By Raven
Raven was in meditation while the boys were getting their initial evaluations for Velvet Shadows training. Even she could not get the evaluations stopped. She had made sure of that when she founded the organization.
This is an elite group that rivaled all the US alphabet agencies combined. The Navy Seals, Green Berets, and Rangers had weaker training programs than the Velvet Shadows. With ninety-two percent of the people that attempted VS training washing out, the initial evaluations were a must. She would always be Velvet One, but the Black Rose was earned. She had once again beaten all those who dared to challenge her for the coveted black rose.
The next four hours were hers to do with as she pleased. She had done katas to cool down, and let the boys watch her own trials to show them what to expect. Now she was on the back of a wooden folding chair, upside down, holding on to it with one hand, meditating. She knew she had an audience of white roses and a few yellows. She didn�t care- this was her time.
Her mind took her to one of her missions, an actual earth where vampires had died due to a completely natural human plague that was transmittable. Mission was to create a new brood, one that would survive. She chose a time about hundred or so years after the extinction. Then, she set about watching people to bring over. She spent about fifteen hundred years creating a hundred and twenty-five Vampires out of people with the traits of her beloved first born, those like Remmy and Gomez. People that would care about their world and watch over it. They in turn would bring into the night world those of like mind. She would come and check every few centuries to see how they were doing. The plague had killed the original vampires around the time on her earth that she would have left for the desert with Salem.
By the time they entered the twentieth century, they had a stable population. They were all good people that would do a mother proud. She ran through the names and faces of those other first born children, hoping all had good lives and that they had found someone to love them as much as she did. The thoughts of hunting brought musings to mind of another predator.
Her father had called her into his office. �I have a problem that I think you can fix.� he said to her. They were still in the stages were she had to prove herself to the other founders. �Tajani Mash has once again broken his bindings and has escaped. Alex is on another mission of more importance and is in a temporal fugue, she is unavailable.�
She, as well as Robin, had watched Alex grow up into a beautiful woman. Penny and I had made peace when their children had decided to marry. Now we spent a lot of off time together, mostly over large quantities of tea. Although her father was essentially retired, and she was head of the guild, she was still under a lot of scrutiny.
�Who is Tajani Mash?� I asked.
�Not a who, but a what.� my father replied. �A dragon, a cosmic dragon, a mistake that makes Tiamat�s hissy fits look like child�s play. Alex has been the only one so far that could trap it in the void. The problem being, the traps are holding it less and less. We need someone who can tame it�s fire.�
�Oh, you have to be kidding. You are completely off your rocker, old man. Not only no, but hell no. I am not going to try to tame the universe�s big mistake.� I said hotly.
Robin came into the room at that time. He had taken Doc�s son Darren�s job as Mission Coordinator on an interim basis, when Darren had wanted to have a family besides his job. �Told you, grandfather. Lefty said she would balk.�
�What does that little troll have to do with this?� I asked.
Robin said, �Well, he seems to be able to predict with a pretty good accuracy when the Drake breaks the pen. Mother, what is needed is someone who has your fire and Cosmic touch, combined with my time manipulation ability and Alex�s ability to travel any where and any when. Even Penny and Founder Two couldn�t make the genetics stabilize to manipulate the DNA properly.
�Penny was having dinner when Schuyler had not a precog, but a cosmic flash. That was what caused all the ballyhoo in the med bay- apparently, it was almost too much for him. He is still in the tube over this one.
�Anyway, back to business. The one to do it will be your daughter, my little sister. What is needed, is for you to get pregnant after we give you an injection.� Robin held up the hypospray. �This will do two things- graft our talents to one of your ova�s DNA, and it will incite the blood hunger. We have a world where we will send you to conceive the child. A world that has felinoid based sentient life forms, where your preternatural nature can be useful. Once the injection is given, you will be sent. We will inject a homing beacon into your system that will cue the retrieval team.�
�Why this planet, and not with your father?� I asked rather calmly.
�Because the child will need the instincts to understand how and what motivates the drake. Alex brought a small piece of scale with her when she tricked it last time. Penny and Founder Two were able to decipher what planet and time line, combined with your DNA, would make this combination. In a sense, the girl will be seen as an equal and partner to Tajani. Darren and I suspect that it may act the way it does do to pain or possible loneliness. We have no idea what to expect on retrieval, how it will effect you. So, a habitat has been constructed to hold you in after your retrieval. A whole team will be with you in a temporal compression area, the largest ever constructed.
�You and the team will reenter the guild hall once the girl is civilized and old enough to really understand. The latest being when her abilities show that are not like yours.� Robin explained.
� I want to talk to Chris.� I told him.
