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Sorry for the delay folks, you'll see the reason behind it in my journal. All's a bit well now, so I'll whack out this next chapter and get onto the next one.

First Moves

Saphyra didn't keep the elf prince's presence and warning a secret. She immediately came home and told Davis, who then called the base commander, who called a clerk and then was transferred to a general, who told the President, who then got the word out to the raptors, who then, very loudly, protested that day in front of the Galactic Union council about this threat to invade their space and the space of their allies. Of course, the elves made several statements, all with veiled threats, which kept other races out of it, and pissed off the raptor delegate very thoroughly, enough to post guards along the routes into Sol system.

That guard is soon supplemented. Taking the opportunity for what it was, the humans started about building their second star base, with the help of the raptors. This base, around Jupiter, just outside of its radioactive zone, was planned to be the biggest star base, and to have docks around it. The raptors further proved helpful by leading a human exploration vessel into Jupiter's atmosphere, showing it exactly where the zone of breathable air was in a gas giant. The dragons helped out as well, and soon, there was a temporary base set up on Europa, housing all the construction crews who were building the military and civilian stations. A short week later and Davis hears about it in the squadron situation room during a regular morning briefing from the commander. "That's great news!" Goose had piped up, getting a grin from most of the others. The kid was always eager to see humans expanding. "At this rate, we'll have other Earth like planets colonized in no time!"

"Easy kid." Davis says. "Remember, we go too fast, we'll get spread thin."

The commander nods in agreement. "That's what the White House thinks." He says. "We're sending your squadron along with the 82nd Airborne out to Jupiter to keep things under guard. The cat was out of the bag right after the elves made their threat, and we can't be entirely sure they won't try to attack quickly, to seize the opportunity before more forces arrive. The Enterprise and her small fleet are already on station to provide cover. You will be linking up with her in a week. Gather your gear, have your families make ready to move, the carrier has more than enough room for them as well." He goes to attention, prompting all to stand, and when he salutes, they salute. "Oh, gentlemen, ladies, have a little fun today." He says, dropping the salute. "Dismissed."

The squadron leaves the briefing room and Saphyra walks next to Davis and Wedge. "What did he mean by 'have fun'?" She asks.

Wedge chuckles a bit. "You'll see." he says.

Six hours later

The noise was amazing, McLintock thought, as he stood next to his wife and daughter in line. Everywhere there were smiles and laughs, men holding beers and hot dogs, women doing the same. "Can I help you sir?" The attendant asks behind her kiosk.

"Yeah, a large nachos with jalapenos, two Bud Lights, and a small Pepsi." The attendant nods and rings it up, giving him his change after being paid. He collects the food after a few minutes.

"Better hurry to your seat, sir." One of the crew says. "They're about to start." McLintock nods and heads out, down to the seats just before the fifty yard line, and takes a seat. The stadium was filling up, already most of the seats were taken, dragons and humans together. It's a pretty sight, considering not even a decade ago they were mortal enemies.

His thoughts are interrupted by a tug on his shoulder. "Daddy?" His daughter asks, she was seven years old, just old enough to appreciate this like everyone else here does. She is looking around the stadium. "How many people are here?" She asks.

McLintock grins. "A whole lot honey." She says.

"McLintock?" A voice comes from behind. He turns to see Wallace coming to a seat not far away.

"General! How are you sir? I haven't seen you since El Paso!" The two shake hands and exchange a hug and a laugh. "I'm alright, lad." He says. "Nobody has managed to set me on fire yet, or managed to seat me behind a desk for longer than a day." He says. "I take it you're here for the same thing I am?" McLintock nods. "Well, I'm sure they'll make a proper spectacle of it, given how much talk they've had over the whole damned thing." Wallace humphs at it and smiles at his daughter. "And who is this lovely?" he asks. McLintock's daughter blushes and hides behind her dad.

"This is my daughter, Agatha." He says. "Honey, say hello to General Wallace, first armored division." She waves, shyly, getting a laugh from her mother. "And this is my wife, Melissa." He says.

"Charmed, general." She shakes his hand. Now that McLintock's eyes are opened, he sees many of the survivors from El Paso around. Both human and dragon. Cynder sticks out the most, with her black scales and purple markings. They're purple? He had thought they were pink. Then there's the white Dragoness who had shielded him and the general from the bomb, talking to Cynder, having a good time.

