Chapter 1: November 9th, 2350 AD

The darkness ... it revolves around us in its never-ending gaze. Space serves its purpose. It is reality. It is a cold place where life supposedly could never exist. It should have never had the aspect of life to exist at all.

Yet, it did. The shrewd complexity of a simple event in history has played a defining role in the shape of what is now our existence. We stand in the void of darkness as we watch the incredible explosion of what humanity defines as “The Big Bang.” A brilliant light showers us. For eons of years, we watched as particles, laws of physics, and our eventual existence would pour in all directions. Millions of years are just seconds to us. Matter forms and melds to form stars. Stars are born and collapse. Black holes spray in the sphere pattern engrossing the matter into galaxies.

However, it may surprise you that it isn’t the way that the Itreans initially believed. Yes, there are those that believe in a similar concept to the Big Bang, but it only came into existence relatively recently. The question of “what was before Itrea?” had loomed but was only questioned by the few. To the Itreans, it was theorized that there was simply nothing. It is described by human scholars that so diligently study the Itreans’ past of the so-called Kili’Ka’Doa or “The Great Illumination.” In this belief, the universe slowly emerged from the darkness to what it is now. There was no explosion, and the universe slowly materialized into existence, where life would eventually evolve and flourish. With the loss of history, it was further speculated that the Kili’Ka’Doa was the truth. To the Itreans, the exploration of history was recorded only by the few, even amongst trillions of individuals. It may further surprise you that to the Itreans, many never even looked into it. This was in no way an insult to my people. The curiosity of scientific history has always been deluded by war and the trivial lives that we enjoy. Even scientists and philosophers were tied to various religious groups and dismissed by the majority of the overall society.

Kili’Ka’Doa was never a doctrine to life. It was mostly a background acceptance of societal views. Very little care was taken in questioning its validity. There was little to challenge it or deny it. This, in no way, meant that the Itreans were deeply troubled by having no “true” answer to how the universe came into existence. It was mostly never brought up in discussion. Instead, the concept of “Itreanism,” or the belief that a single homeworld is the birth of Itrean existence, was more paramount to historical thinking. This was what loomed in the minds of the Itreans rather than the birth of the cosmos. Others, including the consideration of other beings, such as the Kiline, further added to the mythos that resided in all Itreans.

I see that you remain intrigued. No, I’m not the “Guide” that has been stringing you along to deliver his “verbose speeches of the cosmos.” You already know this, as my voice is nothing like his if gender were assigned to it. No, you already recognize the deep feminine voice. Perhaps, I’m another, the “contrarian” to offer another point of view of what everything is like and what exists in space.

We continue to watch the formation of the cosmos. The great galactic filaments begin to form in the universe. Each string carries an assortment of galaxies till time eventually brings us to the “Milky Way Galaxy.” It is now November 9^th, of 2350 of the human calendars, where time is normal by human standards. It’s essential that we look down at the great object from on top. It allows a more accessible conveyance of what Itrean history is all about.

We stare at the galaxy, the tremendous spiral formation, as if we were looking at a galactic map. The darkness of space lies beyond and past it. This is where only the light of the central core and its many arms circulate in a slow but spinning pattern. It serves as a colorful reminder of the current “existence” of our surroundings. This is how the Itreans view things. Humanity, in its infancy, was a mere speck of existence when Itrean history is compared to it. History was measured in hundreds to thousands of years at a time rather than a single year of human history. This, in no way, meant that the Itreans were apathetic towards its past accomplishments. No doubt, many noteworthy events can happen in a single year. However, when things get measured in a span of tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of years of Itrean history, things become more ... monotonous.

I’m not here to contradict the views or knowledge of the “Cicerone” but merely to offer my own wisdom of what the universe was and currently is. It’s important that humanity does get a genuine grasp of the sheer magnitude of Itrean history, no matter the inconsistencies or mundane tedium that coexists with it. The reason that the Itreans operate today is because of its past. The attitudes of all Itrean individuals cannot be merely assigned to being holistically evil or holistically good. It is utterly complex and one that can forever be expanded upon. In the end, the survivors are left with the pieces of their past. They must decipher how their history is to become written.

