Category: The Three Realms

Rooshee was interred at the cemetery near Realmfleet Max. Her eulogy was short and to the point. After the funeral, there was still the matter of Dr. Ganshar. She was laid up in the Endeavor’s sick bay as Arsha and Aldarval stood outside. “How long’s an examination like this gonna take?!” grumbled Arsha.

“Marshii’s gotta be thorough,” replied Aldarval. “Though, she’s been in there a long time.” At that moment, Marshii stepped out to meet them.

“Captain, Admiral, a word,” she requested as she motioned for them to get nearer to her. They leaned in to hear her. “I’ll be frank, that blast hit Ganshar’s hippocampus.”

“And that is…?” ventured Aldarval.

“It’s the part of the brain that controls learning and memory,” explained Marshii.

“Memory?” asked Arsha. “Are you saying…?”

“She’s got amnesia,” confirmed Marshii.

“You’re absolutely sure?” inquired Aldarval as she gave her an intense look.

“She knows she’s a Sky Elf and how to speak Sky Elvish and All-Realm Standard,” answered Marshii. “But she doesn’t remember who she is or where she came from. She didn’t recognize the name ‘Jansha’ or any of our names.”

“We can’t send her back to Realmfleet Max in this condition,” muttered Arsha.

“You’re so right, Captain,” agreed Aldarval.

“We need to tell her family about this,” suggested Marshii.

“That’s the trouble,” muttered Aldarval. “She’s an only child and her parents are dead.”

“Then who can help her?” mumbled Arsha. Aldarval then snapped her fingers as she got an idea.

“Captain Yanstal always wanted a child!” she explained.

“The Steamwind’s Captain?” asked Arsha.

“The same,” answered Aldarval. “His wife is barren, and they’ve tried everything to have a child. This might just be what could give Ganshar another chance! Doctor, where’s the nearest comms unit?”

“Right here at my desk,” answered Marshii as she led Aldarval to her desk. Aldarval then gave her authorization code and connected to Captain Yanstal. Yanstal was a typical-looking Sky Elf, long, black hair, pale skin, and blue eyes. However, he had an eyepatch over his right eye.

“Admiral!” he greeted. “What can I do for you?”

“Captain, I believe I can get you a daughter!” explained Aldarval. She then outlined the whole situation, even explaining Ganshar’s old past.

“I promise you, Admiral, Elwai and I will give her the love she had never received,” assured Captain Yanstal. “Where are you right now?”

“On the Endeavor, just southwest of the Sacchrinda Kingdom. I hope you can give her a new name.”

“Elwai and I had long agreed on what to name our child if we could have one. Yultan if the child was a boy, and Urlee if they were a girl.”

“Then we’ll make sure ‘Urlee’ is ready for you. How far out are you?”

“An hour south of you, on the island in between the Western and Central continents. I’ll be at your position straightaway.”

“See you in an hour, then. Aldarval out.” She ended the call and sighed in relief.

“That DOES leave a problem, though,” remarked Arsha. “There’ll be someone who recognizes her. She WAS a famous roboticist.”

“Oddly enough,” replied Aldarval, “her features are average for a Sky Elf woman. She’ll blend in enough.”

“Then there’s no need for reconstructive surgery,” sighed Marshii in relief. “Good. That would have been a rush job.”

---

The Steamwind arrived and landed near the Endeavor. Arsha, Endea, and Aldarval waited in the warp room to welcome Captain Yanstal and his crew aboard. A teleport circle glowed green and brought Captain Yanstal aboard with a Ship-type Mechanica in pants, a shirt, and jacket with the name Steamwind and his registry number CRS-99173, and a Sky Elf woman. “Welcome aboard the Endeavor, Captain Yanstal,” greeted Arsha. “I’m Captain Arsha Royana and this is Endea, my ship.”

“Happy to be here, Captain Royana,” returned Yanstal. “This is my wife, Elwai, and my ship and First Officer, Steawin.”

“Hello,” called Elwai.

“Pleased to meet you,” affirmed Steawin.

“Y…Yeah, meeting you…is…the good,” stumbled Endea as she blushed.

“Oh?” chuckled Steawin. “Right back at you.”

“Steawin!” admonished Captain Yanstal.

“I’m just saying hello!” protested Steawin.

“I don’t mind,” assured Endea.

“I appreciate a good ‘love-at-first-sight’ story like anyone else,” interjected Aldarval, “but we have some business to take care of.”

“You’re right,” agreed Captain Yanstal. “Where is she?”

“This way,” directed Arsha. She led the group to sick bay. Marshii met them at the door.

“She’s ready,” she reported. She led Captain Yanstal and Elwai to Ganshar. It was so weird to see an infamous roboticist look so helpless and uncertain.

“Urlee?” asked Captain Yanstal. Ganshar looked around.

“Are…are you…?” she stumbled.

“Yes,” answered Captain Yanstal.

“My name…is Urlee?”

“That’s right.”

“What happened?”

“There was a shuttle explosion. You took a blow to the head from shrapnel.”

“I don’t remember a shuttle explosion. Come to think of it, that’s a minor thing I don’t remember. I can’t remember who I am.”

“You suffered damage to your hippocampus,” explained Marshii. “It’s very likely you won’t remember your whole life.”

“…I have amnesia?” summed up Ganshar as her face fell.

“Don’t worry, your father and I will help you regain what you’ve lost,” assured Elwai.

“Who am I?” asked the amnesiac.

“You are Urlee Yanstal, a well-loved daughter of the Sky Elven House of the Ulmath Star,” explained Elwai. “We are a small, but proud house. You are a roboticist like me, and you love your creations as if they were your own children. Even correction makes you feel ill as any parent would in correcting their child.”

“Someone took your work and made a robot for themselves, but they had no parental instincts,” supplied Captain Yanstal. Marshii looked on, thinking that it would cause her to remember who she was.

“…Did they have justice wrought upon them for stealing my work?” asked the amnesiac Elf.

“They died for their sins,” answered Elwai.

“And the robot they’ve made?”

“Joined with an enemy of the Realms.”

“Then, perhaps, I can construct a much-more loved robot. I just wish I can remember everything I’ve learned about robotics.”

“Don’t worry, I will teach you all that you’ve forgotten.”

“Thank you, Mother.” As the amnesiac Sky Elf hugged Elwai, the unloved Dr. Ganshar faded from history. In her place was Urlee Yanstal, a loved daughter.

“Come on, let’s get back to the ship,” urged Captain Yanstal.

“Doctor,” Urlee called to Marshii, “thank you for your help.”

“It’s what I signed up for, Ms. Yanstal,” assured Marshii. Urlee and her new parents walked out of sick bay and over to the warp room. After they were sent back to their ship, Arsha released a breath.

“Divine Ones, please let her live a happier life, unburdened by her old one,” prayed Arsha. She then bowed and turned to Aldarval. “Thank you for your help, Ma’am.”

“Just doing my job, Captain,” replied Aldarval. “Now, about Ms. Barmek…”

---

Bashoon and her parents were in their quarters, discussing why Rooshee blamed her and her alone. “I mean, I was only a minor annoyance. She knew Arsha was the one who was behind the whole scheme,” reminded Bashoon.

“You were the one who suggested the idea,” recalled Mrs. Barmek.

“You were also the one who brought the whole thing to Aldarval’s attention,” continued Mr. Barmek. Just then, the door chimed.

“Come in,” called Mrs. Barmek. Arsha then entered the room.

“Captain!” yelped Bashoon as she stood up. “What can I do for you?”

“Actually, I’m here to do something for you,” replied Arsha.

“…Should I be happy about that grin on your face?” asked Bashoon.

“As a matter of fact, Lieutenant, yes.” Bashoon and her parents looked around.

“…Lieutenant who?” asked Mrs. Barmek.

“Lieutenant Bashoon Barmek, of course,” explained Arsha.

“Me? A Lieutenant?” quizzed Bashoon. “Captain, with all due respect, I’m still an Ensign.”

“After the bravery you’ve demonstrated today, not anymore.” Arsha pulled out a new uniform. This one had yellow trim instead of red. “For your valuable service and your continued courage, Realmfleet has taken my recommendation to promote you! You are now an official member of the Endeavor’s security team with the rank of Lieutenant!”

“Lieutenant JG, right?” asked Bashoon.

“Nope, a full-on Lieutenant.” Bashoon blinked, then got misty-eyed.

“I…I mean, I don’t…”

“It’s a little emotional, being promoted. Now, this does mean that…” Arsha was then taken into Bashoon’s hug. A little awkward, given the still-clear rank gap, but Arsha rolled with it.

