First Light of a New Age

Chapter 108: Boarding the Leviathan

The AH-12 Thunderhawk Attack Helicopter leveled out and the six rocket pods under its wing burst into smoke and flames as a salvo of rockets screamed out of the launchers and flew toward their targets. Another hundred meters away, a second gunship volley fired its own rockets, sending the missiles streaking toward the retreating Tarxan Coalition fleet. 

Moments later, the sailing ships' defensive works erupted in clouds of smoke as the 70mm rockets rained down on them. Explosions rippled across the face of the earthworks, reducing fortified structures to rubble and obliterating magic cannons. 

"Thunderhawk 1-1 to 1-2," the pilot called into his comms and glanced to his left at the second gunship hovering in formation. "The assault is a go." 

"Roger, 1-1," came the curt reply. 

With a push of the stick, the Thunderhawk dashed forward with its compound rotors propelling it into the fray. Beside the pilot, the co-pilot and gunner zeroed in on high-value targets identified by Intel. The nose-mounted 20mm autocannon spat out bolts of deadly ordinance of high-explosive and armor-piercing rounds that shredded exposed soldiers, demolished weapons, and buried defenders under collapsing structures. 

Magic cannons exploded in fiery bursts, and their fragments wreaked havoc on anyone nearby with weaker magical defenses.

On the flagship Leviathan, however, the surviving cannons swiveled upward and fired magical projectiles skyward in a desperate attempt to shoot down the enemy aircraft. 

The Leviathan's adamantite hull groaned as side panels opened, releasing two dragon riders into the air. The massive beasts flapped their leathery wings, accompanied by two elves clad in sleek combat armor who took to the skies, ready to engage. 

The Thunderhawks charged over the flagship while their autocannons were spewing destruction across its decks. Magical barriers absorbed most of the bullets as their shimmering surfaces flared with each impact. Realizing their weapons were ineffective against the shield, the helicopters broke away, weaving through a storm of ballista bolts and magical projectiles. 

"Contact!" the pilot of 1-1 yelled out as four red dots appeared on his HUD. "Enemy bogeys!" 

He quickly pushed the engines to full throttle, and the Thunderhawk charged forward with surprising agility. As the enemy air forces closed in, the pilot deftly reduced speed and twisted the gunship, aligning the nose-mounted weapons with the approaching threats. 

"Engaging," the co-pilot muttered as his attention was on an armored elf that flitted into his sights.

The elf tried to follow the gunship and hurled spells at the Thunderhawk, but the helicopter’s orichalcum-reinforced armor absorbed the impacts, negating their effects. 

The pilot adjusted his aim and squeezed the trigger, sending a barrage of 20mm tracers screaming toward the elf at 800 rounds per minute. The nimble adversary jinked unpredictably, narrowly dodging the rounds. A stray burst, however, struck a dragon mid-flight as the beast's wings were shattered in an explosion of smoke and blood as it spiraled into the ocean with its rider’s screams lost in the chaos. 

"Good kill!" 1-2's pilot cheered over the comms. 

Enraged by the loss, the remaining enemy forces barreled straight toward the Thunderhawks in a furious charge. The helicopters responded with uncanny maneuverability, banking sharply while keeping their autocannons locked on the attackers. Another dragon and its rider fell under the barrage, leaving only a single desperate beast.

The dragon unleashed a fiery breath, and the flames licked futilely at the empty air as the Thunderhawks danced out of reach. A final salvo of 20mm rounds punched through the creature's armored hide, sending it falling in a trail of fire and ash.