Empire of Mars

Stephen Darnell

Description

On Mars, some 65 million years ago, two civilisations live uneasily side by side. When a good friend of antagonist Aka-des is conscripted into the service of the god-Emperor, he has no option but to try and find him, unearthing unimaginable horrors at the seat of imperial power in the process.Outside the Martian city the insectoid Antis, imperilled by the continued expansion of the humanoid Martians into their tribal lands, have to make a choice. Can war between the two races be averted, and can Aka-des prove to a disbelieving world what is really happening in their name?Meanwhile, in the near future, explorers from Earth make startling discoveries on the Red Planet, which provide a link with its distant past. What they uncover will change people's view of Mars forever, and pose a growing threat to the mission and the lives of the isolated band of pioneers themselves.

Sujets

• Science fiction

Informations

• Publié par: Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd
• Date de parution: 06 janvier 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781398477728
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

E mpire of M ars
Stephen Darnell
Austin Macauley Publishers
2023-01-06
Empire of Mars About the Author Dedication Copyright Information © Chapter 1: Preparations Chapter 2: Outside Chapter 3: Mars, the Abode of Life Chapter 4: Project MARS Chapter 5: Arrival Chapter 6: Emperor’s Day Parade Chapter 7: Stowaway Chapter 8: The Landing Chapter 9: Tellas Settlement Chapter 10: The Tablets of Skothath Chapter 11: Lunch with Rel-do Chapter 12: First Day on Mars Chapter 13: The Fifth Tablet Chapter 14: Inside the Palace Chapter 15: The Antis Chapter 16: The Secret Chapter 17: Revelations Chapter 18: The Message Chapter 19: The Crew Chapter 20: Meeting with Sep-lee Chapter 21: Exploration Chapter 22: Betrayal Chapter 23: The Satellite Chapter 24: New Discovery Chapter 25: Birthday Celebrations Chapter 26: The Spider and the Fly Chapter 27: Ghosts of Mars Chapter 28: The Command Chapter 29: Attack Chapter 30: The Advance Chapter 31: At War Chapter 32: Freedom Epilogue
About the Author
Steve lives in rural Oxfordshire with his wife, Sarah, and golden retriever, Evie. Being awarded a fifteen-yards swimming certificate at age nine and a prize book token for writing an essay about the Sun at secondary school were life-changing moments. These achievements led to a degree in Maths and Astronomy, and a fulfilling career in teaching and lecturing.
Steve has had a lifelong passion for all things space-related and has thoroughly enjoyed writing his first novel Empire of Mars . He is currently working on the sequel.
Dedication
To Sarah and Evie
Copyright Information ©
Stephen Darnell 2023
The right of Stephen Darnell to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.
Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.
ISBN 9781398477711 (Paperback)
ISBN 9781398477728 (ePub e-book)
www.austinmacauley.com
First Published 2023
Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd ®
1 Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5AA
When it comes to controlling human beings there is no better instrument than lies. Because, you see, humans live by beliefs. And beliefs can be manipulated. The power to manipulate beliefs is the only thing that counts.
Michael Ende, The Neverending Story
Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.
Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince
Since mankind’s dawn, a handful of oppressors have accepted the responsibility over our lives that we should have accepted for ourselves. By doing so, they took our power. By doing nothing, we gave it away. We’ve seen where their way leads, through camps and wars, towards the slaughterhouse.
Alan Moore, V for Vendetta
Chapter 1 Preparations
Aka-mas stood up to address the House of Elders.
‘But we have evidence,’ he said, clearly exasperated by his lack of progress. ‘Our probes have indicated that there is life on Earth. Not intelligent life, granted, but life nonetheless. We should tell the public now. We are not alone in the universe.’
He sat down to await the response.
The five elders sat in a row on a platform adorned with the imperial symbol, a golden circle with five “rays of light” emanating from the centre. They were all dressed in their pure white robes of office, with the same symbol emblazoned on the left shoulder. El-bas, the chief elder, turned to his colleagues. They all nodded their agreement.
‘There is no real proof,’ he began, crossing his slender fingers as if in prayer. ‘Our probes have indicated conditions might be suitable for primitive life forms, but that is all.’
‘But that’s not true,’ Aka-mas blurted. ‘We know that vegetation exists, as do seas. We have evidence that life forms exist in the seas and—’
‘The emperor believes we should not be too hasty in making unnecessary announcements to the public,’ El-bas interjected. ‘It is quite likely that some mechanical malfunction in the probes has led to incorrect readings being taken. We need further corroboration before we inform the public.’
He stared at Aka-mas and his voice hardened.
