Dracon: The Lost Prince

By Terry Grace

David Alexander Drake has always known he was different from other people, but he never really knew how different. Since childhood he was taught to conceal his true strength from those around him, and for twenty-five years, his secret held until strange new abilities started manifesting themselves when a deep extraction mission goes wrong. Later David finds himself in need of his gifts when a top secret recon fighter is shot down in Antarctica and his strike platoon is sent. Things heat up in the frozen arctic when David finds himself going head to head with the European Alliances top field commander in a run-and-gun race to stop an invasion.

Next, when an ambitious admiral tracks an alien craft to a small island off the coast of South America, he see an opportunity to breathe new life into his stalled career. But, when his recovery teams repeatedly vanish into the jungle without a trace, he reaches out to his political allies for help. Soon after, David and his team find themselves in the middle of an alien hunting frenzy. Hunted by creatures from their darkest nightmare, David and his lifelong friend Manny, who is not quite what he seems, find themselves locked in a desperate battle for survival. When the woman he loves is struck down, David unleashes the full force of the power that dwells within him.

Disgraced and drummed out of strike command for striking a superior officer, David and Manny find themselves working as instructors for a special operations training unit. When a mysterious spaceship the size of an aircraft carrier shows up, they are called into action once more. But this time David must face the greatest challenge of his lifehis true destiny.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 21, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524539146

Terry Grace

Terry Grace enlisted in the US Army in September 1989 and is still on active duty. Since enlisting, he has earned the rank of master sergeant and held various positions in units all around the world, including four combat tours. He has a passion for reading and a love of medieval history. In this novel, the author combines his love of medieval history and his twenty-five years of military experience into a fascinating vision of the future.

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Copyright © 2016 by Terry Grace.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2016914278

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-5245-3916-0

                Softcover       978-1-5245-3915-3

                eBook            978-1-5245-3914-6

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 10/21/2016

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CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter 1 From Green to Gold

Chapter 2 Let Our Quest Begin

Chapter 3 Assemble the Hunter

Chapter 4 Strike Hard, Strike Deep

Chapter 5 Ice Mission

Chapter 6 The Hunt

Chapter 7 Awakening

Chapter 8 Betrayer of Betrayers

Chapter 9 We Are Not Alone

Chapter 10 The Test

Chapter 11 Kingdom Without a King

Chapter 12 To Be a Knight

Chapter 13 Battle for Earth

Chapter 14 Command

Prologue

What is our status?

We are ten minutes from the planet’s upper atmosphere, My Lord.

What of the other shuttles?

Shuttles 2 and 3 are on course, My Lord. It looks like we may have gotten away without being detected. Wait a minute. It looks like I spoke to soon, My Lord. Contact, contact, contact all shuttles. This is shuttle 1. We have two bogies two thousand kilometers a stern and closing fast.

Can we reach the planet’s surface before they get into firing range?

No, My Lord. They will overtake us five minutes before we reach the surface.

If we stay together, shuttles 2 and 3 could cover us, but it would be a death sentence for all the children on them, thought Sir Derrick.

Order them to disperse, Derrick, said Queen Sarah as if she could read his mind.

But—

No buts, Derrick. We have to think of all the children, said Sarah as she laid her hand on her swollen abdomen. Do it, Knight Commander. That is an order.

Yes, Your Majesty, said Sir Derrick, looking over at Queen Sarah as he keyed his comm. Commander, order the shuttles to disperse.

Are you sure about this, My Lord? Those are Zanshuka assault shuttles back there. Alone, none of us are a match for them. Without the other to cover us, I can’t guarantee I can get the queen to the surface.

Understood, Commander. You have your orders.

Yes, My Lord. All shuttles, this is Commander Stone. On my mark, you will execute disbursement pattern Bravo. Three, two, one, mark. Commander Stone watched as shuttle 2 headed toward the planet’s equator, while shuttle 3 headed toward the southern polar region. Good luck, and God bless us all.

My Lord, we are on course for the planet’s northern polar region. The Zanshuka shuttles are altering their courses. It looks like they are coming after us.

I understand, Commander, said Sir Derrick as he broke the connection and tied his com into the shuttle’s command net. So that, he could monitor what was going on without distracting Commander Stone.

Okay, tail gunner, he heard Commander Stone say, keep those motherless dogs off me until I can get this thing on the ground.

