The fallen guards were stripped down of anything and everything useful. Of course there wasn't much left of the ones Alexandria had taken apart with her new shifting form. The only usable thing for her to take was the bones for V. There was no way she was talking to take from the settlers' bodies that seemed in bad taste. One of the settlers was a butcher which was very helpful for getting the bones removed so she could put them in a bag. It was surprising how the people didn't freak out about most of the things she was doing. Of course they were happy to simply be alive. Hopefully they can bring the settlement back up to what it was since walled cities don't do anyone any favors.

Tyra was still out in the crows nest of the first ship. Lyric had returned to tell her what was going on. She had heard a few things but wasn't able to catch everything. For now she was going to act as the lookout just in case another attack happened or other travelers came by looking to trade. There wasn't anything to trade at the moment since everything was being divided up between Alexandria's crew and the remaining people. The fallen settlers were being laid to rest as well. Lyric was very helpful with all that work. She was the only one that really connected with the people. They had seen her ship before so that felt more comfortable with her.

Alexandria didn't mind her taking the lead with this task. She was more concerned with sorting out the supplies. There was also the job of getting their stuff loaded up to leave. They were just going to move to a different area by land since the island was so massive. The leader's ship also gave them many memories they would rather forget. That was something she understood very well. V stayed on her shoulder getting bones from time to time. The people didn't seem to mind her either. Alexandria wasn't sure how the settlement would turn out but it was going well. Aside from the attack of course which put a damper on everything. The people were helping to load up the new ship which was over twice the size of Lyric's.

They also decided that Alexandria should keep the smaller ship for now. There was no telling what could happen so having a backup is important. Building a settlement more towards the middle of the island would be good for them. Having it by the water was one of the things that caused the attack. They didn't want no part in that for a good long while. Alexandria was just walking around for the moment watching the work while giving V bones to snack on. She wanted to get a flag ready since with a new ship, especially a bigger one, there needed to be a flag. The settlers had everything she needed to get it made. There was no stopping her now. They also were not alarmed by the fact pirates had helped them.

Thrown over her shoulder was another bag with everything she needed. One of the settlers was going to make the flag. She was going to do two, one for now and then another once the crew was completed. V was going to be on the flag along with bones. It was pretty much on the nose but for right now it worked. Walking into the dwelling ducking a bit so V didn't have to move much. The merchant turned to greet her. "Well you were not kidding when you said the bird was coming with you. Do you have all the materials?" Alexandria nodded, putting the bag on the counter.

"Thanks for taking the time to do this with everything that is going on. If you want to sign the bottom, go right ahead." She could see the merchant was happy to have something else to do besides packing and cleaning. Taking the bag, dumping out the contents, separating everything out, getting ready to sew.

Alexandria turned and started to walk out. "If you would like to watch your more then welcome. It is not everyday pirates help us in our business." The merchant said as she began to piece the flag together. Stopping at the threshold Alexandria wasn't sure if she wanted to watch it be created. There were still many things to do and Eve was still on her mind.

"I will come back for the flag when it is finished. There are still things to be done. I will however watch you make the second one if you're still alive then." Leaving the dwelling making her way to the ship. If anyone knew where Eve had gone Tyra would be that person. Thankfully all the people she passed on the way were too busy to notice her.

She arrived at the ship to see Tyra sitting up in the crow's nest watching all the work being done. Her rifle was standing up next to her pointing to the sky. V shrieked to get her attention. Alexandria wrinkled her nose fighting the urge not to slap V right off her shoulder. Tyra looked down, sneering at V while waving to Alexandria. "Is there something I can do for you there captain?"

That made her forget for a moment that V just shrieked in her ear. "I was wondering if you saw which way Eve went after she left? I would like to keep tabs on her since she could be a future crewmember." She was someone who would be extremely useful in the future. Lyric was good at sneaking around but Eve could blend in and that is a hard ability to let walk away.

Tyra let out a soft chuckle. "I did see which direction she went. However, I am not going to tell you." Alexandria's smile vanished wrinkling her nose. That wasn't the answer she wanted to hear.

Resisting the urge to throw something at Tyra, closing her eyes to compose herself. "Why in the fuck would you tell me no? That isn't something a crew member should be saying to their captain." She had enormous respect for Tyra but there had better be a good reason for telling her no.

Rolling her eyes a bit leaning forward. "You need to listen to yourself for a moment. Keeping tabs on a person with abilities you want to use. Who do you think you sound like?" Tyra was hoping that would be enough to let her captain know what she was doing wrong.

Alexandria's eyes went wide for a moment. A flash of the facility ran through her mind. The constant speaking of her as an object instead of a person. How her ability was all that mattered. Once they were able to replicate it she was no longer needed. Shaking her head to chase the thoughts a way looking down at the water in the cover.

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Her reflection was staring back at her. The ray was also swimming underneath the dock. Tyra was right only to a point. She didn't want to become like the researchers. That was a place she never wanted to return nor emulate. Letting out a frustrated sigh. "Next time all you fucking have to do is tell me why. Don't contribute to bringing up those memories ever again."

Rolling her shoulders back a bit, Tyra shook her head. "You may be the captain. However that doesn't mean everything you say has to be followed. There is always time for a word that sets you on the correct path." She picked up her rifle shouldering it and peering down the scope. There were no threats in any direction which was a welcome sight. She glanced down at her captain who was still staring at the water.

