Draconia: Forging Trust

By F.J. Hansen

When Humans arrive on Draconia hoping to establish a colony, they encounter the dragon-like natives. Paranoia leads to a violent misunderstanding. As tensions escalate between the dragons and the Humans, Audwin McClance, an ensign on his first mission, and Varthikes, an adolescent dragon, form a fast friendship and seek to establish a peaceful coexistence between their two kinds.

• Language: English
• Publisher: F.J. Hansen
• Release date: Nov 15, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452328720

F.J. Hansen

Greetings. I am F.J. Hansen. I hail from Fremont, CA, where I was born, raised, and am currently living. I am the seventh of seven children, with three older brothers and three older sisters.I've been writing science fiction since 1999, though Draconia: Forging Trust was my first published book. Besides writing, I enjoy traveling and the abundant life of our home planet.

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

TO DRACONIA

VERY FEW mythical creatures have been given as much attention in the arts and portrayed with as much diversity as the great dragons. Nearly every culture has its version, or multiple versions, of dragons existing in a wide range of environments with an equally wide range of characteristics. From swimming at the deepest of the ocean depths to soaring upon the highest currents of the sky. From the icy terrain of the arctic to the scorching heat of lava-filled caves. They may be portrayed as savage monsters representing evil, devouring the unfortunate villagers, or hunted by a questing knight for an entrapped maiden. Or, they may be portrayed as greedy beings, hoarding up every bit of treasure that can be found into their lairs. Or, they may be portrayed as gentle, honorable creatures. It is with a love of the latter that I write Draconia.

First, though, I would like to thank the makers of the movie Dragonheart and Anne McCaffrey for the wonderful book series Dragonriders of Pern. Draco and the dragons of Pern have been a great inspiration for me in creating the dragons of Draconia. And, I also want to thank my teachers and all those who have supported me in my writing.

F.J. Hansen

December 9, 2009

PART I: DILEMMA

CHAPTER 1

THE BEASTS stormed down the gentle slope of a rolling, grassy hill, making for the dense cover of the bluish-green forest. Their hooves beating the ground like thunder. They were quite fast for moderate-sized beasts confined to the ground, but Varthikes was faster. His great tan wings, folded back, carried his golden-scaled body in a dive toward the herd. Golden, vertically-slit pupils locked on one of the trailing adults.

Varthikes extended his foreclaws as he swooped and plucked up his target. He sank his talons deep into the animal’s flesh, gripping its forequarters while beating his powerful wings to gain altitude. The beast bleated in panic as it found itself rising from the ground and away from its herd.

Unable to breathe through the death grip the Draconian had on its lungs, the beast had expired and was hanging limp by the time Varthikes settled down. The young Draconian now laid belly down on the grass with the animal before him, looking over his kill with pride. He inhaled deeply, filling his nose with the musky—and delicious—aroma of the dead beast and the warm, metallic smell of its spilled blood. He placed his left clawed hand on the hump and decided to start with his least favorite part—just to get it over with. He picked up the head and neck between his sharp, backward-pointing teeth and snapped it loose from the body. Too much bone and not enough meat, he thought as he quickly swallowed. The blood, at least, was good, warm and sweet on his tongue.

A strange hum—a monotone sound like someone yawning in the distance—reached his ears. Varthikes lifted his head from the humpco carcass and looked about, scanning the horizon, his golden eyes moving independently to locate the source of the sound. It came from somewhere higher than the ground. He tilted his head up... Something reflected the sunlight. The hum was coming from that. He made out a pair of wings attached to the trailing end of the ovular object as it glided across the turquoise sky toward the forest where he had chased the humpcoes. He followed with his eyes until it disappeared over the forest canopy. He held his eyes for a moment longer on the point where the object had disappeared before returning to his meal. He continued to eat, albeit slower as his mind turned over what he had just seen.

By the time Varthikes swallowed the last leg of the humpco, he made up his mind to investigate that strange object. After licking the blood from his face and hands, he rose to all fours. He leaned back on his hindlegs and sprang into flight, beating his wings to gain altitude.

