The process of making sure he got everything relating to the robots and stabilized di-hydrogen crystals was like pulling teeth but in the end trading the Dance-Dance Fruit for Isaac’s research was a clear victory in Bills mind.
The amount of raw data was staggering but with his enhanced memory it was only a matter of time before he would be able completely manufacture the robots and figured he could upgrade his Beetleborgs with some type of altered exoskeleton armor even sooner.
Still believing in his original ideas behind the Pulse Gloves and Boots, his goal was to merge the technologies together. For example, his new Pulse Boots would still be able to expel the anti-gravity particles found naturally in sky islands but now they would be equipped with much longer lasting thrusters.
This alone would give him a force capable of very fast albeit short-distance flight.
His Pulse Gloves would also see immediate benefit thanks to the extra power given by the stabilized crystals. Creating a true anti-gravity field was much more energy intensive than simply releasing particles and where before his gloves were only able to offer a few pushes, he would now be able to alter them to push or pull in any direction.
Even if Haki could counteract this anti-gravitational affect to a degree, it was not perfect, and in the event of a life and death struggle it may very well tilt the odds in his people’s favor.
He could see many more uses for Isaac’s technology too, if at first his Beetleborgs only had partial exoskeleton protection, in the future he could easily foresee them becoming complete sets of exoskeleton armors.
Three days before setting sail Bill was introduced to a crowd of some 162 new recruits brought in by Pearson and Ricky.
During the time when he had been occupied by other business and most of his crew was using shore leave to live it up in Steel City, his two most personable crewmates had traveled around the countryside learning about the history of Jewel Island and visiting the islands towns in order to replenish their numbers.
They had found, and reported to Bill, that sentiment for the Marines was pretty much split down the middle for the older residents of ‘Jail’ Island, with roughly half supporting the organization thanks to the economic prosperity it brought with it and the other half condemning the seizure of over half the islands total landmass.
But with the exception of a small percentage of die-hard Marine antagonists pretty much all of the younger generation wanted to go out to experience what the world had to offer, and for them, joining the Marines was indeed a realistic way to do so.
This cultural trait of wanderlust existed prior to the arrival of the Marines on ‘Jewel’ Island, as the landmass had been poorly managed generations thanks to its natural riches.
Semi-permanent spring-time weather conditions, excellent soil for farming, and copious mineral wealth had made the islanders not particularly industrious, and thanks to the resulting ‘boring’ lifestyle, there was a long tradition of youngsters wanting to go out and see the world.
In those days before the navy came, many young adults found themselves joining the trade convoys which came and went but as travel in the New World was incredibly dangerous the number of those who never returned was quite high.
However, the ones who did make it back brought with them fantastical stories and marvelous wealth which perpetuated the cycle generation after generation.
Then with the discovery of the Dyna Stones and subsequent arrival of the Marines, that generational outflow had been mostly halted since the military carefully regulated access given to the former trade convoys.
At first, for a small percentage of people, this was a deeply contemptuous matter but for most elders it was a blessing since the Marines brought with them the material wealth that many young adults left the island to seek.
Unfortunately for those who people hoped for stability, wealth was never the primary target for this culture of travelers and despite booms in population and material goods the desire to see the wider world hadn’t diminished over the ten-years of occupation.
Despite wanting off the island, most young residents were smart enough to realize that signing up with the Marines was a double-edged sword and were begrudgingly satisfied with their lifestyles even after the majority of ‘gains’ initially brought by the World Government were slowly replaced by restrictions.
As pleasant as the island was to live on, these people had the seeming luxury of choice whether to stay or go.
This illusion of choice was also helped by Warden Isaac’s refusal to resort to directly using strong medicine, and instead of using brutality, used the carrot method.
This carrot was that for those citizens living in the countryside of Jail Island who joined the Marines they would be given a 50,000 Beli stipend and, if their families desired, they would be allowed to relocate at the expense of the authorities.
The reasons for the Marines to depopulate the countryside was various, however for the Warden the case was clearly in order to mine and process the incredibly lucrative Dyna Stones.
Knowing most of this history, Bill stood above the crowd and observed them one by one. Most of the people here looked no older than 19 years old, with a small number of them looking to be perhaps just 16.
Looking over the crowd he thought about how he was down to barely thirty human crew left and was left wondering how he could possibly train up this number of young adults.
