Adira City, Mepta 1558 N.E

Today was a big day.

The streets were bustling with creatures from all walks of life, the excitement of today’s festival high up in the air. Mini-ships and flying vehicles dashed around in the city airspace, most of them heading to the same direction.

In the heart of the city was a massive tower that reached up to the pink-cerulean skies of Mepta. Known as the Heart Tower, it was the central building that governed Adira City. On normal days this tower that spanned over the city would sport a greyish-blue hue, but today was a special occasion, and the tower was shining with a shade of blue light.

Overlooking the city from the top of the tower, Archon Mei-Yon heaved a deep sigh. His eyes had a faraway look to them, the colour of the sky reflected in his gaze.

“It is finally time.”

Archon Mei-Yon closed his eyes for a moment before he turned around, looking at a woman with sharp glasses and brown hair. She was dressed neatly, a pen and clipboard in her arms. It was his trusted secretary, Ra-Ine.

“The systems are online, sir. Are you ready?” She asked, her face appearing stern as always. Archon Mei-Yon nodded. With that, she walked over to the desk on her right, pressing a blue button. With a click, there was a whirr sound and Archon Mei-Yon was bathed in neon-blue light. The glass window in front of him turned dark and a semi-transparent panel appeared. He cleared his throat, his face directed at the panel before him.

“Greetings, citizens of Adira. I hope you are all well and ready to embrace the greatest day of the year! Before we begin however, I would like to say a few words.”

He took a deep breath and continued, “Today marks the 50th year of Independence, a day we celebrate every year to remind ourselves of the sacrifices made. For a hundred years Mepta fought against the feared aliens of Xeptis, countless blood shed in the process. Your ancestors gave everything they had to ensure the freedom of Mepta’s inhabitants, disallowing the planet to fall into darkness.”

“Of course, you all know the story. And so I will not elaborate, but instead talk about the future of Mepta. As Archon of Mepta, I strongly believe in the interests of my people. I would like to continue improving the planet’s economy, the people’s quality of life and the advancement of technology. Firstly I would like to lower taxes by 15% in regards to daily necessities, secondly housing costs will be lowered by 20% in three months. Thirdly, Mepta Technologies will provide more job opportunities to Adira citizens. This comes with the increase of production across all Mepta Technology equipment, mainly weapons.”

Archon Mei-Yon paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. Then he added, “We have lasted through 50 years of great peace, but there is no telling on when the next enemy will emerge. I think that the planet’s defences should be strengthened. There has been reports of Xeptis appearing in the outer borders of nearby galaxies; while it is not confirmed, I would rather not take any chances.”

“With that said, I urge you all not to worry. Mepta is strong and will hold as long as your hearts flow with it. Now that I am finished, please indulge yourselves in the Adrian festival. Happy Independence Day!”

Once Archon Mei-Yon finished, he stepped away from his spot and the panel and neon-blue light disappeared in a flash. Faintly, the sounds of applause and cheering entered his ears. He smiled and turned around to face his secretary. “How did I do?” He asked smugly.

Ra-Ine threw him a brief smile before returning to her normal, stern expression. “You did well, sir. No problems were encountered during the broadcast. The whole city was able to hear your speech.” She tapped at her clipboard, frowning slightly. “However, I have something important to inform to you, sir. It regards… your son.”

It was Archon Mei-Yon’s turn to scowl. “What is it now?”

Ra-Ine did not reply; she just handed him her clipboard. On it was a screen with a young man’s face and some informative notes. The Archon took it and started reading, his scowl deepening as he took in the report.

“Not again,” He groaned. Mei-Yon walked over to the door, getting ready to leave his office. A massive headache was starting to get to him, but he simply shook his head and left, Ra-Ine following behind.

+ — +

“Ji-Yon, you nasty piece of scum! How dare you call me a bitch!”

A beautiful young lady was screaming at the top of her lungs, her fists waving in the air. She was standing outside the gate, stamping her feet as she continued making a racket. On the other side stood a young man, his expression annoyed and troubled.

This man was none other than the accused Ji-Yon, son of the respected Archon of Mepta. Unlike his neatly dressed, prim and proper father, Ji-Yon looked like a rebellious young man. His hair was smooth and long, dyed in a light pink-blue gradient, the tips of it glowing a little light blue. His eyes sparkled in a crystal purple colour, and his skin was fair. He wore a black and blue short jacket, pairing it with a purple skin-tight shirt and black jeans. Anyone who saw him would notice his lean figure, colourful hair and beautiful, androgynous face.

Indeed, his looks had garnered him many lovers and many enemies.

