Chapter 108: New Ship

Chapter 108: New Ship

Astrid looked around. If Freya was correct, which she had no doubt she was. Then there must be multiple tracker blockers located around.

They were probably even following her right this moment, blocking any information channels. She tried to look for them, but it was impossible. They were either shrouded from sight entirely, or were looking from afar. Or maybe she was using another method entirely?

As Astrid gazed at the different assortment of boats, both large and small, she thought it was all rather quick.

No way Lisa and the others managed to sell the items already to buy the boat, I mean the auction is a few days away. Advanced payment, perhaps? Astrid thought.

She looked left and right, before sighing in defeat. It was too densely populated to make out where they may be.

Astrid was hoping that she would hear Brett over the clamour of fishermen, but even that must have been drowned out. It was hard to imagine that man being quiet for more than two minutes.

Then there was Rachelle, her piercing voice when she was drunk was unmatched. But she was actually quite reserved and quiet... until Brett pissed her off that was. Then all hell broke loose.

Astrid chuckled just thinking about the warm memories.

With no other way, she activated Psych Domain and launched it all around her. It spread all over the docks, but it was unable to go further than the far end of them.

She had already committed her team's figures into memory, and it helped that she was looking for a group of six. If they were all together that was.

It didn’t take long before the matter settled and her vision landed on a man that was lounging with his back against a wall.

He was within an enormous boat, far larger than the rickety, rusty old thing that Daniel and the others used to have. The man had his back against a housing shell on the boat, it went down into the middle of the boat where she assumed it was the living quarters.

He was busy fiddling with a knife out of boredom. One moment he would twirl it in the air, and the next he would be spinning the tip against the wooden ship handrails... Until another slender man told him off.

Brett and Daniel, or is it Losef? Astrid thought.

It was hard to tell as they both had similar body types, although Losef was a little larger, and taller. But the matter made it difficult to fully create an image. It wasn’t perfect, not with her current level of control, and the distance, anyway.

Astrid ran through the crowd, making sure not to bash into workers as she passed by. The last thing she wanted was to crash into a crate of fish and reek for the entire day.

Oh, I need to learn how to remove smells. That way even Bellona can’t attack me, bio warfare is assault, after all. Astrid mischievously thought.

Astrid reached the dock on the far left in a few moments and laid her eyes on the boat that she had seen from her Psych Domain. Brett and Lisa, being the most perceptive of the bunch, were already waving in her direction with smiles on their faces.

They then pointed at the boat.

Are they proud of their find? Astrid chuckled.

It was indeed a good find. Boats of high quality were hard to come by as they were a highly sought after item, with the world being flooded and all. They were often swooped up by the highest bidder. It was another reason why becoming a Seafarer or Wayfarer was a prized occupation on Rebirth.

It not only gave another life for the less fortunate, but they also provided the boats and equipment they could never afford if they were to go solo.

Astrid waved and rushed forward. Her boot struck against the moist, hard wood plank floor of the dock. It was obviously treated with something for it not to rot after such a long time. Or maybe it was made from a special type of wood, she didn’t know.

“Hey lass–”

Lisa jabbed Brett to the ribs.

“Welcome to your new vessel.” Lisa smiled.

“Mmm.” Rob grumbled as he took a step forward.

Brett flinched and moved behind Astrid.

“Rob,” Brett spat. “Do you just resort to violence?”

Rachelle scoffed as she appeared from within the living quarters. “Coming from an assassin?”

“Your whole class revolves around violence,” she continued. “Rather cheap to be saying that isn’t it?”

“At least I act like a gentleman on the outside.” Brett said.

Astrid couldn’t help but break out in laughter at the absurd comment.

“Anyway.” Brett coughed. “Where’s that maid of yours?”

“Oh.” Rachelle displayed a sly smile. “Someone has a crush on the vicious battle-maid?”

“What?” Brett scoffed, and itched his head. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m just concerned for Astrid. You know, having to do chores and that all by herself.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Astrid frowned.

Brett giggled and backed away from Astrid.

“Did I miss anything, my lady?” Leena arrived with an enormous backpack strapped securely to her back.

Astrid could only imagine how much stuff she had within that one bag. Well, it wasn’t hard to imagine, she had seen it last mission. It was probably filled with enough resources to last them both a month out at sea.

“Nothing much–”

“We were just talking about a rabid rat.” Rachelle glared at Brett.

“Oh.” Leena raised her brows. “I should have something for that.”

She slung the bag off her back as it slammed into the floor.

“It’s okay.” Astrid chuckled. “It’s gone now.”

“Ah, okay, my lady.”

Brett mumbled with his head lowered. “Why am I always getting bullied?”

Everyone couldn’t help but smile while Leena was looking at them in confusion.

“Is that it then?” Losef was wrapping rope from the palm of his hand around his elbow, creating a coil.

“No,” Astrid said, “we're still waiting for one or two more.”

“A woman?” Brett’s lowered head snapped upward.

Astrid looked back at the dock as a woman in a scarlet and gold robe approached them. As she neared the boat, she launched her pack into the boat as Rob quickly caught it.

"We heading out then?” Bellona cracked her knuckles, her glistening grin was visible under her hood.