by Celeste Raye
"He is coming through the crowd now. I too want to see if my efforts paid off."
Chapter 5
Maxxus
The black and green weredragons that were Maxxus and Kelan landed on the rim of the desolate volcano. Their sharp eyes roamed its center seeking a spark of life. There was none and the land surrounding it was just as empty as when Maxxus had first discovered it. The cloud of ash seemed thicker, which did not bode well for the future.
"I believe the devastation has spread by several more feet in every direction. The formula did not work," Maxxus growled.
"That may not be true," Kelan replied with hope. "It may be unable to revive something that is completely dead, and the area could have gotten worse before I deployed the fix. The waterfall was not destroyed at that time. We must check and see how it has changed before declaring a verdict."
Through the ash, they spied a bright yellow wing. The dragon came to an abrupt landing when it caught sight of them. It spread its wings and laid its mighty head on the ground by Maxxus's big claws, bowing in respect for the weredragon he recognized as his king.
"Stand up and tell me why you have come to the volcano," Maxxus demanded.
"I was not intending to stop here, sire. I was on my way to the capital to report on some changes in the waterfall. I will not make the same mistakes as my predecessor," the dragon replied.
"Then we have crossed paths with the same objective. We were headed for the waterfall you speak of. Give me your news."
"There was a brief spark from the falls last night, and we had high hopes for its recovery, but less than an hour ago it had returned to its dullness. I checked the life in the pool and found there was none, though there were no dead creatures either. They may have abandoned it and somehow gone to another or been eaten by predators. I suspect it was a combination of the two. Some had the ability to leave the pool, while others were water-bound creatures."
"I was right; the formula did not work. Josie told me it might not. She said the planet would recognize it as the same formula and reject it as useless. Has the problem grown worse? Is your village feeling the effects of the change?" he asked the elder.
"Our condition remains the same. We sent our excess stores of food to the capital at sunrise as you ordered. The rest is being rationed one meal at a time. You may check if you wish."
"There is no need. You have earned my trust by bringing the report and sending the supplies. I would not shame you by checking to see if you told the truth. Continue on and if your village becomes involved in the devastation, come to the city. Bring what you can and living arrangements will be made."
After the yellow dragon took its leave, Maxxus allowed his fear to show. "We are losing this battle. If their other water source becomes unusable, they will have to move. The nearest one is a day’s walk away. Yes, they could fly there within minutes, but that is not conducive to cooking, cleaning or sustaining a garden. I must prepare places for the refugees in the city."
"The school and businesses can accommodate this small village. If more were to come, we would have to open our homes or erect tents on the city perimeter," Kelan suggested.
"Then I will begin a search for tents and make an accounting of the number available. I will humble myself and ask for Earth to send some as well. I refuse to be caught off guard as I was with the supplies this morning. Josie will oblige and bring all that she can," Maxxus proclaimed.
"You speak of Josie a lot and seem to count on her for help. I assume you have found her trustworthy? I never met her, only her father. He was an interesting man and very outspoken," Kelan stated.
"His daughter is very much the same. She definitely speaks her mind. She says what she thinks without monitoring it first. It makes for lively discussions and at times hurts my ego, but at least I do not have to doubt her honesty. I wish she could come alone. Others may not be as honest or trustworthy, though she has agreed to choose each one carefully. I regret that they are risking themselves by coming to a planet where life may not be sustainable."
"You are a complex being, Maxxus. You do not trust humans, and yet you worry for their safety. I think you worry for Josie most of all. You do not even know her, but she has gotten under your skin. It is amazing. You never let anyone get close."
"I have not let her get close. We are both concerned for Talonia and have the same agenda, no more. Whatever else you imagine you see is not real. I was simply surprised when she offered to come here despite the destruction."
Kelan said no more. It was useless to argue with Maxxus. He did not see what outsiders would. Josie had managed to do what even his friends could not: gain his trust and respect unconditionally.
