by C B Williams
The Entean Saga
Episodes 1-4: The Complete Saga
C.B. Williams
Contents
About The Entean Saga
Episode One: Champion of Entean
About the Book
1. The Star Born
2. Sub-City
3. Returning, Reawakening
4. Spur
5. The Culling
6. The Sausage
7. Little Sister
8. It Matters
9. North
10. Max
11. Stardust
12. South
13. Returning
14. Reunion
15. The Reckoning
16. The Champion Of Spur
Episode Two: Brightness Calling
About the Book
1. A Damsel in Distress
2. Distant Rumbles
3. Fire Sticks
4. The Calling Moon
5. The Ancestors
6. Discoveries
7. The Nuri
8. The Dragons of Longwei
9. A Feast
10. Grale
11. Plotting and Planning
12. Longwei Pays a Visit
13. Reunion
14. Revisions
15. A Queen in Need
16. Kalea and Genji
17. The Ancestors’ Starbirds
18. Something Comes
19. Uninvited Guests
20. Death and Rebirth
21. Testing
22. Brightness Calling
Episode Three: Chaos Tamed
About the Book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Episode Four: Vision Dreaming
About the Book
Prologue
1. Letting Go
2. Perin
3. Leave-taking
4. Heading into Cryo
5. Nuri In Cryo
6. Three Years into the Mission
7. Eleven Years into the Mission
8. Sixteen Years into the Mission
9. Trouble
10. More Trouble
11. Stopgaps
12. On the Offensive
13. Perin's True Dream
14. Decisions
15. Choices
16. Plans
17. Jon Gaylord
18. Kidnapped
19. Comparing Notes
20. Answers
21. Next
22. Solutions
23. Admiral Gaylord
24. Endings and Beginnings
Epilogue
Glossary
About the Author
OTHER TITLES By C. B. Williams
About The Entean Saga
This series is a refreshingly new approach to science fiction/fantasy in which planets are living entities, with champions who are sworn to protect them.
Journey through time, space, and dimensions with a motley group of strong-willed individuals led by Eloch and Wren, two charismatic leaders from different planets whom fate brought together in love. Born out of service and dedication, the crew forms a bond that goes deeper than any would have guessed.
They accept a seemingly impossible quest and race against time to preserve life as they know it, supported and guided by the sentient planets—Entean, Spur, Longwei, and Talamh—whose continued existence is under direct and immediate threat.
Episode 1: Champion of Entean
Eloch, the Champion of Entean, and Wren, KinLord from the dregs of SubCity on Spur—strangers from different corners of the universe brought together by happenstance. When their paths cross, it will change each one’s mission to serve and protect, as well as the course of their very lives.
Episode 2: Brightness Calling
First Entean sent Eloch, Her Champion, to Spur.
Now Entean needs Eloch to serve as Her ambassador to Longwei. Something terrifying has annihilated a Sister Planet in a neighboring galaxy, and the planet sisterhood’s warrior member, Longwei, has gone silent. Why does Longwei refuse to communicate with Her Sister Planets?
Episode 3: Chaos Tamed
Meanwhile, the peoples of the planet Spur are rebuilding their world.
In her new vocation, Mouse, Wren’s trusted friend and fellow assassin, no longer needs to kill. And maybe the nightmares will finally stop. But then Max is nearly assassinated while under her protection.
Max was appointed governor by Spur, Herself. Who wishes him dead? And why? He will do whatever is necessary to end the threats against him, his business empire, and his boss, the planet Spur—while Mouse, his self-appointed bodyguard, vows do what she must to keep Max alive. Even if it means killing again.
Episode 4: Vision Dreaming
One planetary Sister has died, Her life force drained away by what the Sisters have named Something That Comes.
Time is of the essence.
Eloch and his crew must travel as quickly as possible to the neighboring galaxy of Vela Kentaurus and stop whatever the death-bringing Something That Comes is.
They wait only for their final crew member—a gift from the planet Talamh—the young woman Perin, a Seer who interprets her True Dreams and Visions to provide wisdom for a safe passage across galaxies.
But all Perin sees for Eloch is death.
Episode One: Champion of Entean
About the Book
Champion! Something comes!
It is not mine.
I fear.
Hurry, Champion!
And so begins the Entean Saga.
