Return to Tara: A Novel

By Betty Smith Meischen

In a faraway section of the galaxy lies Olympia, an idyllic kingdom filled with luxury, beauty and wealth. The elite citizens happily fill their days with pomp and circumstance, oblivious to the fact that others in their realm are barely scraping out a living. In this romantic story, a long-time dispute over the lineage to the throne plies brother against brother which ultimately leads to rebellion. In distant parts of this universe, conditions have deteriorated to the point that raiders are plundering the unprotected planets, raping, killing, and causing great havoc. The kingdom plummets into turmoil, and war is on the horizon with a diabolical menace who threatens the galaxy.

The heir to the throne, Crown Prince Adriel, is as tempestuous and intense as the woman who wants to tame him. Princess Astraea, daughter of the Duke of Leonis, has as much fire in her spirit as the man she desires more than anything. Fate plunges them together, and then, just as quickly tears them apart. Adriel’s brother, Prince Michael, rises as the leader of the Empire which presents a challenge to Adriel’s and Astraea’s budding love, as he finds himself also in love with the beautiful maiden. The romantic triangle fills the pages of this story amiss the conflicts of a galactic war.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664194038

Betty Smith Meischen

Betty Smith Meischen is a 7th generation Texas whose earliest family members journeyed to the wilderness colony in 1822.  Betty was born in Bellville, Austin County, Texas and graduated from Bellville High School and the University of Texas at Austin.  She is the author of four historical based novels and three previous books on Texas and U.S. history.  Betty has researched Texas and national history for nearly fifty years.  She is passionate about investigating the historical accuracy of accounts and following their leads, discovering the stories in the manner of an investigative journalist.

Book preview

Copyright © 2021 by Betty Smith Meischen.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 09/13/2021

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

832035

Contents

Dedication

Prologue

Part I

Chariots Of Fire

Chapter 1     The Homecoming

Chapter 2     Once Upon A Time

Chapter 3     Trouble In Paradise

Chapter 4     Moonlight And Roses

Chapter 5     Pilot Training

Chapter 6     Training Mission

Chapter 7     Wild Stallions

Chapter 8     Revelations

Chapter 9     The Boiling Point

Chapter 10   A Ball And A Little Treason

Part II

Trouble In Paradise

Chapter 11   Treachery

Chapter 12   The Break-In

Chapter 13   Treachery

Chapter 14   The Temple Of Light

Chapter 15   The Journey Begins

Chapter 16   A Friendly Drink To Ease The Pain

Chapter 17   Reflections Of War

Chapter 18   Of Love And War

Chapter 19   The Pleasure Palace

Chapter 20   Knowledge Is A Great Thing

Chapter 21   Time For The Truth

Chapter 22   Fantasy World

Chapter 23   The Trap Is Set

Chapter 24   Treachery

Chapter 25   Battle Stations

Chapter 26   Time To Rebuild

Part III

Chapter 27   Captured

Chapter 28   Crime And Punishment

Chapter 29   Palace At Atlantis

Chapter 30   Dream Ship

Chapter 31   Slaves

Chapter 32   The Work Continues

Chapter 33   More Captives

Chapter 34   All’s Fair In Love And War

Chapter 35   Information Please

Chapter 36   The Gates Of The Enemy

Chapter 37   Freedom

Chapter 38   Showdown

Chapter 39   The Final Countdown

Epilogue

The Cast Of Characters

A Few Words From The Author

"Do you mean to tell me, Katie Scarlett O’Hara, that Tara,

that land, doesn’t mean anything to you? Why, land is the only

thing in the world worth workin’ for, worth fightin’ for,

worth dyin’ for, because it’s the only thing that lasts."

Advice of Gerald O’Hara to his daughter Scarlett

From the movie Gone With the Wind

— by Margaret Mitchell

Dedication

Return to Tara is dedicated

to my loving husband Del of 51 years

and to all the other wonderful pilots

who have made such a huge impact on my life

Prologue

Off the Atlantic coast of the United States

Sometime in the near future

A diver emerged from the depths of the murky waves just off the Bahamas. Normally the clear inviting, blue-green waters were a paradise for vacationers, but there were no tourists swimming in those waters now. The recent, devastating earthquakes off the eastern seaboard had churned the waves into a muddy froth.

