Ascendance (The Original Lands: Book 1)

Chapter 9

I follow the heavily armored soldiers down the corridors of the ship, twisting and turning all while ignoring the simple magnificent and intricate carvings throughout the hall that are arrayed in a graceful pattern. The boarding happened a little while ago, the enemy had attempted to push into our ship via a breach. We countered and pushed back. Captain Teluria remained on the bridge to command the cleanup of the battle.

I, unfortunately, wasn't allowed to participate in the fighting. Was too dangerous for me to push forward with the vanguard in boarding a ship, for obvious reasons. So I waited for the entrance--or exits-- to be cleared of hostiles, and now I accompany a team of my own personal guard down to the most secure opening we have.

It's interesting, both of the ships are hovering in mid-air during a huge battle, held together by apparently some very strong cables. Ramps are then extended from airlocks to allow boarding and going.

From what I've been told by Folduin, Capital Ship boarding like this is uncommon. The more average method is just to take Dropships and either land in the enemy hangers or create an opening somewhere on the hull of the ship.

Hell, any of these methods work for me. I don't care, as long as I get that bastard in command. Hasn't even been forty-eight hours since my life was turned upside down and I'm already changing. The scary thing is I don't know even if it's for bad or worse. Luckily for me, I have Allen. Folduin assured me he is safe right now on the ship, I can't find myself to doubt the man. He has only been good to me since I've met him.

I don't have the luxury to continue letting my thoughts wander to Allen and back. We arrive at our destination shortly. Several soldiers stand guard around the airlock, inside our ship and the enemy ship.

They salute me as we approach.

"We've pushed deep into the enemy ship, sir." One of the soldiers says, approaching Folduin and giving him a quick report, "Many noncombatants have also surrendered to our men as soon as they caught sight of us approaching, we await orders on what to do with the prisoners."

Folduin nods, looking halfway distracted. "What about the enemy commander?"

"As far as we know, he is on the bridge. Our troops continue to fight their way there. Only thing is enemy resistance in the halls has been tough. The crew of the ship may surrender as we approach, but their regular army and elite forces continue to fight. I don't think we've taken a single prisoner yet from either of those groups."

Folduin nods, his face grim. "Yeah, I don't expect any of their regular forces to surrender. Their loyalty and determination for their country show through this final resistance, regardless of how futile it is."

Folduin turns to me, "Shall we head over?"

I swallow a nervous lump then nodded sharply, stepping forward firmly before any of my guards. Folduin gently pulls me back. I almost lose my balance and fall. I wasn't expecting to be grabbed suddenly like that.

"Stay behind us, we can't protect you if you rush in. Boarding the enemy ship yourself is a horrible and very irresponsible thing for an Emperor to do, but as your men, we can't order you around and instead must do everything we can to protect you." Folduin says as he moves to cross the ramp from our ship to theirs. He pauses and turns around, "Please don't make it any harder than it actually is."

I smile apologetically and follow behind him, he was already moving over once more.

The ramp is little more than its name. A simple ramp used for crossing with rails to grab onto, but firmly clamped to either vessel for security of it's own.