The Meeting Aboard the Crown Jewel (Closed/Meillur Only)

[Colfico]

The steel hulk of the massive, ancient battleship lurked in the fog like a great sea monster, seemingly waiting to strike on an unsuspecting victim. Her three turrets bristling with her main armament, nine massive fifteen inch guns, firing shells bigger than a man. Despite her age, her paint was in excellent condition, having been reapplied on Sebastian's orders mere months ago. It was on this monster of a ship that the Colficoan dictator srood, gazing over the bow, a table and seats, classical Colficoan metal, foldable furniture, awaiting behind him.

He was here for a very important meeting with a Hyrukian delegate, a meeting which had been arranged following developments at a meeting elsewhere with a very different delegate. The medal on his uniform gleamed slightly, shimmering in the foggy light, it was the only medal he wore, because it was one that he had earned. A naval officer approached him from behind, his footsteps clearly heard against the metal plating of the ships deck. The King turned, and the officer saluted, a salute the King quickly returned.

"Your majesty, a radar contact has appeared tithe south, approaching at a modest speed, possibly the guests that you informed us of."

"Very good, track it and keep to standard rules of engagement for now, even if it is Deritan, they know we are supposed to be here. But be prepared to accept a rocking attempt if it is our guests."

"Yes my Lord, it will be done"

He snapped off another salute, and the officer returned to his station, leaving the King to watch for his expected guests.

[Great Hyruke]

The HMS Connaught cut through the thick fog that surrounded Toxin Island, as the island, left uninhabitable during the great collapse at the dawn of the 22nd century had been nicknamed by the public for obvious reasons. The fog around the island was rumored to be ever present and to be caused by the toxins that poisoned the island. The Great Hyrukian government, under the late Prime Minister, Tatiana Montagu had laid claimed to the island, though she had called it Leuteonos, a reference to it in the pre-collapse when it had been home to a small kingdom. Now it was a wasteland that the Hyrukians most forgot about, but nonetheless saw it as part of their country. And they would make sure that the rest of the world understood that.

The Connaught was a Duchess-Class corvette, named after the Duke & Duchess of Connaught, was armed with a large medium velocity naval gun, several twin machine gun nests onboard. A team of gun boats trailed behind the Connaught, while guards patrolled the edges of the ship it is made its way through the fog. The Royal Home Guard, an elite platoon of the best women in the army were on board, serving to protect King Arthur, who sat in the caption’s cabin onboard. The king was not dressed as a king. Instead he dressed almost like a normal sailor, his blue and gray camouflage uniform unadorned and with a protects the Kevlar vest and padding on his body beneath the uniform. Wore a pair of handguns on his hips and several concealed knives.

While the King had never been allowed on a battlefield, such a place after all was reserved for women, for men were far too emotional to make soldiers, he had still been given combat training at the insistence of his uncle Prince Louis, Duke of Montmorency. After all, Arthur’s father and namesake had been a successful soldier before he’d come to great Hyruke. Too successful by most accounts. Despite dying young, the King’s father had destroyed nations in his campaigns and had a reputation of being bloodthirsty and some would even say genocidal. Had the king’s father lived a bit longer, it was no doubt he would’ve forced the country into war for his own personal glory. Another reason the King had not been allowed to join the army in any active role. There had been a fear he would inherit his father’s bloodlust.

Montmorency however, had been determined to honor his brother-in-law’s memory, and had privately given his young ward an advance military combat defensive training and schooled him in tactics and strategies. Now the King was considering his strategy with meeting with his fellow sovereign. He didn’t like the meeting place of the Colficoan’s choice, nor did he like the knowledge that there was a third party interested in this island that belonged to Arthur’s country.

“Your Majesty, we are nearing the Colficoan ship.”

The King looked up from a map the area to see his nephew, Jonathan LeCastle bowing before him. Arthur and his brother had never been close. Neither man disliked the other, though the papers would have one believe that, but rather it was more so that the two were strangers. The fact of their different fathers did in a way force them not to be friends, but in truth it had been their separation at infancy that made them so distant. So one could have imagined the surprise the King had felt when his estranged nephew had arrived at court and all but begged to be his page. Arthur saw no reason to say now and had brought him along.

