A brown female chipmunk opened her eyes. She could smell smoke and heard footsteps. She tried to get up and felt immense pain in her side, she was injured. She breathed heavily and looked around. There was debris everywhere from a crash. The metal was heavily damaged from some kind of energy weapon. She didn't recognize the technology. She looked up and an older chipmunk with grey hair and a dark vest was pointing a gun at smoke. The younger chipmunk looked to the smoke where an ox emerges carrying a weapon. He is about to fire and they see his eyes flash green for a moment.
The younger chipmunk awoke from the dream lying in a bunk in a dark futuristic room. She sits up and sighs, she clenches her fists and glowing blue energy appears around it. She closes her eyes and concentrates, and the energy disappears. A shutter in front of her opens letting bright light in. She climbs off the bed and approaches the window looking out a massive alien city, the capital of the Zoah Empire.
In the city the buildings had screens showing translucent green, semi-liquid slugs. The screen changed again to random Zoah citizens with normal eyes "Be alert! The N'rrgal can simulate the appearance of anyone". In a building a lion, Raxos was speaking to a class of children "How long has the Zoah-N'rrgal war been going on?" "Thousands of years!" the children all answered. Raxos nodded "Yes. Why?". A small rabbit raised her hand "They were jealous of our individual form" "Well done. That is why they rarely stay in their slug forms. Their plague is still ever present. One of you could be a Gal and we wouldn't know it". He pointed to a dog at the back of the class "Is it you? Are you a Gal?". The girl shook her head, "What about you?" he pointed to a bear who also shook his head. Raxos smirked "You sure?" the kids laughed. Raxos nodded "Okay. I believe you. Except you". He pointed to a chameleon "I'm watching you" the kids giggle again. Raxos then had a serious face "As the strongest remaining empire, we proudly defend not just ourselves, but every nation too weak to fight. We-" "How do we know you're not a Gal, Commander?". The kids laughed and Raxos with no surprise turned to see the chipmunk "There's no greater example of Zoah potential than the mighty Kath".
He gestured for Kath to come forward which she did. She faced the children "The commander's right about the Gals. They took everything from me. My home, my family, my memory. Our leader, the Supreme Intelligence, saved me, gave me purpose and this implant". She pointed to a small disc device attached to her neck "My people had a powerful energy running through their bodies. This implant enhances it. Gives me abilities". She smirked and held out a fist which glowed with blue energy "So I can fight back". The cadets whispered to each other then "Did it hurt?" a girl asked. Kath pretended to look traumatised "Oh, so much. There were drills and everything. I've never been same. Be glad they can't do it to you". The kids laughed again "What's the Supreme Intelligence like?". Raxos stepped forward "So vast our minds can't even comprehend its true image. So, when we commune with the Supreme Intelligence, it appears to each of us as a unique virtual form, as the person we respect and admire above all others". Kath smirked "So, you see yourself, sir". Raxos was amused shaking his head as the cadets again laughed "Who do you see?" one of them asked Kath. Her face fell and Raxos quickly clapped his hands "Everyone back to work". The cadets all got up and left the room. Raxos turned to Kath "Dreams again?". She nodded "Wanna fight?".
Kath fell to the floor after being punched in the face "I think I slipped" she said with a sigh. Raxos stood over her "Right, you slipped as a result of me punching you in the face" "No, I already slipped and then you happened to punch me in the face. The two events were not related". Raxos stepped closer to her and raised his fists "Tell me about this dream". Kath tried to punch him, but he stopped her "Anything new?" "No". She gets free and tries a spin kick but Raxos backs away then gets her in an arm lock "You have to let go of the past" "I don't remember my past" "It's causing you doubt and doubt makes you vulnerable". Kath holds up her free hand which glows. Raxos glances at her "Control it". The power subsides and Raxos helps her up "There's nothing more dangerous to a warrior than instability". The two continue to fight, she gets a few hits in but Raxos then punches her down again "You're still distracted".
The two were now on a train, Kath smirked "So who do you actually see when you speak to it? Your brother?" "No" "Father?" "No" "You old commander?". Raxos crossed his arms "Kath" "It's me you see, isn't it". He smirked "I see what you're trying to do" "Is it working?" "Yes. But you won't succeed in changing the subject". Kath rolled her eyes "What is the point of giving me these powers if you don't want me to use them?" "I do want you to use them. I also want you to learn how to use them" "I know how". Raxos shrugged "Yeah, if that were true, you'd be able to knock me down without them". Kath hit his arm jokingly, he smirked "Why do you think we all train outside our armour? We can't always rely on it. Control your impulses. Use this without getting distracted by this" he pointed to her head then her heart. He nodded to her "I want you to be the best version of yourself".
Kath walked up the stairs of the Temple of the Supreme Intelligence. She walks through and stops on a blue circular pad. Tendrils rise up from the pad along her body and then attach to her head. Kath is suddenly in a vast virtual grey chamber. The older chipmunk from her dream appears in front of her. The Intelligence smiled "Kath". Kath bowed her head respectfully "Intelligence" "Your commander insists that you're fit to serve" "I am". The Intelligence looks sceptical "You struggle with your emotions. With your past, which fuels them". Multiple planets appeared "You are just one victim of the N'rrgal expansion that has threatened our civilization for centuries". The planets all started to turn green "Imposters who believe themselves superior, silently infiltrate then take over our planets. Horrors that you remember and so much you do not". The memory of the Gal appeared making Kath frown. She looks back to the Intelligence "It's all blank. My life. I don't even know who this person was to me" she gestures to the form the Intelligence took. The Intelligence nodded sympathetically "Perhaps this is a mercy, sparing you from a deeper pain. The atrocities that N'rrgal have committed have scarred many. But now you can do what all Zoah must. Put your people's needs before your own. We've given you a great gift. We have made you one of us". Kath clenched her fist which glowed "I want to serve" "Then master yourself. What was given can be taken away". Kath lowered her fist "I won't let you down" "We'll know soon enough. You have a mission. Serve well and with honour". Kath awakens back in the temple, and she smiles.