Moving onto next Destination: Drama/Tragedy
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Chapter 23: Port NT, The Final Fall
Subtitle: End To All Good Things, The Perfect Storm
... Mutiny ...
To a leader it's their worst possible nightmare. To the crew it means that the leader isn't doing their job. When a crew or people turn on their higher officials it means something, something has gone wrong. Which is why a mutiny can happen, it can also mean people want change, greed, power, or vengence. All of which are valid reasons, but none should be taken so lightly.
... Vengence ...
Such a harsh word to use, but describes all the feelings of Anger, Rage, Hate, and Sadness. Vengence for being looked down upon, vengence because others inflict vengence upon you. Either way, vengence never ends well ...
After our previous battle, the ship was able to set sail, but we still had a few more holes to patch up. It took a few more days in Eden to seal them up, but it was only temporary.
"Alas my poor NaruSaku, once we reach NT we'll fix you right up good as new!"
I stroked the port bow of the ship that was docked. On the starboard side, there were several gaping holes from the S***S*** cannon fire. Aethos and Arashi were already on repair duty. Everyone else rummaging through the ship, cleaning up what debris was left, along with mopping up the blood of our dead foes. The only part of the ship that wasn't broken into or damaged was our liquor storage (Thank God). We all still smelled like blood, and tried to wash our clothes off before we set sail again. I was thinking over the events that had just occured to us. The S***S*** attack, missing Sharon Apple's Concert ... (I tried not to sob, holding in my tears) ... and now our next destination was to NT. The goal was to salvage what we could from the old club, and then bring back as many members with us as we could.
On the next morning we left Eden, and continued back on course to NT. It took about a week, plus the original four day travel from H&E to NT. We ran into some small typhoons along the way, but nothing Arashi couldn't handle. Although it did seem strange that there were typhoons out in this season. We made sure to take note of that for the return trip.
"Port NT Ahead!" Alpha exclaimed from her crow's nest.
Just then a loud splash just hit us off the port side of the ship! They were FIRING at us!? In the distance, NT was a complete warzone. Buildings on fire and some in ruin, random gunfire was being shot off echoing through the city. NT was falling apart and in the middle of a civil war. We stopped the ship just out of their firing range, and went by row boat. The crew gather on the main deck awaiting my orders. I came from the bridge room followed by Arashi and Yoko.
"So it appears that Kane has done more than just cause a ruckus on NT, but opened full civil war." I looked on at the once great NT, then looked back to my crew. "All right listen up. Smiter, HH, Paul, UN, and Yoko will go to shore with me. Everyone else stay aboard and guard the ship. I would hate for irony to smile upon us again, and have this ship stolen yet AGAIN."
Everyone chuckled and we made our way off the row boat and started to head for shore. Paul and HH where rowing the boat, as I gave my further instructions to this reconassiance team.
"Okay. Smiter and UN gain what info you can and any other supplies that we may need. HH return to the N***H*** and gain what last intel you can. Paul and I have a few things to retrieve from the club before we leave for good."
They all nodded their heads and understood their orders. We reached what used to be the docks, part of it had been blown off or sunken. Everyone went to their own duties while Paul, Yoko, and I made our way to ground zero, the NaruSaku club. We made it past the pier and the Arts sector, both of which were completely in fire and ruins. Just as we made it to the Club sector, Yoko stopped me for a moment. I told Blayze to go ahead and I turned to face Yoko.
"What is it Yoko?"
"Sensei, there's someone I must find before we leave. If it's okay with you."
I looked at her nodded my head.
"Quickly, NT could fall at any moment. Just return to the ship if you get into any trouble. Meet us at the docks in a while. Understand?"
She quickly nodded her head and left on her own. I looked on as my Bloody Angel went on her own exploration and I continued after Blayze. We reached the club which was still in fine condition, except for the cannonball hole on the second floor, but that was okay. We went inside and to the back room to a safe vault. My brother and I placed our hands on the lock and began chanting in a foriegn tongue. The safe opened and we took out what we needed.
Two crystal balls, a red one and a black one, and a very special case of spiced rum.
Blayze took the red one as I took the black one.
We left in a hurry and quickly made our way back over to the docks where Smiter, UN, and HH were already waiting for us. UN had gotten his cooking supplies and a bottle of wine he and his wife had been keeping. Smiter and HH had retrieved all the intel they needed and were ready to go. All that was left was Yoko. We waited for a few more minutes and then she finally came running over to us. We quickly made a board the boat, and rowed back towards the ship. The sound of gunshots still echoing all over the city, and minor explosions from the mass fires. Just as we boarded back onto the NaruSaku Mk.II a final and large explosion occured in the center of the city!
