Zae-Shian I: Ghaleos

Chapter 0

Prologue

Year 5116 – Colonists and the New Worlds

Commander Red Hoskin and his Chief Officer Raoula Stanward were standing in front of the big screen, which took two thirds of the wall, looking into the enormous darkness of outer space.

- How long for light speed, Miss Stanward? –

- We’re finishing calculations. –

- That was not my question. –

- Aye, Sir. Ten minutes, Sir. –

- Very well. Let it be fifteen or even twenty, but be sure of the calculations, dismissed! –

Raoula saluted and left the deck while Commander Hoskin sat down in his armchair.

This was his second trip on the Òdywass one of the most modern ships of the Imperial fleet. He had taken office three months earlier and had left his home planet Zae Shian which in the ancient times was called Earth.

This was Hoskin’s first light-speed trip to Ammar-Ick, the most remote inhabitable planet of the known Galaxy.

His mission was to carry approximately one hundred thousand people, the colonists, to what was said to be the outer rim, to planet Nau-Karr.

Actually the term colonist wasn’t much appropriate, as a true colonist would leave his homeland voluntarily.

This new migration was rather the objective need due to overcrowding.

Centuries before the former Republic of the Five Worlds had crumbled and a dark era of anarchy had followed.

With the accession to the throne by Gunta-Har Mayblong I, arose the Zae Shian Empire and Mayblong put an end to civil war and disorders.

By the time he had been far-sighted enough to understand that power and gold were surely two strong convincing arguments, but not as strong as faith.

Therefore he chose as his most important ally, besides the new social class of the Leedenvarry, also the High Priests of the newborn, the Ecliarchs.

The Anæstisian Cult had been founded a century earlier by a man named Yosiphious Anæstis. It started as a secret and mysterious sect but in twenty years, it won the favor of the lower social classes.

Yosiphious taught his disciples to worship the Universal Spirit, who – as per his mystic theories – lives in every part of the universe. Reassured by this belief, people were willing to take the risk of long distance journeys in outer space to reach new planets where to settle expecting to have a new and better life for themselves and their children.

During the following decades the sect became a Cult and then a true Church, though the leaders decided to keep it called the Anæstisian Cult, or simply The Cult.

In any case, the new religion became a balancing force in respect of the authority of the Emperor with which the successors of Gunta-Har Mayblong had always to deal with.

On the other hand no High Ecliarch, was reckless to dare in changing this thin equilibrium which granted enough influence and, above all, wealth and prosperity to their leaders.

Hoskin’s intercom buzzed.

It was Yonn Eldem, the Priest of the Cult on the Òdywass.

- Yes, how can I help you, your wisdom? – Hoskin said into the microphone.

- We have gathered in the hold for a prayer to bless our journey. –

- Very well, my first officer informed me that we can go to light speed in about ten minutes, your wisdom. –

Yonn Eldem paused a few moments and then replied – I see, Commander. Would you allow us twenty minutes for the ceremony? –

- Sure. I’ll give instructions. But please, no more than twenty minutes. –

- The Universal Spirit doesn’t know haste, Commander. –

- Sure he does not. Take your time, your wisdom. – agreed Commander Hoskin shaking his head.

Then he called Raoula Stanward telling her to be ready for light speed in thirty five minutes and to do the necessary re-calculations.

Fifty hours later the Òdywass approached planet Nau-Karr.

Shuttles were sent on the surface with temporary teleport stations to land the necessary material (prefabricated houses) first and then the colonists on ground.

- This new world is a blessing! – said Yonn Eldem as he walked together with Commander Hoskin on the meadow from the teleport station to the provisional building of the local government.

- Indeed it is. – agreed Hosking gazing at the gentle, green hills and breathing in the fresh air under that lukewarm sun.

- Fantastic climate. – he added after a while.

- A blessing! – repeated Eldem.

Two weeks later, after the Òdywass had returned to Ammar-Ick, a new expedition composed of a little fleet of ships including two war ships lead by an Imperial Leedenvarry, Haktor Lengswood started a new adventure.

* * * * *

Zae-Shian I – Ghalēos

Chapter 1

Piracy in the Rayasin system – January 6th, 5366

More than two hundred years later, in year 5366 of the Zae Shian Era…

Starship Deknan III, belonging to the merchant fleet of the House Jengo, was approaching the orbit of the rocky planet Sabty.

Captain Brian Fallstrom and his second in command, Lieutenant Jane Bandora, were lying in their recliners during the night shift. The room was dimly lit by some weak service lights.

Only a subdued hum of the engines was audible.

The other five crew members were sleeping in their cubicles.

The cargo ship was transporting one hundred thousand tons of ore for the heavy industry of the Jengo factories.

A sudden and deep rumble roar, followed immediately by the warning siren, shook the two officers and woke the rest of the crew.

- What the hell's going on? – barked Fallstrom.

- We have been hit! – replied Bandora gazing at her console.

- Damage report and shields up! – shouted Fallstrom.

- Impossible, the generators were destroyed by the impact and the hull has been perforated in sectors eight and twelve, but fortunately the bulkheads have isolated the damaged areas – answered Bandora. – There’s an incoming message, Sir... it says that the crew must abandon the ship. – she added after a moment.

- Send the alarm signal to Jengo! – Fallstrom replied.

- I can’t, Captain, that ship is jamming our transmissions... and they’re – Jane Bandora couldn’t finish the sentence as the Deknan III was hit by another shot.

For a few seconds the lights went off.

- Everybody to the lifeboats! Send the abandon signal! – shouted Fallstrom.

- Why didn’t the instruments signal those ship? – asked Bandora herself.

