Chapter 27 Blood in the Water

After the successful transport of the convoy, Commander and Captain Morgan lead the convoy close to the monster's floating base. Meanwhile, in the air, a couple of drones fly overhead and near the convoy, relaying information to Commander. Commander seeing through the lens of the drones overhead, observes that there are no monsters nearby…for now.

Captain Morgan walks up to Commander and addresses him, breaking him out of his observation: "Well…everything seems fine. No monsters are attacking, and the weather is good. How close did you take us, Commander?"

"Far away from their vision but we should-!"

Commander suddenly stops talking as his eyes light up and his burrows slightly narrow which makes Captain Morgan nervous as he asks in a soft but serious tone, "What is it?"

"We've been spotted," Commander points slightly to the right from the ship's prow and explains, "A single monster, a Mermaid, sees us and…"

Commander sees the Mermaid quickly swimming away, off towards the target location, "It is heading towards the monster's floating base, mostly likely going to warn them of our approach."

Commander's bright eyes dim down to normal and then he looks at Morgan, "We better get ready for battle as they'll no doubt launch a counterattack against us. I'll inform the other ships of this while you see to your men, Captain."

"Aye," Morgan steps away from Commander and starts issuing out orders while Commander contacts the other Dark Guard members on the other ships. The other ships having one member serving on board as an observer and as an information relay to inform or to deliver orders from the Commander to the other Order captains, "Alert the captains that the enemy has spotted us and are in the preparation for engagement. We'll soon separate from this convoy to begin our attack. Remind them to be aware of their surroundings in case of a separate Mamono surprise attack."

Commander receives four compliances and then Commander contacts everyone on this ship, "Everyone, the enemy is now aware of us and is in the preparations to launch a raid. Disguise yourselves as Order personnel and prepare yourselves. Protecting the bomb is the top priority but if you're able, intervene to save any member of Morgan's crew in the event of any of them getting thrown overboard, step in, or alert someone. And Mary, don't go overboard."

"Fine," Commander receives Mary's whining response.

After that, Commander's entire body is suddenly shrouded in blackish-purple smoke along with every other Dark Guard member until a brief moment later, the unnatural smoke fades away revealing a handsome, short blonde hair man with green eyes, garbed in a bright blue naval uniform with a silver shoulder pauldron on his right with a leather strapped going diagonally down and around. White shiny pants, tight brown boots, and armed with a long, azure color sword, dangling on his left hip.

Very short whistle*

Commander hears a whistle behind him, making him turn slightly, and sees Captain Morgan returning as he says in an impressed tone, "I say, Commander, what a magnificent appearance you've put on. Compared to my rubbish look, I would say I'm envious of your new attire."

Commander cracks a smile and says, "The appearance I put on should attract more monsters to me instead of you, hopefully. If not, then perhaps my skills will. Also, if the monsters are somehow aware of us particularly, disguising ourselves as the Order would make it harder for them to fight us as they wouldn't know who is who."

"Ahh," Mogan says in understanding then a realization dawns on him, "And by making yourself more appealing to the monsters, you'll lessen the risk of my men being thrown overboard by them, yes?"

Commander nods and says, "Correct. Your people have suffered enough by their actions so we'll take steps to ensure that everyone comes back from this campaign. (Mogan smiles) However, (Mogan stops smiling) we, the Dark Guard, make no promise if something goes wrong along the way or if someone outside of our faction decides to do something foolish or out of pride. You either work with us or we'll go alone, we'll not tolerate disobedience. So if you or someone on this ship decide to deviate from the plan then you or they will lose our support and protection. Do you understand?"

Morgan straightens his posture and speaks clearly with no emotion, "I understand and I'll remind the crew of their assigned posts."

Commander just nods and looks back out at the sea, leaving the silence to Morgan to confirm that their talk is over so he walks away. Commander's eyes light up and soon a voice enters his head, "Commander, the enemy force is seeming to be ready to launch a counteroffensive at any minute. You better have the suicide ship separate from the convoy before they begin."

"Understood. Be ready to teleport all of us out regardless if we succeed or fail when the battle commences. Also, notify me if any of the Karkens shows up, we'll most likely be needing fire support to deal with them."

"Affirmative, we'll keep watch over you and the surrounding area," the voice goes silent and Commander prepares himself.

(Mamono p.o.v)

Over at the Mamono floating town, Telia, a single, green-scale mermaid with mint green hair and light blue eyes hears a commotion outside of the inn she is currently living in. She puts down a cooking book for baking sweets onto the bed she was lazily lying on.

"What is going on," Telia wonders before getting off her bed and moving towards the window. She opens it and pops her head out to see a crowd of people moving in a frenzy then she hears the nearby bell start ringing. If there was one thing she about living in the Posiden's Bosom she doesn't like is that the bell next door rings whenever a human ship is nearby. The only good thing about that bell, when it rings, is that there is a human ship nearby and that it is her chance to find her true love. And today is the day she'll finally find him and make him her husband. Telia backs away from the window and hastily gathers her things before leaving her room.

