by Diane Rapp
“Lie down here. Trenton is putting out a string of lights on the ridge.”
“But…”
“Doctor’s orders. Trust me.”
Lauryn nodded. “I guess it’s time I learned to trust someone.”
Krystal’s lips quivered. “You’ll be fine and we’ll help Andrew.”
“Have you ever seen visions of the future like the ones Chella describes? I had several dreams, one in which Andrew died and another…”
“Quiet now.” Krystal clasped Lauryn’s hand. “I never told anyone, but when Jarrack captured your father I dreamed different versions of the future. One path led to a future I didn’t want, but if I followed a more difficult path I’d free my husband. It wasn’t easy. I sent my darling girls to live with friends, but it was the only way Donovan might survive.”
“You picked the right future.”
“I think so.”
Lauryn smiled. “I saw a future with Andrew, but I thought Salizar would still live.”
“Never regret choosing a path for yourself but let others make their own choices. Tell Andrew help is on the way. You’ve got a strong connection, so guide him home. I must go find out about Donovan.”
Caston sat frowning at the radio. Krystal touched his shoulder and he blurted, “Donovan’s injured. Chella guided Ryan through emergency procedures, but the spaceship captured them both.”
Krystal cringed. “The ship broke through Drako’s defenses? Where’s it headed?”
Caston licked his lips nervously. “Here.”
Krystal said, “Good.”
Caston looked surprised. “We can’t hold off an armed destroyer!”
“I don’t plan to hold them off. When they land, I’ll board that ship and make sure Donovan lives. If we must negotiate for our lives, I’m ready.”
“You are?”
“Yes. We’ve got something they want, and they’re going to listen to our terms.”
Caston nodded. “I’m not a warrior, but I can talk with anyone.”
“That’s the spirit. Prepare to meet our visitors.”
*****
Bryant stomped through the corridors at Havenshire, scowling. Catherine tried to keep pace with his long stride. “The ship didn’t answer, but Chella recognized a Transfer team on the shuttle video. They got our message.”
Bryant barked, “Message! They captured Donovan and invaded our world. How can we stop them?”
Catherine ran at his side. “Stop them?”
“I must defend Drako.”
“That ship literally swallowed the shuttle. They’ll kill Donovan and Ryan if we fight.”
“They might kill them regardless!”
Catherine’s face paled at his harsh tone, so Bryant lowered his voice. “Look, lass. My orders are to defend Havenshire, hell, to defend the whole damned planet if necessary. It’s my duty.”
“What if defense is impossible?”
“I’ll die trying, just like Donovan expects.” They reached the control room. “Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy living—maybe I enjoy it too much—but I’m not afraid to die trying to save Donovan.”
“Try?” Catherine stomped her foot and Bryant stared into her angry green eyes. She said, “You must save them both! I won’t listen to mealy mouth speeches about trying. Do what you must to save them!” The pair blasted into the room, and Chella whirled in her chair.
“Catherine sounds like Donovan.” Chella laughed. “He barks at Bryant in the same tone of voice.”
Bryant glared at Chella. “What’s the status of the invasion?” He stood with gloved hands perched on his hips, his feet spread, and his scabbard hanging over chain mail.
Chella grinned as the royal knight studied the computer without blinking. “Don’t sit there grinning, lass. Give me useful information!”
“Sorry,” Chella said and pointed at the screen. “The ship’s taking its sweet time getting to the spaceport, but that’s where it’s headed.”
Bryant rubbed his chin, a gesture he picked up from Donovan. “How can we get to the spaceport in time?”
“We’ve got a crippled shuttle and a few dragons.” Chella remembered how she damaged the shuttle.
“Can Shariel and her crew take soldiers aboard dragons?”
Chella nodded. “I already made the suggestion.”
Bryant arched his eyebrow. “You sent a mental message?” He stood rubbing his chin and his eyes twinkled. “I’ll use any weapon at my disposal. Mental powers and flying dragons are the best weapons we’ve got, so let’s use them.”
“Our mental talents came from spans of Transfer. The enemy might possess the same type of abilities.”