“Captain, I promise you, I will take my new responsibilities with honor and pride!”

“That’s what I like to hear!” Arsha then broke off the hug.

“Hey, let’s see how your new uniform looks on you!” urged Mr. Barmek.

“One minute!” called Bashoon as she dashed behind the changing screen. Her old uniform was soon draped over the screen and they waited a little longer before she stepped out with her new uniform on.

“Perfect!” praised Arsha.

“That’s DEFINITELY you!” agreed Mrs. Barmek.

“Now, while you DO have new responsibilities,” Arsha went on, “you also have new privileges, such as the right to wear your usual clothes.”

“Not that much of a difference between a duty uniform and my usual clothes,” mused Bashoon. “They’re just in colors that Goblins find fashionable.”

“And a little frillier,” reminded Mr. Barmek.

“That too,” replied Bashoon.

“Congratulations, Lieutenant Bashoon Barmek,” praised Arsha. “You’ve more than earned it!”

“Thank you, Captain!” answered Bashoon. “I won’t let you down!”

“No, I don’t think you will,” agreed Arsha. She left the room, then released a breath as the door closed to give the Barmeks some private celebration. “Now,” she muttered to herself, “to ask Falnii to use her abilities on me.”

“Who in the Depths are you?!” demanded Arsha.

“A shadow,” replied the armored figure through their voice-modulator. They then fired two more spikes that generated an energy shield. “Stay out of the way while I complete my contract.” As Arsha and her group fired on the shield, the figure marched towards the fight between Bashoon and Rooshee. Neither combatant realized the newcomer’s presence until the figure grabbed the back of Rooshee’s head and flung her into a tree. Rooshee shook her head to clear the dizziness until the figure forced her to her knees.

“Citizen, do NOT interfere in Realmfleet affairs!” snapped Bashoon.

“When your methods are ineffective, Squirt,” countered the figure, “I do nothing else but interfere.”

“…Squirt?” asked Bashoon.

“You know what it means.”

“No one in my life ever called me Squirt except…except for…Yamta?!”

“Bingo.” The figure then removed their helmet to reveal their face. It was a human woman with frizzy blonde hair, blue eyes, pale skin, and lipstick looking like dried blood.

“Yamta, wha…?!”

“Teladashios Rooshee,” interrupted the woman, Yamta, as she cuffed Rooshee’s arms behind her back and grabbed her head. “Arrested for authorizing unlawful experimentation on sentient beings. Wanted for breaking free from Realmfleet Max.” She then drew one of her spikes and held it to her throat. “Tell me, Ex-Admiral, how many Chimeras died before they got a chance to experience life?”

“…800,097 when I was in charge, last time I checked,” snarled Rooshee.

“Eight hundred thousand and ninety-seven Chimeras,” repeated Yamta. “The blood of eight hundred thousand and ninety-seven Chimeras is on your hands. You let eight hundred thousand and ninety-seven Chimeras die before they could see the outside world.” She then leveled her gaze at Bashoon. “Sounds too dangerous to be left alive to me.”

“Yamta, let her go!” insisted Bashoon. “This is a Realmfleet matter!”

“The law states,” snarled Yamta, “that anyone with a kill-count of 100 or over outside of a wartime situation is to be executed immediately! Why isn’t she dead?!”

“We have to give people a chance to redeem themselves!”

“You’d rather fight the people you’re supposed to protect rather than the real problem!”

“Ms. Yamta!” called Arsha after the barrier was taken down. Bashoon and Yamta turned to her. “Realmfleet is NOT a death squad!”

“Realmfleet Academy flunked me after each of my three attempts!” replied Yamta. “You guys didn’t give this Largandra girl any REAL education! The Crimson Diamonds did!” She then pressed a button on the spike, and it extended into Rooshee’s neck almost instantaneously, killing her. Yamta released the body and let it fall to the ground. “One less killer. My contract is complete.”

“DAMMIT, YAMTA!” shouted Arsha. “That’s a line we do NOT cross!” Yamta then drove her fist into Arsha’s solar plexus, knocking the wind out of her.

“Stay on your side, then, Royana! I’ll stand with Dr. Borg!” Arsha then gritted her teeth and fought through her pain. She summoned her armor again and decked Yamta in her face. As Yamta fell, Arsha stood over her. “…Go ahead!” challenged Yamta. “I’m a Crimson Diamond Alum. I’ve got 101 completed contracts. Actually, 102, now that Rooshee’s dead.”

“…You need help,” declared Arsha. “I can get you…” She was then tripped up as Yamta swung her leg into Arsha’s.

“You Royanas really ARE moral cowards!” she hissed. “We’re at war with those animals! Animals like Rooshee and Ganshar! You think that because you and your mommy and daddy don’t kill, you guys are better than them?! You let them fester with thoughts of revenge!”

“That’s enough,” called Dr. Borg’s voice as a small Realmgate opened. Everyone pointed their wands at her, but she cast a magic shield around her and Yamta.

“What about the others?” asked Yamta as everyone fired on the shield.

“Not today,” replied Dr. Borg. “We must go.”

“…You’re right, the contract is complete.” As Dr. Borg continued casting the shield, Yamta followed her into the small Realmgate. The Realmgate closed and Arsha snarled as she dismissed her armor.

“Just…perfect!” she hissed.

---

I’m sorry to say that the incident made the papers. With people reading the articles concerning Yamta’s appearance, it caused quite a stir. Some insisted that Realmfleet should have done more while others argued that they couldn’t risk a spread of gel-pox across the Realms, so what could they safely do? A fair question, but a lot of people were still frustrated with Realmfleet, thinking that they were struggling to keep the Final War from happening. When she visited Midiriki’s house to catch up with her parents, Arsha got some more information about Yamta. Her being from Largandra was true, as was her being a former Crimson Diamond. The Crimson Diamonds are a league of assassins that are raised since birth to learn how to kill quickly, quietly, and without fuss. They’re generally employed by unscrupulous lords or the Splitter branches to remove other people. They’re generally considered a rival to Realmfleet Academy in that they produce some of the best teachers. Most Royals tend to have their children sent to the Crimson Diamonds to learn how to avoid being killed by an assassin. This is generally disliked by the Crimson Diamonds, but they cannot say much since they most likely taught the parents too and would, in all probability, use their own tricks against them. Because of this, the Crimson Diamonds don’t accept any contracts with Royals as the potential victim. Yamta had gained notoriety within the Crimson Diamonds after successfully killing the former Headmaster, putting her on the new Headmistress’ list of trouble students. Arsha and Elgrad were special cases in learning from both Realmfleet Academy and the Crimson Diamonds. Verifying Yamta’s claims was child’s play for them. “I just can’t believe it,” sighed Arsha to her parents as they had tea.

“I’m surprised Yamta’s gotten a contract with Dr. Borg,” muttered Hanako. “Her empire would upend the Crimson Diamonds.”

“The Headmistress told me and Arsha about Yamta’s history there,” replied Elgrad. “She’s not exactly one with scruples. The headmistress told me, in confidence, that Yamta would be the only one impetuous enough to accept a contract to kill a Royal.”

“Dr. Borg must need someone like Yamta in her ranks,” guessed Hanako.

“She’d probably start a new assassin school,” muttered Arsha as she rubbed her temples.

“…Arsha, are you okay?” asked Elgrad.

“I’ve been getting spun up as of late,” sighed Arsha. “What with Oyed coming back in our lifetime and Dr. Borg acting like she’s going to start the Final War. With all that went on in Kurontar and here…my dreams are NOT restful.”

“Isn’t Falnii a Dream-Weaver?” asked Hanako. “She’d love to help, I’m sure.”

“I’ve never really had her use her abilities on me,” mumbled Arsha. “I don’t want to be dependent on her.”

“Have your other fiancés tried?” quizzed Elgrad.

“Even Falnii’s been trying to get me to try,” answered Arsha.

“Then take her advice,” urged Elgrad.

“…I’ll think about it,” muttered Arsha as she stood up and left the room. Hanako and Elgrad both had the same thoughts on their mind.

“Poor girl,” sighed Elgrad.

“This wasn’t how her tour was supposed to go,” mumbled Hanako.

“I know part of the idea is to test how one handles adversity, but there’s only so much one can handle.”

“Our girl’s very independently minded, almost to a fault.”

“She got it from me.”

“I’d say she got that from me.”

“…We both compounded the issue.”

