The Rocks Pirates on the Verge of Revival

"Hiss! The salary is actually more than triple what I make now, with full insurance on top of that. They even provide low-rent housing, and medical expenses are fully reimbursed. Such generous benefits really make my heart itch."

Across the vast azure sea, a huge official ship flying the World Government flag sailed slowly toward the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, its sails full as it rode the waves.

On deck, a burly World Government official in a black uniform lounged lazily in a sun chair. He held a glass of iced orange juice in his left hand and spread open a copy of the World Economy News with his right.

His eyes were fixed on the recruitment advertisement in the newspaper's center fold. The corners of his mouth curled up unconsciously as he sighed from the heart.

"Isn't that the truth? If I didn't have children and elderly parents to care for at home, I'd have handed in my resignation and joined the Federation long ago."

Beside him, a fat official with a gold chain around his neck immediately set down his cigar and picked up the conversation.

"I heard the Federation is recruiting officials from non-member nations on a massive scale to fill out its administration. Those peasants who couldn't even afford a meal before have really stumbled into the opportunity of a lifetime this time!"

"You two should watch yourselves!"

Another official, thin-faced and wearing gold-rimmed glasses, suddenly darkened. He first cast a wary glance at the solemn guards by the railings, flintlock rifles in hand. Then he lowered his voice, leaned close to his two colleagues, and warned them in a tone barely audible to the three of them.

"This is an official ship. Who knows whether there are Cipher Pol agents among these guards? If