The entire next day was spent on the search for the Swabian warship as well as the Andalucian slave trawler. Once Jack was back in the bridge, they swung hard to the east, and as they neared the late evening hours of the following day, Jack watched as the sun set directly behind them. There had been nothing of note for the past twenty-four hours. Once again, it felt like they were on their own in the great expanse of the sea, one that hid the location of enemy vessels just out of sight.

Before he left the bridge for the evening, Jack strummed his fingers along his command station. He was glad they were at least heading in the right direction now, but his thoughts were troubled still. It was a night full of contradictions. He was happy that Vera was alive and seemingly well, but Kat was still out there somewhere, her status unknown. He was glad they were now chasing the culprits of this travesty, but they could still elude him in the great distances of the ocean. He didn't know how to feel and the troubled thoughts were with him constantly.

More importantly, he wasn't sure exactly what he'd do once they caught up with the Swabian vessel. While their actions were despicable, they weren't carried out against Javans nor did it bring any harm to his own countrymen. Even the attacking of an independent Sorellan merchant would stretch his need for a casus belli, and he was sure that such an action would bring down the wrath from the Admiralty. Yet, something inside him kept him going. Mostly, it was the thought of never seeing Kat's face again.

While there was a strong inclination to do the right thing and prevent innocents from a dark future of slavery, if he was being honest with himself, he swung the ship in pursuit because of Kat. Jack closed his eyes briefly, trying to remember the image of her sky-blue eyes and pale-pink lips. Even now, he could vaguely remember the taste of those lips upon his own.

It wasn't just infatuation that kept him on the trail. There was something deeper to it, a compelling reason deep within him that forced him to go after her. He wasn't sure if he could have disobeyed that inclination if he wanted to. Jack got the sense that larger events, greater than he could currently comprehend, hinged on the rescue of Kat. He couldn't quite shake that thought and even if he somehow kept his command once this was all over, he hardly suspected the Admiralty would accept his answer that his conscience made him do it.

While deep in thought, Stephanie came to rest her hand on his shoulder. "Jack, are you all right?"

He nodded while looking over to his head of operations division. At this time of the evening, it was just the two of them in the bridge. The normal chatter of the day had long since melted away, allowing Jack to get lost in his thoughts for a prolonged time.

"I can tell that something's on your mind," she said. "Talk to me."

Jack took a deep breath and locked eyes on her. "You sure you want to hear all that goes on in this head?"

"Why wouldn't I want to hear it?"

"I'm not sure I'd want to waste your time with my self-doubts," said Jack a bit too honestly.

Stephanie giggled and bent down to look at him. "It wasn't all that long ago that you were the listening board for my own self-doubts. Why should it matter now when the shoe is on the other foot?"

Jack nodded but remained silent, remembering their much earlier conversation shortly before they entered the Fourth Vector. How ironic was it now that they had truly come full circle?

"Sometimes, I just wish I could get a little more confirmation that I was doing the right thing," said Jack finally. "Instead of just rolling the dice and hoping for the best."

"I think we all go through that, Jack," said Stephanie. "But are you really doubting what we're doing now?"

He nodded. "This could start another war. Especially if we find the Swabians."

Stephanie simply shrugged. "It sounds like they've already decided on war. We're just reacting to the situation in front of us."

Jack started to chuckle. "It's a little more than just a passive reaction. We're actively going out to seek action with this warship."

"Only because of what they've done," she said. "Surely these ships won't be the last? Any merchant or trading vessel in this stretch of ocean is now in danger, Jack. Think of all those lives we haven't been able to save. Now think of all those that we will be able to if we can stop this. Doing the right thing doesn't need to be so complicated."

Jack looked at her and smiled. "Remind me to take you with me when I get court-martialed over this."

"You got it," said Stephanie with a giggle.

Jack turned serious once more. "You've come a long way, Lieutenant. You've already grown a lot from the person I met back in Quiller's Cove."

Stephanie smiled. "You can say I've had a good role model. Someone to show me how an officer is supposed to act. I owe that to you."

She reached out to squeeze his hand. Jack mouthed a silent word of thanks as the lump in his throat grew. Struggling to find the right words, she came to the rescue one more time.

"Now that's out of the way, how about we get something to eat? I'm famished," she said while pointing to the door.

"I can eat," said Jack. "But would you mind if we stopped to see Vera on the way? I haven't seen her since this morning, and I want to make sure she's doing all right."

Stephanie shook her head. "Not at all, let's go see her."

The two of them left the bridge shortly after, leaving Stephanie's deputy in charge. It was a short walk down to the nearly empty infirmary. Most of the marines that had been wounded during their battles in Sorella had long since recovered so most of the beds were empty. Those that had been too wounded to fight again were sent home along with the supply ships before they left Sorella. That meant that Vera only had one other occupant to keep her company, another sailor who had the misfortune of not being able to keep any food down. It could be a bit depressing having to stay in the infirmary, a fact that Jack knew all too well. Still, it hadn't prepared him for the sullenness of Vera's mood when they arrived.

"Hey, Jack," said Vera quietly as they entered the room. "Hi, Stephanie."

