A Single Human Ship Entered The Battle—But We Ended It Instantly

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1:01Because we find the right people for your roles fast. Which is our absolute favorite F word. In fact, four out of five employers who post on Zippercruder get a quality candidate within the first day. Fantastic! So, whether you need to hire four, 40, or 400 people, get ready to meet first rate talent. Just go to zippercruder.com slash zip to try Zippercruder for free. Don't forget that zippercruder.com slash zip. Finally, that zippercruder.com slash zip. The space around Planet Kepler Minus 442 be looked like a battlefield from the worst nightmare. Two massive fleet turn in the black void. Their ship's stretching as far as the eye could see. On one side were the Wothan Empire ships, dark metal beasts with sharp edges and glowing red weapon ports. On the other side were the crystalline collective vessels looking like giant floating gems that caught and bent the light from the nearby.

2:01Starrer, admiral's ex-thurer stood on the bridge of her flagship. The Crimson Talon, she was tall and thin like all Wothans with gray skin and forums that moved the deadly grace. Her large black eyes watched a battle displays with cold calculation. Three years of war had made her tired, but she would never show weakness to her crew. The battle had been going on for three full cycles now. Three cycles of endless fighting with no clear winner. Both fleets were stuck, neither able to push forward and claim victory. The Wothans fired their positive cannons and waves of bright orange light. The crystalline ships responded with beams of pure energy that cut through space like silver knives. Ships on both sides exploded into balls of fire and metal, but still, neither fleek could break through. Below them, the Planet Kepler Minus 442 was spun slowly in space. It was a beautiful world with blue oceans and green continents. Billions of peaceful people lived there. They were called Andromdans, and they had never wandered this war. They just wandered to farm their land and raise their children in peace. But now their world shook from the battle buff.

3:02The energy weapons made the sky flash with strange colors. The electromagnetic pulses knocked out their power grids and communication networks. Starrer looked at the tactical display again, her. Fleet had lost 47 ships since yesterday. The crystalline fleet had lost 52. It was a slowdowns of death that could go on for years. Both sides were too evenly matched. Both sides were too proud to retreat. On the other side of the battle, the crystalline mothership hulls was soft light. Inside, thousands of crystal beings shared one collective mind. They did not speak with words like other species. Instead, thoughts and emotions flowed between them like water. Right now, that shared mind was filled with frustration and determination. The crystalline beings looked like living statues made of clay glass. Light moved through their bodys and patterns that showed their emotions. When they were angry, red light blazed through them. When they were sad, blue light flickered light tears. When they were determined, white light burned steady and brave. The collective mind remembered why this war had started. The orphans had claimed mining rights to three saw systems

4:03that the crystalline collective also wanted. Both sides said they had illegal claim. Both sides refused to back down. What started as a trade dispute had grown into the biggest war. The galaxy had seen in 500 years, the orphanships moved in perfect formation like a skull of deadly fish. Each captain knew exactly what to do without being told. They had trained for war since they were children. The orphan empire had been conquering worlds for a thousand years. They were good at it, but the crystalline ships moved even better. They shared one mind so they could coordinate in ways that no other species could match. When one ship turned left, 50 others would turn right exactly the same moment. When one ship fired, a hundred others were fired in perfect timing. It was like watching a deadly dance performed by a single dancer with a thousand borders. The battle raged on. More. Chips died. More families lost fathers and mothers and children. The space around the planet filled with debris in the frozen borders of wars who would never go home, let Henan fix our era. A young, orphaned female worked at the census station on the Crimson Talon.

5:04She was new to war and the constant fighting made a stomach hurt. She tried to focus on her instruments tracking enemy movements and watching for surprise attacks, suddenly something new appeared on her screen. A small blip on the very edge of sense of range. It was moving toward the battle, but it was not like any ship she had ever seen. The energy signature was strange. The size was tiny compared to the great warships around her. Add Moral, she called. Out, her voice shaking slightly. I have an unknown contact approaching from Grid 77 Alpha. Add Moral's ex star removed to the census station with quick steps. Her black eye started to display. The unknown ship was small, maybe the size of a orphaned destroyer, but it was moving with the confidence that seemed impossible. It flew straight toward the center of the battle zone, not trying to hide or take cover. Can you identify the ship type? The star asked. Lieutenant Pixaro worked her controls trying to get more information. No match in our databases, Admiral. The whole design is completely unknown and the energy readings dot dot. She paused checking her instruments again.

6:05The energy readings do not make sense. On the crystalline mothership, the collective mind had also noticed the newcomer. Thousands of crystal beings focused their attention on the small ship. The shared thoughts posed with curiosity and concern. They had never seen anything like it either. Their known vessel continued its approach. It seemed to ignore the deadly crossfire between the two fleets. Plasma bolts and energy beams filled the space around it, but the small ship moved through the battle like it was flying through empty space. Could it be a scout ship? Us commander and next star Admiral XXRS second in command. He was older. Then the Admiral was scarred on his gray skin from many battles. No scout would fly straight into a battle zone, sexero replied. And look at the way it moves. It is not afraid. The ship was indeed moving with remarkable confidence. It changed directions smoothly, never slowing down. Sometimes it would accelerate speeds that should have been impossible for a ship at size. Sometimes it would stop so suddenly that the crew should have been turned into paste against the walls.

7:06Both fleets began to notice the newcomer. Weapons that had been aimed at each other started to track the unknown vessel. But neither side fired yet. They wanted to know what it was first. The small ship reached the edge of the main battle zone. Here, the space was thick with energy weapons fire. Ships exploded every few seconds. Any normal vessel would have been destroyed in moments. But their known ship kept flying, weaving between the deadly beams like it could see the future at Lieutenant. Kexara watched her sensors with growing amazement. Admiral, the ship is not taking any evasive action. It is flying in a straight line toward the center of the battle. That is impossible. Commander XR said. Nothing can survive in that. Crossfire, but the small ship is surviving. More than that, it seemed to be completely infected by the weapons fire around it. Energy beams that should have cut it in half pass right through its shields like they were nothing. Plasma bolts that should have melted its hull seemed to bounce off like raindrops. The crystalline collective mind was also puzzled. They sent. A focused thought probe toward the unknown ship trying to read the minds of whoever was inside.

