Eye of the Dragon (Vision of a Dreaming God) (Fallen Drakon Empire Book 3) Read online

  EYE OF THE DRAGON

  FALLEN DRAKON EMPIRE Book 3

  By Diana Drakulich

  Eye of the Dragon - Vision of a Dreaming God

  Origin of `DRAGON’ - Latin DRACON- (stem Dracō)

  From Greek DRAKON - a large serpent

  Greek literal meaning - `The SIGHTED ONE’

  From the Greek root - DERKESTHAI - To SEE

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  Text copyright © 2017 Diana Drakulich

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise – without express written permission of the author.

  Cover Graphic Design – NA Studio Design

  [email protected]

  Tattoo design by Freepik

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  EXCERPT from ENTITY – To be published July 2017

  Chapter 1

  Just hours away from the spaceport on Drakonis and carrying the richest haul ever, the space freighter `Golden Door’ is on autopilot. In addition to black market diamonds, the ship carries a rare plant drug, soma. Soma causes prolonged sensuality, enhanced physical power and experiences of rapturous bliss.

  With minimal danger from Arkon space pirates in this sector, her crew of three has let down their guard. They are celebrating in advance - drinking and playing strip poker. Whoever loses has to dance buck naked.

  Let’s tune in to the party. Just slap the com patch on your shoulder -

  “Look - a straight flush!” Even white teeth grinning mischievously, Koba, the ship’s engineer, fanned his cards out on the table.

  Bending close to see, the other two crew members smirked.

  “A 5, a 6, 10, queen and a king. Hah. Koba you are so full of space junk.” Co-pilot Roxanne’s lush lips curled in a challenging smile.

  “OK, show me yours.” Koba arched a dark brow.

  “Show you my what?”

  “You know what.” Said with Koba’s typically lascivious smile.

  “No I won’t show you that…”

  “Lose a few more hands and you’ll have to show it all anyway. Come on Roxanne show us your hand.” Koba urged. From her hesitance he surmised her hand was weak.

  “Okay.” She released a resigned sigh. “But first gimme another shot of that Kickapoo Joy Juice.”

  The crew’s celebratory drink of choice tonight contained a generous shot of soma. The plant-based drug is incredibly empowering and intoxicating, but without the blurring, slurring effects of alcohol.

  “Hmmh yeah. Burp. Okay.” After elegantly wiping her lips with the back of her hand, Roxanne spread out her cards.

  Two shaggy male heads, one dark blonde, the other mahogany brown, bent to study her hand.

  “Hah. I knew it. Your hand is even worse than mine.” Koba announced with a smug grin. “Baby you are now first in line for the Big Reveal, depending on what Jivan has.”

  “OK Captain, show us what you got.” Roxanne’s turquoise eyes flashed.

  Jivan was the reserved one. She would love to see him take it all off. Long had she fantasized about the proud flesh Jivan’s tall lithe frame promised.

  “Look at that – aces and eights - the `Dead Man’s hand’. Jivan wins this round.” Koba observed.

  “I hope that’s not prophetic.” Roxanne, ever the wary one. She just could not believe this final crucial leg of their journey would be successful. Me - RICH? An impossible dream.

  “At least I don’t have to dance around naked.” Jivan sniffed, coolly ignoring the others’ superstitious comments.

  “Hey don’t discourage her. I’m looking forward to the show.” Koba interceded, his libido rousing from space hibernation. “Just because our valiant captain has a problem with ah…failure to launch.”

  “Don’t kid yourself joker, Sadie Palmer and I get it on... frequently.” A lazy smirk played around Jivan’s sculpted lips.

  “Yeah, Jivan’s in love with his girl Palmer alright. She satisfies him every night. Koba taunted.

  “Damn right. Palmer’s always available and she knows exactly how I like it.” Jivan announced with a straight face.

