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what it says on the title

EPISODE XLIII: POLICE You know, these guys! Does anyone remember? No? Moving on.

Chapter Three: Connections The jet plane arrives over Enhalas, as the Tidal Nova team peers from their windows down at the tropical island archipelago below. They see several boats sailing across the crystal blue water. “This place looks as beautiful as ever. You know, my ancestry supposedly dates back here.” Kara commented, admiring the view and feeling a special connection to this place. “This paradise makes for a perfect vacation spot. If we ever get downtime, we know where to have good R&R.” Daisy said, fantasizing. “They got some of the best rum in the sea. Shame that ain’t why we’re here though.” Sarge said, sighing. “Who exactly is this contact of yours?” Vexacus asked Clay. “They go by “Sneed.” They’re on the island of Sabaco.” Clay explained. Vexacus knows this is only the first step of many. If they make a fantastic impression on the group of bounty hunters here, they can get connections to other rogue bounty hunter groups, and it’ll keep snowballing from there. Connections are an important factor in getting a revolution rolling. The jet plane descends closer toward Sabaco, as Kara presses a button on the controls. It makes float hangers extend down from the sides, allowing the plane to land into the water near several docked boats at the port. Residents on the island look on at the jet plane in fascination. The team gets out of the plane, walking onto the pier and heading for the village center, admiring the scenery. Many artistically designed hut houses are spread across the village, the architectures of which dating back to over a century ago. A few modern households had also been built in the time since. At the center of the village is a statue built in honor of Captain Mack Stark and his sea slug companion only known as “Treasure.” Legends whispered that Treasure was still alive today, grown into a giant serpent that lurks the seas, but nobody knew for sure. Sabaco was primarily known for its bustling, lively marketplace. Merchants from far and wide across the sea set up shop at Sabaco’s marketplace. Sabaco was closest to the border of the Enhalas regions, making it convenient to access for shoppers and merchants. The team walks forward to the village center, seeing children playing frisbee with an amoeba dog. They then notice a sign which points three ways: to the right are hot springs, upwards is more homes, and to the left is the marketplace. “If I had to guess, he’s at the market.” Clay said, so they head to the marketplace to find Sneed. “Not lucky enough for him to be in the springs, huh. It’s a shame we’ve on job, as I’d love to relax in one of those.” Daisy said, looking over at the hot spring baths envious. As they walk along the path, Sarge eyes an alcohol stand, even with bottles of rum, but reminds himself that’s not what they’re here for. Daisy eyes clothing stands, but like Sarge, reminds herself that’s not what they’re here for. Clay looks around for Sneed in the marketplace, then finally notices him at a food stand ordering a pretzel. He walks off to see the Tidal Nova team approaching him. “Hey Clay, been a while since we’ve met in the flesh! What brings you out here to this paradise? Finally retiring?” Sneed greeted jokingly, taking a bite out of his pretzel. “It’s bad manners to talk with food in your mouth.” Clay said, not offended by the insinuation he’s old. “Sorry.” Sneed muffled. “Greetings, I am Vexacus.” Vexacus introduced. “Ah, you’re the latest member Clay’s told me about. I’ve heard high praise. Pleased to meet you in the flesh, mate.” Sneed said, shaking his hand. Vexacus is honored that Clay has spoken positively of him to his friends. “We hear you know a few bounty hunters on this island. Can you direct us to them?” Kara asked. “Yep, follow me right this way.” Sneed said, still eating his pretzel. He leads them up a hill toward the northernmost buildings on the island. As they follow Sneed, Vexacus then reminisces on where his life went after his scuffle with Tobias in Posidonia. Several months after the Posidonia incident, Vexacus is seen walking through the streets of New Kelp City alone, wearing an eyepatch over his wounded eye. Before escaping, he managed to get into a hospital just in time before the Federation began their hunt. The doctor treated