Fantasy/Sci-Fi Author Dawn Ross

The Kavakian Empire
A Space Opera by Dawn Ross
Part One – First Encounter
Rough Draft of Chapter 20a

(If you haven’t read any of the other chapters yet, you can find Chapter 1 of “The Kavakian Empire” in the right hand column. Click and then scroll down. You can also find Chapter 1 in August 2014 under Archives in the right hand column.)

Jori awoke abruptly from a sound sleep. His training kicked in and he immediately surveyed his surroundings for a threat. The room wasn’t entirely dark, so he could tell J.T. was asleep in his bed.

There were a few black shadows that Jori couldn’t see into, but he sensed nothing lurking in the darkness.

One of the security officers in the anteroom poked his head around the corner. “You all right?” he asked.

“I’m fine,” Jori replied.

But something had woken him up. It wasn’t these officers. Jori could sense no mal intent from either of them. Maybe a bad dream? he thought. Dreams could be fleeting, but surely he’d still have a lingering glimpse. There was nothing, though, but the feeling that he was missing something important.

After a few moments of making sure there was no threat, Jori lay back down and closed his eyes. As he began to drift into sleep he felt a whisper of sorts in his thoughts. “Terk!” he yelled as he sat up suddenly.

Before the guards could react, Jori was up out of bed and headed for the door.

“Hey,” one of the security officers said. “Where are you going?”

“To see my brother,” Jori replied.

“Hold on!” the officer said. Jori kept going and went right out of the room. He didn’t get far, though. The officer named Calloway had been guarding right outside the door and grabbed Jori’s arm before he got too far.

Jori jerked his arm away and stopped to give Calloway his most venomous glare.

“Where in the hell do you think you’re going?” Calloway challenged.

“To see my brother,” Jori replied heatedly.

“No you don’t,” Calloway said. “You’re staying right here.”

“I dare you to try and stop me,” Jori warned. As much as Jori wanted to rush to his brother’s side, a part of him had been looking forward to butting heads with Calloway.

“Oh, please,” Calloway replied, “give me a reason. I’d love to throw your little royal ass in the brig.”

Jori’s face grew hot with anger. “Not only do you lack the skill, you insignificant minion, you also lack the authority.”

“Oh, yeah?” Calloway said angrily. “I’ll kick your little ass, then tell the commander I had no choice because you attacked me.”

Jori scoffed. “Besides the fact that you’ll be laid out before you can so much as raise your hand to me, there is another problem with your plan.”

“And what’s that? You think . . . ”

“These other officers here don’t like you well enough to lie for you,” Jori interrupted.

“They won’t stand up for a spoiled Tredon prince either.”

“I don’t need them to stand up for me. But they will report the truth of this incident. And the truth is that I have every right to go see my brother whenever I wish.”

Calloway’s face darkened. Jori could tell by his clenched jaw and tightened fists that he was thinking about following through with his threats. Jori glared at him intently, ready to defend himself if Calloway moved.

But Calloway eventually stepped back. “Fine, you friggin brat.”

“That’s what I thought,” Jori replied with disdain. With that, he promptly turned about and headed towards sick bay.

The guards followed, but they made no move to stop him. Calloway whispered some negative comments just loud enough for Jori to hear, but Jori ignored him. He would deal with Calloway some other time. His brother was much more important.

(This sci-fi story is protected by copyright) Copyright April, 2015 by Dawn Ross