Getting
out of there wasn't easy as they tried to slowly turn around.
Although they were not close enough to mainland or islands they still
had to be cautious of high reefs and shallow waters. For several
minutes they tried turning around one way but gave up forced to
maneuver the other way. Turning the ship around was a slow process
because of the Abomination's size and length. One would think she was
a battleship, a small battleship. Inaleth had to back up the large
vessel with the scene of killing Gantronese and Uxane Renegades
shrinking as they went away. Jenere had come across or had run ins
with many dangers from blood thirsty raiders who would be mostly
cannibalistic, predators of the sea to pissed off invading empires.
Having traveled all over the seas Jenere's experience brought him
through many dangers. He heard stories of the dead rising, vampires,
demons, and the Vearxalls of Aliscar Razdor. Such stories were not
heeded by him as he was too busy raiding, boarding, sinking ships,
and avoiding the law of many states, and kingdoms.
However
this type of undead was new to him. These unknown lands were said to
consist almost unlimited horrors. Sure there were the savage tribes,
and hostile natives along with beasts and dangerous predators. Some
stories say there are civilizations like Kilscar Orvain that dotted
the southern parts and a few kingdoms in the mountains. What the
tales never told you was this concept of the dead rising from the
earth from just a little blood spilled. Some form of dark magic had
to be at work here or a curse upon these shores. Jenere had seen
Zhenrai Knights before and heard of their powers, which did scare
people. Considering they could summon specific spirits, and control
them. The fact that these Zhenrai Knights could control certain
ancestors or spirits gave priests the edge to ward people away from
fearing them.
Jenere
checked to see if Sophine was doing okay. He searched his quarters
only to find it empty except for the furniture. This seemed unusual
for her, Sophine would often be in his quarters. In the center of the
room wedged against the wall was his low bed, to the right was his
wardrobe, and dresser full of clothes. On the left side of his room
Jenere had a few portraits of his family and landscapes. Below the
portraits sat his large chest and working desk filled and littered
with letters, charts, Atlas' and records of ship movements. He
checked the right and left sides again before leaving to search her
quarters. She was not there either.
For
several minutes he searched for her all over the stern of the ship.
He asked none of the crew members even though they might have seen
her. Jenere searched other parts of the ship but never found her
until he came to the mess hall. Sophine sat at one of the tables with
her head down on it holding a half empty bottle of rum. She looked
dead at first from the way she did not move. Scared that she might
not show any signs of life Jenere walked up to her. He touched her on
the arm causing her to stir a little bit. She was breathing normally,
but had passed out drunk. He didn't know how long she had been like
this. Sophine's breathing appeared steady as she was asleep and not
drunk.
He
checked to see if Sophine vomited or not. With one arm he pulled her
up from the table leaning her body back in the chair. She was
upright, but her own head tilted back. There were no signs that she
vomited just splashes of rum on her clothes, the chair, floor and
table. Jenere gave out a sigh realizing the though of being in these
Unknown Lands got to her worse that it did him. He then proceeded to
lift her up in his arms. Picking her up was easy and getting her into
bed would be a breeze. She was light for him to carry and did not
squirm or even move as he carried her in his arms. In no hurry Jenere
carried her to her own quarters where he took her clothes off and
dressed her in a robe to sleep in.
Once
he tucked her in Jenere left the swordsman-officer. Closing the door
quietly Jenere went to the crew's quarters. He passed several crew
members who saluted him as he came through the corridors. Here he
spotted a skinny looking crew mate who had a half orc, and half
goblin appearance. This crew member was often found in the storage
section of the second deck. His name was Cliff, but his crew mate
name was Ugly Gurk to the whole crew.
“Cliff
is it?” Jenere asked him, getting the crew member's attention. The
crew member looked over at him.
“Yes,
but most called me Ugly Gurk, Captain sir.” The half orc, half
goblin replied to his Captain. Jenere was about to speak when the
half breed saluted to him. “Captain, I know we are privateers now,
yet our piracy days brought us loot and nice ladies. I haven't had a
nice set of lips on me for some time.”
