n

n

nNix stood up from his seat and opened a breach to HQ in Ionova.

"We're no longer operating from within Ever Flame, everyone in.

"

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: All personel, exit Ever Flame through the Town Hall Breach.

n

/Inferno: Nix: No more discussion here, I'll meet you at HQ in a bit. First, I need to see someone.

nShae latched onto his hand.

"I'm going too.

"

nNix nodded in agreement and stood next to the breach until everyone exited Ever Flame, then he opened a second breach to Deidra's courtyard.

n

"Breach Commander Nix.

" Deidra's Majordomo appeared almost immediately; instead of creating a fuss, he gestured for him to follow.

"From now on, I'll bring you directly to her.

"

nNix raised an eyebrow at the attendant's back before glancing at Shae.

nWhisper: Shae to Nix Is he usually so compliant?

nNix shook his head.

nWhisper: Nix to Shae Not a bit. Usually, he's a pain in the ass.

nWhisper: Shae to Nix Is Vega a dragon?

nWhisper: Nix to Shae Nearly. He has a dragon puppet, which shouldn't be possible.

nWhisper: Shae to Nix I thought it must have something to do with dragons since you had everyone leave Ever Flame and came directly here.

nShae gripped his hand tight, unlike the rest of Inferno, she wasn't intimidated by Deidra. She just didn't like her.

nDeidra was lecturing her two students when Nix and Shae entered.

"Take a few moments to consider the options, and we will speak again after my guests have departed.

"

nShae glanced at the pond; she could feel it's strangeness.

"Dragon Water?

"

nDeidra nodded. She had to remind herself that iridescent salamanders were notably astute.

"I am pleased that he brought you today. Would you mind coming with me?

"

nShae stole a glance at Nix.

"If Nix is going, then so will I.

"

nDeidra opened a breach and stepped through without speaking further; Nix followed and pulled the confused salamander with him.

nHis arrival at the nursery showed a drastic rise in the humidity.

"What happened to all the dry air?

"

nDeidra only smiled and nodded.

"It means they've entered an advancement state, the elements you donated are sealed in.

"

nShae frowned at the dragon.

"You had Nix donate elements?

"

n

"I did.

" Deidra admitted,

"two of them are advancing normally, but the third...

"

n

"Why are we here again?

" Nix found the entire process fascinating, but he had too many other items on his plate to put much thought behind it.

nDeidra suddenly bowed respectfully to Shae.

"Would you examine these eggs, and tell me what you feel.

"

nThe beautiful redhead laid a hand on the nearest egg; it was smooth and warm to the touch.

"Lightning Elemental, definitely male.

"

nDeidra didn't bother to hide her surprise; she could only discern their element.

"Next one, please.

"

nShae moved to the second, a smile curved her lips when she touched it.

"Hybrid Elemental, Ice Flames, also a male.

"

nThe salamander moved to the last egg and placed her hand on it, immediately her eyes widened in shock. She put a second hand on the shell and closed her eyes to focus.

"Salamander

/Dragon hybrid, female. Irridescent bloodline.

"

nDeidra watched as the salamander inspected the egg.

"Somehow, my daughter has become our daughter.

"

nShae nodded in agreement.

"Ours. She carries my bloodline.

"

n

"Such a thing...

" Deidra placed her hand on the outside of the egg; her usually confident expression replaced with confusion.

"Three hours ago, it started falling behind the other two.

"

nShae's hands glowed red, not the bright orange of her normal flames.

"She'll need regular infusions of red flames to thrive.

"

nNix remembered the red flames from Shae's promotion to Nemesis.

"The meta-flame?

"

nShae nodded.

"During metamorphosis, Salamanders produce red flames; the by-product of these flames are, of course, the yellow and blue flames that you were able to absorb.

"

nNix laughed despite the severe nature of the discussion; the blue and yellow flames created his green ones.

"My emerald flames are junk?

"

n

"An amazing flame that shouldn't exist,

" Shae corrected.

"I'll have to stay here, of course. No one else can create this particular meta.

"

n

"Thank you.

" Deidra placed her hand on the hybrid egg; she could feel its vigor returning.

"How does Nix carry part of your Meta-flames?

"

nShae pursed her lips for a moment before favoring her mate with a smile.

"At great risk to himself, he absorbed them on two separate occasions in order to save me.

"

n

"Why don't dragons breed with other dragons?

" The question had been bothering Nix since he discovered dragon spawn and dragon descendants. Where were the pure dragon lines?

n

"Because of our strength and longevity, it's something that is only allowed on rare occasions. It is one of the rules that we must follow.

" Deidra's tone said that she wouldn't elaborate further.

nNix found the bloodline topic so compelling that he forgot his purpose for coming.

"What do you know about Vega?

"

n

"I don't know anything about him. Should I?

"

nNix sighed heavily.

"I was hoping you did. He has a dragon puppet.

"

nDeidra swore loudly, the anger in her voice surprising both Shae and Nix.

"Bastard!

"

n

"Putting aside the skill necessary to create such a thing. The materials needed would be incredibly rare.

" Nix had figured it out while studying Taxidermy. One dragon skin can equal thousands of dragon leathers. To create a dragon, you'd need thousands of dragon skins, a seemingly impossible feat considering the number of dragons is much less than that. On top of that, you'd need thousands of sets of bones, teeth, and claws.

n

"If he really created one, then he must have located Khalam'Zhur.

