The Kraken Wars - Part 2

Kraken Battle Over Crows Nest

The contract details were delivered to Sprokit and Kogg by express courier and were most clear and concise.

Mercenary Merchant Marine will provide two (2) Merlin Class Cutters for the protection of a convoy of Five (5) cargo airships flying under the flag of Consolidated Airship Transport. Said convoy shall be under the protection of Mercenary Merchant Marine from Marmedunck to the fishing port of Half Hitch and then to Hollywood Airport.

Said convoy will be protected from attack by Kraken or Air Pirates.

All previously agreed upon fees and bounty shall apply.

Jack had two days to have his craft and crew ready to fly and fight.

A few more rounds fired at targets and time spent in formation flying did help, but still they had never fought Kraken before and they simply didn't know what to expect.

Jack and Phineas had spent hours in the office at Sprokit & Kogg discussing the best formation to fly, a long line of airships was too difficult to defend. A safe distance between ships had them spread out much to far across the sky. A narrow V formation was selected and Jack would fly Bane above and slightly ahead of the lead freighter and Phineas would fly between and slightly below the last two airships.

Both men had begun calling their craft by the shortened names of Bane and Doom and the crews had begun a friendly banter about who would slay the most Kraken.

The convoy assembled at Marmedunck and set a course for the fishing village of Half Hitch. This course would take the convoy between the small islands of Windlass and Kraken, a name jack hoped would be prophetic. This was not to be however, they passed between the two island regions with no sign of Kraken in any direction.

They left Turnbuckle on their port beam and hove to on the North coast of Half Hitch.

The first of the blue and white cargo blimps descended to the harbor entrance and began to lower her cargo to waiting tenders below. Susan Wayne piloted her craft with skill and confidence and with her cargo delivered she rejoined the fleet to allow the second blimp to unload.

The rest of the cargo being bound for delivery to Hollywood Airport, the convoy once more set sail for the final leg of the route.

The weather was cooperating nicely, with calm seas and a gentle breeze out of the West. Jack noted a small cumulus cloud to the North of Crows Nest Light, but saw nothing in any way menacing about it. The convoy was passing the light on their starboard side with the cumulus cloud to port. Phineas sounded three short blasts on his horn and swung his cutter hard to port. Our of the white bank of cloud raced three large Kraken, tentacles reaching for the ships of the convoy. Phineas had ascended to the level of the cargo blimps when his starboard canon roared and his round struck the Kraken squarely behind the large eyes and severed the beast in two. It released its hold on the blimp and fell into the sea. Dooms starboard gunner, Becca, raised two thumbs up and began looking for her next target.

Jack steered Bane to port and raced to meet the Kraken, when two of the beast rushed past him, tentacles extended. Chandler, Banes port gunner, took careful aim as he swung his canon, leading the Kraken slightly. The first round pierced the body just behind the head and the next round a bit above the first. They were enough to send it to the surface in a twisted ball.

The third Kraken had attacked the blimp in position three and Susan in the lead blimp had lowered her rear port and was firing round after round into the Kraken with little effect. Then one of her careful shots took out the beasts left eye. The Kraken writhed and lashed tentacles in all directions.

Jack continued to spin Bane in a tight circle, racing to protect the convoy, but Doom was there first and her port gun fired. The round struck the Kraken hard in the head and drove it to the sea.

Both men heard Susan cheer and saw her thumbs thrust upward.

The convoy descended en mass while the cutters gathered the Kraken bodies and parts, and placed a lighted radio beacon on them. All three beaks were removed and the convoy ascended and made way for Hollywood and the end of their mission.

Once the bounty was collected, the crews paid and the great pile of Karken parts were on the way to Tong Island; Jack and Phineas relaxed at the offices of Sprokit and Kogg to toast the days success and ways to ensure a continuation of the same.

Phinieas was in high spirits as he raised his glass in a toast to his older brother, "Here's to the two best gun crews in the air."

Jack sipped his drink and nodded in agreement.

Phineas rocked back in his chair and smiled. "We did good today, Brother."

Jack replied, "We were lucky. We, the cutters and the crew were untried, We practiced and trained the best way we could but we had never faced a Kraken. They are not easy prey and we were very fortunate that there were only three. We did well, no mistake, but we need to be prepared for much stronger attacks if they should come."

Phineas took a contemplative sip and nodded in agreement. "How do you feel about Susan shooting at that Kraken with her revolver? My crew gathered up those parts and she placed six rounds in that beast, all in or near the head. However; those rounds didn't kill it; the canon did."

Jack thought carefully and then said,"Just because I trust Susan Wayne and her skills with her revolver, does not mean I wish to trust EVERY Cargo Captain to be armed. I surely do not want just anyone shooting while we are engaged with a Kraken attack. I think we need to have veto power on which captains are to be armed."

Phineas nodded and said, "Susan will understand and cooperate."

Jack said, "And KEEP her revolver in a briefcase!"

Jack pulled up a chart on the Drow Laptop Computational Device as Phineas leaned closer to look it over, " I see you marked the attack site on our original flight plan chart. I also like the way you illustrated our convoy formation from above and the port side view. I am sure that helped Consolidated accept our plan for the defense of their airships."

