Exiles of Raifor

By C.H. Ashton

The Cataclysm devastated the galaxy. It destroyed worlds and wiped out entire species. That was over four hundred years ago. It ended in the unification of the galaxy under one rule. Thus the Great Eternal Empire of Raifor was formed. At its head sat the Nobles, descendants of the First Emperor imbued with powers that not even the Magus of the seven orders could hope to match. For millennia they have followed a strict system of succession. Now, for the first time since its inception, that system has failed and war has returned to the galaxy. It is up to the Exiles to make it right.

On the backwater planet of Erelia the war has already taken its toll. Aosen Yenra waits in a bunker with the thousands of civilians he’s managed to save from the nuclear bombardment of their world. Radiation threatens to kill the survivors slowly, and time is running out. His search for answers will lead him to an ancient ship, and the secrets held within.

Bach-Ti the Pirate Queen has just organized the grandest heist of her long career. The war, however, will alter her journey in a way she and her crew could never have expected. Someone wants the Pirate Queen dead, and she won’t rest until she finds out whom.

Meanwhile on the planet Navia, the young heiress Lanoel Rai Devroux is also waiting for someone to rescue her from her responsibilities. When the deposed Empress arrives on her world she brings with her something that will change Lanoel’s life forever. But is it a blessing, or a curse?

Iloesten Rai Kenos is a woman renowned for her brilliance in battle, and her cruelty. She leaves no survivors, and takes no prisoners, but she must do more to prove herself as something greater than a kinslayer. When she learns of the fabled relic ships, she believes she has finally found the answer. Will her thirst for power be quenched, or will she again fall short of her goals?

These are the Exiles, and this is their journey. They must trust those around them to achieve their goals, and most of all they need to trust in the aether.

Lose yourself in the universe of Raifor, where magic and science meet. Exiles of Raifor is an action packed blend of science fiction and fantasy that is sure to leave you wanting more. Explore new worlds, meet new characters, take part in an adventure which spans an entire galaxy. Enjoy the debut of a new name in Science Fiction and Fantasy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: C.H. Ashton
• Release date: Aug 14, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301737529

C.H. Ashton

Claude Ashton is a new writer on the scene. His first book, Exiles of Raifor is a Science-Fiction/Fantasy Adventure, and was released on May 11th, 2013. Claude started writing short stories in Middle School, and continued this through High School. During this time he honed his craft on message boards and in online roleplaying games, immersing himself in his characters and in the worlds built by others. He graduated from Red Bank Regional High School in 2005 and started college with the intent of becoming a journalist. Along the way he found that he was much more adept at fixing computers than interviewing others, so he changed his focus to Information Technology. After taking some time in this field, he decided that it was time for him to start building the world he had always dreamed of. What started as a world led to two worlds, which led to a solar system, then a galaxy. This galaxy was the universe of Raifor, a mix of science fiction and fantasy elements. In 2013, after building and shaping the universe, he sat down to write and publish his first book. When he is not writing, he is usually nose deep in a book, or playing all manner of video games with his friends. He is currently writing the second book in the Raifor Saga, Heroes of Raifor.

Book preview

Prologue

The war didn't start at Homenan, but that's where they say it ended. It's where they thought they had us beaten, and broken. By all accounts they were winning. They had already won. They routed us at Rensam, and Homenan appeared to be more of the same. It was obvious that we had no chance of winning against them in a head to head contest. We needed something more, something special.  It's almost as if fate conspired to bring the most likely people together, and put them under one command for just one day. On that day, we won. It was the end of the beginning, and we would see it through to the end. I only wish I’d known then what I know now. Would I have made the same choices, would I have done the same things?  - Unknown

Two soldiers sat in the dining hall of the Heavy Cruiser Omnipresent, two of its ten thousand crew complement. There were others in the dining hall, most of them were busy eating, some were talking, but it was only these two that stood out. The sight of a Commander dining with a Lieutenant was strange indeed; someone of his rank wouldn't normally have been seen dead with someone so far below him. But she was different.