"Good luck, Telia," the Inn owner, another Mermaid with pink scales cheers out loud as Telia bursts through the entrance door.

"THANK YOU," Telia yells back as she joins the rush of traffic towards the docks. Telia hearing the many voices around her, "Owo, I can't wait to meet my future husband!"

"This time, my mate won't get away!"

"Here I come, Hubby!"

"Last one to the ship is a rotten fish!"

"Oh, hey, Telia," Telia hears someone saying her name so she glances over her right shoulder and sees one of her friends. Telia smiles and happily replies, "Oh, hi, Wanda. Joining this one?"

"Yes, I heard how well the Mersharks did so I figured I'll join this one and try my luck on finding my destined husband," Wanda, another Mermaid with vibrate purple scales, dark purple hair, and dark blue eyes, energetically answers.

The two along with the rest of the crowd soon reach the docks and many oceanic Mamono have already jumped in and started swimming toward the ship.

"Come on," Wanda holds out her hand to Telia. Telia grasps it then the two jump into the water and quickly morph their legs into tails and soon they swim off toward the Order's vessel along with every other single Mamono. Mermaids, Merrows, Mersharks, Scyllas, Nereids, a few Sea Bishops, and some Sea Slimes trailing behind, all racing to get a human. Excitement fills Telia and many others while others, mainly Mersharks and Scyllas feeling very competitive with each other in finding the best trophy husband.

(Commander's p.o.v)

Seeing the amass of aquatic Mamono heading his way from the information in his mind, Commander quickly zooms out to see more map coverage and notices a possible issue. Despite leaving the convoy fifteen minutes ago, the distance between them and the Mamono town shows that they are relatively close enough to the convoy if that some of the Mamono choose to ignore them, they'll reach the convoy moments later. A prospect that makes Commander frown a little and decides to solve that potential problem. Commander turns around and faces the crew as well connected to the other members that are below deck. Commander yells out, "Everyone, brace yourselves, I'm activating the thrusters to give us more speed and distance from the convoy!"

Captain Morgan cries out in concern, "So soon? Won't we overshoot the monsters?"

Commander shakes his head and then explains, "I'm activating them at quarter power. I'm simply making us go a bit faster as we are still somewhat close to the convoy and there is a risk that some of the monsters might choose to go after them. I'm doing this to eliminate a possible scenario. We won't be going fast enough to outrun the majority of the monsters. (Commander looks around) Any other questions?"

Seeing none, Commander yells, "All hands brace!"

Commander's eyes go bright as he telepathically accesses the thrust control and brings them online. Behind the Captain's quarters, a pair of circular thrusts pop out through the windows and light up in a light pink, and soon everyone feels a noticeable rocking. Those standing out on the deck feel the wind getting slightly stronger and see their target getting closer.

(Telia p.o.v)

They were getting close and already her heart is beating fast as she and everyone else are getting more excited. She then hears a voice shouting, "Alright everyone, here they come, and...uh...LOOK OUT!"

Telia sees the many fellow Mamono quickly swimming sideways or diving lower and as they part ways, she sees why. She sees a strange but dangerous looking bladed prow barrelling towards them. She feels a tug on her left arm and a worried voice, "Move, Telia!"

Telia breaks out of thoughts and follows Wanda out of the incoming path of the ship. She and many others watch the ship move past them, and then Telia sees the group of a dozen Sea Slimes trailing them slowly disperse as they see the ship heading right towards them. All but three were able to get out of the way on time, two of them getting bashed into jello, and one got split in half by the bladed prow.

Despite the three deaths, Telia sees a small group of Mersharks quickly give chase and start leaping onto the ship. Soon, everyone rushed, Scyllas latching onto the hull, slowly climbing up the ship with some of the few less competitive ones helping those who can't climb that easily. Many Mamono fly out of the water, aiming for the open spots along the hull or anything they can grab onto and pull themselves in.

Wanda looks at Telia and confidently says, "Let's go before there aren't any men left."

"Right," Telia nods her head and the two swim up to the surface as fast as they can. The two fly out of the water and Telia sees she'll reach one of the upper gun ports while Wanda is close to the breached hull that is crowded with other Mamomo. While in mid-flight, Telia and Wanda shift to their human form before latching onto the ship. Telia holding onto the gun port frame and Wand is caught by a red-head Scylla. Telia hears the sounds of unnecessary resistance from the Humans and their battle cries while her fellow sisters cry out in pain or begging them to stop fighting.

"Telia!"

Telia hears someone calling her name and sees Wanda no longer being held by the Scylla. She sees her hands glowing in a green light as she holds onto the ship. Telia waves at her and Wanda waves back before shouting out, "See you inside, and good luck!"

