“Captain Nyx’s ferry leaves in two minutes!”

The announcement blared out at the terminal. Ezra sat at the bench, crosslegged and with his eyes closed, as if he was in the middle of a meditation session.

The commanders were scheduled different boats to board, which departed Deadend Coast’s terminal at staggered timings. This lowered the possibility of losing more assets if an accident were to happen. Nyx was scheduled for the last detail.

“Captain Nyx’s vessel is ready for boarding.” The announcement rang.

Ezra stood up. “Candherick, you need not follow me. The real fight hasn’t begun. I need you on stand-by,” Ezra ordered.

“Yes, sir,” Sergeant Clarkson muttered. For a second, their eyes met. Without a salute, he turned and left the pier.

As Ezra boarded the boat, he overheard the conversation between two escort-troopers.

“Weird way to treat his superior, isn’t it.”

“Especially when he’s from Heaven’s Command. What disrespect does he show to his commander…”

He stopped abruptly at the entrance of the boat.

“Do not comment on things you do not know. Especially about an soldier’s allegiance,” Ezra warned in hushed tones, after which he entered the ferry and sat down on one of the seats.

The departure bell rang and the ferry left the pier, headed towards Deadman Island, home of the best in Deadman Navy.

The two guards were left wondering how the commander of the Nightstalkers could have overheard their conversation. The different armies heard rumours about his history, and it only further fueled fear and mystery of his abilities.

“Respect cannot be shown from a mere salute which means nothing,” he muttered under his breath as the ferry set sail for the secluded island.

Captain Nyx briefly glanced at the phoenix on the navy’s epaulette, but did not make any comments.

“Welcome to Deadman Island, commanders. The navy welcomes you,” the soldier in his decorated navy uniform greeted the commanders of WAR and gave a confident salute, “I am Captain Thomasus Teal, commander of the Deadman Navy.”

The Navy had a different hierarchy compared to the army. On the sea, a captain of a navy ship was equivalent to a colonel or a commander.

The lights in the briefing room dimmed, and the meeting commenced.

“The distress call was received five hours ago. We have confirmed the integrity of their signal, their co-ordinates and their situation,” the captain of the navy explained.

“According to the WAR treaty, we would have to send a rescue team to rendezvous with them.”

“Slime,” Wang Xia commented.

After the events which unfolded, it was tough to make the decision to travel to the Edge of the Trench to rescue a country alleged to be funding Phantasm, their enemy.

“It could be a trap. I mean, after the account books, their location is dubious.”

“It’s the Edge of the Trench… Anywhere further and we lose all communications,” Teal agreed with a nod, “it’s a well-known fact in the navy… No one comes back from the Trench, not even…”

Teal could not continue. News had spread throughout the armed forces of Oclia. The Trench was where the entire 2nd Armada was lost. The last words of the commander of the navy fleet, Commodore Teal, before all signal was cut off was “Thomas, don’t find me.” His last words were directed to his son, twelve years ago, when Captain Teal was still a seaman of the navy. Throughout the years, Teal has been working his hardest to climb up the ranks. Finally seated at the top of Deadman Island, he had access to all the ships’ logbooks and archives. Yet time and time again his attempts to deploy ships to the Edge of the Trench have been rejected, for Oclia wanted no further mysterious disappearance and unnecessary wastage of resources. Teal eventually gave up, as he overlooked the open seas in the direction of the Trench, a part of him still longing for a signal from his father’s ship, The Merciless.

“Nevertheless, we need to go, it’s part of the deal,” Footes said.

“So we go in even though we know there is a high possibility of it being a trap?” Urbs challenged.

The room fell silent as they knew the decision lay with HQ Command back in the Capital. They were merely pawns in the game of chess, and even if it were a risk, they still would have to deliver their promise. After all, the parliament was not the ones exposed to danger. It was the soldiers who signed up, thinking wholeheartedly of protecting their families.

The engineers were busy making final preparations for Poseidon’s maiden voyage. At the shipyard was filled with drilling noises and shouts. Right at the centre was the intimidating battleship outfitted with the latest technology.

“Officer on deck!” Alerted the petty officer.

Captain Teal entered the bridge. The navy stood at attention and saluted.

“Status,” he ordered.

“Final checks complete. The Poseidon is ready for launch, sir.”

“Commander Husker, visitors from the Kingdom, please.”

Teal gestured to his guests to be seated.

Captain Teal glanced at the Captain’s seat. A dark expression loomed over his face. Hesitantly, he took his place.

“Broadcast ship-wide.”

“Sir, you’re live.”

He spoke with a commanding and confident tone, with strength in his voice, “all crew, may I have your attention. Deadman Island received a distress signal from a navy vessel belonging to The Republic. According to the WAR treaty, it is our responsibility to rendezvous with them and assist them. We will be heading out to the Edge of the Trench. Each crew member has been hand-picked by me. We have the best crew and the best battleship. We are going to conquer the Edge. Teal out.”

Husker turned to Teal and asked, “Captain Teal, are you really sure you will take command? What about Deadman Island?”

“Colonel, we have discussed this beforehand with HQ Command. It is the best decision. No one knows the Trench better than I.”

The battleship blared.

Captain Teal had been researching and collecting data on the Trench ever since that tragic episode. His knowledge of the seas and the Trench would make him a formidable ally. Also, his rising of ranks to a Captain within twelve years had earned him much respect in the navy. However, he was taking his strongest fleet and newest battleship out of Deadman Island. That would be a huge risk to take.

“Don’t worry about the island, Colonel. My second-in-command is competent to hold the fort,” assured Teal, as if he was able to read Husker’s worried expression, “besides, General Warrington would never allow his men to go into the treacherous seas without Oclia’s best navy fleet.”

“Clear the zone and open the floodgates!” ordered the petty officer.

Water gushed out from the floodgates, filling the docking area up. The Poseidon was soon floating on water leveling the sea. The gates opened, providing the ship free exit out into the open waters.

“Launching in five… four… three… two… one… Captain, at your command,” the helmsman announced.

The battleship revved and roared. It started gaining speed and moving towards the open sea.

“Poseidon, launch!” Captain Teal ordered.

The men in the shipyard stood at attention, saluting the magnificent ship and it left the harbour. Their dream to embark onto the Trench was coming true.

Soon enough… Teal thought.

On the opposite side of the island, Ezra glanced at the direction where the huge honk came from. He said nothing, as his ferry took him back to Deadend Coast, where Commander Urbs, Footes and Wang Xin awaited. HQ Command ordered for a multi-pronged battle strategy. While Colonel Husker investigated the Edge, they had plans for the other battalions under Heaven’s Command.

This will be where we split up, thought Ezra. Canderick should be done with the preparations by now…