"Remember I joined you because you reminded me of the old days. I also believe you are not the type of person to turn into what you hate. Words of wisdom are not always easy to hear." Tyra closed her eyes just to listen to everything that was going on. She wasn't ignoring the captain, just allowing her to soak that all in.

Alexandria let out an exasperated sigh kicking a small stone into the water. There was a lot to unpack in those statements. She knew Tyra was right but getting told no wasn't something she was used to hearing. The respect was the only thing keeping Alexandria from flying up there and knocking Tyra into the water. Finally cracking her neck looking up at her.

"You are correct not to tell me. I need to remember that a person is more than just an ability. We need to move over to the other ship. Once the flag is done we are going to leave." Pausing for a moment to look back at the settlement which was almost ready to be moved. A smile crept across her face. "We are also going to send a statement to everyone not to mess with this island or the remaining people on it."

Tyra opened her eyes looking down at Alexandria. The smile painted on her face was a bit terrifying. However it was better than her looking down at the water pouting. "What do you plan to do now?" Tyra made a mental note to keep the direction of Eve saved since having the help could be useful in the future.

The wheels were turning in Alexandria's mind making sure everything was in place, shaking her head and looking up at Tyra. "We are going to burn everything that isn't going with us or the settlers. I want to let the walled cities know they can't just fuck with everyone at their leisure." They had plenty of things to burn and it would be something that no one would forget for miles.

A shutter went up Tyra's spine. Fire was not something she enjoyed seeing. The message her captain was trying to send did make sense though. "You should probably run this idea by Lyric as well. Remember her escape did happen when a fire broke out. I will move all our things from this ship to the other one. Once you come back with the flag we should be ready to go."

Alexandria nodded making her way back towards the settlement. There were a ton of things to do. However making the fire run through the settlement rather than stacking stuff up would be a bigger statement. That will tell them they are rebuilding despite being attacked. Having a quick conversation with Lyric should give the merchant enough time to have the flag finished.

It didn't take her long to find Lyric. She was working with some of the settlers to move the last of the supplies. Alexandria hoped that meant everyone was about ready to leave. Lyric giggled, waving at her captain. "Hey, they are almost ready to head out. We have everything from the settlement loaded onto our new ship as well." Tilting her head to the side looking at Alexandria. "What is going on?"

They had not known each other long but Lyric always seemed to know when Alexandria was cooking something up. Blowing her lips and wrinkling her nose. "Well after speaking with Tyra I believe we should set the settlement on fire after we all leave." The area went completely silent. Even Lyric didn't giggle, which was her usual reaction to almost everything.

Taking in a few short breaths, closing her eyes, speaking without opening them. "I am not sure I follow that reasoning. Why would we burn everything to the ground?" Lyric stumbled a bit leaning on Alexandria to stand upright.

"I want to show them that everyone is moving on regardless of what has happened to them. We are burning the old to make room for the new. Sending a message that not even a purge can keep us down." Alexandria helped steady Lyric who regained her footing a bit, finally opening her eyes.

A soft giggle escaped her lips. Alexandria could feel the half heartedness of it. "If you believe that is the right move captain I will try my best to bear it." Lyric along with the rest of the people walked off to finish loading the carts.

Alexandria shook her head, biting her bottom lip. She would need to talk to Lyric later but for now getting the flag was the most important thing. The settlement was really a ghost town now. Everyone had moved to the back end near the carts. The merchant doing the flag was the last one here. Getting ready to enter the dwelling a hand moved the curtain as the merchant stepped out with the flag in her hands.

"I was just on my way to give this to you. Everyone is about to leave. All my things are packed now, it is just me who needs to get going." She handed the flag to Alexandria. Holding it in her hands looking down at the work. Her hands danced over the fabric, a smile crossing her face.

"Thanks so much for doing this so quickly. We are about ready to leave as well. I meant what I said before. Stay alive so you can do the next flag." Extending her hand draping the flag over her unoccupied shoulder. The merchant nodded, grasping her hand giving a firm handshake.

They both went their separate ways. Alexandria made preparations for the settlement to be set on fire. There wasn't much she had to do thankfully since most of it was burnable. Lyric and Tyra were waiting at the dock having already tired the old ship to the new one. They would use a tow for now.

Alexandria dropped the bag she was holding on the dock. There was a trail of powder behind her. Both Lyric and Tyra looked at each other. "I have already set everything up. It would seem some of the settlers rigged some traps for scavengers. I used those to set up my fire." Alexandria walked past them both boarding the new ship. They followed quickly behind.

Tyra went up the mast and into her crows nest. The other nest next door had V perched on it having left Alexandria's shoulder right before she got on board. The only thing that was left to do was take off the mooring line. Alexandria nodded to Lyric who took it off. The ship began to move away from the dock.

"Alright Tyra, shoot the powder for me and let's get moving!" Alexandria shouted up.

Tyra let out a chuckle as the wind carried them out of the cover. Just as they passed out her finger squeezed the trigger letting the bullet fly. It sparked the powder, taking a piece of the dock with it. The whole settlement erupted into flames spewing all sorts of debris into the air.

The sun was sinking into the horizon. However the intense light from the fire didn't dim the sky one bit.