Draconia: Fractured Dream

By F.J. Hansen

Draconia: a world home to a race of intelligent dragons--the Draconians. Hatching: a Human colony established on Draconia for a 10-year trial period. During this time Draconians and Humans would learn to trust each other and form a peaceful co-existence. In exchange, the Earth Union would protect the planet from invaders.

Seven years have passed since the Treaty was established. For seven years, Draconians and the Humans of Hatching have lived in peace. The friendship between Varthikes and Audwin McClance has blossomed into a brotherhood. It was all about to change...

The Earth Union has become lax in upholding their end of the Treaty. Loyal Providence, Humans who oppose the Treaty, and Commander Slikmac of the lizard-like Norseen, who seeks to control the Draconians, have formed an alliance. Together, they launch a devastating attack on Draconia, provoking a renegade group of Draconians into attacking the colony.

Varthikes and Audwin race to repair the fracture in their dream of a peaceful co-existence, battling invading Norseen, enduring the brand of traitor from both sides, and tests to their friendship.

• Language: English
• Publisher: F.J. Hansen
• Release date: Dec 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310300073

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

PROLOGUE

Captain Rick Brenden stepped onto the bridge of the United Earth Ship Saratoga. A yellow light bathed the command deck, signifying that the ship was on Stand-by Alert. He moved toward the central science station. Report on border scans. Commander Kinslin sat bent over his scanning equipment, his back to the captain. They had been patrolling the Norseen border for the past week when, yesterday, they encountered a probe originating from the lizard-like aliens. Since then, they had been on alert for their ships—attack vessels or otherwise.

The commander let out a heavy sigh of frustration. Nothing yet, Captain.

The Norseen do equip some of their ships with stealth technology, Brenden said, thinking aloud. He turned his eyes to contemplate the main viewscreen and the starfield ahead. There must be a way of nullifying that ability.

Besides a lucky shot, of course, Lieutenant Ryan added dryly from the primary weapons control station. An alarm sounded from the science station.

The captain snapped his attention back to Kinslin, who was already concentrating on the appropriate data screen. A disturbance off port forward-quarter. Norseen Thunderbird decelerating to normal space!

Battle stations! Brenden ordered immediately. He was already in front of the command chair when the klaxon alarm sounded. The yellow lighting switched to red. On the main viewscreen, the Norseen vessel swooped in like a menacing bird-of-prey. The bird had already launched a pair of blue ionic pulses. Since when did the Norseen have...?

The pulses hit the bridge. The viewscreen flashed white; consoles all around the bridge blinked and sparked as power drained from the computers. The crew pushed away from their stations. A few weren't fast enough and got burned. They were still crying out when three glowing white columns appeared between the viewscreen and the helm console, coalescing into three lizard-like figures clad in mottled-green robes. A similar light reflected off the forward bulkhead from behind him. Brenden spun to see three more Norseen appearing between his chair and the bridge access.

Brenden reached for the pistol holstered beside his chair, but the Norseen infantry were already decking his crew with the butts of their rifles. He grabbed his pistol...and fell into his chair. Something burned his back, but only briefly before all feeling left him completely. He collapsed to the deck, the numbness spreading over his body. He got a glimpse of his navigator firing his laser pistol before a blue beam struck his chest. The officer joined Brenden on the deck. A dark void began swallowing him; he could no longer feel his body. The cries of his crew echoed around him as he struggled to stave off the void. He mustn't allow the Norseen to take his ship, but the inevitable eventually took over. The soundless void consumed him.

*

Major Vrhaiess looked around the alien bridge through copper-tinted, slitted eyes. The Human crew now unconscious on the deck or in their chairs, sprawled over consoles. His right eye caught the soldier that had been hit examining the laser burn on the left shoulder of her armor-tunic. You are well? he inquired of her.

The armor has held, the specialist answered curtly. She rushed over to the security station.

Vrhaiess pulled out his com-link from his belt and activated it. "Eosshoh, the bridge is secure. The other specialist crew may now come aboard."

The other teams have reported victory, another of his strike team informed him. We have the bridge, engine room, and launch bays. Human security is nearing defeat.

