Both Eve and Alexandria looked out over the bow of the ship. There were sails in the distance with a few black flags fluttering in the wind. Alexandria let out an exasperated sigh wrinkling her nose at the sight. “Just one time I want to fucking be able to go somewhere without all this bullshit.” Slamming her fist on the railing of the ship looking down into the water. The shadow of the ray was there again. It was something she thought was long gone.

It swam around the front of the ship drawing her attention. Glad to see it she let out another sigh cracking her neck a few times. The ray had followed them from the first island all the way here. That was a sign enough that this fleet of pirate ships was nothing to worry about. “We need a plan to get through that. Tyra, are all the flags the same or are we looking at multiple crews?”

Eve stood there for a moment just watching what was happening. That was the most pirate flags and ships she had ever seen in one place. She would have no trouble getting through that with her ability. However, bringing everyone with her was a totally different story.

“Most of the flags are the same, there are a few different ones. The flag symbol with the most ships has a skull and crossbones with a red needle through the eye. I can’t make out the others because the wind is twisting them up.” Tyra had been around a long time. There weren't many pirate crews that sailed past her island. However, this one she knew at least by reputation. The flag was all someone needed to know.

Alexandria wasn’t sure what that meant. However, the sheer number of them was overwhelming. Eve and Lyric would be able to get past no problem. She could maybe swim with her sailfish shift but that would leave Tyra on the ship alone. There had to be another way. Wrinkling her nose trying to think of something.

“Red eye isn’t a crew you want to mess with right now, captain. They are not pirates that take kindly to others on their turf.” A soft boom drifted across the water causing Eve to stop and look forward.

“Get Down!” Tyra yelled from above as the cannonball whizzed above the deck taking off a piece of the cabin splintering wood everywhere. It propelled into the water thankfully missing the towline for the other ships. Tyra peered down the scope seeing one of the ships had turned moving towards them.

“See, I told you they don’t take kindly to others.” Eve flipped one of her knives in the air. There wasn’t any more time for talk. They needed to do something now before that ship reached them.

There wasn’t a second shot but the ship kept advancing towards them. Lyric was at the helm keeping her steady towards the island. Alexandria had yet to say anything just standing there staring out at the oncoming ship. “What is the plan captain?” Lyric asked with a small smirk on her face. This was going to be fun taking out members of a strong crew.

Grasping the cane tightly in her hand, taking in a deep breath. “Tyra keep an eye on the ship. If you see anything threatening, take it out immediately.” Alexandria turned around looking at the damage to the cabin. It didn’t seem major, which was a relief. Turning her attention to Eve. “Find somewhere to lay low. Once you get an opening sneak on board and start causing trouble. Perhaps your new blade needs fresh blood.” Walking up to the helm placing a hand on Lyric’s shoulder. “Go drop the anchor, we will wait for them. Once that is done vanish but stay on board. You will be my protection.”

Lyric giggled in sheer delight skipping away to drop the anchor. The post she had was the most important in her mind. Protecting the captain is something she had been doing since the first day they met. Making it to the anchor dropping the line into the water. A creak followed as the ship stopped bobbing slightly with the movement of the waves. She drew her cutlass, flicking her wrist and vanishing from sight.

Her eyes went wide at the order. Eve had started off second guessing Alexandria and now she was showing her merit. Starting to laugh from her chest to contain the sound. Opening up her coat checking to make sure the sheaths were all stocked. Satisfied with the contents she moved towards the ramp exit hiding near some cargo on the deck. Pulling her hood over to conceal her face. It was time for a bit of bloodshed.

Tyra chuckles, scanning the ship through her scope. This was the first time Alexandria had spoken like this. It was the reason Tyra decided to join in the first place. She saw what was down deep. Once everything started there was no telling how it would end. She wasn’t going to allow anyone to die not like last time.

V drifted down landing on Alexandria’s shoulder. They both stared out at the approaching ship which was just about broadside. There wasn’t anyone on the enemy ship's deck at the moment. At least not anyone Alexandria could see. Walking towards the ramp opening stopping in front of it. Her cane rested in front of her, both hands folded on the top. She closed her eyes almost certain where Lyric was standing behind her. The ship came to a stop, the faint splash of the anchor echoed in her ears.

“You have a lot of nerve sailing where you don’t belong. Never seen your flag before. Who the hell are you?” A tall woman stood in front of Alexandria holding a crescent battle axe in her right hand. Neither of them moved from their ships and the silence started to sink in. V bobbed her head on Alexandria’s shoulder watching the woman closely.

Alexandria kept her eyes closed just focusing on everything around her. There was no way she was going to allow this woman’s words to phase her. If she acted too early there would be no way forward. Taking in a deep breath she finally opened her eyes. “We are only here for trade that is all. You put a hole in my ship.” She pointed back to the damage cracking her neck a few times.

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Watching from above there was no one else on the deck aside from the tall woman. There weren't even the smallest sounds. Tyra didn’t like everything so exposed but Alexandria had grown so much in so little time. She still could use some work and there was plenty of time for that. She watched the deck while listening towards the settlement just in case another ship or cannonball headed their way.

