The Book of Ominiue: Starborn (54 page)

‘Where are the others?’

‘They didn’t make it,’ Shayne returned with a faint hint of sadness in him. His superior failed to pick up on his distress and he reacted with anger.

‘You mean they’re all dead?’ his expression narrowed.

‘I don’t know.’

‘What do you mean you don’t know!?’ he yelled at him, hatred taking over.

‘They disappeared, all of them, they —’

‘Didn’t you look for them?’ he interrupted.

‘There was a fog; it was too thick to see a metre in front of you. We tried, but it was hopeless.’

‘A fog?’ the officer could not believe what he was hearing. ‘A bloody fog and you lost them?’

‘There was something out there. It was trying to separate us,’ Shayne defended.

‘And what was out there, Shayne, ha? What was it? The big bad natives? You had guns!’

‘He was attacked by Jahaarah!’ Kíe’arathorne jumped in, afraid and angry for his friend.

‘You were attacked by the devil?’ His rage seemed to rise to an extreme that would have humbled the general. ‘You bloody psycho freak, you can’t even give a proper damn excuse so you make some shit up. Do you think that I’m so fracking stupid?’

‘It’s true,’ the journeyman pleaded. ‘We warned you. We tried so hard to tell you, but you wouldn’t listen, none of you listened!’

‘I don’t believe anything that
thing
says,’ Williams pointed at Shayne while he spoke to the lionman, his voice full of hate and venom. ‘He’s got you all conned and I don’t care if he’s your saviour. He’s returning to the colony where he’ll be trialled for the murder of three federation citizens and six redundancies.’

‘No!’ cried out the lionman. ‘You can’t do that!’

‘I can and I have. Starborn Officer Shayne Forrester, you are hereby arrested under the authority placed in me as second command of the armed forces of the Iraquis colony.’

‘And I say that as an individual who’s been accused,’ Kíe’arathorne retorted, ‘he shall return to Kérith-
Árim
to be trialled by
our
law!’

‘He’s a Western Front Empire citizen, he falls under our law!’

‘And the accused crime was committed on
our
lands and on
our
planet, and according to our treaty you must abide by the law of
Ádin-Harnader
, which your leaders have accepted.’ Kíe’arathrone then motioned to Shayne and they turned their back on the Earthmen; walking up the road to the UeVarda’s capital.

‘Forrester!’ the air vice-marshal bellowed with such ferocity. ‘This will be seen as desertion, get back here
now
!’ Shayne continued to walk with the lionman.

‘Gorram it!’ Williams snapped. He then turned to the leading Starborn soldier. ‘Shoot him,’ he snapped to the girl. The Starborn hesitated, not from any empathy towards Shayne but because it seemed to be an unusual order.

‘Shoot him!’ he roared. The Starborn subconsciously snapped in response and she fired on Shayne as he walked away. Kíe’arathorne ‘s horse reared again, its mouth now frothing as it snapped the reigns from the startled lionman’s grip and bolted. Shayne faulted for a moment; the pain overwhelmed every sense. He attempted to continue to walk but after a few paces he collapsed and blacked out.

Kíe’arathorne roared out in confused rage as he watched Shayne stumble beside him, his blood staining the ground. The scholar’s face curled up like a wild animal with his teeth bared. He spun upon his feet and leapt into a frenzied sprint straight towards the air vice-marshal. Williams experienced a glimpse of uncontrollable fear as the massive hulk leapt towards him; his face contorted and disfigured with pure hatred. Danto Williams faulted back but managed to point to Kíe’arathorne and command the soldiers. The two in the dark exoskeleton armour stepped forward; though they were large in the suits they still looked weak in the shadow of the lionman’s rage. Kíe’arathorne tried to break through, but as he tried to race past one of the soldiers grabbed his arm in a quick and flawless grip while the other bent down and took his leg, forcing the journeyman to lose his footing and fall awkwardly to the ground. The one who had tripped him then grabbed him from the scruff of his neck, forcing him to arch his back and the other continued to hold his arm; twisting it around. Kíe’arathorne was stunned by the strength and speed that the suits gave the humans. He tried to overpower them but they twisted his arm and wrist and he roared at the pain that seared through him.

‘Down kitty,’ Williams said stepping forward so that he had to look up at the human. Kíe’arathrone’s eyes burned with a fury that pierced the air vice-marshal, but the man dismissed it, comfortable with his strength over him now that he was restrained.

‘See if the degenerate freak is still alive,’ he told the un-armoured medic.

‘I will see to it that you are punished for this!’ the journeyman spat.