his eye before it got worse, though his vision from that eye remained impaired hence the eyepatch. Vexacus then made his way to the docks and bribed a sailor to hitchhike a ride on board his ship. Ever since he returned to New Kelp, he had been keeping a low profile, not wanting to attract any unwanted attention. Back to square one. Wherever June was up to, he knew she was doing better than he currently is. He hadn’t contacted her lately, not wanting her to see him in this state. His bounty hunting career had come down to a pause thanks to the stupidity of Tobias and Ramos. It frustrates him that even when he tried to do everything “the right way,” he still suffered. It’s almost as if the divine beings above refused to let him succeed as a bounty hunter. He knew karma would eventually come for the two though, it always does. Vexacus had resorted to drinking lately to drown out his sorrows, holding a bottle in one of his hands. He takes a quick sip. He then takes a quick look behind him, spotting a mysterious vehicle nearby that he suspects has been following him for a few blocks now. He wasn’t sure if he was being paranoid or if Ramos had sent someone to hunt him down. He keeps walking down the street, as the vehicle slows down. Two mysterious men are seen inside, with “1” and “3” insignias on their outfits. “Do you think he’s onto us?” The man with the 3 insignia asked. “Maybe. Best to take this slowly now, like a shark would. Know your enemy.” The other man with the 1 insignia replied. Following Vexacus and Tobias’s betrayals, on advice from his top generals, King Ramos hired ten of the best soldiers from the Federation military to form a special group tasked with hunting down specific threats. The group is known as the Federation Hunters. Since Ramos couldn’t trust outside help, he had to seek help from his inner circle now. 1 and 3 were tasked with hunting down Vexacus. They had done investigations into his personal life, which lead them to New Kelp City. They figured he’d come back here, assuming he had nowhere else to go. Their assumptions were correct 1 i holding a portfolio with all of their necessary findings on him. “Why is the king so obsessed with whacking this guy again? He’s nobody.” 3 said, unimpressed. “King Ramos fears he may hold a grudge and run his mouth about the Karmania business. You know what they say, 3: loose lips sink ships, can’t have that leaking out anywhere. 9 and 10 are out on Beckett’s tail.” 1 explained. “You know Simon, we can just call each other our real names here, we don’t have to be labeled by numbers.” 3 replied awkwardly. “Jeez Victor, at least pretend to have fun with this. We’re basically undercover assassins, always useful to have codenames. Besides, I like hearing you call me 1, because I am number one! Anyways, apparently if we succeed in this mission, I’ll get a sweet promotion to that coveted “#1 General” title that Ramos keeps parading around.” 1 replied. “I hear they’re developing these awesome laser swords for us to use. Hopefully we live to see them and he doesn’t give us trouble though, guy is still a bounty hunter and all.” 3 said, tempting fate. “He’s not a threat, look at him.” 1 said, noticing how Vexacus is stumbling around ahead, trying to keep his balance. “It seems he had a wee bit too much to drink.” 3 noticed, looking at his bottle. This gives the two a clever idea, as the car slowly moves closer to Vexacus. In reality however, Vexacus decided to act drunk to lure the two into a trap. 1 rolls down his window, seeing Vexacus. “Hey lad, you look a little lost. I think you’ve had too much of a swig tonight, yeah? Let us help you get home.” 1 offered to Vexacus. “No, that won’t be necessary, but thank you for the kindness, strangers.” Vexacus replied, faking his drunk personality.. “We insist, we’re worried for your well being.” 3 acted. “Ah…well, I guess it couldn’t hurt.” Vexacus replied, opening a door and stumbling into the backseat. “There you go, wasn’t so hard.” 1 replied. 