Imperial Guard – Pilot Episode – 001 Darkening Sky

Prologue by Raeth, House of Meztar

Space. What is it about this great black mysterious void that in essence surrounds us all, connects us all in many ways and continues to fascinate in ways no one could ever dream of? I am convinced that every people, curious enough to look up at the sky at nighttime, have asked themselves this single question at least once. What is out there?

I know that because I remember asking my father the exact same question when I was still too young to fully comprehend the answer he gave me. Because after the great question come the answers and in many cultures the stories of those who once could not yet travel beyond the sky and walk among the stars by themselves. What are those seemingly unreachable lights that glitter between the darkness at night? Are they the guardians of the universe, using it as their playground while observing us from a great distance? Or are they the spirits of our ancestors, those who went before us, watching and protecting over those once loved? Or maybe they're just giant burning balls of incredibly heated gases much like the sun that's closer to you and brings you the warmth and light of day. It depends on what we believe, on what we can see and what we can dream of and none of it is wrong.

Why am I telling you all this, you might ask? Well, because I've been out there. I have walked among the stars and as of this moment I am on the verge of stepping out there again and fulfill not only my duty but a lifelong dream. With it comes great responsibility but fortunately I won't have to do it alone.

The galaxy isn't what you'd call a friendly place. Some situations however require what I describe as special treatment. My crew and I have been selected to handle these cases in the name of the Emperor. For we serve the most powerful military organization in the quadrant: The Imperial Guard.

Chapter 1 Those You Leave Behind

So far my introduction. But before telling you about one of the first adventures of my crew and I, there are a few small things you should be aware of first. See that little blue and green marble out there? No it's not the place where you're born. That's my home. Sogowa Prime. It's kinda small right now, but don't worry because you're gonna see it from much closer in just a moment. Let me tell you a little about me. My name's Raeth. At least that's what my friends and relatives call me. I'm a member of the House of Meztar, which sorta serves as my last name, though it's formally my family name. All the modern members of my kind belong to a House. It's something that identifies them as being part of a great family, for a House carries all the honors, accomplishments but also the shame and failure of every single one of its members until it ceases to exist for some reason. I know it's complicated but that's just the way things are on the world where I come from.

About my people, well for starters, we don't really look like you. Unless you happen to call Sogowa Prime your home too. The things that define us are most definitely the legs. Double-kneed, incredibly strong and making up most of our bodies really. Furthermore I got a tail to keep me balanced while walking and my mouth sorta looks like the beak of a bird, but softer and more flexible so unlike most birds we still got teeth for chewing our food. My ears, well, let's say they're bigger than average but I consider that an advantage. Last but not least we got a relatively short temper and we never get out of the way of a good fight. Yeah, we prefer to use our fists and claws on occasion but not overly so. We like to be competitive and play rough from time to time. You got all that? You got a weird image of me and my kind right now, don't ya? Let it go. We might not be born on the same planet but still we're not that different despite our outer appearances. Maybe you're a parent too, like me. I've got two great kids. A lovely mate, or 'wife' as you call your partner and I love 'em just as much as you love yours.

Enough talk. We're getting close to my world and I very well remember the end of that afternoon. It's where I begin my story and at the very same time one of the biggest adventures of my life. I had just gotten my new command as captain or 'Ginjha' of one of the Guard's newest ships and I was about to spend one last evening together with my family.

