Captain Justo Saga, Valley of Bones Log 2.2: The Seratian Betrayal

By Stephen Miller

Leaving Earth and traveling billions of light years away, was never going to be easy for Captain Justo. Taking Christopher and Daniel on as new crewmembers, together with the rest of their family, makes the voyage even more challenging. Add in crazy Uncle Cenric, a bona fide Seratian pirate, and his best friend Tucker, who thinks he’s an Atlantean Knight, and the voyage becomes nearly impossible.
The starship Isian has been waiting on a moon orbiting a black hole for over two years. A holographic humanoid named Crazy Legs has kept the ship functioning during this time but the gravitational forces of the black hole is ready to break apart the whole moon, including the ship, at any moment. And now Uncle Cenric, who has always been odd, is acting even more dangerous...making even his family question his loyalty.
And finally, to the horror of both brothers, their beautiful older sister is making moves on Captain Justo! How can they depend on his good judgment when she is turning him into a lovesick fool? They may be able to discover and stop the wild plans of uncle Cenric...but who can stop the attractive powers of Amber Sterling?

• Language: English
• Publisher: V&E Enterprises
• Release date: Dec 7, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370263141

Stephen Miller

Stephen Miller is a creator and entrepreneur who has grown his platform to nearly one million followers in just two years through his show The Miller Fam, a channel that displays the beauty of diversity and adoption featuring his large, diverse, adoptive family of nine. No clickbait. No fake drama. Just a story that says, “Where grace guides, we'll go.” With over fifteen years of ministry in some of the nation's largest churches, Stephen has recorded six studio albums and is the author of Liberating King and Worship Leaders, We Are Not Rock Stars.

Book preview

Preparing to Enter A Space Vortex

Captain Justo and Amber walked into the command center to find the rest of the family looking up at the large panoramic monitors that showed the position of the starship in relation to the universe around it. Some screens displayed where they were going and others where they had been.

Earth appeared on the main monitor as a large blue ball, filling the entire main screen. Soon the blue oceans with white swirling clouds got smaller until the whole planet floated in front of them in a sea of black.

Goodbye, Earth, Amber sighed.

After a few minutes the moon floated past them. Instead of a bright yellow ball it looked gray and granite-like. Captain Justo motioned for everyone to sit in an acceleration chair to get more comfortable. No one said a word, not even Tucker, who was seated, eating from another bag of chips and drinking a cup of orange juice. The beauty of the universe surrounded them, mesmerizing even Katie and Hannah.

While the family was enjoying the view, Captain Justo stepped down the hall to the sick bay and checked on Cenric. He was fully maximized and lying comfortably on a raised hospital bed with blue laser rays moving around his head. Toakase, the large Polynesian medic, guided the therapeutic pulses with pinpoint accuracy.

Is he going to be all right? Captain Justo asked with concern in his voice.

He’ll be just fine after he wakes from his coma, she smiled. "But don’t expect miracles. I can’t make him any more cheerful then when he started. He’s a deeply conflicted man. The sooner we get him aboard the Isian the better. Your ship has better equipment than mine does."

Captain Justo walked out of the sick bay room and strolled down the hall. His feelings were almost getting the best of him. His worry for Cenric was pressing on him, but his new emotions for Amber were even more worrisome. He knew he didn’t have time for a romance, but every fiber in his being was saying something different.

Is Cenric going to be OK? Mrs. Sterling asked as the young captain walked back into the room.

I think so, he answered, sitting in his command chair and trying not to stare at Amber. He just needs time to heal.

As they approached Mars and its moons, Christopher sat up in his seat a little taller. See, Mom? he said happily, "Mars isn’t that far away.

Not that far away! she moaned. Compared to what?

Compared to where we are going, Mr. Sterling reminded her, kissing her on the hand.

Mrs. Sterling squirmed in her seat a little and gave him a worried look.

It’s OK, sweetheart, he said kindly. We’ll be fine.

