The waters around the Free Merchants coasts seemed to always be bursting with life. The waves were like glass, giving anyone a clear view of the world that waged its struggle below. The tides shifting the sands silently beneath an ever moving miasma above. The creatures of the sea lived their lives unaware and likely uninterested in the boring affairs of the those on the surface. Sometimes it seemed those of the surface ignored the affairs of those around them just as much, at least the sea life had the excuse of natural ignorance.

Seko lifted the bottle and steadied himself against the rear of the longboat, hand resting on the rudder control for better safety. He couldn't tell if the shaking of the world was the seas waves anymore, but if he was honest he didn't care. The ports lighthouse was still in sight and he could follow the light back, and even if he spent the night he had the tools to make a few days of food while he returned. He set aside the bottle and leaned over the side, trying to force himself to focus on the fish beneath.

The sea had always been a comfort for Seko, it was one of the few things he'd shared with his father and he'd be damned if he didn't keep the memory alive. Afterall, the man had turned out to be a bastard in more ways than one, and it was better to remember the good at this point. Seko ran a hand through the water and left the cool of the ocean run through his fingers.

Their Father was a brilliant Admiral and warrior, he'd proven that more times than any man could count. He'd willingly laid his life on the line for the safety of the Nirukian way of life enough to earn his place in the halls of respect and honor, but even then he'd refused to give up the position. If he could breathe than he had more to give, and he wasn't going to let age slow him down. It was only a matter of time before it finally caught up.

When the ship sank, everyone assumed that the Konudepa household would survive on the Honor of a well respected Admiral. He'd served the Imperial King and the King of Niruk with the same dedication that anyone could have expected, what the man hadn't expected was to be drawn into the politics of the Empire.

From what Seko understood, which was decidedly limited even at this point, their father had grown into more and more of a drunk. It wasn't hard to believe, the man was hardly ever seen without a bottle in his hand or a glaze over his eyes, but the degree he'd reached during his deployments put the contents of an average bars occupants to shame. Drunkenness had lead to misjudgment, and misjudgment had led to poorly executed political moves.

By the time their father had taken what would become his final service, their house was beginning to drown in hidden mountains of gambling debt and their name had been driven through the mud politically. The Empire and Nirukian Royalty had agreed to honor the man, but the true leaders of the military swore to refuse any bearing that name entry ever again.

Such was the state of their world when Seko and Nakyan had joined the Sovereign Nirukian Navy, their childish ignorance blinding them to the minefield they were traveling into. Yan had taken the realization with a mixture of vindication and blood-curdling rage. On the one hand, Yan had claimed he'd always known their Father was a true disgrace of a being, something Seko greatly hated hearing him say, but apparently hadn't expected him to have burned so many bridges in the process.

Seko had suggested the Royal Imperial Navy, but that too had been a bust. Clearly their father had done a great deal to anger so many powerful people, but all it was doing was driving Seko into a deep well of doubt and depression. His world had come crumbling when their Father had passed, their mother fleeing into the cover of dark the following night and leaving Seko as the heir apparent. He'd been granted everything in the process. The manor, the servants, the ships, and the fief his father had earned. What he hadn't known was that each item was either under a massive loan, disgruntled, destroyed, or decaying respectively. Their coffers were empty and the debt collectors were beginning to make moves. So he did what he'd always avoided doing. Seko chose to become a pirate.

Honor had compelled him to Niruk and the Empire, but the blatant betrayal of trust had been enough to shatter that illusion. Seko was nothing if not an honorable man, but to betray that brought with it repercussions. He wouldn't stand idly by and let a group of deviants attempt to ruin his life, so with Yans help he convinced the crew of their last station to join them and steal the Captains ship. They'd moved as one that night, quiet and lethal. Seko had expected the plan to fail and the lot of them to be killed in retaliation, instead they'd managed to steal a ship and sail it out to sea without so much as a cough of alarm.

That was almost a year ago now. It was amazing how fast time had passed without Seko realizing. He'd given up an entire life and lifestyle with such little consideration, and the past year hadn't felt that long. It had taken time to adjust to life at sea, but Seko felt fairly confident in his ability now, better than he was at the beginning at the very least. It was growing easier to command and plan, something he'd barely been taught during their time in the Service.

Yan was a brilliant fighter, like their father, and Seko was more than willing to let his brother handle the affairs of training and drills for the crew. It was an art to Nakyan, and one that the man treated with an almost reverence. Yet, Seko had never felt comfortable with the idea of relying too so heavily on the combatant aspect of their new career. Killing was only a tool, and one that lost its power with each life taken. If you wanted someone to do something, then they needed to be willing to do it. Slicing the throat of their family, or even threatening to do so, often had the opposite effect.

He was growing tired of having to reign in his brother's more violent tendencies, though. It was beginning to feel that any chance the man had, he'd take it to fight. He seemed almost consumed by the prospect of fighting and gaining fame. Seko would have hated him for it, if it wasn't something that he secretly admired.

