Balamar: A Novel

By James Gregory Maynard

An unheard of event, on the Island of Balamar, cast I'm into a role she neither
desired nor anticipated. As she pursues the perpetrator of the dark claim that
claimed her leader's life, Im discovers that there is a web of conspiracy at work.
Compelled to assume her leader's mission to defend the sacred Lamzool forest,
she soon finds her own life threatened. Determined to unravel the web of
deceit that has stained the fiber of Balamar governance, Im, with the help of
her loyal Tam and constituents pledge to end the threats to her life and the
Lamzool forest, and hold the schemers accountable.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jun 24, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543903430

Book preview

Eating

Chapter 1

On the fringe of the Milky Way, a great sun anchors fifteen planets on varying orbits. All but the fifth planet are lifeless and have few distinguishable characteristics. The fifth planet, however, stands forth among all others as a sparkling jewel lying upon the black velvet inter-space of the universe. Hues of blues, shades of green and brown are painted across the equatorial belt, while wisps of white and gray clouds wind and feather over the orb. Three whitish-gray moons whirl about the planet on different orbits.

Since the galaxy’s birth, the fifth planet’s proximity to its sun had created an environment unique in the universe. Life formed over billions of years, throughout the ocean and on the various volcanic islands, large and small, that formed around the equatorial belt.

Ten degrees below the equatorial line sits the large oblong island nation of Balamar. At the center of the island stands the dead volcanic mountain, Bal, from which the island takes its name. Lush green foothills surround Bal’s stone gray spire, which makes up one third of the land mass, the balance are gently sloping plains flowing outward to the cliffs surrounding the island. Strong currents and angry ocean have worn away at Bal’s granite base, forming thirty-meter high cliffs ringing the entire island.

The island’s center line through the oblong length is parallel to the equator. The end that sees the rising sun is called the Front Side and the trailing end witnessing sunsets the Back Side. Sitting above the equator results in the top side of the island being perpetually in the shadows of Bal, resulting in a cooler climate. It is called the Cool Side. The side closer to the equator is the Warm Side.

At the tip of the Front Side, built along the cliff, is the capital city of the island. The half-moon-shaped city has grown to nearly thirty percent of the island’s population of shalomans over the past twenty-five circuits of the sun (Each circuit takes 425 planet revolutions to make the orbit and each revolution is thirty increments in time.)

At the center of Front Side City on a low plateau are assorted buildings of the island’s high government, which have preeminent authority over all governmental entities throughout the island. The authority of the government was established during the first circuit, when shalomans began officially recording time. Prior to the recording of time, there were three warring tribal factions who, until Circuit One, were in perpetual conquest for control of the island. In the circuits preceding One, there came to be very wise and forward thinking leaders of each tribe who formed a council to put an end to the never-ending hardship on the island’s inhabitants caused by the ongoing conflict. Twelve members of the council presented the three leaders with laws and regulations for governing the island. Pleased with their work the leaders and council members signed them into law and named them The Codex Axiom. In the 789 circuits since the signing there have been only a few minor amendments to this governing document.

Throughout the islands recorded history there were great advancements in the standard of living and well-being of the citizens. Crime was substantially quelled, especially violent crime. While there were incidences of crime primarily in the low zones inhabited by those of lessor capabilities, there were virtually none in the high zones of the cities and the centers of government power. Taking a life was rare even in the low zones and unheard of in the high zones, government centers, and the central government zone in Front Side City…until today.

Chapter 2

In the warm side quadrant of the House of Lords building, facing the ocean, Im stood in the entrance of her work pod. She was watching Chief Teldar, leader of Front Side Security, directing his staff through the forensic protocols in the chambers of her leader, Lord Onor. His form lay still across his work table, where she had found him.

From the periphery she saw a form walk through the chamber’s entrance. She turned and flinched. He walked to her and cupped her chin between his thumb and two fingers. Lord Villi chortled, My, a delight you are to the senses, Im. Lord Onor was fortunate to have you at his side.

She saw his irises narrow in focus and nostrils flare to read her reaction.

Don’t, Lord Villi, please. Im, a receiver, pulled back from Lord Villi’s personal suggestions. Her eyes flashed wide open with fear and then snapped back narrow with disgust. She took a deep breath to settle her emotions, regain control of those expressed in the eyes and the pheromones the glands emit. She knew Lord Villi was a master at interpreting such nonverbal cues.

Forgive me, Im. I was only trying to cheer you at this difficult time.

Forgive my reaction, good Lord, a sad shock this is.

