PROLOGUE
Revelation
"It's time."
The man in the dark uniform growled under his breath. His eyes were squinted and a grin of accomplishment flashed across his normally emotionless visage. He had been planning this event for a long time. At first he had believed his plan had failed, but in truth, his failure had only led him one step closer to victory.
A very large figure appeared in the open doorway to the man's left. The grin that had only seconds before occupied his face vanished. He was determined to show no emotion to this giant.
"General," said the giant, sounding excited, "our forces are preparing to strike. Do you want us to proceed?"
The General turned to face him.
"You have done well, Nicholas. All of you're hard work will soon be rewarded. You're revenge will be complete, my friend, I promise you that. Yes. Proceed as planned. Inform the other commanders as well."
"Thank you, General," Nicholas saluted. He did an about face and left the room.
The General sat in his large brown leather armchair. He had perfect posture. Even in such a comfortable seat, he refused to slouch.
"I would think you would finally be able to relax, General. Today is the day we change the world," a gruff voice echoed from the shadows. The General was not surprised. Of all of his commanding officers, Josef had always been his favorite, not only because of his skills on the battlefield, but because of his innate ability to lurk in the shadows.
"You of all people should know that all plans can potentially go wrong at any second, Josef. I must constantly be ready for any mishaps," said the General with no emotion.
"Ah yes," Josef sighed, "I of all people should, but I think it would be unwise to dwell on such things as failure, General. Failure comes only to those who accept defeat, and you, sir, are one man who I know would never surrender."
The General grinned once more, "Josef, Josef, Josef. You are rarely ever wrong, but I believe that in that regard, you are mistaken. I would surrender if it were completely necessary. Even in the midst of many great victories, some of our greatest COs have had to surrender. They chose to live to fight another day, as you did, my friend. Had you not, you would not be here, and this day may never have come. So you see the importance of surrender."
Josef bowed to his teacher, "No man is as wise as you, my General. Once again, you have opened my eyes."
"You need not bow to me, Josef. We are equals, are we not? Besides, it is time for you to join the rest of the COs in preparation for today's events. Good luck, my friend."
"Thank you, sir. I will remember your words," and with that, Josef turned and walked slowly out of the room.
The General stood. His back was straight, his shoulders broad. He walked with an aura of confidence to his desk. He rummaged through his drawers and found what he was looking for.
It was a letter. The last one he had ever written. It was supposed to have gone to his wife, who had always looked to him for strength and guidance. It was a farewell. He had left her in search of something she thought he would never find, but he was determined. So in the dead of night he wrote her a letter, which he would send once he found what he was looking for. Today, he would find it; today, after 10 years, he would finally be able to send that letter.
He folded it in half and carefully placed it in an envelope, which he the put in the front pocket of his uniform jacket. He spoke softly to himself and a tear welled in his eye, "This is for you… my queen…"