The stables were a vast room with steel walkways stretched over dragon dens, which were carved into the ground. The nests were different sizes so the dragons could rest comfortably. There was no ceiling, and the dragons were permitted to come and go as they pleased. A variety of tech sat on platforms on the walkways, most of it used to apply weapon augments to the dragons.
Chine poked his head up from his den when Alex walked into the stables. I was starting to think you had forgotten about me.
Alex leaped down into Chine’s den. The floor was covered in the stones and precious jewels Chine had collected, and it was warm from his body heat. Alex leaned against the wall, resting her head against the steel. They didn’t tell you I was quarantined?
They did, but I still worry. I’m glad you were finally released.
I’m assuming they told you about the invasion.
Chine nodded as he exhaled a small cloud of smoke. Yes, we’ve been told. It is good you made it down here before the rest of the riders. You seem to be troubled by something.
Alex moved away from the wall and lay down on the stones. An emerald caught her eye, and she was reminded of the green streak from the meteor. Yeah, but when am I not? She sighed. They made me a captain today, I guess. I’m in charge of a squad, not just Boundless this time.
Are you afraid you aren’t capable of leading them well?
Not quite. I know I can lead. That’s become pretty apparent. And I’m never worried about Boundless, you know. They can all take care of themselves. There’s a reason why we’ve been pushed so hard. We can handle it.
Chine’s face was usually unreadable since his reptilian features didn’t leave much room for expression. But sometimes, Chine’s eyes looked almost caring. Then what are you worried about?
Alex looked unhappy. People are going to die. There’s no getting around it. My command is going to kill someone. An order that I give will be the cause of someone’s death.
Dustling, you will not be the cause. The Dark One is the cause. You aren’t sending anyone to their death. The Dark One is the one robbing mortals of their lives, not you.
Alex knew he was right, but it didn’t make her feel any less terrible or responsible. Yeah, I guess you’re right. She stood up. Roy made it sound like it was something I have to deal with.
The dragon shook his head as he stretched his wings over Alex. If that is what Roy thinks, he is wrong. Your heart is large. You care for people even when you don’t realize you do. That is a strength, not a weakness.
Alex chuckled. You think so?
Now you’re fishing for compliments.
Alex threw her arms up and laughed as she walked away. All right, all right! Sometimes I want to be told how great I am. Sue me.
An explosion shook the Nest, and Alex’s smile fell from her face. “We better start getting ready,” she said aloud. “It’s time to sling the heavy stuff on.”
Chine groaned as he stretched his legs, standing to his full height as Alex leaped out of the den and went over to the augment platform. She scrolled through her options, trying to think of what would be useful for enemies she knew nothing about. Then she remembered what had happened when she had been separated from him during the fight to get to the ship. Hey, I wanted to ask you something.
The dragon poked his head out of the den. What would you like to know?
When our link was broken, something happened when I was fighting that giant. I got a sudden surge of power and burst into flames briefly. It was like when I activate my anchor power, but the anchor was dead. What do you think that was?”
Chine scratched his chin against the rim of the den. Hm. Your anchor power merely helps you process draconic fluid into your body and metabolize it. Perhaps, your body is getting better at doing the processing. You might not need the anchor eventually.
Alex glanced down at her dragon anchor, running her robotic hand across it. Huh. That’s kinda cool. All right, Chine, let’s get you suited up.
Chapter Six
Team Boundless assembled in the stables not long after Alex had finished fitting Chine with the augments she thought would be best. There was a very somber mood amongst them since the last invasion was still fresh in everyone’s mind. That was what Alex assumed, at least. She couldn’t have been the only one to have been deeply affected by that day.
Each member of the team went to their dragon’s platform and started to look through the options of augments to load up with. There weren’t any jokes, and everyone looked very serious. The only person from Boundless who wasn’t there was Jim. He must be with the other mech riders, Alex thought.
Alex commed Jim and asked him whether he was going to be rolling out with her or the mech riders. He let her know he was still riding with Boundless, but he had to take care of a couple of technical issues with his mech before launching. There was no way he was heading into a fight without knowing his mech was running at its best.
After Alex hung up on Jim, Gill walked up behind her. Alex had no idea how long he’d been standing there. It could have been for the whole conversation. “Jeez, you scared the crap out of me.”
Gill walked out of the shadows and around Alex so she could see him better. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I didn’t mean to alarm you. I wanted to ask you how you were holding up.”
Alex looked around to give herself time to think. She didn’t want to have a heart to heart at the moment, but