A series of red, green, orange, brown, and purple lines appear over the galaxy. They are like connected veins where each dot is a star. Inside each star are civilizations. The red represents Aksren. The green, Yutilian. The purple, Shal’rein. The orange, Palierian. The brown, Alara’jal. These were the current clan species of all Itreans over 50,000 years ago. The vein network goes outward till it eventually consumes a quarter of the galaxy. This is the era of “New Space,” the time where modern Itrean history is the most successfully recorded and survived.

If you were here talking with the Guide last time, then you already know the history of Jalgren. “Jalgren, the Great,” as many often referred to him, is something of a unique character in Itrean history. He managed to force and identify the lingering issue that existed in Itrean philosophy and thinking within the course of his life. He was revolutionary, respected, and perhaps a lucky strategist at the same time. Jalgren is more than just an individual, but a new collective form of thinking that was rushed and forced into all Itreans. Thirty-one thousand years ago was the creation of the “modern” Itrean views. The language, thinking, societal beliefs, and moralist ideas were pressured and implemented rather well.

Eventually, we watch as the red lines consume all the other colors of lines and dots. We are watching what will become the Empire of Jalgren, the first time that all Itrean clan species were united under the Aksren clan. Many feared what Jalgren would bring forth both in his idealism and the possibility of committing outright genocide. However, the emperor was defined as one of the first “modern Itrean moralists” that existed within the 31,000-year time frame. His philosophy was reflected in cohabitation. To him, Jalgren felt that all Itreans working together could achieve sustainable goals and master colonizing the galaxy. New technologies could be discovered, and the fortification to protect the Itreans from the unknown could be accomplished. The great star fortresses are a tribute to Jalgren and Itrean engineering in their finest debut. Even as far as my father combatting the Emphra, the star fortresses’ legacy ensured that the Emphra invasions could be appropriately countered even in the worst and grandest of scenarios. Even the most racist of Itreans of various clan species still adhere to some of Jalgren’s principles of an adequate defense. The legacy that one Itrean is enough to fill libraries, with even my father teaching me every strategy that Jalgren utilized in his successful attempt to conquer the known galaxy.

However, even with the success and contributions that Jalgren achieved, even he was fallible. The great emperor made difficult choices with the use of military force. Human scholars can compare Jalgren as similar to a moralistic and idealistic dictator. Cohabitation was pressured by physical and military force. Even the aspect of efficiency and wise decision-making was a lesser priority over the values of sacrificing equipment and personnel to achieve his moral views and objectives. His empire, however, did succeed in eventually creating an efficient and operational system. A single language was adopted, as were most social and cultural views. Technology was slowly shared amongst all clan species. However, the cost of some freedoms was sometimes thrown out over that of achieving pure equality. This equality seemed to be ethically correct. However, using violence and fear to pressure this new form of balance slowly backfired. Humans are quick to criticize or defend Jalgren’s actions. Although, it is essential to note that this emperor was the first of his kind to be in such a high position of authority, let alone achieve galactic conquest, yet faced with such unique ideals among so few. It is truly unknown if Jalgren would have ultimately achieved his final goal of creating an Itrean Proto-Republic. In conclusion, it was the other Itreans that would decide that for themselves.

We watch the red lines slowly erode on the galactic map. It dissipates in a fashion that the dots no longer connect. Expansion is slow, but there are some notable achievements. Four great red dots appear, identifying the construction of the star fortresses. However, even this was not enough to save the empire from its own past. What you are seeing is the slow decline of the Empire of Jalgren. Long since his departure, societal views, economic downturn, and improper decision-making destroyed the idea of a non-caste society. The Itreans returned to a time that they had long been used to, the eventual decimation of the other. However, as the scenery begins to change, a figure slowly emerges that blocks out this map.

