{"id":2619,"date":"2020-06-17T22:53:13","date_gmt":"2020-06-18T02:53:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/?p=2619"},"modified":"2020-06-17T22:53:13","modified_gmt":"2020-06-18T02:53:13","slug":"3-realms-2-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/3-realms-2-20\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Realms 2-20"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Endeavor<\/em> made its way to Crelima City, a Naga dwelling like the Regatim Oasis, only much larger. Topping off supplies was going to take some time. Endea drummed her fingers at her new workstation in Main Engineering. Her assignment was to monitor the progress of the spare mana tanks as they filled. It was a long, tedious assignment, one where people nearly fell asleep at their station. Endea\u2019s eyelids drooped a few times before she started slapping herself in the face. When she finished, she stared at her screens harder with eyes more widely open. A futile effort as her eyelids were drooping again. \u201cDull assignment?\u201d asked a voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou have no…\u201d Endea\u2019s sleepiness vanished as she trailed off. The voice didn\u2019t belong to any member of the crew. She turned her chair to see a genie that seemed to have an affinity for purple, right up to the bow in her hair. \u201cHow did you get in here?!\u201d demanded Endea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m Maska Launidar,\u201d replied the genie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t answer my question!\u201d barked Endea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSure, it does,\u201d giggled Maska.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, it really…why am I still talking to you?\u201d Endea grabbed her communicator and made a call. \u201cSecurity, report to Main Engineering! We have an intruder!\u201d Dalengor and her security team wasted no time in getting to Main Engineering. The team leveled their wands at Maska.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSurrender your vessel, Genie!\u201d snarled Dalengor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m unbound,\u201d replied Maska. \u201cBesides, I need to speak with Arsha at once!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can do so in your brig cell!\u201d growled Dalengor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPeace, Lieutenant Commander Mardem,\u201d called another voice. A portal had opened and allowed Rellmeer and Rokalla to step into Main Engineering. \u201cMs. Launidar is here at our behest,\u201d continued Rellmeer. \u201cWhat she discovered is grave indeed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Arsha drummed her fingers on the conference room\u2019s table. Her hairpiece was removed and just sitting on the table. \u201cMy guest has a quest to complete,\u201d she grumbled. \u201cI would have preferred that I suffered no interruptions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid your quest for the Scale Sword must be completed with all haste,\u201d urged Rellmeer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d asked Arsha. \u201cHaste will only bring us into the path of Reb and her ilk and I\u2019m still not over the Galthar incident.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think you need to worry about her intercepting you,\u201d replied Rokalla. \u201cWhat Dr. Borg is doing to her is far more horrible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…Is Reb being held hostage by her?\u201d quizzed Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDr. Borg is currently holding her for ransom,\u201d explained Maska. \u201cShe demands the burial torpedoes you launched after your first encounter with Reb.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat kind of ghoulish experiments would she want with them?!\u201d gulped Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRevenant creation,\u201d replied Rellmeer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut…but that research was destroyed long ago!\u201d argued Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFrom what I overheard, when Reb and Melgem encountered Dr. Borg and her new Revenant,\u201d continued Maska, \u201cone you and Denstra should be familiar with. Tell me, does the name \u2018Yulduk\u2019 mean anything?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGalthar\u2019s former Collector!\u201d gasped Arsha. \u201cHe\u2019s Dr. Borg\u2019s Revenant?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd she intends to make more out of those five that died last year,\u201d finished Rellmeer. \u201cMaska needs a map.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cComputer, pull up a map of the Under-realm,\u201d Arsha commanded the computer. A map appeared on the screen and Maska got it to zoom in on an island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRight there,\u201d she declared as she pointed to the island. \u201cThat\u2019s where Dr. Borg\u2019s base is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut that\u2019s where the Scale Sword\u2019s supposed to be!\u201d yelped Arsha. Just then, Penshek ran into the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCaptain, my spies in the Imperium have terrible news!\u201d he called. \u201cDr. Borg\u2019s beaten us to it! She\u2019s arranged a deal with the Imperium! She\u2019ll deliver the Sword if the Imperium joins her!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve just heard other bad news related to that,\u201d muttered Arsha. \u201cAll right, the long way is no longer a viable option. We need to leave NOW!\u201d She then activated ship-wide communications. \u201cAll hands, duty uniforms on. Assume battle stations. We\u2019re going to the Scale Sword\u2019s resting place at once.