May 31st, 2018. 5:45 PM.
Elio and Reggie arrive at a boat rental shop and walk inside, Elio places his hand on the front desk; “Murphy! How’s it going?” He briskly asks. Murphy looks up from a newspaper, a young, middle aged man with a clay cut and a garibaldi. “Elio! It’s been a while since you’ve shown here! How are you?” Elio plays it casual; “I’m doing great, actually! Reggie and I, we both finished the recruitment exam, so we decided we’d just celebrate by coming here, renting a boat, and enjoying ourselves.” “I assume you want to rent Nauti Lass again?” Murphy asks, attempting to hide a chuckle.
“You got it!” Elio holds his debit card between his index and middle finger. Murphy takes it and asks; “And how long are you planning to be out on the water for?” “Three hours!” Elio answers quickly. “Splendid!” Murphy puts in the total for the rental cost and hands Elio his card back. He then gives him a key with a tag that says ‘208’ on it. “Thanks Murphy!” “You’re welcome! Drive safe!”
As Elio and Reggie leave through the door, a tranquil harbor unfolds for them beneath the ginger sky, where gentle ripples caress the moored boats. The air is imbued with the soothing scent of saltwater, as seagulls gracefully soar by the backdrop of the distant, steel grey clouds. Whispers of ocean breeze carry the rhythmic lullaby of water lapping against the weathered docks, creating a symphony of serenity. Sunlight dancing on the water’s surface, casting a warm glow upon pastel-hued buildings that line the shore. A sense of calm permeates the atmosphere, inviting introspection and a profound connection with the serene maritime haven.
Elio walks along the docks, he, along with Reggie, take in the salty seabreeze. Nestled at the end of one of the many docks, a red and white speedboat awaits its next adventure. The vibrant hues stand out against the calm waters, while the boat’s sleek design hints at its prowess on the open sea. Tethered to the dock, it exudes a sense of anticipation, ready to unleash its speed and power upon the tranquil waters of the harbor. Elio approaches the speedboat and starts untying its rope on the dock.
“You know, for once, you’re dirtier than her.” Reggie comments about Elio’s mudded outfit as he jumps onto the boat from Elio’s shoulder. “Yeah, yeah, you’d be quick to take that back if you saw Nauti Lass from underwater.” Elio retorts as he finishes untying the knot. He hops onto the vessel and sits in the cockpit, putting the key in the ignition, starting the boat. Elio backs out in reverse, he then steers the boat and shifts it into drive, leaving the harbor.
Reggie perches onto the bow of the Nauti Lass and points forward with his paw; “Just keep going that way, that’s the direction where I saw the island.” “Got it! Oh, and Reggie, when we get there, just follow my lead, I’ve already thought of an idea.” Elio replies. “Alright, then let’s just go full speed!” Reggie shouts. Elio smiles widely as he presses on the gas pedal; “Just what I was hoping to hear!”
Elio floors it, as he does so, Nauti Lass slices through the water with effortless grace, leaving a foamy trail in its wake. The powerful roar of the engine harmonizes with the rhythmic dance of waves as the vessel zips across the sparkling expanse, embodying the thrill of velocity on the open sea.
A tall man is sitting on top of the giant ship, wearing a dark grey vest, a white shirt underneath, dark grey baggy pants, brown leather boots, and a pin on his uniform that shows an emblem of a skull with white clouds circling around its jaw. The man is looking out to sea while holding a pair of military grade binoculars up to his eyes. He notices Elio and Reggie moving toward the direction of the island. He holds his binoculars with one hand and uses his free one to calmly speak through a communicator wrapped around his wrist; “Sky Watcher, reporting to Gendross.”
A response comes through the communicator as Gendross answers; “What’s the report?” “There’s a man approaching our island on a speedboat.” The crewmate answers. There’s a decently long pause before Gendross asks another question; “Is he scary looking? Should any of us be worried?” “Well, I wouldn’t say he looks scary, if anything, with the way he’s dressed, you’d think he’s attending a symphony. Though… his suit is rather muddy, also he’s wearing a visor over his eyes, he’s quite the character.” Upon hearing that description, Gendross’ voice sounds more relaxed and casual; “A symphony? Oh, he’s an Earthling! One last question; is there any other thing about him that stands out?”
