Tablet of Destinies
Author: Traci Harding
Date: 2008-03-28 04:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Fantasy; Science Fiction; Time Travel; Science Fiction Fantasy; Fiction; Historical Fantasy; Young Adult
Description: Tory's twin babies are changelings and she must journey into the fourth dimension to reclaim her own ... Book 2 in The Celestial Triad Trilogy takes Tory and Maelgwn into the realms of the Devachan, the Fourth Dimension. They and their clan have had many peaceful years on the planet of Kila until Tory's new twin babies, only a few days after their birth, are switched with changelings ... the babies now exhibit all the characteristics of fairy folk and, as with all deva infants, they are neither male nor female. Tory seeks the counsel of the Tablet of Destinies and is told that the changelings
Publisher: Voyager
Rights: Copyright © Traci Harding 2001

Dedication

For the one who fills my present,
my teacher,
my treasure,
my daughter,
my friend,

Sarah Jane Harding

CONTENTS

Cover

Dedication

PART 1: THE DEVACHAN

Character List

1. The Secret Life of Unborn Souls

2. The Creation Station

3. In Good Conscience

4. Changelings

5. The Impossible Dream

6. The Pantheon of Twelve

7. Human Heart

8. The Assassination

9. The Inward Spiral

PART 2: THE HUMAN TRIBES

Character List

Character Incarnation Guide

10. Part of a Prophecy

11. Lost Souls

12. A Pirate’s Life

13. Flirting with the Forbidden

14. The Outlaw Way

15. And Loving It!

16. The Past Calling

17. In the Beginning

18. Knowledge or Life?

19. The Fated Choice

PART 3: THE NEFILIM

Character List

20. Ultimatum

21. Destiny’s Babes

22. Little Miracles

23. Fated Meetings

24. Hearts of Darkness, Souls of Light

25. Rearranging the Galaxy

Bibliography

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Other Books by Traci Harding

Copyright

PART 1

THE
DEVACHAN

CHARACTER LIST

THE CHOSEN

Governor of Kila

Maelgwn Gwynedd

Governess of Kila

Tory Alexander

Vice Governor

Brian Alexander

Head of Defence

Candace Alexander

Chief Historical Advisor

Noah Purcell

Head of Wildlife Protection

Rebecca

Head of Deep Space I.T.

Rhun

Secretary of State

Sybil

Communications Technology

Floyd

Communications Defence

Boadicea

Head of Astrological Phenomena

Daniel Alexander

Head of Astrology

Cleo Alexander

Head of Healing Arts

Walter Cadfan

Head of Midwifery

Hatty

Heads of the Mind Sciences

Thais & Hero

Boy twin

Avery

Girl twin

Lirathea

Deva male

Sacha

Deva female

Phyche

Demuzi’s wife

Inanna

THE PANTHEON OF TWELVE

Head of the Pantheon (Son of Enki)

Nergal

Inanna’s sister & wife of Nergal

Ereshkigal

Nergal’s daughter

Aya

Nergal’s adopted son

Nabu

Nabu’s wife

Tashmet

Second son of Enlil

Narnar

Daughter of Enki

Ningal

Youngest son of Enki

Dumuzi

Brother of Marduk, Demuzi & Nergal

Gibal

Natural son of Nergal

Micah

Wife of Micah

Shala

First son of Enki

Marduk

1

THE SECRET LIFE OF
UNBORN SOULS

What an excellent day for conversing with a celestial intelligence, Tory reflected as she waddled her way along the earthen track, her hands bracing her large swollen belly which was playing host to twins. She could barely contain her excitement as the place of the sacred crossing drew nearer.

‘Not so fast, Highness.’ Her sister-in-law, Candace, gently took hold of Tory’s arm. ‘We shall be there soon enough,’ she advised in a questioning tone. ‘Are you really in such a hurry to sit and read?’

Not wishing to arouse suspicion, Tory allowed her pace to slow. ‘I am so enjoying my time alone, that I want to make the most of every second.’

Since Tory had fallen pregnant, her husband, Maelgwn, had been excused from his public relations tour of the galaxy, and had returned to his home planet of Kila to assume the responsibilities of governership from his wife so that she might enjoy her pregnancy for a change. And enjoying it she was!

At first, Tory had been at a loss as to what to do with her free time. She had barely known a spare moment since meeting her husband some ninety years before, so it was difficult to remember how to relax. Having decided to find a nice spot in nature to sit and read for a spell every day, Tory discovered an amazing location only a short walk beyond Chaliada’s city walls. This place was not only beautiful in a physical sense, it was a ley crossing that pulsated with the unmistakable energy of a sacred site, a gateway to realms Otherworldly. In this instance, the energy crossing was not marked by a circle of stones or trees, but by a beautiful freshwater pool that was perfectly rounded in shape. This was no ordinary pool of water, however, for it played host to inhabitants more beautiful and mysterious than the Tylwyth Teg of Annwn. Unusually, this glen was situated between several peaks near a cliff that overlooked the beautiful, green ocean. How the pool remained filled with fresh water despite the tides of the ocean beyond was a cosmic mystery within itself. Tory had secretly named this spot Devaglen.

Will it be there? she wondered, and the question so excited her that she again found herself pacing forward as fast as she could muster. There are so many things I wish to ask it now that I have fathomed its existence.

‘Tory.’ Candace became less formal to plead her cause, as the Governess always responded more favourably when addressed thus. ‘I did promise your husband that I would see you safely to your destination … we don’t want you dropping my niece and nephew a month early, if at all avoidable.’

‘Point taken,’ Tory conceded, taking hold of Candace’s arm to stroll along at the pace she set. But pregnancy hormones were tickling her expectation and Tory burst into a huge smile, which she thought she’d best explain. ‘I feel so deliriously happy it’s almost sickening.’

‘What do you mean, almost?’ Candace grumbled, for she was missing her husband, Brian, who had replaced Maelgwn on the public relations tour of the galaxy.

‘He’ll be back in a couple of months.’ Tory guessed the cause of Candace’s gripe. ‘At which time you might just find yourself in my predicament.’ As Tory rubbed her huge belly, she managed to coax a smile out of her escort.

They reached Tory’s reading location, whereupon Candace helped her sister-in-law get comfortable. ‘Now, you contact me if you need anything and I’ll be here in an instant.’

‘I will. Don’t let me detain you from your duties any longer.’ Tory assured Candace that she would be fine. ‘I shall teleport myself home.’

‘That would be a completely unnecessary drain on your energy,’ Candace advised courteously. ‘Contact me when you wish to return and if you don’t feel like walking, I shall teleport you back.’

‘That is kind of you.’ Tory tried to sound thankful, although she would have preferred to be left to her own devices. She didn’t know how long it might take for the entity to show itself again, and she didn’t wish to run the risk of being disturbed. ‘I could be here quite some time as I have a lot to read, so don’t be surprised if I don’t make contact until much later this evening,’ she forewarned.

‘I promise I shall not disturb you.’ Candace felt that she understood Tory’s concern. ‘I realise the rest must be bliss.’

‘A true gift from the universe,’ Tory confirmed, taking a book and piece of fruit in hand. When she looked back to Candace, her friend was staring at the pool of water in the centre of the lush, tropical clearing. ‘Is something the matter?’

‘You are aware this is a ley crossing?’ Candace looked back to the Governess, who nodded. ‘Well … I’m not so sure it’s wise to leave you alone in such close vicinity to an Otherworldly passageway, as there are all manner of entities who may take an interest in your condition.’

O-oh, thought Tory, as her plans were threatened. ‘But as I am occupying this particular sacred site, it is empowered by my energy. Therefore, only entities at my level of awareness or higher could be attracted to me and if they were, they could only have the best intentions.’

‘Of course.’ Candace smiled. She realised her concerns could almost be considered insulting to the Governess. ‘I didn’t mean to imply —’

‘I know you are only watching out for me.’ Tory waved off the forthcoming apology. ‘That’s what you’re best at, which is why you are Head of the Defence Department, Candace.’

Once alone, Tory dropped everything and waddled over to the pool. The perfectly still surface of the water reflected the aquamarine colour of the sky above. The expectant mother carefully lowered herself down to gaze into the crystal clear waters of the sacred marker.

The pool may have only been about twenty feet across, but it appeared bottomless. The rock walls and water of the pool were abundant with marine life — animal, vegetable and mineral — of such vibrant colours that they gave off a luminosity, even in full sunlight. Where the pool passed into the darkened depths, the glowing life could still be seen extending ever downward into the abyss.

As she gazed at the aquatic-rainbow spectacle, Tory thought back on the previous day in an attempt to figure out how she might summon the entity that had made itself known to her.

The celestial entity originated in a realm beyond physical existence, beyond the astral worlds of Annwn through which Tory had ventured on occasion, and beyond the mental realms of existence, through which Tory had yet to pass in a conscious state. This entity called the causal level of awareness home. From this celestial plane, his kind resided over the highest mental realms of human soul-mind activity, a level of consciousness known as Devachan. He described Devachan as ‘the happy place’, where human souls resided in between their first incarnations. Here, the ‘effect’ of a human soul-mind’s admirable, earthly aspirations finally found their ‘cause’ and were realised to perfection.

The being had said he was of an order of Devanic entity known as the Dhyan Chohans — the builders of consciousness. Able to function on many different planes of existence at once, Dhyan Chohans were of the highest order of Devas. The fairy folk of the Otherworld made up the lower orders of Devas.

Dhyan Chohans perceive the will of the divine and then aid the planetary spirits to implement change in creation. The Deva had activated his Rupa body — Rupa meaning ‘having form’— to appear to Tory in the physical realm. This was not a solid physical body, however. It was a gigantic, but vague, astral form resembling one of the Deva’s human charges, which she had recognised as her husband, Maelgwn. On the mental plane of awareness, the Deva took the form of numerous ethereal cocoons, where its human charges resided between physical incarnations — living out unrealised dreams in preparation for the next physical life.

On the causal level of awareness, the Deva’s home, he employed a formless, or Arupa body, which bound him to the host of the Dhyan Chohans. On this level of awareness the higher souls of humankind would reunite with the divine and begin their apprenticeship in one of the many Devanic races, in the hope of one day graduating to become a Planetary Logos or Guardian.

‘But how can you still be nurturing my husband’s incarnating soul?’ Tory had asked. ‘Maelgwn is immortal and no longer incarnates.’

‘There is no time outside of physical existence,’ the Deva had advised. ‘Past, present and future is simultaneous.’

Tory didn’t remember much of their conversation, as the encounter had caused her to black out. Perhaps the Deva had arranged a cleansing sleep, so that she didn’t remember more than he wanted her to. There was also the distinct possibility that much of what she’d discussed with the Deva was so beyond her limited human understanding, that her conscious memory had rejected the information. It was a good thing she’d regained consciousness before anyone had found her and informed Maelgwn about her blackout, as there was no way in the universe he would have allowed her to return to Devaglen.

