than well 'nuff prepare fah anyting we goin' see. Also, neither one ah dem name deh ah go work. Call me......Antigua till we done with this mission 'ere." Turning to face the busy city once again, Aruba Fawkes, codenamed Antigua, put on her gold tinted sunglasses and began the short walk to the city proper behind the Lead-Human. 

Serine City was indeed beautiful. Despite Amino being a rather small island, the fact that it housed as large and as luxurious a city as this one, made it obvious as to just how lucrative the gambling city is. Yet, despite all of the glitz and glamour that feasted the eyes, none shone so brightly as Reno's Wonder. A hulking, gaudy, totem of human greed and lust, the shining building supplied the hustle and bustle that choked the nearby streets as the agony of defeat and the elation of winning amalgamated into a fog desperation that hung about the streets like a jealous lover.

As the two began their approach towards this monument of avarice, the tall woman, who had gained more than a few looks as they strode through the city, bent down to whisper to the much shorter Marine officer. "Seem seh we nuh even hafi (have to) spend no money or try fi win. Perhaps we just wait and see." The report said that the crooks particularly stuck to assaulting their victims late at night, when they're most vulnerable, so the duo would have to bide their time either way, but it also gave them ample time to profile possible targets and possible ambush locations as well.   

[Dandead10]

Odayakama Senshi had been dazzled and wowed by the bright shining lights of the city. She had heard many stories about this island in Loguetown, and had always wanted to experience it's wonders herself. Senshi had held tightly onto her blouse as she continued to walk. The much taller woman while walking had gained the looks from many passers-by. Some of them were out of curiosity while others were...less than pleasurable and dirty. Odayakama Senshi was short yes...and she wasn't afraid of admitting that. She was going to answer Aruba's statement, but had been stopped. What happened next had somewhat surprised her though.

While passing by the buildings, a man wearing a formal black tuxedo with a eighties mustache and charismatic voice had called. "Come one and come all to win your fortune at Reno's Casino! Where the poor can become rich and the rich even richer!" The man had been urging people into the brightly lit rooms as slot machines twirled, and people won and lost. As Senshi and Aruba would walk by, the man had a twinkle in his eye. "Ah! Two sisters have come to have a fantastic time at the Reno's Casino?! This redheaded one must be the little sister, and you must surely be the older...right miss?" The man had just laughed a hearty laugh as he held out two tickets...they were passes? These could be cashed in for a large sum of money to play with. The man had then pat Senshi on the head as he pointed to the blackjack tables. "I reccomend starting there Mademoiselle. As for you tall one? Why not try the slot machines?"

The cards were brightly lit with the numbers 777 in consecutive order in bright red lettering. Odayakama Senshi was absolutely baffled and confused, but had walked in staring at her card. Assuming Aruba had followed her redheaded superior, the man at the front had taken out a DenDen Mushi making a simple call. "Get the boys ready...we have some pretty ladies that are going to win tonight...but they're going to be our winnings." Senshi had a bad feeling as she walked into the casino, but was quickly forgotten as she had seen the amazing games and attractions. Perhaps she should lighten up a little and play a game or two? No...she had to work and catch the pirates. Well...maybe one quick game of blackjack wouldn't hurt.

[Nomics]

"No that's fine. I'd much rather tag along with my sister, it's her first time out here, I wanna make sure she has some fun." The tall blonde woman diverted away from the direction of the completely unreliable corner of slot machines and headed towards the tables with the younger Senshi. Aruba stole a cursory glance at the smooth talking fellow at the front with the fur on his lip, and quickly saw him for what he truly was, a scout. He, with his slick tongue and amicable appearance, was disarming to unsuspecting tourists, and with his position at the front of the casino had his pickings as to who the pirates would target.

That also raised a very interesting question, just how exactly did he get clearance to stand at the front of the biggest cashpot the island had to offer? Recognizing that as a question to be answered later, quickly the Marine operative turned back to the front and added a little sway to her hips as she dove fully into her character. If they had been marked as possible targets for the pirates to get after, then she would play the part. Picking up her pace to catch the fleet footed Petty Officer, the waitress had just come around the blackjack tables taking orders. Quickly, Officer Fawkes chirped in a too cheery voice, "Two rum and cokes pleeeassseeeee~!"

As the they arrived at the closest table, two rows of immaculate teeth beamed at the duo of young ladies. "Ahhhhhh, the pretty ladies ready to play, please step forward and try your hand. Y'ever play blackjack before?"

Leaning onto the table as clumsily as she could, the older of the two replied. "No we haven't. It's a game that has to do with cards riiggghhtt~~?" The dealer's only response was a smile that reached from ear to ear.  

