Oi, Davos!
As Jack prepared to move on, a prickling sensation at the back of his neck alerted him to the approach of multiple individuals. He wasn't surprised; the act of freeing the dragon was bound to draw attention. Still, regret was absent from his mind. Leaving the magnificent creature in chains would have been a far more egregious offense.
Without a word, Jack swiftly pulled Lysa by the waist into a storage room adjacent to the corridor. Leaving the door just slightly ajar, he positioned himself in a manner that shielded Lysa from view, her almost weightless form pressed lightly against his back.
The echoing footsteps grew louder. Soon, figures dressed in peculiar attire that concealed their entire bodies entered the chamber. They walked with a synchronized precision, scanning the room, clearly assessing the aftermath of the dragon's departure.
Jack's eyes narrowed, his deep blue gaze piercing through the narrow opening of the door. These were the same men the warrior of LeviTribe describe to him, the very culprits behind the abduction of the LeviTribe children. His hand clenched into a fist, anger simmering beneath his cold demeanor.
Behind him, Lysa's heart raced, her breath shallow. Her proximity to Jack, feeling the tension in his form, only heightened her own anxiety.
Whispers filled the chamber as the intruders discussed amongst themselves. Their muffled voices made it challenging to grasp every word, but snippets like "breach," "escaped specimen," and "immediate lockdown" reached their ears.
As minutes dragged on, Jack tried to piece together the layout of this sprawling facility based on the sparse descriptions he had heard. The island seemed to house multiple sectors dedicated to various nefarious purposes. From what he had seen so far, the Genetic Engineering Wing was just the tip of the iceberg.
Two figures in concealing attire approached the storeroom where Jack and Lysa hid. Their synchronized steps, matched with deliberate precision, signaled their training. Jack, seizing the brief opportunity, reached out and pulled them swiftly inside the room. With a mere touch, they vanished, their forms absorbed into the Bead's Space.
A moment later, their clothes appeared in front of Jack and Lysa. "We should change into these," Jack murmured, his voice low. "It'll help us blend in, maybe even get some answers."
Lysa nodded, her focus unwavering. As Jack began to undress, his chiseled physique was evident even in the dimness of the storage room. Lysa's gaze inadvertently shifted towards him, her cheeks coloring as she quickly looked away.
The confined space of the storage room left Lysa feeling rather overwhelmed. With her near-weightless body pressed against Jack, she struggled to reconcile the sudden proximity. As the sensation of his firm muscles pressed against her became more evident, a flurry of emotions rushed through Lysa. Embarrassment, anticipation, and a hint of excitement coalesced, leaving her flushed and her heart pounding in her chest.
Her eyes, which had unintentionally wandered over Jack's form earlier, were now fixed on his well-defined back, broad shoulders, and strong arms. The contrast between his taut muscles and the ugly, form-concealing attire he was now donning was stark.
Realizing their close proximity, and perhaps catching her lingering gaze, Jack turned to face her, the newly acquired outfit covering his previously visible physique. His deep blue eyes, always so calm and assessing, seemed to notice her discomfort. "Would you prefer to go into the Island to change?" he asked, a hint of consideration in his voice.
Lysa, grateful for the option and eager for some privacy, nodded. "Yes, thank you," she murmured, her voice barely audible. With a gesture from Jack, she found herself within the serene expanse of the Island, the familiar surroundings providing a much-needed moment of solace.
Taking a deep breath, Lysa quickly changed into the suit, finding the attire unfamiliar and a bit uncomfortable. It wasn't tailored for the LeviPeople and their unique floating physiology, but it would suffice for camouflage. Moments later, she returned to the storage room, fully dressed in the concealing outfit.
Jack pulled Lysa back into the storeroom, taking a moment to observe the strange uniformed attire they had acquired. The outfits were unlike any he'd seen before: advanced, refined, and indicative of the technological marvel that was this facility. He swiftly reached for the heavy shackles, attaching them just above Lysa's boots. This would ensure she remained grounded, maintaining their cover.
"These should keep you from floating," he commented, noticing her slight discomfort.
Once she was securely grounded, they donned the helmets provided. Through the visor, the world looked marginally different, with displays showing data and digital overlays. As they exited the storeroom, they blended seamlessly with the other uniformed personnel who buzzed about.
Almost immediately, a man approached them, pointing at the ID badge on Jack's outfit. "Davos! You old scoundrel! Thought you'd been transferred to the Devil Fruit wing!" The man's voice was jovial, his arm clasping Jack's in a warm greeting.
Jack, thinking quickly, smirked beneath his helmet. "Got transferred back. Couldn't stand the quiet over there," he replied, imitating a playful camaraderie.
The man laughed. "Sounds like you! What did you find in the Genetic Wing?"
"Clean up," Jack gestured vaguely behind him, "after the... you know." He hoped the vague reference to the dragon's escape would suffice.
The man whistled, "Big mess, huh? Leave it to you to be in the thick of it."
As they moved further, Lysa couldn't help but be amused by the scene. Jack, usually the embodiment of stoic determination, now engaged in lighthearted banter. Their brief interaction provided them valuable cover, allowing them to slip unnoticed deeper into the complex.
As they navigated the intertwining corridors, Jack's observational skills were on high alert. They passed rooms labeled "Cybernetics and Robotics Division" and "Environmental Control Chamber." Each time, Jack's senses pulsed, trying to locate the LeviTribe children.
They turned a corner and stumbled into a group of personnel, all clearly off-duty and laughing about some shared joke. One of them, spotting Jack—or rather, "Davos"—called out, "Oi! There's a card game in the break room later. You in?"
Jack nodded, playing along. "Sure thing. Wouldn't miss it."
The group dispersed, but one of them, a tall woman, lingered. "Heard you were paired with the new recruit," she commented, nodding towards Lysa. "How's he doing?"
"Still learning the ropes," Jack replied smoothly. "But he is showing promise."
The woman grinned. "Good to hear. See you at the game."
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