Alexandria and Tyra walked out of the cabin making their way to the rest of the group on the main deck. It was going to be their first split mission and something to prove that they could work together even when they are apart. The ship Alexandria and Tyra are going to take was Lyric’s first ship and for Alexandria it is a trip back to where everything started for her.

“I know that this is a bit early, however we need this for the future. Not to mention Tyra gets to check something off her wish list.” Alexandria was speaking seriously but that didn’t stop both Tyra and Lyric from letting a small giggle escape their lips. Alexandria was glad to hear they were in good spirits.

“Tyra and I will be taking Lyric’s first ship to get to the facility. We will meet back up with the rest of the crew at the first large island in three days. If we are not there by the end of the third day the conquest will continue as planned.” Alexandria could see the looks on both Eve and Valentina’s faces. Neither one of them looked happy at all by the news. They didn’t protest thankfully which meant Lyric was doing her job as first mate.

Tyra let out a play chuckle. “No need to worry we will make the rendezvous and perhaps even find another person to join our crew. This gives you two the chance to really show off your talents, especially you Valentina.” Tyra gave her a wink hoping to be able to catch that power in action sometime soon.

Valentina gave Tyra a soft smile nodding her head. She wasn’t sure how to take Tyra but her years of experience were invaluable. “I will give you a demonstration when we are toasting our success with the best rum money can buy.” She relaxed a bit feeling some of the stress evaporate into the air accompanied by her words.

“Alright, we need to get started. The islands need to be taken before the month is out since dragging it along gives the defenders more time to prepare. Be smart and take time to rest when needed. You are no use to anyone half asleep.” Alexandria wrinkled her nose a bit and turned making her way to the ship. She wasn’t going to draw this out just in case. Plus her crew needed this for the future.

Tyra joined her shortly after throwing a small bag into the boat. She didn’t need much aside from her weapon and some rations. Her island had everything so traveling light was a joy to her along with working under a captain that she believed could do anything. “Do you want to untie the lead or should I do it?” Tyra asked, gesturing to the line tethering them to the main ship.

The rocking of the ship butting against waves was the only sound heard for a few moments. Alexandria partly unsheathed her scythe blade walking over to the tether. She touched the blade to the rope pulling upward with a single motion. The tether was cut with that single motion. The splash signaled the start of two separate missions. The ultimate test for the young crew.

Alexandria sheathed her weapon moving towards the bow of the ship. She wanted to look forward so that her focus stayed on the mission. Looking back would only shake her resolve to move forward. Even though shaking wouldn’t make it go back. However just the smallest upset in her focus could cost when it mattered most. “Are you alright with steering the ship Tyra? I want to prepare in my own way. The map is by the rudder if you need it.”

Tyra chuckled moving to the rudder getting in a comfortable position. The map was tapped to the side of the ship at eye level. She moved the rudder in the proper direction breathing in deep tasting the salty air.

The small vessel moved forward cutting a path to what Alexandria hoped would be answers. She still couldn’t get the feeling of the polar bear shift out of her mind. Even the thought of taking that form sent chills up her spine. After combing through every single journal page more than once she found nothing even remotely similar to that feeling. The facility would have far better records and perhaps a chance to save another person. The one key detail she left out from the others.

Alexandria breathed deep, catching that feeling in her chest just in case it was the last long gasp of fresh air she would ever breathe again. They had to make good time which meant reaching the facility before nightfall. After that getting inside would be pretty simple. It would be getting out that was the hard part. Setting the other person free was always part of the plan; it just needed to be hers alone for a little while longer.

She walked back to the stern of the ship to give Tyra a bit more intel on the area. “If we are able to keep up this speed we should make it to the coast near the facility by nightfall. After that there should be a ridge not far from it that would be a perfect snipers nest for you.”

Tyra was glad to see Alexandria really did her homework on this one. The main reason she was going was because she wanted to take on a facility. Of course this is not what she had in mind when she first made the request. “I will scout out the area thoroughly when we arrive. A ridge is always a good sniper spot. However I need to make sure it isn’t already occupied or booby trapped in some way.”

Alexandria understood Tyra’s need to do her own recon. That was one of the reasons she decided to bring her instead of Lyric. She also hoped that Lyric wasn’t taking things too hard at the moment. The rest of the crew didn’t have an easy job either and they were in far more danger than Alexandria and Tyra.

Lyric watched as the ship sailed away only for a moment. She needed to gather her resolve and make sure that Eve and Valentina didn’t see her unsteadiness. “Alright, we need to start making plans for the first island. We don’t have much to go on aside from the last known reports that Fina provided. Do either of you have any thoughts as to how best to take the first island?”

