THE FATHER DRAKE
A BOOK BY WILLIAM MORRIS
ALL CHARACTERS
COPYRIGHTED © BY ME MYSELF AND I!
This story is
copyrighted. By all available laws so don't go getting any silly ideas
This story will be a...strange one, something brought
on by my DESIRE to be a father
and the
unfortunate fact that males cant do/be more to/for there children
than just
father.
If you start to
read this keep at it you have to follow the path to reach the ridge to see the
lands beyond it
-----
The Journey is
all of it
"But that's not a dragon of human legend"
"no but
she loved the ring... and said to me I was her Cyberhorn
I was her
unicorn. The white stallion that came to show her love and peace,
Pain changed
the unicorn my friend. The rage of seeing my friends and crew engulfed in
flames
then finding
out the light in my life had been killed.” Closing his eyes tightly “A rage an
anger welled up inside
it burned away
the gentleness and purity, leaving the dragon of pain and sorrow" his eyes
showed the cold inside his soul and the droggin now knew why this human would
never truly lose anything
He had already died
Prologue
Two shadowy figures slipped through the
spring grain giggling and laughing softly in the moonlight meant for young lovers
heading for the woods on the edge of the farm The farm one of many the colony
had around the main spaceport and city it was an old farm handed down through
the generations William looked into Amy’s eyes as they defied the traditions of
hand fasting for young adults, which hadn’t made much sense in their case as
they had been best friends for all their lives and he had recently returned
home to marry her after being sent a message by their fathers that they had
decided it was time. For him it had been a welcome message and gladly returned
home
They had been
formerly introduced while elders of both families watched (some with
trepidation) they were hand fasted and then separated she had through a sister
sent him a note of hope and promise that he would meet her in the north field
in two days there he met her and they kissed joyously finally able to openly
show the love they had held for each other. Though sometimes separated for many
years it hadn’t diminished with a silent question she asked him to follow and
he did willingly eager to show her how much he truly loved her they finally
reached the woods and fell laughing into the grasses and glowing night flowers
She looked down at
him the moons light shadowing her face “so my lover father says you have taken
the position at the fleet base. Good pay and medical?”
He nodded holding
her hand looking up into her eyes she smiled
“What?” “Just
looking”
She smiled and giggled,
“looking at what?”
“Into the eyes of a
gorgeous angel who has fallen from heaven into the arms of a dragon“
“No my love you are
a unicorn, my white night, the hero who has come to save me from the boring
dreary life of a farmers wife”
They both laughed
knowing that is exactly what they wanted anyhow
He slowly moved
closer to finally seal the future as she too moved closer to kiss him thus
completely breaking the rules but this was meant for them.
Both yelped in surprise as a pair of bright
lights shone down from hover trucks and Williams father shouted out as did Amy’s’
she sighed and smiled hugging him close
“I don’t mind now
my Cyberhorn you came and were willing I know you love me with all your heart”
=====================================================
As man made his way
into space he made friends and his (her) share of enemies but for once it was
an accident
not mans itchy
trigger finger that brought the earth and her allies into a conflict with the
droggin a semi reptilian race
In 2143 AD, the
earth just finished with a routing of a pirate band in a friends sector of
space, the 22nd light cruiser fleet. Was about to head home for leave when a large group of signals bounced
back and forth across the system the admiral noting immediately that the ten
fighting five re-supply ship fleet in his command was totally surrounded
did the most
prudent thing. He retreated from this unknown threat until he could get some
kind of idea as to what was going on. He immediately called for flank speed away and down through the elliptic
plane of the system signaling to the planet what was going on and that he was
heading through what was the only clear area to open space.
The supply
ships fell behind their gun cover and immediately turned to the nearest
asteroids to gain protection
the destroyer
escorts six in number started getting conflicting signals from directly ahead
two altered course
also heading
for cover.
The admiral was
furious, barking orders at the ships to rejoin the formation they got collision
alarms
he turned and
saw a huge mass bigger than twenty battle ships in tonnage
then he disappeared
into a white hot flare as his ship collided with it.
As did all but
one of the cruisers, who turned enough to just slide Grinding sparks along the
huge hull
her power died
the commander trying desperately to get some idea as to this huge mass and was gone an instant
later.
The destroyers
who had so prudently turned away now were stunned as this huge moon sized ship
moved on into the system, and how it had vaporized the stricken cruiser with
one volley from a side main cannon
but it was limping dying.
