{"id":2587,"date":"2020-06-17T21:28:18","date_gmt":"2020-06-18T01:28:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/?p=2587"},"modified":"2020-06-17T21:28:18","modified_gmt":"2020-06-18T01:28:18","slug":"3-realms-2-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/3-realms-2-11\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Realms 2-11"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Senior Staff was introduced to Endea in short order, as was the Senior Staff of the Forge<\/em>. Thanks to the ship\u2019s reboot, communications between the Endeavor<\/em> and the Forge<\/em> were reestablished. Roozay was surprised to see the Endeavor<\/em> talking to him. \u201cI…er…well…this is a whole new can of worms,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow so?\u201d asked Endea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMadam, there WILL be people that say machines need no rights,\u201d explained Roozay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, crap,\u201d mumbled Arsha as she realized the future legal battle for the rights of sentient machines. \u201cThe other side\u2019s going to say that you\u2019re just a machine, built only for one purpose. Having your own ideas will only get in the way of your purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhich I find to be a load of nonsense!\u201d snapped Denstra. \u201cOur whole purpose is to engage with new forms of life and protect them! Well, there\u2019s a new form of life right there!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMaybe more, if Bashoon tells the Queens,\u201d mused Elmar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo the crisis should be resolving soon?\u201d asked Roozay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHopefully,\u201d replied Arsha. \u201cAll the same, can the relief fleet get here still? Reb\u2019s fleet is still keeping people out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe would be happy to assist,\u201d promised Roozay. \u201cArsha, you and I should draft a battle plan once Galthar is back up and running.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAgreed,\u201d answered Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

\u201cHalt repairs?!\u201d yelped Hunmur once she and Hindra got the message. \u201cAre you out of your mind?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYour Majesty, I understand this is a peculiar situation,\u201d gulped Bashoon, \u201cbut, if I could explain…!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s to explain?!\u201d asked Hunmur. \u201cYou want us to order the ones trying to fix this crisis to stop?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt worked with us,\u201d assured Bashoon. \u201cOn top of that, it brought our ship to life!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd the potential legal battle is one of the reasons why I\u2019m so unwilling to follow through with your suggestion!\u201d snapped Hunmur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that supposed to mean?\u201d asked Hindra. Hunmur sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was the defense when the Chimeras were demanding the same rights as us,\u201d she explained. \u201cThat battle took a thousand years before the courts reached their decision.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd you think it\u2019ll take as long concerning living machines?\u201d realized Bashoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cExactly!\u201d replied Hunmur. \u201cWhat if the courts say \u2018no\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith respect,\u201d remarked Hindra, \u201cif we don\u2019t try their suggestion, Galthar may not live to see that battle or its outcome. Being a tech capital, our voice will have some weight to whatever our decision is.\u201d Hunmur pondered a bit, then decided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll right, we\u2019ll do it,\u201d she declared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou will?\u201d asked Bashoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHindra\u2019s right,\u201d continued Hunmur. \u201cWe can\u2019t advocate for sentient machine rights if our kingdom\u2019s not showing off how such rights improve the Realms. Hindra, let\u2019s draft an executive order for all repairs to cease, then sign it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, Your Majesty!\u201d Bashoon praised Hunmur. \u201cAnd thank you, Queen Hindra.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t thank me,\u201d replied Hindra, \u201cI didn\u2019t think that was going to work!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…Could have waited until I left the castle to say that,\u201d muttered Bashoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

