The fleet arrived at the island and entered a holding pattern. Dr. Borg looked out of the cathedral\u2019s balcony to see it, then she contacted Oyed. \u201cThey\u2019ve arrived,\u201d she warned him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll deal with them,\u201d declared Oyed. \u201cHelp Intrag establish contact with the Giant Spiders.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, my Lord,\u201d confirmed Dr. Borg. She ended the call and left her balcony to find Intrag. She found him at the underground dock, trying to puzzle out the controls of a boat. \u201cOur Lord suggests that you make haste for the jungle and establish a dialogue with the Spiders,\u201d she relayed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, tell him not to get his pants in a twist, I\u2019m getting to that!\u201d shouted Intrag. \u201cFirst, I have to figure this damned thing out! You know, it\u2019s a lot simpler when it\u2019s just magic!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt IS magic, you just need to find the switch for it,\u201d sighed Dr. Borg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan\u2019t Oyed just fill my head with current knowledge?!\u201d snapped Intrag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne: you\u2019re a Wraith, you don\u2019t really HAVE a head to fill,\u201d replied Dr. Borg. \u201cTwo: he\u2019s preoccupied with the fleet that just arrived.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause, of course, he wants to stretch his legs,\u201d grumbled Intrag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been imprisoned since the First Age,\u201d remarked Dr. Borg. \u201cHe has the right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oyed calmly walked outside until he was underneath the fleet. \u201cI never expected you lot to face me,\u201d he called. He then sensed something. \u201c…No fear whatsoever. Realmfleet\u2019s finest must be either very brave or very stupid.\u201d No one replied. \u201c…Hello!\u201d called Oyed. \u201cHow do you kids put it…I\u2019m hailing you!\u201d 11 streams of light then announced the arrival of the 11 Divine Ones. \u201cOh, that\u2019s why I sensed no fear,\u201d scoffed Oyed. \u201cYou\u2019re all confident that my children will save you. Optimism is a thin shield.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOyed!\u201d called Morkal. \u201cWithdraw and return to the Depths of the After-realm or suffer the wrath of the Realms\u2019 protectors!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow, that\u2019s no way to greet your father,\u201d chided Oyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the only way!\u201d snarled Enfor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen I need to discipline you,\u201d declared Oyed. He charged at the Divine Ones and they began their fight!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGo! Now!\u201d urged Mordek\u2019s voice in the Captains\u2019 heads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll ships, begin aerial bombardment!\u201d called Arsha. The ships fired their weapons around the cathedral, keeping any enemy forces inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh no, not this time!\u201d snarled Dr. Borg. She activated the comms. \u201cFire at will!\u201d she ordered. As hidden weapons from the cathedral activated and fired on the fleet, Dr. Borg switched communications channels. \u201cScorpo, do you read?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLoud and clear,\u201d replied Scorpo\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou are cleared for launch,\u201d directed Dr. Borg. \u201cTake out the fleet. Survivors at your discretion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI thought you\u2019d never ask!\u201d cheered Scorpo. \u201cYou can easily say goodbye to those eyesores! Scorpo out!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once the call ended, Scorpo turned to Jansha and Yulduk at the helm. \u201cLet\u2019s get started!\u201d he declared as he sat in the Captain\u2019s chair. \u201cHave them release the docking clamps and open the hangar doors!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDocking clamps are released,\u201d reported Jansha. \u201cMaho-drive engines are now supporting us. Hangar doors open.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTaking us up,\u201d called Yulduk. \u201cThe engine\u2019s purring like a happy Neko.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOnce we\u2019ve cleared the hangar doors, activate the cloak,\u201d ordered Scorpo. \u201cPrime all weapons and ready the claws, then target the Skyshell<\/em>. Tear her apart.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAye, Sir,\u201d replied Yulduk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cScorpo, I don\u2019t mean to be pedantic,\u201d interjected Jansha, \u201cbut we\u2019ll need to decloak before using the weapons.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s why, after we destroy the Skyshell<\/em>,\u201d replied Scorpo, \u201cwe silence the weapons and recloak before targeting another ship. I\u2019m also aware of the 30 second window between activation and deactivation of the cloak. That\u2019s why I want our strikes to be done smart and secret.