As I lay in my bedroom, I was scared for my life. There were many on this planet who wished to kill me for the actions that I had taken against the old Council, and I felt that if I were to stay here, I must take great care in my travels. Thoughts and questions flew through my head with no answers coming to mind. What was I doing here? Did I have a purpose for staying here? Who are my allies and who were my enemies? What do I want from life? These were the questions that ran through my head without answers. I knew that in time these questions would be answered. First, I had to talk to my parents.

I walked up to them and remembered that these were not my true parents, they were neither biological nor were they related to my parents in any way. My parents had been killed many years ago in a battle on this very planet that had killed so many. That was when the old Council had promised new hope and life for my people, that promise never came true. Instead there was a stem of corruption and greed flowing through the planet. The battle was simply a reason for a new government and that was what had happened. My parents were simply lowly officers fighting for the original government that had been abolished and banned after the battle. They, as I remembered were brutal fighters and stopped at nothing to gain the respect at others. That was their fatal flaw and as I remembered their deaths, a sudden pain came about me in my stomach. Feelings of hatred and guilt came to me in a sudden flash. The atrocity of their death was almost too much for me to handle, and I wondered whether I would ever be able to speak of their deaths. I controlled the feelings and the thoughts came back to me. They were on the battlefield, waiting for the signal for them to run to the front line and as the sergeant told them to do so, a missile came from the enemy lines and exploded in front of my parents. Their limbs were strewn across the trenches, blood covered the survivors. That was their death and that was the last time I would remember it.

As I could remember, I was sent to an adoption agency here in the capital city and for many years I was stuck feeling lonely and depressed as children came and went. I was 12 before I was told a family wanted to adopt me. I had a new hope and as I met them, I was so excited to know whether they would adopt me. The owner of the adoption agency was led to the far corner of the room with my potential adopters and I began to feel lonely once again. It felt as though hours had passed, though it was only minutes. They came back smiling and I was told they wanted to adopt me immediatly, and ever since then, these people in front of me have been my parents.

"Mother, father, I need to ask you something. What is my purpose for staying here? Why should I stay here and live a lowly life when I could be out in space fighting for a just cause?" I asked, feeling guilt inside me.
"You shall soon know your purpose, you have been summoned by the New Council and I'm sure that you shall know your purpose then. Your purpose and your ideals." My father told me boldly and with pride. My mother was stood beside him gleaming with joy as if they already knew the purpose of the summoning.
"Thank you father, I shall go quickly, for I do not wish to upset the New Council so shortly after the war that lasted but a few days." I told him, and hugged both my mother and father before leaving for the Council building.

I knew that I must take care around these parts, I felt at rest again as people looked at me with pride, knowing that my achievements had saved the planet from a cloak of corruption. A few looked at me with hatred, as if what I had done was treason, but that did not bother me. As I looked up in amazement at the newly designed Council building, I felt as though in the room up above, I would learn my purpose for staying here. I opened the door to the building and there I saw many people rushing around, papers and people flying around. I walked to the reception and told them of my visit and I was immediatly told to go straight to the Upper Room. It was such an honour yet such a curse to be summoned by the New Council. As I approached the door, I knocked and a man I knew to be the leader of the New Council beckoned me inside. I was offered a seat around a table where so many of the New Council were sat, and I knew this visit must be an honour, not a curse. I took the seat and waited with anxiety to know the purpose of this summoning. After around five minutes of silence, the leader of the New Council, Palaris Grood, began to speak.

