Phantom Regency

Esteemed friend,

I have met the dragon slayer. He is the bearer of this cube. This man, Talon Vasloch does not know the Sky Man but the Sky Man knows him. I saw his favor resting upon the young captain. He is destined to vanquish the dragons and liberate the line of Thaxia from certain doom. It has been foreseen. He is the great warrior prophesied of in the Words of Yoshun. Teach him well. When the time is right you must send him to fulfill his destiny. He must seek the heir of Thaxia.

Speak to Sky Man of young Xim Vlademor. He has been thrust into darkness at such a tender age. My heart aches for him. May the Sky Man turn the heart of the oppressor to himself. I continue to try in vain to reach him myself. I fear that I am just a foolish old man trying to do by myself what I cannot do.

Be encouraged. The great return is at hand. The promised day is coming. Do not give in to darkness. Our great enemies are enraged and will try to intimidate us. We must remain steadfast of heart and devoted to the Sky Man.

I will speak to Sky Man of you,

Zangor

Eamor stood in front of Sky Temple. This was the cradle of the old Thaxian religion. It was from here that the prelates of the Regent would influence the religious lives of the entire galaxy. It was here on Liberation Day in years past that the Regents would conduct the services – Regents that were Eamor’s ancestors.

He was still uncomfortable with the sudden destiny that had been thrust upon him. When his mother talked of his future it was wide open and exciting. Now it felt narrow and heavy. Was he really the last heir of the Thaxian line? If Yoshun Thaxius were to return again some day, would it really be through his own descendants?

He had traveled here to Yoshun, the capital planet of the Regency with Swoop. He had been sightseeing while Swoop was completing his business. He had never been on such a populous planet. The main continent was covered with endless square miles of city. The business of Yoshun City was the governance of an entire galaxy. The massive bureaucracies filled huge towers and sprawling compounds.

Eamor had spent most of his time at the Galactic Plaza. The beautiful, imposing Sky Temple bordered it on one side. On the opposite side was Cyntar Palace, built by the ninth Regent as a residence when he was on planet from the Nexus. The Zorg Museum of Galactic History and the Grand Council of Worlds capital building framed the other two sides.

Earlier in the day he had an epiphany of sorts. He was walking with Swoop and saw a political poster. The slogan on the poster meant nothing to him. The face, however, was the face of the young man he had dreamed of – the one who he met at the pinnacle of the mountain, his supposed adversary with whom he felt a kinship. He asked Swoop who it was.

“Why, that is our illustrious Regent, Xim Vlademor,” was the reply.

It occurred to Eamor, that had the Vlademorian coup not taken place, it would be his face on the poster. Eamor wondered what it would have been like to have been raised in palaces – to have been groomed by his father and uncle to be the Regent? This sad looking young man had been. He was the only other one in the galaxy with the same gifting as himself. And why had Eamor dreamed of him?

He was pondering these things as he strolled back to the skyport. He needed to meet Swoop in an hour. He would be early but he was tired of walking around. Maybe the Lady would be up for a game of Fleet Combat Simulator. He had not beaten her yet, but he was determined. He waved at the port police as he entered their berth. The ID bracelet Swoop had forged for him registered with the guard, who waved him through.

He stopped short as he neared the ship. Standing at the base of the ramp was a small man clad in deep purple. His face was partially masked and his bald head was scarred.

“Greetings, young Thaxius,” he said in a raspy voice, “Yes, I know who you really are. Please do not try to run.”

Five other figures in dark purple bodysuits and black masks slipped out of the shadows and surrounded Eamor. They were wielding nerve sticks. Eamor did not have his sword. Weapons were illegal on Yoshun.

“I suppose I should make this official,” the raspy voice continued, “I am Minister Sleeth with the M.S.P. You are wanted for questioning. To avoid any trouble, you will be restrained.”

He nodded and the other men began closing in.

Suddenly another figure seemed to fall out of the sky. He was short and powerful and immediately knocked two of the assailants to the ground. He rolled to his feet with one of their nerve sticks. He whirled it around with a flourish and awaited the other three. They advanced cautiously. Eamor watched in awe as in a whirlwind of motion he disarmed and stunned all three in seconds. He had never seen such a skilled fighter.

