Chapter 111: The Trampling Ram
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Chapter 111: The Trampling Ram
The Trampling Ram was the largest starship in the docksor rather, outside of them. It floated before one of the openings in the wall, five hundred feet over the city. Any random item dropped from this height could incapacitate the weaker people below.
However, the starship didnt bob with the wind as one would expect. Instead, it was completely still, as if anchored to space itself. Despite this stability, thick chains extended from the edge of the docks to the starship ten feet away, holding it in place should anything go wrong.
The Trampling Ram had a similar shape to the other starships: like an elongated pyramid hovering sideways. However, it dwarfed most of them in size. It was about a hundred feet long and fifty wide at its basethe back part.
It also had some differences compared to other starships. First, it was covered in windows, especially around the middle, making its exterior walls seem like they were made half of glass and half of metal. The other starships only had small, circular windows. Second, it did not end in a sharp tip, but rather in a large goat head made of solid steel; hence its name.
The Trampling Ram, captain Dordok declared proudly, puffing his chest as he gestured at his ship. Her top aerial speed is ten thousand miles an hour. Weighs only ten tons, made of void steel, and can warp twice a day.
It looksintimidating, Jack said.
Sure does. Imagine her running into a planet at full speed; they wont live to tell the tale. We ran through a large pack of space monsters with her prow once. Tell me; do you think those boring tip-prowed ships can do the same?
No, Captain.
The captain looked genuinely happy to see his starship, as well as very proud to show it off. Jack had the feeling that, if he let him be, he would go on and on about previous adventures without actually showing him anything. They were here so he could take a look at the ship before it was crowded with people.
Does the inside look as good as the outside, Captain?
Good? Of course it looks good! But remember, kid; the important beauty is in the inside. The outside is only a bonusthe Trampling Ram just happens to have both.
I will remember it, Captain. And after this introduction, I cant wait to see what the inside looks like.
Well then, let me show you!
Captain Dordok waved a hand, and a door on the back of the shipthe flat part that was the pyramids bottomslid open. Place the ramp.
The ramp?
Yes. Lesson one: Open your eyes and look around before you ask stupid questions.
Jack looked around. Indeed, a wooden ramp about twenty feet in length and five in width lay strewn to the side. He grabbed one side, Brock grabbed the otherboth were at the same end, just on opposite sidesand together, they placed it down to connect the starship to the docks.
After you, Captain, Jack said. The captain nodded and went ahead, walking the narrow ramp like hed been born on it. His wide feet, clad in old black boots, found easy purchase on the wood. A tattered cloak fluttered behind him, held in place by the massive steel greatclub that hung diagonally down his back: the handle was at the side of his neck, and the fat end reached down to his thighs.
There wasnt much more clothing on the captains body. Short dark pants with clipped edges covered from his waist to just above his knees, leaving his muscular legs bare, while there was nothing on his chest. He only wore boots, shorts, and a cloak.
Jack walked the plank after him. His footing was steady, of course, as was Brocks, but he still felt a moment of unease when he was suddenly five hundred feet above the ground, suspended only on a flimsy wooden ramp. A moment later, fear turned to awe as he saw the city stretching in all directions, illuminated by a myriad tiny lights. The wind rapped his face, making the whole sight even more real.
Brock shared the awe, skipping the fear part. He was a brorilla. High places didnt scare him.
The Sage had gotten one for a few hundred thousand credits. If a credit here was similar to a dollar back on Earth, Jack suspected that the Sage had gotten himself quite the deal.
Captain Dordok turned to Jack and gave him a look full of meaning. You cannot buy a good starship, boy. You can buy a starship. It only becomes good after you have sailed the galaxy together for centuries, when you know its every inch like the back of your hand, when you have seen its every screw and bolt replaced so that nothing remains of the original. Then, and only then, does a starship become good.
I see, Jack said. Though captain Dordok hadnt really answered his question, he didnt press.
Dont view ships as objects, boy, the captain continued in an earnest tone. They are more than just a collection of parts. They have a soul. They are one with the captain and the crew; just another old friend. A ship will never abandon you in your time of need, and you should treat it the same way. That is all they ask of you: loyalty. And that is also the very essence of our crew.
