Everyone in the settlement pitched in after hearing the news of Alexandria's promise to rid them of the nearby walled city. Each of the cities had a number and a name however they could only be known by going into the city. Alexandria planned on getting the sign with those markings on them and hanging it up on her flagship as the crew's first trophy kill. The settlers were doing some light celebrating just in case something went wrong. They didn’t want to wait to have some fun if everything crashed and burned for whatever reason.

Alexandria didn’t mind the pre celebration since that only gave her more confidence that they were going to succeed. Plus it showed her that the settlement could keep up with her when it came to drinking and having a good time. She always enjoyed seeing Lyric and Isa having a good time with the settlers. This is what Alexandria wanted for her crew from time to time since everyone needed to rest and have a little fun.

Equipment was loaded up into a barge looking vessel that had armor on it Alexandria believed could withstand an onslaught of cannon fire. Of course Isa could most likely melt through it given the time. They were loading up everything from wood to steel and food to clothing. There was so much stuff being loaded Alexandria couldn’t believe it for a moment. She knew that protecting this settlement was the absolute correct choice.

Aside from taking a small piece of Fina’s territory this would be the greatest challenge they have faced so far. Alexandria knew that in the end taking down a large walled city would be the goal. However they would need an alliance to even think about pulling it off. That is why this arrangement with Fina was a perfect starting point. Now they were forming relationships with local settlements. Alexandria’s vision was slowly coming into focus.

Isabella walked up tapping Alexandria on the shoulder. “You are doing a lot here going up against the walled cities. Are you sure you want to risk your crew all for a settlement that may do just fine if well enough is left alone?”

Alexandria smiled at Isabella shaking her head. “The only way my crew gets anything is if we take risks and stick our necks out there. Plus a few of us were experimented on by the walled city facilities. This would be payback for all the years of suffering. They need to understand that people are not objects and we do what we want when we want.”

Isabella let out a hearty chuckle patting Alexandria on the back. “You have our support for as long as this settlement is standing. We may not look like much but we can do our part. As I said before, once this is all over consider us part of your crew.”

A wind kicked up from the water’s surface blowing between the two leaders. It wasn’t the kind that knocks you over, rather the type that cools you off on a hot day. Alexandria took that as a sign things were going to work out at least for now. Once everything was loaded up Isabella and her people needed to get to the large island. Alexandria may take the ship back drop off Isa and Lyric to help oversee things and grab Tyra. The two of them could go and check out the walled city.

Lyric and Isa joined them on the dock. “Well everything is loaded onto the barge and we are ready to go on your order captain.” Lyric saluted with a small giggle. She needed to take this a bit more seriously but that wasn’t engrained in her nature just yet. Of course that was part of her charm and nothing was going to silence that ever.

Alexandria nodded, speaking to everyone there. “Alright we will get back to the island. After we land Lyric and Isa you help unload everything and oversee giving out tasks. Work with Isabella to figure out who is good with what. While that is going on I will take Tyra and go scout out the walled city. Once that is finished we will plan from there.”

Everyone nodded in agreement. Isabella moved to the barge getting the rest of her things in order. Alexandria, Lyric, and Isa returned to their ship to leave for their island. It needed a name soon as did the fortress. That would be something they could talk about after Alexandria and Tyra scout the walled city.

The two ships departed the port and made their way back to the large island that was going to be Alexandria's command base. Eve met them at their docs which surprised me they had finished. Alexandria was the first one off walking up to Eve with a smile on her face.

"Excellent work on completing the dock before we got back. As you can see we've brought help." Alexandria was very happy that everything was moving forward and she guessed that Valentina was responsible for the dock and the small port area being finished so quickly since slowing down time around them but speeding up the building process made things extremely efficient.

Eve gave Alexandria a sly smile. "Well I'm sure you've guessed that Valentina was a big help in making sure that this stuff got finished before you got back. We moved the workers to build up the main fortress. The outer encampments are going to be turned into supply outposts with guards.”

Alexandria was glad to see everything was coming together nicely. “That is some good work. If you could go get Tyra. Her and I are going to scout a walled city to attack.” Alexandria started to turn to walk back towards Lyric’s ship when she was stopped by Eve’s hand on her shoulder.

“Excuse me?! What are you going to do now?” Eve usually had a level headed craziness which didn’t make much sense but it was the proper way to put it.

Wrinkling her nose Alexandria turned around, taking Eve’s hand off her shoulder. “Tyra and I are going to scout a walled city to attack. These people are only doing this if we get a walled city off their back. I will give all the details when I return. There is no need to worry, I am thinking clearly on this one.” Alexandria continued to walk towards Lyric’s small ship.

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Eve turned to Lyric who was standing there just watching with a small smile on her face. “Lyric what the hell is going on? Are we really about to take out a walled city? I love the idea but do we really have the resources and ability to do that right now?”