What difference does it make, royalist, insurgent, traitor, it’s time we got rid of those conventions. We're all just rebels according to the established government. His green eyes and brown skin contrasted in the way that only a Kenosian could manage. Commander Ekan was one of the highest ranking soldiers on board the Omnipresent before the war, and had retained most of the respect that came with his previous position.  We're never going to get anywhere if we keep pretending we're a legitimate government. Sure we have a fleet, and we have supporters, as well as the Halcyon, but how long can we keep running like this? This Galaxy isn't as big as you might think; they'll catch up with us eventually. You just mark my words.

The second soldier, a young Deshni woman with bright red hair, leaned back in her chair and ran a hand through the thick mane. Commander, you're forgetting something obvious. Despite that fact that we are indeed Insurgents to them, they're Usurpers to us. We're the legitimate standing military of the Great Eternal Empire, and eventually we're going to win this war and take back what is rightfully ours. Her eyes shifted from his face to the table. She heaved a sigh and looked back up to him. At least, that's what I'd like to think.

Those are but wishes and dreams, my dearest Lieutenant. We can't repair our ships with those, we can't man them and we certainly can't feed ourselves. Thankfully we have enough friendly worlds to sustain us, but how long will that last. How long until Sheicei sends his fleets after them? We don't have the numbers to protect them all. It's damning to morale that we can't seem to find any planets in this system. There are only a handful of sectors still loyal to us, and they can't even openly declare it, it would be too dangerous. He closed his eyes and placed his hand on his forehead. We lost contact with the third fleet a few days ago, and reports from the fifth and eighth fleets show that they're nearly at the end of their line. They're picking us off slowly, Iloesten Kenos and Rhei Casha aren't the only ones out there hunting us, so many people seem to forget that, and they underestimate the Grand Duchy and the remaining Marshals. I fear this oversight may have been a mortal wound to the cause.

Lieutenant Aress stood, and picked up her tray. I don't believe that for one second, we're strongest, we have the blood of the first, and his gift to us. We won't lose.

You mean that derelict piece of junk? What good is an ancient ship if no one knows how to use it? Honestly, every brilliant mind on our side has been studying that ship since she found it, and still nothing. What purpose does it serve? It has no weapons, we can barely move it and so far it's proven to be more of a chore to escort it than anything. The first fleet is the largest and most powerful fighting force this movement has, we shouldn't be drifting about the nether with our knees bent, praying for a miracle from a ship just because some old elf told us it was legendary.

You're wrong about that. It predates any known history, it's a ship sent by the maker himself. Why else would we have found it how we did? Answer me that, oh mighty Questioner.

Ekan thought on it, but he couldn't find the answer. He'd tried to find any files on the Halcyon he could, but he could only find as much about it as anyone had found.  The Empress Kyreia Stron Rai Imperium had used it in her escape, but there was little else known of its history before then. Legend held it was the ship of the first, but there were no confirmed reports.

I can't come up with a good reason, but that doesn't mean there is not one. The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence. This was the motto of the Questioners. I'm sure we'll find a good reason for it eventually.

Aress had started to walk away; she set her tray into a receptacle and started back to her post in the crusader hangar. Take care Commander, and try not to hurt yourself blaspheming. She waved back at him before she stepped through the portal.

Ekan let out a sigh as he watched her go, his eyes focused on her thighs and hips. Hm, perhaps in another life. A light red flash caught his eye from across the dining hall, the wristband of one of the soldiers apparently. Hmm, must be a problem with some nut or bolt somewhere. He then saw another, and then just like lanterns in a rural village, they all began to light up. He looked down to his, which began flashing an urgent Red. Before he could stand up the lighting throughout the ship changed from its normal white-blue, to a dark red, and the voice of the Omnipresent rang throughout its corridors. All essential personnel to their battle stations.

As he ran to the portal he felt a slight pinch on his wrist, then images flashed into his mind. High Marshal Shi was standing the darkness, wearing her full uniform. Ekan, Con, Lor-na, Drecma. She addressed her essential officers. There's a big problem, and time is short so I'll be brief. A field of stars and planets exploded into life in the darkness behind the High Marshal. They swirled for a moment, and then settled on a small field of stars and planets, the Homenan system.  It seems we've been trapped. We have no way to reach the nearest shift point, and there's a second fleet that we hadn't detected closing in on us, they number sixty vessels.

