Marshii worked with the Fae Doctors in tending to the intruder\u2019s injuries. \u201cDamn, Arsha really went to town on them,\u201d she muttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cScans just revealed it\u2019s a woman,\u201d reported a yellow-skinned Fairy Doctor, Yellemar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cInsert \u2018girl-on-girl action\u2019 joke here,\u201d muttered Marshii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI would,\u201d replied Yellemar, \u201cbut what\u2019s the point?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI guess you heard them all,\u201d chuckled Marshii. \u201cCan we get that suit off?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMight want to hold off on that,\u201d countered Yellemar. \u201cThe suit\u2019s external plating is laced with an artificial form of Malmaho Disease.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow bad are we talking?\u201d quizzed Marshii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLooks like mere contact with the disease will cause a rash as stage 1,\u201d reported Yellemar. Marshii then made a call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cArsha and Melandra, report to Sick Bay,\u201d she commanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut we\u2019re…!\u201d protested Melandra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNOW!\u201d snapped Marshii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMalmaho disease?\u201d quizzed Arsha as Marshii prepared the necessary potion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYep,\u201d confirmed Marshii. \u201cAn artificial version. Thankfully, unlike the virus Laverda was infected with, I\u2019ve got all the ingriedients needed to cure what you have.\u201d She handed Arsha and Melandra the phials of the potion. \u201cDrink up,\u201d she directed. Arsha and Melandra gulped it down, then gagged at the taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat tasted like my lower exoskeleton after I molted!\u201d spluttered Melandra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow would you know?\u201d coughed Arsha as she wiped her mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was little,\u201d explained Melandra, \u201cI bit into my first molt. That was the last time I tried to eat an exoskeleton.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI need the crew to get immunized,\u201d called Marshii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll warn them about the taste,\u201d replied Arsha as she and Melandra started leaving Sick Bay. \u201cMaybe you should release the potion in a gaseous state.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou Realmfleet Captains,\u201d griped Marshii. \u201cYou could stare into the face of the most violent storms and make it blink, yet you look for the easy way out when it comes to your medicine.\u201d Arsha stopped a bit before going to her quarters. Melandra noticed what happened and moved towards a wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cComputer, locate Thengo,\u201d he directed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCounselor Thengo Lortora is in her quarters with Queen Hanako Royana,\u201d reported the computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you,\u201d bid Melandra as he scuttled off to Thengo\u2019s quarters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cConcerned for Arsha?\u201d quizzed Thengo as she set the tea down. Hanako took a cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe\u2019s still dwelling on what happened with Reb,\u201d she answered. Just then, the door rang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHello?\u201d called Thengo, not expecting anyone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s Melandra,\u201d replied the person in the hall. \u201cI need to speak with you and Hanako.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBoth of us?\u201d muttered Hanako.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCome in,\u201d called Thengo. Melandra scuttled in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI need advice,\u201d he explained. \u201cSpecifically, Hanako\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA first,\u201d smirked Hanako.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLook, I know we\u2019re not the best of friends,\u201d interjected Melandra. \u201cSince we first came onto this ship during the Rooka\/Gamfinar incident, we kept each other at arm\u2019s length. However, you ARE my Captain\u2019s mom and I could use some Kitsune clarity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…Go ahead,\u201d directed Hanako.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about Arsha,\u201d explained Melandra. \u201cI don\u2019t know if you\u2019ve noticed, which would be surprising, but she\u2019s isolated herself from the crew. Whatever meals she has, they\u2019re taken alone. Whatever recreation she\u2019s engaged in, she\u2019s always alone. Whatever paperwork is done, it\u2019s done alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe believes she\u2019s made an error in judgement in bringing Melgem aboard,\u201d answered Hanako. \u201cShe thinks she\u2019s responsible for those that died on that island.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe told you?\u201d asked Melandra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo,\u201d replied Hanako. \u201cIn the few days I\u2019ve been here, I\u2019ve been observing her behavior. Guilt is her current and constant companion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve known her longer than anyone here,\u201d mused Thengo. \u201cHave you ever seen her like this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOnce,\u201d answered Hanako. \u201cIt was during her training on the Watchful<\/em>. I believe it was your uncle\u2019s ship at the time, Thengo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt was,\u201d confirmed Thengo. \u201cWas she the 9-tailed upstart he griped about?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cConsidering she was the only one with 9 tails during that time, and he flat-out called her that while I was within earshot,\u201d confirmed Hanako, \u201cI\u2019d say yes. In any case, she was assigned a group and was told to survey the Galdredan Lava Kingdom\u2019s famous Brokshak volcano.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s the most active volcano there!\u201d yelped Melandra. \u201cNot even Calandra would go there and she can safely swim in lava!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe survey shuttle was damaged by a magma eruption,\u201d continued Hanako, \u201cand, despite her attempt to bring them back to the safety of the ship, two crew-members were severely injured. For the next several days, she was scared of commanding and, briefly, didn\u2019t want to claim her birthright. After only one counseling session, she took the repaired survey shuttle alone to complete the survey. She wanted to prove to the injured crew members that they didn\u2019t suffer in vain.