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 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 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 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 up close 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 in 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, 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 the center of its expansive territory. 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. Also located here were the embassies. These served to strengthen relations between the Empire's worlds and other planets. Other than 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. He walked at a calm pace along the right side of the road flanked by well-maintained front gardens, filled with blossoming and fragrant plants and flowers. As he looked around, he noticed 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 light 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, the three large toes of each foot spread to create balance and grip upon contact. Various thoughts occupied his mind as he covered the last bit of distance to his house. Recognizing his surroundings, he knew it was in the street after the next turn right at the approaching junction. Those children reminded him of his own. 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, like his own. Her almond-shaped eyes were a vivid orange, a twinkle of friendliness in them. She added a subtle and respectful bow to her greeting. It was but a playful reminder that he wore the red uniform of the Guard. It marked him as a man of military status, inviting a level of respect. He answered her greeting with one of his own, unable to resist smiling. This was partly because he was forced to a halt before the opening in the low wooden fence, separating her house's front garden from the street. Her children, a boy and a girl, crossed his path in a hurry 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. She touched the head of the oldest to let him know what he did wrong 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. It was the second from the left across the street he now faced. An aerial vehicle flew overhead, signaling for a landing maneuver. It was one of the city's many quick air transports for moving citizens around like taxis. After making sure it did 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 tone of his female neighbor's voice. An Orkeht 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. His height in standing position was 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.

Watering the plants and flowers in her front garden she stopped for a moment as if to get a better look at him. Turning to face her he closed some of the distance between them by taking a step forward. Her right ear twitched in a playful manner as she smiled.

"You look so handsome." Unfazed by her remark, quite sure she meant it as a compliment and not some turn in a game she couldn't 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."

There was a hint of panic in her voice when she added that last part. Guessing she must've felt ashamed he watched as she continued to empty her watering can over her plants, 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. Then she shifted her focus back to her plants, making sure it couldn't return to him as she turned around to water a different row.

Shaking his head, the left corner of his beak pulled into a faint grin he couldn't suppress. He then stepped back to face the large and heavy wooden door of his own house, its shape almost square to accommodate his species' physique. Waving his wrist past the doorframe in an absent-minded gesture, he heard the soft click of the locking mechanism shortly thereafter. The door opened 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 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. The air inside felt like a cool caress in contrast to the warmth of outside, although summer hadn't officially announced itself yet. The quietness was only disturbed by the sound of children's voices coming from the living room, so he decided to make everyone aware of his presence. "Nyehari saa."

There was no direct response. After closing the door and crossing the short hallway in a few 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. It would still take a while before she would be able to make her hands meet behind 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 to the floor, kneeling on his middle legs, moving Trynn to the right and grabbing Fran around his back on the left. Trynn wrapped her arms around his muscular neck and Fran crawled into his lap like a newborn, burying his head in his belly.

"Hey, I haven't been gone that long." Rubbing his children's backs he purred like a relaxed cat, savoring the moment. He knew 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 by shaking his head. The effect was like 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. Lying flat on her back, she panted, 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 the tip of his tongue. The boy chuckled, giving his cheek a quick stroke as his father put him back on his feet. Pushing himself up, Raeth regained his incredible height and mighty appearance as he rose to his clawed feet. He was effective in 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?"

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

"Okay. C'mon Franny."

Raeth smiled and scratched behind his ear when he observed their ongoing activities. They had been drawing together judging by the amount of paper and pencils scattered around. The living room was the largest room 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 under normal circumstances 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 around which to share meals, discuss pressing family matters and receive guests.

Depicting the importance of family even more was the large woven cloth, like a tapestry, covering a portion of the wall opposite to the small hallway leading up to the front door. It was long enough to leave little space between its opposite ends and the floor and ceiling. The sophisticated and artistic form of their writing on it was very characteristic and could not be mistaken for anything else. His people called it 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 overlapped with each other and the crest in the middle.

The rest of the furniture lined the living room walls, leaving ample space around the table. Cabinets with potted plants spreading a mild fragrance. 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. Three wooden lamps, cut by hand in a spiraling design to provide his family with some light during the darker hours.

What Fran and Trynn did amused him again and again. Six of the large dark blue seating pillows were tossed together at the short end of the table closest to the kitchen entrance. This was their base of operations from which 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. Ashia in particular. She didn't want to leave 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 in one of two pots next to a large frying pan. She wore a comfortable loose pair of blue trousers and a short-sleeved spring green shirt. Whatever she was cooking it smelled wonderful and made his stomach growl with anticipation.

She noticed his approach 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 with a quick gesture over the stove's control panel she turned around. Wiping her hands on a towel flung over her shoulder she tossed it on the counter behind her.

