Phantom Regency

Dragon

Reptilian strength

Scales and Claws

Fierce Beauty

Calls my soul

Ancient power

Phantom king

Fill me sweetly

Give me might

Mystery beast

One with me

I surrender

I am yours

-Kaelin Vlademor 540 GE

It had been more than two years since Ennika Torkul had seen the Great Dragon. Her internal unease had not abated. Every time dragons were mentioned, she felt sick in her gut. Thankfully, she saw little of Voldruss and he was the only one who was enthusiastic about them.

She had spent several months putting the new flagship through its paces. She had deliberately picked fights wherever possible. The Deathbringer was now equipped with more of the latest weapons. Voldruss had focused most of the resources of the Authority on weapons development and ship construction. The time was approaching when they would wade into a galaxy in turmoil and conquer.

She was impatiently awaiting word on the whereabouts of Talon Vasloch. The spy networks of the Authority and the Regency were searching. She could not overtly operate outside Authority territory but when they learned where he was, her orders were to infiltrate and destroy.

She walked onto the bridge with her two massive bodyguards at her side. She had searched the galaxy for the strongest, most capable fighters. Luxxor and Dak were each capable of taking down Talon Vasloch alone. Together they would crush him. Whether they met in ships or in person, she was confident of victory.

“Status report,” she ordered.

“We shifted into the system twelve minutes ago. No sign of Evanthan patrols,” the duty officer replied.

“It won’t be long. Load all weapons. Prepare for combat. Remember they have to fire first. We want to provoke them.”

A few minutes later the tactical officer reported, “I have two targets approaching. They are demanding our identification.”

“Intercept course. Maintain silence,” she ordered. She took her place in the captain’s chair and activated her tactical display.

“They are asking us to reverse course immediately.”

“Slow to flank speed. 90 degrees port. Let’s give them something to wonder about.”

“I have profiles on the ships. Two Nest class carriers. They are launching small craft. Should we counter?” a weapons officer reported.

“Negative. Do not launch. We have a surprise in store if they attack. Arm the death cloud launchers.”

Dozens of Evanthan Condor fighter craft approached rapidly. The mother ships slowed and matched course with the Deathbringer just out of cannon range. The Condors drove straight at the massive Authority flagship. They were extremely agile and difficult to shoot down. They were designed to take out enemy sensors and weapons quickly to allow the mother ships to attack safely. They came right up on the Deathbringer’s phantom field and then peeled off flying around all sides of the ship. They did not fire as they would if they were strafing. They were trying to intimidate their foe.

One of the pilots miscalculated and his ship contacted the phantom field. The phantom energy field immediately drained all its power and it tumbled through straight at the ship. This was Captain Torkul’s opportunity.

“He’s trying to ram us,” she said, not because it was true but because it would justify her subsequent actions. “Fire death clouds!”

Hundreds of canisters mounted all over the Deathbringer suddenly flashed explosively. Millions of pellets of dense metal were flung out in all directions. There was no escape for the Evanthan pilots. The cloud of debris was too thick to be evaded. All of the Condors erupted into flame.

“Send to the carriers: You have attacked an Authority ship without provocation. Lower your phantom field and surrender immediately. You will be released after an investigation is completed. You have ten seconds to comply.”

An answer came back immediately. “This is Captain Ivy Nightcaller of the EDF Stronghold. Your demands are outrageous. It is you who have invaded and attacked without provocation. Reverse course and leave Evanthan territory or we will attack.”

Captain Torkul turned to the weapons officer. “Give her our reply.”

The Deathbringer fired a huge continuous beam of phantom energy at the nearest carrier. Its phantom field began losing power rapidly.

“The dragon beam is working captain. Their phantom field is at 64% and dropping,” The weapons officer reported.

The two Evanthan carriers charged rapidly and began desperately firing cannons.

The Deathbringer rocked under the assault but her armor held. In moments, the carrier’s phantom field flickered out and Deathbringer began pummeling the helpless carrier with phantom blasters. Huge holes were gouged in her hull and numerous explosions gutted her as critical systems were damaged.

“Cease fire,” Captain Torkul ordered, “Let them survive. Prepare for a broadside on bogie 2. Load Vasloch cannons.”

The Deathbringer turned its flank to the approaching carrier. The drill shaped projectiles from the Vasloch cannons ripped into her armor. After two barrages the second Evanthan ship was left a smoking, mangled mess.

“Begin the rescue operation. Take them all alive.”

A week later they reported to Anvarr, the capital of the SERPENT Authority. The CEO boarded the Deathbringer. Voldruss was fatter than ever and he had a somewhat maniacal hunger in his eyes. Ennika Torkul’s distaste for him increased.

“My dear, dear Ennika. It has been way too long. I am most pleased with your engagement at the border. The newly independent Evanthans must be kept off balance. I have sent an official apology. No further action seems necessary at this point. However, once the war starts you can be sure they will set their sights on us.”

