by Casey Eanes
“Excellent, Bronson. Route them and hold them in position. I want you to send an extra detail of soldiers to reinforce the Elumite navy. I want to capture them alive.”
“Understood, sir.”
“I also want to ensure that you take a recording team. I want all of Candor to witness this final capture. Lotte will watch me bring this traitor in myself.”
There was a long pause on the other end of the datalink. “Come again, sir?”
“You heard me, Bronson. I’m going to Elum. Make sure an airlift is ready for me within the hour. I plan to land on the lead cruiser. I will deal with Grift myself.”
Grift peered over the broadside of Luken's ship, squinting against the glare of the sun bouncing off the waves. He sighed and hung his head.
"The horizon is clear, Luken. No sign."
Luken shook his head. "They are coming, Grift."
Grift threw his hands down on the handrails of the vessel, squeezed them, and walked away.
Luken spoke, his voice void of emotion. "We have to make a decision. We don't have the firepower to stop an entire fleet. We don't have the speed to evade them either.” He glanced down to the cabin beneath them. “Willyn is too weak to be any aid to us. What were you expecting us to do? I tried to tell you we needed to stay close to the coast.”
Grift ran his hand through his shaggy, graying hair and breathed in the salty air.
"We have to outrun them, Luken. We have to try to make it to Preost. It's our only hope."
The Endless Ocean stretched out below Seam’s transport, and he could make out the shape of Luken’s skiff on the horizon. It was being followed by over twenty-five mammoth warships. As the plane made its descent to the lead vessel’s deck, Seam reactivated his datalink and dialed in a new contact. Hosp’s pale face filled the screen. His recovery was ongoing but slow, and his glossed over eyes gave evidence to his pitiful state.
"I have them, Hosp. They should be in my hands upon the hour's end."
"See that you bring them in alive, Seam." Hosp’s head bobbed as he struggled to keep his head lifted.
"Of course." The sight of Hosp’s pathetic physique provided Seam with a burgeoning sense of power. He labored to produce a façade of concern, “Hosp, your condition looks poor. Are you sure you are well?”
"I am fine. Contact me as soon as you have the terrorists in your hands." Hosp coughed.
“Understood. How is the conflict with the Red resistance?”
“Tumultuous, to say the least, but that thorn will soon be plucked from our side, given enough time. My forces still hold Rhuddenhall and are pressing into the Reds’ territory.”
“Keep it quiet. The last thing needed is word to spread of a civil war during this time of peace.”
“It is handled, Seam,” spat Hosp as he broke into a fit of coughing.
“See that it is.” Seam shut the datalink screen as the plane landed on the carrier’s runway.
A torrent of Elum navy officers spilled out onto the deck of the warship to greet Seam. As his plane landed, Seam saw the crew line the landing zone and salute. As soon as the plane stopped Seam slid back the plane door and stepped onto the deck. An Elumite admiral bobbled over to him. He was a slim, sickly looking man with a weasel face. Seam read him in an instant. Subservient. Manipulative. His small, squeaky voice only sealed Seam's opinion of him.
"King Seam, we have the terrorist vessel in our sights. If it would please His Royal Highness, we can commence to firing on them immediately."
Seam snapped his head back and laughed.
"Absolutely not, Admiral. These are not mere terrorists who deserve death. They are terrorists who must be tried in the court of law. After all, how can we legitimize our continent’s new peace if we do not honor even our enemies? Prepare your men to board their vessel. I want them all taken alive."
The admiral saluted the king with an awestruck stupor. "Very good, your highness."
Seam could feel the warship’s rotors engage as it jettisoned toward his prize. He smiled and sealed his thoughts with a nearly silent whisper.
"I have you now, Grift."
Grift peered through a pair of binoculars to scan the ocean’s choppy horizon. Grift cursed at the site of the ships growing on the horizon and called out to Luken, "How many rounds do we have?"
Luken was fumbling beneath him in the cabin of the ship, causing a racket underneath. He called back sarcastically. "Do you really want to know, Grift?"