Roger that, sir. You can count on us.

A moment later, Derrick couldn’t tell if the shuttle was vibrating from being attacked or the speed at which they were entering the atmosphere.

Then he felt what could only be a direct hit on the shuttle followed by a change in the high-pitch sound of its engines. Sir, we just lost engine 2, he heard the copilot say.

Then Commander Stone was back on the com; his voice sounded strained as he struggled to maintain control of the rapidly descending shuttle. I see it, Tom. Shut down the fuel supply to engine 2. Evans, you and Riley have got to nail that thing, or we are all dead.

We are hitting it, sir, but it just keeps coming.

Commander Stone could feel the vibrations from the twin tail mounts as they fired their ten-round burst. What do you do when you hit something, and it doesn’t fall?

You hit it harder.

That’s right. Now override the safeties on those gun and knock that thing out of my sky.

Roger, sir. Disengaging safeties now.

After feeling the steady vibrations of the twin tail mounts as they shifted to full auto, Commander Stone turned his full attention back to flying the shuttle. More like crashing at this point, he thought.

******

Ike was just about to head back home from his morning hunt when he heard two sonic booms. Looking toward the source of the sound, he saw two strange-looking aircraft trailing smoke and fire streaking overhead. After having served ten combat tours, he knew crashing from landing, and these two were definitely crashing. Taking a second to check his bearing, he set out in the direction he figured would be the crash site.

******

The world around Queen Sarah seemed to go mad as the shuttle slammed into the ground. White-hot pain exploded behind her eyes as a steel rod plunged through her right shoulder. Her cry of pain was lost in the holocaust of noise, and flying debris as the skidding shuttle began to rip apart. She could feel something warm running down her arm. Her last thoughts before she blacked out from the pain were of her unborn child and if he would survive.

As the shuttle finally slid to a stop, Sir Derrick hit the quick release on his harness and moved to Queen Sarah’s side. He had watched in horror as a steel rod impaled the woman he had come to think of as a mother. An immense feeling of relief washed over him when he saw she was still breathing. He looked up as ten lancers stepped out of the smoky remains of the shuttle’s passage compartment. Lancers, secure the perimeter.

Yes, My Lord, said the senior lancer before they vanished back into the smoke.

"My Lord, is she… ?" asked the shuttle’s crew chief as he came up behind Sir Derrick.

No, Chief, but if I don’t remove this rod and close her wound, she will bleed out.

It’s driven deep into the fuselage, My Lord. I don’t think even you can pull it out. We will have to cut it free.

There is no time for that, Chief. I will see to the queen. You get the rest of these people out of here.

McNally, pass me that med kit, then you and Richards get everyone clear of the shuttle. Sir Derrick and I will take care of the queen.

Roger, Chief! said Petty Officer McNally as he passed the med kit to Chief Cox.

Chief, I gave you an order.

Without my help, she will bleed out before you can remove the rod, said Cox as he placed a pain patch on the unconscious queen. Okay, that should kill the pain and help keep her from going into shock. Once you remove the rod, I will fill the wound with bio-seal. It will stop the bleed long enough for us to get her out of here safely. You can have my trial if we survive, but for now, get on with it, My Lord.

Sir Derrick recognized that no-nonsense manner. He had seen it in every chief he had ever known when there was something that needed doing.

Placing both hands on the rod, he began pulling. At first, it didn’t move. The sounds of the metal’s protest could be heard as it refused to yield. Then with one final sound of protest, the rod slid free of the fuselage and then Queen Sarah. Before the rod was completely free of the wound, Chief Cox was there applying the bio-seal. Releasing her harness, Sir Derrick carefully reached down and scooped the unconscious queen out of her seat as if he was lifting a small child.

We can get out this way, My Lord.

As they exited the broken fuselage of the shuttle, Sir Derrick saw the kilometer-long path of destruction the shuttle had cut through the swamp. He paused for a moment to look at the debris-littered path, realizing the wet, muddy ground of the swamp was the only reason they were alive. Chief Cox led him to where two of the shuttle’s medics were treating other injured survivors. A moment later, they were joined by Lance Captain Marks and Commander Stone.

The perimeter is secure, My Lord, but I recommend we find a more defensible position before nightfall.

Agreed. We are too exposed here, said Sir Derrick, looking around then back to where Queen Sarah lay with two medics working to stabilize her. As soon as the queen is stable, we will move. Commander, how far did you say that city was from here?

