Through storms and hurricanes, we sail
Where others fall, we soar.
Trailing in the skies, bright as a shooting star.
We are the Lughanta Company!
PROLOGUE
The Crimson Phoenix
Up in the blue skies somewhere above the Hindia Ocean, a crimson airship could be witnessed sailing steadily, streaking a trail of white as she parted the air in front of her. She was the Lughanta, pride, joy, and titular airship of the Lughanta Mercenary company. The airship was home to more than three hundred brave men and women. The majority of them were fighters, supported by cooks, engineers, doctors, legal officials, and even maids to keep daily routines running smoothly.
Owned and headed by Agatha Nightingale, third daughter of the Nightingale Family. The company might only have been operating for five years, but it quickly rose to be one of the best sellsword band money could offer. Hunting pirates, valuable cargo delivery, and high-profile escorts were some of the many services they offered. Speaking about jobs, Agatha herself received an urgent request not a few days ago. This called for a briefing with the men.
Thus, they were gathered into the mess hall, hundreds of sailors excluding the support roles. The brunette captain, bright and confident as always, took the stage. She positioned herself behind the central podium, fiddling with the magitek switches embedded there, activating the voice boosters, enabling everyone to hear her clearly without straining her throat.
"Greetings, Lughantans!" Agatha paused for a moment, letting the idle chatter calm down before continuing,
"I am aware there are rumors among the crew that the company has received a request from His Serenity, Doge Enrico Donatello himself. I'm here to say that... it's true." As expected, the chatters resumed once more, but this time heavily tinged with awe, surprise, and anticipation. Sure the company was popular, but... a
personal request from the Doge, elected ruler of Venesia? This was quite unusual.
"Ahem...!" The female captain cleared her throat to gather attention back towards her,
"I'll keep this short so you can rest your curiosities. The Doge had enough of Yellow Beard's shenanigans. Yes, that Yellow Beard. His pirate band had raided another Venesian treasure airship, it was the last straw. Frankly, it is about time we put an end to that son of a bitch." She certainly spared no insults to the infamous pirate captain,
"Venesian informants had provided us with the location of Yellow Beard's hideout. We'll be joining with other merc companies the Doge also hired in two days, then we'll storm his band and end his plague over Venesian skies once and for all. Further information will be provided to you by our officials. Until then, you are dismissed..."
"...except for these sailors." Oh no, the briefing wasn't quite over yet as Agatha procured a parchment from her pocket, a short list of names was written there.
"Fukurou Taka, Adale Jertan, John Herald, Helen Fabularis, Kazanari Shinobu, Cera Regnier, Silvania Sloan, Miyamoto Saki, Achlys Nyx, Sun Wukong, Charlotte Henriette, Seven, Herman Schmid, Fay Corndale, Marumei, Laura Delain, Drayton Vance, Yumi, Sorina Caramitru." She inhaled, by the Divine, she couldn't believe she called them all in one breath,
"Meet me in War Room in one hour." With that, the young woman rolled up the parchment, deactivated the voice boosters, and left the stage.
---
A short moment later, War Room
Upon entering, one would spot a rather spacious - but not as open as the mess hall - room with a big circular platform propped in the middle depicting the map of Bumi. On one side of the wall was a board where various images and notes were propped. Magitek orbs strategically placed on the ceiling to illuminate the otherwise windowless room. It was clear that it was designed for private meetings where sensitive information must not leave the room.
"Alright, welcome everyone." Agatha was already waiting for her selected crew members. Drinks and pastries were available at the side while they waited for everyone to arrive. Unfortunately, nothing was available for the particularly... carnivorous individuals.
Once everyone was gathered, the captain would gesture them to gather near the central platform. Various miniatures of airships were already set up.
"Adding from briefing earlier, we will be joining the group, all companies like us hired by the Doge." She moved a piece representing the Lughanta towards a formation of no less than five other airships,
"...and we expect to encounter Yellow Beard's hideout... here." She pointed to a spot between Venesia and Armerium Council.
"If everything goes well, we should be descending upon unaware pirates, airships docked, unprepared for combat. However, as much as I hate to say this, Yellow Beard is crafty, I bet he has eyes and ears everywhere. I say they'd be expecting us. So..." Agatha moved in a couple of airships facing the merc hand.
"This will be a battle, not an ambush."
"Still wondering why I gathered you here? Well, I've chosen you as my personal boarding squad." She narrowed her eyes reddish brown eyes, the bright cheerfulness from earlier giving way to no-nonsense seriousness,
"Yes, we'll be boarding the Golden Midas, Yellow Beard's flagship, and take him down directly. Cut off the snake's head..." She flicked the figurine representing the pirate's airships,
"The body will crumble quickly. How do we do this, you ask? Well..." Agatha took the Lughanta then moved it away from the merc group,
"We'll be splitting from the main battle line, flank the pirates with our superior speed, and position ourself here." She parked the Lughanta behind the enemy line.
"This done, we'll send boarding teams to assault the Golden Midas. I'll be among them and you will be my squad."
"Of course," She gave a glance towards Helen, Shinobu, Saki, Wukong, and Sorina,
"Those who can fly on their own don't need to board an airboat, you can cover us or preemptively assault the flagship, just be careful if you decide on the latter. I don't want you dying on me, you hear?" With that, she exhaled then drew back.
"There. That's the plan, any questions? Ask them now. If not, you are dismissed."