Olaiya Oluwatobi Abiodun

I t ’ st hey ear2092, andsci encehasmademanygr oundbr eaki ngdi scov er i esand br eakt hr ough’ s.Howev er , i nt hi sbi d, wef or gett hatnoonecanr epl acet hei nt el l i gence ofman.Wehav emadet hesabr et hatki l l sus, t het ool swehav emadet o“ assi st ”us hav ebecomeat hr eatt oourl i v es.Wehav edi st ur bedt hecour seofnat ur e, nowt he sl eepi ngdogswehav edi st ur bedbar kmadl yatus.These“ dogs”ar enott oot hl ess, t hey possesssabr el i ket oot h.They ’ l l sl i cet hr oughus.Theone’ swepl ant oassi stusar e goi ngt oensl av eourbei ng, ourmi nds, oursoul s, br i ngust oourknees.Thewor l dhas of f endednat ur eandshehasbui l tt hewal l s; angui sh, pai n, sel f sl av er yl oom ont he hor i zon.Whot henshal l st opt hesepr egnantcl oudsf r om di v ul gi nghercont ent s.Who shal l sav eFansi af r om ext i nct i on. MOTHERWALL Iam Ni x, commanderoft heFansi aar my .Ihav eal l atmyf eet .Thebat t al i oni sat my beckandcal l , mywor dscauset obow.Whocant henst andagai nstmeandmy pl ant oov er t hr owt heRepubl i c.Ni x , dosen’ tany onest andi ny ourway , i ssomesectof t hear mynotst i l l i nsuppor toft hegov er nment ?.I ’ l l sendmyhenchment ocl eart hem outandI ’ l l f eedt hei rbonest omyl i ons.Iam Ni x ’ RQuani , nobodydar escount ermy or der s.“ Dasi l et i pr epar eThef l eetwi t ht heDar edest r o, wet aket her epubl i csoon. ” Ni x’ RQuani hadbeenay oungmanoft heQuani cl anwhower ef amedf orbei ng war r i or s.Howev er , hi spar ent shadbeenki l l edi nt hei nv asi onofFansi abyt heKi l umani t r i be; Theyhaddi eddef endi ngt henat i on, Ni xhadbeent akenpr i sonerbyt heKi l umani ; hewast wowhenhewast akenpr i sonersohepr act i cal l yhadnoi deaaboutt he pr owessofhi sf ami l yi nwar s. Thekal i ze, ki ngoft heKi l umani wasf amedf orhi s obsessi onwi t hsci enceandsci ent i f i cweaponr y .Thei rSci ent i st s’ wer ef amedf ort hei r endl essr esear chf orweaponr yt hatwoul dsur passt henucl earweaponsofot her power f ul nat i ons.TheResear chhadt akensi xt y f oury ear sandt r i l l i onsofKi l uwat i , t he cur r encyoft heKi l umani ans’ hadbeenexpendedoni tbutl i t t l esuccesshadbeen achi ev ed.Kal i zer emai nedundaunt edandcont i nuedt opumpmoneyi nt ohi ssear ch.Ni x hadgr ownupi nt heKi l umani ’ ski ngpal acewher et heywer et r ai nedi nt hear tofwagi ng warwi t ht hebesti mpl ement sofwar , ashegr ewhedev el opedchar i smaandwaswel l l i kedamongsthi sf el l owt r ai nees, hewasequal l yhandsomeashewast het oastof mostl adi esi nKi l umani.Amongsthi speer si nt r ai ni ng, hewasunusual l yski l l edi n usi ngt hedar kbor esadeadl yf l y shoot i ngmachi net hatonl yt hecommandercoul d oper at e.I nspi t eofal l t hi s, Ni xwasal way sst uckupwi t hhi msel fandmostt i mes soughtt okeept ohi msel f , t hi swasasour ceofconcer nf orhi scommanderashebegan t oper cei v et hatNi xmi ghthav eadar ksi det ohi m buthewav edt het houghtof fand concl udedt hatNi xwasnat ur al l yaqui etper son. Oneday , hewast r ai ni ngv i gor ousl yandt heki ngwaspassi ngbywi t honeofhi s sci ent i st sandcompl ai ni ngaboutt hecompl acencyofhi ssci ent i st s, “ Doy ouknowhowmuchwe’ v espentont heser esear chesy ou’ v ebeencar r y i ngout ?I gi v ey oupeopl esev enmont hs, i fy ouf ai l t odi scov ert heway st odev el opt hose weaponsI ’ l l t hr owy ouandy ourcol l eaguesi npr i sonandmakesur ey ourf ami l i eswor k onmypl ant at i onst i l l t hey ’ v epai dbackal l t heKi l uwat i we’ v espent . DrFuschi at i mi dl ysai d; " Gr eatKal i ze; we' v ebeenwor ki ngt i r el essl ybutwhaty ouaskf or i sar duos.I tseems. . . . . " " I mpossi bl ey oumeantt osay ! ! , y oudar enott el l met hat ; Ipr omi sey out hati fy ouf ai l at t hi sI ' l l speci f i cal l yf eedy out ot hel i ons" Thr oughoutt het i met heki ngwasv ent i nghi sspl een, Ni xwaswi t hi nhear i ngdi st ance andov er hear dal l t hei rdi scussi ons.I mmedi at el yt heki ngwasdonewi t hDrFuschi a, t he sci ent i st , Ni xwentt omeethi m andpl eadedt oassi sthi mi nt her esear ch; " Doct orFuschi ahow' r eudoi ngsi r , Iov er hear dy ourdi scussi onwi t hKal i ze. i . . . . " Sai dNi x " Youov er hear dwhat ! !Youmeani nst eadofdoi ngy ourf i ght i ngl essonsy ou' v ebeen eav esdr oppi ng, y ou' l l besor r yi fIr epor ty out ot heki ng"; sai dDrf uschi a. " Farf r om i tsi r , I ' dbeent r ai ni ngsepar at el yonmyownwhenIhear dwhaty ouandt he ki ngwer esay i ngi npassi ng" ; Ef f i sai d. " Yes? !Sai dDrFuschi aangr i l y ; WhatdoeswhatIandt heki ngsai dhav et odowi t hy ou! You' v eal sobecomeasci ent i st ! " ; DrFuschi asai dspi t ef ul l y . " Doct or , i wantt ohel pouti nt her esear chIbel i ev ewecandoi t , I . . . . ."; . Sai dNi x. " You!Youwantt ohel p!How! . . . .wel l , het houghtt ohi msel f , l ethi m hav ehi st r yati the' d bel ar gel yunsuccessf ul any way sandbackout " Wel l y oucancomet ot hel abandl ookt hi ngsup; You' l l hav et ot akecar ey oudon' t dest r oyany t hi ngi nt hel ab" ; sai dDrFuschi a. " Thanky ouv er ymuchSi r , I ' m mostgr at ef ul " ; Sai dNi x DrFuschi awasqui t esur pr i sedbutopt edt oobl i gehi m becausehewasatcr ossr oads ast owhoandwhatwoul dpr ov i deaconcl usi v esol ut i onandwhati twoul dbe.“ Ineed al l handsondeckandnoi deashoul dbedi scar ded”het hought .Ev er ydayaf t ert hatday R’ Quani af t erhi sf i ght i ngandf l y i ngl essonswoul dgot ot hel abor at or yatni ghtand begi nt or esear ch.Oneni ght , hewasi nt hel abor at or yandwasnear i ngf r ust r at i onwhen hei nci dent al l ypeer edi nt ot het el escopeandbegant oobser v e.Whathedi scov er edwas mar v el ous.I tseemedast hought hegal axywashel dt oget herbysomepar t i cl eswi t hout whi cht heywoul dspi nawayf r om eachot her , t hef or cehol di ngt hem t oget herseemed t odef ygr av i t y .Hewasel at edandcoul dnotwai tt ot el l DrFuschi aabouthi sdi scov er y . Drf uschi aonseei ngt hedi scov er ymar v el edathowaper sonwhohadnopr i or knowl edgeofsci encecoul ddi scov ert hi swonder f ul di scov er yt hatwoul ddef i ni t el y sur passt hedeadl i nessofnucl earweapons.Onhear i ngt hi s, Ki l azewasext r emel y pl easedandi mmedi at el ydecr eed“Fr om t hi st i mef or war d, ImakeNi xR’ Quani t he deput ycommanderi nt hemaki ngoft he“ Bl akanons” , we’ r egoi ngt ot akeov ert he uni v er se” .Thesear chf orknowl edgel eadsust odi scov er yt hatbui l dsandt ur nsour wal l st or ubbl es. Fansi a, af t ert hewar swasashadowofher sel f .Tar uf anaze, t heki nggotupf r om hi s nowdi l api dat edpal acet hatusedt obeal ar geest at ewasnowst r ewnwi t hr ubbl es. “ whowi l l l ookatt hi st ownandsayt hati twasal andboomi ngwi t hl i f e, i t ’ snowa desol at el and” .Tear swel l edupi nhi sey esashet houghtoft hegl or yoft hey est er y ear s nowdepar t ed.Hel ookedt ot heski esandsawt he“ Ri t ar i o” , t hepat r ol hel i copt eroft he Ki l umani whi cht heyusedt omoni t ort hel and.“ For cesoft heai r , seas, r est or et hegl or y oft hi sl and. Ef f i Whel l shadgr ownupi nFansi aal l herl i f e.Shehadbeenbor nsi xy ear saf t ert he war sandhadgr ownupamongstt her ui ns.Shehadal way sf el taconnect i ont ot her ui ns assomet hi ngseemedt odr awhert owar dst hem dai l ywhenshewasv er yy oung.The i nt r i gui ngt hi ngaboutherwast hatt her eseemedt obenor ecor dsofherpar ent s, She wasmer el yamongstt hosechi l dr enwi t hsandyhai r , whohadgr ownupi nt heki ng’ s cour t y ar deat i ngf r om t her emnant sf r om t heki ng’ st abl e.Asshegr ew, shehadbeen f or cedt ol ear nsur v i v al byf or cesoast obeabl et ocopewi t ht her uggednessofl i v i ng ont hest r eet s.Shehadanat hl et i cf i gur eandwasal way sdr essedi nboy scl ot hi ng’ st o showhert oughness.Ef f i hadmat ur edqui ckl yandhadbegant owor katt heur ani um mi nesatt heageofei ght .Al t houghi twashazar doust owor katt hemi nes, asmany peopl ehadbeendy i ngofl ungcancer sl at el , Ef f i hadnoot herchoi cebutt okeepon wor ki ngt okeep“ Fazi a”t heFansi anccur r encyonhert abl e.Shewor kedatt hedi ggi ng sect i on, di ggi ngupt housandsoft onnesofor edai l y .Rumourhadi tt hatherpar ent s hadbeent akenbyt hef ant at i sedal i ens, t her ef or emanyconst ant l yav oi dedherf ort he f eart hatshehadal i enaf f i ni t y . Ef f i Cont i nuedt omi neatt hemi ne.Oneday , Fanzhi , herf r i endwi t hwhom shemi nedt oget her wasdi ggi ngoutt heOr ewhensuddenl yFanzhi sai d; " Iam t i r edoft hi ssuf f er i ng, wedi gal l daywi t hmeagr er ewar dsandmal t r eat ment ; I ' m qui t t i ng soon" . " Fanzhi we' r egoi ngt opul l t hr ought hi s, i t ' sonl yf oraper i odoft i me" ; Ef f i sai d " Forhowl ong!I ' m anor phan, myf ami l yhasnot r ace, y ou' r et heonl yoneIhav el ef tas f ami l y " ; Fanzhi l ament ed " I t ' sgoi