Warning : This bonus chapter takes place a few chapters ago, between chapters 308 and 310, as the news of the UDC's fleet are being kept quiet, but since it would have ruined the pacing it was kept separate.

Bonus Chapter - To Sail The Seven Skies

Red Sands Desert, Archduchy of Rebirth

Trade City of Erakis

"Captain."

Sylvia looked up from her ardent observation of sand, sand and more sand, and smiled as she saw her executive officer, and her new 'lieutenant', Aline.

A lieutenant that in truth was her senior in the Order, but appearances had to be maintained.

They were on the deck of her new ship, the Bountiful Acquisition, generously gifted to her by Allya, from the ships the dungeon core had refitted. It wasn't as technologically advanced as her previous vessel, that could, and had, gone toe to toe with Erisian airships, but it was still light years ahead of most of the pathetic pieces of crap on this continent, and more importantly, it was fairly big and remarkably heavily armed for its size. A worthy privateer indeed.

At least until she could get her hands on a proper Erisian skyhound vessel again.

No offense to Lesly's handiwork, but her need to keep her technology believable held her back. She could hardly use equipment she couldn't have a plausible source for without rousing considerable suspicion. Besides which, this wasn't her best work, for obvious reasons.

"Maria! Do you have any good news?"

"Somewhat." The second in command stopped a respectful few paces away from the buxom, scantily clad young woman. "We are being sent up to Darthar."

The captain nodded.

"Well, at least it'll change us from the scenery here." She nodded at the oasis, or what had been one anyway, now fully covered and surrounded by layers of homes, warehouses and shops. Erakis had positively blossomed under Allya's rule, to such a point that talks of rebellion had vanished from the streets. No one, not even those in bed with the senate, wished to kill the goose that laid the golden egg...and the tales of what the Republic had lowered itself to had swept up any pretense of righteousness.

Oh, there had been a few madmen, there always were, but they had been snuffed out by the locals by the most part. In trying to find allies to 'liberate' the city, which still remained the primary supply source for the entire New Republic's army, and thus a juicy target indeed for the senate, they had simply walked into the arms of people who would do anything to eliminate them without rousing the ire of the garrison.

And garrison there was. Lesly's dungeon had been implanted there, in a move so genius Sylvia could scarcely believe it, spreading the High Commander's hold over the region, and strangling the trade route. A trade route that, once the Saphire Kingdom and Tark had been pacified, would flow with the blood of a new Empire, one to replace the decayed Erisian, which had failed the Order and their mission.

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"Yes. And the timing is...interesting, isn't it?"

The pirate captain winced, but declined to rise to the bait.

Maria's working theory for them being tied to Erakis was simple: the captain's outrageous flirting had horribly backfired. With their engagement public, and the marriage fast approaching, at least according to the rumors, the baroness -no, archduchess now- wanted them as far away as physically possible from her and her bride to be.

Now that she had returned from her long visit to Darthar, they would be sent there, probably clearing the way for Allya to visit Erakis. And every step of the way they would be held under the watchful eyes of the fleet, and commodore Calder.

Some fucking opportunity getting that letter of marque had proven to be.

"Very well. Let's get everyone ready to move." She perked up a bit. "If nothing else, it'll be a great opportunity to visit the bazaar! I need a new wardrobe." The captain gave a glance at Aline. "So do you."

"I suppose I could stand to acquire the pirate style." Said the 'lieutenant' with a faint smile.

"Privateer, please!" Said the captain with a raised finger. "Important distinction. Now, let's get our scurvy ridden skydogs back on their leash."

"And that means raiding the bars?" Said Maria with a deadpan glare.

"Precisely!" Sylvia grinned savagely. Her relationship with Maria was...strained, ever since her subordinate had voiced her true opinion of Joachim, their boss within the Order, but they took refuge in their usual shenanigans. "Assemble a party, we shall give this town a goodbye they'll remember!"

The second in command's eyebrow rose.

"You do realize most of the patrols are backed by golems, right?"

Sylvia deflated slightly at the oblique reminder that anything too bad would have to be dealt with by the dungeon core...by Lesly.

The last thing she wanted was to stumble into the High Commander's path again and force her to dance around the Order agent lest they all be discovered.

"Point taken." She cleared a throat. "Let it be a goodbye they'll vaguely recall, then."

Maria rolled her eyes before giving the captain her signature 'good enough' expression.

"Excellent then!" The captain smiled at Aline. "Lieutenant, you're with me! We need a map, and draw a thorough itinerary through the town! Not one watering hole left unchecked!"

The lieutenant smiled, and Sylvia had to hold back a shiver. The woman was being genuine, but holy shit even when she was happy there was something in her eyes, a creature of death and annihilation crouched in the shadows.

It was a helpful reminder that no matter how earnest...that 'lieutenant' had lead her entire company of comrades into a meat grinder, and been perfectly prepared to have them all die for the Order's goal.

And that probably applied to her present company as well. Fellow agents included.

"Of course captain, of course."

They left the railing.

And none of them noticed the golems in the fortress overlooking the city, observing them.

Nor would they have realized that this fortress always had a full battery of guns and missile launchers loaded, and ready to aim and fire on them at a moment's notice.

Ever ready for the day the order came. And it would. Coiled like a viper ready to strike, the golems waited, their patience infinite.

They waited for one little message that would set the world alight.