Ta'keth. Capital of the Empire. The largest city on Sogowa Prime and literally the center of everything. Next to being the seat of government, led by the Emperor it was also the primal hub of galactic banking and commerce within the Empire. A number of important embassies were located here too, preserving and strengthening relations between the Empire's worlds and other planets. But other than all of that, it was the home of one Mantrin in particular. At the end of what had been a late spring afternoon, Raeth made his way home through the paved streets of a somewhat unremarkable district just outside the center. Striding along the right side of the road flanked by well-maintained front gardens filled with blossoming and fragrant plants and flowers, he noticed that most people on the street were children of all ages. While it was time for their parents to prepare and cook meals for the evening, they enjoyed the afternoon sun that had warmed the sandy brown pavement to a comfortable temperature under his large feet, playing games and filling the streets with laughter and the sound of joy. Taking firm steps, his claws scratched lightly but audibly as the three large toes of each foot spread to create balance and grip upon each contact. Various thoughts occupied his mind as he quickly covered the last bit of distance to his house which was in the street after the next turn right at the approaching junction. Those children reminded him of his own and the mothers that called from the front door openings of the houses to some of them, bringing to their attention that dinner was ready and waiting, reminded him of his own mate. How they were waiting for him to come home. How they were preparing to say goodbye after spending one last evening with them.

"Good day, sir." She was a middle-aged Mantrinesse, Sogowan race, characterized by her skin in two shades of brown, just like his own and the eyes, a vivid orange but with a twinkle of friendliness. Her greeting was accompanied by a gentle respectful nod. It was but a playful reminder that he wore the red uniform of the Guard, effectively marking him as a man of military status, to be automatically treated with respect. He answered her greeting with one of his own, unable to resist smiling as he was forced to halt abruptly before the opening in the low wooden fence separating her house's front garden from the street. Her children, a boy and a girl, he estimated their age around seven and four respectively, hurriedly crossed his path to answer their mother's call, making a slight jump to the left to avoid his massive leg. "Be careful!" their mother warned them, shaking her head, briefly touching the head of the oldest as a means of guiding him as she stepped aside to let them into the house. "I'm sorry, it's just-"

"It's fine."

Accepting and dismissing her apology with a slight gesture she nodded again before closing the door. By the time he heard the bump and click Raeth had already moved on to the point where he could see the front door of his own house, the second from the left across the street he now faced. After making sure the aerial vehicle flying overhead, one of the city's many quick air transports, which was signaling for a landing maneuver would not pick a spot right on top of him, he crossed the street. Tapping the communicator unit around his left wrist, the device woke up, ready to unlock the door of his house.

"Welcome home, Ginjha sir."

He had recognized the playful tone and sound of his female neighbor's voice. An Orketh Mantrinesse, characterized by the striped patterns around the ankles, hips and base of her tail, visible because of the shorts she wore, she was much smaller than he was. The size difference was emphasized even more because Raeth was a good deal larger than average for his race, measuring his height in standing position at a staggering seven feet and six inches.

"Hi Jaeya," he answered, his powerful deep-toned voice gentle but in sharp contrast to her cheerful pitch.

Casually watering the plants and flowers in her front garden she stopped for a brief moment as if to get a better look at him, while he turned to face her and close some of the distance between them by doing a step forward. Her right ear twitched playfully as she smiled.

"You look so handsome." Unfazed by her remark, quite sure it was just a compliment and not some turn in a game she couldn't possibly hope to win, he was about to thank her until the unchanged expression on his face had a different consequence. "I'm sorry," she said, her ears developing a faint touch of red. "Don't tell Ashia I said that," she added hastily, a hint of panic in her voice.

Guessing she must've felt ashamed he watched as she continued to empty her watering can over her plants, deliberately avoiding any further eye contact. Suppressing a chuckle he stepped back toward the front door of his house. Jaeya wasn't bonded to a mate and she once told him that she never would be. It didn't stop her from flirting from time to time though, something she often apologized for.