"Hey, Vera," said Stephanie. "How are you feeling?"

Vera shrugged. "All right, I suppose. My head still has this nasty bump on it, but that's the worst of it."

"I doubt that's going away any time soon," said Jack with a chuckle. "You might still have that when you're old and gray."

Jack hoped to get at least a smile out of her but Vera's lips remained stationary. Instead, her gaze swept down to the floor, and she said nothing further.

Jack took the opportunity to sit on the foot of the bed. "Vera, what's the matter? You're not usually so quiet and withdrawn. What's wrong?"

She looked at him briefly. "You know what's wrong."

"This whole thing with Kat and the trading ship?"

Vera nodded silently.

He reached out to comfort her, his hand rubbing against her back. "Vera, it's okay. We'll rescue Kat and bring those Swabians to justice. I don't want you to dwell on this."

Tears started to well up in her eyes. "How can I not dwell on this? I-I abandoned her, Jack. If I had stayed with Kat, she never would have gotten captured."

"If you had stayed with her, you'd both be gone," said Jack.

"And we wouldn't know where to search or who was responsible," added Stephanie.

Vera didn't seem to be having any of it. She shook her head fiercely. "It's all because I had to hide in some closet like a child. All of them are dead except me. Why should I be the one to live? Especially when I couldn't even save my friend."

Jack's gaze darted to Stephanie for a brief second before returning to Vera, whose hands were now holding her face in frustration. He knew she was struggling since yesterday with being the only survivor on the ship, save for the captured women, but he hadn't expected her to develop so much guilt over it. She seemed to be blaming herself for most of the tragedy, even if her role in the whole thing was minuscule at best. Jack had seen it before with some veterans from the Desert War, notably men who had toiled for months in the heat while enemy fire took away their comrades. Those that survived always questioned why they were the lucky ones and not the countless others that had fallen.

It was no thought for anyone to dwell on for very long simply because it never had a good outcome. If he wanted Vera to be herself again, he had to find a way to pull her out of this grief. Otherwise, she'd start to waste away just like all the others until there was nothing left of her.

"Vera, look at me please," said Jack while taking a more commanding tone. It was one he usually reserved for the enlisted sailors, a subtle yet firm request that wasn't meant to be disobeyed. Predictably, Vera turned her attention his way and locked her swollen eyes on his.

"You had nothing to do with that situation. You survived because you were smart enough to hide and stay away from those men. Kat was in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you were with her, you'd be just as far away as she is right now. I need you to stop blaming yourself for this."

Vera started to cry harder. "It's s-so hard to stop, Jack. I just keep reliving the situation over and over again. I just wonder if there's anything else I could have done."

"There's nothing else you could have done," interrupted Jack. "You did what you could and that's to survive. That's all we ask of you. Because you survived, we know where to find Kat, or at least where to look. Don't you dare doubt yourself for that."

"What if we don't find her though?" whispered Vera. "What if she's gone forever?"

Jack swallowed the lump in his throat. Right now, there was no place for honesty. "It won't come to that. We will find Kat. Do you trust me, Vera?"

Her eyes looked so vulnerable and so upset but she nodded anyway. "I do, Jack. You know I do."

"Then trust in me," he said firmly. "We'll find her."

He pulled Vera in for one long hug while he patted her back. She cried for so long and so hard that she eventually ran out of steam, falling asleep shortly after. Thankfully, Stephanie stayed with him, almost sensing that he needed the extra strength to be strong for Vera. Once the blonde girl was sleeping, he let her down easily and pulled a blanket over her frame.

"We should let her get some rest now," he said to Stephanie once she was fully covered. "I'm sorry that took so long, but I'm still hungry if you are."

Stephanie smiled and nodded. "Starving still. Do you think she'll be okay?"

Jack shrugged, feeling entirely helpless right now. "I don't know. I hope so, but I really don't know. She's a tough girl and she's been through much worse. I just hope this isn't what takes her down."

"I'll watch out for her," said Stephanie. "It can't be easy right now and I think the biggest thing is she misses her friend. Maybe having another friend will help her somewhat?"

"If you would do that, I'd be extremely grateful," said Jack. "I'm sure she could use a friend right now more than anything. Although our relationship is a good one, I think she just needs a woman to talk to. It might make it easier."

Stephanie grinned. "No problem whatsoever and I understand completely. Sometimes you just need a little girl talk to feel better about life."

Together, they left Vera sleeping peacefully while the two of them went to one of the mess halls. After dinner, Jack left Stephanie while she went back to her own quarters while he headed down to the marine barracks. It wasn't hard to tell when you stumbled into the marine area as the roughness and disorder seemed to take precedence over everything else. Jack pushed through and came to a stop outside the open door of Greg's quarters.

Greg looked up from his desk as soon as he sensed another presence. "Jack, there you are. What's going on?"

"Not much," said Jack while he entered the room and sat down on the free chair. "Just thought I'd stop by and see how you were doing."

"Any sight of the Swabians yet?" asked Greg.

Jack shook his head. "Not yet. Hopefully we can catch up to them at some point tomorrow. Hopefully we catch up to them at all. It's a big ocean out there."