"You too," Telia shouts back before and sees her best friend slips inside. Telia gets serious and focuses, "Alright Telia, you got this, just go in, find your hubby, leave, and get married. Easy! Let's go."

Telia quickly enters through the gunport and looks around the interior only to quickly duck her head as a firebolt flies by. Her hair sizzles slightly and someone else gets hit. Telia makes another attempt to look around and sees how it is peculiarly empty. She has been in Human vessels before and all of them are usually packed with crates, cannons, and supplies but not this ship. There are no cannons, any crates or barrels, only people who are resisting her sisters. She sees a combination of navel and army Order personnel present and fighting.

"Excuse me," Telia slightly jumps as she hears a voice behind her which she immediately turns around and sees a young Nereid with green hair tips going through the same gun port she did.

"Oh, here, let me help you," Telia quickly offering a hand which the Nereid happily takes.

"Thank you," soon the Nereid slips through then stands up and extends a hand to Telia, "My name is Andrea. Your's?"

"Telia."

"Nice to meet you, Telia," Andrea starts pointing in a random direction and asks, "Have you picked one to be your husband?"

Telia shakes her head and then explains, "Not yet, I've just gotten in and-"

"RAGH!"

A much louder voice is heard by the duo over the fighting commotion and the two look to their side to see a mature Order woman whom seems to be in her prime wielding a bloodied spiked warhammer and dressed in a mini armor skirt, her entire midriff is exposed revealing a small six-pack, armor breastplates with side plating holding her chest tight, long golden hair that reminds both of them of the Valkyries, bright blue eyes, pearly white teeth, and a large smile showing this person is relishing in the bloodshed. Right now, this woman has her sights on the duo and lunges into the air with her weapon arched behind her, primed to swing down on them.

The two quickly dashed back before the incoming strike and the spiked end of the warhammer bites deep into the wooden floor. The two Mamono keep moving back, creating more distance between them and this frightful woman. The Order woman pries her weapon free, hoisting it onto her shoulder and then she eyes both of them with a judging expression. The woman speaks to them with a slightly amused tone, "You two little fishies are out of your depth here. You better get out of here before I decide to turn you two into seafood. I'm getting slightly hungry."

Telia and Andrea looked at the woman wide-eyed until Telia asks in outrage, "What kind of person are you? That wasn't even remotely funny, not even the Order would say something like that!"

The woman just shrugs, clearly not bothered, and says in a carefree way, "Little fishie, you have no idea what kind of person I am or what I'm capable of but I'm more than happy to show you. (Readies her weapon) Let us see how well you can fight, shall we?"

Before Telia could reply, the strange Order woman dashes forward and swings her warhammer down again. Telia and Andrea jump to the sides, avoiding the strike. Andrea asks Telia, "Telia, you know how to fight?"

"AH, somewhat. You?"

"I know a few basic water spells and ensnarements," Andrea and Telia's quick back and forth makes the Order woman to temporarily halt her aggression and laugh out loud, "Haha, are you serious!? Y-You come here, raiding an Order vessel, and you-you barely know how to fight. Haha, amusing, just the sheer stupidity you monsters can show me, never ceases to surprise me. HAHAHA!"

The Order woman hugs her gut as she laughs so hard while Telia and Andrea feel slightly embarrassed but mostly annoyed. Andrea puffs her checks and lets out an angry *Hmmm* before raising her right hand and firing a ball of water at the laughing woman. The water ball rockets towards the unaware woman and it looks like it'll hit her in her center mass.

However, the woman not only sidesteps it but also twists her body around where the watery bullet will miss completely as it flies underneath the woman's chin. The watery bullet continues along until it hits a Scrylla, who is in the middle of a duel with a Claymore-wielding knight in the back, causing her to suddenly lunge forward into the knight's striking arch and get struck down. Andrea goes wide-eyed in horror as she covers her mouth with both hands before slightly shaking her head in disbelief, "No, no, no..."

Telia looks at Andrea with sympathy but the Order woman chuckles and then asks, "Would you call that 'Friendly Fire' or 'Friendly Water'?"

Both Mamono glare at the woman's dark humor but she just rolls her eyes nonchalantly and says, "Hey, don't be mad at me for your inexperience that resulted in one of your friends getting killed. Maybe if you actually trained and used some of your intelligence then maybe you would've seen that there was someone behind me and would consider if throwing a blob of water around is a good idea. (Taps her chin) Or here is another idea, you all can piss off and leave humanity alone instead of doing this piss poor attempt of a raid and go home with your lives. What say you? Are you smart enough to agree or not, little fishies?"

Telia keeps glaring at the woman but Andrea looks like she wants to murder the woman as tears swell up and grits her teeth before charging forward, shouting, "SHUT UP!"

