Honey : The Empire's Treasure 378 Hamsters in a Wheel

"Have you been able to get in contact with Oz again?" Pharom asked to anyone.

"No...sir. After knocking us all out, there hasn't been any contact from him...and our comms are down so we can't get any messages in or out, sir." 

"Argh! When I find out who this Oz guy is, I'm going to tear his face off!"

Sitting in her room, Mika's body jerk with a sudden sneeze.

All the soldier stuck on the warships were disheartened as well. Since waking up after Oz (Mika) knocked them out. They realized both aircrafts have landed without their knowledge.

Commander Wynfina first attempt was to launch a sneak attack at night, while the Prince's men have let down their guard.

However, after gathering all his soldiers and doing to the ships' armory, they found that it was locked.

After several hours of smashing and trying to work their way inside, Pharom finally came to the conclusion that it will be impossible for them to get their weapons.

With plan A gone, Pharom thought maybe they could still launch they attack with the ships' weapons but his Captains quickly nix that idea as they informed him that they still don't have access to the control systems. 

Plan C was to raid the Prince's estate and take over using just willpower. Yet, when the soldiers assemble at the cargo bay, they were surprised to see that they couldn't even open up the doors to outside.

The spirits of the royal guards instantly plunged where they realized that they were trapped on an aircraft they have no control of.

Seeing his men go from adrenalized frighters to terrified fledglings in a matter of moments, had Pharom scared that he might lose control of his men.

Sending everyone back to their quarters, he called for his closest aids to his office to think of plan D.

"We can't just sit here eating our faces, waiting for the Prince's soldiers to march in here to slaughter us! We must think of a plan before they board this vessel!" Pharom couldn't deny that his emotions were getting the best of him. 

When he was gloating in front of Ailwin, he thought he had already won the battle. Now, things were looking dire for him and his men. 

The way he smirked and disrespected Ailwin's authority was constantly replaying in his mind. He knew that once Prince Ailwin had him in his hands he could kiss his life goodbye.

"Commander!" A young lieutenant rushed into his office.

"What do you think you are doing-" Pharom roared when the young officer entered his office without knocking.

"Sir, they food stores can't be access! Neither can the water supplies!" The young lieutenant said, interrupting Commander Wynfina when he was about to have his head.

"What do you mean the food stores and water supplies aren't open! Explain yourself."

"Sir, when the men all returned to their quarters some were trying to fill their stomachs or quench their thirst, but found that they couldn't access their food stores nor their water supplies, sir!"

Pharom stood up from his chair behind his desk and calmly walked to his own food store in his office.

Under everyone watch, he tugged on the handle to open the store but nothing happened. Again and again he tugged, yet the store couldn't be accessed.

Dropping his hand, Pharom no longer wanted to make a fool of himself pulling at something that obviously won't open. Turned away from the food store, he turned to attention to the water supply chamber in the room.

All the water on the ships were held in crystalized cubes that could be liquified when need be. The crystals were held in the storage bay of the ship. They were available to all passengers through the regulator onboard.

All one had to do was placed their cup or mug under the monitor and press a button, however when Commander Wynfina went to do just that, nothing came out.

"Captain, go down to the storage bay and see what the hell is going on!?" Pharom smashed his cup on the floor.

"Yes, sir."

A few moments later, Commander Wynfina and his men sat around the navigation deck with their hands clutching their heads as their stomach grumbled in protest of the lack of food.

"What kind of no good rotten scoundrel locks the royal guards in their own vessels and cuts off food and water!" Pharom yelled out everyone's frustration.

Now that it was known that they couldn't get any food and water on the ship, the soldiers' moods plummeted.

With Shadow Wolves army waiting outside for them and starvation inside, Pharom knew this was the end to his career. The King will never forgive him for this plunder, let alone making it out of this situation alive would be calling his life lucky.

Looking at the soldiers surrounding him, he could feel the discontent in their eyes. Before leaving the imperial capital he swore to them that if they followed him, he would lead them to fame and riches after completely the King's orders. 

Although now, all they got for they troubles is hunger pains and dry throat.

This isn't good...soon they will probably chop off my head and serve it to the Prince Ailwin just for a cup of water! I need to fix this fast!

Calling his captain over, Pharom began devising a plan to break the ship out of it hostage situation.

Since they can't use the operating system, Commander Wynfina rather dismantle the whole thing.

"Sir, are you sure about this? If we do this the ship will no longer have its shields and everything will have to be done manually. From flying to firing the weapons to-"

"Yes, I'm sure! The men will not stay compliance for long. If we can show them a slim chance of hope then they will continue to be under our orders….and we might just make it out here alive."

Chapter end