Simoun Simula, A tale of air-piracy updated Jan. 9

Name: Simoun Simula

Section: Chapter 1

Author: Xewleer

The air was crisp and clean, but the ground was charred and broken. No smoke rose from the burned out houses and airships lay in wrecks in the airport. Simoun Simula, newly arrived captain of the Swallow, looked over the destruction from her personal fighter craft with a critical eye. She would have to move her territory, since no Caravan was going to come by here for a while.

"Captain Simula?" Phillip's voice cackled from the communication gem.

"Yes, Phillip?" She responded.

"Something you should hear," Phillip Melancthon quickly replied.

A pompous voice, obviously an overblown politician, rang out. "... And we should no longer allow those town destroying pirates to exist! I have proposed we launch a campaign to destroy all the pirates and their benign business. I have here a bill, passed by all nations except Willowscent, we will eradicate the pirate scum! Admiral Shayne Revlin will head the expedition. Any words, Admiral?"

"They are doomed," was the plain and unemotional reply. He was known everywhere as a pirate hater and the best Admiral in the Arcadian Fleet.

"That's the spirit!"

Simoun sighed, Delor and his ilk have gone too far. "Turn it off, I know what it means, trouble, and lots of it. I will be docking shortly."

"Headings, Ma'am?"

"East, Arcadia's southern forest! I'm sure we'll hear from Sephira and Simca soon."

She turned off the mike so that her two crew mates couldn't hear her think out loud. "Well, Delor and his seven captains have removed yet another town from the map. It would seem that the bill was in the works for a while, judging by the bureaucracy..." She thought silently. "But for small time marauders like me, we'll be the first to go, since we don't have fleets of Pirate ships." She continued rambling, but stopped after reaching the ship, as it would be bad form to be seen talking to herself.

-Simca-

Simca was blond, blue-eyed, and quite beautiful from the chin up. But anyone looking down would see muscles that a bodybuilder would need steroids for. She was a fighter, with blades extending from brass knuckles as she hacked and kicked her way through a gigantic brawl, nearly slaying several of her own crew in her blood lust.

Sated, she sat down, looking at the dead and dying. She sipped her own 'Fine and Brandy' beer, that's the only way people should be, she thought, dead and dying.

Andoran, her first mate, who nearly had the same amount of muscles, walked up to her, tentatively. "Oi! Female dog captain! Message for your good self," he yelled at her from a couple arm's distances away.

"Excellent! Give it out!" She yelled at him, and he walked up and tossed it to her from out of range of her blades. "Arcadia's Southern forest, eh? Awright! Lets go! Ha ha ha! I feel good!" She ran off, her crew members, wounded or whole, ran with her. Getting on the ship, they flew towards the destination.

-Sephira-

Sephira was at least 50 years old, had silver hair and had been a pirate since she was fifteen years old. Her husband had been the previous captain of the crew. However, he had died, how, supposedly assassin, reality, it was under mysterious circumstances. She was brilliant, and her crew were veterans, and their wisdom allowed them to be a fighting force even a fighter like Simca would not relish battling, despite their strength differences.

She was drinking with her officers, all at least as old as she was, and each was tougher than steel, worth twice their weight in diamonds. The radio was on, so she had heard everything. It had to have come sooner or later. After an hour, she received a message asking her to go to Arcadia's southern forest to meet with her compatriots, Simoun and Simca.

Chapter 2

-Delor-

Pirate Captain Delor sat in his command chair and sipped an alcoholic beverage, relishing in his victory over the town. Anti-pirate system his foot! Kuze, his lieutenant, walked in. Being a man who only answered questions, he gave a sword to Delor. Delor asked him where he got it from.

"We found it in the town."

"Yes, but what is it?"

"A sword sir."

"What kind..." Delor fought to keep his anger down. Kuze was competent, but he couldn't answer a single question straight, by choice. "Please describe its origin, capabilities, power and anything else that might be of interest." Delor settled down. It was tiresome, but Kuze did it to keep his captain's wits sharp.

"It appears to be a newly developed weapon from Arcadian Weapons Yards. Its full capabilities are completely unknown, but we know it can at least shoot photon blasts, not beams, at a target. It utilizes a strange diamond that inhabits the hilt/cartilage. It focuses at the tip and shoots out, we don't know how it works because the diamond is entirely unique. We got it from a convoy attempting to leave before we attacked, the situation required no survivors, however, documents point to at least 11 other blades, each with its own special gem."