“Send a message to the Colficoans. We are approaching and a team of the RHG will be preparing meet.”

[Colfico]

Sebastian noticed a shadow approaching from the fog, or more correctly, multiple of them, however he knew who it was when he watched one of the sailors manning one of the communications lamps, special spot lights with fittings to be used to send messages visually through Morse code, and began sending an affirmative through the fog with the bright light. He made his way to one of the lower entrances to the ship. which was now open and ready to extend a ramp down to the smaller ship once it came along side. The vessels secondary turret also began tracking the small vessels, the ships crew wary of an attempted attack, the turrets three 152mm guns more than powerful enough to defend the ship.

An officer approached the king, and saluted before beginning to speak.

"They are the hyrukians, or at least so they say."

"Very good, inform them that we are prepared for them to come along side and dock"

"Yes, my lord."

'This is the RCNS Crown Jewel, we have you on our screen and acknowledge, come along the right side, and prepare to dock, we are ready to receive you.'

[Great Hyruke]

Jonathan LeCastle stepped before his uncle.

“Sir, the Colficoans have said that they are ready for us to board.”

Lt. Colonel Alice Montagu stepped forward, bowing before the King. “The Colficoans have also leveled several of their turrets at our escorts ships, Your Majesty.”

“If they are going to have guns at us, I want guns on them,” the King of Great Hyruke said. “Have the escort gunboats fan out in a semi-circle, but keep two of them near the Connaught should anything go wrong.”

“Yes Sir.”

The King turned to Captain Theodora Fogsworth. “Captain, relay a message to the Prince Royal and the Caister, and have them set a course to our location. I want them nearby but out of sight. Close enough to fire long range if necessary.”

“Isn’t that a but aggressive?” Jonathan asked before he could stop himself. King Arthur only smiled softly.

“It is not aggressive here. It is a statement of authority. That is the reason I am here. To remind this Colficoan king and his Deritain peers that that island and these waters are Hyrukian, and I am the only master here.”

With that, the King stood, directing his nephew to stay on board the Connaught. Jonathan to the King’s surprise didn’t protest. The King and Lt.Colonel Montagu descended through the corvette as it moved into position alongside the larger warship. The King’s Guard, dressed in black uniforms and armed with Rifle No.4s made a square formation around the King, moving in precise lock step. While they were famed for guarding the gates of Wattingham Palace, as stone-like sentinels that never moved, most forgot that they were in fact skilled soldiers, not decorations. The women led the way, forming a human wall, across the extended ramp onto the Crown Jewel.

[hr]

As Captain Fogsworth turned her attention to following the King’s orders, neither see nor her crew paid attention to one young Jonathan LeCastle slipping out of the command center and making his way to the ship’s cargo hold.

[Kingdom of Derita]

Henry Hollande, the Duke of Aumale sat at the bridge of the C.E.S Variés, a fast battleship dreadnaught and first of the Variés-Class. The dreadnaught was designed to be fast without—in theory— compromising the heavy armaments required of them. Not that the Duke intended on using the ship’s 380 mm guns today. The elderly admiral, he was ninety-six years old, had been sent to escort a research vessel to the infamous Toxin Island under the guise of military exercises with the Colficoans. The Duke found the entire operation a tad unnecessary, but when the order came from the halls of the Celestial Capital, he was not one to question authority.

While the Variés paced off the northern shore of Toxin island, the research vessel, the Qakaumbi sailed to the rocky coast of the infamous landmass. Onboard, a team of researchers were lead by Dr. Longo Nagabaye, and dressed in full hazmat gear as they prepared to touch down on land no living person had set foot on in decades. As the research vessel neared the island, it disappeared into the fog from view of the Variés.

“Dr. Nagabaye,” the Duke radioed to the vessel, “We’ve lost visual. Inform us when you have docked.”

