The Dragon's Harvest
The
Dragon Trilogy Book 2
by
Jason F. Boggs
Genre:
Space Opera, SciFi
Join
Nelson Jones on a journey of horrifying discovery as an expedition to
uncover the mystery of
the sun gates leads to a terrible secret. This time, the Humans and the Aesini are fighting for their
very lives as Nelson's nemesis, Ira Bilis, finds a terrifying ally in her quest to restore the New Era to
its former glory. Nelson and his friends must now race against the clock to defeat this new threat - a
power beyond imagination! Author Jason F Boggs continues the journey into a fascinating universe
full of complex characters where what it means to be human and the line that separates right from
wrong is explored on an epic scale.
the sun gates leads to a terrible secret. This time, the Humans and the Aesini are fighting for their
very lives as Nelson's nemesis, Ira Bilis, finds a terrifying ally in her quest to restore the New Era to
its former glory. Nelson and his friends must now race against the clock to defeat this new threat - a
power beyond imagination! Author Jason F Boggs continues the journey into a fascinating universe
full of complex characters where what it means to be human and the line that separates right from
wrong is explored on an epic scale.
In the haze of twilight, the world first saw the shimmering images loom on the horizon.
In the rapid onslaught of darkness, the luminescent glow of just a few silvery-grey orbs descended
upon the Earth like madness might sneak up on a young person’s mind, barely noticeable at first.
Unwittingly, unknowingly, not registering until it’s too late, and then, no amount of running or hiding
that could abate. An unnatural dawn glowed in the skies, indistinguishable from the harvest moon.
upon the Earth like madness might sneak up on a young person’s mind, barely noticeable at first.
Unwittingly, unknowingly, not registering until it’s too late, and then, no amount of running or hiding
that could abate. An unnatural dawn glowed in the skies, indistinguishable from the harvest moon.
More of them appeared now, silently keeping vigil in the night sky. Mockingly, as if to insult life itself,
they kept multiplying as more of them appeared from nowhere into this bleak, bleary vision. Four, five,
then dozens.
they kept multiplying as more of them appeared from nowhere into this bleak, bleary vision. Four, five,
then dozens.
Suspended in the eerie dusky afterglow, victorious in the knowledge that they have finally found us
and have brought with them a bitter reckoning.
and have brought with them a bitter reckoning.
Weaving with purpose between these tiny moons, something at last made sense but did not placate
the troubled mind, the black monstrous Disciple-class cruiser, Gilgamesh, silently jettisoned a shuttle.
Its twinkling rockets burned in the atmosphere as it descended upon the Central like a swooping
hawk.
the troubled mind, the black monstrous Disciple-class cruiser, Gilgamesh, silently jettisoned a shuttle.
Its twinkling rockets burned in the atmosphere as it descended upon the Central like a swooping
hawk.
Using the night sky and its own hunter instincts, it made a slow, triumphant landing.
When the dust cleared from the lawns that once ostensibly proclaimed Jacob Freeman’s New Era, and
as the landing ramp thunked upon the ground of the Central, a faint ghost-like image shimmered in
as the landing ramp thunked upon the ground of the Central, a faint ghost-like image shimmered in
the light cascading down the ramp, reflective in the many moons that now festooned these end of
days, a woman appeared. Small but mighty. Her black hair as dark as her boots, her silhouette seemed
to embrace the night sky and called it anew to this terrible glory. This was her world now, a world
that would feel her unrestrained anger, her pure will and in the many moon’s bright luminescence that
heralded her arrival, she now appeared at the bottom of the ramp. Twisting her riding crop between
days, a woman appeared. Small but mighty. Her black hair as dark as her boots, her silhouette seemed
to embrace the night sky and called it anew to this terrible glory. This was her world now, a world
that would feel her unrestrained anger, her pure will and in the many moon’s bright luminescence that
heralded her arrival, she now appeared at the bottom of the ramp. Twisting her riding crop between
her leather gloved hands as if they were an extension of her own sick flesh, she merely smiled.
