ZARR the Legacy of the Vorx

Chapter 1

Zarr was a rare jewel, a shimmering silver planet set amidst the blackness of space. It was a cosmological wonder in that it was a planet that did not orbit its sun, at least in the strictest sense of the word. Zarr actually had two suns, one a great bronze colored star the same size and mass as the planet itself, which was locked in an eternal struggle with Zarr. Both celestial bodies orbited each other, in a kind of ageless dance. Zarr's second sun was smaller by far, a radiant emerald color, which provided Zarr with much of the energy needed to sustain life. This smaller star circuited both of its larger neighbors in a figure eight type orbit. Zarr's surface was covered almost entirely by one immense ocean teeming with life. The only solid surfaces of the planet exposed to the atmosphere were the polar icecaps, upon which the first non-indigenous life settled and established their colony.

Eventually these new inhabitants were able to make use of the resources lurking below the ocean surface to create marvelous underwater cities and then to construct incredible feats of engineering, beautiful beyond description: vast floating cities. Each city was roughly hexagonal in shape and was supported by six massive pylon legs that stretched out from each of the six corners down to the surface of the water hundreds of meters below.

In the largest of these cities, the Great Capital of the Zarr Empire, the Emperor Zethar was speaking with his most trusted adviser and dearest friend, Sage Zeded, a former member of the Zarr Council and now part of the Emperor's Sage Advisors. The Emperor was escorting Zeded along the outer portico of the city toward the landing platforms where a small spacecraft was awaiting Zeded's arrival. A cool refreshing breeze was blowing over the ocean, providing the pair with some relief from the heat of the suns.

I don't need to remind you of the importance of your mission my friend. The future of the Empire may depend upon you, the robust middle-aged Emperor stated. He had dark blue hair with a long blue beard and was arrayed in a dark indigo robe with gold trim and a matching cape that flowed freely behind him.

I do think you overestimate my part in all of this, Your Majesty. I am merely a messenger relaying a message, nothing more. Zeded humbly replied. Zeded was clean shaven, slightly taller and a little leaner than the Emperor and wore a black uniform with bronze trim.

The message you deliver is perhaps the most vital one in the history of the Empire. With the League Delegate due to arrive here in a few days I want to have at least some of the ships of the Silver Armada here to represent our strength. My father was premature in his optimism I'm afraid. He left the Empire vulnerable to attack, the Emperor grimly said, with a look of concern in his eyes.

Your father, if I may say so, was a visionary who saw the universe as it could be, with all peoples and species living together in peace and harmony. I think he honestly believed that there was no longer a need for ships of war. We can be thankful that the Council was able to convince him of the wisdom of keeping at least one of the Armadas in active service, and we can also be thankful for the treachery of Admirals Zxa and Zvoed in commandeering the Sapphire and Emerald Armadas, Zeded contemplated.

Yes. It's just too bad that they didn't leave us any clues as to where to find them; it would make your father-in-law's job much easier, the Emperor said in an attempt at a lighthearted jest.

The Admiral does love a challenge, but his Fleets have already searched half the quadrant and haven't found any trace of them, Zeded responded.

It is imperative that the Admiral find those Armadas, eventually, but the more pressing need is for the Silver Armada to return to Zarr before the arrival of the League Delegate.

I will be sure to emphasize to the Admiral the need for his timely response. Do you have any other orders, before I depart? They arrived at the landing platform where Zeded's ship awaited him. It was shaped vaguely like one of the great sea turtles of the ocean, slightly bulky in appearance and a gleaming bronze color; but it was still the fastest ship in the entire Empire, the Bronzestar.

Just one more thing, my friend, the Emperor replied as he motioned for one of his retinue to come forward. The attendant was bearing a large metallic crate with various shaped holes all around it. I was wondering if you could convey this gift to your daughter for me for her third birthday.

I almost thought that you had forgotten, Your Majesty.

How could I forget? You are my best friend after all, and besides Vashti is only a few weeks older than Zerak and Zadok. I hope the Admiral won't mind a few cubs on his ship, these two are from Voli's latest litter, male and female, perhaps Vashti may even be able to breed them someday.

