Thor: Sci-Fi Romance (Far Hope Series Book 1)

by Emma James

  There are some rumors that the most extreme practitioners of Empyreanism are in the process of creating a weapon that would have the ability to make stars go Supernova before the end of their life cycle, but most scientists believe that an artificial gravity weapon of this nature is impossible.

  Appearance

  The Arkadians are humanoid. They are generally large, standing at around 7’ tall with the females being the larger sex. They have pale to dark green skin. They have no discernable hair and would not be considered attractive by Terran standards.

  BANDURIANS

  Homeworld: Bandur

  History

  The Bandurians territory primarily straddles the Bravo and Delta Sectors and is highly concentrated in the Galactic Bar (near the center of the galaxy). The Bandurians became a spacefaring race after their chance encounter with Arkadian research teams on the Bandurian homeworld. The Arkadians gifted the Bandurians with first generation FTL engine systems which allowed the Bandurians to claim their current territories and position as one of the galaxy’s most prominent races.

  The Bandurians are the galaxy’s quintessential “Junkers”, being highly resourceful and willing to use materials and parts from derelict spacecraft or space stations to create their own vessels and stations. Their spacecraft are often unique in shape and size with varying military capabilities as the Bandurians prefer to subsume technologies from other races as opposed to developing their own. Their spacecraft look very “industrial”.

  The Bandurians history is punctuated by several long drawn out conflicts between the Vorion Empire and the Zel’Dar, though they are currently not at war with any race. Their civilization being centrally located within the galaxy means that they are accustomed to other races and cultures permeating their own and have grown quite tolerant of others in their territory.

  One of the most notable areas of the galaxy is the Galactic Bazaar, located in the heart of Bandurian territory. The Galactic Bazaar is the modern equivalent of a galactic black market and is located within a large asteroid belt. In the Galactic Bazaar, one would find innumerable spacecraft, space stations and asteroid bases where trade of all sorts is conducted. Consequently, it is also a hotbed for criminal activity.

  The Bandurians show no particular preferences to any of the races in the galaxy, though they are eternally wary of the Vorion and the Zel’Dar. They react strongly when provoked, but don’t go out of their way to instigate conflict.

  Appearance

  Bandurians are humanoids. They are large and muscular, with males being the larger sex and generally standing 6’+ tall. They have medium brown skin and eyes, no discernable hair and their most physically identifiable trait are the ridge lines that run across their face.

  RENGAR

  Homeworld: Marne

  History

  The Rengar are a clever, scheming race of anthropomorphic rodents. Their primary territory straddles the Alpha and Bravo sectors. They were sold Telani FTL systems that enabled them to become a galactic race and quickly found themselves involved in many black market dealings throughout the galaxy.

  Physically, the Rengar are highly athletic, and capable acrobats - consequently, it is not uncommon to find them employed as thieves or assassins throughout the galaxy. They stand about 5’ tall and males and females average the same height.

  They are not overly nationalistic, however, they do come together as a race when threatened by outside forces. They are employed in a wide variety of capacities throughout the galaxy and are generally considered opportunistic - moving where there is the greatest benefit to them.

  TELANI

  Homeworld: Maelor

  History

  The Telani are a humanoid race whose territory lies entirely within the Bravo sector. The Telani and the Terrans share a close kinship and consider each other primary allies.

  The Telani are economically prosperous and skilled traders. In addition, they are considered at the forefront of technological advancement in the galaxy as their vast economy produces many discoveries on the free market. Consequently, the Telani possess a strong military.

  The Telani are considered diplomatic and generally attempt to diffuse large scale conflict through diplomatic means, however, they are ardent defenders of their economic interests (trade vessels, resource-rich star systems, space stations etc.).

  Though the Terrans and Telani are considered strong allies, there have been examples of conflicts arising between groups of Telani and Terrans over economic interests. Generally, these conflicts are relegated to small-scale disputes, however, in some instances, Terran and Telani corporations have had significant conflicts over territorial economic interests.

  Several of these corporate conflicts have required the governments of each race to involve themselves to resolve the conflict and prevent further loss of life. These conflicts have been dubbed the “Corporate Wars” and many Terran and Telani corporations are direct competitors on the free market.

  Appearance

  The Telani are considered to be highly attractive by Terrans. Physically, Telani are of similar height and weight compared to Terrans. Their most striking physical features are bright blue eyes, lips and platinum blonde hair.

  TERRANS

  Homeworld: Earth

  History

  The general consensus has Terran history beginning in the year 2133 after more than 30 earth countries had achieved FTL travel capabilities. In the year 2133, an Old Earth organization known as the United Nations dissolved and gave way to the newly unified nations of earth known as the Terran Federation. The Terran naming convention was adopted to be more representative of humanity’s growing galactic aspirations.

