The sloops had halved the distance between them. In that amount of time Bobby had established communication with Georg's ship, delivering her message. All of the Ular had made their way onto the deck. Five were lined up on either side, each one checking their weapon to ensure it was fully ready for the upcoming confrontation.

Kitty was standing on the rear deck, watching the approaching ships. Tedaji stood just behind her to her left, his own railgun at the ready. Captain Wickley was barking orders to his crew. The gunners were already below deck at the plasma cannons, ensuring each one was powered up, charged, and ready to fire when the command was given.

Bobby came running up to Kitty's side. "Kitty! Would you like for a munition that dissolves sailcloth?"

Kitty tore her gaze away from the ships to look at her personal assistant, "You can do that?"

"Yes."

"How many rounds?"

Bobby looked at the oncoming ships, calculating their speed and how much time he would have before the ships caught up with them, "I could get a dozen, but they would eat all non-living organic material. They would be limited duration so they wouldn't eat everything."

Kitty looked at the Ular for a few seconds, then refocused on Bobby, "Get me six. Do with them what you can. Hand one to each outside Ular and the middle ones. Make sure you let them know how extremely important it is that they hit their target. Then send a message to Georg to let him know to not touch anything until you give the all clear. I don't want him accidentally getting part of his boat consumed."

Bobby nodded and dashed off to carry out her orders She watched him for a few seconds, then turned back to watch the oncoming ships.

By the time he had finished, the sloops were close enough to see clearly without a spyglass. Kitty kept her eyes to their masts, waiting for the unfurling of their flags. She didn't have to wait long.

As she expected, black flags with the skull and crossbones were soon flying from both of the ships. Wickley looked at her in silence, but she shook her head at him. Not yet. She wanted to wait to show their flag until the very last second.

Soon the sloops were veering to come up on either side of the ship. As they approached, clearly planning to board, she hopped down off the higher deck to the main deck, "Now, Wickley!"

"Aye, Boss!" Any other ship Captain would be annoyed at the way Kitty was giving orders, but he knew she was far better tactician and fighter. He turned and blew his whistle to the crewman up in the sails. Soon their own Jolly Roger was unfurled. However, this one had skull with cat eyes and two crossed guns.

"CANNONS! FIRE AS SOON AS YOU HAVE TARGET LOCK!" Kitty bellowed down into the ship through the grating that covered the hatch. She then immediately whipped herself sideways as a cannonball whizzed by her head. The pirates had fired their first shot. Thankfully Kitty had the foresight to have her ship blessed by Chryrie before they left port. Nothing too terribly wondrous. Just something to throw off the aim of the enemy. However, not hitting the ship meant they almost hit her!

She turned and sneered toward the pirate ship that had fired, "ULAR! TAKE YOUR TARGET AND OPEN FIRE!"

As the Ular lifted their weapons to take aim at the sails of the ships, the whine of plasma cannons could distinctly be heard before they began to fire.

Kitty glanced toward Georg's ship, seeing it coming about to finish off the ships. However, she only got a quick look before she saw pirates trying to swing their way onto the decking of her own ship. Her teeth bared in a grinning growl as her blades extended from her bracers.

The smell of burning wood and smoke filled the air as the plasma rounds hit their targets. Within seconds both sloops were missing almost entirely one side. Gunfire roared around her as the Ular unloaded on their targets. The munitions Bobby created were quickly doing their job. Sails were being devoured by nanites, along with the rigging and masts. As chunks of sail fell to the ship decking, the nanites were spreading to eat holes in the wood as well.

Filthy beasts of men landed on the deck, only to find themselves immediately locked in battle. Most of the Ular had shouldered their guns and pulled out torsion swords, quickly dropping any boarding with a quick slash to their legs. The pirates were no match for the giant bears.

Tedaji guarded Kitty's back as she walked along the deck, slashing any that came at her swinging. She only needed a few to question. The rest were disposable.

A sharp pain bloomed along Kitty's thigh. She looked down to see blood seeping out of a fresh and very large bullet wound. She then lifted her gaze to find the source.

A man wearing a tricorn hat was still aiming his smoking flintlock pistol at her. The only man wearing a hat. Kitty narrowed her eyes as she came to the conclusion that he must be the Captain of the pirates. He was grinning at first. He was certain he downed the one in charge. However, that grin turned to a look of confusion as she took off running toward the man. Then fear, as he started to pull his second gun from where he had it tucked in his belt.

