Holmcross Project (Year 1)

Chapter 11: Helplessness

The ride to Milama had been exciting for Amelia, although her constant looking over the edge and going out on deck during battles to watch had caused her bodyguards and the crew a lot of grief. Finally, Luger suggested she spend some time walking around indoors talking to the crew, to get her out of the way.

"Y'know, she really should've been taken out more often. At least on short trips." Wesson said after they finally convinced her to stay inside.

Luger sighed as he watched the dead monster sink into the sea. "Yes, but they had her safety in mind. Taking her out would've endangered her."

"Not as much as it's endangering us now." Nils grumbled as he took inventory of his remaining grenades. "Getting low..."

"Why don't you just make more?" Wesson asked.

"I'm out of supplies." Nils sighed. "Like-"

The others tuned out while he listed off a slew of materials and the various kinds of explosives, incendiaries, flashers and gas emitters he intended to make with them.

"Well, luckily,, we're almost there." Luger said. "We can get some more grenades from the ARMsmith in Milama."

"Might have to put that off!" Wesson cried, suddenly running to the higher area and pointing ahead of the ship. "Look! We've got trouble!"

"OH no." One of the crew joined Wesson. "Oh, that's a lot of demons around one port."

Milama was surrounded by demons of all variety, and ships small and large were docked. Luger joined the two up above and pulled a telescope out of his bag and looked closer.

"That's the Demon General Zeikfried. Must be a really important operation, if he's there. I see Alhazad there, too." He lowered his telescope and collapsed it. "We better find another place to land and make our way by land. If we're lucky, we saw them before they saw our ship. Let's make sure we keep it that way."

"Knew I should've brought the rocket launcher." Nils sighed.

The crew member nodded and ran off to the cabin to alert the captain about the change of course. Luger turned to Nils. "Think you can hold out on your stock of bombs until we get to the city? The demons seem to just be at the port, but I could be wrong."

Nils scratched the back of his head nervously. "Ugh...Yeah, okay. I'll manage somehow."

"Yes, in retrospect, that would have been better. But, I wasn't expecting us to encounter the strongest Demon General on our travels." Luger sighed, resting a hand on his forehead. "Our duty remains the same. We must protect the princess. However, we also cannot allow the city to be besieged any longer. While I make sure the princess gets to the temple, you two will investigate and report on what they're up to." He lowered his hand and turned to the two younger Holmcross. "I shouldn't have to stress how important it is that you are not seen while you investigate. Can I trust this task to you?"

"Yes, sir!" The pair saluted.

"What's going on?" They heard Amelia call out, and they walked down to the cabin door to meet her coming out. "I heard we're changing our route?"

"Unfortunately, Milama is impossible to dock at." Luger said, gesturing to the crowd at the port. "So, we're going to have to go to it by land. I apologize for the delay, princess."

"I told you not to be so formal." She gave a little pout, then walked over to look at the crowd of demons and boats. "Oh...this could pose a problem." She said, one hand going to her mouth in surprise and shock. "What could they want with Milama?"

"Don't know. Maybe the same thing with Harvey's Corner." Wesson said, shaking his head. "Which means that things could be pretty ugly, so maybe you should stay on the ship until we've cleaned house."