Ekan gasped, and for a moment was pulled back to reality, a few soldiers were glancing at him, but most knew the effects of a direct nanospace communication.

Then he was again standing before the High Marshal who, after shooting him a glance, continued her briefing.  Yes, one hundred and twenty, nearly three times our number. And that's not taking into account the fleet of fifty that have been hounding us.

Con shifted uncomfortably. So, what do you mean to do High Marshal? We can't possibly fight them with only forty five ships.

Yes, and as I said, we're trapped. The other marshals and I have gone over our options; we even considered surrendering until we received this message.

The backdrop of stars and planets disappeared, and was replaced by the image of a woman. What they saw made their hearts sink. Ekan glared at the female image and for the first time in his life he felt true despair. Her short black curls, petite body and pure white gown were hints at her identity, but what gave her away was her smile. Her smile showed a sense of confidence that rivaled a predator that knew it had its prey cornered. She was the High Duchess Iloesten Rai Kenos. This was her given name. Yet she was known as many things. The Bloody Princess being the most common, but she was also known as the butcher of Rensam and, to those who lacked imagination, simply Kinslayer.

She sat in her command chair on her flagship, and barely looked up at them to address them. High Marshal Shi, Marshal of the first fleet. I will offer you but one chance to surrender the Empress to us, and cease this foolishness. Your escape routes are cut off, and we both know your paltry fleet is no match for the force which is bearing down on you.

Ekan bit his tongue, he wanted to curse this woman for all that she had done. He thought back to the early days, how the war had been when they first set out. He wanted to see how confident she was when she didn't have the resources of her murdered father to plunder. The nanites which sustained his image within nanospace were swirling about him in a flurry of activity. High Marshal Shi gave him a nod and then turned to face Iloesten and placed a hand on her hip.

 You underestimate us, and in doing so you do your father a great disservice. He was my mentor, and taught me everything I need to know to defeat you, and when your fleets are broken and shattered before the might of the true rulers of the Raifor, you will beg for mercy. Tell me, did the High Duke beg for mercy before you stabbed him in the back?

The Duchess smiled, her projection wasn't made of nanites, and it was holographic. Have it your way. Then the Duchess whispered something that Ekan and his comrades could not make out.

Speak up little girl, you are not whispering to your imaginary prince. You're speaking to a High Marshal, enunciation is key.

I stabbed him in the front, not the back. And with those words she disappeared, the hologram dissipated.

Before Ekan could open his mouth to express his disdain for their guest, he was jolted back to reality by a loud explosion and a soft creaking. The lighting of the cruiser shifted from yellow to an angry red. Attention, all soldiers report to your ready stations.

Damn it we've already lost the initiative. He took off in a sprint toward the nearest portal which would take him to the Command Center. The portal was a glowing frame of bright blue light which beckoned to him, almost like a liquid suspended between a doorways. He punched in a short code into the panel on the side of the portal and stepped through the pristine light, and into chaos.

High Marshal Shi was sitting, calmly giving orders and directing the fleet into battle positions. Ekan looked to her for orders, but she gave him a simple nod. He knew his duties in battle, he was to command and direct the main batteries, and offer support to the crusader and Corvette squadrons as well as the lighter cruisers. For all intents and purposes he was one of the secondary commanders of the fleet.

Before he could take his seat, the High Marshal stood up. Her mouth twisted into a feral snarl, and she opened a comm channel to the entire fleet. We have been taken by surprise, there's no time for fancy speeches. We are the Imperial Guard, protect the Halcyon, and protect the Empress. That is our duty, and we shall lay down our lives in her name. Glory to the First, and glory to the Empire! She closed the comm channel and took her seat, seamlessly resuming her duties.

The cruiser shook gently as it received another attack, but the Omnipresent was a powerful vessel, she had earned her place among the Imperial Guard by being strong, and virtually unsinkable.  Her hull could withstand the ballistic force of most weapons, and could absorb the radiation of a pulsar at relatively short distances. She had enough ordnance to reduce an equally armored heavy cruiser to a smoldering husk in a matter of marks, and now her main batteries were at Ekan's beck and call.

