Late is a bit of an understatement, at this rate, Admiral Nicholas Barrimore might not be able to make it to Loguetow in time. They were traveling near the end of the Calm Belt for days now, and there was yet a wind nor a single wave to propel them. Thanks to their steam powered ship though, they were able to make a considerable yet extremely slow progress. The Admiral glanced towards the horizon ahead of them, and from the ship's starboard, he saw nothing but an endless blue sea, no sign of an island whatsoever. 

"How much further captain?" Nicholas asked the ship's chief navigator.

The two were standing in starboard, both facing a wooden table where a worn-out map of East Blue was laid out. The navigator examined the map closely while Nicholas looked out towards the sea.

"An hour at the least, sir, I'm afraid." The man answered curtly.

A light blue den den mushi was placed next to the map, where it droned reports from different locations in Loguetown. Nicholas knew they have less and less time left to spare, and that he couldn't afford another hour if he wants to carry his orders. 

"This simply wont do." The Admiral said finally, "Captain, from our current location, how much speed would it take to reach Loguetown in 5 minutes?"

The man considered his question for awhile, "We're already traveling at around 8 to 10 knots, and we're not that far from the Polestar Islands, geographically speaking. Only if we could increase our speed for another 30 knots, we could reach Loguetown in about half an hour. But to reach it within 5 minutes? I'm not quite sure, but..." the chief navigator paused, "It would take about 90 to a hundred knots approximately to reach Loguetown in 5 minutes, sir, but that's entirely impossi-"

A mischievous smile started to form on Nicholas' face, "That would be enough, thanks."

"Admiral Barrimore, you dont think..." The man paused, he was fidgeting uncontrollably that it makes Nicholas uncomfortable as well, "Please sir, I dont think that's a good idea."

Nicholas waved him, "We gotta do something somehow."

The Admiral leaped so high and so fast from where he was standing that the other man barely had time to react. Landing lightly to his feet on the ship's railing, Nicholas listened to the reports coming from the broadcasting den den mushi one last time.

[i]"We, The Silver Eyes, Declare the grand quest for the One-Piece... Once again, Started!"[/i] said a man's voice he didnt recognize. 

"Well, that's our cue." Nicholas sighed, "Do me a favor, captain. Send a message to all Marine officers throughout Loguetown, tell them to hold the scoundrels down, secure the pier, and let no one leave the island at all cost. Also tell them that I'm on my way," the Admiral raised the sleeve of his coat, revealing a black wrist watch, Nicholas examined it for a while, "A hundred knots you say? I wonder how much time would I save if I increase that in half?"

The other man gulped nervously, "A... Approximately 3 minutes, sir. Admiral Barrimore, please dont-"

But it was too late, Nicholas was already in the air hurling towards the water below them. With a muffled plop, the Admiral landed just at the water's surface. But instead of sinking, Nicholas managed to remain afloat by kicking the water so fast his legs became just a blur. "Two minutes! Tell them to hold them down for two minutes!"

But the navigator barely heard him through the loud booming sound and the water splash left by Nicholas as he dashed through Calm Belt in tremendous speed, leaving only the trailing straight line in the water, the only sign that suggested he was there a moment ago. 

[center]***[/center]

Lily was walking along the pier when she heard the shouts and gunshots. She immediately looked for a place to hide, and on her way, she found a huge black ship that seem to be unguarded. She climbed on deck, and then hid inside a cargo crate.

Soon enough, men in white uniform came storming in the docks. They formed a line separating the port from the rest of town blocking access to any ships docked in there. Lily watched all of them barricade their line and fought incoming pirates. 

There were too many to count, and as the time drags on, they seem to increase in number. [i]'This is not good.'[/i] Lily thought. [i]'How can there be so many Marines in this island?'[/i]

And then suddenly, she heard a splashing near the ship where she is hiding, like something just hit the shore. At first, there was just water, and sea foam, but seconds later, a man slowly emerged at the edge of the docks. From her vantage point, the man appears to be average in height, lean but strongly built, and he's curly brown hair was slightly wet in sea water. He seem to be wearing a white coat, and underneath is a slim fit gold-white stripe tuxedo which apparently remained dry.

[i]'How strange.'[/i] Lily thought.

Though there's nothing intimidating about the man, Lily felt something ominous about him, something powerful, and scary. Also, the man seem to be casting a huge shadow that it appears its engulfing everything around him.

The man walked towards the barricade. She was just too far away to hear everything but based on the reaction of the men in the barricade, the man in tux appears to be a high officer of sorts. They all stood in attention to him while the man gives his orders.

Lily tried her best to remain hidden for as long as she could manage, for now, the only thing she could do is watch.