Re: World-Valencia

[Hannah Durante]

Hannah barely had time to register anything beyond the man's name and what he had began to say about the scholar before an incessant noise blared from the unusual object on his arm, too shrill and close for comfort.   The buccaneer nearly threw her hands over her ears to drown the wretched sound out, when the situation escalated in the blink of an eye.   Out of nowhere, a black-garbed figure lunged at Ulysses with clear intent to kill...but the swashbuckler proved her earlier assumptions about the level of his skill right in a flash; avoiding his would-be murderer's attack with what seemed like ease, before producing two, intimidating weapons- one of which he drove directly into the attacker's shoulder, before pinning him to the ground.

It all happened so fast, Hannah swore she hadn't even blinked in the time the assault had started and finished.    Warily, she eyed the figure as Ulysses growled at him, uncertain what to take from all of this or how she should feel about such a brazen attack.    When the other man finally spoke, the buccaneer felt her heart skip a beat.   This human, Ulysses, he was an admiral in the Armada?  Here she had thought he was little more than a simple soldier....Now it was an incredibly lucky thing she hadn't gotten on the worst side of him possible.  

"An admiral."  She repeated, some amount of shock in her voice as she stared at Ulysses...before she reached for the pistol that had come as part of her sabre set, training it in the direction of his attacker.    "...Why would anyone attack an Armada admiral in broad daylight?"  

Even the resistance wasn't so desperate and foolish.  She had done a lot of foolish things in recent years, and last night was a prime example...but what this attacker was doing was downright suicidal.   She almost pitied him, almost.   It depended on where his motives lay.   Even if he did have a good reason for this attack however,  Hannah wouldn't indicate any level of sympathy whatsoever- it was too dangerous, especially in front of an admiral.   She would leave this other man to him, but the buccaneer knew it was wise to look more like an ally than a neutral or enemy party in a situation like this.   Especially given her past.   She wasn't so sure this admiral knew anything about that, at least the more shameful chapters, but just in case he did... Not sympathizing with his attacker would hopefully go some way in convincing him she wasn't a real threat.

[Ulysses Septimus]

"Who sent you?"Ulysses demanded, "tell me, now!" He was sure this had something to do with the pirates... Especially considering how hotheaded and stupid Adrian is: he would do something like that for sure... But then there's also his rival...

"Atticus Mercilus sent me."The attacker groaned, "to rid you once and for all so he can take the throne of the Assassin Grandmaster!"

"I sense there's more that you are not telling me."The Armada Admiral hissed, his red eyes now murderously shining, "did the pirates send you?"

The attacker spat a mouthful of blood at Ulysses' face, "Go to hell, Armada scum."

The Assassin was prepared to end him with his other blade, though a second thought made him pause:

"No, I will take you back to my Lord Kane."He smiled, almost sinisterly, "he will deal personally with you, because I believe you still have more that you did not tell me."

His hand still around his attacker's collar, he said without turning his head, "I apologize for this uneventful interruption, Ms. Devereaux, but I afraid I must be going now."

[Hannah Durante]

"...Right."  Was the only reply that came out of her mouth as she absorbed everything currently going on in front of her, the rather turbulent conversation the two men were having that she felt a bit awkward to be present for, though she couldn't deny it was most certainly interesting to be playing a third wheel to.   She frowned at the attacker as Ulysses grabbed a hold of his collar and threatened him, cringing at the very thought of what horrible things were in store for him the second the commander's name was mentioned.    Idiot she thought to herself, still uncertain why anybody would have attempted such a foolish act in the middle of the day, especially when somebody else had been there.  Suppose he had injured or killed the admiral, what then?  She would have seen it, and if there were any other clockworks on Granchia, she most certainly would have given them the best description she could have to save her own hide and rebuild a better reputation for herself.   Hell, she might have tracked any down just to tell them.    And if he had intended to try and kill her as well so there were no witnesses....he wouldn't have achieved that so easily.  

