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Pull of the Past: Kel Chaada’s New Beginning

In moments of triumph, the weight of responsibility often feels heaviest. For Kel Chaada, newly inaugurated as the First Councilor of the Nominate of EsChii, the glow of ceremony faded quickly, leaving behind the pressing reality of leadership. Transitioning from a soldier to a statesman is no easy feat, and Kel’s journey captures this tension in all its complexity.

As the speeder carrying him through Yuutma’s underground ring road hummed with purpose, Kel contemplated a deeper question: What comes next? The official rites were complete, and the world had seen him step into his role. But beneath the surface of duty lay a haunting question from his past—one tied to the enigmatic planet of Prral and an unresolved mystery that had left an indelible mark on his psyche.


Kel Chaada contemplating his next moves after his inauguration as First Councilor.

A Nation at the Edge


The Nominate of EsChii is a fragile yet formidable nation, born out of necessity and opportunity. Its foundations lie in the rich resources of the Wel Edge, a border region whose wealth is matched only by its dangers. Looming on the edge of EsChii space is the Ancestrate of Aloo Dash, an empire with a reputation for ruthless expansion. The recent war with the Electorate of Keelaak had tested EsChii’s resolve and added Prral to its territories, but peace along the border remained precarious.


For Kel, the challenge of leading such a nation isn’t just about managing resources or diplomatic relations—it’s about inspiring a collective vision for survival and growth amidst external threats. Yet even as he grapples with these macro-level concerns, a personal matter tugs at his attention.


One of the entrances to the ruin complex on planet Prral (Galacticide book 1: Three Immortals)

The Mystery of Prral


Prral was a battlefield, a site of victory and loss, and a place that left Kel with unanswered questions. During the war, his team had stumbled upon an ancient temple—an archaeological dig site shrouded in secrecy. The Keelaakaad, unwilling to admit its existence, had fought fiercely to protect it. Amid the chaos, Kel encountered a chilling sight: the lifeless body of a scientist, killed by a precision shot that left him both physically destroyed and eerily peaceful.


For Kel, this was more than just another casualty of war. As a tank commander, his kills were distant, abstract—targets on a screen or enemies hidden behind fortifications. But this man, with his head wound and hollow gaze, was a personal reminder of the cost of conflict. Why was the scientist there? What had the Keelaakaad been hiding? And why did this memory persist when others had faded?


The Emotional Toll of Leadership


Kel’s rise to power has been marked by his ability to lead with precision and decisiveness, even in the face of loss. But leadership doesn’t erase past regrets; it amplifies them. The ceremony may have been a moment of national pride, but for Kel, it was also a reminder of the immense expectations placed upon him.


His confidant, Vyoz Vyooma, understands this burden well. Their shared experiences during the war, particularly on Prral, have forged a bond of trust and camaraderie. As Vyoz jokes about smuggling Kel out of the city through the sewers, the levity briefly breaks the tension. But their shared reflection on the past quickly turns serious. Prral wasn’t just a battlefield—it was a puzzle. And for Kel, the need to solve it feels like an obligation, not just to himself, but to the nation he now leads.


Balancing the Present and the Past


The duality of power is a central theme in Kel’s story. On one hand, he must focus on the future of the Nominate—fortifying its borders, maintaining stability, and uniting its diverse worlds under a common purpose. On the other hand, the pull of the past is inescapable. Returning to Prral to investigate the temple might seem like a personal mission, but it has implications far beyond Kel’s psyche. What secrets lie buried there, and how might they shape the future of the Nominate?


Kel’s story is a reminder that leadership is not just about wielding power—it’s about reconciling the personal with the political. For a man who has seen the horrors of war up close, the question isn’t just what he can do for his people, but how he can find peace with himself while doing it.


Conclusion: The Leader and the Human


Kel Chaada’s journey from soldier to First Councilor is as much about personal growth as it is about political leadership. The mystery of Prral represents the unresolved tensions of his past, while his role as leader of the Nominate demands unwavering focus on the future. How he balances these two forces will not only define his character, but also determine the fate of his people.


What would you do if you were in Kel’s position? Would you pursue the mystery of Prral or focus solely on leading your nation into the future? The answers to these questions may be as complex as Kel’s journey itself.


Thanks for reading! Next week we’ll look at Kel’s return to Prral. He might not know what exactly his own expedition is looking for, but what he finds will shape galactic history.

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