This
island they needed to investigate was not too far away for a ship to send out
boats with landing parties. Jenere spotted life boats and rafts heading towards
the island. He picked up a spyglass to see if it was him, or just an illusion
of the mind. The rain did not help nor did the dirty spots on the windows.
Through the looking glass he counted over thirteen small vessels attempting to
reach the island. Each craft carried fourteen or more passengers.
“Give me Captain Caniir on the radio
comm.” Jenere ordered with this gaze focused on the group of small vessels
leaving the enemy ships.
“Aye, aye Captain!” Ersig replied to
his Captain's command. The radioman got in touch with Captain Caniir quickly.
“I have her online Captain!” Ersig
nearly shouted at the Captain. He directed his attention back to Captain
Canirr. “Yes, Captain Caniir he is here. Captain she is on the line and waiting
for you.”
Jenere handed the wheel over to
Inaleth and picked up the phone piece beside Ersig. His gaze rested on her
ship, watching her come to a halt with two sitting ducks nearby. The elf pirate
put the phone piece against his ear.
“This Captain Jenere Omavern
speaking, are you Captain Caniir?” He said in the phone getting her attention.
“Hello Captain Omavern, I see your
vessel is still in one piece after that small engagement. Did you want to join
us? We are plundering and looting what is left of their cargo.” Zana offered
the elf. He pondered over the idea with his gaze on the boats heading for the
island.
“Perhaps we could see what can be
salvaged as well. Plus, there is small fleet of little boats heading for that
island.” Jenere said mentioning the boats trying to escape them.
“I will leave some looting for you
and your crew, you just take care of those Gantronese escaping our grasp.” Zana
replied as an attempt to end the conversation there.
“Extinguish any flames first and
make sure they are still afloat when you board them. You know what to do with
any survivors.” Jenere said ending the conversation right there. He hung up the
phone and turned to Inaleth.
“Chase down those boats! That island
will not receive another Gantronese scum on it.” He ordered the helmsman.
“Aye, aye Captain!” Inaleth shouted
back steering the ship towards the island those boats were trying to reach.
“I will leave everything under
Second Mate Morlen's command.” Jenere said before heading out of the bridge of
the ship. He quickly descended the stairs to the main deck of the ship. On the
Abomination broadside he found two dozen of his crew men. All of them were
ranks of Sharks, Buccaneers, and Raiders, the crew members who saw the most
action, plundering, fighting, ambushes, and the vanguards of assaults. The
Boatswain had the boats being lowered while Sophine rallied the raiding parties
spirits up. She did this to get their mood for fighting and raiding high. He arrived
at the time she was finishing up. Thirty pirates loaded up the boats armed with
sub machine guns, Grussian assault rifles, pistols, carbines and a variety of
melee weapons.
Leaving over forty to fifty able
bodied crew with the officers and higher-ranking crew members Sophine's landing
party dropped down with their captain. He turned his head to spot Gunner Abrath
and the firing crews preparing several machine guns to fire on the boats as the
vessel drew closer. Even though they were moving the boats still dropped to the
water and the landing parties set off in pursuit. His ship's machine guns fired
on the Gantronese trying to escape to the island. Just five of the machine guns
mounted on the Abomination were able to get a firing angle on the Gantronese
boats.
While Sophine's parties drove their
way to their island Jenere watched the Gantronese start to suffer casualties.
Abrath's team of gunners tore the slower craft killing most of the enemies. He
could see numerous Gantronese swimming for the island and other boats among the
debris and corpses. As they drew closer
to the beach to prepare a defense. His gunners drew their fire towards the ones
trying to reach the island managing to hit several more enemies. That is when a
ship's turret fired from behind him. Its shell hit the beach where the figures
were positioned.
The last remaining Gantronese boats
made it to the beach a few minutes after the barrage of the turret fire that
scattered the figures on the beach. Although the enemy on the beach was
scattered his vessel continued to bombard that section of the island. Jenere
kept his gaze on the beachhead that was littered with a score of bodies
scattered about the dirt. In the corner of his eye he spied half a score of
Gantronese disembarking on the beach. He followed the group with his gaze not
wanting to pursue them yet.
