The HMS Scimitar was part of the Home Fleet that protected the entire region of Avalon and, basically, had no chance of being sent with any expedition. The Home Fleet was something between a full-fledged and training fleet, meant as the last step in the Royal Navy training before entering active service by the cadets. Thankfully, there was a constant rotation in the Home Fleet as the crews, or even entire ships, were assigned to the numbered fleets. HMS Scimitar was a Sabre class destroyer, which was, in turn, heavily inspired by the fastest and most heavily armed destroyers of its time from Lord Theon's world. From a distance, it could pass as one of the Tribal or Grom class destroyers. At least, the front of this one-hundred-and-fourteen metre-long vessel was almost an exact copy of those destroyers with its two frontal turrets in a superfire arrangement. Almost, because its main guns were replaced by twin six-point-one-inch calibre cannons capable of engaging separate targets at a distance of almost fifty kilometres. HMS Scimitar was the first Sabre class destroyer outfitted with this extremely potent weapon configuration. However, the field trials and effectiveness during the engagements in the Illusion World decided that all primary turrets on all Navy ships would be upgraded. Well, of course except for Dauntless; it was on a completely different weapon scale. The bridge and the main mast of HMS Scimitar were almost fully copied from the Grom class. However, behind the main mast, it was a completely different ship. Since the Sabre class destroyers did not need smoke stacks, the additional superstructure supporting a sixteen-cell VLS launcher was added along with enough space to double the VLS cells, if necessary, in the future. The additional superstructure made the transition from a higher elevated forecastle to a lower placed stern more fluid.
The mid and rear part of the ship were arguably the most heavily armed. On each side of the ship were placed two CIWS Phalanx, four in total, providing complete and overlapping kill zones. The original torpedo tubes were replaced with UMS-1 missile launchers which gave the Sabre class destroyers superiority in any ship-to-ship combat. Placed on the roof of the hangar was the third main gun turret. The hangar contained one of the two CB-90 assault craft the ship carried. The second one, a backup, was stored in the ship's spatial cargo hold. The rear landing deck allowed for the safe landing of a Wyvern. The interior of the ship, however, was a completely different story. Without the need for extensive cargo and storage holds, the crew quarters were expanded, providing a relatively comfortable living space. The engine room was replaced with the matrix core and magi-reactors which provided magic for the entire ship. Considering the sheer size and firepower of a single Arcadian destroyer, it was safe to say it matched at least half of the former Bernan Navy.
However... That also meant that thanks to their sizes and considerate firepower, the destroyers have taken the role of patrol craft. There were some discussions among the Avalon Admiralty about building a much smaller and cost-effective ship but they never went beyond the planning phase. Even if the Naval Projects committee managed to convince Grand Admiral Janet A'net Sparrow, any proposal was discarded by the Emperor. However, the committee didn’t just give up and that was how Lieutenant Commander Victor Thornton found himself stuck with patrol duty in the, probably, most boring section of the Arcadian border - a vast and hostile mountain range dividing Arcadia from Iceleon. The almost impassable peaks were home to many monsters that rarely visited the plains below. Nevertheless, the HMS Scimitar was patrolling this border, allowing the crew to familiarise themselves with the ship, gain experience during various training scenarios, and when they were particularly lucky, kill flying monsters that tried to assault their ship. Victor was sitting at his command console, mulling over the idea of running an anti-boarding exercise when his status screen flashed with a warning red colour.
"Sir..." The suddenly serious voice of the sensor officer was a welcome change of pace during their boring patrol mission. "We have a contact, approximately seventy metres long, approaching over the mountains."
"Are you sure?" as the Lieutenant Commander adjusted himself on his command chair.
"Yes, sir. The readings are clear. They may or may not be trying to hide between the peaks or they have problems with gaining altitude."
"Hail Avalon; set a course to intercept." He ordered and then felt the gentle tug of his destroyer as the helmsman confirmed the command.
"HMS Scimitar, this Avalon Command speaking." The responding female voice echoed a bit too loud on the bridge and the communication officer grimaced as she lowered the volume with an apologetic expression.
"Avalon Command, this is HMS Scimitar, Lieutenant Commander Victor Thornton speaking. We are observing a radar detection approaching Arcadia from over the mountains. Bearing: north, fourteen degrees east from our position, seven hundred and eighty-seven kilometres away, barely scraping over the highest peaks. It looks like they are trying to sneak in. The contact is a frigate size but the readings suggest it's mainly made of wood so a tall ship. We have already taken the course to intercept, Ma'am!"
"Affirmative. Proceed to intercept and ask them why the hell they are thinking of arriving unannounced. I'm going to escalate your report to the Lady Admiral as soon as possible." The woman's voice wasn't happy about the situation.
"Thank you, Command. Scimitar out."
"No problem, Scimitar. Avalon Command out."
