The sun hung low over Ooka-Hoop, casting long shadows across the ancient mangrove roots that formed the city's skeleton. The air carried the scent of salt and smoke, the distant crack of rifle fire, and the low murmur of occupied streets. Navy patrols marched in tight formations, their boots striking the stone in rhythmic unison. Natives pressed themselves against walls, their eyes downcast, their movements hurried and fearful.
Galit Varuna led the group down the winding Sun-Track Road, his emerald eyes scanning every corner, every rooftop, every shadow. His long neck was held in that loose, observant S-curve, and his fingers twitched against his tactical slate, itching to sketch out the patrol patterns he was cataloging. His dark teal Riptide Cloak was drawn tight around his shoulders, doing little to conceal his towering frame.
Jelly Squish bounced along beside them, his translucent blue body wobbling with each cheerful leap. His massive, starry-eyed pupils sparkled as he spotted a flying beetle buzzing past. With a gleeful squeak, he launched himself after it, his hands outstretched, his mouth open in a silent chomp.
Vesta Lavana walked with Eliane Anđel, her rainbow hair shimmering with each step. Her violet eyes sparkled with animated debate as she gestured wildly with her hands.
"I am telling you, ketchup absolutely belongs on a hot dog," Vesta insisted, her voice carrying that dramatic, performative quality. "It is the perfect complement to the savory flavor of the sausage. It is, like, culinary science."
Eliane shook her head, her silver hair swaying with the motion. Her blue eyes carried a note of patient exasperation. "Ketchup is for fries. Hot dogs deserve mustard. Mustard has the right acidity to cut through the fat. Ketchup is just sugar. You are ruining the integrity of the dish."
"Integrity?" Vesta gasped, pressing a hand to her chest in mock offense. "You are talking about a tube of processed meat. There is no integrity to ruin. The integrity was forfeited the moment it was ground into paste."
Galit pinched the bridge of his nose, his emerald eyes closing in quiet desperation. He did not slow his pace. He did not turn around. He simply walked, letting the debate wash over him like a tide he had no desire to swim in.
They rounded a curve in the road and saw them.
A column of Navy officers marched toward them, their white uniforms stark against the weathered stone. Between them, a group of natives shuffled forward, their hands bound, their faces masks of quiet defiance. Women clutched children to their chests. Men kept their chins raised, refusing to meet the eyes of their captors.
Galit's hand shot out, gripping Eliane's and Vesta's shoulders. He pulled them off the road, dragging them behind a cluster of thick bushes that grew along the path. The leaves rustled as they crouched low, peering through the gaps in the foliage.
Vesta's voice was a sharp whisper. "What is it?"
Galit gestured toward the approaching column, his jaw tight. His emerald eyes tracked the Navy officers with cold calculation. "Just watch."
Jelly continued his pursuit of the flying beetle, oblivious to the danger. He bounced past the bush, his attention fixed on the insect.
Eliane's eyes widened. She leaned forward, her voice a frantic whisper. "Jelly! Get down!"
Jelly paused, his gelatinous body wobbling as he looked around. He spotted Eliane waving frantically from behind the bush. His grin widened, and he bounced toward her, his mouth still chewing on the beetle he had finally caught.
"Bloop!" he said, his voice muffled by the insect. "Found one!"
Eliane grabbed him by the bandana and pulled him down behind the bush. He swallowed the beetle with a satisfied gulp, his starry eyes blinking up at her.
The column passed, the heavy tread of boots and the soft shuffle of bound feet fading into the distance.
Vesta's voice was a low murmur. "That is a lot of Navy. They are everywhere."
Galit nodded, his emerald eyes still tracking the column. "Yeah. We are going to need disguises."
Vesta tilted her head, her rainbow hair shifting to a thoughtful shade of blue. "Yeah, you are going to stand out." She gestured at his towering frame, his long neck, his coiled energy. "You are like, really tall."
Galit's brow furrowed. He pinched the bridge of his nose again, shaking his head. "Not the point."
Eliane leaned forward, her blue eyes carrying a note of quiet determination. "I can fly ahead and scout the area. No one will see me if I stay high enough."