Ekan closed his eyes as the weapon management system, or WMS, descended on him. When he opened them, space itself spread before him. He stood suspended in it, as if on the shore of a mighty ocean. He could see Lor-na, the ship's Helm and Navigations officer in the distance, this was only a representation of someone else who shared the nanospace of the Omnipresent with him, he could not call to her, and she could not hear him. His eyes darted through the stars; he could make out only a small number of friendly vessels in their proximity, one of which was the splendidly beautiful Halcyon, which seemed to drift through space with little to no effort.

Ekan sighted his first target, a light cruiser bearing toward the Halcyon, and gestured towards it with his hand. Lightning extended from his fingers with a crack, and the Omnipresent's fury was awakened. There was a bright light, and then the ship crumbled and faded. Three thousand bright lives extinguished in a moment, but Ekan couldn't focus on that. He had to fulfill his duty, lest more lives be lost. Fools, we will not be taken so easily.

On the private observation deck of the Halcyon sat a small figure. Her demure posture and shimmering white skin denoted Raifor nobility. She lifted a gloved hand and placed it upon the viewing glass, all around her was death, and she was the only cause. How many more must die, how many more already have?

They will see you killed, everything we have worked for ruined, and the Empire reduced to serving a Usurper. I don't only speak for myself your Majesty. We believe in you, in your vision. We're willing to die if it means that the Empire can exist under your wise and noble rule, for just a little longer.

Empress Kyreia turned to face her bodyguard, the noble warrior Aken Shi, a female Barbary who was a close relative of the High Marshal. What suffering must be wrought to ensure such a fleeting goal? I am not immortal, and even my rule has its limits. Someday I will die, and who is to say my chosen successor will not undo all I have done.

They were joined by a new voice, speaking from behind a veil. We cannot speak for the future. We can plan for it, but we must live in the present, and learn from the past. It is the way of the Raifor, no; it's the way of the infinite expanse. Even now, in some distant corner of the stars, there are beings like us, having a similar conversation, but know that it will not be wasted. All things must be learned, all knowledge must be passed on, the Expanse wastes nothing, it wants for nothing.

Kyreia normally would have scoffed at such a comment coming from Anmi. Her handmaiden was a wise and powerful aether Magus, but her philosophy and musings were far more dangerous than her aetheric arts. Kyreia jumped in her seat, and then let out a shuddering breath.

It’s one of theirs. That was a shot from the Omnipresent; it looks like my cousin isn't going to let the Kinslayer have her way so easily. There was an explosion closer to the Halcyon, though much smaller, another one of the armored suits attacking them was destroyed by their limited point defense capabilities. We're not much for the big fight, but we can at least protect ourselves from these little ones. The tall bodyguard put her clawed hand to her ear and listened for a moment, then nodded. We've been ordered by the High Marshal to escape.

And what of them, they'll be joining us shortly? Kyreia's face was twisted into one of fear and hope, much like a child being told that their favorite program was not going to be airing that day. Well, will they be coming?

Aken turned away and looked up at the viewing glass. I---

She was interrupted by Anmi, They’ll do their best, but if they were to join us, they would lead the enemy to us. It seems that this is where they will make their last stand. The First Fleet is a shallow husk of its former glory. Iloesten Kenos made sure of that, they can't fight the full might of the Kinslayer's fleet, but they can at least buy us some time. Their sacrifice won't be in vain.

No, I refuse. There are hundreds of thousands of soldiers on those cruisers, they'll be slaughtered for me, and I cannot accept it.

You do not have a choice Empress. This isn't a place where we can help, we need to retreat. We cannot stay and fight, and we cannot help them.

Kyreia looked up at the viewing screen, and watched as lives were extinguished in bright flashes of plasma. For the first time in her reign, she did what she was forbidden to do. She lowered her head and wept.

The command bridge of the Omnipresent had taken on a humidity that was uncommon aboard a star ship. The environmental control unit was malfunctioning. This, coupled with the fact they were taking heavy fire, meant the situation was approaching critical levels. It had been over ten marks since the Halcyon fled the battle. Ekan had seen them disappear, but they weren't within range of any shift points. He chalked it up to the mysterious way the ship disappeared from Raifor. The mission was nearly accomplished, but the price was heavy. The first fleet had seen over half of its number decimated, and there were many injured or dying on the remaining ships. The Omnipresent, the bulwark of the old Empire, had suffered its share of damage. Its shields had begun to fail, and the outer hull of the heavy cruiser was heating to unbearable levels.

