Realms Book Three

By L. M. Parkhurst

REALMS... ...A diamond of the highest caliber, its radiance reaches through the galaxies, calling to those who thirst for an extraordinary adventure. A casino royale among the stars, Realms is home to fantastic venues such as two-hundred plus eateries, catering to the most refined of species, Sensory flicks for all ages, in-house gaming and exotic forms of gambling, as well as interactive holo suites, just to mention a few of this casino's delights. The mighty space station also boasts the best Mixologists as well as the most sought after poison lounges. In this final installment of the Realms trilogy, the lives of beautiful Terran, and head Mixologist, along with her mate, rugged Rali ex-soldier and current casino manager, join forces with their longtime friend and gritty loyal ally, former slave and captain of the Casseian armada, Mrita Cadagh in the final conflict against the despicable Rali Zerim, the notorious Gerg Undersin. Lives are lost, battles are won, and a planet is once again restored to its former greatness. Realms Book Three, the final chronicles.  

• Language: English
• Publisher: Outskirts Press
• Release date: Sep 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9781977247896

L. M. Parkhurst

Science Fiction is defined as ‘...a form of fiction that deals principally with the impact of actual or imagined science upon society of individuals...(https://www.britannica.com)’. L.M. Parkhurst, an avid SciFi fan, spent her pre-college and college years reading authors such as Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, Harlan Ellison as well as Andre Norton. Growing up in Los Angeles California, during the height of the cold war increased her passion and desire to write. Beginning with short stories, published poetry, as well as a full length play, the Realms trilogy are her first novels. L.M. Parkhurst is blessed with two grown sons and currently resides in Eugene, Oregon. 

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Realms Book Three

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2023 L.M. Parkhurst

v5.0

This is a work of fiction. The events and characters described herein are imaginary and are not intended to refer to specific places or living persons. The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

‘First and foremost, thank You, Father.’

For my sons, Cole and Drake…. I love you, Mom.

Special thanks to Drake Jarvis for his patience and support through the tedious edit process!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

CHAPTER FORTY

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

CHAPTER FIFTY

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

CHAPTER SIXTY

CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE

CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO

CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE

CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR

CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE

CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX

CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE

CHAPTER SEVENTY

CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE

CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO

CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE

CHAPTER ONE

Ab Ovo

From the Beginning

He tried with all his might to shove the damaged ship’s beam, which had shorn off and lodged strategically in front of the large, now sealed entrance, away from the door’s severely scorched metal. The burning air was filled with unremitting smoke and the horrific sounds of metallic elements being twisted and ravaged wailed at him from all sides. Every alarm and siren aboard the ship was hailing their warnings, adding to the cacophony of screaming voices on the other side of the bay doors, which he struggled frantically to open.

Suddenly Niall was at his side aggressively shoving him away, as the formidable Slayer brought a large axe down repeatedly on the very center of the beam, each strike creating a high pitched, ringing reverberation.

Yorum jumped back, away from the axes repeated blows, and turned towards the rear engineering wall and staggered over the litter of broken pieces of ship and other debris, trying to get to the slate colored wall. With sweat pouring down his face and burning his eyes, he slammed the outer casing containing the emergency hose repeatedly with his large, bare fist, until finally he was able to yank the ship’s water hose through the shards of broken glasseen.

Niall, watch out! he screamed as he let the full force of the water blast beyond where the Slayer was ripping up the center of the beam. It took all his strength to keep his feet planted beneath his body, as he wrestled with the pressure of the water’s force within its rubber casing.

Suddenly the locking system broke free and the door creaked and moaned partially open, sending the large beam onto its side, allowing just enough space for a grown humanoid to slip through. The screams from within deck one suddenly grew louder with the door barely opened.

Here! Over here! Yorum shouted orders as he desperately waived his hand through the smoke.

Niall reached and grabbed arms, shoulders, and anything he could lay hands on to help pull each anxious crew member through the ripped and twisted metal opening.

... New Ralis… Yein Alain managed to choke the words as Niall pulled his small body through. …hiding in there! he sputtered through coughing fits as he fell through the threshold, indicating the turbo shaft which led to the outer part of the ship.

Niall looked at Yorum and waited for orders.

A moment ago you were trying to kill me… Yorum growled his black eyes narrowed as he assessed the larger, Terran Slayer.

Priorities… Niall explained briefly, as he and Yorum barely squeezed into the engineering bay, each man ready to fight, and if necessary, kill the intruders.

The air was filled with grey smoke and everywhere sparks spewed from damaged wires. Engineering looked as though it had been hit by a meteor, with shattered comps, laying in scattered pieces and the interior walls schematics burning, the flames licking out and up, threatening to engulf the recessed lighting and ventilation.

Yorum stopped and held up his hand for Niall to wait. With the dense smoke it would be far too easy to stumble unexpectedly into enemy hands. The two men listened for anything that would indicate where the intruders were hiding, but the thick smoke was too much and Yorum doubled over choking, inadvertently giving away their presence.

Suddenly the high pitched whine of a blast from a Rali weapon streaked by barely missing Yorum’s head by a mere fraction of an inch, the extreme heat of its blast leaving a blackened burn on the outer edges of his left ear. He immediately hit the deck and watched amazed as Niall, still holding the axe, marched forward undaunted.