As
a pirate Jenere considered this as a means to bring morale back to
his crew. It had been a while since they raided a few ships. He
looked at the crew member wondering if the Vestrisians would allow
them to raid the seas soon. Jenere thought about what Cliff said
before turning down an offer from a fellow crew member.
“Where
is Brucs located?” Jenere asked Cliff.
“He
is actually in the wardroom, no he is in the ship's engineer's
office.” Cliff replied to his Captain.
“Thanks
Cliff I will head over there and I will not forget to see the crew is
rewarded.” Jenere replied to the half breed then rushed towards the
direction of the engineer's office. Their engineer's office was
located near the center of the Abomination behind the radar room, and
the command bridge. Heading over to engineers brought him through the
work shop, and empty space above the fire rooms, which sat behind the
engine room. Through this empty space he came to the medical
storeroom, a passage, battery charging room that had smaller boat
engines along the walls, the laundry room, and the galley kitchen.
Due to the Abomination's size there was enough room for other rooms
and extra storage space. Past the galley he came to a set of open
spaces and a passage.
Here
he found the engineer's office along the side of the passage. Bruc's
voice echoed in the passage. The two goblin scientists' voices also
echoed in the passage. He did not know what was said between them,
but it was certainly not an argument. As Captain he would be told
this eventually yet not a single word came to him earlier about this.
Whatever they were talking about it sounded more like idle talk
between goblins. The scientist named Eesnec had his arms crossed
discussing how they managed to connect two ships. When Jenere
approached the pair of goblins they cut the conversation short as if
it had been interrupted. With their conversation put to an abrupt end
the two goblins turned their attention to their Captain. Both of them
held their gaze onto Jenere.
“Yes
Captain, what do you need?” the goblins asked the captain
simultaneously. His focus was mostly on Brucs.
“I am surprised we have more crew members. Did more of your fellow
crew members join us?” Jenere asked Brucs who raised both eyebrows
not expecting to surprise the captain.
“Yes
we did Captain, the Vestrisians had zero room for us nor were any of
them going to another port soon.” Brucs answered his new Captain.
“Since
I already have a Quarter Master you will be my new Boatswain.”
Jenere said to the fat goblin.
“Thank
you Captain Jenere, I mean Captain Omavern sir.” Brucs exclaimed
happily shaking his hand.
“You
are welcome Boatswain Brucs. How are the new guests doing?” Jenere
asked him.
“They
are still a little shaken from the ambushes and the dead coming back
to life. A few of them seem to be snapping out of it. Another one has
the ability to speak normal while several are babbling on about some
red cloaked figure who led the Gantronese. Whatever or whoever it was
it spooked them pretty good.” Brucs said to his Captain.
“Did
they give their names?” Jenere asked the Boatswain.
“Several
of them did sir in fact five of them gave me their names. Goren,
Ollie, Renton, Lynx, and Jess are the ones you should talk to. If you
need any more information those five should be stable minded enough
to ask.” Brucs explained to his Captain.
“Where
can I find them?” Jenere asked Brucs.
“They
should be in the crew's quarters closer to the bow. I swear Captain
your vessel is the size of a battleship, a fortress of its own!”
Brucs claimed in a bewildered voice. The Goblin Boatswain looked up
and down then around his surroundings in the empty hall.
“I'd
prefer if was considered a mansion size, but alas I am a pirate whose
ship is a mixture of two vessels.” Jenere exaggerated, bragging
about his ship and how he wanted it to be. He left the Goblin
Boatswain thinking of seizing another a ship, a fancier ship. On his
way to the other crew's quarters that was still considered extra
space Jenere plotted to do some more raiding on the seas. In his mind
he planned to see if there were any kingdoms or factions within the
invader's empire that had ships he could raid and seize.
He
passed through multiple sections of the ship before reaching the
crew's quarters. Due to the extensions made the crew's quarters was
enlarged in the bow sections. There was enough room for a hundred
men. Inside the expanded section hung hammocks, bunks lined along the
walls and in straight lines or columns attached to the floor and
ceiling. The bunks were also grouped together with enough space in
between each grouping. It was almost empty save for the pirates they
rescued, all huddled together, and a handful of crew members tending
to them.
Jenere
approached the first few bunks and hammocks drawing attention to him.
