Commander Madala looked up at Merco, "When you've caught her sand dragon please bring it to our stables over there." She pointed to a station outside the walls.
Merco nodded.
Then she said, "Keep close. Elder Felreh said she may have need of you in these proceedings."
"Me?"
She nodded.
After the Rogashay Emissary was led away toward the gate Merco stood up glancing at the blood dot on his arm, "Guess that didn't go so well. Kinda violent for an Emissary isn't she?"
Traynar floated before him with a serious look, "That was actually a pretty typical response. Though...I'm surprised she came at you with that kind of reaction. We understand the Rogashay's attachment for their sand dragons. They are integral in their lives and protect them as they would a member of their family."
"Are you sure you're ok?" Pixie asked, peering up at him.
Merco nodded, "I'm good." He seemed to think a moment, "I wonder why the Elder wants me to be at this meeting?"
"She may want you to just listen in since you're most likely the reason this meeting is occurring. Or she may want you there as extra assurance." Traynar explained.
Merco frowned not feeling particularly good about being some sort of 'enforcer' or 'intimidation factor'. Though, he couldn't help it considering he was the biggest thing on their planet and it was inherent that he'd be intimidating.
Dismissing his misgivings, he peered across the land, "Now where did that sand dragon run off to?"
Luckily for him, Anu had flown after in pursuit and Traynar could see her uniform, "There!"
Merco followed a ways, minding the farm ground which the sand dragon had no qualms charging through and smashing a swath where it ran. At his height he found the animal easily but following it without causing more damage was the trouble. Anu was flying, trying to get it to veer away from destroying anything but it paid her no mind. Feeling and sensing Merco coming after it didn't help slow its retreat any. The sand dragon barreled through the farms until at last it made it to the marshy river lands. When its splayed feet met the spongy, muddy ground it had to slow down. Though adept at rushing over sandy ground, their build made them ill-equipped in the wet ground. Traynar and Anu flew in behind it, cutting off its escape back into the farms. Merco was taking the long way around to avoid harming anyone's property.
However, the sand dragon was having none of their meddling in its escape. Realizing it couldn't easily go across the marshy river lands it whirled around facing the two Ansheetans guarding the dryer ground. It hissed menacingly, baring long sharp teeth and shaking its horned head in a display posture. Traynar cycled his spear into an energy staff which would deliver a shock if the sand dragon tried to escape before Merco arrived. The sand dragon seemed to focus on the light of crackling staff, side stepping and hissing as it squared up to Traynar.
"Anu. Get in the air." He urged his mate, knowing she wasn't armed.
But Anu held her hovered place, "Merco's coming. You can't hold it by yourself."
"Anu! Get higher now." He commanded.
Quite suddenly, the sand dragon's long tail whipped around with blinding speed. Anu managed to fly up but her leg got clipped, spinning her through the air end over end. Traynar ducked to the ground as the tail swept over him and retracted. In pain, Anu couldn't maintain her flight and had to land, holding her throbbing, cut leg. The sand dragon's tongue flicked with excitement, scenting the fresh blood; its predatory instinct triggered. It wheeled away from Traynar and charged toward Anu.

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Stranded on a Tiny Planet
Science FictionMerco, a human veteran of the last future war, finds himself marooned by mercenaries on an alien world inhabited by tiny humanoid aliens. Wounded and far from anything he knows he tries to survive and somehow find a way home. Meanwhile, the natives...