1 and 3 smile, thinking they have him in their palms. Vexacus is in their backseat, continuing to play drunk. “So many stars visible out tonight…which one is your favorite?” Vexacus asked, trying to distract them. He then notices a Posidonia Fields air freshener hanging, confirming his suspicions on where the two are from. “Ramos sent you two bozos, huh? You’d think he has better things to worry about like conquering Karmania instead of trying to see what I’m up to…” Vexacus mumbled to himself. Neither of them say a word. They figured he was onto them anyway, but now they needed to silence him. They drive the boat to an obscure empty lot where no witnesses are around. They get out of the vehicle, and open the backseat for Vexacus, who pretends to stumble out. “There you go big fellow, easy.” 3 said, helping him out and stand. While 3 isn’t looking, Vexacus frisks him and steals the gun from his belt. Vexacus stares off, his act still managing to fool them. 1 readies his gun, preparing to execute Vexacus. “The poor guy couldn’t handle it. Between his family disowning him, the Guild kicking him to the curb, getting banned from Posidonia and losing an eye, Vexacus here decided to eat his gun. It’s tragic, but anyone could’ve seen this coming. He’s drinking himself to death. We’re doing him a favor.” 1 rehearsed with 3, working on their cover story. “Clever. That’s what I would’ve done.” Vexacus spoke, catching the two off guard, as he aims 3’s gun at them. There is an intense standoff between the three. 3 then tries to draw his gun, but realizes too late it’s gone. Vexacus opens fire on 3 with his own gun, striking him several times as he collapses to the ground, dead. 1 returns fire, striking Vexacus’s left shoulder. Vexacus fires back, striking 1 down. 1 crawls across the ground, as Vexacus walks up to him. He then pulls out his own gun and fires one last shot at 1’s head, finishing him off. Vexacus is shaken, taking a few moment to let it sink that he killed people for the first time in his life. He shakes off the uncomfortable feeling when he knows it was inevitable given his line of work, and this was purely in self-defense. Vexacus scoffed at the thought of these being the best of the Federation military. What a joke. Vexacus opens the driver’s seat and sees their portfolio on him. He wonders why exactly Ramos was so interested in hunting him when he had no intention of coming back to Posidonia anyway. He then figures it out looking further into the notes: he feared he would rat about Karmania. He had no interest in doing that, so this was futile and his soldiers died for nothing. However, he was not done here yet. If the Federation found out he killed two of their soldiers, they would want blood and send more of these guys after him. He had to make it look like someone else killed them. He grabs a cloth from the dashboard and wipes fingerprints off of 3’s gun, then disposes it into a dumpster. He begins firing his gun at their vehicle, shattering the windows. He leaves as many bullet holes to make it look convincing as possible, reloading his gun a few times. He then places 1 and 3’s dead bodies into the front seats, making it appear as if they were ambushed in a drive by shooting. He figured Ramos would be stupid enough to fall for it and blame a local gang here. Vexacus holds his wounded shoulder and limps away from the scene. He needed this taken care of, but didn’t want to attract any police attention to the murders he just committed. He needed to find another way to get this wound taken care of and he couldn’t do it alone this time. He walks along a sidewalk, seeing only a few people out this late at night. He hails a taxi boatmobile nearby. He gets inside and looks at the driver. “You know this area well?” Vexacus asked to him. “Yeah.” The cab driver replied. “…How well?” Vexacus asked shadily, as if he’s giving a code. The cab driver responds to Vexacus with a shifty, knowing look through the mirror. He notices his shoulder wound. The taxi drives off to a part of New Kelp that Vexacus had never visited before. The taxi driver drops him off at a seemingly normal bar on the surface named “The Crescent Lounge.” Vexacus goes inside, seeing shady patrons around. He goes to the bar counter, and the sharply dressed, mustachioed bartender comes to him. “Welcome to the Crescent Lounge, sir. My name is Irving. How can I help you on this fine night?” Irving greeted. Irving is wearing a fancy suit, glasses and a bluetooth earpiece. “Call me Vexacus. I hear you can help me with a…special situation.” Vexacus said, showing his shoulder wound, and Irving immediately understood what he’s asking. “Uh huh. Follow me to the back, Mr. Vexacus.” Irving said, walking aside. Vexacus follows Irving down a hall, taking him into a kitchen miming a doctor’s room. Vexacus sits on a