"I hope we do. The boys could use action," said Greg while pointing back to the main portion of the barracks. "It's been too long since they had a fight."

Jack started to chuckle. "If we do catch up to them, it's just going to be a sea battle. I don't think there will be much for them to do unless you plan on boarding them."

Greg shrugged. "We might be able to board them. Who knows? Especially if their ships are similar to the Sorellans."

"I don't think they are, Greg. From what I've heard, they are rather similar from ours. All metal according to Heron. I don't think it'll be as easy of a fight as you may think."

"It doesn't matter. One way or another, we'll be fighting soon," said Greg. "Even if we find them and blast them out of the water, this won't be the last of it. Sooner or later, we're going to have to assault Swabia."

Jack held up his hands. "Wait a minute now. Swabia is a big place and there's only about a hundred and sixty of you. If it comes to that, we're going to need backup."

Greg started to grin. "Those aren't bad odds—for a marine."

Jack found himself chuckling along with his friend. "Man, I'm glad you're with us. If you were with the Occies or the Swabians, you wouldn't be nearly as much fun."

"I have to keep things interesting somehow," said Greg with a hint of pride. "Besides, I'm eager to fight. I think I'd have the same reaction as you had if they took someone like Brittany."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"

"Come on, Jack. I was there. I know how you feel about Kat and that's why I don't blame you for chasing after her now. If they stole my woman, I'd move mountains just to get back to her and punish those responsible."

Jack took a deep breath. "Part of me wondered if I was being foolish for chasing after her, for stopping this trip to Picardy to look for her. We're in a very precarious situation right now and it's all because of me. Because I'm not willing to let go of Kat so easily."

"I understand, believe me," said Greg. "I saw the way she looked at you. A woman as sexy as that with that type of look in her eyes; I'm surprised we're not sailing at full steam all the way to Andalucia."

"Andalucia," said Jack with a long sigh. "I had hoped that we would stay away from that place with everything that we'd heard about it."

"It's probably best that we do go there, Jack. Especially if those assholes are still using slaves. It only seems right that we intervene for keeping up such a savage tradition."

"That's assuming that they're taking her there," said Jack. "In reality, we have no idea."

"No, but we can guess. And we already know that blondes fetch a high price with them, thanks to Vera's background. It's the logical thing to do."

Jack nodded. "You're right. It's what I would do as well. I just hope we're making the right decision. I've had a lot more self-doubt the last two days than I've had in a long time."

"Well, for the record, I think you're doing the right thing. I also think that these fucks need to be punished, and we're the ones that are in place to do that. I also think that I'd follow you just about anywhere."

Jack nodded. "You sure about that? Even if I'm about to lead you into a war?"

"Just tell me where and when and Major Greg Vaughn will be ready for action," said the marine with a laugh. "My boys too. Even if we have to assault Swabia on our own, we'll do it damnit."

Jack started to laugh. "I appreciate that, my brother. Times like these are when I'm extra grateful to have your presence on this ship."

Greg started to grin. "Someone has to be here to kick ass. That might as well be me. Besides, with Luke now gone, I'm probably next in line for the craziest son of a bitch in the whole task force."

"I have no doubt about that," said Jack with a laugh. "Especially if you want to assault an entire country alone."

"Not alone," said Greg while putting his hands on the table. "Just with one hundred and sixty of my closest friends too!"

*****

The next morning, Jack woke later than usual. Abigail was starting to stir at his side as the first rays of the sun started to enter his portside window. Normally one to rise long before the sun, Jack took a deep breath, inhaling Abigail's sweet scent as his fingers idly played with a lock of her dark hair.

"You must really like my hair to be playing with it first thing in the morning," she said quietly, even though her eyes remained closed.

Jack smiled. "Maybe I just wanted to find the easiest way to wake you?"

"You know, there's much better ways for you to wake me. Need I remind you of the other morning?" Her eyes popped open and her gaze settled on him.

He decided to play along. "I don't think I remember what you're talking about. I may need a reminder."

Abigail purred as she pushed her ass against his crotch. "What about now?"

"Still nothing. My memory has just been really shot lately."

She rolled her eyes playfully and reached between them, finding his cock and squeezing it gently. "And now?"

Jack almost hissed once she grabbed him. "I think we're getting somewhere now."

"I'm so excited," she said sarcastically as she started to stroke him.

"Not yet but give me a minute." Jack reached between them as well, forcing her legs apart and sliding his fingers over her wet sex. She shuddered as soon as he made contact with her clit. "I take that back, you do seem excited already."

She smiled at him coyly. "I always did enjoy morning sex."

"Maybe I should indulge you in that?"

"Perhaps," she whispered just inches from his face. Her lips brushed against his, but just as her tongue slipped into his mouth, Jack's command radio went off.

"Jack, are you there?" The voice was Cory's.

Jack took a deep breath as the sexual tension fled. Disengaging from Abigail's lips, he reached over to the night table and grabbed the radio. "I'm here. What's up?"

"You better come up here," said Cory. "I think you're going to want to see this."

Jack's adrenaline started pumping. "Be right there."

"If you see Abigail, will you let her know too? She didn't answer her radio."

