Stranded Horrors: Going In

Next to the doorway was another poor victim of the mutated creatures. A Lybresan officer holding the rank of Chief Petty Officer was pinned to the wall with the bone spikes. Each Lybresan officer wore a pin made from a certain metal showing the position in the hierarchy of their navies. This one wore a copper pin one of the lower positions. Jenere had no time to ponder on what metals went with what rank or status within the hierarchy. Under this copper pin was the lifeless corpse’s name, Gantar Kriscan. This Chief Petty Officer Gantar Kriscan had been sliced up before being pinned with spikes. At a closer glance Jenere made out that he was a half goblin despite the scars and eaten in certain parts of his body. Where the flesh was torn by teeth, blood was sucked up. Jenere had seen this type of blood sucking at some island off Evusia.

“Captain Omavern, Captain Omavern are you alive? Can you read me? Over.” He heard Caniir’s voice pop up through the hand radio.

“Yes, we are still alive. We discovered more bodies, mutations, some winged monsters and some survivors. What about your end? Over.” Omavern reported to his commanding Captain. He could make out shooting on her end plus a screaming woman.

“On our side we discovered one poor survivor, one ship, four U-boats, each one is from a different faction. It seems our allies or employer’s allies decided to have a party without us. As always lots of blood, bodies, carnage, and strange mutations engaged us. Over.” Zana explained through her own hand radio.

“What about our new friends up top? Over.” Jenere asked into the speaking piece. He looked around making sure no more mutations remained nearby.

“I don’t know. Over.” Zana replied to his question. Jenere took that with a bit of sour taste in his mouth then turned to the ceiling.

The winged figure managed to yank something free. She did not wrench it free without causing pain. A scream of agony emitted from the lips of the winged figure’s comrade. Garbled speech was all that came out followed by another scream of pain. Clutching on to the freed comrade the winged figure swooped down. Not giving any warning she landed on the platform near them. Every pirate there turned her way as they pointed their guns on her. Jenere raised a hand to stop them from shooting her.

“Stop men, do not heed her just focus on the open doors.” He ordered his crew. Jenere thought of their reserves wondering if they would like a taste of the action. His gaze was fixed on the winged figure.

“We have more urgent business here. Stay here if you wish or hitch a ride with a friend or perhaps wait for us.” He said to the figure not caring about who they were. She held her bleeding colleague in her arms.

“What can I do with her now? I am no medic!” This winged female shouted into her wrist, which she held up in her face. She propped the wounded colleague up with one arm.

“Take her back to the ship? Fyrith there are still monsters prowling inside! And I am not going back! Now pirates have boarded! Over!” The figure complained to whoever was on the other end.

“Oh, do I just ask them? Fine I will ask them!” She turned to the pirates who had lowered their weapons.

Jenere already knew the question before she spoke again. He wanted to leave this agent or spy here with a craft to use to escape. His own mission tugged at his mind. Each team of pirates were armed and ready to storm the floating castle whenever he was. For one second he paused before placing a hand on the door. The winged figure looked at the pirates once more.

“Could we borrow a boat?” He heard from the side.

“Go join the Orc.” Jenere heard himself say. Pushing on the door he found it was already open. Someone tried to close it well before they came along. Using his elf eyesight, he peaked inside. A dark corridor that lead to the other docking bay presented itself. He could tell because the door was wide open. On the left side he saw nothing but a wall covered in blood, muck, and several corpses pinned to it. A blockade sat in front of two other doors along the wall and the end. Whoever created the blockade could not hold it for long. He reloaded the revolver in preparation for more encounters with mutations on board. Jenere moved cautiously into the corridor. Checking the ceiling the elf pirate hoped he killed all those arachnid looking mutations. Each step he took put his boots in blood, guts, and a body part.

The mushing sounds, and grotesque noises hi footsteps made would sicken others. Jenere handled it well since he was used to boarding decks coated in carnage. His eyes saw only the aftermath. Yet the elf sensed danger close to him. In the middle of this corridor he made out some steps leading up. Behind him he heard the footsteps of his own crew coming in. He turned around and checked how many followed him in.