The huge amount of
damage the cruisers had inflicted, running into it at flank speed was clearly
fatal already smaller ships were leaving Her; flying out to other ships just now coming into scan range. Fires
were bursting
from her hull
and the massive engines died clearly the impacts had started some kind of
immense chain reaction in her systems.
One destroyer
captain decided this was an excellent time to get gone,
the moment his
ship moved from cover an escort of the dying moon launched what could have been
best described as space based torpedoes.
They closed the gap as he tried every maneuver at full power to shake them.
He died trying
to lead them back to the moon ship.
The last
destroyer captain took this as a hint to power down and wait,
the huge moon
ship drifted and burned, this
new fleet numbered in the thousands but only the one ship was so huge it was
drifting towards the systems star.
His main
tactical showed the supply ships being slaughtered by some kind of fighters he
needed information!
Launching his
four onboard interceptors from the indications they could beat these new
fighters in total speed
and
maneuverability
"lieutenant
run in get all the data you can and run like hell we will be soon as you stir
them up"
"yes sir...good
luck" "you too
lieutenant"
They made a full
power launch and screamed through the fleets formation of ships fired. But
could not track them for the speed at full power.
The new fighters
came up, and came into pursuit the lieutenant nodded to his wing and they all
split off dividing the enemy further. He watched as one by one his wing was
killed, the fighters were doing something new
he looked back
and went wide eyed as one was ON his tail rearing back huge claws readying to
rip through the engine.
"Shit!"
he blew the canopy and it smashed into the creatures face ripping it from the
ship he transmitted his data
"captain!
They look as if they're using some kind of exoskeleton based ship very fast
very advanced
and dam ugly
...oh god " the signal died...
The captain sighed
seeing they were not in any better situation "fire all guns full
spread."
He watched as
the data was loaded into an escape pod, and launched as they took hits from all
around the pod disappeared into a ball of plasma. He snarled and ordered full
volley fire on what looked like a small carrier
the guns all
around fired killing the ships' power and they disappeared in the next instant
...
The conflict
escalated instantly,
earth ships
were being slaughtered. Bases left for rubble and stations twisted hulks of
junk left to be consumed by the raw plasma spewing from the reactors. When Washington base on the
planet of Galgaron got word from the 12th fleet that an enemy landing group was
heading for them
and they were
under heavy fighter attack pulling out for the rendezvous with the 8th and 3rd
fleets they would be unable to
provide orbital cover fire.
The base commander
immediately moved his main weapons. His hover tanks and artillery to huge
mining operations to the north of the base and to hold the high ground. Planet
based orbital fire ion cannons
were retracted
to cover them. The civilians were loaded in shuttles; to be evacuated during
the battle to hopefully buy them time to get clear. All while the equipment was
being moved the city and base were a flurry of activity.
He was in an
armored transport. Following the 20th division he was running late because of the fact no one had
packed the heavy lifting
equipment for
the tanks. He had to ride behind the transporter. Looking at his various
helpers, all-young all scared so was
he.
He heard the
sound before most standing up into the gunners turret he rotated it around
seeing there own fighter
cover and
various air to ground craft go screaming off over head to the north.
"Dam bastards
supposed to fly cover over the column"
his
communicator earpiece clicked
"Sergeant
"
"Sir?"
"They were,
but the commander told them to go to ground we've got indications that their Landers are in final
approach. Get a repair area setup ASAP"
"Yes sir"
"Just hold the
tanks together bill we can do the rest"
"yes sir.
Were not known as the 20th bull heads for nothing."
He was soon
pointing various troops to setting up equipment inside a tunnel. He had evicted
the artillery crews that had taken refuge inside to a side service shaft.
He walked out
and got his glasses straight looking though a long-range scope, looking down
from the north shielding mountains he could see the dust out on the Darval
plains to the southwest of the city and the base watching as another Lander
eased down into the dust.
His comm.
clicked "Sgt. Morris"
"Sergeant
report"
"repair
base is set up just don't go sending me half the division all at once the tunnel
will fit only one across"
"good. You
had a look yet?"
"Small one...
were letting them get the Landers down?"
"67th
tried to stop the Landers incoming to get there air cover slaughtered."
He nodded they'd
lost contact with the 67th after five days of furious fighting that system and
colony fell with no further word from them.
"Umm
sergeant did you do what I told you not to"
"what
would that be sir? Oh the 'don't leave massive amounts of explosives attached
to the repair bays and the engine pits'?
Umm No sir..."
he smiled
"William"
"Sir?"
"Remind me to
bust your chops later"
"Sir!"
