Dark Legends: Rise of Darkness

By Joshua Stevens

In a system far from Earth, a vast republic reigns with compassion and fairness. Though the republic is at peace, an ancient cold war is heating up. The pirate clans have begun a resurgence since their defeat in the Pirate Wars. Their new leader, hidden in the shadows, rules the clans with an iron fist. His second in command, a ghost from the past, is scared by the clans. Both men are destined to bring an end to the home world, fulfilling the prophecy that created the clans ten thousand years ago. They watched as their world and those who shunned them were obliterated in the blink of an eye.

The only man that can stop them is the only son of a long lineage of heroes. This man is linked both to the past and the clans in ways he does not realize. He is in command of the most advanced starship the republic has ever constructed, to help find a new home. His crew is the best of the best, brave and loyal, willing to do the right thing regardless of the consequences.

Both sides will face off with each other reveal hidden secrets that no one suspected. It is a battle between good and evil that will span the known universe in a quest for revenge. Will our hero stop another world from burning or fall like his?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Springs Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 16, 2022
• ISBN: 9781684981984

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Copyright © 2022 Joshua Stevens

All rights reserved

First Edition

NEWMAN SPRINGS PUBLISHING

320 Broad Street

Red Bank, NJ 07701

First originally published by Newman Springs Publishing 2022

ISBN 978-1-68498-197-7 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-68498-198-4 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

To Sam Fournier

Gone too soon but will never be forgotten.

Until we meet again, my friend and brother.

June 28, 1987–March 25, 2020

Chapter One

Bloodlines

The world was born from darkness and devastation, a galactic event that began the building blocks of life. Life and death resided in the darkness, giving hope for the universe of renewal from the ashes of destruction. With such destruction widespread, it was only halted for a time to allow creation to begin. Such was the truth throughout the universe, including a planet called Nevidia. She was created from the dust of an extinct world, erected in the orbit of a sun similar in many ways to ours here on Earth. This planet resided within a solar system on the opposite side of the known universe, far from the boundaries of our own. Orbiting her sun in an endless cycle, she was one of two worlds that held life in this system. Her sister world was just as wondrous as Nevidia, though her lands were not as beautiful. She looked magnificent among the stars, a blue jewel that shined like the beacon of hope to the beings within the vast universe.

Though she was such a beacon, her history was stained with the blood of the people. War, famine, and destruction gripped the world for many generations. Hordes of bandits and warlords, thieves and liars roamed the wilderness looking for riches and power. Fear gripped the nations of Nevidia from border to border, like an unending plague blanketing the lands. This was the law of the land, until the age of the kings, by our calendar around eight thousand BC. It was at this point that the world learned of what their world held. Like our home, she held seven continents within her atmosphere, most people living on the largest sitting on her equator.

Within a few years’ time, the age of the kings spread throughout the world and peace began to take hold. The home continent of the kings, named Calenga, was divided into seven nations. These seven nations were led by seven kings who ruled with honor and loyalty, something that the world lacked at this point. The seven men chosen to lead these nations were proud men, raised to be knights and warriors of the unwritten code of the world. Each man’s courage was tested on the battlefield as well as the floor of the courts. Unlike their predecessors, these men brought peace to the realm after generations of savage conquest and bloodshed. The seven kings who ruled these nations respected each other, known each other by conflict or by reputation. These men may have had each other’s respect, but none held more respect than King Toleca Tamous.

This wise king led his people with the heart, compassion, conviction, and courage of a warrior. Born into royalty but forged in the trials set forth by the duties of a young prince and on the battlefield. His skill with a sword and war was only matched by his general, Tritol Torlon. Though both men came from different worlds, both had bled together on the battlefield for their nation and each other. It was their bond that forged their brotherhood and the relationship that would ensue after. Both men owed their lives to the other, as well as their families and friends. As they grew older, they shared in their triumphs and defeats, marriage and loss. Both were present at the birth of their children and both had a hand in the raising of each other’s children. They trained their children in the ways of the world and of the warrior. Their teachers were masters in their arts, and professors taught philosophy not only to their students, but their fathers. Each entrusted the children with teachings that were taught to them from generations upon generations of men in their lines.

