т α ι v α s : O P E N ( still accepting a few spots)

[Shiningdragon21]

The difference between the good guys and the bad guys

Having rested himself behind the wheel Joesph gave little reaction to the chaos that was happening around him. Between the storm raging on, the military vessels rushing towards them, and the captain flying about the ship. It was a wonder at times how he was able to keep himself composed. His eyepatch again returned to it's place and the last few scraps of a wet and broken cigarette hanging from his mouth as he gave a small nod to the captain as she got to the wheel.

The sound of the ship creaking and the feeling of the ship swaying was enough to turn any one not adept to the sky's stomach. "Such a fine mess you made of a plan well laid out Eureka" Joesph muttered pulling the remnants of his smoke from his mouth and tossing it to the ground, no point chewing on a soaked filter. "Who would have thought that Tondra would have shown up and taken half of the loot in so little time" Joesph commented. Having arrived he had already been put up to date on the happenings of the raid. He had seen a glimpse of the Erebus as he had been doing his part of the mission from a distance.

Currently it didn't matter though as the main concern was with removing themselves from the area before the military could capture them. "Well then I suppose..." Joesph started as he walked slowly past Eureka so he could get a look at several of the ships behind them. "That me coming earlier in the week ahead of you will have given us a slight edge atleast from the riff raff." Looking down to his watch the seconds ticked away as he seemed to be waiting for something. A plan he had put together as a just in case back up had the initial plan fell through as it was currently.

At that moment on many of the military vessels who were moving quickly thru the storm after the Galatea a rumble could be felt thru the ships. Many of them who's guages had been reading wrong or seeming slightly elevated due to the storm suddenly flat lined as systems began quickly shutting down one by one. Each had been carefully sabotaged in a way that only a good mechanic who did not lax upon his job would catch. A sabotage that had been carried out by Joesph dressed in his military attire earlier that week. Lax security and lax soldiers making for very little difficulty in moving in and out of the bays that housed many of the air ships.

"This is all the space I can provide currently" Joesph said watching the ships falling from the sky. Not nearly as many as he had hoped it to be but a handful none the less was able to make a dent in the perusing forces. "The reigns are upon you now." Beckoning towards the ships wheel the first mate moved slowly the side of Eureka. Taking his normal place at her right as he started to yell orders to the men to get them more organized and to start helping to eliminate the turmoil that had become the ship.

Is whether they use a human shield or make themselves one.

 

[Eternal_PrinceOfFire]

Victor said nothing as he looked at the sleeping Lina. He then removed the white glove off of one of his hands and squatted down next to the sleeping girl. He placed a finger on her forehead and began projecting scary images into her mind, trying to force her to wake up.  

[lil_lollypop1]

"Nooo!! I am the great Faust and-!!" She yelled as she bolted awake as her head hit Victor's knee. "Ouch! Uh..." She muttered, rubbing her head as she saw Victor. 'Oh crap...' She thought.

"Great Faust, we need you to fix the gauges."

"Right away!" She smiled, quickly using the excuse to get away from Victor as she slipped on the water she dragged in and landed on her face. She swore as she scrambled back up and made her way over to the navigators. "hmm... odd... the storm shouldn't cause an issue, and the Great Faust would never make such a mistake. Were we sabotaged?" She asked.

"Umm... not the time!" The navigator snapped.

"Fine fine." She replied, taking off one of her boots and sock before slamming her foot on the ground. She slowly closed her eyes, feeling everything. "Up! There it is! What a meanie!" She smiled, hopping on her bare foot before slamming the other foot with the boot onto the ground as she maneuvered her hands in thin air as if touching something. Suddenly, the screws began to go back into place and the mechanism began to come back together. "Carefully... carefully... Fixed!" She smiled as the gauges began to work again. She then began to rub her face on the floor. "Oh, my poor baby ship! I can't believe anyone would hurt you so! That was so cruel!" She stated before hopping back on her two feet and grabbing her boot and sock. "Well, back to sleep for me!"  

[Greedy Fat Cat]

█ Renard trotted out onto the deck, lowering his head slightly due to the rain. "Captain!" He beckoned, glancing down to their lethargic mechanic. Renard bit his thumb, his eyes lingering on the glittering pirate ship they were chasing before looking back to Victor who knelt besides Lina. He didn't like the idea of messing around with someone's head. Renard looked away until Lina flew up and ran away.