Yes, my dear, tragic it is. And, at such an important time for the loyal opposition, is it not. Lord Villi’s eyes flickered with a quick uncharacteristic flash. His lip curled slightly when he spoke the word tragic.

A most perceptive Im read Lord Villi clearly, and fear coursed through her. She quickly bowed her head and lowered her eyelids to hide her fear. I must go, please excuse me. Im hid her eye expression, but she knew Lord Villi’s nostrils were flared wide, picking up her scent of fear.

Such a talent as yours need not be wasted in the loss of Lord Onor, dear Im. A job with my staff is available when you are ready to resume duties in the House.

Thank you, honorable Lord. I will consider your offer. Turning away, Im shuffled quickly into her work pod.

Lord Villi turned his attention to the activities surrounding his great adversary. He strode up to where Teldar stood before the writing table of Lord Onor, staring at his lifeless form. The security staff were taking pictures and measurements, collecting any possible evidence of wrong doing.

Teldar He nodded. An unfortunate passage for the good Lord. Succumbed to what, do you suppose?

They both watched the staff lower Onor’s form to the floor and begin a scan for evidence of any injury. There is no obvious cause, Lord Villi. Perhaps consumption, he was aged.

Careful good Chief, he was my age. A snide smile flashed at Teldar.

Teldar did not respond to the snipe. Onor’s form will be sent to the infirmary to have his system inspected for a cause. We should know in a few days.

Yes Chief, know we should. Of course, you will notify me as soon as you learn something.

Of course, good Lord. You will be the first to know.

Good. He knew he could bend Teldar to his desires. Without his public endorsement, Teldar would have never been elected Chief of Security. I own you, good Chief.

Chapter 3

Sitting in the low amber light of her pod, the flash of Lord Villi’s eyes played over and over in Im’s mind. She knew Lord Onor’s address to the House of Lords Ruling Council tomorrow would kill Lord Villi’s efforts to open up the Preservation Territory (the Preserve.) Would Lord Villi go to the extreme of terminating Lord Onor to prevent defeat? She wondered.

Im, what has happened? Startled, Im, facing away from the entrance, turned only her head to look at her fellow assistant. Tam stood in the opening of her pod looking toward the group of security staff surrounding Lord Onor’s table.

Im’s body swiveled on her pedestal until her entire form faced Tam. Tam stepped into the pod. She saw his nose flare, to pick up her emotional scent. You’re in fear. Why?

Lord Onor has passed.

Passed? His eyes widened. What is your meaning, passed?

Lord Onor has passed to the other side. I found him on his desk, lying still.

How? He was in good health when I last saw him. Impossible.

Yes, he was in good health. I fear his passage was not natural.

Not natural, what is the meaning of not natural? Are you saying he was terminated? Who would brave such a thing? How could he not be seen in such an act, in this office? Who would do such a thing?

Im’s opened her eyes wide and stared directly into Tam’s. She bit off two words, Lord Villi.

He reacted as she’d expected. His eyes widened with astonishment at her allegation. His nose flared fully. How can you say such a thing?

"Lost his composure, did Lord Villi, for a brief moment, when we talked about Lord Onor’s address tomorrow. His eyes flashed a vicious contempt for Lord Onor. His lip curled mockingly when he spoke the word tragic. I do not know how he did it, but in some way he was involved, I fear. He did not want Onor to make his address tomorrow."

Tam sat down on the pedestal before Im’s work table and silently considered her words.

Im looked toward the entrance of her work pod when she heard footsteps. Chief Teldar peered into the pod. She glared at Lord Villi’s stoic stance, his hands clasped behind his back, off to the Chief’s side. Makes himself obvious, he does.

Excuse me Im, we are leaving. Lord Onor’s form will be sent to the infirmary for further inspection. Will you be working here on the next sunrise? Teldar asked.

Yes.

I will send our best inspector to interview you tomorrow. The Chief nodded goodbye and stepped around Lord Villi, following his staff and Lord Onor’s form.

Hello, Tam. Nice to see that you have safely returned from the Cool Side. I trust your mission was fruitful. Unmoved, Lord Villi glared at Tam.

Why thank you good Lord. Fruitful it was. Regret I do that Lord Onor is not here to witness the information I have gathered. I am sure it would have pleased him. Im smiled when Tam, unfazed by Villi’s customary aggressive behavior toward providers of a lower rank, gave his cheerful response.

She saw Villi’s lip curl and his eyes flash in anger at Tam’s arrogance. Useless it is now. He snarled, turned and left.

Tam embraced Im’s eyes. Right you are, Im. Somehow Villi is involved.

I do not know how to prove it, but we must. Im’s scent of fear gave way to anger and retribution.