\u201d She drew in a breath before continuing. \u201cI almost buried my daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe was seeking redemption,\u201d realized Thengo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cExactly,\u201d replied Hanako. \u201cArsha\u2019s methods are…unorthodox. It\u2019s her strength, but in times like this, it\u2019s her weakness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStubborn as a Troll,\u201d muttered Melandra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTo put it mildly,\u201d remarked Hanako.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arsha was right outside the room, listening to the entire conversation. She sighed before going back to her ready room. When she arrived, she looked out the window to see the interior of the tree\u2019s shipyards. She drummed her fingers, contemplating her move. Her mother\u2019s words from the resort echoed in her head. \u201c\u2018What kind of Captain will you be in the face of that?\u2019 I can\u2019t seem to figure it out,\u201d Arsha sighed to herself. \u201cNo matter how much I try, I can\u2019t seem to get my crewmates to avoid some form of pain. Is it all worth it? They die and are barely talked about.\u201d She sighed again before sliding into her chair. \u201cAll I wanted to do was protect them and their families. What kind of Captain lets them…?\u201d She then trailed off in thought. \u201cWait…why would they join Realmfleet if it were all safe? Do they…?\u201d She then gasped as she realized why. \u201cI AM THE BIGGEST IDIOT ALIVE!\u201d she shouted to herself. Shalvey then glided into the room at top speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCaptain?!\u201d she called. \u201cAre you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m fine, Commander,\u201d assured Arsha. \u201cJust had an epiphany about those who died.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCaptain?\u201d quizzed Shalvey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShalvey, why did you join Realmfleet?\u201d asked Arsha. Shalvey was taken aback by the question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI, er, I…well, it was to ensure my family\u2019s protection, like anyone else who joined,\u201d she finally answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, you would say that those who died were only concerned about their families\u2019 lives and not theirs?\u201d inquired Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m sure their own lives were considered,\u201d replied Shalvey, \u201cbut if giving up my life means my family can live on, so be it. That\u2019s what most Realmfleet officers have on their minds. When one is gone, the rest try to dedicate other victories in their name.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd only now did I just realize that,\u201d explained Arsha. \u201cI\u2019d do the same as those who died. The only way I can honor their sacrifices is to dedicate future victories to them. I can\u2019t believe I just realized that now!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, are you…?\u201d asked Shalvey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m not fully out of my funk yet,\u201d answered Arsha, \u201cbut I think I\u2019m taking a step in the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood to know, Captain,\u201d praised Shalvey. Just then, the ship\u2019s comms buzzed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMarshii to Arsha,\u201d announced the Caller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGo ahead, Doctor,\u201d called Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCaptain, you and your mother need to come to the tree\u2019s medical ward now!\u201d explained Marshii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOn my way,\u201d answered Arsha. The call ended as she headed to the ramp. Hanako met with her as she came down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat do you supposed Marshii wants?\u201d quizzed Hanako.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re gonna find out,\u201d replied Arsha. They arrived at the medical ward and met Marshii. \u201cWhat\u2019s the situation?\u201d asked Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ve managed to identify the intruder under that armor,\u201d explained Marshii. \u201cDNA matching has revealed that it\u2019s Midiriki Rotano.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…My young sister?!\u201d yelped Hanako.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy would she…?!\u201d quizzed Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe didn\u2019t attack the tree of her own free will,\u201d replied Marshii. \u201cWe\u2019ve found various mind-control potions in her bloodstream and the suit was producing a hypnotic sound, keeping her obedient to whoever\u2019s controlling it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhoever did this will pay!\u201d snarled Hanako as she punched her hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI trust Rellmeer will know about this?\u201d quizzed Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe was here when we found out,\u201d replied Marshii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen, if you\u2019ll excuse me,\u201d bid Arsha, \u201cI need to solve this mystery with her so our families are protected.\u201d Hanako grinned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, that\u2019s the kind of Captain you\u2019re going to be,\u201d she thought to herself.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Marshii worked with the Fae Doctors in tending to the intruder\u2019s injuries. \u201cDamn, Arsha really went to town on them,\u201d she muttered. \u201cScans just revealed it\u2019s a woman,\u201d reported a yellow-skinned Fairy Doctor, Yellemar. \u201cInsert \u2018girl-on-girl action\u2019 joke here,\u201d muttered Marshii. \u201cI would,\u201d replied Yellemar, \u201cbut what\u2019s the point?\u201d \u201cI guess you heard them all,\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1374,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[97,94],"tags":[482],"class_list":["post-2036","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-three-realms","category-the-three-realms-book-1-her-highness-the-captain","tag-fantasy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2036","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2036"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2036\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2037,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2036\/revisions\/2037"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1374"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2036"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2036"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2036"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}