His bicolored eyes looked back up at his superior officer. "Four flagships have went down. Those pirates had gotten to our engines. The other three flagships are still flying, including ours. I guess our mechanic here is not so useless after all, to have picked up the bug," he reported. The Galatea was a fleeting ship, one that had escaped Adallan forces grasps many a time. But something such as an engine malfunction would not falter the Goliath so easily.

"Should we continue to pursue them, captain?" He asked. █

 

[lil_lollypop1]

((Isn't the valkyrie Hector's ship? Also, sorry about my post with Hector. I edited it. ))  

[Eternal_PrinceOfFire]

Victor rubbed his knee a couple times after Lina hit her head on it, but his scowl at her never altered. Victor was putting his glove back on when Renard came out. "Well, that's unfortunate that our comrades seem to have been taken down so easily, but we will press on. We will continue to pursue that ship and rescue those whom we have been ordered" Victor declared. He wasn't backing down from this fight. He planned on seeing this to the end. The kidnapping had only intensified his hatred for pirates and wasn't about to let this slip out of his grasp.

"Oh, and go make sure our mechanic has not gone back to bed. She will not be permitted to sleep on the job, especially in times like this!" Victor ordered.  

[lil_lollypop1]

Lina frowned as she was dragged back to the room where Victor was, her boot and sock still in hand. She didn't move and simply frowned at Victor as she sat on the ground, still wet. "Can I at least get a towel?" She asked, looking at Victor as if she were completely miserable. Still, she mentally prepared herself for the 'punishments' that he might inflict on her.

~~~~~~

Hector closed her eyes when suddenly a messenger scroll appeared. She raised a brow as she opened up the scroll. "It seems there has been a change in plans. a group or pirates kidnapped the twins of the royal house of Adalla. We have been ordered by the emperor to intervene and take them first." Hector announced. "They're headed for the border near AA2457 to make their getaway according to the latest information. Full speed ahead." She announced.  

[Greedy Fat Cat]

◌ With a yawn, Veasna awoke. Where was he again? More specifically, which ship was he on? Right, the Erebus. He had already been on this ship once. He had recently boarded this ship again a week and a half ago, having been picked up by Tondra. She was a decent woman, as long as one didn't get on her bad side. After all, she allowed him to board the ship a second time, even though he knew the only reason she decided that was because Veasna was seemingly harmless. He was working as a crew member for the time being. As to why he was napping instead of working, well, the others thought he wouldn't cause as much trouble if he were down in the lower part of the ship. Especially because Veasna was known to be unlucky and clumsy, he tended to avoid important operations. Small jobs did him just fine.

Esther peeked her head out from his pocket, making a small squeaking noise as she did. The little squirrel liked his pockets. He rubbed its head with one finger, looking around before standing. It seemed a little loud outside, but he assumed that the mission was over. Veasna whistled a tune, before sighing. "Looks like we'll see what's up," he murmured to his little squirrel before going through the ship.

Pretty soon he found the Tondra and her small crew, along with a bag on the floor. It was pretty large and looked like there was a body in it. He didn't really understand what the others were saying, only that this bag had a person in it. He wondered if it was dead and knelt near it. He then poked it out of curiosity, to see if the body moved. He had seen dead bodies before, but Veasna was confused as to why Tondra would ever want a dead body. ◌

[ whoops, I'll edit that. I'm just multitasking right now, so I may mess up a lil' ]

 

[lil_lollypop1]

((It's all cool. Just double checking Fatcat))  

[Eternal_PrinceOfFire]

Victor glanced at Lina for a brief second. "You'll dry" he said, unsympathetically as he turned his gaze back to the pirate ship they were pursuing. "I expect you to keep a close eye on the ship's mechanics while we are on this mission. We will no doubt be putting in all the effort we can and I expect you to make sure it doesn't take a toll on this vessel. Just because you have connections with the royal family doesn't change the fact that you are still under my orders," Victor stated. "Oh, and I will be speaking with you about your improper behaviour and deciding how to remedy it."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Erik began going around giving everyone their orders to take off. He then went to join the captain.  

[Okami Ameras]

It wasn't long, as I listened to the chatter of the pirates, that I felt someone come up close to me. Rather, heard. I was straining my hearing. They were getting closer...

I felt something poke me.

