Prologue: In The Memorial Park
*** Present Day - March 4th, 79 CE ***

The young woman walked alone through the park. Finally she stopped when she reached the memorial fountain in the center. She knelt down and laid flowers in front of it before sitting on the ground. She pulled her knees close to her body wrapping her arms around to hold them.

She was a very beautiful woman, for a natural. She had let her light brunette hair grow out over the past few years. She kept it in a loose braid always flowing over her heart. It was long enough that it reached nearly to her belly button. Her eyes were a perfect mix of blue and green. They were big and almost like windows into her soul.

She looked up at the many names and ranks written on the plaque. The name at the top stuck out to her. She never wanted to see his name there. Part of her still wished he was out there somewhere... alive. She knew it was crazy, he was gone. But her wish to see him again never died nor would it ever.

"I thought you might be here Haww" Said a young man behind her. Without looking back she replied with sadness in her voice.

"It's been a long time since I've had the courage to come here" She looked up to the sky closing her eyes for a few seconds before opening them "I can't believe it's been 5 years"

"I know. I miss him too" The young man stood by the female natural for a few minutes in silence before speaking again. "We should get going. Our meeting with the Three Councils is in a couple of hours remember"

"I know Yzak." He reached his hand down to help her up. She accepted and was pulled to her feet. She looked back at the plaque. Focused on the same name.

"He's dead. There was nothing we could have done" he said sadly realizing where she was looking.

Miriallia looked the coordinator deep in the eyes before speaking "If we had gotten there sooner than maybe we could have saved him. If the team was assembled faster"

"You may have been able to save the others but… he would have st-"

"We could have given him medical attention"

"His life would have been saved, yes, but that is all. After what that soldier said. The pain that he must have endured. It's better that it ended"

"You would wish him dead?"

"It's better that than the alternative." Mir looked to the ground she didn't want to hear what he had to say. "Those who were there that day, that saw what he went through they were so screwed up. Even if he had lived he wouldn't have been the same... Besides we can't change the past. He's dead and nothing can ever change that."

"I know you're right but I can't shake this feeling. There's something that just isn't right about his death"

"Nothing will ever be right about it." He said as he put his hand on her shoulder "Come on we need to get going, the sun is starting to set"

"I hate the sunset" she spat.

"I know" he said as he put his arm around her shoulder and began to guide her out of the park. She looked back as they walked out. Just one last time she needed to read his name. One last time to know it was real.

Captain Dearka Elsman
Loyal Soldier & Friend