A heavy fog had settled in earlier that morning, bathing Limsa Lominsa in the strange glow cast by street lamps and ship lanterns. Sounsyy was headed north across the decks from the Mizzenmast Inn, where she had stayed the night before. Her head was full of nauseous anxiety and her dinner with Ul'dah's Most Fashionable at the Bismarck the night before had almost been entirely forgotten. At least, to Otto's credit, it was not her most pressing concern at this moment.
As she approached the Coral Tower in her already damp leathers, she worried what fate might befall her return. She had the Sultansworn Caerkoel's word that an arrangement would be met, but she hardly trusted the Sultansworn, especially her, even with the Roegadyn's attempts to mend old wounds. Either she would return to the Thalassocracy or be hanged. At least she would die at sea.
Two Yellowjackets opened the door for her to pass and she entered the Tower. It was similar, but not quite as she remembered it. Desks had been pushed to the sides to allow for the queues of privateers and foreigners. Yellowjackets and Maelstrom officers alike bustled about the room.
To her right, a grizzled War Sails veteran eyed her from his desk as she passed. He expressed the only word that came to his mind at the sight, "Shite..." Sounsyy ignored him, but the pit inside her stomach grew tenfold. A Yellowjacket soon announced himself as he crossed the room in a few bounds. Sounsyy did not salute the sergeant, nor did he salute her. Instead, the moment passed and the Yellowjacket stammered, "Miss Mirke, I presume?" Sounsyy nodded and the Yellowjacket hurried her off to a set of stairs which led to the Commanding Offices above.
The Yellowjacket eventually came to a halt outside a door very familiar to Sounsyy. The tarnished brass "3" above the knob brought her back years. She wondered who had made this office his or her home now. The Yellowjacket opened the door, simply stating, "Commander Gavronchette has been expecting you," before hurrying back down the stairs. Sounsyy entered and spied the form of an Elezen woman hunched over her paperwork, making careful effort with her penmanship. Sounsyy stood at attention before her desk so as not to disturb her efforts.
"Captain Mirke, please," the Elezen motioned for Sounsyy to be at ease, "Your reputation precedes you of course."
"The good or the bad?" Sounsyy asked freely, almost too freely.
"Both," Sabine Gavronchette replied, quickly cutting to the chase. She was not one to mince words or meanings. A quality in which Sounsyy approved. The new Commander of the 3rd made herself busy with the mess of papers upon her desk. She tidied it swiftly and tucked the documents away within a drawer. She returned her gaze to the former captain and continued, "You are fortunate in that your arrival was preceded by that of a Sultansworn who attested to your whereabouts since the Calamity. It has been made apparent to me that were you able to survive the travel, you would have."
"Yes, Ma'am. I've no desire to carry out me miserable existence in any place without water."
"Then I'm glad you were able to make a full recovery as well as retain your sea legs. As I said your reputation precedes you." Sabine paused for a moment as if contemplating whether her next words were necessary or not. Deeming them to be, she continued, "It is my understanding that you were quite close with my predecessor?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Then I must press upon you, I am not Commander Sylbachtsyn. Though I admire the man for what he tried to accomplish with the 7th. I am of a different stock entirely."
"Yer a Kraken, Ma'am, one of Carvallain's arms."
"I am," Sabine said, "I do not hide the fact. When the Admiral asked for more hands on deck, I put my own two forward. But the question remains, will you Captain Mirke?"
"You know," Sounsyy said as she slowly took in the office. She noted that touches of Iyrnlahz still remained about the room, such as his favored paintings. But also much had changed. As if the sea had swept Iyrnlahz's footprints from the sand. A trace yet remained, but only a trace. Mirke continued, "the last time I was in this room, I was facing court marshal. Is that-"
"Officially, you were presumed dead and the pending court marshal was suspended. Should you return to active service, I am confident disciplinary actions will not be enacted for an old offense."
The weight that had once hung heavy on Sounsyy's shoulders relaxed. Internally, she breathed a sigh of relief, but made no outwards expression of such. She wasn't entirely sure she should trust her new Commander, even giving the fact she had the Admiral's and the Commodore's trust. Six years ago, before the Maelstrom, the Thalassocracy would have never allowed a pirate access within the ranks of the Barracuda. Much had changed if the Admiral had succeeded in truly uniting all pirates under her banner. But the politics of it didn't matter to Sounsyy, so long as she would not be hanged.
"Yer pushing," Sounsyy said finally, "I take it you have an assignment in mind?"