His inspection of the local crowd is interrupted as the speakers all around the stadium blare to life, playing the NFL theme. Afterward, the announcer's voice chimes up. "The National Football League would like to welcome you all to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, in the beautiful city of Jacksonville, Florida! Welcome to Super Bowl Forty Fooooooooour!" The whole crowd erupts into cheering as the announcer draws out that four, deafening anyone to anything else, banners and team colored palm palms waving everywhere. "If you would bring your eyes to the sky above the center stadium, the Army parachuting team, the Golden Knights, will be dropping into stadium center!" There's a brief cheer, and soon, a prop plane flies over, high overhead, a few dots coming from the side. The parachuters come down to the ground quickly, a cheer accompanying each jumper as he or she lands, the lead having the American flag, the second having the POW MIA flag. The third, surprisingly, has a buddy on the jumper, and as the fourth lands, the buddy jumper is set loose from the jumper and takes off her jumping outfit, revealing herself to be in a pair of jeans and a button up working shirt. Both flags were caught before they hit the ground, and now, are taken inside to be folded and readied for the next jump. As the person who had tagged along with the jumper dusts herself off, a team of volunteers takes to the field, and splits off in a rectangle, spreading out a large American flag that takes up a good portion of the field. "Before the Panthers and the Dolphins take the field, please rise for our national anthem, sung by Shania Twain!" The crowd falls silent, albeit slowly, as the country singer comes up to the podium. As she starts singing, McLintock, Wallace, and all the soldiers in the stadium, go to attention and salute the flag flying at the northern side of the stadium, the regular civilian citizens placing their hands, or hats, over their hearts, everyone quiet as the singer sings the anthem. The flag is waved, so to speak, as she starts off.

McLintock is amazed by how quiet it is while the anthem is sung, every single word coming out clearly, as if the nation, the anthem, means more to the public now than it ever did before. "And the rocket's red glare! The bombs bursting in air!" He starts to sing with the singer, the rest of the crowd starting to join in as those in the military sing with her, and soon, the entire crowd is singing: "Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free...and the home...of the...brave?" The song done, cheering erupts thru the entire crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, the United States Air Force!" The announcer calls, as a brilliant blue celestial dragon flies overhead, cutting off the announcer halfway thru announcing the flyby, roaring out her joy to the entire crowd, pumping the crowd up more, then two F22s fly over the dragoness in formation, at full afterburner, the noise of jet engines filling the air with the ear splittingly loud noise, only momentarily drowning out the cheer of the crowd before it doubles on itself, everyone ecstatic at the display, Wallace wiping a tear from his eye during the cheering. Fireworks start erupting in the sky, all colors decorating the air, celebrating the nation and the skill of the teams about to play on the field, the crowd still making as much noise as it can as the two teams come out onto the field in their own ways.

It takes a good five minutes before the crowd calms down enough to take a seat, during which time the referees did the coin toss and told the players they expect a good and fair game. The mood is palpable in the air, full of happiness, joy, excitement. It affects the dragons more then the humans, who are more sensitive to such things. No hostility seems to exist at all in the crowd. Diamond finally understands why humans go crazy over such games like this and love them so much. They bring everyone together over a common thing, and allows for competition in a way where no one gets hurt or loses anything more than pride, or the occasional injury. Even when that happens, she reflects, the entire crowd would get quiet, and cheer for the man when he leaves the field, even if they don't like his team.

"Well hey there everybody." A voice comes from behind and up the stairs, prompting everyone to turn. Wedge, Davis, and Saphyra, all in their g suits and flight clothes, are coming down to find their seats. Greetings and introductions, hand shakes, hugs on the part of Saphyra with Cynder and her other friends, happen, and they all take a seat.

"When did ya get here?" Wallace asks, having drunk enough already that his Scottish accent is out in full force. It makes Agatha and Gharna laugh a bit to hear it.

"Just now, didn't you see us come in? We flew right over the stadium." Wedge responds with a grin. Davis is finding his seat while looking around for the beer guy. Upon finding him, he sticks up his hand, and is given a large Budweiser free, surprising him, but he doesn't argue. Instead he cracks it open. The base commander had told him he was allowed to drink while in uniform, but to be able to fly afterwards.

