The New Drak'Nat: The Drak'ton, #2

By Beth Chaisson

They were a race of people, forced off their home planet and left wandering space, looking for a new home planet. During their travel, they must handle multiple problems from multiple directions. The leader of one ship had to contend with all of this, plus a personal shock. On top of it all, he had to keep the government and the military up to date of a crime wave which had repercussion on all their people.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Beth Chaisson
• Release date: Apr 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9780999108819

Beth Chaisson

Hello, my name is Beth Chaisson. Thank you for checking out my page. I've been interested in writing ever since I used to write poetry in elementary school. Unfortunately, I don't have any copies of those early pieces of writing anymore. When I was in High School, I moved to write stories. I tried to write romances but unfortunately that didn't work out for me, after a few failed attempts with a few stories I decided to move to science fiction and I seemed to have a knack for it... the stories still were not good enough to be published but they were much better than my romance stories. One thing I definitely learned is writing is like physical work. What I mean by that is the more you do a physical job, the better you will be at the job. You will develop both muscle memory and psychological memory. The same is with writing. The more you do it, the better you will become, though the person must want to do it. For us fictional writers and bookworms, I really believe one reason we enjoy books is because it is a ticket to the imaginary world, it's a cheaper way for us to go anywhere we want and do whatever we want without getting hurt (we can not do that in the real world), and the best part of all is when we come back home it takes less than a second. You who just read this last paragraph just found out why I am a bookworm and have been my whole life. I am the cheapest traveler on planet earth because I do all my traveling in books. If I go traveling for real most of the time, it is to visit family in Louisiana or friends in North Carolina. Otherwise, I am some place else in a book or writing a book.

Book preview

Prologue

With the help of Examiner Ul’Koip-mé and Euit’Lant Ponré’dalr, the gravitational bubble was a success. Pak’Nat Hothshka and the other ship Pak’Nats discovered a way to merge the gravitational bubble from one ship’s bubble to one giant bubble around the glide. This allowed them to maneuver the glide successfully black hole to the other side of the white hole. The entire Drak’tdon Glide survived the trip with no injuries or side effects reported, not even an upset stomach or dizzy spell. Once the glide was through the white hole, the examiners of the glide destroyed the bubble.

Fortunately, Examiner Ul’Koip-mé had given the coordinates of the new home planet to all Pak’Nat’s in the glide. But in its place, they discovered a solar system with thirteen planets.

When the drak’tdon left their planet, they theorized it would take a few generations to get to the new planet. With the discovery of the new solar system, they were more confident the next generation might see the new homeworld. No one knew what they would find on the planets within the solar system, but their aim was to handle whatever would come up with enthusiasm. Everyone was optimistic about the glide, and hoping to find a new home.

Chapter 1

The Pak’Nat drak’tdon marched down the hallway of the At’lats ship as he made his way to the bridge. The light danced along the feathered serpent’s brass scales with the many shades of yellow feathers surrounding his head. This feathered serpent was Pak’Nat Hlbeetn, and his reddish eyes scanned the area as he made his way to his destination. His body was over eighteen and three-quarter meters tall. At the moment, a person couldn’t see any form of movement or sway along the lengthy body. His body was over forty-nine and a quarter meters long and almost straight. As he walked through the hallway, there was a rigidness to his movements. He did not seem too happy. He had been edgy for a while. Once he was on the bridge, he turned to his Nam’Mok’nan, Vi’nek.

Hello, Nam’Mok’nan Vi’nek. Is there anything to report during my absence?

The reddish male wing, Nam’Mok’nan Vi’nek, wasted no time as he immediately stood at attention.

No, sir, nothing happened while you were off the bridge. His blood-red eyes followed his commanding of’fire, waiting for orders. The bridge lights danced off the male wing’s auburn scales. He had polished his scales in pristine condition, as was the military decree.

Pak’Nat Hlbeetn could not help but close his eyes as he attempted to slow his breathing to calm down.

