Time
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Post by Time on Jun 9, 2023 15:50:40 GMT
Within The expanse of the North Blue's sea, a message came through from Marineford. In it were details of a planned attempt to gatekeep the safest route into the Grand Line, Reverse Mountain. The plans stated what would be North Blue's operation schedule and cycle. Among them was a simple order towards the Commadore of the region, Mahonia Marigold.
The Order?
Take down the Coleson Brothers and their Armada. The plan known as Operation: Whitewaters required that the pirates become disorganized and segregated. It had also been intended to be top secret, but as the WENP had stated apparently a leak had occurred. It was an understandable and predicted risk, and this order was the countermeasure to it. If the greater factions or fleets of pirates could be broken or crippled, it would only strengthen the operation's success.
The Coleson Brothers were a pair who had become pirates at different times, with them joining forces once they had amassed enough ships. They were a threat, and one Marigold had been ordered to disregard unless they actively attacked in mass. Reports had told that the Coleson Fleet was amassing an Armada in response to the news, and with this order, Marigold had been given free reign to target the fleet before they became a threat to the operation.
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Post by DornKoon on Jun 9, 2023 20:26:40 GMT
Her troops were preparing for the upcoming mission, and there was a constant bustle of soldiers hurrying about, weapons being looked over, and canons secured. There was a sensation of anticipation in the air; many soldiers were excited to prove themselves on the battlefield. They did not often get orders like these from HQ, and many of the officers felt the weight of it already.
Take down the Coleson Brothers and make sure their united fleet doesn't reach Reverse Mountain.
The Coleson Brothers, just the name, was enough to annoy Commadore Marigold. They had been a source of irritation for the last several weeks, and the order from on high to disregard them unless they attacked seemed like an oversight in her mind. It would have been better to crush them before they could get as much as a rowboat for this great pirate armada. It would not have been the first time she did something of that nature, crushing the fledgelings before they could become grown birds.
Mahonia stood over her desk, looking at the charts of the area. Now, what was the best course of action to crush this armada? She straightened herself to her full height, absentmindedly sipping from a tall cocktail glass filled with a bubbly blue drink. In truth, they would not have to defeat the whole Armada. The goal was to cripple them and destroy any semblance of unity before they could reach the Mountain. Perhaps cutting the head would cause the serpent to fall to pieces?
"Was this what they had in mind, I wonder," Marigold muttered, "Let them group up and then give me the free reigns to deal with them as I please. Or had they been content to let them grow in strength, if not for that article in the newspaper, cursed Morgans." The Commadore shook her head, "I feel like someone is testing me; not sure I much enjoy the sensation. Alas, we shall do our duty."
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Time
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Post by Time on Jun 19, 2023 2:59:25 GMT
Marigold would notice that a majority of these charts, graphs, and other things were actually recorded and signed by the Taskforce known as Grandioso. It was famous for it's crew's ability to gather information and Intel, as well as their tenacity to exemplify marines and their duties. Taskforces were ultimately within her jurisdiction to organize and call back, but it seemed as though Higher ups had called for Grandioso to take on the younger of the two Coleson Brother, one that had recently acquired and eaten the Dance Dance Devil Fruit; and had been using it to cannibalize other pirate groups to join the Coleson Armada. What's more, another taskforce, Mortar, had been ordered to intercept a separate group that was attempting to join up with the armada. Marigold had been given jurisdiction of the rest, their orders clear and simple, to assist in defeating the Elder Coleson Brother, Jackson Coleson, or to be used by Marigold to perform strike operations on other pirate crews she deemed an immediate threat.
Jackson was the first to set sail, and intel suggested that he was far more simple than his younger brother. Where the man had gained his infamy was his ridiculous strength, as well as sheer size. In all honesty, he was not someone that Marigold was use to fighting, but this wasn't a one on one fight. Jackson already kept a majority of the armada with him at all times, keeping them as his personal army that he could order and boss around. This was going to be an all out naval battle, and if anything the likelihood of outright fighting him one on one would be minimal if she didn't want to. Still, considering the orders she had given the other task forces, that would depend. A knock would occur on her door, as a Marine called through, "Madam Commodore, may I enter please?"