Galit shook his head, his voice firm. "No. It is too risky. There are too many eyes." His gaze fixed on the three Navy officers bringing up the rear of the column. "I have a better idea."
He gripped his Vipera Whips, his fingers wrapping around the braided sea-snake sinew. "You two stay here. I will be right back."
He leaped, his long neck extending as he launched himself through the air. He landed behind the three officers with the silence of a falling feather. His whips lashed out, wrapping around their throats before they could cry out. A series of grunts and muffled screams echoed through the air.
Vesta and Eliane exchanged a look. Vesta shrugged, her rainbow hair shifting to a pale pink. "Well, that is one way to do it."
Galit waved them over, his emerald eyes scanning the area. "Come on."
They rushed out, stripping the unconscious officers of their uniforms.
-----
Galit adjusted his stolen uniform, the white fabric straining across his broad shoulders. Eliane did the same, her petite frame swimming in the oversized coat. Vesta struggled with the buttons, her rainbow hair spilling out from beneath the cap.
They walked through the streets of Ooka-Hoop, their steps measured, their eyes forward. Navy patrols passed them without a second glance. Natives scurried past, their eyes downcast. The city had become a cage, its people trapped inside their own home.
Jelly poked his head out from under Eliane's collar, his starry eyes blinking.
"Stay hidden," Eliane whispered in gentle command. "We do not want to get caught."
Jelly blinked and tucked back into her collar, his gelatinous body settling against her shoulder.
They passed a small memorial, its cobblestones covered in bouquets of flowers and rows of flickering candles. The petals were still fresh, the flames still bright. Someone had been here recently, someone who remembered.
Vesta's voice dropped to a whisper. "What do you think this is?"
Galit's emerald eyes swept across the memorial, his jaw tightening. "It looks like a memorial."
Eliane's brow furrowed. "A memorial? For who?"
Galit's voice was grim. "Probably the leaders. The Council. Someone wanted to remember them."
A voice cut through the air like a blade. "You three!"
Galit, Eliane, and Vesta's heads snapped up. Rear Admiral Marina Kick and Rear Admiral Zento Radias marched toward them, their boots striking the stone with authority and purpose. Marina's fierce, dark hazel eyes burned with intensity. Zento's vibrant green eyes crinkled with a smile that did not reach his lips.
Vesta's whisper was sharp. "Uh oh."
Galit muttered through clenched teeth. "Just follow my lead."
He snapped to attention, his spine straightening with practiced military discipline. "Yes, ma'am!"
Vesta and Eliane exchanged a look and did their best to mirror him, their movements stiff and awkward.
Marina stopped in front of them, her eyes sweeping across their disheveled uniforms. "Is this your detail?"
Galit blinked. "Ma'am?"
Marina's voice sharpened. "Well, sailor, is it or not?"
Galit nodded, his voice steady. "Yes, ma'am!"
Marina gestured at the memorial in exasperation. "Hurry and get this cleaned up! We do not know how, but every time this is cleared, the next day it returns. Someone keeps coming back."
Galit nodded. "Yes, ma'am."
Zento's eyes narrowed, his vibrant green gaze scanning the three of them with unsettling intensity. His voice was smooth, theatrical, but sharp. "I do not recognize you. What unit are you with?"
Galit's mind raced. He forced a calm expression, his voice steady. "Culinary Specialist, sir."
Zento blinked, his eyes narrowing further. "On whose ship?"
Galit's lips pressed together. His mind scrambled, reaching for a name, any name. "Rear Admiral..." He stalled, searching for a plausible answer. "Rear Admiral..."
Marina interrupted him, grabbing Zento by the arm. "Hey you..." She dragged him away, her voice calling out over her shoulder. "You three clean that up and get to your post!"
Galit nodded in relief. "Yes, ma'am!"
He exchanged a look with Vesta and Eliane as they began to pick up the bouquets and candles. Zento's eyes stayed fixed on them, his gaze burning into their backs as Marina pulled him away.
Vesta whispered, her voice low. "That was close."
