Flomu Narikara had seen little action since he had enlisted for service in the Empire’s carrier Vermana. So, when he heard the rumor that the great ship was to be used in a raid on a Seeker outpost in the Yelico Valley, he was pleasantly surprised, even though he’d be inside the Vermana the entire time, keeping it ticking. The Vermana was to be escorted in its raid by other airships, though they were old style, and were more canon fodder than anything else. While they had the float engines tethered above, the Vermana and the ships it carried had their hulls built around the float engines, giving them great mobility. What was more, dragonmares were to be used. The great beasts were the Empire’s version of the dragons created in the Ancient Age long ago. Those who rode them were given great honor, and were known for their ruthlessness in missions. Their captain, Evren, was a no-nonsense woman, willing to complete a mission no matter what it took. Flomu had once wondered if she had a heart. If the dragonmares were to be used, the battle would be fierce.

Which led Flomu to another question; why go through all this trouble for a simple Seeker encampment? It was certain that the Seekers were a rogue group against the Empire. They wished to steal the Ancient’s artifacts, use them for their own means, and maybe even destroy the Empire itself. They did deserve to be annihilated. However, why was the Vermana needed? Seeker encampments were utterly destroyed at the hands of foot soldiers that had more advanced weaponry. Sometimes the Seekers would surprise them with an occasional weapon from the Ancient Age, or even a hover unit stolen from the Empire. However, in that case, simple air units were used to mow down the rebels. All of this, the dragonmares, the Vermana, and the immense battle group within, were highly unnecessary. Flomu had heard that the Seekers had established a fortified outpost, but it would have been overkill a few hundred units ago.

“Ah, Flomu, are you ready for today?”

Flomu’s thoughts were interrupted by his good friend Michima Tudanki. Unlike Flomu, Michima was a pilot, one of the great protectors of the Empire. Flomu leaned against the ship he had been working on.

“Yes.”

“I just ran into Evren in the dragonmare chamber, unfortunately. That woman has no soul. It was probably devoured by the very beast she rides into battle. Her loyalty to the Empire is astounding, but she is hostile to everyone, and is a terrible demon in battles. She and her dragonmare truly are a pair.”

“But have you ever seen those creatures outside of battle?”

“Yes, I have.”

“They hang by their tales from the rods, make a ball, and sleep soundlessly. It is surreal for such a violent creature to be so calm.”

“What is truly surreal is that we were able to create the beast in the first place. The Empire, a civilization paling in comparison to the Ancient Age, was able to create a bio-engineered creature.”

There was a pause. It was broken by Flomu, who asked the question that was annoying him.

“Michima, you’re part of the militant force. You must know the mission. Which is why I ask you; why is the Vermana being used? The dragonmares, too. Why is so much force being used against one simple Seeker encampment?”

Michima sighed. “I am not supposed to tell anyone the mission. But, seeing our relationship, I see no harm so long as you keep the information under wraps.” Michima looked around the hanger nervously. When he saw no one was there, or was listening in, he continued, “Our mission seems trivial to even me. In the Seeker encampment, beyond the barracks, the civilian housing, the schools, and the coolia stables, stands a large tower, piercing the heavens. Within that tower is a girl, chained and contained. We are to retrieve the girl.”

“A rescue mission?”

“No. I am afraid this is beyond either you or me. It is not a rescue mission. We are retrieving the girl, not saving her. I have heard that the Academy wishes to examine her, but that may just be talk. Still, it seems she is the only reason for the number of units we shall be using. If I didn’t know better, I’d say the Empire fears the girl.”

Flomu gained a puzzled look, “But… that doesn’t make any sense. Why would the Emperor fear the girl?”

Michima shrugged, “If I had to bet money on it, I’d say the same reason she was imprisoned in the tower.”

“Well, whatever it is, I’ll be sad I’ll miss the battle. I’ll be cooped up in here, performing maintenance on whatever gets damaged. Thing is, nothing WILL be damaged. What do the Seekers have, rocks and sticks?”

Michima thought for a moment, “The battle plan doesn’t seem too hard. Do you want to experience battle first hand?”

“What are you getting at?”

You said it yourself. Maintenance will not be needed during the battle, and the fighting will not be fierce. You have never been able to fly, to fight, to protect the good of the Empire. Now, I am giving you that choice. Do you want to fly my Bhout?”

“I would like that, but what would you do?”

I would take your place, press a few buttons, and turn a few knobs. It’ll be easy. And all you have to do is fly my Bhout through the battle, and shoot down turrets and soldiers. It won’t be difficult.”

“I don’t know… doing that is a capital offence. What if we get caught?”

“We won’t.”

“I’ll think about it. I want to do it; it’s just that I fear the outcome.”

