The girl nodded, showing that she partially understood, and while his four special operators rowed, Bill tried to explain to her the importance of first impressions.
With four rowers, the boat soon reached the pier, and as soon as the two Beetleborgs had tied it up and remained in place, Bill and the others moved forward.
Looking around, Bill thought it was a pleasant town. He hadn't visited many islands not associated with the Marine Corps, but the diversity of architecture had always intrigued him.
While he and the others were looking around, he heard footsteps coming from the left. This wasn't surprising, considering the massive Marine galleon had surely attracted someone's attention.
?:
- Stop!
Although he had already noticed them, Bill turned slowly and saw in front of him two dozen men in purple and maroon uniforms with steel-gray helmets, armed with some kind of guns that Bill had never encountered before.
The group was led by a young man with red hair and thick sideburns. He was about Bill's age, and when he saw he had their attention, he began shouting that they either had to pay the mooring tax or be arrested.
What the man was saying wasn't entirely clear to Bill, who couldn't imagine being considered a criminal the moment he set foot on the island. But the longer he remained silent, the more agitated the red-haired young man became, making increasingly menacing threats.
As he continued, Bill heard the two special operators he'd left by the boat approach from behind. Realizing they'd likely noticed the altercation and were coming to back him up, Bill realized he needed to stop this guy before he went too far.
Seeing that the young man didn't seem to need a break for breath, Bill interrupted him with the words:
- Hey, hey, take it easy!
It worked, and he continued:
"Do you have a mooring tax? Well, that's understandable. My people and I were just about to..."
- You, FOOL!
Now it was Bill's turn to be interrupted as an older man with red hair ran up to both groups.
The young man winced at the scream and turned just in time to be caught.
?:
- Think with your head, fool!
This went on for a few moments, and when Yoko nudged Bill with her elbow, he heard her say:
- Bill, I think there's something wrong with these people's brains... we need to find a new island.
?:
- No, no! Everything is fine!
Having let go of the young man, the elder continued:
— My name is Flip, this is my son Lake, and we welcome you to Ruluka Island!
Bill nodded and asked if he understood correctly that there was a mooring tax on the island, to which Flip replied:
— No, no! Not at all! We're honored to welcome Marines like you! Uh... but I have to ask, why are you here?
Bill then explained that he planned to remain in town for a few days, waiting for one of his lieutenants, and wanted to know if the harbor was deep enough to bring the Victory there.
Flip was kind enough to greet Bill and the rest of the Marines, but there was one problem when he said:
"Unfortunately, the harbor here is shallow! The largest ships that can enter here without the risk of running aground are small frigates."
'Father needs to know about this, we can't have the Marines snooping around! Damn, we pay our taxes on time, right?'
Through years of interaction with Nelson, especially in those early days, Bill had trained himself to listen to people's true intentions.
He was not a lie detector, but when someone made a patently false statement, he could hear a discrepancy between the spirit and the real body.
On Earth, his mother always told him that "lying without remorse and forgiveness leads to the second death," and since he believed it, he simply took it on faith.
Only now, after he had been reborn in a strange land, did he realize that it was true—the lie did seem to break the connection between the real body and the spirit.
But even though he knew Flip was lying, Bill didn't show it on his face and continued speaking as usual:
- Of course, it's sad.
Look, Mr. Flip, I've got about a hundred Marines who've been at sea too long. They just got paid and I'm sure they're looking for a little exercise.
As he spoke, Bill noticed the older man's mood change. It was obvious he didn't want the Marines wandering around the island, but he seemed very attracted to the money they could bring in.
— So, what do you say, do you have any local restaurants or bars that you would recommend?
Flip: - Um... y-yeah, of course... but maybe...-
?: - Perhaps you would prefer to keep me company while you wait for your lieutenants?
An even older, red-haired man emerged from behind a group of armed soldiers, leaning on a horned cane. Given their similar appearance, Bill assumed it was the young man's grandfather, and he was proven right when he introduced himself.
?: "My name is Wetton, and I'm the mayor of Ruluka Island. I hope you'll forgive my son and grandson's behavior. You see, we don't get visits from the Marines very often, and they've spent their entire lives on this island."