Drakensang Chapter 2
#3 of Drakensang
...
"Run through the cold of the night as passion burns in your heart
Ready to fight; a knife held close by your side
Like a proud wolf alone in the dark; with eyes that watch the world
And my name like a shadow on the face of the moon.."
-_ Small two of pieces - Yasunori Mitsuda _
Twin superheated laser engines of the Aston-Martin DB9 replica hummed quietly while the car rode the empty street. At the time there wasn't much of a traffic out there, plus the route was actually restricted for military use. Kyle casted quick sidelong glance at the passenger, and back on the road. Though he knew the route like the back of his hand, it never hurt to be extra careful. Especially now.
He slowed the vehicle before the checkpoint, preparing his ID for identification just like he did countless times before. The guards didn't actually checked them. One just looked at him through the windshield, looked at ID, that Kyle holt in between his fingers, while holding both hands on the steering wheel, and simply signalized the others to open the gate.
- Okay, let's see what's available - Kyle said watching in the mirror as guards closed the gate behind them.
He parked in front of the administration building and went inside. After presenting his ID to another guard he entered the main lounge and approached one of the terminals. Holodisplay lit up his face in orange, when he inserted his ID to the reader.
Welcome back Cdr. Kyle Garathy. - he heard a computer voice - Your med-scan is long overdue. Scheduling for next session tomorrow at 7 am. Dr. Joshua Austin.
Yea, yea - he sighed pressing few icons on holo-panel - Show me the flock.
All the Manticore interceptors were not available, probably for maintenance period, but he found couple of Valkiries. There were a few more interceptors in the base, and even couple of Barracuda heavy assault fighters, but only Valkiries had co-pilot seats. On the down side, they were short-range interceptors, which meant, they could only break orbit in it. Manticore could take them as far as the moon, and he planned to take a tour around it, but now that was out of the question.
- V-17 going once... twice... Sold to this handsome motherfucker. - he murmured under his breath, and after successful security check he pulled his ID from the terminal, and went back to his car.
As always in a times like these his inner voice took the opportunity to scold him. He was aware that this wasn't the best sign for his mental state, but as far he kept it on a real tight leash.
"Handsome... You know how trio in the bed is called threesome, and a pair twosome?.. So you're a handsome..."
- Shut up. - he muttered, abruptly noticing that doing so he was close enough to some other pilot, who was now staring at him inquisitively - Not You.
He exited the building promptly, before more awkward situation could arise, and bent over the car, to talk to the passenger.
We have to walk from here - he said - I can't drive the car up to the hangars. Need me to help you get out?
I'm not a cripple Kyle, I can manage. - came a bit tart response.
And give me my drug while you're at it. It's in the locker. - Kyle added when the door at the passenger's side have opened.
What drug?
There's only one drug in there, dad.
After a short bustling about Kyle's father emerged on the other side of the car looking at the small syrette in his hand.
MS-3500 PAX? What's that? - he asked not taking his eyes of the drug - Should I start to worry about you, Kyle?
Not really - He responded extending his arm over the roof of the car - May I?
You're not a junkie, right son?
No I'm not. Do you mind giving me that already?
After you tell me what is it.
Kyle sighed rolling his eyes out. He was afraid of that conversation, but there was no way around it.
MS-3500 Paxochlorine. It's a memory suppressant. I take it only when the symptoms starts to show.
Symptoms?
I've got zapped pretty bad with that Marker shit few years back. It's a self replicating signal that will slowly eat my brain if I don't take the drug. Now would you please give me that, before I start seeing things that aren't really there and end up slicing my freakin' head off?
Is that why you got kicked out of the militia?
I was reassigned.
Is that so?
Yes.
Kyle's father sighed handing over the drug.
We shouldn't leave it like that... - He said finally - you're not some...
Dad, don't. This is what I do, who I am. It's an occupational hazard. A lot of good man didn't make it; I did. I survived and bought myself out of that really cheap. Can we go already and do what we came here to do?