Nakyan was certain of who he was, or at least about what he wanted. He wanted fame enough to risk life and limb on every occasion in its pursuit, and that was a dedication that Seko couldn't find. He wanted to live a good life, but the wealth his father had likely stolen and fought for was something he'd never found interesting. Likewise, he tried to treat the Servants with respect and dignity, something that Nakyan had adamantly refused to do, but it was all so... disassociating.

He couldn't connect with the others around him because they never saw an issue with their status quo. No one wanted to consider the lives of those close to them, most were only ever concerned with their own lives and its small worries. It made it all feel so small, so insignificant. A drop in an otherwise massive bucket. It didn't matter what waves he made, it would never match the tsunami around him. Nothing he could do would ever matter at this rate.

Seko ran a hand through the water and sat up, not wanting to focus on his own small tragedies. He could be consumed by it all later, for now he needed to get back to the cove. He fixed his eye on the lighthouse and adjusted the rudder to return.

Seko stood beside the harbor master as the Pasongunan was slowly lifted back into the waves nearby. Two workers, wearing the power gauntlet things, had eased the ship out of its dry-dock hold of the past few days and through the narrow path. For a moment, Seko thought the workers would toss the ship into the harbor like a ball, instead they placed it comfortably in the designated dock.

"Well it's been a real pleasure miss Yedia." The harbor master, a portly mardan man with a kind face and long graying beard, turned to face the older woman.

Yedia was aged, the wrinkles gave it away, but her eyes never lost the glint of deception or sharpness. She gave the man a wide smile and nodded. "Likewise, Pialtra was it?"

"Yes ma'am." Pialtra the Harbormaster gave a quick bow, causing Seko to snicker. Yedia dug her sharp boney elbow into his side to quickly silence him.

"The work on the Pasongunan seems to have been done perfectly, exactly to each specification. I'll be excited to see her perform at sea."

"Oh aye, It'll be a pleasure to see the adjustments in use." Seko said. He rubbed the pain in his side and stepped closer to the ledge railing. "Were you able to fiddle with the Arc systems any?"

"Oh, just a tad. Not much I or my crew could do that your own wouldn't have tried."

"The only difference is access to the parts."

"Nevertheless," Yedia groaned, "We should be going. Captain?"

"Right. Harbormaster," Seko extended his hand which the man took happily "We'll likely be back for more of your services in the future."

"We'd be delighted Captain. And please, with a crew as lovely as yours we'd always be willing to lend a hand." He gave a wink to Yedia who smiled and looked away.

The two left the dry docks and made their way towards the docks and their waiting crew. It hadn't taken as long as Seko had imagined to finish the renovations and additions, but that had apparently been due to a recent haul of ship carcasses. With the Pasongunan ready, the only task left was to plan a path to the Treasure Ship, and earlier than anticipated.

"You two seem to be getting along." Seko said as they descended stairs towards the general docks of the lower harbor.

"Oh hush." Yedia snapped, "let an old woman have her fancies."

"I was only saying that he seemed to fancy you."

"Aye," She said, "That he did..."

"And you...?"

"Is there something wrong, Captain?"

"Nothing whatsoever, just concerned about my ship's engineer."

"Being distracted by love?"

"Not being able to chase it." Seko said.

Yedia pursed her lips and looked away. "It isn't that simple."

"It never is, is it?"

"Seko," Yedia stopped and turned to face him, "I appreciate your concern over both my health and love life, but it isn't something that I need your aid with."

"I only thought-"

"And I appreciate it," Yedia gave a warm smile, "Should I need anything, I know I can ask. In the meantime, we have a treasure to risk our lives on, right?"

"We're not going after a treasure."

"Aye, Aye, that's what they all say."

The top deck of the Pasongunan was alight with life and activity, crewman rushing to and fro with ropes or barrels. Each man and woman ran the path as if they'd lived it all their lives, working with the skill only granted by experience under combat. By the time Seko and Yedia had joined the crew, the ship had been in the water only thirty minutes, but nearly everything had been completed.

"It's amazing what proper training can do." Nakyan laughed and slapped his brother's back as the man approached. Seko gripped his brother in a short embrace and looked around.

"Quite a scene to come home to."

"Ah, home indeed." Yedia said "If you'll excuse me. Captain, Captain." She dipped her head to both men and walked towards the lower deck.

"Come on brother," Yan waved a hand and pushed open the door to the quarter deck.

The Quarter deck held the Officers Cabin, Captains Cabin, and the general navigation room that they often used as a meeting hall. Seko had offered his brother the Captains Cabin during their first few months when the man had complained that he didn't feel his room was fitting of his title. Seko had never cared much for the room, it was far too large, so he relented and took the smallest officer cabin on the deck.

Yan pressed open the door to the navigation and lead him inside. Vel and Eado sat before a large map of the Imperial Strait. With the door closed behind them, Yan went to a chained drinks cabinet and produced a set of glasses and a long bottle.

