A humid, tropical pirate world. Lush jungles press against the coastlines, and pirate ships dot the turquoise waters. The STF dropship lands in a small clearing surrounded by thick vegetation. Steel, Stark, and The Lion, an STF member, step out, swatting away swarms of buzzing insects.
Steel swatting at bugs "Should've brought bug spray…"
Stark grimacing, "I swear, this place is crawling with more bugs than soldiers in basic."
Steel squinting "Wait—who's that?"
A figure steps from the shadows of a broken hull, a crooked grin on his face. Dressed in tattered leathers, patched pants, and a belt full of makeshift weapons,
He bows mockingly. "Well, what do we have here… tourists or trouble?"
The Lion with a relaxed grin, "We're just here for a seal. Some kind of artifact. Big, shiny, probably cursed."
???: "Ah… the seal. That'd be in the hands of Varkos the Dreadborn. A real monster of a pirate, a ship like a floating fortress. But, lucky for you, I hate that guy."
Stark arms crossed, "So what's the deal?"
??? "You help me take him down, I'll help you get that seal."
Steel eyeing him up, "What's your name, pirate?"
Rikk grinning, one tooth gold, one mission. "Name's Rikk. Rikk the Rat. Best sneak on this mudball, and maybe the most charming."
He leads them through thick brush to the edge of a shanty town clinging to the edge of a cliff. They descend into a lively pirate hideout— a massive, low-ceilinged tavern, wood beams barely holding it up.
Pirates dance, brawl, and sing sea shanties. The room goes dead silent as the two Greats enter.
Rikk the Rat, raising his arms dramatically, "Alright, mates! I found us not one— but two Greats to help us sink Varkos and that ugly floating prison of his!"
The silence breaks into murmurs and wild cheers. Tankards are raised. Somewhere in the back, a chair flies through the air. The trio is approached by the grizzled and sharp-eyed Captain Ironsnout, his voice gravelly but commanding.
Ironsnout- "When Varkos' crew comes to raid this fortress, we strike back—hard. But first, I need you to help me pick the right crew for the job."
Steel cracked his knuckles. "Easy enough. We'll start first thing in the morning."
Morning sun glinted off the fortress walls. Steel and Stark were already dressed, weapons at their sides. The Lion was dragging himself out of bed, shirt half-buttoned and hair still wild.
The Lion groggy "You guys act like the battle's already started…"
Steel- "It has—for those of us who wake up on time."
They scouted the fortress, observing weak points and strategic positions.
Stark analyzing "We'll need heavy gunners on the upper wall—cannons here, harpoons there. We'll set multiple boarding teams for when we drag Varkos' ship in close. Timing will be everything."
Steel- "Dreadwake would love to be part of this. Pirates versus pirates."
They set up a long wooden table outside the fortress gates. A rough cloth banner reading "Recruiting" fluttered in the wind. Soon, a line of pirates and townsfolk formed, some excited, others suspicious, all armed in ragged armor and makeshift gear.
Steel stood at the front of the line, arms crossed, scanning each pirate.
Steel- "You—tall one with the axe. Boarding party. Next—burly guy with the scar. Cannons. Next—you smell like rum and bad decisions… cannon team."
Stark sat behind the table with a datapad, logging names and payout brackets.
Stark- "Name, skill, pay rate… don't lie or we'll find out."
The Lion darted in and out of the fortress, returning each time with crates of rope, gunpowder, food, and gear. The Lion grinning, "Hope this Varkos guy likes surprises—we've got a whole storm brewing for him."
As the day rolled on, the fortress became a hive of preparation: sails patched, weapons loaded, and every cannon tested. The stage was being set for an all-out pirate showdown. The sun rose, casting a golden haze over the ocean.
The calm didn't last. On the horizon, Varkos' monstrous warship emerged like a sea beast from legend—dark sails, spiked hull, and rows of cannons gleaming in the light. Everything fell silent. The wind died. Time seemed to hold its breath.
Then
— BOOM!
The first cannon fired. The fortress shook as fire exploded across its upper wall. Shards of wood splintered into the air, smoke choking the sky. Pirates scrambled. Chaos erupted. Stark, already manning the harpoon gun, fired directly into Varkos' ship.
The harpoon embedded in the hull with a thunderous thud.
Stark, gritting his teeth, "Pulling you in whether you like it or not."
With raw power, he reeled the colossal ship toward the fortress. Boarding teams launched into action. Grapples thrown, ropes swung—pirates clashed mid-air and on deck.
The Lion crashed into the fight like a bolt of fury, tackling enemies overboard and clearing the deck with brute strength. He made his way to the anchor and kicked it down, locking the ship in place.
The Lion grinning, "Welcome to your last stop, Varkos."
Below deck, Steel charged through waves of resistance. He wasn't graceful—he was a battering ram. Every blow was devastating.
He reached the mending seal, a glowing core wrapped in cursed chains and ancient runes. With a deep breath, Steel raised his arm and shattered it with a single punch. Up above, Stark swung across the rigging, kicking pirates left and right like a one-man wrecking crew.
Landing near the main mast, he grabbed a loose cannon, spun it with effort, and aimed it directly at Varkos, who was scrambling to retreat.
Stark- "Too slow."
He fired. The blast knocked down the mast and sent Varkos flying. His ship fell quiet. The battle was over. A roar of triumph echoed from the deck. The pirates were routed. The fortress stood, scarred but unbroken.
Later, back at HQ, the three heroes floated lazily in the recovery pool, soaking in silence… until The Lion broke it with a laugh.
The Lion- "You should've seen me drop the anchor—I felt like a movie hero."
Stark- "You mean a clumsy movie hero?"
Steel chuckling, "Hey Dreadwake, next time you skip out, you better believe we're charging you for the best part."
Dreadwake- "Sounds like I missed the best pirate story of the decade."