Z'khut Rising

By Jeanne G. DeBold

In Z’Khut Rising, the sequel to What Price Pantropy?, we meet Z’ivik, a criminally insane terrorist from the planet Zahri. He is determined to overthrow the governments of both Kalus Epsilon and Zahri before taking control of the entire universe by using his incredible intelligence and mental powers. The first prong of his attack is to kidnap the Emissary of the Intergalactic Alliance who happens to be the father of the Explorer’s Executive Officer. With his knowledge of bioengineering, Z’ivik then synthesizes a virus that threatens to decimate the population of the planet of Kalus Epsilon. The daughter of the Chief Medical Officer of the Explorer comes on board to lend her expertise of her knowledge and understanding of the Kalian people. When the Chief Medical Officer is critically wounded, his daughter is torn between her duty to her father and to the completion of the mission. Read Z’Khut Rising, with its fast-paced action and complex interpersonal relationships, and continue the exciting journey. A must-read for science fiction fans.

If you love Star Trek, you’ll love Z’Khut Rising.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Sep 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9781665729246

Jeanne G. DeBold

The author received her Doctorate Degree in bioengineering from the Zahri Academy of Science, having graduated at the top of her class. She dedicated her professional life to the Gamma Institute of Science where she made numerous groundbreaking contributions in her field. She authored numerous professional articles for which she was awarded the Cygnus Honorarium and the Aurigan Certificate of Excellence. She received the Qui’llen Prize from the Zahri Academy of Science for outstanding achievement in the field of bioengineering. After retirement, she tried her hand at creative writing with What Price Pantropy? as the first installment of the Diana Trilogy. She received the Book of the Year Award from the Zahri Literary Society and the Magnus Award for First Time Authors for her effort. The sequel, Z’Khut Rising, also garnered the Book of the Year Award along with the much-coveted Z’inget Award for Writing Excellence. Plague! is the final installment of the well-received series. In addition to writing, she greatly enjoys spending hours under the bright red sky, tending her extensive gardens of prize-winning t’almans, Zahri flowers that resemble Earth roses. Using her knowledge of bioengineering and genetics, she has now successfully cultivated t’almans that have the scent of Earth roses rather than a fragrance more reminiscent of Earth’s cinnamon. She is also an excellent cook and beings come from light-years away just to sample her divine k’zenzill soup. She gives impromptu concerts many evenings, expertly playing her Zahri lyre for her guests. She currently lives in the city of EnBahr on the planet Zahri with her beloved pet snark named Mr. Z’wiggins. Connect with the author at [e-mail]

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Z’Khut Rising

Jeanne G. DeBold

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Copyright © 2022 Jeanne G. DeBold.

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.

Archway Publishing

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or

links contained in this book may have changed since publication and

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and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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.

ISBN: 978-1-6657-2923-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6657-2924-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022916099

Archway Publishing rev. date: 9/21/2022

Contents

Cast of Characters and Places:

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Epilogue

About the Author

This book is respectfully dedicated to

my sister, Barbara, and to

the late Gene Roddenberry

who took us

Where No Man Has Gone Before.

Historical Note:

This journey takes place

eight Earth months

after the events in

What Price Pantropy?

"A being cannot know true peace until he

has achieved honor and logic above all else."

Sitar of 40 Eridani A

Cast of Characters and Places:

Matthew (Matt) C. (Copernicus) Hawke, Captain of the Intergalactic Alliance Spaceship Explorer

Z’alek, Executive Officer/Science Officer of the Explorer, from Planet Zahri

Richard (Doc) Leahy, Chief Medical Officer of the Explorer

Lochlan (Kelty) Kelt, Chief Engineer of the Explorer

Yury Lenkov, Navigator of the Explorer

Haruto Saito, Helmsman of the Explorer

Ngoro Ubuntu, Communications Officer of the Explorer

Diana Leahy, Dr. Leahy’s Daughter

Justine Temple, Head Nurse of the Explorer

T’Zemba, Doctor on the Explorer

Marrielle Somers, Security Officer of the Explorer, Lenkov’s love interest

Engineering Yeoman Kitty Rhoades, befriends Lenkov

Z’balek, Z’alek’s father, Emissary of the Intergalactic Alliance

Sarah, Z’alek’s Terran mother

Z’ivik, Zahri terrorist who plots to take control of the Universe

Rull, Remusan pirate who has aligned with Z’ivik

Zahri, home planet of Executive Officer/Science Officer Z’alek, desert planet whose beings devote themselves to deductive reasoning and the suppression of sensations

