Justice Unhatched (The Exceptional S. Beaufont Book 5)

by Sarah Noffke

  Chapter Seventy-Eight

  Lunis was disguised with glamour as a U-Haul truck when he and Sophia pulled up outside of John’s Electronic Repair shop in West Hollywood with all the parts she and Evan had snagged from Langer Technologies.

  She disembarked from his back and unloaded the equipment he had carried through the portals.

  “Need help with that, young lady?” a guy asked from the other side of the street.

  “No thanks,” she said, looking over her shoulder. The last thing she needed was some mortal getting too close and figuring out her moving truck was actually a giant blue dragon.

  The man didn’t listen to her and came across the road with a dignified swagger in his movements.

  Sophia rolled her eyes, taking the first load to the front of the shop and leaving it on the step.

  “Oh, come on, sweetheart,” the man with a black beard and a white tip said, smiling at her. “I’ll work for pizza.”

  “I’m broke, which is why I hired a U-Haul instead of movers,” she stated, giving Lunis a commiserate expression as she pulled another load from the saddlebags attached to his back.

  “Oh, well, maybe tacos are more your style,” the man insisted. “We could share some.”

  “No,” Sophia said more forcefully.

  “If you’re not into tacos, then you’re nacho my type,” the guy said.

  Sophia froze with her back to the man. Holding a heavy load, she turned. “Plato, is that you?”

  The lynx transformed immediately, shrinking down into his usual unassuming form as a black and white American shorthaired cat. “Guilty, as charged.”

  Sophia sighed and set the box of equipment down. “Do you seriously have nothing better to do than annoy me when I’m trying to save the world?”

  He seemed to think for a moment, his whiskers twitching. “Yeah, I find it brings meaning to my life to stall your noble missions with tomfoolery.”

  “You would.” She headed back for her dragon to pick up the last load. “I didn’t know you could transform into a human. I’ve never seen you do your voodoo in front of anyone.”

  “Well,” he said, drawing out the word. “You’re not just anyone. And I can transform into many things. It doesn’t rob me of life to transform in front of a rider or dragon, little known fact.”

  “Always full of surprises, aren’t you?” Sophia pulled the last of the LiDAR equipment off Lunis’ back and gave him a grateful smile. “You can buzz off if you like. I’ll be back to the Gullington after I figure out LiDAR technology and charter a plane.”

  Fine, he said with a wink. I’ll just buzz on home like a good little bee.

  “Charter a plane, huh?” Plato asked casually, licking his paw. “Why ever would you do that when you have dragons who are so much more emission friendly?”

  Sophia took the last of the equipment and set it down shaking out her hands from the heavy load. “Because apparently the technology can mess with their cosmic forces or something. That was Hiker’s concern anyway. Medford Research and all the other firms use aviation coupled with LiDAR, so that’s what he wants to do.”

  “But,” Plato countered, tilting his head back and forth, “It goes to reason the dragon’s magic could also enhance the LiDAR, making it more efficient. Then you don’t have to charter a plane and get to save your dollars. Next time you can hire movers and buy friendly old men pizza.”

  Sophia thought about this. She wasn’t even sure it would work, using the LiDAR equipment on the dragons, but Plato had a point that the dragons could turn it into magitech. “Technology doesn’t seem to bother Lunis,” she reasoned, looking at her dragon for confirmation.

  It makes my life better, he declared. However, I’m the new generation. The other dragons are against it, subscribing to Hiker’s mindset that it detracts from their powers.

  “He isn’t completely wrong,” Plato explained. “Anytime technology enters into an equation, it takes something away.”

  Sophia leaned back on her dragon, crossing her arms casually. “Settle in, Lun. We’re about to get schooled by the wise Plato. Take notes because all lessons will involve a riddle and a test later.”

  Plato gave her a cross look. “Ten points from Ravenclaw for that remark.”

  Her mouth popped open. “Ravenclaw? I’m so Gryffindor.”

  He dipped his chin and gave her a challenging expression. “Are you sure about that, because I hear the parties are more fun in Ravenclaw house.”

