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"And if the night is burning I will cover my eyes for if the dark returns then My brothers will die And as the sky's falling down it

crashed into this lonely town and

with that shadow upon the ground I

hear my people screaming out"

_ - I see fire - Ed Sheeran _

"GOD-DAMNIT!"- Shouted Kyle, but only in his mental space - "I need some air for fuck's sake!"

He was out there, for almost a half of the night, running and shouting, and now, when he needed to rest and recover he had to walk into the barracks, where the air was pitch-black with nicotine smoke. Great! Just perfect! If he could, he would rip their lungs out, and shoved up their asses, if the plain old oxygen were not enough for them. He tried to get his helmet on, but that only made things worse.

Almost vomiting, he run out from the barracks and sat beside the entrance, tossing the helmet away, and breathing heavily through the clenched teeth, trying to suppress his nuncios.

• Fuck this shit! - he hissed.

Taking a deep breath, he managed to stand up, and walk a few steps inside. He quickly found a box with gas grenades, and took one. Holding his breath, he opened the inner door to where all the bunks were, and arming the grenade tossed it inside, closing the doors and walking out quickly. It didn't took long for him to hear a hollow bang and steady hiss of the gas. Not long after first, still queasy shouts followed.

He stood calmly in the front of the outer-doors waiting for the rest of them to start running out. This was the time, when he drew the line. He grabbed his helmet, lying on the ground beside his feet when first initiate run out from the barrack, coughing violently. Resting himself on the nearby wall, finally being able to breathe he saw Kyle, standing there, motionless with his hand clenched hard on the edge of the helmet.

• What the fuck is wrong with you?! - He yelled, as the rest of the initiates started pouring out from the barrack. - Hey, I'm talking to you!

The fact that his words seemed to have no effect made him mad. He rushed to him with raised fists, intent on making him feel sorry for all of that, but he didn't get that chance. Before he could get so close to Kyle to reach him with his fists, he took a wide swing with his arm, using his helmet as a blunt weapon, practically squashing his nose, and sending him to the ground. Before the initiate could realize what was going on, Kyle was above him, and kicked him in the jaw, just as if he would kick a soccer ball. With that one put out, he turned to face the rest. Sure, he might be tired and sore all-over, but still combat-worthy.

The fight was strangely easy. He expected to be swarmed by them, struck to the ground and get his ass kicked like there would be no tomorrow, yet somehow he stood his ground without taking a single blow. Even considering that they all were groggy from interrupted sleep, this was just...

...Impossible!

Long, loud series from pulse rifle, made him froze in the middle of action, while attempting to strike at the exposed throat of the initiate, which he had right in front himself. Kyle turned his head to see three people coming out of the jeep with a white "MP" painted on the door.

• Stand down! - shouted one, approaching him with a pulse rifle ready to fire.

"I did it again..." - he thought releasing his opponent (a victim more likely), and raising his hands slowly, without sudden movements.

• You're under arrest - he heard, as his hands were brought to his back and restrained with hand-cuffs - You don't have the right to remain silent; you don't have the right for attorney...

He was brought up against the jeep's hood and pressed onto it firmly, as he listened to the list of rights he didn't had.

To tell the truth, Kyle preferred when the commander was yelling at him. He could deal with a yell. He did so, so many times before. However right now the commander did nothing but thoroughly read the report regarding the incident, with a facial expression, that Kyle couldn't recognize. His personal file was open as well, and few other databases of unknown origin. His instructor also has been called in, and he stood just behind Kyle, by his right side. In fact, he was there, when they've brought Kyle in... Under armed guard. - he had to laugh at this privately - Do they really considered him to be really that dangerous?

• Normally, I would expel the initiate with that kind of attitude - spoke the commander finally - and send him straight to what passes as law enforcement around here, with serious criminal charges. Still, your instructor speaks highly of you, and thinks we shouldn't act too hastily on this.

Kyle cast a sidelong glance at the instructor, wondering where it was going.

• Of course, we cannot let this go unpunished. - Continued the commander - A disciplinary action must take place, and I believe your instructor will decide to keep you on a tighter leash from now on; as for the disciplinary action... I believe a simple physical punishment will suffice. Let's see... twenty lashes. The punishment will take place at the central courtyard; first thing in the morning. Dismissed.

Kyle stood there, motionless for a minute, before coming to a decision and reaching to his back, to detach his RIG.

• What do you think you're doing, initiate? - said the instructor

• Not anymore... - said Kyle placing the deactivated RIG on the commanders desk

• Your decision. - Said commander indifferently - You have an hour to clear your bunk and locker, and leave the base. After that if caught inside you'll be arrested under the charge of espionage.

Kyle didn't saluted. This wasn't his superior anymore. He just turned around and left the office.

He packed his rather quickly, actually surprised about him having so little belongings. Still it was a blessing now - littler belongings - littler stuff to carry. He cast a one last glance over now vacated rows of bunks. Whatever speak or not to speak about this place, for a past year and a half it was his home. Weren't it actually funny how people tended to grow used to such things? With that came a small sharp thorn of disappointment. After all, he had to admit that they were right all along all of them. He didn't had what it takes.

Moreover, it was far more disappointing, when he realized, that he committed almost everything in his life, to pursue that single goal, and in the end he failed, leaving nothing for himself to rebuild from; nothing to build upon. Surrendering his pass and ID at the gates and walking slowly through the snow capes he couldn't help but clench his teeth, at the sudden premonition of what awaited him back home.

And it was even worse.

Though his father said nothing, and let him in the house, patting him on the back even, his mother was... Well, less than motherly. Even upstairs in his room, behind closed doors he heard how for the thousandth time she cursed the day of his birth. How she is sick of constant need to feed him, and pay for his keep. How other children helped their parents, and not feed upon them like parasites.

