Blackhand's Retirement

Calian POV

"Figure I've been in the field for too long. I'm over a hundred years old with more than 80% percent on the field, fighting. Do you know what the most coveted wish for pirates was in the 18th century? It wasn't pillaging, nor for riches or even eternal life, no, it was all for freedom and peace," I'm truly a damn good actor.

I two days researching everything on Morgan Blackhand, his usual habits, his style, his fashion if he even has any. I did a lot of virtual 'visitations' myself to the realm of Blackhand's memories. I knew that he was getting tired considering his ripe old age of more than a century, even if he did not look that ancient, he is still a man literally from somewhere in the 50s to 60s.

So yes, Morgan Blackhand is exhausted, after all, who won't when he has been out in the fields for around 90 years. Top it off with finding a love of his life, that sets a combination like none other, a combination whose aim to push Blackhand out of a life of punching someone to a life of well, relaxing at a serene cottage somewhere in the British countryside with his lover and maybe some kids.

And I as 'him' now, am borrowing that bit of story. I did prepare a lot of material if I were to run into someone Blackhand might've known down here which I definitely did even with that large chance Jill told me about, I still met this guy, Richard Falkes. A good friend to Blackhand and someone I need to really shove off me.

Even if I did not show it outside, I'm internally panicking. This is a man very familiar with Blackhand, a good friend closing to that of a besties which means I need to pick and choose my words very carefully while acting as aloof as the man Blackhand is. "In 1717, George the First, King of Great Britain issued a pardon for all pirates."

"Any pirate should they choose to accept it would have to surrender themselves to the British Empire in return for freedom and of course, pardon. This opportunity for the hundreds to thousands of pirates then was too good to pass up and many eventually returned to live the life they wanted together with the riches they've plundered."

"And I see an opportunity for myself, it's time I... enjoy life," I ended it there as I waited for the other side's response who looked way too surprised at my utterings, did I do anything wrong? "Wow, never expected you to be the historical type. We should probably have a chat sometime else, I am currently on quite an errand and never anticipated to listen to this."

"Oh God, I'm late, I really need to go! And ehm... Enjoy your retirement Blackhand! Call you sometime!" And Richard Falkes ran off in a hurry after looking at his watch with an anxious expression on his face, concluding this tiresome event in the most anticlimactic way it could've possible ended. I did not need to say that much, did I?

"Oh look, it seems your needless story has caused your 'friend' some trouble," V snickered as I grumbled in my heart, oh well, that has passed.

***

Crynn POV

"So, who was that guy, Blackhand?" I curiously asked after walking further. The way Calian talked to him under the disguise of Morgan Blackhand was very... polished. Like they've known each other for years except they didn't because it isn't actually Morgan Blackhand that does the talking, but Calian Otho Aurelius, two different men.

"I did say that I seriously learned about Blackhand while on the submarine so you could say that I know a lot of people that I shouldn't even bother knowing about. One of them is Richard Falkes, an environmental researcher of the UCU (United Corporations Union). They go way back and he's one of the few that Blackhand knows around here so I see it important to analyze him as well as the others."

"Well, you're good at it if that's what it is," Aria jumped in with a compliment because yes, that right there was very good acting, as up there as any famous movie stars. "Shh... We can all have a chat after we get to where we want to get which isn't far away at all. We don't want to attract any attention, not this close," Jill hushed us up as we continued silently in this corridor where occasionally some men and women will stroll on past.

But I agree, we still have to keep our guards up and just mask ourselves because as nonchalant as the staff looks around here, we shouldn't judge a book by its cover even if we tend to do exactly that 100 percent of the time. "Here, stop," Jill stretched her hand right in front of us as her finger went vertical on her lips, motioning us not to make a sound.

She looked around for any sign of anyone only to find there's no one which I assume is good as she nodded her head. Jill then put her pad up, leaning against the wall, sneaking up from under a camera, is she going to disable it? That's an easy answer of 'yes', she is. "There done, now we can enter the room," Jill said and pointed at a door just a few feet away.

"That's the staff room?" V raised a brow as Jill pressed the button to open the door, "Yes it is, a small staff room." The door opened to reveal a 'small' room, it doesn't look small, it looks normal but not small. At least not small enough because it is equipped with two arcade machines, three cupboards, two tables, a coffee maker, a dispenser and a vending machine. So, yes, this room, by all means of size is definitely not small.

"Ehm??? Who are you? You aren't supposed to be here."