8:09But their probe hit something they had never encountered before. It was like trying to see through a wall made of solid darkness. Admiral XR felt a cold chill run down her spine. In 40 years of warfare, she had never seen anything like this. The unknown ship was now less than 1,000 kilometers from her flat ship. She could see it clearly in the main screen. It was sleek and unhealer, with smooth coasts that seemed to flow like water. The hull was a dock metal that seemed to absorb light instead of reflecting it. Admiral, Lieutenant Kexara said. Her voice now tight with fear. The ship is broadcasting on all frequencies, put it through, six thorough ordered. The bridge fell silent as they waited to hear from the mysterious vessel. Static filled the air for a moment, then a clear voice came through the speakers. It was speaking in perfect galactic standard, but there was something about the axon that seemed strange. This is Captain Sarachanavira's vessel defiance the voice had. It was calm and steady, like someone ordering food at a restaurant. You have 30 seconds to withdraw from the system before we consider you hostile. For a moment, nobody on the fourth and flagship could speak.

9:12A primitive little world in the edge of the galaxy. The species that had only learned to travel faster than light a few decades ago. Admiral's ecthorus mandibles clicked together in what Vothin's cold laughter. It was a sound like a breaking glass. Around the bridge, other officers began to laugh as well. The idea was so ridiculous that it seemed like a jerk. Command and extra shook his head in disbelief. Alright. Are they serious? Their entire fleet could. Not defeat one of our destroyers. On the crystalline mothership, the collective mine pals with what could only be cold amusement. The thought of a single human ship threatening two of the galaxy's greatest military powers was beyond funny. It was absurd. The human voice came again over the radio. I repeat, you have 30 seconds to withdraw from this system. This is your. Only warning, Admiral's ecthorus stopped laughing. There was something in that voice that made her uneasy. The human sound was completely serious. There was no fear, no doubt, no hesitation. It was the voice of someone who knew exactly what they were doing.

10:13Opened a channel, she ordered. Channel open, Admiral Lieutenant Kexar replied. This is Admiral's extra of the Vothin Imperial fleet, she said, her voice filled with the authority of a thousand conquered worlds. You're a single ship facing two of the most powerful fleets in the galaxy. We draw immediately or be destroyed. The response came back instantly. Admiral, you have 23 seconds remaining. The bridge of a crimson talon erupted. In angry voices, officers shouted about the insult to Vothin honor. Some demanded that they destroy the human ship immediately, but Admiral's ex-tire held up one of her forehands for silence. She studied the tactical display again. The human ship was now directly between the two massive fleets. It hung their motionless as if it owned the entire star system. Its weapons were not charged. Its shields showed normal power levels. By every measure she could see, it was just an ordinary ship with ordinary capabilities. But something was wrong. Something her warrior instincts could not identify. The 30 seconds passed. Voth fleet waited to see what would happen.

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13:17The silence in space was broken by Captain Chan's force coming through the communication systems of both fleets. Her woes were calm and clear. Like she was talking to all friends instead of two massive war fleets that could destroy entire star. Systems. Times up, she said simply. Engaging defensive protocols. Admiral Zickseller watched her tactical display with growing confusion. The human ship had not moved. Its weapons were still not charged. Its shields showed the same normal power levels as before. What did the human mean by defensive protocols? Then the impossible happened. The earthship cult defiant suddenly moved. But it did not move like any ship Admiral Zickseller had ever seen. It did not accelerate slowly like normal ships had to do. Instead, it went from completely still to moving faster than a fighter craft in less than one second. The sudden movement. Should have turned everyone inside into liquid dot lieutenant Hickseller stared at her sensor display with white eyes. Admiral, the human ship just accelerated to 0.7 light speed. That should be impossible without an inertial dab under the size of a space station, but that was just the beginning.

14:21The defiance began to move through the battle zone like it was dancing. It twisted and turned between the massive capital ships of both fleets. Warthand destroyers that were three kilometers long looked like toys. Next to the grace of the small human vessel dot commander next star tried to track the ship with the crimson talons weapon systems. I cannot get a lock, he said, his voice type with frustration. The ship is moving too fast and changing direction too quickly. The defiance flew past a crystaline battle cruiser so close that it should have scraped the hull. The crystal line. The insides the ship felt their collective mind shake was surprised. They tried to target the human vessel with their energy weapons, but it was already gone, appearing somewhere else entirely on the bridge of the crimson talon. Admiral Zickseller watched a tactical display with the focus attention of a hunter. The human ship was not just moving fast. It was moving in ways that broke the laws of physics as she understood them. Ships could not change direction that quickly without massive engines. Ships could not accelerate that fast with that cushion. The crews, how are they doing this? She asked Lieutenant Kicksara.

15:21The young warthand female worked frantically at her controls trying to get better sense of readings. I do not know Admiral. The ship's engine output does not match its performance. According to my readings, it should not be able to move faster than a cargo freighter. The defiance continued at impossible dance through the battle zone. It flew between energy beams that should have destroyed it. It passed through explosions that should have vaporized it. Weapons from both fleets tried to target it, but none could get a lock in the small ship across the battle zone. The crystal line collective mind was experiencing something that had rarely felt before fear. The crystal being shared their thoughts and emotions, and right now those thoughts were full of confusion and growing terror. They had never encountered anything like this human ship. The collective mind tried again to probe the vessel with their psychic abilities. Crystal line beings could read the thoughts of most other species. It was one of their greatest advantages. In battle they could predict what enemy commanders would do before those commanders even decided, but when they focused their mental probe on the human ship, they hit the same wall of darkness they had encountered before.