Eloch, the Champion of Entean, is asked by the planet who loves him to travel light-years from his home to Spur, a technologically advanced planet whose citizens are determined to colonize Entean.
And because Eloch loves his planet Entean, he goes…only to discover that the vast power flowing through him, power only a Champion can wield, vanishes the moment the spacecraft bound for Spur enters its first wormhole.
Now powerless and alone, how can Eloch stop the colonization, as he has sworn to do?
Meanwhile, on Spur, Sub-City Kinlord Wren has her own problems. Sensing the imminent threat of a Culling, in which the strongest of her Folk are taken to serve the UpperUppers who live Above while the weak and old are killed, she must find a way to protect those under her care. How can she give the Martials what they want while keeping those they don’t alive?
Eloch and Wren—strangers from different corners of the universe brought together by happenstance. When their paths cross, it will change each’s mission to serve and protect, as well as the course of their very lives.
Chapter 1
The Star Born
Champion! Something comes!
Eloch shot bolt upright from a deep sleep, Entean’s fear burning cold through his veins.
“Where?” he asked, peering into the dark night.
Entean sent him a series of visions.
He cocked his head, not sure what he was seeing. From above? What was coming from above?
It is not Mine. I fear. Hurry, Champion.
He leapt up and threw his pack together while the bedroll disappeared and the circle of fire vanished. Relieved the rain had stopped, Eloch ran to his skiff and flung his pack into the front,
then carefully leaned his staff against it. He splashed water on his face before he untied the little boat, grabbed his staff, climbed in, and pushed the boat into the current.
Hurry! It has arrived. It burns. A metal dragon. Hurry, Champion!
Entean’s fear was intense, and the clouds roiled and churned, covering much of the night sky while the river flowed faster and faster. Eloch did not even need to steer his skiff. He just had to hold on tight.
There were only three in the landing party. They fanned out, keeping their backs to their shuttle so they could escape quickly if necessary. But Aiko, the leader, didn’t think it would be necessary. From what she had observed while she circled to land, this was a very pleasant little planet with few inhabitants.
She pushed back her helmet, shook out her straight black hair, and filled her lungs with the moist, sweet air. It had been a long flight to get to this small, watery planet the Ring had targeted for colonization. It was the farthest planet on their agenda, some twenty light years away from Spur. It had taken them just over a year to travel this far. Aiko had volunteered so she’d have the time to think through her domestic problems. And now she had set foot on A349, she didn’t want to return.
The meadow was quiet and serene, with wisps of morning fog. And the air! Aiko sucked in another deep breath, savoring the sensation of such beautiful air filling her lungs.
“This is a lovely place,” she heard herself say. It surprised her. She had been trained to keep her personal thoughts to herself.
Etsuo grinned in agreement. “The Ring will want to colonize ASAP.”
Aiko studied the lush green foliage and the blue of the river rippling past. “Pity,” she said. “I wish they could keep it as it is.” As soon as she thought of how crowded and dirty Spur was, with its masses of people, she shuddered, remembering the stink.
Not the Above, the City, where the elite lived. But Sub-City, where she grew up. She didn’t think she’d ever get the Sub-City stink out of her nose. She swore she would have seduced the fat, greasy recruiter during her last Cull just so she could join the Service and get out of Sub.
She was glad she hadn’t needed to resort to that, though. Glad she was smart and things came easy. Glad she had the knack and could fly ships. Lots of Subs became pilots. Lots of Subs who were born with the knack, combined with the will they had to develop to survive in that cesspool. You needed the will to manage the knack.
Was that why they kept Sub-City around? No, Aiko decided, the UpperUppers who lived in the highest echelon of the City wanted the Subs to stay where they were—out of sight.
Aiko sucked in some more air. “What’s the readout, Genji?” she asked the third in the landing party.
“Not much activity,” he replied. “There are sentients to the north and the south, but there’s no movement.”
“It’s early still,” Aiko said, curious to find out what the inhabitants were like. If they were peaceful, the Service would capture them, train them, and send them back to Spur, where they’d eventually find their way into Sub-City, no doubt. But it was better than the alternative. If they were warlike, they would be destroyed. The Ring did not take kindly to hostiles. It was better to find an uninhabitable planet. Less costly. Less trouble. But Aiko knew once the Ring got her report they’d colonize this beauty, inhabitants and all.