[Dandead10]

Senshi had sat down as the man had begun to shuffle the deck of cards as Senshi had been thinking about how much money she should turn into chips. She had tapped her chin thinking on the matter as she looked at her pass and showed it to the man. The man's eyes widened...in a odd way as he took out several large amounts of chips and passing it to her. "You know ladies, your really lucky to have gotten those passes. We only give those passes out when someone wins big." Senshi had stopped for a second as she wondered if that was a clue to the string of robberies that had begun.

Everyone whom was robbed had of course won a large sum of money...but it was supposedly by pirates in the nearby area. Perhaps it was deeper than what HQ had called it as. Usually Casinos aren't typically happy when they lose a profit. They use manipulation of people's hope to win a large sum of cash to add their pockets. The young teenager had then came up with a hypothesis. What if the pirates were working under hire by the Casino to rob the convenient winners and give it back to the Casino in exchange for some of the money? Senshi's nose had scrunched in thought as the waitress had conveniently arrived at the moment to lighten the mood. "Your drinks mams." Senshi had seen the coke and rum, and had nervously smiled as she took one of the non alcoholic drinks for herself. Thank you very much. Umm...so how do we play this game sir?"

The man had looked inbetween the blonde and the redhead as he began to explain. "Simple ladies. All you must do is try to add the values of the card to be exactly 21 or at least greater than mine. If you are happy with the cards added total, you pass. If you want to add on more, you say "Hit me." As the house, I can only hit as many times as you hit. I would give you some pointers, but I'm not allowed to by the Casino rules. Ace is worth one, and royals are worth ten. Simple game really." Senshi had already known how to play this game, but she decided to play dumb. "Big sister? Would you please go first so I get an idea of how the game works?" Senshi had placed her coke on the counter top of the blackjack table as they were being watched by the camera DenDen Mushi of the Casino. An unknown figure from within the security room had grinned and laughed a devious laugh as he said, "Interesting...most interesting my dolls." Senshi would have been looking around the casino wary of the dangers that may be watching from the shadows as loud sounds of machines spinning were heard.

[Nomics]

"Yea! Drinks are here!! Mind if I have this cute straw? Thanks." Excitedly, one of Aruba's long arms fired out and grabbed one of the tall mixed drinks and a curly pink straw with which to consume the alcoholic beverage with. With exuberance she sipped at the masterfully blended cheap liquor and flat soda, letting out a satisfied sigh after. So wrapped up was she in the splendor of her drink, it seemed like she had completely missed the quick tutorial on how to play the card game. "Huh, whaddya say sis? You want me to play your hand? Sure!"  

Deftly, the dealer threw out cards starting from his left and circling around the table twice so everyone had two cards, one showing, and one hidden. Lain out in front of the gold spectacled beauty was a face card, glancing around to make sure there were no peekers, Aruba lifted her cards slightly, what she saw immediately raised red flags within her mind. She fought hard to make sure her face didn't show it, making sure to keep her gag going. When her eyes came back up, the dealer's grin was unmistakable. To anyone else, it would seem like just a hospitable look towards a gullible tourist, but Aruba knew that look, there was something sinister behind it. Instinctively, the Marine woman gulped at the realization of her theory being confirmed right before her eyes.

Keeping her appearances up, a high pitch squeal escaped the girl as she flipped her other card over, showing an Ace of Diamonds. "Yahtzee!!!" Immediately laughs erupted from those around the table, while some were also upset by her beginner's luck. "No little miss, it's called Blackjack. Which you do indeed have. You win this round and pot. Congrats, now let's really get this game going!" The dealer's words were met with cheers as everyone dove farther into the game.

The grainy image coming from the Den Den Mushi only caused it's viewer more and more elation as he rubbed his hands together in anticipation and licked greedily at his lips. "Yes, dive deeper indeed. Two little rabbits in a hole of my making."

---

Two Hours Later

After three more rum and cokes the disguised Aruba was obviously inebriated, having troubles to hold all of her winnings in both arms. "Wahhhhh, sis, we sure did clean up huh? What do we do with all these winnings?" Clumsily, the tall woman sauntered with her Blackjack winnings towards the door. "Let's get outta here while we're ahead."

[Dandead10]

As the games were playing, a large amount of profit was made for the two marines. However, this wasn't just pure coincidence. The Casino had been marking them as targets for the pirates to rob. The games were fun and exhilarating for Senshi as this was her first time in a casino, but the sense of doom filled her as she deduced her suspicions were correct. Aruba and Senshi were the main majority winners...and a large amount of winning was in Aruba's arms. The real question Senshi had was, when would they be robbed? Surely the pirate robbers would be coming shortly to take the money the casino lost...and perhaps whatever else they had? Senshi had recalled that some of the people whom were robbed claimed their friends were taken...Senshi hated to imagine what for.

