We had parted the islands to continue on our journey but the more we sail the more it seems bleak. As if all the land doesn't exist outside of our own, from where did our ancestors come, how long have they traveled. The voyage has been going on for about a month now and so far, not much, outside of that island archipelago and a bunch of ships trap rock formations there has been nothing. We were caught up in a powerful storm but nothing we couldn't handle, it did give us some sort of fun while we drowned in boredom. We are traveling at a lower speed since we do have the cargo ships with us, but our men have calculated that we have traveled approximately around 10000+ kilometers, thankfully, we are still good on fuel but if we don't come across land I will be forced to head back home. Nippon division and Americana do have longer range ships. Britanica maybe too, every division had different philosophies that they thought of, each heading a different path and each covering a different range of engagement, some short some long range, filling each others gaps. Some specialize in combat range and firepower instead of range while others are willing to sacrifice a little bit of firepower for extended range. 

As another couple days pass I am conflicted in calling off the voyage, there is nothing, maybe we are heading in the wrong direction, maybe we somehow strayed off the original course and have been traveling in circles, who knows. Our navigation relies on both maps and a compass and since we don't really have a map we do rely on the compass. And it works on magnetic forces and if there is a strong magnetic filed in a certain area it can disrupt the results. The bridge crew stare at me, awaiting my decision every moment, to call of this. I squeeze my fist, closing my eyes, trying to make this hard decision. We couldn't have wasted all of this time for nothing, there has to be something out there, there has to be. But maybe it is a smart idea to call it off and head back home, to Terra. As I open my mouth to give out the order one of the tower boys comes rushing in, he is eccentric, like if his kid had been born healthy. They spotted land up ahead, in the distance, they are sure of it. I nodded and held back my order to head back, I trust them and I it was a good thing that I trusted them. Because, lo and behold, a island up ahead, large and more importantly, lit up under the night. There is a large city on it, a massive structure compared to the others, maybe a temple, or castle. The radios and ships sound in cheering and celebration, this voyage, at first bleak, had not been for naught. We finally reached civilization.

As we approached under the cover of the night, the tranquil and sleeping city inched ever so closer and my head filled with questions. How are we to communicate, how will they look and how will they react. As we got closer it became apparent, my Bismarck wouldn't exactly fit inside, there is too little space for it in that port so I told the Graf Spee to sail up close so that I could get on and we would enter with her. As I got on, everyone greeted me as I was the superior here, I had a chat with the captain Tobias Fein as we slowly sailed into the port. The ships around us still had sails and were made out of wood, ancient and inferior compared to ours. The streets were out of sandstone, but well lit and clean. The structures reminded us of ancient Hellenic origin that was mentioned in the old books. Despite choosing our smallest large ship she was still longer than most by at least three times. We haven't spotted any men approaching us, as if there doesn't exist a ship inspection crew that would greet incoming ships and document everything about them. As we tied ourselves to the dock we stood there, thinking of what to do next. Me, Tobias and a couple of our men step onto the dock, armed just in case and decide to take a gander around the city. It looked interesting but we doubt we will meet many locals as it is quite late at night. 

We traverse the empty streets, looking at the houses and building around us, ancient in design, at least compared to us, the streets surprisingly clean and well lit. We come across a man sleeping on the street, a drunk probably but it does give a chance to inspect the residents of this island. They closely resemble us, their skin a little on the redder side, a pair of small stubby horns atop their head. On the touch the skin feels similar to ours, but what does surprise us is a tail. Thin and skin colored, ending in a spear like point made, it is on the harder side, bone probably underneath. We leave the man to sleep, not wanting to probe him anymore as he does reek of alcohol and we don't want much trouble. We notice down the alleyway next to the sleeping drunk there is a place that is more lit than the area around it with a sign up above. Something is written but it is written in symbols unknown to us. This doesn't instill us with confidence at hopes of fluent communication but nevertheless we decided to check the place out. Maybe, just maybe we worry about it too much. As we step inside, the smell of alcohol and sweat fills our nostrils, a man stands behind the counter, bottles behind him, our eyes meet as he polishes a cup. I look around, ignoring the man for now, the inside has many tables and has two stories with the center being open so that the two floors can look at each other. There does seem to be a fireplace at the very opposite end of us. A couple patrons, some sleeping on the tables while two or three do sees us and stare at us. They all look similar to the drunkard sleeping outside which means that these are the common folk here. Our clothes stick out compared to what they wear. Mine and Tobias's black navy uniform, with golden stripes on the end of our sleeves and on the waist, a golden spread eagle as a crest of our identity and the shoulder patches that show our ranks. Our soldiers wear much simpler gray uniforms, but even they stick out. 

I turn my attention back to the man behind the counter who I believe is either the owner or simply works here and approach him. His ember eyes stare at me, looking down at me as he is taller than me, his tail moving behind him in slow movements. 