In the corner beside the open door was a humanoid creature clinging to the walls. Bellow this pale-gray creature stood another humanoid. Holding an erect posture this new encounter he missed had the appearance of a tall half-goblin. It wielded some strange staff weapon. Jenere saw many strange, and horrifying weapons and monsters during his lifetime. Taking a better look he saw metal legs, wires and other copper attached to the skin. One eye was replaced with mechanics and alien technology.

“Captain watch out!” one of the crewmates yelled.

Assuming they meant the Goblin Jenere fired twice. He hit the goblin in the chest. Both shots scared the clinging mutation that jumped over him. It raced to the blood slipping as it landed on the surface. A longer tongue stuck out of its mouth. Ignoring the goblin his eyes focused on the long-tongued creature that landed on the bloodied floor. Eight pirates who joined him poised to shoot it.

Whatever this creature was before its mutated transformation it had a taste for blood and muck. That alone three them off as it scooped and sucked up what it called food. No one took a shot at this blood sucker. Leaving it alone just left it vulnerable to something else. A large monster mutation charged down the steps. Part reptile, part predator, and part large mammal this new monstrosity attacked the Filth Licker. It tore its throat shaking the corpse. Just like a dog this mutated beast ripped the creature up like a chew toy. It reminded Jenere Omaver of a jungle hound snatching a doll from a little girl. It ripped it apart before jumping back into the jungle. Scared, and panicked by the sudden surprise his pirates shot up this new beast. Things could not get any more interesting. The mutation collapsed on the bloodied floor. Jenere expected more mutations to show up, because of the shooting. He pricked his ears up to pick up any noise up ahead of them. Their eyes focused on the mixed mutation that fell apart.

“Did you see that? The monster fell apart!” one of the crew mates exclaimed from behind Omavern. He sensed a hint of fear in the pirate’s voice. No one should blame him, since this was a new kind of enemy.

“Let’s just go up those steps my pirate mates.” Jenere ordered his crew.

            Jenere glanced at the mutation falling apart. The detached pieces showed where it was sewn and attached. He could have sworn he saw stitches, and staples holding this thing together. The Elf Captain paused to crouch next to the pieces. On its neck was a collar-tag with the name Experiment 11092 “Ammit 9X”. An idea hit him about why those ships and this barge sat here full of mutations. The Gantronese wanted the Vestrisians and their allies to find these craft in the ocean. Jenere took the Collar-tag off this Ammit 9X then turned to its victim. Filth Licker Akaname Experiment 17443 had its throat ripped open. Curiosity about these experiments grew very strong inside his head. He turned his head towards his crew.

            “Check that Goblin!” he ordered them. He watched one of his own men check the dead hostile. They cautiously took it off as if the thing would revive and kill him.

            “It is called a Goblinok 77 Captain! Experiment 17324 is the identification.” One of them said from their end of the corridor. Jenere took the collars and tags off the bodies. Kezef would certainly appreciate this discovery. He thought to himself and pocketed the id’s.

“Grab the other collar id off that Goblin mutant! We have more to collect.” Jenere ordered the crew then pressed up the stairs.

With cautious steps he ascended to the next level Much like the walls in the corridor behind him carnage decorated the walls like some bloody holiday festival. Most of the décor were the pesky aquatic humanoid warriors they fought in the waters. At least six were nailed or tied to the wall with wires. Jenere took a closer look when one of them came back alive.

“We…the…cough, cough…we the Aquanne Hitto are not Gantronese pets…” the aquatic warrior spat out, sputtering blood from his mouth, and coughed while trying to speak.

Jenere was confused by this revelation. Aren’t these Aquanne Hitto supposed to be allied with the Gantronese?  He thought to himself as memories of the battle surfaced in his mind. This sudden change of allegiance was sure to throw everyone off. Choosing not to report now seemed better given the current situation and the vendetta that grew among their side. The moment he looked at this Aquanne Hitto the aquatic humanoid died. It felt a bit depressing watching a possible witness die right there when information could be revealed. Zana’s voice popped up in the radio.