"Spiritius, I understand that you do not know the purpose of this summoning yet. Is this correct?" He asked.
"That is correct, sir." I said with respect in my tone.
"Very well then, I shall now explain. It was you that gave the planet new hope when you defeated the old Council, it was you that led an army of men onto the battlefield and fought valiantly." Palaris told me. I was confused as to were this was going. He continued to speak.
"You have proven your worth as a soldier and as a leader, thus I am here as are the council to provide you with some very good news. An army has been erected to defend the New Council and the planet in times of war, and as of yet we have no General to command the army." He told me and I realised were this was going, I was proud yet kept quiet for now.
"I believe that you are in a strong position to take this post, and the New Council is behind me in saying that we wish for you to accept the position with immediate effect. Do you agree and do you have any terms under which we must agree before you take the position?" He asked.
"I do have one term, that the army is under the control of the Galactic Coalition and can be ordered to battle at any time under the command of the Galactic Coalition." I told the New Council, deeply hoping that they would accept the single term.
"We accept with pride, and does this mean that you will be the Commanding General for the army of the New Council?" The Minister of Defense asked.
"I do wish to be the Commanding General, I simply have one question, how many men and women are in the army at this present time?" I asked to know whether I would need to make some officers into Sergeants and Captains.
"There are currently twenty three thousand men in the army and three thousand women in the army." Palaris told me. I was pleased with this and at that comment, I left the Upper Room to go to my home.

As I sat in my bedroom, thinking of what I planned to do. I know knew what my purpose in life was. It was to liberate planets in the name of the Galactic Coalition and serve as a General under the order of the Xionti New Council. I knew who my allies, the Galactic Coalition and the New Council. I knew who were my enemies, those who went against the New Council or the Galactic Coalition. I was happy knowing that I now had a purpose in life and hoped that soon I would meet the Prime-minister of the Galactic Coalition to work out my position in the Galactic Coalition. Yet, first I had to organise the army into squadrons.

I walked out of the house and walked towards the army barracks. This building had been erected not a few days ago yet already it was becoming a place of power and respect. Soldiers of many different areas had come in uniform to find out who was to be their new Commanding General. So many of these men had knowledge of the fiasco that I had been involved in a while ago and I got looks which wern't of the negativity I was used to. Pride and joy filled my soul and as I walked into the building. Many of the soldiers stopped in respect as I entered the building. The New Council were waiting patiently for my entrance, and many of the soldiers I would shortly be commanding were in a line formation close to the quarters. As I joined the New Council, Paralis Grood stopped his conversation and greeted me with a warm welcome.
"Soon my friend, you shall be in command of all these men and it will be a time of protection and safety for this planet. I hope that you have a speech planned, for these men and women will be expected a great leadership speech from you." He told me and I felt worried at the sound of the word of the speech.
"I have a speech ready sir, and it will raise the morale of the soldiers dramatically. Now, I ask you, could you send the remaining soldiers to this area immediatly?" I asked Paralis.
"Of course, I will do that immediatly." Paralis said and as he finished, he shouted an order to the soldiers and after several seconds, the army of the New Council had assembled in a line formation before the New Council. I stood behind the New Council so that Paralis could introduce me and I would walk forward.
"Soldiers of the New Council, I am here to announce the name of your new Commanding General. He is a man of many talents and he is here to make sure that this planet is safe and well. You may know him from the last battle that we had, the battle where so many of our men fell to the Old Council. This man is...Spiritius." He shouted and sudden applause roared through the area as my name was announced. I walked forward and the army saluted me in unison. As I looked at different soldiers, I realised that all their eyes were upon me and I began to speak.
"Soldiers, the time has come when the planet is in need of an army. The time has come when the planet is in need of a force which can protect the planet in times of war. You are the men and women that will make that time now. You know that I was the one who decided to destroy the Old Council and led an unofficial army into battle. I was the one who killed the Old Council leader before I left for a new life. The New Council asked me to do this for a simple reason, because I love and desire for this planet to be great and mighty. I tell you, each and every one of you has my friendship and respect. Each and every one of you has my complete and utter dependance." I roared to the soldiers and applause once again filled the room.
"Now Soldiers, go off to your quarters and be ready your training tomorrow. I shall be selecting certain men and women for higher ranked positions within the day. Those of you who are selected will meet in my office at 2200 hours." I told them and they marched to the quarters. I felt relieved that the men had been happy with the speech that I had given. It was completely unplanned and simply words from my heart. I sat down and waited until all the men had left before I was ready for my search to find squadron leaders.