About fifteen kilometers on heading one, one, three, My Lord.

Judging by the position of the sun, I would say it is midmorning on this planet. We have to try to make it to the city before nightfall.

You think they are coming for us?

Yes, Commander, I do. It stands to reason that if we survived, they did too, which means they are hunting us this very moment. Have your men arm themselves and the survivors, then have them collect any emergency rations and charge packs for their weapons they can find. Once that is done, Commander, I need you to get the survivor sorted and ready to move.

What about the rest of the survival gear, My Lord?

If we don’t reach that city before nightfall, we won’t live long enough to use it.

Understood, My Lord, said Commander Stone as he saluted and walked away.

When Chief Cox turned to follow Commander Stone, Sir Derrick held up his hand and said, I have a different mission for you, Chief. Lance Captain Marks, have Lance Lieutenant Vanord take his team and scout us a way out of this swamp.

At once, My Lord.

Once Lance Captain Marks was gone, Sir Derrick turned to Chief Cox. Chief, no matter what happens here today, the queen and the child she is carrying must live. I want you to stay close to her and protect her. My lancer and I will deal with the Zanshuka, but something is amiss here.

They found us too fast.

That’s right, Chief. We have a traitor in our midst.

How do you know you can trust me, My Lord?

If you wanted the queen dead, you could have just let me remove that rod back in the shuttle, and she would have died. Instead, you disobeyed my direct order to save her. Other than my lancer, you are the only person here I am willing to trust with the queen’s life.

I understand, My Lord. I will die before I let anything happen to her.

I believe you would, Chief. Now go and get yourself armed.

Aye, aye, My Lord.

Sir Derrick walked over and knelt beside Queen Sarah as she regained consciousness. Your Majesty, how do you feel?

Reaching up, Sarah took Sir Derrick’s hand. I feel like someone rammed an eight-foot rod through my shoulder, she said with a weak smile.

Sir Derrick smiled, but the pain of seeing her like this was evident on his face.

Stop your worrying. I will be fine, lied Sarah. Now what is our situation?

It’s not good, I am afraid. We crashed in the middle of a swamp fifteen kilometers from the nearest city. And we are being hunted by the Zanshuka from at least one of the shuttles that pursued us.

You think there are more?

There are always more. The one we fought with was a decoy meant to gain and hold our attention while the other spring their trap, which means there are at least two more out there that we don’t see. Only ten lancers survived the crash, along with seven other passengers and six members from the shuttle’s crew. That’s not the worst of it.

You mean it gets worse than that?

We have a traitor in our midst, said Sir Derrick as he slipped her a small energy pistol. Sarah eased the weapon under her blanket. I have also assigned Chief Cox to look after you. You can trust him. He already helped me save your life once today.

I understand, said Sarah as she looked past Sir Derrick to a wide-eyed young pregnant woman with an energy rifle sitting on a fallen tree. The poor dear.

Sir Derrick followed Sarah’s gaze until his eyes rested on the young woman. When the young woman looked in their direction, Sarah motioned for her to come over. After making her way to the small island where Sarah was lying, she attempted to bow, but Sarah stopped her. No need for that, child. Please come closer. You are Yolanda Cole, youngest daughter of Count Richard Cole, are you not?

Yes, Your Majesty, but it is Vara now, said the young woman as she took the hand offered by the young lancer who had walked up beside her.

Lord Vara? said Sir Derrick, cocking his head at the younger man.

My Lord, said Vara, meeting Sir Derrick’s gaze levelly.

Please don’t be mad at him, My Lord. Christopher and I met and fell in love when he was on leave in the Lorenthen system. When I told my father about the young lord I had met and wanted to marry, he was enraged. You see, Father had arranged for me to marry a member of House Lancaster to seal some deal they had made. When I refused and ran away, he disowned me and cut me off from the family’s fortune. I found myself stranded in Logan City on the border planet of Doim with enough credits to send one message. So I sent a message to Christopher, and he came to my rescue. When I told him what happened and that I was now a commoner, he just smiled and said commoner or not, he loves me. So we were secretly married the next day. I remember the look of happiness on his face, she recalled with tears in her eyes, when I told him I was with child.

Shortly after that, two men tried to abduct her outside our home, so when I got the chance, I brought her on this mission. Lance Captain Marks gave me until we got back to file the correct paperwork.