Yorum could barely make out the image of the Terran’s back in his dark blue Slayer’s uniform as he moved forward through the dense smoke. A grim smile formed on his face as he heard a blood curdling scream and the sound of a body hitting the floor. A moment later another scream and another thud made him realize that Niall was single-handedly conducting the battle, while he lay uselessly on the floor. The former soldier in him came to the surface and he lunged himself into the melee, striking the first Rali he could see repeatedly in the face with his bare fists.

When finally the man fell to the floor, Yorum quickly moved to aide Niall who was valiantly trying to fend off three Ralis who were simultaneously attacking and trying to take down the larger Slayer. Yorum grabbed the soldier who had jumped on Niall’s back and yanked him to the floor, knocking him unconscious as his head hit a sharp shard of twisted metal. Another blast from a Rali tual ripped into Niall’s shoulder, burning his flesh, his backward momentum sending him slamming back into Yorum, causing the two to tumble, arms flailing, crashing down to the unyielding metal floor.

Yorum’s eyes flew open, realizing Y’nay was sitting next to him on the bed, her deep blue eyes full of concern. With delicate fingers, she gently stroked his brow in the manner Charis, their daughter, had instructed her.

Another nightmare? she asked as she continued to lightly stroke his creased brow.

Yorum pulled her down next to him and held her tight, his brow covered in sweat, his large body shaking slightly. It was… he paused calming his thudding heart. … when the New Ralis attacked Realms seven years ago. It was just after I had left you – you know – the first time, he smiled referring to when he’d gone to the Mixologist’s quarters to warn her of the upcoming threat to the space station. His motives had been pure, but seeing her so vulnerable, with her golden curls in disarray, her delicate body’s silhouette barely covered by her thin green, silk robe made it impossible for him to look at her without wanting to love her – and after years of wanting her, he hadn’t been able to contain himself any longer.

Niall had come to kill me, after… ah, you know… he said grimly as he kissed the top of her head, remembering the details of that life altering day. Mrita Cadagh had shown up at his office within the following hour to warn him of the fact that Y’nay’s Terran Slayer, Niall, was on his way to seek revenge for his Mixologist deflowering.

When suddenly the ship was attacked…It was sheer providence, and divine intervention that Dr. Dress and Professor Howard managed to help you escape, he said quietly as he held her within his arms. Too many times life had ripped them apart, and now they were finally together, he prayed, secretly, to Y’nay’s Creator, thanking her God for bringing her back to him.

It was fate, she replied recalling her seven harrowing days aboard the shuttle, before the Ektolians had rescued her.

It’s strange, these last few weeks I can’t seem to quit reliving the battle every time I sleep…it’s as if it happened yesterday, instead of seven years ago, Yorum remarked, his black eyes distant.

Perhaps you miss the action? she asked with a glint in her eyes, their color shifting to a soft powder-blue.

He grabbed her and easily pulled her on top of his naked body. She laughed and kissed his willing lips as his hands began disrobing her. Battle makes me want to love you… he growled as he pulled her small, pink nipple into his mouth and gently but insistently sucked until she moaned with pleasure.

You’re going to be late… she reminded him gently as she kissed his neck working her way to his earlobe.

I don’t care! I love you and I want to make love to you, Y’nay of Barbera! he exclaimed as he pulled her on top of his hardness and began intimately loving her.

She smiled as she rocked back and forth atop her Rali lover; their connection pure and unadulterated. She loved him with all her heart and she couldn’t imagine life without him. There had been so many times they’d been separated, and it was those times which made her realize the incredible power of true love, and its amazing ability to fill her soul to overflowing.

Charis was the result of their first, fateful union, and she was the only Rali-Terran hybrid in the universe. She was uniquely gifted, saving the people of planet Terra when she was just six months old. Living with the Ektolians, she continued to do good deeds of extraordinary measure and when time allowed she would visit her parents aboard Realms, happy in their long awaited union.

Simultaneously climaxing, Y’nay fell forward her head resting on Yorum’s beating chest, their breaths both ragged and satisfied.

I love you, my lady, he whispered in a husky voice as he wrapped his large muscular arms around her thin frame.

I love you, my Rali Prince, she replied as she slowly rolled off and lay next to him. You’re definitely going to be late now… she sighed, than laughed.

Only because of you, would I dare be late to a Revolution meeting, he growled as he reluctantly pulled himself out of their bed.

Y’nay watched as he walked into the bathroom. She admired his scarred, muscular body more now than ever, each wound a tribute to his bravery and determination. At six foot seven he was perfectly proportioned with a wide, muscular back, well formed arms and legs and the most amazing chest. The multiple scars he carried indicated the brutal years of fighting Rali’s civil war - a war which had ended with the complete destruction of his home world. His skin was white as Terran snow and his eyes and hair as black as a starless night. It was within those eyes she would lose herself, and if she could, she would willingly drown in the love he so generously gave.

An unusual wave of sorrow washed over her as he disappeared into the bathroom. It had been happening a lot, this inexplicable sadness, although she had no idea why. It was as if her brain knew something her conscious mind did not. It was as fleeting as a speck of dust when seen through a ray of sunshine, this sadness which engulfed her for mere seconds before vanishing.