Jack looked around with new eyes. I see, Captain, he said, though he really didnt. Perhaps he would in time. Earthen sailors used to say similar things. Indeed, the gift you gave your shipthe glass walls of the main roomlook great. Much better than the tiny windows of other ships.
They do, dont they? Dordok puffed up, full of pride. Well, it was also a gift to myself, if Im being honest. I grew up as a sailor in my home planet. Ive transitioned from the seas to space now, but I still couldnt handle being locked up in a box for months on end. What I love about traveling is the wind and sand on my face, the sea breeze and salt. I want to keep my ship as close to that as possible, though most things are certainlydifferent.
Why did you leave, then? Jack asked. If you preferred the sea, why become a starship captain?
There isnt much for an immortal to do at sea. Dordok shrugged. Becoming an immortal is my greatest regret. I was forced to move to a larger ocean, that of space, which is lacking in many partsthough it does offer sights that I would never see on any planet.
Like what?
Youll see. Surprise is part of the experience. Dordok smiled, revealing a set of square teeth. Now then. This will be all for now. It is time to meet your shipmates. They should be here in a moment.
How do you
The door behind them opened slowly, revealing three people. Two were feshkurs. The last was a hulking, brown-furred minotaur.
Vashter was one of the feshkurs; the weakest one.
Feshkur, Level 85
Faction: -
Feshkur, Level 99
Faction: -
Minotaur, Level 111
Faction: -
Before Jack could introduce himself, two more people entered the main room. One was a chubby, overdressed male saphira. The other was Vlossana.
Oh! she said, seeing him. Hi!
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Chapter 111: The Trampling Ram
The Trampling Ram was the largest starship in the docksor rather, outside of them. It floated before one of the openings in the wall, five hundred feet over the city. Any random item dropped from this height could incapacitate the weaker people below.
However, the starship didnt bob with the wind as one would expect. Instead, it was completely still, as if anchored to space itself. Despite this stability, thick chains extended from the edge of the docks to the starship ten feet away, holding it in place should anything go wrong.
The Trampling Ram had a similar shape to the other starships: like an elongated pyramid hovering sideways. However, it dwarfed most of them in size. It was about a hundred feet long and fifty wide at its basethe back part.
It also had some differences compared to other starships. First, it was covered in windows, especially around the middle, making its exterior walls seem like they were made half of glass and half of metal. The other starships only had small, circular windows. Second, it did not end in a sharp tip, but rather in a large goat head made of solid steel; hence its name.
The Trampling Ram, captain Dordok declared proudly, puffing his chest as he gestured at his ship. Her top aerial speed is ten thousand miles an hour. Weighs only ten tons, made of void steel, and can warp twice a day.
It looksintimidating, Jack said.
Sure does. Imagine her running into a planet at full speed; they wont live to tell the tale. We ran through a large pack of space monsters with her prow once. Tell me; do you think those boring tip-prowed ships can do the same?
No, Captain.
The captain looked genuinely happy to see his starship, as well as very proud to show it off. Jack had the feeling that, if he let him be, he would go on and on about previous adventures without actually showing him anything. They were here so he could take a look at the ship before it was crowded with people.
Does the inside look as good as the outside, Captain?
Good? Of course it looks good! But remember, kid; the important beauty is in the inside. The outside is only a bonusthe Trampling Ram just happens to have both.
I will remember it, Captain. And after this introduction, I cant wait to see what the inside looks like.
Well then, let me show you!
Captain Dordok waved a hand, and a door on the back of the shipthe flat part that was the pyramids bottomslid open. Place the ramp.
The ramp?
Yes. Lesson one: Open your eyes and look around before you ask stupid questions.
Jack looked around. Indeed, a wooden ramp about twenty feet in length and five in width lay strewn to the side. He grabbed one side, Brock grabbed the otherboth were at the same end, just on opposite sidesand together, they placed it down to connect the starship to the docks.
After you, Captain, Jack said. The captain nodded and went ahead, walking the narrow ramp like hed been born on it. His wide feet, clad in old black boots, found easy purchase on the wood. A tattered cloak fluttered behind him, held in place by the massive steel greatclub that hung diagonally down his back: the handle was at the side of his neck, and the fat end reached down to his thighs.
There wasnt much more clothing on the captains body. Short dark pants with clipped edges covered from his waist to just above his knees, leaving his muscular legs bare, while there was nothing on his chest. He only wore boots, shorts, and a cloak.