16:21It was not like the mind was shielded. It was like the mind was not there at all, or like it was something so alien that they could not understand it, the defiance suddenly stopped moving. It hung in space exactly in the center of the battle zone, right between the two massive fleets. Admiral's X-Star could see it clearly on her main screen now. The ship was beautiful in a strange way. Its hull was smooth and dark, with couse that seemed to flow like liquid metal. There were no visible weapons ports, no missile tubes, no obvious signs of military equipment. Captain Chaun, Admiral's X-Star, said over the open communication. Channel, your ship is impressive, but you are still vastly unnumbered. One of 300 ships in my fleet alone. The crystal line collective has almost as many. Surrender now and we will allow you to leave safely. Captain Chaun's response came back immediately. Admiral, I appreciate the offer, but I think he misunderstood the situation here. There was something in the human's voice that made Admiral's X-Star a skin crawl. It was not arrogance exactly. It was more like complete confidence, like someone who knew a secret that nobody else knew.

17:23What situation? Admiral's X-Star are asked. The situation where you think numbers matter, Captain Chaun replied on the crystal and militia. The collective mine poles with growing agitation. The crystal beings had been analyzing the human ship since it arrived and nothing made sense. The vessel's energy signature was unlike anything in their vast databases. The materials of its hull show properties that should not exist. And now? The human was talking like she could defeat both fleets by herself. The collective mine decided to test the human's confidence. They selected one of their smaller ships, a destroyer with the crew of 50 crystal beings. The ship moved forward slowly, its energy weapons charging with bright silver light. Captain Chaun's voice came over the communication system again. I wouldn't do that if I were you. The crystal line destroyer continued its approach. It's Captain. A tall crystal being named Veltar had volunteered for this mission. He wanted to see what the human ship could do with phase with a real threat. His destroyer was armed with molecular disruptors, weapons that could break apart the atomic bonds.

18:23Of any material, the defiance did not move as the crystal line destroyer approached. It just hung there in space, looking small and helpless compared to the larger warship. Amorosecs are watched with interest. Maybe this would finally reveal what the humans were really capable of the crystal line destroyer fire first. A beam of silver energy launched out toward the human ship. It was a test shot aimed at the defiance's engines rather than its crew compartment. The crystal beings did not want to kill unnecessarily. They just wanted to disable the strange vessel and examine it. The energy beam hit the defiance of shields. And did absolutely nothing. Captain fell disturbed at his weapons display and confusion. The molecular disruptor was one of the most powerful weapons in the galaxy. It should have cut through the human ship shields like they were made of paper. Instead, the shields had absorbed the energy completely without even flickering. He fired again, this time with full power. The silver beam was so bright it lit up the space around both ships. When it hit the defiance's shields, there was a brief flash of light. Then nothing. The human ship continued to float peacefully in space.

19:25Completely in damage, dot Amorosec's thoroughfelt a cold fear growing in her chest. She had seen molecular disruptors in action before. They could cut through the hull of a battleship in seconds. The fact that they had no effect on the human shipment that the defiance had technology far beyond anything she had ever encountered. .Captain. Shin's voice came over the communication system one more time. Are you finished testing my defenses? She asked politely dot the crystaline destroyer stop firing. Captain Veltar reported back to the collective mind that his weapons had no effect. The shared consciousness of his species rippled with shock and disbelief. How is this possible? Admiral's ex-thura demanded over the open channel. Technology, Captain Chan replied simply. We've learned a few things since we joined the galactic community. Admiral's ex-thura's mind raced. Humans had only achieved faster than light travel 30-7 years ago. Their technology was considered primitive by galactic standards. Their ships were slow, their weapons were weak, and their defenses were almost non-existent. The idea that they could have developed shields that could stop molecular disruptors was impossible.

20:29Unless they had help. Who gave you this technology? Admiral's ex-thura asked. That's an interesting question, Captain Chan said. But before I answer it, I need to ask you something. Do you see that planet down there? Admiral's ex-thura looked at the tactical display. Planet Kaplan minus 442 behind below them, blue and green and beautiful. She could see the lights of cities and the night side of the world. I see it, she said. There are four billion people on that planet, Captain Chan continued. They have families, children, dreams. They wake up every morning hoping to live. Another day in peace. But for the last three years you've been fighting a war right above the heads. You filled those sky with explosions and death. You've knocked out their power grids and damaged their communication systems. Some of their children have never seen a clear night sky because of the interference from your weapons. Admiral's ex-thura felt something she had not felt in years, Shane. She was a war-a-trained from birth to conquer and destroy. She had never thought much about the innocent people who might be affected by her battles.

21:31War has casualed, as she said, but her voice lack conviction. Not anymore, Captain Chan replied. Today this war ends. The collective mind of the crystalline beings' pals was sudden a lot. They could sense something changing in the space around them. The human ship was still not moving, still showed no obvious weapons charging, but there was something different in the energy readings. The tenant Kexora started her sensor display with growing confusion. Admiral, I am detecting some kind of energy build up around the human ship, but I cannot identify the source. Admiral's ex-thura looked at her tactical display again. The defiance still looked exactly the same as before. Small, dark, peaceful. But her warrior instincts were screaming that something was about to happen. All ships raised shields to maximum, then she ordered over the fleet communication system. Prepare for possible hostile action. The crystalline collective mind sent the same order to their ships. Both fleets began powering up their defensive systems. Energy shields flickered to life around hundreds of warships. Point defense systems came online. Every captain and crew member in both fleets prepared for battle, but they were not prepared.

22:34For what happened next? Captain Sheen's voice came over the communication system one final time. Her tone was still calm and friendly, like she was discussing the weather. I'm going to demonstrate something for you now, she said. Please pay. Attention, this will be important for what comes next. Admiral's ex-thura gripped the railing of her command station with all four hands. Whatever was about to happen, she knew it would change everything. The small human ship floating between two of the galaxy's greatest fleet was about to show them, something that would make them question everything they thought they knew about war, about power, and about humanity's place in the galaxy. The demonstration was about to begin. The space around planet Kepler minus 404 to two became completely silent. Both massive fleets waited to see what the small human ship would do. Admiral's ex-thura stood on her bridge, watching the tactical display with the focused attention of a predator. Her forehand gripped the command rail so tightly that her knuckles turned white, dark captain. Kepler's voice came through the communication system one more time. Beginning demonstration now, she said, as calmly as if she were starting a training.