The entity had appeared quite unlike any spiritual apparition Tory had witnessed in all her one hundred and twenty years of life. Spectra had always assumed forms that appeared like brilliant clouds of glowing gas. The entity she beheld yesterday had appeared more like a radiant, myriad-hued rainbow of supernatural fire. As one might see the aura around a physical being, this explosive spectral flame encompassed the large astral form of her husband. To the senses he’d felt like tranquillity incarnate and a wellspring of strength; how could Tory help but be completely enchanted by him?

She closed her eyes and conjured up a clear image of the Deva, of half a mind to will herself to it.

Please refrain, I am present.

Upon feeling the Deva’s awe-inspiring presence, Tory’s heart welled to bursting point with joy and exhilaration. Her eyes widened to behold its vibrant fiery form ascending out of the pool, causing not so much as a ripple to form on the motionless surface from which it rose.

At this point in your spiritual evolution, you are not ready to deal with a conscious experience in Devachan. You must not attempt to seek me there, said the rainbow spirit as he fully emerged from the pool to float in open space above it.

‘I am sorry. In my condition you tend to get a little vague at times,’ Tory explained, wanting to hit herself, as she normally would have considered the danger. She was well aware that the human psyche, even one as advanced as hers, could not only cause her own mind harm by advancing to a plane beyond her comprehension, but, because of her primitive thought forms, she could cause damage to those more advanced souls residing on the higher mental plane of existence. ‘I promise I shall never entertain the notion again.’

I believe you, he conceded. There is something you require of me?

Tory was a little bit confused at this point. ‘Initially, you made contact with me, so I thought there was something you required of me. Yet as I hardly remember anything of our last meeting, I —’

The Deva began to laugh in a light and jovial manner, and as he did his flaming aura of brillant colour began to expand until it encompassed Tory also, whereby she was swept up in his amusement.

‘What’s so funny?’ she managed to ask between giggles.

It seems you misunderstood the meaning of our meeting. He calmed himself, whereby his aura returned to normal. I was here to speak with the souls who await birth inside you and have completed that task. Any further communication between us would not be advantageous. In fact, he paused to consider his explanation, you should have forgotten my existence. Your psychic link with your unborns must be phenomenal … never to mind, this time I shall be more efficient.

‘You’re not going to hurt my babes?’ As Tory became concerned for her children, the Deva rushed away from her. He appeared disturbed, pained and confused by her reaction.

Hurt? the Deva queried, bewildered by the concept, and picking up on Tory’s understanding of the word, he gasped in pain. Is that what you call this crippling energy you entertain?

‘This is fear,’ she informed, becoming aware that the Deva was experiencing her feelings in its attempt to understand her, and was thus ashamed of herself. How could she have invoked such a low-grade emotion in the presence of a celestial being?

Again the Deva’s senses were overloaded, this time with the detrimental emotion of shame.

Tory wiped the water from her eyes to note how the lustre of the Deva had begun to fade and with three deep breaths she managed to pull her wild, surging emotions into check. ‘My deepest apologies for exposing you to such concepts … I should have known you could mean my children no harm.’

The Deva seemed to recover and approached Tory to advise her: You will not remember me after this day, but what I tell you now you will remember. Your children are responsible for the creation of every aspect of their forthcoming lives. They have made all their own arrangements, as have you. Their destiny is entirely of their design. I am a Deva. I merely act upon a human’s desires in order to bring them into being, in accordance with their karma. I can do nothing for your children that they have not first devised for themselves and their own divine purpose.

Tears were streaming down Tory’s face as she nodded to confirm that she understood what the Deva was telling her; she felt inspired and relieved by his words. Her heart seemed to be exploding with love and happiness; Tory could literally feel these energies flowing forth from some hidden inner universe within her heart centre. This pure life force strengthened every particle of her being and then continued to flow out of her and into the clearing beyond. It seemed that her own aura was expanding and as it did, it empowered everything it engulfed. So abundant was the divine energy that emanated from her, Tory felt she could have filled the planet, the star system, even the galaxy with it; she had never felt more invincible in her life.

Remember this feeling, Tory Alexander, and draw upon it when you feel tempted to question your lot. You of all beings have no need to fear, and certainly no need to seek out one of my kind. For you have a direct link with Akasha, the full memory of Allied Logoi.

‘The Tablet of Destinies.’ Tory began to fondle the small three-sided pyramid that hung on a chain about her neck.

This was made of the pinkish metal known as orichalchum, the strongest substance known to the ancient civilisations on Gaia. Taliesin, High Merlin of Briton, had given Tory the ancient divining tool before he’d ascended back towards the Logos to assume his place in the higher scheme of things. As all had been so peaceful since setting foot on Kila fifty years ago, Tory had been given no reason to consult the sacred tool.

All people have the divine guidance of their Logos, but only you have access to the Central Sun of the Allied Chain Logoi.

‘The Central Sun?’ Tory wondered out loud, and she was instantly blinded by a vision of a large whirling vortex in space. ‘The galaxy,’ she clarified, whereupon she was overawed by her realisation. ‘I have access to the Akashic records of the entire physical galaxy!’

The Deva nodded surely. And all that has, is and will take place therein.

2

THE CREATION
STATION

Maelgwn was taking lunch on the sunny balcony of the Governor’s offices in between meetings of state when a strong sense of love and wellbeing washed over him and brought his wife to mind. He considered that perhaps Tory was putting out a subtle telepathic plea for him to take the afternoon off and spend some time in her company. On any other day Maelgwn would have indulged her, but the next meeting on his agenda he was very much looking forward to, as it had nothing to do with the affairs of state and everything to do with his higher purpose for being.

En Noah, Senior Historian at the Purcell Institute of Immortal History on Kila, had been a difficult man to catch up with ever since Maelgwn had inspired him to explore his past-life incarnations in preparation for future events. Noah had rediscovered the druid, the revolutionary, and many other aspects of his past selves, and then departed on a six-month assignment in the western jungle continents of Kila from which he had just returned. His wife, Rebecca, was heading a taskforce there that guarded the native wildlife population against poachers, and Noah had chosen to work with her for a time. As a scholar, Noah’s physical state of being had never really been in peak condition, and he hoped that by taking up his wife’s cause he might hone his animal instincts and some of his warrior skills. This was certainly an abrupt lifestyle change for the historian after fifty years of lecturing at the Institute that bore his name in homage to his compilation of the complete history of the Chosen Ones.

Noah Purcell’s Chronicle of Ages, although considered the definitive historical work by his fellow immortals, was incomplete. None of the Chosen had been selected from the earliest period of man’s emergence into self-consciousness and thus none of them had conscious recollections of that time. In truth, few would wish to. Only a handful of the Chosen had been able to glimpse that primordial era of Homo sapiens’ development. As with Noah’s Chronicles, stored on a psychokinetic retrieval system and edited to suit the maturity and understanding of the student, it seemed Homo sapiens’ memory was being censored also. Maelgwn was one of the few who had managed to peek into that part of the human collective consciousness that held some recollection of the first self-aware human incarnation. Having gone to great lengths to study and record the Ages that the Chosen had spent on Gaia, Noah desired to know all that had happened there, as did Maelgwn.

The Governor had a higher purpose for wishing to rediscover the earliest eras of mankind’s mental and spiritual infancy. Humankind’s foster parents at this time had been an emotionally underdeveloped Devanic race known as the Nefilim. These entities with highly developed mental souls made manifest in a physical body had found the temptations of the flesh a bit too tempting and some had outstayed their welcome in the earthly realm. It was Maelgwn’s destiny to pave the way for the overthrow of the Nefilim’s interstellar rule of all the tribes classified as human, both immortal and otherwise.

Noah was aware of Maelgwn’s ambitions, although the scholar was the only other soul, besides the Governor’s wife, who knew about the looming cosmic conspiracy against the Nefilim.

Sybil, Secretary of State and Head Seer of the Chosen, stepped onto the balcony to inform Maelgwn that En Noah had arrived and was awaiting an audience.

‘Splendid,’ announced Maelgwn, finishing off the last sip of his tea.

‘Shall I record all your transmissions this afternoon, in case you feel like a stroll with En Noah?’ Sybil queried. ‘I gather you shall not be available for consultation for the remainder of the day.’

She smiled a knowing smile, which made Maelgwn wonder whether the seer had some idea of what the forthcoming discussion was in regard to. ‘My very thoughts,’ he confirmed.

‘I’ll send En Noah through,’ Sybil advised graciously and departed.

Maelgwn was very fond of his son’s wife; she was very easy to work with and rarely needed instruction. She could easily have run the State office without any assistance; the department heads were constantly finding their requirements met by Sybil, oftentimes before they’d even realised their need.

The Governor rose as his historical advisor made his way to the balcony, and as Noah emerged from the darkness of indoors into the bright sunshine, Maelgwn could hardly believe the transformation.

In the historian-turned-warrior who neared, Maelgwn saw also the druid and the revolutionary that Noah had been in lives past. He was tanned and fit, and there was a new sense of purpose to his stride. Noah’s long blonde hair had been shaved to near bald, but a neat beard and moustache now framed his mouth. His blue eyes sparkled with exhilaration from his adventures and his smile conveyed how pleased he was to present himself before Maelgwn as a completely changed man — one balanced in mind, spirit and body.

‘Governor, I didn’t expect to be granted an audience immediately upon my return to the city.’ Noah took hold of Maelgwn’s extended hand and shook it firmly. ‘I am sure you have far more pressing business to attend to.’

The man’s modesty amused Maelgwn. ‘There is no business more pressing than that which I have with you, En Noah.’

Noah’s eyes opened wide with expectation. ‘Is it time?’

Maelgwn raised both eyebrows, avoiding broaching the topic in the present situation. ‘It’s such a lovely day,’ he commented, gazing up at the sparkling aquamarine atmosphere of the sky above. ‘Feel like joining me for a stroll?’ He looked back to Noah, his expression more serious.

‘I’d be honoured.’ Noah was curious as he fell in beside Maelgwn and accompanied him down the back stairs of Government House.

Noah kept pace with the Governor as he strode through the central city park towards the amphitheatre in the middle. Maelgwn was babbling on about staging another huge production to celebrate the New Year, but Noah realised this conversation was just to kill time until they got to wherever it was Maelgwn was leading him.

Beneath centre stage lay a myriad dressing rooms, props storage and so forth, but the Governor led him to a small cupboard beneath one of the many sets of stage stairs, which opened upon their approach in response to Maelgwn’s mental command.

‘I didn’t realise there was a door here.’ Noah scratched his head, as he’d helped stage many a production in the past and had thought himself very familiar with the underlying area of Chaliada’s outdoor theatre.