Yorum reappeared several minutes later dressed in his grey Realms suit, with the straight collar which encircled his neck, and the angled sleeves longer in the front and shorter on the back side back, creating a stiff-pointed cuff, which covered the top of his large hands. The silver ‘R’ above his left breast was an indication of his position as manager aboard the space station.

Y’nay rose naked from their bed and walked over to him, her golden skin a stark contrast to his Rali coloring. See you tonight? she asked as she leaned up and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Yorum stared, still mesmerized after all these years by her unique beauty. He felt as though he could never get enough of her. I’ll be late. I have to meet with Yein Alain at eighteen hundred. We’re still working on a separate massive particle inhibitor, he explained reluctantly.

She simply nodded her head, causing her golden-silver curls to bounce slightly. Dark matter can be tricky…it’s what you can’t see - you need to be careful of...

He smiled at her knowledge - she was incredibly smart as well as beautiful, he thought as he brushed his lips against hers. I’ll meet you at Garden’s… he replied as he turned and exited the quarters they shared.

Y’nay sat down on the edge of the bed and took a deep breath. The sadness was back again but this time it hung on her like a dark, heavy cloak. She closed her eyes to shake it away and jumped as a vision of Gerg Undersin filled her mind, his white Rali face, filled with hatred, his black eyes devoid of any compassion.

She shook her head and walked into the bathroom. She knew he was dead, so why would she suddenly envision him? He was killed in the battle between Realms, aided by Lex Talionis, as the New Ralis sought to take the space station hostage, making her their new headquarters. Y’nay only knew of the horrible attack and had not actually been aboard Realms at that time, but rather in a shuttle lost in space, hoping for a miracle. That miracle had come in the form of the Ektolians who rescued and nurtured her back to health, their motive to save the child she carried within her womb.

Charis was born almost exactly nine months after her excape from Realms, and was the most beautiful creature she had ever laid eyes upon. Although Y’nay had been genetically and mentally altered at the age of ten, when struck by MGC13, her body reverted back to its true Terran nature, and when the child was born her natural mothering instincts surfaced and for the next six months, Y’nay watched amazed at the lightening fast development of her daughter as well as the enormous effect the child had on her previously all too rational heart.

Unfortunately, Charis was never meant to be hers, but rather a uniquely gifted prodigy with immense supernatural powers; a tool for the good of the Universe guided by the benevolent Ektolians.

Once inside the bathroom, her thoughts turned to her beautiful daughter, whom she hadn’t seen since 2172, almost five years ago. Although in real time, Charis would just now be only six years old. When she visited Realms, she was strangely a grown woman, with the capability of traveling through time and space. She’d explained to Y’nay that time existed in slices of space, and that one’s personal time was flexible and based on personal perception. The Ektolians had taught her much with regards to the laws of the Universe, including the knowledge that each being was created of atoms and atoms made up everything in the Universe which connected every living and non-living thing by its physical makeup. She further explained everything you ever needed to know was already inside of you - all you had to do was learn how to access it.

She set the thermostat to one hundred and four degrees F. and watched as the water began to fill the deep oval tub. She thought back to the time when she had lived aboard the Ektolian vessel and the lessons she’d been taught by Rd, the one she considered the ‘female’ Ektolian. They were the most extraordinary beings. Deeply kind, gracious and benevolent, their apparent mission to protect and save those whose lives had an intensely positive impact on the future of the Universe, such as herself. By giving birth to Charis whose birth was preordained, according to the Ektolians, Y’nay was saved from a certain death aboard a shuttle originally bound for Terra, an impossible goal considering the shuttle was only capable of containing fuel for six, maybe seven days. For sixteen months she was a guest aboard their living, breathing vessel, unlike any she had ever encountered. They enlightened her to the true Creator, explaining that her life was not an accident. Every sentient being which roamed the universe was created for and by the Creator, their purpose and destiny already decided, their lives ripples in an endless cosmic sea. There were no accidents in the Universe.

She added Artruaris crystals to the steaming water and watched as the water began to spark and change from red to orange to a deep electric blue before finally settling into a lush, rich green. She relaxed her long, lean body into the warm water and closed her eyes. Although she missed Charis everyday, she was happy her daughter resided with the Ektolians. Charis’ life was rich and rewarding and she was capable of doing and seeing much more than if she was to live with Y’nay on the space station. But it would be nice if she and Yorum could actually act as Charis’ parents, at least once in awhile, she thought. She’d love to be able to give her gifts and spoil her like any mother would do for their child. Y’nay sighed resignedly at the reality - Charis was no mere child.

After several minutes, she reluctantly pulled herself from the tub and began to towel dry her golden body, glancing at her reflection as she did so. She was thirty two years old, no longer a young girl, but still long and lean at six foot three inches. She kept herself fit and ate nutritiously, although she was no longer contracted by Terra One University as a Doctor of Mixology. When Yorum and Mrita Cadagh, Y’nay’s Casseian friend, had rescued her from the drug crazed hands of Renny Renwe, who had kidnapped her and dragged her to the brutally cold planet of Remus, keeping her drugged and his personal hostage, she finally realized how much she really did love Yorum Zadok, and was at last willing to give in to her hearts desire. She could not legally act under contract while co-habitating with the Rali manager, so Yorum arranged for her to continue working as a Mixologist, albeit without pay and without the protection of the contract. It was an ingenious way of skirting TOU’s policies while still allowing Y’nay to function as what she had been so highly trained to do. She was allowed to keep her tips, which on most given days was ample credit. She was happy to be once again a working Mixologist. Yorum was happy that he finally had the woman he had loved for so long, not to mention she was a big draw at Realms, which in turn created a nice profit for the casino through The Main Sequence Lounge.

