Here Be Dragons: Book 1 of the Emergence Series

[Premise: First contact between dragons and humans, taking place during the second industrial revolution.] [BOOK 1 COMPLETE. REWRITE IN PROGRESS.] What if, billions of years ago, the Earth formed a little differently? A bit less iron, a bit more water, and the first humans evolve upon a lone island, surrounded by vast oceans that span 97.5% of the planet's surface. In the millennia that follow, mankind believes their island to be the only in existence – until the first satellites reveal the existence of two distant lands. Galvanized by this groundbreaking discovery, humanity sends its best and brightest on an expedition, only for a series of disasters to wipe out all but one of the crew. Now, Doctor Alexander Pryce has the honor of being the first – and only – man to step foot upon another continent. It came as no surprise that his arrival drew the attention of the island's native inhabitants – Pryce just didn’t expect one of them to be an inquisitive and intelligent dragon. Stranded but not quite alone, Pryce begins the painstaking process of communicating with another sapient species, and in so doing becomes the sole representative of humanity – one whose actions will determine the future of both their species. A work inspired by Project Hail Mary, The Martian and the Temeraire series. Special thanks to VikasRao on DeviantArt for providing and inspiring ideas for the speculative evolution. Book 2 will begin after the rewrite. Links: Discord server, where you can ask me whatever questions you like and I'll probably answer them (assuming the answer doesn't involve heavy spoilers) Ko-fi, if you want to send something my way. Don't worry about the different username, I have an arrangement with Rackiera. Paypal, same as the above.