“Will do admiral.”

The Duke nodded his head and looked to the captain of the Variés. “After Dr. Nagabaye has landed, we will move to circle the island. I want to check up on our Colficoan friends.”

[Colfico]

Commodore Fillian Ugene

The Commodore was a well experience commander of ships, and had been aboard the RCNS Crown Jewel ever since she had been recommissioned, and brought back from her long slumber to serve her nation valiantly once again, and doing so with flying colors during the Time of Despair. He was watching the horizon, or as best as he could in the thick fog, it was a less than ideal combat scenario, but made less so by the ships radar and sonar suites, not as advanced as those seen before the collapse and the Time of Despair, but still a distinct advantage for such a ship.

So far it had seemed that things were going well, their contacts had arrived, if clearly made nervous by the cautious stance of the much larger battleship. He had to applaud the Hyrukian faith in the guns of the little corvette, even if they did not present much threat to the well armored ship. However that al changed when his radar operator began to make a report.

"Commodore, I am picking up an additional radar contact in the fog, she's decently far off, and seems to be circling around the island, potentially deritan, and I am also picking up a faint radar whisper in that direction as well, possibly a smaller ship that is hidden partially by the Island."

"Good eyes."

He picked up the ship board radio, and pressed down the call button

"I want batteries one and two pointed in that direction, and tracking that ship, do not fire unless ordered, we are not looking to start a war here."

---

Sebastian watched as the ramp was lowered down to the smaller ship as it came up to the battleship, the more than seven hundred foot ship dwarfing its smaller deritan counterpart, although this was both a blessing and a curse. While it did make docking somewhat more difficult, it meant that the smaller Hyrukian ships could hide behind the larger ship, and conceal their radar signatures with the battleships own if the need came to pass.

To each side of the king stood four Royal Colfican Navy Marines, two on each side, and armed with the RC-6 carbine, a semi-automatic carbine legendary within Colfico for its reliability.

What Sebastian could not see was the two massive front turrets of the battleship beginning to turn towards the island, and her massive guns beginning to elevate, and then slowly turning as if they were tracking something.

[Great Hyruke]

The King’s Guard parted enough to allow Lt. Colonel Montagu step forward and reveal King Arthur. The King of Great Hyruke stepped forward, hands crossed behind his back. He leveled his eyes at his Colficoan counterpart.

“King Sebastian, welcome to Great Hyruke.”

---

Meanwhile Jonathan LeCastle closed the door to the cargo hold behind him, sealing himself inside. He turned away from the door and crossed the catwalk that hung over the collection of containers of various sources. Jonathan had, in preparation for the trip been with one of the crew members when they run their rounds for safety checks. Which meant he’d known precisely how to get past said safety checks. He descended the steps and walked through the maze of contains till he reached the one he’d been searching for. It was large enough to fit a small car inside of, tucked away in a dark corner.

Jonathan have a final check to see that he was alone and opened the container.

[Kingdom of Derita]

As the container tucked away aboard the HMS Connaught opened, J.J. Aurelains released the breathing apparatus that he’d been holding for the better part of several hours as he waited for Jonathan to release him from this prison of his own making. It was not the first time that J.J. had done something like this, but it was the first time in a long time and it was much harder than he’d remembered. His old bones ached from the rocking of the see, the stale air and crammed spaced. He groaned as he pulled himself up and out of the container.

“I’m getting too old for this shit,” spat J.J. Aurelains. He stretched with a chorus of cracking and popping airpockets between his bones. Done, he turned to Jonathan, once more the shrewd gentleman, as if he’d just arrived for afternoon tea rather than having just broken a number of laws smuggling himself into a royal warship. “Shall I assume that everything is in place with the King?”

[Colfico]

Sebastian watched the king and his entourage carefully, analyzing every detail of both their outfits, equipment, and body language, while he hoped for the best from these talks, he knew better than to expect it. He was glad that the rest of the strike group would be close by, their services may be needed yet. He gave a nod, before speaking, his face and voice in an even, emotionless tone and expression, careful to not show any emotion whatsoever. The King was well and truly on his guard, and would not be letting it down this time.

