The Lonely Earth - Earth ISOT into Magitek fantasy

Chapter 8: Adventure Ho!

Bridge of the RNS Therig, 63 hours after Translocation

"Been at this job for ten years, and I'd gladly stay for a thousand more if that's what it takes," the Hobgoblin declared, their piggish nose twitching as aircraft raced off the deck of the aircraft carrier.

"Always something new while on duty," they added, with a slight sniffle, while Jim Bitterman, A European Correspondent for CNN tensed as distant thunder rumbled from afar, echoing through the warship.

Curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn't help but ask, "Who exactly are you engaging?" He looked at the fox-eared and nine-tailed admiral, Airak Seilron, with a mix of disbelief and intrigue. A literal hobgoblin in front of him was easy to accept, but the sight of a foxboy challenged his ability to believe his own eyes. Perhaps it was the sense of familiarity or the association with characters from cartoons he never watched.

"We seek out large and wild things that threaten cities, ships, people in general. Dangerous work, to be sure, but the Royal Navy of Rasla is up to the task," the admiral explained, adjusting his hat and blinking a few times before checking the viewing crystal for confirmation.

"Mind elaborating for my audience back home?" Jim asked, his eyebrow quirked.

"We deal with monsters," the red-eyed Kitsune replied, nodding in agreement.

"Obviously," Jim remarked, sensing that lethal options were likely the norm.

"Why not just move the animals?" Jim asked, but the admiral's reaction made him flinch. Airak's thin vertical pupils of the fox-folk stared back at him with intensity.

"When we have to move in, it's because the druids can't or won't do it for us in a way that allows our ships to move through."

"So it's a matter of convenience for you?" Jim inquired, and immediately Airak's chipper demeanor vanished.

"It's about keeping people at sea safe from being eaten or shipwrecked."

"Just wanted to know if you've explored all possibilities for dealing with the issue," Jim clarified.

"I'm not the admiral for negotiating; I'm the admiral for hunting quarry. And we've just found ours," Airak said with a sly grin, confirming that his submarinal assets had performed well so far. The creature was surfacing, and it was massive.

"Can you describe what you're looking at?" Jim asked as the ship rocked through the waves.

"Why not see for yourself?" Airak suggested, allowing the CNN reporter to look through the crystal. The image zoomed in on a massive worm-like creature with manta-like wings emerging from the water. Explosions rocked the water around it as it spiraled into the air, with aircraft and other flight-capable combatants engaging it in a fierce battle.

In all his years as a reporter, Jim had never imagined witnessing a real-life sea monster. "What is that thing?!" he exclaimed breathlessly, in awe of the creature's immense size.

"Grumble worm. They've been causing problems for merchant shipping, and we've been asked to deal with it. It'll make a nice trophy, don't you think?" the admiral said with a smile, as warships unleashed their firepower upon the colossal creature.

As the intense battle raged on, Jim struggled to keep up with the unfolding events. The creature's body was bombarded from all directions, and a daring knight riding on the back of a dragon made a bold move, ultimately bringing down the creature in a spectacular display of magic and might.

"Holy... I want an interview with that guy. Can I speak to him?" Jim stammered, still processing the incredible scene.

"Adraco? I'll let him know you're up for a talk with him. Ever spoken to an adventurer before?" Airak asked.