Chapter Text
The wind whipped his face as he ran through the forest. Twigs cut into his face and arms, drawing blood as he smashed through the thick vegetation. The force of the twigs hitting his body caused them to snap off. A deep rumble of at least a dozen vehicles and the low voices of someone barking commands could be heard in the distance. Slowly creeping closer.
His chest was heaving hard, his breath coming out raspy and strained as he ran through the forest. His heart was working overtime to supply enough air to his muscles to keep going. But he was slowly losing speed. The voices were getting louder; there was no time to rest. No place to hide. With gritted teeth, he pushed himself to keep running despite the pain shooting through his entire body, telling him to give up and welcome whatever fate had planned for him.
The adrenaline that filled his veins was running out. His focus was slipping from him and his vision was getting hazy. Suddenly, he felt the ground under him move as he slipped on the wet leaves. It sent him sliding across the rough terrain, crashing straight into a massive tree, which winded him. For a moment, he could only stare at the sky above him as he laid still on the ground, chipping for air.
The moon stood high in the sky, reflecting the light onto his muddied face. His green eyes and light blonde hair, currently looking more like a dirt blonde with all the mud covering it, were clearly visible in the moonlight breaking through the treetops. The light breeze cooled his face. And for a moment, everything felt peaceful. Oh, if only he had the element of time he could go back to when life was not so burdensome.
The roar of engines broke the silence as a dozen hovering vehicles zoomed out from among the trees, closing in on his location.
In a hurry, he stood up, but his legs would barely move anymore. They felt numb, like they weren't his own. His heartbeat, which had finally begun to settle, once again started pounding hard in his chest. Blood rushed through his ears as he got ready to fight.
He had been on his feet for weeks with barely any time to rest. Whoever was after him had been tracking him for at least that long, and that can never be a good sign. In his current state, he had little hope of getting out alive, but he was sure as hell gonna bring a few of them with him.
Rapton’s POV
The underground storage hangar is dimly lit. At least two guards are stationed at each of the exits, and another three are guarding the opening to the rails leading out of the city and back to Imperium. To the side, stairs lead up to a large control panel.
“The capture was successful?” A voice echoes from the holographic screen that suddenly materializes from the control panel. The man standing next to it turns around towards the sound. The screen illuminates his grey hair and golden visor with red glass in the middle.
“Of course! Transfer will begin first thing in the morning.” The grey-haired man responds lightly while throwing his arms up in a relaxed gesture. He had done similar procedures a thousand times before. At this point, it’s all engraved in his muscle memory. No point in worrying if there is nothing to be worried about.
“Your overconfidence is a weakness, Rapton. These creatures are dangerous.”
“Trust me, this thing isn’t going anywhere. We even took some… Extra precautions, so to speak. Don’t worry, Lord Ras.” The man, Rapton, answers almost dismissively as a smirk tugs at his lips. His gaze travels across the room until it lands on the two metal boxes in the hangar’s center. One larger than the other, partially because of its heavily reinforced walls. He allows his gaze to linger on them for a moment before returning his attention to Lord Ras.
“ya know, that special request of yours put up quite a fight. Took an entire troop of 12 to take it down. And even so, I’ve managed to get a little bonus for ya. An early birthday gift if ya will.” Rapton meets Ras’ eyes. “A baby dragon. Quite a powerful one if I say so myself.”
Ras’ eyes narrow into small slits as he stares at Rapton intently. The kind of stare that turns your veins to ice. Like a giant snake slithering around your neck, its grip tightening with every second.
A sweat droplet begins to form on Rapton's forehead. But he refuses to look away. In doing so, he would show weakness. He will never stoop to such low grounds. What message would that send to his soldiers? Other than Ras, he is at the top of the pecking order. As such, a certain degree of dignity must be upheld.
After what feels like an eternity, Ras finally speaks. “Do not disappoint me.”
With that, the hologram disappears. As well as Rapton's easy-going expression. His smirk being replaced with a scowl.
Seriously? After dedicating an entire life to the Imperium, you’d think he’d at least show some respect. Rapton mentally argues. After all, he is the best when it comes to beasts.