"Welcome aboard the RCNS Crown Jewel, your majesty, I am King Sebastian of the Kingdom of Colfico, please follow, there is much that should be discussed in urgency."

He then turned, however only two of his soldiers turned with him, the other two remained, prepared to take up the rear. The ships crew were bustling about, many of them armed with pistols and the occasional submachine gun, and even the odd shotgun. It was clear that the ship was on high alert, and was prepared to deal with any surprises, ads Sebastian had ordered.

"I apologize for the less than friendly welcome, however it was necessary given the situation, I am sure that you can understand."

[Great Hyruke]

The King’s Guard, at Lt. Colonel Montagu’s orders, marched forward as they surrounded the King, with two breaking off and marching at the rear behind the Colficoan soldiers. With Lt. Colonel Montagu at his side, the King of Great Hyruke listened to King Sebastian and shook his head.

“I don’t think I do understand. From the discussions you had with the Queen, one would think the matter settled. And yet you are still here. It suggests that you either did not come with goodwill in mind for the nation’s whose water you are end, or the third party you spoke of. Neither of which reality is one I find reassuring.

---

Meanwhile Jonathan nodded as he looked at J.J. Aurelains, thoroughly impressed. Smuggling the widower viscount on board had been no small feat, and certainly not with both the equipment he had had to bring and to keep out of the watchful eye of the King and his guard. Jonathan shook himself out of his awe and nodded as he realized he was being spoken to.

“Yes sir. My Uncle and Lt. Colonel Montagu should be meeting with the Colficoans by now.”

[Kingdom of Derita]

J.J. dipped his head as he listened and felt a wave of satisfaction over how well his plan had worked. It was no easy feat getting to move kings on the chessboard that was geopolitics, but J.J. Had learned from the best. It was always a bit easier to win the game when really you were playing two separate ones. One the world saw and in which you were invisible, and one that the rest of the world was oblivious to, and you dominated. J.J. may have little power but he had amble connections. A bribe of a port official, a familial letter to his daughter, a whisper into an ambassador’s ear, it had all brought them here and no one, save Jonathan, would ever get to appreciate his genius. No matter.

“Well then, the King is in good hands. My niece is a capable leader.” J.J. said in reference to Alice Montagu, daughter of his late wife’s older brother. “She is very loyal to the Crown. Should anything unfold up top, I am sure King Arthur will be safe. Now, let’s get down to business.”

J.J. ventured back inside of the container and wheeled out a small black propulsion device with handles on it, like a motorized kick board. A diver propulsion vehicle that J.J. And his wife had developed in secret shortly before and then after their fall from power in the Hyrukian government. There had, after all been a reason they’d wanted Toxin Island after all. J.J. wheeled out a second slightly smaller one, and as then a briefcase sized container that was water and bullet proof, a revolving eight digit code locking it tight. Finally he received tap air of breathing apparatus and oxygen tanks and two wet suits with sealed gloves and helmets. He looked to Jonathan.

“Suit up. We won’t be breathing fresh air for a while.”

[Great Hyruke]

Jonathan’s eyes widened in horror. He took another look at J.J. and then at the equipment that he’d brought. Of course, he should have realized. But now as he did realize a cord of dread rang through his body, reverberating up his spin. He looked back at J.J.

“You don’t mean...” the words struggled to form on his tongue. “No. No surely you don’t really mean for us to go there do you?”

[Kingdom of Derita]

J.J. let out a humorless laugh.

“Well of course we are. I didn’t stowaway and sit in a blasted container for hours not to go to the goddamn island.” He pushed the suit into Jonathan’s hands. “Now hurry, he have to move quickly. And be careful. That suit has to be in perfect. Trust me, you don’t want to risk exposure.”

