ic Azure Seas (IC)

[Brown Dynamite]

Thaelia began her trek back up the stairs.  Her powerful legs giving the floor beneath her nothing but grief as she moved as fast as her body would agree to let her.  While she would much rather be introducing Natas to the other end of his spear, the Atlantean was aware at the very least the importance of prioritizing the direction her fist should be flying.  And right now whomever was piloting this vessel had found themselves as priority number one.  The fact that she knew Giang could more than take care of herself made the decision all the easier.  Trusting her to finish off the mercenary leader, she'd temporarily focus all her attention on bringing their acceleration to an end.

[Thevshi]

GM

 

Coming to a halt once more after dodging another of those powerful blast of water, Natas realized that he likely needed to wrap things up quickly.  While they were underway, the longer he took with the Asian teen, the more chances that the Atlantean teen could get free and cause more trouble.  As he thought about it, he realized he had not gotten a report of her being eliminated from one of his men.

 

"Is the Atlantean dealt with?"  He asked over the radio as he raised his speargun and fired another razor tipped spear at Giang.  This time his aim was true, the spear striking the teenager as she tried to dodge the attack.  But once again the shimmering sheen of water that surrounded her lithe form deflected the projectile with little ill effect to the girl.

 

Up on the bridge, Thealia arrived to find one of the mercenaries present, stationed behind the controls of the vessel.

 

"The Atlantean is on the bridge!"  He called out over the radio as he spotted her reflection in the window in front of him.  He then turned and drew a pistol which he quickly levelled at the teen.  The gunshot echoed in the confined space and the man's aim was true, but despite having been out of the water for a minute or so thus far, the Atlantean's natural durability was still sufficient to cause the bullet to glance without any significant injury.

[Thevshi]

Giang felt the spear deflect off the layer of water that swirled around her but was otherwise uninjured by the attack.  A gunshot echoed faintly from somewhere else on the ship, a likely indication that Thaelia had encountered yet another of Natas' mercenaries.  He certainly seemed to employ quite a few, though it appeared likely that very few were still in any condition to fight.

 

That was indeed a good thing, as the Asian teen felt as if she was having difficulty enough with the mercenary leader without any of his hirelings appearing to fight her as well.  Sliding to a halt, Giang turned back to squarely face Natas once more, sweeping both hands forward in his direction.  The jet of twisting water once again found its mark, striking Natas squarely on the side as he tried to dodge aside.  This time, the mercenary leader remained on his feet after staggering a few steps from the powerful impact and letting out a slight grunt of pain.

[Brown Dynamite]

The pistol actually managed to catch Glamazon off guard for a moment.  Not out of fear or any such nonsense.  But he was the first mercenary out of the entire lot who hadn't opted for a larger weapon.  To her it could only mean one of two things.  He was either self assured of his talent with the scrap metal or he was simply terrified.  Obviously her range of the understanding of psychology was limited solely to flight or fight responses at best.  Of which Thaelia had no qualms about showing off what the fight response looked like.  Leaping forward into the air she would slam her elbow against the mercenary's helmet.

 

His head bounced against the ground testing the durability of the material itself.  Thaelia was slightly disappointed expecting the last trial before reaching the ship's controls to be worthy of recounting later on.  Of course that could just be an excuse for her clearly wanting to mow down more of the hired guns the convenience of accomplishing her goal sooner flying right over her head. 

[Thevshi]

GM

 

Natas managed to stay on his feet after taking another hit from the Asian teen's water blasts, but he was certainly starting to feel the effects of taking so may powerful attacks.  His mind slipped back to his last encounter with the girl and how that had nearly ended in his capture.  While he had similar booby-traps in place aboard the Python, detonating them would not provide the same opportunity to escape as he had had during their first encounter in the sinking submarine he had used to operate from.

 

No, he was going to have to defeat her, or at least subdue her long enough to try to make an escape.

