Rak Idall slowly trudged his way through the muddy swampy waters of Retholl 4, his helmet was swiftly becoming damp inside from humidity. He knew he needed to be very careful to avoid the Flesh Eater Eels as they could sense any sudden movements and then he would surely be dead. Rak breathed heavily as he slowly pulled his suited mass up onto a small moist isle, there he was able to rest for awhile. Opening his helmet Rak looked around, his breathing mask still covering his face. This Carbon Dioxide atmosphere was murder! Sweat poured off Rak's face as he re-secured his helmet, then took careful steps back into the dark brown water.

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   He walked through through the murky water and came to a split in the river. He thought for a moment about which way to go, he moved for the right stream when he caught a glint of metal in the corner of his eye. Rak moved slowly towards the object jutting out of the water, could it be what he was looking for or just more debris. He reached down to pick the object up, it was heavy what ever it was and stuck fast. Rak tried to move it again, this time putting all his weight into it this time, he felt it move ever so slightly. One more pull and he had the object out of the mud but still in the water. He picked it up with both hands and lifted it to see. It was what he'd come for, the portable power pod that he'd ejected before his untimely crash landing.
Suddenly there was a noise in the woods, he turned around to see what had made it. Before him he saw a strange greenish colored snake creature slithered out of a tree. Rak winced in disgust at the hideous creature. Then he took a closer look at the forest behind the tree. Quickly wading over to the tree he could make out some sort of structure. It appeared to be a long abandoned, alien building! Rak moved closer then noticed a massive green crystal nestled in the peak of the massive structure. The brown building was like the top half of an oval that reached about 50 feet out of the jungle floor and the beams of the strange brown stone that were very thick.

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Rak's heart audibly thumped in his chest as he moved closer to the mysterious building, what race constructed it, what mysteries did it contain? He walked up to the building and touched the wall, the surface was warm and didn't have the feel of metal about it. Rak began to search the building for an entrance. As he looked he saw a large doorway covered in thick overgrown vines that he had to tear down before he could enter the building.

He moved slowly into the building being very cautious of any dangers. He could hear a soft hum, and he could feel the floor rumble softly vibrating the bottom of his feet. Suddenly he could hear a voice which his universal translator decoded.

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"You have just accessed the Malorian rejuvenation systems, thank you sir, you have been detected as an intelligent life form and triggered our primary computer system. Now commencing program Rebirth..."

Rak jumped at the sound of the electronic voice, "Oh crap, what the heck did I just do?" He thought.

He could see strange computers emerge from the walls and power up, then out side of the door way he viewed a bright green light begin glowing, Rak knew then that the green emerald like stone on top of the structure must've been the source of the fantastic illumination. Rak stood there a while in shock and then he again heard the computer voice.

"176 quadrillion years ago this planet was the home world of a civilization which possessed over 36 terra-clusters, in time through numerous circumstances, they were slowly eradicated and they left behind them but one thing, the Rebirth program. This program was designed to instigate when an intelligent life form was detected with in these walls, it also was programmed to protect this planet, even from super novas. You have been detected and the process has begun, the computer has raised the the plants cities to original power levels." Rak stood in complete amazement and then slowly fear began to over power his reaction."

"Terraforming is commencing, planetary defenses raised, artificial life production instigated-" Rak cut off the computer, " What?! What are you doing?"

"I am the mission computer, I'm telling you of what is proceeding in mission level stage one. But after the first million citizens have been raised to restart the Malorian race, my artificial intelligence will be integrated into your mind and we will become one, next your DNA will be changed to Malorian. Then we will be the new rulers of Maloria forever. The first million will be completed in 4 minutes, then Maloria can restart its quest for universal domination once more."

"What?!! NO!" Rak desperately pulled out his weapon and tried to commit suicide, the trigger had no effect.

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"I'm sorry Rak, but soon you'll understand."

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Suddenly a stasis field enveloped Rak's body, he couldn't move, couldn't do anything but watch and listen.

