First Patrol

Elydark sat on the stone railing next to the steps. His First Mate wore his usual attire of a laced shirt under a hardened leather cuirass, dark colored cotton pants made for sea faring, and rubbery sea boots. At his sides dangled a Drow style scimitar that appeared more like a straight sword with a clip point, and a set of three pistols. Second Mate Caric Morlen leaned against the rail wearing a white shirt with rolled up sleeves, blackened gray striped pants, a red vest under a weapons harness and a belt. It appeared unnecessary but it proved useful in combat. Caric was half elf with a human face, elf ears, thick, long blond hair. He liked to fight using a cutlass and a gauntlet buckler used to block and punch.

This Second Mate and Officer would often use a double barrel shotgun, and a modernized blunderbuss. At the bottom of the steps were Inaleth his helmsman number one and Sophine his officer, swordsman, and lover. Inaleth was a female Drow who wore her hair in a long single braid. This Dark Elf drove the ship who wore a red tank top, red pants under a duster that appeared water proof. Even though she steered the ship in the bridge she still wore something water proof. There was Sophine in a jumpsuit that used to belong to a Gantronese Officer. She modified the officer's jumpsuit uniform to her own liking. It resembled her own attitude and character. As usual she was armed with her rapier.

“Afternoon Captain what are our orders?” First Mate Elydark asked Jenere with his arms folded. The rest of the officers stood up with their focus entirely on their Captain.

“They want us to patrol these waters, get rid of the invaders of the island and sink any enemy ships.” Jenere answered his First Mate. He descended the steps passing a few of his officers. As the Captain went down the steps Elydark and Caric followed him down. Inaleth and Sophine waited for him to pass by before following him.

With four officers following at his heels Captain now privateer, Jenere Omavern made his way to the docks on the harbor. Gahn Diveros did not have a large population compared to some cities. However this one settlement consisted a harbor for the locals and pirates next to a port for trade.

The five new privateers walked through a lively town of inhabitants, travelers from Meze, sailors, a few carts along the streets, merchants selling their products and wares, workers carrying loads of products, crowds gathered at some places, and town militias on patrol guarding and keeping watch over the place. Jenere led the group of pirates towards the tavern-inn where they found some of the crew. Not saying a single word Jenere gestured for Elydark to round up these crew members. The dark elf approached these crew members urging them to get up and head straight for the ship. Seven crew members left the tavern for the ship with a little pain from Elydark.

“Caric go see them have prepared the ship for today's patrol.” Jenere ordered the Second Mate who left his side to join the crew members. His gaze went straight to Elydark who finished a bottle of the local rum-tea drinks one of the crew left behind. The Captain watched his First Mate for a few seconds before he went over to him. His two female officers and crew member followed him as they came to Elydark's side.

“Rally the rest out of their hiding places. Send them straight to the ship.” Jenere commanded his officers. All three of them sprang into action and began the search for the remaining crew members who decided to lay about in certain places. He had let the whole crew disperse during that meeting, but now it was time for their new jobs to begin.

Instead of partaking in this hunt Jenere decided to go back to his alone. Going alone never bothered him it was only the female companionship he desired. He hardly had anything to fear going to back to harbor where his vessel the Abomination sat waiting for him. Just before he turned a corner a large group of figures appeared in his path. He did not get the numbers right but estimated over a hundred or more figures. Since they stood at the very end of the street it was hard to tell their true numbers. Among these figures he did count nine Lesdonians with their hats and beards, ten Nevoran appearing figures with white hair, and the rest were a mixture of other races and nationalities. He thought he counted seventeen women dressed in modern-style mixed other styles. Most of these pirates or privateers wore jumpsuits taken from the corpses of Gantronese and dyed a specific color that was not a light color. Jenere was about to draw his weapon, but stayed his hand to study what weapons these privateers wielded. A female figure in a long black coat over a striped bodice-shirt with large belts around her waist, stepped out of the crowd. She approached him before he could tell what she was armed with. This female held out a hand signaling her men to stand down.

“Are you Captain Jenere Omavern?” she asked him.

“Yes, yes I am Captain Omavern of the Abomination.” He answered the female. He was about to ask for her name, but she already replied back.

“My name is Captain Zana Cadiir of the Ego of Queens. Both our crews and ships will be patrolling these waters. It is not a glorious start as a Privateer for the Vestrisians, but we must start somewhere or do our duty.” The female introduced herself to the Privateer Captain. She looked at him with some hint of interest.

“Tell me Captain Omavern how long have you been sailing as a pirate?” Zana asked the elf Captain.

“For about eighty years.” Jenere replied rather curious as to how long she had been sailing the seas herself. He wanted to know how young she was or at least her age. Those sorts of questions he kept to himself. “What about you Captain Caniir?”

“For over one hundred years I have sailed the seas of Calorn. As a Forsythan I am to turn more than a century and a half older than an old perverted fart who pretends to be some hermit with a big stiff eel.” Caniir proclaimed to the elf Captain.