"All right, people. We have about six hours before we intercept them. Everyone not needed is dismissed for a mandatory rest. Ensign Farke, as Orderly Officer, you are taking command of the ship." Victor ordered and gave over the ship's command.
"Aye, aye, sir!"
Victor Thornton left the bridge and went straight to his cabin, where he hung up his uniform and went straight to bed. While he, personally, hadn't believed that this encounter would end in a battle, the Navy's instructions were clear on the subject. As the captain of the vessel, he was expected to be on the bridge during any potentially hazardous situations. Especially, when said encounter was detected so early. Victor fell asleep very quickly - he had already been on duty for the last five hours so just sitting and waiting the next six hours was rather pointless. He would be tired long before they entered the visual range with the, presumably, Icleaonian frigate.
•••
"Gods of sky and ocean... What's that?!" Commodore Kelvin watched in horror a huge, sleek metal ship approaching his frigate at unbelievable speed.
"It's going to intercept us in less than half an hour, sir. It used the sun to hide itself which is why we only noticed it just now." The second officer said in an apologetic tone.
"Man the cannons!" Kelvin yelled as he put away the spying glass.
"Sir... That's not wise." The First officer hesitatingly opposed with a very uncomfortable tone to his captain.
"We have the Princess onboard." The Captain's voice was furious. "I won't allow anyone to set foot on my ship..."
"That's enough, Commodore." Princess Theresa's voice was soft and gentle. "We are guests... No. In fact, we are beggars arriving to plead for any help they can offer. We can't aim our guns at them and then beg for mercy. It doesn’t work like that."
"But, my Lady! I insist-" The old captain protested but he was cut off.
Stolen story; please report.
"Being cautious is one thing, but openly provoking them is another, Captain. We can't risk fighting them." The Princess spoke with a raised hand.
"Sir!" One of the observers called for the Captain's attention. "I don't see any gunports on their hull. It seems like they only have those overgrown cannons on their deck."
"That means we outgun them?" The first officer scratched his head in disbelief. "But they are bigger than us."
"And faster. I would like to know what the philosophy is behind their construction choices..." The Arcadian ship was coming fast and straight at them. They could already distinguish its features with the naked eye.
The massive guns of the ship they observed suddenly came to life and swiftly aimed at them. The speed and precision with which they managed to do that was alarming.
"UNKNOWN VESSEL, WE ARE THE ARCADIA ROYAL NAVY DESTROYER HMS SCIMITAR. YOU HAVE ENTERED THE SOVEREIGN AIRSPACE OF THE EMPIRE OF ARCADIA. STOP IMMEDIATELY AND PREPARE TO BE BOARDED." A deafeningly loud voice boomed from the Arcadian airship as it slowed its approach.
"Do as they say, Commodore." The Princess ordered, observing the sharp shapes of the Arcadian warship. Even she could easily point out the various guns that were aimed straight at them.
The large, metal ship was approaching their frigate from below, which normally would mean that Iceleonians would have the elevation advantage, but with its big, deck-placed, flat turrets with massive cannons, that was debatable.
"Yes, my Lady..." Captain Kelvin obeyed but his voice wasn't happy about it. "Signal them that we are going to stay on course but we will comply with the inspection. We can't fully stop over the mountains."
Suddenly, a guttural screech echoed over the mountains, causing every sailor on deck to run towards the railings and look for its source. A giant vulture-like monster was ascending right at them. The people started panicking, knowing that they had no chance against the monster or any means of avoiding it.
"Brace for impact!" Kelvin yelled and jumped towards Theresa.
He grabbed a safety rope and put it on the stunned Princess in a trained and professional manner. He grabbed the railings and held them with all his strength. He watched as the Ship Killer Vulture covered itself in the oily smoke of dark magic. Before he closed his eyes, he noticed in the corner of his eye that Arcadians turned one of their gun turrets towards the monster. It issued a low, buzzing noise followed by a momentary crack of magic discharge which hit the monster and ripped off its right wing. The cannon turned again at Lion's Pride as if nothing had happened.
"Stay on course but prepare for our inspection." The same voice commanded them once again, but this time it was a bit less hostile.
"I believe that we were idiots when we thought that our ship outgunned theirs." Kelvin swallowed slowly knowing fully well that his ship would have needed a full broadside to just wound that monster and hopefully chase it away. Two hits were enough for the Arcadians to kill a feared Ship Killer Vulture.
A much smaller ship departed from the rear of the ship. It had tall ‘HMS Scimitar’ name painted on its grey hull.
•••
"Good afternoon, Princess Theresa Iceleon. My name is Lieutenant Commander Victor Thornton. We weren't informed about your visit." The Arcadian captain welcomed her on board his impressive warship. "In fact, I don't believe we have any official protocol of conduct with your country. I also have to inform you that the way you approached our border was beyond suspicious. In the future, please refrain from arriving without the proper arrangements. Also, there was no need for your arrival to HMS Scimitar."
