"A century of conflict, suffering and death, all summed up in this little pole. It's amazing such a thing could even survive these storms". The captain checked his watch. T-minus two minutes. "Beautiful isn't it?"
The surveyor looked around anxiously. "Just a pole captain, not the Trinity. Let's get this shit done so we can get out of here before the storm hits".
A scowl covered the captain's face. "Show some respect you asshole. You know how many people died in that war? Not just soldiers, not just men. Women, children, the young, the elderly, fathers, mothers, the innocent and the righteous. Every one of them damn heroes and heroines! And don't you…"
"Cut the shit captain. Spare me your ethics lecture! That war is a decade past and is now only regarded in history books and thought of in the minds of people like you! When this storm has past, the only thing people will think of this place is that it has the best goddamn megaplex in the entire quadrant. Now pack up your shit and let's ditch this place before the storm kills us all!"
Hatred flashed in the eyes of the captain. For a moment, he entertained visions of the surveyor, dead on the ground, his head gently swaying in the breeze of the impending solar winds.
"No," the captain declared firmly, "I can no longer forgive the acts of the multitude of ungrateful wretches such as yourself, who spoil this site with their petty sympathies and false respects. I will remain here and right the wrongs committed against legends. Save yourself, for that is what you mortals do best".
The surveyor stood for a moment, paralyzed by a subtle mixture of confusion and fear, then quickly glanced at the violent wave of plasma slowly approaching. He slowly turned around, giving the captain one last look, and hurried off towards his vessel. The captain glanced at the wreckage that littered the ground, slowly shifting his eyes upwards along the flagpole, finally resting them on the planet off in the horizon. And for a moment, he could see himself, standing, gazing at that very same planet, at the time not a mystical pearl in the vast emptiness of space, but instead a literal depiction of hell itself, engulfed in flames and the suffering of millions. Around him, valiant soldiers braved certain death in an attempt to bring about hope --- hope for a future.
Slowly the captain rotated his head until his eyes were set on the brightest star in the eternal frontier. The sea of plasma seared his eyes. Close your eyes you idiot! You'll go blind! "I have no need for vision. These are the consequences of mortal beings".
Beyond the horizon, the atmosphere of Cienna ignited in an explosion of electricity. The captain watched the UNIGOV flag flutter in the solar wind. He smiled and gently closed his eyes.
The dust around his feet ascended and flickered in the golden light of Rya. Off in the horizon, a wave of dust and dirt flew towards the captain.
As the captain awaited with outstretched arms, ready to embrace his fate, the ground around him fractured in a line of deep red heading straight to the base of the monument. A fierce fire erupted from the wood and engulfed the captain.
Silence.
Out of the darkness he could discern a faint glow in the distance. He did not walk towards it, but instead hovered towards the source.
"We've been waiting for you Captain," and ethereal voice declared from the darkness.
I know. The light softly illuminated the captains pale complexion as he ventured towards it. As he floated, weightless above the threshold, a sensation long forgotten washed over him. He finally felt at peace. He was home.


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