‘And who will believe you?’ Williams laughed. ‘After all, it was he who shot first.’ Williams then went over to the bleeding man. The medic applied basic first-aid while the air vice-marshal leaned over and took Shayne’s primitive gun from his holster; careful to use the unconscious man’s hand he fired the device twice. Kíe’arathrone flinched at the noise that rang across the land. Williams then motioned the two soldiers who carried him onto the Hoverplane.

‘Didn’t know that was a gun did you?’ He mocked the journeyman. ‘If we’re lucky he’ll die on the way.’ He then injected the lionman with a sedative he took from the medic’s kit and the armoured soldiers carried his collapsed form onto the craft.

As they flew the air vice-marshal reported the incident to the base, giving his altered version of events. He then went to the man tending Shayne.

‘Are we lucky?’ Williams asked.

‘He’ll live,’ the medic said. ‘The bullet punctured one of his lungs, but has missed all other vital organs.’ The air vice-marshal was not pleased with the news and it was too late to just push him out of the plane. So he sat silently as they made the trip back to the colony. Now that his head had cleared he looked upon the sleeping lionman strapped to a seat; a feeling of guilt flooded him. He had grown fond of the scholar. He knew Kíe’arathorne would never forgive him for this, he made a new enemy. It was too late, actions were made, there were more important things to do, and reporting to a poor tempered superior was one of them. He knew he was doing the right thing. It was all for the sake of the Union.

End of Part I

Appendix
I:

Of Language and Pronunciations

1.1 Accents:

The accents of names and places present in this story do not necessarily reflect how those accents are pronounced in the English language. I included them to help the reader pronounce the indigenous population names as I intended them, they do not follow any real world rules, but if you prefer to read them your way then that’s shiny, this guide is just for the curious and obsessive.  

The accents only exist on vowels, with left biased slant above them (á,é,í,ó,ú) the pronunciation of these accents is extremely simple. You pronounce them as the word, not the sound of the word.

Examples:

á as in “álien and áble” and not “alphabet and aeróplane”

é as in “éast and égó” and not “earth and enemy”

í as in “íon and ívy” and not “irrelevant and image”

ó as in “ópen and ópal” and not “occúpy and offer”

ú as in “útensil and útópia” and not “upright or utmost”

My examples focus on the first letter, but as you can see I’ve also listed any other letter that would also be converted in this format. The Kadalian (and most other) alphabets see these pronunciations as different letters and they therefore have their own character denoting the difference.

1.2 Oren: Gender Neutral Words:

Dífrun politics is dominated by the Fa’Orian (the Lionmen) and its beginnings were dominated by a race of humanoid people named the Ilnatao Afradian. The Afradian race held no bias according to gender and the Fa’Orian race is slightly biased towards a matriarchy; primarily due to their 3:1 gender ratio. As a consequence there is neutrality within the Kadalian Language (An old Afradian language) that influenced other races over the generations.

Along with words denoting an individual’s sex (him/her, his/hers etc) there is also equivalent neutral words, often used when discussing a face-less person or used in conjunction with the gender words. Because this is a strong part of their society there is often no appropriate translation into English. Sometimes other words could be used to replace them such as ‘person’ or ‘them’ (or even just replaced with the masculine as our society does) etc. Often the gender separation is not appropriate (or even the substitutes)and can undermine the importance of the difference in their culture. Due to this I have sometimes used their terms of neutrality as a reflection of that attitude and I provide here the translation equivalents.

Kadalian(neutral equivalent words): [English(Gender words)]

Oríde: [male-man/female-woman]

Oren: [he/she]

Orden:[her/him]

Orben:[his/hers]

1.2.1 Orian: The Race Neutral Word:

The word Orian is also a neutral word, but instead of gender neutral it is species neutral and is used to denote any intelligent being. One could see Ta’Orian as them saying “intelligent human, or human child of god” as Fa’Orian is “intelligent Lion, or lion child of god” It is a separation from common animals, but can be used for any intelligence that hold language and or civilisation. And Orian does not just define Lionman and human, but it can also be used to describe their two extinct/mythological races: Afradian and Dragon.

1.3 Key Kadalian Words:

* Unisex word

ˣ When used in context with the common language (or any other language) it describes an official title rather than a general word.

