Tales from the Empire
Operation: Dark Skies
By Robert C. Moore
January 8, 1997

Episode 1:
The Omen
Stardate: Unknown

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 its own legend known as the Starchild. He (or she) was to be gifted with amazing powers. He would be able to predict the future, become a great warrior and lead his people to victory over the Mesmolites, the evil rulers of the galaxy.

It is believed that he was born from a virgin. It is also believed that he might be living in one of the small district cities on Callos, the city called New Hope, located 10 miles from the main city of Calons.

For many years, Kero lived his life on a farm. Being a farmer, you tend to the land, take care of the animals, and make sure that work gets done. But what makes Kero different than the other was his gifts. One story says that a horse had fallen. She broke her leg, and the doctors feared that the animal would have to be destroyed. Kero heals the leg, and she is as good as new. At first, the towns people could not believe what they were hearing. Some were not sure if the story was indeed true. Others called it a gift from God.

But that is not the end of the story. Soon a doctor in Calons, Dr. Michaels, got wind of it. He send for a team of specialists to examine the boy and bring back their findings. The results were astounding. His IQ was way over 300, mental knowledge way beyond mere mortals, and he saw a future. Not a future of happiness and golden sunshine, but rather of war and death.

Dr. Lightspeed, a expert in mental tests, pulled Kero's parents, Dan & Laura, aside during one of the tests, and explained to them his findings.

"I see that your boy is extremely gifted." Dr. Lightspeed was trying to be flatting.

" I know that you mean well." Dan Topa explained. "But you see, we are poor folk.We hardly have enough to keep us going. These last few years have been hard on us."

"I believe that your boy may not normal." The Dr. paused for a second. "What I mean is that your boy could be the Starchild."

"A what??"

"A Starchild. The Anointed One. He is extremely intelligent, but he is beyond what you would call a prodigy. The Starchild is like a prodigy, except for one thing. But I can't tell you what it is?"

"Why not?" Asked Laura. They had the look of death on their faces.

"You see, that part of legend, is lost. Somewhere down the line, that part has been mistranslated. Now no one knows what it is."

"You what us to sit around until it happens?" Dan was upset and extremely furious.

"Dan, we are going to send you home today. I will talk with my boss. He'll talk to the king. As far as I'm concerned, this is a open-and-shut case."

When the team returned home, Dr. Michaels had to warn the king. But his warning was futile.

"Let me get this right," said King Dora, "you say that the boy is gifted, intelligent, and able to see the future. What I don't get is why is he seeing doom?" The king was more puzzled now than before.

"There is no test that can prove that his vision is correct," explained Dr. Michaels. "You even said it yourself. The prophets could not agree when the Starchild would be born." The Dr. was trying to drive home his point. "If he is the Starchild, we should do something now before..."

"Before what happens?" The king rudely interrupted.

"Before they come looking for him!!!" The Dr. shouted.

All was silent. They both knew that the Mesmolites would love to have him on their side. But what should they do?

TO BE CONTINUED...