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUnderstood,\u201d declared Jansha. The Scorpion <\/em>cleared the hangar doors and cloaked as it moved towards the ships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCaptain,\u201d called Malak to Arsha, \u201csensors detected a ship\u2019s engine signature but we can\u2019t get a visual!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt has to be the Scorpion<\/em>,\u201d muttered Arsha. \u201cShalvey, advise the fleet that there\u2019s a cloaked vessel!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFleet\u2019s acknowledged,\u201d replied Shalvey. \u201cI just hope they can be clever to find it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA cloaked vessel, huh?\u201d mused Samuje. \u201cSounds like Dr. Borg\u2019s not interested in legality. Keep up the assault, but keep an eye out for any massive shift in mana particles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAye, Ma\u2019am,\u201d replied her Tactical Officer. His fingers danced at the weapons controls as he noticed a blip. \u201cRight on cue!\u201d declared the Tactical Officer. \u201cI believe I\u2019ve found our cloaked vessel!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFire!\u201d called Samuje. The weapons fired, but hit nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…Now that makes no sense!\u201d growled the Tactical Officer. \u201cResuming…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFire the stinger!\u201d called Scorpo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDecloaking and firing!\u201d called Jansha. A concealed weapon sprang from the rear of the ship as it revealed itself. It fired a stream of light for a few seconds before moving off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFIRES ON DECKS 3, 7, AND 24!\u201d called Samuje\u2019s Tactical Officer. \u201cENGINEERING\u2019S REPORTED MULTIPLE MALFUNCTIONS ON ALL SYSTEMS!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cENGINE CORE BREACH!\u201d reported her Chief Engineer. \u201cSAFETY LOCKS AREN\u2019T RESPONDING! I CAN\u2019T EJECT IT!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cABANDON SHIP!\u201d ordered Samuje. \u201cALL HANDS, ABANDON SHIP!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ship exploded, much to the delight of the Scorpion <\/em>crew. \u201cPerfect!\u201d purred Scorpo. \u201cAnyone escape?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGetting the read-out,\u201d replied Jansha. \u201c…Looks like the Captain and a few ensigns.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI GUESS we can let them live,\u201d mused Scorpo. Just then, Yulduk got a blip on his console.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHey, are we expecting any new recruits?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDuring combat?\u201d quizzed Scorpo. \u201cNo. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen we\u2019ve got a trio of stowaways outside the bridge!\u201d yelped Yulduk. Some sort of torch then began cutting its way through the bridge door!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWands out!\u201d ordered Scorpo as he readied his claws and tail. Jansha activated a needle from her wrist and Yulduk drew out his wand. The door then burst open and Endea led a team in, wands blazing. She tackled Scorpo while two others fought Jansha and Yulduk. They had the same skin tone as Endea. One of them was a man with the Drelda<\/em>\u2019s name and registry number, the other was a man with the Morkal<\/em>\u2019s name and registry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t believe we\u2019ve met!\u201d Endea snarled as she held Scorpo\u2019s arms at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, we haven\u2019t,\u201d replied Scorpo as his tail slammed into Endea, knocking her back. \u201cI\u2019m Scorpo, the Scorpion<\/em>, and you\u2019re trespassing, you traitor!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy testimony,\u201d hissed Endea, \u201cliberated us Mechanicas before we experienced full slavery!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYet you still side with those who want to enslave you!\u201d argued Scorpo as his claw grabbed her neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI…get paid!\u201d choked Endea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, because that makes it SO much better!\u201d snarled Scorpo as he tossed Endea across the bridge. Meanwhile, Yulduk was grappling with his Mechanica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, what do YOU call yourself, friend?\u201d Yulduk asked his opponent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m Mork, the Morkal<\/em>,\u201d introduced the Mechanica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…Is…that REALLY how Mechanicas introduce themselves?\u201d quizzed Yulduk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s how ship-type Mechanicas introduce themselves,\u201d replied Mork. \u201cI\u2019m guessing you\u2019re the first Revenant, Yulduk. Yeah, I could smell you a por away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGot a nose like a Cerberus, do you?\u201d chuckled Yulduk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDude, you\u2019ve got a B.O. problem,\u201d explained Mork as he waved his hand in front of his nose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI most certainly…!