23:36Exercise. The defines did not move. It hung in space between the two fleets, looking small and insignificant. Admiral's ex-thura watched her senses carefully, looking for any sign of weapons charging or shield strengthening. But the readings showed nothing unusual, then a small panel opened on the side of the human ship. Their tenon kicks are a lean forward at her sensor station. Admiral, the human ship has opened what appears to be a weapon port, but the energy readings are very small. Whatever weapon they are preparing, it cannot be very powerful. Admiral's ex-star are nodded, but she did not feel relieved. Her years of experience in warfare had taught her to trust her instincts, and right now her instincts were. Screaming that something terrible was about to happen, a thin beam of silver light emerged from the human ship. It was barely visible, no thicker than a pencil. Compared to the massive energy weapons that both fleets carried, it looked like nothing at all. Admiral's ex-stura had seen plus mechanics that could vaporize asteroids. She had seen particle beams. That could cut through a planet's crust.

24:36This tiny silver beam looked like a toy. The beam moved slowly through space, traveling toward Admiral's ex-thura as flea. It was not aimed at the Crimson Talon, but at another ship nearby. The target was the eternal blade, one of the newest and most powerful ships in the vault and flea. Finding great candidates to hire can be like, well, trying to find a needle in a haystack. Sure, you can post your job to some job board, but then all you can do is hope the right person comes along. Which is why you should try Zip Recruiter for free. At ziprecruiter.com slash zip. Zip Recruiter doesn't depend on candidates finding you. It finds them for you. It's powerful technology identifies people with the right experience and actively invites them to apply to your job. You get qualified candidates fast. So, while other companies might deliver a lot of hay, Zip Recruiter finds you what you're looking for. The needle in the haystack. See why four out of five employers who post a job on Zip Recruiter get a quality candidate within the first day. Zip Recruiter, the smartest way to hire.

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26:41Just go to ziprecruiter.com slash zip to try Zip Recruiter for free. Don't forget that ziprecruiter.com slash zip. Finally, that ziprecruiter.com slash zip. It was commanded by Admiral Sexar's old friend. Captain was single quotes text. Captain Mortick's watch the approaching beam with amusement. His ship had sheel strong enough to stop anything the galaxy could throw at it. It was always made of neutrinium steel alloy, the strongest material known to science. The eternal blade had survived battles with the crystal-langledger's most powerful weapons of tiny beam from a human ship was not even worth worrying about should I raise sheels asked his weapons officer. Captain Mortick's laughed, a sound like grinding metal. For that do not waste the power. Let it hit us. Maybe it will scratch our paint. The silver beam reached the eternal blade and touched the hull just behind a main bridge. For a moment, absolutely nothing happened. The beam made contact with the massive warship and seemed to have no effect at all. Captain Mortick was about to make a joke about human technology when something changed. The spot where the beam touched the hull began to glow.

27:42It was a soft white light that spread out wood like ripples and a pond. The light moved across the surface. Of the ship growing brighter and faster as it went. What is happening? Captain Mortick's demanded. His science officer worked frantically at his controls. I do not know, sir. The beam appears to be affecting our hull at the molecular level, but I cannot determine how. The white light continued to spread across the eternal blade. It covered the weapon systems, the engine section, the crew quarters. Everywhere the light touched, the ship began to look strange. The solid metal hull became transparent like it. Was made of gas.capped in Mortick's tried to call for help but his communications system was dead. He tried to fire his weapons, but they would not respond. He tried to activate the emergency evacuation pods, but nothing worked. Dought and the eternal blade simply stopped existing. Dought, it did not explode. There was no flash of light, no debris fuel, no energy release. One moment it was there, a massive worship with a crew of 3,000 Votham warriors. The next moment, there was only empty space.

28:43Dought, the silence that followed, was the deepest quiet that Admiral's exorah had ever experienced. Every being on every ship in both fleets stared at the empty space where the eternal blade had been. A ship that had taken 10 years to build and had cost more than the yearly budget of an entire star system had simply vanished. Where did it? Bill? Lieutenant-Caxorah whispered Dought Admiral's exorah could not answer. Her mind was trying to process what she had just witnessed, but it made no sense. Tips did not just disappear. Matter could not be destroyed without releasing enormous amounts of energy. What the human ship had done was impossible according to every law of physics she knew. On a crystal-line mothership, a collective mind was experiencing something that those species had never felt before. Absolute terror. The crystal beings shared their thoughts and emotions, and right now those thoughts were filled with panic. They had just watched a heavily armed worship seas to exist with no explanation. The collective mind tried to analyze what had happened. They replayed the sensor data over and over, looking for clues. But the data made no sense. The human weapon had somehow made the Vothamship at the most basic level.

29:43It was as if the ship had never existed in the first place stock capped in charms. Voice came through the communication system again. She still sounded calm and friendly, like nothing unusual had happened. That was a molecular disruptor operating at 0.3% power, she said. A full power at the weapon has a range of one light-year and can affect multiple targets simultaneously. Admiral's exorah felt her blood-turned ice water. A weapon that could destroy ships from a light-year away. A weapon that could target multiple ships at once. The implications were beyond terrifying. If possible, she said over the open channel. No such weapon exists. You just saw it work, capped and channe applied. But if you need another demonstration, I can target one of your other ships or perhaps one of the crystal-line vessels. I want to be fair to both sides. The collective mind of the crystal-line beings pulsed with alarm. They immediately sent an order to all their ships, begin emergency retreat procedures immediately. But even as they gave the order, they knew it was useless. If the human weapon really had a range of one light-year, running away would not save them,

30:45Admiral's exorah's mind reached as she tried to understand the situation. A weapon that could have made matter itself was beyond anything she had ever imagined. If the humans really had this technology, they could destroy entire fleets without even trying. They could eliminate whole planets if they wanted to, but that raised an important question. If humans had this kind of power, why had they stayed? Hidden on this small world for so long? Why had they only now revealed themselves? Captain Chan, Admiral's exorah said carefully. Your weapon is impressive, but I find it hard to believe that your people developed this technology on their own. Humans have only had faster than light travel for a few decades. You're correct, Captain Chan replied. We did not develop this technology ourselves. Admiral's exorah felt a moment of relief. If humans had stolen or bought this weapon from someone else, then maybe they did not fully understand how to use it. Maybe they only had one ship with this capability. Who gave it to you? She asked. Captain Chan was quite for a moment. When she spoke again, her voice carried a weight that made everyone listening pay close attention.