I walked to the first room that I came to and walked in, the men and women rushed to the side of their beds and stood to attention. I looked at each and every one of them before walking to the end of the room.
"Who of you can fly a ship? who of you can command a group?" I asked. Several men and women brought their hands up, one man had raised his arm immediatly. I saw that he was not I was looking for, I did not need eagerness, I needed determination. I saw a woman who had stood perfectly still with her arm raised and went towards her.
"Ma'am, what is your name?" I asked, sounding curious.
"My name is Seila Marnana, sir!" She told me.
"I believe that you are the one who can command a squadron of pilots and fly a ship. You will meet me at 2200 hours in my office. Your new rank is Captain Seila Marnana. You will go through each and every room and find those who can fly, they will be in your squadron." I told her and she stood perfectly still but cracked a smile.

I left and entered the fourth room that I came across. This room had many men and women unpacking their clothes and equipment, and as they saw me enter, they did exactly as those in the first room had done. I did the same process of looking at each and every soldier and then moving to the end of the room.
"Who of you soldiers have the skill to be stealthy? Who of you can command a group?" I asked. Only a few raised their hand and this was expected. I saw a man who was tall yet dark, and I walked towards him.
"Young man, what is your name?" I asked him.
"My name is Darami Skoil, sir." He told me.
"I believe that you have the power to be stealthy and I believe that you have the skill to command a group. You will meet me in my office at 2200 hours. Your new rank is Lieutenant Darami Skoil. You are now the leader of the Shadow group and will find all those who are able to be stealthy and command those." I told him.

I repeated this process for over five groups, I now had a Piloting group, Shadow group, Heavy Weapons group, Scouting group and the Soldier group. The commanders of these groups were Captain Seila Marnana, Lieutenant Darami Skoil, Captain Jackil Ingris, Lieutenant Kiadi Lisho and Captain Reaid Mkinana. They were to meet me at 2200 hours for a meeting to explain their roles.

As the minute hand on the clock drew close to ten o'clock, I sat in patience waiting for the few that I had chosen for leadership roles to enter the room. It was close to three minutes to ten before Seila arrived and I immediatly brought her into the room. Several seconds later, two men, Jackil and Reaid came to the door of my office and I let them in. Coming only one minute late was Kiadi and Darami who were obviously close friends. As they were all seated before me, I started to address the group.
"All of you here are now either Captains or Lieutenants. You have the power to dismiss and recruit soldiers who think are suitable for your group. I shall now introduce eachother and the groups that we have. In leadership of the Piloting group is Seila Marana. In leadership of the Shadow group is Darami Skoil. In leadership of the Heavy Weapons group is Jackil Ingris. In leadership of the Scouting group is Kiadi Lisho and finally in leadership of the Soldiers group, there is Reaid Mkinana. I would you all to become acquainted before I explain the roles of your groups." And as I said that final sentence and left the room, I heard voices speaking to one another and I was pleased. I waited roughly ten minutes before entering the room again with scrolls and maps in my arm.
"Seila, your role as leader of the Piloting group is to create a squadron that has excellence in piloting for space battles. I understand that you can fly and thus you will be sent to the outskirts of the city where your squadron will be trained in simulation exercises." I told her and she nodded to me in understanding.
"Darami, you have the job of being our eyes and our ears in different parts of the galaxy. You have the role of infiltrating enemy forces and accessing key information. You will be sent to a training facility led by the Galactic Coalition whre you and your squadron will be trained in live exercises." He confirmed that he understood with a simple yes sir.
"Jackil, you have a role to play which will often help us win the war. You must make a squadron that is competent in using heavy weapons such as missile launchers. You will stay here and train in both simulation and live exercises." I told him.
"Kiadi, you must go ahead of our armies and search for the position of the enemies army. You have a role that is more dangerous than the normal army. You will train here in simulation and live exercises along with Jackil. Good luck." I told her.
"Reaid, your squadron will have a large number of soldiers in it and you must command the battalion which will be the main army. You will train in simulation and live exercises in the army barracks along side Jackil and Kiadi." I told him and he confirmed his duty.
"Those of who are training here must go back to their squadrons and report the information I have told you to your troops. Those of you who are leaving this area for a period of time must go to their squadron, tell them this information and then go to the main hall where a ship will be waiting for you to transport you to your training facility. Now move out!" Immediatly, the soldiers left quickly and I heard them running down the hallways.

