9 Hidden agendas

Sengoku is relieved, for the first time in weeks, news and reports about global incursions have finally stopped pouring into the already tensed and wary headquarter of the marines, the fortress has been evacuated of all civilians to make rooms for soldiers from all over the world. That is if they can make it in time, the fleet admiral thinks as he walks through the corridor leading to his office, contemplating on recent events. They've been dealing with shadowy forces for the last few weeks, incursions stirring outlaws and rebellions in a global scale, the likes that they've never faced before. Only weeks ago it all seemed so perfect, the execution would go smoothly, baiting Whitebeard Pirates and their allies into a trap to wipe them out completely. Yet these uprisings have been keeping them from gathering, forcing them to postpone the execution of Roger's son.

It all seems too surreal, too…systematic to be coincidental, unrelated incidents, these incursions all share the same pattern, rapidly pushing the marine garrisons off their strongholds, but just enough for them to regain some footholds, then forced them into grinding small wars of attritions. Small wars that always seemed to favor the rebels rather than the marines, who seemingly were outnumbered at least five to one. Sengoku feels like a shepherd in charged of a flock of sheep, surrounded by all sides by unseen wolves, dragging off sheep whenever he's not paying attention, only to release it and attack from another direction. Almost like they're all cooperating with each other to keep the marines in place. He's being toyed with, the fleet admirals clenches his teeth and fists in frustration, whoever's in charge of them knows what they're doing and knows that they can keep it up forever while the marines can't, not without practically giving Whitebeard a decisive victory neatly wrapped in a gift basket.

Yet now, only hours after Sengoku has just announced that the execution will be moved back for another five days, the attacks suddenly stopped, the rebels seemingly vanished into thin air as suddenly as they've first appeared. What could this mean? Have they simply given up? Or have they finished their business? The questions came, unending and mindboggling to say the absolute least, gnawing at his mind and feeds into his anxiety about the upcoming war, as their delays have meant that Whitebeard and his pirates were allowed to gather as much strength as they could, this won't be as easy a fight as he's hoped for. But all of that wouldn't matter much, as Marineford has also been given the time to prepare for a proper siege, though no one has wished for it to become a grind fest.

- How troublesome… - Sengoku grunts, continues walking toward his office.

Despite all that, he can't help but noticing something's…not right, the corridor looks so empty, especially during a time like this when there should be dozens of guards lining the hallways to prevent any attempt of infiltration. The fleet admiral narrows his eyes suspiciously, slowing his pace as he gets closer and closer to the door of his office. It's quiet. Too quiet. Almost like the air itself has been muted, pasted over and suppressed, to send him spiraling into fear. As if such a trick could work on supreme commander of all marine, Sengoku himself, he scoffs, before picking up his pace again toward his office, where unnaturally, the lights have been turned on, and there are chattering coming from inside. He stops just shy of the door, his back pressed against the wall, leaning in slowly to hear what the intruders are talking about. Sengoku can pick out two distinct voices, both are female, chattering and giggling gleefully, while going through what sounds like bottles of wine and glasses. But there's something else, weak, almost inaudible whimpering, coming from the office room, where the guards must have been dragged into, mauled half to death and who knows what else.

- How much longer do you think we have to wait? - The first one asks, sounding younger, with a childish tone to her words.

- Shz, I don't know. - The other replies with an annoyed tone, sounding a bit more senior, yet almost identical to the first. - The sooner that pup shows up so we can hand him the ultimatum, the better. I'm getting sick of this place.

- I think it's nice. - The younger voice says smugly, seemingly stepping onto one of the guards who's still alive, causing him to cry out weakly. - Beside, we have enough snacks to last us the night. Provided that our guess of honor decides to stop eavesdropping outside and join us.

- What the…? - Sengoku is surprised, but not panicked, more intrigued and curious to how they've detected him and why they want to see him.

