The Endeavour in Sector H

Chapter 1

The time for a new ruler was coming. Every 10 years a trial of the ruler would commence. Even though it's primary function was to select a man capable to rule the Snajan Empire, it was also an event that would rank all men from 15 to 70 years. Citizens lived around 120 years and their prime years ended around their 75th birthday thus the Trials included men up to 70 years of age. Ranking system gave them a place in social hierarchy, wealth and ability to procreate. Higher ranking citizens could have numerous houses, ships, wives, children and slaves. The society was traditional and women's rankings depended on their father's, brother's or husband's ranking.

The ruler usually secured his position for the first time in the age span of 25 to 45 years which meant that most rulers were successful in securing the position in their second try. The youngest ruler ever was 23 years old, a prodigy child of one of the five royal families. These families so far have always produced the next ruler. There hasn't been a ruler from a commoner family in all of the Empire's history. Most of the rulers were able to win the Trials two times in the row, with some exceptions who ruled for 3 or 4 decades, and even rarer, a ruler who'd lose after his first rule and then come back in his 4th or 5th Trial.

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Lnar was bored. His tutor was going again through war history and tactics. He spent days studying it, he was more than ready for the written test. The Ruler Trial consisted of written and verbal tests, fights and survival exercises. Well, it was called an exercise but it was more of a life or death test. It took around two months to complete the trials for the ruler (and royals). Commoners were tested for a month. Their trials had the same written and verbal test but fights were limited and had no survival test.

Lnar was sure he would secure himself a high position which would confirm his family's royal status and let him keep slaves gifted to him by his father. It will also give him access to the blood of other royal families which meant strong offspring one day. He wasn't interested in getting married this year, but in 5-6 years his ranking will be crucial in finding the right match.

His father interrupted the lessons.

"Hax, give us room." The slave bowed and left immediately.

"How is your preparation going, son?"

"I'm on top of it. I will make you proud." Lnar's voice was confident. He was born to succeed.

"You seem quite relaxed about it. A lot is at stake. Your whole future." His father's words were making them nervous.

"I'm aware, father. This is my sole purpose. To succeed. To rule."

"Correct, son. This might be your first trial and you're a young adult but I still have expectations from you." Now, this was making him agitated. He stayed silent now, there was nothing more to say.

"Very well, I will leave you to your studies."

Lnar waited for his father to get out of hearing range. His fury now came to the surface, he punched the desk in front of him, making a dent into it. How dare he. Treating me as a child. I've been initiated into adulthood 2 years ago. I've killed, not just once.

Lnar called for a slave. "Tell Ada to wait for me in my chambers. I need to relax."

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Maqel left his son to meet with Sen, current ruler of the Empire. Maqel was Sen's advisor and a friend. Sen led the Empire for almost 30 years, he was one of the Rulers who'll history remember for prosperity and expansion. They had to discuss the threat discovered 3 years ago. Some of the races they traded with in their galaxy had succumbed to disease which no one has been able to stop so far. It killed to some extent the female part of the population. It varied a lot, from a mild effect to complete wipeout of women, depending on the race. The disease was difficult to trace until the person developed symptoms. One of their outskirt planets reported the first cases. So far, every female who contracted it, died. The news was brought up as a top priority. If this spread through the Empire, it could be their doom. They would do anything to thwart the path of extinction.

The Ruler decided to quarantine the planet. It will probably mean the death of the planet's population as they heavily depended on off-planet trade. It was a small price to pay. Empire consisted of more than 200 planets. They also proclaimed to partially quarantine neighboring planets. Only food and medicine could be sent to them. All starships will be closely monitored. Their routes in the previous month double-checked, all future travels have to first be cleared before taking off. Any suspicious traveler or crew member will go into quarantine, whether she shows symptoms or not. There was also a problem that for some races men were carriers and they weren't sure if it was the case for Snajans. The main priority was to contain the disease in the outer rim of the Empire. They called it Pink Death as pink was the color associated to the female sex. Second, they will have to learn more about the disease. A team of leading scientists will go to quarantined planets to research and potentially find a cure. The Ruler was aware that it was far-fetched as races with better medical knowledge didn't succeed. Still, they had to know how it affects their women and if there's a chance of recovery. So far the news brought only despair. Scientists were on a mission of discovery and hope. His third action would be to have a plan if everything fails and they lose all their women. Can they mix with some other race or maybe resurrect their own women when they're sure the Pink Death isn't among them anymore? Questions to answer in upcoming weeks.