The Siren System Pirate

Evelyn was lying in her bed in her room looking at the newest feature to the system. "Loyal comrades," she whispered aloud.

[Loyal Comrades Information]

[Loyal Comrades are people who have pledged to you as their Captain. If allowed, they will too gain the system and level up, gain skills, abilities, and level up their stats.]

[Similarities to Captain: Inventory, obtaining currency, purchasing abilities or skills]

[Differences: Free class: Can choose any weapon they want and can level up in that class based on wielding that weapon. Cannot evolve species]

[Comrades can be ranked]

"Geez. It's like a whole new type of system," she said. She looks over at Ember and says, "What do you think buddy? Should we add to our little team?"

Ember began jumping up and down.

"I'll take that as a yes," Evelyn said.

[Comrade List]

[Darla Blume: LOCKED]

"What?" Evelyn said. She sat and thought. Facepalmed herself and said, "Oh. The shackles." She sat up. "Whatever those things are they even block the system. Though I think if I just activated the system without me there, she would kind of freak out. I'll also have to teach her how to use it."

She heard a knock at her door. She got up and opened it to see Goob. "Can I come in?" He spoke. She nodded. He took a seat on the chair in her room and said, "Wasabi told me you went down to his workshop to see Darla?"

Evelyn nodded.

"Yeah," he said. "Previously known Princess Darla Blume of the Costal Coast Kingdom. Previously Known as Captain Darla of the Daisy Pirate. Now just Darla Blume." He looked at Evelyn, then continued. "Previously known as Darla Blume. Now Darla Blume, loyal to the Siren Evelyn Black."

Evelyn smiled and said, "Yeah. To be honest I actually did not expect that at all."

"Right?" Goob then began to laugh. "Royalty to leader to follower. She has sure had the interesting type of life. Wasabi has also assured me that she has made the proper pledge. So I can let her out but I cannot remove the shackles."

"Really?" Evelyn said. "Why not?"

Laughing shamefully he admitted, "Well I lost the instructional book for them. You see, I'm not the most organized person in the world and well, it's in my room for sure. I'm just not sure where."

"Could I help you?" Evelyn asked.

"Captain's quarters are no place for crewmates," He said.

"Sorry captain," Evelyn said. She then started again, "Hey dad. Would it be okay if I helped you organize your room?"

He stared at Evelyn. Sighed and said, "I think I might have walked into that one."

"Yeah," she said. "Yeah, you did."

"I suppose it's fine. Only family is allowed in the captain's quarters. At least that's my rule. Fawn teases me all the time about my mess too anyway. You good to go now?" He asked.

She shot up and put her boots on and said, "Let's do this!"

He walked past her and as he opened the door said, "Do you know why 6 is afraid of 7?"

"Huh?" she said. "What does that have to do with-"

"Because 7, 8, 9," He smiled and walked out.

"Because 7, 8…" She whispered to herself in thought and then finally got it and said, "Oh that bastard," And rushed out of her room after him.

"Welcome to my crack house," Goob said as he and Evelyn walked into the captain's quarters.

Evelyn was in shock in more ways than one. It was beautiful as it was ugly. The room was quite large with a large bed that, if it was made, could fit at least five people and mistakenly jump onto it thinking you're jumping into a cloud. The walls of the room were dark ebony wood-stained siding with essences of Goob's crystals all around. The floor was surprisingly carpeted. The only room she's guessing on the whole ship with carpet. And other crystals in the room acted as lights. What made the room ugly were the piles and piles of books, paper, and clothes all over the floor, his bed, desk, and a few dressers.

"How do you even get up and dress yourself in the morning? You do laundry, right?" Evelyn said.

"I do," he said. "I just never go the extra mile to put those clothes away?"

"When we're done, you're probably going to lose your mind, and I'll smack you if you mess it all up again." Evelyn said.

"I'm not reassigning you from cook to maid just so you know," Goob said.

