Daenerys

She turns into her bed the soft sheets feeling like iron as sweat poured down her head. Sleep was her only refuge, but it only brought suffering in this moment fear, mistrust, curiosity, nothing could ease her burdened mind. Daenerys let out a quiet groan as she began to dream the images as vividly as if she were there. She saw Dragonstone, she recognized it from Viserys' stories a vast monolith of black covered in carved dragons standing guard as menacing as the living thing. She was standing in the Great Hall it was empty save for a little girl with long silver hair wearing a black and red dress, she was smiling happily playing with a doll dragon making noises as her dragon flew and circled. At her feet, a red and gold egg lay in an ornate basket and its warmth wafted into the air.

Footsteps echoed through the hall, a woman who looked sixteen to Daenerys eyes. She saw the little girl and smiled happily.

"Rhaenys," She cooed. "Father has returned."

"Visenya!"

'Rhaenys' ran over to Visenya and embraced her and the two sisters held each other for a moment before parting as Visenya took the hand of Rhaenys. Daenerys knew only the stories Viserys told her, but she was confused, these could not be the conquerors, the sister-wives of Aegon Targaryen. This Rhaenys was too young and this Visenya too old. The sisters walked through the halls quietly whispering to each other when they stood before a great door and a large group was assembled. As the Princesses took their position the great door opened slowly sliding down revealing a vast platform. Atop it, a great black dragon stood with wings spread, as mighty as Balerion the Black Dread it stretched and rumbled as a man descended from its shoulders.

Viserys had been the only valyrian man Daenerys had ever known. Unlike her gaunt and sickly brother, this man stood tall and muscled evident even in his dark clothing. His long white hair reminded Daenerys of her brother Rhaegar in the art and his soft purple eyes were like bright gems. He smiled as he saw his daughters and the Princesses ran forward embracing him.

"My sweet dragons," he said. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes father," Rhaenys said. "When will we return?"

"Soon, I promise. When this crisis passes I will lead us all home."

The King kissed his daughter's cheek and gave the older Visenya a firm clasp on the shoulders. He turned and led them forward onto the platform as his great dragon stepped back staring forward. Before them assembled on a vast platform of gleaming steel stood hundreds, no thousands of men more than Daenerys could hope to count who stood in rigid formation.

"Warriors of House Targaryen!" The King roared. "FORWARD!"

The King pulled out a gleaming sword of Valyrian Steel holding it proudly. A cheer rang out from the men each wearing the red and black. A loud horn echoed through the air and Daenerys looked at the sky, flying castles were rising into the sky dragons and swift flying swords dancing between them as they raced into the sky disappearing into the vast stretch of blue. Daenerys could see beyond the sky slowly rising into the darkness of the void where she saw a great dragon hissing fiercely, standing opposed was a Lion fierce and majestic not the lion of Lannister but an ancient far greater foe.

Daenerys sat upright in an instant breathing sharply. Looking around she could see daylight entering through the shutters. Irri, Jhaqui, and Doreah glanced over at her with a concerned look.

"Khalessi?" Doreah said. "Are you well?"

Daenerys looked up still catching her breath. Struggling to comprehend what she just saw. Her dreams were that of the dragon, they carried the weight of prophecy. She had witnessed the power firsthand when she saw the black dragon and later Drogon was born into the world. She saw the rebirth of her house using the same impossible machines as her stranger.

"I am fine," Daenerys said. "Please help me dress."

Irri and Jhaqui quickly dropped their task and grabbed a dress from a large chest that had been delivered by General Kozak's men. It was a strange outfit to Daenerys eye as the three girls struggled to arrange the foreign outfit after asking Anne about unfamiliar items. First was strange underwear with straps, as Daenerys fitted it on she could feel subtle movements as it adjusted to her body. Anne had called it 'smart cloth' explaining that tiny machines were inside the fabric adjusting to her body. They slipped on a pair of small grey trousers which stopped just at her knees and then slipped a pink and white skirt over it and then Daenerys slipped into a plain white top that fit over her body followed by a pink and red coat all of which danced and shifted until it fit perfectly. Finally, there was a pair of white socks and red flat shoes she stepped into feeling the strange sensation.

"These garments are strange," Irri said. "I do not like them Khalessi."

