Guardians of the Star Garden
Once upon a time, in a future so distant that even the greatest telescope could not see it, there was a small unit of the Imperial Guard. They called themselves the Guardians of the Star Garden, and instead of battles, they cared for something much more fragile and beautiful – the planet Floriana.
On Floriana grew magical flowers that glowed in the dark. Each was a different colour and tone. When the breeze blew, the whole garden played a song that no orchestra on Terra could compose.
Chapter One: The great harvest of star poppies
One day the order came:
“Guardians, prepare a shipment of star poppies for the Empire Children’s Bureau! They are used to make lanterns for the Day of Light celebrations!”
Lieutenant Lucian, the wise but somewhat forgetful commander, called the whole unit together.
“Guardsmen, today is a holiday! We’ll harvest the poppies! Remember – no smashing, no squeezing. They’re as fragile as Imperial chocolate during an orbital bombardment!”
The Guardsmen ran among the flowers, sang cheerful songs and tried to fill the baskets to the brim. Guardian Grum claimed to have heard a poppy whispering:
“Please cut me gently, I have so many more songs I want to sing!”
Lucian laughed until his helmet fell into the flower bed.
Chapter Two: The Bumblebee from Mars
Suddenly there was a loud “bzzzzzz”. Buzzikus, a giant bumblebee from Mars, known for his fondness for the sweet juice of star poppies, has arrived.
“Hey! You grumpy, that’s not for you!” shouted Lucian. But Buzzikus didn’t give in – he circled, buzzed, and began sipping the nectar from the flowers like an Imperial general sipping coffee during a nightly meeting.
Fortunately, Guardian Naya had an idea. She pulled out a huge glowing flower – so big that a rhino transporter could hide under it. Buzzikus saw her immediately, embraced her lovingly and fell asleep, as content as a servitor after greasing his knuckles.
The Guardsmen put a moss pillow under his head and Grum began to knit him a small cap of star-fibre.
Chapter Three: the Emperor’s Secret Message
When the harvest was finished, an old serviceman arrived with a holoprojector. They all sat down in a circle, and an image of an old man in golden armour appeared in the sky (some said it was the Emperor, others said it was an advertisement for cereal).
“Dear Guardians of the Star Garden,” he said in a deep voice.
“Thank you. Without your lanterns, the Day of Light would not be a celebration of joy. Remember – even a little light can chase away the biggest shadow.”
The guardsmen applauded, Grum secretly put one of the poppies in his pocket “for a snack later” and Naya wiped a tear on her sleeve.
Chapter Four: The Night Concert and the Silent Watch
In the evening everyone gathered around the fire. The petals flew around and the whole garden sang softly. Lucian started telling stories about ancient heroes, Miko drew designs of lanterns in the shape of a Leman Russ tank, and Naya sang a song about star gardens.
Buzzikus slept contentedly next to the fire, occasionally humming in his sleep. Grum kept watch with his bolter ready (except it was loaded with crackers instead of ammo, because today was not a battle, but a party).
Epilogue: Starry Wishes
That night, everyone made their secret wish.
- Naya wanted to plant new gardens all over the galaxy.
- Miko wished to make the largest lantern the galaxy had ever seen.
- Grum wished that Buzzikus never got a cold (because a bumblebee with a cold is said to buzz falsely).
And if those wishes came true? Nobody knows. But one thing is certain: the light of the Guardians of the Star Garden continues to shine, and those who were not afraid to dream have seen it even in the darkest corners of the universe.
