Dragon Redemption

by Valerie Emerson

  Khiann looked at her hands, the soil stains, the dirt beneath her nails, her face likely as filthy. “What drives a Wyrm to bother with such affairs?”

  “We seek a human, and it turns out this one knows you. You gave him your ship. The one called Night Thorn.”

  “Dante.” That name on her lips felt strange after all this time. She’d done her best to purge him from her mind. “I don’t know where the human is.”

  “Of course not.” Shaia beamed. He leaned toward her. “Where is the ship?”

  “I don’t know that either.” She could change that within minutes. Send a remote command, and Night Thorn would broadcast its location. Its ‘conscious’ mind wouldn’t even register the directive. They knew it too.

  “But you know how to find them,” the High Commander said. “So do it.”

  “No.”

  The shock on his face was all the surprise she needed. She inclined her head to him in a motion that wasn’t quite a bow.

  “I gave you an order,” he snarled.

  “I’m not under your command.” The corner of her mouth twitched in a way that reminded her of Dante. She let it; he deserved a little insolence. “That’s what happens when you strip someone of their rank and throw them out of the military. They no longer have to follow orders.”

  “No? And what about my orders?”

  Shaia was mere inches from her face, his eyes crackling with black energy. She stiffened, and he grabbed her by the throat before she could move out of reach. “You will find the ship and lead us to Dante,” he ordered.

  “No. I won’t.”

  Rage passed across his face. But just as quickly as he’d appeared in front of her, he moved across the room to look at the screen masquerading as a window. “I see you enjoy your station in life now. We’ll see what we can do about that, but first, you will obey me.” Shaia lifted his hand, then clenched it shut. A shroud of dark shadows gathered around his fist, then shot towards Khiann.

  It began in the shape of a dark comet, but by the time the shadows reached her, they spun themselves out into a web that covered her from crown to foot like a giant veil. She plucked at it, but it was no more substantial than a shadow.

  Khiann went to a console and entered commands to seek Night Thorn. Her ear twitched, but her efforts to stop or to send false commands went unheeded by her rebellious hands. She couldn’t even turn her head or speak until she sent her command, and the veil faded away.

  Her body was her own again. She turned around, grasping for a sword she no longer carried. He’d treated her as a puppet, but she was no toy. How dare he take away her own body, her own will!

  “I’ll kill you,” she swore.

  “No. You won’t.” The door slid open and a dozen more guards filed into the room. They grabbed Khiann and shackled her, then dragged her from the room. Her last sight of the Wyrm-ridden Pirr was a self-satisfied grin before the door slid shut between them.

  She was half-carried down several decks and tossed into a tiny, bare cell. The room was a small dome, just a hand’s width too small to stand up or lie down in comfortably. The door had sealed itself to the wall in a way that made it invisible from the inside. The floors and walls were bare, leaving her not so much as a blanket.

  She was alone, with no weapons or tools, in a well-sealed room. But she still had her mind and body, as long as the Wyrm left them alone. She sat with her legs tucked under her and closed her eyes, shutting out her surroundings. She was a prisoner, but she wasn’t helpless. Eventually, she’d find a way out.

  Eleven

  She struggled to sit up in her bunk, dread from her dreams weighing her down. The other bunks were empty, Cor and Nada likely already in the Astral Plane. Julia reflected on how Nada delighted in her new dragon bond. The woman was stretching her proverbial wings, and her contagious enthusiasm had them joining her to experiment with their own abilities, seeking new applications and taking satisfaction in their strengths.

  The details of her dream misted away. She rolled out of bed, dressed, and went to the main cabin.

  “Good Morning, Julia,” Red Star greeted. Coraolis and Nada were cross-legged on the floor, both in trances. She wouldn’t go into the Astral Plane to join them. They all wanted someone on the physical side in case something went wrong.

  “Morning.” Julia claimed a cup of coffee and sat. “Is it morning Earth time or just relative to us?”

