“What?”
“Your aunt Adelheid is the target companion for him. It has taken a lot of negotiation with the Avatar to allow him onto the surface. We were going to introduce him while she was in stasis, but the Avatar refused. He wanted her to gain control without the use of the Yaluthu.”
Deahlia smiled. “He is her Yaluthu?”
“He is.”
Veera sighed and stroked Fixit’s long feathers on her shoulder. “You are going to be his caretaker on the journey.”
Deahlia made a face. “Do I have to?”
“Yes. It’s an order.” Veera chuckled. “Come on. Get your bag, and let’s get you on the shuttle. Time to go to your permanent posting.”
Veera got to her feet with her Yaluthu on her shoulder. “Come on, Stanik isn’t in a hurry to get rid of you, but he does want to get that container into the shuttle. He can’t stand a wrapped box, and he thinks your family is cruel to inflict it on him.”
“It is in a sealed container.”
“Yes, even more of a tease.”
Deahlia got up to follow Veera, and a sharp screech got her attention. She sighed and scooped up the angry Yaluthu, carrying him with his blunt beak facing outward.
Veera glanced back and smiled. “It is only an eight-day flight. His rations for the first few years are already on board, just in case your horticulture doesn’t lock in right away.”
Deahlia followed with her ungrateful passenger. “My horticultural talent is second to none.”
Veera laughed. “Good. You are going to need that confidence. No one has ever designed a planetary eco system on this scale before. It is an amazing opportunity that Iratho has offered to the Citadel.”
“Are the aquatic systems on the way?”
“They are. Then you, then the insects and birds, then finally the herd animals. It is a long-term project, but I think it will provide insight and development to thousands of talents.”
The Yaluthu in her arms was rumbling softly, unhappy with her presence. “I hope so. I want to try and create plants that can feed hundreds without depleting the soil.”
Deahlia followed Veera down the stairs, outlining her plans and hopes. She chattered down the halls of the Balen Citadel and out toward the space where a team was loading the huge cargo container that had been following her for the last five years. That container had a destiny, and so did the fluffy ball of attitude in her arms. Hopefully, they were both equally appreciated.
Chapter Seven
Addy was working on her precision when she got the first call through her com system.
After the chime, she said, “What is it, Rocky?”
“There is a ship incoming.”
She frowned. “Isn’t that early?”
“It isn’t one of ours. The station saw it, but the inbound ship is coming for you. Rokar-Iratho is on the other side of the world, so prepare to defend yourself.”
She looked up and tried to see through the clouds. “Are you absolutely sure that it isn’t friendly?”
“It is ignoring all hails and has gone out of its way to avoid the orbital station. Whatever it wants, it isn’t asking for help.”
Addy nodded. “Right. Well, time to get away from the base a bit.”
She ran full tilt out into one of the largest open spaces. It was also off centre on the island, and if she did anything stupid, there was a good chance the energy would be dispersed.
“Do you know how close it is?”
“You should see it in the distance in twelve seconds.”
Addy focused and counted down while she let her energy start pulsing around her. The ground under her feet shivered slightly, but she kept her focus on the small speck that began to grow larger with every heartbeat.
“Rocky?”
“Yes, Adelheid?”
“If I miss, I am really sorry.” She lifted her fingers, aimed at where the ship should be, and flicked her middle finger, projecting the force from that spot.
She counted, “One-one thousand, two-one thousand, three-one thousand, ouch!”
The side vane that would control pitch disintegrated and the ship spiralled off trajectory.
“I am alerting Rokar-Iratho that the crash has occurred, and the likely crash site.”
“Good. I am guessing that they crashed off the island?”
“They did. They are on the open plain near the edge of the crater.”
“Is the ship in one piece?”
“It did not shed more than expected. The main cabin should be intact.”
“Good.” She wrapped her arms around herself and watched the direction that the ship had disappeared into.
The dragon came as a surprise. Black with scarlet and gold highlights, the winged creature streaked across the skyline before diving for the ship.
“Um... Rocky?”
“Yes, Adelheid?”
“Is that a dragon?”
“What? No, of course not. Wait. Let me look it up... Yes, yes, it is a dragon.” He paused. “He is a dragon by your people’s standards. He is an ancient Drai by Alliance standards.”
She watched as the creature rose again with the ship clutched in its jaws. “So, that’s what Rokar looks like when he is angry?”
“No, he isn’t angry. This is his territory. He is defending it.”
She had her confirmation. That huge winged beast was Rokar-Iratho. It was a damned impressive Avatar that was sure.
Addy shivered. Her instincts must have been working overtime because that dragon had visited her dreams.
She was in the base and having lunch when Rokar-Iratho arrived. She poured him a cup of tea and handed it to him. “Here you are, Avatar. So, who were the intruders?”
He inclined his head. “Thank you. They were part of the same group that snatched you originally. There was a bounty on you.” He carefully held the tea and walked over to the living area, taking his normal seat.
She smiled and brought her tray along for the conversation. “So, what are you going to do with the survivors?”
He sipped at his tea. “There are no survivors. After they told me what they were here for, they slipped, and I dropped them into an active volcano.” He gave her a bland look. “Oops.”
She paused while eating. “They are dead?”
He shrugged. “Probably. I am not a fan of bounty hunters, but I do now have a lead on the lab that is after you.”
She frowned. “Why me? Why not Kelly?”
“They are after destructive power. They have seers of their own.” He finished his tea and shrugged. “Or so they said.”
“Before they slipped.”
“Precisely.”
She wrinkled her nose and finished her meal. She got to her feet and returned to the kitchen, bringing the tea tray with her. “So, is this where I am stuck now?”
He raised his brows. “You have an entire planet to roam. That isn’t precisely stuck.”
She handed him a fresh cup of tea. “True. So, do you run around with scales on much? I don’t mean to flatter, but you are much bigger than I dreamed.”
He sucked in and snorted the tea, spluttered, and ended up coughing slightly to clear his lungs.
When he stopped choking on tea, he looked to her with wide eyes. “You dreamed of me?”