Maelgwn turned abruptly and held a finger to his lips to caution Selwyn against pursuing the topic. ‘So … I think we could cater for quite a large cast in this area,’ he commented, urging Noah to enter through the secret door, whereby Maelgwn closed it behind them.

They continued their mindless babble about a New Year’s Eve production as they headed down a steep stairway and into a long corridor. Upon their approach a large section of the ceiling lit the modern access tunnel with a subtle mauve light. The lighting extended all the way down to the end of the corridor where there was a double set of Charichalum doors. This lightweight black metal was the strongest and densest substance in the known universe.

The doors vanished upon the Governor’s mental command, and once Maelgwn and Noah had entered the large conference room beyond, the doors reappeared to seal them inside.

‘So, what do you think of our secret operations base?’ Maelgwn turned a circle referring to the room around him. ‘We can speak freely here, as no one knows of its existence any more, not even the men who designed and built it. It is pretty much impenetrable, indestructible and bugproof. Even if you or I have been bugged, no transmission will penetrate these walls,’ he announced, well proud of the setup.

Noah, although most impressed by the Governor’s foresight and vision, couldn’t really see the need for such measures. ‘No offence, Governor, but this is not the Dark Ages. Couldn’t we have just removed our thought-wave neutralisers and communicated telepathically? After all, no one can monitor the telepathic process from a distance.’ Or, Noah thought, there could be things the Governor is not telling me and therefore does not want to risk opening his mind to me.

‘Out of sight, out of mind,’ Maelgwn replied, removing the thought-wave neutraliser from his wrist and casting it on the table. ‘Ah,’ he sighed, so liberated that he began removing all the remaining electronic paraphernalia from his person: weapons, communication devices, thought-recorders and even his all-terrain boots. The Governor was left wearing only his trousers and a light, loose-fitting shirt. ‘I feel free here, free to speak and move … free to think!’ he exclaimed loudly, throwing his arms up to embrace the moment. ‘You see, for you this rebellion is only just starting.’ The Governor let his arms drop back to his sides. ‘But I have had to carry the knowledge of the eventuality for seventy years, whilst constantly under the scrutiny of those I mean to shake up … I love this place, no one can hear or see me, unless I wish it.’

As Noah’s doubts about Maelgwn’s motives were swept away, he offloaded all of his devices onto the table as well. ‘So how many people know about this place?’

‘Tory and myself, as it was our brainchild,’ he explained. ‘And now you,’ Maelgwn concluded, stunning Noah with the fact that such a confidence should be bestowed upon him.

‘But surely, as Head of Defence and wife of the Vice-Governor, Candace knows?’ Noah was horrified. What if something adverse was to happen to Maelgwn and his wife; no one would know about their hidden agenda?

‘You would know,’ Maelgwn advised, catching the scholar’s thought. ‘And you are the only one who needs to know right now.’ As Noah appeared to be a little bemused, Maelgwn thought he’d take Noah’s mind off his newly-bestowed responsibility. ‘Allow me to show you around.’

‘You mean there’s more?’ Noah was shocked.

‘Of course there’s more.’ Maelgwn passed by Noah to exit out the same door through which they had entered. ‘You can’t win an interstellar war with a boardroom table and a few chairs.’

Noah followed the Governor back down the tunnel. Maelgwn was counting the large panelled sections of the floor as he went. ‘Twenty-seven, twenty-eight! Here we are,’ he announced facing the tunnel wall on his right and, with a mental command, the section of the wall disappeared to reveal a transporter plate. ‘The boardroom is just a decoy,’ he explained and he stepped onto the teleporter.

‘I figured.’ Noah grinned and stepped on board, whereupon a wall manifested to enclose them in the secret annex.

‘To the pit,’ Maelgwn advised the teleporter, and then raised his brows at Noah as they were sped forth.

What the Governor had created here beneath the park in Chaliada’s city centre was not just a few secure chambers to escape to, but a major communications, research and defence complex.

As Noah was shown through the control centre that housed a multitude of inactive psychokinetic databases complete with accompanying hardware, he gaped in awe. It was not the sight of the excessive amount of equipment that floored him — more that the Governor foresaw the necessity for it.

‘It’s just a precaution.’ Maelgwn placed a hand on Noah’s shoulder to reassure him, but it only served to startle the scholar, who was off in his own little world.

Noah gave a funny smile and shrugged off the fright. ‘I had hoped I would feel more prepared for all this after six months in the jungle, but … I don’t.’ He gave half a laugh ahead of drawing a deep breath for courage. ‘Well then, I know you haven’t dragged me all the way down to this top security facility just to take in the sights.’

Maelgwn smiled to confirm Noah’s assessment. ‘Can I interest you in a drink?’

‘You could interest me in what you’ve found out,’ Noah suggested, too curious to wait.

Noah’s forthright response made it plain he no longer needed enticing to the cause. He had embraced the rebellion, for better or worse.

‘You have discovered the whereabouts of one of Lord Master Enki’s stations, haven’t you?’ Noah jumped to his own conclusions.

‘No.’ Maelgwn flattened the scholar’s guess. ‘However, I believe I have discovered the means to locate another of the Creation Stations that the Lord constructed in secret throughout the star systems he once frequented.’

The Lord Master Enki had been one of mankind’s Nefilim carers who had not degenerated during his time in the physical realms. Enki had continued to nurture mankind’s development as was intended by the Nefilim Logos, Anu, even after he had ascended back to the causal realms of awareness from which he’d come. Enki’s brother, Enlil, leader of the Great Pantheon of Twelve at the time, had decided to keep most of the human breeds as slaves, but not Homo sapiens, as this particular human breed was fast becoming too wilful to do the Nefilim any great service. Advised of a great deluge pending on Gaia, Enlil ordered that mankind be left on the planet to drown. Thanks to Enki’s divine intervention, some of mankind’s mortal souls had been spared. Unbeknownst to the Great Pantheon, however, Enki had discovered the secrets of fourth-dimensional time travel and devised a means to ensure the preservation of his precious Homo sapiens, via the creation of the Chosen Ones.

When Enki’s defiance was discovered by the Pantheon he was made an outcast from the Twelve, but as he still had the divine support of his Logos, the Lord Anu, his beliefs and prophecies flourished in isolation. He knew, as did the Great Pantheon, that mankind would eventually overthrow the Nefilim due to humankind’s capacity to multiply, but as long as the human breeds remained the weaker, mortal races, their great destiny remained remote. Thus, with the aid of his son, Marduk, and a lot of time hopping, Enki went about planting the immortal seed of the Nefilim into his most cherished human breed, Homo sapiens. By activating the immortal Nefilim gene in mankind’s most outstanding individuals (originally introduced into the Homo sapiens’ genetic structure by the Lord Marduk), a race of Chosen Ones was singled out to partake in the next stage of Homo sapiens’ evolution.

With the future of the Chosen Ones in mind, the Lord Enki had constructed what were termed ‘Creation Stations’. These stations were storehouses of Enki’s accumulated knowledge and psychic communications with his Logos. Stored within these time capsules was a record of mankind’s evolution and the true reason behind it.

Maelgwn had been made aware of the existence of these stations when he’d encountered one of his own past-life incarnations, Durak.

Durak belonged to a mortal human tribe known as the Homo Delphinus who had been developed from a Nefilim/dolphin gene pool mix. An archaeologist by trade, as several of Maelgwn’s past-life incarnations had been, Durak had uncovered one of the Lord Master Enki’s stations. Unfortunately, Durak’s project and his findings were monitored by some of the Nefilim, and before the archaeologist was given the chance to draw any great amount of knowledge from the Station, it had been destroyed. There were several other stations scattered throughout the inhabited star systems of the galaxy. One only needed to know where to look.

Via some past-life regression, Maelgwn had discovered how he might track down another of Enki’s Creation Stations and gain access to the storehouse of knowledge contained therein. ‘Durak had a stone key,’ Maelgwn advised as he led Noah back to the conference room where they had left all their electronic paraphernalia.

‘Stone?’ Noah queried.

‘As in crystal,’ Maelgwn clarified. ‘This served not only to grant entry to and activate the station, but it worked as a locator as well.’

‘So where is this key now?’ The Governor’s claim rekindled Noah’s hope, as he took a seat. ‘Please don’t tell me it was destroyed.’

‘No, it wasn’t destroyed,’ Maelgwn advised in a tone that implied it may as well have been.

‘What then?’ Noah’s will to know was so strong that he perceived the answer telepathically. ‘Oh no,’ he whined. ‘Inanna has it! You’re kidding?’

‘Afraid not.’ Maelgwn cringed, anything but thrilled by the notion himself. ‘When Inanna took Durak into custody, she confiscated the stone along with all his other personal possessions.’

Inanna was one of the Nefilim who Maelgwn had had grievances with in the past. Still, since the Goddess had stepped down from her position in the Pantheon of Twelve, their rapport had improved.

‘Is Inanna aware of what the stone is used for?’ Noah stood up in panic. ‘She could have destroyed all the other stations by now.’

‘Noah, calm down.’ Maelgwn encouraged him to be seated once more. ‘To her, it is just another rock.’

Noah breathed a sigh of relief.

‘And, that being the case, I plan to visit Inanna personally and see if I can’t persuade her to hand it over.’ Maelgwn looked to Noah, interested to know his thoughts on the move.

‘But surely your request will raise her suspicions?’ Noah played Devil’s advocate, as was his way.

‘En Noah!’ Maelgwn was surprised at him. ‘Do give me a little credit as a diplomat. After all, I have been a diplomat for over one hundred years now.’

‘A thousand apologies, Governor, I meant you no offence.’ Noah curbed his excitement and regained his sensibilities.

‘None taken,’ Maelgwn said affectionately and rose, which seemed to indicate that the meeting was at an end.

‘So what do you wish me to do?’ Noah thought he must have missed something.

‘Nothing at present, but continue to develop your mental, physical and spiritual skills,’ Maelgwn enlightened. ‘I just needed someone to be aware of my intentions in case I fail to return.’

‘But is your wife not aware?’ Noah ventured to inquire.

‘Tory has enough on her plate at present.’ Maelgwn explained his reasons for keeping her in the dark. ‘And besides, the reasoning of a pregnant woman is always a little …’ He tried to find a polite way of putting it. ‘… hyperactive. I shall make her aware of our progress, once she is feeling more herself.’

‘After you’ve visited Inanna, you mean?’ Noah dared to voice his understanding of the situation, because he knew that Tory wouldn’t like it and the look on the Governor’s face told him that Maelgwn knew it too. ‘Why not let me go,’ Noah suggested, ‘and avoid any possible misunderstanding?’

Maelgwn forced a smile, grateful for the offer, but shook his head to decline. ‘Although my past intimacy with the Goddess, Inanna, was not of my own choosing, I feel I shall be able to use the connection to our advantage and so you see … I must go.’

Noah didn’t know what to make of the Governor’s reasoning. Did he mean he was prepared to be unfaithful to his good wife, in order to achieve their objective?