Vrhaiess relayed the report to their ship. Well done, Commander Slikmac replied from the other end. We are now dispatching additional strike teams to aid in securing the remainder of the vessel, as well as an engineering team to reactivate the engines. Slikmac out. The com-channel was severed from the commander's end.

The major deactivated his unit and returned it to his belt. I have successfully locked out the bridge from the rest of the ship, the specialist reported from the Humans' security station. We now have exclusive control of this command deck.

Two others materialized on the bridge and readily took positions at the helm and science stations. They ignored the chairs, made useless by the Norseen tails, and simply stood behind the consoles.

By the time the Human crew had been subdued and locked in their quarters, the engineering team had re-energized the engines. The helmsman set the ship's course into Confederacy space. Now flying side-by-side, the captured Earth vessel and the Norseen Thunderbird accelerated to warp.

*

The door slid open, admitting Commander Slikmac into the observation room. His red-orange robes flowed behind him as he joined a red-and-white-robed Admiral Shielehk at a window. Silence passed between them as they each studied the large stasis chamber on the other side. The chamber was one of ten such fully functional chambers in the complex, each containing one hundred to one-hundred-fifty stasis units, each occupied by a Human. Medical personnel in turquoise robes made their way around the chamber, checking the readings on the units.

Most of the Humans in stasis had been used in the last war with the Earth Union. They had rebelled from their government in response to their alliance with the Malcon Empire. Twenty-five in this chamber, however, were the crew of the Earth ship Slikmac had captured four stheims past. The ship had a crew of seventy-five, but, since there were not enough stasis units, the other fifty were employed as forced laborers, sent to various mining worlds.

"The High Council has concluded their review of the next phase of the proposal which you and Captain Slhartz have brought before them two syra past, Admiral Shielehk finally said. Was the translation crew able to determine the location of the Humans who oppose the fire-beasts?"

They were not, Slikmac answered, disregarding the failure. Before the admiral could reply, the commander continued, They were, however, able to determine the location of the penal colony where the original challengers of the 'agreement' are being held. We can return the modified Human crew to their ship and liberate the original renegades, who may utilize one of the Earth vessels that we have still from the previous war for Phase Three.

You are sure that the Human renegades will accept the deal which you intend to make with them? the admiral asked, this time turning both eyes on the commander.

Slikmac met them squarely. I am sure, he said confidently. The deal that I will make provides them with that which they want. They want exclusive control of that planet; we want the beasts.

Emperor Treshem demands precautions to be taken in the event of betrayal by the Human renegades.

Slikmac assured the admiral that such precautions would be taken.

PART I

PREPARATIONS

CHAPTER 1

THE DECK plates vibrated beneath Mark's feet as power surged in the Frontier’s warp drive. On the main viewscreen, the white streaks of warp space reverted to a starfield while, beneath his feet, the vibrations ceased. They had returned to normal space. The space less than a light-year ahead of them belonged to the Norseen Confederacy.

We are secure from warp space, the helmsman confirmed.

Stand-by Alert, Mark instructed the tactical officer. The lighting on the bridge changed to yellow as the captain turned to the chief science officer. She was turned away from him, her brunette head bent over her console. Everything working, Kate?

Yes, Captain, she answered without looking up. Now commencing scans.

Mark returned his attention forward. "Aurora, you have the Saratoga's patrol route?"

Already plotted, she replied.

Mark smiled and nodded his approval. He looked around at his command crew, all busy at their stations. He was proud of their efficiency.

The Frontier followed the patrol route. Commander Kate Greigher remained focused on her sensor readings, alert to anything that might indicate what happened to the patrol assigned this sector. Six months ago, Space Fleet Headquarters had received a report from the patrol ship about new activity coming out of Norseen space. The ship had not been heard from since, and all attempts to establish communication had failed. So, the Frontier was sent to investigate.

The next morning, Mark was summoned to the bridge. He stepped onto the operations deck and joined Kate at her station. Found something?

We have, she answered. She turned her brown eyes to him. We've detected traces of weapons fire. No sign of debris, however.

