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Chapter One: Turncoats

 

The soft light of the stars and the moon glow shown down onto the round building. The large doors swung slowly and the light from inside illuminated brightly the entrance. Out stepped Slugger with his riffle in hand. He looked up into the sky. It seemed like all the stars twinkled brighter then before. Off in a distance, the shadowy figures emerged from the darkness. It was the scouting Dragons that had returned with Tyranous, their leader. Slugger held his riffle even tighter, his face began to frown, his eyes focused onto the horizon. A snare formed onto his snout as his breath turned into a light mist in the cool air. He knew what he had to do.

:-:-:

The orange sun slowly rose up over the horizon. The beams of golden light penetrated the blind and through the window. He knew that the sun was rising. He knew that it was morning. He just didn't want to accept that it was morning already. Cougar laid flat on the couch in his living room, belly side up. His right hand over his face while his left hand had dropped to the floor as lifeless as his left leg. His other leg draped on top of the arm rest. "Weapons?" he said to himself. "Should I really be the one to make them?"
He turned his head to the side. "What's gonna happen if my ideas end up in the wrong hands?" He tried to ignore the fact that it would turn out into total chaos.
Slowly, he arose from the couch. He stared out the window. "Well, it's a new day and things will probably get interesting." He padded towards the washroom and shut the door behind him.

:-:-:

An hour before the audience, Claw was going through certain personal files and documents about the dragons. His reports on the rebellious gang had no progress and proved to be inconclusive, so he started a search for any relative reports.
All that could be found was anonymous threats graffiti tagged onto public buildings in the era and the murder of diplomat named:
-'... Basin Theodore. On his return from Scale Temple, the two dragoned guards that escorted him back to the border had been ramsacked and the Diplomat was stabbed in the back. The injuries included punctured vital organs, causing slow death.' There's only one kind of being that would ever consider this degree of murder. [He then looked at the picture that came with the article.] 'Proclaimed that they were knocked out cold, officers Flynn Pteroe &' (gasp)... 'Slugger Gamma?' No, it couldn't be. Then the meeting at Scale Temple had to be a setup.
He called up the base and demanded for ten legions securing the meeting room.
-Oh and Captain... have them dressed in civilian.
-In civilian?
-That's right. I've got a feeling we'll be having a surprise party.

:-:-:

Embassy.
Siam came through the front entrance, noticing the row where she was designated to sit in. She didn't see Cougar nor Claw... nor Shiva. Where was everyone? But then, two seats away from her chair sat Cougar's twin sister, Shadow. Siam's face showed a little disgust, Shadow didn't really like her at all. She took her place, looked towards her. She noticed Siam as well.
-Siam Timber. [She said in a cold voice.]
-Hello, Shadow.
The blonde looked strait in front of her and went back to ignoring her. But no, she couldn't. Siam was her brother's friend... and apparent interest.
-So... is Cougar going to be here soon? [She asked as she kept starring out into the crowd.]
-I do not know. I have not seen him all day.
What help that was.

