CHAPTER 10 - THE DRAGON
Leaping from rooftop to crumbling rooftop. Anaya carefully carried CAL’s ruined husk across the village. Struggling at times to hold on to his near half ton husk, she couldn’t help but look down on those hiding in the rubble. The crying faces of children, the shock of wounded warriors, the despair of mothers and fathers as they watched in horror as Anaya carried the body of their champion. It was a tough sight to bear, to be the focus, the warrior bearing the flag of defeat and hopelessness high above your friends and family.
It was almost as hard as it was to not join her brother against the dreaded borg. She had the utmost confidence in her brother’s skills and abilities, but against Negas, the monster who murdered so many of their people and nearly killed CAL. She felt a fear like never before creeping across the entirety of her body. A fear she hadn’t felt since she was a tiny child falling from the vines of the jungle; The fear of death.
She quickly shook the thought from her mind as she kicked open the doors to the Palace. The Augments in her legs hummed with every movement, glowing bright with the flex of every muscle as she scaled the numerous floors of the regal tower. Reaching her father’s grand door, she yelled for the guard to open the door before caving them in herself. Dropping Cal in the middle of the floor, her Father and the guards surrounded her.
“By the gods, my girl, what happened to CAL?” Elder Tiwat knelt next to her, placing his hands on her shoulder and on CAL’s haggard body.
Anaya slowly lifted her head up, meeting his gaze with tear filled eyes, “He fought Negas, he was too wounded to match the borg. He massacred him.”
Gesturing for his guards to carry CAL to the bed next to the window, he embraced Anaya with the warmest hug she had ever felt. Holding her tight as she wept tears of fear and worry.
“Dry your eyes my princess. Dry your eyes and look on with hope.” He grabbed a towel from the table next to them, wiping his face and gesturing for a guard to bring her some water.
Handing the glass to her, she drank deeply as Elder Tiwat continued. “I will make things as right as the stars. The day has not been lost yet, and I will have CAL on his feet once again. Thus is my duty to protect the villages and its people.Your duty, however, lies elsewhere.”
“Elsewhere? But I need to fight, to protect everyone.”
Helping her to her feet, he smiled warmly. “”Yes, yes it is. The time will come for you to uphold your warrior’s honor, but right now, you need strength. Go now to the Storage Cabin north of the cattle farms and look for a button hidden within. There you will find an heirloom of devastating power and nauseating greed. It has been entrusted to every Elder as a ward against the dark times, and I see none darker than this.”
Anaya stood aghast at this news, “You should take it Father, you are still the Elder.”
He laughed a laugh far too joyous for the grimness that surrounded them. “Were I 20 years younger and 40 pounds lighter I would take you up on that offer. But it is not my place, I am old and wizened far more than I am strong and foolhardy. Know that I pass this heirloom, this Dragon on to you, and mark my words, you shall be the elder of our people once this war is over. Now go! We have precious little time before his force reaches the Palace doors.”
“Yes, Father!”
Without another word, She ran off to the cabin, flying through the trees and rooftops like an animal.
“Now what am I to do with you Warrior CAL.”
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Ripping the cabin door off its hinges, and rifling through the shelves. Anaya knocked down a plethora of items, finding the first shelf lacking and the second equally devoid of what she was looking for. A similar result for the remaining shelves, until she reached the top of the final shelf. Knocking down a box of old gears, a single glowing button no larger than her thumb sat comfortably on the wall.
She slammed the button and much to her surprise, the entire floor opened like an X. Dropping her and everything else in the room down the 40 meter Hole below. Landing on All fours, Ayana quickly flipped back to her feet, cautiously scanning the room. Dropping her guard, as she took in the grandeur of her surroundings.
{“The Tibetet Armory…”} The shock was clear in her voice, she was completely unprepared for this. “Father never said it was here!”
