Eve wasted little time getting back to the forward base on the beach. Thankfully Lyric, Tyra, and Veronica were all gathered in one place which made her job that much easier. Lyric was the first to notice her enter the command tent. She looked like she was out of breath.

  Lyric looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "Now what the hell have you been doing?"

  Eve let out an exasperated sigh. "Do you always have to have an attitude when I walk into the room? For your information I got in contact with Captain Alexandria."

  Everyone stopped and looked at her. Lyric again was the first to speak. This time her tone was a bit more lady like. "Well, where is she and what happened?"

  Eve shot her a confident smirk. "She's inside the facility with Valentina and a few ability users that were imprisoned there. She spoke to me through a cool ability, but we have more important things to do. First Lyric, she's given you full rights to do whatever it takes to get any information out of the captives. After that is all said and done, they are to be scheduled for execution. However, we're not allowed to execute until after their mission inside the facility is finished."

  Lyric raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean after their mission inside the facility is finished? What exactly are they doing in there?"

  Eve let out another exasperated sigh. "She said they were able to free a few of the ability users and there was one more left. Apparently, this one is the one responsible for the mist shroud around the island and she isn't sure, but if they free her there's a possibility the shroud could disappear."

  Before Eve could continue Tyra cut in. "That would mean that once she is freed the shroud could disappear and if anyone is waiting for us outside, we'll be exposed."

  Eve snapped her fingers. "Tyra is completely correct. She wants the blockade and the perimeter to be held. She also gives us full authority to scour the island and only the first level of the facility stripping it of all its resources. Any weapons we find are to be thrown into circulation and then we make ourselves ready for a naval attack. It's not one hundred percent that there will be one, but if this was a trap and they think we have any chance of getting out of it alive they'll have something waiting for us on the other side of the shroud."

  Lyric thought for a moment. She was glad to hear they'd been given full rights to do the interrogates. However, this other information was not good. All they brought were the core members and then they have a small secondary force with siege weapons, but how effective would they be against incoming ships? There was a chance that they could mount some of the smaller siege weapons on the decks of their ships, but they would only work from long range. Lyric rubbed the back of her head with her hand pulling at her hair a bit.

  Tyra decided it was her time to give her opinion on the matter. "Lyric there's no reason to get frustrated. We will plan the best we can. I will send all our available forces to scour the island, and we will strip this place of all its valuable resources just as Alexandria has asked. I will take a position in the highest area and keep watch. The moment that mist dissipates I'll make sure we have an accurate telling of what is out there waiting for us. There has to be more Eve what else did the captain tell you?"

  Eve looked at Veronica as she spoke. "You and I are going back. The people that are down there apparently are exhausted and they need a little bit of rest. The only two who even the least bit battle capable are Alexandria and some person named Glade. I don't know who that is apparently Valentina has to rest as well. Alexandria said she needed you and I Veronica to go down there it's going to be some close quarters fighting. She also said whatever we might encounter at the lowest level has a strong defense so my chameleon abilities and your defensive capabilities should allow us to bust through anything."

  Veronica took in a deep breath. She had not done much since they had gotten there and that was okay for her. However, something that boasted a strong defense was always something she was in the market for destroying. Her eyes narrowed and a devious smile crossed her face. "So, what are we standing around her for? I'm ready. You look like your packed up to the nines. I have some things inside the tent that I could grab. We could leave within moments. We can't keep Alexandria and the others waiting besides the faster we get them out of there the faster we can get ready to leave this place and go back home."

  Eve let out a devious chuckle. "I couldn't have said it better myself."

  Lyric echoed Eve's chuckle as she responded putting her hands on her hips and standing up. "Well, I will go issue the orders. Tyra I'm sure you already have a place picked out that you can observe from. If you could kill anything that enters that we don't recognize. We don't need any more prisoners and I'm sure we'll give them all the chance to pledge their allegiance or die. The ones who are indecisive will use them to help strip this area. As far as the first level of the facility goes that might be a little tricky. How much time did you tell her you would need?"

  "I told her about an hour." Eve responded thinking for a moment.

  "How long have you been away?" Tyra asked grabbing her rifle and throwing it over her shoulder.

  "Well, let's see maybe twenty minutes." Eve was curious as to what the two of them were thinking.

  "That's perfect. Leave now both of you explore the first floor of the area and anything of value just take it and put it by the entry door that you came in from. As we're going through the island we'll stop by and pick up whatever you find. Don't take too long. How long will it take you to get there from here?" Lyric grabbed her belt with her rapier and secured it around her waist.

  "I would say it would take us about ten minutes." Eve was getting excited.

  "Good that would give you thirty minutes to explore the area and put everything out the entrance way after that you could make your way down to Alexandira and Valentina." Lyric flipped her hair quite proud of herself.

  "Perfect, Veronica we're leaving now." A playful giggled escaped Eve's lips.

  "You got it." Veronica punched the palm of her hand a devious smirk crossing her face.