Sir Derrick was about to speak when the blood-chilling howl of a Zanshuka filled the swamp then suddenly died in mid-howl.

A young lancer came bounding into the clearing, purple blood dripping from his lance. My Lord, they have found us.

*****

Ike had been traveling through the swamp for the better part of the day when he heard the sounds of a raging battle. After twenty-five years in the military and ten combat deployment, he knew a battle when he heard one. Even though the sounds themselves were different, the rhythm was the same. Unslinging his hunting rifle, he slowed his pace and headed toward the sounds.

*****

They are falling back! Chief Cox heard someone yell. That was close, he thought as he dropped the depleted energy rifle he had been holding as a club.

That is the fourth time they have attacked today. How many more of them could there be? asked Yolanda with panic in her voice.

Calm yourself, child, said Queen Sarah as she eased down beside the large tree the younger woman was standing by.

I am sorry, Your Majesty. This swamp is starting to wear on my nerves. It’s like this whole planet is one never-ending swamp.

We will make it. We just have to keep moving, said Sarah as she slowly withdrew her blood-covered hand from her tunic.

Chief, I think you had better get the medic!

How is she?

It’s not good, My Lord. She has lost a lot of blood, and the trauma to her body is causing her to go into labor early. She needs rest, My Lord.

We can’t stay here, said Sir Derrick.

As if to make his point, a lone Zanshuka stepped out into the open and howled. He was jet black and a head taller than any they had faced thus far. A moment later, what looked like a small army emerged from the tree behind him.

If we move her now, we will lose them both.

Can you delay the birth?

No, My Lord. This child is coming no matter what I do at this point.

Kneeling, Sir Derrick took Queen Sarah’s hand, squeezing it gently. He looked into her eyes. Without saying a word, he released her hand, stood, and walked away.

What is it doing? Why don’t they attack?

He is their leader, Commander, said Sir Derrick as he walked past Stone, and he wants a personal challenge. Lancers, on line! he ordered, and the seven black-and-gray clad warriors formed a battle line behind him. Ready your men, Commander. Should we fail, you must protect the queen and our new prince.

Where are you going, My Lord? asked Commander Stone.

To end this, said Sir Derrick as his eyes began to glow red, and the air about him became charged with energy. For king and kingdom! said Sir Derrick as he moved forward.

For king and kingdom! repeated the lancers as they followed him into battle.

Chapter 1

From Green to Gold

At six feet eight inches, 275 pounds, Staff Sergeant David Alexander Drake towered over most of the men in first platoon’s workout area. With his broad shoulders, massive arms and chest, slender waist, and powerful legs, he resembled an Egyptian god of legend. He had just finished his warm-up and was getting ready for his second morning workout. This workout was just for show. His real workout happened over an hour ago, away from prying eyes.

Girl, are you ever going to get that done or what?

It’s complicated.

Complicated, what’s complicated about it? The round peg goes in the round hole. But if that’s not simple enough for you, you have to—

I get the idea!

Easy, girl. I’m just saying you need to make a move before someone else does. I mean, look at him. The man’s built like a demigod. I am talking prime real estate, and if you don’t stake your claim, someone else will, and you know it. Right, Kent?

Oh, no, you two horn dogs aren’t drawing me into this. Besides, not only is he our section sergeant, but he is also like a big brother to me.

Brother and boss? Ooh, that’s kind of freaky, Kent. I like it!

You are—I don’t have a word for what you are, said Kent, turning red as Vasquez and White burst into laughter.

This brought David completely out of his zone. Without moving a muscle, he keyed in on the source of the voices. Years of training let him scan the entire room and find the source without so much as blinking.

Vasquez, White, and poor Kent just along for the ride, said Drake. I should have known.

Turning to face them, he motioned for them to come over. Kent reached him first and stopped about four feet away and went to parade rest. White stopped beside her and also went to parade rest. Vasquez, walked up to him and stopped less than a foot away. Is there something I can do for you, Staff Sergeant Drake?

"You’re not in the marine any more Vasquez, in the army a Staff Sergeant is addressed as sergeant. And yes, you three can keep the noise down.

I think we can do that. Right, girls?

Good, said David when both White and Kent nodded yes.

I was thinking about having dinner at that new place back on the mainland. Would you care to join me?

Are you asking me out on a date, Corporal?