Jack bit back a smile while Abigail started to turn red. "Will do, Cory."

"You didn't want to tell him?" she said as she rolled out of bed.

"Not my place. Besides, I figured you'd want to do the honors on your own terms."

"Smart man. I knew I liked you for a reason."

They got dressed together, a frantic rush to see who would be fully dressed first. Jack won, but only by a hair, and he rushed out of his quarters and headed to the bridge with Abigail hot on his heels. They made it there almost together, finding Cory the only other occupant. He was searching the horizon just to the east of their present condition, which was difficult enough with the sun rising in the same direction.

"What's going on, Cory? What did you see?" said Jack as he grabbed his own binoculars.

Cory pointed out just a few degrees from the sun. "There's some kind of smoke over there but I can't tell where it's coming from or from what. I just noticed it now but it's so damn hard to see right now that I can't make out anything else."

Jack joined his side and stared in the same direction. Cory was right—it was extraordinarily hard to see the single plume of smoke against the backdrop of the sun, but it was definitely there.

"What's our current speed?"

"Twelve knots overnight," said Cory. "Standard procedure."

"Kick it up thirty," instructed Jack. "Get word to the Tiger as well. Whatever that is, I want to catch up to it sooner rather than later. Where are Stephanie and Kyle?"

"They're coming, Jack. I sent the word right after I spoke with you," said Cory. "I'll put the orders in. You might want to hold on, this ship is about to take off!"

Sure enough, the Destiny soon lurched with speed as she set off to chase the distant smoke on the horizon. Jack stayed glued to the window, watching carefully for the plume of smoke and trying his best to see what was producing it. They were still a good distance out to sea so it had to be a ship of some sort. The only question was if it was from another trading ship that had been attacked or whether it might be coming from the Swabians. Or worse, another unknown people or vessel.

They chased after the smoke on the horizon for a little over two hours before Jack had the chance to make out what it was. Soon enough, he could just make out a silhouette on the horizon, especially once the sun rose high enough in the sky that it didn't hinder their efforts. The silhouette was extremely narrow, and it was obvious that it was heading in the same direction, making their efforts to catch up tedious and slow. It was just before ten o'clock when Jack was able to make out enough of the structure to take a guess at what it was.

It looked like warships that he'd seen as a boy. The heavy cloud of smoke reminded him of the old coal-fired boilers the Javans used to have on old battleships, always recognizable by the dark tower of black smoke overhead. The vessel was coated with a heavy dark gray color and moving at a speed that suggested a sleek metal hull and modern propulsion. Once they were close enough, he could make out the long gun barrels on the aft deck, currently pointing to the sky.

As long as Jack had been in the navy, he'd learned to identify all the major warship classes of the eastern nations. There wasn't a battleship or cruiser anywhere in Java, Occitania, or Ruthenia that he couldn't identify given enough chance. The ship that they were chasing didn't fit a single profile for any of the three countries.

"That's got to be the Swabian warship," said Jack out loud. "Nobody else has anything close to it."

"So we've finally caught up to it," said Abigail by his side. She then turned to look at him. "What do we do now?"

"That might be decided for us," said Jack as he pointed back to the ship. "It looks like it's starting to turn."

Sure enough, the warship was now turning hard to port. Soon it would be following a direct southerly course, and in doing so, the ship was now exposing the rest of the guns on its deck. Jack could count no fewer than four different turrets, two each split on either side of the superstructure.

"Kyle, I need you to ready the guns," instructed Jack. "This doesn't feel right. They're going to do something stupid. Get the men to their battle-stations right now. Let Vicky know she's to engage with torpedoes if they try anything hostile."

"Jack, what's that on the horizon?" asked Abigail. "Just beyond the warship?"

Jack pulled his binoculars back to his face and looked beyond the wake of the Swabian vessel as the signal for battle-stations started to roar all around the ship. From what he could see, there was a much smaller vessel a greater distance on the other side of the warship. The vessel seemed to turn in the opposite direction of the warship, and at the moment, Jack could make out what appeared to be a dark mass on the main deck.

They were cages.

"That's got to be the slave ship!" said Jack. "Look at what they're doing. The Swabian vessel is hoping to draw us off so the Andalucians can get away."

"It's not a bad idea," said Abigail. "But we have to keep after the warship."

"Agreed," said Jack. "Cory, how long until the guns are ready?"

"About fifteen more seconds!"

"Get them trained on that ship. I want all three turrets on—"

At the exact moment, a roaring explosion came belting out from the guns of the Swabian warship. Every pair of eyes on the bridge watched as a wave of fire shot up into the morning air, rising like a colorful arc until it came crashing down all around the Destiny. Jack braced himself for the hit that never came, his eyes closing until he heard the telltale sound of ordnance hitting water, later seeing the remnants of great jets of water from where they hit.

Everything on the Destiny changed in that moment as all their training activated in the course of the first enemy blast. All the officers began to issue a stream of orders as war footing went into full effect.

"Get that rear turret trained on that ship right now, damnit," yelled Kyle into his radio.

"Turn the ship hard to port," said Jack. "We need to offer up a full broadside!"