"Excellent, we must acquire the other ones! Are there any hints as to their locations?"

"No sir, but I happen to know of a 'secret' base in the south Arcadian forest. Will we attack?"

"You will, I will await your successful results. I have... business. I hope you understand?"

"Would that business involve..."

"You never mention... yes?"

A crew member, one Loc by name, walked in a bit too boldly. "Sir, your presence is requested on the bridge." Delor hated communication gems, preferring that everyone on his ship talk to him in person, one more power play to assert his dominance. Pirates are untrustworthy creatures, unless they thoroughly understood the chain of dominance, you were never safe.

-The Mystro-

The Mystro, ruler of Arcadia, was dining with her favorite nephew. Having no children of her own, she had practically adopted him. Nearly finished with their meal, the nephew began to describe his plan. He went over it in detail, the Mystro was worried, however she knew she could not stop him.

"I don't worry about you, mind, just... well... for you! Bounty hunting is such dangerous work, and I worry about your honor."

"Please, have no doubt, my majestic auntie, I will live, I will preserve my honor, and I assure you, I will make a difference."

"You never lacked confidence, so, behind my back is a thumbs up, in front is a frown, please do not do anything without thought! I would hate to lose you." The nephew blushed, why did she say such things?

"You won't lose me! Besides, I have a name all picked out: Skyhunters."

He got up and bowed to the Mystro, and departed to his apartments, where he would start the search for people to join him.

-Shayne Revelin-

Shayne Revelin sat at a chess table, with his bast friend, Colonel Raething. Raething, in contrast to his more stoic friend was talkative, but not so much to be a security threat, even drunk.

"Well, old boy, I must say that weapon must be a great loss. (Check) What are you going to do about it?"

"Discontinue, I have other things on my mind."

"A pity, after so much money... How about that Delor pirate, they say he has 01, and he burned Tavestor to get it. I think he should be the first to go."

"Agreed, If you wouldn't mind leaving me, oh, and call the Carnelian military adviser to my office, its better than sending a secretary."

"We haven't finished our game yet."

"Checkmate."

Colonel Raething left with a salute. Shayne Revelin maneuvered the piece back five turns, and moved his friends rook one space left, then moved a piece, then, moved it forward five. "Checkmate."

Chapter 3

-Skyhunter 0-

The nephew of the Mystro moved through the darkened port districts. He loved the feel compared to the brightly lit district for the well-to-do. There was an ending to a riot, apparently one female was beating the snot out of ten odd brawlers. She did not use any weapons, but used the sides of her hands as clubs, felling several.

Eventually, he moved in a finished the rest off as she had finally gotten knocked down.

"Miss Elisa, I presume."

"What'sh it to yoush?"

"It means a lot actually, food and money for you."

"Wy didn youshay sho?" Drunk, in case you haven't noticed, she had to be carried off to the secret lair.

-Simoun, Simca, Sephira-

The air was crisp and clean. Butterflies and deer roamed the forest in their own paths. And three air-ships with pirates inside waited to discuss the future.

Simoun and Simca sat, or rather, Simoun sat, and Simca fidgeted, eventually Sephira came back from her conference call.

"Scouts report that the base depends on secrecy, rather than a force. We are safe, well, except for Delor coming in his flagship, the Antagarn. He appears to be heading for the base."

Simca slammed her fist on the table. "Lets kill the illegitimate son! He ruined it for us, now we can't go anywhere without risking an attack from some gung-[garden tool] fleet commander!"

Simoun shrugged. "Well, I would like to see him dead too, what's to be done?"

Sephira nodded. "The base has no fleet, but it does have defensive weaponry, we can take him as he's leaving!"

Simca- "Killing him?"

"No, we capture him, and turn him in for a bounty, then watch the execution!" Sephira laughed evilly! Then, she calmed down and brought out a map.

-Kuze-

Kuze was thin, tall and sharp featured. He did not look like he was very alert, but he already knew what your mannerisms were, whether you had an intent to kill him, even if you came from a 'well-balanced' home. But, most importantly, was his patience. He waited until his second in command gave him a thumbs up. Everything was to schedule.

"Navigator, when you're ready. Engineering! Engines to 83%! Turrets, makes sure that all guns are functional and man them. Ground forces! Attack in five minutes!"

The ship lurched forward, nearly as fast as a bird, and the base was in sight within moments!

