Dragon Defense (Heirs to the Throne Book 3)

by Diane Rapp

  “Yes,” the captain murmured. “Forty-eight hours precisely, according to orders.”

  Fremont smirked. “We picked you as captain because your culture respects authority and will follow orders. Is that accurate?”

  Ishtarek’s gaze held steady. “We follow orders to the letter.”

  Fremont smirked and insolently explained, “If I’m captured, your bombs destroy outlying cities, and the planet’s leaders will submit to my demands. They won’t let their entire population die for a few criminals. We’ll demonstrate that I have the upper hand.”

  “Yes, sir.” The captain saluted. “We’ll launch the missiles at the designated targets, and wait twenty-four hours before a subsequent assault—unless we receive a coded signal from you.”

  Fremont examined the map. “The field next to the castle is an ideal landing site, don’t you agree?”

  Ishtarek nodded without enthusiasm. “Ideal, sir.”

  “Good! Instruct the pilot to land there.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Mark time, now.” Fremont set his timepiece and the captain set his. Fremont enjoyed giving orders to the Gronk! Resentment of aliens like Ishtarek festered in his mind, so it felt good to make the reptile squirm. The pleasure was nothing compared to the joy that waited for him on Drako. Soon he’d get revenge by killing Captain Donovan and taking Dr. Alexander prisoner.

  He said, “Allow one hour flight time and begin your countdown for the missile launch.”

  *****

  Chella worked quietly in Dr. Alexander’s secret laboratory. Bells chimed and lights flashed. Paper spewed from the mouth of an ancient machine, landing on the floor next to another paper.

  “What’s this?” she muttered and picked up both messages.

  Message 1:

  Unidentified object approaching outer protection zone, vector reading 056-295. Small power-driven probe with no life signs. Time 19:64

  Message 2:

  Unidentified object approaching outer protection zone, vector reading 056-455. Small power-driven probe penetrating primary planetary defense system with life signs registered. WARNING…manual override suggested, probe penetrating primary system! Time 3:22

  Chella’s stomach tightened. “The first probe launched over six hours ago, but no one saw the message.” She examined the machines for more data, pushed a button and a display lit. She sat at the console and typed a request for additional data.

  The machinery hummed and a starchart of the Planetary Defense System appeared on the screen. She enlarged the map of the outer zone and realized the first object followed a vector into the ocean. Chella viewed the second object. A blip showed the object moving toward the planet surface.

  “Bryant should see this,” she said but sat frozen at the screen, watching the second object. The blip made minor course corrections, confirming a manned ship. “Someone’s landing,” Chella whispered and then ran to fetch Bryant.

  Minutes later Bryant clenched the hilt of his sword and stared at the light moving across the screen. He cursed Donovan for leaving. He cursed himself for assuming responsibility for the castle, perhaps the world, as an enemy arrived from space. He once watched his previous lord, King Halder, stand in this same room fearlessly watching lights, and Bryant remembered that the king moved his hands confidently over those buttons. What did Halder do to stop the attack?

  He stretched a gloved hand toward the equipment but jerked back, afraid to touch the accursed buttons. “What do you suggest?” he asked Chella. “Can you determine the landing site?”

  Chella shook her head. “I’m not an expert in this field. If Trenton or Donovan were here, they’d know.”

  “How long do we have?”

  “According to this readout, it will land in less than an hour.” Chella’s voice quavered.

  Bryant said, “King Halder claimed this equipment could stop a ship from landing, but he didn’t show me how it worked.”

  Chella sighed. “The defense system stopped one ship on the day Krystal gave birth. You remember the explosion in the sky? The defense system destroyed that ship. Trenton said the ship launched a message capsule, but he wasn’t sure it would reach the Institute.”

  Bryant frowned. “We don’t have much time. I’ll gather those bright lads you’ve been teaching. Try to discover the landing site, and we’ll be back.”

  Chella clenched her jaw, wishing she spent more time on navigation classes. She rummaged through the dusty bookcase, searching for a manual or keyboard chart. Her cry of triumph echoed through an empty room.