"Very astute, Captain," Sabine said, "The fact of the matter is that I have many and not nearly enough culls to see to them all. Several suns ago, the Maelstrom received a report of a Garlean strike in eastern Thanalan. The Immortal Flames believe the intended target was Ala Mhigan refugees, as there are reports of at least four casualties and an upwards of a dozen refugees missing. While terrible, normally this would not be an issue necessitating the Maelstrom's involvement, however, the Admiral is concerned by the manner in which the Garleans carried out their strike. There are no reports of Garlean airship activity in the area, leaving the question of how Garlean agents were able to infiltrate deep into Alliance territory undetected. If the Garleans have developed a way to cloak their magitek, Limsa Lominsa may also be at risk. Seeing as how you're recently acquainted with Ul'dah and have history with the Ala Mhigans, you're my natural choice to represent the Maelstrom in this operation."
Sounsyy offered a perplexed face in response. "Ma'am, I'm not an investigator. I'm a soldier. Are you sure there are none better fer the task?"
"Captain, I have little need of just soldiers. Our wars are over. We fight a very different sort of war now - a war to evade future wars. I need captains what can look beyond orders to do what must needs be done to ensure the safety of this nation from all threats. Most importantly ones which may not be yet apparent. I take you for woman who is up to this task, and I am rarely incorrect in such judgments."
Sounsyy gave a sharp saluted. A small smile showed upon her lips. "You have yer girl," she said.
"Mirke," Sabin began with a smile, "This mission is to be carried out in uniform. It should not have to be said that the Maelstrom's involvement in the matter is to be minimal. You are to investigate the incident and determine the method of attack and withdrawal and report back your findings."
"Uniform hardly seems necessary, Commander," Sounsyy replied, "I've no Levy to captain."
"Quite, you are to be temporarily reassigned to the 8th Levy, who are already investigating the case. Until such a time that I can reassemble your command, you will remain with the 8th. On that subject, I understand that your old First Mate is currently assigned to the 6th Squadron on a mission in the Cieldalaes. If you'd like I can reassign her to your new command?"
"Cambre's alive?" A mixture of shock and hope crossed her face, then dissipated, "Thank you, Ma'am, but no. This is not a mission I would take her on. But I would appreciate if a letter be sent informing her of my wellbeing, if at all possible?"
"I will see to it, Mirke," Sabin said with a smile. She opened one of the drawers of her desk and pulled out a dusty bicorne from within. She handed it delicately to Sounsyy. She said, "I believe this to be yours. Sounsyy Mirke, I hereby reinstate your rank as Storm Captain. Til sea swallows all!"
Sounsyy took her old hat and gave a quick pat to release the dust. She was suddenly stricken by a similar memory of this office, just before the Calamity. Unwelcome tears escaped her eyes as she replaced the bicorne on her crown. She repeated, "Til sea swallows all."
"Good to see you back, Captain Mirke," Sabine said as she withdrew the packet of documents from her desk drawer. She handed the stack to Sounsyy with a smile, "I look forward to reading your reports."
As she approached the Coral Tower in her already damp leathers, she worried what fate might befall her return. She had the Sultansworn Caerkoel's word that an arrangement would be met, but she hardly trusted the Sultansworn, especially her, even with the Roegadyn's attempts to mend old wounds. Either she would return to the Thalassocracy or be hanged. At least she would die at sea.
Two Yellowjackets opened the door for her to pass and she entered the Tower. It was similar, but not quite as she remembered it. Desks had been pushed to the sides to allow for the queues of privateers and foreigners. Yellowjackets and Maelstrom officers alike bustled about the room.
To her right, a grizzled War Sails veteran eyed her from his desk as she passed. He expressed the only word that came to his mind at the sight, "Shite..." Sounsyy ignored him, but the pit inside her stomach grew tenfold. A Yellowjacket soon announced himself as he crossed the room in a few bounds. Sounsyy did not salute the sergeant, nor did he salute her. Instead, the moment passed and the Yellowjacket stammered, "Miss Mirke, I presume?" Sounsyy nodded and the Yellowjacket hurried her off to a set of stairs which led to the Commanding Offices above.
The Yellowjacket eventually came to a halt outside a door very familiar to Sounsyy. The tarnished brass "3" above the knob brought her back years. She wondered who had made this office his or her home now. The Yellowjacket opened the door, simply stating, "Commander Gavronchette has been expecting you," before hurrying back down the stairs. Sounsyy entered and spied the form of an Elezen woman hunched over her paperwork, making careful effort with her penmanship. Sounsyy stood at attention before her desk so as not to disturb her efforts.
"Captain Mirke, please," the Elezen motioned for Sounsyy to be at ease, "Your reputation precedes you of course."
"The good or the bad?" Sounsyy asked freely, almost too freely.
"Both," Sabine Gavronchette replied, quickly cutting to the chase. She was not one to mince words or meanings. A quality in which Sounsyy approved. The new Commander of the 3rd made herself busy with the mess of papers upon her desk. She tidied it swiftly and tucked the documents away within a drawer. She returned her gaze to the former captain and continued, "You are fortunate in that your arrival was preceded by that of a Sultansworn who attested to your whereabouts since the Calamity. It has been made apparent to me that were you able to survive the travel, you would have."
