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Prologue

The smell of burned flesh was in the air as he was woken up by intense and indescribable pain all over his body. He was lying on the sand and under the scorching sun of Samarra.

He was desperately looking around him, in order to find out what was going on, but he could not move. He could only see some of his comrades lifelessly lying on the sand that were barely recognizable. Most parts of their bodies were turned into carbon and where they weren't, the skin was falling off, revealing flesh and bones. Desert vultures would wait for days, even weeks before having an opportunity like this, and now there they were, feasting and fighting eachother like beasts over their well deserved corpses.

The pain was becoming unbearable and he started reaching out to his belt, in order to take out his handgun and end his life. His heartbeats were raising and his body was refusing to comply to what he wanted to do. His muscles begun twitching uncontrollably, and he was slowly again, falling into a state of shock.

He gave up on ending his agony and escaping from this hell he found himself in. He wanted to scream but that as well required strength. He just gave up, and drew his thoughts to something else. An oasis in the desert, a celebration of a desert tribe, and women dancing in mystical Samarran night. Slowly, he was drifting into delirium.

The pain was slowly fading out. Everything was becoming blurred and was slowing down. At the same time, his vision was becoming brighter and real. He was sitting near the fire place at a camp, together with the other people. One of the dancers, that wore red robes, was getting closer and in front of him while she danced. Her dancing was like some beautiful drug to him, occupying his attention. Everything around him and her disappeared. Her big eyes were beautiful but yet, they were showing fear...

Introduction

Planet Samarra is a harsh place. It is a planet covered by sands, limited resources and population larger than those could support. During the centuries, Zoner ideologies were forgotten- tribes and empires were formed, some trying to survive in this harsh world- others hungry for power and control.

However, Nomads were there too, and around the planet. They saw an opportunity to rather use Samarrans, instead of purging them. Samarrans weren't representing any harm to them or at least, they wouldn't anytime soon since they gave up on flying into the skies and open space, as they dissassebmled liners in which they arrived in order to survive.

For Nomads, this was a chance for experiment, and an attempt to make good servators out of already lost and technologically crippled population. They established first contact trough the visions with influential individuals all over the planet and waited for things to flow on their own. The result was a prophercy, praised by the people of good years to come which created peace between them. It lasted until Nomads decided that it was time to travel elsewhere however, their traces were left all over the planet. Priests, castes and temples remained but it wasn't enough. Samarrans were never be capable to maintain this on their own without a help, or rather, without a control until they would evolve and discharge something that made a man to fight each other from the very first moments of his existence - the ego.

First few years into the absence of Nomads, with the frustrations that began to show between the settlements hungry for the resources, sparkled what the people reffered to as Century of Troubles.

This is a story about Jared Nomak, and his path towards becoming a leader of Samarran exiles, that will leave their mark on Sirius after being forced to abandon their home planet.

The Salvation

Nomak was a child of unknown parents and was left out on streets at the age of seven. Like any other individual in Assyria Megalopolis, that had no home or family, he had to survive on his own. That wasn't easy at all, as Samarra had cold harsh nights and hot merciless days. It took fifty standard hours for Samarra to complete its full circle around its axis.

He was a street rat, trying to get anything he could on the edge of the settlement. Robes, food- anything that would make him easier to survive. However, not everyone saw his struggle as a noble and right thing to do.

The militia was very active and dedicated to catching those who were unwanted by society, even if those were young children. If they would be caught, they would become slaves and would work in the desert on oil rigs, until they wouldn't spit their lungs out and until their spine would break under the whip.

Nomak knew this, and at one moment he found himself in a situation where he was close to being caught. The militants were on both ends of the street, that he used to be in. They were checking other homeless individuals but those were older, and they weren't used as a workforce. They needed fresh children that could be worked with, and they already had a record on Nomak, who already stole before. They knew that he was there and hiding, and it was just matter of seconds when he would attempt to run away before it was too late.

He saw his chance to escape, as one of the exits was not being covered by the militants, while they were searching in the middle. He quickly threw things off him that he covered himself with and begun running with all his strength toward the exit. The militants noticed that and began chasing him. As he reached out for the end of the street, someone grabbed him and hid him from them while holding a hand over his mouth in order to keep him silent. Nomak did realize that it was someone who was to save him and stopped with trying to escape.

The militants reached out for the exit and noticed the man dressed up in priest's robes standing there. They bowed to the man and asked him if he saw someone that ran away trough there. He pointed them out to false direction and told them not to stop until they find him. They began searching without any question asked, and that gave him time to take Jared away.