He was just starting to aim the gun at her when he felt the gun ripped from his fingers by an unseen force. Seconds later he watched helplessly as she grabbed that still extended arm and flung him up into the air, only to slam him back down on the deck so hard it made the wood groan in protest.

When she looked back up, both of the sloops had fallen behind and were being finished off by Georg. She grinned, then looked back to the man who was groaning in pain.

"Mercy, lass!" He begged. He had expected an easy target, but now both of his ships were all but completely destroyed. His men were badly overpowered. He knew when he had been defeated.

Kitty eyed the pirate captain for a moment, then she lifted one booted foot and slammed it down on his knee, breaking the bones and who knew what else. He screamed out in pain and tried to curl up away from her assault. Her clawed fingers reached down to pluck that hat from his head and drag him upwards by his hair. Her voice was a hissing whisper in his ear, "No quarter shall be given."

Kitty was adjusting the cutlass that was tucked into her belt, and fastening one of the buttons of her long coat as she headed down the boarding plank toward the pier. The leather tri-cornered hat she absconded with from the pirate captain was on her head, after being disinfected by Bobby. She had taken on her fully moredhel form, as this was the way she'd draw the least amount of attention. Her tail was missing, her claws retracted back into black nails, and her normally golden eyes were now a gray so dark they looked black. Directly behind her was Commander Murshk and Bobby. Murshk reluctantly left his railgun behind, but she agreed to let him keep his torsion sword. He felt naked without his gun, but Kitty assured him if a gun was needed, he wouldn't need to worry. He wasn't sure what she meant by that, but he had learned to trust the female. Georg was waiting for her at the bottom of the ramp. His own ship had docked just moments before hers, but he was obviously faster at getting ready to leave his ship. Of course, he had a lot more experience than Kitty did on these matters. Once Kitty reached the bottom of the ramp, she stopped and grinned at Georg, "Hello Captain. Regretting agreeing to come with me yet?" "I regretted it the second we left Rhydin. And pirate life looks good on you." He smirked back at her, then turned so they could walk down the pier toward land. "Everything looks good on me, even your regret. So what cargo of mine did you find?" She easily fell into step with the pirate she called friend. "A couple of crates. One appears to contain....toys. The other has machinery parts of some sort." "Ah. Engine parts most likely. I'll definitely need those back, unless you're trying to build a car on that ship of yours." Kitty nodded with a grin. Her gaze moved from her friend to their surroundings as they headed toward the Spotted Porpoise Inn where most of those who came to port in Hornswaggle Reef spent their ill-gotten gains on ale and whores. "No. I'll have the crew move both crates to your ship." "What' Your crew wouldn't enjoy a shipment of blowup dolls and assorted fun things?" "Not really. They wouldn't last that long." Kitty let out a laugh and shook her head, "Very well then. Did you get enough other things to make up for it?" "They'll do." She grinned and then looked to the two behind them, "Alright guys. You're here to make sure if anything goes bad, we'll be the only ones left standing. But we're not looking for a fight. Understood?" "Understood, Kitty." Bobby nodded. Murshk grunted his agreement. "Good." She then pushed the door open and walked into building with long lazy strides. The other three filed in behind her. She didn't get far before the Innkeeper spotted her. "Well by I live and breathe! Kitty Onyxfire! Lass! Ye be alive!" The large man barreled out from behind the bar and charged toward the woman. "Balder Pickering, you old goat." She smiled and easily met the larger man for a warm hug. Balder was a former mercenary himself, but his speciality was brute force. Standing at more than six and a half feet with broad shoulders, he was an intimidating sight. One would think the hair that had once been on his bald head had migrated south with his bushy eyebrows, equally bushy mustache, and massive beard. It was when he felt he grew too old to keep up with the lifestyle that he took up tending bar at one of the seediest places on the planet. He squeezed her tightly and then took a step back to smile at her. He was missing a couple more teeth, but that smile was all joy at seeing her. The scars of years of working by the blade were more noticeable on his face and arms now. Each one around his eyes and mouth indenting just a bit more when he gave her that large smile. He put a meathook