Surrounded by wall to wall weapons and armaments of warriors of a bygone age. Many weapons were familiar to her, retro versions of the spears and blades they used today. Guns collected from both the pirates and those of older invaders filled dust covered racks against the walls. Though as she began to walk through the armory, the weapons and armor began to look far more alien in design. Labels on the firearm racks listed some guns as RS-44, AK-47, Damocles 666 Halo Cannon, .64 Hell Cracker, .44 Magnum, Pindad SPR-2.
{“Forgive me ancestors, I am not worthy of being in the presence of your weapons and trophies. I defile your grave only to find what my Elder claims will save our greatest warrior.”}
Continuing to walk through the armory, she spots a sign on the wall, its words almost indecipherable.
{“The old tongue… Curse my uncaring nature during classes.”}
Attempting to sound out the words as she follows a line of arrows repeating the sentence.
“HEY-VIE BOw-Dee FR-AM-ee AH-EEYD. UNK-NOUN IN-er-Gee STO-RA-gee AH-EEYD”
{“IN-er-Gee? Warrior CAL calls Drenline IN-er-Gee. Hope it’s the same thing.”}
Following the line of arrows down a twisting and winding set of hallways, she eventually stood in front of a set of double doors. Locked with a rusty chain, Anaya easily ripped them off. Kicking the doors open and entering a room far smaller in scope than the Armory.
The room was roughly 20 by 20 meters in size. Several enormous computers lined every wall bar the back wall, each humming as if they were in standby mode. However, the centerpiece of the room easily caught Anaya’s attention.
{“Armor?”}
Large yet sleek in design, the Gunmetal black suit of armor stood on a platform in the middle of the room. Well over three dozen wires and cords were implanted into its back, arms and legs. Each connected to the ceiling and reemerging against the walls, plugged firmly into one of the computer towers.
Walking into the room fully, Anaya jumped as the computers whirled to life. The lights of the room flickering on and the cords connected to the suit sparked. A wall of blue light slid gingerly across the room, passing through the confused Anaya without harm. Already on edge, she jumped again as a thunderously earthen voice began speaking from behind her.
“Interesting… Scans show you are indeed human despite your… ‘Inhuman’ proportions.”
Anaya spun around, bringing her spear down upon the blue figure. Only for the attack to faze straight though it.
{“A Spirit! The Guardian of the Armory!”}
“Hmm… A language barrier? That won’t do at all! Computers analyze every word she has said since entering the Armory. And for the Empire’s sake, what am I in? 4K? Increase visual graphic quality to 420K Emperor’s Definition.”
The 2D projection faded momentarily, return as a near life like hologram of an older black human. His gray dreadlocks tied back neatly, a pair of black rimmed glasses sat low on his face. Wrinkles, not of age but stress, line his face. His attire, a white lab coat, light green dress shirt and black khakis, gave him an aura of exhausted authority.
{“That’s better. Young lady, I am attempting to speak to you in your native language. Can you understand me?”}
{“I understand you Armory Guardian, must I defeat you in combat to claim the supplies?” }
This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.
“Hmm… It appears tribalism has taken the camp. Will need to document the extent at a later date.” He muttered to himself as he wrote several notes down on a notepad.
{“I am afraid that will not only be improbable but quite literally impossible. I’m a hologram of the Human Based Artificial Intelligence of Dr. Miles Kilo. That is H.B.A.I. for short, and I am unequivocally sure I am your ally at this moment.”}
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Anaya stood unflinching in front of the hologram, her spear held firmly in her hands ready to strike at the phantom at a moment’s notice.
{“Guardian speaks of friendship and alliance, but gives nothing to support claims. Why should I trust it?”}
{“Your wariness is far from unwarranted given the situation, therefore allow me to offer insights and clarifications.”}
The good doctor began cleaning his glasses, leaning on the doorframe as if he were a physical being.
{“The considerable rumble of chaos above us is undoubtedly the result of a pitched battle, correct?”}
Anaya nodded cautiously.
