The Linking Moons

By Phillipa Wade

“A Science Fiction novel introducing you to a new world and its culture and super-power. Life on the planet Torain has always been one of peace and harmony, the people guided by their gift of light. For millennia they have been assured of their protection behind the System of Light’s fields... but there has been a stirring in the Dark Territory of the galaxy. For generations, the Kashada of planet Orb have sought to harness the power as their own, and now with a tyrant at the helm of their efforts, they might finally succeed. Have the Torites been blinded by their own light in assuming that all was well or will the curious-minded find the answers to their questions? Can a girl, strengthened by her own power and the love of her life, be the key to discovering their true but long-forgotten history, and awaken the true capabilities of the light?”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Phillipa Wade
• Release date: May 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9781649456779

Phillipa Wade

Phillipa Wade is the author of the Science fiction novel The Linking moons as the first in the System of Light trilogy.The second book in the trilogy is now available - The Stones of Torain. Available as an eBook here.A big fan of Science fiction and poetry she has launched the final novel in the trilogy - Stronghold of Light, incorporating both genres.Born in Pretoria, South Africa she spent much of her life in the coastal city of Durban.She currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

Book preview

THE LINKING MOONS

PROLOGUE

In a calm and beautiful sector of the Milky Way galaxy, a large silvery space cruiser moved silently towards an unfamiliar group of planets and their Sun.

Escaping from a life of little potential where they had long suffered under the yoke of extreme oppression by their leaders, a group of brave individuals sought out a new life. One where their sense of adventure and creativity would finally be something celebrated, not suppressed.

These people, three hundred of diverse heritage and skill, had each volunteered to make this risky journey with their hero, Tor, a space traveler of some renown. Selected because of their potential to populate the planet which had been chosen for their future life, they considered themselves privileged.

A landing was made on a large planet at a safe distance from that system’s sun and within fair range to nearby co-habitant planets. The planet, having two moons intrigued Tor and this was the deciding factor in his choice of a new world for himself and his space traveling compatriots. Having the right as leader of the first sentient beings to walk the land, he named the planet Torain.

It was in the northern sector of Torain where these pioneers made their landing and where they initially established their homes. Exploration teams went out for days on end to discover characteristics of the terrain and to investigate sources of food, construction materials and other sites for future development. Sectors were duly marked off and responsibility for their governance imposed on selected sector leaders.

Four months following their landing the new arrivals experienced an unexpected phenomenon. Whilst all had observed the two moons and their unusual crisscrossing trajectories across the sky, it was a special night when the two moons created a display of light never seen before. The moons, which had been approaching each other in the night sky, appeared to link their light, despite their great distance from one another. For a period of time the light of the moons gradually expanded into the shape of a single glowing entity and shone its light, flowing out upon the land like a sun awakening in the night, energizing all who gazed upon it.

Thus began a new culture, one of light and power with the birth of a new race of people whose rare abilities would be the envy of many. It was only in his late age that Tor realized that this phenomenon was not experienced only by Torain but also benefited the other planets in the System and he thus named it the System of Light. Known to its inhabitants as the SOL.

The information hidden by Tor for the people who would inhabit the planet and the system itself, and the experiences involved in discovering them thousands of moons later, are key to their future.

CHAPTER 1

You enter a sector of the Universe

Where the ongoing existence of both

bad and good

is shown in the play of power and weakness.

Of a people with a given purpose and power

and those who seek to take it away.

In the Arkasian Sector of the outer rim of the Milky Way galaxy, a young man stood at a window admiring the changing scene on his home planet Torain.

The sky was black. The Eastern Sector he called home had entered the night phase. He watched as a thin ray of light slowly emerged and crawled through the darkness, extending its length lazily across the night sky. In no haste it explored carefully, dipping and weaving as it spread outwards. It stretched and widened as it reached out, dispersing its light in softer waves, almost dripping like a melting candle; then gathering itself back up into a single beam, it dissipated into the darkness. The horizon was hazy and the ray had emerged from somewhere in the west; that was certain. Beyond that, there was little that could be discerned. Perhaps it was this inexplicability that made it such a beautiful sight.