Only if you say yes.

For an instance, David let his eyes wander over her, taking in her smooth tan skin; toned, shapely body; and large, sexy brown eyes. For a moment, he contemplated saying yes, then he shook himself. I don’t think that would be a good idea.

Well, if you change your mind, let me know.

Before David could reply, the main door to the gym opened, and someone bellowed, "A-tten-tion!" as Captain Battle, First Sergeant Jones, and a Strike sergeant entered the gym. Captain Battle walked toward the center of the room, while the two senior noncoms hung back by the door. Once he was there, he turned and nodded at Top Jones who locked the door. Captain Battle stood in the middle of the room and looked each soldier of first platoon in the eyes. This was something he commonly did. It was his way of ensuring he had everyone’s attention. Once he was sure he had it, he gave the platoon at ease.

As of 0800, first platoon is on alert status H-plus 24.

Everyone knew that meant twenty-four hours until deployment. Captain Battle raised a hand to forestall any questions. Speaking in a level voice, he said, I know you just had a hard mission, and you were supposed to go to the bottom of the mission rotation list.

A hard mission, thought David. He means a nightmare. Thanks to some bad intel, one-third of first platoon had been killed, including the Strike leader and Strike sergeant. David had taken command and somehow gotten the rest of the Strike out alive. He had doubled as Strike leader and sergeant for over three months now. He knew he couldn’t hope to hold either position on a permanent basis. He was too junior for that.

Then it hit him. That’s why the Strike sergeant was here. He would be the new platoon sergeant. Well, boy oh, you knew it had to happen, thought David.

Captain Battle placed both hands behind his back and began pacing around in the center of the room. After completing one circle, he began to speak again.

I have taken this up with my superiors, and the order still stands. This comes from the general himself.

With that, the soldiers of first started to talk among themselves. This brought a response from Top Jones.

At ease! he bellowed, and every voice died instantly.

David saw this as an opportunity to defuse an awkward moment by changing the subject and confirm his own suspicions. Stepping forward, he, cleared his throat and raised his hand.

Battle looked irritated. He knew someone would ask the one question he could not answer at this time, the why us? Then he remembered the hell they had went through, and had it not been for David, a lot more of his people would be dead. His anger subsided, and in a level voice, he said, Yes, Sergeant, what’s on your mind?

Well, sir, I was wondering when we would be getting the rest of our replacements, sir.

Thankful for a question he could answer and a change of subject, Captain Battle thought, He is a bright one, isn’t he? Recognizing what David had done, Top Jones gave him a nod of approval.

As for the leadership, you won’t get a lieutenant for a while. Strike Greene here will take over as Strike sergeant.

Greene took one step forward and gave a small nod then stepped back to the left of Top Jones.

The rest of the leadership will come from within the Strike platoon.

Sir? The one-word response was all David could say.

Might as well get it all out the way now, sir, said Top Jones.

Right you are, Top. I had planned to tell you guys one-on-one and do the promotions at 0900 formation today, but here is the rundown. Sergeant Vara will be promoted to staff sergeant and take over first squad.

At that, everyone started mumbling. Captain Battle held up his hand, and the room was quiet again.

Corporal Vasquez will be promoted to sergeant and take over third squad. Also, Private First Class White of first will be promoted to corporal. The rest of your replacements will be here at 1000. That is all.

David thought there must be some mistake. Each strike only had one staff sergeant slot, which was first squad’s squad leader, who also acted as the platoon sergeant when the platoon sergeant was absent.

Excuse me, sir, but if Sergeant Vara is to take the number 3 spot, then I’m—

Out of a job, said Top Jones with a look that could have cut through steel. The man said that was all. Someday when you get your own command, you can stand around and answer questions from staff sergeants all day. Copy?

Years of training and discipline were the only things that let David hold his anger in check. They were not only taking the platoon from him, but they were also taking his squad. Then he heard his voice say, Loud and clear. It sounded firm with no hint of anger.

"Good. Once you finish up here, go back to your room and wait for instructions. A-tten-tion!" bellowed Top Jones, and the soldiers of first platoon, A Company, and first battalion, to include one staff sergeant, Drake, came to attention. He hadn’t seen that coming. He felt murderous rage flow over him, but he held himself in check. With a nod from Top Jones, Strike Greene opened the door. Once Captain Battle had walked out, he resecured it.

