The North PacificBoard

The city ship Hasuyu maru glides through the azure ocean, it huge prow battering its way through the tossing waves. Alongside it moves the rest of the chairtyan convoy, lined up into a neat formation. The huge white command ship, Blood and Money, moves along behind them, its sensor arrays lining the bridge like a thick alpine forest.

Inside the ship, Kiosha Arasanji watches the maps with despondency. Two months on the ocean without refueling, and no funds to resupply the ship anytime soon. Any sort of last ditch attempt to get the ship to port would be unlikely, unless they could reach another allied state in time. This wasn't merely an issue with the Hasuyu, the reserve fuel tankers were depleted, as well. At this point, they had enough fuel for another hundred kilometers or so, before towing would become a necessity.

"Madam. Incoming transmission from Lady Araika. Shall we put her through?" The communication officer's sudden request snaps her out of her gloom, and she looks up with a gleam in her eye.

"Yes, of course. Put her up on the big screen if you don't mind."

The man flips a few switches, and after the brief chatter of keys on a keyboard, the task is done. The face of the ruler of this nation fleet appears on a projector screen near the back of the bridge. A woman with a sly smile and dark red hair, a wolfish grin on her thin face, coupled with an aura that nearly exudes charisma and power. Two long fox ears adorn her head, and her eyes shine with an unrestrained fire.

"Hello Hasuyu and officers. I've heard that we're in a minor dilemma. At this point we lack both the funds and resources to reach our planned future port. That leaves us with two options. Either we can find a new port, the nearest of which is Sarkis, or we can commence covert raids on merchant ships. Neither of these is appealing, as we have no guarantee of free passage into Sarkis, and raiding places our fleets at jeopardy." The woman pauses there, letting the words sink in.

She resumes after a second with the same wolfish smile upon her face. "Nevertheless! We shall continue to Sarkis. If they levy upon us fines, I have a card to play. Once we reach harbor, we can begin trading to try to obtain the capital for the necessary fuel oil."

"Understood." Kiosha bows, as the transmission flickers off. Turning to her crew, she lets out a small sigh. To no one in particular, she asks; "Think it'll work?"

"It's worked until now, hasn't it?" The navigation officer remarks, as the ship begins to bank onto its new course. There is no reply, Kiosha sinking down into her command chair with a small sigh. "Transmit to the ship a broadcast, inform them of our new destination. Let's see how this plays out."