9781939844057 Dragon of the Stars

Chapter One-2

“I spoiled you,” she said, her cheeks rich with laughter, “and you’ve done quite well on your own.”

Aden chuckled, unable to argue her point. His mother fed the remaining bits of cooked meat in her basket and stepped away to admire her collection of dragons.

“I envy their flight,” she said. “To feel alive on the wind and soar over Hyrath. I envy your opportunity to fly a ship on a regular basis.”

He poked at the pebbles with his boots. “I don’t actually fly my ship. But I will soon captain my own vessel.”

“At least you’re not terrified to leave Hyrath’s surface. Last night it took a double dose of Ceteroll to get me on the transporter so I could attend the celebrations at the palace.”

A dragon squawked and landed on the mesh wire. His mother reached out to stroke the creature’s neck. Its emerald coat matched the scarves around her neck and waist. Aden couldn’t recall a time when she’d worn anything other than green, even when other Duchesses donned blue dresses for the Winter Solstice. No surprise she fancied the little green dragons.

“I’m confident that next time I visit, I will be captain of a ship adorned in dragon flames in your honor,” he said.

The breeze pulled at her hair, tugging at the strands holding the long locks in place. She turned into the wind and gazed up at her son, placing a hand on his chest.

“When you command your own ship, no one will be prouder than I, my son,” she said.

Aden covered her hand with his own. She alone understood his passion and drive.

“Thank you, Mother. I wish Father shared your sentiment.”

His mother tendered a comforting smile. “He does. He understands your need to achieve success outside of the family.”

Her hands curled around his and Aden dropped his gaze to their interlocked fingers. “He would’ve preferred I found a way to accomplish that outside of the military.”

“That’s because you are his only son and he worries about you. You’re his sole heir, Aden. Your father is steeped in tradition and wants his lineage to continue.”

Aden lifted his chin. “But it will. Once I acquire my rank as captain, I will ask for Princess Arabella’s hand in marriage. That will secure our family’s standings as well. If that doesn’t please Father and validate my time in the military, I don’t know what will.”

Releasing him, his mother rested a hand alongside his face. “It will. Promise me one thing though.”

“Anything.”

“Don’t waste your affections on someone who does not share your feelings.”

Her request caught him by surprise. Aden stared at his mother, unsure how to respond. She patted his cheek.

“Success is important, my son. So is true happiness in love. My wish is that you find both.”

Aden strode across the open hangar, pack slung across his shoulder. The lights of the hangar did not illuminate the dark beyond the flight line, but that didn’t stop the sea from making her presence known. The ever present breeze carried a sharp tinge of saltiness, a reassuring and familiar smell. He missed it when duty called and sent his ship away from Hyrath.

And this time, we might be gone for a while.

The Ryzell loomed large ahead of him. In the predawn light, her dark hull reflected only the surrounding illumination. The fiery stripes down her side were not apparent until he drew closer. Those marks were unique to each ship and indicated the strength of the vessel. Aden gazed with pride at the numerous splashes of red, orange, and yellow. He envisioned the blaze of colors his own ship would boast one day.

I’ll look like a dragon’s fireball bearing down on my enemies.

Hyrath’s strongest ship, now missing for twenty years, entered his mind. The weapons she possessed, unique and unreplicated in any ship since, were legendary.

Shame the real Dragon never had a chance to earn her colors, he thought.

Bright lights glowed from the Ryzell’s entrance. His feet hit the ramp and a squawk near his head caused Aden to duck. He caught a flash of leathery wings and moved out of the way. Two serpents, entwined in a battle over a fish and oblivious to him or their surroundings, swooped down. Aden swung his pack at the tiny creatures.

“Go on!” he said, disrupting their squabble. “I don’t want the crew wasting time chasing stowaway dragons.”

Uttering another squawk, the pair flitted off into the darkness. Shouldering his pack again, Aden strode up the ramp. The lift sat open and he punched the key for the officers’ level. He had enough time to ditch the bag in his room before reporting to the captain. With three short days of leave, he’d packed light and could empty the pack’s contents later.

Leaning against the wall, Aden smiled, his mind still on the Summer Solstice Festival. Ah, but those three days were worth it.

He passed only one crew member between his quarters and the captain’s office. The remainder would filter in over the next hour. The hum of the ship’s support systems dominated the stillness and vibrated in his ears. The reverberation struck him as unnatural when compared to the noise of daily operations. He preferred the sound of the crew at work. It signified activity. Idleness served no purpose.

