Buds walked the beach of Port Baldmor, looking at the dock system, a system that could rival anything in Vesper, and built by Eva Clearcastle, Buds could not keep one solitary tear from rolling down her cheek, the devastation that used to be the Navel outpost was the biggest blow to her, she had worked hard with the Navy and the RBG to get Port Baldmor up to a level of commerce and trade it had never seen, and all that was because of the recourses that the Navy and Guardians Gate had allowed her. A trust I will never be able to gain back, why are we doing the things we are doing?? She looked to the North, soon the Commodore would tire of the head games she had been playing and unleash hell on Port Baldmor, if only she could contact him and beg him not to attack, apologize for what she had done, even turn herself in, anything to save Baldmor, and then her eyes glazed over to black once again, and the evil smile returned, let him try, I will take on the entire Navy to keep what is mine she said allowed.



Half a continent away, in Guardians Date…..

Commodore. Said Angus as he walked into the USN headquarters in Guardians Gate, I understand that you have done well at keeping the cove safe from unwanted ships entering the harbor, but the cove is so clogged up with ships that not even the trader vessels can get in, in fact Captain Clearcastle cant even get the Guardian around the cove to protect it!

Tiberius looked up from writing in his log book. Do you really feel that with thirty navel vessels parked in the cove and ready for battle, anyone would be foolish enough to try and attack?

Of course not Tib, my concern is getting the supplies that are sitting outside the cove into Guardians Gate.

I understand its hard Angus, but I need Buds to feel some pain for once, and if this works we may well be able to retake Baldmor and see if we can find a way to start getting the black rock infection under control. Look, I will have those ships out of here in two days, until then you have full use of navy’s stables and wagons. That way at least you can go outside the cove and start unloading from there.

Wow your really going in hot aren’t you?

Blackrock or no black rock Angus, she’s made this personal.

She is no more in control of herself then was your brother when he attacked Nevyn.

I know Angus, I do, but not all the pirates are infected and they are following Buds orders, I plan to put a stop to this.

Angus nodded, we will make do with your horses and wagons for a few days. Tib?

Yes Angus?

Keep them away from Guardians Gate, without the Death Watch Knights the town is open to attack.

Guardians Gate will be protected my friend, I give you my word on that.

At that Angus nodded and walked out the back door and headed to the stables, to help ready the wagons and horses for the task of dragging supplies over the land for several miles.

Tiberius finished his log and closed the logbook, the real book, not the one he allowed the traitors to read.

And placed it in a desk drawer then closed and locked the drawer. It was then that his admirals began to arrive.

Commodore. Said Tempus Hawke as he walked into the room. It seems you have a few ships gathering here.

All will be explained Tempus, make yourself a drink and have a seat

Darth Silent and Saos Lightheart walked in next followed closely by Eva Clearcastle.

Thanks Temp Tiberius said as Tempus handed him a drink as well.

Now that everyone is here, the first order of Business is to introduce you to Saos Lightheart, he was promoted to Admiral just w few weeks ago and has been stationed on the west coast of Brittiana.

Welcome Saos said Tempus.

Yes Welcome agreed Silent, and Eva gave a nod of respect.

Thank you replied Saos, however I believe the Commodore brought us together for something other then my welcome.

Right you are Saos. Said Tiberius.

Ok. there are thirty two ships out in the cove, from the Exeter class battleships to the high speed hit and run cutters of the Bozeman class. These ships were brought together to form and attack fleet for a run on Port Baldmor.

There was a quite look around the room, dnothing they hadn’t expected, and no one was complaining. The time for talk was over and all knew it.

Saos you will be in command of the Yorktown and seven other ships, all in the Bozeman class of Cutters.

Silent you’ll be in Command of the Republic and seven other ships, all in the Republic class of heavy cruisers. Tempus you have command of the Endeavor, sister !!!! to the Exeter, and you too will have seven other ships, all in the Republic class of heavy cruisers. I will take the Exeter, and the last seven ships two more Exeter class battle ships and five Republic class heavy cruisers. Here is the plan. Silent, you will come up from the south and make a run on the southern portion of the island, aim for all buildings within your guns range. Saos you will attack from the north, Tempus you from the west and ill attack from the east. This will be a one run attack everyone. Get in, unload your guns on them, and get out. After that run we will all rendezvous on the east side Temple Island.

Do you all understand your orders?

There were nods all around, with one exception.

You gave me no orders sir. Said Eva.

Yes Eva you will more then likely not like this but I need you to do it for me, you will be in command of the Guardian, the Majestic and the Excalibur, those are the last three heavy cruisers, and you are to see to it nothing gets into the Guardians Gate Harbor. This goes for all of you, if you have to go into a ship to ship battle with any DAGR ships, take no quarter, send them straight to Davy Jones locker!

Does anyone have any questions?

There were none. Very well, dismissed.

After everyone had gone Tiberius got up and poured a glass of ice water and drank it down, how refreshing, Franklen was a wander, how he always had things like this ready Tiberius did not know, what he did know was that he was a good man, good at his job and something of a friend. If one can be friends with a servant, thought Tiberius did try. Lord or not he was still a person, and he felt he should treat everyone the way he wanted to be treaded. He shook his head and refilled the goblet.

He then heard a noise coming from the back cell , he walked over the the cell door and looked in to see Roland moving around on his cot. He was not having a good time of it, several days off of the savage ale and we was suffering the withdraw.

I wish I had you with me on this one old friend. Tiberius said into the darkened cell.

I wish I could go with you.

Tiberius looked harder into the cell, Roland had gotten out of the cot and was staggering to the cell door.

He was still having trouble and was unable to see correctly and misjudged where the door was, and ran into it.

Roland reached through the bars and grabbed Tiberius’s wrist.

Tib he said, it’s the ale, get them off the ale!!

Tib seeing his friend was lucid for the moment responded, we know old friend, we just don’t know how to fix the infected.

No!! it’s the ale, get them off of it!!!

Tib took his friends hand, in know Roland, were doing our best.

Roland shook his head, no you don’t understand.

Then help me too, but take your time.

I don’t know how much time I have, all I know is the longer I go without ale, the more everything is real.

Wait, are you trying to tell me that if you remain off the ale long enough, then you’ll be cured??

In the ale you don’t get the full effect, its diluted, and, and….

And that was it, Tiberius watched his friends eyes turn black again.

Your going to die!!! All of you!!! Roland shouted. He then turned and staggered back to his bunk.

Tiberius walked back to his desk and sat down, still looking to the cell Roland was locked in.

Franklen!! Tiberius yelled.

Yes M’Lord? He asked and he came down the steps.

Franklen, make sure that all the food and water given to Roland is clean of black rock. Keep a close eye on him while I am gone, I want you to take notes so we can keep track of the time he spends lucid.

Has a cure been found? M’Lord?

Not a cure, but it may be that in its diluted state, once its all out of the system then the madness leaves for good. At least I think that’s what Roland was trying to say.

He walked back to Rolands cell, don’t worry my friend I will wage revenge for both of us!