Remusans, warrior race, home base is Remus, (Remusan Confederation), adversary of Intergalactic Alliance

Lyrians, warrior race, home base is Lyri, (Lyrian Empire), adversary of Intergalactic Alliance

Prologue

Planet of Kalus Epsilon

"You will come with me, Zahri!" the Remusan demanded. The man reached for the Zahri Emissary and grabbed his arms, pinning them behind his back. Although he struggled valiantly, Z’balek found that he was feeling quite weak because of his extremely high fever and alarming shortness of breath. Despite his best efforts, Z’balek found that he was unable to wrest his way out of the Remusan’s tight and brutal hold.

Finally subsiding in his effort to free himself, Z’balek said as forcefully as he could, Ti’amah!

Suddenly, a blond, shaggy haired Zahri appeared next to the Remusan. He stated, My cohort is Remusan, Emissary Z’balek. He does not speak our language. No, I assure you that he will not let you go. You are our prisoner now and we have big plans for you. You are going to help us conquer the universe!

Squinting his eyes and trying to focus his clouded vision, the Emissary said, Yes, I remember seeing you in the council chamber here on Kalus. You were inciting the rebel faction to overthrow Prefect Rau. Who are you, and what is it that you want from me?

"All will become clear in due time, Z’balek. You must have patience. Oh, but it is quite obvious that you are not feeling very well, are you? You see, you are suffering from an Alpha 5000 analog virus with which I infected your sparkling Arcturian water in the council chamber. Being first and foremost an inimitable biochemist, I was able to synthesize the virus quite easily. I was very pleased to see the virus working so quickly and so effectively on you.

"Have you noticed how irrational you have become, Z’balek? You really do have a very bad temper which is hidden behind all that nonsense about reason and the suppression of feelings. To see you cursing and swearing at the rebel factions in the council chamber was quite gratifying. I actually found it rather entertaining.

You asked what I want of you, Emissary, and I think you have a right to know how you fit into my scheme. You see, I plan to overthrow the governments of both Zahri and Kalus Epsilon. This will throw the universe into total chaos, especially if you are at my side, obviously supporting my efforts. You, Z’balek, are a staunch believer in the teachings of Z’urak, that insipid fool, who turned Zahri away from our ways of barbarism and turned our people into rational, peaceful beings. When I am able to convince you that we Zahris must return to the glorious days before Z’urak meddled in our affairs, I will have accomplished my goal of conquering the universe.

Ponfo mirann!

Tsk, tsk, Z’balek. Such language! I don’t think that’s how a Zahri Emissary should speak. It is most unrefined. Aren’t you finding the expression of your deepest feelings to be rather liberating, however? It seems to me, though, that you should be preaching peace and reason and not swearing at me.

Ikap’uh t’du ru’lut! the Emissary spat out weakly.

Well now, I do believe that was totally uncalled for, Z’balek. Turning to his Remusan companion, the blond Zahri said, He just told me to shut my mouth! We cannot allow him to get away with that kind of disrespect, can we, my friend?

The Zahri nodded his head almost imperceptibly to his companion who slammed the Zahri Emissary across the mouth, causing purple blood to spurt from his split lip. When the Remusan pulled back to strike again, the blond Zahri grabbed his arm and held him back.

I promised that you could have Z’alek, my friend, but Z’balek is mine. You will not touch him again unless I grant you specific permission to do so. The Remusan glared at his leader but reluctantly subsided, dropping his clenched fist to his side.

Hearing Z’alek’s name spoken by this vile person alarmed Z’balek greatly. What have you done with my son?

"Oh, nothing yet, Z’balek. His time has not yet come. I have only just begun to bait my trap. Z’alek is essential to my plans of overtaking the universe, however. You see, I need you to inform me of the inner workings of the Alliance whereas Z’alek, as Executive Officer/Science Officer of the Intergalactic Alliance Spaceship Explorer, will tell me all about Space Council. Of course, neither of you will have any choice in the matter. I assure you, Z’balek, that no one has ever been able to resist my special kind of cerebral probe. And Hawke, Captain of the Explorer, will very willingly give me control of his ship to complete my conquest of the galaxy! It will be glorious, Z’balek! Simply glorious! I do hope that you’ll still be alive to witness it."