"Keep up speed while we turn," said Cory into his radio. "Once we're in position, we're going to let loose with all guns!"

The heavy cruiser pushed hard to port, and Jack waited as the rest of his ship lined up with the Swabian warship now running parallel to their position. Exposed as it was, it also gave them the advantage of having all the turrets to lock onto the enemy ship, and now all he waited on was Kyle's readiness.

It came not a moment too soon. "All three turrets locked, Jack. Ready when you are!"

"All right, let's open up and give them a salvo. Fire now!" said Jack.

In the next instant, all nine guns of the mighty cruiser opened up with a fiery blaze as a trail of orange, speckled light blasted into the air and then arced down in a wondrous display of firepower. Jack watched with bated breath as each shot came crashing down in the vicinity of the Swabian warship. Unfortunately, all their shots missed the mark, falling just short of the warship.

"Kyle, we need more range. We barely touched her," said Jack.

"We should have her position in now," said Kyle while issuing another command.

"Look, Jack," said Abigail while pointing out the window. "The Swabian vessel is turning again!"

Jack watched as the vessel once again began to turn away from them, this time changing its course back due east and presenting a smaller overall target. Whoever the commander of this ship was, they were doing all they could to keep Jack from dialing in their position. Thankfully, the current turn meant that only their rear turret could get a good shot on the Destiny, which missed by only a short margin, throwing up a mist of water against the main deck.

At that moment, the Tiger, which was still between them but closer to the Destiny, let off a salvo with its five-inch guns. Although several of the shots connected, they did little damage. The guns on the destroyer were just not powerful enough to dent the Swabian vessel.

"What do you want to do, Jack? Turn with them or keep the same course?" asked Abigail.

"Don't turn just yet. Let's get another three-turret shot in before we turn," said Jack before turning to Kyle. "How long until those guns are ready?"

"Another twelve seconds, Jack!"

Jack counted down the time in his head all the while the Swabian vessel presented a smaller and smaller target. With each second feeling like an eternity, the guns of the heavy cruiser were finally ready for action.

"Fire now!" yelled Jack.

The ship rumbled and roared once more except this salvo had much more luck than the first. Jack gave a grim smile as one of the shots landed right against the superstructure of the Swabian vessel, causing its own fireball and another source of heavy black smoke to erupt from the bowels of the ship. Jack watched through his binoculars and could just barely make out the sight of twisted metal from the portion that had been damaged by the shot.

"We got her," said Jack before turning to Cory. "Turn us to head due east. Follow along the enemy ship!"

The Destiny began to pivot as she once more turned into the sun to match the Swabian ship. The extra time spent before the turn meant that the ships were traveling somewhat parallel now, even if the Swabian vessel was still ahead of them, they still could utilize the majority of their turrets. The warship had a much more precarious situation in that the heavy smoke from their damage was no doubt obscuring their gunners. One of their turrets had taken some damage because their next shot only opened up with the forward units, and the shot never really came close to hitting the Destiny.

"We just need one more good shot," said Jack before looking back at Kyle. "How long until ready, Kyle?"

"Five more seconds! Four, three, two, one, now!"

"Fire!" yelled Jack.

A most awful explosion erupted from the Swabian vessel as several of the shots connected with her superstructure and hull. One of them sparked a heavy fire that engulfed half of the main deck while the other shot pierced through a section of thin armor near the waterline to punch through the hull near the stern. Jack watched with some satisfaction as the ship began to slow down, and soon enough the Destiny was rapidly making up ground between them.

"That's got to be the end for them, right?" said Abigail at his side. "There's no way they could survive a hit like that."

"Watch the ship now. That hit is too close to the waterline," said Jack. "Keep your eyes on the stern and see if it starts to sink."

It didn't take long for them to be able to notice, even at their distance, that the stern was starting to go under. Jack watched as the fire raged out of control against the superstructure as the stern steadily lowered below the waves. That was when he got his next message from Vicky on the Tiger.

"Jack, it's Vicky. We are locked on with a torpedo. Permission to fire?"

Jack considered having her hold off as the damage that was now done was almost certainly fatal. Yet, the Swabian ship let off one more salvo, a signal that it hadn't surrendered just yet, and made up Jack's mind for him.

"Go ahead and fire, Vicky. Good luck," he said into the command radio.

Using his binoculars, he watched the smaller destroyer and searched the waters nearby for the telltale signs of a torpedo launch. Finally finding it after several moments, he watched the path of it as it led straight to the bow of the ship. In a flash, another explosion sent a fireball straight into the sky as the torpedo made contact.

At this point, there was nothing left to do. With multiple fractures along her hull and with the fire burning out of control, the ship wasn't much longer for existence.

"Keep away until the ship goes under but prepare to go rescue any survivors," said Jack as they watched with grim satisfaction. The two ships waited and watched as the warship steadily lowered, soon all but disappearing under the waves as only the last portions of its superstructure remained visible. That's when they noticed something peculiar.

"Is it just me or are they still shooting at us?" asked Jack while watching the ship. All around them, small arms fire started to pepper the Destiny, all coming from a handful of shooters still on the sinking ship. While the rifles weren't powerful enough to cause even the slightest damage to the ship, it was testament to their desire to keep fighting.

