EXTRACT FOR
Mother of Dragons
(Alexis Alexandra)

"How are we any safer in the open city and how do you understand what she's saying?"

"I'm an android and not to be disrespectful but it only takes me minutes to learn new languages and theirs is simple enough. As for the city, she assures me they have been driving back the dragons for generations and are mostly left alone. That being said, our supplies are running low so I think we should take her up on her offer. And if it's a trap then I'm fairly certain their armor is no match for our plasma weapons which we're definitely taking with us."

"And what about the ship? We have protocols, Doctor Vex. We can't just leave it sitting here to be pillaged."

"Self-destruct is still operational," he answered without missing a beat.

"And so our mission fails," I sighed. Humanity is lost and it's my fault."

"In all fairness, no one could have foreseen dragons. But not all is lost. If we can get the ring back to their city we may yet succeed. But before we do that I strongly advise getting to know this world and its people."

"Agreed. Please give her my appreciation for her help and ask if there is room for the entire crew."

He and Hashara spoke back and forth for several moments and then he turned back to me. "I've explained our situation as best I could and she thinks it would be safer for us to remain here until she can bring back wagons to transport the injured. As for space, they have plenty and only ask that once able we do our part to help."

"Ask if she can help the rest of us learn their language."

He asked and she replied. There was another brief conversation and then he turned back to me. "She says it would be her honor. But until we get settled in I'll have to translate. She's going to head back to the city now and says it will take about two days for her and the others to return with wagons, carts and other supplies for the trip back."

Straining to lean forward as a horrific pain erupted in my chest, I held my hands out to her. She took them and only slightly resisted me drawing her in for a hug. "Thank you for saving my people." Doctor Vex translated and she hugged me back.

"You're welcome," she replied in very broken and heavily accented English.

Cupping her right cheek, I smiled and overcome with emotions kissed her full on the lips. Her eyes went wide but to my surprise she actually kissed me back until I winced from the agony of breathing too deeply. Her hands went up and she talked so rapidly I could barely tell where one word ended and the next began, but Doctor Vex's android ears were more than capable and I could only assume he assured her I was okay as her hands lowered and she gave me an apologetic look.