One of the guards who had previously listened in on the conversation takes a few brave steps forward as he carefully speaks. “Lord Ras doesn’t sound like he’s got a lot of faith in us.” There is a noticeable quaver in his voice.
“Get lost,” Rapton growls lowly before whipping around, his shoulders tense and brows pressed downwards in a serious expression.
The guard startles, lowering his head and quickly backing off to his appointed position. Keeping his mouth shut to avoid agitating his boss more than his mere existence already does. A huff escapes Rapton's lips as he confidently walks down the stairs, almost cockily, some might say (if they have a death wish that is).
He grumbles some incoherent words as he takes a left at the end of the stairs, stopping at the largest of the two cages. He slowly lowers his head so that the peephole aligns with his eyes. The hole itself is just big enough to fit two hands in both directions if you have your palm towards the floor. Rapton casually rests one of his hands on the box.
“This guy in here? He ain’t going nowhere, ain’t ya?” Rapton laughs menacingly, his grin reaching from ear to ear before slowly lifting his head. He gives the box a hard slap as he walks away. Causing the metal to echo inside it.
From the depths of the dark metal box, two eyes glare towards the hole. The dim light from the small opening hits the eyes just right, showing their emerald green glow.
The following morning, the usual quiet around the hangar is replaced by the buzzing of machines and the sound of footsteps rushing in every direction. The guards are rapidly walking in all directions as they try to load everything on the train as quickly as possible. The sooner they can return to Imperium, the better. As the hangar is cleared out, the two metal enclosures are left untouched in the middle until nothing but an empty room and a few hover chariots remain. The chariots will be the final item loaded onto the train after the two metal boxes. They were intentionally left second last to ensure there will be enough manpower in case something goes wrong, as well as to get moving before anyone or anything can start causing trouble.
“Secure the big one first, it’s our primary goal here, ya got that?” Rapton stares the guards down with a gaze of steel. The guards immediately straighten and respond with a stiff “yes, sir.” A guard stationed at the control panel presses a button, and four hooks descend from the roof. Each hook is placed in a hole at the side of the box, one at the front, and one at the back, repeating the process on both sides.
The machinery whirrs, and the box is lifted off the ground. Inside it a slight shuffling and metal clinging against metal can be heard before becoming eerily quiet again. Rapton writes it off as it temporarily losing its footing. Nothing that’s out of the ordinary during the transportation period, he reflects while watching it being lowered onto the train, far towards the front where he can keep an eye on it.
Once it hits the train's floor, multiple guards immediately rush over to remove the hooks and secure the box, whereas Rapton makes a final check before grunting in approval.
“Secure the small one and come get me once it’s done. I’m sure even you can handle something as simple as that.” Rapton huffs nonchalantly while making his way towards the back door. Satisfied that the crown jewel of the hunt is secured. Before he reaches it, a thud sounds from behind him. Typical, he thinks. But then there is another… and another. Amused at its futile attempts, he chuckles.
“No point in trying, little pipsqueak, those things are made to hold dragons a lot bulkier than you.”
Just as he turns around, he sees the door of the smaller enclosure flying open with the baby dragon not far behind. The door hit a guard square in the face, immediately knocking him out cold. With wings outstretched, it tries to take flight. Only to immediately faceplant on the ground. The small creature shakes its head, growls, and jumps between the hands attempting to catch it before disappearing under the train.
Rapton feels his rage bubble up in an instant, like a wildfire during the dry season.
“AFTER IT YOU IMBASILLES! IF YOU LOSE THAT DRAGON, I’LL KILL EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU FOR TREASON!” He screams out in pure anger. Any trace of amusement has disappeared. He rushes towards the last four hover chariots left in the backroom, along with three other guards they mount the vehicles. The roar of the engines echoes in the hangar and can probably be heard from above ground for at least a mile.
Before taking off after the baby dragon, he screams at the guards left behind, “WATCH. IT.” while pointing towards the larger box on the train where something can be heard fighting against metal restraints. All four then speed off, almost blowing the bystanders off their feet.