1 A King in Trouble

XAVENIAN EMPIRE: The empire controlling most of Andromeda. It encompasses all star systems within a radius of 50,000 light years from Xaven. Except for the ruling Xai Dynasty, no one really knows how long the empire had existed. Some Lexai historians believe that they have ruled for 10,000 earth-years, while others believe it existed for as long as 100,000 earth-years. Everyone agrees that no record exists today that gives the date of their arrival neither in the galaxy nor of the formation of the Empire itself. But no one questions that the Xai Dynasty, the only known ruling House, has been kind and benevolent. Peace, health and prosperity reign on most planets.

King Lyham fidgets on his throne as he awaits the regular visitors of his planetary kingdom. He is aware of the possible grave message from the visiting Star Sailors and it troubles him. He rules the planet, with a strong and mighty hand but he seemed incapable of producing peace in his troubled planet. The rebellion lasted for quite a time, and to him, a five earth-year long rebellion is already long, even if he is ruling the planet for almost fifty years. A reign long enough for any ordinary ruler but not long enough for him. He wants the kingship for his entire lifetime, just as any appointed ruler of the Xai Dynasty. Can he enforce peace to rebels if his hand is tied by the Imperial Canon? Can he defeat rebels without resorting to violence? How can he stop a rebellion without killing? How?

He can still remember the ruler that he replaced. It seemed like yesterday. His predecessor even begged in front of the Courier. King Alherde dropped on his knees, crying for mercy and begging for more time. He thought that the Star Sailors were so powerful, so manipulative that they can debase kings. It seemed so unlikely then that their king would beg for mercy, but now, he realized the consequence of his neglect. A long reign of peace and prosperity can bring indifference, not on the subjects but on rulers. Now, he might pay the price of such.

A soldier broke the stillness of his throne room. His worry is just beginning. His wave of hand gave the soldier permission to speak.

"The sky above the castle is beginning to darken, sir."

The throbbing sensation on his temple increased. It could mean many things, but the day of the promised visit is today, and no other event can make the sky darken. The darkening can mean only one thing - the arrival of the feared Star Sailors.

"Everyone should leave the throne room." His powerful voice almost faltered, but his subjects followed without question. Immediately, the throne room became empty of servants and soldiers. Only the king is allowed to see the Imperial Couriers.

King Lyham stood up and walked to the nearby window. Nestled on top of a rocky mountain, the castle overlooks the main city of the planet. From his location, the sky has darkened even if no clouds are present. Any moment from now, a gaping hole in the space-time continuum will open and out of it, the dreaded Wormrider, the immense navigational vehicle of the Star Sailors. In it are the Messengers of the Emperor Egher.

The first time he saw that Wormrider, when he was just a soldier - it almost took his breath away. The wind became turbulent, the earth shook and powerful lightning streaked across the sky. A temporary storm lasted for a few seconds before an eerie silence. Then out of that silence, a buzzing sound emanated, and then a huge hole ripped apart the sky and a triangular vehicle appeared from nowhere. It floated above the palace. From it, light beamed into the Palace. That was the time King Alherde was promoted as the new King.

So, a few minutes later, the expected event happened again. The literal earthshaking event doesn't dazzle him anymore. Although it brought dread to him, he doesn't exactly know why he's frightened but that sense has a basis. King Alherde was replaced because he failed to stifle a simple rebellion. The main concern of the Galactic Emperor is peace and harmony, and any king who fails to do it will be replaced. It was almost five years since they last visited, and a local rebellion has not started yet.

King Lyham just watched as the enormous space vehicle appeared. Any moment from now, two beings will take form inside the throne room.

Something inside him ached. He returned to his throne, opened a secret panel there and took out a large jar containing amber colored crystals. The crystals will run out any week from now. Although he could take one now, he knows it is not yet time. He will know the exact time when he could take one, but definitely not now.

The two couriers appeared as expected.

"Greetings!"

"Greetings, King Lyham. Emperor Egher greets you as well."

Lyham's eyes focused on one of the Couriers. Dressed in a material that looks like pale platinum metal and white plastic, the enormous being towers over him. And he is carrying a jar. The same kind of jar that he is holding right now, except that the Courier's jar is brimming with yellowish crystals. His supply from Emperor Egher.