They begun walking towards the outskirts of the settlement and Jared was pretty much afraid of anyone because he never walked so freely around the streets that were crowded. There were bazzars all over and people would greet the man that was holding Jared's hand. People would bow and even ask for a blessing, which made Jared even more afraid as he wasn't used to that at all.

They finally reached out the desert and the edge of settlement. In front of them, there wasn't anything but a sand and a moonlight. They were walking for a hour until at one moment, the man stopped and pointed with his hand towards the hill, and in front of them a house emerged, barely visible and well camouflaged into the surrounding, that was a formation of rocks.

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Jared never saw anything like that. For him, it was beautiful and large. Large stairs stood before the entrance and they walked up to the large doors, and the man opened them, revealing one large room inside of the house. They entered, and the lights came on automatically, now showing the beauty of the inside. Colors were very pleasant to the eyes, the walls were beige colored and the edges were completed with dark brown wood. The lights were all over, giving a nice, warm feeling. Jared was lost in the thoughts, being amazed by what he was seeing around him. Was that a dream, he was asking himself, while walking around and observing.

But his thoughts were interrupted by a sudden female voice speaking- "Good evening Jonathan. I see you brought a guest." - the voice said, while holograph appeared in front of Jared. It resembled a woman, in normal human size that was generated by blue light. She had long hair, all over her back and she was dressed in a sleeveless dress, that was stretching down to her feet. "Prepare the water for my friend here, he needs a bath" - the man said while he went to one of the separate rooms and as he closed the doors behind him. The woman blinked slowly as she bowed and the holograph disappeared.

As the man got out from the room, he wasn't wearing priest's robes anymore. He was dressed up like any other Samarran, although his clothes were of good quality and new. He gestured to Jared to have a sit on the couch, that was in the middle of that large living room, while he headed to the kitchen. "I do not have anything much of a choice here, as I do not bring guests here. I will try to make something good for you, do not worry." - the man said, while he pressed some buttons on the machine that lookee like microwave.

Jared however, watched at the wall where one picture was hanged. On the picture, he saw a blonde woman holding a child, that was of similar age to him. He was wondering who those two were, and who that woman was, that appeared out of nowhere. His thoughts were interrupted again: "My wife and my son." - the man paused, while tapping Jared's shoulder - "They died, two years ago." - he said, silently with obvious weight on his heart and then, he returned back to the kitchen. - "The bathroom is on your right. Go and have a bath, the meal will be ready by the time you finish and will cool down. I will bring you some clothes as well."

Jared, still frightened and confused by everything, listened to the man without any words being said and he slowly went to the bathroom. As he entered, he took off his worn out, dirty robes and got into the shower. However, he never used one. - "Ideal water temperature has been detected" - the same voice of the holograph was heard all through, the holograph didn't appear. Water began flowing and the doors of the shower closed. Jared took soap and bathed.

As he did finish, and the doors of the shower have opened, on the table aside there were clean, new robes waiting for him. As he put them on, he did notice how fresh and beautiful smell they had and sensation on his skin was strange. The robes were never as pleasant to wear as then. "Shower complete- beginning with drying procedure" - the female voice said, with fans beginning to blow out the air to the outside.

"Dinner is ready!" - the man said from the living room, while he was setting up the table.
As Jared opened the doors of the bathroom, he immediately noticed smell of a food. Warm, cooked food and it didn't smell like a roasted rat. He walked trough the living room and noticed fire that was slowly burning in the fireplace... sensation of peace stopped him for a second and then the smell of food took him toward the kitchen.

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"I, uh... It is some mix of vegetables and meat. I have no idea what it is but it tastes great... have a seat and eat." - the man said as he begun eating as well. Jared was speechless still, but now even more. Though the hunger prevailed and he sat and begun eating. Of course, that wasn't such great thing to see, and the man for a second stood as well without any word, just with a sad expression on his face.

Since the food was very tasteful, especially to Jared, both of them had another portion. Later on, they went to the living room to rest after the well-eaten meal. Jared's attention was once again occupied by that fireplace and eventually, he fell asleep. The man carried him to the bedroom and placed him to sleep on the bed.

Next morning, Jared woke up in this bedroom, full of pictures. Some were captured by the camera and some were painted. Most of his attention was caught by three, largest ones. One was portraying desert, covered in the moonlight and some magnificent glowing beings in the skies. Their purple light was astonishing to Jared, as well as the whole picture and its combination of colors. Another, next to it on right, portrayed three large vessels painted from behind, traveling towards the desert planet, and covered in beautiful blood orange color. The third one as well onto right showed again desert but this time, everything was covered in silver light. A pyramid was lying far in the desert and above it silver shining sun yet, the painting was portrayed as in the night.