Dana Wilson removed her mouthpiece and sucked in the refreshing sea air deeply. That’s the last of them, she said wearily, tossing a heavy net to her partner Steven Jones who was waiting aboard the small dingy belonging to the nearby NOAA research ship. It’s too dangerous to go back down for anything else.

Are you okay? he asked her with alarm, observing her pale face. You don’t look well.

Just tired. Dana replied. Extremely tired. Anyway, that’s all I can find. The walls are crumbling. It’s getting bad down there, she groaned, shaking her head. Can’t see more than a couple of feet ahead of you. Steve nodded knowingly. He had just returned from those perilous depths. Steve helped to get her into the dingy and then they headed back to the ship. Let’s get these to Professor Edmonson and see if they have come up with anything new."

Aboard the research vessel, Steve helped her remove her tank. After stowing their equipment, they picked up the heavy nets and took them inside the ship. Professor Edmonson was bent over a table that was strewn with barnacle encrusted objects. His two assistants were busy cleaning the last artifacts they had brought.

The team of archeologists had been working feverishly to decipher the strange inscriptions on some mysterious golden plates that Dana and Steve had discovered on a previous dive shortly before the last destructive quake. As the whole eastern continental shelf twisted and rose up, an immense tsunami had engulfed the cities along the Atlantic coast. New York City had been inundated by a thousand-foot wave. Volcanoes everywhere on the globe had exploded in a fury, revealing a fiery display that had not been seen on the planet since the days of the dinosaurs.

The world had been in a deteriorating state ever since the recent deadly virus had swept through it, killing millions. That event had been followed by food shortages and rioting. There had been crazy climate changes that flooded the deserts while causing droughts in the bread belts. California’s productive central valley was now a dust bowl. Life itself was a precious thing in view of the planet’s current upheavals.

Few had survived the worldwide devastation that threatened all life on earth. Prior to the quake, a monstrous comet had streaked across the sky. Although not hitting the earth directly, its close pass left behind its own trail of destruction. Constant meteor showers had knocked out satellites, and communication was limited. Constantly bombarded by CMEs and solar flares from its agitated sun, the earth was quickly becoming a hostile environment.

World tension had been at an all-time high before the 9.2 quake struck off the west coast, triggering multiple fault lines in California. Almost simultaneously, another big quake hit the mid-Atlantic ridge. Before the quakes, there had been grid failures caused by foreign hacking. When the grid went down for long periods, all hell broke loose in the cities. There already had been food shortages, and then with the electrical failures, the real looting and killing commenced. Planet Earth had turned into a living nightmare.

Luckily, Dana and Steve and the small archeological team aboard the NOAA ship had survived the calamities. The ship had been out to sea at the time of the big quakes. After the main Atlantic quake had struck, a section of land had risen off the coast of the Bahamas revealing the tops of some ancient structures. It was to that area that the archeological expedition had headed from another location where they had been working off the coast of Portugal.

Dana and Steve had made the dive in the area where what appeared to be an ancient city was rising above the waves. Finding the entrance of a huge pyramid, they entered a grand chamber and were amazed to see gold plates lying on the floor. Upon the walls and strung across the floor, they had found many more gold items, many with mysterious inscriptions on them.

Here is the last of them, said Steve wearily as he tossed the heavy, wet net on the table near Professor Edmonson. We’re not going back. Too dangerous down there with all the aftershocks.

How’s the deciphering going, professor?" asked Dana as she started taking the dripping plates and other artifacts out of the net.

The professor started carefully wiping them and cleaning off the years of sea life from the plates. "Hmm. The inscriptions are very much like an ancient version of Egyptian hieroglyphics, even closer I think to what we found in the Sumerian clay tablets discovered at Ur. Only these I believe are much older. If I were to make an educated guess, I would say that they predate the last upheaval of the earth, sometime around 9500 BC or before.