Y’nay slipped into a soft green rayoneeze jumpsuit which hugged her thin frame like a second skin. She had several of these jumpsuits, in varying shades and colors, as they were the required attire for the Mixologists. She donned soft, brown leather kid boots, and tied her sash. One last look at her reflection and she headed out to meet Sean of Galway, her Slayer of two years.

The large, blonde, boyishly good-looking Slayer was waiting for her outside the gates in a darker green, male version of her attire as she walked up to meet him.

Good morning, Sean, Y’nay volunteered, as she smiled up at him.

Sean smiled shyly back at her. Good morning, he replied as he waited for her to enter before following her into the now dark lounge.

They had approximately twenty minutes to get ready to open, while the security team, led by long time leader, Cole McCarroll. would set up the weapons detector as well as scan the lounge for safety precautions.

Y’nay’s hands instinctively found the lightning controls under the long, black bar counter and began turning on lights, temperature control and the TGRRR’s, or Terran/Geishins Responsive Robotic Replicas. The TGRRR’s were unique to Realms and were nonliving dolls approximately seven feet tall, their features a cross between Terrans and the Asiatic Geishins from Galc, their bodies were long, curvy and seductive. The scantily clad dolls danced and gyrated to the music, occasionally smiling and winking when a customer’s eyes locked with theirs. They appeared as though they were alive, with their breathtakingly beautiful faces and bodies and their incredibly sensual movements. Many customers, naive enough to think they the TGRRR’s were sentient, asked how they might be able to ‘connect’ with one of the dancers.

Y’nay smiled at Cole McCarroll and his four-man team as they walked into the lounge. Are you ready for another exciting, star-filled crash of interesting characters? he asked smiling back at her.

He was in his mid thirties, handsome with blue-green eyes, straight sandy brown hair, and welcoming smile. Y’nay had been friends with the Terran since her first shift as a Mixologist, some twelve years ago. He’d been eager to help her find her way through the complicated routine of opening the lounge, without chastising her for lack of experience. Y’nay made it a habit of tipping him back a percentage of what she took in as a continued way of expressing her thanks.

With the sound of the weapons detector’s low whine, Y’nay and Sean knew it was time for another day of serving customers from all over the galaxies. If they had a good shift, nothing remarkable or out of the ordinary would surface, in other words, if everyone behaved - no one would get hurt or arrested. Everyday, as she stood at the controls and waited for Cole to open the gates she was reminded of her tenth year at Terra One University when she sat in Professor Howard’s Non-Terran Social-History class. He told the story of what he referred to as the human element. Y’nay had always laughed at the colloquial expression, although throughout her years as a Mixologist she had found it to be all too true. Whereas whenever you had a group of people gathered together under one roof and added a liberal sprinkling of poison, the room became a potentially ticking time bomb. What was one man’s sedative could be another’s catalyst, and when those ‘people’ were of different species…the potential for misunderstandings, unknown hand gestures and/or mispronunciations increased exponentially; where a slight tiff could soon explode into a brawl. The Mixologist and her Slayer were experts at defusing potential threats, and if they did their jobs correctly, the room and customers remained calm and happy.

With the gates now open, the crowd that had been forming outside the lounge was allowed to pass one at a time through the weapons detector, its purpose to ensure the removal of all and any weapons which a customer might have on his person, thereby protecting everyone.

Y’nay watched as two, daux-hide leathered Protean’s strode confidently up to the bar, each approximately eight feet tall, dark skinned, dark eyed with large, coarse features. Their thick, black hair tied into side braids as was customary.

"Sid Du Lot!" Y’nay greeted heartily in their native language, tilting her head slightly sideways as a sign of deference.

"Sid Du Lot, Mixologist," the larger of the two replied as he slid himself into the black bar chair and locked on.

A tainter of Mantesdled? Y’nay asked as the younger Protean timidly and painstakingly locked himself onto the bar.

It is Nugak’s right to choose, it is his time, the older said proudly, as he grabbed the Protean next to him by the shoulder giving him an affectionate, gruff shake with his thick, four-fingered hand. Y’nay smiled in understanding. When the male Protean reached his twenty-eighth year he was briictaad, and became a ‘true’ male. The briictaad ritual consisted of five days without food or drink while reciting the Warriors Prayer repeatedly. The ritual culminated on the sixth day with the branding of the genitalia and a large family feast, consisting of live game and copious amounts of poison.

"Deklak, young warrior! What is your choice?" Y’nay asked smiling, after complimenting him. It now became apparent why he was so reluctant to sit down.

Four female Tirasian’s entered and also locked onto the bar, their copper colored skin accented by the white sheath garments they wore wrapped around their tall, lean frames. Each female had her straight, jet black hair ‘chopped’ to frame their angular faces It was the traditional ‘semester break’ for the higher learners from Tirasia and Y’nay knew they were eager to consume mass quantities of poison and enjoy every moment of their time away from home.

