Celestial Empire: Age of Fire and Venom

By R. K. Singer

Communities around the galaxy have lived in relative seclusion for millennia that is, until a faction of warring worlds spawned an evil that would bring horror to the galaxy. As the reptilian Rapturans face the feline Trivarins, which race will win the conflict?

As Rapturas technological prowess grows, its ruler, Sancura, begins seeking out allies to help him conquer more of the galaxy. When the Rapturans encounter the world of Reptillon, an alliance is formed that will threaten the entire galaxy. But when the combined might of the Reptilians and Rapturans leads to the destruction of an entire planet and the deaths of trillions, other worlds band together to resist their tyranny. As the galactic conflict known as the Blood War begins, a race of immortal beings known as the Sirrouns join the battleand only time will tell whether their intervention will stop the spread of Reptilian conquest in the galaxy.

In this science fiction tale of action, adventure, and war, an alliance of reptilian races seeking to conquer the galaxy faces off against an immortal warrior race.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Sep 3, 2016
• ISBN: 9781491798928

R. K. Singer

Rodney Singer is a native-born Texan who has always worked in the financial sector. He attended the University of Houston, where he studied business administration. As a child he was always a fan of comic books and superheroes. He currently lives in Houston, Texas.

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Celestial

Empire

Age of Fire and Venom

R. K. SINGER

38828.png

Celestial Empire

Age of Fire and Venom

Copyright © 2016 R. K. Singer.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-4917-9893-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-9892-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016911425

iUniverse rev. date: 08/31/2016

CONTENTS

1: Legacy

2: The Arrival

3: Origins

4: Harbinger

5: Split Assunder

6: A Moment in Time

7: Death for Life

8: The Great Dynasty

9: The Return

10: The Dark Zone

11: Darius Vs. Kranak

12: Imperious

13: Wrath of the Gods

14: The Gentry Council

15: Revelations

16: The Guantlet

17: Imperial Rise

18: Nemises

19: Battle of Dragons

1

Legacy

F ive thousand standard years ago, in the year 1000 BBW (before the Blood Wars), the planet Reptillon, a fecund world orbiting a red giant star was ruled by a machiavellian race of reptiles. The luxuriant world of moderate size was orbited by three moons. Boan was the smallest moon; it was approximately one eight the size of Reptillon, the barren moon had no atmosphere. The second moon of Reptillon was Anacon which was slightly larger than Boan; the mid-sized moon possessed enough atmosphere to produce snow capped poles and small seas. In the skies above Reptillon, Boan appeared beryl in color which majestically offset the crimson sun. The largest of Reptillon’s moons was Ratilus; it was also known as the jewel of the night by the planet’s inhabitants. Ratilus was covered with a reflective cloud giving it a high albedo; the luminescent body was nearly one-third the size of its mother planet. Reptillon was once a frozen and desolate world; it gradually became hospitable to life when its red giant star began to swell, consuming the inner planets and bringing Reptillon into the habitable zone. The rocky debris of its ancient neighboring worlds formed the asteroid belt which was visible from the surface of the globe. Reptiles were the dominant species of the globe; many of which had evolved to cavernous proportions. At the apex of all species which thrived on Reptillon were highly intelligent bipeds with the capability of speech, known as Reptilians.

Reptilians were a barbaric, cannibalistic and bloodthirsty race driven by a ravenous need for conquest. They were a dominant race physiologically, but they lacked any substantial technology. Their weapons were crude: swords, spears and other forged weapons. They rode on the backs of beasts in an era which predated mechanized vehicles. The ruling clans of the Reptilians were embattled for dominion of the feral world. The Kyssar clan which was led by the puissant Braun Kyssar had conquered much of the planet.

The a frightful Var Hexa was the patriarch of the Hexa clan and was the final obstacle in Braun Kyssar’s campaign for total dominion of the planet. Hexa was comparable to Kyssar in every way including military cunning. Standing 2.14 meters tall, the stalwart Hexa possessed broad shoulders and pectorals; his massive arms and legs were hulking in stature. The scaled titan weighed nearly 151 kilograms; his head was shaped similar to that of a viper. His scaled, greenish skin was covered with natural, black, diamond-shaped markings down his back which complimented his warrior appearance.

