Once, there was a time before the dragons, a time where the steel capsule, shuttle, and rocket

ruled the skies. Then the blue stones arrived. Raining down from the heavens, these blue meteorites slammed into the ground in northwestern Canada, hitting in a two-mile wide circle. They somehow burrowed into the earth, at least ten miles down, and proceeded to shine a blindingly bright light into the heavens from whence they came. These...phenomenon... stumped the greatest scientific minds of the world. For months they stood unmoving and unmovable, shining that light up to the sky. The world had almost dismissed the stones until the huge asteroid hove into view. Almost immediately, the people began to panic, despite anything the governments, even the U.N. had to say. Some heralded it as the end of the world, others an alien invasion with super-evil plans to turn them all into food for their pet dinkleswerzers. But every country agreed, for the sake of internal order: That asteroid had to go. Some countries launched ram-rockets and satellites, while others simply built shelters for the citizens. The United States and the dying Soviet Union both agreed on something for once and launched nearly half of their respective nuclear arsenals. The nukes hit, for sure, but the most they did was blast away some of the rock, revealing a silvery substance. But the huge chunk continued on its course. On the seventh of January, 1995, the meteorite hit, slamming into the ground, right in between the Circle of Bluestones. The pillar of light and heat was astounding. All the dirt and dust thrown up by the landing was blasted away, but no harm was done to the atmosphere. The world looked on in astonishment and awe as they saw what really hit Earth. It was a huge silver, serpentine body, curled up around something. The U.N. immediately stepped in and surrounded the crater with row upon row of field guns, tanks, and infantry. Scientists from around the world flocked to the site of the impact, none knowing what might be found. Theories shot around like bullets on a battlefield. It's an alien from outer space, come to invade! one camp of theorists claimed. No, it's some dead alien that, by scientific and medical examination, might open up new possibilities, another stated. The theologians, priests, rabbis, imams, all agreed for once: It is a miracle sent from God. But no-one was prepared for what it actually was. On the fourteenth of January, the... thing uncurled. The scientist that had been taking a sample cried out in surprise and raw fear as a yellow, slit-pupiled eye snapped open. The creature lifted its head and surveyed the armies that surrounded it. As it did so, the guns and rockets were all trained on this new target. People of Earth, it spoke, a powerful female voice resonating, Hold your fire. I have not come to invade or destroy, but to bring a gift...and a warning. What is this warning, alien? And what are you? the U.N. commander shouted into a bullhorn, a heavy RPG ready at the waiting in his hand.. I am a drakine, or what you humans would call a dragon. And my warning is this: the Hordes of the Bleached Skulls are mobilizing, and it is only a matter of time before they come into contact with you. It is imperative to all other dragons and other life that the Hordes are stopped, here, if not closer to their planet. You are the closest warlike planet I could -cough- find. And just how do you propose we prevent these...Hordes? the commander replied. Space combat and air strikes. The Hordes are a super powerful land based force and have a powerful air/space force, but that is better than to fight the infantry. That is impossible! We cannot just up ourselves into space! We can barely do small-scale exploration missions as it is. he shouted in exasperation, just itching to use the rocket launcher. Ease off, human. I brought you a gift, but it is practical and will help in your defense. she soothed. Then she uncurled fully and exposed the mound of eggs. Holy mother of God... the commander breathed as he dropped the RPG. He was the first

to climb into the crater and get close to the conscious dragon. And...you entrust your children...to us? Yes. I-cough-do, She gasped in pain as she shifted. The commander looked above the treasure trove of eggs and saw the wounds. Shattered scales and clear liquid oozed out of the massive wounds, telling of some hideous weapon. The flesh underneath was horribly burned, flaking away as it began to smolder. Your wounds! Do you need care? he cried, in pain as he saw the damage. No. Do not use your resources on me. I am dying; my wounds are fatal. The most that you could do for me now is to let me die with honor, and to take care-she let out a wracking, hideous cough. Blood spurted from her mouth, black in stark contrast with her silver armor, Of my children. Tell the first one this: From the One, come the Many.... and thus the dragon, who had not named herself, died. The tensed muscles relaxed, the huge silver wings unfurled and lay still. Yet, upon her draconic face, there was a slight upturn at the corners of her lips, a smile, as if she had just been relieved of some great burden had just been lifted off of her shoulders, as if some dark past had been lived down, as if a great debt had finally been paid. The commander ordered a salute of every gun in the massed forces, and the roar produced was beyond deafening. Then he turned away as over the radio the U.N. ordered him to return for debriefing and a presentation for the Security Council and all the other representatives. He boarded a private jet and left immediately. Ladies and gentlemen of the United Nations, I believe that those wounds were in fact not caused by the Soviet and United States nuclear strikes, but rather from whatever entity she was running from. The commander stated into the microphone, staring at the dismissive U.S. Security Council member. Commander Dane, why do you insist that this is not some invasion? One representative asked. Because, I saw something in her eyes, something that I have seen in most commanders' eyes: honor. I thought as much as you before I got into that crater, but the combined view of her wounds and her eyes persuaded me. Besides that, what mother would give up her children if only to invade and kill? Dane replied. On the subject of the eggs. How do we know that they'll not fight us? And how do we know when they're read to hatch? the American asked. Have you ever read The Dragonriders of Pern series, by Anne McCaffrey? My son is, and last night I wondered the same thing. But when I peeked over his shoulder and saw the part of the book he was at, it gave me an idea: What if the dragonet inside chooses, while inside the egg? Or if it chooses just after hatching? Are you saying we should believe in a work of fiction, Dane? the American raged. Calm the hell down, Bill. I'm saying we should give my theory the chance. he soothed. Then he reached inside his duster and took out a crimson-shelled egg. In an instant the room was in an uproar. CALM DOWN! he roared, forsaking the microphone, using the voice trained for a lifetime in the military. The room began to quiet down until it reached a simmer. All I want you to do is touch this egg, and we'll go from there. It is very rare; there was only this one crimson in the entire three thousand. and he lined up the representatives, and went down the line. Every man and woman laid their hand on the warm egg, but for each there was no effect. When Bill, the American, touched it and nothing happened, Dane took off the white dress glove and rubbed the egg, almost trying to get it to hatch. But the instant his ungloved fingers touched the shell, he felt magnetized. He fell to his knees, as crimson lightning ripped from the egg and into the back of his hand, burning a flame into it. Then a bolt shot into his temple and marked a dragon over his right eye. Then the egg exploded, leaving a tiny crimson-scaled dragonet behind, shaking fragments of shell and embryonic strands.