Aden pressed the com button and stood at attention outside the captain’s office. “Reporting, sir.”

The doors opened and the man seated at the desk gestured him forward. Aden counted five steps, his focus on the plaque-covered wall behind the captain, before snapping his boot heels together and saluting.

“At ease.”

Relaxing his stance, Aden placed his hands behind him, and let his gaze fall to the captain. Fyall stared at his computer screen, eyebrows together in a rare scowl. The man punched several keys, his fingers moving faster than their girth suggested possible. Two stacks of papers adorned the desk and Aden strained to read the closest text. From his position, the bold lettering at the top was clear: URGENT.

“I hope you enjoyed your leave,” said the captain, still staring at the screen. “It will doubtless be the last for a while.”

“The situation on Kavil, sir?”

“Talks with the Alliance have broken down.” Leaning away from his computer, Fyall looked up at his Lt. Commander. He gave the sheet marked URGENT a tug. “Diplomatic relations are failing as well. We stand to lose more than Kavil in the long run. Hyrath might lose her primary seat with the Alliance.”

“They wouldn’t dare,” said Aden, indignation clutching at his chest. “We earned that position.”

The captain’s ears twitched, the sole outward sign of agitation. It had taken several months of serving under Fyall for Aden to decipher the unusual movement, which often sent ripples across the man’s bald head.

“The threat exists, though no action has been taken,” said Fyall. “No single race could oppose us, but if everyone in the Alliance came against us, we’d be hard-pressed to win that battle.”

Aden began calculating the firepower possessed by the others in the Alliance. Only if the seven races united would they be a real threat.

“It’s difficult to come out on top when everyone is your enemy. Fortunately for us, we aren’t at that point yet.” Fyall grabbed the papers in front of him. “The military has been placed on alert, and patrols doubled. We are to monitor five sectors near the edge of our own solar system. Duration indefinite.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I want every system and weapon double-checked and tested. The squadrons are to perform daily drills until I say otherwise. I want the crew alert and prepared for anything.”

“Yes, sir!”

Captain Fyall nodded. “Dismissed.”

Aden snapped to attention and turned for the door. He had a full day’s worth of work awaiting him.

“And Pendar?”

He paused at the open door. Captain Fyall arched his eyebrows, a smile tugging at his lips.

“Did you enjoy the Summer Solstice festivities?”

“Yes, sir, I did,” he said, allowing a smirk to reflect his confidence.

Confirming their present course a final time, Aden rose from his seat. He surveyed those present on the bridge, assessing the capability of the crew on duty. Most had been with the Ryzell for the past two years and had proven their worth. He noted one exception–the second weapons officer had not seen action under his watch. Considering their current situation, Aden would’ve preferred someone with more experience.

He paused at her station and she sat up straighter in her seat. “Have you run a full diagnostic in the past hour?” he said.

“Yes, sir,” said Ensign Pavott.

Aden tapped the screen over her head to confirm. Not only had she run a diagnostic, but two in the last hour. Everything functioned at optimum capacity. Satisfied but still cautious, he glanced down. Wide eyes stared at him from beneath a cap too large for her head. Aden offered a curt nod and turned to locate the highest ranking officer in the room.

“Lieutenant, you have the bridge until I return,” he informed the navigations officer on duty.

“Yes, sir!”

His stomach growled as he entered the lift. Aden had foregone the afternoon meal, choosing instead to observe squadron drills. A hearty meal in the officer’s club would be most welcome.

Four other senior officers were gathered around the oval table, and the men rose to their feet. Aden noted the captain’s absence and wondered if Fyall was taking dinner in his quarters instead. He considered doing the same, but now that he was here the succulent aroma overpowered the idea.

“At ease,” he said, taking a seat next to the senior weapons officer.

A petty officer from the kitchen appeared at his side and filled his water glass. A fresh basket of rolls materialized by his elbow, steam curling up from the cracks in the flaky crust. Aden tossed one on his plate and reached for the platter of meat.

“The squadrons looked good today,” he said, glancing across the table. The squadron leader lifted his chin, striking a pose fitting the son of a Duke serving on the Council. “I noticed some variation from their normal drills.”

Lieutenant Shadvey leaned forward, fork in hand. “I’m incorporating maneuvers unique to each race of the Alliance. We practice two each day.”

“Might want to train them to defend against all seven at once,” offered the weapons officer. Asher leaned away and placed an elbow on the frame of the empty chair beside him. “They don’t stand a chance attacking us on an individual basis.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” said another officer.

