Melioric Ocean
55 Kilometers North-East of SwanziThe sun is gently setting over the rough waters of the Melioric Ocean. Just outside of the typical shipping lanes, this patch of water was typically pretty quiet. Today though, that peace would soon be broken. An interestingly marked cabin cruiser is making its way along the North Eastern coast of Swanzi, destination unknown. As the boat ripped through the water, Jackson took a moment to reflect on what has gotten him here, sat on a pirate's boat on his way back from meeting their captain. He was supposed to be a patriot.
Then why am I sitting here? He thinks for a moment.
Money, always for money. Still gotta pay back the Testarossa. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of another boat slapping against the water. Over the horizon he could see something cutting a line straight towards them.
Is that thing gold coloured? He wondered once the ship had gotten close enough to make out some detail. He could barely see the outline of someone running along its deck. Before he could see anything else, a single shot rang out, unmistakable, even over the roar of the engines. The mystery boat altered its course, starting to turn away. "They turn quick once we start shooting, eh?" Laughed one of the pirates. His laugh quickly stopped once the M2 Browning on the mystery boat began firing in response.
Minutes earlier, speeding across the open water Caane studied the boat with his binoculars.
"I count 4, driver, passenger, 2 on the bench."
"Armed?" Replied the Captain, the five gold stars pinned to his chest rattling with the vibrations of the ship.
"Of course," Shouts Caane "Look at the markings, pirates for sure! Hot damn! Get closer I'm going to the gun."
As he reached that gun, and its multiple 40 round .50 caliber (Red tip, of course!) box magazines, the shot rang out.
"They shot first!!" Shouted Caane with glee. "Give me a good angle!"
As soon as the captain gave him that angle, he let hellfire loose on the pirate scum. Caane was quite the shot, but even then, on a speeding boat, more than half of his shots missed. Unfortunately for the pirates, the ones that didn't were more than enough to spell their doom. Round after round, he unloaded into the boat. The bullets exploded upon contact, sending small pieces of shrapnel flying throughout the area. After the first box, the pirates were most likely dead. After the second, no shadow of a doubt. Caane stopped after his third box, the boat having caught fire.
"FUCKING PIRATES" Shouted Caane "THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU FUCK WITH A DEMESETELIS" He grabbed one of his guns from within his robes, his father's Desert Eagle. "For baba!" Caane fired wildly towards the burning wreckage.
After he was finished, he turned to the Captain. "Lets go, radio it in to the commission." Before taking his seat, Caane grabbed a bottle of whisky and a glass from a nearby cabinet. Having poured his drink, the boat took off, and Caane enjoyed his ride back with whisky and a cigar.
Couckebacker Naval Base
Sint Maarten Island
BatavieStrolling into the warehouse-turned-command center, head held high, Caane expected applause as he stepped into the room. Instead, the technicians toiling away inside took little notice of him. Walking with a little less pep in his step, he made his way through the building towards the offices hastily constructed in the back. Entering the commander's office, he steps right into an argument between the base commander, Hendrik van der Pol, and Awil, Caane's Head of Anti-Pirate measures.
"How are we supposed to get actionable intel when they are dead!?" Shouted Hendrik right as Caane stepped into the room.
"They shot first!" Caane replies, sounding a little dejected. "What was I supposed to do? Let them play target practice with my boat?"
"Your Highness" Hendrik bows, face a shade redder than it was before. "I meant no offence, it is just that we can not learn much about these pirates, nor their intentions, when they are shot and their boat is at the bottom of the ocean."
"Well, we can recover the boat, can't we Awil?" Questioned Caane.
"Let me see..." Awil replies, flipping through maps sat on the table in front of him. "Bad news.... the ocean is at least 5000 meters deep around where you intercepted the boat, at that point it isn't worth the effort."
"Damn. At least your intel was correct Hendrik. Has your mystery contact slipped us anything else?"
"Nothing since the last drop. This one was supposed to be big, did you notice anything special about the boat? Before you turned it into swiss cheese?"
"Not exactly... just some pirates on a boat. Nothing special."
Hendrik made to slam his fist against the table, before remembering his company and gently resting his palm on it instead. Speaking slowly and somewhat forced, "You knew how much this intel cost us. Wilhelmina will not be happy we are wasting the funds she so graciously bestowed upon our efforts here."
"There will be more pirates, of that I am sure!" Interjects Awil. "If we can capture some alive, I am sure we can figure out where their money and supplies are coming from."
"Alive being the key word" Spat Hendrik.
"I get it, I get it. I had every intention of capturing them, you know!" Said Caane, throwing his hands into the air.
"We will send a Batavian patrol next time. Someone better equipped for such a mission." Seeing the disappointment on Caane's face, he continues, "Don't worry, you have plenty of fun patrolling Demesetelian waters, do you not?"
"Yeah, but they know not to come near us. I will accompany this patrol. Awil, contact Adeel with the information as soon as you have it."
"Well, I don't.." Started Hendrik, before being cut off by Caane.
"I do. I will be part of this. Awil, have one of the geeks prepare the footage from my ship. Perhaps we can learn something from the recording."
Hendrick sighs. "Good idea. While you are out there, have Johannes send us that radio chatter we intercepted from the Delph Sea." he ordered, having resigned to the Sultan's wishes.