hand to the small of her back and ushered her gently toward the bar, "Lass, ye been gone fer too long! Where ye been" Come! Let me get ye and yer friends a drink and somethin" to eat." "That sounds grand, Balder. I've been busy in Rhydin." She blatantly ignored the stares she was getting from the other patrons, including the three who came in with her. Georg quirked an eyebrow at the exchange, but he quietly made his own way to the bar and took a seat. Murshk didn't trust any of the seats to hold him, so he found a corner to take up a lean. Bobby, however, was right on Kitty's heels. "Aye, Rhydin is a busy place. When I hadn't seen ye in so long, I thought ye got pinched by the law." Balder went back behind the bar and quickly poured out an ale for her and set it on the old wooden surface. "Not exactly." She hadn't been to the Reef since before she became Rhydin's first Governor, but she wasn't about to explain all the changes that had happened in those years. She reached to grab the tankard of ale while smiling at Balder, "But right now I'm looking for information." "Aye lass" What ye be wishin" to know about?" Balder looked at her from beneath bushy eyebrows as he set up ales for Georg, Murshk, and Bobby. Georg accepted his with a silent nod. Murshk took his as well, but didn't seem in any hurry to drink. Bobby looked at the tankard as he took a seat next to Kitty, but didn't pick it up just yet. "I'm trying to find out what happened to a ship called the Sargas Revenge. It has something that belongs to me. I have reason to believe it had a skirmish with a ship called The Howling Knave." It was then that Kitty took a slow glance around to see if there were any reactions to her words. "Ha!" A brief bark of laughter came from one of the men who was sitting further down the bar. His muttering into his tankard was muffled, but Kitty heard enough, "Stupid cow got what he deserved." Kitty looked at the man, then looked to Balder. The large innkeep looked to the man as well, then back to Kitty before shrugging. He made a vague gesture with his hand, indicating she would get no interference from him. Balder didn't like fights in his bar, but he couldn't bring himself to stop Kitty from getting what she wanted. She grinned at her old friend as she slid from her seat, taking her ale tankard with her. The man who had spoken watched Kitty's approach around another swallow of ale. When she slid up next to him, he couldn't help but lower his gaze to her most noticeable assets. Of course she saw this and leaned forward just slightly to give him a better view, "So, what can you tell me about it?" "Aye, we sunk de ship. Could hear dat cow mooing fer a mile." He spoke proudly, but his eyes never once left Kitty's chest. It took everything Kitty had to maintain the close proximity. He reeked of cheap ale, bad breath, and body odor. Her overly sensitive nose wished nothing more than to climb up inside her face. But she had a job to do, so she forged on. One of her fingertips reached up to undo the top button of her vest, ensuring she had him completely focused on that part of her body instead of what he was revealing. "Sounds exciting. You should tell me where I can find your captain so I can thank him properly." "Errrr. He be on da ship. I can take ya to him." The man licked his lips as he continued to stare. She smirked and then looked over her shoulder to Bobby and Murshk, "I'll see you boys on the ship. I'll be back in a few hours at most." Murshk said nothing, but the look in his eyes indicated he didn't approve of this. Bobby started to say something to object, but then his eyes lowered to where Kitty's hand was subtly twitching behind her back. Mia had programmed the drow sign language into his memory banks, but it only just now began to dawn on him why. He then nodded and gave Kitty a smile, "Sure thing, Boss!" She winked at Bobby, then looked back to the man who was still having a staring contest with her breasts. She took a deep breath through her mouth as she set coins on the bar for Balder to cover the drinks of her and her friends. She then reached out to tap the man's nose with a finger, "C"mon then. Take me to him. I haven't got all week." "Eh' Oh, aye. Right.? The man slid off his stool and grabbed Kitty by the wrist. She fought down the urge to yank her hand away and put on her best ditzy smile as she allowed the man to lead her out. Bobby watched Kitty leave with the man. Slowly he walked to the window to watch them as far as he could before they were out of his immediate line of sight. Then he motioned to Murshk to follow him as he too walked out. Commander Murshk grunted, but he pushed from his lean to follow the strange man while setting down his still untouched ale. Working for Kitty was many things, but it was never boring.

