Alexandria cracked her neck a few times. Whoever was on the island was a threat according to what Tyra had seen. There were half a dozen sitting around a fire. They were in full suits so no way of telling who they were just yet. Of course now they had to be even more careful. Alexandria wanted to keep the element of surprise. Hopefully they had not been spotted just yet. "Keep your eyes and ears on them Tyra. Once we land Lyric and I will go scout the area. If you find anyone else looking in our direction, kill them."
Tyra was glad to hear a kill order. She was already a bit tired of having to wait to do so. Keeping her focus forward scanning the area for anyone else. "Nothing to worry about there. Are you sure you want to go ashore captain? If something happens to you that is it for Lyric and myself." Tyra wanted to make sure Alexandria wasn't going to lose her nerve. The last time she waited by the ship since she didn't have a suitable form to fight in. That wasn't the case now.
"I have no issues at the moment. We have the element of surprise plus Lyric shouldn't have to be the only one going ashore." Alexandria was a bit annoyed at the comment. She knew the reasoning and would address it after they dealt with the threat. The ship moved into position with Lyric being very careful not to damage the other two ships. They made it safely into the cove area.
She let out a soft chuckle continuing her scan. "As long as you're ready for whatever happens. We are behind you one hundred percent." Tyra was glad to hear her captain was all in and ready to go. That fire hopefully stayed lit for the foreseeable future.
Lyric moved quickly around the ship, dropping the anchor looking back at the other two ships. They had both come to a nice stop. The only sounds were the waves butting against the hulls of each ship. After dropping the anchor slapping her forehead looking up at Alexandria. "We are going to hope they didn't hear that. I am going to go ashore now. How are you going to follow?"
Alexandria let out an exasperated sigh wrinkling her nose a bit. "I think I will fly overhead with V just to get a better view." She looked up at Tyra. "Should I be worried about getting shot down?" Hopefully the answer was no since that was the last thing they needed. It would be a good plan since they would not be worrying about a few birds flying overhead.
"That is a good idea then I would be able to move freely without having to worry about us walking into each other. I will leave now if we are all good to go?" Lyric moved to the edge of the ship waiting for the go ahead to move. Alexandria nodded as Lyric disappeared from view moving onto the island.
Tyra did a quick scan of the area. She didn't see or hear anything that made her believe there were snipers. Of course that didn't mean it was true. They could just be hiding extremely well. "You are good for now. I would be careful and watch V closely. She will have instincts that you could learn from. My rifle will be watching. If I see a threat it will be taken out."
"Alright I am going to leave then. Remember to keep an eye on the water as well. There is no telling when another ship could come this way." Taking in a deep breath Alexandria's body contoured as she shifted into a vulture. Climbing into the air joining V who was already making her way to the top of the island.
Tyra watched them both fly off. She turned her attention back to the fire where the small group of people had yet to move. Hopefully they would stay that way until it was too late.
Making her way through the rocky area Lyric was having a good time. It was time to actually give some action to her cutlass. Of course it tasted blood once but that wasn't as enjoyable as this fight might become. There were a few things in her path that showed these people had been there for some time. She made sure to be very careful stepping around a few crates and chests. Embers started to fly around her accompanied by the cracking of the wood. The area was closed off with only two points to come in. Above were high ridges perfect for an ambush. Moving up to the first opening she peered inside.
Alexandria flew overhead with V at her side. Looking down circling the area where the fire was located. She spotted the ridge as well coming down slowly aiming for the edge of the rock face. Landing on the edge her talons ripping against the rock looking down at the people. There were six that she could see and there was no sign of Lyric yet. Of course she didn't want to see her until the time was right. The people had bladed weapons with no signs of firearms. V landed next to her moving side to side bobbing her head. It was time to decide if she was going to jump down or wait for Lyric to make her move.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Lyric heard the wing beats looking up spotting both Alexandria and V on the ledge above. It was about time to make the play. She needed to figure out how it was going to go down. There was nothing around to indicate who these people are and talking was getting old. Perhaps it was time for good old fashioned bloodshed. Moving into the space getting close to the nearest person. A giggled escaped her lips thrusting the cutlass into their back. The point of the blade exploded out of their chest with blood and guts. Everyone jumped up as Lyric materialized pulling her cutlass out and kicking the person to the ground. "Anyone else want a good thrust?"