“Omavern, Omavern are you there? Over.” She asked through the radio device.

“Yes, Zana I am on board the barge. I just discovered these mutations are experiments. Each one of them has a collar-tag id. Over.” Jenere said through the radio mouthpiece.

“Interesting, Admiral Kezef would like to have those and any more you find and collect. Go to a map layout of the barge. I am near the engines and the generator rooms. I lost three of my men, heard screams and shooting up top. Over.” Zana replied to Jenere.

“We are still close to the docking stations on this barge, over.” He placed the hand radio back in the pocket it was placed. Jenere scanned the walls with his eyes, searching for a diagram or layout map of the ships. His gaze went to the end of a long corridor hall. On each side were more doors, and other hallways trailing off. At the very end were two closed doors.

Seeing more carnage stretching as far as the two closed doors he could hardly make out any layouts on the walls. When he stepped one foot forward a small group of mutations appeared into view. A total of five came at them from hiding places in the corridor-hall. All members of his party fought these mutations until all the hostiles lay dead. One of their own were killed by these hostile mutations. It was a quick engagement that appeared to end with one pirate dead and five mutations killed. Having lost another pirate, Omavern had to cover this fallen crew member with the pirate’s red flag. Jenere knelt hoping his crew member still breathed. As he placed a hand on the dead face one of his own pirates got scooped up by something on the ceiling. Drawing attention from a dead colleague the attacker revealed itself.

On the ceiling some amphibian mutant clung to the ceiling and ate another victim. Its blood covered mouth showed it had eaten more victims before the pirates came along. To its misfortune the last meal was one of Jenere Omavern’s pirates. Feeling rage build up inside he drew his blade and drove it into the bowels of the toad mutant. Allowing the mutant to fall on him he signaled for the rest to check the nearest hall. A tall goblinoid looking pirate volunteered to check the hall. Another mutant toad grabbed him with a long tongue. Jenere managed to push the dying mutant off him. One more pirate was gone. This other toad mutant came under attack by the rest of his boarding party. Several more pirates rushed out of an entry way to the storage room bellow. Two of these crew mates helped him get up.

“Leave no mutant alive!” He growled inspiring his crew of pirates. A roar of approval come from them.

“Signal for the rest of ours to board.” He commanded a dark-haired half elf. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted the winged humanoid he told to join the Orc Cliff. Jenere nodded a hello to her, surprised to see her here. She saluted and flew down to the double doors. They watched her check each side briefly before returning to their side.

“It is all clear over there. Every door is locked along the hall.” She reported to Jenere as though she was one of his own crew.

“Your name, associate crew mate.” He requested from the new ally.

“Jilaris Kalman at your service, Captain.” She answered gave a bow. “What are your orders Captain?”

“Check the areas above our position.” Jenere ordered her. She bowed once more and took her leave of the pirates.

Caroling his own boarding parties he pressed the advance down the next hall. Every single room they came across were searched and cleared of any hostiles they found inside. In his head he counted six more hostiles killed in this hall. One of his crew snatched a collar off one of the toad mutants. On the tag it read MTS-1 Toad. The crew member handed him the collar. He took it with a grin. Before moving on, he marked each door of the rooms they found and searched.

With his boarding party Jenere moved through the other levels of the Castle like Barge. Starting from the halls not sealed off or blocked they pressed on as one group. On each level of the barge’s stern they made better discoveries. Entire caches of weapons were found, 12 chests found full of valuables, documents, 11 barrels, full of goods, 11 interesting crates, and cabinets full various valuables. Other finds included trinkets, guns, jewelry, coins, prized blades, and plenty of religious artifacts. On one of the levels they came to just one side was nothing but glass. Whichever level they were on it looked over the weather deck. Surrounded by four structure thick walls the weather deck held significant amount of cargo. It consisted crates, barrels, stockpiles of canisters, cages, boats covered with tarps and heavy land turrets.

