Chapter 66: Vice-Admiral & Commander Inbound
While Diddy walked around with Trenza attached to his back as he searched for a decent bar to dine at, two of the most important people on Centaurea had just gotten word of Diddy's presence, and their reactions were quite different.
___
___
A decent distance away from the battlefield, a large campsite of small tents were strewn about as many people, mainly soldiers were living at said campsite; they were either sleeping, eating, drinking, conversing with friends, or tending to the wounded. At the center of the large campsite was a much larger blue tent, and that is where the important discussions took place; it was also the living quarters of Commander Lindbergh.
"Commander Lindbergh, one of your drones that was behind enemy lines has been destroyed; as we don't have access to your drones, we are still clueless about how it was destroyed." Said Gambo as his large egg-shaped body entered the tent and walked past a table, only to spot Lindbergh watching a video in the corner.
"I know; it was the pigeon drone tasked with keeping an eye on one of the marine's smaller cities that they used to replenish their weapons after every battle." Replied Lindbergh as he didn't look away from the video, which was being projected onto the tent's wall by a transponder snail.
"That isn't good; have the Marines finally discovered your drone? But how? Your drones always look so life-like that I wouldn't be able to spot the difference even if the drone was standing beside an actual bird." Stated Gambo with a frown as he approached Lindbergh, who was watching the video that displayed Diddy and Trenza walking down the street.
"It wasn't a Marine that discovered my drones; they would never be able to do so. My Drones are modeled nearly perfectly after the animals I replicate them as." Replied Lindbergh while shaking his head as he watched Diddy stop in place and suddenly snap his head in their direction, eyeing the two with his beastly eyes.
"Is that… The pirate who had recently caused a commotion within the South Blue? Diddy D. Kong, also known as Chaos Kong, Captain of the Frenzy pirates?" Questioned Gambo, surprised and confused as he stared at Diddy, who had approached them in the video, his face only a foot or two away.
"Yes, that's him, Gambo; it only makes sense a Mink would be capable of discerning my pigeon drone was a fake; our incredible senses aren't just for show." Said Lindbergh as he watched the video, which didn't last long considering Diddy restrained the drone before destroying it, causing it to end abruptly.
"I know he's a pirate, Commander Lindbergh, but considering how he raided Briss Kingdom and openly went against the WG by burning their flag, he seems to dislike them greatly, so why not try to recruit him to our side? They seem to be rather competent, and even if he refuses, it's not so bad; nothing to lose and everything to gain." Remarked Gambo with a thoughtful expression as he looked at Lindbergh, who had stood up and put on his jetpack.
"Hehe, that's not a bad idea, but I have a feeling he'll refuse; just from the look in his eyes, he doesn't seem like the type to listen to people, though I will give it an attempt. However, seeing how he isn't concealing his whereabouts, I've got no doubt Vice-Admiral Mini has learned of his presence, and considering how we've just finished a battle today, he's free to go and capture him. Even if he doesn't join us, keeping such a pirate alive who kills innocent citizens isn't something I'm fond of." Declared Lindbergh as he put on his goggles and exited his tent while activating his jetpack, Gambo following behind him.
"While I'm, you're in charge, Gambo; I should be back within a few hours tops. Hehe, hopefully, I'll be able to finally test out my new babies." Said Lindbergh as he glanced at Gambo before shooting off into the sky, heading toward the city where Diddy and Trenza were, leaving behind a trail of smoke.
___
___
On the other side, not too far from the battlefield, there was another campsite, though this one was much larger than the previous one and consisted of tents with the marine symbol. Just like the other campsite, the Marines were using this break to recuperate from the earlier battle, though many more people were tending to the wounded.
At the center of the campsite wasn't a large tent, but a large wooden building, though it didn't look that stable, signifying the lack of a proper carpenter, or maybe it was just put together extremely quickly given the circumstances. Inside the wooden building, just like Commander Lindbergh's tent, there was an area to conduct important meetings, but behind that was a door that led to the commander's quarters, which is where someone was currently running to.
