22 Years later…

She knew one day it would come to this, her people were always prepared for any intrusion from anywhere of this huge galaxy. This was not the first time, she thought. There were many before, and their lame attempts to steal the planet’s precious crystals were futile. In the end it always ended badly for them.

With time passing, less and less tried the impossible. But, there is always someone out there who is up to the challenge, even if could cost them their miserable lives, she thought grimly, but this time was somewhat different. The intruders were not just common thieves. They were infamous across the universe. She had heard enough about them to know they were more dangerous than the ones before them; this was something she was not looking forward to experiencing.

Growing up in the capital city of Ahia on this small and secluded beautiful planet of Chora, she always felt safe. This planet, she called home was much different than other planets in the Azzak system. While other and much bigger planets had endless oceans or deserts, this tiny globe lacked both of those environments. However, the planet was replete with numerous lakes with breathtaking waterfalls, accompanied by dense woods and tall mountains. This rich environment was thriving with abundant life. There were massive schools of fish in the lakes and variety of wildlife to hunt.

Spread across the landscape of Chora were nine cities that her ancestors built over a hundred years ago. These cities were similar to Ahia. They were safely placed behind tall, stone walls. For decades now, these walls helped them to keep the otherworldly intruders out of the cities. This was her home and these were her people. She could never let them down. She has to keep, not just her people safe, but the crystals as well.

From a very young age, she had to train to fight and take care of herself, as well as everyone else on the planet. They all taught their children how to defend themselves, while using different types and styles of weapons; a strict tradition on planet Chora. The crystals had to be safeguarded from anyone who dared attempt to steal them. This was the most important rule, which everyone had to obey, no exemptions.

So now the time came when the biggest and most dangerous empire was at their doorstep, she knew this would be a challenge for her people, but they all were prepared for anything that came in their way. Her ancestral grandfather built this fierce and determined society. She will not let him down, by running away with fear, just because they are close by. She will fight till the end, as will everyone else.

From outside, the sound of rolling thunder echoed through the chamber. As she heard rain hit the metal roof, with an unhappy expression, she thought, even the weather turned sour for their arrival.

Approaching footsteps disturbed her gloomy thoughts. Her Captain, Marcus Zadur was crossing the large room, his wet boots leaving fresh mud on the chamber's floor. Looking at his expression, she knew exactly how he felt about these new intruders. He was her Captain and one of the best fighters; the person she could always count on for support and knowledge. He always respected her decisions, despite her occasionally giving him a hard time, he never doubted her.

“Fehera.” He said urgently. “Six of their ships just landed. Please, I would like to adv….” He was cut short by her quick reply.

“Let them come! We will deal with them, like we always have with others before them.” Her young face calm and serious. “Don’t be alarmed Captain.” Her voice full of pride. “We always prevail.” Then she added. “Have faith in us Zadur.”

“Yes Fehera, as you wish." He replied swiftly, but on his aging face there was that curious worry line she always found fascinating. He did a small bow then stepped to her side, next to the large chair where she sat.

He didn’t like her overconfidence, but he knew her since she was a little child, and he knew how determined and hardheaded she could be sometimes. Her true loyalty lies with her people and the planet. She would never give in, even if she were forced to, he knew for sure. He admired her as a strong, smart and clear-headed leader, who always put others needs first, taking what was left for herself. Sometimes though he wished she would spend more time for herself. She was still young and very beautiful, and at her age she should be doing things, like other young ones were doing these days, he thought grimly. There was just so much on her shoulders. He indeed offered to help her many times before, but she just smiled at him with her beautiful face and declined his vain attempts.

He hoped this initial battle would go well enough that it would not grow to a war, and hopefully they would leave us alone, he thought. These "visitors" conquered other planets, and they were known for their great power, and now they decided to show up here, in this small, secluded corner of the vast galaxy. He was not unfamiliar fighting others to keep this place safe. How many times he had to face off against the uninvited. Every time unwanted visitors came he was ready for them; they all were, but it’s been awhile since the last occurrence. Secretly he did miss these confrontations; it gave him a purpose. He was the Captain of the Guard, and he had trained all of them. When he dies, one will rise to continue his teachings to the next generations. Just like when he was a young recruit, with great enthusiasm and dedication he soaked in all the knowledge and physical training from his Captain, and it paid off. He was fifty-five now and still in great shape with amazing stamina.

Lost in thoughts, he suddenly looked to the door, where he could hear them just on the other side approaching the chamber. Instinctively, his right hand went to his side where he kept his favorite pistol. This gun has never failed me, he thought with a small grin, as another huge clap of thunder rolled over the dark sky. Just the large double doors opened, and with their leader in front, they all walked into the room in full battle gear.