"They are not very beautiful…" Daenerys admitted. "But they will do. Thank you."

The journey to Qarth had been a brief one after Daenerys accepted their invitation a caravan of vehicles arrived after convincing her people men and horses alike were loaded into large trucks and delivered to Qarth in a matter of hours. The port city was gorgeous, a sharp contrast from the emptiness of the Red Wastes and the ruins of Vaes Tolorro. Its buildings are adorned with gems and the walls are covered with ancient paintings but there was something off about the air in the city. Soldiers clad in black walked the streets talking quietly to each other in foreign tongues, the Qartheen moved through the streets nervously their conversations hushed with nervous glances at their surroundings, and every few moments flocks of buzzing flying machines would pass over the streets like birds.

Daenerys had never seen it directly before, but the signs were clear, this was a city conquered. Though it went unsaid by General Kozak his men had taken the city through force of arms though it had been cleaned up nicely as they drove through the streets she could see ruined buildings, holes made by the bullets Anne had described, and some of the pristine architecture marked by burns. Even the house where her retinue was being hosted not far from where her Khalasar had been allowed to camp was a spoil of war. The servants said it once belonged to a man named Xaro Xhoan Daxos who was a former member of Qarth's ruling body. When Daenerys asked what happened to Xaro the servants grew fearful and retreated.

Even Anne grew more guarded within the city. When General Kozak and Doctor Finley Berkel departed she had pulled Daenerys and Jorah aside to offer a hushed warning.

"NEMO is dangerous," she had said. "They're terrorists. Soldiers that serve no one, who kill anyone who gets in their way. We are not safe."

Daenerys considered all counsel given and her instinct was inclined to agree. This NEMO organization was foreign to her world, that much was obvious, and she believed them to be responsible for the massacre of Khal Mordo's camp no other force would be capable of such a thing. They were too powerful to dismiss and even potentially dangerous and yet Daenerys curiosity had been fully engaged. Doctor Berkel claimed to have known her and Viserys, but she had no memory of meeting such a man. The conversation had left her unsettled and that night she had disturbing dreams, that night she saw a smiling face and her blood being pulled from her arm.

As she left her bedchamber she found Anne already awake sitting at a table eating a fruit as she worked with her MoCom. For once she was not wearing her blue outfit but grey short trousers and a white shirt without sleeves. She noticed Daenerys and smiled albeit more strained than her usual mood.

"Good morning, Daenerys."

"Good morning, Anne," Daenerys said. "Have I disturbed you?"

"No, I was just distracting myself with work to keep my mind off things. NEMO has a network up in this city if you could believe it, but I am not connecting to that, the last thing I need is them frying my MoCom remotely. It's a miracle they didn't confiscate it."

Daenerys nodded but struggled to recall the exact meanings. Anne had explained once that MoComs could connect to something called a network which allowed machines to share information, but she had no true reference for it, so the analogy failed her. Still, it seemed to frustrate Anne which she could gather.

"Oh, your clothes," Anne said. "You look cute."

"Cute?" Daenerys said.

"Those are clothes girls in my world wear. You would fit right in at school, just adorable."

Daenerys found herself feeling flushed. Many times, she had been called beautiful, and desirable but never adorable. Did she truly seem like a young girl to Anne? Sometimes that frustrated her but then there were times when it made Daenerys feel a strange warmth. Her kind stranger made her forget herself at times.

"It is not the fashion of Qartheeen." She spoke. "I feel like an outsider in this."

"Those silk gowns that only cover one side?" Anne said. "No thanks."

She playfully stuck her tongue out which caused Daenerys to giggle. For a woman who had been so terrified when she first stepped out from her raft, Anne had a resilience that Daenerys respected she could tell that the older woman was afraid, but she used humor and her learned wisdom to distract from her fears to comfort others especially her. Daenerys could tell that Anne felt protectiveness toward her. It made her feel young, but Daenerys found it comforting at times, Anne felt safe. She did not desire her as Jorah did and she had no game to play beyond perhaps surviving until her Union came to rescue her. Daenerys swore she would see her home safe even if she would miss Anne terribly.

"Khaleesi."

Jorah entered the room his brow was wet with sweat as he breathed steadily a sign he had been moving around early. He gave Anne a curt nod which she returned. They still were rather cool with each other, but Jorah seemed less aggressive but maintained his constant weariness as typical of her bear.

