“What is a racket?” the officer said.
“It’s like a stick with a net at the end that you use to hit a ball. I played tennis in college. That was where I got the whole idea to hit the laser in the first place. It was just instinct. This doesn’t feel instinctive at all.”
“I can probably adjust the controls to accommodate that,” the officer said.
A few moments later, they had a virtual reality helmet and something along the lines of a Wii controller ready for her to play around with. It felt much more natural and she got the controls almost right away. When she swung the controller, that’s when the laser shot. They made all the adjustments so that it felt just like playing tennis.
“Let’s try a few practice rounds on dummy targets,” the officer said. “I will control the jet’s movements, you control the weapons. Ready?”
“Yeah, let’s go!” She felt excitement swell in her stomach. It was almost like a crazy video game that combined the action of tennis with a space jet laser fight.
The officer moved her jet toward targets that she could see inside her virtual reality helmet. They were mock Mulgor craft, coming at her at high speed, much faster than tennis.
They shot at her and she missed every single laser strike.
“It’s too fast. I’ll never be able to hit that!”
“Just keep trying,” she heard Vlosh say.
“Vlosh, what if I fail?”
“You won’t fail. And besides, this is just an experiment.”
She let out a deep sigh. If he wasn’t resting the hopes of the entire war on her tennis backhand, then fine, she’d keep trying.
The officer started the practice test again and this time, she shot one of the ships but not a laser. It was all so damned fast. Her senses just wouldn’t keep up.
“What were you thinking when you took out that Mulgor ship on the moon?” Vlosh said behind her.
“I was thinking I better hit it, or I was going to die,” she said.
“Maybe that might help now.”
“I doubt it. Now there are way more lives on the line besides mine.”
“There aren’t any lives on the line. We still have an entire fleet of fighter jets and the entire Draconian armada,” he said gruffly.
She peeled off the helmet and glanced back at him. He was being weird since his dragon calmed down. She wasn’t sure if she liked his new attitude. The last thing Indigo needed was a crap load of stress. Couldn’t she just go back to the apartment and take a long bath or something?
“Then why don’t you have one of the jet fighters do this?” she asked.
“You have the magic touch,” he said.
“You don’t believe in magic, do you?”
“Magic, luck, fate, whatever you want to call it. It exists. When you took down that Mulgor ship, it could have been any of those things. If you did it before, I believe you can do it again.”
“Vlosh, this is a lot of pressure.”
“Good, that was how you felt when you took down the ship on the moon.”
“You’re kind of being a dick right now, babe,” she said, putting the helmet back on.
She heard him let out a hearty laugh behind her. She’d been through so much, she just wanted to rest. But Vlosh had this idea that she would save the day and help drive back the Mulgor. Maybe he was on to something. Who was to say? Maybe it was her destiny to hit a laser like a tennis ball and drive the Mulgor back to whatever hell they’d come from.
“Fine, let’s try again.” She held her pretend racket and felt her heart beating hard in her chest, echoing in her ears. Sweat trickled down her brow and she felt herself go into a kind of heightened awareness she went into during tennis matches.
The Mulgor ships came at her, shooting their lasers all around. She focused on one ship as it barreled toward her, a hint of a light coming from its gun before it shot. The laser came at her and she swung her racket. With some crazy luck, she hit the laser with her own laser. The lasers collided and shot back toward the oncoming jet. It exploded in front of her.
Everyone cheered at the big screen showing the simulation. She pulled off the helmet and smiled at Vlosh, who just nodded at her like he knew she could do it all along.
“All right. Time for the real test. You will shoot at the mothership’s weapons when they fire at you.”
“How do you even know this will work?” she asked Vlosh.
“Our new lasers have this effect on Mulgor lasers. You were the one to discover it. You will take them down.”
“You’re crazy,” she muttered. But she had to admit, she liked his faith in her. She also liked the excitement of being part of the crew and using her skills for something instead of letting them lapse into memory.
The drone ship took off with an escort of a fleet of fighter jets. As the drone approached the mothership, she got into her tennis stance and waited.
Mulgor jets came out and shot at the Draconian fighters. Her own drone dodged and wove around the other vessels, controlled by the officer who’d taught her.
She was as ready as she’d ever be for this. As crazy as it was, she was starting to believe it would work. Vlosh was showing just how much he believed in her. She had to believe in herself with that much support behind her.
The Mulgor jets tried to take her down, but the pilot of the drone sped away. Getting close to the mothership wasn’t that easy, let alone getting it to fire at them.
Her breathing was heavy as she stood in her stance and watched through her helmet.
The drone sped toward the mothership as if it was on a suicide mission. She sucked a deep breath and held back nausea from the overwhelming speed of the drone.
She saw the same hint of light on the weapons array of the mothership and swung. It was a hail mary swing and she knew it. The laser shot. When her racket came forward, it smashed right into the laser. She could feel it in her controller in her hand. The vibrations went up her wrist and arm.
The lasers collided and mingled. Weird electric ribbons spun around the mothership’s laser and traveled back to the gun within the ship.