“Let me check one more time…” He zooms in with his binoculars and eyes Reggie; “Here’s where it gets juicy. He has a Martian Tabby! And a big one at that!” “What?! A real one?! Well now I’m curious! Let them on the island, I want to talk to this mysterious person that’s making his arrival.” Gendross commands. The crewmate types on his communicator as he answers; “Already sending word to the crew.” “Thank you. I’ll be out in a bit to greet him. Keep up the good work.” Gendross disconnects from the line.
May 31st, 2018. 6:00 PM.
Elio stops the boat in front of the island and steps onto the bow, holding his arm out for Reggie to perch onto him. As Reggie does so, Elio hops onto the sands of the island. He begins his trek toward the ship as the dense jungle looms over with towering trees, their canopies interwoven to create a green cathedral beneath, which the two venture. A symphony of seagull calls and insect hums fill the air as amber sunlight filters through the foliage, dappling the moss-covered ground with ethereal patterns. Elio turns his head toward and suddenly jumps; “Oh shit!”
Reggie jumps off his shoulder and lands on all fours, looking up at Elio and tilting his head in confusion; “What happened, Elio?” Elio looks at Reggie and starts laughing as he puts his hand on his forehead. “Sorry, you blended in with the jungle so much because of your fur, I forgot you were on me. So I was startled when I noticed you.” Reggie licks his paw; “Maybe I should be happy that I can only see a small range of colors. I’d never be caught doing what you just did.”
“Yeah, yeah, and you can enjoy seeing no colors for the rest of the walk to the ship.” Elio grabs Reggie’s nape. “Wait, hold on, I take it ba-” Reggie immediately begins to squirm as Elio scruffs him; “I said I take it back!” “Alright, good.” Elio sets him down, even petting Reggie’s neck a bit to help calm the stress that was triggered. “Let’s keep going.” Elio orders as he stands up and starts walking again.
May 31st, 2018. 6:10 PM.
Elio and Reggie arrive at the bow of the ship, they look up to see the gargantuan size of the vessel; “Wow.” Reggie reacts as he sits down, suddenly, two eye markings on the ship begin to illuminate a bright, green glow. The mouth begins to open as the gangway unfolds with a metallic creak as its hinged sections begin to extend outward, forming a secure ramp between the ship and the grass. Bathed in the glow of the orange sun, the gangway reveals its sturdy construction, rivets glinting in the ambient illumination.
As the gangway descends, a sense of connection between the vessel and the land emerges. A tall silhouette appears at the top of the gangway. All that can be seen are piercing yellow pupils surrounded by a pair of charcoal black eyes. The being begins walking down, revealing himself. His appearance is that of an extraterrestrial being, standing at a staggering height of 8’11, boasting a distinctive blue skull-shaped head, complemented by sharp blue hands and blue toes that stick downward as though they were pegs. In contrast, he has striking red features, including a crimson red jaw, neck, shoulders, chest, arms, and legs. The top of his head, his stomach and forearms are a sandy brown color. All of these sporting a faint glare due to them being shells covering his body. All of which are complemented by white, furry eyebrows. Lastly, the proportions on the right side of his body are larger than the left side. This appearance belongs to the race of Jovians, which are from the northern side of Kosmesen on the Jupiter Continent.
His outfit was nothing to scoff at either, as his menacing white uniform features sharp, angular lines and a high collar. The pristine white fabric is adorned with a sleek insignia of The Sky Pirates, seen on a captain’s hat that he’s wearing. He sports dark tinted accessories, such as silver wrist bracelets and a jet black leather belt, adding an imposing touch. His uniform exudes authority, instilling a sense of command and intimidation.
Gendross stops once he reaches the end of the gangway, standing with his hands in his pockets. “Your name.” Gendross calmly demands as he takes his larger hand out and points his claw-like finger at Elio. “Hey, what about me?” Reggie butts in while standing up on his hind legs to look larger. Gendross hears Reggie’s comment, with just one glance, Reggie’s ears fold back and he sits down immediately. “Oh? This Martian Tabby… it talks? This is just getting more interesting.” Gendross ponders.
