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**Peeps** · 12-10-2013, 04:31 PM

Corin smirked as the navy ship turned towards the White Wolf. It appeared that they thought they were going to take on the White Wolf. Problem is, one does not simply take on the White Wolf. Many have tried, but none have sent her under. Corin didn't know why the navy ship had any interest in a ship called the Sea Queen, but he was confident they wouldn't be dealing with much more than a little skirmish. Maybe they would even find more interesting stuff aboard the navy ship. Being one of Rhykim's ships, it was bound to have something good.
As it became clear that the navy ship was after the Sea Queen, Corin got over to the side of the ship facing the enemy and knelt down behind the loaded cannon.

Atop the crow's nest, Zulo panicked a bit when the navy ship approached the Sea Queen. "They're turning towards us?" he observed aloud. "What does the navy want from us?" Zulo hadn't thought that the crew was wanted by the navy. They had seemed like nice people to him, not really the pirate kind. He was oblivious to the fact that the very map they were using for navigation belonged to Rhykim.

**amaterasu** · 12-10-2013, 05:36 PM

Zaria shrugged, eyeing Rhykim's ship closely. "Gold, routine check, we never know until they get here." Inwardly, she was worried they'd broken some sort of code and would be spotted by one of Rhykim's crew members. Worst came to worst, the new members would have to start straight away on their fight training with some first hand experience. Really, she hated having to fight right after dinner, especially so soon and after a great one. She rolled up the newfound chart and shoved it back in the hidey hole. "Boy, don't you tell a soul on the other ship where this chart is. No matter what." She said gravely.

**Kairu** · 12-11-2013, 02:54 PM

Standing aboard the bridge of the large Galleon-class battleship, VEF Intrepid Lance, was Sylvester Thompson, Commodore of the First Expeditionary Fleet. Trailing behind the Intrepid Lance were smaller ships, letting the new Galleon lead the interception. The Intrepid Lance is one of the first large battleships to roll out of port under Rhykim's rule, so for Thompson, it was his chance to show the whole world the might and power of the Logatan fleets.

"Bring us in close! Full sails to the wind! Man all cannons!" Thompson was ordering crew around, preparing them for battle. Everyone aboard was used to serving on smaller ships of equal size or smaller than the White Wolf, so something of this scale was overwhelming to everyone. Thompson on the other hand prepared himself for a command of this size. "Signal the fleet to prepare for battle! No ship is to leave the island intact!"

The entire First Fleet sped faster, using the wind behind them to hasten their chase towards the White Wolf. At very back of the bridge, a man with one flag in each hand was signalling the rest of the fleet the orders the Commodore was relaying. In the matter of minutes the First Fleet was ready to attack and sink the White Wolf once their broadsides lined up with the ship.

**Peeps** · 12-12-2013, 06:20 PM

"Got it," Zulo replied to Zaria, terrified of just the idea of doing something wrong and screwing things up for the White Wolf. What Zaria told him did add to his curiosity, though. "But... what do they have to do with the map?" he asked, still unaware of the story behind the map.

From behind his cannon, Corin kept his eye on the navy ship approaching the White Wolf, and soon he could make out it's size. To his surprise, the ship was bigger than the White Wolf. This dampered Corin's confidence a bit, but he tried not to let it affect his performance. He assumed that they were up for a battle, and if the navy ship won, the crew would obviously be in deep trouble. He didn't let himself worry too much, knowing that fear would make him put up a weaker fight. "Looks like a galleon, Captain!" he shouted from his place on the deck. He continued watching until he saw something that made him jittery as a jellyfish. "Wait a second... she's got more ships behind her!"

**Kairu** · 12-12-2013, 06:43 PM

Thompson had pulled out his spyglass and observed their haste to catch up to the White Wolf. He first observed the flag and it was unrecognizable to him. He then looked at the aft section and then again towards the bow where "Sea Queen" was painted. He hollered to the man in charge of signalling any ship in the front. The man, similarly to the one at the back of the bridge, was at the other side of the ship, as far forward as he could be.

"Signal that ship to come to a stop and prepare for an inspection!" Thompson yelled to the man who immediately began signalling the White Wolf to stop and prepare for the boarding.

