While Arsha planned out her teams in her ready room, she considered why she hadn’t heard anything about the Realm Trinity Empire’s movements. It worried her a bit. However, she had other matters to attend to. As she planned, she got a call. “Yes?” she asked.
“It’s Aldarval,” replied the caller.
“What can I do for you?” asked Arsha.
“Reb and Patrica have caught up to us,” explained Aldarval.
“They took their sweet time.”
“They had to pick someone up, someone from Dwalna City.”
“From Dwalna? Who?”
“Lady Empria Dewlna.” Arsha goggled.
“…As in…the greatest witch of the Over-realm?!”
“The same.”
“But…but why?!” Aldarval said nothing for a brief moment.
“She said that there was something she needed to pick up here and she believes it’s related to the invisible ship.”
“…A little too close to be a coincidence.”
“My thoughts exactly. She’s also requested that Twirja accompany her.”
“I’ll need to ask Twirja, but if he says yes, then I think I’ll have your team all set up.”
“Does that team include you?” Arsha paused.
“…I’ll need to swap someone out as I DID plan on joining the fort team. …I think Marshii can take my place. They might need a doctor.”
“Excellent. Go ask Twirja if he can join us. I’ll await your team decisions. Aldarval out.” The call ended and Arsha left her ready room. She then made her way to Denstra’s quarters.
“ABSOLUTELY NOT!” shouted Denstra.
“I asked Twirja, not you, Commander,” remarked Arsha as she met with Denstra and all her spouses.
“I’m siding with Denstra on this one!” called Jweltu. “He doesn’t have all his limbs, remember?!”
“Come on, that’s never stopped him before,” argued Jaltor.
“True,” agreed Twansa. “He IS capable.”
“Is anyone gonna let me get a word in edgewise?!” called Twirja. “You’re all acting like I’m not in the room!”
“Twirja, with what’s going on…!” protested Denstra.
“Denstra, dearest, my mind’s made up. The Crelima crashed here while I served on it, and we never found the wreck. If it IS the Crelima, this will give me the closure I need. Captain, I’m going with you.”
“Very well,” replied Arsha. “Report to the landing ramp bright and early at 5:25.”
“Understood.”
“Captain!” snarled Denstra.
“You’re on his team, as am I,” assured Arsha.
“…Fine, I have no more arguments.” Denstra settled back down on the bed.
“With that in mind, I will see you all tomorrow.” Arsha then left the room. Denstra scowled at Twirja.
“You couldn’t say no, could you?!”
“In this matter, no, I couldn’t.” Denstra rolled her eyes as she and her spouses got ready for bed.
6:25 came the next day and the two teams approached the meeting place. Hanjar and Erudsa were there as well. “These are your teams?” asked Erudsa.
“They are,” answered Arsha. “The fortress team will consist of Malnar, Emfam, Orbak, Lardeth, Gorfanth, Reb, Jeefef, Foresna, my mom, Hanako, Elmpam, Ufnamfa, Teefmanam, Marshii, Malak, and Melandra with Orbak as the team leader. The other team that will deal with the invisible object will consist of Aldarval, Endram, Twirja, Empria, myself, Patrica, Roomef, Pofomofo, Falnii, my dad, Elgrad, Olmarfa, Feymay, Denstra, Bashoon, and Thangred with Aldarval as the one in charge.”
“Thirty you have named, yet I only see twenty-nine,” remarked Hanjar. “Where is the last?”
“HERE!” called a Human lady as she rushed up to them. She wore a pink gown and had her hair done up in a ponytail resting on the top of her head.
“Empria Dewlna, so kind of you to join us!” snarled Aldarval. Arsha ran her hand down her face.
“Madam, this is a war situation. Why are you dressed like you’re going to a ball?”
“Come on, this is a reason to celebrate!” cheered Empria. “Somehow, I know in my soul, the Crelima survived!”
“We don’t know if it IS the Crelima,” remarked Orbak.
“This was where the Crelima crashed, so what else COULD it be?”
“So this…person,” remarked Erudsa, “is going to be joining the invisible object team?”
“Sure am!” answered Empria. “I have reason to believe that there’s a top-secret Realmfleet experiment on board!”
“Is that what this is about?” asked Twirja. “You’re after that experiment?”
“Empria, the project’s probably been totaled, whatever it is,” continued Endram.
“…Not even YOU know?” asked Erudsa.
“I tried digging around when I became King, but it was classified Code Black, tenth level. Royalty wasn’t supposed to know, for some odd reason. Raised a few red flags for me.”
“Come on, Ears!” urged Empria. “The project will be exactly what tips the war in our favor!”
“That remains to be seen.”
“Do you mind assistance from us?” asked Erudsa.
“I wish to observe the fortress team’s handling of the situation,” explained Hanjar.
“And I want to know how the invisible object problem will be resolved,” continued Erudsa.
“We don’t mind at all,” assured Arsha. “We would appreciate the help in getting these matters resolved. With that, I turn over the next stage to the team leaders.”
“For my team, we need to do some scouting,” decided Orbak. “Find out how many are in the fortress, what banners they’re flying, who the Overlord is, etc.”
“Overlord?” asked Hanjar.
“Fortresses are commanded by a central figure called an Overlord. We take out the Overlord, replace them with a new one, perhaps one of your soldiers, and we should be good.”
“You would give us the fortress?”
“In a heartbeat.”
“Meanwhile,” interjected Aldarval, “if it IS the Crelima, we’re going inside to figure out why it’s invisible. Unless, of course, Empria wants to divulge why and save us the trouble.”
“Sorry, Admiral,” answered Empria, “that’s a need-to-know basis.”
“And I NEED to know!”
“Not according to Realmfleet Security. It’s still tenth level Code Black. Only those directly involved in the project need to know.”
“…I see. Well then, we better get going. I want these matters settled ASAP.” The teams then headed off to their locations, Orbak’s team heading north and Aldarval’s going west. Aldarval then spoke softly to Erudsa. “Can Gorgons only partially petrify someone?”
“It takes an incredible amount of focus, but yes. I’m one of those that can do that. Why?” asked the Gorgon Queen.
“I don’t know as I can trust Empria right now. She’s acting way too secretive for my liking. Could I avail upon your abilities if she tries to go against us all?”
“…Very well.”
“Thank you.” They then dropped the subject, keeping it in reserve until such a time came up.