Dragonfire (a Ship Wars fic)
Dragonfire
The new orders came in from Starfleet just as Nyota was sent home from sickbay to spend the rest of her recovery in their quarters. Now she sat up in bed on pillows plumped up by Spock. She pouted.
“It’s not fair,” she complained. “This trip to Syvia is the first really interesting assignment in months, and I go and get the flu. I had to assign someone else to go on the away team and it’s just not fair.”
Spock was moving swiftly through the room, packing for the mission and making sure Nyota had everything she needed on the bedside table.
“I regret not having you at my side for the next two days, but I am sure Lt. Brooks will perform adequately. It is far better that you recover fully.”
She stuck her tongue out at him. “Yeah, easy for you to say, you get all the fun.”
“I assure you, hours of meetings and negotiations will not be ‘fun.’” He closed his bag and walked over to her. “I will contact you once we are settled for the evening,” he said, bending down to kiss her.
“Okay,” she said wearily. “I’ll miss you. Good luck down there.”
Spock kissed her once more and headed for the transporter room. Kirk, McCoy, Brooks, and two officers from security were waiting when he arrived.
“How’s my patient?” the doctor asked as they stepped up to the transporter pads.
“Disappointed that she is unable to join us. Otherwise, she is recovering well.”
“Okay, people,” Kirk said. “Let’s get this show on the road. Energize.”
They materialized in an elaborate courtyard outside of an ancient castle. The away team looked about them in awe.
“It’s like we transported inside a damn fairy tale!” McCoy mumbled. “It’s a cross between Disney-Galactic and the bloody Wizard of Oz.”
“Quiet, Bones,” said Kirk. “Looks like the welcoming committee has arrived.”
Several honor guardsmen strode toward them, wearing elaborate uniforms and carrying lethal looking broadswords that glinted in the sun. As they neared, their great height became evident. The Syvians were all over two meters tall with various shades of grey skin that was almost translucent. The dominant eye color was orange, though there were some with black or pale green.
The guards stopped about three meters in front of them, made show of putting their swords in their scabbards, and parted, revealing a man and a woman wearing flowing white and gold robes. They stepped forward and bowed, their curly black hair falling loose over their shoulders.
“I am Greenweld, Keeper of the Great Forest. This is my mate, Nightstar, the World Seer. We welcome you to our world and to our home.”
“I am James T. Kirk, of the Starship Enterprise and the Federation of Planets. I and my crewmates thank you for your hospitality and hope that our friendship will be long and fruitful.”
“Come,” said Nightstar, “Let us show you to your rooms. We will dine with the council this evening, and will hold our official discussions on the morrow.” Her eyes scanned the away team and rested on Spock. She smiled but then knit her brow. She recovered in a moment and turned to lead the way to the castle. Greenweld leaned to her and whispered in their own tongue. “Subsuun lan Kono’wa?”
She looked over her shoulder and stole a glance at Spock. He caught her eye and she quickly looked away and whispered something he could not hear.
They arrived at the great wooden doors of the castle which opened silently at their approach. As they crossed the threshold, Greenweld turned to them. “Please, refresh yourselves and then join us for the evening meal.” He and Nightstar bowed and took their leave.
A liveried footman approached and led the Enterprise crew through the stone halls to their rooms. Spock examined the enormous tapestries hanging on the walls and from the wooden beams across the ceiling. “Fascinating; their mythology appears very similar to that of medieval Europe. Heroes fighting great beasts, and young women befriend one-horned creatures.”
Suddenly McCoy stopped. “Spock! Look!” The team stopped to examine the tapestry McCoy pointed to, and let out a collective gasp.
“How on Earth…?” Kirk asked in a whisper.
Spock was speechless. The tapestry depicted queen seated upon a throne of stars. One hand pointed upwards and the other held the hand of her consort, standing by her side. His other hand reached outwards, as if in friendship. A dragon-like creature slept at their feet. There were embroidered glyphs beneath the scene.
“Commander,” said Brooks, “That’s…that’s you and Lt. Uhura!”
“Fascinating.”
