Empire's Son: An Epic Science Fiction Novel Series

Excerpt From the Chronicles of Emperor Adar Zahn Tavereus Volume 1 From the Early Years to Ascension Chapter 11 The Battle Of Sora X

Earth Edition and Translation © 2278

I had spent a vast majority of my childhood and young adult years on Earth addicted to all things science fiction. I wasn't really picky about the medium that it came in––books, televisions shows, video games, movies. I loved it all. I especially loved the mysterious or dark foe that would sweep in and create chaos and destruction. Some of my favorites are the Borg, the Shadows, the Sith––all of them, the Xindi, and the Collectors.

I was enamored with the way they could bring entire civilizations to their knees, how they inspired such terror with their mere presence. There was something fascinating about villains who believed so completely in their cause that they'd sacrifice everything for it, and that extra edge of them bringing in technology or forces that seemed insurmountable.

I did not know it as I left Sora X after my bonding with Markus that I would soon discover my real-life version of those villains—ones that made the fictional antagonists of my youth seem like harmless children by comparison. It made me wish I could go back to those days of fiction, when the terror was confined to a screen or page and could be shut off with the press of a button.

I looked down at Sora X through the large view port in the sitting room to a suite that Markus said would be mine for the duration of the trip to Vega Prime. I didn't know why I needed such a big area for a nine-hour trek through space, but Markus laughed and said I should get used to such things being the Heir to the Empire.

It was then I explained the cramped room Vang had given me on the Xlero on my two-week trip to Dyniss. Markus just grunted and said that was typical of the Admiral. He wasn't much for extravagance or luxury, and frowned on such things as a general rule. And save the Emperor, he had a reputation for insisting that everyone on his ship got the same as everyone else, including the Captain and Admiral. Somehow, that didn't surprise me at all.

As I looked down at the planet I had spent the last nine days on; I marveled at how much my life had changed in such a short period of time. Not only had I survived two attacks, but now I was bonded to a person for the rest of my life. A person I hadn't even known existed before my feet set down on that planet, but now I couldn't imagine not having Markus in my life.

And I had made what I hoped was the beginning of lasting friendships with Master Kiev, Hotoe, and Rainus. Not to mention all I had learned about Ethia, the Protectorate, and even about myself. Sora X had left a mark on me I would never forget.

I then noticed a shuttle come into view. I knew it to be the one Rainus was on. He was going back to the College. He did not say why on his brief call to me ten minutes ago. Just that something had come up, and he needed to stay at the College a while longer. The most surprising part was what he'd said next.

"Adar, I need you to do me a favor. As you know, this is a serious threat we are facing with this invader. Our biggest problem is how much we don't know about them, or what they want. Vang and the Emperor have already committed resources and teams to understanding the aliens better, but the Vanguard needs to get into this too. I would like you to lead a team in discovering some solutions to engaging with this enemy. I am sending you a code to access all the information Admiral Vang has already forwarded to me. Use whatever resources you require."

I had been so stunned, I could only blink at the King's holographic image for a good long moment. The big question running through my mind… why me?

Rainus was quick to answer that question before I even asked. "You have the Perception Dome-ni. I know you have had little training in it, and are still learning about Ethia in general, but even your untrained talent could be helpful in this matter. And you have Markus, he knows who to talk to and how to get you set up in what you need. Rely on him. He knows what he's doing, or he should, anyhow. I will reach out to you when I can."

And that was that. Rainus had abruptly ended the call, leaving me still unable to form words. I turned to Markus, and he had an amused look on his face, and said, "Yes, he's always doing stuff like that. If you tire of it, you can always run off and join the Protectorate like I did. Oh wait. You kind of did that already." That caused him to laugh as he turned and made for the door. He'd been gone for the last ten minutes, leaving me to entertain myself.