Klaus: Greetings to you fine man, may we know where we could talk to someone?

He stops cleaning the cup and stares at me in what I can only describe as confusion. As he starts to speak I don't understand a single word he says, his language so alien to me. I guess we hoped too much for ability to communicate. He seems to be saying something to us but it is hopeless and I turn my attention back to my men, unsure of what to do and they share the same sentiment as me. But then, from the dark corner of this dirty tavern a old, raspy voice speaks, his words I could understand.

???: Need help gentlemen?

I turn my head towards the direction, an old man sat there. Age had not been kind to him, but he doesn't look like the others around him. He is short, green skin, pointy ears, more so than the others. But nevertheless my face lightens up and I approach the man, sitting down at his table. 

Klaus: You can understand us?

???: Hahaha, you seem to be surprised, but yes, yes I do understand you. Tell me young man, how do you know of this tongue?

Klaus: Oh you mean of our language? Well, it is our language that we use, why? Is there something wrong with it?

He takes a look at the others who have joined me, standing behind me

???: There is. Your tongue had not been spoken for a long time, only a few know of it and you are lucky that I am one of them.

Klaus: But we use it on a regular basis.

???: Where do you hail from? Your attire is strange, you carry around long sticks on your backs, you are sharply dressed and carry symbols I have not seen in my long life.

Klaus: We hail from the Terra Republicae sir, it is a long way away from here and it is our first time meeting, well, anyone.

???: Terra what? Even the name is strange of the nation that you say you hail from. But I will trust you in your word if you say that it is a long way away. What is your name young lad?

Klaus: My name is Klaus Reger, the expeditionary fleets commander. The man dressed similar to me, standing behind me is Tobias Fein, he is a captain of one of our ships.

Broolk: Well, I will pretend what you said and say my name, Broolk. Much simple to what you spat out, isn't it. Now, you said that you wanted to talk to someone?

Klaus: Nice to meet you Sir Broolk and yes, we need information.

I extend my hand to shake it but he just stares at it, looking at me like I am a full, so I retreat it. I guess they either don't shake or their culture doesn't.

Broolk: What information do you need?

Klaus: Well, in truth, anything you can offer will be valuable.

Broolk: And what do I get in return? I must get paid for my extremely valuable information.

Klaus: Well, I doubt that our money would mean anything so I don't see I way we could pay you.

Broolk stay silent for a moment, thinking of a way to get paid. He is completely allowed to expect a payment, to us, his knowledge could be extremely valuable. He then appears to have found something.

Broolk: You said you came in ships right and considering that you are dressed strangely I can only assume that your ships are strange. 

Klaus: Well, yes, compared to the things around us they are strange, or at least different but to us, yours are strange. We aren't going to give you a ship Sir. 

Broolk: Hahaha, no, I didn't want that. I will give you everything you desire, every single detail if you let me to travel along with you. 

Klaus: Oh, are you sure Sir? We could certainly let you on board, after all, I am the highest rank here currently.

Broolk: I am sure of it, I am intrigued by this Terra something or rather. I have traveled all across the world, but never have I heard of that and would like to see what your nation looks like.

Klaus: Well, it is different to what you see here that is for sure. If that is all, then we should probably head to our ship so we could talk and gather all that you can give us in terms of information.

Broolk: Ap, ap, ap, another thing.

Klaus: Yes?

Broolk: My apprentice is allowed to come as well.

Klaus: Your apprentice? I guess if they won't cause trouble, then they can come.

Broolk: I doubt that she would do that, she is a good kid. 

Klaus: Alright then, I trust you with that. We will be waiting by the docks, come to us whenever you are ready Sir.

Broolk: Wait, how do I know which ship is your? Just so that I don't confuse it for another if there is another weird one.

Klaus: Well, our docked ship is unique, I doubt you could miss it, even a drunk wouldn't be able to. But if you do somehow miss it, just take a look at the horizon south from there, you will see a couple of ours more and you can deduce which one is ours in the dock. 

Broolk: Alright then, I guess I should head out and grab some of my things and bring in my apprentice with me.

I nod and leave the tavern with the others and head back towards the dock. This night had gone better than I could have ever hopped, who knew we would come across someone who we could speak to. He did say our language is ancient, I guess nobody speaks it here, on this side of the world. Nonetheless, Lady Luck had been on our side with this chance meeting, like fate wanted us to meet this Broolk. 

Tobias: Are you sure Sir that we should bring them with us?

Klaus: Why not, they are extremely valuable, especially he and if they do decide to do something funny. We could just kill them without any problem, but I do hope it doesn't come to that.

Tobias: Alright Sir. As you wish, you are the highest rank here and we are obliged to listen to you.