We docked at an open slip, not that we had much of a choice where we docked. The three ships that followed us in, shepherded us to a specific area in the docks. When we arrived there were eight gruff-looking men in white uniforms standing along the dock with two individuals at the end of the dock, wearing white as well, but piped in black trim. I assumed that meant they were of a higher rank.

I saw Barcos cock a smile when he spotted those two men and he practically jumped from his chair and raced to the top deck before the ship even settled. I got to watch him jump from the deck, landing in front of the first honor guard, startling the man enough to make him reach for his weapon.

Barcos didn’t bother acknowledging the man as he swiftly walked past the eight and towards the other two. He opened up his arms for what looked like a hug, seeming to surprise the two men, before he hauled his arm back and socked one of them right in the nose.

I groaned as all hell broke loose on the dock and all eight of the honor guard tackled Barcos to the ground and put him in restraints. Then they hauled the bruised Barcos up and drag him away.

“Fuck sake, why can’t anything be easy,” I grumbled. “Ship, initiate lockdown protocol Alpha-Charlie.”

Khikall jumped in his seat as the ship responded to my command. This was the first time Khikall got to hear the ship speak as it had been set to silent mode since I had taken him on as crew.

“Protocol initiated, lockdown in progress. All ship systems are on immediate standby for combat. Onboard crew designated as friendlies.”

“What the hells was that!” Khikall demanded, leaping from his chair and looking around.

“It’s the ship. Think of it as a golem. It can accept certain orders from me and carry them out.”

I would have thought that would have made the Jerboa relax but if anything it made him tenser. I sighed and explained to him that it was perfectly safe, it was only meant to keep us safe and make sure nobody tried anything stupid and that was just what happened.

As we watched Barcos be dragged away in suppression chains a group of four guards approached the ship. They didn’t attempt to board, but they produced odd-looking bags from storage rings and began tossing them into the air to land aboard the deck.

I heard Khikall curse. “Suppression powder.”

I didn’t know what that was but I could make an educated guess. Sure enough, as the bags landed on the deck, they burst, dispersing prismatic dust across the deck. I assumed it was designed to counteract security measures. It may have worked if my security measures were enchantment-based or even on the surface but I didn’t need to expose them so blatantly since metal was quite an advantageous conductor for my designs.

The ship didn’t react in any way to the bags, which was another indication that they had no effect. I didn’t want a repeat of what happened with my fortress door. If any system was damaged or disabled, the ship could deploy more aggressive means to remove the threat.

After letting the dust settle, one of the soldiers hopped onto the deck. The ship alerted me to a hostile presence and initiated countermeasures.

“Make sure not to leave your seat, I’m not sure if the electricity will pass through this area or not but the command stations are insulated.”

Khikall grimaced and quickly strapped himself back into his seat as a soft whine began to build. Normally the systems would be pre-charged after the ship was set into defensive mode but with people aboard, Protocol Alpha-Charlie prevented that from happening, giving people time to get to a safe spot. Other than the command chairs, only the galley was isolated.

The whine quickly picked up as the energy built and I could feel the static buildup of the electricity as my hair stood on end. I could even see it in Khikall as he now looked to be twice his size as his fur poofed out.

The man aboard the deck must have realized something was amiss as he dove off the deck only moments before a crackling arc of white-blue lightning danced across the surface of the Retribution, attracted by the strange powder.

The powder glowed and popped as it tried to absorb the energy. I realized what the powder was now, it was crushed mana hearts. The four soldiers rushed away from the ship as bolts of energy tore free and sparked against the dock, leaving long jagged scorch marks in their passing. Soon the built-up energy discharged and the ship returned to its standby mode. I looked at the energy readout and saw only a thousand mana had been used for that action and the ship was quickly recharging.

The soldiers and commander looked on in frustration as we were now at a bit of a stalemate. I could leave Barcos to his fate but something told me I needed the man so we were stuck here until he broke free. We would just have to wait, I doubted they could hold a man of his skills long.

