Tales from the Empire
Episode 1: The Omen
August 14, 1997

Legends are stories that people pass down from one generation to another. It may be about great warriors, fighters or just ordinary people faced with uncontrollable circumstances.

The planet Callos had a legend known as Starchild. It was a story of a great person who was a warrior, a peacemaker and a distinguished one among many. The name was to both respected, and feared. For many centuries, scientists have been trying to find out where the child would be born. The legend itself was written in an old language that has longed since vanished.

The only sign that remains of the original legend is on a place called The Sands of Time. Here a large tablet is guarded by a group of wise men called The Order of the Wizards. Their duty is to protect the legend from harm, especially those who would seize the opportunity to use it to their advantage.

Especially the Mesmolites ruled by Malcolm Dexter. He would use the legend to destroy his enemies. That was exactly what the Order was trying to prevent. The only problem was where was the child, and was he alive? They better be quick before the last wizard dies.

Kero loved the nighttime sky. The sun was setting eastward and giving in to the cool breezes of the night. Watching the sun set in the horizon, Kero felt great to be alive. Here he was living on his family's farm built over 100 years ago. His father was one, and so was grandpa. Kero did not feel the same. Sure he loved the farm. Taking care of the animals, tending to their needs.

Yet, Kero wanted to be a fighter, just like the rest of his school pals. This was the last year of high school. Kero was proud that school was almost over with. But he wasn't sure what the future had in store. He loved his small town, yet yearned for the big city. Here was where the action was. The fighters from the distant wars around the galaxy.

His father, Daniel, was not a rich man by any fashion, yet lived a simple and humble life. "God has been good to us" was his favorite saying. He still wondered if that was true. This year a drought hit the people of Callos hard. The land was too dry to cultivate, and unfortunately, most of the animals died.

But there was always next spring. Then there be food for everyone, Kero thought.

He was almost finished with his chores when his father came rushing over to him. "Help me, Kero. Dusty' has gone crazy again." My father said.
I dropped my gear and headed to the barn. Dusty was a stallion my father had brought several years ago at an auction. She had grace and power, but now was old and her mind was failing.

As I turned the corner and entered the barn, I could see Dusty was in the last stall in the barn. She was screaming, and jumping up and down. She was not in the mood to get calm soon. I knew I had to do something.

"Father, let me calm her down." I asked my dad.

"She's too stubborn to listen. Get out of here. I don't want you to get hurt." My father said, struggling to hold on to her reigns. It was a losing battle. The sweat was dripping off my father's head. All of his strength was being used to control her, but she was overpowering him.

Suddenly, the horse jerked upward, throwing my father to the ground. She ran to the edge of her pen, stood up on her hind legs, and was about the stomp my dad. Fear filled his eyes. Just the thought of seeing him harmed by the animal he loved so dearly would hurt me to my dying days.

She was a proud horse, and was everything to me. How could the horse turn against me? She was the plug to fill my void. After my wife died, I brought Dusty. She was a great stallion who would keep the farm going. But now that was a far dream.

I lifted up my hand, and communicated with her through her mind. It was a trick I did a few years ago on smaller animals. It worked then, but was unsure if it would work now.

I concentrated as hard as I could. Dusty, don't hurt him. I'm here to help you. Just let me be your friend. That was all I needed to say. Bessie backed up and was her old self. I could see my father was on the floor shaken and still scared.

"How did you do that? I thought I was a goner, for sure." My father said, trying to relax. Picking himself off the ground, and trying regain composure.

"I don't know dad. I just came naturally to me. I did it a few years ago on a chicken and a pig. It had the same effect."

"Are you sure? That doesn't seem naturally to me. Boy, you sure are different. I always told Martha so. God bless her soul."

I remembered that Dr. Lightspeed was making his rounds today. He was the town's veterinarian. I made a mental note about calling him about Dusty. Dr. Lightspeed was a young doctor just out of medical school a few years ago. He went in the business just for fun. Now I believe it was because Michelle was in love with him. That is Dr. Michelle Michaels. She was the town's people doctor, but also doubled as a veterinarian. Both were in love, but she never mentioned marriage. It might have been about sincere honesty, and quietness.

Dr. Lightspeed arrived two hours later. "Sorry for the delay. Mr. Johnson's cow was having babies. You know how those darn animals work."

Dr. Lightspeed proceeded in the direction of the barn. The barn was as old as the farm; in need of repair. Many of the roof tiles have come off, revealing sunlight where they once were. Most of the stables were empty except for 2 animals: Dusty, one pig and a chicken. The others were dead, due to the drought. Some of the stables were fixed up; some were not due to the holes in the roof. My father figured he would fix it some day, but not this year.