Seas of the Red Star

by Andrew Gates

  Russell nodded his head and made his way down to the deck. The boat rocked this way and that with each step. He did his best to steady himself and managed to avoid falling.

  It did not take long for Russell to find the captain. He was shouting orders to Aiden, who had his hands full with what looked like nets.

  “Captain Azzorro! Captain Azzorro!” Russell hollered, trying to get his attention.

  “Yes?” The captain spun around to face the boy. His pointy hat was soaked from rainwater and now hung low before his eyes.

  “It’s Ellis.” Russell was practically panting. “He says there’s a ship on the horizon, a trade boat.”

  “A trade boat, you say?” A look of interest shown across the captain’s face. He promptly spun back around to Aiden. “Belay those orders, Aiden. Prepare a boarding party!”

  “Yes, Captain,” he responded, dropping the nets to the floor before running off.

  Captain Azzorro turned to face Russell again.

  “Ellis has the helm,” Russell explained.

  “Aye, follow me, boy.” The captain quickly pushed his way past Russell. He limped across the deck with vigor. Russell followed closely behind as they made their way up to the wheel.

  “Captain!” Ellis greeted as they arrived only a few seconds later.

  The two diminutive sailors were still there by his side. The captain nodded to each of them.

  “Russell tells me you have spotted another ship.”

  “Aye sir, it be a trade vessel to my eyes.”

  “Where?”

  “Yonder, port side!” Ellis pointed off to the left.

  The captain leaned against the railing and squinted.

  “Here,” Ellis said, offering the monoscope. The captain accepted it and held it to his eye.

  “Well, that be some sight. Good find,” the captain said.

  “You need not give me the credit. The ship was discovered by our new crewwoman here,” Ellis replied, motioning to the short woman.

  “Well, well, well, Corporal Ellen Milsen, so you are not only strong, but gifted with great vision. Your abilities grow by the day,” the captain noted, turning to face her.

  The woman simply nodded back.

  “What do you want us to do about that boat, Captain?” Ellis wondered.

  “Bring us in. I’ve asked Aiden to prepare a boarding party.”

  “In this weather?” There was a tone of fear in the sailing master’s voice. His face was flushed.

  “Aye, in this weather. Those traders would not think us so brash as to stage an attack in these conditions. We have the element of surprise on our side,” the captain explained.

  “Hold on,” the woman jumped in. “What’s this about an attack?”

  Captain Azzorro quickly shot her a look of disgust. Even from where Russell stood, he could feel the power in his gaze. It was unwise to question the captain’s orders. The boy wondered how he would respond.

  “Do you have a problem with that, Corporal Ellen Milsen?” he asked. His tone was crippling.

  “No,” she replied, shaking her head. “I’m just… confused. Why are we attacking? I thought this was a trading ship.”

  Upon hearing these words, the captain’s expression instantly transformed from disgust to amusement. Russell had never seen such a sudden change in someone’s composure. Captain Azzorro and Sailing Master Ellis both erupted in laughter. The hulking captain had to cover his chest with his free hand just to avoid coughing up a lung. The laughter persisted for a few seconds, before eventually dying down. All the while, a look of confusion shone across the faces of the two new crew members.

  “We’re sea scorgers, dear. We trade, yes, but we don’t play fair,” the captain finally explained.

  “Like pirates?” the man asked.

  “Aye, like pirates.”

  The short man smirked. Russell wondered if he was delighted to learn this news. The woman, however, appeared less enthused.

  “How long until we’re on that ship?” Captain Azzorro asked, getting back to the task at hand.

  “It will take some time to reach them. Their ship is fast,” Ellis answered.

  “How long?” he repeated.

  “Maybe… maybe an hour,” he explained.

  “Judging by the movement of their ship, and assuming the weather holds up like this for the next hour, I’d say we’re looking at closer to an hour and 12 minutes,” the woman replied.

  The others all paused, as if dumbstruck.

  “Ho… how do you know that?” Ellis eventually asked, breaking the awkward silence.

