Pirate Solidarity Thread.

[Bellono]

Everyone didnt want a fire fight... except Bellono who ran to Burnside, he once again checked there was a round chambered in his Belgun assault rifle! He was ready for action, he wanted to see what caliber man it was that unhinged Burnside so, he also had a compelling urge to fight something...... particularly something that would prove a challenge!!!

[Stella Gaslight]

Sarah thought about it for a moment.  "Yes but I think it would be mad if I wasn't. We are going up against one of the strongest fighting forces the world has ever known with a rag tag bunch of ships and some hot blooded crews but I can't help smiling.  It may be daft but I am excited." She wondered if perhaps that was part of the piracy in her blood.  "Where do you think the weapon is?" The city in the sky would be a formidable target to search.

[Sir Nikolas Vendigroth]

The Fleet's predominant ethos is functionality and efficiency. Inevitably, this means that the basic colour of most equipment is grey. Paint is only used to prevent rust, or to put a message on a bulkhead. This drabness was most obvious at the Atlantic shipyards, where grey buildings stood starkly against the overcast sky.

New Babbage hung in the air, silent and motionless, a few thousand feet up. The order to evacuate the shipyards and put the machinery beyond use had been taken badly, but had been obeyed.

"How long until we depart?" Asked Admiral Peregrine.

"Ten hours, sir. We'll be the last out. I understand the engineers are welding the last bulkhead closed down below, and the first transport ships are about to take off."

"Good. Why are we being moved? Medway isn't as well equipped to deal with the natures of the repairs we need."

"Sir, I don't know. But the orders we revieved are to proceed there at the highest speed available. It'll take twenty-three hours."

"Very well. What of the defences for the city?"

"Only one ætheric helix has been repaired. No anti-aircraft guns work, sir. We've got 100 soldiers to defend the command spire and generator halls, but the fact is we're unable to defend most of the city."

Grim news indeed.

Peregrine hesitated. He didn't know why he was being ordered to quit the shipyards, now why he had to station troops around his city.

"Navigation!" he snapped. "Alter our destination. Instead of Fort Medway, we're going to Vendigroth."

"Sir, that's ten days travel..."

"Do it." The decision to ignore a direct order would likely cost Peregrine his rank. He didn't care. Going to Medway was a terminal idea.

[Storm Rider]

Slowly and gracefully the dagger like ship pulls alongside the Abandon. Painted along it's hull was it's name Buran or Blizzard in Russian. Slowly with a hiss a bulkhead door pushs out from it's flush position in the hull. It now slides sideways along the hull. Standing silhouetted in the door way Alexander Yastreb he looks out with a slight smile on his face. He wears a great coat over black and grey uniform. At his hip is a heavy saber, the handel has a handguard runing down it's legth made of bronze and knurled like a knukle duster a brutal and effective design. as the smaller ship draws closer he lightly steps off on the abandon his black knee high black boots make a satisfying crack against the hull."seems you have done well for your self Burnside" he says with ease and without any fear at all at the huge form of Bellono. he idily waves of the Buran and it moves into a holding distance.

[ShredsnPatches]

Shreds adjusted the aim of her Gatling. She didn't like the look of the man that had just stepped on board the ship. He looked somehow familiar - but where had she met him before? The seamstress frowned and turned half her attention back to the gun and kept half trained on him.

[Gentleman-Adventurer]

Burnside bristled, and raised a hand to calm the seething Bellono.
"Yes, I've done well, considering. I've besmirched my family' name, lost my ship, and some of my best friends, and it's all your doing. Only common courtesy is keeping me from cutting you down where you stand. Make your bargain and begone, lest my sabre find your heart."

[ShredsnPatches]

"Stay where we can see you, boss," Shreds muttered quietly.

[Storm Rider]

Yastrab becomes more serious." I am sorry I had to do what I had to do but it was necasarry. If you understood what it was for you would understand" He slowly twists his hand on the grip of his saber" but putting our history aside....I have an offer. I wish to join you on your attack on the first fleet."

[Gentleman-Adventurer]

"Absolutely not. I have no want of your presence, no need of your help, and no fear of your reprisal. This is something we pirates do alone, and be damned to you, business-man. Now, get off my ship."
Burnside turned to walk away, but flung a taunt over his shoulder.
"Besides, you've no stomach for a fight. You need to pay others to bloody their knuckles in your stead."

[Storm Rider]

Yastreb draws his saber. It is a straight single edged blade it's every line speaks of utility and industrious brutality" how dare you small fool. You have no idea who I am and what I have done in my life. I am no Business-man I am a leader of people. You need me Burnside and you need the people I lead without us your paultry flotila will brushed from the sky before the first fleet"

[Storm Rider]

(((just wondering what is the time of day this scene is taking place)))

[Gentleman-Adventurer]

Just barely resisting the urge to draw his own steel, Burnside span on a heel and growled spiritedly.
"Then tell me why I need you, betrayer...

(((About Midday, I should imagine)))

[ShredsnPatches]

"Uh-oh..."

Shreds could see the two men arguing. She licked her lips nervously, and called out to the other deck-hands.

"Stand by - we might be needed."

A foul mouthed chorus greeted her call. Blushing a little, Shreds turned to her gun and checked over it again. She'd never used it before and really didn't want to use it now.

