Chapter Seven- A Limit Broken
The sun had just set over the horizon for the people of Yafutoma. A spontaneously generated festival, declared less than ten hours ago, swept across the capital city of the nation. Everyone was abuzz, for their precious and ancient Maga Sphere had been unearthed by the heroic Westerners, and a celebration was certainly in order. In the guest houses, the crew of the Delphinus were all preparing for the party, some with more success than others.
Vyse was going for a fully native look. Trying to tame his unruly mop of brown with gallons of hair products into a manageable level, he removed his skyglass and put it aside. First he put on a dark-blue kimono, then a traditional warrior-class dress, which was called a kamishimo. It involved a sky-blue top with wide, wing-like shoulders, along with a blue hakama, which was worn on the bottom over the kimono and split up to the thigh on both sides. He examined himself critically in the mirror and blinked, putting on a pair of elegantly-carved wooden sandals. "... I look weird."
"I don't know, I think it looks... well, it's definitely real exotic." David had pulled back his mysterious shaggy mess of a hairstyle, revealing a pair of intelligent eyes and a pale face. The black hair sat in a long, thin braid that traveled down his back. He was wearing a bloody red kosode, a short-sleeved tunic, and over that an open maroon uchikake with sleeves that flowed down long past his weathered hands, held together by twin black obi sashes. "I look different."
Enrique had opted for his own native dress for such occasions, and stood before them in elegant white and gold royal coats over a white tunic and long gold-sided pants. His usual purple beret was replaced for a slightly larger silver one with a bronze feather capping the side. The prince's katana sat in a jewel-encrusted leather holster on his gold sash, secure against his hips. He looked a true picture of handsome beauty, and Vyse grinned. "Aiming to impress our fine lil Princess, hm? Gonna get some cultural relations later?"
The dignified monarch blushed red and turned his nose up. "I don't have any idea what you mean, Vyse," He lied. "I would never have such thoughts, no matter how often you have them." David and Vyse exchanged a glance and the teenager elbowed his Vice Captain.
They all stood in the simplistic wooden accommodations provided them by Lord Mikado, waiting for Aika and Fina. All the others were getting ready by themselves or in other groups. Secretly, Vyse was really wondered how Khazim and his men would turn out, their fashion senses being about as good as their diplomacy.
Turning the corner and passing through a sliding door, the girls came into sight. Vyse did a double-take as he saw each of them looking incredibly beautiful, in Yafutoman kimonos and yukatas. Aika was in a relatively tight-fitting bundle of patterned cloth with flames dancing across her surface, the material catching and reflecting the light of several lit torches around them. Her hair was drawn up, with several pins, in a foreign style, and it looked exotically pleasing on her.
Fina wore a sheet of pure, innocent white, the dress flowing over her and onto the floor. Cupil floated beside her, happily surveying the exciting sights. She brushed back a free lock of golden hair and blushed as she noticed Vyse's eyes upon her. David nudged him, and Vyse cleared his throat. "You both look amazing."
"Thanks," Aika nodded, smirking. "Took us a lunar cycle or two to get into these damn dress-things." She wiggled around. "Fina, tell me how you deal with this every day. At least it brings out my inherent beauty and awesomeness even more."
Vyse was taken with a sudden fit of coughs which sounded suspiciously like an indictment of Aika's arrogance. He was rewarded by one of her Glares, and the group set off towards the town square. Torches marked the way along the platformed walkways of the town. "I talked with Lord Mikado about that little enchantment the shit-kickers put on your gear," David spoke up. "They, of course, deny any involvement, and because we can't tie either Muraji or Kangan to the Rebreathers without the soldier who gave Fina them in the first place... we can't do anything."
"We should keep on our guard," Vyse said. "Even if they didn't try to kill us that time, it's obvious they'd love to see us dead. Makes me want to sleep with a dagger under my pillow. Maybe I'll borrow one from Rodgers."
"For now, I think we should try to enjoy ourselves," Enrique counseled. "I doubt anyone will try to act in the middle of a festival, it would be their downfall. Besides, I'm eager to see the 'fireworks' that the Yafutomans brag about."
"Sounds good to me," David said. They approached the middle of town, where a large pool reflected the visage of the hundreds packed within. Nobles and dignitaries mingled with sailors and villagers, all in a state of celebration. Their national treasure, of supreme importance, had been recovered, and they were determined to make the most of it. Nobody was really surprised to discover the Yafutomans could distill loqua, as it was an easy product to make.