Galit nodded, his emerald eyes still tracking Zento's retreating form. "Yeah. But now we have a cover. We can use this to find the Council."
Eliane's voice was a quiet murmur. "Where do you think they are?"
Galit looked up at the rooftops, his gaze settling on a towering structure that rose above the city. "My bet is that one."
Vesta followed his gaze. "The Administration Building?"
Galit nodded. "Yeah. It looks like what Halia showed us."
With their arms full of bouquets and candles, they started walking toward the Administration Building. Zento's eyes still locked on them, his gaze burning into their backs as they disappeared from the monument.
Two sailors stood guard at the entrance, their rifles held at the ready. Vesta's voice dropped to a whisper. "What is the plan? Are we really just going to walk in?"
Galit nodded, his voice firm. "We are."
Vesta's voice rose in protest. "What? You cannot be serious!"
Galit's emerald eyes fixed on the door. "Just follow my lead."
Mikasi, in the shape of a harmonica, wiggled in Vesta's pocket. She shushed him, her hand pressing against the living instrument.
Galit took the lead as they stepped up to the door. One of the sailors stepped forward, his voice flat. "State your business."
Galit's voice was calm, measured. "We are a little lost and need to throw this stuff away. The memorial—"
The sailor gestured down the street. "There is a burn pit this way. I can show you."
Galit nodded in gratitude. "That would be great. Thanks."
They were about to follow the sailor when a gunshot cracked through the air. A bullet slammed into the stone near Galit's foot, sending chips of rock flying. Everyone froze.
Zento Radias stood fifty feet away, his rifle, Mayla, still smoking. His voice carried across the distance, sharp and commanding. "Detain them!"
The two sailors exchanged a confused look, their hands going to their weapons. Galit cursed under his breath, his emerald eyes darting between the sailors and Zento.
Eliane's voice was a sharp whisper. "What now?"
Galit's jaw tightened. "We run!"
A barrage of soccer balls began flying toward them from Marina Kick's position. They slammed into the ground, sending up plumes of dust and debris. Galit, Eliane, and Vesta were pinned in place, their escape routes cut off.
Marina's voice carried across the plaza. "You three are not going anywhere!"
They were instantly surrounded by sailors, their rifles raised, their faces grim.
Eliane's voice was a whisper. "Should we..."
Galit shook his head, his voice firm. "No." He raised his hands, his palms open. "We surrender."
Vesta and Eliane's heads whipped around in shock. Galit muttered, his voice low. "Just trust me on this."
Vesta and Eliane's shoulders dropped as they raised their hands.
Marina's transponder snail began to ring, its insistent buzz cutting through the tension. She answered it, her voice sharp. "Kick here."
Vice Admiral Casimir's voice crackled through the receiver, flat and controlled. "What is going on out there?"
Marina's tone was dismissive. "Nothing to concern yourself with, sir. We captured some intruders, is all."
Casimir's voice sharpened. "Intruders?"
Marina's voice was calm. "Yes, sir. Just some Red Hair pirates."
Casimir's voice exploded from the snail. "Red Hair!"
Marina's brow furrowed. "Yes, sir. The same ones we encountered at Kushi Island."
Casimir's voice rose to a near-yell. "WHAT! Are they alone?"
Marina's voice remained steady. "I am not sure, sir. We just detained them."
Casimir's voice was sharp, commanding. "Bring them to me! NOW!"
Marina attempted to protest. "Sir, I—"
Casimir's voice cut her off. "NOW!"
Marina's jaw tightened. "Yes, sir." She gestured for the three prisoners to be escorted into the building. "You heard him. Move."
Galit, Eliane, and Vesta were marched forward, their hands still raised, their eyes fixed on the towering Administration Building ahead. Jelly's head poked out from under Eliane's collar, his starry eyes blinking in confusion.
Eliane whispered, her voice barely audible. "What now?"
Galit's voice was low, steady. "We play along. We find the Council. We get out."
Vesta's voice was a sharp whisper. "And if we do not?"
Galit's emerald eyes fixed on the building ahead. "Then we improvise."
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