Actually he heard the phrase "parasite" several times later, and many times before. It was her favorite insult, and she used it as frequent as she was able.

...Parasite.

...The very quintessention of motherly love.

Kyle stood motionless in front of the window, gazing at the streets covered in white snow, clenching his fist on his back from barely concealed anger. How it was, that he was able to endure the shit-load of humiliation at school, and later in the unit, and yet be unable to take such a rant from his mother? Maybe he really wasn't that tough as he thought. Or maybe the fact that this was coming at him from the closest person on the world made it unbearable...

He unclenched his fists and raised them to his view, watching indifferently several streaks of blood, pouring from where his nails pierced his skin and flesh. So this was it. Another turning point.

He turned to his bed, where his backpack lay opened. He didn't even start unpacking, when he heard... Even better. He walked to it, closing it with a single pull of the string, and reached for his jacket. Wintertime was a shitty one to be homeless, but then again being homeless was far more better than to remain here and listen to the rants of that she-serpent. Let her drown in her own venom.

He managed to zip up his jacket, when the doors to his room have opened, and his father walked in.

• You're going somewhere? - he asked Kyle, looking meaningfully

• Don't pretend ignorance - he talked back - I'm neither death, nor stupid.

• Your mother...

• Don't bother. - Kyle cut him off - And don't flatter her like that. She's not my mother. If something, she's an incubator I developed in. That's all.

• Listen, you shouldn't talk like that about a woman that gave birth to you - His father almost shouted

• She did - spoke Kyle calmly, with a carefully bored expression - but then every single day she acted as if she didn't gave birth to me, but rather took a shit. Therefore, I shall treat her in kind. You have to earn for respect, not expect it.

• Where you're gonna go?

• I'm not sure, now that you mentioned it... Maybe I'll join Colonial Militia... Or freeze to death, if I'm lucky enough...

• Don't talk nonsense.

• Its 250 K's outside. How long do you think I will last?

• If you need money...

• Forget it. - Kyle spoke barely concealing his anger - By your wife a new fur for that. You might even take another shot at making a kid. Maybe you'll do better this time.

And with that he left. He stopped once more by the stairs and threw over his shoulder.

• You know, it's kind of funny, actually kind of sad, that you can get more of a concern for one's well-being from complete strangers, than from your own flesh and blood. Homo Homini Lupus.

Of course the Colonial Militia recruitment center was closed for the night, and Kyle had to find some other means to spend the night. In the end he landed in the abandoned tram station, of which you could tell a lot of things, accept for that it was cozy. At least it was fairly dry, and snow-free. The biggest of its flaws were that, it was rather windy, and any attempts of raising the temperature appeared to be in vain, and all he could do was to cuddle up to himself tightly by the fire, that barely gave some light, not to mention heat, and unable to fall asleep (when he tried to, his own chills and rattling teeth were waking him up), looking at the small patch of the night sky, gaping through the hole in the roof; waiting for the dawn, while humming to himself a song...

"..I hope life treat you well; I hope she teach you well; I hope, I hope..."

---

A sudden wet sensation was slowly bringing him back from his sleep. Not that it was an unpleasant sensation, but the fact that he hadn't sleep that well in almost a month made him unwilling to brake his sleep. He managed to turn on his side and remain blissful clutches of his dream, but that kept that nagging wet sensation away for just a short period. This time he could localize the source of it in the lower parts of his body, which meant he was closing up dangerously to the awakening. He tried one last time to turn on the other side, but found himself unable to. Something was lying on him, and kept him in place.

Oh, no! he was really waking up!

He reached down with his hand and met a draconian head placed between his legs.

• Oh great... - he muttered surrendering his last hope of prolonging the dream

• Raise and shine - spoke all-too-well known voice, muffled by the activity currently engaged in.

• Why did you wake me up? - he whined loudly - do you have any idea how...

• It's way past the noon - she spoke calmly - You should have gotten up a long time ago.

• Why should I - he asked completely awoken now - I'm freakin' rich! I don't need to work.

• The party, remember? - she asked releasing his manhood from its torments inside her maw - You promised, and now don't you dare to brake your word on that, you hear?

• It must have somehow slip by my mind - he muttered, and gasped loudly when his dick yet again engulfed eager, draconian muzzle - Couldn't you give me a break, there? I'm not an Energizer Bunny, you know...

"What's an Energizer Bunny?" - Kyle asked mentally in accord with Rak'Shi's voice

• What's an Energizer Bunny?

• Something, which I'm not - He stated calmly

• Fine - she said after a short period of scrutiny - If that's the way you want to do it...

Rak'Shi promptly released his legs and loins from her grip and got off the bed. Casting one last puzzling glance at him, she adjusted her wings, and went to the bathroom, not uttering a single word afterwards. Kyle massaged his temples slowly, knowing all too well that he screwed up again.

For a minute, he actually wondered whether it was all worth the trouble, but he dispensed all those unwanted thoughts. He had a dragon mate. That was all that mattered to him. Even if sometimes, he had to suck up his dignity...

He arose from the bed with considerable effort. Damn, now he felt old! Which was rather puzzling, after all he took a nanite dose but a few days ago, but then he remembered that even nanites could not prolong his life for eternity. Was he at his limits? He stretched his aching muscles and stood up from the bed, instantly covering his body with his suit, and yawed widely.

Oh, right... The feast.

It was somewhat funny how he tended to react to this "celebrity stuff". Sure he would gladly throw himself against whole swarms of necromorphs; or AI's exterminators, or run space combats against the impossible odds. However, when it came to the other things, like go to the party, officially receive a decoration, or in other way act civil, it was always like a titanic struggle, he rarely had the will, strength, or resolve to go through it.

