And then the Link opened and Rane’s familiar voice sounded in her mind.
~Amanda? Is that you?~
~Hi, Rane. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?~
~It sure has, but it’s good to hear your voice.~
~Yours too,~ Amanda agreed, enjoying the feeling of Rane in her mind. Just like she had with Maria, Amanda had enjoyed a casual relationship with Rane once, long ago, and memories of their short time together flooded back.
~I think I can guess why you’re here, though…~
~The Dragon attack,~ Amanda stated.
~I had assumed as much,~ Rane answered.
~Yeah. This isn’t a social visit; I’m here on official Council business, and I need to speak to your mother.~
~My mother? Ylena? Alright, I’m sure I can arrange that. Hang on, I’ll get you authorised to land at the spire,~ she said, and the Link went quiet for a moment. Seconds later, the HUD displayed permission for them to land at the Ormond Spire providing their Indicia checked out.
Amanda sent off the Indicia, the ship's ID and manifest, with a thought, and moments later, the approval came back and they were allocated a pad in the lower reaches of the tower, which Amanda knew was where the day to day business of the Ormond Dynasty, Sol Prime, and the Protectorate happened.
Amanda put the ship on approach, letting the core fly the ship on autopilot, bringing it in through the towers of the station and down towards the pad.
As it flew, Valerya and Aris walked in and stood beside her.
‘We made it, then,’ she said.
‘Just got here,’ Amanda answered. ‘You’ve not missed anything.’
Looking out through the viewer, they passed a few of the damaged sections on their final approach. ‘Crystal was right about the attack here.’
‘To be sure. Looks like they took a bit of a pounding,’ Amanda agreed as the ship finally bumped lightly down onto the pad and came to rest. ‘Right, let’s get going,’ Amanda said, feeling a slight flutter of nerves in her stomach as she stood.
‘This should be the easy bit,’ Valerya replied.
‘All being well,’ Amanda added with a smile and led the way out of the ship and down the ramp.
As they walked down, she saw Rane suddenly appear in a brief flare of Essentia. She looked up at Amanda with a welcoming smile and approached the ramp
‘It’s good to see you, Mandy,’ Rane said, and gave Amanda a friendly hug at the base of the ramp. Amanda returned it. It felt good to see Rane again. She felt like she needed a friendly face to get this mission off on the right foot and to help ease her into the events to come. ‘I heard about Earth, I can’t believe they were able to do this, we were totally unprepared for the scale of the attack. The fact that they were able to get through the Nexus without being challenged is incredible to me. But I heard you were able to contain it, and the populace of Earth is still unaware of what happened, correct?’
‘That’s right, yes. Luckily. Although, how they managed to get through Dynasty space is certainly something that needs looking into. Look, what happened, happened. They took us all by surprise, but we got through it. What’s important now is that we work together to make sure it doesn’t happen again.’
‘Is that what this is all about?’ Rane asked.
‘Partly,’ Amanda answered. She wanted to say more, but she didn’t want to have to repeat herself when she got into the meeting with Ylena Ormond.
‘Okay,’ Rane said and nodded, apparently understanding. ‘My mother will be with us shortly. She’s still dealing with the fallout from the attack here. Let’s get inside.’
‘How bad was it?’ Amanda asked.
‘Pretty bad. We had eight Dragons plus riders, troops, and starships descend on us from nowhere. It was a difficult fight, but we have some defences of our own which came in useful.’
‘Well, at least you’re alive,’ Amanda said, smiling and followed Rane off the landing pad and into the building. They made their way through the atrium and headed towards a hallway on their right.
‘So, are you going to introduce me to your friends?’ Rane asked.
‘Oh, sorry, yes. This is Valerya and Aris. They followed the Dragons to Earth to try and help fight them. They lost their ship and crew in the attack. I helped them. They’ve been working with me since.’
‘Well, you couldn’t have found a better Magus to work with,’ Rane turned and said to Valerya.
‘Is that right?’ Valerya answered.
Rane nodded. ‘Mandy is one of a kind. I’m Rane Ormond; it’s a pleasure to meet you.’
