Denstra met with Tenshal, Wenshai, and Endea in Sick Bay. \u201cBroken down again?\u201d she guessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy engine\u2019s only good for scrap,\u201d replied Endea. \u201cIt\u2019s been that way for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re sadly correct,\u201d sighed Denstra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIsn\u2019t there anything we can do about it?\u201d asked Wenshai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLike what?\u201d muttered Denstra. \u201cTuurk and Talair won\u2019t authorize repairs or a replacement engine. The only place she\u2019s going to get one is with a heritage fleet. I\u2019m sorry, Endea, but if you\u2019re going to have any chance of a new engine, I\u2019ll have to advise Arsha to ask Realmfleet to retire you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI understand,\u201d sighed Endea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut, Commander, that\u2019s not fair!\u201d protested Tenshal. \u201cIt only played up when she saved me from quarantine!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, but it\u2019s out of my hands,\u201d answered Denstra. \u201cLike I said, the Endeavor<\/em>\u2026hold on, what was that about quarantine?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI almost picked up some cattle from Yutt\u2019s farm,\u201d explained Tenshal. \u201cEndea stopped me and thinks the officer there was bribed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd what facts do you have?\u201d asked Denstra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI saw an exchange between Yutt and the officer when I tried to pick up his cattle, Ma\u2019am,\u201d reported Wenshai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou see?\u201d asked Tenshal. \u201cEndea\u2019s the reason why I\u2019m still here!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStop it, Ensign,\u201d ordered Endea. \u201cDon\u2019t go on about it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, please,\u201d muttered Denstra. \u201cYou\u2019re breaking my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHonestly, Ma\u2019am!\u201d urged Tenshal. \u201cYou\u2019ve gotta believe us! We\u2019re only reporting the facts!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCommendable,\u201d replied Denstra, \u201cbut it\u2019s only one side of the facts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAh, Commander Welmeva!\u201d came Tuurk\u2019s oily voice as he and Talair arrived. \u201cWe have some good news for you, don\u2019t we, Mr. Talair?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIndeed, Mr. Tuurk!\u201d agreed Talair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re leaving Realmfleet?\u201d asked Denstra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, but the Endeavor<\/em> is,\u201d answered Talair, \u201cisn\u2019t she, Mr. Tuurk?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, absolutely!\u201d agreed Tuurk. \u201cWe\u2019ve found a lovely heritage fleet base for her where she will be cared for and be given essential repairs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe can get both here!\u201d snapped Tenshal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot on our tin, Ensign,\u201d remarked Talair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAh, Tuurk! Talair! Lovely to see you two!\u201d called Arsha\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCaptain!\u201d called Tenshal. \u201cYou have to do something! They\u2019re going to sell Endea off!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIndeed!\u201d confirmed Talair. \u201cIt\u2019s quite a scenic base for her. You should be thanking us for getting this liability off your hands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Endea, you\u2019ve served for a long time,\u201d recalled Arsha. \u201cYou\u2019ve been a shining example of Realmfleet ships long before you became a Mechanica last year, that\u2019s a praiseworthy effort, perhaps worthy of retirement. So, the question is, is retirement what you want?\u201d Endea was taken aback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEr, well\u2026if I had the choice,\u201d she mumbled, \u201cthen\u2026no, I don\u2019t want to be retired or scrapped.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cVery well,\u201d declared Arsha. She then turned to Tuurk and Talair with a big grin. \u201cGentlemen, have you checked the recent news?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEr, I don\u2019t see how that correlates to this situation, do you, Mr. Talair?\u201d asked Tuurk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m as in the dark as you, Mr. Tuurk,\u201d answered Talair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGo on and check the Realmfleet Voting Boards and Orders Site,\u201d advised Arsha. The two men arched their eyebrows before doing so. When they read the news, they were flabbergasted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur scrapping and retirement proposal was shot down?!\u201d yelped Tuurk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd all in-service ships are required to receive an overhaul in preparations for combat?!\u201d cried Talair. \u201cWho\u2019s the idiot who wants us to waste our money like that?! The Final War hasn\u2019t even begun yet!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGiven the situation with Dr. Borg,\u201d remarked Arsha, \u201cI\u2019d say that order only makes sense. Well, you heard them, you NEED to authorize Endea\u2019s long-overdue overhaul.