Illume shifted his gaze toward his soldiers, surveying his options for who would accompany him.

"Sir Illume... if you don't mind, may I suggest to you a duo who I find to be exceptional candidates to join you for this journey of yours?" Asked Gull.

Illume nodded. "Yes, you may. We have a great number of exceptional warriors, it's a difficult choice to only bring a couple of them alongside me. But if you have some in mind already, then that would make things much easier. Go on then. Who are they?"

Two little blasts of lightning exploded next to Gull. On his left, stood a lightning Surge who had a little bolt in his mouth, smoking it. On his right, was a slimmer lightning Surge who was enveloped in far more lightning than the others. This one grinned widely.

The smoking Surge lifted the bolt from his mouth. It sizzled between his fingers. He looked at Verlena, Teres, and Esca. "Hey. I'm Jecc. I really don't like traveling, but for some reason am always the one getting selected for it. Maybe I'd oughta start getting my ass kicked a little during wars to lower my value, so I don't have to act as the Surge's travel boy anymore. But... hey, I won't sit here and complain all day. We've got things to take care of so let's get moving. I just hope there's at least a warm and cozy bed for me on that ship of yours."

"Heh, oh Jecc. You truly take things for granted. If only I was given the same opportunities you've received throughout your ever so eventful life." The other Surge said. "My name's Sligg, and as long as I getta leave Brelec and experience the wide variety of pleasures this gorgeous world has to offer, then I couldn't care less about my sleeping conditions. As a matter of fact, I really don't give a damn if I even sleep at all!! My passion is discovery and learning about the world up close and personal, experiencing things head on!! And if sleeping on the hard floor, or forgoing it altogether is the only sacrifice necessary to indulge in my hobby, then so be it!!!"

"Settle down, nobody said you couldn't sleep or use a bed either. We've got plenty of space to spare for it, and will make the time to get in any needed rest." Said Teres.

"Incredible. Great news. Now I'm even more excited."

Gull then spoke up. "Jecc, and Sligg. An exceptional duo who hold an impressive variety of important experiences. Gathering materials for the project that reside within threatening and at times, complex areas. Using their clever minds to conduct research and bring forth new revelations regarding our goals. And of course they've participated in our frequent battles, proving to be exceptionally skilled time and time again. To combine all of this with their passionate personalities, I see them as worthy comrades to have by your side to help bring down this group of rotten terrorists. Your thoughts, Sir Illume?"

"Hah. I knew I could entrust you with the decision, Gull." Illume displayed a look of satisfaction. "You've made a spectacular choice, and your detailed reasoning has only filled me with more confidence that they'll make for splendid partners. Not that I had any doubts about them anyway, I'm well aware of Jecc and Sligg's skill. Alright then!! With that, I believe all preparations are complete. Nothing's slipping my mind, right Nix?"

"I don't believe so, love." Replied Nix. "Your wonderful lightning Surge will now have the guidance they need with Gull being appointed as their leader, and you've chosen a set of capable companions, while still leaving us with numerous powerful lightning Surge to spare. Despite the absence of you three, your army is still oh so strong. We should be okay now. Fabulous work."

"Magnificent!" Turning toward Verlena, Teres, and Esca once more, Illume asked, "Well my three new friends, are you prepared to set sail then to our first destination? As you have heard, we are now completely prepared."

Esca answered, "We most certainly are my new cloudy comrade. At long last, we are only a trip away from getting a break!! Please do hop on in, and I shall get us moving shortly here." She then lowered the ship's ramp.

Quickly approaching the ramp, Sligg was the first to board. "Why thank you so very much, kind madam." He said, bowing to Esca and gently kissing her hand.

"Eh... yes. You're very welcome. Just please, do not ever do anything similar to that to me again, for as long as you live!! Or else I will forgo you of meal privileges, in addition to bringing forth my best effort to abandon you whenever we switch locations!"

"Understood ma'am!" Sligg saluted. He then was suddenly sent flying sideways. From behind him, Jecc had approached, kicking him onto the deck of the ship.

Glaring at him, Jecc said, "This time, we're going to be traveling with a group of strangers... or acquaintances, I guess you could consider them now. We'll all be eating, sleeping, shitting, fighting, and experiencing everything during this assignment alongside these people. So use your head. Kissing someone's hand when you've just met is not how you introduce yourself or give thanks."

Sligg sat up, and leaned against the ship wall. "Damn... yeah, I guess you're kinda right. It's just that all of this excitement has got my nerves going wild!! I forgot how to properly interact for a moment there. It's entirely my bad!!"

"Tch. As Gull was saying, you're truly a wiz." Jecc looked at Verlena, Teres, and Esca. "Anyway, I wanted to ask what your names are? No one ever bothered to find out."

"My name is Verlena."

"Teres."

"And I am the esteemed ship caretaker, Esca!"

"Nice to meet you all. I appreciate the rides you'll be giving us. It makes traversing the surface a lot more manageable. And your ship is really nice, from the first impressions I'm getting." Jecc examined the surrounding areas of the ship. "Which makes me wonder how nice the beds are going to be. Do you mind letting me take a look?"