<<< PREV | FIRST | NEXT >>>

The new group only had to wait a few more minutes for the crew to arrive, and Aku Aku's illusions once again proved their efficiency.
"Hello!" exclaimed jovially the captain, a burly, bearded man. "I didn't expect our miracle workers and bodyguards to already be there!"
"We're early risers, mister?" replied Pinstripe.
"Bluto. But we'll have all the time to get to know each other during the journey. Pedro, show them their cabins. Once you'll have set up home, please come meet me at the bow, I'll explain you the situation."

"So, when must I barf?" gestured Crash as he and the other uplifted got acquainted with their cabins.
"What?!" stammered Aku Aku.
"He's right, isn't being on a boat supposed to make you sick?" asked Rilla.
"That's when you're on sea, because of the waves," replied Coco. "On a river, there's no risk."
"Oh."
"Not that this conversation isn't fascinating," snarked Pinstripe, "but we've got more important to talk about. We're supposed to protect these boat from pirates, meaning we'll have to fight on it! And I don't know about you, but I'm not used to fighting on a boat! We must think of our strategy!"
Everyone admitted it was a good idea.
"Well, me, I'm gonna be a load," grumbled Dingodile. "I can't use my flamethrower, I'd risk burning the ship. Or maybe if I go in first line, at the edge, and aim at the pirates' boats..."
"Good thinking," admitted Pinstripe. "For myself, it'll be easy, I have my faithful Tommy Gun."
"And Moe and I can throw our swords, as always," added Joe.
"Yeah, of course, and you'll just have to pick them up when they'll float on the water," snarked the potoroo.
"Ah shit, I didn't think of that..."
"Gotta be honest, we don't have other long range options, except that weird fruit bazooka Crash has... We're more suited for close combat, but we're supposed to not let the pirates reach the boat the most we can."
"Still, if they do get close, they'll regret it," smirked Kong.
"Not wrong. Well, if you agree with that basis, say "aye"."
"Aye!" said everyone.

This preparation and the installation done, our protagonists went to the bow for their employer's briefing.
"River pirates aren't well-organized. But there are places that are perfect for an ambush, and they frequently use them. There are two of these places on our journey."
Bluto took a map of the river and showed his mercenaries three spots.
"The first one is this zone, where the current is strong and filled with rock surfacings. We'll be forced to slow down to cross safely, but the pirates' small boats don't have this concern. As for the second danger, it's there. The river strongly narrows at this point, and we'll be forced to run along the shore, giving ground based thugs the perfect chance to directly attack us."
The uplifted nodded, assimilating these things.
"Thankfully and ironically," smirked Bluto, "these idiots tend to not know how to swim, which means they usually don't take big risks."
"I think we can work with that," laughed Pinstripe. "Anything else?"
"No. But I almost forgot the main rule on my crew: no booze, period, for obvious reasons."
"Well, yes, it's obvious," commented Aku Aku.
"You mean, we're gonna die of thirst?" joked Dingodile.
A hearty laugh greeted the joke.

Art by  gepredators
Original here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/36587632/
Dingodile and Pinstripe © Naughty Dog
Bluto © public domain