Willyn stood by Grift's side, her arm bound in a sling. She stared at him, the man she chased all over Candor. He evaded her against impossible odds. She allowed herself to look out into the sea. The armada presented itself over the horizon and the distance between the vessels was shrinking by the minute. In front of them were the taunting tides of the Endless Ocean. The question that burned in her heart could not be silenced anymore.
She spoke, "Grift, how long will you let this go on?"
She was met only with a hot glare and cold silence. She stared at him and shook her head.
"Grift, you know we can't win this. We will be surrounded!”
His eyes burned as he stood up straight and pointed to the ships coming from the horizon. "They are planning to make a spectacle of us, Willyn."
Willyn threw her hands in the air. “So what are we supposed to do?"
"I don’t know!” He stood looking over the water at the oncoming ships, his mind piecing together a plan. “Well, if it's a show that they want, let's give them a show." Grift called below deck. "Luken!"
A muffled reply from below reverberated beneath them.
“LUKEN!”
"What!?"
"Get back up to the helm. Bring the ship about. Let's force their hand. Let’s see how peaceful their alliance really is. Let’s have all of Candor witness this new peace that Seam and Hosp offer our people.”
Luken climbed back up to the deck and shook his head as he chuckled.
"I did always like your style, Grift.” Luken looked at Grift and Willyn. His hands flew over the ship’s controls, setting the course. In one swift movement, the ship changed directions, turning to face the oncoming fleet of the Elum navy. “Our course is set. We will make our last stand below deck! Let them come down to meet us!”
The three made their way below deck and braced themselves for what was to come.
Seam stood at the bow of the lead battle cruiser and from a distance he could begin to make out the shape of Luken, Grift, and Willyn moving from the cabin to the deck and back again on their small craft. Adrenaline charged through his body, surging down his arms as he gripped the bow. The small yacht only sat out about half a league in front of them, and they were pushing forward.
Soon all the Keys of Candor would be his. He would be the Keeper of the Keys. He would command the power of the Serubs and control his destiny. He would control the world’s destiny.
In a flash, Seam saw Luken’s small ship's boom fly across the deck as its sails quickly emptied out of the wind and then refilled, rocketing the small vessel as it turned around. The ship's stern leaned precariously as it swung into its bold maneuver.
What are they doing? The bold decision to charge caught Seam off guard. After all, there were over twenty-five vessels in their fleet. What could possibly compel them to make such a foolish move?
"Sir." The squeaky mouse admiral appeared, awaiting instruction. "The targets are heading straight to us. I await your orders."
Seam’s composure remained stone cold. "Very good, Admiral. Command your men to batter into their vessel. You and your troops will come aboard and disarm them. My detail will then personally escort me onto their ship, and I will apprehend these terrorists myself."
A flash of shock flew over his face, "But sir, are you sure..."
Seam cut him off. "You have your orders, Admiral."
The admiral’s mouth hung open until delivering an affirmative, “Yes, sir.”
The yacht bounced across the water and quickly approached the cruiser.<
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“Now, Admiral, measure your approach accordingly. Grift is known to be quite crafty. Disable their engines and do what you can to put holes in their sail. I don’t want to smash through their vessel. I do not want them dead. The people of Candor need to see the bloodied faces of those who started this whole conflict, but I don’t want it to be messy, understood? Now, cut their engines.”
“Yes, sir.”
The admiral scurried away from Seam and began chirping commands to the gunners overhead. The metal artillery chutes groaned to life as they positioned to fire on the renegade boat challenging the king’s fleet. Seam looked up to see the barrels of the large guns swing into position. The ship’s deck began to vibrate softly underfoot. A high-pitched ringing sound rolled out of the cannons that began to charge, their barrels glowing a dark blue.
Gunners on large machine guns unleashed a torrent of gunfire that ripped through the small vessel’s sails, tearing it into a shredded collection of rags.