A beautiful woman in a black robe came in after him. The robe was held by an ornate metallic belt with a sheathed dagger hanging from it.

Voldruss had a large snake hanging over his shoulders. He caressed its head as he spoke. “I have been breeding them. This beautiful creature is a hybrid of the great sea dragons. It is adapted to life on land and is trained to attack.” He glanced at her with an evil smile.

Ennika ignored his pet and returned to the topic at hand. “The Evanthans will be in for a big surprise if they attack us. Our mercenary fleet of former pirates is positioned in the area and we have built up all the border colonies,” she said, “Now, what are we going to do about the Dominator?”

They walked into a conference room and took seats.

“We need not be concerned at present. One ship alone in the galaxy does not worry me in the least. Captain Anslar will make a mistake soon enough and it will be his last. The greater picture is clarifying. Indeed, all the pieces are in place, except for two. Our rogue captain and the heir of Yoshun continue to elude us. Unfortunately, our intelligence forces are quite lacking. I would have thought the M.S.P. would have procured their location by now, but it seems their leader has been eliminated. I am afraid our foes are being greatly aided by alien forces.”

“Alien forces? What do you mean, the Sky Man?” Ennika replied sarcastically.

“Ennika, do not be naïve. The entity known as the Sky Man is indeed real, as real as our friends the dragons. He was one of them before he fell into pride and egomania. He demands worship and adoration for his help. The fools fall all over themselves talking about how great he is. Yet, he does give them power.” He paused. “But we have power as well. Allow me to introduce Kaelin Vlademor. She is a Dragon Seer. She came to me some weeks ago. I am most impressed with her, shall we say… commitment.”

Torkul simply nodded.

“It is an honor to meet you,” Kaelin responded.

“She has the singular ability to commune with the Great Dragon from anywhere in the galaxy. She has been illuminating me in this gifting. It is simple in its usage. His universe parallels our own. When she is one with him, we may ask him questions through her. Perhaps the Great One can assist us with the whereabouts of Talon Vasloch.”

Captain Torkul could barely contain her scoffing. “And what does all this have to do with me?”

“Why, my dear, the seer is going to accompany you to find and eliminate our targets. Let us begin now and follow her lead. I guarantee you; they will be in our hands within a week.” He turned to Kaelin. “Shall we show our esteemed captain how effective your gift can be?”

“Of course,” she replied. “Would you dim the lights and turn up the heat in the room?”

Voldruss nodded at Torkul, who complied.

Kaelin drew the Dragonblade and laid it on the table. She produced a small cylinder. She pushed a button on the side of it, put it to her lips and inhaled deeply. She sat with her eyes closed for several minutes. The room got hotter and hotter. She began making gurgling noises in her throat, and then began making hissing and growling sounds. Her eyes rolled back into her head. The noises did not sound human to Ennika Torkul. She fought anger, fear and nausea.

The snake creature tightened its grip on Voldruss’s shoulders, reared back its head and hissed. The crimson blade of the knife glowed brightly. The lights in the room flickered.

Ennika caught a glimpse of something hovering over Kaelin’s head. It was a barely visible, smoky dragon shape. It was not large or menacing. When she focused on it to get a better look it disappeared. It seemed to reappear in her peripheral vision when she looked away. She did her best to block it out of her mind.

Kaelin suddenly stood and cried out, “O Great Dragon, I open my mind, my heart, my soul. Take me. Use me. I give my body, my mind to you. I renounce all control.”

She arched forward and gripped the table. Her eyes flashed open and glowed yellow. She spoke again. Her voice was now deep and melodious. “Who calls upon the Great Dragon?”

“It is I, your greatness, Baldarr Voldruss.”

“I see you now. Greetings to you, and to you Ennika Torkul,” the voice spoke through Kaelin.

Ennika was terrified at the mention of her name. She was furious at herself for her fear. What was wrong with her? Why did this bother her so much? She fumed at Voldruss. She loathed this dragon witch. Her emotions boiled inside her.

“Captain Torkul is in need of some information, oh power of powers.”

“Let her ask,” said the voice.

Ennika Torkul cleared her throat and willed her stomach to calm down. “I am seeking the location of Talon Vasloch and the heir of Thaxius.”

“They have already fallen into my first trap. Should they escape they will go to a place where you can finish them off. I know not what you call this place, show me a chart.”

Captain Torkul activated the holo-map on the conference table. Kaelin’s hands manipulated the map. She pointed to a spot in Authority territory near the Regency border. “Here. In six days’ time, they will be delivered to you.”

Kaelin’s body convulsed and she slumped down into her chair.

“That’s the Thorkell Staging Grounds. No one knows its location but a few flag officers,” Torkul said.

“And Talon Vasloch,” Voldruss replied, “I leave the seer with you. Her every need is to be met. Follow her guidance. Kill them, Ennika, kill them!”