  Dropping her eyes, Roxanne shook her head. Teasing to get a rise out of the self-contained captain was a losing game. Typically reserved and close-mouthed, Jivan owned the Golden Door. He claimed that he discovered the ship abandoned, floating in space.

  However the scuttlebutt going around claimed that Jivan had to fight the whole crew of the salvage ship he manned, one after the other, in a savage winner take all battle.

  “Koba leave the captain alone. Roxanne said. Just because he’s not a manwhore.” Like you - was left unsaid.

  There was a flicker of pain in Roxanne’s forced smile. She had tasted Koba’s erotic package one unforgettable night. Then when the ship reached port she was forced to stand by and watch as Koba sauntered off with another woman.

  “OK Roxanne, get up there. Be mah Hoochi Koochi Mamma tonight. You know what I like!” Koba urged, shamelessly oblivious.

  Koba’s irreverent spontaneity was part of his charm. But though he appeared insensitive, he knew. Knew that he had hurt Roxanne. But there was nothing to be done about it. No attachments. That was his cardinal rule.

  As a child, Koba’s family had broken up when his mother left them for another man. Deep down Koba blamed himself for his parent’s breakup. He was not a lovable enough son. Not good enough. Koba loved women but was deeply distrustful.

  Money on the other hand knew its master. Or is money my master? Sometimes Koba was not so sure.

  “Okay, I’ll dance but I gotta get in the mood. Put on some music Koba.” Roxanne was already down to her shirt and boy panties. Damn, I never was lucky at gambling.

  “Oh yeah - Let’s get it onnn!” Koba leapt up and turned on the console, filling the cabin with pulsating, throbbing dance music.

  Inspired by the rocking beat, Roxanne rose, hips moving in a sultry rhythmic sway. Fingers molding her breasts, she pushed them up and together, the nipples peaking under her red knit shirt.

  “Oh you sweet thing - Take it off baby!” Koba was nothing if not enthusiastic. He was also down to a t shirt, boxer briefs and sporting a significant bulge.

  “Gimme me another swig of that Kickapoo Joy Juice.” Roxanne flicked a hand at the flask of potent drink.

  Koba handed it to her and she took another sip. Closing her eyes she let her body take over and just feel the beat.

  “You wanna see Mom
ma get down tonight?!” She smacked her firm round ass with the flat of her hand.

  Koba made a piercing wolf whistle, clapping to the rhythm. “Oh yeah - hit it Mama!”

  Chapter 2

  “Oh my beautiful boys, Momma gonna get down toni-iight.” She pinched her nipples to tight nibs poking against her shirt.

  “Come on Momma, Daddy’s waitin’. Give it All up! Don’t hold back! You only go round once and We gonna be rich!” Koba encouraged, a wild, sybaritic glint in his eyes.

  Always reserved, Jivan watched, though Roxanne thought she observed a slight bulge in the old man’s trousers. He was still fully dressed of course. The captain was only in his mid thirties but acted like he had no interest in sex. Whereas she, on the other hand, was starved for affection.

  Is it really a `failure to launch’? She wondered. Maybe Jivan does have a secret love life we didn’t know about. Or a steady diet of… porn to while away his free time with the always available `Sadie Palmer’.

  Roxanne wondered what it would take to knock Jivan’s rocks off as she swayed voluptuously, dancing her rendition of a seductive siren. “I’ll be your Momma toni-iiight!” Her fingers lifting the edge of her tshirt above her smooth belly, back arched, hips gyrating.

  “That’s it baby!” Koba sang out, a hungry, feral look in his chocolate brown eyes. “You got it goin’ on honey.”

  Slowly, temptingly she took off her shirt, revealing full round breasts pushed up into a low cut lacy bra. Roxanne twirled the shirt overhead, hips undulating to the beat. “I’ll be your baby toni-iight.”

  “I have seen the goddess! She is with us tonight!” Inspired, Koba rose and ripped off his shirt, revealing broad shoulders and muscular abs.

