Empyrean Iris Story Collection

The Void

Did you know that the human brain is wired for religion? Tracts and synapses forming together to make it an integrated part of the human psyche.

Don't misinterpret me though, when I say religion, I don't necessarily mean the worship of a deity. Perhaps spirituality might be a better word. Yes.... The human mind is wired for a certain spirituality. As I am not a human, I worry that I cannot explain this phenomenon satisfactorily, but I will try....

Humans, no matter who they are, desire a deeper connection with something greater than themselves. They seek out experiences that connect them with this greater otherness. A purpose to life and a meaning beyond merely survival. It isn't enough for a human to merely live and find pleasure, they must find meaning, and this meaning must mean something greater than themselves.

For instance, a human may pick a deity, God, Allah, Yahweh, or they may pick a religion that hosts many deities, think the Greeks, the Romans, or those residing in modern day India. Some find spirituality in the reality of spirits: Voodoo, Native American. Some seek solace in their ancestors, China, and certain parts of Central America. Some strive to return the universe from whence they came.

Then there are those humans that may feel indifferent towards the existence of a god or many. They may seek spiritual oneness with the nature around them, with their own bodies. They find their spiritual experiences at the tops of the mountains, deep in caverns, or falling to the earth from great heights.

Others deny the existence of a great being, spirit, or ancestors, but still they cannot escape the human need for connection with a greater purpose. These people may look into the eye of a telescopic lens, see the universe and be filled. They hold to their science for an understanding of the greater-universe around them. They feel connected unraveling the secrets and delving into the mystery.

These things are not mutually exclusive. Any human can have multiple experiences of spiritual-wholeness moving from the alter, to the mountaintop, to the laboratory. Regardless of their beliefs, the human cannot escape their desire.

The needed to be part of something greater than themselves

Find a human without their greater purpose, you find a human without their hope

***

The Captain wouldn't tell them where they were going. He kept his lips tight shut a knowing smile winking at the back of his eyes. Krill sat in his normal seat to the back of the Bridge watching the humans as they went about their daily business.

Hours ago, the captain had taken almost completely control of the bridge locking of control from the navigation stations and the outer hull cameras. He was the only one who could see or knew where they were going. Pre-programed maps in his computer allowed him to make the warp without assistance from the navigations station.

He was piloting the ship manually now. Using the foot levers and the joysticks to steer them to their destination.

"You going to tell us where we're going, Captain." One of the Crewmen asked in slight exasperation.

Captain Vir gave a light sake of his head, "Almost there."

The bridge crew rolled their eyes, but kept silent, they would know soon enough.

Captain Vir steered the ship slowly into place allowing a quick burst form the engines to reduce their forward momentum bringing the ship to the closest approximation of a halt when drifting in deep space. From there he quickly locked down the computers ordering the ship to stay in this relative position while they worked.

With a hop, the man left his chair and swept across the bridge a light bounce in his step. Those crew members curious enough to follow left their seats to trail at his heels. Krill followed at a similar pace.