Month: June 2020

The Endeavor made its way to Crelima City, a Naga dwelling like the Regatim Oasis, only much larger. Topping off supplies was going to take some time. Endea drummed her fingers at her new workstation in Main Engineering. Her assignment was to monitor the progress of the spare mana tanks as they filled. It was a long, tedious assignment, one where people nearly fell asleep at their station. Endea’s eyelids drooped a few times before she started slapping herself in the face. When she finished, she stared at her screens harder with eyes more widely open. A futile effort as her eyelids were drooping again. “Dull assignment?” asked a voice.

“You have no…” Endea’s sleepiness vanished as she trailed off. The voice didn’t belong to any member of the crew. She turned her chair to see a genie that seemed to have an affinity for purple, right up to the bow in her hair. “How did you get in here?!” demanded Endea.

“I’m Maska Launidar,” replied the genie.

“That doesn’t answer my question!” barked Endea.

“Sure, it does,” giggled Maska.

“No, it really…why am I still talking to you?” Endea grabbed her communicator and made a call. “Security, report to Main Engineering! We have an intruder!” Dalengor and her security team wasted no time in getting to Main Engineering. The team leveled their wands at Maska.

“Surrender your vessel, Genie!” snarled Dalengor.

“I’m unbound,” replied Maska. “Besides, I need to speak with Arsha at once!”

“You can do so in your brig cell!” growled Dalengor.

“Peace, Lieutenant Commander Mardem,” called another voice. A portal had opened and allowed Rellmeer and Rokalla to step into Main Engineering. “Ms. Launidar is here at our behest,” continued Rellmeer. “What she discovered is grave indeed.”

---

Arsha drummed her fingers on the conference room’s table. Her hairpiece was removed and just sitting on the table. “My guest has a quest to complete,” she grumbled. “I would have preferred that I suffered no interruptions.”

“I’m afraid your quest for the Scale Sword must be completed with all haste,” urged Rellmeer.

“Why?” asked Arsha. “Haste will only bring us into the path of Reb and her ilk and I’m still not over the Galthar incident.”

“I don’t think you need to worry about her intercepting you,” replied Rokalla. “What Dr. Borg is doing to her is far more horrible.”

“…Is Reb being held hostage by her?” quizzed Arsha.

“Dr. Borg is currently holding her for ransom,” explained Maska. “She demands the burial torpedoes you launched after your first encounter with Reb.”

“What kind of ghoulish experiments would she want with them?!” gulped Arsha.

“Revenant creation,” replied Rellmeer.

“But…but that research was destroyed long ago!” argued Arsha.

“From what I overheard, when Reb and Melgem encountered Dr. Borg and her new Revenant,” continued Maska, “one you and Denstra should be familiar with. Tell me, does the name ‘Yulduk’ mean anything?”

“Galthar’s former Collector!” gasped Arsha. “He’s Dr. Borg’s Revenant?!”

“And she intends to make more out of those five that died last year,” finished Rellmeer. “Maska needs a map.”

“Computer, pull up a map of the Under-realm,” Arsha commanded the computer. A map appeared on the screen and Maska got it to zoom in on an island.

“Right there,” she declared as she pointed to the island. “That’s where Dr. Borg’s base is.”

“But that’s where the Scale Sword’s supposed to be!” yelped Arsha. Just then, Penshek ran into the room.

“Captain, my spies in the Imperium have terrible news!” he called. “Dr. Borg’s beaten us to it! She’s arranged a deal with the Imperium! She’ll deliver the Sword if the Imperium joins her!”

“I’ve just heard other bad news related to that,” muttered Arsha. “All right, the long way is no longer a viable option. We need to leave NOW!” She then activated ship-wide communications. “All hands, duty uniforms on. Assume battle stations. We’re going to the Scale Sword’s resting place at once.” The alert rang through the ship as various crew members teleported themselves to their quarters and changed their outfits to their duty uniforms. When Arsha arrived at her quarters, Gorfanth and Foresna immediately started asking questions.

“Aren’t we taking the long way around?!” asked Foresna.

“What about Reb’s pirates?!” quizzed Gorfanth.

“They’ll be too busy trying to free Reb and Melgem from Dr. Borg’s clutches,” replied Arsha as she ducked behind a changing screen. As her dress was draped over the screen, she continued talking. “Dr. Borg’s taken them hostage and found the Scale Sword before we did. She’s using it as a bargaining chip to gain the Imperium’s loyalty.”

“She’s only, what, three strong?” asked Foresna.

“Four, since she’s been reported to have a Revenant,” corrected Arsha.

“…I’m sorry, a WHAT?!” yelped Foresna.

“I thought that research was destroyed!” continued Gorfanth.

“The people on that project backed up their research for someone to find,” explained Arsha as she retrieved her duty uniform from the table near the screen. “And this particular Revenant was Galthar’s collector. You know, the one that got greedy and helped, in a twisted way, bring Endea into the world.”

“Well, I don’t know about you,” muttered Foresna, “but I seem to recall that Revenant creation requires talking to Oyed the Dark Father.”

“I’m not letting his evil influence spread over the Realms!” growled Gorfanth. “”When we hit the island, I’m hitting the Revenant! I’ll dash his head against the…!”

“You two,” interrupted Arsha, “are civilians. This is a Realmfleet matter. You’re staying out of the inevitable fight.”

“With all due respect, Arsha,” argued Gorfanth, “no, we’re not.”

“Dr. Borg’s probably building an army of Revenants,” continued Foresna. “She’ll use them to attack our homes. We’re joining you in a preemptive strike against her.” Arsha finally stepped out from behind the screen in her duty uniform.

“There’s no talking you two out of this, is there?” she muttered as she set her hairpiece on the table. Gorfanth and Foresna shook their heads. Arsha sighed. “…There are civilian duty uniforms in my closet. Go put them on, then join the other civilian fighters on Deck 36 for combat preparations.” With that, she left her quarters and made her way to the bridge. “Report,” she called.

“All reserves are topped off,” reported Thangred.

“All decks are standing by,” continued Shalvey.

“Nazay,” commanded Arsha, “get us out of here, all available speed.”

“All available speed,” repeated Nazay as the Endeavor left Crelima City.

---

“Pirate fleet inbound,” Jansha reported to Dr. Borg.

“Hail them,” ordered Dr. Borg. Jansha complied and a channel opened. Rochak appeared on the screen.

“We have your burial torpedoes,” he called.

“Then Reb and Melgem shall be released into your care,” declared Dr. Borg.

“Actually, the members of this fleet have a better idea,” interjected Rochak.

“…I advise against double-crossing me,” warned Dr. Borg.

“We’re not doing anything like that,” assured Rochak. “Weltam and I would like to talk to you in person.” Dr. Borg considered her next move for a bit.

“…Meet me and Yulduk at the beach,” she finally decided.

“See you there!” promised Rochak.

---

Dr. Borg and Yulduk came out of the jungle and found Rochak and Weltam standing by 13 burial torpedoes. Only five were of Realmfleet design. “What’s all this?” asked Dr. Borg.

“We have more people for you to make Revenants out of,” purred Weltam.

“I DO need the numbers,” remarked Dr. Borg. “Few things come without a price. What do you want of me?”

“Positions in your empire, that’s what our little fleet wants,” explained Rochak.

“…Has Reb wronged you in any way?” asked Yulduk.

“Every time one of us raises an objection, she just shoots us in the head!” snapped Weltam. “This has been going down since Galthar!”

“We want our friends back and we want a new boss!” continued Rochak. “You seem to be able to provide on both counts!”

“…We DO need the soldiers now,” mused Yulduk.

“And having pirates like these on our side,” considered Dr. Borg, “WOULD give us supply routes.”

“Well?” asked Rochak.

“…You’re right,” chuckled Dr. Borg. “Your deal is sweeter than mine. Let’s talk about your positions in my empire.”

---

Reb’s arm was finally healed after chanting healing spells for over an hour. Her cell was separate from Melgem’s, just directly across from his. The stumps that were once his limbs still had their burns from Yulduk’s fire blades. The bleeding from his now empty eye-socket had stopped. Reb finally moved towards her cell door. “Melgem, sweetie?” she called across the hall.

“You never realize what a gift depth perception is until you lose it,” sighed Melgem. Reb’s heart stung. Her husband was feeling deeply sorry for himself and feeling utterly useless.

“Maybe…maybe I can get a message to Realmfleet,” suggested Reb.

“In hopes of asking someone for help?” muttered Melgem. “They won’t help pirates.” Just then, Reb’s communicator chimed. “…I thought they confiscated that,” muttered Melgem.

“Handy having a most DELIGHTFUL symbiote slime on your person,” chuckled Reb. She checked who was calling and her eyes widened in surprise. “It’s Arsha!”

“How’d she get your number?!” yelped Melgem.

“Does it matter?!” argued Reb as she accepted the call.

“Greetings, Admiral Rojam,” came Arsha’s voice.

“‘Greetings’?!” snapped Reb. “Arsha, what kind of VILE menace did you bring to the Realms?! First, you make me lose a chance to get a most HANDSOME profit on your safe return to Realmfleet! Then, you cause Mechanicas to spread everywhere, filling their heads with the most DREADFUL lie that they’re NOT servants! Now, Dr. Borg’s got my husband and I as her hostages! Who does that CLOD think she is?! She’s not acting like a member of Realmfleet if she’s making Revenants!”

“She’s not a member of Realmfleet, I promise you,” assured Arsha. “She has some sort of plan in the works that will bring down Realmfleet. I’d wager it involves talking to Oyed in some fashion.”

“She’s threatening to start the Final War,” replied Reb, “and managed to get a group of MY men to her side half an hour ago! MY OWN MEN!”

“We’re preparing an attack plan,” Arsha went on, “and will try to stymy her efforts as best we can.”

“More to the point,” interjected Reb, “can you break us out and get Melgem medevac’d so he can have his GRIEVOUSLY missing parts replaced? Dr. Borg’s prototype Revenant, Yulduk, HEINOUSLY robbed my husband of an arm, leg, and eye!”

“There’s nothing we can do about your men,” replied Arsha, “but we can certainly get Melgem the necessary prosthetics so he can help you deal with them while we deal with Dr. Borg and her compatriots.”

“Then we have an accord,” declared Reb. “I’ll deal with my men; you deal with that LUNATIC cyborg sprite!”

“We’re 10 minutes out,” finished Arsha. “Try and hold out for that long.” The call ended.

“Well, it looks like I was proven wrong,” chuckled Melgem. “Realmfleet IS helping us, after a fashion.”

“Now, you and I, my GORGEOUS hubby,” purred Reb, “need to plan how we’ll hold out for about 10 minutes.”

“I’d argue the ‘gorgeous’ claim, given my current appearance,” mused Melgem, “but we’ll debate that AFTER we get out of this.”

