Warning: Procedure Forty-two

Loudspeakers broadcast a warning message: Localized tsunami warning! Repeat! Warning, Localized surface tsunami spotted off the coast of Eastern Capital. Wave heights as high as twenty meters approaching Big Mouth Island. Citizens are advised to calmly proceed to higher ground.

Avelina’s phone blasted the warning along with red-letter text. The elevator rumbled as she scrolled through the details, “Strange, there was no earthquake.”

The yellow dragon rested a hand on her shoulder, “There needn’t be one, the artifact has power over water at a high degree. We’ve been caught completely off guard. Seems it can manifest localized tsunamis.”

“A disaster class?”

“Precisely. We’ll need to evacuate for everyone’s safety.”

The elevator cage creaked opened. A black suited dragon exited with rattling black box, “Sir, will you be needing this?”

“It’s a bit late for tea, don’t you think? Put that somewhere and send for an evacuation helicopter.”

The tea set went gently against the elevator wall, “Sir, this construction was compromised during the attack. It might not be able to handle the landing.”

“Then tell them not land it,” a hand circled, “Our pilots are capable enough to hover. Hurry, there’s no time. I have people here that need evacuated.”

“Yes sir,” he saluted.

The helicopter rotors circled at a safe distance. The yellow dragon dug his phone out of his pocket. He had several numbers on speed dial, “Yes, this is Alpha 013489 issuing evacuation protocol eleven. Once completed, I want a full headcount and casualty report. Maintain full airborne surveillance on the artifact as per procedure forty-two.”

He waited as a voice mumbled in response.

“Yes, procedure forty-two. I want this event filmed from multiple angles. Employ every drone we have available capable of reaching the disaster area within the next ten minutes.”

A fireball lit the night sky with a series of roaring booms. The yellow dragon turned to observe the fiery plume of black smoke. His phone went back in his pocket as claw clicked the call finished button. A rushing wind warmed the air.

Avelina rushed to the edge of the platform and gripped the rails as she leaned over. Two hands went above narrowed eyes, “Sun God’s exile, what in the world is going on?”

The thrum of a white helicopter with the world government insignia became deafening as it descended. Landing skids hung just above the rooftop with the pilot keeping it steady. The yellow dragon gave Avelina a little push against her back, “Get on board, both you.”

Grabby jumped from the landing skid to a passenger seat, from where he gave Avelina a helping hand.

The whirling air ruffled her mane as she peered toward flaming plume darkening the horizon. The yellow dragon waved them off as the helicopter lifted, then accelerated to the interior of the city.

The black suited dragon stood with his arms behind his back, “Sir?”

“Ah, you’re still here?”

“You didn’t give me orders to board sir.”

He adjusted his tie while his wings extended into a wide flap, “No, I didn’t, did I? Head out with the others if you still can. Try not to drown.”

“Yes sir,” he watched the gold boss fly in the direction of the helicopter.

-----

The wind burst through Jorseph’s hair as he curved back and forth over the city, “I’m flying! I’m actually flying. This is like a dream.”

His upper right claw clutched Lilly so that she was tucked against his chest. Her leather rubbed the glossiness of his scales, “Stop curving, go straight. Do you even know where you are?”

Jorseph circled his body to stall and survey the jungle of high-rise office buildings below, “Just because I live nearby doesn’t mean I go to Eastern Capital every day. I don’t even know where your friend might be. The industrial districts are huge.”

“How about we go to the coast and fly along until we see something?”

He straightened out as he sniffed. His nose took him in the direction of the ocean air, “I’m big and I’m flying? How long can I even stay like this?”

The sound of rotors approached.

“I don’t know. But I promise to protect you. I won’t let anything bad happen. Jorseph, pay attention!”

A helicopter flew past so close that they narrowly avoided it. He swore he heard his mother calling his name. But he refused to look back. He was probably just worried about her. He didn’t even have his phone if she decided to call him, “This is starting to feel like a bad idea.”

The lights of the refinery glowed. The sea had pulled back. Beyond them the sea floor burned. He didn’t see islands; the shallow sea bed exposed rough textures contrasting against flattened land. Moss on sunken piers dried in the night air. They circled the land centered by a flattened warehouse. Burning vehicles lit a circle around it as if a demon had been summoned. Several slain dragons lay scattered about.

A claw went to his head as he squinted. The tip of the claw scratched into his mane to dig against scales, “This doesn’t look right. Lilly, what’s going on? What’s happening? Did your friend do this?”

“I-I don’t know. If she did. I’ll do my best to stop it.”

“She’s killing dragons! What do you mean do your best? She’s killing dragons!”

The earth rumbled, “Have you noticed the ocean is gone? If we don’t work together, she’s going to kill a lot more. If you don’t trust me, then do as you like, but I swear I’ll do everything in my power to stop her. I swear!”

Jorseph looked upon the glistening scales of a severed limb, a shotgun still clutched in its claws, “Are you willing to kill your best friend?”

Lilly hesitated, “That’s- I don’t know. Let’s focus on seeing if we can stop the tidal wave first. Then I’ll deal with her. I’ll get her to come to her senses. If it is here. It could be something else. There has to be some explanation. Please, Jorseph, don’t be like this.”

Jorseph shook the book while his claws dug into the leather binding. Tears dropped into the summoning circle below, “I’m going to ask one more time. Are you willing to kill your best friend?”

“I’m willing. I want to avoid it. I’m not going to lie to you. But I’ll do whatever it takes to stop her from hurting another dragon, even if that means killing.”

Jorseph took a deep breath and exhaled flame, “That’s good enough. I’m sorry it has to be this way. Let’s save my city.”