"All forward diamond cartridge turrets fire! Take out the defense guns! Land us! Ground forces! Three! Two! One!" The ship landed the split second the pirates ran out. A turret blew the gates off their hinges and the pirates were in! Killing many, they took all the documents they could, as well as other technologies.

Kuze slowly walked into the middle of the carnage. A guard, obviously under-trained, tried to rush him, but Kuze merely grabbed the sword arm and the guard's throat, a second later, the spine was snapped. Casting the lifeless body, he yelled to the victorious pirates. "Pick it up! We need to leave quickly!"

"Sir, ships on sensors!" Kuze whipped around to look, then shouted. The pirates, holding all the loot they could carry, ran into the ship. Kuze went onto the bridge and looked out at the air-craft coming in. My my my, is that Sephira still alive then? He smiled, she was late to catch him again.

-Shayne Revelin-

The Carnelian ambassador was eager to please. He was also fat, ugly and talkative beyond any acceptable limits, no wonder he was an ambassador to other countries.

"I am quite happy to sir, don't worry about a thing, I have just the team in mind, in fact..."

Shayne did not want to hear the details, "fine, just, please, get on it, less time wasted, more information gotten."

The man had to be firmly escorted out. Shayne slumped in his chair. Why were these things never simple? He remembered a day when he could order a captain to kill an enemy and there was no paperwork and no ambassadors. He sighed, time to sign more forms.

Just here saying that I do actually read this! : Your story is definitely entertaining.. I like it.

Thank you very much, hearing people praise (or just c/c) really gives me energy to write more, don't worry, I did post this on LOGF, but I've decided to put it here too, but I can't go past the Project Onyx chapters... so, this is the last chapter for a little bit. Thank you for the comments. (BTW, the ones of the land of Guthix are one behind what I have actually written for Project Onyx, not what's been published.)

Please leave comments! It gives me energy!

Aw forget Project Onyx, I'll post the next chapter.

Simoun, Sephira and Simca, with their respective crews, examined the base. There was nothing to hint at what Kuze's objective was. That man was thorough, no doubt about it. Five minutes were more than enough to take everything he needed. Gregor Melancthon, Simoun's second-mate, found a survivor among the wreckage, but they could get nothing from him. They split up.

At the smoldering gates, with there backs to the ravaged base, the three captains held a conference among themselves.

Simca: "They sure did a number on that place, didn't they?"

Simoun: "Those poor people, pity we couldn't discover anything useful."

Sephira: "No matter, we know its in Arcadia, my Network will at least discover what kind of information they were looking for."

Simoun: "We don't need to know what it is, just what Delor is doing. This cannot be ignored!"

Sephira: "Yes yes... I suggest we all go undercover, the World-government Forum will discover our presence here. Simca... no needless death."

Simca: "That's no fun..."

The three turned from each other and left. Simoun's ship lifted up last. Simoun sat there for a moment, life was bad now that pirates were being treated more than nuisances. Life could only get worse until those that were demons in human form were all killed, Delor... She growled at the thought before starting to take off.

-Willowscent-

An exiled wanderer, exploring the craggy Narthus/Willowscent border breathed in the foul air. There had once been great industry here, no doubt, and something to scavenge as well. Ooohh... a fresh wreck, perhaps there was food or some useful thing he could trade.

But a moment's exploration was all that was needed, that ship was almost certainly Carnelian. And it was shot down. He examined the dirt around the downed airship, thirteen army boots, the rest were definitely Willowscent militia grade combat shoes. He shuffled away from the mess, whoever had taken the ship's crew could be back.

-Arcadia military headquarters-

Shayne Revelin played again with his good friend, he was enjoying this one. Feeling very relaxed, they chatted until the final few moves, where Colonel Raething asked him what was on his mind.

"Those bounties for those three female pirates are too high, you'll drain the countries collective resources, and besides, they didn't even attack the base, Delor's crew did. (oooh... Check!)"

"I have it planned."

"Beware of unexpected things, I've seen everything, or, think I have. (Again, Check) and yet there is always something that surprises me. Surely, Shayne, there is more to see."

"We'll see... Checkmate."

"Heh, still can't win. Anything I can do? I'm in between assignments."

"Please, I would like you to inspect our maximum security prison in Arcton, if you find it lacking, I will send resources to make it more inescapable."

"Very well... Almost forgot! The Carnelian military ambassador told me to tell you they failed. I have no right to question you, but I think you should do something about this to the families, we could blame it on Delor!"

