However, even with the success and contributions that Jalgren achieved, even he was fallible. The great emperor made difficult choices with the use of military force. Human scholars can compare Jalgren as similar to a moralistic and idealistic dictator. Cohabitation was pressured by physical and military force. Even the aspect of efficiency and wise decision-making was a lesser priority over the values of sacrificing equipment and personnel to achieve his moral views and objectives. His empire, however, did succeed in eventually creating an efficient and operational system. A single language was adopted, as were most social and cultural views. Technology was slowly shared amongst all clan species. However, the cost of some freedoms was sometimes thrown out over that of achieving pure equality. This equality seemed to be ethically correct. However, using violence and fear to pressure this new form of balance slowly backfired. Humans are quick to criticize or defend Jalgren's actions. Although, it is essential to note that this emperor was the first of his kind to be in such a high position of authority, let alone achieve galactic conquest, yet faced with such unique ideals among so few. It is truly unknown if Jalgren would have ultimately achieved his final goal of creating an Itrean Proto-Republic. In conclusion, it was the other Itreans that would decide that for themselves.
We watch the red lines slowly erode on the galactic map. It dissipates in a fashion that the dots no longer connect. Expansion is slow, but there are some notable achievements. Four great red dots appear, identifying the construction of the star fortresses. However, even this was not enough to save the empire from its own past. What you are seeing is the slow decline of the Empire of Jalgren. Long since his departure, societal views, economic downturn, and improper decision-making destroyed the idea of a non-caste society. The Itreans returned to a time that they had long been used to, the eventual decimation of the other. However, as the scenery begins to change, a figure slowly emerges that blocks out this map.
This individual is that of a Shal'rein. He is strong and adamant. He is like a statue. His face shows that of determination, but not overconfidence. He displays strength but not being too abrasive. His four-digit fingered gray hand is clenched into a fist and held slightly upward near his protruding "shark-like" snout. He carries two jeweled emerald earrings that pierce into his fin-like ears. His tail carries a chipped fin at the end. He wears the purple and black uniform of a Shal'rein soldier, properly decorated with three "Eon"jis" medals. The fins on his arm are gold painted to identify his own constructed glorified rank insignia. His hair is black, ignoring the traditions of purple-colored hair and representing nobody.
It's now around 11,000 years ago. While humanity was struggling to get their civilizations started on Earth, the Itreans were busy tearing down theirs. By this time, racism, caste society, and discrimination were more than evident. The Aksren were still in absolute control over the other clan species' worlds, but racism has a price.
The inevitable event would come down to a single individual, a Shal'rein, which the humans identify as Rototrein. He is the man that we are currently looking upon. Jalgren is the beginning, but Rototrein is the end. Interestingly, both famous individuals would be equally shared as heroes by almost all clan species regardless of the 20,000-year time span. Rototrein was a warrior that was born from my own home planet of Shal'tar, although many Shal'rein historians would boast that he was born on one of their worlds. In the end, what does matter is what happened to him.
Rototrein lived in one of the many underwater cities of Shal'tar. One day, an imperialist Shal'rein soldier broke into his home. There, the imperial soldier would loot his personal belongings, stealing everything of value. Rototrein was, as the humans would say, "penniless," reduced to no money to live upon. He openly challenged and pressed charges against the soldier, requesting to get his money and belongings returned to him. Still, the courts refused, citing that it was in the interests of the empire that the soldier's status and caste were more important than his income and property.
Angered, Rototrein lost all emotion. He had found the soldier's home and killed him to reclaim his belongings. He managed to escape before he could be apprehended. What happened next would be further recorded in legend. It is said that during the time that he lived homeless, he personally witnessed what had happened to others that were in his situation. Once he regained his money, he understood what it was like to live in poverty. This was more than just inadequate wealth, but at a level that engrossed a vast majority of the Shal'rein populations. The decaying Empire of Jalgren had turned into an era of repression and relying on the few but influential loyalist Shal'rein to maintain the status quo.
