Where the Winged Squid Roam

The currents lashed angrily across the ship, the tattered Mylar slapping madly against the cabin. The ship tossed and rolled such that crossing the room meant an arduous climb or a treacherous slide.

"Captain, we should not be out in this storm! We must turn back!"

"Never doubt the Tremor, Mister Benk. She's the pride of the fleet, and has seen action across the globe. I've ridden out many a storm, gales such as you have never seen on this mighty vessel. I advise you to remember that, Navigator Benk."

A shout came through from the watch deck, "Forms sighted! Forms sighted! Forty degrees aport, inbound and moving fast!"

"This is the Captain speaking. Can you identify?"

"Aye, Captain. It looks to be a group of Rays."

"Riders? Are there Riders?" demanded the Captain.

"Yes, sir, and they fly the banner of the Drylands!"

A look of puzzlement crossed the Captain's face, which a moment later was again grim. "Sound general quarters. Mister Benk, plot us a course for thinner air no more than twenty degrees from the horizontal."

"Aye, sir." Benk acknowledged, as the cries of "general quarters!" propagated through the ship.

"Prepare to engage them with the lower mortars on my command." ... "Fire!"

The Riders broke formation as a burst of hot magnesium erupted from belowdecks, sending two Rays spiraling down through the clouds. The remaining Riders wheeled above the Tremor or dove below it.

"All batteries engage!" ordered the Captain.

One by one the Rays were picked from the sky, until the last creature fell onto the main deck thrashing violently, throwing its Rider. Nearby crew immediately restrained the downed Rider, who gave no struggle but only repeated, "You must turn around! The Squids are there! The Squids!" as they were taken below.

"Officer Naen, status report." said the Captain.

"All riders downed, one prisoner, minimal damage to the main deck from the crash, no casualties," replied Naen, "the crew say that the survivor was mumbling about dangerous squids"

"Likely a ploy, but go interrogate the prisoner, I want to know precisely where the enemy battle group is."

"Aye, Captain." Naen left the bridge.

"Navigator Benk, return us to a level course due south, maintain speed."

Deep within the ship, behind the redundant force fields, the interrogation began:

"Where is your battle group, Rider?" demanded Naen.

"There is no battle group... not anymore." she replied somberly.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Naen snickered, "I've never known Riders to get so close to one of our battleships except with a large warship following immediately behind, and never in weather like this. Or have you changed your tactics, sending scouts on suicidal missions?"

"We were the only survivors. Don't you understand? Our ships were destroyed by the Squids. Flee North while you still can!" she fell sobbing.

"You lie, Rider!" he exclaimed, rocketing up from his seat. "Squids are docile creatures of the sky. They flee from ships. Now where is your battle group?"

"Down there. Nothing but wreckage on the water." she gestured towards the porthole, "And now you've doomed everyone on this ship to the same fate!" she fell again to tears.

Naen could make neither heads nor tails of the Drylander's ravings. She was a sworn enemy of the Aqualians, yet deep down he could not help but feel sorry for her. In her demeanor was a genuine grief. His nation never taught him to think of their adversaries as having tender emotions. But what of this nonsense of Squids attacking? Except for the ancient myths of queen Krakens and their squid hives laying waste to earth and sea, he'd never heard of such fantasy. It had to be a ruse or a mistake.

"Captain!" came a terrified cry from the watch deck, "Squids above us!"

The crew and the Captain crowded against the glass, jaws agape. Above the ship was a massive swarm of Squids circulating forebodingly, like a gathering storm.

A shadow momentarily obscured the Suns: an incomprehensibly large scaly wing, a huge yellow eye, and an enormous tentacle slipped between cloud walls. The vortex of Squids suddenly collapsed, plunging down simultaneously as if by command and smothering the vessel.

Captain EnMore barked "Navigator Benk, immediate flank speed!" The Tremor lurched as the afterburners ignited, but it was too late. The blow had been struck and the ship's structure heaved and collapsed under the writhing limbs of the Kraken and the relentless assault of innumerable Squids.

In the bowels of the ship, the shock threw Naen against the wall. He awoke to the sound of the prisoner hollering about escaping before the Squids finished them off. Naen realized that calming her down was the key to getting out of the wreck alive. He could hear the Squids were not far as the grinding of metal approached. As Naen gently removed the shackles from her ankles he said, "I think you want to get out of here as much as I do. What do you know about getting away from these creatures so we can both get away? I'll unshackle you if you tell me."

She cautiously answered, "Squids are attracted to energy signatures."

Naen dashed to the control panel and punched a few select buttons, and immediately they could hear an electric motor whining in the distance. The grinding stopped abruptly and revealed the sound of waves on a beach. Naen released one of her hands and fixed the other to one of his.

"Come with me." He deactivated the force field and they clambered over the mangled remains of the Tremor's brig, dashing towards the closest rocky outcroppings. "There should be a boat hidden somewhere nearby."

With terror in her eyes she asked, "Where would you take me?"

"To Romune, a city of Aqualia. It's one of the safest places I know, and you will be under my protection. I will petition for your freedom if you are willing to share your knowledge with my people. This will not be easy. Are you ready, Rider?"

"My name is Enna."