Work on the large island began as soon as the mess was cleaned up. They still had more islands to go but now they could build a port, store their goods, and moor their extra ships. Having the extra hands was also helpful even though at the moment they were stretched a bit thin. Alexandria wanted to find the final core member of her crew so that they could recruit underlings to help with the workload.
Right now they had managed to gain twenty five underlings which included the officers from the large island. Thankfully one of the surviving officers spoke a common language and told Alexandria of a settlement not far from this island that might offer help in exchange for protection. That would be good for the short term depending on who the settlement needed protection from. This area used to belong to Fina now that Alexandria was staking claim she wondered who would be so bold as to move in.
A visit to that settlement needed to happen but of course they all couldn’t just up and leave. Alexandria needed to decide who was going to go with her. Tyra should remain behind since no one could get away with anything under her watchful eye. She didn’t think Lyric was going to allow her to leave again without her tagging along. Eve and Valentina should stay here since their abilities are very helpful for rebuilding. Well it was settled Alexandria would take Lyric and Isa. Of course V was coming as well; there was no way she was leaving V behind again.
Alexandria called her crew together in the courtyard area by the flag she had planted. “Alright I have been informed there is a settlement not too far away that could provide us with people to help. The catch is they need protection. I am not sure from what but I am going to go visit them to find out. Lyric and Isa will be going with me. Tyra will be in charge when I am gone. Any questions?”
Lyric and Isa gave each other a high five so glad they were picked to go. Lyric was especially excited since there was no way in hell she was getting left behind again. “Which ship are we going to take captain?” Lyric asked, a small giggle escaping her lips.
“I think we should take your small ship since taking the flagship would be overkill. I don’t want to frighten these settlers.” Alexandria also didn’t want to tip off whoever was attacking these people that there was help coming. The last thing she wanted was a beef up of the enemy due to a large ship going to the settlement. This way they just look like traders or travelers.
Alexandria moved towards the port that was still being built on heading for Lyric’s small ship. This was going to be an interesting first venture from a base camp that hopefully will be fully up and running in the next week. It would be sooner if they could get this settlement to join the crew.
Lyric and Isa followed close behind, skipping as they went. “I hope we are able to do some more fighting. I am getting a firm handle on my powers and using them gives me such a rush. I want more of that.” Isa cracked her knuckles for a moment making sure to keep step with Lyric so they didn’t fall and bust their faces.
When they reached the ship they wasted no time boarding. It was still midday but Alexandria wanted to get all the information and scope out who they would be protecting the settlers from. It didn’t matter who it was since it was an excellent way to build their reputation.
Isa took post up in the crow's nest. She always wanted to try it but Tyra was always up there before anyone was even on the ship. Now she had the chance to be up there without anyone taking the spot since Lyric was going to be navigating.
Lyric took her position at the rudder looking at the map that Alexandria had given her with the location of the settlement. It wasn't that far away, only a few hours and they would be there. It will give them more than enough time to do everything they need to do and get back before the sun goes down.
"All right Lyric let's get going we don't have any time to waste. Once we are there they'll be no fighting unless it's absolutely necessary." Alexandria would have had to say that with you but she just wanted to state it just in case Isa got a little too anxious and wanted to use her power some more. These two were more the understanding type even if they didn't agree with an order they would do it because they respected their captain so much.
Alexandria let down the sails looking back to Lyric. "Alright let's get going we don't have any more time to waste." She moved to the bow of the ship V flew from above and landed on her shoulder shrieking in the direction that they were going.
It was a straight shot to the island that had the settlement. It wasn't a small island but it wasn't as large as the island they had just conquered. This one had an archipelago connecting it to a larger island and on that larger island was probably the people that the settlement wanted protection from unless it was seafaring invaders that is why they were going to the settlement to find out.
A few hours passed uneventfully as the island with the settlement came into view. It was a small port at the shore which led to a medium size settlement from what Alexandria could see from the bow of the ship. Tyra's vision would be nice right about now since she could probably see the amount of people that were inside the settlement. She could see that a few people were waiting for them at the end of one of the open docks.
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“Alright Lyric bring the ship into the dock with the people on it. Hopefully these are the leaders so we can get more information.” Alexandria was both excited and nervous to actually meet settlers that were not dead or scared for their lives.
Lyric nodded, moving the ship into position. This was the first time in a long time she docked at a place that actually had a suitable place. A small giggled escaped her lips as they came up alongside the dock.
