Boss

The sounds of the wooden conflict behind me raged on as I turned to Gordez, asking, "So there was something you wanted to talk about?"

"Yes. I was looking at the maps this morning while dumb and dumber shoveled the coal, and, I admit, I have my concerns. It's the perfect point for a blockade around the Nip sea. And, you'll have to forgive me, but after Jianghe, I have my concerns about blockades."

"Very understandable, so your opinion?"

"My opinion is that we shouldn't go."

I turned back to look at Zek and Jadoh still going about their sparring and decided this would best be a conversation had elsewhere. I started walking towards the main superstructure of the ship and Gordez followed. When we were within the superstructure, I decided to resume the conversation, "We can't not go. You heard what Yilie said: the town just got caught between Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom forces. We know all too well what happens to places like that."

"I do know. Just like you said. Too well, but you know the geography as well as I do. If we get caught in the Nip Sea, we'll be surrounded. Fire Nation to the North, Earth Kingdom to the South."

"Sounds like the perfect place to find work then."

"Or the perfect place to be blown apart by either side's artillery, and judging by the ship we're in, I think I can start placing bets."

"We take that risk wherever we go anyway,"

"Yes. And we always just barely make it out by the skin of our teeth. What I'm saying is, I think we should take things more slowly. Not constantly throwing ourselves into the middle of every conflict."

"Conflict is exactly where we're going to find work. And where we can always expect there to be those who need help. That's why we're doing this, is it not? To help those who can't help themselves."

"We can't help anybody if we're a metal heap pile at the bottom of the sea."

"Nor if we run at the first sign of danger. Look. I'm not going to have this discussion. Everybody aboard knows the dangers involved. We may be walking right into a warzone, but that's a piece of knowledge we all have and choose to live with. Has it changed for you?"

"You know it hasn't."

"Then trust in me. You know I'd never do anything to put us in a level of danger past the point of no return. I just need you to bear with me right now. We'll get to the Nip Sea and see how things are. If it looks like it'll be too much for us, I'll turn us right around, but right now, we know there are people who need us, and we're going to be there for them. Understood?"

Gordez sighed, clearly not satisfied with my response, but knowing arguing would get him nowhere further. "I understand."

"Good," I said, hoping that as we got closer, Gordez only grew more comfortable with the route we were taking. "I'll raise a white flag when we get there. It should at least mean we won't get attacked on sight."

"If they're Earth Kingdom. And even then, they may not care. If it's Fire Nation though, they may just fire on us for surrendering."

"Then we'll play it by ear."

I could tell Gordez wasn't happy. There was no hiding that, so I redirected the conversation. "Do you have anything else to report?"

"The artillery gun is in place, fully operational, and newly cleaned. It's as though Jianghe never eve happened to the gun."

"Perfect, and the lift?"

"The chains are newly greased, and I added an extra one to help with the leverage. We should be able to raise and lower the gun at our convenience now."

"Good. How are our supplies?"

"We're good on food, water, and fuel, both petrol and coal. We have a substandard stock of weapons. Nothing bad, but not good either, just field issue stuff. The armor that Yilie gave us is in good enough condition, but we don't exactly have that much blasting jelly anymore. A good amount of it was either used during the siege or was detonated during the barrage."

"Then we'll get some more. How are Zadok, and Kosah doing?"

"Who?"

"The newbies. What the hell have you been calling them if you don't know their names."

"Well I've taken to calling them 'dumb' and 'dumber'. So which one is Zadok and which is Kosah?"

"Ask them yourself if you really want to know, but if keeping this ship sound is something you really want, then get to know their names. I'm not sure how much loyalty you'd inspire in the thick of it by calling them 'dumb' and 'dumber'."

"I'll consider it, then." There was a pause. I had no further questions to ask, but it seemed he did, and so, he then decided to ask, "How's Luke doing?"