That is most kind of you, Your Majesty, thank you.

It is the least I can do, now go. That's an order, my friend.

I will delay no longer, my friend, Zeded stated as the two friends embraced arms briefly and then Zeded claimed the crate, turned and walked up the gangplank of the Bronzestar. The Emperor stood there momentarily as the ship gently lifted off of the platform and flew out over the ocean, eventually vanishing into the horizon.

May the Divine Council go with you, my friend, the Emperor softly said as he turned to walk back into the city; his City, and all the responsibilities that it entailed. He hoped that Admiral Zarx would be able to muster the Armada and have them here before the arrival of the League. For what seemed like countless ages the Zarr Empire had existed peacefully in this part of the Galaxy. Most of the known worlds in the area were either Protectorates of the Empire or on peaceful terms with them. The Emperor couldn't even remember the last time the Empire encountered anyone who remotely offered a challenge to the superior technology of even one of its Armadas, let alone the original Thirteen Imperial Armadas.

Perhaps that was why his own father ordered all of the Armadas decommissioned and declared a Golden Age of Imperial Peace. Thankfully the members of the Zarr Council had insisted that at least one Armada be kept in service, and even though it was a great indignity at the time he was also grateful for the foresighted rebellion of Admirals Zxa and Zvoed. Somehow they had managed to convince everyone under their command to disobey the direct order of the Emperor and vanished with their Armadas in a self-imposed exile. It had been almost ten years since then, but if they had kept up with their military training and discipline, they may be ready for an engagement with a potentially new threat, the League.

Very little was known about the League. In fact they were virtually unheard of until about a year ago, when some of the border worlds and colonies began sighting the strange black ships creeping slowly closer to the Empire. A few had attempted communication, but were ignored, until just last month when the Emperor sent his personal Courier to find the League in an effort to begin a dialogue. The League responded to the Courier that they would send their Delegate to the Zarr home world in five weeks. Even though their response had been audio only, the Emperor knew that the League technology was close enough to rival that of the Empire, based on some highly confidential reports that he had received from various information gatherers.

For far too long the Empire had rested securely in the thought that they were the Masters of the Galaxy, or at least their portion of it, but now something existed that could change all of that. The Emperor hoped that the League's intentions were peaceful, but if not he didn't want Zarr to be defenseless. That is why he ordered the Silver Armada to stop its search for the Lost Armadas and return home immediately. That is also why he had to send Zeded to deliver the message personally. He couldn't risk alerting any potential enemy that Zarr lay vulnerable, like a drunken sloth, just waiting to be pillaged.

The Emperor was interrupted in his thoughts when a minor military officer wearing a black uniform approached him with a bleak expression on his face.

Your Majesty, the man said, bowing slightly and bringing his left arm up to his chest in salute, We have just received word that the League Diplomatic Transport has arrived in the system and will be landing momentarily.

The League Delegate had arrived ahead of schedule. The Emperor took a deep breath and proceeded into the Imperial Palace, his heart a whole lot heavier than it had been a moment before.

Chapter 2

The Emperor had decided to meet the League Delegate in the Council Chamber, with the Zarr Council present. To the uninitiated the scene might reflect pompous arrogance and needless grandeur, but the Zarr were a people of ritual and ceremony. Everything had its place and its purpose. The Chamber itself was a fairly simple room, semi-circular in shape. The only furnishings or decorations were the great crescent shaped Council Table and the thirteen chairs along the outside of it. The center chair, with a slightly higher back, was reserved for the Emperor, who was arrayed in the full ceremonial garb of his position-a dark indigo robe, lined with gold, an elaborate indigo cape, again lined with gold and embroidered with the golden Zarr emblem in the center, and around his neck the sacred artifact known as the Eye of Zarr, a small bronze sphere with an emerald set in the middle. Legend said that it was the Eye of Zarr that guided the original nomadic band of settlers to the silvery shores of the vast planet that would come to bear their name.

