A Battle Always Lost
By
C. Donald Martin

Four Rabbit Seven stood on the observation deck and watched with pride and wonder at the starship that hung above him. The starship and the shuttlecraft he rode were in parallel orbits. But soon there destines would take different paths. Only Fate would determine if he were to return to The Ship.

The Ship of the Great Crossing was fully commissioned and in its last orbit at the parent star. The Ring of Twelve would go aboard soon. There would also be a support staff that would leave with them. Four Rabbit Seven, son of Eleven Monkey Five, had let it be known that he wished to go. He tried not to show any wanting. He knew that wanting would keep him from going. But he did not know how to not want. And he was so good with the Electric Child. He could get it to do all it was capable of. His knowledge and skill would be needed on the journey.

"Beautiful is she not."

The voice suddenly there shattered his dreaming.

"What an adventure it would be to go," continued the voice.

"Three Snake Eight you startled me," said Four Rabbit. "You should let one know you are coming."

Three Snake stepped up to the view port and stood behind him quietly. Neither made a sound for some time.







"I would go if it were allowed," he said.

"My self as well," she added.

They again stood in silence as the shuttle moved away from The Ship. Soon they were looking back at a huge four-spoked wheel. This starship had a diameter twice that of the planet to which they were heading. In the center of this wheel was a sphere. In the sphere was a scoop of star that they picked up with a water bucket. This was the fire that would keep The Ship and its passengers alive on the journey to their new home, a journey of millions of years. Rotation provided the earth on which to walk.

"What are you going to do on your Sabbath?" she asked.

"Visit with family I have not seen in five years," he said. "And you?"

"I will walk by a quiet stream then sit at my spot and meditate. I feel my Fate is about to take a new path and I will consider what that path might be," she said quietly.








"You want to go," she continued.

"Yes, and I know the wanting keeps me from going. But I don't know how to not want."







"'Expect nothing and find joy where you can,' is what my teacher said to me last time we met, she continued after a long pause. "I've been studying all that that might mean. The answer to you dilemma may be in there."

The Ship was now a very brightest point of light in a field of stars shined like gems across all the sky. The shuttle turned and a bright blue green sphere came into view. They did not speak again as until they were ready to go their separate ways at the space terminal.

"Go and find peace," she said as she gave him a hug, "I would find joy if we could continue to be together."

"I would as well," he said as he returned the hug.

They parted each to follow their own Sabbath knowing that they would likely see each other at Temple Sunday morning. This coming Sunday each was due for an assignment review and possible reassignment.

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