All around, the feeling of battle enveloped her senses, particularly the faint smell of blood which
made her skin bristle and crawl, men and women fighting for and against her. Fire, muzzle flashes,
death, she strolled on as if it were nothing more than a midnight walk. A contingent of black
armoured New Era Paladins surrounded her, protecting her from the fierce but futile resistance,
picking off enemies;
made her skin bristle and crawl, men and women fighting for and against her. Fire, muzzle flashes,
death, she strolled on as if it were nothing more than a midnight walk. A contingent of black
armoured New Era Paladins surrounded her, protecting her from the fierce but futile resistance,
picking off enemies;
Some of them charged the group from over a nearby stone-retaining wall but fell before her, crying
out in the agonizing moments before their bodies shook no more. She casually stepped over them, a
minor inconvenience to her walk.
out in the agonizing moments before their bodies shook no more. She casually stepped over them, a
minor inconvenience to her walk.
A light shifted across her glistening black boots, it briefly shone upon her crimson military uniform,
then flashed across her face. The red lipstick, a darker shade than usual, framed a sneer that beckoned
then flashed across her face. The red lipstick, a darker shade than usual, framed a sneer that beckoned
for more, revelling in the moment. “Home at last” she breathed in the calamity. Her boots could be
heard clacking against the dull concrete path as she walked past the infamous hanging tree.
How fitting, she thought, now she had brought so many hanging trees with her, a feast of fury, where
to begin? She knew where. One last stand of resistance now cut down inside what was once the
ministry of data, blood splattered across her crimson lapels that she casually brushed aside.
to begin? She knew where. One last stand of resistance now cut down inside what was once the
ministry of data, blood splattered across her crimson lapels that she casually brushed aside.
She waited patiently as one of her troops fumbled with keys, whilst others took position behind her,
firing at a lone counter-attacker and she remembered the time not so long ago when she did the
same, freeing her master with Nelson Jones by her side.
firing at a lone counter-attacker and she remembered the time not so long ago when she did the
same, freeing her master with Nelson Jones by her side.
Now she was the mistress of all things, the universe delivered her a smug satisfaction and she allowed
herself to drink it in. She’d won, and oh how empowering it felt.
herself to drink it in. She’d won, and oh how empowering it felt.
Ira Bilis allowed herself the indulgence of shuddering with joy. In the darkness a surprisingly thin,
prematurely aged full bearded man slowly emerged from his jail cell, wincing against the light.
prematurely aged full bearded man slowly emerged from his jail cell, wincing against the light.
A dishevelled pitiful being, he feebly stepped into the glow of flashlights and regarded her scornfully.
“You took your time getting here, Ira, or should I call you the Devil’s Dragon now, as I’ve heard?”
He managed to cough between more gunshots that reverberated, clanging against the brittle steel
and concrete domain that was his prison, no more.
He managed to cough between more gunshots that reverberated, clanging against the brittle steel
and concrete domain that was his prison, no more.
She ignored the question and failed to salute him, he noticed this slight and his eyes narrowed.
“I had to make some other friends first.”She scowled as a stray bullet ricocheted off a nearby steel
panel causing them all to duck momentarily. She walked up to him and smirked, dusting off his
fur-lined overcoat with her hands which caused him to tense, she was unusually intimate but it
wasn’t friendly, it seemed to him like a jockey inspecting a horse before mounting it.
panel causing them all to duck momentarily. She walked up to him and smirked, dusting off his
fur-lined overcoat with her hands which caused him to tense, she was unusually intimate but it
wasn’t friendly, it seemed to him like a jockey inspecting a horse before mounting it.
“They let you keep this hmm?”She gave a tap of her crop on one of his wolf furred lapels. “I can’t
imagine you without it.”
imagine you without it.”
“It’s the only thing that’s kept me lucid these past eighteen months. Whilst you’ve been out looking for
the Aesini Gods, I’ve been sitting on my ass here in this shithole watching the world fight over my
father’s carcass.” he lamented.
the Aesini Gods, I’ve been sitting on my ass here in this shithole watching the world fight over my
father’s carcass.” he lamented.
