This is work is going to be a set of stories set within the Acamar galaxy, the same setting for Tales of Acamar: Outbreak. These stories will all occur before the events of Outbreak and showcase some revisions and additions I've made to the Tales of Acamar universe. Hope you enjoy!
Last edited by Scottish King; February 03, 2014 at 05:39 PM.
Nuvan Thezar smiled at his copilot’s, Pazer Lorik, concern. “It worked for the probes we sent through and the last two we’ve gone through.”
“Yeah, but will it work now?”
Nuvan looked over at Pazer amusingly. It was just like Pazer to worry. He was always the pessimist. Nuvan sometimes wondered why Pazer had even signed up for this mission. Nuvan sighed to himself and stared outside the viewport at the plethora of glittering stars. They were light years away from Adar Minor, the Hadar homeworld, in a starship which had set off three weeks before to attempt something which had never been done before. If one thing went wrong they might not be able to complete their mission or even worst: they might not even make it back home.
“It’s going to work, Pazer.”
Pazer looked back at Nuvan, a playful smile spreading over his face. “It better or the boys back home are going to be unhappy. And we will miss out on being in the history books.”
Pazer was right. They were hours away from being the first of the Hadar species to pass through an Acamar Point. Over 200 years ago or 50 years Before the New Era (BNE), before a Hadar scientist, Dehan Lumar, discovered a wormhole in their star system which he gave the name Acamar Point. He theorized that one could travel through these wormholes to other places. However, it was found that one could not do so without exotic particles being introduced into the throat of the wormhole. After fifty years of experimentation and designing, the first device capable of delivering these particles to the wormhole was created and named the Dehan Drive, after the discoverer of the first wormhole bringing in what historians of the Acamar Galaxy would deem the beginning of the New Era (NE). The first probe was successfully sent through five years later and after another five years the first manned round trip using the Dehan Drive was successful. By the discovery of other Acamar Points, in the year 157 NE the first planet was discovered though uninhabitable.
Over this terrestrial planet a project was undertaken to build a space station from which further missions would be launch. The project was completed in 204 NE and the Lumar Space Station launched its first probe in 216 NE. This probe traveled to a star system that, to the surprise of the scientists aboard the space station, picked up radio signals coming from a habitable planet. The first signs of civilization the Hadar had ever found among the stars. The probe then made its way into orbit around the planet, dodging the inhabitants own satellites and sent pictures and data back to the Lumar Space Station with data that showed the planet had an atmosphere that Hadar physiology could tolerate. The probe had already sent a signal of prime numbers down to the planet with recordings of the Hadar race’s greetings. The inhabitants of the planet had sent back their own signal of primes and what was thought to be their greetings in their own language.
A scientific and diplomatic team from the station was immediately dispatched to the planet to establish physical contact. Pazer Lorik and Nuvan Thezar were the pilots of the Stargazer, the ship being used to get to the planet now designated Civilis. Also aboard the Stargazer was two representatives of the Adar Minor, an expert linguist, two science officers and four military personnel. In total, there nine people aboard ship. It was Pazer and Nuvan’s job to ensure that they all got to Civilis and back safely. It had been nearly three weeks since they left and they were approaching the last Acamar Point before they reached the Civilis star system after which was another two day journey to the planet.
“Do you think they’ll be friendly?”
“Stop worrying Pazer and pay attention we’ll be at the Acamar Point in ten minutes.”
“Ok, captain,” Pazer replied mockingly as he press the button that activated the intercom. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are approaching the last Acamar Point before reaching our final destination. Please return to your seats and buckle yourselves in. Thank you.”
Turning off the switch for intercom system, the two pilots began to check their systems to make sure that everything was in order. Soon they were approaching the mouth of the Acamar Point. It was hard to describe the view of the wormhole. It was a region of space absent of stars, where space and light looked as it was bent around the edges of the some unseen object. The sight of it was always a source of amazement for the Nuvan. This was the phenomenon that had made long distance space travel possible taking the Hadar to places they never imagined.
“Closing the viewport.”