He did not bother looking around the room seeing most of the crew
were absent and the rest scattered all over the room. Out of the
corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of a female crew member
getting humped by two crew mates. The captain ignored them only to
see a group of crew members playing a game of dice. He casually
walked through with eyes on him. As he got to the huddle mass of
rescued privateers their heads looked up at him. More than half of
them started to snap out of it. Whatever had them spooked to the
point of insanity and trauma had affected their speech. Their eyes
looked tired and still scared of what they witnessed and experienced.
Jenere just assumed it was from being in the Unknown Lands. He looked
at all these faces with the five names in his head Ollie, Renton,
Goren, Lynx, and Jess. Nearly fifty-three pirates he rescued had
their eyes on him, a captain and now a Privateer.
“I
am looking for some members of your crew. Is Lynx, Renton, Jess,
Ollie, and Goren among you?” He asked these traumatized crew of
pirates.
Five
members stood up among their crew members. Two females and three
males approached the captain of the ship that rescued them. An orc of
unfamiliar origins with small horns, a half goblin nearly as tall as
a human, two elves one with dark hair and the other a blonde, and a
Zedirian who was a mix of three different races, elf, Puck, and Gudo.
The orc wore shark skin vest like jacket over a dark blue shirt, gray
pants and thick iron/hide boots. Next to the orc stood the Zedirian
wearing he sailor's striped shirt, dark colored trousers made from
endurable materials and rubbery shoes. He did not wear a cap on his
head. On the right stood the female elf crew members. The dark-haired
one donned a red striped long-sleeved shirt under a harness and a
thick vest for a jacket, tight fit pants and knee-high boots. Her
blonde counterpart or fellow crew mate had a white tunic-shirt
revealing her cleavage, chaps over her pants, leather boots, and a
bandanna on her head. At the left end of the group was the half
goblin in rough seafaring clothing, which included a grim plaid
shirt, sleeveless jacket, blue pants and worn boots.
“Which
one of you is Lynx, Renton, Jess, Ollie, and Goren?” Jenere asked the
five of the sanest of the pirates huddled together.
“I
am Renton.” said the Goblin.
“Goren.”
the Zedirian replied to Jenere in a sort of snort.
“Jess
is the name.” the dark-haired elf said.
“Lynx,
but you can call me anything.” the blonde said showing a hint of
interest with one eyebrow. He ignored her showing little to no
attention towards her.
“Me
name is Ollie, short of Ollinox.” the Orc said appearing confused
about why Jenere summoned them forward.
“As
you probably know I am Captain Jenere Omavern of the Abomination. My
new Boatswain Brucs informed me that the five of you can tell me what
you and your crew were doing in the Unknown Lands.” Jenere said
looking at the five privateers who were also pirates. None of them
spoke a word for a few minutes until the Zedirian stepped up.
“Under
the command of our beloved and loathed Captain Crystal Predator
Hunterson we chased down a small fleet of Gantronese aligned ships.
Well, these were smaller vessels much like gunboats.” Goren
explained to Jenere who listened intently.
“They
were more like mechanized schooners!” Jess butted in the
conversation. The Zedirian gave her a disgusted look then returned
his attention back to Captain Jenere.
“After
chasing them down the coast our vessel ran aground and got stuck in
shallow waters.” Goren went on with the captain's attention glued
to him.
“It
sounds like they fooled you into these shallow waters. Now what
about that red cloaked figure?” Jenere asked drawing attention to
him. He wanted to ask about Captain Hunterson, but his tongue went
straight for the red cloaked figure. Some of them shivered at the
mention of the figure.
“That
monster took our Captain and mounted her into the ground having its
way. As for us well you can already guess.” Renton answered as
Goren was too shocked from recalling what happened.
“I
am sorry about your Captain and crew mates.” he said showing his
condolences. “Where do we need to drop you off?”
“As
far away from these lands as possible!” one of the crew members
cried out nearly losing his mind. Soon every one of them among this
crew gave their voice in agreement. It caused a small ruckus and
babble of voices inside the room.
“CALM
YOURSELVES!” Jenere heard a voice yell at them from behind him.
“You are pirates not school children! This is Captain Omavern! Show
him-”
“Thank you, crew mate!” Jenere cut him off. He turned to see it was one of
his own crew. A large looking Elemani came up to his Captain's side.
