Vagi's Mission: To the Arm of Ruined Souls

 How the Gantronese got that fortress sized Barge to this side of the southern seas remained a mystery. Yet looking at a map not everything was close. She could just imagine cartographers grinding their teeth while correcting maps. One would be screaming, tearing up a room or cubical. The thought made her chuckle a little bit. Another thought occurred to her. Could the Gantronese made these craft fly above the wall? It would not be surprising knowing where these invaders come from.

            A rapping came at her door. Vagi turned to open the door. One of Weatherby’s Oni Bodyguards, companions, raid leaders who lived on the ship as a member of the staff. Weatherby had four of these Oni on board his Destroyer. This was a secret only known among the fleet under Kezef’s command. Vagi and the crew members of every ship acted as confidants to this little secret. Every ship under Kezef’s command had some of these Lamia, and Oni as bodyguards. One of the ships had six female Oni, and another had five.

“You must be Weatherby’s bodyguard. I am Lieutenant Secretary Vagi the replacement. What is your name?” She said looking at the 7ft tall blue skinned Oni in an engineer’s brown tank top, and a handmade sarong wrap.

“Trukog Blue Rage Keiji, former Heavy Gunner of the IGA. I guess you can say I am a bodyguard, but not a concubine like my red skinned fellow Oni, Faikig Yasu.” The big Oni replied to her.

“Oh, I see he keeps bed buddies. Does the Captain need to see me?” Vagi kept looking at his horns. What world did he come from? It was all she could think of right now.

“Yes, he needs to see you right now.” Turkog answered her.

“Lead the way good sir!” She said cheerily. Turkog escorted Vagi through he ship to the Captains location aboard the Basilisk.

“So, um, what planet are you from?” She asked the Oni.

“I, uh don’t talk very much about home, but it is called Dagontu. My family moved to another world called Odragra another Oni home world.” He answered her as he escorted the elf.

“Very Interesting Mr. Keiji. Does your race support the fight against the invaders?” she pressed the question she deemed a little intrusive. Vagi knew Kezef recruited the Oni and Lamia as bodyguards. None one really questioned their political views concerning Calorn’s conflict.

“Not all Oni are unified under one faction. At least three worlds of Oni and others serve those Gantronese invaders. Eight other worlds formed a neutral federation, and Seven Oni worlds are part of this I.G.A. They are behind all those interventions across Calorn before the VUVR formed.” Trukog told Vagi as they made their way through the ship.

 “Oh, my Gaivos! I hope you do not have to fight your own people. I would not be surprised if elves fought for the Nazdar as their Grevaskii slave soldiers.” Vagi sighed as a fearsome looking elf passed them. She gave the sailor a good glance. She presumed following the Oni bodyguard to the main under station of the Destroyer.

Located on the bridge portion just below the main radar antenna the radar room had a team of five personnel. Captain weatherby leaned over a table with a map displaying the sea. As she approached the table, she noticed it resembled the area they were in.

“Thank you Trukog for bringing Vagi. You are dismissed.” Weatherby allowed the bodyguard to leave the room.

“Lieutenant Vagi, I pray he did not interrupt your work.” Weatherby looked from the map to face Vagi. “No, I am surprised he did not.”

“Well I am surprised we did not find you nailing a concubine.” Trukog mocked from the stairwell as he left.

Weatherby did not respond to that. He ignored the Oni’s remark. The Oni’s heavy footsteps was all they heard after he ignored the mockery. Weatherby did not wait for the footsteps to disappear. He placed a small version of his own ship on the map. The Captain started marking down where the “Arm of Ruined Souls” stood on the ocean surface.

            “Hello again Lieutenant Vagi. Did you read Kezer’s orders?’ he asked her. He moved away from the table.

            “Yes sir I did. How many platforms are there?” she replied to the Captain.

            “447, but there could be more.” One of the radar team replied.

            “Vagi this is radar master Ensign Heartfang, Crewman Lawdust, Crewman Snowbane, Chief officer Oskerag, and radar apprentice seaman Longshade.” Weatherby introduced her to a half elf Ensign with a thin physique, and brown hair. An Estati with blonde hair, an elf crewman with red hair, a Forsythan Chief Officer, and a young human apprentice. Each one greeted her with a nod and a salute. One of them smiled then returned to his main expression. Vagi saluted in return pleased to see she was getting the respect her rank deserved. She looked straight at the Captain waiting to speak.