Jack walked the plank after him. His footing was steady, of course, as was Brocks, but he still felt a moment of unease when he was suddenly five hundred feet above the ground, suspended only on a flimsy wooden ramp. A moment later, fear turned to awe as he saw the city stretching in all directions, illuminated by a myriad tiny lights. The wind rapped his face, making the whole sight even more real.
Brock shared the awe, skipping the fear part. He was a brorilla. High places didnt scare him.
The Sage had gotten one for a few hundred thousand credits. If a credit here was similar to a dollar back on Earth, Jack suspected that the Sage had gotten himself quite the deal.
Captain Dordok turned to Jack and gave him a look full of meaning. You cannot buy a good starship, boy. You can buy a starship. It only becomes good after you have sailed the galaxy together for centuries, when you know its every inch like the back of your hand, when you have seen its every screw and bolt replaced so that nothing remains of the original. Then, and only then, does a starship become good.
I see, Jack said. Though captain Dordok hadnt really answered his question, he didnt press.
Dont view ships as objects, boy, the captain continued in an earnest tone. They are more than just a collection of parts. They have a soul. They are one with the captain and the crew; just another old friend. A ship will never abandon you in your time of need, and you should treat it the same way. That is all they ask of you: loyalty. And that is also the very essence of our crew.
Jack looked around with new eyes. I see, Captain, he said, though he really didnt. Perhaps he would in time. Earthen sailors used to say similar things. Indeed, the gift you gave your shipthe glass walls of the main roomlook great. Much better than the tiny windows of other ships.
They do, dont they? Dordok puffed up, full of pride. Well, it was also a gift to myself, if Im being honest. I grew up as a sailor in my home planet. Ive transitioned from the seas to space now, but I still couldnt handle being locked up in a box for months on end. What I love about traveling is the wind and sand on my face, the sea breeze and salt. I want to keep my ship as close to that as possible, though most things are certainlydifferent.
Why did you leave, then? Jack asked. If you preferred the sea, why become a starship captain?
There isnt much for an immortal to do at sea. Dordok shrugged. Becoming an immortal is my greatest regret. I was forced to move to a larger ocean, that of space, which is lacking in many partsthough it does offer sights that I would never see on any planet.
Like what?
Youll see. Surprise is part of the experience. Dordok smiled, revealing a set of square teeth. Now then. This will be all for now. It is time to meet your shipmates. They should be here in a moment.
How do you
The door behind them opened slowly, revealing three people. Two were feshkurs. The last was a hulking, brown-furred minotaur.
Vashter was one of the feshkurs; the weakest one.
Feshkur, Level 85
Faction: -
Feshkur, Level 99
Faction: -
Minotaur, Level 111
Faction: -
Before Jack could introduce himself, two more people entered the main room. One was a chubby, overdressed male saphira. The other was Vlossana.
Oh! she said, seeing him. Hi!
Chapter 111: The Trampling RamThe Trampling Ram was the largest starship in the docksor rather, outside of them. It floated before one of the openings in the wall, five hundred feet over the city. Any random item dropped from this height could incapacitate the weaker people below.However, the starship didnt bob with the wind as one would expect. Instead, it was completely still, as if anchored to space itself. Despite this stability, thick chains extended from the edge of the docks to the starship ten feet away, holding it in place should anything go wrong.The Trampling Ram had a similar shape to the other starships: like an elongated pyramid hovering sideways. However, it dwarfed most of them in size. It was about a hundred feet long and fifty wide at its basethe back part.It also had some differences compared to other starships. First, it was covered in windows, especially around the middle, making its exterior walls seem like they were made half of glass and half of metal. The other starships only had small, circular windows. Second, it did not end in a sharp tip, but rather in a large goat head made of solid steel; hence its name.The Trampling Ram, captain Dordok declared proudly, puffing his chest as he gestured at his ship. Her top aerial speed is ten thousand miles an hour. Weighs only ten tons, made of void steel, and can warp twice a day.It looksintimidating, Jack said.Sure does. Imagine her running into a planet at full speed; they wont live to tell the tale. We ran through a large pack of space monsters with her prow once. Tell me; do you think those boring tip-prowed ships can do the same?No, Captain.The captain looked genuinely happy to see his starship, as well