Regarding the Pirate Incursion of SA 31

[Moo_bot 775]

ZHANSHI REGIMENT

ARMY COMMAND WING

YONG PING

 

“Honour and Service”

 

 

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Authored: Auxiliary Tianrui Ren

 

We of Yong Ping last year received an ultimatum from a Captain Ha-Jun of the Black Pit Fleet. Demands were made of the Jade State’s surrender, all our resources, and a force of twenty workers on threat of our destruction. They gave a Dragon’s Day to consider, however Yong Ping does not negotiate with terrorists.

 

An attack was launched in the dead of night, lamps snuffed in hopes of an unnoticed approach. Below deck stowed enough munitions and Dragon’s Fire pots to level a small fort. The JSS Límíng and crew made their approach on the pirate flagship. There was one error which would tip the battle against our smaller target with concentrated firepower. When we had thought to approach, the ship navigated to their port rather than aft. Placing us within direct range of broadside. 

 

Shots were loosed, and our presence made known. The battle was long and hard fought, a small group harassing their starboard to lessen attention on our artillery corvette. Dragon’s Fire launched into their decks and hull spread, tongues of green flame engulfing those sent to extinguish them. Blows traded through the night saw their galleon battered, and crew thinned. This was unfortunately in vain as eventually shot after shot into our hull could no longer be sustained and repaired. Lifeboats were deployed to evacuate the Límíng, charred bodies dumped from the pirate vessel bobbing beside us now. From the ferrum chain and bindings, it looks as if slaves were sent to deal with the fires we set. This was something to be considered another time as fire caught to the Límíng, her stores of munition still plentiful. Most of the lifeboats were thankfully out of range as she exploded, the final death of her spirit felt in my bones as the machine erupted into a massive verdant fireball. Shrapnel of wood, metal, and glass covered our return to shore. The green fires burned well into the dawn next day. Her machine spirit shall be remembered, and her loss learnt from.

 

We got naught a day of rest as the next day a volley struck the South Sea Dragon Gates, beheading one statue and demolishing the other. The next shots destroying the top floor of the Tianrui Teahouse. A rally is swiftly called to the Long Keep, the YPA returning fire from the ballista. A few shots land on the assaulting vessel before the pirates destroy the ballista, and put a hole through the floor of her tower. Rotations are made to man the scorpio, a call for reinforcements sent before they decide to start using more than three cannons. Reinforcements do arrive from Haense and Tsutenkaku, however by the time they do a parlay must be called. Both sides have sustained damage enough and need time to recuperate. I am able to negotiate two Dragon’s Days of ceasefire to meet demands in exchange for four barrels of plum wine and Tsutenkaku brews. One of which containing an Ishiguntai samurai infiltrator.

 

The two Dragon’s Days are in truth more an effect to prepare for a final counter assault. Reinforcements are gathered to briefing to discuss the plan. It is clarified we believe there are slaves aboard the flagship, and we wish to free them. Our infiltrator is stowed aboard with knives to arm the slaves and wreak discord on the ship. Once the crew is sufficiently distracted, a YPA patrol corvette navigates to their aft and punches a hole to exfiltrate our people and as many slaves as possible. Once this is done, the killing blow may be made. Kalruk’Gorkil offers as well to pose as an orc slaver to sell disguised allies to the pirates, further allowing our forces to disable the ship from within. This is confirmed between myself and Duhu Ryu, and volunteers step forward for the task. The task ahead shall have little allowance for deviation. May the Ancestors smile upon us.

 

“No mud, no lotus.”

-House Tianrui motto