"Is that seriously a job on a pirate crew?" Evelyn asked. "I've seen it. But it takes a special person to take on that type of job. The other pirates I've met who have a maid or janitor are built like machines. They're so intense that it's like it's their sole purpose in life."

"I see. So, anyway, what does this book look like?" Evelyn asked. "Like what are we supposed to look out for?"

"Well it had like a purple and green hard cover in authentic leather. Great condition but very old. The symbols on it are all weird and impossible to read because it's not in a language we understand at all."

"Are you playing with stuff you don't fully understand?" Evelyn said giving him a blank stare.

"I guess I should have seeked some guidance from at least a shaman?" He admitted.

Evelyn rolled her eyes as she bent over and a pamphlet fell out of the vest. Goob picked it up and read it aloud, "Rodney's on Sharsen. The Sea's Greatest Burrito Palace?"

Evelyn forgot she took to pamphlet out of her inventory and forgot to put it back. She was admiring the menu earlier wondering if she could recreate any of the dishes on the menu.

"Not sure how you got this but at least that's where we're going," Goob said.

"Sharsen?" Evelyn asked.

"Well, one of their trading ports. Sharsen is a continent. A large one at that. Since that beast at Waterwold was so big, we have a lot of her to sell. Get some good coins and restock the goods. Maybe buy some cool stuff. New clothes, armor, weapons." Good said. He was looking at the pamphlet again.

"Is he going to ask me where I got it? Does he know I killed the whole Daisy crew?" Evelyn thought.

"Wait, were you using this for research?" Goob asked.

"Yeah," she said slowly.

"We've been to Sharsen many times, but I don't think any of us have stepped inside Rodney's. Let alone a palace. I mean I know Taco is from the country where Burrito's originated from, but he doesn't talk much about it." Goob looks over to Evelyn after she finally find and picks up the book they were looking for after scavenging under at least seven layers of clothing on the floor and says, "After we make land and do business and go separate ways, we'll all meet there our first night."

"Okay," she says handing him the book. "Well, can you take off Darla's chains?" Evelyn asked.

Goob looks at the book and sighs, "Yeah. Pledging loyalty to you really puts a damper on me unfortunately. You see, Pirates who cash in on other pirate bounties get double the money for bounties. Pledging loyalty to you, well that makes it null and void."

Looking at Goob intensely she says, "That's not what's on your mind."

Goob looks at Evelyn with endearing compassion in his eyes. He looks away and walks over to a window of his cabin and just gazing outward calmly says, "I need to talk to my cousin. After you make dinner, can you bring yours, mine, and Fawns to my quarters here?"

Unsure of what's going on she stays quiet for a moment, "I-"

"Please take that as an order as your Captain and not a request of a father," He says before she could respond.

"Understood," Evelyn says as she turns and leaves. "What the fuck was that?" She thought.

When dinner rolled around, Evleyn made personal pizzas for the whole crew topped with each of their favorite toppings. The only one she had to find out from was Darla. Having loyalty to her, that meant she needs to be taken care of too. Evelyn felt bad assuming with her plant powers, Darla would be a vegetarian. "The damn woman eats more meat than anyone else on the ship!" Evelyn thought after taking her order. Once she served the crew and delivered Darla's pizza to her cell, she assured her that she would be getting out, getting her shackles off and would be bunking in her room with her. Evelyn thought this would be the best way to activate her and explain the system the best way she could. With loyalty and experiencing the same thing as her, she feels she would be the only person she can tell everything to.

She retrieved her food and Goob and Fawns and made her way to Goob's quarters. She almost dropped the food as she walked in to see Goob and Fawn there but a day and night scene of the room. "Where's all your shit?" She said.

"Good evening to you too," Goob smiled.

Fawn laughed as she said, "Yeah. I chewed him out for the mess and made him clean it up."

"It was awful," Goob said.

