Tag: fantasy

The rebuilding of Domoroto was going to take a long time. A few Realmfleet ships were going to stay behind and help, but the Endeavor could not. “Another mission?” Arsha asked Rooshee on her personal screen in her quarters. “Already?”

“It’s a delivery mission,” replied Rooshee. “The Vorkath Monastic Hospital needs medical supplies to help the patients.”

“Must be a busy time of year for them,” mused Arsha.

“The winter months are the hardest,” agreed Rooshee. “I don’t think I need to tell you how important it is that the hospital gets the supplies.”

“We’ll get them there,” promised Arsha. “I won’t let the best hospital in the Realms be without supplies.”

“Good to hear,” praised Rooshee. “Realmfleet out.” When the call ended, the door rang.

“Come in,” bid Arsha. Oak entered the room.

“Am I interrupting?” he asked.

“Not at all,” assured Arsha. “What’s on your mind?”

“There has been a rumor that we would be staying to rebuild Domoroto,” reported Oak.

“Sorry to disprove that rumor,” sighed Arsha. “It would be nice to see the Shrine City opened, but we have another mission from Realmfleet. We’re delivering medical supplies to the Vorkath Monastic Hospital.”

“I see,” mused Oak. “Do we have a destination to retrieve the medical supplies for them?”

“According to the mission description,” replied Arsha, “we’re getting them from the Naval Base in Galthar.”

“That’s not too far away,” recalled Oak. “Now, if memory serves, Vorkath is a city for the Chimeras outside of Wysper City, Lardeth and Falnii’s home.”

“I don’t have a guarantee that Lardeth’s ship, the High Sky, will be there,” continued Arsha, “but Falnii, unless she’s on a diplomatic mission, visits her parents at this time of year.”

“A surprise visit?” asked Oak.

“No, Zephyrs usually prefer knowing about visits,” answered Arsha. “I’d rather she be prepared for me. Inform the crew that we’ll be moving out shortly.”

“Aye, Ma’am,” confirmed Oak. He then left her quarters. Arsha then typed in a number on her screen. The screen rang for a few seconds before a woman appeared. This was one of her fiancés, Falnii. She had grey skin and was in a dress made of clouds, just like her hair and hairpieces on either side of her head. The symbol on her breastbone indicated her status and position. Her expression brightened when she saw Arsha’s face.

“Hello, Foxy,” she said in her quiet tone.

“Hello, Fluffy,” replied Arsha. “My ship is going to be making a delivery of medical supplies to the Vorkath Medical Hospital in a week. I figured, once we land, I might grant shore leave after the harrowing battle we’ve had a few days ago.”

“I heard about it during Jargoon’s trial,” remarked Falnii. “I’m just disgusted that Mega-sharks would stoop that low. And he still insisted that it was his right!”

“I’m not exactly thrilled either,” muttered Arsha. “Some of the inhabitants of Domoroto may never recover.”

“Still,” mused Falnii, “it’s nice to see that justice is finally being served. I just hope that the Under-realm is okay with the increase in its Mega-shark population.”

“Actually, yes they are,” replied Arsha. “They’ve told Realmfleet that, since they originally came into being there, they felt their spread into the other Realms was their fault. They’re happy Mega-sharks abandoned a Realm. Makes it easier to keep track of.”

“Good to hear,” cheered Falnii. “I look forward to your arrival. My parents and sisters always enjoy seeing you.”

“And I enjoy seeing them as well as you,” chuckled Arsha. “See you soon. Arsha out.”

“Bye,” bid Falnii as she gave her usual shy wave. The call ended and Arsha made her way to the Bridge. When she arrived, the crew was ready.

“Helm, set course for Galthar,” she directed.

“Course laid in,” reported Nazay.

“Nice and easy,” commanded Arsha.

“Aye, Ma’am,” confirmed Nazay. The Endeavor’s landing struts retracted as the ship rose from its spot on the seafloor. It breached the surface like a massive, silver whale. Unlike the whale, however, the Endeavor went higher and higher, taking a northeastern direction for Galthar.

---

Jargoon sat in his cell, scowling at the guards. Never had he been humiliated so much. Never had he felt such betrayal. He was in a state of perpetual anger. “Is the widdle fishy mad?” asked the guard, an Incubus.

“Laugh it up, Lust monster!” snarled Jargoon.

“At least I never stoop to slavery!” growled the guard, offended.

“Your brand of life is supposed to BOW to me!” demanded Jargoon.

“When are you going to get it through your thick head,” hissed the guard, “that life never really bows to ANYTHING?!”

“Then why have rulers?!” roared Jargoon.

“Not the same thing!” replied the guard.

“Believe me, it is!” argued Jargoon.

“You have the biggest superiority complex in all the Realms!” snapped the guard.

“We didn’t ask to be superior!” bellowed Jargoon.

“Oh, good grief!” cried the guard. “The Mega-shark’s burden!”

“Exactly!” replied Jargoon.

“I’ve heard enough!” shouted the guard. He pressed a button near the door and all sound coming out of the cell was cancelled. “You can stay in there and rant as long as you want. At least I don’t need to listen to you!” Jargoon started bellowing at the guard, but he couldn’t hear.

---

Orbak, his wife Elmpam, and Malnar were in the throne room, looking on Veloom. He drummed his fingers as he waited for the Council’s recommendation. A Councilor then stepped into the room. “We have decided,” she reported. “The Mega-sharks are too dangerous to be left in the other Realms. We need Realmfleet to relocate them back to our Under-realm.”

“Thank you, Councilor,” replied Orbak. “That will be all.” The Councilor bowed, then left the throne room. “Veloom,” growled Orbak, “can you give me any particular reason why I SHOULDN’T relocate all Mega-shark colonies back to the Under-realm?”

“You and your family are well within your rights to do so,” sighed Veloom.

“We’re not talking about our rights!” snarled Elmpam. “Answer my husband’s question!”

“I have no answer,” muttered Veloom. “I was simply allowing my dark passions to guide me.”

“Dark passions?!” snapped Malnar. “Then you and your people have abused them!”

“Your Excellencies,” argued Veloom. “With respect, we have not. We have obtained pleasure, as is our right…!”

“That right,” roared Malnar as she stood up, “has responsibilities! All rights have responsibilities! Before you even mention the harems, let me remind you that it has evolved from its dark origins of enslaved people! Nowadays, it’s a consensual bond between Harem Master and Harem Member! Enfanti of the Blue Rose Harem can attest to that!”

“There is a limit to how far we allow our dark passions to guide us to power,” continued Elmpam, “and you Mega-sharks just reached it!”

“We’re having all Mega-sharks in all the Realms relocated back to their ancestral waters in the Actanila Mega-shark Grounds!” shouted Orbak. “Is that clear?!”

“Orbak, you can’t deny us the right to spread!” roared Veloom.

“I can, and I will!” affirmed Orbak. “And the correct form of address is ‘Your Majesty’! Now, GET OUT!” He summoned a teleport circle underneath Veloom and she vanished back to the Actanila Mega-shark Grounds.

“I won’t miss her,” hissed Malnar.

“Malnar, sweetie,” directed Orbak, “would you inform Realmfleet about my request?”

“Sure thing, Daddy,” replied Malnar.

“I’ll tell Frigandor’s assembly,” supplied Elmpam, “about the increase in the Mega-shark population off their northwestern shores.”

“You do that,” replied Orbak. “I need to prepare my address to the Under-realm relating to his matter.” All three of them went off to their separate destinations to fulfill their duties.

---

Over in the Over-realm, in the Falfan shipyards, a large, imposing ship with a cloud design was ready to launch again. This was the CRS-3395, High Sky, under the command of Crown Prince Lardeth Malfam, future ruler of the Over-realm and one of Arsha’s fiancés. Lardeth was gliding along with Falnii, his clouds in a dress style, as is standard for all Zephyrs regardless of gender, and wearing cloud hairpieces to hold a veil behind his head. His silver adorned lips were in a smile as he looked at Falnii. She was talking about her conversation with Arsha. “She’s going to be visiting?” quizzed Lardeth. “I might meet her on the way.”

“I hope you do,” replied Falnii. “She misses you.”

“And I miss her,” sighed Lardeth. “A Captain’s life is a lonely one.”

“How many years do you have left in your tour?” asked Falnii.

“Two more, starting tomorrow,” replied Lardeth. “I must return to the High Sky. Farewell, Fluffy.”

“Farewell, Princess,” called Falnii. They then went their separate ways.

The combined fleet had assembled. Because of the nature of the mission, all Realmfleet members were required to wear their duty uniforms instead of their usual clothes. The duty uniform consisted of a grey shirt with long sleeves and a pair of black pants with a black, loose, knee-high skirt. The trim on the uniforms signified where the person worked at. Red was for ensigns, orange was for engineering, yellow was for security, green was for the sciences, blue was for the medical profession, and purple was for command. If the person wearing the uniform was not bipedal or naturally had a way to obscure the lower half, the shirt was the only thing required. Arsha adjusted her purple-trimmed shirt and tied off her bun, forgoing her rose hairpiece. She then adopted an authoritative stance. Time to project confidence. She strode onto the bridge to see all bridge crewmembers in their uniforms. Oak, Nazay, Shalvey, and Laverda had purple trim, Dalengor and Malak had yellow, Thangred and Melandra had orange, Elmar and Orthena had green, and Marshii and Thengo had blue. “All decks report ready,” reported Dalengor.

“All ships are standing by,” called Shalvey. “They await your command.”

“Ship to ship communications, Commander Shalvey,” ordered Arsha as she sat down.

“Channel open, Captain,” replied Shalvey.

“All ships, we’re ready,” said Arsha over the channel. “Move out!” The channel closed. “Nazay, set course for the Trelfan Trench, all available speed.”

“Trelfan Trench, all available speed,” confirmed Nazay. The Endeavor then moved to lead the combined fleet to battle. Like a great silver and pink wall, the fleet of the Kurontar Sea and Realmfleet ships ploughed through the water inexorably.

---

King Jargoon, the leader of all Mega-sharks across the Realms, patrolled the perimeter of the trench. He had to deal with his family’s personal slave, the former Queen Roomeela, sister to Forneth, not performing as fast as she usually did in her 50,000 years of enslavement. After giving her 20 lashes, he got healers to fix her up and cure any illnesses that may have snuck into her body. A sick or injured slave is valueless in his mind. He was about to swim back down when a scout swam to him. “Your Majesty!” she yelped. “A Realmfleet force is coming with those fish-people as well! They’ve crossed the border in an attack formation heading directly here!”

“WHAT?!” bellowed Jargoon. “HOW DARE THEY?! CALL OUT THE SOLDIERS! WE’RE DEFENDING OUR HOME!” The horn blew and the Mega-shark soldiers swarmed out of the trench. The fleet arrived, laying down suppressing fire while the smaller fighter crafts attacked the soldiers. The fight was brutal, both sides sustaining casualties.

---

“Keep on them,” urged Arsha as the Endeavor chased a Mega-shark light cruiser.

“I’ll give them this,” muttered Nazay as his fingers danced across the console, “the Mega-sharks know how to pilot their crafts.

“So do you, Commander,” encouraged Arsha.

“Stay on them,” urged Oak.

“I’m trying, Sir,” replied Nazay. “And they say we Nagas are slippery.”

“Unable to lock target,” growled Malak. The ship then rocked as something hit it. “We have two Mega-shark heavy cruisers aft of us!” called Malak. “Bearing 2-7-0-mark 1-0-4!”

“Evasive action Arsha Sigma,” Arsha ordered Nazay.

“Hang on!” called Nazay. The Endeavor then loop-de-looped over the Mega-shark ships and ended up behind them. Malak took the opportunity and fired on them, destroying them.

“Nice work,” praised Arsha.

“Couldn’t have made those shots without Nazay’s help,” called Malak.

“Yeah,” hissed Nazay, “but I lost the light cruiser we were chasing.”

“I’m not too choked up,” replied Malak. “Plenty more for us to choose from.” I wish I could say that was a good omen, but it wasn’t. The Mega-sharks decided to go on a few kamikaze runs on the Merfolk’s Shellcrafts. Both crafts exploded on impact. It wasn’t looking too good for the combined fleet.

“Captain,” reported Shalvey, “King Vorko for you.”