"No, Willowscent. They're doing something for sure. We cannot possibly move, I will say that they are Missing in Action over Willowscent pursuing a pirate gang."

"Good plan, I'm off, here's the list of dead. I noticed that one of them has the same last name as Simoun Simula."

"No connection, please leave, I must have peace."

Colonel Raething bowed and saluted, he shut the door firmly behind him.

Shayne Reveling was tall and had a body that no man would envy, though he was very fit. His eyes clouded over with thought and he went into a mode of extremely fast thinking. His hair became shaggy where it once was neat. His disheveled appearance became apparent when he left his train of thought. He still could not properly think of what to do.

Dramatic chapter today.

Chapter 5

Simoun's farm, the next day.

Simoun Simula was making a much needed break at her family's farm. Her father was away, but her mother was in. The farm was a medium sized establishment, much within the means of the Simula family. The dirt was good, crops grew nearly year round, until harvest time they were quite empty, but Simoun's brother, Matthias, could be seen walking through the fields, watching for any crop hazard. Phillip and Gregor, opting not to meet the family, stayed with the ship, enjoying alcoholic beverages and arguing amongst themselves.

Everything was going well, until there was a knock on the door. A man in military dress uniform, a Carnelian captain, came in. He looked at them both, then spoke to them.

"I assume I am talking to Mrs. Simula, would you prefer to be alone? It is very bad news."

"I would prefer her to stay if you please... Wha... what is the bad news?"

"Your son, Tomos Simula of the S-class Black Ops, is not classified as Missing in Action. I cannot tell you particulars, but he was on a mission in Willowscent, pursuing a pirate gang. I'm sorry, but please accept the fact that it could be worse out come. I shall take my leave then, you will receive his personal affects soon. I have to go to the other twelve families."

The pair were silent.

"I'm very sorry. If its any consolation, he was very favorably looked on by his commanders, if he had lived, he would have gone very far."

Simoun finally found her tongue. "Leave us alone, there is nothing you can say anymore. Please... leave. She's just lost her firstborn son."

The military man bowed and left a card on the table. Turning his back, he left the two distraught women. Passing Gregor and Phillip, who were waiting for him to leave, he turned.

"Tell me... have you ever told someone, that someone they love has died?"

"No, we haven't."

"This is my first time, them not crying was more than I could ever understand. The old Colonel back at HQ said the first time I do this would be the hardest. He was right." He turned away and entered his transport.

When he was out of sight, Simoun came out of the house. She, who normally was bright and cheerful, wiped a tear away. Placing her hands on her two crew-mate's shoulders she gave one, great heave and the tears fell for a second. But they stopped, and were replaced by her accustomed hard glint.

"Were going to Willowscent. Were going to find what SOB killed my brother and turn him into something that is most definitely not human. What are you waiting for..."

"You have a death grip on our shoulders." She let go with a jolt and they ran up into the ship, and began to prep it for launch.

Maria Simula, Simoun's mother, ran out, tears streaming down her face. "Please! I don't want another child to die! You know Tomos was my favorite son, but my only daughter too!?! Please!!"

Simoun walked up to her mother. "I left worry at the door of my heart when I began to be a pirate. I haven't told you yet... but it is true. I have killed people. I have stolen many things, I have become what you taught me not to do. Please, don't hurt me."

Phillip stuck his head down. "Captain! We've got to leave, the Swell is in our favor!"

Maria fell to her knees... Matthias, though she loved him, was a simpleton, Alex, though she loved him, was greedy, Tomos was dead, and her only beloved daughter was a pirate captain. She felt very overwhelmed, and for the first time in a while, wished that her husband was holding her. She made a sharp breath, she had nearly lost him too.

Simoun turned on her, steeling her heart as much as possible. She walked up and did not look back. Phillip and Gregor kept their respectful distance. Simoun wordlessly turned her ship on and passed into the swell.

The Seven Swells are the name for the atmosphere on the world. It starts with the air currents on ground level, then passed onwards, getting more violent. As such, it is nearly impossible for large ships to go up too high, as well as being able to see many stars. Small ships, like Simoun's can get in and out of the Fourth Swell, going higher is nearly impossible for any long amount of time. But, if the fourth swell is at your back, for nearly any distance traveled, the time is a fraction of what it would normally be.

Simoun landed in Willowscent, and set about finding her brother.