Volume 2 Honoring Robin Chapter 14 No, don't use offensive words like "cannon fodder", we call him "reserve personnel"
Mason and Barbosa discussed the "cooperation plan" very smoothly. The originally complicated details plus the entire conversation did not exceed ten minutes.
This model can basically be summarized as no matter what outrageous demands Mason makes, the old pirate agrees without any bargaining, nor does it seem like the two parties are competing with each other.
It's more like a superior issuing tasks to subordinates.
This made Mason feel there was no need to continue the conversation.
It's not that Barbosa didn't have good intentions, the big pirate was really sincere. But the old bastard was still in a state of ecstasy and confusion, and he hadn't recovered from the excitement of gaining "hope".
And his nonsense attitude is very consistent with the pirates' style of behavior.
First, say something nice to finalize the cooperation, but the specific implementation details will have to be discussed in detail after they see the promised benefits.
In short, you won’t suffer any loss.
"I will bring you 100,000 potions in a week. That will be enough for you to arm an army that can build a country. But Barbossa, I need a deposit first."
The young man threw the Devil's Box containing 881 cursed gold coins into the suitcase, and took out fifty vaccines and syringes as well as a list of supplies needed by Team K as a "gift" and handed them to Barbossa.
He said:
"Open your treasure house to me, and I will select from it what I need."
"certainly."
Without hesitation, Barbossa took a brass key from his belt and threw it to Mason. He looked at the long list and said:
"I always carry my most precious collection with me, in the hold of this ship, and you may take them all, my dear friend.
Seven days, right?
no problem!
During these seven days, I will do my best to collect the rewards you need in this sea and my territory."
Mason nodded.
He gracefully left the captain's room with the kite man, the female pirate, and Captain Jack, who was winking at Barbossa.
As the hatch closed, the old pirate carefully picked up the vaccine and syringe in his hand.
He instinctively wanted to give himself an injection, but stopped and looked at his daughter Serena.
The weather-beaten old face tried hard to show a trace of fatherly kindness, but being hypocritical for most of his life had made him accustomed to putting on an uncomfortable and hypocritical smile.
"Come here, Serena, my dear daughter, this is for you and your mentor."
Barbossa took two of the gifts he had received and handed them to his daughter. He whispered:
"I know you need time to accept the fact that you have a pirate father, and I don't expect you to accept me quickly, but I really hope you won't leave me again.
This is not only the father's request to stay, but also out of safety considerations.
Before Mason demonstrates his "magic medicine" on a large scale, don't tell anyone else about my deal with him, okay? I believe you are smart enough to understand my concerns. "
"Of course I understand that. "
The young girl in the blue dress did not refuse the medicine handed to her by her "father".
She held the cold, high-tech "hope" that did not seem to be a product of this era, and her heart was filled with gratitude for surviving the disaster.
But a few seconds later, the girl recalled Mason's movements to put the test tube into the precise syringe, and said to her pirate father whom she hated:
"He said the drug is only effective for two months. You know, this means that you and all the survivors will be controlled by him."
"What does it matter? My Serena."
Barbossa inserted the sharp needle into the vein in his arm, injecting the cool liquid into his body as if some kind of power was born in his old body.
It made him full of vigor even when he spoke.
The pirate king who roamed the sea put on his tattered hat, held the list in his hand, and said with a sneer:
"As long as he wants, he can become the king of the apocalypse, or even a god, with the formula of the magic medicine!
But he had no interest in ruling, all Mason wanted was these things, my daughter, or he wouldn't have offered me that ridiculous deal.
If he won't rule, why not me?
Don't be fooled by your father's current appearance, but I have also been a fleet commander with a British flag, I have been part of that hypocritical circle, and I have also chatted and laughed with that fat and stupid king.
I know how a kingdom works.
I know how much those kings have to pay to maintain their rule, and all I have to pay is wealth and some resources. "
Barbossa laughed a few times and turned back to look at his daughter. The old pirate grinned, revealing a few big golden teeth. He said confidently:
"My daughter, my Serena, I promise that you will become the most powerful princess in the world, and after I die, you will continue to rule the kingdom I have built for you."
"But what about the Trident of Poseidon?"