Aarne, a Torite, as the residents of the planet Torain were known, had been standing at the window and gazing admiringly at the view for some time now. ‘Probably too long,’ he mused and moved into his room. With deft fingers, he pulled a light blue cloak off the rack. His dressing room was comfortably warm compared to the coolness of the day outside, and he knew he would regret it if he left his cloak behind. He quickly wrapped it over the soft cream shirt and slid his feet into the supple wark hide boots. Found locally, the wark was a rather ugly, pig-like creature. A prolific species by nature, it was easily hunted by those in different trades, which made it a simple and practical resource.

Standing back to his full height, Aarne gave himself a quick once-over in the glass. The reflected grey eyes of an attractive young man stared back at him with startling intensity. He had drawn his hair back from his face upon waking this morning, a simple strip of leather holding it back at the nape of his neck. He eyed his light brown hair critically for a moment, then shook his head with a sigh. With quick fingers he pulled it loose, gathered the rebellious strands that had slipped free and tied it into a much neater style; it was a look that suited him. He gave a quick nod as he inspected his handiwork, much more appropriate for duty. It would do. The ever-present pendant, which hung on a fine plaited leather cord around his neck, gave him satisfaction. Framed in silver, it was fashioned from a specific wood from the planet Pyrane. It was well earned, worn only by Elders and those who had shown potential to hold senior positions in the future.

Feeling his attention once again pulled to the open window, he allowed himself a moment for one last look outside. The two moons had already begun their nightly journey across the sky in their distinct trajectories, casting their golden light gently over a landscape of stark contrasts.

The warmer climate regions, sculpted with smooth flat stones contrasting with hilly, dramatic rocky outcrops – appeared mostly barren; sparse large trees offered a source of shade and softness in an otherwise beautifully stark landscape. It was distinctly different from the cooler parts of the land, which spread both south and north of the warm mid-region, where green fields, forests and mountains made for a far more luscious view. Almost half of the planet’s surface was covered by the seemingly bottomless depths of the ocean, Liquidity, where only the occasional uninhabited rocky islands offered rest from the turning tide. It truly was a sight he never grew tired of.

Aarne found himself in a relaxed state of mind, daydreaming, a favorite pastime. His eyes wandered across the horizon; Mica was on his mind. The thought of her soft fair hair on his shoulder, the feeling of her skin against his fingertips, her laughter… her eyes. He hummed under his breath, a small smile tugging at the edge of his lips. It gave him a gentle thrill, thinking of his love. Going to visit her tomorrow was something to look forward to. After many happy times together he still savored each moment with her as he had when they first met.

It would shortly be his turn to go on duty for the night, and a certain amount of care and neatness of appearance was always required. As a trained individual, his role was one with heavy responsibility. His duty schedule was composed of three nights and two days each week for five rotations; each single rotation referring to the four-hundred and eighty-day journey their planet took to complete its passage around the Sun. This period was his ‘duty phase’ as a young man and he was already in his third rotation. Still, no thought of annoyance or boredom entered his mind; it was simply part of his life; what he had been trained for and a responsibility he relished to prove his love and dedication to his family, home and planet.

Torain was the largest planet of the seven in the ‘System of Light,’ referred to by all as the SOL, one of the many systems in the Arkasian sector. It was on this planet that the governing body of their home worlds was stationed. Aarne’s forebears had lived there for many generations, presiding over the ingenious supersystem that was designed to protect them from outside threats. These threats primarily came from an enemy group, the Kashada, located in the dark territory of this sector of the Galaxy, whose obsession it was to gain access to the SOL light system.

On this subject, it was automatic for deep-set anger to enter his usually positive existence. Undeniable fear at times too, but mainly anger. A loathing for these creatures, who he could never consider as men, who wanted to take over this planet and the SOL system itself, was part of him; well endorsed by his training. He knew of their intentions and despised them with all of his being. His instinct as a warrior and guardian of this place rose to a new height and every muscle in his body would tense up instantly if a threat were known; prepared to destroy any of these horrors at any time.