Norseen?

I'm running the check. Something beeped on the console between them. Kate worked the controls. She sighed and looked back up at him. The grim expression on her face confirmed his guess before she nodded and said, Norseen.

Mark sighed heavily. All right. I’ll prepare a report for HQ. He started back to the lift, but halted as he remembered something Kate said. He swung back to her. Wait, you said you didn't find any debris?

That’s right, she acknowledged. She bent back to the results of her most recent scan. We'll have to run the scan through the Forensics Lab to be sure, but my guess would be ion weapons were used.

And there’s no sign of the ship around here?

None yet. She paused in her work as realization struck. She lifted her eyes to meet his, understanding what was on his mind. That the Norseen had captured the ship and taken the crew alive, their fate something that had been seen before. I’ll let you know if we find anything conclusive.

Mark mumbled his approval and continued toward the lift. As he descended, his mind wandered, first recalling that war eleven years ago. The crew of the ship he first served on—including the captain—were among those brainwashed by the Norseen. His vision blurred as he remembered Jack, his old captain and friend, on the main viewscreen, his eyes hard— He shook his head to re-bury that memory.

He turned his thoughts instead to that world inhabited by those dragons. They, too, had had a bad experience with the Norseen, right around the same time he was facing-off a completely different Captain Jack Harrison. If the Norseen had indeed renewed their hostilities with Earth... If they had found out about the Union’s Treaty with those dragons from the Saratoga’s databanks... It would seem their Treaty was about to be tested.

*

What have we got? Captain Krabush asked. He stepped onto the circular command deck of the station orbiting the sixth moon of Dante II. The control stations were arranged along the bulkheads with a main viewscreen dominating one end of the room. A situation table occupied the center featuring a tactical display of the surrounding space. Attached to it was the command console. His executive, Commander Donner, stood there now and looked up at his entrance.

We’ve just started picking up a ship at the edge of sensor range, she answered. Engine signature shows it’s one of ours. Krabush stepped up beside her. He studied the tactical display showing a blinking blue icon of an eclipsed planet with a small, gold star representing a ship zooming away—the insignia of the Earth Union.

We are getting a signal, the com-officer announced.

Put it on, Krabush instructed.

The officer worked his console. "This is United Earth Ship Saratoga. Captain Brenden commanding," came a voice strained with distress. Can anyone hear me?

Krabush signaled the com-officer to open the com-channel. This is Captain Kostenka Krabush in charge of Starbase Dante Two. We read you, Captain Brenden. What is your status?

"Thank God." Brenden sighed, as if with intense relief. We're still trying to sort it all out. Whatever happened, it has left two-thirds of my crew missing. We must dock to sort ourselves out.

You may certainly come in and make a report to Space Fleet Headquarters, if you wish. We will gladly assist in any repairs that you need done.

"I can’t express my appreciation enough. We’ll be entering orbit in one hour."

We will be ready to receive you.

Contact was severed. Inform Commander Pejamuri of the situation, Krabush told the com-officer. While Donner made the necessary arrangements, he studied the tactical readout on the table of the approaching ship. Saratoga—he recognized that name from somewhere. He turned his attention to the monitor before him and called up all the recent reports regarding a Mercury-class UES Saratoga. The most recent that came up was from 5 July 2179.

He read the report and settled into the nearby chair. The ship had gone missing while patrolling the border between the Earth Union and the Norseen Confederacy. It would seem they were finally about to learn what had happened.

"The Saratoga is on final approach, Donner reported. She’ll dock at Port Three in fifteen minutes."

Krabush was just coming to his feet when an alarm pierced the air.

"Saratoga is altering course, the operations officer said. They’re no longer aligned with the docking port."

Krabush looked up at the main viewscreen. Indeed, the ship was tilting off course. She was now poised to go over the station. What were they doing? Open channel, he ordered the com-officer.

They are not responding.

Detect— Whatever Donner had to say was lost in the following explosions that shook the bridge.