The Nereid summons multiple watery tentacles from her hands and has them lashing out. The Order woman swiftly leaps back then charges forward with a swing but quickly readjusts her grip on her weapon as she blocks an incoming bullet of water from Telia. Telia prepares another shot, aiming at the woman's chest, and fires. The woman again blocks it with the head of her warhammer then she swings it to swat away the tentacles reaching towards her. The woman steps back, and she speaks again with a slight smug, "Two on one, eh? I like this kind of fight. Let us see how good your teamwork is."

Andrea quickly addresses Telia, "Telia, you keep shooting while I close in and try to grapple her. Hopefully, I'll be able to disarm her and subdue her."

"You know I can hear you, RIGHT?!"

The two ignore her and proceed with their plan as Telia unleashes a suppressing barrage of water bullets, making the warhammer user to twist and spin her weapon around to block them while Andrea dashes forward toward the target. Andrea gets surprised when the woman also dashes towards her with greater speed and her weapon taking the lead. Andrea panics and encloses her watery tentacles around the woman but the woman responds by jerking her weapon back and then forward, her grip loosening to the point when her weapon slides forward. The woman stops the sliding by tightening her grip near the pommel of the weapon and the warhammer slams into Andrea's gut. Andrea's body arches forward, the air leaving her lungs, and propelled backward, crashing against the hull's interior.

"ANDREA," Telia exclaims as she quickly kneels down and checks on Andrea. Andrea coughs up blood and groans in pain as she weakly looks up to Telia.

"Well...," the Order woman starts talking which prompts the two Mamono to look at her with fear, "That was disappointing. Here I thought that you two would give me a decent battle but instead, it turns out to be hardly a warmup. Any last words?"

The woman heaves her weapon and approaches them. Telia raises her hands and yells, "WAIT!"

The woman stops moving and looks at Telia in disbelief, "Wait? That's going to be your last words? Is wait? You couldn't have think of something better than that?"

Telia shakes her head and says or rather begs, "Please...let us go and... we'll never step foot on an Order ship again. I swore to Posiden."

The woman doesn't say or move an inch for a moment which gives Telia and Andrea some hope that the Order warrior will spare them as she looks at them attentively. She finally speaks, "Alright...but only Andrea can go. You, Telia, are staying here and become my prisoner of war."

Telia stops breathing as she couldn't believe what she has heard nor does Andrea as she looks at her with concern. Andrea tries to speak but only lets out a pained exhale. Telia slowly looks at Andrea and sees her looking at her with a pained expression but also sees concern.

Before Telia could speak, they hear, "Tick, tock, I don't have all day to await your answer Telia and neither does your friend if I choose to be more violent towards her."

Telia looks down at the rough wooden floor then her hands touching, intertwining, and holding at the fingertips. She didn't imagine that this is how her second raiding attempt would go. She wishes that this was a bad dream and that she'll wake up any second now. Andrea's hand comes into view and grasps one of her hands, making Telia look up and see a somber smile with blood running down and out of the corner of her mouth. Telia closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, she then hears, "Tick, tock, ladies, am I going to get my answer or does this silence mean that you've declined to-"

"I accept," Telia blurts out her answer, "I...accept to be your prisoner in exchange for letting Andrea go free. Happy?"

The Order woman smiles and happily says, "Yes."

Andrea tries to take a deep breath but ends up gagging, Telia grabs a hold on Andrea and speaks softly, "Take it easy, Andrea. Let me help you to one of the gun ports."

Andrea could only nod before Telia helps her up and offers a shoulder for her to lean on for support. The two slowly made their way over to one of the gun ports and Telia helps Andrea slide through the opening. Before Andrea drives down, she softly speaks with pain grunts, "Thank you...and meh, I'm sorry"

Telia shakes her head and says with some regret, "No worries, just go and live another day. I'll be fine."

Andrea's smile gets a little bigger and then she slides out and drops into the ocean. Telia breathes a sigh of relief and as soon she turns her back, she hears a voice, "Hey, is she alright? She looked like she was in pain?"

Telia turns to see another Nereid coming through the same gun port Andrea exited. This Nereid has orange hair tips and streaks and a face filled with worried curiosity. Before Telia can answer or warn her, a large hammer comes flying and smashes into the Nereid's face. Telia easily hears the sounds of bones snapping as she looks on in horror. The hammer falls to the ground with a heavy thud and then Telia hears, "Annoying monsters, one leaves and another immediately takes her place. Now then..."

Telia looks at the Order woman and shudders as she approaches her. She lifts her right hand with an open hand, a moment later, Telia sees the hammer that was lying next to her suddenly fly back up and into the woman's hand, "Hold still and this won't hurt a bit. Should you try to escape, I'll break your legs."

Telia gulps and shrinks down on herself as if she was trying to merge with the ship until she and everyone else felt the ship suddenly rocking side to side. Telia looks up at the Order woman and notices that her eyes are glowing purple and a second later, a frown forms on her face. Without warning, a spot of the outer hull bursts open, and a large white tentacle slides through, knocking over Mamono, Humans, and members of the Dark Gaurd.