You’re mad, the Emissary whispered. He was finding it more and more difficult to focus his eyes because of the high fever from which he was suffering. His breathing was becoming increasingly labored as well, and his head had begun to throb unmercifully. He was feeling extremely weak and feared that he would not be able to hold out for any length of time against this madman’s attempt to enter his mind.

"Well, now that you know just who is in charge here, Z’balek, we’re going to take a little trip to our base of operations in the mountains of Scapani. You are looking more and more ill, Emissary. I do believe that you need to get some much needed rest.

"By the way, the virus with which I have infected you will most certainly kill you unless you receive the antidote within the very near future. I assure you, Emissary, that your death will be a very slow and tortured process where you die inch by agonizing inch. Oh dear, but looking at you now, it appears that you are close to death at this very moment. I do so hope that Z’alek will be able to come to your rescue in time to prevent your demise.

"Of course, if you cooperate and join me now in my quest, I will immediately give you the antidote to your illness. Within hours of receiving the antidote, you will begin to feel well again. However, if you do not cooperate, you will most assuredly die of the virus, and I assure you that it is not a very pleasant death. I made very sure of that when I formulated the illness. My Alpha 5000 analog virus goes way beyond the simple releasing of pent up feelings.

"Ahh, but then, your cooperation is really not necessary, is it? You see, with my superior cerebral probe techniques, I can rip the information I require from your mind without your consent. Of course, you will be left little more than a mental vegetable after that probe.

"I am giving you a great opportunity, Z’balek. If you cooperate with me and do not force me to use the cerebral probe on you, you will be able to enjoy ruling with me over Kalus Epsilon or Zahri, your choice, Emissary. The galaxy will be most impressed with my power if you choose to rule by my side, Z’balek. You will be rich beyond your wildest dreams and greatly feared, as well.

The decision is yours, Emissary. Will you join me voluntarily and continue to live as a complete, unimpaired being or will you force me to use my mind techniques on you which will leave you nothing more than an empty shell? Choose now! I grow weary of all this talk.

You’re mad! I will never join you in your insanity, Z’balek murmured. He realized that his eyes would no longer focus on the malevolent madman standing before him. Z’balek found that the room was tilting on its axis, causing extreme bouts of vertigo, alternating with episodes of extreme nausea.

The terrorist’s eyes blazed with seething fury. Roughly placing his hands on either side of Z’balek’s temples, the blond Zahri snarled, Nahp, hif-bi tu throks!

With the last of his strength waning, Z’balek managed to whisper, No, I will never give you my thoughts. I would sooner die than have my honor and integrity tarnished by the likes of you.

Chapter 1

On Board the Explorer, Space Date 5980.4

"Captain, we’re approaching the planet Taluk, sir," Saito announced from the helm.

Very good, Mr. Saito. Turning to the relief Communications Officer, Hawke ordered, Open a channel, Ensign.

Aye, sir. Channel open.

"Governor Mennon, this is Captain Matthew C. Hawke in command of the United Alliance Spaceship Explorer. We bring you greetings and request permission to assume standard orbit over your planet."

After a brief moment of very loud static, the voice of Governor Mennon could be heard fading in and out. Despite the Governor’s best efforts to speak over the static, Hawke was unable to understand what the Governor was saying.

Turning back to the Communications station, Hawke said, Ensign, can you clear up some of that static?

I’m sorry, sir. The static is on their end. Working frantically, the Communications Ensign finally said, I think I’ve found another channel, Captain. It’s faint but it is readable, sir.

Very good, Ensign. Hawke again turned his attention to the forward view screen as he repeated his previous message. "Governor Mennon, this is Captain Matthew C. Hawke in command of the United Alliance Spaceship Explorer. We bring you greetings and request permission to assume standard orbit over your planet."

We welcome you most heartily, Captain Hawke. Permission granted. We are … to correct this problem that we’ve been … with our communications system. As you just …, we are troubled by static and frequently are unable to … messages from vessels. These ships must … very unwelcoming and inhospitable. We rely on passing vessels to supply us with … of our basic needs. Most distressing!

Well, sir, if anyone can figure out the problem with your communication system, it’s our Lieutenant Ubuntu. She’s the best Communications Officer in the Armada! She’ll figure it out soon enough. We’re also sending Ensign Lenkov, our Navigator, to assist her, sir.