Elio points to himself with his left thumb and to Reggie with his right thumb; “I’m Elio King, the talking furball is Reggie.” Gendross looks at them as his eyebrows begin to furrow in confusion. “I’m curious. Why are you here? More so, you’re aware of who I am, right? Nobody would come here for sightseeing, so give me your reason for showing.” Gendross leans forward, becoming eye level with Elio.
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“I’ve come to join The Sky Pirates, Gendross.” Elio answers. He raises an eyebrow; “Tell me, why would you willingly want to join my crew? What do you hope to achieve, working for me? And how are you able to contribute?” Elio glances at Reggie. He begins to speak in an almost somber tone, as though he were trying to hold back his tears; “It has to do with him. He’s the only one that I have in my life that’s stayed by my side through thick and thin. I’ve nowhere to go, and yet the government wants to take Reggie away from me and kill him because he’s an illegal species of animal. You can probably tell by my outfit that this is the only thing I can even afford to wear-" "How do you explain the speedboat?” Gendross cuts him off.
Elio swallows as he’s cut off by Gendross’ skepticism. “I knocked out a boat owner and jacked the boat. I don’t want to be a criminal, but the last thing I’d ever want is for Reggie to be taken from me. So please, could Reggie and I at least have a chance to show our worth to the crew?” Gendross’ intimidating glare shows no sign of waning, but he simply sighs out of pity. “I take it you’re both fighters since the government wants Reggie, right?”
“Yes! Reggie and I are deadly combatants!” Elio answers with a legion of confidence. Gendross takes notice; “Well, your confidence shows a lot. Most people quake in fear from my presence, and here, your legs haven’t shaken, nor have your words even stuttered. If protection from the government is what you seek and in return, you want to fight for me, then I’ll bite.” He turns around and walks back up the gangway. “Come. I’ll let you two prove to me that you have what it takes.” Gendross beckons.
“He took the bait!” Elio and Reggie think in unison. Elio and Reggie follow Gendross up the gangway and they walk inside of the ship. Upon going inside, Elio and Reggie’s jaws drop in awe as they see the interior. The ship’s interior is bathed in a soft, ambient glow from energy-efficient LED lights. Sleek metallic surfaces with holographic interfaces line the walls, creating an immersive and high-tech atmosphere. Transparent panels reveal breathtaking views of different regions of Kosmesen, while floating orbs of light serve as both decoration and functional illumination. Advanced AI-controlled lighting adjusts to Gendross’ preferences, enhancing the overall sense of comfort and cutting-edge design.
“Impressive, isn’t it?” Gendross asks in a lighthearted tone. “Yeah! I’ve never seen anything like it in person!” Elio shouts in surprise. Reggie tries to put his paw on the holographic interface; “Oh, what the heck? My paw just goes right through it.” Elio laughs at Reggie’s curiosity; “It’s just a projection, Reggie.” “Oh… I see.” Reggie looks at the light before losing interest in just a few seconds, he then runs to catch up with Elio and Gendross. “So, where are we going exactly?” Elio asks.
“I’m taking you to one of the ten decks on this ship. We’re going to the third deck. Right now, we’re on the second deck, which is where the engine room is. The third deck is entirely dedicated to combat training.” “I see. So then, what are Reggie and I going to do? Do we fight members of your crew?” Elio asks as a follow up. “Huh? No, I’m going to have you fight something much tougher, something that the crew likes to call ‘The Heavy Titan.’” “Heavy Titan? What’s the reason for making Reggie and I go up against something like that?”
“It’s simple. You two weren’t intimidated by my presence. So that must mean you must be great fighters.” Gendross answers while shrugging one hand. Elio looks at Reggie for a second, he nods. Reggie nods back. “Well, we’re sold. I’m ready to fight that Heavy Titan guy.” “Alright, then! I’m excited to see what kind of fighting you two will bring to the table.” Gendross shows enthusiasm as he answers. They reach an elevator, Gendross presses it and the shutters open up.