The man was in his late twenties, maybe early thirties. He was rather handsome with his calm, dark eyes that observed everything with unquestionable authority. His naval blue uniform with white and gold finishes was pristine. The Arcadian Captain was neatly shaved and his hair was recently cut. He also looked like he bathed daily. He looked more like a noble than a simple sailor stuck on the airship. He was accompanied by a throng of officers and soldiers. Most of his officers were women which Theresa found strange but oddly satisfying. The smiling and friendly Arcadian officers accepted the official letters and documents while exchanging friendly chatter with Theresa's soldiers. Their appearance and openness alleviated the stress of the Iceleonians. However, the soldiers behind them were armed to the teeth and meant business if the delegation tried anything stupid. She barely managed to hold her sigh. Compared to them, Commander Kevin's crew looked like a ragged band of pirates.
She was also shocked that a mere Lieutenant Commander was commanding such an unbelievable ship. It was far bigger than her flagship so she naturally assumed it was the Arcadian Flagship. However, she overheard the laughter of Arcadian officers when they were inquired about it by her Royal Guards. This destroyer was supposedly among the smallest of the ships in the Arcadian Navy. She couldn't fathom the wealth and power of a Kingdom that could build even one such ship, not to mention, an entire fleet of them. She realised that she was silent a bit too long and cleared her throat.
"The mission we were sent on is important and time-sensitive so I will be honest, Captain." Theresa looked at Victor and decided to simply tell him the truth. "My country is in dire need of help and we can only receive it from Arcadia. I was sent by my father to personally negotiate the terms with the Emperor. I would be extremely thankful if you could allow us to continue our journey towards Avalon."
"You have no idea how this simple request complicates everything..." The Arcadian Captain almost painfully groaned. "Can you share any details with me or is everything secret?"
"It's not a secret. Or rather it can't be kept secret..." She sighed. "My country was struck by some strange disaster. Despite the fact that it is late summer, the weather in Iceleon is akin to the middle of a harsh winter. The snow started falling as we took off and the situation is dire. That's why I must speak with your Lord, Captain Thornton."
"A dire situation indeed..." The man mused and leaned towards one of his officers who quickly walked away. "Please, if you would, wait a moment, Princess. We must confirm a few things. We will also need to wait for the inspection team to return."
He took some of the documents she had brought and started reading them. Somehow, Theresa knew he was completely disinterested in their content at all. At least she could sit down on a comfortable chair and enjoy the warm sun on her face. She waited patiently but minutes passed slowly in an awkward silence. After nearly ten minutes, the officer returned and she handed her captain a green envelope. At least, the captain had enough decency to pretend he wanted to finish the document in his hand. Just after a few seconds, he rolled close the scroll, handed it to another officer, and took the green envelope from the hands of a warmly smiling Human woman. He opened it and read it carefully, furrowing his brows or strangely grimacing from time to time.
"All right, Princess Theresa. As a patrol craft, we have an entire box of orders for various situations. According to this one, we have to take you to Avalon as quickly as possible." Victor took a pause and sighed heavily. Theresa knew he was lying about something but she couldn't point out what exactly it was about. “Meanwhile,” he continued. "Your flagship is unable to keep pace with my destroyer. So, I must ask your ship to stay on the direct course towards Avalon until they are intercepted by another patrol vessel or they reach the capital. Your ship will be watched by our Storm Eagles so don't try anything questionable. I am going to take you and your Royal Guards straight to the Emperor with Scimitar."
He took out a silver whistle and used it. A loud but clear and pleasant whistle echoed, repeated by at least four more whistles. Suddenly, ice-blue magic circles opened over their heads and several large Storm Eagles emerged from them. Theresa couldn't believe her eyes. One of those monsters was extraordinary enough, but seeing five of them at once was simply unbelievable. Legendary creatures; they could easily overpower a Ship Killer Vulture and they were right in front of her eyes. One of them took a sealed scroll from one of the Arcadian officers and, with a single flap of its massive wings, was off, speeding towards Avalon. The other four landed on the deck and eyed the Lion's Pride as their masters affectionately petted their necks.
"They will be escorting your ship toward Avalon or until another patrol boat arrives." Victor simply informed her, and Theresa had a strange feeling that whatever was going to happen from now on was, almost certainly, beyond her control. "How many soldiers do you wish to take with you?"
"I don't think I need any but I will take all the Royal Guards with me. Thirty soldiers you see here with me." She pointed at the sweating soldiers who were wearing clothes for the environment.
"Very well." He nodded and scratched his head. "We are not exactly a cruise liner so, if you would, please excuse us for the harsh conditions during the trip, Princess Theresa. We will reach Avalon in nine hours. Ensign Cherry will show you to your quarters. For your own safety, I have to ask you to not leave your rooms alone and, especially, do not wander around the ship."