[Colfico]

"It was resolved, until recently, when the third party in question became involved, and I would rather not risk a conflict because I silently sat by knowing what was happening. Such a war would benefit no one, so it is best that they be resolved through talk."

The king continued walking down the hall, the corridors of the battleship were grey, standard for such a warship, with next to no consideration given to the actual aesthetic appearance of these internal walkways. However they were sturdily built, in a ship built for war, the doors designed to be sealed in the case of flooding or fire.

"You have nothing to fear from me, it is those parties whom wish to access the island that should be worried about, since they have disobeyed even the Deritan Empress in an attempt to get where they are now. In the future, we can arrange more offical talks between all three parties involved, however, for now, decisive action is necessary to prevent those whom wish to access the island for nefarious purposes from gaining access to it. That is why I asked you to come here, so that we could settle those matters in a decisive manner through cooperation, rather than as adversaries."

[Great Hyruke]

“You are saying that a group that has no backing from my own government, yours nor the Deritains’ is attempting to access the island? For what reason?”

King Arthur mulled over this. It was not unheard of for non-government actors to do things. And someone trespassing on the island, if it were an armed force, would, in the eyes of the King’s government be tantamount to an invasion of Great Hyruke’s territory. Perhaps a false flag operation to spark tension between Great Hyruke and Derita. But that only increased his suspicion of the Colficoan ruler.

“Do not mistake my suspicions of you and your country and your ship entering my waters for fear. Your claims are alarming and riddled with holes. What exactly is the nefarious threat and who is this nameless party you are certain is plotting against three governments over a toxic island? How exactly did this come your knowledge?”

---

Jonathan gulped but nodded and suited up. Once he and J.J. were in their gear, Jonathan lead him out of the cargo hold and into the sea pool, a section of the boat that had a opening in the floor to the sea below. One they and their equipment were inside, he locked the door behind him. He opened the sea pool doors, revealing the dark waters of the ocean.

[Colfico]

"Its simple, it occurred when I undertook a diplomatic negotiations, the deritan ambassador at the time, made a request which seemed...very odd at best, concerning at worst, and in a manner that seemed to be against the wishes of his sovereign, or at the very least, a serious overstep of his authority. As far as the actual nature of the threat, that is what I am here to find out, under the guise of cooperating with the third party. I do know, whatever is there must be very important, and that is why the Crown Jewel was selected, she is one of only three ships in the fleet with enough firepower to inflict the damage necessary to deny our foe what they seek in a short period of time. You may remain suspicious of me if you like, however, what I state is true, and I have evidence."

He stopped and turned to the Hryukian king, before speaking again, his tone still nuetral, but showing the great concern for the situation in his eyes.

"I Know how crazy it sounds, however even if this threat does not target Colfico itself, a conflict caused by these actions between Hyruke and the Celestial Empire would only lead to the eventual dragging of my nation and her people into the war, and cause unneccessary bloodshed and suffering for everyone. That is why it is paramount that we cooperate as much as possible to resolve this issue, if I did not believe it to be a problem, this ship, its strike group, and I, would not be here, and we would not be having this conversation."

[Great Hyruke]

“I see,” though Arthur didn’t really see. He was not convinced, and he still had yet to be presented with actual evidence of a mysterious third party. To him, it sounded at best that the Deritains were attempting to seize the islands had roped the Colficoans in who were now were turning on them. The fact that they determined that the battleship was the only think that could stop them implied that they were dealing with a large invasion force. So even if the King did not believe King Sebastian, he would have to operate under the worse case scenario.

“My government will not stand for an invasion, and will meet one with lethal force, and I do not fear war with the Celestial Empire to protect my country. If you wish to avoid war, I suggest that you prevent those who made this compromised deal with from setting foot on my shores or my navy will.”

[Colfico]

"I would suggest that you cease throwing threats around, least you be required to actually follow through with them." The King paused to let his warning set in before speaking again.