The Order woman quickly recovers and lashes out by swinging her weapon against the wiggling limb. The strike hits and for a moment the tentacle shakes like it was convulsing until it recovers and retaliates by swinging back at her and launching her into the air. The woman skids and lands by the stairs leading to the outside deck. She snarls and stands back up, ready to go again. Before she does, a purple lightning bolt zaps the thrashing tentacle, causing it to freeze, and then swiftly withdraws from the ship.

Telia seeing what must be a Kraken's tentacle pulling out quickly and leaving a gaping hole, wide enough for a Cancer Mamono to stride through comfortably. Seeing her chance to escape, she scrambles and hears a furious voice, "Don't you dare!"

Telia doesn't bother to look behind herself as she fully commits to leaving this dreadful ship and dives. The Order woman tries to snatch her but misses by mere centimeters and so the scowling woman watches as her soon-to-be prisoner disappears beneath the waves. The woman keeps looking down but soon the scowl turns to a smirk and says with some amusement, "Lucky little fish, you got away. For your reward, you get to see a show that you'll never forget. (Turn away and walks) Now Commander, what are you going to do about that Kraken before she wrecks your fun plan?"

Commander's P.O.V

While fighting the Mamono on the deck along with the majority of Captain Morgan's crew, Commander was wondering if any of the two Krakens would make an appearance or if they were somewhere else but now he is given his answer. One of them was among the swarm of Mamono that swam here and she has decided to transform into her original form. Commander formulated multiple scenarios before this convoy left Alyonia and he focused mainly on the two Krakens. What if both were to attack this ship at the same time? What if one attacks here and the other goes after the convoy? What if both go after the convoy and ignore this ship entirely? There are many possibilities, some worse than others, but right now, the situation around him is the one he figured to be the most likely to happen. His eyes light up as he asks in his joint mental network, "Are all the Kraken tentacles off this ship?"

Commander hears Lizzy as she and her group guard the bomb in the Main Hold, "The bottom of the ship is still holding thanks to the shields but I can hear her tapping against it."

Commander then hears Mary, 'Upper Deck is getting wrecked but we are holding and any tentacle that comes slithering in is going to be introduced to a game of whack-a-mole.'

Commander finally hears Michael, "Moved down to the lower Deck to help secure it but the Mamono seem to have renewed resolve as they are storming the newly formed breaches. We may need reinforcements."

"I can send some of my group over to you, Michael. The Mamono don't seem to be very interested in what is in Main Holding," Lizzy answers Michael's request which Commander hears, "I would appreciate that."

Commander mentally speaks up, "Reorganize yourselves quickly, I'm about to turn up the thrusters as we are getting close to our objective."

He hears 'Understood' from everyone and efficiently cuts down a cyan-colored Mermaid. He turns to Captain Morgan and sees him struggling against a smug Mershark, hearing her say, "For someone past their prime, you have quite the stamina...perhaps after I turn you into an Incubus, you can show me what you can do with your Cutless and the one sword I'm itching to see unsheathed."

Morgan turning slightly red, exclaims in disgust, "Vile fiend, you'll not get your way with me! I'll smite you down, in the name of the Chief God! I'll-"

"Yes, yes, purity, devotion, and all that worship," The Mershark rolls her eyes but smiles a second later and says, "After we get married, I'll help you make prayers for Posiden and for the baby making we'll be doing."

"No."

The Mershark jumps a little from a cold, monotone voice behind her, she quickly turns around to see a young, handsome man although his face expresses a tired annoyance, wielding a bloody sword. Before she could speak, her vision blurs, and then her head falls off her body.

Morgan lets out a quick sigh of relief and offers his thanks, "Thank you, Commander, that one was being quite the handful to deal with. What's your plan now?"

"I'm going to turn up the thrusters. We are far enough from the convoy and getting close enough that we'll need to be ready for the ramming procedure. The only problem we are currently facing is that Kraken, for if it entangles the ship with its tentacles, and we activate the thrusters to full power," Morgan soon realizes and finishes his trail of logic, "We'll ripe this ship apart and the bomb will detonate, killing us all."

Commander nods and adds, "Thus, our mission will end in failure, and the monsters will still have free reign to terrorize more Order convoys. Dooming the outlining Order colonies and coastal strongholds to fall to the monsters."

Commander's eyes light up and hear Micheal, "Commander, our group has currently repulsed all of the Kraken tentacles and according to Mary, her group has as well. It's now or never, Commander."

"Understood," Commander addresses Morgan, "Brace yourself, Captain. I'm turning the thruster to full. Time to end this."

Morgan bends his knees while Commander has the thrusters output going to the maximum and everyone onboard who are not prepared soon stumbles and falls. The monsters climbing up the hull either fell off or holding on for dear life as they feel the wind whipping against they're faces increasing.