‘Now you really are selling me short.’ Maelgwn was momentarily annoyed that Noah, who knew him well, could even entertain the notion. ‘A seduction was not my meaning, I assure you. Besides, Inanna is completely faithful to her husband these days.’

‘You hope,’ Noah cautioned, for although he’d never really had dealings with the Goddess herself, some of her past atrocities against humankind had been vividly documented in his Chronicles.

‘Have no fear, En Noah, I shall get you the key to unlock the primordial eras devoid from your Chronicles,’ Maelgwn guaranteed. ‘And I shall know, not only the reasons behind humankind’s evolution, but the true purpose behind the Nefilim’s evolution as well.’

The Governor and Noah emerged from the promenade underneath the amphitheatre’s centre stage, to behold a beautiful sunset sky over Central Park.

‘It’s later than I thought,’ Noah commented, admiring the vibrant colours splashed across the horizon.

‘Time flies when you’re having fun, hey Noah?’ Maelgwn jeered. He knew his advisor felt uncomfortable with the information he’d been made privy to.

Noah forced a smile. ‘I suppose the thrill of borderline horror could be considered fun … by some.’ He shot Maelgwn a sideways glance, whereupon the Governor gave a hearty laugh and slapped a hand down on his shoulder.

‘You are far braver than you give yourself credit for, you should —’

‘Governor!’

Both men looked ahead to find Candace had manifested in their path.

‘Praise the universe I found you … I have been trying to will myself to you all afternoon!’ Candace was panicked and fuming. ‘I thought the Nefilim had abducted and were restraining you.’ Her statement was really a question. As Head of Defence she wanted to know how he’d managed to avoid being sought by her.

‘Is there some emergency?’ Maelgwn avoided the issue, and, as Candace’s demanding demeanour waned to a concerned state of being, he knew at once what grieved her. ‘Tory,’ he uttered and, willing himself forth to his wife’s side, vanished before Candace could explain what had happened.

‘Dear Goddess,’ Noah gasped, grabbing hold of Candace’s arm to prevent her leaving. ‘Is the Governess alright? What’s happened?’

‘When I went to fetch our Governess from her reading place this afternoon, I found her possessed by a large, fiery, ethereal body, which dispersed when I made myself known.’

‘What was it?’

‘I don’t know.’ Candace freed herself from Noah’s grasp, a mite annoyed by her admission. ‘I’ve never seen anything like it before, either here in the physical realms or in the astral.’

‘Was Tory harmed?’ Noah pressed for information as Candace backed away from him, preparing to make herself absent.

‘The encounter has left her unconscious,’ Candace was sad to advise. ‘We’ll know more once she has come to.’

‘But what of her babes?’ Although Noah rushed to voice his final query, Candace was gone before he did. ‘Damn it!’

As Noah was not a close family relative, he felt he’d only get in the way if he went to the Government Healing Chambers to get an update of the Governess’ condition.

‘How might I be of aid?’ he wondered. His mind dwelt upon the large, unknown, fiery ethereal body that Candace had spoken of.

‘Yes … I must discover the nature of this being.’ Noah was resolute as he closed his eyes and willed himself forth to his personal library.

Back in the Governor’s private healing chambers, Tory had regained consciousness and was sitting up in bed, feeding her face, as happy as a clam.

‘Tory!’ Maelgwn rushed to her side, having manifested nearby. He would have taken hold of one of his wife’s hands had they not both been wrapped around a sticky piece of fruit.

‘Now don’t make a fuss,’ Tory cautioned him, as she slurped on her juicy morsel. ‘As you can see I am fine, and according to our good physician the babies are fine as well.’

Praise be. He breathed a great sigh of relief and looked to the Head of the Healing Sciences on Kila, Cadfan, who nodded to confirm the Governess’ words.

A smile graced Maelgwn’s face as he looked back to his wife. ‘So what happened?’

‘I blacked out, probably from too much sun.’ Tory shrugged and then leant forward to impress on her husband: ‘It’s nothing to worry about. I promise I shall be more careful in future.’

Maelgwn raised both brows, still not completely reassured. ‘Well, just as a precaution, I would prefer it if you found somewhere to read that is inside the city limits.’

‘Oh Maelgwn,’ Tory whined. ‘I just knew you’d make an issue of this. I love my reading spot —’

‘Is the solitude and pretty view really worth risking the wellbeing of our unborn children?’ he queried.

‘Where is the risk?’ Tory scoffed. ‘Even if these children die in birthing, their immortality gene will kick in and resurrect them.’

‘I don’t want a debate, Tory.’ Maelgwn stood, irked by her persistence and unreasonable attachment to the place.

‘Now who’s acting like a pregnant woman?’ Tory commented under her breath.

‘Sorry to disturb, Governor.’ Candace entered, looking happier than when last seen. ‘But the Vice-Governor is awaiting an audience in your council chambers.’

‘What!’ Maelgwn was doubly concerned by this news. ‘Brian should be on the other side of the galaxy … what in the name of the universe is he doing back here?’

Candace, still smiling with delight, merely shrugged. ‘My husband wishes to discuss the matter with you directly.’

‘I see.’ Maelgwn looked back to his wife and their unfinished debate. ‘If you think my request so unreasonable, perhaps you could ask Candace if she thinks returning to your reading nook is a good idea.’

‘Over my dead body.’ Candace was immediately opposed to the suggestion.

Maelgwn smiled as he left his Head of Defence to make his wife see reason. Only another female stood a chance of winning a debate with Tory in her prenatal state of mind.

Once Cadfan and his staff had been excused, Candace outlined to Tory the state in which she’d found her that afternoon. The Governess was completely floored by the report of her fiery celestial encounter for she remembered nothing of it.

‘Have you told Maelgwn about this?’ Tory questioned, her voice hoarse with the shock of it all.

‘Well, no …’ Candace raised both brows as she realised: ‘He has yet to give me the chance. I —’

‘Good,’ Tory jumped in, most gratified by the fact. ‘He doesn’t need to know.’ As Candace frowned, preparing to query this, Tory became more adamant. ‘I see no need to cause him undue worry.’

‘I warned you about that place.’

‘And what did I tell you?’

Candace bowed her head, not game to debate spiritual issues with the holder of the Tablet of Destinies.

‘If a celestial being has touched me and my babes, then it could only have blessed us, meaning that there is no cause to be concerned by the encounter.’

Candace raised her big brown eyes to challenge the Governess once again. ‘Then why not tell your husband?’

‘Because he’ll start fussing,’ Tory explained. ‘He’s bad enough as it is, I can just imagine what he would be like if he truly thought he had cause for concern.’

Candace gave a heavy, sympathetic sigh. ‘I don’t feel comfortable withholding information from the Governor —’

‘But this is not an affair of state, Candace!’ Tory tried one final personal appeal. ‘What if I were to promise not to go back to Devaglen? Then could we drop the subject?’

‘What did you call that place?’ Candace queried, curious that the name had rolled off Tory’s tongue so naturally. ‘Devaglen?’

‘Did I?’ Tory held a hand to her mouth, just as astonished by the piece of information her subconscious had spat up. ‘Yes, I did, didn’t I?’

‘Is that what you think the entity was, a Deva?’ Candace asked, thinking Tory must know her own reasons for calling the spot what she had.

‘Perhaps,’ Tory uttered as her eyes glazed over and her thoughts wafted away elsewhere. ‘I need to speak with Noah —’

‘Oh damn, that’s right,’ Candace said abruptly, frightening Tory from her speculative trance. ‘I told Noah of your encounter,’ she explained. ‘He’s the only one I’ve told … oh, except Cadfan. As he is your physician I felt I had to tell him,’ she justified.

‘Is that all?’ When Candace nodded to confirm, Tory breathed a sigh of relief and waved off the concern. ‘Not to worry, as they are two of the three men I need to consult on this matter.’

‘The third being?’

‘The Head of the Mind Sciences,’ Tory enlightened. ‘My old friend Thomas Mateus.’

‘Thais, the Centaur?’ Candace asked. She hadn’t had too much to do with the Shaman, although she’d worked with his Chosen mate, Hero, for many years before the time of the Gathering.

‘The one and only,’ Tory confirmed.

Thais and his mate Hero were the only souls amongst the Chosen Ones who weren’t Homo sapiens. No one knew why this was, bar the Centaurs themselves and the Lord Master Enki. As with all the Chosen Ones, Thais and Hero could assume any form they chose, and so employed the more compact Homo sapiens form for convenience when in the city. When in the wild, however, the Shamans assumed a myriad forms and were both very active in the wildlife protection programs and had incorporated it into their esoteric work.

‘Thais is the oldest of all the Chosen Ones,’ Tory advised. ‘Perhaps even older than the first intelligent being of our kind.’

All went quiet as Tory got lost in thought once again and Candace reviewed the situation. ‘You will keep me informed of your discoveries,’ Candace commanded more than asked. ‘If you will not advise the Governor, then I must insist that —’

Tory smiled and held up a hand in truce. ‘I promise to keep you informed.’

3

IN GOOD
CONSCIENCE

‘Brian!’ Albeit confused by the Vice-Governor’s presence, Maelgwn was pleased to see him as he joined Brian in the council chamber.

‘Surprise!’ said Brian meekly, before moving to greet his brother-in-law in their customary fashion — gripping each other’s wrist, instead of palm, to shake in greeting.

‘It is, actually.’ Maelgwn’s tone was concerned, although his welcoming smile remained constant. ‘You haven’t started a war, have you?’

‘Not I,’ Brian advised, cocking an eye. ‘Not yet.’

‘Sounds like I need to sit down,’ Maelgwn considered as he motioned Brian to join him at the conference table.

‘A stiff drink probably wouldn’t go astray either,’ Brian mumbled in conclusion, and Maelgwn looked at him, thinking the situation must be dire. ‘My news isn’t really that bad,’ he confessed. ‘It’s more, untimely really … unexpected.’

‘Well, come on man, be out with it,’ Maelgwn encouraged, as he manifested a pitcher of Bahula — deadly joy water — which was a locally grown and fermented brew that many of the mead drinkers had taken to. When they were both seated, Maelgwn conjured up a couple of goblets and poured their drinks.

‘You’ve been honing your psychic skills, somewhat,’ Brian commented, impressed by what he’d witnessed.

Maelgwn winked at Brian and let go of the pitcher that he had held in mid-air. It continued to pour without assistance and then set itself down on the conference table.

‘It would seem I have some catching up to do,’ Brian admitted. Having dedicated himself to diplomatic work of late, he’d found precious little time to dedicate to psychic endeavours.

