Runeguard Prologue

A Note from Tom:

No doubt many of you are surprised to see another post today, and one not from the Grand Game! This chapter and the ones I will be posting over the next few weeks is from a story titled: Proving Grounds, Annals of the Runeguard Book 1.

I actually wrote it almost four years ago before even starting the Grand Game, and since then, it's been languishing untouched in my archives. This month I dusted it off and decided to put it on pre-order. Who knows, maybe it will find an audience :)

If you read it, you will undoubtedly notice some striking similarities between it and the Grand Game. On the other hand, there are also some stark differences too. The one that struck me the most after reading it anew for the first time in 4 years was how I handled battles in the Proving Grounds. Its not nearly as detailed as in the Grand Game. Some may like that, others will not.

Anyway, if you give it a read, please share your thoughts!

And yes, it's on pre-order on Amazon and scheduled for release on 1 December 2024. If you prefer to read it as an ebook, you can pre-order it there at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNMBY27Q

Happy reading!

Tom

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Prologue

“Suzerain, we have reached the alien planet.”

Al-Takor, supreme commander of the Simian 52nd Fleet, opened his eyes and turned a languid gaze upon his subordinate. “What’s our status, Captain?” 

“We are in stable orbit around the planet Earth. The rest of the fleet is inbound.”

Al-Takor’s feral eyes narrowed. “Why have we approached so close? I gave explicit orders for us to stay hidden.”

“We remain undetected, Suzerain.”

“While in orbit?” Al-Takor asked disbelievingly. “Did the scout force not classify this world a class A threat?”

The captain smoothened his whiskers and shifted uncomfortably. “They did, Suzerain, but the threat rating is based more on the planet’s potential rather than its present state of advancement.

“The natives of this world are a bipedal apelike species that call themselves humans. While your Highness has been in hibernation, we’ve been observing the creatures. The humans’ technology is still primitive, yet their rate of advance is rapid. The science team thinks they will achieve true space flight in fifty years, maybe less.”

Al-Takor’s ears flicked up in surprise. “So soon?” 

The captain bobbed his head. “That is not all, Highness. The natives’ magic potential is beyond anything we have encountered before. As a species they have yet to unlock the magical sciences, but when they do…”

Al-Takor combed through the soft golden fur covering his face with one clawed hand. “You concur with the scouts’ assessment then, Captain?”

“Yes, Suzerain. The humans are a grave threat. They must be wiped out.”

“Send me your report—and the scouts’ too. This species interests me. I will review the data personally.”

The captain’s eyelids fluttered as he beamed the information directly to the Suzerain’s data core. “Done, Highness.”

Al-Takor waved his hand, acknowledging receipt of the data as his own eyes rolled up. His focus turned inward, the Suzerain scrolled through the reports. “There are so many of them,” he murmured.

“They are a fecund species,” the captain agreed.

A moment later, Al-Takor’s eyes refocused on his subordinate. “We will not destroy the humans.”

The captain’s eyes widened. “Why not?”

“Why?” Al-Takor said, choosing to ignore the impertinence behind the question. “Have you forgotten the Telsch already? Our worlds are dying, Captain. Our empire—crumbling. The humans are dangerous, yes. But they also may be the key to winning the war we find ourselves in. Initiate Project Proving Grounds.”

The captain stared at the suzerain in disbelief. “Are you sure, Highness?” he asked. “Don’t we need the emperor’s approval? The Proving Grounds will accelerate the humans’ development, perhaps beyond our ability to control. If we—” 

Al-Takor hissed in displeasure. “Be careful, Captain. You walk a dangerous path. Try me further with this insolence and you will not live to regret it.”

The captain bowed abjectly.

Al-Takor studied the other simian’s quivering body for a moment. Satisfied his subordinate had been suitably quelled, he deigned to explain further, “You are correct, Captain. Using the Proving Grounds is a risk, but the emperor has tasked me with finding a solution.” He fixed his subordinate with a stern gaze. “We have to win the war, Captain—by any means necessary. It is why the emperor granted me access to the Proving Grounds. And it is why we rove this forsaken rim of the galaxy.”

The captain swallowed. “I was not aware, Highness.”

“The humans may not be what we came here looking for,” Al-Takor continued, “but we cannot ignore their potential. They will make for an excellent candidate species. The Project will realize their potential, but never fear, it will also kill off many of them. I doubt more than one in ten will survive. But those that do… they will serve us well. Now, enough with your questions, do as I ask.”

“Yes, Suzerain.” The captain bowed low again. “It will be as you command.”