The cushioning air currents carried his wide-spread wings over the forest. On the way, he passed over a flock of blue birds with four wings, each pair flashing white and blue alternating between beats. He gave them a gentle croon as they scattered from beneath his shadow. Worry not, little ones, he told them, his eyes following them. I am hungry no longer.

Varthikes returned his focus forward and continued his flight. He soon found himself above a large glade. To one side there was a lake. To the other was a foreign object, which he recognized to be the thing that he had seen.

Varthikes had seen much of his world’s wonders in the twenty cycles of his life, but never had he seen anything like what he saw now. It looked to be three times his length and half again in height—larger than a full-grown adult. Its smooth, light-gray surface curved at the edges and shone dull in the sun. The dark-gray wings he had noted while it was in flight were now folded up at the end pointing toward the lake. Connected to each at the distal end were cylindrical appendages, their purpose as mysterious as the object to which they were attached. And, there was no life to it. Not only was the warm glow it gave off not one produced by a living creature, but he would have been able to sense consciousness if it was alive.

He was beating his wings forward slightly to slow his progress over the glade when movement caught his attention. A small cavern split open on the side of the object facing the clearing, on the end opposite of the folded wings, and a broad, flattened appendage projected from the floor of the opening toward the ground. He banked to the right and started a gentle, spiral descent to get a better look. As he was doing so, Varthikes saw a creature emerge from the opening, creeping upon two legs with another two limbs hanging at its sides. Light fur covered the crown of its head. Incredible! he thought. First, a lifeless object capable of flight! Then, from that object comes a clearly living being, for which flight did not look at all possible! At least, not on its own.

The creature halted on the grade and watched Varthikes, his two legs bent, as if ready to bound back into the structure. Varthikes concentrated on it, reaching out to feel the creature’s mind. He blinked at the fright and hostility he received.

A second creature had begun to emerge from the structure, but stopped when the first one quickly turned to emit a series of odd sounds back at it. The second had considerably darker fur on its head than the first and looked to be slightly taller, even accounting for its slightly elevated position. Varthikes concentrated on this one and was struck by an explosion of alarm, which was already dissipating to a wave of awe that caused his own heart to float with elation.

He once felt the mind of a humpco from a distance, out of curiosity. There was not much to be felt. Hunger, sleepiness, and very little interest for their surroundings except for when looking out for predators. And, of course, there was the overwhelming terror whenever he flew toward them. He decided that they were alive only to eat and to be eaten and found it remarkable that they didn’t die from sheer boredom. He had felt other animal minds before as well. While many appeared to have more range of emotions than the humpcoes, none have ever exhibited the level of fascination toward him as did that second biped.

This, added to the matter of their arrival, piqued his curiosity. It suggested that these creatures were capable of, or close to, the same level of intelligence as himself and others of his kind. Varthikes, deciding to try to get closer, continued his descent toward the creatures and their object.

*

Commander Herman Shelski, his jaw firmly set, rested a hand on his holstered sidearm. His alert eyes locked on the giant avian spiraling toward them. There was no doubt in his mind that its target was the landing party and their ship. Why else would it be approaching to land? As he watched, every dragon story he had read and heard as a child trampled through his mind. Every image he had seen of such creatures spitting flame on its victims. Keeping his eyes on the beast, he leaned his head back toward the ship. It is approaching the scout ship! he announced with his bass voice. He activated his wrist-mounted com-link and lifted it to his mouth. Lieutenant Hart, he called to the officer manning the secondary tactical station, prepare to deploy the dorsal laser turret.

Looks like a dragon, the helmsman commented with awe. A relaxed Lieutenant Steve Wilson leaned against the frame of the entry hatch.

Quite observant, Lieutenant, Shelski acknowledged. And, we will persuade it to look elsewhere for a meal, or other little beings to torment.

*

The chief science officer, Zoe Netson, joined Steve at the entry hatch. It’s remarkable! she declared. Who would’ve thought the subject of so many stories on Earth would turn up somewhere out here. And, in our own galaxy.

Wonder what version of that subject he’ll be, Steve wanted to know.

Hope it’s the good version.