• Fuck! - he snarled, slamming the table with his fist. Why did he had to put up with it.

Suddenly a bathroom door had opened, and Rak'Shi's head appeared. She looked at him with an evil twinkle in her eye.

• You said something? - she asked meaningfully

• What? - Asked Kyle a little shocked

• I said: "You said something?"

• Don't use up whole hot water, dearest - he sang with an overly polite tone - I need to take a shower as well, dearest. After all, you wouldn't want me to go there stinking as if I'd fucked a dragoness...

She gave him a long, scrutinizing stare, that went for a bit to long for being comfortable, but said nothing, and returned to the bathroom slamming the doors behind her.

• She wants me... - muttered Kyle to himself with a slightly triumphant smile.

The feel of the hot water worked wonders on his aching muscles. For few long moments he just stood there, doing nothing but enjoy the massage. Somewhere, in the back of his head he knew, that this will be over really fast, and he should hurry, but he could not force himself to do so. Yeah; he definitely needed another nanite dose, and fast. Still he wanted to forgo that moment as long as he could. There were so little of them left...

A sophisticated timer, delineating his lifespan...

And of course there was that marker shit in his head, that could not be entirely eliminated, but thanks to the nanites, and control over hormones they provided he kept that under a heavy lid. Of course, that lid will not be so effective now. After all what was the thought if not a chemical reaction of hormones inside the brain, and bio-electrical charges it generated...

He felt the water becoming colder, so he dispensed with further distractions, and he finished quickly. Standing in front of the mirror, and making few last minute adjustments he heard Rak'Shi nagging about something he couldn't quite catch. He looked at the door leading to the main room with resigned expression. Then, in the corner of his eye, he saw that his reflection in the mirror was still starring at him. Very slowly, he turned his head back to the mirror, and looked upon his reflection with inquisitive stare.

• Lose something over here? - asked his reflection after a longer moment

• Great - muttered Kyle - Now I'm losing my mind...

• Oh no, - his reflection assured him - It's perfectly normal to talk to yourself... Perfectly normal...

• So, this isn't the marker signal..?

• Hmm, let us think about it for a second... - his reflection looked at the ceiling, and started to rub his chin in a gesture of intense thinking - Am I dead?

• You're my reflection.

• So, are YOU dead?

• Let's assume for the moment that I'm not.

• Then the answer is obvious, is it not? Marker signal makes you hallucinate dead people, correct?

• Not quite. - Kyle pointed out -Only those who you trust.

• So? You don't trust anyone. - his reflection laughed spreading his hands wide - Especially to such a fine chap as yourself. It's a win-win right?

• So, is there any particular reason for me to be talking to myself all of the sudden?

• Like what?

• No ultra important messages from the "Great Beyond"?

• In the name of Satan, I command you to spill innocent blood. How was that for ya?

• Oh, get a life!

• Prince Charming in all his majesty... - reflection-Kyle leaned closer with a conspiratorial expression - When will you ditch your dragon-toy? Don't you feel bored with it already?

Suddenly Kyle's gaze became hard as steel.

• Rak'Shi IS NOT a toy! - he snarled at himself from between gritted teeth

• Who do you think you're fooling, Kyle? - the gaze of the alter-Kyle only gained intensity, as he once again leaned his head to the side - We both know that you're incapable of loving. You've suppressed those feelings for so long, that now they are gone. Can't you see? They're gone. You might feel responsible for her, like you would be of a pet; a puppy or something. But we both know that, that ain't love.

• I am feeling - said Kyle firmly, accenting every verb.

• Yea, I noticed. - alter-Kyle nodded with a scowl - Are you sure that that fruit you ate last time were edible?

• Shut-up... - Kyle snarled again, but that made his reflection grin even wider - So, not for love. Maybe you want offspring...? After all your biological clock is ticking... HA! Another fail! You're both as barren as freshly nuked salty-desert!

Kyle rested his both hands on the each side of the mirror. His upper lip started to twitch.

• Next item on the list: companionship. Wrong again! You're a loner; a recluse. You can barely tolerate others within your near proximity. If only they would know... They would probably cherish each freakin' minute of their lives, knowing that they walked past you, and didn't get their hearts ripped of their chests, and creamed down their throats...

Tips of Kyle's fingers became pale, from the intense gripping on the edges of the mirror. A low throaty growl started to emanate from Kyle as he dropped his head down, as if not wanting to face himself.

• Oh, I know why you still keeping her around. It's because a good ol' daily fuck. Hell, if she would be a truly draconic slut; walking on all fours and all... Then it would sate your frigid, soulless needs...

Kyle froze for a moment, and started to shudder, but not from anger. He was laughing. Louder and louder. Then he jerked his head upwards, howling with laughter and with his eyes closed shut. After a moment, when his laughter subsided, he leveled his face with the mirror and spoke calmly.

• You almost got me fooled, you know? You were really good, but with that one slight, tiny mistake everything's bull.- he said slowly opening his eyes and casting a calm, confident gaze at his reflection - I would never use phrase "soulless". If you would really be me, you would know I'm far beyond that religious crap. Christianity, Hindu, Islam... Unitology... They're all bullshit, and I know it. And that leaves you as a delusion, induced by a marker signal. You will perish just as soon as I'll take another nanite dose. And just for the record: I AM IN LOVE WITH HER! And I'll make sure to show that to her at every occasion just to smite ya!

He pushed himself away from the mirror, and with a triumphant smile he walked out of the bathroom, walking directly to the chest of drawers, for his med-pack.