The High Marshal knew the end was near, but she needed to know that her Empress was safe. She was in full uniform as she had been at the start of the battle, down to her heavy coat.  Her hair was tangled and matted to the side of her face, and her eyes ablaze with determination. Her face and hands were glistening with sweat. Her mouth was turned up in a fanged snarl.

Officer Con, have we re-established contact with the Halcyon yet?

No ma'am, we're still trying to reconnect to nanospace. That last attack really took its toll on us. High Marshal, I don't think we can do this for much longer.

As if the maker himself was confirming Con's hypothesis, the ship was rocked by an explosion. Her hull creaked and whined as it began to buckle; the weakened shields were all that was keeping the mighty cruiser from snapping in two.

The internal shield of the command center held, protecting the vital crew from any debris or damage, but it was only a matter of time before that too failed.

Commander, we're being asked to stand down by the High Duchess.

The Commander growled. It seemed as the battle pressed on, more and more of her Barbary heritage seeped through her Human facade. You tell that kin slaying whore that we'll never betray the Empress. If she had even an ounce of her namesake she would remember what honor was.

The young communication's officer didn't give a response, but the answer was clear enough when another barrage of plasma bombarded the side of the ship.  Then the ship was racked by a larger explosion, a radiation weapon detonated near the ships engines, stopping what little propulsion she still kept. Now the Omnipresent was helpless, save her weapons, which continued to fire at regular intervals. Without engines she was crippled, and without shields she was naked, laid bare for the projectiles to ravage her exposed hull.

A series of explosions shook the ship as it overheated, many of her key systems were reaching their limit, and the situation was well past the point of no return. The Omnipresent had been dealt a death sentence, as had her ten thousand crew members.

As the radiation seeped through the cracks in the hull, communication was lost with the drone and Armored Suit Hangar, and both of the point defense stations fell silent. Without point defense or small vessel support, the Omnipresent could not defend against a death by a thousand cuts, which, in her already crippled state, was more than overkill.

The command center, protected by its internal shield, had been safe from the radiation. The shields had started to fail when the power cores began to fall silent, their maintenance and monitoring crews likely killed by radiation or explosions.

The commander stood tall, her yellow eyes like glass starring into the main view screen. She pressed a button on her console. All crew, abandon this vessel. Find your way to the nearest escape pod and await further orders.

A few crew members in the command center gathered themselves and ran to the portal. They pressed on a few buttons and stepped through the dim green light which appeared. But as one of them passed through, the portal failed, taking off his leg.

There wasn't much to do after that. Anyone left in the command center was damned, but by staying they volunteered. The communications officer had never left his seat, neither did Ekan, he sat and continued to fire. Beads of sweat ran down his skin, and the intense heat was causing his vision to blur. The High Marshal put a hand on his shoulder. Don't stop firing, no matter what. They need as much time as they can get.

There's no point in evacuating, she'll destroy their escape pods, and they’ll be slaughtered. Con stood from his chair and looked at the view screen.

You don't think I know that? That's why I haven't given the order to evacuate yet. She heaved a sigh and straightened her jacket. Give it everything we can, we're going to make you do just a little bit more work for us tonight my sweet.

The image of a young man appeared on the video screen; he gave a wry smile and saluted. Then the engines of the Omnipresent fired for the last time. The ship moved slowly, but it was moving. Then the engines stopped, and an explosion wracked the twisted remains of the Omnipresent.

Con, tell Duchess Rai Kenos that any and all escape vessels are soldiers who have surrendered, and they're to be protected at all costs.

Con managed to connect to the Duchess. He seemed surprised, and then pressed a button on his console to bring up the image of the Duchess on the main screen. The radiation and damage was interfering with the transmission, but the figure before them was clearly the Duchess.

You should have listened to me High Marshal. All of this bloodshed could have been averted; it doesn't matter where she ran to. We'll find her and we will kill her, then this senseless rebellion of yours can finally stop. I'll let your foolish fleet live, as long as they swear loyalty to the true Emperor of the Raifor. Otherwise their lives are forfeit. Goodbye High Marshal may the light guide you to peace.

