The receiver clicking off was followed by commotion. The members of the walled city council argued amongst themselves to the point it became deafening. The council leader just sat there staring at the blank screen digging his nails into the palm of his hand. They had been made to look like fools and now a crew of pirates, who were once thought to be nothing, had just delivered a devastating blow to their infrastructure.
"We need to do something." "How the hell are we going to fight against her when she just blows up our cities?" "Why didn't we have a plan for such things in place?" The questions just bounced around the room without order or reason. Everyone was just shouting questions and there were no solutions being discussed. They sounded like a pack of wild animals fighting over food that they weren't even going to be able to eat.
"That is enough!!! You all just need to shut the hell up!" The council leader almost choked on his spit from yelling so loud. The room was finally silent with everyone else staring at him. He took a drink of water from the glass sitting in front of him. If everyone was just going to throw questions with no solutions, he was at least going to quench his thirst before dealing with these idiots.
"What is it you propose we do then? Do you have some grand scheme or are you just going to make the rest of us figure it out?" This particular council member was new and didn't understand what he was saying. Everyone else just looked at him in shock.
He turned to look at the man who had dare spoken after he called for silence. His nose wrinkled as he stood up. "You have a lot of nerve speaking to your leader like that. I presume you're speaking from the experiences of others rather than your own?"
The young man looked around the room then down at the table. He took a deep breath looking up at the council leader finally speaking, "I believe my father's advice on the matter holds some weight in this situation. He had a great deal of respect for you. He did say that you can be a bit intense."
The council leader raised an eyebrow giving the young man a small smirk. "Well, it would seem you do have some tact after all. Your father was in fact a great asset to this council. However, he did know when to shut his month. Speak out of turn again and I will have you killed in front of him. Is that understood?"
A quick head nod as the young man bowed his head in respect. The rest of the council breathed a sigh of relief looking towards their leader who was now pacing behind his chair.
"We need to make an example out of Alexandria, however at the moment she is too powerful. Are there any other pirate clans we can rely on for support?"
The room was silent again as the other members tried to come up with an answer. They had either absorbed or destroyed pirate crews or clans that became too large. The only ones that might be able to help would ask for too much as a reward.
None of the older members had anything to say at the moment. The only one who looked like they wanted to speak was the young man who had been told to keep quiet. No one else was going to suggest that he say anything at the moment for fear of what might happen next. Finally, the leader ceased his pacing and looked at each of his members one at a time. When he finally reached the youngest one, he let out an exasperated sigh.
"Very well, what did you have in mind?" After the question he glared at the older council members for not having any good ideas.
"First off my name is Clark, and my father told me that when groups would get out of hand sending in a spy was usually the best option."
The council leader raised an eyebrow resuming his pacing thinking over Clark's idea or rather his father's suggestion. After a few minutes he finally sat back down in his chair tapping his fingers together mulling it over.
"That could be a fine idea; however, Alexandria and her mother would see that move coming a mile away. I want all of you to offer up one idea within the next few days. We will break for now to rest, but when we come back there had better be some good ideas or I'm going to start retiring people." The council leader stood up and left the room without another word.
Everyone else followed slowly with Clark being the only one that felt at least a little bit hopeful for the future. He was going to stay in the chamber until everyone else returned. There was a bed in the room if he needed to sleep. There was no way he was going to mess up again.
Alexandria leaned against the ship as they sailed back to their home. Everything was going to plan for the moment and now her mother was with them. She couldn't remember the last time she was this happy. There was no doubt in her mind that the next phase was going to be brutal. There was even a chance other pirate clans or larger groups would get involved. She wanted to be ready for all of that. She closed her eyes breathing in the salty fresh air a goofy grin painted across her face.
"Well, it has been a long time since I've seen you smile like that sweetheart." Lorelei walked onto the deck joining Alexandria by leaning against the ship. "So, what are you over here smiling about?"
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Alexandria shook her head blowing out air from her mouth and nose. "I never thought having you around would be annoying at all. However, you sure do know how to ruin a mood." Of course, Alexandria wasn't being serious, but her mother's presence did remind her of all the work that still needed to be done.
"You shouldn't talk to your mother like that. Of course, I understand the pressure you're under at the moment. Hell, all I've done since getting back to my human form is worry if I'll stay this way for long. Do you know what keeps me from dwelling on that aspect?"