"Wahhhhh, sis, we sure did clean up huh? What do we do with all these winnings?" Odayakama Senshi had looked left and right as she took the lead. It seemed her comrade was a little bit...drunk perhaps from the rum coke mixture. "Let's get outta here while we're ahead." Senshi would frankly have loved to agree, and she sped up as they headed to the cash in table. Within that moment, a charming man wearing a purple tuxedo had called to the two girls. He had been carrying what appeared to be a cane as he had quite the charming look. His eyes a shining green and a neat blonde comb over. He was actually rather strong and witty along with his dazzling look. Stepping in front of the ladies, he had brightly smiled and bowed as he too was a pirate. "Oui Oui Mademoiselles. My name is Francis di Joumapelle. I couldn't help but notice the beauty of the girls in front of me and the big winnings they had accumulated. I am very sorry to say you ladies must come with me." The man had the voice of a song bird as he looked deeply into the eyes of both Aruba and Senshi Odayakama.

The man began to twirl his cane around his wrist before placing it onto the floor. Several rowdy figures had come behind the charismatic figure. They had the appearence of scum and villainy as they had been visibly armed, but had chuckled to the women in front of them. The man had scowled at his ruffian crewmates as he tried to look back to the women. "Please excuse the brutes behind me my dears. Simply come peacefully and violence can be avoided." Senshi had taken a simple sword stance as she had called. "Nama Nama No: Lead Creation." A single 60 inch lead katana formed in her hands as the gentleman had widened his eyes in delight. He always loved it when they struggled. The man laughed cheerfully as he held his cane and pulled as the curved handle was his grip...to a sword. The civilians apon seeing the sight ran from the conflict before it starts...smart people.

[Nomics]

If you would've asked Aruba to tell the story of this mission, at this particular junction, she would have said that she could smell the man before she could see him. He reeked of corruption, and bad intentions, his smile and gait only proving to further her feeling of ill tidings emanating from the man. Despite the slight haze that the alcohol had given her, she was well within her mental and physical capacities, yet she made it seem as if she was very drunk, swaying to and fro as the talking lizard in a suit suggestively threatened them in a fake accent. Despite the goons behind him, Aruba was not scared in the slightest, and was much more intrigued than anything.

Up until this walking cliché had approached them, the casino, pirates, or both, had done their best to veil their true motives and actions. Now, inexplicably, they showed their hand in the middle of the packed casino, it was too bold, too daring, and with these two Marines disguised as tourists, down right stupid. In all honesty, the lanky blonde woman wanted to go right along with the men, if not to risk the lives of innocence and collateral damage in the casino, to at least see where they would be brought, maybe even within the casino itself. There was an unknown amount of corruption within the infrastructure of the most lucrative building on the island, and Aruba was of the mind that the two women wouldn't be able to find just how rotten this whole operation was on the casino lobby of Reno's Wonder.

"Hey, sis, don't be a buzzkill! We can go with this handsome guy, I mean, he might be able to show us a good time." Swaying her hips even more, the Warrant Officer pivoted herself between the two would be combatants and faced Petty Officer Odayakama, her back to the cane sword wielder. Looking directly at the shorter woman, Warrant Officer Fawkes made a face at her, as if to say Cool out, now is not the time. Taking this as a perfect opportunity, the seedy gentleman tucked the flat side of his sword underneath the woman's arm and brought it up towards her neck and gripped her arm with his other hand.

"Oui Monshere! I suggest you take your sister's advice, we don't want any of these people to get hurt do we?" One of the goons came forward and took the large amount of loot from the Marine woman's hand and began to walk towards a sign to the left of the cash in window, an obvious door to the back. The rest of the group began to move along with that first thug and just before being lead there as well, Aruba gave the fierce redhead a wink and waved at the girl's makeshift lead sword, as if to say, Put it down, we have 'em right where want 'em.

Behind the door that the group of men were trying to lead the pair of women was a fairly sterile hallway that was lined with different doors that all matched each other, none really standing out in any way. Quickly, Aruba made quick mental note of a dimly lit staircase at the end of the hallway to the right, and the wide door to the back of the cash-in window. Only two doors down, they were forced into the room quite roughly and finally, the man that had introduced himself as Francis, spoke in an accent very unlike the one he was putting on before. "Now you two broads hand over everything else you got, or tings gonna get real ugly 'round here for yous. Especially you, Red."