• Are you okay, Kyle - he heard Rak'Shi's voice from behind him - I heard some strange noises in there... You were laughing, and talking... However, I couldn't make words... And...

Kyle didn't respond to her, before making himself an injection.

• I'm okay - he said rolling empty syrette into a small ball and cannoned it from within his fingers into a fireplace. Only then he looked at his mate, and shrugged. - I'm just a weirdo.

She still seemed worried, so he walked on to her, and hugged her fondly. He kissed her gently, and lovingly, entwining his tongue with hers, and grinned to himself mentally, feeling how she slowly melted in his arms. He broke the kiss after a minute, but his face still remained in contact with her snout as he whispered

• I love you so much, Rak'Shi... Don't ever doubt it's otherwise...

A quiet moan escaped her lips, and he felt her cuddle onto him even tighter.

• Kyle... - her words have failed her. For a longer moment she looked in his eyes, and then just shuddered and placed her snout under his chin. - Oh, Kyle...

• I should get going - he said, clearing his throat a little - If I want to buy you some clothes before...

• Oh, don't worry - she interrupted him calmly - I think we can afford to squander another hour, or so...

• But what if I'll be late at the market, and no one will have a decent set of clothes anymore, 'cause they all will be sold-out, or something?

• Then you'll buy me slutty ones... - She looked straight in his eyes and smiled lovingly, before engaging him in another passionate kiss, as a prelude to what she had in mind by saying "squander an hour"...

Sha'Rae stood in front of her mirror, for the thousandth time checking her looks. It was her first occasion for meeting Kyle in person without the threat of draw any unnecessary attention, and she wanted to make sure that everything was in place. Who knows, maybe after tonight their relationship will walk into a new stage; such eagerly awaited by her personally.

• Don't worry - she heard from behind her - You look splendid. I'm sure he'll love it.

She turned around, a bit shocked and saw her father standing in the threshold of her room, looking at her with gentle smile. For a moment she couldn't move a muscle. Did her father knew about her... Affection towards Kyle? And treated that so casually? No, it couldn't be true. He, who at countless occasions bragged about nobility, and how duties that came with the upbirthing, and all other stuff like that... It was really weird that now, all of the sudden... And what if he didn't. What if she misunderstood his intentions, and he meant something different. She cannot reveal her thoughts to him.

• But, does that mean, that he's really coming to the feast? - she asked cautiously

• So you don't know? - asked Mth'Ran walking up to her, and presenting a scroll to her view - I thought you've read the letter already...

• No, I didn't - she said - I heard the talks, but wasn't sure...

Mth'ran gave the scroll to his daughter with fatherly smile, and watched in silence as she read it. Of course Kha'Ron was greatly concerned hearing about her being in danger, and exclaimed his relief upon her being safe and sound back in Drakensang. It wounded him that it couldn't be him who rushed to her aid, and hoped to convey a personal "thank you" to the one who saved her, if he get the chance, and also...

• He's bringing his own troops with him? - she asked looking on her father - To Drakensang?

• Yes. He want to make sure that you're really safe from now on.

• But... - Sha'rae cut off suddenly feeling overwhelmed with recent developments - He's bringing in the troops, from the outside? Wouldn't that be a direct violation of the Great Convention?

The Great Convention was enacted after the last great war, between noble houses, under the guidance of the Council of Elders, to prevent any such wars from happening again. Amongst regulating all territorial claims and few other more or less important things it forbade approaching the foreign cities with a battle formations larger than personal guards. That was why Mth'Ran has send her to Fangrock with only a handful of warriors. Anyone who would attempt to break the Great Convention would be proclaimed outcast to the realm. That meant he would lose all trading routes, all political influence and pretty much be forced into exile, or fight a war with the whole realm. So Kha'Ron's wish to bringing his troops with him was questionable, to say the least.

• Oh, don't worry - Mth'Ran said, putting a gentle arm around his daughter - I've spoke with the elder Sig'Run about it, and he agreed, that this shouldn't cause any problems. After your recent predicament, they became less keen on upholding the Convention in that aspect.

He hugged his daughter one final time, and told her how proud of her he was, and excusing himself with some important matters to attend, he left her room, closing the doors quietly behind him.

Sha'Rae looked at her reflection in the mirror, suddenly sad, almost crying in fact, and sighed hanging her head in resignation. That was all that she needed... A whole army watching her every move...

Rak'Shi awoke with delicious aroma filing her nostrils. Of course Kyle had brought her a meal. It was one of the better treats of having him as a mate. There was always a tasty meal waiting for you when you woke up after. She sighed happily, and get up from the bed. There was also couple of new clothes waiting for her at the sofa. Thankfully, he bought her just plain robes, nothing too extravagant. Not that she didn't like fancy dresses, and all, but she didn't really feel comfortable with them. They always felt misplaced on her.

She decided to eat first, so she wouldn't spill any gravy on her new clothes, and as she ate, she pondered what to do next. Kyle surely was on that party now - she felt a little twinkle of disappointment, about not being allowed to accompanying him there - and probably won't return before sunset. Maybe later even. And that left her with several hours of doing... Exactly, what?

Normally she would go, visit few friends she had, and chat about all kinds of stuff, but since her last encounter with those thugs send by Tir'Gar... Her gaze wondered to the chest of drawers, where Kyle's pistol lay hidden. The prospect of sitting in home doing nothing was really starting to get her. Her mate have taught her how to properly use that thing for a reason, haven't he?

She finished the last portion of her meal, swallowing a big chunk of well-cooked meat whole, and walked to the chest of drawers, opening the lowest drawer, and taking the gun from there. She carefully made sure that the clip is filled with bullets, before walking over to the sofa, placing the gun on it and trying her new clothes, to see how they fit.