“Calm down, Sa-Fin. Don’t forget that I’m the son of the Archon! Are you trying to anger me?” Ji-Yon shouted over the gate, folding his arms. “I can easily ask one of the guards to beat you up!”

Sa-Fin widened her eyes in shock. “You dare call your guards to beat me up? I’m pregnant with your child, that’s a crime! Even the son of the Archon can’t escape the law!” She shouted, but her voice was not as loud as before. While she was furious, she was not stupid. Ji-Yon was not known to have a good reputation and she still valued her life. So much for her plan of trying to threaten him, though.

The infamous sole son of the Archon sneered at his latest ex-lover. “Look, I know you want me to be responsible for the kid. But there’s no way I’m paying you a billion Dions just for abortion and trauma fees! You bitch, you were the one who lied about being on the pill so you could try and extort some free cash!” He laughed, sweeping his fringe to the side of his face. “If you think I’m stupid, then I’m sorry about that. You can go and deal with the problem yourself,” he added coldly.

Sa-Fin narrowed her eyes, unable to reply. He had already caught onto her plan; she underestimated him. “But still, this is your child. You will have to bear responsibility!” She remarked with a hiss.

Ji-Yon threw her a look of disdain. This woman was really difficult to deal with! If he had known earlier, he would’ve contracted one of the assassins in his contact list to eliminate her…

“What is going on here?” A familiar voice questioned from behind the young man. Immediately Sa-Fin and Ji-Yon became quiet; a figure materialised behind the Archon’s son, revealing the Archon himself. Ji-Yon groaned. Here we go, he thought.

+ — +

It was nighttime, and the three moons in the dark blue and purple sky glowed with a gentle white light. In the grand mansion where the Archon resided in, somewhere near the outskirts of Adira City, numerous bright yellow lights shone from the windows.

Ji-Yon sat in the huge dining room, his back leaning against the soft cushions of his chair as he ate supper. It had been a few hours since the incident with Sa-Fin ended; his mind was still busy replaying what his father had told him after solving the trouble.

—

“Ji-Yon,” His father said to him, “You are turning twenty-five this year, the official age of a young adult. Yet you act so irresponsibly and immaturely! Many times have I lectured you, yet many times have you disappointed me. When will you ever learn?”

Ji-Yon glared at his father, his expression sullen. He opened his mouth to retort as he always did, but his father cut across him this time. “Ji-Yon, I had have enough of your crap. You’ve fooled around with fifty women, impregnating half of them. You even sent a few assassins after them too! You think I wouldn’t know about it?”

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A surprised look flickered on his beautiful face, before turning to a sneer. “They deserved it,” muttered Ji-Yon. Hearing this, the Archon banged his hand on the table. “I catch you red-handed, yet your whole attitude to it is rotten! What you did is a heavy crime! I won’t have a murderous womaniser for a son,” Mei-Yon yelled angrily. He hadn’t even mentioned Ji-Yon’s unreasonable, lavish spending or his penchant for using the name of the Archon to force and threaten people.

Ji-Yon didn’t know how to reply, so he merely frowned. Deep inside he could feel a sliver of fear; he was used to his father’s rage, but this time his father’s words seemed heavier than usual. He wasn’t going to actually send him to prison, was he?

He wouldn’t do that, I’m his only son! Ji-Yon mused, feeling a surge of confidence. So it came as a shock to him when he heard his father’s next words -

“I’m banishing you from Mepta! You are not allowed to return for fifty years,” Mei-Yon announced. His son stared blankly at him. “What did you say, dad?”

“You’re banished. I’m sending you away tomorrow,” said Mei-Yon.

—

Returning back to reality, Ji-Yon fiddled with his spoon, trying to calm his thoughts. He had never thought his father would actually resort to such a terrible punishment; he’d rather go to prison! Mepta was his home, his sanctuary! He had absolute power here, but he was nothing beyond the planet!

“Maybe my father will change his mind,” Ji-Yon muttered to himself. Yet he knew his father well; once the Archon made up his mind, he would never change it. Besides, the Archon had already asked for a starship to be prepared at the Space station. Mei-Yon had also ordered the servants to pack up all his belongings, transferring everything to the starship.

No matter how much Ji-Yon screamed, whined or yelled, he could not stop them from taking all his stuff away. Knowing it was futile, he was tempted to kick away all the fragile artefacts decorating the house in revenge, yet he didn’t want to further anger his father.

Tonight would be the last night Ji-Yon stayed under the sky of Mepta.

+ — +

The next day, at the Space station above Mepta’s sky.