The day of the Quest’s start had finally arrived. Penshek was in the Conference Room with the Senior Staff, the Barmeks, and Endea. “What’s the deal behind this sword?” asked Marshii.

“Only that it was the first weapon a Goblin used!” replied Bashoon. Marshii then arched an eyebrow at her. “…Ma’am,” gulped Bashoon as she sensed the impropriety of her outburst.

“When the Under-realm was more savage,” explained Penshek, “Goblins were less brave. We were cowardly when we sought gold and we had amassed quite a pile for ourselves. That only encouraged bandits to take our gains. Over time, a Goblin named Yunshul declared that he had enough, so he forged the Scale Sword and used it in preemptive strikes against bandit colonies. This led to war and Yunshul led the Goblins to a victory so grand, his golden bust was the first on the Wall of Heroes. That was around the time we became more bolder and observed how markets worked. He was the very Goblin that became the first Chancellor of the Imperium. Unfortunately, when he died, his sword was stolen and the Imperium has been looking for it ever since. Our ancestors sent out searches across the Under-realm to find it, but we were interrupted in our search by the Great Realm War. We were once convinced that Other-realmers had stolen it, so we joined the Under-realm Armies to find it. We still look for it to this day.”

“But you claim to know where it is,” remarked Thengo.

“Elmar, what did your analysis of the cloth tell you?” asked Arsha.

“There were trace amounts of telkanite,” reported Elmar, “eludiminium, and Dragon Sapphires on the shroud. Those materials would have been used for a sword of that era. The design also matches records of shroud designs of that time.”

“Then the question becomes,” mused Thangred, “where did it come from?”

“An agent of mine got it from its resting place,” explained Penshek. “He found it on an island between the Central and Northern Continents of the Under-realm.” He pointed to an island off of the Central Continent’s northernmost tip, where Dwelga lived.

“That just increases the danger,” muttered Arsha.

“What makes you say that?” asked Penshek.

“The island directly between Dwelga’s northern reach and Frigandor,” explained Arsha, “the one directly east of our destination, that’s where Reb Rojam and her pirate fleet lives.”

“I don’t think we have too much to worry about,” replied Denstra. “As most of you have learned by now, I used to be the Chief Engineer of Reb’s old flagship. She never believed the legend of the Scale Sword. Any Goblin that tried to make that Quest, she shot them.”

“Wow, she REALLY inspires her crew,” muttered Endea.

“In any event,” continued Arsha, “stealth will have to be the word around here as we go on this journey.”

“If pirates are involved, most certainly,” agreed Penshek. “I’ve heard other tales about the Scarlet Stream pirates; tales that say they leave no survivors.”

“…Then where do the stories come from?” asked Bashoon. Penshek opened his mouth, then shut it as he realized what Bashoon was talking about.

“In any case, those tales don’t scare me!” declared Arsha.

“Or me!” affirmed Endea.

“I ain’t backing down from this!” called Thangred. This was the general declaration of everyone in the room.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” announced Arsha, “we need to plan a flight path that avoids the pirates. Mr. Nazay, recommendations?”

“The way I see it,” replied Nazay, “the shortest way, and the riskiest, is to go north-west to the island in a straight-line, but that’s a good way for Reb’s fleet to intercept us. Another route is to skirt between the Western Continent and the island, but, while less likely, that’s also a potential pirate route. The only option, while fuel intensive, is to go to the island between Dwelga’s southern shore and Crelima City’s northeastern shore, then go over Crelima city and travel up the Western Continent until we get to the northern edge, then to the island north of the continent, then island hop southeast across the islands between the Northern and Western continents until we reach our destination.”

“Then we NEED to make sure,” suggested Thangred, “that all mana reserves and food and water supplies are topped off if we go to Crelima City. Our port of call will need to be the Realmfleet base at the city’s northern border. I don’t feel I should remind you all about how much of the Western Continent is nothing but sandy deserts.”

“That still leaves the return journey to Dwelga,” remarked Endea. “If we go directly south from the island, we’re sure to encounter Reb and her ilk and I won’t have enough mana to get us through a fight nor take the long way around again.”

“No, but the Northern Continent has the closest port of call to resupply,” replied Nazay. “After that, we can take the safe route from the Northern Continent to Dwelga that avoids pirates and we’ll be good to go.”

“Then we need to spend a few days going over the plan,” declared Arsha. “While I understand this is a crucial mission to the Imperium, we cannot afford to meet any enemies. I don’t need to tell you all how stealth is key. Starting the instant we walk out of this room; we need to make preparations. Let’s make it happen.”

---

Dr. Borg opened her eye, rubbed it, and stretched as much as she could with her cybernetics removed. Even her prosthetic eye was gone. She smacked her lips, then discovered a taste that was unpleasant. After that, she got a faraway look. “…I wonder if that taste IS the result of a burp dying before escaping during the night,” she pondered aloud. “How would one conduct empirical research on that topic? …Meh, an experiment for another day.” She beat her wings and flew to a keypad, keying in a code that revealed a machine that maintained her limbs while she slept. Her cybernetics were reattached as her eye was handed to her. She set it into her empty eye-socket and restored her depth perception, along with the eye’s other functions. After her limbs were tested, she landed back on solid ground and made her way to the mess hall. Once there, she noticed Yulduk doing something with a pencil and paper. “Good morning, General Yulduk,” she called. Yulduk looked up to give her his attention.

“Good morning,” he greeted.

“What are you planning?” asked Dr. Borg.

“A little Revenant recruitment drive,” replied Yulduk. “Scorpo and I found five torpedoes resting just five pors off of Reb Rojam’s stronghold, Realmfleet burial torpedoes. I wonder if the corpses inside would be preserved enough to make more Revenants.”

“Worth investigating,” remarked Dr. Borg. “So you’re drawing up plans to investigate?”

“Bingo,” replied Yulduk.

“Then submit them once you’re finished,” directed Dr. Borg.

“You got it,” confirmed Yulduk. Just then, the intercom rang.

“Southern Outpost to Dr. Borg,” called Jansha.

“Go ahead,” answered Dr. Borg.

“The Black Money has been spotted and isn’t answering our hails,” reported Jansha.

“The Black Money?!” snarled Yulduk.

“Reb’s probably noticed I stole some of the Breath,” mused Dr. Borg. “All hands to battle stations!” The alarm sounded and everyone took their posts at the southern part of the island. “Have we made any further attempts to contact them?” Dr. Borg asked Jansha.

“I’ve been continually hailing them,” replied Jansha, “but they aren’t replying.”

“She may want to talk to Dr. Borg herself,” remarked Tormo.

“A likely theory,” agreed Dr. Borg. “Open hailing frequencies one last time.”

“Frequencies open,” reported Jansha.

“Madam Rojam,” called Dr. Borg, “I presume your quarrel is with me. Kindly respond.”

“Happily!” snarled Reb Rojam’s voice. “Like an under-handed THIEF, you stole a sample of the Breath from my PERSONAL vaults!”

“I needed it for my own purposes,” replied Dr. Borg.

“Either way, you OWE me!” declared Reb. “Come out and face me or your PATHETIC base is leveled!”

“I think you’ll find,” remarked Dr. Borg, “my base is FAR from pathetic. Right now, I have 80,000 torpedoes and 5,000 mana-cannons aimed in your direction! If you don’t believe me, then have a scan and see that I’m not lying.” The base was bathed in green light for a few seconds before Melgem gave a response.

“This is an illusion,” he scoffed, “created by thaumic fields.”

“Take it from me,” replied Yulduk, “Dr. Borg’s technological prowess is no illusion!”

“…Why are you responding with a voice sample from Galthar’s old Collector?” asked Melgem.

“Meet your opponent at the beachhead and find out!” challenged Dr. Borg.

---

Melgem stood where the water continually washed onto the beach. He was still puzzling out why he heard Yulduk’s voice. Reb was on the sand, not wanting to risk the water washing away her slime. Dr. Borg then flew to them and landed with the usual grace of a Sprite, despite her mechanical limbs. “A weak fluttering creature is my opponent?” scoffed Melgem.

“Hardly, I’m fighting your wife before I deal with your corpse,” replied Dr. Borg.

“I’m not dead,” reminded Melgem.

“Give it time,” replied Yulduk’s voice as he jumped out of the trees and assumed a ready stance.

“…I could have SWORN I…” gasped Reb.

“Stabbed me in the head?!” snarled Yulduk. “You did! I remember it quite vividly!”

“Then how are you walking?” asked Melgem. “Come to think of it, how are you not roaring ‘Brains!’ over and over?”

“You assume I’m a Zombie!” growled Yulduk.

“Well, what else could you…” Melgem’s voice trailed as he formed a theory. “…No…no, that’s not possible! All of that black research was destroyed!”

“My ancestors worked on that project,” called Dr. Borg. “Did you think they wouldn’t make backups of their written work? Their proven and disproven theories, the steps they took to achieve their results, the hypotheses and conclusions, they were ALL copied several times over!”

“Melgem, sweetie, what ARE you two talking about?” asked Reb.

“Elves and Fae once theorized that there could be a way to bring the dead back to life and restore their minds,” explained Dr. Borg. “Eventually, they created such a beast, but at the cost of damage to the creators’ souls. When I recovered that research, I made my own theory. If the soul could have a patch applied, the creator can make more and restore the damage done to their soul. I created a device that digitized my soul and made me a new body in the event of death. With that completed, I need to see if the device could apply a patch to my soul in the event of damage. With Yulduk’s resurrection, I proved that theory!”

“As an added bonus,” continued Yulduk, “I was given the means to make more of me! Reb, I suppose I should thank you! If you didn’t kill me, I would never have gotten this opportunity! You look upon Revenant 2.0!”

“The only way that the prototype Revenant was made,” yelped Melgem, “was to talk to Oyed, the Dark Father! Dr. Borg, you’ve reduced yourself to being the Destroyer’s slave!”

“He has promised me,” dismissed Dr. Borg, “the opportunity of making an eternal empire and I see no need to disregard him. He may be many things, but a liar is NOT one of them!”

“You’re not trying to start that RIDICULOUS Final War, are you?!” shrieked Reb.

“As a matter of fact, yes!” confirmed Dr. Borg. “When it ends, the Final Age of Unity will begin! Both the Divine Ones and Oyed could see it and I see no reason to disregard that prophecy!”

“So where does our fight fit in to your grand design?” demanded Melgem.

“It doesn’t,” replied Dr. Borg. “Yulduk just needs some stress relief.”

“Oh?” quizzed Melgem.

“Let’s just say,” replied Yulduk, “I’ve got issues with you siding with Reb instead of your best friend.”

“My wife takes priority, as does the fleet,” dismissed Melgem.

“Then you will be martyred!” snarled Yulduk.