\u201d The alert rang through the ship as various crew members teleported themselves to their quarters and changed their outfits to their duty uniforms. When Arsha arrived at her quarters, Gorfanth and Foresna immediately started asking questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAren\u2019t we taking the long way around?!\u201d asked Foresna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat about Reb\u2019s pirates?!\u201d quizzed Gorfanth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll be too busy trying to free Reb and Melgem from Dr. Borg\u2019s clutches,\u201d replied Arsha as she ducked behind a changing screen. As her dress was draped over the screen, she continued talking. \u201cDr. Borg\u2019s taken them hostage and found the Scale Sword before we did. She\u2019s using it as a bargaining chip to gain the Imperium\u2019s loyalty.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s only, what, three strong?\u201d asked Foresna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFour, since she\u2019s been reported to have a Revenant,\u201d corrected Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…I\u2019m sorry, a WHAT?!\u201d yelped Foresna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI thought that research was destroyed!\u201d continued Gorfanth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe people on that project backed up their research for someone to find,\u201d explained Arsha as she retrieved her duty uniform from the table near the screen. \u201cAnd this particular Revenant was Galthar\u2019s collector. You know, the one that got greedy and helped, in a twisted way, bring Endea into the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, I don\u2019t know about you,\u201d muttered Foresna, \u201cbut I seem to recall that Revenant creation requires talking to Oyed the Dark Father.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m not letting his evil influence spread over the Realms!\u201d growled Gorfanth. \u201c\u201dWhen we hit the island, I\u2019m hitting the Revenant! I\u2019ll dash his head against the…!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou two,\u201d interrupted Arsha, \u201care civilians. This is a Realmfleet matter. You\u2019re staying out of the inevitable fight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith all due respect, Arsha,\u201d argued Gorfanth, \u201cno, we\u2019re not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDr. Borg\u2019s probably building an army of Revenants,\u201d continued Foresna. \u201cShe\u2019ll use them to attack our homes. We\u2019re joining you in a preemptive strike against her.\u201d Arsha finally stepped out from behind the screen in her duty uniform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no talking you two out of this, is there?\u201d she muttered as she set her hairpiece on the table. Gorfanth and Foresna shook their heads. Arsha sighed. \u201c…There are civilian duty uniforms in my closet. Go put them on, then join the other civilian fighters on Deck 36 for combat preparations.\u201d With that, she left her quarters and made her way to the bridge. \u201cReport,\u201d she called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll reserves are topped off,\u201d reported Thangred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll decks are standing by,\u201d continued Shalvey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNazay,\u201d commanded Arsha, \u201cget us out of here, all available speed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll available speed,\u201d repeated Nazay as the Endeavor<\/em> left Crelima City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

\u201cPirate fleet inbound,\u201d Jansha reported to Dr. Borg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHail them,\u201d ordered Dr. Borg. Jansha complied and a channel opened. Rochak appeared on the screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have your burial torpedoes,\u201d he called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen Reb and Melgem shall be released into your care,\u201d declared Dr. Borg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cActually, the members of this fleet have a better idea,\u201d interjected Rochak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…I advise against double-crossing me,\u201d warned Dr. Borg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not doing anything like that,\u201d assured Rochak. \u201cWeltam and I would like to talk to you in person.\u201d Dr. Borg considered her next move for a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…Meet me and Yulduk at the beach,\u201d she finally decided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSee you there!\u201d promised Rochak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Dr. Borg and Yulduk came out of the jungle and found Rochak and Weltam standing by 13 burial torpedoes. Only five were of Realmfleet design. \u201cWhat\u2019s all this?\u201d asked Dr. Borg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have more people for you to make Revenants out of,\u201d purred Weltam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI DO need the numbers,\u201d remarked Dr. Borg. \u201cFew things come without a price. What do you want of me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPositions in your empire, that\u2019s what our little fleet wants,\u201d explained Rochak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…Has Reb wronged you in any way?\u201d asked Yulduk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEvery time one of us raises an objection, she just shoots us in the head!\u201d snapped Weltam. \u201cThis has been going down since Galthar!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe want our friends back and we want a new boss!