"Ser Jorah," Daenerys said. "Something to report?"

"I checked the camp as you requested the Khalasar is unharmed," he said. "There are few guards, and our people can travel the city unmolested but as you suspected this is a city conquered its people live in fear."

"How could a city be conquered with no news? Surely there would have been rumors."

"These NEMO folks are watchful," Jorah said. "I could feel eyes upon me the whole time I moved through the city and their drones as Anne calls them patrol the skies. I tried to evade them, but they are as agile as dragons."

"Control of the sky is a fierce opponent," Daenerys said. "I know that much from my ancestors."

Jorah nodded in agreement. He was about to continue when another servant entered and quickly bowed.

"Dragon Queen, Lord Kozak has arrived and wishes to speak with you."

The three exchanged a look of silent tension but Daenerys had no reason to refuse the general and she desired to get more information.

"Please let him in." She spoke. "Irri, Jhaqui? Bring my dragons."

"Is that wise, your grace?" Jorah said. "They could be vulnerable."

"My dragons are my strength. They have shown their power, and I will remind them of mine."

Her handmaidens quickly entered carrying the cages for her three dragons. As they undid the locks the three small dragons slowly crawled out exploring their surroundings and perching around her shoulder and lap. Viserion sniffed the hair hissing as the loud clanking footstep of metal against tile echoed through the house. The familiar dark figure of General Kozak entered the room with a small smoking piece of paper in his mouth which carried a strong scent as he inspected the room and looked upon the dragons.

"Mother of Dragons," he said. "Good to see you again. You rested well I hope?"

"My rest was adequate, General," Daenerys said. The word was unfamiliar to her, but Anne informed her it was a military title the leader of many soldiers. His demeanor certainly fit an aged warrior he carried his walking stick with a firm hand and even with his wounds and false eye there was a sense of awareness. She noticed him eyeing her dragons with an amused look before refocusing on her.

"I thank you for the gift of clothing."

"The first of many," Kozak said. "I apologize they are rather simple, but we are rather light on civilian clothing our manufacturing devices are intended for military uniforms. And the local fashion is well…Nothing a girl your age should be wearing."

Daenerys felt a twinge of annoyance again she was being seen as the child. Was it truly so unusual for the young to lead in their distant worlds?

"I remind you, General, I am Queen. Not a girl."

"Certainly, your grace," Kozak said. "I meant no insult by it. Now I wish to extend an invitation to you."

Daenerys nodded. "You may."

"Doctor Finley Berkel would like to invite you to a NEMO facility," he said. "It is not far from the city a fairly brief journey there is something we would like to offer you there."

"And this offer cannot be made here?" Daenerys said.

"No," Kozak said firmly. "This would be best seen…directly, Queen."

Jorah and Anne gave Daenerys nervous glances, but Daenerys remained firm she wanted to know more.

"Very well," she said. "I will accompany you. I will have my retinue prepared."

Kozak shook his head. "No retinue can be allowed I'm afraid. This facility is sensitive we cannot allow many outsiders, particularly the locals."

"Unacceptable," Jorah said. "The Queen goes nowhere alone."

"Not alone," Kozak said. "Miss Dhar-Liu over there may come as well. Doctor Berkel believes her presence would be productive."

Jorah gripped his sword. "I will come as well."

"No," Kozak said firmly. "Just the Queen and the Scientist. I would not advise testing me, Jorah Mormont."

"You are old and crippled," Jorah spat. "I could cut you down before you men respond."

"Indeed," Kozak said unimpressed. "I would be helpless against your sword. As you would be when my men drag you off and dump you in front of your father in Westeros. I am sure it would be a loving reunion."

Jorah's mouth went agape. His hand instinctively went to his sword.

"Be still Jorah," Daenerys said. "I will go with you, General. Will you accompany me, Anne?"

Kozak smiled. "Good! Very good, come along ladies."

Anne quickly changed back into her 'jumpsuit' before following Daenerys and Kozak outside of the house. In the garden, several servants were carrying large chests and baskets adorned with jewels, gold, and coins. Daenerys eyes widened as Kozak nodded toward you.

