Finally Chapter three is up. Actually I'm surprised how quickly I wrote this chapter. Well I don't have anything to do now that I've finished university this semester. It's also raining which is why I can't do anything but type more of the fan fiction. I don't think there's going to be much Eren and Levi interaction. Not even Erwin and Levi… YET! But don't worry. Since I know this will be my largest fan fiction yet, I'm probably going to be writing two arcs. This one and another and there will be plenty of lovely smut for you all fan girls and boys. There will be a lot of violence and swearing in the later chapters of this arc I warn you. So if blood and chaos is not your cup of tea, I suggest you look and read another fan fiction of SNK or close the entire web browser completely.
Alright. Rant over - On with the story.
"Commodore Smith? May I have a word?"
A handsome and chiseled face looked up from the maps and charts he reviewed, marking possible trading and patrol routes for his men. Commodore Erwin Smith was a handsome man in his early thirties, well groomed and from a strong lineage of successful and prosperous sailors. Dressed in the standard uniform and dress coat of navy blue and golden chord it accentuated his rank perfectly. Physically rugged and tall, clear and forthright sky blue eyes with light blonde and eyebrows, he was in every way a Commodore of a naval fleet and considered one of the most eligible bachelors in Port Trost, even the Kingdom of Utopia.
Commodore Smith straightened his posture and saluted, discovering his visitor was no other than Admiral Dot Pixis, the highest ranking as well as the most respected naval officer of the Kingdom of Utopia and Port Trost.
"Admiral Pixis. It's such an honor receiving a visit from you. How may I help you?"
The senior officer smiled, striding towards the marked charts and observing the Commodore's work.
"There's no need for formalities Commodore Erwin"
Commodore Smith raised a golden brow with surprise.
"Then, you didn't come for business matters? Nothing is wrong?"
"Well I didn't say that young man. Sit"
Commodore Smith complied without question, waiting for his senior to speak. He patiently watched Pixis pace from one end of his office to the shelves of books, maps and scrolls and back to the window, overlooking the bustling harbour and late morning market.
"I've heard disturbing reports from Commodore Ian Dietrech who's men survey the Hestoss trading route. Some of them claim to have spotted a pirate ship not far from the trading route. We seem to have some vermin"
The Commodore raised his eyebrows, skeptical.
"That's impossible sir. Utopia's naval fleet has had the routes closely surveyed and guarded. It is impossible for a Pirate ship to be spotted this far North. Those sea-dogs belong in the Southern seas"
Pixis' eyes met the younger man's blue ones. They never flinched.
"Nothing is impossible commodore. I ask you to tighten security around the kingdom's central trading routes, accompany the traders and merchants beyond the gates and further out to open ocean if necessary. Do anything you can with your men and comrades. Just keep the pirates out of Port Trost. If the Port is taken I fear the worst for the kingdom"
"Such tight security? Surely, a more secure inspection and survey of the trading routes will be enough. Our kingdom is well known for our powerful naval fleet. We haven't had a case where anyone has breached the outer garrison and destroyed the port for the past fifteen years"
"Commodore Erwin Smith I can't take such risks. I have given you your orders. See to them"
"I understand" Commodore Smith replied, saluting him.
Admiral Pixis nodded his thanks then left the sun lit office with a clearer although still uncertain mind.
Commodore Smith was flabbergasted. He could not believe Pirates would roam this far North. He walked to the sun lit window, the floorboards lightly creaking from his thick black boots and gazed out into the harbour. Below him, the harbor was bursting with activity. Goods of all kinds existed here, from exotic spices, silver ware, jewelry, cloth, fruit and vegetables, timber, cooked street food and even slaves. Traders and merchants noisily haggled with customers over obscene prices and the cries of sea gulls pierced the din every now and again. The smell of fish, sea salt, wood and spices was so strong it permeated through the cracks of his open window. It mixed in with the scent of wood polish and frankincense within his room creating an unusual but somewhat comforting combination. Erwin himself concluded this intangible aroma described the everyday wonders and notions of life, something he usually missed during sea voyages.
Commodore Erwin Smith looked beyond the harbour and jetties where ships of varying sizes docked, to the fifty-metre granite wall that lined the entire port, protecting the city. His sharp eyesight made out the small figures that surveyed the open ocean beyond the garrison, gleaming bayonets screwed tightly to their rifles. On the other side of that wall he pictured the vast deep blue open ocean with the occasional merchant ships and ships of the Utopia's fleet specked randomly across the never-ending blanket of water. He couldn't picture a pirate ship on those waters, not here but elsewhere. Those men would be foolish to try breaching Port Trost. During voyages, he had encountered a few pirates himself on the outer skirts of the wall and on trade routes but they were easy prey. The sea dogs were no match for his heavily armed and formidable naval fleet. Justice was served and they were all hanged save for those who died during the struggle or jumped over board to save themselves from their impending doom.
