With Kirk injured and unfit for command, I assumed his post as the interim captain of the Enterprise. Our ship had been heavily damaged after the Chitauri attack, with a lot of casualties. Somehow, we retro-fitted an ignition line onto the damaged warp core, and used spare parts to block the hull breaches and keep the ship in one piece. The med bay was full an crammed, the doctors and nurses working 24*7 to attend to the wounded and injured.

"Coming out of warp in 45 seconds, sir." My pilot reported." We're arriving."

I nod without looking up."Good. Have the others assembled?"
"Yes sir. They're arriving." "Good."

I got up from my chair and took the turbolift back to my quarters. Reaching there, I splashed cold water on my face and sat down on the bed, not bothering to wipe my face dry.

Why is this all happening? I thought. After the Battle of Earth, also known as the Infinity War, Thanos was supposed to be dead. All of his minions, the Chitauri, the Black Order- they were all destroyed.

Until now.

By a curious quirk of fate, Thanks has been ressurrected, brought back from the dead. My bet is that he used the Time Stone to bring his children back to life. And now he's stronger than ever. One snap of his fingers, and we'd all cease to exist.

How on earth are we supposed to stop him?

"God, help me." I sighed in frustration. In times like this, I missed Steve. He was always calm, steadfast, strong. A skilled fighter and a remarkable pilot, his zeal as a captain was unchallenged. Even in silence, he commanded immense authority and respect from everyone.

My thoughts drifted off to Nemesis. He was downright scary, full of raw power and rage. His tall muscular frame, coupled with his agility, power and skill, and his fierce armour would alone strike fear into the hearts of the enemy.

Yet I couldn't help but feel that he looked familiar. That confident stride, that posture while towering over others, that silent assessment of his surroundings while he himself remained hidden- I've seen it all before. In a person I knew and admired. A person who is dead.

What if....

"No!" My eyes popped open in shock." That's impossible!" I shook my head to clear my thoughts." My mind is messing with me."

I heard a knock on my door, and Tania's head popped in." We're out of warp. They need you on the Bridge."

I stood up and grabbed my jacket." Let's go."

She eyes my curiously as we walked towards the elevator." You okay?"
"Yeah."
She didn't buy it." No, it's not. What is it?"

I shook my head as I pressed the button on the turbolift." It's nothing. Just a few thoughts."

She gripped my wrist tightly as we entered the turbolift." Don't bullshit me, Max. I've seen you zone out more times during the last few days than you've ever done before. And don't even dare to deny it."

I sighed.

"It's just that... I miss him.Steve. He was always the leader, always could get us out of any situation. Even when we were on Knowhere and Glen got shot, he helped us escape. We need him, now more than ever."

She stayed silent for a while, then sighed." I miss him too. You're right, we need him. But we have you." She raised her hand to stop me from speaking." I know that you need him. We all do. But you've been with him for three years, and he's left his mark on you. Whatever you've learnt from him, anything, utilize it here. Now. If you want to save his legacy, then fight for the things he stood for. Maybe you're not ready to be like him, but in time, you will. Captain Steve Fleming will always be with you. With us."

I looked at her, fighting a smile." Did you just make that up, or did you wrote it beforehand?"

She laughed, letting go of my wrist." Nah. I'm just doing my duty of keeping you from slipping."

I was about to speak when the door opened. Scotty was about to enter but stopped on seeing us." Um...shall I come later?"

I laughed as I went past him, Tania behind me. On the giant screen loomed the entire armada of the Rebel Fleet. Old enemies, allies, mercenaries,pirates, murderers, fighters, soldiers,captains, generals,- all those who wished for Thanos's reign to end and wanted peace and liberation had gathered here. The whole area was full of starships, fighters, cruisers. In the centre was the biggest of them all, the headquarters, a gigantic cruiser retro-fitted with weapons- the Iron Hands.

After obtained clearance,we manoeuvred past the different ships towards the shuttle bay of the Iron Hands where we'd been told to land. Landing, we exited the ship in an orderly fashion. The whole hangar was full of hustle, with a seemingly endless fleet of X-wings. Pilots and technicians scurried from one place to another, each with a definite purpose. Turning to my crew, I instructed our engineers and technicians to scout for parts and repair the ship as much as possible, the others to stock up our supplies, and the injured and wounded to go to the medical wing. The whole group dispersed, leaving me, Tania, and a few others." Follow me." I said.
"Wait for us." A voice called from behind. Turning, I saw Kirk, a bandage wrapped around his head, slowly disembarking the ship with the help of Spock and Uhura. I raised an eyebrow." You should be in the medical wing."
"And let you have all the fun?" He cracked a smile." Nah."