So I continued to watch Rainus's shuttle as it dipped down through the hazy atmosphere of the planet to do who knew what for who knew how long, and I wondered where Markus had gone and why. He wasn't far. Through the bond, I would tell he was still on this level of the battle cruiser. It wasn't long before I felt him coming back. He stepped through the door into the sitting room.

"I just talked with Captain Pylor. We will leave orbit momentarily, and he now knows about your new project. He will send you some of his science guys to help. They will be ready when you call for them. I got you a data pad, or I can have a terminal set up in here if you prefer. You can also work from pavi's office. That actually might be better. It's just down the hall."

Markus held out a slim rectangular device for me to take, which I did as my brain fumbled around, trying to settle on what to do next, and all I managed was to stare down dumbly at the data pad I'd been given. I couldn't help but notice that Markus seemed steady as a rock and even a little bit excited. No, not excited. It was like he was smirking at me, but his face was as stoic as ever.

"What's going on with you? I'm on the verge of panic here, and your… well, I don't know what's going on with you."

The smirk finally appeared on his lips. "This is the exact reason I left—because of all of pavi's do me a little favors and this is what leaders of the Empire do directives. And also the idea of sitting in meetings and looking over reports for most of my life, which is probably the worst sort of torture I can imagine. I'm just wondering how long it's going to take for you to run off too, because the Emperor is going to be just as bad, probably worse."

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

I pressed my lips together as I thought about that. I also thought about the three mark 12s that were hidden behind the dark side of the moon. "Well, unlike you, I don't really have a choice in the matter."

The smirk on Markus's face disappeared. I had told him during my recovery at the chalet all about the special motivation that my father had given me to become his successor. "Yeah, I suppose you don't. Sorry, I wasn't thinking."

I turned to look out the window once more, then my thoughts drifted back to being on the Xlero. I remembered seeing the mystery ship on the Xlero's view screen as I was on the bridge. I especially remember the evacuation shortly after that had me entering the Ethian Empire in a tiny two-seater star fighter instead of the battle cruiser that was being left behind. And I wondered… if the Xlero hadn't been beyond the border trying to bring me back to the Empire, would this invasion even be happening right now?

"It's fine, Markus," I finally said. "Besides, if your father thinks I can help, then I will. I mean, I'm not sure how effective I will be, but I can at least look at the information and see if I can add anything. I suppose, at the very least, I can facilitate some discussion with those who know more about this sort of thing than I do. I'm good at asking questions, so there's that."

The man nodded. "Well, I talked to the Captain for you. After the call, you seemed a little shell-shocked, so I put things in motion to give you some time to adjust."

I nodded, turning the ultra-thin data pad over in my hands. "Thanks, I have a feeling I may need to rely heavily on you for a while. I know you don't like this kind of life, so I hope you don't mind."

The other man shrugged. "If I minded, I wouldn't be here."

I sensed that there was more there that he wanted to say, but decided to keep it to himself as he stood there with his gaze taking in the bright explosion of light outside as the Quortous jumped to hyper-light.

We stood there a moment, just taking in the scene, before he finally broke the silence. "Before you get started, might I suggest a break? You remember what Razivi said about needing rest and food? I know you want to help figure this thing out, but you won't do anyone any good if the bond fails."

I took a moment to check in with myself and realized that I felt tired and hungry––exceptionally so. It hadn't been there on Sora X. I had felt only a vibrant surge of strength and energy. But now it was like an animal was gnawing at me from the inside, draining my energy and life force. It was even making me feel a little ill.

I nodded. "Maybe that's a good idea. I'm suddenly not feeling so great."

Markus looked relieved. "Good, because while I was out, I also ordered us some food. It should be here soon. After that, I suggest at least a few hours' rest for the both of us. I talked to Roane briefly. He and another of Nathias's men will stand guard so we both can get some rest."

I walked over to the lounging area where four dark green cushioned chairs sat around a round, low black table. I sank into the plush seating and groaned with delight. It was like sinking into a soft, pillowy cloud, and it was just what I needed as the weariness spread through me so quickly it was more than a little concerning.

