Hugo was ecstatic with the rudders now working; it was almost time to allow the ship out onto the water. The warmth of the Sun radiated throughout his body however the wind sliced to chill in him, and he looked over to see the sun setting into the water. He let out a frustrated grunt realizing he had missed the feast. Of course, he knew that meant Alexandria would probably be coming soon and they needed to get the moonlight lamps up. There wouldn't be enough sunlight to properly jettison the flagship onto the water and the moonlight lamps would help with that.
“Everyone, I want those lamps up now. Alexandria could be here at any time, and we don't want to keep her waiting.” Hugo made his way off the ship as the water started flooding into the area. Since everything was working it was time to bring the water in and attach the wheels. Even if they didn't work like he wanted them to, the rudders would help them steer the flagship on the water.
Once he was off the flagship he traced his hand across the hull, his fingers scraping against the wood. He could hear the slight scratch of his fingertips however the smoothness was that of newborn skin. A prideful smile across Hugo's lips and he was overjoyed to finally have the flagship completed. All of their tireless work had finally come to fruition and now all that was left was to release it onto the water.
“You've really I've done yourself haven't you Hugo?” Alexandria appeared as if out of nowhere. The sound of wings flapping echoed above them as V gilded her way down and perched herself on Alexandria's shoulder.
He turned, bowing his head, the smile still etched on his face. It had been a while since he had seen V. The vulture had been flying around the island keeping her distance for a Time. However now that V was back that meant Alexandria was going to be in a totally different mode. “My apologies for missing the feast. However, as you can see your ship is ready. Any other ship out there now pales in comparison to this one. The first pirate king made it from the best materials he could find. Even though we couldn't salvage everything from the wreck every single piece that survived that was still usable still exists within.” Hugo touched the hull again taking a deep breath in and exhaling feeling as though his ancestors were right here with him.
A soft giggle escaped Alexandria's lips as she reached up and petted V on the back of the neck. “They would be exceedingly proud of you. Most of the men in this day and age are horrid and deserve nothing but death. However, your family line seems to be one of the few exceptions. They called your great ancestor a pirate. All he did was make sure people had another life to choose instead of being cooped up in those damnable walled monstrosities.” She clenched her right fist for a moment. Shaking her hand and stopping herself from cutting into her palm with her fingernails.
Hugo let out a soft chuckle. Even though at first, he wanted to fight Alexandria now he had a great respect for her. If anyone deserved to inherit this flagship it was her. He was going to make sure that no one and nothing ever sunk it or hit it away from the world ever again. “All she needs now is a name. I had a few rattling around in my head and there is a name on the blueprints. However, that ship belonged to my great ancestor. This one belongs to you, so it is only fitting that you name her.” He wanted to ask about being a permanent member on the flagship and not just being a commander of his own fleet. However, he decided to postpone that question because now was not the time to think about himself since Alexandria had the same look in her eye that she had when he first met her.
Alexandria was glad that everything was coming into place. The name of the flagship or any ship for that matter was a sacred thing. She didn't want to choose wrong and at the moment nothing was coming to her mind. It was a similar situation when she had their first flag made which actually had V on it. V let out a shriek if she knew what Alexandria was thinking. “I find that I actually can't think of anything at the moment. Everything up until this point has either fallen into place or I've had to spill blood to gain it. The ship however was procured from different means. What did your great ancestor call it?”
He let out an exasperated sigh, surprised that Alexandria would actually ask a question like this. Of course, there are times when all leaders come up with nothing in a moment. Alexandria was still fairly new to her position even though at times it felt as though she was fighting with years of experience and unrivaled ferocity. “He called it Leviathan. It was something simple and of course even at that time it was still the largest vessel on the water. However, I don't think the name suits you. Do you need some time to think because you can come back, and we can jettison the ship with the sunrise?”
A playful giggle escaped Alexandria's lips. Leviathan was an interesting name, and it would probably work for anyone else. She looked around at the moonlight lamps around them and even though they're light was beautiful it wasn't inspiring her at all. Perhaps Hugo was right, and she should go visit Veronica and see this cave perhaps that would give her some insight into naming the flagship. “Very well I have some other business to attend to with Veronica. Once I am done with her, I will be back, and this ship will have a name.” V flapped her wings a bit as Alexandria turned and left making her way to the cave.