The room was packed, the president had accepted to participate in the audience. The conference hall had been filled on both parties, reptiles and mammals on their own sides. The clock struck eleven and the door on the other side opened up wide. The reptile diplomat named Don Iguana came through and approached her podium. She placed her documented files on the stand.
-This audience will be put to record, July twenty the fifth, 105 627 is the year. You may begin your opening statement in reference to the subject in matter you requested. [She said.]
-Yesterday, Senator Hickory had informed us that there may be violation of section j, articles five, nineteen and twenty one from the seventy second treaty between our two nations; in which brings the cases of kidnapping citizen of different nationality, blackmail and secrecy of threat or menace to other country. The victim's name will not be released. What do you have to declare from these proclamations?
Miss Iguana cleared her throat. She checked her sheets and smiled afterwards.
-In rule three of audiencing, 'no accusation can be brought to public without proof'. So I'm afraid that you are not obeying buy the rules, you have not brought any indication that these facts are true. So we have the right to deny to anything that you say about us.
At that moment, Claw and Cougar had appeared at the entrance of the hall. The grin on the reptile diplomat faded away. As Cougar went to take his seat between Shadow and Siam, Claw stepped closer to their diplomat and whispered into his ear. The diplomat's eyes went wide.
-I am sorry to announce that the victim can no longer remember the event. We only have one witness who can testify.
The crowd was shocked. The members had begun talking among themselves.
-That is not enough. According to rule three slash 'b': 'all witnesses must testify at a minimum of two'.
Claw had returned to the back of the room where Cougar had accompanied Shadow and Siam. Cougar indicated to Claw that he had something to bring up. He whispered it to Claw, who then told the diplomat. This one came to the mike.
-We do have one last piece of evidence... rule three slash 'c': 'any audio or visual recorded can be used as reliable proof'
Cougar handed Claw the edited tape, who then handed the tape player to him. The diplomat touched the play key. The room was filled with the sounds of the conversation.
** Don't you already have your freedom?
-The mammals have moved us aside for too long. It is time we regain our native land. This was our planet, all of the land was our until the time when MAMMALS came to colonize. A new era will rise with you, in the history of the Dragon Rebellion, as the one who leads our first attack and WAR. You shall begin this glorious history and shall be remembered always as one of the greatest warriors who ever lived. [...] will you join us or do we have to... make a sacrifice for our kind?**
The edited tape stopped.
-There is your proof. What do you have to say for this?
One of the guards step closer to Miss Iguana.
-We do have one guard from the incident who is willing to put his own word in.
-Let him speak.
The officers moved to make a path for the new comer. He cam into the room and the light revealed that it was... Slugger! Tyranous was in the back of the crowd, he smiled evilly, sure of himself that this guard had wanted to be a part of their history, that he would give the attack a good head start. Slugger stepped up to the mike at the podium.
-You are a brave being and I admire your determination to come forward. You must have great honor.
Slugger looked at the room and finally stared at his half brother who remained on the other side of the hall. The word honor echoing more in his mind then in the room.
-Thank you Sir. My name is Slugger Gamma. I would like to say that... [He looked to his right, Tyranous at the wall nodded towards him, still the evil grin on his face. He looked forward at Claw, the worried expression on his face.] I would like to say that... I have to say that... that... [He fought with his own thoughts to decide on what was 'right'.] ... that you do have right to accuse us, because the accusations you brought forward are all... true. [Tyranous's face went from content to shock. This, Slugger saw. He faced the audience.] The traitorous gang leader who had threatened your nation had taken into hand the kidnapping, the blackmailing of one of your best officers and he had planned to attack this very embassy... AND START THE WAR! IT WAS ALL... [Tyranous came through the crowd. Slugger pointed at him.] ...HIS DOING!
Tyranous pulled out his sword and swung a couple times at him.
-You are nothing but a TRAITOR! May the war BEGIN!
Every single dragon in the hall removed their disguises and pulled out their riffles and swords.
He was about to strike right at Slugger. Claw had sprung into action.
-Captain! Bring in the first wave! [Claw said into a walky-talky. He then ran towards Tyranous while the civilian dressed officers had braced themselves for attack and the rest of the crowd has being evacuated.] I've had just about enough of you and your crap, walnut-for-brains! [He swung his tail at Tyranous's legs and knocked him to the ground.] Slugger! Get out of here! [He yelled right before Tyranous got back to his feet.]
The 'Oh Mighty One' got back up and reset his grip on the sword.
-You have no use to me now, Kentrose! Kiss your world good-bye! [He brought the sword up over his head.]
-NOOO! [Slugger yelled as he came back and shoved Claw out of the giant sword's path, putting himself in the dangerous position.]
The sword seeped into Slugger's leg, blood spewed out. He released an aching cry of pain.
Tyranous indicated to of his personal guards to hold Claw. He turned back to Slugger.
-That was for trying to save your half brother... and this... [He held the sword high as Slugger laid flat on his back.] This will be for your traitory, you turn-coat!" He plunged the sword into Slugger's abdomen. The poor reptile screamed over and over again as the sword moved around in his guts. Soon, he stopped screaming and fell limp. Tyranous left the blood covered sword in the belly of his fresh victim.]
-You are INSANE! Tyranous! [Claw bellowed.]
With all the hatred that built up in him, he lifted the two dragon guards and threw them right at the gang leader. All three were knocked down. Claw plunged to the ground to pick up one of the riffle that had been dropped. Both Tyranous and Claw stood at the same time. Claw had the riffle pointed right into Tyranous's face, the trembling hands barely holding it still. His face showed the same expression, Claw felt sick to his stomach. He didn't shoot yet.
-Tell me, Kentrose, [Tyranous began.] ... how IS your Fiancée? [He hissed.]
Claw's face went from sick to surprised, to shocked, to agitated. He held the riffle with both of his hands. Trying to keep his aim desperately.
-If you even dare think of touching her...
-What makes you say I'm going to?
Then the big lizard's face changed to an expression that was unreadable. Tyranous took advantage of his distracted state to escape the scene. But before he did he added something about the death blasting them all in 100 hours. All the dragons kept on fighting as the mammals left one by one. Claw was one of the last ones to leave. He stayed longer to try and find his half-brother's body, but somehow, it disappeared during all the commotion. The body... and the sword that killed him. There was simply no trace of Slugger anywhere in the room.
Soon, every single officer of the defense that had attended had retreated, a few minor casualties had remained behind laying on the floor of the conference room, dead.

:-:-:

The night rolled over the day, all became still and quiet. The crickets chirped and the wind blew softly into the leafy trees.
Claw had made it back to the border of the city, where Cougar and Siam were waiting for his return to escort him back to his home. Claw seemed really tired and down. The two felines knew why.
-We're very sorry about what happened to your brother. I wish we could have saved him. [Cougar told him with as comforting as he could.]
-It wasn't like that at all. The big slime was headed for me, but he came back to save me. It's like if... he wanted to make things right between us.
-He did? I heard some screaming, but I thought that it was just some innocent bystander. [Siam added.]
-He was innocent. Deep down inside, I know that he didn't like to be a part of it all. He sacrificed his life for me. [He started to shiver as he felt himself wither in emotional pain.] I was right there in front of him, I could had prevented his... death.
No more words escaped from his mouth that night. They walked to streets in the darkness that was twilight.

:-:-:

Off in a not to distant meadow, a rather large dark form wandered around through the tall grass, his movements were very unstable. The form suddenly stop wandering as he made slow adjustments to his posture. He seemed to have removed something that had been sticking out his belly, as well as a harsh cry of pain.
The clouds shifted in the wind and the moons shown down onto the planet, reflecting off a blood stained sword that laid in the middle of the meadow.

End of Part III

 

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