“Very well, then,” declared Melgem. “I hereby invoke the All-Elf Rules of…” Yulduk didn’t give him the chance to finish his invocation. He cartwheeled towards him, flinging a fireball with his feet at Melgem’s face, then delivered swift punches to his opponent’s ribs before throwing a haymaker that knocked Melgem into the water.

“He was invoking combat rules!” called Reb.

“Yulduk saw no need for rules,” chuckled Dr. Borg. Melgem tried to get up, spitting out water in the attempt, but was punched in the face repeatedly until he fell beneath the water. He tried to get up again, but Yulduk held him down by the neck. Melgem soon realized what was going on and panicked, thrashing around in the water, trying to get Yulduk to let go so he could breathe. Yulduk paid no attention, he just laughed as he held Melgem underwater, bent on drowning his former friend. Just then, Melgem’s fist ran straight between Yulduk’s legs and slammed into his privates, crushing them. Originally, Yulduk thought his new Revenant status made him immune to pain. He was proven wrong as he doubled over, his hands over his crotch as he cried out in pain. Melgem finally got up out of the water and took in a huge breath before using his natural Sea Elf abilities over water to make water balls slam into Yulduk’s head. Yulduk then grabbed Melgem’s arm and projected a blade of fire before swinging it through Melgem’s arm, causing the wound to cauterize as he threw the rest of the arm to the sea. Melgem howled in pain as he clutched his stump. Yulduk then grabbed Melgem’s leg and cut it off, then held Melgem by the shirt as he threw the leg away and then tore Melgem’s eye out.

“And, with that,” declared Yulduk, “my revenge is complete. You ruined me, so I ruined you!” He then threw Melgem to Reb. Reb caught him and laid him down while she cast a slow healing spell. Reb then stood up, compressed her slime into its suit form, and charged at Yulduk, her cutlass flashing in the sunset. Yulduk caught it, then snapped her arm. She collapsed, clutching her arm in pain as she screamed.

“What’s next?” asked Dr. Borg.

“An exchange,” replied Yulduk. “The Scarlet Stream pirates want their commanders back; they need to give us the burial torpedoes. If they don’t, then Reb and Melgem return to their pirates in a box.”

“Take them to the dungeons,” ordered Dr. Borg. “I’ll transmit the message.” Yulduk grabbed his prisoners and dragged them through the island’s forest while Dr. Borg gave the message.

Arsha, Gorfanth, and Foresna woke up the next day. This time, waking up was slow-going. They partied a bit too hard during the previous night. “Morning…” groaned Foresna.

“Not ‘Good Morning’?” snarked Arsha as she rubbed her eyes.

“Don’t talk,” moaned Foresna. “My head’s currently trying out for egg-cracking auditions.”

“The morning is EVIL!” hissed Gorfanth as they all got out of bed and shuffled to Barmek’s. Mr. Barmek greeted them at the door again. They all ordered the Up-and-at-‘em special and sat at their table. As they ordered, Endea skipped in, beaming happily. When he finished taking their orders, Mr. Barmek returned to the door.

“Good Morning!” she cheered.

“Good Morning!” returned Mr. Barmek. “You’re taking the Engineer’s test today, right?”

“That’s right!” confirmed Endea. “The instant I pass, I’m getting a paycheck and working as an Engineer with the rank of lieutenant! I told Realmfleet about the meals I had and they’ll add it to my first paycheck so I can pay it off in one fell swoop!”

“Then you need some brain food,” declared Mr. Barmek. “I have just the dish for you!”

“Then I’ll have it!” replied Endea.

“Ship on table 4 needs Haldebor sausage patties,” called Mr. Barmek to Jaltor, “Dwelga scrambled eggs, Greshkagh toast with peanut butter, and a cup of Crelima coffee! Captain and her fiancées on table 6 each need Galdredan sausage, a slice of Galthar Elf toast with Drelda Fae honey, and a hot cup of Haldebor coffee with Rooka sugar!”

“Good-luck special for Endea on table 4 and three up-and-at-‘em specials for the Captain and her fiancées on table 6!” replied Jaltor. “Coming up!”

“So, what’s on the agenda for today, Foxy?” asked Foresna.

“Got a mission in Dwelga,” replied Arsha. “We’re picking up an important figure in Goblin society.”

“Sorry, did I hear you right?!” yelped Mr. Barmek as he and Mrs. Barmek came by with their orders. “Dwelga?!”

“The same place we ran from after we were stripped of our fortunes?!” continued Mrs. Barmek.

“I understand your feelings,” replied Arsha, “but this mission was requested by the Imperium itself. The Goblin practically demanded this ship assist them.”

“Oh boy,” muttered Mr. Barmek.

---

After breakfast, Endea made her way to her new quarters and cracked her knuckles. She turned on her computer, found the site she needed, then keyed in a command that brought the Engineer’s test up. A virtual instructor appeared. “Welcome, Endea, to the Engineer’s test,” began the instructor. “Thangred has already informed me that you have completed the practical and now need to do the written portion. You have 15 questions to answer and each question must be about a paragraph long. Each paragraph needs to be long enough to fully explain your answer, so take your time. You will need to correctly answer 13 questions to pass. Click on the check mark to begin.” Endea did so. “Your written test begins. Good luck!” The screen then went to the first question and Endea read it multiple times to understand it.

“Let’s see, broken maho-link…” mused Endea.

---

While she took the test, Nazay flew the Endeavor out of the water and over to Dwelga, the Goblin city-state at the Central Continent’s northwestern corner. The trip took about an hour before the ship landed. When it did, the ramp lowered and Arsha, Denstra, and Bashoon walked down the ramp. “Why would this Goblin want to see me?” gulped Bashoon.

“He’s asked for you by name,” replied Denstra. “We need to figure out why.” The three looked down the path to see an important looking Goblin man approaching them. Recognition hit them like a freight train. “Well, I’ll be damned!” chuckled Arsha.

“I never realized how important this Goblin was!” remarked Denstra.

“Now I REALLY need to get out of his sight!” gulped Bashoon. “Why did he ask for us?!” The Goblin then stopped in front of the three ladies. Two were in awe, one was in fear.

“Grand Treasurer Penshek Tolshoon!” greeted Arsha. “We’re honored by your presence. I am Arsha Royana, Captain of the Endeavor. This is my First Officer, Denstra Welmeva, and I believe you said you wanted to see the first Goblin to enter Realmfleet? May I present Ensign Bashoon Barmek.”

“I was just about to…” stammered Bashoon.

“Ah, yes, Barmek,” rumbled the important Goblin, Penshek. “A family that argued against what we did in Falgreth a year ago. A family that lost its fortunes. A family that gained profit outside of the Imperium’s Guidelines!” Bashoon looked to the ground, feeling publicly shamed. “…A pleasure to meet you,” greeted Penshek in a tone of friendliness. Bashoon looked directly at Penshek in surprise. “Your seeking profit outside the Guidelines of the Imperium sparked a profit revolution! Anyone who’s an enemy of the Old Guard,” he held out his hand, “is a friend of mine!” Bashoon’s surprise made her a bit slow in accepting the handshake. When she did, she was beaming like a giddy fangirl.

“This is a tremendous honor!” she cheered.

“The honor is mine,” returned Penshek. He then turned to the Captain. “Permission to come aboard?”

“Granted,” replied Arsha. The four then returned to the ship and walked to Barmek’s. “I have a feeling you’ll want to see her parents,” mused Arsha.

“Of course,” agreed Penshek.

---

Barmek’s was experiencing a slow-down, as expected. The morning rush had finished and there were still a few hours before the lunch rush. It was a perfect time to clean. Mr. Barmek had just finished cleaning off the tables and Jaltor had finished with the floors. They went to assist Mrs. Barmek with the stoves and ovens. As they cleaned, Jaltor got a message on his communicator. “Huh,” he mused as he read it. “It’s Denstra.”

“What does your wife need?” asked Mrs. Barmek.

“She says that she, the Captain, and Bashoon are bringing someone called Penshek Tolshoon here,” replied Jaltor.

“PENSHEK?!” yelped Mr. and Mrs. Barmek. Just then, the four aforementioned people entered the restaurant.

“Daddy!” called Bashoon.

“We were just closing up!” gulped Mr. Barmek.

“Join us, Daddy,” urged Bashoon. “You and Mom need to meet our family hero!

“We really don’t!” insisted Mrs. Barmek. “Our presence will make the Grand Treasurer uncomfortable! I don’t know if you’ve forgot, but we’re outcasts amongst most Goblins!”

“And what I have to say,” interjected Penshek, “will force the Imperium to recognize you as the heroes you are.”

“…Beg pardon?” asked Mrs. Barmek.

“She and I are equally confused,” remarked Mr. Barmek.

“We’ve started a profit revolution!” explained Bashoon. “Goblins are seeking profit outside the Guidelines! More Goblins are requesting to serve in Realmfleet!”

“…You’re kidding!” breathed Mr. Barmek.

“She’s not,” assured Penshek. “I have the reports to prove it!” He pulled out a pad of papers and presented them to the Barmeks. The two looked at the reports, then beamed with pride.

“Well, well!” chuckled Mrs. Barmek. “I had no idea!”

“Jaltor, Penshek needs Galdredan spaghetti, Grilthan salad, and a Dwelga milkshake!” called Mr. Barmek.

“Hero’s Welcome special, coming up!” called Jaltor. As Penshek reached for his wallet, Mr. Barmek stopped him.

“No need for that!” he yelped. “It’s on the house!”

“I insist. You need the money more than I do,” countered Penshek. Mr. Barmek was about to object, then he remembered a Goblin proverb, “Never refuse a gift from the Grand Treasurer.” He accepted the money and they all sat at a table.

“Daddy’s a great admirer of yours,” Bashoon revealed.

“Are you, now?” chuckled Penshek.

“Yes,” confirmed Mr. Barmek. “I’ve read stories about your accomplishments. Your negotiation of the Togoo Pass, your liquidation of the False Guard, your confrontation with Rellmeer…”

“All that I’ve done pales in comparison to what I’m about to do,” interrupted Penshek. “I’ve requested this ship so you and they may help me on my Quest.”

“Your Quest?” asked Mrs. Barmek. “You mean, like an actual capital ‘Q’ Quest?”

“Exactly!” confirmed Penshek. “I am on a Quest for the most revered icon in Goblin history! An icon that predates the Imperium!”

“Er, Mr. Tolshoon,” gulped Bashoon.

“An icon more sacred than the Hat of Gold!” continued Penshek.

“Penshek!” hissed Denstra.

“More revered than Stangell’s Gloves! More coveted than the Chancellor’s Robes of Office!” Penshek went on.

“…The Scale Sword of Yunshul?!” gasped Bashoon’s parents.

“The same!” confirmed Penshek.

“You told us not to tell anyone!” reminded Arsha.

“They guessed!” replied Penshek.

