Chapter 8: Martial Proposal

Chapter 8

“Well, well. Jack Harron, it’s been such a long time since our last run-in.” General Farrow spoke with an air of indignation as he approached the two coming toward their scouter.

“You could say that,” Jack replied, “In fact, I believe I was your commanding officer the last time we spoke.”

“True,” Farrow’s eyes darted downward a second, noting the phaser in Jack’s hand and its setting. “I hold no grudge, you know. Might we step inside the vessel to talk? I understand the ash out here is rather potent.”

“Sure. So long as we don’t leave the area unless the dragon rears its head.”

“You have my word, former Commander Harron. Please follow me.” Jack looked toward Stevey as he gestured to come along. Farrow had already taken a few steps toward the craft when he realized he hadn’t addressed the gentleman aside Jack. “You may come along as well, Mr. Jonas. I know you and Jack were fond friends back in the day. It seems you’ve taken a liking to Kharm’s hospitality.”

Stevey noted the sarcasm in Farrow’s last words. “I’m surprised you noticed, General. Kharm doesn’t generally give hospitality. It just devours, much like the military in some cases.”

“Yes, you’re so right. But I don’t seek to devour anything today, lest my body become riddled with laser burns.” Farrow looked back at Jack, then to Stevey as they began up the landing plank. Jack didn’t budge in his expression—calm but determined. His eyes met Farrow’s, and they both knew where they stood. Stevey saw the exchange.

“I guess we all have an understanding,” he said.

“Yes, quite,” Farrow replied. Jack’s face didn’t change.

“Let’s get inside. The wind has just changed. Could be a surge or storm.” Jack shifted the conversation along. All the men entered the bay, and the plank rose to close the ship.

“Cadet Seras, inform the pilot to be on alert for the dragon’s movement and raise the barriers for a sandstorm. We don’t move unless attacked by the beast.”

“Yes, sir, General Farrow.” Seras saluted, then went off to inform the pilot.

“So, gentlemen, care to stand or sit?” Farrow gestured toward the boxes and crates in the hold.

“Either’s fine with me, Farrow,” Jack replied. Farrow stepped over to one of the crates and sat. Jack and Stevey followed suit, keeping their blasters well in hand for any deviousness Farrow may have in mind.

“Gentlemen, I’ll get right to the point. I’ve come here to request Jack’s aid in ridding this world of the menace of the Great Ash dragon, Proteon. We are aware of its continuing threat to the safety of the natives and the citizens of this settlement and wish to see it gone as much as some of them do. The High Command has ordered me to offer a sizeable award for its demise, the least being the purse of 2,000,000 credits and a small ship for mining excavations. Plus, a year’s worth of provisions to be donated to any helpers and their families that aid in this quest.”

“That sounds like a mighty fine reward,” Jack responded, “But I wonder what the military really hopes to gain from that dragon’s demise. Something tells me ya’ll are looking for something here. Something more valuable, perhaps.”

“You aren’t wrong, Jack. We are seeking something. Our scans show a large deposit of Feron crystal right in the lair where the beast resides. Plus, there’s evidence of a Mythrillian ore vein in the same area. That ore is needed for the continuing starship modifications for the fleet. We could blast the lizard from space, but it would jeopardize the mining of the area and possibly destabilize the crystals. Feron is our chief currency right now and would be a big boon to the market. There’s also the possibility of Denizen crystal there if our scans are correct. We could power our own ships without having to buy from outside sources.”

“I see. Seems like a golden opportunity for our illustrious leaders. So, why me?” Jack looked at Stevey to make sure he was following the conversation, then back at Farrow.

“Well, the High Command seems to believe you could eliminate the dragon without much effort using that sword of yours. They believe it is the legendary Ba’aron of old, not just a replica like your grandfather proclaimed. They are aware of your family lineage, Jack, and how far it dates back. You are a Shi’ah descendant, are you not?”

“What makes you say that?” Jack questioned Farrow without even flinching, knowing that nothing of that sort was ever given as information to the military. Stevey gasped in the background. There was only one way anyone would know that, and it was deemed illegal centuries ago. Farrow’s eyes widened. He realized he’d just given away a military secret that no one was supposed to know. He could be court-martialed or worse.

“I don’t know. Killing this dragon might not be the right thing to do.” Jack played along like he hadn’t noticed that slip-up. “I mean, what happens if this dragon is the apex predator keeping something else at bay? Darters, for example. We know very little about their habits due to their extreme speeds. Getting an image of one is nearly impossible, and capturing or killing one hasn’t ever been documented. What type of animal is it? And what if its population gets out of control? The dragon seems to be the only thing keeping those creatures under control.”

“Jack’s right,” Stevey chimed in. “We have no historical records indicating what that animal is. Or if it's even a native of the planet. We could unleash a terror across the whole ecosystem in that respect.” Jack looked back at him, giving a slight nod, thanking him for the backup. Stevey nodded back. Farrow just refocused himself, thinking he’d gotten away with his slip-up.

“Yes, you are right. And we have heavily researched this possibility, gentlemen.” He responded as he regained his composure. “Darters, as you call them, are a species of bird native to the Kharm ecosystem, so I’ve been told by our top scientists. The fast-moving variety only exists in the Nar’chu region of this planet. Meaning they only move this fast over the desert. It has to do with the high energy readings from the crystals in the land below. Apparently, this bird swallows Nethicite crystals into a small pouch in its abdomen and uses the polarity fields to shoot around this zone like a magnet. They're like a living rail gun bullet.”

“How’d ya’ll manage to find that out?” Stevey asked.

“We happened to stun one a few years ago during an excursion into the desert here. The researchers were looking for their nests. A wide array burst from several blasters successfully hit a low-flying one that buzzed our encampment. They mainly feast on the bugs and rodents of the area. Scarven worms tend to keep their population down by eating the eggs that fall from the sandstorm activity. The dragon, however, is not native to Kharm. But that matter is classified according to the highest officials.”

“That’s a bit suspect,” Jack remarked. “Sounds like they want to take care of a mistake and a problem at the same time.”

“Yes. They wouldn’t even let me know all the details either, Jack,” Farrow followed up. His brow seemed to wrinkle with concern. Jack knew something else was up. Farrow never showed concern during their time together in the force. Either he was hiding something personal, or the command forbade him from revealing the actual agenda. Generals were usually aware of the total mission.

“I can’t decide right at this moment, Farrow. I have some important matters to tend to out in the desert. Stevey and I will meet you back at Destiny in a week if that’s alright.” Jack stood up. Stevey stood as well. “We’ll talk some more then. I’m going to need more than just superstitious old men thinking I have some mythical sword to make me do something that dangerous.”

“I guess that’s all I can ask for then,” Farrow said, standing up as well. Cadet Seras had finally come back from her errand to the pilot. Jack had lowered his weapon about halfway through the exchange. Farrow had been relieved when he saw the barrel lower away from him.

“That was fast, sir. Do we have the agreement?” Seras asked.

“No, Cadet.” Farrow acknowledged her question. “But we are meeting again. Right, Jack?” He looked at the man in front of him.

“Sure,” Jack said, “Maybe then you’ll have more information that’ll actually sway my decision. Let’s go, Stevey.”

“Open the door, Cadet.”

“Yes, sir,” Seras responded as she pressed the button to let the men out.

“I’ll see you in a week, Jack.” Farrow bellowed as the men stepped into the sandstorm toward the aquos. Jack’s hand raised in response, giving a two-fingered wave.