Dane shook his head as his vision started to clear. He stared briefly at the flame-shaped scar that he had burned into his hand and then looked at the dragonet, who was waiting expectantly. Well, are you going to name me? the dragonet asked, voice high but not shrill. You-you can speak in our language? Dane asked, startled. Of course, idiot. Linguistic ability is passed down through the egg from the mother. Now will you name me? the dragonet scoffed. Hephaestus. That is your name, Dane said after careful consideration. Then I shall be Hephaestus. By the way, is there anything to eat? Im famished, the little dragonet, Hephaestus, asked. A little fish sandwich is all I have, Dane held it out. With a quick jet of flame from one nostril, the dragonet roasted the food, but all Dane felt was a little warmth. You breathe fire, he noticed, offhand. Of course. I wouldnt be crimson if I didnt. All crimsons are fire-breathers; were exceptionally rare. The other breaths are much more common, but the pure majesty of a plume of flame belongs only to the red, Hephaestus told Dane. Suddenly, Dane became self-conscious and noticed that the U.N. were slowly backing away from the young creature, some even drawing illegally concealed and carried weapons. The American drew a heavy Desert Eagle that he had somehow managed to hide and aimed it not at Hephaestus, but at Dane. Traitor, was all Bill said as he hit the release that set the action ready. Then he pulled the trigger. In the space of the fractions of a second that Dane had, Hephaestus perceived the threat and butted against the back of Danes knees, hard enough to drop him. Then he was all over Bill, claws and teeth shredding and slashing, until the ruin that was Bill slumped to the floor. Hephaestus hissed and belched a ball of liquid flame all over the dying man, and for a few moments the bubbly screams echoed in the silently shocked room. Dane got up and saw that the other representatives were all firing at Hephaestus, until one dart found its mark and lodged in his leg, hobbling the dragonet. The men towered over the whimpering Hephaestus, in too much pain to even think. They all leveled their weapons, but Dane pulled out his dress saber and put it to use. He rushed up behind one man and brutally stabbed him in the back, impaling him. The sword, being for dress only, snapped of at the crossguard, so he drew his two bootknives. The representatives looked at him, shocked. Dane had always preached peace, yet now he murdered one man in defense of an animal. I dont want to kill you, but I will this is a new opportunity, and you are blind to it! Cant you see? This is what weve been looking for for all the years this body has existed. This is the way to unity! If everyone had a dragon, what differences would there be? What would cause one man to kill another, cause one country to war with another? Religion would shift, bonds develop. This is our break! he said forcefully, putting every last bit of emotion into it. He truly believed that these creatures could rebuild the fractures of humanity. Thus the Couriers were created. The first lucky few were often hated, but as the first dragons bred and the eggs were distributed, everyone got closer. Borders slowly faded, and the dependence on the beast of fossil fuel dwindled until all that was left was a trickle. The religion of the One was born, and soon everyone believed. The planet was at peace. The dragons themselves were a marvel. They were effective modes of transportation, parts of the family. Their byproducts were instrumental in agriculture, and then there was the military aspect. The warning the One had given was taken to the utmost. The entire world had been required to serve in the military for at least a few years. Then, in an accidental test, a dragon was found to be able to survive in space. They had a field day, sending engineers and colonists up. This was one hundred years after the peaceful deaths of

Dane and Hephaestus, who had together been consumed with the fire that Hephaestus had breathed after his first flight. After three hundred years, the slow march to the planet Saturn was ground to a halt. The ancient foe that they had heard about was in sight; they had taken roughly three-quarters of Saturns space. The fighting almost immediately started, and despite many early, decisive victories, the war dragged on. Humanity and dragon-kind fought with a relish. Very little blood had been shed over the past four hundred years, and now they would bathe in the sap of men, or aliens. The dragons proved indispensable; not only did they have the mysterious ability to manipulate the very forces of nature, but they also somehow augmented their riders. Many developed inexplicable abilities.