“I can agree with that.”

---

Arsha sat alone in the guest room, puzzling out her feelings. On the one hand, she didn’t want to be dependent on Falnii’s abilities. But, on the other, Falnii was trained since birth to be a Dream-Weaver. She would know how to help without letting someone be reliant on her. She continued thinking about her predicament until someone spoke. “Yamta was right to a point,” remarked the person. Arsha gasped and whirled around to see Laywam at the door. “800,097 on Rooshee’s hands? She should have been executed.”

“We don’t inflict harm unless all other options have been exhausted,” countered Arsha. “It’s what separates us from Dr. Borg and her followers.”

“Oh, please! Is this really the time for some sanctimonious nonsense?! You don’t see rapists and murderers every day, do you?! Well, I do! Do you happen to know how many people they’ve each wronged?! I do! Do you know how many joined Dr. Borg after Remsu made the first successful breakout of Realmfleet Max?! I do!”

“Okay, Laywam, I think you need to chill out…”

“Chilling out’s the last thing we need! Chilling out is what allowed Dr. Borg to return! She’s spoken to Oyed, you think she’s not going to start the Final War in our lifetime?! We’re squandering our resources in trying to appease her when we need to be scouring the Realms and hitting her hard! Precisely where it hurts!”

“That’s only going to provoke retaliation and lead to incalculable losses! I won’t risk the Realms like that!”

“You seem fine risking your crew! Just ask Eltan! Sheendii! Drelta! Blenter! Entran! They’re still Revenants!” Arsha’s face flared into a snarl before she buried her anger again. “You know your problem, Arsha? For all your insistence that you can handle the crown when your parents step down, you’re soft! You never took up arms when you had the chance! Numerous chances!”

“The only reason we’re talking is because Aldarval’s personally checking on each kingdom’s military readiness should the Final War start.”

“…Impossible! She can’t be doing that!”

“The attempted peace talks with the Realm Trinity Empire are a front. We need Oyed to believe we’re less ready than we are.” Laywam was floored by this revelation. “I took a risk even telling you. I was sworn to secrecy. That’s why I must insist that this conversation never leaves this room. Understand?”

“…You can count on me, Arsha. …I’m…I’m sorry for calling you soft.”

“Apology accepted. You simply didn’t have all the facts.” Laywam bowed her head, then left the room, leaving Arsha to talk to herself. “…That was stupid, Royana! Laywam may slip and this could reach Dr. Borg’s ears! …Mom and Dad are right, I need Falnii to help me.”

There was an air of vigilance on the Endeavor as well as the Sacchrinda Kingdom. News had gotten out about Rooshee and Dr. Ganshar skulking about and everyone was slightly worried. Unfortunately, the inevitable argument of what to do with them after they were caught again had come into play. Even Arsha found herself at odds with her cousin, Midiriki’s daughter, Laywam Rotano. Laywam was a genius when it came to catching criminals, but I’m sorry to say, her empathy for them was a little lacking. She never really bothered to take in that some criminals were forced to commit crimes because of desperation and felt it was best to either lock them up or execute repeat offenders. “They’ve clearly proven that they don’t care about anyone else!” insisted Laywam during a call.

“They need help!” replied Arsha. “We can’t just kill them!”

“We keep trying to help, but they keep slapping it aside!”

“We need to keep trying!”

“Arsha, if we keep trying after they keep refusing help, we’re just as insane as them!”

“And going down their path makes us saner than them?!”

“It’s not THEIR path if we’re only doing it to protect our society!”

“Laywam, do you know how many families would be broken?”

“Their families are already broken, and they want to move on without the black sheep!”

“There’s still some form of love in their hearts, I’m sure of…!”

“I hate to interrupt,” called Midiriki as she entered the shot, “but I need to call the doctors. I heard there was a vaccine report.”

“All right, I’ll see you two later,” Arsha finished the call and shut off the video feed. She then recalled what Midiriki said. “Vaccine report?” she muttered. “Computer, locate Marshii.”

“Dr. Marshii Borontho has just arrived on the bridge, making her way to the Ready Room door,” reported the computer. The door chime then rang.

“Come in,” invited Arsha. Marshii then entered the room, looking giddy. “What can I do for you?”

“We’ve got a vaccine!” cheered Marshii.

“Are you sure?!” asked Arsha.

“Positive! It’s passed all the trials and we’re ready to send it out to the public!”

“Perfect! Organize vaccine distribution efforts!”

“You got it, Captain!” Marshii ran out of the room, leaving Arsha to relax.

“Arsha Royana,” she asked herself, “what would you have done if vaccine research went any longer? …Yeah, going nuts and buggy seems to be the usual reaction.”

---

As promised, the poor were given the vaccine first, then it worked its way up to the Royals. The disease died out before it could get any worse and the public health restrictions were lifted. Masks came off and gloves were removed as people hugged each other in public now that it was over. However, that didn’t mean the Endeavor’s problems were done. Dr. Ganshar and Rooshee were still out there, plotting revenge on the crew. Jonthar offered full assistance and it was readily accepted. The Kingdom Guard and Endeavor crew conducted sweeps across the area to find Rooshee and Dr. Ganshar. The Maropwems also joined in the search, wanting justice done for Anful and his family. Rosalmia and two of her lovers, an Orc man from the Endeavor called Lekshanth and a Zephyr man from the Kingdom Guard called Emfemafal (sometimes called Emfem), discussed that subject. “It’s just not fair!” complained Rosalmia. “Anful’s baby is going to grow up without him! What’s gonna happen when they’re old enough to start asking questions?! What do you tell them?! A vengeful Elf and Minotaur duo killed him just to deliver a message?! How can anyone handle that kind of truth?!”

“It’s a dilemma that defies answer,” replied Emfemafal.

“I can’t think of any answers either,” muttered Lekshanth.

“You know, in a way, I hope we DON’T find Rooshee and Ganshar,” growled Rosalmia. “I don’t trust myself not to say or do anything to them!”

“Well then,” chuckled Lekshanth, “Emfem and I will have to make sure that we keep them safe from you.” The three had a good giggle.

“Thanks for listening, boys,” bid Rosalmia.

“Any time, Rosie, any time,” assured Emfemafal as they hugged her.

“Right,” declared Rosalmia. “We hung around here long enough. Let’s get going on our patrol.”

“We’re right with you, Rosie,” affirmed Lekshanth as they moved off. “Never fear.”

---

Elmar, Bashoon, and two Guardsmen approached Arsha and Jonthar’s position in the woods. Jonthar was kneeling as Arsha had declined her head. Both had their eyes shut as they prayed. “Captain?” asked Elmar.

“We’re all right,” assured Jonthar, not looking up. “This was the spot where Tulmek was taken, right?”

“That’s correct,” replied Elmar.

“We were just praying that he would recover,” explained Arsha. “I already increased my donation amount to mental research.”

“This shouldn’t have happened at all,” sighed Bashoon. “It simply…” She was interrupted as magic blasts surrounded them. “Oh no! It couldn’t be…!”

“BARMEK!” bellowed a voice. Rooshee then teleported behind Bashoon, grabbed her by the hair, and flung her aside. Bashoon picked herself up as Dr. Ganshar swooped in and fired her wand at Arsha’s group. As she distracted them, Rooshee towered over Bashoon.

“By the Ones!” breathed Bashoon. “Rooshee! You ARE free!”

“No thanks to you!” snarled Rooshee.

“You’re blaming me?!”

“I told you that what I was doing was for the benefit of the Realms! I told you that the fight against new diseases was getting harder! I told you not to let Realmfleet know! I ORDERED you! But no! You disobeyed orders and I paid the price! Now, it is only fitting that I return the favor! Now I will…”

“You’ll shut up, that’s what you’ll do!” Bashoon drove her feet into Rooshee’s stomach, knocking her back. Bashoon got back up and drew her wand. “You’re getting exactly what you deserve!”

“What I deserve?!” Rooshee picked herself back up and the two circled one another, daring the other to make a move. “I didn’t ask to be stripped or rank and imprisoned!”

“And if you just used your call to demand some form of apology, I would have given you one without a second thought! But no, you broke out of prison, got yourself an accomplice, and terrorized a pandemic-stricken kingdom! You’re still a callous cow and whatever regrets I had are now gone!”

“For that, Barmek,” Rooshee inserted her wand into her axe, “you can expect a whole new form of torture!”

“I somehow doubt that, Ex-Admiral!” Bashoon inserted her wand into her knife and the two fought like their lives depended on it! Bashoon made energy waves with her slashes! Rooshee made rocks fly out of the ground! It was a fight that would be remembered!