 

Loading another explosive tipped spear, the last one he had on him, the mercenary leader raised the weapon to fire once more.  As before, his aim was true, and the spear impacted with the teenager as she tried to dodge aside.  There was another loud BOOM as the explosion created another small black cloud.  But when the cloud was blow clear by the wind, the Asian girl was still on her feet and not appearing significantly harmed.

[Thevshi]

The second explosive tipped spear sent Giang skidding a short distance across the deck as she managed to remain on her feet despite the powerful impact.  Once again her protective sheen of water managed to absorb and dissipate the blast, leaving her slightly jarred but otherwise unharmed. 

 

As the smoke cleared around her, she quickly spotted the mercenary once more before sending yet another blast of water at him.  Again she struck true, the blast slamming into Natas, but just like the previous time, he remained on his feet, and while apparently hurt by the attack, was still very much in the fight.

[Brown Dynamite]

Thaelia stepped forward to put her hand on the boat's throttle.  "This is why horses are a much preferable form of transportation.  One cannot turn off a horse."  Turning the key and then forcefully slamming her hand against the lever Thaelia smiled at what she considered a grand accomplishment.  Soon after the loud vibrations of the engine began to die off in response to the vessel's ignition being killed off.

 

Thaelia quickly sprinted back the path she came traversing the ship yet again so that she may return to the fray.  Passing by the assorted collection of unconscious mercenaries that she has left in her wake.  "I wonder if Giang has bested our foe in a glorious battle?"

[Thevshi]

GM

 

The large ship's engines stutter to a halt as Thealia cuts the throttle.  Momentum is still carrying the vessel forward some, but that is likely to slow down quickly against the oceans currents.
 

Down on the after deck, the two combatants both hear the engines cut off.  Natas grits his teeth with rage at the turn of events, glancing around just in time to see the Atlantean teen arrive once again.  His options were now rather limited, he had no easy way of distracting both these teenage heroes, his only option was to try to win a chance to escape through action.

 

"It seems I have little choice but to make my escape over your bodies!"  He yelled out in his cold voice as he turned back to fire another spear at Giang.  It was another of the electrical charged tips, but the Asian teen just managed to sidestep the attack and it flew past and out over the ship's railing.

[Thevshi]

As the engines fell silent and the forward propulsion of the vessel halted (if not its momentum entirely) Giang could not help but feel more confident.  As Thaelia came into view once more, a small smile came to the Asian teen's face, just as she was forced to dodge aside from another of Natas' spears, this one passing quite close.

 

"I believe the likelihood of that has become quite remote."  She stated in response to the mercenary leader's thread.  To emphasize the point, she sent another blast of water at the armoured figure. 

The powerful blast struck true, causing Natas to stagger backward a couple of steps as he let out another grunt of pain.  But once again he managed to stay on his feet and still very much in the fight.

[Brown Dynamite]

Thaelia immediately took off for Natas after Giang managed to pelt him with a powerful blast of water.  Upone closing the distance Thaelia shifted her center of gravity and dove used the stance to dive into the mercenary.  Her arms shot forth fist clenched tightly with every intention of striking their target of...the speargun.  "Even if you choose to ask for quarter now, none shall be delivered." The Glamazon would jerk the weapon up with her fearsome strength while taking a page out of pankration and kicking out with her leg to push Natas away.
 
Immediately raising the unfamiliar weapon Thaelia would tilt her head towards Giang and begin to speak out. "Tsunami, shall we end this?" It was apparent that the jovial tone to her taunts had yet to return, this man having earned the Atlantean's ire through and through she wanted nothing more than to introduce him to an underwater cell.

[Thevshi]

GM

 

Natas tried to prevent his speargun from being torn from his grasp, but the Atlantean teen was far stronger than him, and had managed to exert the perfect amount of leverage to ensure she was able to disarm him.  Quickly regaining his feet as she had pushed him back with one foot, the mercenary leader remained definite as he looked over at her through the opaque faceplate of his helmet.