"Yes, Ma'am. I've no desire to carry out me miserable existence in any place without water."
"Then I'm glad you were able to make a full recovery as well as retain your sea legs. As I said your reputation precedes you." Sabine paused for a moment as if contemplating whether her next words were necessary or not. Deeming them to be, she continued, "It is my understanding that you were quite close with my predecessor?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Then I must press upon you, I am not Commander Sylbachtsyn. Though I admire the man for what he tried to accomplish with the 7th. I am of a different stock entirely."
"Yer a Kraken, Ma'am, one of Carvallain's arms."
"I am," Sabine said, "I do not hide the fact. When the Admiral asked for more hands on deck, I put my own two forward. But the question remains, will you Captain Mirke?"
"You know," Sounsyy said as she slowly took in the office. She noted that touches of Iyrnlahz still remained about the room, such as his favored paintings. But also much had changed. As if the sea had swept Iyrnlahz's footprints from the sand. A trace yet remained, but only a trace. Mirke continued, "the last time I was in this room, I was facing court marshal. Is that-"
"Officially, you were presumed dead and the pending court marshal was suspended. Should you return to active service, I am confident disciplinary actions will not be enacted for an old offense."
The weight that had once hung heavy on Sounsyy's shoulders relaxed. Internally, she breathed a sigh of relief, but made no outwards expression of such. She wasn't entirely sure she should trust her new Commander, even giving the fact she had the Admiral's and the Commodore's trust. Six years ago, before the Maelstrom, the Thalassocracy would have never allowed a pirate access within the ranks of the Barracuda. Much had changed if the Admiral had succeeded in truly uniting all pirates under her banner. But the politics of it didn't matter to Sounsyy, so long as she would not be hanged.
"Yer pushing," Sounsyy said finally, "I take it you have an assignment in mind?"
"Very astute, Captain," Sabine said, "The fact of the matter is that I have many and not nearly enough culls to see to them all. Several suns ago, the Maelstrom received a report of a Garlean strike in eastern Thanalan. The Immortal Flames believe the intended target was Ala Mhigan refugees, as there are reports of at least four casualties and an upwards of a dozen refugees missing. While terrible, normally this would not be an issue necessitating the Maelstrom's involvement, however, the Admiral is concerned by the manner in which the Garleans carried out their strike. There are no reports of Garlean airship activity in the area, leaving the question of how Garlean agents were able to infiltrate deep into Alliance territory undetected. If the Garleans have developed a way to cloak their magitek, Limsa Lominsa may also be at risk. Seeing as how you're recently acquainted with Ul'dah and have history with the Ala Mhigans, you're my natural choice to represent the Maelstrom in this operation."
Sounsyy offered a perplexed face in response. "Ma'am, I'm not an investigator. I'm a soldier. Are you sure there are none better fer the task?"
"Captain, I have little need of just soldiers. Our wars are over. We fight a very different sort of war now - a war to evade future wars. I need captains what can look beyond orders to do what must needs be done to ensure the safety of this nation from all threats. Most importantly ones which may not be yet apparent. I take you for woman who is up to this task, and I am rarely incorrect in such judgments."
Sounsyy gave a sharp saluted. A small smile showed upon her lips. "You have yer girl," she said.
"Mirke," Sabin began with a smile, "This mission is to be carried out in uniform. It should not have to be said that the Maelstrom's involvement in the matter is to be minimal. You are to investigate the incident and determine the method of attack and withdrawal and report back your findings."
"Uniform hardly seems necessary, Commander," Sounsyy replied, "I've no Levy to captain."
"Quite, you are to be temporarily reassigned to the 8th Levy, who are already investigating the case. Until such a time that I can reassemble your command, you will remain with the 8th. On that subject, I understand that your old First Mate is currently assigned to the 6th Squadron on a mission in the Cieldalaes. If you'd like I can reassign her to your new command?"
"Cambre's alive?" A mixture of shock and hope crossed her face, then dissipated, "Thank you, Ma'am, but no. This is not a mission I would take her on. But I would appreciate if a letter be sent informing her of my wellbeing, if at all possible?"
"I will see to it, Mirke," Sabin said with a smile. She opened one of the drawers of her desk and pulled out a dusty bicorne from within. She handed it delicately to Sounsyy. She said, "I believe this to be yours. Sounsyy Mirke, I hereby reinstate your rank as Storm Captain. Til sea swallows all!"
Sounsyy took her old hat and gave a quick pat to release the dust. She was suddenly stricken by a similar memory of this office, just before the Calamity. Unwelcome tears escaped her eyes as she replaced the bicorne on her crown. She repeated, "Til sea swallows all."
"Good to see you back, Captain Mirke," Sabine said as she withdrew the packet of documents from her desk drawer. She handed the stack to Sounsyy with a smile, "I look forward to reading your reports."