“On screen,” commanded Arsha. King Vorko, one of Marianes’ dads, appeared, his brown beard disheveled by the battle.

“The Realmcutter’s been destroyed,” he reported. “That entire line is collapsing.”

“We’ll try to help,” assured Arsha.

“With what?!” asked Vorko. “Arsha, we’re losing too many ships! We’ve got to find a way to turn the Mega-shark’s left flank!”

“It’s too well protected,” replied Arsha, “but their lines are spread pretty thin in the middle.”

“You help the Realmfleet ships,” directed Vorko. “Forneth and I will hit the center.”

“On my way,” answered Arsha. The call ended. “Shalvey, have attack wings 23 and 24 follow us.

“Aye, Ma’am,” confirmed Shalvey.

---

“What is going on up there?!” growled Jargoon’s wife, Veloom.

“We’re unable to get an accurate reading at the moment,” replied a guard, “but, I assure you, we will hear the victory horn momentarily.”

“You’ve been saying that for the past hour!” roared Veloom as she swam closer, her teeth bared. “Meanwhile, there’s no way of contacting my husband! No way of knowing how the battle is going!” Roomeela, her brown hair showing the abuse she suffered for 50,000 years and her tail in constant pain, noticed her captors’ distress. She decided to bide her time until a signal could reach her and her people.

---

“Mega-shark ship off the port bow!” reported Malak. “Shields are down to 50%!” The ship rocked again. “Another Mega-shark ship to port!”

“Thangred, auxiliary power to port shields!” ordered Arsha. “Shalvey, we need some support from our attack fighters!”

“Aye, Captain!” called Shalvey. The ship rocked again.

“Another Mega-shark off the starboard aft!” relayed Malak.

“Arsha,” reported Shalvey, “most of our fighters are either destroyed or under attack themselves!”

“Commander, give us some breathing room!” ordered Arsha.

“I’m trying!” called Nazay. The Endeavor still had the three Mega-shark ships on her, at least, until Forneth managed to dive into them and destroy them.

---

The main command center was filled with every single pleasure slave the Mega-sharks have kept for 50,000 years. A look of horror crossed Veloom’s face as the long range sensors displayed Forneth destroying ships. A murmur could be heard throughout the slave population. “Quiet,” ordered Veloom. She then noticed that she didn’t get immediate obedience. “I said, quiet. You are bred to serve us and obey us. Quiet.”

“No!” snarled Roomeela. Veloom gave the former Queen her full attention.

“What did you say?” she hissed.

“I SAID NO!” roared Roomeela as she leaned back and decked Veloom in the snout. That was all the motivation the enslaved merfolk needed. They started breaking their chains and grasping at the shells on their backs. Veloom recovered.

“Neuro-shells,” she ordered. The Mega-shark at the console pressed a button and pain filled the merfolk, but still, they managed to grab the shells. “NEURO-SHELLS!” bellowed Veloom.

“They’ve thrown up mental blocks!” called the Mega-shark. “I can’t get them to fall in line!” The merfolk then tore the shells off and threw them onto their oppressors. This time, the Mega-sharks felt how bad their own devices were. As the Mega-sharks tried to terminate the treatment, the merfolk swam out of the command center and joined the battle.

---

“How goes the battle?” asked Jargoon.

“We’re still in a standstill with the enemy,” reported a Mega-shark. “We shall soon break through their…do you hear that?”

“MY LORD!” called another Mega-shark. “BENEATH US!” The formerly enslaved merfolk then attacked Jargoon’s forces from below.

“HOW DID THEY GET OUT?!” bellowed Jargoon. “DISCIPLINE THEM!”

“They’ve removed their neuro-shells!” called a Mega-shark. “They CAN’T be disciplined!”

---

“Your Highness! Look!” yelled Nazay.

“I see it!” cheered Arsha. “We have the Mega-sharks surrounded! Lock onto Jargoon and warp him to the bridge!”

“Got him!” replied someone from the Port Deck. Jargoon appeared on the Endeavor’s bridge and started gasping before he attached rebreathers on his gills. He then got up.

“You have forced me to accept a handicap,” he growled, “and walk on two legs like a foul land-dweller! HOW DARE YOU!” He then started swinging wildly, a poor decision. He wasn’t as adept at fighting in air as he was in water. Arsha dodged his swings, then decked him in the eye, the rough equivalent to hitting a human below the belt. Dalengor then fired a stun blast and knocked Jargoon out.

“Good shot,” complimented Arsha. “Is the cell ready for him?”

“Ready and waiting,” cheered Dalengor.

“Throw him in the brig,” directed Arsha. Dalengor strode over to Jargoon and cast a teleport spell on the pair of them, taking them to the brig.

“Captain,” reported Malak, “the enemy lines have collapsed!”

“Thank goodness for the slave uprising,” cheered Oak.

“King Vorko wants to talk to you,” called Shalvey.

“Put him through,” replied Arsha. Vorko appeared on the screen.

“Roomeela, Forneth’s sister,” he relayed, “has told us about how the uprising happened. Forneth’s presence encouraged them to rebel. We’ve got Jargoon’s forces in our brigs and the former slaves are receiving medical treatment.”

“That’s great news,” cheered Arsha. “What about the rest of the Trench’s denizens?”

---

“My Queen,” urged a Mega-shark after the shells were removed, “we must avenge your husband! We must avenge our forces! I’ll summon an army to destroy the enemy and…!”

“What army?!” bellowed Veloom. “All we have left are civilians! Pregnant women! Children! Guards! Not soldiers! Admit it, we’ve lost. Begin evacuation procedures. Pregnant women and children are top priority. The guards will cover the retreat.”

“NO!” roared the Mega-shark. “We can’t leave the Trench to those fish-people!”

“I have had enough of disobedience for one day!” shrieked Veloom as she slashed his face with her claws. As he cradled his face, Veloom turned to the rest of her people. “Anyone else?!” she challenged. No one dared speak up. “Evacuate the Trench,” she ordered. “Use all available speed to our Realmgate. We’re returning to our ancestral Under-realm.”

---

“The civilians are evacuating the Trench,” reported Malak. “A Realmgate has been opened, leading to the Under-realm.”

“They’re returning to their ancestral seas,” guessed Marshii.

“My friends,” cheered Vorko, “songs will be sung of this day. Once this affair is over, I’ll have a guard posted in the Trench to watch the Realmgate.”

“It will lead to a community living there again,” cheered Erga. “A merfolk community.”

“With respect,” sighed Roomeela as she swam onto Vorko’s bridge, “I don’t think any of us will live there a second longer. We need to return to our home, even if it IS in ruins.”

“We will help you rebuild,” assured Vorko. “Your kingdom will live again!”

“Not MY kingdom,” countered Roomeela. “I have given up my crown. To wear it again would only have me dwell on what was instead of learning the lessons from that time. That’s not what the Order was founded on. The city I once ruled will become a shrine.

“A shrine city,” realized Arsha. “The amount of pilgrimages would be staggering.”

“That shrine city will still have people living there,” replied Roomeela.

“What was your city called?” asked Vorko.

“Oh, you’ve read about it in some measure,” answered Roomeela. “It was the original capital of the Kurontar Sea, Domoroto.”

“Domoroto?!” gasped Vorko. “I don’t believe it! It’s the historical find of the age! The scholars of Rampenar will be all over that like minnows to plankton!”

“Will Realmfleet be prevailed upon to help rebuild Domoroto into a shrine city?” quizzed Roomeela.

“I’ll have to clear it with the Realmfleet Council,” replied Arsha, “but I doubt they’ll say no.”

“Thank you!” cheered Roomeela. “We will see you at the base!” The call ended.

“Speaking of the base,” mused Arsha. “Shalvey, contact Marianes. I have news to give to her in my ready room.”

“Aye, aye, Captain,” replied Shalvey.

---

It took a few minutes to get the call through. By that time, Arsha had just put her dress on and was retying her bun when Marianes appeared on her screen. “I heard the news from Daddy!” she cheered. “Domoroto, the ancient capital of the Kurontar Sea before Rampenar claimed that title, now being rebuilt as a shrine city for the Order of Ancestry! I have to thank Roomeela in person. My spouses and I have a new prayer spot and honeymoon location!”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying the news,” chuckled Arsha as she opened a small drawer and took her hairpiece out. She repined it and adjusted it, prompting a look of confusion from Marianes.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without your hairpiece,” she observed.

“I never have it on during conflict,” replied Arsha. “It taints the luck it brings.”

“It’s a good-luck charm?” asked Marianes.

“Something Foresna’s mother gifted to me on her death-bed,” explained Arsha. “It’s usually passed to the daughter of the family, but Foresna’s sister didn’t want it. She’s been a bit of a rough and tumble girl, not exactly a fan of ‘girly’ stuff. Any woman who wears this is blessed with luck and happiness, but it must never be worn if you are in any kind of conflict from the smallest argument to the largest battle. If so, the luck will drain from the rose and it will wither. She was the kindest woman I ever met.”

“I see,” mused Marianes. “How did it become lucky in the first place?”

“There’s a legend behind that,” replied Arsha. “Before the First Age of Unity, a witch had a garden. She didn’t have the gardener’s touch as everything wilted within a few days. A woman passed by and saw the witch railing against her fate as a poor gardener. She offered to help the witch, but this witch was a suspicious one. She initially refused, but the woman persisted. Finally, the witch caved and allowed the woman to fix her garden. After a few weeks, the garden was in full bloom. The witch soon realized that the woman did it out of the goodness of her heart, so she took a rose from the garden and used her magic to make a hairpiece out of it. She then gifted it to the woman saying to never wear the rose in conflict or the luck that has been infused within will kill the rose. Over time, the rose was passed down the line, bringing luck wherever it went.”

“And now, you wear it,” observed Marianes.

“Foresna’s mother was instrumental in my learning,” recalled Arsha. “I want to honor her in the best way possible.”

“Well, you’re doing a good job,” replied Marianes. “In the meantime, I’m off to help rebuild Domoroto. See you around!”

“See you around,” bid Arsha. The call ended, leaving Arsha to think on one thing, the brave soldiers that lost their lives in the Trench.

“I still say this is a bad idea,” muttered Troga as he performed the weapons systems checks.

“Your concern is noted,” replied Palmanar in her own craft. Her brother, Rokomar, was pilot while Palmanar manned the weapons.

“All checks complete,” reported Marianes.

“Same here,” called Rokomar. A call then came through to the Shellcrafts.

“This is Arsha,” said the caller. “My craft is approaching your position.”

“We see it,” remarked Marianes. “Joining now.” The Shellcrafts took off and flanked Arsha. The pilots gave Arsha the necessary course adjustments to the Trelfan Trench on the way. Soon, they passed by a glowing red line on the sea floor.

“That’s the border,” gulped Palmanar. “We’re in Mega-shark territory now.”

“Recommendations?” asked Arsha.

“Just fly casual,” suggested Marianes. They continued onwards, feeling eyes about them. Mega-sharks came out of their homes, their humanoid appearance tall and imposing, just to float in place and glare. Still, the journey continued onwards. Soon, they reached a rather dark place, a large, continent-wide chasm that ran deep. This was the capital of the Mega-sharks, the Trelfan Trench. Mega-sharks in armor swam up to the crafts and surrounded them.

“We’re being hailed,” called Arsha.

“Open a channel, all of you,” directed Palmanar. “We don’t want to appear aggressive.” The three pilots complied and a Mega-shark’s deep voice rang throughout the crafts.

“Foreign craft, you have crossed the border!” he boomed.

“We’re fully aware of that,” assured Arsha. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Arsha, Captain of the Endeavor. I am here to gather an ingredient for a member of my crew. He is ill and needs the mucus of the clownfish that live here.”

“Your crewman’s life means nothing,” growled the Mega-shark. “Leave our territory or we will destroy you.”

“We have no choice,” replied Marianes. “Your…superior clownfish are needed to help him.”

“…Well, everything we do and have IS better than anything Realmfleet can dredge up,” mused the Mega-shark.

“And if you allow us to use the mucus of your clownfish,” continued Arsha, about to throw up at even thinking of her next words, “we would finally be admitting that YOU are the superior race.” There was a murmur as the Mega-sharks considered.

“…We will take you to the anemone our clownfish dwell in,” rumbled the Mega-shark that spoke to them. Surrounded on all sides, the crafts descended. Rokomar then started rubbing his scalp.

