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  “Yes, Sensei.”

  Smiling brightly, Owen said, “Excellent. I will see you around, Cadet.” He got up and left Bralu alone on the bench.

  A few minutes later, Amber greeted Bralu.

  He smirked. “I guess I am kicked out of class for a while.”

  “I can’t say I blame Sensei. You have been working harder than any of us. If you push yourself too far, your training will become counterproductive. You are at risk of burning yourself out, and you have not fully committed yourself to the Bushi code. Both of these factors are grounds for you to take time off and rethink why you joined the class,” Amber said.

  “So what should I do?”

  “Do as Sensei says. Take some time away from the dojo. Rediscover your sense of purpose, and come back when you are ready.”

  Amber left Bralu alone on the bench. As he contemplated his peer’s words of wisdom, he rose to his feet, sheathed his Kiru, and walked toward his home.

  ______

  As Bralu walked through the streets of Londinium, he observed the state of the city. The markets were busy with customers and traders debating the best price for their purchases. Towering skyscrapers were clustered in the center, while the outskirts were apartment complexes. Hover bikes and hover cars filled the roads as they drove to their destinations. In the sky, merchant ships flew through the shield after receiving permission to land.

  Even though the population was mostly human, Bralu encountered his fair share of aliens and robots. After undergoing several generations of mutations from deep-space travel, the inhuman residents of Londinium were very diverse and came in several categories and subspecies.

  Although most of the humans looked normal, the Offshoot subspecies had developed different skin, eye, and hair colors that seemed otherworldly. The reptilian Lizards looked like a combination between human and Komodo dragon with forward-facing horns. The amphibious Fishes had leathery skin, large eyes, and fin-like ears. The Insects resembled their human counterparts, except their skin looked like hard exoskeletons and their heads were clusters of antenna-like tendrils flowing from their craniums. The Birds had heads like oviraptors, clawed hands, and plumes of feathers sprouting in the back of their heads. The Goats looked human with the exception of small horns sprouting from their brows and temples, sharp teeth, and a hairless scalp encased in a layer of rigid bone. The Apes were tall, hairless blends between human and gorilla, with huge muscles and two tusks emerging from their lower jaws.

  The robots came in various models and designs. Some were humanoid, others were shaped like cars and trucks, and a few flew through the air like small aircraft. These robots performed various services to their owners’ businesses that ranged from serving drinks, enforcing security, or repairing broken objects.

  Sighing with relief, Bralu murmured, “I love this planet.”

  ______

  After an hour-long walk, Bralu returned to his home, which was a dealership of merchant and trading vessels. Hanging above the front gate was a holographic sign that said Pramar Dealers. Waiting outside the door were Bralu’s childhood friends, Jarek Muun and Kelba Barr. Jarek was a Bird who wore a leather outfit decorated with spikes and chains. Kelba was a Goat with fingerless gloves and a pair of goggles wrapped around her neck like a necklace.

  “The mighty Bushi returns!” Jarek cheered.

  “Hey, guys. How is the jet racing business going?” Bralu asked.

  “It is going great! We’re here to buy a set of fuses from your old man that will allow our jet to go faster. The next race is tomorrow. Want to come?” Kelba asked.

  “Sure. My sensei says I need a vacation from training.”

  “Great! We will see you tomorrow. Wish us luck!” Jarek said.

  Jarek and Kelba turned on his heel and walked away as Bralu entered his house. When Bralu walked through the door, his family’s security robot, GB-89, greeted him. GB-89 was a seven-foot-tall humanoid robot with a red-and-gold coating. His limbs were slender, while his spine and neck looked like human vertebrae. The robot’s head was round, with only a pair of white eyes as its face. GB-89 waved at Bralu with one of his three-fingered hands.

  “Welcome home, Young Master. How was your training?” GB-89 asked in a gentlemanly voice.

  “It was fine, Gee Bee. I will be taking some time off for a while,” Bralu said as he hung up his coat.

  “Would you like another sparring session later on?”

  “I’ll think about it. Where are my parents?”

