[SYSTEM UPDATE: Ociel Systems installed.]
[SYSTEM UPDATE: Ociel Suit acquired.]
[SYSTEM UPDATE: Ociel Cannon acquired.]
[SYSTEM UPDATE: Ociel Cannon online.]
[SYSTEM UPDATE: Ociel Weapon Systems upgrade installed.]
[SYSTEM UPDATE: Hydra Missiles online.]
My armor is completely restored, and takes on a white and light blue Ociel color scheme.
“Well, that’s a relief. I thought I’d have to carry you out of here,” Mukki says. “Let’s go.”
“What about him?” I ask.
“Leave him.”
“You’re not going anywhere!” Dr. Jure shouts, throwing another explosive. It sticks to the side of the cabinet nearby.
“Wait!”
Dr. Jure smiles as he detonates the device. The explosion engulfs him.
“Damn,” I say.
“Ilana, we have to go!” Mukki says.
[8:47]
We rush out the door and drop back into the rainforest habitat. I activate my jets once we pass through the clouds. They’re far more responsive and powerful.
Dozens of hybrids swarm the area, fighting each other.
“There’s those open cages the doctor was referring to,” Mukki says.
We open fire as we close in on the door. My standard cannon shots obliterate everything in our path. I take out over a dozen creatures before we hit the ground.
I shoot open the door, activate my stabilizers, and shoot the next door as I dash through the Nav Room.
Mukki and I take to the air as we head through the council chamber, skipping past even more hybrids and dropping through the hole blasted above the vault door.
We shoot our way through the pillar room and exit the ruins.
[5:22]
The dragon statues guarding the ruins crumble, crushing a few of the torch pillars as we hurry to the lift.
Mukki and I stand in front of the lift, but it’s broken down.
“Watch out.” Mukki steps forward and tears the metal doors open.
Mukki leaps into the elevator shaft and starts flying up it. I activate my jets and follow.
Mukki stops at the doors to Level 1 and rips them open. We climb out.
[2:29]
The lobby is crawling with escaped hybrids and deafening sirens. We blast the nearest creatures to clear the path, and head for the hole in the ceiling.
[1:17]
We pop up inside of a long, empty hallway on Level 2.
“Nova marked the exit for us. It’s this way,” Mukki says.
The entire lab shifts.
“This place is coming apart,” Mukki says. “Let’s go.”
We wind around the corner and spot the hole in the ceiling leading to Level 3.
[0:23]
The ground rumbles beneath us. Mukki and I run along a carpeted hallway as muffled explosions cause the entire building to shake.
“It’s happening,” Mukki says urgently.
Just ahead, a huge hole in the ceiling opens to night sky. Mukki and I charge toward it as the walls crack apart.
[0:04]
The lab facility collapses as we launch into the open sky. Mukki and I fly as fast as we can to get out of range.
[0:00]
At first, all we hear are the sounds of collapsing terrain. A few moments later, the entire cliffside explodes violently. The shockwaves rattle against my armor and pierce me to the core as the facility erupts in massive, vibrant waves of orange and red that rapidly consume everything in its path. Even from our distance, my suit detects the intense heat.
I look down at the chaos as smoke rises into the air. All that remains of the Starfall Point lab facility is a hollow, blazing crater.
Mukki and I hover high over the carnage.
“That wasn’t the clean escape I was hoping for,” Mukki says. “Should have set a longer timer. Sorry about that.”
I don’t reply.
“You okay, Ilana? Let’s go home.”
“I’m not going back, Mukki.”
“What?”
“You go ahead. Tell the elders what you must.”
Mukki stares at me. His expression eases.
“I understand. Here,” he says. Mukki types rapidly into his wrist console.
My HUD displays a small box with an exclamation point.
[SYSTEM UPDATE: Starfall Point Lab Data acquired.]
[DIRECTORY: System Data.]
[DIRECTORY: Desert Sanctuary.]
[DIRECTORY: Arctic Chamber.]
[DIRECTORY: Ociel Ruins.]
“Listen. The truth is in there. That’s everything I have,” Mukki says. He smiles. “Good luck finding your family.”
“Thank you, Mukki.”
“I’ll have them list you as MIA. Just in case. It’s been an honor, sky hunter.” Mukki nods, then flies away.
I watch him for a while, but the night sky quickly swallows him.
I fly to a distant seaside cliff and stare at the Starfall Point wreckage. Questions drift in and out of my mind all night, and although I have no answers, knowing I have the chance to seek them out is enough.
As the early morning light starts a new day on the surface world, I leap off the cliff and fly toward an unknown destination. My greatest mission has only begun.
THE END
Acknowledgments
David Jones
A Plague of Dragons is the result of a group of friends who wanted to work on something awesome together. Each of the five other writers in this book has freely shared their wisdom with me throughout the writing process. I have had the pleasure of working with a team that has only ever welcomed me into every discussion, debate, and decision without reservation.
I would like to thank my editor, Nichelle “Jinxie” Gervasio, for her willingness to assist me despite a tight deadline. My crew at Corydon Film Productions, who always have my back. Spilling Ink, Katie, Jason, and all of our guests for providing invaluable opportunities to interact with the writing community.
Mom and dad, for your love and for giving me the best family in the world.
Alynne and Lyra, who put up with my round-the-clock writing schedule.
My brothers and sisters, who I frequently draw on for inspiration. You’re all hiding in my stories somewhere.
About David Jones
David Jones is an author, graphic designer, and director from Southern California. He's a hardcore gamer and CSUN Alumnus who spends his days writing, filming, and designing board games. David's first novel, The Rainblade, is available in print and audio.
For more of David’s work, please visit davidjonesart.com.
Facebook: https://facebook.com/DJonesArt
Goodreads Author Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15562496.David_Jones
Twitter: @DJs_SecretPlans
Instagram: @DJonesArt
Tumblr: DJsSecretPlans.tumblr.com
Contact:[email protected]
Copyright Information:
A Plague of Dragons
(A Dragon Anthology)
Copyright © March 2017 by each respective author
All Rights reserved
Published by
Lyrical Lit. Publishing
Cover Design by Melancholy Muse Designs
Cover Photos: © Depositphoto
Brutality
©March 2017 by Michael K. Rose
All Rights Reserved
Molten Heart - A Fire Dragon Love Story
©March 2017 by Katie Salidas
Editing: Sharazade
Formatting: Rising Sign Books
All Rights Reserved
Flame and Form
©March 2017 by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson
All Rights Reserved
Lucidium: Rise of the Dragons
©March 2017 by Alexia Purdy
All Rights Reserved
A Cold Fire
©March 2017 by Jason LaVelle
All Rights Reserved
The Sky Hunter
©March 2017 by David Jones
Edited by N.L. Gervasio
All Rights Reserved
A Plague of Dragons (A Dragon Anthology) Page 45