A large room bristling with equipment set in a huge complex seemed to float in space.

A man, neither young nor old, draped in black, leaning on a console, contemplated the horizon through the big window of the control room.

Suddenly his reverie was interrupted by a noise. A beep sounded across the room.

- Looks like Cortex has finished its calculations, said the Commander.

He headed for the screen lying on a desk in a corner of the room. The Commander was about to sit in front of the mainframe when the door opened.

- I may be bothering you, said the assistant.

- Not at all Albus, come in, Cortex has just finished at the time. I was just coming to get you.

Albus Lovecraft, a dark-haired man of thirty years, with a medium size and build entered the room, bowing his interlocutor.

- Uniforms are ready? Asked Albus.

- Yes, and the new weaponry too. Cortex and I worked all night on this project.

- Can finally my Lord tell me what we are doing? I work with your majesty for two weeks and it is just if you have spoken to me.

- Yes, my dear Albus, I think I can finally reveal the purpose of your coming here to the Administration. The Empire is expanding, and we need people like you...

- Why do you need human beings? The Empire is populated by all sorts of creatures, isn’t it? Why do you care so much to Earth, Commander?

The planet that the Commander gazed into his reverie was Earth, indeed, there's no doubt. It's been a month since the Columbus, the flagship of the fleet and, incidentally, the headquarters of the Administration, the branch of the Empire in charge of its management and its expansion, is cruising off the blue planet.

If the Empire is so interested in this planet, as it extends over half the galaxy and control roughly the other half, is that the Earth has a special role to fulfill.

- You see Albus, the Earth is not a planet like the others. If the Empire was not yet interested in it as our outposts are only 300 parsecs from here, is that your planet has a role to play in the universe...

- I do not understand, said Albus.

 - If I'm here, while having a huge area to manage, is that I have a mission of the highest importance. If I told you that the Empire was not interested in your planet is that you had to fend for yourself...

- We fend for ourselves?

- Exactly, the Earth must become an empire as vast as the Republic on the other side of the galaxy. But you, instead of being united and embracing your destiny, which should make you rise above your own mortality and rule the galaxy with us, you are scattered and you fight all the time. If I'm here, I the Imperial Prince, it is precisely to unite you. We've tried several times quietly to reverse the course of your destiny, but it did not work. Columbus is not the only ship we possess.

- There are others? What kind?

- Oh, warships for example. We could wipe out your miserable planet in a blink of an eye, but we chose a different path for you. Another vessel is underway. Much bigger than this one. These vessels are called world ships.

- You mean you're going to destroy the Earth?

- No, we will give you a second chance, but this time we will be at your side. We can destroy or we can build. You're right in thinking that we can build a new Earth.

- I'm not following you. You brought me here to help you on a top-secret project and now you talk about changing this Earth by another. You want to make us your slaves?

- No, we just want to help. We want you back on the right path, the one that should have been yours. You see, if all the planets in your area are uninhabited, all but one, there is a plan behind this, you follow me?

- You, I mean my Lord has in mind that all these planets are ours?

- Exactly, all these planets are yours, but with your technology and your potential you could build an empire long time ago.

- You want to help us build this empire? That's why you, a prince, are here?

- I see you finally begin to understand. I want to build an empire and I want you to help me to achieve it, are you strong enough to help me?

- That's why you, my Lord brought me here? You showed me all this? This armament my Lord has prepared for us?

- Yes, all that we have designed for two weeks is for the Earth.

- And how are you going to send us all this?

- You will know in time. But let’s talk about other things right now. And stop calling me my Lord, we are working together for two weeks.

 -Yes, but who are you really? I work with you for two weeks and I do not even know your name.

- I hid my identity to you until you're ready, and now you are. My name is Ivan Stensov, I'm an Imperial Prince and Commander in Chief of the Administration, but you already know that. I will unveil my identity only when you've spent the last step. I want you to become someone great, someone my height. If you want to follow me, go to Pyotr with this and come back to me when you're ready.

While saying this, he gave him a card.

- This card is more than a pass; it is the key to your new identity. If you want to help me, we need you to become like me... an Ossar.

- Will it be painful? Albus said, taking the card.

- Not normally, the transformation is painless. Go, Pyotr is waiting for you.

Albus left the room, wondering where to go. Bending down to examine the pass, he saw that it contained a holographic map of the ship. He pressed the hologram to enlarge it and saw where he had to go.

- The second deck? This place is reserved for people with special passes and I do not have one.

He realized that the card was just one of those passes. Leaving the control room, he had to switch to a different world.

- That is why I must become one of theirs, he says himself. They would never give such responsibilities to a mere human.

Throughout the short route, Albus remembered the discussion he had had. He wondered if Ivan Stensov, the Commander, was not actually Elfindel Telnathar the eldest son and the right arm of the Emperor. What he does not yet know is that Pyotr Stensov, the man he is going to meet, is the younger brother Idrahil Telnathar and number three in the Empire, whose reputation matches that of his brother.

Albus just realized the great honor that has just be granted. He, a mere mortal would become an Ossar, these legendary beings who govern the galaxy. Not only will it be one of them, but he would face the greatest of them.