“Is something wrong?” asked Palmanar.

“I feel…sadness,” replied Rokomar, “…despair, helplessness, hopelessness, …VIOLATION! I can feel their pleasure slaves’ unending torture!”

“What’s going on?” asked Arsha.

“Rokomar’s got telepathic and empathic abilities,” explained Palmanar. “Whenever he feels stray emotions, he tries to find the source of it.”

“I’d say he found it,” muttered Marianes.

“No, only the surface problem,” countered Rokomar, “the rest is muddied by…that doesn’t make sense. The other problems are muddied by millennia of pain!”

“Perhaps they’re descendants of the original slaves?” asked Arsha.

“No, they’re reading as the original slaves themselves,” replied Rokomar.

“Millennia old slaves?” mumbled Arsha.

“Halt!” called the Mega-shark. The crafts and their escort stopped. “We’re here. We will collect the mucus. You will teleport it into one of your crafts once it is done.” Two Mega-sharks descended to the anemone the clownfish live in and got to work. “How much do you require?”

“Two handfuls,” replied Arsha.

“Plenty to spare,” growled the Mega-shark. The process took an hour, but enough mucus was collected. Arsha then lit up a pair or her tails and brought the mucus into her craft. “Now, do you remember the way back to our borders?”

“We do,” assured Marianes.

“Then leave, and don’t dare to come back or we will not be so lenient next time!” threatened the Mega-shark. The crafts turned around and they sped back to their side of the border.

“Honestly, that went better than I expected for Mega-shark mating season,” sighed Troga.

“Not very hospitable, are they?” muttered Arsha. “I’ll be returning to the Endeavor.”

“And we’ll head back to base,” replied Palmanar. “I hope Laverda gets better soon.”

“I hope so as well,” sighed Arsha. The Shellcrafts returned to base and Arsha made her way back to the Endeavor. She was granted clearance to enter the ship’s launch bay and when she got close enough, the crew on the ship took over the flight controls of the fighter craft. It touched down and the water that entered the launch bay was drained away. After the drying spells were cast, Arsha stepped out and ran to Sick bay. Marshii was standing vigil over Laverda. The medical stasis spell had worn off and Laverda had only an hour left to live. He was in a lot of pain.

“GIMME!” shouted Marshii when she saw the bag of mucus. She got to work making the cure and taking enough to fill the syringe. Laverda had only 10 minutes left when she stuck the needle into his arm. She and Arsha waited five minutes before any physical changes occurred. “Virus cell count is going down,” sighed Marshii. “The larger heart’s taking over. The larger lungs are switching on. Hearts rate’s reaching normal. He’s gonna make it!” Laverda then groaned and tried to get up. “No, you don’t!” snapped Marshii as she set him back down, albeit with a little difficulty.

“Doctor, I’m already…!” protested Laverda.

“You keep arguing with me,” threatened Marshii, “you’ll be laid up for two weeks! If you cooperate, you’ll be out in four days.”

“Well,” sighed Arsha, “I think I’ll return to my station.”

“After all the stress you went through?!” hissed Marshii. She then pointed to one of the beds. “THAT’S your station!”

“Doctor, I do believe you enjoy the power you have a little too much,” mused Arsha as she laid on the bed.

“Indeed, Captain,” chuckled Laverda. “I’ve never seen her so happy when your father was in command of this ship.”

“Shut up!” snapped Marshii. Arsha opened her mouth but was promptly shushed. After a few seconds of silence, Marshii grinned. “Well, how about that? I got the last word with a Royana.”

---

After two hours rest, Arsha was cleared. She returned to the base to help Palmanar and Marianes report their findings to Realmfleet. A male Orc Admiral, Rokalla, was on the other end of the call, as was Admiral Rooshee. “You did WHAT?!” he shouted.

“I couldn’t let Laverda die!” replied Arsha.

“So you thought it was a good idea to simply waltz into Mega-shark territory and risk your life like that?!” growled Rokalla.

“Admiral, she had a good reason!” protested Rooshee.

“I can’t believe you’re siding with her!” wailed Rokalla.

“We’ve long believed that the Mega-sharks would never stoop to slavery,” countered Rooshee, “that it was merfolk propaganda. Clearly we’ve insulted the merfolk and must do what we can to free the slaves.”

“And the mystery merman?” asked Marianes.

“If we can find him,” mused Rooshee, “maybe we can get some answers.”

“We have two mystery leads,” muttered Arsha. “That book that was discovered and the merman.”

“A fleet is arriving tomorrow,” answered Rooshee. “The Endeavor will be the flagship.”

“I can convince my parents to send a fleet to aid yours,” Marianes chimed in.

“Much appreciated,” replied Rooshee.

“I can’t believe this!” groaned Rokalla. “Millenia of peace, and it all goes away!”

“We’re arresting the Mega-sharks’ leader when we win,” replied Rooshee. “Besides, this came from the Realmfleet council.”

“Doesn’t mean I like it!” grumbled Rokalla. “Expect the fleet to arrive in the morning. Realmfleet out.” The call ended.

“I need to call my parents,” declared Marianes. “In the meantime…” she didn’t get very far as a merman picked something on sensors.

“There’s an object coming directly towards us at a speed of 75 knots!” he reported.

“How far away is it?” asked Palmanar.

“It’ll breach our shield perimeter in 2 minutes!” called the merman.

“Too close for comfort,” declared Palmanar. “Red Alert. Raise shields. Arm all weapons batteries.” A red dome surrounded the base as the turrets came out of the ground, training themselves on the object. The object stopped, causing bubbles to appear when it stopped. The bubbles cleared to reveal the mystery merman, just floating there, ready to strike at a moment’s notice. “Standby,” ordered Palmanar. “Don’t engage unless he makes an aggressive action against us.” As soon as she gave the order, Erga burst in with the book that was dug up.

“Open a channel to him!” he called.

“What?!” yelped Palmanar.

“I think I have something that may explain his behavior,” answered Erga. “Open a channel and he can confirm what I read.” The staff looked to Palmanar for orders.

“…Open a channel,” she commanded. The Communications Officer complied and opened a channel.

“This book was written by the Queen of your home,” began Erga. On screen, the merman’s face had surprise written all over it. “It detailed the disaster that befell your people 50,000 years ago,” continued Erga. “I have a passage here that may explain your hostility towards us.” He opened the book and read the passage. “‘It is over. My people are now eternal slaves to the Mega-sharks. We have had spells woven onto us that will never let us die or age as we are violated, body and soul, by our new masters. We’ve fought for so long, but we couldn’t win. I have already surrendered myself to the Mega-shark Rulers to be their family’s personal slave. My brother, Forneth, my greatest treasure, the founder of our beliefs, is trapped in fiend-ice. Even if the ice could be melted, his vocal cords are paralyzed. He can never call for help again. Our children have escaped to the nearby kingdom. They can never be touched. Oh, how I wish the Mega-sharks learned the truth why our kingdom decided to forgo clothes. We only wished to communicate with our ancestors. Alas, only lust controls these creatures. They only see nudity as a means to attract mates. They did not take ‘no’ for an answer. We are lost. There is no hope for us. Farewell, life. May time rediscover us so our plight will be remembered.” The merman looked like he was sobbing. “Forneth,” called Erga. “That’s your name. While I am blessed to meet the Founder of the Order, I am saddened that your plight was heard 50,00 years later. I have good news though; we have a way to end the torture of your people.” Forneth looked up, his eyes still red and his face still displaying grief. “Realmfleet has sent a fleet of ships to assist us in getting your people free. I can personally promise you; your people’s suffering will end. This, I vow by my ancestors who escaped such torture.”

“The Order still exists,” supplied Palmanar. “A few members of the Royal Family are followers. We WILL assist you and we WILL restore your vocal cords. Will you help us end this barbarism?” Forneth was stunned, then cleared it as he nodded vigorously. “Palmanar to Infirmary, send a medical team to escort Forneth into the base. Stand down all weapons. Drop the shields.” As the red dome faded, a medical team swam to Forneth’s position and gave him a sickly-green potion.

“It’s gonna taste bad,” remarked one of the medics, “but the nerves to your vocal cords will reconnect to the proper nerve channels leading to the area that controls vocal communication.” Forneth drank it, nearly gagging, and let himself be escorted to the Infirmary to rest. He passed by Ops to see everyone inside.

“Thank you,” he whispered before swimming off.

“Well now,” mused Arsha, “we have an ally.”

“With him here,” chuckled Palmanar, “we’ll be able to plan a victorious attack.”

Arsha and Elmar were called into Sick bay. Their confusion was clear on their faces until Marshii came in. “All right, you two,” she began, “good news first or bad news?”

“That depends on which relates to what,” replied Elmar.

“Well, the bad news relates to something in the deeper parts of the Kurontar sea,” answered Marshii. “The good news relates to the peculiarity you found in the virus.”

“Then I think the good news is best,” confirmed Elmar.

“I agree,” supplied Arsha.

“The peculiarity you found, Elmar,” reported Marshii, “was the result of genetic experimentation. The DNA of the virus was artificially created. And that came with better news, artificial viruses only adapt to the drugs doctors are currently using. Any resistance to previous drugs, their genes deem as unneeded and so it is gone, making it easier to use an older drug to completely eradicate it.”

“New strains forget how to fight the rest of the drugs!” simplified Arsha.

“Bingo!” confirmed Marshii. “And, thanks to the database of the Over-realm’s Vorkath Monastery, the finest medical database in all the Realms, I discovered that our virus was eradicated before we were born.”

“So make the cure!” urged Arsha.

“That’s where the bad news comes in,” winced Marshii. “I have all the necessary ingredients to synthesize the cure except one. I need the mucus of a clownfish in the Trelfan Trench.”

“Then let’s get some!” insisted Arsha.

“Ill-advised,” countered Elmar. “The Trelfan Trench is a Mega-shark breeding ground and it is Mega-shark Mating Season here.”

“If anyone is foolhardy enough to try and go there now,” supplied Marshii, “the female Mega-sharks will use them as presents to attract the males. Both will then use them as ingredients for food or to seek pleasures of the flesh.”

“…Charming,” moaned Arsha.

“Besides,” continued Elmar, “they don’t recognize the authority of Realmfleet. They are rather xenophobic.”

“We can’t let Laverda die!” insisted Arsha. “Will a fighter craft get through their territory?”

“If escorted, I believe so,” guessed Elmar.

“Then I need to talk to Marianes now,” declared Arsha. “She can loan me the best fighter pilot in her kingdom.” She headed out of Sick bay and practically jogged, not very effectively in her dress, to the Port Deck, a room with the floor covered with warp circles. “The Velnar Base, Central Stage,” she directed to the transporter chief, a female Elf from the Under-realm. She was directed to a blue circle and all of the underwater survivals spells were rewoven onto her. She was then surrounded by green light as she teleported to the Central Stage Entrance. Marianes and her troupe were performing another routine to make up for the one that was interrupted by the merman. They performed at twice their usual excellence. When the routine was finished, the crowd gave off cheers and applause, raising the roof like never before.

“Thank you everyone!” called Marianes. “We hope you’ve enjoyed the show and took advantage of the merch special to make up for the interruption earlier today! We’re The Flowing Tails, and we hope you remember to…!”

“GO WITH THE FLOW!” finished the crowd, giving off one final cheer.

“Goodbye, everyone, and travel safe!” cheered Marianes. The crowd dispersed, all except Arsha, who swam up to Marianes. “Arsha!” called Marianes. “How’s Laverda?”

“Doing bad, but we know how to cure him,” replied Arsha. “The only trouble is, we need Trelfan Trench clownfish mucus.”

“…Did I hear that right?!” quizzed Marianes. “During Mega-shark Mating Season?! You WERE told about that trench being a Mega-shark breeding ground, were you?!”

“I know the dangers,” answered Arsha, “but I can’t let my best diplomat die!” Marianes sighed.

“So, you need a Combat Shellcraft?” she asked.

“I’m using one of my own fighter craft,” replied Arsha, “but I need an escort. Do you know who’s the best pilot here?”

“You won’t get far with just one person piloting a Combat Shellcraft,” elaborated Marianes. “They seat two people, one to fly the thing and one to man the weapons. I’m the best pilot and Troga’s the best at handling the weapons. We need to talk to him.”