Voices began to fill up the intercoms. "First million completed." The AI concluded, installing memory files, mental cloning completed, Stage 1 complete."

Then another voice broke through, "AI this the first officer, have you created the emperor yet?"

"Negative First Officer, please commence further cloning and standard Rebirth protocols, prepare to secure the solar system, it's been 176 quadrillion years since our sleep and we must restart the domination of the universe. Commencing Stage 2." The computer closed the comm. link.

"Thank you for you ships computer core Rak, it will speed up out rebirth." Rak was horrified, the computer was talking to him through his mind.

"What!? You bastard, let me go or I'll-" The Rak felt the stasis field deactivate and he dropped to the floor, he felt a numbing sensation spread through him and the voice in his head grow stronger, "I'm in you now Rak we are becoming one person." Rak saw his skin turn dark green and ripple to life with thick scales, he saw this as his eyes became a solid bright green color. He could felt his spinal bones growing and ripping through his back into sharp spikes as his whole skeleton burst into a thicker frame and shrank to a compact height. He no longer heard the voice in his ear, he THOUGHT it, he was it, they had merged. His new name was Emperor Ravk, leader of Maloria...and more information than he thought possible flooded his mind, he now knew more than he could imagine. He like his new self, Maloria's first task...populate the system, he was aware of the billions of egg clusters already laid around and with in the planet. Ravk smiled and contacted his first officer, "Odjort complete the 3rd stage, and, oh, build me a battle ship, Neythar Class."

Odjort grinned, "Of course my eternal Emperor, you have returned, I will grow your great vessel."

Ravk turned to the window and looked out, he could see the forest thickening even more, the watery substance turned pasty, lightning shot down from the clouds, and the jungle world pulsated with life. Soon his people would return to space, and kill all in their path, they would regain their empire...Maloria would be REBORN and once again fill the universe with their greatness.

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Meanwhile in another system light-years away a race thrives with life. Gortall, the 1st class Admiral for the Dorinian Imperial Empire, looked out the main window on his battleship admiring the newly conquered territory of the Selentar 5 system. Gortall heard footsteps coming up behind him, he turned to see who it was and standing there was his fleet commander Rotaren.

"What do you have to report commander" said Gortall commandingly.

"The system has been completely eradicated of the Selen race my Admiral and we have taken all their worlds" replied Rotaren.

"Excellent, move my ship to the conquered Selen homeworld, I must meet our new asteroid miners."

"Yes admiral"

The massive battleship Dagger 1 moved slowly towards the Selen homeworld, the soft vibration of the large engines could be felt and the low hum of the Nova power core could be heard. The world came into view of the main windows and Gortall looked at it menacingly.

"Prepare my personal destroyer for landing commander and join me onboard in 20 minutes" said the Admiral.

"Yes oh gracious Admiral!"

===============

Back on the Malorian homeworld of Maloria Ravk had completed stage 10, his planet was secured with a population now over 35 billion people. Already all the old cities were once again active, now it was time to leave the planet, this solar system would be theirs!
Two days later Malorians spilled out across the system acknowledging the great Emperor's commands, by the end of the month the system was crawling with Malorians and a new massive ship yard was just being completed.

Now Ravk was permitted to use his best judgment to recommence the take-over procedures. Millions of loyal Malorians were mining away in the moons and asteroids, laboring to feed the growth of new cities and ships in the newly constructed shipyard based on Maloria's moon.

Even now with the maturity of the great ship growth plants countless living fighters, and other vessels were nearing completion. At last the Malorian Navy would be reborn!

After the first fleet of ships was completed Ravk accessed the Star charts from Rak's old vessel, he found out the general configuration of space for the surrounding cluster, then he matched the star charts with the old ones.

Ravk found what he wanted, 3 other planets had been seeded with the Rebirth program, but they were designed to assist Maloria in it's stellar expansion. Gateways had already been set up, a million egg clusters on each beneath the soil, along with 1 city upon each world too inhabit.

Ravk smiled an evil smile, he discovered that the one closest to them was already inhabited, and in a state of war.....time to conquer.

