Aquaria: The Lost Fleet

IV: The Percival

"So your father was a leader in the mutiny?", Jasmyne asked. Her words were soft but it carried easily over the silence of the open ocean.

"That's what Captain Connolly told me. And don't use the word mutiny. It was a rebellion", Paul said. Jasmyne sensed the truth in his words. She felt pity for this man and the situation he grew up in. growing up foreign born on a ship was not easy. Everyone would have seen him as an outsider growing up. Also, she was no fan of Captain Osiris."And this is the ring my father left me." He handed the silver ring over to Jasmyne and she examined it.

"This is pure silver", she said. "It's worth a fortune on the market, you know."

"Whoa whoa, don't get ahead of yourself. Not for sale." Paul smiled and put out his hand. Jasmyne looked at it for a few more seconds. She noticed an inscription on the inner side of the the ring. "To my only son, -7/31." What's seven thirty one?

"I was told it was my mother's birthday. At least that's what my father told Captain Connolly. July 31st." Jasmyne handed the ring over to Paul.

"I thought it was a wedding ring at first", she said, laughing.

"Haven't found a woman lucky enough", he said, putting the ring back on.

Jasmyne shook her head and tried her best to hide a smile.

"What about you Ms. Costa. Or is it Mrs. Costa?". He stared directly at her eyes but hers didn't meet his.

"Why do you still wear the ring all the time? You could sell it for a really great price. You could even sell it to me if you wanted. It's has a certain charm to it. I could definitely find a buyer. Assuming my shop hasn't been sold to someone else by Osiris. Also assuming the Elation is still afloat."

"You really are a merchant. You wouldn't understand", Paul said. "It's not mine, you see, it's my father's. I'm holding onto it until he gets back."

Jasmyne didn't know how to respond.

"My father was the best navigator in recent memory. I know he'll be back one day. He promised. I'm a patient guy."

He was a brave man, Jasmyne thought. But he was still naive as well.

"I don't mean to be a cynic Mr. Wake but it's been-"

"Call me Paul. I was getting tired of calling you Ms. Costa anyway. Let's keep it casual from now on. And I don't want to hear it. I've got a good sense for these kinds of things. I know what I know, Jasmyne."

"Fair enough", she said. Edison was beginning to wake up as he began to shift around. "So what's our plan Paul. You do have a plan, don't you?"

"Plan? Sure. Get you back to the Elation."

"And how do you propose we find the Elation?" Her tone was impatient. Paul seemed unphased.

"Well pirates tend to have pinning technology equipped on their boats." Paul got up and walked over to the helm. "They usually use this tech to stay away from large ships. Pirates like the ones who enslaved you usually just pick on boat clans."

"I'm aware of pirate behavior. Let's carry on please."

Paul exhaled. "Well, the Elation is undoubtedly too far off to ping. But it shows here that there is another large vessel, well a ship, about 90 miles from us. It's heading east, if I take us northeast we'll be able to catch them and they'll help us out in finding the Elation. Easy as that." Paul leaned against the helm awaiting Jasmyne's approval with a smile on his face. By now Edison was sitting up.

"Morning", Paul called out. Edison waved.

"Well Paul, for one, how are you going to get us on this ship. They never let refugees on board."