“Please secure yourself, Commander. I do not wish you to get hurt.”
Khiann chose an empty seat and strapped in, looking a little like she thought she was dreaming. Jack took the spot next to her.
“How’s it coming, Thorn?” Dante asked.
“Well. How are you, M1C Dante? If all goes well, might we finish the tower later?”
Dante laughed. “I see you really missed me. Yeah. If we get out of here in one piece, I’ll even give you a healing potion or two.”
“Motivation accepted. Please remain in your seats.”
The ship’s body thrummed as she overcame the anchor and zipped out of the bay. She pulled up a screen, allowing them to see outside. The sky was full of ships. Human, Yeti, Tiel, and all beings of the Council of Worlds had sent warships to take on the Pirr fleet guarding Cavey. Night Thorn veered, giving a further view as ships engaged. Flashing weapons and lasers displayed a destructive beauty of their own, but Jack was shaken at the loss of life he witnessed.
“I have signaled the fleet our mission has been successful,” Night Thorn reported. “Please advise our next destination.”
“That’s easy enough,” Dante said. “Get us as close as you can to the base of the rift. I’ve got some work to do.”
Eighteen
E.F.S. Ripley led the point of a V formation. Flanked by Yeti ships on one side, Earth Fleet ships on the other, they maneuvered below the disc of Cavey’s star system on a path to keep the system’s gas giant between them and their targets.
In the commune chamber, Coraolis sat facing Nada. She was in the Astral Plane with the others. He’d been waiting, listening to the chatter between warships as they moved into position. He listened as the first wave engaged the enemy near the station, drawing the attention of every Pirr in the system.
He listened, too, for news of Night Thorn, but heard nothing. It was just as well. He had his own task. He turned on his microphone and called the bridge. “This is M1C Coraolis. What’s our status?”
“M1C Coraolis, this is Lieutenant Wiersma. We’re entering long range now.” Someone called out a confirmation in the background. “The Yeti have opened fire. You are cleared to engage.”
“Understood.”
“Good luck out there, Mike,” Wiersma added and signed off.
Coraolis closed his eyes, seeking his center. His heart hammered, making it difficult to let go, plus knowing they were about to take fire didn’t do a lot for him either; still, he’d been at it long enough. His will overcame his nerves.
He saw the Mystics’ hovering over the Ripley’s ethereal image. The four astral Evolved joined him: Nada, Honora, Ephraim, and a student named Topher. Honora and Topher gave off slight waves of anxiety, but Nada’s and Ephraim’s calmer demeanors caught on—even Coraolis felt a little reassured.
“Okay, we’ve got the ‘all clear’ to engage,” he addressed them. “I want to remind you to stay in your squads. Your squad leaders will protect you as you protect them. Our goal is to incapacitate their Mystics first, then support the squadron while they engage the enemy. If you have any last questions, ask them now or forever hold your peace.”
They looked at one another, questions in their eyes, but no one wanted to be the first to speak. He ran through the plan again. “Nada, Ephraim, and Topher, you go after the vessels with your squads’ support. Engage their Mystics while we disable their ships. Honora and I are on defense, watching your backs and looking for Wyrms. Once we disable their ships and Mystics, regroup here and await further orders.”
Honora scanned the others, then glanced at Coraolis, worry washing over her face. “What do we do about the Wyrms? I hear they’re maybe more powerful than our dragons.”
“They should all be in the physical world, but some might have found their way to the Astral Plane. If Wyrms do show up, they become our priority target. If anything changes, I’ll update you. Just stick to your mission parameters. Anything else?”
He surveyed his team. They seemed more assured. He grinned, projecting confidence, hiding his own nerves. Anyone who got hurt—or worse—under his command would be his responsibility, but at that moment the most he could do was give encouragement, build up their confidence, and set them loose.
“Five years ago, I couldn’t have imagined I’d know so many talented, strong individuals. No matter what happens today, you stood up to defend the undefended and to preserve peace in our galaxy. Today, you’re heroes, and I’m proud to fight by your sides.”
They showed solemn faces as they took in his speech.