**HyrulianBlackcat** · 12-12-2013, 07:03 PM

Tyra swore at her brother's call. A galleon was a powerful enemy, with more sails to propel her and often a quarter deck with many hands to pull oars. If Rhykim's vessel decided to lay chase, those oars and extra sails would increase her speed too much for White Wolf to evade. And her ship wouldn't have near enough cannons to match a galleon in a full out assault. The only chance her ship would have would be her greater mobility and lighter weight. White Wolf, being smaller, could make turns sharper, while her lesser weight would allow her to travel along currents easier and over shallower waters than the lower set ship.

However, if Rhykim's ship was being aided by yet more ships, White Wolf would be in serious trouble. She was already outgunned and outmanned by the galleon, but at least she had a shot of getting away. Escaping multiple ships, though, was not going to be easy.

Hopefully it doesn't come to that, she thought, noticing the signal to halt when she glanced over her shoulder again. She scowled, but recognized this as a chance to get away. "Wolf, release the sheets. Beaver, I need you to go to my quarters and hide the flags. We don't need them to have an excuse for thinking we're not who we say we are." She glanced over her shoulder as White Wolf lost its momentum, leaving them dead in the water. She hated this, letting the enemy get close to them. She might not mind Rhykim or the work he had done to put her father out of business, but his fleet tended to be a bit of a nuisance. Made her job all that much harder. Although being harder meant it paid better. Silver lining, she laughed at herself.

**jborgon** · 12-15-2013, 05:34 PM

Felix was already tense simply seeing the galleon drawing close to them. He knew the next few minutes would define whether a battle ensued, which by the looks of it wouldn't do them any good, or if they escaped to the sea unscathed. He hurried down the stairs and through a few hallways. Down the last corner to Tyra's quarter he didn't calculate the turn correctly and ended up stubbing his toe. As much as he wanted to yell out in pain he held it in as he finally reached his destination. It wasn't hard to find the flags. He considered hiding them somewhere in the room, but knew if the men came to inspect they would most likely turn the quarters upside down. Instead, he folded them up as tiny as he could get them and hurried back through the halls and down to the kitchen. He knew this place like the back of his hand, and quickly found a place for them in a small compartment beside the stove, behind the wall. No one would ever find them unless they knew where to look. Pleased with his job, he began heading back. "The job is done," he yelled back to Tyra, still panting from the quick journey through the ship. The enemy was now dangerously close.

**Kairu** · 12-16-2013, 07:28 PM

Thompson's first mate leaned into Thompson whom was still using his spyglass, to watch the White Wolf, noticing that the crew was scrambling about to prepare for the boarding parties and inspection. "Commodore, it seems that these... sailors... are slowing down, accepting our request."

"Good. Prepare a party of 15. I will go over there and personally inspect their ship."

"Yes Sir. I will get to it."

**amaterasu** · 12-16-2013, 07:42 PM

Zaira stiffened as the ship got closer; really she should find a better hiding place for the stolen sea charts, but it was a bit late now. "Boy, look smart. Don't answer anything they ask you, direct any question you get to Corwin or Tyronica." she said sternly to Zulo. "If they insist and you don't know, fake it, got it? Wait up here." Zaria hopped out of the crow's nest again to go below deck, finding her two sets of knives and clipping their holster around her hips underneath her shirt. She should probably see to it that Zulo had some sort of weapon as well...

**HyrulianBlackcat** · 12-16-2013, 09:25 PM

Tyra nodded. "Good work, Beaver. Sparrow, step back a bit from the cannons, we don't want them to think we're going to attack, but stay close enough that they'll think twice about trying anything." She rubbed the tiller then let go and stepped back a bit from it. White Wolf would sit where she was, bobbing on the waves. With no current to send her elsewhere and no sails to push her onward, there was no point in gripping the steering piece. Still, Tyra felt anxious about this whole thing, knowing that her ship, her crew, were in danger, and she was letting the shark catch them. She gritted her teeth as she waited for the boarding party. "They better be quick before I get antsy," she growled, fixing her eyepatch over her blue eye. She didn't know if they were searching for Captain Tyronica of the White Wolf, but it was better not to let them see her mismatched eyes in case they recognized her defining feature. The crew knew to address her as Captain only when they were in dangerous waters like these, and she always called them by their various nicknames, often changing them when she felt she needed to. Nothing to link them to White Wolf, despite being the very vessel famed and feared around the island.