  The four women went their separate ways. Tyra went to go find a sniping point. She needed to make sure it could see every point along this mist barrier. Lyric made her way to the prison tent to give them the choice to pledge allegiance or die. After grabbing the few things in the tent that she needed Veronica followed Eve out of the tent making their way back to the entrance door of the facility. It was high time that things started rolling in a better direction and that direction was violence and blood.

  It didn't take long just as they said about ten minutes to get down to the area where the entrance of the facility was. Eve walked slowly to the door and as she got to the threshold she waited.

  Veronica's forehead furrowed. "What the hell are we doing? Let's go!"

  "The last time I came through here I heard Alexandria's voice. She was speaking to me through an ability. I'm guessing they don't think I'm here yet so the person that used the ability might be resting. I guess that gives us the time we need to explore this area." Eve felt a bit odd, but at the same time it made sense to stop and wait.

  "Well, yeah that's what we were doing in the first place. Let's go we don't have much time." She let out a slight sigh of annoyance.

  "You're right Veronica thank you. Wait do you say you take the left side I'll take the right side?" Eve gave her a genuine smile which was rare for Eve to do for anyone other than Alexandria.

  "Sounds good." Veronica cracked her knuckles ready to get to work.

  The two of them separated and started exploring the top floor of the facility and even though it had been maybe five hours or more since they had been there, and fighting had broken out not much had changed. Aside from the air had started to become stagnant. It wasn't something that either one of them cared for, but thankfully they were finding things. They were able to find a few weapons rifles and the like. No bladed weapons for some reason and any clothing that wasn't bloodstained they decided to take as well. They also started ripping apart metal, wood, or any lose brick bringing it to the front of the facility as well. Anything at this point would be useful and they didn't want this place to have any type of an edge of them. Even though it was as quiet as a tomb at the moment. There was no telling what might happen or how vast the facility actually was. No chances were going to taken.

  Twenty-five minutes had passed since they started, and they had a pretty decent haul with over a dozen different types of weapons from firearms to stun batons and just regular staves. They also found a lot of lab coats and shirts and as far as materials go, they found iron, steel, they also found varies different types of brick. They were able to pile everything nice and neatly in front of the doorway and now all they had to do was wait. There was only about five minutes before the time limit the hour was up and if Eve knew Alexandria, she'd probably have some type of timer set up and even if she didn't Valentina even if she got even the slightest little bit of information would set up some kind of reminder for them both. They decided to rest for the five minutes after expending all that energy to gather everything from the first floor as the sun even through it was a little weak through the shroud started to make its descent down to the water.

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  An hour had past, and Alexandria and the others had gotten some decent rest. Eclipse was still resting sound asleep with Aurora on the bench. They had moved a few times, but Alexandria wasn't about to wake them up. She was going to let them wake up by themselves. Glade had taken a rest as well even though she didn't really need it, and Alexandria had just sat up from her short break. Valentina was on watch at the moment.

  Alexandria dusted herself off and walked over to the doorway. "Hey, Valentina, it's been an hour. Do you think she's up there with Veronica?" Alexandria moved through the threshold of the doorway and stood on the opposite side of Valentina.

  A giggle escaped Valentina's lips something that didn't happen very often, but she felt more relaxed even though she didn't like the fact they were contained at the moment. "I'm sure she's there even though she can be a bit unpredictable when it's time to fight Eve seems to know where the proper direction is to face. Not to mention the fact that her chameleon ability is going to come in handy. Of course, now that the researchers and the guards are clustered in one area, we might not be able to just walk in with Eve as a disguise. They've probably anticipated something like that and will be on guard. Maybe we can find some type of identification card or something similar that we overlooked. If not, we can always just barrel right through depending on what their defensive formation is."

  Alexandria let out a sigh looking up at the ceiling as she heard footsteps coming towards the door from behind them.

  Eclipse let out a long yawn. "Apologizes for keeping you all waiting. I haven't been able to do a very clear and concise observation topside, but I do sense that somebody is there."

  Eclipse had gotten up and Alexandria looked through the doorway to see Aurora cuddled up in the space that they used to be still fast asleep. "Were you listening to us, Eclipse or did you just feel it was time?" Alexandria raised an eyebrow wondering how the hell someone could go from fast asleep to up and moving around that quickly. Although it probably had something to do with their concept of time being off since she said it had been a while since they'd seen the sun.

  "We don't have much time for pleasantries and witty banter as long as Valentina is good on watch Alexandria we need to communicate with them to get them down here. If they're up there right now no point in waiting any longer. We need to move once we get them here, we need to plan. There's no more time for rest." Eclipse stretched a bit.

  Alexandria nodded in agreement as her and Eclipse moved back into the room. Eclipse took her position back where she was before facing the entrance way or at least where it would be since there was a wall in front of them.

  Alexandria moved behind her placing her hand softly, but firmly on Eclipse's back. They both closed their eyes almost in unison as Eclipse made her way back up to the entrance. She saw them there and it looked like they were just relaxing for the moment. Although Eve's eyes were open, and she was alert looking around. The other person who Eclipse figured was Veronica was a bit more relaxed, and her eyes were closed for the moment.