Nuvan flicked a switch and shutters closed over the viewport. Now they would have to rely on their instruments to guide them. The minutes slowly crept by as the Stargazer drew closer to the Acamar Point’s entrance and the ship began to vibrate slightly. Nuvan kept his eyes glued to his console. They had to activate the Dehan Drive at just the right moment to deposit the exotic particles or they wouldn’t survive the trip through.
“We’re entering the Acamar Point,” Pazer said as the ship began to vibrate a bit more. “You ready?”
“Yeah,” replied Nuvan. “Here we go.”
The vibrations going through the ship began to increase in intensity. Soon the ship was shaking violently and Pazer had to shout above the noise to be heard.
“Now!!!”
Nuvan activated the Dehan Drive releasing the exotic particles into the wormhole. The vibrations seemed to increase to the point where it seemed as if the whole ship was going to come apart. The sound was deafening to the point that Nuvan’s eardrums hurt. Just as it hit its crescendo, the vibration’s intensity slowly began to decrease until at last it stopped completely.
Nuvan and Pazer looked at each other with relief. “That was rougher than the last one,” Pazer shouted as he put his hand over his heart, taking in deep breaths.
“I agree,” Nuvan shouted as he reached up for his ears. He was sure his ears were permanently damaged. He could barely hear Pazer even though he was sitting right across from him. The pair immediately went about checking that everything was alright with the ship. After a quick inspection of the gauges and consoles, they found that the ship was structurally intact.
“Are we where we are supposed to be?” Nuvan asked his hearing a little better.
“Everything matches the data we collected from the probe and…I got its signal The planet is up ahead.”
“Alright then. Let’s see what’s out there.”
The viewport shutters slid open to reveal in the distance what they had traveled light years to see. There among the bright carpet of stars sat a blue and green planet not much unlike Adar Minor. But they knew that down on the surface of that terrestrial ball awaited a whole new experience, a whole new world. Nuvan and Pazer looked at each other. Not a word passed between them as this moment needed any words. They had done it.
Neither knew how much time went passed before the spell broke and they turned back towards their consoles.
“I should let our passengers know,” Pazer said almost in a whisper.
“Yeah,” Nuvan replied, “we should,” a smiling spreading across his face.
Pazer activated the intercom system his eyes locked on the planet. “Ladies and gentlemen…we have arrived at our destination star system. We are still two days away…but man it’s beautiful even from here.” Then turning to Nuvan with a smile he pointed at the Civilis. “Let’s go make history.”
You're incredible dialogue complements your chapters tremendously. I'm not much of a sci-fi buff, but the character names are seemingly very original, and I appreciate your commitment to intergalactic sci-fi naming conventions.
The depth in which you explain the lore of the story is well-conducted. It's not too much at once, but over the chapters it really builds a history for the story, which is necessary in major serials, such as this.
I always feel that the better the dialogue, the more enticing a reader will be - as it leads to a sense of mysterious unpredictability, never knowing where it may take you. ToA: Outbreak was a major success and I know this will be too. The chapter beautifully depicts the beginning of the next serial! Worm holes have always fascinated me, and your description of the event is masterfully delivered. These are some brave starfarers, I'd say.
I will follow keenly, I assure you.
Glad to see you pursuing this series. I want to see you get published one day. Don't forget little writers (such as myself), on here.
Gluk Panor wiped his hands on his napkin with delight as he finished his delicious dinner. Before him outside of the restaurant’s window lay the cityscape of Civilis or as its inhabitants, the Regulus, called the planet, Septimus. Fifteen years ago, in 217 NE, the Hadar had found the planet by using their Dehan Drive to navigate wormholes which led them to first contact with the Regulus. The two races couldn’t have been more different. The Hadar were on average no taller than five feet tall, their skin color various shades of brown. They were covered from head to foot with small bony protrusions except on their round faces. The Regulus, on the other hand, were humanoids on average six feet tall with light purple skin and eyes with jet black hair. The Hadar were about hundred years more advanced than the Regulus, who were just starting to build manned space shuttles so the opportunity to perhaps gain access to new technology was a big factor in the Regulus’s decision to welcome the Hadar, but the Hadar’s presence was not welcomed by all.
