Chapter 4
The Start Of My Future
The magical book was one of legends, and had it not been for the fact that I had to survive both a level 500+ Behemoth, falling and crashing into a plummeting island, then to barely survive, only to have to kill off a hive of upper end level 70 dragons, I would have thought this was out of my league. But despite everything, this one item was worth it, my reward for surviving so much strife.
Magic Book Found: A Much Needed Skill Book: This Book grants the bearer one Skill Up to Level 20 of the reader’s request.
Normally for a level 0 character this would be too much, especially as it gave you a skill at the maximum for my level. Well the normal maximum, I made sure I was not bound by such constraints when I designed my virtual form in this world.
Still this Skill Book could allow me to do many different things. Not only could I create a new skill, but then I could assign which attributes related to this skill, even if those attributes had little, if anything to do with the said skill in question. Meaning if I wanted to make this a sleeping skill that made me get stronger, prettier, and more personable, I could. In fact, many people have made skills just like that. Skills that worked while breathing to recycle mana faster as a second form of mana regeneration. A regeneration skill that while constantly improving mana regeneration, could also be used to increase any combination of Strength, Social, or Mental Attributes. Of course, there was a limit to what such a book could offer.
In this case 10 was the magic number for this skill book. This was the number of benefits I could derive from this skill book. Did I want to improve all nine attributes at once, fine, but the skill would be limited. Likewise, I could improve the versatility of the skill, but at a cost of how many attributes the skill could affect.
Ultimately, I want to go for a three and seven method. Three parts that the skill improved and seven attributes that were improved by the skill.
Of course, it should be pointed out that this is just a Skill, this is something you do. It is not a power, it is not a Trait, but it can be something like Cleaning. The more you clean the more your attributes increase, that sort of thing.
In my case, just holding the book I realized a very important flaw that comes from my Angel’s Sight, one that should at first seem obvious, but I surprisingly overlooked.
I can’t read.
Holding this book, I can feel the ink and the indentation made by the writer of this book, but I cannot see the actual words used to write this book. As such, I realize almost instantly that this skill will have to be a way to let me read.
The four words I use for the skill are Blind Eidetic Speed Reading.
There is a bit of a process where I force my will onto the book.
When a mental prompt comes in for how I want the skill to be activated I focus on the book within my hands then imagine my Angel’s Sight being able to read the lines of text from any angle, regardless of how or where the page is being held. I even go so far as to place the book down and read the book face up.
Immediately I feel the system trying to fight against such a claim, or at least make it so I must hold the book, but finally after enough bartering we settle on a four to six split.
Due to Eidetic Memory and Speed being defined in the title, I am forced to use the following four Attributes: Dexterity, Perception, Intelligence, and Willpower. Apparently Dexterity is used to interpret the Speed portion of the skill, while Perception is related to the reading, while Intelligence and Willpower are related to the Eidetic memory portion. As for the final two Attribute slots, I at first try to go with Personality and Sociability, my two attributes that need the most work. Well technically all of my Social attributes need work, but if I can improve my social skills while reading, that is just a bonus.
With that, my most over powered skill is put in place, and I can instantly first click into place in my mind.
Then more importantly, I can feel the skill getting forcefully pushed to Level 20, meaning all my related attributes also get pushed up by 20 points. This might not seem like much, but for my anemic Social attributes, that is enough to push me all the way up to 6.
New Skill Gained: Blind Eidetic Speed Reading (Unique) has increased to level 1. Skill Blind Eidetic Speed Reading (Unique) is a Dexterity, Personality, Sociability, Perception, Intelligence, and Willpower based skill. Skill Blind Eidetic Speed Reading (Unique): has increased: 1-> 20.
Attribute Dexterity has increased: 10 -> 12. Attribute Personality has increased: 2 -> 7. Attribute Sociability has increased: 1 -> 6. Attribute Perception has increased to 23. Attribute Intelligence has increased to 28. Attribute Willpower has increased to 28.
That was everything. All six Attributes increased thanks to my new skill and its twenty skill levels. Even now I imagine myself as one of the most covert seven-year-old spies ever. In the real world I could imagine myself going into a crowded office space with hundreds of people at terminals with different sticky notes written everywhere and my being able to read them all while quickly going through.
