by Jamie Davis
“Very well. I’ll expect to hear back from you within thirty minutes. Otherwise I’ll have to take that break to look in on your wife and children.”
“I understand, sir. It will be done.”
The phone went dead and Couch lowered his hand, shaking as he returned the phone to his pocket. He liked to think the trembling was due to his anger at the Director, but in truth, he was terrified of what Kane might do to his family.
He looked back at the city. There were families in there, too, but they weren’t his family. His soul was damned, but none of that mattered so long as his family stayed safe.
“Major Beckett.”
“Yes, sir?” The Major had been hovering nearby, anticipating his next order.
“Pass the order to the artillery batteries. They may fire. Walking barrage from the city’s center outward.”
“Yes, sir.” Beckett turned to pass his order to the communications officer.
The general’s shoulders sagged as the first booms sounded and Kane’s special artillery shells started arching up and into the city. Blue fire bloomed from a skyscraper. He hoped the explosions did the work of dealing a rapid death. The alternative, to be turned into those horrible beasts, was far worse than death.
A shrieking cry sounded overhead.
Couch looked up and blanched. “What the hell is that?”
More of the bat-winged creatures appeared overhead, circling the city.
Now there were hundreds.
More of Kane’s monsters?
Couch watched the massive beasts—dragons—circling until another round of artillery fire sounded from the riverbanks across from the city. A terrible cry rent the air and the dragons all banked toward the general’s forces.
In a moment of horror, Couch realized that these beasts did not belong to Kane. They belonged to Durham, and were here to seek revenge on his men for their crimes against humanity.
“Fire on them, dammit!” Couch shouted. “They’re with the enemy!”
He ran to the communications tech who’s eyes were transfixed on the dragons. Couch grabbed the mic from the corporal’s hands and pressed the button.
“All anti-aircraft units fire on the dragons,” he shouted. “They aren’t ours!”
Couch looked back down the river to his units.
Too late.
Fire spewed from the dragons’ jaws, enveloping one artillery piece after another. Soldiers, their clothing aflame, flung themselves into the river, desperate to douse the flames. Others fell and burned where stood, writhing on the ground until the sweet mercy of death came to claim them, turning into what looked like piles of burning rags on the ground.
Couch watched the magical fire consuming his troops and melting barrels. Metal sagged and bent. Within a few minutes, the general’s entire artillery section was destroyed.
The other units had opened fire. Couch saw one of the dragons wheel in the air then plunge into the river below as one of the larger antiaircraft shells landed a direct hit.
“At least they’re not completely invincible,” Couch said.
“They’re shrugging off all but our biggest weapons, though,” Beckett said. “Small arms have little to no effect, and seem to only be making them angry.”
The Major pointed toward the city. “Look, sir, a group of the dragons have separated from the others and are moving into the city proper.”
“Bring up the remote cameras our recon units placed this morning. I want to see what they’re doing.”
“Here they are, sir,” Beckett said, tapping a series of buttons on the display controller.
The series of monitors lit up to display the city’s center. The initial barrage had caused significant damage before it was stopped by the dragons. Several buildings burned with the strange blue flames. The Fell beasts begin to spread out and hunt refugees in the streets.
But then the dragons arrived.
Some belched red fire at the buildings to extinguish the burning blue flames. Dragon fire burned through everything it touched, causing buildings to crumble and collapse in on themselves.
More and more dragons flew in to quench the blue flames, and damn the buildings. As the blue flames died, the dragons settled in the streets and took their fight to the ground.
The general watched; Fell beasts no longer chased humans in favor of attacking the landing dragons.
But the dragons saw them coming and immolated hundreds of the charging creatures. Then, when the Fell beasts were too close, the dragons resorted to using their powerful jaws and rending claws on the smaller creatures.
Kane’s monsters outnumbered the dragons but the dragons used their superior bulk for their collective benefit. A pair of the beasts surrounded by Fell creatures stood back to back, rotating in place and spewing a ring of fire around them, burning down a hundred charging monsters in under a minute.
They were fighting intelligently and that made them deadly opponents.
“Pull all units back from the perimeter,” Couch ordered. “Disengage all units from fighting on the riverbanks. Tell them to stop firing on the dragons. I pray if we stop shooting at them, they’ll turn their attention on those beasts in the city.”
Beckett passed on the orders while Couch kept his eyes fixed on the carnage. Part of him was glad to see someone defend the city and its inhabitants. But most of him was afraid of Kane’s reaction.
“Major, make sure all channels are being recorded so we can analyze the dragons’ attack later.”
And have proof for Kane.
“The monitors record the video automatically. I’ll have the files downloaded for you to view later.”
Couch picked up a pair of binoculars from the table and scanned the riverbank. Pieces of twisted wreckage were scattered everywhere. There were no soldiers left.
“Leave the monitors for last but evacuate everything else from this position. I don’t want the dragons searching for alternative targets once they’re finished hunting Kane’s monstrosities.”