The SOL’s protection came from a light-generated force field that protected the planets as an impenetrable ‘light barrier’, created by their ancestors. Everything that existed and functioned in the system depended on the Light energy that empowered it, and so it had been named, the System of Light. The skill of harnessing light was enjoyed by the entire population, who could apply it in diverse ways, whilst always conforming to the customs and rules.

Aarne and those chosen to uphold the tradition of managing the light barrier were known as the Incan-keepers, with Aarne presently the leader of Torain’s prestigious team. These young men were trained from a young age to control and measure the flow of incandescent light that emanated from the planets and their moons, to form a perfectly protective light barrier around the entire system. It was in the Incan-towers where this light barrier was monitored every hour of every day during each rotation cycle of the planet Torain. To manage the reading and powering of the Incan-meters that controlled the light-induced fields, required a level of precision and expertise, beyond the capability of most Torites. This was the skill of the Incan-keepers.

This was not all. Each of these young men were part of the group of thousands of guardians of the system. Strong, trained to fight, destroy any enemy in a flash should they be so required. Fully aware of their responsibilities as such, they were a dynamic group, protection of this system their utmost goal. When together, intense discussion of the Kashada and how they would like to turn that group into dust, took place. Tempers would rise and plans of attack would be strategized, for the day when they would be needed to go to war with this evil lot.

Many of these young men spent their spare time playing the game of Introball, the most popular sport involving their light skills. A great way to release tension and keep fit.

With great reluctance Aarne stepped back from the window and into his sleep-room, stretching his toned physique as he did so. Completing his stretch, he thumbed his chin to feel if it was smooth enough to avoid shaving again.

The view blended perfectly with his feelings about the planet and was truly a sight he never grew tired of. Unwillingly pulling his eyes away, he checked his appearance once more, before making his way from his room. He moved swiftly down the staircase and entered the eating area. The sandy tones of stone walls and white linen of the furnishings gave it a cool and refreshing atmosphere; the shades of the timber providing a beautiful contrast against the light colors. Adjacent to this was the living space in which a tree spread its wide branches across the room, meeting the stone wall on the far side. The branches were broad and hardy, some sweeping almost to the ground where white linen cushions were tied, providing comfortable seats for the inhabitants. Those branches that rose higher were more often used to rest the occasional vase or drinking goblet. The tree was completely bare of foliage; an unusual sight had it been kept outside, but for its indoor purposes, barren wood was the simpler solution. Such trees were featured in many luxury homes; cared for by the Life-keepers who attended to the living indoor plants and the fur-companions kept by some.

He could not help but compare the wood of these trees to the wood in the pendant he wore. Molded from trees of Pyrane, one of the planets in the system known for its fiery volcanic activity, the wood in the pendant was indestructible even in the most extreme scorching solar heat possible. Referred to as ‘pyric,’ its use was well known for many fabricated items that may endure strenuous application, including the interior of all spacecraft. The trees used in homes, however, were strong yet easy to sculpt, heat resistant to a far lesser degree.

Aarne’s attention shifted back to the room as he realized how hungry he was. Food was ready, as always. His reliable cook and Man-keeper, Defin, his quick steps hardly audible as he moved closer, stepped lightly into the room. He placed a well-arranged platter of food in front of Aarne.

Had a good rest my Keeper? he queried, his round face a mixture of interest and his usual good spirits.

Thank you, Defin, he said with a smile as he breathed in the aroma of the food laid before him. I’m well-rested, thankfully. Earlier in the day we watched the first practice game of Introball. Teams from Skaldor and Balkorff were playing each other for fun, but it turned out to be a grueling game for Balkorff who took the game quite seriously. Overall it turned out to be a great ‘fun’ competition. Of course, Skaldor won, Aarne said with a slight grimace.