The starship Seratian flew just beyond Phobos, the second moon rotating around Mars, and started a large arc around the sun.

Why aren’t we going on to Saturn or Jupiter? Bethany asked, noticing the sun coming back into view.

"We have to open a portal to fly to the Isian, Captain Justo answered. It would take us over 1600 years to get to it at nearly the speed of light. I don’t think we have that much time."

So we’re going through a real space vortex? Daniel asked excitedly.

As real as they come, he assured.

Are we going to be OK? Mrs. Sterling asked. I’ve heard people can die in these things.

That’s true, Marion agreed, turning to the family to talk to them. Katie and Hannah won’t have any trouble. They’re both too young to be accountable for their actions. Eva is pretty young too and I think she’ll be fine. I need to test Bethany and Amber to see if they can handle the voyage. Come over here, please.

What do we do? Amber asked after walking with Bethany to where he was standing.

Just show me your diamond bracelets, said Marion.

Amber lifted her hand toward Captain Justo. He touched each gem one by one and smiled. Your turn, Bethany, he said cheerfully. Bethany extended her hand to the space captain and he did the same thing.

They still sparkle, he smiled. You should both be able to pass through the vortex without major problems.

I don’t get it, Amber said, confused. What does sparkling have to do with anything? Were these diamonds analyzing us?

Yes, but… Captain Justo answered before being cut off.

So if they didn’t sparkle what would that mean?

It would mean, he stammered, that your virtue was compromised.

Compromised? she continued. As in not virtuous?

Well, they were protectors, too, Marion admitted.

Protectors? she asked more forcefully. What do you mean by that?

They protected your virtue, he explained. It was the best gift I could think of.

You gave me diamonds that forced me to be virtuous?

It doesn’t work that way, Marion explained, sorry he had upset her. They don’t force you to do anything. They whisper how important you are. They remind you that you’re special, valuable and unique. They bring out the very best in you; I thought you would like that.

So, you think I’m special, valuable and unique? she asked just as directly. Is that why you gave them to me?

Of course. I think all of you are special.

I told you! Daniel moaned, looking at Christopher with disgust. As soon as we let Amber in on anything she takes it over.

Please be quiet, Daniel, Amber asked, annoyed, bending over to catch a glimpse of Captain Justo’s blue eyes. He hasn’t answered my question yet. Do you think I’m special?

Yes, Marion blurted.

Valuable and unique as well? she asked, with a smile forming on her face.

That goes without saying, he answered, becoming more confident with the direction of the conversation.

Well, a girl still likes hearing it, she grinned, playing with her diamonds. I think you’re pretty cool yourself.

Amber strolled away, still playing with her bracelet, and sat back in her chair. She looked up at Captain Justo and smiled coyly. I’m ready; let’s get going!

We’re doomed. Daniel groaned.

Be nice, boys, Mrs. Sterling demanded.

Hey, I didn’t say anything! Christopher protested. I agree with him, but I didn’t say anything!

As for you two boys, said the captain. If it wasn’t for your Dream Teachers, I don’t know if there would be anything powerful enough to prepare you for the space vortex… wait a second, I’ll be right back.

* * * * * * * * * *

Captain Justo jumped up from his command chair and ran to his quarters.

What does that mean? Christopher asked, getting worried.

It means we’re gunna die! Daniel smiled, watching as Christopher sneered comically back.

Captain Justo came back from his room holding something golden and shiny in his hand. Look what I found, he beamed.

My Dream Teacher, Christopher exploded. He ran over to where Captain Justo was standing. I can’t believe it. Where did you find it?

It was hidden in the safe at your grandparents house, Captain Justo smiled, handing the precious tool to the boy. Tucker found it.

Yeah, and it crushed a whole bag of potato chips, Tucker frowned.

Thanks for finding it, Christopher smiled, giving Tucker a pat on the back.

You’re welcome, said Tucker. But you owe me a bag of potato chips.