“Talk to who?” asked a voice. It was Troga.

“Troga, sweetie,” called Marianes, “we need to take a Combat Shellcraft to the Trelfan Trench.”

“To WHERE?!” yelped Troga. “Not when the Mega-sharks are breeding, we’re not!”

“We need to get the mucus of the clownfish that live there!” insisted Arsha. “It’s needed to make the cure that Laverda needs!”

“I can’t risk anyone, especially royalty,” answered Troga, “going off into that trench!”

“Even if your WIFE is a royal family member?!” asked Marianes.

“ESPECIALLY that!” replied Troga. “I’m sorry, but if you’re that hell-bent on getting to the trench, you need to convince Palmanar to authorize this!”

“…All right, we will!” declared Marianes.

“Where is she?” asked Arsha.

“Let’s find out,” replied Marianes. “Computer, locate Major Palmanar.”

“Major Palmanar,” answered a masculine voice, “is taking dinner at Rokanth’s Family Diner.”

“The Northern side of the base,” elaborated Marianes. “Come on!” She and Arsha them swam in that direction.

---

Palmanar was enjoying her Rakurian Crab Cake, finally catching a much-needed break after Thangred and Layto fixed the base’s problems. The main problem was Layto. His instructions weren’t written in layman’s terms, thus confusing the poor Engineering crew. Thangred helped simplify things and now then Engineering crew understood how Layto kept Under-realm tech functioning with Mid-realm magic, thus fixing any problem while Layto geeked out at the site. Marianes was about to take another bite when she heard the Diner’s doors ring. She saw Arsha and Marianes swim over to her table. “Your Highnesses!” she called. “Please, sit!” They did so. “What can I do for you?” asked Palmanar.

“I need Troga’s help to pilot a Combat Shellcraft,” explained Marianes. “He’s reluctant to assist.”

“Why do you need a Combat Shellcraft?” asked Palmanar.

“…You don’t want to ask that,” gulped Marianes.

“Too late,” replied Palmanar, “I just did.”

“You don’t want to know,” insisted Marianes.

“I can’t loan you a Combat Shellcraft,” answered Palmanar, “or order Troga to man its weapons unless I know where you plan on taking it.”

“She needs it to escort my fighter craft,” revealed Arsha, “to the Trelfan Trench so we can collect the mucus of the local clownfish.”

“…You’re right, I DIDN’T want to know,” sighed Palmanar.

“Laverda’s dying!” begged Arsha. “That fiend-ice was laced with an artificial virus that’s shutting down his organs. He’s got 5 hours left in medical stasis. Once that spell wears off, the virus will kill him in six hours flat!”

“That DOES change a thing or two,” mused Palmanar. “But I can’t loan you a Combat Shellcraft.” Arsha and Marianes couldn’t believe it. “At least, not without my help on this venture.”

“You’re coming with us?” asked Marianes.

“I believe I just said that,” confirmed Palmanar. “Laverda’s an old friend of mine. I’ll be damned if I let him die.”

“Major, you have no idea how much this means to me!” cheered Arsha.

“Let me order Troga to help and we’ll get started,” assured Palmanar.

“I’ll inform you when my fighter craft is ready!” called Arsha. As both Marianes and Arsha swam out of the Diner, Palmanar brought out her shell-shaped communicator and called someone.

“Troga, I need you for a mission,” she directed.

The party had found itself at the Ruins’ entrance, a large gate that towered over everyone. Awe struck their hearts as the archaeologists continued their work. “Staggering!” breathed Arsha. “A kingdom we’ve never heard about appears and it may be where the Order of Ancestry began!”

“You can see why the Order’s helping out in any way it can,” mused Marianes as she pointed out a pair of Order Members, a merman and a mermaid. Arsha resisted the urge to arch an eyebrow at seeing a mermaid without even sea stars on her chest. She figured it would have been impolite.

“There is so much to learn here,” sighed Arsha. “We know so little about the Order’s origins. I envy you guys.”

“Your Highnesses!” called Laverda. “Over here!” Marianes and Arsha swam towards Laverda’s position in what was possibly a Throne Room. He was holding a thick book. “I believe THIS may help us unravel the mysteries of this place!” he guessed.

“How long has it been here?” asked Marianes.

“For 50,000 years,” revealed Laverda, “according to the archaeologists.”

“That should have rotted away and disintegrated,” muttered Arsha.

“That’s what we figured,” replied Laverda, “until the mages discovered an ancient version of a preservation spell on the book.”

“A preservation spell?” quizzed Arsha. “That kind of magic is recent! Only 100 years old!”

“The mages were all over that like ants and started studying it,” chuckled Laverda, “figuring that, if they could study an ancient spell, our modern twist on it can be improved.”

“What else has been found so far?” asked Marianes.

“Be patient,” replied a mermaid passing by, the head archaeologist, Moreeta. “We have to take things slow when digging something up. Any faster and we risk breaking it.”

“…You guys have the most mind-numbing job in all the Realms,” muttered Marianes.

“As do we diplo…” Laverda then cried out in pain as his hoof struck something. He started clutching it as a medic swam over and helped him lay down away from the object. Moreeta dusted some of the sand away to reveal a man’s arm in ice!

“Someone’s buried here!” she called. Arsha examined the ice and recoiled in horror.

“It’s fiend-ice!” she shouted. “Get him out!” The digging crew got the ice block out of the sand and found that the arm’s owner was a bare chested merman! The medical crew took him back to base to get him out of the ice, a result of dark magic, trapping the victim for a long time. Arsha called up her ship. “This is Arsha, calling Sick bay!” she called. “Marshii, respond!”

“What’s the matter?” asked Marshii’s voice. “You sound like you found a body.”

“We did!” replied Arsha. “A merman in fiend-ice! We need you here now!”

“On my way!” replied Marshii, sounding more urgent. Everyone headed to the base’s infirmary and did what they could to melt the fiend-ice. Marshii arrived, holding her medical kit and leaving her robot legs behind on the Endeavor to swim quickly to the scene. “Medical torch!” she directed. A small rod with a red jewel at the end was handed to her. She breathed on it and the jewel spewed a small flame, hot enough to cut steel. She chanted a spell to adjust the flame so it wouldn’t damage the merman inside as she cut him out. She started at the head so he could breathe. As she began cutting, one of the medical staff heard a crack. Then another, and another, until he saw that the ice was breaking at the merman’s fins at the end of his tail. A fissure then traveled up the ice and the merman started moving. With one last powerful thrash of his tail, the ice split off of him and he decked Marshii! The rest of the medical staff tried to restrain him, but it was no good. He was too strong and managed to escape the infirmary. Erga and Troga saw him swim out at top speed. A nurse told them what happened.

“Security team, to me!” called Troga. Erga followed him as they swam after the mystery merman. A security team joined them and he was spotted at Central Stage, the main venue where Marianes and her troop do their belly-dance routines. Sadly, such a routine was going on as the merman barreled through the dancers on stage. He was tangled in the mess and the security team arrived to sort it out. He was freed and started punching again. He had a rough time going against Erga. He may not have been the skinniest merman around, but his strength and speed were not to be underestimated. He kept the merman busy until the merman grabbed a dancer’s veil and threw it onto Erga’s head, charging it with magic so it couldn’t get caught in the current and fly as if it went through air. Erga was distracted enough for him to get away and leave the base. He finally got the veil off and Marshii was tending to whatever injuries he suffered.

“Okay, off to the infirmary with you!” she directed. “In fact, all of you!” she was addressing the security team as she said that. A bald mermaid of the Order opened her mouth to protest, but Erga stopped her.

“Sister Ransii,” he assured “it would not be good for anyone’s health if we argued with a doctor’s orders.” The mermaid then closed her mouth and was led to the infirmary.

---

Major Palmanar was discussing the altercation in her office with Arsha. “This merman’s caused a lot of chaos in my base,” she grumbled. “I want answers from him and I want them as fast as possible.”

“The Endeavor’s sensors will find this merman, I promise,” assured Arsha. “I just wish I knew why he acted that way in the infirmary.”

“Perhaps we’ll find out when we find him,” guessed Palmanar. As soon as she said it, a thud was heard outside the office. They got up to check on what happened and saw Laverda collapsed on the floor. Arsha checked his pulse and became worried.

“Arsha to Marshii!” she called over the communicator. “Medical emergency in the Command Center! Laverda’s just collapsed and his heart rate is through the roof!”

“I’ll port you right to the Endeavor’s Sick bay!” replied Marshii. A green light surrounded the two and they vanished in a runic circle before it faded from the base entirely.

---

Arsha and Laverda appeared in Sick bay as two nurses, one Centaur male and one Elf female, helped Laverda up onto a bed. Marshii waved a wand over him and got a reading. “Good heavens!” she gasped. “No wonder his heart rate’s so fast! His larger horse heart has shut down! His smaller human heart’s doing the work of both!”

“Doctor, there’s a puncture wound in the skin around his hoof!” revealed the Elf nurse.

“The same hoof he found the fiend-ice with!” growled Marshii. “Borto, get Elmar and Orthena’s help on this! I want that ice analyzed to see if there IS something in it that would attack a Centaur’s hearts like this!”

“At once!” confirmed the Centaur nurse as he made the necessary calls.

“Halnee,” directed Marshii to the Elf nurse, “I need a blood sample to see what kind of disease this is!”

“Yes, Doctor!” replied Halnee. She took off to get the necessary equipment.

“What can I do?” asked Arsha.

“You can wait for results OUTSIDE of Sick bay,” answered Marshii. Her tone indicated she will have no truck with backchat. Arsha stepped outside, letting Marshii do her work.

---

The blood sample revealed that Laverda WAS infected with a virus, a slow acting one that would shut down his entire circulatory system starting with the larger organs. One of his horse lungs had shut down before Marshii cast a medical stasis spell to prevent any other organs from shutting down. It could only last for six hours and the virus had six hours left to do its work once the spell faded. Elmar came in and delivered his analysis. “The virus DID have its origins in the fiend-ice,” he reported. “And I have also concluded that, during the merman’s encasement, it has mutated every year.”

“Impossible!” snapped Marshii. “I’ve looked up the mutation history of that virus and I can tell you now that it was supposed to have been eradicated! For it to mutate, people would have to have been fighting it for ages! The mutations would be a result of adapting to the newer drugs to that specific strain!”

“And yet,” observed Elmar, “it mutated WITHOUT such means. In other circumstances, it would make an ideal organism for study.”

“How can you not be worried about him?!” protested Marshii. “Laverda’s dying and you’re acting like you looked a Gorgon in the eyes!”

“You mistake me, Doctor,” replied Elmar. “I AM worried for him. I am simply channeling my worry into my duties.”

“Oh yeah?” hissed Marshii. “And have you made any more insightful observations?!”

“As a matter of fact, I believe I may have something,” answered Elmar. “I noticed a peculiarity in its genetic structure. As of now, I am unable to determine what that peculiarity is. I believe you have the tools needed to name it.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” sighed Marshii. She got a bit of the virus safely into a test tube and put it through a rigorous analysis that would take an hour before any conclusions were reached.

“Don’t tell me you don’t want to see this!” remarked Arsha as she went through her physical.

“No, thank you,” replied Marshii. “Mid-realm waters are too cold for an old Under-realm girl like me.”

“One, you’re only 35,000,” reminded Arsha. “That’s just middle age. Two, it’s an archaeological find!”

“I’m not interested in ruins!” snapped Marshii. “You history nuts go ahead with digging up some mausoleum, I’ll stay here and catch up on the medical journals I missed during the jarring trip to Falgreth!”

“Don’t you ever relax?” asked Arsha.

“Reading medical journals IS relaxing,” protested Marshii. “I gain comfort knowing that medical knowledge is expanding. It puts my mind at ease.”

“If you say so,” sighed Arsha. She finally got off the treadmill.

“All right, let’s measure the ol’ heart rate,” directed Marshii as she took out her stethoscope. She put it to Arsha’s chest and listened. “A bit fast by mermaid’s standards, but perfect for a human/kitsune hybrid. Next up is blood pressure.” She got the pressure monitor out and wrapped the gauge around Arsha’s arm. After a few squeezes, she released and got a reading. “Perfect blood pressure for a land-dweller, you’re perfectly healthy.”