Can’t say I’m too surprised! You may end up drawing Skaldor, or at least playing against them in one of the matches of the next tournament if both of your teams continue to win, Defin nodded thoughtfully. Anyway, you look rested, so I am sure your duty will pass well tonight. I must go to finish my tasks for the day but I’ll see you tomorrow. He touched Aarne lightly on the shoulder, his balding head reflecting the light as he left the room.

Thank you, Defin, Aarne smiled as he watched the Man-keeper take his leave. ‘A good man,’ he thought before turning his gaze to the food before him. It certainly looked more than pleasant and if history was anything to go by it would taste just as good. Savoring each bite, he tucked into the roasted freecob, a flightless bird-type creature that tasted as he had predicted; absolutely delicious.

Aarne surveyed his surroundings thoughtfully as he ate, his mind on the place he had chosen to live after leaving the comfort of his family home in Pator. His choice of the village, Saltor, positioned in the central Eastern Sector and within easy reach of his workplace and many friends, had been a good one. Tor, the name of the very first space traveler recorded to have landed on Torain, had lent itself to the name of many places. Being the respected founder of their planet and their territory, Tor was deemed to be the person who gave guidance and security, just by the mention of his name. He was the one who had written of the Kashada and warned the future generations of the intentions of this evil group. Tor’s legacy had been passed down by word of mouth but legend had it that his written history and possibly scriptural texts could be hidden somewhere. This Aarne had learned in his Incan-keeper training and the fact had piqued his interest.

Aarne’s house was built of large slabs of light-colored stone, set high up on a rocky hillside not far from the road edge. The outside walls were beautiful, a light sheen dusting across the surface that belied their solidity and strength. From the path, you could see the wide and open window arches of his house set back from the large balconies across the front of the building. Behind the balconies lay airy sleep-rooms with high ceilings; beyond which were passages leading to the rest of the house. For any that graced its space, it was certainly a sight to behold, as Aarne had intended when designing it.

Having enjoyed his meal, Aarne sat back in his chair contemplating the night ahead and what the next day would bring. After his night duty, which would hopefully not involve another attempted invasion by the Kashada, the SOL’s most determined threat, the dawn would come and the day would emerge to present endless possibilities. Good and bad… if the planets beyond the barrier had any say in the matter.

Oh Tor, he sighed to himself, Some nights are just nights, no excitement.

CHAPTER 2

Darkness and light

Contrasts in fact

In deed and in act.

Persistence of purpose

framed in destruction

In a sector known as the Dark Territory of the same galaxy as the System of Light, beyond the realm of the Arkasian region, the planet Orb and five others moved around their Sun. The five were either dormant or almost so. Garkullen, the leader of the militant Kashada group on Orb gazed out in an effort to see the horizon through the dust that blurred his vision as it hung in the air like a shroud. The view he desired was hardly visible; it was a dismal time.

A far-off explosion ripped through the sky. The squat grey structure of the Central planning office shook momentarily before stilling beneath his feet. He continued to gaze out for a moment, perhaps in his vain hope of a different outcome, before lowering the tele-sensor in a gesture of defeat. A dark scowl began to pull at the scarred lines of his face. They had failed. Again.

The planet Orb was a dark, dusty and daunting place tucked in the depth of the sector known by any who dared travel near as the darkest territory of their galaxy. To the Orbanians who lived there, it was a home. And that was all it would ever be if there were not those in power who were mindful of the potential their dusty home held for change.

As the Kashash, leader of the Kashada’s military arm, Garkullen was obsessed with the need for change and felt each failure as another weight upon his burly shoulders. He pushed himself away from the balcony in a fit of temper, his black scaly lizard skin vest with a metallic breast plate fitted tightly across his chest and felt like a hindrance to his haste to move. He turned to march down the black halls tugging at the armor in an attempt to relax the fitting, his footsteps echoing loudly as servants scurried to remove themselves from his path.

With a sharp left turn, he flung open the doors of the War Room with a bang and marched in, the black walls not reflecting anything of his enraged expression. He stormed across the room and flung the tele-sensor violently at no specific target. It ricocheted sharply off the wall to knock against the water container in the corner of the room causing a slow wave to roll through the liquid contents on contact; the filter plants releasing little pockets of air at the disturbance, turning the water a delicate shade of green. Such a seemingly serene picture, a complete contrast to the Kashash’s heaving frame.

