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His crew sprang into action. The deck of the ironclad bustled with activity.

The ironclad began to slice through the waves and creep slowly toward the merchant ships.

Jon oversaw the whole operation with minimal interference. He wants to let his crew handle things independently since the target is just easy prey.

Although they wanted to make a surprise attack, he knew well that stealth was not an option.

The billowing black smoke from the ironclad's coal-fired engines was impossible to conceal on the open sea.

It hung like a dark cloud against the vast blue horizon.

It was too conspicuous.

The Blande merchant ship spotted them soon enough.

They must have seen the towering column of smoke or the glint of its steel hull catching the sunlight.

Regardless, it was too late for them to escape.

Jon's lips curled upwards. "Let's greet them."

"Aye, captain!"