Top Jones took one more look around the room then said, Stand at ease, people. This will be quick and dirty. All promotions will be made official at the 0900 formation. You will have an operation order brief at 1400. I know some of you are worried about getting new people this late in the game but don’t be. This mission is a milk run. You are going to Mexico to train DEA and border patrols agents. At the same time, you can break in the newbies. This mission seems tailor made for you, guys. The rest, you will get in your op order brief. With that, he started for the door.

Strike Greene opened the door and called, "At ease!"

As Top Jones went out the door, he said, Carry on, and closed the door behind him.

When the door closed behind them, the gym broke into a whirlwind of conversations.

Sergeant Vara walked up to David. David, you okay, buddy? When he got no response, he stepped in closer so only David could hear him. He slowly reached out and touched him on the arm. David, you okay?

Feeling the contact, David looked down at the hand on his arm. Then he looked Vara in the eyes. At that moment, Vara could see the murderous rage flowing behind those eyes. Then without warning, David’s eyes turned red, and energy danced across them. Sgt. Manny Vara had known David Alexander Drake all his life and had never been afraid of any of the strange things he had seen David do. Truth be told, both of them had always known they were different. But the sight of David at this moment was something he had never seen in his boyhood friend before. The sheer intensity of the gaze David leveled on him was enough to make him want to take a step back. Every instinct warned him to get away; instead, he stepped in closer. David, buddy, you have got to take it down a notch.

David blinked as if coming out of a trance. Seeing the look of concern on his best friend’s face, his anger subsided. The entire exchange took less than a second. Then the moment passed. Manny sensed something had changed in David. What that something was, he was not sure, but something had changed.

In a very careful voice, he said, David, buddy, you okay?

David took a moment to be sure of his control then said, I’m sorry, Manny. I don’t know what came over me.

That was your most intense reaction yet. Are you sure you are okay?

I’ll be fine, Manny.

David, what’s going on?

The continued use of his full first name was not lost on David. Manny must really be worried, he thought. I don’t know, Manny. Somehow the energy within me seems to be growing stronger. When I got angry just now, I lost control of it. Thanks for talking me down.

I would have lost it too if I had gotten the news that you just did. Why would they make a decision like that and not tell you ahead of time? Do you think they know something?

I’m only a staff sergeant, Manny. Just because they don’t clear command decisions with me doesn’t mean they know something. Maybe they are just not happy with my performance and decision-making and think it is time I move on.

That’s bull, and you know it! If it wasn’t for you, there wouldn’t be a first Strike platoon to make decisions about.

Manny’s right, said Vasquez from seemingly out of nowhere.

She had been watching the two of them and had seen all that had taken place, including the brief flash of energy in David’s eyes.

David turned his angry gaze on her, and she meet it without flinching. He hadn’t even noticed her cross the room to where he and Manny were standing. He had allowed himself to become distracted. In his line of work, that could be deadly, and who knew what could happen if his secret got out. They stood there for a minute, looking in each other’s eyes.

Keeping her voice low, she said, You saved the life of every person here, and it’s not right for them to boot you like this.

Before he could reply, Manny said, That’s right. Look, I would be lying if I said I didn’t want a promotion. Everyone wants to move up, but I can’t take a promotion like this, not like this, man. Not like this! repeated Manny in a soft, sad voice with his head held low, shaking it as he spoke.

That goes for me too, said Vasquez. I won’t take the promotion either.

David felt the anger start to rise, but he understood how they felt. Now listen to me, both of you.

No, you listen! snapped Vasquez, her emotion-filled voice cutting through the air like a knife as she let her own anger show.

This took David completely by surprise. All he could do was stand there. All heads in the room turned to where the three noncoms were standing on the far side of the room.

There is not a person in this Strike who wouldn’t give their life for you, she went on. Not only because you saved our collective ass but also because you’re the heart and soul of this Strike. You pushed us until we thought we were at our limits. Then you pushed us beyond that, showing us that the only limits we have are in our minds. You know when to push and when not to. Being selected for Strike Force means you are the best in the world at what you do, and everyone wants to be counted among the best but not you. You are not satisfied with that. You want to be the best of the best. You have never settled for less, and you wouldn’t let us do it either. David, there have been times on missions where if I had been a fraction of a second slower, I would be dead. Because you pushed us so hard in training to be better than the best, I wasn’t slower, and I am still alive.