Gendross walks onto the platform as Elio and Reggie follow him inside. “By the way, do either of you know what the ship is called?” “Nah.” Elio and Reggie answer in unison. Gendross presses the button to take them to the third deck. “This ship is what we call the ‘Levacean.’” Elio takes a deep breath; “Shit… don’t tell me. I forgot that Jovians love using wordplay to name things.” Elio begins to mutter; “Levacean, Levacean…”
Elio then snaps his finger as he says with enthusiasm; “Oh, I get it! It has to do with its design looking like a whale! Levitate and Cetacean is how you got Levacean!” Gendross smirks a bit with pride; “Right on the money!” The elevator stops and the shutters open up. “Alright, we’re here.” Gendross calmly says as he steps out onto the combat deck.
Elio and Reggie step out to see that the combat deck is a spacious clearing surrounded by towering trees, scattered with large boulders creating an uneven playing field. In the center of it all, lies a serene pond that reflects the LED lights from the roof of the deck, offering a tranquil spot amid the high-tech industrialized vibe of the Levacean. “I wasn’t expecting this when you said ‘combat deck!’ But this is amazing looking! And there’s still nine other decks! Goddamn!” Elio shouts in awe.
“Bring out The Heavy Titan.” Gendross says to his communicator on his wrist, seemingly ignoring Elio’s enthusiasm. He walks over to the far side of the combat deck. He begins making his way up a staircase on the side of the deck. Stepping rhythmically on the cold, echoing metal stairs, their ascent echoing through the empty space. Each clang resonates as he approaches a small balcony with a railing that reveals a sweeping view of the battlefield below.
Shortly after Gendross arrives at the balcony and leans over the railing, a metallic shutter opens up. Emerging through it, a giant robot makes its way onto the battlefield. Its sleek, angular design exudes an air of technological sophistication. The outer shell, a vibrant metallic orange, gleamed under the battlefield’s harsh lights. Luminescent accents adorned its surface, casting an otherworldly glow.
The Heavy Titan’s body was a symphony of advanced materials: carbon composites, reinforced alloys, and high-tech plating. Intricate circuitry pulsed beneath transparent panels, hinting at the intricate machinery within. Articulated joints moved with a fluidity that belied its colossal size, each movement calibrated for optimal efficiency as it steps toward Elio and Reggie.
As its core, a central chamber housed a sophisticated fusion reactor, emitting a soft hum that resonates through the behemoth. Weapon systems, seamlessly integrated into the structure, bristled across its form: energy cannons, missile pods, and retractable blades poised for action.
As the Heavy Titan strides forward, the play of light on its reflective surface creates an awe-inspiring spectacle, leaving no doubt that this marvel of engineering is a formidable force on the battlefield.
Elio gazes upon The Heavy Titan’s exterior, he then tilts his head while looking to Gendross from the battlefield. “Hold on, I’m confused. Why’s it called the ‘Heavy Titan?’ Don’t you use wordplay when naming things?” “Well, yeah, normally, but… there are multiple models, all in different colors. And instead of the crew referring to them as ‘Hitans’ like I was hoping for, they just started calling them Sesame Street characters because the first two that were built happen to be orange and yellow. So… you’ll be fighting Ernie, if I’m correct. I’m not the most familiar with Earth programs.” Gendross explains.
“Oh word? Those two were always my favorite when I was a kid!” Elio responds with excitement. He then unbuttons his shirt and takes it off, along with the blazer by throwing them to the side. Elio gets into his fighting stance; “You Reggie, ready?” “Yeah!” Reggie returns the enthusiasm, getting into a predatory stance. Elio turns his head to Gendross; “We’re ready!” He shouts.
Gendross raises his right arm, a small silence dwells. “Begin!” He shouts. Ernie’s sensors lock onto Elio as its metallic joints emit an ominous hum. Reggie crouches besides Elio as the air crackles with tension. The two dash toward Ernie, Reggie choosing to stay behind as Elio goes for the first, unleashing a barrage of lightning-fast kicks, his movements becoming a blur as he dances around his colossal metal adversary. Reggie darts in and out to distract Ernie with his swift and acrobatic movement. Ernie reacts by spreading its arms out and spinning its upper body, performing a lariat while spinning like a top. His arm slamming into Elio’s stomach and sending him hurling in the air as trees begin to topple.