A loud shriek came from above as V came down from above landing on one of the groups shoulders clawing at their neck. Alexandria watched from above trying to decide how she wanted to attack. If she wanted to change into the anteater that would take some time. However, that would take a toll on her body. The remaining four drew their weapons facing Lyric. "It is not very nice not to show your faces. Why do you have those ridiculous suits on?" The enemy V had attacked was on the ground in a pile while V dug in their body pulling out bits of bone.
Making a mental note not to give V any bones for a while Alexandria stepped off the ridge. Flapping her wings a few times aiming her beak down at the top of one of the enemies heads. Her beak plugged into the enemy's head. A small noise was heard as the body fell to the ground. Alexandria freed herself so as not to be taken down with the body. Landing on top of the fallen enemy clawing at their back just watching the others with her head cocked to the side.
A giggle escaped Lyric's lips as she stepped forward thrusting with her cutlass at the nearest enemy. They turned to face her parrying the blow. "Why do you have vultures attacking us?" The person speaking sounded like a woman. Of course it was hard to tell with the full body suit on. Lyric didn't care who it was since settlers and pirates didn't wear those types of suits. Only people from the walled cities dressed in that manner. There was no way she was going to allow them to hurt anyone else. "I don't command vultures. They saw blood. Your nothing but menu items to them." She giggled again, stepping forward and slashing at the woman. Perhaps getting some information out of them would be useful before cutting them into bite size pieces.
The two started to exchange blows. Sparks flew about them from the weapons clashing together. The sounds dug into Alexandria's ears as she stepped off the body shifting back into her human form. Letting out a loud scream and wrinkling her nose at the action. "Would you fucking stop with the high pitch sounds. Stop playing with her and end it already." Alexandria bent down picking up a spear next to her feet. The other two enemies were dumbfounded by Alexandria's transformation. She was able to thrust the spear into the nearest one's mouth. Blood and brain matter splattered all over the other enemies' suits. The body started to fall and she just let go of the spear staring down the last enemy standing. The enemy rolled their shoulders swinging two short axes ready to charge forward.
Alexandria wrinkled her nose looking around for another weapon. She wasn't used to this kind of combat and shifting again so soon wasn't an option. There was nothing readily available around her. Taking in a deep breath she closed her eyes, putting her arms out waiting for the strike. The axe wielder just looked at her for a moment. There was only one other of her friends left dueling with Lyric. Taking a step forward to strike when a shot rang out. The sound echoed inside the small area as her body jerked a bullet boring through her right temple and out the left side. Alexandria let out an exasperated sigh walking over to the body facing the entrance giving a small salute in Tyra's direction.
Tyra chuckled from the crow's nest speaking out loud to herself. "Next time think before dropping your weapon. I can't lose my captain this soon after joining." She loaded another bullet into the chamber keeping an eye on the action. The shot had caused Lyric and her opponent to stop fighting for a moment. Alexandria walked up to help box the woman in. Lyric pointed her cutlass out as the enemy dropped her sword raising her hands. "Alright you got me. Who the hell are you people anyway?"
Alexandria looked down at her clothes. They were red again with blood. She wrinkled her nose making a mental note to take a bath when this was all over. "We are pirates of course. Judging by your suits you all are from a walled city. What are you doing way out here?" The woman tried to take a step to the side but was met by the tip of Lyric's cutlass. "I believe my captain asked you a question. So if you don't want to meet your friends in the afterlife. I suggest you answer and stay still." She raised her hands a bit higher and didn't move again. Alexandria was in no mood for games. She just wanted answers and to store her cargo.
"If you are pirates I have nothing for you. The walled cities are a safe haven for everyone. As if the virus wasn't bad enough, now we have your kind killing and taking anything you please." Alexandria stepped forward burying her right fist into the woman's stomach. She doubled over her mask making a strange hissing sound. Taking a step back allowing her to fall to her knees. "I will not hear that bullshit talk about walled cities being safe havens. If that was the case the in the hell are you all the way out here?"
Lyric let out a loud giggle. It was a treat to watch her captain work. The woman sucked in air trying to regain her composure. Taking her cutlass, raising the woman's chin with the tip. "Talk a bit more civil this time. You don't want to get her angry. If you have not already noticed she can shift into other forms. Take care what you say next."