The elevated bridge of the [i]Ocean Horizon[/i] rose approximately ten meters higher than the port and starboard nacelles, comprising the twin hulls of the unique Sky Ship. Alcides Demophon, also known as the Black Baron truly loved working and living aboard this fine flying vessel. It was beautiful to behold donning an ominous impression on those who would seek to do her harm. As navigator, Al Demophon, formerly of a tiny flat on the 197th floor of the Western Tower or the Broken Spires, was able to both chart courses at the Captain's direction and handle the flight controls for the wonderful ship. Al's life on the Broken Spires was long ago, and he never considered it home any longer, or at least in the past seven or eight years. He was home aboard the [i]Ocean Horizon[/i].

Fletcher Payne is more than just the Captain of the [i]Ocean Horizon[/i] but one of Al's best friends. He and the ship's Master-at-Arms have seen a lot of action aboard this uniquely crafted warship, but never as much action as they witnessed in the past two weeks. Today was far from an exception. This may have been the tenth  or fifteenth encounter with hostile pirates in the past two weeks. Alcides had lost count of how many attacks the crew of the  Horizon fended off. They grew weary, but would not buckle under the strain of constant fighting. Al considered his lust-filled desire for a shot of rum on a number of recent occasions, but could not recall where a full bottle could be located. It was on his list of things to procure once they docked at the Southern Tower, the City of Shoel. However, they would need to survive the current encounter with [i]Vivian's Mercy[/i] in order to claim that prize. He resigned this objective to be one of his many rewards he would receive for winning this battle with such a brazen crew.

Al heard the story about how Mr. Poole many times. The ship's Bosun was killed by a merciless pirate named Green Goran. Then the half man, half machine creature rose from the dead delivering a face full of crystals into Mr. Goran, resigning this pitiful seaman from a life of piracy. Due to his untimely death and resultant resurrection, giving him the opportunity to enact personal vengeance upon his killer, Mr. Poole was henceforth referred to as [i]Poole the Unkillable[/i]. It was a name that stuck, generating respect from every quarter of the [i]Ocean Horizon[/i]. No one would ever mess with the Horizon's Bosun. Besides, how many people have the chance to kill their own killer after they died?

Before the fracas commenced, the ship was set on a course of one three five (135°) at an elevation of twenty five hundred meters (8200 ft.). The Black Baron anticipated arriving in Shoel the day after tomorrow. He and the rest eagerly anticipated participating in the Festival of Light, something they had been deprived of as long as anyone aboard the Horizon could remember. He checked the flight controls and heading to ensure they remained unchanged. Satisfied they were accurate Al decided it was time to join his brothers and sisters.

The crew of [i]Vivian's Mercy[/i] were more numerous than those aboard the Horizon. This was quite apparent. The Captain informed everyone they would need to dig down deep inside themselves to fight hard in order to win their opportunity to participate in the Festival this year. Al was aware celebrants at Showel used various forms of pyrotechnics in their revelry, but the crews of the two sky ships locked in combat were generating their own fireworks.

"Get the hell off my bridge!" Alcides yelled at a pair of unknown pirates as he thrust his rapier into one man's chest. Then he thrust his right boot into a second man's abdomen, knocking him back several paces. "This is no place for scum like you!" He yelled at the Vivian crewmember. He retrieved a cryslock pistol from its holster discharging the weapon at point blank range into the man's face. Al viewed the destruction of his blast, "oh, that's gotta hurt." He allowed himself verbal assaults upon his opponents. It was only fair since the Horizon was hosting this engagement.

A pair of Sylph fighters raced up in front of the bridge arcing over the top and streaked aft about five meters above deck. It was enough to make Al duck. When he regained his composure, he caught Mr. Poole in a fight with a drunken bastard from [i]Vivian's Mercy[/i]. It did not take long for the seven foot Bosun to put an end to his wretched existence, with a little help from the Ship's Captain, Payne.

"Fletcher G! Very nice to see you old boy! I am so glad you could join this afternoon's merriment. It is a lovely day, indeed. The sun is bright and a cool breeze is blowing in from south, southwest. We have a splendid array of guests streaming aboard ship and I promise to buy you a drink of whatever you may desire as soon as we make port in Shoel," Al Demophon spoke to Captain Payne during the fight. He listened to Mr. Poole and Captain Payne argue over who was responsible for this onslaught aboard their home. The Black Baron felt obliged to add his two cents, "Mr. Poole, it is your damn fault! Now get on with the business of dispatching these scurvy rats to some bottomless pit."