The Governor shrugged in response. ‘Such things are only as hard to execute as you perceive them to be. I’ve discovered my capabilities are limited only by my own imagination … and always were, even when I was mortal.’ Maelgwn, realising they were getting way off the subject, took the drinks in hand and gave one to Brian. Maelgwn raised his own in toast to the Vice-Governor, before drinking half of it down. ‘So, are you going to tell me why you’ve returned, or are you going to make me guess?’

‘I doubt you’d guess right.’ Brian pulled a thought-band recorder from his jacket pocket which was akin to those the Nefilim used. ‘Our Lord Marduk has resigned his position in the Pantheon of Twelve.’

‘What?’ Maelgwn was shocked right out of his seat, dropping his drink in the process. The goblet and its contents vanished before they hit the floor.

‘He requested that I pass this on to you, personally.’ Brian stood and handed over the thought-recorder. ‘For your mind only. Marduk was very specific.’

Maelgwn’s brain was on overload as he accepted the communication and thus he didn’t notice the curiosity in his Vice-Governor’s voice. He stood dazed for a time, before fixing his sights on his chief advisor once more. ‘What reason did Marduk give the Pantheon for his resignation?’

Brian opened his mouth to answer and had to smile as he considered how best to explain. ‘When Marduk appeared before the Great Pantheon, no explanation was necessary. The Lord had shed all trace of his physical being, as had my aunt, his Chosen concubine. They have transcended this earthly realm —’

‘Of course,’ Maelgwn whined. ‘Marduk told me that he was to be my son,’ he informed Brian, who appeared twice as bemused by the insight. ‘Damn it! I should have seen this coming.’ Maelgwn began to pace, as he always did when he needed to think. ‘Marduk was reappointed into the Pantheon to safeguard the plight of the human tribes … Who can possibly replace our Lord in the Senate?’ He stopped still to hear what the remaining members of the Pantheon had decided.

‘All eleven of the Nefilim representatives unanimously voted for you to assume his place, which, of course, would make you the first human ever to be appointed into the Great Pantheon of Twelve.’

You could have knocked Maelgwn over with a feather as the shock result sunk in. For, although the Nefilim had been more accommodating of the human tribes since the Chosen Ones had entered into a peaceful agreement with the Pantheon and assumed rulership of Kila, he’d never expected the Nefilim would openly consent to placing a human, especially an immortal, in the Senate.

‘But their decision makes no sense.’ Maelgwn returned to his pacing, disturbed by the honour. ‘Why award us such power when we pose the single greatest threat to their interstellar monopoly?’

Brian raised both brows, having thought the same thing himself. ‘Either the Nefilim are emotionally maturing, or … they’ve figured out that having one of us in the Senate is the best way of keeping an eye on our movements.’

Maelgwn stopped dead still to meet Brian’s gaze, thinking his latter suggestion was right on the mark.

At present, all of the Chosen Ones wore thought-wave neutralisers when in public to shield their thoughts from each other, as did the Nefilim for the same reason. But when in conference in the Senate all were required to open their minds to each other to prevent any secrets being kept from the head of the Pantheon, Nergal — son of the Lord Master Enki and younger brother of the Lord Marduk. This measure had been newly introduced, and as Maelgwn was currently plotting a rebellion against the Pantheon for their continued mistreatment of the lesser mortal human tribes like the Delphinus, Leonine and Falcon breeds, this appointment was the last thing he needed.

‘Stand by,’ Maelgwn bade Brian, as he seated himself at the conference table to view the communication from the ascended Lord. Once the thought-band’s sensor was placed comfortably over Maelgwn’s third eye area, he closed his eyes to perceive the communication.

Brian sat down to finish his drink, observing Maelgwn like a hawk.

The fact that the Governor was now perceiving a confidential communication meant there was something going on that Maelgwn hadn’t made him aware of. Brian had considered that the confidential transmission could be personal rather than political, but as it was the nature of the Nefilim to be basically emotionless, it seemed unlikely that Marduk would be sentimental enough to send a departing message to Maelgwn. Brian was just about convinced that there was a conspiracy brewing and he desperately wanted to be made privy to it. For although he’d been playing the diplomat of late and had proven rather good at it, ultimately Brian was a crusader, not a politician. In his past lives as King Brockwell of Powys and Alexander the Great, Brian had had plenty of experience in both regards, but in this lifetime he’d dedicated himself to the study and perfection of the martial art of Tae-kwondo. Brian was a peaceful man by nature yet, strangely enough, the possibility of a conspiracy brewing had him so excited that he could barely sit still.

Maelgwn’s expression gave nothing away as he perceived the transmission, which was over by the time Brian had finished downing the contents of his goblet. He refrained from inquiring after Maelgwn’s thoughts to give the man time to assess the communication. But when the Governor continued to stare at the floor, his thoughts causing his face to contort with worry, the suspense proved too much. ‘Well?’

Maelgwn looked up to Brian with a look of apology on his face. ‘I will do as advised, for clearly there is no other option at present.’ He paused again to consider any possibility that may have been overlooked.

Brian leant forward to recapture his brother-in-law’s attention. ‘And what were you advised?’

‘To resign.’ Maelgwn turned his dark eyes to Brian, whose own eyes of piercing blue were now wide.

‘But, that would mean that I would be …’ He couldn’t say it, the thought of playing interstellar diplomat all the time was too terrible.

‘Governor of Kila,’ Maelgwn announced with a smile and a pat on the back.

‘Wait a minute.’ Brian removed Maelgwn’s hand from his shoulder to protest his predicament. ‘What is going on?’

Maelgwn took a deep breath; he couldn’t tell his replacement anything, despite the fact that Brian was his closest friend. ‘I cannot in good conscience bring another two children into the world that I shall never get to see.’ Maelgwn stated his reason, in no uncertain terms. ‘I will certainly not do it to Tory and I will not do it to me.’

‘Aw …’ Brian grumbled. Maelgwn’s reason was a good one, but Brian knew by Maelgwn’s present demeanour that there was another reason why his brother-in-law was resigning. He also knew that if he was to sit in the Senate, he couldn’t ask any more incriminating questions. Even having a recollection of Maelgwn sidestepping a pertinent issue would be enough to spark Nefilim suspicions and justify an investigation into his affairs. ‘Who would you suggest I elect as my Vice?’

Brian’s question made Maelgwn grin, as it meant they had an understanding. ‘I know this appointment is not your ideal vocation, but the Nefilim are familiar with you now, and they may withdraw the position altogether should I suggest anyone else in my stead. Then the human tribes would have no one to fight their cause in the Senate.’

‘I know,’ Brian admitted, calmer now that he’d gotten over the shock of his pending promotion. ‘Not that we get any thanks for our efforts … from what I have witnessed of the human tribes in other star systems, they despise the Chosen Ones for having been taken into the Nefilim’s favour.’

‘That is to be expected,’ Maelgwn proffered, ‘as we have made precious little difference to their plight.’

‘But we have freed many from slavery and enforced a code of living and working conditions for many others.’

‘But we do not have the numbers to enforce the law. And even if we did, the Nefilim are only telling us about a fraction of their mining ventures throughout this galaxy, all of which would be run by human slave labour of one species or another depending on the terrain of the planet being exploited. That is your mission, Brian.’

Brian’s head, which had been bowed to hide his disappointment, shot up at hearing the word ‘mission’.

‘I am going to suggest that you do a brush-up course on psychic self-defence with Hero,’ Maelgwn continued, pleased that he’d captured Brian’s interest. ‘She will also hone your telepathic knowhow. For if the Nefilim believe we are hiding something from them, they are going to find that they are very much mistaken.’

Maelgwn’s address to Brian changed, for suddenly he seemed to be speaking to the Great Pantheon, who would find this memory in Brian’s mind eventually and get the message.

‘For it is they who keep secrets from us! And therefore, we shall make it our mission to seek out every single hidden pocket of industry and exploitation.’

Brian was all for the idea, although he felt rather inadequate suddenly. ‘Shouldn’t we be sending someone with greater telepathic knowhow, like Rhiannon or Rhun?’

‘Nay.’ Maelgwn flattened the suggestion. ‘Your skills are completely at your command, Hero will see to that. No one is as intimately informed about the members and affairs of the Pantheon as you are. You are the only one, besides myself, worth sending. Still, if you truly believe that this appointment is beyond your scope, I shall not resign.’

‘Like hell you won’t.’ Brian was slightly insulted and felt he’d been misunderstood. ‘I have no problem battling with my wits for a change,’ he announced, convincing both himself and Maelgwn of his conviction. ‘And I shall appoint Rhun as my Vice,’ he informed surely, and then smiled. ‘He’s been planet-bound nearly a year now, and is probably hanging out for an excuse to do some deep space travel.’

‘It’s settled then.’ Maelgwn gripped Brian’s wrist to shake on it and Brian nodded surely in accord. ‘Congratulations at being the first human being to join the Great Pantheon of Twelve.’

Brian was struck dumb as the realisation sunk in.

‘I shall send a communication to the Pantheon at once, informing them of our resolve.’

As Maelgwn had been caught up in conference all afternoon and would be busy until later in the evening, Tory took advantage of the time alone to chase up En Noah and see what he knew about Devas.

She located the famous historian in the private library of his audience chambers at the Institute of Immortal History, surrounded by piles of books.

‘I thought textbooks were redundant in this day and age,’ Tory commented from the doorway.

When Noah looked up to spy the Governess, he sprang from his spot on the floor and invited her into the room so that she might be seated. ‘I didn’t expect to see you up and about this day, Nin.’

‘Nin’ was an old Nefilim term that could be applied to any woman in authority, as ‘En’ venerated a man of position.

‘I understood you were feeling poorly.’

Tory smiled as she accepted his aid to waddle over to the closest lounge chair. ‘Besides being three times my normal size, I am fine.’ Tory crossed her legs and seated herself on the floor to use the base of the lounge as a support for her back. But before Noah raised himself again, Tory brushed a hand over the short hair on his head, and then held the little beard on his chin. She recalled the young journalist of slight build, with glasses and long blonde hair always falling in his face, whom she’d first met. But Noah’s new look and physical fitness made him appear more mature and rather handsome really. ‘I do like the cyber-musketeer look you’ve got happening. It suits you very well.’ The scholar’s cheeks turned bright red. ‘So …’ She decided to change the subject to save any further embarrassment and turned her attention to the mounds of literature before her. ‘It looks as though you are on a mission. What is all this stuff?’ She took the closest open book in hand and perused its cover. ‘The Secret Doctrine?’ She read the title aloud and looked at Noah curiously.

‘That’s a theosophical text, compiled by the society of the same name, formed on Gaia in the late nineteenth century,’ Noah informed.

‘So were they a religion or a science, an occult or theologically-based organisation?’ Tory queried, most curious to learn.

‘All of the above, and none.’ Noah confused the issue. ‘The Theosophical Society compiled the secrets of the cosmic universe: the nature, structure, origin and destiny of it and the multitudes of beings that exist within it. Their doctrine is more … an archaic wisdom, which was reputedly passed down from the first thinking human beings on Gaia, and then by innumerable guardians through the ages to our time.’