Oh wow! exclaimed Steve. "I think maybe we have found something really significant to earth’s history.

Dana shook her head sadly. What a shame to find potentially important answers to our past history when earth is once again in such a turmoil. Unfortunately, there will not be many left out there to share our discovery with.

Hopefully, we can piece together some of their story. The professor sighed and went back to gently removing the barnacles. What we do know, if indeed this predates the last upheaval and inundation, there was a very intelligent race upon this planet that may have been more knowledgeable than our own time today. I hope they had more sense than those idiots currently running this planet.

I do too. Steve shook his head.

All over the world, we have found signs of an advanced civilization. The giant pyramid of Giza is only one of these. Professor Edmonson pointed out the porthole at the top of the structure where they had just been diving. They are in Mexico, Cambodia, Peru…many other places."

I wish I could have been there to see this marvelous civilization that was on earth prior to the last polar shift, Dana told them wistfully. Abruptly, she grabbed the side of the table as the ship suddenly was tossed about as another aftershock hit the area. Steve snatched a golden goblet before it hit the floor. Outside, the top of the exposed pyramid began to crumble and some of its cap stones disappeared into the churning sea.

PART I

CHARIOTS OF FIRE

"I was watching a big storm come in from the north. It

was a big cloud with a strong wind, and there was fire

flashing from it. Light was shining out all around it. It

looked like hot metal glowing in a fire. Inside the cloud,

there were four living beings that looked like people."

— Ezekiel 1:4-5 The Holy Bible ERV

Chapter One

THE HOMECOMING

Orion Sector

Earth date: 9643 BC

An infinite maze of light streaked past the windscreen of the enormous starship as it journeyed across the heaven traveling at a thousand times the speed of light. Abruptly, the streaks of light became distinct bright points against a vast blackness as the ship dropped below light speed. Directly ahead, a blue-green planet loomed, an emerald in a sea of darkness.

A small, white delta-shaped scout ship emerged from the belly of the massive mothership which was a giant compared to its tiny passenger. The little white ship banked sharply and swiftly orbited the sphere ahead, descending rapidly toward the surface. It momentarily disappeared into a cloudbank, hued with red and gold from the rays of the planet’s setting sun. Just as quickly, it emerged from the multi-colored cloud and continued its flight a thousand meters above the surface of a vast ocean. As it neared the shoreline, an enormous mountain fortress appeared directly ahead against a scarlet background.

The fiery blaze of the planet’s sinking sun cast an orange glow upon several gleaming white pyramid shaped towers. Centered among them was an immense, magnificent castle set high upon a hill. The delta-shaped ship flew over lush, verdant forests, cascading waterfalls, and a rugged mountain range. When it reached the city where the castle-fortress dominated the scene, it lowered itself onto a large, well-lit landing area set downwards from the imposing structures.

From the seamless ship’s underside, a ramp lowered, revealing a brightly lit interior. Two tall, fair complexioned men appeared in the open doorway. Briefly, they stopped and quickly scanned about the exterior, their hands on the weapons that were strapped to their sides. The two young men were dressed in identical white, long-sleeved tunics with white pants and black knee boots. The tunics were secured at the waist with red sashes. On their heads were white helmets, encircled by gold bands with a gold six-point star centered on the front.

As the first two occupants descended down the ramp, a third man appeared in the doorway. He was dressed in the same manner as his companions, however in addition, he wore a gold braided purple cape, which hung from his shoulders by a gold chain. A hexagon shaped golden star hung from the chain on his chest. The strikingly handsome young man had eyes the color of the sky and short sun-streaked flaxen hair.

The three were met by a double row of palace guards who escorted them toward the palace. As the third man passed through the line, the guards saluted, then dropped to a knee. Seeing the ship land at the palace, hordes of villagers ran out and lined the street shouting to each other, They have returned! Look it is Michael, the prince! Prince Michael is back! They bowed appropriately to the royal son of the king as he passed by. With anxious eyes, others inquired about their loved ones.