Well, Kyle's taste in clothing was exactly what she came to expect of a human male - no sense at all. However, he did buy her lots of them, so after a few attempts, lasting over an hour she come up with something that, in her opinion, could be seen in the daylight. With the final adjustment she lodged behind the belt, and made sure, it wasn't visible on the outside.

She hesitated standing by the door for a moment. Then she walked back to the chest of drawers and opening the top drawer, she took a coin pouch. Returning to the doors and placing her paw on the handle, she took a deep breath, and walked out of the apartment. She might not be invited to that party, but that doesn't meant that she couldn't have fun on her own.

• In other words, I can't go in, correct?

Kyle stood calmly in front of the entrance to the castle, held there by two draconian halberdiers. One that bothered to speak to him, did so however with the look on his muzzle clearly suggesting that he was referring to something that usually get plastered to the boots.

• And no matter what I do, or what will happen you won't let me pass? - asked Kyle to make sure.

• Correct - responded the draconian with a gruff voice - Now scram. There's nothing to see here for you.

• Thank you - said Kyle incredibly happy all of the sudden, which made the other guard look at him suspiciously - Carry on.

He managed to turn around, and made a few steps towards the exit from the palace grounds, when he heard someone is calling him.

• Oh, bloody hell; what now?! - he turned around and saw Var'Lsh walking towards him from the side entrance.

• It's this way - the draconian knight waved a hand over the entrance to the castle. - You don't thinking about leaving this place without participating, do you?

• Well, I was actually going home. Those fine gentlemen over there, have already made it clear, that my appearance inside would be most unwelcome. - he said cheerfully, and then leaned towards him and whispered, but not to quietly, while obscuring his mouth from their view with his hand - I think they don't like my appearance at all.

• Oh, forget about it, and just go through. I'll have WORDS with them later.

• What? You're not coming? - asked Kyle walking slowly to the entrance

• No, I have a few matters to attend. I just came here, when I saw you're having troubles getting in. See you there...

Var'Lsh stayed behind; walking Kyle with his gaze, as if wanting to make sure, he gets in. Moving past the guards Kyle couldn't help but laugh mentally at their woeful expressions, and couldn't suppress a cheery ditty escaping his lips.

"Thank you very much, thank you very much. I should have said "I sorry", but I'm really not..."

• Oh, I'm pure evil - he chuckled to himself - And it feels so freakin' good.

As he walked, further along the corridor seeing all sorts of beings regarding him with a puzzled stare. He was wondering whether he should hang a sing on his neck that would go like "Don't feed the monkeys", or other zoo-related crap, but decided to cover his head with the helmet instead. The cerulean glow of the front shield was quite ominous, and made everyone who was looking at him instantly look away.

Walking into a great hall, he saw that it was rather crowded already. Mostly draconian guests... No, wait. Draconian guests. Those few others, who were amongst them, likans, and kitharians were actually servants, that were keeping their glasses full, and entertained the guests.

He looked around the hall, figuring - mostly to his own amusement - that he couldn't see anyone he knew, and decided to walk across the hall, towards the doors, that led, as it turned out when he got there, to a balcony, at first sight totally devoid of all guest presence.

Kyle sighed with relief, walking to the balustrade, and taking his helmet of, enjoying the night breeze from the ocean... Or sea. He didn't really saw any charts of that area, so it might be even just a lake... He cut his trail of thoughts clearly seeing how the water seemed to be everywhere, reaching over the horizon. ...It could be a large lake.

Pah! On Gaia, they had oceans, compared to which this thing here, would be considered only as sort of a gulf...

• Don't like crowds, don't you? - came from somewhere from behind him. - I don't like them either.

Sha'Rae walked to his side, gazing at the view.

• Still, it won't start unless you are technically, and officially in there, and it have to start, in order to end afterwards, so the sooner it starts, the sooner it ends, and so...

• May I appoint a seneschal or something? - asked Kyle suddenly - I usually did that, when it came to receive a decoration for victorious campaigns, and shit like that... I just say I'm extremely busy with a new power couplings being installed, armament of my starship being replaced... I always had a good alibi on the occasion.

• What's a starship?

• A larger question mark. Much larger...

• And even more shiny? - asked Sha'Rae recalling the last time he had used that phrase.

• Oh, you've seen it already? - Kyle asked her with glee.

• You're such a jerk, Kyle. - she sighed shaking her head in disbelief

• I know, thank you for noticing - Kyle grinned even wider.

• Gosh, I missed you - she sighed with a smile, leaning forward, and resting her arms on the balustrade

• You barely know me - Kyle pointed out, assuming exact to hers position.

Something was missing in this picture...

Oh, right. A smoke.

Too bad, he didn't brought any...

• I know you better than I know the, one my father chose to be my mate... - she said quietly.

• He's a fine lizard, I'm sure - said Kyle and then corrected himself - A winged lizard... A horned, and winged lizard... He does have those, right?

• I don't know - she shrugged - Probably.

• What? No pictures? No paintings? You do have those, don't you?

Before she could answer to him two sturdy-looking knights approached had came in.

• You shouldn't be out here alone, princess - said one of them with clearly annoyed voice.

• This is my home - Sha'Rae almost shouted back - I cannot imagine what could possibly happen to me here!

• Still, it is unwise to...

• And I'm not alone!

• Who is this, then? - asked the other one walking towards Kyle - Doesn't look like one of the servants. Who are you, cur? Speak.

"Damn" - thought Kyle - "Why didn't I bring those cigarettes with me? I would look so perfectly disrespectful if I could blow a smoke on him now... Oh, well..."