“Spacers use technology and might ignore their mental powers. Besides, surprise may be on our side if we employ the weapon first. They’ll be shocked to see soldiers arrive on dragons and might not notice archers ready to fire. Make sure the dragons are ready to take off in fifteen minutes. We have no time to waste on primping.”
Catherine bristled. “Primping!”
Bryant eyes flashed with humor. “As I recall, lass, you took an hour to primp before you appeared in public.”
“True beauty needs no enhancement.” Her sparkling eyes responded to his mood.
“Get to the roof. My men can’t wait to feast their eyes on your natural beauty.” He moved before her fist could land a punch. The click of his boots echoed down the corridor as Catherine gathered her bow and quiver.
*****
A large shadow crept over the dish-shaped valley that formed the spaceport. It moved silently, like a hunter stalking its prey. Dragons on the rim craned their necks to watch the colossal bird that blocked the sun.
The spaceship hovered overhead, an impossible sight. Every eye trained on the object was impressed by the menace of the spacers’ contraption. Even ex-spacers gaped at the battleship that outclassed ships from their memories.
Krystal paced, annoyed by the sluggish pace of the ship, as it moved purposefully toward its goal. She knew the spacers deliberately tried to create dread in the inhabitants of the backward planet. Krystal couldn’t wait to confront the arrogant commander and generate her own dread. She glanced at Bryant, who arrived on dragon back, an hour earlier.
“You mean to defy that with arrows?” She spat the words like a curse.
Bryant shifted and his chain mail clinked. “Aye.”
“Let me meet the captain before you attack.” Her eyes pleaded but her voice demanded.
“Your speaking with him fits the scheme.” Bryant nodded.
“What do you plan?”
Bryant’s jaw clenched and the muscles in his neck tightened. “I’ll not divulge the plan, since you want to parley. Someone inside could read your thoughts! I know what I’m doing.”
Krystal’s shoulders slumped. “I see little hope if they plan to take us all prisoner.” Her gray eyes glistened with tears.
“We’ll give ’em a fight they won’t forget.”
“I hope it won’t be a massacre.”
Bryant flashed a grin. “We’ll go easy on them, since they’re visitors.”
Krystal laughed. She welcomed the easing of tensions as the spaceship drifted to the spaceport floor like a weightless balloon. The antigravity device hummed across the landscape, causing a strange prickling sensation across her skin.
A few minutes later, Krystal stood waiting at the foot of the ramp that extended from the ship, Krystal dressed in a shimmering gold Institute uniform. Steely-eyed men flanked her with imposing battle gear, looking like knights from a fairytale. Sitting across the rim of the spaceport, dragons and wolves waited in readiness.
The ship hummed with energy and the hatch hissed open. Krystal stomped toward the yawning hole but stopped when she saw a massive body dressed in gold emerge. He greeted her with the polite nod of his horny green head. Krystal’s heart sank when she realized the captain was a Gronk.
Krystal’s stomach tightened and she forgot her prepared speech. Captain Ishtarek’s mello
w bass voice startled her. “Greetings to the people of Drako. I come in peace as a representative of the Institute.”
“Peace! After you blow our defense system apart, you expect peace?” Krystal stood her ground with defiance. The captain moved forward and scales glistened with the green luster of a dragon. The horny scales around his neck lay flat, making his shoulders look rounded. She couldn’t sense his mind. Perhaps a Gronk didn’t emit mental vibrations felt by humans, but Krystal felt sure the captain tried to appear humble.
Image of Captain Ishtarek
Krystal glanced at her companions, willing them to remain stolid as she faced an eight-foot lizard, dressed in a gold uniform. Trenton set a calming hand on Bryant’s sword arm to stay the soldier’s reaction. Krystal stared into the captain’s reptilian eyes, standing as tall as she could manage.
“I’m Queen Krystal, wife of King Donovan. You took the king into your ship, and we request his safe return.”
“I am Captain Ishtarek, commander of the Renaissance and Emissary from the Institute. The previous emissary met with a recent accident. I assumed his duty and follow orders from central command.”
