Vestar Wars: Ursus, #3

By Amado Olivera

Max, Naïa, and the crew must make tough choices to survive. But their journey out of the dark skies will test their loyalties and place a great strain on their tenuous alliance with the Rumalions. Will they overcome their hostility towards the Karilians or descend into complete darkness? The fight is not merely to survive but to chart their path forward for the good of future generations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amado Olivera
• Release date: Jul 17, 2025
• ISBN: 9798232226183

Amado Olivera

Amado Olivera always dreamt of being a writer. Though he pursued a career in Finance and Accounting, he always had the desire to write stories.  Amado studied at Montana State University for his bachelor's degree in Accounting and obtained his Master's in Finance and Accounting from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. After traveling to many countries, he finally decided to pursue his passion for writing. He hopes that his stories will make the reader smile,  cry, and reflect on the wonders and mysteries of life. He hopes to inspire others to follow their dreams.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Kraxtus stood staring out at the starship. Outside was dark, but for a few stars barely visible. He spoke with Gailani. They had many things to discuss. The most urgent was what they would do going forward. He had contemplated this moment. He knew the words he would say and the explanations to give. But things changed, many things he expected, but their occurrence shocked him nonetheless. Of the three main concerns, the attack on the Karilian Empire left him devastated. He was a proud Karilian. He loved his home world. It made him who he was. Without it, he would be nothing. That was why Max’s destruction of the capital, Karil Nova, deeply upset him. But upon further reflection, he understood why it had to be done. They had to save those on the task fleet. There were so many desperate creatures: humans, Rumalions, and others who feared they were next. Now he knew what they felt like. Though he was on the run, desperate to save his sister and himself from harm, he now understood what it felt like to be in a flaming ship. It was no longer a reasonable, viable, or intelligent choice for him and Gailani to go their separate ways. He intended to discuss it with her to hear her opinion on the matter. The final matter of concern was the elephant in the damn starship, as humans often referred to it: Enara. Until now, he kept away. She did too. That meant she never cared, and it was the end, bitter as his delusion was.

Gailani sat on a wide hive chair. Humans had a weird melancholy. Everyone did, in a way. He remembered Karil Nova with vividness. But that wide hive chair had soft cushion, which he frowned upon. Humans liked comfort. Karilians liked more rugged things, and soft and fluffy things were not one of them. But Gailani sat covered in a white blanket, reading a book. He angled his head, staring at his sister. He smiled. Simple things pleased her. He remembered when she was little; she was still little to him and would always remain that way in his mind. But Gailani had a gentile nature to her. His father overprotected her. His mother always complained that all he did was soften her. And in Karilian society, that was frowned upon. But his father grew up in an occupied zone of the empire. And he mingled with Rumalions, humans, and a bunch of loathsome creatures. His mother complained he returned tainted by foreign ideals detrimental to the empire. And sure enough, the authorities relieved his father of his charge and unceremoniously sent him to the hinterlands to die in disgrace. That hurt Kraxtus, who was but a young boy; his sister was much younger, of course. His mother died soon after. Her grief at his father’s shameful decline and subsequent death broke her. She died of depression. That left him to take care of all he had left: Gailani.  Seeing her smiling, reading that book, made the pain of his loss return. But in her glistening eyes and cheerful smile, he found solace. He knew for an instant, she was happy. That was all he could offer her. He had no control over political and other galactic matters. His world was to be her, keeping her safe and ensuring one day she found the right Karilian to marry. Of course, five decades in the future could pass and she would still be a baby in his eyes and should not think of disgusting Karilian males who would want nothing better than to defile her. But they, those that dared, would have to win him over first or he’d blast them out of Andromeda.

The features were piercing and pleasant, the skin intense grey. What lines and ridges she had were sturdy and symmetric. She was now a young Karilian female reaching that dangerous age. He always saw his little sister as a child; her body said she was a woman. Gailani was no longer innocent, unkempt, or aloof. She was a proud warrior in her own right. She learned to fly many space ships, stingrays of every design, and other foreign vessels. Before he got himself in trouble or fell from grace, he was her teacher. She was a fast learner. But now, she sat wearing clothing he did not recognize. It was Karilian grey, leather, and metal-encrusted plates with a dark cape, not normally a part of their attire. She threw her head back graciously and smiled as he approached her.

What brings you here? said Gailani.

Can’t a brother have a word with his favorite sister?

