Serious: Pheonix Battle Squad returns to Marineford ((Open to all pheonix battle squad members and also to the people who want to join))

Talitha stared suspiciously at Kalamity as he took his stand.
She was getting even more suspicious as the long, long pause commenced, until he started talking...
Now, she was grinning. It was hard enough not to laugh out, she couldn't help herself but chuckle a little.
God, he had shown them. This had been boring as hell until he had decided to pull this stunt on the high ups...
She turned and gave him a thumbs up. This. This had gotten him her respect. She felt his pain when vice admiral Iro gave her a look that said: I hope you did not show him your approval right now!
But what did she care? Her day had been made!


(God, Speak. I love you. That was awesome to the max.)

Nishki chuckled out loud. It was incredibly amusing to see , and seeing Iro so upset made it funny. Nishki clapped his hands. Nishki then stood up and walked up to the stage. The announcer then spoke, still in shock at Vinces speech "Now in order to hand over the new uniform and crest, is Vice Admiral Nishki D Rock, who will also give a speech before the official anointing." Nishki then stood in front, alot of the marines listening eagerly to him, of course because of his stature and reputation "Ummm, well, lets see here.... i dont think i can top Rear Admiral Kalamity' words, GEHAHAHA... however, i can speak about Talitha a little bit..." Nishki then smiled "My first impression of Talitha when she arrived to join my squad was a girl who was looking to become more than what she was....... something we are all well accustomed to...." Nishki lookd at the nods around in the crowd. "As long as ive known her, i have never once had to doubt Talithas work ethic..... there was never a mumur form the men, about her lack of effort. In fact one could say, Talitha worked herself tpo hard to a fault...." Nishki then continued, "Loyalty, responsible, hard working, strong, caring, sometimes can be a slave driver, but being her superior i have never had to suffer that unfortunate fate, GEHAHAHAA" The crowd chuckled and Nishki continued "What Kalamity said was very accurate...... more accurate than he could ever know... REAR ADMIRAL Talitha!! know that you have earned this title, know that you are an asset to the navy and all the forces of good..... , know that from the day you joind my squad, not once have i seen you as anything less than a very proud and righteous marine officer.... i salute you as a marine..." Nishki saluted to Talitha. The crowd clapped in chorus. The announcer then said "Now it is time for Rear Admiral Talitha to come forth to be prsented with the new uniform and crests."

Finally!
Talitha limped forward, looking straight at Nishki all the time. Once she stood next to him, she whispered, barely even moving her lips.
"Slave driver, huh? I swear, one day, I will make you join this training..."
She smiled all the while, and for once it wasn't the grin of someone looking forward to kicking some ass... Though it showed signs of it while she whispered those words.

cyan replied "thanks" as she darted towards her ship saying "you coming" unlocking the door into it trying to get the marines of her prize. as she went around the ship she checked for damage then locked the door to her private quaters as she changed into something more suitable for the occasion to show her respect.

The marine leading Cyan along rushed after he as she bolted to her ship, apparently completely free from the effects of the truth serum injected into her only minutes ago. Realizing that this was just the way it would be as long as this chick was one of Vala's characters, the marine sighed and sat down, waiting for the girl to return.

"...He was only kidding. Read the whole post before you reply..."

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Kalamity watched the rest of the proceedings with interest. The tone had definitely changed after his speech. The entire crowd, filled with young, hopeful enlisted men and low-rank officers, was now riled up. They were filled with sympathetic excitement, with the hopes and dreams that some day they could reach the outstanding milestones the woman before them on stage had.

By contrast, the older brass sitting before and around him were mixed. A few of them seemed to get it, now; faces that had been frowning were now smiling, a handful of Commodores, Rear Admirals, and even one Vice Admiral (other than Nishki) smiling and nodding their approval of the young girl. It felt good to know he had gotten through, even if just a little.