  She read the title, “The Care and Operation of System X504, please Lord, help me find a keyboard chart.” She thumbed through yellowed pages.

  Sleepy young men filtered into the control room behind Bryant, while Chella pushed buttons and studied the book. The display outlined a trajectory and she recognized the landing site.

  “It’s heading for Havenshire!” Caston said as the picture on the screen showed the castle grounds.

  “Good, we’ll prepare to greet unwelcome guests!” Bryant grinned now that he could do something concrete. “What does this picture represent?” He gestured at the drawing of a spacecraft.

  Chella grinned. “It shows a two-man shuttle! They can’t launch a full scale manned assault. According to the manual, the security system automatically shoots down anything larger than a small ship without a manual override. They know the limitations, so they sent two men to sneak in and access our controls.”

  Bryant flashed a feral grin. “I can handle two men! What else can pass through the system?”

  Chella frowned. “I’ll try to find out. Touchdown’s in twenty minutes.”

  “Julian and Caston, you stay and help Chella. Young minds absorb new ideas faster than men like me. I’ll wait for that shuttle with my best men.”

  “Be careful, Bryant,” Chella said. “Spacers carry laser pistols. Nothing larger would fit into that shuttle.”

  “We’ll be careful.”

  Chella turned to Julian and Caston, who stood gaping at the flashing display with bewildered fascination. She saw no fear just eagerness.

  Chella handed the manual to Caston. “Read this section aloud and help us follow the diagram.” Chella gestured at the chair next to her. “Julian, I’ll show you what I’ve learned.”

  Julian eased himself into the chair, grinning. Chella described the keys and their functions until Caston read, “Small vessels penetrate the system unless manually targeted, see page 294. Should I go to that page?”

  “Yes!”

  Caston flipped to the page. “Whew! This looks difficult.” He studied the page, shifting his gaze to the keyboard. “This stick is a toggle.” He read aloud, “The technician directs fire at the intruder by moving the toggle to the target’s coordinates. Manual operation is limited to the upper atmosphere.” Caston sighed. “The technician calculates the trajectory of the target and fires within two degrees of the expected flight path to score a hit.”

  Julian shook his head. “We need someone who understands flight trajectories.”

  “Ryan can do that, and so can Catherine!” Caston grinned. “Their archery experience gives them an instinct about flight patterns.”

  Chella headed out the door. “I’ll fetch Ryan and Catherine, while you guys keep studying the manual.”

  Caston rolled his eyes. “You think it’s safe to bring Ryan and Catherine into the same room?”

  Julian said, “We don’t have a choice. Our lives are at stake, so they must avoid killing each other.”

  “There’s lots of work ahead but this is ever so much fun,” Caston said.

  “I hope we live long enough to enjoy the experience.”

  16 ~ THE SHRINE OF ASBOHAR

  Once inside the mullah’s palace, Dr. Alexander led his party toward the throne. The mullah stared at strangers dressed in silver garments and carrying helmets. Salizar and Tamarind followed a few paces behind, looking worried.

  The mullah held up his hand. “W
hy do you dress in the garb of priests?” He spoke clearly in their language.

  Dr. Alexander stepped forward. “We need to examine the Shrine to detect breaches of the code.”

  “What do you know of the code?” The mullah frowned. “Only the keepers speak of the code. You spout heresy!”

  The doctor held up a silver box. “This box measures evil magic.” He flicked a switch and the box clicked loudly. “Keepers allowed evil magic to escape from the shrine and the gods are angry. They already bring death to your people. As King Donovan’s healer, I’ve seen blood run thin, women bear stillborn babies, hair falls out, and teeth bleed. We’ve come to stop the evil magic.”

  The crowd murmured and the mullah shouted, “Enough! Call the priests and let them examine this box. In the meantime let me see how King Donovan treated my daughter.”

  Tamarind walked meekly forward and knelt before the mullah. “Your daughter fares well, my father.”

  The mullah’s eyes softened. “No harm befell you in infidel hands?”

  “None.”

  “It is well. I’ve arranged a worthy husband, my child, a man of great wealth.” The mullah smiled. “Does that make your heart happy?”