In the end though, both fell to the sword of one such offspring. They fell together in battle, fighting for their lives in a fight destined to end with their blood spilled on the day of a wedding. Destiny spoke of the day when a great evil will rise from the ashes and destroy the proud king by the hand of his own son. No one suspected which son it would be, though it was a true shock when the evil presented itself to a heartbroken prince. Believing in a lie, the prince swore an unholy allegiance to the spirit from a dark past. It was the possession this young prince by a demon prince from a time long forgotten that began the greatest and longest cold war in the history of Nevidia.

His name was Jaletal Tamous, and though his was not in control, he reigned for ten nightmarish years. Believed restoring his lost love to life, he made a deal with the devil to see his love again. Though a noble cause, his act of love began a reign of terror that would consume the world. This regime’s terror began with the slaughter of his father, King Toleca, his brother, and the rest of his family as his brother spoke his wedding vows to his fiancée. Even the brave general fell upon his sword at the wedding, his last breath by the side of his dying king. With a handful of men, he had done the impossible and united a horde of evil men that consumed the world. As his father lay dying at his feet, he cut off his head as his trophy for his rise to power. Now with this victory behind him, he began his ultimate quest for vengeance upon the world. As he had done a thousand years before, he conquered five of the seven nations with his massive army of evil and death. Armies that fought against him shown courage and valor but fell in battle as his evil spread like an angry flood. Nothing in the known world was able to stop him from his vengeful quest, or so he believed.

He finally met his end in battle ten years later in his throne room overlooking the mountain pass that once hid the legendary Daklaren Raiders. The man who ended the regime was a young man who would become to be known as the legendary hero Guliath. This man, unknown to many, was the son of the late General Tritol and given orders from both his father and the king. His orders were simple, mass an army to put an end to the demon in possession of the young prince. It took the young man ten years to amass the army from his exile in the western regions of the ship builders. During that time, his father’s best general and instructors taught him to be a master in all arts, along with his men. Each man was trained and molded for war; each man was prepared to do what needed to be done for the good of the nations. Once he and his army was ready, he led his army into a two-pronged attack against the castle itself, as the emperor’s main army was marching toward the nation of the shipbuilders. The epic battle that was fought that night ended the reign of the tyrannical emperor. As the battle was waged outside, Guliath walked into the throne room to end the regime once and for all.

In the end, the emperor was slain the same fashion as his father. Once his life ended, it was believed when he died his line ended that night as the castle was cleared by the advancing rebellion of all wearing the imperial seal. Unbeknownst to him, his concubine took all three of her sons from the castle under the cloak of darkness. These boys ranging from ages five to two, all sons of the emperor, taken swiftly away from the castle that night as their father died in front of his throne. They had escaped through the ancient mountain pass of the raiders at the rear of the main court. Only the royal family knew of this path, a secret that served them well as the three young princes fled. Each son was given to a different nurse maid only loyal to the demon’s lineage, the youngest staying with his mother, dividing them among three different tribes.

Since that night, what few minions that truly served him scattered to the far corners of the world. Even after his death, his influence had mentally and morally corrupted others hiding in the shadows of society. Silently planning and scheming to carry out the prophecy passed down by his sons and so on. His followers hid away on the frozen islands to the northern tundra, the dark forests of the southern swaps, and the lava canyons of the western mountains. These encampments were loyal to the emperor’s evil blood, each person biding time as their numbers grew. His lineage, though masked by shadows, Jaletal spawned evil in his three sons Jiteal, Tretil, and Moril. These three men would bring evil and corruption to the world with their long line of future descendants. Jiteal would lead the Frozen Islands tribe, which was thought to have been extinct when they were betrayed by the warrior tribes of the neighboring continent. His brother, Tretil led his people of the Dark Forests Tribes for decades making his presence known only in whispers and rumor.

It is not known what became of him or his brother Moril; stories and legends are the only things that is known but none mention their fates. All believed they had died off just like their brother either because of famine, betrayal, or any other evil plaguing the lands. These brothers would lay the foundation for the events that would transpire in the future.

So it has been through the ages, as the evolution of the mighty ships of sail and wood evolved to the strong ships of steel and engine. During this evolution, the old ways were lost to the ravages of time and battles long past. Through a strange twist of fate, during an excavation near the rumored site of his ruined castle, the long-lost chronicles of the King Toleca Tamous were discovered. Thought to have been destroyed by the emperor during his purge of the kingdom, it somehow found its way to a wooden chest buried under one of the oldest trees on the continent. It outlined the adventures of the king, his teaching, and his morale codes as they were taught to his sons. Discovering the past exploits of their ancestors, the people became more enlightened and learned to be more receptive to each other. The leaders of the nations adopted the moral code, which shown them the way to true peace and harmony.