Steve, still gazing at the creature, nodded his agreement. He noted its lazy, spiral descent toward the grass-covered glade. Don’t look like he’s hostile by the way he’s flyin’, he commented, shaking his head. Then, he spoke up to the commander, Don’t ya think he’s approachin’ a little too slowly to be a threat? Think he’d be divin’ at us like an attack fighter otherwise.

Perhaps that is the plan. To throw us off guard.

D’you think he’s always this paranoid? Steve whispered to Zoe.

She gave a crooked smile and shrugged. Probably comes from being stationed on a starbase in the home sector too long. Little or no first contact experience.

*

Ensign Audwin McClance busied himself in the scout ship’s main storage locker, organizing the equipment they would need to perform the planetary survey—just as Lieutenant Netson had ordered. He was eager to do his best. Not only was this his first real mission, fresh out of the Academy, but he was compelled to live up to the name Farr had made with this same crew. It had felt awkward the first few days to be among many of his late brother’s shipmates. The admiral who gave him this assignment assured him that it was purely a coincidence and offered him an alternative. But, Audwin accepted the Vancouver, saying that he would make do of the situation. He gave Lieutenant Netson that same assurance again when she told him, when he reported in, that she would not hold it against him if he requested a transfer.

He was opening a crate to inspect an aqua-probe when a fellow ensign rushed into the storage locker. Audwin, dragon! he exclaimed, gasping.

Audwin paused in his work and looked up. What? he asked, unsure if he had heard properly.

There’s a dragon out there!

The two stared at each other for a moment. Audwin cocked his eyebrows in disbelief while the other ensign held his eyes wide. Then, Audwin smiled, chuckled, and went back to work. More than enough of his crewmates were already well aware of his fondness for those magnificent fictional creatures. Of course one of them would try to pull one on him on his first visit to an alien world. Nice try, Guss. I’m not that gullible. Anymore.

You think I’m joking? Come and see for yourself.

I will, as soon as I’m done here, Audwin replied without looking up. The other ensign hesitated before he nodded and left Audwin to his work.

*

Varthikes threw his wings in a backstroke to slow his descent, sending a burst of wind to flatten the grass below him. He extended his hindlegs toward a soft landing, then brought down his forelegs. He set down halfway between the object and the lake with an angled view of the object’s opening, face-to-face with the light-furred biped. He noted during his descent the appearance of a third figure from the tiny cavern, which came to stand beside the second one. This one had a more curved body and its head came to the shoulder of the second biped. The fur on its head was as dark as the second’s but seemed longer, though it was difficult to be sure from his current angle. Concentrating on the new one, he sensed the same as he had sensed from the second—awe. But apprehension and hostility continued to dominate the light-fur’s mind, making his own heart ache. Why was this one hostile but the other two fascinated? Why were those two fascinated by him, anyway?

Cautiously, moving one leg at a time, Varthikes approached the creatures. He felt the light-furred biped tense up still a little more and emit another series of sounds into the object. Just as Varthikes noticed the creature’s left side limb resting on something at its hip, a whine cried out from the structure. He stepped back with a start as something emerged from the top of the structure—a pair of tubes, about the length of his head and neck combined, with one end attached and the other free. The unattached ends rotated until they pointed at him. What it was, he had no idea, but it didn’t look peaceful. In fact, there was as much a hostile feeling to it as there was to the light-furred biped. His tail twitched in his uncertainty and his wings shuffled.

Please be not afraid, he said, earnestly projecting his thought-voice to the little beings in Draconian telepathy. I wish only to know who and what you are. If the creatures had even heard him, he wasn’t sure. As far as he knew, no one has ever met another intelligent being, let alone attempted to communicate with one. Though, there are tales of bipedal beings coming from Beyond five cycles ago—beings who also came in similar lifeless objects, but those were merely rumors. Perhaps he should tell someone about these creatures—his clutchmates maybe. Or, the honorable Sages. Yes, the honorable Sages would be best.

His mind made up, Varthikes began turning away from the wingless bipeds. He strode over to the lake and, lowering his head to the water, rinsed out his mouth of the remaining traces of his meal. So occupied was his mind on the strange creatures that he failed to notice the strong tartness of the water.

