The Proverbial War

What they did to the people who fell down from above and what they'd done to the native populations of the islands for centuries was unconscionable. Both his people and the Americans had declared the natives off-limits for the pirates. In return for being safeguarded from the pirates the natives resupplied both sides of the armed conflict between them and the Americans.

Strangers who fell down from the above world were given a choice as to whose side they wished to join without punishment. While there was an ongoing war that had stretched on for many years it had been at times a rather amicable one with neither side pressing for the kill.

The pirates would be different. Their lust for power and revenge for all the long years of being hunted unmercifully by both sides would translate into a bloodbath of epic proportions now that they had the power behind the scroll.

The Captain's head began to shake back and forth as he gripped the railing hard. So many would die.

The Captain's head lifted on a sudden realization. The sunken city that was the pirates primary objective was near an inhabited island. The pirates would…… The people of that island would be the first casualties if they were not warned. Even then what did it matter?

The Captain left the railing decisively, because it did matter. It mattered as long as he was alive to do something about it.

He reentered the bridge, which immediately dimmed to a hushed murmur as they all looked to him expectantly.

"Helmsman turn us around and head for Bonady island. The people there need to be warned. We will assist with their evacuation."

"Then what Sir?" An officer within the bridge asked.

The Captain shook his head and said, "I'm not sure, but we'll start with doing the obvious thing that we do know to do. We can at least do that."

The officer who'd asked the question nodded affirmatively.

Sudden emotion caused the lean jaw of the Captain to tick and pulse and everyone waited with bated breath.

The Captain turned to the first radio sailor man, "Sailor I want you to send an all points broadcast of what the situation is and what our current strategy is. Our strategy is to evacuate the first island to be hit by the pirates once they've realized all of their power and are ready to move."

"Yes Sir!"

"Sailor." The Captain said steadily.

"Yes Sir?"

"I also want you to send the broadcast in English without any encryption as well."

The sailor blinked and swallowed and looked at his Captain as if he thought he'd misheard him.