We sailed off as the city of NT had finally fallen. We all stood upon the main deck looking off the starboard side, sailing off into the distance. Our home, the place where we all first came together was now gone. I took off my hat and tipped it to our lost home. But now this was only the beginning of even greater adventure and the ride of a lifetime that we could only imagine!
The ocean was still restless as we were making our way back to H&E. The winds were blowing at nearly hurricane level, and the sea was throwing us around like a rag doll. Everyone was inside the ship resting for the long journey back home. It wouldn't be long before we reached H&E. However, I could sense something was on Arashi's mind ... this weather was really getting to him.
"Arashi, is something wrong?"
He didn't turn his head to face me, but answered. me. "Dai-syon. The speed of these winds and the way the ocean is acting, our ship at this rate may not make it back home."
I wasn't surprised at this news, but I was worried. He continued.
"Also with our current condition, we won't be able to escape through the air. The hull may be able to handle the stress for us to fly, but it's risky."
"But that isn't what's bothering you? Arashi?"
"No sir. It's this storm, it's like - we're being targeted specifically. I don't mean to sound crazy, but it seems the ocean isn't being on our side tonight."
"..." I tried to think of our options. It was either keep sailing and we could possibly sink just before we reach H&E, or risk flying the rest of the way and crash to our deaths. "Then we fly."
Arashi and Yoko both looked at me at the same time. Yoko stood silent, but Arashi tried to argue.
"Dai-syon! That's mad! We don't even know if the ship will hold through those winds!?"
"Are you calling me mad? She will hold, and we will make it back home."
Arashi saw the confidence in my face, and couldn't help but agree with me. It was a mad plan, but it was the only way to escape the sea from sinking us permanently. I picked up the intercom system and made the announcement-
"Crew of the NaruSaku. We're going to try and fly over this damn storm. It sounds insane because of our damages already, but it's our only chance. All hands, brace yourselves for one hell of a ride. We need to get up into the air before things get worse."
I put the intercom down, and Arashi and I made our way out onto the main deck to prepare for flight. Arashi stomped the floor, the controls came up and the ship quickly transformed into an Airship. We made liftoff just before a major wave hit us. The hull was holding just fine and we were still in one piece (no pun intended).
As we reached to the skies, the winds weren't as bad as they were on sea level. We did cut through the sky much faster and without any problem. The wind was still as fierce and nearly blow us off course, but with Arashi's skills we were able to stabilize ourselves. At the rate we were moving we would reach H&E within a few hours, until we saw IT ...
"... Dear God ..." Arashi muttered in pure shock.
It was a super typhoon! There were multiple twisters all moving across the water as if they were dancing with each other. Arashi took a firm grip onto the control wheel and looked to me. I quickly picked up the intercom and shouted-
"ALL HANDS BRACE YOURSELVES!!!"
Arashi, Yoko and myslef secured ourselves down with some ropes tied to the main deck so we wouldn't fly off the ship. It was incredible! Arashi dodged each twister as if it was nothing! Moving the ship in ways that couldn't be described! But each dodge could have nearly flipped us over and come crashing down into the sea. It was one hell of a ride, and something only Arashi could have done himself. He was quite impressed with his own skill and yelled at the sky for more! This was exactly what he wanted! A challenge from nature that he could overcome! This was HIS time, HIS dream, HIS ultimate rush! Just as things began to calm, and the storm seemed to settle down ...
"Why is it so quiet?" Yoko asked.
"Something's wrong, something doesn't feel right." Arashi spoke quietly, then looked up.
It was like the clouds were in a twist, circling all around us like it was trying to pin point our location and target us. This seemed to put Arashi into a panic and he quickly spoke to me.
"DAI-SYON! You need to get everyone off the ship NOW."
"What!? Arashi what's the meaning of-"
"PLEASE CAPTIAN! There's no time! I can't explain it, but this storm ... is after me!"
"Have you gone mad already!?"
"Captian. I've never asked more from you and I have never led you down the wrong path. If there was ever a time for you to trust my words, now is that time!"
I knew something had him spooked, but his eyes clearly spoke truth. And I believed him, so I made the order. I picked up the intercom once again-
"All hands. Abandon ship. Immediately."
Naturally there was confusion, but everyone went to the life boats for emergency drop off. The life boats were built to survive a small drop off once the Airship was near seal level. Everyone had gone to evacuate, except for Aethos who came to the main deck.
"Captain! What's going on!?" He questioned me.
I simply put a hand on his shoulder and looked towards Arashi. Aethos still didn't understand, so he went to Arashi.
"OY! Arashi! What the hell is going on!? Why is the captian ordering us to evac!?"
"You need to get off the ship friend. This storm is coming after me, and I'm going to fight it."
"Tch! Like hell you are! If he's staying then I'm staying with him!"
Arashi naturally pushed him aside to disagree with him.
"NO! You need to go with them, and help everyone get to shore. This is something I have to do alone!"