‘Valerya Argent,’ she answered and shook Rane’s hand.
‘Huh, I know that name I think…?’ Rane commented, frowning with concentration.
‘I fought in the first Crux war, plus I’ve been in front of the Nexus a few times since,’ Valerya answered.
‘Yeah, I think I recognise you. Well, good to have you here,’ she replied and led them into a side room partway along the corridor. ‘Make yourself comfortable, there’s drinks and things over here,’ Rane said when there was a sudden rush of Essentia, and a new figure appeared in the room. She looked maybe a decade older than Rane with similar dark hair that was shorter than Rane’s and cream coloured flowing robes that flattered her form.
‘So sorry to keep you waiting,’ she said as she appeared. Essentia rushed again, and a few more people appeared close to Ylena, all of them Magi. Amanda didn’t recognise most of them.
‘Amanda,’ Rane spoke up, ‘this is my mother, Matriarch Ylena Ormond, the chair of the Sol Protectorate. Mother, this is Amanda-Jane Page of Earth, representative of the Earth’s Magi Council.’
‘It’s a pleasure to meet you,’ Amanda said, stepping forward and offering her hand.
‘The pleasure’s all mine, Miss Page,’ she answered with a smile, her handshake gentle, but still strong. ‘It’s good to finally put a face to the name. Rane has told me all about you over the years.’
‘Not everything, I hope.’
‘She only had compliments for you, I assure you.’
‘I hope so…’ she said, glancing at Rane with wide eyes.
‘May I introduce some of the other members of the Ormond Dynasty,’ Ylena continued and went one by one through the small crowd. The only name she recognised out of the group was Dasha, Rane’s brother, and she quickly remembered why she hadn’t taken a shine to him the last time. He was a fop and refused to offer his hand in greeting. Instead, the thin man, who probably wore the most ornate clothing out of everyone here, simply stared at her with barely disguised hatred.
When Ylena had finished, Amanda smiled and gestured to her two companions. ‘May I introduce my friends, Valerya Argent and Aris.’
‘Argent? I’ve seen you before at the Nexus, haven’t I?’ Ylena asked.
‘Probably. I’ve visited and stood before the Nexus Council many times.’
‘You monitor the Crux, right?’
‘We do, yes.’
‘It seems like we should have listened to you, Miss Argent.’
‘Perhaps, although it might not have made much difference on this matter,’ Valerya answered.
‘I take it we’re talking about the attacks?’ Ylena asked.
‘We are,’ Amanda answered. ‘Can we sit?’
‘Of course,’ Ylena replied, and the group moved to sit at the table. ‘So, tell me what happened.’
Amanda took a deep breath before starting. ‘The Earth was attacked by a force of Dragons, killing people as they assaulted one of the Earth’s cities. We have covered it up so that the general populace doesn’t remember it, but we’re worried that the Void Dragons came to liberate the Archons, who we suspect will be joining forces with the Crux.’
Ylena sat back. ‘Those are some bold claims.’
‘I saw one of the Archons ride one of the Dragons away from Earth. I suspect she wasn’t the only one.’
Ylena sighed. ‘I would not be surprised…’
‘The attacks on Sol P
rime and Ultima Thule, I am convinced they were diversions, a way for the Void Riders to buy time.’
‘Well, that might have backfired on them slightly,’ Ylena stated.
‘How so?’ Amanda asked.
‘We captured one.’
‘You captured what? A Dragon?’
‘They may have caught us off guard, but we have formidable defences of our own.’
‘May I see it?’ Amanda asked.
‘Of course, but first, tell me, why are you here, and what is this Council business you’re here to do?’
‘The Earth wishes to join the Nexus,’ Amanda said bluntly. It was pointless beating around the bush. She figured she’d just come out and say it. She watched Ylena as that information sunk in. The matriarch sat back in her chair and seemed to be thinking it through. As she did, Amanda noticed that Dasha, who was next to her, was looking at his mother also, and then glanced at her, before looking back to Ylena.
‘Mother?’ Dasha asked.
