Interceptor sighed tiredly. South America...he had to cross the Horn during Hurricane season. He was still amazed he survived. But with torn sails, chunked hull plating and fresh water running out, the end seemed bleak. If he didn't find an island soon to resupply at soon, he would never see his beloved Pearl again. And that was easier said than done. He had been searching for months. The one or two he stumbled upon were sparse with anything but sand, rocks and gulls. A large island loomed ahead. It had green hills and steep valleys that for sure his water. It looked like paradise. A mirage? It had to be. But...another emerged. And another. Another? An island chain...oh yes! "Captain, look! Oh please, have a harbor we can be safe in..." he set all his sails and pushed onwards.

He had no idea how dangerous it was. He was attacked from behind, pinned down by a powerful warship. He yelped and cried out, struggling to fight back. But he was so frail and weak from his journey that he just didn't have the strength to free himself. "Please, I've been at sea for months, maybe even over a year! I'm tired, cold, hungry and thirsty!" he cried. "You picked the wrong place to restock sunny!" She growled. "I am Mauna Loa. Welcome to Hawaii." "Please, Mauna Loa." he whimpered, "I don't come with ill intentions! I'm on the run, in hiding, trying to find safe harbor for my family!" "Then you should be honored to be a sacrifice for their sake." She replied and dragged him into the harbor. He looked around, eyes wide. The bright green palms, towering mountain peaks, thick jungle, and white sandy beaches were truly an attribute of paradise. But alas, often the most beautiful places on Earth are also the most dangerous. He wished he could enjoy this. "You're making a mistake! You'll have far better rewards sparing me! Killing me will put a Black Mark on you! The Kraken will come for you!" "What do you know of the Kraken?" Loa growled, getting her knife out. Her sisters hung back in the shadows. Interceptor could barely see them but their eyes were glowing red.

Campe surfaced in front of him, glaring directly at Mauna Loa. The way she positioned herself and the way the other volcano backed off made her message quite clear. em"He's mine! Back off!" /em"Campe, thank God." he gasped, weakly scurrying up. "Stay where you are! And lie down before you collapse!" She growled, hissing once more at Mauna Loa. She backed off. And her sisters came forward to tend to him. The eldest was a small frigate with a silvering muzzle. Her touch was gentle. "Kohala." She introduced herself in a voice that was slightly raspy. "Kohala? Interesting names..." he said wearily, tired and hurting. "Ignore Loa. She's all bark, no bite. The others are Kea, Haleakala, Hualalai and Kilauea. I lead this merry bunch. Anything you need, you ask me." She said as she handed him a half coconut filled with water. He downed it desperately, shaking with satisfaction. "Captain...they're friendly...I know you want land, food and water." Interceptor rasped. The cabin door swung open. With a life like the brig had, one would have expected a rough looking scumbag. But the man who emerged wasn't that at all. He was a young, rather clean gentleman-like figure in admittedly exotic pirate robes. Kohala said nothing, keeping her attentions on Interceptor. "You're a family man." She said. "They are everything to me. That's why I'm here." he nodded. "I could tell by your eyes. They give away the love you have for them." She helped him lean against a dock and handed him a fresh fish platter. "Mahi mahi, a local delicacy." "It looks delicious." he purred hungrily, slurping up the offering with new-found appreciation of eating. She handed him another coconut but this one had coconut water in it. "What's this for?" he asked, drinking. "Additional nutrition." She said. "I deeply appreciate the help... I cannot thank you enough." the brig rasped tiredly. "Rest now. You have Campe's blessing thus you have ours. These islands will be a safe haven for your family should they need it." "Where is she? She's been there for me during my hardest times on this journey." "I'm here Interceptor." Campe nuzzled him. "But I must go back. Pearl is calling me. She and Passionate need my help." "Then go. Please. I'm safe now." he licked her happily. "I promise I will return." She said. She kissed his cheek and with a nod to Kohala, submerged and disappeared. "Can I rest?" he asked, "My Captain can fill you in." "Did I not tell you to relax?" She smiled. "Sleep." He smiled gratefully and shut his eyes, sleep claiming him within seconds.

When he woke, Kohala was nearby, standing guard. Her stern was to him but in the early morning sun her outline looked beautiful. "Don't you sleep?" he murmured tiredly. "Only on occasion." "How is that?" "Because I'm just like Campe. Bred for war. Sleep is secondary." His eyes widened, "You mean...? That would explain a lot about your appearance, names and attitudes..." "Our journey began many centuries ago Interceptor. Long before ships were born." "So she was right. Every volcano...incredible..." "There are more of us than you think. Here we are isolated and don't often interact with our sisters but on occasion you might see them." Kohala sighed. "There are times I wish I didn't live so long. See all the changes the world has made. Being, unable to adjust." "I'm so sorry." he frowned, "Can I...somehow help?" "Help my sister's. They are young, even by my kind's standards. If they are to survive, they must learn to adapt. 2000 years and we still perform sacrifices." She shook her head in disgust. "How do I help them? I'm an outsider." "If you were you'd be dead right now. You are alive because Campe Flegrei has claimed you as family. Thus you are our family." He seemed taken back by that. "I err. I understand...I think. I can try my best." he told her while spinning around to bite at an itch, wincing as the wound started bleeding again. "Ugh." "Stop moving." She said. He grumbled lightly before laying back down. She tended to his wound, redressing it and putting a cooling salve on it. "I can't stop saying it...thank you." Interceptor sighed, "Blasted hurricane around the Horn took out a chunk of my hull." "To go around in Winter, you must be half mad!" He corrected her with one sad word, "Desperate." "For how many years have you been running?" She asked, understanding exactly what he was. "Too many. I don't know how I'm still alive. How my family is..." "You aren't just lucky but predestined for great things. You will survive until your purpose is complete." Kohala's eyes took on a brighter, more mythical shade. "Your seed will be as numerous as the stars and four shall shine brightest of all." He tilted his head, "What are you saying?" She brushed a rigging line across his cheek. "You have a touch of destiny about you, Interceptor." "I never thought I was so special...I just want a better life in the new world..." "We never know why we are chosen. Some of us just are." "I think I understand...would make sense why our lives have thus far been so...interesting." "When you are well enough, I will show you around the islands. Then you may return to your mate and family and you all may find safe haven here." "If they're still safe...I hope they are. God, please..." "Would you not feel it if your beloved perished?" Kohala asked. "I've never felt such a connection. Is that a volcano ability?" "No. All mortal ships who are mated that is, have found their other half are linked... at least that's what we were taught. We," She took a breath. "Used it to kill families in the War. If we killed one the other would follow. Children were easy without their parents to protect them." "I'm sorry, what?" Kohala turned away. "What is it you normally think of about volcanoes? We are visions of hell. And once, not that long ago that is precisely what we were..."