by Ramy Vance
Alex pushed down the vomit threatening to creep up her throat. Roy was right. This was why she was here. Someone had to defend the realms from the Dark One. She’d done it before. She could do it again.
Alex took Roy’s hand and stood. “Yeah. I’m a dragonrider. I’m with you.”
Chapter Five
The main hall of the Nest was filled with cadets and recruits. There were more than Alex remembered; Myrddin must have stepped up his recruitment game. There was nearly three times the number of certified dragonriders than there had been during the last invasion. The mech rider corps had grown as well.
Alex wasn’t staying in the main hall, though. She was only passing through with Roy. The two were heading to the war room for an officer briefing since she was no longer a cadet or a recruit. She led Team Boundless and would be needed for the planning stages of the assault.
As Alex walked past the recruits, she could see how young most of them were—only a little older than she was. There were still no other humans besides the mech riders, who were housed in a different facility. Alex wondered how they had arrived at the Nest so fast. Maybe Myrddin had known the attack was coming.
The two made their way to the war room, where Myrddin and the rest of the faculty were gathered. A round holoprojector in the middle of the room displayed a large scale map of the Nest and the surrounding area.
Toppinir was talking with Myrddin and politely nodded at Alex when she walked in. “Good to see you are out of quarantine. I was worried Myrddin was going to keep you there indefinitely.”
Alex chuckled nervously. She was still uncomfortable with the attitude change that happened with teachers when she was in a combat situation and not in class. It was as if they forgot she was a student or preferred to remember that when it came to a fight, she was their equal in many ways.
There were faces in the room Alex was unfamiliar with. Many of them were older students, cadets who had recently become certified dragonriders. The age gap was noticeable since the other captains looked like they were in their early twenties. She hadn’t seen any of them in classes before and wondered just how large the Nest was if it could house people she’d never seen.
Alex already knew that Boundless was the youngest certified team of dragonriders. She hadn’t realized how young she was compared to the rest. Most of the older cadets were only a year or two older than her. It was hard to tell with elves, though. She still didn’t have a good handle on what constituted adolescence for an elf.
The older captains were standing in a line near the projector. Alex looked around the room, hoping someone would tell her what to do or where to go until it became obvious that no one was going to hold her hand. She lined up with the rest of the captains and tried to look professional.
Myrddin finished talking to one of the teachers and turned to address the room. “The shocks we’re feeling are long-range attacks,” Myrddin explained. “We still have some time before the bulk of the Dark One’s forces arrive. At the moment, we’re waiting for an update from our recon dragons.”
The display on the projector changed, showing the terrain around the Nest more closely. “Based on the assaults so far, we’re assuming that they’re coming from the west and will be attacking that wing. It would be safe to assume they have some understanding of the setup of the Nest. We were unprepared during the last invasion, and I would not be surprised if they had done their homework.”
Toppinir cleared his throat before speaking. “Do we have any guesses as to why they’re attacking? It’s been months since the meteor, and we’ve had no reports of any attention from the Dark One. What changed?”
An image of Vardis appeared on the projector screen. “As some of you might know,” Myrddin explained, “two days ago, we retrieved a crashed ship from an unknown planet. The being inside, Vardis, stated that he was from the same dimension as the Dark One. I find the claim doubtful, but this sudden attack does lend credence to it. I have no doubt that the attack has to do with Vardis’s arrival.”
Alex was glad to hear that Myrddin didn’t trust Vardis. It wasn’t that the alien was lying, but how often did someone show up on your doorstep and offer to fix all your problems?
Roy, who was leaning against the wall chewing on his cigar, asked, “So, what’s the plan? Are we going out to meet the Dark One’s welcoming party, or are we waiting until they come here? I’d like to avoid what happened last time.”
Myrddin’s eyes softened as if he were experiencing the pain of the last invasion. “What happened before cannot and will not happen again,” he said slowly. “Our defenses have been upgraded. No one can teleport into the Nest. We can keep the battle outside and protect the cadets who aren’t combat-ready.”
Roy seemed satisfied with the answer. Alex noticed that the younger captains had yet to speak or ask any questions. They just stood and stared ahead, like the definition of good soldiers. Alex hoped she didn’t look like them.
Myrddin spoke again. “We will be splitting into different groups. Roy, naturally, you’re in charge of the mech riders. Toppinir, you and the rest of the faculty will lead seventy percent of the dragonrider captains. Alex, you will take Boundless and the remaining captains and their squads under your command.”
Alex couldn’t believe what Myrddin had said, and she furrowed her brow as she tried to understand his words. “Wait, what do you mean?”
Myrddin spoke sharply. “You will be leading your squad and at least twenty other riders. You’ve proven yourself in combat and leadership. Can you do this? I need to know now.”
Alex looked at Roy, who slowly nodded.
Leading twenty riders? That meant that she’d be giving orders to some of the captains at her side, older and probably more combat seasoned veterans. And I’m supposed to be responsible for them? Alex asked herself.
But Alex was answering Myrddin before she even realized it. “Yeah, yeah, I can do it.”
