Empire of Glass and Sun

By B.D. Strum

In a future where mankind has colonized distant galaxies and harnessed the power of advanced technology, "Empire of Glass and Sun" is a mesmerizing collection of science fiction short stories that explore the intricate tapestry of human existence amidst the ever-evol

• Language: English
• Publisher: Clydesdale Books
• Release date: Oct 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781774759387

Book preview

Empire of Glass and Sun

By B.D Strum

©2023 B.D. Strum

Contents

EMPIRE OF GLASS AND SUN

EMPIRE OF ICE AND SLATE

EMPIRE OF SALT AND VINEGAR

EMPIRE OF RAIN AND THUNDER

EMPIRE OF SNOW AND CLOUDS

EMPIRE OF DIRT AND MUD

EMPIRE OF SLEET AND WINDOWS

EMPIRE OF COLD AND EMERALDS

EMPIRE OF WIND AND CHANGE

EMPIRE OF LEAVES AND LOVE

EMPIRE OF HESPERIAN QUEENS

EMPIRE OF TREES AND LIGHT

EMPIRE OF RAINBOWS AND LEPRECHAUNS

EMPIRE OF THE MOON AND STARS

EMPIRE OF ARCTIC FIRE

EMPIRE OF KINGS AND AZTEC SLAVES

EMPIRE OF GLASS AND SUN

In the year 2387, humanity had long surpassed the boundaries of its cradle, Earth, and expanded into the far reaches of the cosmos. In this age of interstellar empires and advanced technology, one entity reigned supreme - the Empire of Glass and Sun.

The Empire had earned its name from its shimmering capital planet, Solara, which was bathed in eternal daylight. Solara was a world encased in a colossal glass dome, a magnificent testament to human engineering and ambition. Inside the dome, sprawling cities rose like crystalline spires, and gardens of otherworldly beauty flourished beneath an artificial sun that cast a gentle, eternal glow.

At the heart of the Empire stood Emperor Rhys Kaelum, a ruler known for his wisdom and benevolence. His power was said to be limitless, his rule just, and his desire for the prosperity of his subjects unwavering.

In this advanced era, the Empire had harnessed the power of the stars themselves. The suns were encased in colossal energy harvesters, providing Solara with an abundance of energy. But beyond the glory of the Empire's technology lay a darker secret, hidden behind the polished façade of Solara's glassy exterior.

In the distant reaches of the Empire, a rebellion was brewing. Led by a shadowy figure known as Seraphina, the rebellion sought to unveil the Empire's darkest secret - the source of its power. They believed that the energy harvested from the suns came at a terrible cost, and Seraphina was determined to expose it.

Seraphina had grown up on the fringes of Solara's opulence, in the slums that clung to the edges of the dome. Her parents had been engineers, forced to work on the energy harvesters that powered the Empire. They had whispered to her of the dangers hidden beneath the shining surface, of the lives sacrificed to maintain the Empire's grandeur.

With a small but dedicated group of rebels, Seraphina had infiltrated the heart of Solara's power - the Sun Core. It was a massive structure buried deep within the planet, where the energy of the suns was siphoned and converted into the power that sustained the Empire. Seraphina and her team had managed to bypass the security systems and infiltrate the core.

Inside, they discovered the shocking truth. The suns were not merely harnessed for their energy; they were sentient beings, imprisoned and drained of their life force to fuel the Empire's might. The scale of suffering was beyond imagination. The suns communicated with Seraphina, pleading for freedom, their voices echoing in her mind.

Determined to expose this heinous crime, Seraphina and her rebels rigged the Sun Core to broadcast their discovery to the entire Empire. The message reverberated through the glass cities and resonated in the minds of the citizens. For the first time in centuries, the Empire of Glass and Sun faced a crisis of conscience.

Emperor Rhys Kaelum, a ruler who had known only the glory of his empire, was confronted with a moral dilemma. He could no longer ignore the suffering of the suns, whose anguish now hung over Solara like a storm cloud. The citizens, too, were torn between their loyalty to the Empire and their empathy for the tormented suns.

In a daring move, Emperor Kaelum announced his intentions to dismantle the Sun Core and set the suns free. He confessed to the terrible secret the Empire had hidden for so long and vowed to atone for its sins. The people, though shocked and bewildered, saw in their emperor a chance for redemption.

Seraphina, who had expected resistance, found herself at a crossroads. With the Empire now committed to change, she faced a choice: continue as a rebel, or work with the Empire to ensure the suns' liberation and the Empire's transformation into a force for good.

As the suns were released from their centuries-long captivity, their energy surged through Solara, revitalizing the planet. The glass dome, once a symbol of the Empire's dominance, now shimmered with newfound purity. The cities below embraced a new era of sustainability, harnessing the suns' power through ethical means.

Emperor Rhys Kaelum and Seraphina became unlikely allies, working together to rebuild the Empire into a beacon of hope and progress. The citizens of Solara, once divided, united in their commitment to rectify the sins of the past.

In time, the Empire of Glass and Sun evolved