When he was finished, he turned away from the lake and looked back at the creatures. With a respectful bow to them, he said, In peace I hope to see you again. Then, he leaned back and leaped into the air. With a mighty downstroke of his wings, Varthikes became airborne. He would first see his clutchmates, then the Sages.

CHAPTER 2

COMMANDER SHELSKI breathed a heavy sigh of relief as the giant avian ascended. Turning back to the others, he said, "Let us hope that it does not return. Netson, you and your team may begin your survey of the area. The Vancouver is scheduled to return at this time tomorrow. You have until then."

I hope that’s enough time, Netson replied as she turned to give her team instructions.

It may, in fact, turn out to be too much time should those creatures prove to be hostile.

I’ve a feelin’ they aren’t hostile, Commander, Wilson said carefully, his eyes following the creature as it flew over the forest and out of sight. Least he isn’t.

What do you mean?

He shrugged and turned to face the commander, his dark eyebrows crumpled together in bemusement. Not sure. Just somethin’...like a voice in my head said so. Said he just wanted to know who we were.

You too? Netson’s voice reached them. They both turned to the science officer, saw her eyebrows cocked in surprise. Wilson returned Netson’s expression, equally perplexed.

Anyone else think they heard something strange in their head? Shelski asked aloud to everyone gathering at the top of the boarding hatch.

Something like a voice saying ‘be not afraid, wishing only to know who and what you are’? Netson added.

A series of concerned looks were exchanged, but when there wasn’t an affirmative response, Shelski refocused on the lieutenants. You two better check with Doctor Bolden.

C’mon, Commander, I feel fine, Wilson protested. Not like we haven’t encountered telepathic species before.

Netson voiced her agreement.

I prefer that the doctor make that determination of your well-being official, Shelski insisted.

Wilson started to protest again, but thought better of it. Instead, he sighed submissively and nodded. Aye, Commander. He and Netson turned and started toward the scout ship’s medical lab. On their way, Netson instructed her teams to begin their assigned tasks.

*

Varthikes soared over rolling green hills, the southeastern end of a sea that communicated to an ocean through a strait to the north, and more rolling green hills—some of which formed rocky ridges—with groves of deciduous trees here and there. Herds of herbivores of different kinds grazed the fields. The sun had descended halfway toward the western horizon by the time Varthikes came upon a coniferous forest larger than the one where he had found the creatures. This one blanketed the foothills and hugged the slopes of his home mountain range. A shiny blue thread—one of many from this Range—trickled out of the forest directly beneath him toward the sea, swerving like a snake and pooling in places.

These mountains that he approached, like so many mountain ranges on Draconia, supported a complex network of caves and passages with scattered geothermal vents that provided ideal chambers for eggs. They were perfect residence for dracfolk. It was believed among many Draconians that Beings of Light, when bringing their world together, tunneled out such networks and created the fire that warmed the Hatching Chambers. To Varthikes, the idea was interesting, but he never really gave it much thought. But, as with everything else he has seen on his world, he did admire the formation of the mountain ranges, how they seemed to have been made especially for Draconian habitation.

As he reached the forest boundary, Wingleader Irethes, heading the flight charged with patrolling the boundaries of Bare Peak Range, greeted him. Who flies? he inquired, bugling a challenge.

Varthikes returned the challenge and answered, Varthikes flies. Stripling of Abthles and Sadiriphing.

Kindful returnings, young Varthikes. Concern has there been among your clutchmates over your extended absence.

Varthikes thought he detected a mild degree of reprimand in the guardian’s tone. I am well, he assured the guardian. I am en route now to meet with my clutchmates.

He shared a lair with his four clutchmates toward the foot of the Range where the forest crept up the mountainside. His virsem had moved, as was the custom, five cycles ago to another lair on the other side of the Range.

Gliding in on the air currents, he came to land at the mouth of the lair. With his hindfeet touching ground first, Varthikes lowered to all fours and folded his wings in one graceful move. He strode down the short tunnel, which opened into a bigger chamber. I have seen something extraordinary! he exclaimed as he rushed to join his clutchmates there.