***

Barcos had a grin on his face as he was dumped unceremoniously into an office. He picked himself up off the floor and sat in the chair across from the empty desk and waited. It took an hour but, eventually, his old commander walked in, the bruise still clear on his face where Barcos had hit him.

“Was that necessary,” the man said, rubbing his sore jaw.

“You left me to rot for ten fucking years, of course, it was necessary,” Barcos spat.

The man sat in the chair behind the desk with a sigh. “You know the reasons why and all the political bullshit that was the cause, why blame me?”

“Because, you were my commander, you were supposed to have my back.”

“Yeah, and look what my association with you got me,” he gestured around the room. “Stuck in some shit hole administrative position, watching new ships go to war while I’m forced to remain here, impotent to join them.”

“Yeah, well, you're still an ass. Now, how about you give me the information I came for and I can be on my way?”

“I don’t know what made you think I would hand over critical information like that to a former Legion member… yeah, word has already gotten around that you quit. What the hell were you thinking?” the Commander asked.

“So my brother already got to you, eh. And why would I still serve the Legion after how I was abandoned, political necessity or not. Fuck you and fuck the ruling houses!”

The commander ignored the tirade as he scribbled on a sheet of paper. “You should know, your brother has convinced the houses to demand we confiscate any vessel you came aboard.”

“Oh, what, too afraid to lock me up instead?”

The commander snorted, “as if that would work. Besides, that ship is unique and our enchanters want to study it.”

Barcos laughed, “I want to see you try and take it. The Captain is not a man to be taken lightly. You should also know, I have been training him.” That made his old Commander’s pen pause for a moment before it continued. “Think of him along the same lines as you do the Guild and you may have an idea how dangerous he can be.”

“Now you are just spouting bullcrap. We have obtained a full dossier on this Paul Fuller. He is a lone wolf that has made many enemies despite his short time within the System. He may have powerful enchantments but he is only one man, we will eventually get what we want, even if it takes starving the crew out of that ship. If you attempt to hinder or obstruct our attempts, we have been ordered to place you aboard a prison transport.”

As the commander finished his speech, he set his pen down and slide a folded piece of paper across the table.

“Now, be a good lad and wait here while I see to your friends.”

Without another word, the commander got up and left the room. Barcos surreptitiously snatched the piece of paper while scanning the room only moving his eyes. He spotted a few magical listening devices. So, the commander was under scrutiny. That made the commander's actions more understandable. Either that or the man had completely changed since the last time Barcos had seen him as he didn’t recall the commander being this reckless with his actions. You didn’t survive the Isles long by being reckless and shortsighted.

Barcos shifted his position to block any easy view of the note as he held it between his legs and read the message.

You’re a right fool for coming here, you must have known it was a trap. The Admiralty is in your brother's pocket and is watching and listening. Em’ah is on the island of Gorsh, masquerading as a merchant. I don’t know the name she is using but if you ask for week-old silicene root she should reply with the phrase, “I only carry two-week-old silicene. Would you like a stick or a bundle?” Your response should be “I only need the week-old stuff.” I know convoluted, but that’s how she likes to operate.

She is a bit on the outs with the Protectorate at the moment due to a failed mission that was beyond her control so she may be looking to jump ship, as I am assuming you want her to join this crew you are putting together.

You have limited time to get to the ship and escape. Word has already gone to the Admiral and ships are starting to make way for the port to blockade any chance of getting away.

Good luck – Also, next time I see you, I’m hitting you back and you owe me a drink for dealing with this mess.

Barcos mulled over those words as he made the paper vanish into his ring. He could easily escape this room. Their escape from the island would hinge on what the Captain had come up with in the last hour.

Barcos smirked as he stood up, knowing it was going to get very interesting very quickly. He was still wearing the suppression cuffs as two soldiers burst in and demanded he get on the ground. Barcos chuckled at that as he popped the cuffs off and rendered the two guards unconscious and immobile.

He whistled a tune as he exited the office and made his way back outside.