- I think they were hiding behind moon Jangran with their engines off. – answered Fallstrom

- And then attacked! - finished Lieutenant Bandora hurrying toward the elevator.

Within three minutes, two lifeboats left the Deknan III.

The pirates hooked the merchant ship and two hours later, the load was transferred.

Then, from a distance of five kilometers, the pirate ship opened fire and destroyed the merchant vessel, dooming the crew in the lifeboats to drift away with little fuel and even less oxygen.

* * * * *

- …was it really necessary, giving the fourth part of our merchant fleet to the Jengo family? – asked Killian Jo-Hot.

He and his brother in law, Haim Longford, were in Oldotir Toboyash’s personal studio.

Oldotir had exceptionally allowed them to meet there.

- To my knowledge, a viceroy is not required to respond for his decisions – replied coldly Toboyash without looking up from the document he was examining.

- Forgive my brother in law, Milord. He didn’t mean to displease you – stepped in apologetically Haim Longford.

- Well, I do hope so... - murmured Toboyash always bent over the document.

The two men did not know what to say and stood still.

- Is there anything else? – asked Toboyash after a while breathing in loudly, through his nose.

- No, my Lord. – replied Haim. He got up, patted the shoulder of Killian and bowed quickly.

They had reached the door when they heard Toboyash call – Oh, I hope you have nothing to do with the recent pirate attack against the Deknan III! It occurred about ten days ago, near Sabty. We found two lifeboats. The crew died of suffocation. –

Haim cleared his voice and stammered – No, my Lord... We are not pirates! –

Toboyash nodded with a scowl in his face. He waved his hand to dismiss his visitors and went back to study his document.

- Such a fool, you are! – Haim hissed as soon as they had gone down the hall where they took the stairs to exit the Toboyash Palace.

- That bastard is going to screw us! – Killian protested controlling the volume of his voice.

- We'll talk about this at home! – Haim cut short.

Killian grunted and during the flight, back to their planet, didn’t say a word.

They landed on Jo-Hot after a one hour and a half jump drive.

A servant was waiting on the helipad and led them urgently to the study of Haim where they were expected by Lady Gemmisola Jo-Hot, his wife.

- Well? – she asked as soon as the servant had gone.

She was standing by the window which overlooked the big garden, sloping down the gentle hill, towards the city.

- No way, he doesn’t care at all about our concerns. – Haim said, pouring wine.

- That’s what I expected, bloody bastard. – sighed Gemmisola.

- Your husband was not very sharp! – Killian protested.

- Sharp! – Haim shouted shaking his head.

Gemmisola frowned and had a puzzled look.

Haim came near and leaned out the window for a moment.

- Toboyash is quite sure that it was us, who plundered the Deknan III. – he murmured.

His wife nodded worried. – You did well in not being sharp. – she said.

Killian made a gesture of annoyance – What do you mean? Must we bear his arrogance, is it this, what you mean? – he snapped. – We are losing millions of zesoy because of that bastard! –

- So what? Should we go to war? Is it this what you are suggesting? – she asked controlling her anger.

- To hell! – Killian shouted and slammed the door.

Gemmisola waited until the echo had dispersed and then spoke – Now it’s definitely clear that Toboyash wants us weak and divided. He will be elected Emperor, very likely. And doesn’t want trouble in his own system! –

- But we’re going to take a huge loss! – said Haim.

Gemmisola paused and sighed.

- We have to find an ally, a strong ally and then, maybe, just maybe, we’ll have a chance to free us from this yoke! – she said after a few moments of silence.

- An ally! – Haim snapped and shook his head. – Even Hackwist, whom Toboyash was able to stand against so skillfully, couldn’t do anything! –

- The Hackwist! – shouted Gemmisola – Forget those idiots! If they had a bit of salt they would not fall into the trap of Toboyash, and would be already on our side. But they have the foresight of a mole! –

Haim poured himself a drink. – You want some too? – he asked.

- Yes, but just a little. –

They stood in silence a few minutes, then Gemmisola spoke – We shall stop piracy for a while. Tell Captain Delmer to go to the usual hideout and stay there. –

Haim just nodded gloomily. It was a necessary decision.

* * * * *

Chapter 2

Toldrak Halmisov introduces the candidates – January 14th, 5366

The valet of Senator Toldrak Halmisov handed the luxurious coat to his Master and helped him to wear it.

- How does it fit? – asked Halmisov positioning himself in front of the mirror.

- It's perfect, my Lord. – replied respectfully the servant stepping back.

- Comb me! – ordered Halmisov – And tell Stanislav to come! –

The waiter fixed his masters dark brown hair and left the room.

On that day the announcement of the two candidates for the succession to the throne was expected.

The ruling Emperor, Yanno Tertulon XIV, was about to end his mandate and the election for a new one was on schedule.

Halmisov gave a slight tug on the elegant jacket, checked his image in the mirror and went to the studio where he expected to see his personal secretary Stanislav Beghiev.

- You look a little upset, Stanny! – commented Halmisov.

- It's freezing today, my Lord. –

The Senator glanced at the window: a milky sky witnessed a typical winter day of Chara.

- Give me that! – he said pointing to the brown leather briefcase. Beghiev handed it to his Master. Halmisov put it on the table and browsed quickly through the pages, nodding grimly. Then he reorganized the papers and closed the folder.

- Come on! – he said heading for the door, followed at a distance of two steps by Beghiev.

Outside the apartment a team of four soldiers, commanded by an officer, was waiting for him ready to escort him to the Imperial Senate.

They passed through several corridors of the huge Government Palace and arrived after