Red light.

 

Alright, Aenorus, think. Think! If you don't make this work then the ship...

​

No. Fear/panic produces fluids that prevent focused brain activity. Or, as father would say, fear is a bad councilor. So, focus!

​

Darkness.

​

The alarm lights change status every 2,26 seconds. I can't work with my hands during that time but I can calculate. Symptoms include power loss at the back up generator which indicates a 76,5% chance of energy crystal failure...

​

"Garlos, crystal...

​

Red light.

​

...status report!"

​

...a 15,8% chance of back up reactor's core malfunction...

​

"Manethus, check the reactor's core temperature and arcane emissions!"

​

Darkness.

​

...a 6,3% chance of Light Accelerator overload (Patience Aenorus...) and 1,4% chance of Various Other Causes, including cable cuts, loose screws, sabotage, personnel error and the list goes on.

​

Red light.

​

Practically running, he rushed to the Light Accelerator's Overview holo and started to read the numbers.

​

"Crystal's report clear, Chief" he heard Garlos scream over the alarm. He nodded to himself and continued to estimate what the numbers on the holo ment. Darkness fell only to be dispelled by the alarm's light exactly 2,26 seconds later. The numbers checked out.

​

"Manethus, I need those readings!"

​

"Emissions are clear, Chief. Temperature within normal but rising. Fast".

​

To be expected. With the power loss, the coolers won't be functioning. But if the emissions are clear then...

​

Darkness.

 

...the problem is elsewhere. This was just another side-effect and it wasn't good news. The problem could be almost anywhere.

​

"Alright, let's do another full system's check. We might have skipped something".

​

Red light.

 

Reports and numbers were mingled with the alarm's screaming as light and darkness changed rule over the room. Nothing made sense. They knew the main dimensional engines had been sabotaged but no blood elf had managed to reach the emergency generator floor. Still, they had checked every probable angle, again and again but nothing came out wrong. Every probable. Light, he hated statistics...

​

"Check the power cables".

​

"Chief?"

​

"Merbius Law of Improbable Statistics. The generator is working fine. The main system just doesn't receive the power".

​

"Finding a cable fault could take hours, Chief!"

​

"ATTENTION ALL DECKS. PREPARE FOR CRUSH LANDING".

​

The team stared at each other but only for a moment. The next, they were all on their feet, rushing to different posts. Garlos screamed at the main system's room to check for cable faults. Manethus rushed to the reactor and inspected the cables, inch by inch. Aenorus entered an air duck and started crawling, following the cables into the ship's walls. His size didn't help but he was closer to the entrance and every moment counted. Cursing Light, demons, gods, blood elves and everything else he could think of, he pushed through with haste, his elbows and knees soon bleeding from the effort. He never thought that the life of a mechanic was a luxurious one but this was pushing it, he thought and allowed himself to laugh a little.

 

And then he saw it. A sparkle in the dark, throwing blue and yellow light around in what Aenorus found to be a taunting way. He cursed at it in a way that only ship mechanics know and rushed towards it.

​

It was a simple problem to fix. He just had to use a suittable conductor to reconnect the cut and that would be it. There were three problems, however: 1. The generator was operational and had a risen temperature already. Suddenly forcing it to power the ship's engines had an estimated 35% chance of causing overload, massive failure and explosion. 2. Even with his gloves on, the amount of power indicated that there was a 60-70% chance of the power frying him on the spot. Leather wasn't a foolproof material for the mystic power of Light Energy. 3. If he told the others to close the generator and restart it when the damage was fixed, it would take about 35 seconds to generate enough power for the engines to work on full reserve.

​

"BRACE. BRACE. BRACE. IMPACT ON 30...29...28..."

​

He hated statistics.

​

There was a clash of light and a deep humm that echoed through the ship like thunder. Sounds of metal streching covered the screams of panic and the alarm. Things started falling all over the ship as the engine tried to at least slow down the fall. But Aenorus didn't notice any of that. He had to keep the link between the torn cables and his hand was pressed firmly on the cable. He saw with horror the glove to slowly melt away and then felt every muscle in his body fall in spasms as power surged through them. He felt his heart accelerating and beating harder by the milisecond. And then, he felt pain on the back of his head as his legs, disobeying his sense of duty and will to sacrifice, pushed him away from the cable and threw him to the side wall. There was a light and screams rising between the sound of an explosion that shaked the ship. He felt air rushing in and sweeping him away. Semi-conscious, he fell and with blurred eyes watched the huge bulk of the Exodar diving towards a small island in the horizon. There were more explosions and parts of the ship were falling behind, detached from the main body. Crystals glittered in the sun, like millions of stars all falling at once.

​

There was a red flash of pain as he hit what felt like cold, smooth stone. He went through it but didn't have time to feel himself getting wet.

​

Darkness...