“HEY! Hero’s Welcome special for Penshek! It’s getting cold here!” called Jaltor. Mr. Barmek yelped and dashed to the counter to retrieve the meal. When he returned, he had an apologetic smile. Penshek’s smile was one of understanding.

“I forgot about it too,” he replied. “No apologies needed.” As he wound his spaghetti with his fork, he continued. “I know where the sword rests. Think of the glory! The honor of finding the sword of the first Goblin that took up arms and successfully defended Dwelga!”

“Lost since before the First Age of Unity!” sighed Mrs. Barmek as she imagined the fame that would come with such a find. “Its return would change Goblin history!”

“If you know where it is,” called Mr. Barmek, “we MUST return it!”

“We?” asked Penshek. Mr. Barmek sensed the impropriety of his assumption and corrected himself.

“It would be an honor to join your Quest, if you’ll have me,” he explained.

“We could use his keen eyes,” mused Arsha.

“His eyes and the eyes of his wife and daughter!” declared Penshek. “I would have all three Barmeks! Besides, on top of their keen eyes and stout hearts being useful, having them return the Sword would annoy the Old Guard! They would have no choice but to call the Barmeks ‘heroes’!” He then took a bite of his meal and hummed his approval.

“To see the Scale Sword returned to our people,” sighed Mrs. Barmek, “I would give my soul for that chance!”

“They’ll write Profit Poems for centuries!” urged Penshek after he swallowed. “Children will sing our names for millennia! Our golden busts will be on the Wall of Heroes for all eternity!”

“Before you decide on an expression for those busts,” interjected Denstra, “we need to find the sword first. What makes you think it still exists?”

“This!” declared Penshek as he pulled a piece of cloth out of his pocket. He laid it on the table. “There. You see?” asked Penshek.

“I’ve got a Neko’s movement-only vision,” replied Denstra. “Anything standing still is just blurry. What am I supposed to be seeing?”

“The imprint on the cloth,” urged Penshek.

“Yes!” realized Bashoon. “This was the shroud that held the Scale Sword of Yunshul!”

“Don’t be so sure,” countered Arsha. “You could carpet the entire ship with all the ‘authentic shrouds’ that people tried to peddle over the Ages.”

“No one tried to peddle this! It was given to me!” insisted Penshek.

“By whom?” asked Arsha.

“I’ll tell you, Bashoon, and your entire Senior Staff once we get underway!” promised Penshek. “Right now, I need you to confirm its authenticity!”

“All right,” declared Arsha. “I’ll have Elmar look it over in the morning.”

“Why not now?!” protested Bashoon.

“Right now,” replied Arsha, “the ship’s refueling as well as taking the Engineer’s test and I need to check up on her. You, Penshek, need some rest.”

“Oh, absolutely!” agreed Penshek. “As soon as I finish my meal. May you be forever wealthy!”

“May you be forever wealthy,” bid Arsha as she and Denstra got up. Penshek then turned to the Barmeks.

“Imagine the look on the Chancellor’s face when we present the sword to him!” he chuckled. The Barmeks joined in his laughter.

---

Denstra stopped by her quarters while Arsha arrived at Endea’s door. She rang the chime. “Come in,” called Endea’s tired voice. Arsha entered the room to see Endea lying faceup on the bed.

“How was it?” asked Arsha as she pulled up a chair.

“Long, tedious, brain-wrecking,” replied Endea.

“Oh dear,” sighed Arsha.

“I don’t want to go through that torture again!” groaned Endea.

“So…you didn’t…?” asked Arsha, fearing the worst.

“Oh, no, I got 14 out of 15 right,” replied Endea as she pointed to her computer screen. Arsha looked at the results as a congratulations message looped.

“Well done, Endea!” cheered the instructor. “Only one answer wrong? That’s impressive! You’ll definitely go far! Congratulations, you have proven that you are worthy of being an Engineer with the rank of Lieutenant!”

“Congrats!” cheered Arsha. “Has Thangred been told this yet?”

“Not yet,” replied Endea. “I’ll tell him after my nap.”

“All right,” affirmed Arsha. “Then, after you tell him, I need you to prepare for a Quest.”

“You got it,” confirmed Endea as she flopped onto the bed, then shut her eyes and snored. Arsha crept quietly out of the room and shut the door to let Endea rest.

The day of the Trial’s outcome had arrived. Everyone had gathered in the Amphitheater to witness the decision of Uluntan. He approached his seat. “All rise for the Honorable Judge Uluntan!” called the bailiff. Everyone rose on cue.

“Be seated,” directed Uluntan. As everyone sat down, he banged his gavel. “The day has come for the court’s decision. Stenographer, give us a day-by-day summary of the trial.”

“Day One,” began the Stenographer, “the opening arguments identified the general two sides of the Mechanica rights debate. The witnesses on that day gave their views on whether or not Mechanicas would circumvent the need for workers to maintain Mechanicas. The proceedings of that day ended when the topic of violence between Mechanicas and organics was brought up. Court had adjourned until the next day. Day Two: both sides had prepared their arguments for the topic of violence between Mechanicas and organics. The proceedings centered around an altercation between the Endeavor and a member of her crew. One of the witnesses declared that the Divine Ones would not pay attention to these proceedings while the other one explained that the debate had reached even them. Court had adjourned until yesterday. Day Three: the opening arguments on both sides centered on whether or not the Divine Ones would adopt Mechanicas as their children. We were graced with the presence of two Divine Ones, one on each side of the argument. The day’s proceedings ended with closing arguments and Court was adjourned with the announcement that we would all hear the decision today.”

“Thank you,” bid Uluntan. He looked at both Kalo and Thentra. “You two are clearly students of Mrs. Kosnar. You have both given excellent points and used your points well to explain the arguments. If it were possible, I would listen to you two debate for eternity as I know you two will keep things civil. However, we are not people with that kind of time. The debate must be settled. Ladies and gentlemen gathered here, I have thought long and hard about this matter. I must admit, advising all governments in the Realms is quite the daunting task. Normally, I would be uncertain to take this trial. However, I would be derelict in my duty if I didn’t preside over this. After hearing both sides, while points were well made, I cannot, in good conscience, permit any life-form to suffer the yolk of inequality. Therefore…I advise all governments to ensure that Mechanica rights are protected! The court urges the immediate passing of Mechanica rights!” He banged his gavel in a move of finality. Kalo and her group cheered in victory! Transhell, on the other hand, was NOT a happy camper. He just stood there, anger contorting his face into an unnatural shape.

---

Transhell spent most of the victory celebration in his quarters, trying to meditate, the operative word being ‘trying’. He was still angry, his body shaking in an effort to keep himself from flying into a self-destructive rage. His door chimed. “Go away!” he snarled. The person at the door, Elmar, didn’t listen.

“You’re not doing the crew any favors by sitting alone,” remarked Elmar.

“I’m not in the mood for Wood Elf wisdom!” growled Transhell.

“What about plain old Elf wisdom?” quizzed Elmar. “How about we just discuss what’s wrong as Elves? Not Wood Elf and Stone Elf, just Elves.”

“…What’s wrong?!” hissed Transhell. “What’s wrong?! I’ll tell you what’s wrong; the sham trial and the ridiculous decision of the judge!”

“I hardly see it as a sham trial,” replied Elmar.

“Granting kettles like this ship rights?!” snapped Transhell. “That’s not a sham trial?!”

“She is as much a living person as you and me,” answered Elmar.

“That thing shouldn’t have to be alive!” argued Transhell. “I’m sorry, but Altrek had the right idea in arguing against all this!”

“Yet she and her fellows placed their faith in the decision made today,” recalled Elmar.

“Then their faith was misplaced!” roared Transhell. “I was confident that we’d have no more conflicts! The ship being alive only destroyed that dream!”

“We must consider the Realms’ greater good,” countered Elmar.

“I’ve done that my entire life!” shouted Transhell. “What about MY greater good?! Why should I sacrifice anything just for the general good anymore if my sacrifices are being spat on?!”

“I fail to see how your sacrifices were spat on,” remarked Elmar.

“I joined Realmfleet to PRESERVE our current era, not change it!” answered Transhell. “You know what change leads to?! War, that’s what! My dad was broken after the War of the Depths! You know, the war that ended the previous Age of Unity?!”

“Staying the same leads to stagnation,” countered Elmar, “and is a greater impetus to war than change. Chaos and change are neither good or bad, they just ARE. Realmfleet knows this, your father knows this, we ALL know this. It’s how we deal with chaos and change that determines whether it’s good or bad.” Transhell stood silent for a moment, just one moment.

“…YOU DON’T KNOW THE FIRST THING ABOUT GOOD OR BAD!” roared Transhell. “YOU DON’T KNOW THE FIRST THING ABOUT ME! I HATE THE SHIP! I HATE THE COURT’S DECISION! I HATE EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE THAT SAYS I NEED TO ACCEPT ALL THIS! PUBLISH THAT IN YOUR SCIENCE JOURNAL!” He grabbed his supply of duty uniforms, shoved past Elmar, and stormed to Barmek’s.

---

The mood at Barmek’s was one of celebration! Because she didn’t receive a paycheck yet, Endea was enjoying a free meal. She was talking to Arsha, Gorfanth, and Foresna. “And then the clownfish said,” she wrapped up the joke she was telling, “‘with friends like these, who needs anemones?’” Everyone laughed.

“And Marshii told you that?” asked Foresna.

“Kinda seems out of place for her,” remarked Arsha.

“Speaking of which, where IS Marshii?” asked Gorfanth.

“She’s reconnecting with her family at the Morgonthor Polyp Gardens,” replied Arsha. “She’ll be back tonight.” Just then, Transhell stormed in. “Hey! Transhell! Come join the party!” called Arsha.

“I’m not here to join a party for giving this tub rights that weren’t theirs to begin with!” snarled Transhell.

“Take that kind of talk elsewhere,” directed Arsha. “The rest of us would rather celebrate Mechanica rights being protected.”

“Then celebrate without me!” declared Transhell. “In fact, continue this voyage without me!”

“…What’s THAT supposed to mean?” asked Arsha.

“Captain Royana, your decision to protect the ship’s unwarranted sense of self has led me to believe,” continued Transhell, “that you’re not fit for command. As I don’t have any allies on this ship, a mutiny is out of the question. Therefore, I have only one recourse, since Realmfleet’s not doing anything to give my views any credence.” He then let his duty uniforms drop to the floor. “I’m resigning my commission.”

“…You’re seriously leaving Realmfleet?” scoffed Gorfanth. “Over a new woman gaining the rights that were rightfully due to her?”

“Wake up, bull,” hissed Transhell. Gorfanth’s nostrils flared. Foresna was about to charge at him and defend his spouse, but Gorfanth held him back. “Do you really think this change will be good?” continued Transhell. “Have you really considered all the problems? I have to say, for once, the Divine Ones were wrong to leave it to us. I’m leaving this ship, taking the first shuttle back to the Drelda Forest, and I’m NOT going back to Realmfleet. Go on without me.” He then walked out of the bar.

