Balamar

By James Gregory Maynard

On the fringe of the Milky Way, a great sun anchors fifteen planets on varying orbits. All but the fifth planet are lifeless and have few distinguishable characteristics. The fifth planet, however, stands forth among all others as a sparkling jewel lying upon the black velvet inter-space of the universe. Hues of blues, shades of green and brown are painted across the equatorial belt, while wisps of white and gray clouds wind and feather over the orb. Three whitish-gray moons whirl about the planet on different orbits.

Since the galaxy's birth, the fifth planet's proximity to its sun had created an environment unique in the universe. Life formed over billions of years, throughout the ocean and on the various volcanic islands, large and small, that formed around the equatorial belt.

Ten degrees below the equatorial line sits the large oblong island nation of Balamar. At the center of the island stands the dead volcanic mountain, Bal, from which the island takes its name. Lush green foothills surround Bal's stone gray spire, which makes up one third of the land mass, the balance are gently sloping plains flowing outward to the cliffs surrounding the island. Strong currents and angry ocean have worn away at Bal's granite base, forming thirty-meter high cliffs ringing the entire island.

The island's center line through the oblong length is parallel to the equator. The end that sees the rising sun is called the Front Side and the trailing end witnessing sunsets the Back Side. Sitting above the equator results in the top side of the island being perpetually in the shadows of Bal, resulting in a cooler climate. It is called the Cool Side. The side closer to the equator is the Warm Side.

At the tip of the Front Side, built along the cliff, is the capital city of the island. The half-moon-shaped city has grown to nearly thirty percent of the island's population of shalomans over the past twenty-five circuits of the sun (Each circuit takes 425 planet revolutions to make the orbit and each revolution is thirty increments in time.)

At the center of Front Side City on a low plateau are assorted buildings of the island's high government, which have preeminent authority over all governmental entities throughout the island. The authority of the government was established during the first circuit, when shalomans began officially recording time. Prior to the recording of time, there were three warring tribal factions who, until Circuit One, were in perpetual conquest for control of the island. In the circuits preceding One, there came to be very wise and forward thinking leaders of each tribe who formed a council to put an end to the never-ending hardship on the island's inhabitants caused by the ongoing conflict. Twelve members of the council presented the three leaders with laws and regulations for governing the island. Pleased with their work the leaders and council members signed them into law and named them The Codex Axiom. In the 789 circuits since the signing there have been only a few minor amendments to this governing document.

Throughout the islands recorded history there were great advancements in the standard of living and well-being of the citizens. Crime was substantially quelled, especially violent crime. While there were incidences of crime primarily in the low zones inhabited by those of lessor capabilities, there were virtually none in the high zones of the cities and the centers of government power. Taking a life was rare even in the low zones and unheard of in the high zones, government centers, and the central government zone in Front Side City…until today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jul 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798350908503

Book preview

BK90078924.jpg

© 2023 James Gregory Maynard.All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

ISBN (Print) 979-8-35090-849-7 (Ebook) 979-8-35090-850-3

Dedication

This story began from a prompt at my writing group – Mid-Michigan Word Gatherers. I used it to play with writing science fiction, just to see if it was a genre I might consider. I sent the first twenty or so pages to my cousin, Steve, he had extensive editing experience. A few days later he called and asked me if I was trying to become the next Ayn Rand. We laughed over this, but then, he told me that I needed to continue the story, it had real potential.

Sadly, he did not to live long enough to read the finished novel. Steve was the inspiration for my completing this story.

Stevie loved to sail.

What he loved more,

Was to sail with his friends

And family.

Stevie loved to sail.

When he stepped onto his boat

He entered a sanctuary;

His special place,

Where the chaos and troubles

Of life were forgotten,

A source of comfort,

Free from scrutiny,

Where it was easy,

To be Stevie.

Stevie loved to sail.

And, he never shied away

From a race.

Whether on his boat,

Or another’s,

He gave his best.

Never bothered by the outcome,

It was always about the sport

Of the game,

And the brotherhood

With his mates.

Stevie loved to sail.