  “You can say there’s a voice in my head,” the woman replied.

  Russell was not sure what she meant by that. Judging by the looks one everyone else’s faces, it seemed he was not alone. The boy could not help but wonder if she was referring to magic.

  Sure enough, an hour and 12 minutes later, the Red God’s Gleam fell into line, parallel with the trade ship.

  A Pirate’s Life

  Earth Date (Revised Julian Calendar): 01.25.5673

  Location: The Red God’s Gleam, Taspansa, The Governor’s Dominion

  A pirate ship. A real, old-fashioned pirate ship. Ellen could still not fathom how she had gotten into this mess. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect to be part of something like this. It was insane, it was mad, it was absurd! Yet here she was, standing on the deck of an old wooden boat with a crew of disgusting men, preparing to board a trading vessel with nothing but knives and axes.

  Seriously, how the hell did we get here? Ellen asked to Yuri, privately.

  I’m honestly wondering the same thing, he replied.

  A raging storm blew around them. Were Ellen’s soaked hair not tied back in a bun, it would have whipped around uncontrollably. She had seen powerful winds like these before, but never while on a boat. The constant up and down rocking motion made her feel dizzy at times.

  The Red God’s Gleam traveled parallel with the trade ship. The crew of the other boat frantically scrambled on deck, likely preparing countermeasures for their incoming boarders. Unfortunately for them, their ship was pinned. With the Red God’s Gleam on their left and a large rock structure to the right, there was nowhere for them to go but straight.

  Ellen studied the rock structure. It was black like pure onyx and shot up in the air like the peak of an enormous underwater mountain. The rock loomed over them like an ominous tower.

  “That rock, there. What is it?” Ellen asked to nobody in particular. She pointed to it.

  “That be Speartip Ridge,” a sailor answered. Ellen recognized this young man as the cabin boy, Russell.

  From what she had observed of this boy over the last few days, he was wise for his age and seemed fascinated by Ellen and Dave. He was dutiful, but curious. She wondered if his curiosity ever got him into trouble.

  “Speartip Ridge. I can see how it got the name,” Ellen replied, noting its pointed shape.

  “They say no man has ever climbed to the top. The rock is smooth and steep. Even with ropes, all who attempt to reach the peak have failed or perished.”

  Ellen was not surprised that so many had been unsuccessful. The rock formed a sheer vertical drop at a few different points.

  “We be steady with the ship!” hollered the helmsmen, pulling Ellen’s focus back to the task at hand.

  “Alright, you heard him!” the captain responded. “Master Gunner, be the cannons ready?”

  “Aye, Captain!” the gunner shouted back.

  “This is it lads, open fire!”

  “Fire!” repeated the gunner.

  The ship trembled as the starboard side exploded in cannon fire. Ellen almost fell, but steadied herself at the last second. Splintered wood and chunks of debris from the opposing ship flew into the air.

  “Watch out!” someone shouted. Ellen could not tell who had said it. “They’re preparing to return fire!”

  “Brace yourselves!” the captain ordered.

  Sure enough, an enemy salv
o blasted against the Red God’s Gleam. Ellen ducked down beneath a nearby crate for cover, thankful that everything here was so tall compared to what she was used to. Dave quickly joined by her side a few second later as smoke and debris filled the air around them.

  Captain Azzorro confidently limped past them, seemingly unfazed by the cannon fire. He was like a man without fear, just as composed now as he ever was.

  “Bring out the corvus!” he shouted, turning to face the deck. “Prepare to board!”

  The enemy fire died down now as they reloaded. Ellen stood up from cover and watched in awe as the action unfolded around her. Several men wheeled out a tall vertical wooden platform with two metal spikes at the end. They brought it to the starboard side of the ship and attached its base against the railing.

  The traders were scrambling now. Their ship was not as tall as the Red God’s Gleam, so Ellen took in the view from a few meters above. Some of the traders jumped overboard and swam through the violent waves to Speartip Ridge. Braver sorts pulled out swords. A few even carried wooden muskets.