Eve jumped the railing sliding down into their ship through one of the openings for oars. The silence on the deck was a fog that she could easily slip through. She would be able to see things no one else could and have some fun in the process. The inside of the ship was a workshop with all kinds of weapons hanging on the walls.

There were many questions but no time for any of it. She needed to move quickly to find anything or anyone of value on the ship. They already had more cargo and ships at the moment then they needed. Of course, you could never have too much in this world.

The tall woman's nostrils flared at Alexandria’s response. Especially since she wasn’t showing any signs of backing down. Bringing her crescent battle axe down the top spike inches from Alexandria’s throat. “No one cares why you're here. This ship is no longer yours; it is now the property of Red Eye pirates. Leave or die!”

Taking in a deep breath moving closer to the spike. The tip pressed gently into her skin, staring up at the woman. “If you're going to kill me, get it over with. I have no intention of giving up anything because you shout a name around.” Alexandria kept her grip on the cane's handle. She had no practice with drawing it. So, trying something this close would be a mistake. V tilted her head to the side shrieking at the woman.

Tyra peeked over the crow’s nest watching the standoff below. She could easily take out that woman with one shot. That wouldn’t be much fun for the captain. She needed to figure this out on her own. None of the other ships had moved either which was strange. Even if they were a small threat, they would want to kill them and capture the cargo. She turned her attention to the docks trying to hear or see anything to answer her questions.

She turned her attention to V taking her eyes off Alexandria for a moment. “Why the hell do you have a vulture as a pet? I think it wants to be eaten.” V flapped her wings a bit, sending a few feathers flying. Alexandria took the opportunity stepping back, drawing the scythe blade from the cane sliding it down the shaft of the crescent axe. The one thing she had seen Lyric do a few times. The woman fell forward right into V’s reach. She dug her beak into the woman’s neck, blood spraying into the air raining down all around them. Alexandria pulled the axe back while the woman swatted at V.

V dug into her neck trying to get to the spine. She crumbled to the ground. V fell with her flapping her wings to float gently to the floor. Alexandria looked around the enemy deck while V enjoyed her snack. There was no one else aboard. Sheathing her cane scythe walking onto the deck with purpose. If this woman was the only one on board who fired the cannon? Standing next to the mast looking around her to find nothing at all.

“I have never seen anyone use a vulture in that manner before.” The voice came from above. Alexandria looked up trying to locate the person speaking. There was silence for a moment. She gripped the handle of her cane ready to draw it if needed. “You don’t need that weapon. My guard was a bit overzealous.” A person dropped down from above dressed in a trench coat from what Alexandria could see.

Cracking her fingers, the woman stood up, stepping forward a smirk on her face. “I have seen that weapon before, but it wasn’t in your hands. I know you're here to trade. What do you have to offer besides your lives?” Alexandria was taken back for a moment at the woman’s bright red left eye. She straightened up a bit, cracking her neck a few times.

“If you were here the whole time, why didn’t you stop your bodyguard?” Alexandria wasn’t sure who this woman was, but she didn’t like her attitude. She wasn’t sure that trading here was a good idea. They were not even at the settlement yet and V already ripped someone’s throat open. “We have food, water, and other supplies to trade for information, weapons, and possible crew members.” She moved a bit closer to her ship just in case.

Letting out a hearty laugh stepping close to Alexandria. “She wasn’t anyone special, couldn't even protect herself from a vulture. Your cargo does sound appealing. What is to stop me from just taking it and leaving you to die?” The woman reached into her trench coat pulling out a rolled cigarette. She rolled it in her hands a moment, put it in her mouth, pulled out a match and lit the cigarette. Taking a small drag off of it blowing smoke in Alexandria’s face.

Alexandria wrinkled her nose waving the smoke away. That was something she hated. Some of the guards and researchers did it at the facility. It was clear this woman had no idea of her crew which was a good thing. “If my V took out one of your crew how hard could you be to handle. So, are we going to trade or would you like your deck a deeper shade of red?” She loosened up a bit knowing her crew was not far from her.

Taking another drag off her cigarette blowing the smoke into the air this time. “You have a lot of nerve speaking to a captain in that manner. Red is my color and I own this settlement. How much trading will you do dead at sea?” Letting out an annoyed grunt looking around the area to see if there were any other crew members close. Placing her free hand into her trench coat waiting.

An exasperated sigh escaped Alexandria’s lips. There was no way in hell this woman was a captain. She was on a ship with a single bodyguard. Why would she come all the way out here for a few ships? Looking up at the sky for a moment catching sight of the pirate flag fluttering in the wind above the mast. It was the same flag Tyra and Eve had spoken about before. The one red eye caught her attention. Her eyes widened for a split second trying to shake off the look before the woman noticed.

“I see you have realized I am telling the truth. Normally I would never show myself to such a new crew, but your vulture and that weapon have peaked my interest. How about you call your people off and we talk unless you want to fight right now?” Taking a final drag from her cigarette tossing it overboard keeping her free hand in her coat.

Alexandria wasn’t a fool and taking on another well-known captain wouldn’t do her any favors. Looking down at her weapon then back up at the woman. “Do you know who created this weapon? Why the hell would you fire on my ship? Who the fuck are you?” She started to rapidly fire the questions at the woman. This encounter would mark the start of Alexandria’s and her crew’s rise to power.