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

CHAPTER CLVII - Dyna

The train sped through the darkness of the mines, plunging the interior of the car into the blackest darkness. The few openings in the steel walls let a little fresh air in, but almost no light. To guarantee the absolute safety of the cargo, it was strictly forbidden to light any flame, even if it was only for lighting. As for the passengers, they remained silent. Only the squeaking of the wheels on the old rails and, like a timid and persistent echo, a slight whistling resounding. Two yellow eyes were shining in the dark, those of a long snake with scales as white as snow. Slowly, almost delicately, it twisted around its master.

- Easy, Hebihime. It won't be long before we're back in the daylight.

The man gently stroked his friend's head. The bond between them was so strong that the other passengers were almost feeling uneasy. Yet they dared not look at the man and his snake, for he was superior to them all. There were a few bumps, and then the light came back into the compartment.

- We are finally out of the mines, a woman announced as she walked up to the man with the snake. We'll reach the port in less than an hour, vice-admiral.

- Good. Notify Marineford, tell them we've picked up a cargo of nearly half a ton. We'll be home in five days at the most.

But just as he was about to drift off to sleep, a satisfied smile on his lips, a strange feeling came over him. He opened his eyes, stood up abruptly and tried to perceive sounds beyond those of the train. His senses were sharp, as was his haki, and his hunch was right : a few seconds later, an alarm echoed in the old train, launched from the first car. Then, his Den Den mushi rang and the panicked voice of a subordinate came out.

- Vice-admiral, we are under attack from the northwest front !

- Don't worry, the other one whispered. The rocky topography of the terrain will not allow our attackers to reach us soon enough.

- You don't understand, sir ! They attack from the sky !

"From the sky" ? How could that be possible ? The vice-admiral tried to see the threat through the tiny opening, but to no avail. Then there was a bang and the whole train shook with a furious vibration. The vice-admiral was confident in his abilities, but he did not want to take any risks : he knew the nature of the cargo and the requirements of fleet-admiral Edward, who had entrusted him with this mission himself. He could not fail. So he decided to take all possible precautions. With a discreet nod, he ordered his men to stay in the car and walked towards the armored door. He quickly unlocked it and immediately the cool wind hit his face like a slap. He poked his head through the doorway, stepped onto the platform that separated his car from the next one, and could not hide his surprise when he saw, a few yards from the railroad that snaked its way up the mountain to the port, a ship flying overhead. It did have a mast and sails, but also propellers that allowed it to float in the air. Its wooden hull was covered with a golden coating. The figurehead, a bird painted white, seemed to taunt him with its laughing eye. The vice-admiral immediately recognized this strange ship from the descriptions he had been given. Then a bright smile appeared on his amused face. He was finally going to cross swords with this man.

...

- Ready ?

- Ready !

The two men leapt into the void with a common movement. They heard the enemy fire, but immediately cried out, "Moon Walk !" and darted through the sky at lightning speed to dodge it. In a second they reached the moving train and landed on its roof. The wind was beating down on their faces but they hold on tightly to keep from being blown away by the speed. They were so determined that nothing could dislodge them. A few soldiers tried to reach them, but the precise fire of their comrades, who had stayed back on the flying ship, neutralized the enemies in an instant.