The younger Protean craned his thick, muscular neck in an attempt to see the Tirasian’s whose long, copper-colored legs were exposed all the way to their hips.

Y’nay watched amused as the ‘father’ Protean rolled his brown eyes and shook his head.

Tainter’s of Mantesdled, the young Nugak demanded loudly, catching the attention of the closest Tirasian female.

Y’nay turned and went to the back of the bar where a vast myriad of the different poisons were kept on glasseen shelves and pulled down a round, brown bottle with a series of dots on the label. To the untrained eye, the dots seemed to lie in a random pattern but were actually Protean characters which formed the word for ‘Mantes’. Next she leaned below and pulled forth two tainter’s, which were black thermos style containers approximately ten inches high and seven inches in circumference. Opening the tainter’s, Y’nay added the powdered Mantes and than the liquid poison. The moment the combination was exposed to air it began to steam and she quickly closed the tainter’s and began vigorously shaking them, her arms moving faster and faster until they became a blur. The Protean’s began slapping the top of the black bar in unison watching as the Mixologist began a series of various Protean dances. Soon the rest of the lounge was clapping and yelling as Y’nay leaned her head all the way over backwards so that she was actually looking at the floor upside down, the tainter’s grasped firmly in her hands high above as she arched her body and continued to shake the vessel’s. The crowd was now whistling and shouting her name until at last she pulled herself upright and without spilling a drop placed the tainter’s on top of the bar before the smiling Protean’s.

The older Protean gave a deep rumbling boack, which was a sound not unlike the croak of a bullfrog, indicating his satisfaction. Bowing his head slightly, he than tossed a twenty lyrit note on the bar as a generous tip.

With everyone laughing and smiling Y’nay and Sean’s day was off to a promising start.

CHAPTER TWO

Uno Animo

With One Mind

Rali was once a lush, beautiful world, not unlike the biblical version of Terra’s, Garden of Eden. The people were productive, the land was fertile and the suns were warm and nurturing. Families co-existed on large plots of land called sicint’s, with the ‘main’ house, or diam acting as the ‘mother’ or agi, of the lesser families. The duties of the agi diams were to control disagreements and delegate responsibilities as well as help solve property disputes; insuring all who lived within that particular sicint, their basic well-being. The family which ran the agi diam needed to prove themselves without personal motive; their sole purpose to protect and nurture the lesser families of the sicint, thereby insuring their own growth. A sicint could contain as little as five families and as many as twenty. The lesser families worked the land and cultivated the fields granting the agi diam their harvest. The agi diam then distributed the food, according to need so that none would ever go hungry. The agi diam also acted as the children’s educational institute, guaranteeing a fair education for all.

The Rali people had created a world unlike most others, through time, patience and perseverance. A world to be proud of, and everything and everyone had been happy until the discovery of a supposed ancient document written in an archaic Rali script. This script known as Calum Gisg, was the beginning of Rali’s fall. The yellowed and weathered message found mysteriously within the bowels of the Apex Council archives.

Each town had its own council which was comprised of the eldest male heir of every agi diam. These council members met every day in the same hall and their duties included making decisions over field rights, personal issues unable to be solved within the agi diam, and the hosting of youths juri tournaments. The various town councils were the local law and responsible for judging as well as enforcing any decisions granted. Rali was geographically and politically separated into the Southern and the Northern, both halves governed by the Elite Ten. The Elite Ten consisted of the same five Northern and five Southern council members who met in undisclosed, secure locations. Their sole purpose was to govern the entire planet. No one had ever questioned how the Elite Ten came to power.

Grash, was the only native elemental energy source mined on Rali, and used as well as exported, but the discovery of the ancient document, Calum Gisg, granted the Northern faction exclusive rights to this element. Some believed the conspiracy which held that the Elite Ten had actually manufactured this questionable document, which unfortunately granted all rights to the North. No one had ever laid eyes on it with the exception of the ten members of the council. Whatever the truth was or wasn’t, it laid the ground work for the beginning of Rali’s seventeen year civil war, which ended with the destruction of a once beautiful and prosperous planet.

Billions of Ralis, now homeless, sought to make their lives on other planets and for Yala and Haim Liamd home became an old, beat up, rusty hull of an abandoned ship. Determined to transform it into a casino-style space station, Yala Liamd’s vision required hours of back breaking work and renovations, costly equipment, specialized workers willing to live and work in sub zero temperatures and endless rounds of frustration. Casino Realms was completed in the year 2160 and the Liamd’s christened her ‘Realms’ for a new beginning. The space station thrived and grew into an enormously popular resort for customers from all over the galaxies, and was continuously rated Number One Hot Spot by Casinos Quarterly Review. Yala, the inspiration and genius behind the scenes, ran Realms with the assistance of Yorum Zadok, fellow kinsmen and ex-Rali soldier acting as manager.

