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The Flying Merry had an unknown cargo as it flew through the Grande Verse. Captain Luffy didn’t ask questions, as long as it wasn’t people or weapons of mass destruction, nor was it for the World Government, he’d take the cargo.
Nami, their pilot, had charted a course to Cutol, one of the moons orbiting Sora, before leaving the planet Lawope. She had received word that someone in the small town had sold them out. She informed Captain Luffy, who gave everyone their orders to be ready for liftoff quickly. Nami manned the controls while the crew loaded the last of the cargo. They left without fanfare, lifting off in the dead of night.
As they drifted into deep space, away from any immediate danger, Sanji, the ship’s cook, set out to make breakfast. He was making a feast out of MREs and the few tangerines he had been able to smuggle from a nearby grove. No one knew how he was able to do it, but no one ever complained about the food, unless there wasn’t any. Well, except Captain Luffy. He wanted fresh meat for every meal, but even he knew that was impossible.
Usopp, The ship’s mechanic was in the infirmary. Earlier, he had dropped the large cargo box on his foot when his grip slipped.
“Fu…” he swore. “I knew taking on this client would be bad. It’s fine though. I’m fine. We’re fine.”
Chopper had joined the crew last. He was looking for a way off a frigid and unrelenting planet. The crew of the Flying Merry had proven his best option. They seemed like loose cannons, but he could tell Captain Luffy ran the ship like family, and that worked for him.
Lastly, Zoro, Captain Luffy’s second in command. He was a bit of a rogue on the crew. He fought with three swords instead of guns. He said people were crazy to use guns on airtight, pressurized ships. He was unpredictable, constantly getting into fights, and honestly, never cared what the cargo was or who it was for, as long as they got paid and there was booze at the next stop.
Zoro stayed standing guard over the cargo. Smirking as if he knew something the rest didn’t.
After a while, Sanji had gone to look for the crew. Dinner was ready, and no one was pounding down the galley door. He found them all standing around the cargo. It was making some strange noises.
Nami turned to Luffy. “You sure this is clean cargo? We didn’t take on something we can’t handle?”
“There is nothing we can’t handle,” Zoro cut in, as Chopper quickly rushed to hide behind him.
Usopp stuttered, “I knew it. I said it from the beginning, but no…”
Captain Luffy was staring at the cargo wide-eyed, seemingly ignoring the conversation going on around him.
Sanji immediately recognized that look. “Captain, no. It is not something shiny to play with.”
At the sound of his name, Luffy turned to the crew and smiled widely. “Let’s open it. Maybe it’s meat.”
The crew groaned. Sanji pinched the bridge of his nose, and Zoro exclaimed, “As long as we still get paid.”
Usopp whimpered, “No one ever listens to me.”
Then Luffy reached for the cargo…