Page 49 of Possessed By the Dragon Alien
They all raised their cups. The gesture was simple, but profound, as for the first time in their lives, they were free to love whom they chose, to make their own decisions about their futures.
The moment was interrupted by approaching footsteps. The Zaruxian males entered the dining hall. Their expressions were a mixture of excitement and grim determination. Madrian’s eyes found Nena immediately. The soft smile that crossed his features made her heart skip.
“Hello, there, Nena,” Cyprian said with a bow. “I hope you’re feeling rested. We have news for you all.”
Ellion moved to Turi’s side. His hand settled possessively on her shoulder. “Word of our reunion has spread faster than we anticipated.”
“How?” Nena asked, though she noticed Madrian hadn’t joined them at the table. Instead, he stood slightly apart. His attention was focused on the view out the viewport.
“Communication networks,” Razion said, settling beside Lilas with predatory grace. “Both official and underground. The story of six royal Zaruxians reuniting and defying the Axis is exactly the kind of hope oppressed worlds have been waiting for.”
Stavian nodded grimly. “We’ve received over two hundred messages in the past twelve hours. Requests for aid, offers of alliance, pleas for liberation. Mining worlds, agricultural colonies, space stations—everywhere the Axis has spread their control, people are stirring.”
Takkian’s scarred face was thoughtful. “It would appear we began a galaxy-wide rebellion.”
“We have,” Cyprian said, rocking back on his heels. “We’ve been discussing what to do about it.”
Nena watched Madrian’s face as he absorbed this information. His expression was carefully neutral, but she could see the tension in his wings, the way his jaw tightened as he processed the implications.
“Madrian?” she called softly.
He looked up. For a moment, she saw the weight of responsibility in his eyes. This was a male who had spent his entire adult life making decisions that affected entire star systems. Now those skills were being called upon again, but for a very different cause.
“The communications are confirmed,” he said, joining them at the table finally. “Rien has been monitoring Axis channels as well. They’re mobilizing everything they have. Every ship, every weapon, every loyal world. They know what’s coming.”
“Which is?” Sevas asked.
“War,” Madrian said simply. “Open rebellion across the galaxy. And we’re at the center of it.”
“Then we must be ready.” Nena surprised herself with the steel in her voice.
All eyes turned to her. She felt the weight of their attention but didn’t shrink from it. These were the people she loved most in the universe. Their safety, their freedom, their very lives hung in the balance.
“The Axis stole our people, our homes, our identities,” she continued, rising to her feet. “They scattered us across the galaxy and tried to make us forget who we were. But we remember. And now we have the power to take back what’s ours.”
“We fight.” Madrian’s voice carried the authority of his former position, but it was tempered with something new. Not the cold command of an Axis official, but the warm determination of a male protecting his family. “But we fight smart. We coordinate with every ally we can find. We hit the Axis where they’re weak and avoid where they’re strong. Fortunately, I know where those weaknesses and strengths lie.”
“And we take back our homeworlds,” Ellion added quietly.
“Zarux and Teria,” Cyprian said. “The Axis has been sitting on our birthright for too long.”
“It won’t be easy,” Razion warned, ever the pragmatist. “Central is heavily defended. And if it’s really built on Zarux itself…”
“Then we’ll need every ally we can get,” Stavian finished.
As if summoned by their words, Rien appeared in the doorway. Her pale features were animated with excitement. “Forgive the interruption, but you need to see this.”
She activated a portable holographic display, and the air above the table shimmered with incoming transmissions. Dozens of them, streaming in from across the galaxy.
“Mining Collective Theta-7 pledges twelve heavy transports and three hundred volunteers,” Rien read from the scrolling data. “Hecron War Council offers four battle cruisers and elite warrior squads. Agricultural World Kepler-9 requests evacuation assistance but offers supply depot access. The Vedd Syndicate…” She paused, eyebrows rising. “The Vedd Syndicate offers a full pirate fleet and asks only for first salvage rights on any Axis ships we destroy.”
Razion snorted. “Vedd’s probably broadcasting that offer to every rebel cell in the sector, just to make sure no other salvage crews beat him to the best wrecks.”
More messages continued to pour in. Space stations declaring independence. Colonies throwing off Axis governors. Resistance cells emerging from hiding. It was as if a spark had been lit and was spreading across the galaxy faster than anyone could have imagined.
“Sweet stars,” Fivra breathed. “It’s really happening.”
But Nena found herself looking at Madrian. She watched the conflict play across his features. This was everything they’d worked toward, everything they’d sacrificed for. But it was also the end of the only stability the galaxy had known for generations, however twisted that stability had been.
