Okay, that’s bigger than I thought it would be.
I crouched in dragon form at the edge of the rise, digging my talons into the edge of the cliff, gazing down the slope at our target. The entrance to the laboratory sat at the bottom of a rocky bowl, surrounded by mountains on all sides. I could see a gaping cavern large enough to drive a truck through cut into the side of a slope—the original entrance to the mine, if I had to guess. The land around it had been cleared and stripped of all vegetation, leaving the area barren and rocky. Several long gray buildings sat in rows off to one side, and a yellow backhoe, bulldozer and other construction equipment sat silent and empty near a gravel pit. A chain-link fence surrounded the entire area, with watchtowers flanking either side of the road that led through the gate and up to the entrance.
And there were a lot of humans standing guard outside. Humans with combat vests and very large guns, who didn’t look at all like scientists or corporate employees, but trained militia. In fact, this whole operation didn’t look like a mining facility so much as some kind of top-secret government organization.
“They’re expecting us, all right,” Martin said behind me. I scooted back from the edge and rose, watching as he scanned the area with a grave expression. “No need for that many guards unless you know something is coming.”
“Guess we shouldn’t disappoint them, huh?”
He sighed. “Are the communications working?”
“Yeah.” I wore a headset with an earpiece and mic that had been specially modified for a dragon. The bud had been shoved into my ear canal and was uncomfortable as hell, but it would allow me to keep in contact with both lieutenants. Wes was supporting Sebastian’s team, and was responsible for leading them through the laboratory to the stasis chamber, so his attention would be elsewhere. I would never admit it, but it was strange, having someone else’s voice buzz through the earpiece. It just wasn’t the same without a sarcastic English accent. “I hear you loud and clear, Lieutenant.”
“Martin.” Ward’s voice crackled in said earpiece, sounding urgent. “Sebastian just reached the back entrance.”
“All right.” I ignored the painful churning in my stomach. It was time. How many would I lose before this was over? How many would I watch die, to defend a world that didn’t know we existed? “We’re ready.”
Martin nodded and stepped back. “Good luck then, dragon,” he said in a grave voice. “See you all on the battlefield.”
I watched him stride away, back to the soldiers of St. George, and glanced at the small army that waited behind me. On the ledge, dozens of glowing, reptilian eyes watched me, wings and tails fluttering anxiously in the predawn stillness.
I swallowed, knowing I should say something to them, that they were all looking to me for encouragement, on the last day some of us would be alive. Speeches were never my forte, but I stepped forward and took a breath, bringing their attention to me.
“It’s okay to be scared,” I told the thirty-plus dragons who watched me with solemn eyes. “This is Talon, and we all know what they’re capable of. We’ve all suffered under the organization. We know the cruelty and depravity they’re capable of, even to their own kind. You have every right to be afraid, and for that, I want you to know that I am proud of each and every one of you.” Some of them blinked, raising their heads, as I smiled grimly. “You chose to fight, to be here now. Because you know that without us, Talon will sweep the world and turn it into a living hell for both humans and dragons. Well, that’s not going to happen. Today, we strike back at the organization, and we send a message to the Elder Wyrm that we will never accept her world.” I gestured down the slope, to the massive facility at the bottom, and bared my teeth in a smile. “The Elder Wyrm’s plans are going to go up in flames, but they need us to make it happen. We have to strike so hard and fast, and rain so much fire down on Talon’s heads, they’re going to believe it really is the dragon apocalypse. Think we can do that?”
At the front, a small black dragon raised her head, yellow eyes flashing in the darkness. “Hell, yeah,” Nettle said, her crown of spines bristling with anticipation. “The bastards won’t know what hit them. I’ll tear them all a new one. For Remy.”
“For Scarlett,” another growled, one of the dragonells from the island facility.
“For Isaac,” Kain muttered in the back.
I closed my eyes. Too many to name, I thought as faces from the past flickered through my head. For everyone I’ve lost, everyone who won’t survive this. And for those who will. I’ll give you a better world, I swear it.
“Okay.” Opening my eyes, I turned to face the laboratory, resolve settling over me. Even from here, I could easily see the entrance, and the dozens of humans milling about, unaware of an impending attack from the sky. I took a deep breath, filling my lungs, feeling the heat and fire within surge to every part of my body. If these were my final hours, it was fitting that I should spend them as a dragon.
A flash of red lit up the sky, and the distant roar of an explosion echoed into the silence, as an RPG slammed into one of the watchtowers and blew it sky-high. Almost instantly, a siren blared, spotlights flashing on to sweep the ground, as the guards rushed to engage the soldiers charging in the front gate.
Here we go.
Rearing onto my hind legs, I gave a booming, defiant roar, and the dragons behind me took up the battle call, a few dozen Draconic voices rising into the air. Springing from the ledge, I opened my wings and plunged into a steep dive, hearing my army do the same, and we swooped toward what could be our very last battle.