Suddenly his vision went dark. Minister Sleeth had stabbed at him with his nerve stick.

The masked figured approached Eamor’s would-be rescuer.

“I don’t have to take you alive,” he snarled, drawing an ion staff, blue lightning sparkling on each tip. He crouched into a fighting stance. The other approached and attacked furiously. In a flash, he had knocked the ion staff from Sleeth’s hands and jabbed him with the nerve stick. His eyes widened in shock as Sleeth, unaffected, punched him square in the jaw.

He reeled back bleeding; Sleeth was evidently wearing metal gauntlets of some kind.

“Let’s dance,” Sleeth taunted. They began fighting hand to hand. Sleeth was deceptively strong and skilled. Their limbs became a blur as they fought. The rescuer was landing the most blows but was tiring quickly and was racked with pain. Sleeth seemed unaffected by blows that were breaking ribs and drawing blood.

Does he have no nervous system?

He had a sudden inspiration.

He still has to breathe.

He switched from striking to grappling and soon wrestled Sleeth to the ground. He quickly snuck his hands past his enemy’s frantic defenses and locked him in a chokehold. Sleeth quivered and struggled for a few moments then went limp. He held on to his neck for another minute to be sure, and then dumped his lifeless body on the ground.

“What is all this?” Swoop had returned.

“No time to explain,” the rescuer said, “I am a friend, they are M.S.P., we have to get Eamor off system now!”

They grabbed Eamor’s still unconscious body and carried him onto the ship.

A couple hours later, Eamor awoke with a start. He was aboard the Sky Lady. His rescuer was standing over him. Eamor was impressed with his powerful physique but he also saw light and peace in his eyes. He felt the phantom effect and knew that they had left Yoshun.

“Take it easy. The nerve effect wears off slowly. I am Talon Vasloch.”

“Eamor… Eamor Thaxius.” He was still not used to his real name.

“I know. I was sent to rescue you. The Regent and SERPENT are after you,” Talon said, “I am with…”

“And how is our boy?” Swoop walked into the room smiling.

“I’m okay. My head is slowly clearing,” Eamor replied.

“Excellent. To your good fortune, my skills were adequate to evade the picket ships and shift with no trouble. I downloaded the Galactic News before we left system. It seems the Evantha Dominion has ratified a declaration of secession. Our great galactic Regency is beginning to crumble,” he said with sarcasm.

“So, it has begun,” Talon said, “It is much more urgent now.”

“Where are we going now?” Eamor asked, and then continued excitedly, “Can we set course for Galmar? I need to get there soon.”

“Yes, we must go to Galmar.” Talon added.

“And just whose ship do you think this is?” Swoop said testily, “Due to your great popularity I left my business on Yoshun unfinished. My honest living remains unmade. What could I possibly trade for on Galmar? Goats?”

“I’ll hire you. If you get the kid safely to Galmar and then drop us both on Sky’s End, my organization will pay you,” Talon said, “The fate of the galaxy depends on us.”

“Let’s not get too grandiose. I am but a businessman. My fee is three mega-credits per shift… and extra if we run afoul of the authorities again.”

“Wait just a minute,” Eamor chimed in, “I saved you from Zarg… And I’ve fixed your phantom relay… And your fuel valve… And I helped…”

“All right, all right. I am indebted. The vacation to Galmar is on the house. After that, renegotiation.” He turned to Talon. “Now what is your story?”

Talon thought a moment. “Do you know who Eamor is?” he asked Swoop.

“I haven’t told him,” Eamor said.

“Just what have I not been told?” Swoop said suspiciously.

Eamor looked at Talon and nodded.

“His full name is Eamor Thaxius. He is the true heir of the Regency,” Talon said, “Sky Man has promised the restoration of his line. I am…”

“No. No. No.” Swoop said angrily, “Swoop Longleaf and religion do not mix.” He waved off Eamor’s protest. “No more. To Galmar we go, but I leave you there.” With that he stalked out of the room.

“I’ll talk to him later,” Eamor said, “I would like to hear your story. Who sent you to rescue me?”

“I was sent by the Watchers on Sky’s End.”

“From Ailan?” Eamor asked.

“You know Ailan Gandus?” Talon asked.

“Well, I met him briefly. I escaped from Sky’s End recently.”