“We need to rush on to the beach as
soon as we land!” Jenere yelled over the noise of the turrets shooting at the
Gantronese trying to take cover. He saw Sophine's head nod in response showing
she heard him then barked out the orders herself. Next to him a crew member
wielding a sub machine gun opened fire on the Gantronese who were landing on
the beach. His aim was somewhat off due to the distance he shot from. Jenre
left him alone since he was a pirate and pirates never played by the rules of
engagement. Four of the Gantronese did fall to the ground. He assumed they died
while the rest were trying to reach their destination under fire. Before he
could count how many Gantronese were left their own boats made it ashore. From
there the pirates jumped out and pulled their boats on land. As one the landing
parties of pirates stormed on to the beach with the turrets still firing every
few minutes.
Jenere took the lead of his pirates and
raced to the Gantronese positions. Thirty-two pirates charged past the
beachhead getting further into the island. Rushing into the island may have
seemed like a bad idea for a strategy since there could be more enemies waiting
in ambush areas. What other choice did they have? If they cautiously approached
the foliage the enemy would also pick them off. This small island was covered
in foliage with a trio of hills. Still leading the parties Jenere kept an eye
out for the Gantronese lurking in the possible stalking zones of the foliage.
He was surprised there were no settlements on this one island nor any signs the
locals made any attempts to colonize it. Seeing there would not be an ambush
here Jenere ordered the parties to speed up. At a quickened pace the two dozen
pirates scoured the first hill eliminating twelve of the Gantronese before
rallying to the top of the hill. Six of their own died on this hill forging
more of a vendetta against the Gantronese.
Twenty-seven pirates decided to
press on the pursuit. Once on the island the pirates hoped to flush the
Gantronese out of the area. They were also willing to allow these invaders to
leave the island, so their mission would be done. Jenere glanced over at the
other hills wondering where the Gantronese would be hiding. He estimated in his
head how many more Gantronese there could be when something on the face of
another hill caught his eye. A small enclave of a settlement sat on this other
hill. He squinted his eyes to get a clear look at these buildings with his elf
eyes. This small settlement consisted of multiple huts. Around these huts he
spotted the remnants of the Gantronese and a large group of what appeared to be
prisoners. Jenere brought his spyglass to see who these prisoners were despite
his elf eyes. To a certain point of being surprised he discovered fifty- six
pirates being held prisoner.
“Our Gantronese foes have a large
party of fifty pirates held prisoner. They are in that enclave of huts on the
face of that hill.” Jenere pointed out before putting his spyglass away.
“Split our forces and attack from
different directions?” Sophine said as is asking if they should do so. Jenere
nodded his head agreeing with his swordsman officer and lover.
“You take twelve men to the southern
flank. I will take the rest of-” Jenere was cut off when the Gantronese enclave
lit up like firecrackers. The Captain shot a hand out to stop Sophine from
leaving with her party. Various questions, mutterings, and curses were uttered
from the lips of the gathered crew members.
Ignoring the chatter Jenere took a
peek at the scene transpiring in the enclave. Every Gantronese soldier, guard,
sailor, and guard fired at whatever was attacking their enclave of huts. He
thought he counted twelve when he realized there were a few more Gantronese.
Twenty Gantronese defended themselves and their enclave of prisoners from a
pack of ghoul humanoid monsters covered in mud, leaves, and muck. These ghoul
humanoids had long finger like claws, malnourished looking bodies that appeared
more like corpses revived after years of being dead.
For a few moments he watched the
Gantronese shoot a number of these creatures before they could reach them. He
lowered the spyglass down when he saw a Gantronese fall from getting swarmed A
grenade went off indicating the swarmed Gantronese pulled the pin to kill as
many of these creatures as possible. To no surprise this attacking pack fled
from the enclave leaving several scores of their own dead along with twelve
Gantronese dead. Jenere watched those feral humanoids flee towards the seas. He
chose to stay put until he was certain those creatures left for good.
“Let's just seize that enclave and
then go see what Caniir has looted from the ships.” Jenere said pulling out a
revolver. He led twenty-six of his pirate crew down the hill through the
foliage.
Going through the foliage put the
men on edge. There was something about the island that seemed off. It even put
him on edge a little bit, especially after witnessing an attack made by a pack
of feral humanoid creatures. When they came to the bottom of the hills each
pirate kept an eye out for those creatures. None of them had really been on
this island or heard anything about it. It was that island that was always
sparked a wary curiosity as well as an eerie feeling in the gut. There were no
doubts they were being watched. On this island were deer, various lizards,
snakes, spotted wildcats and plenty of bird species.