"What makes you think she'd mind? I'm her mate after all." One more time she looked at him, a bashful look on her face, just for a second. Then her focus forcefully shifted back to her plants, making sure it couldn't return to him as she turned around to water a different row. Mildly shaking his head, the left corner of his beak pulled into a faint grin he couldn't suppress, Raeth turned toward the large and heavy wooden door of his own house. Its shape was almost square as was common on his world due to his species' unique physiology. Waving his wrist past the doorframe in an absent-minded gesture, he heard the soft click of the locking mechanism shortly thereafter, the door opening a couple of inches out of its own as a sign of invitation to enter. The first thing he noticed when he pushed the door to let himself in was the first whiff of that familiar and trusted smell. The natural aroma of his own house, a touch of wood, a hint of sweetness. What he always loved was how it was unique for every single house, like a strand of DNA was unique for every living creature. It was pleasantly cool in contrast to the warmth of outside, although summer hadn't officially announced itself yet and relatively quiet, with the sound of voices faintly audible so he decided to make everyone aware of his presence. "Nyehari saa."

There was no direct response but after closing the door and crossing the short hallway in two steps to enter the living area of his home he almost bumped into the oldest of the two youngest members of his family.

"Kharii!"

Due to his height, Trynn only succeeded in hugging his belly and without being able to fully wrap her arms around his back. It was more than her younger brother was able to do. He usually went for one of his legs instead.

"Hey kiddo." Petting her head, his large hand folding her ears down, she purred under his touch. "What's up?"

"Nothing. Glad you're home kharii."

"Kha-rii."

Fran's face was the perfect image of joy, a wide open laugh and copper-colored eyes sparkling. As his four-year old son prepared to grab his leg, Raeth lowered himself on his middle legs on the floor instead, moving Trynn to the right and grabbing Fran around his back on the left. Trynn wrapped her arms around his muscular neck and Fran basically crawled into his lap, burying his head in his belly.

"Hey, I haven't been gone that long." Rubbing his children's backs he purred lightly, savoring the moment, quickly and suddenly realizing why they were so affectionate. It was the same reason why he had trouble letting go of them himself. "Where's your hahme?"

"In the kitchen. Cooking dinner."

Releasing him from her firm hug she looked into his eyes, tip of her beak a mere two inches away from his, eyes still glittering. She then gave him a lick on the right side of his beak, followed by a giggle afterwards. Raeth's suppressed laugh turned into a soft snort.

"Oh you like that huh? Let's see if you like this."

With a powerful growl he buried the tip of his beak into her chest, rubbing lightly multiple times. The effect was similar to tickle torture. Begging him to stop she was overcome with giggles and she couldn't easily get away from him either.

"Kharii, please stop, my belly's hurting."

When he finally let go she stumbled backwards, letting herself drop to the floor on her back, panting lightly, still laughing and with her hand on her belly. Prying Fran who tried to climb up off his chest, he lifted him in his strong arms, giving him a tiny lick on his cheek with just the tip of his tongue. The boy chuckled, giving his cheek a quick stroke as his father put him back on his feet. Getting up himself, Raeth quickly regained his incredible height and mighty appearance, dwarfing both his children, although he had to admit they were both growing up fast.

"I'll go find your hahme. Just play for a little while longer until we eat, okay?"

Trynn who had caught her breath and picked herself up from the floor nodded, grabbing her little brother's arm.

"Okay. C'mon Franny."

Watching them return to their spot on the floor in the middle of their living room where they had been drawing together judging by the amount of paper and pencils scattered around, Raeth smiled. This room was easily the largest in the entire house and his children loved turning it into their playground. The center of the room was taken by a large low wooden table, rectangular in shape and normally surrounded by no less than eight large floor pillows. This arrangement was common in his people's homes with family taking up a very important place in their culture. It was the table where meals were shared, pressing family matters were discussed and guests were received. The importance of family was depicted even more by the large woven cloth, like a tapestry, covering a portion of the wall opposite to the small hallway leading up to the front door, almost from floor to ceiling with a very sophisticated and artistic form of their writing on it. It was called a Cathaiyra. The crest in the middle was the symbol of their House. The names of his children, mate and himself were written around it in large colorful symbols that partially overlapped with each other and the crest in the middle. The rest of the furniture was distributed around the living room table along the walls. Some cabinets with mildly fragrant plants and cultural artifacts put up for display, a large holo TV, currently set to a news channel, projecting parallel to the wall farthest from where he stood and three wooden lamps, beautifully cut by hand in a spiraling design to provide his family with some light during the darker hours. What Fran and Trynn had done is toss six of the large dark blue seating pillows together at the short end of the table closest to the kitchen entrance as their base of operations to turn things into a mess. They laid down on their bellies on top of them with drawing boards behind their paper to prevent tearing through it with their pencils. He had to admit, it was better than the hard sandy brown tiles of the floor.

