Boarding

Flak cannons continued to blot the sky with patches of smoke as the relentless barrage of anti-air fire tore through the atmosphere. The Dumayar ships, undeterred by their losses, launched drop pods carrying their elite shock troops—soldiers trained specifically for high-risk boarding operations. However, many of these pods never reached their intended target, falling victim to the defensive firepower of the land wagon's flak cannons and the relentless barrage of heavy machine guns manned by its defenders.

Inside the control room of the land wagon, Captain Michel coordinated the defense against the next wave of Dumayar assaults. His gaze flickered over the tactical screens as the sensors confirmed multiple incoming drop pods. His jaw tightened. The enemy's strategy was clear—they intended to board.

The tension in the room was palpable, but it was Albert, the grizzled leader of the mercenaries, who finally broke the silence. "What do you want me to do, Captain? Surely you don't expect me to just stand here and watch while we're being boarded!"

Michel, caught up in the weight of command, had momentarily forgotten about Albert's presence. He turned to the mercenary leader, offering a curt nod. "My apologies."

Albert scoffed, unimpressed. "That's it?"

Michel exhaled, realizing the value of Albert's men in this dire situation. "I know you're itching to pull that trigger finger of yours. Since you're here, I could use your help. We need every gun we can get."

Albert's lips curled into a grin. "Now you're talking. You can count me in."

After watching Albert and his mercenaries exit the control room, Michel turned to his second mate. "Can we trust him?"

The second mate shrugged. "He's a mercenary. They fight to make a living. Right now, his survival depends on ours. That's as trustworthy as it gets."

Michel nodded. "We have bigger concerns. The enemy's focusing on boarding operations now. We need every available man to repel them."

As he issued his orders, Michel's wireless transmitter crackled to life. The frantic voice of a sergeant on the deck cut through the static, accompanied by the distant roar of gunfire.

"Captain! We're getting overwhelmed! The enemy's launching drop pods en masse! We're struggling to hold them back!"

Michel gripped the edge of the console. "What's the status of the ship?"

"She's totaled, sir! Took a direct hit! We're barely holding position!"

Michel clenched his jaw. His men wouldn't survive if they remained exposed. There was only one choice. "Fall back inside the land wagon! Now!"

The sergeant hesitated. "What about the wounded?"

"Carry them if you must! But do not stay out there!"

"Understood, sir!" The transmission cut out.

----

Meanwhile, deep within the cargo hold, Milena emptied a fresh magazine into the fray, her shots striking one of the cloaked men. These enemies were unlike any she had encountered before—faster, more agile, their movements almost unnatural.

"What the hell?" she muttered under her breath, frustration mounting as she struggled to land consistent hits.

Prince Andrea remained crouched behind a steel crate, eyes darting across the battlefield. His bodyguard, Roy, knelt beside him, providing covering fire.

"My prince, I strongly advise retreating!" Roy urged, glancing at Andrea with concern.

Andrea scoffed. "Nonsense! I will fight here! No one's stopping me."

Roy sighed, knowing his prince well enough to realize there was no persuading him otherwise. "If you insist, then I shall fight by your side."

The cloaked men, now suffering heavy casualties, began a tactical retreat toward the far entrance. Sensing their advantage, Milena rallied her troops. "Push forward! Don't let them escape!"

Andrea's men joined the charge, attempting to trap the enemy in a pincer maneuver. The room erupted with gunfire as the two forces clashed, each vying for dominance.

But the enemy leader, realizing the dire situation, pulled a cylindrical device from his belt. With a swift motion, he hurled it into the center of the battlefield.

A deafening explosion erupted, followed by a blinding flash. The entire room was consumed by a disorienting shockwave, sending Milena, Andrea, and their soldiers reeling.

When the disorientation finally wore off, the enemy was gone.

Milena swore under her breath. "Find them! Now!"

Roy, rubbing his temples, shook his head. "They escaped."

Seeing that the enemy had escaped, Milena ordered her men to search the area. Her men looked every nook and cranny of the cargo hold and saw none of the cloaked figures. They saw traces of blood from one of the wounded enemy.

"It's unfortunate, patrolman!" Prince Andrea said to Milena.

"This place is not safe here, your highness. I suggest you retreat to safety." Milena warned the prince.

"Like I said before, I want to get to the bottom of this myself! You are not dragging me anywhere!" Prince Andrea protested through Milena's words.

The land wagon again shook as another round from the enemy ship landed on its side. Milena and the others were thrown to the ground after the impact. Standing up as they tried to recover, Prince Andrea assisted her.

"I apologize for not knowing..." Prince Andrea said as he looked at Milena's face.

"What about it, your highness?" Milena asked.

"Nothing!" Prince Andrea fixed himself and thought, "A lady officer? Things must have changed within the Federal military and Armed Services, then?"

The shaking continued but this time, weaker compared to the one earlier. "We need to do something about this cargo!" Milena said to everyone in the cargo hold.

"I agree!" Prince Andrea added.

Milena glanced at the nearby crates, some of them leaking a faintly glowing substance. Her heart sank. Corium. If the Dumayar got their hands on it, the consequences would be catastrophic.

"We cannot allow them to take this," she said, determination in her voice. "Captain Michel needs to be informed immediately."

Andrea stepped forward. "Then let's not waste any more time."

As time passed by, they knew that the Dumayar were close to getting their cargo. Milena touched the device on her neck and contacted her commanding officer, "Captain, it's me... Milena, there's something I need to discuss!"