He grinned, and
watched as the last of the artillery moved into position guns panning round to
fix the Landers and the equipment.
The tanks were
ready there massive triple main gun turrets and missile launchers at the ready.
All were sitting on there 'feet' which were used to protect the skirts of the hover
tanks
"Ladies
and gents were ready to party."
He looked back
at his crew " I want hull repair last, gun and triple a priority."
They all nodded and ran to get it ready
he changed to
the tank Commanders frequency
"This is the
bubble gum bunch. Were ready for you reckless drunk driving tankers to come in
with bent and flared skirts; we've
got the spit and bailing wire out for this one"
He heard the
laughter and got confirmations from various squad commanders
his lieutenant
was evac’ed from the base hospital still sick with chickenpox not that she made
much difference
couldn't lead
if someone pushed her the right way.
He sighted in on the dust
again seeing his first glimpse of the enemy. He adjusted his range and checked
their height
'some a little
over nine foot tall, dam wish I could... oh jeez'.
Blinking as a tank
came out of the dust his first thought was of the comparison between the German
tiger II and the Sherman from
the out set the Sherman was out gunned, and out classed so were they the only reason the allies won was due to
sheer numbers of Sherman’s to toss at the tigers ‘god I hope we don’t have toss
people into a meat grinder to win this’
He kept looking
as the tanks moved out with infantry along side
then he got to
see one of their infantry in the clear a squad commander of some kind pointing
for various others to move to the left side of a tank.
"Dragons...
They look like medieval dragons bipedal. Some with wings some without but...
dragons none the less"
the order came
and the tanks warmed up their cannons.
The base started
firing it's ion cannons, and took out the landing forces orbital
support the huge ships devoid of power and so close
into the
atmosphere they dropped into the sky exploding into flames like meteors and
came crashing down to the surface.
One volley of
orbital return fire soon robbed the base of that advantage but they had
crippled the landing now they could receive no support from supplies in space.
The artillery
opened up and laid them low, Tanks detonated as lucky hits hit the power sources
and their air cover came screaming in.
He dove for a
tunnel falling short watched as a dragon flew right in strafing his men and
destroying the equipment. The flames engulfing some the screams chilled the air
He ran for the
nearest tank who were firing there anti air guns popping a panel open he took
manual control
of the main
turret on the right side and swallowed hard as it walked out of the flames
looking right at him
"dam you
dragon! Burn in hell!"
firing the gun
at point blank range the tunnel behind exploded as the shot shredded the dragon
the concussive blast from the shot hit him and tossed him out over the roadway
and sent him tumbling down the cliff face.
He awoke to the
smell of space ship air and antiseptics, sitting up a little flinching in pain
relaxing back
feeling the bruises a nurse came up.
"Well sergeant
decided to join the living again did we."
"Guess
so...how bad?"
"Not to much a
piece of dragon armor shrapnel into the shoulder and a long fall right into a
command tent."
He sighed he
knew who's too...he was in for a serious shit fest
"We won if
your wondering sergeant" he blinked as she walked away
"We won? Holy
tank mainframes".
His commander
came by that evening his demeanor was not of a commander who had just won the
first engagement against a foe who had been steadily slaughtering the human
race system by system but one he knew one he'd seen before.
"Hey bill
listen... I was never very good at this..."
"Master
Sergeant William Morris. Of the 15th armored Calvary known as the Rock 'n' a
hard place I do here by present you with the medal of valor for self less-ness in the face of a greater foe also
your fourth purple heart".
Fleet Admiral
Richardson pinned the medals on his chest smoothing out the ribbon, bill
saluted waiting for a reply
the admiral
looked into his eyes and bill saw a tear there. He shook bills hand then
saluted him this was a very public
ceremony.
All for fleet moral
nothing like the Cyberhorn getting a medal, to send to the dragons to give-um
something else to worry about. The newest fighter was giving their white
shadowy interceptor dragons a serious ass kicking too.
The admiral, bill's
one time commander over ten years ago now
it had been his
duty to tell bill all his family, and his wife to be were killed. As the
dragons destroyed their shuttle as it tried to leave orbit.
Bill smiled at him
but his old friend turned and walked away. He sighed and looked for the booze
Bill smiled
slipping a very nice bottle of ale into his arm sling got a huge hand on the
shoulder.
"That little
bottle isn't for medicinal purposes is it sergeant"
"Why yes it is
sir, it's nice and cold and feels so good on a swollen arm" smiling
innocently at his newest lutenant commander and thorn in his side.