We eagerly await their arrival, Captain. We … grateful for the supplies … you will be … us. Although space vessels … quite frequently to Taluk, … things that we are unable to procure. And since we’ve … this … issue, we have not had one single … stop by since the problem began. Again, our gratitude … Alliance for … welcomed assistance.

It’s our pleasure, Governor. I regret that I will be unable to scramble down to the surface with my crewmembers. I understand from my Science Officer that your capital city is one of the most beautiful in the galaxy.

The Governor’s response was again filled with static. Hawke could only get every other word or so. Finally, after some more adjustments, the Communications Ensign was able to clear the problem momentarily. The Governor repeated his message, having to shout to be heard.

Yes, Captain Hawke, we do … great pride in our capital. I hope Lieutenant Ubuntu is … rectify our … without too much difficulty. I shall look forward to … crewmembers … beautiful … of our city.

"I’m sure they’ll enjoy that, Governor Mennon. Scramble down will occur momentarily. Please let us know if there is anything else that we can do to help you, sir. Explorer, out."

Thumbing the switch on his command chair, Hawke said, Okay, Kelty. Scramble Ubuntu, Lenkov, and the supplies down to the coordinates that were supplied.

Aye, sir. They’re on their way.

On the surface of Taluk, Governor Mennon greeted the two Explorer officers as soon as their reconfiguration was complete. Bowing respectfully, Ubuntu said, "It is a great honor and our pleasure to meet you, Governor Mennon. I am Lieutenant Ubuntu and this is Ensign Lenkov from the Spaceship Explorer. I hope that I will be able to quickly resolve your communications difficulty. We also have with us the supplies that you requested." She gestured to the large number of crates and bundles beside her.

I am quite grateful to you and the Alliance for providing these supplies. However, my greatest concern is this communications problem. Our best broadcast specialists have been unable to correct the difficulty. We have been quite concerned that our silence and static would be misinterpreted as unfriendliness by any ships that may pass by our planet. We here on Taluk pride ourselves on our openness and hospitality. We are also reliant on the ships that happen by to stock our marketplace with all sorts of exotic goods. That emporium is the biggest source of income for my planet, replied Governor Mennon. We desperately need our communications difficulty corrected as quickly as possible.

Well then, Governor, if you will be so kind as to show us to your main communications terminal, I’ll get to work right away, Ubuntu stated.

Very well. I see that you are as anxious to solve the problem as we are to having it corrected! This way, please.

The Governor led Ubuntu and Lenkov down a narrow street lined with treelike vegetation. The puffs of cotton balls on top of the tall trunks apparently served the function of leaves. The puffs were in a rainbow of colors, lit by the backdrop of their sky which was a light lilac shade of purple. The scents that came from the trees reminded Ubuntu of lilies of the valley back on Earth. She closed her eyes for a brief moment as she just drank in that wonderful aroma.

When a breeze touched the cotton puffs, there was a light melodic sound that Ubuntu found very soothing. The puffs danced in the breeze, changing colors like a kaleidoscope. There were gardens in front of each and every building, gardens filled with flowers of every color that could be found on an artist’s palette. The flowerbeds were so well-tended that Ubuntu could not see a single dead leaf or a weed anywhere.

Gazing in all directions, the Explorer officers saw that the ornate buildings were constructed of a material that looked very much like pink marble. They passed many beings who nodded and smiled friendly greetings. There were no vehicles, no pollution, no loud noises to be heard. They could hear the sounds of brightly colored birds happily chirping in the trees. All was incredibly peaceful and tranquil. Ubuntu looked at Lenkov who had a very dreamy look on his face. The capital of Taluk was indeed quite beautiful and Ubuntu felt that Z’alek had not done the capital city justice in his description.

Ubuntu turned to the Governor and said, Your capital is even more wonderful than our Science Officer described to us. You must be very proud to live here, sir.

Yes, my citizens and I are most pleased with the outcome of all our hard work.

Upon arriving at a single-storied building, the Governor stated, Ahh, here we are. This is our communications facility.

They entered the building, and Ubuntu and Lenkov saw Talukians running frantically here and there. The Governor called out to them and the group gathered around the Governor and the two Explorer officers. Gesturing toward Ubuntu and Lenkov, he introduced them to the group of Talukian technicians.

"This is Lieutenant Ubuntu and Ensign Lenkov. They are here from the Spaceship Explorer to solve our communications problem."