  Eclipse took in a deep breath and then spoke into Alexandria's mind. "The time is now. I'm guessing the one you call Veronica has her eyes closed. So, please speak quietly as to not frighten her."

  Alexandria mimicked Eclipse's deep breath and as she exhaled, she started to speak through Eclipse's ability. "Eve, Veronica thank you for coming so quickly."

  Eve smiled as Veroncia's eyes popped open as she looked around. "What the hell is going on here, Eve?"

  She let out a playful giggle. "Don't worry Veronica she's speaking to us through someone's ability. Apparently, they can communicate through shadows."

  "Interesting." Veronica replied trying to keep her composure.

  "It's good to hear your voice, Captain Alexandria. So how are we getting down to you?" Eve rubbed her hands together so ready to get going.

  "That's the thing Eclipse is going to have to enter the two of y'all's minds. We thought we could do it with just one of you, but it's much easier if she can give direction to both of you at the same time. That way you don't have to wait for the other to move you both can follow in unison. It's going to be interesting and it's going to feel a little weird, but I need both of you to stand up and go to the nearest corridor. There should be a set of steps going downward. Once you get to the top of the steps, I want you to stop and stand there. After I give these instructions, my voice is going to disappear I'm not going to be able to talk to y'all doing this part. The next voice you hear will be Eclipse's. She cannot allow all of us to talk at once it's too draining and even though we all got rest it wasn't enough for her and Gale to recover their full strength. So, please bear with her." Alexandria took a deep breath and took her hand off Eclipse's back. She then took a few steps back and leaned against the wall.

  Glade and Gale were resting soundly, and she wasn't about to wake either one of them up not yet anyway. Now, it was time for Eclipse to guide Veronica and Eve down to them.

  Both Eve and Veronica stood up and made their way to the steps that Alexandria was talking about. Once both of them were in position they felt a cold chill take them over for a moment. There were a few seconds of dizziness and then all of a sudden, a voice in both of their heads.

  "Greetings my name is Eclipse. I'm an ability user such as yourselves. I am the one who is helping your captain or should I say our captain speak to you. You're going to have to listen to my instructions very carefully. The corridor or should I say the stairs that you're looking down is the main entrance to the lower levels. However, it is a maze down there, so you have to pay close attention to what I say. Any mistakes and you can get lost. Do you both understand?" Eclipse was going to have as much fun as possible since it had been a while since she had spoken to other people in this manner.

  "Sure." Eve replied cracking her neck a few times.

  "You got it creepy voice." Veroncia did seem to have more of a flair for being belligerent than Eve did.

  Eclipse let out an exasperated sigh rolling her eyes while they were closed and started speaking again. "My name is Eclipse now the fastest way to get to us. What you're going to do is you're going to go down these stairs and you're going to keep walking down no matter what turns or twists you see. Don't go through any doors. Don't take any left or right turns just continue to go down. You're going to have to go for about I'd say twenty minutes. Once you hit a three-way fork take the right turn that'll lead you down a short corridor. Once you get there stop you don't have to let me know because I can see what you are seeing. Now go."

  Veronica and Eve started to walk making their way through the labyrinth. It was crazy that everything she said was one hundred percent fact. Even though they saw twists and turns and even an interesting corridor that allowed them to go up at a weird angle they continued to go down. Once the time had hit twenty minutes they saw the three-way fork. They took the right-hand turn and continued to walk down the corridor. They stopped after getting there and there was a door.

  "I see the two of you have made it to the door. This is very important when you open that door you're going to want to take only lefts. Left, left, left, left, left, left, left. You want to take seven lefts once you've taken the seven lefts there'll be another downward staircase. Once you get to the staircase go down it. It is going to seem like it is going to last as long as the previous staircase, but do not be fooled. Go down about fifteen minutes and once you hit the bottom you will be able to hear my voice outside of your mind. Once you hear my voice and you hit the bottom of those stairs you follow the corridor straight. Do not take any turns just straight. You will go straight for about twenty minutes once you go straight for that timeframe you will take an immediate right-hand turn and then you should see your friend Valentina. Do both of you understand my instructions?"

  "Sure." Again, Eve responded the same way as before.

  "Yeah, I don't have any reason to doubt you now." Veronica was essentially being a little bit of a pest and Eve was being the straight laced one which was weird, but it was probably because they were underground and like Valentina Veronica hated it.

  Eve on the other hand was in her element. She was itching for a fight. However, they didn't have the time to fight yet. They had to regroup with everybody else and so the two of them started the directions. It took them about thirty to thirty-five minutes and then finally they were at the staircase. They started moving down and then they heard a voice echo from below.

  "You both are doing very good. Continue to follow the path. You're almost there." A giggle echoed around them.

  They picked up the pace and dashed down as fast as they could. They went down the corridor and took the very next right. Eve's eyes widened as Veronica clapped her hands as they both dashed towards Valentina. They had finally found each other and now all that was left was to make their formation. It was time for Crimson Judgement to show just exactly why they were the most fearsome pirate crew of the new world.