(Jason's POV)
I sat in my bathtub, soaking my sore muscles after the fight with my new lawn ornament. I gave Newind instructions on retrieving the marked treasure and went straight to my quarters for some down time. Musaki and Esqueezeme took care of protection for the two separate teams and Hellfire oversaw the punishment for the officers who messed up my shuttle. I felt bad for whoever had to clean that. Probably the ones that made messy but whatever, not my problem now. "Captain all marks were retrieved, we have set course for Kilika." Newind informed me over the intercom. I felt the engines accelerating even before he finished speaking.
"Yeah, Roger that, call me when we get there." I settled deeper into the water, lulled into a nap I desperately needed. Best part was the tub kept the water at optimum temperature, no cold water to wake up in. They could handle it without me for a few hours, probably.
I dreamed of my Trillian, her laughter as we played in the bath. I dreamed that this whole mess was a nightmare and I was in our skyrise apartment on Moon base Six.
The buzz of the proximity alarm woke me from the best dream ever. "I swear I will kill them if we crashed again."
I stood up and wrapped a towel around my waist then walked into the bedroom section of my quarters to change. This is starting to become a habit, sleeping in my bath. I put on my navy blue pants and a black silk buttoned shirt. I buckled on my grieves and walked out the door. I headed to the bridge. I was ready to rip Newind a new one when I saw the moron from the calm lands slam into the deck hard. "How the hell did that asshole get up here?" I spoke to no one in particular, then went straight to the door that goes to the deck. I cross my arms over my chest and narrowed my eyes at him. That slam looked like it hurt, but I wasn't going to be polite today.
"Back for more, kid?"
Azarael glared at me with contempt as he pulled himself up from the floor. He didn't bother to speak this time and launched himself at me. I wasn't going to give him the pleasure of meeting my sword again. I caught his fist and jerked his face close to mine. "Hi." I planted my fist in his face, breaking his nose in the process. Then I shoved him back. "Pirate scum!" He screamed around the blood pouring from his now broken nose. I dodged his wild haymaker and punched him again in the nose. Going for his vulnerable injury. He kept trying though, so points for the effort. I on the other hand, am a trained soldier, he can keep trying though. I laughed away his petty insults as I did a round house taking him to the floor of the deck, I then planted my boot on his chest. "Hellfire, put this speed bump in the brig, I will see to him personally." I lifted my boot up so Hellfire can pick him up and ducked as a yellow ball of angry flew at me.
"Michael, Heel!"
Azarael shouted at the danger chicken. "Seriously, how the hell did you get up here?" I dodged another swipe of the Chocobo's talons. "Don't hurt him, Pirate!"
Like I would pick on a such a weak creature. I quickly rolled to the left to avoid a charge. "Newind, call Lance up to the Observation Deck." The Chocobo master would be very helpful at the moment. I didn't swing at the animal because he seemed important to Azarael, a good hostage never goes to waste.
It took Lance half of an hour to get up to the deck, the stables are in the frickin hanger. I spent a good part of that half hour dodging the angry bird. He seemed to only go for me. Azarael was shouting the entire time for the bird to calm down, to no avail. Lance ran in between me and the bird I now know as Michael, and threw a green powder in the air before the bird. He halted in his charge so hard the animal skidded and landed on his feathered ass. He just sat there in a daze just sniffing the green powder. "Is that a drug?" I asked, believing he gave the animal an herbal chill pill. "Gyshaal greens, I refined it into a potent powder, this works faster than the herb." So, Chill pill.
"Good job, Lance. I promote you to Corporal and you are moved out of the barracks for the Officer's floor. Continue the good work." Lance grinned. "Yes Sir, thank you Sir." He began to guide the stoned bird with a pouch that had the powder in it back to the stables. "Stable him away from the flock, I have plans for him." I watched Azarael's face as I ordered Lance to do this. His face lost all it's color, he glared at me then at Lance as if he would harm the bird. He looked worried about his friend, good.
"Well now, I have questions. My instinct tells me you have answers, Hunter. You are my guest now, if you behave, the bird will be fine. If not, use your imagination."
His eyes filled with both hatred and fear. He hates me, and I can see it in his black eyes. I crouched down to meet his gaze. I smiled coldly at him, shock replaced the hate. I knew he expected me to glare back, but why should I give him the satisfaction? "I have feeling that you will cooperate." I nodded to Hellfire, who had Azarael on his knees in front of me. Where he belongs. The Master Gunnery Sargent yanked him up harshly and forced marched him inside my ship, to the brig. I turned away from them and watched the sun as it fell below the sea. My smile widening as I thought of the coming 'conversation' with Azarael.
A/N: Thanks for all your support guys, I had a good time making Jason fight a Chocobo, I hope you enjoyed it as well. Azarael is going to remain a thorn in Jason's butt. I will try to work harder to release the next chapter. Again, thank you.