‘There will be no announcements at present. Is that understood? The emperor forbids it.’
With that, the five elders stood up. Aka-mas and the other scientists present did the same. The meeting was over.
‘Why are they so against a public announcement?’ Aka-mas pondered as he turned to fellow scientist and friend Am-ral.
‘They don’t want the competition,’ his colleague replied. ‘The emperor is supposed to be a god, and we are created in his divine image. Mars is unique as an abode of intelligent life, or so the story goes. If word gets out that the universe is teeming with life, we lose our unique position; and more to the point, so does the emperor.’
‘You’re right, I suppose,’ said Aka-mas gloomily. ‘But it’s ridiculous in our day and age. Here we are, an advanced technological civilisation, sending space probes to explore our celestial neighbours, and at the same time believing that our emperor is an omnipotent god. It’s just wrong.’
‘Don’t let anyone else hear you say that,’ Am-ral warned. ‘You could get into real trouble. The emperor’s lackeys are everywhere.’
As they walked out into the street, the group of scientists dispersed. Aka-mas continued on his way home. In two days’ time it would be Emperor’s Day, and everywhere the imperial symbol fluttered from flagpoles and the balconies of buildings great and small.
The streets were already being cleaned in readiness for the great procession, when thousands would line the route as the Imperial Guard escorted the god emperor on his way from the palace to the House of Elders, where the annual address would take place.
Of course, no one would actually see the emperor. He would be cocooned in his imperial orb, which would hover above the ground as it made its way to the House. Citizens would hear the words of the emperor, but he was never seen by mere mortals.
It was said that he was handsome beyond belief. A perfect specimen of Martian manhood. But he was a god, after all. It was good enough just to hear his words of wisdom, marvel at the brilliance of the orb, wave a flag and cheer. Nothing else was expected, or encouraged.
Aka-mas felt downhearted. How could people be so gullible? What had the emperor ever done for the Martian people? He gave out orders which were obeyed without question, and he made the odd “appearance” such as at the Emperor’s Day parade. That was all. Martians are an intelligent race, taking their first steps into space. Why should they still adhere to the preposterous notion that their leader was a god? Why had no one ever seen him? Surely things would have to change , he reasoned.
But, as Aka-mas looked around him, he wasn’t so sure. People really seemed to enjoy the preparations for Emperor’s Day. They liked the party atmosphere, the flag waving and the cheering. Admittedly, a day off work was not to be sniffed at, but it was more than that. Emperor worship was a religion. It was accepted as being natural, as it always had been. Perhaps people really aren’t bothered by the lack of political freedom after all , mused Aka-mas. Perhaps they are happy being treated like children, with no say about their future, or being told what to do and what to think, with no chance of voting their political masters out of office. People are generally content with their lot, and contented people don’t normally cause trouble.
As Aka-mas walked into his house, he was greeted by his wife who was arranging flowers in a large vase.
‘It’s for the Emperor’s Day Eve party,’ she announced. ‘I’ve invited some of our friends and neighbours around. You don’t mind, do you?’
‘Why do you want to celebrate Emperor’s Day?’ asked her husband.
‘You know that I don’t approve of all this fawning of the emperor. He’s just a man, you know.’
‘You do talk rubbish.’ Mrs Aka-mas laughed. ‘We always celebrate Emperor’s Day. It’s a tradition, as you well know. Everyone is so excited. It’ll be such fun.’
She continued to arrange her flowers, humming to herself contentedly, and ignoring the complaints of her husband.
Aka-mas gave up. It was no use berating his wife for her beliefs. It was he who was in the distinct minority, not her. He would no doubt go through with the charade of the festivities, just to keep her happy. One day things will change , he thought to himself, but not yet .
He turned to the communications console to hear the latest news. Plenty of items about the forthcoming Emperor’s Day festivities. Interviews with smiling, excited individuals eulogising about the greatness of the emperor and of his love for his people. People reminiscing about past parades and holding images of the imperial orb. Of course , thought Aka-mas, no one will be holding an image of the emperor himself .
Then, a brief item about a skirmish at the city gates. Apparently, a group of Antis, large insect-like creatures who roamed the plains surrounding the city, had tried to break in. Nothing serious; it happened all the time. One of the Antis was killed and the others escaped. Hardly news, really.
Fed up with the incessant news coverage of the great emperor – someone was now giving a detailed summary of his great and holy actions of the last year, including curing a small boy of a fatal d