The Star Dwellers Saga: The Star Dwellers Saga

1.

Thorok had watched the group in the council chambers with contempt. They were taking to a pilot about a new discovery in an obscure part of space.

I don't know what they call themselves, but they are big and travel in hives the size of planets.

Coro, a scientist in his own right was fascinated by the story as he sipped his drink and smiled toward the pilot named Jar rot.

He was young and full of excitement about finding this new species. The room was crowded with visitors and dignitaries.

Alde, a counsel woman, and a representative of the exploration arm of the counsel had been listening until she saw Thorok standing alone simply watching the room in his usual sour mood. What is giving you such a face today Thorok, no one to arrest on suspicious grounds? she had meant it as a tease but knew by the way Thorok stared at her he wasn't in the mood.

I am the security chancellor and I take my job very seriously madam. His cold tone made her want to take a step back, but she stood her ground.

It might do you some good to take a vacation, have you ever visited the silver canyon?

Thorok stared at her, a vacation? Madam I have no interest in a vacation especially now when we have so many travelers leaving the home world and seeking peace with other life forms.

What's wrong with that? she asked, and almost regretted it. She knew something about him that she and the counsel knew but was hidden from Thorok, he was the last blood relative of a monarch who nearly destroyed the known government on Camaria, his bloodline was hidden from him at an early age he didn’t need to know those to whom he was related.

Just in case he decided to become a problem, they weren’t sure if he would follow in the footsteps of his family. They needed a security chancellor and he was qualified, so they taught him what he needed to know and hid his legacy from Thorok in hopes that they could show him peace was a better way over anything.

Another Camarian approached them and Thorok recognized Remo, a young apprentice who worked for Alde.

If you will excuse me, I need some air. Thorok said and stepped outside to the balcony overlooking the East part of the city, gold spires looked like sharp swords ready to attack the gods themselves while sky sleds buzzed around like insects far below.

He had found out something in the past few weeks which the counsel hadn't told him and although he didn't have much tangible proof he knew why.

A message had been sent to him regarding his bloodline, he was the last living relation of a would-be dictator who had slaughtered thousands in an attempt at becoming a king.

When Thorok found out he was intrigued, and it explained why the counsel was so interested in his well-being.

They were afraid he would become the next dictator – they were right to be worried; he didn't like the idea of having power and weapons with no interest in using any of it.

He walked from the balcony and out of the building toward the transports and sky sleds he was tempted to take his own and go home -it’s not like they need me at this, he thought and walked back inside the building just in time to see the counsel begin to depart.

You missed the closing ceremonies. said Onara, one of the guardsmen who stood at the doorway.

I'm sure I did. he said and turned around to go back to the vehicles. He was going to be missing a few more days before the week was done.

Above him, looking over the balcony were several sets of eyes, two belonged to Remo and the other was Alde.

They were discussing Thorok, they had been increasingly worried.

If they had someone else who could replace Thorok he would be shipped off world to some backwater place where he could never be a threat.

He's going to need to be watched, I would hate to have him removed from office he's been very diligent in his work and always took his job seriously.

You want me to follow him, again, don't you? Remo asked, it wasn't something he enjoyed doing and he felt a little embarrassed to admit that Thorok scared him a little.

Alde glanced at her protege and smiled, You'll be okay you have a com-link and can call me anytime.

What if he tries something? Remo asked nervously.

Alde waved him off as she walked back to the party.

He didn’t like following Thorok, he was large, imposing, and scary.

He could see why the council was concerned with him.

Soon Remo was on his way searching for Thorok, and as predicted found his ship parked on landing pad of the library of history.

He was told to report to Alde if he was seen reading up on past dictators again, what else would he be doing? He thought to himself. 

Remo walked across the wide-open landing bay of the library of history and realized he had been pacing it for the last two hours.

He wiped a bit of growing sweat from his fur covered brow and looked across the city one last time.

Remo was a member of the Defense forces in the Camarian military for four years and had been brought up to embrace the greater good, learn from the past but don’t repeat it.

Where is she? Remo asked aloud, he was alone and for the final time he looked up toward the sky. He didn’t see any sky sleds or security drones. Or many birds for that matter, he wished he had taken a job with the science council. They don’t have to worry about dangerous things.

He felt nervous enough when he followed Thorok into a run-down part of the city, it was mostly abandoned.

A ruined building was all that was left of a once feared group named blood-pack.

Tired of organized crime and allowing the criminals to have rights the government hunted and destroyed all of them, it was a blood bath.

Remo felt the chill as the memories of that moment entered his memory, he was only a youngling at the time but the stories of the fully armed security forces wiping out every living soul in the building gave him nightmares.

He saw and followed Thorok into the remnants if the building and thought he had heard Thorok speaking with someone he couldn't see them in the darkness of the basement and he wasn't sure if he should go down the stairwell and check, as he slowly moved his head into the doorway to get a better view something moved beneath him – a mouse had crawled onto his shoe and began nibbling on the laces.

Between stifling a yelp and nearly tripping over himself to escape he thought he had been discovered when he heard someone coming up the stairs.

He shook the rat loose and nearly ran as far as his legs would carry him, but he had to stay and find out what Thorok was up to.

He strained his ears to listen for the soft wine of a sky sled which would bring his mentor Alde, she was much more level headed than he was, and he needed her guidance, she didn't fully trust Thorok and his new policies of creating a larger security force and he was shut down twice by the council when he voted to create a leader for the entire planet.

It was clear to her that Thorok was up to something. He was young and eager and hoped he would use some decorum when reporting back to her. Remo felt for the communicator on his right wrist and for a moment he was tempted to activate it again and call her to ask her what he should do.

He really wasn't sure if Thorok was even here there were other citizens who had similar ships, so he opened the door leading to the top floor of the library.

It didn't take long to find Thorok reading the historical documents, once Remo saw him, he nearly ran back to the landing bay and began fiddling with his com-link again.

What are you doing Remo does it distress you so to see me read the history records? the voice made him jump; he turned to see the Chancellor standing near the doorway leading down into the building.

Remo was silent for a moment, afraid to answer his superior but he managed to finally speak.

No sir, I just needed some fresh air you- you can read anything you like it makes no difference to me.

He couldn’t keep his nervousness a secret.

Your admiration for the terrorists and rebels does make me concerned.

Thorok laughed at the insinuation. He noticed Remo checking the time again and knew what he was waiting for. He made sure any communication in this area would be monitored and if necessary blocked.

He held up a small device, it was a signal scrambler used by the security forces and military.

She’s not coming so you may as well come back inside and have a drink I hear Reeb Ale is good for the nerves.

Remo gave another glance toward the far towers, they seemed farther away from where he was now.

The towers which held the Elders and wondered two things, why wasn’t she coming and how did Thorok know?

Thorok waited for Remo to wander toward him and into the building, Remo was young and his dependence upon his mentor or any of the elders was well known.

Thorok led Remo into the room they had vacated and Thorok resumed his reading about history.

Thorok glanced up and saw Remo squirm in the chair he sat in, If it really bothers you why don't you go home while I read. Thorok said as he continued reading about Gorham the first presider, who was given so much power that he created an army to watch over the Northern Province, then began a campaign to rule the surrounding lands until he nearly ruled the entire country.

It was wonderful reading, Gorham had opened a deal