There were, however, a few faces that showed his little stunt would have it's consequences. Those earlier scowls that had not changed to smiles were now deadly, deadly pokerfaces. When marine brass deigned to scowl, it was because they were upset and they wanted everybody to know. When they showed no emotion, it only meant one thing: they were pissed, seriously angry. At least eight faces had that look, and the eyes belonging to those faces drifted over and over again to Kalamity.

"If I had only won...then I could ask chujo for a pass on all this..."

Kalamity realized the contradiction in his thoughts; if he had won, there'd be no celebration ceremony for Talitha, and he'd never have gotten into trouble. Vince's brain, one of his last human parts, boggled with the logic loop until it hurt and decided to give it up. Such complicated matters were for philosophers, not sins-against-nature.

"Maybe...they'll offer me coffee while I'm scolded..."

as cyan finished tieing her hair up she looked through her pockets and draws for her keys when she found them she walked around the ship with a bottle of oil when she found what she was looking for her armour she filled up the fuel tank then climbed in inserting the key then walked her out of her ship climbing from her suit only to lock the door then climbed back in he armour she walked back to the marine escorting her then said "shall we go and do you mind if i where this i just feel more comfitable while i wear it?"

Tero sat at an outdoor restaurant with Sarah. They had just gotten their food and he was starting to eat, but stopped when he noticed Sarah hadn't even moved.

"What's wrong?" Tero asked.

"You're about to do something dangerous again, aren't you?" Sarah asked him, her voice quiet and serious.

Tero set down his fork and leaned back in his seat to stare at the sky. "Yeah..." he said.

"What is it this time?" Sarah asked. "I know that Vice Admiral Rebecca knows what you're doing. I know she is involved, but she won't tell me anything."

"I can't tell you," Tero replied. "You know that. If Rebecca-I mean, the Vice Admiral, won't tell you, then I can't tell you either."

"But you could tell me," Sarah said, stubbornly. "Because it involves you more then the Vice Admiral. I know it does. Mickey helped me find out."

Tero had to smile at that one. "So now your using your charms to get Mickey to help you out? Isn't that beneath you?"

"Oh, stop it," Sarah said. She had turned red and her eyes dropped to her plate. "Besides...it's not all for information..."

Tero's eyes widened. He hadn't realized that Sarah had been developing a crush on Mickey. He was away a lot, but he still should have known something about this. "I'm sorry, Sarah," Tero said. "I still cannot tell you. But I will try to be careful."

Sarah wasn't too sure about how to feel about this whole issue. Sure, it was great to see someone that young could make it that high, but well... It kind of threw her off as well. It didn't feel... right. What was it with that squad anyway?
They were lead by the youngest vice admiral in history (at this part of her inner monologue, she looked at the young man on the stage thoughtfully, and, granted, for so long that it went beyond staring and into a dangerous attack on his personal space. By staring.), and now they had the yuongest rear admiral too? Something clearly wasn't right with that.
Also, that guy. Just... Just that guy. That... abomination, there was no better was no better way of saying it, who hurt her nose just as much as her eyes. What was he doing being one of the good guys? He was so obviously evil!
Hopefully she wouldn't have to serve under him...

Nishki then handed foward the uniform and crests to Talitha. He winked and then chuckled "Im already a slave for you, hahahahaa" The young marine then took the mic and announced "That concludes Rear Admiral Talithas promotion ceremony, please remain for food and beverages, and thank you for attending" The people began dispersing and congratulating Talitha before they left.

Mary then walked up and talked to Nishki and Talitha "Well done sir and maam, ill head back to the ship, need to do inventory checking." Mary salutes and then heads off.

Meanwhile a ordinary Marine Battleship has just anchored on the dock of Marineford. A Man then came slowly out of the ship looking at the huge building of Marineford. A marine then saluted next to him. Welcome Detective Luke Grantz! . Luke Grantz just passed him and asked a question. Could you tell me where Vice Admiral Nishki is?

