The two spirits sit in silence as they listen to Arkain's plan, with the only indication of their attention being Aquia's fin orienting towards Arkain as he speaks.  There's a pause after he finishes, as they seem to gather their thoughts before responding.  Aquia is the first to reply, the surface of the pool of water buzzing in time with his voice.<span style="font-style: italic">"What you ask...it can be done, but not easily.  The other furies here will not consent to such a significant event readily."</span>A few seconds later, Chroma's voice echos around the room, seeming to come from no particular source at first.<span style="font-style: italic">"All things are interconnected; doing this may have unforeseen consequences later, especially on the scale that you wish.  If it is what you deem necessary, however, we will do what we can to assist you."</span><br/><br/>Moving outside, the water forming Aquia's body jets back up into the air before falling back to the ocean below.  His fin rises up again, noticably larger than before, and begins to circle the ship, slowly gaining speed as he does so.  At the same time, Chroma disappears into the sky above the ship, matching Aquia's movements far above him.  Within a minute, their efforts are beginning to bear fruit; the few small clouds that had been overhead balloon in size, quickly darkening into ominous-looking storm clouds while the formerly-calm ocean starts to heave in larger and larger waves.<br/><br/>Far above, Azlant has finally reached a height where he can physically see the oncoming ships.  As the pair of destroyers close rapidly with the cargo ship, he looks at the developing storm worriedly.<span style="font-style: italic">"I hope you know what you're doing, but even so, you'd better do it quick.  If those ships get alongside you, there'll be little that we can do to stop them from boarding you.</span>"<br/><br/>-----<br/><br/>The feeling of Jaku being in such close proximity to him and entwining his new form with hers brings entirely new sensations to him, and Kellus is more than happy to momentarily lose himself in it, returning her embrace with one of his own.  "I know; for someone who has lived as long as I have, this is yet another new path to be followed...albeit, a much more significant change then any other on it.  And I am glad that it is one that I will not be taking alone - I've had quite enough of that."<br/><br/>Kellus' back arches as Jaku continues to show him just how different his new body is, the still-odd feeling of her hands on his scales causing him to lose his focus.  Looking down at his hands as Jaku manipulates them into a form matching hers, he gives them an experimental squeeze before smiling.  "You continue to give me new things to experience, and ask so little in return.  Of course."<br/><br/>Meanwhile, Kellus' tail has been slowly returning Jaku's attentions, rubbing back almost tentatively at first, but growing quicker to respond as Kellus becomes more consciously aware of it.  The feeling of her touch on the inside of his mouth captures his full attention, though, as he is suddenly aware of what she<span style="font-style: italic">tastes</span>like, and in a far different manner than he is accustomed to.  A short gasp escapes him accompanied by a tensing of his muscles across the length of his body as her tail moves further into his mouth, causing it to stretch comfortably wide around hers.  It reflexively bites down slightly, pulling Jaku further inside.  Caught in the sensation of his first meal in his new body, Kellus' expression is difficult to read due to the multitude of emotions passing through him in quick succession.<br/><br/>At her word, however, something clicks in the unconscious portion of his mind.  Like a dam giving way his new instincts, which he inherited from Jaku herself, almost take over completely.  Closing around her tail, his tailmaw's throat opens wide and accepts the offered meal, taking the entirety of her tail's head into his gullet in a single massive gulp.  As the taste of her floods his senses, his tailmaw begins to walk it's way upward, each swallow drawing more and more of Jaku's body inside him.  Just as the lips of his tail begin to touch her hips, he comes to his senses.  Kellus is taken aback by just how much of her he's managed to ingest so quickly, as a good portion of her tail is now starting to curl back on itself in his stomach.  Reaching to her and pulling her into a tight hug, he seems to have trouble speaking through somewhat labored gasps for air.  "That was...I appear to have gone somewhat overboard."  Although his tailmaw is still somewhat tugging on Jaku's body, Kellus is holding off on continuing to consume her for the moment, instead just basking in the sensation of being so<span style="font-style: italic">full</span>and physically stretched around her.<br/><br/>-----<br/><br/>Listening to the Captain's statements, and watching impassively as the security officer is hauled away, he turns back as Kruge motions to an empty seat nearby.  "Trust me Captain, I know of his capabilities very well; this is not the first time he and I have sparred so.  However, I feel that I should...clarify...our arrangement here.  My men and I are neither your subordinates nor under your command in any way, so don't presume to give us orders.  I will, of course, accept your council and heed it when correct, but that is all.  We are here to capture Kellus and his daemon if possible, not serve as your scapegoat should things go amiss.  We will aid you, as I hope you will us, as it will make both our jobs easier, but antagonizing us will earn you naught but ill-will from my people."<br/><br/>Turning to the door, Antian looks back at the Captain, and his expression has hardened noticeably.  "Finally, don't presume to try to intimidate me with vague threats.  You've just demonstrated that you know<span style="font-style: italic">nothing</span>of what either myself or Kellus is capable of, so I would tread lightly if I were you.  Neither of us take threats to our person very well."  As he finishes, his body seems to waver, before becoming translucent, revealing itself to be composed of water.  With the furycrafting holding it together gone, the simulacrum falls apart in a shower of water droplets into a puddle on the floor.  A moment later, a group of figures rocket past the bridge in a double-V formation.  Antian's distinctive cloak marks him out as leading the first wave, and they arc upwards as they approach the ship, eventually coming to a halt and hovering several hundred feet from the ship.  Motioning to the others, Antian quickly starts barking orders.  "Damien, take your squad around the other side of the ship and wait for my signal to move in.  Gavilian, you and your men are with me, and keep an eye on that battleship - I don't think the good Captain is going to be very patient here.  And Randius, Cantor, find out what's up with this weather.  If Kellus is stirring up a furystorm, I want to know before we go in."