The Black Sail Of The Storm Hawks (Pirate AU)

Chapter Thirty Seven - The Hunt Resumes

In the aftermath of Aerrow's escape from Cyclonia, Admiral Cyclonis immediately sends Dark Ace and a sizable fleet to pursue him. As Dark Ace sets out to hunt for Aerrow, Cyclonis has a meeting with Repton at the area where Aerrow was held.

Repton: Hhm. Looks like Edwards has a healthy head start. If half the stories I've heard about about the Condor are true, then Edwards has at least a two day head start.

Admiral Cyclonis: You will be given a substantial reward should you capture him before my forces. I trust that won't be an issue.

Repton: None at at, Admiral. Your coin is always good.

Admiral Cyclonis: My orders are specific. When you find the Condor, I want Aerrow brought to me alive. He is in possession of something very valuable to me. I want it returned to me.

Repton: Understood, Admiral.

With that, Repton made his way back to his ship to begin his search for Aerrow and the Condor. As his shipset sails and departs from Cyclonia, Repton assembles a meeting with his crew.

Repton: Listen up, boys! Our job is simple: find the Condor. We have been given specific orders to capture it's captain alive and unharmed.

Raptor: What about the rest of the crew?

Repton: They're expendable. Admiral Cyclonis believes that Captain Edwards is in possession of something very valuable to her. She wants it returned to her. When we reach the Condor, we take everything that isn't boarded.

As Repton addresses his men, one of the Raptors approaches him.

Raptor: Captain! What about the rumors that the last survivor of the Interceptor sails with the Condor?

As the Raptor briefs Repton on the rumor that Starling sailed with the Condor, a smile fell on his face. He remembered his battle against the Interceptor years ago. It was one of the greatest battles he had ever fought him. He remembered cutting down the Interceptor's captain in a glorious battle. It was thought that the entire crew of the Interceptor was wiped out. But he remembered seeing a lone figure pushed overboard. A woman of purple hair. The last thing he saw before Starling was thrown overboard was the look in her eyes. It was a look that he had never seen before. It was a look of calm anger. A part of him was relieved to hear that Starling had survived.

Repton: If the purple haired woman is indeed sailing with the Condor, then an even more glorious battle awaits us!

As Repton relishes in the hunt to come, Repton turns to his Raptors.

Repton: Raptors! My brothers of the sword! I would rather fight beside you than any army of thousands! Let no man forget how menacing we are, we are lions! Do you know what's waiting beyond that beach? Immortality! Take it! It's yours!

The Raptors cheered for their captain as he raises his sword in the air.

Repton: The Raptors were the first peoples chosen to be punished by the Lord of Death. For if we were allowed to live as immortals, we'd sweep over the galaxy and give too many souls for even he to devour! For the Raptors are fiercest warriors the Sea has ever known!

The other Raptors erupted in a thunderous roar. Since their inception, the Raptors fully embraced their reputation as ruthless hunters of the seas. For them, the thrill of the hunt was rivaled only by their love of coin. For Repton, hunting was a spiritual journey as he hunted to please his God. But his mind soon fell to Starling, the one that got away. For Repton, Starling was prey who became a warrior. A warrior Repton wished to battle.

Repton: WE ARE THE RAPTORS! AND WHAT DO WE FIGHT FOR?!

Raptors: HONOR AND GLORY!!

Repton: AND WHO SHALL STAND IN OUR WAY?!

Raptors: NO ONE!!

Repton: LET US BRING HONOR AND GLORY TO THE RAPTORS!! LET NO ONE STAND IN OUR WAY!!

The Raptors cheered as they set sail in their hunt for Aerrow. Meanwhile in another part of the sea just outside Cyclonian territory, Dark Ace assembles his crew.

Dark Ace: We are here for one reason and one reason only: Captain Aerrow Edwards. For too long, this pirate has evaded justice. What's ever more abhorrent is that he has the audacity to openly mock our way of life! And how this pirate stole from Admiral Cyclonis herself! When we find the Condor, our orders are simple: capture Edwards alive.

Snipe: Why are we bothering with capturing him? We should bring Admiral Cyclonis his bloodied head!

Dark Ace: Admiral Cyclonis wishes to personally make an example out of him. And besides, this pirate took something very valuable to the Admiral. We are to claim it back for the Admiral. Now let me make this clear to all of you. I expect my orders to be followed exactly as I give them. These orders come from Admiral Cyclonis herself. Disobey these orders in any way and I will personally have you shot and have your corpse hung on the mast as an example to the rest. 

As Dark Ace cracked the metaphorical whip on his crew, the Talons under Dark Ace's command stood forward. 

Dark Ace: Now then gentlemen, we have a pirate to catch. 

Ravess: You heard the Captain! Man your posts!

With that, the Talons under Dark Ace's command set sail in their search for Aerrow and the Condor. In that moment, Repton and Dark Ace began their hunt for Aerrow just as Aerrow continued his hunt for Captain Arygyn's treasure.