A female Talukian approached Ubuntu and nodded her greeting by bowing from her waist and momentarily putting her hands over her eyes. I am Kenet. I am in charge of this communications facility, and I cannot tell you how happy I am that you are here! We have been struggling with this problem for many sunrises now and have made no headway whatsoever. We are most frustrated by our lack of success.

Copying Kenet’s greeting, Ubuntu said, Well, let’s just see what we can do about that. Can you please show me where the mainframe is located?

Yes, of course. This way, please.

Ubuntu and Lenkov followed the Talukian supervisor into the bowels of the building. Upon arriving at the mainframe, Ubuntu immediately began checking circuits while following their course throughout the system. Lenkov was a tremendous help in acting as assistant, handing Ubuntu whatever tools and instruments she needed. The two worked feverishly for several hours, sweat beading their brows. Kenet looked on, a worried expression on her face. Ubuntu saw that she was wringing her hands as she occasionally paced back and forth.

Hmmm, this is most perplexing, Ubuntu stated at one point. I can’t understand what the problem could possibly be. I haven’t found anything of significance, certainly nothing that would cause such catastrophic failure of your communications system.

The Talukian supervisor looked panic-stricken as she said worriedly, You will be able to fix it, won’t you?

Well, I certainly can’t let your Governor down. Don’t worry, Kenet. I haven’t given up yet! Lenkov, hand me that caliphometer, will you?

After two more hours of working outward from the interior of the mainframe, Ubuntu announced, There! That’s got it! Kenet, let me show you where the problem was.

Kenet looked on with amazement to see a tiny broken connection near the front of the mainframe. It had been hidden behind some panels until Ubuntu had cleared the circuits surrounding it. The frayed wire had been short-circuiting the cables that led to the main terminal. If the condition had been allowed to continue, it would have eventually burst into flames.

You mean to tell me that that tiny break is what caused all of our problems? I never would have seen that in a million novas! Kenet exclaimed.

Sometimes the problems that are in plain sight are the most difficult to find, Ubuntu said with a smile. Ubuntu replaced the cable, thus eliminating the frayed wire. She then gave the communications system one last check. Satisfied that the problem was now a thing of the past, Ubuntu said to the Talukian supervisor, Let’s go tell the Governor the good news, Kenet!

Kenet happily escorted the two Explorer officers across the narrow lane to the Governor’s palace. Upon seeing their smiling faces, the Governor said hopefully, You have been able to correct the problem?

Yes, Governor, Kenet answered. You should have seen how Lieutenant Ubuntu found the difficulty. I never would have been able to diagnose the problem and I’m supposedly the best on our planet! I wish she could stay here with us on Taluk, Governor. She could teach us so much!

"Thank you for your kind words, Kenet. As Communications Officer for the Explorer, I have had to learn how to diagnose obscure problems and sometimes improvise a solution, Ubuntu responded. Very rarely are we able to return to a Space Station simply to have a communications problem resolved. So it’s generally up to me to solve any such issues that may come up."

The Governor was obviously very pleased that the difficulty had been corrected. I do hope that you and Ensign Lenkov will take advantage of our hospitality. Our marketplace is unsurpassed in the entire galaxy. One can find the most exotic items from the four corners of the universe. There is nothing that one could want and not find in our bazaar. Please avail yourselves of the opportunity to explore the far reaches of the galaxy right here in our emporium!

Thank you so much for your gracious hospitality, Governor. The Captain did say that we could take some time for ourselves while on your planet. Perhaps Ensign Lenkov and I will take you up on your very kind offer, sir.

Excellent! Excellent! Hovis, please escort our two guests to our marketplace.

Turning back to the Explorer officers, the Governor, with a wide grin on his face, said, Thank you once again for your very valuable assistance. I cannot tell you how much it has meant to our planet. Now it is time for you to enjoy yourselves after all your hard work! I’m sure you will find the experience of our bazaar both exciting and rewarding!

Thank you, Governor. I’m sure we shall! I’m always eager to go shopping! I am so glad that we were able to solve your communications issue.

She bowed respectfully once again to the Governor and covered her eyes for a moment, as she had learned from Kenet. She then shook his outstretched hand. Lenkov copied her actions and both Explorer officers smiled graciously at the Governor and Kenet. Turning to Lenkov, Ubuntu said, Come on, Yury, let’s go see what their marketplace has to offer!