 

"You think that I am helpless just because you have deprived me of a weapon?"  He stated, his cold voice showing little in the way of concern.  With a quick movement of a trained fighter, he closed the distance once again, driving his right foot into the Atlantean teen's stomach in a sidekick that Mail could have been proud of, though Thaelia and Giang's friend and classmate at Claremont likely could have delivered it with more power.  As it was, it still hurt, but was far from what it would take to lie low the Atlantean teen.

[Thevshi]

A small smile had come to Giang's face as Thaelia had managed to disarm Natas, but that quickly faded as he delivered a powerful kick to the Atlantean teen's midsection.  Despite being rather battered, the mercenary leader was still proving just how dangerous he could be.

 

The Asian teen hesitated a brief moment, with Thaelia in such close proximity to Natas, she was afraid that if she tried to hit him with another water blast, she might hit her friend instead.  Giang then rushed forward, closing quickly with the mercenary as she delivered a powerful roundhouse kick aimed at the man’s helmeted head.  But Natas proved too quick, anticipating the attack and easily blocking it with his left forearm.

[Brown Dynamite]

The sharp pain she felt from Natas attack would fade by the ocean's embrace of that much Thaelia was certain.  The fact that he managed to harm him was worthy enough of her recognition.  It was not enough to actually deter her fully anchored sense of confidence.  She was raised by far more self assured warriors than he.  "You misunderstand pirate, the tide has turned.  My statement is not out of disrespect for your skill, although I have none for you as a person.  I send this weapon as my tribute for our victory on this day."  Thaelia immediately chucked the weapon into the ocean far out of sight as a tribute to her divine bloodline.

 

Although the sentiment was appreciated in Giang's transparent change of tactic to a hand to hand assault, the Glamazon had far less concern for her own personal safety.  She recovered quicker than Giang under the right conditions, and as such would loathe to have any more harm come unto her friend.  Eager to finish the fight the Atlantean slammed her right foot forward planting her body in place.  With all sense of self preservation forgone she would take a wide swing, her haymaker connecting with his helmet.

 

The helmet tore open against the might of her titanic fist.  *POW*  The audible sound of Natas' jawline being tested resounded aboard the deck of the ship.  His body sailing through the air before crashing onto the ground unconscious.  "I believe the phrase is boo ya?"

[Thevshi]

As Natas crashed to the deck unconscious, Giang gave a small sigh of relief as the fatigues she was feeling fully began to weigh on her.  Still, Thaelia's jubilant mood at their victory was somewhat contagious, and the Asian teen found herself smiling.  "I believe that is the correct phrase."  She replied as she glanced around the aft deck of the large ship, where several unconscious mercenaries were strewn about. 

 

A slight feeling beyond her normal senses had Giang turn to seemingly look down at the empty deck in front of her, when in fact she was sensing movement down in the water alongside the ship, which had now come a halt.

 

She raised one hand slightly, and down below a set of stairs made out of water made solid formed front the surface of the water up to the side of the ship.  Moments later, a number of armed Atlanteans appeared over the railing of the ship, dropping down to the deck as the glanced around.  "Princess, are you unharmed?"

[Brown Dynamite]

Thaelia closed her eyes before gleefully smiling in response.  Her head then snapped towards the direction Giang seemed focused on.  Pleased to see the reinforcements had arrived.   "But of course.  The fiends stood no chance against the righteous fist of Tsunami and the Glamazon."  Raising her head Thaelia took obvious pride in their seizing of the ship. It took practically all she had to avoid hopping around excitedly.
 
Having been surrounded by the Atlantean military her entire life engaging with them was much like second nature.  With no hesitation Thaelia would begin giving out commands to the motley collection in front of her.  "Now then, see to it the prisoners are all incapacitated with their weapons destroyed and take the captives to a cell.  Preferably a cell with an oxygenated environment they do not get the luxury of death on this day.  Too many good Atlanteans were harmed for them to escape punishment by drowning.  Make sure to search the ship and retrieve whatever contents may have been stolen from beneath the depths of the sea.  If they truly wanted an artifact from the temples in our domain I would like to know what that item was."

