Kira heads toward it, breaking the silence. "I was born to military parents," she starts, her voice steady. "Most of my childhood was spent moving from one active war zone to the other in a state on the brink of collapse, so my parents didn't have much of a choice when it came to good schools or hatchling care."
She snorts at the last sentence, and I blink, I didn't find it particularly funny, but for some reason she did.
Were all humans so desensitized to violence? You'd think their evolutionary path would better equip them for such a lifestyle, since they seemed to love it so much.
She continues, dragging me out of my reverie.
"My parents loved us and loved each other, but we sacrificed a lot for the sake of peace that was ever-elusive. It seemed like the more we fought, the more battles there were. Eventually, my father was killed in action. My mother mostly held it together until the last of us left home, but she was never the same. His death broke her."
I blink, absorbing what that means, and not only because of the sadness that would have caused her.
She is from one of the species who form deep, lasting bonds. A thrill passes through me, and then I stamp it down, another wash of shame rising on its heels.
That should hold no interest to a drakonid. None at all.
"I attended military school all the way toacademylevel and became acorporalfor theAmerican Marine Corpsstationed inMaine. Soon enough, we were granted clearance for international operations."
A lot of that didn't translate, but I think I understood enough. I'm afraid she'll stop talking if I interrupt, so I let it pass.
She pauses, her eyes distant as she recalls her past. "I fought countless battles and moved up the ranks until the disastrous day we raided a bio-terrorist cell inAntarctica. The raid started off successfully, but it all went to a fiery pit in the ground. There were fornicating cyborgs."
Human civilization already had access to cyborgs? Interesting. Slaves are usually taken from the more primitive planets.
"No one believed me about the cyborgs."
That explains it. They must have been purchased from an outside force. Probably genali or braceaaer.
"I lost my entire battle-group, so I wouldn't say I learned how to fight all that well, would you?"
She stops speaking, her heart clearly constricted by the memories. I give her a level look, feeling the weight of her story.
"You have lived a warrior's life," I state bluntly.
Kira glances at me, her eyes shadowed by grief and resolve. "Yeah, I guess I have."
"Sometimes that means you are the only one left alive."
She doesn't respond, but I can see that she is thinking over my words. "Surviving is often the harder route," I add.
It's a fact only a warrior would truly understand.
After a moment to let her ponder, I decide to share a bit of my own story.
I don't imagine it'd be fair to hear a warrior's struggles and pain and not share one of my own.
"I was born on Maln'Kril. It's a relatively small planet in drakonid space, protected by warriors like myself. From a young age, we are trained to fight, to survive. It's in our blood, our very essence. My clan, the Raskhar, is known for its ferocity in battle."
Kira listens intently, her eyes fixed on me. "So, you've been fighting your whole life, too?"
I make a rumble of agreement. "Yes. But it is not just about fighting. It's about honor, loyalty, and protecting our kin. Every battle is a test, a chance to prove oneself."
I take a deep breath, recalling the countless creatures we must fight off constantly. "There are many dangers. One of the most formidable is a giant creature with an affinity for electricity. Its body can generate massive electrical storms, making itincredibly dangerous. Then there's the xylanth, a large long-bodied species capable of flight. Their skin is as hard as any metal, making them nearly impervious to our weapons."
Kira gapes at me, her eyes wide with shock. "No wonder you evolved to be built liketanks. Everything you fight off is insane."
My spikes drift together in my confusion. "Tanks?"
She waves a hand dismissively. "An armored vehicle. Never mind. But seriously, how did your planet end up with such monstrous creatures?"