Serena bit her lip and said to her pirate father:
"I came to your ship because you promised me you would find it. We must find it, we can't put all our hopes on this drug."
"Yes, yes, we will find it, and we will have plenty of time to find it. After the Pirate Kings' meeting is over, I will give you a fleet, my daughter."
Barbossa made some perfunctory promises to his daughter.
His eyes lit up as he looked at the delicate test tube in his hand.
He was obviously immersed in the fantasy of his bright future.
Seeing her short-sighted and greedy pirate father showing such an expression, Serena Smith, who had just completed the vaccination, frowned immediately.
She looked at the direction Mason and the others left and fell into deep thought. She really didn't think that it was the right choice for her cheap father to put everything on this drug.
Maybe she should make some preparations in private?
——
"Boss, I feel like one world gate isn't enough now."
As they left the Queen Anne's Revenge, the kite-flyer, with his bag full of goodies and a large bag full of precious things on his shoulders, said to Mason:
“We can obtain enough human resources here to invest in the development of Hogwarts, but only one World Gate cannot meet the scheduling needs of Team K.
"Indeed, I feel that way too."
Mason nodded in agreement and said:
"Perhaps we can contact Mr. Hunter and see if we can get something through the back door or something. How is your new suit? Is there anything that needs improvement?"
“It’s amazing, almost perfect for me.”
The kite man smiled and patted his chest, making a slight thumping sound. He then touched his flight backpack and said to Mason:
"But compared to this functional new suit, the kite we redesigned together seems a bit cheap."
“That’s what I’m considering as well.”
Mason thought for a moment and said to his loyal younger brother:
"I think we should take some time to think of a way to redesign your kite. In fact, I already have a preliminary idea.
Charles, are you interested in becoming a full-time engineer for Squad K in addition to being a scout? "
"Eh? Boss, aren't you an engineer?"
Kite Man was not very resistant to this suggestion.
He knew that his fighting ability was not only comparable to that of the magic-playing jerk Kang, but even if Catwoman really used her strength, she could almost "kill" him instantly.
He sees himself as an investigator.
His profession is a space designer, so now Mason wants him to be responsible for logistics, which is a good career plan for Charles.
But he spent the most time with Mason.
He knew that this 17-year-old young man was actually a very talented person and that his captain could definitely become the best engineer.
"I am not only an engineer, but also an alchemist."
Mason rolled his eyes and sighed.
"I will become an inscriptionist, enchanter, forger, and jeweler in the future. Do you understand what I mean? Charles, I don't have that much time to specialize in one.
The advanced equipment obtained from Batman's laboratory needs engineers like you who graduated from Banco to operate it."
"I understand."
The Kite Man nodded, rubbing his hands eagerly and saying:
"Then I'll give it a try when I get back. To be honest, returning to my original job is really a bit..."
"Jack! Come back, don't run! You idiot!"
Charles' words were interrupted by the noise coming from behind. Mason and he looked back and found that Captain Jack Sparrow, who had just been taken off the Revenge, had jumped into the sea while Team K was not paying attention.
That wanton fellow was swimming towards the Black Pearl at an extremely fast speed.
He doggy-paddled as he pleased, looking back and laughing:
"Remember this day! You mysterious wizards, you almost caught the famous Captain Jack Sparrow! Remember to tell this story to your children.
If you still have children..."
Angelina was jumping anxiously at the dock.
She wasn't angry because Jack ran away again, but she was worried that this idiot had no idea of the strength of Team K and was trying to get himself killed.
Mason shrugged and nodded at Charles, who had already opened the kite beside him.
The kite flyer smiled and took a few running steps, then took off like a circling vulture, flying a few circles over the low-lying sea surface, then dived towards Captain Jack in the water, and swung the grappling gun equipped with his armor gauntlet in mid-air to catch the pirate.
It lifted Jack out of the water like an osprey catching a stupid fish and dropped him on the dock beach in a rapid flight.
The dissolute captain got up dizzy, cursed him as a freak and tried to run, but just as he started, he saw a black gun barrel appear in front of him.
Angelina, wearing a skirt, was holding a simple black engineering pistol that was out of tune with the times. She only needed to pull the trigger and the man's head would explode like a watermelon.
Over the past few days, under the guidance of Ms. Selina, she has become very proficient in the use of this high-powered firearm that Mason made while practicing engineering.