A low thump blasted Seam’s eardrums as six cannons fired simultaneously, sending their payloads over the waters. Four of the six EMP charges hit the waters around the yacht, sending bolts of energy flying across the water, skipping over the waves like a glowing blue sea serpent. Two of the shots registered, slamming into the boat, cascading blue arching energy from bow to stern. The yacht showed no sign of structural damage, but the rounds met their mark. The ship’s pace abruptly slowed, leaving the vessel helplessly bobbing in the waters, waiting to be overtaken.
There was no movement on the deck, and the small boat sat splashing and rocking in the water like a child’s toy. Twelve armed guards assembled behind Seam awaiting orders to board.
The fleet surrounded the yacht with their cannons trained on it, ready to annihilate anything or anyone that dared challenge the oncoming capture. Four small vessels carrying a dozen soldiers dropped in off the side of the lead battleship. Soldiers clad in black swarmed over the side of Luken’s boat and onto its deck. They slid effortlessly across the vessel and positioned themselves around the cabin door.
“Hold. Hold.” Seam cried out. “I need to board. I want to ensure they are taken alive.”
The soldiers shuffled around the door as they waited for the next set of orders. One of the men in the unit broke off formation and took a vessel back to Seam’s ship to allow him to board. As he climbed down into the black raft, the soldier dipped his head and addressed his leader.
“My apologies, sir, but we were under the understanding that we were to clear the boat, apprehend the suspects, and then allow your entry. We don’t desire any injury to the king.”
Seam rebutted, “I understand, Lieutenant, but I believe that now more than ever the people of Candor need to see their leaders are not afraid of punishing those who wish to harm them. I will allow your men to go ahead of me, but I need to be on that boat as we make the capture.”
The soldier saluted and answered, “Yes, sir. We will breach, enter, and call once all clear.”
Seam nodded, “Very good.”
The skiff bounced against the side of Luken’s yacht and Seam pulled himself aboard. The media drones hovered overhead as Seam climbed on deck, the terrorists still alive and armed on the boat with him. Seam’s heart raced knowing the entire continent was about to see his bravery. After the capture of Grift and Willyn, no one would be able to question his authority. This one act would cement his standing as the true head of the new alliance.
Grift and Luken locked eyes as the sound of feet thundered above them. Grift took point with his pistol trained on the cabin door while Luken stood close behind. Willyn was lying behind her overturned cot with her rifle’s sights pointed and waiting.
Grift flashed a smile in Willyn’s direction, “You have a gun, but it doesn’t give you license to shoot me in the back. I’m watching you.”
Willyn rolled her eyes and spoke, “If I wanted you dead I would have shot you by now.”
Grift chuckled as he brought his eyes back to the door, “Well, it’s settled then. I guess we are friends.”
The three waited in silence, measuring the distance of their attackers as their footsteps surrendered their proximity to the hatch.
The cabin became a vacuum as they waited until the hush was shattered by the cabin door exploding open. The wooden hatch hurdled through the room and smashed into the cot shielding Willyn. Soldiers poured into the room with their rifles raised.
Grift wasted no time and shifted to the side ripping off a series of shots that leveled the first two intruders. The third man collapsed under a bullet from Willyn’s rifle.
A grenade bounced into the room and exploded with blinding light. The flash bang forced Grift to fall back deeper within the small cabin. Luken pressed closer to the door, waiting.
“I can’t see anything!” screamed Willyn.
Grift pulled beside her as he wiped at his eyes. “Don’t move your rifle. Just shoot!”
Willyn’s trigger finger fell and sent the rifle into a red hot fury as it spat bullets through the open hatch. Four lifeless bodies tumbled through the door, but two men managed to push in and charge for them. Luken, hiding by the portal, smashed a club against one soldier’s face while catching the other’s oncoming fist. He grappled with the second man while a third pushed in behind him with his rifle aimed at Luken’s spine. Luken spun in an instant and threw the soldier into the opening fire of this third attacker. With his other hand, Luken hammered the club into the man’s helmet, buckling him to his knees. The first soldier he had downed got back up and lunged for Luken, tackling him to the ground.
