The Shiva Protocol: A Near Space Vignette
The fleet, 50 ships strong, hove-to just outside Nirvana's official spatial perimeter, as marked by the nav buoys.
Admiral Weiskopf spoke. “ All ships, deploy Shields. Set condition Red throughout the fleet. Battlestations. All ahead full toward the Ring. Watch for defensive vessels.”
His commands were followed, crews prepared for combat smoothly and efficiently, although no one expected serious resistance. The people of the Nirvana habitat were not known for their warlike nature.
As the Armada crossed the perimeter, several scout ships were spotted on long range scans, fewer defensive warships behind those even than expected.
The Admiral smiled grimly, and opened his mouth to order the fleet to engage. Just as he did so, the comms officer said, “We’re being hailed, sir. By the Ring habitat itself. “
The Admiral considered for a moment. After all, the Hindu of Nirvana might be trying to surrender. “Put them through.”
The comm speakers squealed for a moment, in response to a very powerful signal. The message was clear, and simple.
“ Break off and return to our perimeter. You have 1 minute to comply before we take action.”
The Admiral snorted. “ Engage full military power on the drives. Prepare firing solutions on my mark.”
The ships drove forward, closing to firing range. One minute later, while still far outside firing range, the comms squealed again. “So be it. You were warned. All Nirvana vessels, break for the black. Ring Gunners, target all hostiles. Shiva Protocol. Firing in three. Two. One. Mark.”
And the stars erupted with fire, thousands of drive blooms from the outer surface of the ring itself...and stranger eruptions of energy that the sensors could make nothing of. Minutes later, at far beyond the range of any known weaponry, the ships of the Armada began to die, in firestorms and ionizing radiation, overwhelmed by scores of missiles each, as their defenses inexplicably shut down just before they would have engaged.
As the Admiral's flagship broke apart, they heard one last transmission. “You were warned. May your next life teach you wisdom.” Then nuclear fire closed their eyes and ears forever.