‘Guardians like Taliesin, and my father,’ Tory noted for the argument.

Noah nodded to agree. ‘And now you.’

Tory smiled meekly, feeling herself a rather inadequate replacement for two of the greatest Merlins Gaia had ever known. And as she could think of nothing positive to say on that front, she said nothing at all.

‘Still,’ Noah broke the uncomfortable silence, ‘as we seem to have been disbarred from accessing the memories of our earliest incarnations, who can say if the claim is true? The founder of the society was the author of the book you hold in your hand, Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatsky. She claimed her doctrine was the basis of all world religions, and from my own investigations this claim would seem quite true. Her work is really something quite extraordinary, for she was the first person to translate the teachings of the wise men of the East into a doctrine that the Western world of her time could begin to comprehend.’

‘A woman after my own heart.’ Tory grinned, well impressed by the woman’s feats.

‘She knew things about this universe that we have only recently discovered ourselves!’ Noah shook his head, thinking it truly amazing. ‘Unfortunately, much of her cosmology was perceived psychically and thus her work was easily discredited by both the sciences and religions of that age.’

‘Typical!’ Tory rolled her eyes in disgust and looked back to the library spread out on the floor. ‘At least we know better now. Is all this text theosophical?’

‘I wish it was. Most of these books are ancient religious texts that I brought with me from Gaia, which are not anywhere near as coherent.’ Noah gazed over the piles of books he’d pulled from his shelves, many of which were lying open for cross-reference. ‘Most of these references were employed when we first began delving into the origins of the Chosen Ones and the Nefilim. I’ve got a whole stack of additional material on CD-ROM if only I could find an old PC to play them on.’ Noah scratched his head, bemused. ‘I spoke to Floyd, and he thinks there’s a remote possibility that he might be able to resurrect one for me.’

‘So is this quest for information leading somewhere?’ Tory teased, thoroughly suspecting that Noah had already begun delving into the subject she was here to discuss.

‘It’s hopefully leading …’ Noah paused as he considered that Tory might be disturbed by his interest in her celestial encounter. On the other hand, he wasn’t going to lie to the Governess of the planet about what he was doing. ‘I was hoping to identify the species of the entity you encountered this afternoon.’

‘It was a Deva, I suspect,’ Tory informed, plainly.

Noah was stunned by her words. ‘Yes it was.’ The scholar returned to his position amid his references. ‘From Candace’s description of it, it couldn’t have been anything else.’ Then the thought struck him and Noah looked back to Tory. ‘This is what you’ve come to see me about?’

‘It is,’ Tory granted, to assure Noah that he’d done the right thing. ‘Have you managed to discover much about them yet?’

Noah grinned confidently. ‘Loads.’

Tory raised her brow in excited expectation. ‘Just like old times … I knew you’d be on the case.’

‘Always,’ he winked to confirm. ‘But wait!’ He held high a finger, as he looked about him. ‘There’s definitely something missing here.’

Tory looked about her and immediately figured what was lacking from the once familiar scene.

‘Tea!’ they resolved, nodding to confirm that it was a must.

Noah instructed his novice to bring them some refreshments and as they awaited their brew, the scholar began sorting through the information he’d unearthed in search of a place to begin his tutorial.

‘All these texts confirm that Devas vary infinitely in their degree of consciousness and intelligence, and they are to be found on nearly every plane of existence. These celestial beings have become our own innermost selves, and thus are the link between the spiritual and the divine for all matter-bound intelligences. Devas embody thought and empower will with energy if the subject’s intent is adequate to set his designs into motion.’

‘Thus, we do create our own reality.’ Tory was pleased that at least one doctrine supported her proven theory.

‘And Devas create the necessary circumstances to bring our desires into being without questioning the right or wrong of the souls in their charge. For indeed, they have no concept of negative or positive outcomes, only cause and effect … which is, after all, the whole reason why our three-dimensional plane, bound by time, space and matter, was created. Devas are part of what is known as the Dhyani-Chahanic host, who are the great architects of life on all levels of existence and the divine servants of the Logos. They supervise our evolution, being agents of karmic and cosmic law. But in the fullest sense, the Dhyan-Chohans are actually ourselves, we are merely emanations sent forth from them.’

‘What you are saying is that they are, in effect, the higher self that we will become once we have evolved back towards the Logos.’

‘Indeed,’ Noah granted. ‘Or another way of looking at it is that we were part of the Dhyani-Chahanic host before our involution down through the planes of awareness into the physical realm of existence.’

‘And we are, therefore, still one with that divine entity that is ever existent within our highest subtle bodies,’ Tory added to round off the theory. ‘So is human contact with a Deva commonplace then?’

‘Practically unheard of …’ Noah was both delighted and frustrated to announce: delighted because his Governess had been honoured by the universe and frustrated, as he could not gauge the repercussions or reasons for the rare union. ‘… except for a few hazy biblical references, which described Devas as fiery, winged beings which served to identify the entity we were dealing with. The reason for the lack of communication is that, up until this point in human evolution, the kingdoms of humankind and devakind converge at a point higher than mankind’s most adept being. For they belong to an evolution distinct from that of humanity, an evolution that could be regarded as the one above ours.’

‘Hold on, hold on, hold on!’ Tory held up both palms to beg him to pause. ‘You’ve lost me … how can my higher self belong to an evolution distinct from my own?’

‘Okay.’ Noah stood and then paused for a moment to formulate his explanation. ‘The way I understand this is that we are at present a part of human consciousness, which is a physical plane evolution. But as our souls progress we will take part in an astral evolution on the astral plane, a mental evolution, a causal evolution, a spiritual evolution, a monadic evolution and then finally we reach perfection in our reunion with the Logos from which the whole system came.’

Tory nodded to confirm she followed.

‘But as time does not exist beyond the physical plane of existence, then all our evolutions are already taking place.’

‘Granted.’ Tory grasped the concept fully. ‘So, in theory, I have a higher self on every level of awareness that correlates the information from the evolutions experienced on the planes below it. Each of these higher selves in turn protects the more advanced soul above it, or within it, from experiencing the worst of that which is beneath or beyond it.’

‘Aye. Your ultimate Dhyan-Chohanic host entity is shielded from your damaging human emotions by all its lower devanic evolutions.’

‘So why disregard this divinely conceived system on my account?’ Tory was most perplexed by the conundrum.

‘Perhaps you are the first of the Chosen to transcend the ring-pass-not that divides us from making contact with our soul’s higher incarnations?’ Noah put forward.

‘But I don’t remember anything.’ Tory rubbed her swollen belly, even more concerned by the scholar’s premise. ‘If this being was here to see me, you’d think it would have left me with some memory of the event, some instruction or something?’

Noah frowned, suddenly rather perturbed himself. ‘Are you implying the Deva was here to make contact with your babes?’

Tory shrugged, unsure of what to think. ‘Perhaps they are the ones who will bridge the gap between evolutions, not I?’

‘Well, even if that is the case, surely there is no reason for concern,’ he posed.

‘Of course there isn’t.’ Tory outwardly smiled, so that Noah would feel she had complete confidence in this theory. ‘Which is why I’d rather we didn’t bother Maelgwn with any of this.’

‘Nin?’ Noah felt most uncomfortable with the situation suddenly.

‘Everyone who needs to be aware, I have made aware … Maelgwn’s enlightenment would only serve to create a problem where there is none.’

‘Nin?’ Noah repeated, sounding more disappointed in her. ‘Have we not progressed beyond keeping secrets from our soul-mates?’

‘I have no intention of keeping this secret from him,’ Tory defended in a playful fashion. ‘I just don’t plan to inform him of my celestial event until I have all my facts straight.’

Personally speaking, Noah was more disposed towards Tory than Maelgwn, having known her longer, and was hence inclined towards her will. ‘If that is what you believe is best, I shall not act contrary to thy wish, Nin. Still, such information would weigh heavily on my conscience and I would hate something like this to undermine the trust the Dragon has in me.’

‘Forgive me, Noah.’ Tory was touched by his concerns and she rethought her strategy. ‘I would hate to be responsible for such an occurrence and I will not put you in the situation if it makes you feel that uncomfortable. I shall tell Maelgwn this evening.’

Tory’s resolve caused Noah to rethink his own. ‘No, please. If you think the information should be withheld from the Governor until a more opportune time in his schedule, who am I to argue with your decision?’

‘You are my trusted advisor and dear friend, Noah, that’s who!’ Tory appealed. ‘If you think I should tell Maelgwn what happened, based on what we know at present, I will.’ Noah frowned as he considered how Maelgwn would take the news.

‘Governor,’ Noah began to rehearse an explanation. ‘A rare celestial event possessed your wife this afternoon, in order to communicate with your unborn children. This has left all three apparently unscathed, but unfortunately we have …’ Noah ceased his spiel as Tory’s facial expression contorted into one of agony. ‘What’s the matter? Don’t you like my approach?’

Tory gripped her belly and gritting her teeth, she smothered her moan. She didn’t wish to alarm Noah, who had yet to venture into parenthood.

‘Good grief! Is this normal?’ Noah begged to know, as the Governess continued to moan, obviously in a lot of discomfort. ‘Give me a nod, if I should be alarmed.’

Tory shook her head. ‘Just get me to our healing chambers.’

When Maelgwn arrived in the healing chamber to find his wife in the throes of labour, and Cadfan and Hatty making ready for a delivery, the expectant father became rather alarmed. ‘This wasn’t supposed to happen for a month yet.’ He voiced his surprise to make known his arrival.

‘Well, it’s happening now, En Dragon.’ Cadfan smiled. ‘So, if you are still of the mind to aid in the delivery of your babes, you’d better get those hands clean.’ The healer pointed the bemused father towards the basin, even though he knew where it was. ‘She’s nine centimetres dilated,’ he added to urge Maelgwn to get a move on.

‘But that’s the third stage of labour!’ Maelgwn rushed to the sink. ‘What happened to stages one and two?’

‘Your wee ones seem in somewhat of a hurry to get here,’ commented Hatty, as she passed by Maelgwn carrying a large pile of fresh towels towards the action.

Maelgwn grabbed hold of her arm and pulled the healer up to have a quiet word.

‘I know what you are going to ask,’ she said, her tone making light of his woes. ‘And it’s quite normal for twins to be premature. Tory isn’t a big woman, and I’m sure it’s getting awfully crowded in there. So, don’t fret, my pet’ she advised, sweetly patting Maelgwn’s cheek. ‘Enjoy the moment.’ Hatty winked to reassure him and went back about her business.

Her advice greatly improved Maelgwn’s attitude, but by the sounds of the noises emanating from his wife, she wasn’t too joyful at present. ‘How are you doing, sweet thing?’ he called out to Tory as he stuck his hands into the recess in the wall, where they were pelted with water and scrubbed clean, then gently dried by warm scented air.

