Dragons of Atlanta

Livestream from Darrel Kingman (@TheeDarrel)

>start

Darrel: We’ve been getting reports from all over about dragon attacks in major cities. Our viewers have sent in videos and in the ones, I saw, I could see giant creatures coming from the sky and digging into the Earth with their paws. Some of them even had barbed tentacles like…like bugs! They were pulling strange pillars from under the ground! They had this technology the whole time and we were busy chasing UFOs while the real aliens were with us.

*Darell halts for a moment, his gaze downcast. He sighs*

I heard Atlanta was the fourth city to go down, but everyone says it was Rome that was destroyed first. I heard that a giant serpent that was delivered in a ship and that thing crippled the Georgia Gate Defenses. It-it-shit—that thing was wider than the city itself and it literally melted the wall when it breathed fire. How could such a creature exist?

*His gestures are frantic, his breathing quickened*

I …I need a coffee.

>audio only

??: another coffee?

Darrel: yeah. Might slip a little bit of bourbon in here. Or some sleeping pills.

??: sleeping pills are better but that would be a bad idea. We could be attacked and we’ll be slowed down if we have to carry you

Darrel: shit. yeah. Guess I gotta stay awake through the fear, huh?

*He laughs uneasily*

??: we’ll get through this. Fuck the lizards.

Darrel: aliens. Yeah. Fuck…them…yeah…alien lizards…

??: breathe Darrel

*He takes deep breaths, all the way back to his desk*

>video on

*He takes a sip of his coffee—a long sip.*

Yeah. Where was I? Ah. When the wall thing was down all the dragons started moving in with sacks, canisters, and ship-pods or whatever. Hundreds of, I’m guessing, medium-sized dragons? were kidnapping people while the other dragons were dealing with the military.

At first I wondered why didn’t they attack from above? Why come through the gates? And then it came to me: They needed to protect the ground troops, so moving in together would make them a stronger force on initial attack and then they could get to kidnapping humans.

*Darrel grabs a small device and it projects a holographic screen. He changes its orientation so that the contents on the holo-screen can be seen on-camera.*

See these? This mailbox icon and the type filter that says ‘reports?’ We are getting reports from all over the world about these attacks. People like me, regular humans, here at International Dragon Society do not know what to do.

*He leans back in his chair*

And yet, people still ask us for help. All over this rotting planet the dragons are kidnapping humans and taking them, probably to their god. That’s usually how this played out in movies. If only we were smart enough to exploit their weaknesses…

*A person comes into the view, their face unseen. Their gestures indicate something*

We did? Oh.

*Darrel resumes talking to the camera*

We’ll, scratch that. I heard just now that we tried that already—it failed miserably. Cool. What they have in weaknesses they make up for in numbers, strategy, tactics and army power. They work together and they’re a species that is so, so damn varied. I guess studying Dragonism pays off.

*Darrel sighs and lowers his head*

God help us all.

*It takes a moment before he’s able to lift his head again and address the camera*

I don’t know if I want to end the livestream. I’m comforted by you guys, you people in the chat. You are real and I am reminded that I am not alone.

*Despite the emotional turmoil, Darrel manages to smile. Tears are welling in his eyes.*

I love y’all. If—If we could stay like this for a little bit longer? Maybe I could make a stream that’s days-long. We can all talk to each other. I won’t be alone, you won’t be alone.

*Suddenly there is a light show outside. The other person in the room rushes to the window to look outside. Darrel follows.*

*There are a dozen small dragon ships gathered over a park. Squads of Hearth Wyrms jump out.*

Darrel: Oh shit!

??: you need to turn that phone off NOW before they pick up your active signal.

Darrel: on it. Uh, guys, this is Darrell Kingman, signing off.

——CAMERA SHUTOFF——

Darrel: off. Turn OFF.

——CAMERA SHUTOFF. PROGRAM TERMINATION——

>start

*It’s Darrel again, at the same desk from yesterday*

Darrel: Hello to whoever sees this. I’ll be keeping a video diary, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Well, it’s raining today and the bombings have ended. I saw a few dragons in the sky but Kim told me not to peek out the windows. So, want a tour?

*He gets up from the desk and turns the camera around. On the desk is a half eaten apple, and a family photo of some blonde guy and his kids. Comments flood in asking about the game on the computer screen.*

Darrel: uh, its…Halo. We got a generator, so I’m, uh playing my friend’s old save. He’s…

*Darrel leaves the desk*

Darrel: We’ve…uh…taken in a few survivors and their Dragonling. They’re an old couple, kinda like hillbillies. Rhonda, she’s a bit on the chubby side, and her husband, Ralph. They say they know where to find fresh food. Kim and I will be heading out with them tomorrow. The last time I had an apple was fourteen days ago. N-not counting the one on the desk. I’m trying to make that last.

*Darrel points the camera at a little black dragon*

Darrel: I was cautious at first about their pet, but they said the dragon can’t use telepathy and it’s loyal to them. And you can probably see the thing even in this lighting. He’s as ugly as hell. I’ve never seen a dragon like him; he’s not like the others. Those whiskers make him look like a fat cat. He won’t stop glaring at me. sigh.

