“I will. What’s the special occasion?”
“Our anniversary,” Krystis smirked.
“Don’t be foolish,” spat Drogan, “You know that’s not for another solar cycle.” The two shared an uncomfortable laugh that let them both know how serious the situation was.
“The Higher Order has suspicions about your loyalty,” Krystis’ smile flattened out instantly.
“Allow me to assuage them. What have I done to disturb my sleeping overseers?” said Drogan.
“You encountered a human ship on the planet Neptune. Darven and Regalon recognized the signature of your nanotech gauntlet on that same ship, the Arcadia, in the rings of Saturn,” said Krystis. It had been hard enough for Drogan to “explain” how he had stolen the AI security gauntlet from a distant human settlement. The last thing he needed was more draconic eyes on DA-Vos. It was all the Squire could do to shove down his terror, so Krystis wouldn’t sense it. Drogan didn’t even have a chance to marvel at the fact that he’d just heard not one, but two more Dragon names. Two others like him he hadn’t known existed. “They… escaped you?”
“I underestimated the crew. Humans, when they gather in numbers, can be… more than we expected,” Drogan explained. Krystis ran a wandering talon along the edge of the Watcher’s Fountain as she circled her dark-armored charge.
“So Darven and Regalon discovered, on Saturn. It was a party of three that left to follow up on your scouting strike… we lost one, because the humans have discovered a way to turn our very blood against us,” smoldered Krystis, “The same humans that you let escape.” Drogan raised his talons to the dull sky in a demonic shrug.
“How could you expect me to best these humans alone, that fended off three of us, and took one down?” Drogan countered, “I did what I could.”
“You’re not just any one of us. Crusader,” Krystis simmered, “Besides, why didn’t you report it?”
“They scrambled my brain with a sound. I couldn’t be sure they wouldn’t hear me,” Drogan explained. He stopped Krystis?
? circling with an outstretched claw. He unfolded the fingers of his dark gauntlet around a stack of files and memory drives. It was enough to tilt even the deep ruby scales of Krystis’ head. “If doubts still remain… take this. The research from Neptune’s Labs. That’ll show you how the humans came up with this horrendous sound. It had nothing to do with me. I… I tried to stop them.” Drogan channeled his confusion, his panic, into the guise of remorse. Krystis’ jade eyes scanned him for another second of suspicion.
“You seem sure,” Krystis nodded. The scales of her fingers slid down between Drogan’s, over the files.
“I am,” he said. Krystis curled her claws around his offering. “This may be enough to convince the Higher Order. But what of me?” Her ruby talons fell away, only for her armored chest to move in. She pressed up against Drogan. “Convince me of your… loyalty.” The tip of her fangs grazed Drogan’s scaly neck.
“You…” Drogan’s hot breath rolled over her face. For less than a second, he honestly considered giving in to the desire that burned through both of their chests. But, under it all, reason remained. He couldn’t afford the mental tangle that came with the physical. “You’ve made it abundantly clear to me before, that the Higher Order’s opinions are the only ones that matter. Give them the research. I’ll be seeing you.”
“Drogan, wait,” Krystis reached for him, “Aren’t you… lonely?” Drogan put his dark head down. His eyes shone yellow in the reflection of the liquid Chrysum of the Watcher’s Fountain.
“You’re damn right I am. I’ve flown for you…I’ve fought for you… and the first time I hear another one of our names is when I’m accused of treason?” Drogan smoldered. He chanced a glance back at Krystis, one of true feeling. “Yeah, I’m lonely.” He turned back for his hovel.
“Drogan,” But he wouldn’t turn. Not for her.
“Machaeus,” Drogan rumbled, as soon as his backside found his cot. He gave the silent Watcher all of five seconds to answer. “Machaeus… answer me, damn you.”
“Drogan, don’t,” DA-Vos shuddered from his gauntlet.
“Go cower in the corner of it suits you, but I’m sick of this. You never had a choice, DA-Vos. You were programmed to be what you are. You never tasted freedom. You may not understand, but I’m doing this for you too,” said Drogan.
“What is it? Speak freely, if you weren’t already,” Machaeus’ voice shook the inside of Drogan and DA-Vos’ collective mindspace.
“The Higher Order sent Dragons to Saturn, and they ended up in a firefight with the crew of the Arcadia!” Drogan roared back. DA-Vos’ light flickered yellow. Whether it was for Drogan or Machaeus, he couldn’t decide.
“Did you forget I tune into your conversations with Krystis?” Machaeus boomed back. But Drogan hadn’t forgotten.
“Did you forget that you promised me we would prevent a war? This is quickly resembling the start of a war!” He clenched his talons, half-expecting Machaeus to finally materialize after all this time. He was twice as shocked when the Watcher’s voice came back calm.
“I understand your frustration, Drogan. But there is still a way to prevent war. It will mean a smaller battle. A harder one, for you.”
“Anything. I… won’t let it all be for nothing,” Drogan snarled.
“The Arcadia. It’s the key to convincing both sides. Misdirecting them away from one another,” said Machaeus.
“Don’t leave me in riddles now,” Drogan grumbled.
“The Arcadia is the only ship equipped to get anywhere near Mukurus. The Dragons have no idea where Earth is. You get your hands on that ship and set it on an aimless course to nowhere. The Dragons will follow it wherever it goes,” said Machaeus.