Still....He was getting what he deserved she supposed.   Better people like him than her in the end, to distract the clockworks and turn the bulk of their wrath on somebody else.   To keep them away from the resistance....she had friends there, and she truly hoped this would-be assassin had no connection to them whatsoever.  If he did..the propaganda that could be launched against them, to write them off as villains and get them in even more trouble than they already were, would be monumental

"Yes, I guess you should.  Thanks for the tip."

She didn't even bother to stay behind long enough to see if he would react.   Her paranoia was starting to edge its way back into her thoughts, an unfortunate side effect of whenever his name was brought up.  

"..Especially the one about treading carefully around you." She muttered to herself once certain she was out of earshot, as she made her way to the tombs, where the scholar had been said to have gone.  "Ulysses Septimus...Hm.  Time to do a bit more research, I think."

[Ulysses Septimus]

Lifting his attacker to his feet with strength that could have easily belonged to a buccaneer, his other hand pressing a button on his Arm Mounted Computer as he summoned his lieutenant Sentus Optimus...

Moments later, an Armada frigate arrived to pick up Ulysses and the mysterious man...

Meanwhile, she found the scholar examining a statue of Marco Pollo...

[Sydney Underhill]

((And here's the part where I jump in awkwardly ))

Sydney Underhill had anchored her galleon, The Grand Fife, in one of the windlanes in Aragon skyway just before nightfall, like she had done for the past two months. It was routine now, just like everything else she did. After all, routine was marvelous. Routine was spectacular. Routine distracted her.
She was currently sitting at her desk in her cabin, arms crossed, one leg resting on the desk, eyes gazing dully out of the window at the massive mechanical structure in the middle of the skyway.

It made her want to cry sometimes, not that she would ever let herself.

A distant dream, that's what it was. This was the closest she could ever get to those perfect creations, this was where it stopped for her.

"They're built to destroy people like me..."

The very thought of this infuriated her. No, it was not just because she was trained by the resistance or born somewhere other than Valencia. It was because she was flawed.

[Ulysses Septimus]

((And here's the part where I jump in awkwardly ))

Sydney Underhill had anchored her galleon, The Grand Fife, in one of the windlanes in Aragon skyway just before nightfall, like she had done for the past two months.  It was routine now, just like everything else she did.  After all, routine was marvelous.  Routine was spectacular.  Routine distracted her.  
She was currently sitting at her desk in her cabin, arms crossed, one leg resting on the desk, eyes gazing dully out of the window at the massive mechanical structure in the middle of the skyway.  

It made her want to cry sometimes, not that she would ever let herself.  

A distant dream, that's what it was.  This was the closest she could ever get to those perfect creations, this was where it stopped for her.  

"They're built to destroy people like me..."

The very thought of this infuriated her.  No, it was not just because she was trained by the resistance or born somewhere other than Valencia.  It was because she was flawed.

(Welcome to the forum!  )

Ulysses paced the deck of his ship the "Imperial Interceptor", a finely built Armada frigate, his lieutenant--Armada Marine elite Sentus Optimus--by his side.

They are on yet another mission assigned by Kane, this time to take over Cool Ranch, whose rather strategic location would, as how his master Kane believed, prove to be invaluable.


"How long until we reach our destination, lieutenant?"The admiral's hand was on one of the two swords he had strapped to his belt: they were currently sailing through the dark Aragon Skyway, one of the paths they must take in order to reach the world.

"About one week at max speed, Lord Ulysses."The pirate-turned-Marine replied blankly, his one sky blue artificial left eye glowing slightly.

Lips a thin, displeased line--the earlier they get there, the better--Ulysses returned to his cabin, seating himself behind his fine mahogany and gold desk, leaving Sentus in charge...

[Sydney Underhill]

"Time to work."
Sydney stood up abruptly from her chair, managing two long strides that almost looked convincing, had she not been overwhelmed by dizziness and fallen rather ungracefully on her side.

"Commander, you are rather unstable."