\u201d Yulduk then gagged after he took a whiff of his pits. \u201cThen again, maybe I DO need to invest in stronger deodorant!\u201d Mork\u2019s uppercut then slammed into Yulduk\u2019s chin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMADE YOU TALK!\u201d laughed Mork. While Yulduk was busy with Mork, Jansha was keeping her opponent at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cObviously, ship-type Mechanica names are shortened versions of the ship itself,\u201d mused Jansha. \u201cSo, what\u2019s the Drelda<\/em>\u2019s Mechanica name?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m Dreld,\u201d introduced the Mechanica. \u201cDid you know the Skyshell<\/em> was a Mechanica as well? Skysh was his name and I loved him! You murdered your own kin!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe picked his side, I picked mine,\u201d dismissed Jansha. \u201cBesides, Mechanicas will still know abuse on the level I suffered at Dr. Ganshar\u2019s hands, no matter what Realmfleet decrees! Honestly, it was better for me to put him down like that!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs if your way\u2019s any better!\u201d snarled Dreld as he slammed her against a console. \u201cYour way will only inspire MORE racist assholes!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy way will put them down for good!\u201d argued Jansha. As they grappled, Dreld noticed something hanging above the console.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…Fuzzy dice?\u201d he asked. The dice were 120-sided. \u201cNow that\u2019s just tacky!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cScorpo thought it would look cool!\u201d snapped Jansha as she got out from under him and slammed him onto the helm controls. The ship then tilted and drifted towards the sea, skimming the water! Scorpo flinched, then shoved Endea aside to get to the helm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKeep that nasty-asty seawater off my hull!\u201d he snapped as he leveled out. \u201cI\u2019m hand-wash only!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Borg took this time to stroll around the cathedral and observe its construction. It was dark, with stained glass windows telling the story of how Oyed was defeated by the Divine Ones after the Realms became what they are, how he was imprisoned, and how he would rise again and cleanse the Realms. The Vaulted Ceiling was covered in a painting depicting Oyed bringing the Realms together under his rule. After her neck protested after craning her head upwards for so long, she shifted her gaze to the main altar. As elaborate as it was, there was still a plainness to it. She sat in one of the pews and folded her arms, thinking about how she was going to divide up the Council. She still needed her spouses and Tormo, Yulduk, Scorpo, and Jansha were highly skilled. Counting her, that was eight. She needed two more. As she thought, her antennae detected mana particles from the vaults below the cathedral. She keyed in a command on her arm and saw Realmfleet forces engaged with Intrag! \u201c…The Sanctum!\u201d she guessed. \u201cTwo diversions in one week! I\u2019m a fool!\u201d She established a mental connection with Oyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cChild, I\u2019m a little busy at the moment,\u201d he chided, \u201cso, whatever you must say, please make it brief.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRealmfleet forces have infiltrated the Vaults!\u201d reported Dr. Borg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut…my children…!\u201d yelped Oyed as he held Zalkii\u2019s neck. He then reached the same conclusion as Dr. Borg. \u201cA diversion!\u201d he snarled as he tossed Zalkii aside. He then established a mental connection with all of his followers. \u201cBack!\u201d he decreed. \u201cBack to the cathedral! Secure the Sanctum!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey\u2019re getting wise!\u201d yelped Malak on the Endeavor<\/em>. Denstra gripped the armrests of the Captain\u2019s Chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cArsha, you better make it out of there!\u201d she hissed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The fleet arrived at the island and entered a holding pattern. Dr. Borg looked out of the cathedral\u2019s balcony to see it, then she contacted Oyed. \u201cThey\u2019ve arrived,\u201d she warned him. \u201cI\u2019ll deal with them,\u201d declared Oyed. \u201cHelp Intrag establish contact with the Giant Spiders.\u201d \u201cYes, my Lord,\u201d confirmed Dr. Borg. She ended the call […]<\/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-2744","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\/2744","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=2744"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2744\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2746,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2744\/revisions\/2746"}],"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=2744"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2744"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2744"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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