DC’s Dawnstar: Beginnings

“Are you sure she’s capable?” Folek Sarl glared disapprovingly at the winged figure standing before him. “She’s hardly old enough to be allowed out unchaperoned, let alone be given a mission with such magnitude as this. And she is female.” He glared again.

Folek Faul stood up from his seat beside Sarl and walked around the desk to stand beside Dawnstar. “This ‘female’ is one of Starhaven’s most prolific trackers. She was recommended by Ambassador T’Lorr himself, and you shouldn’t dismiss anyone’s abilities based on your own prejudices.” Faul looked at Dawnstar. “Come into my suite and pay no heed to Sarl. I am the commander of your mission, and if T’Lorr says you’re good enough, then you’re good enough.”

Double doors silently slid open and Faul gestured to let Dawnstar enter the room first.

“On your head be it, Faul,” Sarl muttered, “I shall have nothing to do with this ludicrous decision.” He tapped at his console and a green light from a monitor on the desk bathed his face.

Inside the room, Faul gestured again for Dawnstar to take a seat. “Now, Dawnstar, I take it you are familiar with the Yosh Kia people?”

“I am, yes.” Dawnstar said gently. “They are developing a dimensional portal of some kind using mined starheart power. Their lead scientist was close to extracting the core power needed to energise the black quartz crystal components when he disappeared.”

“That’s what the official file says.” Faul tapped on a console on his desk, and shutters dropped down over the windows preventing Sarl from looking in. “This is confidential, Dawnstar. None of the other Foleks know about this, not even Folek Sarl even though he is the most senior official. It’s true that Doctor Nonca Canno has gone missing, but so have the black quartz crystals, the mined starheart and the prototype device. The Yosh Kia Scientific Council believe Doctor Canno to have turned renegade, and they believe him to be working with the Gralves to weaponise the device.”

“The Gralves?” Dawnstar asked. “I’m not familiar with…”

“They are a warmongering race intent on invading and capturing as many planets in our sector as they can. Their planet was discovered behind the Sastorian Star which is why we always thought tales of these warriors to be merely legend.” Faul tapped his console again, and a holographic space map appeared between him and Dawnstar. He pointed to where the star was on the map. “Gralva is in a set orbit of Sastoria, so whenever our telescopes are looking over to that side of the sky we only see the star, not the planet. We believe they are planning on invading Yosh Kia first, and then Starhaven. Needless to say, we need to get the missing scientific equipment back first, and then Doctor Canno if possible. We can then find out if he is working with the Gralves or was merely captured by them.”

“I don’t understand…” Dawnstar asked. “If the equipment and the doctor were on Yosh Kia already, why move away if they were intent on invading?”

“They are using Sastoria for the starheart. Yosh Kia and Starhaven need to keep what is going on secret right now. A diplomatic disagreement has been created between the two worlds,” Faul pointed to the door, “which is why Sarl was so hostile towards you. He believes you are being sent on a diplomatic mission, when in reality it’s a tracking mission. I have a piece of the prototype here, which Canno must have left behind. You can use it to trace them.” Folek Faul opened a square box that was on the table beside the console and handed a small oblong piece of metal to Dawnstar. The metal pulsated in her hand, and suddenly went very cold to her touch. “This is made from the metal that is created from Sastoria Ore.” Faul explained. “It vibrates on contact with anything organic, and anything temporal. Yes, that is another reason why you are ideal for this mission, due to you and your colleagues’ travels through the time barrier. You should be able to pick up the traces easily. And being from Starhaven makes you all the more ideal.”

Dawnstar tucked the piece of metal into a pouch she had tied around her waist.

“The sooner the better, Dawnstar.” Faul continued. “Trace Doctor Canno and his creations, and then contact our retrieval team on this communications device.” He handed a small handheld radio over to Dawnstar who looked at it in the palm of her left hand. “It has the same technology as that in your ring, only with a direct and single channel connection. The team are on a scientific cruiser close to the Sastoria system, and waiting to hear from you. Only track the doctor though, do not engage him in any way, the team will take care of the rest. Are you clear with these instructions?”

“I am, Folek Faul. Just a trace mission, I understand. Already I am sensing the vibrations through the piece you gave me. It has a strong magnetic pull to it. It should be easy to trace.” Dawnstar placed the small radio in the pouch with the oblong object. “I will depart right away!”

“Please,” Faul pointed to a window overlooking the Eastern Folek Complex, and once again tapped his console, “you may leave this way. Be quick and safe, Dawnstar. Once you have advised the retrieval team of Canno’s location, your mission for us ends.” The window slid open sideways, a cool gust of fresh air filled the room.

“Very well, Folek Faul.” Dawnstar unfurled her wings slowly, and walked to the open window. She stood on the ledge. She allowed herself to fall forward before catching herself with her beating wings. She hovered for a moment, focusing on the piece of metal in her pouch, and connected it to a vibration at the far side of the galaxy. Then, at great speeds she flew away, into the clouds.

———-

This is the tenth instalment of my fan fiction tale based on the DC Comics character Dawnstar.

The first part can be found here.
The second part is here.
The third part here.
Part four is here.
Part five is here.
Part six is here.
The seventh part is here.
Part eight is here.
Part nine is here.

Dawnstar was created by Paul Levitz and Mike Grell, with Starhaven being a planet from the DC Universe. All other characters are of my own creation.