\u201d continued Rochak. \u201cYou seem to be able to provide on both counts!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…We DO need the soldiers now,\u201d mused Yulduk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd having pirates like these on our side,\u201d considered Dr. Borg, \u201cWOULD give us supply routes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell?\u201d asked Rochak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…You\u2019re right,\u201d chuckled Dr. Borg. \u201cYour deal is sweeter than mine. Let\u2019s talk about your positions in my empire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Reb\u2019s arm was finally healed after chanting healing spells for over an hour. Her cell was separate from Melgem\u2019s, just directly across from his. The stumps that were once his limbs still had their burns from Yulduk\u2019s fire blades. The bleeding from his now empty eye-socket had stopped. Reb finally moved towards her cell door. \u201cMelgem, sweetie?\u201d she called across the hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou never realize what a gift depth perception is until you lose it,\u201d sighed Melgem. Reb\u2019s heart stung. Her husband was feeling deeply sorry for himself and feeling utterly useless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMaybe…maybe I can get a message to Realmfleet,\u201d suggested Reb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn hopes of asking someone for help?\u201d muttered Melgem. \u201cThey won\u2019t help pirates.\u201d Just then, Reb\u2019s communicator chimed. \u201c…I thought they confiscated that,\u201d muttered Melgem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHandy having a most DELIGHTFUL symbiote slime on your person,\u201d chuckled Reb. She checked who was calling and her eyes widened in surprise. \u201cIt\u2019s Arsha!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow\u2019d she get your number?!\u201d yelped Melgem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDoes it matter?!\u201d argued Reb as she accepted the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGreetings, Admiral Rojam,\u201d came Arsha\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2018Greetings\u2019?!\u201d snapped Reb. \u201cArsha, what kind of VILE menace did you bring to the Realms?! First, you make me lose a chance to get a most HANDSOME profit on your safe return to Realmfleet! Then, you cause Mechanicas to spread everywhere, filling their heads with the most DREADFUL lie that they\u2019re NOT servants! Now, Dr. Borg\u2019s got my husband and I as her hostages! Who does that CLOD think she is?! She\u2019s not acting like a member of Realmfleet if she\u2019s making Revenants!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s not a member of Realmfleet, I promise you,\u201d assured Arsha. \u201cShe has some sort of plan in the works that will bring down Realmfleet. I\u2019d wager it involves talking to Oyed in some fashion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s threatening to start the Final War,\u201d replied Reb, \u201cand managed to get a group of MY men to her side half an hour ago! MY OWN MEN!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re preparing an attack plan,\u201d Arsha went on, \u201cand will try to stymy her efforts as best we can.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMore to the point,\u201d interjected Reb, \u201ccan you break us out and get Melgem medevac\u2019d so he can have his GRIEVOUSLY missing parts replaced? Dr. Borg\u2019s prototype Revenant, Yulduk, HEINOUSLY robbed my husband of an arm, leg, and eye!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing we can do about your men,\u201d replied Arsha, \u201cbut we can certainly get Melgem the necessary prosthetics so he can help you deal with them while we deal with Dr. Borg and her compatriots.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen we have an accord,\u201d declared Reb. \u201cI\u2019ll deal with my men; you deal with that LUNATIC cyborg sprite!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re 10 minutes out,\u201d finished Arsha. \u201cTry and hold out for that long.\u201d The call ended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, it looks like I was proven wrong,\u201d chuckled Melgem. \u201cRealmfleet IS helping us, after a fashion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow, you and I, my GORGEOUS hubby,\u201d purred Reb, \u201cneed to plan how we\u2019ll hold out for about 10 minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019d argue the \u2018gorgeous\u2019 claim, given my current appearance,\u201d mused Melgem, \u201cbut we\u2019ll debate that AFTER we get out of this.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Endeavor made its way to Crelima City, a Naga dwelling like the Regatim Oasis, only much larger. Topping off supplies was going to take some time. Endea drummed her fingers at her new workstation in Main Engineering. Her assignment was to monitor the progress of the spare mana tanks as they filled. It was a long, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1914,"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-2619","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\/2619","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=2619"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2619\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2620,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2619\/revisions\/2620"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1914"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2619"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2619"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2619"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}