As soon as they entered the large stone building, he noticed right away how basic and simple it was. The towering stonewall, which they passed on their way in, was wrapped around the whole city. It looked ancient and too primal, he thought sarcastically, and not just this place, but, the whole planet was too primitive for his taste, and on top of that, rain was pouring down hard on them. Even the sky was crying, he thought with exasperation.

He couldn’t understand why his father and stepmother would want to come here, to this old and isolated little planet. If it was up to him, he’d be pursuing and conquering the other side of the galaxy where better planets offered more obvious riches than this one. There was a peculiar feeling about this planet he didn’t like at all. There was something here that made him uneasy in an unexplainable way. He would rather be somewhere else right now, but he is his father’s General, and he will obey orders without question, even if sometimes he disagrees with them.

So here we are, he thought. Let’s see if I can deal with this leader, and hopefully we’ll be on our way back to Batur, his home planet. He really missed Batur with its high tech, towering buildings with ultra modern cars and other vehicles flying at high speed on multi level highways. His planet had an advanced technology and was busy with great purpose, nothing like this one, he thought gloomily.

Walking through the chamber door, the first thing that caught his eye was a young woman sitting in a large white metal chair, at the end of the room close to three enormous windows. This greatly surprised him; he thought their leader was a man, maybe even an elder, but this woman was indeed too young to be a leader, he thought with amazement.

Motioning to his soldiers to stay, he stepped closer to her. There was an older man standing next to her, possibly a Captain or some sort of ranking officer within their small military. He counted at least thirty guards standing on either side of the room with weapons at ready. She looked to be in her early twenties, her long straight bright red hair was a stark contrast to her milky, pale, flawless skin. He had never seen a red haired woman like this one before, it looked otherworldly to him. She had a small but very elegant nose and pleasingly full pink lips. Her wide, dark brown eyes were piercing him. Underneath her brown long sleeved jacket, she wore the same colored tight shirt that showed off her nice figure, and long form fitting dark pants, which were tucked into her knee high leather black boots.

She was dressed like a regular person from the streets, and nothing like a real leader would, he thought with surprise. However, he didn’t come here to discuss fashion with her. He came to discuss about her giving them access to extract and take those stones; the stones his stepmother had talked about for a while now. He didn’t understand why those stones were so important to her and to his father. His stepmother was always a mystery to him, but not just her; all women were. He couldn’t comprehend why men lost their senses when it came to women; like his father. He did everything in his power to cater to his wife. She had her bony long fingers wrapped around him, he thought sadly. Somehow women always just complicate things for men, he thought, therefore he tried to avoid them as much as possible.

Then he stopped not far from her, and through his helmet, his deep voice sounded distorted as he spoke up.

“You know why we are here. I hope we can come to a mutual understanding, without any further complications.” Then, he added. “As you know, we are not to be denied.”

He didn’t see any reaction from her. She seemed like a statue as she was looking at him with a cold, stony expression. He wanted to know what she was thinking at that moment. Usually, when he gave someone an ultimatum, first they always defied him. Later they learned in a hard way, not to say no to him and especially to his father. That is what he liked, the hunt for the ones that fall before them, eventually. He loved the feeling of being in power over others. It made him feel important to be feared, and that was something he would not change for anything or anyone.

There was an eerie silence between them. She couldn’t believe this man had marched in here in full combat gear; didn’t even bother to remove his damned helmet and was giving her ultimatums. How dare he do this? She angrily thought. No respect from him at all, whatsoever. She was getting angry, but her face showed no emotions. She didn’t want him to know what she felt in that moment; she didn’t want to give him this satisfaction.

Standing up, she slowly approached him, stopping just a few feet from him, and then looking up into his helmet with a stern voice she asked.

“Do you know who I am?”

When he didn't answer she continued. “My name is Fehera Dalamir. I am a descendant of the Dalamir family of planet Chora. My ancestors built this place up from nothing and sacrificed themselves to keep this beautiful planet intact from people like you. I will never bow my head to a man like you.” Her voice was getting louder with every breath. “I would advise you to leave now, or suffer the consequences.”

Her face changed from cold to somewhat cocky, he thought with slight amazment. Behind his mask, he cracked a small grin, thinking how sweet it will be when he came back in full force, to conquer this primal planet of hers. He would wipe out, with one swift strike that overconfidence of hers. Looking down into her face he calmly said.

“Very well Fehera Dalamir, just don’t forget you are the one who made the choice. I hope your people will understand.”

Quickly turning his back to her, he signaled his men, and they all stomped out of the chamber leaving large puddles of rainwater on the floor. Fehera was looking after them, then, turning around, her eyes met with Zadur's. In his deep blue eyes, there was sadness mixed with a hint of apprehension, and anger as well. Immediately she knew they had to prepare for the fight of their lives. Walking back toward him, they started to plan for the upcoming battle.