Fortunately, Aiko’s mission was to gather facts and report back to the Ring’s Board of Colonizers on Spur. She didn’t like having to make the life-and-death decisions.
“Movement, ma’am,” Genji said, just as the scanner in his hand chirped.
“On guard, you two,” Aiko said, checking behind to confirm the way back to the shuttle was clear. She unhooked the safety on her holster, just in case.
A man stepped out from dense foliage, the branches parting to make way for him, barely brushing his leather garments as he strode past.
Aiko heard Etsuo’s gasp mirror her own gulp at the man’s size. Etsuo was one of the Service’s biggest warriors, yet this man in front of them had nearly six inches on Etsuo, which meant, Aiko guessed, he was at least six foot four. And broad! Such strength in those shoulders. If the other inhabitants were like this one and not hostile, Aiko mused, Spur was on its way to mustering quite an impressive new military. She could practically hear the Service drooling now. No Sub-City destination for a man like this.
His face, when he threw back his hood, captivated her, triggering all sorts of carnal thoughts. His hair was dark, already damp and clinging around his face from the morning mist. Tendrils of it hung over his eyes, which were deep and green like the forest behind him. They glared at her from under slanting, dark brows. His full mouth was set in a hard line. His jaw tensed, emphasizing high cheekbones and a pointed chin. Power emanated from him. If he didn’t have a whole load of knack, she thought, she was a blind-bitched whelp.
The man continued to move purposefully toward them, carrying his heavy staff as if it was a twig.
He spoke in a deep, rich voice, the words rumbling from his chest.
Aiko switched on her translator, noting that Etsuo and Genji did the same. She decided to approach him as one in authority, since it was quite apparent it was what he believed.
“I am Aiko,” she said with a quick nod, “pilot and leader of this mission. With me are Etsuo and Genji. I did not have the translator turned on when you spoke. Will you please repeat what you said?”
The man frowned, studying her and her two companions. “Your words are strange, yet I can understand you. How can it be?” he asked in that rich baritone of his. It glided over Aiko like smoke.
She held up her device. “This is a translator. It allows us to speak with one another.”
He was quick when he moved, somehow covering the distance between them in a soundless instant. When he stepped back, the translator was in his hand.
Aiko closed her mouth and swallowed. “It isn’t a weapon,” she said, nodding at the translator in his hand. “It merely helps us understand each other.”
He nodded, studying the device. Then he smiled slightly and stepped closer to hand it back to her.
“Easy,” she whispered to Etsuo when she saw him move. “I don’t think he means to harm us.” She nodded her thanks when the translator was placed gently into her outstretched hand.
Their fingers brushed.
Oh yeah, he’s got the knack in spades. Her hand felt like she’d been burned, his power was so intense, and from the merest of touches! This man was not one to be trifled with. This man was extremely dangerous. Aiko swallowed again, suddenly longing for the safety of the shuttle.
She stole a glance behind her and started. The shuttle was covered with vines, which were now sinuously curling into all its openings.
“Captain—” Genji blurted. She heard real fear in his voice. “What’s happening?”
“Stay calm,” she ordered, banishing her own fear with the will of a star pilot. She slowly turned her head to look back at the man, and her eyes widened when she saw a translator in his hand. “Where did you get that?”
He held up his own device. “It is helpful to speak with you,” he explained.
“What are you doing to my shuttle?”
“Shuttle? The metal dragon is called a shuttle?”
Aiko nodded slowly. “What is happening here?” she asked, willing herself to calm down.
“Fear not,” he said. “We will not hurt any of you.”
He was commanding them! Shouldn’t it be the other way around? She reached for her weapon, only to feel it dissolve in her hand. What was this place?
“We have no desire to hurt any of you,” the man said again. “We just want to understand why you are here, where you have come from, and when you will go away.”
Aiko swallowed again.
“Ma’am?” Etsuo said. His voice shook. “My weapon is gone.”
Aiko nodded to him. She had to remain calm for her men. “So is mine,” she said, keeping her eyes fastened on the strange man.
She cleared her throat. “Stay still,” she ordered her two men, holding up a staying hand. “Who are you?” she asked the stranger.
“I am called Eloch. I am the Champion of Entean.”
“Who is Entean?” she asked.
He made a sweeping gesture with his staff. “This is Entean. You stand upon Her.”
Aiko heard Genji gasp. “The planet is called Entean?”