They approached a large hangar containing Valkirie interceptors. Kyle approached one of the maintenance engineers there and asked where is no. 17. Mechanic pointed at the one in the far end of the hangar, already placed on a pad, that was to carry it to the launchpad.
- Right - muttered Kyle making a gesture to his father to follow him.
As they both walked to the interceptor, another mechanic approached the one who spoke with Kyle and they both stared at the pair for a moment.
Don't you think it's a bit... I don't know... Odd? - asked one finally
Around here? - came the response - I wouldn't know...
He watched as Kyle put a small ladder to the side of a cockpit, so his father could get inside, and he himself jumped inside from the other side.
- Maybe we should double-check this with some senior-officer after all... - He wondered
The other one nodded slightly and walked away to report the situation.
As the pad moved, Kyle begun prepping Valkirie for launch. The pre-launch list was short, well shorter than in the Barracuda - interceptor he was accustomed to, but still there was a lot of things to do. He fired-up the engines just as they've met their destination.
Hold on to your boots - he said pressing a few buttons on the console, - V-17 On pad 3 requesting launch clearance, over.
V-17 that's a negative on that clearance. - He heard response in the radio - You are to power down and report to your commanding officer immediately...
Thank you - said Kyle to the radio, and shut it off.
Then he flipped a few additional switches, engaging power boosters to the engines, and adding the afterburner to the fuel. Normally he would be launching with activated launch pad, which altered gravity, making it easier to achieve orbit on with only normal engines. Now he was about to take-off without it.
He hoped there was enough fuel for that... And for return trip.
Are you in trouble, son? - he heard his father's voice from behind.
Nothing I can't handle, dad.
Fighter took-off dragging long, fluffy condensation clouds behind, and passed the atmosphere in a matter of minutes. All clearly displayed in the flight control room. Commanding officer; Capt. Julian Harrison, watched in silence as piloted by Garathy Valkirie entered low orbit, and pondered his next move.
Should we bring him back remotely, sir? - asked the controller sitting on his right.
No. - decided Harrison - He'll be back soon enough. He took SRI.
Are you sure, sir?
Either that, or he'll suffocate. Bring him to me after he get back.
Yes sir.
As soon as Valkirie reached lower orbit, and passed beyond the atmosphere, Kyle cut-off atmospheric jet-engines and switched to dopplers.
Hang on, dad. I'm gonna show you something. - he said laying the fighter back and heading in the direction of the north pole. There was a fleetyard with starship docked in it. Spider-like moorings were wrapped around it tightly, and even from that far they could see worker drones busily swarming it, replacing hull plates.
That's the reason why I got transferred here - He said unable to keep pride of his tone - That's a Paladin-class dreadnought. A Planet-buster... It's mine.
Impressive - he heard from behind - What is she called?
She?
You know. They usually refer to them as 'she'
I'm not. That's an 'it', a machine. For now it is still Finnegnan, but that'll change soon enough.
So, how you gonna call it?
Dragonclaw - said Kyle rotating the fighter to the left, so they both could clearly see the silhouette, as they passed by.
Figures - muttered Kyle's father - You know, I should expect that you've grown out of that.
Who, me? Of dragons? Nah... - he grinned, looking at the instruments in the cockpit - We should get back. We'll run out of air soon.
Oh, don't mind me... I just sit here.
They circled the dock one last time, before Kyle took the course back. He cut the Doppler, and allowed Valkirie to fall freely until they reached the atmosphere, and fighter's wings regained their aerodynamic properties.
V-17 to El-Hazard, requesting landing clearance, over.
V-17, proceed through five-five-eight on pad sixteen. Report to your commanding officer immediately.
Copy - he sighed heavily - V-17, out.
"This will get ugly.." - he thought to himself
- Do you have any idea what kind of pain in the ass you are? - asked dreadfully calmly Harrison looking through some files in the holo-screen on his desk.
