Andromeda Read online

  The Wilson Chronicles

  Book 4:

  Andromeda

  Glenn Jackson

  Published by:

  Light Switch Press

  PO Box 272847

  Fort Collins, CO 80527

  Copyright © 2019 Glenn Jackson

  ISBN: 978-1-949563-74-0

  Printed in the United States of America

  Federation to Empire, is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  The views expressed in this book are not necessarily those of the publisher.

  By Glenn Jackson

  Novels

  The Wilson Chronicles:

  Book 1: Unlimited Possibility

  Book 2: Lightspeed!

  Book 3: Federation to Empire

  The Siege at Azulon

  Leadership Development:

  Growing Leadership, Managing Developmental Chaos

  Principled Leadership, A Balancing Act for a Lifetime

  Political Perspective:

  Surviving the Radicalization of America

  Glenn Jackson

  Andromeda

  A Novel

  Dedication

  The Wilson Chronicles series is dedicated to faith and belief.

  “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

  No one comes to the Father except through me.”

  … Jesus Christ

  Andromeda

  55.302.10

  “What is that you say?”

  The Marchioness said again, “Sire, we have discovered an island far to the southwest of here that is filled with fruit, forests and wild beasts. We only stayed a week before we needed to return.” She leaned closer towards the king and said, “But Sire, it is a land flowing with milk and honey and does not appear to have any inhabitants.”

  King Solon walked over to the window in the small private chamber behind the palace throne room and stared out into the bright sunny blue-sky day. “We have all believed we would one day find other islands in this endless sea. I have dreamed of meeting other people and experiencing other cultures. And now, at last, we have found another island.”

  Turning from the window, he said to the marchioness, “Come, we have much to do.” He strode from the chamber into the throne room, there to find his assembled court.

  When the king entered the room, all of the Lords and Ladies rose from their chairs and bowed as he made his way to the throne. Once there, Solon turned and took a moment to search the eyes of the assembled court. Then he said, “My friends, as soon as the war ended, we began sending our navy to seek out new islands and people in this never-ending sea. Our hope was to prevent another surprise attack on our people.”

  He paused a moment, and said, “I have hoped to one day prove, once and for all, that we are indeed either all alone or not alone.”

  The king turned and sat on the throne, looking down. Then as he raised his head and looked at the court, he said, “Today, the search picks up its pace, because today I can announce that we have found a new island!” He smiled broadly, and the excitement filtered through everyone in the room.

  His sister, Princess Kare, exclaimed, “Your Majesty, that is the most exciting news ever! When can we go see this new place? Are there any people there? What are they like? How far away is it?” She was simply overwhelmed with the idea.

  Solon laughed, and said, “Kare, slow down.” Turning to Marchioness Tabitha of Flintholm, he said, “Tabitha, please speak freely and tell us everything you know about this discovery.”

  The marchioness, who was standing to Solon’s left, said, “Yes, Sire.” She then began her tale. “We sailed further and further over the past many months. We traveled outwards two weeks, then three weeks and a month. Finally, we went to our furthest distance southwest in our current ships, six weeks out.” She looked askance towards the king and said, “Until we can build bigger ships, Sire,” and chuckled.

  Solon also chuckled, and said, “I know, and we will probably need to build bigger ships because of this discovery, but for now, please continue with the story.”

  The marchioness looked around the room, which was filled with armor, banners, and portraits of Kings and Queens gone by, and began walking back and forth, saying, “We began our search sailing with the major star directly to our left. Slowly, we sailed further and further right of it. On this last journey, we sailed with the major star to our right-rear and continued until we were very nearly half out of our stores.”

  “We noticed the temperatures had warmed up and the water had changed color, becoming a clear blue. Just before we had to turn for home, we spotted a speck in the southwest horizon, so we continued. As we sailed closer, the speck became a peak, which became a mountain and then a mountain range, then the mountains became forests. Finally, we saw the shore line, white sand beyond blue water.”

  Everyone in the room was captivated by this story, not least the Princess and the King. Prince Edric, Kare’s husband, was also captivated by the story and listened intently.

  Tabitha continued, “We dropped anchor in a small bay, and I went ashore with five men. The water was warm, and the sky was blue, and there were birds in the trees with colors and shapes we had never seen before. We saw wild boar running through the forests! We found fruit like we have never seen before on trees, hanging there waiting for the taking! We tasted them and it was pure honey and sweetness, with a tangy delicious flavor.”

  Tabitha paused, and looking at the King, said, “It is paradise, Sire.”

  King Solon Said, “Tell me again of the people you met there, Tabitha.”

