Dark Dealings

''Five years ago, at the G3 marine base. ''

''A den Den mushi rings on the desk of the bases’ commander, vice admiral Rosenburg. He answers ''

???: Mayday!! Ma__y!..uesting……..- --- *static---* immediate ///…….support!

Rosenburg: Who is speaking? Identify?

???: //--…. G4 lieutenant ….Odile!.... Req***___istance! O… ship ….. crippled!

Rosenburgt: Why haven’t you returned to G4?

''The line crackles indistinctly ''

Odile: G4 is …...... *static* sss-s-s-…… is….

Rosenburg: Please clarify, your signal is breaking up. G4 is?

Odile: ..sss…//--destroyed//Ship—crippled--..fsssss send…

Rosenburg: Destroyed? How?

Odile: ….. StStStSt

Rosenburg: Repeat?

Odile: ….___above

''There is a faint whistling in the background getting louder ''

Rosengurg:  but-

''The room tears itself apart. Rosenburg finds himself blown clean through a window, airborne. He lands outside the base, just in time to see it tear itself apart, shrouded in arcs of yellow lightning. Above, dark clouds revolve all too quickly around the column of light that has suddenly speared the island. As he picks himself up, the Vice admiral is dimly aware that his uniform has burst into flames. ''

Rosenburg: What… the….

''He faints. ''

''

''

''One hour later, at marineford. ''

''Another den den mushi rings. Fleet admiral Sengoku answers. ''

???: Hello? Who’s there? Can you hear me? Do I need to-

Sengoku: I can hear you. This is fleet admiral Sengoku of the marines. How did you get this number? We are unable to-

???: Good, Good, marines! Sorry. Wasn’t really sure how to use this white den den mushi or whatever you call it. Anway, I need to speak to the guys in charge. The ones who appoint sichibukai and handle diplomatic things. Who are they?

Sengoku: Sichibukai? Who are you? You should be aware that the marines-

Jango: My name is John Jango de Triezieme. Now look out the window.

Sengoku: What?

''Sengoku obligingly looks out of his office window. His eye is immediately drawn to the ship that is floating directly above the harbour, out of reach of any of the guns or defences. He notices a tiny figure standing on the deck. Even at this distance he notices the wings ''

Jango: Prepared to arrange that diplomatic meeting yet?