And now,

He has set a new course.

Sitting at the helm,

He adjusts that old red hat;

He reaches forward,

Adjusting the main;

He slips on

Those wrap-around sunglasses;

He lays a light hand on the tiller,

As his new ship heals

To a gentle breeze; and

Watching the horizon

For better wind,

He begins a new journey

Into great unknown waters.

Keep a steady hand skipper

Stevie loves to sail,

And, we’ll miss you.

James Gregory Maynard

March 22, 2010

Stephen Phillip Maynard

05/19/1949 – 03/19/2010

Glossary

Time

Circuits – The equivalent of a year, the number of days it takes to circle the sun. 425 revolutions make a circuit

Revolutions – One complete revolution of the planet on its axis. It takes 30 increments to make one revolution

Increments – Similar to an hour. There are 100 clicks in an increment

Clicks – the equivalent of a minute

Form – a person’s body

System - The respiratory, circulation, digestive, etc. of the body

Termination – An unnatural cause of death

Passage – A normal death of natural causes

Providers – A male species

Receivers – The female species

Recorder – An audio or type written recording device

Scribed – Hand written

Domicile - All housing in the major population areas are similar to condo-units

Pass card - An electronic swipe card

By-ways – Paths and walk ways for pedestrian traffic

Lev- Shuttle – A monorail system the circles the parameter of the island

City Shuttles - A rail network of intercity shuttles.

Warm - Emotions of great affection, love

Stun-rod - A weapon used by security that releases an electrical charge capable of rendering a victim immobile, or when dialed to the max, death

Collar - A neck band worn to designate the authority of the individual. There is little physical differences in shaloman appearances. Most are differentiated by the senses of smell.

Communicator - A print and televised news agency

Transport - Any shuttle

Subsidy - All facets of a welfare system

Work chamber - An office

Rejuvenation - Sleep or rest to restore energy

Replenishment - Eating

Table of Contents

Glossary

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

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

Chapter 59

Chapter 60

Chapter 61

Chapter 62

Chapter 63

Chapter 64

Chapter 65

Chapter 66

Chapter 67

Chapter 68

Chapter 69

Chapter 70

Chapter 71

Chapter 72

Chapter 73

Chapter 74

Chapter 75

Chapter 76

Chapter 77

Chapter 78

Chapter 79

Chapter 80

Chapter 81

Chapter 82

Chapter 83

Chapter 84

Chapter 85

Chapter 86

Chapter 87

Chapter 88

Chapter 89

Chapter 90

Chapter 91

Chapter 92

Chapter 93

Chapter 94

Chapter 95

Chapter 96

Chapter 97

Chapter 98

Chapter 99

Chapter 100

Chapter 101

Chapter 102

Chapter 103

Chapter 104

Chapter 105

Chapter 106

Chapter 107

Chapter 108

Chapter 109

Chapter 110

Chapter 111

Chapter 112

Chapter 113

Chapter 114

Chapter 115

Chapter 116

Chapter 117

Chapter 118

Chapter 119

Chapter 120

Chapter 121

Chapter 122

Chapter 123

Chapter 124

Chapter 125

Chapter 126

Chapter 127

Chapter 128

Chapter 129

Chapter 130

Chapter 131

Chapter 132

Chapter 133

Chapter 134

Chapter 135

Chapter 136

A Bonus Story

What Readers had to say about Redemption

Chapter 1

On the fringe of the Milky Way, a great sun anchors fifteen planets on varying orbits. All but the fifth planet are lifeless and have few distinguishable characteristics. The fifth planet, however, stands forth among all others as a sparkling jewel lying upon the black velvet inter-space of the universe. Hues of blues, shades of green and brown are painted across the equatorial belt, while wisps of white and gray clouds wind and feather over the orb. Three whitish-gray moons whirl about the planet on different orbits.

Since the galaxy’s birth, the fifth planet’s proximity to its sun had created an environment unique in the universe. Life formed over billions of years, throughout the ocean and on the various volcanic islands, large and small, that formed around the equatorial belt.