Smiling sadly, Michael held up his hand but gave them no answer. Troubled lines spread over his face and tears filled his eyes. Pausing briefly, Michael glanced upward at the crimson sky above the immense granite structure. With a deep, weary sigh, he approached the high castle wall. Two great marble slabs moved apart, and the trio entered the courtyard of the fortress. The gates quickly closed behind them. They climbed a series of stone stairs as they approached the main structure.

Once inside of the palace, Michael took note of the many tapestries of scarlet and purple that lined the walls. Polished marble floors reflected the light from multiple exquisite candelabra high above. Golden vases, porcelain figurines, and other magnificent works of art enhanced the extreme luxuriousness of the castle interior. A blending of both ancient and futuristic gave Michael’s home an aura of timelessness. Soft light emanated from the walls and ceilings in a mysterious fashion.

The three weary space travelers approached a heavy, crimson-colored wall of curtains which had guards stationed on each side. The curtains withdrew to either side as trumpets announced their presence. As they entered the huge opulent throne room, they observed the familiar pyramid of steps leading upward to where the Olympian king was seated. The monarch had the same intense blue eyes and good looks as the young prince.

On the tier one step down from the king’s throne were two empty chairs. On the next tier down were six chairs placed at right angles to the throne on each side. All were occupied by white haired elderly men. At the base of the pyramid, were galleries where some more older gentlemen stood in their white tunics and red capes.

After climbing the tier of steps to the throne, Michael and his two officers knelt on one knee before the king. Then, Michael reached out and took the king’s hand and touched it to his lips. He looked into the tired, melancholy eyes and smiled. Father, he breathed the word which almost hung in his throat, I am so happy to see you…alive. The last word was merely a whisper.

Michael, my son, Orion said warmly, It has been so long and so much has happened. We are eager to hear news of our loved ones. The king fought off the strong desire to tearfully embrace the young man before him but required protocol obliged him to remain stoic. Briefly, Orion touched the pale hair before him with deep affection. Then, Michael and his two companions rose to a standing position.

Father, replied Michael, If you only knew how much I have longed to return home. I am so terribly weary of this horrible war. I wonder now if it will ever end.

Yes, I know it has not been easy for you. Orion glanced unhappily at the empty chairs surrounding him. We have all lost a great deal. I wish I could have been with you these last months, he continued. You know it was impossible for me to leave with everything in such a state of turmoil. I had to deal with all the emissaries from the different sectors under siege. He waved aside his futile speech. He had not put in nearly the amount of effort that Michael had endured.

Orion stood then, and took a step toward Michael, placing his hand on Michael’s shoulder and spoke quietly. I know that I have placed a tremendous burden of responsibility on your shoulders, my son. You do realize how important you are to Olympia… to me.

Michael stared up at the brightly lit ceiling for a moment trying to gather his thoughts. The domed ceiling glittered like a thousand tiny diamonds, and he almost forgot what he had come to say. His eyes fell back upon the faces around him. Knotting his hands into fists at his side, he responded despondently, Somehow I can’t help but feeling that I have failed our Empire. We have lost so much.

Orion waved that statement aside. Nonsense, he replied. No one save the Eternal Light himself could have fought harder or been more devoted to the task that was cast upon you. You went out against overwhelming odds…

But nevertheless, interrupted Michael. Here I am returning empty-handed, half of our planets ravished or annihilated, thousands of my ships and men destroyed. He shook his head, his eyes downcast. What have I accomplished after all this bloodshed? Olympia is all but defeated. For a man sworn to defend life and the Light, I have witnessed nothing but death and destruction. Michael hung his head despairingly and stared at his clinched fists, a valiant warrior faced with the prospect of imminent defeat.

Orion took another step toward his son. I know it has been a real tribulation for you, son, but you must go back. This time you will win. Our cause is just. This time the evil that is all-consuming will be defeated. I believe this in my heart that if anyone can do this, it is you.

