by Ramy Vance
Manny continued to lead the riders through the halls as they talked. Brath and Jollies were full of questions about how humans could create such a depressing-looking place, and whether Alex had seen anything like this before. The two were very disappointed when Alex reminded them she had been blind for her whole life. She hadn’t seen a lot of things. Still, they pestered her with questions until she finally groaned and told them to ask Jim, whose father was in the military. If anyone could answer their questions, it was Jim.
Jollies and Brath wasted no time accosting Jaws with their questions, and he did everything he could to answer them. Gill, as usual, was quiet, watching and listening to what others were saying, his eyes soft and deep in thought. Alex wondered what the drow was thinking about all this.
Finally, they rounded a corner and came to the only part of the base that looked remotely familiar: the quarantine area. It seemed that Myrddin had done some upgrading to help the human base house Vardis, who sat in a glass-walled room. He stood when he saw the riders walking toward him. “Greetings, Manny, riders,” he said politely.
One of Manny’s eyes stared at Alex. Without eyebrows or a face to go along with the eye, it was always difficult to figure out what Manny was trying to convey. “Good to see you as well,” he said as the door opened.
The alien stepped out of the room. He was a couple of inches taller than the dragonriders. “How was your ride over?”
“Teleporting on an air carrier is preferable to any other method of transport. At least I had a bathroom to throw up in.”
Vardis nodded as if he understood. “Once the Dark One is defeated, my people will have much technology to share with yours. There is no doubt it will usher in a grand age for your people. It is not uncommon for a civilization to be propelled forward because of alien technology.”
Alex chuckled to herself. It sounded like Vardis had been reading alien conspiracy books like her dad. From everything she’d seen so far, none of the other races of the nine realms needed help jumping forward. And almost all of the tech at the Nest had been created by humans under Myrddin’s supervision.
It seemed odd to Alex. Vardis still hadn’t told any of them what the weapon was. Even if Alex had trusted Vardis originally, Myrddin had laid seeds of doubt in her mind. It was going to be hard not to see everything Vardis did or said through that lens, but was that any way to work with him?
The Beholder and the alien broke away from everyone else and started to talk. Alex thought that was strange. There was no reason to assume Vardis had information for Manny, given the way he’d acted before. Many things seemed questionable now that suspicion had been introduced to her mind.
Team Boundless stood around like a bunch of children. That infuriated Alex, but there was nothing she could do about it. She wasn’t certain what they were here for besides the weapon on the moon, which she was going to be responsible for acquiring.
Manny floated away from Vardis and over to Alex. He looked uncertain. “So,” he began, “your parents asked if you’d be able to have dinner with them tonight. We were wondering if you’d be comfortable bringing the team with you.”
Alex grinned widely. Uncertain as she was about the whole situation, she’d been looking forward to her parents meeting her friends, even if it might make her parents uncomfortable. “Of course!”
“And we were also wondering if you’d be comfortable bringing Vardis along.”
The question made a lump form in Alex’s throat. She tried to answer, but nothing came out. Luckily, Manny didn’t push it. “Of course, you’ll have time to think that over. It is a bit much to ask you to spring gnomes, pixies, elves, and aliens on your parents in one sitting.”
Alex quickly recovered, making it seem as if she hadn’t been bothered by the question at all. “Yeah, it would be a lot to drop on them,” she answered. “When would that be?”
“After we take care of some necessities. We still need to get your dragons outfitted for the mission. Since we’re running on a pretty tight schedule, I figured it would be better to prep the dragons before the final touches are put on. Follow me.”
Manny floated away. Team Boundless followed him as he led them yet through another lengthy set of winding hallways. The farther they went into the military base, the more it reminded Alex of the Nest. Even the smell of magic was present.
The dragons were housed in a smaller version of the stables from the Nest. Alex recognized the design as soon as she walked into the room. Granted, it wasn’t nearly as large or open, but whoever had constructed it had put in a lot of work to make sure the dragons had enough space.
It looked as if the room could easily accommodate at least fifteen dragons, but it didn’t seem to be in use yet.
Alex walked farther into the makeshift stables, happy to come across something that felt familiar. She reached out to Chine telepathically. His response was nearly instantaneous. Finally! I thought you were never going to get here.
Chapter Three
All of the dragonriders’ dragons were currently housed in the makeshift stables. The riders were ecstatic to see their dragons again. Alex was surprised by how happy she was to hear Chine’s voice in her head. It hadn’t been that long since she had last seen him.
Alex leaped into Chine’s nest, threw her arms around his neck, and said hello. Chine seemed just as happy to see her. So, this is Earth? I didn’t think I would live long enough to see this place.
Death? Alex had never heard Chine mention his mortality. It caught her off-guard. What do you mean, live long enough to see Earth? she asked.
Chine stretched out his wings as he peeked over the edge of his nest, checking on what the rest of the riders and dragons were up to. Dragons live for a very long time, but I am very aware that my life might not reach its natural length due to our situation.
What’s our situation?
The war. The constant battles.
Alex was glad she’d caught herself before she snapped at him. For some reason, she had thought Chine was implying that his death was part of their bonding.
