Lyric had loaded up everyone who wanted to help with the mission. Isabella was going to stay behind to watch the island which was good. Lyric enjoyed her being a part of the area since without her settlement who knows what would be going on right now. Everything was loaded and they were leaving the dock. Isabella waved from the shore as the ship turned heading towards the walled city island.

They sailed for a bit, everyone running around making sure all the supplies were there and nothing was forgotten. Lyric stood by the helm watching all the work being done. There was a sense of calm there for her and she wasn’t alone. Valentina and Isa were at her side observing as well. This was going to be something that burned a mark into the pages of history for the rest of time.

The flagship was sailing much better after all the repairs were finished and Isabella’s engineers took a good look at it. Their time getting to the walled city would be cut almost in half which was excellent news. Lyric took out the spyglass to get a further look at the horizon. Just trying to see if there was anything or anyone else out there. A small spec came into view which she couldn’t make out since she didn’t have Tyra’s long range vision. “We need to increase speed if that is possible. There are not many birds around that travel over the deep water. There is a chance that it could be V.”

Both Isa and Valentina look up to see what Lyric is talking about. Of course they can’t see anything because Lyric is looking out to the horizon and not up at the sky. Everyone is a bit tired after all the training, building, and preparation that happened before they disembarked. They needed to take this time to rest up for the fighting to come.

Lyric kept her eyes trained on that spot as the spec started to get close and slowly come into a bit of focus. The sailors ran around the deck adjusting the sails, ropes, and rigging to get every bit of speed they could out of the upgraded flagship. A soft giggle escaped Lyric’s lips as she lowered her spyglass. “If that is V there must be a message of some kind. That vulture doesn’t like to be far away from Alexandria for long periods of time.”

They were able to speed up the ship significantly and within about an hour V came into full view drifting her way down to Lyric who had her arm out. The vulture moved up her arm and perched on her shoulder moving back and forth a bit. She tilted her head and opened her beak slightly, looking as though she was going to make a noise. Lyric looked over at her, taking the message that was attached to her leg. “V don’t you dare shriek in my ear.”

The vulture tilted her head again looking at Lyric. Thankfully she took the advice and didn’t make a sound, just continued to move on Lyric’s shoulder. Lyric unfolded the piece of paper and read it out loud for all to hear; “Lyric the plans have changed since the meeting. Alexandria has made a new friend named Veronica and they are going to take over the underground facility which has other ability users being experimented on inside. Get here as fast as you can since there is no telling how long they can hold out. I will meet you at the gate to the city since going through the waterway on the side of the cliff isn’t necessary anymore. We will see you soon and damnit don’t keep me waiting. Your friendly knife thrower, Eve.”

Lyric let out a playful giggle folding up the paper and placing it inside her jacket. “Well everyone you heard Eve, let’s get this ship moving as fast as possible. Everyone who isn’t doing that prepares for combat. I want the front cannons ready for bombardment on the city.” She didn't see the point in sending V back with a note. The best they could do is alert Eve by raining down cannon fire on the city from the coast. That way Eve would know the fighting was about to begin.

Alexandria looked around the room and everyone seemed to have found their weapon. The next step was to move on the guard’s quarters which would buy them the time needed to secure the entrance to the facility. Once that was done it would be a murder hole for anyone that tried to come down to the facility that was an enemy. Of course there was no telling how many guards were in the quarters and how many were in the city above.

“Alright everyone, the fighting is about to start. Veronica and I will lead the way with the stronger of you behind us. Anyone that wishes to remain here can guard the weapons just in case someone finds this room before we take out the guard’s quarters.” Alexandria looked around the room to see one of the ability users raise their hand.

“I will remain behind to watch the weapons. All of us storming the room all at once would just be too crowded anyway.” The ability user who could levitate was the one who elected to stay behind. They were holding an automatic rifle which should serve them well.

Alexandria nodded looking around the room to see if anyone else wanted to stay. No one else seemed to move which was good because she needed everyone else to make this work. “Alright from the blueprints on the map the guard’s quarters is fairly large and has two entrances. I will take a group through the first entrance here. While Veronica takes the other group through the second entrance here.” She pointed to each entrance on the map looking around the room making sure everyone understood what needed to happen.

There was a collective nod from the group as a check was done on everyone’s weapons. Veronica walked over to Alexandria. “Thanks for everything you’re doing for us right now. You didn’t have to do any of this but you chose to. That has given us all hope for the future.” She patted Alexandria on the back.