Let me guess, no luck in finding the planet we’re looking for to be our new home. He considered himself to be a half optimist and half realist type of person, so he was preparing himself for some sort of negative answer.

The pilot of the At’lats ship, Euit’Lant Thoy’ord, began reading the data at the ship’s helm.

The only thing the computer has detected so far is some rocks with bits of ice in it, along with some alien stars our computer doesn’t recognize. Thoy’ord was a crystal opal scaled female wing. She had to look through the data readout before giving the report to Nam’Mok’nan Vi’nek, My apology for speaking out of turn, sir. Her pearl eyes looked up at the of’fire in charge.

Nam’Mok’nan Vi’nek turned toward the ship’s pilot as he nodded.

Apology accepted.

Pak’Nat Hlbeetn had been watching his crew across the bridge.

Does anyone know anything about the space-rocks? Has anyone considered trying to map a way through them yet?

This time it was Euit’Lant Thoy’ord who double-checked the data in front of her at the ship’s helm before she said anything to her commanding of’fire of what she was seeing.

These readings make the space-rocks seem almost endless in all directions; up, down, left, and right. Everyone on the bridge could not help but notice the awe Euit’Lant Thoy’ord wore on her face.

Hearing the information made Pak’Nat Hlbeetn stop for a moment. Science never was his best subject when he was in school.

Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t space-rocks have their own gravitational pull on each other? He thought aloud.

Everyone on the bridge glanced at each other. No one wanted to answer the Pak’Nat’s question if they could not answer his question.

If I remember correctly, it was Examiner Ul’Koip-mé who helped the glide go through the black hole. He was also the person who found the distant planet we might call home. Do we know of his whereabouts? Pak’Nat Hlbeetn ignored the silence on the bridge as he ask his other question.

This time it was the female hair serpent, Security Leader Yilnarm, who found the Examiner after a brief computer search.

Sir, at the moment, Examiner Ul’Koip-mé is at Fort Hothshka. According to my reading, he’s currently a teacher there. Her silver eyes read the monitor as rapidly as possible. Her white hair gently laid on her neck with the silver-white tungsten scales along her body.

Pak’Nat Hlbeetn did not waste any time. I hope my idea works.

Nam’Mok’nan Vi’nek, I’m leaving you in charge of the bridge.

Nam’Mok’nan Vi’nek’s auburn scaled body immediately stood at attention.

Yes, sir. His blood-red eyes were already facing forward as he stood towards his Pak’Nat.

Thank you. Pak’Nat Hlbeetn spoke briefly to his second-in-command before he left the bridge to look for one of the few people with the ability to help them at the moment.

~ ~ ~ ~

Pak’Nat Hlbeetn’s mind had been racing as he made his way to Fort Hothshka, which was on the At’lats ship. He only knew of the Examiner through history classes and stories his dad told him. So he knew how smart the examiner was from youngling stories. This made Hlbeetn work harder in trying to figure out how to explain the situation to the old examiner.

While his mind continued working, Hlbeetn went to the wall computer to see a map of Fort Hothshka. He had not been at the education facility in a long time, hence the reason for the use of the wall computer. When he finally made his way to the Fort, which was in the center of the ship, he entered the lecture hall. He stayed at the back of the cave as he watched Examiner Ul’Koip-mé speak do his class about the Cosmos Universe and how it became a part of their history. After class was over, Pak’Nat Hlbeetn approached the retired examiner.

Hello, Examiner Ul’Koip-mé. Do you have a moment to talk?

The examiner turned toward the voice he heard calling to him to see the Pak’Nat of the At’lats ship.

Hello Pak’Nat Hlbeetn, please come in. What’s on your mind?

Pak’Nat Hlbeetn sauntered towards the elderly lapis mix breed serpent. He was using the time to find the right words to explain what the ship’s bridge found.

Thank you, Examiner Ul’Koip-mé. I appreciate it. We’ve come across a group of space-rocks with what seem to have ice within the rocks. So far, the perimeter of these space-rocks seems to go on forever in every direction. Any way you can help us, I would appreciate it.