‘Interesting…’ Ylena said.
‘You’re not seriously considering this, are you?’ Dasha asked.
‘I’m guessing this change in position stems from this attack,’ Ylena said, ignoring Dasha.
‘Mother!’ Dasha said more forcefully, making Ylena turn and address him.
‘They have a right to change their position, and given their proximity to Axia and this attack they have suffered, I understand the Council’s thoughts completely, now hush a moment.’
Dasha sat back, looking unhappy and shot an unfriendly glance at Amanda. She caught the look but didn’t react. She’d run across Dasha before and wasn’t surprised by his reaction at all. She found him to be a rather repugnant individual.
‘Yes, this attack has worried us. If the Archons join with the Crux, we believe all planets within the Nexus will be under threat, including Earth.’
‘So, what’s your plan?’
‘From what we understand, the Nexus seems reluctant to fight the Crux. That has to change.’
‘The chance would be a fine thing,’ Ylena sighed. ‘This attack on Sol Prime, even though it was a diversion, has revealed the truth, that the Crux are back. We can’t sit idly by and do nothing anymore.’
‘What are you suggesting, Mother?’ Dasha asked.
‘We need to have a proper meeting. Aldon?’
‘Yes?’ said one of the men sat at the table.
‘I’m going to show Miss Page here the captive, while I do that, please arrange a meeting for an hour from now. Contact the other members of the Protectorate and make sure they attend.’
‘Yes, Matriarch,’ Aldon said, and Ported out of the room in a rush of Essentia.
‘Amanda, if you’d allow me, I’ll Port us over to the captive,’ Ylena suggested.
‘Of course,’ Amanda answered and opened her Aegis, allowed Ylena’s Magic in.
Essentia surged. With a whip-crack of air, a flash of light behind her eyes and a brief moment of dislocation where up was down, she, along with Valerya, Aris, Rane, and Ylena suddenly found themselves in an entirely different part of the station.
Through her Aetheric senses, she knew right away where she was in relation to the spire she’d been in moments before. They were about two-thirds of the way towards the edge of the disk in a more conventional and less Magical part of the station. They appeared in what seemed to be some kind of courtyard, before a large building that reached all the way up to the upper shell of this part of the station. The building ahead glowed brightly in her Aetheric Sight, or rather, the Aegises around it did. These were powerful, well-made Aegises, she noticed.
‘This way,’ Ylena said and walked forward, towards a nearby door. Amanda noticed the guards all around them right away, her Aetheric Sight picking up their life signs easily. Even the ones that were well hidden.
‘So, there’s a Dragon in here?’ Amanda asked.
‘That’s right,’ Ylena answered. ‘It’s easier if I show you, though.’
Amanda nodded and followed Ylena to the door where they passed through some security and the Aegis without any issue and into the building. They made their way through a couple of small rooms staffed by more soldiers. They all wore Magical Aetheric Armour, similarly enchanted guns, and other gadgets that Amanda could only guess at the purpose of. The man in charge here deferred to Ylena without question, but gave Amanda, Valerya, and Aris sideways looks, betraying their suspicious nature.
‘They’re with me,’ Ylena said, apparently noticing their looks of apprehension.
‘Very well, ma’am,’ the soldier answered.
‘This way,’ Ylena said, and walked towards another door.
Amanda looked over at the soldier again. He was an officer, but she really wasn’t sure what rank he was. ‘Good work, soldier,’ she said with a smile. But the man didn’t react and just watched them follow Ylena through the door, much to Amanda’s amusement.
In the corridor beyond, they walked towards another door at the end, and Amanda noticed another Aegis in here. They really aren’t taking any chances with this at all, she thought as Ylena opened the door, creating another passageway through this second Aegis. They stepped out into a vast room that must have taken up the rest of the building and was maybe six or seven stories high.
Amanda stopped as she walked in and looked up at the three Dragons laid on the floor before her. They were all awake. The outer pair held their heads up high and regarded Amanda and the others with critical eyes. They looked relaxed and in control. The middle one lay flat in an uncomfortable looking position and was sheathed in Magic generated from the other two Dragons that held it in place.