She tapped him on the shoulder with her riding crop, was it affectionate?
“The wait is over, Jessie Freeman, the New Era’s back, for good this time.” She nodded slowly as she
bent the riding crop against his chest with casual indifference, seemingly oblivious to the battle still
bent the riding crop against his chest with casual indifference, seemingly oblivious to the battle still
raging outside.
“My informers told me months ago that you were coming any day to rescue me with some back-up
force, about fucking time!”The tone of his crude remark more than the vulgarity of the language
caused her to wince.
force, about fucking time!”The tone of his crude remark more than the vulgarity of the language
caused her to wince.
As she regarded him further, she raised her eyebrows at him, he not only looked like a young Jacob
Freeman now that he’d grown a full beard and lost almost half of his weight, but his very demeanour
Freeman now that he’d grown a full beard and lost almost half of his weight, but his very demeanour
resonated a maturity and intelligence that reminded her of his late father. She had to constrain her
surprise at this, perhaps she’d miscalculated things.
surprise at this, perhaps she’d miscalculated things.
“Your incarceration has agreed with you, c’mon.” She quipped as they stepped over more dead
bodies strewn across the darkness and rubble of the entrance to the once grand building, the
rifle-mounted
bodies strewn across the darkness and rubble of the entrance to the once grand building, the
rifle-mounted
flashlights of the remaining troops lighting their path.
The Devil's Dragon
The
Dragon Trilogy Book 1
Set
80 years into the future, Nelson Jones, a young military cadet full
of optimism, is enlisted into the New Era: a fascist regime that
arises to rule the world after an attack from an alien species. Under
the leadership of Earth’s dictator with his ruthless enforcer,
Nelson witnesses horrible abuses of power and is forced to confront
his values and his world view to make difficult choices. When he
happens across a small faction of resistance against this tyranny,
Nelson must risk his life to do what he feels is right. Author Jason
F. Boggs introduces a universe full of complex characters where the
line that separates right from wrong is blurred. The Devil’s Dragon
is the first of a rich trilogy that explores what it means to be
human, from a multiple of perspectives.
Chapter 21: The Devil's Dragon
Ira Bilis stepped up to an awaiting shuttle, a lieutenant saluted her at the base of the landing ramp,
she ignored this and walked past him to the top of the ramp, the loud clacking of her jack boots
on the steel seemed to contradict her demure figure, she turned to regard the camp one last time,
it was swarming with Aesini warriors, a small contingent of Paladins in defence formation were
picking off any of the aliens who dared shoot at or make a rush toward their position.
she ignored this and walked past him to the top of the ramp, the loud clacking of her jack boots
on the steel seemed to contradict her demure figure, she turned to regard the camp one last time,
it was swarming with Aesini warriors, a small contingent of Paladins in defence formation were
picking off any of the aliens who dared shoot at or make a rush toward their position.
She breathed in the carnage for a short time before regarding her junior officer with a smirk as he
walked up to join her "It makes you feel alive doesn't it"? "Uh, yes ma'am".
walked up to join her "It makes you feel alive doesn't it"? "Uh, yes ma'am".
"Is the shuttle loaded with what I ordered"?
"Yes ma'am, the storage containers have the trinkets that you selected from the local villages".
"I know what there are"! She tightened her grip on her riding crop, the familiar ominous leather on
leather sound made him flinch. He knew that these cases of plunder was everything she had
stolen from the Aesini, bracelets, earrings, fine fabrics, jewels, even some gold. He guessed that
these spoils of war would fund her retirement.
leather sound made him flinch. He knew that these cases of plunder was everything she had
stolen from the Aesini, bracelets, earrings, fine fabrics, jewels, even some gold. He guessed that
these spoils of war would fund her retirement.
"Give the order". She nodded to him who saluted, turned and barked to the small group of
soldiers below. "Move out, go go go"! He made a wind up signal. "Yes LT"! They clamoured up
the ramp and as it was closing, enemy bullets hit the steel door making a loud pinging sound. The
shuttle took off with two dragonfly escorts, the last of the fighters that remained, the roar of its
engines punctuated the tumult below, Nadija heard the turbulence and looked up to see the
spectacle of the three ships taking off and shook her head with dismay. "She escaped didn't she"?