This is the best day ever, said Daniel. Now we can use our Dream Teachers together again.

Aren’t you afraid? Bethany asked with real concern in her voice.

Bring it on! Daniel boasted, holding up his Dream Teacher. I’m not afraid.

Not about going into that, she said seriously, I’m talking about going through a real space vortex. It sounds scary.

Nah, Daniel laughed. I’ve been through it a hundred times. The pain isn’t so bad…once you get used to it!

Marion shook his head. Mrs. Sterling, could you please trade places with Bethany. I need you to be next to your son once his hearts stops beating and he can’t breathe anymore.

What do you mean by that? Daniel froze. You mean my heart stops beating for real?

For real, Marion said solemnly, so you had better take this seriously or you may not survive.

Are you saying I really could die? Like dead, dead?

Yes, Marion insisted, dead, dead! There’s a fully operational morgue in the rearward compartments of the ship, complete with refrigerated caskets to hold the dead bodies. My 9th-Great-Grandfather taught Isian starship crews how to survive the voyage into the space vortex. For his discovery he was rewarded the title, Admiral of Kings. I’d hate for you to finish this voyage in a box, so pay attention to my instructions.

Yes sir, Daniel obeyed, trying not to make another sound.

* * * * * * * * * *

The principles of the Eight Pearls of Is were discovered nine generations ago by my direct ancestor, Albert Justo, Marion began. He taught that the space vortex is a river of living energy that travels throughout the universe. There is no decay in a space vortex, so machines can’t operate. Just like any other machine, the body stops working inside the river of fire. The human soul, however, is not biological; it’s made of the same living energy as the space vortex and comes alive once inside the eternal river. If a person has properly strengthened his or her soul through virtuous living, it will take over the functions of the body during the voyage.

And what would happen to someone if they weren’t a good person? Bethany whispered.

If the soul of a voyager is weak and unrepentant through thoughtless and selfish living, the heart stops beating, the blood freezes in its veins. A hundred trips to the dentist without painkiller would be preferable and death a blessing. There is nothing more painful than an undying soul trapped in a motionless body within the space vortex.

Daniel gulped so loud, Captain Justo could hear it three seats away. How can I remember all Eight Pearls? Daniel panicked. I can’t even remember my times tables!

I’ll tell them to you again, just as a reminder, Captain Justo offered.

"I need Eternal Life; therefore I must humbly submit to the will of God in all things.

"I need hope; therefore I must plan for the future, recognizing and enduring the pain of my mistakes, restoring any harm with a firm determination to improve.

"I need prosperity; therefore I must meekly serve others.

"I need competence; therefore I must discover and follow the truth path to perfection.

"I need security; therefore I must obey the laws of economy, society and family.

"I need strength; therefore I must purify my body, thoughts and passions.

"I need love from others; therefore I must be a peacemaker and extend charity to all.

"I need autonomy; therefore I must sacrifice for what I believe in and allow others to do the same.

Of all the Pearls, the First Pearl is the most important. Captain Justo explained. The First Pearl of Is teaches that we all need eternal life, therefore we must submit to the will of God in all things. Here is the key: the will of God is for his children to be tested in mortality, raised from the dead, judged with justice and mercy, then redeemed to a state of endless happiness or misery. Eternal life is eternal youth, and eternal youth is eternal happiness.

Daniel and I have been tested by the Dream Teacher for a year and a half, Christopher stated. What do killer black dogs have to do with the First Pearl of Is?

What do you remember about the training? Marion asked. curious.

Oh, there’s lots to remember, Christopher grimaced. Black dogs biting, chasing, and tearing apart, all with those glowing red eyes ready to kill.

And how about you, Daniel? Marion asked. What do you remember?

Red eyes, black fur, snarling, slashing teeth, oh yeah, I remember everything. What does it all mean?

Don’t you get it? Marion asked. "The dogs represent mortality. Their chasing, biting and howling represent the persistent threat of death constantly nipping at your heels. The first reality of existence is that without