I am your only sister. If you had another, she’d be your favorite.

Such lies. You’d always be my favorite.

You replaced me with Enara, who is nothing to us. I would not suffer as I am accustomed to being sidelined.

Gailani, I want to put the past behind me. I did wrong and hurt you greatly. But now, after everything that happened, I have pondered greatly about our future. I want to ask you to go with me. We must leave this starship and go our separate paths.

You have changed Kraxtus. What happened to you? She broke you into an unrecognizable disgrace.

Why do you say that? I don’t do so because of her. I want us to go away to start a new life.

You speak nonsense. Where would we go? They besieged our home world. The news we get is terrible. The Vestars will occupy Karil Nova and our empire. That will be our end. I don’t want to run. I want revenge. We must defend our home. You must fight as you have always done.

But you always said I should stop fighting.

You picked the worst time to do so. Kraxtus, you are all I have left. I fear losing you. I thought I did to her. But your return gave me hope. And I see you have changed. You are no longer firm, determined, and with a fighting spirit. You speak like a defeated war general. That’s not the brother I grew up admiring. You gave her too much importance. And did she rejoice at your return? Your reaction says it all. No! She was indifferent. Your suggestion that we go away is tempting, don’t get me wrong. I want to go as far away as possible from her. But now, unfortunately, there are things far more important than pride and selfish interests. You must do what we were raised to do. You must help them survive.

And our Karilians?

Kraxtus, going back would be certain death. Don’t you see? The war is lost. Kravalus-Tax’s ambitions led to our downfall. You were right. You said and did everything to forewarn them. No one listened. They cannot demand more from you. Unfortunately, we will suffer greatly for his and our mistakes.

The war with the Vestars will spread. The attack on the praying mantises and Karilians is the beginning. They will attack the others. Those who believe appeasement works will find out they cannot negotiate with despots. Tyrants understand only one thing: force.

Precisely why we must help them survive. We caused the Rumalion genocide. We must help them. It is the least we can do. We can’t turn our backs on them. Perhaps together we can save our people who flee. But unless you fight to convince them to provide others refuge, where will they go? While this task fleet is not invincible, it is far better than a freight vessel or two and a small squadron filled with Karilians desperate to escape. Without a starship to protect them, someone would inevitably blast them out of the sky. You must speak with Max. He is your friend. I can tell he has great respect for you. Use whatever influence you have on him to gather support for our cause.

Our cause? The Rumalions, the Chancellor, and Galick will bitterly object to rescuing Karilians. How painful this moment in history has become. The oppressors have become oppressed. There are times when the oppressed become oppressors.

It doesn’t have to be that way. It is not inevitable. We all make choices. But when our choices are governed by hate and resentment, they lead to terrible and dark consequences.

Are you agreeing with the Vestars?

It’s not about agreeing with them. It is about seeing things for what they are. And while I despise them as much as you do, they were right. Everyone blindly ignored their pleas. They had concerns no one cared about. Now their concerns have become our problems.

You are wise for your age, Gailani. I forgot you have grown. You are now a maturing young Karilian.

So I can get a boyfriend?

No! Not under my watch.

But you said—

Fine, you can date any Karilian on board the starship. You have my permission.

There are no other Karilians on board this starship.

Exactly, the reason I agree to you dating them.

That’s so unfair. Besides, I was already dating someone until you showed up.

In time to stop you from doing something detrimental to your health.

Speak for yourself. And talk about the devil.

What?

Kraxtus turned, and Enara had entered the room. He wondered how she got access to enter. But Gailani’s frown reminded him that he gave Enara rights when he declared her his mate. That meant they were, as per regulations, defined as a family unit. She, therefore, had access to their family quarters. Their space was large, given they were three, being a member of the Starship’s command-and-control team had its privileges, which included spacious luxury quarters and unlimited food.

I forgot I have important things to do, like avoid hateful Karilians, said Gailani curtly as she rose to leave.

Please, don’t leave. I must speak with both of you.

I do not care to listen to you, said Gailani.

Especially with you.

What did I do? You and my dumbass brother make my life a living hell, and now you want me to continue enduring and suffering your presence and hateful lies likely to come out of your foul mouth?

No, I came to apologize.

Kraxtus froze and turned to face Enara. He arched his eyebrows and remained silent. Kraxtus was not eager, bothered, or expecting anything from her. He did not want his battered ego to hope for something that would not happen.