- Come on in. - The same voice continues teasingly, wrenching off one of the poor marine's arms, making him squeal in pain. - Or the food will get cold. For us that is.

Reluctantly, Sengoku reaches for the door handle, already smelling the stench of blood from inside. He twists it slowly, preparing himself mentally to face the two murderers, he will deliver them the Absolute Justice of the Marine. The fleet admiral shoves the door open, only to jump backward at the horrific sight of his dispatched and dismembered guards pinned in pieces neatly on the wall by their swords, blood dripping down from their torn hulks painting a morbid picture. Sengoku tightens his fists, his teeth clenched to keep down an anguish scream from seeing his soldiers being murdered, butchered like sheep in a slaughterhouse. Yet the more he tries, the more the repulsiveness gets to him, pouring out from his eyes in burning salty tears that mercifully blur his vision, something churns in his stomach, becoming more and more unbearable, until the fleet admiral's forced to bend over, spewing out the half digested contents of his previous meal.

His vision is a blur, his ears ring like a thousand bells and his mind is a haze, yet he can still hear them, see them, feel their presences washing over him. Mockingly. The first thing Sengoku hears when he's regained some senses of his surrounding, is crude snickering, accompanied by a disgusted growl.

- You're late. - One of them, the older woman who looks like the criminal Nico Robin, smirks, licking her bloodied lips then uncrossing her raptorial legs. - We've been here for almost an hour.

Though she might looks like that accursed woman, her demeanor and attitude are anything but, even in his shocked state, Sengoku could sense the impatience and scornfulness radiating from her. She stands up, long, silky black hair with a greenish tint cascades down her lithe form classed in a set of armor with interlocking plates inscribed with hundreds of dark runes, making her looks like a dreaded black knight of old legends. Her hands, if one can even call those things "hands", abnormally long fingers tapered into razor sharp yet jagged blades dripping with fresh blood, forming a pool around her armored legs. More predatory bird than human, the woman's legs are double-jointed, with four long raptorial toes, each tipped with a viciously looking talon, the big toes on each foot bends backward, making the sickle like claw sticking up behind the ankle like the spur of a rooster. The talons alone are fearsome enough, but they're also classed in the same armor plating like the rest of her body, encasing her natural weapons in sharp blades like miniature sickles that can easily tear through armors, flesh and bones. Behind her sways a long, armored tail, tipped with a diamond shaped blade still red with crimson fluid from liberating itself from a bloodied form of a marine, wagging in a clear sign of impatience.

- Patient, sister. - The other girl giggles playfully with a shrill voice, swiftly getting on her feet and turns her head at Sengoku, head tilting with sadistic glee. - Let's give our host a moment of respite shall we?

Her companion bears a striking resemblance to the navigator of the Straw Hat Pirate, but her short iridescent red hair, along with her brownish amber eyes give her an almost inhuman look. Like her sister, she wears a full set of interlocking plated armor dripping with blood, though her hands are nowhere near as "enhanced" as her sister's, though the fresh blood still dripping from them tells the fleet admiral that she's just as good when it comes to killing those who got in her way. Like her supposed sister, this one's lower body is also that of a prehistoric raptorial beast, yet unlike the other woman, her tail wags excitedly as she sees Sengoku.

They're expecting him.

- Who are you? - Sengoku asks quietly, trying to hide the fear in his voice. - What do you want?

- Relax, we just want to have a talk. - The younger girl smirks, stomping down onto a bloodied body, causing him to whimper weakly in pain. - As soon as I get my meal to shut up, that is.

She lifts her foot again and stomps down, causing the half-dead, mangled man in gray suit stained with blood cough out blood, hand reaching out weakly toward Sengoku. It's sickening, for the fleet admiral, for anyone who's put in this circumstance, watching these monster butchering his men while he's unable to do anything. He clenches his teeth and tightens his fists, trying to move, to shout, to run toward the poor soldier and help him, to do anything, but to his surprise, his body seems to have…frozen. A deep and primal fear stays his hands and feet, pinning Sengoku in place, forcing him to watch as these people, these beasts begin their advance on the still alive victim.