[Thevshi]

Giang allowed the swirling sheen of water that had protected her so well during the intense minutes of combat against Natas and his hirelings to fade, her appearance returning to normal once more.  Though she felt a number of aches and bruises, she knew that it was not quite yet time to rest.

 

As the Atlantean warriors that had arrived began securing the unconscious mercenaries on the deck and moving to search the ship, the Asian teen's eyes drifted up to the miniature submersible that had been brought up aboard the ship during the fight.

 

"If we are looking for whatever they might have taken, perhaps that is where we should start.:  She stated, pointing up at the small underwater vessel that was still dripping water down onto the deck.

[Brown Dynamite]

"Fair suggestion.  These mechanical monstrosities certainly gave us enough trouble on the way here.  If it provides no answers, we at least have the opportunity to take the vehicle apart."   Thaelia nodded emphasizing her agreement with her roommate's plan of action.

 

The demigoddess' mind was still racing having yet to cool from the adrenaline that came from fighting the mercenaries.  Her cavalier attitude about the whole affair served only to further emphasize Thaelia's excitement.  In fact, it took all her self control to not leap off the deck immediately into the ship with no forewarning.  She was practically a kid in a candy school after having seized the mercenary vessel.  "I much prefer this to the spa day option.  No amount of enchanted massagework can compare to really getting to stretch our legs.  Shall we?"

Glamazon extended a hand towards Tsunami offering to take a prodigious jump to get closer to the vessel with Giang in tow.

[Thevshi]

GM

 

Giang gave a small nod as she took Thaelia's offered hand.  It was only a small hop for the Atlantean teen to propel herself and her roommate up to the suspended submersible.  Giang released from Thealia's hand just before they landed, the Asian teen landing lightly while Thaelia did so with a bit more force. 

 

The submersible swayed slightly, but both teens kept their footing as they moved to examine the internal compartments of the vessel.  As it turned out, the search proved quick, as there was only two compartments.  The first, at the front of the vessel was the sealed compartment for the pilot, with all the various controls.

 

The second compartment was further back, set up for divers to load objects recovered underwater into it.  Inside, Thaelia and Giang found a eight foot tall marble statue of Poseidon that Thaelia knew had been housed in temple in Crantorium. 

[Brown Dynamite]

"Father..."  Thaelia gave the statue a once over hoping to double check if they damaged it at all while loading it on the ship.  Although she never had the opportunity to compare the statue's image to the real thing, it was the closest thing to a family album from that side of her heritage as she would ever get.  Not that she was going to take the moment to examine the odd mixture of emotion that such a consideration brought on.  Simply relieved that the thieves were just after something of value rather than any such weapon or magical artifact from appearances.  "If Natas was still conscious I would punch him again.  I shall just have to save that retribution for the day we figure out whom paid him to steal from Crantorium.  Giang if it is not too bothersome of a detour, I would like for us to return this statue to its proper placement."

 

She doubted anyone would be foolish enough to attempt such a reckless invasion any time soon. But rather than entrust the soldiers with the statue, seeing the statue actually returned where it belonged would personally give her no greater reassurance of their success.

[Thevshi]

Giang stood back quietly at Thaelia's reaction to the statue, respecting her friend’s need for some space to regain her composure.  When the Atlantean teen began examining the statue for any signs of damage, Giang took a few moments to scan the rest of the compartment for any other treasures that might have been taken, finding a few webbed sacks filed with miscellaneous items made of precious metals or adorned with gem stones that the mercenaries apparently happened upon while securing their primary objective.

 

The Asian teen looked over when her roommate spoke up about wanting to return the statute to its rightful place.  "Of course not Thaelia."  She replied with a simple nod.  “" would like to see it where it belongs as well."

