The Last War (The Noukari Trilogy Book 1) Read online

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialog are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  Copyright © 2015 Alex Davis

  Published by Tickety Boo Press

  www.ticketyboopress.co.uk

  Edited by Gary Compton

  Cover Art by Tickety Boo Covers

  Book Design by Big River Press Ltd

  Other Space Opera Books

  by Tickety Boo Press…

  Endeavour by Ralph Kern

  A Sleeping Gods Novel

  Since we first looked at the stars, there has been a silence, no signs of alien life, no one who has tried to speak to us, a mystery that a long dead scientist called the Fermi Paradox.

  ‘Where are they?

  In 2118, the first daring mission to another star, Tau Ceti, twelve light years away is launched. Tom Hites and Harry Cosgrove command the Starship Endeavour on an epic journey to solve the Fermi Paradox. From the first, nearly disastrous steps on a distant world, their quest takes them further than they ever imagined. Out amidst the mysterious long abandoned worlds and ancient relics they discover, some strange, some wonderful and some deadly, that question they seek to answer becomes:

  ‘Where are they now?’

  A Prospect of War

  An Age of Discord Novel

  by Ian Sales

  Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it, but those who ignore history do so at their peril. The Empire was born in civil war and now, 1,300 years later, a fresh civil war is brewing. But who is the mysterious “Serpent” who threatens the Imperial Throne? And what can the renegade naval officer known only as the Admiral, and her single battlecruiser, do to combat him? Casimir Ormuz, a young man of low birth, may be the key. Whoever controls him is most likely to win—but he is determined to be his own master.

  And then the historical origin of the Serpent’s conspiracy abruptly intrudes into the present… And the civil war becomes a battle for the Empire’s survival.

  Set in a colourful and richly-detailed universe, An Age of Discord tells an epic story of derring-do and intrigue, while subverting space opera sensibilities and traditions.

  Abendau’s Heir

  The Inheritance Trilogy

  by Jo Zebedee

  Kare’s seen planets destroyed by the relentless expansion of his mother’s empire. Children killed. His own family murdered. With her power to manipulate minds she may be invincible. Only Kare might have the power to stop her. He has to try, or face the horrifying future his father foretold.

  He prepares to return to her city, Abendau. But dark secrets lie in its depths, secrets which will threaten everything: his friends, his loved ones… even his sanity. A grimdark space opera with a space fantasy feel, Abendau's Heir should appeal to readers of fantasy, science fiction, and horror.

  PROLOGUE- A Birth in the Stars

  Sejurus had grown used to many things about space. He was accustomed to the faint and endless sensation of movement around him, the limited chance to converse with his fellows, the hours of scientific analysis and research required of him.

  The one thing he had never grown used to was the darkness.

  Broken only be the intermittent light of distant stars, the shadows enveloped everything beyond the harsh glare of the ship. On the whole, he preferred not to look beyond the viewscreen, being much more comfortable in the small confines of his quarters or studying within his laboratory. But this was a momentous occasion, and one that he was determined not to miss.

  Hiss.

  Whoosh.

  The sound had become familiar, but he had never cared about the cargo like this before. Creeping into view, sending blazing contrails into the infinite dark, went the phalanx of seeding pods. He tried to count them, but quickly lost track as they made their way towards the surface of the virgin planet.

  Within their metallic flesh lay the core of new life, the beginnings of a race previously unseen to the universe. Sejurus had been involved from the very earliest days of this burgeoning experiment, and now he would finally see his efforts bear fruit. By now the seeding pods had disappeared so far into the distance that they must be breaking the atmosphere, preparing for descent and landing.

  And dispersal.

  'Sad to see them go, Sejurus?'

  The voice from behind him is bold and clear. The voice of a leader, and one who had earned that title many times over.

  'Sad is the wrong word, Canturus. It is a... mixture of emotions.'

  'I hope that none of them are negative, Sejurus. You should be most proud of your work.'

  'It is too soon to start swelling with pride. There is no knowing yet if this experiment will be a success.'

  'The measure of success is to create life, Sejurus. What that life decides to do once we have seeded it... well, that is beyond our control.'

  'Perhaps. The pressure here is...'

  'Greater than anywhere else? Of course it is. That is precisely why you were chosen. You are one of the most intelligent among us, an intellectual titan among mental giants.'

  'I appreciate your words, Canturus. They mean much coming from you.'

  'Do not speak to placate me. I would like to know what troubles you.'

  Sejurus turns to face Canturus for the first time. His superior is dressed simply, a marker of both modesty and confidence. To look at them, you could consider them equals, but nothing could be further from the truth. Canturus's authority does not come from trinkets or garments, but emerges from within him.

  'What troubles me is how much lies at stake on this new race. What goes on here will determine much of not only our own future, but perhaps what lies ahead for all Ensium.'

  'Of course.'

  'What if... what if I have made some fatal miscalculation? An error in my workings?'