            “Permission to speak sir.” She requested of him.

            “I am all ears Lieutenant.” He replied to her.

            “Are we sending people to check out the “Arm” and the platform seas?” she had to ask about their plans for this area. It was an area most Vestrisians avoided.

            “No, not those ruins and shipwrecks. Just the platforms we can see from here. You will lead a team to one of them. You are to search that platform until sundown. Then mark the ones you have explored. If you can do that otherwise explore the ones closest to the “Arm”. I heard from Iperantos prisoners that some are locked.” Weatherby answered her question with a direct order.

            “Wait, sir did you just order me to go there with a team?” She pointed out with comprehension in her voice. She thought she misheard the Captain.

            “I did not stutter Lieutenant. Kezef needs that device. These waters must be charted by us and our allies so we can stop fearing those waters. No one has been able to map out this area properly. This area is riddled in shipwrecks, and the days are hardly clear due to fog and mist. For the past three and a half centuries these platforms have been here. Besides, you could use some more experience going out there.” Weatherby explained to her like he was a professor lecturing a student.

            “When am I to leave sir?” She asked the Captain unsure if she will even survive any encounters over there.

            “As soon as you are ready Lieutenant.” Weatherby said looking at her with a serious expression. “You are dismissed.”

            “Yes Captain.” Naphene saluted to Weatherby who returned the salute.

            Naphene left the radar station room for her own quarters. She passed a score of the crewmembers. Most of the crew were elves, humans, half-elf, the occasional Estati half elf, half Forsythan, and Elemani, half human, half Forsythan. Those were the typical races to be part of the navy. Dwarfs, Zedirians, the mixed races, and Zunia Pucks hardly joined the navy. Other races like the Gnomes, Goblins, and civilized Orcs were scarce in the navy. There was no discrimination in the VUVR or the VM (Vestrisian Military), Why would there be during this day in age? Aliens, Off-worlders, and non-Calornese beings invaded this world. All the races born on Calorn shard a bond. This made the invaders a common enemy. It was either they unite, stand together, or fall to the invader. Many Orcs were already handpicked for guard duty, bodyguards, security, sentries, smiths, dock workers, anti-tank infantry, artillery crews, and warehouse workers due to their size, strength, and intimidation. As for Goblins they became explosive experts, all the factory jobs, weapons manufacturing, engineering, mechanics, and scavengers. Gnomes do well enough because their family already chosen their profession for them. Dwarfs make better craftsmen, blacksmiths, miners, engineers, tank-crews, inventers, tinkers, and locksmiths. Zunia-Pucks made their roles in the offices, wineries, bars, taverns, inns, textile industry, traffic, shop keepers, clerks, restaurants, and basically everything else. Before this war began many of these races could be found working in all types of professions.

            Vagi reached her quarters where she grabbed her hanging bag of military gear. Unzipping the bag, she pulled out the latex (rubbery) jumpsuit. She pulled it one over the thin skintight under jumpsuit every sailor wore in the VUVR Navy. Preparing herself Vagi put on her gun holster belt. It went over the belt that had her Lightning Flash 84 pistol. It held ten clips of ammunition for the LF 84 pistol. Her second belt held the Onway revolver. Vagi had 40 bullets for the Onway. In case she had to swim she pulled the hood over her head. She tucked locks of her hair under the tight fit.

            When she was ready, she left her new quarters for the main deck outside. On the Basilisk’s portside a team of 13 chosen members of her crew stood ready. Believing she was late Vagi rushed over to them. All 13 chosen team members wore the same type of latex jumpsuit. They were armed with TM 13 bolt action rifles, E7 gas powered rifles, 7mm submachine guns, OAR 810’s with either a pistol or revolver at their sides. One of the armed team members was an Oni bodyguard of Weatherby. A red skinned female Oni who could crush a sailor like a nut under a hammer.

            “Good afternoon I am Lieutenant Naphene Vagi, Weartherby’s new Secretary. He has tasked me with leading you lot on some artifact hunt.” She introduced herself quickly briefing the team on their objective.

            “Afternoon Ma’am!” they replied in unison. The red female Oni turned to her.