31:46Three years ago, our deep space monitoring stations detected. An unknown object in the outer edge of our solar system. It was a ship, but unlike anything we had ever seen. The vessel was massive, larger than anything in your fleets of the crystal and collective, but it was also dead. No life signs, no power, no activity of any kind. Admiral's exorah listened. With growing interest, an ancient derelict ship could explain where the humans had gotten their advanced technology. We sent a team to investigate, Captain Chan continued. What we found inside changed everything we thought we knew about the galaxy. The ship belonged to a species that called themselves the architects. According to their records, they had been watching the galaxy for over 50,000 years. The collective mind of the crystalline beings rippled with shock. 50,000 years was longer than their entire recorded history. They had thought the species was one of the oldest in the galaxy. The architects were incredibly advanced to Captain Chan's head. They had technology that could reshape matter at the quantum level. They could travel between dimensions. They could manipulate time itself.

32:47But despite all their power, they had never interfered in galactic affairs. They were observers, watching and awaiting. Waiting for what? I, Morales' exorah, asked. For a species to prove itself worthy of their inheritance captain, Chan replied the architects had seen thousands of civilizations rise and fall. They had watched Empire's conqueror entire galaxies only to destroy themselves through war and greed. They were looking for something different. Something special. Admiral's exorah felt cold understanding beginning to form in her mind. And they chose humans. They did, Captain Chan said. But not for the reasons you might think. It was not because we were the strongest or the smartest or the most advanced. We were chosen because we had done something that no other species and their records had ever accomplished. What was that? The collective mind of the crystalline beings asked, speaking through the mother ship's communication system for the first time. We had achieved true peace on our homeworld, Captain. Chan said, for the first time in human history there were no wars on Earth, no amaz, no weapons of mass destruction, no conflicts between nations.

33:48We had learned to solve our differences through talking instead of fighting. The architects had been waiting 50,000 years to find a species that could do that. Admiral's exorah felt something she had rarely experienced in her life. Shame. The Wathen Empire had been built on conquest and war. Her people had been fighting someone for as long as anyone could remember. The idea of a world with it war. Seemed impossible to her, so they gave either technology. She asked, they gave us more than that, Captain Chan said. They gave us a responsibility. The architects were dying out. The species was old and tired, ready to move on to whatever. Comes after life. But they did not want their knowledge to be lost. They wanted someone to take their place as guardians of the galaxy. God ends. Admiral's exorah asked. Protectors of peace, Captain Chan explained. The architects had watched too many civilizations. Destroyed themselves for endless war. They wanted someone to step in when conflicts got out of hand. Someone to enforce peace not through conquest, but through superior technology and moral authority.

34:50Admiral's exorah looked at her tactical display again. The small human ship still hung in space between the two massive leads. But now she understood that it was not just one ship. It was representative of an entire species that had been chosen by beings far more advanced than anything she had ever imagined. And not as why you are here, she asked. That is why I am here, Captain Chan confirmed. This war between new people and the crystalline collective has gone on long enough. Too many have died. Too many innocent people have suffered. The architects left us various specific constructions about situations like this. While instructions. The collective, mine asked. Captain Chan's voice became formal, like she was reading from an official document. When two or most species engage in prolonged warfare that threatens innocent populations, the guardians are authorized to use whatever force is necessary to establish peace, preferably through negotiation. But if necessary, through the complete elimination of all military assets belonging to the warring parties. The meaning of her words hit both fleets like a physical blow. The humans were offering them a choice, stop fighting and make peace would be destroyed completely.

35:51Admiral Zech's thorough realized that everything had changed. The age of conquest and empire was over. A new power had risen in the galaxy, one that would not allow the old ways to continue. The question now was what choice her people would make. Admiral Zech's thorough stood frozen on the bridge of her flagship. Staring at the empty space where the eternal blade had been just moments before. A mine struggled to process what Captain Chan had just told them. Humans were now the guardians of. The galaxy chosen by an ancient species more powerful than anything she could imagine. The implications were staggering. If what the human said was true, then the age of conquest was over. The vote and empire which had spent a thousand years expanding across the stars would have to find a new way to exist. Was like this one would no longer be allowed. Admiral Lieutenant Kexer said quietly, what are your orders? Admiral Zech's thorough looked around her bridge. Her officers were all watching her waiting for her decision. These were warriors who had trained their entire lives for battle. They knew how to fight, how to conquer, how to destroy enemies.

36:51But they had never been taught how to make peace. Captain Chan, Admiral Zech's thorough said over the open communication channel, you say you want peace. But my people have been at war with the crystalline collective for three years. We have legitimate grievances against them. They claim territory. That belongs to us by right. Warning, the following Zipper Cruder radio spot you are about to hear is going to be filled with F words. When you are hiring, we at Zipper Cruder know you can feel frustrated. For Lauren even, like your efforts are futile. And you can spend a fortune trying to find fabulous people. Only to get flooded with candidates who are just fine. F***! Fortunately, Zipper Cruder figured out how to fix all that. And right now, you can try Zipper Cruder for free. At zippercruder.com slash zip. With Zipper Cruder, you can forget your frustrations. Because we find the right people for your roles fast. Which is our absolute favorite F word. In fact, four out of five employers who post on Zipper Cruder get a quality candidate within the first day. Fantastic!

