Whitewaters, Wet DOGs

The marines for the most part would make way in their own way, only a few of the newer recruits or a clumsy choreboy were in the way long enough to scramble backwards at the intimidating aura of the crew. Taskforces were always like that. Each member seen not as a normal marine but a specialist who deserves respect.... that would be the case, but DOGs had an infamous reputation as outcast compared to others. Of course that didn't stop marines from being forced to listen and avoid angering superiors who gave the orders, and Taskforces were ALWAYS under an order. It was that fact which made the idea of a normal grunt on a Taskforce being a pipe dream most of the time. Those lucky few were usually handling things the more talented members were too busy to attend to immediately.

With that said, once everyone was lined up, and reported in, each of the members of DOGs lining up behind and in rows a voice echoed. "At ease, we don't have time for formalities Captain Layete. Bring your three most trusted and tight lipped members in."

Immediately Layete called forth the first three of his team who had lined up. "Jacoby, Nile, Secco. Get in." Immediately the three would see that the commadore of the West Blue. Jacoby and Niles had seen the Commadore once, but Secco on the other hand never had, since his training had not be traditional. Targen was a large man, larger than Layete surprisingly, and broader too. He had a 12 o'clock shadow, black haired mullet, a coat slouched over his shoulders with the ornaments that indicated his position, as well as the.... unique.... face. Targen wasn't attractive. He knew this, but it was an unspoken rule to never be disrespectful enough to comment on his looks. The man knew when he was being lied to, and hated that even more than being told the truth. At least he expected the truth to hurt, a lie always gave false hope. His lips were the most outstanding thing, being thick and more akin to a fish than a human in a permanent frown. His chin was flat, and uncomfortably too close to his bottom lip, his nose crooked to the left side ever so slightly as he had taken one too many strike and got fed up with fixing it. Then there was the unibrow. It literally looked like there was a furry caterpillar on the Commadore's face.

When the man looked up to Layete and his members; it wiggled a bit before arching up like it spotted something. Instantly, Jacoby was sweating and tight lipped as he tried his best to not react. Layete unfortunately couldn't help himself and spewed air out for a split second before correcting himself. Targen disregarded him, and instead focused on the three members. "Again. Names, and Rank. I recognize two of you, but not your new wildcard. Where are you from?" Jacoby immediately piped up, his speech a bit faster than normal as he tried to keep his composure, "Lieutenant Junior Grade Nile D'elta. It's an honor to see you again SIR!" The final bit was sharp, perhaps a bit higher pitched as he clamed up again. It was clear immediately who Targen was as he commented immediately, "Minus 2 points for forgetting to salute your superior officer, and another for adding meaningless banter." Jacoby grimaced and suddenly his lips weren't so tight anymore. It was a bitter reminder of the Commadore's infamous Point System, which was based on a 1 to 100 score. It was a score that basically indicated first impression, and they always reset with each day. If your score was low, it was a bad impression, and often times you were assigned to chore boy duties, or the worse tasks.

Targen didn't react, but paid direct attention to Secco, before grunting. He didn't even bat an eye as Secco mentioned his father, before looking down at some of his papers. He stayed silent and eventually only looked back up towards Niles. "Niles. I understand you wish to be an exemplary marine, but if the runt needed help explaining himself I'm sure he would have asked for it. Minus 5 points to you immediately."

He'd look down at the paperwork again, before rubbing his eyebrow as a headache came on. "I trust Layete's choice, and as such I will give you a chance without questions. That is how I respect my senior in experience La'Province. Still, I rarely give second chances, nor do I expect your absolute respect as I did not train you. However, I suggest you put the effort in not to embarrass your captain. Would you like to Try one more time?"

Layete's reaction was neutral, but it being neutral was either because he was at attention, or because he was watching. Secco could guess which.

Targen looked and watched Secco with eyes that stated he noticed everything. The buldging veins of anger, Secco's stance indicating pride, everything. When Secco mentioned becoming a distraction the commodore straightened up. Then a smile on the corner of the Commodore's mouth formed. The permanent frown wasn't gone, but it was less a frown and more of a resting face. "No points needed it would seem. You've found a decent one Layete." He said, taking a piece of paper, and crumpling it up. "If I hear any of what I say exit this room, the chore boys will be higher rank than all three of you. Understood?" Jacoby was confused and looking as though he couldn't believe what he heard. Not the last part, but the previous one. "Secco La 'Province. I don't care who your father was, so long as you intend to respect your Captain over me, that's enough to state who you are. The two of you should also take note of that. In the end, I'm simply stuck here in an office, wasting precious time I could be using to hunt down pirates myself. Thus is the pains of climbing rank. You rarely get to avoid distractions."