“Thanks!” called Arsha as she went into a changing stall to get out of her workout clothes and back into her dress. It took a few minutes, but she came out pinning her rose hairpin where it usually sits. As soon as she gave a final adjustment, Shalvey’s voice came through.

“Bridge to Arsha,” she called.

“Go ahead,” directed Arsha.

“We’re just about to go over the Kurontar sea,” reported Shalvey. “We’ll convert to underwater mode at your arrival.”

“On my way,” replied Arsha. She made her way to the bridge and saw the crew doing its usual activities to keep the ship running. This time, it was little minor maintenance, nothing more. She arrived on the bridge. “All right, Nazay, underwater landing procedures.”

“Aye, Captain,” confirmed Nazay as his fingers danced across his console. The Endeavor dove down into the sea and activated lights. An orange aura then covered the ship and its crew before it faded. It was a spell for those that weren’t amphibious to walk around in the base as if they were going through air, allowed them to breath, and dried their clothes immediately when in contact with air. The Velnar Military Base and Commercial Port was lit up in splendor to attract businesspeople across the Realms to conduct their activities. It was also one of a great many places that held the weaponry and soldiers of the Kurontar sea and where Princess Marianes Caldora and her spouses worked and lived as soldiers, shop-keepers, and entertainers.

“Captain, did you adjust your eyes for Kurontar lighting?” asked Elmar.

“No, but thank you for reminding me,” answered Arsha. She snapped her fingers and her eyes glowed for a minute, then she started blinking a lot, clearing away any blindness she suffered. “Should have done that OUTSIDE of the ship,” she muttered. As soon as her eyes adjusted for both ship lighting and the darkness of the Kurontar sea, she stood up. “Laverda, Thangred, Dalengor, Elmar, with me. Oak, you’re in charge until we get back.”

“Aye, Ma’am,” replied Oak as he settled into the Captain’s chair when she gave the order. They headed to the lower exit and opened the door to reveal the water. Arsha went first, letting the water touch her dress and allowing its weight to pull her down. She landed safely on the seafloor and looked around, breathing normally and getting as much details in the water as she would when on the surface. Laverda, Thangred, Dalengor, and Elmar followed her and scanned the area like Arsha.

“Captain, a Super Class Shellcraft is approaching,” reported Laverda. Shellcrafts are shell-shaped Merfolk transports that range from the family-sized Common Class to the stadium sized Mega Class. Super class Shellcrafts were used to transport at least 20 people. The Shellcraft lowered landing struts and opened to allow a blue-haired Mermaid in a blue outfit that revealed her tummy. Her blue hair was adorned with a purple flower with a ribbon attached to it and she had a purple belt with the same flower at her hip and a bit of the belt flowing in the currents. She swam over to Arsha’ away team and shook Arsha’s hand vigorously.

“I always knew you would command a ship as grand as the Endeavor!” she cheered.

“It was on the docket as a political test,” replied Arsha. “It’s good to see you again, Marianes. How’s life treating you?”

“It’s been splendid, so far,” answered Marianes as they all headed for the Shellcraft. “I’ve been updating my belly-dancing routine lately and Rosa’s learned some new songs for me to perform to.”

“No kidding?” quizzed Arsha as they boarded.

“And Layto’s been improving the base’s construction by adding stairs for land-dwellers to easily get to the upper levels instead of swimming all over the place,” continued Marianes. “Although, with the new archaeological find, he’s left that to his engineers.”

“How good are the Engineers?” asked Elmar.

“They’re some of the greatest,” replied Marianes, “the problem is that it’s a mix of Under-realm technology and Mid-realm magic.”

“There’s a problem right there,” muttered Thangred. “Good thing you brought me along, Captain.”

“I was hoping you’d relax when we were there,” sighed Arsha.

“Never let an Engineer relax,” advised Thangred.

“Illogical,” said Elmar. “You need rest as much as anyone else.”

“Maybe in your eyes,” argued Thangred, “but I can overhaul a base no problem!”

“Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if poor Major Palmanar had complaints while I was away,” mused Marianes as she piloted the Shellcraft to the base.

---

Marianes was right. Palmanar, a neon-green tailed Mermaid in full armor, was at the Operations station when Floona, a raven-haired, teal-tailed Mermaid in a floral-pastel outfit, and Troga, a pink-tailed, brown haired, bearded Merman in armor, swam up to her. They spoke at the same time before stopping. “Go ahead,” they said to one another before talking to Palmanar at the same time again.

“One at a time!” snapped Palmanar. “Troga, you first.”

“I need an engineering crew,” began Troga, “to run a diagnostic on the security systems. There’s been an unusual number of false alarms lately.”

“I’ll send one right away,” assured Palmanar. “Floona?”

“There’s something wrong with the fire suppression spells in my shop,” reported Floona. “Every time I try to feed my lava lilies, the spells engage, make the area too fuel-deficient for them, and they wither and die in an instant!”

“I’ll put it on the list,” sighed Palmanar.

“Please do,” urged Floona. “You have no idea how much lava lilies cost for both me and my customers.” A bald, bare Merman swam in, wearing only a headband. Erga was his name.

“Excuse me, Major Palmanar,” he began.

“Don’t tell me!” snapped Palmanar. “The Seals in the Ancestral Shrine are out of whack!”

“…How did you…never mind, I can guess,” sighed Erga as he saw his other two spouses. At that moment, someone was pounding on the inside of the transport tubes. They looked up to see a pink tailed Mermaid in a Singing Idol’s outfit inside the tube. Palmanar and Troga swam up to open it. They had a bit of difficulty, but they pried the door open and let the Mermaid out.

“Rosa, are you alright?” asked Troga.

“Aside from a bit of claustrophobia playing up?” snarked the Mermaid, Rosa. “Fine. Major, do I even need to say what my complaint is?”

“No, I experienced the same thing around the base,” replied Palmanar. “I have an Engineering team working on it.”

“We seem to have a lot of system glitches,” muttered Floona as Rosa, Troga, and Palmanar rejoined them down below.

“Happens every time Layto leaves the base,” sighed Palmanar.

“I don’t understand why our husband’s staff can’t maintain the base while he’s away,” grumbled Troga.

“Must have left my brother in charge,” groaned Erga.

“The Engineering Crew is doing the best it can,” assured Palmanar.

“The problem is,” supplied Rosa, “no one knows how Layto can keep all this Under-realm tech working with Mid-realm magic.”

“Well, we’ve GOT to do something!” insisted Floona. “This can’t go on!”

“Is he at the site again?” asked Erga. “I told him Marianes was picking up Arsha today.”

“Here I am!” called a voice. A blue haired, green tailed Merman with a cybernetic left hand swam in. His purple shirt was a little dusty and he had a satchel of artefacts. “Erga, we have reason to believe that this was the original site of the Order of Ancestry! Look! Here is a worshipping bowl with the same insignia as your buddies! It was buried for around…!”

“Layto,” interrupted Rosa, “I like archaeology as much as the next girl, but we have more pressing issues. Arsha’s gonna be here any minute and the base’s mechanical systems are NOT functioning at their best.”

“…I left the staff specific instructions on how to fix this!” snapped Layto. He packed up his satchel. “I’ll get on it, but I can’t promise the base will be fixed in any reasonable time.”

“Just do what you can,” sighed Palmanar. The instant she said that, the proximity indicator beeped. She checked who it was. “Oh boy, it’s Marianes’ Shellcraft. She’s got Arsha and her party.” She then activated the viewscreen and a channel opened with Marianes and Arsha displayed.

“Hello, Major!” called Marianes. “I have returned with Arsha and someone that I’m sure Layto would appreciate.”

“Oh?” asked Layto. “Who is it, sweetie?”

“My Chief Engineer, Thangred,” replied Arsha.

“That old-timer?” said Layto as he grinned.

“It sounds like you need an old-timer’s help!” rumbled Thangred.

“Barring any malfunctions not yet reported,” interjected Palmanar, “landing pad 3 is available. We’ll meet you there, Your Highness.”

“Understood,” confirmed Marianes. “Marianes out.”

---

The Shellcraft landed on the assigned pad and opened to let everyone out. Rosa and Troga were there to greet them and gave a big hug to Marianes and Arsha. “Welcome to the Velnar Military Base and Commercial Port, Your Highness,” greeted Rosa, “…such as it is.”

“It still looks magnificent to me,” assured Arsha. “Lead on and we will follow.” Everyone followed Marianes to the Command Center.

“Here’s where the action is coordinated,” lectured Marianes. “And here’s Layto. How’s repairs?”

“Going badly,” sighed Layto. “Someone practically rearranged all power transfer relays in the base. I’m REALLY going to need Thangred’s help.”

“You have it,” replied Thangred. He followed Thangred to where they would start repairs.

“I’m surprised you didn’t bring another Engineer with you,” remarked Palmanar.

“We DO have another, but he’s a Drider,” answered Arsha, “and NOT one of the water ones.”

“Ah,” realized Palmanar. “Well, Layto’s got an expert with him. Things should be good.”

“Excellent,” praised Arsha. “Now, what’s this about an old Mer-kingdom being dug up?”

“From what Layto’s tried to tell us before you arrived,” replied Troga, “there’s proof that we’ve found the Order of Ancestry’s starting point.”

“Order of Ancestry,” muttered Arsha as she tried to recall where she heard it, “you’re going to have to remind me of it.”

“It’s centered around the belief,” answered Laverda, “that Merfolk do not need clothes as they interfere with remembering the past. They’re a religious order that keeps records of the past except where they started. That was lost long ago.”

“Sounds like a group that would start trouble over clothes,” mused Arsha.

“You would think that,” replied Marianes, “but the Order has specific rules of tolerance. Granted, you must have no clothes in their shrines, but they never turn their nose up at clothes in public. One of my husbands, Erga, and a few of my parents and siblings are members of the Order.”

“Quite a few Merfolk are members of the Order,” continued Troga. “As long as no one interferes with their activities and they don’t interfere in anyone else’s, both are tolerant.”

“That changes my views entirely,” chuckled Arsha. “So, if this IS the place where the Order was founded, what does that mean?”

“It means that their whole history will be published,” replied Rosa. “We can unravel the mystery as to why they came to our part of the Kurontar sea!”

“Layto, while not a member, has been studying the Order in his free time,” giggled Marianes.

“So, he’s over the moon at this discovery,” guessed Arsha. “We’ll help with the dig.”

“Thank you!” cheered Marianes. “Now, I’ve got to go. I have rehearsal for my routine tonight and I would like you guys to come.”

“We wouldn’t miss your belly-dances for the world!” assured Arsha.

“Splendid!” squealed Marianes. “Now, you need some quarters!”

“I’ll provide that,” called Palmanar. “If you and your company will follow Troga and I, Your Highness.”

“Lead the way,” directed Arsha. Everyone soon departed for their various destinations.

The Three Days had passed and the Captain’s ceremony was well under way. Ralta, a mermaid in a pink maid’s outfit with a special choker allowing her to swim in the air as well as her natural water and lava swimming abilities, was serving out drinks while her wife, a human by the name of Pyrina, was belly-dancing with Enfanti on a stage that amplified their respective fire and ice powers. Every time they touched; a mist formed. Everyone cheered as they danced. The Royal family of the Under-realm attended as well; Orbak, his wife Elmpam, and Malnar with hers and Arsha’s Under-realm fiancé, a Minotaur named Gorfanth. Elgrad and Hanako were shown via hologram and watched as their daughter mingled. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so happy,” observed Hanako.

“She’s living her dream of travelling the Realms,” replied Elgrad. “I have a feeling she may stay with Realmfleet.”

“If that’s true,” mused Hanako, “then she’ll be building her castle somewhere where she and her spouses can easily travel the Realms.”

“Wysper City, most likely,” guessed Elgrad.

“Discussing something without me?” asked Arsha as she, Malnar, and Gorfanth approached the hologram.

“Just some theories about your future,” chuckled Elgrad.

“Any bets yet?” asked Gorfanth.

“No, not yet,” replied Hanako.

“Well, I can’t wait to hear who wins,” giggled Malnar.