  “Both. I have adjusted our time to match that of our destination with subliminal cues to sleep or wake, so your internal clocks have moved to the correct time.”

  Julia raised her eyebrows. “You manipulated us?”

  “Manipulated? I suppose if I had asked, you would have known of the practice, and it would not have the same effect. I understand from your reaction you feel apprehensive? I realize humans value free will. I will take this into account before initiating similar practices.”

  It sounded like an apology, or at least an attempt at one. “I know you were trying to be thoughtful. Did anything happen while I was sleeping?”

  “We passed through your solar system’s wormhole, and I obtained permission to approach Earth. Your debriefing, however, is to take place in the Astral Plane.”

  “Really? Why?”

  “The Secret Council has claimed dominion over this mission. Earth Fleet has agreed to stand aside. The outcome of your mission especially impacts the Mystics, so the Council’s claim has been given, I believe it is said, carte blanche.”

  “I see.” Julia sipped her coffee. It felt too early to process information like this. She took that as a lapse in her discipline and sat straighter. Being sleepy was not an excuse for underperforming. “Any news of Dante and Jack?”

  “Their mission is classified. I inquired after Red Star and was stonewalled, as you say.” Star’s irritation came through. Julia hid a smile in her coffee mug at the ship’s attempts at being more human-like. “I was tempted to find her by other means but did not want to reveal our positions.”

  Julia would like to know how Jack and Dante were doing. She did not understand where they’d gone, or how dangerous their mission was… or if they were still alive.

  “You look worried,” Red Star commented.

  “I am.” Julia drained the rest of her coffee and set the mug aside. “How long until our debriefing?

  “Two hours, thirty-three minutes.”

  “How long have Cor and Nada been in the Astral Plane?”

  “Approximately twenty minutes.”

  “I’ll get them. We need to talk before the briefing.” Julia lowered herself to the floor and crossed her legs. “Be back soon.”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  Administrator Andrus was waiting when Julia and her companions arrived at the rendezvous. He wore formal robes, an aloof bearing, and a false smile. Julia smiled in return and created four chairs. They weren’t necessary for comfort, but they might encourage the administrator to relax.

  “Andrus. It’s good to see you.” Coraolis shook his hand. The administrator imparted some scrutiny on the furniture before sitting.

  Julia gave a wry look. She’d created far more complex objects than armchairs, but perhaps that was what made Andrus cautious.

  “And you,” Andrus said, settling into his seat. “The council began to worry some, I admit; all four of you off in the great beyond and out of touch.” Andrus tugged at his robes. “Many people think a great deal of you, and Earth needs your strength.”

  “Earth will always have it,” Julia answered, and Coraolis nodded.

  “I wished to speak to you before we make any public announcements. The world at large doesn’t know you’re back yet.” Andrus leaned forward, lending a conspiratorial air to his demeanor. “Were you successful?”

  “We were,” Coraolis said, gesturing to Nada.

  She grinned. “I’ve bonded, Administrator. And we brought back more dragons who want to join.”

  “Have you? Where are they?” Andrus glanced around, as if they
might appear upon being mentioned.

  “They’ve lingered about our system’s gas giants—Jupiter’s Red Eye, in particular. They’re very curious creatures.” Nada smiled; she’d gotten close to many of the dragons, not only the one she’d bonded with. “They’re a lot like cats, I think.”

  Andrus’s brow creased. Maybe he wasn’t a cat person. “I came with the authority of the entire Council. If you were successful with the bonding, we want you to find more Mystics.”

  “Wait,” Julia cut in. “Did something happen while we were gone?”

  Andrus hesitated, a trace of his power rippling over them. He probed with his senses, likely checking for eavesdroppers. “Not as such,” he then said. “But even though you have returned, we are still short two Evolved, as you call yourselves. It is a vulnerability. We remember your exile, even if it isn’t held against you. The four of you defeated ten times your number of Mystics. We find we are on the weaker side of that equation again.”