            “Thrilled to meet you. Weatherby’s third bodyguard, raid leader, Kisha Egaino. Your protection is vital to responsibility on this mission. These are crewmen Wolfgust, Snowbane, Reemuse, Nicklebone, Tunar, Regalspire, Seamen Bloodstride, Wolfring, Bonewind, Wildhand, Darek, and Petty Officer Grayblade.” The Female Oni introduced herself and the team to Vagi.

            Another Petty Officer approached them. She could describe him as a shorty with red hair, tree shaped scar on one side, and a dark green tattoo of a Plesio Beast. Plesio’s were some marine reptile that still swam around the world. Calorn’s seas and oceans remained chock full of aquatic life. As ships sailed from island to island, shipwrecks added more to the natural scenery. That was shown in a slideshow by Tante elf marine biologists, zoologist, and former wizard Dr. Grasstaker. She was fond of his photos, and slideshows depicting what lay beneath the ocean.

            “The Captain says for you to wait until we passed that wall of shipwrecks.” The Petty Officer informed the team.

            “Are we supposed to ride the choppiness, or swim to the platforms?” Kisha, the Oni bodyguard complained.

            “If it helps Kisha, you can wait in the mess hall below deck.” The Petty Officer snapped in her face.

            “Watch it Petty Officer Whitepete or I’ll drown you myself.” Kisha warned the short Officer. Vagi gripped the railing waiting for the two to come to blows as they stared each other off. To the very fortune of the team it did not even heat up into an argument. Whitepete stepped away from the Oni. If either one got into a fight Weatherby or any Captain was obliged to punish them as they saw fit. He checked everyone’s equipment and weapons. On the Basilisk’s portside Vagi witnessed a push through the gap in the “Arm”. Sailing at the speed of 20 knots the Basilisk managed to reach the other side of this infamous “Arm of Ruined Souls”. From the portside Vagi could see the shipwrecks. Ships from every age could be seen among the wreckage. The oldest ones lay underneath the ship classes that came after the succeeding eras. Some ships were broken in pieces while others overlapped one another from hitting rocks, or hidden reefs.

            Naphene took in a deep breath. The famed platforms could be discerned from where she stood. Whoever made the platforms designed them in the shapes of wine glasses, short tables, and extremely low stool chairs. Some held the shape of a three bladed dagger. As they drew closer their real shapes became more defined to the eye. Structures tall and short could be seen on the tops of these platforms. At the base or feet of the platforms lay islands, and islets. Such a sight brought wonder to their eyes.

            “The platform seas.” Vagi heard herself say. She sounded awestruck at the sight of these alien structures that dotted an archipelago. Words escaped the rest of her team as they looked on. Petty Officer Grayblade’s voice pierced the silence.

            “Do you see that platform resembling a wineglass missing the stem?” He asked the team as though he was a tour guide.

            “Wait for my signal before disembarking.” Grayblade warned them. Several crew members came over and prepared a boat for them. It looked like a large inflatable raft. Other members came over to drop dry ice in the water. Doing these created a fog to hide their movements. This was used against the Vullanese ho lost entire fleets to them during the first year of the conflict. Grayblade waited for the fog to cover a good portion of the area before giving the signal after getting permission from Vagi. His sounded pressing the team to launch their mission.

            One by one they climbed down on the boat. Vagi sat in the center next to Kisha. Upon launching the boat-raft Petty Officer Grayblade had Snowbane steer their transport. Going forward they followed an island they could spot through the fog. Vagi turned around to see how far they progressed. She could barely make out the Basilisk’ turrets, and shape in the growing fog. She was curious about their intentions here. Were they about to set up a base or an outpost in the platform seas?

            The island they traced made them move in a serpentine pattern. Along this island coast sat rock pillars that stuck out. Vagi spotted some unfortunate sailors and their boats that crashed into the rocks. Each skeleton looked to be impaled by the pillars as they lay in the shoals. Moving around the pillars brought the team into the fog. With Grayblade at the helm the journey felt less jerky. He did a good job avoiding contact.

            “Which one should we head for?” she heard Kisha as Grayblade.

