Surface- Lost Islands Region

Free Lands- Off the Island of Andport

It had been a long two weeks to get here. They had to fight off squids, mermaids and mermen, and even a low-level Kraken, but they were finally here. Four transport ships had already finished unloading troops and four more were already unloading as the Dauntless and the Barracuda prepared to launch their assault on the port. The Unbroken and Bloodforged were already patrolling the nearby waters with their accompanying ships for any pirate vessels, but so far nothing had been reported.

"Will you be joining us in the land assault?" Darren asked as he joined him near the railing.

"Yes if that isn't a problem. We have no idea how many pirates live here, how many defenders they have, or what their average level is. So we are going in blind, so if something goes wrong, I want to be there to help out if I can." Jacob told the Shadow Master

Darren looked slightly uncomfortable, "What happens if you have another...episode. In the middle of a battle that could be very bad for morale and it could distract your troops and cause them to make mistakes." Darren pointed out causing Jacob to grind his teeth.

"I am going. Four Cohorts will be more than enough to hold a beachhead and assault the port from the land side of the island. If they were aware of our presence they would have attacked already. Do you see a counter-attack anywhere?" Jacob pointed out and Darren nodded. Commander Treadwill watched as the various Marines and sailers prepare for the assault. All non-crucial crew members were banned from the main deck unless called for. He looked over at the Swift and the Rapier, both Briremes had sustained minor damage during the cruise between the mainland and the Lost Islands. Once the harbor was secure, they would be able to fully repair all their ships. Suddenly he received a message, it was one word 'Begin'!!

Whispered orders immediately went out as the Barracuda and her consorts raised their sails. The Light Triremes would rapidly move through the mouth of the harbor and attack any of the pirate vessels at anchor or dicked while the Brirems and Tririmes would assault the harbor fortifications and keep them occupied.

"Well this should be interesting Commander, what do you think our chances are?" the Captain beside him asked.

"We will be fine Captain. We might bleed a little, but we will be fine." Commander Treadwill replied as the Barracuda picked up speed. They would be in range in twenty minutes giving time for the land-based forces to get into range to attack the fortress and port from the land side. If everything went well, they would be attacked simultaneously.

George hated the midnight watch, it was boring but with it being in the middle of the night, the breeze was cooler. He was part of the crew of the Blood Diamond, but it and a whole lot of other ships had been captured or sunk by the Empire. Ever since the Pirate Lord had commanded Imperial shipping and their ports to be attacked, their luck had turned bad.

George looked down at the harbor of Andport, he had never seen so few vessels before. Usually, the port was overflowing with pirate vessels, Slavers Union ships, and black-market captains looking to earn some quick money or buy goods at a cheaper rate because they had been stolen. Ever since the war between the Empire and the Slavers Union had broken out though, shipping had lessened every day. Now there were eighteen ships in the port.

George didn't know what to do, he had joined a pirate crew when he was young. He had served on a dozen different vessels over the years. If the Empire destroyed them, George had no idea what he would do. Those thoughts crossed George's mind as he watched as a fog started to creep into the bay. It was odd because it was too early for fog to pick up. It usually occurred only about an hour before and after dawn.

George immediately looked at the Runes that would protect the watchtower from a magical attack. None of them were lighting up, but fog wasn't a hostile attack, it would obscure things though from sight though. The Pirate Lord had warned them that an Imperial attack could be coming, but it was not confirmed though. George looked back down at the mouth of the port and studied the water to see if there were any wakes from passing ships but the fog was obscuring everything. George considered hitting the alarm bell but before he could decide anything four large fireballs arced up from near the mouth of the port and slammed into the watchtower. George had a moment of thought before the fire consumed everything around him, he just wished he had never become a pirate. Jacob watched as the two watchtowers fortifying the port entrance explode in a fire as the naval ships began their bombardment. Jacob immediately shifted his focus to the nearby wall that surrounded the small town and fortress. Darren and other Rogue types had already infiltrated the town and had been working to take out any sentries on the wall as well as sabotage the defenses. With the gate still closed, they would use rope ladders to scale the outer wall which was only eight feet tall, so the fortification was not too much for the Legionnaires.

