Do you have a problem with how I play Isako? Comment over here. Anon is on and ip logging are off on my crit journal. However, anon is OFF and ip logging is ON in this journal to avoid spam.

Listen up! I have another job for you idiots.

This time we're going for treasure. I've managed to get a map to the location. There should be something good here...

Yeah, yeah, hokey pirate stuff. I know that. But I have this all on good authority this time, you can count on that. If there's nothing there, I get to keep this as collateral. [something clinks in the background]

So, who knows how to preserve things for a small amount of time? Ice? Just in case I do have to give this back.

We'll leave as soon as we've done repairs and stocked up on supples. I... talked to that damn mayor, and he'll give us what we need for now, but we'll have to pay him back sooner or later. Later, preferably, but we have to at least pretend we're tryng to pay back our debts.

[ooc: Whooo treasure hunt, treasure hunt! Like real pirates! *bricked*

Just to give you guys a time-frame, this next event will likely take place sometime after Thanksgiving since Americans (like me) might be rather busy during that time. But this should also give people some time to do some leisure threads in town before we ship off.]

We're almost back to Vohemar! Any way we can shake the rest of them? How much ammunition do we have left?

It looks like they're really gone now. Hah, we have a clear break for it. We're probably the only ones who can say we've come up against the Victoria II twice and lived--

...

What is that? I thought they were going after those kidnappers. They shouldn't be back this soon! Shit, get us going fas--

.... that's not a ship.

.....

GET US THE HELL OUT OF HERE NOW.

[HEY GUESS WHAT 4423, SOME SKY SHARKS ARE COMING YOUR WAY TOO. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BECOME THEIR MIDDAY MEAL THEN YOU'D BETTER START MOVING.]

[Slow clapping]

Well done, old man.

[Filtered to the 4423, unhackable]

Let's use this opportunity to make a break for it. Messing up the Victoria II's mission is victory enough for one day. I'm sure that old captain is blowing one or two blood vessels right about now. Maybe if we're lucky he'll just keel over. No, that wouldn't be good. Then who would we have to annoy?

You all held your own out there. I'm... [pauses] not disappointed. I can even forgive the fact that we gained nothing out of this but our own satisfaction. But for pirates that's worth a lot. I'm sure we'll have a story to tell when we get back home.

I wonder who they were... who cares, they gave us our break and we're going to run with it. [clicks off]

Alright, we've got their attention! Get that smokescreen up and bring us to full speed, now! We've got to surprise them. That old captain probably thinks we intend to ram them, but we'll be going underneath and doing a turn around. Gunners, get ready! Even as slow as the Victoria II is you won't have time to screw around while they get their bearings.

Everyone, prepare for boarding! We're taking them down one way or another.

Damn, looks like they managed a hit. Anything we can do to patch things up for now?

We're heading towards them now. Shinji already has you gunners set, and it looks like Reno and Kensei are working to distract the Victoria II's attention further. If anyone can get a hit, great, but the main objective for now is to keep them from realizing we're not going at our full speed. That way when we fly underneath and do a turn about they won't even see it coming.

Here it comes...! They're aiming for our right flank. Evasive maneuvers, now! Try to avoid as much damage as possible!

Hiruma's got our strategy down. He said most of the Victoria II's firepower is in the front, so what we need to do is get her from behind. Once we've evaded their attacks we'll move in at a half to three quarters speed. Make it look like that's as fast as we'll go. We have the advantage of speed here, and once the Victoria II gets going it's hard to stop.

We'll head straight for them, but before we get there we'll throw up a smoke screen and duck right underneath them at full speed. Then we should be able to fire some quick shots from behind before they turn around. Hopefully it'll be enough to immobilize them.

Shinji, have the gunners ready. You can all fire some shots as we approach them, but save your heavy firepower for when hit them from behind.

Souji, do we have enough power to bring the engines up to full speed? It will only be for a short burst, so hopefully we won't overwork them.

Pilots! We may need you for a further diversion. I'll also need blacksmiths and carpenters to report to any damaged areas on the ship. See what you can do to patch us up. We need to be in as good of shape as we can get. Quickly!

Boarding party: Hang tight. If this works there may be a job for you after all. If we could actually take down the Victoria II... no... shouldn't be so optimistic yet. Let's just get out of this alive!

Hah--

Well, that didn't take long.

Time for a little "self defense." Got a strategy for us, Hiruma? Otherwise, Shinji, you may direct the gunners to fire at will. Ignore the other ship unless they target us directly. Let's head for the Victoria II first.

Everyone who was supposed to be a part of the boarding party: keep on your toes. We might still need you.

Ah, right, Dimo. You can work out a navigational plan for retreat if we need one with Hiruma, but you can join the rest of your group after that. I'm sure they'll need you if it comes down to it.

Let's see if we can pull this one off.