The idea was so foreign that Alex could have sworn it came from someone else. It was the opposite of what she’d been feeling about the dragon only a few seconds ago. Hopefully, he didn’t notice. She would keep it to herself. Do you think they’re going to let us take you to meet with my parents?
Chine shook his head and chuckled. I doubt it. Where would we stay while you eat? Besides, I would prefer to have my augments installed over the night as well. These are supposed to be easier to deal with than the ones in Middang3ard. I’d like to see if that is true.
Alex stayed with him for a bit longer, the two of them talking in the fashion that they had both grown comfortable with. The thought didn’t often cross Alex’s mind, but she was suddenly reminded of how much she appreciated the dragon being in her life.
The ether dragon was the being she was closest to in the whole world. Even when they weren’t talking to each other, they were in contact. Thoughts and feelings passed between the two of them on such an instinctual level that Alex never thought twice about it.
That was what was happening at the moment. Neither Chine nor Alex was purposely sending anything, but they were still playing off each other’s thoughts, letting them wash through and responding in kind. It was a different kind of interchange than Alex had experienced with any of the other telepaths in Middang3ard.
Telepathy reminded her of Vardis. The two of them were linked now. Was that a good idea? Especially since she was linked to Chine too. Did that mean that Vardis had access to the dragon’s mind?
Reassurance from Chine poured over Alex like warm water. No, he doesn’t have access to my mind. I am a stronger telepath than most, stronger than the alien.
Do you think it’s okay to trust him? I mean, he’s coming to dinner with us all from what Manny told me.
Chine folded his claws over each other and rested his head on them as he stared at Alex with his deep-black eyes. Trust is a difficult t
hing to understand. On the one hand, we have no reason to believe anything this Vardis says. And on the other, how are we to defeat the Dark One without trusting those who share in our fight?
The dragon had a point. The other races of the nine realms had to have learned to trust each other over the years they’d worked together. Just because they were getting along now didn’t mean things had always been like that. There had to have been a period of time during which they were all building that trust. I guess bringing him to dinner is a pretty good first step.
I would think so.
Alex looked down at her dragon anchor to check the time. I should get going. I’m pretty sure I have to do a briefing with Manny before we’re allowed to leave the base. I’ll see you in a bit, big guy.
Alex prepared to leave and suddenly stopped. Hey, I just thought of something. When I’m not around, what do you do?
Chine stood up on his hind legs and leaned over the edge of the nest as Alex climbed out. Usually, we’re left to our own devices. I have friends, much like you. Since none of us are near our families, those in the Nest have become our family. Generally, we’re allowed to come and go as we please. Unfortunately, that will not be the case during our time on Earth.
I’m really sorry you have to be cooped up the whole time we’re here.
Chine winked at Alex and then exhaled a small cloud of dust, the dragon equivalent of shrugging. Nothing to worry about. I have my friends. Timber and I have plans to teach Furi meditation techniques. He could use some calm.
Alex laughed as she turned to leave and find Manny. “Him and Brath both,” she said over her shoulder.
Alex found the Beholder in the mess hall, staring at a bowl of sad-looking soup. He seemed to be in the same state as the soup. Most of his eyes looked up when he saw Alex. “You know, when I found out I was coming to Earth, I had my hopes set pretty high,” he said. “This is only the first stop, and I’m praying this doesn’t set the bar for the whole trip.”
Alex took a seat across from Manny and peered at his soup. It looked like brown sludge with bits of vegetables floating on the surface. “My dad’s cooking is much better than that.”
“That won’t help me. I’m not joining you for dinner, just Boundless and Vardis. Your family is going to be the ambassadors for all things human.”
Alex gulped. All things human? Sure, why not add a little more pressure, she thought. “Why aren’t you coming? Don’t you want to keep an eye on everything?”
Manny poked his soup as if he thought that would make it more appealing. “No, I trust you, and so does Myrddin.”
Alex considered his words and nodded slowly. “This is a very different trip than the last few.”
“Think of it as a short vacation. Nothing’s trying to kill you. We’re just picking up something hidden in one of the safest quadrants of the nine realms. It’s about time we all got a break.”
As Manny started to slurp his soup, Vardis walked into the mess hall. He took his time walking over to the table, and he stood awkwardly once he arrived. “Are you going to sit down?” Alex asked, slightly annoyed by how uncomfortable the alien seemed.
Vardis looked confused by the question. “Is that the most appropriate way to handle these kinds of situations?”
Alex scooted over to make room for him. “Yeah, definitely,” she explained. “When we go to my parents’ house, we’ll be sitting and talking. If you see a bunch of people sitting, it’s usually a good idea to sit as well. Otherwise, people think you’re trying to rush them.”
Vardis seemed to be paying attention, but it was hard to tell with his dark eyes. “Excited to meet my family?” she continued to make conversation. She hadn’t talked to the alien about anything other than the weapon yet.
Manny continued eating, probably happy to not be included in the conversation.
Vardis watched the Beholder slurping his food. “Yes, this will be my first meal with humans. I am very excited to partake. And then we will retrieve the weapon from your moon, correct?”
