Easy Living

Yep, I'm still alive. Things got hectic, and then Spring Break happened, but I'm back now.
I stole today's quote (and tomorrow's) off Rory's blog, because it is true. WHERE ARE MY INSTRUCTIONS! I'm waiting... I guess my life isn't real either, then. =)

Sometimes I really wish that life came with a manual at least. For instructions on concentration, turn to page 72. For advice about choosing colleges, turn to page 76. For instructions on how to fill out scholarship applications, turn to page 92, and please be sure to check Appendix D for a list of scholarships you have a chance of receiving. My life would be a whole lot easier.
But then again, that would take all the challenge out of life. There'd be no joy at finally working out a tough problem or finishing an involved project. There'd be no challenge and adventure to life, and all the fun would be gone.
So I don't hope for an instruction manual anymore. Now all I want is a robot to do half of my work. Or maybe something I could sell that would pay for next year's tuition in college. Or... anyone want to pay my tuition next year? It's only a couple thousand or so... =)

Important Question

Who am I?
I am starting to forget...

Mr. Vladomir Endl

Mr. Vladomir Endl was an immigrant to the United States. His last name was really Endligburgergeisterhemski, but the immigration officer in charge of filling out his paperwork had a heart attack that day and in the rush to get him to the hospital poor Vladomir's name was forgotten. Hence it consisted of all the letters the officer had managed to write before the incident, and not a letter beyond.
Mr. Endl is upset because the name Endligburgergeisterhemski was in the family for generations, only to be lost due to a medical emergency. His family, however, is extremely grateful, most notably his daughter Kiara, because the name "Endl" was easier for the six-year-old to spell in bright red crayon scrawls using only a single sheet of paper.

Transfer of Power -- Part Two

"Yes, Admiral, sir?" Lucas asked expectantly.

"Lucas, I want you to witness this." Removing his ceremonial sword from around his waist, he laid it on the table. Grasping the blade by the hilt he reverently pulled the weapon from its resting place and held it in the light. Lucas whistled softly, admiring the play of colors on the sharp blade, dancing against the black contrast of the blade itself. The design of a hawk against a large flame was carefully and lightly carved into the blade, with a red-gold filigree lovingly inlaid to bring out the fine details of the carving.

"Commander, this sword is PhoenixSword, the sword of the BlackHawk. It has remained in our organization for generations, and legend says that a part of each former Admiral of the BlackHawk remains living in this sword, long after they are gone. I believe these stories - I have heard them talk to me, I have felt their minds inside my own." ShadowHawk stared in awe at the blade. She had frequently witnessed Jake's deadly accuracy with the gleaming sword but had never observed PhoenixSword this close before. It was not only functional, but awe-inspiring. Lucas also stared at the blade, entranced.

"This blade was constructed from a metal known only as Black Velvet," the Admiral continued, "and the secret of this metal is guarded by he who forged it. He, too, lives on in this blade, but he prefers to keep his own council and the secret of its making is his own. This is the strongest metal known to the galaxy - it will never break, never bend, and will always retain its razor-sharp blade. The sword draws its own life from the heat of anything and anyone who comes in contact with it, further strengthening the blade. It is a good sword; I have enjoyed its company for a long time and I am loath to part with it."

Admiral Jake looked lovingly at the sword, then abruptly drew the blade across his outstretched palm and handed it to ShadowHawk, hilt first. Reluctantly ShadowHawk grasped the hilt, and immediately felt the power and wisdom of the Era of the BlackHawk coursing through her veins. Lucas observed silently as ShadowHawk, startled, looked up at Jake.

"I have added my lifeblood to that of our Admirals past. Should I not return, you are to take my place. May you rule our people wisely, and bring favor upon us all." A nod from the old Admiral sent Lucas back to his seat. He had witnessed the transfer of power to the new Admiral, and now he had a weapons station to monitor should Raventhorn make any sudden moves.

ShadowHawk stared at the sword, entranced. Jake's blood glowed red along the edge of the blade, then gradually faded into the sword until it disappeared into the hungry metal. The sword flashed a sudden bright gold, then turned dark again, the energy from Jake's blood completely absorbed.

"Jake..." ShadowHawk tried to argue with his departure to face the probably-fatal approach of the enemy, but stopped suddenly as Jake stared into her eyes.

Please don't try to stop me, she heard in her mind. I have made up my mind. I have served here for far too long, and now it is time that I move on... Don't look so sad, I am still here. I will live on in the PhoenixSword forever, to help guide the BlackHawk through their trials of time, just as you will when your time comes.

Commander ShadowHawk looked down at the magnificent blade, a small tear making its solitary way down her cheek. "You don't intend to come back, do you?"

My time is over. It is your time now. Please don't worry. No tears, no regrets, just the future. The BlackHawk has a magnificent future to look forward to. But the Transfer of Power is not yet complete. I have added my lifeblood to the sword, you must now add the sword's lifeblood to your own.