‘Don’t sweet thing me, lover boy,’ she strained, as her contractions hadn’t eased for more than a few minutes since they’d started. ‘The next time you want a baby … try a test tube.’ She managed to squeeze out the punchline ahead of a great wail.

Maelgwn smiled, as his wife had yet to lose her sense of humour. ‘Where’s the fun in that, my love?’ he posed, but was spared an abusive response as Candace and Sybil arrived.

‘Goodness!’ Sybil exclaimed, as she witnessed the scene unfolding in the chamber.

‘It looks like action stations,’ Candace commented aside to Sybil, as they both made haste to Tory’s side. On the quiet, Candace was worried that the premature birth of her sister-in-law’s babies might be linked to Tory’s ordeal earlier in the day. ‘What brought this on?’ She looked to Cadfan, who knew what had taken place at Devaglen.

To Candace’s great relief, the healer smiled broadly. ‘I suspect destiny had something to do with it.’

‘It doesn’t matter why it’s happening now,’ Tory stressed. ‘What matters is that it is happening, so let’s just deal with it, can we? Ahhh!’ Her concentration was drawn to the task at hand, as Sybil and Candace got behind her to help support Tory’s body in a position that would aid the delivery.

‘We’re ready anytime you are.’ Maelgwn gripped Tory’s hand briefly in encouragement, before assuming his place between Cadfan and Hatty. ‘Oh Goddess,’ he exclaimed upon sighting the crown of his baby’s head forging its way forth into the world. ‘You’re doing great,’ he uttered, overwhelmed with admiration for his wife’s powers of endurance.

Circumstances beyond his control had prevented Maelgwn from being present at the births of his first two children. Now, finally, he was to witness the event and the expectation was more intense than the prelude to a battle, a war, or even death! Even with the scope of his adventures throughout the galaxy and history, the miracle of birth was proving to be the most extreme experience of all those life had to offer. Even the awe-inspiring conception paled by comparison, for Maelgwn felt more love for his wife at this moment than ever their physical union had inspired.

With the next contraction the tiny head was completely exposed, and as Maelgwn knelt down to ease his child’s passage into the world, he felt truly humbled by the power and wonder of creation. Following Cadfan’s careful guidance to the letter, the blood-splattered babe soon slid safely into its father’s waiting arms and Maelgwn cut the umbilical cord.

‘It’s a boy!’ Tears spurted from the proud father’s eyes as he announced the birth of his second son. Marduk has returned, he thought, as he gazed down at the newborn, its face being wiped clean by Hatty with a warm, damp cloth. ‘Welcome to the human race.’ He gently kissed his son’s tiny wrinkled brow, whereby the babe’s eyelids parted to reveal eyes of deep violet. ‘He has your eyes,’ Maelgwn was delighted to inform Tory, but she had other things on her mind at present.

‘You’d better pass the little fellow on.’ Cadfan waved Maelgwn back to his station. ‘Number two is coming through,’ the healer chuckled, thoroughly enjoying the proceedings.

Hatty took the firstborn from Maelgwn to tend to his post-birth checkup and, feeling like an old hand at midwifery now, Maelgwn knelt down to take possession of the second twin. He looked to his wife who was puffing and straining from her efforts. ‘Have I told you today?’

Tory, finding a coherent moment, returned her husband’s fond gaze. ‘I love you too,’ she replied, ‘and if you can end this in the next five minutes,’ her voice became strained as the next contraction intensified, ‘I will love you all the more.’

‘I do believe I can grant that wish,’ he assured, as a second little bald crown showed itself. ‘A couple of good pushes and you’ll be drinking tea.’

‘Boil the water, baby.’ Tory put on a determined face and even managed a smile, before she bore down for all she was worth.

‘Whoa!’ He advised her to refrain a moment. ‘We have a head.’

Canfan quickly checked that the umbilical cord wasn’t wrapped around the child’s neck before he gave Maelgwn the all clear to guide it out.

Tory collapsed back into a reclining position — the trial was over. ‘Is it a girl?’ She had to know.

‘She is.’ Maelgwn carried the tiny babe over and laid her upon his wife’s naked body. ‘And she will be a perfect little replica of her mother, I expect.’

‘So the prediction has come to pass,’ Tory mumbled, lost in the wondrous delirium of making skin contact with her newborn babe. ‘You’d better tell Noah he’s a prophet, after all.’

‘So he is.’ Maelgwn recalled Tory mentioning the historian’s prediction, which was completely out of character for Noah. ‘How did it go again?’

‘It will be twins, a boy and a girl, Noah said. Unique in their purpose.’ Tory ended her recitation with raised brows, unsure of what the second part of the prediction meant, but right now she didn’t really care.

‘Well, he’s as healthy and strong as any full-term baby, twin or no.’ Hatty gave her expert opinion as she brought the boy child over to join his family.

Praise the universe, thought Tory on the quiet, as it seemed her celestial encounter had benefited her unborns as suspected. The secret that her restless conscience harboured seemed no longer to be of any consequence.

4

CHANGELINGS

When a child was born on Kila, it was not named until after its time and date of birth in Chaliada were known. This meant that the astrological chart could be drawn and consulted in order for the child to be given a name that was appropriate to its calling in life. This was part of the science of Sonics — that every word has an individual vibration. The right name would attune the soul-mind to its true purpose in life, and reinforce its destiny. This practice had been strongly adhered to by the early Atlantean race on Gaia, and the scheme had been adopted by the Chosen Ones and perfected.

An intricate PKA (psychokinetically activated) database had been developed long ago, into which all the particulars of a newborn were fed. Once the information had been analysed, the database compiled a list of all the most beneficial names and the parents usually chose one of these. Citizens were not bound in any way to adhere to the astrological name selection process, but in the best interests of their children, it was strongly encouraged by the adepts of Astrology, Healing and the Mind and Earth Sciences.

The head of the Institute of Astrology on Kila was another of the Alexander kin, Cleo, who was married to the Head of Astronomy, Daniel Alexander, son of the Vice-Governor. This was a most fortunate union, for the two sciences went hand in hand, as did their Adepts. Most of the Chosen were in similar professions to their spouse, which served to keep the Ying and Yang energies well balanced in all fields of endeavour. The Chosen had not purposely devised this harmonious arrangement, but it was surely part of a divine scheme being hatched on some celestial plane of awareness.

It was Cleo who delivered the name list to new parents, for she could aid them to make an informed choice if they were in doubt. She came calling only hours after the event and her arrival was always greatly anticipated by new parents. The Astrologer was fortunate enough to catch Maelgwn and Tory whilst the babies were snoozing off the ordeal of birth.

Although immortals didn’t require sleep, until their babies experienced a physical death — thereby activating their immortal gene — they would need and suffer all that mortals did.

Tory had found her second wind. The fortunate thing about being an immortal was that her body had completely recovered from the physical effects of her pregnancy — except for her oversized breasts laden with milk, which Maelgwn was admiring with relish.

‘So, what names have we to choose from?’ Tory, feeling trim and terrific, invited Cleo into the lounge to take a seat. ‘What did the charts have to say about our babies’ vocations?’ Tory sat herself down on the lounge chair beside her husband and took hold of his hand to listen to what the Astrologer had to say.

‘Well,’ began Cleo, a little awkwardly. ‘For the first time in the history of our astrological naming system, the PKA database only came up with one name for each child.’

Tory and Maelgwn looked to each other, not knowing how to react to the news.

‘Now, just because this hasn’t happened before, doesn’t mean that there is any reason to be concerned,’ the Astrologer told them confidently. ‘It just means that their charts were so specific that the selection of names was narrowed right down to one.’

The proud parents were most relieved to hear this and, praying that she liked the names that had been chosen, Tory dared to ask, ‘And the names were?’

‘Not surprisingly, as they were born in close succession, the meaning of their names is practically identical —’

‘Cleo, please,’ Maelgwn interrupted, ‘just tell us. The suspense is unbearable!’

‘The suggested name for your firstborn, the boy child, was Avery,’ Cleo advised, and the news was rather well received.

‘Avery,’ Tory repeated, getting a feel for the name. ‘I rather like that … it’s strong, and yet it has an intellectual ring about it also.’

Maelgwn gave his wife’s hand a squeeze to agree with her view and then looked back to Cleo. ‘And our new daughter, what name shall she be known by?’

‘The name suggested was Lirathea.’

‘Why that’s beautiful.’ Tory was delighted. ‘But I’ve never heard it before, what does it mean?’

‘It means, “excelling elf counsel of the Goddess”,’ Cleo informed, and although Maelgwn seemed intrigued by the meaning, Tory’s stomach turned. It seemed the secret she harboured about Devaglen might still be of consequence after all.

‘And so Avery means?’ Tory dared to probe further, her eyes closing as she waited to be enlightened.

‘It means, “elf counsellor, wise counsellor”.’

The realisation shocked Tory to the core, and so Maelgwn beat her to the pertinent question.

‘Hence our children’s vocation must have a lot to do with the inhabitants of the Otherworld?’ he presumed.

‘A very intimate association, according to their charts.’ Cleo handed a PKA orb over to Maelgwn, which was the kind of thought-recorder used most often by the Chosen.

The Nefilim, being mentally-inclined beings, preferred the model of thought-recorder that read and transmitted via the third eye area. Whereas the Chosen, being more emotional, physically-based creatures, preferred to channel their thoughts into a handheld device.

The orb Cleo presented to the parents contained the charts of their offspring and an analysis of the astrological data. ‘Their psychic aptitude is predicted to be far superior to any of the Chosen who have gone before them. And their vocation is deeply imbedded in the areas of ET communication and humanitarianism.’

‘Good heavens!’ Maelgwn smiled, pleased, honoured and proud. ‘It sounds as if Avery and Lirathea are here to teach us, rather than the other way around.’ He placed a hand on his wife’s knee, and gently squeezed it, excited.

‘You don’t know how right you are,’ Cleo commented, amused by his perception. ‘For their lives will very closely revolve around their parents, more so than is usual, even for children of the Chosen kind.’ She raised both brows in emphasis. ‘These children will be exceptional in every regard and therefore may be prone to be difficult if misunderstood or disciplined rashly. For they will do and say things that seem incredible, but despite how outrageous their acts and claims, we advise that you endeavour to be patient and give them the benefit of the doubt.’ As the parents nodded in understanding, Cleo thought she’d best clarify her explanation. ‘Now, don’t get me wrong. Avery and Lirathea will need firm guidance and correction in the ways of the physical world. But in the ways of the Otherworld … their knowledge will be absolute.’

‘Good Goddess, have we not truly been blessed, Nin?’ Maelgwn put the question to Cleo and when she nodded surely, he turned to view his wife, who did not appear so sure. ‘Is something the matter?’