[presentation box]
[Luke Grantz]
[Marine Head Detective]

Nishki then looked to his watch and turned to Talitha "We must head back to the ship, we are leaving soon , i got an assignment from HQ earlier and we will need to leave super early for this one..." Nishki then put down his glass of champagne he had been drinking earlier waiting for Talithas response.

The marine then replied to Luke Grantz "Well sir, Vice admiral Nishki should be at the battalion flagship at the docks, one of his officers were promoted today, Rear Admiral Talitha if i heard correctly... you should find him at the ship or the ceremony sir"

"An assignment?"
Talitha raised an eyebrow critically and looked Nihski in the eyes.
"On the day of my promotion?! Shouldn't we be celebrating? And it's been a while since you've taken me out, you know?"
Her critique was, of course, obviously fake. Inside, she was trembling with enthusiasm! Assignment! Yes!
Thus, she answered herself a little too quickly.
"Well, you owe me a date, mister! We can get that done later though. Wouldn't want to spoil your career."
Or more like her fun.

Nishki then playfully whispered in her ear "Would you love me if i couldn't get you fun assignments and what not... but maybe your right, perhaps i should take you out for a romantic dinner and what not and forget about the whole thing" Nishki was teasing Talitha, and to him , he would love nothing more than to sweep her away for just their private time, but he had been asked by the old man directly and could not really deny a request by him.

Mary was waiting at the ship, resuming her earlier stock checks, it had seemed everything was in order. She did wonder where Tero and the others were. It confused her at times how they had so many members on this squad. Part of Nishkis need to keep recruiting talent.

Oh god, he was actually thinking about not going on the assignment! No!
Talitha calmed herself down. He wouldn't ever do that, would he? He knew she love her job, didn't he?
"Stupid question, of course I'd love you if you wouldn't get me assignments! Well, maybe not if you were a pirate..."
She thought about that for a while. Would she? If he was a pirate, would she love him? That'd suck...
"And you'll have to take me out some other time, for I..."
She meant every single word of this.
"...Would rather not skip my first assignment as a Rear Admiral."

Nishki then kissed her cheek "I swear after this assignment, ill take you to the best restaurant in town, and i got more drinks on the ship. Of course briefing first before anything else... So lets head back, we will need to check somethings, we have some new people who are meant to join us." Nishki had his hand around Talithas waist.

Sarah had watched their conversation with slight worry on her face. That was the commander of the squad she was going to join.... Did it just look like that or was he in a relationship with the new Rear Admiral? A Vice Admiral? Looked fishy to her... Was that how she got promoted so fast? Regardless of what Rear Admiral Kalamity had said, that could still very likely be the case- Still, he was her commander, and she had no say in what he did in his free time, or with who.
"Vice Admiral Rock, Sir!"
She ran up to them, straightened her body and saluted, the pure respect and devotion of a soldier who loved her job on her face.

Tero was now alone, wandering through the streets, lost in his own thoughts. He had no place to go, but he did have something he wanted to look over, so instead he headed towards a back alley, out of sight. After looking around to make sure no one was watching him, Tero crouched down and opened up the folder, looking inside. There were only a few sheets of paper inside the folder. One sheet had a picture of him along with his name and some information on him. The sheet of paper behind that had another man's face on it. The name of this man was Lucius Dezaia. Underneath his name was written: 'Codename: Greed'. There wasn't much information on this guy, just a guesstimation on his height and weight. Underneath all of that, however, was what Tero was after. The man was a scientist who worked for a World Government group that called themselves the 'Nighthawk Squad'. He had worked on a few public projects, but nothing worth noting.

Slightly disappointed, Tero moved on to the other sheets of paper, which had some unfocused pictures of a couple of men and even what sort of looked like a woman. However, there was nothing else on these people. Tero put everything back and stood up, leaving the alleyway and heading back towards the main streets.