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Thankfully it didn't take that long going off the directions that Veronica had given to Alexandria. Her ears perked up as the faint sound of the waterfall caressed the inside of her ears. She understood now just by the sound why Veronica wanted to make this place her own.
As they neared the waterfall V took off from Alexandria's shoulder flapping her wings, possibly going to find somewhere else to perch until Alexandria was finished. Alexandria shivered a bit as she moved underneath the cool water. Veronica was already inside sitting on a slab of bock being kissed by the moonlight.
“I can see why you would want this place. Aside from the sounds of the water it is peaceful. I have no problem allowing this to be your sanctuary. However, I asked that you not spend too much time here. You need to remember that until the walled cities are defeated this piece is temporary and if you linger in it too long the edge you have now will be dulled and you could die on the battlefield even with your ability.” Alexandria needed to get serious again. They have faced incredible odds already taking down a facility and a walled city. However, what came next was not a simple life or death skirmish or a raid to gather treasure and materials. The next step was taking out every single facility and sinking every single walled city island. Peace was a luxury that could be enjoyed sparingly but too much would dull the fighting spirit.
“There is no need to worry captain. This may be a place where I find peace, but it is also a place where I will train and hone my craft. There is no time to be dull and there is no time to relax. I will destroy those facilities and those damn cities. Thank you for allowing me to have this. I will not fail you and if I do fall in battle for whatever reason I will take as many enemies to hell as I can carry.” Veronica traced her finger into the sand on top of the stone slab. She did get a small sample of it which was back at the main hall. When she got the chance, she would compare it to different samples that she had gathered and see if it was something new if it was just a combination of many different stones and minerals.
A playful giggle escaped Alexandria's lips. “I'm glad to hear the strength of your resolve. However, I'm going to ask that you do not die. By all means send those bastards to hell but do not carry them there yourself. Throw them down to the pit as you watch from above.” It was almost time, and she needed to figure out who they were going to attack first. Of course, there was every chance that an enemy was already on its way.
Veronica echoed Alexandria's giggle. She was glad to see the ferocious captain was back. Veronica didn't mind Alexandria's playful side however one of the main reasons she joined up was because of Alexandria ferocity. She would follow that captain into any battle against any foe no matter the odds. “I will be sure to find a high place to toss them down from. Did you meet with Hugo already and do we have a flagship worthy of Crimson Judgment?” Veronica crater knuckles excitement pulsing through her body as she started to breathe a bit heavy. It was almost time, and the fighting would resume but this time the screams would not be from her or anyone she cared about. They would be coming from the ones that caused her and everybody else like her harm.
Alexandria let out an exasperated sigh looking out the small cracks in the wall at the water and the moonlight. She needed to make quick work of the name because when the sun rose, they needed to be ready. Alexandria remembered that Eve said she returned early because of a bad feeling. It seemed as though Eve's bad feeling was Fina being on the island. However, her bad feeling could have been something else. The small scroll that Fina had on her possession was cause for concern. Even though the walled cities probably could not garner the attention of the stronger pirate captains any reinforcements would cause them a problem. They had numbers and power however the other organizations in groups had better organization and deeper ties. “I haven't figured out a name yet, however I think it needs to be something both inspiring and terrifying at the same time. The site of it needs to terrify our enemies and on the reverse side it needs to inspire our allies and those under the walled cities tyranny that hope has arrived.”
Alexandria's eyes widened. She wasn't sure if this was a sign or if her mind was just throwing words together to come up with something. She turned to face Veronica, a devious smile crossing her face. “How about Promised Retribution?” it wasn't the best and there was a chance that they could change it but for Alexandria the world cities deserve retribution for what they have done, and she has been doing nothing but promising that. Even if it was way too straightforward, she thought it might make a promising name.
Veronica let out a playful giggle thinking of the name for a moment. It wasn't the worst thing, and it did have the symbol of Hope and fear depending on who saw it just like Alexandria had said a few moments ago. “If that is what you have come up with then I say go for it. No one in your crew is going to go against certain things that you do. Just remember we are here to get rid of them, not to replace them.”
It would seem that Veronica, just like Tyra, have the same words even though Tyra's words had a bit more wisdom to them. “Very well our flagship's name will be Promised Retribution. Our enemies will fear it and our allies will cheer when our flag flies above the battlefield.” Sunrise would be here soon and once she saw the first flickers of light Alexandria would return to Hugo and give him the name but until then she was going to enjoy this bit of peace with Veronica.