The general smirks. "Fine thing. Leave it to the Air Force to make an entrance."

The game is a good one as it starts off, dragons holding the defensive and offensive front lines, while the faster humans run with the ball or go out for passes. The quarterbacks are on the top of their game, but so are everyone else. The first few minutes sees a few back and forth, before a big play by the Panthers results in the first touchdown of the game. During this time, a little shuffling occurs, Saphyra finding her way to her friends and gossiping with them while they watch the game, the kids grouping together and talking with their mothers nearby, the guys together, doing enough cheering to make up for the lack of attention of the dragonesses, and the halfhearted cheering of their wives, who are more interested in chatting with each other and catching up for the first quarter. Music is everywhere between the plays courtesy of the large speakers, and Davis can't help but think that he has rarely had a more perfect day than this one. His joy radiates thru to Saphyra thru their link, making her joyful as well, which helps to dispel the last of the bad feelings Cynder has about losing her boyfriend, or mate, if you listen to her.

At halftime the Panthers are ahead by a field goal, and a man comes up to them. "Excuse me, sirs, ma'ams, but you're requested on the field here in about ten minutes. We have your uniforms ready." They are all lead back to near the team lockers, where their dress uniforms are all in order, including the General's, with a whole salad bar or three of medals and ribbons.

After the first act is done, a performance by the college marching band that won the national march off, the announcing speaker comes up. "Ladies and Gentlemen, please rise for the President of these United States." It's unexpected, but everyone rises. There's mingled feelings about this President, so the cheer isn't whole hearted, but it's still there. The crowd can't help but notice the line of people, Davis and everyone else, marching onto the field in their uniforms, General Wallace at the front, leading them on. "Ladies and gentlemen, fellow American citizens. Several years ago we saw the end of the war that rocked humanity to its very core. That nearly saw our race extinguished. So great was it's impact that the world today was changed drastically from what it once was and would have been. Racism is no more. The presence of dragons among us watching and playing in this game is proof of that. Crime has dropped, corruption rooted out entirely. The end of the war ushered in a new age for humans and dragons alike. The dragons refer to us as their partner race, the raptors as our brothers and sisters. None of this would be possible, however, without the sacrifice of those standing behind me, the survivors of the battle at El Paso. Those who bravely went into battle, on both sides, so their nations would survive and prosper."

The President turns to the line of men and dragons. "Your valor in the face of danger, your commitment to duty, and your own personal honor are in standing with the highest regard in our society, but more importantly, your actions afterwards, bringing an end to the fighting, helping one another, and your tireless dedication, have been recognized as above and beyond the call of duty at the time. Rather than retreating after the battle, you stayed and helped several of your fellow soldiers, from both sides, providing the faith needed to enter into a peace that has lasted, and has paved a way to the joining of our two races." The President reaches back his hand, and the view on the screen for the entire crowd to see zooms in on the President's aids. The aid hands the President a piece of paper, which he holds up to read from. "And so, I, John Eden, forty-sixth President of the United States, award you the Medal of Honor, for gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of your life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States. I also award the Medal of Honor to the dragons who stand here before us alongside these brave soldiers, for actions above and beyond the call of any dragon during a time of war, for honor and bravery showing the finest and highest qualities of dragon kind, and for actions that resulted in not only the salvation of several thousand lives on both sides, but also that lead to the foundation of the alliance and peace we now have today." He rolls back up the paper, and is handed a whole bunch of neck medals, which he goes to the soldiers and dragons one at a time, each bowing their heads in turn to have the Medal of Honor put on their neck, then shaking their hand as they bring their head back up, the crowd cheering all the while.

After putting the last medal on, the President takes the microphone from his mouth and smiles to them. "Sorry that took so long." He says. "But Congress thought it would be best to award it to you during the Super Bowl, when the most people would be watching." He salutes them, prompting them to return the salute.