Krystal shivered, wondering which orders remained outstanding. The naked fear in her eyes caused Ishtarek’s scales to ripple and his gills flared.
“I assure you, we intend no harm,” he said in a low tone.
“Your ship bombed our world and humanitarian supplies were laced with explosives. I’d say those actions caused harm.” She lifted her chin and stared into his eyes.
Ishtarek’s scales darkened. “We followed orders from our previous Emissary.”
“Whose orders do you follow now?” Krystal’s voice betrayed tension. “If you still plan to kill us, we’ll fight to defend Drako.” Feeling her stress, the dragons unfurled their wings with spikes of vivid color.
Ishtarek’s horny neck ridge vibrated, but his face demonstrated control. “Our last orders from the Institute instructed us to receive a shipment of treated crystals. We were also instructed to transport Jarrack back to headquarters. Since the shipment was accidently destroyed with the Emissary, we’re empowered to negotiate for replacement crystals.”
“Negotiate or demand?”
“My race speaks with clarity. We negotiate for goods and ask for a list of trade items.”
Krystal rubbed sweaty palms against the slick uniform. “We need technicians to repair the damaged satellite, the return of King Donovan, and his shuttle. We’re prepared to sign a treaty with the Institute for the future sale of treated crystals. I’m afraid that Jarrack died in the recent accident.”
Ishtarek nodded. “Our mandate allows us to comply with all your stipulations including the treaty. King Donovan was severely damaged by the explosion, but our technicians successfully performed a Transfer. You may visit him inside our ship until he’s cleared for release. I’ll arrange for technicians to repair the defense system under supervision of your security team. We’ll advise the Institute about the unfortunate deaths when we arrive at headquarters.”
Krystal realized the captain didn’t wish to receive new orders and permitted herself a smile. “Captain Ishtarek, your words act as a contract. I accept on behalf of Drako. Please prepare a written record for signatures and deliver it to my assistants.”
“It will be done.” Ishtarek’s scales glistened as he moved in the sunlight. “Would it be permitted for the crew to take shore leave while we complete the repairs? Due to certain broadcasts, they’re anxious to visit your beautiful planet.”
“It’s permitted, under strict supervision. Technology and weapons are prohibited on Drako.”
Ishtarek’s eyes sparkled with pleasure, surprising Krystal. “May I ask if your charming creatures were prepared to attack an Institute battle drone?” He glanced up at the dragons.
“Yes. They’d die for our planet and its people.”
“Could you inform the commander of your guard that we have negotiated a treaty? He should recall infiltrators who penetrate the perimeter before our automatic defense shields cause undue damage.”
Krystal glanced at Bryant. “When can I see Donovan?”
“You are permitted entry at once.” Ishtarek gestured toward the ship, but the motion caused hissing from the dragons and growls from the wolves. A nervous archer released a shaft that bounced off Ishtarek’s scales. “Forgive me for frightening your subjects.”
Krystal laughed. “They did no apparent harm. I’ll calm nerves and assemble a boarding party. Thank you, Ishtarek. You understood Fremont’s intent to destroy us, yet you employ a broad interpretation of Institute orders.”
Ishtarek’s fangs glistened as his lips parted in a reptilian smile. “Gronks have a sense of honor as well as loyalty. Given the choice, we take the honorable path.” He turned and entered the ship, his short tail swishing.
Krystal joined her nervous friends. “We struck a deal, so call off the attack team. Gather a boarding party of interested subjects.”
Bryant squinted, obviously hoping to see inside the ship. He asked, “Can we trust them after Fremont’s subterfuge?”
Krystal nodded. “Fremont was not a Gronk. Members of that race are incapable of lying. A Gronk might refuse to answer, but he’ll never utter a false statement. Captain Ishtarek is honorable and his word is binding. We’re safe.”
*****
Donovan blinked at the glaring lights inside the Transfer lab, but his initial panic subsided when he focused on Dr. Alexander’s placid expression. “I see you’ve got me in a Transfer lab again. What happened?”