Michael shook his pale golden head and glanced at his brother Dorel standing beside him. No sir. I do not see how that can be. I have not told you Lycus’ latest demand of us.

I can think of nothing that he has not already asked from us, replied Orion, bitterly. His outrageous requests grow each day. He thrives upon the bitterness of our tears.

Michael bit his lip in thought. Well, this time he says he will release all the hostages in exchange for just one last thing…

Apprehension filled Orion’s eyes. So, then there is something he wants badly enough to end this terrible battle? Suddenly his face filled with a premonition of utter disaster. What could be that important to him?

Olympia’s complete and total surrender…and that I turn myself over to him.

A gasp came from the elders as they vigorously shook their heads against such an idea. This could not happen! Olympia would never surrender! How had such a small series of unimportant events snowballed into the complete and final destruction of an empire so old and strong as Olympia?

Preposterous! bellowed Orion, his face filling with anger and defiance. He began to pace the marble floor. Out of the question! I will never surrender Olympia! Never! Orion slammed his fist down on the arm of his chair. Then, he looked upon his son. The old man was humbled and all but broken. You and Dorel are all that I have left, Michael. I cannot…will not… turn you over to him! Orion grabbed Michael’s shoulders and stared into his eyes. You must realize that if you go back and give yourself up to him, he will kill you. You know that don’t you? Only your blood will make that monster happy. Orion glanced over to the Council of Elders and the Senate members and corrected that statement. No! I should say all of ours. Lycus wants to kill us all!

Michael nodded and swallowed. It is his greatest desire, I’m afraid. It’s what he has always wanted. Satisfying his enormous ego is the only way. I just don’t see any other alternative than to play out this last card. My life in exchange for so many…after so many lives have been lost… …for so many yet that might live…is that so great of a price to pay? If it will end this war and peace can be restored to the galaxy, then it will be worth the sacrifice. Michael shrugged his shoulders defeatedly. It just doesn’t matter to me anymore. I have nothing left.

Orion stared at him aghast, feeling the need to persuade him against such a fool notion, knowing that his arguments were useless. You have already made up your mind, haven’t you?

Yes, replied Michael icily. I am going back, and I will surrender to him.

I suppose there is no talking you out of it, then.

I have no other choice, Michael said.

Orion glanced over at his other son Dorel. What do you think about this crazy idea, Dorel?

Dorel’s face brightened slightly. We have talked it over. We do have one last plan. Michael is not going to turn the kingdom over without an attempt at a last stand.

But you will be allowing Lycus sole rulership of the galaxy if you do, argued Orion.

Maybe not, replied Dorel. There still might be a way.

Orion turned his head toward the Council of Elders who whispered worriedly among themselves, continuously shaking their heads. He returned his gaze to the three young men in front of him. Michael, I wish to discuss this further with my Senators and the Council of Elders. I know how very tired you must be after your long journey here. Go to your quarters son and get some rest. We will discuss your plan more in the morning when you are refreshed.

As you wish sir, but I must tell you one more thing.

Ominous anticipation filled Orion’s eyes. For a brief moment the heavy silence engulfed the room. What else? he said in a defeated voice.

I did not tell you in my last communication when I informed you of the loss of our flagship the Aries… Michael paused putting his thoughts together. Then, he touched his father’s shoulder gently. Adriel was on the Argos when it destroyed the Aries. He was dressed in Cobra uniform. And it was Adriel who delivered the ultimatum to me from Lycus.

Orion’s eyes turned into a tortured steel gray as he climbed back up into his chair. The shock hit him like a rock. His countenance changed as if he had seen a ghost. His shoulders slumped and he gripped the arms of his chair tightly. Adriel is alive? Michael nodded. Oh, my word, and if this is so, it confirms the fact that he has joined forces with Lycus.

So, it seems. Michael hung his head and stared at the ornate painted tiles on the floor.

