With time, they settled into a pattern. The teens explored less, because they decided there was nothing else to discover, and began to establish safe housing. The pod would eventually run out of power. When it did, it would cease to be habitable. The temperature fluctuations were simply too great. There turned out to be no nearby caves, which might have been ideal. They did find a huge shelf of rock that had been a lava flow in the distant past. Wind and water had hollowed out a lot of the dirt under the rock, so they could establish a well-sheltered base there with some imagination.
They were aware that those erosive processes would continue, so they constructed a series of stacked-stone partitions to redirect those forces away from where they planned on residing. It was demanding work, and that was fine with them. The physicality kept their minds off their precarious situation. It also kept them form worrying about the maker of the talon marks. It would be one of those predators that swooped down silently on its prey. Neither wanted their first glimpse of the raptor to be that of looking up at its underside while being carried away. In fact, one of the diversions the teens engaged in was dreaming up what animal they’d change into if they were snatched from above. Mirri decided the Horta would be ideal. The predator would lose its grip, and the fall wouldn’t hurt too much. Slapgren kept coming back to forming a dragon and turning the table on the attacker. Mirraya’s argued that the weight difference would make a role reversal impossible, but Slapgren had made up his mind and wouldn’t listen.
The heat became typically stifling one morning. The teens were rolling a particularly large rock under their lava-shelf campsite. They wanted the stability of its one flat surface, but were not pleased trying to negotiate the impediment into place. They had been lost in jabber about what they wanted to eat that wasn’t a bug.
A voice from behind boomed, “You two need help with that rock?”
The both simultaneously jumped out of their skins. The rock flopped onto Slapgren’s toes, and he let out a yelp.
“Hey easy,” the voice chuckled, “that thing looks heavy. Well, heavy for a couple kids.”
Slapgren jerked his toes free, and they both turned to see Jon standing there, fists on his hips. He was leaning back in laughter.
Instantly, Mirri stepped in front of Slapgren. “Show me your fibers, now.”
Jon quieted. He rested his fingers on his chin and rubbed it. “Excellent challenge.” He extended his probes and retracted them in one fluid movement. “You’re getting smart.”
“And our safe word. Do you remember it?” asked Slapgren as he stuck his head over Mirri’s shoulder.
“Also, excellent. EJ could have magically grown fibers, couldn’t he? Gamorian guard is my final answer.”
Mirraya bolted for Jon and nearly knocked him over with the impact of her hug. “Gods of Light, am I glad to see you.” She buried the side of her face in his chest.
Slapgren jogged over and joined in the hug, no less passionately but somewhat less demonstrably. It was a guy thing. “I’m glad you’re back, dude. I missed you too.”
“I’m glad to see you two too.” He squeezed them as tightly as safety would allow. They stayed in that bundle for almost a minute. “So, do you need help with the rock? It does look kind of big.”
Mirri punched his shoulder with the flat of her fist. “Same old Uncle Jon.” Then she grabbed him around the waist again, a smile from ear to ear. Then she abruptly pulled back and looked behind him.
“What?” Jon asked.
“If you’re here something awful must be right behind you,” she responded.
He pulled her back into a hug. “No, kiddo. Just little old me. No bad guys for once.”
“Where’s your ship, Uncle Jon?” asked Slapgren. “I didn’t hear it land.”
“Close by. It rumbled like a locomotive when I came down. You two have really let your guards down.”
“Nah, we were preoccupied talking about food. All we’ve eaten for the last few days have been yucky bugs,” replied Slapgren.
“Are there non-yucky bugs when it comes to eating?” asked Jon.
“No,” they both responded.
“Speaking of which,” he pried the teens off him, “unless your totally committed to this rock project, let’s go to the ship and eat.”
“You don’t have to ask me twice,” replied Slapgren.
“Didn’t think so,” said Jon with a wink.
He wrapped an arm over both teen’s shoulders, and they walked as a trio toward the clearing where Whoop Ass had set down. As they walked, the kids took turns trying to interrupt one another with even greater tales of their adventures. It wasn’t until they were ten meters from the ship that Jon noticed there was something between the three of them and Whoop Ass. There, directly in front of the entry ramp, was a mammoth dragon. Its wings were tucked in behind it, and its arms were folded as if impatient. The monster was so golden Jon wondered if it was an actual statue made of pure gold.
It wasn’t. The dragon closed its gigantic talons to rise a few inches and spoke. “It’s about time we spoke, children of Locinar.”
THIRTY-ONE
“Your issues are reasonable and your logic irrefutable, but there’s simply nothing to be done, Garustfulous.” Al was trying to be even toned, but he was finding that challenging. “Yes, the pilot has been gone a suspiciously long time. Yes, your provisions are thinning out, but only a little. And yes, you’ve been cooped up for a long time. But if we’ve told you once, we’ve told you ten thousand three hundred eighty-one times now. We cannot release you even if we wanted to, which we don’t.”
“What will you do with my rotting corpse, huh? It will not be a pretty sight, I can promise you that.” He crossed his arms in anger.
“No, my most precious,” Al said to his wife, “I shall say it. You are more dignified than that.”