“Little Elf runt!” growled Foresna. “Just let me at…!”

“Let him run away,” directed Arsha.

“…Captain, I don’t think I understand,” remarked Mr. Barmek.

“Realmfleet is a continually changing force,” explained Arsha. “If he feels that Realmfleet’s wrong, he can leave. To be frank, I feel that we’ll get on better without him. Less chance of Endea hearing that kind of talk, the better. Now, enough about him, we’ve still got a celebration for Endea! This is her day!” The declaration was received well and the party went back to normal.

---

“So, you really ARE leaving,” muttered Transhell’s sister, Dwenshell, over a communicator. “This is a real setback! I’m EXTREMELY disappointed in you!”

“Yeah, well, I’m sure you’ll get by!” hissed Transhell as he finished packing his bags.

“Look, I’m gonna be frank here!” snarled Dwenshell. “Somehow, don’t ask me how, Dr. Borg’s lost a lot of people as like-minded as you! In the short term, I say good riddance! We can make do without them! We can’t…”

“Even your son?” asked Transhell.

“…Make do without you!” continued Dwenshell. “You would be a valuable asset! You just need to drop this anti-Mechanica nonsense! If any of us had your talents…!”

“Ones help us all,” groaned another voice.

“Scorpo?” asked Dwenshell. “Is that you? Are…are you recording this?!”

“Yeah,” replied the voice.

“Well, cut it out!” snapped Dwenshell. “It’s annoying, you recording everything!”

“Dr. Borg’s made me her eyes and ears!” protested Scorpo. “This could have repercussions for our campaign!”

“Dwenshell, you know I’ve done a lot of things, right?” asked Transhell. “Things that I bitterly…forget it! My point is, if you’re going to grant your ship the same rights as every other now-living tin can, then there’s no difference between you and Realmfleet! The Over-Splitters are right, you’re a threat to the Realms.”

“You know what your problem is?!” snapped Dwenshell. “You’ve got your head stuck so far up your rear; you can’t see the big picture!” Transhell just switched his communicator off and stormed out of his former quarters, making a beeline towards the ship’s exit.

---

Dwenshell sucked in a breath as she clenched her fists. A man in leather with a mechanical tail and claws on the back of his wrists approached her. He had the Scorpion’s name and registry number on it. It was safe to assume this was Scorpo, the living extension of the Scorpion. “What do we tell Dr. Borg?” asked Scorpo.

“I tell her,” replied Dwenshell, “the recruitment drive was a bust! I don’t need help in lying.”

“It might put you in a more favorable light with her,” remarked Scorpo.

“The truth is less painful,” dismissed Dwenshell. “Just open a channel to her.” Scorpo rolled his eyes.

“…Channel open,” he reported. Dr. Borg’s face filled the screen.

“How did it go?” she asked.

“Disastrously,” replied Dwenshell. “He’s decided that the Over-Splitters have a better idea. Scorpo recorded the whole conversation.”

“A pity,” mused Dr. Borg. “We could have used him. Oh well, we’ll just have to send the package without him.”

“Are you serious?!” protested Scorpo.

“Of course,” replied Dr. Borg. “The Realms will never know what hit them.”

Arsha had slept a little better now that she had Foresna and Gorfanth living with her. As they shared the bed, Arsha was between her lovers. She stirred and felt her stretching be interrupted. She looked at both sides, then smiled as she stroked the Human and Minotaur. They stirred and moved to face Arsha. “Hello Beautiful,” whispered Foresna.

“Good Morning, Foxy,” rumbled Gorfanth.

“Morning, Farm Boy, Hooves,” returned Arsha. The two men then smooched her cheeks, causing her to giggle a bit. “…Much as I wanna stay like this forever,” sighed Arsha, “there’s still a trial to finish.”

“How did your planning session with Lord Benthe go?” asked Gorfanth as they got out of bed.

“Very well, actually,” replied Arsha as she moved to the closet. “We might have a chance to sway Uluntan.”

“I hope so,” muttered Foresna as he grabbed his towel. “He’s a stubborn one.”

“I hope he decides in favor of Mechanica rights,” wished Gorfanth. “She needs more than one group supporting her.”

“Well, we’ve still got today to convince him,” answered Arsha as she laid out her clothes. “I’m confident he WILL see reason.”

---

After breakfast, the last day of the trial began. Everyone was pulling out all the stops as they planned their arguments. Everyone gathered in the amphitheater and took their places. Uluntan then came in. “All rise for the honorable Judge Uluntan!” called the bailiff. Everyone stood up.

“Be seated,” directed Uluntan. As everyone sat down, Uluntan banged his gavel. “Court will now reconvene for the trial of Mechanica rights. As this is the last day, there will be no more requests to gather evidence. I will be giving my decision tomorrow morning. As a reminder, defending Mechanica rights is Mrs. Kalodina Avonamei of the Over-realm’s Chromanian Sea Merfolk Kingdom. Arguing against her is Mr. Thentra Yaltar of the Over-realm’s Drelda Forest. Madam, Sir, are you both ready to begin the proceedings?”

“I am ready,” confirmed Kalo.

“As am I,” answered Thentra.

“Then let’s end this,” directed Uluntan. “Stenographer, please remind everyone what was decided for today’s proceedings.”

“Yesterday,” the Stenographer answered, “the fact that the issue had gained Divine One attention was revealed. It was declared that both sides would prepare on that subject.”

“Thank you,” bid Uluntan. “Let’s get this underway. Defense, your opening arguments, please.” Kalo stood up.

“As I mentioned yesterday,” she began, “I’m a little miffed Arsha and Endea didn’t tell me about their chat with Lady Sentriam and Lord Benthe as we planned for the previous two days of this trial!” She glared at the two to emphasize her point. “However, what’s done is done. Lord Benthe himself assisted in aiding us in our planning. He did mention that the decision to adopt Mechanicas is split amongst the Divine Ones, so they’ve left the decision to us. I urge that the court gives Mechanicas the rights they deserve so they may be considered the Divine Ones’ children.”

“Well said,” bid Uluntan as Kalo sat down. “Mr. Yaltar, your counterarguments?” Thentra rose from his seat.

“I will be the first to say that I will follow the will of the Divine Ones,” he began. “Whatever decision they make, I will heed. I must say, any decision to leave mortal affairs to us is a welcome one, no disrespect meant, you understand. It shows that they are willing to go with our decisions just as we are willing, generally, to go with theirs. The fact that there IS debate on this matter amongst the Divine Ones shows that there are those who believe haste makes waste. As such, I must urge that now is NOT the time to grant Mechanica rights.” He sat down.

“With all the arguments heard,” declared Uluntan, “we must finish this. Mr. Yaltar, you may call your witness.”

“I call Lady Altrek to the stand,” called Thentra. Purple mist then appeared, then formed into a Minotaur lady in purple. with her amulet fastening her shoulder strap. The lady took the stand. “I know this is rather redundant,” began Thentra, “but please state your name and occupation for the Court Record.”

“I am Altrek,” introduced the Minotaur lady, “the Second Divine One of Air.”

“My Lady, it’s been revealed,” recalled Thentra, “that there are those among the Divine Ones who are against adopting Mechanicas.”

“Yes, and I’m one of them,” confirmed Altrek.

“Could you explain why?” asked Thentra.

“When the Fracturing took place,” explained Altrek, “I was under the impression that we would leave the species as they are. We had the Breath sealed away because someone would weaponize it and it looks like Reb had done so. Need I remind everyone about the Galthar Affair?”

“I pray you, no!” called someone in the crowd.

“Your prayers are answered,” joked Altrek. “In any event, with Sentriam and Benthe urging the sealing of that which they created, I see no reason to grant Mechanica rights.”

“Your witness,” Thentra bid Kalo. Kalo stood and approached the stand.

“Lady Altrek,” she began, “you wished for our current number of species to remain the same since the Fracturing, that is what you’ve said?”

“It is,” confirmed Altrek. “I fear that everyone will run out of resources to sustain the newer species, especially Mechanicas and Chimeras.”

“May I ask who agreed with you?” asked Kalo.

“…I fail to see how that’s relevant,” muttered Altrek.

“I just wish to know if there was a definitive ally to your cause,” explained Kalo.

“Well, no, there’s no definitive ally,” replied Altrek. “We decided by secret ballot to let you lot settle this and were under oath to keep our views secret unless asked. I’m confident that the creators of the Breath would agree with me, that your world is not ready for living machines.”

“You’d be surprised, My Lady,” declared Kalo.

“…What’s THAT supposed to mean?!” quizzed Altrek.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I have spoken with Benthe last night and he has announced his and Sentriam’s support for Mechanica rights,” Kalo called to the crowd. Everyone started chattering about this revelation.

“Order in the court!” called Uluntan as he banged his gavel. “Order in the court! Order! I will have order!” Eventually, the crowd calmed down.

“Forgive me if I’m suspicious of your claim, Kalodina Avonamei,” hissed Altrek, “but I need to hear that from one of them!”

“And hear it from one of them, you shall,” promised Kalo. “I call Lord Benthe to the stand!” Altrek left the stand as Benthe in his Elf disguise took it. “Like your colleague, the Court Record needs your name and occupation.”

“I am Benthe,” introduced Benthe, “the Fourth Divine One of Love.”

“Lord Benthe,” quizzed Kalo, “could you confirm, for your colleague, what you said last night?”

“My pleasure, Mrs. Avonamei,” answered Benthe. “Sentriam and I have discussed what possible advantages could benefit the Realms if Mechanica rights were passed. Granted, we had to acknowledge the possible downsides, but we deemed that the pros outweighed the cons.”

“And you find that we can adapt well with Mechanicas in our lives?” asked Kalo.

“Exponentially well,” replied Benthe.

“Mr. Yaltar, your witness,” directed Kalo. Kalo down as Thentra approached Benthe.

“Lord Benthe, did you consider that the mana needed to fuel many of the Mechanicas would run out eventually?” inquired Thentra.

“It had crossed our minds, yes,” answered Benthe.

“Yet, you still see no problem with this?” continued Thentra.

“Not any problems that can’t be solved,” answered Benthe, “either by Divine One help or the innovation you’re all famous for.”

“I fail to see how innovation can help us,” remarked Thentra.

“Then you haven’t heard of your scientists making a device that can replenish mana crystals?” asked Benthe.

“It’s nothing but a pipe dream,” dismissed Thentra.

“So were skyships and now they’re a common sight across the Realms,” reminded Benthe.

“But skyships took the entirety of the First Age of Unity before they became a reality,” reminded Thentra.