“Vocal chords responding satisfactorily,” the doctor said into his microphone. Donovan gripped the doctor’s arm and Alex winced. “Muscular strength is above standard,” Alex said and calmed his patient with a mental message. You’re safe and Krystal is here.
Donovan searched faces until Krystal stepped to his side. He saw dried tearstains on her cheeks but she squeezed his hand with reassurance.
Donovan relaxed. “Where am I?”
“You’re onboard the Renaissance,” Krystal said.
Dr. Alexander turned off his recorder. “They granted emergency use of the Transfer lab. The captain assumed command, now that Fremont’s dead.”
“My apologies, Donovan,” Captain Ishtarek said. “I was under strict orders from Fremont. I hope you understand.”
Donovan groaned as he recognized a fellow commander. “Just my luck! We broadcast hours of passionate pleas to a Gronk.”
Captain Ishtarek’s lip twitched into a reptilian smile. “It was most instructive. My crew enjoyed the music, but I was fascinated by your folklore. Thanks for breaking the tedium of tiresome duty.”
“Sure! Next time come down and join us.”
“I believe we did that very thing.”
“You landed?” Donovan sat up too quickly, making the room spin.
“As soon as the satellite network failed, we landed at the designated spaceport.”
“Great! Now we have no protection against the Institute.” Donovan rubbed his forehead.
Krystal’s cool fingers caressed his aching temples. “The satellite will be repaired within a standard week. Captain Ishtarek plans to wait for a replacement shipment of crystals before he departs. Drako will get an upgraded planetary defense system.”
“Why?”
Ishtarek’s face showed no emotion. “We signed a treaty with Drako so I’m bound to honor the agreements.”
“Fremont never intended to comply. Why do you?”
“The previous Emissary felt he could disobey official orders, but I’m not permitted that luxury. My directive was clear. My race is unfettered by irrational mood changes that plague humankind, so completion of the task shall run smoothly. New parts are scheduled for delivery without the dangerous components ordered by my predecessor.”
“You’ll take Jarrack back with you?”
“I’m sorry but Jarrack was killed in the accident with Fremont.”
Donovan grinned. “I can’t b
elieve we got rid of Fremont and Jarrack in one…accident.”
“We’re not rid of the Institute,” Dr. Alexander said.
“Can you lose our location?” Donovan sounded hopeful.
“The location is already well-documented.” Ishtarek looked expressionless but his scales darkened with embarrassment.
“At least we’ll have a formidable new defense system.”
Ishtarek nodded. “An upgrade to modern standards was within my power. No ship shall enter your perimeter without proper clearance.”
Donovan stood and stretched. “This new body feels great, Alex. Now how about Krystal? We don’t want to suffer a great age difference. Make sure her clone can bear children this time.”
Krystal slid her hand seductively into his. “I thought you loved older women.”
“You’re the only woman—young or old—that I’ll always love.”
Bryant pushed forward. “This Transfer means retirement for King Donovan, so name an heir to your throne. You can’t return in this young body or the lords might call it witchcraft.”
“Good! Krystal and I will retire to a small farm in the country. Bryant, you’ll show the new king how to run things, I’m sure.”
“You can’t leave me behind to train a new king,” Bryant bellowed. “It’s not fair! I’m due for retirement myself. How do I get one of these Transfers?”
Donovan cocked his head. “An old warhorse like you can’t retire. It’s a bad time to leave the throne empty with such huge problems to solve.”
“What’s all this talk of kings?”
Everyone turned to stare at Lauryn. “Donovan has daughters, so you should refer to his heir as a queen.” She gestured at her two sisters, who stood behind her.
“I won’t saddle my girls with the responsibility of the throne. I’ll name a good man to be king and you’ll be free to live your own lives.”
Lauryn shook her head. “It won’t happen like that, father. Look to history and know that disgruntled lords would foment war. Drako must become a modern world where women have an equal voice in politics.” Lauryn’s cool gaze scrutinized Donovan’s young face. “I’m your first born and my son will be king one day.”