ngt obeov ersoon, we' r egoi ngt ocl i mbupt hel adder , whent her e' sl i f et her e' shope" ; Ef f i sai d " I ' m qui t t i ngal l t hi ssqual orandpai n!Foral l Icar et hi sor ewe' r edi ggi ngoutcoul dgi v emet he cancerpeopl ear econt r act i ng" Ef f i sai d. " Fanzhi we' r egoi ngt opul l t hr ough, wewi l l . . . . . " ; Suddenl yt her ewasashaki ngi nt he mi neandFanzhi mi ssedherf oot i ng; " Fanzhi ! ! ! !Ef f i r eachedf orherbuti twast ool at e.Fanz hi f el l I nt ot hedeeppi tt hathadbeencr eat edbyt hei rdi ggi ng. Fanzhi f el l onherhead, andbr okeher neck. " Fanzhi don' tgo! !Youcan' tdi e, west i l l hav eal ott odot oger her ; Ef f i moanedl oudl yasshe mour nedherf r i end. " Thei rmast erwoul dnothav eEf f i mour nherf r i endashebegant owhi pmywi t hel ect r oni cwhi ps t hatwoul dEl ecr ocut eheri fshedi dn' tr et ur nt owor ki mmedi at el y , " Wi l l Yougett owor kandst opmour ni ngy ourweakf r i end, y oucanj oi nheri nt hesamepl ace shei sandI ' l l Begl adt oassi sty ou"Hesai dashewhi ppedher" Ay emast er , shesai dt hr oughherpai ns. " Lazyandweakl ot s, howwon' ty ousl i pi nt ot hepi t , t ohel l wi t hy ou, di g!Isai ddi g!OrI ' l l doubl e y ourwor k. Thr oughoutwor kt hatday , TheI magesofherf r i ends' deat hkeptpl ay i ngi nherhead." Icoul d hav esav edher , i coul dhav ei fIhadr eachedoutear l i er " .shekeptbl ami ngher sel ft hr oughoutas shemadeherwayt oherpl aceofsol acewhi chseemedt odr awhermor est r ongl yt owar dsi t t hatday .Onget t i ngt her e, i tseemedast houghsomeonehadbeenwai t i ng4her ebecauseshe f el tanunusual cal mnessar oundt hear ea. Ef f i cr umpl edt ot hegr oundandbegant oshedher al r eadypentupt ear s. Shehasbeencr y i ngf ort went ymi nut esormay bet wohour sf orshehad l ostcountoft i mewhenshenot i cedt hathert ear shadnotsoakedt hegr ound, t heywer ef l oat i ng ar oundher .I tseemedast houghshewasi nadazebutasshest oodupst i l l i ngr i eff orher bel ov edf r i endt het ear sst oodupwi t hher .Ef f i whel l sseemedt obeont heedgeofsani t ywhen shehear dav oi cesay " Daught eroft heear t h, y ouseem Amazed, y ourt ear sar ef l oat i ngar oundy oubecauset heyar e t het ear sofl ov ey ouf el tf ory ourf r i end, t i meswi l l comewheni ti sdeepl ov et hatwi l l hel py oui n t hequestaheadofy ou" . " I ? , quest ?Whatquestar ey out al ki ngabout andwhoar ey oushowy our sel ft ome; Ef f i sai d." Iam, whoy ouwi l l gett oknowandt hequestaheadofy oui st hatwhi chy ouwi l l knowabout soonest . "" l ookt oy ourl ef t , Sai dt hev oi ce; shel ookedt oherl ef tandsawabat onl i kei mpl ementwhi chshepi ckedup. " Thati sgoi ngt obey ourweapont oai dy ouont hequestahead, j ustt hi nkofanyweapony ou wanti tt obeandi t ' l l t ur nt oi t , usei twel l , i nt hegoodhands, i twoul dbr i ngj ust i ce, buti fi tf al l si n t hehandsofev i l ,i t ' l l br i ngut t erdest r uct i on" .Att hesamei nst ance, t hev oi cev ani shedandher t ear sf el l t ot hegr ound. I tseemedast houghnot hi nghadhappened, butt heweaponr emai nedi n herhand. " What ' sgoi ngon, am Ii nadaze; t r yt heweaponout , t hi nkofsomet hi ngani nnerv oi cet ol dher " . Shet houghtofar i f l eatt hesame i nst anti tbecamear i f l e.Ef f i whel l swasshockedandf asci nat edbyt hi s. Shekeptt hi sweapon andbegant ot r ai ndai l ywi t hi t . Themal t r eat mentatTi r ani maur ani um mi necont i nuedandt hewor ker shadbeencompl ai ni ng cont i nual l yofmanydeat hsi nt hepastf ewy ear smaj or l ybecauseoft hehazar dsOft he mi ni ng. Dr acosl av o, t hechi efmi nercont i nuedt omal t r eatt hem,pay i ngpal t r ysumsas r emuner at i on. Onedayasusual , awor kerwassent encedt odeat hbyt heel ect r oni cchai rf or spi l l i ngadr um ofur ani um.Thewor kerpr ot est edt hi sandsomewor ker ssuppor t edhi m. Bef or e l ongaf i ghthadst ar t edatt heMi nebet weent het opwor ker sandt hewor ker s. Thet opwor ker s br oughtoutt hei rst unsgunsandanni hi l at or s(gunt hatf r eezesahumanbef or ei tt hen di smember est hem)andst ar t edEf f i whel l swasnear byandshet ookchar geoft he si t uat i on; . Shesai d " Al l f el l owsgetanyofy ourdi gger satmywor dj oi nt hem al l i napy r ami dwi t ht hi smyweapon andbegi nt ot hi nkoft heweaponsy ouwanteachoft hedi gger st obecomedoy oucopy" , They di dn' tseem t obel i ev eatf i r stbutwheni tseemedast hought hatwast heonl yl i kel ysol ut i on becauset heywoul dal l beki l l edbyt hedeadl yweaponsoft hei rassai l ant s. Gi nduge, oneoft he wor ker ssuddenl yspoke " Ev er y onegat hery ourdi gger st odaywef i ghtagai nsti mpov er i shment , i fwedi et odayi t ' l l besai d t hatwef oughtf orf r eedom" Ongat her i ngt het oget her , eachper son' sdi gger sbegant ot ur nt owhatt heyt houghtt ot hem, f r om RPG' St osemi aut omat i cguns. I naf ewmi nut est hemi nehadt ur nedt oabl oodf i el d becauset hewor ker ski l l edal l t hei rbosses. Thatday , af t ert hemassi v emut i nyt her ewasa senseofr enewedhopet hatt hi ngswoul dchangef ort hebet t er .Thewor ker s' att hemi neaf t er t hi swentonapr ot estt ot heki ng' spal acedr aggi ngt hebodi esoft hei rdeadbosses. Onseei ng t hatt hewor ker shadbeenmassi v el yaggr ei v edandanyat t emptt obegt hem woul daggr i ev ed t hem mor e, heaskedt hem whatt heywant edandt heysai dt heywant edt heki ngt oassentt o Ef f i whel l st obet heheadoft heur ani um mi nes.Hewasr el uct antbuthi shandswer et i edand hewasl ef twi t hnoot herchoi cebutt ogr antt hei rr equest .Ef f i whel l swasl i f t edshoul derhi gh byt hemi newor ker sast heycel ebr at edt hei rnewl eaderwhohadsav edt hem f r om t hei r suf f er i ng.Ef f i Whel l spr oposedi nherhear tt or educet hehazar dsencount er edbyt hewor ker sat t hemi nesandt ot r yCont r ol t hei l l egal sal eofur ani um t opeopl eusi ngt hem t omakeweapons. Howev er , aswequenchonef i r e, anot hergr eat eroner i sesagai n.I twasn' tl ongaf t ert hemut i ny t hatr umourst ar t edf l y i ngar oundt hataweaponhadbeenmadet hatwasst r ongert hant he nucl earweaponsandi twasat hr eatt ot hegal axyasi tcoul di nv i t eal i enst ot heear t h. Rumour s i nt hi spat hsof t ent ur noutt obet r ue.Thei rwor stf ear swer econf i r medt hr eeweekswhen r epor t swer ebr oughtt hatt heweaponhadbeent est edi nt heKakadi edeser t .I thadbeent est ed i nt hemi ni f or m andt hecompl et epackagecoul dwr eckhav oc. YusefYashahadf oughti nt heol dwar sThathadFansi awhi chwasaboomi ngci t ybecomea shadowofher sel f . Hewasoneoft hef ewsur v i v or soft hewarowi ngpar t l yt ohi sspeci al power s andPr ov i dence.Hewasnowmi ddl eagedmanoff or t yf i v ey ear sol d.Hehadr esor t edt o sol i t udeashenowst ay edal onei nt heout ski r t soft het own.Ashesati nhi shouset hatday , hi s " mor i naze"asensor ymi r r ort hatal er t edhi m onur genthappeni ngsbegant obeam.Whatwas st r i ki ngandi nt r i gui ngwast hatt hebeam wasmuchbr i ght ert hani thadbeeni ny ear s. Thel ast t i mei thadbeamedl i ket hi swasdur i ngt heol dwar si nwhi chev er y oneexcepthi m hadbeen caughtunawar es. " Whatcoul dt hi sbe?Het houghtt ohi msel f" . Yusefwor ehi ssensorgl assesandl ookedi nt ot hemi r r or . Whathesawwasunspeakabl e. Thi s wasmor et hant hewar s. Doom wasont hehor i zonf ort hegal axy . Yusefi mmedi at el yf l ewt ot he ki ngspal acet oi nf or m hi m oft hei mpendi ngdoom, YusefYasha, t hegr eatone, wehav eseeny out oday , whatbr i ngsy ouher e; Theki ngsai d. " Gr eatTar uf anaze, l i v ef or ev er, whatIsawonmymi r r ort hi smor ni ngi snotpal at abl e. The Ki l uamani t r i behav edev el opedadar kweaponmadef r om dar kener gy . I ti scapabl eof dest r oy i ngt heuni v er se, maki ngust ot ur nagai nstour sel v es; Oki ngwemustf i ndsomet hi ngt o doaboutt hi sLestwegetki l l edbyt heki l umani " Whent heki nghear dt hi s, her enthi scl ot hes. " Wi l l Mypeopl egoi nt osl av er yagai n, wi l l t hese l andsbedesol at eagai n; Nev er ! . Gr eatki ngt aket hi ngseasyweneedt of i ndawayt ost opt hi sdar kf or cebecausei t ' l l consume usal l ,i t ' smor et hant heol dwar s, y ourhi ghness; Sai dEf f i . " Tel l Far adasi , t hemessengert osenddi st r essmessagest oal l t hest at esandgal axi esar ound us.Thi scannothappent ous; Tar uf anazesai d" . YusefYashaf l ewbackt ohi shomeandbegant oputhi shousei nor derbecauset hei nv asi on wasi mmi nent . Ef f i whel l shadgot t enwi ndoft henewsYusefYashahaddel i v er edt ot heki ng andsheknewt hatt hi swast hequestt hev oi cewast al ki ngt oherabout . Shei mmedi at el yf el t dr awnagai nt ot her ui nsandshewentt her e.Onget t i ngt her easl i ghtbr eezebegant obl owand suddenl yascr eenl i kei mpl ementappear edbef or eheri nwhi chshecoul dseet hi ngs. " Ef f i t he t i mehascomef ory out of ul f i l l y ourdest i ny . Thi si st