  “Understood.” Julia felt a twinge at Andrus’s reminder of that time, though she comprehended why it had alarmed Earth Fleet so much. The four of them had been a match for perhaps every other Earth Mystic combined. No wonder they were so worried about the Pirr having a similar power source. “Where do we start?”

  “First, let’s go over the details of where you went to acquire these dragons. Then we’ll discuss who to bond with them…”

  “With all due respect,” Nada interrupted, “dragons choose their own. If we present them with a dozen Mystics of your choosing, you’re likely to insult them rather than corral them into selecting someone you prefer.”

  Julia shot Nada a surprised look; she’d figured the dragons would take whoever stepped forward. “What makes you say that?”

  “Well…” Nada returned the surprised look with a confused one. “It’s a very important, permanent decision. I just feel…no, she says her brothers and sisters wish to meet all our Mystics, then they will decide.”

  Andrus exhaled through his nostrils, plainly vexed by the news. “Then what do you suggest? We set up the dragons and Mystics with ‘speed date’ tables to find someone compatible? This must go quickly.”

  Julia had a thought. “Bring the ones you’ve chosen, but we’ll also bring the academy’s Mystics. Anyone who’s interested should join, student or not. The dragons will take it from there. Once the choices are made, we’ll be on hand to help everyone adjust.”

  Andrus scowled, then nodded. “Fine. I’ll notify you of the time and date soon as we are organized. I expect your written report within twenty-four hours.”

  Coraolis stood first, smiling. “See you soon, Administrator.”

  Andrus stood and nodded, then vanished from sight without another word.

  Above planet Earth, where atmosphere met cold vacuum, the appointed time drew closer, and more and more Mystics popped into view. Julia hung back until everyone arrived. She’d never seen so many astral bodies at once. She recognized many faces, even if she didn’t know names.

  Andrus escorted his twelve nominations, treating them with respect. She suspected they were all members of the Secret Council—or commanded similar influence. They all surveyed the crowd with frowns, save for a middle-aged man who displayed an amused smile.

  “Is it time?” Julia whispered to Nada.

  The woman possessed an uncanny ability to track time in the physical world while in the Astral Plane, knowing to the second how long she’d been out of her body, something unheard of among Mystics. “Oh, it’s ten minutes past already. How long should we wait?”

  Cor leaned in from Julia’s other side. “We’ve waited long enough. If they can’t find twelve matches here, I don’t know that they will. I say let’s get them here.”

  “Sounds good.” Julia moved forward, putting herself between the gathered Mystics and her companions. She stood at attention.

  The gathering went silent, many cutting conversations short. She blanched, confronted by all that attention, but she held her ground and remained upright.

  “Everyone. Thank you for coming. My name is Julia Ronasuli, and we’ve returned from an important mission. We need a new source of strength, for, as you all know, we aren’t alone in the galaxy, and not all of our neighbors are friendly. The time has come when we need to be ready…in case they do worse than look at us funny.”

  A chuckle rippled through the crowd, heartening her. Besides teaching, she hadn’t spoken publicly in years, but she had commanded an Earth Fleet vessel and her confidence from that time was coming back to her. “Far from Earth, we found signs that dragons and mortals have worked together in the past to the benefit of both species. Now, they have agreed to partner with us once more. They seek partners to connect with…which is why you are here.”

  Hints of what was going on had floated around, but she saw enough surprise and confusion to tell they hadn’t all the details. She supposed there hadn’t been time for that.

  “Twelve dragons have come. This is a permanent bonding. I can tell you from experience it will both complicate and enrich your lives.” She grinned at the crowd; some laughed, others shifted or gave looks of concern. “If that sounds like too much, no one will think less of you, and you are welcome to go. If you elect to stay, you’ll get support from me, Coraolis, and Nada…” she swept a hand at her friends, “and if a dragon chooses to bond with you, then as you explore the new universe that opens before you.”