The Regulus world, unlike the Hadar’s homeworld, Adar Minor, was not under a one world government but was split into fifty-three different nations. While eighteen of most powerful nations formed the United Nations of Septimus or the UNS, the world was in no way united or guided by a single power. That meant that there were some nations that wanted contact with the Hadar and others that were totally against it. In fact, the majority of nations were suspicious of the Hadar’s intentions and nations that welcomed them came under intense scrutiny. While the Regulus were divided and the attitudes of the people were against the Hadar, the Hadar believed that a partnership with the Regulus would be impossible and thus affect future generations of both species. Therefore, the Hadar were determined to make a united Regulus world that was more inclined to partner with them and for this reason Gluk Panor had been sent to Septimus.
Gluk looked away from the window where the sun was setting behind the skyscrapers to his dinner partner. Sizaba Shatheme, was a representative of the country, Puymia, which was a member of the UNS. At the age of thirty-six, she was the youngest among the representatives at the UNS. However, today she was not representing the UNS or their interests.
“Are you sure you’re group can accomplish this?”
Sizaba looked up from the remains of her dessert with a slight smile on her face. “Of course we can. We have been operating on this planet before your species appeared above our skies.”
“Then what do you need or better yet what do you want?”
“Want?” Sizaba asked as she pushed back her black flowing hair. Even though he was a Hadar, Gluk had to admit that he found Sizaba to be quite beautiful. Then again from what he had seen all Regulus females were quite a sight to behold.
“Yes,” Gluk replied. “If half of the rumors are true your organization is fully capable of doing something without our help. Yet something that could have been discussed in an office is being discussed in one of the more expensive restaurants in the country. Your organization definitely wants something.”
Sizaba didn’t answer him right away but looked at the sun which was now almost hidden by the Regulus metalwork of the city making the sky mix of pink and purple hues.
“You’re right,” she said after a few moments of silence. “We want something but we aren’t sure if you be willing to let us have it.”
Gluk sighed. “What is it?”
“Sole control of Septimus.”
Gluk’s eyes widened. “That’s quite a demand.”
“We know,” Sizaba replied as she signaled for the waiter. “But we will be giving you what you want. Septimus’ full cooperation.”
Their waiter came over and Sizaba waited until he had cleared away the table to continue.
“You want a united Septimus that is willing to work hand in hand with you. That won’t happen unless the people are convinced that such an alliance is in their best interest. We know that others have approached you offering to help you improve your standing. Am I right?”
“You are correct. But none have been able to convince us that they were right for the job.”
“Well, I’m hope I’m able to. We have been positioning ourselves for years to gain control of this planet, uniting it under one government. To do that, however, there will be…war.”
Gluk’s eyes widened. “War? Now wait-”
“If you thought that this could be achieved any other way then so are not as smart as we thought you were. That is always how we settle things here when diplomacy fails and diplomacy has failed you. We would rather it didn’t happen this way but either the war is fought among ourselves now or with your people in the future. It is the way of things. My organization seeks your help to ensure that there will be peaceful relations with you in the future. Like you said we don’t need your help to be victorious in our efforts but we want to ensure that-”
“-we won’t get in your way,” Gluk finished. “Your organization knows that if we don’t agree with your plan we may pick a side in your war and hinder your plans, in that case you’ll run us off the planet and sometime in the future, if not recified, our two species may clash. However, if we stay out of it and let you do what you want you become the most powerful force on the planet with a very powerful ally, the Hadar. But why are you doing this? It isn’t just for us and don’t try to convince me your doing it for the good of the planet.”
The waiter came over to give them the check. Sizaba handed the waiter a card which the waiter swiped using a portable machine. After a few moments, the machine beeped and the waiter handed her back her card. After thanking the waiter, Sizaba put her card away then answered Gluk.
“But it is for the good of the planet. Our planet has experienced devastating wars within the past two hundred years. Right now, as you know there are several disputes around the war that are reaching the tipping point. Even with the full disarmament of all the nuclear weapons on the planet the next one will be devastating and we will be working throughout its entirety behind the scenes to ensure that there can be only one outcome: lasting peace enforced for by a unified worldwide governments. But we will need your people’s, the Hadar’s, help in order to guide and help us afterward to a bright future with a profitable partnership.”