He remained silent for the long moment, and then just turned to Sha'Rae and asked

• Well, do you?

• Do I what? - she asked back looking somewhat confused

• Have pictures, or paintings.

She remained silent for a longer moment before finally answering

• Well... Yes. We d-do have those.

• So didn't you had a...

• I asked you a question, mammalian filth - snarled one of the draconians at him, pushing Kyle up against the wall. -Speak, now!

Instinctively, Kyle aimed for the single weak spot he could think of. The eyes. The draconian yelled aloud, covering his eyes with his both hands, and thus releasing the grip he had on Kyle, who took this opportunity to grab him by his horns. Leaning back, he covered his head with the helmet, and mashed his now well-protected head at the draconians forehead. Then not losing his momentum, reached backwards to the balustrade, and lifting himself up a little, bending his legs up, so his feet rested on the draconians chest, and with a quick push, he cannoned the knight off the balcony and inside the hall.

Before his feet touched the stone floor, his RIG brought to his attention the fact that the other draconian was reaching for his sword. Kyle extended his arm and TK-eyed it far into the ocean...

...Along with the sheath... And armor belt... Also, the plates that were protecting his thighs... In addition, the chainmail that they were attached to... With the robes under it, leaving the knight pretty much pants-less in the process.

• You bad dragon - Kyle taunted, waving an index finger at him - Exposing yourself like that in the presence of a lady. Tsk, tsk, tsk...

• I don't mind - he heard Sha'Rae speaking quietly, which made Kyle blink several times - Not at all in fact...

She cut off, seeing guards with drawn weapons entering the balcony. She stepped sideways coming closer to Kyle, and she embraced his arm, fearing that they might attack him on sight if she wouldn't be there.

• What is the meaning of this?! - her father stepped forward in a clearly hostile gait - What has happened here?

• I was enjoying my view - spoke Kyle calmly, balancing carefully each spoken phrase, while RIG continued analyzing every potential targets. Then suddenly a pointer on the HUD focused on Mth'ran's finger, and the ring he was wearing; zoomed in to expand the picture in the pop-up window in the upper-right corner. The engravement on the ring appeared incomplete, but was quickly re-rendered digitally and displayed in full. Kyle's gaze turned stone-cold, under the helmet, but his tone remained calm and polite as he continued. - When those two came in and... Disturbed my personal space. They were rather impolite; clearly hostile in fact. Such... breath-taking faux-pas, couldn't go unanswered, wouldn't you agree?

• A faux-pas, you say? - asked Mth'Ran with a meaningful glare - And what is this? You have walked into my home and causing disorder...

• Only in retaliation for previous actions undertook against me. - Kyle pointed out extremely politely

• Of course, you do realize I could have you thrown into dungeon...

• I hardly see the way, you could accomplish this.

• Have you noticed all those armed guards around? I believe you are greatly outnumbered.

• Which is meaningless, I assure you...

• Kyle! - Sha'Rae hissed, squeezing his arm - You can't fight them all...

• Just watch me - he shrugged.

• Kyle! Father, please...

For the moment, it seemed that the escalation was inevitable, but the patrician took a deep breath, and closing his eyes spoke calmly

• You have saved my daughter's life. That feat guards your life... Yet, be advised, it only goes this far. I cannot allow anyone to show his disrespect to me.

• It was not my intention to show disrespect to the ruler of the city. Merely to point out, that I shall not tolerate any form of disrespect shown towards me. Please accept my sincerest apologies if my intentions has been misunderstood.

The lord of the city watched Kyle for a longer moment as if trying to figure out his true intentions, but considering that he had his helmet on entire time it was quite impossible to do so. Apparently he chose to believe his words, because he signaled his men to stand down, which made the atmosphere immediately less stressful. Even the background noise of casual talks has returned, although they sounded a bit more nervous than the usual, still everything seemed to be back in order again.

Sha'Rae observed her father carefully, while he was looking at Kyle; her paws constantly gripping Kyle's arm nervously, and sighed with clearly noticeable relief, when he nodded slightly at Kyle, called back the guards and walked away. She noticed another draconian, who was observing the scene from behind her father. He seemed to have some special interest in Kyle, because he was watching him with a puzzling look on his muzzle. He seemed to have more interest in Kyle himself, than the whole situation... Sha'Rae could have sworn that he was observing him from the very beginning, when Kyle has entered the ballroom. Did those two know each other from somewhere? Well, the easiest way was to actually ask Kyle about it, but first...

• Are you daft?! - she hissed at Kyle - Do you have any idea what was coming at you?!

• A whole day of feeling like trash, as a consequence of slaughtering innocent, yet not terribly smart bunch of dragons? - He asked turning to face her, and his helmet uncovered his face.

"Damn!" - she thought recoiling a little under his gaze - "He sure knows how to look intimidating"

• What? - he asked her suddenly, misinterpreting her behavior - I'm a big boy. I can take care of myself.

• No one is invincible, Kyle - she stammered out finally getting a hold of herself.

• I'll try anyway. - shrugged Kyle, turning around to face the outside view once again.

His "I-don't-give-a-shit" pose was slowly starting to bug Sha'Rae. Was he really that stupid? The worst of it, he really seemed not understanding just how terrible mistake he just could make. Being cocky was one thing, but plain suicidal?

• Kyle, it is very important for you to understand how things work around here - she tried to reason with him. - You might have been the leader of that small group, but here, you are a nobody. Could you take on an entire army?

• Yes, I could - Kyle shrugged, which made her shook her head in disbelief

• You're insane - she hissed - Not just stupid, or reckless; You're completely insane!