[Dandead10]

Senshi had aknowledged the hidden message that the marine officer was trying to say. They didn't want any collateral damage and civilians getting injured in these endeavors. They could let the men take them to a more secure and hidden place to which they could then work together to defeat the enemy. What horrible things Senshi would see, she wouldn't know. Perhaps there would be acts of torture and death behind those walls as far as she knew. She had complied with Aruba and let herself be taken with Aruba as their winnings were confiscated. Her lead blade had sucked into her skin within a moment as she had looked at Aruba with a cerulean stare wondering if this was the right choice.

The two women were taken down a long series of doors before being shoved down a room. This just simply wouldn't do. The man wanted everything that Senshi and Aruba Fawkes had to offer? He even had the audacity to call them broads. She had honestly sort of liked his French side better as at least he was more polite and kind at that time period. Odayakama Senshi had sighed as she saw they were still heavily outnumbered and frankly outgunned. Thankfully, in the case of this...guns didn't matter when you had the Nama Nama No Mi. As soon as the man had demanded this, Odayakama Senshi had stood right in front of the man seeming to pull out her paychecks only to pull off a punch to his face to make him collide with the door. It was then Senshi spun and slammed the side of her foot into the man's skull. "Brick Break!" The man yelled out as he was promptly knocked out.

The redhead had then grabbed the now unconscious man's cane sword before tossing it out to the officer next to her. "Get ready to fight." Odayakama Senshi had formed her own lead katana as footsteps came running down the halls. Odayakama Senshi had formed several lead bullets which she threw into the hallway as several of the enemies would stumble and fall in the dimly lit hallway. Then, Senshi had leapt into the narrow hallway as her left hand would touch the ground. "Nama Nama No:Wall!" A tall lead barrier had formed for Aruba to take cover behind approximately eight feet tall. Senshi would be fine if she were shot. If the enemy were to fire at her, they would see their bullets had no effect against her as they simply dissapeared into her skin.

[Nomics]

Well, that escalated quickly.

Catching the cane sword with practiced ease, the Marine twirled the weapon deftly in her hand as the other goons began to encircle her. A smirk pulled across the woman's mouth as she jabbed quickly to her right with the sword still sheathed, crashing painfully into the overly muscled man's nose. Immediately he began to claw and grasp at the blood leaking from his face, while the other thugs yelled out, perhaps to spur themselves on more than anything else. It was ineffective, as they were rebuffed with a swift dash forward with the wannabe pimp's weapon held horizontally, aimed at their necks. Pushing forward, the two men, whose eyes had widened at the surprise of her strength, were now against the wall. With a quick foot to the groin of one and a sharp elbow to the other's temple, they both crumpled to the ground in agony.

Gazing back to the younger Marine officer, Aruba marveled at the gung ho nature of the redhead woman. She reminds me of Atticus..... Speaking aloud, more to herself, than anyone else, she gave the cane sword a lookover, unimpressed. "It's not bad. If a likkle crude. Ah no fi me style 'tall." Dropping the stealthy weapon on the unconscious Francis, fluffy afro bobbed gently as she bent down to relieve the man of a large ring of keys. She knew not what they were for, but figured that they'd be important for something.

Peeking out into the heated hallway, the woman whistled aloud at the impressive uses for the young Officer's Nama Nama no Mi. Moving quickly, the athletic woman used her agility and the extra cover provided by her comrade to check some of the other doors in the hallway. Several were open, with nothing in them, while others were locked. Not really wanting to spend time trying to discern which key belonged to which lock. Unless, it was as obvious as the big ass door at the end of the hallway, next to the stairs, with the big ass handle, and the big ass keyhole, that could only fit the biggest key on her keyring.

Inserting with a resounding Click!, the door gave way fairly easily. Pushing in, Aruba was met with a horrible stench, as the musk was almost palpable, and almost a cloud of funk hung in the air. Switching on the light, the warrior had to stifle a gasp as her eyes were filled with the sight of numerous bodies, some lifeless, others not, sprawled across the floor of the room. The buzzing of flies was almost deafening as they picked at the remnants of the poor souls present. A cursory glance told the Marine that these folk were all wearing standard issue casino uniforms. The real men and women from the Casino!?!

It didn't take long for the Warrant Officer to put two and two together to figure out just what had happened here, and it was nothing short of monstrous. Groans were now audible as her presence could be felt by those who still clung to life. An unfamiliar heat began to well itself within the tall woman's gut as she stood there, dumbfounded by what she beheld. The heat began to spread from her torso into her extremities and the longer she stood there, the more the heat spread. Finally, she took a step back and peered silently down the hallway with cold, golden eyes.