"Another gift for you, Dragon Queen," he said. "Some financial support for your cause, all worthless to us truth be told so it was taking up space."

Daenerys stared at the practical fortune that was neatly assembled. It was impossible to imagine such a vast collection being worthless. Another sign of how truly alien the strangers were as even Anne seemed unbothered by the comment. The General led them toward a small vehicle much smaller than the giant truck that delivered them to Qarth. It sat on four wheels and lacked doors with four front seats and a large wagon-like rear where several could sit. A group of Kozak's men were scanning their surroundings talking quietly in languages Daenerys did not understand as Daenerys and Anne were directed to sit in the back while General Kozak sat in front of them.
"We are headed to the docks." He spoke. "Best hold on, it gets bumpy in the city."

The small vehicle raced forward with a sudden jolt, Daenerys was used to it by now, but it was still unsettling how something could move without an outside force pulling it like a horse or person. She had asked Anne about it once and she described a machine called an 'engine' which used electricity and generated the power needed but it was again difficult to imagine an unseen force like the gas her dragons used to breathe fire could power entire vehicles, yet she recalled what she had seen on Anne's raft such things were not only common but routine in their world.

The streets were empty as they rolled through they were escorted through by larger trucks with guns atop them and several drones were darting over the streets. She could see the Qartheen closing shutters and retreating into alleyways. An entire market had been abandoned in mere moments the food and items were abandoned in the stalls, and not even thieves dared to run out to grab any. Daenerys did not like the feeling in the air, it was one of fear and domination no way for a just person to rule. Anne was looking around nervously when she finally looked toward General Kozak and sighed.

"General…May I ask a question?"

"You may," Kozak said. "Relax miss, NEMO is at war with the government not the people of the Union."

"But…it was you that shot down the Thorfinn Karlsefni."

Kozak puffed smoke into the air but said nothing. "An unfortunate casualty of our mission on this planet. We hoped to prevent the Union from discovering this place unfortunately your ship got off a scramble code before we could finish the job."

Anne perked up at that but kept her face neutral. "What about the survivors you…recovered."

"Your fellow crewmen are safe," Kozak said. "They are our guests being safely kept in our facilities until the time comes when we can negotiate terms with the Union."

Anne did not seem comforted by that but said nothing. "Will I be a…' guest' as well?"

"Doctor Berkel has determined that to be unnecessary," Kozak said. "Stick with Daenerys for now. Though should you feel the need to try running off you will find that difficult I am afraid."

"Right…"

Daenerys placed a hand over Anne's and held it tightly. "So long as you remain in my company, you are protected. No harm shall come to you, I swear it."

"Thank you, Daenerys," Anne said. "You are very kind."

The talk fell quiet as they arrived at the docks. Wooden ships filled the port some were carefully offloading their cargo being observed by soldiers clad in black while others rested looking long abandoned by their crews with dust and signs of neglect battering their once pristine hulls. She wondered which one might belong to NEMO until they stopped near a sail-less boat that was far smaller than the traders and galleons. Daenerys eyed it curiously and General Kozak seemed to catch her thoughts.

"This is simply a means of transfer," he said. "We will be going out to sea in a moment."

They were escorted out of the vehicle and walked down the dock to the boat where a small steel bridge was laid out. A tall man with short messy brown hair stood on the boat he was wearing a dark oval-shaped object over his eyes; he wore a sleeveless shirt and baggy tan trousers with large black boots. He walked down and assisted Kozak, Anne, and Daenerys aboard when he grabbed Daenerys hand he whistled.

"Now this one's a sight," he said. "You are very beautiful my dear."

"Thank you," Daenerys said courteously. "And you are?"

"Call me, Mermaid," he said. "I am just a simple sailor from a world called Aquarius. Beautiful place with shimmering blue water in all directions. One day you must go, I will be your guide."

Daenerys unsure what to say simply nodded. He did not look like any Merling she had seen before in art. Kozak motioned for 'Mermaid' to get started and the boat roared to life with a rumble like the engines of their trucks. It felt strange feeling the boat suddenly jolted, Daenerys was long used to the sea having sailed since she was an infant across the seas, but this sensation was foreign. The boat traveled smoothly there was no rocking, no pull of the wind, nor the beat of oars dragging through the water. Mermaid's vessel simply skipped over the waves like a flying fish. Kozak simply smoked while Daenerys and Anne sat together watching the sea,

They entered the open ocean in a matter of moments and a journey that might have taken most of the day was completed in a few hours. Mermaid slowed the vessel to a gradual halt in the middle of the sea. Daenerys felt a sudden rush of concern as she stood guarded.

