76 We are family (1/2)
A morose atmosphere hung over the island as we bowed down. Each body that had been accounted for had a tombstone, and each tombstone had been etched perfectly with their name and other miscellaneous information.
The marines stood behind us bowed and cowed into submission as they were forced to pay respects to the men, women and children that they had killed during their buster call.
There had been a few people that had refused to pay respects to the lives lost, claiming that all the marines did was just. All of them had been made an example.
They claimed that they were pure and righteous because they were marines, so it was only fair, that pirate scum such as us would lay our eyes on such hidden qualities.
Unfortunately, other than the week constitution, none of them were able to show for their bravado. I had personally checked. To make sure that it was not just me, I had taken a few volunteers to ensure that there was no part that existed that I could not see.
Strangely they were too squeamish and had passed out mid examination.
Even now the dismembered bodies of those that refused to pay their respects stood hung on huge poles on the periphery of the island. Crucified in such a way that anyone that made their way remotely close to the bustling metropolis would be able to see them.
With a deep sigh I looked over at the burial ground that this island had become. A once green island now stood dotted with rectangular stone after rectangular stone as far as the eye could see. Even someone as callous as me could not help but feel a prickle on my conscience as I looked at the blatant waste of life that had occurred.
Terrick stood behind Angella with his hand over her shoulder as she mourned. She had opened up to the crew more in the span of this night than she had for the entire journey so far and for that at least I could not help but look at the island with gratitude in my eyes.
'Thank you for giving me such capable crewmate. Thank you for giving me a sister…' I thought in my mind as I bowed to the island as a whole. Then I looked over at the marine ship that was moored over on the beach of the island.
'And thank you! For breaking another one of my siblings! For spitting on our dreams and telling us how dangerous hypocrisy can be!' With a final parting glare at the solitary bastion to the organization that I hated beyond all manner of reconciliation I walked over to my crewmates.
With a small sigh I touched on Angella's right shoulder and led her into my embrace, with a soft sniffle she began to cry, my shirt wettened near the place that her face lay crocked as she cried. With a defeated sigh I looked over at my crew.
”It's time. Angella its time for us to go….” A dull sob answered me as she nodded her head still nestled in my embrace.
”Fawkes pack us in. Free these mules! After Morgans does his bit, death will be the least of their worries. It shall not be by our hands either . Sorren, I want you to load out all the necessities. There shall be no more lollygagging. I hoped that we would have some time in the blues before we pounced into the grand line, but that doesn't seem to be the case any longer.
We shall set coarse for Toroa, because there is someone I have to meet there. Then we shall cut across the calm belt into the grand line!
We have tolerated enough, now we shall take the fight to them! Fight and vie for our place on the grand line!
Fawkes by noon I want all the crew to be on the deck of the ship. I have something to say to them… and you aswell…..” I said ending my orders before rubbing against the bangs of the crew's swordsman…
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A dark skinned man looked over at the news paper as he grunted. The world was going through a lot of turmoil. The marines had been shamed, and in an incident that could even be compared to spark that began the great age of piracy.