With this simple chronicle, the people grew in knowledge and spirit, taking courage from the old ways. Studying the past while looking to the future, it shown the world what evil had done to their world and the price of arrogance. From the discovered ancient moral code of the fallen king, a new world was born. It shown the world how men and women can do more than what they believed they could. It was a simple code, for a much simpler time, but its impact changed the world for generations to come. Crime, poverty, war was all but a memory within a decade of the world leaders coming together in the first council.

As time progressed, the world evolved to the point that they could touch the stars. Like us on Earth, the scientist perfected and built rockets similar in many ways to the Gemini rockets of the early space program. These scientists had begun taking the first steps to a life outside of their atmosphere. As the years progressed, and the technology advanced, rockets turned to orbital vehicles such as shuttles and hoppers. Once the technology had advanced far enough, they began to build the first starships.

When the first starships built after the development of the first interstellar drive, the people began exploring their planet and their neighbors in the solar system. With this taste of their potential, they began going further than the people dreamed possible. Once technology gave them a way off world to see the universe, Nevidia rejoiced and reveled in the marvels of technology. This was a new way of life, exploring their sister worlds and other solar systems for the first time. Once trade was established, this new relationship grew into the beginnings of an alliance. From this point on, the people turned to and expanded toward the stars until finally she was at center of a vast republic spanning hundreds of light-years in every direction. She had gained hundreds of allies, hundreds of colonies, and dozens of stations.

For over two thousand years, the republic had served as the peacekeepers of the known universe, even to as far as Earth’s solar system. The republic had become a beacon of hope and salvation, an ally that made us safer. Republic stations within her borders were safe havens for the people, her starships commanded respect from all who witnessed their majestic beauty and grace.

For some time Nevidia was at peace with the universe, even border skirmishes between territories had become a relic of the past. For when a sector signed into the alliance, the republic began spreading peace throughout the galaxy. With its influence spreading to the far reaches of space, people began to wish to show their appreciation to the people who gave them peace. Men and women throughout the republic flocked to the academies to learn the ways of the Nevidian Corp, the sovereign power behind the republic.

The massive shipyards high above the clouds produced ships at an impressive rate, cutting time from fifteen years to five in construction. The shipyards used a combination of Nevidian workers and androids to build each ship. Thousands of Nevidian workers and androids working as one, building night and day to make a starship to aid in the republic for exploration and defense. Each ship they built was built by the efforts of the people and their ingenuity. Though more for exploration than defense, the starships that now dominated the heavens evolved as well to became more powerful and faster than before. From traveling faster than light to a state where time and space could almost be bent to suit their needs.

The ships were designed by the best engineers on the planet, designed for maximum efficiency and ensuring each ship is multimission capable. Each ship had to be able to accommodate different missions, whether evacuation of a colony or defense of an installation. Though the ships had been a great asset, it was believed that a change was needed to change the world. Experts in design and technology agreed that the designs had become obsolete, no more useful than a net trying to catch the wind. All starships were designed with the same basic strategy behind them; a primary and secondary hull sections, engine pylons leading to interstellar drive engines, and an ion drive in sub light speeds. Even the basic hull designs had not changed in close to a thousand years, each ship undistinguishable from the next. Every class only differed in technology and the crews who worked them, even the deck layouts stayed virtually the same. These basics have driven the design of starships for decades until it was decided that things needed to change. It was this need for change that began the events that would change the Nevidian people.

One day a young man, about eighteen years of age, walked up to an admiral with design schematics of a new class of starship. With curiosity, the admiral listened to the young man as he explained what he had with him. The young man was nervous as he spoke to the admiral, holding several data pads with designs of a ship and engines. Intrigued, the admiral agreed to take the data pads and see that they were given to the design bureau. Taking the data pads and looking upon them, he saw the potential of the ship and how it could help their people. He imagined how the ship could be a great asset to the republic. The young man told the admiral that he had designed it from a dream, that he drew what he had remembered. Looking upon this, the admiral wondered how a dream could create such an inspiring creation. Before the admiral could get a name or identification to give him credit, the young man commented that he only wanted to remain anonymous.