The whale Fish-men were loyal to their pod and made great sailors. However, their inherent traits made it hard for him to see how they could be any sort of asset, in fact, the 62 whales in his crew may be liabilities until they accepted these people into their group.
His Departments need for warm bodies meant that he was going to accept as many as he could almost no matter what, but not wanting to see any of these people sign their lives away ignorantly, he spoke out loud enough for everyone to hear him: “Thank you all for coming and for being interested in joining the Procurement Department of the Science Division.” After he said this, he paused for another moment before continuing to say: “I see a lot of young faces in the crowd, and while I’m gladdened to see so many brave men and women, I believe it’s only right to make a general statement before accepting you into our brotherhood.”
Disregarding the confused looks that spread throughout the crowd, Bill resumed his makeshift speech: “The goal for the Science Division is to create a better world, but as the sea is dangerous and sometimes unpredictable, I don’t want anyone who joins us to do so under the wrong impressions. There will be danger both natural and unnatural, there will be struggle, but somewhere mixed into that amazing things will happen.”
For people who grew up on one of the most technologically advanced islands in the New World, Bill knew that the message may fall on deaf ears. However, as much as they needed people, they needed people who could ‘buy in’ to their mission.
To the former pirates from Hannibal Island or Ruluka Island recruits this hadn’t been something Bill needed to clarify, after all, those people all needed to join his Department more than he had needed them.
But for these recruits from Jewel Island that wasn’t the case, and even though he didn’t fear mutinies, he didn’t want to have to press-gang deserters.
Continuing on, he got to the crux of what he wanted to remind these young people in front of him: “As soldiers, we are taught to be diligent and disciplined but even as citizens you must apply that same diligence and discipline when considering signing a military service contract.
It is important to remember that a Marine contract is a legal document, and once signed, it carries with it legal and moral obligations that cannot easily be broken.”
Then after giving the crowd one final look, Bill said: “As the Captain of this Department, I can guarantee that we will never mistreat our people. We will never unduly put our people in harm’s way, but before deciding to join us, consider that you are signing up for six years of your lives and ask yourself if the Sciences Division’s mission is right for you.
If you still wish to sail with us, be here tomorrow at noon.”
Once he turned to go back to the ship the crowd slowly began to murmur until it was a mass of noise and seeing Ricky hop over the ships railing, he said: “Tomorrow we’ll set up three recruitment booths. Make sure to have them actually read the important parts of the contract.”
Seeing that his old buddy was thinking, Bill restrained himself from reading his mind. Even if he had done so to the Warden, the thought of taking advantage of one of his friends in that way was several bridges too far.
“Well,” started Ricky before continuing: “Me, Pearson, Sasha, Denny, Danny, and Donny… yeah, I was thinking more like six or seven if you had the time to run a booth.”
“That many?” Bill asked somewhat confused, and upon seeing this, Ricky gave a small laugh: “Yeah man, I’m willing to bet we’d be able fill out our entire ship after that speech!”
Most residents from wealthy islands knew enough about the Marines to know that as mere ‘peons’ their safety was usually not a priority, but due to the solitary nature of Bill’s command what he didn’t understand this, nor did he know it was a very rare case when the Captain of a ship actively discouraged recruitment.
Instead of discouraging it, many Captain resorted to impressing debtors and other minor criminals!
The Frontier Run would hold 250 sailors at normal capacity, but number could be upped to around 400 if they shrank personal quarters. Of course, sailing with an overcapacity ship through the New World was not something Bill wanted to do and so said: “Well, if more come then we can be choosy. I do have some important business tomorrow, but I’ll try to return in time to see the end of the recruitment.”
Getting a nod from his Lieutenant, Bill and Ricky continued to speak for a while longer until about several other important Department issues.
They spoke about Ranse finally making it to Frauce Kingdom and the great fanfare he had received, then they spoke about finances and how much they were expected to profit from the endeavor.
All in all, they both found it funny that while it had been others who did the leg work setting up the contracts in the East Blue, it was Ranse was bound to become the ‘face’ of the operations.
“Well, that’s what happens when you’re born with good looks.” Bill said with a laugh and Ricky just shrugged.
After that they spoke about some designs for Ricky’s cybernetic left arm. Bill was determined to go all out, and with the experience he had gained from making Borodo’s, he knew he could do better.
With Pearson incorporated into the administration the load had been lightened on Ricky, but he was still the clear number two in such matters and after a bit the two separated to take care of their own affairs.