I began to roll out the maps that I had brought with me when I was addressing the soldiers personally and began drawing plans for example battles, which would explain the positioning of the different squadrons. Several hours passed before I fell asleep with exhaustion.

Six months later

The training for the thirty thousand troops was soon to end. There were only a few weeks before I would be leading a fully competent army of soldiers into wars. I felt proud knowing that I had given the planet new hope, yet there was the faint sign of fear inside me. I walked around the training camps, studying the soldiers at work. Blaster shots were heard all around me and the sound of tearing paper was quiet yet in the midst of the training, I had attuned my senses to every sound, sight or smell. I walked to the outside of the army barracks, knowing that a real live exercise was soon to begin. I would be joining this live exercise, the soldiers didn't know it yet. I walked to Reaid and explained what was going to happen.
"You must understand that this exercise is not simply a test of the soldier's ability but instead it is an opportunity to show them what a battle would be like. That is why I will be participating in this exercise since I have been there." I told Reaid, knowing that he could not refuse. He simply nodded to me as acknowledgement and split the squadron into two sections, defense and attack. I was on the attacking team.

The main plan of the exercise was to eliminate all threats and take control of all three of the command posts. I got into position with my blaster. Men were lined up behind me and in front of me. I heard Reaid shouting an order and men ran forward in unison, wasting precious shots by shooting aimlessly. I waited a few seconds and ran to the side. I saw the battle raging on in front of me, red and blue blaster shots firing in all directions. Men falling were they had been hit. I crouched to take out unsuspecting enemy troops. The trigger felt stiff in my hand and I had to force myself to fire a shot. A soldier dropped down to the floor and I knew it was a direct hit. I rattled off several more shots from my blaster and took out three more soldiers.

I saw a command post towards the left of me around five hundred yards away. I ran towards it whilst slightly crouching. Adrenaline was rushing through my veins as I ran. My breathing was heavy and deep. I ran further and suddenly dropped to a lying position as I had saw the defensive team had posted several men at the command post. I lay in waiting, my hand shaking with a mix of adrenaline and fear. A shot suddenly fired close to my chest and I rolled away. I rolled once again and jumped to a standing position. I ran to the side, rattling shots of my blaster and attempting to take out the soldiers. As the shots connected with the armour, I saw the men fall. Suddenly, I saw Reaid running towards me.
"Sir, the Shadow group and Piloting group have just returned from their training. Do you wish for the group to stay where they are and wait for your orders?" Reaid asked me.
"Yes soldier, send the command immediatly." I told him, getting ready to leave the battlefield. I walked away from the battlefield, deeply hoping that the battle would continue for hours so that I could watch from a safe position.

The troops were stood in a box formation in the Great Hall, I walked to the main podium and started to speak.
"Soldiers, I hope that you have been training hard. You are all expected to be competent in your field of expertise now. If you wish to speak to me about anything, I am here and waiting for your questions after this speech. But first let me tell you how proud I am of you soldiers. You look so smart in your uniforms, so brave and mighty. Yet it is not about the uniforms, it is how you perform on the battlefield that counts. Do not underestimate me, I know that you may have feelings of insecurity or cowardice and these feelings are normal. I feel them at times and I know how to deal with them. Soldiers, I am your friend, do not treat me as an untouchable." I told the troops, and as I finished the speech, I walked away and heard Seila and Darami ordering the troops to their quarters. Once again, I felt proud that this army was growing mighty and strong. Soon, this army would be ready for battle.