“Brooks,” said Kirk, “can you read those symbols?”
Lt. Brooks stepped forward and read. “lan Kono’wa ep wonak mah-kay.”
“Kono’wa,” said Spock, “I heard Greenweld say that word as we approached the castle.”
Brooks turned to the footman and asked a question in halting Syvian. The man nodded and answered, pointing hesitantly at Spock. Brooks turned to the away team. “It’s as I thought. It says ‘the Daystar and her mate the peace-man.’ This man says the tapestry is almost 500 years old.
“Impossible!” McCoy growled. Spock took out his tricorder.
“Not only is it possible, Doctor, but the evidence indicates that it is indeed fact. This tapestry is 489 years old.”
“Well,” said Kirk, we won’t get any answers by staring at the tapestry. Let’s get changed and have a little chat with Nightstar and Greenweld at dinner.”
Spock nodded his agreement and Brooks told the footman they were ready to proceed to their rooms. As they walked, McCoy turned to Spock.
“So there’s an ancient tapestry with you and Uhura. What does the inscription mean?”
“I assume the moniker, ‘peace-man,’ refers to the fact that Vulcans are pacifists,” Spock explained. “As for the reference to Lt. Uhura, her name means ‘Star’ in Swahili.”
“So 500 years ago, some ancient Syvian knew that you and Uhura would visit?”
“That appears to be the case.”
“Well, looks like dinner’s sure gonna be interesting.”
The team agreed not to bring up the tapestry right away, but decided to wait for an opportune moment during the meal. They went to their assigned rooms and changed into their dress uniforms. The rooms all faced the courtyard, and in the distance a mountain range rose from the horizon. A thin cloud of smoke rose from one tall peak.
At the appropriate hour, an attendant knocked on their doors and led them to the banquet hall.
Spock turned to Brooks. “ Could you ask him about the volcano? Are the eruptions frequent or is it largely dormant?”
Brooks relayed the question and the young man spoke quietly. “That is the Dragonfire. The Seer tells us when the fires will come. It sleeps, but it will soon wake.”
They’d arrived at the great hall and those from the Enterprise were seated near the head of the table as guests of honor. Kirk was seated next to Greenweld and Spock found himself next to Nightstar, who bade the company be seated as she prayed for the blessings of their gods before the meal.
The wine and first course were served, and soon the room was filled with lively conversation. Spock noticed Nightstar’s eyes frequently focused on him, and he took the opportunity.
“Nightstar, we noticed a tapestry on the way to our quarters-”
“Ah yes, the one with you and the Kono’wa.
“Kono’wa. That means ‘day star,’ correct?” asked Brooks.
“Yes. I confess, I was concerned when I saw she was not with you.”
Kirk asked, “You mean, you’ve been expecting us?”
“Of course,” she said. “I am the World Seer. Generations ago, one of my mother’s mothers saw this day.” She turned to Spock, “Please, tell me of my sister. Why is she not here?”
Spock blinked. “Do you refer to my wife? She could not be your sister-”
“Not in blood, but in destiny. Forgive me if I appear rude, Commander, but the situation is urgent. Where is she?”
“She is unwell, and is recovering aboard our ship.”
Nightstar closed her eyes and exhaled in relief. She turned to her mate and he squeezed her hand and nodded. “Good. Then all is well,” she whispered. She straightened and looked at Spock. “When will she be here?”
“She is not expected to be fully recovered before our visit here has ended,” he began.
“Oh, but you mustn’t leave before…”
“Before what?” asked Kirk, his concern becoming apparent.
“Please, Captain, Commander, she needs to be here; we need her help.” Nightstar looked worried.
Kirk looked at Spock before answering. “Nightstar, I can’t ask my officer to leave her sickbed to come here without knowing why.”
“My sister and I must meet before the Dragonfire. Only together can we prevent the events that follow the Awakening.”
There was a long silence as the away team exchanged glances. Surely these people didn’t believe that Nyota could prevent a volcanic eruption?
Kirk broke the awkward silence. “And your seers have, um, seen this?”