King Lyham does not know what to say. He knows that they already knew something, but their silence frightens him. Their eyes betray nothing, and their countenances remain the same. No sign of anger or any emotion can be seen. Just a plain, blank stare that he has grown accustomed over the years.

"What can I do for you, Lah Farai? You being exalted the courier of the Revered Emperor?" He bowed.

"I have come to replenish your supply of Deu crystals."Lah Farai, one of the Couriers said.

"Surely, you have come for the supply. But is that all your mission today?"

"Lah Werii has given me the Arimhada Planet Meter. Your Peace Level is very low. In fact it is way beyond the permitted-lowest level."

The Planet Meter. A small gadget inside the Peace Sensor. The Peace Sensor floats and circles planet, sensing the level of peacefulness of the planet every five earth-years. It is well protected from any attempt to tamper or destroy it.

"I have had problems concerning the supply of food." King Lyham said.

Lah Farai studied the gadget.

"The Economy Meter is quite high, and so is the Food Meter. The net Peace Level seemed to be going on for more than four years. Why?"

Lyham could not tell any lie to them. They can sense it anyway.

"I have neglected their needs. It is my fault."

"The Deu Crystals are at your disposal. You can always use it to enforce the Peace of the planet. Emperor Egher doesn't want any form of strife, no matter how small. Peace has always been the hallmark of his reign. Why did you not use it?"

"I do not know. Maybe the long years of peace may have made me indifferent. I only discovered the rebellion a few weeks ago. Three of my governors were deposed and killed. I never had time to control it until it was too late. If only you could allow me to destroy them."

Lyham's head remained bowed. His hand tightened around the jar he is holding.

"Only the Emperor can decide whether your problem is something he could attend to." Lah Farai reminded him. "If your problem is interplanetary, then your appeal will merit the intervention of the Emperor. But I doubt that any form of interplanetary conspiracy can prosper if it can be contained first within one planet."

Lyham remained silent, as Lah Farai took something in his uniform. A small winged device - a robot with the capacity to measure people's strength and will.

"We will wait for the result of Mensag, our personality and character scanner." Lah Farai said, and with a flick of his hand, the robot flew like a bird out of the window. It will scan for people who could closely match its preprogrammed data.

"You may take your seat in your throne." Lah Werii said to the still standing King Lyham.

Lyham knows that he is still the king, but he is a mere subject to the Emperor. He obeyed, forgetting that he is still carrying the jar in his hands.

"We will report this problem to Emperor Egher. If I remember it right, this is the second rebellion in less than a century."

Lyham wanted to say something, but his throat is constricted. Surely a human like him should not be afraid of a Kersi creature, a subject like himself. But these winged creatures, with powerful telepathic minds and strong loyalty to the Emperor are mere spokespersons of the Emperor himself. Lyham could not understand why the Emperor chose these creatures as servants in the hallowed halls of the Tetrahedral Palace. They're the bird-equivalent of an advanced mammal like the humans.

It did not take long before the Mensag, the Mind Seeker returned. With it, is the precious information about the new successor to King Lyham.

"It will not take us long. We will return here in a few days' time. " Lah Farai signaled Lah Werii, and they both disappeared.

Lyham knew then that his reign has ended. But only he knows it. The Deu supply was not replenished. He is as good as dead. He wanted to cry, but found that he could not. All he wants in the world is to die. Without the Deu, he is as good as any servant.

Outside, the fearful sight of the heavens opening once more to let the WormRider out did not bother King Lyham. He could not believe that in a matter of few words the Couriers removed him from his throne. Still carrying the crystalline jar with him, he walked to the window and watched the heavens close behind the huge WormRider vehicle.

The resulting silence is deafening. Lyham threw the jar in frustration and the jar shattered into hundreds of pieces, scattering the remaining Deu crystals on the palace floor. After a while, he realized that the remaining crystals could be his hope of salvaging his pride and honor. He dropped on his knees and tried to pick the tiny golden cubes of Deu. But it was too late. Most of the crystals were shattered as well. He could only cry out in desperation. A thought came upon him. There is no need for any pity!

When he turned to the window, the grand view of the city lay before him. Hundreds of feet below him is the immense palace garden. He told himself, "It is long way down, and I might change my mind while in midair . . ."

After a second or two, he decided. Even if he changes his mind, at least nothing can make him turn back. He climbed the window, took a deep breath and leaped into the air.