Shouldn't have finished all of the wine, it'll be a while till I can get some more. I've been distracted by all this good stuff so I should get back to work. I've been neglecting my duties. I'm looking at the reports and the planet is nothing special. The recon team managed to find some good information and they've managed to work out an easy method of control. There's even people who are influencing the leader's of their world right now. The technology level is low, only in the steam, pre-gunpowder age. So if we have to fight it won't be a lot of trouble. At most we'll show a couple tanks and blow some of their buildings up. I do hope it doesn't come to that. No matter what we will lose some people and the resources needed to sustain it will just be too much. The worst that could happen is that the world is tainted.

Uggh. I shudder at the thought. The worst possible out come of an expedition fleet is finding a tainted world. Everything was wrong with that world and I pray to the emperor that I never have to see another tainted world. Half my soldiers had to be checked by the Inquisition and half of those were killed for heretical actions. I lost many good friends and for a moment I lost faith.

You had every right to.

That wasn't me. My eyes widen and check for anyone else in the room or otherwise.

'Raka!' I shout. He runs in breathless.

'What is it commander?' He asked, obviously worried about me.

Have this room checked head to toe for anything unusual. I need to talk with the priest. And by the time I'm back I want my old bodyguard back you understand? He nods even though he is taken back by the sudden hail of orders. If there is one thing I have learned in this universe it is that hearing voices is never to be taken lightly.

Why did they have to leave me? The young waterbender had been thinking this for the last 2 hours. He had started his long journey to the other side of the world leaving with only the clothes on his back as the rules of the water tribe dictate. Thankfully he was still warm both due to his warm fur outfit and his lifestyle.

It had only been two hour and he was already getting tired. Not because of energy or exhaustion but because he just can't see the point. His family had disowned him and he had the impossible task of traveling the world. 'What's the point?' He said as he fell to the floor. The time alone with his thoughts hadn't helped the situation.

'Hello? Is anyone out there?' The water bender heard this from the floor and got up as fast as he could.

'I'm over here!' He shouted trying to get the man's attention. He ran over but tripped over and fell straight to the floor. The last thing he saw was the man standing over him.

The waterbender was lying on a small rug made from bear fur. The igloo was lit with a small fire in the middle. The rest of the igloo was decorated with drawings and patterns made from wool. There was a friendly and cost atmosphere in the igloo. Until he woke up. 'Arrgh! where am I?' He asked while he looked around trying to understand where he was.

'Calm down. You collapsed in the snow and I brought you here. I couldn't just leave you to die. I'm Yvan what's your name?'

'My name's ha-. Wait it used to be but it doesn't seam right any more. Call me phoenix. That sounds good.' He liked that name. For some reason it sounded right.

'Well I have to ask why have you come down here it's very dangerous without any protection.'

'I know I just thought it would be easier. I'm quite strong,' he said with a hint of pride. 'I'm traveling to the north pole.'

'Strength won't help you. You have no experience.'

'Can you teach me. I really need to do this!' he asked desperately.

'I know your situation but you must do this yourself. If I helped teach you then you wouldn't of done it yourself.'

'Then why save me? Isn't that helping me.'

'Your right but I just couldn't leave a young man to die. That is why you have to leave now. I have a boat you can use to get over part of the ocean onto a small island where they transport people from the water tribe onto the main island. However they do nothing for free and you'll have to prove that you deserve passage. That is all I can tell you.'

'Thank you for your help you saved my life Yvan.' After that the newly named phoenix left the igloo to get onto the boat and to the next step of his journey.

The fire lord was getting ready. Ready for the most important day of his life so far. He couldn't of hoped for better luck. He had been contacted by people from another planet and now he had a chance to repair the broken world he lived in. 100 years is along time for war and many people still remember the battlefield and the horrors they had seen. 20 years had not been enough for Zuko to make a big enough difference, at least for him.

'Zuko you look amazing,' said Mai watching her partner as he got changed.

'How long have you been there?' asked Zuko taken back by her sudden appearance.

'That doesn't matter,' said Mai as she approached him and gave him a small peck on his cheek. 'It's so good to see you all dressed up and happy.' Zuko was in his formal fire lord clothing something he hadn't worn for several years. He always felt wearing something his father used to wear.

'I'm feeling great Mai. Things will finally change and we can start creating the perfect world.'

'And we can even spend more time together.' She her her snarky attitude.

'What was that?' Zuko asked with a bit of force in his voice.