"Excuse me," The prince said, loosing himself into the large crowd. A keen observer would have noticed he reappeared near Princess Moegi's large entourage and engaged her in a conversation that lasted for several hours. Formality was the rule, and although they enjoyed each other's company, that stiffness always weighed upon their awkward minds.
The feast was being served now, in the night and the festival air around the town, as was traditional Yafutoman custom. Vyse, like a guided projectile, sought out the enormous buffet tables and attacked them with a zeal that impressed even Aika. Fina wisely declined any loqua, partaking of the foreign delicacies instead.
Just because her friend wasn't drinking didn't mean that Aika couldn't enjoy a few cold ones. She sloshed down the loqua easily, mixing it with her growing appetite. Vyse, remembering the pleasant and hazy results of his last encounter with the sexual redhead and drunken revelry, also drank a cup or three. The loqua of the Yafutoman kind was unique and pleasantly cool. David, sensing a moment of fluff to come, politely removed himself from their company, locating other crew members.
The three friends talked as they sat on a large bench, watching the crowds of people filter around the streets. The multitude of shadows danced with the warm blue illumination around them in an odd and exotic show. Vyse had seated himself between either girl, putting an arm around each and not surprised when they leaned into his warmth. "We're incredible," The teenager spoke up.
"That we are," The redhead admitted. "Been keeping track- five months to the day since we found the beautiful girl in strange clothes aboard a Valuan flagship." Fina colored nicely under the compliment from her lover. "In that time, we have discovered almost half of the world, defeated the Angel of Death and four Valuan admirals, escaped from the Grand Fortress, and stolen the best airship in history for our uses."
"Wonder how we did it," Vyse continued, staring up into the gentle Blue Moon's glow in the night sky. "All of it... so overwhelming."
"We did it because we always knew we could," Aika nodded. "Sure, we have had our doubts and bouts of angst, that's what being human's about. But for the most of it we just kept moving forward, always determined. We're saving the world here." Unusually deep discussion appeared to be a side-effect of the foreign brew. "... Fuck. I'm drunk." She looked over at Vyse and Fina. "Thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Unfortunately, I probably am," Vyse acknowledged idly, refusing to look at either girl, his gaze still fixed upwards. "Fina? We haven't yet, but... for the longest time, I-" An explosion cut him off, and ripped through his mind with the roaring thunder unlike any cannon he had ever heard before. Alarmed, they looked up into the sky, their surprise soon turning to wonder.
Swirling patterns of bright, burning color washed across the air, rockets bursting amid it and sending more light upwards. The night of Yafutoma now played host to the artificial fires which cast unnatural illumination across the entire capital town, reflecting a rainbow in the many pools and canals. As the thunderous fireworks display continued, everyone looked towards it's beauty. To the foreign pirates, the sight was a glorious first. Fina and Aika subconsciously snuggled a little closer to Vyse as they watched the demonstration of chemistry. All lewd thoughts were completely lost in the display.
Piastol leaned slightly on the sturdy wooden rail, her sober eyes reflecting the spectacular hues. Her highly keen senses allowed her to detect Doc's footsteps on the cobblestone, even through the overwhelming din and boom of the explosions. "Amazing, isn't it?" The medic asked with a smile, stepping up beside her.
"Yes, it is..." The former bounty hunter turned towards him. "Doc, I'm... glad I came to my senses before anyone else got hurt. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to see all of this, and be with my 'family' again."
"That's wonderful for an old man to hear," Doc reflected, staring absently into the sky with his hands on the rail. "All this time, I thought you dead... but it was worse than I feared. Vyse and his friends helped me reunite with who I've come to think of as my kids. I wonder where Maria is now?"
The almost mute blonde girl sat with her large Hamachou bird in a silent, shadowed alley, watching the fireworks with awe like the other Westerners. "Picollo, isn't it wonderful?" She asked, her tiny voice almost nonexistent. The bird beside her twittered slightly, flapping it's wings and bouncing several times in agreement.
"Picollo's the bird's name?" Maria looked up in surprise, seeing Piastol standing over her. The smile on the teenager's face was one with knowing sorrow and regret. In reply, she slowly nodded, her hand clenching around the Hamachou's wing. "Do you two mind if I watch the fireworks... with you?"