It was here that Rototrein threw his money to the crowds of individuals and made his famous speech. "I hate this, and so do you. The Imperials rule us. We lived with this as if we were used to it all along, and it's a crafted lie. We were better than this. We can be even better than ever before."
Rototrein's actions became a rallying cry. In less than a day, the city rebelled, and it spread like a tidal wave. By then, the imperial fleets were absent in orbit, the lack of funding crippling the empire's military assets to safeguard their own controlled worlds. The rebellion swept through Shal'tar quickly, overcoming the opposition. However, Rototrein is sometimes considered to have been masterful in his strategy. An important rule in warfare is always to support your soldiers. Fight for them, and they will fight by your side. They were the same rules proclaimed by Jalgren. A vast amount of former imperial Shal'rein soldiers would give in and support the rebellion. However, even with the victory of taking Shal'tar, everyone knew that it could be short-lived. The empire still had vessels, while the Shal'rein had nothing.
Even so, the imperial presence over Shal'tar was almost nonexistent, a tactical maneuver of the gravest of consequences. Rototrein used this to his advantage. With the empire in the threat of returning, he began a massive effort to build an underwater fleet that could fight in space. The creation of the "modern" Shal'rein navy was forming.
When imperial forces finally returned in less than six months, they were greeted by Rototrein's fleet. They came rushing from the oceans charging into imperials with complete surprise. The imperials were demoralized, while the Shal'rein were fighting for their freedom and survival. Rototrein made do with his promises. He was fighting for the Shal'rein and much more. The imperial fleet was decimated.
Rototrein continued to push his advances into liberating all Shal'rein worlds. In the course of years, he would engage against countless imperial forces in many famed hit-and-run skirmishes. He contacted and made alliances with the other clan species. Ultimately, other Aksren would turn against the empire as well. Rototrein had successfully united all the Itrean species in an all-out effort to take down the empire.
We watch as the image of Rototrein fade in the backdrop. The galactic map begins to change once again. In the course of years to even hundreds of years, the red dots and lines begin to vanish. The green, orange, purple, and brown colors start to reappear. The Rototrein Rebellion begins to unravel the empire slowly but methodically.
I made it my priority to study Rototrein in his strategic and tactical maneuvers. Even my father further pressed the need to understand what Rototrein was trying to accomplish in warfare. Indeed, the Shal'rein hero had managed to fight against overwhelming odds. The battles are dissected and evaluated. However, in those actions, Rototrein was more desperate in his situation. Yes, he managed to achieve much and accomplished a great deed in wiping out the Empire of Jalgren. However, he made numerous mistakes. Despite the claims from my people, Rototrein was far from perfect, even for a Shal'rein leader. There were multiple reasons why the empire collapsed. Thousands of years of decadence were the most significant factor. While racism and discrimination had been a focal point in the motivation to fight back, they had always existed. It thrived as far back as 26,000 years ago during the early middle ages of the empire. It was nothing new, nor was its impact a sudden shock to encourage a rebellion. Racism is and always is an inefficient system. The economic costs of pressuring society to commit and promote it only result in the society turning on itself. With that said, I am inclined to agree with some of Jalgren's views, and there is profound evidence to suggest that the very early years of the Empire of Jalgren were prosperous ones for nearly everyone.
Undoubtedly, Rototrein still deserves a noteworthy mention in the history of the Itrean people. He had served a cause and would lead to a valiant struggle in the attempt to fight against the Empire of Jalgren. Rototrein personally admitted that he never imagined being the symbol of hope for all Itrean clan species, but he did embrace that recognition with honor. His children would further carry the fight watching the capital of the empire, Renlar, offering peace terms to Rototrein's cause. As a result, the empire would be divided, and clan species would gain their freedom. There is a legend that Rototrein, himself, had ventured to one of the statues of Jalgren on Shal'tar. When others made the decision to tear down one of the statues, Rototrein halted it. He instead requested that the statue be preserved. He then bowed his head and kneeled before the Aksren emperor's likeness. He gave the simple speech that is now etched on the sculpture's base. It states, "I fought in your name. Equality for all."
