Chapter 6:
My heart pounded as more and more spacecrafts melted into the shimmering atmosphere of Corneria. Already, a full-scale dogfight has broken out at the frontier, the downed vehicles exploding and tinting the cockpit of my ship in a brilliant orange before fading into oblivion. I calculated, and chose a spot where I shall descend. The northern border of Corneria seemed unguarded for the moment.
"Team Starwolf, disband. Pigma and Andrew – assist Scales' fleet. Leon, come with me," I ordered amidst my uncontrollable anxiety.
"But… Wolf, Scale's didn't say he needed assistance. Our debriefing only included to infiltrating the academy and take Pepper hostage!" Andrew whined.
"That is my mission. You have your own, now follow your orders." I demanded adamantly
The two exchanged glances, then nodded hesitantly. With a blast from their engines, they veered off of my trail, leaving just Leon and I to penetrate the atmosphere at the northern frontier. Infiltration is a different game than brunt invasion – quantity does not matter. Pigma and Andrew would only be two miserable tag-along hindrances, and I never had any hope of benefiting from their company. Covert mission takes brains. Leon, on the other hand, can carry out the mission with or without my orders – assassination is his game.
"Leon, prepare to ascend fifteen degrees east of north, one kilometer from Corneria City."
"Roger, I'm in position."
In moments, we were rapidly tearing through the atmosphere ourselves. Sparks washed all over the glass canopy of my Wolfen as my hands clutched onto the seat. The view of dark fields of stars rolled past, only to be replaced by a view of clouds. Soon, the trembling and jolting subsided, and all was left was a view of the lush fields of Corneria, with the yellowish tint of dusk pouring into the verdant valleys.
This seemed be the typical afternoon that I embraced every night, back in the days of the academy. Yes, I remember. I would always roll open the windows of the poorly ventilated dormitory to have the peaceful chirps of birds and croaks of insects greet my ears. Not so this time. What would normally be a pleasant field became hunting grounds for Venomian and Cornerian spacecrafts alike. Below me, the two fleets exchanged fire at a blinding rate. Ships of both sides melded into a living hurricane of metal, swirling and tumbling and tearing apart everything caught within its reach. Red and blue shafts of lights sputtered in all directions. Below the tumult, fragments of destroyed ships lay like broken limbs – like wasted candles, deprived of all their value and lying lifelessly in a smoldering heap.
Attempting to slip by unnoticed, I swerved to evade the raging battle. Leon glided closely behind. I could see a clearing to the north of the capital city; a smooth bed of grass, ideal for landing in such covert missions. Flicking on a few switches, I maneuvered my ship to a position above the clearing and slowly hovered downwards, descending as silently as possible. I held my breath, awaiting possible artillery to soar through the air and pin down my Wolfen. Surely, my ship was all too conspicuous, even amidst all this chaos. But the gunfire never came. I silently rejoiced as I landed onto solid ground with a soft thud. Leon safely landed beside me, also unscathed and unnoticed – or so I hope. Hurriedly, I fumbled for my helmet and put it on, and checked to see if everything was in place. My gun holster was strapped securely onto my belt, and my trusty combat blade hung on the other side of my waist. I had everything I needed. Closing my eyes in the quiet moment, I prayed silently to father. At such times, I needed every bit of guidance – every drop of courage and power that I could borrow. He was with me. He must be with me for this to succeed… Heaving a deep sigh, I lifted the heavy canopy and leapt out lightly – it's time to move on.
My heart pounded as more and more spacecrafts melted into the shimmering atmosphere of Corneria. Already, a full-scale dogfight has broken out at the frontier, the downed vehicles exploding and tinting the cockpit of my ship in a brilliant orange before fading into oblivion. I calculated, and chose a spot where I shall descend. The northern border of Corneria seemed unguarded for the moment.
"Team Starwolf, disband. Pigma and Andrew – assist Scales' fleet. Leon, come with me," I ordered amidst my uncontrollable anxiety.
"But… Wolf, Scale's didn't say he needed assistance. Our debriefing only included to infiltrating the academy and take Pepper hostage!" Andrew whined.
"That is my mission. You have your own, now follow your orders." I demanded adamantly
The two exchanged glances, then nodded hesitantly. With a blast from their engines, they veered off of my trail, leaving just Leon and I to penetrate the atmosphere at the northern frontier. Infiltration is a different game than brunt invasion – quantity does not matter. Pigma and Andrew would only be two miserable tag-along hindrances, and I never had any hope of benefiting from their company. Covert mission takes brains. Leon, on the other hand, can carry out the mission with or without my orders – assassination is his game.
"Leon, prepare to ascend fifteen degrees east of north, one kilometer from Corneria City."
"Roger, I'm in position."
In moments, we were rapidly tearing through the atmosphere ourselves. Sparks washed all over the glass canopy of my Wolfen as my hands clutched onto the seat. The view of dark fields of stars rolled past, only to be replaced by a view of clouds. Soon, the trembling and jolting subsided, and all was left was a view of the lush fields of Corneria, with the yellowish tint of dusk pouring into the verdant valleys.
This seemed be the typical afternoon that I embraced every night, back in the days of the academy. Yes, I remember. I would always roll open the windows of the poorly ventilated dormitory to have the peaceful chirps of birds and croaks of insects greet my ears. Not so this time. What would normally be a pleasant field became hunting grounds for Venomian and Cornerian spacecrafts alike. Below me, the two fleets exchanged fire at a blinding rate. Ships of both sides melded into a living hurricane of metal, swirling and tumbling and tearing apart everything caught within its reach. Red and blue shafts of lights sputtered in all directions. Below the tumult, fragments of destroyed ships lay like broken limbs – like wasted candles, deprived of all their value and lying lifelessly in a smoldering heap.
Attempting to slip by unnoticed, I swerved to evade the raging battle. Leon glided closely behind. I could see a clearing to the north of the capital city; a smooth bed of grass, ideal for landing in such covert missions. Flicking on a few switches, I maneuvered my ship to a position above the clearing and slowly hovered downwards, descending as silently as possible. I held my breath, awaiting possible artillery to soar through the air and pin down my Wolfen. Surely, my ship was all too conspicuous, even amidst all this chaos. But the gunfire never came. I silently rejoiced as I landed onto solid ground with a soft thud. Leon safely landed beside me, also unscathed and unnoticed – or so I hope. Hurriedly, I fumbled for my helmet and put it on, and checked to see if everything was in place. My gun holster was strapped securely onto my belt, and my trusty combat blade hung on the other side of my waist. I had everything I needed. Closing my eyes in the quiet moment, I prayed silently to father. At such times, I needed every bit of guidance – every drop of courage and power that I could borrow. He was with me. He must be with me for this to succeed… Heaving a deep sigh, I lifted the heavy canopy and leapt out lightly – it's time to move on.