"Why have we stopped?"

"We have a rendezvous," Kozak said. "Give it a moment."

Daenerys looked at Anne who simply shrugged. Kozak looked toward an object on his wrist before sighing and standing up. As if on cue there was a burst of water as a black mass leapt out of the sea. Daenerys thought it was a whale, but it was far too vast for any such creature, as the boat rocked she held onto Anne as Mermaid let out a whooping cry.

"Haha, fantastic!" He cried. "Captain Rusov always puts on a show!"

As the ocean calmed Daenerys saw an island of black steel sitting on the water. A tall tower like a castle poked out over a mass of steel and metal wings that rested atop the water.

"This is the Akula," Kozak said. "She will be taking us the rest of the way."

As Mermaid steered the boat closer to the massive steel whale, Daenerys found herself surprised when people began climbing out from a hole on the surface. Kozak with surprising nimbleness hopped aboard while men assisted Daenerys and Anne find their feet on the steep and wet surface. Daenerys looked down tapping her foot against the steel it felt like a gigantic sword.

"Is this…a spacecraft?"

"No," Anne said. "This is a submarine. It's a vehicle for traveling underwater."

"The first of her kind built on Westeros," A man said. "Was hell gathering the raw materials to put her together in our fabricator we had to rely on a steady flow of deliveries and doing some expeditions to remote parts of the world. Welcome to the Akula, Daenerys Targaryen."

A man dressed in a white uniform with a circular hat approached. He made an odd gesture slapping his straightened hand against his forehead toward General Kozak before shaking hands with Daenerys and Anne.

"How could such an operation go unnoticed?" Daenerys said. "If such wonders existed rumors might have spread. Even my dragons are known."

"Information control is key to warfare," Kozak said. "It's an ancient strategy our organization has adopted. Hybrid warfare. Control the flow of information, determine the movements of your opponent, and apply direct pressure where needed. You isolate your opponents, and the battle is over before the enemy knows they're at war."

Daenerys could see the logic in such a maneuver though she still struggled to comprehend how such a thing could be achieved. Spreading lies and controlling your people was a taxing task in itself. But to prevent information from traveling? She recalled the state of Qarth with constant patrols and the flying flocks of drones. That was no mere show of force, but an active task done by the soldiers of NEMO to prevent any potential spies from escaping. The thought gave Daenerys a chill.

"You sound like you play the game well." She spoke. Searching for words to say.

Kozak scoffed. "I never cared for that analogy. Games are for children. What we do is far more important than a mere game."

Captain Rusov led them inside of the Akula and passed Anne and Daenerys on to one of his subordinates a quiet young woman who guided them throughout the vessel. The Akula was a maze of steel, cables, and glowing screens that stretched in every direction. They moved through tight stairs, tighter ladders and there was no view of the outside. When Daenerys began feeling trapped they were led into a dark room with a press of a button they stood in the middle of the ocean.

"This is the observation room," The woman said. "You can see outside the ship here."

Daenerys was familiar with the concept of screens from Anne but being surrounded by the open sea was still overwhelming. She could see the ocean above the sun cutting through the water above creating streaks of light. Fish, sharks, dolphins, and countless other animals were patrolling the sea and surrounding the Akula following it as the massive beast cut forward through the water. She could see the massive bubbling circles left by the spin of the engines driving them forward. For a time, Daenerys stood with Anne asking her a thousand questions about every sight she did not recognize. They saw what Anne called a Coral Reef, a vast mountain of colors resting against the sea floor. A group of whales swam past eyeing the Akula curiously before they slowly drifted forward.

Their conversation was interrupted when a sudden noise echoed through the ship. Loud hum that resonated for a moment before settling.

"Approaching, Tiamat. Standby for docking."