Jenere was taken back, but laughed a little. He could tell she was a Forsythan until she had said so. It was because her entire body and neck were covered. Most of this was had a blue, blood or beer colored birthmark in a variety of shapes, but mostly scars. Hers might have been on another part of the body like her shoulder, a limb or her back. For an ordinary human to be two hundred years old seemed impossible unless they had mixed blood. Jenere knew his kind often lived to be 650 or 1200 or more years old. Forsythans lived to be 300 to 500 years old and older if they were fortunate and healthy enough.

“Let's not allow age to be a factor nor our experience at piracy to get in each other's way our mission.” Jenere responded to Caniir.

“I would argue against that due to my status as Captain and my experience. Our employer wants us to start now.” Captain Caniir said turning around to face her crew. “Alright get to the ship pronto!”

His new acquaintance Captain Zana Caniir herded her own crew back to their ship. As they cleared the way Jenere made it through a growing gap. Not heeding or paying an attention to the area around him Jenere returned to the Abomination. His return was greeted with salutes and the various hellos including a hug from Sophine. He wrapped his arms around her squeezing her with all his love.

“Don't get mad there is a female captain named Zana Caniir who sails the Ego of Queens. She and her crew were also ordered to patrol these waters.” Jenere said hoping she would not get mad.

“Whatever.” She replied to him as if he was being a little over exasperate. Sophine released him and grabbed an arm as soon as he let go of her. His lover pulled him over to the ship as the crew boarded the vessel and prepared to set sail.

Every crew member performed the assigned task they had for preparing the ship. Mooring lines were gathered up and stored away, the anchors hauled up, turrets were uncovered and prepped for possible combat, storage was locked up, crew members rushed to their stations. Nimikos climbed up to his own station in the crow's nest, engines were cranked on, and like it was a masted ship the crew raised yard arms with the use of a crank system. Sails were dropped as the crew switched on giant fans to get the ship going while the generators and engines came on. It made a strange sight to behold in a progressing era. A modernized looking vessel with engines, motors still using sails.

Jenere entered the bridge command center where they had the radar, and a few accommodations below it. The radar antenna was kept where it was and the control tower for the bridge was set on top of the bridge itself. Sophine escorted him to the bridge where his helmsmen, officers, and higher ranking crew were. Inaleth was at the helm beginning to steer the ship towards the open sea. With the wheel's handles in his own grip Jenere would sail the Abomination out of a harbor or port with skill. Inside this bridge those scientists modified the equipment, consoles, radars, engine control and monitor, a chart table, and navigational console they had to learn how to use. Each of these stations were manned by the scientists and the more intelligent crew members. His officers, and two Mates stood at attention against the wall, and other parts of the bridge.

“Captain I see another ship it looks to be a frigate flying privateer colors under the Vestrisian flag!” He heard Nimikos' voice through a radio speaker. Jenere motioned for the radio phone to be handed to him. A crew member picked it up and gave it to Jenere while Inaleth was still at the wheel.

“Nimikos, this is the Captain, over. That Frigate is the Ego of Queens. She is Captained by Zana Caniir who is also on the same mission as us.” Jenere said to the crew man on the crow's nest before saying over second time.

“Alright Captain should we do the same, fly the privateer flag?” Nimikos asked his Captain over the the radio.

“No our colors should do fine until another nation attacks.” Jenere replied to Nimikos' question.

“Aye, aye Captain it looks like we'll be running into some cloudy weather with some chance of rain.” Nimikos said over the radio.

Nimikos must of hung up the radio since he heard nothing. Jenere put the phone back in the slot next to one that was hanging. The Captain maneuvered his way to the steering wheel. Inaleth stepped away from the wheel allowing Jenere to control the steering. He felt the engines rumble the vessel as it sped up to catch up with the Ego of Queens. Both ships sped on the ocean almost parallel with each other at a distance. For hours the two vessels continued their patrol around the designated area of patrol. There was not much to see except for other vessels, a few islands including the one they needed to investigate if need be, several Vestrisian vessels and those of other nations heading in different directions and some marine life.

The rain obscured some of their vision but they were still able to tell what objects were what. As the rain increased to down pour lights were switched on so they could see better. He was surprised to see no lightning or any hint of unusual sea storms. The sea waves rose up and down, smashed against each other and the waters moved slightly more than the calmness it showed. Up ahead he spotted a fleet of vessels heading towards the island they needed to investigate. Jenere turned his head in search of an officer and found his First Mate Elydark and Sophine within his gaze.

“Elydark go down and see that everything is secured, Sophine rally up a boarding party or two. Radio for the Boatswain, and Gunner to come up here.” Jenere ordered the officers and crew. The First Mate, and Swordsman officer left the bridge. Crew member Ersig picked up the phone piece placing it against mouth and ears.