Horx shared her conclusion.
soldiers below. "Move out, go go go"! He made a wind up signal. "Yes LT"! They clamoured up
the ramp and as it was closing, enemy bullets hit the steel door making a loud pinging sound. The
shuttle took off with two dragonfly escorts, the last of the fighters that remained, the roar of its
engines punctuated the tumult below, Nadija heard the turbulence and looked up to see the
spectacle of the three ships taking off and shook her head with dismay. "She escaped didn't she"?
Horx shared her conclusion.
"There are other ways to exact justice, the Gods will see to that". Seric sought to offer some
comforting words, Nadija gave him a sinister grin "No, not the Gods, we will".
comforting words, Nadija gave him a sinister grin "No, not the Gods, we will".
Seric gave her a look of displeasure and cleared his throat for a rebuttal; however, Nadija felt the
need to supplement her thoughts.
need to supplement her thoughts.
"We don't have time to discuss the finer points of faith and philosophy my friend but suffice it to
say, we are all made of stars and both of us are tiny insignificant life forms scuttling around under
the same sun like microbes in a Petri dish, that makes us more or less the same under any God
or Gods that you nominate, whether there is a God or Gods or not, whether we're here because
of evolution only or evolution assisted by intelligent design from a higher power, it doesn't really
matter in the end, I just do what I do because it makes me feel good".
say, we are all made of stars and both of us are tiny insignificant life forms scuttling around under
the same sun like microbes in a Petri dish, that makes us more or less the same under any God
or Gods that you nominate, whether there is a God or Gods or not, whether we're here because
of evolution only or evolution assisted by intelligent design from a higher power, it doesn't really
matter in the end, I just do what I do because it makes me feel good".
"Doesn't really matter? Creation is not purely by chance look around you! We are the instruments
of the Gods, some are called upon to carry out their will, others work against it merely to benefit
themselves, most do nothing overall, I most certainly disagree with your simplistic assessment".
Seric coughed with incredulity.
of the Gods, some are called upon to carry out their will, others work against it merely to benefit
themselves, most do nothing overall, I most certainly disagree with your simplistic assessment".
Seric coughed with incredulity.
"That's your right, let's just keep moving". Horx wasn't inclined toward profound conversation at
this point. "Wow Nadija that's kinda deep, here I was thinking you were just a soldier".
this point. "Wow Nadija that's kinda deep, here I was thinking you were just a soldier".
"No one's just anything Evan, what we are isn't nearly as important as who we are". Her eyes had
a sparkle in them whenever she looked at him lately and it made his heart skip a beat. "To be
continued over some noodles". He smiled, hoping she understood that noodles was a euphemism
for so much more.
a sparkle in them whenever she looked at him lately and it made his heart skip a beat. "To be
continued over some noodles". He smiled, hoping she understood that noodles was a euphemism
for so much more.
They ran down an embankment until they arrived at the main entrance to the camp, Seric took
his temporary blanket robe off "I think we'll be safe here". He declared as he waved to a group of
about a hundred Aesini, clearly this area at least was secure and although gun shots could still
be heard in the distance, Nadija gestured for Horx to put his weapon away.
his temporary blanket robe off "I think we'll be safe here". He declared as he waved to a group of
about a hundred Aesini, clearly this area at least was secure and although gun shots could still
be heard in the distance, Nadija gestured for Horx to put his weapon away.
There were at least fifty Paladins squatted with their hands on their heads. As Seric was greeted
by his fellow warriors, Nadija asked "You guys are taking prisoners?"
by his fellow warriors, Nadija asked "You guys are taking prisoners?"
Seric glanced at the POWs and nodded "They can be used at the negotiating table, they will be
treated with more kindness then you humans afforded us".
treated with more kindness then you humans afforded us".
"Present company excluded, don't paint us all with the same brush". Nadija protested.