  “They are waiting for you in the living room, sir.”

  GB-89 led Bralu through a hallway decorated with family photographs. Eventually, Bralu found his parents, Mikal and Marthun, watching football on a holographic television screen. They smiled at the sight of their son as they paused the game.

  “Welcome home, mighty warrior!” Mikal cheered.

  “How was your day? Did you make your Kiru?” Marthun asked.

  “Yes, Mom.” Bralu smiled as he drew his Kiru from its scabbard.

  Mikal and Marthun were in awe of their son’s creation.

  “Does this mean you’re a Bushi now?” Mikal asked.

  Sighing, Bralu replied, “Sensei says I should take some time off for a while before coming back. He says I have been training too hard lately.”

  Shrugging, Mikal said, “I have to agree with him. We hardly see you, and it’s good to have you back.”

  “Agreed. I miss spoiling my baby boy,” Marthun said.

  Swallowing hard, Bralu asked, “What’s for dinner?”

  “Leftover isopod. You can get what you need from the fridge, along with whatever fruit you want. If you want dessert, we still have your favorite ice cream.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  ______

  In his bedroom, Bralu enjoyed a bowl fully of fried isopod coated in a tangy sauce. Unlike the isopods from Earth, these creatures were genetically engineered to serve as livestock. This not only increased their size to that of a king crab, but it also gave them a chicken-like flavor and texture.

  While he ate, Bralu watched the latest news broadcast. The anchor was a petite woman wearing a sleek suit and bowtie.

  “The Consulate government announced the completion of Gliese 6’s terraforming. This makes the Gliese System the five hundredth star system to be colonized since the start of the Pilgrimage. Refugees from the war are already making themselves at home.

  “In other news, the Consulate denies claims that the Shogunate has targeted the Spica System. Experts claim that if the Shogunate conquers Spica, it could mean an irreparable disruption in trade throughout the Consulate. Human rights activists say the Solar System would starve overnight.”

  “I don’t need to be reminded that we have a target painted on us,” Bralu grumbled as he reached for the remote.

  Bralu changed the channel to a documentary about the Bushi. The show’s host was a fat man with large glasses. He had a welcoming demeanor and a charismatic accent.

  Throughout the show, the host explained, “As the descendants of the first psychics, the Bushi and their Ronin rivals have access to all kinds of powers. One of the most prominent is telekinesis, which is the ability to manipulate objects with the mind. Through telekinesis, the Bushi can unleash blasts of psionic energy, move heavy objects without physically touching them, or create force fields to shield them from attack. Each of these applications can be done with a distinctive hand gesture and sheer concentration and willpower.

  “The next prominent psychic power the Bushi utilize is telepathy, which allows them to either read minds or control them. By reading minds, the Bushi can uncover a target’s darkest secrets or predict an enemy’s every move in combat situations. When it comes to controlling minds, a Bushi can make a target do their bidding whether if it means infiltrating a base or turning their victim onto their former comrades.

  “In addition to controlling their surrounding environment, the Bushi are able to augment their physical capabilities. As warriors, the Bushi can learn a
nd use any weapon or combat style they are exposed to. They channel psionic energy throughout their bodies to increase their strength, speed, senses, and healing process. In the heat of battle, this makes a Bushi a dangerous foe to fight.

  “A rare few Bushi are able to control energy, whether by conjuring black blasts or absorbing energy. Absorbing energy allows a Bushi to not only negate an enemy’s attack but also increase their own stamina. Black blasts are a physical manifestation of psychic energy. They hurt a target physically, but also rip their minds apart. Imagine being burned alive both physically and mentally.