He forgot his name, but still recognized his face.
“Thank you, crew mate I will take, over from here. Before this ship goes wherever it is you want, we need to report to the Vestrisians in Borvados.
That includes your lot.” Jenere stated in declaration and stern
authority.
None
of them said anything. Each one slowly nodded their answer “yes”
allowing the captain to take them where they all needed to report in.
Jenere observed their faces, most of them were still in shock from
what they had experienced. Whoever was an officer here among these
pirates/privateers was either dead or had lost his mind. No one
really stood up to say they were an officer or even point on out.
“Make
yourselves at home we should be there in a few days or more.”
Jenere offered to these traumatized privateers. As he left the
privateers/pirates he realized by taking them to Borvados they would
still be close to the Unknown Lands. He had been to Borvados before a
couple of times in the past to see his children. A few weeks were
spent with them along its eastern shores. While there he only got a
glimpse of their culture. In a small village he experienced the
Borvadosian culture in its more urban sense. This village was not too
far from the city where most of it was modernized or progressing
towards the modern era. Borvadosians wore a type of wrap mixed with a
poncho over a tunic or shirt and trousers. Their hairstyles were a
little outlandish yet similar to the Uxane styles. Each one had
piercings on the face and donned a weird wrap cap that looked oddly
like a partially bloomed flower.
Going
to Borvados only to report to their Vestrisian employers appeared
dull for a pirate. A required report to the employers was not too
different than a student being summoned by the school master. He made
his way to the command bridge where his First Mate and the helmsman
conversed with each other. The Abomination was now at a good distance
away from the Unknown Lands in a southern course. Looking around the
spotted Zana's Ego of Queens on their flank sailing alongside them.
“Ersig
get Zana on the line!” Jenere ordered the radio operator.
“Aye,
aye Captain?” Ersig replied sounding confused. She must have been
surprised to hear the first name. Jenere stood on the floor of the
command bridge with Elydark and his first helmsman. Neither of them
spoke a word as Ersig contacted Captain Zana Caniir. It took her
several times to get in contact with Captain Caniir. Five minutes
later the radio operator got a signal and began speaking into the
mouthpiece.
“Captain
Caniir, this is the Abomination do you read me? Over.” She nearly
shouted trying to get her words across.
“Captain
Caniir, Captain Omavern would like a word with you.” Ersig said
over the radio link. “Yes ma'am I can put him on the line. over”
Ersig
tapped the phone piece next to her. She indicated for him to pick up
the phone and speak to Captain Caniir. He went up to her station and
picked up a phone piece to be online with her.
“Captain
Caniir this is Captain Omavern speaking, over.” Jenere said through
the mouthpiece.
“How
are your guests doing Captain? Over.” She asked him sounding very
pissed off about something.
“They
are still spooked by whatever they encountered in the jungles. You
seem troubled by something. Over.” Jenere responded the question.
“I
lost twenty of my best crew members!” Zana shouted in the radio,
her voice went straight into his ear. He had to take the earpiece
away from his own face as she continued with her rage. She went on a
tirade for several minutes until she was out of breath. Jenere took
the opportunity to inform her about reporting to the employers.
“Captain
Caniir we need to report to the Vestrisians in Borvados. Over” He
said to her hoping to at least get her to pay attention to their
assigned mission.
“...Have
you spoken to Colonel Winnorsen? Over.” She asked in disbelief
calming down a little. Jenere did not answer the question right away.
While he was in his quarters, he received a message from his superior.
It informed him via radio to take the privateers to Borvados.
“Yes,
he wants us to bring the rescued privateers to Borvados. Just have
your helmsman follow me. Over.” Jenere told her as if they were the
only ones in a room.
“Lead
the way, Captain Omavern. Over.” Zana responded in a voice that
sounded confused and lost at the same time.
With
the conversation over Jenere hung up the phone piece. He went up to
the ship wheel that was still manned by the helmsman. As he
approached the wheel his helmsman left the post for her Captain to
take command. Jenere took the wheel in his hands for the first time
today and steered the ship towards the direction of Borvados. Taking
her left did bring them closer to the Unknown Lands. However, these
shores hosted the more civilized portion of the coasts. Some of it
still could be in Gantronese control while other portions lay under
Vestrisian control. It was a gamble, but he knew where Borvados was.
