Life aboard the Sea Serpent was anything but easy. For most of the crew, the ship was a home of sorts, albeit a harsh and unforgiving one. The main deck bustled with activity, where seasoned sailors navigated the treacherous waters and maintained the ship's aging structure. Jana had earned her place through cunning and strength between the crew but for Rodrick she was just another tool.

Beneath the creaking wooden planks, hidden from the light of day, lay the slaves' quarters. Shackled and sullen, they were forced to toil away their lives in darkness, serving the whims of the ruthless Rodrick, the Sea Serpent's captain. Rodrick ruled with an iron fist, his cruelty unmatched. He delighted in their suffering, using fear and violence to maintain control.

Jana, though hardened by her own struggles, could not ignore the brutality inflicted upon the slaves. Her role on the ship was dual; as a field agent for the Universal Office of Time Control, she had a mission to retrieve the Tear of the Siren, a powerful artifact lost in the flow of time. But here, on this ship, she had to navigate the dangerous waters of pirate politics and survival.

Rodrick's patience with Jana had worn thin after their last attempt to locate the Tear had ended in disaster. A fierce storm had scattered their maps and instruments, leaving them adrift and aimless. Jana grew increasingly frustrated with Rodrick's lack of attention to the search, realizing that as long as he was captain, she couldn't operate freely. In a fit of rage, Rodrick had nearly beaten Jana to death, his fists striking with relentless fury. Her body ached from the brutal assault, bruises and cuts marking her skin as a testament to his violence. That night, she vowed to herself that she would never be at his mercy again.

In the dim light of the lower deck, Jana found an unexpected ally in the ship's gunner, known for his expertise with cannons and explosives. He was a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, a testament to his battle-hardened life. A mercenary at heart, he worked for the highest bidder, his loyalty swayed by the weight of coin rather than camaraderie. Tonight, he was slumped against a barrel, a bottle of rum in his hand, his eyes glazed and unfocused—a perfect target for Jana's proposition.

Jana approached him cautiously, her voice low. "Gunner, I need your help."

He squinted at her; the smell of alcohol strong on his breath. "What do you want, girl? Can't you see I'm busy getting drunk?"

"I want to get rid of Rodrick," she said bluntly, knowing there was no point in dancing around the subject.

He laughed, a harsh, bitter sound. "And why the hell would I risk my neck for you? You think you're the first to want him dead?"

Jana leaned in closer, her eyes locked on his. "Because this time, I am the one planning it. And when he's gone, I'll make sure you're well compensated...with.... the largest sum of money you've ever seen."

He took another swig of rum, then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Money, huh? And where exactly do you plan on getting this money?"

"We've got spoils from the raids. I know where Rodrick stashes the best of it. And I'm not the only one revolting. What I'm offering you is a choice: side with the winners or be dragged down with the losers," Jana replied, her voice cold and steady. "We can split the loot. Think about it, Gunner. Freedom from that bastard, and enough gold to live like a king."

Gunner's eyes narrowed as he considered her words. "You're a bold one, I'll give you that. But what good is all that money if we're trapped in the middle of nowhere?"

Jana's lips curled into a sly smile. "With Rodrick gone, we won't be trapped. We'll be free to sail wherever we want, take whatever we desire. This ship can be our kingdom, and with the gold, we can buy loyalty, power, and anything else we need."

Gunner raised an eyebrow, skepticism evident. " We? How do I know you won't just turn into another Rodrick, chasing after this phantom treasure of yours? I say it's Easier to trust the devil you know."

Jana's eyes hardened. "I'm not Rodrick. I don't intend to rule by fear. My goal is to find the Tear of the Siren, but I'm not blind to the needs of the crew. With me, you'll have a say, a share, and a future. Together, we can take what we want and live like kings."

He stared at her for a long moment, then finally nodded. "Alright, you crazy bitch. I'm in. But if you screw this up I myself will throw you to be fish food. And I want my cut upfront."

Jana stared at him with a mix of fear and confidence, relief washing over her.

As they finalized their plan, Elara, a fellow pirate who had suffered under Rodrick's rule, stumbled upon their secret meeting. Overhearing their plot, she saw an opportunity to gain favor with the captain. Without hesitation, she rushed to Rodrick's quarters, intent on snitching to stop them.

" Cap'n, got some news ye need to hear," Elara blurted out, her voice trembling with urgency.

Rodrick looked up from his maps, his eyes narrowing.