"Being a leader also means setting an example. I'm sure the mess you leave is your real reason why you don't allow the crew in your quarters!" Fawn said.

"So what if it is?"

"Then that's bad you bloody doofus!" Fawn yelled.

"So do you guys want pizza?" Evelyn interjected.

Fawn and Goob both sighed. Fawn straightened up and said, "Thank you." She put out hand and with her crystal powers summoned a beautiful table and chairs at the center of the room. She then did a turn of the wrist and the crystals on the walls lit the room brightly.

"Shall we sit?" Goob said.

Evelyn placed the pizza on the table and as she sat in her seat thought, "So is this supposed to be like some king of family dinner? I got my adoptive parents here with me, which is nice, but that tone from Goob earlier really worries me."

They made light of simple conversation during dinner. Stories of Goob and Fawn back in their home country. The pranks they would pull on one another when they gained their powers and would use them for other reasons than just weapons and armor when they trained themselves how to fight in secret. Also, the things they would do back on the island hen Goob was in town and visited Fawn when she was still a councilwoman.

When they all had finished dinner the aura in the room became very still, silent, and serious. "Evelyn," Goob said. "Sorry to keep you wondering what this is all about."

"This is actually harder for us than it is for you," Fawn said shamefully. "We didn't think this at first and I think Goob and I realized it just recently, but maybe you've known it longer than we have."

"I can't stay with you forever," Evelyn said with sorrow in her voice and expression.

"Yeah," Goob said. "That."

Evelyn sighed and said, "When did you realize that?"

"After Waterworld," Fawn said. "Your ambition and dedication to protect all of us was clear."

"Evelyn," Goob said. "I'm not sure you've noticed this, and I think I speak for the whole crew when I say this. One difficult Sea Beast hunt and it's an evaluation as clear as day. You're almost 20, the youngest person here, and you're already stronger than all of us. Kanaka, Fawn and I have been training with our powers for years. Bobo since birth, all his life. Yet, you haven't had yours for long and I can see you don't have many skills and abilities with your Siren powers, but you are much stronger than we are already. Fighting that sea beast, it was clear you were not only the one that killed it in the end, but it was your attacks that did the most damage to it. I've been hunting beasts forever and I have never seen an efficient display like that from one person alone."

"Oh," Evelyn said hanging her head down. "Yeah, I noticed that, but I tried to pretend that it wasn't that big of a deal."

"As the first beast hunt where Jackson and I were also involved, it was unavoidable to not notice. We were trying to regain our energy in Kanaka's trench, yet you were running laps above us up and down it not letting up your attacks. Your stamina is honestly astonishing because nobody thought you would have that type of energy even after avoid attack after attack from the beast as well as killing 25 members of the Daisy pirates single handedly.

"What can I say? I'm a wild teenager?" Evelyn said sweating behind her words.

"Everything they're saying makes me feel I should be screaming I have a system made by the God almighty Neptune," She was thinking..

"Sure, but not a normal one!" Goob laughed.

 Evelyn sighed and asked, "So what exactly are you guys trying to tell me?"

"We think the time is coming soon where you will set sail soon, and it will be on your own and not with us," Fawn admitted.

"Oh," Evelyn said looking down.

After a moment, Goob spoke up, "What's wrong? I remember when you were younger you always talked about wanting to be a captain."

Evelyn looked up at them with tears in her eyes, "I know. But I don't know if I'm ready yet! I know I haven't been with you guys long but with your hospitality, I owe you guys my life! I don't know where I would be in my life without you guys!"

"You'd be dead," Fawn said.

"Wow. You really didn't sugarcoat that," Goob laughed.

"Yeah. What the hell," Evely agreed.

"Well sorry," Fawn said with a content expression. "That verdict of punishment you were given, you would have lasted at least two weeks. You were already deprived as you were."

There was a knock on Goob's door, "I'll be back." He said getting out and walking out the door.