�He�s waiting.� Robin looked at me. � I know that you have risen above the killer that you once were. I also know that you need to know that it is OK with Dad to allow yourself to revert to that. That he will still love you no matter what you do.� Robin told me, sweeping me into his arms. This made me feel a little awkward, despite the love I felt from him, because at this time, Robin stood 7'7" tall.
�Thank you, Robin. I needed that.� I said. As I left, I heard my father crying softly and Robin comforting him.
�How can I ask my daughter to do this to her own body and mind?� he asked my son.
�You ask her because you know it must be done. Tajani is capable of causing time quakes on his good days. This has to be done.� Robin said reasonably.
�But why my daughter, my beloved child?�
�Because she knows, as well as you do, that she is the one, the only one that has the power to make it work. Founder Two tried, and it nearly destroyed his home continuum. The reason Alex succeeds is that she was able to get it to chase her, and that is all.� I heard.
I walked away from the door then and headed for the med center. Penny and Doc were both there, getting the teams prepared for this. Julia was going on this as head medical- she made Doc�s knowledge of abstract genetics and mutations look paltry. My husband was there as well. When I entered, he looked up, then came over to me.
Giving me a hug, he said, �I will be going also. I will be part of the containment management team. I know how you operate when in a cage, and they will need me to make sure you don�t break free.
�Don�t worry, my raven haired beauty. I will not stop loving you.�
Those words hit me like a hammer. �I know, my beloved midnight angel.� I told Chris.
Then, I looked at Stephen and Penny. �Lets do this.� I told the two waiting doctors.
First, they grafted a nano time beacon to my bone marrow. �We will tranquilize you before the injection. The team will drop you, and get out of there as quick as possible.� Penny told me.
The last thing I saw was Penny signing �peace, friend.�. Doc did the tranquilizer so I would not balk.
I woke in a lustrous world of green. The ground smelled heavenly, and I hungered. Instead of fighting it, for once I gave into it. I hunted and drank my fill, slept little and roamed a lot. Got into a few fights with the indigenous people- mostly lone males. Females raised the young alone and they had a primitive language.
The planet has both ground and arboreal species. Plenty to hunt- an over abundance of prey animals. There were also other dangers though; venomous plants and animals, to name a few.
When I went into estrous, the males came from all over to the scent. They fought amongst themselves until only one was left. A male, large and strong, called Peralta. He was sable, with subtle black striping like a liger.
Huge and strong, he followed me for nearly a week, bringing me kills which I would drain till I finally allowed him to mate with me. His are one of the species that would actually copulate face to face, with the males on top. Well, he got a surprise when he tried to mount me. I threw him and mounted him as we copulated.
I did what was natural for me- I bit him as he released. I nearly killed him before I realized what I was doing. I licked the wound closed, and gave him some of my blood to heal him. I managed to retain some of my compassion in this, and left a large wounded animal near him. Water was close, and I made sure that he would be left alone to recover.
The next phase seems to be still a little blurry. Though I think the way I made sure that he would be all right was to kill all the other animals in a ten mile circle or so.
I was completely mad with hunger when the retrieval team arrived. I heard the injury list later- seven broken limbs, a shattered jaw, and a skull fracture, and that was after they had tranked me for the return trip and were loading me into the cage.
It was determined quite early that I would need a continuous source of blood. That proved to be a problem, and once again they had to sedate me- catching me was the problem. I played with them- you see, most drugs that could be used to stop me were dangerous to the baby. They tried using a telepath, and in turn, he needed to be sedated. I still would like to see that one- a human running around trying to bite other people.
Magic they were unsure of- in this state of being, I had once did some really weird things with my wild magic. Things got wiggy on a night at Munden�s after drinking a creation of Quark's in a card game.
Chris finally slipped into the habitat with only a hypo-spray and a radio playing Kenny Loggins� �Return to Pooh Corner�. They all thought I would kill him, but I could remember that he was safe, and that song meant peace somehow.
I later reviewed the tapes, and it was amazing. I was naked and gaunt, not showing any signs of pregnancy, and completely feral. Yet somehow I came up to him just sitting there in the open, in the twilight, with no protection at all, and I rolled up into a ball with my head in his lap. I must have stayed there for an hour, just listening, before he hypoed me. I don�t remember much more of that, except him singing to me and stroking my hair, telling me that I would be all right.
The tapes showed that even being partially sedated, the only ones who could get near me was Salem, Julia and Chris. One med tech that had got too close had his hand bit off. They all listened to Julia after that.
I was about in the seventh week of the pregnancy when a dangerous complication developed. The fetus needed my temperature to be higher, and this was causing seizures. With it came fever and chills. I would spend the rest of the pregnancy in a tube of gel-like substance that was under pressure, fully sedated and heavily oxygenated. What was later explained to me was that the fetus had certain requirements- my body could deal with that. The problem came from the graft- it wasn�t sure what was the fetus and what was me.