"... It's ok," Maria said, looking down. Piastol had a seat on the cold stone as though it were a much softer material, gazing up with unchecked wonder. Her awe was tempered only by the slight seed of sorrow, remaining in the back of her mind at all times. As the minutes of intricate explosive displays went on, Maria gradually became accustomed to her silent presence, warming ever so slightly to the new crew member. For some reason, she had a familiar aura about her that the blonde had a hard time identifying. Neither ever said anything for the longest time, content with observing the festivities.
Although the fireworks seemed like they would continue on forever, shattering the world with their might, eventually the royal ships over the city ran out of rockets. As the display came to an end, the enormous billowing clouds of smoke all through the air gently swirled with the wind, filtering around.
"... Awesome," Vyse finally said. "While I would love nothing more than to snuggle with you until the next Rains of Destruction, maybe we should get back to the guest houses at the palace." He was unable to stifle a burgeoning yawn.
Aika giggled. "No stamina, huh? Let's go find Enrique and David. I wonder how His Majesty did with Her Majesty today. Hopefully no vomit involved."
"Hopefully," Vyse acknowledged, standing up with great reluctance. As they walked through the dwindling crowds of Yafutomans, neither girl stayed very far from him, both holding one of his and each other's hands. This was both to serve to keep them from getting separated, and for other various reasons that Aika in her drunken state couldn't help but think about. A lot.
Luckily, it took them no time at all to find Enrique and Moegi talking on one of the city's intricate wooden draw-bridges across a sparkling canal. "Hey," Vyse said, skipping all attempts to be formal. "We're all gonna turn in... how about yourselves?"
"Oh, allow me to escort you back," Moegi offered quickly, giving a slight bow to the pirates.
"Thank you," Fina acknowledged, returning the bow. Aika, Vyse and Enrique exchanged glances and chuckled at the mirror-like reflections of the courteous, beautiful foreign girls. The small group headed for the massive royal palace, through the walkway networks, and quickly arrived at the guest quarters, a set of large buildings housing the Delphinus' crew.
"That was some good food," Vyse said, grinning happily. "Some of the best food I've ever had, even including Polly. Don't tell her I said that."
Moegi giggled delicately into her long, soft sleeve. "I am glad to hear that you all enjoyed yourselves tonight. It is the least my people can do to repay you, and Prince Enrique, your company is most exciting. I hope to meet you again soon."
Enrique barely restrained a blush as he looked into her eyes, but a high-pitched, malicious chuckle drew his attention away. "So, the Westerners have a sense of taste, after all..." Everyone turned around, and saw Muraji, the smaller kid of Kangan the royal advisor. He swayed slightly, his eyes half-lidded from the effects of loqua but sharply regarding each of them.
"You!" Aika burst out, balling her fists. "You and your dad tried to kill us in Mount Kazai!"
"As I said before, both me and my father have no knowledge of that," Muraji said, his tone suggesting the total opposite. With a slight mocking bow, he continued, "I came to personally thank you for retrieving the Maga Sphere for us. When it is passed on to me as successor to the throne, me and Princess Moegi will treasure it. Heh."
Moegi narrowed her eyes. "I will never marry you," She denied, shaking her head in a forceful voice so uncommon with the gentle princess. "Muraji, as long as Daigo is alive you haven't got a hope of getting the throne!"
"Ha! Have you forgotten that "Prince" Daigo has been exiled for his crimes? I feel certain such a traitorous man will never rule over Yafutoman lands." It was rubbing salt in a long-held wound, and he knew it. The princess looked down, her resolve fading as her thoughts turned to her brother, who indeed was legally prevented from returning to Yafutoma on pain of death.
"Hey, who in Deep Sky do you think you-" David had arrived, obviously having overheard at least part of the conversation. His indignant demand was cut short, however, as Enrique raised his hand in a gesture.
"I don't know your motives," The Prince said, staring directly into Muraji's hazy eyes, "But this is not how a nobleman treats a lady. If you insist on harassing and insulting her, then you will have to deal with me!" His hand went to the hilt of his katana, still holstered safely to his side.
"You think you can push me around just because you got the Maga Sphere?" Muraji spat on the ground. "You Westerners all just don't get it, do you? In Yafutoma, the situation is always... fluid."
"Only fluid besides water I see here is this puddle of piss annoying the fuck out of me," Vyse growled. "Get moving, Muraji, your prattling's gonna give me a headache." David passed Muraji, putting a hand on Vyse's shoulder to calm him down a bit.