table. Irving puts on latex gloves and examines the shoulder wind. He then feels his pulse. “Alright, well, I’m no doctor but it doesn’t look too bad. Your pulse is fine for now, but you definitely want this taken care of sooner than later, or you’ll die. I’ll do the best I can.” Irving promised. Irving then performs surgery on his shoulder, using whatever tools at his disposal. It’s better than nothing, Vexacus thought. “This may sting.” Irving warned, as he takes out the bullet and Vexacus flinches. Irving then begins to patch up the wound. He pours alcohol on a towel and rubs it against the stitched up spot. He then hands Vexacus several medicine bottles. “Alright Mr. Vexacus, you are good to go. I gave you a broad spectrum of antibiotics. Hopefully some of those will help with the pain. If you’re unsure, talk to a real doctor.” Irving explained. “Thanks for helping a total innocent stranger. That’s it then. No questions on how I got that?” Vexacus asked, surprised. “Nope. I have a don’t ask don’t tell policy with my clients.” Irving replied. Clients? Vexacus wondered what kind of service this guy had going on. Vexacus then pays Irving for his services. “One more thing: If possible, can you give me a new eye?” Vexacus asked, lifting up his eyepatch to show his scarred eye, and holding out an extra tip. “Uh huh. I’m no eye doctor, but I’ll see what I can do.” Irving replied, happy to help. Irving starts performing eye surgery on Vexacus. He does his best to not feel disgusted, taking several deep breaths. He looks around at what he can use to replace his eye with. He steps out of the room into the hallway, noticing a golden ball decoration on a table. He uses tools to turn the ball into a prosthetic cybernetic eye. He finishes the eye surgery on Vexacus, replacing his wounded eye with the golden eyeball he has today. Irving is done, taking off his latex gloves. “Done. See for yourself. I think it looks kind of cool.” Irving said, holding up a mirror. “I like it. It’s menacing. Thank you for everything.” Vexacus said, impressed by the golden eye, and paying him the bonus tip. “No no, thank you.” Irving replied, happily accepting the bonus tip. Vexacus thinks over what he’s gotten himself into. He looked around at Irving’s shady kitchen setup and based on everything else, reasonably assumed Irving was a criminal. However, he wasn’t quite sure what his purpose was. “What are you exactly?” Vexacus asked, questioning his job. “I am your hot line into the ocean’s murky depths, my friend. You’ve entered the abyss and there’s no way out now. If you’re looking for under the radar work, I’m the guy for it.” Irving said ominously. Vexacus realizes what this bar is now: it’s a front for “clients” to request illegal jobs and services. “What kind of work's available?” Vexacus asked, wanting to know more. “I connect interested clients to a variety of services ranging from but not limited to: bodyguard jobs, burglary, theft, obtaining military-grade hardware, obtaining certain illicit substances, bounty hunting, and assassinations of non high profile targets. Although when I put it like that, that does sound like everything most customers are here for. I’m sure one of those genres will tickle your fancy.” Irving explained. Vexacus finally had a way of getting steady work again, but at the cost of diving into the criminal underworld. Oh well, he had tried to do things “the right way” and it got him nowhere. He would have more freedom to do what he wanted, not bound by the law’s restrictions. Vexacus had accepted he was now a criminal bounty hunter. Ironic. “I’d like to see what bounties you have.” Vexacus said, making his decision. “Sure thing. Welcome to the underworld, Mr. Vexacus. I’ve got a lot of good jobs for ya.” Irving said, shaking his hand and escorting him out of the room. Sneed takes the team to the Sabaco Inn, overlooking over the marketplace, houses and hot springs below. “They’re in room 3.” Sneed said, finishing his pretzel and leading them inside the inn. The team knocks on room 3’s door. “Allow me to do the introductions, I’m quite persuasive.” Daisy said, taking charge. The lead hunter of that group opens it, confused. “Yes, hello? Who are you?” The hunter asked suspiciously. “Hi there, your friend Sneed directed us to you. We hear you are bounty hunters like us. We’re the Tidal Nova crew, and we’d like your help in something we’re planning, that is if you’re