Voyage of the Dawn Rider

Chapter 3

Voyage of the Dawn Rider 1.

My name is Druss Demlin captain in the Royal Navy, and I'm on my way to experience one of two things, either getting my head cut off, or get that promotion they keep promising me. Unfortunately, I seriously doubt it's the latter. Recently, my ship, HRMS "Victory" had just docked at the Navy spaceport over Isseth, where I had received an urgent "eyes only" directive to report immediately to the royal palace in Bal Sara about 20 klicks from Star City, the sprawling spaceport here on Isseth. There was much speculation among my fellow officers as to what this could mean, but your's truly had no illusions. During recent naval maneuvers, I had gone around certain regulations concerning proper deployment of a Dread-Nought. I had gotten my ship out of a very tight situation, by re-writing the "rules" and had gotten called on the carpet for it, now I was being requested by the Queen herself to appear at the royal palace. Oh well, never let it be said that when old Druss Demlin f***s up, he does it in a royal manor.

Once I arrived at the palace, I presented my identification card, to the suspicious guards giving me the stink eye. Finally, I was allowed entry, and directed to the Queen's private residence. This further confused me, I figured a trip to the "woodshed" would at least be the palace proper. After asking directions twice, I was set on the proper course to the Queen's home. I was met at the door by the butler who took my hat, and shown to the door of the study. I took a deep sigh, and thought to myself, "Well, it's been a good life…Short, but good," then entered the room. I was certainly in for a surprise, I was prepared for one Queen, but not two. Besides Queen Tianna, I spotted the Queen of the Fairie, Bivale Kolee as well standing there, her glistening wings slowly fluttering as she turned towards me. "Now what did I do?" I thought to myself. I wasn't aware any of the Fairie folk had been involved in the recent incident, so Queen Kolee's presence was a mystery. I started to reach for the Queen's hand and kneel, then realizing she wasn't offering it. "At ease, captain, this isn't a formal state dinner, tonight things are strictly informal here," remarked Queen Tianna. With a confused look on my face, I directed my attention to both Queens, then said off-handedly, "Queen Kolee, I didn't realize you were in town, I saw nothing in the news about a visit or anything." Both women laughed, "Well that's good," observed Queen Tianna." "Damn right," replied Queen Kolee. "I work real hard at keeping my movements out of the news." Then indicating Tianna, she continued. "When a friend of mine invites me for dinner, how can I refuse?"

I had been so busy noticing the two queens I almost failed to see two other women in the room. One was an extremely attractive high elf with very short hair, cut almost like a boys, the other was obviously another Fairie but with out wings. I had heard that some in certain positions willingly clipped their wings, for comfort and convenience, but it was something you rarely ever saw. This woman was roughly the same height as the queen and quite attractive, wearing a rather revealing gossamer like gown, clearly revealing the ladies charms. The female elf was also wearing a black one piece dress cut very short, and showing of her cleavage rather spectacularly. Before I could study her further, a waiter opened a side door, and announced dinner was ready, I offered my arm to queen Tianna who graciously accepted, as we filed into the small dining room. The waiter took over for me, and seated the queen at the end of the table, queen Kolee to her right, me to her left, then the mystery elf, and the other Fairie across the table next to her queen. The waiter then opened a bottle of wine that was chilling in a bucket stand, and began to pour. "I hope you enjoy the wine captain," said queen Tianna, "I had originally invited King Furgas but he informed me he would be unable to attend, so he sent this bottle of wine. I'm told it's a very good vintage, they produce it in the southern highlands of Dros Del Noch." Queen Kolee then snickered, "The reason Furgas didn't come is because of me." Queen Tianna turned to her in surprise, and said, "Now Bivale you know that's not true." Shaking her head, while taking a sip of wine, highlighted by movement of her wings, she said. "It's true Tianna, Furgas simply doesn't like me, or my lifestyle. Oh he's smart enough not to let it affect the affairs of state between our two countries, dare I say relations are excellent, but the man simply cannot stomach the fact that I'm a lesbian." Queen Tianna then realized her friend wasn't going to budge on this issue, so she merely shrugged, as the waiters brought our meal.