Alexandria almost fell over from the heavy pat on the back since Veronica didn’t seem to know her own strength. “I do this for everyone out there and of course for the future of my pirate empire. All of you will be able to share in that as long as your loyalty remains firmly to myself and the crew.”

A cheerful chuckle escaped Veronica’s lips. “There is no doubt in my mind that everyone here, including myself, will sail with you or fly your colors until the day they die.” She punched her fist into her hand cracking her knuckles for good measure. Everyone was ready to go as they all moved to the door aside from the one staying here to guard the weapons.

They split off into their grows on either side of the door as Veronica opened it and her group moved out first. The two entrances needed to be approached from different directions so the groups had to leave separately and await the signal when they arrived at their respective entrances.

Alexandria and her group would be coming through the back entrance since she didn’t want to use her polar bear shift this time around. Her weapon was good but it was nothing compared to Veronica’s ability. Alexandria believed that woman could take on anything and leave without a scratch. Of course she would remind herself to knock on wood the first chance she was able too.

It would take each group anywhere from a few minutes to at most ten minutes depending on what they encountered in route to their destination. Of course so far there have been no guards outside of checkpoint booths since Alexandria was placed in the cell with Veronica an hour or more ago. Hopefully they would make it in the shortest time possible so the real fun could finally begin.

Veronica was a ball of rage and energy. They were heading to the room where guards stayed that have been giving her hell for most of her life. It was time for payback and it was going to be extremely painful for them. She would give her fellow ability users some of the fun but she was going to take the lion's share as it were. A devious smile formed across her face as her group reached their destination in only a few minutes.

Alexandria was in a situation she had not been in for a while. She was surrounded by people she didn’t know. Of course that didn’t matter because they were all ability users. Not to mention the fact they were all on her side. It was an amazing feeling to have this much support to a cause that is now your entire life. Alexandria was going to relish every second of that feeling. Her ground made it to their destination in about five minutes since their route was a bit longer than Veronica’s.

They crept up to the back entrance as Alexandria touched the knob with her free hand. She tried to give it a turn testing to see if it was locked. The knob moved easily with her hand as the click of the bolt leaving the area it stayed in while shut echoed around them. Of course it didn’t make much sound at all. However, at that moment it sounded like the loudest sound in the world. Alexandria peered into the room which aside from an emergency light in the center was dark.

The sound of the back door opening was faintly heard by Veronica’s ears. If there had not been complete silence she would have missed it. She cracked her knuckles one last time not giving a damn anymore about being quiet. Veronica stepped back and with one swift motion kicked in the entrance doors to the guard’s quarters.

Two metal doors flew off the hinges into the room. One door crashed into a guard’s bed crushing his chest causing him to die choking on his own blood. The other door bounced off the floor and stuck into the ceiling. It hung there for a moment before falling right onto a guard’s face crushing it like a piece of fruit. Blood and brain matter went everywhere as one by one the guards woke up to intruder’s in their quarters.

A guard clapped her hands twice and the lights came on. The scene around the room was already starting to get bloody and all that happened was doors being kicked in. Alexandria and her group snuck in taking positions behind some dressers at the back of the room. She drew her scythe blade from the cane, a devious smile crossing her face. “Alright everyone kill anyone who isn’t an ability user. I don’t want any of these people on my side ever.” The others nodded in agreement mimicking Alexandria’s devious smile with ones of their own.

Veronica took in a deep breath and with her exhale she shouted. “Come and meet your death!” Her group followed close behind. The users with guns flipped over used beds for cover and started firing into the guards who now were awake and advancing.

Two guards squared up to face Veronica with nothing but stun batons. Veronica looked at them, clicking her tongue as she began to jump around punching the air. “I thought y’all were supposed to be smart. You know none of your weapons can harm me.” She stepped forward grabbing the first one by the top of the head squeezing until it exploded sending blood and brain matter over everyone in the immediate area. Veronica tossed the lifeless body to the side looking down at the other guard. “You have no chance of leaving here alive.”

The guard tried to flee but Veronica wasn’t going to allow that. She took a few steps forward thrusting her fist into the guards back breaking the rib cage on the way out the chest. That sent blood, guts, and bone fragments spewing all over everyone and everything in front of the guard. Veronica pulled her hand out letting the lifeless body thump to the floor. “Is there anyone in this damn room that can present a challenge to me?!” She yelled pounding her chest starting to jump around again kicking and punching the air around her.

A guard wielding what looked to be a crescent moon ax stomped forward squaring up to Veronica. This is what she wanted now, maybe there would be a fight worth talking about later when she met the rest of the crew. “You talk too much and your ability is nothing more than a coward's shield. I will show you the true meaning of power.”