At the Mamono floating town, at the center of the town is a large ship serving as the town hall and home to the mayor. Inside the Captain's cabin turned to the Master Bedroom, a pair of people standing in front of a large mirror having a conversation to not their reflect but the face of someone else, "You need to take this seriously, Mayor Jennifer. You're facing a threat that we've never faced before and therefore need to stop that ship NOW!"

The Mayor who is one of the Krakens speaks back in slight irritation, "My sister and the majority of all the singles ladies are currently boarding that ship and last time I checked, that ship is nowhere close to being a threat to this town. As for the mysterious shadow people, I don't believe that they'll be much of a problem for if they wanted to kill us, then why haven't they done so? From what you've been telling me and what they are capable of, why haven't they attacked us with their floating ship or just appeared here? If they are that powerful, then why is a lone Order ship challenging us instead of them, Cecil?

Cecil exhales and then answers, "Because they want all the other Mamono to witness what would be assumed to be a normal Order vessel launching an attack against a Mamono settlement and having both the settlement and the ship and crew perish in an ugly conflict. They wish to make you, your people, and your town a warning to all fellow Mamono to see what will happen if you oppose the Order. But if this Dark Guard attacks you instead of the Order then a completely different message would be sent rather than the one they want. So please, Mayor Jennifer, heed my warning and don't let that ship get even close to your town of Posiden's Bosom. They didn't need to be right next to you but close enough for their weapon to kill all of you and destroy your life's work of building a floating city to rival the underwater city, Queen Diana. Please, Jennifer, don't let them do this."

Jennifer closes her eyes and exhales deeply through her nose before she turns towards her husband who used to be an Admiral in the Order Navy, "Dear, can you go spot this attacking ship and tell me how far away they are?"

"Of course, my love," the man says as he moves away from the mirror and heads towards one of the many dressers that fill the side of the wall. There he spots a small golden telescope sitting on top of the middle dresser and grabs it. He walks over to one of the smaller windows pointing out toward where the attack is happening, he extends it to its full length, and peers through it. It takes him a moment but he spots what he is looking for however he moves the telescope away as he blinks his eyes several times. He briefly shakes his head and then looks through the telescope again only to confirm what he saw the first time: the ship is much closer and moving unbelievably fast. He speaks to Jennifer but not looking away from the scene he is observing, "Ahhh, my dear, that Order ship that Cecil has been warning us about is almost here, and from how fast it is moving, it'll be here in five minutes."

"WHAT," Jennifer shouts in disbelief before rushing away from the mirror and towards her husband. The husband gives her the telescope and points, "There."

Jennifer looks down from where he is pointing and soon enough spots the ship that has come to end her, her husband, and her dream town. She mutters, "That's impossible."

"GET OUT OF THERE," a yell from the mirror startles the married couple to turn to it and sees Cecil's panicked expression, "YOU TWO NEED TO LEAVE NOW! RUN!"

Jennifer scowls and shouts, "NO! I'm not going to let these fools destroy everything that I've built here. I WON'T ALLOW IT!"

Jennifer storms off in rage as she rushes towards the dock with her husband in tow. The pair moving to stop this offense, personally. Meanwhile, back in the bedroom, Cecil mutters in rejection, "Damn it, Jennifer, why didn't you listen to me?"

Cecil's image disappears and the mirror reflects an empty room.

Back on the ship, Commander seeing the distance between this ship and the target is rapidly decreasing, he orders out loud and telepathically, "Dark Guard, prepare mass teleportation of this ship's crew back to the convoy. Eliminate any remaining combatant still onboard. We'll transport last. Convoy contacts, relay the current status to the other Order captains."

Commander receives the acknowledgment from everyone and walks away from the ruined railingly. He walks up to Morgan and says, "My people are getting ready to transport your crew out of here and back on the convoy. We'll stay here a bit longer until we know for sure that the monsters can't stop us or the bomb. Any objections?"

Morgan struggling to stay on his feet, immediately answers, "None so please do get us out. This speed is making my stomach feel like it's being turn inside out."

Commander nods, "Very well. Commencing transport."

Commander puts his left hand on Captain Morgan's shoulder and then the Captain vanishes in a puff of smoke. Commander and all the Dark Guard members remove Captain Morgan's crew from the ship, leaving only them. Commander asks telepathically, "Status report."

Lizzy is the first to answer, "Main holding is secure and the bomb is priming as we speak. It'll be ready when the ship reaches the target."

Mary answers next, "A few clinging Mamono managed to climb on board and were quickly subdued and transported onto our ship for interrogation. Other than that, I'm bored now."

Michael answers last, "Lower Deck is clear. Awaiting orders."

"Prepare to transport out in two minutes. We are-," a voice suddenly interrupts, "Commander, we've detected the second Kraken and she is moving to intercept."

"What!? Where," Commander demands.

"The second Kraken is at the base and she heading right towards you. She'll enter the water first before you'll reach the target. Orders?"