Wallace stands at strict attention. "Group...right face!" The line turns to the right in one crisp motion, a raptor media droid passing by overhead, getting a shot of it up close. "Forward...march!" They start marching off the field, several people waving American flags as they march by. Even the football players from both teams, much to the surprise of all the soldiers just decorated, are clapping for them as they head inside. After they are inside, the teams go back to their lockers for more consultation with their coaches.

Davis was dazed by receiving this medal, as were the others, even the dragons. They were surprised that the draconic medal of valor was adapted to allow them to receive this medal of honor, even though they knew they were for pretty much the same things. They all knew one simple thing: They weren't heroes, they were survivors. Fresh in each mind was how they felt in El Paso that day. The dust settling, the mushroom cloud still visible in the sky, all of them wondering if they would have to start fighting again soon, wondering if they would survive to see the next year, and thinking the worst that could happen had happened. "Well then..." McLintock says. "I guess it's not surviving that gets you decorated, but how you survive that does the trick." The others nod, looking at the medals.

"Wear these with pride." Davis says, looking at the ribbon case given to him. It takes them a few minutes to get back to their seats. They don't even bother getting out of their dress uniforms. They find their way back to their seats with the Nickelback songs being sung for the halftime show, fireworks and all going off, and enjoy themselves thru it. Even during the game, the camera comes onto them a lot, showing them on the big screen cheering for one team or the other. The even was too charged for them to stay shocked for long. At the end they are back to their normal selves. Davis, Wedge, and Saphyra go back to where they landed at to get into their fighters for the trip home, Saph taking off her clothes in a dragon changing shelter. All she talks about on the way home is how wonderful it was to have the two races together in a single place in such numbers, and not grouped off, one divided from the other. They were all mingled about. The conversation soon changes as they land, where the crew all greets them and is happy, clapping for them and everything. Even Saphyra's gun crews, the people who man the anti fighter guns on her back, and the optional AWACS crew, are there, congratulating them, sharing in their joy simply because it is so rare to even know someone who was awarded the Medal of Honor, much less work with one. Saphyra realizes another reason the President did this award, and why they did it so publicly. It's going to do a lot to bring the races even closer together.

The next morning, Saphyra wakes up Davis by pouncing him on the bed. "Come, you must see what's on the news!" She says, and drags him out of bed completely naked to watch the news. The headline reads "More Permanent Alliance", which makes Davis sit down and watch the report.

"The draconic council finished meeting last night, having voted unanimously to join with the human race completely, saying that the humans and dragons are more than mere partners, but are bonded together." The reporter says. "They further went on to say that they would merge completely with human government and that dragons all over will consider humans as one of their own kind."

Davis leans back as the reporter keeps going. "Well I'll be." He says. Saphyra is all grins.

"I was wondering when they would do that." She says. "There are hundreds of dragon human bonds already in place. It was only a matter of time. I..." Her attention is caught by the television screen as a raptor correspondent comes into view.

"The reaction to the announcement here on Theria has been one of acceptance and happiness on behalf of our draconic and human brothers and sisters." The reporter says. "Though this is certain to excite relations with the elves, the Therian government has openly announced it would continue to support the dragons, and the humans, making the galactic recognition of humanity as an intergalactic civilization a certainty."

Allileiya

The prince was in a storm. He was shakily getting dressed, so upset that his hands were shaking and he had to unbutton and rebutton his shirt, something he never has to do. He had been watching raptor news, and what the dragons were doing was an insult to the entire race of elves! At least to him. He storms out of his room and straight towards his parents. Seeing an ambassador from the dark elves doesn't stop him. "You are dismissed." he says, interrupting the conversation the king has with the ambassador. After looking at the king, who pauses for a moment before nodding and waving the ambassador off, the dark elf leaves, letting the prince start to vent. "Father, the Dragons are JOINING with the humans! I doubt the humans realize the depth of what was said and done, but they have declared dragons and humans to be more than partners. They have likely already bound themselves magically to the humans!"

The king sighs. "You are sure, son, that you are not taking this jealousy of yours too far? Again?" The prince flushes up. "Very well." The king says, relenting. "Take first shock fleet and destroy the humans if you wish. However, you will let us handle things after that. Keeping the dragons from striking back at us and hating us after this will be much more...difficult. Able to be handled nonetheless, but still difficult." The Prince, smiling, bows, and goes to make the orders.