---

Dr. Ganshar was still taking potshots at the group, separating them from Arsha. Once they were far enough, Dr. Ganshar leapt out of the trees and attacked Arsha. “TRAITOR TO SCIENCE!” she bellowed as her kick knocked Arsha to the ground.

“Says the lady who abused her child!” growled Arsha as she assumed her armored form, this time, leaving her rose in her hair.

“I won’t be judged as a criminal! Jansha was supposed to be a prototype! If she learned her place, it would have been a new era of robotics!”

“That ‘new era’ would have been built on suffering! You practically gave her the means to join Dr. Borg!”

“That was YOUR doing and yours alone! Your constant questions gave her the means of independence when she wasn’t ready!”

“Her desire for independence was not yours to dictate!”

“She is my creation, and I WILL get her back to fix her!”

“She’s made herself beyond a mere software update!”

“SHE IS MINE!” Ganshar then leapt onto Arsha with the fury of a wild tiger! As she slammed her fists onto Arsha, she ignored the pain that came from bare flesh striking steel. The force of her blows was pushing Arsha back slightly.

“Ganshar, stop! You’re gonna hurt yourself!” Ganshar didn’t listen. As she struck, her rage increased. Her vision was so tunneled, fixated on Arsha. At this point, she was incoherent in her speech! “All right, this has gone on long enough!” Arsha knocked Ganshar back and drew her sword while setting her wand into it. She kept making energy waves to keep Ganshar at bay. Unfortunately, Ganshar was acting so animalistic, she kept moving on all fours at speeds one doesn’t usually obtain in such a posture. She then climbed a tree and leapt over the energy waves to get the jump on Arsha. She resumed slamming her fists onto Arsha. “TAWENDO!” announced Arsha as she slammed her fist into the ground. The trees’ branches then extended and wrapped around Ganshar’s limbs, restraining her in the air. Unfortunately, Ganshar was thrashing so much, the branches threatened to break.

“TAWENDO YAL!” shouted Jonthar. The branches became thicker and thicker until Ganshar couldn’t move anymore. She bellowed in animalistic fury, unable to do anything. Her roars…then became screams of tear-ridden frustration. Her goal of revenge at that night was ripped away from her! Her fear of losing to Arsha again came true! In her moment of clarity…she just resorted to loud sobbing. Arsha still held her fist to the ground as she panted, her armor dissipating and her rose turning brown. She took it out of her hair as Jonthar knelt by her, placing his hand on her shoulder while she caught her breath. “Nature magic not your forte?” he asked.

“Not at a Fae’s level, no,” replied Arsha. “Being half human is also a disadvantage in that regard, not that I want to be a full Kitsune. I love myself too much for that. …Well, I love myself a lot more than Ganshar loves me.” Arsha and Jonthar looked at Ganshar in pity as her sobs got softer.

“Such a brilliant mind,” sighed Jonthar. “What caused her to be so cruel?”

“Her own family,” answered Arsha. “They were a High Elf family that wanted a son instead of a daughter. Nothing she did would earn their approval. They insisted that their cruelty was their way of showing love to her. They died of Stoneblood disease.”

“As a father, I can assure you, cruelty is NEVER the answer.”

“I hope Ganshar can get the help she needs.”

“We shall ensure…” Jonthar’s sentence was interrupted as a large spike split into a four-pronged claw and attached itself to the back of Ganshar’s head, shocking her with a gratuitous amount of electricity. Ganshar screamed in pain as the electricity ripped through her body before the device stopped and fell off her head. Her eyes shut as her head slumped forward while the person that used the spike stepped out of the shadows. They wore a cloak and armor that concealed everything about them, including their gender. The person pulled a sleeve back before speaking into a radio in their glove.

“Dr. Ganshar: neutralized,” droned the figure in a distorted voice.

Elmar and Bashoon led the way to Anful’s cottage while a small crowd of people and a horse-drawn carriage followed. Everyone was masked and kept their distance during the journey. As they went through a forest, the wind rustled, making the hair on Bashoon’s neck stand on end. “Ensign?” asked Elmar.

“I always figured forests from the Under-realm were creepy at night,” muttered Bashoon. “You know, because of the ghosts and dangerous animals that usually live in them. This, however? I don’t know what dangers lie behind any of the trees!”

“We DO have dangerous animals here, such as bears, wolves, and cougars.”

“Cougars? Here in the Over-realm?”

“During the War of the Realms, Mid-realm soldiers brought them to try and kill any forest dwelling people.”

“Did the Over-realm bring any dangerous animals to the other Realms?”

“Why, yes. My ancestors were instrumental in introducing bears to Under-realm forests. That’s actually the reason why Anful’s family hates mine.”

“Because they were against setting bears on people?”

“No, they believed the bears were best suited for the Mid-realm.”

“…You mean you guys hate each other because of a disagreement where bears should have been introduced?”

“I didn’t say that our feud is logical.”

“That was something your ancestors did, though! Why do you guys continue it now?!”

“…You know, I never really got a straight answer on that subject.”

“Then maybe now’s a good time to discuss ending it.”

“That’s up to the heads of our families. Regretfully, for both sides, they wish to continue the feud. If I may sound like a Goblin for a minute, it’s cutting into any chance of true profit.”

“‘Feuds fuel poverty’.”

“Exactly.”

“Sir, I hate to interrupt,” called a female Troll, “but can we please focus?”

“It’s quite all right, Lieutenant,” assured Elmar. “We can afford a little chat.” That was when things went wrong. Someone fired magic blasts and spooked the horses, knocking their riders off, Elmar and Bashoon included. The supplies were saved, thankfully, but the horses weren’t coming back.

“Who’s the wise guy?!” demanded Bashoon.

“Take it easy, Ensign,” advised Elmar.

“Well excuse me for being a little annoyed after someone used us for target practice!”

“I’m sure there’s an explanation. “Let’s get to the carriage and…”

“SIR!” called the Troll Lieutenant. “The carriage’s gone!”

“G…Gone, Ma’am?” gulped Bashoon.

“Yes, Ensign, gone!” confirmed the Troll. “So’s Tulmek!”

“We need to get help here!” declared Elmar. “Ensign, Lieutenant, there’s a cottage south of here, about six mebs away! Get there and raise the alarm!”

“Come on, Ensign!” urged the Troll. Before the two could go anywhere, the Troll was knocked off her feet by a magic blast.

“Lieutenant?!” yelped Bashoon.

“Leave her!” snarled a voice. While more magic blasts distracted the group, the voice’s owner stepped from the shadows. It was a cowled Minotaur woman with red eyes with only the pupils to discern any shape to them. “It’s not fully safe yet,” growled the Minotaur, “but when this gel-pox pandemic is over, we WILL settle our affairs…Cadet Barmek!” Bashoon gasped as she recognized the Minotaur!

---

“ROOSHEE?!” yelped Arsha once Bashoon had brought the Troll to the cottage and raised the Endeavor over a video call.

“It was her!” replied Bashoon. “She was responsible!”

“But…how…?!”

“I don’t know, but she must have done something to the carriage! I’m sure of it!”

“This is bad! She’s supposed to be in prison!”

“I think she must have taken advantage of that mass breakout after the Over-Union festival.”

“What is the status of the rest of the group?”

“From what Elmar told me on the way, the supplies reached their destination.”

“Anyone lost?”

“Just Tulmek.”

“I hope Lieutenant Tulmek’s all right; I’m supposed to be officiating his wedding next month.”

---

I’m pleased to say that Arsha DID get her wish…somewhat. Tulmek was found alive but broken. Just like last time, the smoldering wreckage of the carriage was in a forested clearing. Tulmek would be found wandering a churchyard about a por north, babbling all the while and smashing in the stained-glass windows. Unfortunately, Tulmek was out of his mind, his sanity utterly destroyed by the ordeal he went through, the specifics of which would never be known as Tulmek would spend the rest of his life as a gibbering wreck in an institution. When Bashoon provided a statement to the local investigators, the case was reopened. Unfortunately, given that vaccine progress was still a month out, Realmfleet couldn’t send its own investigators to assist in the matter. In fairness, they couldn’t risk an outbreak of artificial gel-pox across the Realms, but it was still frustrating to hear the news, especially for Marshii. She was stressed out as she had to fix up Elmar on top of assisting in vaccine research. His recovery took longer than usual, lasting a good half a month before he was released. When he was, Arsha, her lovers, her senior staff, Endea, and Bashoon met in the conference room. “All right,” began Arsha, “Rooshee’s most likely going after us because of what happened in Vorkath. Everyone, we need a solution to put her back into prison.”