Gluk sat back in his chair and folded his hands together as he considered Sizaba’s proposition. Minutes past then he stood up and walked over of Sizaba’s chair.
“I’ll have to see what my superiors say but we shall surely be in touch with you, Ms. Shatheme, and your organization, the…”
“Consortium, Mr. Panor. The Consortium.”
Last edited by Scottish King; December 10, 2013 at 09:14 PM.
The Hadar Lumar-class armed transport ship, the Swift Star, slowly repositioned itself in orbit above Septimus' atmosphere. Six ships of her class had been constructed by the Hadar to serve two purposes. One was to transport large quantities of supplies where they were needed and the other was to act as warships. The Reguli proved that there were other sentient beings in the galaxy and the next one the Hadar encountered could be hostile. Therefore, the Hadar had six ships commissioned to be built. However, for the ship to fulfill both purposes for which it had been built it was quite large in size. This meant that the ship used a lot of fuel and resources. This had been the cause of much debate on Adar Minor as to whether they would be worth the expenditure of resources. How real was the threat of hostile confrontation? Were six really necessary? In the end, those advocating the starships construction won out. Four of them including the Swift Star, were in orbit above the planet, Septimus.
The captain of the Swift Star, Arctur Trowe, was like many of the crew new to his job. Back on Adar Minor, he had been a captain of a navy ship until he had been chosen to join the United Space Force or USF, a new branch of the military that ran space operations. Mostly it was cargo hauling to space stations or locations where they or planetary bases were being built. However, on this trip the cargo was not building materials or machinery. Their cargo holds were instead full of medical supplies which made sense considering their destination.
It was no secret that Septimus was embroiled in a world war. Arctur didn't know all the details but he had heard that conflict in Henbach region, a region rich in natural resources, had come to a head with the major countries on the planet now fighting to protect their interests. Medical supplies, especially, with the Hadar's advances in medical science, were going to be in high demand. However, what puzzled Arctur were his orders. He was not to distribute the medical supplies till told to. The war had been going on for several months now and so far no orders from his superiors or rather from their representative, Lancia Bikan, onboard on when to distribute them. But the thing that cause him much unease was the fact that before they had left Adar Minor the Swift Star was loaded with SPS missiles capable of being launched from space to a surface of a planet and could act as anti-missile weapons if a missile was launched up from a planet.
Arctur had been told not to engage the Reguli in anyway and that the missiles were a precaution in case the Reguli decided to launch their missiles at the USF ships. But reason could the Reguli have to fire at them? It was a known fact that many of the Reguli were wary of the Hadar but so far any animosity they had was being directed at members of their own species. So far the war had caused an estimated 50 million casualties. It was becoming the most devastating war in Reguli’s history and unfortunately the USF had the best seats in the house.
“Shame that the first species we find is set about to destroy themselves.”
Arctur turned in the direction of the voice to see the representative, Lancia, standing next to one of the bridge’s consoles. “We could do something to stop it,” Arctur replied, “but the powers that be have obviously forbade you to allow us to do so.”
Lancia smiled as she motioned for Arctur to come to her. “You will want to see this.”
Arctur sighed as he walked nonchalantly over to the tactical console to stand next to Lancia. This particular console received images from the ship’s external cameras. This particular one was for long range imaging equipped to view all wavelengths of light as well as heat imaging. Its purpose so far was in collecting images of the space from the Septimus system to be studied by scientist back home. However, Arctur found himself looking at an image from the surface of Septimus of a facility.
“What is this?”
“This is a missile silo,” Lancia replied, “and as you can see it bustling with activity. This is one of 35 particular missile silos that have increased in activity in the last three days. Messages we’ve intercepted from the satellites, indicate that they are going to be firing soon missiles soon.”
“Why is this important?”
“They are of the nuclear type.”
"That's impossible. We had been assured that the Reguli had disarmed themselves of nuclear warheads years ago."
"We were lied to."
Arctur’s eyes widened. “How much-”
“Enough to send this planet into a nuclear winter and practically wipe out the Reguli race.”