‘Three Dragons?’ Amanda asked.
‘The middle one is the prisoner, but the outer two are on our side and live here on the station full time.’
‘You own two Dragons?’ Amanda asked.
‘Own is perhaps a little strong,’ one of the Dragons said. ‘We’re here because we want to be.’
Amanda looked back up the Dragons, surprised to hear one of them talk. For some reason, she had thought they couldn’t, but she knew they were incredibly intelligent, so she guessed she shouldn’t be so shocked.
They were massive things. The heads of the two on guard were around fifteen to twenty meters above her and were easily big enough to swallow her in a single bite. She was confident she’d seen bigger ones during the attack on New York, but she’d not had the chance to stand and just admire them before and really take in their majesty.
They were covered in thousands of scales that looked like impenetrable armour and had an almost iridescent sheen to them. It was quite beautiful, actually. They were covered in spikes and horns that ran over the length of their spines and crowned their heads. One of the two Sol Dragons was black, while the other had a dark, bluish purple hue, and as she looked up at the black one, she felt sure she’d seen it before somewhere.
‘I’m sorry for any offence caused,’ Amanda answered the purple Dragon’s rebuff. ‘That was not my intention. I’m Amanda, from Earth. Um, I’d offer my hand, but…’ she said with a smile, looking at the enormous claws that were more than twice her size.
The Dragon inclined its head. ‘I am honoured to meet you, Amanda. I am Ventori, and this is Grokar,’ it said, motioning to the black Dragon.
‘Pleasure to meet you, too, Grokar,’ Amanda said, noticing Valerya and Aris were nodding in greeting as well beside her.
‘And you,’ the black Dragon rumbled.
‘Excuse my asking, but I’ve seen you before, haven’t I?’ Amanda asked.
The Dragon twisted its head slightly and looked at her. ‘Perhaps, where did you see me?’
‘Well, I’ve only seen a Dragon once before. Before recent events, I mean,’ saying that last part sideways to her companions. ‘And that was when I was attacked in my ship. I’d been on a mission to a system many lightyears away, and the Dragon chased me back to Sol, but I’m fairly sure I killed it. This was about seven hundred years ago, though, so, mayb
e it was a relative or…’
‘That was me,’ Grokar answered.
‘Oh,’ Amanda said, feeling slightly surprised and afraid as that Dragon had been ridden by a Nomad.
‘Do not worry, young Magus. I will not harm you. In fact, I wish to thank you. You freed me from my Nomad rider, Nessa. When you attacked, I gated out, making you think you had killed me. You provided the perfect distraction.’
‘Oh, I had no idea,’ Amanda answered, as she thought through that memory, remembering the Dragon being vaporised in a flash of energy and Essentia.
‘Grokar came to us shortly after seeking asylum. He has since proven himself many times.’
Amanda nodded, her brief feelings of apprehension falling away as she looked up at the two Dragons again. The fight she’d had with Grokar, all those years ago, had been intense, but brief. As she’d been fighting the Dragons these past few days, she realised there had been a small question forming in the back of her mind about that first encounter with a Dragon seven hundred years ago, and why she’d been able to kill it so quickly. Now she knew the truth that she had not, in fact, killed it and that Dragons were much tougher then she’d given them credit for. They are also Magic users by the looks of things, she thought, as she looked towards the captive.
‘So, this is a Crux Dragon?’ Amanda asked aloud to anyone as she stepped closer to it. The black and red Dragon lay on its belly, its legs out beside it, and its head on the floor, confined and held in place by some powerful Magic.
‘Correct,’ Ylena answered. ‘Grokar and Ventori captured it during the chaos of the assault, and it’s their Magic keeping it contained.’
‘Have you tried to read its mind? Find out what it knows?’
‘Of course, but it’s not easy to do. Their power and ability to resist such Magic is legendary.’
‘May I try?’ Amanda asked, curious to see just how strong the creature was.
Star Magi: A Space Opera Fantasy Adventure (Star Magi Saga Book 1) Page 13