ShadowHawk referently ran her finger over the cold, hungry blade, leaving a trail of her blood on the edge and cutting deeply into her finger. She watched curiously as the finger healed almost immediately once it was removed from the sword, then looked up at Jake. She felt centuries older, and wiser.

Serve them well, Jake told her. I must go now - I'm taking the SkyRyder. I have some business to attend to...

Transfer of Power -- Part One

Lucas turned back to his console, but continued to eavesdrop on his commaning officers. He too felt nervous about the upcoming battle, and yet somehow hearing the arguement between the Admiral and his second-in-command helped to calm his nerves. Had they been arguing about the survival of the BlackHawk, he would have grimly faced his doom despite the nervousness, but today did not feel like a good day to die. Somehow the two officers arguing about the fine points of the current battle plan calmed the butterflies in his stomach. Never once did either of them hint that the plan might not succeed; the conversation revolved entirely around whether different plans might work better. ShadowHawk never argued about the fine points of battleplans she deemed failures from the beginning. Running his eyes over the weapons console, he could still hear their heated debate.

"If you won't let me reprogram the laser cannons, then why can't we at least increase their power?" ShadowHawk questioned fiercely.

"The power increase would drain from our shielding. As long as we maintain our redundant shields we should be able to hold off on this attack," Jake explained. "The longer we hold off this attack, the higher the chance of success from the second part of our plan." Lucas nodded, agreeing with Jake's wisdom. The shields would hold, ShadowHawk had gone over them herself. And the gunmen would succeed without the need for automation - they were very good at their job. Why was the Commander insisting on a different strategy?

"But I'm saying we won't even need the second half of our plan. Increase power to the laser cannons, to provide more damage for each shot. Triple the shielding around the cannons to protect them from attack by Raventhorn's forces and then we can --" Lucas wondered about this second phase of attack ShadowHawk was arguing about. Still, if Jake thought it was necessary, Jake would know better than anyone.

"And where is all this power coming from?" Jake interjected.

"Decrease the power to the main shields." ShadowHawk stated this with so much conviction, Lucas was taken aback and stopped his work to watch the conversation unfold.

"Decrease the... You can't be serious, where would that leave us?" Jake blinked hard, keeping a steady gaze on his apprentice. "That would leave us ripe for the taking."

"That's not the best cruiser in Raventhorn's fleet. If he was going to pick one, why this one? Simple. It's not the best for attacking firepower, but it is best for a boarding party." Lucas sat up in his chair. A boarding party? Why would she think that?

"A boarding party?" Admiral Jake could not believe his ears. "Why would he want a boarding party? Raventhorn is a very busy Warlord - his other cruisers are most likely on other missions or in need of repairs. And even if he did want a boarding party, why would he need one if he can just destroy us all all a group once we lower our shields?"

"Maybe because he doesn't WANT to destroy us?" The Commander was obviously thinking quite deeply about this, Lucas believed - he could almost see her brain churning out the answers. "We've been his worst enemy for the longest time - why send an inferior cruiser after us, in his chance for ultimate victory? No. He is a Warlord, with a quest for power. He has obviously thought this through. What would really help him with his plans to gain dominion over the galaxy?"

"Us?" Jake stepped back a little, and sank into a nearby swivel chair. "Are you suggesting he wants to conquer us and force us to serve him as part of his own military?" ShadowHawk nodded once, confidently. "No... I can't believe that... He wouldn't." Lucas slowly nodded in affirmation of Jake's statement. Why would anyone want to conquer the BlackHawk, but not destroy them?

"Why not?" ShadowHawk challenged.

"I have been on Raventhorn's bad side far longer than you have," Jake answered, "and I would hesitate to think that you know him better than I do. As soon as we lower the shield, we're dead." His glare brooked no arguement, but ShadowHawk had one more left.

"Let me go with you."

Admiral Jake firmly nodded his head no. "It's too dangerous, and one of us has to stay here. Besides, who is going to take command if something happens to me?" ShadowHawk offered no answer, but from her expression it was obvious she wouldn't surrender her demand without a fight.

"Lucas," Jake called softly; the grizzled old chief weapons officer was quick to obey.

Transfer of Power -- An Introduction

I love to write, I really do. I love to read well-written things, even if they weren't intended to be poetic, such as today's quote. Over the next few days I've decided that, rather than give you my views on the universe, I'm going to give you a story about one tiny part of it. Just please don't steal the characters, they're good friends, and quite seriously I would cry.
So starting tomorrow you get to see a part of the universe where I've never been, yet I know it like the back of my hand. For those of you still learning to read between the lines, that means I made everything up. Life is more fun that way sometimes. =)
And in case you were wondering, no, I don't believe there is "a nothingness which underlies everything," not even in my darkest moments. I firmly believe that there is "a Somethingness which underlies everything," and His name is God.