“Captain,” Nightstar said with an understanding smile. “Do not be fooled by our old ways and manners. We are not a primitive people, dreaming of giants and calling them gods. I and my line have a genetic mutation, one that allows a portion of the brain to see the ripples in time. It is not an exact science; I cannot choose to see the outcome of a game of chance, for example. Our visions are rare and often incomplete, but we record them and study them. We see the patterns and try to comprehend them. That is all.”
Lt. Brooks spoke. “So the visions have indicated Lt. Uhura must be here to help you forestall a volcanic eruption? How is that possible?”
Nightstar and Greenweld looked at one another and then at Brooks.
“Volcano? What volcano?”
Spock interjected. “The smoke in the distance, it is not a volcano?”
“No, that is Dragonfire.”
“Nightstar, forgive our ignorance, but what is Dragonfire?”
“Dragonfire is a dragon.”
After a stunned silence, the Enterprise crew started speaking at once.
“What?”
“You’re joking right?”
“A dragon? You want my chief communications officer to help you slay a dragon?”
Only Spock had remained silent. There was no need to jump to conclusions.
Nightstar and Greenweld shared another glance and burst into laughter. The crew was more lost than ever.
“Slay the dragon?!” asked Nightstar, still smiling. “By the gods, no! Not unless absolutely necessary; only if they were to break the treaty.”
Greenweld shook his head. “Oh! This is rich! Kill the Dragonfire? Is that what you thought? No wonder you looked so worried!”
Spock finally spoke. “It is evident that we are ignorant of the particulars of your relationship with the dragons of your world. Please elaborate, and understand that I will not permit my wife to endanger herself.”
“No, no, we could not ask that she should do so,” said Greenweld. “The Dragonfire has been in hibernation for over 1000 years. When he and his clan awaken, they will not remember the treaty; their hunger will be too great.”
Nightstar, still smiling, elaborated. “It is your Daystar’s expertise with languages that we need, to help us decipher the ancient texts. Then I will be able to speak the proper words at the Awakening in his tongue, and forestall any…unpleasantness.”
***
McCoy reluctantly agreed to allow Nyota to come down to the planet, as long as she remained in bed as she did her research. Spock was there to greet her.
“It seems you are to have the adventure you sought after all,” he said as he lifted her into his arms.
“The best part will be getting to sleep next to you tonight,” she said as he carried her from the beam-down point to his room in the castle. “Well, that, and meeting a dragon!”
Nightstar joined them as soon as Nyota was settled in bed. “Sister!” she whispered. “At last!” She took Nyota in her arms. As she pulled away, Nyota looked at her in wonder.
“Why do I feel I know you?”
“Your name has meaning, as does mine. Our grandmothers knew we would meet.” She held Nyota’s face in her hands for a moment. “We must prepare. Are you well enough to begin?”
“Yes. I can’t wait to get started.”
“Good. Wait here.”
She stood and went to the chamber door and called someone in. A servant pushed a small portable table into the room and rolled it to the bedside. Activating a computer terminal, Nightstar pulled up an image of a large dark grey lizard-like creature with vicious looking teeth and fire-red eyes. About the girth and height of an Earth elephant, it was three times as long; its enormous tail about a third of its length. A thin trail of dark smoke escaped its mouth.
“It’s exquisite!” Nyota sighed.
“Isn’t it? I am fortunate to be the Seer for this time, to get to meet the Great Ones.”
Spock watched the two of them as they studied the images and documents on the terminal. He could sense Nyota’s excitement through their marital bond. But she was still unwell, and he could feel her hunger and fatigue as well. He approached the bed.
“Nightstar, forgive the interruption, but my mate needs nourishment and rest.”
“Of course! I apologize. In my excitement I have proved a poor hostess. I will have food sent for you both. ” She turned to Nyota. Rest well, my sister. On the morrow, I will have the archivists bring the documents we need to translate.”
“I look forward to it!”
With that, Nightstar took her leave. Nyota grinned at her husband. “This is thrilling!”
“Indeed,” he acknowledged as he sat by her side. “However, I will be less than thrilled if the doctor says I have been negligent in my care of you. Do not overtax yourself.”
