Dragon Tails (Sample only. See chapter 4)

Chapter 3

Dedicated to xXAdabellefarrowXx for reading all the way through then going back to vote! Also the massive amounts of encouragement and taking an interest in all my stories! Thanks Ada!

"When do you think we'll get our assignment?" Skeat danced in front of Tarlan.

*The group before us left as soon as they graduated,* Tarlan said. They walked out into the large courtyard outside the living quarters. Pausing in the shade of a large tree.

"So we might be told soon!"

*Officer Skeat, if you don't calm down they won't give us an assignment,* Tarlan growled.

Jemzi fell from the trees, landing next to Skeat with a heavy thump. Miki slid from her back, "How did it go?"

"You were watching. You know we passed," Skeat said.

"I was not!" Miki said.

*Oh, yes,* Tarlan said in his sarcastic tone. *We would overlook the inconspicuous green dragon, almost the same colour as the one we were chasing.*

Miki watched as Skeat acknowledged her dragon's words. "Tarlan saw me, didn't he?"

"Like a Volcanic against the sky," she translated.

Miki hung his head. "Do you think Captain Tylik saw? I don't think he likes me."

Skeat hesitated. She wanted to choose her words carefully. She looked at the smaller collection of scales over Miki's arms and face. She had her suspicions, The patterns reminded her of Captain Tylik's own scale arrangement. The way the captain tried hard not to treat him differently from the other cadets only fuelled her suspicions shared by Tarlan, Shemp and Crilk.

Skeat and Shemp were envious of Miki. None of the cadets would ever know their family. Unless they worked hard to reach a high clearance level, there was little hope of that happening. Chairman Sonic preferred his own kind, Deltarians, running the DGAF. There had not been a Glider promoted above captain since the betrayal of Commander Kieetah.

"He's just worried about you. He doesn't want to be sending you on a dangerous mission," Skeat said, wondering if he suspected the captain to be a close relation.

"Most first missions aren't dangerous," he said with a strained voice.

"There's always a chance," Skeat said.

"Yes, but I could have helped in today's test," he said.

Skeat nodded. Jemzi would have caught the little Forester before Lieutenant Reika dropped the bomb.

"But Tarlan did a very good job," Miki added. "I didn't know you could fly that tight."

*I can fly anywhere,* Tarlan said

Skeat shook her head. "Tell that to the window repairers. I think they will argue."

Miki frowned. He waited for Skeat to explain.

"Wing span here broke a window trying to squeeze through." She pointed at Tarlan.

A smile cracked Miki's lips. "They should have built them farther apart."

Tarlan nodded and blew a puff of smoke Skeat's way.

Skeat jumped as Shemp's voice burst from the radio "Skeat, we're being called out!"

Tarlan's tail twitched, his eyes narrowed on Skeat, waiting for more.

"Let's fly," she said with a smile.

Skeat sat upon Tarlan with a wide smile. We're finally on a mission!

They soared through Yalong Gorge, watching the barren land pass below them. Tarlan's head turned towards the Lemrz, the large, hairy, goat-like creatures which stood on a nearby ledge watching the five large dragons fly past.