Braun Kyssar’s army had just achieved a costly victory over the Gos clan; he knew Var Hexa’s intent was to exploit the opportunity. Night had fallen over Kyssar’s encampment; the torches burned throughout the mod as Kyssar meets with his tribe leaders in a large tent made of animal hide. His cape and loin cloth were woven from the hides of mammals. The screeching sounds of metal weapons being sharpened by the soldiers could be heard throughout the camp. The night was dark as the sounds of nocturnal creatures were heard in the surrounding swamp. The lights flickered as the crackling sounds of the fire torches filled the main tent. Kyssar pulled out a map drawn on a large piece of paper and unrolled it on a flat slab of stone in the center of the tent. Standing next to the stone was Sleigahr, who was Kyssar’s most trusted advisor and field commander. Moksor was also apart of Kyssar’s inner circle who was standing next to Sleigahr. Grekos was Kyssar’s most cunning spy and a master of espionage. His chameleon ability to camouflage himself allowed him to pass through any environment virtually undetectable. He appeared right next to Kyssar as if out of thin air as he joined the meeting. Finally, Syrrack entered the tent as Kyssar steadied the map by placing a hand on each side of it. It will not be long before Var Hexa leads his forces to converge on our location. He said as he ran the long nail of his forefinger from the picture of the mountain range on the northern section of the map to the swamps where they were encamped. He turned to Grekos. Were you followed? He asked.

No, Hexa may know of the region where we are consolidated, but he is unaware of our exact location. He will not advance until his scouts report to him. I estimate we have three days until he reaches us by way of the valley. Grekos said.

Kyssar was not surprised by this report; he began studying the map again. As it stands he currently has a tactical advantage, even with the new recruits from the Gos clan joining us. Grekos, were you able to get an estimate of their numbers?

By my estimates from his stronghold they number at least thirty thousand, not including the wounded. He answered in his whispery voice.

Kyssar’s mind continued to calculate as he surveyed the landscape on the papyrus. He placed his right forefinger over his chin, cradling his chin with his thumb. He turned to Sleigahr, who was appraising the situation. Sleigahr, how many soldiers do we have at our disposal right now?

Even with our new recruits assimilated from the other clan, we still number twenty thousand. Sleigahr responded in his deep, low-pitched voice."

Kyssar considered his advisor’s words as he began tapping the image of the river on the map with his left forefinger. He looked at Syrrack, who was standing across from him. How long will it take Hexa to move his forces by way of the river?

Of course, the river valley is too narrow for the full breadth of his army; furthermore, it would be four days march over that terrain. How do we lure him there? The mountain valley and the forest are still available to him. Syrrack replied as his tongue motions in and out of his mouth.

Kyssar folded his arms with his chin resting on his right fist; he tapped his clawed feet on the ground processing his next move. Finally, he said calmly. We will take those options from him. We will use the mountain to cave in the valley and then strategically burn sections of the forest, forcing him to take the river. Once his clan’s ability to move as it chooses is removed, we will have the tactical advantage.

The scaled men all stood around the tent; they looked at each other as if they each had been punched in the stomach. However, Braun Kyssar was resolute and did not even consider the stunned silence of his lieutenants. He ordered Sleigahr to take five hundred of his strongest men and beasts into the mountains of Mador; his orders were to create massive rockslides in which to block off the entry points of the valley. Syrrack was tasked with setting key points of the forest ablaze. Many of the ancient trees of the Moda Forest were thousands of years old, reaching dozens of kilometers into the sky. The forest canopy was so dense that direct sunlight was incapable of reaching the forest floor; it was home to innumerable, majestic species of fowl, mammals and reptiles. A massive wildfire would potentially become uncontrollable and pose a danger to Kyssar’s men as well as Var Hexa’s clan before the battle could be decided because the rainy season had not begun. Braun Kyssar knew all too well that this is a risky play; he charged Grekos with dispatching his most cunning spies to monitor the movements of the opposing army and report back to Braun with their whereabouts.

Kyssar turned to Moksor. When can we expect reinforcements from our troops in the Outlands?

According to my latest reports, they now march through the Red Forest which puts them at a four to five days march from our current position. Moksor pointed at the southern edge of the map as he gave his report.

