| Wind To Thy Wings Everything was gray. �Fun,� I mumbled, walking down the short hall. A bed had been built into the side of one wall and on the other sat a dresser, a tiny closet, a full length mirror, and one lamp. The next room was a bathroom. �Well this is really good I guess considering this is a military base,� I said, pulling a uniform from my closet. I took a quick shower and slid into the skin-tight black and gold uniform. I had just placed a Golden Topaz gem (my birthstone as well) in a small clasp on my chest when the door beeped. �One moment!� I called, glancing into the mirror. My uniform had a gold stripe going down the spine, from there gold waves spilled over my shoulders and around my arms and legs. Polished knee-high black boots cut the gold off. The door beeped again and I tossed my wings and other belongings onto my bed, I then walked toward the door. �Enter.� The door slid open, revealing three women. �Reporting for duty sir,� said the first woman. �Come in,� I said. As they entered I raised an eyebrow, nobody told me I�d be in charge of people older than me. �Are you our captain?� asked one. �Are you my squad?� I replied. �Yes,� they all replied. �Same answer here,� I said, closing the door. They looked at me curiously. �Go ahead,� I said. �Say what�s on your mind.� �Well,� the first shifted uncomfortably, �You�re just a kid right?� �So?� �No baby�s gonna be my boss,� growled one, turning to leave. �What makes you so sure?� I asked. She looked down at me, �I�m bigger and older.� �Is that so?� I looked to another who�d not spoken much, �What�s your guys� names?� �I�m Kara,� she replied. �My Flyght partner is Sava.� �I�m Faith,� said another. �My Flyght partner is Navid.� �I�m Talice,� said the rude one. �My Flyght partner is Zavi.� �I�m Keira Starlight,� I said. �My Flyght partner is Nova.� Their jaws dropped. �What?� I asked. �Nova?!� they all cried. �Yeah, what�s wrong with that?� I asked. �Nova?� repeated Faith. �Nova�s wild, insane, untamable!� �Nova�s killed three people, she�s a blood thirsty monster!� cried Kara. �Anybody mind telling me how to get there?� I asked. �Sure,� grinned Talice, �I�ll take ya.� �Great,� I said. �Let�s go.� *** A very loud roar echoed through the building. I paused. �Not scared are you?� I looked at Talice in disgust, what a jerk! �No,� I replied, moving forward again. �All right,� she said stopping. �This is as far as I can go, I don�t have clearance to go any farther.� �Go back then,� I said, watching the purple and blue dragon prowl her space below. Talice left and I looked down at the great dragon again. I sighed after a thorough examination of Nova�s pen, the seemed no way to reach her. Closing my eyes I settled for a mind-link, searching for the dragons thoughts. After a moment or two, I was rewarded with Nova�s signature welcome, a burst of lavender color. <What do you want?> �Why are you so mean Nova?� <No reason, go away.> �You used to be a great fighter, what happened?� <It...it does not concern you.> I could feel the dragon�s want to tell, but a fear as well. �Your emotions betray you,� I said. <I-I don�t know what you are talking about. Leave me be!> �Why are you frightened Nova? You may tell me.� <Why? You�ll tell the others.> �I promise I wont.� <Because... of... Saph.> �Saph?� <My old rider.> �What about her Nova?� <I killed her.> I paused. <It was an accident! I didn�t do it on purpose! She didn�t tie herself to my harness! I flipped and she fell!> �Calm yourself Nova, I believe you.� <The others didn�t.> �I do.� <Truly?> �Yes.� I stood and walked to an open spot in the railing, and sat on the edge of the observation deck, allowing my feet to dangle. <And who exactly are you may I ask?> �My name is Keira Starlight, we were assigned to be Flyght partners.� <Really?> �Yes.� <Well I�d-> �Hey Kid!� I jumped to my feet and spun to see who it was. As I did so I lost my balance and fell backward into Nova�s pen. Nova screamed and threw open her wing. Back |