Ten years later, in the year 2170, Realms was attacked by the New Rali Council, led by Gerg Undersin, an original member of the Elite Ten. His mission was to bring life back to the Ralis by ‘convincing’ all former patriots to give up their wealth and independence, for his cause, and once again be reunited as one nation… under his leadership, as New Ralis. Yala Liamd, refusing to sacrifice Realms and the three hundred and forty-three employees who made the ship their home, sent her mate and long time love to negotiate with Undersin. Haim’s journey and mission to Mali, Rali’s satellite and current ‘home’ of Undersin and his recruits, was to diplomatically prove as well as convince the New Council their request was a violation of the Liamd’s rights as free, independent casino owners. He also gave insight as to the hundreds of employees who lived and worked on the space station. The response given by the New Council was to send back the finger of Yala’s mate carefully wrapped in Rali newsprint with the demand she acquiesce within seventy two hours or they would guarantee violence. Unbeknownst to the petite Rali owner, Haim had lost his life long before the battle ever began, tortured and beaten to death and labeled a traitor to the New Rali nation by Gerg Undersin himself.

Determined to save her ship as well as her employees, Yala Liamd called for the aide of Lex Talionis, a vigilante’s for-hire band of said ‘miscreants’. Lex Talionis, traveling the galaxies for many years, was comprised of beings from numerous planets and walks of life, their motto…To aide and assist the weak and vulnerable, acting where planetary and spacial laws could not. Realms was attacked but saved by Lex Talionis, and when Yala learned of her mates death, her bitter grief lead her to join this band of vigilantes, no longer willing to stay in empty quarters without her love and long time partner, Haim. Yala left Realms in the capable hands of her friend and fellow Rali, Yorum Zadok.

The space station continued to thrive and flourish under the expert care of the ex-soldier, although his work load had almost tripled with Yala’s absence. His many attempts to convince her to come back to Realms consistently and mysteriously ended with their subspace conversation disconnected. Finally, Yala agreed to hire her niece, Ceali Liamd, as Yorum’s second in command. The young Rali had not actually grown up on Rali but rather on the watery world of Eezhuk. Educated at ScienceLab Eezhuk, Ceali had excelled in engineering, receiving a Masters with a minor in Quasar Evolution. Extremely bright, the young girl was incredibly arrogant as well as naïve with regards to common sense and social skills, constantly pushing Yorum’s patience levels to the edge. Strangely enough, the last five years had proved her an invaluable member of Realms, and Yorum reluctantly admitted he relied more and more on her ‘outside’ way of thinking.

Did you work with Yein Alain, last night? Ceali asked trying to appear casually curious.

Yorum, busy determining schedule rotation for the Mixologists and their Slayer’s simply ignored the question.

Massive particle inhibitor..? Seems a little out of your expertise… she continued, watching him from the corner of her eye.

He unconsciously looked over at the young Rali. Her pale face was accented by her overly large, black eyes. Her appearance always reminded him of Yala Liamd, although Yala was several years older than the young Ceali, they had several similar, very ‘Rali’, characteristics.

Why do you insist on chattering while I’m trying to concentrate? he grumbled somewhat irritated.

She rolled her eyes at him and shook her head causing her long, black braid to fall across her chest. She was certain Yorum heard more than he would admit, as well as the fact that he annoyed her as much as she disturbed him.

I was thinking… maybe I could help… she suggested before he cut her off.

No! he snapped.

Why? You know I have the credentials, as well as the qualifications…

Yes, I know! he growled. You remind me on a regular basis! he finally turned to face her, his black brows furled.

Is it because I’m female? she asked petulantly. Y’nay doesn’t seem to have a problem being a female…

"Why is it that somehow you always end up bringing her into our conversations?" he asked as he narrowed his coal black eyes in frustration.

Because you treat her differently than you treat me, or everyone else for that matter! she exclaimed.

"Y’nay of Barbera definitely earned my respect and admiration, and she does not needle me," he said with a small grin on his lips, trying to keep from laughing as she pouted her full lips, and turned away from him.

I just thought maybe I could help…Yein. the young Rali began quietly. I know the field… and maybe I could be useful… she replied as a slight blush began creeping up her cheeks. I wanted to ask him what he thought about harnessing rebound Quasar energy…

Yorum suddenly realized why she wanted to work with his young engineer, and the thought of an extremely intelligent and vain Ceali having a crush on someone made him smile.

She looked over at him and frowned. What? Why are you smiling at me?

"You have a tal for Yein Alain," he said smugly.

"What? ‘Tal’? What are you trying to say?" she snapped peevishly, embarrassed by his accusation.

"Have you forgotten your native language so completely that you don’t remember the word for desire?"

"Ridiculous! I was only trying to offer my services! I can’t believe you would be so…so…wellsi!" she stammered, her face blushing a deep crimson.

Yorum shook his shaved head. "Wellsit, it’s pronounced well-zeet, not wellsi. There is a ‘zt’ on the end of the word. he explained. Your Rali… is horrible."

Hmm! I’m sorry I wasn’t raised on the planet as you were! Ceali replied curtly.

Don’t be, Yorum answered, his mind reluctantly recalling horrible images from the war. You didn’t have to see the dreadful things people, our own people, did to each other in the name of greed and misguidance.

Forgive me, she whispered, feeling and seeing the sudden change in his demeanor. She could only imagine what life must have been like during the seventeen year civil war.

Suddenly Yorum shoved himself back from his comp screen and walked over to the wall which was covered with the Realms schematics. "I saw the mutilated bodies of my mother and father, their tragic death meant as a message for me, the Calli-on."

Ceali stared open mouthed at the large, ex-soldier wondering how he’d managed to come so far after going through so much. I…I’m sorry, she stuttered, quickly looking away.