If we cannot defeat Hexa’s forces by the end of the first day of combat, then we must contain them. We must move at once to prepare the landscape and position our troops for the ambush. Hexa knows he will be walking into a trap, but it will be the price he pays to exploit his numeric advantage. You each have your orders, dismissed. Kyssar said as he folds his arms.

The hour grew later as the thick and humid atmosphere cooled from the sun’s heat. Kyssar still sat in his tent contemplating every possible contingency by which his adversary could employ. His stomach stirred, but he ignored the need for fresh blood; he slapped his bronze colored skin repeatedly as large blood sucking insects tried to feed on his hulking body. The natural black markings down his back added to his menacing appearance. Quiet had fallen over the camp as the men fell asleep, leaving only the century guards stirring. Tired, stiff and famished Kyssar stood, stretched and went out to find some fresh meat. He tracked down a giant amphibious creature in the murky waters of the swamp, devouring it whole. Drowsiness set in as he elected to return to his tent for a few hours of sleep before dawn. He laid down on some thick animal skins, sliding his long dagger underneath them. The torch burned out as he nodded off.

In the late hours of the night, Kyssar was partially awakened by a sudden sound. Drowsy and incoherent, he almost slipped back into his slumber when he sensed movement in his tent; it was pitch black inside the tent, rendering it impossible to perceive more than shadowy images. He refocused his pupils to adjust for picking up the thermal energy of body heat. Suddenly, he reached out, catching the wrist of a would-be assassin who was about to plunge a dagger into his heart. He halted the blade mere inches from entering his flesh. Kyssar suddenly felt another killer’s tail slither around his neck, squeezing with violent force. He quickly reached for his hidden dagger when the first assassins tail ensnared his forearm. The second would-be assailant attempted to force a knife of his own directly into Braun’s skull; the warlord intercepted the second attack with his tail. His heart rushed as his lungs thirsted for air staving off asphyxiation; even with his inexorable strength, Kyssar would not last long without air. He wrestled fiercely for his survival, unable to summon his guards while the mysterious killer had a deadly chokehold on his throat. Determined not to let his twelve-year military campaign end quietly in his tent, Kyssar managed to summon enough force on the arm of the second assassin using his tail to pull a muscle, causing his choke hold to lessen just enough for him to sip some air. Braun was stronger than his attackers; with a diminished grip around his neck, he was able to activate his venom glands. He began spewing his toxic venom on the face of the first attacker causing it to burn; he dropped the dagger and covered his face with his forearm. Kyssar used his free hand to punch the second would-be killer quickly in the face disorienting him. He then grabbed the blade which was dropped and slashed the arm of the other deviant. Braun rolled to his feet swiftly attacking the first assassin; he slammed the dark figure’s head into the stone slab in the center of the tent breaking his jaw. He traded blows with the second malefactor as the first fell to the ground. The second assassin managed to get his tail around Kyssar’s hand which held the snickersnee. As the first arose, Kyssar was able to fling the other reptilian into him causing him to stumble once again over the block. Braun then slyly slipped his dagger from under the ruffled skins with his tail and plunged it into the heart of the second scaled figure who was still standing. Before the malefactor could dig the blade out of his muscular chest, Kyssar had already slashed his throat with blurring speed and had begun carving out the heart of the first. Satisfied both would-be killers would soon succumb to their injuries, he took a moment to assess his wounds when his guards came storming in. What took you so long? He roared.

Great Serpent, we heard sounds of a struggle. The Guard Captain said as a look of surprise came over his face when he saw his blood covered leader standing in the midst of the blood-soaked earth with two cadavers at his feet.

These malefactors were sent by Var Hexa to assassinate me as I slept. How were they able to slip by you so easily Captain? Perhaps I erred in thinking you were fit for the task. Kyssar said looking him squarely in the eye.

No, my Lord, I….. we will not fail you again! He pleaded as he threw himself at Braun’s feet.

No matter, Hexa was a fool to think merely two warriors could defeat me, Kyssar responded as he frowned in disgust. Get these carcasses out of my sight. They will rot alongside Hexa soon.

The men bowed as they frantically lifted the cold, lifeless husks, carrying them out of the pavilion. Braun ran a piece of cloth over his snickersnee, removing the green blood from its surface.