Orion’s proud chin dropped down, and his blue eyes filled with tears. He staggered backwards and sat back down in his throne chair. Orion put his hand to his forehead and said nothing for several moments. For so long, he had thought that his magnificent eldest son was dead. Now after what he had just learned, he wished that he had remained so. The treachery of it all!

It was hard for Orion to believe such a thing about Adriel. He knew Adriel was wild and impulsive. But he could not believe that Adriel would declare allegiance to anyone other than Olympia. Had he been dead, Orion could have remembered his impetuous, courageous son and forgiven him his various crimes. But now he knew for a fact that he was a traitor, responsible for the deaths of so many.

No. Orion could never forgive these abhorrent deeds. He studied the faces of the three valiant young men standing before him. The years of savage warfare coupled with extreme despair had changed these former carefree youths into the brave and stronghearted warriors that now stood before him. He was as proud of them as he was ashamed of Adriel. How could he part with his other son whom he cherished so dearly? Lycus was truly a totally demonic evil person to ask so much of one man. What kind of hatred could compel a man to go to such extremes to destroy an empire? Orion knew that answer. Revenge.

The king looked up at Michael and Dorel, despair in his eyes. Go on now my sons and rest. The journey ahead of you will be the longest and most difficult in your life.

They saluted their king with their arm across their chests, turned and walked back down the steps. The trio departed through the same heavy curtains where they had entered. Michael bid Dorel and his trusted friend Brock Brandel good evening. He walked slump-shouldered on towards his quarters. Stopping for a brief moment, he gazed out an open window at the gardens below.

The last traces of the day revealed the twilight beauty of the once fragrant gardens outside the palace. They were no longer kept up like they had been before he left for war. The roses, however, still survived, and he recalled how much his mother had loved them. In the distance, he saw where the Cobras had bombed the mountainside. There were bombed out areas in the distant village and he saw ruins of buildings nearby in the marketplace.

The first stars of the evening were now showing brightly against a darkening, purple sky. Michael stood for a while watching the shadows of night fall. His heart swelled up inside him. Emotions that he had not felt since he was a boy came over him as he looked out over the beauty that was Olympia, his home.

Clinching his fists tightly at his side, he whispered despondently, as if the whole universe were listening to him. I guess you’ll get your way this time, Lycus! It seems the Light has suddenly gone out in Olympia.

Michael turned away from the window with a sigh and walked on down the corridor to his suite.

Chapter Two

ONCE UPON A TIME

Olympia

Earth date: 9643BC

It felt so good to be home again even if it was going to be a very short visit. Inspecting his suite, Michael found his room just as he had left it so many months ago. He sauntered around in a melancholy mood, fingering familiar things from his youth. In a polished rosewood desk drawer, he sifted through some old letters and pictures he had saved. Michael took out a small oval framed painting of a beautiful young woman. He closed the drawer. Gazing at it longingly, he kept it in his hand.

A knock on his door caused him to return from his reveries. He walked over and opened it. An elderly gray haired servant woman brought him a tray with some wine, bread, and cheese. He thanked the old woman, who had once been his nurse, and gave her a quick hug. Michael placed the tray on his desk. He didn’t have much of an appetite in view of what was ahead of him, but then again, he had not eaten all day, so he nibbled a bit. Filling a golden goblet with wine, Michael took a reflective sip. Then, shaking his head sadly, he downed it and poured himself another.

More slowly now he sipped, feeling the soothing warmth of the wine. His eyes focused on the gardens below his window. He smiled as he remembered the carefree days of his youth. Oh, to return to that quieter time of carefree innocence.

Out there was a once crystal-clear pool with a lovely natural waterfall that came down from the mountain towering above. This is where he and his brother Adriel would spend hours upon hours, perched high up on the hillside, watching the antics of the younger children gleefully at play down below. He remembered seeing his pretty gentle sister Rachael smiling up at them. He had two more little brothers, Dorel and Jarel, who were among the children in the pool, but they were just kids. Adriel was the eldest, and he and Michael felt at the time that they were so much more grown up than the little ones who were just a bunch of spoiled