The other twelve seats belonged to the Council members, with the female members to the Emperor's right and the male members to the Emperor's left. The seats farthest from the Emperor were reserved for the Priest and Priestess, who wore robes of red, the color of the Divine. Next to them were the Sages, in their traditional robes of orange, the color of absurdity, so that by looking foolish they could achieve wisdom. Then the Craftsmen dressed in the plain yellow robes that reflected their humility and commitment to quality, and the Growers, responsible for feeding an Empire, attired in the green robes of life. Next came the Warriors, in their robes the color of blood-a dark, rich blue. Finally were the Merchants in robes of purple, the color of prosperity. All members of the Council were given equal say and authority, reflecting the equality that all the Castes shared. Each Caste produced something that the others needed and all benefited from the common efforts of each other. The Council table faced the massive twin doors that opened out into the Great Hall. It was normally in the Great Hall that the Emperor would receive visitors, ambassadors, and courtiers; but today he thought it would be more prudent to accept the foreign dignitary in a less intimidating setting.

What the Council Chamber lacked in decor, the Great Hall more than made up for. The Hall was the shape of an elongated hexagon, with the length being twice the width. On either side of the center corridor stood thirteen massive pillars leading to the raised dais upon which the Emperor's throne stood. To the right of the dais were the doors leading to the Council Chamber, to the left were the doors leading to the formal dining hall, where State Dinners were held. In front of each pillar stood an Imperial Guard, arrayed in an indigo uniform with bronze trim and holding a pike, a relic from a bygone era. In front of the Council Chamber were two guards, holding their pikes so that they intersected, forming an 'X'. The Great Hall, which was normally teaming with people, had been cleared for the arrival of the League Delegate, yet two small figures huddled behind one of the massive pillars, whispering and giggling. They had managed to sneak in from the hidden passage that led to the Emperor's private chambers; they were his twin sons, Zerak and Zadok.

The outer doors of the Great Hall were opened and in marched a Commander of the Imperial Fleet, wearing an all black uniform, with a little silver trim visible here and there. Immediately behind him were four members of the League Delegate's entourage, all female, all with red shoulder length hair and wearing form fitting green jumpsuits and black goggles which hid their eyes. Next came the Delegate himself, he was a large man with thinning red hair and a flowing dark green robe and numerous necklaces and talismans of various precious metals around his neck in a diversity of shapes and sizes. He was seated in a hovering chair, as his own legs could no longer support his immense weight. Following close behind were the remaining four members of his Diplomatic staff-almost identical to the first four. The Delegate stopped his chair beside the pillar that hid the two young boys. He glanced sideways for a moment and smiled slightly, then turned and continued on his way. The two boys began whispering and giggling even more, but stopped when the guard closest to them glared at them briefly.

When the procession reached the doors to the Council Chamber the two guards raised their pikes and the doors opened.

Your Majesty, may I present to you and this esteemed Council Con'rad Blake, Delegate of the League, the Commander announced as he entered the Chamber and stood off to the side. The Delegate and four of his staff entered the room while the other four remained in the Great Hall taking up defensive positions as the doors were closed.

On behalf of the Zarr Empire I bid you welcome, Con'rad, the Emperor stated as he slowly rose from his seat.

You will pardon me for not standing, but my health is not what it once was, the Delegate flatly stated as he moved his hovering chair closer to the Council table. He began to admire the necklace worn by the Emperor. His four attendants had taken up positions around the room equidistant from one another.

We are most anxious to learn more about the League and what your hopes are for opening up diplomatic relations with us, Vellona, the female Council member representing the Sages stated. Zean, her male counterpart, had taken a keen interest in the decorations that hung from the Delegate's neck. A sudden look of shock came across his face as he recognized one of the talismans.

Isn't that the symbol for the Royal Dynasty of Wuer Zean never finished his sentence, as he was struck by a small dart launched from a miniature blowgun held by one of the Delegate's attendants. He fell facedown onto to the table dead. In only a matter of seconds the rest of the Council had succumbed to Zean's fate, including the Emperor himself.

What my hopes are, my dear woman, is the complete and total annihilation of the Zarr Empire, Con'rad Blake said with a deep belly laugh as he reached over the table to rip the Eye of Zarr from the Emperor's neck. One of his attendants then helped him to fashion it around his own neck, to join the collection of other souvenirs he wore.

