MetalMaker Pirates

Chapter 11 - Heartache

It had been four days since Steel's surgery and the entire crew was tense. The days went by the same but without their captain it wasn't the same. Tungsten stood in for Steel in her absence, jobs were completed, supplies were gathered but there was no singing or cheering on the Bandit. It was just a long wait until the captain of the MetalMaker pirates would awaken.

Rook stood at the helm of the airship gazing out into the distance. The sight of the bright blue ocean and the smell of the sea calmed her nerves and relaxed her. Steel's recovery was going without a hitch but why did she still feel so uneasy? Tungsten felt the same way. It's as if they were sailing in suspense, awaiting a storm or an attack of some sort.

While the captain has been indisposed Rook took it upon herself to decipher the map and analyze the ruby they gained from the island. So far no luck. The only information that she could gather was that there were some kind of black markings on the gem, which was even more confusing.

Rook let out a large sigh and closed her eyes, reveling in the feeling of the breeze. The tap of metal paws broke her out of her trance like state. The familiar sight of Mecha and her wagging tail brought a smile to her face. Rook knelt down to pet her mechanical friend. The animatronic dog nuzzled into her hand and let out a small bark.

"I know." Rook sighed once more and sat down on the deck next to her dog. She leaned her back against the side of the ship and Mecha curled herself against her creator, placing her head on Rook's leg. "This is a pretty crap situation we're in now... isn't it?"

Mecha let out a whine in response and slightly moved her head in understanding. Rook leant her head against the hard wood of the Bandit.

"What am I going to do Mecha... I'm so conflicted... I want to stay on the Bandit more than anything... But if I stay I'll just be putting everyone else in danger... The emperor of New Japan must have noticed my absence and is probably searching for me... I don't know what to do..." Rook felt the rare burning of unshed tears behind her eyes. To prevent any of her tears from escaping she closed her eyes, tilted her head up and rested an arm on her head. Mecha raised her mechanical body and nuzzled into Rooks neck, trying her best to offer some comfort to the distressed woman.

A loud shout was heard from the crow's nest and Platinum's dark blue bandanna could be seen poking out from the edge of it.

"MARINE SHIP INCOMING!" Platinum shouted down to Tungsten. Said giant stood upon the helm gripping the wheel with white knuckles.

"HOW LONG?" Tungsten bellowed back to the musician. Platinum raised a hand and started to count on his fingers.

"I'D SAY THREE MINUTES" Platinum's voice shook in fear and who could blame them? Their captain was injured and indisposed, they had no fuel to fly, the Bandit was slower in the sea than the sky and everyone's morale was dangerously low. This was the worst time that they could have attacked the Bandit. Rook jumped to her feet and looked to the horizon and sure enough there sailed a large government made marine ship. Rook ran and snatched a watch glass from Aluminum, which earned a small 'Hey!' in response.

Rook returned to the side of the ship and looked through the glass and sure enough there he was. The same captain as last time. His black hair swaying in the wind and his green eyes determined.

'What did Steel say his name was... Liam? Leonard? Lionel?'

There was no time for that now, the ship was approaching... and fast. Rook quickly ran inside and down into the armory, the scent of gunpowder oddly calming. Titanium was there already, he was moving quickly in a panicked state. His eyes screamed fear. Rook approached him cautiously and put a hand on his shoulder.