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 12 Rescue Mission

Earth Edition and Translation © 2278

There are moments that transform our lives, but we rarely see them as such when they are happening. Many times, it just seems like the most logical next step to take, and yet that one step changes everything. The next step and the series after which I took following the Battle of Sora X was one of those times for me. After all these years, I look back on those critical moments, and I think… How different would my transition in Ethia and becoming the Heir of the Empire have been if I had not acted as I had done?

Vang frowned down at the list of repairs it would take to get the Fordex back up and running. The ship was in bad shape after the encounter with the alien vessels. Major hull breaches on three levels, primary drive systems damaged beyond quick repair, and the navigation array were completely fried. Most concerning was the damage to the shield generators, which needed replacement, and that meant time spent in a space dock. Until then, the Fordex would be vulnerable to attack.

"Two weeks minimum," Captain-Major Wexlen said, standing at rigid attention in front of Vang's desk. "And that's with round-the-clock repair crews."

The Admiral blew out a sigh of frustration. He supposed it was better than the Maxem had fared, but this wasn't the kind of news he needed right now. Both of the alien ships had abruptly disengaged and left Sora X's orbit after a short skirmish on the ground. Moments later, the ships had disappeared completely and, as far as his tactical officer could tell; the enemy had retreated from the Sora System.

But where? And why had they left so suddenly? To make things worse, communications with Ground Command had been cut out shortly after the invaders landed dozens of drop pods at the College. It'd been nearly an hour, and they still hadn't been able to get word from the planet, with Orbital Command claiming the same. But the orbital station was at least able to confirm that the disruption was because the main ground communication array had been damaged. Vang sent Lieutenant Hesh planet-side in a shuttle half an hour ago to get an update. In the meantime, there was much work to be done.

"Prioritize the drive systems and navigation, so we can at least get this ship moving and toward a space dock, and have Hesh report to me as soon as he gets back. Have you assessed the total casualties?" Vang said.

Wexlen's face was grim as he spoke. "So far, the total dead is sixty-two, with three hundred and eighty-four injuries. We also lost eleven star fighters, and nearly half of the rest need minor to significant repairs."

Vang closed his eyes briefly, the weight of those losses settling heavily on his shoulders. Sixty-two souls. Families who would receive the formal notifications bearing his signature. It never got easier.

"Acknowledged," he said, his voice steady despite the churning in his gut. "Have the Caretakers prepare full reports on the wounded. I want to know who can return to duty and when."

"Yes, Admiral," Wexlen replied.

"What of the rest of the fleet?"

"The Torlon was the most damaged, with two hull breaches and moderate damage to the shield generators, but none of it requires a space dock to repair. They should be at full capability within six to seven days. The other ships fared with minor damage."

Vang nodded. That was good news, at least. "We don't know if the invaders will decide to come back, so the ships in the best condition need to be on alert for trouble."

"Yes, sir."

A soft chime came from his unity ring. The name scrolling across the display caused some of his unease to lessen. "I need to take this. Keep me informed. You are dismissed, Captain."

Wexlen gave a fist to heart before he abruptly turned on his heels and exited. Vang tapped to answer the call and immediately transferred it to the large screen of his Nanite terminal.

A severe face with startling bright green eyes appeared on the holo screen in front of Vang. "High Commander Ga-jorn, how close is the war fleet?"

Vang had requested more Zahnian ships while on route to Sora X to intercept the invaders, but this far from the Core, he knew it would take time for them to arrive.

"Two days at maximum burn," Ga-jorn replied, his expression grim. "The Intrepid and its battle group have altered course to rendezvous with your position."

Stolen story; please report.

"It will have to do," Vang said, leaning back in his chair. "Though I'm uncertain of what they're racing toward. The enemy vessels have vanished."

Ga-jorn's eyes narrowed. "Vanished? I thought you were tracking them to Sora X?"

"Yes, and we engaged them. They damaged my ship and deployed ground forces at the College." Vang pulled up the battle footage on a secondary screen. "Then they simply... left. No apparent reason. No clear objective was achieved that I am aware of, though we have been out of contact with the College since they left."

"The Heir—"

"Was already on his way to Vega Prime when the battle started."

Ga-jorn's rigid posture relaxed marginally. "That's fortunate. Do you still want the entire fleet to converge on the Sora System?"

Vang sighed and considered that. Until he knew exactly where they had gone, there wasn't much he could do. "Yes, but if I get any information about where they have gone, that might change. This invasion also may be bigger than I originally thought. A second of their ships showed up in the middle of the battle. It nearly destroyed the Fordex. We had to disengage."