            “Once we get closer, we’ll know.” The Petty Officer said steering them into the building fog on their left flank. Thanks to Grayblade’s steering they avoided collisions. Coming out of the fog, they found themselves in open water. In their view stood the towering platforms. Standing at approximately thirty or more stories high these platforms appeared like citadels among islands. Each one of them was the size of a fort or castle. Vagi counted close to seventeen and more in her viewpoint. Taking another look, she spotted islands, islets, and rock formations at the feet of these structures. She also noticed the structures were made from some metal alloy that did not rust.

            If these metal platforms had been here for centuries, then they must have endured plenty of rain. Plenty of rain fall pounding on a metal piece caused it to rust. All these platforms suffered was a buildup of coral, sea foliage, and island brush. The closest one to them lay about two miles away. Vagi studied this platform that held the shape of a wine glass vase without a stem. It had an overhanging rim encircling the metal building’s roof. Between them and this platform stood other seven islands.

            On these islands she spotted plenty of foliage, and wildlife prowling around. Two islands had a small mound or hill. Three islands hosted nothing, one had some rock formations, and the last one had plenty of foliage. She also spotted what appeared to be seven bases on these islands. Looking around she saw more islands with the usual foliage, rocks, palm trees, coconut trees, and other tree types. As they came closer to the islands and the platform Grayblade slowed down. He went straight for the closest island in their path. Just looking at the islands upon a closer glance the first island hosted a patch of jungle, animals, two structures, three overturned boats, three rafts pulled together forming a dock. She only spotted these over her team’s heads. Once they made landfall next to a rock and three trees the team got off their transport.

            “Split up into groups of two and scour the whole island. That includes you Ms. Vagi.” Grayblade ordered the team. It took a second for Vagi to realize what he just did.

            “Petty Officer Grayblade did you forget your rank?” She put in against the Petty Officer. He was only in charge of getting them here.

            “With all due respect Lieutenant, you are a non-combat officer. A Secretary who is female and prissy elf.” Grayblade pointed out to the female elf. “These are my troops not yours.”

            “Very well Petty Officer Grayblade, Kisha and I will search those structures. You can take your troopers to the other side of the island!” Vagi snapped back at him showing her frustration. Grayblade was taken aback by this. He opened his mouth to speak.

            “Ah! Visitors!” a shrill voice caught their attention. All heads turned to see a six legged humanoid with long arms, elongated face appear before them. This strange humanoid resembled a humanoid spider hybrid stretched thin without the pincers, abdomen, thorax and the typical spider like facial appearance.

            “Greetings, greetings skogers, I am Karsos the advocate, dresser, guest keeper, and your host! Come, come and dine with us!” this strange humanoid introduced itself. Music started playing from behind them. The sound captivated Vagi’s body. Whatever instrument it was the strumming numbed their bodies. Grayblade and his unit dropped their weapons.

            “Minstrel Migooloo, Ushers Keejal, Leok please escort our new guests to cook Mogizad!” this Karsos commanded whoever was behind them. It took the cap from Grayblade’s head and put it on its own thin head. Vagi could not move a muscle no matter how much she tried. However, she could still move her head and neck muscles. She managed to turn her head to spy three more strange humanoids. One held the appearance of a stout, thick skinned toad humanoid with a large oval head. It wore raggedy monk robes sewn from pieces. In its hands was the instrument, a guitar. Another strange creature wielding a guitar looked like a pink headed mammalian humanoid. Its own head was very tusker in appearance. No tusks, long trunk nose dangling from the nose part could be seen on this one. It did not even have the ears of a tusker. Wearing tattered and torn robes of a green witch with the nature symbol on the sleeves.

            She presumed this one was Leok who then grabbed her by the arm. It rubbed her arm a little too much to her comfort. Due to the numbness there was no way she could feel his hands. This Leok licked its lips and started kissing her arm. The third one was a cat humanoid in Mezeen nomadic garb suited for the desert environment. Vagi did not know where these humanoids came from. She could only guess these were not who the claim to be. Her old police instincts of dealing with con artists kicked in. She kept thinking of where they must be from as the trio brought them to the other side of the island. Along the edge of the jungles she spotted two little monkeys on trees, four wild pigs running at the trunk of the trees, eight jungle birds perched on branches, a pair of rodents burrowing into the dirt, and seven ocelots (jungle cats) watching them.

