A civilian stood before a roulette wheel, waiting for it to stop spinning. One man, appearing to be the leader, watched patiently, stomping the ground in excitement.
Despite his excitement, his expression remained serious and composed.
The wheel began to slow down, inching closer to its final position.
It finally landed on the red zone, marked with a black skull. That could only mean one thing.
"Oh, what a shame... It landed on the red zone... Y'know what that skull means, right?" The man, dressed mostly in black and green, said as the other man began to back away.
"No, you need to let me spin again! I-I have a family, and I need that money! Please, Captain Yipsiv, give me another chance!"
The man pleaded, and Yipsiv, now identified, adjusted his cowboy hat. "Tsk, tsk, tsk," he said, wagging his finger in denial. "You chose to try your luck with the roulette, but landed on the death zone. All you can hope for now is that the pistol I load won't have a bullet in it..."
Yipsiv opened the cylinder and loaded the bullets. "Don't worry, mate. I'll make it a 50/50 chance. You'll have a 50% chance to survive, and the other half, to die. I promise the gun isn't rigged to shoot you... This is just how the game works..."
The man, traumatized by the prospect of testing his luck again, swallowed in fear. As he tried to back away, several pirates standing guard by Yipsiv blocked his escape.
"Calm down, boy... It's not too high of a chance. You just need to trust your gambling skills..." Yipsiv said, raising the revolver and aiming the muzzle directly at the man's forehead.
"Good luck, mate..." Yipsiv began to slowly count down, "1..." The man couldn't find a way out. "2..." Yipsiv said, grinning in a way that horrified everyone around. "3..." he finished, adding, "The gun's ready to shoot. Don't die..." Yipsiv grinned, his sharp teeth gleaming, and pulled the trigger.
As the trigger was pulled, a deafening bang echoed through the room, and the bullet flew straight, slicing through the air with lethal precision.
It sped forward, an unstoppable force, finally hitting its intended target with a sickening
thud.
The man who had gambled for money was overtaken by darkness. His eyes widened in shock and pain, and he staggered backward, losing his balance.
In that fateful moment, his body crumpled to the ground, rolling slightly before coming to rest in an expanding pool of blood.
The room fell silent, the echo of the gunshot still lingering in the air. The pirates looked on, some with grim satisfaction, others with a hint of unease.
Yipsiv lowered the smoking revolver, his sharp-toothed grin unwavering. The lifeless body of the unfortunate gambler lay sprawled on the cold, hard floor, a stark reminder of the deadly stakes of the game he had played.
Blood continued to spread, staining the ground and marking the end of the man's desperate bid for fortune. The oppressive silence was broken only by the soft, irregular drip of blood pooling beneath him.
Yipsiv grinned, entertained by another life lost. "I warned you. The roulette isn't an easy game to win..." He laughed, reaching to the side to grab a cigarette.
"Throw him with the others," he ordered, watching as his men dragged the dead body away.
Suddenly, light flooded the room as a tall man, dressed in black and white, entered.
Yipsiv's eyes locked onto the silhouette, and he heard a familiar voice, "Playing around with poor people's lives again, Yipsiv?" the man said, carrying a violin case and a belt holstered with a black pistol.
"What a surprise... What brings you
back here... Nathaniel?" Yipsiv responded, his grin fading as he took a drag from his cigarette.
Meanwhile, near the main town, Codey and his team of marine officers finally navigated the narrow, bustling streets. Their presence, however, caused the townspeople to retreat into their homes, leaving the streets as silent as a desert at night. Civilians peeked cautiously through their windows, observing the newcomers with trepidation.
Codey surveyed the area, attempting to discern the cause of the sudden change, but found no clear answers and had to rely on his own deductions.
"They're behaving as if we're here to raid their town... Their fear is a clear indication that Yipsiv is anything but a friendly pirate," Xasha observed as Codey halted, suitcase in hand.
A voice message came through Codey's headset, prompting him to adjust his badge. He wasn't merely a marine with aspirations of becoming an admiral; he was an agent who had earned his badge through relentless effort.
"The WPDA has sent a recording. We have intelligence from one of our undercover agents that Yipsiv has committed another murder and that one of Yipsiv's former partners has arrived for a meeting. This is our opportunity to act swiftly. We'll maneuver through the marsh to reach the factory. Some of you will need to take a route around the tree, but proceed with caution and remain vigilant," Codey instructed, his voice resolute and commanding.
"Chief, your orders are crystal clear," Xasha affirmed with a crisp salute, her voice carrying unwavering determination amidst the unfolding strategy.
"We'll divide into two teams: Team Alpha and Team Beta. Team Alpha will take on the road around the marsh, navigating its rugged terrain and potential hazards to reach the factory. Our objective is clear: breach their defenses swiftly and decisively. Meanwhile, Team Beta will execute a covert reconnaissance mission. They'll skirt around Yipsiv's fortified hideout, using stealth to gather critical intel on his operations and intentions. Their task is crucial; every detail they uncover could be pivotal in our mission's success."
Xasha's gaze swept across the assembled officers, conveying both the gravity of their mission and the confidence she placed in their abilities. "I'll lead Team Alpha personally. We understand the challenges ahead, but we're prepared. This mission isn't just about seizing an opportunity; it's about delivering justice and ensuring the safety of those affected by Yipsiv's criminal activities. Let's move with precision, stay alert, and execute flawlessly. Our actions today will shape the outcome of this operation."
"Let's head out!"
To be continued...