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38:53So, whether you need to hire four, 40, or 400 people, get ready to meet first straight talent. Just go to zippercruder.com slash zip to try Zipper Cruder for free. Don't forget that zippercruder.com slash zip. Finally, that zippercruder.com slash zip. The collective mind of the crystal line beings pulls with anger at the statement. Through their mullershipped communication system, they responded immediately. The Woffan Empire lies. Those star systems were ire's. First, we established colonists their 200 years before the Woffans even discover faster than light travel. You abandoned those systems for 50 years. Emeralds exorershot back. When we arrived, there were no crystal and settlements. No active mining operations. Nothing to indicate ownership. We withdrew temporarily due to solar radiation fluctuations. The collective mind replied. We always intended to return. The Woffans knew this when they invaded our territory. Captain Chin listened to this exchange of interest. Both sides seemed to believe they were in the right. Both sides had logical arguments for their position.

39:55This was exactly the kind of conflict that had been tearing the galaxy apart from Elena. Stop, Captain Chin said. Her voice cutting through the argument like a blade. This is exactly what I am talking about. You are both so focused on who is right that you have forgotten about who is suffering. She paused for a moment, then continued. Let me tell you what I see when I look at this conflict. I see two proud species who have been fighting over rocks and space while billions of innocent people suffer. I see warriors who care more about their honor than about the children on the planet, below us who have nightmares about the explosions. In the sky, admirals at Star felt uncomfortable. She was a soldier trained to think about strategy and victory. She had never spent much time considering the civilians caught in the middle of her battles. War has always had casualties, she said, but her voice lacked conviction. Not anymore, Captain Chin replied for me. The architects left very clear instructions about this. Wars that harmonies and populations must be stopped immediately, period, no exceptions. On the crystal and mothership, the collective mind was struggling with this new reality.

40:56They had been fighting the orphans for three years, pouring resources, and liars into this conflict. The simply stop and walk away felt like surrender. But they had also seen what the human weapon could do. The memory of the eternal blade simply ceasing to exist was burned into their shared consciousness. What exactly are you proposing? The collective mind asked. The negotiation, Captain Chin said. Both fleets will withdraw to a safe distance from the planet. Representatives from both sides will come aboard my ship for peace talks. We will work. Together to find a solution that addresses everyone's concerns without further bludgered. Admiral Zaksar is instinct-rebelled against this idea. Negotiating from a position of weakness when against everything she had been taught, but she was not in a position of strength anymore. The human ship had demonstrated technology that could destroy her entire fleet without breaking a sweat. And, oh, if we refuse, she asked. Captain Chin's response was immediate and chilling. Then I will carry out the Architect's secondary protocol. I will disable every military vessel in both feets and force you to negotiate.

41:57Disable how? Admiral Zaksar asked, though she suspected she already knew the answer. The same way adult with the eternal blade, Captain Chin said commonly. A sapped eye will target your weapons and engines instead of your entire ships. You will be left floating helplessly in space until you agree to top the bridge of the crimson talon fell silent. Admiral Zaksar could see the fear in her officer's eyes being left fenseless in space. Was a fate worse than death for a warrior. They would be completely at the mercy of their enemies unable to fight back or protect themselves. Commander Nesto leaned close to Admiral Zaksar and whispered Admiral perhaps we should consider that humans offer if their technologies. As advanced as thick claim, we have no choice but to cooperate Admiral Zaksar and nodded slowly. Her tactical mind was already analysing the situation. She had three option fired and be destroyed run and probably be destroyed anyway. Negotiate and possibly find a way to salvage something from this disaster very well. She said over the communication channel devolved an empire agrees to your terms. We will withdraw our fleet and send a representative for negotiations of collective mind of the crystalline beings was also considering the options they had come to the same conclusion as Admiral Zaksar. Fighting was useless against a weapon that could have made matter itself.

42:58Running was pointless if the weapon had a range of one light year. Negotiation was their only realistic choice. The castle and collective also agrees. They said through their mother shipped communication system. Captain Chun's voice carried a nerve of sat-sat-section excellent both fleets will withdraw to a distance of one million kilometers from the planet Admiral Zaksar. You will select one representative to speak for the fourth and empire. The crystalline collective will select one representative to speak for their people. Both representatives will board my ship into Ios for the beginning of peace negotiations. Admiral Zaksar rewashed her tactical displays both fleets began to move away from the planet. The retreat was orderly but tense. Ships that had been locked in combat for three years were now pulling back. The weapons powered down but the crew still on higher alerted up. As the fleets withdrew something interesting began to happen on the planet below. The electromagnetic interference from the space battle started to fade away. Communication networks came back online. Power grid stabilized. For the first time in three years the people of Keppelman is 442 be could look up at the night. Sky and sea stars instead of weapon fire.

43:58News of the cease-fire spread across a planet within ires. In cities and towns around the world people came out of their homes to stare up at the sky. Many of them had children who had never seen a clear night sky. Parents pointed out constellations and told stories about the stars. Things they had not been able to do for years. On the space station orbiting the planet. Dr. O'Leane evokes watch the retreating fleets through the observation deck windows. She was an Androm in scientist who had been trapped on the station since the war began. Her research into the planet's unique ecosystem had been put on hold. While the battle raged overhead. Is it really over? Asked her assistant a young Androm didn't. Named Ke-O-R-E-E-L-Doc, Dr. Vasquez-Shikahead, I do not know. But this is the first time in three years that we can see the stars clearly. Maybe there is hope. Back on the defiance Captain Sean was preparing for the most important negotiation of her career. She had studied the files that the architects left behind, learning about the history of galactic conflicts and the patterns that led to endless wars. She understood that this moment was crucial. If she could help the orphans and crystaline beings find a peaceful solution,

45:00it would set a precedent for the entire galaxy. But she also knew that both species had legitimate concerns. The orphans needed resources to support their growing population. The crystaline collective needed territory for their expanding hive mines. Simply telling them to stop fighting would not solve the underlying problems that had started this war. Captain Sean walked through her ship checking the preparation for the peace talks. The defiance was much larger inside than it appeared from the outside. The architects had built it using dimensional folding technology that created more space. Within the halvan should have been physically possible. She stopped at the negotiation chamber, a circular room with a large table made of some kind of crystal that seemed to glow with its own inner light. The architects had designed this room specifically for peace talks. The crystal table had properties that helped reduce aggression and promote clear thinking in most species. Computer, Captain Sean said aloud. Displayed the personal files for Admiral Zick Starrer and the primary consciousness of the crystaline collective. Holographic displays appeared in the air around her showing detailed information about both leaders.