Coraolis’s heartening smile melted away when the first of the enemy ships came into sight. “There’s our first targets. Let’s move.”
The Evolved burst into action. Coraolis circled the battlefield one way, leading a team of three, while Honora went the other direction, her squad zooming after her. From his vantage, he could observe the engagement and assist where needed. His team watched for anything drawing near their perimeter, while Coraolis, the first to strike, sent his lightning at the enemy. He counted on it distracting them as Ephraim’s squad slipped down and around to attack the ships from behind.
Below Coraolis, Nada wielded a blade of pure energy, spinning it so fast she deflected every shot fired at her. Ten Pirr attacked her at once, seeking to pierce her defenses. They never saw Nada’s squad circling in behind them until several Pirr were taken out.
It was the same story everywhere. Far more Pirr came at them, but the Evolved and their squads had more skill and better tactics; they barreled through the Pirr in waves. Coraolis threw pot shots at the enemies below him to assist the other squads. Soon, the Pirr fell back, using their ships as cover and undertaking guerilla tactics.
Honora’s shout drew Coraolis’s attention. A Pirr in matte black armor loomed over her. Her telekinetic shield broke into pieces and faded. Coraolis noticed her fighting alone, her squad seemingly dispersed. Different than the others, the large Pirr’s black helm mimicked a raptor’s vicious beak. He held his hand up, a strobing ball of energy manifesting. Honora erected another shield to meet his attack. The sphere shattered her shield like a pounding fist.
Honora vanished.
Coraolis shouted in surprise, and felt her weak response. She’d been knocked out of the Astral Plane, but she was alive. What could do that to an Evolved?
He called for Nada, who’d cornered a handful of Pirr alongside her team. She looked over, then flashed toward him.
Coraolis turned to his team. “Help Nada’s squad clean up.”
Mick, one of his squad members, objected, “All due respect, sir, you said stay with our Evolved. We need to have your back.”
“Things have changed. Just do as I say.”
Mick saluted and the team surged to join Nada’s group and waylay the Pirr.
“What is that?” Nada murmured, whistling through her teeth. She pointed. “I think we’re about to meet our first Evolved Pirr, or whatever they’re called.”
“I am Shaia, exalted vessel to the Ancient Ones. Grovel, and I will be swift in your destruction.”
An aura of crackling energy appeared around each of the armored Pirr’s hands as he hovered toward them. Nada’s blade lengthened and became brighter. Coraolis summoned more lightning.
“He took out Honora like she was nothing,” Coraolis murmured. “Be on your guard.”
“Let’s flank him. I’ll come from the left, you take the right.”
He agreed and shifted into gear. Nada flickered through the air, moving even faster than him. She zoomed in, blade spinning. Coraolis stopped on the Pirr’s other side, ready to release a torrent of electricity.
The Pirr glared, his lips drawn back. Nada rushed in, sweeping mid-stroke and striking armor. She followed with a swipe for his neck, but the Pirr’s hand shot out and clamped on her throat. Her blade cut through nothing but ether. Coraolis released his attack, unleashing forks of energy. The enemy convulsed, releasing Nada.
She withdrew, gasping and massaging
her throat.
The Pirr turned on Coraolis, summoning a sphere of energy. Coraolis gave himself room to dodge and unleashed another bolt. The Pirr launched his own attack, moving his hand languidly, yet the sphere’s velocity caught Coraolis off guard. He spun away, the orb barely missing him.
Nada, having recovered, came in from behind. The Pirr anticipated her and countered. He swiveled at the waist and blocked Nada’s sword, but she’d manifested another shorter blade in her off hand and drove it into his side. The Pirr’s helm split open to reveal a crazed, battle-frenzied stare. He hissed, straining forward to bite at her, long jagged teeth snapping from a bestial maw.
Nada kicked free and darted back. Coraolis loosed another lightning strike, catching him in the side as he went after Nada.
The Pirr howled, his astral form flickering as the electricity coursed through him. His mouth gaped, and a dark form emerged from his throat. It took a smoky dragon-like shape, and it enveloped the Pirr as it solidified and opened dark, shining eyes.