And she looked up to find herself under the blank, emotionless gaze of her very own clockwork musketeer. I have this, don't I?

"Quintus, don't make excuses for my weakness."

"I am only stating the facts, Commander. You have not eaten in three days, and yet you knew that this would follow."

"Nonsense," Sydney scoffed, using the white-gloved hand offered to her by Quintus to pull herself up, "you don't depend on a constant intake, do you?"

[Ulysses Septimus]

"Servus Decimius."Ulysses looked up from the book he had been reading, "acting captain of the White Cadre, what brought you here to my presence?"

"Admiral,"the Armada Sniper said in his usual monotone, "we have detected a pirate ship in the distance, shall we commence attack?"

"A pirate ship?"Ulysses stood, pushing past the sniper and out to the deck of the "Interceptor", taking his spyglass out of a pocket in his Armada officer's coat and held it up to his eyes.

Sure enough, it was one of those.

"Lieutenant Sentus Optimus."He called without taking the spyglass from his eye, "prepare the guns, but do not fire, wait for my command."

Unlike General Rooke, Ulysses was not someone who purposely seeks battle (not unless he was feeling particularly murderous).

He would rather wait for his enemy to show themselves than to hit first.

[Sydney Underhill]

Sydney opened the door cabin, sighing in relief as the cool night breeze washed over her. It was a welcome change compared to the smell of death that seemed to lurk in her cabin.

No, not death, she reminded herself, just not alive.

"I'm going out." Her own voice seemed distant to her, and she felt fatigued, drained. "Maybe I'll get some ideas...or...something." She laughed hollowly at her situation. Who am I kidding? I am solitary, alone. I literally cannot do anything else, can I?

Quintus began to follow her out, but Sydney raised her hand to stop him.

"NO!"

He stopped, recoiling slightly out of programmed reflex.

"Don't, Quintus...you can't be seen, no, no...I won't let you!" She walked out of her cabin and onto the deck.

[Ulysses Septimus]

The human Armada admiral lowered his spyglass, a dark, amused look riddling his once handsome face, "Hehehehe..."

"Lord Ulysses?"Sentus knew well that his leader wasn't exactly the most stable of minds, though it still unnerved him slightly to hear that dark, almost demonic chuckle.

"This... Is getting rather interesting."Septimus whispered to himself, "sail around them, lieutenant, let them see us but stay out of firing range."

"As how you command."The elite Marine nodded, moving away quietly to carry out the admiral's orders.

[Sydney Underhill]

Sydney climbed the stairs to the ship's wheel, holding onto the handrail as if it was her lifeline. She didn't exactly look forward to this, no, but it was part of her routine, and routine was what kept her firmly anchored, at least mentally.

Throwing her arms up into the air, she let the wind creep in between the folds of her coat, chilling her flesh. It was time to convince herself, just a little, just a little to boost her mind. Then, yes, then she could think.

"I...I command...!" I have no power here.

"I am strong!" I am flawed.

"I can...yes, I...can!" Oh, Sydney, you are trying to achieve the impossible.

And it seemed to work, for the time being, for she tossed her head back and began to laugh hysterically, a hand on her black tricorn hat to keep it from falling off. But she stopped, suddenly, when she saw it.

An Armada ship, circling her. Not too far, but not close enough so that they could fire at each other.

So they've come for me, huh?

[Ulysses Septimus]

Locking his full face metal battle mask in place so only his devilish ruby eyes peered out, Ulysses turned to 
Sentus, "Circle them a few more times, keep this range, then we will continue on our trip to Cool Ranch, that is, if they are wise enough as to not attack."

As much as Ulysses loved the sight of blood and the thrill of battle, his mission and his master Kane comes first.

His hands wrapped around his dual swords: just in case.


He glanced at Sentus, who stood at the wheel with his shield strapped to his back and his halberd in one hand before turning and walking briskly from his position to the deck, next to the sniper Decimius..

