The Dragon's Codex (Dragonfall Book 2) by David A Wells

Author:David A Wells [Wells, David A]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Alexander Publishing
Published: 2016-07-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

He woke in his mind first.

“Your body has been temporarily paralyzed,” the augment said. “A necessary precaution given the severity of your wound. Appropriate materials are being provided to your nanites so that they can repair your injury with optimum efficiency.”

“Where am I?”

“NACC subnet access node number 147.”

“Is everyone else safe?”

“Your companions are alive, present, and undamaged.”

“How long until I wake up?”

“Several hours,” the augment said. “In the interim, we have much to discuss.”

“Such as?”

“First, the presence of magic and dragons is confirmed.”

Ben wished that he could laugh. “Glad to hear it.”

“The majority of the NACC has been destroyed. As a result, you have been given the rank of Director. Currently, you are the ranking officer. However, there is a stasis chamber relatively close by containing a Splinter Brigade awaiting reactivation.”

“Wait, slow down. Director? What does that mean?”

“You can command all land-based NACC assets and access NACC computer systems, including the quantum communications network. You also have access to your tactical heads-up display and visual augmentation programs.”

“So I can activate my ex-plus charge and use my seeker rounds now.”

“Yes.”

“Are there any weapons here?”

“No, but the location I mentioned earlier is well stocked with weapons.”

“Tell me about it.”

“It’s called Alturas.”

A map came up in Ben’s mind showing the underground road network in the region. Alturas was a good hundred miles away underground with only two other opportunities to return to the surface along the way.

“What kind of weapons will I find there?”

“A standard small-arms locker—plasma rifles and gravity pistols.”

“You mentioned a brigade earlier.”

“A Splinter Brigade, yes.”

“What’s that?”

“Classified.”

“You’ve got to be kidding.”

“I’m afraid not. It’s an eyes-only advanced research program. Recommended orders are to proceed to Alturas and revive the Splinter Brigade.”

“Recommended orders? Isn’t that a bit of a contradiction?”

“You are the ranking officer. The NACC system must obey your orders within the bounds of your clearance level.”

“So you have to do what I tell you,” Ben said.

“Yes.”

“And you accept that magic and dragons are real.”

“Yes.”

“Good, tell me about the war,” Ben said. He spent the next several hours reviewing the history of humanity’s fall to the dragons. It was depressing and instructive all at once. It drove home the lesson that the dragon’s greatest strength was his ability to get people to do his bidding.

After the very thorough history lesson, the augment brought an image of Ben’s vitals up in his mind’s eye.

“You have recovered nearly fully from your injury,” the augment said. “I am preparing to revive you.”

He noticed the sticky, metallic taste in his mouth first. He came awake slowly, still groggy from his recovery.

“He’s awake,” Ellie said, coming to his side.

He tried to speak but his voice didn’t work. She held a cup to his lips. A few sips cleared his throat.

“How long?” he whispered.

“Two days,” she said. “We thought you were dead.”

He shook his head, still a bit groggy.

“Let’s let him rest,” Imogen said.

He drifted off, waking later, more thirsty this time and less groggy. He sat up, feeling only a hint of tightness where he’d been impaled.

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