Evelyn and Fawn were silent for a moment until Fawn spoke up, "So is it a Siren think the not get your hoo-hah to commit suicide or do you get those too?"

"For Neptune's sake. What kind of icebreaker is that?" Evleyn said.

"I'm just asking. I had mine last week and I in so much pain I had Kanaka wheel my weapons to my room just so I can polish them from me room. Laylee was nice enough to eat chocolates with me a few nights though."

"Taco was nice enough to mention to me I had mince while I was in that coma so I missed out the pain I would have endured," Evelyn answered.

"Oh, so you still get them," Fawn said.

"Seriously, what's the point of that question?" Evelyn asked.

"How many nights have you spent with Jackson?" Fawn asked.

With an expression of anger on her face, Evelyn said, "That's none of your bu-" She noticed the look on Fawn's face and then realized she meant something else entirely and laughed unnerving and said, "Oh. That… Uhh… We'll try to be quieter."

"I would suggest you two to be safer. Don't forget my room is across yours." Fawn smiled.

"This conversation is so uncomfortable for someone I refer to be my mom," Evelyn said.

Standing up to stretch her legs she says, "Just a motherly instinct to look out for her child."

Standing at the back of the ship was Goob, Jackson, Kanaka, and Laylee. "When did you notice them?" Goob asked.

"I suspected it this morning with a hunch, but they made way with their speed quickly," Laylee answered.

"Are they a threat?" Goob asked.

"They were surely gunning down at us at first, but I think they're only using us as a focal point for Sharsen," Laylee answered.

Under the night sky they were staring out at two black ships in the distance. Any other pirate ship they would have paid no mind, but it raised a concern once Laylee was able to make out that both flags were of the Bloodstone Pirates.

Kanaka, staring at the ships in the distance asked, "There's only two?"

"Yes," Laylee answered.

If they engage us, I can handle it. Jackson and Fawn can handle them too. If it's a bout of being boarded, Captain, Goob, Taco, Bobo, and I could take them. Jackson can take any technicians that are on board. Laylee and Fawn would need to protect Evelyn."

"Wouldn't it be smart for Evelyn to fight with how strong she is?" Jackson asked.

"We all know she's too strong," Kanaka said. "She'd burn their ships and ours to the bottom of the ocean within minutes."

Evelyn woke up to Jackson getting dressed. "This is your room. Why do you look like you're skipping out on me?"

Jackson kissed Evelyn on her forehead and said, "Because someone has to sail to the next city early and take down all our wanted posters."

"We're there already?" Evelyn asked.

"it's a bigger place so it might take me longer to remove all the posters." Jackson admitted.

"Promise to be safe?" Evelyn begged.

"I promise," And he walked out the door

He got to the top deck and saw Kanaka, Goob, Wasabi, Taco, and Bobo standing to one side of the ship. He approached the side and they just locked eyes as the Bloodstone Pirate ship slowly passed them by but did not engage. One thing is for sure, two boys on the ship were eyeing them with an intense and deadly aura.

They passed, and they all looked at each other for a moment and Goob said, "Looks like we live another day."

"What the hell are two ships doing away from the fleet?" Wasabi said. "They never venture on their own."

"Whatever it they are doing, it must be important," Kanaka said. He looked at Jackson and said, "Heading out?"

"We're nearby, right?" Jackson smiled.

Kanaka smiled back and said, "Let's go get the dingy ready."

Evelyn came up to the top deck once noon rolled around and ran to the side of the ship to see Sharsen and it's glory. Land as far as she could see when she looked to her left and right. And ships everywhere.

Goob came up next to her and said, "So this is a continent. Much different than your old island don't you think?"

"It's amazing!" She exclaimed. "There must be so much there! Merchants, food, clothing, armor, trinkets, décor, I can't guess what else could be there!"

A notification popped up in front of her that made her thing, "Wow. I didn't expect me not being able to guess what else could be there would have been taken so literally."

[Attention: Siren Detected]