Jack Nodded and said," Ohhh yes, it did. Furthermore I think the plan as illustrated here, worked well for what we had to do today. Five ships are the max I would accept to protect with two cutters. Also, the cutters have been updated and are more automated, so that an engineer isn't really needed."

Phineas agreed and added, "What about us? I think I would like some kind of firepower on my belt. A cutlass might come in handy as well."

"Indeed; we can't prepare for every eventuality, and we shouldn't over do it. Too much ordinance and we might not get off the ground. But we can add a few things to the mix. Lets go weapons shopping tomorrow. I also can't think of any way in which we can improve our tactics. We have a clear view of the cargo fleet from above and below as well as port and starboard. The cutters are only slightly longer than the cargo blimps but much more slim and aerodynamic. We are faster than they, by a good bit and far more able to maneuver in the tight area of the convoy; all of these factors are critical in battle and much in our favor."

They would each spend the morning in search of personal weaponry and gear; then meet at the Green Door Cafe to hear about what Wyatt had discovered about the flesh of the Kraken.

A Kraken over New Babbage

The Green Door opened on silent hinges before the knuckles of Jacks right hand could contact that solid barrier.

Elder Tong invited Jack and Phineas into the cafe with a wave of his arm, "Wyatt awaits you in his office. You know the way, of course."

Wyatt sat behind his magnificent desk, and turned a Drow Laptop Computational Device so they could observe the screen. A series of photographs of Tong Island passed across he screen. The brothers nodded approvingly, the island and it's work sheds had been turned into what was clearly a production facility.

"I have prepared an interesting lunch for you today. Unlike my usual fare., this spread is simple, though unique and it concerns you both,"

Wyatt waved in the direction of the dining table in his office which was already being set in preparation for lunch.

"The flesh from the tentacle of the Kraken proved much more trouble than it was worth, at least as far as food was concerned. It proved far to tough and stringy,for even the mechanical tenderizer. Therefor, the tentacles, suckers, and any other parts of that nature were shredded and reduced to a form of liquid fertilizer, for exotic plants; such as orchids and the like. It is very effective and sells to that market for a very substantial profit."

A well made and nicely finished set of wood shelves, stood next to the desk with said fertilizer in various size bottles, all with attractive labels.

"The mechanical tenderizer works very well on the mantle, or body of the Kraken. it is cut into sheets and run through the tenderizing process twice before it is cut into strips. These strips are about the size of a mans finger and the length of his hand.

The strips are coated in a very light batter made of rice flour and deep fried to a gold brown. These are eaten as "finger food" and dipped in a variety of sauces or they can be nibbled plain."

Phineas and Jack looked at each other dubiously and then back to Wyatt.

Wyatt picked up a length of the described fare and bit off a mouthful. The sounds and the smile on Wyatt's face convinced the brothers and they both began eating.

With the very first bite they both broke into a surprised smile.

Jack spoke first, " This is quite good; it is light but satisfying, with a crisp coating but a firm inside texture. There is the mild flavor of a well prepared seafood dish but I can't think of one with which it might compare."

Wyatt then motioned to one of his staff and a platter was brought out with bowls of dipping sauce. These were placed in the center of the table and the different sauces tried, one after the other. There were sauces of every hue and a dozen flavors. One sweet red sauce made with hibiscus flowers and a rich brown sauce made with ground nuts. One green sauce was made with piquant peppers and was far to hot for either Jack or Phineas but it was a Wyatt Tong Favorite.

Wyatt smiled to see his friends devour his new food dishes with such obvious relish.

"Though this is very good table fare, I think you will agree that it is not the sort of food that the diners at the Green Door Cafe have come to expect. So, I have called on my youngest brother, Vergil to over see the operation at the island. The production of ready to cook Kraken Bites and the sauces in large and small jars, will be his responsibility. He we also be in charge of hiring a manager and staff to oversee the plant food operation. These will be kept completely apart and in different buildings."

Phineas raised his hand and asked,"How will this marvelous fare be distributed"?

Wyatt smiled and said, "Good Question. I have secured a contract with a very successful vendor in New Babbage and in Caledon. He assures me that his contacts will be able to handle the supply I have indicated. He will also be selling by street vendors, who will sell a carton of Kraken Bites with ones choice of sauce for casual dining. The attractive young ladies who will tend the stand will be "The Krakenettes" with appropriate attires."

Jack said, "And our names will not be associated with this endeavor in any way"?

Wyatt shook is head, "Nor will mine. I must return to my chosen calling at the Green Door Cafe. Elder Tong is most concerned for my speedy return to duty."

After the return to Never Drift, they repaired to the secret, hidden bunker to go over the recently purchased "Personal Protection Pack" that each had selected for their next mission.

The Gunners were permitted to select their own escape method if the ejecting from Doom or Bane became necessary. All elected to use a glide suit and parachute and all chose to carry a revolver of heavy caliber.

Jack and Phineas both decided that the ability to fight and fly, even without an airship, was of paramount importance. Therefore, they both chose to wear the Terra Aernautics Jetpack. Phineas chose to rely on a keen edged cutlass while Jack opted for a brace of revolvers.

Their next contract arrived by currier the following morning.

To Be Continued

(c) All text and pictures by Jack Tracker