Jacoby looked a bit offended. "Why didn't you-" Targen immediately interrupted the beast tamer, "Because I'd rather make everyone as miserable as me to avoid climbing rank pointlessly. You deal with bureaucratic bullshit, and constant headaches. Taskforces are the best course of action in general if you want to make a difference. Layete knew this, which is why I respect his choice to demote himself to a Captain. It's a balancing act, so unless you want to do all of this..." Targen stated, gesturing at the paperwork that was piled high on his desk, "Then I suggest not talking back and questioning my methods." Jacoby opened and closed his mouth several times as he looked between the desk and Targen. He eventually decided that silence was golden, as he at least didn't have to do massive amounts of paperwork on the DOGs Taskforce.

Layete smiled, knowing that Targen didn't often open to anyone, and the fact La'Province had opened the gate for two others showed how much Targen respected the choice to call Targen's antics out. "You never change, do you old friend?" "Don't call me old." Targen frowned again, before sighing heavily. "Again.... whatever is spoken here doesn't leave this room. Who here has read the most recent issue of the World Economy Newspaper?"

"It changes more than you think Secco.... Tell me, do you think DOGs can handle a fleet of 20 ships by itself?" Layete clarified, quickly teaching Secco the importance of tactics now. "What about 10? What if they have over one thousand pirates on each ship? How do you suggest we stop them and deliver justice? We'd be force to fight one, and the rest would either gang up on our ship at worse; and at best the other 19 or 9 ships would just sail on by into the grand line, outside of our jurisdiction."

Targen nodded his head. "Indeed, and this was a question the Admirals kept asking how to solve.... so they came up with an answer. We blockade the only "safe" way to enter the grand line. Reverse Mountain.... Operation Whitewaters was suppose to be that operation..... however, the timing of the World Economy Newspaper indicates that the operation got leaked. They figuratively stirred the pot by making the pirates think their rivals were going to attempt to beat them to the punch.... and with our confirmed movements towards there, they only got even more riled up. So.... We need to take an extra step. If we had been left alone, your group would have been called to the final defense... now, we need to scatter and divide the more dangerous pirates and fleets to prevent them from attempting to bomb rush us in a massive waves. If you think 20 ships is bad, imagine seven fleets of 20 ships coming at you at the same time."

Targen's example seemed enough to make Jacoby pale as he couldn't help but to imagine a wave of black flags over the horizon with possibly millions of pirates waiting to gut them for daring to stop them. He didn't have a snide remark to this about marine superiority which told how bad this actually was. "So.... Your job as well as various other taskforce's jobs is simple. Get rid of Major targets that are attempting to form a fleet. For your crew, you'll head towards Highday Island, where three pirate captains are going to attempt to create a parlay and negotiate fleet control. This is effectively an assassination mission, though if you can capture any of the captains alive, then we have leverage to distract their crews. Each of the three pirates will be only using small transport ships to travel to the island with their first mate, and a small force that will stand by their ships in case things go bad. The captains are Huey Hoarker, of the Walruspig Pirates; Redfox of the Chieftain Pirates, and Johnson of the Surfer Pirates. Anything you need to know?"

Targen nodded his head at Nile's question. "Yes, Redfox is said to have a Zoan Fruit; which he calls the "Wolf spirit" My best bet is that he has eaten the Dog Dog: Model Wolf Fruit and is the most likely candidate to lead the fleet. If you can capture him, we can lock him up in impel down; and keep the fruit from being recirculated. If you don't think you can capture him without him getting away, I am authorizing lethal force." He said, giving Nile the all clear to use whatever means she could to get rid of a threat. If it was reintroduced into circulation, the devil fruit at least could have a 2 in 3 chance of being locked away by the World Government again. That being it was found by marines, or sold to the marines for the reward money. The other one was that someone ate it, which at least meant it was a possibility to find it again. Niles would know that killing was a last resort if there was no other option for capture, and it seemed that the fear of a fleet forming was enough to warrant the need for it.

Looking to Secco, Targen grabbed some papers, before handing them to him. "All of the information can be found here. Search through it when you have the time. I'll make some extra copies for you as well Layete." Targen stated, showing that he was willing to trust the ensign that the old commodore had chosen. "As for fitting in, Highday Island is uninhabited, and is more akin to a bowl than your standard island. It means that they'll have look outs, so your best bet may be to get there first and set up an ambush. Still, if you think you can take a small number of pirates, be my guest, but don't let any of them escape. Otherwise it'll be your asses on the line." Targen insinuated as he made it clear that failure would come at a very bad price. With that said, Targen would search through his papers again, seeming to reorganize things, before he suddenly stopped, "Oh right...." He moaned, rubbing the unibrow on his head. "Layete, I may have a new recruit for you.... considering your history, I'll let you decide if you'd like to have her join, or be sent to Impel Down."

Layete arched his own brow, before looking at whatever paper had caused Targen to suddenly grow a headache. He smiled, before asking, "Secco.... care to have a bit of sparring before we head out?" the captain asked, looking at the man. "Seems we got a former pirate swordsman who was found on an abandoned island screaming for fights. I think she might just be the kind of person we can use here, but I want to make sure she's able to at least listen, don't you think so Secco?" Showing the paper of a wanted poster for a 150k Berri pirate by the name of El Cid. Multiple accounts of murder, assault, and violence; though only an association with pirates and criminals as opposed to outright theft or plundering was on her poster.