Examiner Ul’Koip-mé thought over Hlbeetn’s words as he collected his things for work.

Okay, you have me curious. I’ve heard of such a thing, space-rocks with ice embedded within it. But I’ve never seen pictures of one. For this problem, we need to go to the Power Cave.

As one person, the two of them left Fort Hothshka as they made their way to the Power Cave.

Examiner, I appreciate your help. I have faith you can guide us through the wall of space-rocks and get to the planet that is to be our new home planet.

A smile crept up on the Examiner’s face.

I’m flattered you have such faith in me and my abilities. In this situation, I’m sure the wall is not impenetrable. We just need to find a crack in the ‘wall’ so we can pass through to the other side.

I hope you find a crack that is large enough for the whole glide to fly through the wall. Pak’Nat Hlbeetn began wondering if he should create a back-up plan just to be safe for everyone in the glide.

Examiner Ul’Koip-mé’s nod was automatic while his mind was on everything he heard from Pak’Nat Hlbeetn,

Believe it or not, I can feel the weight you carry, being in charge of the lead ship of the whole glide. But know this, Divine One willing, with a bit of patience, we will find our way through the wall.

A small grin appeared upon Pak’Nat Hlbeetn. It was the first one that morning.

Thank you for your words, examiner. I appreciate them a lot. I’ll feel better once the glide has reached the other side of this wall, safe and sound. Even with Examiner Ul’Koip-mé’s help, Pak’Nat Hlbeetn still could not stop worrying about the safety of the glide.

It was then he heard a chuckle coming from the examiner.

I’m glad to help. My current theory is to see if we can find a wider part of the space-rock wall for the glide to maneuver through; it may help us get to the new planet.

Hlbeetn sent a silent prayer to the Divine One that Examiner Ul’Koip-mé was right with his theory. No one had not made a backup plan yet, mainly because of their lack of information. He knew he had to go to the Meeting Hall of Contention to make a request for the glide to fly through the wall, with nothing to give the Regent Leaders for information.

How did dad handle this type of stress when he was Pak’Nat of the ship?

It did not take long for them to make their way to the Power Cave. When they got there, retired Examiner Ul’Koip-mé immediately went to work as he hurried to a computer station so he could study the space-rock wall.

Pak’Nat Hlbeetn, according to these readings, the thinnest part of the wall is approximately one to two thousandth of a light-year to pass through. From what I can read, it seems extremely dense. The thickest part of the wall is approximately nine-ten thousandth of a light-year to pass through. Right now, the computer is showing the rocks in the wall seems to be about the size of smaller planets. The retired examiner continued reading the information to make sure everything he read seemed correct.

Pak’Nat Hlbeetn was in awe as he watched the examiner. So many younglings grew up hearing stories about his intelligence,

Let me guess, you haven’t found the crack yet?

Examiner Ul’Koip-mé was looking at multiple screens at the moment, so he could read all the data.

I’m sorry, but not yet. I’m going to keep looking over here and let you know of any news as soon as I find a way through it.

A grin crept over Hlbeetn’s face as he nodded.

Thank you, Examiner Ul’Koip-mé, for everything you’re doing for us. I know I don’t need to tell you this, but once you find a way through... contact me. Please be well. The Pak’Nat of the At’lats turned around and left the Power Cave, and strolled toward the bridge. It was while he was in the hallway that he saw an old ally he had not seen in a while. It was the Regent Leader of At’lats,

Hello, Regent Leader of At’lats. How are you?

She was a beautiful hair serpent with black moonstone scales, blue-black hair along her back, and piercing blue eyes.

I am well. Thank you for asking. Ever since the military arrested the former Regent Leader of At’lats, Sho-al-sé, I’ve been busy working hard on cleaning up his mess. I must admit I’m curious. Why are you on the opposite side of the ship from the bridge?

I just came from the Power Cave with retired Examiner Ul’Koip-mé. There is a space-rock wall we’re trying to figure out how to pass through safely so we can find New Drak’Nat.