  “Are we even having this conversation on the heels of trying to decide whether to attach LiDAR to ancient dragons?” Sophia asked, amused by the strange lynx.

  “You know, Soph,” he began snootily. “Making references to Harry Potter is always appropriate, especially when discussing things such as these. When I was at Hogwarts—”

  “Not a real place,” Sophia interrupted, rolling her eyes.

  Plato sighed. “It’s thinking like that which limits you into thinking dragons wouldn’t be the preferred transportation when using light radar technology. I’m guessing you’re one of those people who think hobbits aren’t real, and Alice never found Wonderland.”

  “Well…” she said, trailing away.

  “Keep in mind for many centuries many factual history books fell out of that section in the Great Library and got classified under the fiction genre,” Plato explained. “This has never been sorted out, and now most of the population reads works of fiction, never knowing they detail real events from our past.”

  “That isn’t a real thing,” Sophia disagreed skeptically, wondering if the lynx was messing with her. They were known to be very mischievous creatures.

  “It is. I assure you,” he argued. “It was known as The Great Reorganization Error of the Great Library.”

  “I think we could have come up with a better title,” Sophia said dryly, glancing up at Lunis. “Are you buying this?”

  It’s common knowledge among the dragons, Lunis replied to her surprise. Why do you think I’m obsessed with the Princess Bride movie?

  “Because you’re a strange dragon with extraordinary tastes in books and movies,” she stated.

  Because it tells a very important and forgotten part of history, the dragon corrected.

  “Anyway,” Plato said, regaining their attention. “The GREGL, as it’s often abbreviated—”

  “By whom?” Sophia interrupted.

  “By the dragons and me,” Plato stated. “We’re pretty much the only ones who know about this. Well, and now you. I told Liv once, but she was asleep and she never remembers what I tell her when she is asleep, which is why she is still struggling to discover the meaning of life, although it has been explained to her many times.”

  Forty-two, Lunis said with a snicker.

  Plato gave him an appreciative expression. “Another great nonfiction book, placed in the wrong section.”

  “So, some librarian error caused all this?” Sophia asked, starting to buy in, although she had not ruled out the notion that both her dragon and Liv’s sidekick were pulling her leg for fun. It seemed like something they would do—working in cahoots with one another.

  “Yes,” Plato answered. “The Great Library’s classification system is the master for the world. Wherever Trinity puts a book is where it’s classified worldwide.”

  “Why didn’t he just move those nonfiction books back to the right sections, then?” Sophia questioned.

  Plato gave her a very sage-like expression. “Oh, well, then the secret would have gotten out and he would have lost his job, so naturally he covered the whole thing up, and now few know about the whole debacle.”

  “Well, what is going to happen now there’s no librarian for the Great Library?” Sophia asked.

  “I’m glad you asked. I was asked to do the job.”

  “You said no, right?” Sophia asked. “I mean, that’s got to be a full-time job.”

  He nodded. “Of course. I declined.”

  Who even makes those assignments? Lunis asked.r />
  “Mama Jamba and Papa Creola, naturally,” Plato replied. “When Sophia informed Mama Jamba that Trin Currante had impersonated Trinity, the librarian, they went to work to find a replacement for the librarian. The place is currently on lockdown until they find the right person. Security measures are also being updated so Trin Currante can’t do what she did again. Finding the Great Library will get even harder.”

  Sophia sighed. “Because risking your life to follow a tiny flying bug around Zanzibar for what could be weeks isn’t hard enough.”

  “You have a portal you can use, now don’t you?” Plato offered. “I mean, once I elect a librarian and they unlock it.”

  “You’re making the assignment?” Sophia asked, impressed.

  “Yes, since I turned down the position, they then stuck the responsibility on me,” Plato explained. “I’m interviewing mild-mannered women with severely straight hair and shy demeanors.”

  “Isn’t that a little stereotypical?” Sophia challenged. “Not all librarians are the mousy type or wallflowers.”

