At the end of Kai's speech, a loud boom tore across the air as the wooden dock between Kai and the majority of the horde of irate pirates was torn asunder by the force of a twenty-four pound ball of steel. Silence reigned for a moment as the thunderclap of gunpowder ignition subsided from people's eardrums. A muffled curse could be heard in the silence followed by Ray shouting from the gun deck; his voice was pitched to carry through the air as he was taught in his voice lessons, so he sounded a bit pompous, which simply added to his air of authority.

"That was a warning shot, you ingrates! The next will turn you all to chum if you don't CLEAR OFF!" The mob began to flee back across the docks. In a much less pitched voice, Ray called, "Lets get this tub underway before these rats learn how to swim." As they cleared the bay, Ray came up deck. He eyed Kai and gave him nod. [i]That is one man I am glad is not my enemy. That moment when we crossed blades, even though it was a ploy, I could tell he was an artist with the sword. If we were to ever truly fight, well... I would not look forward to it.[/i] 

Ray turned to Nolan and the captain. "How is she?"