“Bashoon,” recalled Denstra, “you said that Rooshee’s eyes were red with just the pupils.”

“I did,” confirmed Bashoon.

“That’s not something a Minotaur usually does,” muttered Gorfanth. “‘When a Minotaur’s eyes are red, all sense of decency is dead’.”

“Meaning?” asked Marshii.

“Whenever our eyes are red,” explained Gorfanth, “that’s a good indication that we’re in a feral state. Our higher brain functions just shut off and we fall onto our animalistic tendencies. Yes, we even go THAT far whenever we’re feral. Thankfully, such cases are rare. Rarer still are cases where a Minotaur purposefully goes that far because they’re still in control. Usually, the way to tell the difference is to see if their eyes are totally red or if there’s a pupil in them. Bashoon, you said that you could see a pupil and that she could speak, yes?”

“That’s right,” confirmed Bashoon.

“Then Rooshee’s in a much more dangerous state for all of us. She’s still capable of reasoning.”

“And that plus animal instincts make for a dangerous combination,” shuddered Arsha. “I think we can safely believe that revenge is on her mind.”

“That actually gives us time to prepare,” piped up Bashoon. All eyes were on her at that point. “She’s only going for ranged attacks, not willing to get up close and catch gel-pox. She said to me that she would settle her problem with me after this pandemic is over.”

“Then we need to be trained for her,” declared Arsha. “I want all crewmembers to prepare to fight a Minotaur that’s controlling their feral state. Gorfanth, I know you’re not a member of this crew…”

“I can give pointers on how to fight a Minotaur,” interrupted Gorfanth. “Feral though she is, she’s still got the same weaknesses as us.”

“Then I need you to advise…” Arsha was interrupted by a lieutenant bursting into the conference room.

“Captain! News just reached us!” yelped the Lieutenant. “Rooshee’s accompanied by Androashius Ganshar!”

“Androashius Ganshar?” repeated Bashoon. “As in, Dr. Ganshar, Jansha’s mom?”

“The same!” replied the Lieutenant.

“Great, two ladies out for revenge,” muttered Thangred.

---

“Why the carriages?” Rooshee asked Dr. Ganshar when they reconvened at

“Cut off transport, supplies dry up,” replied Dr. Ganshar.

“So, what, we destroy every carriage to send a message?”

“Just enough.”

“Why?”

“We need to create a new ground for my experiments.”

“What experiments? Vaccine-related ones?”

“Don’t be absurd. I’m a roboticist, not a chemist.”

“You know, ever since we broke out, you’ve always had cryptic remarks for my questions! For once, answer straight!”

“If science isn’t straight, why should my responses be? Now, we must lay low until the vaccine is completed.”

“Elves!” Rooshee stomped out of the lab.

“Minotaurs,” grunted Dr. Ganshar as she continued her work.

---

Remsu was in front of a full-length mirror, examining her backside and wishing she had wings and a tail again. Because the tail isn’t thick enough to be used as a weapon and the wings only carry a Succubus or Incubus over a short distance, most Lust Demons use them as mana stores. Remove them and the Lust Demon is forever weakened. There were methods of restoring them, but it would take a lot of mana and years of study of the particular subject. Even then, the Lust Demon with new wings and a tail would need a severe mana transfusion to get them back to full power. She released a sad sigh before her mood turned angry, recalling the events that resulted in them being chopped off. The man she was once with had robbed her of them and promptly executed for it. The damage was still done and Remsu still felt like she was violated in the worst way possible. That incident was what prompted her to believe killing is the only way to deal with crime. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts, she didn’t notice someone approach. “You know Cy’s doing everything in her power to regenerate them,” assured a voice. Remsu gasped before she saw Tensam standing in the door.

“I know,” she sighed as she rubbed her arm sadly. “The pain just burns so much.” Tensam entered the room and approached Remsu. Remsu leaned into his chest and hugged him as Tensam wrapped his arms around her in reassurance. They stayed like that for a good minute before they heard a woman clear their throat. They turned to see Femfaf standing in the door.

“I don’t wish to interrupt,” she began, “but Dr. Borg has all the mana needed to restore your missing ligaments and return you to full power.”

“What?! Already?!” yelped Remsu. “Where’d she…?!”

“I have massive mana stores,” replied Femfaf. “It was easy for me to donate what I could.”

“Well…thank you!” breathed Remsu.

“The procedure’s ready when you are.”

“On my way!” Remsu escaped Tensam’s embrace and practically ran to the operating room.

“Femfaf, have you been rewarded yet?” asked Tensam.

“Just earned a seat on your wife’s council,” replied Femfaf.

“A perfect reward. We could use you.”

“I aim to please.”

It was now a month into vaccine progress. The doctors were doing what they could to help treat the symptoms, but they knew it wasn’t an actual treatment. 17 people had died of gel-pox, King Jonthar’s parents included. Jonthar had already set aside a lot of money to develop a vaccine, but he set aside more and urged the upper class to donate what they could so a vaccine would come faster. I’m sorry to say that his actions weren’t totally well-received. The essential workers praised him, as did their employers, but the previous king, Queen Keelma’s father, Santha, publicly called it a waste of resources. He believed the problem would just go away on its own, an argument he and Keelma constantly had. “You ALWAYS did lack empathy!” hissed Keelma during one such argument.

“And YOU lack clarity!” accused Santha. “You and your bug husband are wasting time on trivial people!”

“Farmers, food workers, doctors, they’re trivial to you?!”

“They can be replaced!”

“They’re not non-Mechanica machines! They CAN’T be replaced!”

“Anyone can do their job!”

“That’s not true!” Before the argument could go any further, a doctor entered the room.

“Your Majesty! Good news!” he called.

“You dare interrupt…!” began Santha.

“Dad, shut up. Someone more important than you is talking,” hissed Keelma. She turned to the doctor, leaving her father to stand stunned at what she said. “You were saying, Doctor?”

“We’ve gotten the genetic makeup of this particular strain of gel-pox,” reported the doctor. “It’s an artificial strain!”

“Artificial?! Are you sure?!” gasped Keelma.

“Indeed! And the mutation factor’s consistent! We begin experiments on one version of this strain and it already mutates to account for that! I don’t mind telling you, we could actually have a vaccine next month!”

“Has my husband been informed?”

“He’s being told the news as we…” the doctor was interrupted by a loud cheer.

“Sounds like he’s received the news,” mused Keelma. “Doctor, you and your teams are instrumental! Once you have the vaccine, deliver it to essential workers first. Leave us royals and rich people for last.”

“Understood, Your Majesty!” confirmed the doctor as he bowed and left the room.

“…You once called our methods a waste of money, Dad,” Keelma remarked to Santha. “Can you still say that?”

“Quite easily,” scoffed Santha. “And a waste of time too. You gave the unimportant people too much money!”

“They just discovered that this strain of gel-pox is an artificial strain and promised us a new timetable and you STILL say they’re unimportant?!”

“They are nothing more than pieces in a ruler’s game, something YOU’VE never grasped!”

“And there’s the difference between you and me! Don’t bother saying anything else, you WON’T change my mind!” Keelma stormed out of the room and made her way to the stables. She went to her horse’s berth and found her beautiful black and white horse speaking to the Centaur Stable Master. The conversation was…not really what she expected.

“That’s impossible!” protested her horse as she stamped her hoof in frustration.

“I’m sorry, Gale,” replied the Stable Master, “but I don’t know what to tell you! We’ve searched every inch of the grounds and the doctor and his carriage aren’t even here!”

“What’s this about a missing doctor and carriage?” called Keelma.

“Your Majesty, Doctor Anful and his personal carriage are gone, but none of the horses are missing,” explained the Stable Master.

“Anful’s one of the best stable doctors here,” remarked Keelma. “How do you just lose him?”

“We didn’t LOSE him,” corrected the horse, Gale. “He went missing.”

“That’s not much of a difference in this case.”

“Hold on, I just had a thought,” muttered the Stable Master.

“What’s that?” asked Gale.

“If none of the horses are missing, how did his carriage move?”

“…I…I don’t know…”

“His carriage isn’t a horseless one, is it?” asked Keelma.

“No,” replied Gale, “it isn’t.”

“All right, that’s put a frightening spin on this!”

“I think I need a good run to clear my head.”

“Mind if I join you? I just had an argument with my dad.”