It glared at them. A Wyrm. The malice in its stare froze Coraolis. Its shadowy head wove side to side. The creature’s stare hacked through to the core of his self, despising every layer it peeled away. It fumbled, however, at his connection to his dragon, its will sharpening as it homed in.
It intended to strip away his bond.
Coraolis’s mouth formed a ‘no.’ The Wyrm flooded him with cruel amusement, boring deeper…then stopped.
Nada flashed in front of the beast, her blades slicing twin cuts through its throat. It shrieked even as its wounds knit, then turned on her. Coraolis shook from his trance and rained crackling energy on the Wyrm from skull to tail.
It paid him no attention; it snaked after Nada. She twisted away as her dragon manifested beside her. She straddled it and clung to its back as it dove in a counterattack, breathing white-hot fire. The Wyrm coughed black flame from its snout and the blast tore halfway up the young dragon’s tail.
Coraolis’s dragon manifested. It urged him to climb on as Ephraim and Topher, astride their dragons, joined them. They circled the Wyrm, never presenting more than one target at a time, while others swooped in using fire and claw. Cor felt his dragon’s exertion and fed his strength into it.
The Wyrm fought back, scoring dragons’ hides, but never reaching the riders. While the dragons bled, however, the Wyrm’s flesh regenerated every wound. Coraolis wanted to believe its healing was slowing; still, the dragons were sustaining too many wounds. The Wyrm was ancient and more powerful than any one dragon and healed as quick as they damaged it.
They would not win this.
Coraolis raised his hand, flashing two fingers to the Evolved. Time for the backup plan.
His dragon spat fire at the enemy’s back and wheeled away, pouring on speed beyond what it had shown. The other dragons did the same as the ordinary Mystics left the Astral Plane.
The Wyrm screeched and tore after them, unwilling to let them escape. Coraolis lashed out with another bolt thrown over his shoulder. It didn’t react. It ate up the dragon lengths between it and Topher’s trailing dragon, snapping its jaws at the tip of its tail. The dragon whipped its tail out of reach, a wave of amusement washing over everyone. The young beast taunted the Wyrm, but the space between them shortened.
A flight of dragons flew closer, getting near as possible without interfering with another’s movement. They drew on their riders’ strength to pour on speed, edging away from the Wyrm. Dark flames licked their heels.
Coraolis lowered himself against his dragon’s back, making himself as small a target as he could. Then, his dragon twisted away from the others. They all scattered, angling away in every direction.
The Wyrm never saw the net. It entangled itself. The nearly unbreakable webbing clung to its head, its wings, its tail. The dark beast thrashed and twisted, yet remained stuck. The threads stretched, but the Wyrm couldn’t break out. Soon, its muzzle, the last free part, was bound shut. Smoke leaked from its jaws, and it glared at them balefully.
“I wasn’t sure it would hold,” Ephraim breathed as he pulled up near Coraolis. “Will you look at that?”
Coraolis grinned, feeling a surge of pride. Julia had created a truly effective trap. He just hoped it hadn’t taken too much out of her, because they still had much to do.
“I’ve learned never to doubt Julia.” He grinned. “Well flown there.” He surveyed the battlefield, saw Mystics overpowering the Pirr everywhere. “Help the others mop up. I’ll check in with the captain.”
Nineteen
Julia hovered, peering through the rift. A dark veil separated it from the Astral Plane, but she spied a Wyrm’s silhouette as it passed from its prison to the physical realm. Even far removed from the monster, its presence sickened her. Every passing Wyrm strengthened the enemy forces. She could do little in the physical plane, yet even from the Astral, she could merely watch as the odds continued tipping against the Council of Worlds.
Beyond the rift, she caught glimpses of the battle above Cavey. When they’d begun the engagement, the forces seemed matched, but now the Wyrms invaded the physical world. The tide turned.
Julia’s restless team of Mystics hung back, guarding her and watching the rift. All of them wanted to be part of the fight. It ate at them—and her—to stand by while others risked themselves. Cor was up there…but these were her orders. If the Wyrms sought to break through the veil into the Astral Plane, only she could patch the veil and constrict them to one field of battle.