Ten degrees above the equatorial line sits the large oblong island nation of Balamar. At the center of the island stands the dead volcanic mountain, Bal, from which the island takes its name. Lush green foothills surround Bal’s stone-gray spire, which makes up one third of the land mass, the balance are gently sloping plains flowing outward to the cliffs surrounding the island. Strong currents and angry ocean have worn away at Bal’s granite base, forming thirty-meter-high cliffs ringing the entire island.

The island’s center line through the oblong length is parallel to the equator. The end that sees the rising sun is called the Front Side and the trailing end witnessing sunsets the Back Side. Sitting above the equator results in the top side of the island being perpetually in the shadows of Bal, resulting in a cooler climate. It is called the Cool Side. The side closer to the equator is the Warm Side.

At the tip of the Front Side, built along the cliff, is the capital city of the island. The half-moon-shaped city has grown to nearly thirty percent of the island’s population of shalomans over the past twenty-five circuits of the sun.

At the center of Front Side City on a low plateau are assorted buildings of the island’s high government, which have preeminent authority over all governmental entities throughout the island. The authority of the government was established during the first circuit, when shalomans began officially recording time. Prior to the recording of time, there were three warring tribal factions who, until Circuit One, were in perpetual conquest for control of the island. In the circuits preceding One, there came to be very wise and forward-thinking leaders of each tribe who formed a council to put an end to the never-ending hardship on the island’s inhabitants caused by the ongoing conflict. Twelve members of the council presented the three leaders with laws and regulations for governing the island. Pleased with their work the leaders and council members signed them into law and named them The Codex Axiom. In the 789 circuits since the signing there have been only a few minor amendments to this governing document.

Throughout the island’s recorded history there were great advancements in the standard of living and well-being of the citizens. Crime was substantially quelled, especially violent crime. While there were incidences of crime primarily in the low zones inhabited by those of lessor capabilities, there were virtually none in the high zones of the cities and the centers of government power. Taking a life was rare even in the low zones and unheard of in the high zones, government centers, and the central government zone in Front Side City…until today.

Chapter 2

In the warm side quadrant of the House of Lords building, facing the ocean, Im stood in the entrance of her work pod. She was watching Chief Teldar, leader of Front Side Security, directing his staff through the forensic protocols in the chambers of her leader, Lord Onor. His form lay still across his worktable, where she had found him.

From the periphery she saw a form walk through the chamber’s entrance. She turned and flinched. He walked to her and cupped her chin between his thumb and two fingers. Lord Villi chortled, My, a delight you are to the senses, Im. Lord Onor was fortunate to have you at his side.

She saw his irises narrow in focus and nostrils flare to read her reaction.

Don’t, Lord Villi, please. Im, a receiver, pulled back from Lord Villi’s personal suggestions. Her eyes flashed wide open with fear and then snapped back narrow with disgust. She took a deep breath to settle her emotions, regain control of those expressed in the eyes and the pheromones the glands emit. She knew Lord Villi was a master at interpreting such nonverbal cues.

Forgive me, Im. I was only trying to cheer you at this difficult time.

Forgive my reaction, good Lord, a sad shock this is.

Yes, my dear, tragic it is. And, at such an important time for the loyal opposition, is it not. Lord Villi’s eyes flickered with a quick uncharacteristic flash. His lip curled slightly when he spoke the word tragic.

A most perceptive Im read Lord Villi clearly, and fear coursed through her. She quickly bowed her head and lowered her eyelids to hide her fear. I must go, please excuse me. Im hid her eye expression, but she knew Lord Villi’s nostrils were flared wide, picking up her scent of fear.

Such a talent as yours need not be wasted in the loss of Lord Onor, dear Im. A job with my staff is available when you are ready to resume duties in the House.

Thank you, honorable Lord. I will consider your offer. Turning away, Im shuffled quickly into her work pod.

Lord Villi turned his attention to the activities surrounding his great adversary. He strode to where Teldar stood before the writing table of Lord Onor, staring at his lifeless form. The security staff were taking pictures and measurements, collecting any possible evidence of wrongdoing.