Commander thinks for a moment, 'Even if she enters the waters and transforms, this ship will still be close enough to destroy the raiding base. Unless she drags the ship beneath the water and said water reaches the bomb, it might cause it to short-circuit and become a dud ordnance. We've come too far to fail at the last possible second.'

Commander orders, "Intercept the second Kraken with anti-personnel mortar rounds. Deploy them at close range, either they take her outright or cripple her, I don't care as long she isn't a threat to the operation."

"Understood...engaging the high-risk target."

Back at Posiden's Bosom, Jennifer running as fast as she can towards the docks, 'Just a little further then I'll transform and sink that cursed ship before they can ruin everything.'

A bit behind her, her husband Tarry, struggling to keep up with her until he spots something above her appearing and warns her, "HONEY, LOOK OUT! ABOVE YOU!"

Jennifer looks up and her eyes open up a bit more as she sees what she would describe as a purple tear in the sky and then sees something shooting out like a falling star. And this falling star is descending right at her so Jennifer lunges to the side on time before whatever that thing is hits where she was and explodes. The blast making her long black hair fly, covering half of her face. She looks up and immediately moves as more falling objects descend towards her, 'It must be those shadow people doing this. They're trying to stop me.'

Jennifer keeps moving toward the dock but now in a zig-zag pattern in order to avoid getting hit by these exploding things. She sees she is over halfway there, 'I can still make it. Just keep dodging and don't stop moving, Jennifer!'

Unfortunately for her, a cluster of mortar shells appears simultaneously in a half-circle formation and Jennifer finds herself cornered. She braces herself as the combined explosion hits her and throws her into a nearby flower store.

"JENNIFER," Tarry shouts in fear and rushes into the store, jumping over the large hole that exposes the water below. He enters through the broken window, "Jennifer! Jennifer, where are you!?"

Cough cough*

"Jennifer?"

Tarry looks over to a fallen shelf once filled with potted plants and there he sees several tentacles belonging to his wife. Tarry carefully rushes over, avoiding stepping on his wife, and slowly kneels down. He moves and throws broken pieces of the shelf, pots, and the bent and torn flowers. Tarry wipes away the dirt on her face revealing some blood trailing down her forehead, and then slowly props her body up. Tarry speaks in a whispering tone, "My love, are you alright?"

Jennifer coughs before answering in pain, "I'll always be alright as long as you're around, my darling. I'm just trying to ignore this ringing in my ears *Coughs* and the dust."

"Take a moment to rest, my love," Tarry removes a handkerchief from his back pocket and carefully places it against a cut along Jennifer's hairline.

Back on the ship, Commander issues the order everyone on board have been waiting for, "Everyone, let us go, we've reached our target."

Every last Dark Guard on the ship left in rapid succession just before the ship in mere seconds as it crashes into and then through the docks, coursing through the streets, bashing against all the wooden buildings and the ships turned into buildings along the sides until the thrusters die out and the suicide ship finally slows down to a halt near a flower shop with a broken window.

Commander reappears on the Crusader, where Captain Morgan and the majority of his crew are transported to. He sees Captain Morgan and Pichard standing together and both they and the majority of the crew turn to look at him. Morgan asks, "Did my ship make it to that vile monster nest?"

"Yes, all we need to do now to complete this operation," Commander opens his hand and a burst of smoke appears on his palm. After the smoke goes away revealing a silver cylinder with a big red button on the end, "Is to push this button and the bomb will detonate, eliminating the monsters' raiding base."

The two Captains nod and Pichard says, "Well then, let us end this quest before the monsters find that bomb. Press the Commander!"

Commander nods and is about to press the button but stops and looks at Captain Morgan, "Actually, how about you press the button, Captain Morgan? After all, that is your ship and it would be more appropriate if

you send her off."

Commander extends his hand with the detonator and Morgan looks at it for a moment before taking it. He briefly examines it and then he and everyone else look towards the monster's home and says in faint regret and a hint of defiance, "Farewell, my beloved Blue Star, send those disgusted wretches to Hel."

He thumb press the red button and a second later, a sudden bright flash appears, momentarily blinding everyone except for the Dark Guard and when the Order crews regain their sight, they see a white mushroom formed and a strong but brief flow of wind wales against everyone. Soon everyone on the convoy cheers for the annihilation of the monsters.

Moments before the denotation, at Posiden's Bosom...

"Do you remember being here, Darling, after four days of our wedding day," Jennifer asks in nostalgia which Tarry chuckles, "Oh yes, my love, your secretary practically threw us out of our bedroom after she was getting flooded with requests waiting for your approval and one of those papers was this shop. I remember that this store had a certain flower that you always wanted to see."

"Yes, a Fire Orchid," Jennifer lets out a sigh of regret, "But when we got there, they just sold the last one."