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Post by DornKoon on Jun 19, 2023 12:02:24 GMT
Marigold closed her eyes briefly, taking a sip from her glass to collect and focus her thoughts. Jackson Coleson, the brute, how she would have wanted to pierce his heart with her blade, a few times at least. Stomping over everything made the seas peaceful and orderly. But, it was not her way of dealing with things. She was not planning to face the oldest Coleson in a one-on-one battle. Even if she did not doubt her skills, that was not her role this time. She was there as an officer to lead... not charge headlong into battle.
The Marine was powerful because they were united and many; she could not allow a lovely pirate to accomplish a similar feat!
"Enter..." Said Marigold calmly, not looking away from her documents.
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Time
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Post by Time on Jun 23, 2023 19:20:05 GMT
The marine stepped in, a Captain from the looks of his coat, as he stood at salute. He wasn't a taskforce captain. They had a certain flair to their style. A freedom given to them as they rarely had to deal with the beuracracy of higher ranked officers. Officers such as Marigold. "Commadore Marigold, We have confirmation of the Enemy on the horizon. Reports say that we are facing a small fleet of 5 ships, one which is of dreadnaught class." Dreadnaught class ships were a rarity amongst the blues. Hell, usually only the Emperors or Warlords of the Grand Line had such ships. For the Coleson Brothers to have had time to build one indicated just how free they had been allowed to roam. "The Dreadnaught class ship still seems to be under construction, as it's missing sails and masts. As intel reports have said, it seems as though the other four ships are hauling it forward. We should be able to engage them within the hour. Many of the Taskforces are awaiting orders on how you wish to approach the situation."
The situation was clear now. While the Coleson Brothers had been building a dreadnaught class ship, it seemed that they weren't too smart. Firstly, Marigold knew that the pathway into Reverse Mountain was dangerous and narrow. Marine ships were often too large to enter, with the exception of very small Taskforce crews. The elder of the two brothers was not known for his intelligence, as opposed to the younger. The higher ups had taken advantage of the rush the Newspaper had created to force action rather than allow a build up. Had the papers not exposed Operation Whitewaters, the dreadnaught could have been finished and fully operational. So why had she been left so far out of the loop on this? Was command thinking she had been the leak of information, or were they attempting to find the mole?
Either way, the important part was planning a course of action.
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Post by DornKoon on Jun 27, 2023 19:27:17 GMT
Mahonia listened as the captain stepped inside, she did not look at him when he spoke, and her gaze remained focused on the charts at the desk. As he talked, her gaze shifted to the point on the map that would more likely be viewed as the "horizon", a small fleet of five ships, and one being a dreadnaught, still not fully constructed. Were they seriously thinking of getting a dreadnaught through the Reverse Mountain?!
It would be smashed to pieces instantly...
No, that could not be the true purpose of such a vessel, as impressive as it would look... it could not be what the Coleson brothers were planning. Even so, just the fact that she had been able to build one was enough to make her blood boil, the pure audacity of these pirates! Sure, had a vessel been built inside the New World, it would have made sense, but in one of the blues.
"I want them sunk, Captain". Her voice was slow, cold and measured as she straightened herself to her full, impressive height. Her eyes turned to look at the captain, her eyes as piercing as her blade. "That is more order to all Taskforces and Marines. We have our marching orders, and as I have finally been given free rein to do as I see fit on the situation, I shall extend that order to everyone."
She closed her eyes, gingerly holding the glass in her hands. "Bring me a snail, and I shall make my orders and intentions known... personally." Now was not the time for half-measures, and she knew many of the Taskforces were... difficult to control, and so she was not going to do so, she was going to give them exactly what they wanted.
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Time
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Post by Time on Jun 27, 2023 23:21:23 GMT
The captain watched her face turn to a cold glare, before giving her orders, and then quickly nodded. Leaving for a moment, he would quickly return with a broad range announcement snail that seemed to be sleeping until it's flip was switched.