"we are courteous enough to have at least warned you of what is coming. The Colficoan agreement with the Celestial Empire is defensive in nature, and we are not obliged to support any offensive war that they carry out. If I so wished it, I could very well have silently gone along with what was requested, we were simply requested to be in the area, the only reason we will open fire is in retaliation to wasteful Hyrukian aggression."

He thought for a moment, before pulling out a small recording device, which had already been used, and pressed play, replaying the events of the meeting in question.

"It is key to note that the Duke in question requested asylum just prior to the request, as well as making a very odd request to help deal with any unrest. At best, we are dealing with a rowdy Noble looking to make some quick money and leave. Worst case scenario, we are dealing with something far more sinister, however I doubt the Celestial Empire, and the Empress are to blame, they not only have no real reason to, but it is strategically non viable for them to attempt such an invasion. Violent action, at least for the moment, would be I'll advised until we have more information, of which I have the perfect tool aboard, two catapult launched recon planes, which could safely observe the area from above, and this ship posseses a full radar suite"

[Great Hyruke]

King Arthur’s formed a line as he listened to the recording of King Sebastian and the Deritain Duke’s meeting. He found himself understanding, if not necessarily agreeing with the idea that there was something amidst.

“I will admit, I am hesitant to believe your claims. Though I do trust the Duke’s even less. I am no botanist, but I don’t believe such plants could even grow on the island. You’d sooner see a giraffe strolling down the streets of Londres. And the need to seize the island over such plants seems improbable. So perhaps you are correct in your assumption that there are ulterior motives.”

Lt. Colonel bowed her her head as she whispered up into the King’s ear. Arthur raised a finger as he listened and then nodded. He looked back to his Colficoan counterpart.

“However. I find it equally improbable that the Empress and her brother the Duke are not in cahoots. I have met Hollandes before and they are a family that is very... self interested. I doubt the one at the helm of the Celestial Empire is any less so. Though I admit the timing of these events are questionable and less than strategic.”

The King thought about about the Deritain princesses he was hosting as his guests. It made little sense for the Empress to risk rising tension whilst her daughters sat in his home. Unless it was perhaps some sort of game of political arrangements. But if that was the ask, it made no sense for her not to negotiate with him. There were many questions about the events unfolding, but if he followed a single thread, he might miss the big picture. He had to protect his country.

“Regardless how tangled this knot of ambitions may be, and regardless of why the Deritains wish to operate here, the final truth is this, I will not allow it. If it is the Celestial Empire at work, it is a invasion and I will act to prevent that. If it is a private operation by a noble, I have no interest i internal Deritain politics. Further more that means I have all the more right to deal with them as I please. They would be trespassers, illegal aliens treading where they ought not to. I will not simply wait and watch them violate Hyrukian sovereignty.”

[Colfico]

Sebastian responded without hesitation, knowing that thinking for too long would look suspicious, and only work to degrade the Hyrukian kings trust, and if the Hyrukian would not listen, then Sebastian could not help him.

"Perhaps that is the case, however are you prepared to bear the responsibility of millions of deaths over a rash decision? Do not let blind patriotism blind your rationality, we must investigate things thoroughly, and approach it carefully, If you do not, the consequences could be disastrous, and if I am right, and the Celestial Empire is not behind this itself, then Hyruke will appear the aggressor. I cannot provide any aid in that, however, an investigation of criminal behavior, criminal behavior affecting all three nations, is a different story entirely."

The king turned, so as to keep his face hidden, and thinking, before turning back, to make a very different offer.

"I see that you do not trust me, very well, then perhaps, there is something that I can offer to convince you of the sincerity of my actions, while I am currently courting the Imperial Princess, nothing is currently set in stone, and there are no official plans for marriage yet, at least not between myself and the princess. I am sure that your government would find much use in having a Hyrukian in the Colficoan royal family, it will be my offer of payment, in return for at least postponing direct military intervention long enough for us to hold an investigation into the matter. If I am proven wrong, and this is indeed an invasion, I will back off peacefully, and not intervene, and if I am correct, and this is indeed a criminal undertaking, I will lend the full resources of this ship, her crew, and the strike group escorting her to assisting in the apprehension of these criminals, and the recovery, or if need be, destruction of whatever it is that they are after."