Luke Grantz walked quickly as he heard where the Vice Admiral is. It seemed he does not want to waste any time. He then decided to go the destination where the Ceremony is held. With some flashy suit that he was wearing he then entered the said ceremony. Vice Admiral Nishki, I have come.

cyan got bored of waiting for the marine then started to wonder the truth part of the truth serum was still effecting her. as she wandered she couldnt find the ceremony and wondered is the ceremony finished . so she looked for the marine who had injected her with the truth serum and if she couldnt find him but if not she would stay in her ship maybe leave.

Nishki suddenly heard two different voices behind him. He turned around, one of them a man who he knew well in a flashy suit and a woman who he recognized "Ahh, you must be detective Luke Grantz... though, you will need a navy title upon entering my ship. Even though you requested to be transferred here detective.. and Lieutenant Sarah Blacklight yes? Well, its good to see you found me, even though i would have preffered the ship for a meeting place. So all of you head for the ship. Mary will brief you..."

Luke Grantz then threw his Detective Marine Coat and fixed his glasses. Well I can indeed have a Marine Rank if you have me join you Vice Admiral.

Tero wandered back to the Marine ship slowly. He turned to look back at the town behind him, one last time. He sighed.

"I wish I could have stayed longer," he muttered. He slowly turned back to the path in front of him and headed on.

Jack D. Bananas could be seen on the deck of the ship as he pointed forward. A short Ensign was steering the ship, extremely chubby with a small beard, though the small man was really ill as you could see it in his expression though Jack had insisted that he steered the ship and said he'd get a big reward once we docked at Marineford or another Navy vessel.

The enitre crew had succumbed to scurvy, the chubby Ensign was on the verge of death but Jack seemed perfectly fine since he had hidden a stash of lemons in his cabin and wouldn't dare share them in fear of running out.

'E-E-Er-Er-Eradicate All Pirates!" His voice boomed into the air, creating a long echo as he stomped his foot on the deck. The ship was slowly turning and was heading full speed towards the other marine ship so Jack quickly ran back to see what was going on. "You stupid minor, don't you know how to do anything rig---" Radical Jack simply stopped in his tracks as he noticed the chubby man had fainted, possibly even died. "Shoot.."

Jack tossed the body off he steering and put his hands on it. "Right... Do what I was taught while joining the Marines." He calmly whispered to himself while tightening his hands on the steering and turn it slightly, narrowly missing the ship.

"'Eheheh.... Maybe I should just jump onto that ship" He muttered to himself before dashing into his cabin and drawing out a back-pack filled with 4 vests and some other useful items that he had used in the past to torture those no good pirates. The man ran up across te deck and leaped forward, landing on the railing off the other ship. "...Going to kill all those bloody pira--" Lieutenant Bananas collapsed from his lack of sleep, snores arising from his mouth with he laid fla across the hardwood of the ship.

Later on... Two large men picked him up off the ship and tossed him into the garbage can outside a building in Marineford where all the celebrations were occuring, loud snores continued to boom inside the trashcan and into the happy atmosphere.

Nishki then shuffled his feet "Time to go then, i have a bunch of new people to bring into the squad today, ill head back to the ship first Tali..." Nishki then walked out of the room. He had remembered the sheer number of people meant to join them today. He walked into the ship "Mary? I need a list of all the newcomers into the squad and, who is that?" Nishki noticed some guy nearby who was outside the ship near the celebration room in a trash can. Nishki bemused for a minute.

Mary then saluted "Welcome back Sir, im not sure who that is?" Nishki then pointed "Bring him here... a proper marine shouldnt be like that..." Mary then walked out and looked into the trashcan "Excuse me soldier, i require your name and rank now!! Vice Admiral Nishki requests it."

Talitha looked at the girl in front of her. Red hair, straight face, seemed to like rules... Boring. But making some conversation should help, right?
Besides, JAckson was gone, so she had no one to annoy right now.
"Soooo... Your name's Sarah Blacklight? In case you'll be under my command: Welcome to hell."
She turned away and limped towards the exit. Just before leaving the room, she raised her voice again.
"You comin or what?"
She didn't wait for her, instead went on ahead. If she was coming, then she'd be coming, if not, she was sure Jackson would pop up again soon.