[Brown Dynamite]

"Well then friend that does leave us with only one question.  Do you believe you can pilot this vessel?  The items aboard are not heavy by any means, but it seems much simpler to transport the entirety of the vehicle's cargo in one trip rather than separating the treasures inside.  It also leaves far less chance of damaging the contents during our travels.  If you believe the matter within your power I just have to inform someone to lower the crane back into the sea."  Thaelia looked into Giang's eyes anxiously awaiting her roommate's response.  Of course the demigoddess' natural impulsiveness would most likely still drive her to end up asking the guards to lower the vessel regardless.

 

But it was her roommate's vacation as well.  So Thaelia did have to confirm somewhat ahead of time before dunking them back into the ocean.

[Thevshi]

"Yes, that would likely be the simplest way to return everything safely."  Giang replied at Thaelia's questions.  The Asian teen then climbed out of the compartment they were in and back over towards the submersible's cockpit, into which she climbed, examining the controls and instruments for a few moments. 

 

"I believe I will be able to pilot the craft."  She stated, as she flipped some switches, causing the vessel's engine to roar into life.  Giang then swung the door to cockpit closed and sealed it, for though she did not need to be sealed off from the ocean, the electronics and controls of the vessel were unlikely to continue operating if exposed to the water.

[Brown Dynamite]

With the cockpit shut, Thaelia made her way up the hatch so that she could begin to shout out a request to the Atlanteans on board the mercenary ship.  "I ask that one of you lower us into the water with the freighter's crane.  My friend and I shall return the stolen treasures where they belong."  Not waiting for an answer she would close the entrance on the top of the submersible remaining upright on the outside.  Drowning was of course not a concern for the Atlantean but something accidentally floating out during their travel would be an inconvenience that Thaelia rather not have to deal with.

 

Staying put on top of the submersible she gave the roof a 'light' tap before crouching over so that Giang could catch sight of her through the front of the cockpit.  Where Thaelia would proceed to give an upside down thumbs up.

[Thevshi]

GM

 

One of the Atlantean warriors moved quickly to follow Thaelia's request, studying the controls for the crane for a few moments before starting to maneuver the arm back over the water.  The submersible jerked slightly as the crane arm began to move into place.  As it came to a halt back over the water, the vessel swayed slightly before the cable holding it aloft began to descend, with a couple of jerks at first, and then smoother until it was back in the water with a bit of a lurch.

 

Once the cable went slack, Thaelia detached the clamps that had been attached to the submersible to hold it to the cable.  After getting the signal from her roommate, Giang engaged the vessel's propellers, starting it forward away from the ship as they began do descend back into the depths of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

 

Thaelia held onto part of the submersible's hold, riding along with it although it moved slower than either Thaelia or Giang were capable of.  But it was not long before they approached the underwater city of Crantorium. 

 

At the approach of the submersible, a number of Atlanteans rouse up to challenge it, but quickly spotted Thaelia riding down with the vessel and moved aside to allow it to pass as Giang guided it down towards the city's temples

 

[Brown Dynamite]

Steadying herself on the vehicle, Thaelia's eyes would dart around as Giang maneuvered.  Making sure that her roommate didn't hit any buildings on the way.  Looking around at the Atlanteans who parted for the pair to make their way, the demigoddess would raise her hand as a greeting.  Frankly it is amazing the surface dwellers cover any distance in such slow moving vehicles.   The ride quite less than satisfactory to the warrior noble's taste.  She almost hoped Giang would jerk and weave the ship every so often.

 

A minor concern as they were on their way to complete something of utmost importance.  Sure Theseus was the closest thing she had to a father and her mother, a cousin to the king, apparently passed away at childbirth.  Not that they ever confirmed the missing body just Thaelia's maternity through Atlantean mystics after that whole arriving as a baby carried by the seas thing.  The reality was the statue was technically of one of her real parents.  Even if divinity wasn't ranked even above proper status in Atlantean society she'd still feel a conflicted sense of duty to make sure the artifact returned without issue.  "Won't be long now Giang."  Glamazon wasn't sure if her roommate could actually hear her statement which suited her just fine as it was half meant to reassure herself.