Grappling hooks were quickly thrown up onto the wall and set as the Legionnaires quickly prepared for their assault. Suddenly screams filled the night near the wall, Jacob cursed under his breath as he let his talons grow and he dug into the wooden palisade and climbed it as quickly as he could as the Legionnaires joined him as quickly as they could. People were scrambling up onto the wall to defend it, but they were all poorly equipped and Jacob deduced that they had been awoken and were unprepared for an attack. Jacob quickly analyzed the nearest oncoming enemy. Spoiler: Spoiler Name: Unknown

Class: Pirate-Guard

Level: 50

Health: 3,000

Stamina: 1,500

Note* Orcs are one of the most common species on Ithea. Their ferocity is only matched by their numbers. Jacob drew Moonlight as he cast Entangling Shadows behind him as he charged the oncoming pirates. He was careful to keep his shield between him and some of the pirate that were aiming crossbows and pistols in is general region, it left his front exposed to the oncoming pirates though.

Each of them was armed with a Rapier, Saber, Knife, Hatchet, Cutlass, or other small weapons that would usually better suited for ship-based combat. Not defending a fortified position. Moonlight being a Longsword had reach and could damage their weapons if they blocked, but the pirates had speed and numbers. At least for now, Jacob thought as he engaged the oncoming wave of enemies. Commander Treadwill watched as the latest salvo from the Barracuda, Swift, and Rapier slam into the watchtower. Half of it was on fire and part of it had collapsed. The Dauntless and its escorts had set their target completely ablaze and it looked on the verge of complete collapse. The defenders had only managed to damage one of the ships infiltrating the harbor before all the Ballistas had apparently been destroyed, it still left eleven Light Triremes free to assault the port from the waterside while the Legionnaires attacked the landward side.

Commander Treadwill could see Fireballs and Lightning Bolts slam into the docked pirate vessels and any nearby defenders. The fight for the port was going poorly for the defenders, but it was far from over. More fire to the north suddenly caught the Commander's eye as the Unbroken and her escorts engaged another foe. Treadwill immediately sent a message to Commander Smithson asking if he needed his assistance. The man's smart ass response made him chuckle.

"What's so funny Commander?" the Captain asked between shouting at the crew and encouraging them.

"I asked Commander Smithson of the Unbroken if he needed any assistance. He told me to 'fuck off, he and his people were enjoying hunting pirates'. It looks like our primary target is all but destroyed, let's shift to our secondary targets Captain." Commander Treadwill responded as he sent a message to Commander Hopwill and General Brox that they were moving. The Captain immediately acknowledged the Commander's orders as he started barking out fresh orders to his crew.

Balls of black and red fire and arrows of golden light slammed into the pirates as Rose and Lilly joined the fight. Jacob growled in frustration as the Demon and Angel landed near him. "I thought you were going to stay with the ships. I thought that was what you agreed too." Jacob yelled out over the sounds of battle. A pirate tried to take advantage of Jacobs's distraction but Jacob grabbed the pirates' fist and disemboweled him instead.

"You wanted us too stay on the transport ship safely and miss all the fun...Yeah, not going to happen!!" Lilly retorted as her daggers spun and danced in her hands as she neatly sliced through three pirates to get to Jacob's side.

"You are our responsibility, not the ships and soldiers out there," Rose added as she continued to hover and fire arrows at the pirates below.

Jacob snarled in frustration at the two women before casting Shadow Storm at a particular group of pirates that had been giving trouble to the Legionnaires. "I will discipline you two later after the battle is over," Jacob replied as he launched himself at more pirates.

"OHHH, you going to spank me!!!" Lilly laughed as she joined Jacob in his assault causing Rose to roll her eyes as she followed what she considered two insane beings below her. Jacob ducked behind his shield as both bolts and shot slammed into it. Jacob once again thanked whoever was out there looking out for him for getting him Artifact level gear. Jacob Charged the line of pirates, Moonlight whirling chopping, slicing, and stabbing various bodies as the nearby Legionnaires joined him in destroying the chokepoint. "Sir!!' Jacob hear someone call out causing Jacob to whirl around as a runner came up. 'General Box requests your presence as soon as possible." the man reported.

Jacob nodded his head as he cleaned Moonlight off and resheathed it before turning to the two squads of Legionnaires that were looting the corpses and taking care of their own wounded. "Ladies and gentlemen, it been an honor to fight beside you, but responsibility calls me elsewhere. Stay safe." Jacob told them before following the messenger. A shout from the Legionnaires followed him as they ran through the streets.

Ten minutes later he was in a market that was heavily fortified by Legionnaires. The command tent was easily spotted as he was ushered through the various Legionnaires standing guard. "Report General!" Jacob called out as he entered the tent.

