The Pacific shimmered under the California sun, the shoreline humming with the sound of gulls, wind, and waves. It looked like peace.
But Arthur knew better.
There was power hiding beneath the waterline. Silent trades, black-route naval fleets, deep-sea drilling rights, offshore bunkers, and floating economies.
And Summer Lane stood at the center of it.
Target Identified: Summer Elise LaneAlias: "Siren of the Shore"Age: 25Former Occupation: Elite Lifeguard / Undercover Coastguard InformantCurrent: Independent Maritime Consultant & Ocean Conservation Influencer
Net Influence: Controls 64% of unofficial Pacific shipping trade maps. Connected to 4 major pirate syndicates and 7 underwater data cable access points.
Psychological Profile: Adventurous, no respect for bureaucracy, loyal to the ocean
Domain Assignment: Global Marine & Naval AffairsLoyalty Probability: 71% → 100% (Post-Vow)Potential: Naval Sovereignty Architect
Arthur arrived not in a limo, but a private yacht disguised as a conservation vessel, under a false flag.
Summer Lane didn't respect titles.
She respected the sea.
First Contact
He spotted her on the rocky outcrop, barefoot, wearing cutoff denim shorts and a sea-salt-stained tank top. Wind in her wild blonde hair, she looked like something painted by Poseidon himself.
She didn't wave.
Didn't smile.
Just watched him approach.
"You're not here for the coral," she said dryly.
Arthur smirked. "Not exactly."
"You're with that new group trying to privatize the Mariana mining corridors?"
"I'm the one trying to buy the planet," he replied casually.
She raised an eyebrow. "Bold."
"True."
The Bait and the Current
They talked by firelight on the beach, drinking cold brew from mason jars and listening to the crashing surf.
"You really think you can own the oceans?" Summer asked, half-amused.
"No," Arthur said. "But I can direct where they flow."
He tossed her a tablet — real-time naval satellite data intercepted from five continents.
"You're watching them," she muttered, flipping through.
"Now imagine managing them."
Summer paused.
"What do I get?"
"Command," Arthur said. "Of every coast. Every ship. Every underwater wire and corridor."
"Even pirates?"
"Especially pirates."
The Underwater Empire
The next day, Arthur took her in a stealth sub to one of his off-grid underwater stations near Micronesia — a storage base housing weapons, gold, encrypted servers, and experimental tech.
When they surfaced, Summer looked different.
Less rebellious. More... resolved.
"Give me the maps," she said.
"They're yours."
Unbreakable Vow Initiated
Loyalty: 100%Domain Assigned: Global Marine Affairs, Naval Control, Subsea Trade & Surveillance
Rank: Dame
System Update
Arthur Ashford → Duke
Summer → Dame (Marine World)Bianca → Viscountess (Economy)Vivian → Countess (Politics)Yesenia → Countess (Faith)Aurora → Marchioness (Aristocracy)Carmen → Marchioness (Diplomacy)Candy → Duchess (Sports)Nora → Duchess (Underworld)Roxy → Duchess (Stock Market)Bella → Duchess (Food World)
Skill Unlocked: Oceanic Override
Grants the ability to redirect any naval fleet, public or covert, within international waters if linked to system-affiliated supply chains.Smuggling routes now passively generate 5% ROI through Summer's dominion.
The Promise of the Sea
They stood on the dock at sunset, wind warm and thick with salt.
Summer leaned against the railing.
"My father was a naval officer," she said. "Died in a conflict no one acknowledged. The sea took him. Now I take it back."
Arthur didn't speak. He simply placed his hand gently over hers.
"No more waves without your name behind them," he said.
Summer's smirk returned.
"Then let's drown the old world."