Chapter 9. Pirates!: Imperial Entanglements

Despite their noble act of sparing Captain Chu's life, The Pirate Captain Hurloon ordered his officers to ruthlessly break into the vault, and kill whoever stood in their way, Imperial or not. After a short scuffle, the Ship's Medic Arver Talvin blinded the man, and Hong Ti delivered the final blow as he struggled on the floor.

It appeared to be worth it once they broke into the vaults of the Angellic Traveller, which was stocked to the brim with coins. Copper coins. However, they did find a magic chest. After showing it to the Captain, they decided to keep it in the hold and open it the next day, when magical precautions could be taken.

They were not so lucky. The Emperor's Guardians arrived a few hours later upon a Sea Serpent, demanding to see the chest. The Seacow's officers gathered below deck to discuss this. They unveiled what was inside, a pair of dragon eggs, as determined by the ship's Dragonmaster, Trogdor. It was determined that he should negotiate with the Guardians, and he attempted to do so. They filled the box with coins, placing the eggs aside.

The Guardians were not fooled. Captain Hurloon was paralyzed magically by the boxes wards when he knocked on it to assure the Guardians of it's safety. They took it from him, and shook it, demanding the key. They found the ruse of the coins, and demanded the replacement of the eggs. Because they were in a desperate situation, and the Seacow had a reputation for getting things done, the Guardians forestalled punishment, promising amnesty for safe delivery of the eggs to An Biao. This was agreed to, in addition to a Letter of Marque, requested by the First Mate Hong Ti, now Captain. So, the Guardians went off to do battle with approaching Neogi, and the Seacow made her way unto An Biao.

It was a long journey, but the monotony was broken up by the untimely arrival of a Neogi Aerial Platform, The Confederate's Revenge. Somehow the Neogi had seen through the Imperial Navy's delaying tactic, and sent a retrieval team for the eggs. However, the Revenge was soundly defeated. A barrage of rocket fire from Arver Talvin destroyed it, forcing the Revenge's crew to board. A fierce battle ensued, as the minotaur battled with enslaved Imperial Ninjas, Sharkmen and Ogres, the choice servents of the Neogi. The remnants of the Revenge held up the bow, coordinating an dazzling offensive. This was ended with a daring cannon shot, coordinated by the Bo'sun Gorath, and the Ship's Mage Kilan Nailo. Afterwards, Kilan slew the last Neogi with a blast of magical fire. The remaining Ninjas surrendered to the Seacow's crew, as the Sharkmen fled into the seas.

The arrival to An Biao was unceremonial. A nervous Minister took the eggs and left in his carriage, leaving behind the key and a slew of questions. The Seacow's officers had the feeling that they may have just been duped.