[b]Karboria Capital District, Sazkar Major[/b]
 Fakeem Suar'kum stood at the balcony at the top of the parliamentary office. He looked downwards, where citizens were milling about. Some commuting up and down the street, some stopping and waving or taking pictures of the new Grand Vessel, and others standing in the square or at shops and kiosks chatting casually. The Supreme Commander grabbed him on the shoulder, startling Fakeem slightly.
 "It's a good day out here in Karboria, wouldn't you say?" the gruff commander chuckled heartily.
 "Y-yes, it is, Comm-"
 "Please, call me Barasmus! After all, I'm subordinate to you." he laughed.
 "Right, heh...regardless, all this that's...that's happening."
 The commander looked at him with concern. "I truly am sorry about what I had to do to your father. And every time I see you, Grand Vessel, the thought of it still pains me. I just want you to keep in mind that had I not taken the right precautions-"
 "Yes, I know, Sazkar would have been destroyed. I've heard this quite a bit, but the weight of it seems to grow more and more. "
 "Right. But, it's a new day, a new start for a changing empire. I've been commanding these soldiers for a good 50 years, and I will not stop at anything to save our people. I've also been looking at the reports from some of our outersystem scout fleets. They're picking up new races, new civilizations, rather quickly. And I know that even after 10 long years, we're still making progress. Hopefully that 10 years can stretch out indefinitely, and we can change for the better!"
 Barasmus patted the young prophet on the back. "Well, I must return to my duties. I'm sure you may have to return to yours as well. Take care, Grand Vessel."