Of course, there is an obvious limitation to the skill that I am seeing already. First, I can only see text that is exposed to the air. So, the cover of the book that is now open are blind to me as they seem to be blending into the floor. Also I can only read the two pages from the broken skill tome that I have the book opened to. Still, the skill works as I can read the text.
Trial number 87. Using magically infused unicorn blood to create a master level skill is no use, as the unicorn must apparently be a willing participant. Now how do they expect me to get a unicorn to submit a gallon of their blood willingly? I have already tried methods like threatening genocide of their entire herd, but no, the little buggars are persistent if nothing else.
And with that cheerful though, I realize the person who created this skill book is a monster. Arguably a very intelligent monster, but one I don’t wish to emulate during my time here in the slightest.
I am going to say that this book goes to the category of it is better to not have known, and to use the skill book freely, than to have willingly participated in this random experimentation.
I do read through the rest of the book, at least I try to, only to find myself more and more repulsed by what I find this monster went to.
New Skill Possible: Blasphemous Alchemy has risen to level 1. Blasphemous Alchemy is an Intelligence and Willpower skill. Negative Sociability will be applied if you continue using this skill? Do you wish to continue?
And on that cheerful note, I stopped reading. But not before my Blind Eidetic Speed Reading (Unique) skill increases another level.
Skill Blind Eidetic Speed Reading (Unique): has increased to level 21.
“No.” I said to the prompt asking me if I wanted the skill, and mentally wondered how many skills were like that, ones that offered negative skill increases? I assume there are quite a few, but I am not certain.
With the book all but useless, and no longer glowing to my sight, I discard it. I could logically sell the book for quite a bit, but honestly, I don’t want to be caught touching such a vile book. There are many orders of people here that would cut me down for just having such a book, let alone for also being a Shade Touched in possession of such a book. Then a thought hit me, was I set up with that book?
I mean clearly, I had to be, right? A book that happened to glow to my senses, one that I would be tempted to keep and try to sell due to what it gave me. Had I not gained a reading skill, one that would work for me, despite my blindness, I would have been the ultimate bastion of monstrous intentions to any would be paladin.
Just as I am contemplating this, turn of events, I hear people talking off in the distance.
“Land ho.” A young sounding male states excitedly in the common tongue. Fortunately for me everyone starts off with knowledge of the Common tongue. As a Regressor I also made sure to learn the languages of most of the other races, to include a basic understanding of Elven, High Elven, Gnomish, Dwarven, and Orcish. Having grown up watching the world for years, you get used to following certain characters and their exploits. You can opt to watch the channel of a particular person, or just choose to watch a show that details the highlights of what happens in a region, or a particular empire. Anything was possible to watch, and for a standard subscription fee you could have unlimited access. During the good years I had unlimited access, as times got a little tougher, I slowly cut away different channels until I mainly saw exploits of the empire. They were the one with the most magical schools, and therefore the ones I was most interested in.
“Shut it. Clearly, we can see there is land. Why must you do that every time.” Another male who seems to be of the same age also states.
“But it is the pirate code, you know.” The first person responds
“We aren’t pirates, we are royal naval members of an expeditionary team sent to investigate the recently fallen islands.”
Well there goes my question for why people got here so quickly. Logically people would have come to investigate the randomly falling islands.
Thinking quickly, I ping the area. Below me of course is the now open expanse of water below me. A quick scan of the area shows that there are no fish or anything nearby, but I decided to be careful anyways and aim for a random pocket of air, and Teleport.
Poof.
I am gone with the book. Then dropping it in the random hole, I Teleport back to where I was a moment ago and wait.
Poof.
I half expect the people coming to be on naval vessels, to me that would make the most sense as we are out on the sea. Which is why I am surprised when I feel the hiss and whoosh of a steam ship flying overhead.
They come overhead and then I can feel them land off just past the edge of my perception range. I know for a fact that my Angel’s Sight measures its distance in meters. While there is no hard and fast rule, what Mickael found. The range is hard to state accurately, but roughly ten times your Perception stat in meters plus your Alertness score. Which in my case should be somewhere around 272 meters, 230 thanks to my 23 in Perception and 42 from my Alertness skill.
I am trying to see what the best course of action would be. I clearly want to get on the vessel, but I don’t want to be seen as an attacker. Right now, I am at the top of a mountain that overlooks the entire island, at least I think it would overlook the entire island. I choose to stay here as I might get caught up in what would clearly be a clearing expedition. Then right as I have this thought, my understanding of naval policies are proven correct.