Appendix
II:

Characters, Nations and People:

2.1 Characters:

Main Character:

Shayne Forrester | Planet – Earth | Race – human | Nation– Republic of Australia | Other Info – Star Born regulated status – occupation solider and physics graduate

Kíe | Planet – Iraquis (Casader) | Race – Lionmen | Nation – Kérith-Árim | Other names – Kíe’arathorne and Kíe’athraden | Occupation – teacher

Sercondary Characters:

Earthmen:

Military:

General Thorn Hendingson | Planet – Mars | Nation – New America

Brigadier-General Christov Hanniver | Planet – Earth | Nation – England |Other Info – Born Germany, two pet Tasmanian Tigers – Red Rocket & Cascade

Air-Vice Marshal Danto Williams | Planet – Earth | Nation – Republic of Australia

Lieutenant Rae Wong | Planet – Eridani Star/Mir) | Other Info – medical officer and psychologist

Lance Corporal Omar Shalvie | Planet – Earth | Nation – Canada | Other Info – Communications

Corporal Dominic Bianchi | Planet – Eridani Star/Mir

Captain Javier | Planet – Earth | Nation – Spain

Lieutenant Jameson | Planet – Ophiuchi/Oberon

Android One: 73B-GMSR (general military standard robot, second class medic) (Gemscar)

Android Two:  14D-SCMSR (specialised communications military standard robot) (Scemscar)

Civilians:

Prime Minister Canoth Eastman | Planet – Alpha Centuri/Remus

Professor Emilie Rabolin | Planet – Earth | Nation – Canada | Other Info – Shayne’s successor

Astronauts:

Captain Arnahell Moore | Commander of the ‘Oxford’ | Other – Cat named Trim

Captain Elinor Warren | Captain of the ‘Eureka’

Captain Dirac Arhension | Captain of the ‘Manhattan’

Iraqians/Casadanians:

Fa’Orian/Lionman:

Kushnalor (Captain) Madan’rah | Nation – Bohaníde

Nida Kushnalor (High Captain) Pan’arden | Nation – Bohaníde

Da’forlongdinda | Nation – Nakáda | Other Info – Nakáda Champion

UeVarda | Nation – Kérith-Árim | Other Info – Name is Tau’hatashual

Far’galanmír | Nation – Kérith-Árim | Other info : Imperial Guard Commander : Head Steward.

UeShádarn Dun’karter | Nation – Kíbaroth | Other Info – Head Master of Wizard Law – Second Steward

Human:

Níurthan | Nation – Unknown, Southern Continent | Other Info – the Kerwin Order Second Commander – Crown of Elió Champion

UeShádarn Day’kídan | Nation – Kérith-Árim

2.2 On Planets, Nations and Empires:

2.2.1 Planet – Earth:

The Empires of Earth:

It was once believed that the nations of Earth would form into a single Government, to bring the world to heel and break the old wars fought by the tribes we know as countries. This never occurred: people are too different, governments too easily changeable, but they can unite under a common ideal. The Earth and its subsequent colonies now exist in what is loosely and colloquially known as Empires. Most nations belong to one of the four empires. Most of these empires are relatively static, with its members moulding a governmental culture early in their existence.

Individuals born into an empire but preferencing the ways of another are free to migrate to their desired Empire, but nothing is that simple and easy. Relocating (also known as empire jumping) usually incurs a penalty. The most common and open penalty is a reclassification to a “transition citizenship class.” The disadvantages vary from individual-to-individual and empire-to-empire. This lower class classification can last from 5 years, for the softer penalty to even affecting the following generation for the more extreme cases. People leave the safety of their home empires for many reasons.  Sometimes they are desperate, so much so that even the extreme penalties are better than whatever it was that caused them to leave to begin with and other times they might be approached freely by the other empires where they are enticed by favourable job offers.

Individual nations themselves may also decide to separate and annex themselves to another empire, or even decide to become independent. Changing allegiances is fairly uncommon though as it often sows distrust, particularly if it’s a repeated action from one state.

The Empires themselves are culturally, economically and religiously determined, with the planets they colonised often following their model. No colonised world has yet to shift empires or vote for independence, but suggestions and grumblings from the older and more advanced worlds are on the rise.

The Last Western Front (or Alliance)/Western Front Empire:

This group of countries base their ideologies on a simplified democracy. The western empire is not an empire at all but a asymmetric federation, where most of the power lies in the founding, or more powerful nations. It often describes itself as culturally neutral though many forms of fundamental religion are prohibited; affecting primarily conservative and violent ideologies. Even with their pro-moderate religious stance colonisation rights are almost always reward to atheists and agonistics, with reasons cited as our beliefs and cultures are not to interfere with the native planet’s.

The major “Sol Star System” members include: New America (First ‘official’ Independent Mars Nation), England, Republic of Australia, Canada, California-America, North Eastern America, Germany (though is a semi-connected nation) and Japan.

Chinese Union:

The Chinese Union also informally known as the Marxist Empire has its major power base in China. It is a strange combination of social and capitalist ideals that are strictly regulated by the government. They consider each nation as sovereign and allow a level of flexibility, provided some state of socialism is present. Most trading and political manoeuvring between the Astronauts and the other nations is done through China, to minimise corruption and intimidation of the smaller members. They are highly protective of their views and though they are always polite and work in the law they show the most distrust of the other Empires. They announce themselves as an atheist base but allow various forms of benign religion to operate.