Here, the intercom rang out, bearing the voice of the captain, “All pilots report to your bhouts and darahs. We shall be leaving in one hour.” There was shuffling, a fight for the microphone, “In addition, Flomu Narikara PLEASE report to the dragonmare chamber!” The last part chilled Flomu to the core. That was Captain Evren of the dragonmare squad!

“I will return. Apparently, I have business to attend to.”

“Good luck. I’ll have the bhout ready if you decide to use it.”

Flomu made his way through the hallways of the Vermana to the dragonmare chamber. This carrier was designed to carry all five dragonmares. The Empire could have had more at their disposal, but now they had no way of producing them. The dragonmares had been produced in the Cradle, an Ancient Age establishment for the primary goal of creating bio-engineered creatures. Though the Empire knew much about the Ancient Age, they could not operate any structures. That was, until they found Abadd. Abadd was a drone, a bio-engineered creature in a humanoid shape. Able to speak and follow orders, Abadd proved useful when the Imperial archeologists uncovered him in a ruin. With Abadd, they were able to operate the Cradle, producing five functional dragonmares. However, he soon vanished; taking a dragonmare he created himself. He left the Empire in possession of hundreds of useless unfinished dragonmares. Now, only five were in use. They proved extremely useful in mock battles. This would be the unit’s first true assignment, and they were expected to pass with flying colors.

As Flomu approached the doors to the dragonmare chamber, they hissed open.

“You’re late,” Captain Evren said. The Vermana captain stood next to her. Though he was a higher rank, it sometimes seemed like Evren controlled him. Her sheer will and force often made others comply. Even now, the captain’s head hang, cringing at her maniacal voice.

“I will leave you now, I must… tend to the ship.” The captain exited the room in a quick pace.

“You’re late,” Evren repeated, wearing the scowl she usually wore. In addition to her customary frown, she wore her hair in a tight, harsh bun, and her lips were always thin as hair. Her relatively short stature was deceiving. As weak as she looked, she was very strong, both in the mind and body. She never lost an argument, and had a way of controlling people. Perhaps this was why she could control her dragonmare so well. Even it, which was fierce and furious in the mock battles, grew just a bit timid when she was around. Her commanding nature scared Flomu now. He had to say something quick, to save himself from being transferred to some hell hole.

“I did not know I was supposed to be here.”

“Fool!” Evren snarled. “You are supposed to be in here every time we are to deploy the dragonmares! You were supposed to be finished with diagnostics half an hour ago!”

“I’m very sorry… a bhout malfunctioned.”

“Bhouts are not important. The darahs are not important. The Vermana is not important. The dragonmare squad, however, IS important.”

“But-“

“Silence!” Evren screeched. “Follow me to the dragonmare pen.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Flomu said. What else COULD he say?

The two approached the door to the dragonmare pen, which creaked open slowly. There hanging off the wall, were bars. Here, the dragonmares rested and cocooned themselves by wrapping their tails around the bar. They slept quietly; the calm before the storm.

“Perform the diagnostics! NOW!!” Evren screeched. The four other members of the dragonmare squad wordlessly looked at Flomu as they were aided in being dressed into their protective movement limiting armor. A human body could not withstand the stresses felt while riding the dragonmare, so this bulky suit had to be used.

As Evren started dressing into the armor, Flomu ran the diagnostics on all five dragonmares. Running blood tests proved that they were disease free. A quick check of their osculator, which produced acidic mucus rather than the Arrows of Light the Ancient Age dragons were notorious for, proved that they were functional. Finally, Flomu checked the mind control chip, planted in the brain stem. This was important, as it was the core reason that the dragonmares could be controlled. If it failed to function, the dragonmare would act of its own free will, causing an epic catastrophe. However, the chip showed that it worked flawlessly; the dragonmares were fully prepared for the task at hand.

“Are you done yet?” Evren said, as she waddled in her cumbersome suit.

“I’ve just finished the diagnostics. Everything’s fine.”

“I hope so for your sake,” she growled. A technician came from behind and placed a helmet upon Evren’s head. The helmet had a small opening for sight, which the helmet improved by allowing the wearer to see in the dark and also see objects almost a mile away clearly. She spoke through the helmet’s voice system, producing a radio sounding transmission.

“If any of the dragonmares fail, if one of my comrades die from a folly of yours, you will meet a fate worse than death.”

“They will not fail. They’ve done fine in mock battles.”

“Don’t be too sure. You are not a soldier or a pilot. You are merely a technician. Therefore, you are liable to fail at anything.”

As Evren and the rest of the dragonmare squad cimbed into the little hole dug into the back of the dragonmares, Flomu felt a jolt followed by vibration. The Vermana had taken off. As Flomu made his way back to the hanger, fire glowed in his eyes. He did not fail at everything. He could be just as good as any foot soldier or pilot under the command of the Emperor. And he would show them all.

“Michima,” Flomu said as he entered the hanger. “I think I’ll take you up on your offer.”