Karl stepped onto the Tiger God just as Jerry and Adrian snapped to.
"Move out. In and out—we get this done fast," he said. Jaya's build was nearly there; soon, they'd swing by Tiger Roar Island for recruits.
Adrian scratched his cheek. "Captain… once Jaya's set, can we head home? I, uh, want to bring Zoey out."
Karl blinked. "Zoey? Since when?"
Adrian coughed. "Captain Dylan taught me a lot. I spent time with her. We… got close."
Karl barked a laugh. "Not bad. And Dylan didn't pound you into paste?"
"Haven't told him yet. This trip, I'll ask for his blessing. I can protect her now."
"You've got my vote. We'll kit her with a battlesuit and I'll drill Six Powers into you both."
They made Water 7 by morning and went straight to the yard.
"I'm grateful you came, Karl-san," Iceburg said, relief plain on his face.
"I gave my word," Karl replied. "Headcount?"
"Twenty-seven shipwrights… most with wives and children. If that's a burden—"
"It's perfect," Karl cut in. "I'm opening a yard on Jaya. Housing's ready. Jerry here will run it."
Iceburg bowed low. "Thank you."
"I'll also need equipment. You've got the connections. Coordinate specs with Jerry."
Jerry passed him a list. "Let's go over this in your office."
Karl handed Jerry a heavy case. "Twenty billion beli. Make it happen. Adrian and I will source other supplies. Meet at the port this afternoon."
They split. On a canal, a shabby galley-boat with a crooked sign rocked lazily. Inside, a tipsy old chef snored on a stool.
Karl's eyes lit. The fried rice geezer.
"Down we go," he grinned.
They hopped aboard. "Gramps! Two orders—double portions!"
The old man cracked an eye. "My fried rice is pricey, kid."
"I'm loaded."
"Ha! Sit tight." The knife began to dance, wok roaring a breath later.
They ate. Adrian froze mid-bite. "Captain… why is simple rice this good?"
Karl felt it too—like tides rolling through the grains. He watched the old man pinch from a tiny pouch.
"What's the trick, old-timer?"
The geezer smirked and produced a small bag. "After the God of the Sea receded last time, it left salt on the seabed. This is that salt."
"Sell me some?"
"Got a stash. Sure."
Karl tossed him 100,000 and left with a bulging bag. "Karin's going to flip," Adrian said.
By afternoon, a freighter sat lashed beside the Tiger God, crammed with presses, lathes, cranes, and racks of tools.
"Karl-san, everything's aboard," Iceburg said. "Thank you—for saving them."
"They'll earn their keep," Karl smiled. "Where's Franky?"
Iceburg's face tightened. "He blames himself for Tom's death. He left the yard."
"And you're staying."
"I'll keep Tom's dream alive," Iceburg said, steady as steel.
Karl eyed him, tempted. A born builder and organizer. Another time. "Watch your back. The government bites when you're not looking."
"I will."
Karl signaled. "Jerry—cast off. We're homebound."
Two ships swung out of Water 7's embrace, bows pointed toward Jaya—toward a city rising from jungle and sand.
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