Myrddin smiled softly, a caring twinkle in his eye. “Good. I want you all in the air by the end of the hour. When intel on what we’re up against comes in, I’ll update all of your tactical planners. Dismissed.”
The tone in the room changed, and the other captains relaxed. Myrddin left quickly, no doubt to implement whatever plans he had to set in motion.
Roy walked up behind Alex and clapped her on the shoulder, causing her to jump. “Why didn’t you tell me he was going to do that?” Alex asked, hoping the sting could be heard in her voice.
“I didn’t know,” Roy answered curtly. “Myrddin plays a lot of stuff close to the chest. I’m proud of you for stepping up when you’re needed. My suggestion is, don’t get too chummy with anyone other than your team.”
“Why would you say that?”
Roy sighed heavily. “There’s no easy way to say this. People are going to die today, Alex. And you and I will be responsible for that.”
In the back of Alex’s mind, she had already known that. Hearing it from Roy didn’t make it any easier to deal with, though. She clearly remembered the last invasion. Luckily, she had been able to save lives that day. But she knew that wasn’t an option today. “Yeah, I kinda figured,” Alex whispered.
“You know, if this is too much for you, I can talk to Myrddin. You and Boundless can be another squad. I don’t want you cracking—”
“Under the pressure? You don’t think I can do this?”
“It doesn’t matter what I think you can do. It matters what you know you can do.”
Alex thought about it again, without letting herself be as reactionary as she had been with Myrddin, but it didn’t matter how many times she turned the question over in her head; there was no way to get around what was plainly in front of her. “I have to do this,” she said. “And I think Myrddin knows that.”
Roy squeezed Alex’s shoulder, trying to bestow some encouragement on her. “Yeah, he usually does. Well, you heard the man. We gotta go.”
Alex called each of her teammates and let them know what was going on. She didn’t spend a
whole lot of time talking, but she wanted to hear their voices. It was for that reason Roy had told her not to get too close to any of her squad. Alex already knew she wouldn’t listen to that advice.
None of Boundless seemed even slightly worried that Alex was going to be leading such a large squad. They saw the choice as logical. Alex hadn’t realized it until she hung up on Jollies, but she had been looking for affirmation. Even if she had said twice that she knew she could handle this, it still felt like too large a thing to get her head around.
Alex headed for the stables where Chine and the rest of her team’s dragons were kept. She hadn’t had a chance to speak to Chine since she’d been quarantined. Chine’s telepathy was strong enough to reach through most of the Nest, but Alex hadn’t heard from him this time. Maybe the Nest had expanded far enough that he couldn’t reach her.
The stables were a vast room with steel walkways stretched over dragon dens, which were carved into the ground. The nests were different sizes so the dragons could rest comfortably. There was no ceiling, and the dragons were permitted to come and go as they pleased. A variety of tech sat on platforms on the walkways, most of it used to apply weapon augments to the dragons.
Chine poked his head up from his den when Alex walked into the stables. I was starting to think you had forgotten about me.
Alex leaped down into Chine’s den. The floor was covered in the stones and precious jewels Chine had collected, and it was warm from his body heat. Alex leaned against the wall, resting her head against the steel. They didn’t tell you I was quarantined?
They did, but I still worry. I’m glad you were finally released.
I’m assuming they told you about the invasion.
Chine nodded as he exhaled a small cloud of smoke. Yes, we’ve been told. It is good you made it down here before the rest of the riders. You seem to be troubled by something.
Alex moved away from the wall and lay down on the stones. An emerald caught her eye, and she was reminded of the green streak from the meteor. Yeah, but when am I not? She sighed. They made me a captain today, I guess. I’m in charge of a squad, not just Boundless this time.
Are you afraid you aren’t capable of leading them well?
Not quite. I know I can lead. That’s become pretty apparent. And I’m never worried about Boundless, you know. They can all take care of themselves. There’s a reason why we’ve been pushed so hard. We can handle it.
Chine’s face was usually unreadable since his reptilian features didn’t leave much room for expression. But sometimes, Chine’s eyes looked almost caring. Then what are you worried about?
Alex looked unhappy. People are going to die. There’s no getting around it. My command is going to kill someone. An order that I give will be the cause of someone’s death.
Dustling, you will not be the cause. The Dark One is the cause. You aren’t sending anyone to their death. The Dark One is the one robbing mortals of their lives, not you.
Alex knew he was right, but it didn’t make her feel any less terrible or responsible. Yeah, I guess you’re right. She stood up. Roy made it sound like it was something I have to deal with.
The dragon shook his head as he stretched his wings over Alex. If that is what Roy thinks, he is wrong. Your heart is large. You care for people even when you don’t realize you do. That is a strength, not a weakness.
Alex chuckled. You think so?
Now you’re fishing for compliments.
Alex threw her arms up and laughed as she walked away. All right, all right! Sometimes I want to be told how great I am. Sue me.
An explosion shook the Nest, and Alex’s smile fell from her face. “We better start getting ready,” she said aloud. “It’s time to sling the heavy stuff on.”