The major “Sol Star System” members include: China, India, Russia and Argentina. (also Northern Mars, which is considered a Chinese province)

Arab Molslimic Empire:

As it is stated this is a strict Muslim empire. They believe strongly in their faith and rules with little tolerance to outsider views; it is governed largely by the Saudi Arabia dynasty. Conservatism has created a solid and unified central monarchy driven government. One average the individual nations are rather isolated to the outside empires. The few nations that do  interact with other empires tend to be furthest from the Saudi heartland and often shift between the central government and their neighbours with depending on their generational habits, these places have a complex history of moving between independence and other empires.

The major “Sol Star System” members include: Much of the Middle East, Northern Africa and Indonesia.

Free Peoples Union:

A ragtag group of nations that developed many decades after the other three. This empire originally developed as a union to help support countries that wanted no part in the other three Empires. Their goal was to support each other instead of being forced into unwanted action by the other superpowers. They are nations who desired their own systems and freedoms but found it increasingly difficult to manoeuvre. It slowly evolved into a socialist/capitalist combination headed by Brazil and was eventually granted its own space section by the Astronauts. It is not as economically powerful as the other nations, but they pride themselves on stability and get along well with the Astronauts and other powers, it is also the most flexible and open Empire.

The major “Sol Star System” members include: Brazil, Mexico, Aotearoa (Northern New Zealand), South Africa, Western Australia, Oregon-America, and various other smaller nations across the globe.

Astronauts:

Are an independent space-faring people and are sometimes referred to as the 5th empire. Despite deliberately segregating themselves to work with each of the empires they still technically function as one people. They have no borders or no true allegiance, each major space colony can be seen as separate ‘countries’. It is often amongst the Astronauts that feuding empires meet and try and settle issues, preferring the neutral party as a referee.

They have their own customs and laws, most of them live their entire lives in space and the right to become one is almost impossible. They are a highly regulated society with strict laws. Their ideal is to perfect a non-aggressive and scientifically based society. In the early years the Astronauts were accused of genetic genocide, where their breeding programs and genetic altering have come under question and accused as Eugenics manipulation. But the plans of disease eradication have proven effective, and the gradual timeline for their chances were slow enough to allow the “Planetsiders” to adapt and accept them.

Though the Astronauts have their own strict laws their people are free to reject space and go planet-side. They also remove themselves from Planet-side politics completely, only intervening as a mediator if requested.

2.2.2 Planet – Iraquis/Casader:

The planet this story is set on. It is a land with two intelligent species and legends of other species long extinct.

Humans:

Humans have been found to inhabit the known universe in some way-shape or form. Almost all of the habitable planets discovered are populated by humans, giving rise to the belief that the words were seeded a long time ago by an ancient space people, also seen by some as proof of the existence of a divine being. Iraquis was no different, though their presence was overshadowed by the Lionmen. Just like any world they were separated into tribal and religious sections; there is war and horrors and many struggles, but also beautifully rich cultures.

Endaran:

The holy land of Iraquis. Legend states it was here that the dragons were created and where Ominiue the DragonGod was said to rule. The first human and Afadian cities were built in Endaran, and the great fall of “Orian” kind was committed there. After the fall, their gods commanded all to leave Endaran and to never return; except for one family, a human named Anisk and his kin. They were allowed to remain and they were made the guardians of Endaran; sworn to forever watch her borders

Isradia:

Isradia was founded by Anisk’s brother Isran, who swore to forever look out for his brother and defend the borders of the sacred land of Endaran. They became a religious based society, much like Tibet. They immersed themselves in religious faith and combat. Creating great desert warriors and are considered amongst the most trustworthy people in the lands despite their somewhat secretive demeanour.

Southern Kingdoms:

These are considered the problem lands. They hold many factions who oppose each other; most also despise the middle and northern kingdoms due to the bloody history they share, where the old Afradian wars were mostly fought against the Southerners. Some of the nations have come to be friendly with the north, some still hold their hatreds but most maintain indifference, instead living in their own problems and feuding amongst themselves. It is a rough place culturally, where centuries were built on survival, but recent prosperity brought on by Lionmen rule have worked to slowly bring trust and prosperity to the region.

Lionmen:

Though they are greatly outnumbered by their human cousins, and though they only inhabit a small part of the world, politically they hold a huge influence. Their sheer size and power frightens the bravest of humans, but their patience and compassion, and natural leadership encourages them. Born to lead and uncompromising in their law they hold all accountable regardless of position. Their firm laws combined with their unyielding loyalty slowly changed the humans around them until the seat of power shifted into their favour heralding an era of peace in the region.