"Is it normal to be like this?"

I didn't have to explain. I could see the exhaustion on Markus's face as he sat down across from me.

"The exhaustion after bonding? From what I understand, yes. I was told there could be a big surge of energy right after the bond, but then it would quickly dwindle within a few hours after. It is common to have a significant ebb and flow of energy for the first week until the bond completely solidifies. Remaker treatments can help, but it is suggested the best way to stabilize the energy is to take as many naps as possible until bonding is completed."

"Well, that's just great." I said, a little annoyed. How was I going to complete Rainus's task if I had to stop to take a nap every hour or so?

"It's only temporary, Adar," Markus said, trying to soothe my irritation. "And once the bonding has finished, you will have all the energy you could need. Trust me, it's a small price to pay for what you will get out of this."

The doorbell chime sounded. "Enter!" Markus said before I could.

Lieutenant Otto Roane, who I'd briefly been introduced to as Nathias Roth's second-in-command while on the shuttle traveling to the Quortous, stepped into the suite. He was a man of medium height with a chest so broad it seemed to strain the gray Vanguard overcoat that fell to just the tops of his knees. There weren't as many bars or stars on the front of his coat as Nathias's, but he had a dangerous look about him that made me want to keep my distance. With his thick black hair and deep-set eyes, he had an intensity that seemed to focus entirely on Markus, almost as if I wasn't even there. Another man with a sharp, hawkish face and intelligent eyes that swept the room in one quick assessment stood just behind him.

"Commander," Roane said with a curt nod to Markus. "Prince Adar," the man finally turned his attention to me, "I've brought your meal as requested. Guardian Kell and I will take the first watch outside your door. Sergeant Janix and Guardian Voss will relieve us in six hours."

Two attendants entered the room and stepped around the Lieutenant, pushing a hovering cart laden with covered dishes. The aroma that wafted toward me made my stomach growl embarrassingly loud.

"Thank you, Lieutenant," I managed, trying to sound more princely than ravenous as the trays of food were set on the low table between Markus and I.

Moments later, we were alone once more, and I gave Markus a questioning look as he started filling his plate with food. "Commander?"

"That was the rank I had when I left the Vanguard," he replied with a dismissive wave as he dished up more food.

"He acts like you are still in the Vanguard," I said as I too started to fill my dish, but I was being more deliberate as I decided on a roast and what looked like a greens salad with bits of fruit and nuts scattered lavishly throughout.

"I resigned my commission. It doesn't mean my father actually accepted it."

I stopped shoveling the meat onto my plate to give the man an incredulous look. "So you are still an officer in the Vanguard?"

Markus shrugged as he continued to pile his plate so high I was impressed that food hadn't started falling off the sides yet. "I'm not entirely sure. I never checked to see if it went through or not. I put my notice in and just left. But I know my father. He would never be willing to take responsibility from me just because I asked it. So, probably?"

"He can just do that?" I knew my mouth was wide open at this point and I had to move back from the roast because Markus seemed intent on getting his fair share of it before I could.

"He's the Supreme Commander of the Vanguard. He can do whatever the yavit he likes."

I grunted as I went back to the roast after Markus had taken what he wanted. The plate was too full for anything more, so he set it down and began to inhale it like it was his last meal. My stomach growled again, and I dug into my plate, knowing it would be pointless to ask Markus anymore questions while he was eating. But I eyed the man a little closer as I tried to understand why he didn't seem to care the slightest about holding rank in the Kings' military force. That seemed like a big deal to me.

After we had finished our meal, I sat back in satisfaction. I hadn't realized how hungry I'd truly been. Markus was picking at the last of his third helping. I marveled at the man, wondering where he was putting it all.

"We should probably talk about the bond. There are some things you might not be aware of," he said between bites.

I looked at him curiously. I had thought that the contract I'd gotten from Razivi was pretty comprehensive, but I gave him my full attention in case there had been something I missed. "Okay."