Pirates For The Mainland

"Now, please continue," Redstone said.

"The Cray don't make it obvious who has the key," Nog continued. "Everyone knows that those bastards hold onto their traditions and laws like it's a part of their soul, but people don't know how it works fully. I do. They make sure their captains and other special folk have no clear sign of importance. They look just like any other fish-man with pockets. So, I just needed enough time to kill the right one."

"Time provided by two crews worth of bloodshed," Redstone said. "Is it true what they say? Do the Cray eat us?"

"I wouldn't know," Nog answered. "I didn't hang around for the after party when I got hold of the key."

Redstone sat quietly for a moment before he pushed himself out of his chair. The effort required to move himself about was evident in his breath and speech. He walked to the window that overlooked the market and gazed down at the those he considered ants.

"Well?" Nog asked.

"What do you need to fight the Cray?" Redstone answered. "What do you need to get to the mainland and find their treasure temple?"

"I need a crew that won't die," Nog said. "I need to know if guns have come far enough to kill a fish-man."

Redstone turned around to face Nog and rubbed his chin in serious consideration.

"Have you spoken to Motroy yet?" he asked.

"No," Nog answered. "I was going to talk to him if you didn't want to help."

"Forget talking to that stuttering idiot," Redstone said. "Come back tomorrow and we'll take a train to my facility in Mish. We'll have a look in-person and see how far the boys in my research division have come."

Without another word Nog grabbed the Cray key and started to walk back to the elevator. As she neared the opening doors Redstone had a quick bonus to add.

"And don't worry about your ship!" he called out. "I'll have my people make it ready for a war!"

Nog didn't answer and simply looked back at Redstone as the door closed in front of her. She was happy to have their meeting done with.

Nog and her mates relaxed upon their cots and enjoyed their drinks of choice. They often spent nights laying atop the roof of the bridge, chatting or simply enjoying the calm. The night sky was clear and beautiful above them. The myriad of colors and bright lights that shined down upon them was a sight to behold. Even more relaxing when your mind and body are in the numbing embrace of alcohol, in their opinion.

"I hate dealing with that crook," Dart complained, sipping her second glass of wine delicately. "He'll find a way to stab us in the back one of these days. Just as soon as he can't make any profit off of us."

"None of us like dealing with Redstone," Nog replied, half-empty bottle of rum in-hand. "But it's a necessary evil right now."

"You really think these guns of his will be able to kill a Cray?" Neko asked, his whiskey bottle already empty.

"I don't know," Nog answered with a heavy sigh. "But, we need a crew to survive in order to get through the islands and to the mainland."

Dart accidentally dropped her nearly-empty glass and it bounced to a roll with the white bubbly liquid spilling out. She g.r.o.a.n.e.d and held her head as she made herself more comfortable on the cot.

"I wish you wouldn't do that every time I buy you your stupidly-expensive drink," Nog complained, closing the top of her bottle.

"Consider it a tribute to the fallen," Dart replied with a yawn, closing her eyes. "At least I don't finish my wine in one night."

Nog made herself comfortable and looked to Neko for his response but he seemed to be too far gone to notice he was being poked at.

"I'll give you that, Dart," Nog agreed