Part
One
The First Years
In all the worlds of the far flung galaxy, with its myriad of suns and millions of worlds, Haven was one of the most beautiful of all planets. Its great seas and its seven green continents shone like an emerald in space. It was little wonder that its people thought they were a chosen and special lot, especially when they reached to the stars and found many other worlds where races had perished through ignorance and folly. It was here, in this beauty, that Northern Star was born, his father a General of The Mighty Haven Space Fleet, and a hero of The Hashon War.
North's family was in the heirarchy of Haven society. His earliest memories were of being held on his mother's lap in the park and hearing the women gossip, and his father's stern but loving voice as he taught him the traditions of his people. He was of the higher class. He wore a gold church emblem, not the silver one of a commoner. He had the right of way on the street. He would be served first in any restaurant or cafeteria. He would go to a school for those of higher social level. Only those of The God Family were his superiors. They wore the gold and silver badge and were privileged in everything over the commoner and the High Born. But North could not be sure of keeping his high position. His father warned him of this. He would have to fight and work hard to keep his status.
The Lord God had long ago learned that weak leaders endangered The Empire, so only those of the finest physical and mental condition were allowed to serve in positions of government. Through education and The Games, a commoner could rise to the level of The High Born, and The High Born could fall to the level of a commoner. So North faced a life of challenge and hard work, but such was what made his people great.
By the time he was five years old North had mastered the art of flying, after his father's patient but stern instruction. At six he would enter school, but now his mother would take him to the playground and he would meet other boys his own age.
It was a sunny day in one of these playgrounds, that North met someone who was to become his closest friend.
When North and his mother arrived they noticed members of The Lord's Guard in the park.
"Someone of importance is here!" said North's mother.
"Who?" he asked excitedly. "Who is here?"
"I do not know," was the reply, "but if you are patient we might find out."
On the far side of the playground North saw a couple of women and what he thought was a Hashon slave, but when he looked around he saw that most of the people were on the other side, appaantly