  “One of the most iconic skills of the Bushi is the usage of the Kiru weapons. Thanks to their combat intuition, a Bushi can learn how to use their customized Kiru instantly. However, it takes years of training to make them reach their full potential. Because each Bushi’s fighting style has its own strengths and weaknesses, the Bushi developed a new form of kenjustu that consists of the Mantis Style, Dragon Style, and Tiger Style. The Mantis Style is based on speed, acrobatics, and precision. Due to its usage of fast and evasive movements, the Mantis Style is best used for defensive situations. The Tiger Style is based on strength, power, and perseverance. With its reliance on raw power to hammer throw an opponent’s defenses, the Tiger Style has ideal offensive capabilities. The Dragon Style is a balance between strength and speed as well as offense and defense. However, the Mantis Style tends to tire its user at an accelerated rate. Unfortunately, the Tiger Style lacks speed and mobility. Due to this, the Dragon Style has neither strengths nor weaknesses, which makes it a good technique for the conservative Bushi to use.

  “The Bushi have proven to be the ultimate military and law-enforcing program in the Consulate’s history. The only force that can challenge them is their Ronin rivals. That is what makes our current war all the more challenging. This is not just a war between governments. This is a war between all the psychics in known space.”

  Bralu turned off the holographic screen and returned his attention to his dinner. As he ate, he muttered, “I can do everything the guy says. I have what I need to protect my family. This house and everyone in it are the only things I wish to protect. Somehow, I have to convince Sensei that I can control my power, but how?”

  Looking at the far side of his room, Bralu saw his late grandfather’s Bushi uniform, which consisted of black-and-gray leather armor, sleek gloves and boots, and a dark kilt. The outfit hung on a rack next to Bralu’s closet. Resting on a shelf next to the uniform was his grandfather’s Kiru machete, made of the same gilded mik alloy as Bralu’s machete.

  “What should I do, Grampa?” Bralu asked longingly.

  CHAPTER 3

  Outside the Spica System, the Benfold emerged after folding through space, along with the rest of the Alpha Centauri fleet. After the entire armada was present, they began to form a blockade meant to defend Spica. Kyle and his crew watched the formation take place through the window of their command bridge.

  For a while, nothing appeared, and the cosmos in front of the fleet were empty. The atmosphere was intense as Kyle sat in his seat. The only sounds that could be heard were the beeps of the various control panels.

  “Where are they? Admiral Moore said the Shogunate fleet was right outside the system,” Kyle grumbled as he continued to stare out the window.

  “What should we do, sir?” Olaf asked.

  “The only thing we can do is wait until the Shogunate arrives, assuming they arrive at all. Patch me through to Admiral Moore. I want to know what he thinks of the situation.”

  One of the technicians pressed a few buttons, and Admiral Moore’s voice echoed through the bridge, saying, “This is the Caldwell. What is it, Benfold?”

  “Caldwell, I do not see the enemy fleet. Are you sure we’re at the right coordinates?” Kyle asked.

  “You are, Benfold. Watch your back. We may have flown into a trap,” Moore warned.

  “Thank you, Caldwell. Over and out.”

  After Admiral Moore’s transmission was cut, Olaf shivered nervously and asked, “Did he say we flew into a trap? Should we fall back, Captain?”

  “I’m not abandoning the fleet, Corporal. Do you want us to be court martialed for desertion?”

  “No, sir. I am just considering all our options in case we are ambushed.”

  Suddenly, a loud beeping noise came over the control panels, alerting the crew.

  After examining the scanners, one of the technicians said, “Captain! Enemy ships entering the quadrant!”

  As if on cue, five Shogunate warships materialized through a series of bubble-like bursts. Four of the ships were Alden-class frigates and were about the same size as the Benfold. They looked like a pair of hooked needles piercing through space. The fifth ship was a Garland-class dreadnaught three times the size of the Benfold. It was a hulking ship with a large cannon attached to its prow. All five ships were painted in the Shogunate colors of red and black.

  Raising an eyebrow under his helmet, Kyle asked, “Is that it? Five ships? That is the armada we were sent to intercept? You’ve got to be kidding me! We have a hundred ships!”

  Everyone on the command bridge shared a laugh as they saw the Shogunate’s inferior numbers.

  Chuckling, Olaf boasted, “Looks like we’re in for a short battle.”