*

Enemy transmission arrays are destroyed, Kinslin said. Commander Slikmac, standing behind the command chair, dropped his jaw in pleasure. His tail swept in broad arcs as he basked in their first victory of their second phase. The Earth ship’s original weaponry had been replaced with Norseen equivalents that were much more efficient and much more effective. They were indeed most effective against the starbase. Slikmac took his com-link from his belt. You may proceed, Major Vrhaiess, to the moon.

"Acknowledged," came the brisk reply.

*

Egan Fasunyax flew the scout ship past yet another towering, black volcano, spouting molten rock. He zipped over the burnt-red surface, rivers of cooling lava, past enormous crater fortresses. Overhead, the thick layer of yellow clouds flashed here and there. Roars of thunder penetrated the hull.

We are nearing the coordinates, Hilda reported from the co-pilot seat. We should be seeing it on the horizon soon.

Egan concentrated his eyes on the jagged line where the dark red surface of Dante II-B met the heavy yellow sky.

It wasn’t much longer before the colony finally came into view. The penal settlement had been constructed within a crater under a huge dome spanning a roughly circular area of five kilometers in diameter. The dome enveloped an Earth-like atmosphere for the inhabitants. A kilometer out from the atmospheric dome, poles rose a hundred meters into the air and were placed in a circle around the settlement at one-kilometer intervals. When activated, they would generate a large shield to protect the colony from any lava flows that might occur in its vicinity.

Their Command Center is hailing, Hilda announced.

You know what to do, Egan said. Hilda nodded and explained over the com-channel that they had been scouting for sites of a possible new settlement, and that they needed to land for re-supply. Meanwhile, Egan continued his descent toward the colony, making for the first shuttleport he located. The launch doors of the ports opened in the stone rim of the crater.

Launch Control wants us to surrender control to them.

They have it, Egan answered as he worked the appropriate controls. When an indicator blinked blue, signaling that control was locked, he turned to see Cyrus entering the cockpit, a short man sporting a balding crown and sideburns. Everyone ready back there?

They are, was the brisk response.

We’re almost there. Egan turned back to the main viewport. The distance between them and the opened shuttleport quickly diminished.

I can see that, the man replied dryly. The sooner we can get our colleagues out of that hell, the sooner we can begin claiming what ought to be ours—under our laws, not submitting to some giant, winged beasts. Egan nodded his agreement.

Within minutes, the launch bay swallowed their ship. Egan landed their craft on the launch deck. While the launch bay was re-pressurized with an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere, Egan made for the boarding hatch with Hilda and Cyrus on his heels. Their teams were waiting for him. Cyrus, your team will stay here and guard the ship.

The man gave a curt nodded. Hilda, monitoring a nearby readout, reported the atmosphere outside was Earth-normal and opened the hatch. Egan motioned for Hilda to follow him. The rest of you stay aboard and out of sight until I give the signal.

The door on the west wall opened by the time Egan and Hilda were on the launch deck, admitting an officer and two security guards.

The launch crew will be here shortly, sir, the officer said. We weren’t expecting to receive any ships for some time.

I'm sure you weren’t, Egan said, and he drew a concealed laser pistol. He carbonized the officer’s head and shot another bolt through the chest of one of the guards. Hilda took the other guard. He swung back toward the scout ship and waved for his people to follow him. He led them past the three bodies toward the door. He kept his eyes off the bodies. It had to be done. He had justified it to himself before the mission began. It had to be done in order for them to claim what should rightfully be theirs.

*

Dylan March switched off his laser drill and set it on the ground beside him, next to a crate filled with the raw ores he found so far that day. He straightened his back and stretched; his joints cracked. He lifted his faceplate, tore off gloves that were reddened with Hell’s dirt, and rubbed his tired eyes. He looked up and down the tunnel where he worked.

The Mines of Dante. An incarnation of Hell if he ever saw one. Granted, the moons, with all of their volcanic activity, offered a cache of valuable ores that would be used in constructing starships and starbases. But he could not believe he was here doing the mining. He’d sworn he would never get sentenced to a place like this. Hell, he’d sworn he would never get caught, period. How the hell did that happen?