  “That’s true, but they do make the very best, in my experience,” Plato imparted. “Actually, there’s one person I’m considering for the position who doesn’t meet that description in the slightest, but she has to be able to live outside the Gullington, and currently that isn’t possible.”

  Both Sophia’s and Lunis’ mouths dropped open. Before she could say something, her dragon said, But Sophia is horrid at filing stuff. She would make an awful librarian.

  Sophia playfully slapped her dragon. “He is referring to Ainsley, you dweeb.”

  “Good one,” Plato said. “Calling your dragon a nerdy name. That seems about right for a Beaufont. And yes, I mean Ainsley. She has the right skill set, and I think after her imprisonment in the Gullington, she will enjoy the freedom of living at the Great Library.”

  “What do you mean?” Sophia argued. “Why would she want to go from being trapped in one place to being imprisoned in another?”

  Plato clicked his tongue and shook his head. “Oh, dear. You have been in a library before, right?”

  She rolled her eyes. “I pretty much mastered getting around the library in the House of Fourteen, which is a maze and will trick you if you’re not careful. The books run the show there.”

  Plato nodded. “Yes, that’s a very impressive library, indeed. Your time in libraries should remind you that a person surrounded by so many books has endless possibilities. They can go anywhere and experience anything. They’re able to live a thousand lives. You know how the quote goes.”

  “Well, it’s null and void because Ainsley can’t leave the Gullington,” Sophia stated.

  “She can’t yet,” Plato said, a hint of foreboding in his voice. “I’m sure someone will find a way to change that.” He gave her a very sharp expression.

  “Yeah, maybe when I don’t have to find dragon eggs, help Hiker not destroy everything in the Castle with his mammoth powers, fix Wilder and do everything else on my list,” she told him.

  Don’t forget I need a bath, Lunis reminded her. I haven’t had one since I hatched.

  Sophia peeled away from him and grimaced. “Gross. Why not?”

  Because you’re supposed to do it and you neglect me, he answered, a pout on his face.

  “No, I’m not.” Sophia pointed to a carwash down the road. “I order you to go wash yourself.”

  He huffed, appearing offended. As if. They don’t use organic, vegan soap at that place.

  “Oh, for the love of the angels.” Sophia shook her head.

  “As I was saying earlier, Hiker isn’t completely wrong about the dragons and technology,” Plato began. “Anytime technology enters into an equation, it takes something away.”

  “Oh, wow, we really derailed the conversation since that topic,” Sophia remarked, trying to remember what they were talking about with the LiDAR and dragon discussion.

  Plato nodded. “It’s a gift of mine. Anyway, when technology is involved, something has to be sacrificed. It’s the natural law of things.”

  “Of course it is,” Sophia said sarcastically, rolling her eyes at Lunis.

  He stiffened, stepping slightly to the side like he didn’t want to be associated with the class clown. I’m listening, Plato. Please continue.

  The lynx gave Sophia a cross expression before clearing his throat like a college professor. “Thank you, Lunis,” he stated regally. “As I was saying, the price of technology is a sacrifice. So you can have your phones, but you lose privacy. Fly your planes, but the clouds will smell of gasoline, and the birds will lose their wonder. Have television but endeavor to exercise less. You get the idea.”

  “What is the price we would pay if we outfitted the dragons with LiDAR for this upcoming mission?” Sophia asked.

  Plato lifted an eyebrow and grinned. “It’s cute you think I would tell you the answer.”

  Chapter Seventy-Nine

  Sophia was still annoyed at the lynx when she approached John’s Electronic Repair shop a few moments later, leaving Lunis parked on the curb. Plato, in his normal fashion, had disappeared right after not telling them what using the dragons instead of planes would cost them. However, Sophia was still playing with the idea.

  She thought there was merit in using her dragon for the mission instead of chartering a plane. It wasn’t that technology involved a price. It was a tradeoff, the way she saw it. Phones kept them connected all over the world and provided so many benefits. To her mind, it was worth the fact that as a society, they had become somewhat addicted to the devices. Tradeoffs. That’s all.

  John’s terrier, Pickles, barked at Sophia when she entered the repair shop.

