Prologue

Mankind has asked, wondered, pondered, thought, for always, are we alone? In the big, cold Universe, are we the only conscious lifeforms? Anywhere?

The answer to that, some say, is yes. The skeptics and nay-sayers and religious say yes, we’re alone, we’re all that matters, the Universe is a wasteland. But to the thinkers, the artists, the ones with minds as wide open as the Universe, they say no. It’s not possible. We can’t be. We hope not.

The answer, the real answer, the answer that ends all question, is no. Humans are not alone in the Universe. It is, in fact, rife with life. Humans are just so unfortunate to have not quite been discovered yet by the interspacial community that resides a few galaxies away.

This interspacial community has no central ruler, or government, but exist in a harmonious enough fashion, not unlike the countries of Earth, some close together, others far away, but most aware of each other, at least. But the biggest and most powerful planet, by far, is the planet Rhinella. The home of the Guardians of the Universe.

The Guardians are a people of power, of stature, of generosity. They’ve made it their mission to help the planets around them, in any and every way they can, in the smallest ways, by healing or educating or kick-starting a civil rights movement with the smallest of comments. The eldest of each family, from the early age of 101, go into special training to prepare for this important mission, learning everything they can about the arts of diplomacy, kindness, discovery and subtlety. And once they’re deemed ready at age 201, they are sent to their assigned planets. Some arrive in two years, some in two-hundred. Lately, the Guardians have been pushing the boundaries of their help to include even undiscovered planets up to 400 years away by warp travel, but details of that will come later.

The only family that is exempt from this law, of course, is the Royal Family. The Emperor’s children, or in this case, child, do not have to embark on this innate mission, instead learning how to be an effective and inspirational leader, to help Rhinella as a community, and in turn, the wider Universe through their representatives. It’s been called the most important job in the Universe, and one would be inclined to agree. Thousands of planets’ fate, trillions, trillions of trillions of people. All under one man, whether the citizens know it or not. Some races, given this opportunity, would go mad, some would self-destruct, some would turn completely evil, but not the Guardians.

At least, none have yet.

Prince Zeine, however, is… A concern, at best.

Reviews

[Joseph Aldridge]

I think this is going to be a great book. Seems so interesting. And I like some of the detail you put in from this and the way that your imagirary is so great. Keep up the good work. I cant wait to see anything else you put on here. Maybe to give your head a rest from the book and maybe write a poem. Hope this helps. Good luck.

[Alex Costello]

Thank you!