Walls of his office were covered with old pictures of airplanes, pilots and the like. There are things that are universal, thought Kyle looking through the window standing at attention in front of Harrison's desk.
Sir. - he responded.
I am fully aware of the reasons why you were sent here, and frankly I don't like it. Your actions should cost you your rank, wages and get you court-martialed in an instant, but it seems that someone at the High Command must like you a lot, and my reports about you are constantly being ignored.
Kyle knew better than to even frown at this. Clearly Harrison was looking for a way to get him, but for some reason he couldn't, and he was in no hurry to give him a reason to pursue that further.
- Let's get something straight, Garathy. - he said - I don't like you. And all that have transpired here gave me all the more reasons to do so. The only reason why I'm not reducing your rank is that by doing so, I would've prolong your presence in my base. And believe me when I'm saying I want you off my playground ASAP, but if you fuck with me again I'll personally rip your cock off and nail it to your forehead; Got it?!. Now get your ass on the med-scan, and don't make me post guards on you. Dismissed.
Kyle saluted firmly and left the office. Harrison leaned back in his chair, after closing the file on the holo-screen and sighed heavily. He looked up again on the video feed from security cameras.
There was something seriously wrong going on in his base, and he was furious he couldn't do a shit about it. Hopefully they'll finishing putting that wreck back together soon, and all of that shit will be on somebody else's head.
He reached under the desk to take the bottle of liquor, still watching the video feed, of Kyle walking through the hangar and talking to somebody on his right.
Except, he was alone...
A new day dawned, streaming the sunlight through the cave entrance; one of this year's last warm days. Sha'Rae stretched her wings happily deciding that she will try to sleep some more. She felt a gentle breeze on her snout, thinking that she forgot to close the window on the night. It was carrying a curious scent with it, that she couldn't recognize.
She dismissed that for later, and tried to pull up the sheets a bit more. She reached lower, and lower, and then suddenly her palm touched something metallic...
METALLIC?!
She pushed herself away from his embrace franticly, as her eyes snapped wide open .
Unhand me, you swine! - she screamed almost panicking
You're welcome - muttered Kyle grumpily, while stretching his own muscles after sleep - Damn, I miss a nice, cozy bed... Paul, Jurgen, you're up?
Sorry, sir - he heard Steinbach through the radio, and his face popped up in the HUD - But you were looking so cute together... We decided to let you two sleep there for awhile... We're off to hunt for something to eat.
I always knew our leader is a hot shot - said Lemarhand popping up below Steinbach - But this takes it onto a whole new level... Wasn't there a regulation against interfering in the indigenous species..?
You watch too much Star Trek, Paul - said Steinbach; his grin threatening to cut his head in two - They are free to cross-breed if they want to... Just make sure she's of age. You don't want to be branded a xeno-pedophile, are you?
Boys, you are gonna get it when you'll come back, mark my words - muttered Kyle, allowing his amusement be heard in his voice - You'll regret not dying in the crash.
Who said we're gonna come back?
I did. Wrap it up before noon, will ya? - said Kyle cutting off the channel, and turning his attention to their scaly guest - Some introductions are in order, I believe.
Sha'Rae was sitting in the far end of the cave, covering as much of herself with her wings as she could. Her knees up to her snout, and her tail wrapped around her legs tightly.
- I would give you some of our rations, but something tells me that you won't tolerate synthoprotein... Besides it does taste like shit...
There was no response; only a pair of green reptilian eyes, watching him from beneath the wings with intensity that could burn holes in the wood. He grinned slightly under his helmet at her attitude.
Fine. - he said standing up - You don't want to socialize, then don't. I have more pressing concerns to attend to.
Why are you keeping me here - came a tart question.
Oh so you do talk after all - he looked back at her.