Daenerys looked forward and she could only stare. She did not need Anne to explain what this sight was. The Tiamat they referred to looked like a city atop an island of steel that stretched out across the seafloor like a mountain. Lights were on making it appear like a city at night rich with life and at the top were three great bowl shapes where she could see forests within, tall trees resting peacefully under the water. At the rear were giant holes that dwarfed even the Akula as the vessel circled the undersea leviathan.

"The fusion drives," Anne said almost absent-mindedly. "Those help the ship travel the stars."

"Was your…Thorfinn Karlsefni like this?" Daenerys said.

"No," Anne said. "Not nearly this large. This is a colony ship designed to transport people to new worlds."

"That was her purpose once in another life." General Kozak said as he entered the room his false leg tapping against the floor.

"The Tiamat was once called the Onward Dream, a black-market colony ship that took the desperate and denied into the independent territories. When the Union captured her and ordered her to be scrapped she was rescued by NEMO and given a new life. She served us throughout the war and carried us here to your world."

"Why have you come…" Daenerys said. "To this world? This giant…these machines. They do not belong here."

"As your ancestors once fled the Doom," Kozak said. "We too were exiles. When the colonies signed the peace treaty independent soldiers like NEMO were no longer welcomed by the Commonwealth. We stumbled upon your world by accident and once we realized what we found, we cut off all communications with the galaxy and settled here."

"I will…try to understand," Daenerys said. "I believe I can. But why do you reveal yourselves now? A thousand years could pass before anyone would find this beneath the sea."

"Because we are out of time," Kozak said. "The arrival of the Karlsefni has changed everything and with the Union here we need to act quickly. Come, I have something to show you."

As the Akula connected with the Tiamat, Kozak escorted Daenerys and Anne into the sunken space vessel. Inside the tight corridors of the Akula were replaced by vast halls that made even the great halls of castles feel small. Daenerys had never been inside a palace, but she could not imagine even the magnificent Red Keep could match the sheer vastness. Within the Tiamat were countless people in uniform, more soldiers in black armor, men, women, and even children wearing orange jumpsuits like Anne's outfit. Curious eyes glanced in their direction, simply observing as they passed before returning to their duties. Kozak ignored them all and directed them to a door that appeared. As they stepped inside of a platform Kozak entered a series of commands and the platform began moving.

Daenerys struggled to keep her footing steady as the platform moved around going up and traveling toward the side like they were standing within a wagon.

"This is an omni-lift," Anne said. "It's essential for traveling in large ships."

"Research Division. Now Arriving in Research Division."

A queer melancholic voice announced their arrival as the omni-lift came to a gradual halt. Daenerys was relieved to be free from the chaotic machine as she stepped into a new corridor. This one was stark white and clean, unlike the more homely halls they saw boarding from the Akula. There were no children here only men and women in long white coats wearing gloves, masks, and covers over their eyes. When they approached a door a man approached handing Anne and Daenerys a mask, gloves, and eye covers.

"Please do not touch anything," he said. "This is a sensitive environment."

He was about to say something to General Kozak, but the General simply nodded cast away what he was smoking, and accepted his protective clothing. The doors opened and Doctor Finley Berkel stood smiling leaning into his cane as they approached.

"Welcome to my humble laboratory, Queen Daenerys," he said. "I have waited a long time for this day.'

"And what is this day?" Daenerys said her tone frustrated. "I have been ripped from my people and led around as if I am a foolish girl. I have questions and you will answer them, Doctor. I command it!"

Doctor Berkel let out a sound that was a mix of laughter and coughing. He pulled his mask over his face as he cleared his throat.

"Forgive us, young Daenerys. I know you must be quite overwhelmed but understand that our secrecy is dire. I expect the good General explained why we are here?"

"You were defeated in a way,' Daenerys said. "And fled to our world many years ago."

"Quite so," he said. "But it was not simply defeat that forced us out. As I told you, NEMO is an organization dedicated to bringing an end to war and tyranny in the universe. The Interstellar Union preaches the liberal dream of democracy and sapient rights, but they are nothing but hypocritical fascists. When a new era of human evolution dawned, they shuddered in fear and ignorance banning science and restricting progress. Scientists who were on the verge of accelerating progress to bring about the dawn of a new age were shunned and pushed out."

Anne perked up suddenly. "You're talking about the Black Project Controversy. That was eighty years ago."

"Indeed, it was," Berkel said. "I was there girl, long before you were born fighting for the right to control our genetic destiny."