[Sydney Underhill]

Dropping her arms, Sydney stared in awe and almost longing at the Armada frigate, allowing a small smile, although it was a hollow smile at that, to creep up on the corners of her mouth.
What if she pretended - just pretended - that she was not persecuted, that she was one of them?

BANG! The ship shook only slightly, but it was enough to cause her to stumble, as a cannon volley was shot off from below decks, directly at the armada ship.

"What...?!" She was confused. That shot surely was not fired by her...

Quintus climbed the stairs leading onto the deck from below, walking robotically, yet gracefully, across the deck to join his commander.

"It was a potential threat to your life, Commander." He was calm, like always, but strangely, it only added to the privateer's panic.

"You...you fired...you fired at them!" Her voice rose to a shriek, and Quintus had to grab her shaking forearms to hold her still.

"Commander, I ask you-"

"NO! This...WHY?!"

[Ulysses Septimus]

Ulysses' long fingered hands immediately darted out, grabbing the railing as the shot shook his ship slightly. "So... They seek a fight, huh?"The admiral smiled, dark, and maniacal, "this shall be fun... Return fire, Decimius."

The sniper nodded obediently, marching toward the guns to carry out his leader's order.

Ulysses drew his swords with a bone chilling shhhing from his belt; Sentus Optimus dropped the anchor, and walked, with a bit of limping, from his spot to join the Admiral, his shield now back onto his arm and his halberd prepared.

All around them, Armada troopers snapped into their ready stances: at least 50 musketeers, 60 marines, and 40 Dragoons...

[Sydney Underhill]

Both Sydney and Quintus were knocked over from the force of the shots, and Sydney instinctively covered her head with her hands in order to protect herself, before mentally cursing and forcing herself to bring them down. No! No weakness, no human weakness!

Quintus gripped her arm, shaking her gently until she looked back up at him.

"Shall I return below decks to man the cannons, Commander?" And Sydney almost laughed, she laughed at the thought of that delicate, slender musketeer manning - or attempting to man - all twenty of her ship's cannons. She shook her head.

"No, Quintus...just stay here, please."

[Ulysses Septimus]

"Continue firing, Lord Ulysses?"Ulysses shook his head, stopping the sniper and his other troopers.

"That would be enough for now actually."He had changed his mind: his mission is first, and he would need all the troops he has to do it. "Full sails and chart a course to Cool Ranch, lieutenant, we shall begin operations as soon as we land."

Both Decimius and Sentus nodded, even though they were both confused by their leader's sudden change in attitude.

They didn't question him, they've learned not to unless they are searching for one of his infamous, destructive, fits of rage.

Which they had witnessed before and rather not see again.

Ulysses sheathed his weapons, returning to his cabin and locking the door behind him..

[Sydney Underhill]

As the Armada ship slowly eased out of its circling path and on past them, Sydney, at first, felt relieved, she felt relieved that her ship would not be damaged further, that the both of them would survive.

But that feeling was soon replaced by dismay.

"That...that was the closest...I'd...ever...gotten..."
Her eyes remained locked on the spot where the Armada ship had been just a minute ago, and she blinked quickly, as now she finally understood, reality had hit her hard.

"YOU'LL SEE!" She yelled, her entire body trembling with half-rage-half-sadness. "I'LL...I'LL DO IT!" A single tear fell from her eye, one, then two, then three. Oh, no. How DARE you. How DARE you act so weak.

"I'll do it, I will...yes, I will...isn't that right, Quintus?"

"Commander." Quintus nodded, but did not give any definite response. Instead, he gripped Sydney's shoulders and steered her back into the cabin.

[Ulysses Septimus]

"Lord?"Ulysses looked up from the letter he had been writing a moment ago with his blood red eyes, "Captain Optimus, what is it?"

"Lord, I cannot help but feel that I've seen that ship somewhere,"the Marine elite shifted his footing: curse it, his human nature was screaming at him to stay far away from his leader that it was getting annoying, but Optimus wasn't about to let that take over his mind, as much as Ulysses may unnerve him. "Though my memory banks cannot recall where."

