(Jason's POV)
I pulled the man to side as monks began filing back inside the hall. "I'm very interested." Any form of treasure is welcome in my hull. Just the fact that he knew where to look was an intriguing thought. The man shot a quick glance at the monks then his eyes met mine. He wanted to reward me. Good, I like treasure.
"It's an island we Albhed have been trying to unbury our home. We discovered more than just Home on the island. Machina beyond our imagination have been excavated already." A Pirate's dream. I thought to myself.
"So you have no idea what kind of treasure is actually buried there?" My mind raced with the possibilities. Old tech, artifacts, could be monetary as well. "Hellfire, where is Leftenant Musaki?"
"Escorting the last group back down here."
"Tell her to meet me in my quarters. Have Newind standby for next course." I flexed my shoulders and heat erupted out of my shoulder blades. I launched skyward and towards the deck of The White Phoenix.
As I landed on the deck, Newind stepped out to meet me. "Captain, all systems nominal."
"Outstanding, as soon as I discuss our next destination with Musaki, we will make way."
"Yes Captain." He saluted then stepped aside to let me into the bridge. I didn't stop there and went to elevator that led to my quarters. Knowing Musaki, she was already waiting for me.
She sitting on my desk when I entered the room. "I have something to discuss with you. I gained Intel on a possible treasure hunt."
"Do tell." She smiled with interest. "An island off the west coast, it's a desert but buried in the sands is untold treasure and artifacts."
"So a sandbox full of someones old toys?"
"That's about it." I could see the wheels turning in her mind as she thought over the possibilities like I did. "I'm in. I'll confirm the location and give the course to Newind."
"Pick out some technicians for the dig. Cadets and privates only. Make sure they are prepared for a desert."
"Sir." She hopped off my desk and practically ran out of my quarters. "Freaking child." I removed my scale mail chest plate and gauntlets. I was in the process of unbuttoning my tunic when a knock sounded at the door. "Enter." Hellfire came in. "Sir, I wish to report on Cadet Percy Davies."
"I will accept your report."
"Cadet Davies has ambition, He placed first several times in mock battle and has an interest in aerial combat."
"Add him to your team temporarily, I want him to gain experience."
"Sir." Hellfire left and I peeled off my tunic. I had no energy at this point. The robot and Ixion both took it out of me. I was expecting P.O.G, but I'm not complaining. I sat down to remove my grieves. The gold buckles behind the knee were stiff but I was able to open them and pull my feet free. I sat there for a minute letting my tired feet breathe. Then I stood with a grunt and walked to a door on the far wall. This was my bathroom. A glass wall enclosed the shower, a four foot deep pool in the center was the bath and finally the main and most important appliance. My platinum plated throne. I ignored the bath in favor of a hot shower to ease my tense muscles. I sighed, content as the heated water poured down my sore shoulders and back. My chest had healed and now the scar really looked like a star in shape. The blast scored my chest deeply but not to the bone as I thought. I had to admit, it was badass.
The intercom buzzed while I stood under the hot spray. "Someone better be dying." I answered.
"We are approaching Bikinel, Sir."
"Received." I groaned and quickly finished my shower.
At least this would be a little more relaxed compared to the last two places I visited.
The Intel was true. It's a sandbox. Bikinel was surrounded on all sides by mountains, in it's center was a massive expanse of desert. Near the southern edge of the desert was a small oasis. I stood on the deck with Musaki, Esqueezeme, Hellfire and Kyet. "Okay, this is how it's going to go. We break into teams. Percy goes with your team in place of Newind, Hellfire take your team and your assigned technicians to the west expanse, we will take the east. The ship will be in the center as a reference point." I opened the map on my tablet. "Keep your techs in sight at all times. The desert isn't dead. There are several rampaging machina and fiends native to the area. Keep the line open in case of emergencies. Any questions?" They shook their heads in response. "Alright, any treasure we find goes directly to the hull, we tally it up at the end of the search. Use a grid pattern to mark the locations then Newind will send the dig team for retrieval. Mark and move."
"Sir, Yes Sir." I had to keep Newind on the ship, no one knows better how to operate her than Newind. This also gives Percy experience with a team. Who better than his own drill instructor. "Move out."
Hellfire and Kyet left to collect Percy while me and the girls headed to the hanger and our waiting techs.
It's hot, I could feel the sweat run down my back as we worked. I shook the sand out my left grieve. I kept sinking in about half a foot every few feet and now I had sand in places I'd rather not think about right now. The techs were quick in finding the artifacts then marking them for the dig team. We soon had a wide section of our quadrant covered in blue flags. Esqueezeme stayed on a fixed dune with her eyes to a scope. She swept the area as me and Musaki handled the group of techs and their gear. So far the few robots that popped out of the sand were simple enough and only needed a few swings of my great sword to take them down.
"Sit Rep." I spoke into the communicator.
"All clear, every tech accounted for. Returning for secondary group." Hellfire answered.
"Copy that, we will head back as well." I whistled to Esqueezeme who waved back in turn. We headed for the shuttle with our techs. "Never thought digging for treasure would be this fun." Esqueezeme commented as she settled into the chair beside mine.
Musaki hopped into the pilot's seat and fired up the engines. "Based on my estimations we can expect a ton of old tech from the Machina war." She enthused as the shuttle lifted off the sand.
"Don't blow us up Musaki." I teased as we flew back to the ship.
"Captain, a large unidentified fiend spotted in the west expanse, Hellfire has evacuated his team." Newind spoke over the open line. And there goes my peaceful vacation.