The design was truly a leap forward from the normal starship design that made up the whole of the fleet. Though crudely drawn from a supposed dream, the overall concept and basic design of the ship itself was compelling. Its elegance, even in the basic design, captivated all who looked upon it. This was what the people needed, the change that could move the world forward into a new degree of thinking and comprehension. Deviating from the normal design, the ship was truly a marvel and seemed at first glance to be everything they had hoped for. The best engineers of the planet each took part in this endeavor, all amazed at the concept and direction of this type of starship. After several changes and refinements, most just slight modifications, the schematics were passed onto the shipyards. Once there, the ship was inputted into the computer systems, allowing the robotic and Nevidian workers to both take part in such a project. As the workers began working on the ship, the people of the world began to see a possible end of the world. Most thought that the ship was just a coincidence, others thought it was a sign of the end of days. This new starship had a link to the past, a prophecy made during the dark ages of the nations.

The prophecy was made by the ancient tyrannical emperor of legend, one that his minions swore to uphold. It was made at the end of the Battle of Deltara, within the throne room of the emperor. This was the night that legends say the tyrannical emperor fell in battle to another legend. During the fight, the emperor fell to the ground as if struck by an arrow from an unknown archer. Unsure of what was happening, Guliath approached the emperor with caution, hearing him speak in different voices. One voice sounded like a young man, fearless and bold, the other like a demon full of evil and malevolence. It was then that Guliath realized the truth, the trapped soul of Jaletal disabled his own body to aid in his defeat. Guliath, the son of the great fallen general Tritol, knew the story of the prince being possessed by some demonic spirit but he never believed it until this night. Jaletal had been possessed by an evil demon, which preyed on the broken heart of the prince.

Though possessed, the young prince watched for ten years what he had done, unable to break his torment for the demon was too strong. After ten years of waiting and watching, that night the real prince took his revenge. As the two fought with their swords, the echo of the clanging swords echoing over the castle, the trapped soul took control of his body. Only able to move one arm to move himself, he dragged his disabled body toward the throne. Both souls fighting with each other as he crawled, the two were night and day and their voices matched their own personalities. Legend says that the prince gained control of his body, looking to Guliath saying, please, kill me, sir.

With a shriek of pain, the demon would regain control to say, Would you kill an innocent?

Guliath slowly followed behind him, watching in disbelief, for he knew what was happening but had no idea a trapped soul could defeat the demon. It was a fight for not only his body but for the fate of his eternal soul. Once he reached the throne, the prince regained control, turning over to say, Please, sir, for all that is good end my suffering.

His scared and weak eyes watched Guliath come up from behind him, hoping and praying his suffering would soon be over. With the last of his strength, the prince said, father, please forgive my actions and allow me to stand by you in heaven.

With his sword drawn, the blade glistened by the light of the fires burning within the room, he continued to move forward. As Guliath stopped in front of him, his broken body sat up, his demon eyes glowing red as he yelled When eight villages touched heaven’s gates this world shall burn by the hand of my blood.

As the Guliath raised his sword for the final blow, he replied, And my blood shall rise up and vanquish your pathetic line for all eternity.

Guliath with all his might brought his weapon down upon the neck of his enemy, with little resistance as it passed through bone and tissue. With his breath exhaling as his followed through with his strike, the silence was shattered by the sound of the prince’s body hitting the floor. Once his body landed on the floor, his head rolled away toward the throne. As Guliath stood above him, he watched the blood red eyes turn into the blue eyes of the young prince.

Before he could turn away, Guliath heard a whispery voice say, thank you.

As the hero walked away, a shadow in the far corner rushed to the emperor, vowing to uphold his prophecy. He grabbed the imperial seal stained with his blood and ran out through the passageway he had come through.

It was this prophecy that many were afraid of, a ten thousand-year-old promise thought long forgotten. This prophecy, thought more myth than fact, was just a foot note in history until the unveiling of the new class of ship. The reason for the fear was that this new class of starship had a new and unique feature. As more people trekked to the stars, a ship was needed to defend and transport the people to a new home.