Teldar He nodded. An unfortunate passage for the good Lord. Succumbed to what, do you suppose?

They both watched the staff lower Onor’s form to the floor and begin a scan for evidence of any injury. There is no obvious cause, Lord Villi. Perhaps consumption, he was aged.

Careful good Chief, he was my age. A snide smile flashed at Teldar.

Teldar did not respond to the snipe. Onor’s form will be sent to the infirmary to have his system inspected for a cause. We should know in a few days.

Yes Chief, know we should. Of course, you will notify me as soon as you learn something.

Of course, good Lord. You will be the first to know.

Good. He knew he could bend Teldar to his desires. Without his public endorsement, Teldar would have never been elected Chief of Security. I own you, good Chief.

Chapter 3

Sitting in the low amber light of her pod, the flash of Lord Villi’s eyes played over and over in Im’s mind. She knew Lord Onor’s address to the House of Lords Ruling Council tomorrow would kill Lord Villi’s efforts to open the Preservation Territory (the Preserve.) Would Lord Villi go to the extreme of terminating Lord Onor to prevent defeat? She wondered.

Im, what has happened? Startled, Im, facing away from the entrance, turned only her head to look at her fellow assistant. Tam stood in the opening of her pod looking toward the group of security staff surrounding Lord Onor’s table.

Im’s body swiveled on her pedestal until her entire form faced Tam. Tam stepped into the pod. She saw his nose flare, to pick up her emotional scent. You’re in fear. Why?

Lord Onor has passed.

Passed? His eyes widened. What is your meaning, passed?

Lord Onor has passed to the other side. I found him on his desk, lying still.

How? He was in good health when I last saw him. Impossible.

Yes, he was in good health. I fear his passage was not natural.

Not natural, what is the meaning of not natural? Are you saying he was terminated? Who would brave such a thing? How could he not be seen in such an act, in this office? Who would do such a thing?

Im’s opened her eyes wide and stared directly into Tam’s. She bit off two words, Lord Villi.

He reacted as she’d expected. His eyes widened with astonishment at her allegation. His nose flared fully. How can you say such a thing?

"Lost his composure, did Lord Villi, for a moment, when we talked about Lord Onor’s address tomorrow. His eyes flashed a vicious contempt for Lord Onor. His lip curled mockingly when he spoke the word tragic. I do not know how he did it, but in some way he was involved, I fear. He did not want Onor to make his address tomorrow."

Tam sat down on the pedestal before Im’s worktable and silently considered her words.

Im looked toward the entrance of her work pod when she heard footsteps. Chief Teldar peered into the pod. She glared at Lord Villi’s stoic stance, his hands clasped behind his back, off to the Chief’s side. Makes himself obvious, he does.

Excuse me Im, we are leaving. Lord Onor’s form will be sent to the infirmary for further inspection. Will you be working here on the next sunrise? Teldar asked.

Yes.

I will send our best inspector to interview you tomorrow. The Chief nodded goodbye and stepped around Lord Villi, following his staff and Lord Onor’s form.

Hello, Tam. Nice to see that you have safely returned from the Cool Side. I trust your mission was fruitful. Unmoved, Lord Villi glared at Tam.

Why thank you good Lord. Fruitful it was. Regret I do that Lord Onor is not here to witness the information I have gathered. I am sure it would have pleased him. Im smiled when Tam, unfazed by Villi’s customary aggressive behavior toward providers of a lower rank, gave his cheerful response.

She saw Villi’s lip curl and his eyes flash in anger at Tam’s arrogance. Useless it is now. He snarled, turned, and left.

Tam embraced Im’s eyes. Right you are, Im. Somehow Villi is involved.

I do not know how to prove it, but we must. Im’s scent of fear gave way to anger and retribution.

Come, we must look for Lord Onor’s address to the Council. Tam leapt from his seat and strode toward Onor’s worktable. Im followed him, scanning the chamber to see if anyone was still there.

I checked the recorder and found the disk missing. I found no scribed copy here. Perhaps, he left it in his domicile. He gave me a pass card. We must go there before the investigators do. Im explained.