“And, after that, other inventions came easier,” countered Benthe. “Besides, if mana-powered Mechanicas want to protect their fuel source, they would aid in inventing a mana replenishing device. With their aid comes a new era of invention and imagination! I believe that their ideas will make the Realms better than they already are!”

“…No further questions,” declared Thentra.

“Will we be hearing any more testimony today?” asked Uluntan.

“I have no more witnesses,” replied Thentra.

“Neither do I,” announced Kalo.

“Then it is time to hear the closing arguments,” directed Uluntan. “Mrs. Avonamei, you may start.”

“Ladies and gentlemen,” began Kalo, “as we have all heard from both Mechanicas and organics alike, it is clear that we can only secure a better future for the Mechanicas if we work together. We must listen to the Mechanica’s view of things and understand them to make this world a better place. The defense rests.”

“Thank you,” bid Uluntan. “Mr. Yaltar, your closing arguments?”

“Ladies and gentlemen,” began Thentra, “as I’ve said at the start of all this, I wouldn’t dream of obstructing the rights of anyone. However, as I’m sure we all remember, haste only brings problems. While the Chimeras enjoy their rights, there ARE those that will do everything in their power to keep them from doing so. Need I mention the now-closed Vorkath Monastic Hospital and their involvement in Chimera experimentation? We need to be assured that such tragedies won’t happen before we give Mechanicas rights. I urge the court, don’t be hasty.” He then sat back down.

“With the closing arguments said,” declared Uluntan, “Court will adjourn for today until I give my decision tomorrow. Let my words be the final words.” He banged the gavel and dismissed everyone.

---

“Well, it’s out of our hands now,” sighed Arsha as she, Endea, Gorfanth, Kalo, Foresna, and Benthe met in the Conference Room. “All we can do is wait.”

“Waiting, the fun part,” grumbled Foresna.

“Now, now, waiting is needed for a rational decision,” chided Gorfanth.

“I thought that you only quote from The Differences of Lust and Love when there’s a relationship going wrong,” muttered Foresna.

“That specific quote can be used in a variety of situations,” replied Gorfanth.

“He IS right,” remarked Kalo. “We can’t do much else.”

“I hope I DO get my rights spelled out as much as you all do,” sighed Endea.

“If not, I will still treat you as a fellow person and give you the dignity you deserve,” promised Arsha.

“As will I,” supplied Benthe.

“And me,” continued Kalo.

“Don’t forget me!” called Foresna.

“Or me,” finished Gorfanth. Endea’s eyes misted as she smiled.

“Thank you, all of you!” she bid as she hugged everyone.

Arsha’s sleep after the trial’s first day wasn’t peaceful. She was haunted by something, but she couldn’t place what. She was a little groggy as she shuffled to Barmek’s in her night gown. “Welcome to Barmek’s Bar and Grill!” called Mr. Barmek. “Let me get you a seat, Captain!”

“Thanks,” muttered Arsha.

“You look like you could use some Under-realm coffee,” observed Mr. Barmek.

“Whatever breakfast dish will wake me up fast and keep me alert for the day,” mumbled Arsha, “I want it.”

“I know just the dish and beverage,” declared Mr. Barmek. “I’ll be bringing it to you shortly.” He then turned to the kitchen. “The Captain at table 3 wants Galdredan sausage, a slice of Galthar Elf toast with Drelda Fae honey, and a hot cup of Haldebor coffee with Rooka sugar!”

“The up-and-at-‘em special for Arsha on table 3, coming up!” replied Jaltor. The dish’s preparation took roughly 10 minutes before Jaltor set it on the counter to be picked up. “Order up! Single up-and-at-‘em special for the Captain on 3!” Mr. Barmek then brought the dish over and Arsha paid for it. Mr. Barmek decided that Arsha wasn’t going to be receptive to talk at the moment, so he just let her eat her meal in peace. As she ate, her communicator went off. She blearily accepted the call.

“Yes?” she mumbled.

“Captain Royana, you have a pair of men wishing to come aboard,” replied Shalvey’s voice. “They’re asking you by name.”

“Permission granted,” muttered Arsha. “Send them to Barmek’s.”

“Aye, Ma’am,” confirmed Shalvey. The call ended and Arsha returned to her breakfast. She slowly ate her food and drank her coffee, grogginess slowing her down by quite some measure. As she continued with her meal, Mr. Barmek greeted a Minotaur and Human. They spoke with him, then Mr. Barmek grinned.

“Captain!” he called. Arsha looked up from her food, then her expression changed to surprise as she clapped eyes on the Human and Minotaur. “I believe you know these gentlemen?” quizzed Mr. Barmek as he grinned. Arsha rubbed her eyes, then looked harder at the two.

“Hello, Foxy,” greeted the Minotaur.

“GORFANTH! FORESNA!” cheered Arsha, her mood now a happier one. She got up and pulled the two into a group hug. “Ones, it’s been too long! What are you two doing here?”

“Oh, just wanted to deliver good news,” replied Foresna. “Guess who got their requests to live on the Endeavor and High Sky approved?”

“You mean…you boys…?!” gasped Arsha happily.

“Are living with you now!” finished Gorfanth. “Malnar and Falnii are living with Lardeth on the High Sky now. Once Lardeth’s done with his tour of duty, they’ll be requesting to live with us and we’ll all be under one roof!” Arsha squealed in happiness.

“You have no idea how much hearing that lifts my spirits!” she cheered. “Did you guys already eat?”

“We did,” replied Foresna. “We wanted to catch you before you plan for today’s trial proceedings.”

“Well, I’m in a better mind to refine our plan now,” affirmed Arsha. “I’ll have to give you a tour of the ship once this is over!” They continued talking as Arsha ate. Once she finished, she led them to her quarters where they would be living together. She ducked into the bathroom to change into her outfit, ready for the day ahead. She left the bathroom and was embraced by her boys once again. They stayed close for a good while before she broke it off. “I need to go,” she sighed. “Endea needs me. I’ll have you two meet her after today’s proceedings.”

“That would be great!” replied Gorfanth. “See you later!” She kissed them goodbye before leaving the room. As she walked down the hall, she met Endea.

“Kalo’s waiting in the Conference Room,” she reported.

“Then let’s make haste,” declared Arsha.

---

The Amphitheater was packed again and ready for the next day of arguments. Kalo and Thentra took their places and waited for Uluntan. He then came in. “All rise for the Honorable Judge Uluntan!” called the Bailiff. Everyone rose.

“Be seated,” directed Uluntan. Everyone sat down and Uluntan banged his gavel. “Court will now reconvene for the trial of Mechanica rights. As a reminder, defending said rights is Mrs. Kalodina Avonamei of the Over-realm’s Chromanian Sea Merfolk Kingdom. Arguing against her is Mr. Thentra Yaltar of the Over-realm’s Drelda Forest. Madam, Sir, are you both ready to begin the proceedings?”

“I am ready,” confirmed Kalo.

“As am I,” answered Thentra in his usual manner.

“Then let’s begin today’s proceedings,” declared Uluntan. “Stenographer, please remind everyone what I directed both sides to do.”

“Both Mrs. Avonamei and Mr. Yaltar,” read back the Stenographer, “were instructed to argue around the potential for violence between Mechanicas and organics.”

“Thank you,” bid Uluntan. “The defense shall give their opening arguments.” Kalo stood up and began.

“As with any single one of us,” she explained, “the potential to fight IS there in Mechanicas. I repeat, as with any single one of us. Life, in some fashion, runs into conflict and must resolve said conflict by either words or actions. We all try to use words, as do Mechanicas, but sometimes words fail us prematurely. To deny Mechanicas their equal rights on that ground would only prove we are slaves to hypocrisy. I argue that ensuring Mechanica rights will keep the violence between new and old species at a low.”

“Very good, Mrs. Avonamei,” bid Uluntan. “Mr. Yaltar, your arguments?” As Kalo sat back down, Thentra stood up.

“I will concede that violence is inherent in all manner of life,” he began, “but we’ve had the time to temper the need to settle disputes with violence. Mechanicas, on the other hand, are not so disciplined. I argue that, like parents, we must restrict their rights until they are ready.” Some of the parents in the crowd then talked amongst themselves, discussing Thentra’s words, until they heard the gavel.

“Quiet, please,” directed Uluntan. “Mr. Yaltar, have you a witness?”

“I do, Your Honor,” replied Thentra. “I call Transhell to the stand.”

“And here we go,” muttered Kalo. Transhell then rose from his seat and took the stand.

“Please state your name and occupation for the Court Record,” directed Thentra.

“Lieutenant Transhell Ulndrar,” introduced Transhell. “Crew member of the Endeavor, registry CRS-2784, Dauntless…”

“Thank you, we all know what type of vessel the Endeavor is,” interjected Thentra. “Lieutenant Ulndrar, it’s come to my attention that you’re the first person to ever get into a fist-fight with their ship.”

“That’s not something I’d brag about, but yes,” muttered Transhell.

“Please, tell the court what happened between you two,” directed Thentra.

“I was working on a bit of maintenance for the ship when I heard a yelp,” began Transhell. “Endea complained that I was being too rough on her. We argued and then she punched me square in the jaw. How did I get out of it? The Captain put me on waste extraction for the remainder of the day! I was the one wronged and Endea got off scot free!”

“So, you feel as if there was preference involved here,” surmised Thentra.

“Yes!” confirmed Transhell. “The Captain should have, at least, given us both the same punishment! All Endea did was sort Marshii’s medical stuff! I was the one called a racist and she was the one who attacked me!”

“Mrs. Avonamei, your witness,” declared Thentra. Kalo then began her cross-examination.

“Lieutenant Ulndrar,” she pressed, “you said you were the one wronged.”

“I did,” replied Transhell.

“So, how can you explain the racially charged comments of ‘tin can’, ‘garbage scow’, and ‘floating scrap heap’?” inquired Kalo. Transhell gulped as Thentra raised his eyebrow.

“Your Honor, the witness never told me he said any of those things,” explained Thentra.

“Then the question is thus: did you actually say them?” asked Uluntan. “Remember, you’re under oath.” Transhell tried to come up with carefully constructed words, but they failed him.

“It’s true,” he sighed. “I said them in the heat of the argument.”

“The fact is, you still said them,” interjected Kalo. “The heat of the moment doesn’t matter.”

“Objection!” called Thentra. “Your Honor, the heat of the moment wouldn’t have happened if Endea tried a different approach!”

“Objection!” countered Kalo. “Endea DID try the civilized approach and her attempts were met with scorn!”

“I would say I’d need to hear that from her!” declared Thentra.

“She’d be happy to tell you, I can assure you,” replied Kalo.

“Then call her in,” directed Uluntan.

“I call Endea to the stand!” announced Kalo. Transhell sat back down as Endea took the stand. “The Court would like your name and occupation for their Record,” directed Kalo.

“Endea, the living extension of the Dauntless-class skyship, Endeavor,” introduced Endea.

