Have you watched a pivotal moment in history?
A moment so existentially important, that it transcends understanding and renders time, to a halt?
I have. I have witnessed the essence of the ‘endless frontier’.
This my purpose, my role - A Watcher
And this is my final entry.
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STAR WARS: THE CAMPAIGN
CHAPTER I - THE FINAL ENTRY
PART I - THE BIRTH STAR
Descending from the twinkling stars amidst the blackness of space, entering through the burning orange atmosphere of Earth and into dark bluish night sky, Uatu the Watcher sees the immense glowing white moon overhead behind the nighttime clouds.
Floating high above in the night sky, Uatu’s eyes glow brightly, peering past the plumes of thick storm clouds and to the from the reflecting veins of lights far below on the jagged pieces of ground. Uatu streaks down towards the lights at high speed as his white robe flaps in the gusty wind. Breaking through the thunderous storm clouds, Uatu streaks out below and soars invisibly over streets illuminated by street lights, immense lit skyscrapers to his left and right and pauses in front of the immense television screen found in New York City’s 42nd Street Times Square.
Unseen to the naked eye, Uatu watches the amassed crowd counting down in unison as a crystal orb on a large pole slowly descends to the lit numbers of 2016.
‘HAPPY NEW YEAR’ roars from the crowd below.
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Uatu floats among the snowing cascade of pink and blue confetti as drizzle turns to rain. High above the celebrating crowd as bright pink words on the 42nd St screen ‘HAPPY NEW YEARS’ reflects on him, Uatu raises his eyes above, noticing another figure floating in the night sky, a Watcher.
Like, he, all Watchers were similar. So much so a human would think of them as ‘identical twins’.
As with all Watchers, this one was eyes devoid of irises. Skin clear and smooth. Clothing was also similar. A white robe rivaling the whiteness of a pale star. Draped over their body like that of an ancient scholar in Ancient Greece; a garb they all wore in remembrance of the ‘unknown scholar’ and golden metallic gloves that stretch up to their elbows.
Gracefully, the Watcher lifts his arm up at the sight of Uatu, splitting his stubby fingers in two, forming a ‘V’.
A smile comes over Uatu’s face at seeing the human custom. Promptly Uatu effortlessly soars upwards through the rain and snow, coming face to face with his peer while imitating the friendly gesture.
“Welcome Ulana.” Uatu greets, “I see you have imitated the custom of the humans here on Earth Six Sixteen.”
Looking down at the crowds far below, Ulana smiles at the sight of confetti fluttering through air as spotlight beams illuminate the night sky.
“A curious species with a curious imagination.” Ulana comments, raising her eyes to Uatu, “I see why you care for this station.”
“Indeed.” Uatu replies, “I cannot wait for when they develop into a civilized species and no longer need a celebration to signify a year achieved without extinction.”
Ulana bows promptly, “Indeed. Alas I am here because a development has occurred.” she states before raising her hands upwards to the Moon, “Shall we convene, in private?”
“Of Course.” Uatu states; turning to the moon, Uatu’s eyes glow. Seeing all color around them turn to fine dots and then streaks of lines. Uatu’s eyes dim.
Blinking twice, Uatu looks around, ensuring they have arrived undisturbed.
Floating in front of him, Uatu looks to Ulana floating over the gray dust of the Moon’s surface, observing the Earth and the Sun in full view.
“Are the accommodations sufficient?” Uatu asks.
Glancing over her shoulder, Ulana nods, “Quite.” she replies before outstretching her pointed finger to the blackness of space over the Earth, “I’ve come to inform you of an occurrence, do you see it?”
Floating past her, Uatu squints his eyes, magnifying his vision. Across the ocean of stars, over the glowing blue Earth and past the brightness of the sun, Uatu’s sees with perfect clarity the phenomena to Ulana’s attention.
“A Birth Star?” he mumbles.
Likened to a pool of black ink swirling with blue glitter, stars churn and swirl together in a concentrated form. The density and gravitational pull was more pronounced the Black Holes in their natural state. And here it was, before their very eyes, in its infancy.
Turning to Ulana, Uatu folds his arms, “Have you brought this to the others?” he asks.
Ulana nods, “Yes. All the Watchers have concluded, your course of action of the millennia’s has not resulted nor assisted in this phenom. It is, natural.” he concludes.
“So the Universe…” Uatu says, turning his attention to the phenomena, “...is expanding from here.” he states.
“Or…” Ulana interjects to Uatu’s attention, “...fated to end by natural order.”