As he grumbled over this, a voice echoed through the PA system. Attention all personnel, it demanded. "All former crew of the Private Starship Determination will gather in the main courtyard. All other personnel will vacate that location."

Dylan wondered at the unusual command as it was repeated. The ship name was familiar enough. His last job, in fact, just before he was caught—and subsequently damned—involved that ship. And he remembered hearing some news about that ship several years back, with a crew ignoring an order from a couple of Space Fleet ships. It was no business of his, so he’d paid it little attention.

Why would the colony’s authorities want them all alone in one area? The Earth Union was not in the habit of executing its criminals except in special cases. Even if it was, it would not make the least bit of sense now, years after the offense that put them there. Perhaps they were being released. Or, it could just be a big gathering to dispense congratulations and encouragement on fine work to date—but why kick all other personnel out of the courtyard? A group of the individuals in question now passed by him in the tunnel. Thinking quickly, Dylan removed his helmet and stood to follow the group, acting like he was one of them. Wouldn’t hurt to find out. If it was a release, perhaps one more in a group of a few dozen wouldn’t be noticed.

He arrived at the courtyard and joined a crowd of roughly twenty people. They gathered around the dais that occupied the center of the yard under the atmospheric dome. He was surprised—though, he was careful not to show it—to find a familiar face on the dais. Dylan recognized him even as he was dressed in the maroon security uniform of the Earth Union. He would recognize that pinhead anywhere, in any uniform. Bald head and light mustache.

Dylan searched his memory for the man’s name. Eden? Egan? Yes, Egan. Egan Fasunyax. He would’ve bet his ship, if he still had her, that this was an escape attempt. This guy had the ship; now he was getting the crew. Not hesitating for another moment, he squeezed through the crowd and made his way to the front.

We have secured a corridor to the launch bay, the man was telling those gathered in the courtyard below him. And, we have a transport waiting in orbit of Dante II to take you all away from this Hell. And then, we will fight for what should be ours!

Some of my crew are on Dante Two, a man at the front of the group said. What about them?

Unfortunately, it’s doubtful we will be able to break them out as well. At least, not in a timely manner. But, we will demand their release as soon as we complete our business with those beasts.

What about our ship? asked another in the group. A woman this time.

Dylan now reached the front, coming to stand before the dais. Your ship’s yours again, he blurted out before Egan could answer, startling those around him. ‘Less Space Fleet managed to repossess her while I’ve been here.

What the hell are you doing here? Egan demanded.

Good to see ya, too, mister, Dylan replied in mock courtesy, crossing his arms.

Who’re you? asked the woman.

The man he hired a year ago to steal your ship for ya, Dylan answered, throwing his head at Egan. He turned his attention back to his last employer. And, as I was sent to this Hell-hole for that job, you'll take me with ya. After all, ya never did really pay me the rest for that job.

For a moment, Egan appeared to be trying to think of a reason not to take Dylan along. Finally, he said, Very well. Let’s go before security find a way to hinder our escape.

Egan stepped down from the dais and proceeded toward a corridor where a dark-blond-haired woman waited. She stood there with a laser rifle held in ready but not pointed at them. Dylan followed close enough to hear Egan ask the woman, We’re secure?

We are, the woman answered. All passages leading to our launch bay are sealed minus ours. It should take them twenty to twenty-five minutes to break through.

Then, we need to move quickly, Egan said. He waved a hand behind him, Take up the rear.

CHAPTER 2

AMBASSADOR AUDWIN McClance stepped out into the crisp, spring morning. He stretched and took in a deep breath, filling his lungs with the cool, fresh air. The temperature was perfect. Not hot at all and not as cold as his hometown in Alaska would be at this time of year on Earth. The gingery aroma from the moist dirt filled the air, stirred up by the rain that fell the previous night. A peachy hint of early blossoms drifted from the orchards on the other side of the river. All mixing with the ever-present smell of salt the blew in from the sea. The rain clouds lingered overhead. The sunlight that penetrated them threw gray over the landscape. Most people would find it depressing; Audwin found it refreshing.

