Iron Fist, Iron Will

Written by Adam Mullen, with art by Mike Lombardo & Marcello Millicay, and edited by Ted Kendrick. March, 2024.

My dearest son, if you are reading this message, it means that I have passed on, and soon, you will be named Emperor of the Skran Imperium. 

As I write these words, the war rages on after nearly twenty years, and shows no sign of stopping. It was never my intention to leave you with an endless war, but instead, with the means to show strength in the days and years to come as you lead your subjects. For the Imperium to be victorious, you must show an unwavering iron fist to rule, and an indomitable iron will to lead. Without that fortitude, you will fail. The Imperium has endured for nearly eight hundred years without crumbling. It is now up to you and your descendants to see that it survives for another eight hundred more.

Fear not, my son, for I surrounded myself with the top minds in all of the Imperium. They will guide you as you find your footing as the head of our great civilization. Think back to your fencing lessons as a child, how they taught you to use your keen mind-- something you get from me no doubt-- to assess situations quickly and self-discipline yourself. Use those skills now as you navigate how to rule with an iron fist, and flourish with an iron will. 

Never accept defeat, my son. Not from yourself, and especially not from the Naams Protectorate. Once you have defeated them, and they waive their white flag, show them no mercy and wipe them from the face of the galactic map. If any of their Ruling Body remain alive, execute or ban them into the Unknown Space. They would surely do the same to us. 

I made sure from an early age that you knew how the Protectorate would never cease to try and kill you. Watch your back and trust no one. Our forefathers were met with the same insidious need from the Protectorate to see our royal bloodline end. They will send their spies to kill you. Utilize our vast network of Traveler agents to defend both you and the empire. 

The legacy of the Imperium and the Skran family name lives on in you. Do what you must to ensure they both live on for eternity. Before I end this message, I have one last wish, my son. Take my body, and hold a day of mourning throughout the Imperium. Make sure your subjects all pay their respects to me. I showed them my love and kindness. It is the least they can do for me. You are my legacy, my son. Do not fail me.

©2024 Lumo Station LLC.

“TALES FROM THE LOST DOMINION,” and “LOST DOMINION,” all characters, designs, and story elements are ©2020-2024 Lumo Station LLC. All rights reserved. No reproduction in any format, digital or print, without the express written permission of Adam Mullen.