"He would like nothing better than to catch us striking the first blow," He said aside, pointedly, to Aika, Enrique, and Vyse, the three people who would love to strike such a blow. "But it's useless," He continued, louder, "Because we aren't going to. Muraji, go tell your father that we're on to him, and his plans will never come to fruition. If you don't have any more women to harass."
The smaller Yafutoman advisor recoiled as if the Vice Captain's words had bitten him, then turned and began to run away, muttering about his father and all the trouble they were going to be in for not showing the proper respects. Moegi stepped forward. "Captain, Vice Captain, Prince, I am deeply sorry for that... you all felt you needed to defend me, and I brought more trouble than you deserved."
"No, it's quite alright," Enrique smiled gently. "Where I come from, there are codes of honor about how a lady such as yourself should be treated... well, honestly, not many people follow that code anymore. That makes it all the more valuable to me, as the crown Prince."
"Prince Enrique..." Moegi trailed off. As they shared a moment of silence, the Air Pirates shared many furtive glances. It was obvious, even to Fina, that there was something more than the cordial bond of royalty to these two.
"However, you two spoke of an exiled prince... Daigo, was it? What was that about?"
Moegi's happiness seemed to instantly turn to ash. "Hm... If you must excuse me, I have other duties to perform before I turn in to my own royal accommodation... Pleasant dreams." With that, she averted her beautiful face and quickly made an exit from them. They watched her go, and Enrique squinted in concentration. What is this big secret everyone is so worked up about? I must know... but it will take time.
0-0
Over the next week, the crew was put hard at work. Kirala and David oversaw the work, as teams of Yafutoman builders and the air pirates slowly and steadily set out to repair the Delphinus. The Valuan flagship received the most complete of overhauls, it's main reactor altered to increase it's output and endurance, a fresh set of armor plates affixed to it's sturdy hull, and the sensitive magnets used in the Moonstone Cannon fashioned and replaced as the nose was bent back to it's regular shape. Everyone put in their honest effort, and with Yafutoman work-arounds and the scrounging of metal and wood, they almost always had enough raw materials to be constantly working.
By the tenth day of repairs, they were ahead of schedule by many times over. Kirala nodded, looking over the plans scribbled on blue papyrus. "Good, good. Progress is amazing on the ship. There's only one job left- we have to paint this thing." She gestured to the ship, which still laid on it's dock island. However, unlike last time, the Delphinus was whole, artistic and solid, sitting in powerful repose.
"We can get most of that finished today, if we work into dark," David pensively said. He turned towards his teenage captain, who stood beside them.
"The ship will be able to go higher or lower than before," Kirala said, "But it's still nothing compared with our own craft... it's not compatible with Pressure Drive technology, no matter what I try. At least it'll still perform a lot better, and everything's in top shape."
"Hm... let's take along a copy of the Pressure Drive plans," Vyse said. "I have a friend back home who might be able to do better. He's a master shipbuilder. Not that you aren't doing great, but you're mainly a building maker, right?"
"Hai," The Yafutoman nodded again. "I'm surprised how alike ships are to buildings... at first I was afraid I'd do it wrong. But I'm fair sure everything's in order."
"We'll be able to leave tomorrow," Fina smiled. "Yafutoma is such an interesting place, but I would prefer if we kept moving. We still only have four of the Crystals, and two remain unsecured."
"Four? But we only have three," Aika interrupted.
"The Silver Crystal is in the Shrine, safe with the Elders," The Silvite explained, "So although we only possess three, a fourth one is within good hands. All that remain are the Yellow and Purple Crystals. I recommend we should seek the Purple Crystal first, as Valua is still a dangerous place to approach."
"I have another question," The redhead spoke up. "How are we going to leave? After all this work fixing the ship up again, we're going to have to go back through the damned Dark Rift, all over again, all over again, just to get out and back to familiar skies."
"Not true," David shook his head. "Remember what Fina told us, right? If the world is truly round as she says, then we should be able to sail east, but still arrive west of here." It sounded horribly counter-intuitive to the Vice Captain that such a thing was possible, but then again, he considered the existences of the Black Moon and the lands of Yafutoma, both new arrivals to his logic. "Fina's never been wrong about this before. So if we sail East and hit the Silverstone Barrier Reef and Ixa'taka, we'll know we're right."