Climbing up the next hill the
landing party could see the enclave of huts. As the pirates made the trek up
the hill a war cry tore their focus away from everything else around them.
Further up the hill nine Gantronese soldiers charged down the hill. These nine
alien soldiers gave out a war cry that none of the pirates heard before in their
lives. It sounded blood thirsty, eager to die, and a little possessed. Was this
a method of last resort for the enemy? Jenere had a hint of curiosity about
this but instinctively pulled out his revolver. Those who had guns drew them, and
joined their captain. Like a firing squad the pirates gunned down the charging
Gantronese. He had them stand there for a few moments and wait for any more to
come. No more came charging out. It appeared to them the coast was clear.
With no opposition the pirates casually went up to the
enclave where the found the prisoners. Just as Jenere estimated there were fifty-six
pirates on the ground with their limbs tied up. These pirates were a mixed crew
of males and females, humans, Dwarfs, Orcs, Goblins, and Elves. From the way
things looked, the crew had more men than women. That was usually the case, but
never meant there were no female crews on the seas. Such a lifestyle wasn't
reserved for men alone.
“Call me a barnacle's and cross-eyed
eel, more pirates!” exclaimed a crew member.
“Aye Kardain, but we are privateers
now!” another crew member said as though he was telling Kardain to shut up.
“Oh, for the love of tits, loot and
the seas untie us already!” one of the bound pirates hollered at them. Their
voice echoed across the island.
“Men untie them, oh Hithna just cut
their bonds!” Sophine barked out. She turned over to Jenere who nodded in
approval. His lover beamed at him giving him a squeeze on the arm. She joined
the twenty-five privateers in cutting the binds off the prisoners.
It only took a few minutes to cut
these pirates free of their bonds. All of them stood up one at a time. Each one
of them began rubbing and ringing their limbs to get the blood flowing back
into those parts of them body. Most of them gave their thanks while the rest of
them grumbled or just glared at some of their own crew members. Fifty-six freed
pirates stood glaring at one another appearing furious over something. Each one
looked like they were about to fight and tear each other apart. Jenere caught
their attention firing a single shot in the air.
“Afternoon, and greetings ladies,
gents, fellow pirates I am Captain Jenere Omavern of the Abomination. My ship
and another captained by privateer captain Zana Caniir are near the shore.”
Jenere said introducing himself to these pirates. The atmosphere grew calm and
silent for a few moments. At first, he thought no one would speak.
“Captain Omavern we were once part
of a crew of five hundred seventy pirates who harassed the Gantronese for
years.” one of the freed crew members replied as they stood up. This pirate had
a goblin appearance with beige skin, round body of five feet, and strong limbs.
He wore brown overalls, thick gray shirt with sleeves rolled up, beanie on his
head, but nothing on his large feet.
“What is your name, rank, and your
fellow crew member's issue or trouble with one another?” Jenere asked the
goblin who seemed to speak for the rest of his crew. He glanced at the
expressions of several crew whom eyed a few others with distrust, anger, and
suspicions.
“Quarter Master, former Boatswain,
and carpenter Brucs Copperbomb, a crew member of the late Admiral Nole
Kadwell's fleet, and deceased Captain Philipus of the Corsair's Hammer. We lost
our fleet, Captains, and the Admiral along with Kadwell's mistresses.”
Quartermaster Brucs said rubbing the back of his head when he go to the end of
his answer.
“What happened?” Sophine asked the
Goblin pirate.
“As I said we harassed the
Gantronese until recently. Near the coasts of Ruhonthra our fleet of five ships
engaged the Gantronese under the contract of a wealthy merchant's guild whom
did trade in Cydnam, and Kilscar Orvain. Our mission was to clear a path for
merchant ships to travel. For months we cleared routes to Kilscar and Cydnam.
With help from smugglers, Eothan privateers, and other small factions we were
able to slip through the enemy lines unnoticed. Over time the routes home grew
dangerous when both Nazdar and Gantronese began to realize our operations. A
month ago, we discovered a route through the platform seas. Then we began to
meet Lesdonian, Damisian, and Nevradit airships who helped us. However, those
added more dangers since the empires patrolled the seas, and some air zones.