Even though we were at peace, the prospect of danger is always on the minds of the people. There are many unknowns still in the universe, many unexplored sectors and galaxies that danger could still exist. This class of ship was a type of battleship never seen before nor shall be forgotten. It was said her weaponry could defeat a squadron of starships by itself. Even her theoretical speed was something that nothing could outrun or even come close. Her features were state of the art, but it was her unique feature that caused the hysteria. The new addition to this ship was that the primary hull held a detachable city deck located on the dorsal side of the ship. With such an addition, the ship could be considered a small civilization on its own. Her primary purpose for this city deck was that the ship would locate a suitable planet for colonization.

Once located, the ship would then land on the world near the place where the colony shall be. As the ship lands, three large landing struts are lowered to ease the ship down. This was a feature not many ships in the republic fleet had; this would be the first class in over a hundred years to be able to land on a planet’s surface.

Once on the ground, the ship would detach the city deck by releasing a series of interlocks. When the interlocks are disengaged, the city deck would move itself using the ventral engines and a series of thrusters to its final location. Once the city deck is cleared, the lift tubes that went from the ship to the city are closed by retracting bulkheads and sealed. From that point on, the ship would still be fully functional battleship, capable of defending the planet until a defense network had been established.

As a prototype ship was being built in berth one, the fate of a world began to slowly wind to a halt. At the same time, seven other ships of the same class were being built in other berths in the shipyards. None of the other starships were the same size as the prototype; each was a slightly different variant of the class. Even though each ship held the exact same technology, it was decided to build varied sizes based on the sectors being assigned. Though the ships were a marvel of technology, it was also a signal to a long-forgotten bloodline. It was the signal an ancient clan had waited ten thousand years to unleash the forgotten prophecy.

The young man who gave the admiral the schematics was named Jelic, the last true descendant of the tyrannical emperor. His lineage could be traced to the youngest son of the emperor, Moril. Though misguided in his teaching of the true hero of history, his intelligence and stubbornness knew no limits. He was a true inspiration, rising from the son of a wealthy businessman to be their most respected engineer and scientist in the entire republic.

Not much is known of his father or mother, save their business ventures and charities. Both parents of Jelic were tragically lost to the cosmos when he was seven by unknown forces. From that point, he was raised by his uncle Teronis, who began to groom him to become the new leader of the future empire. Teronis spared no expense teaching his nephew about the bloodline he hailed from. Once Jelic came of age, his uncle began his education in multiple sciences and engineering by the best tutors money could buy.

By the time he was eighteen years old, he was proficient in engineering, starship design, interstellar drive systems, astronomy, philosophy, and archeology. Over the eons, his family had grown vast, spanning the entire republic on almost all the core worlds. The members ranged from blood relatives to forceful abductions and even mind controlled victims, all willing or forced to teach and guide their last great hope of returning to power. Jelic was a young man in his midtwenties, though ironically, he looked identical to the ancient emperor. His complexion was light with a baby face that looked so innocent, hard to believe he carried a heart of darkness. This was truly an ironic twist since it was his ancestor who began this forgotten cold war ten thousand years earlier.

Even though he was descended from an ancient line, his was not the only ancient line still intact. Both lines flourished and thrived through the eons, one of darkness and one of light. With both lines locked in a cold war, it was only a matter of time before they would meet. In this case, they not only have met but both decedents grew up near the other.

Jelic grew up in the Daklaren province near the foothills of the Sinti. There was another young man, close to the same age as Jelic, who descended from the other bloodline. He looked and acted almost identical to Guliath, strong and confident, a natural leader. From an early age he knew right from wrong, though like any child he tested his boundaries to within reason. Even as a toddler, his family felt he was meant for greatness. With his family guiding him, he grew into a man that inspired others, a young man his family was proud of. He was the son of the late Captain Trakor Toleron, growing up in a strict military fashion that most children would condemn. His entire life up to this point was driven to excel and only knew success. His name was Salvec Toleron, the last true descendant of the ancient hero’s line.

Both men knew of the other, growing up within the same area. These two men had become friends by chance, blood brothers by choice. As each one grew up, both men shared in their successes, neither man never knew they were blood enemies. From the time they had first met to till this day they were like brothers. When one was in trouble, the other was not too far behind going to save the one in danger. Jelic and Salvec both knew the legends, and both believed they were descended from the hero.