As I sat reading over the news of the planet, I heard a knock at my door. I realised that someone must have decided that what I had said in my speech was true enough and decided to come and speak to me. I beckoned this person in and I saw that it was not a soldier but instead it was Palaris Grood. I was amazed and stunned to see him standing in the doorway.
"Sir, please take a seat." I told Paralis. He walked to the chair and struggled to be seated in the chair.
"Spiritius, there is no time for chit-chat. I have some important news for you. The New Council is having a meeting to discuss the idea of a research program based on the new design of ships, weapons etc. I would like for you to attend this meeting as an honoured guest and speak of what you know. If all goes well, I believe that you may be accepted to join the New Council." He told me with an urgency. I simply sat in my seat listening to his words with curiosity.
"Sir, surely it is too soon to be thinking of research groups." I told him.
"The New Council wishes for the planet to become a large influence in the galaxy and it seems that some of the members wish for the action to begin now. I am one who has the same belief as yourself, yet there has been a majority vote and the Research Project has been accepted. If you wish to speak your thoughts, I welcome you to attend the meeting in the Great Hall. Now I must leave you. I wish you well Spiritius." He immediatly stood up and left the room, leaving me with my thoughts.

I wished to attend the meeting of course, yet if I had ideas opposing the New Council, I would never be accepted as a member of the New Council. I had to rethink what I was going to do.

I grabbed a piece of paper from the drawer under my desk and began writing.

It is my belief that the Research Project based upon the design of several new ships and weapons for the benefit of both the planet and the galaxy is a rather good idea yet there are faults that cause me to believe that it is too soon for a research project. Firstly, we currently have no connection with the main businessmen of the galaxy, the Vinda Corporation and secondly, we do not have the workers willing to dedicate their time to the project. This therefore leads me to believe that if the Research Project were to go ahead as planned, then there must be more planning involved. This is what I believe, take this information as you will.

That was my speech, hopefully the New Council would like it. I knew that some of the New Council members had respect for me whereas others were slightly less kind in their opinion of me...

The Research Project meeting

I walked towards the Great Hall in both fear and pride. I had been accepted by Paralis Grood and was beginning to gain the respect of my fellow comrades yet there was a fear of rejection inside of me that just wouldn't leave. Men from all different parts of the planet were walking towards the Great Hall to see if the rumours were true. I had several eyes upon me as I walked along alone. The travellers must've realised that the meeting must be of great importance to send a living legend to the meeting.

I entered the Great Hall and there was a sudden flourish of sound from all directions, conversations speaking about the current condition of the Xionti Army, conversations about the meeting in general. I looked around the room searching for Palaris and since I could not find him, I went to the bar and ordered a cool drink to calm my nerves. As I was nearing the end of my drink, the noise suddenly stopped and I turned my eyes to see what was going on. At the podium was Palaris and his men surrounding him. He looked at me and smiled before he began to speak.
"Men and women, you are all here because you have a curious mind. You are here because your mind had a trigger set of inside it that caused you to wish to come here." Palaris paused and began again.
"I shall now unleash the information that you are all waiting for. The reason for this meeting is to tell you about a new idea that the New Council has had and this idea is now in it's final stages of development and planning. The new idea is to begin a Research Project based upon the design of new ships and weapons. I have a speaker here today who will be giving his view about the plan shortly, but before that I would like to see your views. Do you believe that this will benefit the planet?" He shouted and cheers flew through the room obviously to show their agreement.
"Very well then, may I present to you...General Spiritius." He said and the audience suddenly rose to the name and applauded as I walked towards the podium. I was now very nervous yet I refused to back away from something I had been asked to do.
"Firstly, I would like to thank you for the amount of support and respect that you have given myself and the New Council over these last few months. The planet is making such great progress in it's aim to become a galaxial known planet. I have the utmost respect for the members of the New Council and I only hope that you continue to have this much hope and pride inside of yourselves forever. Now onto the true reason for my being here...my view on the Research Project.