Shaking his head, he took a left to the kitchen to find their mother and his mate. That didn't take long as their one-story house wasn't that big, at least not by their kind's standards but it was a fine house nonetheless and they were both glad they could get a loan and buy their own place in Ta'keth, especially Ashia because she wasn't looking forward to leaving the city in which she grew up and where most of her family lived too. He found her in front of the ceramic stove, a dish towel draped over her shoulder, stirring carefully and controlled in one of the pots. She was dressed in a comfortable loose pair of blue trousers and short-sleeved spring green shirt. Whatever she was cooking it smelled wonderful and made his stomach growl lightly. His approach was noticed as her ear flicked and they made eye contact via the mild reflection of her face in the kitchen window, offering a view of the street. Turning down the heat under her pots with a quick gesture over the stove's control panel she turned around, wiping her hands on the towel as she removed it from her shoulder and tossed it on the counter behind her afterwards. Her lovely smile was accompanied by eyes that seemed to be made of a warm bronze that still radiated what she felt for him since the moment they met. Compared to him, her height and overall size were less intimidating and more humble, befitting of her kind character just like the sound of her voice.

"Hey Oni. How was your day?"

Raeth couldn't resist answering her smile with one of his own.

"A little tiresome. Lots of preparation but everything went fine."

He slowly approached her as she did the same to him, his fairly long tail creating a rustling sound as the end of it swept over the hard wooden floor of the kitchen with calm fluid motions, until the tip of her beak nearly touched his as she looked up. Caressing the side of hers to his in a fond gesture she wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his chest, the tips of her long soft ears tickling his throat. Wrapping his strong arms protectively around her in a warm hug he purred lightly, taking a deep breath which he slowly expelled through his nostrils.

"I'm gonna miss you."

"I know. I'll miss you too but don't worry too much."

Of course Ashia knew that from the moment she decided to become his mate. He had been working on his career for most of his life and he had to, for various reasons and now that he had reached the rank of Ginjha not so long ago it really started to pay off. Detaching herself from him she grabbed the front tips of his uniform's black collar, with the insignia badges indicating his status on each of them, between thumb and index finger.

"It looks really nice. Don't let them get the better of ya."

"I'll do my best. How's your back?"

His remark visibly affected her mood, judging by the way the expression on her face changed. He couldn't blame her. It seemed to come and go at random but Ashia's back problems often went hand in hand with periods of severe pain. So much that she could barely walk without cringing. It was at these times that he felt most sorry for her, because as a mother she had to take care of two children, herself and everything in the meantime while he risked his life to go on missions in deep space or wherever Command ordered him to go. But it was necessary to put food on the table and just as importantly, get her the medicine she needed to alleviate the pain and the eventual treatment that would get rid of the problem for good. Her ears sagged and after letting go of his collar she let her hands slide down slowly over his chest, eventually letting her left arm dangle and putting the hand of the other on her hip.

"Doing okay, I guess," she said, letting go of a mild sigh. "It's not hurting so much right now. I can manage." She forced a smile and Raeth nodded, trying not to look as serious as before, although he was definitely concerned about his mate. She seemed to be in pain more often lately and more severe too. "Can you help me get everything to the table?" she asked, changed the subject to break the silence that followed. "It's done."

"Sure."

But right at the moment when Ashia turned around to grab one of the pots with the towel she had tossed on the counter and Raeth followed to assist her, they were interrupted by their daughter.

