Raymond Aguerra

Also known as King Peter, Raymond Aguerra is a fictional character from the "Saga of Seven Suns" series of novels by Kevin J. Anderson.

Biography

Raymond Aguerra was the eldest son of Rita and Esteban Aguerra - born in 2413 CE - and lived with his mother and brothers in an apartment complex for fourteen years. Raymond supplimented his mother's income by doing a variety of jobs during the night though this had a detrimental effect on his schoolwork. Though desperate Raymond rarely resorted to criminal means to acquire items for his family, which earned him the ire of small time felons such as Malph and Burl.

Spotted by agents of the Terran Hanseatic League due to his faint resemblance of King Frederick, Raymond was kidnapped by Chairman Wenceslas's expediter after an arranged apartment fire killed the other members of the Aguerra family while he was out doing some work.

Raymond was initially enthusiastic about his change of lifestyle despite mourning his family and was kept in Whisper Palace under the name of Prince Peter on Earth, his appearance surgically altered. Raymond was taught etiquette and the detailed history of the Terran Hanseatic League by the ancient compy OX. While studying the planets of the Hanseatic League Raymond came across information that led him to believe Basil Wenceslas had his entire family killed, including his estranged father.

Raymond was crowned King Peter after the the death of Old King Frederick in the hydrogue emissary's attack. Unfortunately for Basil Wenceslas the King Peter was not as docile as the Chairman would have liked and Raymond was even drugged at one point to make sure he didn't cause any problems.

An arranged marriage between Raymond and the Theron Estarra was organised by Basil Wenceslas and Sarein. Although this was planned as a moral boost for the Hanseatic League following crushing defeats suffered by the EDF, Peter and Estarra's relationship did evolve into one of genuine love.

In his role as King Peter, Raymond was employed to make numerous announcements concerning the loss of EDF ships and personnel to the hydrogues. Although he was genuinely moved by the deaths he was still apprehensive about the offer by the Klikiss robots to aid the human effort against the hydrogues though he accepted Jorax's offer. Raymond's most hated announcement was the one that imposed birth restrictions upon the residents of the Terran Hanseatic League.

Problems with the lack of progress understanding the modules replicated by Hansa technicians - those used in the new soldier compies - was brought to King Peter's attention by OX and due to the concern he visited a compy factory to ask probing questions. Unsatisfied by the answered King Peter shut down soldier compy production - a decision quickly reversed by Basil Wenceslas.

King Peter was almost assassinated along with the Queen Estarra by a bomb planted on the order of Chairman Wenceslas but the device was discovered by OX before it could be detonated. Realising the lengths the Chairman was prepared to go Raymond kept his defiance after the attempted bombing to a minimum, although he did have the Roamer detained in the EDF base on Mars - who Basil Wenceslas planned to frame with the bombing - quietly released.

Despite Raymond's drop in defiance Basil Wenceslas kept his options open with the selection of Prince Daniel, Prince Peter's 'brother', and a warning to Raymond to keep in line. However, the King discovered through OX that Daniel was far from the ideal student and a secret meeting between the two supposed royals confirmed it for Raymond that Daniel was not a threat.

Estarra announced to Raymond not long later that his worries about his replacement might be solved by her pregnancy. Despite his joy at the news Raymond suggested that Basil Wenceslas not be informed of the pregnancy as it was uncertain how the Chairman would react, though this decision was put immediately to the test as the royal couple departed with Basil on a journey to Ildira. Fortunately the Chairman shut himself away for most of the trip and Raymond and Estarra's secret went undiscovered.

Appearances/ Sources

*Hidden Empire
*A Forest of Stars
*Horizon Storms
*Scattered Suns
*Of Fire and Night
*Metal Swarm
*The Ashes of Worlds