Shuckzarr! Garkullen swore as he whirled to face the only other occupant of the room. In contrast to the Kashash’s burly, squat stature – as was typical of his species – the humanoid across the room was slim and tall, with a smooth head and flattened ears, his features unreadable as he stared back at the raging man. As second in command Shea was well familiar with his leader’s temper and knew it best to simply keep his silence while Garkullen raged. Shea stood with his arms folded, his jacket of woven metal with high pointed shoulders added emphasis to his height; simmering anger suppressed beneath his bland expression. He wasn’t willing to aggravate the man whose mood perfectly matched the recent explosion by letting such temper run free. His many experiences with his long-time friend, now his leader, kept his reaction in check.

Abruptly the Kashash turned and pointed at the star chart on the wall, finally able to get out words barely more comprehensible than senseless swearing.

Why do we keep failing? Tell me, Shea, WHY? Nothing is working! How could we fail again? Shuckzarr to all the Lizard-tongue idiots who fail me! he swore angrily, the scars on his face emphasizing his mood. I swear by Orb if we cannot break through their defenses soon, I shall drive a ship into the Lizard-breath shields of that shuckzarr System of Light, SOL whatever the shuckzarr, myself. Truly ‘Sons of Lizards’, a far more appropriate name for those lizard-tongue shuckzarrs! the man finished heatedly, his disfigured face flushed with anger.

Shea quietly mused that Garkullen still looked as if he wished he had another tele-sensor to throw; amused too at the thought of the Kashash flying any spacecraft, something he hated. Any form of flight was beyond his willingness to experience and, when he did, through sheer critical necessity, it was an intensely dramatic episode for all. Not that he, Shea, didn’t feel the same anger about failure as his leader, but he knew better than to throw his temper around like a crazed fool. He turned away from Garkullen for a moment, his flattened ears glowing slightly red as he strode across the room towards the glass of the protruding window. As he leaned into it the window flexed outwards and opened. He stood there quietly leaning into the opening as he gathered his thoughts, tapping his light blue fingernails on the wooden frame.

The air was settling, the dust of the day now below the level of the structures. Soon the people would be able to go outside and move about their business. He studied the sky and the buildings in their familiar dome-like shapes with occasional towers in strategic spots.

Garkullen, as always, grew impatient with Shea’s silence. Stop wasting time. Looking out there is not going to get you any zarring answers! he waved at Shea. Maybe your tele-sensor has less dust than mine – let me look whilst you think your thoughts of ‘wisdom’, or more likely lizard shite! he finished sarcastically.

He snatched Shea’s tele-sensor from the stand and lifted it first to his eyes and then the earpiece to his ear. After more frowning and shaking of his head, he put it back on the stand. Nothing, nothing, nothing – that is all there is right now, absolutely zarring nothing. No response from the remaining ship we dispatched – we must have lost that too. That explosion seemed close, possibly they were damaged and unable to land, he groaned with a mixture of frustration and anger.

Shea turned back to him. Our plans may have failed my friend, but it does not mean that we should cease our endeavors. I feel success is near. We will break through the fields of the ‘sons of lizards’ and take what we want. It’s just a matter of time, his assurance to the Kashash was met with a scowl, but he continued, adding more softly, so don’t go throwing that tele-sensor around; we can’t afford that or the water damage.

Momentarily, Garkullen turned his gaze to the water stand, still tinged with a faint green from its earlier encounter with his temper, another scowl pulling across his face. He growled, Don’t give me that lizard shite again, giving Shea a curt nod before leaving abruptly.

Shea shook his head. He so rarely enjoyed his encounters with Garkullen. While the Kashada were known for their aggressive nature he found Garkullen lacked the discipline essential to a true leader of this forceful group. However, despite his temper tantrums, more befitting a child than a Kashash, he had to give the man his dues. He had an excellent knowledge of their flight systems and star paths and as such he was probably the best chance they had of breaking through the SOL’s defense; the ‘sons of lizards’ as Garkullen had named them, which appealed even to Shea’s obscure sense of humor. Yes, he had earned his place to be sure, but he would still bear watching. Shea would have to let this outburst go, once again.