Josie
The spaceship was being loaded under Josie's close supervision. Her precious lab equipment wasn't allowed out of her sight. It was far too fragile and expensive. She treated every vial and device as if they were one of her children, the ones she doubted she would ever have. Science was her family, and there wasn't room for anything more, not if she wanted to keep her top ranking. New, brilliant scientists were popping up all over the world and could easily take her place. She warily consulted with them on a daily basis, trying to hide her vulnerability and live up to her father's legacy. That was the worst part. How could you ever claim to be better than the man credited with saving Earth? Sure, he hadn't done it alone. Thousands of others had helped in research and development, but it was his name that everyone associated with the final product. The problem on Talonia was her chance to shine just as brightly. Fate had deemed her worthy by giving her this project, and she would see that it was accomplished. It definitely had nothing to do with the gorgeous king or a desire to keep him alive. Did it? Of course not. No one could feel emotional about a face on a screen coming from millions of miles away. She wasn't a silly schoolgirl and never had been. She'd grown up desiring fame, not love. Now her time had come, and she wouldn't blow it for a kiss from a weredragon. Her fingers touched her lips and found them swollen just by thinking about it.
Shaking some sense into herself, Josie consulted her list. Ninety percent of the lab was now on the spaceship. They would be finished by the end of the day. She would work in it from now on while the provisions were added. As soon as she packed her private necessities, she'd begin sleeping there too.
Her wrist communicator buzzed, drawing her attention away from her task. It was her assistant. "What's up, Helen? Did the movers break something?"
"No, everything is packed and on its way. The lab is so empty that it echoes. But that king, the alien one, called. He says he needs to speak with you. I told him you were busy, yet he keeps insisting. Can you be here in an hour? He won't let me connect your communicator or take a message. He's awfully paranoid and distrustful."
"He has reason to be. Their planet was attacked by one species that almost destroyed it, then one of our ships crashed there revealing them to us, next we asked for their help in saving Earth, and now the first battle has come back to haunt them. I'd be a little distrustful too. Trade places with me. You come here and make sure nothing gets broken, and I'll come talk to Maxxus."
Good grief! Now she was defending the man. Why? His wariness bothered her just as much as anyone, yet here she was giving Helen a speech as to why it was okay. Oddly enough, she knew that every word she'd said was true. He did have good reasons for his attitude.
The final truck backed in, narrowly missing a stack of boxes that held test tubes, flasks, and microscopes. She forgot about Maxxus and hurried over to shout obscenities at the driver.
Helen arrived, looking tired and frazzled. She had dark circles beneath her eyes, and her makeup was long gone from rubbing her face with her hands. Glancing at her watch, Josie was startled. No wonder her assistant looked so bad. It was two a.m. The poor woman needed sleep, and so did she. "I'm so sorry, Helen. I didn't notice how late it was. They've loaded the last of the equipment. Lock up behind them and send them on their way. You can go home. Take the day off and r
est. I'll be here later, making calls to the suppliers who promised free provisions for Talonia and finding out when all of it will arrive. You don't need to be around for that."
"I'm fine. Working in your lab has been a pleasure. I don't know what I'm going to do for work while you're gone. Not many people want an assistant who's over sixty, even temporarily. How long do you think you'll be gone? Maybe I have enough money saved to keep me going until you get back."
"Oh, no! I forgot to tell you the news. Being scatterbrained is becoming a habit it seems. Since I don't have any idea how long this will take, I made arrangements for you. Professor Michaels in Seattle wants you to work for him. I thought you'd like that. Your grandkids are there, aren't they?" Josie blabbered.
"Are you serious?" Helen replied, with tears flowing. "I finally get to be near the babies? Thank you! I can't believe you did this for me. But, what about you? Won't you need me when you get back?"
"If you still want to work when I return, you're welcome to your old job. If you would rather stay with your family, I'll be fine. I can't replace you, but I can hire a poor substitute," Josie declared. She would dearly miss the older woman. Helen was like a mother to her, as her own had been lost when she was small.