Nothing more was said, as the waiters brought in the food, and began to lace out the food onto our plates. While this was going on, I began to notice the intoxicating perfume the woman next to me was wearing, her presence was also very radiating, whoever she was, this woman had a sexuality that screamed out at me. As I passed the food her way, I couldn't help but notice her eyes looking at me, and a very slight smile on her glossy lips. The main course appeared to be ocean perch, filleted and broiled. I wasn't a big fish fan, but whoever had prepared this knew what they were doing, Damn! This was really good. "I trust the fish is to your liking,"? asked queen Tianna." "Absolutely, your highness , my complements to the chef." She smiled and nodded, we ate in silence for another few moments, until she stopped eating and said. "I imagine you're wondering why you were invited for dinner with me no less." "Well here comes the load of bricks," I thought. "Catch 'em right in a meal, mouth full of food, very sneaky." "Well your highness," I said, as I looked her way, "I assumed it might have something to do with my recent actions during the naval maneuvers." Both queens laughed, with smiles appearing on the other two women. "Only partially captain, only partially," replied queen Tianna. "Actually captain there were a few who wanted to boot you out right then and there, but I said "Not so fast, I like this man, I've been waiting a long time for a man just such as you, a man who's not afraid to turn things to his own advantage."

The queen took a sip of wine and continued. "Captain, as you no doubt are aware, a brand new Battle Star is finishing up at the shipyard over Thyra. Another two or three months, and she'll begin her trials, but as of yet, she has no commander. I've spent many a tumultuous meeting with senior naval commanders trying to decide over who should be the master and commander of this vessel. They all have their "pets" and favorites, but I told them right up front, I wanted, nay insisted, on a man who was versatile and could think for himself, someone who was confident enough to male the right choices without having to seek approval from command all the time." Wondering what this had to do with me, I said, "And did you find him?" Queen Tianna smiled at me and said, "Yes captain, I believe I did, he's sitting right here in this room." I wasn't sure I heard her right, but the bricks fell anyway. "Your highness, while I appreciate the offer I cannot…" Narrowing her eyes at me she said, "Are you trying to contradict your queen's decision captain?" A million thoughts were swirling around in my mind, "Um, no, um, sorry your highness, I…" "Relax captain," she said quietly, "You don't get the command just yet, there's the matter of a little mission you must complete first." I could feel the deck of that Battle Star sliding out from under my feet, and I hadn't even set foot on her yet. A "mission" what was this little "catch?"

"Captain, what do you know about Goks?" I looked at the queen and shrugging, replied, "About as much as anyone I guess, aren't Goks supposed to be Ogres without the attitude? I mused. "Have you ever given any thought to the idea that Ogres are, or perhaps were…Goks," she added. Shaking my head, I said, "Not really your highness, I guess I've never really given Goks or Ogres for that matter much thought." The queen then launched into a little story. "When we first landed on Garian II and eventually made contact with that unique race, there were those way back then that after a preliminary study of the Goks thought that there was more than met the eye. Since that time many studies have been done, an incredible amount of research. It's only been recently however that certain medical research techniques have advanced to the point that we can now make far more accurate hypotheses as to their origin. I will let doctor Leah give you a more detailed briefing later on, but suffice to say, we can now state with a great deal of certainly that Ogres are…Or were, genetically mutated Goks." This was certainly very interesting, I wondered what other interesting revelations the queen had is store. "Well your highness, I guess that begs the question, who mutated the Goks?" Looking me dead in the eye, she matter-of-factly said, "That captain is what you and your crew are going to find out."

"All right, your highness, I'm game, what's next?" "Well," observed the queen, 'I'll let Bivale here introduce the lady to her right." Queen Kolee smiled ,and turned to the wingless Faire sitting next to her. "I'd like to introduce you to a very dear friend as well as one of the most knowledgeable doctors in Mythal. She's also a senior sister in the witches guild, as well as a practitioner of the arcane arts, Elansa.