To Jenere it was a gold mine. More than enough loot for the whole lot of them. His eyes widened with awe and bewilderment. Two thousand pounds of coinage for each load of each stockpile was the estimate he placed for a price. Considering how far he would have to travel his employer posed a bit of a barricade to his plans. Either he gains permission, quits, or loses this career for insubordination. Each option had its pros, and cons. All he could focus on was how to get as much loot out as possible.

“Stay back, Back, I, I am not enemy, please U7-Plois it’s me Dr. Grief, your friend, father, creator, and master, stay back. Obey me! STAY BACK OBEY! OBEY!” a panicked voice shouted and begged. The demanding voice came from one of the rooms towards the center. Jenere motioned for his party to encircle the rooms. One his fastest runners raced back with the new ally to bring more of their parties. A skinny, reptilian humanoid with a curved beak in a lab coat over stretchy tight fit jumpsuit backed out of a room. He presumed it was Dr. Grief the creator and master of the attacking mutation.

A Goblinok 77 stepped out of the room this reptile named Dr. Grief exited. It advanced on this scientist who fell backwards on the floor. Every pirate who was with Jenere in the hall opened fire on this one Goblinok 77. The wired, metal covered, and mutated Goblin experiment fell on its back. Most of the pirates fired two or three rounds into the experiment. Jenere marched up to the shot up Goblinok 77. With zero thought and hesitation he cut off its head to ensure it stayed dead. He did not know how much experimenting was done to it, but he had to be sure. As the head came off it was clear he made sure it would not get back up.

“Thank you, gentlemen, I believed my own creation would kill me if it were not for you. Most of the experiments on board this vessel tried taking over. Con found it Dr. Febulltoal should have kept them all held up in rooms and cells.” Dr. Grief said as Jenere helped him up to his feet.

“You are welcome Doctor, what did you call yourself? I am Captain Jenere Omavern of the Abomination, a privateer to the VUVR.” He had to introduce himself as he was a gentleman of fortune, and Elf Noble.

“Dr. Vyktar Griefscar, Nerdah Scientist, serving contractor to the Grand Empire of the Gantronese on Calorn. Also known as the GEGC.” This scientist blindly introduced himself.

            He then froze to the floor scared stiff. At first Jenere thought he saw another hostile experiment reveal itself. Walking up to the room he had a hand on a weapon. In case this Vyktar fellow saw another hostile, he gripped a dagger as he checked the room. He found nothing but a lab and emergency room. Jenere turned away to face the long window and the new acquaintance.

            “Are you pirates? I thought I heard you say privateers of the V.U.V.R.” Vyktar asked him.

            “Yes, we are, in fact we are hired privateers who work under the employ of the V.U.V.R. an enemy to your Gantronese masters. Either you come clean and surrender or turn to join a crew.” Jenere answered him, offering options to the scientist.

            “Become a prisoner or an outlaw. Captain which choice sounds like a prettier ending? Handcuffed, shot, or hunted down later?” Vyktar asked him.

            “Option number three means no prisoner of war status, not interrogation, no beatings, and you won’t be shot. That is a guarantee if you join us.” Jenere offered to the reptile scientist with a stretched-out hand to him.

            “As a Nerdah I have an uncontrolled mouth. This vessel or floating castle of storage, held experiments, and prisoner lab rats. A certain colleague of mine, Dr. Penway aka. Dr. Hugsys had a strange obsession with the experiments on board. I warn you she is responsible for the chaos and may be found fooling around.” Vyktar warned him.

            “Where is she?” Jenere asked.

            “Check the look out station on the top floor. This ship has two bridges, three radar stations, two lookouts, a barracks, cabins, holding cells, docks, and its own loading crane. There is more to this chaos, because you see when the lock down on the experiments began they grew violent, and certain desires rose up.” Vyktar explained to Jenere who got a good picture of what happened here.

            “Go to the docks bellow us either hitch a ride or wait for us.” Jenere said to the scientist while handing him a Victor 22 Pistol he had stashed in a back pocket. He wished he had the current release model Victor 32 from Vestrisia. However, the 22 would have to do.