"boom"
The female pirate waved her pistol and hit Jack's forehead fiercely, knocking the captain to the ground, kicking him a few times, and then pulling him up again with a bleeding head.
She looked at Mason who was approaching and put his gun to the back of Captain Jack's head, and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear:
"You fool! They are not as gentle to you as I am! Be good, for your life's sake, Jack! I am not going to be a widow yet.
You be obedient!
We can all survive.”
"Let him go, Angelina, and remember this day for me. I almost let the famous Captain Jack escape from me."
Mason did not draw his weapon.
He came over with his penguin umbrella, seemingly not caring about Jack's escape. He waved to the female pirate and said gently:
"Give me some time to talk to Mr. Sparrow alone. I believe that Captain Jack, who conquered the ocean, is a rational man. I also believe that he will not cause trouble for himself after he understands his situation."
The female pirate obediently put down her gun, glared at Jack and told him to watch his mouth and not talk nonsense, then followed the kite man and walked away.
Mason looked at the extremely embarrassed Captain Jack in front of him.
He took a handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to Jack, motioning him to wipe the blood off his forehead.
Captain Jack, who was dressed in
While wiping the blood, he said casually:
"So, you're the leader? The captain?"
"I didn't own a legendary battleship when I was young like you, my dear Jack Sparrow. Compared with your magnificent first half of life, I am simply a model of mediocrity."
Mason shook his head and said:
"But I know your story, I know your adventures, and I'm a huge fan of yours. So I thought we could have a frank conversation, and I'd like you to join my team.
We are in urgent need of talents like you.”
"Ha, then you have to convince me. First of all, what benefits can I get from joining your forces?"
Captain Jack put one hand on his waist, glanced at the Black Pearl on the sea not far away, touched his beard and said:
"Wealth? No, I have no shortage of that.
Status? I became captain in my second year as a pirate.
Women? Tsk, tsk, look at Angelina, she's loyal to you but still misses me. I have many lovers.
I am indeed very grateful to you for saving me from Barbossa, my dear Mr. Mason, and I can help you find some treasure to repay the favor.
But you might have to pay a little more for a pirate to give up his freedom."
“I won’t promise you anything.
Just as you said, it is almost impossible to buy a pirate's freedom. The King of England gave Barbossa the title and power, but didn't he tear up the letter of appointment and return to the plundering sea?
It is in your nature to pursue unbridled chaotic freedom, something that not even death can take away.
I won’t waste my energy on wasted effort.”
Mason took a step forward.
Under Captain Jack's narrowed eyes, he grabbed the small black box hanging on Jack's chest, but he did not take away the magic compass. Instead, he placed it in front of Captain Jack.
The young man looked at the pirate captain and said to him:
"People like you won't be persuaded by words and promises. You only believe your own eyes! So, use your own eyes to see, Mr. Sparrow.
Open the compass that you almost threw away when you were in such a state of despair!
I should really be thankful that this upheaval has prevented you from doing something so stupid."
Jack glanced at Mason, then stretched out his hand and flicked his fingers coquettishly to open his compass.
The tip of the quaint little thing that should have been pointing to the north was now spinning madly as if it had entered a chaotic magnetic field.
"It is said that this compass, which never points to the north, can show its owner what he desires most. Over the years, it has played a very important role in your story.
You trust it more than you trust yourself.”
Mason stared at the spinning needle on the small compass. He said to Captain Jack, who was also holding the compass:
"So why don't you ask your magic compass, Jack, to find out where the only person in the world who can save you from the apocalypse is?
Look at your desperate, helpless and exhausted life. Where is the final way out? "
Jack Sparrow did not answer.
He just stared at the compass in his hand and asked himself the question he had asked himself countless times over the past period of time.
The speed of the compass needle slowed down, turning in circles, and finally, as Captain Jack stared with wide eyes, the red needle stopped right in front of him.
The tip of the pointer was aimed at the mysterious young man in front of him like a sword, as if marking a new route for Captain Jack.
Mason gave a predictable smile.
He patted the dumbfounded Jack Sparrow on the shoulder and whispered:
"Welcome to Team K, Spiro. We'll throw you a party. But you'd better take a shower before meeting the rest of my team."
