Prologue
Surod laid in bed, his chest rising and falling. The cool breeze blew through the window, sending shivers up his spine. His bed sheets were lying at the foot of the mattress. That night was a warm night, regardless of the breeze. Summer nights on Romulus tended to be a bit warm in the capital.
For some reason, Surod couldn't fall asleep that night. Usually, in mid-July, he could sleep perfectly, ever since he'd retired. He'd gotten used to the comfortable house in the capital. It felt natural for Surod to live there. It had taken some time, though. Surod had grown up on starships ever since he was old enough to join the military, just like his father and his father and his. He knew the schematics of a warbird like the back of his hand. But now, his memory began to fade. His attention span slipped twice as often as before. He was no longer an asset to the empire, as the Praetor had said. He was too old, and everyone back in the senate knew that. Even his closest friend, Senator Toran. But, the senate had supported Surod and given him comfortable living space, and a great view of the senate house. You were considered royalty to be living near the senate house.
Surod slowly lifted himself from his bed. He moved slowly towards the open window and leaned on the sill, admiring the view. The senate house looked beautiful at night, like an angel perched on the soil, ready to drift into the night sky. Into the stars.
Surod felt a pitted feeling in his stomach. He missed the stars. He missed the feeling of being able to reach out and touch each glowing ball of gas. He missed the beautiful landscapes of the different planets and anomalies he'd come across in his service. Maybe that was partly why retired. He wasn't only getting old. He was an explorer at heart, but the Romulan military had no place for explorers. Only soldiers or warriors or even killers. Now it was too late to buy a ship and explore. He was too old. He probably only had a few years left to live. He wanted to spend them on his homeworld.
Surod turned his attention to a dark image moving just outside the senate house. It kept to the shadows, slipping through the darkness like some animal. It moved with great speed, and at the same time, never left the darkness. No one would be out late at night walking, or in that case, running, at that hour. Surod had become quite familiar with the neighborly residents of the capital. He watched as it continued its way toward a single house. Then he watched in horror of what house it was. It was no house—it was the Praetor's mansion! Surod quickly dashed to his dresser and threw on his clothes. He moved swiftly to his bed and ripped away his pillow, revealing a metallic box. He opened it revealing a laser pistol. He picked it up, loading the small energy box included. He then chucked the box and moved to the window. He took a deep breath. Think of it as skydiving. He thought as he jumped out his twenty-five foot house.
Praetor Valdore watched in horror as a dark shadow slipped in his bedroom. It stood five feet from as he sat there helpless. Shivers went down his spine. Fear struck his face. He'd never been more frightened in his entire life. Not after serving on the battlefield so many times. He'd come close to dying many times, but now he knew he was about to die. It frightened him so much, he began to panic. He didn't know what to do. He could lie there and let it happen, or he could fight. Or he could offer his assassin an alternative. Ultimate power, riches, fame. He sat there frozen, and all he could think about was money. Ever since becoming a politician, he'd become corrupt. He thought only of his own personal gains. He was no longer thinking of his races future, but his own. Valdore yelled to his personal guards. The assassin stepped out from the darkness, pointing his weapon at the Praetor. It was a Human. Valdore sat up, now accepting his destiny. "Are you going to kill me?" he asked. The Human had a piercing stare. It could drill a hole through space itself. The Human didn't glance away for a second. "I'll see you in hell," he jumped out the window. Confusion struck Valdore's face. Why didn't the Human kill him? Then he heard a beeping noise. He looked down. The whole mansion blew up in flames, taking the dear Praetor Valdore with it.
Surod rushed into the senate house. All the senators were gathered, mingling with one another. They were buzzing about why they were called to meet so late at night. He could see they had no idea what was going on. They probably didn't hear the explosion.
Surod's eyes were glazed over. He didn't know what to say to the senate. He was never a good public speaker. Once, at his promotion, he was asked to give a speech and stuttered through the whole thing. He didn't even know how to react, whether to cry smile. Though it wouldn't be very polite to smile. Surod stepped forward. He would have to. He was the only living witness. "Ladies and gentlemen," he announced. The crowd hushed right away, "I have some gri…grim news." Pull yourself together Surod, he said to himself. He mentally kicked himself for stuttering. "Praetor Valdore is dead." Gasps let out throughout the room. One of the senators, a man, stood up. "How has his death occurred?"
"Twenty minutes ago, his mansion blew up. We found the remains of a bomb of alien origin. We've been able to capture the culprit." Surod took a deep breath. Shouts of "bring him in" went around the room in waves. Surod had never seen the senators in such unison before. It was impressive. Soldiers didn't even act like that. Surod quickly called for the Human to be brought in. the two guards dragged the rugged Human in chains. They didn't leave his sides. Surod put his hand on his pistol, just in case. He could never be too careful around aliens. Another senator stood, this time a woman. She looked a little young to be on the senate. "We should kill him. Make his people pay!" she shouted. Raging screams came from the crowd. Surod looked to the guards. The lifted their rifles, which quieted the senate. Another senator stood up. He was Toran, Surod's best friend. Toran had always been wise. Always know the right thing to do and the right thing to say. Maybe he could bring order to the chaotic courtroom. "That won't get us anywhere. We need a new Praetor. He'll know what to do. We need order, and we can't have that without a leader. I for one nominate Ex-General Surod for Praetorship." Surod looked over at Toran. He gave him "this is a bad idea" look. Toran ignored him. Senator Ralora stood. "All in favor, say I," a crowd of I's echoed throughout the senate house. Surod held his hands up. He didn't want Praetorship. He didn't want to be involved with the government anymore. But he had no choice. "I accept," Surod announced glumly. He started to leave the room. "Wait! What shall we do with the alien?" someone shouted. Surod sighed. "I'm sure I'll think of something,"