CHAPTER I · IMPERIAL DEVELOPER
Deep in the galaxy, a fleet of black-armored warships was chasing a small silver starship. Its pilot was GGBOND. He had set out to watch a nebula sunset, but somewhere along the way he pressed a mysterious red button.
The ship tore through a wormhole and landed before the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City in a roll of thunder. Guards drew their blades. From behind them, the emperor called, “Who goes there?”
GGBOND opened the hatch and brushed stardust from his shoulder. “Easy. I am only lost. The navigation system says temporary parking is allowed here.”
Just then, the sky darkened. The black fleet crossed the moon like a murder of iron crows descending on the capital.
The emperor gave an immediate command: “Summon the Eight Banners. We meet them in the heavens!” Half an hour later, a guard returned to report that the soldiers were ready, but the horses refused to board the starship.
GGBOND borrowed nine bronze mirrors from the palace, seven star charts from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, and the brightest jade pendant on the emperor’s belt. He arranged them in a ring and built the Nine-Dragon Stargate.
The black fleet fired its first beam. The emperor raised the imperial seal, and GGBOND pulled the stargate lever. Nine golden dragons rose along the palace walls and turned the whole night sky to gold.
The gate opened with a thunderous crack and sent the invading fleet to the far edge of the galaxy. They say there is nothing there but stone, cold wind, and an inn that is forever closed.
The capital erupted in cheers. The emperor asked GGBOND what reward he desired.
GGBOND considered the question. “A room with a view of the galaxy. And please, do not press that red button again.”
The emperor took up his brush and wrote a title no imperial court had ever seen.
From this day forward, GGBOND is appointed Imperial Developer. Stargates, starships, and all other improbable devices may be built first and reported later.
Ever since, whenever a green star appears above the Forbidden City, people know that the Imperial Developer is still at work.
THE GALACTIC CHRONICLES · IMPERIAL DEVELOPER