Audwin stepped off the roofed porch of his house. Wooden flower boxes had been placed on both sides of the steps and filled with rich soil. The flower seeds that Ilka and Amity had planted in them last fall should be sprouting soon. He set out across the gravel-covered street toward the Administration Building.

Audwin stepped into the lounge, closing the door behind him. Nikki, the governor’s secretary, sat immediately across from the entrance. Her desk paralleled to the door that opened into Governor Takamura’s office. Past that door, a hall led to the rest of building.

Takamura wanted to see me? Audwin asked, coming up to Nikki’s desk.

She opened her mouth to answer. Come on in, Audwin, came the governor’s voice. Nikki smiled and waved Audwin toward the office door, already wide open.

Audwin returned Nikki's smile and approached the door. Good morning, Audwin. Please, come in.

Good morning, Kiyoshi, Audwin replied with a courteous bow.

Please, have a seat, the governor indicated one of the two bamboo chairs in front of his stain-wooden desk. You can leave the door open.

Audwin stepped into the room and walked up to the chairs. His feet sank comfortably into the plush carpet, and the scent of Asian herbs bombarded his nose. It most certainly is a beautiful morning, he said as he settled into the chair.

Kiyoshi offered him tea, which he politely accepted. When Audwin first met him, Kiyoshi Takamura had been vice-governor of the Providence Refugee Camp. He was appointed governor of the Human trial colony on Draconia after the death of his superior. Unlike his predecessor, Kiyoshi respected the dragon-like Draconians and their laws. He, therefore, strove to lead the colony in harmony with their hosts to the best of his ability.

When Audwin first met him, Kiyoshi had a bit of gray in his hair. But the gray had vanished with some of the lines of age in his face. Ilka thought it was the result of drinking the water of this world, which contained the regenerative mineral the Draconians called calaquim. Similar effects have been noticed among the other colonists as well, which had Audwin worried that the wonderful-but-dangerous secret of this world might sooner-or-later get out on an innocent message to relatives and friends back on Earth or the other colonies. And, they couldn't just start censoring such messages without turning fascist.

Audwin sipped his tea and pushed the calaquim issue to the side. He swished the mildly spicy liquid around in his mouth before swallowing. So, there’s something you wish to ask of me or the Draconians? Within reason? He added the last with a lopsided grin. He knew by now, of course, that the governor would never ask anything inappropriate of their hosts.

Kiyoshi took a sip from his own tea before he began. We received a visitor application this morning from Ambassador Cairleeta.

Audwin cocked his eyebrows upon hearing the Malcon Ambassador’s name. He had met the ambassador twelve years ago. She had supported his late brother in the fight to liberate Oria. He searched his memory to recall if any Malcons had visited Draconia before. Up until now, aside from the Dresnik that crash-landed almost two years ago, Humans have been the only aliens on Draconia—at least, during the time of the colony’s establishment. When does she plan to come?

As soon as approval is given.

Audwin sipped his tea again as he digested the news and wondered what the purpose could be for the Malcon’s visit. He asked the governor.

She said in the application that she had a proposal for you. No specific details were given.

Audwin took a moment to absorb the information. A proposal... The word echoed in his mind. Any other news? he asked at length.

Nothing further has reached us, yet, regarding Loyal Providence. However... the governor paused, seeming to gather his thoughts. "We got an alert from the Frontier during the night. An Earth patrol ship went missing on the Norseen border six months ago, and there are signs that it may have been commandeered by the Confederacy."

Uh-oh, Audwin mumbled.

Captain Johnson is going to try to convince Space Fleet to send to us more support.

I hope he succeeds.

Kiyoshi nodded in agreement. Over the past few years, the Earth Union had grown lax in upholding their end of the Treaty with the Draconians that had allowed the colony. Where they originally had six ships assigned to the system, they now assigned a mere two. And word had reached them about the possibility of decreasing that to one. I'm sure he will do everything he can to see that we get that support, Kiyoshi said to reassure the ambassador.

As will I, Audwin said. Thank you, Kiyoshi. I will alert the Sages and The Circle. After finishing the last of his tea, he added, Thanks for the tea, Kiyoshi.

