ZEN
STARDATE 03.08.21
GRAW PROJECT
“Captain, there are no responses to our hails.”
Captain Siddhartha formed a slight frown on his face. Why must it always come to this? Displays of Power, Capturing Territory, Taking Resources, Exerting Dominance, Destroying your Enemy to become the Victor. And for What? The Cycle continues Over and Over without End. When will Living Beings realize there is So Much More to Life than these Petty Things? A Higher State of Being. A Level of…Enlightenment.
“The Centi Heavy Cruiser is on an attack vector. 200,000 kilometers and closing.”
“Launch a Mini Plasma,” Captain Siddhartha ordered in a calm voice. “That should discourage them from getting too close. Keep our Second Shield facing toward them. Have you identified the markings?”
“Yes Sir. It’s the King Crawler.”
The King Crawler? Again? How many times have we faced them in combat? We are now a Married Couple, each one familiar with the other’s behaviors, motivations, and patterns. Each one able to predict the movements of the other. Yet despite the aggression, there was a Strange Tie between the Two…
At the sight of the approaching Mini Plasma, the King Crawler hovered at about 150,000 kilometers. It tilted to its starboard side, shifting at an angle to the Zen. Then the Centi Vessel unleashed Four Neutron Bullets. One of the Neutron Bullets hit the Zen’s Second Shield. It dug deep, but did not reach the Zen’s hull.
Seated next to Captain Siddhartha was Omen, the Zen’s First Officer. The beautiful Geist Ghost was staring down at a tactical display showing both ships. The Captain leaned over and asked, “Omen, your recommendations?”
“If we stay here, we’ll be eventually be shredded to pieces. The Centi know that our Warp Rockets are not as effective as their Neutron Bullets at 150,000 kilometers. They will continue to dance along that edge, taunting us and taking pot shots at every opportunity. We cannot afford that since their Neutron Bullets can bypass our Shields. If we are to win this engagement, we must close. Yes, their Neutron Phasers will have an edge over our Proton Phasers at that range, but it is a price we have to pay. We must launch Heavy Warp Rockets at close range.”
Captain Siddhartha was quiet as he contemplated Omen’s plan. His First Officer was bright and full of promise. If only she could bring her strong emotions under control. Deducing how to win a fight was one thing. But not getting into the fight in the first place was another lesson entirely…
“You heard Omen. Proceed with her plan. Maximum Warp toward the King Crawler. Continue to launch Mini Plasmas as we close. Keep hailing the King Crawler on All Frequencies in case they change their mind and want to talk. Prepare for Internal Damage. Sickbay, stand ready to receive Casualties.”
The Zen burst into activity. All along its hallways, crewmen ran this way and that to complete their duties. A bright red triangle flashed again and again. The mood on the Bridge of the Zen was intense.
The Zen charged forward like a Shining Knight with its Lance extended. Periodically, the Warrior Poet starship would launch a Mini Plasma , hoping that the small seeking weapons would somehow distract the Centi Heavy Cruiser.
In response, the King Crawler laid Space Mud behind it. Space Mud were Disruptions in the Fabric of Space which caused objects to drop out of Warp and stall. Fortunately, the area that could be affected by Space Mud was limited. Still, more than one Mini Plasma got caught in the Space Mud, effectively trapping it like a Fly in a Spider’s Web.
Four Neutron Bullets tore through the Zen’s Forward Shield, causing explosions in its Hull, Laboratories, Shuttle Bay, and the Bridge. A console exploded on the Bridge, seriously injuring the Navigator.
Captain Siddhartha jumped out of his seat to get to the Navigator. He placed both hands on the Navigator’s burnt body and closed his eyes. The Navigator’s pain and suffering entered Captain Siddhartha while the Warrior Poet’s Life Energy flowed into the wounded Navigator’s Body. In moments, the Navigator sat up, fully healed. Captain Siddhartha smiled and returned to his Captain’s Chair.
Neutron Phasers pummeled the Zen’s Forward Shield, nearly bringing it down. The Zen gritted its teeth and took the pain, waiting for the opportunity to launch its own counter offensive. Finally, that moment came at 20,000 kilometers away from the King Crawler.
Heavy Warp Rockets sped out of the Zen, along with a full barrage of Proton Phasers. The Alpha Strike punched straight through the King Crawler’s Third Shield, causing massive damage to the structure underneath. Half of the King Crawler’s lights went dark. The Humanoid Centipedes on board screamed and tried to deal with the fire and smoke that resulted from the powerful assault. They cursed the Warrior Poets in their own unique clicking language.
Captain Siddhartha closed his eyes. He could sense the suffering and death aboard the King Crawler. How he wished this had not come to pass. But they left the Zen no choice. They would not listen and continued their aggressive behavior. Morally, the Zen was justified in its response. Still, Captain Siddhartha prayed for all the wounded and dying on board the King Crawler.
Slowly, the King Crawler turned and limped back to its own territory. The Peaceful Planet known as Shambhala was safe once more.
“Stand down Red Alert. Continue Damage Control throughout the Ship. Well done, everyone. I will be making Special Mention of your Brilliant Tactical Analysis in my Report to the Warrior Poets, Omen. Your insight saved many lives aboard the Zen. You have my Personal Thanks.”
Captain Siddhartha walked back to his Chamber. The Crew of the Zen was calming down. The heat of the moment was fading away. They had faced Death once more and survived. Captain Siddhartha let out a light sigh.
BUT WHY SHOULD ONE FEAR DEATH AT ALL? IT WAS BUT A DOORWAY TO ANOTHER BEGINNING.
