MARINES - A ONE PIECE story (ENGLISH) - Part I

CHAPTER LII - Eternal pose

The Cormorant was even less comfortable and practical than it seemed : much slower than the Seagull, its hold was also narrower and left little room for the girls' privacy, separated from their comrades by a simple curtain. They spent a night with them, only a few meters away, and were constantly woken up by Zell's loud snoring and Jorge's terrible farts. Obviously, they stated that this was unbearable : Haru decided to sleep in the crow's nest when she was not on duty, while Jun settled in the tiny kitchen where she worked most of the day.

Even though the ship was still a friendly place, there was a strange atmosphere. Myr had created a different ambience by deciding not to reveal more about their mysterious destination, so no one dared to ask him anything.

One day, while he was on deck with Zell and Jun, Arthur tried to gather the impressions of his comrades.

- I don't like it, Zell began. Training, yes, but the old man didn't tell us anything about the training he wants us to go through, even though we'll be here for six months... He just checks the course from time to time, gives Jorge his instructions, but we've been sailing blind for several days.

- I agree, Arthur supported him. And this fog which continues to spread... Strange, isn't it ?

For a few hours, a thick fog had surrounded them, so much so that Myr only indicator was his Log Pose, a compass hanging on his wrist indicating the direction of the nearest island.

- Just ask him, then ! said Jun as she walked toward the vice-admiral.

Arthur and Zell looked at each other, half worried, half amused, for they knew their comrade's usual frankness. Myr, leaning against the rail, his eye on his Log Pose, turned his head when he saw his student coming.

- Yes, Jun ?

- Hi, gramps, she said nonchalantly, with her hands in her pockets. Any information on where we're going ? Any details about the training program ?

Myr looked at his students one by one, then his big voice thundered :

- Assemble on the bridge, everyone ! Now ! he said.

He moved closer to Jorge, so that he could hear him without leaving the helm, while Arthur, Zell and Jun formed a circle around him. Haru leapt back to the deck, leaving Peck and Daisy in the crow's nest. When they were all gathered, Myr cleared his throat and began his speech :

- I see this trip is raising quite a few questions in your little juvenile noggins... It's normal, after all. It's not what was initially planned, I made the decision alone and a little late, to tell the truth.

He then raised his wrist so that each of his students could see his compass.

- Do you know what this thing is ?

- A Log Pose, Jun answered with certainty.

- Nop. No wonder you're a cook, not a navigator.

As Jorge burst out laughing, Haru and Zell had to restrain Jun from lunging at her comrade.

- This is an Eternal Pose, Myr said as if nothing had happened. What's the difference with an ordinary compass ?

- It only leads to one destination, Haru replied after raising her hand.

- Indeed. The Eternal Pose is locked on a specific course and will never change it. It always shows you the quickest route to the island to which it is bond.

- And which island is this one bond to ? asked Arthur, curious.

Myr smiled.

- The place I'm taking you to has no name. Some call it "Hell on Earth", but that's just a nickname given to it by those lucky enough to have returned. Officially, it is defined by the code SI-03.