  Tamarind hesitated for a heartbeat. “Your daughter rejoices in her good fortune.”

  “Salizar!” the mullah called and motioned him forward. “We wish to reward our faithful servant. You carried a treasure safely back to its proper place.” The mullah clapped his hands and a servant placed a casket of gold at Salizar’s feet. “This is your reward.”

  Salizar bowed. “Your servant is overwhelmed by your generosity.” His gaze flickered sideways toward Tamarind. “It was my duty to return your daughter safely.”

  A priest entered the chamber, measuring his steps before he knelt before the mullah. “I answer your summons, great one.” The priest’s words sounded like a raspy whisper.

  “Are you ill?” the mullah asked.

  “All the priests are stricken by a dread disease.” He sighed and slumped to the floor.

  Dr. Alexander stepped forward. “May I tend the priest?”

  The mullah looked shaken. “Please.” He watched Dr. Alexander bend over the priest with hands hovering over the body. He took a vial from his bag and helped the priest sip. Finally, the doctor turned to the mullah.

  “Sire, the evil magic is at work. Restrict access to the Shrine until our examination is complete.”

  The mullah gestured to his guards. They carried the priest out as the crowd grew silent. “Examine the Shrine. No one shall enter until it’s safe from the evil magic,” the mullah said in a loud voice and abruptly left the chamber.

  The mullah’s decree spread rapidly through the city. Dark stares followed Dr. Alexander’s party as they rode to the shrine. Maggie led the team through the gate, holding the radiation monitor ahead of her. She spoke through a headset. “The count’s within a safe range at this distance. Let’s head inside the building.”

  Lauryn felt awestruck by the foreboding structure. A cavernous ceiling vaulted overhead and massive machinery stood behind a transparent wall. Maggie led them through a series of corridors made of the same transparent material until they reached the center of the dome.

  “Here we are,” Maggie announced. “Make sure your suits are properly sealed.”

  Lauryn blurted, “ASBOHAR.”

  Maggie glanced back. “What did you say?”

  Lauryn pointed at the large letters above the doorway. “ASBOHAR. Activate Shielding Beyond Opening—Hazardous Area—Radiation. ASBOHAR is the initial-word for the message printed over the door. The Shrine and the city are named Asbohar because of those initials.”

  Maggie laughed. “You’re right. Never thought it would go so far. Let’s enter ASBOHAR.” Behind the shield, the radiation monitor jumped into the red zone. Maggie frowned. “The leak contaminated this entire area.”

  Dr. Alexander nodded. “Can you pinpoint the trouble?”

  Maggie’s dark eyes examined the dome and she pointed at a large tube connecting the dome to the outside. “I sense strong radiation in that direction.”

  “Let’s take a look.” The doctor led the party forward.

  Maggie stopped short, gasping as the monitor needle jumped off the scale. “Stop! Don’t go any further!” she shouted. “It’s too dangerous, even wearing protective suits.” She pointed at a wet stain on the wall, rimmed with white crystals. “There’s the breach!”

  Lauryn asked, “Can it be repaired?”

  “Plasteel could seal the breach but the technology of plasteel is beyond this planet.” Her eyes followed the crystalline stains. “This crack comes dangerously close to the chamber holding liquid sodium. The Hosler design includes a desalination plant in the reactor complex. When the tide rises, salt water pumps through the system. See? Salt water corroded the barriers. Exposed to air and water, liquid sodium can explode.”

  Alex frowned. “Drako might get contaminated by nuclear fallout.”

  Lauryn shivered. “Why did they stop taking care of it?”

  Maggie sighed. “The priests are descendents of the original caretakers. When Drako rejected technology, they shut down the reactor but the core remained dangerous. The priests’ duty to maintain the core became religious ceremonies rather than scientific duties. Solving this problem was beyond their capability. We need to figure out a way to reinvent plasteel or something as effective.”

  *****

  Salizar waited outside the shrine, considering his plan. Life was an adventure, and he needed to redeem his family honor! Figures dressed in silver emerged, and Salizar spurred his horse. In two bounds he bent and snatched the daughter of the infidel king—the man who killed his father and destroyed his family’s honor. Hooves pounded through twisting alleys, quickly losing sight of dumbfounded guards.