"Make sure it
ends up back into the ice or empty in the trash... not saved for later"
walking away
"Yes
Sir-r-r-r-r... shit fer' system resources" sighing deeply he felt him
coming from the air flow from the salutes as he approached
"Sir!"
saluting the admiral.
"Bill enough
of the crap... will you please let me move you to headquarters"
he sighed this
was the twentieth time for this in a year
"sir
I'm"
"And DON'T
CALL ME SIR! DAMNIT YOU HARD HEADED" growling as he snatched a drink from
a passing tray.
"Last of the
20th division, only survivor of the 44th' bill reflexively put his hand on the
shoulder and all the patches that he remembered there. 'Hell the only one of
the 11th to escape titan base before... it..."
"Sir, Jim I
cant I tried that kind of job. I nearly got court-martialed for insubordination
because the captain
couldn't be
flexible with the supplies. I'm more valuable to fleet and you... yes you, near
the front line who found the weaknesses of the great reds the biggest tanks brought against us till they came up
with the black kings."
"You did"
"who
started trade relations with a few raiders and free roaming dragons? Mostly for
dragon technology we've already put to better use than they thought
possible"
"....
You".
"Who enjoys
your wife's fruit cakes so you don't have to eat them." Grinning like a
nut, the admiral broke and guffawed.
"YOU DO you
dam insane tanker"
"And? Once the
tank is in the blood Jim?"
"Tanker you
always be ". Nodding he resigned defeat raising his glass to bill "The best admiral in the fleet and the
ghost"
"Is that
the name they have for me now?" Jim nodded and saw the bottle.
"Put it
back bill"
"Aww come on
Jim" Jim tapped the side of his nose with a conspirators look.
"I know it
helps on those sleepless nights alone bill... you've never forgotten her have
you"
he sighed and a
tear welled up and fell on to the sling
"Please
Jim...don't"
the admiral moved over then he patted his shoulder they went off to get drunk
He awoke to the
rumble of ships drives sitting up he groaned holding the contents of his head
in
"Where am
I?" there was some laughter he looked down from the top of a tank turret
the banner proclaimed the black cats 13th division
" not
another shanghai transfer...damnit Jim"
After a lengthy visit
to the head and showering, he put the arm back into its sling, and headed to
the commanders quarters trying to remember
who the 13th
were attached too. He soon found the door and had his transfer orders from the
admiral in hand which had been stuffed
into his kit
along with all his things and tools and a couple cases of ale
Knocking he waited
"come in "
he blinked
female Voice? Opening the door, she was
sitting behind a desk working on various screens. Slowly looking up at him,
"Ahh sergeant
I was starting to wonder if id have to perform a séance to get you here "
she smiled
politely he smiled and held out his orders
"Getting
cleaned up sir, master sergeant William Morris reporting"
"the
admiral said he'd have to Shanghai you into this one. Nice cozy training group
your of course in charge of the mechanics
I lost my
master sergeant to an unexploded mine. Jim owed me a favor I needed one of the
best to get these kids trained.
Your it"
He sighed nodding he’d expected something
along these lines
"And don't
think I wont put your can into the brig or ditch digging if you go and pull
some of those stunts you've done to get transferred I know all your tricks ghost
I've been studying your files your here for the duration".
"Yes sir"
she smiled and
gave him his identity cards, list of troops and such on disk then shook his
hand.
"It's a
pleasure having you in my command bill Jim told me once you warm up to the
assignment these kids will be the best tankers
and mechanics
under fire"
"I really must
have a talk with him,” grinning an evil smile
she laughed at
his face and dismissed him.
He went back to his
quarters and unpacked looking out the port hole he could see the mares head
nebula.
"Heading
for Taurus I'll bet, we just won that world the kids get to see a fresh
battlefield"
and several
will die due to carelessness, thinking as he hung his best uniform up it had a
note stuck into the pocket
"Aww Jim I
wish you would go get.... What's it say here... bill yada-yada..." he
blinked partly in shock and reread
it all.
'Bill listen I'm
sorry but had to get you out of the 15th. The commander was gearing for your
court-martial
and supposedly had proof of the fact you were a traitor.
I DON'T BELIEVE
ONE FUCKING WORD THAT ASS SAYS BUT I had a talk with him,
this
transfer and his to the second air squad fixes this. I looked at his evidence
it's
solid but I know you, that one free dragon names Fal’gateor I believe
he's kin
to one of their fleet advisors. He made a trip to the home world right after
meeting with you I
know why, the dragon wine you got me for my birthday.
