As Tempus watched Guardians Gate disappear beneath the horizon he began to think about the mission he had been given. A chance to go to Tokuno and find a suitable place for A Navel outpost there!! He was very excited about this chance as he had spent much time on the Tokuno Islands and fairly loved it. He even had a spot in mind on Makoto-Jima. If all went well with the city council then he hoped to have an outpost up and running within the month.

Admiral?

Hmm? Oh yes Lyra?

Are you busy sir?

No no not at all, what can I do for you Lyra?

We have crossed the breakwater and are awaiting your orders for full sail.

Full Sail? Oh yes by all means go to full sail. I am sorry Lyra, I am far more comfortable on land to be honest.

As he watched Lyra give the command to set full sail he thought again about the Cutter that was supposed to be the Cunard and his ship and once again was relieved that Tiberius had chosen to give it to Captain Grayylene.

He was in fact MUCH happier on land. He secretly held hope that Tiberius would allow him to command the new outpost. As the sails all locked into place Lyra gave orders for the colossal Exeter to turn for Tokuno as she turned she caught the wind and her sails snapped tight and she sped for Tokuno.

Back in Guardians Gate……

Nevyn D’Wyroon walked through town, surprised that almost all of the damage from the battle was repaired. He had not been here for the battle and had arrived shortly after Tiberius and Angus had come to there senses

And stopped the fighting. Fortunately everyone killed was able to be resurrected and those so severely injured to take the effects of an In Vas Main were all slowly recovering. The one day war as it was being called was in the past and everyone was moving on with there lives.

Saraleigh!! Nevyn yelled and Sara was passing down by the docks.

She stopped and looked around until she say Nevyn then waved and made her way up to him.

Its good to see you again Nevyn. She said

It looks as if everything is coming back together.

Yes it is. She smiled as she said it and then went on. There were a few days there were it looked like it may get ugly again but Angus and Tib were able to keep it in check. Once rebuilding began everyone began helping everyone else and soon all the hard feeling began to fade.

Good! Speaking of Angus and Tib do you know where they are?

Tiberius is up in Vesper his family is having a birthday party for his adopted father. And Angus was in the town hall with Wat and Loner last I saw him.

Then I shall look there thank you Sara and have a nice day.

You too Nev see you later.

As Nevyn walked to the town hall he saw that everything Sara had said was right on. People from Guardians Gate and the Navy were working and joking side by side. Nevyn smiled. There were no wars or skirmishes, nor any other pressing duties for now anyway he could finally relax for awhile.

As he entered the Town Hall he found it empty but heard a ruckus coming from what he thought was the Taphouse. As he walked in there was a large group of people gathered around in a circle obviously cheering something or someone on. As he moved closer he heard a loud thump…it sounded like someone hitting the floor, he saw a hand raise and heard Loner yell…POINT ANGUS!!! As he stood up he saw Nevyn.

Hey Nevyn.

Hi..um what’s going on he asked and then saw Angus and Roland getting up

off the floor.

Hi Nev sorry that new Captain Tib brought into the Navy gave Roland here some of her torpedo juice and he got all liquored up and thought he could beat me at wrestling.

I can beat you! I’m just giving you a chance. Common lets go some more!!

Now isn’t the time Roland said Angus with a laugh.

Don’t let me spoil your fun. Said Nev

Nah!! He can do something else for awhile.

Yeah?? Like what?? Asked Roland..slowly swaying back and fourth.

Angus shook his head and smiled. Like fall down.

I think I can do that said Roland as he fell forward landing on a table and then rolling onto the floor passed out cold.

Damn. Said Loner, that black rock ale sure beats him up. Come on guys lets get him back to the Navel headquarters.

He will feel that tomorrow laughed Angus. Glad to see you back in Guardians Gate Nev.

Its good to be back, and with nothing going on, I think I’m going to get to relax here for awhile.

That’s good we are working on a fall festival hopefully you will be her for it.

Hopefully I will Angus. Well I just wanted to let you know I was here I think I am going to go over to my place and relax. I will see you later.

There will be a cookout tonight around the Gate once you’ve rested maybe you can join us.

I would love it Angus you can count on my being there.

In Tokuno…..

As Tempus walked down the steps of the USN Tokuno Outpost (which he had tentatively named Zento station) he took in his surroundings and took a deep breath not wanting to go. He made his way to the Dock to board the Exeter to head back to Guardians Gate. He was Very pleased with the way things had gone, City officials had been very excited to accommodate the Navy and helped as much as they could in getting the station going. Even now there were servants in the station putting the finishing touches on it.