interested. We’ll totally understand if not.” Daisy greeted happily. “Alright, come on in. I’m Pingas of the Tropical Triad and these are my partners, Sierra and Tim. We’ve been an Enhalas based group for years, since outlaws have tended to flee here.” PIngas introduced, allowing them into the room and pointing to his two allies sitting at the table. Sierra and Tim are overlooking over a map, plotting strategies for something. “What’s up?” Sierra greeted. Vexacus explains their revolution plan, intriguing the team. “That’s a lot to take in.” Tim replied, unsure. “We know it’s quite bold, but we think this will help every hunter in the end.” Daisy said. “I have wanted more freedom…hmm. Admittedly, your timing is impeccable because we have a bit of a problem we could use help with. Three aren’t enough to handle this.” Pingas said. “Who’s the bounty?” Kara asked. “Well that’s the thing: we’re not after a person. We’re after a treasure.” Tim spoke. “The problem is a local gang out here, the Dusk Raiders, has taken over the shipwreck as their own hideout. They aren’t letting anyone take a lick of that loot. Tell you what, if you can help us show ‘em a lesson, we’ll dedicate ourselves to your cause.” Pingas promised. “Deal.” Vexacus said, shaking his hand. “Uh, but before we go, we do get a cut of the treasure…right?” Sarge asked, unable to resist, and Kara hits him for that. “Of course! This fellow knows how to make a bargain, I like him!” Pingas replied with a hearty laugh, giving Sarge a pat on the back, and Kara has an apathetic look. Both teams are seen on board the Tropical Triad’s boat, sailing toward the shipwreck. It’s located on a spit of sand, stretching out from an island that was inhabited by many Dusk Raiders. “There it is.” Pingas said, pointing to the shipwreck as they get closer. Clay looks through his binoculars, assessing what they’re dealing with. He sees several Dusk Raider grunts wearing skull bandanas walking along the sand, keeping lookout. He sees others on board the shipwreck, drinking rum and having a good time. “I see four on ground, and who knows how many on the ship.” Clay reported. “I’ll take ‘em out. These Dusk Losers or whatever they’re called should be a breeze, I ain’t scared.” Sarge said, holding his sniper rifle. “Never get too cocky.” Tim warned. “Don’t worry about his cockiness because Sarge never misses!” Daisy assured eagerly. Sarge snipes one of the grunts, taking them out. “I stand corrected.” Tim admitted, impressed. The other grunts on the ground panic and look out to see the incoming boat. They open fire, but Sarge snipes another one of them. The remaining two begin yelling to their allies inside of the ship, as they go inside. The boat gets closer to the land, as both teams are ready to go in. Several grunts are seen lined up on the deck, ready to attack the intruders. Kara then flies up using her jet-pack, getting closer to the shipwreck and shoots at the grunts, taking two out. She avoids gun shots from others, flying around. “I wish I had a jet-pack.” Sierra said jealous. The boat reaches shore, as the rest of the team storms onto the shipwreck, fighting their way through the Raiders. Clay goes down a seemingly silent hallway, seeing skulls painted on the room doors. He then stands behind a corner. A grunt shouts and goes running, but Clay pops out from the corner, shooting them with his pistol from behind. “You’re not getting our treasure alive!” one of the grunts shouted on top, as Daisy stabs him and throws him overboard. She slashes at two other grunts. With Kara and Sierra’s help, they are able to clear the top deck. Inside, Clay, Sarge, Vexacus, Pingas and Tim make their way through the floor and rooms, narrowly avoiding shots. A grunt peers through a shattered wall and fires at Vexacus, which barely misses his shoulder. Vexacus fires at a grunt’s left shoulder similarly to the flashback, injuring them, and they fall to the ground. He takes their gun and picks the grunt up, throwing them through the broken wall. The women jump down from above, regrouping. “Top deck is cleared. I’ll keep a lookout if any reinforcements come.” Kara reported, flying above. “We’re cleared too. All that remains now is their treasure hold.” Pingas said, pointing to the last door, and ready to go. Pingas kicks the door in, as a group of six Raiders begin firing. They see money and treasures scattered in a large pile beneath a