Chapter 2

The Scapani Mountain Range, Kalus Epsilon

The majestic beauty of Mount Danton soared high above the other mountain peaks in the Scapani mountain chain on the planet of Kalus Epsilon. The oppressive heat of the day had started to subside to be replaced by the relative cool of the evening. The night sky grew as dark as obsidian, illuminated by the brilliant gold of Kalus’s rising primary moon. The man sent up a vile Zahri curse when he saw Kalus’s secondary moon glowing dimly in the far eastern sky.

The man was shrouded in the white-hooded robe of a Lembrene postulant, the non-emotional discipline of Zahri. Although he abhorred the teachings of Z’urak, he paid reluctant homage to the ancient leader whose teachings of peace and the negation of feelings that he would soon overthrow.

He made his way silently along the newly hewn rock corridors in the cavern at the mouth of Mount Danton. He was pleased with the careful and fastidious work that had been done so quickly by his newly formed army of followers. They had made this cavern into a duplicate of the Sanctuary of Ancestry in the mountains of Tet on Zahri. Those age-old corridors had been hewn out of rock centuries ago but the cavern here on Kalus had been completed only days previously. One would never guess that these caves had been solid rock only weeks before the start of the man’s monumental project to transform Kalus Epsilon into an exact duplicate of Zahri.

If he did not know that he was indeed on Kalus, the man would have thought for certain that he had somehow traveled back to Zahri. The workmanship in his new rock cave looked absolutely authentic. The rocks had been given a weathered look as if eons of time had done its work here rather than the hammers and chisels of humanoids in just the past few weeks. The room where he now was on Kalus was lit only by flickering candles, just as in the authentic Sanctuary of Ancestry on Zahri. The light from those candles cast an eerie glow on the scene, creating shadows that danced and quivered on the rock crevices.

Here on Kalus, the man sneered as he placed the three empty kazelurns, receptacles of the deplos or consciences of Zahris, on one of the many rock ledges that had been so recently formed by his workmen. The man thought back to how he had obtained these vessels. A fortnight ago, he had entered the authentic Sanctuary of Ancestry in the mountain chain of Tet on Zahri. As if walking on rice paper, the man had turned a corner in the rock cavern, seeing the three Lembrenes who guarded the secret room where all of the kazelurns, both ancient and recent, were kept in total isolation. Making his way behind the first watchman, the man had snapped the guard’s neck instantly by using the ancient method of merciful execution called ben-lyn. He had certainly not been concerned with being compassionate but rather that the watchman would die instantly before he could send a mind message to his fellow guards. The man had moved on to the second and finally the third guard, dispatching their deplos to the four winds without giving the sentinels or their lost consciences a second thought. Those men were merely unimportant obstacles to his overall plans, impediments that must be vanquished.

The man had then boldly entered the room on Zahri, astonished by the large number of kazelurns that lined the shelves of the ancient rock. Here in these shimmering globes were the deplos of all those Zahris who were considered either worthy to be remembered or those who were feared down through the ages.

Fascinated, the man had taken his time reading the inscriptions that were written in ancient Zahri. He had no fear of being observed or being caught in his despicable crime. He knew that the guards who were to relieve the men he had just murdered would not appear for several hours. They would not have conceived of anyone committing the heinous crime which he was perpetrating.

Being in the presence of these ancient things of Zahri had reminded the man of Z’urak, the founding father of Zahri’s current way of thinking, which the man absolutely despised. Damn you, Z’urak, and damn your philosophy of peace, reason, and the suppression of feelings, he had thought. You have singlehandedly ruined all of Zahri. We must return to those glorious days of our past, those days of barbarism, unbridled feelings, and passion. I will obliterate all of Z’urak’s insipid beliefs and we shall return to the Zahri of old. That is the kind of neo-Zahri over which I shall rule with supreme glory and utter oppression. Those were things he could relate to and understand.

He had gingerly placed the three empty kazelurns that he had stolen from the true Sanctuary of Ancestry in an old wooden box. Then, he had begun making his way out of the room as he had climbed the rock steps that had brought him up to ground level. As he had moved past a window, he had looked up at the brilliance of Z’Khut, Zahri’s sister planet. Although Zahri had no true moon, Z’Khut served that function as it illuminated the Zahri Forge. He smiled when he saw Z’Khut as he remembered Kalus’s primary moon. That moon would serve the function of Z’Khut quite nicely. Then he had cursed once again when he had thought about Kalus’s secondary moon which cast its dim light on the plains of Kalus. That secondary moon would have to be destroyed if he were to make Kalus into an exact replica of Zahri over which he would rule with absolute power and brutality.

