Pirated
Chapter #01 - The Start of an Odd Crew
Written by: CS-Masyet
Long ago, when the islands of Qirja were split apart, many nations also separated. This caused panic as war broke out over control of the islands, and started the reign of seafarers known as "pirates". Pirates had advantage over the others, as they weren't limited by the sea. This spread even more chaos around the islands...
...until a group of people decided to do something about it. Many citizens from many nations joined forces to finally bring peace back to Qirja. They called themselves the SIS (short for "Sea Investigator Squad") to support and protect the innocents from harm. But would they alone be able to stop the pirates?
--
"That story has been around for what seems like forever." A man said to a bartender across the counter at a bar. "But nothing's changed. The SIS and pirates are still going at it with one another!"
"I doubt it will ever be like it was before." The bartender responded.
"I was still young at the time of the split, so I don't remember much of how it used to be."
A young man walked into the bar.
"Aren't you a bit young to be in here, kid?"
"I just need some food rations. Do you still sell some here?"
"Sure, hold on a sec." The bartender answered, going to the back of the store.
"Rations? You plan on travelling or something, kid?" The man sitting near the counter asked the boy.
"You could say that. And don't call me kid."
"I see. My apologies, kid."
"Just get me some rations already, would you?"
"Hope this is good." The bartender came back with a crate. "We don't have much food here since this place became a bar, so this'll have to do."
"Fine. How much?"
"10 gold."
"Ten!? Cheapskate..." The boy handed him 10 coins, and walked out of the bar with the crate.
"Despite the dangers at sea nowadays, people sure are traveling a lot." The bartender commented before he left.
--
"Crap, I might not have enough money to buy a ship now." The young man said after walking out of the bar. "I might have to steal one..."
"Hey, you! Get out of our boat!" He heard a sailor shout to a girl lying in a small boat (big enough to hold only about 3 people).
"Eh? But then where will I sleep?" The girl whined.
"Find somewhere else to take a nap! It's not our problem!"
"But I like this boat. It's comfy~!"
"Do you have any idea who we are?!" The other sailor asked.
"No... Should I?"
"We're members of the SIS! If you don't get out of our boat, then you'll be sent to prison!"
"Isn't that a bit harsh...?" The first sailor asked.
"Just play along..."
"Hey!" The young man shouted to the sailors.
"What do ya want!?"
"Are you a friend of this brat?"
"I only want to rent a boat. The cheaper, the better."
"Ah, okay. But our only boat is this one."
"And this girl refuses to get out."
"Have you tried using force?"
"We can't do that!" The two sailors said in unison.
"Whatever; I'll take care of her, then."
"But even disregarding that, it's still dangerous out there. Sorry, but we can't just let you sail out, kid."
"It's like our duty or somethin'. I hope you understand."
"These stupid buffoons..." The young man takes some money out of his pocket. "I'll give you 20 gold."
"2-20 gold?!" Both sailors said at the same time.
"Yes, 20 gold. So will you let me rent it or not?"
"Seriously, kid?! This little thing's only worth about 30 gold at most!"
"Do you want to sail out that badly?!"
"Is it a deal?"
"Yeah, sure! As long as you bring it back in one piece."
"Be careful out there, kid!" The sailors took the money from the young man and ran off happily.
"Idiots." The young man walked to the boat. "Alright, you. Out."
"But I don't wanna..." The girl whined again.
"Now!"
"Fine..." The girl got out of the boat. "What are you going to do with it, anyways?"
"To set out to sea, of course." The young man said, getting in the boat. "After all, that's what pirates mainly do."
"A pirate!?" She said in shock. "You're a pirate?!"
"Yes, I'm a pirate. Is that such a surprise?"
"I want to be a pirate too!"
"Not the reaction I was expecting..."
"So where's your crew?"
"Don't have one yet."
"That means you're making your own? That would make you the captain, then!"
"Yes, I suppose it would."
"Alright, then I'll be your first member!"
"No."
"Why nooooot?!"
"What good would it do me to have you come with me? To annoy people to death?"
"Show's what you know! You'll regret not having someone like me~!"
"And why's that?"
"I'm a vampire!"
"... What?"
"Didn't you see me sleeping? Normal people don't sleep during the day!"
"Yep, and you definitely aren't normal..."
"I'm serious! I even have black wings!"
"What does that have to do with anything?!"
"I'll prove it! Watch!" The girl picked up his crate and started flying around with it, which both perplexed and angered him a bit.
"I get it already! Put it down!"
"Okay, okay!" She carefully put the crate back in the boat, still flying in the air. "So now can I come?"
The young man sighed.
"I hope I don't have to regret this later... Fine, I guess."
"Yay!"
"I am to believe you understand your circumstances. I am Saio, your captain. And because I'm your captain, you are to follow all of my orders. Understood?"
"Understood! Taby, reporting for duty!"
"So Taby's your name, huh?"
"It's fitting, riiiiight?"
"No idea what you're talking about."
Taby's smile turned to a frown. "Hmph..."
"Alright, we've wasted enough time. Let's go."
"Aye aye, Captain Saio! Hee hee~!" Taby exclaimed, regaining her giddiness.
The two of them set sail to the wide open ocean. The boat was small, but surprisingly fast.
--
While in the middle of the ocean, Saio cleaned his sword, while Taby just stared at the water.
"I'm booooored!" Taby whined.
"I don't care. Find something to do."
She groaned, drawing in the water.
"Just as a heads up..." Saio started to say. "... You better not get any ideas about flying away when you don't feel like being a pirate anymore. Got it?"
"I wouldn't do that!" Taby exclaimed again. "Promise, Captain Saio~!"
"Just 'Captain', it you don't mind."
"By the way, I've been wondering for a while now..."
"What is it?"
"How are you going to return this boat?"
"Return? What are you talking about? We're not returning it."
"E-eh? But that's... stealing!"
"We're pirates, stupid! Who cares if it's stealing!?"
"Oh yeah, I forgot. Heehee~."
"Man, she's starting to piss me off... Besides, I gave them 20 gold. That's way more that the SIS deserves."
"Oh yeah, what's the SIS?"
"You... don't know what the SIS is?"
"If I knew that, I wouldn't be asking you!"
"Right... The SIS stands for 'Sea Investigator Squad'. They're an organization created by the government to eliminate every pirate sailing the seas." Saio explained. "In other words, they are our enemy."
"Oh, okay."
"You understand? Never go associating yourself with one of them under any circumstances..."
"I smell food~!"
"Are you even listening to me?!"
Taby sprawled herself on top of the crate. "Is there food in here? I'm hungry~."
"Yeah, have some if you want. Just don't eat it all."
"Yay!" Taby started to eat some bread. "Yummy~!"
Saio sighed. "It's getting dark, so we should stay at the next town."
"Good, 'cause I'm getting tired." Taby yawned.
"Didn't you sleep a couple of hours ago...?"
"Yeah, but this comfy boat is making me sleepy again..." Taby fell asleep. "Zzz..."
"Yep, we're definitely heading to the next town..."
End of Chapter 1