“Endea, could you tell the court what happened during the argument that sparked the fight?” asked Kalo.

“I was telling Transhell to take it easy on the welding torch when he was repairing a bit of paneling,” explained Endea. “He scoffed, saying he wasn’t even touching me with it and I reminded him that I could still feel pain from the ship. He laughed in my face, saying that I didn’t have nerves, thus I was faking it. I told him I could feel just like him, but he dismissed me by saying that there was nothing wrong with his welding. That was when tempers flared and I demanded he treat me better than that. That was when he hurled the aforementioned slurs and I started punching him. A crowd had gathered, then Arsha broke the fight up and ripped into us, sending us off to our respective punishments and snapping at the crowd for doing nothing to stop the fight.”

“Wait, wait, wait, she got angry with the crowd?!” interjected Transhell.

“Zip it!” hissed Thentra.

“No, I won’t!” argued Transhell. “By the Ones, this whole thing is ridiculous! Endea’s warped Arsha’s mind! I’ll bet the Divine Ones won’t accept this!”

“I don’t know, Lady Sentriam and Lord Benthe ARE advocating for adopting Mechanicas as theirs, just as they did with the Chimeras,” replied Endea. That sparked chatter amongst the crowd. Uluntan banged the gavel.

“Order in the court!” he boomed. “Endea, is this true?! You spoke with Lady Sentriam and Lord Benthe?!”

“Both the Captain and I did after the circumstances of my…er…birth, as it were,” replied Endea. “They were both concerned that some of the Breath of Life was still at large and expressed gratitude that we brought it to their attention. They said they would fight to have their peers adopt Mechanicas as their own.”

“Absurd!” scoffed Transhell. “No way will they do so!”

“That remains to be seen,” answered Kalo. “Endea, I’m a little annoyed that you and Arsha didn’t mention this to me.”

“And I must say, the concept of you talking to the Divine Ones,” remarked Thentra, “came out of nowhere. I urge that the court lets both sides gather evidence for tomorrow.”

“I agree,” called Kalo. “This may be necessary testimony to influence one side or the other.”

“Then, tomorrow,” declared Uluntan, “will be the last day of these proceedings. If they wish, the Divine Ones may testify. Court is adjourned for today.” He banged the gavel and everyone left the amphitheater.

---

“And you didn’t mention you actually spoke with them?!” hissed Kalo as she met with Endea and Arsha in the Conference Room.

“We didn’t think that it really mattered so much,” explained Arsha.

“Are you kidding?!” argued Kalo. “Take it from a Sea Witch, the voice of the Divine Ones carries more weight than you think, especially if they are actively fighting for a new species to be recognized as equals!”

“I doubt they’re going to testify,” muttered Endea.

“I wouldn’t be so quick to make that statement,” boomed Benthe’s voice. He then came into the room. Instead of his misty torso form, he was a full-bodied Elf in pink.

“Lord Benthe!” yelped Arsha as she knelt.

“Rise, please,” directed Benthe. “I have taken a corporeal form to assist you tomorrow. I have news that you need to hear.”

“Then let’s discuss what you’re going to say tomorrow, Lord Benthe,” declared Kalo.

After she was deemed calm enough by Marshii, Endea was told to report to the Conference Room. She made her way there and entered to see Arsha and Kalo talking. She cleared her throat, attracting their attention. “Got a more level head?” asked Arsha.

“Aye, Captain,” replied Endea.

“Then come join us,” directed Arsha. Endea sat down. “Kalo, this is Endea, the living extension of the Endeavor. Endea, this is Kalo Avonamei, the defense lawyer arguing for Mechanica rights.”

“So the trial is soon?” asked Endea.

“In two days,” confirmed Kalo. “Right now, the debate is still ongoing. The trial will determine whether or not you get treated better than a few hours ago.”

“We need your testimony,” continued Arsha, “of your work over these three months.”

“Somehow, I think the opponent’s going to use my fight against me,” muttered Endea.

“I think we can come up with defenses for that,” replied Kalo. “Now, let’s start planning.”

---

The trial was held in the Morgonthor Trench’s Great Amphitheater. While the Endeavor stayed outside, Endea stepped inside and noticed how many people were attending to watch the trial. The prosecutor was a male, yellow-skinned Fairy named Thentra. His wings were oddly still as he observed the crowd with great scrutiny. Because the prosecutor was an air-breather that had a vital piece of biology that would be affected underwater, the main stage of the amphitheater was surrounded by an air bubble. Kalo took her position at the defense’s seat and observed Thentra. Just then, a Siren bailiff glided into the bubble in a water chair as an old Cecaelia man took his place at the judge’s seat. “All rise for the honorable Judge Uluntan!” called the bailiff. Everyone rose.

“Be seated,” directed the judge, Uluntan. Everyone sat down as he banged his gavel. “Court is now in session for the trial of Mechanica rights. Defending said rights is Mrs. Kalodina Avonamei of the Over-realm’s Chromanian Sea Merfolk Kingdom. Arguing against her is Mr. Thentra Yaltar of the Over-realm’s Drelda Forest. Madam, Sir, are you both ready to begin?”

“I am prepared,” replied Kalo.

“As am I,” answered Thentra in a cool manner.

“Then, as per tradition, the defense shall begin,” directed Uluntan. Kalo rose and began her opening arguments.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” she started, “there is precedence for us to welcome a new species with open arms. While our start with them was NOT smooth, we still address the Chimeras as friends and fellow people. Their obtaining of rights was too long and, as many Chimeras have stated, Mechanicas should not need to suffer for those rights. I urge that Mechanicas be given the same rights at a rapid pace.” She then sat down.

“Thank you, Mrs. Avonamei,” bid Uluntan. “Mr. Yaltar, your arguments?” Thentra then stood up.

“Far be it for me to deny anyone their rights,” he began, “but is haste truly the best way to make everyone equal? Unless I’m misremembering history, that’s what ended the First Age of Unity with the War of Stars when we tried to quickly introduce Chimera rights to the Realmfleet Constitution. To date, that was the bloodiest war we’ve ever had and I speak for those of us biological immortals who fought in that war when I say we cannot be hasty. I submit that now is not the time for Mechanica rights.” He then sat down.

“With the opening arguments having been said,” declared Uluntan, “we shall begin.” He banged his gavel. “Mr. Yaltar, you may call the first witness.”

“I call Mrs. Gronsar to the stand,” called Thentra. An Orc woman in a business suit then took the stand. “Madam, if you would state your name and occupation for the Court Record, that would be splendid,” directed Thentra.

“I’m Mrs. Galya Gronsar,” introduced the Orc woman, “manager of Under-rail.”

“Tell me, Mrs. Gronsar,” inquired Thentra, “what do you foresee if your fleet of engines were to come alive?”

“Honestly, a lot of lay-offs,” replied Mrs. Gronsar. “With engines talking and thinking as we do, being able to move or stop under their own power, there would be no need for them to have drivers, or firemen in the case of steam engines.”

“And if the engines were the ones to get paychecks instead of the workers you’ve hired?” asked Thentra.

“They’ll circumvent the need for me to pay for their repairs,” answered Mrs. Gronsar.

“Mrs. Avonamei, your witness,” declared Thentra. He sat down as Kalo approached Mrs. Gronsar.

“Mrs. Gronsar, this may seem like a trifle,” she began, “but how much are your workers making on average? Per year, let’s say.” Mrs. Gronsar looked up as she calculated how much her workers earn in a year.

“Let’s see,” she mused, “engine drivers get roughly 50,000 golds per year, firemen for steam engines get 52,000, repairmen earn 60,000…that’s all I can think of as of now without a calculator and worker table in front of me.”

“And repairs to any of the engines,” pressed Kalo. “How much are they per year?”

“I’d say roughly 700,000 golds per year,” replied Mrs. Gronsar.

“So, if one of your engine drivers decided to pay for it,” surmised Kalo, “they would need to put away 14 years of paychecks to pay for the repairs to their engines. But, most of them have families to consider and I’m willing to bet that they would rather put the money to their families instead of their engines.”

“Mrs. Avonamei, forgive me for interrupting,” called Uluntan, “but where is this going?”

“Where this is going,” explained Kalo, “is that, if engines were paid the same as their drivers, they would need to do the same. I have every reason to believe that Mechanicas, much like us, would want to start families and provide for them. They wouldn’t see the logic in hoarding 14 years’ worth of paychecks to pay for one bit of repairs or maintenance.”

“Did any Mechanica say so?” asked Thentra, assured in victory.

“As a matter of fact, yes,” replied Kalo, “but not the Dauntless-class skyship that’s parked outside. No, this is an engine from Mrs. Gronsar’s fleet.”

“I beg your pardon?!” boomed Mrs. Gronsar. “One of MY engines?! I only have two living engines! Who’s testifying against me?!”

“I believe his engine number is 67456,” answered Kalo.

“…Hansar,” hissed Mrs. Gronsar.

“Is this engine here?” asked Uluntan.

“He is, Your Honor,” confirmed Kalo

“Let us see Engine 67456,” rumbled Uluntan. As Mrs. Gronsar left the stand, there was the puffing noise of a steam engine moving slowly. The engine then came in. Much like the engines in Galthar, he had a humanoid upper torso coming out where the funnel would be and he dressed in a repair person’s clothing. He had eight wheels connected by side rods, two side tanks for his water, and a coal bunker behind his cab. Somehow, he was making his own rails so he didn’t ruin the floor of the amphitheater. His driver, a female Leaf Elf, and fireman, a male Minotaur hopped from the footplate. The driver patted the engine’s side.

“Good luck, old boy,” she bid. Mrs. Gronsar was confused as she saw the crew sit with Kalo. Kalo then began.

“Please state your name and occupation for the Court Record,” she directed the engine.

“I’m Hansar, Engine 67456,” introduced the engine. “I’m the station pilot for Under-rail’s headquarters at Realmgate City.”

“Mr. Hansar, tell us,” inquired Kalo, “did you even think about leaving your crew behind?”

“I see no need to,” replied Hansar. “They’re too valuable to me.”

“Too valuable?” muttered Mrs. Gronsar.

“Yes, I can make myself go or stop whenever I wish,” continued Hansar, “but I’m the more reckless of Under-rail’s two living engines. I need other voices to get me to think before I act and my crew does just that. On top of that, my driver, Jalme, can see whether or not I’m functioning properly. When my fireman, Kuljur, was doubting his own importance to me, he asked me if I could reach my bunker. As I can demonstrate,” he twisted his torso and tried to reach back, “no matter how hard I try,” he grunted, “I can’t even reach my cab.” He stopped twisting and returned to giving testimony. “Without him, my fire wouldn’t burn and I can’t refuel it. As you can see, my crew is essential in my life. I see no reason to go anywhere on the rails without them.”