This individual is that of a Shal’rein. He is strong and adamant. He is like a statue. His face shows that of determination, but not overconfidence. He displays strength but not being too abrasive. His four-digit fingered gray hand is clenched into a fist and held slightly upward near his protruding “shark-like” snout. He carries two jeweled emerald earrings that pierce into his fin-like ears. His tail carries a chipped fin at the end. He wears the purple and black uniform of a Shal’rein soldier, properly decorated with three “Eon”jis” medals. The fins on his arm are gold painted to identify his own constructed glorified rank insignia. His hair is black, ignoring the traditions of purple-colored hair and representing nobody.

It’s now around 11,000 years ago. While humanity was struggling to get their civilizations started on Earth, the Itreans were busy tearing down theirs. By this time, racism, caste society, and discrimination were more than evident. The Aksren were still in absolute control over the other clan species’ worlds, but racism has a price.

The inevitable event would come down to a single individual, a Shal’rein, which the humans identify as Rototrein. He is the man that we are currently looking upon. Jalgren is the beginning, but Rototrein is the end. Interestingly, both famous individuals would be equally shared as heroes by almost all clan species regardless of the 20,000-year time span. Rototrein was a warrior that was born from my own home planet of Shal’tar, although many Shal’rein historians would boast that he was born on one of their worlds. In the end, what does matter is what happened to him.

Rototrein lived in one of the many underwater cities of Shal’tar. One day, an imperialist Shal’rein soldier broke into his home. There, the imperial soldier would loot his personal belongings, stealing everything of value. Rototrein was, as the humans would say, “penniless,” reduced to no money to live upon. He openly challenged and pressed charges against the soldier, requesting to get his money and belongings returned to him. Still, the courts refused, citing that it was in the interests of the empire that the soldier’s status and caste were more important than his income and property.

Angered, Rototrein lost all emotion. He had found the soldier’s home and killed him to reclaim his belongings. He managed to escape before he could be apprehended. What happened next would be further recorded in legend. It is said that during the time that he lived homeless, he personally witnessed what had happened to others that were in his situation. Once he regained his money, he understood what it was like to live in poverty. This was more than just inadequate wealth, but at a level that engrossed a vast majority of the Shal’rein populations. The decaying Empire of Jalgren had turned into an era of repression and relying on the few but influential loyalist Shal’rein to maintain the status quo.

It was here that Rototrein threw his money to the crowds of individuals and made his famous speech. “I hate this, and so do you. The Imperials rule us. We lived with this as if we were used to it all along, and it’s a crafted lie. We were better than this. We can be even better than ever before.”

Rototrein’s actions became a rallying cry. In less than a day, the city rebelled, and it spread like a tidal wave. By then, the imperial fleets were absent in orbit, the lack of funding crippling the empire’s military assets to safeguard their own controlled worlds. The rebellion swept through Shal’tar quickly, overcoming the opposition. However, Rototrein is sometimes considered to have been masterful in his strategy. An important rule in warfare is always to support your soldiers. Fight for them, and they will fight by your side. They were the same rules proclaimed by Jalgren. A vast amount of former imperial Shal’rein soldiers would give in and support the rebellion. However, even with the victory of taking Shal’tar, everyone knew that it could be short-lived. The empire still had vessels, while the Shal’rein had nothing.

Even so, the imperial presence over Shal’tar was almost nonexistent, a tactical maneuver of the gravest of consequences. Rototrein used this to his advantage. With the empire in the threat of returning, he began a massive effort to build an underwater fleet that could fight in space. The creation of the “modern” Shal’rein navy was forming.

When imperial forces finally returned in less than six months, they were greeted by Rototrein’s fleet. They came rushing from the oceans charging into imperials with complete surprise. The imperials were demoralized, while the Shal’rein were fighting for their freedom and survival. Rototrein made do with his promises. He was fighting for the Shal’rein and much more. The imperial fleet was decimated.

Rototrein continued to push his advances into liberating all Shal’rein worlds. In the course of years, he would engage against countless imperial forces in many famed hit-and-run skirmishes. He contacted and made alliances with the other clan species. Ultimately, other Aksren would turn against the empire as well. Rototrein had successfully united all the Itrean species in an all-out effort to take down the empire.

We watch as the image of Rototrein fade in the backdrop. The galactic map begins to change once again. In the course of years to even hundreds of years, the red dots and lines begin to vanish. The green, orange, purple, and brown colors start to reappear. The Rototrein Rebellion begins to unravel the empire slowly but methodically.

