Limitless Seas, Book 1: Privateer. Introduction

Here is a look at the first chapter of the new Limitless Seas series. It is set in the Limitless Lands world, far from where our first adventures took place. I'll be posting chapters as I create them (I have several already completed that I will post daily, after that it will likely be one or two a week). Keep in mind these are rough drafts and haven't been edited in any way. Much could (and usually does) change as the story develops and I go through the editing process. 

Prelude.

“Mr. Larson, with the launch of this vessel, oceangoing trade will never be the same again,” his assistant said with confidence. Craig Larson was sure of the design, even if he wasn’t a fan of the new vessel being completely automated. The MV Revolution was the latest in a long line of innovations his company had produced. It was an ugly thing, its bulky shape had been selected to maximize cargo capacity and efficiency, not any aesthetics appeal. Larson missed his old days in the Navy, there was something predatory about a warship design that had been lost when drones replaced the flesh and blood militaries. 

“May I help you, sir?” His assistant asked as he headed toward the viewing stands. 

“No Jack, I’ll do it myself for as long as I’m able,” Larson replied. His shuffling steps made slow but steady progress. Still healthy despite his age of 84, Larson knew that the ravages of time didn’t let anyone escape their grasp. His cane helped with stability and under his suit pants, a motorized brace supported his right knee. The knee was the one that had needed several surgeries before the doctors finally gave up on it, telling him it was the best it was going to be. New nanobot therapies were in the works, but he didn’t want to get his hopes up.

Hobbling along, Larson fended off greetings and well-wishes from old friends as well as a few he knew were just trying to curry his favor. They were barking up the wrong tree, Larson had handed over the running of the company to the board long ago. Publicly, it was reported he was ready to retire due to age, declining mental acuity. No, it was because of his methods of business. Larson was never one to shrink from a fight and if any person or organization stood in the way of his goals, they would be steamrolled. Loyalty was demanded by Larson; in his mind you were loyal, or you got shown the door. He was a harsh man, but he also insisted on rewarding loyalty, which is what got him in trouble with the board in the first place. 

The industry had been changing, everything was becoming more automated. It was something he couldn’t avoid, it boiled down to a choice of modernizing the company or going out of business. So, Larson bit the bullet and upgraded the company infrastructure. As human workers were replaced by technology, Larson insisted on offering them retraining or a generous severance package. The board resisted; the cost was too high in their estimation. He had to cut a hard deal, getting the board to agree to take care of his employees as long as he stepped down. It was time to go anyway, the world was changing, and he was a man of a different generation. Age had caught up with him, something that no man can avoid, no matter how strong-willed he is. 

Now, he was trotted out on days like this, a respectful gesture for the man that had created the company. He didn’t mind, Larson loved to see a new vessel set sail, even if it wasn’t going to have a flesh and blood crew at the helm. 

Larson picked his way up the stairway and into the VIP viewing stands, as close to the ship as he could get. He waved at the shipyard workers, stopping to watch the boarding gantry lift off the ship and move overhead. There was a time back when the company started that he knew them all by name, it was something he missed in his retirement, the camaraderie that develops as people work on a project together. Instead of taking his seat, Larson walked up and held onto the railing, wanting as good a view as possible and wishing he was the one at the helm. 

Soon, the Revolution would feel the touch of the sea on her hull for the first time. He swelled with pride at what his company had created. His thoughts were interrupted, his head jerking up at the sound of tortured metal giving way. Screaming began in the viewing stands as the boarding gantry swayed dangerously. One of the chains securing it had broken and the whole thing was swinging down on the remaining attachment point. It was heading right toward…