Come, we must look for Lord Onor’s address to the Council. Tam leapt from his seat and strode toward Onor’s work table. Im followed him, scanning the chambers to see if anyone was still there.

I checked the recorder and found the disk missing. I found no scribed copy here. Perhaps, he left it in his domicile. He gave me a pass card. We must go there before the investigators do. Im explained.

Im and Tam took a shuttle, the principal form of transportation within the city, arriving at Lord Onor’s domicile at twenty-five increments. It was a late hour. There were few forms on the byways. At the entrance to Onor’s domicile, they found the door standing partially open and illumination on. Tam stepped through the entrance first, nose fully flared and his bat-like ears fully extended. There was no sign of anybody there. The entire domicile was in disarray. Someone had beaten them here. After a search, they did not find a copy of Lord Onor’s address. Tam whispered, Villi.

Chapter 4

At seven increments after sunrise, Inspector Wa stepped into Im’s pod. Excuse me, I am Inspector Wa. I am here to discuss Lord Onor’s passage. Are you Im?

Yes. When will you know how and why he passed?

Wa’s eyes flashed, surprised by Im’s assertive tone. He flared and studied her eyes, recognizing her aggression. Another day, perhaps. They are doing the lab work. That takes some time before results are known. What are you concerned about?

I will be to the point, Inspector. Aged was Lord Onor, but his systems checkup twenty sunrises ago demonstrated they were like a form of fewer than one hundred circuits. Two thirds of a shaloman’s typical lifespan. I believe Onor’s passage was not natural.

You think he was terminated? That is a very bold assumption. What evidence do you have to make such an assessment that we in security do not have? A suspect you have in mind? Wa immediately regretted the sarcasm lacing the last question.

It was Lord Villi. I am sure.

Wa’s eyes widened with astonishment and disbelief. What is this you say? What proof do you have of such an outrageous accusation about the most powerful leader in the land? You must be careful to not let your terrible loss create distorted thinking. Wa had recently graduated at the top of his class at the Island University and was recognized as a highly capable analyst, which was why he assumed he had been assigned to the investigation unit. Having only worked several minor theft-related cases, this was his first case related to passage.

Wa sensed irritation when her tone of voice turned icy. Tell me, inspector, just what is it you know of Lord Onor’s passage?

Wa’s squinted at the apparent challenge to his abilities. You found Lord Onor, at approximately 21:35. He’d been working late on his address to the House about the Preserve. Lying still he was on his table with no indication of physical violence, but fluids from his mouth were on the table. His form is now with the infirmary technicians. They will scan it for cause of passage. I have spoken with Lord Villi who was with him for a short time at 20:40. They discussed the address, then he left. He said Lord Onor seemed fine during their meeting. Now, I am here to learn what you know of this.

Learn what I know? Then please listen carefully. This is what I know. Lord Onor had a systems check at the infirmary twenty circuits past and was found to be very well. Lord Villi was last to see Lord Onor before his passage. Lord Villi and Lord Onor surely argued harshly about the address Lord Onor was preparing for today. Lord Onor was lying still when I found him, the disk of his address was removed from his recorder. Tam and I went to Lord Onor’s domicile looking for a copy of the address. When we arrived, we found the door ajar. Someone had been there and had searched everywhere. They were looking for other copies of the address. We did not find a copy.

I have not been to Lord Onor’s domicile, yet. Another crime scene it seems. I must go there. Is this all you know?

There is more. Drayga, Lord Villi’s lead assistant, was at the meeting with Lord Onor. Lord Onor had sent me to do research. Tam was returning from the Preserve. As I was leaving, Lord Villi and Drayga walked in. I should have stayed.

I know this. I talked to Drayga. He confirmed Lord Villi’s story.

Expect he would…loyal he is…too loyal.

Anything more?

Lord Villi is a master of his emotions. But when giving his condolences, instead of remorse at the passage of someone he’s served in the House with for over thirty circuits, Lord Villi’s eyes strangely flashed and his lip curled in hatred. Wa recognized that Im was watching for his reaction. Probably expecting dismissal of her interpretation of the incident.

The Chief warned me that you might claim a conspiracy over a natural event.

Im huffed. Villi and Teldar are friends. Too close is my feeling. Lord Villi is clever with his alliances. Always leveraging his relationships. A favor here, a favor there, his power and control he buys, at a terrible cost to the citizens.

Lord Villi was at our office this morning. He was leaving Chief Teldar’s pod just before the Chief called me in and assigned this case to me. Wa began to see a few pieces of the puzzle coming together. A simple coincidence?