Well, I would say that this party is over, Con'rad Blake stated as he turned his chair around and headed back out to the Great Hall. The scene there was similar to the one he just left, with twenty-six dead bodies scattered along the floor. He led the procession back the way they had come only moments before. He paused once again as he reached the pillar behind which two young boys were huddled together in silent fright. He turned his head ever so slightly until his gaze caught theirs and then his lips twisted into a half-formed smile.

The black ship zoomed out of the atmosphere of the immense silver planet, almost blending into the darkness of space. At almost the same moment the region surrounding the planet was invaded by a thousand ships that had rapidly decelerated from hyperspace. They were a hundred times larger than the craft that had just left the planet. To the untrained eye they looked like gigantic black rectangles, pitted and scarred. In reality they were elongated trapezoids, with the bow being slightly narrower than the aft. They were League Decimators and in a matter of minutes their combined firepower had overwhelmed the basic atomic forces that kept the unsuspecting planet together and soon the entire area was filled with a blinding white light as the crippled giant exploded into oblivion. Then, just as quickly as they had come, the strange ships turned and vanished into the regions of hyperspace. The Zarr had barely managed to send out a distress call, yet alone put up much of a fight.

What seemed like an eternity had passed before the Zarr Imperial Fleet arrived to defend a world that was no more. The ships of the Silver Armada were a striking contrast to the unsightly behemoths of the League. All the ships of the Fleet were a gleaming silver color and had smooth contours that almost made them look alive. The Zarr designed their ships after the aquatic life-forms of their now vanished world. The biggest and strongest resembled the sleek manta rays that once swam the oceans, with streamlined wings projecting out from the center fuselage. Others bore a close similarity to sting rays, and others looked like eagle rays. All in all there were one hundred sixty nine ships staring blankly at what a short time ago had been their home.

REPORT! The Admiral demanded as he stood with a look of shock upon his face.

Sir She's Gone She's just not there the equally stunned Ensign replied.

How how could the whole planet be destroyed? We only received the distress call four cycles ago! the Admiral asked no one in particular. The entire bridge of the Zarr flagship stood dazed and in awe at the scene they were witnessing. Where once a vibrant, thriving planet had been, the jewel of the galaxy, the center of the all-powerful Zarr Empire, a debris field of rock fragments floated freely through space. As a result of the massive explosion the Emerald Star, which had been between its two giant siblings, had been knocked out of its orbit and was spiraling toward the Bronze Star. In a short time it would impact the nearly dead sun, rejuvenating it briefly with its own fuel. The impact would cause an intense burn of what little fuel the Bronze Star had left in its corona and hasten its journey toward supernova.

Chapter 3

The hallway was filled with the sounds of the metallic echo of two pair of marching feet hitting the floor with purpose and determination. Marching side by side were two young boys, each the mirror image of the other. They had short cropped blue hair and stood almost two meters tall. Each wore a forest green uniform with a black leather sash. The boy on the right had his sash going from his right shoulder down to the left, attaching to his uniform at the waist; his companion wore his sash from left to right. As one would step forward with his right foot the other would step forward with the left. They kept perfect time and all of their movements were synchronized. They approached a large door that slid into the wall as they came toward it. Without slowing their pace they continued marching toward their destination as the door slid closed behind them. They had entered a circular room with eight guards spaced at an equal distance around the perimeter. The guards all closely resembled each other, females with shoulder length red hair, green jumpsuits and dark goggles, but one could spot subtle differences among them if they knew what to look for. Not so with the new arrivals, they were identical in every way, except for their sashes. This was the only way most people could tell them apart.

They were heading toward an elaborately decorated floating throne, upon which sat a very portly man adorned with a long metallic green robe and wearing over two dozen chains and necklaces around his neck, not to mention an excessive amount of metals, brooches, and other trinkets attached to his robes. The most noticeable of all of his accouterments was a simple bronze sphere with a single emerald set in the center, seeming to look out on the new arrivals like an eye. Behind the throne hanging on the wall has a huge pennant, the same metallic green color as the man's robes. In the center of this was embroidered a black raven that held a silver-grayish serpent in its talons and was biting into the serpents tail. Also noticeable was the fact that the serpent had sunk its venomous fangs into the body of the raven. This was the Official Seal and Standard of the League.