  Catalyzing Terran unification was the First Contact event with Zel’Darian forces in the Alpha Sector in the year 2124. This event represented the first time humanity had made contact with sentient alien life beyond microbial finds on many near earth planets. In mid-2124, several Chinese mining vessels stumbled on Zel’Darian forces on a remote asteroid belt. After nearly being destroyed during the encounter, the remaining mining vessels returned to Earth to deliver the news that humanity was indeed, not alone in our own galaxy.

  Following the Zel’Darian event, Earth entered into a period of economic and manufacturing prosperity as nations raced to strengthen Earth’s interstellar capabilities and protect against further Zel’Darian aggression. In addition, the event punctuated a period of near non-conflict and unprecedented cooperation on earth as nations around the world were finally uniting for what seemed a greater purpose.

  Further, this period is known as a time of great religious upheaval as Earth’s major religions experienced mass declines in membership. As a byproduct many new and smaller religions sprouted as humanity was once again forced to confront its existence in a seemingly boundless universe.

  Over the next 150 years, humanity prospered as a galactic race. The first contact with the other remaining 5 major galactic races took place and close bonds were forged with the Telani, and to a lesser extent, the Arkadians. During this time, technology was advancing at an unprecedented rate and was further fueled by trade with other races throughout the galaxy.

  Today, the Terran Federation boasts a modern military and some of the most advanced research facilities in the galaxy. They have a well-balanced economy and are responsible for a great deal of intergalactic tourism.

  Appearance

  Due to the continued homogenization of humanity through the years, most humans have light to medium brown skin, with dark eyes and dark hair. Recessive traits such as blonde hair and blue eyes are far less common but do still occur.

  VORION EMPIRE

  Homeworld: Voria Prime

  History

  The Vorion Empire are a humanoid race of anthropomorphic reptiles. Their territory is expansive and lies primarily within the Delta sector, but also straddling the Bravo and Omega sectors. They are the most populous race in the galaxy, with some scientists estimating the Vorion populations to
be nearly 500 billion.

  Vorion society is highly patriarchal with females generally relegated to planetary pursuits and it is very uncommon for Vorion females to be seen traveling throughout the galaxy.

  The Vorion Empire is aggressive and instigates many conflicts throughout the galaxy. They have had open and all out wars with both the Arkadians and the Bandurians. Currently, the Vorion Empire has been targeting Telani and Terran economic interests in the Bravo Sector. The Vorion appear intent on wresting control of several resource-rich star systems from the Terrans and the Telani and that has led to large-scale conflicts between these races in the Bravo Sector.

  The Vorion are poor diplomats and are largely considered to have the largest military in the galaxy. They use the threat of their military might as their primary diplomatic tool and there is increasing concern amongst the other galactic races that the Vorion Empire may attempt to conquer the galaxy through military means.

  Their military technologies are not as sophisticated as many races, but what they lack in military power, they make up for with the number of soldiers and vessels they field.

  Appearance

  The Vorion are physically imposing with the males standing nearly 7’ tall with a strong musculature. They are extremely powerful but not considered agile. Their skin resembles that of a lizard - pale to medium green with scale-like features and a rough texture.

  ZEL’DAR

  Homeworld: Unknown

  History

  The Zel’Dar are a sentient insectoid race that permeates the Galaxy. Little is known about their origins, but they are often referred to as an infestation by other races. They can be found in every sector of the galaxy with large primary territories in each sector often referred to as “Hives”.

  The Zel’Dar are immediately hostile to any other race they encounter in the galaxy. Incredibly, their unique biology allows them to travel through space unprotected. When Zel’Dar are in migration from star system to star system they move in great hosts and are often referred to as “The Swarm”. Several scientists have posited that the Zel’Dar are in fact organized and controlled by a central “Hive Mind” somewhere in the galaxy, however, most scientists think that is impossible.

  The Zel’Dar are not capable of FTL travel, however, they can travel at light speed. They move into new star systems and consume the flora and fauna of biologically rich planets as a means of sustaining themselves and as a means of breeding. Their “swarms” tend to grow as they move from system to system.

  There is incredible concern among all galactic races as the Zel’Dar continues to increase in numbers. It is unknown what their population would be, however, if left unchecked it is inevitable that the Zel’Dar will outpace all other races in terms of pure numbers.

  Wars with the Zel’Dar are inevitably costly and generally have only served to cull the populations for short periods of time. It is common for coalitions of galactic races to come together to cull Zel’Darian populations when they infringe on others territory.

  Appearance

  The Zel’Dar come in many variations, and there has been a significant attempt to catalog the many variations though it is believed that the catalog is incomplete. Generally, the Zel’Dar possess hard exoskeletons and physical attributes that make them top level predators. They can be as small as a medium-sized dog, or twice as large as an elephant.