When this occurred where was Tam? Wa continued.

Gone to the Cool Side, he had to talk to scientist about the Preserve. He arrived back here just as the Security staff’s investigation concluded.

Where is he now?

Looking for a copy of the address. Lord Onor was careful. He would have made more than one copy. There must be a copy somewhere.

Im, what you have told me may be a simple coincidence. Unless there is more conclusive evidence, what more can be said?

Wait we must for the infirmary’s report. They surely will find unnatural causes. When do you expect to know the details of their report?

A preliminary report will be issued after the next sunrise. A friend I graduated with works for the technician in charge of the system check. I will talk to her.

Will you let me know what you learn from him?

Her

Her?

My friend is a receiver.

Ah, I see. A close friend she is?

Wa’s eyes flickered nervously and he caught himself. I thought I was supposed to be asking the questions?

Excuse me, Inspector. I seem to have touched a nerve. A special friend she must be.

He smiled recognizing her malicious goad. She’s a quick one.

I must go. I will check at the infirmary. Contact me if you find any more information.

He felt the mood change when she flashed him a grateful look. Call I will, and so shall you.

Chapter 5

Im looked up from her work table when Tam walked into her pod, defeat reflected on his face. I can find no evidence of another copy of the address. Villi’s cohorts must have gotten to them. What can we do?

Nothing yet. I spoke with the Inspector. Teldar assigned a new graduate. Inspector Wa saw Villi in Teldar’s pod. He is thorough in his scheming. So, more thorough we must be in ours. Im sat numbly thinking that Villi would evade the truth. A flash crossed her face as she turned toward Tam. We should know tomorrow what the form scan will produce. We must be ready.

Bewilderment blanketed Tam’s face. Ready for what?

To set a trap.

An orange glow rimmed the horizon, slowly widening like a gilded veil rising over the darkness. Im and Tam sat at Lord Onor’s table. Tam looked up from the recorder, out through the curved window that spanned the length of the chamber, facing the sunrise. The day is beginning.

Im took the disk from the recorder and tapped it on her palm. We have captured the essense of Onor’s speech. Now we must make copies. Go seek Inspector Wa. Ask what he has learned from the infirmary. I will make an appointment to see Lord Villi.

Chapter 6

Im walked to Lord Villi’s chambers mentally rehearsing her approach to set him up for entrapment. The halls of the House were bustling with Lords, constituents and a gaggle of reporters from the media. She heard bits and pieces of the buzz about Lord Onor’s passage - the tragedy of it…the horror of it…what’s to be done. She hesitated a moment outside the entrance to Villi’s chamber, took a deep breath to calm herself, then stepped in and went to Drayga’s chambers. Is he in?

Drayga glanced up and nodded toward the Lord’s chambers. Accustomed to his loathing of a strong receiver in such a high position, Im thanked him and walked in to take on Lord Villi.

He was seated behind his work table and stood up to greet her. How nice it is to see you so soon again, dear Im. I was planning to beckon you to my chambers. A convenient pleasure your calling is.

Lord Villi seems in a high mood, mused Im. Supremely confident. A convenient coincidence, good Lord? Please proceed with your business, as mine is assuredly less significant.

As you know, House business cannot proceed until a temporary form replaces our dearly departed Lord Onor. Important matters require urgency in seeking this replacement. As the Majority Leader, the Supreme Council of the House has tasked me with appointing a shaloman of his party and region to Onor’s seat. I am selecting you, Im. You were closest to him. What do you say? You must accept, my dear.

Stunned by this development, and, although Im knew the rules of the House well, her focus on seeking revenge against Villi had distracted her attention away from this obvious move. This is a surprise, Lord Villi. Might I reflect on this for a few increments and respond to you later?

Of course, Im. I expected you to be deliberative. By twelve increments, shall we speak again on this matter? Will that be enough time? And, what matter did you have for me?

Because of this new twist, Im decided to defer setting the trap. I came to discuss the House agenda. But, that seems premature to your request. It can wait until later.

Lord Villi’s confidence and assuredness was beaming in his eyes and scent. So be it. We shall talk again later.

Yes we shall. Good day, Lord Villi.

A good day it will be if you accept, Im.

Im turned back, stared at Lord Villi, holding her emotions in check. She gave the Lord a pleasant smile.

Chapter 7

Im walked into Lord Onor’s chambers and found Tam speaking with Inspector Wa outside Tam’s pod. She sat her shoulder bag down beside them and asked, What have you learned from the Infirmary, Inspector? Direct to the critical issues, Im surprised both of them.

Inspector