The Godarian Son

By Stephen Shandley

The trap had been set...
Several soldiers pounced on the unsuspecting young man. Jess was the only son of the leader of Godar, the largest and most dynamic planet in this ancient solar system... a planet feared by the other smaller planets.
Taken to a neighbouring planet, Asha, he was treated as a prisoner of war. His father was informed within the hour, and although devastated and feeling betrayed, he knew his son would not be harmed.
He also knew his friendship with leader of Asha was over... he could never be trusted again.
He retired to his study with the written demands made on him – demands that could not be met. His thoughts were on his son.
I will rescue him, one way or another!
A enthralling view of both the past and the future
... and a new perspective on the creation of Earth

• Language: English
• Publisher: CUSTOM BOOK PUBLICATIONS
• Release date: Oct 9, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301831579

Book preview

A trap had been set...

Several soldiers pounced on the unsuspecting young man. Jess was the only son of the leader of Godar, the largest and most dynamic planet in this ancient solar system... a planet feared by the other smaller planets.

Taken to a neighbouring planet, Asha, he was treated as a prisoner of war. His father was informed within the hour, and although devastated and feeling betrayed, he knew his son would not be harmed.

He also knew his friendship with leader of Asha was over... he could never be trusted again.

He retired to his study with the written demands made on him – demands that could not be met. His thoughts were on his son.

I will rescue him, one way or another!

A enthralling view of both the past and the future

… and a new perspective on the creation of Earth

'Science fiction at its best ― a well-plotted tale, an engaging trip into the imagination and great reading.' PubWeek Review

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Author was born and grew up in Liverpool, England. After being educated at Yew Tree Comprehensive School in West Derby, he became an electrician, something he excelled at for over thirty-five years, until his partial retirement with his wife Sheila. With two grown up children and two grandsons, a dog - his best friend - his support of his local football team Liverpool, and with the addition of writing, he is fully occupied. A sequel is in draft at this time .

Copyright © 2012-13 Stephen Shanley

The right of Stephen Shanley to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patent Act 1988.

Published in the United States of America

by

CUSTOM BOOK PUBLICATIONS

SMASHWORDS EDITION

All the characters are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental

First Edition

published by Xlibris 2012

THE

GODARIAN

SON

A story by Stephen Shanley

PREFACE

The largest and most dynamic planet in this ancient solar system is called Godar. and is feared by the other smaller planets because of its great power.

The other planets seem to be constantly warring with each other – much to the annoyance of the peaceful people of Godar.

One day Jess, son of King Lor – Godar's ruler – asked his father if he could go on an expedition to a galaxy he had heard of, that may have a planet or two able to support life.

His father reluctantly agreed, so Jess started to put his plan together, a plan that only he and a dozen friends knew about.

They were about to set off on a journey, which will prove people of different colour and race can co-exist.

We wished them luck on their quest to bring peace to the planets of Chinara – Sovia – Affera – Oropa – and Asha.

The experiment was about to begin!

*****

CHAPTER ONE

Throughout Jess' life and even as a very young boy, his soul was tormented by the pain and suffering brought upon the women and children of the planets.

He knew he could not say or do anything even though his father was the king of Godar and it is the most powerful planet of all. Jess could do nothing.

Jess was being trained in his Royal duties, too early for his liking, but he knew this was to distract him from the only thing he really cared or thought about – the women and children who were dying in the name of war.

Whilst training one day, he overheard one of his Envoys talking about a far off galaxy his brother had recently passed through. He had spoken of the possibility that life might thrive there – but not for a millennium or two, he later joked.

This was to plant a seed in Jess' mind, a seed that would grow so quickly it would soon take over his life.

Every day after his training he put his mind to work on what would soon become his destiny.

Jess continued his Royal duties but all the time his thoughts were of some far off galaxy that had only been found by chance.

Its remote position meant it would not be discovered easily and was ideal for his outlandish plan.

With a positive train of thought he set out to influence his father King Lor. This was not going to be an easy task.

The king was sympathetic, simply as Jess was his only son. Although he gave the impression he would like to help, after listening to Jess he regretfully said no. 'I would to help you, my son,' he said, 'but you must follow me as leader of Godar.'

Jess felt let down but understood why his father had declined. He also knew this would not deter him from what had become his goal.

One day Jess was pondering over his next step when he received a letter from Alhan, his closest friend on Asha. It stated that he and several of their closest friends from the other planets had just heard of the decision of King Lor.

Do not be too downhearted, the letter continued, we have an alternative plan. We should meet to discuss it?.

Jess agreed.

He immediately wrote to Alhan to suggest a time and place where they could meet and discuss the new plans. Jess knew that his father would be angry if he found out about Alhan's plans, so before the meeting took place he went to his fathers house, spoke again of the pain he and his friends felt at seeing nothing but bloody wars all their lives, seeing mothers weeping and the looks of fear on the faces of the young children as their older brothers and sisters were dragged off to fight.