“I know. I was already on Yoshun when I heard. It didn’t take me long to find you. But let me start my story from the beginning. I was actually born on Yoshun…” Talon proceeded to tell of his career and dealings with SERPENT. He told about old Zangor and his escape from the Nexus.

“I was in that cargo container for six days. I had plenty of time to think. I was never a religious man and I still hate the trappings of religion. These Thaxian temples kind of make me sick. They make Sky Man seem like some distant theological… whatever! They don’t know that he is a real being. I thought about Zangor and the reality that there was a Sky Man and I had seen his enemies, the dragons. It occurred to me that what I could see and touch and experience was not all there was to life. The Phantom Realm is the true reality. What happens there really governs our lives in the galaxy. By the end of my journey, I was determined to find out all I could about Sky Man and his universe. I made my surrender.

“To my good fortune, I was met by Ailan Gandus. He leads the Watchers on Sky’s End. That man knows Sky Man as well as anyone.

“I spent several months meeting with him daily. He taught me the words of Yoshun and truths from the ancient Phantom Rites. But beyond that, he taught me that Sky Man is real. He talks to him and hears from him like he is really in the room. It’s so amazing! I became a Watcher, giving my life to Sky Man and receiving the Phantom Power.”

“Have you seen Sky Man?” Eamor asked.

“No, not really. I know him. I talk to him. But unlike Ailan, I am not able to hear directly from him. I do not have any gifts in exercising phantom power, at least not yet. I am much more comfortable using my strength and skill. I have been called to be your rescuer and protector.”

“Why me? You’re my protector?”

“Eamor, the fate of the galaxy rests with you. If we are going to throw off the oppression of the Vlademors, we need you to be the new Regent, to lead us back into the will of Sky Man. It’s up to us, me and Ailan and your uncle to help you fulfill that destiny. Sky Man…”

“Wait, wait…” Eamor interrupted, “This is too much for me right now. The last few days have been overwhelming. I just want to go home.”

“Yeah, I understand. I’m here for you if you need anything. I will protect you. Speaking of which, how well do you know Swoop? Can you trust him?”

“He’s okay. He is more kindhearted than he would want to believe. But his god is profit. If there’s money in it, he will do it. But he seems to have taken to me. He feels like a big brother…figuratively speaking.” Eamor held his hand about chest high.

They both laughed. “All right, let’s get you to Galmar. Sky Man will meet you there, I just know it.” Talon said.

“I hope so. Thanks for everything, Talon.”

A few days later, the Sky Lady detached from her host ship, hidden behind Nemesis, the largest moon of Galmar. Under Swoop’s able guidance she alit on a small flat hill at the edge of the Yoshun’s Peak foothills.

While Talon began packing supplies, Eamor cornered Swoop in the engine room.

“Hey Swoop! How’s your girl after the landing?”

“Fine as a lady should be, kid. The fuel valve is still holding up. Hopefully, next shift I will prosper sufficiently to replace it. Are you certain you do not want to stay on as my co-pilot and engineer extraordinaire? But rather your will is to chase some kind of religious destiny.” He shook his head. “Is it really your intention to embroil yourself in all that? With me, it matters not who makes the rules. I can remain solvent.”

“No, I have to go. I can’t explain why exactly. Are you sure you won’t stay?”

“No chance. I am not one to follow myths and legends. I hope to be one myself. Additionally, there is no trade on this dump. I will blast as soon as you are clear.”

“I will miss you. I believe I will see you again.” Eamor said with conviction.

“Likewise. Fate permit, perhaps you will rule the galaxy some day. If so, remember your old companion Swoop Longleaf.”

“I will speak to Sky Man of you, my friend.”

“Oh, here we go.” Swoop rolled his eyes. “Be good to yourself kid. Take no grief from musclehead. He is useful, but not too bright.”

Eamor turned and strode out of the engine room.

Well, that was crazy. Never have I done so much for just some orphan kid. Am I going soft? Is all that talk of Sky Man and the end of the galaxy getting to me?

Swoop shook his head.

Snap out of it Longleaf!

“All right girl, let’s run a nova test,” he said.

“Now you’re talking, Swoop honey. Just you and me again sugar,” the sexy voice replied.

Yeah, just you and me.