Meanwhile.
Aboard the G-5 Branch's flagship.
At the railing, a female Vice Admiral wearing a justice coat watched the pirate ship fleeing blindly ahead through her binoculars, a cigar clenched between her teeth.
She looked to be in her early thirties, with a full, graceful figure. Her long silver hair flowed as smoothly as moonlight, and her refined features carried a bold, spirited air.
"Vice Admiral Molly, this trick really does work every time."
Beside her, her adjutant swung his binoculars in his hand and chuckled.
"We've pulled this stunt almost a hundred times now, haven't we? And greedy idiots still fall for it and come running to their deaths. Of course, a lot of that is thanks to your incredible acting. At your age, you can still sound just like a young girl..."
"At my..."
The silver-haired Vice Admiral named Molly turned her head and gave him an expressionless look. "Age?"
Oh, crap. How did I say what I was thinking out loud...?
The adjutant stiffened. Under her icy stare, cold sweat poured off him, and he promptly surrendered, snapping upright before bowing and saluting.
"I'm sorry, Vice Admiral! What I meant was, even the sweetest young girl wouldn't have such a lovely, melodious voice at your age... argh!"
Before he could finish, a kick sent him flying. The Marines behind him stepped aside out of habit, waiting until their superior slammed into the deck and clutched his back, grimacing, before moving over to help him up.
"If you don't know how to flatter someone, shut up. Nobody will think you're mute."
Molly's irritated voice reached him.
"No more waiting. Looks like these idiots are the only ones taking the bait today."
As the adjutant rubbed his backside and climbed to his feet with a miserable expression, she blew