Dragonlore Pt 2

Posted on Sun Sep 20th, 2026 @ 6:48pm by Lieutenant Commander Deanna Celes & Lieutenant Commander Callie Raven-Grayson & Lieutenant Kate Kono & Lieutenant James Phoenix & Chief Petty Officer Aaron Geiger

1,413 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Here There Be Dragons
Location: Draco IV

Drake considered his words, not certain how to address this bit of information. Finally, after what seemed an eternity of silence, he spoke. "I assume your species are not much different than my own in certain ways. You likely span the spectrum between good and evil. My race is like this, but we are either strongly one or the other, and the two sides do not interact with each other peacefully often, as you saw earlier."

"That isn't something to be ashamed of Drake" Deanna replied. "You are hardly the first species that we've encountered that is like that. What I find amazing is the overall lack of visible technology here."

"I have to concur" Irwin noted. "This planet appears to be a real untouched paradise."

"It makes one wonder how they would react to us mining" Kuzma commented under her breath.

“Visible technology isn’t a requirement though just because it’s what we’re used to seeing.” Callie added from where she stood.

"I suppose that is true. Just because we use technology of a certain level doesn't mean technology of a more advanced level can't exist" Kuzma replied.

"That gives me hope that we'll one day have vessels that time travel on the regular" James joked in an attempt to lighten the mood. He did make the quip while maintaining his vigilance.

"I'm sure the blokes in Temporal Affairs would love that" Irwin quipped.

Drake seemed to shiver. He looked directly at Deanna, "Something has happened. One of the evil ones has been killed. Do you have people elsewhere on the planet?"

"Two survey teams, checking out the mineral deposits we detected from orbit" Deanna replied honestly.

"What sort of deposits?" Drake questioned.

"Tritanium, dilithium, pergium, possibly the liquid latinum if time permits" Deanna replied. "Why?"

"Tritanium is a metal. It is abundant on this planet. Dilithium is a crystal on this planet, but not desired. Pergium, I do not know this term, nor do I know what latinum is."

"It wouldn't be their first temporal headache" James returned quietly to Irwin as Deanna and Drake's exchange was occurring. He stepped up to Deanna and Drake again. "I think we should keep an eye out when it comes to the mineral deposits. We aren't the only faction who would be interested in them" he added, knowing that there were plenty of non-Federation races that would be more than willing to take these minerals with pure violence.

"If we can get in the general area, I might be able to get us into the non-Federation comm traffic." Aaron said furrowing his brows. "Depending on who's talking we may have an easier time unscrambling their crypto."

Kate stepped away from the cave wall and closed the short distance to Aaron, her boots scuffing against the rough mineral floor. She kept her voice low, meant only for the two of them. “Did you say someone else might be here?” She held Drake’s gaze just long enough to confirm it, then turned fully toward Aaron.

“If we can get better reception outside this rock, even for a few minutes, we might intercept their chatter. Get a read on who we’re dealing with.” Her fingers were already moving, pulling the slim tablet from her thigh pocket. “The Washington’s sensors should have flagged another ship in orbit. That’s where I’ll start… see if there’s anything it missed, anything hiding in the carrier waves.”

The screen glowed to life in her hands, its light catching her dark eyes as she called up decryption protocols, ready to tear signal from noise.

Deanna looked to the others. "No one else is on the planet. The dragon that was killed was attacking one of the survey teams."

She looked to Drake, "The death was self-defense, if that matters."

"It does" Drake replied. I believe only one solution exists, but it will require us to meet with your leader. Is that possible?"

"If it means you coming to our ship, yes, but you would need to be in the form you are in now, not your true form" Deanna replied.

"That is understandable and acceptable. I will need to contact the leadership. Please excuse me for a moment" Drake replied, then walked away.

With Drake making arrangements of his own, Deanna looked to the others. "It would seem we are about to return to the ship for an impromptu diplomatic meeting. I need to inform the captain. Any thoughts before I check in with the ship?"

"I take it we'd be using the usual diplomatic security protocol ma'am?" James asked. He knew the answer, however the situation was rather unique and as such he figured he would ask.

"Everyone will be returning to the ship. What happens once we are aboard the ship, well, I'm sure you'll be ready lieutenant" Deanna replied with that cheshire grin she liked to flash from time to time.

"I for one will be happy to return to the ship. We've had a few close calls, and I don't want to be around for the next one" Kuzma said honestly.

"Agreed ma'am." Aaron replied. "Wouldn't mind an unsinged uniform as well. Not that this wasn't enjoyable, fresh air and all." He finished with a smile.

Callie couldn’t help but smile at that comment. “I’ll be glad to get back and see how Jon’s doing.”

"Very well. Phoenix, prepare everyone for departure" Deanna ordered.

She walked over to a secluded corner and hit her comm badge, =^= Washington, this is Deanna. =^=

=^=This is Shran. Go ahead Deanna. =^=

=^=It appears that one of the survey teams may have caused an incident sir. They killed a dragon in self-defense. Can you confirm? =^=

=^=Confirmed. How do you know this? =^= Shran questioned.

=^=These dragons have a form of telepathy, amongst other, shall we say abilities. Our contact here wishes to avoid further loss of life and potential retaliation. He is arranging for a meeting to take place aboard the Washington, with your permission. =^= Deanna replied.

Shran considered this for a moment. He couldn't deny that he was intrigued. It might be dangerous, but it would also be the best means to gather up close intel. And he needed to know which intel was correct, what they had gathered or what Imik was insisting upon. =^=If you believe it safe, then proceed. =^=

=^=I don't think we have a better option honestly. I would recommend a yellow alert, and nonessential personnel to quarters, especially the civilians. =^= Deanna continued.

=^=We will be awaiting you and our guests in the conference room. Have Phoenix and his security forces chaperone, and bring Kate along for intel purposes, but remind her that this is high level official business. =^=

=^=Understood sir. Can I get an update on Jon, to pass along?" Deanna replied.

=^=Condition green. Bring her along as well and she can see for herself. Shran out. =^=

Deanna returned to the group. "Things are set on our end. Phoenix, you and your team here will be chaperones for this dance, understood?" She looked to Kate, "You have been invited to the dance, but the captain wishes for me to remind you that this is an official function, if you get the meaning." Finally, she looked to Callie, "You'll attend as well, as will Jon." She looked to the others, "The rest of you will report to normal duty stations, get to work on your reports. You all know the drill."

"Yes ma'am" James complied with the order before relaying it to the members of the security team who were still on watch in the cave as they likely didn't hear it.

Drake returned to speak with Deanna. "Our Triad is coming here to meet with your leadership. I hope you are prepared to deal with such dignitaries."

Deanna nodded. "We can handle it. But who are these dignitaries that are coming?"

"The Triad are the eldest members of our race. Some consider them immortal. Bahamut is the leader of those of us that you would consider of a good alignment, Tiamat is the leader of the evil side, and Crosis is their father of us all, including them. Tiamat will seek out ways to cause conflict, Bahamut will counter him, but Crosis will be the one that is unpredictable. Diplomacy is paramount with him" Drake replied honestly.

"Very well. We'll be ready. I think you'll find that our captain and XO can be quite cunning and diplomatic" Deanna replied.

 

RSS Feed