She shuddered slightly, when the horizontal, cerulean glowing lines of the front shield of Kyle's helmet turned to her. This sight was quite creepy in contrast of the shadows inside the cave.
No one is keeping you here. You can leave whenever you like.
Bullshit...
Think whatever you please - he chuckled - do have in mind that they are probably still after you. Even though we killed a lot of them, I wouldn't be surprised if there were many more looking for you. Or at least in search of their fallen comrades...
And with that he left the cave, leaving her to herself.
Sha'Rae was sitting motionless for like fifteen minutes, before she finally made an attempt to leave the cave. He was speaking truth, no one tried to stop her. She forced herself not to run; her tattered robes have shown too much already. She managed to fold them together well enough, but that wouldn't survive the run. Besides the forest around was old, and thick. Running through it was really a bad idea. And on top of that where should she go. The forest looked the same everywhere, no trail, no signs, nothing.
She walked into a small clearing in the forest, noticing burned ground, and a bunch of trees broken trees, and decided, to walk in that direction. She actually didn't know why. She just feel like she was supposed to. In the end of the trail she saw... Something. She didn't know what was it, but it was clearly broken. She walked closer, cursing her curiosity and froze suddenly, when a large piece of metal fell off with a loud clang.
- I thought I told you, that you can leave - came the voice from the inside and a head emerged from within. It was the one from the cave, she was sure of that. He wore the same metallic, outfit, however this time, he was not wearing his helmet.
She stood there, transfixed for the moment looking into his dark-brown eyes, until he broke the contact looking at something inside.
I-I don't know where to go... - she stammered finally - I'm lost...
Well, I can't help you with that - came the reply - Were kind of strangers in these parts, so... You'll be better on your own.
What is that? - she asked coming a step closer, and cursing herself for doing so.
A big shiny question mark, what else? Look, I was not kidding, when I said I've got stuff to do, so why don't you turn your dragon rump around, and leave?
I'm a Draconian - she spoke before her mind caught up with her maw.
Whatever... Ah, there you are.
Then, there was a sudden explosion inside, and she saw him jumping outside coughing off smoke.
Damn! That was SO close!... Good thing I'm a professional... - He then noticed her and her facial expression. Well if you could call it like that... - You're still here?
I... Need... Help... - she muttered not making an eye contact with him.
Dial 911.
What?
Nothing, nothing - he sighed looking at her. She was shorter than he by the size of his head, he thought not knowing why was this important all of a sudden - What seems to be the problem, ma'am?
Um... That long fur on your head...
You mean hair?
Yes... Are they supposed to be smoking like that?..
Steinbach and Lemarhand have returned an hour after noon, carrying something that looked like boar at first sight. Kyle didn't want to wonder how it looked at second, nor third. He just sit there, poking the coals in the fire with a stick, and Sha'Rae was busy doing nothing, but as far from him as it was possible and not looking odd at the same time.
You know - started Steinbach dragging his gaze from one to another - how in ancient times, men was going out on a hunt and their women stayed behind to tend to the homestead and cook their catch? Don't this bring back memories...?
You're pushing it - said Kyle
How wonderful - muttered Lemarhand not entirely to himself - Another mouth to feed...
Make that 'maw' - corrected Steinbach.
Can it - said Kyle - Where is your sense of hospitality?
It blow up with our ship - said Lemarhand
I left it in my other pants. - responded Steinbach at the same time.
Great. Stuck on this god forsaken world, in the ass-end of the universe, with two cheeky bastards as companions. - Kyle muttered - God help me...
What about the radio? You said yesterday, that you'll take care of that. - asked Steinbach, as both with Lemarhand placed their catch on the roast by the fire
Yea, I did...
And? Is it working?
It... kind of... broke down... and then... exploded.
You did that on purpose, didn't you... - Said Lemarhand as both of them stared at Kyle accusingly
I'm not an engineer, okay? Why would I ever wanted to do that?
To freely fuck your dragon.