hequestIwast el l i ngy ouabout ; l ooki nt o t hescr een, y ouseet hemani nt her e?Hei shewhowageswaragai nstt heuni v er se, Hi shear ti s dar kenedwi t hquestf orpower . Hepossessesmuchpowerf orhei sn' tcompl et el y human, Daught ery ouar et heonl yonewhocandef eathi m andSav et heuni v er se"Thev oi ce sai d. "St r angeoneWhoi st hi sman, hel ooksi nnocentandki ndhear t ed" ; Ef f i sai d.Donotbe decei v edbyappear ances, Hehaspower st ocont r ol mi nds, t hathehowhecont r ol st hoseunder hi m, hei saser pent " . Thev oi cesai d." Howt hendoIdef eathi m, Idonothav epower st ocont r ol mi nds, nordoIhav eaf l eetofar mi eswi t hme, Thi sseemsl i keasui ci demi ssi on" ; Ef f i whel l s sai d. " Daught erLov econquer sal l andt hef or cesofgood, nomat t erhowf ewconquerev i l ; Open y ourhandst aket hi s" Zi r ocompex" ; i t ' sacompasst hatwi l l l eady out ot he" Cr at i ni "t heonl yman whopossesesst hemedal l i onwi t hwhi chy oucanconquery ourenemy . Guar di twel l " ; Sai dt he v oi ce." Iseekt oknowwhoy ouar e, t hi st hi ngsar ebecomi ngcompl i cat edcor r ectf orme" ; sai d Ef f i . " YouShal l knowmei ngoodt i me, j ustgoandbewel l pr epar edf orwhat ev ermi ghtcome" t hev oi cesai dt hi sanddi sappear ed. YusefYashabegant ot hi nk; "whocanst opt hi si mpendi ngdoom" . Hehasbeent hi nki ngal l day andhaddozedof fwhenhi smi r r oral er t ed" gr eensi gnal di scov er edeastoff ansi a" . Yusefj er ked f r om sl eepandl ookedi nt ot hemi r r or . Hesawal adyofaboutt went yy ear sofaget r ai ni ng v i gor ousl yatt her ui nscl oset ot hemi nes.Whatst r uckhi sat t ent i onwast hatt heweaponshe wasusi ngseemedt ochangeatwi l l .Somet hi ngi nsi dehi m sai d; " Thi si st hey oungwi t chl ock, t houghi nexper i encedt hat ' l l sav et hegal axy " .Yusefwasatf i r str el uct antt ot r ai nany onef ort he f eart hathi st r ai neewoul dev ent ual l yt ur nr ogue." Ouruni v er seneedssav i ng; t hi sneedbedonet opr ev entev i l f r om pr ev ai l i ngov ergood" ; He t hought. Heent er edhi sf l y i ngsui tandmadet ogoandseehi spot ent i al t r ai nee. Shehadseent hef l y i ngbi r dorwasi tabei ngi nt heai r , butshedi dn' tknowi twascomi ng t owar dsher . Shehadr eal i sedatt hel astmi nut eandherweaponhast ur nedt oanel ect r ocut i ng Sabr e.Shei mmedi at el yst r uckt he" t hi ng"buti tdi dn' tseem t oaf f ecti t .Howcome?shet hought " Youngone, y ouseem angr y , Ihav eseeny ourdet er mi nat i onandy ourf ocusi nt r ai ni ng, howev erwhatl i esaheadofy oui sgr eat ert hant hi sy ourt r ai ni ng; y usefsai d" . " Whatbusi nessdoy ouhav ewi t hmebi r dman, Youj ustcomef l y i ngf r om t heskyl i kea pr i ncei nshi ni ngar mourandt hi nky oucan' tr ubbi shmyt r ai ni ng, wai tt i l l It eachy oua l esson; Shesai d" " Youngwi t chl ockwi nni ngont hi squestaheadofy ouwi l l notent i r el ybebyt heweapony ou car r ybutby . . . ." Yusefwassay i ngasshecuti nabr upt l y Bywhat ?Bybar gi ngi nonmeandr ubbi shi ngmyt r ai ni ng? " ; i naspl i tmomentherweapon changedt oacut t i ngbl adeasshemadeamov et oat t ackYusef ; " Youdon' tbar gei nonpeopl e andsayshi tshesai dv exedl y YusefYashadodgedherweaponwi t hadef tmov e; " Youcannotwi nbyusi ngangert of i ght y oumusthav eski l l " ; Hesai d " Yout hi nkso; I ' m goi ngt opr ov ey ouwr ong" ; Shemadet ost r i kehi m onhi schi nbuyhe ev adedi tagai n " YouHav et of i ghtwi t hf ocus; Icant r ai ny ouIam her et ohel py ou" ; Hesai d " Youhel p?Yout hi nky ourf ancyf l y i ngsui ti sal l t her ei st ol i f e, mor esoy ou' r equi t e adv ancedi nage, I ' l l r i py ouof fwi t hmybl ades" ; Shesai d " Humi l i t yi st hef i r stl esson, nev erunder est i mat ey ouropponent , t hat ' saweaknesswecan wor kupon"Hesai d; Heknewhewasal r eadyget t i ngi nsi dehermi nd " Whoar ey ou? , Howdoy ouknowme?Sheaskedasshemeantt odi st r acthi m asshe st r uckanot herbl ow " Concent r at i ngony ouropponenti st hesecondl esson, nomat t erhowpower f ul y our weaponi snev erbedi st r act edf ory ouropponentmi ghtspr i ngasur pr i se" ; I naswi f tand power f ul mov ementhegav ehert he" Shi zuke"af or cef i el dhi tandshet umbl edt ot hegr ound. Br eat hi ngheav i l yshesai d; . " Butwhoar ey ouwhywoul dy oucomeoutofnowher eal l outf or me. " Youngone; Ther el i esagr eatquesti nf r ontofy ouwhi chy ouneedspeci al t r ai ni ng f or . y ou. . . " sai dYousef . Cut t i ngi nabr upt l yshesai d; . " ButIknowal l t hi sal r eady . Howbadi st hi sev i l , whydoIneed somucht r ai ni ng, whydo. . . . " Si ghi ngheav i l yhesai d; Yes!y ouneedsomucht r ai ni ng; t hemagni t udeoft hi sev i l i smor e t hanwhaty oucanhandl eal one; Att heendoft hedayi t ' st hel i t t l et hi ngt hatwi l l ov er comet he mi ght y" " Thenmay bey oushoul dt eachme"; Shet r i edwi t honel astef f or tt ohi thi m bydi st r act i on. Heyl ook! ! !Somet hi ng' sf l y i ngabov eurhead; Shesai d Yousefmadet osnapatwhatwasf l y i ngonhi sheadandEf f i t ookt hatchancet o st r i ke: def t l yheki ckedheri nt hebel l yandshef el l i naheap. " Uni t yofmi ndandsoul t ot het askaheadi st hel astl esson" ; Youcan' tkeepf i ght i ngon i mpul se, i t shi ght i mey oul ear nt " Iam YusefYashaandIam of f er i ngt ot r ai ny ou" ; Hesai dasheof f er edhi shandt ol i f ther up Resi gnedl yshesai d" TeachmeIwantt oknowmor e" ; howt houghi st hi squestMast er Yousef " Idonotknowhowt oughi ti s, butIknowweal l ar eagai nstat er r i bl ydar kf or cet hat t hr eat enst oendourexi st enceandmaket hegal axi esl ostf orev er ; Howev ert hef or cesofgood wi l l pr ev ai l ov erev i l , l etushav ef ai t h"Hesai d Fansi a' sdi st r esscal l hasgot t ent odi f f er entst at esandgal axi esandt heyhadf i xedadayt o meeti n" Gar uf ansi a"anunder gr oundaudi t or i um i nFansi at odel i ber at eont hesol ut i ont ot he dar kf or ce Theki ngoff ansi ai nhi swel comeaddr esssai d" Gr eatpeopl eoff ansi a, di st i ngui shed st at esmen, gr eatmenofgal axi esbey ondt heki l umani anshav edev el opedaweapont hati s capabl eofwi pi ngev er y oneofussi t t edi nt hi sr oom outandourst at es; we' v ecomet o del i ber at eonhowt ost opt hi s" St ar l i ze; t hemanf r om t heRat i nast art hel ar gesti nt hegal axyst oodupandsai d; " Gr eatTar uf anaze; Ipr oposewesendspi est oki l uamani t ol ookathowt heymaket he weaponsandt oseehowi tcanbedest r oy ed" Tr ezest ert hegener al f r om St ar cr ouzsai d; Buthowcanwedot hat , t heki l uamani ansar e knownt obebr ut al , wedon' twantwast ei nnocentl i v es" " Gal adzi t ef r om mbi r ur oseandsai d; Ipr oposewev ot east owhet herspi esshoul dbesent t oki l uamani ornot " Av ot ewascastandspi eswer esentt oki l uamani t oseet hesecr etoft hedar kweapon. At t heendoff ourweeks, amanwasseenr unni ngl i keamadmani nt ot heci t yheadi ngst r ai ghtt o t heki ngspal ace. Aguar dst oppedhi m; " Howdar ey oubar gei nt ot heki ngspal acel i keasheepwi t hout shepher d; st at ey ouri nt ent i onatonce" "Imustseet heki ngatonce, Imustseehi m atonce" Anot herguar dwashear i ngt hear gumentout si deandcamet her e; " Andwhatmusty ousee hi mf or ; Ohy ouwantt obombourki ng" " Farf r om i tsai dt heman, Imustseet heki ngatoncei t ' samat t erofext r emeur gency " ; Byt hi st i meguar dswer eal r eadyt r oopi ngi nt oseewhatwaswr ong; Theheadoft heguar ds wasal sot her e, " Taket hemanandt hr owhi mi nt hepr i son, hemustbeoneoft hosespi esf r om ki l uamani whohav ecomeonanev i l mi ssi on, weshal l ext er mi nat ey oual l " ; Hesai d " Andwhati sgoi ngonher e!Bar kedTar uf anaze, What ' st henoi seabout" Themansai d" Gr eatoneIam oneoft hespi essentt oki l uamani f ourweeksago, t heot her s hav ebeenki l l ed; Inar r owl yescapeddeat h" " Buthow?Howdi dt heydi scov ery ouguy s. . ? i smel l ar at " ; Sai dTar uf anaze " Oki ngt hoseguy shav eadeadl ypl an, wewer eonl yabl et oseet heweaponsandwher e t heywer ebei ngmade, t heyseemedt ohav eamachi net hatwasext r act i ngdar kmat t erf r om space; OKi ngi fcar ei snott akenwe' l l al l bewi pedout " ; Sai dt heman Onhear i ngt hi s, Tar uf anazebowedhi sheadi nsor r ow; Summonal l t hesci ent i st si nFansi a atonce; hebar ked; t heki ngwasv i si bl yf r ust r at edandathi swi t send. Weekshadpassedandt hesci ent i st sofFansi awer ey ett of i ndawayt of i ndasol ut i ont o t het hedar kener gy . TheKi l umani answer epr ogr essi ngdai l yi nt hei rweaponbui l di ng. Theyhad f i nal l yt est edt hei rl ar gescal eweapon; I thaddest r oy edt hewhol eKat i kazedeser t .I twas I mmi nentt hatt heki l uamani soonert hanl at erwoul ddecl ar ewaronal l humani t y NI XR' QUANIst r ol l edi nt ot he" Ki l uangar r "t het r ai ni ngandweaponbui l di nggr oundsoft he Ki l uamani ar myshoul derhel dhi gh, pr oud. Gener al Zul emi cameoutandsal ut edcommanderNi