Poor little planet. Just out of shot is a massive death fleet that wants to kill it.

With the entire universe embroiled in some of the heaviest conflicts in its history, it came as no small shock to see several familiar faces emerging from the mists. Some of these returning Commanders haven't been heard from in decades after retiring in quiet solitude.

Palleon, Commodore Destroyer, Jamezor... these are just some of the names that have emerged from the darkness to return to the world of empire command in the past several years.

Then the world saw the return of Dr. Strangelove, easily one of the more outspoken empire leaders from the early days of the great wars. Drawing upon his experience, he has already begun to climb the ranks of The Institution. Will he be reigniting his war with Commodore Destroyer--- a war which has not seen battle waged in nearly 200 years?

This was quickly followed by the equally surprising return of crabrock. For centuries, one of the most controversial people in the universe, crabrock's return shocked the universe. Clearly, we can expect sweeping changes in his wake.

As if that weren't enough, rumor has it that spazzhole was recently sighted in several large cities. Whether he returns to Empire command or continues being a private citizen remains to be seen.

These are exciting times in the universe. Old rivalries and new enemies clash on a nearly daily basis. It's unclear who will emerge the victor of these brutal battles, but one thing is for certain--- the ongoing conflicts promise to make this period in human history one of the most bloodsoaked chapters that mankind has ever seen.

Hadar, It's just like any other system in the Universe, for the most part. Nothing exceptional about it. Just one of the systems that has yet to pick a side in the coming conflict.

It was overcast when Sullivan left his home. He was the captain of the guard for the Governor of Hadar, possibly one of the more trusted, respected, and powerful people in the system. He went down State Street, walking with the confidence that only comes from those who perceive all threats and formulate a possible response.

When he arrived at the State House, he put on his uniform and strapped on his blaster and his knife with the other guards. He and a cadre of fourteen guards went to the Governor's chambers while another twenty two guards secured the meeting hall itself, and another fifty seven guards secured the adjacent halls, rooms, and the roof.

He rapped on the Governor's door. "Come in," was the reply. He cracked the door open.

Governor Diggory Lustek was a gray old man. In his youth he'd been a firebrand, had turned Hadar from a backwards system to a gem, thrown the factions out and never went to bed without being sure he'd completed everything necessary to make sure he'd wake up to a better system. He'd taken the governor's office twelve times in the elections, a majority every time. But his hair had started falling out, and his strength faded, and the light went out of his eyes. Sullivan was sure this was his last term. The man couldn't survive another one.

"Sir, the faction emissaries are here," said Sullivan.

"All of them, Sully?" asked the Governor.

"All of them, sir," replied Sullivan.

"Very well." The Governor got up and stepped into the hall. He glanced over his guards, still a towering figure in his elder years. His features hardened into a regality he used to deal with figures of importance. But Sullivan saw the weakness in his eyes.

They went into the meeting hall. "You were wrong, Sullivan," the Governor told him, "you said every emissary was here. There's only four. The Order's emissary is missing." Then the Governor went over to the table prepared for him, leaving Sullivan's guard to arrange themselves behind him.

The four emissaries had been cordially conversing when the Governor entered, but now they went to their respective seats, and did not deign to glance at one another, their eyes fixed on the man they were competing for.

"I had wanted all five of the factions to be represented here, but instead we'll have to do this without the Reds. You emissaries come here to convince me to join your respective factions. You will each be allowed to talk, and then I will decide. I have allowed all four of you here, for I wish to have no back-room deals during my reign."

He nodded at the Institution's emissary. "You shall begin."

"Join us, Lustek," began the Institutional, "Hadar shall benefit beyond even your reforms. You have heard rumors, no doubt, of Institution-wreaked destruction. I tell you now that such rumors are greatly exaggerated, and everything we have done is for the betterment of humanity. We are the tried and test road. We have nothing to offer as proof but empirical evidence, the kind you can see for yourself. I tell you now that we have made our society better. Where once women and children cried out on the streets for food, the arrival of the Institution has brought them nothing but joy. Your independence only harms you, and with the power of the Institution behind you, you'll find yourself made the better for it. " The emissary sat.

The Governor nodded in appreciation and thanks. Then he gestured for the Genesis emissary to begin.

"I can offer you nothing but strength and longevity," said the Genesian, "I see you are an old man now. With us, you can regain your youth. And not only you, we do not play on your greed. We can offer such rejuvenation for your entire people. Not only that, but we offer the removal of all disease, and the ability to be even stronger than you were in your prime. We are making humanity perfect, and we ask you to join in the journey. Joining us will benefit you immediately, and the future will bring even greater rewards. When you have a long life, and unending strength, what will worry you. Mistakes can be righted in the course of a few years."

The Governor gazed intensely at the emissary for a while, and then he glanced at the Initiative's emissary.

"The Technocratic Initiative will bring you out of the dark ages," smiled the Initiative's emissary, "What good is anything offered here if you have not the power to keep it? Alone, you produce nothing of technological value. Your very weapons are inferior, and everything that is new of yours is but third or fourth generation to me. If you wish to keep your system, you must have the cutting edge. And we will bring you this. Everything that is offered here keeps you in your place, but merely changes superficial things. We offer a revolution not only in technology, but in the way you live and interact with technology."

The Governor nodded and then turned to the last emissary.

"Worldly pleasures. Pure hedonism, nothing more," said the Unitologist, "those who give their souls to Unitos truly understand. Gain salvation for your soul in the next life, and you will be richly rewarded in this one. I have been on the Hajj to Abrigo, and let me tell you... the miracles described to you by preachers do it no justice. I have seen miracles beyond belief. The slightest of these was a small war between two neighboring systems, which led to preparation for a battle. Just as these two enemy fleets approached each other, a single ship fleet in between the fleets, with a Unitologist at the helm. And this one Unitologist merely spoke to the commanders of the fleets and they turned around. A preposterous story, but true! And for those who worship Unitos, there are many more like them."

The Governor sat in contemplation for a long time. Then he stood up. "I have read the facts and the arguments you sent ahead of your arrivals. I wished to get your closing arguments, and you have been most obliging. I cannot choose the Institution. For I cannot abide a faction that would sacrifice one life to better the lives of others. I would rather see all equally bettered. I cannot join the Genesis, for I think you are lying to me outright. I know that your beauty on the outside is marred by the corruption on the outside. Your strength and longevity come from the machines that keep you alive. You are abominations. As for the Initiative, I will trust not to the gun or the machine, but the people who hold and run them. The quality of people will always triumph over the quality of technology. And as for religion... I've always suspected it is more coincidence and timing than divine intervention. Hadar will remain free. And if any of you see the people of the Spectre Order, you can tell them as much."

With that he strode off, Sullivan and the guard falling in behind him.

Sullivan came into the Governor's chambers later. "What did you think, Sully?" asked the Governor. "It was spectacular. I haven't felt so strong since I was a young man, fighting against faction tyrants. That might have been the defining moment of the my rule. 'Aged Lustek faces down the factions and keeps Hadar free.' I could win re-election on the headlines alone."

"Sir," said Sullivan, "the Spectre Order sends a message."

"What is it?" asked the Governor.

Sullivan took the Governor by the shoulder and rammed his knife into the Governor's gut, "Remember," he said, twisting the knife, "that you are mortal." He stabbed upwards, piercing Lustek's heart, and then withdrew the blade, releasing the dying man at the same time. The Governor crumpled to the floor.

Sullivan wiped his knife clean on some documents, then sheathed it and silently went out of the room, closing the door behind him. Outside, the storm was breaking.