Tarry gently rubs the side of her head and then kisses her forehead. He leans back and looks around the half-ruined store and then spots something red underneath some dirt. He leans down, gently moves the dirt with the back of his hand, and lets out a surprised inhale. His wife noticed that husband's sudden sound, she worryingly asks, "What is it, dear?"

"A wonderful surprise," Tarry's answer makes Jennifer open her eyes in wonder. Tarry holds a flower in front of Jennifer that makes her look at it with awe.

"A Fire Orchid," Jennifer says with amazement. Her husband hands her the flower which she takes into her hand with great care. She brings it up to her nose and inhales the fragrance, "Hmmm, it is as they say; smells like a campfire and the petals look like flames from a painting. How wonderful."

Tarry gives a slight smug and says romantically, "Just like you, my love."

Jennifer blushes and replies, "Come here you, you romantic sailor."

The two kiss passionately then a white light suddenly erupts and the two are shallowed by it.

Moments before detonation, near Posiden's Bosom...

Telia held Andrea as the two and all the Mamono who weren't able to climb onto the Blue Star, swam back to Posiden's Bosom feeling gloomy, annoyed, and/or determined to try again next time. But for Telia, her experience left her shaken and greatly worried as she and the others watched the ship they were after, literally crash into their homes as if the Order crew have gone insane but for some, they see it as a second chance to get a husband. The more aggressive Mamono swam back at full speed.

Telia watched as most of the Mersharks, Scyllas, and the more competitive Mermaids race back, she hears Andea painfully whisper to her, "You know, you could leave me so you can find her husband before someone else gets to him."

Telia shakes her head and says with clear fatigue, "No, I...I think I'll pass as today...has been more than I can handle and that...I want to make sure that you get treated."

Andrea's cheeks redden a little and she expresses her gratitude quietly, "Thank you, Telia. Even though I didn't get a hubby for myself, at least I found a very good friend."

Telia smiles softly, "Maybe after you get healed, I can show you my favorite- *BOOM*"

Before Telia could finish her sentence, a sudden bright light emerged out of nowhere, then a powerful gust of wind causing her, Andrea, and all the other Mamono that were swimming on the surface to suddenly be forced down, and then the waves shuttered and move unnaturally. The blast causes Telia to lose her grip on Andrea and Andrea starts sinking as she struggles to swim and stabilize herself. Telia quickly grabs a hold of her while Andrea asks in fright, "What is Posiden's name was that?"

"I...I don't know," Telia feeling slightly overwhelmed and her ears ringing in her head. She, Andrea, and the other Mamono swim up to the surface to be greeted with a large white mushroom cloud right where their town should be. Many of them begin to panic, some starting to cry, and others just simply couldn't believe it. Even as an hour passes, the mushroom cloud disappears revealing that their town, their loved ones, and friends have vanished without a trace. The remaining Mamono swam away in sorrow and grief, spreading the tale of a lone Order ship taking out an entire town and none crew of the ship surviving.

Back at the capital, in the courtroom...

"As you can see, the operation is a success. The monster base is destroyed and the remaining monsters are retreating from Order's waters. Future convoys will be safe for a time before the monsters launch any more raids," Caesar explains as he and the courtroom having watched the entire time ever since the Blue Star moved away from the convoy and plowed through the swarm of monsters. Everyone saw and observed the fight until the ship made its way to the monster's floating base and exploded. Caesar looks at the king and says with some pride, "Your Highness, your outer settlements and forces will soon be replenished and rearmed to fend off the monster much longer now."

King Arthur nods his head and offers his gratitude, "Tell Commander that I wish to congratulate him on a decisive victory over the monsters. I'll be waiting for his return."

Caesar nods then his eyes light up and says, "Your message has been sent and Commander shall be here momentary as he has a few things to take care of."

Arthur strokes his beard and says in a positive tone, "Very good."

Several minutes later...

Commander suddenly appears in the middle of the king's court and immediately takes a knee, "Your Highness, the operation is complete and we suffered no casualties. Captain Morgan and Pichard will handle the convoy for the rest of the voyage. I think we can-"

Commander's eyes light up as he receives a message from his ship, "Commander, we detected a sudden surge of demonic energy several miles outside of the capital. I'm sending drones to investigate."

"Good, keep me appraised of the situation," Commander looks at the king as he looks back with intrigue, "Your Highness, my people detected a demonic presence within Order territory and they are looking into it. They'll notify me of their findings."

The king remains silent as does the court as they wait to hear what is happening within their border again.

A Happy New Year to all and a new story to share: Struggles on Dragicore Island.

Although I haven't been very active in 2024, I'll make up for it this year with my new story. Hopefully, you'll check that one out and enjoy.

To D.J. Scales: Aye, it has and your prayers have been heard.

To Anon: Thank you very much, I'm glad you think so.

To Imaginary Guy117: I hope this chapter meets your expectations and I do apologize for the lack of chapter uploads, 2024 has been an "Eh!" year for me.