act39side

Ahem. There must be some sort of misunderstanding here.

I regret to inform you that all the information we have points towards him being this criminal.

Mm-ph!

(Wriggles about)

I said, stop following me already.

Show Nene a little more respect, chaval.

I'm treating it the way I would treat any of you.

Which clearly isn't respectful enough. Nene's far more useful than you are.

I thought it was your emergency rations.

It's practically the boss's heart and soul! Who'd dare harm a scale on its head?

Besides, it's got far sharper senses than us out in the Flat. How else are we supposed to find anything under all that salt?

What are you looking for?

Hah, what else? Relics of the Golden Age. Sometimes high-tech curios, sometimes luxury items or whatever else. Good money either way.

But doesn't the Inquisition crack down on these sorts of excavations for Golden Age antiques?

They may not like it, but the caravans sneaking into Iberia sure do. We trade these trinkets for water and supplies. It beats begging, that's for sure.

So it's smuggling...

Don't give me that look. You think it's easy, living out here?

But you, chaval...

Every last one of the materials we got you for your alchemy, down to the smallest finbone, was bought by the blood, sweat, and tears of our crew.

...So think it over. If you know you can't do it, then don't waste our booty.

What are you suggesting?

Do a little hoo-hah during your alchemy, show the boss you failed, and give her a reason to back down from this madness.

(Whispers) Can't you just, I don't know, let me go?

I...

Also, why not tell her that yourself?

Don't want her to think we're against the plan. We respect her... fear her.

Fear? Well, I suppose she <i>is</i> an amazing fighter.

There're better reasons to be afraid of her.

Juana stops in her tracks, as though she sensed something in the wind.

She looks behind her. She sees no trace of any living creature, besides her own footprints left on the desolate Salt Flat.

She breathes a sigh of relief and continues onwards. There is a giant skeleton in front of her, and below it, a dark shadow.

She steps into the shadow, and disappears.

There was a mutiny, back in the day, but only a few old bastards still remember it.

Someone said—in front of everyone—that she'd been working with the sea monsters, that she offered her entire crew up for freakish strength and longevity.

You mean the Seaborn?

Whatever they're called. At the time, the sea had only just retreated, and the monsters were still running wild. It was thanks to Captain Cruz and his crew risking life and limb that most of 'em were cleared out.

And Captain Cruz... They all died out in the Flat. Well, almost all. Juana was the only one to come back.

And when she did, she took over the entire fleet. Anyone who didn't wanna follow her ended up dying, one by one. On hunting trips or in Inquisition ambushes.

You said these were just rumors.

...Even Teach was but a lass when this all went down.

So you think she isn't actually trying to fix the compass to help everyone find a way out?

Mayhaps... Could be part of a much bigger plan. Nobody knows what she really wants.

Are you the only one who suspects her, Señor Rus?

...There's a few of us.

What about Señor Javier?

No, that boy has never doubted her for a second.

She's taken care of him so long, he sees her as a mother. She took him under her wing after his mother died.

Those Seaborn in the rumors... Have any of the sailors ever seen one?

Nope... Not a one.

Mmp...Mmph!

*Glub*—!

What's its problem?

Hah, looks like Nene found something.

Stow the sails, you scallywags! Drop anchor! We're setting down!

You heard him! Get digging!

Remember to bring your shovel and your sword, chaval. Don't even think about running. I'll have someone keep an eye on you.

...A ship's log?

You recognize that?

It's something mariners used to use to record what happened on their voyages.

So, you seen a lot of this sorta thing?

...Sí. My teacher taught me many things.

Must've had guts to do that.

So are you going to stand behind me and commentate all day, or...?

Think it was my idea, chaval? Bosun told me to keep a close eye on you.

I'm sure you can do that without literally breathing down my neck.

Hmph.

That sound... I know that sound...

Isidro looks around vigilantly, warned by the sound on the salt wind. Behind the sailor, he sees a familiar dent appear on the surface of the salt.

Out of the way! Saltfin incoming!

You got finshit for brains?!

Mreep... Mreep...

You shoved me aside for <i>this</i>?

You think it was one of them giant saltfins or something?

Shut up...

If it were, the whole ground'd be shaking. One of these small fry just leaves a little dent is all.

Besides, they're the same sorta critter as Nene. What's it gonna do, cuddle you to death?

What's that crazy puta even need from a guy as stupid as you, anyway?!

Mmph...

Mreep...

They're... the same species?

Mreep...

So there's more than one variety of saltfin out here?

Yep. About ten or so types, big and small.

Some of your sails are made from leather. Are they...

Saltfin hide. Also use it for tents.

And the meat you hang out to dry outside...

Saltfin meat.

Your weapons...

Saltfin bones.

And those guys are...

Mmph...

Mreep...

They ain't the same. Won't hurt 'em unless we <i>really</i> have to.

The crazy puta loves 'em to death. Once tried to haul some aboard to raise them, but a day away from their friends and they lose all the spirit. She had to give up that loco plan.

Then why's that one part of the crew?

Mm-ph.

Nene was abandoned by its mates. Couldn't keep up with 'em thanks to its weak body. Lucky for it, <i>she</i> went and picked it up.

Cheep...

Mm-ph!

They're leaving?