“Boatswain Morgoe you are needed at the bridge, Boatswain Morgoe the Captain requests your presence Gunner Master Abrath you are also needed on the bridge, Captain's Orders.” Ersig said over the loudspeaker across the ship. Within minutes Boatswain Morgoe, Gunner n Master Abrath entered the bridge. Morgoe stood above average height with a robust appearance from hard labor aboard ships. He wore nothing, but a vest, endurable trousers for the sea, and wore no shoes. Abrath stood next to Morgoe about half a foot shorter than he was. The ship's head Gunner was female with a hint of mixed blood. Her own body showed she was a strong woman who had labored hard and gained strength from it. As the Gunner she ensured all the heavy guns, AA guns, machine guns, and cannons worked.

“Morgoe, how are the wounded doing with the Doctors and Scientists we hire last month?” Jenere asked the first series of questions.

“Sleeping as though they had worked hard.” Morgoe answered his Captain.

“How many new recruits do we have? Are the boats ready?” Jenere asked the Boatswain who seemed a little more focused on the rain.

“We have seven new recruits Captain. Those boats are still secured due to the current weather, Captain sir.” Boatswain Morgoe replied in near protest about the boats going out.

“Then get them ready and have those recruits scrub down the lowest decks of the ship.” Jenere ordered the Boatswain. Abrath was next who straightened herself at attention. Boatswain Morgoe saluted his Captain and rushed out of the bridge.

“Gunner Abrath how are the ship's weapons?” He asked her as if to catch her off guard.

“The ship's weapons, and guns cap'n, are uncovered and idle.” Abrath replied in a Cydnam accent.

“Good have them ready for battle there could be a small fleet of enemy vessels over there.” Jenere said dismissing the Gunner who exited the bridge they way she entered. Jenere looked over to see the Ego of Queens rotating her turrets. He counted just three turrets rotating to face the fleet of ships. He vessel opened fire on the ships drawing attention away from the island.

Zana appeared to have five opponents that were shaped like upside down triangle prisms with the ship's bridge and multiple turrets. Each of these ships had the standard set up for ships of steel, but more abstract shaped structures on the top. Zana's vessel unleashed a small barrage of fire into her first target. She was far more accurate than a galleon with fifty guns on a single deck. The first barrage was hit in the bow and the leading turret. Both hits tore the bow apart and rendered the turret useless. Her second barrage only hit the center of the ship's side missing the rest of it. Zana's ship turned a little to allow the other turrets in the back a clear line of fire. All five ships returned fire hitting most of the area around her ship.

“Target the ship closest to her.” Jenere ordered before taking the wheel. He began steering his way towards the engagement. Ersig communicated through the radio passing out the orders to the gun crews. Alarms went off as the ship's crew prepared for battle. The Abomination's turrets came to life as the barrels rose up. He turned the vessel so his turrets could fire on the same side. Zana's ship fired a few more rounds hitting her target while suffering a few hits. Her target's bridge exploded forcing the ship to sail blind.

“Fire a volley when ready!” Jenere ordered with a loud voice. He watched the enemy ships as his command was echoed through the radio. All Jenere could do know was just watch as his turrets rotated to face their own target. The Ego of Queens fired all turrets into the hull of her target destroying the center of the ship. Flame erupted along with smoke after the blasts and explosions. In moments the entire Gantronese vessel began to sink. Zana's ship began targeting the next one as Jenere's ship opened fire on his intended target. Ten of the shots fired made impact wrecking the Gantronese vessel. The vessel was peppered with holes like holed cheese. He maneuvered the Abomination to the right keeping a good speed to avoid getting hit. His maneuvering forged a semi circle pattern in the ocean as he kept the ships in his gun's line of fire. He then maneuvered at a left ward angle so the ship would not turn all the way to the right. Zana apparently found her ship caught between two of the Gantronese ships. It appeared her vessel would easily be destroyed but her ship had stronger layers than her ship led to believe. Her turrets fired on both enemies while her crews opened with smaller heavier guns and missile launchers. Jenere's own vessel finished off the other ship and moved towards the other ships that tried to trap Zana.

“Fire on the ship flanking her starboard side!” Jenere commanded. His words were repeated by Ersig into the mouth piece of the radio. As he ordered the crew of the Abomination fired the turrets at the ship on Zana's starboard side. Because of the speed the Gantronese were going they passed Zana's Ego of Queens. The one trying to block her path attempted to stop but was forced to move out of the way. Although the Ego of Queens had three enemy ships surrounding her she still managed to fight back. The one on her starboard side sustained heavy damage from her guns as well as Jenere's own turrets. Jenere had the turrets target the one Zana was engaging as the last one began to flee. It appeared this one was trying to escape. Nearly forming a crescent shape Jenere noticed the ship on Zana's starboard slowly came to a halt in the waters. Her latest target lost all of its guns and began smoking profusely. Fires and smoke rose up slowly on the two enemy vessels that flanked the Ego of Queens. Such amount of damage appeared like a city on fire while Zana's own vessel showed signs of damage on her own hull. Once the firing ceased and the atmosphere calmed down Jenere steered the Abomination closer to the flightless ships.