You have apologized. You can leave now, said Gailani.

You must forgive me.

Must forgive you? said Gailani. Since when is forgiveness required? We forgive if we please. My stupid brother will probably fall at your feet; I, for one, will not. You can go where you came from with your cheap apologies. I am not buying it. What are you scheming? Oh, you must have heard what happened. You will have nowhere to go. You are shrewd. You want my brother to care for you when you sent him to his death? You must be afraid. Without him and me, you would be left at the mercy of the Rumalions and everyone else who despises us.

That is not entirely false.

I told you, Kraxtus. She is hateful.

I have come with a sincere tongue. I am afraid, very afraid. But my fear is not them killing me. My fear is losing you, Gailani.

Me? What the hell?

I care for you.

You knocked your head or something?

No, I see in you a daughter and sister.

I am neither nor intend to be anything to you. If my brother forgives you, he can forget about me. I will be the one to leave this godawful starship.

We must keep together as a family. We have no one else but each other.

What? No. You have no one else. You rejected us. I have Kraxtus, and he has me. You, my dear, are on your own. Kraxtus, I agree. We should leave this starship pronto!

No! said Kraxtus.

Oh shit! You are weaker than I thought. Males are such fools.

No, I will do as Gailani says. Whatever she says shall be done. From now on, my loyalties are to her. You, Enara, had your time. You never valued me. I did everything to please you. I risked everything for you. I could have continued. But your indifference upon my return opened my eyes. I was a fool. You deserve nothing. I will not endanger my life or my sister’s merely to please your ego. That time is over. You must leave our family quarters. I will inform Naïa that I have demoted you to a stranger.

Kraxtus, please! I am sorry. I did wrong. I was confused. I froze. Your return stunned me. I did not react as I should have.

Words, empty words. It’s all I hear. Everyone rejoiced at my return, but you. It cut deep. And I must move past the pain. I will repay you with the same indifference you showed me.

Yes! Finally. You are doing the right thing, Kraxtus.

Allow me to redeem myself.

So you use and hurt me again? No.

Wow! You make me so proud, brother.

Well, you give me no choice. I will stubbornly follow you wherever you go.

What? said Gailani. Get this through your thick skull: stay away from me and my brother. You have caused us enough grief.

Kraxtus. You won’t forgive me?

You are forgiven, as it is customary to forgive when some apologizes. But as for you and me, going forward, we are nothing.

That’s exactly what I want, said Enara in a harsh undertone. We will start anew. You will see I am a reformed Karilian female in love with you.

No. This can’t be. Please Kraxtus. Don’t fall again. Tell her to go.

Enara. I will inform Max and Naïa that you are not a part of our family. You are free to go where you please. We will chart our path. Kraxtus spoke his words in a mutter, control levied over disquiet.

Chapter 2

Naïa listened attentively to Kraxtus. Max stood at her side. She could tell Max was enthusiastic and willing to help his friend. They had a genuine bond built with years of battling adversity together. She understood Max’s eagerness. Kraxtus was upset at him for the destruction he had caused his homeworld. And Max’s response was to be expected. He wanted to improve their estranged relationship. She could tell it bothered Max. He kept unearthly quiet in bed, and she did everything to console and to reassure him. But his glistening eyes showed he believed this was his way of repairing the damage he caused. And she, too, believed they owed Kraxtus for saving their lives and helping them get this far. But what he was asking was something she dared not decide upon on her own. She knew her task fleet had large numbers of Rumalions. Without their support, they could not possibly survive. Life inextricably connected their destinies for better or worse. The Rumalions and humans had to stick together to survive. So she was not about to make any rash decisions to infuriate them and risk splintering their fragile alliance. She knew the day would be eventful for sure.

Kraxtus made many requests. His first was to remove Enara as part of his clan due to his premature and ill-conceived decision to place her there. Max sighed. She could tell Kraxtus surprised him with the request. She grinned. She had her response. What Kraxtus did not know, and she was not about to tell him, and she ensured Max would not as well unless he wanted to not get any action, was Enara came to her first. And two females spoke at length. That meeting revealed many things. For one, she still hated Karilian females, but found herself confused and upset at having to side with her. That said she’d keep most of their hours-long conversation secret. Max wanted to know what they discussed, but she knew he would buckle and tell his buddy things not meant for him to know. But as upsetting as siding with a loathsome