Empire's End: Episode 11: Honor and Nobility Read online

  He sighed heavily. There was no choice. Kitekh couldn’t fight the Council’s champion. If her arm were only broken, she’d be at a disadvantage. But with the cracked ribs and the damage to her scapula, it would take only one good blow to her ribs or a strong hold on her right arm to cripple her.

  “JaQuan,” she said, “you don’t have to do this.”

  He grimaced as he met her green-eyed gaze.

  “We both know this is the only way,” he said.

  He turned and faced the Chieftain. The heat and humidity assaulted him, like a cudgel that could bludgeon him into submission. He had to swallow hard before he could speak.

  “I agree to proxy for Kitekh Galesh,” he said.

  He was fairly certain he’d just committed suicide.

  Idrib glided into the Imperial Throne Room. The ornamental stone chair graven with the symbol of his authority had long since been removed in favor of a more practical, and comfortable, command chair. Equipped with servos, the seat could rotate three hundred sixty degrees and recline fully. It was surrounded by monitors, enabling its occupant to observe the major centers of commerce and civilization from a great distance. Here, the Emperor Over All could see almost anything he wished.

  But before he could approach the throne, sit for the first time in its august cushions, he found an Elohiman standing before it. Idrib was further surprised to see it was Orisin Nus, his chief of staff. Worry and excitement warred for control of his features.

  “What is it?” Idrib asked.

  “Your Majesty,” he replied, “Cataan’s Claw has been found.”

  “Is Haneeta alive?” Idrib asked.

  “I do not know, Your Majesty. Only the vessel’s location is known. The status of the crew and passengers is unclear.”

  “Where are they?”

  Orisin swallowed hard. He didn’t appear to want to answer.

  “Where are they, Orisin?” Idrib demanded.

  “Grakur.”

  So. Galesh had fled to her home world, possibly to seek shelter with family or friends. It didn’t matter. There was no place in the galaxy to which she could flee. He was Emperor now. Even the Graur Tribal Council wouldn’t dare to defy that.

  “Put me in touch with the fleet commander,” he ordered. “I want to make my desires clear.”

  “It is Horay Kel, Your Majesty. He is already having trouble with the local authorities.”

  “Put me through to him. I will eliminate his trouble.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  Orisin moved to obey. Idrib grinned. Soon, the last threads of God’s master plan would be tied together. Idrib was Emperor. The humans would be exposed as infidels and rebels. They would be expunged from the Empire. God’s light would shine on the galaxy as never before.

  H onor and nobility are big words. And the people who like to use them most are the wealthy and the powerful. They give grand speeches and extol the virtues of fealty to their ideals.

  But after serving in the military and two different police forces, what I notice the most is that the people who actually adhere to those concepts, the folks who are actually noble and honorable, are the commoners. Everyday people understand right from wrong. They get loyalty. They protect what’s actually dear. The ones who are telling you how noble they are, how honorable you’re supposed to be? Those are the ones who don’t have the first fucking clue what those words mean.

  That’s why we keeping having wars. That’s why assholes constantly start them. That’s what’s brought about the Empire’s end.

  Idrib Mol can talk about honor all he wants. JaQuan Jones actually has it.

  I wish I’d understood that before it was too late.

  Will JaQuan survive the savage Trial by Ritual Combat?

  Will Kitekh be vindicated?

  Will it matter with Idrib Mol now Emperor?

  Find out in the penultimate episode of Empire’s End, “Ritual Combat”!

  Available June 15, 2018.

  Tap here to preorder and have it autodelivered wirelessly to your Kindle!

  Author’s Note

  WAIT. YOU’RE STILL READING? DAMN, Y’ALL. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you!

  Well, JaQuan’s gotten himself into some serious shit now, hasn’t he? But don’t worry. Just because things look bad now doesn’t mean they won’t get worse. After all, Idrib knows where Cataan’s Claw is, and you can bet he’s gonna find out his little girl is dead. Plus, Gwen’s still on her way. What happens when she arrives at Grakur? It all comes together in the next episode – along with the JaQuan’s big moment in Ritual Combat. If you’ve made it this far, you do not want to miss this one.

  Thanks again for continuing to read. I’m so grateful. And, hey, if you wouldn’t mind, I’d sure appreciate a few reviews. Some people haven’t taken too kindly to JaQuan. If you’ve liked the serial so far, it sure would help to have a few positive reviews.

  Thanks, y’all. See you in Episode 12.

  Much love,

  JP

  Empire’s End

  A Science Fiction Serial by:

  JP Raymond

  Episode 11:

  Honor and Nobility

  Copyright 2018 JP Raymond

  All Rights Reserved

  Cover Design by:

  Fleur Camacho

  About the Author

  JP Raymond was totally blown away by Star Wars in 1977. He spent the rest of his youth in love with Princess Leia, obsessed with all things science fiction, and railing against the identity of a certain Jedi Knight’s father.

  He eventually went to college, where he studied literature and got all sorts of ideas about writing about the human condition and penning the Great American Novel into his head.

  These days, he’s finally managed to author his own space opera saga. Empire’s End is his first foray into traditional science fiction, and he’s having a blast with it. He credits George Lucas for lighting the fire that got him here, but he refuses to accept Darth Vader as Luke’s father.

  Send JP a subspace communication at [email protected] and tell him what you think of Empire’s End. He’ll reply.