Union of Worlds: Deception Book 1

By Kieran Ryan

SUPERLATIVE SCI FI ACTION FOR MIDDLE GRADE READERS!
BOOK 1 IN THE UNION OF WORLDS TRILOGY.

For decades the Union of Worlds have ruled the galaxy with an iron fist. However, on the once proud planet of Crade, revolution is stirring...
When the Prince disappears, Daru and Lizzee, two teenagers from Crade, get caught up in a web of conspiracy which will take them across the galaxy with the ruthless Red Hand army in pursuit. Joined by their strong-willed artificial intelligence, Aye-Eye, and a host of eclectic characters they race from one dangerous situation to the next with only Daru’s self-confidence and Lizzee’s brilliant mind keeping them alive.
Can two teenagers really take on the might of the Union of Worlds and survive?
Set in a vibrant and exciting galaxy, Union of Worlds: Deception is a thrilling science fiction adventure story full of twists, turns and surprises on every page!

"Fast-paced plot, incredible action, dramatic world-building, exciting, daring, full of twists and turns; this is classic sci-fi writing as it should be!" Mary Esther Judy, Fallen Star Stories

"great book for teenagers, young adults and older adults too!" John Breslin, best-selling author

"Reminds me of the brilliant Star Wars Rebels." Amazon reviewer

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kieran Ryan
• Release date: Feb 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005659677

Kieran Ryan

Kieran Ryan is a science fiction writer from Galway city in the West of Ireland.He has recently published the third book in his middle grade sci fi trilogy "Union of Worlds."In between writing and parenting, Kieran has earned degrees in science and the arts, and a PhD in microbiology.Kieran also draws and does all sorts of other creative stuff which you can check out at https://www.unionofworlds.com

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Union of Worlds: Deception

KIERAN RYAN

Copyright © 2019 Kieran Ryan

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, without the written permission of the author, except where permitted by law. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the internet or via any other means without the permission of the author is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic and print editions, and do not participate in or encourage any form of piracy of copyrighted materials.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.

To My Family

www.unionofworlds.com

CHAPTER 1 - PARADE

"Come one, come all! Get your royal souvenirs here. Flags, hats, banners. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity!"

The street trader roared with all his might as throngs of people moved through the packed and dusty streets.

Stopping at the stall, Lizzee Rake turned to her companion.

So, what do you think Daru, are you going to buy a Prince Ory sunhat, or maybe a royal family flag?

The pretty young girl grinned at her friend while she fixed her brown bobbed hair back from eyes with a gaudy hair clip.

Very funny, Lizzee. What do you think? replied the obviously unimpressed Daru.

Oh come on, don’t be so miserable, can’t you see how happy this royal visit is making everyone?

Daru glanced around at the laughing faces. He couldn’t deny that there was an exciting buzz around Bellissimo City. Daru and Lizzee had known each other their whole lives. They had grown up together like brother and sister in the largest and most overcrowded orphanage in the city. Neither knew their parents, and as a result they had formed an unbreakable bond. The staff had tried their best but with hardly any resources, life in the orphanage was tough. Helping each other out was the only way to survive. Now in their teens, the bond between Daru and Lizzee was as close as ever. Daru’s thoughts drifted back to the present.

Yes, but the prince will be gone tomorrow and then the people will be miserable all over again, Daru said.

Don’t be such a killjoy. Let’s just enjoy today. The royal entourage should be here any minute. C’mon we have to find somewhere good to watch.

With that, Lizzee ran ahead to scout for vantage spots. Same old Lizzee. Always positive, always looking on the bright side of things. Shaking his head with a smile, Daru jogged after her. The two teenagers pushed through the thronged crowd, looking for some high ground from where they could look down on the parade route.

Bellissimo City was the capital and by far the largest city on Crade. It had for centuries been the economic and cultural centre of the planet. In better times, the city was famed for its beauty and its stunning buildings. Cradian architects were regarded as the very best and were sought after throughout the galaxy. In the main thoroughfare of the city, twenty-storey high buildings, built from local feldspar rock, lined the main streets.

However, without proper maintenance, much of the city had fallen into irreversible disrepair. There were reminders of a glorious past in places with a monument here and a statue there. The people had long forgotten their significance. Survival was enough to worry about. In more recent times, the street level had been taken over by an untidy mess of ramshackle stalls and street traders. Building and safety regulations from a by-gone era were ancient history. The Cradian markets were a free-for-all where only the strongest survived. This was the lifeblood of the city, and Daru loved it here.

Today, however, Bellissimo city was unrecognisable from its usual dusty, grey self. Much like its inhabitants, the city had transformed for this special occasion. The once-in-a-lifetime appearance of the Prince of Crade had brought the entire population of the city together. People had scrimped and saved for weeks so that they could decorate their homes. Many buildings had been repaired and even repainted. The streets looked dazzling with brightly coloured bunting and banners hanging from every available spot. The royal colour yellow was everywhere. All kinds of wonderful food smells, both sweet and spicy, filled the marketplace. For once, people were laughing and smiling. The joy and anticipation in the air was palpable.

Daru hauled his slight frame onto a first storey window ledge. He had always been smaller and lighter than his peers, but that didn’t bother him. It made him tougher and gave him a speed advantage. Not for the first time that day, he pushed his long fringe of brown hair back from his eyes. Lizzee often teased him, and she never tired of offering him a girly hair clip when he did it. He didn’t care, he liked his hair that way. Daru trained his light blue eyes on his friend, who thankfully hadn’t seen him this time. Lizzee was about the same size as Daru. She had always been taller, but he had caught up in recent years. She wore a pale blue, short-sleeved, dress which had seen better days. Oil stains marked her bare legs and arms. Her big brown eyes looked back at him, sparkling with excitement.