            Scientist and Pirates parted ways for now. Jenere made his way to the end of the corridor where another foe stood. It had been hiding from view at the start of another hallway. Some large nine-foot-tall humanoid construct appeared to be asleep with an armored figure in its grasp. Whoever the figure was their combat armor was in pieces with some broken parts still attached to their tight spandex jumpsuit. Behind the pair lay more carnage that stretched from the construct’s feet to the end of another hall.

            At the end of that hall a familiar figure appeared into view. They waved at the crew causing Jenere to smile. It was obvious that person believed the two figures were dead and had other tasks on their end. Jenere grabbed the radio and spoke into it.

            “Is that you I see Captain Caniir?” He asked feeling happy to see a friendly soul on this carnage filled vessel.

            “Yes and I managed to seize half the vessel for us. Except for the parts that are locked down. We will need access codes, and um Kezef has new orders to bring in any thing locked up. He also wants us to drag in survivors you come across. Exterminate all hostiles including that Golem 277 in front of you. Kill it before it wakes up again. Over.” Canirr said from her end.

            “I will do that, over.” Jenere draw a revolver and checked the chamber. Only two bullets remained in their slots. Knowing his luck he still had twelve or more bullets on his belt. Using the two rounds he shot them into the construct’s forehead. Ten shots followed his own shooting. Jenere turned around, discovering his own crew killed three more hostiles. Each one appeared to be an experiment that tried to ambush them.

            “Oh good, they are finally dead! They waited for you to come here.” The freed armored figure finally spoke. Jenere turned his attention away to see a violet skinned female with jet black hair and blue streaks. Her hair was tied in a short Transoun style showed signs of ruffling and helmet hair. The violet skinned female propped herself up to her butt. She struggled to get up from the floor then collapsed on the floor.

            “Don’t get up on the leg that Golem gripped you with. Let me help you.” Jenere advised her then chose to help her.

            Taking one arm he ordered for one of his pirates to pick her up. Whoever this figure was she felt very light. Both Jenere and the other pirate lifted her off the floor. She winced and gasped from the pain she experienced in parts of her body.

            “Ow, ow, that hurts, that hurts, fudge, careful pirate! OW! A member of strike operations team 323 of the A.G.P.K. AGH, survives the failed mission. OOF! Great report to Admiral Master Khagvis. Dangit, ow!” the violet skinned elite spat out as she endured the pain.

            “What is your rank, name and how many were in your team?” Jenere asked her.

            “Corporal Lieutenant Lelleen, ow, Kyneer, I was under, … Captain Draguun’s supervision. I went with a platoon of 36 other elites.” Lelleen answered him in pain.

            “I will leave you in the care of Captain Caniir. She has medics with her. Crew mate carry Kyneer to Captain Caniir’s side of the ship.” He said before leaving them.

            “Aye, aye Captain.” The pirate answered him and carried Lieutenant Kyneer to Zana’s location for her safety.

            “Come back when she permits it.” He cried after him, hoping he heard his own Captain.

            “A-Amethorians destroy, cough, when they say, cough, cough keep, cough, keep the peace, cough, akh, cough!” a voiced levied their words badly as they tried to speak. Drawing his attention to the source Jenere was tempted to either kill or take a prisoner.

            Four figures lay among the mutated experiments full of bullet holes and bleeding. A flaxen skinned humanoid wearing a Seer Officer Uniform of light blue. These Seers of the Gantronese had the badge in the shape of an eye. Thanks to the mingling with Onna he learned all the ranks and positions alongside the professions within the Gantronese Empire.

            “Are the rest of the survivors in the look out bridge?” Jenere asked the Seer Officer who did not answer him.

            “Take him prisoner. The rest of you come with me.” He ordered two more pirates to take the wounded Flaxen Seer Officer to the boats. He waited for them to carry him away before going up.

            Stepping over the corpses of Goblinok 77, Ghoul 66X, and two EM 44’s he led the rest of his boarding party. He recalled all the mutations they engaged. Lifting the radio to his mouth Jenere reported to Zana.