  The ship’s engineer and all round go-to person began dancing in sensuous rhythm with Roxanne. Dancing close behind her, Koba did not miss the opportunity to fondle Roxanne’s luscious ass, his fingers straying into the breach.

  “Stoppit Koba.” Roxanne slapped his hand away, but flashed a seductive smile.

  The thought snaked through her mind – Time - Time is running away so fast. Already five years on this ship... I have yet to find my true love. Maybe someday...

  But she forced her mind back into the light-hearted swing of things. Who knows how many fun moments like this among friends my life will bring?

  Hips rocking in unison, Roxanne and Koba twirled their shirts overhead, then tossed them aside. Just as their respective red and white shirts hit the floor - BANG! The whole ship jolted as if a giant hand shook it.

  Holy shit! Three pairs of eyes met. Black smoke swirled out from under the engine room door. A meteor strike? That was preferable to the obvious alternative.

  “We’ve been hit! Damn itI Just as Roxanne was about to give us the full show! I knew everything was going too well!” Koba dashed for the engine room.

  “Laser fire - coming in hot.” The Golden Door’s metallic feminine voice announced in stentorian tones. Laser fire screeched. Two more stunning impacts shook the ship.

  Roxanne and Jivan leapt into the pilot chairs. Just as a message in Universal came over the console screen – The image of a black, coiled serpent. Under it the demand - `Surrender or Die’.

  “You mean surrender and then die. You parasitic Arkon worms!” Jivan hissed, fingers flying over the console as he sharply banked the ship off course. “Shields Up! Strap in! Computer what is the closest landing site?”

  “Closest site is the planet Rastabahn. Universal translation - `Eye of the Dragon’. Location - constellation Draco.” The ship’s computer answered.

  “Atmosphere?” Jivan asked.

  “Oxygen level - 35%. Nitrogen - 63%. Other gases including Carbon Dioxide - 2%. Rastabahn’s atmosphere has more oxygen than Earth which has 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen. The ship replied.

  Rastabahn has lower gravity than Earth. It is a designated Jurassic Zone inhabited by dangerous reptilian megafauna. No known humanoid presence.” The ship continued.

  “It has breathable air. The heavy plant growth will give us cover from the pirates.” Jivan said.

  “If we make the landing in one piece.” Roxanne cautioned.

  “We’ll make it.” Jaw clenched, Jivan’s icy blue eyes were riveted on the spinning blue and green planet rapidly expanding in the viewfinder.

  He put the ship into a zigzag avoidance pattern at the same time guiding it in an almost vertical trajectory straight down toward the revolving blue ball far below.

  The Arkon pirate ship’s laser guns repeatedly cracked red lightning bolts. The Golden Door shook with the impact. Smoke swirled, the scent of burnt metal and wires permeating the air.

  “Ohmahgawd ohmahgawd! Please God - Please Save Us…!” Roxanne intoned, fingers frantically flying over the controls.

  “Now entering Rastabahn gravitational field.” The ship’s computer announced.

  With an ear-splitting ratcheting sound the Golden Door began spinning, arrowing straight down toward the planet’s surface at 27,000 miles per hour.

  “Come on damn you slow down! Straighten out!” Jivan fingers were white-knuckled on the controls.

  But the ship kept drilling almost vertically straight down.

  Koba’s voice came over the intercom - “One of the engines is hit captain!”

  A glance at the scanner showed Roxanne that the pirate ship had stopped firing but was also descending in hot pursuit.

  Chapter 3

  The Golden Door pierced through a thick layer of towering gray thunder clouds to reveal a world of verdant green surrounded by scintillating blue. Beautiful. If only we get the chance to enjoy it, she thought.

  “Which is better at this speed - diving a mile deep into the ocean or crash landing on solid ground?” Jivan demanded.

  “Uh-hh…” Before Roxanne could answer Jivan managed to slow the ship’s screaming burning descent. Somewhat. But not enough.

