Mice and Snakes

Yumiko hurriedly went down the hall in search of Chiaki.

But the authorities attempted to guard the tower at every turn and along every route she took, and unless she put up a fight, they wouldn't let her through.

"In the name of the world government! You are hereby to be arrested or eliminated on the spot!" The woman holding a spear called, and the rest of the marines launched an attack from Yumiko's front.

She grabbed her swords from her sheaths and spun them in her fingers, bending her torso forward. "Sorry, but there are other things more important than dealing with a bunch of rookies."

She stretched both her arms past her chest on the right side and charged energy in them.

"Two-Edged Moon Slash!" She thrust her swords forward and fired blue crescent-shaped cuts that drove through the marines and blew them away.

She received a clear road to rush through as their bodies screamed and collapsed, and with no additional blockages in her way, she spotted a door leading to another chamber.

She hesitated not and barged through the door using her shoulders, opening the door wide.

She entered a bigger room than the corridors, which had pipes running over the walls, surge tanks blowdown system, and fuel pump skids, having buttons and strange equipment.

Yumiko noticed that the room was hotter than the hallways and that she was beginning to perspire a little. "An engine room? Why would they need something of this nature? This isn't some factory." Yumiko pondered as she moved closer to the center of the room.

"No, not at all, but the size of this headquarters makes it difficult to set up any subpar solar heating or radiators. The world government's old administrative center hasn't gotten much notice until now. We heat the space with a straightforward boiler unit. Didn't you notice? A few years ago, the entire population of the main city evacuated, and even the underwater station is rusted and worn to this day." Explained Naeve, who waited on the other end of the room.

"The corridors and the main office looked just fine to me. Though can't say the same for everything else other than the gateways." Yumiko noted, keeping a casual and firm stance. "Exactly my point, swordswoman. I remember you clearly. You were a member of the Sun Soldiers, working under Muro's commands, but then you became a pirate? How bad must your life have been to change your path?" Naeve wondered, upset and disappointed.

"Now, I can't say that Muro was any better, but at the very least, he didn't oppose the world government. But your crew goes on ahead and declares the world as your enemy. That was the stupidest idea pirates had done, even worse than the Sea Wolves pirates." Naeve explained, stretching her right arm to the side.

"Do you realize how I feel about you and your crew burning the flag of the United Nations? You're a bunch of immature grownups who think they chose the best course of action, but in reality, you chose the absolute worst. Up until now, the world government increased your bounties by treating you like common pirates. But starting today, the entire world will begin pursuing you." Observed Naeve.

Naeve summoned a broadsword in her right arm. "But hey, you might not even need to worry about it. Since the most powerful agents will purge the planet of your wrathful expedition." The broadsword seemed longer, broader, and more durable than the blade Yumiko held herself.

She closed the broadsword in front of her torso, pointed the tip of its blade at the floor, and allowed the sunlight to reflect her face in the metal.

"Do you think Tim was stupid for burning the flag without knowing the consequences? The world government won't hunt us down, nor did we declare war. Our intentions were to show that the world government's rules are beyond the original. Chiaki's an example!" Yumiko shouted, pointing the blade at Naeve.

"You are trying to kill a person who hasn't done anything! She didn't put a hand or even a finger on any of you! You're forcing her to accept the faith of what her parents did, and the last time I heard, the Yasuda family didn't even intend to fight against the world government." Yumiko's face seemed frustrated.

"They wanted to protect their homeland, right? And the true enemy at that moment was the world itself. They lived on an island with children and other people they grew up with!" Yumiko exerted, and her irritated expression appeared to feel her devastated.

"Would you let the pirates or any other person take away your home just because you partnered with the enemy? I grew up in a similar scenario as Chiaki, with having a horrible leader, and while it wasn't as bad as her history, it still saddens me! I know how Chiaki felt and why she wanted to die! I experienced everything! Loss, death, failure, pain, and even people's lust!" Yumiko shouted.

"At the very least, all that pain disappeared when I met Tim at Harventona Park! If it wasn't for him... I would've continued getting treated like a doll! I would continue pleasuring Muro with my body and even mentally! And I couldn't fix anything without his help. That's why I decided to repay him for what he did, and I didn't even have any way to keep my family out of danger. And honestly, I didn't intend to join their crew, but after I saw that he was willing to go to any length to help anyone, I decided that he was the best captain you could ask for. And even if he is considered a pirate and the enemy of the world, the rest of the crew and I are willing to support him!" Yumiko gripped both swords tightly.

"And if you expect that we'll let one of our friends die! Then you may as well imprison the entire world government! You're the true enemy of the world and not every pirate."

Naeve's mouth shivered in frustration, and her temper slowly started disappearing. "Who cares about your stupid past or history?! All you're good for is serving dense idiots like Muro and your captain. You may as well throw your body into the fire and do the same for the captain that you did for Muro! You insolent fool!" Angered, Naeve stepped forward.

"Do you think you can just waltz in here and blame the world government for what happened in the past? If the pirates never existed, then this rivalry wouldn't need to exist either. We aren't the enemy, but ignorant pirates like you are!" Naeve and Yumiko exchanged eyes.

"Really? Now I see the true nature behind authorities like you. You are selfish, unreasonable, and careless officers who just want "freedom" for yourself. But I guess that doesn't mean the same for Chiaki, huh?" Yumiko answered.

"You..."

Naeve's arms shook, and she shouted in Yumiko's face. "I'm not just going to arrest you! I'm going to kill you! You're lucky your poster wants you dead or alive!"

To be continued...