"Vice-Admiral Mini, excuse my interruption, but it's important. We've just gotten word from our men stationed in Weapon City #3 that Chaos Kong has been spotted walking through the city streets!" Exclaimed Captain Crank as he busted through the doors while holding a transponder snail, only to see Mini getting dressed.
"Really? Is this true, Crank?" Asked Mini in surprise as he ignored the embarrassment of being seen naked and quickly got dressed.
"Yes, and I've even brought the transponder snail so you may speak with them for more details, as I had run to inform you after they mentioned his name." Replied Crank as he handed Mini the transponder snail.
"This is Vice-Admiral Mini speaking; inform me of Chaos Kong and everything he's done." Stated Mini as he grabbed the microphone attached to the top of the transponder snail's shell.
"Y-Yes, Vice-Admiral! We've ordered a few marines to follow him, and other than walking around while carrying a seemingly sick woman, he hasn't done anything as of yet. Ahh, one second, if you could hold on Vice-Admiral." Replied the man over the transponder snail as only the sound of murmuring was heard for several seconds.
"Sorry for the hold, but I've just gotten word that he has entered a bar and still hasn't done anything." Added the man, causing Mini and Crank to raise an eyebrow, but didn't delve into it.
"I understand; continue keeping an eye on him, and until he does anything, just stay on standby." Stated Mini, eliciting a 'Roger' from the man as he handed the transponder snail to Crank before grabbing his own that was sitting on his desk.
"This is Vice-Admiral Mini reporting from Centaurea." Said Mini as he waited a few seconds before the transponder snail responded.
"Ho, Mini; what seems to be the problem? Have those reinforcements I approved of arrived yet?" Questioned a man in a rather laid-back and lackadaisical voice that caused Mini to sigh, but he still responded with the utmost respect as he was speaking with a superior officer.
"No, they haven't, Admiral. They should've arrived several hours ago, but I've still gotten no word from them, nor can I reach them. However, that isn't why I called; I've just gotten word that Chaos Kong, Diddy D. Kong, has been spotted on Centaurea. Shall I go and capture him?" Said Mini with a frown as he shook his head, causing the man to hum.
"Hmm, that is worrisome; what could've happened to them? That was a rather large fleet of thousands of men and two Rear Admirals; that is enough to quell any commotion in the South Blue. Anyway, we can discuss this later; however, you're allowed to capture him, and if things don't go as planned, you have the authority to kill him. Just remember, stopping the Revolutionary Army is your main duty." Replied the lackadaisical voice as he hung up quickly after he finished speaking, causing Mini's face to twitch in annoyance at how unprofessional he was.
"Crank, I'll be going to deal with Chaos Kong; until then, you're in charge." Ordered Mini as he exited his room and looked at Crank, who was smart enough to leave the room when Mini conversed with an Admiral.
"I understand, Vice-Admiral." Said Crank as he saluted to Mini while following behind him, exiting the poorly built wooden house.
"I have a feeling things won't go as planned; Lindbergh has probably gotten word of his presence as well." Muttered Mini with a frown as he leaped into the air and used geppo to propel himself through the sky, heading directly for Weapon City number three.
___
___
"Ahh, I feel much better; I guess all I needed was some food." Remarked Trenza with joy while sitting down and stuffing her face full of food, completely forgetting her manners, though other than Diddy, there wasn't anyone to judge her.
"Hurry up, Trenza. It's getting towards nighttime, and I want to start causing a ruckus." Said Diddy blandly, sitting opposite Trenza as he watched her eat a meal that even a grown man would have trouble to consume.
"Tch, I'm almost done, you crazy Captain." Replied Trenza, and now that she had food in her system, she finally had the energy to feel angry with Diddy.
"If you're trying to mock me, do something better than calling me crazy; it doesn't work if the person in question is crazy." Commented Diddy with a smirk, his words causing Trenza to throw food at him, though he simply opened his mouth and caught it.
"Whatever you say, you stupid primate." Said Trenza as her eyes twitched in annoyance.
"Hehehe, now that's much better; it seems like Freyja is rubbing off on you a little." Remarked Diddy with a chaotic chuckle, once again displaying his craziness.