  Bonus Book - Fate Sworn

  CHAPTER ONE

  Light swooped through her eyelids and kissed the forefront of her mind.

  Leonie jolted in bed, her eyes snapping open.

  A star—its fire a soft blue and its center a pure white—languidly spun in the center of her massive bedroom. Its glow brushed over all the furniture, gleaming against such a magical force.

  Leonie’s heart leaped to her throat and twisted. Arms trembling, she scooted back and then sat up. She stared—stared—at this small star as her mind raced with frantic questions. The star wasn’t warm, wasn’t blinding—it just…

  It twisted and stretched vertically. The blue burst out of existence and the white withered into a dark gray.

  Leonie jumped back, arms raised in a feeble defensive position.

  You know better, she thought to herself. She tensed her arms and clenched her hands into steady fists. Then she took a deep breath in preparation to scream for the guards outside her door.

  The gray blob shuddered, curled, brightened—and then it formed into a shape of a giant man with a broad chest and hairless flesh. The man’s eyes, taller than they were wide, sparkled despite the dullness within the pupils.

  Leonie choked on her scream, her insides freezing over.

  “Mathsus?!” she thought as a silver light wrapped itself around the giant man—acting as a robe.

  The giant man—no, the god floated some centimeters off the floor and blinked. “Young Duchess of Asawiss, I call upon you.”

  Leonie threw herself to the floor and bowed. “Mighty god of fate, I bask in your glorious presence.” She blinked owlishly at the floor, her knuckles pushing against it as she struggled to remain motionless—to not tremble. “I—I’m humbled, so humbled. I do not know why you have come to me, but I’m honored by your presence.”

  Mathsus said nothing for a moment.

  Sweat seeped out of the back of her neck.

  “Rise, child,” Mathsus said.

  She shot up to her feet, crossing her arms over her breasts and hoping beyond hope that her hair wasn’t as frizzy as it usually got at night.

  Mathsus’s face was like a stone mask, unmoving and indifferent. “A war approaches the kingdom of Sallimor and the kingdom of Maylorn. I invoke you to prevent it from becoming so.”

  Her stomach dropped. “Sallimor? I…but what of Corsonall? They’ve threatened to overtake Maylorn before, but…?” A wisp of a breath shuddered from her mouth.

  “Forgive me, I don’t understand. If this is what will happen, then why not stop it yourself? Or call upon someone in Sallimor or Maylorn?” She blanched the moment the words left her lips and stumbled back.

  “Not that I—I meant no offense! I’m a mere mortal, and I’m ignorant of such things. That is the only reason I ask questions, so I am no longer ignorant—so I can best understand your wishes.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “I invoke you because there is no other, and my will needs no explanation.”

  “Of course,” she said quickly. “Apologies. My sincerest apologies.”

  Wind shoved her back against the wall, fiery light exploding in front of her. She choked on her breath as her chest went aflame with panic, eyes watering and stinging. And then everything went dark and quiet.

  Mathsus was gone.

  She blinked hard a few times, a tear crawling down her left cheek as her vision cleared. She couldn’t move—couldn’t think—could barely inhale and exhale over and over again.

  A god…the god of fate…her? Why her? What made her worthy for such an important task?

  Her stunned state vanished instantly, and she jumped before dashing out of her bedroom.

  The guards outside her door jolted. “Young Duchess,” one of them gasped. “What—?”

  “Mathsus,” she said, grabbing the man’s plated shoulder and shaking. “Mathsus. Mathsus—” She shook her head and ran down the hallway, toward her parents’ bedroom. “Mama! Papa! Mathsus!”

  The guards hurried after her, their armor clanking with each step.

  The guards who stood outside her parents’ bedroom doors frowned at Leonie—manic as she must’ve looked—but they didn’t stop her as she burst into the room far bigger than her own. Guided by memories more than sight, she ran through the darkness until her shins bumped into the large bed. “Mama! Mama!” She grabbed her mother’s forearm.

  Her mother jolted and gasped, her hand snapping to Leonie’s fingers. “Wha?”

  Her father jolted next.

  “Leonie?” her mother croaked, her grip on Leonie loosening. “Leonie, what’s wrong?”

  Leon
ie spluttered out what had just occurred, though she still wasn’t completely sure what had just occurred. A vision? A physical visiting from the god?

  By the time she was finished, both of her parents had sat up in their bed and her six siblings had gathered by the bedroom doors. The guards stood stock still in their positions, though their pinched expressions betrayed their obvious discomfort.

  “That was quite a dream,” her father said, yawning. He rubbed his eyes and cracked his bearded jaw. “I’m glad that even as an adult now, you still dream so fantastically.”