Quick as a flash I rolled onto my back, my legs coiling as I pushed my knees to my chest. With a single coiled movement I kicked out with both feet at whoever was prodding me.

My knife in hand I rolled away as sliced my way free of the bag and my bindings, not bothering to take off the blindfold. I had trained for years in the practice of many different types of combat, including the arts of fighting blind. The blindfold didn't matter to me.

Subdue her! I heard the woman's voice shout, and I heard steps and the whistle of steel through the air.

I ducked, wove, danced and spun. I flipped my dagger and with a wet stlick my blade found blood. There was a cry, sounded male, and a loud thump as someone fell.

I dunno how many I was fighting, simply letting my acute hearing and my sheer instinct guide me as I fought. Finally, I heard the woman's voice shout.

ENOUGH!

I was suddenly hit by a jolt what felt like electricity. I stood, frozen where I was as complete sheer pain coursed through my body. A moment later it ended, and I collapsed where I stood.

Someone finally removed the blindfold. I was squinting up looking at a wet blond woman with baby blue eyes. She was kneeling next to me, her hand on her hip.

I must say... I wasn't expecting you to be such a fighter Miss... Ameras. I am quite impressed. You took out three of my best fighters blindfolded and with just a knife.

I exhaled a gasp of what must be soot filled air.

What... do... you... want? I managed through grit teeth.

Well, she said. I want you to calm down at least. If I was going to hurt you, I would have done it already, more then just a harmless but painful shock. After all... you could be on Eurka's ship right now. I am Tondra... Tondra Maeve Vyne.

I stared at her hard.

Tondra looked up and with a flick of her hair looked to a crew memeber.. He had short brown hair.

Lucky, get over here and get to work. Now everyone is too banged up for my taste.  

[lil_lollypop1]

Lina frowned before turning her back to Victor and curling into a ball on the floor. She began to rub her finger in circles against the floor with a pouting face. She then let out a sigh as she tried to fall asleep on the hard floor.  

[Okami Ameras]

After a few moments, I found I could sit up without being in agony.

I eyed Tondra, she just gave me a pretty, charming smile.

What do you want? What was your reason for coming after me? I asked, in a calmer tone this time.

Well, I was hired by the Ancestor worshipers... you know, those who believe that old droll about us coming from another world and never having abilities in the first place-- to come and steal you away... in an albeit far more subtle manner. By the time I got here, Eureka had just broken into the palace as was making off with you two.

Ancestor worshipers? Oh god. Not MORE people falling over themselves to bow to me. It's bad enough at the palace.

Tondra shook her head with a sigh. I'm going to have to continue to pursue Eureka. I won't get paid without your sister. They hired me to get both of you.

I eyed her, as a thought crossed my mind and a smile formed on my face.

Actually... perhaps I could give you a far more... lucrative offer.

She paused and blinked at me.

I smiled.

I heard about the fiasco with your family's shipping business. The only magically assisted shipping empire in the world, and you were making quite the monopoly. It seemed kind of odd... that you, who worked so hard all that time, would suddenly do something that would ruin it all. I didn't believe the story.

She stared at me, shock on her pretty face.

So, here's the deal. Make me part of your crew. Take me all over; Marus, Adalla, the unexplored lands. I want to see EVERYTHING. Everything I couldn't see before because I was cooped up in the palace. And don't make me some lowly bilge rat either. I want to be your first mate. In return, at the very end, I will clear your name-- and your remaining traitorous brother will be publicly executed, for slander and fraud. Your family business will become fully supported by the Adalla Royal family-- including even Adalla royal escorts if you so choose. And you get the endless novelty of having and Adalla princess call you Captain.

She bit her lip, thinking hard on that. Finally she snapped her fingers.

I want you to prove that you're worth being my first mate. So... tell me... what is the next move I should make.

Bring me a map. I said with a smile.

It wasn't long for some of the uninjured crew members to come in with Tondra's many, many maps. She cleared the nearby table and unrolled one. The map shimmered to life, showing the terrain perfectly. Floating in the sky over Adralla, heading towards the Marus border, was the tiny black ship I believe we were on. Surrounding it were small black clouds, which covered the map in the area where the storm outside ranged over.

I looked at it.

We're heading North, towards Marus, yes?

Yes.

Turn the boat around and head south then.

Tondra blinked. Why?

I can make a fairly reasonable assumption that Eureka caught the attention of almost the entire Adalla royal fleet that was in port.