Two days later, reports of Braun Kyssar’s sedition ist’s have come in; Hexa was leading his troops to the edge of the swamps down to the tributary which resulted in the river. Sleigahr and his regime secured the hills. Syrrack and his infantry had taken control of the riverside section of the Moda forest; they were poised to light the greatest blaze the planet had ever seen. Kyssar gave the signal for his selectees to set torches to the lower trunks of the massive trees. The flames began to pick up as the warm winds fed them. Fowl and reptile alike began to flee the inferno; the exodus was massive. Just as the skinned bronze despot had calculated, Hexa’s clan approached from afar off from the north in a narrow file. The blaze had encompassed hundreds of towering trees; the smoke extended for miles in the air as burning embers whirled in the wind. The thundering sound of the synchronous March was heard everywhere as Hexa’s forces approached. Var Hexa came into view mounted on the back of a laridal; which was a large four legged and long-tailed reptile with long serrated teeth and powerful claws. Kyssar’s army was poised for a strike as the patriarch himself sat on the back of a teradon; a reptilian theropod which stood 3.7 meters tall with bone slicing teeth and long powerful jaws.

Hexa threw a hand gesture with his left hand; his army halted instantly, approximately thirty meters from Kyssar’s position. He surveyed the landscape and observed Kyssar’s men posted in the hills as the wall of flames blazed through the forest on the opposite side of the river. Var Hexa rode forth alone on his menacing beast towards Kyssar’s position; the smell of burning wood and brush filled the thick humidified air.

Kyssar motioned on the bridal of his magnificent steed to proceed in like manner. The two juggernauts met in the center space between their armies, calming their beasts.

The leader of clan Hexa examined Kyssar, who seemed unscathed by the assassins from whom Hexa had dispatched. You have chosen your strategy well. I’m also pleased to see that you are fit for battle. Killing you will be my greatest victory yet. Var Hexa boasted.

Kyssar evaluated him then responded. News of your battle prowess has reached my ear as well; which is why I am sorely vexed at the notion of you thinking me so easily vanquished. Surely you didn’t think such simple warriors could defeat me? I will give you this one chance to surrender to me.

Ha ha …..Surrender you say? He laughed heartily. I am only here to give you the opportunity to spare the lives of your men; otherwise, you will be dead by the time your reinforcements arrive. The expression of amusement on Hexa’s face faded and became tenebrous.

Very well. Kyssar nodded as he replied. He turned his teradon around and hiked his ankles into the creature’s side; it began to sprint back to their original position.

The battle began with the roaring sound of thousands of warriors and beasts charging into battle. The sounds of metal clashing, warriors whaling and the roar of the fire reverberated throughout the field of battle; a great pillar of smoke snuffed out the crimson sun. Hexa’s warriors were no match for Kyssar as he cut them down with his battle axe, making his way to their clan’s leader. The pivotal moment had arrived; Kyssar now found himself face to face with Var Hexa as chaos waged all about them. The scavenger birds encircled the battle in anticipation of dismembered carcasses on which to feast. Kyssar and Hexa wasted no time locking weapons.

Initially, the two seemed evenly matched, but Var Hexa was more nimble as opposed to Braun’s power; who quickly caused deep lacerations across Kyssar’s chest. Kyssar however, was a natural tactician who turned every weakness into a strength. Kyssar used strong attacks then retreated quickly to minimize Hexa’s swift attacks. Kyssar read Hexa’s fighting tactics well; however opponents never lasted more than a few minutes against him. After appraising Hexa in combat, Braun recognized his weakness; Var was a skilled but impatient fighter. Braun locked his battle ax with Var’s sword; he then broke the lock with a twist of his body, using his tail to knock Var’s sword from his hand. Kyssar swung his weapon but drew only air as Hexa avoided decapitation. Hexa charged at Kyssar, knocking the saber from his hand; they wrestled to the ground. The smoke shrouded the combatants making it difficult to decipher friend from foe. Kyssar knew he would have to gain the upper hand quickly as he found himself at the edge of the riverbank; Hexa managed to pin Kyssar at the brink of the bank with a dagger at his throat.