“We
should go at full speed ahead!” Jenere commanded to his crew. His
commands were obeyed as the command bridge prepared to charge ahead.
At the helm he steered the ship with no one else in control of his
actions. Jenere's actions rested on the path ahead of them, not the
ships dawdling about. These ships belonged to Kilscar Orvain,
Oceanrest Var. and several other states. Among all these ships he saw
not a single one flew the Gantronese flag or colors.
Although
he was going at a fast speed the ships patrolling did not wave for
him to slow it down. He looked over to see Zana's ship catching up to
him. For two days the pair of privateers traversed the sea. Right as
the second day closed into nightfall, they came to the Vestrisian
territory. At the border the VUVR they had to stop at a floating dock
like station. A team of Vestrisians came aboard to inspect only the
cargo before letting them go on their way. This team consisted of
half goblins, a few Torfene Pucks, and a few humans. A Torfene Puck
was a humanoid who looked either human or elf with hoofs for feet and
shorter. Despite the violent nature of goblins, Orcs, and Kuruks in
Vestrisia there were still entire communities who chose to progress
and coexist with other races within this Union Republics. Each one of
these races had branded or tattooed a symbol to mark themselves as
civilized to avoid discrimination. He watched these inspectors who
were armed with small firearms, sub machine guns, combat dirks,
combat knives, military batons and each one was equipped with a
modern short sword. When they were finished the leading member handed
him a blue flag and instructed him to dock at the port closest to a
certain fort. In less than half an hour the team permitted them to
pass through.
Years
had passed since he had been in this part of Borvados. Back then he
was a pirate and was avoiding the law at the time. Now he is a
privateer working for the Vestrisian Union that had recently formed
over a decade ago. Borvados was a part of this Vestrisian Union
mostly because of the invaders. Rumors spread across the seas saying
they would leave once the invaders were gone. He steered the
Abomination towards an empty space in the docks with the Ego doing
the same. Each vessel slowly grabbed hold of the docking space. The
engines were shut down and the crews were stirred from the decks.
Jenere and his officers made their way down the gangway only to be
greeted by the Harbor Master and a pair of Borvados Dock Guards in
the Vestrisian uniform.
“Hello
there, I am Captain Omavern of the Abomination-” Jenere burst out
with a gust of energy, but the man cut him off. He just smiled at this
Harbor Master who cut him off.
“I
wasn't notified about you were coming. I am expecting Captain “Big
Juggs” and her crew!” the Harbor Master growled looking angry and
disgruntled.
“Well,
I was sure you'd know about our arrival from my superiors. Is this
Captain Juggs as you named a certain Hunterson?” Jenere implied to
the Harbor Master who looked less Borvadosian than the two guards.
“Are
you new in the navy or something?” asked the angry Harbor Master
who stepped a little further into a light revealing he was dressed in
a gray jumpsuit.
“I
am Captain Omavern a recently hired Privateer for the Vestrisian
Union. Captain Caniir of the Ego of Queens is with me as are some of
Hunterson's crew.” Jenere answered the Harbor Master whose
expression relaxed a little and he softened his tone.
“Head
straight for that office over in the bronze building at the end of
the docks. Go in there and talk to Master MaGee who is also an
Admiral Marshall of this coastal area. Take the missing Captain's
crew as well.” the Harbor Master directed him pointing at a
building that stood at the base of an ancient tower that still seemed
to be in use. The harbor/port here had a mixture of modern buildings
and the traditional ancient structure still being used. He returned
to the ship and gathered his officers to bring the guests off his ship. It took a while, but they managed to lure them out with some sort of bait. Cliff found himself going for this bait as well, which was an auburn-haired crew member with a defined, curvy body. The pair of them were left in a room that was empty allowing the rest to move on.