"Now lass, you know that ship has been swimming in Davy Jones's locker for at least a year. There can't be much worth finding." Captain Newberry closed the door to his quarters behind them and locked it with a turn of a key that he promptly stuffed into his pocket. "Oh, don't you worry about that, Captain. I have my ways of seeking what I find." Kitty got a sly smile as she walked to the map he had on the wall and tilted her head, "But I bet the battle was exciting. " Newberry had already shed his coat and vest by the time he came up behind Kitty. He slid one arm around her waist and pressed his weight against her back as his other hand reached around to point at the map, "Aye. Right there I had my fight with that bleeding minotaur." Kitty kept her eyes on the map, memorizing the spot he pointed to while suffering through the man's pawing. Newberry crammed his face into her neck and inhaled her scent as his hands explored her curves. His voice was a lust filled murmur against her throat, "It was a glorious battle, worthy of son-nnnnnnggggkkkk!" Seven inches of enchanted steel went up through the underside of his chin and into his brain with a quick snaps of Kitty's wrist. Her eyes closed as she felt the man convulse and die on her blade, "I promised you wouldn't regret it. I didn't say anything about you living long enough to do it." Back on the boardwalk, Bobby and Murshk looked like they were discussing a shady deal with each other. Both had their heads bowed down as an occasional murmur or growl was exchanged. Bobby's camera had zoomed out to watch the activity of the entire ship. Nothing seemed unusual, so all they could do was wait. Murshk found himself growing impatient while waiting for Kitty to resurface. He also found himself strangely concerned on whether or not she was unharmed. Not just because she was the one paying them. She had made arrangements to ensure they would get paid whether she returned with them or not. Reliable comrades were a rare occurrence in his line of work. "Aw hell. We gotta go. She just threw the guy's severed head on the deck." Bobby started for the pier at a run. Murshk growled and followed after. That settled it. She was extremely insane. ~*-*~ Captain Swinford Newberry's head rolled along the deck. It took only seconds before the news was spread over the ship via cries, "The Captain! She killed the Captain!" It was only a few more seconds before Kitty was surrounded by very angry pirates. She didn't look particularly concerned as she stood in the middle of the main deck. Newberry's coat was draped over one of her arms. His hat dangled from the hand of the same arm. Once the commotion had stalled, she looked up and gave a cold smile to the circle around her, "Hello, boys." Bobby ran down the length of the pier with Murshk hot on his heels. Just as he was turning to step foot on the boarding plank of The Howling Knave, two men came flying off the ship, skidded across the pier, and slid right into the water. Their yells were heard right up until they disappeared with a splash. Both Bobby and Murshk stopped to watch the path of the men until all they could see was ripples in the water. The two exchanged looks. Murshk rumbled low, "You first." Bobby shrugged and then proceeded up the boarding plank in a slow careful walk. He still had the camera on the rooftop and was using it to see a better view of the deck. His slow walk wasn't out of fear, but not wanting to startle Kitty while she was clearly in a rage. Murshk didn't have that extra viewpoint, but his height allowed him to see what was happening on the deck soon enough. The pirates were scattered about, most of them laid out flat with a glassy look to their eyes. They were breathing, but they seemed to be in some sort of daze. Kitty was standing in the middle of the deck, completely still. She looked unharmed, which was good. He took another step toward the ship, but then he heard something that made him stop. Whispers. Thousands of whispers crawling along the back of his mind. He lifted one giant hand and rubbed at one of his eyes. Bobby paused and looked over his shoulder at Murshk, "Are you alright?" Murshk grunted and began to descend the plank backwards to get away from the sounds. He knew magic of some sort was involved and wanted nothing to do with it. "Murshk?" "Something inside my head. Whispers." "Oh. Kitty is a psion. She must be really pissed." Bobby looked back to the ship and continued his upward path. Being a machine, he was unaffected by her abilities. However, he wasn't inclined to test just how immune he was at the moment. Once he reached the top of the plank, he stopped to watch his boss. She still wasn't moving. Her head was bowed slightly and she appeared to be staring at the disembodied head of Newberry. The pirates started to get to their feet. Bobby tensed, preparing to jump in to help. However, none of the pirates picked up their weapons. Each one stood, leaving their weapons where they had fallen, and walked to surround Kitty once more. Then one by one they all lowered themselves down on bended knee, murmuring only one word. "Captain." Kitty looked at them all, then she slowly put the overly fancy long coat on. Her own had been left below deck as it was drenched in Newberry's blood. The cavalier's hat replaced the tri-corner hat upon her head. She then smiled to Bobby, "Tell Murshk it's safe to come up. This ship belongs to me now."