"You'll stay in touch, won't you?" Helen begged.
"Always. I need your advice and wisdom. But, don't say goodbye yet. We have a lot more to do before we split apart. I expect you here bright and early tomorrow. I've got to hurry, or Maxxus will blow his top because I'm late."
"He scares me," Helen admitted. "But, he's really nice to look at."
"Yes, he is." Josie's laughter echoed through the hangar.
The COM link was buzzing before she'd made it into the room. She dumped the armful of notepads, bills of lading, and her personal belongings in the corner. Her desk was already aboard the spaceship. One lone chair and the COM link remained. She sat down and answered, "I'm here, Maxxus. What do you need that my assistant couldn't help you with? It's half past two in the morning here and I'm exhausted, so speak fast."
"It did not work. The damaged waterfall now has no life-forms in it, and the dead area around the volcano is enlarging. I am making plans for the worst to happen. I do not like asking for more help, but for my people, I will. If the other areas begin to change, my citizens will be forced to come to the city where we are storing food. We will have to house them. There are not enough structures or homes for them all. We have some tents, but I am asking you to bring more," Maxxus replied gruffly.
"I'll make room. I told you the formula might not work. For once, I'm sorry I was right. If you have the correct ingredients, tell Kelan to try cutting in half line three and doubling line eight. With the information you gave me, it's my best guess for another try. I can't be exact without testing. My equipment is loaded, and I'll be pushing my suppliers to deliver the things you need immediately. I've ordered everything I can possibly think of that we might need. Don't hesitate to tell me if there's more. I wouldn't want to come all that way without something important."
"Have you found a reliable crew?" he asked.
"You mean ones you can trust? Yes, I have. You'll recognize a few. They've been to Talonia before. Half of the crew from the Outreach II volunteered. They say that they owe you and would love to see paradise again. Some had to drop other assignments that paid for this one that doesn't."
Maxxus was shocked. The crew of Outreach II had been through enough, yet here they were giving of their time and not being paid for it to return to a planet that was dying. They had survived a crash and a war but were still willing to risk their lives for aliens who had not wanted to be found. A piece of the wall around his heart crumbled.
"It will be an honor to welcome them back. They are indeed trustworthy. Their captain will be pleased to see them once again. Lydia loves Hesher and Talonia, but I am certain she misses her ship and crew. It is hard to relinquish that kind of authority without some regret, especially since her paradise is slowly disappearing."
"We'll fix it. It may take years, but we'll do it. I'm determined to stay until it's perfect or die trying," Josie vowed. Where such conviction had come from, she didn't know or care. She meant every word and hadn't thought about fame when she said them.
"I do not wish anyone to die, human or Talonian. I would send them all away before that happened. It would break me to do it, yet I would. Homes can be replaced; lives cannot. Replacing my brother as king has changed me. It is not the job I had thought it to be. I assumed I would be making decisions that were as simple as yes or no. However, there are areas that waver in between and that have no definitive answer. Too many involve my heart, and I am not prepared for that. I built a wall around it many years ago and now it is falling."
Silence filled both rooms. Both of them were stunned by the admission. Maxxus had just bared his soul to a virtual stranger, and that stranger found it mattered to her more than she could imagine.
Chapter 6
Maxxus
Embarrassed, Maxxus stopped the communication. Why had all that information slid off his tongue so easily? He had not even admitted those things to himself, and still, he had informed Josie of his deepest thoughts. Did she have some kind of magical powers that drew such confessions from others? Was he hypnotized by her eyes? Those were ridiculous ideas. He was stressed, and it had gotten the better of him. He needed to leave the worry behind and refresh his soul. Once that was done, he would be able to control his thoughts and his tongue.