“If I may have everyone’s attention please!” called Orbak. “We are about to begin the Captain’s Oath Ritual!” The Captain’s Oath Ritual is the same across all three Realms. The ruler of an area would be at an altar with a Realmfleet Captain’s seal on a pedestal. Arsha walked up to the altar and knelt down in front of Orbak. “Ages ago, the Three Realms were divided,” he began. “As time and magic grew, so did our curiosity. The brightest minds of each Realm soon discovered a way to cross the barriers separating Realms, but we were less civilized in the past. Wars soon broke out, threatening to destroy all life across the Realms. After five centuries of conflict, the pointlessness of war was realized and we soon traded, instead of fought over, technology and magic. As the trades went on, it soon became clear that only together can the Realms flourish. We have enjoyed a long, hard-won peace, but it is only maintained by those that serve their Realms and people. As a show of trust, Realmfleet was founded to show that even those in higher positions share the same responsibility and must cultivate trust with service to Realmfleet and the peace it was founded on. Arsha Royana, Princess of Largandra and Crown Princess of the Mid-realm, do you swear to serve Realmfleet with dignity and honor?”

“I do!” replied Arsha.

“Do you swear to uphold the peace we have enjoyed for so long and halt any and all attempts to disrupt that peace?” asked Orbak.

“I do!” promised Arsha.

“Do you swear to expand the knowledge of the Three Realms with any discoveries you make?” asked Orbak.

“I do!” confirmed Arsha

“And do you swear to use your experiences to shape your future?” asked Orbak.

“I do!” swore Arsha.

“Then accept the Captain’s Seal,” directed Orbak as he pinned it to the front of Arsha’s dress. “May it guide you and the Three Realms to an everlasting peace. People of the Three Realms, I give you Captain Arsha Royana of the Combined Realm Ship, Endeavor!” Arsha stood up and faced the crowd as they cheered. The crowd soon cleared a path for her as she made the journey back to the Endeavor. Her now full crew compliment was lined up in the corridors leading to the bridge. The crew was beaming, having heard of her trial by fire. Realmfleet Command had considered it her first official mission and she was ready to accept another one. She soon found herself on the bridge with the entire crew at their stations.

“Captain on the bridge!” called Malak. Everyone stood up at attention.

“At ease,” assured Arsha. She then moved to the Captain’s chair and sat down. Everyone else took their seats.

“Realmfleet Command is ready to give us our next mission,” reported Shalvey. “They are awaiting you.”

“Put them through,” directed Arsha. Shalvey connected the call as her shell glowed. A female Minotaur appeared on the screen. “Admiral Rooshee,” called Arsha. “Another mission for the Endeavor?”

“Something a little more calming,” replied Rooshee. “The Kurontar sea has discovered an ancient Mermaid palace on the outskirts of the Velnar Military Base and Commercial Port. They need some help in their dig. Go to the base and see what assistance you can offer.”

“On our way,” confirmed Arsha.

“Good luck, Arsha,” bid Rooshee. “And well done on settling the Falgreth affair.”

“Thank you, Admiral,” replied Arsha. “Endeavor out.” The call ended. Arsha turned her seat around to face Malak. “Any news from Recanth?” she asked.

“He’s alive and well,” reported Malak. “The members of the new Diamond Consortium have decided that Borome’s actions were not to be considered Consortium missions and even helped Recanth get back into Realmfleet Academy. He’s passed the finals and is now a full-fledged Ensign aboard the Veil!”

“The science vessel?” asked Shalvey.

“The same,” replied Malak. “His knowledge in chemistry will be put to good use.”

“Glad to hear it,” cheered Arsha. She then turned her chair back to the front. “All right, Nazay. Get us to the Kurontar sea. Nice and easy.”

“Nice and easy, you got it!” replied Nazay. This time, the take-off WAS nice and easy. It glided upwards and found a Realmgate quickly to head back to the Mid-realm. Now the Endeavor was ready to take on a voyage across the Realms.

---

“Good luck, Foxy,” bid Malnar.

“She’ll be a fine Captain, Your Highness,” assured Pyrina.

“I’m gonna miss her,” sighed Ralta as she sat down and massaged her tail.

“Allow me,” called Pyrina. Ralta lay herself on her stomach and let Pyrina massage her tension away. “You’re next after her,” Pyrina said to Malnar.

“That would be splendid,” giggled Malnar as she sat down to wait her turn. Gorfanth then approached the three. “May I help you, Hooves?” asked Malnar.

“Just wanted to see how my one of my favorite ladies is doing,” he replied.

“And they say Minotaurs don’t know how to be suave,” chuckled Malnar.

“An ugly stereotype I wish to dispel,” rumbled Gorfanth as he knelt down.

“Well, it’s working for me,” said Malnar lustily as she leaned in for a kiss. Gorfanth then leaned in as well and they kissed deeply. After a few seconds, they broke it off.

“Lardeth’s expecting me at L’obscurité Belle,” remarked Gorfanth. “Would you like to come with?”

“I’m afraid it’s gonna have to be just you two boys,” sighed Malnar. “Falnii’s arranged for me, her, and Foresna to see the Folnath Meteors and I’ve been DYING to see that concert for ages!”

“Lucky girl,” chuckled Gorfanth. “Well, you three enjoy yourselves.”

“You two enjoy yourselves as well,” replied Malnar. Gorfanth then left for L’obscurité Belle.

“Your Highness?” called Pyrina. “It’s your turn.”

“Work your magic!” directed Malnar as she sat down. Pyrina gave her a nice shoulder rub, melting away any tension.

---

“I had no choice!” protested Borome after Garsheek gave her retirement speech. “Bakurii had already reported…!”

“I don’t care what prompted you to do this!” hissed Garsheek. “You should never have infiltrated the best intelligence network in the Under-realm!”

“But…!” stammered Borome.

“Get out!” barked Garsheek. Borome glared at his mother before leaving. At that moment, a human male approached her. This was Ansark, the head of the Under-realm Splitters, the Supreme Under-Splitter, bent on taking Realmfleet down, just like their Mid and Over-realm counterparts.

“Why would your son,” he hissed, “do something so stupid as to infiltrate the Diamond Consortium near Freedom Day, the day when even THEY are being observed?!”

“Your advisor told him to infiltrate it!” snarled Garsheek.

“Bakurii is not on to go off half-cocked!” replied Ansark.

“And Borome is not one to lie to his fellow Goblins!” growled Garsheek.

“Excuse me,” called a Goblin representative, “but you ARE no longer Chancellor. If you could leave the Decider’s Chambers, we will get on with policy making.”

“…Very well,” sighed Garsheek. Both she and Ansark left the building.

Everyone was armored and ready to storm the Diamond Consortium’s main Headquarters. Arsha cracked her knuckles as Malnar cast a voice amplification spell on herself. “Attention, residents of 2708 Stonetrap Lane!” she announced. “You have been found out! Your treason against the Under-realm will not go unpunished! You have been charged with infiltration of the Diamond Consortium with intent to enslave the Troll population again! Your genetic manipulation has been discovered! Surrender yourselves to Under-realm law peacefully or we storm the place! You have 10 seconds to…!” She was interrupted by a wand blast from the building.

“We will NOT surrender!” replied Mr. Bling’s voice. “The animals we had will become ours again! Back off or we will level Falgreth!”

“Big mistake!” snarled Malnar as she cancelled her spell. “STORM IT!” she ordered the people. Both Arsha and Malnar’s crews came in, wands blazing. The battle was shrouded in a sea of wand bolts and smoke. Arsha, Malnar, Enfanti, and Delga occupied themselves with Mr. Bling. His knife was slashing here and there, scoring a few shots, but not doing anything serious. He then set his wand into the knife and pulled the handle down, making it a blaster, and fired off a few shots to get his attackers to keep their distance.

“It’s times like this,” panted Enfanti, “that I wish Mistress and Dorbu were here!”

“Arctania would also help in this instance!” remarked Delga. “My stinger’s not finding a chink in his armor!”

“Then I’ll make one!” declared Malnar. Her wand started spewing fire, then it concentrated into a tiny point, firing a beam of fire at a spot on Mr. Bling’s shoulder. Mr. Bling cried out in pain as the beam pierced his shoulder.

“Thank you!” bid Delga. His tail lunged for the spot, but Mr. Bling grabbed it and flung him aside.

“Master!” cried Enfanti. She snarled, then formed an Ice Blade, swinging it down on Mr. Bling’s head. Mr. Bling caught it and slammed his fist into her side, making a rib snap and putting her into a lot of pain. Malnar then helped Enfanti reset her rib before casting a healing spell. “Thank you,” she gasped.

“This would go a lot easier,” growled Malnar, “if he were a Goblin!”

“His strength may go down,” observed Arsha, “but his speed will go way the heck up!”

“…Arsha, you just gave me an idea!” cheered Enfanti. “Goblins can’t exactly control their speed on slippery surfaces!”

“No, they can’t,” realized Arsha. “I see what you mean.” She made a quick telepathic call to Malnar and Delga and they got into position for the plan.

“What makes you think you can stop me?” demanded Mr. Bling.

“A few things, actually,” replied Malnar. She stepped aside to let Enfanti ice the ground. Mr. Bling chuckled.

“What good will THAT do?” he boomed. “Have you not gotten a good look at me?”

“Allow me to remedy that!” called Arsha’s voice. Two of her tails had teal fireballs at the tips and she clasped her hands, pointing the pointer and middle fingers of both hands into a teal runic circle. She then spread her hands apart to opposite sides of the circle and a blue ball of light appeared in the center. She then held her right hand out in a flicking position. “Rashentha!” (Undo) she said as she flicked the blue light towards Mr. Bling. The light entered him and he was covered in a blue aura. As it spread, a pinky came back!

“No!” wailed Mr. Bling. “Recua! RECUA!” (Halt). It was no use. His skin went from the usual rocky grey of the Trolls to the sickeningly green of the Goblins, his height went down to a human level, his ears became pointed, his chin was more pronounced, and his nose became potato-like. The aura faded as the real form of Mr. Bling was revealed.

“Borome!” yelped Malnar.

“Chancellor Garsheek’s son?!” quizzed Arsha.

“Oh, wait ‘til she gets her hands on you!” snarled Enfanti.

“Who do you think funded this venture?!” growled Borome. He charged at Enfanti, but she sidestepped as if she were on cobblestones, not ice. Borome was not so lucky, he skidded when he tried to turn around. When he regained his balance, Delga swung his tail into his enemy and knocked him into a wall, Arsha grabbed him with one of her tails and slammed him to the ground, and Malnar summoned chains clasped to his neck and arms. She then pulled him up to her helmeted face.

“Daddy will be very interested to hear your side,” she hissed. As soon as she said so, heavy footsteps were heard. “Here he is now,” said Malnar as she cancelled her armor. Accompanying King Orbak was a female Goblin, Chancellor Garsheek of the Goblin Imperium. When she saw her son in chains, she gasped.

“MY BABY!” she shrieked. “LET HIM GO!”

“No chance!” declared Malnar. She turned to her father. “Father, it is my belief that this ‘man’ is trying to enslave the Trolls in Dwelga’s name!”

“You have no proof!” shouted Borome.

“Oh, yes I do!” countered Malnar. She then pulled out a device and pressed a button and played back the whole fight.

“NO!” Garsheek wailed when the footage of Borome revealing who funded the whole venture played.

“YOU DARE?!” roared Orbak. “Garsheek, this is outrageous! What are you trying to do here?!”

“Leave her out of this!” protested Borome.

“You dare give your King orders?!” shouted Orbak. He turned back to Garsheek. “You never really meant to honor the Trolls’ freedom, did you?! You’re too stuck on the past, wanting to profit from slavery as your ancestors did!”

“Why not tell me more about my big future?!” growled Borome. At that point, Orbak grabbed the chains and lifted him off the ground, right up to his face.

“Traitors like you HAVE no future in any society!” he bellowed. “I’ll see to it that you spend the rest of your natural life rotting in the dungeons of my castle!” He then heard the sound of a wand being primed and turned around to see Garsheek pointing her wand at him.

“You’d die before you get within a falm of the Belsnath Citadel walls!” she threatened.

“Garsheek,” hissed Orbak, “let me remind you that enslavement of any species is a severe violation of Under-realm Law, as is infiltration of an intelligence organization for any political faction’s gains! The maximum penalty is execution! Borome’s lucky to have life imprisonment!”

“I didn’t know he had infiltrated the Diamond Consortium to murder Lord and Lady Varsek,” hissed Garsheek.