Both Eve and Valentina looked at each other and then back up at Lyric. “You have the rudder on this mission Lyric. Even if we have ideas it is up to your leadership to enact them.” Eve gave her a playful smirk. “We both have all the confidence in the world in you. Besides with our combined abilities there is no way the smaller islands will be much of a challenge.” Valentina nodded in agreement.

A sigh of relief escaped Lyric’s lips. She was glad that they both had so much confidence in her to follow orders. Some ideas from them would be helpful since at this point they still didn’t know the full extent of each other’s abilities. “Well our abilities will be what wins in the end. However I am unsure of both of your abilities as a whole. We have only fought together once so there are still some things to learn about each other.”

They both had looks of surprise on their faces. Lyric was right on that point. Of course no one wanted to give away the full extent of their abilities to anyone. If you did that there was more of a chance of being captured or even killed.

“Well aside from my ability to blend in anywhere I have an extensive knife collection. I wear them on my body for quick access. I can throw a knife much faster than most people can pull a trigger.” Eve pulled a knife from under her cloak and threw it at the mast. The movement was so fast even Lyric was having trouble following it. “I would be best used sneaking into the enemy camp and taking them down from the inside while you both attack from outside.”

Lyric remembered what Eve did on the ship when they met with Fina. That would be a great tactic to ensure they are never taken by surprise. She let out a soft giggle nodding in agreement. “If that is the case you need to take a lifeboat out to the island before we arrive. That way you can blend in before we get there. If you’re able to take down the camp before we arrive then get it done.”

Eve rubbed her hands together. Infiltration was always something that gave her chills. She was going to enjoy this even more than usual. “Alright that works. It does also mean that each time I infiltrate an enemy camp I will need a different disguise just in case they can communicate long distance.”

Valentina just stood there for a moment listening to them both talk about their plans. She needed to decide what her role in all of this would be. Her ability to bend space and time was awesome, however killing a large group wasn’t something she did often. The abilities she had allowed her to get away and steal things rather than take another person’s life.

Lyric noticed Valentina just standing there in deep thought. Eve left to get ready to go since they were on course for the first island. “Hey what is going on in that pretty head of yours?” She placed a hand on Valentina’s shoulder making sure that she didn’t surprise her.

She closed her eyes feelings Lyric’s hand on her shoulder. “You and Eve have good plans yet I haven’t come up with anything yet. My abilities are more for avoiding senseless killing than causing it.” She pressed her fingers together trying to come up with something that would work.

A soft giggle escaped Lyric’s lips. She moved Valentina to face her looking straight into her eyes. “Listen, your ability is unbelieve and you were so confident at Fina’s place. Why are you all of a sudden doubting everything that makes you unbelievable?”

No one had ever spoken to Valentina like that her entire life. Of course the researchers at the facility made comments about her abilities but that was just for their own gain and not hers. Lyric was being genuine and that was something Valentina had never really felt. “If I am not able to kill as the rest of you do, what use am I as a pirate?”

Lyric rolled her eyes patting Valentina on the shoulders. “Being a pirate isn’t all about killing. That is only a small part of what we do. We are also around to help those with abilities who don’t have a family. The walled cities will stop at nothing to use us for protection and as a way to breed the perfect soldiers.” Lyric stomped the deck pushing down those feelings to save them for later.

“Remember if Alexandria didn’t believe you would be a good fit the invitation would have never been extended. Who cares if you can’t kill as well as the rest of us. You can do something none of us can do and that is bend space and time. We have a bit of time left. How about we try to figure out something you can do to help, yeah?” Lyric was going to make sure Valentina felt like she belonged no matter what.

Valentina nodded in agreement giving Lyric a big smile. She held back her tears for the moment since it was time to get down to business. They were only about an hour or so away from their first target. “Perhaps I can mess with time to allow you more time to take down the enemies. Your invisibility has a time limit of sorts I assume?”

Lyric was glad to see that Valentina was able to adjust so quickly after being upset. She nodded following it up with a giggle. “I can still be heard if someone is really paying attention. Once I attack the invisibility goes away. So slowing down time once I become visible and get the first kill would be extremely helpful.”

Both groups were well on their way to their first goals. Alexandria and Tyra knew where they were going to set up before Alexandria went inside. Lyric, Eve, and Valentina had plans for the first island attack. The start to these missions was off to an awesome one. Hopefully the status quo would stay in their favor when it was needed most.