BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM C.1035: Not a Vacation (1)

Amber leaned in, studying the map. "I'm honestly more concerned about the thaids in the area," she said.

During the past week, the attacks had not been many. Some times, there were powerful but lone thaids trying to grab a bite on the ship, which were stopped by the Chimaeric Demons. Erik decided the best thing to do was to lean on them for defence, rather than on the ship's defensive systems.

At other times, large groups of smaller, weaker thaids showed up. These thaids weren't strong enough to damage the ship, and the Chimaeric Demons' new ability to blind them kept the thaids away from the ship. Even so, dealing with these attacks wasn't easy for the crew.

Erik assumed they were in a quadrant where the effects of whatever the blackguards were doing on Mur weren't affecting the thaids.

The opposite was most likely the reason that powerful thaid got to the ship during their first day of travel. Frant must have been on a sort of migratory path.

"Are we likely to encounter more like the one that attacked us?" Amber asked.

June shook his head. "Based on the information we have, the sea thaid we encountered was an anomaly. Most of the thaids in this area are smaller and less dangerous. They might pose a threat to regular ships without a fleet, but with the Chimaeric Demons, they shouldn't be a problem."

Erik nodded.

"That's great. Now, let's talk strategy. Our primary goal is to reach the island, make any necessary repairs we couldn't complete at sea, and gather intelligence about Hin's operations in the area. We need to find out if they learned about the stolen ship and if they know it was us, and not some random hobo."

"Do you think they didn't attack because they know it's you who stole it and want to make a trap?"

"It could be, Mira. Those guys are shrewd, and they likely know, thanks to my dossier, that I do not have sea faring experience. I can kill the blackguards easily, but there is no way I'm going to underestimate them."

"We should send a small team ahead to scout the island then," Mira said. "They could study the defences and possibly even replace some of the guards before we make our approach."

"Excellent suggestion, Mira. We'll put together a scouting team as we get closer to the island. June, I want you to choose the Chimaeric Demons and brief them on what to expect based on our maps and intelligence."

"Yes, Master," June nodded.

"Amber," Erik said, turning to the red-haired woman, "I want you to work on a plan for taking the outpost. Assume we'll have the element of surprise, but plan for the worst-case scenario as well."

"Please don't ask me to pull the same stunt as the last time."

"I won't."

Amber gave a resolute nod." Then I'm on it. I'll have a few different strategies ready for your review in the next days, but I'll start working on them as soon as I can."

"Good. Emily, I need you to inventory our supplies. Food, water, medical supplies, weapons —everything. We need to know exactly what we have and what we might need to replenish on the island."

Emily nodded, but there was some doubt on her face. "Shouldn't Amber do that? She did this for the past week."

"I need everyone to be aware of everything on the ship." Emily was a sniper. She played at a competitive level, and she was very good at planning. In hindsight, one should have given Emily this role.

However, Amber wasn't stupid either. The Chimaeric Demons might be able to come up with something good, even better than what the three women would.

That was sure, but Erik would not know how the situation in Hin and Mur was going to be, so he needed to make sure the three women were prepared for anything that might happen. For the past week, Amber was tasked with taking care of the inventory, but now Erik decided to give the task to Emily, so that both of them knew how to do that.

"One last thing," Erik said. "We've faced challenges before, but what we are doing is something new for you. It's okay to be nervous," Erik said, turning to Amber, "but trust in your abilities and in each other, and remember the Chimaeric Demons will help you as soon as you say the word."

Mira, Emily, and Amber exchanged glances.

"Alright," Erik said, straightening up. "Let's get to work. We have three days to complete our plans and preparations. June set a course for the island. Everyone else, you know your tasks. If you need any help or have any concerns, come to me."

As the others filed out of the captain's quarters, Erik remained behind, studying the map. His finger traced the path from their current position to the island and then beyond, towards Hin.

Erik waited for a long time before he could start hitting the blackguards when and where they were the most vulnerable.

As the time to start his move got closer, the anticipation built up inside him. He couldn't wait. He didn't want to.

Finally, it was time for him to get his long-awaited revenge. For what they did to the world, for the suffering they put him through, for the unimaginable pain they caused to his father, it was time to settle the score.

Erik remembered the terrible things the blackguards had done. They had hurt many innocent people in their quest for power.

They had taken people from their homes and families, using them for cruel experiments. The blackguards didn't care about human life; they only wanted more knowledge and control.

Erik felt sick thinking about it. These dark memories made him even more determined to stop the blackguards and make them pay for their crimes.

Erik's feelings about the blackguards had changed completely. Just three years ago, he would have been eager to join them.

Back then, he thought the blackguards were good guys. He even wanted them to take over Frant and hurt the people who had made his life hard.

And yet, over time, he learned everything was a lie. The truths he uncovered shattered the foundations of his beliefs. The blackguards weren't the heroes; they were the villains.

He learned Becker wasn't the bad guy he once thought; in fact, he and his father had been fighting against the blackguards for a long time.

The blackguards were the root cause of every misfortune that had fallen on him. The biological supercomputer, the crystal cross gang, the situation in Etrium, the attack on New

Alexandria.

They were behind every assassination attempt that threatened his life.