'So please father, I beg you to understand us, to even pity us because the road we wish to travel could be long and pitted with danger but our love will see us through... and I promise you we will return.'

'I do understand you Jess,' said Lor. 'I think your compassion and bravery are to be admired but you are the future king of Godar and you will be expected to fulfil your destiny and that destiny lies here.'

Jess could see there was no point in pursuing the argument… his father had made up his mind. He was left to reflect on his failure to persuade father and felt that he had let both himself and his friends down.

In the meantime, Alhan had spoken to his own father, King Sorl, ruler of the planet Asha. He told him of the plans which he and his friends had put together and that King Lor was giving Jess all the support and materials he would need.

Not to be outdone, Sorl told Alhan he could have everything that Lor was providing to Jess and more. Alhan smiled, he could not wait to give Jess the good news.

When Alhan eventually found Jess he could see that there was something wrong. His friend was low, and it looked as if he had the weight of Godar on his shoulders.

Alhan was obviously troubled by Jess' distraught attitude but thought he would cheer up when he told him his good news. He could hardly contain himself, he laughed as he told Jess how Sorl had promised to give him everything King Lor was to give him, plus more if it were needed.

Jess frowned even more deeply, 'I have to tell you something my friend,' said Jess. 'My father has refused me permission to leave Godar because it is my duty to succeed him as king. This is the end of my dream but don't let it be the end for you and the others… you must carry on, even if it means going without me.'

Jess put his head in his hands and sobbed, 'This war must end at any cost.'

Alhan was obviously upset by his friends sadness but said to Jess, 'Remember what I said to you before, when Sorl found that Lor was funding you, he went mad with jealousy, and gave me everything I wanted. Well, if you were just the slightest bit devious, it could work for you!'

For the first time in what seemed an eternity, Jess smiled. 'It might just work.' he said, rubbing his hands together with anticipation.

He set off to the house of his father, and in no time he had King Lor fuming at the prospect of Alhan, the son of King Sorl, being provided with everything he was depriving Jess of.

Later that same afternoon, King Lor summoned Jess to his chambers. He had to admit to himself that he would never have given in if it were not for his hatred of Sorl – a hatred so bitter it was about to cause Lor to go against all that was sacred to him.

'Jess,' he said, 'it is time I told you the truth. You see… many, many years ago, Sorl and I were best friends, indeed almost inseparable. Then one day Sorl's father and my father were called to a meeting at the council of planets. The subject was a dire one. Sporadic fighting had broken out in the streets of Chinara and Sovia, and this was leading to war.

It was a war which in the near future could escalate out of all proportion.'

He paused before continuing.

'Within one year the conflict had spread to all but one planet, and this planet was Godar. This led to cries for help from every planet in the solar system, including Asha where my fathers best friend, King Parl, ruled. These were troubled times for Godar, although my father wanted to help.

How could he? His hands were tied, he had taken a centuries old vow of peace, therefore war was not an option.

This was too much to bear for my father, not only had he turned his back on his best friend, but he also had to endure being called a coward. Nothing could have been further from the truth, Godar was a strong planet, bigger and more prosperous than all the other planets but the oath he had taken meant he could do nothing. The wars raged on and in a desperate attempt to gain assistance from Godar, King Parl had his son Sorl contact me at our secret hiding place.

I didn't tell my father because only Sorl and I knew of this place, and after all, we were the best of friends.'

He sipped from a glass of water, contemplating the memories.

'Later that day I set off for our secret rendezvous. Although the war was raging, I wasn't at all nervous, after all I was almost fourteen years old and off on a journey to meet my best friend. As I got closer to the spot where we had arranged to meet, I felt nervous; it had been more than nine months since we had spoken to each other.

With all the thoughts going through my mind being of sunny days and happy times, I could never have guessed what was about to happen.

My friend Sorl had set a trap. When he and several soldiers of King Parl pounced on me, I almost died of fright.

I was immediately taken off to Asha where I was kept as a prisoner of war and my father was informed within the hour. He was devastated by this news, he felt betrayed but he knew that Parl would never hurt me.

He also knew that any friendship was over – he would never be able to trust him again.

He retired to his study with the written demands made on him by Parl – demands only he knew could not be met. His thoughts, however, were on me, his son, and he swore he would rescue me one way or another.'

'What happened then?' I asked, enthralled with the story.

'A few days passed. My father was under increasing pressure from Parl to meet his demands and I was being taunted and teased by my so called friend, Sorl.

In a bid to secure my freedom, my father went to beg Parl to free me, and he promised they would talk after Lor's release. He had his faith somewhat renewed when, surprisingly, he agreed to my release.

Later that day Parl arrived on the planet Godar. He was alone, having requested no guards. He said to my father that he was sorry, and that he did not want it this way but when he had been refused any help he had panicked. He had thought by using me as bait, my father would give in to him.

He begged father's forgiveness, and promised that I would be returned immediately.

Father told him that their friendship could never be the same again but he offered Parl and all the people of Asha the chance of escaping the war by granting them asylum, but he added the proviso that in