  'I have the greatest of belief in you, my friend. I doubt that any such thing has happened.'

  'Even if it has not, even if all the equations were perfect, what of it? The seeding pods will already have landed on the surface. As we speak, the simplest forms of life will be vented from the pods. The evolution will be starting shortly, and ending soon enough. That is when the imponderables begin!'

  'Why do you worry about things beyond your control? Your role is complete – you have given them every chance to take the right path, to be the greatest of the races that we have birthed.'

  'But what if they do not, Canturus? So much will be lost!'

  'Nothing will be lost. All that we can do in this venture is gain. We may have to begin again, and we are not afraid to do so. If that time comes – and I hope it does not – you will once again be the man to lead the efforts.'

  'After such a failure?'

  'Failure is much of what enables us to learn. We have learned many lessons in our time, and no doubt there will be many more to come. The wise seek to avoid repeating these errors again. To fail does not make you a failure.'

  Sejurus turns away from his ally, his disagreement tacit. Canturus steps alongside him, his eyes seeing the same darkness. The Animex have always sought to bring light to these shadowy wastes.

  'Would you stay, Sejurus? Would you watch over them as a custodian, a guardian?'

  'Given the choice? Yes, I would.'

  'They are not your children, old friend. Admittedly you are their creator, but they are no part of you.'

  'I do not seek to care for them. I feel... I feel like my work is not complete until they have settled, until I have seen them grow. What I have done so far is worth no acclaim.'

  'If I could
give you the chance to stay?'

  'Down there? On Noukaria?'

  'Ha! I have told you already you are not their father. They do not need you there. It is imperative we let them develop their own way. But... perhaps I could spare you a vessel?'

  'You can do such a thing?'

  'I can do much, Sejurus. Admittedly, it is an unusual request. But there may be value in it. There is much yet to discuss, of course. Such a decision cannot be made lightly. It would mean the loss of a great mind, but of course you would not remain here permanently.'

  'No, I merely wish to see them on the right path.'

  'Very well. I shall take it to the Council. Until then, you are welcome to remain here. The first days of the Noukari, eh, my friend?'

  'Thank you, Canturus. I shall not forget what you have done for me.'

  'It is not done yet. Take a moment here before getting back to your duties – there is much recording yet to be done.'

  Sejurus nods, looking once more down at the sphere of Noukaria, wondering what the life he has placed there will bring.

  The Book of Apius

  Apius sits at his simply constructed table, a sheet of papyrus laid before him. He smiles at the simplicity of what lays before him, a triumph in its own way. Just sunups ago no such thing existed, and now it is here before him.

  At this very table, he shall create. He will create the book that will guide his race forwards.

  Slowly, tentatively, he reaches for his quill, dips the end into the ink with a flourish and writes his first words.

  The Noukari are the closest to holiness, the closest to purity. From the very heart and mind of the Animex they rose, the simplest of life-forms, born into the wilderness. But quickly they grew, and quickly they learned. The primordial gave way to the civilised, to the learned, to a growing intellect and society. The mastery of the distant gods

  Apius pauses at his first use of this word. Gods. A defining moment in this ode to the Animex. Despite his momentary hesitation, the word feels right to him. Creators, those who gave life.

  Gods.

  The mastery of the distant gods made it so. In their sacred vessels the Noukari arrived, broken down to its simplest form. By the hands of the Animex we were crafted to resemble a God in both physical and mental form.

  Apius places down the quill, the ink already beginning to run dry. Yes, that will suffice as a start. He knows that his words must be carefully chosen, and it will not pay to commit too much to the page at once. Satisfied, he places the scrawled page carefully to one side.

  ***

  Across the settlement, known among its people as Genem, there is a welter of activity. The streets that intersect the huts see many at their designated duties in developing the settlement further. The activity is slow, steady in the stifling heat of the sun. Its denizens take on their duties willingly, knowing that each of them has a key role to play.

  Just outside the town, there is a new vision coming slowly to completion. The jungles of Noukaria have been cut back further and further, making way for the new inhabitants of this planet. The Noukari call it their own, interlopers in a place that was once untamed.

  The boundaries of this new construction stretch wide, and on two sides wooden walls are almost constructed. They reach almost half a mile already, but have yet to reach their apex. At the heart of this semi-complete building ten pale and tall figures move. Some of them work carrying wood, shifting planks to where they are needed. Elsewhere Noukari can be seen mixing Adipus, a soft substance from the Astipo plant that hardens once applied to any substance. Before its discovery, the Noukari lived in the simplest of huts and shelters, taking cover from the brutal heat and thunderstorms as best they could. Now the homes and huts of Genem are better equipped to deal with the conditions the jungles can offer.

  Apius sees all of this from the edge of the settlement, watching his loyal followers as they edge closer to their mighty goal. The ultimate symbol of the power of the Gods!

  The Temple of the Animex.