I never knew what was worse…finding their bodies, or what the bloody image did to me, how it changed me… he uttered, absently remembering using his rank of Calli-on, and the grotesque visual memory of his parents death, as a catalyst to drive him relentlessly forward. Honing his fighting skills to deathly precision.

Did you kill other Ralis? she asked innocently.

Yorum’s face was strained as he turned towards her. I killed many, many Ralis, he sadly admitted, his voice filled with remorse, his black eyes seemingly suddenly vacant.

Ceali simply stared at him, horrified as a mental picture of the Realms manager walking through the space station wiping out employees filled her mind. Suddenly she felt the cold dread of fear as it crept up her spine.

Are you O.K.? he asked, concerned, as he moved over to where she sat. He looked down at her overly pale face before reaching out his hand to touch her cheek.

Ceali immediately jumped up and shook her fist at him. Stay away from me!

What? What’s gotten into you? he snapped, shaking his head at her behavior, especially after he had just let his guard down in an attempt to let her in and comfort her.

You! You’re a killer! And all this time I sat right here and worked with you! This isn’t right! she said as she paced the room. Why did you tell me such awful things? Ceali yelled at him, her black eyes wide with fear and anger. She was mad and she was inwardly mortified. How could she continue to look up to him knowing he had callously murdered Ralis?

Ceali! Yorum said in a low voice. Sit down! he snapped waiting for her to take her seat. "I was a soldier in a war! I was the head of my division, the Calli-on, and I was responsible for two thousand other soldiers," he growled, angry he should have to explain at all.

Slowly but obediently she sat back down, watching him warily, her heart pounding within her chest.

I had no choice. It was kill or be killed, he tried to explain. I can’t change the past, but I can learn from my mistakes…

Does…does Y’nay know? the young Rali girl stuttered quietly, still fearful that perhaps she was working with a war-crazed Rali. She’d heard stories of Ralis damaged from the civil war who continued to terrorize innocent victims, their blood lust a result of her people’s bitter battle.

Y’nay knows every second of my life, he quietly explained. His face softened when he spoke his mate’s name.

And she still loves you? Ceali asked, wondering how she could.

I’m very lucky to have such an amazing woman, he replied, remembering all the years they had been separated. He still worried everyday about her safety - their love seemed so fragile - always being tested from outside sources. He couldn’t allow anything to happen to her ever again.

I’ll arrange for you to meet with Yein Alain, he mentioned, suddenly changing the subject.

Ceali looked over at him quickly, watching the subtle shifts in his expressions. "Tan dak," she replied softly, thanking him in their native language. The young engineer felt suddenly very foolish for thinking, and momentarily believing, Yorum would ever hurt her.

The three beeps of an incoming subspace message broke the silence as Yorum answered the call. Yorum Zadok.

My liege… The voice of Yala Liamd grabbed both Yorum’s and Ceali’s immediate attention. It’s good to see you, the petite owner of Realms replied, her pale Rali face, filling the screen.

How are you, Yala? Yorum questioned as Ceali leaned over his shoulder and smiled at her aunt.

Fine… fine. I had a free moment and wanted to check in. How is my space station? Is everything ship shape and up to code? I understand the Casino inspector’s heading your way, she answered, explaining the true nature of her call.

She looked thin, Yorum thought. Her normally bright, black eyes seemed a little sunken in her petite face, and he was disappointed to see her thick, black hair was still worn short above her ears.

You don’t look so well…Yala, are you really alright? her niece asked, concerned.

There’s so much to do here, so many people who need our assistance…I’m just tired, Yala explained, although the voice relaying the words was strangely thin and weak.

You can count on Yorum, Aunt Liamd! He makes sure everyone is tall on their job… Ceali chimed in, her former fear alleviated.

How’s Y’nay? Yala asked her eyes softening a bit.

Very busy. Main Sequence is packed to capacity most days… he replied, avoiding what she was really asking.

Yala nodded her head. I see. No problem with TOU then? I mean… her working without a contract?

Yorum shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Well, ah, we never got around to that…She’s working for tips only, we don’t actually pay her… or Sean.

"Yorum, you need to contact TOU and review this with them! she said, the exasperation heavy in her voice. We can’t afford to damage our good standings with the university…It is imperative you cooperate fully with them. Am I clear?"

Perfectly, Yorum responded curtly.

"Alright. The inspector should be there in a day or two… and Yorum? Don’t bite his head off, try to be pleasant. Tan Wan Atol."

Ceali and Yorum simply stared at the dark screen for several moments, both with unasked questions of their own, each with thoughts about Realms and their place within the mighty space station.

CHAPTER THREE

Novis Moribus

Strange Customs

The Main Sequence Lounge was brimming with customers from all over the galaxies; some chatting and drinking, some laughing, and some, just content to sit and watch. Y’nay was busy keeping glasses filled, as well as acknowledging those who wanted to say ‘hello’ to the famed Mixologist. She had to avoid the hands which reached out to touch her in admiration, while smiling and nodding her curly, blonde hair. There were several do’s and don’ts which went along with TOU’s policies, and for safeties sake, customers were not allowed to touch the Mixologists. Sean’s eyes watched as his Mixologist moved quickly from one end of the long, black bar to the other, keeping watch as well on the lounge which was now full to capacity.