Con! Tell them to launch now! There's not much time!

The few escape pods that could launch were successfully away, many of them soared into the debris; others attempted to flee for the star. These would use their light star drives to make a run for a nearby friendly system. They were followed by the telltale plasma trails of crusaders.  The High Marshal rested in her chair, and a look of peace crossed her face. Good luck Cousin.

The Omnipresent fired one last shot, striking an enemy cruiser. There was a flash, then a large explosion. The plasma of her power core ripped through the shields of many ships within range, and even in her death throes she managed to take a few of the enemy with her. When the light faded there was only debris where once stood the mightiest ship of the First Fleet.

Chapter One

Aosen awoke from his dream, and immediately felt his stomach lurch. He leaned over his bed and retched for a moment, but there was nothing expelled. Relieved that he wouldn't have to clean anything off of his floor this morning, he rolled back over and rested his head on his pillow. He closed his eyes and listened to the sound of his heart beating as he recalled the dream.

His head throbbed as he tried to wrap it around the symbolism. While the younger races were blessed with some degree of parity in their dreams, Yen Sha like Aosen rarely had them. When they did dream, their dreams were often symbolic or meaningful.

The dream had not been particularly terrifying. Before this he had dreamed of battles as well as his own death and been less disturbed by them, even though he knew they could be prophetic indications of his demise. They never were, they usually meant someone would die in combat, but it was never him. This dream, of snakes and trees floating in the void of space was quite a bit different. When he opened his eyes again he was nearly blinded by the automatic lighting in the bunker. He raised a hand to shield them and sat up on his bed. When they finally adjusted the first thing he saw was his distorted reflection in the polished metal wall. He noted that had lost some weight.

He looked down at his nanoband, the small wristband which monitored his vitals as well as supplied him with information and a connection to nanospace, and checked for the time. It was still early evening on the surface, even though it felt like morning to him down here. He steeled himself and climbed out of bed, and was almost immediately thrown back onto it by the large wings of his pet Dern. Aosen could tell that this was no playful attack; Dern didn't know the meaning of play. They were protectors and hunters, but never playful. As he eyed the large red bird he could see that she was concerned for him.

Aosen brushed past his companion and started to get dressed. Come on, you couldn't possibly be worried about me Crien, it was only a dream, nothing to worry about. You've been less concerned when I've come back with plasma burns.

Crien flapped her wings in response, her bright red feathers giving off an almost metallic sheen in the bunker's bright white lights. Dern were believed to have some low level connection to the aether which allowed them to see into the minds of those they had bonded to, and a bonded female tended to play the role of concerned mother more than loving companion. Crien folded her wings and rested on her perch, her black eyes fixed on him daring him to continue his lies.

He slipped an arm through his combat jacket. The plasma burn on the right side was an indication of how close he'd come to death. The reinforced material had saved him once, but it wouldn't a second time. There wasn't much the combat jacket would do for him now that the planet had been bombarded.

He inspected himself in the ‘mirror’. At one hundred and seventy-one Centi Imperial Length Units, or CiILU he wasn't the tallest Yen Sha, but he was hardly the shortest. His frame, which before the war started had been filled out and even bearing muscles in some places, was growing slender and more to the fashion of his people. His silver hair was beginning to lose its luster, though this had more to do with his maturation than any amount of stress the war had placed on him and the tips of his ears were developing into a fine point.

On his home planet he would have been nearing adulthood, still mostly a child, but among the younger races, he had been an adult for quite some time. The orange eyes which stared back at him almost didn't seem his own. Where there had once been youthful fire, there was now only a grim determination. He raised a hand to his face, ignoring the slight stubble that had begun to grow there and instead focused on the white cuts and scratches which were intruding on his caramel skin. He shrugged to himself and turned toward the portal, he didn't have time to focus on frivolities like that.

He looked down to his wrist as his nanoband flashed yellow and gave off a low tone; this was an indication of the radiation level in the area. It had entered levels that would be dangerous if exposed to them for a long period of time. 

Crien screeched softly and flapped her wings. Yes, I know I shouldn't dawdle. You know, Crien, I think that my mother sent you to me just so she could nag me from halfway across the galaxy. He smiled at his companion and walked toward the portal in the front of his quarters.