"Last time I let you go off by yourself you nearly got killed! Captain, permission to stay aboard with this fool!"
Aethos also had the look of firm determination. I didn't want to leave two men behind, but we were wasting time arguing. But I had full faith in both men that they would return again. So I let Aethos stay with Arashi.
"Granted. But I better see you two back at H&E, that's an order."
Arashi scoffed, but was glad to have him with him. Yoko and I left for the life boats and left the two of them to the ship. Arashi lowered the ship to hover just above sea level, and we let the life boats drop into the water. The rest of my crew and I rowed the rest of the way to shore. I had no idea what was going through his mind, but this was what he wanted, his dream to battle against this storm. So I let him pursue his dream.
"Godspeed, the both of you." I spoke as my ship sailed off into the sky.
Meanwhile back on ship, Arashi and Aethos had secured themselves onto the main deck of the Airship. Aethos still unsure of why he was here with this mad man.
"Dear God ... I'm on ship with a mad man who's going to fly straight into our deaths." He said with a very grave voice. Then he became overjoyous over such an adrenaline rush! "YARRR! TONIGHT IS A GOOD NIGHT!"
Arashi showed a smile of admiration for his friend staying on board with him. But things weren't going to look good. The twisters they had passed earlier suddenly merged into one mega typhoon/hurricane! As they entered the vicious winds, the ship was being thrown all around like a piece of dead weight. But Arashi's supurb skill kept them some what stablized! He truly was the greatest helmsman of the known seas! They made a mad charge straight into the wall of wind, both of them laughing their hearts out! They were enjoying themselves as if they were children again. Just then they fought through the entire hurricane, until suddenly it became deathly silent ... they had reached the eye of the storm. Just a noise came from the starboard side! The hull was breaking apart ... they would not survive this storm.
"Arashi! We need to jump ship!"
"In the eye of the storm!? Are you mad!?" But then in that instant an idea popped into his head. "That's not a bad idea ..."
"What!? Are you mad!? And just how are we suppoed to-"
*THUMP*
Arashi punched Aethos in the stomach and knocked the wind out of him.
"W-why?"
Arashi put the ship on auto-pilot and began to strap a parachut to his head, along with an oxygen mask. Aethos then realized what he was going to do, but still couldn't move. Just then Arashi retied his line near him, and Aethos laid next to him. Arashi then took back control of the ship and began to climb. The air becoming colder and the oxygen getting thinner. Aethos could still hear and see him, but not move.
"I've always had respect for you mate. I want you to know that. Not once did I ever give you into the Navy, not once. You were my only friend that believed that I could make it into the Navy when no one else did."
Aethos began to understand what he was going to do and tried to move but was still stunned. Arashi continued to take the airship higher, almost as if he was trying to fly OVER the hurricane.
"Heh, do you remember the day we first became rivals?" He paused, and began to tear slightly. "It was so stupid. I thought you were the cause of my sister's depression before she died. But then I learned that you were the one who would always visit her. You were there for her since we were kids, and I should have saw it. But I was so busy with the Navy I could never see her. I always felt guilty about that, and blamed you for her death when it was actually mine."
The ship rose faster and higher, when finally it reached to a point that it couldn't go any higher.
"This is the end of the line my friend. I want you to know that I've never beared a grudge against you, and that I've always held a respect for you. You were my only friend, even though we are rivals, you were my best friend. This is where we must part."
The ship's nose then began to fall and as they began to fall, Arashi pulled the parachute and cut the line he was secured too. Aethos flew back all the way to the rear of the ship, and pretty much floated over the hurricane and to safety. While the ship on the other hand was nearly fallen apart, and diving at a great speed.
"Good bye, Aethos." He looked as he floated out of the storm. He turned his head as he fell into the darkness of the storm and made one final battle cry. "MAYBE TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO DIE! FOR NARUSAKU!!!"
And that was the last we saw of Arashi, possibly ... no ... he WAS the greatest helmsman that sailed the Seven Seas. Faithful NaruSaku believer, Ex-Navy Pilot Mavarick, and one of the greatest crew members that I was proud to have. At least he died following his dreams. To pilot through ... "The Perfect Storm".
To Be Continued.
Epilogue: Before Aethos passed out in midair, the last thing he remembered as the storm cleared was a long dark shadow in the water, along with the remains of our once NaruSaku Mk.II.
... Farewell my NaruSaku Mk.II ...
Chapter 23 is finished.
(The ship is gone, Arashi is gone. If it seems kinda weird/rushed, I kinda wrote this at 12:00 AM/midnight, and after a party. So I'm kinda woozy, a little tired, and I might fix it up a bit later. But for now, I hope this ended well.)
Wait 'til Ash wakes up. You know what's worse than Inner Kyuubi?
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