Far off in the spiral arm of a distant galaxy lay the planet Veridia, home to the Zendari. The Zendari were an ancient race, their civilization rooted in profound wisdom and an understanding of the cosmos. Generations of Zendari had come and gone, developing advanced technologies and a deep connection with the universal fabric of life.
The Zendari revered life in all its forms. They believed their mission was to cultivate and protect emerging civilizations, ensuring they could grow freely without interference. To achieve this, they employed immense energy shields and camouflage technologies, rendering their planet and their presence in the universe virtually undetectable.
Liah, the Chief Gardener, looked over the gala—a massive, holographic representation of the Milky Way. By her side stood the young and eager Sydra, who was about to embark on her first mission. Liah explained their doctrine: they watched over countless fledgling civilizations, intervening only when necessary and otherwise preserving their own existence as a secret.
Sydra was assigned to observe Earth, a planet teeming with potential yet struggling with its own burgeoning technology. She watched humans send messages into space, build monuments, and ponder the cosmos, all the while oblivious to the Zendari's silent oversight.
One night, Liah summoned Sydra urgently. A neighboring star system had detected a faint signal from Earth. Panic gripped the council; should they intervene directly or maintain their policy of minimal disturbance? Liah shared a story from Zendari history—eons ago, they had revealed themselves to a young civilization, only to see it collapse into chaos upon learning it was not alone. Since then, secrecy had been their golden rule.
Balancing integrity with obligation, the Zendari faced a difficult decision. Ulimately, the council decided to subtly alter Earth's communications—a nudge to prevent the neighboring system from making contact.
Sydra was filled with a mix of relief and melancholy, but she realized that to maximize the potential of other civilizations, they must forever remain hidden like whispers in the dark.
© Odd Voyage