Arctur looked back at the console in terror. “You knew about this and you didn’t say anything?! We have to do something!!!”
Turning away from Lancia, Arctur began shouting orders. “Set Condition One throughout the ship. Communication officer get me the captains of the other three ships now! Tell them to ready their SPS missiles to intercept and destroy launched nuclear missiles! Tactical arm our SPSs! Helmsman get us into best position for firing solution!”
The bridge flew into a flurry of activity as the crew set about fulfilling their captain’s orders. Arctur walked away from the console to his chair at the center of the bridge with Lancia trailing him.
“I alerted our superiors back home to the possibly of the threat as soon as intelligence confirmed it!” she shouted over the blaring alarms signaling the crew to be at Condition One readiness.
“Why didn’t you tell me,” Arctur shouted back. “I’m the captain of this ship and leader of this-”
“I don’t report to you!” Lancia interrupted. “Anyway you aren’t able to do anything about it without orders.”
The alarms stopped as Arctur received the signals from the other captains acknowledging his orders.
“How are we doing?”
“Ship’s almost in position, sir.”
“SPSs are ready and targeting computer awaiting command.”
“I need the location of those 35 missile silos, Lancia.”
“No, until we hear-”
“I don’t have time for this! If we don’t do something billions of Reguli will die. Do you want their blood on your hands?”
Lancia and Arctur stared at each other, their eyes locked on the others as the bridge fell quiet. Moments passed and it seemed as if neither would look away but at last Lancia broke her gaze with the captain.
“Give me a moment,” Lancia said in almost a whisper as she moved over to a console. After a few minutes, the tactical officer acknowledged the receipt of the 35 silo bases.
“Send the information to the other captains,” Arctur ordered before turning back to Lancia. “Thank you.”
“We don’t have enough firepower to shoot down every missile before it reaches a target. And if by some miracle we do, we haven’t accounted for the submarine and aircraft launched nuclear weapons.”
“The native defense system should take care of what we can’t get.”
“Do you believe that? This species is practicing a method of Mutually Assured Destruction. We’ll miss a quarter of the stuff they’ll be firing soon. Believe me. I’ve had intel work it out. The only way we have a chance of stopping this holocaust is by destroying the missile silos directly taking away a bulk of their nukes. However-”
“We’ll be killing Reguli.” Arctur ran his hand over his face. “What is the certainty that this will happen?”
“100% that it will happen today which is why I’m surprise command hasn’t gotten back to me.”
Arctur turned and walked over to the console stare at the image of the facility yet again. What could he do? Firing on the silos would win the Reguli’s lasting enmity but possibly save the race from disaster. Not firing on the silos and or trying to shoot down all launched missiles would end in the Reguli’s annihilation. What could he do?
After a few minutes of thought, Arctur looked up at his tactical officer. “Target the missile silos.”
“But captain-”
“Tell the other captains to do the same. Lancia, I’m assuming that intel has hacked into the Reguli’s communications systems and possibly hijack the signal.”
“Yes.”
“Tell them to get me into their systems. If they can do it I want to be able to be heard on every communication device that has a satellite uplink.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Just do it.”
Lancia hesitated for a moment but began contacting the intelligence agents onboard ship. In the meantime, Arctur had a live link set up to the other three ships as well as his own crew could hear his speech. About ten minutes later, Lancia signaled that intelligence had achieved what Arctur had asked.
“It’s done. When you’re ready start speaking. The translator will do the rest.”
Arctur nodded.
“Citizens of Septimus, this is Captain Arctur Trowe of the USF ship Swift Star. We are Hadar from Adar Minor and are in orbit above your planet. Our assignment was to observe events occurring on your planet and if possible to assist by way of medical assistance to those in need. However, we have been unable to carry out the second part of our mission unfortunately but we have been faithful in doing the first. We have watched as your world has become one of pain and suffering; one where the nights are lit by the fires of destruction and the days obscured by the bellows of smoke. We thought this the worst but today we have seen the destruction of your entire species. Even as I speak, governments around the world are preparing to use their nuclear arsenals in a desperate attempt to win a victory for their war-weary states. If this is allowed to happen all life will cease to exist and all that your ancestors have built will be consigned to radioactive dust.
