Chapter 1

I wish I could turn back the clock and bring the wheels of time to a stop. This thought echoed through every fibre of my being as I kneeled on the ground and heard the inevitable footsteps approaching. A sad smile came unbidden onto my face as I swept a tear-filled glance at the burnt and smoking corpses that had once been my friends.

Sorry guys, we failed our rebellion.

"You poor kids. Just a few minutes ago you had everything in the world going for you...but then all your dreams were crushed!" Raising my dusty and tear-stained face I stared up at the muzzle of a Lasergun. Peering the face of my tormentor I spat onto his face.

"Shoot me and be done with it! I have nothing left to live for anyway!" I yelled. Grief threatened to overwhelm me but my many wounds made it difficult to even remain conscious. I wanted to strangle the sneering man in front of me.

Dragging myself to my feet, I rushed at him blindly...moments before a fist knocked me back to the ground and I tasted blood in my mouth.

"You may not have anything to live for but you do have something to die for." Smiling evilly, the man hauled me to my feet and whispered "You are going to be an example for those having even the vaguest notion of rebelling against Lord Jonas ever again. I hope you understand," His smile widened "My lord Duke!"