The Main Sequence Lounge was capable of holding two hundred and fifty humanoids at any one time, with the throng of hopeful future customers anxiously waiting in a queue outside the wide, double-glasseen doors. As customers exited, it was the security team’s job to guide the next in line through the weapons detector, requiring a signature as they did so to the entry log. It was important to keep records of who was on the ship and their approximate whereabouts at any given time. The ship’s Eye was a visual aide, which also kept a running digital log of every deck, all offices and entertainment venues, including the Holo Suites, laundry, hall corridors and even inside the turbo lifts. The customers had the option of having the Eye in their quarters either on or off, and upon signing a release, absolving the space station of negligence in the event something was stolen or damaged if they decided not to allow a visual diary. Throughout the fifteen years which Realms had been operating, Yorum and Yala were constantly upgrading all facets of her operation to accommodate customers as well as protecting their valuable assets. Yala, early on had had the foresight to involve the employees in the space station’s profits by allowing them to purchase stock in the ship, therefore creating a positive work environment as well as making everyone proud to be a part of the world class casino. The ship was the only one of its kind to boast of a Mental Health Facility which operated day and night, staffed with experts from several different species. Customers could get help for any addiction problems and/or mental ailments free of charge. It was Yala Liamd’s way of giving back to her customers and thanking them for their valued patronage.

Every deck contained its own unique brand of entertainment, for every age group, species and gender. Deck seven’s entertainment engaged as well as entertained all five senses common in most species. Visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory as well as sensual sensations, could be employed by the viewer quite literally, as they attached the ingenious individual receptors to the proper parts of their body while they watched and felt the digital download unfold. Favorites included Among the Depths of Jalqu a documentary filmed entirely under the planet Jalqu’s surface. An amazing and award winning expose of the various flora and fauna forms coexisting in a dynamic symbiotic display of life never before seen, played nightly to a full house. The Return, a real life drama of a child taken from his home world of Remus twenty years earlier and returned as a well educated English Professor teaching on Terra, was a family favorite, as the film allowed viewers to follow his angst, frustrations and desires in his attempts to assimilate himself back into the fold of family and long forgotten friends. For children of all species there was Puppet Theatre, a crazy, fun-loving musical starring puppets representing various unique planets.

Deck’s five and six were home to two hundred and seventy food eateries, each kitchen as complex and varied as the peoples who frequented Realms. Terra’s Garden of Eden placed diners within a beautiful garden like setting complete with mirrored walls and a variety of Terran plants housed in unique wooden planters recessed into the walls. Diners could choose from a cuisine of delicious fresh fruits, hot house grown vegetables, unique gourmet cheeses as well as Essene and Ezekiel breads. Proteus, as exclusive as the humanoids who made the volatile volcanic planet their home, offered such unusual concoctions as, Live Fetus of Drwersd eaten while still wiggling and washed down with a heady brew of its own fermented amniotic fluid, as well as Dwelp Drig, a thick viscous soup made primarily of a variety of animal organs native to Proteus and served chilled in a cols bag stomach lining.

Games from all over the galaxies were a big draw for the casino and could be found on deck eight, where world class gamer’s were available to teach the fundamentals of every play as well as referee ongoing tournaments. Koaefn, hailing from the planet Tirasia, was an intense multi- dimensional labyrinth which could be played with up to twenty opponents, the goal to find ‘home’ without being attacked or ambushed by the labyrinth protectors. Loul’A’Da was as unusual as the desert planet, Sandlaria, and required players to partner up blind folded and place tiny pieces into the proper slot’s according to their shape. The challenge was to avoid placing the wrong piece into an opponent’s slot, giving them an advantage as well as allowing the referee to ‘zap’ the culprit immediately with a painful electric shock to the hand.

One of the most amazing amenities of Realms was her Holo Suites, allowing customers to engage in many different fantasies as well as their physical desires. They could be used simply as a workout complete with holo partner’s, choice of music as well as climate control and visual setting, or with the right program, customers could visit remote planets and even journey into the past of over fifty different worlds. Currently on the list of favorites was Terra’s Egypt 30 B.C., as well as Rali’s Carnival 2000, each program designed to allow customers to engage with holo characters and settings. Deck nine included twenty four private individual rooms with holo capabilities, and was definitely not for the credit shy.

Realms offered a vast variety of choices and finer amenities far superior to any other casino currently operating and was the place for families from all over as well as future business tycoons, and couples wanting a romantic getaway. The casino hired only the best employees and was renowned for their world class Mixologists.

Y’nay of Barbera had been top of her graduating class at Terra One University in the year 2165 and was contracted to Realms by Yala Liamd herself. She had not disappointed her employer and had succeeded in bringing in large amounts of profit to the famed casino and was well liked by customers as well as fellow employees, until stricken by MCG13, in the year 2170. Violating her contract by sexually engaging with Yorum Zadok, Y’nay was forced to flee the space station and was rescued by the benevolent Ektolians, where she lived for the next sixteen months, baring a child nine months after her escape from Realms. Returned to the space station by the Ektolians, she was once again reinstated as a Mixologist, an unheard of precedence. But fate continued to operate strangely for the young, blonde Terran and she was kidnapped by the Vasilla of Remus, Renny Renwe and held captive on his home planet in a drugged state, her memory erased. Rescued after three months by Yorum Zadok, with the assistance of