Galaxy Pirates

Chapter 34: Admiral Zenon's Treasure

"We've lost Doctor Dohta Vaagard and now he's joined the Galaxy Pirate Emperor! How low could he stoop?" Admiral Zenon hit his fist on the round table around which he and the other Galaxy Navy admirals sat, discussing their current matters. "Not only did we lose the Daluma Asteroid to that hideous child, but are now under the threat of Black Matter powers we boasted with just some little time ago!"

"Your strategy has not been the best one, Admiral wan Buetter. You shouldn't have trusted Doctor Vaagard so openly," Marshal Hugwert, the headman of the whole Galaxy Navy and the descendant of Yord Lamalo Hugwert – the historical founder of the Galaxy Navy – said. "Our defeat is your responsibility. Mark my word: if you ever make such a grave mistake again, you will have to resign from your position of an admiral".

"What? Ugh, I... I deeply apologize for my mistake, Marshal Hugwert," Admiral Zenon bowed down. "I assure you – it won't happen again. Please, lend me a fleet of the Galaxy Navy ships, and I shall erase the very existence of the Galaxy Pirate Emperor!"

"I refuse. You've already been defeated, I cannot entrust you with such a risky expedition anytime soon. Furthermore, we've more important matters to settle – at least you've used Doctor Vaagard's powers well enough to injure the Divine Emperor, our main adversary in the intergalactic frontline. Now that he's bedridden, it is the perfect moment to strike him on his base planet Retti and annihilate those filthy snakes once and forever".

"I'm at your service_"

"No, wan Buetter, you haven't understood me well – I said you are not to lead any expeditions for a short while".

"But_"

"My word is final! The expedition will be handed to our newly-arisen vice-admiral, Yord Hamingo".

Thus, Yord Hamingo, who had been the only survivor on the ship of Zenon's cousin Harug wan Buetter attacked by the Galaxy Pirates, became the vice-admiral to lead the expedition against the Divine Emperor, notwithstanding the fact that it was he – Zenon wan Buetter – to have caused the Emperor's injuries, in the first place. Angered by such facts but not able to change a thing, Zenon returned home in a gloomy mood.

"Father, you're back!" Imijenia wan Buetter, his daughter – a girl of middle-sized stature with a long red braid of a pure Dionoid, and twinkling blue eyes – met him at the threshold with a playful smile. Beholding her father's deep depression, she turned sorrowful and concerned: "W... What happened?"

"Failures at work... Ugh, Imi, dear, do you have those cookies you often bake? Your father's really down and, I guess only your crafty cooking can lift my mood right now..."

"Sure, dad! Come! This time, I've made some really amazing cookies from black cocoa of Planet Huba. You'll love it!"

The energetic maiden led her tired father into the vast dining room and put him at the table. She hastily brought him a cup of hot muku juice he adored, and the black cocoa cookies she had made just for him. The minute Zenon took a bite, his eyes brightened:

"You truly are a miracle-worker... How do you manage to always make such masterpieces?"

"I'm daddy's daughter, and my daddy's a genius!"

"Haha!" Zenon laughed, forgetting about his bad workday altogether once this bright-hearted maiden offered him her joyous company. "To be honest, Imi, I believe it's more from your mother's side – she too was crafty in everything she did. A Dionoid, true, but... I don't believe in such foolishness as differentiating between races. Every race has its dignities. Your mother was truly special among her kind".

"Tell me some more about her! What was she like?"

"She would do anything to protect her family from any danger... She was extremely supportive, loyal, and loving. She was the best woman I had ever known. Now our daughter is my treasure, and I'm going to guard her with the tenderness that is due".

"Haha, you talk like a pirate, father!"

"Unlike those filthy space-robbers, I talk about the treasure that truly merits to be guarded," Zenon calmly sipped his hot muku juice. "If that still makes me think like a pirate, then so be it".

"Ah, no, father, I was just teasing! I know you're the noblest of all! Anyway, have you brought me some new posters of that outrageous group – the Shark Tooth Pirates?"

"My daughter interested in pirate boys... Ugh, Imi, sometimes your taste truly scares me," Zenon palmed his face with a bitter smile but handed the girl some fresh posters anyway, "Yes, your father knows you quite well".

"Ah, thank you so much!" Imi grabbed the papers and eyed them with excitement. She stopped at a certain one, with the depiction of a green-haired green-eyed young man, his hands adorned with richly rings and bracelets. "This boy is my favourite! He's a prince, just like that doctor guy you've been working with... He too has recently joined the pirates, hasn't he? Doctor Vaagard?"

"Yes. Your favourite pirate crush happens to be his very brother".

"What? That's some dazzling news! That is why I like this pirate so much – he is as powerful as Doctor Vaagard!"

"Not as powerful. Zehu Vaagard's tongue was cut out by the Daluma so that he wouldn't achieve such outrageous strength as his elder brother and pose a threat to the asteroid".

"Such brutality – to actually cut the young man's tongue because he's a genius!"

"Well, as long as it was for the common good, it couldn't be helped, I guess. He has turned into a criminal, anyway. The fact that he's not as powerful as he could be, rids us of unnecessary danger".

"He's still charming..."

"He's a master of illusions. Don't let that poster hypnotize you".

"Come on, father, don't tease me like that! Anyway, have you actually opposed this guy in battles?"

"I've opposed the Galaxy Pirate Emperor too".

"That very Blood Diamond?!" shudders ran down Imi's spine as she glanced at the poster of the bloodied captain, "Dad... are you not scared when you confront this monster?"

"Naturally, I am, but I do not let my fears get in the way".

"These pirates may really be great but... I do believe you're the bravest man in the world, dad. I'm so proud to be your daughter!"

Zenon chuckled, his cheeks going red – even if the whole Galaxy Navy deemed him a failure, as long as this tiny maiden continued to believe he was the greatest man in the world, it was more than enough for him to feel happy.