It's as Hiruma says. Everyone, hold your positions for now. Be prepared for them to fire, gunners especially. This is the Victoria II we're talking about. With their captain it's only a matter of time before they fire. Let them be the ones to start the fight.

Don't provoke the other ship unless they fire on us as well, but keep them in your sights. We might have to fight them, too.

Damn it! They weren't supposed to be here! Is that Erealian ship contracting an Ivonian military ship?! Damn it, damn it! Last thing we need.

We're going into defensive mode, now! Forget about the boarding! We'll worry about that when--and if--we have a chance to. Gunners, you had better be ready! Shinji--I can't direct the gunners right now so I'll leave it to you.

Don't fire until they give you a reason to! The last thing we need is to provoke a fight with the Victoria II. For all they know we're just doing some business not that that captain will believe us.

And keep an eye on that other ship, too. What was it again? Like hell I can remember, but we're at a disadvantage if it turns out we're going up against two armed vessels.

We're entering Erealian airspace now.

Keep your eyes open. We're not going for the small fry today. We're looking for a gaudy ship with a convoy of some sort. Once we spot them I want an immediate assessment of any weaponry that can be seen or deduced from the exterior. We need to know what we're in for. Maxim, you're still up there in the crow's nest, right? I'll need your eyes here. Anything you can tell me will be needed if this is to go well.

Those who can spare it can search for ships from the deck, but don't stray far from your positions. We have to be prepared. Make note of the number of ships you see in the area. Hopefully we'll be able to hit the ship we're looking for quickly before any others have a chance to react.

Let's hope this ship is as well endowed as those messages made it out to be...

Quartermasters, boatswains, I want you all to make a last sweep of the ship to make sure everyone is prepared. Report back to me when you do. I'll also need one of you to be in charge of the boarding party. Any takers before I start assigning? Then another one of you needs to take charge of the gunners. I'll relay orders to you when I can, but I trust you to make your own call. The rest of you should be prepared to take command as needed from either myself or the other quartermasters and boatswains.

Everyone else should have your orders already. If you've forgotten, go back and listen to my previous posts.

[ooc: Oh ho ho, and they inch ever closer together. We're almost there, guys! I'm just waiting on a few things from the other captains. Use this time to have your characters prepare themselves. Characters may also be up on deck keeping an eye out for other ships. Have them tell Isako if they see anything. I'll have someone announce when they see the ship.]

We'll be moving into Erealian airspace soon.

Everyone, prepare yourself. Gunners, make sure your stations are ready to go. Pilots, check that your planes are in top shape. I don't know if we'll need them but we want to be prepared. I also need my mechanics, blacksmiths, and shipwrights to be ready at all times. Same goes for the infirmary.

Shinji and Marluxia will see to it that you all complete your pre-battle tasks. They have the authority to punish you in any way they see fit, so don't fuck it up. Our lives may all be on the line here.

Hiruma, Dimo, I need you up here with me just in case we need to make a quick exit.

The rest of you, prepare to board at my order.

I'll also need a lookout up in the 'nest to look for the ship and any guard ships. Any volunteers before I start picking myself?

You all better not screw up this time.

...

Good luck.

[ooc: We're reaching the end of the log and we ALL know how things will end... They are Team Fail for a reason]

[mumbling] Damn it... those idiots dented it. It had better still work.

First that this situation occurred when I was vulnerable, both due to my injured leg and my lack of a gun at the time. If anyone brings up this incident as a reflection of my captaining, I will kill you, not just shoot you in the knees, and I will make sure that no one ever finds the body. Is that clear?

With that out of the way, I think you idiots have had enough relaxation. Your minds and bodies are probably completely dull by this point. Disgusting.

We're moving out. We've intercepted some signals from Erealia and it looks like there will be a ship leaving there shortly. The contents of this ship are unclear, but the messages seem to suggest that it's something very important. I'm not about to pass this up. I've been cautious long enough and look where it's gotten me--us. We're not backing down.

There might also be additional security, so we'll have to rely on our speed to get through this. I expect all of you to be ready at a moment's notice. If you slack off, we're all dead. This isn't a threat; it's the truth.

Get yourselves ready.

[ooc: Another note. People are still a little shaky in terms of hiatuses and such so we're gonna take this one slowly at first. Please let me know if you think the pacing is off at any point! I don't want to drag on, but at the same time I don't want to exclude people who are on hiatus and slowaitus.

The 4423 will soon be heading into the airspace around Erealia. More details to come later.]

HEY! The person who intends to pay us! Do you have the money together yet?!

Give us the dubloons and we'll release the captain!

Idiot! Get back over there and make sure she doesn't move! If you want, we'll even kill her for you, since it looks like she'll come after you after this.

[gulp] Or us.

Shut up about that already! Don't tell me you're afraid of a little kid!

Nooooooo, don't push me in again!