When the boys were within a few feet of the throne they both stopped and dropped to one knee and extended one arm forward. Again, the boy on the right was on his left knee and extended his right arm, while his counterpart was on his right knee extending his left arm.

My Dread Sovereign Liege, I am here by your command to serve, the boys chanted the standard salute to the League Con'rad in unison.

My boys, my boys. It is good to see you this morning. I hope you rested well. Today is a special day indeed, yes indeed. It is a wish granting day, Con'rad Blake said gleefully as he rubbed his hands together. He then nodded his head and made a gesture with his right hand, giving them permission to stand.

Hieff, since you were the victor last time, you may choose your weapon first.

The boy on the right bowed slightly and then went to the circular wall, where a wide assortment of weapons hung like decorations. He passed by a pike, a short sword, and an axe and then settled for two short knives, klodges they were called by their creators. He then marched to the center of the room and stood waiting.

Now it's your turn Brus,

The other boy then bowed and went to the opposite wall, where he immediately chose a long-handled mace with twelve studded projections. He strode anxiously to the center of the room to join his brother. The lights in the room then dimmed until just the two boys were illuminated by an eerie radiance. Out of the floor rose a glowing orange ring, about 15 feet in diameter, surrounding them and creating the arena in which they would fight. It stopped about three feet from the floor and hovered, making a harsh humming sound. This was stage one of The Challenge and would last until either blood had been spilled or five minutes had passed. If after five minutes no blood had been spilled, a second ring 10 feet in diameter would rise from the floor, glowing a bright yellow and limiting the area of the arena even more. This was stage two and it lasted another five minutes. The last and final stage had no time limit; it was not over until blood had been spilt. In this stage a third ring would rise from the floor, five feet in diameter and glowing a pale white. Once blood had been spilled all three rings would return to the floor and the combatants would be allowed to exit the arena.

Brus and Hieff had been in the arena countless times before, for as long as Brus could remember. When they were much younger it was purely hand-to-hand combat or wrestling, but as they grew they graduated to wooden weapons and finally to real weapons. Brus couldn't remember if it had been two years or three that they had been using the real weapons, but he did remember the almost daily ritual of the Challenge. Brus and Hieff had been trained by the Con'rad's personal Honor Guard in all manner of martial arts, and they had been excellent students. Most combatants in the Challenge rarely made it to stage two, only a very few made it to stage three. Brus and Hieff had always made it to stage three, sometimes fighting for hours. Their record had been half a day of vigorous hand-to-hand fighting. Con'rad Blake raised the stakes of the Challenge once in awhile by making it a wish granting day. That meant that the victor of the Challenge was allowed to have one wish or special request granted. Today Brus had a wish that he strongly wanted to see granted, and he was prepared to do whatever it took to win.

Normally Brus only won about one out of every ten or eleven challenges against his brother. Brus was trying to remember how long it had been since he won when Con'rad Blake gave the signal to begin. Immediately Hieff lunged at Brus twirling the blades of his klodges. It was a move of intimidation and not an actual attack, so Brus merely sidestepped swinging his mace around his head. Hieff sensed the attack and did a quick back flip, missing the mace by mere inches, but also positioning himself perfectly for a frontal assault on Brus. It was all Brus could do to dodge and deflect the klodges that seemed to come at him continuously. Hieff was always determined to win, and usually could achieve victory, but today Brus had a strong motivation to defeat his brother. Brus had just been knocked back by a mid-torso kick from Hieff at the same time as the second ring began its ascent. Brus missed hitting it by a mere fraction of a centimeter. Now Brus knew that he only had to last another five minutes before he could initiate his plan.

Stage two of the Challenge went almost exactly like the first stage, with Hieff attacking viciously and Brus doing all that he could to defend himself. As the end of stage two approached Brus changed his tactics and began an assault on Hieff. This caught Hieff off guard and he raised his klodges in defense, exactly as Brus had hoped he would. Brus swung up with his mace, connecting with the underside of Hieff's wrists. This sent the two klodges soaring out of the rings just as the third and final ring rose. While weapons were able to pass beyond the rings the combatants were not. They had to stay until the Challenge was over. If either of the combatants made contact with one of the rings, the energy pulsing through the ring would jolt that combatant so severely that they would start to bleed, thus essentially ending the Challenge.