  The Golden Door crashed through leafy green branches of huge treetops. The captain aimed the ship’s trajectory toward a long stretch of white sand beach.

  “Thank you GOD. I’ll never forget you for this miracle.” Roxanne murmured. “Now if we can just hit the beach without crumpling into a heap of steaming molten metal.”

  Slow down! Slow down! SLOW DOWN! Brakes and engines screaming the ship hit the ground, bouncing hard along the beach. The soft deep sand helping to cushion and slow the ship. Powerful engines screaming in reverse. It finally came to a shrieking halt.

  Feeling almost too weak to stand but thrilled to be alive, Roxanne unstrapped her harness and staggered over to Jivan. “Jivan - You did it! You are a miracle worker! Jivan?”

  The captain’s head was slumped over, eyes closed. Face white.

  Moving quickly, efficiently Roxanne undid his harness. The captain almost fell out of his chair. Blood darkened the front of his flight suit. She braced her hands against his shoulders to hold him in place

  “Koba!” Get out here, hurry!

  At some point the captain had been hit with flying shrapnel. Despite shock and blood loss Jivan had still kept it together to crash land the ship safely.

  Koba rushed out of the engine room. “We made it!”

  Crouched over Jivan, Roxanne yelled - “Get the first aid kit and laser suture. Jivan’s hurt bad!”

  Working in tandem they gently laid the wounded captain out on the floor. Roxanne pressed down hard on the blood-pulsing wound in Jivan’s chest. After carefully opening his flight suit they went to work, first carefully extracting the metal shard in his chest, then laser suturing the wound closed.

  Roxanne gave the captain’s forehead a tender kiss. “Oh my brave Jivan. You’re going to make it. We’ll get you out of here.”

  Their concern for the captain was interrupted by the shriek of engines passing close by overhead. The Arkon pirate ship had found them. They had only moments before it landed on the beach.

  “Grab the survival paks and the air stretcher. I’ll get the weapons. We’ve gotta get out of her
e!” Koba yelled.

  “Can we take the shuttle?”

  “No the shuttle bay door was hit. It’s jammed shut. We can’t take the mobile lander either. We’ll have to make a run for it - on foot!”

  Roxanne quickly brought the air stretcher. Moving carefully they lifted Jivan onto the stretcher and guided it to the main exit bay. Koba tied the air stretcher to his belt.

  Laden with an 80 lb plus pack and all the weapons she could carry, Roxanne slapped the wall sensor to open the hatch. Normally she would have been groaning under the load but she was so thrilled to be alive, her system so pumped with adrenaline, she barely felt the weight.

  As the heavy exit bay creaked open a screaming roar shot by overhead.

  “The Arkon ship, it’s landing on the beach just ahead of us. Let’s go!” Koba shouted.

  They charged out of the smoking ship, lumbering across the soft beach sand toward the beckoning tree line. Dark rain clouds were blowing in. At any moment a violent tropical storm would burst down on their heads. Thunder shook the ground under their running feet. A sharp crackling flash of lightning split the air.

  Despite being laden with heavy packs and weapons, Rastabahn’s lower gravity and the crew’s surging adrenaline levels enabled them to literally bound over the soft sand.

  `Over here! This way!’ For a moment Koba was sure he heard Voices calling, coming from the tree line.

  But he saw no one except the wildly whipping green jungle. Sheets of cold rain struck, partially blinding his vision. He passed the Voices off as multitudes of leaves hissing in the wind.

  The wild rain slashed their faces. Red hot laser fire started tracing the ground, rapidly advancing toward their running feet.

  “That way - over there!” He pointed toward where the branches seemed to pull apart indicating an opening in the thick jungle. “Go! GO!”

  Running like deer in full flight despite their packs, Roxanne and Koba burst through the narrow opening in the tree line. Before their eyes lay what had once been a road of white stone. The jungle had overgrown and reduced it to a crumbling winding track hardly more than a game trail. All the better. Less chance of being seen and followed.