Boom.
The sound of small arms fire, and cannons erupting echo throughout the island. Even off in the distance I can hear the sounds of cannons blasting. Apparently, this is but one of many airships that were sent to explore the island. Well not just this island, but multiple islands as apparently mine was not the only island that fell from the sky. Apparently, the messages weren’t lying when they said the zone.
I stay still, not wanting to get seen as a moving target and get caught up in inadvertent fire.
“Whoa, look at that, a level zero NPC.” The first spotter said. From his voice I would almost swear he was a stoner, or someone who tried to fit that entire persona. I’m not certain, maybe being old has changed my perception of people who seem to be ‘fun loving.’
“No, she can’t be…” The second voice trailed off.
“You just got it too?”
“The escort a regressor quest?”
“See told you.” The first spotter said, then moving forward I could see the moment when he entered my range of vision. “Ahoy up there. You new here?”
I mentally face palm. Of all the people to be given a regressor quest.
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
Seeing as they both spoke about quests; I can assume that they are regressors like me. Once you are old enough to get a class is the day you are old enough to start getting quests. Quests can be anything from kill the behemoth, to escort a fellow regressor. Of course, the quest they receive for me is not called Escort a fellow Regressor, that would break the immersion. So instead, they get a system message telling them, Bring random person X to somewhere. Over time these quests were referred to as Regressor quests on the outside, that when people finally transferred over they passed on the jargon. We weren’t officially regressors, the system seemed to ignore the word, which was great as it helped fellow players identify each other. If my parents were still alive in here, I would definitely want to meet them using this method.
I stand up and wave.
“You a regressor?”
“Yes.”
“How the heck did you end up, up there?”
“I ran away from a few monsters.” I answer truthfully.
“Right, right, well can you get down?”
I look around. I don’t want to use my Trait to get down, but I think I can see a path that I might be able to get down.
“Yeah, there is a path around the back.” I say and point off in the distance.
“Okay, we will meet you there.”
With that, I begin making my way down what appears to be the most logical path down the hill. Still, I have a hard time moving, as my small legs must work twice as hard to hit different foot holds that I know are there.
New Skill Gained: Climbing has increased to level 1. Climbing is a Strength and Endurance based skill.
By the time I am halfway down the wall I can tell that the two scouts are already there, waiting.
“You two part of an advanced scout team?” I ask, without ever turning in their direction.
“Wha?” The first scout says, a note of confusion evident in his voice.
“You have some an enhanced perception skill already?” The second scout asked. Apparently, he was speaking about my ability to notice them, while not even turning around.
“Something like that.” I admit.
“What are you doing all the way out here?”
“Bad starting location.” I admit.
“What? Were you on the floating island before or after it fell?” The first speaker joins in.
Skill Climbing: has increased to level 2.
“Before.”
“Did you see what killed the legendary Behemoth?” The stoner guy asked.
“I believe we are looking at the killer, unless random level 0s have 1,650 Badge points waiting to be spent.” The second speaker notes.
“Analyze?” I ask.
“True Viewing.” The second person corrects.
To me and my Analyze skill all I see are the same markers.
Elven ??? Human ???
Apparently my Analyze skill is not high enough to read anything about these two. Given that they are already here and found me relatively easily would also imply that they are high level scouts.
I nod to myself as I place my foot on solid ground and am met with my last message.
Skill Climbing: has increased to 3. Attribute Strength has increased to 7.
At that I do a quick jump for joy. “Yes!”
“What happened?”
“Attribute increase.” I admit, as I turn around. Not that I need to lie, as I know the guy with True Viewing, the human will just correct me if I say anything contrary.
“So I have to ask. Did you choose to be a Dark Elf?” The human with True Viewing asks.
I shake my head. “No, I chose second class citizen and this is what it gave me.”
“You got Shade Touched from a rando? I know people that spent a ton of Starting Points for a chance at that.” The elven stoner said.
“Yeah, but I take it they started in the Underdark too?”
“Well yeah, but still. Shade Touched and a dark elf. That means you should get a 5% bonus to Spirit and Dark Magic classes.” He states.
“Yeah I guess. Though of course my sheet doesn’t say that yet.”
“It won’t, not until you are old enough to unlock your magical aptitudes. Any idea on where that will be?” The human asks.
I pause, as I turn to face the human speaker.
At my sight the two visibly flinch.