**TheBlendercat** · 12-16-2013, 09:32 PM

Jasin had seen the ship coming, and scurried down to his bunk, stashing the hand-cannons under it. He then strapped his sword to his belt. If they questioned him on it, he could fake it being a precious heirloom he carried with him for sentimental reasons. If they bought it, at least.

Deann tried to act calm. He figured it wasn't his place to answer most questions, he'd make it clear he was simply a deck hand. They didn't have anything to hide anyway... from what he knew at least.

**Kairu** · 12-16-2013, 09:40 PM

The Intrepid Lance came to a stop next to the White Wolf, both vessels bobbing with the waves of the ocean. Two sailors aboard the Intrepid Lance moved a large plank of wood to bridge between the two top decks of the ships, a significant slant between the differing heights. When the boards were secured on both sides to prevent it from slipping out from underneath anyone, Thompson led his boarding party across, a scroll in hand. When he crossed, the 15 other men formed up behind Thompson, all facing Tyra.

"I am Commodore Sylvester Thompson, commanding officer of the VEF Intrepid Lance. Under Imperator Verass' new charter, pursuant article 328, paragraph 4, as of this week and until further notice, all outbound vessels that are non-standard naval ships are to be searched for illicit goods or cargo." Thompson handed Tyra the scroll he brought. "On that scroll, you will find all laws and regulations that are important to any seafaring captain to know and the penalties of breaking those crimes. From here, I need to ask to see your proof of ownership and permit, please." Thompson had maintained a polite attitude despite his disdain for people who looked like a band of rogues.

**HyrulianBlackcat** · 12-16-2013, 10:11 PM

Tyra hid a scowl as the commander handed her a scroll. She hated rules. Especially ones that imposed on her freedom. She could put up with making the occasional payment to dock her ship in a proper port, and she'd keep her tongue still if they felt the need to board her vessel and check if she was smuggling something she shouldn't be. But being unable to leave any port without being inspected? And having to deal with a pompous fool who looked down on her crew? He better get off my ship soon. "A permit? Do you know how rare it is for anyone to have something like that? Especially in a port town? Gamblers will bet their ship on a hand and lose." She said it matter-of-factly, but her eyes were still narrowed with obvious distaste. [color= #008080]"But since I'm a sensible captain, I have the documents my father gave me when he bought this leaky tub."[/color] Her expression softened as she patted the railing, then she turned back to the commodore. "They're down in my quarters. If you'll follow me, I'll show you."

She looked at the men he brought with him, her eyes turning mirthful. Big man, needing over a dozen people to check on a ship crewed by less than half their number. And I bet he feels we're a bunch of rogues too, since we're not a bunch of rich fools playing on being enforcers of the so called law. Wonder how many of them have seen combat on a ship that rocked under their feet and made keeping balance difficult, especially when your opponent knows exactly how to read the rhythm of the water and use it to keep you off-balanced. She laughed quietly to herself, her fingers tapping lightly on her sword hilt. A knife was definitely a better advantage on the deck of a ship, if it kept your bigger enemy looking like a bear on a rolling log, but she knew exactly how to use her scimitar to do the exact same thing. They better be quick before I decide to show them just how to conduct a sea battle, she thought, smiling at herself in amusement as she recalled just how outmatched her little ship was against theirs and how outnumbered her crew was by them.

**Kairu** · 12-16-2013, 10:55 PM

Thompson looked around expecting the papers, having not received them yet. "Ma'am, Imperator Verass has ordered the decree to regulate incoming and outgoing shipments. The permits are to show proof of ownership and prevent piracy within the Logata Empire. I'm sure that if you are regular, legitimate sailors you can appreciate the extent we are going to, to ensure the safety of your property. Should someone steal a ship without proper ownership, we can reference all permits and ship registries to help the owner locate their vessel. If you don't mind, I would like to see your papers."

Announcement

Start of White Wolf's Journey

Start of White Wolf's Journey

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