xR' Quani " Si r !I ti sapl easur et ohav ey oui nourmi dstsi r !Howmaywehel py ousi r ! " Zul emi , Ni xsai d; Takemet ot he" bl akanons"pl antatonceIwantt oseet hepr ogr essmade Yessi r !Gener al Zul emi sal ut edandl edt hewayt ot hepl antwi t hcommanderNi xwal ki ng cl osel ybehi nd. Ast heywal kedont heway , manyot hersol di er ssal ut edont heway .Commander Ni xR' Quani waswel l r espect edi nki l uamani a. Ov ert hey ear s, wor ki ngt i r el essl yasacommander hehadwonov ermosthear t soft hepeopl eofKi l uamani a; Whi chwasasur pr i sebecause ki l uamani ansr ar el yt r ust edsomeone.Hewasf amedas" t heanni hi l at or "Forhi sbr ut ef or ceand t r eacher y . " Whatpr ogr esshasbeenmadei nt hebui l di ngoft het wot housandbl akanons" ; Ni x demanded. " Si r !We' r eal mostdonesi r !I naweeks' t i mewe' dbedonewi t hpr oduct i onSi r ! . " Good,v er ygood; Ni xsai dashecheckedt he" kanons" ; Wi t ht hi swe' l l conquert hegal axy andwe' l l ber ul eroft hem al l andI ' l l r ei gnsupr emeov eral l oft hem, l ookatt hem,i di ot s!They ' l l al l bowatmyf eet; het houghtt ohi msel fandl aughedwi ckedl y . . . Ah!ah!ah!ah! . " Whenar ewet aki ngov erev er y wher e, whenar ewegoi ngt oi nv adeal l t hegal axi eswe' r e t aki ngt oomucht i meal r eady ! ; SendmeR' Quani atonce!Sai dki l azet ohi sguar ds.Ni xr epor t ed att heki l azepal aceami dstsal ut esf r om t heguar ds.Hewasi mmedi at el yusher edt ot he pr esenceoft heki ng; " Gr eatKi l azeIr ecei v edy oursummongr eatone" ; sai dNi x. " Yes, commanderwhenar ewegoi ngt owagewaronal l t hegal axi esandst at es, y ouhav e al l t heequi pment saty ourdi sposal ; What ' sdel ay i ngy ou? " " Lookatt hef ool , hewant st or ul eov eral l t hegal axi esandst at esI ' m goi ngt oel i mi nat ey ou soonest " ; R' Quani t hought " Gr eatone, al l measur esar ei npl aceal r eady , myspi esi nal l t hegal axi esandst at eshav e gi v enmer epor t soft heact i v i t i esofot herst at est or epel us; t heydon' tst andachanceagai nst us, myki ngbeatpeace; y ouwi l l soonber ul erofal l t hegal axi es; " . " Good!WhatI ' m aski ngi swheny ou' r egoi ngt oat t ackNi x! !Orhav ey oubecome af r ai d! " ? Kal i zesai dangr i l y " . " Oki ngl i v ef or ev er , y ouhav enev erdoubt edi nmyabi l i t y ; woul dy ounow?Gr eatki ngsai d Ni x. " Iwantt hatat t ackcar r i edouti nt hr eeweeks, t hi si nv asi oni st aki ngt ool ong" ; Yel l edKal i ze. " Wi t hi mmedi at eef f ectSi r !Iwi l l i nf or m al l t hesol di er sandmer cenar i esi nt hr eeweekswe at t acksi r ! . " Bet t er ! , y ou' r edi smi ssedgeti tdone! "Sai dkal i ze. Ican' twai tt odomi nat e ev er y wher e; t henameofKal i zewi l l bef ear edandboweddownt oi nal l st at esandgal axi es " Si r !Bombi ngshav ebeenhear dat" Zi pof ansi a"t hebor derbet weenf ansi aanddat al i aze newsr eachi ngusi st hatt heki l uamani anshav el ev el l eddat al i zet hey ' v edest r oy ed ev er y t hi ng; t hey ' v eal sodest r oy edt wost at est henewsweheari st hati t ' st hepeopl eoft he st at est hatar eki l l i ngt hemsel v es" ; Sai daguar dasher ani nt ot hepal ace. Tar uf anazei mmedi at el yr anoutofhi spal ace; " ar ey ousur eoft hi s"heasked? !Theki ng wasv i si bl yaf r ai dandshaki ng. Butt heydi dn' tgi v eanysi gn, howcant hepeopl eoft het ownsbe ki l l i ngt hemsel v es! ?Thi si sbi zar r e " Sendf ort hebestspeci al spi esoff ansi at ogoandseef i r sthandwhat ' shappeni ngatt he warf r ont !Awayi mmedi at el y ! ; sai dTar uf anazet ol doneoft heof f i cer s Yessi r !Icopysi r ! ; . sai dt heof f i cer . Tar uf anazer ani nt ohi schamber sandi mmedi at el yact i v at edhi sf i ght f l y i ngsui t ; " Thi si saf i ghtt of i ni shI ' l l notal l owmyl andt obedesecr at edagai nbyt hoseki l uamani an beast s; hei mmedi at el yputawi r el essconf er encecal l t hr ought oot herst at esandgal axi est hat hadnotbeenaf f ect edt oi nf or mt hem oft hedev el opment " member soft hecongr essofgr eatst at esandgal axi es, t heki l uamani anshav est ar t edt he war ,t hey ' v ecomeunexpect edl yandhav esur pr i seduswehav et ogat herourar ms, ammuni t i ons, best r onganduni t eagai nstt hi sf or cet hatt hr eat enst oobl i t er at eus.Dat al i zeand Fudgent i hav ebeenut t er l ydest r oy edandnewsi st hati t ' st hepeopl et hatseem t obeki l l i ng t hemsel v es";Tar uf anazesai dr at hergr av el y . Gonsal i quef r om Zequuesai d" Buthowcant hi sbe?Whatki ndofweaponsar et heki l uamani usi ngt hat ' smaki ngpeopl et oki l l t hemsel v eshowcome" ! Ter enzf r om Enzquosai d; " f r om whatmyspeedi nt el l i genceuni ti st el l i ngmet heki l uamani ar e f i r i ngsomet hei rbul l et st heycal l t he" bl akanons"att hesol di er sandt hesol di er sseem t o becomehy perandst ar tki l l i ngt hei rownt hent hesol di er sexpl odeandt hesoot hf r om t hedead sol di er sseem t obeki l l i ngt hepeopl eoft heaf f ect edt owns" ; I tseemscompl i cat edt ous. Gat ul uf r om Zi ppert al kedconcer nedl y ; "Whati st hesol ut i on, weneedt ost opt hi sdar kpower f r om adv anci ngandwi pi ngal l ofusout , I ' m scar edf ormypeopl eespeci al l y " Tar uf anazer epl i edangr i l y ; " Shoul dy oubeconcer nedonl yabouty ourpeopl eal oneorf oral l of us! " .Al l t heki ngsandr ul er soft hest at esandgal axi esl ookedonconf usedast owhatt odo. Justt henadi st r esscal l camei nf r om pl anetMar uma; Thecommanderoft hei rar myspoke wor r i del y ; " Ourpl anetseemst obespi nni ngaway !Thebl ackmat t erhol di ngust oget herseems t obewi t her i ng!Thati st hesour ceoft heki l uamani bl akanons! They ' r eext r act i ngt hebl ack mat t erandusi ngi t , i nnot i mewe' l l al l spi nawayf r om eachot her !Wai t !Weneedhel p! t r ansmi ssi oni sbr eaki ng!We' r espi nni ngf ur t heraway !weneedhel p. . . . . " Thet r ansmi ssi onf r om Mar umabr okesuddenl yasi twasobv i oust hatMar umahassunki nt o obl i v i on Gat ul usuddenl yscr eamed; Whatdowedo! ! !Wecan' twai tf ort heki l uamani sol di er st o comeandr i pusapar tandwecannotal l owot herpl anet si nt hegal axyt ospi naway ! ! !I tmust nothappen! ! " Getal l y oursol di er sr eady , t hi si sawaragai nstourexi st enceandwe' r egoi ngt of i ghtt oot h andnai l t ost opt hi s, i tmi ghtseem l i keat al l or derbutIbel i ev e" ; sai dTar uf anaze. Al l t heki ngsagr eedt omobi l i zeal lt hei rmi l i t ar yst r engt hbutt her ewasst i l l t hef earoft he unknown. Ef f i whel l shadbeent r ai ni ngasusual t hatdaywi t hy ousefy asha, whenshehear dt hatt he ki l uamani anshadbegunt hewarwi t ht heel ementofsur pr i seandhadl ev el l edt wost at es; When shehear d, shewasv i si bl yshakenbutYousefYashat ol dherf i r ml y ; " Youngone, y ourdest i nybeckons!Thi sev i l i smuchmor et hant heki ngsandar mi escan handl e, t hef at eoft hegal axyl i esi ny ourhands!Yourt r ai ni ngi scompl et e!Remembert hef our l essons; t hey ' r ebasi cbutt hey ' l l hel py ougr eat l y " . Br aci ngup, sheSai d; Mast er !Iknowt hi si smydest i nyandIpr omi set of i ghtt odef endal l t hegal axi es, Iwi l l notr estnorr el entt i l l t hi sev i l f or cehasbeenext i ngui shed" " Jump!Focus!Fl y !At t ack! "Yousefsai dashebar kedoutt r ai ni ngor der st oEf f i . Heknewt he t askaheadofherwasar duosbutshecoul ddoi t . . . . shecoul d. Ef f i whel l shadf i ni shedt r ai ni ngandshewentbackagai nt oherpl aceofsol ace; Shesai d " ov oi ce, Ihav ecomet oday , t hequestnowbeckonsonmewhatdoIdo" I mmedi at el yt her ewasaneer i ecal mnessar oundandt hebr eezeseemedt odancei na r hy t hmi cmov ement"Chi l d!Thet i mehasf i nal l ycome, t het i mewhenev i l t hr eat enst o ext er mi nat egood, whenl i v eshangi nt hebal ance!I ti st i mef ory out ot akeupy ourmant l eand r esi sti t " . " Iknow, butIneedmor epower , Ineedmor e" ; sai dEf f i Whaty ouhav ewi l l sust ai ny ou.i wi l l bewi t hy ou" ; sai dt hev oi ce " Gr eatone; I ' m sor r yt obot hery ouagai nbutwhoar ey ou, Iwantt oknowsot hatI ' l l know t hef or cesI ' m wor ki ngwi t h, i don' tknowt heev i l f r om t hegoodf or ce" ; sai dEf f i " Al r i ght . . !Youngone, I ' m" Al abi ni "t hespi r i tofnat ur e. " Al abi ni ! ?Ther ev er edgodofnat ur e! Ah! Iam t heonet hatR' Quani seekst oext er mi nat e. " R' Quani ?Who' st hat ?askedEf f i " Hmm. .He' st heonechampi oni ngt hi swar ,he' samandar kathear t , cunni ngand mani pul at i v e, he' sdanger ousy oungone" Angerandhat ewel l edupi nher ; . " Ipr omi sey ouAl abi ni I ' l l av engey ourcauseIpl edgeI ' l l br i nghi sdi smember edbodybackt oy ou" . Youri nt ent i onsar egoodbuthewhoy ouar eagai nsti samani pul at orofmi ndsy ouhav et o best r ongathear t ; sai dAl abi ni . " Iwi l l , Ipr omi se; sai dEf f i . Al abi ni ' sv oi cef adedoutandEf f i i mmedi at el ypr