A ship was headed full-speed for the docks. Usually this was a common sight, as Yafutomans had a prestigious aerospace industry, but it was a government courier ship, flying emergency flags off it's bows. The scarlet red banners signaled an all-points alert, and at the sight of them flapping in the cool winds soldiers all over the city began to mobilize. Military ships lifted off and formed up. "What's going on?" David wondered aloud. Great discipline...
A skiff launched from the courier, carrying several Yafutoman troopers led by a gold-clad officer. They touched down in the lake at the docks, leaping out and charging up the street, armor clanking with the sound of metal. "Hey," Kirala said, as she and the pirates tried to catch up with the messengers. "Doo shimashita ka?"
"Takusan gaikoku no kookai," One of the armored men replied, huffing for breath. "Chikai!"
"Sugoi," Kirala breathed, turning towards the others. "Some more foreign ships have entered our airspace. Apparently they're getting close to the capital... I guess nobody challenged them at the perimeter."
"More foreign ships?" Vyse shared a glance with the other pirates. "Uh oh." They kept pace easily with the messengers, making their way into the palace. They burst into the throne room, throwing themselves into an honorable bow. The Blue Rogues did the same after a moment out of sheer habit, and as they stood up they heard the gold-armored officer begin to talk in Yafutoman.
Mikado, surprise etched into his weathered features, stood from his throne. "More foreigners?!" He demanded, before slipping back into his native language. The officer repeated his report. "I wish to see for myself." The monarch, followed by a confused princess Moegi, his entourage and guards, and the Blue Rogues, made his way out of the palace and into the main square of town.
On the horizon, dozens of black and silver dots were evident. Vyse zoomed in with his skyglass, easily identifying the metal airships as those belonging to the Valuan Armada. "They get a medal for consistency," The teenager noted. "Moons Damnit. How did they find this place?"
"We got here, and a Spectre might be tricked up to perform same as the Delphinus," David offered. "Or they did the world-is-round trick and got here via Ixa'taka. Either way, this is not going to be good..." He shook his head. "They're real dogged. Everywhere we go, they're nipping at our heels, or got there way before."
"Valua?" Mikado looked over at them. "I take it from your talk that this is not good news, hm?"
"Oh, not at all," Aika nodded. "Lord Mikado, the Valuan Empire is the one we're trying to stop from getting the Moon Crystals. They want to wake up the Gigas and destroy the world, and they'll kill anyone for it. You should get your army ready for a fight."
"Too late," Moegi shook her head quietly. "We only have a small fleet defending the city proper, most of our forces are out on exercises this week... and they're almost here."
"Hm... five skiffs took off from the fleet, they're headed for the docks... only five. They're full of soldiers, but the middle one also has two... Aika, you're really not going to like this."
"... It's him, isn't it?"
"Afraid so. Our beloved belly-dancer is also here. Lord Mikado, Princess, you should really get back in the palace. Things could turn ugly. We'll get down to the docks right away..."
Mikado looked ready to argue the point, but merely nodded. "Very well. Kangan, send out word not to resist the Valuan forces, and let them pass. I suppose this will be their official envoy..." With that the rulers of Yafutoma began to retreat back inside, as the fleet drew ever-nearer to the city. The metal transports touched down next to the Delphinus' lifeboat.
"Hai, Mikado-sama," Kangan replied, giving a venomous smile. Because all of his smiles were such, no concern was raised with the old monarch. This could benefit us quite a bit... He gave a pleasant wave to the pirates as they ran off, which made Vyse's stomach lurch. Something was awry, although, as with the smile, it was probably just his entire aura and nothing special. He still felt on his guard as they ran through the streets. Normally clogged with moving humanity, everyone was still, watching the skies fill with metal airships.
They reached the docks section, and the large slab of an island where the Delphinus sat came into view. Aika gasped, pointing towards it. To either side, two Valuan gunboats had moved alongside the ship, their massive hulks almost as large as the refurbished flagship itself. "No!" Enrique said angrily, stepping forward out of pure reflex.
"At least the crew is groundside," Vyse balled his fists, "But Lawrence and a few Yafutomans are aboard... they're probably going to arrest them or something." He found himself worried for the helmsman, even though he had demonstrated his ability to take care of business.
The clanking of metal now attracted their attention. They turned, ready for a fight as eight red-armored Valuan elite troops came into view, running forward with swords drawn. At the last moment, they stopped and formed two ranks, with blades up and standing stone-still. In their wake stood two Valuan Admirals- Vigoro and Belleza, both looking at the air pirates with confidence.