" Deidra shook her head,

"even if he did find the Dragon Graveyard, he still wouldn't have enough materials.

"

nNix considered the options carefully.

"If it isn't a puppet, then its high-level animation. Which would be good for us, it would be powerful but not enough to insta-wipe us.

"

nDeidrea nodded slowly.

"Probably animation Nix, a cheap imitation that looks more impressive than it is.

"

nWhisper: Shae to Nix Wouldn't an Emperor level Dragon puppet be stronger than the real thing.

nWhisper: Nix to Shae In theory, yes. It's either an animation or a low-ranked puppet. It definitely wouldn't be an Emperor level.

n

"I have to get back. This final assault on the Mountain pass has to be planned.

" Nix grabbed Shae's hand and squeezed it gently.

"Stay here and monitor the hybrid egg.

"

nShae stepped willingly into his embrace, kissing the side of his neck.

"Thank you for understanding, Nix. Please be careful and bring me in if it's necessary.

"

n

"I will.

" Nix stepped through a breach moments later without saying anything further.

nDeidra watched the place where the Inferno Leader disappeared.

"Don't Salamanders mate for life?

"

n

"We do.

"

n

"And you chose a human?

" Deidra's tone was friendly than usual.

n

"Yes.

" Shae caressed the outside of the shell and morphed into salamander form. She climbed up on the egg and draped herself over the top of it. Immediately her body glowed with red flames, and her eyes closed.

nDeidra covered her mouth to keep from laughing aloud. Even dragons wouldn't dare compare a salamander to a mother hen.

n********************

n1500 hours: HQ, Ionova

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: From now on, all raid planning takes place in guild chat. Let's try to keep our plans secure.

n

/Inferno: Semmi: Vega has a dragon puppet? Or at least something that looks like a dragon.

n

/Inferno: Nix: Yes.

nNix brought up his Breach Commander Interface. A holo image of the Mountain Pass camp settled neatly onto the round table. It has already been updated with the images Nix saved on his hud. He highlighted an area East of the camp.

n

/Inferno: Nix: This is the weakest path to the Command Tent; this will be our primary route.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: I agree, let's use multiple assaults to distract them from our real purpose.

n

/Inferno: Semmi: If we fail to stop Vega from activating the puppet. Then what?

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Fight it out as best we can.

n

/Inferno: Nix: We'll use Flame Knights for the primary hit. Our ranger

/sniper mounted force will follow them directly and make use of high-value targets.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: That leaves a pincer attack from the North and South sides of the camp.

n

/Inferno: Nix: I'll bring up the best options for this Op.

n

/Breach Commander Interface

nHeavy Mounted Armor

n1st Division Flame Knights 1000

nColonial Knights of Glory 300

nMelee Assault

nKrayven Elite 1700

n12 Pillar Alliance 220

nTitan Ground Pounders 400

nRange Attack

nInferno Rangers 200

nEarth Temple Acolytes 200

nInferno Snipers 6

n

/Inferno: Pon: Holy crap... The Ground Pounders are taking part?

n

/Inferno: Nix: They are. Mortimus will be leading them.

n

/Inferno: Semmi: Morti's Pop is enormous. That's someone I want to see in action.

n

/Breach Commander Nix: Prepare for battle, I'll place everyone in five minutes.

nMission Brief

nThis will be a Three-pronged attack. We'll use heavy armor to push into their center and rely on our ranged fighters to eliminate their chain of command. At the same time, we'll assault their northern and southern perimeters. I'm holding the Nether Army and Strom Clan in reserve in the event that we need back-up. I've relayed instructions to all the Vice Commanders in this operation.

nNorthern Assault Vice Commander Sulane.

nColonial Knights of Glory

n12 Pillar Alliance

nEarth Temple Acolytes

nPrimary Assault Vice Commander Locas

n1st Division Flame Knights

nInferno

nInferno Rangers

/Snipers

nNether Assault Force (Reserve)

nSouthern Assault Vice Commander Mortimus

nKrayven Elite 1700

nTitan Ground Pounders

nStrom Clan (Reserve)

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: That leaves the infiltration team. How many?

n

/Inferno: Nix Ten will have to be enough. I'll bring us right to the puppet.

n

/Inferno: Jun Li: Here's our infiltration team. The rest of Inferno will be part of the Primary force.

nNix

nSemmi

nFajii

nWind

nPon

nSharl

nJun Li

nMina

nMilat

nTess

nNix moved away from the table to bring his companions in.

nSummons: Mortimer

nSummons: Fey

nSummons: Ducky

n

"Fey, I want you in the air on this one. I want everything in camp on fire.

"

nFey nodded, while Ducky helped her roll up her baggy sleeves.

"Burn it all, Nix.

"

n

"Exactly right. Morti, you are with the infiltration team and me.

" Nix smiled at Ducky, who was waiting patiently for her assignment while she helped Fey.

"Ducky, I want you to follow the Knights into the center of the camp. Create as much chaos as you can.

"

nDucky nodded.

"Understood.

"

n

/Inferno: Nix: Get ready, moving everyone to Ever Flame now. Stay in formation; we'll start immediately.

nNix opened a breach, and all of HQ emptied out.

nNix brought up his Breach Commander Interface and placed his troops at their assigned locations, he nodded to himself and moved next to the infiltration team.

n

/Breach Commander Nix: Ten seconds! Prepare to move.

nCreate Breach: Bandit Camp, Lower Chamber

nNix charged into the breach without hesitating.

n