- No! Stop! - Sengoku cries out, finally manages to break free of whatever that's in and rushes toward the marine.

The strange intruders back away, seemingly out of pity rather than surprised or intimidated by him. But Sengoku doesn't care, he can't afford to care about what these two are thinking or feeling, not when one of his soldiers needs help. The fleet admiral kneels down onto one knee beside the bloodied, mangled marine, turning him around almost makes him puke from seeing the horrific sight. They took time toying with their prey, that part is certain, the marine's face is unrecognizable, ripped, clawed and possibly bitten off then partially consumed, what little left is a bloodied mess of gashes and orifices spewing blood.

- Forgive me… - Sengoku whispers, trying to hide the tears forming at the corners of his eyes from the intruders.

- You…came…finally… - The marine calls out weakly with his familiar sounding voice, raising one of his arms toward Sengoku.

- Hey…hey…take it easy, we'll get you fixed up, alright? - The fleet admirals grabs the man's hand. - Tell me where's your supervisor? What has happened?

- They…ki-killed…every-…one… - The man gags as he tries to speak, coughing out blood that stains his long shaggy hair and once grey suit. - For-…forgive me…fleet…admiral…couldn't…stop them… Too…strong… Not… Straw Hat… Not…human…

The hand falls limp, as does the gagged coughing and squeezing, the marine in Sengoku's arms has simply…expired, it took the very last of his strength to usher those last words of warning. The last of a vice admiral's strength, as the fleet admiral recognizes that voice, that hair, that suit, along with the half-crushed ancient war helmet with a red plumage. The man who's been mauled to the point of unrecognizable by two female intruders…was vice admiral Onigumo.

- Why? - Quietly, the fleet admiral turns to the two killers, though his eyes are blurry with tears and his fists tightened with rage, feeling so hot because of the blood of his fallen comrade, his voice is still oddly calm. - Why are you doing this?

- Fleet admiral Sengoku. - The older of the two says softly with a voice dripping like venom yet smooth like silk. - I am Nicolin, this is my sister Naemeria, the Lord Inquisitor have sent us here to offer you a proposal.

***

Whitebeard walks across the busied deck of the massive dreadnaught capable of sinking a marine battleship with only one of its great guns, more artillery pieces than cannons, twelve of them for each of the great ship's three levels. And this is just one of the five that have been completed, a single one that can level Marineford by itself, escorted by the several of the smaller ships, each twice the size of the Moby Dick, each so armed and armored that they could easily take down Oars with a single salvo. It's a good thing that they're on their side, for now, the old pirate grunts as he rubs his new left arm, fashioned from the same alloy that the invader's armors and melee weapons are forged from. They're good enough to give him a new arm, along with medical cares to ease his pain, partially rejuvenate his aging body, preparing it for the battle, the war to come.

Partially, not completely. Whitebeard reminds himself of the grim fact as he stands in front of the entrance of the bridge, where the captain cabin is undoubtedly is. Strange, it's been a life time since he's last stood outside the chamber of his superior, waiting for them to agree to see him, yet standing here, all the nervousness and anxiousness when he's still in the Rocks Pirates came pouring back. Like them, Lucious' Inquisition and his empire have given him and his crews just enough a leverage to have a slightly better chance in their endeavor, and like them, the Lord Inquisitor has also had Whitebeard on a short leash. The thought constricts around the captain's throat like a pythons, choking out his courage, ounce by precious ounce, replacing it with fear dripping down his face as cold sweats. Even back then, it took Roger and Garp to take down the Rocks Pirates, he wonders what kind of ungodly power on this world is enough to put a dent on this Inquisition.

- Lord Inquisitor Lucious Xolotl will be seeing you now. - Zorus, one of Lucious' most trusted lieutenants walks out from the door, bearing his usual cold and grim expression, eyeing the old pirate with doubtful emerald eyes. - Make the most of his time.