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHold on!\u201d protested Tuurk. \u201cEndea hasn\u2019t given us permission to do so!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, we can\u2019t until\u2026!\u201d continued Talair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI DO give my permission for an overhaul!\u201d called Endea. \u201cI\u2019ve been needing one for a long time now!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh\u2026very well!\u201d grumbled Tuurk. \u201cIf you would kindly give us a detailed explanation of your issues, we\u2019ll make sure there\u2019s enough money for the shipyards to fix them as they give you your overhaul.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSee if we care,\u201d grunted Talair as the two men angrily strode out of Sick Bay and towards the exit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCommander Welmeva,\u201d directed Arsha, \u201cyou and Shalvey request a set of sky-tugs to take us to the Galdredan Shipyards.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAye, aye, Captain!\u201d confirmed Denstra as she headed off to follow her orders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEnsigns, Thangred has already been informed of the overhaul order,\u201d continued Arsha, \u201cso you two help him secure any loose ends before the tugs arrive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, Captain!\u201d cheered Tenshal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHop on!\u201d offered Wenshai. Tenshal climbed onto Wenshai and they galloped down the hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCaptain, I\u2019ll see that Realmfleet never regrets this!\u201d promised Endea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGiven your service, I don\u2019t think they will,\u201d replied Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, if I may inquire, how did your dream-weaving go?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSplendidly! I feel like I could take on Oyed himself with my bare hands!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, don\u2019t leave us out of the fight just yet. Hey, did you happen to get any information on a Minotaur named Tornoth?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGorfanth\u2019s brother? Oh, Gorfanth had a real funny story about that!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n What happened was simple. When Tornoth prepared to hook his horseless carriage up, the officer from the transfer yard flew in with a squadron of broom-riders. \u201cHey! Yutt!\u201d she called. \u201cI told you to leave your farm under quarantine until your cattle were cured or disposed of! Where\u2019s your assigned officer?! Telnek, what\u2019s going on here?!\u201d The officer in charge of Yutt\u2019s cattle train, Mr. Telnek the Sky Elf, didn\u2019t say a word, giving the lead officer all the information she needed. \u201cI don\u2019t believe it! You accepted a bribe! Boys, do your thing!\u201d Telnek then mounted his broom!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got a flier!\u201d called another officer. A few officers pursued and grounded Telnek, putting the cuffs on him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs for you, Yutt,\u201d snarled the lead officer, \u201ctrying to foist potentially infected beef onto our Queen and her family and staff? You\u2019re lucky I got here in time! Get that quarantine flag back up NOW!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cErm, okay,\u201d gulped Tornoth, \u201csince I\u2019m in the way, I\u2019ll just bugger off and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re not doing anything of the sort!\u201d snapped the officer as she pointed a finger at him. \u201cI saw you approach that train with clear intent to deliver it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s not my fault!\u201d protested Tornoth. \u201cThere wasn\u2019t a quarantine flag! You saw it yourself!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s your bad luck! Whether you knew or not makes no difference! Since foot and mouth affects all bovids, even bipedal ones, I must consider you infected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut I\u2019m innocent! Honest, I\u2019m completely innocent!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re in quarantine as of now!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, for the love of\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAh, ah! No whining! You\u2019re staying here until a doctor can determine your health! And don\u2019t you even think about slipping away!\u201d The officer turned to her squadron. \u201cKeep an eye on him, boys! I\u2019ll be back with a doctor!\u201d She mounted her broom and took off. As she left, Tornoth turned on Yutt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThanks a lot!\u201d he snarled. \u201cYou\u2019re a real villain, Yutt, you inbred mutt!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI needed me cattle taken!\u201d protested Yutt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, well, thanks to you, I\u2019ve probably got foot and mouth disease! Come here, you\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo fighting!