General Couch handed the binoculars to his first officer.
“Come with me, Beckett. We’re heading back to the capital. The Director is going to want a report on this in person. Make sure the video files of the battle are sent to me. He’ll want to see them.”
“Yes, sir.”
Couch spared one last glance at the scene playing out Philadelphia. If Durham had more monsters like these at her disposal, then this was a very different sort of war.
CHAPTER 18
At first the mood was jubilant in Promise Point as the watchers in the command center saw the dragons’ arrive on the magical viewing wall. Various screens showed dozens of views as the creatures swooped in and attacked the units pummeling the city with artillery shells.
Winnie winced as dragon after dragon strafed the ground around the artillery batteries with fire. It was so hot, the steel guns themselves were melting. The men and women manning those weapons were burned alive where they stood, never even getting the chance to escape. Most of the command center cheered with each dragon strike on Kane’s forces.
A few saw what Winnie did. Their faces were more somber than their comrades, seeing the wonton and total destruction of the enemy forces for the brutal assault that it was. No quarter offered or given. Every living thing and structure in the dragons’ path was left in ashes.
Soon the dragons turned their attention to the city itself and the transformed creatures who were once residents of Philly’s central district.
Winnie wondered about the people who might have been trapped inside those fallen buildings, hiding from the monsters roaming the hallways, alive with that brilliant blue fire. They never had a chance, forever entombed within the rubble of their offices and homes.
More buildings crumbled, exposing the thousands of Fell beasts roaming the streets. Several dozen dragons descended to attack the allies of their hated adversary, trumpeting roars to the sky, calling their opponents to fight.
Demons, Croc-lizards, and othe
r Fell creatures answered the challenge.
Again, there was a cheer from the onlookers as the dragons unleashed their fiery blasts against the Fell beasts. Hundreds of the creatures fell while charging into the flames.
And there were hundreds more behind them.
On one screen, a single dragon was swarmed then killed as dozens of Kane’s beasts pulled it down. That image dampened some spirits.
Their dragons weren’t invincible.
But there were still plenty enough dragons to win the day. Despite being outnumbered, the power of the Fae’s champions was absolute. They burned and tore their way through the city searching for every last Fell beast. Winnie could sense the sheer joy at being unleashed against their ancient enemies.
“What are they doing?” Morgan asked. “They’re ripping the city apart, doing Kane’s work for him.”
“We had to stop him from attacking any more cities,” Victor said. “We have to hope they’ll stop soon, but it’s not like we have any other choice.”
Morgan looked like she might cry. “Will this happen in every city? We don’t win if there’s nothing left when we’re finished.”
“I don’t know,” Winnie said. “I was shown the devastation created by the dragons in the past. But I didn’t equate that destruction to a modern city.”
Tris pointed to a group of dragons burning through a building’s walls. “That’s the city’s central pumping station. If that fails, the city won’t have water or a working sewer. That means that any survivors won’t be survivors for long. So—”
The building collapsed in a cloud of fire, smoke, and dust.
A groan sounded from the techs beside Tris.
Similar scenes filled every screen.
Winnie pointed to a tech managing the magical windows. “Open a connection to Colten Sico.”
“Yes, ma’am. Right away.”
The chanter tech drew strands of magic and opened a new window.
Winnie peered inside, into the interior of a dimly lit room. “Colton, are you there?”
A head popped up from behind the desk.
“Winnie, is that you? I hope you’re coming to help.”
“I can’t. It’s too far. I sent aid, but it’s a double edged sword. The city’s being destroyed while—”
“You sent those flying demons? What were you thinking?”
“I had to, Colton. If we’d let General Couch continue his attack, he’d have turned you all into more of Kane’s monsters.”
“I’m not sure it’s going to matter much. We’re dying either way.”
“Can you evacuate your people to the west? Most of the fighting is taking place in the east by the river. If you can move people to the western edge, they might avoid the worst of the destruction.”
“I can try, but I’m trapped in a basement. The warehouse collapsed, and most of my people are either dead or trapped like I am.”
“Do what you can,” Winnie said. “Once the dust settles and the fighting is finished, we’ll send help to dig everyone out.”
Colton nodded and called out to someone off screen.
Winnie waved to the tech holding the window open, then she let it snap closed with an audible POP.
It took an hour for the battle to wind down. The General’s remaining forces — less than half of what he’d arrived with—were retreating to the south. The dragons were flying above the city searching for more targets below. People in the city slowly emerged from their hiding places to view the devastation.
More than half of the city’s structures were gone.
Most of the others were damaged beyond repair.
Winnie and the rest of the command team surveyed the destruction and formulated plans to send help.
“Start by contacting Cleaver York in New Amsterdam,” Winnie said. “He’s the closest and can send help before any of us could get there.”
“I can arrange for a team of menders from Promise Point to travel there by portal,” Morgan said. “We’re limited on the number we can send, but it’s a start.”