Im and Tam took a shuttle, the principal form of transportation within the city, arriving at Lord Onor’s domicile at twenty-five increments. It was a late hour. There were few forms on the byways. At the entrance to Onor’s domicile, they found the door standing partially open and illumination on. Tam stepped through the entrance first, nose fully flared, and his bat-like ears fully extended. There was no sign of anybody there. The entire domicile was in disarray. Someone had beaten them here. After a search, they did not find a copy of Lord Onor’s address. Tam whispered, Villi.

Chapter 4

At seven increments after sunrise, Inspector Wa stepped into Im’s pod. Excuse me, I am Inspector Wa. I am here to discuss Lord Onor’s passage. Are you Im?

Yes. When will you know how and why he passed?

Wa’s eyes flashed, surprised by Im’s assertive tone. He flared and studied her eyes, recognizing her aggression. Another day, perhaps. They are doing the lab work. That takes some time before results are known. What are you concerned about?

I will be to the point, Inspector. Aged was Lord Onor, but his systems checkup twenty sunrises ago demonstrated they were like a form of fewer than one hundred circuits. Two thirds of a shaloman’s typical lifespan. I believe Onor’s passage was not natural.

You think he was terminated? That’s a very bold assumption. What evidence do you have to make such an assessment that we in security do not have? A suspect you have in mind? Wa immediately regretted the sarcasm lacing the last question.

It was Lord Villi. I am sure.

Wa’s eyes widened with astonishment and disbelief. What is this you say? What proof do you have of such an outrageous accusation about the most powerful leader in the land? You must be careful to not let your terrible loss create distorted thinking. Wa had recently graduated at the top of his class at the Island University and was recognized as a highly capable analyst, which was why he assumed he had been assigned to the investigation unit. Having only worked several minor theft-related cases, this was his first case related to passage.

Wa sensed irritation when her tone of voice turned icy. Tell me, Inspector, just what is it you know of Lord Onor’s passage?

Wa squinted at the apparent challenge to his abilities. You found Lord Onor, at approximately 21:35. He’d been working late on his address to the House about the Preserve. Lying still he was on his table with no indication of physical violence, but fluids from his mouth were on the table. His form is now with the infirmary technicians. They will scan it for cause of passage. I have spoken with Lord Villi who was with him for a short time at 20:40. They discussed the address, then he left. He said Lord Onor seemed fine during their meeting. Now, I am here to learn what you know.

Learn what I know? Then please listen carefully. This is what I know. Lord Onor had a systems check at the infirmary recently and was found to be very well. Lord Villi was last to see Lord Onor before his passage. Lord Villi and Lord Onor surely argued harshly about the address Lord Onor was preparing for today. Lord Onor was lying still when I found him, the disk of his address was removed from his recorder. Tam and I went to Lord Onor’s domicile looking for a copy of the address. When we arrived, we found the door ajar. Someone had been there and had searched everywhere. They were looking for other copies of the address. We did not find a copy.

I have not been to Lord Onor’s domicile, yet. Another crime scene it seems. I must go there. Is this all you know?

There is more. Drayga, Lord Villi’s lead assistant, was at the meeting with Lord Onor. Lord Onor had sent me to do research. Tam was returning from the Preserve. As I was leaving, Lord Villi and Drayga walked in. I should have stayed.

I know this. I talked to Drayga. He confirmed Lord Villi’s story.

Expect he would…loyal he is…too loyal.

Anything more?

Lord Villi is a master of his emotions. But when giving his condolences, instead of remorse at the passage of someone he’s served in the House with for over thirty circuits, Lord Villi’s eyes strangely flashed, and his lip curled in hatred. Wa recognized that Im was watching for his reaction. Probably expecting dismissal of her interpretation of the incident.

The Chief warned me that you might claim a conspiracy over a natural event.

Im huffed. Villi and Teldar are friends. Too close is my feeling. Lord Villi is clever with his alliances. Always leveraging his relationships. A favor here, a favor there, his power and control he buys, at a terrible cost to the citizens.

"Lord Villi was at our office this morning. He