"Hey, Handsome," Belleza practically purred, looking Vyse up and down approvingly. "It certainly has been a while. What is it, three months?"
"Four," Vyse corrected her, crossing his arms.
"Yo, Red," Vigoro thundered, his cheeks coloring slightly as he appraised the object of his own affections. Aika did not appreciate such attention, taking a reflexive step away from him in memory. "Looks like fate brought us together again... I'm happy to see you, and I know you're breathless that I'm here now!"
"Breathless because I want to puke," The Blue Rogue denied flatly.
"We'll get rid of that gag reflex together, baby-"
Belleza put out a gloved hand, silencing the much larger man. "Vigoro, please. We are in the presence of Prince Enrique, restrain yourself." She bowed respectfully to the blond rebel monarch. "I trust his Majesty is in good health. If you're wondering how we got here, we blasted a hole in the Silverstone Reef and traveled west. Ramirez was right about the world... Our goal is the same, my Prince. We also seek the Blue Crystal."
"What?!" Vyse crouched slightly lower in a combat stance, aggressive. Knew it.
Fina clasped her hands to her breast and looked over to Belleza. "Are you planning on burning down Yafutoma like the other nations?" She asked quietly. In response to the other pirates getting ready, the Valuan soldiers snapped into combat posture, swords ready. The situation was setting itself nicely for a fight.
That was something she would never allow. Putting her hands out again, Admiral Belleza smirked. "Not this time. As you know, I'm against unnecessary slaughter. We've come to parlay with the Lord of these lands.
"You're wasting your time," Fina said calmly, surprising everyone, including herself, with her audacity, "Lord Mikado is an honorable man. He will not make a deal with the Valuan Empire, I'm sure of it."
"We'll see about that." She walked forward, and now stood face-to-face with Vyse. Her expression was a completely sober one. "Everyone has their limits... their codes, morals, ethics, things that define who they are and what they do. Everyone also has a weakness... something where, if you apply pressure... poof." She blew a kiss at him. "Those limits seem to disappear. I wonder what Mikado's weakness will be. Until then, I'm sure I'll be seeing a lot more of you, Handsome."
With that, the Admirals passed them on the ramp, walking up towards the gates to the city wall. Their guards followed after them, armor hissing and clanking against the cobblestones underfoot.
"Vyse, aren't we gonna stop them?" Aika demanded, glaring at Vigoro's broad back.
"We can't," David said. "The Valuans are here under a flag of truce, and they're peaceful so far. If we attacked their envoy party, we'd only prove them right about Blue Rogues. Pardon me, but proving Admiral Vigoro right is not high on my list of priorities. Rather be keelhauled." Vyse silently nodded in assent.
"Rather be shot in the head," Aika agreed. "Alright, ass kicking is out. What now?"
"There is nothing more we can do until they conclude their talks," Enrique shook his head. "We cannot even reach the ship right now... I suppose we must return to the guest quarters." He put a hand on Vyse's shoulder. "Our moment will come, I'm sure this ersatz peace won't last."
"I'm not sure if anything can last," David took the lead up the same ramp the Admirals had gone a minute ago. "... when the Armada decides it's chow time."
0-0
"My answer? You already know my answer to such a... demand!" Mikado was quite transported with his righteous anger. Belleza and Vigoro knelt before him, in the grand Yafutoman throne room. The advisors were talking amongst each other, Kangan and Muraji whispering excitedly. Moegi watched silently, covering her beautiful face with her long sleeves. "We will never allow Valua to occupy the Kingdom."
Belleza merely smirked. "But... Mikado-sama, surely you realize that your weakened city defenses wouldn't last a single day against the firepower of our Armada. In order to prevent unnecessary bloodshed, I highly recommend you surrender to us now."
"Never! My people will never submit themselves to be crushed under the boots of a band of thieves and murderers!" Mikado angrily gestured, his iron will resisting even the thought of defeat. "We are protected by the Blue Moon. In the past, when Yafutoma was threatened, the Blue Winds always came to save us. If you attack us, the Winds will blow you into the Dark Wall! Valua will never occupy Yafutoma!"
Belleza sighed. "I am sorry that you didn't see our side of the story... then, this meeting is at an end." Both of the Valuan Admirals stood up, looking around. "Then, I will gain control of these lands by my own methods. Kangan, Muraji, now."