I made it my priority to study Rototrein in his strategic and tactical maneuvers. Even my father further pressed the need to understand what Rototrein was trying to accomplish in warfare. Indeed, the Shal’rein hero had managed to fight against overwhelming odds. The battles are dissected and evaluated. However, in those actions, Rototrein was more desperate in his situation. Yes, he managed to achieve much and accomplished a great deed in wiping out the Empire of Jalgren. However, he made numerous mistakes. Despite the claims from my people, Rototrein was far from perfect, even for a Shal’rein leader. There were multiple reasons why the empire collapsed. Thousands of years of decadence were the most significant factor. While racism and discrimination had been a focal point in the motivation to fight back, they had always existed. It thrived as far back as 26,000 years ago during the early middle ages of the empire. It was nothing new, nor was its impact a sudden shock to encourage a rebellion. Racism is and always is an inefficient system. The economic costs of pressuring society to commit and promote it only result in the society turning on itself. With that said, I am inclined to agree with some of Jalgren’s views, and there is profound evidence to suggest that the very early years of the Empire of Jalgren were prosperous ones for nearly everyone.

Undoubtedly, Rototrein still deserves a noteworthy mention in the history of the Itrean people. He had served a cause and would lead to a valiant struggle in the attempt to fight against the Empire of Jalgren. Rototrein personally admitted that he never imagined being the symbol of hope for all Itrean clan species, but he did embrace that recognition with honor. His children would further carry the fight watching the capital of the empire, Renlar, offering peace terms to Rototrein’s cause. As a result, the empire would be divided, and clan species would gain their freedom. There is a legend that Rototrein, himself, had ventured to one of the statues of Jalgren on Shal’tar. When others made the decision to tear down one of the statues, Rototrein halted it. He instead requested that the statue be preserved. He then bowed his head and kneeled before the Aksren emperor’s likeness. He gave the simple speech that is now etched on the sculpture’s base. It states, “I fought in your name. Equality for all.”

Why is all of this important? Why is the knowledge of a couple of Itreans amongst trillions worthy of being remembered? Because humanity has much to learn about the Itreans. Only by digging through history can a solution to a new era be found. Today, humanity’s struggle is against an overwhelming force. Is the UWA doomed to be destroyed? That depends on the choices and actions that are made. The T’rintar, Aksren, and Shal’rein clans serve as the “Tri’anta,” the three balancing powers in the galaxy. The UHN is insignificant in being able to fight back against such overwhelming firepower by one clan. That is why recapturing Cipra, humanity’s most bold but unwise move, proved to have varied results. Much like Rototrein, the UHN is a tiny spectacle in resources and strength. However, Rototrein still won against such severe odds. It’s an important lesson that if he and his supporters could do it, others could do it as well.

Regardless, overconfidence lurked in the hearts of the UHN and T’rintar clan. The Cipra Campaign has produced lingering consequences, many, as a matter of fact. While Cipra has been retaken, the expenses and loss of significant resources were extreme. An act of emotion against an enemy action over a year ago, it is something that I had wished that humanity avoided. Unfortunately, it was more than expected ... predictable even if the results were seemingly victorious.

However ... all is not lost. As I said, it was predictable. A lingering plan must adhere to the many paths that go along to ensure its ultimate success. There is a solution to my father’s plan. It is there, and it can be reached. But you ask me what is that plan?

As the humans would say, “one does not always reveal all their cards on the table so easily.” Instead, it is time to close out this lesson. Time is passing, and I must rest for the impending day to come. Everything is set, and it’s up to the others around me to carry out their duties, including my own mate. I will leave you to the “Guide” so he can continue explaining to you everything that is happening.

You watch as the galactic map begins to fade into obscurity. The stars and their light disappear until there is almost nothing. It darkens more and more, leaving a background of solid black. Then you hear the sound that disturbs your hearing. It’s that of a facial covering being applied to oneself, followed by an elastic band snap. It is that of an eye patch being applied over one’s eye...