It is my belief that the Research Project based upon the design of several new ships and weapons for the benefit of both the planet and the galaxy is a rather good idea yet there are faults that cause me to believe that it is too soon for a research project. Firstly, we currently have no connection with the main businessmen of the galaxy, the Vinda Corporation and secondly, we do not have the workers willing to dedicate their time to the project. This therefore leads me to believe that if the Research Project were to go ahead as planned, then there must be more planning involved. I would ask for the New Council to contact the Vinda Corporation for the necessary materials needed for the construction of such designs and I believe that it is a necessity that a man be put in charge of the Project. May my beliefs fall upon with care and I wish you all good praise." That was that, my speech over with a few additions to the original plan. Palaris quickly walked over to the podium and spoke into the microphone.
"I hope that you leave this place with an opinion and I hope that you will stay and enjoy yourselves." He said into the microphone. As he finished, he quickly pulled me away from the podium and whispered into my ears.
"You are summoned before the New Council in exactly one hour." And with that he left. I was perplexed, had I done something wrong? Did I displease the New Council? I certainly hoped not and I believed that I had simply said my opinion, if that was not what they wanted then they were much like the older government, full of corruption and greed.

Meeting of the New Council

The New Council building stood before. I looked upon it's greatness and perfect design in fear and awe. I didn't want to enter the building yet I dreaded to think what the New Council would do if I did not attend the summoning. I walked in and was immediatly summoned to the Upper Room, a place where I was beginning to become familiar with. I knocked on the door and peered my head around the door. Paralis and several other Council members turned their heads at the interruption.

"Spiritius, I'm so glad that you came. Please take seat next to mine. This is quite a special occasion but first I would like to congratulate you on your speech. You seem to have won the respect of the people." Paralis said.
"Palaris, would you stop diverting away from the purpose of this meeting." The Minister of Defense said. When he said those words, I began to feel even more worried than before.
"Very well. As you may well know Spiritius, we have a keen interest in the actions of yourself. We have a great knowledge of what you do and the goals that you have in life. You have a devotion to this country and I believe that there is simply no other decision that to tell you this one simple sentence. Welcome to the New Council." He said.

I was stunned, surely this couldn't have been true. I looked around the room and each member of the New Council looked towards me and cracked a smile. I was truly amazed. I sat back into the chair and the New Council broke into applause. I was tempted to pinch myself to check this wasn't a dream but there was nothing but reality surrounded this whole place.
"What exactly is my position here in the New Council?" I asked Palaris.
"You are second-in-command. You are now the co-leader of the New Council before myself. You must carry out your duties with care and consideration and your first duty as the newest member of the New Council is to solve the problems that are related to the Research Project." Palaris told me.

This was a dream come true for me. I sat back and waited for the New Council to ask me to leave, but the meeting moved onto diplomatic business without any notice of the New Council wishing for me to leave.

As the New Council meeting drew to a close, I left with urgency towards the army barracks. Everywhere, men and women looked upon me with a sense of pride and accomplishment yet I didn't feel those great emotions, instead I felt fear and anger. Fear for the organisation of the army and anger for my stupidity in leaving the army barracks with leaving someone in charge. As the fear and anger built further inside me, I started sprinting towards the army barracks and soon I was at the great wooden entrance to the barracks.

I pushed open the door and walked in, expecting to see a mass of bodies and soldiers in chaos throughout the place but instead I saw the organisation I had so desired when the army was created. Soldiers were following strict orders from the likes of Seila and Darami. I heard gunshots from the shooting range and overhead was the delightful sound of ships dogfighting in the air. I was suddenly overcome with relief and pride. I ran towards the podium in the great hall and ordered the soldiers to 'stand-to'.

"Soldiers, I have been delayed in welcoming many of you back to Xionti army barracks due to other matters. But now I believe the time is right for many of you to feel a sense of pride and success, I came back to this place expecting chaos and disorder, but instead I found the complete opposite. I am overcome with relief knowing that you are competent in completing and following orders without the need for myself overlooking you. Soldiers who have came back from their training in other parts of the galaxy, I would like to welcome you back and I would like to say bravo to each and every one of you for your dedication and organisation whilst in the army." I said as the soldiers looked upon me. I stepped down from the podium and walked to my office.

I entered my office and sat down, feeling a sense of relaxation and relief as I sunk back into the leather chair. My desk was clear of papers and documents needing my attention, those had been dealt with earlier. The whole room was quiet and calm. This was my time to meditate and regain control of my thoughts. What I was going to do next would be solved later...