• Stone on stone wouldn't last here - he said firmly - if I would wish so.

• Really? So you're a god in the mortal flesh?

• No. No god. - Kyle looked her straight in the eyes, and made a short pause for better effect of his next words - Merely someone, who has hi-tech weaponry on his disposal.

• Well then - she shrugged - I would like to see it in action sometime

• No, you don't - he said suddenly with a cold tone in his voice - You should pray to your gods, if you have them, so they would spare us from the need of using them. Trust me. You don't need any of this.

For a longer moment, they remained completely silent, watching at the last rays of sun, burning crimson on the water.

• Looks like they're ready to start - Sha'Rae finally broke the silence, looking back at the ballroom - Shall we go?

• I don't have a choice, do I... - he muttered hanging his head in defeat

• Oh, but you do - she sang to him cheerfully all of the sudden, playfully patting him on the back - Either you do this, or I'll nag my father to throw you into the dungeon.

• You call that, a choice?

• Of course. You have two options, don't you?

• That's a crappy choice.

• A choice, nonetheless. - she said flashing with her fangs at him - Come on.

And without further delay, she grabbed Kyle by his shoulder and practically dragged him inside.

All in all it wasn't so bad, as Kyle started to think about it later. There was only minor ceremonial detail - the introductions, and official toasts. All seven of them! As if they couldn't come up with the big, single one. And the introductions!.. Kyle had almost run out of insults, thrown mentally at anyone who appeared so ridiculously aristocratic in behavior, and was so eager to make acquaintance, express their sincerest gratitude for his gallant act, congratulate him his skillful abilities, and ask ever-so-politely about his origins, allegations as well as his ancestors that they have probably meet sometimes in the past. On the outside, he shook hands, smiled kindly, bowed slightly and in fact was on his best behavior. Inside however...

Boy if they would only knew...

Then there was the feast. The food brought and placed upon the long tables would make any cardiologist have a sudden heart attack just by looking at it. Sitting by the table, at the appointed place, Kyle couldn't help but chuckle at the memory, from his previous life... His first life. From the times, when he was still an FNG at the Colonial Militia Defense Fleet in the rank of ensign.

He got a pass, just before his first six-month serving duty aboard the some cutter. He and Sylvia - one of the tech-heads there, had barely had occasion to date each other, so he asked her out, to a restaurant for a dinner; nothing too fancy, but not the usual stuff, that all of them were stuffing themselves with. Everything was meant to be perfect...

Unfortunately, she came with a friend... Vegan friend.

Not Vegan as from Vega star system, but those other vegans - super-orthodox vegetarians.

It was a disaster...

Up until then, Kyle had nothing against the whole "eat only plants" thingy. Though he found it rather odd. After all the nature (by that time he was oblivious to the fact, that it really wasn't a nature) has made them omnivore, so it was natural to acquire both kinds of proteins, as long as you kept them properly balanced. However, by the time their, from lacking of a better word, "date" has ended; Kyle had became a sworn enemy of all of the plant-eaters, and with ridiculously obvious joy he munched on every piece of meat he had on his plate.

Sure enough, he didn't get laid that night, but even after all these years he was certain that it was totally worth it. The real problem with Sylvia's friend was not the fact that she didn't like eating meat, rather the fact that she made her personal doctrine to wipe-out, all traces of meat-eating from the face of the world. And that was something which Kyle couldn't stomach.

Good thing that he was going on that six-month duty, because it gave Sylvia some time to cool-off. Maybe the fact that after awhile being plain ol' vegan appeared not extreme enough for her friend to keep her occupied, and she decided that she shall be living from now on only on pure sunlight. After all, plants have feelings as well, and it's immoral to eat them! Oh, how Kyle would love to invite her there, on that feast!.. Unfortunately, most probably by that time she was already dead. Kyle hoped, she died without giving birth to anyone, and spared the future generations from the wrath of her stupidity genes.

Sound of music brought him back to the present. A group of performers of all species came in to the center of the room, and begun their show of acrobatics, and other circus stuff.

He blinked several times, coming back to present, as he felt something rubbing his leg under the table. He didn't flinched, nor did he looked under the table. He wasn't a rookie, or a complete moron. Instead he looked discreetly over the gathered by the table. He didn't looked far; draconian tails weren't that long, however he couldn't quite catch who was doing this. For a considerable moment he thought he could just step on it, and see who yells, but he stopped himself seeing Sha'Rae casting a few sidelong glances.

What was she thinking, doing that right under the nose of her father? He raised the front of his foot, allowing her tail to slither under it, and then pressed it firmly to the ground. Not too much, though. He didn't want to hurt her.

He watched how her gaze freezes suddenly, and turns slightly onto him. He moved his head slightly to the left, and then to the right, in a barely visible, yet universal gesture: "DON'T". She seemed greatly disappointed at that; perhaps even hurt, but it appeared that she understood the message. When Kyle lifted his foot again, she took her tail away, and didn't try to use it again.

He felt somewhat bad at this, but he knew that had to be done. Though, she was being playful, and Kyle would rather go to bed with an ugly, sweaty, sticky and stinky old guy, than refuse a playful dragoness, but... Hell, it was a right thing to do, and Kyle; he always did the right thing, even if he had to suffer for it. Maybe that was the reason for his attitude towards everything. If you don't bother, you won't suffer because of its loss. And the easiest way of not bothering was to be repulsive towards everything.

A tactic that, incidentally, seemed to fail against Rak'Shi... And Sha'Rae. For a long period he wondered why it was so. It seemed to work with everyone else. They were polite towards him... Usually. But nothing beyond initial courtesy. And that was okay with him. Those two however, seemed to ignore his attempts to be repulsive. Or maybe it was he, who couldn't force himself to be fully convincing in relation to them. Those were dragonesses after all, and he always had a soft spot for dragons, exceptionally for dragonesses.