Indigo stood in shock as an entire chunk of the mothership blew apart. All the Mulgor fighter jets pulled back to defend the command ship. While she was standing in stunned silence, and the Draconians around her cheered, a Mulgor fighter shot down her drone.
She screamed and pulled off the helmet. It clanged on the floor and suddenly Vlosh had his arms around her, lifting her off the ground.
“I knew you could do it!” he said, kissing her hard on the cheeks and mouth.
“I can’t believe that worked,” she breathed. “I honestly did not believe it would work.”
“I did,” he whispered in her ear.
“Why? Why me?”
“Because you are my miracle. We didn’t know combining Mulgor and our new Draconian lasers would do that until you took down that Mulgor ship,” he said.
“But anyone could have shot that after you knew it would work.”
“Anyone is not my beautiful, brave, clever bride. That is only you.”
He kissed her hard on the mouth, while the other Draconians continued to talk loudly about the implications to their mission.
“Sir,” an officer said. “You have to see this.”
Vlosh and Indigo looked up at the screen in front of them. The Mulgor fleet was moving out of Venus’s orbit and one by one, every ship in their fleet jumped out of the solar system.
“They’re gone,” Vlosh said triumphantly.
“Where did they go?” Indigo whispered.
“Contact Draconia, update them on our status. Inform them of the new laser technique. And warn that the Mulgor fleet might be headed their way.”
“Yes, sir,” the officer said.
Vlosh took Indigo’s hand and led her off the bridge.
Chapter 19
When the Mulgor didn’t return and additional vessels did not arrive in the Draconian solar system, there was great celebration throughout th
e fleet.
Indigo and Vlosh went to visit the mating armada to celebrate the birth of Loretta’s baby girl. With another girl being born to the Draconians, it was even further cause for celebration.
Indigo had brought Loretta’s baby a sweet teddy bear from Earth. When they arrived at Mylash and Loretta’s apartment, it was clear her friend had absolutely everything she needed for the baby.
Wading through the piles of toys and onesies, Indigo came to sit with Tabby and Lexi beside an overjoyed Loretta and her little baby girl in the sitting room of her luxury apartment.
“She’s so gorgeous,” Indigo said, looking down at the innocent, sweet baby.
“She is, isn’t she?” Loretta said in a sleepy voice.
“Are you getting enough sleep? Because I’m sure there are plenty of brides and Draconians who could help you.”
“It’s fine. I already have lots of offers from potential nannies. We’re all each other’s nannies, right?” Loretta said in her soft southern accent.
“That’s right,” Lexi said.
“I don’t want to be a nanny, but I will style your baby’s wardrobe,” Tabby said.
The three other women giggled. Lexi’s daughter Violet began to fuss, and Nash came to take her in his arms. He bounced her and cooed down at her with the most love in his eyes Indigo had ever seen a man give a baby before.
Her heart swelled to think of Vlosh looking at their own children that way. After the success with the laser attack on the Mulgor mothership, they’d been working night and day on making one.
“Tabby, you’re hilarious,” Indigo said.
“I need some outlet. Taking down drug dealers inside the new dark internet takes its toll on a girl.”
“How much have you progressed with that?” Nash asked Tabby.
“We’re making progress, but more people than ever are turning to the techno drugs and the relief the virtual reality offers them since the Mulgor invasion. Humans have lost hope.”
“We’ve bought out almost every large corporation on Earth. But that’s just the beginning,” Loretta said.
“The President has given us the go ahead to begin major reconstruction on Earth now that the Mulgor have left the solar system,” Vlosh said. “More civilian crews will come in and much of the fleet will take up residence on Earth. It has been our prime directive to avoid interference with races we’ve mated with, but Earth has become our responsibility. It is now our duty to guide humanity to a better future.”
“What if there are more traitors? What if the Mulgor come back?” Indigo asked.
“We must count on setbacks. But reconstruction will commence immediately. Civilian crews will arrive soon to begin the process.”
“Do you think there will be human revolt and push back?” Loretta asked Vlosh.
“The terrorist threats have been disposed of,” Loretta’s mate Mylash said proudly.
“We are taking out all the drug cartels we can identify as quickly as we can,” Tabby’s mate Oro said.
“There will always be resistance to anything new. Humans will not trust us at first. It is their way,” Nash said.
“Regardless of setbacks, the reconstruction will commence. Earth will enter a new dawn of prosperity and technical advancement.”
“Whether they like it or not,” Tabby said.
Everyone looked at her sideways.
“What?” she said.
Everyone laughed.
“She’s right. It may go against many people’s freewill. This is why we have never interfered with a civilization in the past. Coming to Earth at this point in your development was a mistake. But now we are here. The only way forward is with our help.”
“Hear, hear,” Loretta said, her voice tired and distant as she rocked her baby on her chest.
“Why don’t we let Loretta and Mylash rest now,” Indigo said.
Tabby rubbed her swollen belly. “Good idea,” she said.
“Why don’t we go play a round of Draconian basketball?” Oro suggested to Vlosh as the two couples walked to the door.
