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[prologue]
In the Aldranea Galaxy, it is the summer of 2409, and the long and bloody Fourth Galactic War is finally over. And that war's heroes can finally enjoy a moment of peace. But evil never sleeps, and those who allow hate to burn inside them will eventually lash out and find away to take their revenge...
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Tales from the Galactic Wars: The Secret Within--Chapter One: A Moment's Peace
It was a day not unlike any other, as far as the temperate days go on planet Kanta. A gorgeous sunny day, and Jim Raynor was finally home. He drove a rented land speeder. A Ford. Typical of the rental companies. But that didn’t matter, because Jim was almost to his house—his home. The Raynor Estate they called it. But estate probably was a bit of an exaggeration. It was really nothing more than a mid-sized mansion, seated on the crest of one of the rolling hills outside Kantapolis, surrounded by a low stone fence that marked the 20-acre boundary. And it was truly not very different than any of the other hundreds of houses similarly located. But that didn’t matter either, because Jim was home.
Jim drove the red-and-silver flying sedan up his driveway and brought it to a park near the front door. He didn’t see either of his parents’ cars in the driveway. And the garage door was shut, but his parents never parked their cars there anyway. Jim shut off the engine and climbed out of the vehicle. He’d needed to stretch anyway.
“Well. This is it,” Jim said to his companion, Sarah Steele. The woman looked up at the house. She seemed interested, but didn’t speak. Jim fumbled for his house key, which was still shiny despite all the years of neglect. And then the door was open, and the two soldiers stepped inside. Jim kicked his shoes off and threw his stuff on the coffee table. Behind him, Sarah removed her brilliant pink and purple cloak and hung it on the coat rack
”So,” she started, “This is the famous Raynor estate. Nice.”
”Yeah,” Jim replied absently, only somewhat noticing that she didn’t seem to be nearly as impressed as most people who saw it, “But what I’m wondering is, where is everybody?”
”Beats me,” Sarah replied, still examining the architecture and furnishings.
”Is this pine she asked?
Jim walked into the kitchen. The kitchen was divided from the front parlor by a rather plain looking right wall. Directly across from the entrance was a bright blob that represented the sun coming in though the wall of windows and the fortiglass door that opened into the pool area. On Jim’s right, the hall lead to the bedrooms looked exactly as Jim recalled, save for a more faded carpet, and to the left, the living room was darkened. Dividing the cooking area from the dining area, a marble counter ran through the middle of the room, and on that counter that stayed so cluttered during Jim’s childhood, rested only a single open data pad with a simple note. Welcome home. And just then from behind, a cacophony of voices behind him--
”SURPRISE!!!” Jim turned to see is parents along with many of his old friends and their wives. Bill, Rick, Joe, Itin… and Jim was overwhelmed with emotion, something that he forgot was possible for him.
”Welcome home, Jim,” Jill Raynor said as she embraced her son. “I’m so glad your home. It seems like you’ve been gone forever.”
”Well. Eleven years is a long time, Mom,” answered Jim. “I suppose I’ve gone through a lot since then. I’m not sure I’m even the same person you remember.”
Jim’s father ignored Jim’s moment of deep thought, “Welcome home, son,” and he extended his hand. Not surprising, Jim thought. His dad was never a big fan of emotional reunions, and he didn’t really care too much for Jim’s decision to join the military in the first place. He always feared Jim would end up dead like…
”Hey Dad,” was all that Jim could muster.
And then out of the parlor, came Joe and Itin, carrying an enormous cake. One that didn’t look entirely edible, Jim observed. After a few short greetings with his old buddies, the group got Jim to sit at the head of the table in front of the enormous cake.
It had writing on it. Happy Homecoming.
And suddenly the top of the cake popped off and a familiar slender figure rose from the inside.
”Melissa!” Jim blurted as he hoisted the girl into the air out of the cake and onto the floor beside him. Though no less human than anyone else in the house, Jim was remarkably strong.
”Wow. I thought you were going to be running some errand out on Guetro!” Jim continued, now elated.
”Well, I wanted this to be a surprise,” Melissa replied. “Who is she?” Melissa asked, with more than a trace of jealousy in her voice. She had pointed to the beautiful redheaded woman across the room. Sarah. Jim had almost forgotten about her. Jim was across the room in a nanosecond.
”I would like you all to meet Sarah Steele,” Jim announced to the room. “She was… John’s wife...”
An awkward silence filled the room and Jim wished it hadn’t come up. He could already see that Sarah was upset. John had been a great friend to Jim, but he was Sarah’s husband. There was no way he could understand how she felt—how much more of a loss it was for her. But he had already told his parents the story, and that was that.
Sarah Steele was certainly upset. She didn’t like to think about John. The way he had died—how he was murdered. Disgraceful for a Seiin…for anyone. But Jim hadn’t meant to upset her, and she wasn’t mad at him. She couldn’t understand why John’s death still upset her so much. It was so long ago. Perhaps it was the way he had died.
Murdered… By a Zoine. How could her John die that way?
A sudden movement from the olive-skinned, black haired woman across the room caught Sarah’s eye. Melissa moved across the room to the electronic wardrobe on the wall. A few button-taps and a flash of light later, her ridiculous cake-girl costume was replaced by a white T-shirt and blue-jean shorts.
”I’m fine, really,” Sarah said to no one in particular. And it wasn’t really all that true, either. She decided that she needed time to be alone.
What a day. First she missed the ship that was supposed to take her to Iif, where her own space boat was docked, and then she almost broke down in front of Jim’s family.
She scanned the area for a place she could retreat to—somewhere she could go to be alone while she argued with herself about things. A back door that opened onto the pool area caught her eye and she knew she found her escape.
”Is it okay if I use your pool, Mrs., Raynor,” Sarah said to the older woman standing next to Jim. Or at least she assumed she was about 50, being Jim’s mother. She looked remarkably young for her age.
”Of course, dear,” the older woman replied, “And call me Jill. In fact, I think I might join you.”
Strange, Sarah thought. But she wasn’t going to argue. She followed Jill out to the pool area, roughly 250 square feet, Sarah estimated, the pool taking up half the space. A few quick selections on the Wardrobe, a flash, and Sarah’s jumpsuit was replaced by a red and purple one-piece swimsuit that fit remarkably well for one not being Sarah’s. Jill did the same.
“The game’s about to start!” was the last thing Sarah heard before she was submerged in chlorinated water.