"But the Black Projects were banned for a reason," she said. "It was nothing but a eugenics program that went beyond simple gene editing and stem cell cloning. You wanted to artificially mass-produce humans for genetics research, labor, and military programs."

"The Mass Production Type Program would have revolutionized human reproduction. The chaos of the genetic lottery would have been eliminated. Artificial birth would have been more than just a vanity project for idiotic youths to determine infants' hair and eye colors. That is moral yet allowing children to be born forged to perfection is not? That is not a matter of morals, it is a matter of cowardice."

Daenerys was lost as Anne and Doctor Berkel argued. She could tell that Anne was furious about the proposal he was making. She wanted to ask a thousand questions, yet she was left behind.

"Doctor, Miss Dhar-Liu," Kozak said. I appreciate a spirited scientific debate as much as anyone. But perhaps we could cut to the point."

"Of course," Doctor Berkel said. "Forgive me, Anne. I can see you are a woman of the sciences but you have been tempered by the IU's oppression. Come I wish to show you and Daenerys the future of our species."

He led them down the stark clean halls, they passed through rooms where men and women were staring at screens and interacting with moving steel that was pouring queer liquids and were discussing images of tiny material Daenerys did not know of. At the end of the hall was a massive door that slowly opened revealing a cavernous hall that stretched far in every direction. Daenerys stepped inside following the others within the hall there were small spires circular in shape at the center was egg-shaped glass filled with liquids.

"Oh my god…" Anne said.

"What is it?" Daenerys said. "What are they?"

"Artificial wombs," Anne said. "Thousands of them… Doctor, you didn't…"

"NEMO allowed me to continue my research," Berkel said. "But the mass production program hit stalls. The gene pool was too limited in the frontier colonies, not enough candidates to produce enough stock. Not enough ideal genes, I needed unique traits and bloodlines that had not been accessed. To save my research I fled to their world with the Tiamet crew and your world was perfect. An indigenous population of Homo sapien sapiens untouched for millions of years, haplogroups and genetic traits never before seen. This world was the theoretical goldmine to create the perfect clones."

Berkel walked and talked as he approached the artificial wombs. He stopped before one and looked directly at Daenerys.

"There is a phenomenon in this world. The powers of magic, not even our science have fully comprehended the nature of this phenomenon but I knew it would serve well to capture these traits. But most so-called sorcerers in this world are liars, fools, and mongrels with useless blood corrupted by impurities. Until I learned of a curious people, the Valyrians. Riders of dragons, masters of blood magic who created the great empire this world has known. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered they were extinct. I sought fossils, corpses, mongrels anything of value but it was not enough to provide the genetic information I needed."

Doctor Berkel sighed dramatically until he paused and smiled. "Until the day I learned of two orphans wandering the free cities. Abandoned by their hosts and unable to find food and shelter. The heirs to an ancient dynasty that had ruled for hundreds of years, enduring through incest yet somehow remaining pure strong Valyrian."

Daenerys felt something in her mind. A distant memory from long ago, she was smaller then and Viserys was younger and kinder. They were walking the streets, she remembered a man in white. He put something in her arm, and it brought her pain.

"Young Viserys did not understand my request," he said. "He threatened me initially. But a hungry boy desperate to save his starving sister is willing to do anything. Bread, water, and enough coin to find shelter for the night, and I had what I wanted."

"Our…blood? You took our blood…"

"Now you recall," Berkel said. "Viserys blood was rather useless, with too many mutations and bad genetic traits. Too prone to anger and irrationality. But you Daenerys, you were a pure sample. You were the Eve I needed to produce the seed for my garden."

Berkel pointed toward the glass. "Step closer, Queen Daenerys."

Daenerys felt his heart beating as she stepped forward. She touched the glass and suddenly the lights dimmed and inside was a baby, tiny floating in liquid emptiness having a dream. Daenerys looked toward the head of the child where tiny whisps of white hair were dancing in the liquid. Doctor Berkel tapped the glass, and the baby stirred its tiny eyes open to view the world. Its eyes settled on Daenerys and smiled happily as she looked upon two purple spheres.

"Gods…"

"Daenerys rejoice," Berkel said. "You are the mother of the New Valyria."