Stars Rain Down (8 page)

Four months had passed since the Battle of the Ark, which unexpectedly ended with both sides withdrawing. The strange events at the end left the humans and Oikeyans equally vulnerable and confused, and retreat was the only option that made any sense. A tense cease-fire followed.

“Who could’ve expected this?â€

All beneath the heavens call my Tao great.
Because of its greatness, it seems strange,
But if it weren’t strange, it would’ve faded long ago.

There are but three treasures I cherish and cling to:
The first is mercy, the second economy,
And the third is indifference to winning.
From mercy arises courage; from economy, generosity;
From humility, the power to effect change.

These days, men belittle mercy, yet celebrate courage;
They forget economy while exercising generosity;
They cast aside humility and always strive to be first.
Thus do they court their downfall.

Through mercy, struggles can be surmounted,
And defenses made impenetrable.
This is how the universe preserves and protects.

Chris J. Randolph (hey, that’s me!) is a writer, futurist and possible killer robot originally from Redwood City, CA. When not talking about himself in the third person, he’s usually writing about fictional people who pilot spaceships, fight dinosaurs and seduce green women... and somewhat less often about green women who pilot dinosaurs, fight people and seduce spaceships.

His other interests include linguistics, cooking, video games and digital publishing advocacy. He’s the proud recipient of several literary awards he made up himself, and he currently resides in Rocklin, CA, with a family who somehow puts up with his shenanigans. He hopes to someday own his own tropical dictatorship.

 

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