Inside the platform seas our convoy was attacked by two pirate factions whom
usually attacked Gantronese ships. We managed to escape except the Admiral,
mistresses, Captains and other ships were destroyed or captured. As for us and
our captain the Gantronese torpedoed our ship flightless, boarded her, half the
crew were killed, and sold into slavery, our captain was drowned with the
ship.” the large Goblin explained as though he was leaving parts of the story
out.
“That still doesn't explain why your
crew members are angry with each other.” Jenere pointed out.
“Some of us surrendered sooner due
to pirate hunters, others wanted revenge for the Admiral's fate, the rest had
grudges to begin with.” Brucs replied and looked at the crew who still glared
at one another.
“Follow us to the shore, we will
separate you from killing each other.” Jenere said turning around to lead his
crew back to the beach. Twenty-six of his crew escorted fifty-six pirates to
the beach. Along the way some started arguing and throwing punches forced them
to intervene every few dozen feet.
On the beach they found Captain Caniir with
her toes in the sand and twenty of her own crew members at her side. Her
attention went from his handy work to him, his crew then straight to the larger
group of pirates behind him. Zana held a puzzled expression on her face. The
female Captain put her hands on her hips.
“Captain Omavern I had no idea you
can conjure more men out of islands. Do you conjure them out of your own ass?”
Can said joking with the Captain. An uproar of laughter emerged from half the
pirates. The other half did not know what was going or were too disgruntled
about their own problems.
“I have a knack to bring more people
to an event.” He said trying to sound charming about it.
“If you don't mind Captain Omavern
we need to split up our group according to those who will not kill each other.”
Brucs muttered in Jenere's ear.
“Sir we need to hurry this up before
more of those feral creatures come after us.” Brucs begged Jenere in a low
voice.
“We will leave when you are ready to
set sail. Sort them out in groups then we will see who is going where.” Jenere
said to the Goblin allowing him to speak with his fellow crew members. He
returned his attention to Captain Caniir who had her gaze fixed upon him alone.
Her face asked the question who were these men behind him?
“Those are the last remnants of the
Admiral Nole Kadwell's crew. They are briefly led by Quartermaster Brucs Copper
bomb. He is uh, splitting up the crew according to who can tolerate who in a
group.” Jenere said with his own crew behind him.
Zana pursed her own lips, her eyes
moved back and forth as she nodded taking this in her head. Her face contorted
in that pondering look that had some ideas. She looked over her own shoulder to
spy on her own men and a few Vestrisian ships that arrived. The female captain
turned back to Captain Omavern.
“The Vestrisian Admiral wants a word
with you and me. I forget his name, but you can ask him when you meet him.”
Zana said about to leave him alone with his men and the freed crew of pirates.
“Wait, what is the loot you promised
to share Captain?” Jenere asked catching Zana's attention. She turned around with
a bit more interest in the subject.
“Aboard those Gantronese vessels we
found ammunition, weapons such as rifles, machine guns, assault rifles, various
melee weapons, gold vases with strange depictions, alien gold, money, and
plenty of trinkets.” Zana explained to Jenere who found the later loot
mentioned more intriguing than what he would usually find on Gantronese bodies.
“Shall we divide the loot once the
Admiral is done speaking with us?” Jenere proposed to Zana who nodded in
agreement. She left the new fellow privateers with their rescued pirate
friends.
He stood on the sand with his crew
and rescued pirates watching Zana rejoin the rest of her crew. Jenere felt like
a lost fish trapped in a fish tank made from clear glass. Everywhere he would
go as a fish would in his head, he would run into one side or the other. Having
to deal with a crew of pirates who wanted to destroy each other and officers
commanding him pecked at his head. He hoped the remnants would settle their
differences soon and either join his crew, Zana's crew, ask to be dropped off
at the nearest booming port, or simply restart the crew on a new ship. That way
they or the issue are out of his hair. A small but strong hand rested on his
shoulder. He turned to see his swordsman-officer and lover at his side.
“Brucs has just divided his fellow
crew mates up. Twenty of them want to join our crew, ten of them want to go
home, five of them wish to join Zana's crew, and the rest of them want to begin
their own crews.” She said as the other pirates surrounded them while the rest
passed them to join Zana's crew and to leave this island.