“Your eyes?”
“She’s got Angel’s Sight, honestly I thought that trend died out after Mickael went into seclusion.” The Human said.
“I did purchase Tier Seven affinity.” I admit.
“Tier Seven?” The Elf repeats.
I nod.
“Wow, so what happened?” The elf asks.
“Don’t answer that, you might waste one of your badges on this numbskull. No, lets see if we can puzzle this out.” The human says.
“You have Analytics?”
“Close, Investigation.”
I nod. Both were fairly common skills that could help people gain insights into the past, and both would be useful in leveling up different Attributes, something that needed to happen organically as an adventurer leveled.
“So you are here, you have the badges that denote why the Behemoth was killed…” He trailed off deep in thought, but then seemed to come to a conclusion. “Let me guess you went for the legendary start?”
I nod.
“The what?” The elven guy asked.
“A Legendary Start, one of those one and done type scenarios. You know go all in, sell off everything, take a bunch of bad flaws that give you just enough of an edge to be reckless. I’m guessing she had a legendary weapon of some kind.”
“Had?”
“Well you don’t see it on her now, do you?”
“Oh right.”
Just listening to the man talk, I gained my own skill.
New Skill Gained: Deductive Reasoning has increased to level 1. Deductive Reasoning is a Perception and Intelligence based skill.
The man paused as he looked at me.
“I don’t know what’s scarier, the fact that people are still trying that stupid approach, or the fact that it actually seemed to work.” The man said.
“How did you survive?” The elf asks.
“Dumb luck.” I admit.
“Dumb is right, but hey, it is your life. Did you take any other flaws we should be aware of?”
“Broke.”
At that, the human just nodded. “Any others?”
“Well I am an orphan, but that is because my parents died long before I joined.”
“Your parents died here and you still joined?” The human asked.
“Of course, this place is amazing.” I admit.
The human just shakes his head in disbelief.
“All right, we are going to take you to our captain. You might have to do a badge turn in there for passage. You okay with that? Or should we just leave you here?”
“How far are we from the mainland?” I ask.
“About four or five miles.” The elf said, and pointed off south east.
I nod at that. I might be able to make that, with my Personal Teleportation, and I think Swimming would be a great skill to get to increase my physical attributes, but that seems like a trek that would be more than a little dangerous.
I nod, and say, “lead on.”
“Would you want to be a mage?” The human asks.
“Of course.” I say.
“Excellent.” The man says excitedly as he rubs his hands together.
I am a little disturbed by the act, but I can tell he is just playing up the role. Magicians are rare, Magicians who have a Tier VII in potential are even rarer. While I won’t have a particular brand of magic now, my potential will still be readily apparent to those who measure such things. As such, this guy likely wants to get the extra turn in bonus for delivering me to a Magical Institute.
“I have one last question.” The human asks as we begin walking towards the parked ship off in the distance.
I just raise my eyebrows.
“What is the skill Blind Eidetic Speed Reading?”
“Oh, that was the skill I gained for all of this.” I say, gesturing to the island.
“Your quest reward?”
“Sort of, I am still a minor so I don’t have the system, but it was in a treasure chamber that I looted.”
“Treasure?” Both men instantly turn to me.
“Yeah, it fell to the bottom of the ocean. My Broke flaw at work.”
At that, the two just sigh in disappointment. They likely had been hoping that some would still be left.
“What happened?”
“I found magic clothes, and then the book. The moment I got the book, apparently I crossed the 100 gold threshold and the island began getting attacked by a giant monster until I discarded the clothes.”
“So you got the book and used it?”
I nod.
“You could have had any skill and you chose reading?” The Elf asked incredulously.
“She is blind. Of course, she needed a reading skill. Also, how could we get the full bonus for turning her over to the Mage institute if she couldn’t read?” The human admitted.
“Oh right, I guess that makes sense. Still though, you could have had anything. You could have taken walking that increases all your attributes passively.” He stated.
I just shook my head. Then pause at his comment. Normally that would be a sure-fire way to increase all your attributes to max per level. But with my Unbound merit that would be excessively OP, of course there was only one problem, I still wouldn’t be able to read with that. Which was why I did what I did.
As we get closer I can see the outline of the ship that is still floating. Just seeing the design of the frame I note it as “a Mark II.” I say excitedly as I begin bouncing on my feet as we get closer.
“Yeah, how else do you think we got here so quickly.” The elf admitted.