As he had made his way out of the Sanctuary of Ancestry on Zahri, the hood of his robe had shifted just a bit, revealing his shaggy, blond hair around his catlike ears. The man had made his way silently out of the cavern without anyone even knowing that he had ever been there.

Now in his own newly hewn Sanctuary of Ancestry on Kalus Epsilon, he admired the three empty kazelurns that he had just placed on a rock shelf of prominence. He half smiled as he thought about his plan to rip the deplos from Z’balek, Z’alek, and K’Tian, High Priest of Zahri, while they were in their death throes if they chose not to join him in his crusade. Once those three revered Zahris had been either eliminated or subjugated, he knew that Zahri’s governing body would be thrown into utter chaos. That is when he would move in to take total control of the planet’s hierarchy. Under his tyrannical leadership, the citizens of Zahri would soon come to their senses and return to the days of old, the days before Z’urak, those glorious days of barbarism, hatred, and heightened and highly irrational feelings.

He hoped his three future victims would appreciate the honor that he bestowed upon them by stealing these kazelurns from the real Sanctuary of Ancestry on Zahri. He had not wanted to tarnish his own glory or the formidable reputations of his three victims by using kazelurns that he had simply purchased from a marketplace on Zahri. No, these kazelurns from the Sanctuary of Ancestry on Zahri had a history to them, a history that made them worthy of his purpose and worthy of his victims.

When Zahri finally returned to its ways before Z’urak’s meddling, the neo-Zahris would soon cut their ties with the Intergalactic Alliance, sending the universe into total chaos. Under his oppressive rule, Zahri and Kalus Epsilon would have no choice but to begin making war on its neighbors, appropriating all the wealth and goods of those many planets that they would conquer. He would also take the subjugated citizens as his slaves to work the mines here on Kalus to increase his own personal wealth. After all, the king who ruled over the entire universe must be resplendent in his personal appearance and in his surroundings. It was his due, after all. He would accept nothing less.

Looking around the cavern, he half smiled as he thought that his plan to turn Kalus Epsilon into his own kingdom of Zahri would soon be realized. They will all cower before me. I shall be their god and they shall be my slaves. It is only right that they should worship me and only me. I have already accomplished my first goal - Z’balek is already mine. As he thought about his plans, he began laughing maniacally, the spine chilling sound reverberating over and over throughout the cavernous pit.

Chapter 3

The Marketplace, Capital City, Planet of Taluk

Having completed their assignment of correcting the communications problem, Ubuntu and Lenkov followed Hovis, the Governor’s aide, to the entrance of the marketplace. After Hovis left them, Ubuntu’s eyes lit up with delight when she saw the numerous tents with exotic beings hawking their strange and exotic goods. She grabbed Lenkov’s hand and pulled him into the crowd. She said in a voice loud enough to be heard over the din, Come on, Yury! This is going to be fun!

Ubuntu and Lenkov began working their way into the depths of the crowd. They had to elbow their way through beings from every planet of the galaxy. The smell of spices and perfumes from distant planets assailed their senses. The noise of the market was deafening but very exciting at the same time, lending it an almost carnival-like atmosphere.

As Ubuntu and Lenkov walked down the narrow alleys of the marketplace, vendors pushed squirming creatures, slathered with sticky sauce and skewered on sticks, at their faces. Grinning but shaking their heads, Ubuntu and Lenkov continued to push their way through the crowds. Lenkov’s eyes lit up when he saw a vendor selling fresh fruits and vegetables. He eagerly grabbed a butterkin and gladly paid the purveyor the outrageous price for the luscious fruit. With sticky juice running down his chin, he savored the sweet flavor as they continued their walk through the emporium.

Raucous music filled the air as nearly naked belly dancers, bawdy expressions on their faces, gyrated seductively on straw mats, veils flying around their bodies. The dancers contorted into impossible positions as they punctuated the beat of the throbbing music with castanets that moved fluidly in their hands. Their hips swayed seductively as the sounds of tambourines and timbals filled the air accompanied by the heavier beat of bass drums. There were male beings of many species from around the galaxy pounding on the tables in front of them, keeping beat with