Disclaimer: I don't own Pern and its people, Anne does. Blah, blah, blah...

Dark Pern

The great bronze dragon glared down at F'lar and Lessa, his faceted eyes clear of emotion. For a moment, all was silent in the great underground laboratory, save for the sounds of the other dragon scientists going about their work; the occasional click-click of a telepathically operated keyboard, the clink of glassware and the occasional burst of draconic chatter. Then, with a dismissive snort, the mighty bronze turned away to gaze down from the balcony upon which they stood, at his empire below. A moment later, he said, "Ah, yes, the dependence on a human rider… We eliminated that flaw in our genome long ago. Now tell me, little human… who do you think really controls the governing of Pern?

The Lord Holders? The Dragon Riders? Come on, now; you humans have brains in your heads, and I suggest you use them. Your time here is running out…" Still standing before the great bronze dragon known as Sileth - the head scientist of this nightmare realm - F'lar and Lessa thought for a few moments… and then, Lessa gasped softly, her eyes widening in horror. "No…" she breathed, "Ramoth…" At that, Sileth turned to face the Weyrwoman, a gruesome grin splitting his draconic muzzle "…is one of ours" he continued for the speechless woman. "A simple neurosynaptic block placed on your head by one of our Fire Lizard stealth operatives ensured that 'your' Ramoth would not be able to sense you anymore; thus, she went between with the belief that you'd died in your sleep.

Seconds later, 'our' Ramoth - an exact genetic clone and sleeper agent for us - came out of between to replace her, and the block was removed." F'lar, who had been listening in horrified silence, now chose to speak. "… So that's why Ramoth has been so cold and distant. I… I thought she was simply unwell…" Sileth chuffed softly with cruel draconic laughter, Suddenly, F'lar visibly paled, as another revelation shook him to the core. "… The between transport failures! You're responsible for them as well, aren't you?" At this, Sileth assumed a bored expression. "Ah, figured it out did you? Took you long enough. I thought that groups of young dragon riders going between and then the dragons reappearing without their precious riders would have aroused more suspicion… but humans will believe anything when placed under the right… influence."

At that point, it all clicked together in F'lar's mind. "You," he snarled, his face twisting into an expression of raw fury, "you influence the Lord Holders…" A smile of smug satisfaction crossed Sileth's muzzle, then… "…and through them we control the Weyrs and the people. We control almost all of Pern, now. The Dragon Riders? Mere puppets of the dragons they assume to ride. The Red Star? Our creation, still producing our first failed attempt to destroy the blight of Pern that is humankind. The Fire Lizards? Our agents, our eyes and ears upon the surface world above. Yes…we have near complete control of it all… And now, we have you…" For F'lar, the next few moments were a blur. He turned and tried to run… but then he suddenly felt a searing pain in his chest… before he collapsed to the ground, choking on his own blood. The final thing he heard, before he slipped away, was Lessa's terrified scream and a dark voice uttering "Prepare this human for processing. We must make her… more suitable… for our Ramoth…"

END