The grim expression settled back over the High Commander. "A second ship?"

Vang could practically see the questions running through Ga-jorn's head. They were the same Vang had been considering since the second yavit ship had made a surprise appearance. "I was shocked as you were when it popped up. Until that point, I had no reason to suspect they brought more than one ship into the Empire, and I fear that was by design. I suspect there are more out there too. I know this is concerning news, but at least now we know to be on the lookout for multiple targets."

"I'll alert all sector commanders to scan for similar energy signatures," Ga-jorn replied.

"Good. And I want any intelligence regarding unusual phenomena from the border outposts. I know the beacon network codes automatically reset every forty-eight hours, but we can't assume they haven't found another way through the border somehow."

Ga-jorn nodded, the holo screen briefly distorting with interference before stabilizing. "Do you think these ships could be scouts of a larger invading force?"

That thought had already occurred to Vang, and he didn't like it one bit. "Perhaps, but we need more intelligence before we make that assumption. I will send you all the data I have on the recent battle and let you know more when I do. That is all."

Ga-jorn gave a firm nod, and the comm cut out. Vang leaned back against the headrest of his chair and sighed. His head hurt, and he was starving. At some point, he had to make himself get some food and rest, but he was still too high-strung from the battle and all the unknowns.

He would feel better too when there were more Zahnian ships in this part of the Empire. It was customary for the Outer Reach to be patrolled almost exclusively by the Vanguard, while the Legion stuck to the Core and Inner Rim, but considering this new threat, that was going to change whether or not the Kings' military force liked it.

The door to his office chimed, pulling Vang from his thoughts. He sat back up and called. "Enter!"

Lieutenant Hesh stepped through the door. The man walked across the office and stopped right before the Admiral's desk. He stood at attention. The frown on the other man's face told Vang he wasn't going to like the answer to his next question, but he asked it anyway.

"What's the news from the College?"

"Not good, Admiral. It seems the invaders have abducted King Rainus."

Vang cringed inwardly. He was afraid of this. The King had told him of the Emperor's orders to contact the enemy to get more information about them. The King seemed confident in his task, but when the enemy had abruptly left, even though the battle was turning in their favor, Vang had grown concerned.

"Did they take anyone else?"

Hesh shook his head. "No, just the King. It seems King Rainus had been attempting to speak with one of the creatures, and then it suddenly attacked him and those protecting him. Eyewitnesses say they saw the King unconscious and being floated out toward a larger shuttle that had come down after the drop pods landed. The small group of aliens taking the King was attacked by defenders of the College, but there was some sort of shielding around the group. They loaded the King in the shuttle, regrouped with the alien ship hovering over the College, and left."

"I see," was all the Admiral could say in the moment.

He knew the Emperor wasn't going to be happy about this. Vang remembered what that creature on the Maxem had done to Vang, and he was quite certain they would do the same to the King. And since they took the noble with them, it meant they had more time to glean information not only about the Empire, but about the workings of the Vanguard since King Rainus was their current Supreme Commander.

"What of King Rainus's Protector?" Vang asked. If they could follow the bond, that could be one way to find the King and even the invaders.

"Protector Jamiss was significantly injured in an attempt to stop the creatures from taking the King. They aren't sure whether he will survive his injuries."

Vang pinched the bridge of his nose. Yavit. There went his idea of attempting to track the King, not that his ships were in the best condition to do so, and Ga-jorn's fleet was still at least two days away.

"How did the College fare? Do they require assistance? We are strapped here on the Fordex, but one of the other ships might spare personnel and supplies."

"There's a lot of damage, wounded, and some dead, but the Ground Command says they have it under control. They actually asked me to offer you and the Fordex assistance if needed. I told them how badly we had been hit."

"Thank them for the offer," Vang said, leaning forward to tap a note into his terminal. "We'll manage as we always do."

"Yes, Admiral."

"How long until the College's communications are back up?"

"Within the hour, sir."

Vang nodded. "Let me know when they are and also inform Captain-Major Wexlen to prepare a full tactical analysis of our latest engagement with the enemy. You are dismissed."

"Yes, sir," Hesh gave a fist to heart before he turned and left the office.

Vang stared at the closed door for a long moment, the weight of King Rainus's abduction settling over him like a lead blanket. The ramifications were staggering. Not only had they lost one of the Empire's most capable leaders, but the aliens now had direct access to intimate knowledge of Vanguard operations, which also included the beacon network that kept the Empire's borders secure.

He activated his unity ring and pulled up the Emperor's link. Vang dreaded making the call, but the Emperor would want to know. Though what they would, or even could do about the missing King was another matter entirely.