In most cases the portal could be used to travel nearly anywhere on the planet, all that was required was the proper address. Then you could be moved to any other active portal on Erelia. The bombardment had severed the connection. Radiation had a way of messing with portal travel, but due to the bunker's shielding it was still capable of local transit. He tapped on his nanoband, and the portal shifted slightly in color from a dim yellow to a bright green. He stepped through the gentle light, and into chaos.

He knew exactly what to expect, soldiers moving through the corridors which made up the central hub of the bunker, many of them weak and wounded. Civilians were lining the sides of the corridors, there were so many of them, yet not enough. Most of them were huddled together and hunched over, they had seen their homes destroyed, their friends and loved ones killed. Those who were fortunate enough to escape injury, and had already overcome their shock, were looking to help in any way they could. Some soldiers were directing them to the hangar.

Aosen thought back to how things had looked before he went to his quarters, and he felt a sense of relief that the situation had improved at least this much. After two weeks in the bunker there were still so few people gathered. When they were initially ordered into the bunker only the soldiers were present. They were able to send out parties to rescue and recover civilians. Unfortunately that was the last he heard of the General. Aosen feared for his commanding officer. But, he knew that it was his responsibility to ensure the safety of his people and the civilians. At least it was partly his responsibility.

As Aosen proceeded down the corridor he noticed that he was being approached by a portly Kenosian with a balding head and weary eyes. He observed as a blonde haired man with an eye patch spotted his approach and quickly cut him off. The Kenosian’s exasperated expression indicated that this wasn't the first time he'd tried. Aosen thought he recognized the man, but couldn't place the face. The blonde man pointed at Aosen and the young Commander found himself flanked by a small escort.

What's this? You lot don't think I can make it to Command by myself today?

One of the soldiers, was a young Arenian woman with a scar running down the left side of her face. Aosen recognized her as Sergeant Qin. It's not that sir, officer Seika is just acting on the orders of Commander Kai. She doesn't want you getting distracted today, says there's something you need to see in Command right away. We were given the task of making sure you don't wander off to the hangar again.

Aosen felt his heart jump. The prospect of news was exciting, and the possibility they had made contact with allies on the planet, or off-world, was enough to make him quicken his step. He checked his nanoband, but found that there was still no connection to nanospace. That ruled out the possibility of contact. Did Kai give any indication as to the sense of urgency?

No sir, she simply said, and I quote. ‘The mark you see Commander Yenra you make sure to get him here, we can't afford to have him wandering off like he did yesterday.' Her imitation of Kai was more than a little humorous.

As he entered the military bloc, he was greeted by some of the soldiers who had served directly under his command in the past two years, the first specialists of the First Erelian corps nicknamed the Dern eyes. They were hardly a crack team, but under most circumstances they were one of the best fighting units in the system, though they were tailored for reconnaissance and stealth missions. As a field commander it was Aosen's job to ensure those circumstances, which he had done well during the early months of the war. He knew there was very little that could be done about star ships bombarding you from orbit. Indiscriminate radiation bombardment was considered a war crime, but with the core systems in strife, there was no one to punish it. Aosen felt his stomach begin to churn again and cleared his throat to keep from retching.

He took note of some of the soldiers lining the corridor as he passed them by. Many of them were injured, others merely battered and bruised. A feeling of overwhelming pride filled him as they offered their salutes, and he returned them in kind. The pride was overtaken by an overwhelming sense of defeat. What use was it in being the best if you didn't have a ship? It didn't matter how clever your field Commander was if he was stuck on the ground. Someone had failed his men, but it wasn't Aosen.

You're about as easy to read as a children's news feed. A woman's voice said from behind him. The voice was soft and soothing yet held an overwhelming sense of authority. We've been over this Aosen. You're not to blame here; we chose the side of the war that doesn't exactly have the fleets to spare at the moment. Especially not since Rensam and Homenan. And who knows whether our cause still endures.

Aosen smiled to himself, and felt his entire body relax. Her voice had this effect on him. Perhaps you're right Kai, but I could have done more. As they spoke, Kai fell into step with him. We could have saved more.

Kai glanced at him and let out a sigh. "Is that so? Tell me then Aosen, how were