I shrug, but still I can’t help but be excited. I love the Mark II, their sleek blimp design makes them the fastest of all ships. They also have magical amplification chambers that help mages build up magical charges. Then there are observation decks that magically enhance the viewing capabilities of anyone standing on them.
At that observation, I realize how I was able to hear the Elf and Human talking to each other. The deck all but screamed Steampunk magitech. The best of enchanting meeting the best of robotics and engineering. Seeing the vessel I can’t help but get excited, this was what made Biprism so amazing, the way magic and robotics were able to merge together to form precision instruments of form and function, like the Mark II.
The human just shook his head as he watched me from behind. Somewhere in this, he had taken up the rear-guard position, while the elf had taken up the lead position. I was thankful for this, as I did not want to face any of the monsters that might still be lurking in these jungles.
“Oh wow, they infuse the magic into the floorboards, not the gears.” I say.
Skill Alertness: has increased to 43. Skill Magical Awareness: has increased to 43.
At that, I turn off all skill notifications, not wanting to ruin this moment. This is my first time fully experiencing the moment of everything Steampunk and I want to savor it.
The moment we get to the ship, I feel my barefoot step onto metal steps and know that I have finally arrived.
“Come on, lets go introduce you to the Captain. Oh, by the way, what is your name?”
At that I pause, realizing I had been so caught up in just leaving that I never assigned myself a name. I almost want them to call me Cassie, but that might make me fall into old habits. Habits from my past life that I want to break free from. Realizing this is my chance to start over I pause for a moment, before answering, “call me Cassiopeia, or Cass for short.”
“I’m Hector, and that is Golum.” The human admits.
“Galuminous, it means Light in Elven.” The elf in front of us replies.
“Know you might have to share one of your badges to get aboard. The Captain is with the Empire, so sharing your badge with her should count towards your overall acceptance with the Empire.” Hector states.
I nod. I sort of knew this, but having Hector confirm this only let me relax slightly.
“Permission to come aboard.” Golum says, well Galuminous, but honestly now that I heard Golum, I can’t get that out of my head.
“Get on you twit.” A deck hand watching everyone come and go said, then looking at me he asks. “You found a slave?”
“Not quite. She has great magic potential.” Hector said.
At that the man at the gangway just looked incredulous for a second. “You have Magical Awareness now?”
“Something like that.” Hector admitted.
Scoff.
“Kid, can you understand me?” The deck hand says.
I try to analyze him, but all I get is the following message.
Half-Elf ???
“Yes sir. How do you do,” I admit and do my best rendition of a bow.
Attribute Attractiveness has increased to 6.
I pause for a moment, wondering how I got the increase. A quick glance at my closed skill list shows that I got a new skill.
New Skill Gained: Courtly Etiquette has increased to level 1. Skill Courtly Etiquette is a Personality, Sociability, and Attractiveness based skill.
Well, that one point in Attractiveness did explain the random increase. Since that Attribute starts off at five, it can increase quickly with minimal efforts. At least to get you to baseline appearance ratings. This was the same thing as my Perception or other attributes increasing to two with one skill gained. The attribute increases normally and then has my starting bonuses added, in this case my staring bonus for Appearance is 5.
“Oh well aren’t you fancy.” The half-elf greeter states with a slight tone of surprise. I suppose most of that is the fact that as a child my 12 in Dexterity allows me a bit of fluidity that is not seen in most children. “Right, well I suppose the captain will want to see her, even if she is a darkie.”
At that, I pause. “You are a regressor too?”
“Very astute of you, and yes.” That made sense, as he didn’t seem to be opposed to my appearance. At least not like the others on the ship were. I could tell by the seemingly hostile glares from the others on the ship that my second class citizenship status would be playing a huge role in my life being extremely difficult.
Knock knock.
We get to a door, and on the other side of the room I can see the form of a woman reading a document on her table.
Commander,
Confirmed to have found body of Behemoth Gardagozon. No sign yet of what caused monster’s death. Send salvage vessels for rare materials to (1205.001 +, 18005.19-)
Captain
Vanessa Redgrave
I can all but feel my Blind Eidetic Speed Reading skill increase from that. Realizing I read the document through the wall, I feel completely shocked. This was amazing. I can also tell a few things from the documents, the commander of this vessel is a Redgrave, which are a very influential family of Paladins. Knowing this, I want to be on guard as the order of Paladins haven’t always gotten along with Dark Elves, but since I don’t see any type of holy aura from this captain, I assume she is a ship captain for a reason.