{“Good, good! Thus I suspect your Commanding officer, devoid of alternatives, released the classified documents containing the location of this Experimental vault. With the clear hopes that the long kept secrets contained within would even the battle or win it outright. I believe this is correct as well, yes?”}
{“Father sent me to collect the Great Dragon of the Armory.”}
{“Ah, the preeminence of deduction rules the day once more! If you are the commander’s progeny, full access to this facility’s systems are your’s by default. I merely need a blood sample for proper linage verification.”}
Anaya felt a sudden sharp pain in her foot, jumping back and falling to the ground. She looked at her foot in utter confusion as it bled
{“Foul Guardian! You use bladed magic to strike me?!”}
Dr. Kilo Scoffed at the mention of magic. {“Magic? I merely took a blood sample with one of the myriad of tools available to me within the walls of this room.”}
Anaya opened her mouth to speak but a quick finger raise silenced her.
{“A moment of silence please, I must scan your blood to verify access.”}
He remained silent for several moments as Anaya rose back up to her feet. Murmuring to himself as several small screens appeared around him. Those screens multiplied into a dozen screens, a dozen to three dozen and Three dozen to hundreds. Each and every one scrolling through millions of files and videos worth of information. His eyes looked wide, filled not with terror, but disbelief.
{‘One… One moment while I… Calibrate this information.”}
He disappeared instantly, leaving Anaya searching the room for him.
The Lights and power of the room surged with energy. Blowing out several of the lights and causing two of the computers to outright explode as an electronic roar tore through the room. It terrified Anaya, being a completely inhuman roar of rage and fear.
Running to the corner of the room she held the entirety of the room at her spear point terrified of what the Hologram might do.
{“My apologies.”}
Dr. Kilo reappeared beside the Suit.
{“The realization and complete comprehension of the passage of time between my activation and your arrival was… Traumatic. Regardless of the 10,000 Year time lapse, this suit is most definitely yours.”}
Gesturing to the suit, he stepped to the side, allowing Anaya to look at the suit.
{“How does Dragon armor work?”}
{“Hmm… A most excellent question! Allow me to elaborate on the design and abilities as you inspect and equip this masterpiece, my organic self put together.”}
Clearing his throat, he began walking around the suit. Marveling at it as he spoke.
{“The Great Dragoon or KingTaker Armor was designed by myself and Doctors Lith Afra and Yeo Yorinobu. Specifically to enable our men to battle the Zard on their harsh jungle homeworlds. Unfortunately it never left this planet after our ship was forced upon this planet’s surface. The KingTaker, though appearing solid to the human eye, is in actuality trillions upon trillions of nanomachines. Once equipped the KingTaker will adhere and absorb into the flesh of the user. Bonding with them on a cellular and cerebral level to such a degree it can be activated and deactivated on your own mental beck and call. It grants improved regeneration, enhanced durability, extreme heat and cold resistance up to 500 degrees and negative 200 degrees fahrenheit. Mobility with the KingTaker is equal to your own natural capabilities. Increasing both Speed and Agility slightly, but not enough to damage your own body. In addition to the jet pack and thrusters placed within the wrists, calves and hips, it includes a selection of weapons designed for jungle and urban combat. Top and bottom mounted wrist blades, Shoulder mounted rocket packs, a plasma rifle, a whip capable of functioning as a grapple and last but certainly not least, ocular beams installed directly into your eyes. There are however several… considerable drawbacks to the KingTaker once fully integrated into your body.”}
Anaya touched the armor, seeing it move and flex as her finger made contact.
{“Drawbacks? Does Guardian mean weaknesses? What weaknesses does Dragon Armor have?”}
{“A multitude to be frank. The most prevalent of which is the permanent bonding to your DNA. Once it has bonded 100% to your genetic structure it is a part of you forever. Even in death the suit will live on, absorbing your physical form and adding your consciousness to the two dozen others within the suit. Though if you care more for practical weaknesses of the physical variety, it has plenty of those. While resistant to minor EMPs, a large enough blast theoretically could shut down the nanomachines for an indefinite amount of time. Though regeneration over most wounds or even lost limbs is possible, I would even say highly probable. The nanomachines will overheat if you take too many grievous injuries. I should also mention, all previous users who found themselves unfortunate enough to suffer decapitation, learned in near instant fashion it was permanent.”}
Walking up beside Anaya as she continued to inspect the suit, he laid his holograph hand on her shoulder.
