by ChristianC » Fri Apr 09, 2004 7:50 am
The man who called himself Mister Nine gave a sort of "heeh":ing noise and dragged up a chair to the table, suddenly taking a very serious look.
"<span style="color:maroon;">I can understand why you wouldn't trust me, after all, we've just met.</span>" he was really whispering this time, "<span style="color:maroon;">But if you would just listen to what I have to tell you and then decide not to help me, I promise I won't bother you anymore.</span>" He put up his elbows and leaned them against the table, resting his chin on the knuckles, "<span style="color:maroon;">As I told you, my name is Mister Nine, and I'm on a very important mission</span>" He digged around in one of his pockets and fished out a small piece of paper. As he unwrapped it the map of a small collection of islands could be seen on it.
"<span style="color:maroon;">This is a map showing a small island named 'Merriduk' on the other side of the Red Belt, in the Grand Line.</span>" He paused to let his words sink in, "<span style="color:maroon;">There's no treasure on this island, none as far as I know anyway...</span>" another pause, "<span style="color:maroon;">However, there is the ruins of an old Marine Fort and, in it, plans for an new type of cannon that was under development,</span>" he put the map back in his pocket, "<span style="color:maroon;">I know what you might say, that it was probably brought back with the marines, right?</span>"
"<span style="color:maroon;">Wrong, you see, this base was destroyed and looted by pirates. They say that the captain of the base was behind it, betraying his men for the treasure promised by the pirates' captain.</span>" Mister Nine stiffled a laugh, "<span style="color:maroon;">Much good it did him, they killed him as soon as the base was taken,</span>" noticing how the rest at the table didn't laugh, he quickly sobered up again, "<span style="color:maroon;">In any case, there hasn't been any usage of the new type of cannon by either the marines or pirates so I'm betting that the plans are still lying around there somewhere.</span>"
"<span style="color:maroon;">Sooo... does it sound interesting? if we need a ship, I could... eherm... lend you some money to trade in that smaller ship you mentioned before.</span>"