On the desk, next to a dresser, a sword, similar to Sabre was placed on a stand, oriented with many and unknown ornaments to Jared, that would seem a bit like some ancient letters. Sword itself appeared very clean and sharp, illuminating and shining with a silver bright glow, that woke up Jared that morning.

All of sudden, his peace was interrupted by the sound of gunshots. Jared was frightened at first, but then he went near the window, to see what was happening. He saw the same man, that took him here, now being dressed in black robes, that appeared to be more for combat while holding a rifle with a long barrel in one hand, and with another, he was checking some sort of improvised targets that he shot at.

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Jared, although with that blockade in him, because of which he didn't speak, saw father figure in that man. A figure that he never had in his life, and which he always missed. He was simply afraid of anyone, and everything. But that man saved him and offered him shelter and food. He didn't understand why this was happening.

However, he slowly walked outside and observed the man, while he was fixing already half- destroyed targets and then he turned back in order to gain shooting range and saw Jared, that was standing and looking at him. He was surprised in a heartwarming manner and walked toward Jared. Then, he kneeled before him, placing his rifle near him on the sand.

"You are indeed interesting little fellow" - the man said, with a slight smile on his face. "What is your name son?" - he asked. Jared, however, did not say a word. He had this calm but as well undetermined, neutral expression. He seemed like a child that didn't have any good moment in his life, except when he would get himself something that would help him to survive.

"Hmmm..." - the man was thinking for a moment, "Hold here." - he told to Jared and walked into the house. He got out after a minute and kneeled before Jared once again. He took his hand and placed chocolate in it while smiling. Jared didn't know what this was and the man ripped off the foil, revealing what was inside. "Try it, my little friend, you will like it." - Jared tried it and it was something he didn't taste before. Something sweet and beautiful, that instantly brought a smile on his face. The man then stood up, grabbed his rifle and continued shooting the targets. Jared did not blink even once, he began enjoying spending time with him, in whatever condition that was.

In the following years ahead, they spent every day together, bonding and developing a friendship. Everywhere where would a man go, Jared would accompany him. Jared after some time began speaking as well and without having any name, this man christened him Jared, a name that he will have for his entire life.

Taken

Several peaceful and happy years after, Jared was growing in a warm, loving environment. He got used to people, he was speaking and he did not think about his previous life and his struggle.

One morning that came to an end. He wakened up by the sound of people, taunting and laughing. He was intrigued to hear that as nobody ever, except him and the man who saved him, was here, in his home since he came here. Intrigued, he went outside to check what was that and he could see three desert buggies, equipped with machine guns on top of each, and being manned by some masked individuals, wearing robes all over them and glasses, to protect their eyes from sand and illuminating sunlight that was reflecting from the sands.

In front of them, six more individuals, with similar robes and before them, was kneeling, his savior. His face was bruised and covered in blood. Jared was frozen. He thought that his troubles have ended, and he just couldn't expect anything bad to happen to him again.

"A boy! Get him!" One of the Raiders that was manning the machine gun pointed with his hand at Jared, which woke him up and he immediately went inside to close the doors of the house. However, they managed to get to the entrance before he managed to close the doors, and they began grabbing him from the behind of the doors. Jared was pushing them but he couldn't overpower the Raiders. They eventually managed to break in and took Jared outside, to the man that they as well captured.

"No! No!" - his savior yelled while he was resisting those who held him, but his hands were cuffed and behind his back. "Leave him alone! He has nothing with-" - he said, with a foot hit landing in the area of his stomach. "Rise up, scum" - same one, who kicked him said. Other ones, that were holding him, lifted him up, back to his knees, and their leader took out his handgun and pointed it at the forehead of Jared's savior. Jared was near him, watching all this, once again frightened like he was before. His savior was in agony, bruised all over his face, and saliva was coming out of his mouth, covered in blood. "Accept your faith, Johnatan." - the Raider said while reloading his handgun and placing the bullet in the barrel. "I was looking for you. Years have passed, but now it is over. You are not ghost, as the tales were saying, and I found you. You are just a human, like all of us here."

"Go to hell..." - the man said, and a gunshot to his forehead followed by the sentence after less than second. His lifeless body fell near Jared, followed by the laughter of the Raiders. "Put his body in the back, Khan ordered us not to return without his body. We're taking boy with us, he will be of a use as well."

Jared did not resist. He didn't cry or scream. He was once again feeling same, as before Johnatan took him. Frightened and alone. They were traveling into the deserts, away from the Megalopolis, into the sand storm.

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