"Why would they still do that? Can't they see the situation is hopeless?" said Abigail. "What's the point of fighting still?"

"I have no idea, but we're going to hold off on that order to go rescue survivors," said Jack. "Let the bastards drown if they're going to continue to fight."

In another ten minutes, the Swabian vessel slipped completely below the waves. In a matter of minutes, it was almost like you couldn't tell a mighty warship had once occupied the same spot. Left behind were a couple dozen sailors, although most of them didn't look like they wanted to be rescued. It mattered not to Jack and given enough time, they too slowly dipped beneath the waves.

Once the warship was gone, Jack finally turned to look at the rest of the officers. "You all handled yourselves extremely well. I couldn't have asked for a better team. Kyle, your men's shooting was on point, and Cory, our maneuvering was outstanding."

Kyle was the first to smile. "I just couldn't let them hit us and cause any damage to our newly repaired ship. Didn't feel right."

Jack started to chuckle. "Well, I'm glad you took that into consideration. Either way, all of you made me very proud today."

"Not bad for a fight that lasted a little more than an hour," said Abigail before grabbing her binoculars and looking out the bridge. "Although I hate to be the one to say it, that slave vessel is out of sight again."

"Damnit," muttered Jack. "I was hoping we wouldn't have lost that trail."

"It shouldn't matter much to us now though, right, Jack?" asked Cory. "It's almost a guarantee they are heading back to Andalucia now, right?"

Jack started to nod. "They almost have to. And that means we will be too."

With the threat posed to them finally dissipated, the task force continued on a course due east while the lockouts kept a steady attention to the horizon, watching out for the Andalucian slave trawler. It was only around midafternoon when Jack reentered the bridge after spending the last hour in his quarters. Abigail was the only one present and smiled as he sat in his command chair.

"There you are. I was beginning to wonder if I might need to have Brittany watch the bridge while I went to look for you," she said while moving toward him. She sat down next to him at her own post and her hand snuck into his.

"Just getting some work done," said Jack before he shot her a grin. "Did you miss me that much?"

"I was just thinking we never really got the chance to finish what we started this morning." Abigail arched an eyebrow, making it obvious what was on her mind.

Jack started to chuckle. "Tonight then. I hardly doubt we could get away with anything here in the bridge."

"Although it might be fun to try." Her hand crept out of his and teased its way up his thigh.

"Not that the idea isn't tempting, but you never know who might walk through that bridge door at any time."

Abigail giggled and winked. "That's part of the excitement!"

He leaned over and kissed her. "You're trouble but I think that's why I like you so much." Before she could respond, he pointed out to sea. "I take it you've seen nothing of that trawler then?"

She shook her head. "Not a single sighting from me or the lookouts. I even changed our course so that we're heading more east northeast to compensate for their turn north. Nothing yet."

Jack nodded. "They just have to head back to Andalucia. It's the only thing that feels right."

"I just hope we find them before we get there. If we have to go searching for one whole trawler on an entire island, we're going to have our work cut out for us."

"Not to mention, the entire population will probably not be as hospitable as the Sorellans," added Jack.

Abigail pursed her lips and turned away from him. "It makes me a bit nervous to be going there."

"Why's that?"

She shrugged. "Where to even begin? They're bound to be hostile after what just happened and they're definitely working with the Swabians. It's a land we know next to nothing about and they don't have the best reputation according to everyone we met. Oh, and there's the whole slavery thing," she said with a sarcastic tone. "How could it not make me nervous?"

"I know, I'm not enthusiastic about it either. But we need to rescue the people on that slave ship. Especially Kat, we need to rescue her."

Abigail turned to him and locked her eyes on his. "You feel something for her, don't you?"

Jack stammered, finding himself lost for words. "I . . . well . . . it's complicated, Abigail. She's supposed to be our guide and the more I've come to know her, the more I think she can help us. There's a lot more to her than meets the eye."

If he expected her to be angry or upset, he was caught off guard. Instead, she smiled at him. "She is a beautiful woman, I'll give her that. And I know you're attracted to her, even if you wouldn't admit it to me."

Jack swallowed. "I'll admit that. I am very attracted to her."

Abigail nodded. "I suspected as much."

"It doesn't change the way I feel about you though," said Jack, trying to keep the situation from spiraling out of control.

She turned and looked at him again. "And how do you feel about me?"

"Strongly. Very strongly," he said with a confident tone. "And you?"

"The same," she answered. "Possibly more than that. I'm not sure, I haven't unpacked feelings like these in a long time."

Jack nodded. "And if I had similar feelings for Kat? What then?"

Abigail's eyes rolled up in thought. She kept him waiting for a few minutes, nearly sweating her response before finally resting her eyes on him again. "I guess it answers that question."

"What question?"

She started to smile. "Who would be the woman I shared you with."

He wasn't fully convinced just yet. "I know you said that the other night, but I just want to make sure we're on the same page. You could take that? You could entertain another woman with us?"

