Twokinds ARCHIVE Forums

Josef looked out the shattered windows of the bridge to the emerging land mass up ahead. A million thoughts raced through his mind, 'What if it's just the Keidran west coast? Or just a small island? What if they kill us, thinking we are Keidran?' It made no difference at this point, as they were almost running out of stuff to burn at this point.

Though maybe it would have been better, the funnels were in lousy shape from the storm the week before, and one was pouring smoke onto the deck. Whatever it was they were burning, it smelt horrible. The whole ship in general was in bad shape, most of the windows on the super-structure were shot out, blown out, or broken from would be escapees. The rooms were blood stained, and food was running low.

"James," he said looking towards his 'first mate', "you think this will really work? When we get there do you think that the humans there will be able to help us?"

"They've been there over one hundred years. If they haven't developed an army at this point, then they probably failed and were just killed off by the weather," James was quite a bit older than Josef, and was also very wise. This is probably why high command of the underground forces sent him along.

"Hmmm..." Josef toyed with the idea of there being a massive force just waiting to head out and wipe he Keidran from the face of the planet. The sun was starting to set, and the water and sky were reflecting the orange rays. The ship may have, but it had been dyed black from the heavy smoke and fires. The take over had not been that easy. He went over to the PA system and called for the lights to be turned on, and radio communications be opened.

"Capitan, vessels approaching off the port bow," James pointed out the two lights sparkling in the distance.

"O.. okay, James, man the light beacon, and start flashing messages in morse code, I'll be sending out communications to them over the radio.

------------

Meanwhile, on board the Cruiser Porsha, the captain watched the disfigured Queen of the Sea limping towards land. The Porsha and Godspeed had been sent out to investigate a strange radar contact off the coast.

Up to this point, they had believed it was Keidran explorers. However, at the sight of morse code reading "Attention...stop...this is a human ship...stop...commandeered from Keidran...stop...do not attack...stop...send help." Now the occasion buzz of the radio suggested that the mystery vessel was trying to make contact. The crew was excited, realizing what will happen if the commanders of that ship are indeed human. It will finally be time to get back the land that is rightfully theirs from those blasted Keidran.

Devin leaned on the wall of the bridge watching as different people did their tasks and occasionaly talked. There was no real reason for him being on the ship. In fact, he had no real intentions of helping the humans or the keidrans. Rather, he wanted to help himself. The sound of talking averted his attention to Josef and James who were nearby. Devin began to walk over to them when a man came out in front of him. They walked into each other making the man drop his things and scramble to pick them up.

"Hey, watch where you're going," He said frowning at Devin.
"Where is this ship headed for?" Devin asked.
"What, you dont know? How can you not know? What are you stupid?"
"I was just asking what is the ships destination."
"You seriously dont know? Why would you get on a ship without knowing where it was going?"

Devin sighed, why were people always like this? You dont need a reason to get on a train or a ship, just a destination. And even if that thing didnt get you where you wanted to go, you would just find another way of transportation. This time though things were too personal to discuss with a simpleton.

"I have my reasons. Just tell me where we're going."
"Hmph, why would I waste time on someone who is too stupid to realize I'm busy?"

For a moment Devin looked as if he was going to just walk away. But without another word he took out his scythe from underneath his cloak and sliced a deep gash into the mans arm. As he fretted over the wound Devin placed his scythe back into his cloak.

"Because the next time you call me stupid, your head will be separated from your body."

Razer would be walking out on deck looking around. 'Why do i have to help this ship out anyway?' he thought "Oh yeah im getting paid thats why.' Razer then looked forward to see a figure faceing another figure that looks like it's freaking out about it's arm.

"Must be a fight." he said not careing that much then looked over the ocean."Lets hope no one dies on this ship by their own crew mates, that would be actually kind of funny."
Razer would then quietly laugh to himself then continued to walk, getting closer to the figures to see that a man has cut that other man in the arm pretty deep.
"That looks like it hurt like crap." said Razer to himself very quietly hopeing that none of the men heard him
He would then quickly walk on forward hopeing he's not gona be next to get cut.

'Keep walking they don't care that your there' Razer thought nervously to himself. when he got clear of the scean he let out a sigh of relife and leand agenst the railing of the boat and looked down at the water."Well lets hope the rest of the trip wont kill you rather then the crew." he said still stareing at the water.

Devin turned to see Razer staring at him and began to walk over. He only hoped this person was not stupid enough to deny him and knew where they were going. Of course it would be hard to find one person on the boat who could supply him with both things. He decided not to ask and looked at his wrist. The veins were neither red or blue, but an odd color of black. For a moment he sighed as if he had just recieved word that he had a terrible sickness and was going to die. Again he looked over at Razer and decided to ask anyways.