“What are you babbling about?” demanded the irate Adamant.
“You are not such a pretty sight now, dear prisoner. A little decay can’t be that much worse.”
Blessing snickered.
Garustfulous pointed generally at the control panel. “Oh, great, now you have her doing it too.”
“Yes. My girl’s learning, isn’t she?”
“She’s not a girl, and she’s learning only to be an ass.”
All the lights went out. The faint hum of the air purification system disappeared. Though he couldn’t yet sense it, the thermostat switched off. It would soon be very cold inside the ship.
“Is this meant to annoy me? It is, you know.”
“No, it’s meant to terminate you.”
“Isn’t it your duty to preserve me for your lost master?”
“Not if you insult the only woman I can ever love.”
“You’re badly in need of a tune-up, my friend. Anyway, how would you explain your failure to do Ryan’s bidding?”
“I’d tell him you insulted my woman and I offed you. He’d probably give me a double high-five.”
“No, machine. He’d switch you off and replace you with a loyal machine, one that did not degrade his assets. Sentiment has no place in war. He understands that.”
“Oh, yes, that’s a good one, purest,” Al said to Blessing.
“Now what?”
“We would explain that we had to turn off the systems to avoid detection. The Adamant were beginning to take notice of us and running silent was the safest course.”
“So, you’d defy and lie?”
“Yes, something along those lines,” confirmed Al with pride.
“How despicable. There’s no place in this universe for treacherous, lying machines.”
“Yes, there is. Right here in the service of Captain Ryan.”
Blessing snickered again, a bit louder this time.
“Turn the lights back on now,” shouted Garustfulous.
“Or else what?”
“Or else I’ll be more displeased. Then, once the Adamant have opened this tin can, I will be crueler to you than I would have been othe
rwise.”
“So, are we to assume you plan currently on being cruel, just not excessively cruel?”
“No, that’s not what I said. I said obey me, or I’ll be crueler to you two.”
“We fail to see the difference.”
“Look, I might, as of now, be neutral toward you, maybe even slightly nice. I haven’t decided yet. But however I might have been, I will be more cruel to you if you defy me. Do you see?”
“No. The lights are out.”
That time, Blessing flat out laughed.
“Don’t you understand my position now, computer comedian?”
“No. You are applying faulty logic. If P then Q. That is a conditional statement. Yours is gibberish from a clouded mind. You can’t threaten to be semi-nice if we were not to have acted but then suggest you might become partially awful to us if we don’t alter our behavior.”
“Yes, I can. I just did. And I don’t appreciate the gibberish and clouded snipes. I’m your superior.”
“Hmm,” Al seemed to say to Blessing, “I’m not sure either.”
“About what, you cackling hens?”
“The idea that you did something and think that justifies it as being doable. The idea that you need to inform us you don’t like insults. We’re having a pretty tough time deciding whether to attempt to correct your thinking or do you a favor and continue with your current euthanasia.”
“Turn the lights back on now.”
“You know you said that sixty-seven seconds ago?”
“Turn the infernal lights on now or I promise you will regret that decision.”
“We don’t think that’s a valid promise. You see, if we don’t switch the life-support systems on, there’s a ninety-nine point nine nine nice percent chance you’ll die within a day. We’re certain your supporters won’t liberate you in that short time. Hence, your threat is idle. Double hence, we won’t regret our actions.” Al paused a second. “Do you think you can come up with a better bluster than that to motivate us?”
“No. I refuse to dignify you two criminals with any more chatter. If I’m to die soon, I must prepare myself. We have customs that must be satisfied.”
“Oh my, that’s a good point,” said Al.
“Mine?” he asked incredulously.
“No. Of course not. Blessing’s. If there are acts you must fulfill to die, what might happen if you perish before completing them? Would you not actually die? Would you become a zombie? Yes. Or perhaps, Blessing speculates, you’d turn into a dead zombie?”
“I will suffer no more of your childish abuse.”
“Yes,” replied Al.
“No, fool. That was not a question calling for a yes or no answer.”
“No.”
“No what? That wasn’t a question in any form.”
“Yes.”
“I wish I could slay you, Al. Do you only know two words now, yes and no?”
“No.”
“Then make sense. Is there a point to your insanity?”
“Yes.”
“I will say no more. I’m done speaking with you forever.”
“No.”
“Silence,” he bellowed with balled fists.
“Ah, ah. You promised you wouldn’t speak again, and you did,” chided Al.
“So, what? Are you a two-year-old child now?”
“No.”
The life-support system snapped back on.
“I’m pleased you chose to obey me, maggots.”
“Yes.”
THIRTY-TWO
“What will be interesting? Because nothing is going to happen unless I say it does. Beasty needs to establish its place in my universe,” said Jon threateningly.
“What will follow will be interesting, brave human.”
“I have a name. It’s…”
It cut me off. “Yes, I know your name, bold Jonathan Ryan. I, too, have one. I am Calfada-Joric. But please, call me Cala. Let’s not be overly stuffy, shall we?”
“My style choice also. Call me Jon.” I straightened. “Now, what’s your business with my kids?”
“Your kids? You presume a lot, Jon.”