  “Ready!” Captain Azzorro shouted, still undeterred.

  The boarders got in place behind the corvus. They pulled out their knives and axes, ready to fight.

  Ellen was surprised that the captain had not made her and Dave part of the boarding party. After all, it was no secret that they were twice as strong as any of the men here.

  He probably knows you two are valuable. He just doesn’t know how yet, Yuri explained. I’m guessing that’s why he’s not risking your lives in the attack.

  Good point, Ellen agreed. That or we’re too short to fight.

  Was that supposed to be a joke?

  It was.

  Oh.

  “Drop it!” the captain finally shouted. His raspy voice was still clear, even among the sounds of the raging storm.

  Russell sliced the ropes keeping the corvus vertical. Once severed, the platform dropped down over the edge of the boat. Its thick metal hooks embedded themselves in the wooden hull of the trade ship. Both boats shook as the platform fell in place.

  “Go, go, go!” Aiden ordered, waving his knife around above his head.

  The boarders wasted no time. They stepped onto the platform and ran down to the opposing boat, shouting all the while. Ellen was impressed by their bravery. In a world without rejuvs or physical enhancements, many of these men were likely running to their deaths.

  Thunderous musket fire replied, sending booms through the air accompanied by thick clouds of smoke. A sea scorger in the front collapsed and fell overboard in the space between both vessels. Ellen grimaced, knowing his death would be a painful one.

  To Ellen’s surprise, the other boarders seemed undeterred by their comrade’s collapse. They continued onward and jumped onto the trade ship. Within seconds, hand to hand combat ensued on the enemy deck.

  “Cannons are reloaded, Captain!” declared the master gunner.

  “Hold fire for our lads!” the captain responded. “I won’t risk my own men in the blasts!”

  “Aye, Captain!”

  Unfortunately the enemy ship had no problem returning fire. The traders promptly unleashed their cannons. Pieces of the deck exploded as thick metal balls drove into it with great force. Ellen ducked for cover again, though she worried her cover would provide little safety. It was mere luck that she had not been hit.

  Just like old times, Yuri said.

  This is exactly what I was trying to avoid.

  I’m surprised you’re just sitting still. Don’t you feel at all compelled to join the fight?

  Not really. Ellen instinctively shook her head. I mean, if you think about it, we’re the bad guys. The traders are just innocent sailors. I’m not sure I feel comfortable joining this fight.

  Ellen quickly peered over the edge of the box to take in the combat. The sea scorgers were clearly winning. Several traders had dropped their weapons in surrender. Others had jumped overboard. Only a few were still fighting.

  The cannons seemed to have stopped. Ellen stood up now and walked to the edge of the ship. She leaned over the railing to get a better view as the last of the traders dropped his sword.

  It was all over now.

  She took a deep breath of relief, glad that the battle was brief and that casualties were minimal.

  “Who among you is captain?” one of the boarders asked. He searched around the deck.

  An older man raised his hand and stepped forward. He removed the hat from his head and held it by his side.

  “I am, sir. My name is Captain Warren. This be my ship, the Flyer.”

  “We now lay claim to your ship and your crew, Captain Warren,” the boarder continued. “If you resist us, your fate shall be-” The man paused mid-sentence as a strange humming echoed through the air. Rather than continue, he seemed frozen in curiosity.

  Ellen searched around the horizon, trying to find the source of the noise. Even with her enhanced vision, she could not see anything.

  “What is that?” Russell asked.

  “The Red God! We have upset the Red God! This is our punishment for bringing aboard those who have desecrated the Silver Pearl!” said Master Gunner Thomas.

  “Calm yerselves, lads!” Captain Azzorro ordered, dismissing the gunner’s wild claims. He pulled out a monoscope from his jacket pocket and scanned the sea.

  That noise… it can’t be, Yuri said.

  What? Do you know it?

  It sounds like a combustion engine, or more accurately, multiple combustion engines. The AI explained. It’s ancient tech, but still too advanced for these people.

  That doesn’t make any sense. These people are still in the pre-industrial age.