He stroked his chin, thoughts running through his mind without stopping. Still he could never doubt Admiral Pixis, not his senior and the most well respected man in the navy. The problem had to be a serious one otherwise the Admiral wouldn't have gone to through the trouble of reporting the pirate sightings himself. He would have ordered another officer of Commodore Erwin's rank to report them. The pirates Commodore Dietrich spotted must be dangerous, villains not to be taken lightly. Incredulous as he was, Commodore Erwin had no choice but to obey the Admiral.
"Lieutenant Nanaba!"
A somewhat androgynous young woman with cropped short blond hair and a plain expressionless face appeared at his door. Nanaba was his personal assistant as well as a overseer for trainees within her own personal unit.
"Yes Commodore Smith?"
"Get me Commodore Dietrich, Lieutenant Mike Zacharius and inform Admiral Pixis and Admiral of Utopiah's naval fleet Darius Zackly the pirates will be dealt with swiftly"
"At once Commodore" Nanaba saluted before she left.
After ten minutes of waiting, he was greeted by the anxious and somewhat relieved faces of his comrades. The junior officer saluted him and stood quietly at the closed door as Commodore Ian Dietrich and Erwin Smith shook hands.
"Dietrich, what's all this about pirates? We haven't had a breaching for fifteen years. What makes you think they are pirates? Are you not mistaken?"
Dietrich wearily slumped in one of the Commodore's leather armchairs running his hand through his straw coloured hair.
"I'm not wrong. For now it's still a fair and safe distance away from our trading routes but I could never mistake the colours of the skull and cross bones. I spotted it myself with my telescope when I was surveying the Hestoss trading route. Lieutenant Zacharius can vouch for me" he said earnestly and pointed a thumb to the officer standing stoically at the door. He gave a small nod in agreement.
"I can bring my entire crew if you wish. They all saw it"
Commodore Erwin shook his head.
"I believe you. Go on. What else do you know? What did you see?"
Commodore Dietrich turned to a sickly shade of white.
"Come on man. What did you see?" Commodore Smith said, becoming impatient.
"The… the name of that ship. I thought I would never see it here!
"What about the name of the ship?"
"The ship. It was the 'Maria'!"
Commodore Smith drew back a sharp and forced breath in alarm, glaring at his Commorade. He scorned Dietrich harshly.
"Don't be ridiculous! There is only one 'Maria' Trost knows and she belongs in the South. Don't you know who her Captain is?"
"I know steers the 'Maria'. He is ruthless and he will breach Trost's walls"
"Wrap yer shite! Talk some sense man. Don't you remember we have our navy? It must be a coincidence. Only a foolish, dangerous and traitorous backstabber would dare meddle with the affairs of our kingdom. It has to be a coincidence"
Commodore Dietrich bent his head.
"And if it is Captain Levi? Then what?"
Commodore Erwin Smith clamped a gloved hand over his mouth.
"Don't say his name out loud you fool. Someone might be at the door! Who knows what will happen if word gets out of that traitorous bastard has arrived on our Northern shores. The King himself will condemn our efforts! He'll wonder what kind of Navy we were running! Do you understand?" Commodore Smith whispered harshly, feeling his temper rise.
Commodore Dietrich nodded and Erwin let go of his vice grip around him. The now distressed and aggravated Commodore paces up and down his study. He was no fool. He had heard the tales of this monster who called himself, Captain Levi of the Maria. Although he had not met him in person, Erwin himself had witnessed and discovered the destruction, chaos and the torment the Captain had left behind during sea voyages to the Southern borders. Towns and seaports would be lit in flames, the innocent killed in the most brutal fashion imaginable. Captain Levi was a devil.
"I ask you again Dietrich. Are you sure it's him?"
"I am positive sir. I would not lie to you Commodore Smith"
"Very well. Have you assessed the situation? Do you know his movements?"
Commodore Dietrich shook his head.
"No he's too far. We were more concerned protecting the merchants and getting them to safety and Hestoss trading route"
Erwin nodded with appreciation.
"Good. I am glad you thought ahead. We have to double our patrols and surveys, have more people attend night shifts. We must not let this tyrant into our city and cut off our food and goods. Do you understand Commodore Dietrich?"
The visibly shaken man stood up weakly but saluted.
"I will do what I can to ensure the safety of Utopia."
"Good. I will join tonight's night shift. I want to see whether your theory is correct".
Commodore Dietrich nodded.
"Very well. Zacharius, accompany me to the wall"
"Yes sir"
Commodore Erwin Smith was left alone to think. If what Dietrich said was true, then there would be great consequences. That man and his crew alone could destroy the entire city in a few hours. Captain Levi and his crew were the most ruthless savages within God's world. As a defender of Utopia and Trost, he would have to put every effort secure the safety of his people and the economy, no matter what method he used. For the first time in his life, Erwin was afraid. The fall of Utopia and Trost is certain. It is almost time.
'The Pirates are coming'.
That's all for now folks… Goodness I promised myself there wouldn't be any walls and fortresses involved… but I had to put one in there. Pirate invading the walls. What next, giant mermaids? Pictures a gigantic mermaid!Eren peeping over the wall curious. SQUEEEEEEE!
Evening Falls signing out!