Planet Zar: Nexus

Aurich and Alice's return to the Heimdall required equal fanfare as the results of Dietlinde's bonding. The Boar's Tusk, Rosenheim family flagship, reached the docking bay with full red carpet and infantry parade salute to greet them. Alice watched from the helm, aware the tightness in her cheeks betrayed a grim expression. The General stared back, looming in military formals, her flinty gaze unwavering. How she could see Alice from the deck of the ship seemed impossible, but Alice learned long ago not to underestimate her mother's capabilities.

Or Dr. Krum's tampering.

Dietlinde stood just slightly behind their mother with Mauryath a gleaming, perfect green. She'd grown to nearly a head taller than Dietlinde and her crown of antlers had her towering above the troops. She was a magnificent sight, not even full grown. Not much longer and she'd be fighting ready.

:: This is ours? :: Taikezoth's gleaming golden head appeared over the console.

"It's hers." Alice jerked her chin toward The General.

Taikezoth's eyes narrowed to shrewd little slits. :: It will be ours, then. ::

She had ambition to match Alice's and Alice couldn't deny the surge of pride she felt upon bonding a queen. Dietlinde's Mauryath might be the first, but Taikezoth was certainly the best.

"Are you ready to meet them?"

Taikezoth raised her chin in reply.

Alice and Aurich led the descent with their pair of hatchling bonds following swift behind. Taikezoth held her wings aloft, head high and a strut to her gait, while Aurich's Kadianath kept himself small, almost tripping over his own feet in his haste hide within Aurich's shadow. Alice wished this didn't need to be a competition, that she didn't need to feel bad for her brother's shy little dragon - pride and shame warred inside her but she had no space to reassure Aurich.

The General stared them down.

Alice and Aurich swept to attention in twin, practiced movements. The General took a step toward them, the clunk of her boot heel reverberating through the eerily silenced hall.

 A flash of gold swept out in front of Alice. Taikezoth. The hatchling strode the last few feet between herself and The General. Alice swallowed a curse, teeth grit, and broke parade stance to follow her. This wasn't Dietlinde's happy family return, this was formal, it meant something to the organization, to the Rosenheim name. Every troop docked on the flag station was watching her dragon break rank. To what? Challenge the General?

:: What are you doing? :: Alice shot to Taikezoth's mind. The telepathic bond was still fresh and alien to her, like trying a new language with native speakers.

:: It's okay :: was Tai's simple, inadequate response.

Taikezoth stopped in front of the General. The both remained still. Silent. Staring.

With a flourish  Tai unfurled her wings and bowed deep, her chin millimetres above the ground. "Taikezoth of the blood court." Her wings snapped shut and she turned, stretching out a claw toward her fellow hatchling. "And Kadianath of the Opal Court. Presented respectfully to serve the Heimdall."

:: Ballsy. :: Alice held back a snort. She strode to Tai's side and settled a hand on the hatchling's slender head. She couldn't quite meet The General's eyes. "She's a queen."

"She has gumption."

Tai raised her chin and smiled. "I have drive."