Kyssar had only one maneuver at this point; he used his leg to vault Var into the water. Hexa’s reflexes were too quick; however, he managed to get his tail around Braun’s neck as he plummeted into the murky water, pulling him into the raging current as well. Submerged in the deep cold river, Kyssar could barely perceive his surroundings as he felt Hexa’s grip tightening around his throat. Both titans were being carried fractiously down the river when Braun began to pull with all his might on Var’s tail. Now facing death instinct took over when he felt the rocky bed of the river underneath his back. Even a moment under the cold dark crushing rapids felt like an eternity to Braun; frantically Braun felt around for his snickersnee, luckily it had not been unsheathed. He pulled it out quickly and began piercing Var’s tail with it. The grip loosened as Var’s hands could be felt taking hold of Braun’s wrist. Suddenly a sharp pain went through Braun’s skull; during the struggle they struck a stationary boulder resting at the bottom of the river. Desperate for air, Braun’s only thoughts were of getting to the surface. With a wild swing, Braun landed a strike on Var’s abdomen who quickly released him and swam to the surface. Kyssar could feel a sharp spasm in his leg, but he ignored the pain during the exhausting swim to the surface. His head broke the surface of the water where Kyssar was finally able to open his mouth and take in a huge gulp of air into his burning lungs. He quickly scanned for Hexa, who he saw swimming hastily toward the other side of the river, in the direction of the forest. Kyssar maneuvered his fatigued yet powerful body in pursuit; he could not let this opportunity pass. Hexa climbed out of the water and walked swiftly into the woods with a distinct limp. Kyssar reached the bank of the river just a few meters further down from where Hexa landed, nauseated from a mild concussion; Braun pulled himself onto land and realized there was blood on his arm coming from his shoulder.

Kyssar cautiously followed Hexa’s tracks into the flaming jungle; he constantly had to avoid burning limbs which fell to the forest floor. The fire was everywhere, but there was no sign of his enemy; the temperature in the forest was nearly 5 C, rendering him unable to pick up Hexa’s thermal signature. There was a small clearing just ahead which Kyssar cautiously approached; he saw something move on one of the trees. He used his snickersnee to cut through the ashy brush. His instincts told him his prey was nigh as he peered about in all directions. Suddenly, Hexa appeared seemingly out of thin air, directly behind Kyssar when he dropped his camouflage; Var locked his powerful arms around Kyssar’s neck. Braun countered with a series of elbow strikes to his lacerated abdomen. Hexa gives ground as the pain of his injuries took their toll. Kyssar also found his condition was becoming untenable; dazed from smoke inhalation and his muscles aching, Braun sensed they would both perish in the woods if one of them was not triumphant soon. He attacked Var ferociously; they traded blows until he knocked Hexa against a tree with a right-handed uppercut. Hexa tried to camouflage himself yet again but this time, Kyssar caught him with a stream of acidic venom, burning his scaly green flesh. Hexa groaned in agony; however his misery wouldn’t last long as Kyssar pinned him against the tree with his left hand which was tightly clamped around his neck. Hexa tried to break free pulling at Kyssar’s powerful arm with both hands. Without saying a word, Kyssar took the snickersnee and thrust it into Hexa’s broad chest, carving out his heart. Hexa’s arteries spewed quarts of blood seemingly all at once as Braun claimed his prize. He dropped his foes body to the ground and consumed the heart in keeping with an ancient reptilian belief: ingesting the heart of your enemy after triumph in battle grants you his strength. Braun turned and removed the head from the corpse and returned to the crusade to declare his victory. When he returned to the battle with Hexa’s face, the fight in Hexa’s soldiers soon departed as they stared in disbelief. Kyssar’s men cheered after a fight well fought. The scaled conqueror being half dead himself had to be assisted mounting his teradon. Hexa’s men surrendered and were now his.