"Right, of course, I'm sorry it's just that whatever the outcome, prejudices will remain, so much
damage has already been done".
damage has already been done".
An elderly warrior rode up atop a strider and peered down with a smile "Seric, the fact that you’re
still alive proves that the Gods have a sense of humour".
still alive proves that the Gods have a sense of humour".
"Chief Naid, the convert Nelson Jones is at the base hospital with Meaghan, we have to go rescue
them". Nadija looked up to regard him.
them". Nadija looked up to regard him.
"Lead the way then". Naid let out a whistle to summon a mank, when one appeared Alene's face
was already on its belly.
was already on its belly.
"Nelson's at the infirmary with Meaghan". Naid reported.
"That area is in the middle, still unsecured, gather up your troops, I'll head in from the West, you
take the south and we'll meet up there, the dragonflies have retreated to their mother ship for now,
probably to resupply so we must act fast".
take the south and we'll meet up there, the dragonflies have retreated to their mother ship for now,
probably to resupply so we must act fast".
Naid saluted his daughter. "Alright, you heard your queen, move out"! And enthusiastic roar of
approval erupted from the warriors as they swarmed up the alley that Seric and his entourage had
just come from.
approval erupted from the warriors as they swarmed up the alley that Seric and his entourage had
just come from.
Nadija held out her hand to Horx to stop him and shook her head. "We've done enough fighting,
let's find a safe area and see if your little experiment worked".
let's find a safe area and see if your little experiment worked".
Horx nodded and turned on his tablet, scrolling through some menus, Wong's concerned face
appeared on the screen. "Report Evan".
appeared on the screen. "Report Evan".
"Mission failed but I think we still have an outcome that may be to our advantage".
"I have heard that the Aesini have overrun the camp yes"?
"True enough, it's safe for you to meet up with us now, we'll be in guard post...". Horx looked up
and saw some large numbers emblazoned on the side of a white tower, a single Aesini warrior
was in position at the window. "... Sixteen".
and saw some large numbers emblazoned on the side of a white tower, a single Aesini warrior
was in position at the window. "... Sixteen".
"What will you be doing up there"? Wong cocked an eyebrow.
He glanced at Nadija who blushed. "Watching some TV" Horx smilled.
The atmosphere inside the shuttle was sombre, Resen had fallen to the enemy and the soldiers
had their heads bowed with the shock and disappointment of defeat, except Bilis who strode up
and down between them with her head held high, she gently tapped each of their knees with her
riding crop to get their attention.
had their heads bowed with the shock and disappointment of defeat, except Bilis who strode up
and down between them with her head held high, she gently tapped each of their knees with her
riding crop to get their attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen". They all regarded her, including Botany who sat silently between the
crates at the back of the cabin, almost unseen like he was part of her loot.
crates at the back of the cabin, almost unseen like he was part of her loot.
"We are now in space, about to dock with the command ship, despite appearances, we have not
lost, this is part of a greater plan that the President has foreseen". She smiled menacingly.
lost, this is part of a greater plan that the President has foreseen". She smiled menacingly.
"There is a moment of truth that is about to occur, a moment of reckoning that will determine the
outcome of this struggle against the alien menace, I'm taking overall command of this mission to
ensure final victory and I need to know if you are with me or against me, right now".
outcome of this struggle against the alien menace, I'm taking overall command of this mission to
ensure final victory and I need to know if you are with me or against me, right now".
She peered into each of their eyes, one by one and in turn they answered "with you ma'am",
"loyal and true", yes sir", "to the end", "now and forever".
"loyal and true", yes sir", "to the end", "now and forever".
She didn't bother with Botany; he sat there expressionless, silent in the shadows.
"Good, when the moment comes, I will give you the codeword "downfall", at that moment you will
not hesitate to open fire on Admiral Reece, he has refused a direct order from the Central to fire
upon the enemy which has now taken over the camp, once we take command
not hesitate to open fire on Admiral Reece, he has refused a direct order from the Central to fire
upon the enemy which has now taken over the camp, once we take command
of the Gilly, we bomb the shit out of them, we do not tolerate weakness in the new era do you get
me"?!
me"?!