Ernie’s torso stops spinning as his plates open up and fires a barrage of missiles at Elio. Elio hits the ground and recovers by rolling back and getting back on his feet. “Shit!” He shouts as he performs a somersault, narrowly dodging one of the missiles. Elio quickly starts running as he avoids the explosive onslaught. Reggie scampers up Ernie’s leg, leaving tiny scratches on its armored surface, forcing Ernie’s sensors to lock onto him instead of Elio.
Elio leaps off of a boulder and makes his way toward Ernie through jumping and swinging along the trees, eventually reaching it and performing several frontflips to build momentum, slamming the top of Ernie with an axe kick, slightly denting it. Reggie sees an opportunity and leaps onto Ernie’s facial area, unsheathing his claws and clawing at Ernie’s sensors. Ernie performs another lariat, shaking the two of them off.
Elio flies backfirst into a tree, slamming into it; “Ooomph!” He grunts as he falls onto a branch, he latches onto it. “Damn! Gendross really does have high hopes if this is what he’s dishing out! But, we gotta take this thing down if we want a shot at even bringing in Gendross!” He thinks to himself as he stands up and balances on the tree branch. Elio scales the tree to gain elevation, reaching the top of the tree. “Let’s see…” Elio quietly mutters as he looks at Ernie, seeing that Reggie already bounced back to distract him. “Good! And best yet, this tree's deciduous, so there’s no need to hold back on it!”
Elio bends his legs and leaps into the air, reaching soaring heights as he slowly does a frontflip, as he’s upside down mid-flip, his feet touch the ceiling of the combat deck. He bends his knees upon touching the ceiling and carries that momentum, increasing it more as he dives down toward Ernie. He flips once more and lands a powerful stomp onto Ernie, knocking him to the ground.
“Oh!” Gendross watches in surprise, amazed with Elio’s agility and power. Elio’s legs tremble from the impact, Reggie’s whiskers detect a vibration; “Elio! Get off the robot!” “Huh- WOAH!” Elio yells as he backflips off of Ernie as a bright blue light glows on his surface. Upon touching the ground, the light becomes a laser blast from one of its energy cannons, though it misses, Elio feels the intense heat graze past him.
Elio’s reflexes kick into overdrive as Ernie unleashes a rapid volley of energy blasts. The air crackles with energy, the fire rate increasing. As they intensify, Elio utilizes the boulders to take cover from the attacks. The boulders shattering creates a dust cloud, making Elio’s presence harder for Ernie to detect. He sees Reggie and rushes toward him, scooping him off the ground. “Reggie, I think I’ve figured out an idea!” “What’s the plan?” “Just distract Ernie for me!” Elio commands.
“Got it!” Reggie hops off of Elio and makes his way toward Ernie. As the dust clears, Elio is nowhere to be seen, and Reggie saunters, closing the distance ever so slowly, as though he were ignoring the imminent danger. Reggie turns his back toward Ernie and swishes his tail in playful defiance, trying to taunt him. Ernie attempts to attack Reggie by letting one of his blades spike out, Reggie casually avoiding it due to his senses.
Elio watches from the safety and seclusion of a tree, he takes a deep breath; “Phew. Good job, Reggie! Just keep that hunk of junk distracted!” Elio sits on the branch and begins to meditate. Taking deep breaths and channeling his own body, an intense, violent aura of flames envelop him. The ethereal fire dances in rough waves, casting a burning, hellish glow that accentuates the stillness of his meditation. Flames flicker in harmony with his breath.
The flames swiftly vanish without a trace, the volume of Elio’s own body having slightly increased. Elio stands up on the branch once more, looking down at the skirmish between Reggie and Ernie. He exhales through his nostrils, steam coming out as he does so, he grins and leaps out from the trees, more energized than ever. “Alright Reggie, move out of the way! Unless you want to experience the opposite of the Ice Age!”