“Hop on, then.” The Stable Master helped Keelma up onto Gale. Once Keelma indicated she was comfortably on Gale, Gale trotted out of the stables and then sped up gradually until they were in the woods behind the castle. Gale liked running in the woods, it kept her skills to make quick decisions up to scratch. Keelma just liked feeling the wind blow her hair back, it always soothed her mind. While the forest was thick, the trees still allowed sunlight to pierce the canopy.

“A lovely day, wouldn’t you agree?” asked Keelma.

“Wholeheartedly,” answered Gale. “The air is clean, the sun is out, this is a day where nothing goes wrong.” That phrase invited disaster that day. The instant Gale entered a clearing, she saw something that made her rear up and whinny in fright. Keelma almost fell off!

“Easy, girl! Easy!” called Keelma as Gale put her hooves down and moved back. She finally saw what scared Gale. There was a smoldering wreck of a carriage in the clearing. “Okay, maybe you spoke too soon!”

“What’s going on here?!” yelped Gale. “Where’d all this come from?!”

“We better get back to the castle and raise the alarm!”

“His Majesty’s not going to like this!” Gale turned around and broke off into a gallop. King Jonthar and the Royal Guard were told about the situation and a member of the City Guard told them to expect an investigation team at the site as an Elven convent in the woods had already informed them of the carriage wreck. Jonthar, Keelma, and members of the Royal Guard rode towards the wreck and met with the investigation team and the convent’s Abbess, Nanfel. She and a novice of her order were giving their statement when the King and Queen arrived. The investigators had ordered everyone to stay back as they conducted their preliminary investigations, not wanting the crime scene to be contaminated.

“Goodness me!” whispered Nanfel. “Who could have done this?”

“Hoodlums with little to no respect and even less self-control,” replied the Dryad in charge of the investigation, Redwood.

“But to strike HERE of all places?!” protested Jonthar. “Children play in these woods!”

“If they had any sense of decency,” hissed the novice, “they wouldn’t have thought to do this!”

“Yallen!” admonished Nanfel. The novice subsided, realizing she spoke out of turn.

“Don’t worry,” assured Redwood, “we’ll find these scoundrels and bring them to justice!”

“SARGE!” called an Alraune. “COME HERE! QUICK!” Redwood, the Royals, and Nanfel followed Redwood. He stopped and his eyes widened, seeing evidence that the case was now worse.

“Oh no!” he groaned.

“What’s wrong?” asked Jonthar.

“Mother Superior,” Redwood called to Nanfel, “I’m sorry to report that we need your order’s services.” Jonthar, Keelma, and Nanfel gasped when they got a good look.

“By the Ones!” breathed Keelma as she hugged Jonthar tightly, feeling very scared. What they saw was the shiny, yet still very skeletal remains of an Elf. The pelvis indicated that it was a male Elf and dental records identified the victim to be the Stables’ doctor, Anful.

---

When the Princesses heard about this, they were mortified and saddened at Anful’s death. News reached the Endeavor and the doctors working on the cure for the gel-pox pandemic. Everyone offered their sympathies and whatever help they could give to Anful’s family. There was little solace to be had at the poor man’s funeral. It was hardly surprising; there were just too many questions surrounding his death. The whole affair was perfect fodder for the news, and it became a media sensation, its details talked about everywhere. Under normal circumstances, the Realms’ top criminal investigators would be tasked with solving it, but that was hard to do safely, given the gel-pox pandemic. The murderer picked an excellent time to strike, even going so far as to kill him in such a way that was unknown. Foresna and Gorfanth were talking to Elmar and Bashoon about it. “Did you guys hear the latest?” asked Gorfanth. “The City Guard had to call off the investigation until a vaccine’s been made.”

“Understandable,” replied Elmar. “What else can they do, given that they’re clueless during this pandemic.”

“Come on, Sir!” admonished Bashoon. “That’s hardly fair!”

“If I came off as derogatory, then I apologize,” answered Elmar. “I merely meant that they’ve exhausted every investigatory avenue given the current public health circumstances. To be honest, though, I doubt Enfanti could solve this one.”

“You’re not really wrong,” remarked Foresna. “I mean, how does someone steal a carriage, kidnap someone, manage to not tip off castle security, destroy it, kill the kidnapped person, then dump their remains in a forest clearing, all within the span of an hour, if the investigations are any indication?”

“If you hear some of the crew,” muttered Gorfanth, “they’ve got some theories about that. I assure you, none of them are good.”

“Like what?” asked Foresna.

“How about you two wait until Ensign Barmek and I are gone,” suggested Elmar, “before you discuss those theories?”

“Gone?” repeated Gorfanth. “Where are you guys going?”

“To Anful’s house to give his family financial aid, if you can believe it,” replied Bashoon.

“I thought Anful’s family hated yours, Elmar,” remarked Gorfanth.

“The feeling is mutual,” answered Elmar, “but neither side would wish death on the other. This is a gesture to help Anful’s family, given their recent loss. Perhaps this will mend fences between our families. As of this moment, I don’t mind assisting them.”

“Good to hear,” praised Foresna. “Just make sure your robes are secured for the ride!”

“What?!” yelped Elmar, momentarily losing his composure. “How did you…the Captain told you, didn’t she?”

“Actually, I did,” giggled Bashoon.

“I’ll be putting a reprimand in your file for that,” muttered Elmar as he and Bashoon headed to the cargo bay.

The Endeavor arrived at Vorkath and picked up the doctors and witches of Crossgene Hospital. They had full gear on, protecting themselves against the gel-pox pandemic. They examined the crew first while the supplies were being loaded. “Doc, come on!” protested a crewman.

“We can’t risk anyone bringing disease,” remarked the doctor.

“We weren’t even in the Over-realm!” argued the crewman.

“Lieutenant, let the doctor check you over,” called Arsha’s voice.

“But Captain…!” protested the crewman.

“That’s an order from both me and Marshii,” commanded Arsha. The crewman grumbled but complied.

“You know,” remarked Marshii as she came up to Arsha, “I DIDN’T give that order.”

“No, but you would have,” mused Arsha.

“…You’re right, I would have,” replied Marshii as she shrugged.

“Have all the doctors been briefed on what’s going on?” asked Arsha.

“Briefed and briefed all over again,” answered Marshii. “How soon until all the supplies are all loaded in?”

“Two minutes, according to our estimations,” replied Arsha.

“A bit long, in my opinion,” grumbled Marshii.

“We need to be careful that we’re not missing anything,” reminded Arsha.

“I know, I know,” grunted Marshii. Time felt like it was going at a crawl for Marshii, wanting to help as quickly as possible. Soon, everything was loaded, everyone was present, and all items and people were accounted for. The loading ramp then went up and the ship took off, on course for the Sacchrinda Kingdom.

---

The ship landed outside the kingdom, as was recommended. The doctors and supplies were taken to a small bunker near the border to work on a vaccine. As per protocol, shore leave was cancelled due to gel-pox concerns. Arsha was NOT going to run the risk of a virus on her ship, especially since the ship now had an organic body on top of being a ship. Speaking of, Endea and Thangred were having a chat at Barmek’s. “All I’m saying is,” urged Thangred, “we should pay attention to what’s going on in the Lunarimba Sea.”

“Why?” asked Endea. “It’s no concern of ours.”

“If it’s the result of Dr. Borg, I beg to differ,” argued Thangred.

“Even if you’re right,” countered Endea, “I doubt Realmfleet will be called. King Hindegar DOES tend to tell Realmfleet not to interfere in matters like this.”

“But if Dr. Borg’s involved, won’t Realmfleet be a good deterrent?” asked Thangred.

“What’s going on?” called Shalvey’s voice as she glided up to the table.

“Shalvey, you know what’s going on in your home, right?” quizzed Thangred.

“Actually, I just got news on that front,” replied Shalvey as she parked near Thangred. “Turns out it was all a prank from Queen Ulumeye’s dad.”

“Are you serious?!” snarled Thangred.

“Why, the nerve!” snapped Endea. “Faking out the people like that?! Oh, I wanna slap him!”

“I’m afraid you’ll have to get in line,” remarked Shalvey. “My home’s demanding his head for stealing our crops like that.”

“Seriously, didn’t the king pass a law saying that stealing from farm people is punishable by life in prison with no chance of parole?” quizzed Thangred.

“Which puts him in a very awkward position,” answered Shalvey.

“Oh, yeah, that’s his father-in-law,” recalled Endea.