“Take our men back to the ship along
with our new crew members. Leave five men with me, and one boat. I will have a
talk with our new Captain friend, and the Vestrisians.” He ordered the
swordsman-officer.
“Aye, aye Captain!” She responded to
his orders. “Come along buccaneers, and walking urchins back to the ship!
Vehans, Otz, Red, Borhill, Magen you lot stay with the Captain.”
Sophine led the forty pirates down
to the boats leaving five of the crew with him. He spotted Captain Zana Caniir
on the beach with eight of her own men. Twelve of her own had already started
motoring back to her own vessel. Both his Abomination, and Zana's Ego of Queens
had some company. Several vestrisian frigates and destroyers maneuvered around
the pirates. They split their fleet up to surrounding them and the Gantronese
vessels. From one of the destroyers two boats heading straight for the beach.
Jenere took his five crewmen over to where Zana stood and waited for the
Vestrisians to come up to the beach.
“How long have you been a privateer
Zana?” Jenere asked the fellow privateer Captain.
“Ten months I have been a privateer
for these Vestrisians. I care little for their politics and those of their
enemies. They pay well enough and so do others willing to hire a pirate and not
those smugglers. Allowing us to loot helps a lot with keeping the men inspired,
morale high, and motivated to do this gig.” Zana said crossing her arms. Her
gaze rested on the Vestrisians coming up to the beach.
“After eighty years of piracy did
you ever get tired of it?” she asked as the ocean breeze blew all around them.
“I took time off, escaped the
authorities, hid from them, and found other things before returning back every
few years.” He replied to the Captain.
“And your reputation was not at
stake?” she asked with a hint of confusion and surprise.
“Just with the authorities who would
send pirate hunters after us.” Jenere said recalling those years. During the
first years of piracy he saw a great deal of the world while escaping from one
authority to another. Such ventures provided a vast amount of thrill in running
or sailing from the law. He felt Zana nudge him at attention.
Four Vestrisian Naval Officers approached
them accompanied by ten armed sailors and marines. Every one of them were clean
shaven save for two of the higher-ranking officers. These naval officers wore
the blue gray uniforms with the shirts that only had three buttons at the top,
no collars, a certain number of stripes on the sleeves, and the unique caps.
All the sailors wore the standard issue without the ascots, and the marines
donned a unique jumpsuit for sailing. Their helmets had a unique shape that was
standard for the Vestrisian military.
“Captain Caniir are those Gantronese
ships claimed by you men yet?” the Admiral commanded her as he stopped a few
feet from them.
“All my crew have claimed is the
cargo, and killed any Gantronese on board. Every non-Gantronese are in the brig
of the Ego Admiral sir.” Caniir answered, taking her hat off in respect to the
high command.
“Captain Caniir you are under dire-”
a Captain tried to speak, but was cut off. He looked too young, too young to be
an officer.
“Not now Captain Borgeen! Your noble
status may have given you a rank and ship, but no authority over privateers!”
The Admiral barked at the young Captain.
A sverxing noble is in the position
of captain? Jenere thought to himself, there was nothing more teeth grinding
than a noble being given the rank of captain. Just the idea of handing someone
the rank gave him a head ache that is unless they trained for it or received promotions.
They had either zero experience commanding men, or were too blind and stubborn.
“Hello Captain Caniir, and you must
be the famous Captain Jenere Omavern. The ambassador said you were reliable,
yet you have been given a patrolling job. Not really the best job for the likes
of you. Due to your expertise, skills, and experience and seamanship you
Captain Omavern deserve a suitable mission. Last week we lost contact with a
band of pirates, renegades, and gunslingers plus a few bandits whom we conscripted
off the streets. We need you two to find their ship and track down the crew in
the Unknown Lands. They should be near a civilized city called Kilscar Orvain.
It is not close to our own lines in that dark part of the world.” The Admiral
informed the Pirate Captains.
“Forgive me Admiral, but I don't
know your name.” Jenere pointed out to the Admiral.
“Admiral Winorsenn of the Willing
Fleet. There are seven ships under my command. Captain Omavern my rank is to be
respected is that understood?” Admiral said sternly with a sincere expression
over his face.
“Yes, sir Admiral, my ship is at
your command.” Jenere said almost saluting and bowing.
“Then get to it after today just not
after three days have passed.” Admiral Winorsenn warned him.