“Which explains another point of mine,” interjected Kalo. “I’ve heard fears of Mechanicas no longer needing organic life to help them. As we’ve all just heard, there’s still a place for us in keeping Mechanicas alive. Since they need us as much as we need them, I must urge the advancement of Mechanica rights!”

“And how would that prevent violence from occurring?” asked Thentra.

“…Pardon?” asked Kalo, caught off-guard.

“They’re similar to us,” continued Thentra, “who’s to say that there won’t be violence between organics and Mechanicas? I believe such a fight happened a while ago.”

“There it is,” muttered Kalo.

“Your Honor, I must urge,” insisted Thentra, “that tomorrow be spent discussing possible race riots between organic and mechanical life if the Mechanicas are granted equal rights right now.”

“Objection!” called Kalo. “Your Honor, I urge that we settle that question today!”

“Objection overruled,” dismissed Uluntan. “Both sides need more time to prepare their arguments of that subject. Court is adjourned for today and will reconvene tomorrow.” He banged his gavel and everyone cleared out.

---

“He can’t delay this!” hissed Arsha as she, Endea, and Kalo met in the Conference Room. She had long put her hairpiece in its drawer in her Ready Room. “We need Mechanica rights NOW!”

“Unfortunately,” sighed Kalo, “all royal families needed to appease those that said such rights are harmful. This trial SHOULD get people to hear both sides of the argument before lines are drawn for war. And, yes, your parents said the trial was necessary.”

“I don’t believe this! My own parents!” growled Arsha.

“There’s nothing we can do,” insisted Kalo. “We need this trial to play out.” Arsha drew in a breath, then calmed down.

“You’re right, we need to be a little patient,” she sighed.

“All right, he’s definitely going to use my fight two days ago,” declared Endea. “We need to figure out how to counter that.”

“Agreed,” confirmed Kalo. “Let’s get started.” The three then planned their defense.

After Endea’s birth, many of Arsha’s missions were centered in the Under-realm. There wasn’t much talk of Endea to Arsha’s knowledge, but Arsha was waiting for it. Right now, her ship was ordered to the Morgonthor Trench, Marshii’s home, to await a famous defense attorney. Arsha was wondering about the particulars of why as the mission was on a need-to-know basis and would be revealed once the attorney was picked up. She heard it would take a few days until the attorney arrived, so she granted shore leave and visitation rights to crewmember families. Marshii had opened a window and flooded her quarters for her family to visit. She got the water to her preferred temperature and sighed happily as the warmth flooded her body. She heard a knock on the exterior of her windows and turned to see her wives and husbands, children, and grandchildren. She opened all of the windows and they swam into the room. She was instantly buried in her grandchildren’s hugging. “Give Grandma Marshii some air!” laughed one of her daughters, Tayasi. The grandchildren obeyed and released Marshii.

“Tolno, look at you!” cheered Marshii as she held one of her grandsons above her. “You’ve gotten so big!”

“I’m a big boy now!” replied Tolno.

“Yes, you are!” agreed Marshii.

“Grandma Marshii,” asked one of her granddaughters, Yella, “is it true that you’re really a grumpy old woman? That’s what my best friend says her daddy told her.”

“Yella!” admonished the girl’s father, Brensha.

“…Do you happen to know if your best friend’s parents work in Realmfleet?” asked Marshii.

“She said her daddy’s a Lootenant here,” replied the girl, Yella. “Do you know Yoltem?”

“Lieutenant Yoltem,” growled Marshii. “Yeah, I know him. Why don’t you tell your best friend, when you next see her, that, if she and her family are tired of hearing about me, they can come to Sick Bay for a visit. I can make it so that they won’t see me again. Won’t you do that for Grandma Marshii?”

“Okay!” promised Yella.

“That’s a good girl, Yella,” praised Marshii. “Now, let’s see if Grandma has some candy for all these wonderful children.” The grandchildren wiggled in anticipation at the promise of candy.

“…That’s not the woman I grew up with!” yelped another of her sons, Tuyabti.

“Oh, here we go,” grumbled another of her daughters, Wollio.

“Look! Out the window!” called one of her husbands, Rootig. “That was Joyalee!”

“…Someone’s gone senile,” muttered her other husband, Gorkon.

“You can’t mistake hair like that!” argued Rootig.

“Rootig, Joyalee and her wife, Kalo, live in the Chromanian Sea,” reminded Marshii. “You know, a Merfolk kingdom in the Over-realm?”

“He’s right! Look!” directed Yella. Everyone gathered at the windows and saw a Mermaid with a green tail and top and long, curly, pink hair.

“…Maybe we’ve ALL gone senile!” gulped Gorkon.

“Take it from a doctor, we ain’t there yet!” replied Marshii.

“What’s she doing here?” asked one of her wives, Bemfin.

“Well, we’re expecting a defense attorney,” answered Marshii, “but she’s a writing and literature teacher. Is Kalo…no, Kalo’s a Sea Witch, the typical job for a Cecaelia.”

“I don’t know,” remarked another of her wives, Fulldio, “Kalo DID study some law.”

“Enough for her to be an attorney?” asked Marshii.

---

A special water chair, similar to Shalvey’s, was prepared as Arsha received word that the attorney had a Mermaid spouse. The Endeavor’s landing ramp opened and Joyalee swam up first, followed by a Cecaelia woman with blue octopus legs, curly, lavender hair, a flower adorning the right of her hair, and a red seashell top. “Kalodina Avonamei,” greeted Arsha, “I must admit I’m surprised YOU’RE the defense attorney I’m picking up.”

“It’s Kalo, please, Your Highness” replied the Cecaelia. “To explain why I’m the attorney, I decided to pursue another degree. Now, not only am I a Sea Witch, I’m a lawyer. You’re only dropping me off after all this is over.”

“All this?” asked Arsha as Joyalee took the water chair.

“Why don’t we retire to a conference room?” suggested Kalo. She then noticed Joyalee bouncing excitedly in her chair. “Joy, sweetheart, you keep moving like that,” chuckled Kalo, “you’re gonna go sideways through time.”

“I’m on a Realmfleet ship!” cheered Joyalee. “I’ve always wanted to be on one that wasn’t a wreck! I mean, no offense to our home, but actually being on a working Realmfleet ship…!”

“It’s exciting,” replied Arsha. “Believe me, I felt the same when I…”

“CALL ME THAT AGAIN, I DARE YOU!” shouted Endea’s voice.

“YOU! ARE! A! TIN! CAN!” answered another. Then there were cheers, jeers, and sounds of hitting!

“And it begins!” growled Arsha as she transferred her hairpiece to her waist and dashed down the hall. She found a crowd of people surrounding Endea as she and a Stone Elf crewman, Transhell were beating the snot out of each other! Arsha then got between them.

“Captain, out of my way!” snarled Transhell.

“I’m sorry, I thought I give the orders around here!” growled Arsha. “What in the Depths is all this about?!”

“Captain, that tin can has no right to call itself our equal!” boomed Transhell. “We built it; it’s made to serve us!”

“I cannot BEGIN to describe my disgust at you, Lieutenant Transhell!” snarled Arsha.

“What?!” protested Transhell.

“Our purpose,” continued Arsha, “is to protect ALL manner of life! That includes living machines!”

“Why should we protect something so unnatural?!” argued Transhell. “It’s made for one purpose, transporting us to our destination!”

“SHE has all manner of right to go above what SHE was built for!” countered Arsha.

“Why are you giving IT a gender?!” shouted Transhell.

“Because SHE chose to be addressed as such!” answered Arsha. “I’ve heard enough from you! You’re going to be working in waste extraction until you see sense!”

“Arsha!” argued Transhell.

“That’s ‘Captain’ to you!” snarled Arsha. “Waste extraction! NOW!” Transhell glared at Arsha, then shoved his way through the crowd to waste extraction.

“Appropriate for a piece of garbage like him,” muttered Endea.’

“You’re not off my list, Endea!” snapped Arsha.

“Pardon?!” yelped Endea.

“What possessed you to participate in a fight?!” demanded Arsha.

“Captain, I’m not going to let his insults go without consequences!” argued Endea.

“There are better ways to address this!” snapped Arsha. “You acting like a child on the playground is NOT the right way! I thought you were more mature than that! You’re reporting to Sick Bay to help Marshii with her duties!”

“Captain!” protested Endea.

“Another word,” warned Arsha, “and you’ll be joining Transhell in waste extraction!”

“…Aye, Ma’am,” grumbled Endea as she moved off to Sick Bay.

“Now, as for the rest of you,” growled Arsha as she addressed the crowd, “did it not occur to you that fights are NOT tolerated in Realmfleet?! You lot signed up to keep the peace, not watch two people shatter it to pieces and do nothing! I am ashamed of you all! Since you were the ones who stood by and did nothing to stop the fight, your shore leave is cancelled! Is that clear?!”

“Aye, Captain,” replied the crowd, collectively deciding not to argue.

“Then get to work, all of you,” ordered Arsha. “Dismissed!” The crowd dispersed, leaving Arsha, Joyalee, and Kalo alone in the corridor. Arsha took deep, slow breaths to calm down. “Kalo, Joyalee, I STRONGLY apologize for what happened,” bid Arsha. “I assure you; this kind of behavior is NOT typical aboard the Endeavor.”

“No, but I’m seeing it in the Over-realm,” replied Kalo.

“What do you mean?” asked Arsha as she returned her hairpiece to its usual place in her hair.

“Anti-Mechanica bigotry has begun to crop up everywhere,” explained Joyalee. “Riots are starting to begin over sentient machines having the same rights as us, anti-Mechanica graffiti is popping up on walls everywhere, the Crimson Diamonds are using this to fuel their illegal business, those are only a few examples of having no clearly defined laws protecting Mechanicas.”

“That’s why I’m here,” continued Kalo. “The trial to determine the fate of Mechanica Rights is in two days and I’m the defense attorney for it.”

“Then, once she has free time,” replied Arsha, “we need to talk to Endea.”

“Very well,” agreed Kalo.

---

“Of all the dumb things you could have done against a racist jackass,” admonished Marshii once Endea got to work, “that was the dumbest!”

“How else can you get someone like him to see sense?!” argued Endea.

“By ignoring his words!” answered Marshii. “If his words made you fight, you gave him ammunition to use against you!”

“What are you talking about?” quizzed Endea.

“He was LOOKING for a fight!” explained Marshii. “He wanted ‘proof’ that you Mechanicas can only work if you’re controlled. He’s going to use the fight as fodder for his beliefs.”

“…I played into his hands,” realized Endea.

“Bingo!” confirmed Marshii.

“But what other ways ARE there to get them to see sense?” asked Endea.

“I know it’s a little late, but let him alone,” suggested Marshii. “It’s going to take longer now, but he’ll give up using you as a target.”

“…I hope so,” sighed Endea as she sorted the potions.