Jenere and his officers
proceeded towards the bronze building with the rest of Hunterson's
crew. He left his Second Mate and Boatswain behind to let the crew
loose upon the town lightly armed. If any one of them committed a
crime here, they would be violently kicked out of the crew. Lights
were on all over the docks and port with very little activity going
on at night. He heard some laughter here and there a few groups of
figures in corners and their crew entering the main streets. As they
made their way closer to the office building a group of six
Vestrisians were just coming out of the bronze building with a few
privateer officers in dark clothing at their sides.
Just
as the parties were about to meet Zana Caniir and one officer
appeared from behind a grouping of shacks. It almost surprised him,
but he knew she had to show up at some point. She was accompanied by
her most trusted crew members. The captain paused in her tracks just
as the other two groups met at the end of the dock. The Vestrisians
wore the standard naval uniforms each decorated as an officer both
high ranks and middle ranks. Jenere noticed something about these
Vestrisians in the light navy blue. Everyone of them had facial hair,
two of them had mustaches, three held goatees, and the last one had
mutton chops. He looked at the ranks noticing the highest rank in the
group was Admiral-Marshall who happened to be this Admiral Marshall
MaGee he was sent to speak with. MaGee donned a horseshoe mustache
well-kept blond hair under his cap. Around this MaGee were Captains,
Admirals whose names her tried to read but it was a little dark
despite the light over them. MaGee spoke first since he was the
highest rank there.
“I
presume you are Captain Jenere Omavern of the Abomination?” Admiral
Marshall MaGee sort of speculated. He squinted his eyes a little and
observed the captain and his officers. At first Jenere thought he did
not approve of him or his officers seeing as they were once pirates.
Being a Privateer gave one a mixed reputation depending on where they
went. It proved to be better for reputation with authorities than it
would being a pirate.
“Are
you Admiral-Marshall MaGee?” Jenere asked before giving a salute to
this Vestrisian High Ranking Officer. MaGee and the five other high
ranking Vestrisians saluted in return.
“Have
you rescued a crew of pirates/privateers as Winorsenn commanded you?”
MaGee requested from the privateers. His gaze was mainly on Jenere
and then turned over to Zana who saluted to him. MaGee returned the
salute to the female Captain.
“Captain
Caniir so glad to see you again. How fares your crew and vessel?”
MaGee asked the female privateer Captain. One of the privateer
officers in a purple outfit that consisted of a tank top and pants from
a jumpsuit stepped in front of the Admiral Marshall.
“Admiral
Marshall sir you promised me a ship!” She yelled at the Admiral
Marshall revealing a long braid and a set of daggers on her back.
“Captain
Boneheel you lost your ship and more than ninety percent of your own
crew! I will not commission another ship or another crew to you!
Instead you are demoted and placed under Caniir's command! Nor will I
hear another word now leave us to our business!” MaGee growled at
the demoted privateer who walked away defeated.
“Now
that that is over let's get down to business. I see only Hunterson's
crew, but not her. What happened?” MaGee demanded looking at what
remained of the missing Captain's crew. Jenere saw his gaze go back
and forth, up and down the line of Hunterson's crew. Lynx stepped up
before the Admiral Marshall and the rest.
“Captain
Hunterson is no longer with us. More than half the crew are dead, and
the ship destroyed. We do not wish to speak of this again. With all
due respect Admiral-Marshall what happened out there should never be
spoken of. We did our job, but we fell into a trap.” Lynx responded
to Admiral-Marshall MaGee who looked up at the sky then looked back
at the privateers.
“You
were sent out to get rid of the small fleet of enemy ships near
Kilscar Orvain. I see you have failed?” The Admiral-Marshall
pointed out.
“No
sir, well most of the fleet was sunk before we gave chase then ran
aground. Our Captain got cocky, so she sent us all after the boats
that were trying to land at the shore. She led the pursuit that is
when we fell into a trap.” Lynx explained to the Admiral-Marshall.
He lowered his head showing depression had hit him from the trauma.
“I
only see fifty-two of you survived the mission, and without the
captain. That does mean you each get an extra share of the reward.
Meet me at this office tomorrow and we shall discuss this over the
course of a few days. As for you Captain Omavern your reward should
arrive here in a week.” MaGee said in a disappointed voice.
“Also,
your payment for the patrol is also coming here tomorrow.” MaGee
added before leaving the privateers.