His two siers were present and both raised their heads at his arrival. As have we, Shephaliv replied sarcastically. She lay beside the corridor’s entrance into the chamber and raised her head at his arrival. You returning.

His other sier, Sarkiphing, lounged upon a rocky platform at the opposite end of the cave from the entrance. Where have you been? she demanded with concern.

Varthikes looked around for his two vrots. Where are Erimithes and Navothes? he inquired instead.

They rest in the sun’s warmth, Sarkiphing answered.

We are here, came Erimithes’ thought-voice. Varthikes craned his neck, bringing both eyes around to find his two vrots lowering onto all fours and folding their wings along their backs. They moved down the corridor to join him and their siers. Joyful returnings, Varthikes. How was your exploring?

Refreshing! Varthikes answered, turning so he could see all of his clutchmates. Of the four, he appreciated Erimithes more. The firsthatched of the clutch was always understanding about Varthikes’ curiousness—unlike anyone else, it seemed—and always listened when he shared with him the marvelous things he experienced or saw on his excursions.

You explore too much, Varthikes, Shephaliv told him. Shephaliv, under the other wing, seemed to be the complete opposite of Erimithes. Navothes didn’t really care either way, as long as Varthikes didn’t harm others—the most common opinion among the Range. And, Sarkiphing would also listen, but out of concern for her younger clutchmate. Though, she, too, had her doubts about him.

Not with Athgir, Shephaliv? Erimithes asked in a partly teasing tone, tilting his head in amusement.

We meet when comes sunfall, Shephaliv answered, ignoring the tease.

I have seen this sunrise something new! Varthikes could no longer contain his excitement. The other four listened with varying levels of interest, or disinterest, while he told them about his discovery of the object and the bipeds. He told them about the difference in reactions he felt between the first creature and the other two.

Fascinating, Varthikes. Truly, was Shephaliv’s response in a tone far from enthusiastic, her head resting again on her forearms.

You, Varthikes, have actually seen this? Erimithes asked cautiously, one foot slowly stepping forward.

Indeed I have, Erimithes, Varthikes answered seriously. I attempted to communicate with them, but they seemed not to understand.

If they not understand, they must be not as intelligent, Navothes concluded.

If they were able to fly, though, in such a lifeless object, would not that hint to a source of intelligence? And, would not also the difference in reaction toward me indicate intelligence rather than the mere instinct of beasts? Varthikes reasoned. His clutchmates—Erimithes, Navothes, and Sarkiphing, at least—contemplated their youngest member’s questions privately.

You, I suppose, would know, Navothes admitted. Then, with a scoffing snort, One who tries to commune with his food.

Most definitely have I heard not of something as yolked, Shephaliv said, snorting as well.

His egg must have been too much knocked about, Navothes joked, eliciting a chuckle from his older sier.

Being used to such ridicule from his clutchmates—and others—Varthikes ignored them. I mean to bring this matter to honorable Sage Vethes and honorable Sage Lephazing.

All four turned wide eyes on him and shot their heads back in surprise at hearing the Sages’ names. Even Shephaliv raised her head. Why must you bring this matter to the honorable Sages? Sarkiphing asked.

The honorable Sages are strongest in telepathy, Varthikes explained. If communication with these creatures is indeed possible, the honorable Sages would certainly be able to establish. The puzzle of their differing reactions may the honorable Sages also solve.

Before any of his clutchmates could reply, Varthikes turned and sprinted toward the mouth of the cave. The moment he was clear, he leaped into flight.

*

What did Doctor Bolden say? Shelski asked when Wilson and Netson returned from the Medical Lab. They found the commander working with Hart in setting up a mobile laser turret. Two similar turrets had already been set up around the scout ship. The ship’s main turret also remained deployed.

Shelski and Hart were just testing the turret’s rotation gears. Said he didn’t find anythin’ wrong, the helmsman said. Zoe thinks it might’ve somethin’ to do with the dragon.

Shelski turned to the helmsman, eyebrows cocked in a puzzled expression. "You mean that

Reviews for Draconia

[SzakácsOrsolya · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was just a fantastic story, I look forward to read the others!