He offered his hand, before speaking again.

"You have the opportunity to possibly save the lives of millions of people today, do not waste it."

[Great Hyruke]

Arthur’s eyes narrowed into a glare at the King’s words. More so at the explanation than the offer. An offer that would be nothing more than a stalling tactic he suspected. King Arthur put his hands behind his back.

“So you are why the Princess Imperial never arrived at my court. Interesting,” said the King with clear disdain. So there had been a slight against him by the Deritains as his Queen had suspected. They had deemed the King of Colfico a superior match for their eldest princess as opposed to his own son. That was a slight Arthur would not soon forgive.

“As for your offer, that is one I would have to confer on with my prime minister’s cabinet. But as it stands, I do not see any value in a Hyrukian being apart of the Colficoan Royal Family.” The king said coldly. He crossed his arms. “From the evidence I see here, you are as untrustworthy as the Deritains you find suspicion in.” He considered his next words. “However...”

[Kingdom of Derita]

J.J. was not one to waste time. He placed the driver propulsion vehicles in the water and clicked the container to his harness.

“When we get in the water dive down 50 meters. We will likely be too small for the frequencies the ships are set at, we’ll seem like fish, but I don’t want to take chance. When we reach the correct depth, we are making our way to the island. Follow me and keep up, understand?”

With that, J.J. sealed his helmet, double checked his equipment and apparatus, then turned around and dropped backwards into the water of the sea pool. The container was now light as it settled in the water. He twisted and turned, making his way to the DPV. He grabbed the hands and secured himself to it, and twitched it on, a stream of bubbles forming as he dived.

[Colfico]

Sebastian listened carefully, he was silently grateful that his offer seemed to have been turned down, he had become quite fond of the Princess Imperial, although this was the first that he had heard of the fact that she had been in Hyruke previously, and was something that he would have to keep in mind for the future.

"I was not made aware that was the case, I was simply made the offer, and have not accepted it yet, in order to respect the wishes of the Princess. However at the same time, if you do not see any value in it, them I will be happy to continue focusing on that courtship. It may seem untrustworthy to you, however the Deritans have attempted, however unsuccesfully, to decieve me as well, wether it be from the empress herself or not. Do not act as if i do not have my own reasons for being suspicious, this could very well lead to a situation harmful to my people, and thus it is my duty to do something about it."

[Great Hyruke]

Jonathan took a deep breath and let out a sigh as he watched J.J. slip beneath the waves. He secured his helmet and turned around and dived into the water behind him. Jonathan swam to his DVP and mimicking J.J.’s action turned it own and gasped inside his bubble of air as it took off. He nearly crashed into the side of the ship before he was able to angle the device downward. As he cut through the water he checked the gauge showing his depth as he followed after J.J. As he reached 50 meter, he angled the DVP horizontally as they made their way to island.

---

“I will believe you don’t have own agenda when I believe that ayana flowers on on my island. You want to defend your people, well so do I. In that I can have made my intent clear. I want war no more than anyone else. But I have spoken.”

He tapped his finger against his forearm.

“When are these invaders or trespassers expected to land?”

[Colfico]

"We were expecting ships to be in the area as soon as we arrived, , and we have had at least one radar contact besides what we picked up when you arrived, and a possible second one, but it was hard to tell with it obscured by the island the way it was. So as far as we have confirmed, at most two vessels are already nearby, and one is heading this way, if you wish to investigate, my vessel can keep them distracted as a friendly force without risking violence, and giving away your presence in the area, they do know that my ship is here, so it will not be alarming to them, and the Crown Jewel is more than capable of handling herself against a single ship, especially a post collapse one, this is a pre collapse vessel after all."

He still kept his eyes on the Hyrukian king, his emotionless expression unchanging as he read the kings body language and facial expressions, careful to not let anything through that he did not want to get through. It was a dangerous situation, and he needed to be well and truly on alert.