Hieff was enraged by the loss of his weapons and punched Brus hard below the waist. Brus doubled over in pain and loosened his grip on the mace. Hieff was then able to easily kick it out of his hand and out of the ring. Now it would be a hand-to-hand fight. This is what Brus had been hoping for. He knew his odds of defeating an armed Hieff in the arena were against him, but Brus could hold his own in hand-to-hand combat, and to further ensure his victory he had trimmed his fingernails the night before, in effect creating razor sharp weapons. Brus punched Hieff in the face with his left hand and instantly followed through with a slash from his right hand down Hieff's cheek. This caused a minor gash to form trickling the dark blue blood that flowed in Hieff's veins. The rings returned to the floor as rapidly as they had ascended. The Challenge was over and Brus had won. But Hieff was filled with rage and he kicked Brus in the stomach, causing him to double over and then Hieff brought his knee up with lightning speed, knocking Brus in the head and causing him to collapse on the floor. Brus didn't care, the Challenge was already over and he knew he had won. He knew he would get his wish.

Brus and Hieff resumed their positions before the Con'rad as the room once again was illuminated by its normal lighting. The cut on Hieff's cheek had already healed-both he and his brother had an amazing anatomy that allowed them to heal almost instantaneously.

Congratulations, Brus, you have won today's Challenge, the Con'rad began.

But, but he cheated! Hieff interrupted. He was visibly shaken. He didn't like to lose.

That's enough Hieff! Never interrupt me. Never! the Con'rad became almost as angry as Hieff, but then softened, Besides, Brus showed resourcefulness and ingenuity; two characteristics that you would do well to learn. The Con'rad clapped his hands together and out of nowhere four servants entered the room with an oval table, followed by three more servants, each carrying a chair. The servants set the table down before the Con'rad and then positioned the chairs around it. Brus and Hieff each took a seat as the Con'rad moved his throne closer to the table. The third chair was soon occupied by the Con'rad's daughter, the Con'radina Be'Lynda. She was slightly older than Brus and his brother, with long red hair that went down to her waist. She wore an elaborate light green gown, augmented by a silvery fur shawl. Like a well oiled machine that had been functioning for ages, a dozen more servants entered, bearing an assortment of delectable delights. Most of these were placed before the Con'rad and his daughter, while Brus and Hieff enjoyed simpler fare.

Now, my dear boy, what would you like? The Con'rad finally asked as he slipped the last bit of food in his mouth and servants started to wash his hands.

My Liege, I would like your permission to join the Infiltrator Squads, Brus blurted out rapidly. The Infiltrators were the League's equivalent to one man fighter craft. They could maneuver in space, in the atmosphere of most planets and even under water. Hieff turned his head slightly away from the table to hide his anger. He knew this is what his brother would ask for and if Con'rad Blake granted his request it could seriously jeopardize Hieff's plans. Con'rad Blake paused momentarily before answering.

Well, this is unexpected. I cannot just put you on the Infiltrator Squad, it is something that you must earn and train for like everyone else. But you do have my permission to try out for the Squad at their next recruiting day, which is at the end of the month. I will be your Sponsor, however there is one condition. If you do make the Squad I will allow you to train with them and participate in their missions, unless I have need of your services. You must understand that I take precedence over everything, the Con'rad stated.

Understood, my Liege, Brus could hardly contain his delight.

Good, because right now I need you and your brother for a very special mission. I'm told by Pra'vad Namir that your weapons training has been progressing quite nicely and he feels that you are ready for a field test. The Con'rad clapped his hands and the doors opened. A tall lanky man wearing a dark green uniform and a handgun holster on his hip entered and strode up to the Con'rad. As he came within a few feet of the Con'rad he dropped to one knee, raised his arm and gave the traditional salute.

