Book 2 - Chapter 19 - Aquatic Escapades

So... TBoB was done this morning, but apparently I forgot to hit post. Soz!

It didn’t take long for Skyler and I to get set up, we just needed to strip off our jackets and strap on the facemask and other accessories.

“There’s a embarking ladder on the starboard side, midship,” Shadow Puppet announced, without even looking at us. “Ghost will meet you in the water.”

“Thanks!” Skyler chirped, as she pulled me towards the hatch. Lime-Light was busy pacing the deck, pausing every few seconds and cocking her head to the side like she was listening. As we passed by her she pointed down into the water and yelled “Fire!” None of the deck artillery fired, but something did, booming below decks. A few seconds later something exploded underwater.

“We’re not in danger of getting caught in… whatever that was, are we?” Skyler asked her suspiciously.

“The Starchaser has several aquatic gun ports that allows it to bring many of its more esoteric weapons to bear against the aquatic antithesis,” the energetic girl explained. “I’m keeping track of everyone’s positions, and only firing on the largest models, when it’s safe to do so! I’d never risk you or Ghost-light!”

“Glad to know you have our back,” I told her.

“Anytime!” she replied with a wave, and smile, before spinning in place. 

“Reload that piece before another of those bastards show up!” she yelled as she stalked off. The dogs jumped to carry out her orders.

“I still can’t believe this ship is crewed entirely by dogs,” I murmured. 

“Odd, but probably not even close to the strangest thing we’ll see as samurai,” Skyler whispered, before patting me on the back. “Let’s get into the water.”

Continuing down the side of the ship we came to a small break in the railing. Leaning over the side I could see a long extendable wooden ladder leading down to the water. Carefully reaching down, I grabbed the edge of the ship and worked my way down.

I expected the water to be freezing, as I dipped my toes into the water, but surprisingly I couldn’t feel the cold at all. Our wetsuits must have been extremely well insulated. While I tried my best to get acclimated to the water Skyler leapt off the ladder. She splashed into the water just a few feet away from me. She disappeared from sight for just a moment, before resurfacing. 

“This brings me back, just like our last vacation,” Skyler laughed.

“And just like our last vacation I just need a few seconds to acclimatize myself before diving. Not everyone loves the water as much as you do,” I grumbled, which just made Skyler smile.

“True, but I trust you’ll find your sea legs again soon.” 

She dove down, like it was the most natural thing in the world, followed a moment later by her drones. I took a couple seconds more to hype myself up before following. The harbor was deep, and despite it being early in the afternoon I couldn’t see the bottom. As I kicked my legs, urging myself forward, the aqua pack kicked in propelling me much faster than I could move on my own. It took me a few moments to realize that it was reacting to some sort of signal from my augments, and I could control the thing almost instinctively. A little scary, but exhilarating at the same time. 

I was still struggling to get a handle on the system when a familiar face popped up directly in front of me. “Hey! Having fun?” 

Scrambling back in shock, I stared at the little mermaid for a minute. “You surprised me,” I admitted. “How fast can you move?”

“Underwater? Pretty fast. I’ve never actually clocked myself or anything, but I’m able to outrun all the other samurai around here,” she admitted, before giving me a little smile. “Are you ready for your lesson?”

“What about Skyler? Shouldn’t she be here?” 

“I already checked on her. She’s a ranged combatant, and really doesn’t need any pointers, just a little bit of practice maneuvering. Emme and Lissa are keeping track of her. You on the other hand… might need a few pointers.” I guess I must have frowned or something, because Ghost-Light threw her hands up in front of herself. “Oh, I know you’re a skilled martial artist, this is more about understanding the environment.”

Reaching into a small bag on her back she pulled out a small cylinder which, with a quick flick of her wrist, extended into a wicked looking harpoon.

I awkwardly pulled Rending Wave in response. My actions were slow, and clumsy compared to usual. 

“Okay, first lesson. Down here, drag decides battles. Most antithesis are optimized for either slow, devastating attacks, or lightning fast frontal strikes. Like so.” With a quick flick of her tail Ghost-Light shot off at incredible speed. I barely managed to keep track of her as she twisted and turned, before shooting back towards me, harpoon first. I tried my best to dodge and counter, but I was far too slow. At the last second Ghost turned and shot past me. 

“It’s easier to move straight forward, and do strafing runs, then it is to try and swipe. Hit and run is better than static defense,” Ghost explained as she swung around, diving beneath me this time. “In addition to that, you have to pay attention to every direction. Both above and below you.”

She slowly circled around me, it was still faster than I could follow, before coming to a stop right next to me. “First up, I suggest you practice your forward movement. I’ll put a few targets out, try and either stab them, or slice them as you swim by. Or I guess jet by, using that pack of yours.” 

She swam a couple feet away, pulled something the size of a coin out of her bag, and then casually released it. After a few seconds the small object expanded, becoming a rubbery object that vaguely resembled a ray.  Ghost released a few more in the area, which expanded into a few different shapes, before swimming back.

“Ready? Get to it!” she said.

“Are those antithesis? They don’t look like anything I recognize,” I asked.

Ghost nodded. “Model One-O. They’re a variant of the normal version which can both swim and fly, but doesn’t do either one particularly well. The seal looking one, with the shark like head, is the Model Three-O, and the big squid looking thing is a Model Four-O. They’re among the most common aquatic antithesis models. I figured you might want to practice on something antithesis sized.”

“I guess it does help to know what I’m going to be fighting,” I admitted. Adjusting my grip on Rending Wave, and eyeing up the first target, I mentally nudged the aquapack to life. It was difficult at first, I had to fight the urge to actually swim and twist in order to turn, but I managed to get used to it after a minute or two. Once I’d gotten used to it, I tried to make an attack run. 

Flicking Rending Wave’s power switch allowed it to pass effortlessly through the water. Twisting my body, I lined up my run, brought the blade up, and sliced through the little plastic replica. 

It felt strange, moving so quickly and relying upon my inertia to strike, but I’d been practicing martial arts long enough that I could easily understand the mechanics. Having exceptional reaction speeds helped too.

Ghost clapped politely, something that couldn’t exactly be easy underwater. “Excellent first strike! I would have expected you to take two or three attempts.” 

“I’ve always been a fast learner,” I replied as I lined up with both of the remaining targets. I managed to get the first target easily enough, but the drag nearly ripped the blade from my hands when I tried to switch sides. I just barely managed to save it by turning sharply, and readjusting my grip. Coming around, I finally managed to strike the last target down.

“Well done! You certainly are a quick learner. I think you’re ready for the next step!” Ghost exclaimed, reaching into her bag again. This time, she didn’t move around, just floated there smiling. 

“What’s the next step?” I asked suspiciously.

“You didn’t think the antithesis would just sit around, and let you hit them, did you?” Ghost asked disappointedly. “They are going to try and fight back. These targets are animated, and fight like the basic models. I was thinking we’d start with a small swarm of One-O’s and once you got used to that, we’d move on to the larger models. Don’t worry, these first targets are just rubber, and bounce off you if they manage to tag you. You’ll feel it, but they won’t hurt.”

She threw out her hands and within seconds there were half a dozen small rubbery rays swimming around. One of the little creatures immediately dived for my face, bouncing off my mask before I could dodge or get Rending Wave in the way. The little swarm immediately gathered up, and swam away before turning and rushing towards me again.

“Better get moving,” Ghost said with a smile.