"We get you sir"!
When the shuttle landed in the main docking bay, Reece was there with a ceremonial compliment
of troops to greet her, she was obviously outnumbered, now was not the right time.
of troops to greet her, she was obviously outnumbered, now was not the right time.
"Major Ira Bilis, it's good to see that you made it out, I've been in contact with the President and
have given him an update of the situation". She saluted Reece who returned in kind.
have given him an update of the situation". She saluted Reece who returned in kind.
"Admiral, it was by the skin of my teeth that I escaped and the bravery of my Paladins shall not
be forgotten, by the way it's General Bilis now". She turned to look at her troops and gave them a
small smile.
be forgotten, by the way it's General Bilis now". She turned to look at her troops and gave them a
small smile.
"I didn't hear of this promotion, congratulations". His face had a sceptical expression.
"May we meet in private"?
"Of course, there is much to discuss". Reece gave a junior officer a nod who gave the order to
dismiss the honour guard, as they marched off, Reece held out his hand for her to walk toward
another exit which would eventually lead them to the ship's meeting room.
dismiss the honour guard, as they marched off, Reece held out his hand for her to walk toward
another exit which would eventually lead them to the ship's meeting room.
"You may dismiss your troops General; they've fought well and must be eager for R&R".
"They will have earned it before this day is over". She agreed, her pace was slow as they walked,
it didn't occur to him that she was stalling for time, waiting until his troops had entirely left the
docking bay before confronting him.
it didn't occur to him that she was stalling for time, waiting until his troops had entirely left the
docking bay before confronting him.
"Are you injured"? He feigned concern.
"Just fatigued sir, a little battered and bruised too". This was the truth.
When they got to the exit door, Reece's troops were finally gone but Bilis's contingent remained in
formation behind her, Reece's face had a growing look of concern. "Dismiss your troops General
or I will for you".
formation behind her, Reece's face had a growing look of concern. "Dismiss your troops General
or I will for you".
"Not yet".
Reece went to grab his cylinder but Bilis put her hand on his wrist to stop him, the concerned
expression now turned to alarm. "What the hell's going on Ira"?
expression now turned to alarm. "What the hell's going on Ira"?
Her troops now cocked their rifles and trained them on him.
"Oh my God".
"Admiral, I am taking over this mission, I would much prefer that you remain in command of the
Gilgamesh and we'll pretend that this little awkward moment never happened as long as you
acknowledge that I'm in charge overall".
Gilgamesh and we'll pretend that this little awkward moment never happened as long as you
acknowledge that I'm in charge overall".
"The president's in charge overall". He scowled at her. "And he has deemed me fit for command
of the expeditionary forces, I am the Admiral you silly little girl"!
of the expeditionary forces, I am the Admiral you silly little girl"!
He regarded the soldiers behind her. "When you put on that uniform, you took a sacred oath to
follow the proper chain of command put forth by the leader himself, put down your weapons,
that's an order or you'll be in front of a firing squad"! He barked at them but they remained
unmoved.
follow the proper chain of command put forth by the leader himself, put down your weapons,
that's an order or you'll be in front of a firing squad"! He barked at them but they remained
unmoved.
Bilis walked a circle around Reece, her riding crop twisting between her leather gloves at her
back. "Reece, this is an opportunity for you to make things right, this is the turning point of this
war, all you have to do is resume your post as fleet Admiral and follow my orders, the first being
to bomb the crap out of the camp below and then Apolinya, is that understood"?
back. "Reece, this is an opportunity for you to make things right, this is the turning point of this
war, all you have to do is resume your post as fleet Admiral and follow my orders, the first being
to bomb the crap out of the camp below and then Apolinya, is that understood"?
"I only follow orders from two people Ira, Jessie and Jacob, we've known each other for a long
time, from the start, you know I can't change that, you know there is no compromise"!
time, from the start, you know I can't change that, you know there is no compromise"!