"Morning Captain, Captain." Vel chuckled, “Fine bruise there Yan, old lady kick you out?”

"She is a devious woman," Eado said, "A danger even."

"We should be so lucky." Seko said. He crossed the room and took his chair, Yan handed him a glass a minute later and, his own glass in hand, moved to the seat across.

“Just making some money,” Yan said, “What has Eado so riled up?”

"I didn't do anything," Vels smiled betrayed her heavily accented words. "I am innocent."

"We've not even accused you of a crime." Yan said "Why would you be otherwise?"

"What happened?" Seko asked

"It is not important," Eado said "I would just like it stated that I refuse to go against her in the future."

"Noted."

"Please," She said with a groan, "I beat some of the crew at cards, including Eado."

"The way she bluffed," Eado mumbled

"How does one get that reaction out of someone after playing cards?"

"Someone plays to win." Vel said, the cutting smirk across her face sending a shiver of warning down his spine.

"So the target," Yan said, motioning to the table before them and the ship pieces indicating their paths, "should be here currently." He placed a finger lightly on the map near a small piece of a bronze galleon.

"That's barely into the Expanse!" Vel shouted, "are you mad?"

"Would you rather be left helpless to the creatures of the deep during the attack? If we wait until it reaches the Expanse then we risk any number of issues, including sea monsters."

"So we attack it before the Expanse?" Seko asked. His brother often had the most ridiculous of plans, and unfortunately that level of insanity was what let them work out in his favor. "Leaving us open to the anger of the Empire and their coastal scouts."

"We can outrun anything they have." Yan countered, "They barely keep more than rowboats on patrol. Single masts are nothing."

"What about the Raz?" Eado asked "Surely they will come for revenge."

"Placing us so close to the Empire would give it the best opportunity." Vel said

"We nearly sank the bastard." Yan laughed and drew from his glass, "Besides, with that cannon on the front we're as good as set should they try again."

"So we attack before the expanse," Seko said, "what then?"

"Move in at night," Eado said, "strike just before the crews change."

"Right," Yan nodded and pushed the Pasongunan figurine closer towards the Treasure galleon, pushing it alongside. "We strike first at night, sending the crew in before they change their guard. First team will take control of the ship and-"

"By themselves?" Vel pinched her brow, "A small team against an entire Galleon?"

"Relax," Yan leaned back to mimic the gesture, "Our teams are the best of the best, some even have Imperial training, and they've worked out well in the past."

"Not against something like this." Seko said "This is triple the number of possible defenders, even at the best of times."

"You're not listening," He waved the room silent "The first team will slip in and take control of the ship and destroy the masts. Taking control of the upper deck will be a bit easier, but by the time the explosives go off, the lower decks will know."

"Once we have the masts destroyed, we move the Pasongunan in and open fire with the broadsides. Masts destroyed and cannons unloading, we should gather enough of a heads start to cut off any chance of rebellion against the assault. The whole thing should go fairly smoothly."

"Should," Seko said

"How do you all feel about it?"

"Well," Vel said "I don't hate it. Not outright anyway."

"It could work. It could fail, too." Eado said.

"As could anything." Yan said with a frown

"How many do we need for the assaulting team?" Seko asked. He had a few of the crew in mind for the job, but it would be a near suicide mission should anything go wrong. That wasn't something he'd willingly send anyone into.

"Ten, Eight if you really need to cut corners." Yan said, "One Longboat."

"Hmm." Seko scratched his chin and looked away, he didn't know how to put his feelings into words. Something about the task felt off, attacking so close to the Imperial Coasts was just asking for trouble, and if word got out that a ship was under attack...

"What about the Empire?" Vel asked, clearly seeing Sekos discomfort, "We could handle the Raz, but what about the other Imperial Vessels? Our original plan had us striking it closer towards the middle of the Expanse, why not just use that. We set up and wait."

"We have a chance to strike quick and quietly, if we do so than we might be able to get away with nearly no consequences."

"What about the defenses on the treasure ship?" Eado asked, "Anything we know that may help?"

"Only that the ship is full up with new recruits fresh out of training. Some are being transferred to other harbors across the strait, others are just replacing retiring crewman." Seko said, reading through the papers of reports about the ship's activities and actions

"A new crew won't have any chance against an attack that early." Yan said

"Are you leading the team?" Vel asked, folding her arms

"I'd prefer to. Objection to that?"

"I don't know." Vel said, "I'm not sure yet."

"Eado?"

Eado shook his head and waved a hand. "I do not care what you do, only that you are safe as you do it."

"I'm not against it," Seko offered, "however I also don't know how I feel about it either."

"Well, I can't tell you how to feel, but I will say that I don't feel comfortable leaving the task to someone else."

"I won't stop you. Your plan, your show."

"I won't go against a Captain," Vel said, "I've stated my issues."

"Aye Captain," Eado said

"Very good."