Speaking so she could be heard over the scuffle multiple yards away from her, her tone was chilling. "Senshi. Bring me one of them alive. I have a few Select questions to ask him." 

[Dandead10]

Odayakama Senshi had been clashing blades with an enemy as her subordinate had been fumbling with those keys she had found on the blonde pirate. She had kicked the enemy swordsman in the stomach before suddenly kneeing him in the face and twirling delivering a strong kick to the man's chest. Brick Break! The man had yelled as he had been sent skidding down the hallway. Several pirates had began to fire their shots from their rifles as bullets would collide with the hallway walls and the ground. Odayakama Senshi had held her lead weapon tightening her grip before launching an air slash torwards the enemies stuck in a tight, cramped location.

"One Sword Style:Surasshu-fū!" A wind crescent had flown down the hall creating cuts on the walls as the enemies had yelled in pain and agony. The sounds of several terrified men had sounded as the Petty Officer had walked down the hall with steady footsteps. It was at this time that her subordinate had called and asked of her to bring a live enemy? Aruba seemed to have no problems bossing her superior around, but Senshi hadn't minded in this case. She knew that Aruba was going to get a set of information from the pirate they had caught.

Senshi had walked down looking at the heavily injured pirates as she had grabbed one by the collar of his shirt as he gagged. "P-P-Please don't kill me! Have mercy!" Senshi had glared into the eyes of the pirate as she had thrown the man down the hall torwards Aruba as she kept a close watch for the sliced and beaten enemies. Combat for Senshi had become much easier as she progressed in her career. Fighting was now a common thing for the officer as she was deemed worthy by the world government to lead in the heat of battle. These men were going to pay for the sins they have done and would be brought to justice.

"You men are going to go to jail and atone for your sins. Be grateful I do not kill you where you lay you filthy criminals." Odayakama Senshi didn't need to turn to tell what had been happening in the room where Aruba was. The smell of rotting corpses was one that Senshi had smelt few times in her job as a marine. The beaten pirates had been too scared to move, but Senshi had asked herself a question. Where was the captain of this crew? Odayakama Senshi's subordinate may have been interested at Senshi's display of power and skill in combat.

It was time for Aruba to interrogate her new hostage as Odayakama Senshi had been prepared to move forwards. "Aruba, I need you to call for medical support for the civilians inside. We need to help whoever is still alive inside there. The battle isn't done yet either. The enemy leader must still be here, and who knows how many more followers they may have?" Senshi had been cautious as surely the rest of the pirate crew couldn't be too far from here. Tossing her own DenDen Mushi torwards the officer, Odayakama Senshi had been prepared for battle as more opponents were likely alerted by this attack.

[Nomics]

It had not been Aruba's meaning to sound demanding or disrespectful to her mission partner, but there was a light that had been ignited within her at the sight of such wanton cruelty and utter disregard for human life. Putting her foot out to catch the tumbling man, the tall Marine woman wasted no time getting to work. Gripping him by the lapel and dragging him into the stuffy room, she placed his face next to the that of one of the dead bodies. Flies were swirling around the young woman's head and her blonde hair was caked and matted with blood. Her lifeless eyes stared out at the ceiling, perhaps she was pleading in her last moments to which ever deity she believed in. The man's whimpers were high pitched and fearful as he squirmed and struggled to try and get away, but Aruba's grip was strong. "Why?" was the simple question she asked between clenched teeth.

"Wh-what?"

The feeble answer was met with a resounding smack. She pointed to the dead woman and the others in the room and repeated herself. "Why?"

"Hu-hu it was captain's orders. We-we were to take over the casino and run it in their......absence. I swear." The woman scoffed at the answer and slapped her captive. His whimpers filled the death chamber. "Last question. Where's this so called captain?"

Feebly, the beaten man pointed a finger upwards, as if to mean that they had to climb to the top floor to get to him. How cliché. With cold precision she wrapped her large hands around his head and gave a vicious twist, a feeling of satisfaction washing over at the sound of his neck breaking. With little further care for the lifeless body below her, afro-ed woman immediately clicked her Den Den Mushi on, hailing the small force of Marines on the ship anchored just off the Eastern coast of the island.

"Atticus come in. We need immediate medical assistance at the Reno's Wonder Casino. Multiple civilians and pirates with life threatening injuries. Double time it over here!! Fawkes over and out!"  "Aruba, wai-"

Click.

Before exiting the room, the woman bent down to tend, briefly, to some of the survivors and reassured them that help was on the way.

Meanwhile, rumbling could be heard coming down the stairs as it seemed that more henchman had been sent down. But there were heavy footfalls coming down, as if a Giant was among them.