  ______

  On the command bridge of the Shogunate dreadnaught the Emden, an admiral and a Ronin looked outside their cockpit window as their crew prepared the controls. The Ronin wore the sleek red uniform of his organization, and had a distinct Kiru that resembled a katana fastened on his belt. The admiral possessed the demeanor of a man who had complete confidence in himself.

  The admiral, Vao, laughed, “They brought all that firepower, and they have no idea their efforts are going to be in vain.”

  The human Ronin, Manus, nodded in agreement. “Indeed, Admiral. This is the opportunity we have been waiting for to test our new weapon. The Shogun will want a full report of the results.”

  “Now that we are all here, shall we begin, Vice Shogun?” Vao asked eagerly.

  Smiling, Manus turned to the technicians and said, “Prepare the firing sequence of the Pumhart Cannon. Aim for the flagship on my mark.”

  After several moments, one of the technicians announced, “We are fully charged, Vice Shogun.”

  Savoring the moment, Manus ordered, “Fire!”

  ______

  The confidence Kyle had felt before slowly faded away when he saw the cannon under the dreadnaught charging up. “What the hell is that cannon? That’s not standard issue for that ship model.”

  Suddenly, the dreadnaught’s cannon fired a barrage of energy blasts that instantly obliterated the Caldwell and the surrounding frigates. The resulting explosion sent a shockwave that wiped out more than three quarters of the Consulate fleet. The rest were being bombarded by debris from their fallen comrades.

  Realizing what was happening, Kyle yelled, “Evasive action!”

  But it was too late. The Benfold shook violently as debris struck its right side. Personnel were thrown across the room, and sparks erupted from the control panels. The cockpit window developed a pronounced crack.

  “Damage report!” Kyle demanded when the ship shook less.

  “The top right engine’s been hit! The hull’s been breached on top! We’re losing life support in a third of the ship!” a technician announced.

  “What do we do, Captain?” Olaf pleaded.

  Kyle looked out the window and saw the grimness of their situation. The entire fleet was decimated. Whatever vessels that survived the debris storm were disabled, only to be attacked by enemy fighters.

  Gritting his teeth behind his mask, Kyle shouted, “Can we still fold space?”

  Olaf said, “Our Bierre Drive is leaking fuel! We only have enough to make it to Spica Prime!”

  “Damn! It’s better than nothing! Get us out of here now!”

  With tremendous effort, Olaf maneuvered the Benfold toward Spica and folded space around t
he craft.

  ______

  Vao and Manus chuckled as they watched the Benfold flee the battlefield. The debris field before them was so vast as bodies and wreckage littered the void of space. The fireball created from the explosion was slowly fading away into dying embers.

  “Ha! Look at that last ship run, Vice Shogun! They’re running like whipped dogs with their tails between their legs!” Vao boasted.

  “Yes. More importantly, the Pumhart Cannon was a complete success. The Shogun will be pleased,” Manus said, smiling broadly.

  “What do we do now, Vice Shogun?” Vao asked.

  “We subdue this system for the Shogunate. We shall start with the inhabited planets on the outskirts before working our way to Spica Prime itself. We cannot control a system’s capital planet without conquering its neighboring planets first,” Manus instructed.

  “Shall we begin, sir?” Vao asked.

  Nodding, Manus said, “Yes, we shall.”

  CHAPTER 4

  The night of the jet race came at last, and Bralu met Jarek and Kelba in the hangar, where all the racing jets were being maintained. Next to his jet, Jarek and Kelba were showing blueprints that Bralu didn’t expect.

  “What is this, guys?” Bralu asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “This, my friend, is the last line of defense for this city in case the Shogunate invades. All the racers have been working on this. Each racer will be fitted with five laser cannons, two on each wing and one at the front. In addition, a military-grade shield generator is fitted to the bottom of each jet. Best of all is that these modifications are detachable and can be attached at a moment’s notice. When we race, this equipment is off, but if we need to fight, these weapons are put on. Because our racing team only has one mechanic instead of a whole team, we prefer this simplicity. What do you think?” Jarek asked eagerly.