She’s right, buddy, and you know it.

David looked around at all the soldiers of first Strike. They were all nodding.

Why do you think the LT and Strike let you plan and conduct most of the training ops? They knew it was you who brought out the best in us all, said Manny.

Is this how they reward loyalty and selfless service? someone yelled. If they will do this to Sergeant Drake, what does it mean for the rest of us? The voices in the room started building to a low roar with things like Let’s take this to the colonel.

David heard someone say, If this is their idea of loyalty, I am done here.

Me too came another voice. One by one, they all started to nod.

David could feel the anger inside him building to a point where he couldn’t take it anymore. He clenched his fists by his side and bellowed, "At ease! in a voice that seemed to shake the building to its very foundation. Every sound in the room died instantly. Heads snapped with neck-breaking speed, and all eyes fell upon Staff Sgt. David Alexander Drake. With his fists clenched at his side, David trembled with the effort to control himself as he looked around the room. In a cold voice that cut like a knife, he said, I’m a soldier just like the rest of you, and soldiers follow orders, like them or not. I don’t want to hear any more of this crap about jumping the chain of command or quitting. Is that clear?"

When no one said anything, David raised his voice, "Is that clear?"

The entire platoon snapped to attention and shouted, Sergeant, yes, Sergeant! except Private Williams.

David looked the man straight in his face and, in a cold, inhuman tone, pronouncing each word slowly, said, Is… that… clear, Williams?

Williams flinched and said, B-But—

Before he could get it out, David was on him, moving faster than a man his size was supposed to be able to. His speed was almost inhuman. He seemed to cross the fifteen feet between him and Williams in the blink of an eye. To Williams, it seemed like David had just appeared across the space. One second, he was fifteen feet away, and the next, he was all up in his face. David towered over him by seven inches. Leaning down to where they were nose to nose, he bellowed, Is that clear?

Then Williams, visibly shaken, said, Cl-Clear, Sergeant.

David stood to his full six feet eight inches and said, Good.

With that, he turned and walked to the center of the room and fixed everyone in the room with a stare. Satisfied his anger was under control, he said, I’ve taught you better than this. Now the anger in his voice seemed to be replaced with disappointment. "You are soldiers, and the first duty of any soldier is to follow orders. You have your orders, and you will follow them, or I will come back here and kick your backsides up around your ears. Is that clear?"

"Clear, Sergeant!" came a loud and thunderous reply.

Good. You’re the best of the best, and no one can take that from you except you. You remember that. Now fall in!

Once they were in formation, he looked them over, his pride in them showing clearly on his face. Sergeant Vara.

Manny knew what this was. David was about to turn the platoon over to him, his last official act as a member of first Strike. This was his way of going out with dignity. Manny walked up to him with parade-ground precision and stopped twelve inches in front of him.

Giving his best friend since childhood a quick smile of thanks, David snapped up a parade-ground salute. The Strike is yours.

Manny snapped up his own salute and said, I have the Strike.

David smiled, did an about-face, and walked out of the gym.

*****

In his office, Captain Battle reached over and turned off the monitor. Then he looked over at Top Jones and Strike Sergeant Greene with a raised eyebrow.

So run this by me again, sir, said Strike Greene.

"A few years ago, during the development and testing of a new hypersonic recon fighter, the air force set up a screening program to find their best pilots to use as test pilots. What they found was a group of individuals whose strength, speed, and intelligence far exceeded that of normal. Their reflexes and ability to handle high g-forces were so high that air force ended up redesigning the fighter around them and created a supersecret recon fight squadron.

So you are saying Sergeant Drake is one of these special individuals?

From as near as we can tell, yes. We also have our eye on Sergeant Vara.

I find it hard to believe these guys have not been hustled off to a lab somewhere to find out what makes them different, sir.

Lieutenant General McAlister is keeping his people’s existence close hold. Including the three of us there are only five others who know about them. As for these two, we are still trying to confirm our suspicion. Either way, the admiral wants this locked down.

Okay, but why bring me in on it? asked Strike Greene, looking Captain Battle in the eyes.

Like I said, we believe Sergeant Vara is one of these individuals too.

You are planning on building a super Strike platoon!

He is sharp, Top, said Battle with a grin at Jones. That’s right, Strike. You and Top are going to teach him everything you know.

What about Sergeant Drake?

Battle gave