            On the other side of the island Keejal, Leok, and Minstrel Migooloo took the team of Vestrisians to a campsite settlement. This settlement consisted a few huts, two hammocks, five sails made into tents, a gold statue in the center, and three campfires. Surrounding this campsite lay seven or more bushes, more palm trees, and six heavy cannons in a line facing the sea. Next to the statue six chests, seven barrels, and several pales were set up to form a dining table. The barrels were shoved into the sand to make seats and the chests pushed together to form a table.

At one of the fires stood a pig looking humanoid. Above the roaring fire was a spit wheel. On the spit wheel roasted a huge chunk of meat that was hard to identify. This pig was turning the wheel so the meat could roast better. Karsos sat each one of them down at this makeshift table. Unable to resist or move Vagi’s team were involuntarily seated. A total of seven bottles, seven mugs, a single flask, two lanterns, and five melee weapons sat on this table. For a tablecloth decoration nine pirate and Iperantosi flags were used. As Vagi sat on a barrel she spotted a wooden rack holding up seven preserved fish.

When did these five strange humanoids arrive on Calorn? Vagi kept asking this question in her head. Karsos circled the seated guests. Behind him the tusk less Leok. skipped and hopped around with joy. The feline humanoid Keejal retracted its claws as big as fingers. Keejal strummed his claws on the table eyeing each one of the guests. It sent signals to Vagi that his was just a trap that she wished she had seen coming. Migooloo entered a tent to drag out a tied-up woman bound to a crate.

“Greeny Witchy, so happy to see you join us! Your dancing will please the guests before they rest!” Karsos said cheerily mocking the bound witch.

Vagi could only watch the bound-up woman get violated by the toad Migooloo. Leok hopped over to violate greeny witchy with Migooloo. Just the noise that emitted from her sent vibes their own women were next. Keejal the Cat went to certain members of Vagi’s team. Long claws scratched their faces as though they were being marked for something. Before Vagi knew what was even going on Keejal pulled out a dagger. In moments, her own team started to get picked off by the cat humanoid. One by one, members of their team had their throats slit. Petty Officer Grayblade was the first to go. After him was Wolfdust, Tunar, Nickelbone, and Bonewind. Keejal offered Karsos the dagger. Their host took out an unfamiliar fruit and cut into it. Karsos slid the dagger in and out before he went for the next target. Vagi expected their host to proceed with killing the next one. Petty Officer Grayblade sprung back to life. It startled Vagi and caused the Oni to scream. The thing called Leok leapt high in the air only to land on the table.

Naphene knew what came next as it pulled up its robes. Exposing itself in front of Kisha Leok revealed a foot and a half member. Both the Oni’s eyes and mouth opened wide at the sight in total shock. Even Vagi’s face did the same thing as the numbness began subsiding. Leok shoved it into the Oni’s mouth then covered her with his robes. Holding her head he proceeded facilizing her.

“Leok, Leok, no bad, bad experimental mutant 10627F! You are not allowed unless we agree! LEOK TAKE YOURSELF OUT NOW!” Karsos commanded in a shrill voice. Leok kept at it, going down Kisha’s throat.

            Naphene Vag could hear her choking, groans, whimpers, and the noise of slapping skin clearly. Leok went faster in a ferocious pace. It gave out a howl indicating it came in Kisha. Leok basically ignored Karsos’ commands and went for another, Vagi. Her eyes went straight for the bulge in the robe knowing what its size was. She prepared herself for what was to come. She only hoped it did not get her pregnant. For Kisha’s sake she hoped the Oni would get lucky and not give birth to its spawn.

“Keejal deal with Leok. For Leok refuses to obey the rules of Karsos. Therefore, usefulness has run its course in Leok.” Karsos ordered the cat humanoid. Host Karsos wanted to have Leok killed over this. Naphene felt relief for that. At least these mutants had some code of ethics.

“With pleasure master Karsos. Leok it’s time for you to die.” Keejal warned Leok who violated Kisha a little more. Then it stopped to face Keejal’s threat. Leok threw its robe off. All eyes could not avoid his exposed body.

 

            Leaping from the table Leok showed his own nude body to be skinny with strong limbs. Its muscles appeared too big for a small physique. The feline drew an orange retractable blade, extending it to three feet long. Leok wielded his own dick as a club. Keejal took one swing of his weapon cutting part of Leok’s member off. The cat struck again moving to the side and avoiding blood spurts. He or she decapitated Leok’s head from the body. Three pieces that were once Leok landed on the ground. Blood poured out of each piece soaking the sand. Leok’s puss and blood was a strange color mixture none of them saw before.