“Okay, my handsome husband. I will rest, but only if I can curl up with you in this huge fairy-tale bed.”
He answered her by climbing on the bed with her and pulling her close for a kiss. The kiss grew deeper and their hands roamed. She tugged at his shirt and had it halfway over his head when a knock sounded at the door. Nyota giggled as Spock practically flew off the bed, straightened his uniform and ran his fingers through his hair. He cleared his throat.
“Enter.”
A servant entered pushing a service cart laden with fruit and bread and cheese. He lifted the lid from a large tureen and the scent of a rich soup filled the room. Another servant followed with a flagon of wine and a jug of water and poured these into their respective glasses. The two bowed themselves backward out of the room as Spock thanked them.
“Wow, I could get used to this,” said Nyota, as Spock served up the soup. “Mmmm! This is delicious! It seems like forever since we had real food.” She ate with gusto and Spock was glad to see her appetite returning after her bout of the flu. She sampled everything and made him promise to ask where to buy some of the cheese. When she finished she put down her glass of water and yawned.
“Oh, sorry, honey. I guess I am a little tired after all the excitement.”
“Then sleep, ashayam.” He pulled the covers up for her and turned to undress. By the time he curled up next to her, she was fast asleep.
***
In the morning, Nyota felt much better, but Bones insisted she stay in bed for one more day. So Nightstar had the old hidebound books and various scrolls brought to the room. When Spock was satisfied Nyota was comfortable, he left with McCoy to attend the trade negotiations with the Syvians.
Nightstar pulled a chair to the bedside. “Before we examine the texts, let me tell you something of our relationship with the dragons. Much of it is myth, of course, and there are some who worship them as gods. But this is what we know.
“When the world was formed there were four major land masses. As time went on this continent, where my people evolved, collided and merged with the land of the dragons. Of course we feared these great beasts that moved through our lands seeking new territory. To them, we were just another form of food. We became nomadic, leaving our settlements as soon as the dragons were spotted in the distance.
“Soon a Seer realized that the dragons were our brothers, and that we could coexist. She said they had language and we tried to communicate with them. But we found our mouths are formed differently, so the sounds made by one species were near impossible for the other to imitate. But through pictures and signs, we were able to convince them that we are sentient beings.
“Then they slept. When they awoke a thousand years later, they were hungry and came seeking food. Sadly, that was us. They had forgotten us. We tried anew to communicate with them. Soon a language was formed that we could both use.
“As we evolved to write our words, we also learned more about the dragons and their ways. Their life cycle is somehow linked with the unusual orbit of the eighth planet of this system. They spend 500 years awake while the planet is near, and hibernate while it is on the far side of the system. Their hibernation has cycles: a deep sleep, with almost impossibly low breathing and heart rates; and the time of Dreams. It is in this state that they believe their gods speak to them, sharing their knowledge of past and future.
“Soon a treaty was formed and the shared language was written. But, as you may know, the Romulans were our first contact. They robbed us of resources as well as artifacts. That includes many of the old texts that told us how to speak to the dragons. These things were taken from us before we had the technology to record them electronically.
“So this is where I come in?”
“Yes, little sister. We have the treaty and other documents, but no way to decipher its meaning. And the Awakening is but days away.”
“Then let’s get started.”
Nightstar stayed long enough to answer Nyota’s questions and left a servant at her door to fetch her if needed. She left to join the negotiations in the Great Hall.
***
In the days that followed Nyota and occasionally Nightstar poured over the ancient texts. They were making progress and enjoyed each other’s company as well. While McCoy worried that Nyota was overtaxing herself, Spock knew that she was thoroughly content. She was in her element, and she had found an extraordinary friend in Nightstar.
On their third day on the planet, the sentinels came to the castle, announcing the impending awakening of the dragons. Nyota was dressed in white robes in beautiful contrast to Nightstar’s black garb. The whole party traveled to the mountain caves and awaited Dragonfire’s emergence.
Smoke billowed from the cave’s mouth, and the thump, thump of large footfalls approached. The great dragon strode forth and on seeing the beings gathered in front of his cave, he hissed fire and bellowed in warning. Nyota and Nightstar bowed low.