  She said, “We did not meet anyone, sire. We left the bay after filling our ship with food and sailed north for four days, but we never saw anything that would provide us information about any people on the island; no smoke, no ships, no settlements. It appears to be uninhabited.”

  The King said, “Thank you, Tabitha.” Turning to his court, he said, “I have not had much time to think about this yet. But the thought occurs to me that we should take an expedition to this island and perhaps establish a settlement from which to explore. The question is, who among you would want to come with me on such a dangerous quest?”

  The council chamber exploded with “I’ll Go” and “Take me, Sire” and other loud and excited offerings to be in on the first expedition. The king laughed, and everyone seemed to be genuinely excited about the prospect. Finally, he said, “Edric, Kare, Helen, William and the commanders of the Navy and Army will join me for council in a week. We will discuss and decide our next steps. In the meantime, let’s spread the word and the excitement that we have found a new island that we can explore.”

  55.312.08

  They sailed with the wind. Marchioness Tabitha, the Commander of the Navy, led the way. There were five ships in total, all well provisioned for the journey.

  “Can you feel the warmth?”

  “Yes, I love it. All this time we have spent in the cold. Maybe this will finally be a place we can live where the sun truly warms our souls!”

  “Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. But it would be nice not to be cold.”

  “LAND HO!!”

  They all gazed and began to see the tops of the
mountains. It took a while, but they eventually reached the small bay where Tabitha had landed on the first visit.

  “We will anchor the ships here in this protected bay. While we have not seen anyone, that does not mean no one is here. Tabitha, I want you to remain with the ships and keep watch. Should anything arise, I expect you to deal with it and send word to us.”

  “Yes, Sire.”

  “The rest of us will go ashore and establish a camp. We will only take forty soldiers; the remainder will stay here protected from surprises. Tomorrow morning, we will begin our exploration.”

  They spent the day moving necessary stores onto shore and building several tents for their use. Then the next morning, Solon departed with a group of twenty soldiers. His plan was to move directly inland towards the mountains to get to higher ground and see if there were any indications of people.

  “Edric, you are in charge until I return. I plan to return within a week. See you soon!”

  Solon led his party inland from the beach, directly into the jungle. The remainder explored their local area. Edric and Kare wandered east along the shore until they discovered a beautiful secluded cove. It was protected from observers, surrounded by beautiful trees that held various fruit, and flowers of so many vibrant colors. Surrounding all was a wall of dense, thick jungle. The water was a gorgeous blue/green, with a waterfall feeding cool fresh water into it.

  “Edric, this lovely.”

  “Yes, it rivals our hot springs back home.”

  “Beautiful. The clear blue water, all the colors of the flowers; this must be paradise.”

  Kare stood in the shadow of a tree and, looking to make sure no one had followed them, took off her clothes. Edric was amazed she did this and watched as she jumped into the water. “Come on! It’s wonderful!”

  He laughed, and seeing they were well protected from view, decided to follow his wife, so disrobed and jumped in as well. He could stand on the bottom. Kare swam to him and wrapped her arms around him and gave him a very deep and passionate kiss. They stayed that way for some time, gently moving in the water, feeling their passion and urgency grow, enjoying the motion of the water and themselves. Finally, after some time, they released their passion and held each other, ending with a deeper, longer kiss.

  After some time, Kare said, “Well, my husband, I see you like warm weather and warm water.”

  He laughed, saying, “Well, my lovely wife, I see you seem to be energized to a higher level also.”

  He let her go and they swam around the cove, enjoying the various plants and rocks. They stopped for a little while under the waterfall, which was cool but not cold, then went over and rested on some rocks. While they were there, Helen walked to where they had jumped in, and seeing them in the water, undressed and jumped into the water as well. She swam over to where they were sitting.

  “Well, you two, if you are completed with your romantic activity, maybe we can explore this place?”

  They all laughed. “Yes, well, it’s a nature thing, sorry.”

  “Oh my, no need to apologize. If I was here with my lover, I would do the same thing. This place is intoxicatingly beautiful.”

  “Yes, it is. It is strange that there would not be any people on such a wonderful island.”

  “Yes, I agree. But maybe we are all there are?”

  “Maybe, but it just doesn’t feel right.”

  “I do hope Solon returns on time tomorrow.”

  “Feeling some jitters, dear?”

  “Yes. I have an unexpected intuition that there is more going on than we see or know.”

  “Well, all we can do is wait for tomorrow. I suppose we should head back to camp.”

  55.320.09

  The next day they anxiously waited, but there was no sign of Solon.

  In the evening, Edric said, “Alright, we have a decision to make.”

  “What do you propose?”