“Draconian basketball?”
“You’ll love it,” Mylash said just before the door closed.
“Sure. Why not?” Vlosh said.
Tabby and Indigo walked together as Oro explained the rules of Draconian basketball to Vlosh. It had originally been Mylash’s idea to take the human game and make it something for Draconians to play aboard their ship.
Indigo loved sports and was excited to see Vlosh play the mash up game of Draconian basketball.
They entered a massive room called the flight gymnasium that was like several football fields spread out and stacked up on top of each other. The space was huge.
Dragons flew all around and up toward the domed ceiling that showed a view of space beyond. Indigo spotted bleachers off to the side where a group of human women and a few Draconian males sat watching the rest fly about.
Oro and Vlosh went to go set up a game of pickup Draconian basketball while Tabby waddled toward the bleachers with Indigo.
It was all so exciting and overwhelming inside the gym. The men started their game as Indigo sat down with Tabby.
From what she could tell, Draconian basketball involved dribbling and shooting, but that is where the similarities to human basketball ended.
Shifting, flying, and running about naked were also major factors in the game. A player would get the ball, dribble while in humanoid form, then shift into dragon form with the ball clutched in his claw. He’d fly up onto the air, avoiding the other players who would try to grab the ball, shift, then dunk it as he came down.
In humanoid form, Draconians were all as tall as basketball players so it seemed fitting that they’d be into the sport. But they’d made it into a game all their own.
Indigo laughed and cheered as Vlosh played the game for the first time. As the highest ranking general in the military, Vlosh was no slouch in the physical fitness department. He and Oro dominated the other team. Oro being quick and agile, while Vlosh was more of a bull on the court.
Indigo clapped and laughed wildly at her man, loving every minute of cheering him on. Suddenly, she felt so dizzy and ill she thought she might faint.
“Wow…” she said, reaching out Tabby.
“What’s wrong?” Tabby asked, holding Indigo’s hand and patting her back.
“I feel so sick. I think I might faint.”
“Uh oh. I think congratulations might be in order,” Tabby said, giggling.
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Come on. I’ll take you to the medic. He’ll explain everything.”
Tabby helped Indigo to the exit and Vlosh came running up behind her, sweaty and naked. He flicked the spot on his neck that made his uniform spread over his body and put his arm around his ailing wife.
“What’s wrong?” Vlosh said.
“She’s super dizzy,” Tabby said knowingly to Oro. “I’m taking her to the medic.”
“Dizzy.”
“I’ll let the medic explain. It’s a human thing.”
Tabby and Oro escorted Indigo and Vlosh to the medic and left them to see the medic in private.
Indigo laid on the white table while Vlosh held her hand. A medic came into the room with a metallic wand he waved over her body.
“What’s wrong, medic?” Vlosh pleaded.
“Nothing unusual for a bride after her claiming,” the medic said.
“What is it?” Indigo asked, feeling nauseous.
“You’re pregnant,” he said matter-of-factly.
“How could I be showing symptoms so fast? It’s only been a week since we first mated,” she said, embarrassed.
“It is different physiologically for humans when they carry Draconian young. But this is quite normal. It happens with almost all the brides when they conceive.”
Indigo sat back up on the table and noticed Vlosh looking at her like a kid who’d just got a bike, an X-box, and a truck load of candy for Christmas.
She threw her arms around his waist and squeezed, happier than she could remember being in a very long time. But it was bittersweet. A tear slid down her cheer and she sniffled.
“Aren’t you pleased, my mate?” he asked.
“I’m so pleased. I just wish my parents could have been there to meet our child.”
“I know my beloved. I know. That is why I’ve created a memorial to your family on Earth. I wanted to surprise you with it, but now is as good a time as any. When will she feel well enough to travel, medic?”
“She should be well enough in a few days.”
When Indigo’s dizziness subsided, Vlosh took her on a short trip to Earth. In the mountains outside of Tahoe, right beside one of the oldest resorts still standing, he had constructed a monument to her family.
Their burial place had been turned into a park with a large garden and large headstones that told the stories of their lives. Even in the winter snow, she could tell it would be beautiful in the spring.
Standing in front of her parents’ and best friend’s graves, she sniffed back a tear. It was the best burial she could have imagined.
She read the inscriptions on the headstones. They told stories of the most important and telling moments in their lives. It was so touching she could barely keep from falling to her knees and weeping.
“How did you find out all this?” she asked, holding onto him for support.
“I did my research. Asked people who had known them. It wasn’t that much trouble.”
“Vlosh, this is so perfect. So touching. Thank you.”
He leaned down and kissed her. When he pulled away, his lips and his eyes were smiling.
“No, thank you. Thank you for entering the lottery. Thank you for coming to the ship even when you’d just had such a terrible loss. Thank you for putting up with my dragon, and me. Thank you for being the brave, strong woman you are. And thank you for discovering a way to push back the Mulgor. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you, Indigo Robertson. This is just the beginning.”
Indigo squeezed him tightly and kissed him again. She knew he meant every word.
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