The ship that Marigold was on, the Dreadnaught S.S. Snow Maiden was a marine that operated as a mobile battle fortress, not nearly as impressive as a place such as Marineford or Impel Down; but it was basically a fortress that allowed for a Commodore to not only create a mobile repair and resupply station; but a powerful weapon to use against massive fleets. The marines were moving quickly as they began to load cannons as the signal to prepare for battle rang out. From her room, Marigold could open her window in order to see the entire battlefield, the open sea expanding with only a few large rocks that outcropped before them. They were places the Dreadnaught couldn't sail anywhere near, least they take major damage. In the distance, was her opponent. it appeared as though it was a small ship at the distance, but it was an illusion, as the four smaller ships that dragged the bigger one were warships. It was like a brown stain in the distance; and a stain to the North Blue's influence and authority. Technically, most of the North blue was indeed under the World Government alliance, and the Colesons couldn't assault a kingdom of decent size. Yet this was built to challenge justice.
Marigold would have access to the Iron Net; a formation where marine ships were attached with special chains to act as a method to capture ships that tried to sail around. There were other formations, but if what she had clarified was clear, she had basically ordered the Taskforces to go in and destroy the Warships, as men and women began to quickly get onto their assigned taskforce ship, each one generally in the navy's colors; but also each unique in their own way. Many were pursuers; or fighting forces; though each were prepared to fight. In comparison to the Warships in the distance, it was like sending dogs after a bull. They could do it, but the possibility of damages was inevitable. "Taskforces have been given the order to prepare for battle and to head out. Anything else ma'am?" He asked, before waiting for her orders.
This was her place, Marigold standing over the battlefield as a command to organize her forces to crush the enemy to all justice. What she asked, they would do. What she ordered, they would comply. For absolute justice!
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Post by DornKoon on Jun 29, 2023 8:35:05 GMT
Marigold did not do much as her initial orders were being carried out. The Commadore reached out and opened her window while the captain was away collecting the snail. Her gaze lingered towards the Horizon, watching the small dots of vessels growing slowly bigger. Mahonia glanced at the Broad Range Snal as it was placed on her desk. Soon, her North Blue would be like the freshly fallen snow, pure and free from irritable stains.
She did not bother to say anything to the captain's question, and she did not mind him being there when she addressed the forces, and instead of answering, she flipped the switch to wake the snail up and waited for it to become active.
Silence followed...
"To all Marines who can take up this message, this is Commadore Marigold." Her voice was measured, calm and cold. Many had heard it before, and there was a certain amount of security in the calm confidence behind the voice. "For years, we have watched an infection grow and fester in our Blue. The pirates have grown secure in their illusion that we dare not lift a hand against them. But my prayers have been answered. HQ has given me free rein to deal with the Coleson Brothers as I see fit, and I shall now extend this order to all of you."
Mahonia paused, then... she smashed her cocktail into the charts, broken glass spread around the desk, combined with what remained of her colourful drink.
"I WANT THEM SUNK!" Her voice was not angry, but it was louder. It was an absolute order. "No one will ever dare to question our resolve again, and I'm now giving you all your orders! Burn their flags and sails, and break their masts and oars. Spread fear upon their decks. Leave nothing but broken wrecks and shattered dreams in your wake! Show them who rules these waters. Let it be a message to all who dare to follow the words of the Jolly Devil. Do what must be done. You have my blessing, encouragement, and faith... prove that you deserve them."
Once Mahonia was done, she stopped and said what she wanted. She flipped off the snail. Now, it was just a matter of taking action herself. She turned to look at her captain. "Prepare to engage the enemy, and I will join you on the deck to witness the battle. Pray, I do not feel I must intervene myself." The Commadore swept past the Captain but stopped at the door before leaving. " And bring me another cocktail, something with lime."
