--NARRATOR--
Thanks to the cover fire provided by Paradox, Shink, BdrLine, the team manages to escape among the chaos and wreckage of the Birdmen's blockade. The team managed to slip away behind an incoming storm system.
When the enemy lost sight of the team, Yiski turned the ship and faced the southwest toward Truth Lake. Eventually, the M'Naghten caught up with Then It Was Fixed. Zill saw Yiski pull along and radioed to him.
Yiski? The M'Naghten doesn't look all that well? You think you'll be able to make it to Truth Lake?
There was a momentary silence before Zill got a response.
Yeah, my ship's definitely seen better days. How are you engines?
Took a good shot to the starboard engine. It's functional, but it'll slow us down a bit. Once we get to Truth Lake, I got a few friends who'll help patch us up.
Before Zill decided to maintain radio slience.
How's Roland?
Alive, but that's all I could tell. Dammit, I could have gotten him killed. Maybe I should've left him back in Anvala.
We both knew Roland would be in danger if he was with us or in Anvala. At least if he's with us, he'll have a better chance to survive. Alright, let's maintain silence till Truth Lake.
As the team limped toward Truth Lake, Yiski muttered to himself in response to Zill.
Maybe.
Meanwhile below deck in the M'Naghten's hull. Roland was sitting against the side, shaking uncontrollably with his eyes wide open. The mercury shot which almost hit him wasn't anything like what happened before. Had the shot landed a another six inches back, Roland would've died instantly.
Ny-Lee sits next to him and embraces him, but his shaking doesn't stop. It actually gets worse. Ny-Lee whispers into Roland's ear.
Roland, you're okay now. We're going somewhere else. We're safe now.
Roland couldn't hear a word Ny-Lee said. All that ran through his mind was how close he came to death within a short period of time.
I'm not ready. I'm not ready. I'm not strong enough yet....
BdrLine, joined the two below deck and looked to Ny-Lee.
How is he?
Ny-Lee only responded by slowly shaking her head in the negative. It was going to be a long night for everyone.
By the time the team reached Truth Lake, it was well beyond midnight. Fortunately, Zill radioed the port ahead of time and were expecting both ships to be heavily damaged. When the team did dock, Zill got off first and met with his friend.
William, it's been awhile. I kinda wish we would meet under better circumstances.
Agreed.
William takes a look at both ships and whistles.
Damn, looks like you two took a hell of a beating.
More so than you think. Did you manage to get us a few rooms? I'll pay more for what I usually do given our size.
No, the usual applies. You guys look like you could use a breather. We'll have both ships repaired by this time tonight.
Zill and William shook hands and Zill contacted his crew and Yiski's crew to hop off and head into town.
Truth Lake was a larger town, but not large enough to become a major city. It's greater town size could be attributed to the fact it was (and still is to some extent) considered a resort town. The fresh water lakes and rivers made it a moderately popular visiting site. Even though it was the dead of night, the team could see plenty of empty stalls and other shops and plenty of inns.
Zill lead the team into the inn which was prepared ahead of time.
Okay. Jun'ko and Ny are in a room; Paradox and Shink; BdrLine and Roland; and myself and Yiski.
In the girls' room, Ny-Lee was silent. Jun'ko approached Ny-Lee.
Ny? What's wrong?
Roland. I fear he may have seen death more times than he wants to and I have no idea how to help him.
Jun'ko sat next to Ny-Lee and gave her a hug.
If anything I learned from being with my Admiral is that you can only stand by him and give him support when he needs it.
Ny-Lee smiled.
Thanks Jun.
BdrLine attempted to talk to Roland, but Roland was already curled up in bed.
Damn, I'm not sure how much more the kid can take.
Paradox and Shink were restless in their room. Paradox checking on all his parts to make sure everything was in order and Shink was just pacing back and forth.
Calm down, you're making me nervous now.
"I don't see why you aren't moving as well. If you stay still any longer, you might rust."
The two threw verbal jabs at each other for most of the night. It was the only way to get over the feeling of near death and worse, defeat.
Yiski sat quietly staring out the window with Zill sitting at a desk and taking a drink from his flask. Zill knew Yiski's expression was of anguish.
Gold bit for your thoughts?
Yiski let out a small sigh and didn't respond.
Assuming the Birdmen didn't realize we ran this way, we should head to Whitesea then Albys or we could try for Troydon.
Still no response from Yiski.
You know this planning stuff would be easier if you weren't moping so much.
Nothing still. Zill got angry and quickly approached Yiski and went to grab Yiski by the shoulder. Yiski preempted Zill and Yiski grabbed Zill's reaching arm.
We don't know whether the Birdmen haven't already set up blockades at both Albys or Troydon. Even if those routes to the Guild haven't been used since the Baronies-Guild Conflict, they're still viable.
I'm aware of that.
So what? Rush head long and almost get blasted out of the skies again?
I got a plan. Remember when I said I had friends here? Some owe me some very large favors and I aim to call them in.
Tell me in the morning. We need our sleep.
Tomorrow would be a day for the team to lick their wounds and reassess their approach to Izumi.
--NARRATOR END--
--END OF DAY 2--