  “I propose to follow in Solon’s tracks and find him.”

  “We agree, and we are coming with you.”

  “Kare, I know he is your brother, but should we risk everyone to find him? Let me go with some soldiers first. If I do not return, then you are free to do as you will. But I think you should give me the opportunity to find him before you and Helen are put in danger.”

  Kare and Helen looked at each other, then nodded okay. “Alright, but you better be vigilant and protect yourself on this journey. We will give you a week. After that, we are following.”

  The next morning, Edric departed with ten soldiers, following the path King Solon took on his expedition. The trail was easy to follow. They went through thick jungle and vines, saw snakes and other animals they avoided. It was slow going even for them, and they were not having to cut through as Solon had done. Suddenly, they came upon a trail.

  “This is odd. This trail has been used regularly, not simply a trail cut by the King.”

  “Yes, and it appears well used.”

  “We are not alone. Be on your guard.”

  They continued along the path, finding that it held crossings for creeks and even a bridge for a river. They followed the path for days.

  On the fourth day, knowing they had to either turn back or have the ladies follow, they rounded a corner when hordes of people descended upon them. They came out of the jungle from all sides, they came from the tree tops, they simply appeared from all directions simultaneously with arrows drown, spears ready, and swords in hand. Their leader said, “Drop your weapons and surrender, or you all die.”

  Edric had no choice. To refuse to surrender at this point meant instant death for all of them. “Drop your weapons. We surrender.”

  The warriors collected their weapons and marched them up the trail.

  55.321.11

  Kare and Helen spent the first day after Edric departed talking with the Bishops.

  “Bishop Joshua, you know this is a task we must complete. Now, we have both our leaders missing, so we must follow.”

  “Yes, I agree, but how many do we send on this mission before we determine we must stop and send for an army?”

  “Perhaps we need to think of this differently. The King and Prince are gone, even if the Prince only departed yesterday. We should assume they are captured. How then do we proceed? I propose we five follow them, in their path, quietly, and see where this trail leads. We can inform Marchioness Tabitha that we are following, and that if we do not return, she is to return home and bring the entire army for a siege.”

  “I agree.”

  “Then let us depart tomorrow at first light.”

  The next morning, the five companions departed following the path of the King and the Prince. They came to the well-used path and turned to follow. These five were very quiet, moving as quietly as the breeze in the trees. After a while, they came upon some warriors of the people who lived on this island, but the warriors did not see or hear them.

  “We have stopped them. They will not be able to take our island.”

  “Yes, but who are they?”

  “I do not know, but the High Laster will get it from them.”

  “Oh yes, once he puts the Tolnet up to their brain they will talk.”

  “Yes, and they will say more than they thought!”

  The warriors laughed at the idea.

  The five of them melted into the jungle and moved quietly to a small clearing and spoke in whispers to discuss this new turn of events.

  “Then they are captured.”

  “Yes, and now we must find them before they are tortured.”

  “Someone should sound the alarm and call reinforcements.”

  Kare then said, “I agree. Helen and I, along with Samantha and Joshua, will continue on this quest. Thomas, we need you to return to Tabitha and inform her what has happened. Let her know that it appears our path is taking us to the far side of
the island, so she should move her ships around the island until she finds some evidence of this civilization. Then do as she needs to try and help us.”

  “Very well, I will do that. Godspeed.”

  With that, Thomas left and began his journey to the shore. The remaining four made their way back to the path at a position past the warriors and continued on the journey.

  55.323.16

  Solon and Edric were tied up sitting on the dirt inside a long thatch roofed building with their men. Two knights and thirty soldiers, captured as if they didn’t have weapons. The conditions were pretty bad, but at least they were out of the blistering sun and did receive water.

  “A right pair we are.”

  “Yes, I am still surprised they captured both of us.”

  “Me as well. I think it was so many of them from so many directions simultaneously that did it.”

  “I agree. It’s one thing to have them attack from front and rear or the sides, but from all directions simultaneously and with the ones with arrows coming down from the trees, that was too much.”

  “Yes. Well, this is the first time we have been in the woods where the trees were so thick and covered the sky.”

  “What do you suppose they will do to us?”

  Solon thought a moment, then said, “Well, I expect they will put us on display, torture us probably, and then likely kill us for trespassing.”

  “I suppose you are right, although it would be a sad ending for what would otherwise be a wonderful life.”

  After a few minutes, Edric added, “I just hope Kare and Helen decided to sound the alarm, get reinforcements and not follow us.”

  “Me too, but if I know my sister, she would have sent someone else for those reinforcements and would be in the middle of the jungle right now searching for us.”