"Jack, I meant what I said that night. Even if I just had a piece of your heart, that would be enough," she said in a tone barely above a whisper. "I know how you feel about me, and I know it's more than just a strong feeling. I also know that I feel the same way. But I also get the impression that this woman has more of a role to play in all of this, especially if you feel so confident about it. If this is the way things need to be, then I accept it fully."

"It won't be easy," warned Jack. "You might get hurt. I might get hurt. There will always be a risk to this."

"Perhaps the risk will be worth bearing once we invite her into bed," said Abigail with a coy smile.

Jack started to chuckle. "No wonder I thought I didn't stand a chance with you. Intelligent, sexy, and a mind that's almost permanently in the gutter. You're every officer's dream woman."

Abigail gave a throaty giggle. "And don't you ever forget it!"

They continued to banter and make light conversation for the next hour as the evening descended on them. It was just about time for Jack to grab dinner when they noticed something on the horizon. Something large.

"Do you see that over there?" he asked while pointing to the looming mass of darkness just in front of them.

Abigail grabbed her binoculars and approached the window. "Jack, I think that's land."

He joined her next to the window and began to peer out as well. Sure enough, the large mass began to expand, filling their entire horizon until there was no doubt what was in front of them. A new island, a large landmass, and one that they'd hoped to avoid all this time: Andalucia.

"Let's bring it in a little closer," said Jack. "Not too close, but I want to get a better look at the land. Especially if we're going in."

A call from the radio came in next. "Jack, this is Vicky. Are you seeing what we are?"

"We sure are, Vicky. Hang in back against us but let's stay off shore. No reason to go in guns blazing yet."

As they approached the island country, Jack began to take stock of the terrain. When he first learned of the island, he'd been told that it was a desert landscape, a harsh environment that produced a hostile people. Sure enough, the first thing he could see just beyond the coast appeared to be a wall of sand that just didn't end. It extended well beyond the beaches into the interior, where great mountains of sand and dunes appeared to shape the entire country. Just on the horizon, situated just before the dunes, looked to be a city.

But it was a city unlike any other that Jack had seen. Just about all the dwellings looked like they were made of the sand itself, rising up from the ground and naturally forming the housing. There was a noticeable lack of any other colors beyond the light-brown color of the sand, even disregarding the deep blue of the ocean. From this distance, Jack could tell it was a mercantile city, with a great number of docks lining the entire seafront expanse. It looked like the kind of city that slaves would be brought to before being sold.

"We're going to start here," said Jack while pointing at the city. "Just about any of those ships could be the trawler we're looking for."

Rows and rows of ships dotted the city's quays, hundreds of them alone. Most of them looked exactly like the slave trawler they had briefly seen during the battle. As they got closer, Jack got a clear view of the slave pens that dotted their decks, perfect cages to prevent their human bounty from escaping or trying to drown to escape their fate. One of these had to have brought Kat here, and he would turn over every stone in this country to find her.

He couldn't leave her stranded in such a desolate land. Jack was determined to rescue Kat at all costs.

*****

Fleet Admiral Percival Bancroft was furious.

The head of the entire Javan navy stormed down the hallways of the imperial palace in the capital city of Belfort, his footsteps sending an angry chorus of echoes down the marbled interior. In his hand, he carried yet another dispatch from one of their major shipbuilders, the manufacturer once again at a complete standstill while waiting on raw materials.

It was a scene that had played out numerous times during the previous weeks since war had been declared. With most of the fleet bottled up in port at Aberdeen, it was of critical importance that new ships were launched in an effort to turn the tide against the Occitanians. And to create new ships, he needed steel. Getting that steel was the hard part, as all the smelters were on the other side of the continent, with only a basic rail network to connect the entire country together. And his imperial idiocy, Charles IX, thought it best to still be moving his troops on the rails instead of the materials to build their first bulwark of defense—their ships.

Bancroft made his way to the royal quarters while holding up a hand to the guards stationed just outside the door. Normally, a better example of propriety would be shown for the emperor's sake, but not today. Bancroft was too pissed at the man's blatant overruling of his standing orders. After all, it was Bancroft that supplied the order to prioritize the rail network for raw materials, an order that could have only been overruled by someone as stupid as Charles IX.

Bancroft resisted the urge to sneer. Could he not understand that troops made not a lick of difference if their ships could roam the seas at will? That as much money as they'd sunk into the navy to make it a viable threat to the Occitanians, it was entirely pointless to let it rust to hell without seeing any action in Aberdeen? What was worse was that the emperor paid him to do a job, and it was one he could scarcely do fighting with two hands tied behind his back.

The admiral came to a full stop right outside the emperor's office, finding his page, Mortimus guarding the door.

"Ah, Admiral Bancroft, now is not the best time—"

"Out of my way, you idiot," snarled Bancroft. "Your betters have things to discuss."

The young page turned a deep red at the insult. It was a testament to his experience serving the cruel emperor that he didn't immediately crumble at such an insult.

"His Imperial Majesty is not to b-be disturbed right now," squeaked Mortimus. "He's in the middle of—"

"I don't recall asking what he's in the middle of," snapped Bancroft. "And if you don't move away from this door right now, they're going to have to fish your worthless body out of the damn river!"