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Time
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Post by Time on Jun 30, 2023 3:00:30 GMT
The Marines kept to their work and orders as the speaker line opened up. No one had the time to stop, but a many did turn their heads to hear a bit better. Each of the Marines seemed even more determined as Commodore Marigold gave a speech that was aimed to make her point clear. She wanted everyone to do not only what needed to be done, but have it done yesterday, because that was how this situation was. The fact they were held back from getting rid of the problem as opposed to just keeping them away from the World Government Countries was not only a shared sentiment. It was a desired one. Her influence, training protocols, and even strictness of her order in the North blue set a standard of justice.
And now they were finally allowed to put everything they believed into full force. "FOR ABSOLUTE JUSTICE!" A Cry was heard through the entire dreadnaught. Even the Captain behind her stated as such. Once she was done, and gave her next order, he nodded while still in a salute. "Yes Commodore!" He said, before quickly heading to get her drink. However, not even a minute after this, her personal snail from Marineford began to cry out it's iconic Peroperoperopero! She could choose to ignore it, but perhaps she could also get answers if she answered it. Of course she also needed to prepare her own armament and weaponry. There was also the fact that she'd need to clarify a plan of action to accurately guarantee the destruction of the Dreadnaught so that it could not be recovered. Cannon fire could only do so much against such a boat; and there was no doubt that the need to board it was a guarantee. Of course if the battle went poorly due to lack of planning, the same could be said of her own ship, where the Coleson Brother would no doubt challenge her to make a statement if he did get on board.
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Post by DornKoon on Jun 30, 2023 23:09:34 GMT
Mahonia was walking towards the deck when her snail began to cry out, and she stopped momentarily as a few Marines ran past her. It was the snail from Marineford. What could they want? And who could want to call her at this time? She pulled out her snail and watched it for a few seconds before taking a deep breath... and answering.
"gacha"
"This is Commadore Marigold," she said before continuing her walk toward the deck. She really had no idea who it could be, so she was making herself ready for anything. Hopefully, it was not going to be a long conversation, she was not in a situation for small talk, and there were preparations to be done. She already had a few ideas on how to deal with the Dreadnaught... Her ship could potentially pose a tempting target for the enemy. Maybe she could use that to her advantage in some way.
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Time
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Post by Time on Jul 5, 2023 14:43:36 GMT
"Commadore Marigold. This is Grand Fleet Admiral Saint.", The snail stayed with a commanding and burly deep voice that could only be described as that of a veteran years in the making. Of all the ranks, Grand Fleet Admiral was the highest. It was also the one who reported directly to the World Government, and those who controlled it. "I presume that you are already making significant progress on the Coleson Brothers Assault, yes? If so, then I must make this clear. The World Government would like for you to capture that Dreadnaught. While it is not a standard model for marine Dreadnaughts, we can still utilize it for the upcoming mission. Operation:Whitewaters can only prove to benefit by gaining the firepower. Do you have any questions or concerns? "
For the Grand fleet Admiral to suddenly pull this up, and state that the order was given by the World government was.... Awkward. While Marigold did not know the Grand Fleet Admiral that well, his stance was to protect the Marine's allies while destroying pirates when possible. "This may be thr last time we end up speaking or exchanging information. I understand that your authority has been undermined for the past few months. You at least deserve to be given knowledge on things happening in your region of control."
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Post by DornKoon on Jul 10, 2023 16:57:19 GMT
She had imagined it would be someone higher up in the chain of command, but she had not expected to hear the voice of Fleet Admiral Saint. Mahonia stopped walking, and her eyes focused on the small snail who spoke in Saint's voice.
"We are about to engage the enemy shortly. I've given a general command and shall take my position for the assault." She replied to his initial question. "If our order is to capture the vessel, then we shall ensure it is done, sir."
As for his following question, it would be a lie to say she did not have questions or concerns. Why did they let the situation go this far? After her father's treason, it did not make sense to let the North destabilize even more. Was this some kind of test to assure her conviction? No, it could not be, and she would delude herself if thinking so.
Still...
"No, Fleet Admiral," was her reply instead. Her voice was as collected as she could make it. "I do my duty to uphold order and justice. As I told you before, after my fath... the former vice-admiral Marigolds incarceration in Impel Down, my feelings and concerns are of little importance in the grand scale of the world."