\u201cStill no response from Galthar,\u201d reported Melgem aboard the Scarlet Stream pirates\u2019 flagship, the Black Money<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is MOST unlike Hindra and Hunmur,\u201d mused Reb. \u201cWhat could POSSIBLY delay them? They care about their people, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey should,\u201d muttered Yulduk. \u201cSomething\u2019s not right.\u201d A man in black pirate clothing then came in. The coat had \u201cSSPS-1794 Black Money<\/em>\u201d on the back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAh, Blackon, my DEAR ship,\u201d greeted Reb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAdmiral,\u201d replied the man, Blackon, the living consciousness of Reb\u2019s flagship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat news from the fleet?\u201d asked Melgem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Headstrong<\/em> and Opulence<\/em>,\u201d answered Blackon, \u201creported a fleet of Realmfleet ships nearing our position. They fired warning shots and the enemy is holding position.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cExcellent,\u201d praised Reb. \u201cOh, I DO hope Hindra and Hunmur see sense. We simply NEED their riches to…\u201d a sound from the tactical console interrupted her. Blackon checked and his eyes widened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t believe it,\u201d he muttered. He projected what was going on in Galthar on the main screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre they…stopping repairs?\u201d quizzed Melgem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMore than that!\u201d replied Blackon. \u201cThey\u2019re shutting down ALL machines!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…They know!\u201d realized Reb. \u201cThey KNOW somehow!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut…how?!\u201d yelped Melgem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAdmiral!\u201d called Blackon as he pointed to the screen as it focused on the trains of Galthar. The fronts of the engines budded, then the buds grew until they each formed a humanoid upper torso and distinct faces and clothing. They now looked like humanoid life-forms sprouting out of the fronts of train engines. Another blip on the tactical console grabbed Blackon\u2019s attention. He checked it. \u201cThe Endeavor<\/em>\u2019s hailing us!\u201d he reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cArsha!\u201d snarled Reb. \u201cI should have KILLED her when I saw her in the vaults!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat can we do?!\u201d yelped Yulduk. \u201cWith the city\u2019s movement-capable machines rising, we\u2019ll never have Galthar as a permanent tribute site!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOpen a channel to the Endeavor<\/em>!\u201d ordered Reb. \u201cI will speak with Arsha MYSELF!\u201d Arsha appeared on the screen with Endea. \u201cI know you had your DESPICABLE hands in this, Royana!\u201d shouted Reb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMY despicable hands?\u201d scoffed Arsha. \u201cPot, meet kettle! You terrorized innocent people just to make a quick profit! The only good thing that came out of this is the fact that all machines with motive power can talk to us now, such as Endea here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, you figured out what the mist is,\u201d sighed Melgem. \u201cOh well, we still have the advantage. We used the Breath of Life about a year ago and our ships are more trained than yours!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can still fight with the best of them!\u201d argued Endea. \u201cNow, scram!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t take ORDERS, I take TREASURE!\u201d snapped Reb. She ended communications and activated a fleetwide broadcast. \u201cAll ships, battle stations!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey\u2019re coming at us in an attack formation!\u201d warned Malak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTime to put you through your paces,\u201d Arsha declared to Endea. She activated the intercom. \u201cAll hands to battle stations!\u201d The ship rose to meet the pirate fleet as the relief fleet came up from behind the pirates and fired! Malak received more attack suggestions on his console and looked at Endea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah, they\u2019re my ideas on top of the main computer suggestions!\u201d confirmed Endea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, I like your third option!\u201d called Malak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUse it at your discretion!\u201d directed Arsha. Malak fed the flight pattern to the helm and Nazay moved the ship in said pattern, weaving above the pirates while Malak fired torpedoes at their topsides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe pirates are in disarray!\u201d cheered Malak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSee?\u201d asked Endea. \u201cIt\u2019s all in the unexpected…\u201d she trailed off when she saw what was on the screen. The ship was going in between a pair of pirate ships! \u201cARE YOU CRAZY?!\u201d yelped Endea. \u201cNAZAY, DON\u2019T FLY ME BETWEEN THEM!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFLY YOU BETWEEN THEM, ARE YOU CRAZY?!\u201d replied Nazay, missing a part of Endea\u2019s protest. He flew the ship right between them! Endea squeaked in horror, then her eyes pupils and sclera vanished. The helm\u2019s controls then moved themselves against Nazay\u2019s directions!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI TOLD YOU TO GO AROUND THEM!\u201d called Endea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYOU SAID TO FLY YOU BETWEEN THEM!\u201d snapped Nazay as he realized who had the controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI SAID DON\u2019T<\/em> FLY ME BETWEEN THEM!\u201d answered Endea. It was too late now. As the Endeavor<\/em> flew between the ships, the cannons on either side fired just a little behind them and the shots ripped into the other ships. The relief fleet continued attacking from the rear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is lunacy!\u201d groaned Melgem. Blackon cried out in pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy shields are down!\u201d he called. \u201cFires on decks 2, 3, and 5!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOrder our repair crews to put out the fires, then activate our PERSONAL Realmgate,\u201d ordered Reb. \u201cWe\u2019ve sustained enough damage to make this job no longer PROFITABLE.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cARE YOU SERIOUS?!\u201d shouted Yulduk. \u201cThis is our chance to finally be at the top of the tech game! Realmfleet will have no choice but to accept our ways!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve lost too many ships,\u201d replied Reb. \u201cThe amount of money needed for repairs will NOT be covered with Galthar brought to its knees. We\u2019re leaving.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am the true King of Galthar,\u201d snarled Yulduk, \u201cand I order you to…!\u201d He didn\u2019t get far as Reb buried a knife into his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNEVER give me an order!\u201d she hissed at Yulduk\u2019s corpse. \u201cBlackon, sweetie, get this HORRENDOUS thing off and fire up the personal Realmgate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt once,\u201d replied Blackon. Yulduk\u2019s body was enveloped in light and vanished without a trace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

\u201cCaptain!\u201d called Malak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI see them!\u201d cheered Arsha as the pirates went into retreat. \u201cWell done, all of you! Even you, Endea!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI just do the best I can,\u201d replied Endea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRoozay\u2019s hailing us!\u201d called Shalvey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOpen a channel!\u201d directed Arsha. Roozay appeared on screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI must say,\u201d he chuckled, \u201cI didn\u2019t expect this kind of welcome from Galthar. Now, about that technological aid…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGalthar should be in a position to accept all kinds of aid,\u201d replied Arsha. \u201cWe\u2019ll meet with the Queens and discuss how to divide up the resources so Galthar can get back on its feet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen I\u2019ll meet you at the castle,\u201d declared Roozay. \u201cRoozay out.\u201d The call ended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNazay, let\u2019s get back to the ground,\u201d directed Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCouldn\u2019t agree more, Captain,\u201d chuckled Nazay as he moved the ship to the landing site.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Senior Staff was introduced to Endea in short order, as was the Senior Staff of the Forge. Thanks to the ship\u2019s reboot, communications between the Endeavor and the Forge were reestablished. Roozay was surprised to see the Endeavor talking to him. \u201cI…er…well…this is a whole new can of worms,\u201d he muttered. \u201cHow so?\u201d asked Endea. \u201cMadam, there WILL be people that […]<\/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":[97,95],"tags":[482],"class_list":["post-2587","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-three-realms","category-the-three-realms-book-2-the-rise-of-living-metal","tag-fantasy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2587","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=2587"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2587\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2588,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2587\/revisions\/2588"}],"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=2587"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2587"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2587"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}