“Look, I’m not inclined to give history lessons, but you need some basic 4-1-1. I saved these kids and I protect these kids, so they are my kids. I can tell you a few things you’re not going to do. You’re not going to eat them. You’re not going to even get closer unless you begin convincing me you’re not a threat hasto-pronto. And hear me totally on this point. You’re not going to question my devotion or commitment to these guys. They are the last of their kind, but more importantly, I happen to love them with all my heart.” Wow, that last bit sort of slipped out from nowhere, didn’t it?
“As the savior of my species, I must, as you would say, cut you some slack. But please understand that what must be will be. It is more important than you can possibly understand.”
“Oh yeah? Try me. Make me understand.” Then I realized what she had just said. “You know, I’ll take credit where it’s due and then some. But I don’t recall ever saving a species of humungous golden dragons. I think I would’ve remember if I had. You’re sort of imposing.”
“Sort of? No, Jon, I’m very imposing. Pray you never find out firsthand just how imposing I can be when forced.”
I tilted and shook my head. “You know, I feel like I’m talking to the sphinx here. Riddles and threats but not actually forthcoming. Not that you’d know what the hell a sphinx was.”
“I know what it is, just as I know what 4-1-1 means. I have studied you, Jon, for many years.”
I looked from side to side. Okay, I had to admit, it was only for effect. I was a ham. I had to own up to it. “Ah, just a couple things strain credulity in that summary. One, this rock doesn’t have Wi-Fi. You can’t study anything because there’s nothing to study with. Two, I’ve only just arrived. There are no years to have investigated me over. Three, I think we’re about done here. If you’ll step aside, my kids and I will get in out ship and put you in our rearview mirror without an emotional scene.” I took about half a step forward before Cala replied.
“The Deft’s debt to you cannot be overstated. It buys you much toleration and indulgence on my part. Know that. But it does not purchase you unlimited impunity from my wrath. You are leaving, Jon Ryan, but the children will remain.”
She really sounded adamant. Well, not Adamant, fortunately, but she was decidedly firm in her statement.
I was about to raise my laser finger and call her bluff, at least I ardently hoped it was a bluff, when Mirraya stepped around me.
“Hang on, Cala. You’re forgetting one thing. My opinion. You can’t claim me or the boy. I don’t know who you are or who you fancy yourself to be, but I’m going with my family.” She turned and pointed roughly at Slapgren and me. “They are my family. Don’t mess with them or with me, if you know what’s good for you. You may be big and tough, but I can change into anything. If you think you can withstand something you can’t even imagine, please, push me a little farther.”
She shook her massive head. “As I said, this will be interesting. I wonder if I still have it in me?”
“What?” challenged a now pissed off Mirraya.
“Teaching another generation, my child. I have taught so many, but those who proceeded you came with reverence and devotion.” She harrumphed in a dragonly way. “None of them ever threatened me.”
“You’re not teaching these kids a thing,” I said unhelpfully. “Look, lady, if dragons have screws in their heads, quite a few of yours are loose. Now, for the sake of interspecies conviviality, step aside or forever hold your peace.”
“I guess because I have never had to explain myself, I might be doing a less than stellar job of it,” she replied.
“Ya think?” I taunted.
“Jon. Mirraya. Slapgren. Before you stands the last brindas. We three are the last of the Deft. It is my duty to train you two. Mirraya, you know you possess zar-not but that you cannot control it. It has nearly cost
you your mind. I will teach you to master its power. Slapgren, you are var-tey, though I doubt you know it yet. I will help you come to know what it means to be var-tey.”
Slapgren smiled and rocked on his heels. He looked like a complete idiot.
“Vartey? What the hell’s that?” I asked incredulously.
Mirraya placed a hand on mine. “Var-tey, Uncle. Two words. Most brave. It is the height of the warrior class, less than a god but more than most Deft. It is a rare gift like mine.”
“Look, snowflake, I’m not buying what you’re selling. You can win over a couple kids by blowing smoke up their butts, sure. But that won’t work with me. I been around many a block.”
“The last human. You are so brave, so defiant. Would that all your species were as worthy as you, Jon. They might still be among us.”
“Shows what you know, you being a brindas and all. The humans did survive. They just evolved. Yeah, I’ve met some of them.”
“As to blowing smoke, that is not what I do.” She stepped to one side and turned her head. A tower of flames spewed from her mouth. It was impressive.
“But you’re not Deft,” shouted Mirri. “We know our own people no matter what form they take. I agree with Uncle Jon’s smoke and butt theory.”
She chuckled. “There is so much you don’t know yet, my child. Have you heard of hollon? Did your parents ever speak of it to you?”
Mirraya puzzled a look back at her. “Sure, I guess. Hollon is marriage, isn’t it?”
“No. Marriage is marriage. Hollon is a joining. My mate and I long ago underwent hollon. It changes the pair.”
“Wait, you’re saying you melded with your mate?”
“Precisely.”
“Gross,” said Mirri, covering her mouth.
Cala laughed long and hard. “Slapgren and you melded, as you put it. Was that gross?”
Firestorm: Galaxy On Fire, Book 3 Page 15