Spy core
thinks he told them about the status of the 15th and why a week later they
hammered a backwater mud ball like Ter-12 and the 15th
so to
get you gone, and him silent your now with the black cats
stay put
fer a wile OKAY! ...Damn heard headed mechanic
listen
to your friend for once go
play wit the kids for a few...Jim
Sighing 'dam people
sometimes can't leave things alone, damn '
He went out the next
morning checking the tanks, which were in sorry shape to say the least.
He found one
old girl from the remains of the 20th, she’d seen so much action he was
surprised to see it still run under its own power
sighing as 6 am
came and still no troops or there squad leaders much less corporals and
sergeants! He tapped his comm.
"Ship
communications connect me to ship fire control systems"
" Yes
sergeant?"
"Id like a full test run of the fire
alarms and flame suppression systems in ohh
bays 2 through
8 and all personnel bunks if you would."
"This is
the! Ghost?" he sighed thinking no discipline any more…
"Master
Sergeant William Morris of the 13th. Thank you, the alarms please or patch me
through to the captain"
"Y-yes
sergeant! Activating in 4 seconds"
Bill slipped his
cap on to cover his thinning front hair line and stood stone still. As the bays
in front of him went wild with lights and bells fire retarding foam filling the
bunk areas pouring out with the troopers yelling and near panic.
"Ship
command, cancel test"
"Yes sir"
The lights and
foam stopped he climbed up onto a tanks skirt tapping his com to public address
in the bay areas the ships crew more than humored but moving away knowing if
they laughed it’d get them a taste of the same
.
"Well good
morning everyone I hope that the dragons enjoyed that easy victory CAUSE I HATE LOSING!"
He let that ring in the ears for a second
"All
sergeants will report to me in ten minutes squad commanders will get this place
cleaned up in thirty all tanks
will be ready for an inspection reactors ONLINE I don't do cold tanks, in one
hour! Now get to it"
He sat alone
quietly thinking in his office this would make the other sergeants either hate
him or support him.
They soon came
in and took seats, as he was looking out the port
he turned and
saw a few their hair still damp from showering.
"I drink
dragon kaval I've found it doesn't aggravate my nerves and tastes pleasantly
like rich hot chocolate if
you'd like coffee it's in the pot please help your selves."
They did
clinking spoons and rustling papers overwhelming the sound of silence.
"Ladies gents
I'm not here to undermine your positions nor interfere with how you run your
troops but I am here to make those kids into fire blooded danger eating tankers
and what I saw this morning was pitiful. Even you have to admit to being flat caught out by the fact that if we
were forced to do an emergency drop all them kids and you were toast."
They all nodded
softly completely guilty of the very fact they too had relaxed totally
"Contrary
to the popular fact that were SUPPOSED TO BE in our controlled sector of the line I have seen single gold wing heavy
cruiser and her escorts rip through
nice easy troop fleets like this with all the glee of cats finding a box of
mice. It's how the 11th armored
support unit was destroyed along with the 220th re-supply fleet because they
were asleep so soundly when the first trouble hit they slept through it. The
hull puncture took them to their final sleep before the rest of the fleet could
even respond to the general distress call and abandon ship"
Sitting down to
look at them now paying attention as that one had clearly been forgotten over
the past years.
"I have
seen more of the replacements that came in die simply because they weren't
awake when the time came to move. While with the 29th I saw an entire squad of recruits die under a fire
blast from a single lone dragon. Who decided to torch the tents I watched them die people because they
didn't know to run like all of hell was on their heals when people start
shouting dragons!".
He took a drink
of the highly fragrant dragon coffee, letting out a long sigh reburying the memories to
the depths
"Basically
we have till we land to get them used to the fact that when shit hits the fan
they better be already wearing their
helmets before it gets to um".
One held his
hand out
"they do
get that started in basic"
"Bill is fine
people, and that's just it. Basic training is just basic! We have to get them up to graduation quick and
alive. First thing I want is the
tanks full rebuilds. I even saw one from the 20th my original unit” checking
his notes for a moment
”She’s junk now
hull plates far to heavy for the frame and her reactor is one of the early
three series which were under powered to begin with,
and only one at
that. How'd you get that thing loaded? Pushing it?"
A few grinned then
looked away
"Ok then she's
spares we'll get another from the field to replace her as for all of them not
one has the reflector system what's
going through those maniacs in fleet? These tanks could have to fight tomorrow and no reflector
shields?"
He made a note to
check for reactor upgrades once on planet side.