Ravk ordered his loyal troops to the gateways that where already completed throughout Maloria. Ravk knew that the other world probably had about 50,000-100,000 gates, but he needed to activate them first. So he sent out a re-birth command signal to the un-activated planets, which restarted all the gates, buildings, and egg hatching centers within the signals range. Terraformation of the planets was also started, all of the planets had to be forest, in 47 days they would be. Ravk laughed with triumph, then he ordered his troops through, soon the galaxy would be his.

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Mean while on the Selen homeworld Admiral Gortall was giving his speech of triumph to his troops, and the conquered people of the Selen empire.

"Because of you, my loyal troops, we have conquered the Selen Empire and stretched our own great empire to a new system in the galaxy..."

He was answered by a cheer from his troops followed by the sound of blaster fire in the air as the fired their weapons in triumph.

"...And to you survivors of Selen you will be spared for your rebellion against our empire, and you will serve us in our mines. Your cities are in ruins, but we shall rebuild them in our manor and maybe someday your children's children will be aloud to walk in it's streets. But today is your last day on your homeworld and for some it is the last day that you shall ever see it again. But for those who do see it, it will only be through slave ships and maybe as a distant star, so enjoy while you still can."

The was a great shout from Gortall's men, they were cheering for Gortall saying "Gortall, Gortall, Gortall" and then firing their weapons once again into the air.

Admiral Gortall looked down from his podium and gazed at the newly conquered lands. He than raised his arms in triumph, his men doing the same, there was a great noise of triumphant cheers.

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As Gortell stood in his moment of ultimate triumph, he felt the waves of cheer washing over him and laughed with glee.

But as he smiled and exulted in his moment of glory he heard a different sound, the sound of the ground rumbling. He turned around and behind him he saw a massive structure rear out of the planets surface, lifting his drop ship up, up, until it toppled and crashed below. He saw a green glow emanating from the massive arch and as he look in horror he saw a massive green jewel at the top of the structure. His men began to stop cheering, and their noise slowly faded along with their smiles, which melted into looks of ultimate fear!

The middle of the giant arch appeared to be some sort of giant entrance, and as it was filled with a solid green wall of light it's true purpose was shown. Gortell heard new noises, it sounded like thousands of troops and vehicles moving toward them. Gortell screamed in horror as what he heard became reality all pouring from the arch.

"What the hell?!" Gortell's eyes were transfixed upon the mighty flow of alien troops and vessels flooding from the arch.

"Sir we're receiving reports from all over the planet, there's...there's millions of them, and an alien city has emerged above ground in the southern hemisphere!" Gortell's 1st offecer reported.

"Who are the-" Gortell was cut off as all the comm. systems in the area began to squelch and squeal with interference. Gortall soon felt the air getting heavier and harder to breath, looking around he saw small clusters of white oval things, about 4 feet long, begin growing from the ground...eggs!

Gortell screamed to his pilot beside him, "Find me a space worthy vessel...NOW!!"

"Y-Yes sir!"

After much confusion Gortell found a vessel and rushed to his command ship. Once docked inside he took position on the bridge, "Report!"

"Sir we've detected approximately 1-2 million intelligent alien life forms, 1 million larvae, and millions of alien plants and animals spores all over the planet. A large city has also appeared in the south western hemisphere, as well as 100,000 gateways such as you just saw. We've detected that all of our troops on the planet are either fleeing or dead, and the planet is under rapid terraformation to a jungle CO2 planet!" Gortell's ensign said.

"My god who are these people?"

Then as if by response every comm link in the ship cleared up and began transmitting, "Puny species of the Selan Empire and other races, thank you for your computer banks, yes all vessels in this system have been scanned, Gortell you will surrender you forces for DNA re-sequencing, prepare to be boarded. All species will once again merge or be annihilated by the mighty Malorian Empire, I am Emperor Ravk your new leader, welcome back to the Malor Empire."

Gortell sat up, "I don't think so, get us out of here ensign!"

