Call to Battle by Mark Wayne McGinnis

Author:Mark Wayne McGinnis [McGinnis, Mark Wayne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction And Fantasy, Alien Invasion, Exploration, First Contact, Galactic Empire, Military, Space Fleet, Space Marine, Space Opera, Space Exploration, Science Fiction
Amazon: B00W57IF8K
Publisher: Avenstar Productions
Published: 2015-04-13T17:00:00+00:00

* * *

Word spread quickly throughout what remained of the Allied worlds. Dira was called away from her mother’s bedside when she learned of the imminent battle—a battle due to take place closer to Jhardon than to any of the other Allied star systems. More destruction, more strife, looked to be on the horizon. As if her people hadn’t suffered enough.

She found her father sitting at his desk, three aides standing around him. He stood when he saw Dira enter the room.

“Leave us.”

Looking frustrated, the three aides protested. Viceroy Rhonn said, “We need to make our stance clear, Your Majesty.”

“And we will, I assure you, Viceroy Rhonn. The princess, your future queen, must be brought up to speed. Leave us now.”

Reluctantly, the three aides left the king’s side, hurrying to leave the antechamber. Viceroy Rhonn made no attempt to hide his disdain for Dira as he brushed past her.

“Rhonn’s an ass. Why do you keep him so close? You know he hates me.”

“He hates everybody, Dira. Especially those he can’t control. He balances out, though, others who are more concerned with kissing my backside. You’ll need to learn this, Daughter: you must rule from a position of knowledge … informed decisions. Surrounding oneself only with ‘yes men’ is a sure way to run astray.”

“What is happening, Father? I’ve been told there will be another battle. A battle to end all battles. And here, close to Jhardon space.”

King Caparri placed an arm around Dira’s shoulder and together they moved toward the door. “It is true. Earth’s high command has requested our participation, as well as that of the other Allied planetary systems. We have been asked to join forces—to come together one more time.”

Two doors down from the king’s antechamber they entered his map room. Dira had been in the room many times before, had played there as a child. Before coming to an understanding of the virtual technology behind the room’s facade, to her it was simply a magical place—the heavens above literally within reach. Here, she first dreamt of exploring the far outer reaches of space … she loved this chamber. It had been, at least partially, one reason she’d left home to crew on board The Lilly. That, and to get away from her oppressive parents.

As if walking into space itself, they stood together in the middle of the large, totally dark, room. Then, in a blaze of color and light above and all around them, Jhardon’s star system came alive.

Her father, his face full of wonder as he took in the virtual planetary system glowing all around them, spoke softly. “Jhardon space … our home. What’s left of our home …” Like God Himself, the king used his outstretched hands to reposition the virtual planets around them. Jhardon was closest now, taking up much of the heavenly scene. As the beautiful emerald planet rotated on its axis, soon the blackened scorched side of the planet came into view. Dira felt the familiar dread, the squeezing of her heart.

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