“I cannot stand by and watch this travesty be perpetrated. I will not sit by and watch a species destroy itself before it has reached a full potential. Therefore, I am prepared to destroy all missile silos that have been deemed to have weapons of mass destruction. My fleet is prepared to do the same all over the world. I would rather not do this but if it is what it will take to keep you from destroying yourselves then I will do it. I am pleading with you. Do not do this. Do not allow your leaders to do this. If you do and my fleet is not able to stop them from carrying out their plans then what a sad day it will be to return home to inform my people that your planet is an irradiated rock and your people finished. Choose life and live to reach new heights. Live and see what wonders my people have to show you. Live because it’s your right to.”
Arctur nodded at his communication officer and the connection was cut. Silence filled the bridge as an image of Septimus was displayed in front of him.
“You think it will work,” Lancia asked as she walked to stand behind him.
“I pray it does,” Arctur replied, his eyes fixed on the display of the planet. “I pray it does.”
Last edited by Scottish King; September 18, 2013 at 08:45 AM.
Four days. It had been four days and she was already tired of looking at the same four walls of her jail cell. Four days ago, Bespal was president of Puymia, the largest nation on the planet Septimus with a population of 225 million Reguli. Now she was a prisoner of her own state. How fickle they all were. How many of them had called for and clamored for war in the beginning? “The pride and strength of the Puymia must be maintained” her advisors had told her. The polls showed 80% of the nation would support military action. So off to war she led them. Everyone including herself was certain of victory. Yes, their enemies would put up a good fight but the armies of Puymia and her allies would successfully protect her economic interests in the Henbach regions. They would be victorious.
Then after the first few weeks, Puymia’s armies began to become bogged down. Military operations began to fail to meet their objectives more than achieved them. Daughters and sons began to return home to distraught families in body bags. Others returned with missing limbs, psychologically broken or both. Goods began to disappear from the store shelves as trade was disrupted by bombings and embargos. Small excursions on the border, rumors of spies, food shortages and bankruptcy grew until the populace could no longer bear it. The belief in the invincibility of the Puymia’s armies was shattered and the slowly people began to call for peace.
What was Bespal to do? Their enemies would not accept peace terms without major concessions that would cripple Puymia. She had lost two daughters and one son to the war. It was too late to turn back now with all they had lost. Thus, the decision was made to turn to the one thing they had that could win the war. Nuclear weapons. Their enemies had nuclear weapons but a lot fewer than Puymia. If they could strike first hitting their silos then Puymia and her allies could win the war without taking a strike herself. It would mean launching a major strike to engage most of their enemies’ defenses to ensure that the nukes hit their target. It would mean a large loss of life of their soldiers and millions of civilians on the other side but it would ensure an end to the war. The decision had weighed heavy on Bespal’s shoulders but she had made up her mind and was prepared to face the consequences. Then the Hadar interfered.
The Hadar had been a point of contention for her since she had assumed the presidency. She and her cabinet had always been wary of aliens that were now above their skies. They came with promises of working together toward a common good for both themselves and the Reguli but many including her own citizens were wary of the newcomers. But that had changed too. It had been the Hadar’s broadcast around the planet about the potential use of nuclear warfare that had driven the masses into open rebellion not only in her own country but in every country involved in the war. The rebellion spread from the poorest of the poor to the soldier on the frontlines. Bespal had tried her best to quell the rebels as quickly as possible but a group calling themselves the Consortium had taken the lead of the rebels, getting them organized and their message into the homes of every citizen in the country.
Where the Consortium had come from was unknown. They had never been heard of within the intelligence community but by the way they were on top of things it was clear they had been planning their takeover for quite sometime. Not only that but the Consortium appeared to have instigated the rebellion in every country involved in the war. That was every developed country on the planet. The fact that the Consortium had made their move just after the Hadar broadcast had convinced the Bespal that they had been working together all the time. Whatever deal they made within three weeks the Consortium had stormed the presidential residence and had captured Bespal and her cabinet. Many loyal soldiers had died to protect her. Unfortunately, their sacrifice had been in vain.