"Bill there
isn't much we can do with them till we land though"
"Wrong, one thing I've
learned over the years is the fact that you do fixing while you have um cold and lined
up, the ship has very nice machine shops and forges for hull repairs. You'll
find a few good greased hands we'll have full use of the shops at night, and we can get some serious
problems fixed ASAP. Possibly some improvements here's a list of the worst
units and the repairs needed.” Holding out a stack of printouts to the first to
his right
“I'm off to see if
I can get one of my Sources to rush over with some of the rarer things, and to grease those hands.
If any of you have special sources please give me a list of what they can
deliver and cost. We may have to do some bargaining and wheel n’ deal'n to all sides, but when these
tanks are unloaded for the move out they'll do it like new ones."
He left them to do
the cleaning and went to work
"ship
communications control "
“Sir?"
"I need a
class two unsecured transmission"
"I'll have
to get the captains approval sir"
"Understandable."
Tapping his
fingers on the desk the channel popped open keying in a code he waited.
An image formed of
a dragon in the shadows of an already dark room a few flickers of light betraying other
holographic monitors active near the face
"name?"
"Cyberhorn the
drake...silver tongued devil you"
A grin formed on
the face "hello bill, need something special? Again"
"Of course,
new unit no parts"
The drake
wrinkled his nose in disgust knowing what was coming
"much
parts and short timing"
"And what were
you saying the last time? Little
human."
"I wont do
this again...yes, but things have changed"
"Really? And
here I thought I was going to have a protracted bargaining session with
you"
"What is on
your list my friend?" saying it with eagerness bill had never seen out of
the dragon
"Umm
alright sending it now"
He reached down and
looked it over tapping with a claw on various places ticking tiny holes in the
plastic
"yes...yes."
“So you got all
that?"
"Yes or I
can in a day, it is my price which you may not like"
Bill leaned back in
his chair and rubbed his chin "so how bad is my bill drake. I've got a
case of ale and six cases of 1999 California Chardonnay"
"No, no my
friend. Ale and wine are not going to be the cost. As much as the wine has many
lovers on droggin
and I could
easily sell them for many credits."
Bill sighed, now he didn't like this
conversation
"Information
is required, I am sorry I am forced to ask for this by others. Nothing else can
I take as payment"
Bill looked at him
over his glasses "you know that isn't a good thing to ask for I can't give
you that"
"This
information you can...information about you...not unit not strengths just,
you.... Bad price I tell her. Not force me to ask for this but they want to know"
Bill knew then
someone had put the clamps on his sister and shed put them on him her being a droggin fleet
commander "what
kind of information about me..."
The drake blinked
being caught off guard "you
will give the information?"
"Maybe, you
have a list of questions id say" leaning on the arm of his chair with an
elbow
"Yes
a...long one" waiting to see if that would turn him away
Bill figured he
knew they wanted to know more about Cyberhorn, his fighting persona the
one he terrorized them with..."Ok ol'friend, I'll answer the questions,
but only because they have you in a tight spot.
If at any time
I see the question is not about me I will refuse to answer it is that agreeable?"
The droggin
smiled "it will have to satisfy them. You know that it's about you
fighting us."
"Thought as
much". Bill changed the pitch and tone of his voice to Cyberhorns. "They believe that if
they know the only true dragon they can defeat him...they are mistaken".
His friend-shivered
scales rising and clicking as he shook "p-please bill, umm "
He smiled and
relaxed back to his normal voice "sorry bout that. Special ops have been flooding your peoples
Comm. channels with it again I gather?"
"Yes ...far as
droggin it's self"
Bill sighed
last thing he had wanted was children terrorized too. However, it was too late
now in his best droggin which
was only the common form, not the formal which was incredibly difficult for him
to master.
"I give my sadness
to you my true friend, my voice is for those who face me on the field of
battle. Not friends or children, and was never intended for more. I wish it had
never become. Wish it was gone soon from my life" bowing his head to the
droggin
The droggin bowed
his head to him "I accept your sadness and understand it. I too do not
enjoy war."
Looking up at
him "I wish you to know I am recording this for those who wish it, do you
answer my questions freely?"
"Yes, I will do
so in droggin as much as possible so my answers are clear and understandable to
those who wish to know me."
Fal’gateor lifted
up a glowing note pad "why
do you fight?"
"Duty to
my world my race, and to win" with a gentle nod to the Droggin’s image
"What drives
you to be so ruthless against droggin?"