  'How goes it, brothers?' he says as he emerges into the clearing. Immediately the building process stops as his followers blink, wide-eyed, at the sight of him. Apius waves away their amazement.

  'Do not let me stop your important work. I wish only to speak with Viarus.'

  Uncertainly, young and old return to their construction and Viarus leaves the shell of the temple. He attempts a bow, which is waved away.

  'Please, Viarus. I have told you not to bow.'

  'My apologies, Apius.'

  'How goes the temple? Are things on schedule?'

  'I believe so.'

  'Excellent. We shall hold a ceremony four sunups from now.'

  'A ceremony, Apius?'

  'Such a thing would only be fitting. To mark not only the completion of this temple, but the gods who put us here.'

  'Gods?'

  'Yes, Viarus. You have a problem with this word?'

  'Of course not. In fact, I am pleased to hear you use it.'

  'Why should that be so?'

  'We talk. In fact, it is something we have much discussed. We spoke just this morning of whether the Animex were truly gods.'

  'Interesting. What did you conclude?'

  'That it was the only logical answer.'

  Apius smiles. Placing a hand on Viarus's shoulder, he says, 'I am glad you and I agree on this. I will tell you something, Viarus. But I should like to tell you in confidence.'

  'Of course.'

  'Today I have undertaken a great venture, perhaps the equal of this temple. I have started to write a book, a volume to tell of the power of the Animex and the early days of our race, their children.'

  'Such a book sounds... remarkable.'

  'I believe it will be so. A chronicle, something we can pass to our children and they to theirs. But there is of course much to be done. The time will come for everyone to know, but that must wait.'

  'I shall guard the secret with my life.'

  'I know, Viarus. Now, I shall let you return to work.'

  As Apius turns to leave, Viarus speaks again, summoning him back.

  'There is one more thing, Apius.'

  'Of course, brother.'

  'We have been speaking much of... religious matters of late. You have led us in this path, showed us the way, been the guiding hand behind this construct.'

  'I do only as I see necessary.'

  'Modesty does not suit you, Apius. So many times you have proven yourself to be... something more than us. You speak, and we follow.'

  'Your faith compels you, Viarus.'

  'Faith is wasted if there is no one to lead that belief. We should like to bestow you with a title.'

  'A title? That is rather contrary to how our society functions.'

  'Perhaps, but it would befit what you mean to us.'

  'And what did you have in mind?

  'We would dub you Re'Nuck. He who communicates with gods.'

  'I had never considered myself the holder of any position, brother.'

  'Will you accept this title?'

  'If you wish to address me as such, I shall consider it to the highest of honours.'

  'Thank you, Re'Nuck.'

  Apius smiles warmly before leaving Viarus to his task.

  ***

  Once back within the confines of his simple hut, Apius considers the name. Re'Nuck. He who communicates with the gods. Perhaps he is not worthy of such a title, for the Animex have never spoken directly to him. And none of this fellow Noukari carry a title – he will be the first to rise above the equality of their society. Even those greatest experts in every respect hold no position, no marker of power.

  But perhaps there is more to the moniker than that. Could it be that the Animex have somehow chosen to communicate through him, making him the instrument of their will? Apius is sharply aware of just the importance of these early days of their existence, the vital impact they will have on the development of their soc
iety. He sees his responsibilities, and seeks to carry them out each day.

  With that in mind, he takes up his quill once more and begins to write.

  The Temple Rises

  In Genem, there is little to life but survival. The Noukari are a new race growing used to life in their previously undisturbed home. At first, they lived in harmony with the planet, but as their intelligence and vision has grown they have sought to create ways to make their lives easier. Homes have sprouted seemingly from the ground, made from the solid wood of the trees around them. Paths allow citizens to wander freely from one place to the next. More buildings are coming along – schools, social spaces, places of study. There is much pride at the development of Genem among a township that remembers with shame its earliest days.

  Genem is a place with no absolute ruler – there are a few individuals who are looked up to as the wisest in certain respects. Among the builders, Exolos oversees and dispenses sage advice. When it comes to hunting, Lerusus offers his expertise and indeed his physical prowess to ensure success. In the fields, Ajerus watches over the crops with eyes that see more than the rest of the Noukari. But they have no true power – they are figureheads, nothing more. The Noukari have no true concept of power, or hierarchy. Each is content with their lot.

  Among its people, each works in his or her own simple way – growing plants with a range of uses from food to medicine, hunting the more placid life in the forests of Noukaria, the Saren and the Lichuk and the Vopal, building houses, homes and communal establishments. Everyone strives to make it from one day to another, without any higher goal other than the completion of duty.

  But something is changing within Genem. Many can see it, and some are willing to invest their time and their hearts in it. The Temple of the Animex is now a swarm of activity, with fifty of the pale denizens of the village working feverishly towards its completion. Viarus stands on the ground as his fellows climb unsteady constructs of twig and branch, doing his best to direct the process in a manner to please the Re'Nuck.