Chine groaned as he stretched his legs, standing to his full height as Alex leaped out of the den and went over to the augment platform. She scrolled through her options, trying to think of what would be useful for enemies she knew nothing about. Then she remembered what had happened when she had been separated from him during the fight to get to the ship. Hey, I wanted to ask you something.
The dragon poked his head out of the den. What would you like to know?
When our link was broken, something happened when I was fighting that giant. I got a sudden surge of power and burst into flames briefly. It was like when I activate my anchor power, but the anchor was dead. What do you think that was?”
Chine scratched his chin against the rim of the den. Hm. Your anchor power merely helps you process draconic fluid into your body and metabolize it. Perhaps, your body is getting better at doing the processing. You might not need the anchor eventually.
Alex glanced down at her dragon anchor, running her robotic hand across it. Huh. That’s kinda cool. All right, Chine, let’s get you suited up.
Chapter Six
Team Boundless assembled in the stables not long after Alex had finished fitting Chine with the augments she thought would be best. There was a very somber mood amongst them since the last invasion was still fresh in everyone’s mind. That was what Alex assumed, at least. She couldn’t have been the only one to have been deeply affected by that day.
Each member of the team went to their dragon’s platform and started to look through the options of augments to load up with. There weren’t any jokes, and everyone looked very serious. The only person from Boundless who wasn’t there was Jim. He must be with the other mech riders, Alex thought.
Alex commed Jim and asked him whether he was going to be rolling out with her or the mech riders. He let her know he was still riding with Boundless, but he had to take care of a couple of technical issues with his mech before launching. There was no way he was heading into a fight without knowing his mech was running at its best.
After Alex hung up on Jim, Gill walked up behind her. Alex had no idea how long he’d been standing there. It could have been for the whole conversation. “Jeez, you scared the crap out of me.”
Gill walked out of the shadows and around Alex so she could see him better. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I didn’t mean to alarm you. I wanted to ask you how you were holding up.”
Alex looked around to give herself time to think. She didn’t want to have a heart to heart at the moment, but she knew Gill wasn’t going to let it go. He never did once he got something set in his mind. “I’ve been better. Could be worse, but it could also be less terrible, you know.”
“The last time we fought off the Dark One’s army here, we were unprepared. This time it’s different, but it feels the same.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean. Just like that day. My guts are all messed up. At least before, we had the benefit of being surprised. It was all adrenaline. I felt like I was operating on autopilot the entire time.”
“Not like today. We’ve been through worse than this, but it feels like it’s the first few weeks of classes. I’m glad we’ll be able to make up for the first attack today.”
Alex hadn’t thought of it like that. It was almost like they were being given a second chance, and this time, they were prepared for what was coming for them. All the lives that hung in the balance were going to be protected. That was what mattered.
Gill drifted away silently as he often did, leaving Alex alone with her thoughts. Instead of dwelling on them, Alex walked over to Brath and took a seat next to his platform.
Brath’s dragon Furi was the largest of all the dragons at the Nest. A hulking red beast, he was the only creature at the Nest with a quicker temper than Brath.
The gnome was sitting on Furi’s back, fiddling with the anchor component attached to the dragon’s spine. He looked up from his work as Alex approached. “What’s up?”
Alex checked Furi’s augments. “You find anything you want to use?”
Brath pointed to the dragon’s right shoulder, which had a large plasma cannon attached to it. “Saw this a couple of days ago,” Brath said. “Supposed to be twice as strong as the smaller cannons, and I think Furi is the
only one big enough to use it. Can’t think of a better chance to test it.”
“Comfortable being part of a larger squad?”
Brath looked annoyed at the new line of questioning. Talking about weapons was more his style. Getting to the root of how he felt wasn’t something Alex thought she was going to be able to do with one conversation, but she wanted him to know that she cared enough to try.
“As long as they don’t get in my way, it’ll be all right,” the gnome said. “Don’t make me hold back because you don’t want me showing up the new guys.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, Brath. Let me know if you need anything before we head out.”
“Gotcha, boss.”
It was still unbelievable to Alex that she and Brath were on speaking terms now. When she’d first arrived at the Nest, Brath had devoted the majority of his time to making sure Alex felt as alone and pathetic as possible. All that had changed the day of the invasion, when Brath had seen what Alex was really made of. In a lot of ways, that was when Alex had found that out too.
Alex made her way over to Jollies, who was attending to her dragon, Amber. Jollies was still in the process of choosing her augments. It always took her noticeably longer than the rest of the riders, but the pixie found the most specific and interesting augments. Her loadouts were generally the envy of every other rider. “Yo, Jollies!” Alex shouted.
She turned at the sound of her name. Her eyes were glistening with tears, and she hiccupped slightly as her lips trembled.
Alex rushed over to her, and the pixie floated into Alex’s hands. “Oh, my God, Jollies, are you okay?” Alex asked.
Jollies’ voice was small, hardly above a whisper. “I don’t know why I’m scared, Alex, but I am. I’m so scared.”
Alex didn’t know what to say. That was what she felt as well. She had no idea where the fear was coming from, why it cropped up so fast, or where it had been hiding during the last few months, incubating and growing stronger. It was here now, and if it was here for her, it must have been there for the rest of the team too.