Well, I think It’s time I turned in for sleep. Goodbye America.

>video end

——STREAM END. PROGRAM TERMINATION——

Darrel: JESUS! Right over there…right by Cunnery Point! It’s standing right there! Don’t move. Look! Can you see it? I’m pointing the phone right at it. That’s your first glimpse of a bipedal dragon soldier, and right beside him is the overlord: an actual dragon! Looks like he’s dragging in a little girl. Hold it…that’s a boy! We need to save him!

Kim: No! we can’t risk getting caught.

Darrel: but, he’s just a little boy.

Rhonda: oh my god, that’s my son! That’s my son!

Ralph: what? Jon? Is that really Jon?

Kim: shhhhhhhh!!! Shut it!

Rhonda: my baby, my baby, my baby

Kim: shut it or we’ll get caught

Darrell: Mrs. Hawthorne, please lower your voice

*the rate of comments increase as the viewers of the livestream witness a bipedal dragon dragging the squirming child into the metro station. Rhonda tries to quell her tears, but it’s futile.*

Kim: we gotta keep moving. Come on! We’ll find your son when we have better weapons

*Darrell reluctantly stands and follows, keeping his rifle close.*

*Rhonda slowly stands, feeling the weight of emotions pound at her back. She accepted the fact that she might not see her son again. As much as she tried to push him out of her thoughts, the more she thought about saving him. She looks back at the scene, lagging behind until Kim reminds her to follow.*

* * *

Darrel: It’s a shopping mart! An actual supermarket, and it looks like it’s only been partially damaged by the bombs. I find it hard to believe this is still here.

>video off

>video on

*Darrel, Kim, Rhonda and Ralph are searching through the supermarket, picking up snacks like chips, candy and any viable food*

Darrel: It feels so ghostly in here. I was on guard when we first got in and not once did a dragon pop out to kill us.

>video off

>video on

*Darrel is back at his desk*

Darrel: Kim told me not to record our route and uh, she’s right. This stream might be on a human-only frequency, but draconic sympathizers are everywhere. Good news I guess? When we left, we didn’t encounter anything on the way back. Where are they? I’ll um, turn this off now. Until tomorrow, goodnight America.

——STREAM END. PROGRAM TERMINATION——

Okay, we’re inside the Cannery Point station. The entrance was unguarded so we let ourselves in. it’s so damp and dark.

*Darrel turns on a flashlight, the only comforting light in the station*

Darrell: Holy sh—

Kim: shhh!!

Rhonda: are they…play fighting?

Ralph: what kind of play fight involves mounting? C’mon Rhonda you ain’t that dumb.

Rhonda: that dumb??

*the group curiously stares at two small dragons: a blue Cantedragon—striped dark blue all over, atop a howling red Fire dragon with pink watercolor-like patterns.*

*Darrell steps closer, but Kim holds him by the hand. He looks back at her and notices her warning expression. She shakes her head.*

Kim: let’s go, now.

Darrell, whispering: it looks so freaky. Is that all they do? Make eggs?

Kim: why don’t you ask Vasilev when we reach Kansas.

**They travel deeper into the train tunnels, tip toeing past sleeping dragons and navigating through crashed trains. They enter the lobby, where they see an active nest. There are hundreds of dragons, both bipedal and winged, tending to the giant and sleeping black dragon at the center. Dragon eggs dot the room, tucked safely in smaller nests. The human citizens were sitting on the cold concrete with cloth blindfolds covering their eyes. Others were forced to watch as their family members were impregnated by the sleeping dragon. Shifters, bipedal dragons, Wyverns and the like were observing with anticipation. The crystals on the wall start to glow a deep red color as it registers the unknown aura coming off of the intruders. Immediately Darrell realizes this place. **

Darrell: oh, crud.

Kim: what? What is it?

Darrell: remember the UNYOS virus in New York? The one that originated from the UNYOS station?

Kim: yeah, what about it?

Darrell: well, the guy went into a nest like this one and came out infected…

Kim: get to the point!

Darrell: this is a breeding ground, and we’re the food! We shouldn’t be here. We might get—

Rhonda: my son! Look! There’s my son!

*Kim backs away as she examines the red crystals*

Kim: those crystals can detect us. Shit! I knew this was a bad idea.

**Rhonda starts crying as she sees her son being injected in the tummy with the sleeping dragon’s genetics. They overhear a voice*

Kim: that’s the guy who worked at the juice factory in The Industrial

Darrel: Teacher Doryu?

Kim: what’s he doing here?

Rhonda: and what are they doing?

Darrell: Rhonda, this was a bad idea we need to go, now!

*there’s a loud hiss and a terrifying shadow approaching them from the left. Ralph holds Rhonda’s hand and talks comfortingly. *

Ralph: honey, we need to go. We-we-we can’t save him, Rho.

*the shadow draws closer to them*

Ralph: Rho, c’mon, we’ll save him when we find the military, okay? Rho, is that okay?