  “Oh, would you hush it,” John Carraway encouraged, reaching down and stroking the dog’s head with a laugh. “It’s only Little Sophia.”

  John would always see the dragonrider as a little girl even if she was wearing armor, had her elfin made sword on her hip, and her dragon parked in front of his shop. It was actually nice to just be a normal person to someone instead of him seeing her as this warrior who did impossible things and was expected to continue to risk her life for the good of the world at large.

  The terrier was actually an ancient chimera meant to protect the Mortal Seven for the House, transformed and took up a large portion of the front shop area. He waved his tail, which was in the form of a goat, and the snake on his back hissed as his lion head growled.

  Alicia, who was working on something behind a workstation, flipped her goggles up onto her head and pointed to the window where Pickles’ attention was centered.

  “I think the dragon glamoured as a U-Haul truck is what has got him all worked up,” the scientist said.

  John squinted out the display window and scratched his head. “Well I’ll be, I had no idea.”

  Alicia smiled, indicating to the goggles on her head. “I have a no glamour lens on these since much of the magitech I work on is disguised in one way or another.”

  “Just a regular Tuesday in this place, isn’t it?” Sophia joked, petting the large chimera and settling him back down. Pickles instantly purred from the affection, bumping his head into her, and nearly knocking her to the ground. He was the size of a medium-sized refrigerator when he shifted forms.

  “We like to keep things interesting around here,” John agreed, spotting the equipment outside. “Oh, I better pull that stuff in for you, Soph.”

  “I’ll help you with it,” she said, opening the door.

  He waved her off. “Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t want you getting your hands dirty.”

  Sophia was going to argue she had carried all the stuff to the door and she was a dragonrider who spent more of her time dirty than clean, but she decided not to. Again, John saw her as the little girl he knew who wore lacy dresses and curtsied to all she met. She was still that girl, it was just impractical to wear dresses when riding dragons.

  “Thank you, John,” Sophia said over her shoulder and went over to the workstati
on where Alicia was. “Thanks for reviewing those files from Medford Research.”

  “Quite the firm there,” Alicia said, pulling the goggles all the way off her head and shaking out her long, silky brown hair. “I mean, as you know, I did contract work for a similar organization at one point, Langer Technology. They were more about using LiDAR for financial profit. From what I’ve been able to discern, Medford Research takes only government contracts that benefit making the planet a safer place.”

  Sophia slumped slightly, blowing out a breath. “Yeah, that’s in line with what I’ve learned about them.”

  “Why the sad face?” the Italian scientist asked, her accent making her words sound like music.

  “It’s just hard to wrap my head around taking down a villain who does good things,” Sophia related.

  Alicia nodded in understanding. “I don’t think most people are good or bad, they fall somewhere in the middle. We’re an assortment of grays, rather than blacks and whites.”

  “Yeah,” Sophia agreed, thinking of the dragons and their riders and how they tended to align to one end of the spectrum or the other. There were not any grays when it came to the adjudicators of the world, and that was probably for the best, Sophia reasoned.

  “Maybe there’s more to learn about your villain,” Alicia offered thoughtfully. “I’m sorry I can’t give you much insight into her other than what I already have, but it seems to me it would be unwise to destroy someone whose intentions you don’t understand fully.”

  Sophia nodded, having thought the same thing. She was definitely getting her dragon eggs back. Those belonged to the Dragon Elite. Once she did, she wasn’t certain what she was doing with Trin Currante.

  Usually an enemy would be imprisoned, punished, or taken down, like Thad Reinhart. It wasn’t smart for the Dragon Elite to leave potential adversaries out there who could come back and seek retribution. But what if they were not inherently evil? It went back to the whole philosophical question, does a man who steals bread to feed his starving family deserve to be punished?

  Some would contend the man should be let off since he wasn’t hurting anyone and only trying to save the ones he loved. Others think that stealing regardless of the circumstances was wrong. As an adjudicator presiding over the world’s affairs, Sophia didn’t actually know. She thought it depended on specific factors. It was a case by case basis for her.