\u201d called an officer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After a few hours, a set of sky-tugs arrived, attached chains to strategic points on the Endeavor<\/em>, and hauled her to the shipyards. When they arrived and set the Endeavor<\/em> down into a repair berth, Endea met with the commander of the shipyards, the Mechanica extension of the tug Karalda<\/em>, a Ms. Karald, to discuss what problems to expect. Endea was on a bed. \u201cSo, Ms. Endea,\u201d mused Karald, \u201cdid you request a new engine from your Captain?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI did,\u201d answered Endea, \u201cbut Tuurk and Talair blocked her at every attempt.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey ARE quite infamous for it. And these tickles in your hull, how often were they?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey only happened yesterday. I want them nipped in the bud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSmart girl. Anything else we should know about?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNope, just the problems I\u2019ve already outlined.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cExcellent. We\u2019ll be ready to administer the purple water at your say-so.\u201d Endea then pulled the sheets over her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAll right, put me under!\u201d Karald then pulled out her communicator and made a call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe\u2019s all good to go!\u201d she reported. After a few seconds, Endea gave a yawn and fell asleep, thanks to the purple water. Purple water is an anesthetic for only Mechanicas to use in repair work. Once this chemical is introduced into a Mechanica\u2019s systems, they fall into a deep hibernative sleep, so they won\u2019t feel the cutting or welding torches during the repair process. This was introduced purely by accident as someone was coming up with a painkiller for Mechanicas to take during repairs. The test subject of this trial, a road-type Mechanica, was almost pronounced dead until someone restarted their engine. Soon, this chemical agent was tested with all Mechanicas and was declared better than a mere painkiller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, there was an unfortunate discovery of a Mechanica euthanizing chemical, but that shall be discussed later. For now, there were two ominous onlookers of the Endeavor<\/em>\u2019s overhaul, Tuurk and Talair. \u201cOf all the irresponsible ways Realmfleet has gone,\u201d muttered Talair, \u201cthis is certainly the most irresponsible, isn\u2019t it, Mr. Tuurk?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIndeed, Mr. Talair,\u201d agreed Tuurk. \u201cI must say, Mechanicas are an impediment to progress. An awfully expensive one, wouldn\u2019t you say, Mr. Tuurk?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI would say, Mr. Talair.\u201d Tuurk was then struck by inspiration. \u201cI believe the Galdredan Reliable Road Services can assist us, Mr. Talair!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow so, Mr. Tuurk?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRealmfleet has been taking unnecessary delivery jobs, Mr. Talair. Ships go from one part of a single kingdom to another.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re right, Mr. Tuurk! Realmfleet is cutting into a kingdom\u2019s internal deliveries! On top of it being overbearing and a breach of public trust, it\u2019s too expensive. I take it there\u2019s someone in the Galdredan Reliable Road Services who shares our views, Mr. Tuurk?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA Mr. Tornoth Steelhorn, Mr. Talair. He feels as if Realmfleet is cutting into his paycheck.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDoes he have a family?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA wife, his father-in-law, and two little calves, a boy and girl.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen we are certainly obligated to assist in any way we can, aren\u2019t we, Mr. Tuurk?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIndeed, we are, Mr. Talair.\u201d The two moneymen then left the dock where the Endeavor<\/em> was being overhauled as they both sang the Galdredan National Anthem.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Denstra met with Tenshal, Wenshai, and Endea in Sick Bay. \u201cBroken down again?\u201d she guessed. \u201cMy engine\u2019s only good for scrap,\u201d replied Endea. \u201cIt\u2019s been that way for a long time. \u201cYou\u2019re sadly correct,\u201d sighed Denstra. \u201cIsn\u2019t there anything we can do about it?\u201d asked Wenshai. \u201cLike what?\u201d muttered Denstra. \u201cTuurk and Talair won\u2019t authorize […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1929,"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":[97,236],"tags":[482],"class_list":["post-3035","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-three-realms","category-the-three-realms-book-3-the-first-strike","tag-fantasy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3035","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=3035"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3035\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3036,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3035\/revisions\/3036"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1929"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3035"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3035"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3035"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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