Indeed.

Which means, the news of our kidnapping has been spread by now. There is a good chance that the news has reached Marus. And it's also highly likely that Marus is mobilizing to intercept Eureka at the pass. She's sailing straight into a pincer maneuver. Everyone still thinks that I am on Eureka's ship-- but that won't stop them from searching every damn ship that crosses the border. And I highly doubt that Eureka is going to stop at a military ship and go "Oh, sorry, I only have one of the twins. See you later, shuga!" with a smile and a wink.

I could see the understanding light up her eyes. Oh. What about your sister?

Amoretta's a tough cookie. I have faith in her that she'll survive the situation in one piece. They're trying to get a ransom for her, so they can't harm her too badly, and if she keeps up her attitude they may end up begging the military to take her off their hands if they keep her long enough. If they do keep her... well, I hope she'll be a bit wiser from the experience. Still, I'd like to keep an eye and ear out for her. If we DO end up with a chance to pick her up...

We'll go for it. Tondra confirmed.

Good. Meanwhile, this ship, I'm hoping, looks like a regular ol' merchant ship when it's dark. Turn this boat around and head south into Adalla territory, and by the time the Military realizes that Eureka doesn't have me, we'll be long gone. She'll be too busy dodging the military ships to come after us for a while.

Tondra smiled at me, and held out a hand. I shook it heartily. She then turned to her crew.

You heard your new first mate! Turn this boat around! Were going to sunny southern Adalla!

The mostly unhurt crew scattered to turn the ship around, while the others stayed to get Lucky's healing.  

[Greedy Fat Cat]

◌ Veasna watched the girl, surprised by her sudden aggression. He bounced back as some crew members launched forward. In a minute, the commotion was over and Tondra stood there. She looked gallant, despite being drenched. He watched, a little wide eyed as the young girl proposed a proposition. An interesting one at that; she was surely much smarter than Veasna was. Just how old was this girl?

And by the looks of it, she was an Adallan princess! Veasna didn't even hear Tondra's order. Esther crawled up to his shoulder and nibbled on his ear to snap him out of it. He cupped his hand over her, scooping her up to put back in his shirt pocket before he moved forward. He followed her order automatically, not wanting to question Tondra's command. He knelt next to one of the men, who had a simple mark on his forearm. He glanced to the princess, almost in awe. How'd she convince the captain of becoming a part of the crew so easily? Well, he guessed he and her were one of the same, since Veasna became part of her crew just as easily. In the back of his head, he thought about Eureka's predicament. She was barely running the military by this time with this princess's sister onboard. He wondered if she could escape; Veasna, after all, had been on the Galatea three times before he had been on the Erebus.
He looked back down at the bleeding gash and gave a grin to the man, one of care, before putting his hand tight over the wound. He squeezed his arm, to which the man made a small, pained noise. Veasna's brows furrowed slightly, before he wiped the length of the wound with his hand. The wound had all but disappeared, not even a trace of a scar left. Only the remaining blood. Veasna wiped his hand before moving to the next guy; these wounds were all due to that sheltered princess. He sighed, while Esther the squirrel curled up in his pocket. ◌

 

[Greedy Fat Cat]

█ With a nod, Renard left to fetch for Lina, having to drag her back to Victor. Renard did not fear Victor, no. But the fact that Victor could remain so calm, especially after chasing The Fire Woman's ship, was something that Renard was wary about. The rain had subsided, and the storm was looking up. Renard shook out his hair before clearing his throat.
"Ugh, Captain. I believe that was the pirate ship, the Erebus earlier that had created this storm," he mentioned. It was no doubt about it; the Erebus was the famed dark shadow ship of the pirate realm. That captain was probably just as infamous as Eureka. "Ah," Renard thought. Having grown up in the same village as her, Renard had long thought of what she had looked like now. That woman had runaway one year without telling anyone. And while everyone had expected it, Renard had fleet a little betrayed by her leave. He hadn't seen her since. Her younger sister had left to go after her, from what Renard could remember. And Renard left the same year to return to Adalla and attend military school. That was years ago, when they were all so young. Renard felt nothing for that pirate woman, only a sort of hate for her.

"What do you suppose the Erebus was here for?" He asked, though he already knew the answer to that. The question is, if the Erebus was successful or not. If they were, well, that just meant all the more work for the Goliath. █