Suddenly a dozen Malorian vessels impacted the command vessel and bored easily through the vessels weakened hull. Malorian troops then began to flood onto the vessel.

Gortell screamed, "NOW Ensign!!"

=================

The command ship shot into hyperdrive towards secure space, and limped its way towards home with the wild Malorian intruders onboard. Gortell smashed his hand against the armrest of his chair, "Victory was snatched from my hands! WHY?!" Behind him he heard the screams and explosions of his once mighty fleet being consumed my the Mallorian forces.

"Cut that transmission Commander!"

"Yes sir!" Silence resumed...a deadly silence as the crew fought for their lives."

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Emperor Ravk looked down at the computer screen grinning evilly.

"My plan is working perfectly, the planet has been completely absorbed into my rule, and soon, we will once again rule the universe."

===================

Gortell's ship straggled across space and he pondered what he should do upon reaching the safety of his homeworld.

"Sir, we've lost the Mallorian ships, our vessel barely has the power to return home."

"Yes." Gortell continued. "Sweep the ship of any unknown bio-matter and kill of the last of the intruders on board!"

"Yes sir."

Several days later Gortell arrived at home to report the horrible massacre that had taken place.

The council of his Empire agreed to do something...they would make a counter strike!!

3/4 of the fleet would be sent to the invaded world with Gortell as Fleet Commander, surely the Mallorian couldn't resist the power of the mighty fleet!

The Empire of Crahadronia will deliver it's rightful revenge!!


Meanwhile back on the Selen homeworld Ravk had arrived to personally over see the establishment of a new mighty power center.

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"My Emperor the power center is nearing completion" said Ravk's second officer.

"Excellent soon this planet will be the greatest planet, next to our homeworld, in overall strength" Ravk growled with eagerness.

"Yes my emperor and then we can continue to expand your rule through out the universe."

"Yes and when the base is complete we will finish off that pitiful Crahadronian Empire before they even have time to realize what just happened to their troops" laughed Ravk evilly.

---

The Crahadorian invasion fleet was moving swiftly to it's inevitable location, the Selem world. No one on any of the ships knew what destiny awaited them, but all knew that they must not fail.

Admiral Gortall now the commander of the Crahadronia invasion fleet stood gazing out at the stars as they flooded past the window. His mind was bent on the thought of reclaiming the world that had recently snatched from his grasp, he had to have that world, the world he had worked so hard to conquer.

"Admiral there is a priority-one message for you from the emperor" came the voice of the ships communication officer.

"Thank you Felso, I'll take it in the my quarters" Gortall turned and walked off the bridge. He made his way to his quarters, his mind still wandered to that voice...the voice of the invaders leader, emperor Ravk. He wanted to kill that, that thing...he would kill it and all of it's people. Gortall arrived at his quarters and told Felso to patch the message through, on Gortall's screen the emperors face appeared.

"Admiral Gortall it is good to see that you are still alive" the emperor said.

"Thank you my emperor, and if I may ask you...what do you mean?"

"Are you saying that the battle has not yet begun, or is it over?" Gortall saw the emperors face show concern.

"My emperor we have not yet had battle, one of our destroyer was caught in a unexpected gravity-well and we were forced to stop and rescue survivors" answered Gortall.

"I see, that gravity-well has never been noticed before, I am glad to hear that your fleet did not have a major loss, but now on to the reason I why I have contacted you."

"Yes emperor"

"We have received data back from the original probes launched after your return home, the prospects of your inevitable battle are not good."

"Why is that my emperor?" Gortall's voice came out threatening.

"Gortall, we have counted millions of ships in the Selem system, and every single is one of the Malorian Empire" the emperor said with a sound of defeat in his voice. But Gortall noticed a trace of a smile on the emperor's face, one that was only noticeable when fallowing a statement like the one he had just made.

Gortall made no hint that he had noticed the emperor's, or whoever he was, mistake. "What do you suggest we do than my emperor?" he said convincingly. He knew what he had to do, he had to tell his fleet to discontinue the attack and flee to where they could build up a new empire and restart their people.