as very proud to show it off. Jack had the feeling that, if he let him be, he would go on and on about previous adventures without actually showing him anything. They were here so he could take a look at the ship before it was crowded with people.Does the inside look as good as the outside, Captain?Good? Of course it looks good! But remember, kid; the important beauty is in the inside. The outside is only a bonusthe Trampling Ram just happens to have both.I will remember it, Captain. And after this introduction, I cant wait to see what the inside looks like.Well then, let me show you!Captain Dordok waved a hand, and a door on the back of the shipthe flat part that was the pyramids bottomslid open. Place the ramp.The ramp?Yes. Lesson one: Open your eyes and look around before you ask stupid questions.Jack looked around. Indeed, a wooden ramp about twenty feet in length and five in width lay strewn to the side. He grabbed one side, Brock grabbed the otherboth were at the same end, just on opposite sidesand together, they placed it down to connect the starship to the docks.After you, Captain, Jack said. The captain nodded and went ahead, walking the narrow ramp like hed been born on it. His wide feet, clad in old black boots, found easy purchase on the wood. A tattered cloak fluttered behind him, held in place by the massive steel greatclub that hung diagonally down his back: the handle was at the side of his neck, and the fat end reached down to his thighs.There wasnt much more clothing on the captains body. Short dark pants with clipped edges covered from his waist to just above his knees, leaving his muscular legs bare, while there was nothing on his chest. He only wore boots, shorts, and a cloak.Jack walked the plank after him. His footing was steady, of course, as was Brocks, but he still felt a moment of unease when he was suddenly five hundred feet above the ground, suspended only on a flimsy wooden ramp. A moment later, fear turned to awe as he saw the city stretching in all directions, illuminated by a myriad tiny lights. The wind rapped his face, making the whole sight even more real.Brock shared the awe, skipping the fear part. He was a brorilla. High places didnt scare him.The Sage had gotten one for a few hundred thousand credits. If a credit here was similar to a dollar back on Earth, Jack suspected that the Sage had gotten himself quite the deal.Captain Dordok turned to Jack and gave him a look full of meaning. You cannot buy a good starship, boy. You can buy a starship. It only becomes good after you have sailed the galaxy together for centuries, when you know its every inch like the back of your hand, when you have seen its every screw and bolt replaced so that nothing remains of the original. Then, and only then, does a starship become good.I see, Jack said. Though captain Dordok hadnt really answered his question, he didnt press.Dont view ships as objects, boy, the captain continued in an earnest tone. They are more than just a collection of parts. They have a soul. They are one with the captain and the crew; just another old friend. A ship will never abandon you in your time of need, and you should treat it the same way. That is all they ask of you: loyalty. And that is also the very essence of our crew.Jack looked around with new eyes. I see, Captain, he said, though he really didnt. Perhaps he would in time. Earthen sailors used to say similar things. Indeed, the gift you gave your shipthe glass walls of the main roomlook great. Much better than the tiny windows of other ships.They do, dont they? Dordok puffed up, full of pride. Well, it was also a gift to myself, if Im being honest. I grew up as a sailor in my home planet. Ive transitioned from the seas to space now, but I still couldnt handle being locked up in a box for months on end. What I love about traveling is the wind and sand on my face, the sea breeze and salt. I want to keep my ship as close to that as possible, though most things are certainlydifferent.Why did you leave, then? Jack asked. If you preferred the sea, why become a starship captain?There isnt much for an immortal to do at sea. Dordok shrugged. Becoming an immortal is my greatest regret. I was forced to move to a larger ocean, that of space, which is lacking in many partsthough it does offer sights that I would never see on any planet.Like what?Youll see. Surprise is part of the experience. Dordok smiled, revealing a set of square teeth. Now then. This will be all for now. It is time to meet your shipmates. They should be here in a moment.How do youThe door behind them opened slowly, revealing three people. Two were feshkurs. The last was a hulking, brown-furred minotaur.Vashter was one of the feshkurs; the weakest one.Feshkur, Level 85Faction: -Feshkur, Level 99Faction: -Minotaur, Level 111Faction: -Before Jack could introduce himself, two more people entered the main room. One was a chubby, overdressed male saphira. The other was Vlossana.Oh! she said, seeing him. Hi!