"Return to me when you can, then."

"As how you command."Septimus watched his lieutenant leave: he still remembered that day as clear as anything, when Sentus was the pirate Wolf Hawkins... Before he was captured by Ulysses and "changed" into the Marine Sentus Optimus, who would prove himself to be one of his most prized and invaluable warriors...

Ulysses grinned behind his mask, still fond of that time.

He looked forward to any chance of doing something like that again, when he can turn another one of those so-called "loyal fighters of the resistance" to one of his kind...

[Sydney Underhill]

Strangely, as soon as Quintus has shut the door behind him and his Commander, Sydney had an almost instant change of mood, breaking free from his hold and beginning to stride - almost skip - around the cabin in circles.

"It's alright, isn't it? Yes, yes, it's fine...I have lots of things to do!"

She bound over to her desk, planting her palms on it to stop her momentum before snatching up several of the already-crinkled pages up, quickly scanning over several of the smudged sketches on the pages.

[Ulysses Septimus]

(Two weeks later, if you don't mind me fast forwarding the time!  )

Ulysses, for once, stood behind the wheel of his ship: he was on his way back to Valencia, to report of his rather successful takeover of Cool Ranch to his dear master.

Wind rippled his neck lengthed silver-grey locks as red eyes narrowed to see better...

[Sydney Underhill]

(Sure, that works )

The Grand Fife was still in the same location as before, stagnant as ever, unmoving.

Inside the Captain's cabin, Sydney lay on her side on the small box bed, curled in on herself, unmoving. Quintus stood by the door, his empty gaze moving in a constant cycle. Door, window, Sydney. Door, window, Sydney. It was like patrolling without moving.

Over the past two weeks, Sydney had only actually eaten food once, determined to break her dependence as absurd and impossible as that was for a human being. She had been convinced by the clockwork to eat a loaf of bread, but soon after she became furious with herself for falling back to the same level as "the other pathetic parasites".

Quintus did not exactly understand the sensation of being digested by the very acids inside of one's stomach, but judging by the state that his Commander was currently in, it was not a pleasant one at all.

[Ulysses Septimus]

((Okay thanks  ))

Ulysses braced himself as they passed through the stormgate into Aragon Skyway, the wind for a moment so strong that for a second he thought he would slip and be blown to his death.

Which would be rather unglorious.


"Lord Ulysses."

His red eyes trained onto his lieutenant, "What is it?"

"That pirate ship is still in the same area, what are your orders regarding it?"

The admiral was a little surprised, though he concealed it.

"Hmm, maybe this time we will try a diplomatic approach..."He was interested to see just what kind of pirate would be that brave, to remain here so close to clockwork territory, "retract all guns and bring Decimius to me. Approach slowly, we most certainly do not want to appear hostile."

"Yes sir."

[Sydney Underhill]

Upon his routine stare out of the cabin window, Quintus, much to his alarm, caught a glimpse of the black sails of an Armada ship.
Aware that this might present a threat to his Commander's safety and life, Quintus turned, opened the door, and walked out on deck only to confirm that it was indeed the same Armada frigate that they had seen two weeks ago.

Quintus re-entered the cabin and made his way over to Sydney's side, placing a hand on her shoulder. She barely responded, as she was in an almost feverish state.

"They're back, Commander."

[Ulysses Septimus]

The sniper Decimius appeared moments later, his rifle in hand, "You summoned me, my lord?"

Ulysses nodded, "Yes, I want you to accompany me on a diplomatic journey."

Decimius said nothing, though he followed the admiral nonetheless.

Septimus steered his ship a little closer, careful to go slow and show that he had no cannons ready thus not hostile, at least not for now..

[Sydney Underhill]

Quintus retrieved his ride from where it had been resting against the wall and returned to the deck, suspecting that the clockworks on board the other ship would not be expecting to see one of their own kind.

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