Aden swallowed a mouthful of meat, determined to get food in his stomach. “But we must be prepared. The Council won’t allow Kavil to be taken and the Alliance refuses to acknowledge our claim. If they dare move against us, we’ll be ready.”

Asher nodded, his weathered fingers strumming the table. “Did you catch the report from Hyrath before dinner?”

Tearing a hunk from his roll, Aden shook his head. He’d not had time to check the feed in the past hour. Asher’s narrowed eyes warned he wouldn’t like it.

“They had to use force to dispel the protesters outside the palace this afternoon. Hundreds had gathered and refused to leave in a peaceful manner. Claimed we had no right to control Kavil or its creatures.”

A bark of laughter erupted from Shadvey. “What would they have us do? Renounce our claim and let the planet’s commodities fall into the hands of the Biquentas? Or the Ormentas?”

“Their need of metal compounds isn’t as pressing as ours,” someone said.

“Plus we can’t allow a power source with so much potential to fall into other hands.” Asher met Aden’s gaze, every wrinkle standing out on his sun-baked forehead. “They could convert it into a weapon.”

“You’d love to get your hands on one of those Kargrandes, wouldn’t you?” said Shadvey.

“Of course! Wouldn’t you want your squadrons to be tapped into such a power source?”

“That power,” said Aden, projecting his voice over the others, “could be the difference between our dominance and our downfall as the most powerful race in the Alliance. The common Hyrathian isn’t thinking long term. Nor do they understand what is at stake. Those foolish protesters are wasting resources and time.”

He paused and cast a sly grin at Shadvey. “Would you even know what to do with a squadron powered by Kargrandes energy? I seem to recall a homemade rocket exploding when you gave it too much juice.”

“Had the converter not failed, it would’ve launched,” Shadvey said in protest.

“Instead it took out your mother’s favorite statue. Not to mention it burned the grass to the point it never grew again in that spot.”

The squadron leader hesitated, his mouth open. Aden continued to gaze at him, relishing the chance to tease his childhood friend. A twinkle appeared in Shadvey’s eyes and he smiled.

“My father was furious for months,” he admitted.

“When was this?” said Asher, an eager grin filling his face.

Shadvey leaned forward on the table, fists clenched in earnest. Before he could speak, Aden’s com buzzed. He retrieved it from his belt and noted the captain’s insignia on the screen.

“Yes, Captain?”

“Pendar, report to my office at once.”

Aden’s gaze strayed to the full plate of food in front of him. So much for dinner. In truth, he should’ve eaten earlier. “I’m on my way.”

Snatching a roll from the basket, he stabbed one more slice of meat and tossed it into his mouth as he rose from the table. He’d grab another plate when he got off duty in a few hours.

This can’t be encouraging news, he thought, ducking under a ventilation tube in the corridor.

Upon entering Fyall’s office, the taut muscles across the captain’s face confirmed his assessment. Aden didn’t have time to salute before the man began speaking.

“Our primary seat has been rescinded,” Fyall announced, rocking Aden on his heels. “An official blockade was set in place, cutting us off from all trade and rights to Kavil.”

Aden’s pulse quickened even as a chill settled over his body. “Are we at war?”

Fyall shook his head. “We’re being sent to Kavil, though. I need you to lay a course at once.”

“We aren’t giving up Kavil?’

“The Council refuses. We are to display a line of power against invading Alliance forces.”

“Can we engage?”

“Not unless necessary. The Queen hopes that a full regiment of battleships will be enough to deter them.”

“A mass of vessels that great increases the odds of an incident,” said Aden, thinking out loud.

The captain’s ears twitched and his jaw tightened. “Of that I am well aware. You have your orders, Pendar.”

“Yes, sir!”

Aden relayed the captain’s orders on his way to the bridge. By the time he arrived, they had changed course and increased speed. Glancing once at the main screen, he accessed the computer and relayed orders to all sectors of the ship. With the Ryzell on high alert, he would be on duty until the early hours of the morning.

So much for a late-night snack.

Hunger pangs were the least of his concerns. They were on their way into hostile territory. Aden was determined to keep the crew focused and prepared for what awaited them.

The lieutenant announced their current speed and trajectory. Aden confirmed their arrival at Kavil in a little over two days. The significance of the date caught him by surprise.

Damn, he thought, scowling at the screen. That’s the day of my evaluation.