"Kharii! Hahme! Come quick! It's Fran again! He can't breathe!"

While Ashia gasped and was visibly shocked, Raeth reacted quickly and in a controlled way, walking out of the kitchen with a pair of fast strides to cross the small distance to the living room, careful not to run down his daughter who quickly jumped out of his way.

"Where's his inhaler?" he asked firmly, his eyes locked on the situation, purely acting instinctively for a moment. It was merely meant to verify what he already knew. Fran's inhaler was lying in its regular spot on top of the largest wooden cabinet in the living room and there was another one upstairs in his bedroom. Ashia's reply wasn't necessary because he had already grabbed it and dropped to his knees near his son. The boy sat on one of the pillows on his rear, taking quick shallow breaths which didn't do much good for it seemed he was barely getting any air. It was hard to watch a child his age struggle so much but it wasn't what Raeth was thinking of right now. "Easy now Fran." Kneeling on the floor, putting the mouth-piece carefully between the boy's teeth while squeezing his shoulder gently to let him know someone was there to help, he pressed the button on the side of the device with his thumb, releasing the medicine that would give him his breath back. "That's it." Watching it do its work as Fran's breathing slowly returned to normal he took the device out of his mouth, placing it down on the floor as he continued to hold him, right hand on his back, left hand on his lower chest. "C'mon Fran, breathe. Gently."

Now that his son was out of any danger, if there was any due to his quick response to Trynn's warning, he had to give her credit for that, Raeth could finally convince himself to let go, which he did, putting his hands on his first set of knees. His daughter had approached them in the meantime and he heard Ashia's slow steps behind him as he continued to monitor Fran. Wondering if his watery eyes were caused by him trying to hold back tears or just another symptom of his extreme shortness of breath, he looked at Trynn as she kneeled on the pillow next to her brother, putting her arm around his shoulder while licking his cheek, rubbing her head to his. Until he hugged her back, moaning softly. "It's all right Franny. Kharii was here."

Smiling faintly at the exchange of love and care between his children, he looked up at his mate who was obviously shaken, as she often was while watching her son fight a precarious battle for his life. The look in her eyes was that of fear. Nothing serious but fear nonetheless. Not that he didn't have trouble with it. He was just better at hiding his fears and being strong for the rest of his family. Trying to swallow she let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding for a while.

"He's all right, Ashia." Scrambling back to his feet in a fluid motion, his limberness compensating surprisingly well for his size he put a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently after making sure to put the inhaler back on its spot on the cabinet. "Don't lock up like that. You know he's counting on you."

"I-I'm sorry. I-"

"It's okay. I know you would've done exactly as me if I hadn't been there. You've done so many times before."

She looked down at his chest as he caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. Then she nodded.

"He's safe." It was more as if her statement was meant to put her mind at ease, to convince herself that the danger had passed once more. "It's just that I'm afraid of what would happen if neither of us is there. If no one is there to help."

Raeth shook his head.

"Don't worry too much. Fran also has his wristband, just in case. His teachers at the learning center know what to do as well and have taken care of him more than once. Even his sister is keeping an eye on him whenever she can." He sighed, grinding his teeth for a moment. "This stress is what's worsening your backaches. Might even be a major cause."

"I know okay?!" Her own outburst surprised even herself, remorse adding a touch of red to her face. "I'm sorry."

Raeth sighed once more, touching his beak to hers as an acceptance of her apology.

"No, I'm sorry. Let's just eat and let it behind us. Nothing happened after all."

The smile he was longing for finally returned to her face, hesitant but there nonetheless. Asking Trynn and Fran, who had already gone back to whatever they were working on to clean up just a little, Ashia returned to the kitchen with Raeth on her tail. I'm gonna miss her cooking.