Taking a breather, Bill sat at his desk and cleared his mind. Relishing the alone time before he got up to spend the rest of the day with Yoko and Boss.
He couldn’t suppress her soul forever, and because the ability she had gained was so powerful he needed to make sure she had both the mental maturity and physical strength to handle it.
With her riding on Boss’s back they went off to the rolling hills near Cannon Cape. Near the shoreline where wind swept in off the water, he and Yoko stood with their arms spread wide opened.
Leaning against the wind they felt weightless, and looking down Bill told her: “You know, when I was little, I grew up on a huge flat plain that spread out as far as the eye could see, and it was always windy. I remember my mom sometimes calling for me, not more than a stones throw away, but me not being able to hear a word she said.”
Thinking about a scene that occurred over a hundred years before, Bill smiled, and Yoko looked up confused and replied: “Didn’t you grow up on Vallipo Archipelago? And I very much doubt that if Aunty Ox’ called for you, you wouldn’t be able to hear her…”
Laughing out loud to this, Bill lowered his arms, but still facing the wind, he answered: “This happened a long time ago… the wind just got to me, I guess.”
Shrugging his comment off, they stood like that for a minute longer before Bill started talking about what had happened at Cannon Cape.
This time Yoko didn’t lash out, with the suppression of her ability she didn’t have the heart to directly yell at him, and for his part, he knew she wasn’t going to be reformed in a single afternoon.
Instead, he just spoke generally. Telling her that Marines had a duty to uphold the principles of justice and morality, even to their enemies. He told her that while they may be called upon to use lethal force in certain circumstances, it should always be done so while striving to minimize harm.
She just nodded along, adding a word here and there, but mostly it was him who did the talking. This lasted for the rest of the afternoon and when the sun began to fall, they made their way back to the ship.
Lifting the hydraulic weight presses late into the night, Bill’s mind was set on the next couple of days and their next destination.
Before leaving he wanted to speak to Zephyr one last time, and then they were going to take Miyagi back home to Mokomo Dukedom, located on the mysterious 'living island' of Zou.
UberNuber If you enjoy the fanfic hit the heart icon and consider leaving a rating!
What will happen when Bill meets Zehpyr again, what happens when a Marine is introduced into the situation on Zunesha?! You can only find out by reading it here!
The process of making sure he got everything relating to the robots and stabilized di-hydrogen crystals was like pulling teeth but in the end trading the Dance-Dance Fruit for Isaac’s research was a clear victory in Bills mind.
The amount of raw data was staggering but with his enhanced memory it was only a matter of time before he would be able completely manufacture the robots and figured he could upgrade his Beetleborgs with some type of altered exoskeleton armor even sooner.
Still believing in his original ideas behind the Pulse Gloves and Boots, his goal was to merge the technologies together. For example, his new Pulse Boots would still be able to expel the anti-gravity particles found naturally in sky islands but now they would be equipped with much longer lasting thrusters.
This alone would give him a force capable of very fast albeit short-distance flight.
His Pulse Gloves would also see immediate benefit thanks to the extra power given by the stabilized crystals. Creating a true anti-gravity field was much more energy intensive than simply releasing particles and where before his gloves were only able to offer a few pushes, he would now be able to alter them to push or pull in any direction.
Even if Haki could counteract this anti-gravitational affect to a degree, it was not perfect, and in the event of a life and death struggle it may very well tilt the odds in his people’s favor.
He could see many more uses for Isaac’s technology too, if at first his Beetleborgs only had partial exoskeleton protection, in the future he could easily foresee them becoming complete sets of exoskeleton armors.
Three days before setting sail Bill was introduced to a crowd of some 162 new recruits brought in by Pearson and Ricky.
During the time when he had been occupied by other business and most of his crew was using shore leave to live it up in Steel City, his two most personable crewmates had traveled around the countryside learning about the history of Jewel Island and visiting the islands towns in order to replenish their numbers.
They had found, and reported to Bill, that sentiment for the Marines was pretty much split down the middle for the older residents of ‘Jail’ Island, with roughly half supporting the organization thanks to the economic prosperity it brought with it and the other half condemning the seizure of over half the islands total landmass.
But with the exception of a small percentage of die-hard Marine antagonists pretty much all of the younger generation wanted to go out to experience what the world had to offer, and for them, joining the Marines was indeed a realistic way to do so.
This cultural trait of wanderlust existed prior to the arrival of the Marines on ‘Jewel’ Island, as the landmass had been poorly managed generations thanks to its natural riches.
