Ambush At Sea

Ambush At Sea was a virtual representation of one of Bayek's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan through the Portable Animus HR-8.

Description

Bayek is sidetracked in Faiyum by a street storyteller who relates the story of Phoxidas and his "goddess" as they destroy the Gabiniani fleet. Exiles of Rome now united with Egypt and must be stopped. Listening to the storyteller's wild tale of incredible odds, it soon becomes clear the unnamed goddess is Aya - the only part of the story Bayek can be certain is true.

Dialogue

As Bayek approached, the storyteller began speaking to those gathered.

• Storyteller: Have you heard the story of courageous Captain Phoxidas? The magnificent Greek mercenary who single-handedly defeated the despised Gabiniani fleet in epic battle on the high seas? The gather around, and I will amaze you with the legend of Phoxidas and the Goddess of Siwa! Listen closely and you will hear how alone on the wide, naked Mediterranean sea the two fearless titans sent no less than sixty Gabiniani ships to the bottom of the ocean!
• Bayek: You said goddess of Siwa? What was her name? Which battle are you talking about?
• Storyteller: You have not heard? Oh, my friend, then you are in for a treat! Let me tell you how it happened... Legends has it, the noble Greek captain and the Egyptian goddess sailed from Alexandria's golden coast, in search of the feared Gabiniani fleet.

The scene changed to one of the sea, with a single boat in the distance.

• Storyteller: With only their sturdy trireme and loyal crew against the Gabiniani's fabled warships. Floating mountains carrying ten-thousand men, bristling with oars and fire...

The scene now shifted to the deck of the boat, where Aya and Phoxidas could be seen, commanding the crew of rowers.

• Phoxidas: Where are these mongrel Gabiniani? My informant assured me they would pass here. I'll throttle his scrawny neck if he told me wrong.
• Aya: Who are the Gabiniani? Where do they come from?
• Phoxidas: Exiles of Rome who took Egypt as their home. Traitorous rats, every one, with the discipline of Rome and the ruthlessness of Ptolemy. Worthy opponents for the likes of us!
• Aya: Well, we have to stop them before they can join Ptolemy's fleet.
• Phoxidas: We'll find them, Aya, and send them to ruin. Not one of the salt soaked hull rats will pass us alive. What say you, shield boy?

The fleet appeared in the distance.

• Phoxidas: There!
• Aya: Is that their whole fleet?
• Phoxidas: Poseidon's piss no, woman! That's only part of their full strength, and the lesser part by the looks. Triremes only. There's no sign of their damned Octareme. This works in our favor. We can work them down, ship by ship.
• Aya: Strike oars and ready your bows! We attack!
• Phoxidas: Give no quarter men! These devils will give us none!
• Damastes: They have an Octareme? How will we face it?
• Phoxidas: Show no fear, Damastes! They've not met our kind before. Their bloated barge won't save them.

One by one the ships are sunk.

• Aya: That's two down!
• Phoxidas: There's one more yet for Poseidon's collection!

The storyteller continued as the ship sailed.

• Storyteller: The Gabiniani were vanquished! All twenty mountainous warships lay in Poseidon's slimy embrace. Alone, and with the fury of the wind and sea railing against them, they prevailed!
• Bayek: Twenty warships? Pompey himself wouldn't claim so many.
• Storyteller: You must not doubt me! I was told it by someone who saw it happen!

Back on the deck of the ship, the crew were ready to celebrate.

• Damastes: Captain! We bested them! The Gabiniani are finished!
• Phoxidas: Don't be hasty, boy! My spies gave me a greater number than that. They must have split their fleet. We should head east.
• Aya: Straight into the jaws of the crocodile, if your spies tell the truth.
• Phoxidas: Hahaha! What of it? I've wrestled more fearsome beasts!
• Damastes: And none were a match for our Captain!
• Aya: Your bravado will be your undoing, Captain. And ours!

Reference

• Assassin's Creed: Origins