Don’t mention it, Audwin, Kiyoshi replied. He smiled and gestured the other to put his empty cup on his desk. Audwin stood up and did so before turning to leave. He stepped out of Administration and turned toward Landing Field.

On the way, Audwin stopped by the Infirmary. He found Ilka just finishing treating a patient of a fire worm sting. The farmer passed him on the way out. He recognized him as Buck LaTreio. You’ll be alright? Audwin asked him. The man merely grunted in return.

You-you would think people would learn to heed warnings and not dig in the soil here with bare hands, Ilka ranted once the man had left the Infirmary.

We’ll always have fools among us, Audwin responded with a resigning smile as he walked up to his wife.

It seems we shall. Ilka moved to put away the salve she used for Buck’s sting. What can I do for you, Audwin?

I’m going to fly over to Bare Peak and report to the honorable Sages.

Have fun.

Audwin took her into her arms and the two hugged each other for a moment. You know, you should join me sometime. Since you and Amity are related to me, Sages Vethes and Lephazing have made an exception in the me-only rule for you two.

Ilka lowered her eyes and shook her head nervously. I-I don’t think I could handle such long flights.

Nonsense. You’ve handled them before.

Barely, she replied under her breath. A-and my mind is usually preoccupied with other things at the time.

Audwin shrugged. Well, it’s your loss, he said. He let go of her and started for the door. See you later.

The colony’s two shuttles were set on the tree line side of Landing Field. On the other side, near the river that flowed through the colony, the two guardians assigned by the Sages of Bare Peak Range. They were to monitor the goings-on of the colony and scan the minds of new arrivals to be sure no one with ill-intentions stepped foot unchecked on Draconia. One of them would also take Audwin to the Range to meet with the Sages when needed.

Each year during winter, Takamura offered to have a shelter constructed for the guardians to use during the rains. Each time, however, the guardians declined. Draconians, it seemed, enjoyed the rain trickling over their scales.

Erthol and Sriphur were the ones assigned to the colony this spring. They turned their golden eyes to him on his approach. "Joyful sunrisings," he greeted them, bowing as he closed the distance.

Joyful sunrisings, Ambassador McClance, they each replied, returning the bow. They turned from the river and moved to intercept him. It has indeed been a most wonderful sunfall, Erthol told him.

Enjoyed the rain, did you?

Very soothing it was on our scales, Sriphur answered with a soft croon.

Audwin couldn’t help but to chuckle at her answer—so much the opposite of what a Human would say after a similar situation. Not for the first time, he wondered what it would be like to be covered in armor-like scales instead of sponge-like skin.

We, likewise, can imagine not how it would be to be covered in skin and hair instead of scale, Sriphur said, sensing his question.

Audwin nodded his understanding. Then, turning to business, he asked, Any messages from Bare Peak?

None that we have received, Erthol said. Is there something of which you must inform the honorable Sages?

Audwin opened his mouth to answer when an excited bugle interrupted from the northeast. Human and Draconian eyes turned to see the new-arrival flying in from the sea. Behind him, the guardians rose to their hind legs and answered the greeting just as Audwin heard the familiar thought-voice. Most joyous greetings, dear Audwin!

Audwin spread his arms wide and smiled just as widely. Varthikes! His old friend, golden-tan scales lit in the dull sunlight, arched his wings and dove toward Landing Field. Had he not known Varthikes like he did, he probably would have had the urge to run for cover seeing the Draconian dive at him like that—like he was about to pluck up prey. But he trusted Varthikes and just stood there, admiring his sleek reptilian form as he swooped overhead. He couldn’t help but to smirk at the cries of alarm that rose from the colonists.

Varthikes wheeled on wingtip to a hasty landing beside the guardians and right before Audwin. He threw his wings in a braking downstroke, nearly knocking Audwin over in the process, and set down on all fours. Varthikes hit the ground a little too hard as it was, shaking the ground. Audwin remembered to breathe and suddenly realized that his heart was pounding in awe at the sight.

Varthikes had grown twenty feet longer in the seven years since they had met and three feet higher at the shoulder, putting him at forty feet long and seven feet high. Where