            “Zana, we have the last of them. I am going in, over.” Switching off the radio the pirate ascended the stairs, reloading one of his revolvers. As he took each step, he remembered having five belts on the Abomination in his own quarters. At total of eighteen bullets were on each belt that hung in his closet.

            Just a contingent of pirates followed him up. It was enough to clear out the last of the hostiles. As they came up to the top stairs voices started to enter their hearing range. Getting closer to the source they made it to the top where they heard more voices. From the top of the stairs voices became clear to their ears. The distinct voice of a very excited female could be heard above other voices protesting something.

            “Oh honey wunnies I love this!” the female cried out with joy. Her voice carried all over the hall.

            “Things will go your way.” A strange voice stated aloud. “My tentacles shall please all mates who find me irresistible!”

            “Yes, oh yes!” the female shrieked with delight while other voices propped up in protest and disgust.

            Jenere found the source of all the commotion. Inside the main lookout bridge a large tentacle being grappled a blue skinned elf with red hair. She appeared to be enjoying this mingling. Whereas a brown skinned Emergency Response had a great distaste for it. He did not pay any heed to where the tentacles were going. Taking a good look around the room he counted 29 individuals held hostage. They were either grappled by wires that came alive some how, tied to chairs, hooked to the wall, or bound by tendrils. Six mutations with rope like tendrils for arms held some of the hostages in their grasp. One of the hostages tied to the chair was a blue elf female doctor with a sign that read her name. “Dr. Penway Penis Eater” written in bad hand writing hung above her head. She was getting stuffed in the mouth by a mutant with long fingers that kept going. Behind the hostages was the main glass window where he spotted Jillaris wielding a shot gun. He aimed for the one thing controlling all this the tentacle monster.

            Taking aim down the sites he immediately cocks the revolver. The clicking sound drew the monster’s attention. A free tentacle swung at them scattering some of the members of his boarding party. It knocked down a few of his pirates who sprung up and started shooting it. Jenere shot every bullet in the chamber when Jillaris blasted her way in. Glass and shells went everywhere. Whatever the tentacle monster was it released all its captives to focus on its attackers as the lit it up with bullets. Jenere cut one its tentacles off and got hit by one of the mutations. He saw the long-fingered mutation still humping Penway’s face as though nothing were happening. Jillaris shot two rounds into the mutation rescuing Dr. Penway from suffocation. Jenere got up and killed one of the long-limb mutations as his boarding party focused on the main monster. Jillaris shot up the rest of the long-limb mutation with two other pirates. When the tentacle monster was down on the floor full of holes Jenere checked his surroundings to see none of his pirates fell, zero hostages died, and all the hostages soiled themselves. As for the two partners of the tentacles they had passed out.

            “Release me, release me someone release and let me finish off Lytryx Spawn O-7!” Penway yelled, not happy she just had a mouth full of meat shoved inside her. Jillaris shrugged and cut her free. The female scientist snatched the shot gun from her and finished the tentacle Spawn O-7 with a shotgun shell into the eye socket. She turned to Jenere and bowed to him.

            “Thank you good, sirs, and madam, Dr. Penway at your service.” Dr. Penway introduced herself before collapsing to the floor.

 Aside from the glass, blood dead mutations, and residue some of the captives collapsed on the floor when they were released from their bonds. Those who collapsed to the floor in puddles of blood, mucus, broken glass, and their own mess. Jenere and his boarding party began carrying the captives down the stairs. He heard a bunch of footsteps approach their area.

