It was nearing midnight.
Kiri, handcuffed and seated on the deck, spotted a bright light on the horizon.
Wendy, facing the light with her back to him, began speaking softly.
"This job's about a base where they suspect hidden ledgers. The base commander asked me to uncover them."
"Huh, okay. And this concerns me how?"
She chuckled. "It doesn't. But you're a pirate, aren't you?"
"Sure, but your timing's awful."
"You're awfully whiny today. Something up?"
"Just a moment ago. And this situation."
"Rough day, huh? I almost feel bad for you."
Her smile deflected his frustration without a ripple.
Turning, Wendy caught Kiri's scowl and shook with laughter.
Kiri sat sprawled between Donny's legs, held tightly from behind, arms squeezed affectionately. It was an endearing sight, but Kiri's sour expression betrayed his displeasure, his usual charm buried under open hostility.
Perhaps that's what amused her—Wendy's giggles didn't stop.
"Know about hedgehogs?"
"Not the animal, I'm guessing."
Noticing her slight shrug, Kiri looked away and sighed.
"I know of the Navy's fortress. Impenetrable, world-famous, but so remote nobody bothers with it. Some call it useless."
"Exactly. No pirate crew's ever breached it. But since it's an entire island turned base, no one even tries. Hence, 'useless.'"
"Not my problem. Stay away, no threat."
"Agreed. But the base hasn't been decommissioned. When I'm asked to investigate, I can't say no."
Kiri's exasperated glance met Wendy's, his expression troubled. He couldn't grasp why he, forcibly taken, was hearing about a Navy fortress.
Navarone, the impregnable stronghold, had a storied history of crushing foes. But its fame made pirates avoid it, and only Navy personnel visited. Whispers of its obsolescence began then—a lonely island too dangerous to approach, the Navy's "Hedgehog."
Kiri had heard rumors but never expected to see it. He hadn't gathered intel, dismissing what little he'd heard. If they were heading there, trouble loomed.
The distant light—likely Navarone—was easy to guess.
Kiri's face darkened with regret. Wendy, all smiles, spoke lightly.
"An auditor's job is tough. You have to suspect allies, sometimes stay invisible. Best case? Finish without anyone noticing."
"Yeah, sure."
"You listening?"
"Barely."
"Fine, whatever."
Unfazed, she crouched to meet his eyes.
"This one's tricky. An entire island base? They suspect a hidden vault, but no clues. Finding it won't be easy, especially with so many soldiers."
"What am I even listening to?"
"Look at this."
Wendy pulled out a thin, folded sheet. Unfolded, it was a map—likely Navarone's. Pretending disinterest, Kiri scanned it quickly.
"It's huge. Think you could cover it in a day?"
"Just take your time. No need to rush."
"No way. I'm busy, with a mountain of other tasks."
"Sounds rough."
Shaking her head, Wendy held up the map. Kiri memorized it swiftly.
He wasn't done yet. Captured by his own mistake, sure, but not dead. Escape and return to Parthia—that was the plan. The map was a stroke of luck.
As Wendy tucked it away, Kiri had grasped the base's layout.
"A hidden vault—where would it be?"
"No idea."
"So cold. Could at least think about it."
"Not interested."
"Come on. You'll have plenty of time soon."
Snorting, Kiri turned away, mind racing with escape plans.
Jail would make things harder. Handcuffed, soaked, and unable to fight, he'd have to wait until dry and stronger. Inside the base, escape would be tougher, but he'd assess then.
Leaning back against Donny, he relaxed. Resistance was pointless now. Feeling Donny's soft fur and warmth, he glared around, dissatisfied.
Wendy mentioned two other "family" animals: a crow perched quietly on the railing and a crocodile swimming beside the ship. Their surprise attack still stung. Escaping meant evading their sharp coordination.
Noticing his gaze, Wendy glanced at the crow, hand on hip, smiling.
"Oh, you didn't know? Meet Hue, the crow, and Soon, the crocodile. My family. They worked with my grandpa back in the day."
"Bad news for pirates."
"Most say that. They're good kids, though."
"They nearly killed me."
"Not seriously. Their goal's to capture pirates."
"Ugh, such a hassle…"
Sighing, Kiri met Wendy's gaze.
"We're almost there. You'll be handed over soon."
"Handed over?"
"Then I'll take you to headquarters. But after you trashed a ship last time, we're locking you in the strongest fortress first. Smart, right?"
"Yeah, no escaping that."
Her words made Kiri's brow twitch. Wendy noticed.
"Sounds like trouble just hearing it. Red Dog's friend?"
"Yep. Sharpest mind among vice admirals. Kinder than his boss, though."
"No instant execution?"
"Not unless the admiral spots you."
A small sigh. Leaning into Donny, Kiri closed his eyes, looking skyward.
They were close. Arrival was inevitable, resistance futile. He'd save his strength for the right moment, even dozing off.