"They're not here, they will never be here, this system belongs to us now and the only way we
can rule it is with an iron fist, the outcast colonies will be a shinning beacon, an unreachable
can rule it is with an iron fist, the outcast colonies will be a shinning beacon, an unreachable
outpost of the new era, an impregnable fortress, a utopia of strength and order defying a universe
of chaos, I'm giving you the chance to be a part of that Adam, to revel in its glory!"
of chaos, I'm giving you the chance to be a part of that Adam, to revel in its glory!"
Her eyes sparkled with a maniacal intensity as she made a fist, Reece grimaced, she'd never
called him by his first name before. "President Freeman ordered that I do not bomb the camp and
withdraw the fighters, unlike you he values his personnel still down there". He looked at the
troops in her entourage. "You are only here to forward her agenda, she's addicted to power, that's
why Freeman held her back on a short leash, he knew she'd turn out like this, don't you see that"?
called him by his first name before. "President Freeman ordered that I do not bomb the camp and
withdraw the fighters, unlike you he values his personnel still down there". He looked at the
troops in her entourage. "You are only here to forward her agenda, she's addicted to power, that's
why Freeman held her back on a short leash, he knew she'd turn out like this, don't you see that"?
"He lies, last chance Reece, join me". She stared into his eyes at close range and for a moment
he could see something he couldn't reconcile with his mind, it was fire blazing in her eyes, was it
his fear playing tricks with his eyes?
he could see something he couldn't reconcile with his mind, it was fire blazing in her eyes, was it
his fear playing tricks with his eyes?
"Never". He whispered.
Her troops raised their guns, ready to fire on her orders.
"Downfall".
Reece slumped under a hail of bullets, dying in a pool of his blood he looked up at her standing
over him.
over him.
"You're the devil". He managed to spit out before he closed his eyes and ceased to exist.
"No, I am the devil's dragon". She whispered to herself as she walked out of the hangar, her
troops marching in formation behind her. "I am what the universe has made me". The doors
closed behind her, only Botany remained, standing in the middle of the bay, alone, forgotten.
troops marching in formation behind her. "I am what the universe has made me". The doors
closed behind her, only Botany remained, standing in the middle of the bay, alone, forgotten.
Meaghan lay on the operating table, coughing meekly and wheezing she stared into his eyes.
"I love you Nelson".
"I love you Nelson".
"That's twice I've heard that today but you're the only one I wanted to hear it from". He held her
cool hand tightly as the doctor applied anesthetic over her mouth and hooked her up to various
machines.
cool hand tightly as the doctor applied anesthetic over her mouth and hooked her up to various
machines.
"She's haemorrhaging; I've got to go in now". He muttered. The doctor was soaked in the blood
of patients he'd worked on before her, his expression was frazzled.
of patients he'd worked on before her, his expression was frazzled.
"Save her doc".
"I can only play with the cards I'm dealt, the less you talk from now on the better so shut up".
Her eyes closed under the effect of the anaesthesia and the doctor proceeded to cut her open,
he didn't even bother cleaning the equipment first.
he didn't even bother cleaning the equipment first.
Some minutes of silence passed as he worked furiously over her, the doctors face was obscured
by his mask so Nelson watched his eyes, he didn't like what he saw, the eyes betrayed him, they
looked increasingly less confident and Nelson's heart sank, tears welled in his eyes.
by his mask so Nelson watched his eyes, he didn't like what he saw, the eyes betrayed him, they
looked increasingly less confident and Nelson's heart sank, tears welled in his eyes.
"Please doc, please save her, she's pregnant".
"You don't think I know that"?!
They heard shouting and shots being fired from outside the operating theatre and for a moment
they looked at each other with trepidation, the doctor then returned to Meaghan and shook his
head. "Looks like your war found its way here". He grumbled.
they looked at each other with trepidation, the doctor then returned to Meaghan and shook his
head. "Looks like your war found its way here". He grumbled.
The doors swang open to the theatre, a few Aesini walked in and raised their weapons at them,
Nelson stood up, his hands raised. "I'm done fighting".
Nelson stood up, his hands raised. "I'm done fighting".