In the vestiges of space near the red planet of Mars is the ongoing commercial traffic of transport vessels and freighters. The occasional UHN warship dots the distant background.

What comes into view is that of a single UHN Mark 12 space shuttle. The gray cylindrical vessel is dotted with a few arrays of small AIO turrets and several sets of various thrusters. Its rear engines have stopped firing as it has safely left the planet’s orbit. Free from the gravitational hold, it coasts steadily in a straightforward direction. Its current destination is not made clear yet. However, the enclosed armored exterior is clearly seen when one continues to get closer and closer to the vessel. Written on the side of the shuttle is the name “Babur,” in both English and Chinese characters.

Finally, we move past the armored shell of the shuttle until we can see the ship’s interior. Inside is a relatively comfortable living environment. The spacious area allows personnel to walk to the various rows of side-mounted passenger seats. The forward compartment leads to the pilot’s cockpit, while the rear section leads to other rooms. The lack of g-forces is the only thing that genuinely affects one another. The lack of gravity guarantees that everyone is buckled in, and their magnetic boots clamped down onto the deck to ensure that no one is floating freely.

There is at least eight personnel in the main compartment that is present. Six of these individuals are humans, while two of them are Itreans. Of these humans, four of them are dressed similarly. They wear a dark and light blue colored shirts with the words “Marine Recruit,” written in both English and Chinese. They also wear red and blue camouflage cargo pants. Of these four individuals, three appear to be men, while the other seems to be a woman. Each of these recruits appears different, coming from various environments. One of the men is skinny and lanky, having a mixed complexion, lightly bald, and similar to that of a person from Central America of former Earth. Another man is bulky and muscular, his pale complexion and short-cut brown hair reminiscent of someone from former Russia on Earth. The last of the three men look like a person of Chinese descent. He has a pale complexion and a light muscular, athletic body with short black hair. This individual is noticeable for the fact that he has two different colored eyes, the right eye being blue and the other being brown. The woman has a pale complexion with tied-up black hair, possibly that of a person of Greek or Turkish descent. A nice scar rides down her chin. A tattoo can be seen of a knife on her arm.

All of these individuals appear distracted or carrying some form of resentment of the current trip. However, even if they all appear this way, the man with Chinese features gathers the courage to break the ice and talk to the other recruits.

“My name’s Enlai. What’s yours?” he asks with a faint Martian accent. His tone is aggressive.

“Dariea,” the female recruit said beside him. She gave a mean and scornful look at Enlai. “What’s it to you?”

“Just curious.”

“The name’s Gavrill,” the Russian-like individual stated. His voice carried a broad but light Cebravin and Russian accent. The volume of his words boomed in the interior, somewhat startling the lanky individual. There was pride in that voice as he pounded his fist to his chest, but it was still an aggressive posture. Finally, the last recruit sitting beside him caved in, perhaps out of peer pressure.

“I’m ... I’m Isandro,” he said. The Martian accent was clear and present.

“What the hell is going on?” Enlai asked the other three. “Why the fuck are they sending us out here?”

“I don’t know,” Dariea remarked. “I just remember them telling me to get on the shuttle. I figure that they’re sending us home.”

“They can’t get rid of me,” Gavrill said. “The UHN needs more men. Can’t say that they need little women around to fight.” He deliberately tried to mock Dariea, and she didn’t seem pleased.

“Care to say that again?” Her voice carried hostility. She was showing a fit of anger.

“I say that you’re puny. UHN probably thought you’re too unfit to serve.”

“How about I rip your balls off and shove them down your throat, meat cake!”

“You couldn’t even scratch ol Gavrill.” He laughed as Dariea was getting ready to unfasten her seatbelt.

“That’s enough!” yelled another individual in the shuttle interior. It quickly seemed to silence the argument and for a good reason. This individual was a standing guard, his hand and arm braced to one of the shuttle interiors holding bars. He was dressed in combat armor and holding a carbine of some sort. His responsibility seemed attuned to the four individuals. It was impossible to see this individual’s face due to his helmet and visor. However, he was clearly agitated by the argument that broke out.

