BANG BANG BANG

Before a Benezian frigate could turn its side towards me, I fired AA shells at its sails and thus deprive it of the maneuverability.

“Take this!”

“Are you always so full of yourself? Don’t forget, they have a pair of cannons in the back too.” As Patricia said, they have some weapons.

Bom Bom

We were straddled, and small fountains of water shot from where the cannonballs hit. I returned the courtesy.

BANG BANG BANG

100mm armor piercing shots went straight through the wooden hull, without exploding. The consecutive shots were high explosive.

Bang

Right after the guns were silenced, a small cloud of smoke appeared from the top of the ship’s main structure.

Bang Bang Bang

A couple of bullets ricocheted from the windows. When the ship lost its fighting power, the crew armed themselves for combat.

Bu-bu-bu-bu-bum Bu-bu-bu-bum

I shredded the attacking defenders with AA machine guns, and after the frigate went silent, I asked Patricia.

“That should be it?”

“Not yet. They did not surrender. Can you fire a couple more shots?” She peeked in the windows from behind a metal construction.

“Fire guns, aye. Sending presents!”

BANG BANG BANG

After a couple of hits, the frigate started rising white flag.

“Niiice~!”

“Good job. With this our fleet should have even more vessels.” Patricia was so happy that she even praised me. I might’ve wondered where Veronica is, and what happened, but for now I have to focus on more immediate results.

The war is not over and the pirates are outnumbered 3 to 1. If Benezian navy was not scattered around in its colonies, then the pirates would not be enjoying the Caribbean. They failed many of their tasks and now require new ships.

No drydocks, no shipyards, and a lot of ships sailing around, waiting to be captured.

“Patricia, do you know the proportion of captured ships in the pirates’ navy?” There was nothing to talk about while we towed the prize back so Patricia was the only way to entertain myself.

“All but two. Why are you asking? Did you not know that curiosity killed the cat~?” (P)

“Well, there is nothing to do so I just try to entertain myself. Not that I have anybody to talk to properly…”

“Ha?! Sorry that I am not the most talkative type! Perhaps you’ve enjoyed that b*’s attention? Maybe you want me to be skinning you, just like she did?” (P)

“I was just mumbling, don’t get mad all of a sudden!”

“I am insulted here, and then I am wrong?!” Once again, the conversation ended in us remaining away from each other.

Despite all of the hardships, and slow steaming, we returned to the base and passed the prize to the pirates.

While we were docked and had nothing to do, I went to the pub to search for people, willing to serve aboard.

The bartender poured me a pint of ale and I started listening to the conversations.

‘… Yeah, and I never heard back from him. He just disappeared, as if…’

‘He still owes you? Whenever you need help, bro. My guys will gu…’

‘… bulls*. He must’ve stopped somewhere at a colony and stocked supplies. No way he made it to the West.’ – ‘Man, I witnessed it with my own eyes! You can’t forge stuff like dat!’

‘… I mean, he really doesn’t know when to quit. That a*hole doesn’t pay the crew and hoards everything for himself.’ Gotcha.

One moment, and I was already by the table.

“What’s up, men? Somebody owes to your homies?”

“Pffft! Stop it, Beast. This stupid accent is too much…~!” A greybearded pirate and his friend started laughing.

“I have a ship but I lack a crew. You get me?” I went right in with my offer.

“Go away, girl. You don’t even have money to pay anyone. It’s that Lady who pays for everything you drink here. I’m not going to sell out my pals for the sake of them starving.” (Pirate)

“Then how about me making them this offer? It’s not like they would lose anything.”

“Maybe. Still, you’re way too sudden. Go do something for Her Ladyship, maybe she will find a crew, willing to work for free.” (Pirate)

“Can we…”

“No. Bring me something cool, and then we’ll be talking.” I understood that the crew would be too much for me to ask.

Still, I have some gold and so I can buy a destroyer.

I checked my account and cried. Then, I checked the ‘port’ screen.

‘Docked in port: Allied

Refuel and repair – 1 silver

1x Torpedo – 1 gold’

I grit my teeth and bought repairs and torpedoes, afterwards I cried. I have 1 gold left, and it is barely enough to buy the entire squadron. Total parsimony is a must.