I smiled as I shook his hand." Welcome back."

As we reached the elevator, I volunteered to go later, as all of us wouldn't fit inside all together. The others went up.

"So you made it." A deep voice said from behind. I turned to see a dark tall man, about 60 or so, smiling at me. His hair was completely white and a few wrinkles had appeared on his face. I was shocked to see him, for I thought he had died." Vice-Admiral Runcan!??"

My former Nova superior smiled at me." Captain Fleming spoke highly of you, Max Hunter."
"But....but.."I stammered." I thought you were-"
"Dead?" He said." I know. We were caught off-guard by the sudden assault, but not all of us died. Some of us made it out." He smiled sadly.
I shook his hand." I'm glad you made it out too,sir."

The elevator came down again, and the both of us entered. He pressed the button to take us above." Are there any more of us left?"

"Only Glen and I." I shook my head." Captain died during the Battle on Earth."

His face became sad." He was a remarkable man. He could have made a great difference to us."
"I agree."

He smiled at me." I'm due for a speech now. You'll be here, right?"
I nod." I'm here for the meeting too."

The doors opened and we stepped out. Spotting my group seated at the back of a conference room,I walked up to them and took a seat beside Spock. The whole room was full of people busy talking with each other, their anxious faces being the spotlight of the situation. A few others were in another room next to the stage overlooking us all.

The meeting started. Several people, including former generals, commanders, leaders, stepped out on the stage to deliver speeches on how they despised the current circumstances and how they would everything in their power to resist.

Then it was the Vice-Admiral's turn to speak. He walked up slowly, calm and clear. Even in this danger, he appeared composed. As he spoke, his deep voice cut through the silence, unwavering to the end.

"My friends,"he started slowly."people of a free galaxy, today the darkness of despair and subjugation looks overhead. For nearly 3 decades, peace and order prevailed in the galaxies. But now it has been lost. Our light are being snuffed out of the universe. This being, this dark creature who took our freedom and rights, shall pay. In his rule of tyranny, we've seen his massacres, his destruction over planets,his unspoken cruelty. Can we, with our conscience, agree to it? Bow down to a tyrant who kills because it brings him pleasure?

Nearly all those who've spoken spoke about what we should do. I want to say, what we can do. Nothing is impossible. There are hundreds of star systems who are unhappy with Thanos's reign. If we all come together, stand united, I believe we have a chance. I know we have a chance. Tidings of a world made free!" His voice quavered with emotion." Because this, this is our land!"

The whole crwod burst into applause,each one supporting him. They roared with support, as his face broke into a smile. A genuine one.

"And now, I would like another Nova officer to speak. He was present during the recent battle on Earth, and I believe he has what it takes to be a leader. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Max Hunter!"

I started as he said these words. I shook my head, but he wouldn't take no for an answer. Since everyone else was looking at me, I reluctantly stepped on to the stage and looked at the vast audience in front of me. I'd never delivered a speech before, and I felt nervous.

"Be calm and keep your cool." The Vice-Admiral whispered from behind.

"Today," the words slipped out from my mouth."marks a new day in the history of the galaxies."

I looked out over the crowd, scanning the faces. These people represented the many planets and cultures spread across the universe. How many civilizations had been wiped out already?

For the first time in my life, I was truly moved at such a loss, looking at how these remnant were now helpless, afraid.

"It is not by one super weapon, or by a superior military armament that we will fight and win this war, but with bravery, strategy and stealth.

Today will be the end of the plague spreading across our galaxy, destroying life, killing every living being, decimating planets. Thanos and his Black Order do not discriminate in their massacre and destruction. And now, we too do not discriminate in our alliance, with all who will fight back."

There was a scatter of applause as their tired eyes were now more hopeful.

"We have come together as one, towin this war, a war unlike any in all of time and space, a war to save the universe. Today we will end this corrupt and evil being that has destroyed our structure, annihilated entire systems! Today, we fight back!"

The crowd cheered and roared, filling me with a pride and emotion I'd never felt before. I am proud of the bravery and power of this new-found alliance. They need someone who can lead them, and so shall they get.

"The Federation. The Nova Corps." I sad, my voice stronger now." The Scavengers. Every remaining system across the galaxy have come together to unite in this battle against this threat. We shall fight! And we will win!"

The crowd cheered, and I'd never felt more powerful ever in my life. Yes, we stand a chance.

"Then it is done." The Vice-Admiral spoke from behind." The Rebel Alliance is born."

So it is done. But is Max ready to step up as a leader? Can he be the leader his people want him to be? Let's wait and see.
How did you like this chapter? What with studies and tutions I find it difficult to find time to write. Hope you like it.
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