Semi-permanent spring-time weather conditions, excellent soil for farming, and copious mineral wealth had made the islanders not particularly industrious, and thanks to the resulting ‘boring’ lifestyle, there was a long tradition of youngsters wanting to go out and see the world.
In those days before the navy came, many young adults found themselves joining the trade convoys which came and went but as travel in the New World was incredibly dangerous the number of those who never returned was quite high.
However, the ones who did make it back brought with them fantastical stories and marvelous wealth which perpetuated the cycle generation after generation.
Then with the discovery of the Dyna Stones and subsequent arrival of the Marines, that generational outflow had been mostly halted since the military carefully regulated access given to the former trade convoys.
At first, for a small percentage of people, this was a deeply contemptuous matter but for most elders it was a blessing since the Marines brought with them the material wealth that many young adults left the island to seek.
Unfortunately for those who people hoped for stability, wealth was never the primary target for this culture of travelers and despite booms in population and material goods the desire to see the wider world hadn’t diminished over the ten-years of occupation.
Despite wanting off the island, most young residents were smart enough to realize that signing up with the Marines was a double-edged sword and were begrudgingly satisfied with their lifestyles even after the majority of ‘gains’ initially brought by the World Government were slowly replaced by restrictions.
As pleasant as the island was to live on, these people had the seeming luxury of choice whether to stay or go.
This illusion of choice was also helped by Warden Isaac’s refusal to resort to directly using strong medicine, and instead of using brutality, used the carrot method.
This carrot was that for those citizens living in the countryside of Jail Island who joined the Marines they would be given a 50,000 Beli stipend and, if their families desired, they would be allowed to relocate at the expense of the authorities.
The reasons for the Marines to depopulate the countryside was various, however for the Warden the case was clearly in order to mine and process the incredibly lucrative Dyna Stones.
Knowing most of this history, Bill stood above the crowd and observed them one by one. Most of the people here looked no older than 19 years old, with a small number of them looking to be perhaps just 16.
Looking over the crowd he thought about how he was down to barely thirty human crew left and was left wondering how he could possibly train up this number of young adults.
The whale Fish-men were loyal to their pod and made great sailors. However, their inherent traits made it hard for him to see how they could be any sort of asset, in fact, the 62 whales in his crew may be liabilities until they accepted these people into their group.
His Departments need for warm bodies meant that he was going to accept as many as he could almost no matter what, but not wanting to see any of these people sign their lives away ignorantly, he spoke out loud enough for everyone to hear him: “Thank you all for coming and for being interested in joining the Procurement Department of the Science Division.” After he said this, he paused for another moment before continuing to say: “I see a lot of young faces in the crowd, and while I’m gladdened to see so many brave men and women, I believe it’s only right to make a general statement before accepting you into our brotherhood.”
Disregarding the confused looks that spread throughout the crowd, Bill resumed his makeshift speech: “The goal for the Science Division is to create a better world, but as the sea is dangerous and sometimes unpredictable, I don’t want anyone who joins us to do so under the wrong impressions. There will be danger both natural and unnatural, there will be struggle, but somewhere mixed into that amazing things will happen.”
For people who grew up on one of the most technologically advanced islands in the New World, Bill knew that the message may fall on deaf ears. However, as much as they needed people, they needed people who could ‘buy in’ to their mission.
To the former pirates from Hannibal Island or Ruluka Island recruits this hadn’t been something Bill needed to clarify, after all, those people all needed to join his Department more than he had needed them.
But for these recruits from Jewel Island that wasn’t the case, and even though he didn’t fear mutinies, he didn’t want to have to press-gang deserters.
Continuing on, he got to the crux of what he wanted to remind these young people in front of him: “As soldiers, we are taught to be diligent and disciplined but even as citizens you must apply that same diligence and discipline when considering signing a military service contract.
It is important to remember that a Marine contract is a legal document, and once signed, it carries with it legal and moral obligations that cannot easily be broken.”
Then after giving the crowd one final look, Bill said: “As the Captain of this Department, I can guarantee that we will never mistreat our people. We will never unduly put our people in harm’s way, but before deciding to join us, consider that you are signing up for six years of your lives and ask yourself if the Sciences Division’s mission is right for you.
If you still wish to sail with us, be here tomorrow at noon.”
Once he turned to go back to the ship the crowd slowly began to murmur until it was a mass of noise and seeing Ricky hop over the ships railing, he said: “Tomorrow we’ll set up three recruitment booths. Make sure to have them actually read the important parts of the contract.”