Pra'vad, I would like you to take Hieff and Brus with you today to Fei Trilom, and make sure that they get firsthand experience, if you know what I mean, The Con'rad said.

I believe I know exactly what you mean, My Liege, the Pra'vad said as he stood and turned his gaze toward the youths.

The League Penetrator Raging Fire left the Cosmoseum about an hour later. The official name of the Cosmoseum was The Celestial Cosmoseum, The Everlasting City of the Con'rad, Ultimate in Power and Supreme Master of the League, but over the years it became acceptable to call it just the Cosmoseum. The Cosmoseum was a massive maneuverable space station that was the center, or hub, of the League, built centuries ago when the Con'rad proclaimed that there wasn't a planet worthy enough for him to dwell on, and from henceforth his home would be among the stars. The League itself was comparable to a swarm of locusts; they had no permanent place of their own but swept through the galaxy in a ravenousness craze devouring everything in their path. The League would enter a solar system and immediately subdue any native populations by exterminating a large portion of them. The League would then begin strip-mining the planets and moons for their various resources, subjugating the rest of the native populations for use as slave labor in their mines. They spread across the galaxy like a cancer, leaving a wake of barren waste behind them. The Cosmoseum was usually far behind the rest of the League fleet, as the Con'rad liked to command from afar, distancing himself from the devastation.

The Penetrator was a corsair class ship, built mainly for speed and used as a troop transport vessel. The Raging Fire was en route to Fei Trilom, one of the current systems being ravaged by the League. Their destination was the fourth planet, called Fei Trilomina Fi by the original inhabitants. The aboriginals of Fei Trilomina Fi enslaved by the League were classified as sentient marsupials, stood about one and a half meters tall and were covered with a coarse gray fur. A large portion of the population had already been exterminated years earlier, when the League first encountered the inhabitants of Fei Trilomina Fi. All that remained were a few thousand males that worked the mines, ripping raw ore out of the bowels of their once pristine planet. Viewed from space the planet, which had no moons, looked pitted and scarred with deep dark craters covering its surface. Only years before, the planet was alive and vibrant, covered in a thick, dense foliage.

In a few days time the Raging Fire set down on the outskirts of the work camp, the only inhabited part of a planet that was once home to over a million sentient beings. The landing gear made a soft crunching noise as it made contact with the gravelly soil. The gangplank quickly lowered and from within the ship came Pra'vad Namir and his two charges. They were greeted by a short squat woman, dressed in a faded and worn uniform. She gave a slight nod to the Pra'vad as he approached.

Ah, Pra'mac Teytro, I see you're still around after all these years, Pra'vad Namir said in a scornful manner, I trust all of the final preparations have been made?

Yes, Pra'vad, they are ready for you. This way if you will. The woman replied and turned to lead the way up a small hill. Hieff dutifully followed behind the Pra'vad, but Brus was momentarily distracted. He was breathing in the air, relishing every breathe he took. While the air was not as fresh and clean as it had been at one time, it was crisper than the recycled air from the Cosmoseum that he was used to. Brus also noticed the silence. There was no mild humming of engines, no buzzing of electrical circuits. Brus could hear himself think. He was brought back to the present moment by a harsh rebuke from the Pra'vad, and then he too followed the Pra'mac up the hill. When they reached the summit Brus saw a small patrol of a few dozen League Infantry standing guard over the last remaining indigenous life forms of Fie Trilomina Fi, a group of huddled and scared creatures. They were all shorter than he was, with a thick course gray dirty fur covering their bodies. Brus noticed almost right away the large eyes that looked timidly in the direction of the newcomers.

All right then, now the fun begins, Pra'vad Namir stated as he removed his handgun from its holster. He motioned to a couple of the Infantrymen and ordered them to give their weapons to Hieff and Brus. Hieff took his with great anticipation and slowly caressed the barrel of the gun. Brus hesitated in taking his and had a puzzled look on his face.

Pra'vad, I'm not sure that I understand. What do we need these for? Brus sheepishly asked.

Well it would take an awful long time to kill all of those beasts without it, don't you think? the Pra'vad laughed, Now take aim and fire. Hieff joyfully began to target various members of the group and discharged the energy beam from his weapon. As he did so they would fall lifelessly to the ground. Brus again hesitated.