Bastar, the city they inhabited, was the base of the government for the planet and was manned by the Kashada, a group of militant Orbanians who governed the planet fanatically. They had a history of aggression and a merciless attitude to those not within their faction. This ongoing threat to the people who occupied the planet made life extremely tense and unbearable. It was this reason, in conjunction with the planet’s unfriendly climate, that the people lived as if in hiding. Scuttling about rather than strolling leisurely, seeking to keep out of trouble with any of the militant members of the Kashada.

Orb’s climate problem was one that the resources of energy from the SOL could solve in a heartbeat. Extensive dust storms would fill the air with fine dust particles daily, creating an unlivable dust-ridden atmosphere. It was only in the light of day that such storms would occur and only after these had subsided could extensive air ventilation be implemented. It was when night came upon them that residents could emerge to go about their tasks. All activities took place at night and the energy required to light the cities and maintain the ventilation and other machinery was enormous. Unfortunately, the generators lacked the capacity to meet such great demands, a cause of hardship for those who lived there. Masks were worn by any who had to bear working in the daylight hours, and at times even by the people going out in the evening despite the settling of the heavier dust and ventilation taking place.

The people had been born into this and knew no difference, but the leaders and governors of the planet knew otherwise. Exploration and tales of other places had made them wise to possible change.

A lesser but ongoing threat to the people of Orb, including the Kashada, were the randomly occurring surprise attacks by the extremely large dragon-like black lizards inhabiting the mountainous region nearby. These creatures had killed numerous inhabitants over time, frightening intrusions taking place no matter the climatic conditions, adding another negative dimension to the already troubled people. Many nests of these had been destroyed in the past but their hardy nature and incessant breeding made it impossible to eradicate. In some regions they positioned their nests beneath the surface of the many precious lakes in the mountainous regions, making it impractical to access. The meat of this lizard was unsavory and indigestible to most and yet enjoyed by some of the Kashada who liked its tough, chewy texture. In contrast, the smaller red lizard and other reptilian creatures found locally were nutritious and delectable foods. The abundance of these made them a popular part of the local diet. Prepared in various ways, the red lizard could be quite a delicacy.

Shea turned to press the button on the wall to the left of him. Within seconds a young boy was there, a replacement water bowl in his hands. His stiff grey tunic looked uncomfortable, as if it was a wrong size, his hair slicked back in a style that belied his age. ‘Probably took the wrong tunic off the rack in his rooming place,’ thought Shea. Despite his discomfort, the boy nimbly removed the bowl of the tinted water and replaced it with the new clear one. His movements were steady, not permitting the plants to be disturbed. He didn’t look at Shea but completed the task and left.

Being alone now, Shea had time to think. He had to consider the factors that drove their desires and relentless search for energy. It was something that he reminded himself of daily in order to keep both focused and objective.

He knew that for those who lived on Orb, the Orbanians, life was consistently dusty, dark and dismal. It was understood by most that the residents of this planet and its system could be considered humanoid in their basic physical structure, with some odd variations. The majority of Orbanians, like Garkullen, had rather large heads and hands, were brawny and muscular with a touch of green in their skin tone, of not great height, and known for their aggressive nature. While that was the more common appearance of those on Orb, there were Others; those like Shea himself with longer limbs, smaller heads and flatter ears than what was the standard. Their blue nails set him apart even more. The latter people were known more for their intelligence and tranquil attitude, despite the harsh environment in which they all resided, together. The Others were of unknown origin however and this fact often aroused Shea’s curiosity. In the end he supposed that it mattered not how different they all appeared to one another; all could benefit from a better home.

Shea moved toward the water stand, dipped the ladle into it and carefully extracted it, pouring the precious contents into the wide drinking bowl.

Once the ladle was replaced on its hook, he lifted the bowl and sipped