“Good,” Winnie said. “While we’re focused on that, we need to come up with a contingency plan for the next time Kane attempts to take another city. Sending the dragons without us is obviously a bad idea. They’re too erratic to be trusted alone.”
“What did you have in mind, boss?” Garraldi asked.
“I’m wondering if we can’t stage the dragons with riders around the country. Maybe I can come up with a way to transfer my link among the elites.”
“So we’d create some sort of quick reaction team of dragons and menders?” Maria said. “That might work, provided you can control them then transfer that control to others.”
“Ma’am,” a tech called out to Winnie. “The dragons over Philly are dispersing.”
“They’re coming back?” Winnie clarified.
“No, ma’am. I mean they’re dispersing.”
Winnie walked back to the viewing wall. The tech pointed to a screen near the center then magically expanded it to widen the view.
It was an overhead view of Philly with the dragons darkening the skies above, flying off in small groups in various directions. Every minute or so, another group would form and leave.
Winnie tried to tune them in, but it was difficult and put a heavy strain on her mind. But she pressed on anyway, trying to call them back to Promise Point. A few answered and turned to the west. Most sent back a single word.
Protect.
“Oh, no … ” Winnie said.
“What,” Danny asked. “What’s wrong? Are you alright?”
“I screwed up, Danny. When I sent them to Philly to defeat Couch and defend the city, I told them to protect the city. That one word: protect.”
“That’s what they did. I don’t understand.”
“The command was too broad. I thought I’d focused them on that one city, but it seems like they took that as a starting point.”
“But protect is a good thing,” Elaine said. “Isn’t it?”
Winnie shook her head. “Most of the dragons are now searching for more people in need of protection. They have grudges to settle against the Fell. They’re going to hunt them down then destroy them, no matter what gets in their way.”
“Good,” Maria said. “I hope they start with Kane.”
“No, I don’t think they will. It’s too well defended. They’ll never get close to the capital without our help.” Winnie watched as more dragons left the skies, going off on their own or in small groups. “I think they’re staking their fight to anywhere that they know the Fell’s creatures might be.”
Winnie imagined the widespread destruction that she’d inadvertently unleashed. Shaking her head, she said, “I have to call them back.”
“I have to call them back.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Winnie,” Maria said.
“Why not? They’re going to be out there in the world chasing Kane’s monsters, no matter who gets in the way. We can’t allow that.”
“I think this is exactly what we need to do,” Maria continued. “Show Kane that we’re every bit as ruthless in this fight as he is. He’s loosed his monsters onto the world, let them run rampant while he makes more. This is the only way to counter him.”
“She’s right Winnie,” Victor agreed. “How else are we going to track all those monsters down? Let the dragons do some of the work while they keep Kane guessing where they’ll turn up next.”
Winnie wasn’t sure. Philly was already a memory. Could she really condemn the rest of the nation to that fate?
But Victor and Maria were right. It would keep Kane off balance if dragons appeared randomly around the country, fighting his pets, and wreaking havoc wherever they went.
“Alright,” Winnie said. “I’ll hold off.
“Are you sure?” Elaine asked.
“No. But this is our best option right now. Victor and Maria make good points. We’ve only been reacting to Kane’s moves so far. Now it’s our tu
rn to make him backpedal a bit while he tries to figure out what we’re up to.” Winnie smiled even though she didn’t feel particularly happy. “Maybe a little chaos is a good thing.”
CHAPTER 19
“That bitch!”
Nils raged around his bunker before returning to the conference table to confront the general. Twisted limbs and deformity didn’t prevent him from overturning tables and throwing chairs around. It irked him that a bombproof bunker had so little in the way of breakables—how else was he supposed to satisfy his anger?
How could that girl have found such magnificent creatures on her own?
Nils wondered for the first time if the Fell were serving two masters.
He couldn’t afford to trust anyone.
Shuffling over to the wall map, Nils looked at the hundreds of pins across the country, each marking an incident where Durham’s dragons had interfered with his Fell beasts in some way. He tried to make out some pattern or system to the deployment of enemy creatures but saw none.
“What does she think she’s doing?”
“I suppose she’s trying to defeat you with magic of her own,” said Couch. “You didn’t have any idea that Durham could do this?”
“No, of course not,” Kane replied. “If she had them at her disposal, why did it take her this long to summon them? It doesn’t make any sense.”
Nils paused, suddenly lightheaded. He swayed in on his feet for a moment until he regained his control and balance. The physical effects of his recent tantrum were changing his body. Shuffling to a nearby seat, he sat and pointed to the map.
“Now she’s let them loose in every part of the country. I can’t send my beasts anywhere without them coming under attack from these … dragons.”
“Maybe they’re hunting the Fell directly,” Couch suggested.
“You should be out there fighting them,” Nils said. “Instead you’re in here offering me insights that I can figure out on my own. Tell me, General, have you and your men lost the will to win this war?”