It took even longer than I thought but we finally got to an open section of water with docks and buildings surrounding it. We pulled up and docked then we left and walked up to the market place surrounding the water parking lot I guess, I didn’t know what it was called. One building was called “Artillery and explosives” and was more like a small warehouse with a front desk in the front. The woman at the desk was in her 30s I think, her arms were covered in scars and she dressed like me and Dan.

“Hey, its you. Been awhile since you were last here so what do want today other than showing her off.” she told Dan.

“Oh nothing else than that, you look okay for 33.” Dan responded.

“Fuck you.” she said while laughing.

“I need a rpg launcher plus several rockets, I have a big job coming up.” she was told.

“That little thing is going to? She must be tougher than she looks but make sure you tell her…” she said before Dan interrupted her.

“I already know that.” he finished saying, then Dan payed then a small car with flat pieces of metal sticking out carrying a small wood sub square with boxes strapped on top. It dropped the cargo on the ground and while we went inside and opened the cargo doors a crane picked it up and lowered it in our boat.

Next we bought a single harpoon at a different building and I carried it back as we went back to the ship again and loaded it the harpoon guns spare harpoon holder. We were going to leave but then Dan said he forgot something so we went back and bought a knife and something to carry it in called a sheath I was told. It had rubber straps and I was told it was bought for me, and Dan helped me strap it on my left arm. It was a short knife with a rubber grip, I was told this could help me in the upcoming job.

We were on our way home and I saw a poster for a governors race, once we got home and walked back in the house I took of my knife and gun. Then changing back into my skirt I walked into the tiny living room, I then asked about the governors race.

“The city head is called a governor and every 10 years a new election is held, the emperor picks 3 candidates. The current governor is not always picked to run again and the city residents vote and pick one, of course there is always more then voting. There is always violent clashes until a new one is picked, its fun.” I was told.

“So the next election is soon? Also what happens if the current person is kicked out of power or killed?” I asked.

“The emperor picks a temporary leader until a special election happens, there is no second in command because they cant be trusted not to kill the governor. Since they would then take power themselves, it happened before so they made it this way a while ago before I was born. Also the candidate has to live where the election is held, but they always come from wealthy or politically connected families. They can be found guilty of treason and removed from power.” he responded.

“Then there killed?” I asked.

“Yes if its treason, most people are killed when found guilty but not wealthy citizens, all there money and property is taken by the government and there striped of citizenship then they most often kill themselves after. Treason is always death no matter who you are.” I was told.

“Do you plan on backing a candidate with force?” I then asked.

“No, no interest because they are all pieces of shit.” he then finished before turning on the tv and there was more jet ski racing. This was fun to watch since this race let racers bump into each other and knock people off.

The whole governor election system was brutal but honest, I liked that about this empire. Thinking about it force or the threat of force is how governments keep power. So why deny physical force in the process of picking leaders?

Dan got up while I still sat on the floor, and made 2 screwdrivers for us. I was handed one and told “To you just barley living, you made it Lin. Good job.”. I drank it and was just like how the last one tasted, I finished mine and had that same tired but relaxed feeling, Dan went to get one more and I asked for one more. I had never really drank much in my life but right now I was happy so wanted to drink more, after the second drink I was even more tired and Dan pick me up and put me on his lap. A new race started and I wasn’t really paying attention but saw several riders knocked off and hurt, it was fun to see that. I did sleep for 20 minutes or so then woke up on my bed finding this all out when I saw Dan in the kitchen.

I was picked up again and put on his lap again, I did love this. Next was an add I guess but not really, on the tv was a man in primitive metal armor talking about the annual gladiator games with footage of previous games. Bloody bodies and only bladed weapons in an arena, I asked if slaves were forced to fight for entertainment. “No and yes, some slaves are forced to fight but most are free people who voluntary fight for fame and fortune. They can die or be disabled but agree to take the risk, if they are about to be killed the games master will order both fighters to stop. If the crowd was pleased with the fight then they are spared but if not they are killed, the games master must be listened to if he says to spare the opponent. Of course if a kill happens before this happens then the one left alive is the winner. People love the games and look forward to it, the emperor himself used to be the games master. Well the first one did but all other emperors refuse to so the position of games master was made to fill in for them.” I was told.

I would like to see the games, since most agreed to fight then it wasn’t morally wrong even if it was brutal. The promotion finally ended and he got up to turn the tv off since nothing was broadcasting then picked me back up and sat down.

“So are you afraid of this thing that well be killing, since we don’t know anything about it?” I asked.

“A little I wont lie, but the ocean is always like this.” he responded.

“I more curious than afraid but I am frightened a little, I remember seeing squid fish for the first time.” I then told him.

We continued to talk until we both went to sleep, I went to my room and lied in bed. I was kinda excited about this job, but knew I might not be saying that later.