She took a deep breath. "Jana and the gunner are planning to kill you. They're plotting a mutiny."

Rodrick's face twisted into a snarl. "That so? I'll deal with those traitors myself." He stepped closer, his eyes darkening. "Don't think I forgot about you; you'll be rewarded for your loyalty."

Elara's heart sank as Rodrick's true intentions became clear. He grabbed her, his hands rough and unforgiving, and forced himself upon her. Her screams were muffled by the sound of the ship's creaking timbers and the crashing waves outside.

Afterward Elara realized she had made a grave mistake thinking that after all those years he would see her as an equal. She returned to the lower deck, finding Jana and the gunner. Tears streaming down her face, she confessed everything.

"I tried to stop you," she sobbed. "I thought he'd see me as something more than his whore, a true member of the ship. But he didn't. He...he used me. Once more."

Jana's expression softened for a moment, then hardened with resolve. "What's done is done, Elara. Now, as redemption you'll be the one to deliver the final blow. It's only fair, considering you went to him I wouldn't want that animal's blood on my hands. We're moving the plan forward to tonight. We won't be waiting any longer."

That night, the mutiny was carried out with deadly precision. Jana, the gunner, and their co-conspirators moved silently through the ship. They found Rodrick asleep in his quarters, a bottle of rum by his side. With swift, silent movements, they overpowered him, holding him down as Elara, with trembling hands, plunged a dagger into his heart. His eyes flew open in shock, but he was dead before he could utter a sound. They then hauled his lifeless body to the deck and threw him overboard, watching as the sea swallowed him whole.

"Ahh, he was handsome. What a shame," Jana said, gazing at the ocean with a hint of regret. "I hope the fish feast on his looks, for surely his flesh is rotten."

Jana, bloodied but unbowed, proclaimed herself the new captain with a commanding presence. The crew, initially taken aback by the brutal shift in power, fell into a stunned silence before whispers spread through the ranks.

Her first command was to free the slaves, offering them to join the crew as free men and women, or leave at the next port with their freedom. Many of the crew were wary, thinking this decision might be one she would soon regret. Those loyal to the former captain were quick to voice their dissent, grumbling and challenging her authority.

Kellan, one of Rodrick's most staunch supporters, stepped forward with a scowl. "Ye think you can just take over and change everything, woman? This ship's run-on fear and strength, not mercy," he spat, hand resting on his sword.

Jana met his gaze coolly. "If you disagree, you're welcome to challenge me," she replied, her tone icy.

Kellan's eyes flashed with anger. "I think I will."

A duel was quickly arranged. The deck cleared as the crew formed a circle around the two combatants. Steel clashed against steel, and the fight was intense. Jana, injured yet fierce, fought with precision and ferocity. She managed to disarm Kellan and forced him to the ground, pressing her blade to his throat.

"This ship runs on loyalty and respect now," Jana declared coldly. Without a hint of hesitation, she drove her sword through Kellan's chest. His eyes widened in shock as he fell lifelessly to the deck.

Jana wiped the blood from her blade and turned to the remaining crew, her gaze hard and unyielding. "Anyone else?" she challenged, her voice echoing ominously across the silent deck.

The crew remained silent, their eyes reflecting a mix of fear and newfound respect for their new captain. As the crew absorbed the shift in power, Rudrick's son, a young sailor accustomed to the ruthless times, stepped forward. He was slender and pale, with eyes that darted nervously around the deck, his hands trembling as he approached Jana. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his voice wavered, barely above a whisper. "I'll cause ye no trouble, Captain. Spare my life, and I'll follow ye without question." His clothes tattered and stained were evidence that he was never in grace. The fear in his eyes was palpable, a stark contrast to the bravado he had once shown under his father's cruel command. He swallowed hard, trying to steady himself, but his legs shook as he awaited Jana's verdict, the weight of his father's death hanging heavy in the air.

Jana looked down at the trembling boy, her eyes cold and assessing. She saw the fear in his eyes, the desperation. This was no threat; he was merely a remnant of Rudrick's reign, caught in the tide of change.

"I'll spare your life," she said nonchalantly and turned away, addressing the crew "From this moment on this ship will have a new rule. Earn your keep, follow orders, and you might just survive. Disobey, and the sea will be your grave. "

She glanced back at Rodrick's son one last time. "Get to work," she commanded, her tone brooking no argument. The boy hurried to obey, eager to prove his worth and secure his place on the Sea Serpent as everyone else.