46:00Admiral Zick Starrer was a career military officer who had risen through the ranks for scale and determination. She had a reputation for being tough but fair and she genuinely cared about the welfare of her troops. The crystaline collective was more complicated. They were not led by individuals but by a shared consciousness that made decisions through consensus. The primary consciousness was the strongest voice in their collective mind but it could be overruled if enough other voices disagreed. Captain Sean stood at the files carefully looking for ways to appeal to both sides. She needed to find common. Crown between two species that had been killing each other for three years. An idolator, both representatives arrived. Admiral Zick Starrer came in person accompanied by two bodyguards. The crystaline collective sent one of their crystal beings a tall figure this buckled within a light. The being's name was Coffinus and it spoke with the collective mind. Captain Chen met them at the airlock. She was a middle-aged human woman with short gray hair and com blue eyes. She wore a simple black uniform with no decorations or rank in signal. Despite her plain appearance, both alien representatives could sense the authority she carried.

47:04Welcome aboard the Defiance Captain Chun said. I know this situation is difficult for both of you. No one likes to negotiate on a threat but I hope we can work together to find a solution that benefits everyone. Admiral Zactara looked. Around the human ship with professional interest. The corridors were wider than they appeared from outside and the walls seemed to be made of the same dark material as the hull. Everything was clean and functional but there was something about the design that felt alien even to her experienced eyes. Your ship is impressive, she said. The dimensional technologies beyond anything we have seen. The architects were of fairer advance to Captain Chen agreed. They left us many gifts. But the greatest gift was not technology. It was wisdom. They taught us the power without responsibility leads to destruction. Kothon is broke for the first time, it's voice-like. The sound of wind chimes. The collective mind is curious about this wisdom. Our species has always believed it might make right. So did mine once Captain Chun said. We spent thousands of years fighting wars over territory resources and ideology.

48:04We nearly destroyed ourselves several times. It was only when we learned to talk instead of fight that we truly became strong. She led them to the negotiation chamber. Both representatives stopped when they saw the crystal table. Admiral X. Tower felt some of the anger and frustration she had been carrying drain away. Kothon has felt the collective mind becoming calmer. And more focused. Please sit, Captain Chun said. Let us begin. The negotiation chamber aboard the defiance was unlike anything Admiral X. Tower or Kothon has had ever experienced. The crystal tables seemed to pulse with a gentle light that may both represent it as feel calmer than they had in years. Captain. Chun sat at the head of the table, her hands folded peacefully in front of her. Before we begin, Captain Chun said, I want both of you to understand something important. I am not here to judge who is right or wrong. I am not here to punish. Anyone who takes sides. I am here to help you find a solution that works for everyone. Admiral X. Tower shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She was used to negotiations where both sides tried to gain advantage over the other.

49:06This felt different and she was not sure how to respond. The Fourth An Empire has legitimate claims to the Star Systems, she said, her voice still carrying. The authority of command. We invested significant resources in establishing coloners and mining operations. Kothon has spoke for the collective mind, its force like crystal wind chimes. The crystal and collective disagrees. Those systems belonged to us long before the orphans arrived. We have ancient records proving our claim. Captain Chun nodded to both of them. I have reviewed the evidence from both sides. Your claims are both followed according to different interpretations of galactic law. But that is not the real problem. Here. Finding great candidates to hire can be like, well, trying to find a needle in a haystack. Sure, you can post your job to some job board. But then all you can do is hope the right person comes along. Which is why you should try Zip Recruiter for free. At ziprecruiter.com slash zip. Zip Recruiter doesn't depend on candidates finding you. It finds them for you.

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52:13Empire, Captain Chun explained. The blue systems belong to the crystalline collective. The green systems are controlled by other species. But look at all the yellow systems. The yellows are unclaimed, unexplored star systems that contain more resources than both your civilizations could use in a thousand years. Admiral Sixtar is stared. At the display with growing amazement. She had been so focused on the three disputed systems that she had never considered how many unclaimed territories were available. The yellow dots seem to fill the entire display. Wi-Fi over three systems when you could peacefully expand into hundreds. Captain Chun asked. Corphanus spoke for the collective mind. The crystalline collective has considered expansion into a claimed territory. But exploration is expensive and dangerous. It is easier to take systems that are already developed. Easier but not better, Captain Chun said. When you take something from someone else, you create an enemy. When you build something yourself, you create a future. Admiral Sixtar was beginning to see the logic in Captain Chun's words. The vortem empire had spent enormous resources fighting this war.

53:15The same resources could have been used to. Explore and develop new territories. But what about the three systems we are fighting over? She asked, who gets them? Captain Chun smiled. That is where things get interesting. I have a proposal that might benefit both of your species more than simply dividing up the territory. She touched another control in the holographic display. Change to show detailed information about the three disputed star systems. Each system contains planets with different types of resources and different environmental conditions. System Alpha 7 has three planets rich and minerals that the vortem empire needs for their technology. Captain Chun said, but it also has gas giants that contain specific types of energy crystals that the crystalline collective requires for their hive mind expansion. She pointed to another system. System beta 9 has harsh desert wells that would be perfect for vortemilitary training bases. But it also has asteroid fields that could provide the crystalline collective with the silicon base materials they need for a production. I'm Earl's ex-tharoline forward with interest. You are suggesting that we share the systems.