“Come in.” The commander says.
With that, Hector leads me in, while Golum takes up the rear. I am not quite certain when their roles and positions switched, but it appears that this is something they do constantly. I think this is mainly due to Hector being a little more easily accepted than Golum, but that is merely speculation. It could also be that Hector has skills that would help when dealing with commanders.
“Commander.” Hector says, stepping forward into the room and rendering a proper military salute. I follow suit, as does Golum. We must look the odd trio, Hector the stalwart knight who could almost be a Paladin himself if he had holy magic, me a shade touched dark elf child, and then the somewhat lackadaisical Golum, who still looks both fluidly graceful and relaxed at the same time.
“At ease.” Captain Redgrave says with a dismissive hand gesture.
At that Hector and Golum both drop their salutes and I do so a half second later.
“Commander, I bring to you the slayer of the Behemoth that you were looking for.” Hector said, then gestured to me.
The Commander pauses for a second. I feel an odd yellow energy wash over me. After a second the Commander tilts her head back and straightens her posture slightly, her only tell that she has seen the truth in Hector’s words.
“You there Dark Elf, how did you come to be in possession of such meritorious badges?”
At that, I nod and kneel. “First, I ask that you take my word and actions as a true want to join the Empire. I am unbound Shade Touched Dark Elf with no allegiances to any nation. I wish to offer up the body of the Gardagozon to you as sign of good faith.”
With that I am offered a system prompt.
Do you wish to give badge: Gardogazon Slayer (500). To Captain Redgrave?
Seeing the prompt, I realize I slightly messed up my delivery.
“I wish to bestow this onto the Empire as a whole.” I correct, with that, the message changes.
D0 you wish to give badge: Gardogazon Slayer (500). To the Maltese Empire, with Captain Redgrave acting as the recipient?
Seeing that the message now says what I wish it to say, I mentally respond to the prompt “yes.”
At that, I feel the badge in my head transfer out as a deep connection of magic is shared.
At my admission, the image of the Gardogazon can clearly be seen along with me holding a brightly glowing dagger, then the screen changes to show that the dagger broke up into hundreds of tiny pieces, before ultimately killing the Gardogazon.
The image is irrefutable, I can feel both Hector and Golum both standing a little still at the image as it was fairly impressive, if I do say so myself.
Your reputation with the Maltese Empire has risen by 500, from Dubious to Welcoming.
“I think you have one interesting story to tell. But first, do you grant us the rights to harvest your kill?”
At that I pause for only a second, forgetting that such a thing was even possible.
“Yes.”
Your reputation with Captain Vanessa Redgrave has improved from Welcoming to Friendly.
At that, I nod.
“Can I ask a favor in return?” I ask. I figure this is implied, but I might as well state it.
“What?”
“Can I get a ride back with you to the Empire?”
“I am not in the habit of leaving children to rot in the middle of the ocean, regardless of their race. Yes, you can ride with us.”
“Commander, if I may?” Hector asked.
Redgrave just raised her eyebrow, a gesture that I was beginning to be able to pick up on due to my increased perception skills.
“She has high Magical Potential. Perhaps we should also look about getting her tested?” Hector said, somewhat questioningly.
At that the commander crossed her fingers over her desk while leaning forward to look deeply at me.
“I suppose such a thing would be unavoidable. She already seems to be Mystically Sighted in some way, that and her being shade touched, all but guarantee her to be truly magical in some way. I suppose such a test would be prudent.” The Commander said, then turned her full glare on me. “What do you say? Would you want to be tested for magical potential?”
“Yes, very much so.” I admit honestly.
With that the Captain nods to herself. “Very well then. These two will share their room with you. Now that we have permissions, removing the Behemoth’s corpse will be far easier.”
“Shmee,” Captain Redgrave yelled.
“Captain!” A small boy said, as he entered the chambers.
“Go tell the men to apply the tow cables to the behemoth, we have been given permission to take it.”
“Right away captain.” The small boy, Shmee, responded.
With the door closed, the commander turned back to the three of us. “Anything else?”
“Uh, no ma’am.” Hector stammered for a second.
“Very good then, you may leave.” She said, as she gave a dismissive hand wave.
And that was how I booked passage to the mainland.