​

​

*******************************

​

​

...a 25 degrees adjustement to the crystal will increase efficiency by 8% if core temperature does not exceed 115... The link is broken, and I must fix it... Increasing the Dimensional Balancer's power to 150% will cause instability to the Power crystals, causing a 65% chance of power failure... Red... Dark...Oh, Light, it's too late... . Hold on to the cable. The cable can maintain a power surge of up 4.000 Light Energy Fundaments..."

​

The two men looked at the huge creature, curiosity overwhelming their expressions. One of them was wearing a long and thick blue coat, while a slightly curved sword was resting at his side. A short beard and blond hair had grown over a skin that, while young, wore many wrinkles gained from hardship and gave his stern face an air of authority. The second man was of an undetermined age. His moves and stance would suggest he was at his 30s, maybe 40s but the long white beard and his rugged skin could deceive anyone to guess even 60s.

​

"That aboot all it does, Cap'n" he said to his superior. "Just sits there, mumblin' in it's strange language and rocking 'is head back and forth" he went on and then turned mystified to face the Captain. "Folks above ain't likin' it, Cap'n. Say it be a demon of the deep or a big naga wizard and that the mumblin' is a curse it be weaving..."

​

"Well, it's no naga, that's for certain" Captain Ironsail said, motioning towards the pair of hoofed legs that appeared under the blanket the creature was covering under. "And if it's a demon, then we best hold it secure until we reach shore".

​

"Ooohh, the lads won't like keepin' it aboard, Cap'n, that's for sure. We all saw the lights in the sky the other night. Bad omen, the lads say".

​

And you agree, thought the Captain as he considered his options. One didn't gain rank in the navy by sharing the superstitions of the sailors but one couldn't ignore them either. They affected the crew and what affected the crew affected the ship. But this creature intrigued him. He had seen paintings of demons and the creature bore an alarming resemblance to some of them, it was true. But it seemed scared and his gut told him that it posed no immediate threat. Besides, he'd seen such reactions before, or at least, he'd heard of them from his father. In his mind, the best course of action would be to turn back and deliver it to the elves but that was not an option. He was to be in Southshore in two weeks time and the course promised delays as it was.

​

"It is a castaway" he said finally, deciding to follow his guts "and we will treat it as such. Besides, look at the wretched thing, Drumba. It poses no threat. But keep it locked in here and serve it without fork or knife. Only spoon. Once we reach Southshore, we will contact the Argent Dawn and see what they make of it".

"Aye, aye, Cap'n, sir" replied Drumba and went on whispering to himself "but the lads won't like it..."

​

And they didn't. During the next days, every small mishap or accident or piece of bad luck became the creature's fault. A hammer would hit a finger or an apple would be found spoiled or a fish would escape the last moment from the hook and the Blue Devil was blamed. A week later, it was generally acknowledged that it was a Demon Lord of the Sea, come to lure them to the North and let the frozen mists steal their souls.

​

Ironsail didn't like this but for him it was a test of will against his crew, now. In his mind, they had to learn to obey his orders and abide to his choices with blind devotion. His first mate and officers tried to persuade him to ditch the creature in the sea but when they did, they were scolded. One only had to remember their trip to Kalimdor, he said, and see that in comparison it was worse. The same speech was given to the sailors the next day, only this time he added that it was likely that the Alliance would welcome and reward their courage and that it was essential that Command examined and questioned the creature. In the surface, things calmed down but in essence the voices had just turned to whispers and that was much worse. After a second talk with his officers, the Captain relunctantly agreed that the creature was to be thrown at sea.

​

It was in the dead of night, that the Captain got out of his cabin and went to the brig. The guard outside the door jumped into attention as he came close. From behind the bars, in the rocking light of the lantern, the creature could be seen, sleeping exhausted.

​

"Has he not moved at all, all night?" he asked the guard.

 

"The mumbling stopped about halfway through my shift, Sir" replied the guard and the whispering voice indicated that he was thankful for that. Ironsail also noticed that the sailor's reply ment he didn't even dare to look at the creature.

​

"Open the door" he said clamly.

​

"Captain?"

​

"I said, open the door, sailor!" The guard slowly turned and took out the key, with slightly shaking hands. With the sound of the lock turning, the creature jumped awake and rushed to the corner, hugging his feet like a stubborn child, his eyes widening as he looked at the Captain walking in. The door closed behind Ironsail and silence fell, broken only by the creaks of wood, as the ship rocked on gentle waves.

​

He had to admit, it looked frightening. It would be taller than the night elves if it stood, more like a tauren in built. Its skin was colored a deep blue, same as the horn-like extension of its skull, where dots and lines could be seen, like a carved tattoo. Black, raven hair fell wild over its back and its face and two blue glowing eyes could be barely seen between them. Its tail, now embracing its hoofed feet, could easily sweep a man of his feet, if used as a weapon.