“That’s not the testimony I’ve heard!” growled Orbak. “One more word out of you, and you will be sharing this terrorist’s cell!”

“You better make sure that cell’s big enough for three!” snarled Garsheek.

“You still threaten me?!” boomed Orbak.

“Malnar,” called Garsheek, “I wonder what your daddy’s associates would say when I tell them he allowed my son to infiltrate the best intelligence network in the Under-realm!”

“Daddy didn’t know the Diamond Consortium was infiltrated!” protested Malnar.

“That’s not the testimony I’ve heard,” said Garsheek, recalling a conversation she had with Orbak a month ago concerning the Diamond Consortium. Orbak considered his next move.

“Daddy, you’re not going to be intimidated by her, are you?!” asked Malnar. Orbak still considered, then dismissed the chains binding Borome. “DADDY!” protested Malnar.

“Your Majesty, I speak for everyone here when I protest this!” supplied Arsha.

“Enfanti, is there a spell around this area?” asked Orbak.

“A standard ward spell, keeping any civilians from getting too close,” replied Enfanti, “and keeping them ignorant of any altercations. But I must protest your decision as well!”

“I’m afraid the potential media circus would prove too much for us,” countered Orbak. “If I may be a little selfish sounding, it could cause my wife and I to abdicate if we march on Dwelga right now.” Malnar scoffed, but no one raised any more objections. “I know you are disappointed,” sighed Orbak, “but the truth about Garsheek’s involvement must remain our little secret. However, I am NOT letting her get away with this for free.”

“The Chancellorship!” breathed Garsheek.

“In light of your own son betraying the peace both Falgreth and Dwelga enjoy,” continued Orbak, “you needed to step down as Chancellor in order to seek answers. You knew that the stress you feel would cause you to make poor decisions for the Imperium’s future.”

“…I wish my successor better luck at keeping the peace than I did,” sighed Garsheek.

“I always said you were a bright girl,” rumbled Orbak. Malnar’s mood improved so much that she started smiling. Enfanti and Arsha understood the smile. Orbak turned to Borome. “Shame on you for causing your mother and the Goblin Imperium so much stress!” he snarled. Borome turned to leave but was stopped by Garsheek.

“I hope you’re satisfied!” she hissed.

“…My fellow Goblins, we’ve failed,” called Borome to his fellow conspirators. They undid their genetic alteration with a spell and Garsheek summoned a portal for all Goblins to return home. Once they left, everyone released a breath.

“Such a waste,” sighed Orbak.

“Your Majesty, forgive my ignorance,” interjected Delga, “but what good will her stepping down do?”

“A lot, in the long run, Master,” answered Enfanti as she and Arsha dismissed their armor. “What Orbak did was ensure that the truth of the matter WILL get out amongst the Goblin community. By having her step down, there will be an inquiry, someone will say something that leads to the truth, and the Imperium is restructured.”

“A plan within a plan within a plan leading to a trap,” supplied Malnar, “that’s how my parents rule the Under-realm.”

“Still,” sighed Orbak, “I trusted her. I-I HELPED her in some of these matters!”

“Daddy, you were the one who told me and my sisters,” assured Malnar, “that the villains who blow things up to cause fear are easy to spot. Those who shroud themselves in good intentions before blowing things up to cause fear are the hardest to detect.”

“Whatever method I used to get you to remind me of my own words must have worked,” chuckled Orbak softly. “Speaking of my own words, I spoke with Elgrad before I came here. He feels that, after the conclusion of this affair, we give Arsha the Captain’s ceremony she missed.”

“Your Majesty, I would be honored!” cheered Arsha.

“Splendid!” replied Orbak. “A Mid-realm Princess celebrating an Under-realm Captain’s ceremony!”

“It’s going to be a lavish affair,” giggled Malnar. “I’ll see if Pyrina and Ralta can help out.”

“May I join Pyrina in whatever dance she’ll perform?” Enfanti asked Delga.

“If that is all right with Her Highness,” replied Delga.

“She would enjoy that!” cheered Malnar.

“Thank you!” bid Enfanti.

“Can we go through with the celebration after Lord and Lady Varsek’s funeral?” asked Arsha. “I feel the need to pay my respects.”

“Of course,” replied Orbak. “The funeral is tomorrow. After the Three Days of Respect, we’ll hold the Captain’s ceremony.”

“Thank you,” bid Arsha.

---

Troll funerals are as solemn as any other funeral. A priest was watching over the now stony bodies of Lord and Lady Varsek, the former rulers of Falgreth. According to ancient Troll beliefs, the deceased would stand sentinel over the living and serve as a reminder that life in the Three Realms, while long by our standards, is ephemeral and must be cherished. It takes a special, respectful kind of magic to move the body into a statuesque, watchful pose. Lord and Lady Varsek were standing side by side, clasping the other’s hand to represent how they doted on each other and did everything together. They were pointing their clubs to the sky to show the promise of the future. The priest was standing by the pedestal they stood on, watching the people give their respects to Lord and Lady Varsek. It was Arsha’s turn and she was dressed in dark clothing, forgoing the rose hairpin she usually had and replaced her pink ribbon with a black one. “Lord and Lady Varsek,” she whispered, “I’m sorry I did not see you in time. There are so many wishes I have to undo all this, but I don’t think I would have learned any of the lessons I did. Still, I wish I learned them while you were still alive. I hope you watch over me and my crew as we continue on our tour of duty. I know the Endeavor has a good crew; I just hope I prove to be a good captain. Goodbye, Lord and Lady Varsek.” After everyone said their goodbyes, the statue was transferred over to a carriage and everyone formed a procession behind it. A deep horn sounded and the procession set out for Malak’s home of the Greshkagh Mountains. In the ancient Troll tongue, it means “Watchful”, an appropriate name for a site dedicated to the dead that stood sentinel over all Troll-kind. It took an hour to get to the base of the mountains and another hour to get to the Varseks’ final resting spot. When everyone arrived, the statue was set on the new site.

“Born from stone,” read the priest, “and returned to stone. That is the full life of a Troll, no matter the subspecies. Time may erode the stone that Lord and Lady Varsek have returned to, but it cannot erode their eternal spirits. Lord and Lady Varsek, may you watch over us all and guide us in our lives. Farewell, friends.” With that, the main ceremony was over. “There will now be a three-day observance of the lives of Lord and Lady Varsek. Let their true history be known, good and bad. After which, we will celebrate the life we have with Arsha’s Captain’s ceremony.” Everyone returned to Falgreth to go through with the three-day observance.

It was early morning in Falgreth as Malnar’s ship, the Meteor, landed. Evoking the image of its namesake, the ship was painted in fiery colors. Elmar and Orthena were on either side of Arsha. The ramp lowered and Malnar, a brunette woman in a dress of red, orange, and yellow, came down. Her hairpiece on the back of her hair was floral and in the same red, orange, and yellow and her pink-tinted lips were in a smile. “It’s been too long, Foxy!” she called to Arsha.

“I’ve missed you, Bonfire!” cheered Arsha.

“You’re late,” remarked Elmar.

“Sorry,” replied Malnar.

“What’s the threshold of the M9 molecule?” asked Orthena.

“40 electron volts, Ms. Orthena,” answered Malnar.

“Third brightest star from Umbarin?” quizzed Elmar.

“View from where, Mr. Elmar?” asked Malnar.

“Over-realm,” replied Elmar.

“Arax, or Betora, if you prefer the original Seraphim name,” answered Malnar.

“…Not bad,” commented Elmar. “Now, would you mind a hug?”

“Wouldn’t mind at all!” said Malnar as she opened her arms for a hug. She was embraced by all three. “I didn’t expect a pop-quiz,” chuckled Malnar.

“Just making sure one of my best students,” rumbled Orthena, “didn’t forget she was a scientist while being a princess.”

“How could I forget?” asked Malnar. “I still have nightmares of your Magi-calculus final.”

“Much as I would like to play catch-up,” interjected Arsha, “we have a kidnapping to address.”

“Spare no details,” replied Malnar as everyone walked towards the Endeavor.

---

Enfanti and Delga sat in their cell. Delga’s chains were designed to keep a Frostik’s claws and hidden tail stinger from being utilized. Delga had forgotten his civilized demeanor as he thrashed about, trying to break the chains, cursing in the Frostik language all the while. Enfanti had never seen Delga so riled. It made her drop her cool façade, huddling in fear in a corner. After expending his energy, Delga dropped to the floor. Enfanti kept her distance for a bit before slowly crawling to him. When she was close enough, her hand went up to his shoulder. The instant she made contact, Delga drooped lower, feeling ashamed. “Master?” asked Enfanti.

“I’m robbed of use of my natural weapons,” sighed Delga, “and how do I respond? By acting like an animal? What kind of knight am I?” Enfanti took this as a que to get closer and hug him.

“We’ll get out of this,” she assured softly. As soon as she said it, the chains started dragging them to opposite walls. They kept resisting, but it was no good. They resigned themselves to being separated and sat down, which was unfortunate for Delga as when he sat down, he cried out in pain. “What’s the matter?!” Enfanti called from her spot.

“I don’t know!” gasped Delga. “I think I sat on something!” Enfanti then got an idea.

“Guard!” she called. “My master is in pain! I’m stuck on my side! Please! Help him!” The guard entered the room and headed over to Delga’s side.

“Let me see,” he grunted. Delga stood up and turned around. There was a large sliver of wood stuck in his right butt cheek.

“Get it out!” cried Delga. The pain was causing him to shake.

“Keep still so I can do something!” snapped the guard.

“Just yank on it!” growled Delga. There was a brief jingle, but the guard was too busy with his task.

“This is going to hurt,” he warned.

“It already hurts!” hissed Delga. “Just take it out!”

“If you say so,” sighed the guard. He gripped it and yanked it out hard and quick. Delga elicited one last gasp of pain. “Now,” said the guard as he tossed the splinter aside and turned to Enfanti, “keys!”

“What keys?” asked Enfanti innocently.

“Don’t play dumb,” growled the guard. “your intelligence and resourcefulness are renowned throughout the Realms. I heard the jingle of keys hitting each other. You used a levitation spell while I was distracted by your master’s pain to bring the keys to your side. You have them behind your back and are most likely trying to undo the locks on your chains. I’m not falling for it, so give them back!”

“The keys?” asked Enfanti in a cutesy voice.

“Yes, the keys!” roared the guard, losing his patience. “When I want the keys back, you give them to me!”

“All right, if you say so,” chuckled Enfanti. She then decked the guard in the eye with four of the keys between her fingers. The guard howled in pain at the loss of his eye and was scrambling around in his medical pouch for a regeneration potion. Enfanti took that time to free herself and undid all the locks to her chains. She then leapt over the guard and ran towards Delga, setting to work on undoing his locks. The guard then found the necessary potion and drank it, washing his eye socket out of any excess blood that might interfere with the regeneration process. When he got his depth perception back, the guard snarled and ran towards Enfanti and Delga. Delga’s tail was freed first, so he ejected the concealed stinger and stuck it into the guard’s neck. Knockout venom flooded the guard’s systems and he fell to the floor. Enfanti breathed a sigh of relief as she undid the rest of the locks. Soon, Delga was freed and started going towards the door, limping a bit. “Master, wait!” called Enfanti as she rummaged through the medical pouch. She pulled out a disc with green goo in it. Its function is to accelerate the healing process of any breaks in any skin. “Rub this over the wound,” instructed Enfanti as she handed it to Delga. Delga did so, bending over to get to the wound. His back was to Enfanti. A snort of amusement escaped her nose before she started laughing.

“This isn’t funny!” snapped Delga.

“Sorry…Master,” giggled Enfanti, “but…but it…!” she then returned to laughing. Delga then realized she was laughing at his mooning position towards her and joined in her laughter.

“You…you know…what’s…funny…funnier?” he said between laughs. “I don’t…I don’t think…this…this thing…works!”

“It’s…it’s elec…electrically stimu…” Enfanti got out before laughing again.

“Oh!” laughed Delga. “I forgot…forgot to…turn it on!” He pressed a button on the disc and returned to rubbing it over the wound. A cooling relief washed over the area and Delga sighed in relief. “Oh, that’s better!” he said softly.

“My sides!” gasped Enfanti as her laughter died down. She gave a sigh of joy as Delga finished with the regenerator goo and turned it off. “I know your detractors call you an ass,” giggled Enfanti, “but I doubt they use that context.”