Mortimus' expression turned to fear and he slowly backed away from the door. Seeing the young man finally cowed, Bancroft threw open the door and stepped inside, finding the emperor sitting at his desk. The slovenly and disgusting Charles IX barely looked up at the commotion outside his door, nor did he offer any greeting to the head of his navy.

"You should not be treating Mortimus in such a fashion," Charles said calmly while his attention stayed on paper he was working on.

"Why did you countermand my order?" said Bancroft as his hands went to his hips. That this was the Javan emperor in front of him mattered little in this particular moment. Bancroft knew Charles was a weak man, and he hoped to browbeat him into getting what he wanted. It was a new strategy for the normally honey-tongued admiral but times were getting desperate. The Occitanians would not wait for them to be ready.

The emperor still didn't look up. "I countermanded it because I need a concentration of troops near the north in case of an invasion. Since those troops are spread out all over Java, I need the rail network to get them there the quickest."

"You wouldn't need those troops if we let our navy do its job," said Bancroft bitterly. "If we can get a few more battleships launched, we could lift the blockade."

"By the time those ships get fitted out, they'll have launched their invasion force," said the emperor. "I can't have them storming ashore Javan soil without contest."

"Or," said Bancroft while quickly losing his temper. "We could sink their invasion force and transports with our ships. And not endanger our people to a needless invasion!"

Charles finally looked up. "As far as I'm concerned, the navy has forfeited that right. You weren't prepared enough for this conflict and now the army has to clean up your mess."

Bancroft ground his teeth in anger. It had been the emperor's shortsightedness and lack of budget that led to their current predicament. He'd had enough.

The admiral slammed his fist down on the emperor's desk, causing a look of fear and shock from the sovereign at being challenged in such a way.

"You and I both know that's not accurate," snarled Bancroft. "How am I to win this war if you won't give me the resources to do so?"

Charles recovered from his initial shock and a look of anger filled his face. "You've had plenty of resources, Bancroft. Need I remind you whom you're speaking to?"

Bancroft took a measured step away from his desk. "You need to give us more time. More options to continue to develop the fleet."

"I need to do no such thing. You forget that you serve at my pleasure and my pleasure only!" Charles stood up from his desk, his fat frame spilling out of his robes as he frothed with anger. "I could have your head for this, Bancroft. All I'd need to do is snap my little fingers and you'd be dead before nightfall. Don't think that I wouldn't gladly sacrifice you for your avarice and lack of propriety when addressing your emperor."

Bancroft's expression turned to one of shock. It was a reaction he hadn't expected from Charles, knowing full well that the man was more bark than bite, especially when considering his inner circle. Yet somewhere the emperor had found something resembling a spine, and Bancroft sensed that to continue down this current conversation would lead to a very quick and gruesome death.

The admiral took a deep breath before he dared to offer a response. His tone changed considerably, coming out more measured and tranquil. "A thousand apologies, Your Imperial Majesty," said Bancroft, offering a bow in the guise of the perfect courtier. "The war has inflamed my passions. I beg for your forgiveness."

Charles' upper lip curled upwards as he sneered. "As I thought. Try not to forget your place again, Percy."

Bancroft ground his teeth once more. Charles was just toying with him now, knowing full well how much he hated to be addressed by his first name. He was giving him a subtle reminder of his power over him, one that Bancroft found particularly insulting.

"I will not, Your Imperial Majesty," said Bancroft before retreating toward the door.

"One last thing before you go," said Charles as the door to his office opened. "You are not to go around my latest orders. Your raw materials will have to wait until my men are in place."

"Of course, sire," said Bancroft. "I wouldn't dream of sidestepping your orders." With one final bow to the emperor, Bancroft left the office. Once outside, Mortimus looked all too pleased, no doubt having heard the emperor chastise him. Bancroft stopped in front of the young page, invading his personal space and offering a glowering look. Predictably, the page scampered out of his way, letting Bancroft continue to storm out of the palace.

He quickly crossed through the rest of the city until he came back to the Admiralty. Ignoring the multitude of junior officers and secretaries, Bancroft stormed into his first-floor office and slammed the door behind him. As he sank into his chair, the admiral brought his fingers to rest under his chin.

The emperor had shown considerably more spine than he could normally muster and that had come to a real surprise to Bancroft. What was worse was that he was now in no better position for his ships than he was before he stormed into the palace. His reputation with the emperor will no doubt have suffered as well for his little outburst.

Still, he couldn't shake the thought that the fool was handling this war in entirely the wrong way. If Javan soil was invaded, they wouldn't be able to last long. It was imperative that they beat the Occitanians at sea, even if his shortsighted emperor couldn't see it.

But perhaps there was an alternative? A way for him to get what he wanted? A way to win the war without Java having to suffer from invasion and desolation? With the emperor showing no signs of letting him get his way, perhaps he could find a way to undermine him? He'd need a plan, a good one at that. One that would allow him to work in the shadows and let him keep his nominal role without suspicion.

At that very moment, his deputy Rear Admiral Jason Clark entered the office. Before Clark could even speak, Bancroft gave him a sly smile.

"Clark, I need you to do something for me. A little favor."