Faces peered out from every window in every building, hoping to get a look at the Royal Parade. A few storeys above Daru, a child waved a fluttering yellow flag in the soft breeze. The sun shone brightly overhead and despite himself, his spirits lifted. Suddenly, the dynamic in the huge crowd changed. There was a shift in the air and electricity seemed to flow through the sea of people.

This is it Daru, they must be close, whispered Lizzee. Daru could feel the excitement in her voice. He was about to reply when a huge cheer erupted as the first car of the royal train emerged into view. It was a vintage royal carriage model, probably more than eighty years old. It was definitely from independence times and must have been specially restored for the occasion. These particular models were big, shiny, magnificent and highly impractical. Daru remembered lovingly reading old books about them in the orphanage. They were reminders of better times. Then he gritted his teeth. There were two squads of Red Hand Knights flanking both sides of the carriage. A not so subtle reminder of the political situation on Crade. These elite soldiers were the ruthless law on the streets of the city. Merciless. Unforgiving. Hated. Daru had had plenty of first-hand experience of them; all of it dreadful. Of course, it was too much to hope they wouldn’t be there, making sure everyone behaved as expected. Figureheads like the prince were fine to keep the people pacified, but there was no real doubt as to where the power really lay. Daru sighed and tried to forget about them. His focus switched to the royal entourage instead. As the first carriage slowly passed them by, the prince’s own carriage came into view. From what Daru could tell, it was a replica of the original Cradian state carriage last seen during the reign of Queen Loren. Measuring over two storeys high, the carriage trundled slowly towards them. It towered over the people who screamed with excitement at the mere sight of it. It was covered in ornate carvings and sculptures representing the history of Crade and the royal family. The symbols didn’t mean anything to Daru. In the small forward cockpit, he could make out the team of drivers struggling to control the huge vehicle. It was definitely designed to inspire pride and loyalty rather than efficiently transport people.

Wow, isn’t it amazing? said Lizzee. Reluctantly, Daru had to agree.

And there, on the uppermost part of the royal box was Prince Ory himself. He was flanked on both sides by the Cradian Royal Guard dressed in full ceremonial uniform. Surprised, Daru thought the Royal Guard had long disbanded. Excitement in the crowd now reached fever pitch as the prince smiled and waved down at them. His striking green eyes glittered like jewels in his pale but handsome face. The man exuded charisma and every smile and nod was met by rapturous approval. The breeze which flowed through the prince’s well-groomed auburn hair grew stronger now. Around them, flags pulled and strained against the gusts. Daru began to feel unsteady and his grip on the rough stone of the window ledge loosened as the bodies in front of him swayed and pushed back against his legs. He looked across at Lizzee and saw signs of panic in her eyes. She too was struggling to keep hold. Daru gripped his fingers tight to the ledge. The ancient stone crumbled like dirt against his desperate clawing. Beneath both of them was a heaving mass of bodies. Daru glanced up at the Royal Carriage again. The smiling face of the Prince had changed. Something was happening. The crowd was getting out of hand. The Red Hand Knights were being pushed forwards and dispersed. There were just too many people crammed into the street for them to resist. Daru made one final, desperate, useless attempt to hold on before crashing headlong into the crowd below. Momentarily stunned, his legs struggled and searched frantically for the ground. He seemed to hear Lizzee shouting his name from somewhere off to the left. All around him people pushed and shoved, and the rising feeling of panic was now spreading. Arms and legs flailed and crashed into Daru as he fell to his knees. He desperately pulled his arms up to cover his head. He took a blow from the left. Someone to the right was screaming. His legs fought to regain some ground. An ominous feeling of fear filled the air.

Then, full scale panic broke out. From high up in the royal box, something happened. The sound of an explosion ripped through the air and debris rained down on the people. Daru partially found some footing amidst the ensuing screams and chaos. Everywhere, people scrambled in fear to get away. Ignoring the pain in his side, he could see black smoke billowing from where the prince had stood seconds ago. An attack on the prince? It must be.

Instinctively his eyes turned to those symbols of authority and order, the Red Hand Knights. They were now scattered and disorganised, their efforts at containing the crowds through force making matters even worse. Pure terror was driving the citizens to disobey. Daru tried to fight his way towards the royal carriage, but the smoke was getting thicker. The breeze, which a short time ago was soothing, was now spreading the smoke making visibility close to zero. He felt his feet lift from the ground again as he was swept away helplessly by the now completely out of control mob. The smoke bit into his eyes, and tears streamed down his face. Frantic now, his eyes searched for a way out. Squinting, he noticed a group of individuals, all hooded, who seemed to be working together to get through the crowd. There was no doubt about it, they were moving in unison and as a result were managing to carve out a definite path. He didn’t recognise them, but no matter, strength in numbers thought Daru, that’s my way out of this mess. He wriggled himself closer to the strange group, and bit by bit managed to follow in their wake. It was working. Eventually, he regained a proper foothold once more and trailed the group as they cut through the hysteria. At last, Daru could see they were making for a side street leading off to a series of branching alleys. The crowd would begin to thin out now, he thought with relief. As he began to relax, he realised he was now in the centre of the group of hoods. In fact, they were now pushing him along. Surrounded on all sides, he was powerless to escape. Then, all of a sudden, one of the group members, an enormous man who towered over him, pulled back his hood and asked through gritted teeth, He’s following us, will I kill him?

Daru wondered if the flash of yellow he thought he spied under the cowl of the heavy cloak would be the last thing he ever saw.

An arm emerged from behind the big man, pulling him back.

We don’t have time for this, Captain, and no more killing. Many people will already die today because of what we have done.

"What to do with