She looked at her mother tilting her head to the side. "If you're going to say finding me and having our family back together, could you please save that for after we take out the walled city government?"
Lorelei let out a playful giggle putting her hand on Alexandria's shoulder. "Remember you formed this group in order to have the best chance of winning. Don't let the pressure build and keep it to yourself. I've seen the powerful allies you've gathered together including myself. Let all the moments even the ones you think aren't needed at the moment strengthen your resolve."
Alexandria wanted to burst into tears and fall into her mother's arms. She was one hundred percent correct of course. Enjoying what they had accomplished and building on that was the only way to move forward. "Thanks mom that really did help. I've always wondered how you would help in times like these. I'm glad we get to experience it instead of letting my imagination run wild."
Her mother smiled giving her a quick hug and leaving without another word. It was time for her to rest. There was also the task of deciding who would be working under her to protect Alexandria from harm. Lorelei knew better than anyone here how ruthless and cunning the council leader actually could be.
Judy walked past Lorelei the two of them exchanging smiles of encouragement. Lorelei disappeared below deck as Judy walked up to Alexandria wrapping her arms around her waist laying her head on Alexandria's shoulder. "Do you have to be up here contemplating? We could be below enjoying each other's company." She looked up giving Alexandria a playful wink.
Alexandria let out a soft sigh leaning down and kissing Judy on the forehead. "I would love nothing more than to be doing that right now. Right now, I just wanted to enjoy this moment. We dealt them a huge blow. No other pirate crew or clan has come close to doing this since the first pirate clan to ever form. Now we have one of their descendants fighting with us. I want to keep this moment close in my mind. We may not get another one for a while."
Judy smiled resting her head back against Alexandria's shoulder. Her wife unloaded a lot just now which made Judy's chest tighten just a bit. Of course, one thing she knew after the little time they've spent together was, "You can do anything, my love." Judy clammed her mouth shut that wasn't supposed to be said out loud.
"Well, I always appreciate the vote of confidence." Alexandria let out a playful giggle running a hand through Judy's hair.
She let out a sigh of relief finally relaxing against Alexandria. Even though she didn't want to say that out loud it did feel correct to say. This could be one of the last times they were going to be able to enjoy a moment like this. The wind whipped around them hair blowing in all directions. They both smiled as Alexandria looked to the horizon seeing their island base coming into view.
"No matter what the walled cities throw at us we will answer with judgment. This world will never forget the pirates known as Crimson Judgement."
The council leader slammed the door to his private quarters. His wife peaked her head out of their room wrinkling her nose. "If you slam that door one more time, I will have your ass thrown out the window."
He looked up about to say something but was meant by her glare.
She was standing in the living room arms crossed tapping her foot on the floor. "Regardless of what happened at that damn meeting we agreed you wouldn't bring that crap home. Now get out of this house right now and try that entrance again."
He let out an exasperated sigh, rolling his eyes, and leaving the house. A few moments later he reentered a fake smile painted across his face. "Honey, I'm home from another crazy council meeting. How was your day?"
Her glare morphed into a smile as she walked up to him. "That is much better. However, lose the fake smile it doesn't suit you. So, what happened? Were you able to find the answers you were looking for?"
The council leader deflated almost to the point of falling over. "The Crimson Judgement blew up one of our walled cities making us watch as she did it. He mother is also back on the board. The other members had no solutions aside from Clark the son of Grant. The suggestion wouldn't work in a million years. Now, I've task them with trying to figure out a solution. We will meet again in a few days."
His wife's eyes widened trying to process what he just said to her. He walked past her making for his chair. He sank into it letting out a sigh of relief closing his eyes and reclining back.
"So, your solution is to have the others think of ideas while you sit in a chair and what sleep? Where the hell did the man go who would've marched down there and ripped them apart?" Even though she was questioning his resolve the look of shock on her face had yet to disappear.
"If you would let me, think I will come up with a solution. If you had any ideas, you would've said them already. The look on your face tells me all I need to know."
He didn't have time to listen to her questions at the moment. The reason he was doing this was to give himself time to come up with a solution. While ripping them apart sounded like fun there was no way he had any chance. The Crimson Judgement was a strong foe, and this would take careful planning in order to get the world back on the proper track, his track.