Zana and a bunch of her own pirates arrived just in time. Twenty-nine captured scientists who were previously held hostage by their own creations required aid. Her crew started with the women first. Jenere helped carry the wounded down to the docks where Vyktar waited. All the people they discovered or came across had to be laid down gently. The two pirate Captains sent the survivors to the ship they got to keep and clean up. Before they were sent off Zana made a list of their names and occupations. The list also included others who perished. She jotted down the names and the occupation next to the name. Jenere paid more attention to the occupations rather than the names. This list included some fates of the scientists, and members of the team:

·         pyrotechnician,

·         mutant scientist,

·         Emergency Responder,

·         Life Support Engineer,

·         Doctor,

·         DNA Surgeon,

·         Inventor,

·         Programmer,

·         Audiologist,

·         Cyberneticist,

·         Chemist,

·         female Hologram Designer,

·         Surveyor “killed”

·         Special Officer “torn”

·         Threat Mediator

·         Cryogenics Worker

·         Civil Engineer “throat slit”

·         Board Member “trampled”

·         Genecist (smashed head)

·         Pet Breeder eaten whole

·         Sustainability Officer

·         Necromancer (shot in head)

·         Engineer

·         Hunter “ripped apart”

·         Disaster Analyst,

·         Machinist,

·         female Memory Surgeon,

·         Zoologist,

·         Astrologist,

·         female A.I. Developer,

·         pious Demonologist,

·         Translator,

·         A.I. Supervisor,

·         Robotics Supervisor,

·         Trainer “crushed”

·         Seer “eaten”

·         Mecha Operator

·         Synthesist

Jenere sent the reserves to gather all the loot they marked down. When their own craft left the barge with the wounded and survivors the leaders took a stroll. Jenere had two of the biggest members of his boarding party join them. Zana left one of her high-ranking members in charge. She brought two of her larger crew mates. As a group, six pirates reentered the barge. This time there were no hostiles to deal with. Using some bolt cutters, and the brutes’ strength they got through the closed off sections.

            “This barge hold experiments and prisoners as well.” Zana observed when they plowed through a door leading to the weather deck, and the main deck. Rain drizzling down on the decks welcomed the pirates.

            Jenere rushed over to the cages he spotted earlier. Each of the cages were empty yet seemed prepped to hold something. Observing the cages he noticed labels with names on them. He realized these were the names of creatures according to the label next to experiment number. One read Longana and labelled as “fun experiment”. Next to that cage was a larger one reserved for a Griffin. He looked around, discovering an entire aisle dedicated to imprisoning humanoids and beasts alike.

            Zana went further than him. Her face lit up and glowed. It reminded him of a little girl at her favorite place in the world. She tugged at something next to a stack of crates. Jenere went over to help her while the others rested and a group of pirates picked up the boats, and canoes. Zana was tugging at a tarp weighted down. He helped her remove the weights and pulled it off. It covered a large trapdoor on the floor of the weather deck. Both Captains opened the doors together. Revealing some stairs the opened trap door showed it lead down to the lower decks. Unsure if there were any more hostiles Zana grabbed something. She tossed a pipe wrench done the stairs. Aside from the noise it made going down it produced a loud clanging noise when it hit the floor. The loud noise was followed by screams from down below. Rustling of chains, and growling followed afterwards. Not sure if the noise came from humanoids, beasts or mutations Zana called down.

“Hello down there this is Captain Caniir, privateer captain of the Vestrisians.” She called down to those below them. A bit of crying, a roar, and movement replied to her first.

“Hi, th-there, um, are you…with those Gantronese?” a small feminine voice rose up. Their voice sounded close to the steps with an accent. Jenere recognized that accent from his past. It was a Guvmari Nymph’s accent. Guvmari was mostly inhabited by elves, gnomes, some Dwarfs, and Nymphs. A little Nymph with that same voice named Ilo popped up in his head.

“Ilo, Ilo Teven, is that you down there?” he called down to the Nymph.

A small faced appeared at the bottom of the stairs. The figure moved into view so they can see her better. A four-foot Nymph in some strange uniform bearing a Gantronese symbol appeared. She had bob hair that had been recently cut. Jenere did not recognize Ilo at first making him squint to focus on her face. A green orchid flower tattoo on her right cheek gave her away to him. He remembered the dancing Nymph with that same tattoo. Jenere descended the stairs to green an old friend.