chair, which acts as a “throne.” Daisy throws a dagger at one of the grunts, disarming their gun, and then slashes through him. Pingas, Sierra and Tim get into a formation, shooting at three grunts, taking them all out. Clay is hit by a blast, but his bulletproof vest protects him, and he shoots back at the grunt. Vexacus uses both guns to shoot multiple times at their leader, making him fall over. “We did it! We worked so well together!” Daisy said happily. Both teams begin taking what they can from the treasure pile. They then hear shouting, vehicles and rumbling footsteps in the distance. “We’ve got company!” Kara shouted, as she flies back to the boat. “Sounds like the calvary, so grab what you can and get out of here.” Clay urged. After grabbing what treasures they can, both teams rush out. They get onboard the boat with their treasures. They see vehicles carrying more Dusk Raider grunts approaching, and they’re not ready to fight an army. The boat sails off, evading the gunshots from the remaining angry grunts. Sarge flips them off, and the boat sails further away. “Ha, we sure showed them! What did I tell you? A breeze.” Sarge reminded, counting his loot. “It was a pleasure working alongside you.” Vexacus said, impressed by the Triad’s coordination. “We’ve done a huge favor for the residents of Enhalas. They’ll no longer be afraid of those punks after they hear about this.” Tim said. "We're gonna redistribute half our treasures to the people." Sierra said. "We're both revolutionaries in our own ways." Clay realized, admittedly touched by the notion. “Thank you for everything, Tidal Nova gang. You ignited a spark we haven’t felt in years. This is what bounty hunting should be: helping those who can't protect themselves, which is why we sympathize with your revolution. We’ll do what we can to help. I’ll put in a good word to friends about what you’re planning, hopefully they're convinced.” Pingas promised, giving them his contact information. Vexacus is happy to have at least one team on their side and soon the word will spread. The boat sails back to Sabaco, as Pingas, Tim and Sierra walk back to the inn with their treasures. The Tidal Nova team gets back into their jet plane, ready to take off. As Kara walks to the controls, she stops when she smells smoke. She turns to see Daisy smoking a joint. “…Are you smoking on my plane?” Kara asked her. “Yeah. Got it from the marketplace when nobody was looking.” Daisy said, sounding happier than usual. “Nope, not here. My plane, my rules.” Kara said, taking it away from her, and throwing it out the window, making Daisy sigh. The jet plane sails across the ocean, and then takes off into the sky. Sneed sees them taking off from below and waves farewell. “Alright, where to next?” Sarge wondered, looking over his treasures. “I have my own contact who might be able to help us, but first, let’s deposit our treasure.” Kara said, charting course back to Cymada. Vexacus is happy their revolution had its first spark. He hoped to keep this momentum up. … Meanwhile, out in the Posidonia desert, a scavenger is scanning their metal detector along the sand for any hidden treasures. Their scanner goes wild at something at a peculiar spot, so they begin digging. They stop upon seeing a hand holding onto the remains of a blade shard, terrifying them. They hesitantly brush off more sand, hoping it’s not what they think. They are horrified to see it is what they think, as they unravel Tobias’s corpse, deteriorated after two years. The person gets out their cell phone and makes an anonymous call to the Stowenside police since it's the closest town. “Yeah, hello officers? Um, I was out in the desert this afternoon and found a dead body. It’s out south, not too far from the train tracks. I was out with my metal detector looking for treasure. What? Uh, no, I don’t want to give my name, I was trespassing. I have no idea how long he’s been there, you better send someone out there before the animals get it.” The scavenger reported. Officers are later seen out at the spot, examining Tobias’s body in wonder. This loose end could spell trouble for Vexacus. Notes/Trivia: -Character Debuts: Irving, Sneed, Pingas, Tim, Sierra, Federation Hunter 1 (Simon) and Federation Hunter 3 (Victor) -Deaths: 1 and 3 -Area Debuts: The Crescent Lounge -Flashback Timeline: 4 years before the events of Mystic Guardians -We learn how Vexacus got his golden eye.