“Yep, that’s the whole reason we’re here. That and to give everyone an idea about how great Earth is. Maybe they’ll fight even harder to keep this place from blowing up.”
“The Dark One does not blow planets up. He eats them from the inside until there is nothing left and they collapse in on themselves, killing everyone who was sustained by their place of birth.”
Alex and Manny exchanged glances in the dead quiet that followed his statement. “Uh, it was just a phrase,” the rider murmured. “Try not to say that at dinner if you can help it.”
Vardis blinked in surprise, looking like a giant insect. “Say what?”
“Never mind. I take it back. Just be yourself. Let’s hope it works out.”
It didn’t take long for Team Boundless to be ready to leave. Alex explained to her team that they didn’t have to adhere to any specific customs for the visit. That was a relief for everyone involved, but despite Alex’s constant reassurances, Jollies, Brath, and Gill wore their best formal clothes to meet Alex’s parents.
Gill’s formal drow suit was far too proper for a small get-together of friends. The suit was hand-stitched by one of the finest tailors in Gill’s community. Each thread could be seen individually and glimmered like a polished jewel. The narrow outline of the suit gave way to a flowing robe past the waist. It was a very flattering outfit.
Brath, on the other hand, had chosen a rough suit of dwarfish chainmail armor. He explained that it was mostly ceremonial. His father had passed it on to him, and his father before him. It had never seen battle, which was good since the armor was old enough to fall apart under the weakest of plasma blasts.
Jollies hadn’t worn anything special but whispered to Alex that pixies as well as fairies attended all major social events in the nude. She had thought it better to ask Alex ahead of time and joked, “It’s not hard to dress down.”
Once everyone had changed into something more comfortable, Boundless headed out to meet Alex’s parents.
For the first time in months, Alex stood at her front door. The last time she’d been here was when Manny and Myrddin had come to recruit her. Now she was about to knock with a host of other races in tow. Hopefully, her parents wouldn’t freak out too much.
The door was opened almost instantly. Her mother and father crowded the threshold. Liza and George were all smiles, both of them trying to blink back tears. George leaned forward, scooped Alex up in his arms, and squeezed her tightly. “It’s so good to finally see you again, kiddo.” He laughed as he tightened his grip.
Alex managed a weak hello with the little bit of air she had in her lungs before her father dropped her. She gave her mom a kiss, and Liza promptly burst into tears and rushed to wipe them away.
George stepped back, motioning for the rest of the guests to come in. “Please, don’t stand outside. It’s time we got to know each other.”
Alex walked into the house, surprised her parents weren’t caught off guard by a gnome, a dark elf, and a pixie. Why her parents didn’t notice the alien standing at the rear was beyond Alex’s understanding. Even Jim seemed to think it was weird. He leaned over and said, “My parents would be losing their minds right now.”
George and Liza stood in the living room as the rest of the group awkwardly glanced at Alex, waiting for her to take the lead on the introductions.
After the introductions were over, she asked, “So, you guys aren’t weirded out by this?”
Liza laughed as she waved away Alex’s question. “Of course not, honey. After you left, your dad and I decided we had to check out Middang3ard VR. It didn’t make sense to be completely in the dark about what you were getting involved in. We each got our own set. Spending date nights in Middang3ard has made them a lot more interesting.”
George took a seat in his recliner. “Not to toot our own horns too loudly, but we’ve become kind of a big deal in there,” he said lazily, trying to downplay how happy he was with himself.
Jollie
s flitted over to Alex’s shoulder and whispered, “Your parents seem really cool.”
Alex wasn’t expecting that to be her friends’ reaction. “Wait until they talk more.”
George, who hadn’t heard Alex, leaned forward in his chair and said, “You might have heard of us. KillerStud313 and HotMammaBlood.”
Jollies’ skin shifted from its formerly calming blue to bright, excited pink. “Wait! That’s you guys? Oh, my gods! You guys are legends!”
Alex couldn’t believe what she was hearing come out of Jollies’ mouth. “Are you serious?”
Jollies flew in front of Alex’s face and grabbed her by the cheeks. “These two single-handedly beat the end-game raid that takes eighteen people to finish! The only party to ever finish it faster was the Mundanes, and we all know how good they are.”
Alex stared at her parents. Liza didn’t seem to think it was a big deal, but George was smiling smugly, obviously proud of himself. “Well, I mean, we hold other records,” he said as well. “But we can talk about that over dinner. Now, which of you is giving me a hand in the kitchen? Gill? Fancy helping me butcher a hog?”
Gill’s eyes lit up in a way Alex had only seen once before. “Oh yes, I would like that a lot,” he blurted excitedly.
Gill and George rushed off. Jim, Brath, and Vardis continued standing in the living room, looking at their hands and trying to figure out what they should do. Alex said, “You guys should go help in the kitchen too.”
Liza walked over to the huddle of boys, threw her arms around them, and exclaimed, “We’re all helping. I can rustle up something for you to do.”
As Liza ushered the boys into the back, Jollies flitted around her, begging Liza to tell her stories about her and her husband’s exploits in VR. Liza laughed as she started to delegate tasks to the team, promising Jollies she would tell her all about them.
