It started like any other day. I was in a practice battle to keep in practice during peacetime. A practice battle is when warriors of around the same age fight in a designated star system, uninhabited so we can trash the place. It's only a simulation, but the only real difference is that you're fighting on your own rather than as part of an army. I prefer going solo, normally other soldiers just slow me down.

Anyway, as I was saying, it's pretty much the same as a normal battle. Thousands are killed each time. Which is good, the weak must be eliminated after all. Unfortunately, the weapons we can use are restricted. I pushed my ship at full speed as I raced to the battlefield. I saw that they had started without me. Already, flame from torpedoes blossomed into fiery red roses. A flower on each warrior's grave.

Yes, yes, I know there can't be fire in space. Not your kind of fire, anyway. We use what you'd call "Greek Fire." It has the same effect has flame but in can burn in any circumstances, including space.

Quickly, I armed my missiles-if it went on at this pace I'd soon have no one to kill! I did a corkscrew move into the center of the battlefield (Sue me. I like showmanship.) while simultaneously firing forty shots a second. Then I speed above the mass of firing ships. I figure I have 0.2 seconds before someone starts firing at me, so I quickly choose a target and attack. I select a newbie, they're generally quite killable, and are good for warming up.

I fire a particularly nasty weapon, the fire net missile. How the fire net missile works is it shoots a special kind of flame, one that you can actually shape and control. A few dozen jets of flame shoot out of the launcher and lasso around my target. At my command, they crisscross into a net formation and constrict, neatly dicing my opponent. I smile. The first one is always the most satisfying.

Dammit, it looks like I gloated too long. A ship is coming up to my right and I don't have enough time to get the launcher ready! Time to run. They're gaining! Is that a 67-comet engine?! Those are illegal in simulations! They're firing! Shit, shit, shit! I nearly fall out of my seat as my ship lurches under impact. The force of the blow blasts me dangerously close to an odd blue planet. Too close. I'm being sucked in by its gravity! Crap, why isn't my shield working?! Time to die.