Whitebeard nods at the green haired man, who slowly stands aside along with his Emerald Guards, forming a pathway on either side of the great door leading inside. The hallways are lit dimly with baleful lamps, illuminating hulking metallic constructs fashioned vaguely into the form of a knight kneeling motionlessly on great pedestals with names badges engraved on them. Are they memorial statues of ancient fallen heroes of their cultures? Or depictions of venerated gods? Whitebeard can't tell as he walks pass one hulking construct to another. Mounted to the wall of the great hallway between each statue are great painting, some depicts battles and victories fought, while others are simply…family portraits. The old captain stops at one such picture, one depicting Lucious standing proudly with people who are undoubtedly his family.

The Lord Inquisitor looked no younger than he is right now, more casually dressed in the likeness of a military officer than an armored warlord, his beaming smile as he stands behind a white haired "dark elf" in dark light armor and gleaming violet eyes sitting on a chair next to who must have been Lucious' father in ceremonial armor plating. Whitebeard takes a step closer, narrowing his eyes to inspect this "Emperor", at first glance he almost looks nothing like Lucious, with long silvery hair tied into a pony tail, long pointed ears and burning amber eyes. Yet that's to be expected, the old pirates thinks, turning his eyes to the two figures behind the Emperor. They must be Lucious' brothers, looking exactly like him, though one, the oldest looking, have snowy white hair and deep violet eyes like the dark elf, while the other's sickly pale, his hair a reflective shade of silver, his eyes fluorescent green. Whitebeard smiles, thinking that it looks more like a ragtag adoption program than an actual family, just like his.

- Enjoying the painting, aren't we? - Lucious' voice rings right behind him, causing Whitebeard to turn around, a bit surprised by the Anacondrai's ability to move so silently, avoiding even his Kenbunshouku Haki.

- So I was. - The old captain narrows his eyes with a reply, then turns toward the painting again. - This is your…family, I take it.

- Ah yes. - The Lord Inquisitor nods, casually making his way next to the pirate, now dressed in a more casual fashion, a dark trench coat overlapping a set of military officer clothing, with a decorated breastplate acting as the primary mean of defense. - My Father the Emperor, his prime consort my Dad the Empress, me and my brothers.

- Empress? - The old captain turns to the inquisitor with suspicious surprise. - So that's a woman then?

- No, he's my Dad. - Lucious shakes his head. - "Emperor" and "Empress" are just the titles, whoever is at the head of the state is the "Emperor" regardless of their gender or lack thereof and their prime consort is the "Empress" in the same sense.

- How does that even work? - Whitebeard murmurs.

- We're an space fairing empire of near immortal species whose natures are beyond the understanding of any thing on this planet, do you really want to jump down that rabbit hole? - The inquisitor smirks mischievously.

- Guess I don't… - The old pirate murmurs again then sighs.

- Come, I heard you have something to discuss. - Lucious flicks his unarmored tail, revealing a long reptilian tail covered in fine black hair like filaments with yellow markings shaped like arrows.

Lucious' office isn't exactly like what Whitebeard's thought it'd be, not luxurious nor fancy, just a normal deck facing away from the windows behind, with two book cases filled with tomes, scrolls and tools, albeit everything is gigantic to make the pirate captain feel comfortable. The inquisitor walks to behind the desk, then sits down on a chair that's seemingly made from pure ivory, his black tail swaying as he gesture toward the giant chair.

- Sit. - The Anacondrai beckons. - I understand that you have questions that need answering?

- Yes. - Whitebeard grumbles, sitting down onto the gigantic chair fits for his size, his heart and mind heavy with the questions he's about to ask. - I wanted to ask you about my children…after your conquest.

- I thought I've made myself clear. - Lucious tilts his head in confusion. - Your children will have a good future in my Father's empire.