Footsteps could now be heard approaching Bespal’s cell. She pushed back her hair and smoothed out her wrinkled outfit. She was still the president of Puymia and she would act like one till…
A key turned in the lock and the door slowly opened. Bespal’s purple eyes widened with surprised as stared at the individual standing in the doorway with two guards. Bespal’s hands slowly came to her face and tears came to eyes.
“Sizaba, they caught you too?” she said in a low whisper.
Sizaba cracked a smile grew suddenly grew into a loud laughter that pierced the silence of the cell. “Caught me?” Sizaba replied, “No.” Then turning to the guards, “Leave us. Wait…” she reached for one’s handgun, “Close the door but stay outside.”
Bespal expression turned to one of horror as the door slammed shut and silence fell once again in the cell. “You-you’re with them? Why?”
“I’ve always been with them, Mrs. President,” Sizaba replied with a sneer. “Why? You already know the answer to that. It’s the reason why you’re in this jail cell.”
Bespal took in a deep breath as she struggled to regain her composure. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing but you couldn’t be in denial of truth when it was standing right in front of you. Not even when it hit so close to home. Anger was now starting to replace shock.
“You betrayed your race, this planet to the Hadar and for what? What did they offer you in return for your betrayal? Control of the planet?”
Sizaba condescending smile grew ever larger. “Well, more like their agreement to not interfere with what we-”
“The Consortium?” Bespal interrupted.
Sizaba nodded headed before continuing, “-are doing. You see you don’t understand? The Hadar don’t want to control us, they want to help us.”
“How by taking all our resources? Using us for slaves in the mines on some forsaken planet?”
Sizaba shook her head in disappointment. “This is why we did what we did. It is people like you who are keeping the Reguli back from attaining their true potential. Your kind sees threats where there aren’t any. That is why so many people have died in the recent war and many more would have if the Hadar hadn’t acted when they did. The Hadar are offering us the chance to join them on a road of discovery with mutual benefits for both races. But we would start that journey with your close minded kind leading our people. And that was proven clearly three weeks ago. Not even the Consortium thought that you would go as far as using nuclear weapons…”
“I did what I did for the good of this country!!!” Bespal shouted. “I-”
“Sent your own children to die in your meaningless war. Two daughters and one son or have you already forgotten?”
Bespal opened her mouth to reply but closed it again. Her gazed moved from Sizaba’s face, now absent of a smile but now replaced with a clenched jaw and eyes that flared with rage, to the handgun that was in her hand. “What are you going to do with me?”
“Why are you asking questions you already know the answer to? But if you want to know what we are going to do afterwards I’ll indulge you. There is some resistance to the fact that you have been removed which is to be expected. We can’t have rebels running around causing trouble. Giving you a public trial will make you a martyr to them so we won’t do that. We’ll publicize that you escaped this prison with your cabinet with help from the outside and silently spread the word that you’re recruiting supporters for your triumph return. We already have the infrastructure in place to accomplish it because we always think two steps ahead. Rebels will actually think they are joining a resistance movement created by you when in fact we control it. Then quietly we will eliminate them.”
“That’s-that’s-”
“Yes, but necessary. Rebels will be a threat to the stability of our new order. The Hadar must see we can establish a secure government here, a united world government.”
“But what about the other countries that don’t want to follow the Consortium?” Bespal asked.
“The same thing that has happened in Puymia is happening in every developed country in the world. The other countries will soon fall in line. We have planned this to perfection. But enough talk. Let us finish this.”
Sizaba slightly turned and knocked on the door of the cell. The guards outside began yelling commands. Cell doors could be heard opening. Shots rang out. Silence.
There was a rap on the door and Sizaba leveled the handgun she had been holding at the Bespal. “For the old era to pass away those who maintain it must also pass away. Is there anything you would like to say? Any last words regrets?”
Bespal took a deep breath and with unsteady steps walked forward until her head was nearly touching the barrel. “I have no regrets.”
“Then neither do I. Goodbye, mother.”
A shot rang out. Silence.
Last edited by Scottish King; December 10, 2013 at 09:24 PM.
Campidoctor
Tales of Acamar: Legends (On hold)
Biarchus
Wrinkly Wordsmith
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