Ji-Yon was dressed in his usual carefree attire, flaunting off his good looks to the world. He was walking beside his father and secretary Fa-Ine. The Space station was crowded as usual, mostly packed with Adiran humans while lesser races mixed in. Every now and then, the station would announce the arrival or departure of a starship; the noisy chatter of the crowd or the sound of footsteps filled the air whenever the announcement ended.

Of course, the noise died quickly when people began to notice the Archon and his famous son and secretary walking among them. Whispers and stares were thrown at the trio, much to Ji-Yon’s dismay. He was a rather narcissistic person, so how could he not be concerned with being known and laughed at as the first person being banished from Mepta in fifty years?

Yet as Ji-Yon walked, he stared at every corner of the station. He wanted to remember everything about Mepta before he was forced out of his home planet; even though he refused to show it, he felt a tinge of sadness. Goodbye Mepta, he thought. He was finally leaving this good-for-nothing planet, yet when the time came there was a reluctance in his heart. Then he directed his gaze at the back of Mei-Yon, anger building in his heart. How he hated his father! It was so infuriating!!

“Here we are,” Mei-Yon said. The trio stopped in front of a door with a star on it - it was a sign that informed people that this entrance was reserved to private starships. There was a loud beep as the door scanned the trio with a red light. After a few seconds, the door whizzed open and they walked through, being greeted with a sight that made Ji-Yon raise his eyebrows.

A grand, shiny starship hovered at the dock a few dozen metres away. The starship was rather huge for a private space vehicle, its shape akin to a sleek jet plane. It was covered in a metallic glossy black hue, while the windows were glowing blue. The symbol of Mepta - a pink flower surrounded by seven blue stars decorated the bottom section of the ship. The ship was one of the most beautiful starships Ji-Yon had ever set his eyes on, and it was singing out to him while the countless stars sparkled in the background.

“Built-in with the latest technology, fitted in with the most advanced weaponry. Able to make up to seven consecutive space warps in a day, it stores up to two million galleons of compressed starfuel,” Mei-Yon started telling Ji-Yon, who was feeling rather conflicted now.

As Mei-Yon went on explaining the details of the starship to his son, Ji-Yon’s expression was mixed with coldness and realisation. He waited for his father to finish before he said in an accusing tone, “You’ve been planning to exile me for years!” He balled his hands into fists, gritting his teeth. He didn’t think his father could be so sneaky.

Mei-Yon chuckled. “Yes, I already knew you were a lost case five years ago,” he replied. Then he added, “This starship was custom-built just for you, so if you ever try to return secretly the systems will easily recognise your ship. Of course, if you decide to foolishly switch to another starship your presence will alert the systems as well. After all you are the only one around carrying my blood.”

With a snort, Ji-Yon turned away and snapped, “You suck. I guess I wasn’t worth your time in the end, so you gave up so easily.”

“No, it’s because I’m smart enough to know what can be saved and what can be let go. In any case, you are still my only son, so I built the best starship I could for you. Sending you away is my way to hope you change for the better, but if you don’t survive the fifty years of your exile, then that’s too bad.”

Mei-Yon was smiling, but his smile did not reach up to his eyes.

Old bastard, Ji-Yon thought. He really didn’t like his father’s way of doing things. A silence formed between father and son before secretary Ra-Ine cleared her throat and stepped forward. “Ji-Yon,” she started, her eyes focused on the clipboard she always held.

“You will be entrusted with a small crew that will serve you well. A spaceship pilot, a cook and a hygiene officer; you will meet them when you enter your ship. Here is your Dion card. Twenty billion Dion has been credited in it.” She passed a metallic silver card to Ji-Yon, who nodded. Twenty billion Dion was a pretty average sum for him, but he knew it wouldn’t last him fifty years.

“Your pilot, Ar-Ris is a skilled woman who has experience in travelling through space. She also has battlefield experience, as she fought in the Mepta-Xeptis War in its later years. While you are the leader of your crew, it is advised to listen to her input. She will greatly increase your chances of survival in deep space.”

“With that said, we are done here,” Mei-Yon announced when Ra-Ine stopped. He put his right hand to his chest, the first three fingers sticking out while the last two were folded behind, and he bowed his head. It was the way of Mepta in greeting and sending one off.

Ji-Yon looked at his father silently. Emotion of anger mixed with a tinge of sadness welled up in his heart, but he sighed and did the same. “Goodbye,” Ji-Yon finally said. He had always wanted to be far away from his father, but when the chance came he felt a longing to stay. Why were human emotions so fragile and unpredictable?

Not allowing his heart to stay confused, Ji-Yon turned around and headed towards the starship, refusing to look back. He concentrated his gaze on the beautiful ship, and saw the hatch below the ship lower, revealing three young women. They would be his crew members, his company for fifty years…