Seeing that his old buddy was thinking, Bill restrained himself from reading his mind. Even if he had done so to the Warden, the thought of taking advantage of one of his friends in that way was several bridges too far.
“Well,” started Ricky before continuing: “Me, Pearson, Sasha, Denny, Danny, and Donny… yeah, I was thinking more like six or seven if you had the time to run a booth.”
“That many?” Bill asked somewhat confused, and upon seeing this, Ricky gave a small laugh: “Yeah man, I’m willing to bet we’d be able fill out our entire ship after that speech!”
Most residents from wealthy islands knew enough about the Marines to know that as mere ‘peons’ their safety was usually not a priority, but due to the solitary nature of Bill’s command what he didn’t understand this, nor did he know it was a very rare case when the Captain of a ship actively discouraged recruitment.
Instead of discouraging it, many Captain resorted to impressing debtors and other minor criminals!
The Frontier Run would hold 250 sailors at normal capacity, but number could be upped to around 400 if they shrank personal quarters. Of course, sailing with an overcapacity ship through the New World was not something Bill wanted to do and so said: “Well, if more come then we can be choosy. I do have some important business tomorrow, but I’ll try to return in time to see the end of the recruitment.”
Getting a nod from his Lieutenant, Bill and Ricky continued to speak for a while longer until about several other important Department issues.
They spoke about Ranse finally making it to Frauce Kingdom and the great fanfare he had received, then they spoke about finances and how much they were expected to profit from the endeavor.
All in all, they both found it funny that while it had been others who did the leg work setting up the contracts in the East Blue, it was Ranse was bound to become the ‘face’ of the operations.
“Well, that’s what happens when you’re born with good looks.” Bill said with a laugh and Ricky just shrugged.
After that they spoke about some designs for Ricky’s cybernetic left arm. Bill was determined to go all out, and with the experience he had gained from making Borodo’s, he knew he could do better.
With Pearson incorporated into the administration the load had been lightened on Ricky, but he was still the clear number two in such matters and after a bit the two separated to take care of their own affairs.
Taking a breather, Bill sat at his desk and cleared his mind. Relishing the alone time before he got up to spend the rest of the day with Yoko and Boss.
He couldn’t suppress her soul forever, and because the ability she had gained was so powerful he needed to make sure she had both the mental maturity and physical strength to handle it.
With her riding on Boss’s back they went off to the rolling hills near Cannon Cape. Near the shoreline where wind swept in off the water, he and Yoko stood with their arms spread wide opened.
Leaning against the wind they felt weightless, and looking down Bill told her: “You know, when I was little, I grew up on a huge flat plain that spread out as far as the eye could see, and it was always windy. I remember my mom sometimes calling for me, not more than a stones throw away, but me not being able to hear a word she said.”
Thinking about a scene that occurred over a hundred years before, Bill smiled, and Yoko looked up confused and replied: “Didn’t you grow up on Vallipo Archipelago? And I very much doubt that if Aunty Ox’ called for you, you wouldn’t be able to hear her…”
Laughing out loud to this, Bill lowered his arms, but still facing the wind, he answered: “This happened a long time ago… the wind just got to me, I guess.”
Shrugging his comment off, they stood like that for a minute longer before Bill started talking about what had happened at Cannon Cape.
This time Yoko didn’t lash out, with the suppression of her ability she didn’t have the heart to directly yell at him, and for his part, he knew she wasn’t going to be reformed in a single afternoon.
Instead, he just spoke generally. Telling her that Marines had a duty to uphold the principles of justice and morality, even to their enemies. He told her that while they may be called upon to use lethal force in certain circumstances, it should always be done so while striving to minimize harm.
She just nodded along, adding a word here and there, but mostly it was him who did the talking. This lasted for the rest of the afternoon and when the sun began to fall, they made their way back to the ship.
Lifting the hydraulic weight presses late into the night, Bill’s mind was set on the next couple of days and their next destination.
Before leaving he wanted to speak to Zephyr one last time, and then they were going to take Miyagi back home to Mokomo Dukedom, located on the mysterious 'living island' of Zou.
UberNuber If you enjoy the fanfic hit the heart icon and consider leaving a rating!
What will happen when Bill meets Zehpyr again, what happens when a Marine is introduced into the situation on Zunesha?! You can only find out by reading it here!
