by Dean Sault
“You speak treason! I should take your head!”
“Prime Skah, I speak truth. Listen to the recordings yourself.”
Rotaga’s aide held out a small recording device. The disgraced fleet commander quickly digested the communications, but could not believe its content.
“This is a Tanarac trick. Have you contacted the Codae fleet?”
“There is no response, sire, not even a distress signal. The entire fleet has vanished.”
Rotaga sat on his bed.
“Leave. Do not disturb me until the outer mark of the home system.”
Several days passed when the Heptari ship slowed from deep space drive to enter their home world system. Rotaga strode boldly onto the command deck. He wore his formal military attire, complete with combat decorations and his family crest embroidered in the war sash.
“Contact the Royal Protectorate. Inform them Codae Rotaga has arrived.”
One of his senior officers looked up, surprised at Rotaga’s assumption of the royal title. The new self-proclaimed ruler turned to face his crew from the center of the bridge.
“By now, our people know the fate of the Codae. The Heptari Empire requires a new leader, and I, Rotaga, am first on the Pillar of Ascension for the throne. I am now Codae. I will restore order and dignity to the Empire.”
Shortly thereafter, Rotaga left his ship with all the ceremony reserved only for royals. For the first time in his life, he entered the palace through the royal gates. When the doors of the Codae chamber opened, several rows of servants waited on either side of the room and bowed, their foreheads touching the ground, as he passed. Rotaga crossed the room slowly, taking his place on the center of the three thrones.
“Remove the other two thrones.”
“But Honorable One, where will the other two Codae sit when you have appointed them?”
“There will be no other Codae. I will govern as the sole royal.”
“But Sire, it is Heptari law that—” Rotaga snapped his reply before the scribe could complete his sentence.
“I, Codae Rotaga, am now Heptari law. If you ever question one of my decisions again, I will take your head.”
“As you wish, Great One. I am Triss, your personal Kol. I will see to your desires.”
“Fine. Bring me the heads of the males in each of the first born clutches of my predecessors. Seize the assets of their estates and divide their wealth among the people in their villages. Our former leaders disgraced the great Heptari Empire. Their fate shall be as follows. Family names are to be stricken from all public buildings and documents. Recall monetary script issued with their likenesses. Begin immediately to print new money with my family name, and it will bear my image alone.”
“Yes, Sire, your will shall be done. Do you wish to make a public statement about the war with Tanarac?”
“Tell my people, Tanarac protected humans for three hundred years. They joined with the humans to bring disgrace to our Empire. We have been humiliated, and I promise to avenge this insult. Before my reign ends, I will deliver the heads of the Tanarac leaders and eliminate every human in existence.”
“Your commands are entered, Sire. Is that all?”
“Do not interrupt me. I will tell you when I am done.”
Triss bowed and dropped to one knee, showing total obedience.
“Bring me the head of the Director of our weapons development program. Our new cannons failed to live up to his promises. Deliver his assets to my personal treasury. His male-born will enter seven years of servitude. His female-born and personal harem shall be auctioned in the next servant market. Auction proceeds will be added to my family treasury. ”
Rotaga continued with a list of retributions while the scribe dutifully recorded each royal edict. The scribe waited silently as his new Codae paused before finishing.
“Recall our fleet from Wallow Minor. I have a new mission for them. That is all for now. You may go.”
The scribe acknowledged Rotaga’s instructions and backed away from the Royal throne. Just as the servant turned to leave the room, Rotaga called out with one last demand.
“Wait, Kol! Get a holo-image of the Tanarac general, Byn Tragge. Have it chiseled into our finest marble and mount it to my trophy wall—until I replace it with the real head.”
Rotaga leaned back in his throne. He let out a long, primal hiss and remembered the insults he endured from his Tanarac counterpart.
“Tragge, you will pay.” Rotaga clenched both fists. Small green drops of blood dripped into moss below.
“Scribe, I am finished, for now.”
About the Author
Dean Sault lives in Northern California with his Great Dane puppy, Miss Jessie. He’s been a writer all his life but did not seek publication of fiction works until releasing his science fiction tale in 2009, Space Chronicles: The Last Human War.
Since then, he has written a thriller (Faces of Hatred, represented by literary agent - Stacey Donaghy), a western-romance (Maker of Angels) and book one (Ghost of Lost Eagle) in his Sweetwater Canyon Series of old-west romance/paranormal stories.
He welcomes contact with his readers and can be reached through social media, his website, writing blog and email.
Website – AuthorDeanSault.com
email – [email protected]
Faceboook – Author Dean Sault
Blog – deansaultpopcornwriting.blogspot.com/
Twitter - @AuthorDSault
LinkedIn member – Dean Sault
He also participates on GoodReads and Wattpad.