Brus, what's the matter with you? Fire your weapon!

But, but what did these people do? Brus wanted to know.

People? the Pra'vad laughed again, this time joined by the Pra'mac and his brother, By the Gods boy! They're not people! They're animals, and like animals they have done their work and now its time to put them out of their misery. You can't expect the League to take in every stray creature in the universe, can you? Again Brus hesitated. This only served to enrage the Pra'vad who then turned his weapon on Brus.

Right now you have a choice. You can shoot them or I can shoot you. Now what's it going to be?

Brus then reluctantly turned and pointed his weapon at the group of helpless creatures. The last thing he saw before he pulled the trigger was the look of innocent inquiry in the eyes of his victim.

Brus didn't know how long the slaughter had lasted, but he was glad when it was finished. Hieff boasted about how many he had killed, to the delight of the Pra'vad. The Pra'vad lectured Brus on his disappointing and poor performance today. Brus was still numb from it all. He glanced behind him at the pile of dead bodies and felt so confused and sick. What was the point of it all? His attention was brought back to the here and now when the Pra'mac approached them.

If you don't mind, Pra'vad, I would like to hasten our departure from this cursed rock, the Pra'mac addressed Namir.

Well I do mind actually. You see, Con'rad Blake was most displeased with the way you squandered your time here. The last shipment of ore should have left months ago. You've held up the exploitation of a vast new area, Pra'vad Namir said with a sly smile as he once again drew his weapon and discharged it at the stunned Pra'mac. She fell lifeless to the ground, joining those who just a few moments ago were under her keep.

Now we can go, Namir said as he commanded the Infantrymen to follow him.

In less than an hour the Raging Fire was back in the coldness of space, racing toward another system to deliver the League Infantry to a new planet to act as guards, and then they would be on their way back to the Cosmoseum. The League was efficient in its destructiveness, if anything. They had first come to Fie Trilomina Fi a decade ago. The world at that time was thriving with a pre-industrial culture of a million beings, the Trilo, living peacefully and naively. First to arrive would have been the Death Troops, killing all women and children and the men who were too old or frail to work, burning the bodies in massive pits. It was rumored that you could see the fires from orbit. Next would be the Overseers. They would create work camps and herd the remaining Trilo into them. At the same time they would destroy any indigenous structures or dwellings. The world was then stripped of any edible flora and fauna, usually within the first year. This was shipped back to the Cosmoseum to be dispersed among the League. After that provisions would have to be brought in to sustain the population. All other vegetation was then burned down. Around this time the mining operations began. The League may have been space faring, with the power to ravage worlds, but they were more like locusts that would move through the universe devouring what they needed. They had not made any real technological advancement in generations, and most of their advancements were in the area of weaponry. Therefore their mining techniques were still quite primitive, utilizing mainly picks, shovels and manual labor to extract the raw materials from the ground. That was where the labor force came in handy. Once the League had taken all that they could from a world, they exterminated the rest of the population and moved on, leaving a barren, lifeless rock floating in space. At any given time the League was ravaging a dozen or more worlds simultaneously.

Brus sat alone at a view port, blankly starring out into the black void. He was trying to make sense of it all. He thought about the countless hours of target practicing that Con'rad Blake ordered Hieff and him to do. That was fun and Brus always competed with Hieff to see who could get the highest score. To Hieff's chagrin it was usually Brus, but he always took it out on him at the Challenge. Brus then remembered the Hunts. They started just over a year ago. Pra'vad Namir would take Hieff and Brus to various planets to hunt a range of animals. That was difficult and at times dangerous, but again it had been fun. Besides, they always ate what they had killed and presented the skins or furs to Con'rad Blake. He would reward whoever bagged the biggest or fiercest animal. Today was different, much different. Those creatures were not like the animals that he had hunted. He didn't know who or what they were, but he sensed the life in them, he knew that they were intelligent. He knew that they were like him. Why kill them? They had no weapons. They posed no danger. Brus just couldn't understand.

And as for you Brus, I really expected better of you. You almost always beat your brother on the range, yet today he out shot you five to one! Brus