Zara stared at the pile of cores that had been dumped on the table before her. She tensed as her hand reached out and prepared to grab one. Withdrawing, she stared up at the group standing before her. Derrin watched all of this with a detached expression. She turned away and ran a hand through her hair.
"If what you suspect to be true is true, then we are in a very bad position."
"I just don't see how this could be possible," Silas interjected, his voice shaking with more than just rage. "Humans working with those damn robots! No fucking way! No damn chance! No one would do that! Not after the last war and everything that happened."
"Times have changed, Silas. You know this as well as I. Besides, after everything you have seen, can we discount it as a possibility?"
Silas fell silent at that. Whether Derrin's theory turned out to be correct or not, they couldn't discount it out of hand. They didn't have any information about the Pirate King's backers until this moment. This was their first and only lead.
That didn't make the situation better. In fact, it made it worse. For humans to be working with the robots…
Silas was right. It was a truly incredulous prospect and still the only potential one.
"If this is the case, then the fleet needs to be notified immediately," Zara continued, "I don't know how, but we need to find a way."
One of the soldiers stepped forward, "There is probably still the hidden beacon within the cave system. I doubt the pirates have discovered it. If it is there, then we have our way."
"It's too dangerous," another said. "After what we saw today, do you really want to storm the caverns when there are likely hundreds of pirates lurking by now? Not to mention they now have these…"
Zara raised her hand for silence, "All of this needs to be figured out and soon. However, for now, you all need rest. I wish to see them before you bury them. Let me know when you are ready."
"Of course," Silas saluted.
"Go."
The soldiers all filed their way out of the room. Derrin remained at his place in the corner, watching them go. They had lost men today, and that was certainly going to hurt their morale despite the victory. Zara understood this just as much as he did.
"You know, Derrin, I never expected to lose anyone when I was assigned to this fort. It was supposed to be temporary after all. And yet, here I am. Countless of my men dead, and more seem to die by the day."
"That seems to be both our jobs."
She sighed, "Yes, it does. You told me about what you worked on before this. Does this seem like something Gearborn would do? Would they make a deal with people? I don't know them as well as you do."
Derrin sat in a chair opposite her, "Honestly, I don't know. I was never one of the decision makers. I just swung a blade. That being said, there is definitely a possibility. We have seen a shift in how the Gearborn conduct their affairs ever since the war. They have become less prone to open combat and far more willing to sneak around and stab you in the back."
"I was worried you would say that…I didn't tell them this, but you heard the situation out there. That blasted pirate said his buyer is on the way. If that's true, well, if everything we have put together so far is true. Then…"
"Then the gearborn might be coming here."
"Yes."
"Without a way to contact the Fallen Isles, we've got no knowledge of the outside world. We don't know anything about the rest of Valencia or the fleet. Perhaps their mission was a success, but if it wasn't…we could very well be the only ones left."
Derrin eyed her for a long moment, "You know that's not true. Even if the fleet were to somehow lose, Valencia wouldn't be lost. There are plenty of other ships that would all know about it. We're the only ones that don't."
"Yeah," She pulled her fingers through her hair again, "I just don't know what to do. Our resources are so limited, and the pirates are only consolidating theirs. Without a way to send out the beacon, we don't even have the chance to call for reinforcements."
"That isn't even mentioning the biggest problem that we have…" Zara trailed off, clearly realizing that she had said too much.
"It's the acceptance point, isn't it?"
She glanced at him, but didn't reply.
Derin nodded, confirming his suspicion, "It's fine, you don't have to answer. But it makes sense. That's why you are so concerned about the pirates holding the location. With it in their power, they could be doing anything down there. Without that point, there is no way for anyone else to get in contact with the heart of Valencia and begin their trial."
Zara sighed, "How long have you known?"
"I figured it out when the pirate king mentioned a chamber. There was nothing else that Valencia would be trying so hard to guard on such a small island."
"Don't tell anyone else or…"
"Please, don't even give me that threat. I know it's the typical military crap. Don't tell anyone, or we'll have to kill you. I know how important it is to keep it safe, I'm military too, remember."
Despite the situation, Zara laughed, "Yes. I know Derrin. I'm just not used to…well, you know, the fact that I'm working hand in hand with a Montrelan. It's not that I have a problem with that, but every sea has its secrets that they want to keep, you know, a secret."
"Speaking of which, why are you so open to that in the first place? Being being Montrelan, I mean."
"I went to the academy, you know. I don't care about where you're from."
He snorted, "You and I both know that the academy means nothing. Nearly everyone who goes in and comes out is still a brat."
"That's high coming from someone who never attended," She jabbed, "But you're right. If you really want to know, it's because of my parents. My mom isn't Valencian, while my dad most certainly is. So I'm more open to that sort of thing."
Derrin considered that for a moment. Her hair color definitely didn't fit in Valencia, but neither was it native to any of the other major seas. It didn't really matter at the moment.
"How's Red?"
Zara raised an eyebrow," Do you have to ask? He has yet to leave the room he's claimed since you left. I only went there once before he kicked me out."
"You control the fort, how could he kick you out?" Derrin paused, "Okay, I guess I can see how that would be possible."
"Vizim's been forcing him to hang out with the other sailors. They've been eating dinner together, so there's at least some progress there. I think, given time, he'll be back to normal."
"I'm glad. You seem to be better at giving advice than I am."
"I wouldn't say that too quickly."
"Why is that?"
"You're giving me advice right now."
He couldn't help but chuckle.