In
silence the pirates and privateers returned to their ships, Jenere to
his with crew and guests, Zana and her replenished crew to hers. Back
on the docks Jenere and his fellow privateers came upon a festival of
erotic behavior. Entire groups of males encircled women as a form of
shame or punishment ritual. He ignored all of this not caring for the
customs of Borvados. With his crew allover the docks and settlement
Jenere returned to his quarters where he rested for the rest of the
night. The next morning Jenere woke up with Sophine leaning against
him with her arm on top of him. Looking at her braided head made him
feel serene. The thought of stroking her head was soothing enough.
Both had loved each other this long. Lying on the bed together in the
morning was what he enjoyed the most at times. Jenere did not stir
from his bed for what felt like an eternity. He closed his eyes for a
few moments when banging on the door disrupted their rest.
“Enter!”
he nearly roared causing Sophine to wake up.
The
door opened and in came First Mate Elydark, and Boatswain Brucs. Each
officer stood at the door with a salute to their Captain. Jenere
saluted back and sat up with Sophine. She got on her knees looking
tired, peeved, and about to shoot one of them. Sophine held a
disgruntled face and glared at the two fellow officers. They ignored
her, focusing on the captain who was getting off the bed.
“Good
morning, Captain!” Elydark said to him showing some enthusiasm for
the day. “Admiral-Marshall MaGee will meet you in an hour.”
Jenere
straightened himself stretching and getting himself awake more. He
turned and greeted the two officers with a wave to tired to say a
word. Whatever time it was Jenere was sure it was well past the crack
of dawn. He went to the wardrobe where he dressed in the most casual
attire he could find for a Captain while Sophine left for her own
room. His thoughts rested on the crew who were set upon to enjoy the
port.
“Has
the crew behaved?” Jenere asked buttoning up a shirt after slipping
on some trousers. He then grabbed his boots and put them on.
“Uh
no and yes Captain most were drunk yet kept out of fights and
squabbles.” Elydark answered before the Goblin could respond to the
captain. Brucs gave him a look with raised eyebrows but gave up
starting something.
“So
there were no incidents then? Good that is the first time in a
decade.” Jenere claimed as he began walking out of his quarters. He
brushed past his officers beckoning them to follow him. Passing
through sections and passages Jenere found his way to the mess hall
where he gathered breakfast and at it with his officers and some crew
members still there. In silence he ate it down then left the mess
hall and the ship.
Outside
he walked straight for the Vestrisian Naval Office. The docks were
filled with activity of merchants, patrons, dock workers, sailors,
fishermen, and soldiers on patrol. Much of the port still held the
Borvados characteristics of vase shaped buildings, conical structures
along with their prideful decorations. He moved through the crowds
with some ease having to push and brush his way to the office. When
he came to the office, he went up the staircase then entered the
Admiral-Marshall's office. The Admiral-Marshall sat at his desk with
a cup of coffee in his hand and a copy of some Vestrisian newspaper
called the King's Chronicles. A popular newspaper among the cities
of Borvados, Morgadra, Badraan and the Tante Republics.
“Good
morning, Captain. Here's your payment.” The Admiral-Marshall said
putting down the paper and coffee. MaGee got up from his desk and
went to the back of his office. This high-ranking officer had an X
base desk set up in the middle of the office, a large map of Calorn
behind his desk next to a door, four file cabinets tucked into one
side corner, three chairs, a large photo of a battleship on the side
wall, some weights and a furnace below the photo, and a small table
next to the door that had a few photos. On the left wall hung the
Vestrisian flag with the anvil in the center, a wrench, pitchfork,
sword, and hammer crossing through it. Beside that was the Borvados
flag, and a flag he did not recognize that must have been of his
original nation. MaGee went over to the door and opened it. He
entered inside then began rummaging through whatever room or hall
that was there. The Admiral-Marshall returned to the office space
carrying a military duffle bag that appeared heavy. It had the silver
Vestrisian emblem of the crossed pistol and axe. He dropped it next
to the desk.
“There
is one more bag of this. Here is about 36,000 Eagles, and forty
thousand to fifty thousand Zordes, everyone's favorite international
currency.” MaGee said going back inside the door. “You should be
getting more bags or suitcases of this in three days. Also bring some
men to help you.”
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