“It’s me Jenere Omavern.” He said grabbing a small hand. Memories of this little Nymph during his earlier days at say resurfaced. Ilo was still young in her Nymph years, 45 years old at that time. Before he got married, they mingled a little and shared moments together. Tears ran down her pretty face as she looked up at him. Ilo jumped on him, causing him to remember his name for her, love flower. The elf caught the bob haired Nymph as she clung to him. Each one embraced the other. Neither had seen each other for some time.

“What are you doing here?” he asked Ilo putting her down on the floor.

“I was made into a slave then confiscated from my master. Later I became sold to act as a care taker to the creatures here.” Ilo answered him. Omavern’s heart sank to the bottom of his stomach. What she said killed any joy he had during this moment. She grabbed his hand and pulled him further into the hold.

Cages full of creatures and humanoids lined the hold he just entered. All the cages took up much of the space this hold had. Nineteen care takers had hunkered down here doing their assigned tasks. Among them were elves, humans, and hybrids from all over Calorn. Every single one of them wore a similar uniform Ilo had one. As he approached them, they cowered as if her was going to hurt them. He left them alone to check out the rest of this hold. Somehow these care takers managed to keep the hold illuminated with lanterns, and working lights. One of the creatures moved again rustling some chains. Jenere checked the cages using his elf sight and the lights. He found a black Griffin, A Wyvern in chains, a Sphinx chained and muffled. A total of three Harpy Furies or Winged Elves caged on one side. On another aisles he found a Basilisk captured by slaves according to the label on its cage like cell. Towards the end of the hold a female Red Oni, another Blue Oni, and a Sozae Purple Oni in the same cell. Each one seemed disgruntled over the captivity.

Other caged humanoids included a Phooka, some monkey looking goblin with long hairy ears, and a tail who kept cursing his captors, seven Nymphs from other worlds, a Buggame Ogre with the large features, small nose, and double chins sat in his own cell. In the far left corner of the hold was a hairy dragon known as a Velue Dragon with a shock collar around it. Next to it sat a large tank of water holding a female aquatic humanoid called a Longona. The rest of these caged monsters included a six-legged demon named Bukovac, an antlered deer fiend called Bies Beast, a Dubach in a water tank and some long snake looking Imoogi Dragon with limbs.

As he looked for a means to release these creatures three mutations ambushed him from the shadows of the hold. Some hairy goblinoid mutant with prosthetic arms jumped on his back. It started choking him from behind, and a Large Bat Mutant known as the Otang slammed him down on the floor. An aquatic humanoid wrapped its tail around his legs. Jenere struggled to free himself to no effect. His hand went straight for a dagger to stab the goblinoid. It took some struggling, but he managed to grab it. The dagger found its target, but only injured it. Whatever this experiment was it screamed out loud from the pain of being stabbed. A metal hand hit him in the head nearly knocking him out. The goblinoid came to his view with the dagger embedded in his shoulder. It held the exact appearance of a large monkey. He squirmed a little but the other mutations were too strong for him. Jenere saw Ilo attempt to save him. She picked up the heavy wrench thinking of hitting one of the mutations. The Otang screamed at her causing her to drop it out of fear. On his back the world in a blurry vision. Zana’s figure raced down the steps to check out the noise. She immediately drew a pistol in order to shoot his assailants. Only three shots came out of the barrel signifying that she should have reloaded the weapon with a fresh clip. It hit the aquatic creature who turned on her out of anger.

As it lunged at her a long scaly tail knocked the large bat off him, and slammed the aquatic creature down. This tail then wraps around the aquatic monster and pulls it towards the mutant bat’s position. The goblin monkey finally yanked the dagger out of its shoulder. Zana hit it across the room with a swing of the pipe wrench Ilo dropped. Behind her all the caretakers cowered under the stairs watching helplessly with horror in their eyes. Jenere felt himself get up with help from Zana he turned to the remaining attackers. Two pirates watched the other two mutations get squeezed to death by a draconic snake tail. Their eyes trailed it to the source. Their gaze went over to the cage that held the Imoogi who simply blinked at them.