"Excuse me, but do you have any idea as to where this ship is headed? Some people on this ship are too stern to give me a good answer," he nodded towards the man who was wrapping up his gash in a bandage.

Razer would then turn his head twords Devin. "I don't know my self, I'm onlyhere to help make sure the ship dosnt sink. They never did tell me where this thing was going. Why dont you try asking the captin." Razer would then point over the the end of the ship. "He is usely over there." he said to Devin.

"Hey, pass the hammer will ya?" called Turon. Wiping grease off her cheek, she grabbed the offered tool and began beating on the bulkhead with it. Sitting back on her feet she glanced around the engin and spat at it. Since the storm, there had been a widening crack near one of the fireboxes. Since no one else seemd to know what to do, Turon had volunteered to try and seal it before a Keidran warship spotted the plume venting from the damaged stacks.

"Allright, sea dogs! Looks like we finally caught up to the warship!" Vohe "Ironfist" said, lowering his spyglass to reduce the good-sized ship to a rather small black dot on the ocean.

"Right! Those blasted Keidran are about to get the greetin' of a lifetime." He laughed, hopping up onto the helm of his ship and grinning. His crew was in high spirits, fortune was on the way... nothing could be better than a few keidran necks being sliced. Icing on the cake.

It really sucked to lose a bet. Especially when that bet involved rum, and rum drinking. Jack stood at the side of the ship, a little deeper into poverty and emptying his stomach, the alcohol and seasickness combining to make him feel like hell on earth. He finished a minute later, and returned to his job, making sure that the ropes all around the ship were secured- if anything slipped or broke, it was his neck on the line- and let out a sigh of relief. Everything seemed to be in good shape, nothing to do. Just to make sure, he began to gently test the ropes. As he was doing so, he heard Vohe's call. He stopped, and ran to the deck, further awaiting orders.

Nice... Time to refill my wallet.[/list]

Vohe thought a moment on how to approach this. Using the cannons could sink the remainder of the vessel, and he didn't think anyone was even alive on such a junkheap.

"Let's pull in closer and board her!" He grinned.

"Yes sir!"
Jack prepared to board the enemy ship. drawing his weapons and waiting with a few other members of the crew who weren't assigned to prepare the ship for boarding... As he watched the ship grow closer, he felt a rush of adrenaline, readying his mind and body for the thrill of battle, readying him to kill and steal.

Razer looks from the oppisite of the ship to see another one pulling in close. Relizieing that it wasnt friendly by seeing the mob of men with weapons drawn and roaring for battle."Enemy ship to the left, prep the cannons for close shooting and ready your selves for close combat battle." Razer yelled as loud as he could to make sure that everyone from the ship can hear him. He then pull his Lee-Enfield from under his coat , loaded it, and cliped a shot into the head of one of the enemies boarding crew. He then hoped that he gave a warning to them to back away but it didn't work for they are still drawing in closer. He had to protect this ship for it was his duty for takeing the job and he will defend it proudly.

"Wow. Someone's a good shot. Pity. Be sure to kill all keidran on board for that! Remember, our goal is to liberate any slaves they may have, for either ransom or goodwill. Not to mention treasure." He said to his crew, who were still fanatical despite the recent death of their comrade.


"Something doesn't feel right...." He mumbled to himself, taking up a thoughtful position.


Those on the queen would see the flag of "Ironfist" on top of the frigate.

Jack almost flipped out as the man next to him was slain, and he gawked at the man's body. He slunk down, making himself look as small and weak as possible, nonthreatening. And then he'd kill the next Keidran he saw. As he did, a thought occured to him.

"Captain, what if we see a girl or child, a stowaway perhaps? What do we do then, sir?"

"Oh crap," cursed Josef seeing the pirate ship coming straight for them, "Stupid pirates, it's always shoot first ask questions later. RAISE THE COLORS!" he called over the PA system.

He was referring to the Sterling Banner and the Blue Star, the first the color of the former DRS, the last the symbol of his tribe of free humans, "All men prepare for battle of they continue the advance. And make sure that the keidran are locked up as tight as they can be! I don't want a revolt." The evening watch was already clipping in the grommets of the Sterling Banner, and the Blue Star was on it's way to the aft mast. 'Please, make it in time' he thought to himself.

Ah, a good question.


"They aren't our enemies, so we'll give them room aboard our ship. Under guard, of course, to prevent any sneak attacks." He answered.


Who was that sailor's name? Jack, Vohe remembered. A good man. Had his head about him. Might betray him someday though. He hoped that wouldn't happen, he wouldn't like to have to kill such a fine sailor.