"A droggin
destroyer your classification is a Faltara class, at the battle of Galgaron. Destroyed a shuttle filled
with noncombatants trying to leave orbit. All of those with my blood, those of the female to be my
mate and her all dead, all gone they were given no chance...no mercy the dragon who killed my
first unit and nearly me at the battle they had no weapons. But he/she? Killed
them any ways I found a weapon, a tank
turret I fired on the dragon at point blank range. It was how I got my first
Purple Heart."
His voice
slipped into Cyberhorns even colder and hateful than before
"I give
all droggin the chance to run. To turn tail and flee before I have to fight
them, it is the fools who stay and fight. They are dragons that wish to challenge this true drake for life. They
have not won and will find it harder each time to challenge me thus they die and I live.
For that which does not kill you makes you stronger"
His friend
shook off the chill and continued, "If given the chance, would you seek peace?"
Bill looked
down for a moment the pain and grief screamed in his soul.
"Yes, then
I could put the souls umm the haatar of my blood and mate to rest and mine
could finally"
The droggin
blinked now truly understanding.
"Do you
hate droggin? "
"No"
"Can you be
friends? "
"Well yes, you
and I are good friends. It is the warriors that fight me they must run or die."
He smiled at Fal’gateor
"What is
your favorite color? It is a question that some believe indicates your souls
life, umm it's past"
"I
understand, blue green a color of a stone on earth called turquoise. I have a
ring it was a gift from her to me" he turned his hand to the image so that the droggin could see it
"Ah yes I've
seen this stone. It is not clear?"
"No its
not but its not meant to be"
"Thus some
will think a cloudy soul, but colorful." He referred to the pad again "I would say, you would
want a mate one day?"
"Maybe”
after a moment of reflection “perhaps one day."
"If you were
captured would you be willing to help droggin find peace with humans?"
"It is my duty
to escape, cause the enemy as much problems possible. So, as to limit their resources
available to send to the front lines I need to make every effort to escape. But
I would like to learn more about droggin and its people. You've shown me some
very impressive things my friend"
"So
yes?"
"Yes, but
given the first chance id escape. Its my duty"
"Could you
love a droggin?" he looked at the pad as if he'd read it wrong then looked
up at bill.
"Now that's an
odd question, why would anyone want to know that?"
"I wonder the
same my self. But it is a question they ask"
"Knowing
you my friend, I could in time get to be very close to droggin you’re a good
people. I only wish we knew why this war started why droggin went wild on
humans".
"No one
has ever told me my friend, not even my sister will say"
"Then how
can humans seek peace when we don't know what's wrong. What did this to
our races." They sat silent for a moment the silence was like the silence that had
tied that secret mystery to the darkness of space, words had to be spoken to
break the bonds and then the knowledge would come
"What's
next?"
breaking the spell he sat up a little
"Umm ahh
do you like droggin foods?"
"Yes love the
ale, but ooh god what it does to my head." They both smiled
"Why did
you choose to call your self Cyberhorn?"
"A favorite
picture of my loves was one of a cybernetic unicorn. We saw it at an exposition
on robotics it walked around all day. Do to its programming sought out human
virgins. Base scans gave it data on the females there if one was unmated it
went over to her and gave her a gift. A silver ring with a unicorn etched into
the metal. A unicorn has a single horn rising from its head. So a cyber-horn or
cybernetic unicorn a Cyberhorn"
"But
that's not a dragon of human legend." Fal’gateor looked at him perplexed
"No but she loved the ring, and said to me I
was her Cyberhorn
I was her unicorn,
the white stallion who came to show her love and peace. Pain changed the
unicorn my friend, the rage of seeing my friends and crew engulfed in flames. Then finding out the light
in my life had been killed.” Closing his eyes tightly “A rage, an anger welled
up inside me it burned away the
gentleness and purity. Leaving the dragon of pain and sorrow" his eyes showed the cold
inside his soul and the droggin now knew why this human would never truly lose
he had already died.
"I can
feel that cold chill each time you use that voice."
Bill nodded and
sighed "more?"
"Just one more
actually"
"Good this
has dredged up some Pains id rather left alone." Shifting slightly in his
chair
"If you had
children could you care for them alone?"
"I don't know
honestly, I wanted to have children. We'd talked about it, but she's gone I
haven't given it a thought since." Thinking to himself for a moment ‘lying
to your self now too ehh you old dragon you think about it each time the day
comes
The droggin watched
as a few tears slipped down the cheeks he sighed, looking up at the image. The wound the pain all to
clear
“I offer my sadness
to you my true friend for this has hurt you worse than any weapon my people have tried to use
against you, Please forgive me"
"It’s alright
gateor. I was just thinking how much she really wanted to have a lot of kids.