My next clear memory was waking and seeing Chris and Julia. I also was in a slight bit of discomfort. The baby was strapped in a sling and fairly well attached to my left breast. Julia was saying something about her needing to feed nearly constantly for the first six weeks. She will be small till then, but once she detaches, she will do like Robin did, and become the size of a six year old or so in an hour or less. Chris moved the sling away from her. Her hair was blue black like mine, each tiny digit tipped by a tiny black claw. She had a downy coat of fur with faint blue black stripes.
�She has no tail, but her blue eyes are slitted.� Chris said with pride. �She was born with fangs, or as Julia is calling them, milk teeth.�
I figured that much out as I tried sitting up and proceeded to black out, Chris yelling for help as the light faded. I woke up as Julia was placing a line in my aorta.
�Sorry about the pinch. We didn�t get time for an anesthetic. We knew the baby was taking milk, but not that she was also taking blood from you. You are going to need to have a line while she is attached.� Julia told me gently.
I felt funny. �What are you doing?� I asked Julia.
�Chris, you better tell her.� was Julia�s reply.
�Sweet heart, we are going to place you in a static hibernation. We have to do this to keep you own body from burning itself out to feed the little one's fire. You will be awakened when the child has detached and has metamorphosed.� he told me.
Julia piped in, �Her DNA is still adapting and stabilizing. Apparently, she has not only your genetic memory but all of genetic markers for at least three generations. That means your father and Founder Two also. She also has the traits of the host father species. She will have all the raw instincts and know control. Very much as you were, she will learn quickly. Any bad habit she develops in the first year will be unbreakable.
She is Sagan but it will express itself differently. It will come as continuos adaptations, not single manifestations. She will also be truly immortal- only ending in existence when she chooses. She is also in complete control over that wild magic you possess. What ever it is out there left its mark on her too.�
Chris held the mirror to her tiny back. In the small of it was the same mark I wore as a tattoo. It pulsed with a pale lavender light to the rhythm of her heart. It was then that I heard that which I serve voice for the first time.
�My first born child was too strong, he is alone, and all need an equal. It is befitting that you, my chosen Avatar, be the one to bring her forth into existence, since for me to do it, I would have to unmake all that I have wrought. Once made it can never be unmade, that is the one rule to remember.
�Know that you are loved, one who watches, and that your mother is very proud of you.�
�What will you name her?� Chris asked me.
I said, �Sky Fire.�, and went to sleep. They were all screwed on the time thing! It took nearly a year in the compression unit for her DNA to stabilize. Once it was done though Sky, as everyone was calling her, had all the traits needed to tame Tajani Mash. She only needed to learn control- that was a fight in itself.
I woke up sore from not moving, and found a sleeping six year old girl on the bed next to me. �We had to sedate her after the growth spurt.� Julia said to me, looking a little pale. �She lunged at me and had Chris not tackled her, she would have killed me.�
�Where is he?� I asked her.
�He�s getting better.� Julia said, the in-family code meaning he had died.
�Help me up, or send in someone who can.� I asked. A tech came in and helped me dress. I told him that I needed a tank top and some cut offs. He looked at me like I was crazy and handed me battle armor. He then insisted that I put it on.
�Who is the director here?� I asked him, with my voice being oh-so-sweet, but overflowing with menace.
�You are, ma�am, but I really think that you should put this on�, he answered, completely missing the warning. That was when I put on the speed.
I had him in an arm lock, with my fangs extended, whispering into his ear very sweetly, �What do you think, mister?�
�I think I will be getting your clothes, ma�am, just as soon as you let me go.� When I did, he ran off like a frightened rabbit.
Julia laughed weakly. �He�s the one you bit.�
�So that�s why he pissed himself.� I thought. I leaned out into the hall and yelled after him, �I want a double rotgut too!�
�How long will she sleep?� I asked Julia.
�Until the antidote is given.�
�Well then, I�ll be off.� I picked up Sky and headed for the containment yard. I told the cat to set the old protection spell on the room and to not let it off until I said. I gave Sky the antidote, and about three heart beats later she was up and at my throat.
I hit her with a mind yell �NO!�. That stopped her in mid leap. She backed off and mewed like a wounded animal. Not a good start, but it was early. I walked over, let her smell my scent, then in a quiet voice I said �No, Sky, that is not right.�
I then touched her, and it was then I felt her hunger, both physical and mental. She had the blood hunger, and a hunger for knowledge. First, the blood hunger. I entered a gentle rapport with her and showed her how I controlled it. This was an exercise that left us both sweating and exhausted. The tapes showed an elapsed time of nearly eight hours.
