"I mean, I don't really care that I'm working for a military outfit." Oliver said slowly, glancing between the pair of stern glares- with a cheeky smirk firmly planted on his lips. "But I really hate being lied to, especially when it affects my safety. This obviously isn't just some valuable cargo, but something more important- which means more dangerous..."

"And you have the nerve to question whether you're paying me too much?" He tsked, clearly annoyed. "So how about we try this without the lies and bullshit?"

Captain Sterling's withering glare drilled into Oliver with little effect. "You don't know what you're talking about; this is a merchant vessel-"

His words cut off abruptly as a sword appeared in Oliver's hand- the arming sword he had bought, pulled from the Warehouse. Pointing the sword at the captain, he shook his head slowly. "Keep in mind, I'm not inclined to trust you at the moment... and neither of you are armed."

"A single word from me and twenty men-"

"You would still be dead, as would Ram here... Understand, this is me being nice. I could have just shot both of you and said fuck it..." Oliver shrugged. "I would actually prefer if my girlfriend handled the talking, since she's a lot better at it, but she won't be showing up until I'm sure it's safe for her... So you get to deal the guy that won't blink at killing everyone on this ship."

The Captain stiffened at the blatant threat. How could this madman threaten him and his crew? Did he think he was immune to bullets Opening his mouth, the angry retort froze in his throat when Ramsbottam grabbed his arm.

"James, stop." Ram's words were soft as he stepped between the two, hoping to defuse the situation- there job was too important for things to go wrong before they had even begun. Turning to face Oliver, he held up his empty hands apologetically. "Listen, it was a military vessel- decommissioned five years ago, and gifted to the Captain when he retired for meritorious service..."

"We can't give you all the details about what we are doing because we were sworn-"

"Don't you dare!" The Captain shouted, starting to push forward- only to stop when Ram glared at him.

"Trust me, James- and, if we were in his position, we would be wary too." Ram sighed, shaking his head- Captain James Sterling may have been his best friend, but the man was as obstinate as he was loyal... and anything that even remotely hinted at insubordination would raise his ire.

"What we are doing is important- and, more importantly, secret." He sighed, shaking his head. "Or it was supposed to be; how the hell those pirates learned about it, we don't know... We're not even sure they have all the details. They may have just been payed to target us..."

"I take it you either can't or won't tell me what this cargo is and why it's important then?" When Ram shook his head- and the Captain glared- Oliver just shrugged, putting away his sword. "Well, that makes my job more challenging... But the best way to keep a secret is to tell no one."

"But... maybe next time, you should be a bit more upfront about things, yeah?"

"Fair enough, though we did have our reasons." Ram nodded, then nudged the Captain- who gave a begrudging nod. "I'll see him to his quarters, Captain. No need to call anyone else; I'm sure he has more questions."

Seeing the glare directed at him from James, Ram chuckled. "I know, I know. Operational security and all that. I'm sure he understands too."

"Fine." The Captain spat, turning on his heels and striding away.

"I hope you won't mind him." Ram spoke cautiously as he watched the stranger they had invited on their ship. "What we are doing really is that important, and it has put a lot of pressure on him... But, well, some requests you just can't refuse, you know?"

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"He thought he was out of the game, then some emergency pulled him right back in?"

"Something like that." Ram nodded. "Come on, we have a cabin set aside for you- usually it's for paying customers, but we aren't taking any tourists this trip."

As he led Oliver down to the cabin, he kept glancing over from the corner of his eye. "So, do you prefer to go by Oliver or Silk?"

"It doesn't matter, really. I answer to both." Oliver chuckled. "How about you ask what you really want to ask? I hate dancing around questions like this."

Ram huffed out a chuckle. "Same, I just don't want to make a tense situation any worse, but I am curious... You mentioned your girlfriend was showing up, but I was told we were only getting one person to assist us..."

"Yeah, she'll be here soon." Oliver shrugged. "And, while I'm sure she'll help as well, she isn't really here for that exactly."

"Then what is she here for?"

They came to a stop in front of a door, and Ram opened it for them... but Oliver just stared blankly into the room for a second before he spoke. "My last job... was rough on me. For a variety of reasons. She's coming along to help me with that, keep me company... and, hopefully, so I don't kill as many people."

Ram grimaced, then nodded in understanding. "After a decade in the Navy, I know how that is. Taking lives is never easy-"

"Oh, it's not that." Oliver waved off the comment as he started looking over his new accommodations. "Killing people doesn't bother me, really. I'm just trying to be a better person, and the death toll was a bit excessive."

"She's kinda like my moral compass, you know? Keeps me from turning into a monster-" Oliver froze, before smiling apologetically... and looking a bit embarrassed. "Sorry, not trying to make you worry that I'm crazy or anything. I do have a strict moral code- no killing innocents or good people if I can help it and that sort of thing... I'm just a bit more... flexible... in what I consider acceptable, a bit beyond what other people are ok with..."

"I'm not good at explaining this." Oliver sighed at the frown marring Ram's face. "Just... hold on for a second..."

Reaching into the Warehouse, Oliver pulled out... Polina.

While Poli was taking a second to get her bearing, Oliver looked her over- impressed and awed again by her. She was decked out in a way that did things to him he couldn't put words to, beyond that he liked it.

The leather armor they had bought fit her like a second skin- and, knowing they would be sailing, it had been oiled and treated to resist the water. While it wasn't the best protection they could get, it covered most of the important parts- pretty much from the neck down. Over top the chest piece, she was also wearing her ballistic vest- which he was glad for, considering this world had firearms...

A pistol was belted on her right hip, with her shortsword on the left, and the M16 she preferred hung from a strap slung over her head... and the numerous pockets of her vest were filled with magazines for it. She looked absolutely deadly, even without the rest of her weapons- which were all still stored in the Warehouse. She could only carry so much at once, after all...

Oliver didn't really understand why he thought she looked sexy like that, but he certainly wouldn't complain...

She blinked in confusion for a moment, disoriented by the transition- from her perspective, she went from standing in their living room to being inside a small bedroom. One that rocked slightly- though it only took a second for her to figure out that they must already be on the ship...

Then she saw Ram standing just outside the door.

"Oh, hello." She smiled kindly, even as she took in the large and demonic looking man. Glancing uncertainly at Oliver, she quickly asked. "Is this our employer?"

"Nah." Oliver chuckled. "This is Ramsbottam; he's the Captain of the Marines on board. I was just trying to explain to him that I brought you along to keep me from being crazy, and I did a shit job of it. I'm actually hoping you can explain it better."

Poli rolled her eyes, though her gentle smile never wavered. "Ok, so you're throwing me right into a weird conversation. Got it. I'm assuming this is our room- or cabin, I guess, since its on a ship?"

"Well, Ramsbottam." Poli said without even blinking at his name. "Would you like to have a seat so I can explain why my boyfriend isn't crazy- well, how he isn't a threat to you or the crew? And maybe answer a few questions I have, since I'm pretty sure Oliver didn't ask them?"

"That's... well, that's fair, I guess." Oliver shrugged, taking a seat nearby- and trying not to laugh at the stunned look on Ram's face from having a whole other person just appear in front of him...

This job was going to be fun.

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