It was ironic that while Jelic learned his tools for domination, Salvec learned the ways of the military. Training and drills became his life and future, annoyingly unaware of his heroic past. As he trained in martial arts and weapons techniques, he began to wonder what fate had in store for him. He knew that an enemy could be anyone, but the one he least suspected would truly be his greatest enemy.

As the years passed and the ship was closer and closer to completion, the task began to find the most skilled to crew the ships. The leadership council found the best of the best of the corps, those who best upheld the core values of the republic. With the crew of the prototype being assigned, the training on the systems began. Once the other crews were selected, the crew of the prototype began to help train the crews of the other ships of the same design. In berth one, with the crews working hard, the prototype was completed nine months ahead of schedule. With the prototype completed, the workers moved to help with the other ships. After another few months, the other seven were getting close to, if not already completed.

As the final seven were being completed, the prototype was beginning her shakedown cruise. The ship’s crew worked hard, along with her new captain, to become a crew the fleet could aspire to. While the crew became a team, the leadership council began to find the candidates for the command crews. Though each ship still needed their commanding officers chosen, the commanding officer of the prototype would have the rank of admiral. Being the first of the class, the ship’s commander would be given the authority to command all the ships if required. Along with these ships would be a fleet to ensure its survival, around twenty-five hundred ships in each fleet. Though it seemed near impossible, this task was given to the leadership council to select the best candidate to command the prototype starship.

As the council began their mission to find a candidate, Jelic had begun his mission as well. For months, he had been on an expedition on board one of the many science vessels in the fleet investigating the recent solar flares of the sun. During that time, the crew sent hundreds of interstellar probes into the suns orbit that would scan the sun to the very core. Many probes he attempted to send into the core would record little data before the probes would be incinerated. With the extreme heat and radiation of the star’s core, Jelic began to also develop shields to allow the probes to enter the sun, technology to aid him in the coming months as well.

As his probe design evolved to aid countrymen, this allowed him to further gather his information for his own evil plans. Collecting data from every square kilometer of the sun’s surface, he began to evaluate the data. Even with the preliminary data coming in, he was able to confirm what the scientific community knew. The scientific community knew the sun was running out of hydrogen, what was unclear was when the sun would end its current cycle of life. Each probe sent into the sun sent back a new piece of data, a new piece of evidence for the ruling council. He knew that they would demand proof and a solution, all of which he would have. The proof was time consuming, sifting through terabytes of data and numbers explaining radiation levels, hydrogen volume, helium volume, star mass, and even temperature. With all this data, Jelic was able to create a solution that was truly inspired. The solution was an ingenious innovation, one that would truly become legendary. Even though it was the solution to save a star system, it was also designed to fail. The solution was an adapted weapon known as a firestorm torpedo.

Designed to be a deterrent, along with powerful defensive capabilities, it was rumored its maximum yield could destroy half a solar system. It was said that the core of the weapon was a micro singularity, surrounded by the technology to detonate it. Though only rumor, it was proven that its lowest yield could destroy a small moon with ease. This test, though just a formality, was hugely impressive for something only two meters long. It was this rumor that had given Jelic his ideal tool for revenge. Properly modified with a specially designed shield, the torpedo could enter the star and fly directly into the core. In theory the torpedo would carry the payload that would replenish the suns hydrogen by a type of fission. Modification was done correctly, and all specifications were correct as far as the design aspect.

The payload itself is a mixture of compounds that must be mixed correctly and in the proper proportions in order to save their world. Jelic planned to mix the compound in such a way that instead of creating hydrogen it would destroy the sun by destabilizing the core. If that should happen, the resulting explosion and shockwave would rip through the system shredding the planets as if made of paper. This would fulfill the emperor’s prophecy doing his ancestors proud and crippling the mighty republic.

Once back planet side, he collected his final data in his laboratory near the capital city. With all his data, he began to compile his information into a full report for the leadership council, along with schematics for his solution. He was certain they must listen to him, using the best modified probes the republic had. This would be his legacy, and his greatest deceit. As he worked, the door opened to reveal a dark figure. Looking over, acknowledging the man, Jelic went back to work as the man walked in. He was an older man, late fifties at first glance, though his hair was white as a ghost. The man stood tall, proud as he stood almost at attention just past the door. His face was proud but scarred of years of war, most noticeably over his left eye, moving from forehead to cheek. With the scar down his face, his left eye was glazed over, dead since he was scarred in battle in the outer rim territories. As he stood there watching, Jelic said You realize that if you’re caught here our plans are ruined.