A female stepped forward adorned in a purple cape. "Are you Nelson Jones"? To his surprise she
could speak English.
could speak English.
He nodded, his hands still raised.
"Do you mind? I'm trying to save a life here"! The doctor bellowed.
"Two lives". Nelson tilted his head toward the doctor who shook his head regretfully, one of the
machines made a flat line sound.
machines made a flat line sound.
"No, just one now".
Nelson lowered his hands and turned to look over Meaghan, she was gone.
"Oh Jesus no, no no no, why God why"? His tears now flowed down his face as he sobbed over
her, his expression grew dark. "Bring her back"!
her, his expression grew dark. "Bring her back"!
The doctor shook his head, Nelson pulled out his pistol and raised it to the doctor "Bring her back,
at least try, why don't you at least try"?!
at least try, why don't you at least try"?!
Naid leaned over and grabbed his gun, wrenching it off him, Alene held him as he cried, he
wasn't even aware that he was embracing the alien. Seric walked over and put a sympathetic
hand on his shoulder. "Too much death has been seen today". Naid whispered.
wasn't even aware that he was embracing the alien. Seric walked over and put a sympathetic
hand on his shoulder. "Too much death has been seen today". Naid whispered.
The doctor continued to operate "I can save the child but she will need an incubator to survive,
she's premature".
she's premature".
"Tell me where to find this incubator". Alene said.
"There's none on this mound of shit you call Resen, the only ones we have are on the capital
ships, the Gilgamesh has one.
ships, the Gilgamesh has one.
Nelson wiped his eyes and looked at the doctor "I'm sorry about my reaction doctor".
"I've seen worse, now, can you get me on that ship"?
He thought for a moment and shook his head regretfully. "No, I don't see how".
Alene stepped in front of him and looked into his eyes "Never lose hope Nelson, the Gods have
determined that we meet for a reason".
determined that we meet for a reason".
"Who are you"?
"I am Alene, first Empress of the Great Tribe and I will lead all of us, human and Aesini alike to
the path of righteousness".
the path of righteousness".
Naid and Seric looked at each other and said in bemused unison "Empress"?
"This is my father Chief Naid and my good friend Seric".
They nodded and Nelson let out a slow exhale. "So, what now"?
"Now you need to name this child". A small cry could be heard behind them and they all turned to
see a new born baby girl being cradled in the doctor’s arms, so tiny and fragile and Nelson let
out a gasp, he couldn't believe his eyes. He walked over and held out his little finger, the baby's
hand could feel it and grasped at it.
see a new born baby girl being cradled in the doctor’s arms, so tiny and fragile and Nelson let
out a gasp, he couldn't believe his eyes. He walked over and held out his little finger, the baby's
hand could feel it and grasped at it.
"Liana".
"Why this name"? Alene asked.
"That was the name of Meaghan's grandmother, she told me about her once, right about the time
my daughter was conceived in fact". He smiled, recalling the moment of his short lived intimacy
with Meaghan; it seemed so long ago now. "She lived in a better time, a better world, far from
perfect but better".
my daughter was conceived in fact". He smiled, recalling the moment of his short lived intimacy
with Meaghan; it seemed so long ago now. "She lived in a better time, a better world, far from
perfect but better".
"Then the birth of this child shall herald better times again". Alene declared.
"Touching, but she's only got a few hours to enjoy these better times unless we get her to an
incubator and a proper hospital". The doctor growled.
incubator and a proper hospital". The doctor growled.
Jason
F Boggs has spent over 25 years in hotel Management where he
experiences peoples' true natures - both good and bad, fertile ground
for these stories. Jason currently lives on the Gold Coast in
Australia with his wife SueEllen who patiently endures his
imagination and their two cats, who do not.
"I
set out to write something that would be a fantastic experience on
the big screen, a thought provoking space opera with a female villain
and a reluctant hero who's on a journey of self discovery. This
action-packed trilogy explores what it means to be human, even if
you're not". Jason F Boggs 2018.
Hope you all love my book.
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www.thedragontrilogy.com