"Honestly, I think it would be something of an experience. We don't have many who can see a devil fruit user in action, so I don't see the harm in it." Targen stated, making sure to try and get as much mileage from this experience. Many marines really weren't a chance against Devil fruit users, even with large numbers, but the idea wasn't to overpower a fruit user, as much as it is to keep pressure on them to prevent escape. Seeing such powers in action could only help to prepare marines for what they might see.

Targen groaned, "Never good when someone says that.... Very well, I'll call the guards to pull her up to the main courtyard.... Layete, you might want to stay with Secco, considering your skills could likely be the best option here." The man stated, before looking through his papers.... if no one moved for a while, he'd look up at them. "What are you waiting for. Go. I don't have all day."

Sure enough, Layete would leave when Targen mentioned it; before he grinned. "I can't wait to see what this twister can do." Turning to Niles, he pointed at the men, before stating, "Resupply and prepare our men for our next mission. Remember, no information is to be left out. I'll leave necessary prep to you, and Jacoby. Now... Get to work." Layete ordered, before grabbing Secco on the shoulder, his grip reminding the man of his strength. "Why don't we go see how cooperative our potential recruit is. If I like her enough, you'll no longer be the newest member rookie."

The pair would enter the base, heading down into the jail cells. Normally, the commotion of prisoners was a common thing... but somehow the people within were quiet.... almost scared. None of them looked at the people or guards, instead Secco could see that they were nervously glancing to the isolation section of the jail. It was made for those who couldn't be placed into cells with other prisoners, or were so threatening even without devil fruit powers that they needed special attention and precautions. Entering the back, the guards held them up, before Layete handed him a paper with permission to meet the person of interest. Entering the place, the section was made of concrete with doors for each cell. Layete would move along silently, before standing in front of Cell E, and the pair of guards with man catchers, pronged spears with spikes around them to restrict movements and prevent movement. The guards looked unsure even when they received the order, before opening the door to the cell quickly. Within was actually a massive room, and half of which was divide by bars, and an individual who was chained against the wall on the far side, no sunlight, only a single set of torches on the visitor side....

The individual was a woman in prisoner garb, black and white horizontal stripes put on her. Her appearance was akin to that of Secco, though she was obviously shorter, and female. She had impressive muscles that indicated she was use to constantly fighting, long silver blonde hair, not unlike Secco hers was wild beyond being unkempt, it was as though it bristled with ferocity. Then there was the scars, the most pronounced being a set of scars along the right side of her face, one across her right face across her nose, and the second was across her forehead in equal lengths to the bottom one. As though some wild animal had clawed her face. Her eyebrows were small, but her eyelashes seeming far thicker than average, and just as equally wild as her hair. Layete couldn't help but grin as he thought he was looking at a mirror image of the man beside him.

---

Normally, prisoners were simply placed into a cell, or had chains on their wrists, and a weighted ball placed around their ankle. This one however had proven the need to use such brutal methods. She was capable of taking on multiple individuals, and even used the weighted iron ball as a flail on her leg. So, the best option had been to fully restrict her movements..... until a group of guards approached her cell. El Cid was forced into her situation by the pirates that had left her on that island due to her violent tendencies. Her opinions were her own, but she had been caught by marines after they had found her. If it hadn't been for one of them being a trickster and knocking her out; she wouldn't be in this situation. El Cid's hands were bound using iron clamps to bind her hands together one over the other in a single cylinder of metal to keep her from being able to attack. Her ankle cuffs linked together so she couldn't sprint, though she could scuttle or hop. Around her waist were not normal chains, but an anchor chain. Normal chains uad broken due to her deligence and tenacity. The chains were heavy, and burdensome, though for El Cid, they were only a bit more weighty than bigger people she fought. They would slow her down for certain, though perhaps she saw them in a different way. The chain was long enough that it allowed her to hop around half way to the bars before the chain embedded in the wall stopped her from going further.

Soon though, she heard the doors to the isolation sector of the jail as a set of feet approached. It was a pair of people, one who looked large, armored, and old; who had a feeling of a veteran. The second was a younger man by comparison, who stood a good foot taller than the older silver haired man, though unlike the rough grizzled veteran, the younger man had a wild sense about himself. He had almost as many scars on his body that was left open to show as he wore a white coat without gold, unlike the other armored man who's coat was far larger and had the golden tassels on it. The taller man had amber eyes, and flared eyebrows, not unlike Cid's , and honestly the two appeared like mirrors of one another, if only Cid had hair that was long and swept back.... and perhaps a bit taller.

"Do you want to make a deal?" The older man sad, as he smiled. "I'm going to let you out of this cell... and you're going to calmly walk with us to the courtyard. If you can make my friend here submit to you, I'll give you your freedom. But if my man here makes you submit, then you join my Taskforce and the Marines.... Any Questions from either of you?"