Couldn't wait 'til our wedding night"
The droggin smiled
"I think you will make a fine father one day"
"Maybe, one
day."
Wiping his eye as he turned away for a moment
"I will need a
meeting place to deliver"
"Have it
already, you do have the F-O-F transponder I gave you"
"Yes, umm
could I perhaps get a little help with a, problem? I will bring you a case of
kaval in payment."
"Your just
full of problems for me today 'smiling as he leaned back' what broke?"
"Reflector
generator."
"Your engineer
kickarta trying to play with the settings and it popped the safety again?"
"Yes"
He chuckled softly
"easy fix she needs to keep her fingers out of that case".
He smiled
"she likes you and enjoys your teasing"
Bill laughed
"figures, here's the spot I'll have a long range scout escort you into the
fleet. Keep them guns of yours in or they'll give ya a few holes to patch" sending the location
"I will do
not worry, we have done this before".
"A friend
reminds so he does not regret. So I do"
The droggin smiled
and bowed his head to him "then I accept the reminder as concern from my
true friend"
and he clicked
the channel off.
=====================================
He soon found the
quartermaster was an old friend. Who owed him and they soon had total access to
the supplies needed to fix the tanks.
After a day or so His
watch beeped a special tone and he turned away from the work and disappeared.
The lieutenant was soon looking for him finally finding him in his room out
cold from drinking.
"Damnit bill
this isn't the time, the admiral and commander general are walking around"
Shaking him an oval locket clinked to
the floor. She stopped and looked at it, inside were the pictures of his
parents, and a tall brunet.
She looked at
the date and sighed "eleven years ago today, damn. I still need you on
deck"
standing up
straight she cleared her throat "SERGEANT! ATTENTION ON DECK!"
His eyes popped
open and he fell onto his feet saluting swaying instantly
"SIR!
Master sergeant William Morris SIR!"
She smiled
"I'm sorry to have to do this to you bill but we've got heavy brass on
deck and I need you on the tanks. Get a quick splash of water and hurry out.
I'll stall them in the trainers"
"Y-yes
sir" he made his way out in a
haze, staggering a little he walked up on the crew dismantling the old 20th
unit. He took the clipboard from the corporal checking off items.
Bill heard the
brass approaching the lieutenant trying to slow them down; he smiled as they rounded the side of the tank skirt.
"There you are
sergeant” came from the general he smiled
"Officer on
the deck!" one of the others popped off they all saluted as the general and fleet admiral walked up with numerous
assistants. The lieutenant and
the unit captain smiled both nodded to him.
The general walked
over and saluted bill "well
sergeant you've had your lieutenant trying desperately to slow us down. How are
you bill?"
"Fine
sir"
"You still
terrifying the droggin with Cyberhorn?"
bill smiled
"I'll take
that as a yes." Turning to the others he put his arm around bills shoulder
"This
tanker flew one of our most advanced interceptors without armament or
deflectors through a blockade screen of white shadows, to get me out of titan station as it was about to
fall. I was badly injured and so was he. I owe this trooper my life and each
time I've served with him. We've had some of our greatest victories and
costliest losses in the same battles usually leaving the droggin running for home terrified of Cyberhorn the
true dragon.” Patting his shoulder firmly which gave bill a jarring he didn’t
need
“Lieutenant one
thing about your getting this trooper; you have to give him a free lead or he
fights you, and not the dragons. He's the best support mechanic earth has, trained some of our best
designers.
He can scare
the droggin just by being there, take care of him and he will make ya a
regimental commander before he gets moved again"
That night after dinner
with the brass, the lieutenant called him to her quarters.
Bill knocked
and entered she was looking out a port at the nebula falling behind.
"Reporting
as ordered lieutenant"
She took a breath "bill
was it wise for me to transfer you to this unit?"
"The admiral
had ulterior reasons besides your request. Another lieutenant was preparing a
court-martial for treason."
She turned and
looked stunned and surprised at him
"I have
sources and friends that could be construed as fraternizing with the enemy. In
fact the main source I have is a
droggin I've known for many years. He's the one who's bringing the parts we
need"
"But
treason!" planting her hands on her hips
"He didn't
like the fact I wouldn't help him be a glory hound at the cost of others lives.
So, he made life hard. I in turn did only what was necessary to his unit fixed
but not improved...” sighing as he shifted a little
“He was a terrible leader and worse ta