Wendy, surprised, gave a wry smile, impressed by his nerve.
"Seriously sleeping? We're almost there."
"Whatever. I'm not Navy."
"True, but humor me a bit."
"Nope. Pirates do what they want, when they want."
Shrugging at his defiance, Wendy looked ahead.
Navarone loomed closer, its grandeur striking. For a fleeting moment, unseen, Wendy smirked boldly.
Her ship docked secretly. The captured pirate was handed off, and she headed to the base commander's room.
Navarone's base was vast. Surface buildings reached four stories, housing daily Navy life. But its true scale lay underground, where the island's soil had been carved into layered facilities—a subterranean fortress.
Wendy's business was above ground, in the commander's office. Knocking, she waited.
"Come in," a gruff voice called.
"Excuse me."
Inside, a middle-aged man sat at a wide desk. Reddish-brown hair, a neat mustache, he eyed Wendy impassively.
She saluted, expression serious. "Wendy, auditor from Navy Headquarters."
"You came. Sorry to drag you out here."
"It's my job."
Smiling back at his warm grin, she relaxed.
Vice Admiral Jonathan, Navarone's commander, served under Admiral "Red Dog." Renowned for strategy and leadership, he was a formidable figure, troublesome to foes and allies alike.
Wendy observed him cautiously. He smiled, unfazed, as if lounging without a care.
"You've been briefed? I need Navarone investigated."
"Yes. Hidden ledgers and a vault, correct?"
"Exactly. I've had suspicions, but investigating myself is tricky."
"Meaning?"
"Someone close to me, likely high-ranking, could manipulate funds. Hard to move without tipping them off."
"So they might know they're suspected?"
"Possibly."
Jonathan, a brilliant vice admiral, requesting her help seemed odd. He could investigate himself, but there was a reason. The culprit was near, possibly aware of his suspicions. If he acted, they'd cover their tracks. He wanted a peaceful resolution, hence an outsider like Wendy.
She understood but needed more. How much did he know?
Unrushed, sipping tea, he seemed in his element. Wendy judged he likely had a suspect but stayed silent.
His calm, teacup-tilting elegance was unnerving. She asked coolly, "Who do you suspect? Someone close—you must have a guess."
"Tough question. These are comrades I've known forever in this backwater. I'd rather not suspect them, so I haven't decided."
"Kind of you. As an outsider, I respect that."
"Thanks. You've got subordinates too. You get it."
A tough nut to crack.
Wendy, feigning warmth, found him troublesome.
"Sorry for jumping into work. I'd love a lighter chat, but this place is so isolated, we rarely meet outsiders. Maybe I should plan some drills."
"You're plenty humorous, Vice Admiral."
"Am I? Glad to hear."
What was he scheming? Wendy smiled politely, steering back to business.
"It's been a while since we faced pirates. My men are eager but rusty."
"Patience is key. Change takes time."
"True. But if pirates attacked and pushed us to the brink, it might wake my soldiers up."
Smiling, Wendy replied, "Exactly. But I heard pirates swarmed here today, and you crushed them. They're in the brig now. Forcing a crisis isn't easy."
"Right. Life's tricky. But if chaos hit this base, it'd shake things up, no matter the form."
His smile faded, eyes sharpening. A vice admiral's resolve—no lightweight.
He seemed to view this shameful incident positively, as if craving upheaval in this quiet post. His intensity showed a glimpse of his true mind, though not all.
Wendy's smile faded too. "It's a big place. It'll be tough, but I'll do my best."
"Good. You must be tired. Rest tonight—sleep's good for the skin."
His sudden warmth disarmed her. A chameleon, weaponizing every shift, undeniably formidable.
"I was hoping to rest. I'll take you up on that."
"Do it. It's a big job."
"I'll start tomorrow morning. Please keep my presence quiet."
"Got it. Auditing's rough."
"I grew up watching my grandpa. It's tough but rewarding."
"You're the one to learn from."
Impressed, Jonathan's praise was genuine. Wendy turned, saluted, and left.
In the corridor, she sighed silently, mind racing.
Jonathan was a puzzle—cooperative or not? As an auditor, she stayed impartial, unmoved by charm. Fairness was her duty, especially with a cunning man like him. She couldn't imagine him corrupt, but caution was warranted.
Walking alone, she reflected. She wasn't flawless either. Right or wrong depended on her judgment. The world wasn't uniform, and she couldn't assume she was always just. Nor could she trust or doubt too much. Her grandfather's lessons were hard.
She aimed for fairness, not absolute righteousness.
Sighing in the empty hall, she braced for a tough mission. A misstep could drag it out, but success could be quick. For now, she clung to faint hope.
"Ugh, what a pain. No one's here to scold me, so I've got to do it."
Muttering with mock reluctance, she shook her head and trudged on, alone in the silent corridor.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/Greyhounds
If you want to see it, then why not?