The Regent Leader of At’lats continued to nod as she listened to Hlbeetn explain the glide’s situation. Every word Hlbeetn said, she absorbed.

I’m aware of the problem with the space-rock wall. What’s happening so far in attempting to find a way through to the other side?

So far, it seems some parts of the wall are wider than other parts, which are much thinner and denser... like I said, so far. We’re hoping once we’re able to find a way through that New Drak’Nat may be on the other side... somewhere. Examiner Ul’Koip-mé is working on a theory right now, but we have nothing definite yet.

Examiner Ul’Koip-mé was the person who found the distant planet we believe to be New Drak’Nat, and he is one of two people who figured out a way through the black hole. If anyone can figure out a way through the space-rock wall, it will be him. The confidence the Regent Leader of At’lats felt for the retired examiner rang clear in her voice.

Pak’Nat Hlbeetn could not help but nod.

I agree. I just hope everyone on the glide will stay calm until we pass through the wall. My apologies for cutting our conversation, but I have to leave. Please be well. With that said, Pak’Nat Hlbeetn continued his walk to the bridge. As soon as he stepped onto the bridge floor, he addressed his second in command, Nam’Mok’nan Vi’nek, Nam’Mok’nan Vi’nek, I’m in charge of the bridge.

Yes, sir, Nam’Mok’nan Vi’nek stood at attention as he listened to his Pak’Nat’s orders.

The glide will come to a full stop until we can find a safe passage through the space-rock wall.

Understood, sir. Immediately, Nam’Mok’nan Vi’nek started giving orders to make sure everyone followed Pak’Nat Hlbeetn’s instructions.

Security Leader Yilnarm had been monitoring all the activity on the ship when she paused for a moment from her work.

Sir, as of now, do you know of any foreseeable problems developing?

When everyone heard the question, the entire bridge went silent as everyone turned to listen for the answer. This was not the first time Pak’Nat Hlbeetn was the center of attention. He looked at it as a part of his job.

As of right now, what we know is one part of the wall is vast, another part is too thin and dense. The examiner, looking into the space-rock wall, hasn’t found the opening needed for the glide to navigate through. That is what we’re waiting for right now.

The Security Leader nodded,

Yes, sir, I’ll monitor the At’lats for any sign of trouble just in case word should get out about the situation.

Thank you, Security Leader Yilnarm, and could you please monitor the space around the ship as well until we have the results? Pak’Nat Hlbeetn was already making plans just in case when someone found a way through... he hoped.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Finally, it was the end of the day, and Hlbeetn was making his way towards his personal cavern. His mind was still on the space-rock wall problem as he passed civilians who greeted him and asked him about his father, Hothshka. When Hlbeetn finally got home, he collapsed on his divan and relaxed for a moment before he contacted his dad.

Hothshka immediately appeared on the screen. The red eyes of the aging, auburn wing drak’tdon lit up as he greeted his son. Like all wings, he did not have any feathers or hair on his one hundred forty-six-year-old body. Over time, he had grown to fifty-six and thirty-eight meters in height and thirty-eight and one-tenth meters long. He retired in the same cave Hlbeetn grew up in and where Hothshka adopted him.

Young Hlbeetn, you look good. How are you doing?

Hlbeetn shuffled a bit at the sound of his old nickname from his years as a youngling,

I’m fine, Dad, thanks for asking. I know, from time to time, you like to still know what’s going on within the ship. So I wanted to let you know retired Examiner Ul’Koip-mé is helping us find a path through some rock and ice which makes up a wall we’ve found. Hlbeetn never bothered to mention to his dad the pressure he felt to finish what his dad started in helping the glide reach New Drak’Nat.

Hothshka was heard chuckling from his son’s words.

Of course, there’s a problem. There would be a problem if our travel went too smoothly. But I’m guessing the space-rock and ice wall isn’t the real reason for this call, so what is the reason you contacted me?

A long breath escaped Hlbeetn. His dad always was good at reading him,

"You’re right, dad, that wasn’t the reason. The reason I’m contacting you