Chptr Three in my Endless Space Fan Fiction. Please read ch 1: https://www.games2gether.com/endless-space/forum/38-creations/thread/16426-fan-fiction-the-duke

Ch 2: https://www.games2gether.com/endless-space/forum/38-creations/thread/16382-fan-fict-the-missionary

The Vain God



It was easy to see how a culture as self obsessed and decadent as the United Empire could breed such a person as Horatio. Every man and woman of importance on Amosa was completely concerned with status, sacrificing everything for the latest fashion, the newest gadget, the most modern rejuvenation therapy. Horatio had seen them lose their homes because they could not keep up with paying off their latest surgery. One hundred and fifty year olds rejuved to look twenty. He supposed they did make for attractive homeless, though.



Horatio studied himself in a hand mirror as he sat behind a marble desk, flanked by sparked statues of himself. None looked half as good as Horatio. “You are beautiful” said his smiling reflection.



Horatio laughed with delight, “you really think so?”



“Yes, of course I do. You made a good decision to leave those drab courtesans of Amosa” said the handsome reflection.



Horatio tittered happily, “I am so happy to hear you say that!”



“I’m sorry I ever doubted you.”



Horation set the mirror down on the desk, turning around in his swivel chair gleefully to view the large terrace behind him. The balcony gave way to huge expanse of dry arid land, the White sun was beginning to set, sending crimson fingers across the sky, kissing the purple clouds.



Horatio walked out on the terrace where a strategist board lay neglected, its beautifully carved pieces seemed to scream for attention. Horatio’s happy face dissolved into sadness as he remembered when one of his children defeated him at the game last year. He had been so enraged that he threw his child from the balcony and never played the game again. A pity, the board was a gift from Emperor Maxamillion. Though now sweet Maxy would sooner have his head off than give him a gift, and Horatio did miss sharp Ilos. He was never one to control his temper, and if Ilos was so sharp, he should have let him win. He should have known better.



Horatio pushed the thought from his mind and his smile returned as he surveyed the red canyons that stretched out before him. Stretched across the sky, in low orbit was an immense ship. Smaller ships zipped to and fro, preparing the vessel for its journey. Further out, beyond the hot, dry atmosphere of Horatio’s home planet, which was called Horatio, of course, were many more ships. But none were as grand as the one before him now. Pride swelled in Horatio as he watched his busy bee’s scramble to do his bidding. A few more days and his new ship would be ready to depart, and him along with it. His face grew sad once again thinking of having to say good-bye to his home but it had to be done.



Where the last age belonged to the United Empire and to the Zelevas dynasty, now belonged to Horatio and his children. Horatio and his great fleet would create an new galactic order with himself at its head. All people’s would bow down before his great beauty and magnificence. Horatio beamed happily again as he thought of coming into his power.



There was a chime as one of his children entered his solar.



“Ah! Dinner.” said Horatio clapping his hands excitedly as he briskly returned inside.



“Greetings your beautifulness” said his child, “dinner is served.” His servant set a plate of food down on the marble desk. The smell of the meat filled the office. A delicacy courtesy of one of the seized Imperial freighters. Steamed Amoebas. Delicious.



Horatio put his hand on his child’s face, admiring his work. “You are beautiful.”



“Thank you, your excellency. I take after my father.”



Horatio laughed happily. “Wait for me at my bedchamber.” Steamed Amoebas was a potent aphrodisiac as well as a fine dish.



His child bowed and made his exit. Horatio sat behind his desk, sighing with pleasure at each bite of his dinner. He prompted a holo on his desk to show what would be his new home. A lush green world, two continents separated by a great ocean. No doubt it would be muggy and unbearable. Damp air was bad for the pours and Horatio could not abide bad skin. Typing commands the holo shifted to the moon revealing a structure on its surface. The real prize. Horatio would tolerate a muggy climate and clammy skin for the secrets he would learn from this system’s moon.



Horatio popped some meat into his mouth and chewed happily,

“Xenophros,” he smiled.

People eat Amoeba? Well well, my dislike of the Horatio grows even more...And a pretty interesting conflict you have shaping up. The Pilgrims trying to settle this new world, Horatio with his sights on it as well, I imagine that the tentacle that grabbed Gero at the end of Ch. 2 was an Amoeba, and the Imperials will likely learn of it soon enough from their new triple agent.



Again, good work. And I think you got the eccentricity of Horatio down pat. You also might be coming close to having more stories than me...Grr, muse, start working!