I stood up and took a slight bow towards the faery, "Ma'am." She smiled at me, "Captain." This was going to be just great, a damned witch, my personal thoughts were interrupted by queen Tianna, who could have easily been reading my mind. "Captain, let me assure you I have complete faith in anyone Bivale recommends, this mission is too important for anything less, especially one my daughter will be participating in as well." This bit of news certainly opened my eyes, looking at the woman sitting next to me, then looking at the queen, I said, "Your highness, I was not aware you had a daughter." A guffaw erupted from the woman next to me her mother gave her a stern look. "Magiere! Captain her father and I went to great lengths to make sure knowledge of her was rare, we wanted her to experience a normal childhood, looking back that decision may not have been the wisest, but Magiere is an outstanding fighter pilot in her own right. Currently she is serving aboard the "Kintoth" as a first Lieutenant and senior flight leader of the Star Riders." "Very impressive," I thought, the Star Riders was a "mad monk" squadron that spent all their time between testing new fighter designs and tear-assing around the galaxy wrecking bars, in drunken revelry, my favorite watering hole "My Elvin Mistress" has suffered the results of more than one drunken brawl started by these misfits. Thinking fast, I realized it was time to don my diplomats hat and try and salvage what I could from this. Turning to the queens daughter, I said, "Please forgive me, but are you to be addressed as Princess, or Lieutenant?" She returned a glare and replied, "Lieutenant will do nicely captain." "Well Lieutenant, I hope your flying skills are up to snuff, something about this mission just "screams" "bad guys" on our tail, being outnumbered two to one." Once again, "mother" came to the rescue, "Captain I can assure you that my daughter…" "Mother!" Interrupted Magiere, "I'm quite capable of speaking for myself." "Mother" shut up, but continued to glare at her daughter. Quickly changing the subject, queen Tianna announced, "Since this is to be a joint endeavor King Furgas was hoping the chief engineer on this mission might be a dwarf." I grinned and held up my hand, "Your highness , fear not, it just so happens my closest friend is not only a dwarf, but one of only a handful of truly outstanding engineering officers currently serving in the Issethian navy."

This revelation seemed to please the queen, "Excellent captain Demlin, we shall endeavor to honor your request, are there any other questions?" I could think of a million right from the start, the first being, "Why was yours truly being fast talked into a wild goose chase such a this little venture?" Naturally I didn't dare ask the question, I wanted that Battle Star command very badly and if I had to wade through a ton of horse fruit to get it…Well, so be it. Speaking again to the queen I said, 'Your highness, what type of ship will I be commanding in this, um…Adventure?" Before she could speak, her daughter quickly announced, "We have a Comet 441XLS fighter/transport equipped with a "Bushwacker" 920 pup." Well, maybe things wouldn't be so bad after all, they certainly were taking this whole thing seriously enough to provide a top-of -the -line craft such as a Comet, with a pup no less. The Bushwacker was a two seater aux fighter the smallest craft that could handle a cloaking device, they were fast and extremely agile, you really had to know your s**t to be able to fly one, they were very unforgiving, and more than one pilot had lost his life in one. Thinking about the sultry vixen sitting next to me, "Perhaps she really does know her stuff if we're bringing a pup along," I thought, I certainly hoped she knew how to fly it, because I certainly didn't. Studying Lieutenant Starle I smiled, "Well that is certainly a relief, I know the Comet's to be quite a remarkable class of ship, they can really take a beating and keep coming back for more." "I'm glad you approve captain," observed queen Tianna, "Nothing less than the best will do."

We spent the remainder of the evening going over the details, who would be my commanding officer, matters of re-supply and a myriad of other things. As we were getting ready to pack it in, the queen remarked, "Be assured captain you will not be alone out there your ship will be equipped with a special long range stellar comm. Should you run into anything beyond your capabilities, of a scope that requires a superior force, be assured once you signal us on that the navy will coming to your rescue." I bowed, "Thank you your highness that will be most re-assuring." I indicated to my "crew" that I would meet them late tomorrow afternoon at "My Elvin Mistress" for drinks, and a final go-over before we departed. Obviously the women were staying for a bit as I was the only one to leave, probably devising some scheme to "castrate" this poor hapless dupe willing to do anything for a shot at the captain's chair on a brand new Battle Star. As I walked out of the main gate, a dark foreboding weighed heavily on my mind. I stayed the night at a favorite place (cheap) here in Bal Sera, tomorrow a final chance to sleep in a hearty breakfast before casting my fate to the wind.