            Keejal sheathed the blade after wiping it clean and retracting the blade. The cat turned to Host Karsos. The cat humanoid gave Karsos a nod who tipped the hat in approval. A loud gunfire from a Gantronese Munagar model 12 sniper rifle ended the silence. Keejal went down, hitting the ground. Another shot from the hidden Munagar came afterwards. Karsos fell with the shot, puncturing through Karsos’ neck. Migooloo stopped violating the witch. The toadling drew a hidden pistol and went after the source. He took four steps only to be hit by the third shot. Migooloo collapsed to the ground when the shot hit him in the chest. Cook Mogizod ran for the sea in full panic. He flapped his fat arms like he was trying to fly. A fourth shot went after him, but missed him. Vagi watched the pig man disappear behind the tents and the other patch of brush.

            “Is everyone okay?” Vagi heard a female’s voice shout from their blind spots.

 

            “We don’t have any movement in our bodies. I believe we are in shock.” Vagi spoke for the team of thirteen.

            “Sounds like you need a dose of gray hearts elixir, or Nevazaprine. Both work nicely for that situation. The name is Asaru Kheerla, Public Guardian Agent. I have been hunting those five criminals all over the galaxy. I suppose you lot must be them Vestrisians fighting the Gantronese and the Nazdar.” The sound of the voice sounded close to their location.

            “Lieutenant Secretary Naphene Vagi of Destroyer Basilisk of the Vestrisian Union Navy.” She went ahead and introduced herself.

            A tall lean figure in a camouflage metal combat armor emerged out of the small jungle. Vagi was sure this was the one who just saved them. This Asaru went over to free them. On this Public Guardian was a strange gun holding liquid of blue color. Asaru approached them slowly. She did this with caution as Vagi watched her approach. Vagi insisted that she be the first one. Asaru put the gun against her left shoulder and shot into it. Naphene’s body shook a little as the feeling her body returned. The Lieutenant stretched before getting up. Asaru went around the table giving Vagi’s team a dose of Nevazaprine. As the leader, Vagi believed it was best she held their hand. Once everyone received a dose of the Nevazaprine she left them with orders. While they took time to recover she snooped around. She checked the structures of the settlement.

            She checked the tents first. Each one appeared empty until she took a closer look. One had the set up of a prison with chains, shackles, and chain balls. A prosthetic hand lay on the floor. In another tent she discovered four rings of nobles that had blood on them. She got a closer looked and recognized them as Iperontosi noble rings, and Gantronese rings. There were also six baskets hold twenty-five firearms. These four structures had 19 tools, 2 maps, 3 pieces of furniture, and 7 crates turned to beds. On each of these beds lay a discarded hat. As she exited the last one she noticed a pile of coconuts, some cannonballs and poor greenie witchy.

            “Poor woman, no one should endure that.” Asaru said as Vagi checked her pulse.

            “She is dead.” Vagi said almost chocking on pity and grief for the green witch.

            “I can see that. She was an outlaw from a black mage planet. After poisoning some rivals, she was locked up in Hell Prison, a moon prison. On that moon prison a mass riot broke out. It resulted in a prison break in one of the centers on that moon. Out of 2,200 inmates inside that one center 1,053 of them got out of their cells. Only 11 escaped the planet alive. More than 800 died in the jail break.” Asaru explained to Vagi who this witch really was. Asaru went over to Keejal and handcuffed him despite his wound.

            “How long have searched for them?” Vagi asked her.

            “Almost a full year since my investigation and hunt began.” She replied to the elf grabbing Keejal by the arm. Asaru pulled him up and hauled him along with her. This off world foreigner left them for the other side of this island. Vagi did two laps before returning to her team. On her loops she found nine more islets to claim. Without hesitation she pulled out a flag, the VUVR flag of a gold anvil in the center of a blue field. A crossed sword, wrench and pickaxe connected to a pitchfork. Vagi marched around looking for something to use as a flagpole. Going around she passed her team who finished burying the witch in the sand. They gathered up weapons then proceeded to help her.