“Either way…” Uatu swiftly concludes, “...this is most unexpected. I will investigate this occurrence before the inhabitants of Earth discover it. They’ve achieved an aptness for preemptive resolutions that often bumble into apocalyptic events.”
Ulana covers her mouth, hiding her grin and shoulder shaking chuckle.
Arching his eyebrow, Uatu looks to her, “Have been observing my notes?”
At his question, Ulana brings her palms together swiftly separating them, revealing a tanned scroll with glowing curvature writings in gold.
Leaning his head back and looking up at the stars, Uatu shakes his head while Ulana holds her poised finger over the golden shimmery writings, “I am at the occasion where a reclusive race who had kept their existence secret since time immemorial, sued the Watchers in the Cosmic Claims Court and the Living Tribunal assigned you…”
Uatu waves his hand at the floating scroll, “Deliberations over the past are ill-advised at…”
“The radiated human known as She-Hulk? To represent you?” Ulana smirks, “Oh, I am reading this in its entirety.”
Watching Ulana chuckles as she claps her, closing the scroll, Uatu arches his eyebrow and points to her, “You should hope your records of time, history and events are as honest and captivating as mine.”
Ulana nods with a smirk, “Naturally Uatu, and thank you for your time. You’ve always been an adequate mentor.” she humbly replies.
Turning his eyes to the distance, Uatu holds out his arms to his side, floating off the Moon’s surface, “My thanks Ulana for giving me notice to the phenom. I will deal with it accordingly. Shall you wait for me to see this abated?”
With a wave of her hand, Ulana causes a tear to crack in the very fabric of space beside her. “Unfortunately no…” Ulana replies, “...I must meet with a small blue friend in another dimension. He is proposing a police force to come to our universe to police order by way of emotion and will.”
Seeing the tear in fabric of space crack and explode into a circular opening of gold light and white clouds, Uatu nods to her, “Every century, they ask and, every century, we say no. They are a stubborn lot. Always proclaiming 'Crisis'.”
“Indeed so.” Ulana agreed, “So long friend.” she says, disappearing into the turbulent wormhole that collapses as soon as she enters.
Turning his attention to the Birth Star, Uatu flies over towards it. Its immense force and powerful pull had not fully matured yet. However, the closer Uatu approaches the Birth Star, the more he notices the typical traits. Nearby half-developed stars have been pulled into the phenom, fueling its power and giving it strength. Soon, planets, nebulas and cosmic storms would be consumed before exploding open an entirely new ‘space’.
Coming upon the Birth Star, Uatu floats before the immense dark cosmic swirl. Millenia’s prior, Watchers wouldn’t dare to interfere. But then again, with 400 infractions of chronic interference to preserve what is known as ‘Humankind’, what’s one more.
“Help...meee….”
Uatu’s white eyes open wide at hearing the eerie whisper. No need to search for its origin, Uatu could hear, feel, know; the voice came from beyond the phenom. All conclusions, all realities, all notions of concepts of a thousands years funnel in a fine point in the front of Uatu’s mind. His universe was not expanding, rather, something else was, which leads to the inevitable conclusion: Something.Lives. Behind the Birth Star.
Lowering his hands, Uatu moves away from Birth Star. Destroying the Birth Star and risking an inter-dimensional explosion without the consent of his peers, was well past his typical rule breaking.
Rather investigation was the proper course of action. Why this formed and how something came to live on the otherside, was a question paramount to answer. A question only Uatu could answer. His decision made, Uatu closes his eyes, places his hands on sides of his head and reaches out. As if seeking to hear something from a great distance, Uatu telepathically searches for the ‘minds voice’ call for aid through the birth star.
“Heeelp, meee….”
Opening his eyes, Uatu locks onto the location of the active mind like a metal chain going taut by an lodged anchor. Then, like an overwhelming wave washing over him, Uatu’s gasps, clutching his chest.
Pain. Suffering. Fear. Death. Something, someone, was in great pain. It was crying out - and only he was here.
Looking up at the Birth Star, Uatu composes himself and floats erect. He never felt a 'Force' like this prior, but regardless, aid was needed. Uatu and outstretches his hand that glows brightly.
Instantly the Birth Star that swirls with growing power, illuminates. What was once swirls, now turns into crimson clouds frothing and pouring out like fog over a warm land. Seeing a bright light at the center of the Birth Star, Uatu wastes no time and dives straight into the center of the Birth Star.
to be continued...