Free Heaven Saga 1: The Lost Hero by Marcus Johnson Page A

at the top was a
Malcovin dressed in full armor, with blue and white plumes adorning his armor.
He walked down the ramp with a spear in hand.
    “I am Commander Dragik. My Lieutenant’s last
transmission said your name is Brian, and that you’re Terran. Is this correct?”
the birdman asked.
    “Yes,” Brian answered as he took a battle stance.
    “I pray to the gods you’re alone Terran.” Dragik
pointed to the dead bodies lying all over the open plain. “My warriors were
nothing compared to you. Even protected in full armor and carrying the latest
pulse rifles, a single Terran was the death of them.”
    “Dragik, your tactics were flawless. But your men
fought for a prize. I fight to survive, and that’s the most important thing to
my people.”
    “Then let’s see who survives!” Dragik cawed loudly as
the spear he held began glowing. He charged Brian with the fiery lance. He
deflected the spear, thrusting his rakna blade deep into the Malcovin
commander’s chest. Gasping, Dragik dropped his weapon. The snow boiled into
steam as the glowing spear touched the ground. The birdman stood as the life
drained away in his eyes. He grasped Brian’s shoulder and took a small data
crystal out from under his armor.
    “He said…you would come. With the Thunder gone, I was
entrusted…with this…for you. Use it well, and survive…Terran, survive…and claim
your title as the Dragon…,” the birdman’s eyes went blank.
    Brian removed the blade and placed Dragik on the
ground. The birdman looked content in death. His eyes stopped glowing. He felt
the ache in his shoulder growing and saw he was bleeding badly. He shoved the
data crystal into his jeans pocket. Who is the Thunder, and how did he know
I was coming to space? He thought. As he began heading back to the shuttle,
he felt weak and fell to the ground. He rolled over and faced up. Barely able
to breathe he reached up with his bloody hand as if he could touch the sky. So
this is what it’s like to die. He thought, laughing. I didn’t think it
feel so warm. His hand fell back into the snow. Was it worth it? He
closed his eyes and thought of Seles. Yeah, it was. Goodbye Seles.
     
    * * *
     
    Seles awoke and noticed she was alone. The pulse rifle
was on the ground next to her. Where did Brian go? She opened the back
hatch and walked outside. She saw another shuttle near as Kalaidian troops
spread out on the snowfields. She headed for the other shuttle and noticed
Valis was leading the ground party.
    Seles ran over to them. “Captain, where is Brian!?”
    Valis turned. “It’s good to see you’re alright Seles.
As for Brian, we haven’t been able to locate him. Our troops are moving towards
the other ship.”
    An ensign ran over to Valis. “We’ve found the alien.
All of the Malcovin who landed are dead.”
    Valis went to a nearby hill with binoculars in hand.
She surveyed the area near the Malcovin ship, seeing the dead bodies. “First an
entire Grey crew, now a squad of seasoned Malcovin mercenaries? What surprises
does this one have in store for me?” she asked herself.
    A moment later a quartet of Kalaidians carried a
stretcher with Brian lying still. Seles ran to it.
    “Brian! Are you alright!?” she reached out and touched
his unconscious body.
    Celi placed a hand on her shoulder. “He’ll be alright
once we get back to the ship Seles.”
    “I want to stay with him, okay?” Seles said.
    Celi glanced at Brian, then Seles. “Just don’t get in
the way, alright?”
    “Of course,” Seles said as they boarded a shuttle.
     
    * * *
     
    Seles stood outside Valis’s quarters and waited.
Exhaustion filled her eyes as she stared at the floor. The door opened.
    “Come in,” Valis said, smiling.
    “Thanks,” Seles said as they entered the room. After
the door closed the two embraced with tears in their eyes.
    “I’m glad you’re okay,” Valis said. “I was really
worried about you.”
    “I know, I feel the same,” Seles said. “When