Brox saluted quickly before ushering Jacob over to the tactical table that was light up and showing the harbor and surrounding area. "The harbor is secure. We control two-thirds of the town, the pirates are still in control of the keep though. We are getting any civilians we can out of the town. We have landed twelve Cohorts on the island, eight are here in the city, the remaining four are protecting the cove from any counter-attack. The defenses at the mouth of the port have been destroyed, I want your permission to bring the Barracuda and her escorts into the harbor proper to bombard the keep and force their surrender or to destroy them." Brok reported as various points on the map were highlighted.

"Do they have siege weapons to attack out ships?' Jacob inquired and Brox gave a negative response immediately. 'Bring those ships in and end this." Jacob commanded and the Orc nodded his head in acknowledgment.

"I already told Commander Treadwill we might do this, he and his escort were prepared. Give them ten minutes and they will be in a position to bombard the Keep." General Brox reported as he closed out his interface. Jacob watched as every minute the Barracuda, Swift, and Rapier launch a barrage at the Primitive Keep. Already part of its outer wall and the main hall were on fire and partially collapsed. One of the four turrets surrounding it was partially collapsed. However, the defenders continued to fight despite what was happening. "Those outside the Keep have surrendered. What are your orders?" General Brox asked as he strode up.

"Cease bombardment for now. We will offer them a chance to surrender, if they refuse, we will destroy the keep and kill anyone else inside." Jacob told the Orc who nodded in acknowledgment.

Twenty minutes later Jacob and a Century of the First Legion approached the damaged Keep. The fires were still actively going but were contained for now. "Ho the Keep...PARLEY?" Jacob called out. No shots or spells fell on his group, but no one responded immediately either.

"Agreed!!" Someone yelled back from the crumbling fortress. Jacob waited another ten minutes but eventually, a woman with an escort of two men came out to meet them. Jacob studied them, they were all wounded and bloody, hopefully, it would provide an incentive to surrender, but you could always count on two things with people. Stupidity and stubbornness.

"So, what you want?" one of the men asked.

"I want your lot to surrender," Jacob replied and the two men laughed while the woman frowned.

"Why would we want to do that?" the other man asked.

"Cause you want to live. If you do not surrender, those ships will keep firing until only flames and ruins are all that remain of your Keep. Surrender and your lives will be spared." Jacob told them.

"I think we like our chances." the first man replied again.

Jacob pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, "We are not going to assault your position. We are going to bombard your position until nothing is left. We will not come close to your fortifications." Jacob slowly explained.

"Enough...you fools are going to get everyone killed. The Commander of the fort died in the initial bombardment of the Keep. We are the only ones left that can surrender the Keep too you and I accept your generous terms. I am not going to die because of your idiocy.' the woman stated as she slowly drew the cutlass on her hip and dropped it. 'I will go back and tell everyone what is going on. Anyone else willing to surrender will follow me, I can not speak for these two. Will you accept my surrender and anyone else surrendering that follows me?" the women asked.

"Accepted, you have ten minutes to get them out if these two refuse to surrender," Jacob replied and the women nodded and gave a slight bow before turning and leaving her tight leather-wrapped ass swaying.

"Dibs!!" Lilly called out as her eyes followed the woman's walk.

Jacob laughed at the situation, "Really?" Jacob asked the Demoness.

"What? If a girl's hips can roll like that, I would love to see what else she can do. Plus the way you work with women, miss chaste over here will likely lose her virginity before you could nail that ass." Lilly replied with an amused smirk while Rose had a confused look on her face as if she didn't know if she should be offended or proud.

Jacob was embarrassed a little though, "You are a sex Demon, you could probably get a eunuch hard if you wanted too. Either way, I have a wife and we have a fuck buddy at home." Jacob replied and the two male pirates looked slightly confused.

"Ahh, are we going too." One of the pirates tried to edge in.

"Shutup, we are talking right now. So what, you calling me a slut because I like sex?" Lilly responded.

Jacob took a calming breath before responding, "No. I am saying you have advantages I do not. You are literarily built for sex. It comes easy to you as breathing is to me. Now if you really want to continue this conversation we will finish it later. Yes, you have a choice right now gentlemen, surrender or die. Your clock is running and you have just under nine minutes left to decide. Goodbye." Jacob told the confused pirates as he turned and walked away.