“Master of the mountains, Great Dragonfire, do you recollect our people and the friendship that was forged?” Nyota called from a safe distance.
He huffed and hummed. Nightstar crept forward holding a large scroll. She unrolled it before the beast. “See here your words and your mark, saying that you will remember the peace on the Awakening.” She stepped back.
The dragon coughed a dark smoke and stepped forward to examine the document.“You say that we are friends. My people are hungry after the long sleep. Have you brought anything for the clan?”
“One thousand head of cattle for your people.” Nyota shouted.
The dragon stretched like a huge cat, and blinked. He sat on his haunches and yawned. He looked at the beings before him. “That is good. Bring the cattle. We will find you when the clan has feasted. You will tell us of the years passed and we will share our dreams. Go now. The clan awakes.” He lumbered back into the cave.
“It’s over.” Greenweld said. “Your Star saved us in time.”
McCoy whispered to Spock. “Is that it? That’s all there is to this Awakening?”
Spock looked at him with eyebrow raised. “You wished for more? Did you expect a virgin to be sacrificed?”
“No, I just…Oh never mind!”
***That night a feast was held in Nyota’s honor. The Great Hall was decorated with twinkling lights and white and black banners depicting the awakened dragons. During the feast, Nyota and Nightstar sat at the head of the table, while troubadours sang ballads of Nyota’s great deeds in service to the people of Syvia.
The Enterprise crew, all dressed in Syvian-style dresses and doublets, ate and danced with their hosts. As Spock went to get Nyota a cool drink, Jim sat down next to her.
“Well done, Lieutenant. This one gets you a commendation for sure. The fact that you saved these folks from being the dragon’s breakfast certainly helped the Federation’s side of the negotiations.”
“Thank you, Captain. I was just doing my job.”
“Yeah, doing your job with the flu, with three days to learn a language that no one’s spoken for a thousand years, and then speaking that language to a creature that may or may not have decided to eat you. That’s pretty damn good in my book.”
“Well, when you put it like that, I sound downright heroic!”
“And don’t you forget it. I won’t.” He left to mingle with the tall Syvian beauties in the room.
Spock returned with her drink. “Are you well, ashayam?”
“I admit I’m a little tired. But I don’t want to go to bed yet. This is all so beautiful; I feel like a princess in a fairy tale!”
“No, not a princess. A queen. My queen,” he said quietly, and touched her fingers with his own. She sensed his pride and love in that simple gesture. She sent a wave of her growing desire.
“I thought you were tired,” he quipped with a raised eyebrow.
“Not that tired,” she said with a smile.
***The next morning, Nightstar and Nyota took a walk in the castle gardens before The Enterprise crew was to leave. Spock saw them in the distance, walking arm in arm, sometimes leaning in to whisper, sometimes laughing out loud.
The time came for the team to leave the planet, and the stood at the beam-up site, saying their goodbyes.
“Sister,” Nightstar said as she hugged Nyota, “I hope your next visit might be longer. The weaving has begun on the tapestry of the Awakening. Please come back for its unveiling.”
“We will do our best to be here. Thank you so much for everything. I will miss you.”
Soon the familiar tingles of the transporter took them home to the Enterprise.
As they walked to their quarters, Nyota sighed. Spock took her hand.
“What troubles you, ashayam?”
“Oh, nothing. It’s just that I had so short a time to spend with someone who has been waiting for me her whole life, someone I somehow knew in spite of the distance between our worlds. And I wanted to learn more about the dragons and their dreams. It was wonderful and far too short.”
“Perhaps we can arrange to spend our next shore leave there,” he suggested.
“Oh, could we? That would be wonderful!”
“I admit I am curious about the precognitive abilities of the Syvians and the dragons.”
They’d reached their quarters and he dropped their bags on the floor and pulled her close and kissed her. “Your actions on the planet were commendable, Nyota. I am proud to be the consort of the Queen of the Stars.”
And he led her to their bed and showed her just how proud he was.
~fin~