Isa had come down from the crow’s nest and tossed one of the people on the dock a mooring line. It was tied to the post. Alexandria tossed the other to a short woman who seemed to be in charge since everyone was listening to her directions.
Alexandria stepped onto the dock with a cautious smile. “Hello there. My name is Alexandria. We are taking this larger area from Fina as our territory. One of my new crew members said your settlement would help if you were given protection from someone?”
The short woman said nothing for a moment. Alexandria could feel her eyes looking up and down trying to figure out her words' intentions. Alexandria didn't like being examined since that was something she had to experience her entire life.
She wrinkled her nose at the woman. "Are we going to discuss this or are you going to stare at me all day?" Alexandria wasn't trying to be a pest but this was important and they didn't have time for these games.
The woman raised an eyebrow giving Alexandria a worried smile. "Should we just buy into what you say just because you say it is true? I never do anything solely based on someone's word." She paused for a moment. "What you have heard is true. However, would you defend us against agents of the walled cities? Not even Fina's crew would mess with them."
Alexandria started to clap a look of excitement painted across her face. Finally a chance to really do some good and kill some walled city guards in the process. Isa joined Alexandria in the exciting clapping. This was going to be an enjoyable mission.
"I know you're not familiar with me but I used to be a test subject and one of their facilities and I have a personal vendetta against them. Fina chose to ignore them because of their power. I choose to throw them down and give that power to ones who deserve it." Alexandria showed her the scar on her elbow which is a mark that deemed her part of the facility.
The short woman looked at the scar; she'd only seen them on dead bodies that would drift up to the shore. That was the only way anyone ever left any of those facilities tossed out like garbage or driftwood. "All right if that is the case we'll invite you into the settlement and discuss terms." She walked away motioning for them to follow.
Isa and Lyric hopped off the ship following Alexandria to what looked like the main hall of the settlement. They followed the short woman into the huge doors of the main hall moving to the table towards the back. The others that were with her at the docks stayed with the ship in order to watch over it just in case the walled city gates came.
The group sat down around the table as the short woman introduced herself. “My name is Isabella and I am the settlement elder. We have been dealing with a nearby walled city. It isn’t one of the larger ones but it is formidable enough that we have no choice but to submit. If you’re able to protect us like you have claimed we will do anything you require.”
Alexandria liked the sound of Isabella’s offer. If the city wasn’t one of the larger ones her crew would be more than enough to take care of protection. This might also give Tyra what she wanted to wipe a walled city off the map. If there was a facility there maybe the last crew member was trapped inside. Of course no matter how large the walled city was they needed at least three days to plan the attack. They also had to get close to the city in order to gauge its defenses.
“Alright we will not only protect you from the city but we will wipe it off the map.” Alexandria smiled knowing that everyone at the table thought she was nuts. Sure enough when she looked around at everyone their faces showed shock and awe at her words.
“That is a huge undertaking for a crew just starting out. If Fina didn’t dare challenge them, what makes you believe your smaller crew is up to the challenge?” Isabella asked with a look of concern and confusion painted across her face.
Lyric let out a soft giggle tilting her head to the side. “Captain, I know we have done a ton of crazy things in our short time together. However this is something that we may not have the numbers to handle at the moment. I am sure we can protect the settlement no problem but wiping a walled city off the map would start a war.”
“We are on the brink of greatness here. If we are able to take down a walled city all the pirates around the known world will know our name. The abilities our crew possess are more than enough and if a war starts we can rally other pirates to the cause.” Alexandria wasn’t going about this in an irrational way. She knew exactly what was going on and this was the way to cement themselves into the histories for all time.
Isa didn’t have anything to say, only giving Alexandria a thumbs up in approval. If Alexandria was willing to break into a facility to rescue her then she was behind Alexandria one hundred percent.
Alexandria turned to Isabella, a half grin crossing her face. “If you will come with us and help build up this base we will protect you from the walled city and remove it from existence. Once that is done we can discuss this settlement being a permanent part of my pirate crew.”
“I see no reason to decline your offer. We will leave as soon as a larger ship is made ready. There will be at least a week before the guards return for their next payment. That should be enough time to do what needs to be done.” Isabella extended her hand which Alexandria took sealing their deal for now until papers could be drawn up to make it formal.
Time was on their side and so was the element of surprise. Once the base was finished it would then be time to put their permanent mark on the histories for all time.