- No. - Whitebeard shakes his head. - I mean…what will become of them? Will they have choices to do what they want to do with their lives? Or will they be forced into service?

- They will have as good a choice as any who've come before you. - The inquisitor replies calmly, resting his chin onto his intertwined fingers with his elbows on the surface of the desk. - They can choose to stay on this planet, or join the myriad of professions available for human. Or, should they choose to follow you as they are in the current time, then the privilege of serving in the Inquisition is theirs, maintaining peace and prosperity in the Empire.

- Why are you doing this? - The old pirate leans forward, his yellow eyes narrowing to mere slits. - What are you getting out of all this?

- Everything. - Lucious extends his hands to both sides in a gesture of grandeur meaning as he smiles, a smile that makes Whitebeard almost gasp at his uncanny resemblance to Ace's brother Monkey D.Luffy. - Resources, influences, man powers and more, we've always utilize the local populations to maintain peace on the newly annexed planets.

- But not for recruiting soldiers.

Whitebeard's question seems to have hit a nerve, a crack in this alien's precious snow globe of a glorious promise for the future, an expose crack in his masterfully crafted plan. The old captain chuckles nervously yet satisfyingly, seeing the inquisitor's smile slowly disappears from his face. He was right, Lucious does have a hidden agenda, one that's not concerning, or at the very least, holds little interests for the empire as a whole. He wants something more, something that would satisfies him rather than the rest. Slowly, the inquisitor lowers his hands, bringing them together and intertwining his fingers as he lifts his gaze, looking at the old pirate with cold and sharp golden eyes. The request is clear, Lucious' telling Whitebeard to state what he's implying.

- It's not just about benefitting your empire, is it? - The pirate captain smiles as he speaks. - Sure, conquering this world is one thing, but helping me and my children serves more than one purpose, doesn't it? - Lucious remains silence, neither confirming nor denying, something that amuses the Emperor of the Sea greatly as he continues. - Your troops. You have no intention in deploying them in full force, do you?

Lucious bolts upright from his seat, slamming his hands onto the desk, his eye and lips twitch in irritation. Even his long, lustrous tail, a moment ago was swaying so gracefully with fur as smooth and black as the night itself, now twitches irritatingly, puffing like that of an angered cat. For seconds, the two powerful men lock eyes with each others, Haoshouku's Haki clashes against the raw might of a near immortal soul made manifest, a fight Whitebeard knows for a fact that he can't win. The shockwaves subside, the cabin falls back into silence as if nothing has happened, leaving the two men still staring at each others intensely. To Whitebeard's surprise, Lucious sighs and stands up straight to adjust his hair and clothing, before turning away from the old captain to make his way toward the large windows, his hands behind his back.

- I have hoped that you wouldn't notice, - He says quietly, with a hint of exhaustion in his voice. - or at least you'd have kept it to yourself.

- I don't like being toyed, my Lord. - The last two words were pressed sarcastically as Whitebeard acknowledges the Lord Inquisitor. - What do you really getting out of all of this? Aside from my allegiance and those who'd follow me?

- A personal endeavor, mi querido capitán. - Lucious turns half his face to look at the pirate. - You may not believe it, but I truly wish that you'd succeed in this…mission of yours.

- Explain. - Whitebeard narrows his eyes.

- I too have tasted the pain of loosing so one close to me, querido capitán. - The Lord Inquisitor says grimly, his long tail gently swaying from side to side, if not sorrowfully. - Trust me when I say that if it hasn't been for my duty as the Lord Inquisitor and the Conquissiarch, I'd spend everything of my disposal to help you.

- What do you mean? - The old captain narrows his eyes in confusion, not clear of what Lucious is talking about.

- You're not the only one who's tasted the pain of losing someone you love. - The Lord Inquisitor turns away, just quick enough to hide the tear forming on the corner of his eye as he stares outside to the foggy ocean. - Now leave me, we both have things to tend to.

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