Grrr, do you imbeciles have the money yet or not?! You better! We've got a drop off point ready.

Just like real criminals!

We're not criminals! We're entrepreneurs!

Yes, Doc...

[My title got too long so "VISIBLE IN VICINITY OF LICERE"]

This stupid holiday again. Has it really been a year? I can't wait for it to be over again. This cheer is too much.

We'll remain here for Lunasa, but we're leaving right afterward. The plane races and this vacation were nice, but we need to get back to work. I'll need some of you to start digging up information on other ship routes so we can plan our next ra--

[There is a thud and her voice is suddenly cut off. After a paused there's a groan from Isako before a new set of voices comes on]

Greetings and salutations, honored friends!
Does our sudden appearance still offend?
The time of Lunasa has come once more,
so listen now to what we have in store.

Not you idiots again...

Shut up, kid!

Just give me back my journal already.

'The Grinch Who Stole Lunasa,' our next play,
your gifts we have stolen like a buffet.
To the 4423 we give the best gift of all,
your little brat captain is going for "recall."

...what the hell does that mean?

Oh dear, looks like it's time for us to go,
thanks for letting your captain join our show!

What are you doing? Let me go, damn it!

I told you to shut up already!

That's right! You ruined our poetry!

Like I give a shit! Mmmf!

If you want to see your precious br-captain, again, as well as the other gifts we stole, then give us--! Psst, Holly, how much?

Huh? What are you asking me?! I'm not a seamstress or a seamsman--

That's not what I meant you idiot! I meant how much should we ask for from them?

Oh! 1 million dubloons?

Sounds good!

Ahem! If you want to see your captain again, members of the 4423, then you all have to come up with 1 million dubloons!

If you could get your captain's safe open then that would be acceptable since we couldn--Ouch! Dooooooooc, why did you hit me?!

Just shut up already! You all hear that? 1 million dubloons!

Are you two done yet?

Arg! You shut up too! We'll be using this journal to contact you all again, so keep an eye out and get that money together! Out!

[ooc: Alright guys, here's your Lunasa event! Team Fail has appeared once more to perform "the Grinch Who Stole Lunasa" for your viewing pleasure. For those of you who don't know, Team Fail is a terrible (and by terrible I mean they're just plain AWFUL at doing anything) terrorist group that's a bit like Team Rocket. Their members consist only of Doc (girl) and Holly (boy) right now. To begin their act they have taken our crippled loli captain hostage. She is very not amused. She also wishes her leg wasn't broken right about now.

Additionally, they have stolen various gifts from around Licere and the 4423. It's up to you to decide if you want your characters' gifts to be stolen or not. They won't be able to grab everything, but they'll grab as much as they can. This event won't last for long in actual Lunasa time so don't worry, there will still be more time for your characters to enjoy the holiday!

Like Doc said, Team Fail will be using this journal to give everyone instructions. Of course, we know already that the 4423 is bad at following instructions, right? Maybe instead they'll leave some clues about their location...

Also, apologies for the colored font! If it's not displaying right on your layout then just go directly to the comment page.]

Hot springs are supposed to soothe the soul or something, right? Fat chance of them doing that for me right now.
[/Private]

[Filter: 4423]
Don't think we'll be spending much time here in Licere. This may be an extension of our break, but we still have many things to do before we're back on our feet again. This had better give you all the energy to work your hardest.

...

And I will too. Doubly, now.

Well, we've accomplished what we wanted. We won. Now let's get out of here. I don't think I can spend another minute in that old captain's vicinity, even to gloat...

If you haven't heard by now, we're not on the best of terms with royalty so we'll be taking the other prize. I'm sure no one will mind hot springs. We're leaving soon, so get your last minute business settled.

[ooc: All right babes, we'll be heading off to Licere soon for some hot hot springs action. After that I have some other things planned to get the 4423 back on its feet. Maybe this will be a good year for them.]

Not really the one I expected, but it doesn't matter. Congratulations.

I don't see why this race was even needed in the first place. The outcome was obvious from the start.

So, Ivona Unification. Not much of a celebration this year, was it? It's almost like the entire thing was planned to take away from Ivona's biggest ego-stroking event.

Where was the Victoria II when that was going on, huh? So much for protecting the country.

[deadpan] Oh no. That was public.

[Filtered to the 4423, unhackable]

[some shuffling]

I really cannot feel my legs. I don't even know which one I broke anymore. What the hell did those damn doctors give me? Ugh, what the hell was I thinking? I can't stay in this disgusting room any longer. [mumbled] Have to get away...

[louder] Crew. All of you. Have you seen the flyer? Plane racing, huh? Heh, it sounds interesting.

And prizes. I really like the sound of that.

Ok pilots. Who's in? This could be a good opportunity for us.

[ooc: Isako is a little bit whoozy on her pain meds, so please forgive her for being more insensitive than usual. If that's possible.]