Days Past: The Beginning of Days

1: The Final Day

-Planet Fastoon-

-Valmecha City, 1st District-

-Praetorian Guard Peacekeeping Division's 4th Precinct-

-The Office of Guardian Alexi Zakon-

-Early Morning-

Alexi Zakon was an old Lombax.

With light, tan fur run through by red stripes faded with age, he sat at his desk, watching through the window as the sun rose in the distance.

For many years Guardian Zakon had served as a proud, living symbol of protection and order for all residents in the Lombax city of Valmecha. His career was one filled with shining dedication and stalwart resolve and never had he faced a challenge that he could not overcome.

But, as the first rays of light poked out from behind the tops of nearby strato-scrapers, all he could think about was the daunting ordeal he now faced.

A small red light flashed into life, blinking on Zakon's desk intercom. With one last look at his city and a short sigh, the old Guardian reached over to the light and pressed his finger against it until the blinking stopped.

Seconds later the familiar voice of his assistant spoke from the intercom's speaker, "Guardian Zakon," she began with a practiced, formal tone, "everyone is assembled."

"Thank you Daria," replied Zakon simply and, with a click, the intercom went silent.

Alexi Zakon had been protecting the city of Valmecha for more years than he cared to remember. He had personally caught Terraklon assassins attempting to murder high ranking council members and had even once ordered the arrest of an entire Terachnoid embassy, regardless of diplomatic immunity, for attempting to steal Lombax secrets.

In his many years Zakon had beaten down more threats to this Lombax capital of science and industry than most citizens could even imagine... or would ever know about. But not once, in all those many years he'd served, did he believe that the greatest threat to his beloved city would come from within. That it would come from one of its very own citizens.

The old Guardian breathed a deep sigh before getting up from his chair and walking toward the door. He stopped just in front of the doorway and lifted the officer's cap off of a nearby hook. He then placed it carefully on his head, taking care to adjust it properly between his ears. Once he was sure he was presentable, he straightened his back, puffed out his chest, and walked forward. The door slid open with a hiss just before he made contact, allowing him to pass through uninterrupted. Now in the hallway beyond, Zakon turned a stiff ninety degrees before proceeding to march silently down it and out the main doors.

____________________________________________________

-Planet: Fastoon-

-Valmecha City, 1st District-

-Praetorian Guard Peacekeeping Division's 4th Precinct-

-Main Communications Relay Hub-

-Early Morning-

As Guardian Zakon approached the podium on the stage, he looked out over the faces of the small group Lombaxes who stood at attention, eagerly waiting to be addressed. They were his fellow Praetorian Guardsmen and each one served the city of Valmecha with loyalty and honor, just as he did.

Some of the officers among the crowd were young, newly recruited, and inexperienced. Many of them had looked up to Guardian Zakon from before they'd even shed their baby coats. Others among them had served for years, some for almost as long as him, and he recognized many of their faces from personal experience. Every one of the men and women present respected him with all the reverence his legendary career deserved. Each one had sworn, just as he had, to protect their city and their home from the forces of evil and disharmony in all their many forms.