Rhonda: …………y-y-y…y-yes……….

*the group runs for the other exit, avoiding the sleeping tunnel dragons. They exit through the southwest entrance and leave the confines of the nest*

——STREAM END. PROGRAM TERMINATION——

*Darrel is at the desk again*

Darrel: It’s just us four now. The other cells of the IDS, um, collapsed a few weeks ago. The other eight senior members decided to quit.

We’ve made weapons from anything that’s useful. We haven’t had a chance to get out and scavenge for food.

*Darrel goes to the window and turns the camera on a group of biped and human-form dragons outside the building*

There are dragon soldiers occupying the neighborhood. I’m going to broadcast this video and any audio messages so survivors with a radio or SugarTablet will know they are not alone. I, I’m broadcasting from a secure line someone gave me over DMs last night. I checked, it’s it’s legit. I need to find more sugar for my tablet.

Kim: Darrell, come look!

**Rushing from the window, Darrel runs to Kim’s side**

Darrell: what the hell is that?

Kim: shine the cam on it. This will make a great home video

Ralph: what are those dragons doing?

Darrell: looks like a giant tower

*Darrel switches the camera around. There are hundreds of ships congregating around a half built structure. Dragons are flying back and forth to the tower, delivering metal, steel, glass, cars, and anything else salvageable to the various construction ships and Hoverlasers. The lasers grind the steel and scrap and turn it into a goo-like substance that sticks onto the spire and expands. Other machines meld metal and steel into the unfinished tower.*

Kim: they’re building one of those Portal Towers

Rhonda: a what?

Kim: a portal tower. It serves as a nest for their high ranking sub-species. God help us all if they are building more than one.

*Kim leaves for a second and comes back with a book; The History of Dragon Tech. She flips through it and points at the page*

Kim: this thing

Ralph: that sure does look like it

**Darrell looks around, noticing a missing presence**

Darrell: hey…where’s that fat dragon of yours?

Rhonda: Who? Timmy? He’s over…

Ralph: where is he?

*Darrell grabs his trusty rifle*

Darrell: that little lizard ain’t going to make a lunch of me

Kim: I hear something

Ralph: I hear it too

*there’s a hiss, and the dragon jumps on Darrel’s back from the ceiling. Darrel’s tablet falls, but audio of the attack can still be heard*

Kim: I got him I got him! Shoot him

Rhonda: no don’t!

*There’s a loud crash*

Kim: STOP IT YOU FUCKING—

*There’s a couple of loud gunshots and a loud screech.

Rhonda: TIMMY NO!

Ralph: Rhonda get back

*There’s another hiss; low and gutteral, followed by another gunshot*

Rhonda: Timmy No! No, Timmy!

*Rhonda’s loud wailing continues as Kim grabs the tablet and Darrel*

Kim: I knew we shouldn’t have taken them in. This is why I never fucking help people outside my friend group

*Kim sighs, then resumes dragging Darrel*

Kim: stupid fucking idiots always getting someone killed

*Kim opens a door and pulls Darrel inside. She takes the camera and switches it around. Her eyes are red, irritated, from holding back the tears.*

*Kim takes a moment to read the comments*

Kim: he’s not dead, but he’s injured pretty bad. The dragon’s claws sunk into his back and made this

*Kim gestures with her hand*

Kim: this, deep gash. I killed that fucking lizard and she’s crying over it like as if that thing is her child

*Kim hears a sound and looks left, at the door*

Kim: the dragons outside will have heard that gunshot. We need to move.

*Kim puts the tablet in her bag and it is assumed she picks up Darrel and descends the staircase. Eventually, the feed ends as the tablet’s battery dies.*

——STREAM END——

Darrel opened his eyes, or tried to. His eyes felt mucky and crusty, preventing him from fully opening them.

He heard strange sounds all around him: hisses, low growls, trills

the sounds of dragons…

Multiple footsteps approach and stop before him

He’s able to open one eye and turn his head upwards to see a biped dragon, fully in its draconic form, was gazing down at him

Beside that dragon was a smaller one, a human in glasses and a lab coat, but the giveaway of its species were the yellow horns on its head.

Darrel’s throat is sore. His voice comes out croaky, “where’s Kim?”

The dragon with the yellow horns answered, “she’s safe, as long as she does what we ask. She will be safe and we won’t hurt you.”

Darrel pulls his arm, trying to break free.

“You’re perfect for what we need you for.”

Darrel sighs, “great. I’m dragon fodder now. Just get it over with.”

The yellow-horned scientist steps forward, “why sound so blue? I’m not going to kill you. I’m no mad scientist. We just want you to play with our hatchlings. You know, babysit for us.”

Darrel tilts his head, “excuse me? You’re not joking are you?”

“Nope.”

Yellow Horns taps on the console and Darrel is released from the chains. He falls to the cold ground.

The dragoness smiles, “I think you’ll love it here.”

(Author notes and illustration can be found here: https://dragonshortstories.wordpress.com/2025/02/19/dragons-of-atlanta-a-webcam-story-2/)