[Storm Rider]

Yastreb stands steady " look at your fleet Burnside. It is made of sloops,yachts,corvettes and converted trading dirigibles. The only reason you survived the battle of Krakenfell was luck. You need ships that can engage in a head to head fight with fixed emplacements and ships of the line. Do you honestly think you can defeat dreadnoughts with these ships? I can provide you with a hammer to your stiletto in this battle. And all I require is something you can easily afford.

[Bellono]

Bellono saw the weapons come out his Belgun Assault Rifle was in his shoulder the instant the Weapon was drawn if it had not been for Burnside resuming conversation with the man he'd have emptied the entire magazine into his face! "Senior you are in a very dangerous spot indeed.... Sheath your weapon or you maka me nervous (said with sarcasm)... wen i get nervous my trigger finger gets twichy!"

[Storm Rider]

Yastreb's eyes slowly moved to the Italian" before you do anything you Italian Neanderthal look out there and tell me what you see" Yastreb points out just below the Sun with his saber. With the glare from the sun nothing really can be seen.....but when your eyes adjust and search for movement a shape begins to resolve.

[InquisitorLordKain]

Sitting up from his seat, Haplo walked towards the door..."Isabella, I'll be onboard the Osiris...I need some time to think; and to design new guns for the ship seeing as er lost all but our two turrets...and I might add roofing for them too."

Looking at her cap'n Isabella got up to help him walk out, as he'd obviously had too much to drink..."Here ye go Cap'n...I'll have the ladies get some rest too, and maybe we can all work on the ship later huh"

"Sure, why not..." waving his hat around he stated..."See ya'll round...I need to sober up for tomorrow"

With that they left the place and walked towards the beach where the ship landed

[Bellono]

Bellono Kept his eyes on the man only an order from Burnside would make him avert his gaze from his target into the sun were he would be dazzled and his aim ruined for at least 2 minutes

[Storm Rider]

Yastreb smirks at the stubborness shown by this crew. There in the sky an airship appears decending from it's position high in the sky hiding in the light of the sun. It is a cruiser nearly five hundred and fifty feet long, It is a Шторм( Shtorm) class light cruiser. it's hull is rounded clearly of a very nautical and Russian in origion. Along it's hull are dozens of turrets.  Along the front of the hull are four long angeld holes. it's armanent consists of
5 BL 6 inch Mk XII (5x1)
2 QF 3 inch 20 cwt Mk I (2x1)
2 QF 2-pounder guns (2x1)
6 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes (3X2)
The torpedos are in fact huge unguided winged wepons that uses two powerful propellars mounted at the front and rear. the weapons load is geard to light ship combat but with the torpedos it can harass larger vessels.  It messages again and again to the pirate fleet of it's peaceful intentions as it flies an unusual flag though it is obvious not a first fleet ship." you see what you wll be giving up bursnide. I have a fleet"

[Bellono]

"Capitano.... Orders?" Bellono readied himself, he would pull the trigger without a seconds hesitation if Burnside gave so much as a wink, Yet he also had an intense curiosity to see what it was that everyone was looking towards

[InquisitorLordKain]

Boarding the ship Haplo looked around at his crew..."Allright ladies, Lets get some rest"

instantaneousley falling asleap, Haplo didnt notice the crew working on the ship, and the plans for new guns.

[Gentleman-Adventurer]

Burnside considered his situation. On the one hand, his most ancient and hated enemy was standing on the quarterdeck, within arm's reach. On the other, this very enemy was offering him the alliance of a lifetime. He had to make a compromise.
"If I am to accept your help," Burnside began. "I wish to make a small concession: I will have ultimate command of this battle. I don't want you stabbing me in the back again, so I'll have to keep an eye on you."
He gestured towards the still-aiming Bellono.
"Stand down, Chiaves. We may have an accord. Incidentally, Yastreb, I would be extremely careful about insulting this particular member of my crew. Former Sergeant Chiaves Bellono has something of a reputation in military circles. His countrymen call him 'Il Inarrestabile', I believe."

[ShredsnPatches]

Shreds was well out of earshot, but she could tell enough of her captain's gestures that the Gatlings would probably not be needed. Nevertheless, orders were orders and the deckhands would man the guns until instructed to do otherwise.

[Storm Rider]

Slowly Yastreb slides his saber into it's sheath. The light cruiser now pulls alongside the Abandon. It's size dwarfs the Abandon. Along it's forward keel is the name "peter the Great"." mmm I will agree to your terms but there is something we must do before I can bring the full power of my fleet here. There is a fuel caravan heading from the Caucasus to supply British Imperial Airships on the east coast of Italy. I need the fuel oil that caravan has. My own tankers had to turn back because of security issues. If I don't get that fuel oil My ships won't reach north Africa."Yastreb walks to Burnside during his conversation" but first" Yastreb Offers Burnside his hand

[Sir Nikolas Vendigroth]

Flint knocked on the door to Petrovich's cabin twice.

"What?"

"Admiral. We have an issue. Come and look through the scope."

On the bridge, Petrovich Looked into a small glass lens, surrounded by a vast piece of brass equipment.

"It's all blurry. WHat am I meant to be looking at?"

"Ah. Very sorry, Admiral." Flint tweaked a dial. And the Pirate fleet swam into view.

"Was that there earlier?" asked Petrovich, noticing the "RANGE" counter. 130 miles.

"No sir, it wasn't. I reckon it matches the type two cruisers in terms of tonnage, sir."

An unexpected development. Where were the pirates getting reinforcements from?

"Code a message to the Authority, Relay it via New Babbage so that no-one can pinpoint out location. Tell them that the pirates have help and ask for advice."