“It DOES give a new meaning to that word,” chuckled Delga. “Is there a medical scanner in that pouch? I have no idea how long my venom takes on a Troll before wearing off.”

“Right here,” replied Enfanti as she pulled out a boxy device and waved it over the guard. She then checked the readings and confusion crossed her features. “Heartbeat’s twice as fast as a Troll,” she reported. “His blood pressure’s lower than a Troll. His dermal makeup is…Master, this isn’t a Troll, it’s a genetically modified Goblin!”

“A Goblin?!” yelped Delga. He then remembered the rumors. “The Diamond Consortium HAS been infiltrated!”

“We need to tell the Under-king,” declared Enfanti. “Let’s get out of here!”

“Right!” agreed Delga. Using a simple camouflage spell, they slipped towards the entrance to the building unseen. At least, unseen until they were caught by the light coming in through the door’s window.

“THERE’S A SHADOW BY THE DOOR!” warned a Consortium Member. “SOMEONE’S SNEAKING OUT!” The alarm was raised and the spell was cancelled. Delga used his strength to tear the door down and they ran into the streets. They got a good glimpse of the building they were in, what the building’s number was, and what street they were on. They managed to evade the guards, but something happened to Delga’s memory.

“Great!” he muttered. “An amnesia spell activated when we left the street! I can’t remember their address!”

“Don’t worry, I still remember it,” assured Enfanti. “My eye recorded everything. We were held at 2708 Stonetrap Lane, Falgreth, 478096.

“Enfanti, you are magnificent!” praised Delga. “Let’s raise the…!”

“Your Highnesses!” shouted a voice. “Over there! I see them!” Delga and Enfanti whirled around to see Orthena leading Elmar, Malnar, and Arsha towards them. They were embraced warmly and asked multiple times if they were alright.

“Your Highnesses, we’re fine,” assured Enfanti, “but not the Consortium. We have proof that it was infiltrated by Dwelga Goblins.” She then explained what happened.

“This is treason!” growled Malnar. “My father must be informed of this!”

“Let’s return to our ships then, and do so,” declared Arsha. “My father should be informed as well.”

Enfanti sat in Delga’s lap. She always did so when she was distressed in some way, allowing her master’s fur to sooth her as his arms wrapped around her. “This doesn’t make sense,” she muttered.

“This isn’t like the Diamond Consortium,” mused Delga. “They don’t allow for gaps in their security.”

“That’s not what I meant, Master,” corrected Enfanti. “It’s the motive of the case. Why kill Lord and Lady Varsek? They’ve done nothing to threaten the stability of the Troll Republic.”

“Maybe it has nothing to do with the Diamond Consortium,” guessed Delga. “Maybe this was another red herring.”

“Then why use a poison the Consortium uses?” asked Enfanti. “I ran over the crime scene using my right eye to see if magic was involved and it wasn’t!”

“What other clues are there?” quizzed Delga.

“All we have is a copy of Lord Varsek’s speech,” sighed Enfanti. “I don’t know, maybe there’s something magical in it. Then again, maybe not.”

“It’s worth a shot,” suggested Delga. Enfanti sighed, then stood up and walked to the table the speech laid on. She picked it up and started reading it. As she did, she noticed something magical WAS laced into the speech.

“Master, I think I got something!” she said, excitedly. Delga hurried over to her and listened carefully to her explanation. “It’s a modified truth spell!” she explained. “Woven into the speech’s words is something that relates to a world-shaking truth! If read aloud, the truth would be heard in the heads of all who listened to it!”

“Maybe we should read it!” declared Delga.

“I’ll do it!” replied Enfanti. She cleared her throat and began. “Troll-kind was not treated kindly long ago. For a long time, we have been treated like dogs and our intellectual pursuits were halted. One Troll then stood up and told his masters ‘I am a living creature that deserves dignity!’ That one Troll sparked a revolution during Dwelga’s enslavement of all Troll subspecies. It took our ancestors a lot of time, but we soon became free. That one Troll’s sacrifice was not done in vain. Now, here we are, enjoying life as is our right, free from fear of the Slaver’s lash! Free from fear of being declared too clever. Free from fear of being watched! To this day, I thank that one Troll for getting us to where we are today! Let Belnak’s sacrifice be forever immortalized. Today, as I said in the past and will continue to say in the future, I do not fear those who would try to enslave us! I will fight them every step of the way!” As she read, the truth entered their minds. “…I don’t believe it!” she whispered.

“The Diamond Consortium is attempting to bring slavery back!” hissed Delga. “Why?!”

“You will never know!” boomed a voice. Mr. Bling’s fist then smashed into Delga’s skull. Enfanti quickly summoned ice armor all over herself, but she didn’t have time to harden it fast enough as Mr. Bling knocked her out with just one punch. His goons then came in. “Get them to headquarters quickly!” he ordered. “I will not allow our plans to make Dwelga whole be ruined!”

---

Thangred was busy pounding out any dents the Endeavor suffered on the trip to Falgreth. The problems the ship had suffered were being solved in record time. “Thank goodness for the Under-realm Engineer’s Guild,” he sighed. “Hey, Borshek, where’s Delga? I want to give him my thanks.”

“I haven’t seen him in a while,” replied a female Orc.

“Huh?” quizzed Thangred. “That’s not like him at all. Could someone find him?”

“I’ll take a gander,” called Lorsek, a male Werewolf. He took off, sniffing all the way, until he stopped at an alley’s entrance. He then took deeper sniffs and smelt fear, panic, blood, and secrecy. He took an even deeper sniff and determined the people that went down the alley. Panic seized his heart and he ran back to the Endeavor. “Where’s Arsha?!” he yelped.

“She and Dalengor are at L’obscurité Belle,” answered Borshek. “That café down the street. Why?”

“I have reason to believe that Delga and Enfanti were kidnapped!” revealed Lorsek. That got their attention!

“I’ll get them here!” called Thangred. He took off at an impressive speed.

“Okay, how?!” asked Lorsek.

“Haven’t you heard?” chuckled Borshek. “Dwarves are natural sprinters.”

“That was sprinting?!” gasped Lorsek. The instant he asked the question, something sparked on the hull of the ship. “Oh for…I JUST FIXED THAT!”

“Let’s try again!” sighed Borshek.

---

Arsha and Dalengor were treating themselves to the richest dark chocolate cake in all the Realms, found only in the Under-realm. They had a special outdoor seat at L’obscurité Belle, the finest café in the Under-realm, serving the best pastries and coffee, Chocolate was a favorite with Arsha. She ate slowly to savor the taste. Dalengor had already finished hers and was waiting for Arsha to finish. “Why you insist on eating dessert slowly,” she growled, “I can’t fathom. We have a five-year mission to get cracking on!”

“Sometimes, one needs to make time for enjoyment,” replied Arsha.

“This isn’t a pleasure cruise!” insisted Dalengor.

“Look, we’re here until the case surrounding Lord and Lady Varsek’s deaths is closed,” countered Arsha. “Besides, savoring sweets during a case like this helps me to think clearly. I would rather not be crashing into walls in a panic or act so uptight. Captains who are totally authoritarian tend to have their crews wound up so tight that there’s no joy in their work. In short, I’m doing this for my health and the health of the crew. Also, I can give a more accurate description of my food if I savor it.” A teasing grin then crossed her face. “Shall I describe it?”

“No, thank you,” grunted Dalengor as she folded her arms across her chest.

“Look, if an emergency comes up,” Arsha assured her best friend, “then it’s all business. I can take this to go and we’ll make the necessary prepar…do you hear that?”

“It sounds like a Dwarf sprinting,” realized Dalengor. Arsha held her hands up to her eyes like binoculars and cast a spell on them to have the same function as binoculars. She looked up the street to see a ball of dust coming down.

“It IS a Dwarf sprinting!” she revealed. “It’s Thangred!”

“Why’s he sprinting?” asked Dalengor.

“We’re about to find out,” replied Arsha. “He’s slowing down.” Thangred stopped at their table.

“Your Highness, the situation has gone bad!” he called. “We have reason to believe that Delga and Enfanti were kidnapped!”

“What?!” yelped Arsha as she stood up.

“What happened?!” roared Dalengor as she followed suit.

“Lorsek found their scents,” explained Thangred. “He can explain better than I could.”

“Let’s get going!” declared Arsha. She keyed in a command on the table and a box appeared for her cake. When she got the cake in the box, she waved a crystal cube the size of her palm over the table. The resulting cha-ching was an indication that her payment was successful. She and Dalengor then joined Thangred out on the sidewalk. Arsha then made teal flames appear at the tips of three of her tails and formed the points of an equilateral triangle with them. She then snapped her fingers and they were instantly transported back to the Endeavor. She handed her take-out box to a Drider crewman and told him to put it in her ready room’s fridge. As the Drider hurried off to obey, Arsha approached Lorsek. “I understand you sniffed out a kidnapping?” she asked. Lorsek then explained the story up to the point where Thangred sprinted off to find Arsha.

“You sprinted an entire street to get to us?” quizzed Dalengor. “That’s impressive.”

“What’s even more impressive,” remarked Arsha, “was that someone successfully kidnapped Delga and Enfanti. Delga’s a knight for the Under-king and Enfanti was trained by Rekarshii herself. They’re not the easiest of targets.”

“Orders, Captain?” asked Dalengor.

“I want a constant two-member patrol,” ordered Arsha. “They are to do everything in their power to find Delga and Enfanti.”

“I’ll organize it immediately,” affirmed Dalengor.

“Thangred,” commanded Arsha once Dalengor set off to do her duty, “I need all wands tuned. It may be possible that a firefight may occur.”

“I’ll tune them twice if I need to,” replied Thangred. He headed off to obey and Arsha moved into the elevator.

“Deck?” asked the computer more clearly than last time.

“Bridge,” she directed. The elevator took her to the bridge and the door opened all the way. “Thank you, Under-realm Engineer’s Guild,” she bid. Shalvey and Nazay were talking about something when they saw Arsha. “Shalvey, patch me through to my father and the Under-king,” ordered Arsha. “Delga and Enfanti have been kidnapped and I want them informed. I’ll take it in my ready room.”

“Aye, Captain,” confirmed Shalvey. She called up the two Kings as Arsha entered her opulent ready room. The wall mirror then changed to show Elgrad and the Under-king, Dark Lord Orbak.

“Arsha,” said Orbak in his usual booming voice. “I wasn’t expecting you yet.”

“Your Majesty, I have grave news,” reported Arsha. “Lord Delga Larkentha and Enfanti Glarosa, Head-member of the Larkentha Family’s Blue Rose Harem, have been kidnapped.”

“Those two?!” yelped Elgrad. “That’s not an easy feat!”

“Indeed not,” agreed Orbak. “Do you believe it to be in relation to Lord and Lady Varsek’s deaths?”

“I see no reason to believe otherwise,” replied Arsha. “This is too much of a coincidence.”

“What have you and Enfanti uncovered that may lead to this?” asked Orbak.

“We discovered,” reported Arsha, “the Varseks were poisoned with something the Diamond Consortium would use.” Orbak then went quiet.

“Orbak?” asked Elgrad.

“There have been rumors,” revealed Orbak, “that the Diamond Consortium has been infiltrated. Hence why their methods are more brutal and primitive these days. I need these rumors investigated now, but I cannot ask you to investigate them, Arsha. I CAN, however, send Malnar to assist.”

“It will be nice to see her again,” said Arsha with a grin. “I just wish it was under better circumstances.”

“She will enjoy seeing you as well,” replied Orbak. “I would expect her early tomorrow morning. Orbak out.” His image faded from the mirror.

“Look at you,” sighed Elgrad. “All grown up and settling into the Captain’s chair comfortably. I predict a great future ahead of you.”

“Thank you, Daddy,” gulped Arsha, “but I’m still nervous. Does it ever go away?”

“To be honest,” replied Elgrad, “those nerves never fully go away until the tour’s over. But, as long as you remember your crew and help them as much as they help you, you will be a successful Captain.”

“I hope so,” sighed Arsha. “I’ll see you around. Arsha out.”

“Love you, sweetie! Good luck!” bid Elgrad as the call ended. Arsha sighed as she sat on her sofa, a small smile on her face.