2nd Interlude: The Conspiracy

Smirk turns to his summoner - "Bradshaw, did you pack your toothbrush, your pillow and all the stuffed animals?"

Nick merely looks at Smirk, but can't muster the spite to bite back. Smirk looks slightly disappointed, but resumes his cheery mood.

"Bradshaw ready, sir." - he replies to the Colonel with a thumbs-up.

May shakes her wine skin and then carefully listens to see how much is inside. She looks satisfied by the sloshing sounds. "May is ready."

"Always am," Anne replies.

Colonel Riddle nods at his team. "We'll be back before you know it, Captain."

"...I hope so, Colonel," Edward says.

The group arrives at one of the main entrance of Wing C of the Imperial Palace. Two guards are standing on the inside of the large doors, and they immediately salute their superior when he walks by them. Edward stops and turns to face the squad members.

"Luck be with you," he says to Marcus Riddle while shaking his hand. "All of you."

Nick glances at the Captain, but only for a moment.

"And vith you."

Sam just nods to the Imperial guard.

The 17th Squad say their goodbye to their guide and leave the Palace.

They walk through the busy streets of Haven, the Capital of the known world. People from all corners of the Archipelago have come to trade their goods, while others are here to delight in the wonders this city has to offer. The majority of them however are just living their lives; shopping, working, and moving from one place to the other.

The Colonel decides to take a detour through the residential area, which is almost devoid of people at this time of day.

When they are out of earshot, Sam says, "You said it, May. I don't look forward to the day a person like that sits in the highest office."

"May say no such thing and May appreciate you not repeating such in public."

The corners of May's mouth upturn a little bit, betraying her disapproval of the Prince. "May not say that either."

May thinks about it and then nods assent. "May talk about punching and sword form and certain jerk that might inherit May's favorite shawarma cart."

"Hey look! A pigeon." - Smirk exclaims, pointing at a sparrow.

Sam looks, expecting to see a flock of the vermin. She looks at Smirk, thinking, surely he knows what a pigeon looks like. "Good one, Smirk."

Colonel Riddle doesn't seem to mind the subject of the conversation. He seems more focused on getting to the docks for now. As for Anne, she can't help but chuckle.

"This journey won't be boring at least."

"Not fun either."

Sam grins. "Not with that attitude."

The waterfront of Haven is crowded with ships of all sizes; schooners, brigs, brigantines, clippers, frigates and a few Imperial warships that are guarding the bay. The number of dockworkers moving the merchandise is equally impressive, and it's hard to move through the area without encountering a wagon filled with goods. A few travelers who have just landed are welcomed not only by the smell of fish, but also their friends and family. Lone figures who gawk at the marvel that is Haven, capital of the known world, are most certainly immigrants who have traveled far and wide in the hope of starting a new life here.

Colonel Riddle sees all of these people and keeps his right hand on the satchel Captain Fox entrusted to him, not willing to risk losing it at the hands of a random pickpocket—although the chance that someone would be foolish enough to try to steal from the 17th Squad is quite low.

It takes a long time before the group finds the Happy Frog, an old brig that could use a new coat of paint. Its small crew is lazing about on the deck, boring themselves to death with games of dice or drawn out conversations. A few of the men near the rails perk up however when they see Samantha, May and Anne. One of them can't help himself and whistles at them.

"Hey ladies! How you doing?"

"You need any company?"

"We have a few empty bunks if you're interested."

"Shut your mouth Marco. You'll creep them out."

"Yeah Marco, you idiot. Puny Humans and their need to sleep. Bah."

Sam smiles at their naval chauffeurs. "We'll see, I might be up for some poker later. I could use some extra coin!"

"Sorry boys, May not attracted to creeps. Ditch Marco and maybe ve all join that poker game." She winks and takes a swig of wine while they think about that.

"Heard that guys? Yea or Nay on ditching Marco?"

"Come on guys..." the man in question pleads. "We don't need to—"

"Yea."
                                                                        "Yea."
                                 "Yea."
                                                           "Yea."
              "Yea."

"Throw the man overboard!"

"Oh, come on!" Marco exclaims. "Not again!"

Two sailors grab him by the arms and drag him on the other side of the deck. Shortly after, a loud "splash" can be heard and the crew starts to cheer. Anne can't help but laugh a little. As for Marcus, he seems surprised by the men's willingness to throw Marco overboard.

"Marco, nooooo!" - Smirk exclaims. Then yawns.