​

"My men tell me you barely touch your food and never speak a word, other than your mumbling" said Ironsail trying to gain a glimpse of expression from the prisoner. Nothing came as a reply but the glimpse of its otherwordly eyes.

​

"They also tell me that you are a demon of the sea, some vengefull and malevolent spirit come to spirit us all away" he went on. "They say that I should throw you back to the sea, where we found you". Was the a twitch he noticed?

​

"Do you understand me, creature?" he said as he moved a bit closer but that only caused the huge being to move closer to the corner. The Captain was taken aback.

​

"Has he been mistreated?" he demanded to know from the guard.

​

"Noone dared touch him, sir" came the reply and then, after some thought "not that anyone thought about it". The piercing glance he received as a reply made him shift, uncomfortably. Ironsail turned to the creature again.

​

"I am not sure if you understand me, but I will speak to you anyway in the hopes that you do. My crew wants to see you thrown at sea and I am thinking of granting them that request. However, such punishment is reserved for traitors and men who endager the ship and even then, they have the right to defend themselves. So, if you do understand me and speak my language, I suggest you do so now".

​

Silence fell.

​

"Very well" Ironsail said and left.

​

The day begun early on the ship. As soon as the first rays of sun hit the sea, the crew was already at work, some cleaning, others surveying the sails, while others checked the ropes and knots. Corrections to the course were made and orders could be heard above the gentle splash of waves on the ship. Yet, it was apparent that not all hands were on deck.

​

Surrounded by four guards, with his hands tied infront of him and in the presence of all officers, the prisoner stood in the middle of the captain's cabin. Those of the crew that had not managed to throw a sneak peak at the Blue Demon, happened to casually be standing outside the door, throwing in glances whenever opportunity rose. Ironsail, sitting behind his desk, motioned for an officer to close the door and whispers of disappointment were heard when this was done.

​

"I have decided to grant my crew's request, prisoner" said Ironsail grimly. "But before the sentence is executed, I want to give you one last chance to say something for yourself".

​

The creature did not stirr. With its tail hunging low and an absentminded expression, if indeed that's what it was, it stared and the Captain's desk and did not move.

"For Light's sake, you are going to die! Say something!" Ironsail's outburst made the prisoner twitch. It looked at him with curiosity, tilting its head just a little. Then, suddenly, it motioned towards the desk, making the guards clench their weapons readily.

​

The Captain followed the creatures eyes and looked at his desk. Among the logs and books and instruments, was a Gnomish device. It looked like a simple metal box on the outside, with a small tube extending from one side. Ironsail moved his hand towards it.

​

"This?" he said, curious, while he picked it up and motioned it towards the creature. "Is this what you're looking at?" He got up, the device still in his hand and walked towards the blue giant. "It is a gift from my wife. It is supposed to do something when you speak to it but I never got the damn thing to work. I hear something moving in there, if I shake it. Truth be told, I dropped it on the first day I got it. Something I never told my wife, eh?" he added, making the people inside the room laugh nervously. The creature simply pointed at it, hesitantly. With slow moves and under the nervous eyes of the guards, the Captain gave it to the prisoner.

​

Suddenly, it was as if noone was there. Studying it, shaking it to listen and then carefully examining it close to his eyes, he ignored the captain and the guards and moved towards the desk. The guards rushed to stop him but the Captain motioned them to stand down. Once before the desk, the creature started looking around feverly, looking between the books, until finally it found what it was looking for. Throwing a map aside as if it mattered none at all, he picked a letter opener and studied it.

​

"Captain..." said the First Mate but the Captain didn't pay attention. The creature was using the letter opener as a tool, twisting it on the screws of the device. Soon, it had it open and with his big fingers he worked delicatly on the cogs and wheels and other gizmos that appeared inside the box. A minute later, and under the amazed look of everyone in the room, it closed and screwed the box again, and was now holding it infront of its face. A button was pushed as it brought the device closer to its mouth.

​

"Ah..." It said then pressed two more buttons.

​

"Ah..." was heard again. Suddenly, as if it remembered the existence of everyone else in the room, the creature turned and pressed the same two buttons again.

​

"Ah..." said the device and the creature's mouth was shut, albeit smiling widely.

​

"Mr. Surestaff" whispered the Captain.

​

"Sir?"

​

"I remember you telling me we had an issue with the anchor cogs, when we ported on Auberdine".

​

"Yes, Sir".

​

In the end, why not? Deep down, the crew had a point. Noone was supposed to do nothing on a military ship. A hand not offering is a mouth not worth feeding, the saying went.

​

"I wonder if our big blue genius here could do anything about it?" he went on, his eyes set on the creature, who still held the device like the world's greatest trophy, grinning like a child.