“Exactly,” confirmed Shalvey. “If he follows through on the sentence, the media will call him too hard-nosed towards anyone, even his own associates. But, if he lets him go, they’ll say he’s too soft.”

“The media’s gonna eat him alive anyways!” realized Thangred. “How unpopular IS the poor guy?!”

“…You REALLY don’t want to know,” muttered Shalvey.

---

While the doctors were working on the vaccine, they had been sending Arsha their progress reports and she passed them on to Realmfleet and the Maropwems. When she had free time, she called her family to make sure they were okay. During one call, Arsha noticed that Elgrad looked twitchy. “Never been away from the throne for such a long time, Daddy?” guessed Arsha.

“Yep,” confirmed Elgrad. “Call me arrogant, if you will, but I feel like Largandra, much less the Mid-realm, would fall without me there!”

“I hear you, it’s like with me and the Endeavor.”

“Yeah, looks like you got that curse from your old man.”

“At least your impulse control’s a lot better,” chuckled Hanako.

“Hana, please, no!” wailed Elgrad.

“Wait, what?!” giggled Arsha. “Hold on, I think I want to hear this.”

“Well, when your father…”

“I’ll tell the story, thank you,” grumbled Elgrad. “When I was a Prince, I had TERRIBLE impulse control. It all came to a head when I was 150. A rather racist woman cast a curse on me that I would die the night before my 300^th birthday. My parents both already went through an operation to prevent any future children, so they were really scared for their family’s future. The advisor at the time, Tonsho…”

“Wait, which Tonsho?” interrupted Arsha. “That’s, like, the most common name in Largandra.

“This guy was a Centaur,” answered Elgrad. “Not anyone you knew. Anyway, he was wringing his hands as he explained the curse to me and my parents. As they were about to demand he find a solution, adolescent me called out, ‘Wait, before my 300^th is when this curse kills me?’ He answered yes and my next out-loud thought was ‘So, until then, I’m effectively immortal?!’”

“Uh oh,” gulped Arsha.

“Yeah, I wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. Mom and Dad said that I was technically right, but I didn’t hear the word ‘technically’ and announced that I was going to teach myself how to juggle axes while hang-gliding over shark-infested waters.” Arsha laughed like a maniac when she heard how dumb her dad was.

“Glad Grandma and Grandpa found the counter-curse in time,” she managed to get out between her giggles. “I can’t believe you would do something so dumb! You wouldn’t have caught me doing something like that!”

“Arsha,” remarked Hanako.

“Yeah, Mom?”

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

“What’s that?”

“…Sparkle, sparkle, sparkle!” Arsha then screamed into her hands.

“Depths, YEAH, sparkle, sparkle, sparkle!” laughed Elgrad.

“MOM, COME ON!” wailed Arsha. “I thought you would forget that incident!”

“Arsha, ALL adolescents do dumb stuff like that,” answered Hanako. “Your kids will do something just as bad.”

“Dalengor to Arsha,” came Dalengor’s voice over the intercom.

“One minute,” Arsha bid to her parents. “Go ahead, Dalengor.”

“One of our crewmate’s was caught trying to get out of the ship,” reported Dalengor. “She’s in the brig now for fighting the security officer at the ramp.”

“Oh, Ones, the last thing I want to hear!” Arsha groaned. She then turned to her parents. “Sorry, guys, need to discipline someone. See you as soon as possible.”

“Bye!” bid her parents as she ended the call.

---

“It was only going to be for five minutes!” protested the Werewolf lieutenant as she faced Arsha. “Where’s the harm?!”

“I won’t risk gel-pox on this ship,” answered Arsha. “All shore leave is cancelled to prevent the spread of disease to other Realms.”

“I was wearing a mask and gloves!”

“That mask was under your nose and the gloves had holes so your claws would stick out!”

“Captain, you must release me!”

“I will only release you when I have evidence that you are as committed to this as your husband!” The Werewolf rolled her eyes as Arsha indicated to the male Werewolf guard to step forward. “Look at him,” directed Arsha. “He’s standing tall and proud, ready to sacrifice his outdoor time, knowing the risks of…” she trailed off when she saw something in his pocket. She quickly yanked it out and saw that it was an exit card, used only to leave the ship. “…Lieutenant Tentar,” growled Arsha as she moved her hairpiece to her waist, “what is THIS?!”

“…I don’t know how that got there,” gulped the male Werewolf, Tentar.

“You lie!” accused his wife, Lieutenant Enfal. “How many more do you have?!”

“I have duties to perform,” answered Tentar.

“Don’t change the subject! Where are the others?!”

“There ARE no others!”

“If you don’t tell me where the others are, I will sleep in separate quarters for a week!” Tentar growled but relented as he pulled another exit card out of his uniform’s shirt, another out of his shoe, then opened a drawer full of exit cards.

“…You hypocrite!” hissed Arsha.

“You hold me here for trying to leave, yet you planned to leave this ship yourself?!” snarled Enfal.

“Well, I have a proposition,” growled Tentar. “From now until the vaccine is ready for mass-production, we will watch each other!”

“Yes! Closely!” agreed Enfal.

“I’m holding you both to it,” warned Arsha.

---

“Five days!” hissed Rosalmia to her sisters as vaccine work continued. “Five days since Daddy passed that order! Five days of staying inside! Five days of not finding any more lovers! Five days of going to this very ballroom and not having a dance partner!”

“You were the one,” remarked Yasnima as she touched up her eye makeup, “that urged Daddy to pass a stay-at-home order.”

“Yeah, well, I thought it would take at least two days!” hissed Rosalmia. “Not five days of uncertainty!”

“Viruses take a long time to develop a vaccine for,” reminded Grenmaf as she and Blamfem looked over some medical journals. “We might get a vaccine in about three months.”

“That’s three months too long for someone like me!” wailed Rosalmia. “I need to find more lovers!”

“You said,” muttered Purhalmaf, “patience is key.”

“For you girls! Not me!” snapped Rosalmia. “I hate patience! Patience is for wimpy introverts!”

“Our mother was a conscious stone statue for three years after looking directly into a Gorgon’s eyes,” grunted Orsanmii, “and you can’t be patient for three months?”

“She’s just as extroverted as you,” reminded Blamfem.

“I can’t do this!” groaned Rosalmia. “Don’t make me! I need to be busy!”

“FINE!” shouted Pinalk, fed up with her red sister. “Be busy! We could all use a break from your complaining!” Rosalmia scowled, then ran out of the ballroom, making a beeline straight for the kitchen. Whenever one of the Royal Family was bored, they usually helped their staff, a tradition started by her mother. She put on a mask, a hairnet, and a jacket designed for kitchen work as she entered the castle’s kitchens. The head chef saw her and approached her.

“Is her Highness getting buggy?” she asked.

“Her Highness is losing her mind from being so bored and isolated!” replied Rosalmia.

“I believe Yalfeen would like some help on preparing the veggies,” mused the head chef. “Just wash your hands before you help.”

“Got it.” Rosalmia then washed her hands and put on gloves that were designed for kitchen work, then she joined an Elf woman chopping veggies.

“Looking for something to do during all this,” the Elf woman, Yalfeen, guessed.

“Isolation’s just torture for extroverts,” sighed Rosalmia as she grabbed a carrot and started chopping.

“I hear you. I can’t exactly travel to the Under-realm and meet with my own lovers.”

“Then you understand my predicament perfectly.”

“Granted, I only have two.”

“You still get it, though.”

“Oh, I do.”

---

Lunch was put together and Rosalmia helped the staff serve up the soup. Once her family arrived in the dining room, they all sat down. “Much better,” sighed Rosalmia. “Nothing like a little activity to pass the time. Hey, Blamfem, how long was it since I left you girls?”

“Half an hour,” replied Blamfem as she checked her watch. Rosalmia’s smile faded.

“…I can’t do it,” she muttered as she slouched in her seat.

The Caldoras explained what had happened to the citizens of the Kurontar Sea. Naturally, many mothers were saddened about their children deciding to revoke their citizenship, but, legally, there was nothing anyone could do. The revocation was legal, even if the means of leaving wasn’t. While the Rulers addressed the people, Samuje swam to the communications console and called Sanfar again. “You again?!” snapped Sanfar. “Look, I already told you, you’re not having your Captaincy reinstated until your mental state…”

“Actually, I called you to request a Discharge Ceremony,” interrupted Samuje.

“…What for?” asked Sanfar.

“I’ve found a new purpose in my life,” explained Samuje, “that involves my people’s city guard instead of Realmfleet.”

