The glow on the distant horizon was the only point that showed their approach. It was the distant light of the warp gate. It was the connection point between Gearborn's homesea and Valencia. This was also the Gearborn's plan of retreat and their method of escape.
As the remainder of their fleet drew near, Ayjax enhanced his vision. His powers didn't directly impact his sight, but he had enough layers that it didn't really matter. His mist exited his heart and flowed to his eyes. He enhanced them twice and then even more. The line of sight narrowed as he stared into the distance.
Over the miles of open waves, he could finally see them.
The enemy.
The gearborn.
Their dark ships roared across the teal seas. The dark masts glistened like a curse on the cool waves. They were still too far out to make out any details, but one thing was certain. They were headed for the warp gate. They were attempting to flee and return to their sea.
Ayjax's eyes narrowed. It was hard to tell from the distance so far off. Were they closer to the gate or were the gearborn? He doubted that they'd all make it through before they arrived. The helm grunted beneath his iron grip. How badly he wanted to shred those robots and tear their ships from the sea.
Their fleet had been reduced by nearly a third. The numerical advantage they had previously possessed was now gone. Worse yet, their artillery would be vastly insignificant to properly deal with this many gearborn ships. He was to be the key player in this battle.
Him and Captain Finn.
They needed to break the robots' formation before they were able to begin hounding their fleet. It was a dangerous task and a potentially deadly one.
It had been many years since he had engaged the gearborn in true combat. He knew this wouldn't be the last either. No matter their success during the coming battle, he would live.
It was nearly impossible to kill someone of his rank. The only ones of the Gearborn who could do it were the Heralds and their masters. That didn't mean he couldn't be killed by a cannon or other major explosion. However, those were far easier to prevent and survive. Facing a being of equal or superior strength, that was where the real risk was.
"The gearborn are set to arrive a few minutes before we do," Torrent cut into his contemplation.
"Is that the Cormac's estimate?"
"It is."
Ayjax was unsure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Only time would tell. It took time to enter the warp gate, and the Gearborn's fleet wouldn't all manage it before they arrived. Perhaps a few ships would flee, but the rest would be stuck in combat.
If the Gearborn fought strategically, they would not retreat at all and instead prepare for their arrival. They would have to see the human fleet's approach, but Ayjax knew they had already noticed. The gearborn were not fools, no matter what Finn tried to say. They were smart and calculating just as much as people were, perhaps even more so. They didn't care about their soldiers' deaths after all.
"Finn is asking for a private connection."
Ayjax nodded, "Send him through."
There was a faint humming, and then the background chatter vanished.
Finn's voice reverberated in his mind, "The lighter vessels will prepare for boarding as soon as possible. I need you to do the same."
"Fine. What of you?"
"I have already begun preparations. I will handle the Herald's vessel unless he flees like the coward he is."
Ayjax grimaced. He doubted they would be lucky enough for the Herald to flee. He would face them in battle, Ayjax was certain of it. Perhaps the Herald would run eventually, but not before he engaged them in combat at least once.
It didn't matter.
All they could do was prepare.
"Very well. I will engage on your command."
"Good."
With that, Finn was gone, back to leading the fleet, no doubt.
His vision refocused on the growing Gearborn fleet. He could now make out their vessels in the distance. It was hard to tell if they had stopped or not. They would know soon enough.
Ayjax narrowed his eyes as he studied the distant fleet. There were just 11 ships. The reports had said 12 in total. There was one missing. Ayjax tried to think of any possibilities. Perhaps it had gone ahead and already fled through the warp gate. But that made little sense.
The next possibility was for it to be lying in ambush. However, in open seas such as this, there was nowhere to hide. Even if the ship went back to face their slower vessels, it wouldn't be a problem. One ship against numerous, including the greatest Valencian cruiser, was a death sentence. So where was the damn ship?
Ayjax shook his head. There was no time for contemplation. It didn't matter where the ship was. There were 11 of them right in front of him. That was enough for one day. He needed to be ready.
He had to be ready.
"The Cormac is retreating beyond the warp gate. They are hoping to rendezvous with the rest of the fleet when we engage."
Ayjax didn't respond. He didn't need to for Torrent to understand his feelings. They were one and the same after all. Just as he could feel Torrent's tension about the upcoming danger, Torrent could feel his excitement about the prospect of sinking a few tin can vessels.
The gearborn ships grew ever closer, and Ayjax could finally make out their positioning. All 11 of the vessels had arrayed themselves in a battle formation facing the Valencian fleet. It seemed they had no intention of fleeing anymore. That was good. They needed to pay for their crimes.
"Torrent, take the wheel. I need to be prepared."
"Be careful."
"I'm always careful."
"I would like to respond, but it will only encourage you further. So, good luck!"
Ayjax could feel the annoyance from Torrent and strode to the main deck. The deck was filled with soldiers now. They all stood watching the gearborn fleet, mentally preparing themselves for battle. Ayjax had never been one for speeches. That was the job of politicians or commanders. Despite the day, he was neither.
Instead, he simply clapped his hands. The echo resounded across the deck, causing all heads to turn towards him. As they did, Ayjax threw his gaze across each man on the deck. In doing so, he began marking them. Each person he marked would gain a boost simply by feeling his presence. It was a power he seldom used nowadays, but the day called for it.
With all the soldiers staring at him, Ayjax raised his fist and cried loud enough for the entire collection to hear, "Let's kill some damn tin cans!"
The deck shook with the resounding roar of the soldiers.