  Suddenly two ships emerged at the same time, one from each side of Speartip Ridge. They curved around the rock formation and quickly made their way to the two boats.

  These ships looked vastly different from the others. Instead of carrying wooden hulls, these vessels were made of steel. They had no sails and their decks were entirely enclosed. Only small slits along the sides provided any visibility for the crew inside. Whatever engines powered them, they were loud.

  “You have got to be kidding me,” Ellen said aloud. “Steel warships?”

  “A trap! It’s a trap and we took the bait!” the captain shouted. For the first time, Ellen could tell he was worried. “All hands, get back to the ship! We leave this plunder behind!”

  The boarders wasted no time. They ran back to the Red God’s Gleam along the narrow wooden platform. Meanwhile the crew of the trade boat let out cheers and taunts. In all the hastiness, one man accidentally fell off the platform and landed in the water between the two ships.

  “Get back here, boys!” the quartermaster yelled. Most of his job seemed to involve repeating the captain’s orders. “Come on, don’t delay!” He waved them in as they arrived. Once the boarders made it safely back, they pulled the platform back up. The man who had fallen into the water grasped onto a line and began climbing.

  Ellen looked out onto the water again. The steel ships were closing in fast, too fast. They would be on them in a matter of minutes at this rate.

  How much time do you think we have? Ellen asked.

  Not enough, Yuri replied.

  “Prepare for a quick turn! Adjust course! Get us out of here, Ellis!” the captain shouted, pointing out to the port side.

  “Nay, belay that!” shouted the boatswain, hastily stomping across the deck. “The sails have sustained too much damage from those cannons! They may not hold up in a quick turn like that against the wind!”

  “We have no other choice,” the captain challenged.

  “Nay, we do! Bring in the sails and drop anchor on the port side. That will bring us around!” he proposed.

  “That will take far too long. By the time we bring anchor back up, those ships will be on us!” Captain Azzorro debated. He pointed out to the two boats closing in.

  “Captain,” Ellen said as she stepped forward. Captain Azzorro
glared at her with eyes of frustration. He was not fond of being interrupted. “With all due respect, nothing we can do will get us away from those ships. Those boats are faster and can handle this weather far better than ours. We can run, but I assure you, we won’t get away.”

  “Their boats have no sails! Surely they cannot be faster than us!” the boatswain challenged.

  “Trust me. I know this may sound crazy, but they can beat us.” Her tone was stern.

  “Are you suggesting we surrender, Corporal Ellen Milsen?” asked Captain Azzorro. He stared her down like a predator to prey.

  She could not believe she was about to say this to the captain of a pirate ship, but she knew the odds. There was no other choice.

  “Yes,” she firmly replied. “We must surrender. If we surrender, they will take us prisoner. If we fight, we will die.”

  “You do not know the rules of this world, Corporal Ellen Milsen. That may be how things work on Mateo, but not Taspansa. Those ships display Navy flags. I assure you, the Governor has no sympathy for sea scorgers. Whether we surrender or not, he will kill us all.” There was a tone of fear in his voice as he said those words. It was as if he had his back against the wall.

  “I… I understand.” Ellen calmly nodded back. She had said what she wanted to say. The final decision rested with Captain Azzorro. She would not challenge his authority.

  “Helmsmen, take us out! Bring us away from Speartip Ridge!” Captain Azzorro ordered, stepping away from her.

  You tried, Yuri said, trying to be reassuring, but if what he says is true, surrendering really won’t make any difference.

  Members of the boarding party limped past her and immediately got to work with the riggers. Ellen was impressed by their resilience. It seemed these men did not know the definition of quitting. Despite her opposition to the captain’s decision, she wasting no time joining them.

  The Red God’s Gleam turned left, putting Speartip Ridge directly behind them, along with the incoming warships. It seemed the sails could handle the winds just fine… for now.

  “Full speed! Let’s put as much ocean as we can between us and the Governor’s damn sea rats!” the captain cried out. He tilted his head back and released an arrogant laugh that only a pirate could.