Lets pretend I didn't read the original plot

Pirate Business 2.5

2.5

*** Author's note, just as a notification about POV, from this arc on I will specify if you are getting the perspective of one of the other characters in the title, if there is no indication then the default view is Rayne's. If this gets confusing for anyone let me know and I'll revaluate.
I also now have my own website, it's a bit sparse but I'm working to upload current content as fast as possible. Patreon for early chapters hopefully coming sometime next month***

When the squid impacts, I maintain my spot by hanging off the sword hilt. Once the Kraken corpse is still, I straighten up and pull the sword out of its head. That went better than I thought.

"Rayne, you get down from there right this minute." My father demands as he comes to stand to the side of the beast with Derek and the three royal enforcers. I glance over the enforces and frown. Why do they seem familiar?

Detecting sources of prior plot interference. Entities previously known as Kain, Ryan and Lee identified. Instructing Host.
Please immediately distance contact to prevent plot fluctuation.

Eh? It actually has a useful feature I'll be damned. Sorry that I'm not listening to you. Though I wonder why it sued the term entity and not character? I cast a slightly speculative glance over the three. They likely didn't have any memories but if some of their character was the same it would be nice to talk to them again. The last time was really cut to short. As a result of my absent-minded consideration while I stand up, I promptly slip on the feathers and fall towards the deck. This is going to hurt. Guess I just can't get away from being clumsy at the most mundane of times.

I brace for the impact with the deck but instead a strange weightlessness surrounds me before I settle gently in a pair of waiting eyes. At some point I had closed my eyes, so I quickly open them.

I blink but still find myself staring out a pair of amused teal eyes beneath the brim of a black military hat. I feel my face heat slightly. Gah, embarrassing. Quite sure this is Lee. If it weren't for that stupid forward completion for capturing the boss, I would not be embarrassed.

"Uh, thanks for the catch." I mutter as I wriggle a bit indicating that I would like to be put down.

"Hmm, A pleasure I believe." The man purrs as he lowers my legs to let me stand.

"Commander Levi, I believe you intended to ask Captain Stakes about the sudden Kraken attack when they don't normally travel in this area." The women from behind steps slightly forward as she speaks.

I step back when my feet are on the deck as my father comes forward and tugs me back a few steps.

Levi turns to look back at the women before focusing his attention on my father. "My apologies. I am Levi Scelt Commander of the Royal Enforces. This is my Second in Command Lieutenant Ariana Hughes and my Chief Staff Officer Lieutenant Cade Anon. We need information about what caused the Kraken to venture this far into the trade routes when they do not normally operate in this area."

"I'm afraid I can't help you we had no warning until it had latched onto the ship." Father says.

"Actually, about that father. Was there meant to be someone in the lookout." I interject in the conversation. "Because there was no one in the lookout but I found this, which the squi- ah Kraken seemed really interested in." I pull the ball from my pocket and hold it out.

"A beast baiting ball? Henry was supposed to be in the nest, but no one has seen him." Father takes the ball and examines it before passing it to Derek who looks it over and passes it to the enforcers.

"Maybe we should move this to a more private location." Levi says as he rolls the ball in his hands before holding out a hand to Cade who passes him a metal box which Levi then puts the ball in and seals the lid.

"Agreed. This way to my cabin." Father gestures to the side and leads the way back to his cabin.

Once we are inside, I look at father and ask, "None of the other merchants what to get involved with us now that the Slavers are making waves right?"

"your right, no one seems prepared to help now that they are attempting to force my hand. Never mind their supposed disagreement with the trade they do not want to face the harsh wind as the tall tree." Father picks up a letter from a long-standing business partner and shows me.

- Sorry old chap but I need to do good business and helping you against them, when you cannot stand alone is not going to get me profits.

"Well that's blunt." I mutter before I sit down opposite father and shift the documents to one side to better see the map with the trade routes on it. "Father I have a suggestion, it's a little bit courser than trying to duke it out in commerce alone, but it will have significant effect if done properly,"

"We have been trying to deal with them for a while. What are you suggesting?" Levi takes a seat at the side of the table between my father and I while Cade and Ariana stand behind him.

"Simply put, the slavers win out in only one area money. So, we need to increase their expenditures and decrease their income."

"Well yes, but as you said they don't have many expenses, so it is difficult to reduce their earnings." Father straightens a bit further in his seat as he responds.

"There expenditure can be increased if we can force them to renew expensive assets. Airships and such, should be simple enough with a bit of piracy."

"Ah? Well yes but what would you do with the ships, they are too difficult to maintain and crew a large fleet."

"Well if the Royal enforcers are amendable, I was thinking they could be liberated from the pirates and then used for materials in the maintenance of the enforces ships or returned for a suitable finder's fee."

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