TO
BE A STARLORD
By Playsprite
I came here alone,
looking for a new life. I had heard of Unisix, as a child the stories
were told throughout my father's realm. Nobles would come and go,
but always the talk was of The Great Game, they questioned the realities
of the game. Many did not believe Uni-six existed, I always hoped
it did.
As a child I didn't understand what the game really was..it was
just a space tale to entertain and amuse. As I grew up I dreamed
of playing in The Game, looking for clues to prove it was real.
As an adult I found out it was real, I found the way there and The
Game became a necessity. If I dared...if I took the chance and left
my father's lands, if I left home and did not marry the man he had
chosen and in doing so never looked back. Because it is my one chance
to become greater than him. My father, the man who owns everything
and everyone. But not me, not yet, I still have a chance to succeed.
Formally it is called the Imperial Game of Starlords. The game is
run by the Imperial Lords of the Past in a universe controlled by
them and the history, people, relics, and technology of Uni-six.
No one is allowed to leave the universe once the game begins, unless
of course you do not want to be seen again. Only those who are chosen
are allowed to enter the universe.
I put my name into the drawing. I was scared, nervous, and full
of defiance. There are sixteen starlords chosen. Each one is given
an empire to start with. I was chosen,I Ka' leisia was given an
empire of Trade. It is what I requested. I know a little of how
trade works. I ran my fathers lands, dealt with the traders and
merchants daily. I thought it would offer me the greatest chance
of success.
I was so excited to be a Starlord. Wealth, Power, Intrigue, they
were all at my fingertips. So far it has been all I imagined and
more. I am a Starlord now, I have wealth, some power and more intrigue
than I know what to do with. I have met others, all with dreams
and aspirations, some good, some evil.
There is the Raider, Captain Roberts of the Dread Pirates. He became
my ally immediately. He has taken me under his wing and taught me
some of the more subtle nuances of the Great Game. He is both fun
loving and fierce. An ally to protect and serve, a pirate to fear
and be in awe of.
My competitor Uthor is a gentle and kind man, serving all, trying
to betray none. For he, like me, makes his living from inside the
empires of other Starlords. We had found a way to help one another
for awhile, but then it became dangerous for us both. We have had
to change our relationship. I miss him.
The other Raider is run by Galactic Mergers and Acquisitions, a
holding company. Mr. Kevin Trevas is at the helm. He is somewhat
distant and hard to read. He frequently rants about the shenanigans
of Capt. Roberts and the boys. Yet he seems to have a good heart.
He broadcasts a trade paper letting us all know of the injustices
perpetrated by others, especially if the injustices are against
Uthor or the Terminator Vivesector.
Vivesector, our friendly neighborhood Terminator. Turning small
populations of lackluster workers into productive robots, willing
to work five times harder than the population ever could. Somehow
someone mistreated him, now he is preparing for war. I fear I am
in his path of destruction. Meradron, is the other Terminator in
the group. He is quiet, methodical, and ambitious. These terminators
are of the opinion that fleshy beings can be of use for a little
while, but then must be replaced with pure circuitry. Us of the
flesh must find a way to get along or I fear we will be terminated.
The first Philosopher I met was Okrboi, he wanted to spread The
Method throughout my lands. I thought it a good idea. So far his
followers are happy and working well for my factories and mines.
I am now hearing of another... The all Seeing Eye lead by Thadious
Neville, he has been arming his fleets with Gravitonic Disruptors.
A world near him has disappeared, one turn it was there the next
it wasn't, now its a nova. He proclaims peace and love to all those
who turn to the All Seeing Eye. I wonder what he proclaims for those
who don't see things with his perspective.
There is a shifter in our midst. a Houri. I will not name the person
as I am not sure all know who the shifter is. I still do not understand
this creature, I have not dealt with it yet. I wonder what kind
of impact it would have on me should it choose to name me its client.
The Barons of the universe are an industrious group. They have taken
worlds that were unproductive and made them habitable for the populous
of Uni-six. One of the Barons was negligent in his duties of maintaining
his worlds. It is my understanding that a group of Starlords decided
to take over his homeworld,and he became so distraught he jumped
off of the balcony. The eldest son has inherited Barony of Fortitude
and now plans to avenge his fathers death and regain his homeworld.
And let us not forget the Warriors of Day. They recently lost their
"Big Slam" (he's the leader of the group). No one knows
just how that happened. So they went out to a world and captured
themselves a new Big Slam. His name is Preston Gelding Mc Fadden
XII. He finds himself in the position of knowing none of the Starlords,
needing allies and credits, and at the same time he is having to
control the Slammers. They of course just want to Slam. make war
on any world they come across. Not that they will harm anyone or
the property. It is more like a game to them. They take turns betting
who can capture a world and give it away the most times. Weird really,
they just like the bragging rights that come with saying Yeah I
slam.. captured that world..slam.. 4 times already..slam. So if
you see 'em coming don't be too alarmed if you are nice they will
probably give you the world right back. But if you aren't. well
they will capture your world anyway and then give it to someone
else. Probably a Baron or a Raider.
We are now at our 14th Turnin' who knows how this will all end.
If I win as the top Starlord, my father will have no power over
me ever again. If I lose well I know where the nearest wormhole
is. So for now I keep my head high, my spirits up - .the Taigan
whiskey I brought from home helps. Still the questions run through
my head..
Who is my true ally? What did that comment mean? Is the rumor true?
I read the papers of Uni-six often. Sometimes I find out things
here I didn't know. Other times I put my foot in my mouth.
Its drama in high space and I love it.
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