Due to Sogowa Prime's twin moons, the nights on the world were seldom truly dark even with a clouded sky. But tonight with just a few lonely puffs of cloud, it was more than enough to see without aid in their pale shine. Enjoying the coolness of the late evening wherever it touched his bare skin, Raeth studied the cratered faces of Sheloh and Dimra that had withstood the ravages of time just as well as his people did, despite their long and intricate past. The only artificial light came from the windows behind him but it was barely keeping up with the particularly bright moons this night. Taking a deep calm breath through his nose, listening intently to the nocturnal sounds all around him that provoked subtle reflexive movements of his long elliptical ears his thoughts went out for a moment to beyond Sogowa's sky and into the vastness beyond the planet's atmosphere. It called out to him, like it always did. Like the first time it did when he was a mere teenager longing for adventure and a way out of a life he just couldn't adjust to. He always wanted more. He had heard that from his father more than enough times in his youth. The night was peaceful, at one moment only disturbed by the sound of quick little footsteps behind him. Lifting his fairly long muscular tail off the soft grass on which it had been resting, he tried to determine without looking where he had to put it next to prevent it from being stepped on. However his daughter already stood right before him at an arm's length distance from the center of his belly before he had been able to make up his mind. Wordlessly she looked at him, a tiny sparkle in the little pools of copper that were her eyes, ears twitching briefly. Then as if the mild smile appearing on his face was her cue she just threw herself against the hard muscle of his midriff, rubbing lightly. Placing both hands on the back of her head, feeling her soft skin and ears he let the base of her ears slip between his fingers, making gentle massaging movements upon which his daughter purred. As she turned her head upwards, placing her chin flat on his belly he slowly let her ears escape his soft grip. By the time he had reached the tips and released them he noticed how she couldn't keep the right one up as well as the other. Resisting the urge to call her 'flops' because he knew she hated it, he waited for her to move first.

"I'll miss you kharii."

He could've guessed she would say that. Of course his family was going to miss him. Naturally it was the same the other way around.

"I'll miss you too."

Trynn pouted a little.

"I… I don't want you to go. You're always gone for so long."

If only she realized how much harder she made it for him. For all of his life Raeth had been torn between family and career, between doing the thing he always dreamed of and spending time with those he held dear. Near impossible to combine so he had to make choices. With a brief sigh he lowered himself to a knee on the ground in front of his daughter, decreasing his height to a more equal level, signaling her to come just a little closer.

"Come here." Doing as he said, exchanging her pout for a frown, she flicked an ear, tail slowly whipping as she assumed a waiting position. "Trynn, you know why I have to go, right?"

Heaving a somewhat exaggerated sigh, visibly deflating as she blew out her breath, she nodded afterwards.

"I know." Of course he and Ashia had explained to her about Fran's health which was an even more immediate problem than Ashia's backaches, which could be cured at any time if they could just put enough aside for the treatment. Fran was a different story. That little boy was born with a rare condition that prevented his lungs from developing normally, meaning they were already too small for his age. The doctors already prognosed that they would never reach their full natural potential on their own. On top of that, he suffered from asthmatic attacks which in combination with his small lungs could be deadly without the medicine that had saved his life up till now. Despite all that, modern medical technology could make Fran's life easier. Carefully applied growth stimulation with a series of treatments in combination with gene therapy could potentially eradicate the problem forever so he would grow up to be strong and healthy like his father. The downside? The treatment was incredibly expensive and it had to be a single uninterrupted procedure so they couldn't help him in stages. He and Ashia had been saving up for it ever since they learned of Fran's condition, which was basically since his birth. They had come a long way already. His advancement in rank would finally give them that final boost that they could really use. Digging the claws of her right foot into the dirt underneath the grass, turning up small bits of it as she chewed on her bottom lip, she avoided his stare. He knew what she and the other members of his family were going through though. Pulling her close by wrapping his arm around her back, she hugged him tight. "Nyemouri deh."

Raeth purred.

"Nyemouri deh nii." Licking his cheek after releasing him, she chuckled. "Hey, take care of your hahme and your little khomii for me, will ya?"

She nodded.

"I will."