Terminus Part I: The Journey There (Draft)

Chapter 17: The Phobos Sea

As the Detective Pirates moved forward through the Phobos Sea, several significant events occurred on that day, the sixteenth of October.

Nearer the centre of the Phobos was a stretch of ocean known as "the Monster's Nest". Here, many ships fell prey to the beast of the waters, known as the Kraken. While its motives for attacking ships is difficult to pin down, it has become the legend that gives the Phobos Sea its name. As the explorer Dominic Reigues has said in his Catalogue of the Seas: "Those who venture into the heart of this sea should be prepared to face their worst fears... for this is the place where the Kraken dwells."

One possible explanation is that the Kraken is simply a beast of a defensive nature. It perceives ships as invaders and hunters. It cares less for its own safety though, which perhaps suggests that it may have a nest to protect.

Another discounts this possibility and describes an animosity between the Kraken and humans. Hunters and fishermen have tried and failed time and again to best the beast, for various reasons, and this has bred a resentment of humans in the creature. Another hypothesis not without its merits.

Whatever the case may be, the Kraken is dangerous, and it is better to stay away from it than to disturb its peace. That day, however, there were a group of fishermen who had decided to reject that idea and sail right through the wild waters.

"What did I tell you, Palm Trees? There's no Kraken. It is but a myth perpetuated by the controlling government. There are more fish in this part of the sea than anywhere else!"

"But, Sir Quarantine, how do you explain that?" Palm Trees pointed to a large shadow in the waters headed toward them.

"That must be a school of fish. We've hit the motherlode!"

Before they could even cast their hooks, the shadow emerged from out under the water. It was indeed the Kraken that had been swimming in their direction.

"What did I tell you, Palm Trees? The Kraken is real and it is the most terrifying creature to inhabit these seas!"

The men assumed a defensive stance as the Kraken emitted a sound that would put a whale's call to shame. It blinked the one of its eyes that had a pupil as large as a human, followed by ten of the other smaller ones.

"The beast has fifteen eyes!" shouted one of the fishermen.

"Don't look directly into its largest one! Remember the stories! It will strike fear into you that cannot be overcome! This is a skill that few can master, and yet, comes so naturally to this creature of the seas!" shouted another.

The fishermen tried to defend themselves, but soon found themselves backed into a corner.

"It's no use! We need to retreat!" said a fisherman.

"There's only one thing this beast fears: the 'Angler' Brandon Black!" said Palm Trees.

It had been days since Marcus and Bullseye had packed their things, and they were now waiting at the nearest mercenary employment office. Their number was 321.

"I wonder how long it'll be before they clear us to travel," said Bullseye. "Last time it took several months."

"To be fair, the government doesn't take kindly to mercenaries. Our guns and our attitudes do tend to paint us in a bad light."

"So, how long until they call our number?"

"The last number was three-eighteen, so not long."

Eventually, their number was called. They moved up to the desk and were greeted by a woman with one large eye and horns growing out from the side of her head.