'Just an idea we can spend more time together.'

'Why, aren't I doing enough for you!' he said as he grabbed her arms.

'Zuko your hurting me,' she whined. 'Let go!'

'No tell what your problem is.' He commanded still keeping his tight grip.

'We never do anything anymore!' She shouted looking straight into Zuko's eyes. 'We used to have fun and when we got married I was so happy. But now all you do is spend all your time in your study trying to solve the world problems yet in the last 15 years you've achieved nothing!'

That is when he hit her.

He hit her in the face and she fell straight to the floor, her cheek now bright red. 'HOW DARE YOU TALK TO ME LIKE THAT! You have no idea what I've been going through all theses years trying to right my father's wrongs!' Zuko's stress had been building up and had to release it.

'I see where I stand in your eyes.' Tears started to flow down her face. 'I'm going to see Ty Lee and I don't expect to see you ever again. You probably won't even notice I'm gone.' After that was said she left without looking back.

Fine thought Zuko. I don't need her I'm about to create a new era for both the fire nation and the world. Why would I need her.

But somewhere deep down he started to miss her.

This will be my last colonization before I retire. That being it is very tense in the small aircraft. There are 20 other soldiers on this aircraft including the translator. He is the most important part because without him we would have no way of working together. The place is silent except from the light hum of the engines and the sergeant going through the protocols for anything that goes wrong.

'You shouldn't be in any real danger if thing get violent. They don't have any ranged capabilities except from box and arrows so as long as we keep our distance there is no danger. In close combat it will be more even but they won't get close enough to do that. Also we must try to capture the main leaders. they are good leverage and if they die it can often cause trouble later on.'

He looks over at me. 'If stuff really goes wrong and we have to retreat we get the commander out of there. The last we need is an invasion without a leader. But we shouldn't need to do it and we've also got the psyker aspect down as well.' He looks over at a single female soldier in the corner of the ship. Everyone avoiding her because of her negative aura. 'Now remember be friendly we don't want to scare them off.'

The weather is clear and hot. The desert was chosen as the meeting place because it is neutral. The sand is soft but it looks like the exact area we are meeting is stone. Strange but nothing important. 'Follow me' I order and the squad of imperial guard follow. The rest stay to guard the ship. Just a precaution.

I'm finally close enough to see who I'll be talking to. There are 11 people on the stone floor, all in different colors, no dought signifying their respective nations. There is one man dressed in blue, about 45 years old. Next to him are 5 people all in green with a small symbol on their shoulder, what looks like a flying bull. 2 of them are men and the other three are women. One of the younger women has a gold headband and looks in control of the other 4. In the center there are 4 men dressed in full armor, shield and spear. They are protecting the man in the middle, someone someone who looks too young to be deciding this planets fate. He looks in control because he has the most intricate outfit and at the center.

As I speak my translator makes sure they understand. 'Thank you for letting us have this meeting. I'm sure we will both get a lot out of it.'

'The pleasure is mine. I'm glad I'll be able to better my nation and the rest of my allies.' Zuko replies.

'Of course. When you join the Imperium you become part of a great universal power. You will have a new golden age for your civilization.' He twitches slightly when I say it. Probably just a happy reaction since he is under a lot of pressure.

'And what do you ask for in return?' he asks.

'All we want from you is our acceptance. We will help improve this world until it becomes on of the best in the galaxy. But we need you to serve us, by giving materials and contribute to the imperial army.'

'And what if I refuse?'

This is not what I wanted to hear. 'I don't think you understand. We are here to help all you will do is gain from this deal. We can make this into a great planet on par with even Holy Terra.' His leg keeps twitching. 'We can solve the problems of this world.' I don't want this to become a slaughter.

'I'm going to have to decline.' No! 'My father once said the same thing and all that led to was a 100 year war which we are still trying to fix. I want to fix the problems of this world but I will do it in a way that no one will suffer. We don't need your lies destroying our planet and bringing us into a conflict which we have nothing to do with.'

Damn it! 'I think you should reconsider before we have to take actions against you to stop you from becoming a problem.' My soldiers ready their weapons. It should be quick.

'Maybe you are right.' He offers his hand.

It doesn't look dangerous and it is unlikely he is hiding a weapon. I shake his hand and he smiles. In less than a second he pulls me towards him and punches me in the stomach. With a fist of fire. I'm thrown several meters back and the guardsmen open fire but its already too late.