“What’s it to you?” Enlai asked the guard. “Care to explain what’s the meaning to all of this?”

“I’m just here to escort you to the UHN Lifen. I don’t need to explain anything else.”

“The Lifen?”

“Umm ... it’s a ship,” Isandro tried to answer.

“I know it’s a ship,” Enlai snapped at the recruit lightly. “Why the hell they’re sending us to a fucking ship?”

Dariea and Gavrill both didn’t seem to have the answers.

Isandro lightly pushed the scene further. “Um ... maybe because they were impressed with our performance in boot camp?” He nervously said.

“Ha,” Gavrill remarked with a single laugh. “I take that as a compliment, little man. I learned to challenge at the right time, and now it’s time for ol Gavrill to start fighting Itreans. Pound them to the ground!” He took his hands and slapped them together. “Just like that, they go splat!”

“Please,” Dariea scoffed at him. “The Shal’rein would just bite your tiny cock off and spit it back at you, you steroid junkie.”

“Tiny? You think that you could handle ol Gavrill? You wouldn’t last one night with me.”

Enlai seemed to think about the attitudes of the other three recruits present. It didn’t take much for him to start putting the pieces together. He even started to look at Isandro, who was similar to him. He was thinking hard, trying to assess what was going to happen. Enlai’s eyes narrowed. He almost chuckled as he thought about it.

“Hey...,” Enlai asked the others, virtually silencing the argument. “No, really. Why the fuck are we going to a ship?”

“Why are you asking me?” Dariea asked. “Probably ran out of room in boot camp or something.”

Gavrill sighed as he tried to get serious. “Probably to train us on how to fight in a ship.”

“Yeah, but ... that wouldn’t happen unless we graduated,” Isandro replied. “Did you graduate?”

“No ... two weeks in.”

“One for me.”

“One,” Enlai added. He looked at Dariea, and she answered.

“Three.”

“No, that means that none of us graduated yet.”

“UHN is just desperate for fighting men,” Gavrill said with a shrug. “After Cipra, the UHN marines need soldiers. They rushed us into service ... end of discussion.”

That did not seem to be a satisfactory answer to the scene. It didn’t entirely make sense. Isandro put his hand to his chin. Enlai looked at the other passengers that were sitting far from them. This consisted of three individuals. One was a UHN enlisted man dressed in a red and blue jumpsuit. The name and rank of Petty Officer Mizu could be deciphered from Enlai’s working augmented eye. This person had short black hair, almost similar to his. He was holding hands with the two Itrean women that sat strapped in beside him.

These Itreans were something that Enlai was becoming accustomed to seeing ever since the alliance between humanity and the T’rintar clan. An entire race of reptilian women supposedly descended from dinosaurs of former Earth. Most of it sounded like nonsense, but their presence was proof enough. Both of these Itreans were of the Yutilian variety. They were short-statured, being around four feet in height. One of the women had light green scales on her skin and greenish-yellow feathers that protruded from her head, arms, and tail. She also had blue and different shades of green patterns on her body and digitigrade legs. She wore some sort of brown and white overlapping dress. Her belly was slightly distended. Was she pregnant? It didn’t matter to Enlai.

The other Itrean was unique looking that it caused Enlai to look harder. She had a much larger protruding snout almost to that of a beak. It was difficult to tell if it was a she because the individual was flat-chested when compared to the protruding chest that the green Yutilian had. This Yutilian had white scales with green and brown patterns that covered much of her body. Her feathers were way more prominent, being white and pink. It covered much more of her arms, head, and tail. Even her eyes were shaped differently, being more brown and rounded. It was rumored that the Yutilians were descended from the Velociraptors. If it were true, then the white Itrean was much closer in appearance to one. She almost looked like an anthro bird. The conclusion to this person being a she was the presence of a protruding belly. She might have been pregnant, perhaps gravid. She was wearing an extravagant yellow and blue silk dress. Enlai only knew so much about the Itreans, so he wasn’t going to bother with the scene. However, he was able to overhear some of the conversations. There seemed to be excitement in their voices about their impending arrival to the Lifen. They were doing their best to ignore the noisy recruits.