Mesmerizing Daydream (Short Story)

It feels good to be back writing some fiction again, after my relatively long hiatus from it. I really enjoy writing these short stories, in saying that though, it's best to do it while inspired by an idea.

While I've had really good stories appear out of thin air, I've also had days where I try to work on something, but it just isn't coming easily... from there, it stays in the draft folder in the hopes that one day I go back to complete it.

This story here is a continuation of the one listed below.
Traveling Through Space

       The observatory of the ship was the best room he could hope for. Dark, quiet, and had a comfortable seat where he could stare at the swirling colours beyond the glass. Shimmering light from the jump lane was an interesting spectacle to behold. Blue, white, and grey streaks of colour battle for dominance in an unwinnable war, it was mesmerizing, to say the least, and offered him the perfect opportunity to be lost in his own mind for a little while.

       Zun-Kulla was an interesting world, but a place he had not been for a long time. With no idea of what to expect, Merrick thought back to what it was. Clean, bright, warm. The people, friendly, strong, fierce; true warriors.
       The Triskens are known throughout Free Space as being the most capable of all warriors in the Galaxy, but they were nothing compared to the Zun-Kullens. Especially when something big is at stake, like their home world. It was funny that they even accepted Merrick into their ranks; being a Human of unknown origin to them it was a risk.
       After years of working on that world, it became something of a home to him too, and being accepted into the fight in defense of it was an honor. It was also an opportunity not given lightly, to that, he could only count his luck, and hope he was able to prove himself in the upcoming war. That he did, Merrick had done much on the ground, but that was nothing compared to what he helped to accomplish in orbit over the world; the place it really counted. However, the Zun-Kullen force's victories with the first conquest fleet were what prompted the second fleet's arrival, and at that, their hard hits.
       The capital city got it the worst; total annihilation. Zun-Hesta was the longest-standing settlement on the whole world. To say it was ancient would be an understatement. The defining characteristic of the city was that you could see the evolution of Zun-Kullen architecture. When starting in the centre of Zun-Hesta, known as Centre Plaza, you could see the structures that started it all. Religious temples and places of learning were surrounded by old houses, some of which had been held by the same families, dating back to the period. Surrounding that area was New Build, the second oldest set of structures. After the wooden buildings rotted away, stone ones were built making up a large portion of the city. By the time the fifth wave of buildings was reached, the city started to conquer the skies, and the buildings became steel, and were more vertical. They reached even higher still the further out from there. But, orbital bombardment led to the downfall of the entire area. What was once a history tour, was now little more than rubble and craters. The only upside to the loss of such a magnificent place was the battle fervor the Zun-Kullen people got. Merrick could still remember the smell of it, as though it were only yesterday.

       "So, you like to get lost in your own thoughts too while staring out at a jump lane aura. Amazing isn't it? It reminds me of the first time I ever saw one, it has that effect on many."
       Before even looking around, Merrick knew it was Zebulon, the captain of the ship. The one person who has been the cause of much broken thought. Merrick didn't bother looking around at the man, he was too irritated to see him.
       "Why have you been so adamant about talking with me, or checking in on me? Sometimes I just want to be left alone, can you not see that?" Merrick's words squeezed through a clenched jaw, as he continued to stare out of the window of the ship.
       "I'm sorry, I just wanted to impress you I guess, or just to talk to you in general," Zebulon said, as he sauntered over to one of the unoccupied seats near Merrick.
       "Why would you want to impress me? As well, how could you think of doing so by being obnoxious and over-talkative?" Merrick replied, taken aback by what Zebulon said.

       He couldn't wrap his head around it and didn't understand what could warrant that kind of attention. All he could do was stare over at the Zun-Kullen, who was overshadowed by the dimness of the room, lit only face on by the shimmering light display through the window.
       "Because you're Merrick Avison," Zebulon said, as he turned to look over at the old man. "You were such a major part of the defense of my home world, I've heard stories about you since I was a spit, and then to have a chance to be in the same room as you, of course, I had to strike up a conversation." He sounded like a child, full of whimsy, and excitement.
       Abruptly, a bit of static came through the in-room communicator system.
       "Captain, we're entering the Zun System now. We'll be dropping from our jump lane momentarily," a plain voice stated, it had the identifiable hiss after most words; the usual characteristics of Triskens.

       "Do you have to get to the cockpit?" Merrick asked.
       "No, they can take us into the system alone, I'll make my way there when it's time to come in for a landing."
       The room was silent for a long moment, as the two of them sat staring out the window. Merrick wasn't as irritated as he had been, and still couldn't believe that he was considered some type of hero. While he had done his part, he assumed he was just one of the faceless people in the collective who aided the world and drove The Confederation back to their territory.
       With a thud, the light show disappeared; slowly fading away into the blackness of space and with that, the room was in utter darkness, until some dim lighting automatically came on, casting partial flat illumination over them.
       "My grandfather fought during the defense and died in orbit above the planet while taking down Solace. His name was Zebiata Machesky. He was a commander of a small band of shock-troops," the tone in Zebulon's voice had completely changed as he spoke about his grandfather.
       "I remember him, I never spoke with him, nor did I know him personally, but a lot of people respected him," Merrick lied, in actuality, he didn't know the man, but he figured it was better to pretend.
       "You did!?" The Zun-Kullens voice was filled with energy, and he turned a wide-eyed expression to Merrick, most likely in the hopes of hearing more about his relation.

       Red lights erupted, as a droning alarm started to ring out throughout the room, one which drove Zebulon from his seat and into a defensive position. He stared up at the ceiling of the room, before turning to the window to look out into space.
       "Captain, we have a problem, you'd better get up here."
       "What's going on?" Merrick asked, but could barely hear himself over the noise. Zebulon was still, then turned to throw a worried look at him.

       "I have a few ideas of what it could be, and all of them are bad."