Page 62 of Fire Dragon
Liam had served as both warrior and caravan driver for most of his adult life. He’d seen a variety of weapons during his years of service. But he’d never seen anything that could amplify fire the way this device could.
Five hundred warriors served in the Blue Lake South District of the Arranfar Defense Force. But less than twenty percent participated in air battle. The rest worked on the training fields as battle partners for those equipped for flight work.
There were no massive standing armies on Dusane. The nature of the winds helped to contain those dragons of an aggressive and psychopathic nature. But over the years, the Magi had slowly claimed more and more lands and enslaved those they captured, drawing them to the interior of their province usually never to be seen again.
The Magi were an extremely patient and equally aggressive species of dragon. Now they’d developed a weapon of unusual and terrifying power.
“The answer to the unasked question is simple,” Santos said. “We don’t have a response to this weapon. It will be up to those of you who take to the air to discover the nature of it and to figure out a way to counteract its deadly power. That it is a machine and not a natural evolution of dragon ability is what’s going for us.
“We don’t know if it can amplify other abilities, like force. But machines can be destroyed and that is our goal here, to find a way to get close enough to disable it. We also don’t know if they’re bringing six machines or one or a hundred.
“What seems logical, however, given the nature of the fire used to decimate this village, is for those of you who are fire dragons to be on the front lines. You will be able to tolerate the heat while the rest of us can’t.”
Santos met Liam’s gaze then Emma’s. “Liam and Emma will take lead on this. I will be on the com and will keep all the teams informed with technical support. But I expect Liam’s or Emma’s orders to be obeyed. Are we clear?”
The regiment responded as one. “Yes, Sir.”
Liam stood up, faced the ranks then took over. “Fire dragons select your riders. Once you’ve made your choices, the rest of the warriors will do the same. I want everyone fully armed. Those riders with rocket-launching capacity will mount up armed and connect telepathically with Emma and with the Field Marshall. Both coms and telepathy will be used as needed.”
The various section leaders took charge and within minutes every shifting dragon warrior had his rider selected.
“Take the next two hours to get a good meal, hydrate, then meet at your respective gathering points for launch. Pay particular attention to your coms. It won’t do any good to be in the air but to end up deaf or blind. Is that clear?”
Again, the group responded in unison, “Yes, Sir.” The warriors who shifted had ear implants designed to work for dragon or human hearing that never failed to endure a shift intact.
“Dismissed.”
Santos had already left the room.
Liam had to think, to plan, to figure this damn thing out. If the Magi could successfully wipe out Blue Lake South, Liam had no doubt they were prepared to strike additional targets in quick succession. They were militarized, organized and intent on conquering Arranfar.
The village had been a test and a serious warning to the rest of the province: submit or die.
Taking Blue Lake South, even if the entire area had been evacuated, would be a coup of no small magnitude, like opening floodgates that couldn’t be closed.
As the building emptied, he was about to suggest to Emma that they head to her place for a meal when he realized she was unusually silent. She’d also sat back down.
She was his battle partner, a well-trained rider, but she hadn’t seen a lot of action.
He resumed his seat as well then took her hand and held it in both of his. “We’ll get through this. You’re ready. We’ll figure it out. I know we can do this.”
She met his gaze, but her eyes bore a stricken expression. “It’s not that. I’m a soldier and I’m ready.” She huffed a sigh. “But there’s something you need to know.” She rose suddenly to her feet. “Not here. Let’s eat first.”
He nodded and led the way to the east exit where they took to the air and headed up the cliff to her home.
~ ~ ~
Emma tried to talk herself out of telling Liam. But every instinct, including what emanated from the dragon life inside her, said now was the time.
In fact, it was critical he know of the pregnancy, but she had no idea why.
Once on the landing of her home, the sound of the sirens became a much softer peal given the higher elevation.
Evacuation drills involving fifty-thousand people were conducted three times a year. Blue Lake South had more roads leading out of the city than most places in Arranfar.
By the time the Magi arrived, only the dragon warriors and critical HQ staff would be inside the city limits.
She went directly to the kitchen and prepared bacon, scrambled eggs and toast. Liam tried to ask her what she needed to tell him, but she smiled and suggested he make some coffee for them.