She made a short pause.
"These pirates and their armada shall be crushed and the dreadnaught captured."
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Time
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Post by Time on Jul 15, 2023 19:54:20 GMT
The Fleet Admiral was silent for a bit, but then the snail's stern looking eyes drooped and a frown was seen on it, as he continued, "Your Father was better at hiding his emotions. I know that you're expected to act a certain way; but that can also breed discontent. I'd rather you be blunt with me when I ask, than for you to bottle your dissatisfaction Mahonia. It can lead you to making irrational decisions or worse, clouding your judgment like with your old man."
The words were clear as the snail kept it's eyes on her. Encrypted snails wouldn't show anything more than expressions of whoever was talking. so Fleet Admiral Saint's face wasn't visible. "With that said.... I won't dwell on this if you insist. But at some point, you'll need to know the workings of those who fund us, and why we are ordered to do things. Never the less, if you have more important issues to deal with, I'll leave you be to do so." The snail confirmed, before waiting a few more moments for any sort of response.
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Post by DornKoon on Jul 16, 2023 19:06:16 GMT
"Perhaps," said Mahonia slowly at Sain't words. "But I am nothing like my father, Fleet Admiral. But, if you wish me to be blunt, I shall comply." There was a pause, and her gaze focused on the snail in her hand. What could she say to the Fleet Admiral if he wanted her to be blunt? "I want to crush the Coleson brothers, and I have wanted to do it for months, yet you blocked it, and now I am forced to potentially sacrifice my hardworking marines to needless deaths, which could have been prevented if we had killed the sickness before it could grow this big."
Mahonia stopped. Her words had not been loud or angry but still honestly spoken.
"I suppose my only blessing is that Salamander is not in the North Blue..."
She sighed and shook her head.
"But, suppose there must be a reason behind my pleads being met with refusals?"
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Time
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Post by Time on Jul 25, 2023 20:37:05 GMT
The snail was quiet for a while, before a long sigh came out. "There's the long and short answer. The short answer is as follows. Political negotiations were required before approval could be given. The long answer is a bit more complicated." Fleet Admiral Saint stated, as he sounded exhausted. "Honestly, I would agree with you. Those pirates shouldn't have been left to their own devices.... but from what I understand, and was told; the North Blue Kingdoms that are a part of the World Government had not paid their tributes, and were even discussing plans to become independent. You already know that we are funded by the World Government. The World Tribute is partially sectioned into our budget.... which includes your own funds. They didn't state it, but if the kingdoms of the North blue decided to leave the World Government, then your men would likely not have the funds to stay operational within the North. In short, you and your men would be reassigned..... so the answer was simple. We would kill two birds with one stone. Operation Whitewaters was already in the works well before the Coleson Brothers became an issue. However, by leaving the pirates alone, and having your men held back; the WG offered the kingdoms of the North Blue the opportunity to leave if they could handle the issue..... unfortunately, they could not. During the last meeting with the rulers of the North Blue, the intelligence the Grandioso Crew collected was used as evidence. In short, our Government gave a ultimatum. Pay the Tribute on time, or forces would be pulled as the Colesons rampaged along the North with a dreadnaught class ship. Needless to say, payment was swiftly given." Saint said, as he leaned back in his chair, evident in the creaking of wood.
A few moments would pass, before he spoke again, "To be honest.... I never liked politics.... Too much greed, money, and power on those idiot's minds, however without the World Government funding us, we cannot take matters into our own hands, less we risk accidentally starting unnecessary conflicts with the idiotic north blue kingdoms that will have worse consequences than pirates who are cannibalizing each other. So... that's the whole long and short of it.... as well as your orders. Capture the Dreadnaught....... though.... I suppose I couldn't blame you if the older Coleson Brother decided to sink his own ship. Such things were foreseen as a possible risk." The man stated. "Now.... With that stated.... and politics finally out of our way. I'll ask if you have any further questions for me Mahonia."
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