• Oh, they brought the Seer - said the drake sitting next to Kyle - This is going to be interesting.

Up until then, Kyle really didn't pay attention to what was happening at the center of the room, but as he heard the comment, he suddenly realized that there were no music, anymore, and he was too deep in thoughts to notice. Now he saw a dragoness with scales of pure white silver, as if she were an albino, but her eyes weren't red. They were white as her scales, with a slight hint of blue shade in them. She was wearing a jewel-incrusted clothing, concealing pretty much just obvious areas of her body. She looked like those exotic dancers, from movies, Kyle saw in childhood.

She walked slowly, in a slightly seductive way along the u-shaped table, dragging her talon, gently by its edge, and when Kyle was starting to wonder where it all led, she stopped in front of him. For a moment, their gazes met, and then...

He was back on the bridge of the Dragonclaw, but it was empty. The main screen showed a planet; pretty much like Gaia, but with different landmass. What really draw his attention to it, was the sight of the Moon being created from the biomass, sucked from the surface of that very planet.

Convergence!

The Main gun! Quick! There should be still time to build-up a charge..!

Yet, he couldn't move a muscle. He could only stand there and watch... However it appeared that he wasn't alone there. He heard footsteps, more or less, with a talon clicking on the tritanium floor. In the corner of his eye he saw the very silver-scaled dragoness, walking just below the commanders nest, towards the closed blast-doors. She stood in front of them, and raised her paw at them, but they remained closed.

Her paw begun to glow suddenly, and Kyle heard a sound of overloaded hydraulics, louder and louder. It seemed that she was attempting to open the door, while the mechanisms struggled to seal them shut. But they were failing. The blast-doors started to shake visibly, and the vibrations were going stronger, along with the sound of the hydraulics, and he was certain that they won't stay closed much longer.

• You shouldn't go down there - he heard himself whisper - You won't like what you'll find...

Suddenly the doors snapped open, and the darknes that was behind them started to pour inside the bridge, engulfing the dragoness like a wave. Kyle noticed that it contained billions, and billions of tiny markers, that were ripping her of the scales, and flesh, even grinding her bones to dust. She tried to scream, but when she opened her maw it was the blood that came out of her, not a scream. Kyle could only watch from his commander's nest, as the relentless flow of the tiny black markers slowly devoured the poor thing.

• NO!- he shouted suddenly, turning his gaze off her, and standing up from the table, shaking his head violently, as if trying to throw her out from his mind; but it was already too late for her. - What have you done, you mangy reptile!? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!!?

Silver dragoness fell back on the floor. Her high-pitched screams filled the room, making pretty much everyone freeze in their seats. Then she suddenly stood up, and her scream turned into roar, as she charged at the closest to her performer. Her talons reached for his eyes...

But Kyle was slightly faster.

He jumped over the table, supporting himself on his arms, and struck the seer with his foots, knocking her down, and away from her "almost-a-victim". She was back on her feet in no time, and charged at him this time, but he was ready for her. His helmet covered his head in the moment she reached him, and they clashed with each other.

Even, though that was a dragoness, and as such she was considerably smaller, from average drake, her madness had somehow made her surprisingly strong, and for once Kyle was franticly trying to find a way to avoid using his kinetic enhancers. It was a dragoness, for fucks sake! He couldn't just... He saw the guards coming up at them, finally reacting to the situation. There was no choice. When they come here, they won't bother and just kill the witch. He had to act, now.

He pushed her paws off himself, and placing one of his hands on her chest, just below her neck, suddenly lifted her two foots over the floor, and slammed her back down. Instantly, he got on top of her, pinning her down firmly to the stone floor. She roared, snarled and hissed nastily, but could not do anything else, except for casting hateful glare on him.

• Poor creature - Kyle couldn't suppress sorrowful tone, reaching for the rifle at his hip - You didn't deserve this...

He froze suddenly with his hand at the handle of the weapon... He could swear that he saw her gaze shift from reckless fury into, desperately pleading... It was but a split second, but it seemed so real... She was a powerful psychic; what if she managed to shield her id from the effect of the marker signal? Could it be possible? He had to take chances. Keeping her firmly under himself, he reached onto his shoulder, for his med-kit, and put it beside him, opening it swiftly, ant taking out a single syrette. She roared deafeningly, and he took that opportunity, and put three fingers in her maw, to keep it open, and immobilize her tongue.

• I'm sorry - he said deploying the needle, and plunging it into the vein in her tongue.

If it would work, he could save her life, even though he took her motherhood away. Aaand she will probably be a half-wit by now...

If not...

He just created a necromorph with regenerative ability...

The silver dragoness bustled about for a moment longer before she fell completely limp. He checked her eyelids reaction to the light, her breathing, and few other things. On the end, he reached back with his hand under her tail, and clothing, and put a finger in her anus to check the tension of the muscles there. Everything seemed to be in order, so her brain was still more or less functional. No necroporphing today.

Kyle looked around, suddenly aware, that he was in the center of attention, and released unconscious dragoness from his grasp. But before standing up, he put her arm around his neck, and stood up, dragging her along with him. He wasn't about to leave her here, alone now.

• Stand... - he said with a cold voice, casting a cerulean glow of the front shield of his helmet at the guards standing in front of him - ...Aside.

Surprisingly they have obeyed him without question, though he suspected some measure of resistance from their side. He walked slowly, practically dragging the silver dragoness along, and left the ballroom, kicking the door wide open, leaving the room filled with loud muttering.