Winding his way through the palace would cause him to confront all the stress firsthand. Every corner of every room was loaded with crops and other supplies. To avoid seeing them, he went upward to the roof. Refusing to look down and focus on the throngs of citizens hurriedly preparing the city for devastation, he kept his eyes on the sky. His transformation took only a moment and then the ebony weredragon took flight. His destination was the nearest waterfall, still giving off energy and administering calm to those who sought it. He passed over it, filling his lungs with the scent of fresh air, cleansed of the evil near the village. On the second pass, he crossed through the plunging water and let it soak in to soothe his soul. His body begged for more. Seldom did he choose to land in the pool as a dragon, but today it felt necessary. In the center, the deepest part, he spread his wings and raised his face to the pounding falls. Standing there, he asked, “Give me the strength to save this world for its inhabitants. Grant me the wisdom to find a solution. I need to know that all will be well. Can you share a sign with me the way you do for Tae and Eveline? Please, give me the confidence to lead my citizens to victory."
Opening his eyes in disregard for the water streaming in and almost blinding him, he saw a vision in the ripples of the water: a pale face with black hair flowing gently as the pool moved. How ironic. He begged for help, and his mind played tricks instead, showing him Josie when he needed a savior.
Leaving the pool, reluctant to return to the city, he flew aimlessly until a target he had not been seeking came into view. The volcano was spewing lava, sparks rising into the otherwise clear sky. It exuded power and seemed to call him. He found a foothold among the burning ash, uncaring of the damage it might do to his claws. Sucking in the hot air, he felt the power lift him up. He was not alone. The land was fighting along with him. It would not die easily. Talonian history did not tell of a beginning for this world, and it would not tell of an end. It was his sworn duty to make sure of it. He gazed into the blazing fire and once again spied familiar faces. A sob escaped him. How could he save his home when he was losing his mind? There in the fire was Josie and behind her stood Maxxus.
Rest: that is what he required. Sleep would rid him of the insanity. There had only been minutes at a time to sleep for days. They added up to less than an hour. No wonder he was losing it. The palace would not suffice, not for a peaceful sleep. He would seek out a cave where no one would disturb him. Freedom from ruling for a few hours would restore his wits. He knew the perfect spot. Many times, he had hidden there
as a child when his temper became too much to bear. He still carried scars from climbing the rocks to get to the cave in the shadows between the waterfall and volcano. Now climbing was not necessary. As an adult weredragon, he had the advantage of flight, and he intended to use it.
The cave was well hidden, blocked from view by foliage and in a deep shadow cast by the volcano. It was his private sanctuary. Maxxus had never told anyone about it. He would spend days camped out there when his life became too complicated. He stored supplies there: food, water, blankets, and wood. Standing in its opening, he felt oddly at home. It was smaller than he remembered, but he had been small too. The last time he had entered the cave was shortly before he had transformed for the first time. He had not come after that, though he was not sure why.
Walking further inside, he discovered there was a pile of wood and a stack of old blankets. They held the stench of long ago fires in their ragged stitches. It was a comforting scent. He spread them on the hard, rocky ground and lay his weary body on them. Here he could rest. His eyes closed, and he was gone.
Dreams swarmed in his head. Not the ones that had plagued him in the moments of sleep he had managed to capture in the last few days. Those had been terrorizing, filled with empty wastelands, starving weredragons, and diseased children. These were of warm, soft arms holding him tight. Whispers of encouragement were mixed with words of love.
His lonely heart and ravaged body soaked them up like the sponges that grew in the ponds. Even in sleep, he knew his mind was playing games. He did not heed the warning. It was all too delightful, and his soul was hungry for it. On he slept, until the dawn of a new day.
Maxxus rose with the sun. He was refreshed, and his mind was clear. He shoved the visions out of his brain and let the anxieties back in. He had been gone from the palace for too long. The citizens would be searching for the king, thinking he had abandoned them to their fate. He had not given Kelan the message from Josie. It was possible some of the scouts had come back with news. There were duties to attend to, and they would not be taken care of in a child's hideout. It was time to return to reality and all its pressures.