Chapter 3 #2
Tae balanced the light weapon in his right hand and pointed it at the rock his group was using as a target.
It was covered with black holes from the lasers.
They had set the lasers on the lowest setting so that the rock was not instantly exploded.
It had to last until the end of practice.
Tomorrow a new one would be put in its place.
Tae was impressed by the accuracy of his fellow soldiers.
After missing the rock once each, they seemed to learn how to aim.
Tae was competitive. He was currently trying to hit a small hole directly in the center of the rock, not once, but over and over.
He succeeded ninety percent of the time, and the rock eventually cracked in half.
He accepted the praise for his expertise along with the praise of the weapon.
The discovery and design of the weapon were Kelan's, and he did try to explain that to the others, but they insisted on giving him credit for his work as well.
Tae had slept for only three hours, and his mind was overflowing with how much he had left to do in the mines.
The closer they came to manufacturing enough weapons to arm every soldier with at least two, the closer they came to entering a war.
Tae would have to fight. His life would be in danger.
Once he boarded the spaceship, he might never set foot on his home planet again.
He was young enough for this to terrify him.
Yes, he was a dragon with the use of dragon fire, and he was proficient with the new weapon, but what did the Savra have in their arsenal?
So far, they had just been playing with Talonia.
Why pick on a species as strong as weredragons unless you knew that you could destroy them?
Tae had always believed that a soldier fought hardest if his home was in danger and yet they were planning to take the fight to the Savra.
Was that not to the Savra's advantage? No, he did not wish war to ruin Talonia.
However, he wanted every advantage. The nuances of war were beyond his comprehension.
It would be prudent to leave planning in the hands of his leaders.
He stopped briefly to check on his family, then made the trek down to the tunnels.
Kelan was there to greet him and discuss the progress.
"Your friends have been busy. Weapons are piling up faster than expected. In less than a week, we should be armed and ready. There will be more than enough weapons for the fight with the Savra and to protect Talonia. Is the training going well also?” Kelan asked.
"The last group is training now. The weapons are simple and easy to use.
Our soldiers are praising them. Your design is excellent, and the atmosphere has not been affected.
I know that was your biggest reason for going to Earth.
Winning the war would be great, but if the atmosphere was destroyed in the process, what good would winning do?
We would all die anyway. I am beginning to worry about the war itself.
Many of us may not come home. I am afraid of being in that number," Tae admitted.
"It is true. You cannot have war without death.
I do not relish the idea of sending men to their deaths, but if we do not, we could lose our entire species.
Women and children would die. Fighting on Savra is not ideal, yet it is the best we can do under the circumstances," Kelan explained.
"I do not want to lose you, my new friend.
Please, do your best to return safely. Michelle would like to meet my apprentice.
She is grateful for the respite you have given me and wants to thank you herself.
When the final weapon has been manufactured, will you come to dinner at my home? "
Tae was in awe. His mentor was inviting him to his home.
Kelan was a high-ranking soldier, despite his demotion for bringing a human to Talonia.
He lived in one of the largest homes high in the sky.
Tae's home was small and far closer to the ground.
Would he ever attain such riches? He would get a chance to see how the rich lived if he accepted the invitation.
More importantly, Kelan had called him a friend and that was better than being rich.
"You have not answered," Kelan said. "Have I offended you in some manner?"
"No, sir. I was just surprised by the invitation. You are of the elite, and I am far beneath your station, yet you referred to me as a friend and asked me to your home. I am honored to say yes. Are you certain this is what you wish?"
"Of course, I wish it. Titles are meaningless when it comes to friendship. Honor, hard work, truthfulness, and integrity are what I desire in a friend. You have shown all of those and much more. I am proud to have you in my home. You will be a fine example for my son to follow," Kelan explained.
"I hope to follow in your footsteps, sir. You are my mentor," Tae answered. "Your son is lucky."