First Contact

[Diary, IMPERIAL CALENDAR YEAR 100, April]

It's been 100 years since the fall of humanity, many of us thought that our demise

would be by nuclear war or some epidemic. None of us thought that the sword that

would end our civilization was out there in the vast sea of stars, a civilization that called itself "Drachknee". Every electronical object stopped functioning, only a few domestic products were left in good condition. Of course, military technologies were produced to counter such things, however at the time many world leaders were in a face off waiting to press that button on their desks since they thought that at least one nation was responsible for the EMP attack. Chaos erupted, people took to the streets and looted everything in their path. No matter how humanity thought itself to be smart and the ultimate race on this planet, who knew that it would only take total global blackout to destroy the order that was built since the end of the second world war? No, many of us knew this – we knew that our "sense or peace

and order" was hanging on single thread. Deprive humanity of it's "light" and you

deprive them of their peace and order. The evasion was known as the great reset as it seemed like the Drachknee had no interest in enslaving humanity but wanted to erase them completely.

The invasion of the Drachknee Imperium resulting with the mass reshuffling of borders of many nations, my home nation once known as the Republic of South Africa became today the Azanian Empire with the previous borders not changing by a single. Only the name of the state changed and the type of governance, I have always dreamed of a Star Empire, colonizing one planet after another but now all Iam is the heir to House Tempest. My name is Arcan Tempest, Prince of the Grand Duchy of Rustenburg. My great great grandfather was one of the founding members of the empire, a general under the former South African National Defence Force. Him and the many others fought tooth and nail to repel the invasion of the Drachknee for years and brought order out of chaos thus forming the Imperium. The commander of minister declared himself Emperor after the loss of communication with the defacto leaders of the nation, at the time no none dared to say otherwise as what they needed most was a leader.

"Your Highness, it's time for your afternoon tea".

"Ah, yes. My apologies Lihle, I've lost myself in the world of my diary – I'll be down in

a minute" said Arcan as closed his diary placing it in one of the drawers of his baroque style study table.

Arcan left his room and went downstairs to have his afternoon tea, he sat down in

the dining room and realized that there was only his mother and maid. This wasn't a

surprise as he knew that his father was an important member of the state.

"Mother, where's father? It was to my understanding that he would be here"

His mother was the daughter of the of the Emperor, a woman in her early 40s with

dark, braided hair that falls to her shoulders, with deep white eyes that seem to

pierce through anyone she looks at. She had sharp intelligent features and an air of

regality. She is a tall slender and slender woman, with a confident and commanding

walk. This was Arcan's mother, Lady Talia Tempest, Grand duchess of Rustenburg,

former Imperial Princess and heir to the Empire. The name Talia means "gentle rain''

or "dew from heaven,'' which was a nod to her house name, Tempest. It's also a

name that implies a calm, soothing presence, which contrasts her strength and

political acumen. One would think this was destiny, but it was all decided by the

current Emperor and previous head of House Tempest that the Princess will be bethroved to the heir of House Tempest.

"Your father is at the imperial palace, he called earlier saying important matters

have arised and needed to be addressed immediately''.

What the two didn't know was that the head of their family was now with the Emperor looking at the monitor in the war room showing what looked like 3 battleships, however these battleships looked different from the ones that reigned supreme prior the great reset. They were menacing, what it looked like, they all knew that this was not how a diplomacy delegation would look like when intending to make first contact with another nation after a 100 year of disconnection.

"I'll say this again Your Majesty, we cannot let them in our territorial waters, much less our shores. The last time this happened my people faced centuries of slavery and colonialism". Said Lord Tempest, Head of House Tempest, father of Arcan Tempest. The man was Corbin Tempest, his name meant "crow" or "raven", a nod to his sharp observant mind. Duke Corbin Tempest had dark brown skin and close￾cropped kinky hair. His eyes were deep brown, almost black, and held a spark of intelligence and curiosity. He is a strong and well-defined man, he also had a commanding presence with a strong build and sense of pride in his heritage as he was wearing his "mokorotlo" A traditional Basotho hat along with his military

uniform.

"I understand, I have the skin as dark as yours, but I cannot simply order the

bombardment of three ships without hearing out what they have to say for themselves, the Empire is not what it was when it was colonized centuries ago. Our ancestors made sure of it, and we continue to do so. Maintaining contact with the outside world is important, do not forget that we have a common energy'' said the Emperor.

This was Emperor Augusto Kheswa I, monarch of the Azanian Empire, custodian of

the Sacred throne of the Sun people, guardian of the Four Winds, Servant of the Sacred Sun, and Chosen of the heavens. He had dark brown skin and piercing white eyes. This was the trait of the royal family. He was tall and broad shouldered, with a strong build and an imposing presence. He had high cheek bones, a straight nose, and a determined expression. In his mid fifties, with flecks of silver in his hair and lines on his face, showing wisdom and experience that come with age. His full name is Augusto Pieter Kheswa, third emperor Kheswa. Taking the throne after his father Emperor Ibene Kheswa.

"Your Majesty, Your Grace, there's a signal coming from one of the ships"

And so it begins.