“…And you’re sure about this?” pressed Sanfar.

“I’ve found one incident of corruption too many within my native waters,” affirmed Samuje. “I can’t gallivant around the Realms like that while there’s something I can do here.”

“…If that’s the case,” mused Sanfar, “I think you are owed an honorable discharge from Realmfleet. We thank you for your service.”

“I thank you for allowing me to serve,” returned Samuje.

“I think I can arrange for a Discharge Ceremony in two days,” Sanfar offered.

“Two days would be perfect,” answered Samuje.

“Then I will see you in two days,” declared Sanfar. The call ended and Samuje rolled her shoulders back, as if a weight were lifted from them.

---

The Caldoras saw the Endeavor crew off. The general mood towards Realmfleet hadn’t improved, but it didn’t get worse either. “Your Majesty, I must apologize for…” began Arsha.

“Save it,” interrupted Vorko. “No apologies are needed. Those deserters made their choice, you didn’t influence them in any capacity.”

“Still, I would have liked to have brought them back,” muttered Arsha.

“There’s no sense in beating yourself up over this,” advised Marianes. “You did what you could. …Arsha, I want to apologize for what I said after the fight with Oyed. I was considering joining with the anti-Realmfleet voices, but you successfully helped Samuje find another job that she seems happier with.”

“I simply did what I could for her,” replied Arsha.

“I’ll do what I can to convince the naysayers,” continued Marianes, “that Realmfleet can still be trusted.”

“You’re not alone in that,” called Samuje. “I’ll help.”

“Someone’s going to say that we’re forcing you to say we can be trusted,” mused Arsha.

“I have a few responses for that,” assured Samuje. “Good luck, Captain Royana.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” returned Arsha. She walked up the ramp as it shut itself behind her and made her way to the bridge. As she walked, a female Wood Elf in a purple trimmed duty uniform came up to her. “Lieutenant Anfeel, what can I do for you?” asked Arsha. The Elf caught her breath before speaking.

“Commander Shalvey just got word from Realmfleet,” explained Anfeel. “The Sacchrinda Kingdom is going through a gel-pox pandemic.”

“But…but they’re not…!” gulped Arsha as she recalled that the Sacchrinda Kingdom wasn’t the best equipped at handling pandemics.

“Captain, Realmfleet’s ordered us to get to the new Crossgene Hospital in Vorkath to bring medical personnel and supplies to help them NOW!” urged Anfeel. “Denstra’s ordered Nazay to leave the instant you’re onboard.” Arsha wasted no time in getting to a communications terminal.

“Bridge, this is the Captain,” she called. “I’m onboard. Get us there now!”

“Understood, Captain,” replied Denstra.

---

“You heard the Captain,” called Denstra to Nazay. “All available speed to the Sacchrinda Kingdom.”

“Aye, Ma’am,” replied Nazay as he laid in a course. The engines spun to life and the Endeavor rose from the base’s landing pad. It climbed higher and higher until it breached the surface and took to the air.

---

“It appears we’ve lost any allies,” sighed Dr. Borg once Femfaf gave her report.

“My apologies, Doctor,” bid Femfaf.

“You did what you could,” assured Dr. Borg. “Still, it would have been nice to have some anti-Realmfleet support on our side. Oh well, they still chose their side.” At that moment, Yulduk entered the office. “What can I do for you, Commander Yulduk?” asked Dr. Borg.

“Our operative is stuck in the Sacchrinda Kingdom,” reported Yulduk. “A gel-pox pandemic has struck, and the kingdom is in medical quarantine. No one, aside from medical personnel and their Realmfleet escorts, is allowed in or out of the kingdom.” Dr. Borg sighed in exasperation.

“Then he can’t leave so easily,” grumbled Dr. Borg, “and the samples will have long expired.” She got up from her desk to consider her next move. “Oyed won’t like this,” she muttered. At that moment, the comms terminal on her desk chimed. She pressed a button. “Yes?” she asked.

“Have you heard from Ms. Yamta?” asked Oyed’s voice.

“…No, Master, I can’t say as I have,” remarked Dr. Borg.

“She discovered the samples we need in her location,” explained Oyed.

“You’re joking!” gasped Dr. Borg as delight struck her.

“She has already showed me the samples as proof of her deed,” answered Oyed. “They’re in storage now.”

“Then our project can go on as scheduled!” cheered Dr. Borg. “I’ll get started on it right away!”

“Perhaps you should reward Ms. Yamta before you do,” suggested Oyed.

“I will, indeed!” promised Dr. Borg. “Borg out.” The call ended.

“Well, I think we’ve found our last candidate,” mused Femfaf.

“Indeed,” agreed Dr. Borg. “Bring Yamta here. I want to reward her personally.”

“At once,” replied Femfaf as she and Yulduk left the office.

“Thus,” mused Dr. Borg when she was alone, “the Imperial Council for the Realm Trinity Empire is complete.”

---

Arsha was on the bridge as the Endeavor made its way to the Realmgate. Endea was a little confused. “Captain, I don’t think I’ve heard of gel-pox. What kind of disease is it?”

“When someone has gel-pox,” explained Arsha, “the germ colonies congregate in green, gelatinous spots on the skin, just looking for a way inside to wreak havoc on the patient’s breathing. It’s transmitted via touch and sneezing. I certainly hope there’s a mask mandate in effect.”

“Approaching the Realmgate,” reported Nazay.

“Take us through,” directed Arsha.

“Marshii to Bridge,” called Marshii over the comms.

“Go ahead,” directed Arsha.

“I’ve just gotten word on all mandates the Maropwems have passed,” reported Marshii.

“Please tell me a mask mandate is one of them,” pleaded Arsha.

“Mask AND glove mandate,” answered Marshii. “I recommend that, once we bring the doctors to the kingdom, we cancel ground-leave. The only ones that should be on the ground are medical staff.”

“Isolate the ship until this pandemic’s showing signs of letting up?” quizzed Arsha.

“That’s the idea,” confirmed Marshii.

“Then ground-leave is cancelled until further notice,” declared Arsha. The call then ended.

“Captain, if this is a pandemic,” advised Denstra, “we can’t risk landing on the base.”

“You’re right,” muttered Arsha. “We need to stay a por away from the kingdom.”

“Knowing the Maropwems,” mused Shalvey, “they’ll have accounted for that.”

“…You’re right,” breathed Arsha as she forced herself to calm down. “Sorry, I’m just a little paranoid about pandemics. I was only a little girl when Largandra suffered a petrifire-virus pandemic.”

“How long did it last, if you don’t mind me asking?” asked Malak.

“15 years,” replied Arsha. “The death toll was staggering.”

“Sorry you went through that,” gulped Malak.

“It took a while to recover, I want the Sacchrinda Kingdom to recover in a shorter time.”

“Captain, I just got a report from the Maropwems!” called Shalvey. “Your parents were visiting Midiriki! They’re stuck in her house!”

“Are they sick?!” yelped Arsha.

“The report didn’t say,” replied Shalvey. “You better try and talk to them!”

“I’ll be in my ready room!” declared Arsha. “Denstra, you have the conn!” Arsha got up and Denstra moved herself to the Captain’s Chair. Arsha then called up her aunt’s home. “Hello, Aunt Midiriki!” she yelped.

“Arsha?” asked Midiriki. “Did you hear the news?”

“The Endeavor’s coming with doctors and medical supplies from Vorkath,” replied Arsha. “Where’s Mom and Dad?!”

“Right here!” called Elgrad’s voice. He and Hanako appeared on the screen. “We ain’t going outside until this is all over,” declared Elgrad.

“Have you two been tested?” asked Arsha.

“We’ve all been tested,” assured Hanako, “even little Tellimii. None of us have gel-pox. Tellimii’s taking online classes right now.” Arsha released a breath.

“Thank the Ones,” she sighed. “I’ll visit you guys when it’s safe enough to do so. I need to remain on the Endeavor. I’m only allowing medical staff and supplies to leave the ship.”

“Call us whenever you can,” urged Hanako.

“And please, stay safe,” pleaded Elgrad.

“I will, on both counts,” promised Arsha. “We’ll end this quicker than Largandra’s pandemic.”

“I hope so,” muttered Elgrad. “We still haven’t fully recovered from losing that many people.” The call ended and Arsha was left with her thoughts. Her thinking was interrupted by a call.

“Go ahead,” she directed.

“We’re approaching Vorkath,” reported Shalvey.

“On my way,” declared Arsha. She then left her ready room.