As the Exeter left the waters of Makoto-Jima and was making for guardians gate, the deckhand up in the crows nest yelled out SHIP AHOY!!!

As Tempus looked out through he long eye he saw not one but two ships

coming right for them. He turned to Lyra.

What do you make of them?

They look to be from Pax-Oku but they are baring down fast, almost as if they are going to attack.

Why would they attack us?

I don’t know but there cannon doors just opened. I believe they are going to attack.

Can we out run them?

No sir This ship isn’t build for speed.

Very Well sound general quarters, should this come to battle Lyra you will assume command. On land I can fight at sea my knowledge is sorely lacking.

Aye sir!

I will call for and Navy in the area for support.

Very well sir.

With that Tempus went to the captains cabin pushed the communication crystal and requested help.

Soon after the battle began. And Lyra did in fact take control of the Exeter. First she went right between the two attacking ships and unloaded Exeter’s cannons on the attacking ship and did considerable damage but sustained considerable damage in return. As she passed the attacking ships Lyra ordered the port anchor dropped as it caught bottom the ship veered hard to port and again unloaded her port cannons, the attacking ship fired as well causing more damage to Exeter. As the firs ship began to sink Lyra orders the anchor brought up and steered to starboard and went to full sail knowing that she had taken too much damage as it was she was hoping they had inflicted enough damage to be able to out distance the second ship. Through the long eye she saw the second ship swing to follow, she had guessed wrong, the Exeter would have to fight. She ordered the cannons reloaded, seeing a reef to her left and a small rock island she swung the Exeter in to swing around the small island another Pax-Oku ship was spotted it came across the bay at an incredible speed, however to get that speed she had to give up her long range guns, the Exeter had no such problem and unloaded once again. And the third ship sunk almost immediately and the second came into range. The crew of the Exeter began reloading the cannons knowing they would not make it in time. Swinging back towards the small rock island they narrowly avoided hitting the Caroline which swung across Exeter’s bow and unloaded her cannons on an unsuspecting Oku ship. And before the Caroline had even finished crossing paths with the Exeter the second Oku ship sunk.

As Captain Greyylene pulled the Caroline along side the Exeter Tempus had time to think on what had just happened.

I am not the commander of sailing ships. If Lyra had not known what she was doing they would all be dead now. Yes he would find a way to talk Tiberius into allowing him to run the Tokuno Outpost..from land…come hell or high water.

Ahoy Admiral how bad are you damaged?

Lyra?

We will not be able to make it back to Guardians Gate going back to port at Makoto-Jima is our best option.

Will you need assistance getting there Greyylene asked?

No we can make it that far easy enough but thank you.

Very well I will take Caroline around the bay to make sure the blue guard have no more ships hiding.

Captain! Tempus yelled over. Would it be possible for you to take me to Guardians Gate?

Yes We can do that. Bullseye please run out the plank.

Lyra you have command get the Exeter back to Makoto-Jima for repairs and wait there for further orders. You and the crew can be the first to make use of the outpost.

Aye sir we will get under way as soon as your on Caroline.

As the Caroline pulled into the Docks at Guardians Gate Tempus saw Tiberius standing on the dock awaiting him.

As soon as Tempus’s Boot heel hit the dock Tiberius was there.

Report!

As Tempus finished his report Tiberius turned to Greyylene.

Greyy you can tell your crew they have 24 hours R&R then I want you and the Caroline back over there. Ill be sending the Silvervale and Neptune’s Trident over there as well you will be in command of the fleet until further notice. Also inform Lyra that she has been given a field promotion to Captain and is in command of the Exeter until I resume command.

Yes Commodore!

Tempus, I know your aren't a ship captain and I am sorry I put you in that position. I am impressed that you also knew you weren't up to it and turned command over to Lyra. So what to do with you? I think you have been pushing very hard for this outpost in Tokuno so from this day you are in command of Navel operations in the Tokuno Islands. You will return tomorrow with the Caroline. You’re a damn good officer Admiral now I am going to use your strengths. Now I must find out what Gareth is thinking take care of your things and be ready to ship in the morning, and be forewarned Greyy is like me, she likes to pull anchor while the mist is still one the water.

~The End~