Lyric hadn’t seen this side of Eve before. It was interesting to see her freaking out about something that should be a blast to her. “The settlement only wanted protection from the walled city which the leader said was a smaller one. Alexandria was the one who said we would wipe it off the map. I believe we can do this with the proper planning and time. Alexandria will give us all the details when she gets back. Have faith in her.” Lyric walked past Eve patting her on the shoulder.

Eve let out an exasperated sigh, shrugging her shoulders. She figured it was better to just go with the flow then push the issue any further. She turned around and headed for the tower that overlooked the whole island. That is where Tyra had been since Alexandria left.

Tyra was up in her new perch as Eve was calling it. She had every inch of the island mapped out in her head and it was a perfect place for a main base. The barge was a welcoming site since that meant help was on the way. Valentina was exhausted from using her abilities so much and needed to rest a bit. Tyra looked down to see Eve making her way to the base of the tower.

“Tyra Alexandria wants you to come to the docks. She has a mission and wants you to join her. Apparently you two are going to scout a small walled city to attack soon.” Eve still wasn’t happy about the plan but Lyric was right she needed to trust Alexandria’s process.

Her eyes widened as she looked down at Eve. “Did you just say we are going to scout a small walled city to attack or am I hearing things?” While she waited for a response Tyra made her way down the tower with her rifle on her back.

“No, your ears are working just fine. Alexandria is waiting for you at the docks by Lyric’s small ship. She seemed eager to leave so you probably should hurry there. Lyric said the plan would be explained fully when you two came back from scouting the city.” Eve walked over to a nearby tree, leaned against it, and stuck her hands in her jacket pockets. There was nothing to do now but wait.

Tyra could tell Eve wasn’t happy about the situation at all which was weird since this should be right up Eve’s alley. Something was bothering her but right now Tyra didn’t have the time to dig it out. “Once you're done moping against that tree, go make sure everything is good at the fortress. We can talk when I get back if you like?” She didn’t bother waiting for an answer since Eve wasn’t going to give one anyone. Tyra took off waving back at Eve making her way to the docks.

Once she made it there Alexandria had the ship ready to shove off. All that needed to be down was adjusting the rudder. Tyra boarded the ship raising an eyebrow at Alexandria. “So I hear we are scouting a walled city to attack? What is the end game here or are you winging it like last time?” Tyra wasn’t going to hold anything back. She knew that Alexandria would be able to handle anything with her crew backing her.

She wrinkled her nose at Tyra’s questions which only she could say without getting told to shut the hell up. Alexandria wanted Tyra here and on the crew because she was the force of reason with an attitude to match. “Yes that is correct we are doing that. It is a smaller one so I believe with our current strength it is doable. When we pull this off the settlement will be a permanent part of the crew. It will also send a message to the larger cities that we are coming for them.”

A hearty chuckle escaped Tyra’s lips. It was always a job the response her captain would give when asked the hard questions. Alexandria seemed to be trying to start a war with the top power in the world right now. “Well I did say that was my condition for joining up with you in the first place. If you believe we can do it and your reasoning is sound, count me in.” She brought her rifle up, sighting the scope in the direction of the water.

Alexandria untied the tethers to the docks and pushed off the dock with her foot. The ship began to list away into the open water. “I also believe inside that walled city could be our final crew member. If I am correct about that we gain not only that but possibly a whole group of ability users.” She moved to the rudder steering the ship in the direction Isabella had given her for the walled city.

The wind caught the sails and they were off. Alexandria secured the rudder and walked to the center of the ship where Tyra was still standing. “Is there something else? Usually you are already up in the crow’s nest once we are moving.”

Tyra swung her rifle on her shoulder. She folded her arms, raising an eyebrow. “I am not done talking. Eve seems to be bent out of shape about this plan. You would think this would be right up her alley but I left her moping while leaning against a tree. Did you say something to her or does she have a connection to a walled city we don’t know about?”

Alexandria didn’t know much about Eve’s past so there was no telling where she was before meeting them. That was something that needed to be talked about later once a plan was in place. Eve was key to any plan of taking over a city. “I didn’t tell her anything different then I told you. She must have something in her past that she hasn’t wanted to share just yet. We will talk about that when we get back. Are you good or is there more you wish to say?”

Another hearty chuckle escaped Tyra’s lips as she relaxed her stance. “I am good as long as you didn’t do anything to break Eve. She is rough around the edges but in a fight there is no one better.” Tyra climbed up the mast and settled into the crow’s nest. V was up at the top of the mast above the nest perched by the flag.

The next few hours passed quickly and the walled city was in sight. Tyra peered down the scope looking over the lay of the land. As with most walled cities it was close to the shore protected by a walled cove. It was smaller than ones she had seen in pictures when they first went up. The rest of the land around it was open which meant a killing area with no cover. “Well from what I can see from here this is going to be a hard city to attack head on. I am guessing you have a plan for this?”

Alexandria was silent for a moment. She peered through her spyglass going over a million and one possible plans in her head. There was always an angle that would work; she just needed to find it. “How about we get a closer look then I will give you my answer about a suitable plan.” V shrieked from the top of the mast as they sailed closer to the shore of the island.