Page 53 of Possessed By the Dragon Alien
“The energy barriers extend in layers, all around Central. Multiple redundant power sources, rotating frequency patterns, automated repair systems. This isn’t just a shield. It’s a fortress.”
Silence stretched across the communication channels. Madrian could almost feel the doubt creeping into the minds of the rebel fleet commanders. Attacking a heavily defended space station was one thing. Cracking a planetary defense system that had been under construction for centuries was something else entirely.
“There has to be a weakness,” Cyprian said finally. “Every system has one.”
“Not necessarily,” the scout replied. “But we did find something interesting. The dome’s power distribution follows a pattern. Six primary nodes, arranged in a hexagonal pattern over the base. There’s a brief window during the power cycling sequence where all six nodes synchronize.”
“How brief?” Takkian asked.
“Two-point-threepiks.”
Another stretch of silence. That was a very short period of time to break through planetary defenses that had never been successfully breached. It was impossible.
Unless…
“Dragon fire,” Madrian said suddenly.
The words hung in the air like a challenge to physics itself.
“What?” Razion’s voice carried confusion.
Madrian stepped closer to the communication array, his mind racing through possibilities. “The ancient archives that Rien recovered. They mentioned that bonded Zaruxian dragons could channel immense power. Fire hot enough to melt stone, to reshape reality itself.”
“You’re talking about legend,” Stavian said cautiously.
“No,” Ellion’s voice carried quiet conviction. “I’ve experienced it. When I fought the Axis ships over the settlements, my dragon fire was more powerful than they expected. Turi was there. Her presence, her bond with me, it amplified everything.”
Understanding began to dawn in Madrian’s mind. “Six dragons. Six Terian mates. We’d have to coordinate a strike at the moment of synchronization. Shatter one node and the rest go down. Central would be completely vulnerable.”
“That’s insane,” Razion said, but there was something else in his voice now. Not dismissal. Consideration. “But interesting.”
“It’s our only chance,” Madrian replied. “A conventional assault would take cycles to break through those defenses and many of these people who have come to fight with us won’t survive. The Axis would have reinforcements from every loyal world in the galaxy.”
Nena’s hand found his arm. “You’re talking about flying directly into the most dangerous place in the galaxy and getting out of your ship to change into a dragon form—which you’venever done—to shoot fire from your mouths onto the dome. All six of you, at the same time.”
“Yes,” he said simply. He looked down at her, seeing the fear and love warring in her green eyes. “We are.”
“And if the timing is off? If the dragon fire isn’t enough?”
Madrian thought about that. About the hundred ways this plan could fail. About the thousands of people who would die if they miscalculated. About the future of freedom across the galaxy hanging on thirty-seven seconds of perfect coordination.
“Then we fail,” he said. “But we mightnotfail.”
The communication channels buzzed with activity as the implications sank in. Ship commanders discussing logistics, fleet captains arguing over attack formations, resistance leaders debating the wisdom of putting everything on one desperate gamble.
But underneath it all, Madrian heard something else. The sound of people choosing to believe. Choosing to fight for something better than what they’d known.
“All right,” Ellion’s voice cut through the chatter with calm authority. “We do this. But we do it right. I want full tactical planning sessions with all fleet commanders. Complete intelligence briefings on Axis Central’s layout. Simulation runs on the synchronization window.”
“How long do we have?” asked one of the Dokkol commanders.
Madrian checked the display. “Based on Axis response patterns, they’ll mobilize their main battle fleet within eight cycles. If we’re going to do this, we need to move before then.”
“Understood,” Ellion replied. “All ship commanders, report to the main strategy chamber. We have a battle to plan.”
As the communication channels closed and the observation deck fell quiet, Nena moved closer to Madrian’s side. “Are you sure about this?”
He thought about the question.Washe sure? Sure that six dragons could break through the most advanced defense system in the galaxy? Sure that their bonded mates could amplify their power enough to reshape the course of history? Sure that this desperate gamble would work?
