Bleak Future

There was one more day before we departed. There was a problem with my ship, though. The problem was that I had no boat to speak of. And since one of the very few skills I didn't have was carpeting, I was almost out of luck almost.

Sitting down by the water's edge, I entered a trance. Separating my spirit and body, I started to excrete bone mass. If anyone was watching, I was sure that I would have a buster call on my doorstep.

Creating this ship was my most significant project ye. I spent all of last night doing the calculations and checking the science, but there was a fifty-fifty chance I would fail in the end. In theory, I could create a ship out of my blood and bones; I could maybe control the boat with my mind. If I also figure out how I could keep all the cells healthy and alive and somehow give the ship a nervous system.

There were also a lot of ethical questions that I decided to bury with all my other problems. In the end, I said screw it and decided to give it the old college try. Since there were only five people on board, including Ace, I wasn't going to make a galleon.

Starting with the ship's frame, I created a rib cage-shaped hull with joints every few meters. After making the shell, I filled in the hollow space. Though halfway through, I realized everything would be a little unsettling with everything looking like a bone, so I used natural pigments and textures to make everything look a bit more realistic.

Taking a break to eat a few pills, I looked over the unfinished ship. I liked it quite a bit. The red, white, and black theme did give a foreboding presence. Now it was time to go over it with a fine-tooth comb.

I spent the next six hours making sure everything on the ship was perfect. It was still missing furniture and weapons, which I would have to build, steal or buy. But the vessel beyond my wildest expectations.

Dragging my feet back to bed, I collapsed. Even though my body was full of energy, my mind was a mess. "I really can't be doing this too much. My mind might snap one day." Closing my eyes, I fell asleep when my head touched the pillow.

Waking up, I opened my eyes to see Leana less than an inch away from my face, "Did you have a good nap, Captain." Reaching up, I patted the mink's head, "Yes, I did, though how long did I sleep."

Leana sighed, "It's almost the dead of night. Everyone decided to let you sleep after Ace told us what you did." Standing up, I stretched, "Have you seen the ship yet?" Leana nodded, and she started to droll, "A ship made out of bone. It's almost a little personal paradise."

Deciding not to comment on Leana's state, I looked around for my packet before saying goodbye to Shakky and Rayleigh with the promise I would write. Ace, Evos, and Cal were waiting for Leana and me in front of our new ship.

"So what do you guys think?" Cal smiled, "It certainly is a fearsome vessel, and it's sure to carry us through waters soaked with the blood of our enemies."

"I like the enthusiasm, Cal. Evos?" Ever since I had rid the boy of his disease, he had yet to talk, but there was new energy surrounding him. "I like the ship." Smiling, I ruffled Evos' hair eliciting a chuckle out of the child, "Well then, let's not stay around much longer."

Once everyone was on board, Cal turned to me, "Should I lower the sailing captain?" Holding out my hand, I stopped Cal, "No need, I can do it all on my own." Cal was about to object when I waved my hand, sending all the riggings on the ship moved on their own, lowering the two sails.

"You just had to make a show of it, didn't you." I smiled at Ace, "Just because my ships better than your's doesn't mean you have to get jealous." Evos looked up at the sails in wonder as I steered us out of the mangrove.

"So where are we off to captain?" Leana leaned over the railing looking at the moving water below, "We're on a manhunt. Ace and I have a score to settle with one of our past crewmates."

Leana frowned, "If he's an enemy of captains, he's an enemy of mine." Smiling, I turned to face the rest of my crewmates, "This marks the beginning of our first adventure as a crew. You have put my fate in you and yours in mine. Together I believe there is nothing we can't overcome."

-Back in Sabaody Archipelago-

Boa's cheeks puffed up in frustration. She had just missed him. After chasing him for months, Boa thought she could finally cure herself of this disease. "You know he only left a week ago. You can still catch him."

Boa glared at Rayleigh, "I can't pursue him any longer, the Navy headquarters has called on me, and I can no longer stall." Sipping from a bottle, Rayleigh smirked, "It is a small world to think that you two would know each other. It's almost as if your fates are entwined."

Boa stiffened, 'What does he mean by that? Can it really be true? We do seem to know the same people and have known each other since we were children.' While Boa was caught up in her own thoughts, Rayleigh was saying a prayer for Soren.

'The young boy has no idea what kind of storm is coming his way.' Rayleigh had seen many types of women in his infinite wisdom and age, but Boa was displaying signs of the most dangerous kind.

'I pity Soren, not only will he have to deal with two partners but also a blood-thirsty yandere.'