That was the theory, anyway. She hoped the Secret Council was right.
She chewed her lip, worrying, when she felt a warm nudge at her back. It felt so similar to her dragon she smiled, half-wondering how it had manifested without her realizing it…
She turned around to discover a strange dragon. The vast creature poured love and determination. Then she saw other dragons, some still arriving from wherever they’d come from. She counted thirty before she lost track.
“What…what are you doing here?”
Her answer was a cascade of emotions and scraps of thought. Duty, love, and sorrow, with streaks of hatred for their enemy also a part of the mix.
The lead dragon bowed its head. We heard the call. We answer.
“What call?” She peered at the rift. All that remained of the Wyrm was a slithering tail. “I didn’t know we could call!”
The Wyrms’ destructive nature called us. Our old enemy is among us again. We are here to drive them back to their prison…or destroy them if we must.
“The Wyrms…” The dragons must have known what was happening, but she hadn’t expected this response. “They’re all in the physical plane. There are a few over here, but…”
We will go through to the physical realm. The dragon flicked its tail, and a smaller dragon slid past Julia and dug its claws into the veil.
“No, wait!” She darted closer to the young dragon and put herself between it and the veil. “The veil will close. Dante…my friend. He’s a prisoner, but we’re rescuing him, and then he’ll close the rift. If you’re on the other side when it shuts, you’ll be destroyed. I’ve seen it before.”
The dragon nudged her aside.
She turned to the elder. “This is suicide.”
It is necessary. The dragon filled her with duty and responsibility. We can help, so we must. If we do not, and your friend fails, then the Wyrm’s hunger will consume all life in the galaxy. The time to act is now.
She couldn’t argue. She watched as the smaller dragon pulled. The barrier stretched like taffy until a hole opened near the center. The dragon stuck his claws into the edge of the hole, making it larger. Its muscles strained under its scaly hide, and another dragon joined it. Together, they pulled until the hole was large enough for them to pass through.
On the other side, the rift pulsed. Julia shuddered, but the dragons didn’t hesitate. The leader dove in, but instead of passing on to the physical world, he turned toward the Wyrms’ prison with bared teeth and claws.
The next dragon slid in to guard the leader, then the next flapped its wings and entered the physical world.
A Wyrm oozed into the rift, then recoiled upon seeing the dragons. They unleashed fire on the Wyrm, driving it back into its prison. They roared a challenge, daring another enemy to come meet them.
Another dragon passed into the physical world, then another. Julia instructed her team to set up a perimeter. She couldn’t help the dragons on the other side, but she could stand guard.
She peered through the rift as a trio of dragons flew in formation, driving off Pirr vessels while more dragons entered the fray, protecting Council vessels and taking on more Wyrms. The Council ships rallied and went on the offensive, cutting into the heart of a Pirr formation and scattering their ships.
Enemy vessels fell from the sky and burned in the atmosphere. They weren’t alone. A few dragons caught falling Council ships in their claws and took them down to the surface, depositing them safely, but many were destroyed before the dragons reached them.
The Pirr sacrificed their ships to create shields or distractions while the Wyrms pulled off cunning maneuvers, using their greater strength and willingness to fight dirty to wear at the numerous dragons. Yet, the dragons held strong in their purpose and gave everything they had to push the enemy back.
The battle hypnotized her, but she tore herself away. She gave orders to her team and manifested her dragon. They would stand guard at the rift and make sure nothing else came through.
The E.F.S. McCaffrey sped around Cavey, using the planet’s gravity and its momentum to slingshot to the other side. The Wyrm gained on them, but they’d put a little distance between the beast and their thrusters.
Captain Barabara McNuggen leaned forward in the captain’s chair, her hands flying from the tactical display to the ship’s status screens. Her pilot, Lieutenant Lewis, called out a warning and maneuvered the ship into a dive. McCaffrey’s belly bounced hard against atmosphere. The Wyrm followed. While it had speed that outstripped any Earth Fleet vessel, its mass didn’t allow it to turn on a dime.
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