It doesnt take a name.

[Arenumberg]

To those who did not know it, did not see it, it may of appeared as nothing but another upstart and pompous civilization scratching out its existence in the galaxy, waiting for some monumental event, its rise, its fall, its golden age, a great change, or maybe nothing.

To those who did know it, it was a magnificent civilization, green and blue worlds, barren turnt to life, cities of white, great ships that cruised through space as if it was just another great ocean, to those who knew more, it was a civlization that had lost its homeworld, found another, been born again and a culture and people reborn.

To those who knew the secrets, the uttermost secrets held by the privilidged few, it was all of those things and not, yet it was a civilization that depended and idolized but one symbol of power, a dangerous thing, one would assume, and sometimes, assumptions are correct.

The Council had faltered, they could not find it, the royal family needed it, and they were failing, the people could feel the ebb and flow of events, and they could not follow those who were not proven. This symbol was that, proof of power, proof of existence, it needed to be found, or even, reforged.

But no-one could find it. No-one could obtain the last materials needed, and so, the quest infuriated many, intoxicated few.

Manipulated and twisted one.

He was not of the Council, but of the royal family, he was of no importance, yet he was the most important thing in this entire civilization.

When he had set out to find this item, he had a name, but now that was lost to him, along the journey he had lost many things, kindness, remorse.. "humanity".

The quest, maybe the item and the power it held itself had twisted him, intoxicated him, but suffice to say.

He found it. Somehow.

Through impossible odds, he found it, The Evenstar was meant to reward light, prosperity, fuel a perfect rein and make great leaders.

And make great leaders it still did, and indeed it would reward prosperity, albeit of a different kind.

It was twisted, like the man who had found it, it fueled another side, a darker side, it burned red, no longer pure white, silver was lost to it, deep inside of it, something burned a print into this man. And so, he returned.

It was quick, yet brutal, nothing could be done to avoid it.

Some call it magic, some call it telepathy, some call it the force, some call it trickery, call it what you will, he wielded it, and it yeilded to him, within a few hours, the council and anyone in the royal family who could be found was dead, or imprisoned.

There was no long and brutal civil war, the man who no longer had a name, still, did not take one, but it does not take a name to take a nation.

The people were bound, there would be no resistance, within such a short amount of time, the fate of billions was decided.

And so, now he ruled.

Worlds that were once green would become bare, white cities would become gray, and many worlds would yield their surface to planet wide cities, in time.

Time was what he needed.

He would not loose what he had gained, from minor to major, this man of no name made the events known.

And as one once said.

"It is a quiet thing to fall, and a much more terrible thing to admit it."

[Arizona Nova]

The queen stood on O-deck, gazing out at the void outside and the miles of steel and guns arrayed before her. The flagship had become more of a home to her than the palace on the homeworld had - she favored it, as it was of course her own brainchild, and though it was vulnerable in certain ways than a planet-bound palace, or even a fortress was, she regarded it as far more secure. Stagnation was death, and to keep from it one had to keep moving. She heard, ever so faintly, the noise of the lift. It was still a dozen decks down, but she had trained herself to hear and notice things others ignored. She counted down to herself as it drew closer, until the noise of it docking on O-deck became readily apparent. The door opened and someone walked out. Listening to the pace of the footsteps she read a lot about who it was - most likely her trusted aide Carl. They were light and quick, though he wasn't running. Urgent, and probably grave. As he drew close she looked back over her shoulder and said,

"What news, Carl?"

By now, as far as Carl was concerned, the odd premonition-like senses the queen seemed to have didn't surprise him that much anymore. He bowed his head quickly, wishing to give the news as fast as possible.

"My Empress, something has happened in the Arenumbergian territories - a coup of some sort."

"Ah," she remarked, her voice dispassionate. "What is the nature of it - infighting, or a dagger-strike aimed at their rulers?"

"We're not sure," said Carl hesitantly. "It appears someone produced a highly valued artifact..."

"The Evenstar," she cut off. "So it has been found. What happened next?"

"I believe the ruling council and royal family have been dismantled - forcibly. Little news is getting out, but that is all I have heard."

"Hmmm." She began weighing her options. If she recognized this new government, and they proved chaotic or otherwise, then it would be difficult to keep the colony - which had become quite important since its foundation - and stay in good graces with the rest of the international community. She knew elves rather well, and knew that once they discarded the various niceties and kindnesses that made elves, well, elven, they would become cruel - and arrogant. A powerful elven empire would be an attractive target for such peoples as Central Facehuggeria, who would no doubt relish the idea of such a conquest. At any rate such a fight was one she would rather avoid. If she didn't recognize them, then the alliance would soon go south and again the colony would be in jeopardy. As well, considering the manner she gained power - less bloody but no less duplicitous - it would look hypocritical on her part.

"I want a bulk transport loaded with diplomats, and half a dozen of those stargates we purchased from Northrop-Grumman, sent immediately. No weapons, however. They are to assess the situation and to make sure that the rights and sovereignty of our colony remains as it is; basically, just remind them that we're well aware of what is going on. Have the gates installed as secretly as possible, and try to disguise their numbers. Elevate Third Fleet's threat level to 4, and make sure the outposts are fully awake, just in case."

Carl bowed again, and said, "as you wish, my Empress." He turned and strode away. Anikar turned back and looked out the O-deck windows for a moment, then went to the lift herself, back to her private quarters.