54:16I'm suggesting. Something much better than sharing, Captain Chun said. I'm suggesting partnership. The word hung in the air like a physical presence. Partnership between the vortem empire and the crystalline collective seemed impossible after three years of beta warfare. Explain, Cortana said. Speaking for the collective mind dot, Captain Chun stood up and walked around the table as she spoke. Your two species have complementary strengths and needs. The vortens are excellent at military organization, engineering, and individual initiative. The crystalline beings are masters of coordination, long term planning, and resource management. She, gestured to the holographic display again. Instead of fighting over these three systems, you could work together to develop them. Fourth and engineers could design the mining equipment and planetary installations. Crystal-length coordination could manage the complex logistics of multi-world operations. Both species would benefit far more than either could achieve alone. And moral. Fourths have been taught that all the species were either allies or enemies. The concept of true partnership with the former enemy was difficult to accept.

55:19The crystalline collective has been our enemy for three years, she said. How can we trust them? Cortana's responded immediately. The collective mind has the same concern about the vortens. Trust must be earned, not given. Captain Chun nodded. You are both right. Trust cannot be billed overnight. That is why I'm proposing a gradual process with built-in safeguards. She touched the control again, and the display showed a timeline with different phases marked in different colors. Phase 1 would be a complete ceasefire and withdrawal of all military forces from the disputed systems she explained. Both species would agree to a six-month cooling off period with no military activity in the region. Six-Sara studded the timeline. And after six months. Phase 2 would be joined scientific surveys of all three systems, Captain Chun said. Small teams from both species would work together to map resources and identify development opportunities. This would allow you to get to know each other as people in set of enemies Cortana spoke for the collective mind. The crystalline collective finds this approach logical. Working together unscientific projects would reduce the risk of misunderstanding.

56:22Captain Chun continued. Phase 3 would be the establishment of joint development projects in areas where both species benefit, shared mining operations, combined research, facilities, cooperative defense agreements. Admiral XXSara was beginning to see the potential benefits of this approach. Operations would be more efficient than competing operations and having crystalline coordination abilities supporting both an engineering could lead to projects that neither species could accomplish alone. What about the long term? She asked. Phase 4 would be the establishment of a permanent alliance Captain Chun said. Not absorption of one species by the other but true partnership between equals. You would maintain your separate identities and governments but work together on projects of mutual benefit. The negotiation chamber fell silent as both representatives considered this proposal. It was far more ambitious than either had expected. Instead of simply ending a war, Captain Chun was proposing a complete transformation of the relationship between this species. Coffinus was the first to speak. The collective mind is intrigued by this proposal but we need assurances that the authors will honor their agreements.

57:24And we need the same assurances from the crystalline collective Admiral XXSara added. Thought Captain Chun smiled. That is where humanity comes in. The architects gave us the responsibility to maintain galactic peace. As part of that responsibility, we are prepared to guarantee the agreement. Oh! Admiral XXSara asked. Ethel established a permanent monitoring station in the disputed region Captain Chun explained. Human observers will oversee the implementation of each phase. If either sideviolates the agreement, we will intervene to restore the peace. Admiral XXSara felt a chill at the memory of what had happened to the eternal blade. Human intervention would be swift and decisive. And if both sides honored the agreement, she asked. Then you will have achieved something that has never been done. The foreign galactic history, Captain Chun said. You will have toned a destructive war into a constructive partnership. You will have shown other species that there is an alternative to endless conflict. Captain Chun walked back to her seat and sat down. I know this is a lot to consider.

58:25You do not have to give me an answer right now. Take all the time you need to discuss this with your governments and your people. Admiral XXSara looked at the holographic display one more time. The three disputed systems were such a small part of the galaxy. There were so many other opportunities available if both species could learn to work together instead of fighting. Each other? I will need to consult with the Void and High Command, she said. The collective mind must also consider this proposal carefully. Corthon is added. Docken Chun nodded. Take all the time you need. But while you are making your decision, remember the planet below us. Remember the billions of people who have been living in fear because of this war. Remember that your choice today will determine whether their children grow up in a galaxy of peace or a galaxy of endless conflict. Three hours later, both represented return to the negotiation chamber. Admiral XXSara had spent the time. In intense communication with her superiors, the Void and High Command had been initially skeptical, but the demonstration of human power had convinced them that cooperation was better than destruction. Coffinus had merged more deeply with the collective mind, allowing thousands of crystal beings to examine the proposal from every possible angle.

59:30The consensus had been clear. Partnership offered better long-term prospects than continued warfare. The worth and empire accepts your proposal. Admiral XXSara said formally. The crystal and collective also accepts. Corthon is added, Captain. Chun felt a wave of relief wash over her. Excellent. We will begin implementing phase I immediately, both fleet will withdraw from the disputed systems within 24 iOS. A formal ceasefire agreement will be signed and distributed to all military units. As the representatives prepare to return to their fleets, Captain Chun stood up one more time. Today marks the end of one chapter in Galactic History in the beginning of another, she said. You have chosen cooperation over conflict, partnership of a domination, peace of a war. The architects would be proud. Six months later, Captain Chun stood on the observation deck of a new space station in the Alphiman S7 system. Below her, for the engineers and Crystal Encore computers were side by side on the construction of a massive mining platform. The project was ahead of schedule and under budget demonstrating the power of true cooperation.

1:00:30The war that had raged for three years had ended not with victory or defeat, but with transformation. The galaxy was watching this unprecedented partnership. With great interest, other species were beginning to ask if the two could benefit from cooperation. Instead of competition on the planet Kaplan Minus 442, children played and a clear night's guys filled with stars. Instead of weapon fire, Dr. Alina Vasquez had resumed her research into the planet's unique ecosystem. Working with scientists from both the Vothan Empire and the Crystal Line Collective, the age of Galactic Woffer was not yet over, but it had received this first serious challenge. Humanity had taken its place as the guardian of peace, all not just with superior technology, but with the wisdom to use the technology responsibly captain Chun watched the construction work below and smiled. The architects had chosen well. Peace was always harder than war, but it was also infinitely more rewarding. The future of the galaxy looked brighter than it had in thousands of years. The following zippercruder radio spot you are about to hear is going to be filled with F words.

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