  “Let me go!” Lauryn screamed as she kicked and pounded her fists.

  Salizar’s iron grip tightened. “Don’t worry, princess. No harm will befall you.” The slender body lay across his legs like a bag of grain with Lauryn’s head hanging down. The horse galloped through a maze of cobblestone lanes while Lauryn closed her eyes to fend off dizziness.

  Salizar knew the route. Well ahead of pursuit, he turned sharply into a courtyard, slid off the horse, and dragged Lauryn into a tiny house. Lauryn struggled in vain as Salizar slammed the door. She screamed as hooves clomped down the cobblestone lane outside, but Salizar clamped a hand over her mouth. Her screams sounded like a whimper.

  Lauryn bit into leathery flesh until she tasted blood. Salizar winced. His dark eyes burned with anger, but he kept the hand in place until the sounds of pursuit trailed into the distance.

  As his grip slackened, Lauryn twisted free and ran toward the door. An old woman dressed in black robes blocked her escape. A sheer veil covered the woman’s face but Lauryn saw a harsh unyielding glare through the fabric. With a massive key the old woman locked the door and spewed foreign words at Salizar. She grabbed Lauryn with claw-like fingers, stopped abruptly and stared at the girl with a shocked expression.

  Lauryn felt a jolt of power in the old woman’s touch. She jerked away, turning into the solid wall of Salizar’s body. He laughed. “This is my mother, princess. She’ll protect your honor.”

  “What do you want?” Tears stung her eyes as she backed away from him.

  “A bargain,” Salizar said.

  “What?”

  “Your friends must help me get what I want, and I’ll release you.” Salizar ignored blood dripping from her bite and waved his hand as he spoke. “I want Tamarind as my wife! Your friends must help me steal her from the palace.” Salizar smiled as if he announced an ordinary request.

  Lauryn laughed, and Salizar’s dark eyes narrowed. She said, “You want to marry that hellcat?”

  “Cursed witch! You mock me for chasing the dream of every young rider?”

  Lauryn shrugged. “If you wanted to kidnap Tamarind, your chances were better in the desert. Why wait until she’
s locked inside her father’s fortress?”

  An expression of horror filled his face. “You’d have me break the oath of a guardian! Do you think I am without honor?”

  “Isn’t it the same thing?”

  “Infidels don’t fathom proper behavior. While commissioned by her father, I could not touch Tamarind. Upon completion of my task, my oath was fulfilled. She’s guarded by sworn protectors, and I’m not accountable. A new husband will have her if I don’t steal the one I love.” He stared into the distance like someone called to a noble cause.

  Lauryn felt a stirring of sympathy. “Why not ask for help? Did you need to toss me over a horse and run?”

  Salizar shook his head, weary of explaining every detail to an addle-brained girl. “It is not proper to beg help from infidels, but we can strike a bargain. That’s entirely different.”

  “You plan to trade one girl for another.”

  Salizar frowned. “I propose to exchange favors. There are nuances in striking a bargain of mutual interest.”

  Lauryn rubbed her bruised arms and plopped onto a stiff wooden chair. “What nuances?”

  Salizar ran his fingers through black hair as the infidel princess stared at him with her pale blue eyes. “By returning valuable property, I can receive a favor in return,” he explained as though he spoke to a child.

  “But you stole the valuable property—the valuable person—to begin with!”

  “It matters not. A favor is required when I return the property to your friends.” Salizar’s lip curled into a lopsided grin and spread his hands in a friendly gesture.

  “How long before you perform this favor? I’d rather get back to my friends than sit around here waiting.”

  Salizar scrunched his dark eyebrows and looked serious again. “A bargain must be struck before I return you.”

  Lauryn popped out of the chair and paced the room. “You’re asking for ransom not striking a bargain!” She nearly ran into the old woman again but preferred to avoid contact with the woman. “Do you have anything for your ‘honored guest’ to eat? I’m famished.”