Eternal Horizon: The Chronicle of Vincent Saturn (Eternal Horizon: A Star Saga Book 1) by David Roman

made an enemy to the Republic as we speak.”
    Vincent strutted along with Spaide behind Gaia and the big guy. All the talk, the names, and the locations made no sense to him, like the “Imperial Republic” oxymoron. He wanted to know the answers, and there was no one to give them. They were as puzzled about the whole situation as he was; that much he understood.
    He slumped down his head that continued to throb in pain and quietly followed. Out of boredom—and by stupid habit—he began rummaging through his pockets. First, he produced his cell phone, doubting if it would ever work again. He chuckled and nearly tossed it into the piles of rubble until he realized this for a bad idea, considering his unusual companions would definitely think he was up to something. He then dug in his other pocket and pulled out a wallet and a set of keys with a peculiar silver charm depicting planet Saturn and its rings.
    Susan . His mind went to his ex who gave it to him as a gift, whom he hadn’t seen in years. Perhaps she’d finally met someone who’d settle down ... “You’re a dreamer, Vincent Saturn,” were her last words to him. He clasped the keys, reminiscing. If you could only see what dreams may come, Sue .
    He then opened his wallet and looked at its contents: forty dollars (not that it would be any good now), his badge, receipts for recent purchases, and several credit cards. He sighed and put it all away, realizing he mustn’t let his worries cloud his vision in the world where death seemed to creep around every corner—a strange world where he wasn’t welcome.
    The pain in his head was so excruciating by then that he began wondering what the equivalent of aspirin was on this faraway planet.
    “Is there a star map of sorts?” he asked Spaide all of a sudden.
    “Sure, there’s a map of the known galaxy,” the Dirsalian answered. “Why? You expectin ’ to find your home on it?”
    A spark of hope appeared in Vincent’s face. “Is that a possibility?”
    “If you can find your star amongst millions of others.”
    Vincent began thinking about astronomy, trying to recall the location of the sun, and then asked, “How many systems are there? I remember you mentioning that there are thousands of civilized planets, but how many systems have actually been visited and charted?”
    “Billions.” Spaide shrugged and raised his hands, signifying that the true number escaped him. “The majority of the stars on the map all have dead satellites: planets with no breathable atmosphere, barren deserts, ice worlds, or those composed of pure gas. Yet there are others that have enough air but no advanced beings, hence are mere colonies. Even with modern technology, we can’t fly to every star system in search of life. That process takes years. Even so, they keep findin ’ new ones—systems where some nations haven’t even reached the Stone Age. Back in the days of the Federation, association with such planets wasn’t legal. Now… well…” He chortled.
    “So, you’re saying there’s no way I can find my planet?”
    “No, I’m not. But I think your best bet would be the data disk from Oryon’s ship.”
    Vincent nodded, picturing himself returning to Earth. Who’d believe me? he thought. Well, Alex would… but others? They’d probably lock me up in a loony bin… He straightened, trying to rinse away the crazy notions. No, I have to get back.
    “I forgot to mention the crazy thing,” Spaide said. “Most of the planets the Republic finds are puttin ’ themselves on the map.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “The Imperials intercept signals the systems send out to space and bam ! It’s that easy.”
    Spaide’s ribald humor did not appease to Vincent, who was gripped with fear for our world.
    “We’re here!” Exander stopped and turned around to face the rest of the company.
    The alley came to a dead end before a fifteen-foot high base of a skyscraper that disappeared into the blurry sky.
    “Damocles, get