"Yes," Kangan said. "Soldiers! Secure the Throne Room at once!" He raised his arm, and at his command a dozen Yafutoman troopers filtered into the room, pole arms at the ready. They rounded up the nobles and clerks, and several soldiers surrounded the great thrones of Mikado and Moegi. People gasped and began to shuffle, but the soldiers kept them quiet and rounded up professionally. The room was now, quite literally, a captive audience.
"What?! What sort of treachery..." Mikado looked over to Kangan. The measly advisor looked so incredibly full of himself and satisfied. "You little treasonous-" One of the soldiers held their pole arm's sharp metal tip to the Lord in warning, silencing the old man.
Muraji stepped forward, emboldened by their control of the situation. "You'd better just keep quiet," He sneered, "Otherwise you may loose your head... in the confusion of the moment, of course."
Kangan ignored Mikado for a moment, bowing deeply in respect to the Valuan Admirals. "Belleza, in accordance with our prior messages... this country will fall under the dominion of the Valuan Empire."
"Kangan?! What are you doing?!" Mikado was barely checked by the soldiers surrounding him, looking quite willing to take on the entire room himself.
"Mikado-sama, as Lady Belleza stated, even if we had our full force at muster, we would never survive a protracted engagement with the Armada." He smiled another of his vile sneers at the newly captured ruler. "To save our people, we shall usurp your throne... and assume the leadership of Yafutoma, our rightful position."
Vigoro chuckled, watching the drama unfold before his eyes. "Wow, Belleza! Glad we're in the same fleet now."
"Don't relax yet," Belleza advised. "Not with Vyse and his crew about... Kangan, send out soldiers to arrest his crew before they can stir up trouble, they should all be in the guest quarters by now. Bring the captured men from the Delphinus to my flagship, as well." With the commands in place, she turned on her heel and left the throne room. Time to put the second part of my plan in to action.
Belleza made her way back to the Lynx, where they were waiting with the prisoners. All of the Yafutoman mechanics had, predictably, chosen to remain in the brig instead of joining sides with Kangan's coup. Standing in her personal study was the mysterious mercenary who Vyse had hired to pilot the Delphinus, known as Lone Wolf Lawrence.
"Why did you call me up here, Admiral?" Lawrence asked, directly to the point, even with his long black hair concealing his sharp eyes. "My loyalties are not cheap, and someone has already paid the price required. I don't betray my bosses."
"You did once, Captain," Belleza smirked, watching his surprise. "Didn't expect that, hm? I heard about you. Commanding the patrol ship Alejandro, you mutinied with some of your men when you found out how the Ixa'takans were being treated... all the crew was killed, but you, who was set loose without a golden coin to your name."
"What of it? My days of naivety are well in the past, Belleza," The hired gun stated with reasonable reserve. "And your resurrection of memories long buried isn't helping you."
"One million. Up-front. The other million when Vyse and his crew are captives of the Armada," Belleza said tersely, staring at him. Two million gold was more than many people saw in their entire lives, and here it dangled before the bitter pilot. "I know your quality personally, and from reports from Valuan ships at Nasrad and Cape Victory. We can afford the cost to keep you out of the fight for our enemy."
"Two million." Instead of a straight, furious denial, Lawrence allowed the concept to sink into his mind. It was orders of magnitudes beyond his considerable wage as a Blue Rogue. Even though he swore to himself never to be emotionally entangled again, something about Vyse panged the back of his head as he considered the bribe. "And a pardon for all the bogus charges you've trumped up?"
"Of course," The master strategist nodded, smirking. I've already won this one, I can see it in his tone, his stance. He was clever, able to see a step ahead of everyone, but her sight extended millions of steps ahead and behind. It was a rare gift, a sharp gift, and one that few could escape from when entangled in her machinations. Not everyone can be Vyse.
Lawrence's internal battle raged. I must never allow myself to get tangled in by my conscience... last time, that got good men killed, and ruined my career, my hope, my future. I made a new future... but this is a lot of money. I could retire some place safe and forget all about Moon Crystals and Wars and Rifts...
He decided, brushing away his hair to look her straight in the eye. Something I always knew I should have done. "Belleza, you have a deal. Consider me one of your thugs, with pilot skills."
"Welcome back aboard," The redhead smiled warmly. Yet another asset secured... and this time, Handsome, I'm gunning for you with all of my power. You won't escape again.