A smile that invited a warm feeling between his hearts. Eyes that seemed made of bronze, still radiating what she felt for him since the moment they met. Compared to him, her height and overall size were less intimidating and humbler, 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 approached her as she took a step forward. His long tail created 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 was but a few inches away as she looked up. Caressing the side of her leathery muzzle to his in a fond gesture she wrapped her arms around him. As she rested her head on his chest, the tips of her long soft ears tickled his throat. Wrapping his strong arms around her in a warm hug he purred. His chest collapsed as he expelled the air inside through his nostrils in a moment of relief.

"I'm gonna miss you."

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

Ashia knew she sometimes had to miss him for longer periods of time when 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. Now that he had reached the rank of Ginjha not so long ago it 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 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. During flare-ups she couldn't walk without cringing. It was at these times that he felt most sorry for her. 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 be able to afford 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 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 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, changing the subject to break the silence that followed. "It's done."

"Sure."

Taking the lead, she turned around to grab one of the pots with the towel she had tossed on the counter. As Raeth followed to assist her, their daughter interrupted them. The panic in her voice was a clear warning signal.

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

Ashia turned around with a worried look on her face, her breath caught in her throat. Raeth reacted fast and in a controlled way. Walking out of the kitchen with a few fast strides to cross the small distance to the living room he was careful not to run down his daughter who jumped out of his way.

"Where's his inhaler?" His eyes locked on the situation and he acted on instinct for a moment. His question was meant to verify what he already knew. Fran's inhaler was lying in its easy to reach spot on top of the largest wooden cabinet in the living room. 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 still fought for 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 between the boy's teeth he squeezed his shoulder in a comforting way to let him know someone was there to help. Pressing the button on the side of the device with his thumb he released the medicine that would give him his breath back. "That's it." Watching it do its work as Fran's breathing returned to a steady normal, he took the device out of the youngling's mouth. Placing it down on the floor, he continued to hold him, one hand on his back, the other on his lower chest. "C'mon Fran, breathe. Gently."

He was now 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. Convincing himself it was okay to let go, he rested his hands on his thighs. 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 him trying to hold back tears or 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 she licked his cheek, rubbing her head to his. Until he hugged her back, with a soft whimper escaping her mouth. "It's all right Franny. Kharii was here."

He smiled at the exchange of love and care between his children. Hearing the sound of her foot claws scratching the floor next to him he looked up at his mate. She still hadn't lost the worried look on her face. Even after the four solar cycles that Fran had been in their midst it was still hard for her to watch her son fight so much. Not that he didn't have trouble with it. He figured he was 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 for his size he put a hand on her shoulder. Squeezing some comfort into her, like he did with his son, he made 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 like I did if I hadn't been there. You've done it 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 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 sudden outburst surprised even herself, remorse adding a touch of red to her face. "Uiisa."

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

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

The smile he longed for finally returned to her face, a bit forced but there, nonetheless. Asking Trynn and Fran, who had already gone back to whatever they were working on to clean up 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 shrouded in complete darkness, even with a clouded sky. But tonight, with a few lonely puffs of cloud drifting by, 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. The two moons had withstood the ravages of time, like his people did, despite their long and intricate past. The only artificial light came from the windows behind him, but it wasn't a sharp contrast with the particularly bright moons that night.

Taking a deep calm breath through his nose he listened 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 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, only disturbed by the sound of quick little footsteps behind him. Lifting his 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. But 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.

Without a word she looked at him, a tiny sparkle in the little pools of copper that were her eyes, ears twitching. Then as if the mild smile appearing on his face was her cue, she threw herself against the hard muscle of his midriff, rubbing her cheek to it. Resting his fingertips on the back of her head, feeling her soft skin and ears he let the base of her ears slip between his fingers. His gentle massaging movements provoked a calm and relaxed purring from his daughter. As she turned her head upwards, placing her chin flat on his belly he let her ears escape his soft grip by themselves. 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.

"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 more difficult she made it for him. For as long as he could remember he had been torn between career and family. 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 sigh he lowered himself to a knee on the ground in front of his daughter. It decreased his height to a more equal level as he signaled her to come a little closer.

"Come here." Doing as he said, exchanging her pout for a frown, she flicked an ear, tail 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. Those could be cured at any time if they could put enough aside for the treatment. Fran was a different story.

His son was born with a rare condition that prevented his lungs from developing like they should, meaning they were already too small for his age. The doctors 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. Growth stimulation with a series of treatments in combination with gene therapy could eradicate the problem forever so he would grow up to be strong and healthy like his father.

The downside? The treatment was 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 since his birth. They had come a long way already. His advancement in rank would finally give them that final push.

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, Trynn avoided his stare. He knew what she and the other members of his family were going through. 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."