Dragon Airways

by Brian Rathbone

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  Seeing his sister and Tuck captured by the Al'Zjhon made Emmet want to jump from the saddle and rescue them, but it was beyond his abilities. Already Dashiq moved toward the cliffs, barely able to get herself airborne. Emmet grabbed Barabas by the shoulder and turned him so he could see. Perhaps he would have gone back for them, but the Zjhon pilots returning to the naval fleet knew their fate. Amid the chaos and sinking ships, no place to land awaited. Most now turned back toward Sparrowport. Given the weight of their previous payloads, Emmet guessed they carried just enough fuel to complete the mission. Some pilots ditched and hung in the air, suspended by their parachutes. Others aimed directly for Dashiq and Berigor, who now flanked them.

  Only a few planes still carried weaponry. A pair of diesel props and a squadron of U-jets opened fire. Too busy making evasive maneuvers, the dragons had no time to turn back and face the airships departing with their friends. Emmet continued to watch in horror while the first two dirigibles turned east and fled. The third still had ropes dragging on the ground. Brick and Joren ran in pursuit of Zjhon making their way back to the aircraft. Two made it to the ropes, but Brick would not be denied. Through brute force and sheer will, he tossed men aside and gained one of the ropes himself, his father not far behind. Soon the airship soared higher, Brick and Joren swinging in the wind. Fearless, the two climbed and latched on to those above them on the ropes. It was unclear if those on deck even knew they were coming, but their comrades were tossed to the winds. Higher Brick climbed.

  Emmet would have continued to watch if not for the fire Dashiq was taking. Shot after shot landed on the dragon, and Barabas was also struck. No one was immune, and pain erupted in Emmet's rib cage. Nothing in his life had ever hurt so badly. Dashiq roared a battle cry and Berigor answered. The dragons took the fight to the Zjhon with unmatched fury. Planes tumbled from the air, unable to evade the enraged dragons.

  The skies were afire. Tapping her final reserves, Dashiq tore into the naval fleet and finished what Brick had started. The sinking flagship now stuck up in the air, the weight of it tearing the mighty ship in two; it died with a haunting sound. Few ships remained unscathed, and Dashiq targeted those. Fewer and fewer aircraft filled the skies, but those that remained all targeted the dragons, aware Dashiq was the greatest threat and most likely knowing no safe place existed for them to land at sea or around Sparrowport. Already lost, they wished to do what damage they could to the enemy before they perished. Emmet tried not to think about having had the same feelings toward the Zjhon. How was he any better? He'd seen the desperation in the people of Sparrowport. No one would win this war. All would suffer.

  Berigor tore into the planes, doing his best to protect Dashiq, but even he could not prevent her from taking additional fire. Her wing flaps slowed, and Barabas slumped in the saddle. Emmet alone remained alert and relatively uninjured. His ribs hurt but he was conscious. Part of him lamented that. To witness such tragedy was to be scarred for the rest of his days, no matter how few they may be. Watching in horror, he doubted he would ever sleep soundly again. Never had he felt truly safe, but this took his insecurity to new heights.

  As the last U-jet struck the bluffs and with the naval fleet in disarray, Dashiq turned back to the east. Emmet's heart soared for a brief moment when he realized she meant to go after Tuck and Riette. He did not know how to save his sister and his friend since knocking the airships from the skies would likely kill all those aboard, but Emmet was ready to give his life in the attempt to save them. Reaching forward, he grabbed Barabas by the shoulder, checking to see if he was still alive. A gnarled hand reached up and patted Emmet's. It was enough.

  Berigor flew alongside them. Keldon issued an echoing battle cry. The people who remained on the bluffs responded in earnest. Victory was theirs. None would deny the cost, but Emmet could not blame those who celebrated their very survival. Not so long ago, it had seemed they would all perish at the hands of the Zjhon, and some yet lived. It was a hollow victory for Emmet. Two of the people he cared the most about had been taken from him, and thoughts of what they might endure made him feel small and afraid. Riette had always been there for him. She'd protected him. She'd loved him when no one else had. The thought of her in Zjhon hands threatened to tear his heart to pieces. The pain was physical and as real as his bruised ribs.

  Everything changed when a single diesel prop appeared from behind the peaks between them and Sparrowport. The same peaks that had hidden the long gun from the airplanes now worked against them. The gun turret rotated and opened fire. Sluggish, Dashiq was unable to avoid the attack and bore the brunt. Noble and brave, Berigor moved between the plane and Dashiq, taking some of the fire, but the damage was done. Dashiq wobbled in the air, her head drooping low.

  With a rage-filled roar, Berigor winged toward the airplane, not looking much better than Dashiq. In good health, he would easily have outmaneuvered the plane, but he was battered and weak. The pilot was not interested in Berigor; the man stared straight at Emmet. Such hatred and intent to kill burned like fire. Reaching out with one claw, Berigor raked the cockpit, collapsing it inward. It was a valiant effort, but he was too late. Even out of control, the plane hurtled toward Dashiq, its inertia too much to overcome. Emmet screamed when the plane careened into them.

  Displaying bravery until the end, Dashiq veered, exposing her belly to the attack, sparing Barabas and Emmet the brunt. The impact was jarring, and Emmet tasted blood. Dashiq issued a grunt laced with pain and remorse. Her head was thrown out to one side. Emmet watched, horrified. Going limp, the dragon slumped, her remaining eye rolling up into her head.

  The plane dropped from the sky, along with Emmet, Barabas, and Dashiq. Only a moment before they struck the cold waves crashing into the rocky bluffs, Berigor roared, his claws closing around Dashiq. In his weakened state, he was barely able to keep them all airborne. Skimming the waves, they flew south, leaving the Jaga and the Zjhon fleet behind. Emmet's hope of rescuing his sister died in that moment.