  Everyone went quiet; many glancing at their neighbors. A few vanished, returning to their bodies…but only a handful. Some chatter arose but, mostly, they were met with quiet anticipation.

  Julia gave them more time to mull everything over. A few more vanished, as some took longer to consider the implications. She finally turned to Nada and made the ‘go ahead’ gesture. Nada nodded and faced Jupiter, eyes closed. She reached out, and a powerful resonance surrounded her hands. Nada’s lips moved, then her arms flew wide, dispersing the energy.

  Dragons appeared. They soared from behind Jupiter’s red eye as seen in the Astral Plane, swooping around the Mystics like sharks at a pool party—playful sharks. They barrel rolled and twisted in the air, showing off. After a moment of shock and awe, the Mystics relaxed, some laughing at a young dragon intent on outdoing the others, tumbling out of the circle while dragging one of his siblings with him.

  The pair swiveled and gazed at the crowd, and the Mystics fell silent. Then the dragons projected amusement and a wave of playful vigor. They dove into the gathered Mystics. Someone shouted in surprise, someone else choked off a scream, Ephraim rose above the crowd, eyes glowing polar blue as he bonded with the playful young dragon that had spun away from the others. The Enhanced Mystic laughed with delight, then floated over to join Julia.

  She grinned at him, but kept watching as, one by one, the other dragons chose partners. Mystics drifted over to join Julia’s circle upon being selected, until a dozen new Evolved had gathered. The remaining Mystics, many with disappointed expressions—chiefly those of the council—winked away. Andrus frowned from across the space, refusing to return, and Coraolis told Julia he would go speak to the administrator to ‘ease his ego.’

  Julia’s student, Honora, slipped through the circle, a brilliant smile on her pretty face. “Nice speech, Instructor.” The girl’s energy rolled off her like heat from a blazing fire. “What now?”

  “Now, we say hello properly.” Julia winked. “I’m not sure I know all your names, so I’ll guess you don’t know each other. Let’s make introductions, then spend some time with our dragons.”

  A few groans went up from the younger ones at such an obvious classroom exercise, but Honora spoke up, introducing herself first. Julia felt pride; her student had gone from an uncertain girl ready to quit to a confident woman with a dragon bond.

  From there, everyone shared their names and origins, and Julia attempted to memorize them. She and Coraolis sent them through a few basics familiar to every Mystic. It gave them a sense of their new power levels and
a hint of any extra abilities the dragons might have granted.

  It shocked every one of them to discover their new strengths and discover new powers. Most of them manipulated energy similar to Coraolis’s lightning. Some discovered a talent for mental manipulation, either creating illusions or reading minds. A few had a strong bond with the Astral Plane and discovered a knack for manipulating the ether, much more so than un-bonded Mystics.

  Just as they’d done with Nada, they left the new Evolved to ‘play.’ It encouraged them to relax as they heightened their bonds. Their control was far from perfect, though by the time they ran out of energy, she saw signs of strong bonds developing.

  Near the end of the session, Julia reminded them to replenish their electrolytes and eat well that night. She sent them to their bodies with a training schedule, letting them know she and her companions would be there for them.

  Julia returned to her body with a smile, and crawled into Coraolis’s bunk alongside him. Seeing the Mystics and dragons come together felt good, and she wrapped her arms around him. It was a sign their plan would work. She fell asleep in Cor’s arms, her heart full of hope.

  Twelve

  Jack crouched beside Dante’s bunk, listening. It was too dim to see the man breathe, but he should have been able to hear it. It felt a little silly, hovering over his friend like a new parent, but it concerned him. Dante had created an actual rift in space and time. It would have been impossible to believe, if Jack hadn’t been there himself.

  As soon as Night Thorn disengaged from the station, Dante had staggered to his bed and gone to sleep. A day had passed, and Dante was still sleeping. Night Thorn said his vitals were fine, he was just deeply asleep, but Jack had to see for himself.