The dark figure walked up just behind Jelic, responding, My apologies, sir. I made sure that I was not followed, nor anyone picked up my fighter’s ion trail as I entered the atmosphere.

Jelic said, Good job, but you realize if your recognized then our plans shall be compromised…we will have a lot of explaining to do.

Smiling, the dark figure said, the only people who could identify me are not even close to our position and nothing will compromise our plans.

Jelic then asked, What is the purpose of your visit…you wishing to prove your theory right?

The dark figure replied, I’ve come to inform you that your new battlecruiser has been refitted with everything you’ve requested.

Jelic turned with a smile on his face saying, is that including the prototype camouflage shielding and weaponry?

With a crooked smile, the dark figure said, yes, sir, everything down to the smallest detail you requested has been retrofitted on your ship.

Walking away from his work, Jelic looked at the dark figure with a slight smile. He moved passed the dark figure, saying, With my new ship and weapons, my family shall have its revenge and I shall be ruler of the new empire.

As his mind thought about everything, he suddenly became concerned for his friend Salvec. After everything he had planned for, he had not thought about his friends’ life ending along with the world. He looked down, thinking, How can I kill my best friend? The dark figure looked at Jelic, concerned for his master. With a concerned looked, the dark figure asked, is something wrong, sir? You looked very troubled by something?

With a smirk, Jelic said, Was thinking of my friend. He should not die here on this world when the time comes. We should invite him to join us.

Stunned, the admiral said, Sir, I must remind you that the master will not allow him to be a part of the clan’s plans.

Angered by his comment, Jelic said, you forget your place, I found you, brought you into the clan against the masters standing rules and he not once ever questioned that decision.

The dark figure said, Sir, again I must object, he is not a member of the clan, he is not permitted.

Jelic said, neither are you, but you are allowed to serve the clan and be saved… He is my friend and has earned the same right.

The dark admiral said, the master will not permit this…

To which Jelic replied, I am the last descendant of the pure bloodline. I lead the clan, not you.

The dark admiral took a step back and said, Yes, my lord, I will contact him when we are ready to begin the evacuation of the citadel.

He bowed to his masters and with a low grumble, walked away into the darkness.

That night Jelic met with the council members and other high-ranking officials to discuss his findings. As you’re all aware, he said, the suns fuel is close to exhaustion. When that happens, our world shall perish. The scientific community has been unable to get detailed scans of the core and fuel source.

Listening intently, Salvec sat with his Unlce Talonis as his friend presented his findings, unknowingly listening to the fiend who will cause the Armageddon of Nevidia. I used my probes to scan the interior and discovered that which we fear.

The room filled with incoherent mumbling, whispers, and fearful conversation. Jelic thought to himself, when I succeed, you shall all die, knowing he would keep his unspoken word. Showing confidence, Jelic said We have a year or two before we will see our sun die.

Many in the room whispered and murmured to each other, some beginning to feel panic and fear at this news. It was at that moment that fate stepped in for the room heard a voice shout, I believe he is wrong!

The room turned to see Salvec and Talonis standing to be recognized. Salvec and Talonis looked to the council and projected, Jelic is an accomplished scientist and his findings are valid except for one thing.

The room fell silent as the young man continued. I accompanied Jelic on an expedition to the sun six months ago and told that we have one hundred years by Jelic himself.

Salvec walked forward toward his friend, with Talonis right behind him. Salvec continued, Although my friend here is an accomplished scientist, the proof our ships sensors and probes detected does confirm his findings except for the timeframe he has given.

Looking at his friend, Jelic said, what is this? I told you a piece of preliminary data and things have changed since then.

Salvec said, I talked to another doctor from the team you were on. They confirmed the same thing.

Looking to his friend, Salvec said, I’m not trying to step on your toes, my friend, but I cannot let this ruse go on.

Turning back to the council, Salvec said, I just believe that we must be united in this situation.

Watching this unfold angered Jelic, being embarrassed by his own friend in the presence of the council. Jelic yelled, This is an outrage! My findings are backed by a month of scans and tests.

Salvec turned to his friend as he said, "I’m sure you’ve studied your scans well, but our scientists collaborated with command and they all came to