"Slow down. Starboard seven degrees."
Morel stood at the bow, his pipe clenched between his teeth. His left hand rested on the communications console while his right flipped through sonar records.
The luxury cruise ship reduced speed.
Three rows of buoys stretched across the sea ahead, their warning lights flashing in alternating sequence. More than a dozen blockade vessels were spread along both sides of the channel, flying the flags of the Kakin Empire, the Oochima Federation, and several coastal nations. Airships cruised along the blockade line, their searchlights sweeping repeatedly across the water.
The sea below was no emptier.
Unmanned probes dragged cables back and forth, while underwater sonar returned a set of readings every few seconds. The crew responsible for the equipment sat before their screens, sweat covering their foreheads.
"Another patch disappeared."
The crewman pulled up two sonar images.
In the first, a school of fish moved with the current. The second was only eight minutes later, yet the area on the left had already been emptied. Nearby fish had changed course, choosing to crowd into shallower waters rather than enter that region.
Bai Zhu entered the bridge with a teacup in hand, followed by a young woman carrying a birdcage.
"Even the fish know not to go in there?"
Morel tapped the screen with his pipe.
"They're avoiding it."
"Then we should avoid it too. Turn back, dock somewhere, and find a restaurant."
"Too late."
Morel raised a hand and pointed ahead.
Two patrol ships had already left formation and closed in from both sides. The guns on their decks had not turned, but every weapons operator was in position.
A warning came through the loudspeaker.
"Cruise ship ahead, stop immediately."
"This is the Caspian Sea Joint Blockade Zone. Under the S-Class Disaster Response Regulations, your