oceededt oj oi nt hef ansi ar esi st anceand ot herst at esi nt hegal axywhohadcomet oget hert of i ghtt heKi l uamani aggr essi on. Tar uf anaze waspr epar edf ort hewor stashest r appedonhi sf i ght f l y i ngsui t . " Gr estsol di er soft he r esi st ance; t oday , west andt of i ght , af i ghtt hatmi ghtendi ndeat horl i f e; af i ghtf orourdi gni t y , af i ghtf orourl i v es, af i ghtt or et ai nt het oget her nessoft hegal axi esweal l bel ongt o.Wewi l l f i ghtt i l l t heend, castawayal l f ear ! castasi deal l doubt s!West andt of i ghtwi t ht hel astdr opof ourbl oodwewon' tgi v ei nt oobl i t er at i on! .Longl i v et her esi st ance! ! ! Longl i v et her esi st ance! ! !Longl i v et her esi st ance! !Echoedt hesol di er s Ni xR' Quani smi l edt ohi msel f .Heandhi ssol di er swer eatl astatt heshutgat esof Fansi a. Hi spl anwasnear i ngcompl et i on." Ahahahahhel aughed, col onel dear et hol oadt he cannonsatmycommandbegi nt oshootatt hei rar mybase, f ootsol di er s!mar chf or war d!Beat al er tatmycommanduset heShel l st odest r oyt hegat e, wef i ghtf orgl or y ! !Wef i ghtf or domi nance!Ar ey our eady ! ! ! ! ; R' Quani bar kedashi sv oi cedechoedal l ar ound " Si r !Yessi r " ! ;Echoedt hesol di er s; t hesol di er swer ecl ot hedi nf l exi bl ear mourmadewi t h di amondt hatwasneari mpenet r abl e, t her ewasat humpi ngofboot sast hesol di er smar ched f or war d,t hef l y i ngwar shi pshov er edabov e, t hecanonswer epumpedf ul l , i twasev i dentt hat t hi swasgoi ngt obeabl oodbat h " AtThecountoft hr eebegi nt oshel l t hegat es" ; Bar kedcol onel dear et ho " One"" Two" . . . att het hi r dcount , massi v eshel l i ngoft hegat esoff ansi abegan. Att hesound oft heshel l st hepeopl eoff ansi abegant opani c " They ' v ebegunshel l i ngt hegat es; sai dasol di er Tar uf anazei mmedi at el ydi spat chedsomesol di er sandt hei rcommander st ot henor t her n par toff ansi a, somet ot hewestandsomet ot heeast , t hef i ght erj et swoul dbei nv ol v edi nt he Aer i al bat t l e, whi l esomepeopl ewer egoi ngi nt ot het oughestpar toft hewar ; Themi ddl e. He cal l edonEf f i whel l sandYousefYasha. Ef f i wasal l setandpr epar edf orwarwi t hherr ed bandana, weaponandherl eat herar mor . YousefYashawasi nhi sf l y i ngsui tandhi sweapon " YousefandEf f i wedependony ou, t het hr eeofusar egoi ngt of i ghti nt hemi ddl eoft hi s war , wef i ghtf orgl or y , f ort hesur v i v al oft hegal axy , wemustst opt hi s! Ef f i qui ppedi n;" We' r egoi ngt ost opt hi sonceandf oral l ,i t ' saf i ghtt of i ni sh" Yousefcal ml ysai d; " Myki ngwe' l l f i ghtwi t ht heLov eoft hegal axyathear t ; maywehav e v i ct or y ! Tar uf anazet ur nedt ot hesol di er sbehi ndt hem, t heywer ecl ot hedi nmet al l i car mour ; " Ev er y oneofy ouspl i ti nt ot hr eesquadr ons, Ev er yonebehi ndI , YousefandEf f i , Obeyy our commander s, wor kasat eam, f ocus, t het i mef orgl or yi snow! ! ! ! ! TheGat esofFansi ahadbeenwr ungopenbyt heshel l sandt heSol di er smar chedi nt o Fansi a.R' Quani bar kedor der st ot hem; " Pr esst hecamouf l agebut t onony ourar mour snow! ! ! . " Yessi r !But t onswer epr essedandt hesol di er sar mourr hy medwi t ht heFansi asoi l . " Li eony ourbel l i esandr emai nsot i l l y our ecei v eanyor der ; doy oucopy ! ! ! ! ! Yessi r !Theyr espondedast heyl ayont hei rbel l i es. " Spr eadoutt ot hef ourcar di nal poi nt soft heci t y " doy oucopy ! ! ! ; Bar kedcol onel dear et ho. Yessi r ! ! ! ; Theyi mmedi at el yspr eadout . R' quani putt hemegaphonei nhi smout handbar ked or der st ot hef l y i ngt anks; " Al l t anksbei nposi t i on, atcommandbegi nt oshoott hedar kmat t er ! ! ! Doy oucopy ! ! ! . " si r !Yessi r ! ! !t hepi l ot sechoed. Thesol di er soft her esi st ancewer emot i v at edandbat t l er eadyast heyal l spr eadt ot hef our cor ner soft heci t ybutonget t i ngt her e, t heydi scov er edt her edi dn' tseem t obeanyoft he ki l uamani sol di er sar ound; Thecommander sbegant osendsi gnal st ot hemsel v es " Ther eseemst obenosol di er soft heki l uamani ar ound!Hav et heyr et r eat edandbacked down! , Sai dt hef i r stcommander ? Thesecondcommanderoft hesecondsquadr onr epl i ed; " Icopy ! ! !Doy oucopy ! ! ?Idon' tsee anyki l uamani sol di er st oo,al l Icanseei sf i nef ansi asoi l " ; Thet hi r dcommandersai dt hesame t hi ngandbyt het i met het hi r dcommanderpassedt hemessageacr ossv i at hev i deophonet o Ef f i whel l sandYousefYashat hesol di er swer eal r eadyr el axed.Ef f i whel l sgott hemessageand shei mmedi at el ysuspect edf oul pl ay ; " I si tpossi bl ef ort hebl oodt hi r st yki l uamani anst oback down; somet hi ng' swr ong" Shet ol dYousefYashaoft hi s; Yousefi mmedi at el yknewsomet hi ngwasup,hei mmedi at el y sentor der st ot heot hert hr eecommander s; Beatal er t ! ! !Ber eadyf orat t ack! ! , doy oucopy , ! ! ! , but bef or et heygott hemessaget her ewasal oudcommand. . . . . At t ack! ! ! ! ! ! , t her esi st ancet houghti twast hei rcommanderandt heychar gedheadl ongatt he " Sands"off ansi a.Ther ewasasuddenshot ,t henabl ast , t henashel l , t henspor adi c shoot i ng. Ther esi st ancehadchar gedr i ghti nt oat r ap.Theki l uamani sol di er sbegant oshoot t he" bl akanons"andi nnot i met hesol di er soft her esi st ancebegant ot ur nagai nstt hemsel v es, shoot i ngatt hemsel v esandev ent ual l yexpl odi ngcausi ngt hedeat hofmanymor e sol di er s. Whent hei rcommander ssawt hi st heyshout edor der s; " I t ' sat r ap! ! !we' v echar gedr i ghti nt oat r ap! !Ev er y onecomet oget herandusey ourel ect r oni c shi el ds, Ir epeatcomet oget herl estweal l di e! ! ! ! , doy oucopy ! ! ! Wecopy ! ! !Repl i edt her emai ni ngsol di er s; att hi st i me, t housandsoft hesol di er soft he r esi st ancewer edead. Ef f i whel l s, YousefYashaandTar uf anaze' sSquadr onswer eal sobadl yaf f ect ed.I twas becomi ngev i dentwhatwasr eal l ygoi ngon.Theki l uamani weaponswer emai nl yt ar get edatt he sol di er s.I tseemedt he" bl akanonscont ai nedt hesubst ancet hatwoul dmaket hesol di er shy per andst ar tt oki l l t hemsel v esandt heor di nar ypeopl et henexpl odeandt hesoot hf r om each sol di erwascapabl eofki l l i ngahundr edpeopl e. Thesol di er swer econf used; " Whatdowedonow. . askedaper pl exedTar uf anazeaf t ert he sol di er shadact i v at edt heel ect r oni cshi el ds, " Howl ongcant heshi el dsdet ert hi smassi v e at t ack, al r eadycl oset of ourt housandsol di er sar edead; dower et r eat ?" Yousefr epl i ed; nev er ! !Mayi tnotbehear dt hatwesuccumbedt odef eatsoeasi l y " , j ustt hen, he pr essedabut t ononhi sar morandheshapeshi f t edi nt oabi r dandhef l ewt ot hecont r ol panel s oft hef l y i ngwar shi psoft heki l uamani , hei mmedi at el ybegant odi sconnectal l t hei rar mour y andoneofshi pssuddenl ycr ashed, bef or el ong, asecondonecr ashed " CommanderR' Quani somet hi ngseemst obewr ongwi t ht hewar shi pst wooft hef i f t eenwe br oughtsuddenl ycr ashedf orunknownr easons"sai d" ki l l er t i "t hechi efpi l otoft heKi l l ershi ps ashesentadi st r esscal l t oR' Quani " Act i v at eal l t hel asersear chi ngsy st emst hi si st hehandi wor koft her esi st ance; communi cat e t hi st ot heot hershi psi mmedi at el y ! ! ! doy oucopy ! ! ; R' Quani smi l edt ohi msel f" I ' l l l ev el al l ofy ou t i l l t hewhol er esi st anceandgal axycomesbeggi ngatmyf eet Yessi r ! ! ! Wecopy ! " Al l shi ps! , l i st en,t hecommanderhasor der edt hatweact i v at et hel asersear chi ngsy st ems aboar deachshi p; t her eseemst obear ataboar d"doy oucopy ! ! ! Si r ! !Wecopysi r ! ! r epl i edt hepi l ot sast heyact i v at edt hel asersy st ems; howev eraboutt hr eeof t heshi pssentdi st r esssi gnal st o" Ki l l er t i " " Si rourcont r ol panel sar enotr espondi ng! ! !They ' r ef ai l i ng! ! ! " Act i v at et heemer gencypi l otmodet henqui ckl y ! ! !Doy oucopy ! !Bar kedki l l er t i .Ki l l er t i r epl yhad notl ef thi sl i pswhent het hr eeshi pscr ashed. Anal ar medKi l l er t i sentasi gnal t oR' Quani whowasi nt hebi ggestshi p; Si r ! !Somet hi ngi swr ongwi t hmyownshi pt oo! ! ! !Theshoot i ngsy st emsar edown, ah! !Thel aser sy st emshav eshutdown, t he. . .Ah! ! ! ! !Ki l l er t i ' sv oi cedr ownedi nhor r orashi sshi pexpl odedt he v er ymomenthi sdi st r esscal l gott oR' Quani . R' Quani i mmedi at el ywentt ot he" Mi or obl a"hi ssensor ysear chmi r r orandusedv oi cecommand " whati scausi ngt heshi pst ocr ash" , t hemi r r ori mmedi at el ybr oughtr esul t s; " Causeofcr ashes: Cont r ol panel f ai l ur e" " Pr i mar ycause: f or ei gnOr gani sm onboar d(bi r d) , bi r dnowonshi psev en" ; r espondedMi or obl a. R' Quani wasenr aged, " abi r donboar dmyshi ps! ! , Imustki l l t hi s" bi r d"my sel f .HeI mmedi at el y usedt he" f al cof l i "t hesmal l f l y i ngcr af ti nhi spl anet ogett ot hesev ent hshi p; Hei mmedi at el y usedhi s" wal ki t al ki " " Al l shi ps!For m ast r ai ghtl i ne!Act i v at emaxi mum dest r uct i onandFi r e! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Theshot ssuddenl yi ncr easedandt heshi el dsbegant omel t , t heki l uamani aggr essi onwas gr adual l ydef eat i ngt her esi st ance, al r eadycl oset ot hr eemi l l i onr esi st ancesol di er swer edead, andi tseemedast houghmanymor ewoul dst i l l di e.Theshoot i ngcont i nuedandt heshi el ds wer eusel es. Ther esi st ancesol di er sbegant of l eeandt hatwaswhent hebl oodbat hbegan At t ack! ! !Theki l uamani squadr oncommanderor der ed.Theki l uamani sol di er spur suedt he f l eei ngsol di er si nt ot heci t yandbeganamassacr eofbot ht hesol di er sandt hepeopl eoft he ci t y . Meanwhi l e, t heshot sbot hf r om t heki l uamani sol di er sandt hei rshi psdi dnotst opast hey keptshoot i ngaggr essi v el y .I twascl eart hati twast hei rshi pswhi chhadcr ashedt hathad causedt hemassi v eaggr essi on.Mostoft her ul er sofgal axi eswhohadcomet oget herast he r esi st ancehaddi edal ongt hei rsol di er s, oft heei ghtr ul er swhohadcomet oget her , onl y Tar uf anazeandt hr eeot her swer eal i v e.Oneoft het hr ee, oneoft hem hadl osthi sl eg.Thewar wasnowati t shot t estpoi nti twascl eart hatcommanderR' Quani andki l uamani answer e det er mi nedt oext er mi nat eal l oft hem. " Notsof ast ! ! "R' Quani sai dashegr i ppedYousefYashabyt heneck.Youl oadofscum! !Soi t ' s beeny oual l al ongdest r oy i ngmyshi psont hegui seofbei ngabi r d. HepunchedYousefYashai n t hef ace, andYouseff el l downonhi sf ace.Bef or eYousefcoul dr eact , hewasal r eady sur r oundedbyki l uamani sol di er s. " l i f thi m up! !He' st hescumbagwho' sbeent hecauseofshi pscr ash; R' quani sai dhat ef ul l y .The sol di er sr oughhandl edhi m andl i f t eduphi m. YousefYashal ookedatR' Quani andspati nhi sf ace." Yout r eacher ous, wi ckedsoul , i nst eadof usi ngy ourwi sdom t obet t erourwor l d, Youusei tt odest r oyhumani t yl i key ou.Asy ouhar ness t hedar kmat t er , t hepl anet sspi nawayf r om oneanot her , y oudonotbot hery ouar eonl ybl i nded byy ourambi t i on; i fy oul i keki l l me!You' l lj oi nmesoonest . Howdar ey ouspi ti nmyf ace!Howdar ey oucal l menames! ! Youcal l edmet r eacher ous?Ahah ah,hel aughed; YesIam, andf oral l Icar e, l etal l t hepl anet sspi nf r om eachot her .I ' l l pl antmy st oogest her eandt hey ' l l comeandbowt ome. .Ahahah, hel aughed, I ' l l r ul eov ert hem. " Youev i l snake! , y ou' l l nev ersucceedi nt hi s, Mot herNat ur emadet hepl anet st obear oundone anot her . y ouwi l l f ai l att hi s! ! " ; r et or t edYousef Youcal l mesnake! ! !Ah!ah!ah!ah! .Thanksf ort hecompl i ment s.Di dn' ty ousayy oudon' tcar ei f Iki l l y ou! ?I ' l l gr anty ouy ourr equest .Hei mmedi at el ybr oughtouthi sf angsandbi tYousef . Whi l ebl eedi ngYousefspokei nspur t s, soy ou' r e. . .hal fhuman, hal fal i en. . . t heuni v er sei s doomed. " ahahahah, Idi di tj ustsoy ouknow, becausei t ' sgoi ngt obet hef i r standt hel astt i me, y ou' l l know, hesai dashebi tYousefagai n. . Ah! ! ! wast hecr yofy ousefYashaashef i nal l ysanki nt o obl i v i on. " Ahahahah. . . . ! " , R' Quani l aughed. y oual l ar egoi ngt of eel mywr at hf ul l f or ce."At t ackmor e! !we ar et hegoi ngt ober ul er sofal l t hegal axi es.At t ack! !At t ack! ! , ki l l t hem al l sai dR' Quani . Gbam!t her ewasal oudt hudandabodyr ol l edacr osst hebat t l ef i el dt owher eEf f i whel l spar t oft her esi st ancest ood.Ther emai ni ngsol di er sf l edatf i r stf orf earofi tbei ngabomb, butwhen af t ert hi r t ymi nut es, i tdi dn' texpl odeEf f i whel l ssummonedcour ageandr ol l edt hebodyov er . . Ah! ! !Yeeh! !Ef f i excl ai medashott ear sdr i ppedf r om herey es. Yousef ' sey eswer eshuti nt he mannerofpai nf ul deat h. . . Yousef ! !y ousef ! ! !Don' tgo!Sheshout edt ot heski es. Ef f i ' sey esr ed wi t hangerassheknel tt ot hegr oundi nf r ust r at i on. " Whoev eri sbehi ndt hi s, Iswearandpr omi se t oav enge.Asol di erf r om Ef f i whel l scampwassentt ot el l Tar uf anazeofy ousefYasha' sdeat h. " Ah! ! !amount ai nhasf al l en!Youseft hebr av eonehasgonet oj oi nt hest ar s; , hesai dashe bowedhi sheadi npai n; " Tel l Ef f i whel l sI ' v egot t enhermessage; i tdosen' tmat t eri fonedi esi n t hi swar , whati st heessenceofl i f eany waywhenoneper sonhast hekeyt oev er y one' s exi st ence! Nev er !Wef i ghther e!Wedi eher e! ; t el l herI ' v egot t eny ourmessage, hesai dpai nf ul l y Yessi r ! , I . . . . ; Thewor dshadnotl ef tt hesol di er s' l i pswhenoneoft he" Bl akanons"hi tt hem.I mmedi at el y t heki ng' ssor r owandangerbecamehy per , al sot hesol di er s' angerbecamehy percausi ngbot h oft hem t ot ur nagai nsteachot her .Tar uf anazecont i nual l yhackedatt hesol di er , whi l et he sol di erhackedathi m, ast heyhackedawayateachot heri naf r enzy ,t heywer egener at i ng ext r emeheatf r om t hei rbodi esandsuddenl y ; kpow!t hei rbodi esdi smember ed.Theot her sol di er swhi l eseei ngt hem f i ght i ngdi dnotmov ecl oset ot hem becauset heyhadseeni thappen bef or e; " Ah! ! !TheTar uf anazehi msel fi snowav i ct i m oft hi s" t hi ng"t heki l uamani uset oanni hi l at eus; can' twehel phi m?Sai donesol di er Anot hersol di err epl i ed; " Nev er !Youbet t ermov eahundr edcent i met er sawayf r om t hem, t hey ' r e aspot entasabombbecauset hey ' l l soonexpl ode, I ' v eseeni thappenbef or e" Thet hi r dsol di err epl i ed; " Ver yt r ue, i nf actt hesoot hf r om t hem i scapabl eofki l l i ngasmanyof usasar ecl osebyahundr edandf i f t ycent i met er sf r om t hem; l ook! !They ' v ebot hdi smember ed ! ! " ; Atoncet heyal l mov edbackandr anawayf r om t hesur r oundi ngs. " Thi swarhasbecomev er yhotandmostoft hesol di er soft her esi st ancear edepl et ed, t he v ar i ouski ngsf r om t hedi f f er entpar t soft hegal axywhohadj oi nedt her esi st ancear edead, Tar uf anaze' swher eabout si sunknown, andmostpai nf ul l yYousefYashai sdead.Thi swari s l ostal r eady , t her ewasi snoneedt owast emor el i v esoft hesei nnocentsol di er swhohav e wi v esandki dswai t i ngf ort hei rr et ur nathome; atl easti t ' sawi sesay i ngt hatsay s, i t ' sawi se war r i ort hatknowswhent or et r eat ; wehav et or et r eatandr est r at egi zeagai n, l estwear eal l ki l l ed"; Thi swer et het hought sofEf f i whel l sasshet houghtaboutt hewar .I naf l ashsher oseup andt ookt he" Conchpar o" ; t hewal ki t al ki t hatcoul dcov eragr eatdi st ance, shesai d; " Copy ! ! , gr eatsol di er soft her esi st ance, wehav ef oughtgal l ant l yandbr av el ybuti tseemsas t houghoutgal l ant r yhasnotbeenenought owi nt hi swar ;Iknowt hatmanyofusar et i r edand wear yandwantt ogobackt omeetourexpect antf ami l i es; Butwhatf ami l ydoy ouwantt ogo backt owheny ourv ar i ouspl anet sar espi nni ngawaybecauseonesel f i shbast ar dhasdeci ded t ochanget hecour seofnat ur ebyst eal i ngt hedar kmat t erandusi ngi tt odest r oyal l ofus;we' l l nev erbeabl et ogett oourf ami l i es; t her ef or eIpr oposewer et r eatt oacampi n" For t i l o"; asmal l campf or t i f i edagai nstat t acks; f orawhi l et or egr oupandr ev i t al i zet ost opt hi ssensel esswast e ofl i v es" ; doy oucopy ! ! .I fy ouagr eet ot hi ssayAy e!Ay e! ; sai dEf f i whel l s. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * " Ay e!Ay e!Ay e!Ay e!Ay e!Ay e! , we' r et heshout sacr osst hebat t l ef i el dasal l t hesol di er s r et r eat edt o" For t i l o" ; " R' Quani we' l l beback!Shesai dasshel ookedback Ah!Ah!Ah!Ah!Cowar ds! , whydi dn' ty oual l wai tt i l l , I ' l l ext er mi nat ey oual l , y oumi ni ons; Sai d R' Quani whenhehear doft hei rr et r eat . " Opent heshi ps, l etdownt hel andi ngl adder s, al l f ootsol di er sdoy oucopy !GoI nt ot heci t yand makesur eal l t hepeopl eknowt hatt heyhav eanewki ng; any onewhodosen' tsubmi tshoul dbe ki l l ed! ; al sof ourshi psshoul dgot oal l t heot herpl anet sandmaket hem knowt hatt heyhav ea supr emel eadert heymustbowt o!Snuf foutl i f eoutofanyonewhopr ot est s!Doy oucopy ! CommandedR' Quani . Yessi r !Wecopysi r ! ! ! ; r espondedt hesol di er s TheLandi ngl adder swer el ower edandR' Quani cameoutmaj est i cal l y ; " Fansi a, of ansi ahowbeaut i f ul ar tt hou!I ' m homeatl ast ; homet obeki ng; butR' Quani what next ? , ki l l t heusel essKal i ze; f ool hewant st or eapwher ehehasnotsown, I ' l l f i ndawayt osnuf f l i f eoutofhi m" ; ThoughtR' Quani .R' Quani wasmetwi t hsal ut esashecamedownf r om t heshi p; " sendwor dt ogr eatKal i ze, t el l hi mt hatwehav econquer edal l !Wear eVi ct or s! ; sai dR' Quani . * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * " Mast erIhav ecomeaspr omi sed, Ihav econquer edal l t heuni v er se, Ihav edest r oy edt hem al l , byy ourpoweral one" ; Sai dR' Quani " Wel l doneson, wel l done, y ouhav enotmademyt r usti ny out obei nv ai n; ah!ah!ah!ah!He l aughedwi ckedl y ; sowhendowei nv adet heuni v er senow. . .When! ! " ; Sai d" Al i ent or at i "ki ngoft he al i ensofTor at i r ev er edf ort hei rcr uel t y .Somebel i ev edt heywer ej ustaf i ct i onal st or yi nbooks ast heyhadoncei nv adedt heuni v er sebutwer edef eat edandsentbackt ot hei rbasei nTor at i . Tr embl i ngR' Quani sai d; Mast eral l owmet oki l l t hatscumbagKal i ze, het hi nkshecanr ul eov er t heuni v er se, i tbel ongsy ou!Andy oual one, t heysnat chedi tf r om us,we' r et aki ngi tback! " Whenar ey ouki l l i nghi m! !Orshoul dIsendanot herper sonbecausey ouseem t ohav egone col d! ; sai dAl i ent or at i " Farf r om i tmast er ! !Myhat r edf ort heuni v er seendur es! !AndIshal l maket hem bowaty our f eet !I ' l l ki l l hi m soonest " !R' Quani r epl i ed. " Agai n! !Look! !beckonedAl i ent or at i ; R' Quani l ookedi nt ot hemi r r orandsawal ady . " Who' st hi smast er " !AskedR' Quani ; " y ouwantherdead" ? " Yes!Sur el y " ; sai dAl i ent or at i , butherpower sar egr eatandshehasabi tofy ourbl oodi nher , Iwantherdeadt oo! , She' sat hr eatt oourmi ssi on.Ki l l heri mmedi at el y .You' l l r ecogni zeheron si ght " " Ahahah! ! !R' Quani l aughed, mast ery ouknownot hi nggi v esmej oyt hant oki l l , i t ' smy hobby " . " That ' st hepar tofy ouIl i ke, y ou' r eshowi ngt het y peofmanI ' v et r ai nedy out obe; go!Do whatI ' v edemandedf r om y ou!Andr epor tbackt omewheny ou' r edone! ; You' r edi smi ssed, sai d Al i ent or at i . Wor dhadgot t ent oKal i zet hatR' Quani hadconquer edal l t hegal axi es; hebegant oboast ; " I ' v esai di tbef or et hatR' Quani i st hebestmanf ort hej ob, af i r ebr andcommandert ot he cor e;hel i ckedhi sl i psnowI ' m goi ngt omer gef ansi aandki l uamani t oget herandsetmyt hr one atf ansi a, oh!R' Quani agr eatmant ot hecor e" " Wel l sai dKal i ze; commanderR' Quani r eal l yf oughtgal l ant l ydur i ngt hewar " ; sai dt he sol di er " WasIaski ngf ory ourcomment s!Youl owl i f esonofabi t ch, wi l l y oudi sappearf r om my pr esence! ; andehm. . . makesur ey out el l R' Quani t ost ar tt hepr ocessofr et ur ni ngbackhome, we' l l al l got oFansi at oget her " ; Sai dKal i ze. " Yessi r !Wi t hi mmedi at eef f ectSi r ! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * R' Quani gotwor dt hatKal i zehadcommandedt hatheandhi ssol di er scomebackt o Ki l uamani .Hewashappyt hatatl asthe' dgett hechancet oext i ngui sht heki ngandassumet he r ol ehi sr ol easki ng Hecommanded; Thegr eatKal i zehascommandedt hatwev i ct or sconebackhome i mmedi at el y , gett heshi psr eady , gett het anksr eady , packandev acuat ewel eav ei nt hr eeday s" Thesol di er ssal ut edandechoed; " Ri ghtawaysi r !" Ef f i whel l swasdowncasti nFor t i l o; . " ButAl abi ni , y oupr omi sedt obewi t hme,y oupr omi sed t haty ou' dgi v emev i ct or y ; whyt hen?Whyhav ey oual l owedat r eacher ousmant owi nt hewar ,a mant hatt hr eat enst heexi st enceoft heuni v er se, y ouhav ef ai l edme, y ouhav e. . . . " Al abi ni suddenl yr epl i edseemi ngl yangr y ; " . No!Inev erpr omi sedy ouv i ct or y , Iwar nedt hati t wasanar duoust askandonl yl ov ewoul dmakey ouwi n; y ouwentt ot hewarwi t ht oomuchhat e andv engeancei ny ourhear t , begr at ef ul t haty ouwer enotki l l edt oo" . " But . . . ButWhatdoIdonow. . .R' Quani mustnotwi nt hi swarcompl et el y , hemustnott ake ov ert heuni v er se, hemust n' t " " Fi r stchi l d, whatdr i v esy oumustbel ov e, t hel ov eoft heuni v er se, l ov econquer s hat e. . hmmm , R' Quani i shal fhumanhal fal i en, he' sst r ongandmani pul at i v ebuthehasa weaknesscomecl oserl etmewhi speri tt oy ou" ; sai dAl abi ni Shecamecl oserasAl abi ni whi sper edt oherear s; " ButR' Quani hal fhuman, hal fal i en! ? How Come?It houghtal i enswer ef i ct i t i ous, unr eal " ; Sai dEf f i Al abi ni spokesof t l y ; " He' sanal i enandhepl anst owr eckhav oct hatev enKi l azewhosent hi m wi l l notbeabl et ohandl e, i t ' sy ourdut yt ost ophi my oumust ; r ememberl ov emustbey our gui di ngf act or ; I ' l l bewi t hy oual way s" ; Shespokeandherv oi cef i zzl edout " Lov emustgui deme. . .Imust n' tbegui dedbyhat e, l ov econquer shat e" ; Ef f i whel l s mut t er edasshest oodupt ocont i nuehert r ai ni ngher sel f . * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * " Letal l t hepeopl eheart hi sasf r om nowf or war dsFansi aandki l uamani ar enowmer ged t oget her , al l ot herpl anet si nt hegal ax yar eadv i sedt onowt ot heaut hor i t yofKal i zeorf acet ot al ext er mi nat i on, donott r yt or egr oupanyr esi st ancebecauset heey esofgr eatKal i zewi l l beon y ou" ; Kal i zesai d; Hesai dt hi satt heof f i ci al mer gerofFansi awi t hki l uamani . Hehaddecl ar edt hatt het wo st at eswoul dbecal l edFansi amucht ot hesur pr i seofmostki l uamani ans, but" t heKi l azeknows best " ; t heyt houghti nt hei rhear t s, any onewhoquest i onedKal i zeendedupbet weent hej awsof hi shungr yl i ons. Af t ert heki l uamani anshadwont hewar , t heyhadst at i oneddi f f er entcommander sont he di f f er entpl anet si nt hegal axy ; Al t hought heor bi thadbeenbr okenandmostoft hepl anet swwe nowapar tf r om eachot her ; I nR' Quani ' s" wi sdom"t heyhadbui l tt he" or bi t opor a"aspacecr af t t hatcoul dt r av el f r om onepl anett oanot herev ent hought hepl anet swer eapar t . Ther ef or e, t he commander swoul dr egul ar l ycomeandpayobei sanceandaquar t erandahal foft her ev enues gener at edi nt hepl anet swoul dber emi t t edt ot henewFansi a.Kal i zewast r ul yt her ul eroft he uni v er se, orwashenot ? ; t hemor ey ouknowt hel essy ousee. Kal i zewasr enownedt obeanheav ysl eeper . Hesl eptf orcl oset osev ent eenhour sper Fansi aday ; noonedar ewakehi m upast hel astper sonwhodi d, nev erl i v edt ot el l hi spar tof t hest or y .R' quani smi l edt ohi msel fast hei deahat chedi nhi shead.He' dgot oKi l aze' sBedsi de andi nj ecthi m wi t h" Di ev al i un"apoi sont hatKi l l si nei ghtmi bi t es.Ev i dent l y , i t ' dnev erbet r aced t ohi m ast hepr i mesuspect swoul dbeKal i ze' swi v esandconcubi nes.Hesmi l edt ohi msel f ; " getr eadyt ogoonav er yl ongj our neybel ov edki ngKal i ze" . Thecl oudswer eunusual dar kert hatday , t hebi r dsdi dnotchi r past heyusedt o, ev ent he guar dsoft hepal acewer ef eel i ngsomet hi ngwasnotr i ght ; St i l l t her ewasnosi gnofr ai n.I t wasl at eaf t er noonandt hecl oudshadnotl i f t ed.Someonegott hei nkl i ngt hatt heKal i zehadn' t wokenupf orcl oset oni net eenhour s. " Youhadbet t ernotdi st ur bhi m;sai doneoft heguar ds " I t ' sunusual ofhi mt osl eepbey ondsev ent eenhour s, t hat ' st hehi ghesthe' ssl epti nal ong whi l e; l et ' scheckhi m out . ; .Thesecondguar dsai d " wel l . . .Youcangocheckhi m out , what ev ery ougetf r om i t ,y ou' l l bet obl ame, i tseems y ou' v emar kedy ourdeat hday " ; sai dt hef i r stguar d " Al l t hesame,Idon' tcar e,I ' l l gocheckonhi m, i t ' sunusual ofhi m" ; t hesecondguar dhear d ashebar gedi nt ot heKi ng' schamber s; hecheckedt heki ngandl etoutashar pcr yofal ar m! ! ! " Ah! ! !Somebodyhel p! !Kal i ze' sbel l ywasswol l enandst al ebl oodwasgushi ngf r om hi s nose, hi spupi l swer edi l at edandhehadt ur nedwhi t e, somebodyhel p! ! ! ; scr eamedt heguar d. Athi scr yofal ar mt heguar dsandhi smi ni st er sr ushedi nt oKal i ze' schamber sandt hey al mostbur sti nt ot ear sbuthadt ocont r ol i t . . . " Themi ght yel ephanthasf al l en; t hef ear l essonehasf l ownawaywi t ht hebr eeze; gr eat Kal i zei sdead; oneoft hemi ni st er sexcl ai medwi t ht ear si nhi sey es. "Hi sdeat hi snotnat ual " ; anot hermi ni st ersai d. Anaut opsymustbeconduct ed, i tl ooksl i ke hewaspoi soned. " Yeswewi l l , !Anaut opsymustbeconduct ed" ; anot hermi ni st erqui ppedi n. Anaut opsywasagr eedupon, andi twasconduct ed. Ther esul t sshowedt hati twast r ul y poi sont hatki l l edkal i ze, howev erhewast heonet hatt ookt hepoi sonhi msel f ; " Di dt heki ngki l l hi msel f " ?oneoft hemi ni st er sasked, abomi nat i o! "Idon' tt hi nkso" ; sai danot hermi ni st e, " Ismel l ar ati nt hi scase" Badnewst r av el sf ast ; t henewsoft hedeat hofKal i zet r av el l edl i kewi l df i r e. Theki ngwas deadandt heseatwasv acant ; humansar equi ckl yf or got t enwhent heydi e; t hequestt o becomet henextki nghadbegunandt hecandi dat esatt hef or ef r ontwer eNi xR' Quani andt hr ee ot her s. Theot hert hr eewer et hemi ni st er soft hel and. Agai n, t heev i l geni ushadapl an, hehadpsy chedmostpeopl ei nt hear my , hadsome suppor tofsomemi ni st er si nt hegov er nment ; howev er , somepeopl ei nt hegov er nmentwer e noti nsuppor tofhi m. Dasi l et i , oneoft heguar dshadbeenact i ngasR' Quani ' sspyandhenchmanf orawhi l e, . Ni x summonedhi m; " cal l dasi l et i f ormeatonce" ; Hesai dt ooneofhi sguar ds Yessi r !r i ghtaway ! , I ' l l doj ustt hatsi r ! Dasi l et i wasal r eadyatt hedoorwi t hR' Quani guar dhe, knockedandt hedooropen el ect r oni cal l ybutR' quani wast hi nki ng; Iam Ni x, commanderoft heFansi aar my .Ihav eal l atmyf eet .Thebat t al i oni sat my beckandcal l , mywor dscauset obow.Whocant henst andagai nstmeandmy pl ant oov er t hr owt heRepubl i c.Ni x , dosen’ tany onest andi ny ourway , i ssomesectof t hear mynotst i l l i nsuppor toft hegov er nment ?.I ’ l l sendmyhenchment ocl eart hem outandI ’ l l f eedt hei rbonest omyl i ons.Iam Ni x ’ RQuani , nobodydar escount ermy or der s.