By the year 800 BBW, the inhabitants of Reptillon had gone from being sub-terrestrial cave dwellers to building cities. Braun Kyssar had just taken residency in his recently completed palace: Arkain. United under one vision, the thirst for blood which dwelt in the hearts of the reptilians was assuaged by their focus on cultural advancements: in science, mathematics, and constructions. In a neighboring solar system, another planet with sentient life orbited within its sun’s habitable zone, third from its yellow sun. Raptura akin to Reptillon was another warm and tropical world; which nourished its reptile population until the species became dominant. The planet was ruled by a race of reptilian bipeds who were tall, slender, yet vastly intelligent and strong, known as the Rapturans. The Rapturan people had been a scientifically accomplished race which roamed the galaxy many centuries before the inhabitants of Reptillon forged their first weapons. Their faces had slight snouts with short thorny teeth; during the evolutionary process, their tails were lost. Rapturans averaged two meters or more in height, with scaled flesh; the lanky males weighed approximately one hundred twenty kilograms on average. Raptura was a beautiful and wealthy planet; however, much of its natural resources had been depleted as a result of the expansion of the vast Rapturan empire across the galaxy. The Rapturan home world had only one moon in its orbit; Fallus was a small satellite only one-tenth the size of Raptura, which possessed no atmosphere. The small moon was mainly controlled by greedy mining consortiums and manufacturing guilds; all of which bickered over the rights to the vast mineral deposits underneath its rocky surface. The Rapturans, not unlike the Reptilians were driven by their need for blood and conquest; the ancient race subjugated and pillaged weaker, less advanced species while evoking treaties with formidable sentient life.

The monarch of the latent jungle planet was known as Sancura, who ruled under the Rapturan title of Madineer. He was a brilliant contriver who had outmaneuvered many of his counterparts to achieve a high station amongst other planetary leaders. He used his power to force treaties on other worlds which heavily favored Raptura and its bureaucrats. Covertly, the Madineer has had his eye on the rise of Braun Kyssar: The Great Serpent as he was known to his people, along with the vast resources which laid beneath the surface of Kyssar’s world. Sancura was impressed with the advancements of the Reptilians in every way; he looked upon them as an infant species ready to be coaxed by his benevolent hand into becoming his greatest asset.

He summoned his Chief Ambassador, Laul, to the conference room of Ophidian along with his highest ranking military official: General Walt. The Madineer was seated at the head of a long exquisitely varnished and hand-carved wooden table. His seat was also meticulously carved, so the legs of it appeared to resemble four serpents poised to strike as the position resting upon their heads. The cloth of the seat’s cushions was of the finest quality; his family’s crest was embroidered on the backrest. He wore a flowing purple and golden robe which was hand tailored to fit his long and narrow body. He sat looking at a datapad with an elbow resting on each arm of the chair which was overlaid with gold; his fingers were interlocked as his chin rested upon them while he sat seemingly deep in thought. The servants of the palace were attired in simple, yet well-maintained garb as they ushered the two leaders to their seats. One of them offered the General a chalice of fine silver filled with toxic wine; it was a rare and highly toxic drink made from a unique berry which grew on Raptura and Reptillon alike. The wine was a moderate intoxicant to reptilian phenotypes, however to other species it had acute effects; any servings of more than eight ounces could be lethal. Toxin wine was banned on most worlds, making it a lucrative commodity on the black markets. General Walt took his seat, but he declined the drink, showing his palm to the servant without making eye contact. Ambassador Laul accepted the chalice he was offered; he wore a fine quality blue and black robe with leather sandals on his feet. Madineer Sancura’s goblet was still full of the dark drink; he remained so engrossed with what he was reading that he failed to acknowledge his cabinet. The General was attired in combat gear, consisting of a thick long-sleeved gray shirt; his medals were on the shoulders which symbolized rank. The black leather belt around his waist was perfectly polished; his gray trousers were in pristine condition, as were his polished black boots. Neither the General nor the Ambassador broke the silence as they looked around at the masterfully painted murals on the walls. Without looking up, the Madineer motioned, and the servants exited the chamber. He finally took his eyes off of the data pad and crossed his legs. He picked up his chalice and took a sip of the wine with his left hand; he slid the datapad to the edge of the table with his right.

Before he began, he cleared his throat as he panned his view from the General to the Ambassador; Madineer Sancura addressed them both simultaneously. I know you both are contemplating why I summoned the two of you here today. He said plainly, then continued. The time has come for the next phase of the grand plan.

Has this something to do with the war against the Trivarans? The General asked.

Partially General Walt, but I’m thinking even farther beyond that. The Madineer explained.

"I’m sure I speak for both myself and the