{“Are you prepared to take mantle of this suit?”}
{“I did not understand most of what you said, but rules of Dragon armor are hit hard, hit fast, hit many times, do not get hit?”}
{“In layman’s terms, yes.”}
{“Warrior CAL will love this!”}
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Meanwhile, not too far away…
(See intro chapter for details between now and then.)
Several dozen raiders lie scattered around the area, even more lie in a bloodsoaked pile in the center of the village. Scores of ships, shredded to pieces, lie ruined and flaming around the center, creating a ring of fire. CAL stood tall upon the pile of bodies. His damaged frame covered head to toe in blood and viscera, an energy blade in one hand, and a mace in the other freshly attached limb.
“You can come out now, Negas, the arena’s all set up for us.”
The sputtering boom of a ship’s takeoff thrusters caught CAL’s attention. Looking to the left he saw one of the last of the fighter ships cautiously hover into the ring. Standing atop the hull, Negas, in all his biomechanical terror. A sickeningly pleased smile graced the wired mess of his face.
“I’M GRATEFUL, YOU DID THE HONORS OF BUILDING SUCH A GRAND BURIAL SITE OUT OF THE MUD LICKERS’ VILLAGE, DROID! IT WILL BE A FINE MARKER OF CONQUEST ONCE I TAME THIS SAVAGE ROCK! IN FACT, I’M SO GRATEFUL, I BROUGHT GIFTS FOR YOU!”
Lifting the hatch to the ship, he grabbed several items and threw them down to CAL. Landing at his feet with a disgusting smack, were the heads of the eight warriors who distracted Negas, including Protector Kubrow.
CAL stood in silence, staring at the faces of his friends.
“NOTHING TO SAY DROID? NO SMARTASS COMMENT OR QUIP? HAVE IT SHAKEN YOU THAT MUCH? WELL, I’M NOT DONE YET!”
Reaching into the ship again, he slowly lifted Gerin out of the ship by his head. For the most fleeting of moments… CAL felt relief. That feeling was crushed as he lifted him out the rest of the way, follow his head was the mutilated remains of his friend. Barley hanging onto what remained of his spinal cord, his torso flopped lazily in the wind, as Negas laugh madly.
“WHAT? WERE YOU EXPECTING MERCY FOR THE CHILD? DID YOU THINK I’D LET HIM LIVE JUST TO TAUNT YOU WITH A CHANCE OF SAVING HIM? DON’T MAKE ME LAUGH!”
The sky darkened over them as the storm fierclely increased in intensity, all the while CAL stood motionless even as the winds threatened to tear the very ground out from under him.
“THIS PATHETIC CHILD, THIS PIECE OF FILTH BENEATH MY BOOTHEEL MARKS ANOTHER FAILURE ON YOUR HANDS. BUT DON’T CONCERN YOUSELF WITH TAKING IT OUT WITH THE REST OF THE TRASH, I’LL DO IT FOR YOU.”
Negas lifted his arm to throw Gerin’s body into the fire below only to feel a sudden and crushing pressure pausing him in his tracks. Turning back to CAL, he saw not the jovial and overconfident warrior, but a beast of rage and utter bloodlust. Red smoke emitting from his body and black sheen of metal corrupting parts of his once pristine white form.
“LOOKS LIKE I HIT A NERVE! DID YOU REALLY THINK I’D-”
Negas’ next word would forever be lost to time as his vision went from staring at CAL to gazing at the night in microseconds. Only a handful of seconds passed before the tyrant realized what happened and collected himself. Flipping himself around, two things became immediately apparent to him. The first, he was nearly two hundred meters in the air, the second, CAL was flying straight towards him with a massive battle axe in hand.
Negas had little time to react, barely able to properly defend himself. His entire field of view was engulfed in the sheer murderous aura radiating off of CAL.
Only a single word utter by the violent hero as they clashed:
“Die.”