The datalink on Seam’s wrist flickered to life as he stood upon Luken’s vessel, waiting for the chaos below deck to cease. An electronic intercom screeched in.
“King Seam?” It was the sniveling admiral again.
“Yes, Admiral?”
“It appears that the onboarding crew is taking heavy losses. Should I intervene?”
Seam smiled coolly and responded. “Not yet, Admiral. We still have other options.”
As Grift’s eyes began to regain focus he ran and slammed his boot into the ribs of the soldier who had jumped on top of Luken. The man groaned and began to scream out, but Grift did not afford him the chance to finish his plea for help. One quick shot finished the man.
Just then a small metal cylinder hit the floor.
Grift’s eyes flared open. “Oh no.”
The canister whirled like a dervish as white hot smoke billowed into the cabin. Attackers continued to pour into the room despite Willyn’s covering shots at the door. More smoking canisters were thrown in, followed by another round of flash grenades. Within seconds the cabin exploded into chaos.
The dense fog of smoke and thunderous explosions made it impossible to see anything, but Willyn caught site of two grenades rolling next to Luken. She tried to call out, but was too slow. The first grenade ripped a hole in the side of the boat while the second explosion hurdled Luken’s charred body out to sea in a fiery blast. The salty ocean rushed into the vessel and mixed with the cloud of bullets, screams, fists, and blood.
Willyn kept her hand on the trigger despite it all, but the sight of Luken being ripped from them destroyed her will and strength. Just like Hagan, Luken was gone. A chill ran through her bones as she cursed the fact that everyone she ever opened up to had been snatched away from her. She cursed madly, pushing away her despair. She would not stop fighting. She would die fighting.
In Vale there was a tumultuous din of whooping and cheering as crowds ran to the nearest broadcast screen. Word had spread that the last of the traitors was about to be rounded up by none other than King Seam himself. The screens displayed an overhead view of the yacht while side bar screens showed a schematic of the ship as the commentators speculated which cabin the terrorists might try to hide in. The screen flashed between the overhead view and a view from a camera mounted on Seam’s shoulder.
Ewing stepped into a cafe that had a small, public datalink flickering with
the broadcast. His newfound companion, Rot, followed on his heels and lay at his feet. Nearly a dozen people clustered around the screen, clamoring for news about the capture. Ewing settled into a corner booth to observe the excitement from a distance. The banter filling the room orbited around one person, Grift Shepherd. It went back and forth as most attendants argued on how Grift was a murderer, a traitor, or whether he was innocent.
Ewing’s heart dropped as he looked up at the screen and saw Grift’s face enlarged on the screen alongside all the charges brought against him. The list was almost too much to bear; treason, murder in the first degree, inciting rebellion, resisting arrest, trespassing, everything down to petty theft. Ewing fidgeted with a piece of peacetime propaganda that had been left on his cafe table. His eyes scanned the smiling faces of the men and women in uniform and the bold red letters reading, “For Unity.” As he turned the leaflet in his hands he muttered under his breath.
“Oh Adley, girl, I don’t know why you ever signed up with these people. This is a mess and a rotten lot.” He glanced down at Rot and tousled the hair on his head, “In fact, Rot, this peacetime talk smells worse than you.” Rot whimpered and laid down underneath the table.
Ewing fired another glance at the screen before lighting up his pipe. He grunted, exhaled, and shifted in his seat. He flipped open his datalink and skimmed through several pages but nothing matched what he was looking for. There was not a single feed related to Kull or Wael. Despite Seam calling for Wael’s capture, there was nothing showing up about him. It was as if they vanished. All he knew was Arik arrived a few days earlier with Rot and told him that the two were to meet with the Groganlands Council.
A loud explosion ripped Ewing’s attention away from his search. The attack party breached the doors and thrown in flash bangs and what appeared to be some type of gas grenades. Even Seam’s shoulder-mounted camera was of no use as the haze of gas obscured the view, but the sound of gunfire, screaming, and pounding feet rang out from the loudspeakers. The sound of the conflict sent the hair on the back of Rot’s neck on end, and he let out a low, rumbling growl.