Once that was done, I told Salem to let down the spell long enough to send in a cart with a smorgasbord. Enough to fill Robin after one of his time jumps as a child twice over. The cat gave me a cue and then eight men came in with carts laded with every thing under the sun, and then some. It was when the men themselves came in that I had to hold Sky tight. She did not like strangers in what she perceived as her territory. I heard later that the four hour eating binge made most ill to even watch. The only things she did not eat were what she found clearly unpalatable. Those she decorated the door with- she had very good aim. I decided that she needed to eat herself sick to reinforce the meaning of self control- table manners were still low on the priority's list.
Once finished, she slept curled up to me. I let her have the stomach ache for about two hours before explaining with my empathy why it hurt. Then I opened my wrist for her. The scent alone drove her mad with hunger and again I told her NO. She hurt too much to move, but she did understand, and once I saw the light of understanding in her eyes, I allowed her to drink till the binge was burned away. She finally truly slept.
I was weak with hunger when two techs came in with a couple of crates. �Just leave them and get me a mattress, blankets, chairs, table, plates, utensils and clothes her size. Leave them and have the cat reset the spell.� I told them. They were back when I had finished both crates and left without a word.
We slept that night, in this permanent twilight, together as we would many more times. It was a hard long road with many occurrences when she would do something inappropriate. When that happened, I would lock minds with her and a battle of wills would ensue. Sometimes she would relent quickly. Many times though she and I would stay in the same positions locked for hours or, on a few occasions, days.
When we finally emerged from temporal compression, Sky was the size of a ten year old. She could easily defeat any seasoned fighter from Battleworld, and do everything I could. She always knew whom she could trust. She has perfect mastery of her body, mind, and Spirit. She could control her �magic� and was ready to accept teaching from Alex and Robin.
When introduced to the Founders and the Council, she was very respectful, but spoke to me through her magic in a way that only I would hear. �There is one who hates us, Mother, and wishes us destroyed.� she sent to me.
�I know, but that is between him and me.� I sent to her.
Later, in a private meeting between me and my father, Founder Two decided to interrupt. Sky walked over to him and told him it was not nice to interrupt people. When he got condescending with her, she just looked at him. He blanched, then walked out the door after apologizing to my father. What I later found out was that she had taken his powers away, and told him to contemplate how he treated others. Respect was given and earned among equals, not demanded. That no being was lesser or inferior, just different, and all deserved respect even children. She had told him that and he would have his powers back only when he truly understood that was what her �Grandmother� wanted.
Sky Fire would learn many more things before traveling to the moment Tajani Mash would escape. She then had one of the battles of wills that we had when she was a child. Alex said that it seemed as though creation had hiccuped, and both she and Robin heard Done and Done before she mounted him and disappeared.
I would hear from her in our own special way every so often. The last time I heard from her before we returned was to say that Tajani had ended his own existence. My heart mourned for her as my own heart had mourned for Salem. She then said that she would wander all the worlds and timelines till she found the egg that would hold her new partner. Wonderful thoughts of kittens filled my mind and heart. �Be well my little hell kitten.� I told her.
� I will, Mother.� she replied as she broke contact.
As my senses returned to the real world, a faint lavender mist filled my mind. In it was an image of Sky with a young Dragon, opalescent mother of pearl in color. �Just as Tajani Mash destroyed himself because he hurt from being incomplete, Shivara Raga shall heal as it should have been. What was sundered and undone, be made whole, the two made one. Just as you, Salem, and Father are one. The two balancing and supporting you, Shivara and I balance and make equal each other. I am happy, Mother, and if you miss me, whisper my name, and I will come, in some form or another. You gave up much when you left the guild on their terms. Grandmother has decided that if you wish to have your memories, you may. All of them. Not just what they think is best. It will be our secret. They will come to you when you are in the quiet place in your mind. She has also decreed that they will never be able to be taken from you. They are part of the reward that Grandmother says you deserve, for always being hers and not asking questions. Be well. I love you.�
The mist evaporated as my senses returned to the real world. Sean and Robin were standing there, with smiles that could have bisected their heads. �You were so deep in meditation, we took showers and had dinner while we waited for you to wake up.
�We also proved to a few people that said they could do what you were doing, that they could not do it without using their powers. We dared them to do it in a null-chamber. Well, we made a handsome fortune, if I must say. After that, they demanded proof about you at double or nothing. Sheila, the head medic, set the record straight when she told the whole crew, cadets and all, that you were doing it without Sagan or vampiric powers. That was when she pitched a fast ball at your head and you caught it.� Robin explained at length.
It explained the baseball at the chair base. Shawn piped in that there were even a few suckers who went onto bet triple or nothing that we couldn�t do it. Well, knowing Mr. Showbiz here, he did one better.
�I did your Quarter meditation on the chair back in the null room and speared the baseball.� he said proudly. To which Shawn presented me with the split ball and a huge round of dead wakening applause.
�I�m going to take the black rose from you, Grandma. It may take time, but I will do it.� he said seriously.
I smiled and said, �In time, Shawn, in time.