Stars. The Star Child opened his eyes to see a thousand thousand stars twinkling in the heavens above. He smiled, feeling at home. His eyebrows soon furrowed though as he realized the stars above were not the stars he knew. They were friendly and shed soft light, but they were not his stars. He rose to his feet, and found his clothing had changed once more. Now he was donned in mighty golden armor from head to toe that fit his massive bulk like a glove. Coming in at over 14 feet tall, he was massive for a human, but average for one born of the Stars. Clenching his fists, the Star Child steadied himself, sensing troubles must be to come if the Stars equipped him for battle. Taking off his helmet to breathe in the barely breathable air, he found a silent desert stretched all around him. This was a world scorched by nuclear war and left for dead, a barren husk of its former self. But perhaps it could rise again… The Star Child’s vision of the future faded as gunshots rang out into the night, and he immediately began running towards the disturbance. Charging across the dunes he cleared a mound in a single bound to find a small settlement before him, a few dozen buildings protected by a small barricade. All around it were flaming lights, and he realized they were hostile vehicles firing at the defending settlers. His righteous fury aroused, the Golden Godling hurled himself into the fray, planting his feet in the path of the raider’s cars. Speeding towards him, covered in rust and spikes, the savages yelled a battle cry as they turned to run him over. But with a single swing of his gauntleted fist the machine coughed and died, sent flying high into the air by his uppercut before crashing down moments later. He scowled, and charged towards the circling vehicles, readily serving his brand of justice. Soon the raiders began to veer away from him, peppering his armor with worn scrap guns in a vain attempt to kill him. “No man shall stop my destiny to bring Humanity to the Stars!” The Star Child roared and from his hand a bolt of starlight flashed, incinerating a raider truck in an instant. Only a smoking, melted frame remained, the barbarians inside reduced to ashes. In a frightful display of psychic might and inhuman strength he crushed the attackers as they continued to circle the camp, leaving no survivors in his wake. The vile natives soon recognized his power, and gathered their forces before charging him once more. Mounted weapons spat lead, explosive spears were hurled and several tons of automobiles screamed towards him, all intent on destroying him. But the Golden Godling did not answer their onslaught alone. Defenders from within the town rallied behind him, firing at the raiders while their attention was focused on their Gilded Deliverer. Another defender-a woman in a red dress-called out to him to keep their attention, and he swore to give her an opening to strike from behind their attack. In conjunction with a mighty flash of yellow starlight, the raiders’ charge ended with smoking bullet-ridden carnage before his feet. The rest of the savages quickly turned tail and left, concluding the ambush. Now shining like the morning sun, the Star Child entered the settlement, the weary guards cheering as he waved in greeting. The frightened survivors slowly exited their homes to see him in all his glowing glory, smiling, and joined in the applause. The day had been won thanks to their mysterious new benefactor, and they graciously led him to their town hall, an older green building with only a few tiles left hanging on the roof. A grizzled man in a dirty uniform walked out from the worse for wear building with armed aides at his side, and saluted him. “On behalf of the community, welcome to Orotia, and thank you for saving us from the raider attack.” “You are most welcome, and I vow to protect your town with my life. Come, the defenses must be secured before a counterattack can be mounted.” He quickly turned towards the barricade, and the elder hurriedly followed after him. “Are you s-sure they’ll come back? You whipped them up pretty good, um…” “There could be more, and several escaped my wrath. You may call me sir. Tell your captains to prepare for inspection and tear down the most damaged houses for materials. This wall must hold, do you understand me?” “Y-yes, sir.” Scared but unwilling to disobey, the mayor passed down his orders and the work began. Every inch of the barricade was scrutinized by the Star Child as he organized the defenses and a prison corral to his liking, not stopping until rosy dawn arrived. Satisfied for now with their work, he entered the town hall again, stooping under the doorway not meant for gods like him. “There was a woman who charged the raiders with me, tall, dark hair and red dress. What is her name, rank and position?” “We don’t have many women here, s-sir, but that doesn’t sound like any of us. Least, none of ours would go out and fight, and no one lookin like that has returned.” The Gilded Godling’s eyes flashed as he realized she must have been a raider spy, and he stormed out of the building, shattering the doorway as he plowed through it. When he reached the corral his fear had been realized: his guards left on the ground, unconscious, and the prisoners escaped. In the distance a fleeting motorcycle caught his eye, and riding it none other than the scarlet woman. Casting the wrath of the Stars into the sky he roared in anger, shouting his determination to bring unity to humanity and justice to those savages, even if it meant a genocide. He looked skyward to see the last stars beginning to fade as dawn arrived, and reaffirmed his destiny to bring humanity to them. Calling a young aide to follow him, the Star Child began to formulate his plans, laying out a Great Crusade to come.