“ Dasi l et i pr epar eThef l eetwi t ht heDar edest r o, wet aket her epubl i csoon. ” Si r !Yessi r ! ; Dasi l et i act edoncuebecauseR' Quani hadj umpedr i ghtoutofhi st hought s andcommandedhi mt opr epar et hef l eetwi t ht heDar edest r o, t heywer edef i ni t el yonaki l l er mi ssi on. " Wel ev el downal l myopponent st obecomet heki ngoff ansi aandsubduet her epubl i c, do t hati mmedi at el ysai dR' Quani R' Quani ki l l edal l hi sopponent sandwi t ht hesuppor toft hosei nt hear myandsomeoft he mi ni st er s; Hewasi nst al l edast henewki ngofFansi a. Al i ent or at i wasHappyashewat chedt hewayt hi ngswer egoi ngoni nt heuni v er se. He' d t akecont r ol oft heuni v er set hr oughR' quani , andR' quai l ni woul dcont i nual l yr espondt ohi s whi ms.Ah!Ah!Ah!Ah!Hel aughed, I ' l l hav ecompl et econt r ol ; Butwhi l et hatgi r l st i l l l i v eR' quani l i v ei si ndangerandsoi smyambi t i on. Hesuddenl yappear edt oR' quani t hr oughhi st i me machi ne "Mast ery ou' r eher ei t ' sasur pr i set oseey ou, doesany t hi ng" . . . . . ; Sai dNi x " Ni xy ouhav et oki l l t hatgi r l soonest , i fnotshe' l l def eatus, andwe' l l nothav eourDomi ni on f orl ong, ki l l her ! ; Sai dAl i ent or at i . Vi si bl yangr yNi xsai d; "Mast erI ' v ebeenhunt i ngf orher , butI ' v enotbeenabl et oseeher , I ' v e. . " ; sai dNi xasAl i ent or at i cuti n " What ' sdi f f i cul ti nt hi s, she' si n" For t i l o" , j ustgot her eandext er mi nat eher , orhav ey ou becomeacowar d! ? ; Al i ent or at i askedspi t ef ul l y " Mast ery ouspi t eme, y ouknowhowdedi cat edIam t obei ngcr uel .I nt woday s, t woday s wi t houtf ai l , she' l l bedead, I ' l l ki l l hermy sel f " ; Sai dR' quani . " Thenpr ov ei t , pr ov et haty ou' v enotgoneCol d, Iwantherdead, y ouhav emy suppor t " ; Al i ent or at i sai dandv ani shed. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * " Youmustat t ackR' quani t ommor ow, hepl anst oat t ackandki l l y oui nt woday s" ; Sai d Al abi ni " Butam i r eadyf ort hi s" ?Sai dEf f i whel l s" am i " ? " Thi si sy ourdest i ny , y ouei t herki l l hi m orhedoest hesamet oy ouwi t houtf l i nchi ng" ; sai d Al abi ni Det er mi ned, shespokebr av el y ; " Iam r eadyf ort hi s, t hi si smydest i ny , If i ghtf ort heLov eof t heuni v er se, If i ghtf orpeaceandf orJoy " ; Ef f i sai d " Good, andI ' l l bewi t hy ou, t akesomesol di er swi t hy ouandwor kasat eam anddon' tf or get hi sweakness, y ouhav et oPi er cehi sbodywi t hi tnomat t erwhat " ; spoket hev oi ceofAl abi ni as shev ani shed. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Ther ewassuddenf i ght i ngi nf ansi aasEf f i whel l s, hersol di er sandt heFansi asol di er sbegant o f i ght , AsEf f i f ought , hersol eai m washowt of i ghtherwayi nt ot hepal ace.Fi ght i nghad cont i nuedal l af t er noonandmanysol di er ' shadl ostt hei rl i v es.Fi ght i ngcont i nuedt i l l Ef f i whel l s f oughtherwayi nt ot hepal ace. Shewasi mmedi at el yat t ackedbyt heguar ds, shesl i cedt hr ough t hem angr i l y ; "Justbr i ngmet hatdev i l cal l edR' quani , t hescumbagt hatwant st ocol oni zet heuni v er se" ; Sai d Ef f i Thesol di er sandguar d' scont i nual l yat t ackedherassheki l l edt hem mer ci l essl y. Howev ert he f i ghtst i l l cont i nuedout si der s "Enoug! ! " ; Anangr yandBar i t onev oi cespokeandal l t hef ansi asol di er sst oppedandst ar edas i ft heywer ewai t i ngf ort henextcommandoft heMessi ah " Sot hi si sy ou, j usty ou" ; R' quani sai dmocki ngl y , I ' m di sappoi nt edi nmy sel ft hatIexpect ed bet t er , y oul ookl i kesomeonewho' dmakeaGoodconcubi ne, ni cesof t , f l eshyand. . . ; Sai d R' quani asEf f i whel l scuti n. "Andwhoar ey out oo! ! , asoul ess, wi cked, saddi st i cf el l owwho' sdev ot edt owr ecki ngt he uni v er se, y oumi ni on, y oubehav el i keanogr e" ; Sai dEf f i " Howdar ey ou! ! ! ! ! Her agedandbr oughtouthi sswor dt oki l l herbutshedodgedwi t hher weapon " Yout hi nkIcameher esoy oucanki l l mel i key ou' v eki l l edot her s, t hewayy ouki l l edy our Ki ng! ! y oubagofm Ah! ! !Byt hi st i meR' quani wasr edwi t hangerandhebegant ouseal l hi swarequi pment st of i ght Ef f i , het r i edt ocl ubherbutshedodged Ef f i whel l sdi scov er edt hatshewasget t i nghi smi nd; hewasr edwi t hangeral r eady ; Ef f i whel l s weaponsuddenl yt ur nedt oanel ect r ocut i ngcl ubandshest r uckhi sf or ehead, Thehi twashar d ast hecur r entbuzzedi nhi sbr ai n Ah! ! ! ; Ni xst oodupagai ni nangerandai medi nf r ar edpr ogr ammedspearather , Shedodged agai n; Hecwssf ur i ous"I ' m goi ngt oki l l y ouher et oday , qui tdodgi ngandl et ' sf i ght " Bef or ehecoul dbl i nkEf f i ' sweaponchangedt oat hor nypoi sont i ppedchai n, sheswungi tat hi m andi twr appedar oundhi sneckandt or ehi sf l esh; t hi swascl ear l yaf i ghtt ot hedeat h Somebl oodwasal r eadydr i ppi ngf r om hi sbody , Hesai d; " Ef f i don' tbemani pul at ed, Iwantt he bestf ort heuni v er s, I ' m goi ngt ogov er nv er ywel l . .I ' m goi ngt o. . " ; Sai dR' quani asEf f i whel l scut i n " Gov er nwhat ! ! !Thatwasnothownat ur emadei t , t hepl anet soft heuni v er sewe' r esupposedt o mov ei nanor bi ty oudest r oy edt haty ou. . . " R' quani sawt hathehaddi st r act edher , i noneSwi f tmov ementheki ckedheri nherneckwi t h hi st hor nyboot sanddi spossessedherofherweapon Ah!Ah!ah!Hel aughedwi ckedl y ; byt hi st i mehewasal r eadychangi ngt ohi sf ul l al i enf or m, a beast . " Iknewy ouwer emadeofcheapst uf fal l al ong, y ou' v ecomet oki l l me?Whata j oke!I ' l l makesur eIki l l y ouf i r st " ; Hel aughedagai n, i nonemov ementhedeal therast r ong upper cutandcamespr awl i ngont hegr ound, shet r i est omov eanddomar t i al combat , he punchedheri nt hef ace, hesl i cedherhandswi t hhi skni f eandboundhert ohi sel ect r oni cchai r t hataut omat i cal l ybecamet i ght erperhour . Hesl appedherhar d, " See, see! !You' r e hel pl ess, def ensel essandI ' m goi ngt oki l l y ouandf eedy ourbodyt ot hebi r dsoft heai r . He whi ppedherwi t hhi sf ul l whi p. Hecont i nuedt oi nf l i ctsuf f er i ngonheral l t hr oughhekeptsay i ng; " I ' m goi ngt omakey oubegbef or eIki l l y ou Ef f i whel l scoul dsenset hati tseemedshewasgoi ngt odi eaf t er al l . Shej ustmadeanhal f hear t edappeal t oAl abi ni " Al abi ni ev eni fI ' m goi ngt odi e, Ineedy ourhel pt ost abR' quani wi t hhi sweakness, t hi sbeast cannotbeal l owedt ol i v ehel pmegr eatone" R' quani hadt ur nedt ot hef ul l al i enbeastt hathewasatt hatt i me; agi antsl i mycr eat ur e. Ther ewasasuddenwi ndwhi chl ast edf orami nut eandwasf el tev er y wher e, i tbl ewonEf f i whel l sandshef el tar enewedext r aor di nar yst r engt h. Wi t hal l ofherst r engt hshebr oket hechai r t opi eces, andf l ewont heR' quani cr eat ur eandst abbedhi m wi t hhi sweakness. I twasal ead penci l .Asshef el l f r om t hecr eat ur e, i tsuddenl ygr unt edi npai nandst ar t edt obecomebl ack. I t begant ogr oan, mucht oheramazement , i tbegant odi smember . I tbegant ogr oan, bef or el ong i thadal l di smemberi nt ot hesky . EPI LOGUE Thedawnofanewdaycomeswi t har enewedHope. Af t ert hedeat hofNi xR' quani , Ef f i whel l swentonv acat i onf orei ghtweekst ocool of f . TheSt at esoff ansi aandki l uamani br oket hei rmer gerandar enowi ndependent .YousefYashaandal l ot herf al l enher oesoft he r esi st ancewer egi v enbef i t t i ngbur i al s.LestIf or getR' quani ' sdi smember edpar t i cl esf or medt he dar kmat t eragai nandal l t hepl anet snowor bi tpeacef ul l yi nt hegal axy . Tr ul y , Nat ur ehaspr ov en t obeawal l , awal l , YesMot herwal l !