She can hear you, you know - said Kyle with an absurdly mellow voice
So? - Asked Steinbach
You know what dragons did to virgins, right? Then remind me, my good man, with whom you've slept recently? Or at all, while you're at it... - You could spread Kyle's tone on a toast. - Incidentally, whatever she'll do to you will be a child's play, compared to my reprimand.
Come on, break it up. - said Paul standing between them - we're on the same side, remember.
Are we? - asked Steinbach - You heard what he said. He blew up that damned radio. How can you tell he didn't do that intentionally?
If I would want your dead mister Steinbach I wouldn't drag your sorry ass out of that wreck before it blew, wouldn't I?
God knows what you're up to. Everyone knows your brain got fried back on the Gemini V.
And that makes me not responsible for any sudden violent outbursts, right? - Kyle's voice was now steel-cold. Just like his gaze. - If I gut you, and splatter your insides over that freakin' cave wall, they won't blame me, won't they? It was that damned marker signal in my brain, that made me do this, right? Wanna try your luck, badass?
Wow! Easy, easy! - Lemarhand tried to forgo again the upcoming escalation - We're all stressed now, right. We're doing and saying things we don't really mean, right? We really don't need any of this. We're in deep enough shit here as it is. You should really take a time-out, before this gets out of hands.
He said that to both of them, but was clearly looking at Kyle while he was saying.
- Fine - stated Kyle tartly, and stood up - I could use a change in scenery.
He walked out of the cave, and doing so he mashed Steinbach with his shoulder, almost making him fall.
Why do we have to put up with this shit? - asked Jurgen to Paul
He's right about one thing - stated Lemarhand - You owe him your life. Keep that in mind next time you start comparing him to a marker-head.
Sha'Rae was sitting quietly observing the whole situation from her place, with some distress. Was she the reason they were fighting, or she missed something? She couldn't decide whether she should go, or stay. Finally coming to a decision she slipped out of the cave, not wanting to attract unnecessary attention.
She found Kyle at the wreckage, looking for something in a sturdy-looking box. He turned around to face her, bearing that cold look, and sighed.
Oh, it's you...
What was that all about? - she asked shyly - Was it because of me?
Nah... That is normal between males. Like Paul said, we're all stressed out, and we need to let off some steam every once in a while...
So... What now?
You've said you want to get to the city...
Drakensang, yes...
I'll walk you there. - he said pulling a rifle from the box.
He re-checked the extended clip, and charged it with a wide swing of his arm.
Unless you don't want to anymore. - he said looking at her, while placing the rifle in the clamps on his hip.
Let's go - she said with as much confidence as she could muster.
Hold on - said Kyle suddenly - just one more thing.
He gathered some soot from the burned out area and inscribed three marks on the clear part of the hull.
What is that? - She asked looking at the inscription.
A message.
What kind of message?
They will know. - answered Kyle grinning to himself.
Ah, yes. They'll know everything.
He smiled at her, and they started walking through the forest.
- What is that? - asked Steinbach gazing at the sign.
They came there next morning, to find Garathy, and talk with him calmly, this time, about everything, but he was nowhere to be found. And that sign...
It's a message for us. - said Lemarhand looking around, but he couldn't find any trace of here he could go.
Then why it's written in that marker gibberish?
Because he won't come back.
I don't get it...
You remember of what you were accusing him yesterday? Well, there you have it.
Well, what is it saying?
C, U, exclamation.- said Lemarhand placing his index finger below each mark, and read the whole, looking at Steinbach meaningfully - See you!
Actually, I'm sure he was proud of you - continued Paul as they walked back - You saw his weakness, and used it against him. He would be writing his recommendation now, I can bet. He said to me before the launch, that you were supposed to be his first officer after Jamison, but they assigned Wyndham.
Then why did he left?
Because he's afraid - said Lemarhand, shaking his head sadly - That's why he wrote this like that. Afraid that you might be right...