STARLIGHT Book One

Prologue

"Terra Firma is going to come to an end. We need to get those craft off the ground ASAP!" Dominus Thames said. Scientists were gathering information about the species they'd created. "Where is Dr. Lambb?" he fumed. "Working on information for their created species, Sir."

"...and?" Thames asked.

"And they're rushing samples aboard, Sir."

"It was a mistake to make them. Who mixes feline DNA with human?"

"They did, Sir. At your request."

"I want a galactic super soldier not some domesticated man-cat hybrid."

"That's not what they are, Sir."

"Are you questioning me?"

"No, Sir."

"Then get that doctor and those hybrids in here."  An hour passed. For Thames it felt like two hours. Two hours became three. Three hours became... Finally experts brought in Dr. Lambb. 

"Why were you making me wait?"

"I was making you wait because I was busy prepping your soldiers, Dominus" Dr. Malcolm Lambb responded,   "They are not ready."

"It doesn't matter.  I want them aboard the crafts now."

"The only one we have ready is Legatus Castorum. He's the only soldier preprogrammed for this level of combat. He can hold back your intruders." Dr. Malcolm Lambb retorted.

"Terra Firma is done.  It's high time you get those creatures into the craft now."

"My specimens are not ready for space travel! Your military denied me further funding. They cut me off and now they've grown too fast. We need to study them more."

The Dominus scratched his head still fuming, but trying to form a proper solution. He was a strategist. He didn't like getting involved with scientists or DNA splicing, but still he needed that soldier. "How many passengers can board the vessel?" he calmly asked.

" We have a little more then what we started with besides the Legatus."

"How many?"

"There are ten."

"That's not enough.  We need more of your creations if we are to combat this invasion force."

"We tried to evolve them. They mated too soon. There were casualties, but Legatus Castorum survived. He had a son."

"Fine. Give me all of your specimens." Thames said fumming. He pointed a finger at Malcolm, turned and walked away.

The scientists rushed. They were ushering their species aboard the exploration crafts.  Humans. There weren't many and they wouldn't be able to fit them on the vessels with the hybrids. Terra Firma could no longer house humanity, hybrid or AI. Everything that could be done had been done and in the process the planet was used up. Terra Firma was no more. "Well that's all we can fit. Punch it." Dominus Thames said climbing into the cock pit. The exploration craft rocketed and launched from its pad. It entered the atmosphere and into the stratosphere. The nose of the vessel was pointed into the unknown. It took off and broke the barrier into the beyond.

****

"Find them!" a shrouded male yelled, "They can't hide for long." "There is no one here." another replied.

"They couldn't have gotten far." he responded.

"Did you forget?" the hooded man grabbed his collar and brough him close. A heated rage filled his eyes, "They're super soldiers?"

"I didn't forget."

The hooded figure let go and scratched his chin, "Just because they are hybrids doesn't stop them from hiding. Find them."

"Yes." he responded. One of them was pulling a being out of the shadows holding a knife. "Leave my people alone!" the creature shouted,  "The Vierth haven't done anything to you." 

 "We will find all of your kind. It's only inevitable." 

"I will not take part in your lies. I know who you work for." the young Vierth slit the shrouded one's throat, "I shall have my revenge." He shouted running back into the shadows.