Tory could not look her husband in the eye, for she hated to dampen his excitement. Still, she nodded to confirm that something was amiss. ‘I fear …’ she could say no more, choked by her welling tears.

‘Tory?’ Maelgwn placed an arm around her and pulled her close. Her reaction was so unexpected, he suspected postnatal hormones might have something to do with the sudden depression. ‘What do you fear? Tell me.’

‘I shall go.’ Cleo rose, well used to witnessing all manner of extreme emotions during naming visits. ‘Shall I post a bulletin announcing the names of your newborns, or do you need more time to think it over?’

‘Tory?’ Maelgwn prompted her to make the decision.

With a sniffle, Tory composed herself and raised her head to nod. ‘What the universe has decreed, so be it. You may make the announcement.’

Cleo gave a slight nod and then a smile of approval. ‘Many congratulations, as we see much prosperity and peace arising around these children and truly, Nin, there is no cause to fear for them.’

The Governess did her best to appear reassured whilst a feeling of foreboding ate her up inside. What really frightened Tory was that she wasn’t exactly sure why her children’s names made her feel thus. ‘Elf’ was an old-world name given to one of the lowest forms of devanic entities back on Gaia, so obviously her children’s calling and her celestial encounter were no coincidence. She had already established that the devanic entity had done her no harm, and could not! So why then was fear and guilt festering in her heart and ruining this momentous moment? Why couldn’t she just accept that her children’s destiny was as simple as Cleo had predicted? Deep in her soul Tory felt that there was much more to Avery and Lirathea’s destiny than could be readily accessed by any current human understanding. That was when Tory realised it was fear of her own ignorance that scared her most.

Alone with her husband, Tory confessed all she knew of her encounter at Devaglen, and her seemingly irrational dread surrounding the destiny of their children.

‘Aw, honey.’ Maelgwn wiped the tears from her face, and kissed her forehead to reassure her. ‘I suspect you’re making a mountain out of a molehill. And even if you’re not, you cannot assume responsiblity for the encounter at Devaglen.’

‘But I was the one who kept insisting that I go there.’

‘Well then, don’t you think that your insistence was, for whatever reason, meant to be?’ He ended the argument with this rationale, and Tory gave up the guilt trip. ‘Whatever is to become of Avery and Lirathea will have been devised by their higher selves to aid their own divine purpose.’ Tory’s gaze hardened to a stare suddenly, and she wore the most curious frown on her face.

‘Déjà vu,’ she explained.

‘There you go, then.’ Maelgwn felt this was the universe’s way of substantiating his view. As Tory sat more peacefully considering what lay ahead, Maelgwn thought he may as well come clean with her also. ‘I too have a confession, or rather an announcement, to make.’ Maelgwn unclipped the thought-wave neutralisers from his own wrist and his wife’s. He held up his right palm and placed it against Tory’s, their fingers enfolding the hand of the other to mentally convey parts of their conversation.

‘I have decided to resign as Governor of Kila, in order to spend more time with you and the children,’ he stated out loud, but the silent reason he conveyed to Tory, told a very different story. Marduk has ascended back to Logos and I suspect that his soul is now resting peacefully in the next room, along with the soul of your aunt Rose.

Of course, thought Tory, remembering Marduk claiming that he would one day be born into the ranks of his Chosen human race as Maelgwn’s son. ‘You don’t know how pleased I am about your decision to step down.’ She wrapped her arms around her husband and held him close to perceive his unsaid counsel.

The Pantheon unanimously voted that I should become the first human representative to enter the twelve, and you know as well as I, why I cannot open my mind to any of the Nefilim.

Tory nodded without stirring from their comfortable embrace.

‘I have thus put forward Brian in my stead, and he has agreed to take up the office and the plight of the human tribes in the Senate.’

‘My brother shall do the position justice,’ Tory agreed with cheer, but her inner voice was one of curiosity. So how are you really planning to employ our time, once we are freed of the responsibilities of government?

That we shall discuss when I return. Maelgwn pulled away to hold her at a distance. ‘I leave to address the Great Pantheon in a few days’ time, when Brian and his new Vice have been sworn into office. The trip was arranged right before you went into labour. I thought I had a few weeks’ leeway. I’m sorry about the timing, really I am.’

‘I’m sure I’ll manage,’ Tory conceded, withdrawing from her husband’s touch altogether. She coped with their first two children alone for much of the first year of their life, but she didn’t want Maelgwn to feel that she resented him for it. ‘Who has Brian elected as his Vice?’

‘Rhun,’ he was pleased to advise and Tory’s expression seemed to confirm that she was just as proud that her brother had selected their firstborn son.

‘The city council will support the nomination.’ She was confident of that. ‘And Rhun will get a few jaunts a year into his beloved deep space.’

Tory went rather quiet after that, so Maelgwn felt he’d best reassure her. ‘I shall only be gone for the shortest time possible.’

No one could estimate the exact length of any journey through deep space, as interstellar travel was still a variable and unpredictable science. This uncertainty was due to etheric matter sometimes leaking into the tunnels created by their wormhole stabilisers as they cut passages through the anti-matter superhighway that existed between star systems. When this leakage was encountered by a starship in transit, all aboard were treated to an indefinite stint of timelessness in realms otherworldly, and they could lose days, weeks and even months in transit.

‘I know your intentions are the best.’ Tory resolved to smile and gave a shrug. ‘All the more reason to make the most of the present, the way I see it.’ She closed the distance between Maelgwn and herself once more, moving to bequeath a kiss.

‘I wholeheartedly agree.’ Maelgwn encouraged her advance and as their lips met, a baby’s wail brought any thought of romance to a grinding halt.

The morning Maelgwn was to depart for Nibiru, the home planet of Nergal and the Senate of the Great Pantheon, he was feeling particularly good. The previous day had seen him hand over the top position in government to Brian and Candace’s safekeeping. Once he’d settled Brian’s appointment with the Senate, Maelgwn, for the first time in his entire life, would be answerable only to himself and his family. This was a dream so desirable that Maelgwn could barely believe he’d finally managed to manifest the scenario for himself.

Maelgwn, his wife, and the twins, had already moved out of the Governor’s chambers and into a quiet house that fronted onto Central Park. Apart from the fact that they still resided on the central island, to all the citizens of Chaliada they were retired from political life and remained present in an advisory capacity only.

With a cup of herbal tea in hand, Maelgwn exited onto the sunny back verandah of his new abode. ‘What a lovely aspect,’ he decided, gazing out across the garden and pool area to the freshwater canal that encompassed the inner island of Chaliada.

On the far side of the waterway stood the Institute of Science, a huge, disk-shaped white building that looked rather like a space station half embedded in the earth. All the dwellings in Chaliada were curved or circular, as sharp angles were known to be very unharmonious to the human spirit. Doorways and gateways were always arched, windows were always round or oval, and pathways always wound their way through the gardens.

Beyond the canal that surrounded the central island, the seat of government, was a second, ringed island that entirely encompassed the first and granted access to the central island via a large bridge. This second island was host to all the mental and spiritual institutes of learning. Those institutes dedicated to the study of physical world doctrine like sport, law, nature studies and the healing of animals were to be found on the third island ring. This was separated from the second island by a slightly narrower canal and wider bridge than those of the inner islands. Beyond the third and narrowest waterway that had the widest bridge in the city, one found the markets, harbour, the main city dock and spaceport.

Whatever island pertained to your line of work or study was usually the one you took up residence on. For there was no motorised mode of transport to be found within Chaliada; everybody walked or mentally projected themselves to their destination. The only transports to speak of in the city were those interstellar flights that brought people on and off the planet, and the reconnaissance vessels used by KEPA (Kila Environmental Protection Agency) for transporting injured wildlife for medical treatment, or bringing in game poachers for trial.

Maelgwn sat on the back steps sipping his cuppa, enjoying to the fullest the first hours of his retirement in the sedating warmth of the early morning sunshine. The solitude was bliss. No one was demanding a decision from him; there was no backlog of transmissions or memos to respond to. The early morning chatter of advisors had been replaced by the morning song of birds and Maelgwn knew which he preferred.

‘If only this trip to Nibiru was over, I should be the happiest soul in the physical universe,’ he hypothesised with a smile. Life seemed to hold more promise than ever before — freedom to pursue his own interests and desires was nearly at hand.

The sound of his wife’s scream shattered the moment, and sent shockwaves of fear resounding into the depths of Maelgwn’s soul — for Tory did not horrify easily. The cup dropped from his hand as Maelgwn willed himself to Tory’s side, and he was gone before the vessel hit the ground and shattered.

Maelgwn joined his wife in the nursery. She had ceased her screaming, but was weeping uncontrollably as she backed away from the twins’ crib.

‘What’s the matter?’ He grabbed hold of Tory to pacify her, whereupon she directed his attention to their sleeping babes.

Their tiny bodies were smothered in a rainbow flame and they were still sleeping, or unconscious or dead.

Maelgwn’s first reaction was to retrieve his babes from the flame, but upon reaching into the brilliant spectacle of fire, he made contact with naught but the mattress upon which his children lay. ‘What on earth is it?’ He swiped his hands through the apparition of his children but their physical bodies were no longer there.

Recovered from the shock, Tory’s mind took a stab at reasoning. ‘Perhaps it’s some sort of ethereal cocoon?’ she sniffled.

‘Does this bear any resemblance to your Deva?’ Maelgwn left the crib to quiz his wife.

‘I don’t know,’ Tory stressed. ‘I don’t remember anything! Only Candace saw it.’

Without further ado Maelgwn went charging off to his study to beseech the new Governess of Kila to come to their aid.

‘That’s what I saw, alright,’ Candace confirmed for one and all, as Noah, Cadfan and Thais had also been summoned to advise on the strange celestial matter that was enshrouding the newborns.

The past few hours had seen a new development in the condition of the twins, as the evasive image of the babies to be seen inside the fiery celestial haze had begun to change form. It appeared as if the human babes were being transformed into, or consumed by, some manner of alien creature. Tory was the first to note the physical changes in her cocooned children and, having been thrown into hysteria by the discovery, had been sedated.

Maelgwn, only moderately saner at this point, had been left to try and determine what was afflicting his children.

‘If it is some sort of ethereal cocoon, as your wife suggested, the laws of the universe guarantee that it can do the children no harm, being made of higher celestial matter than they are.’ Thais, who was employing his human embodiment for the consultation, spoke out.

‘And what if it isn’t devanic in origin at all? What if it is merely disguised to be mistaken as thus?’ Maelgwn voiced some of the scenarios that had been racing through his mind these past few hours. ‘How do we know this is not some sort of alien parasite using my children as a substance to feed itself? Or some sort of viral infection that even immortals are susceptible to? Genetic warfare even!’

‘If the latter were the case,’ Cadfan ventured an opinion, ‘then surely one of us would have been infected by now.’

‘Maybe only infants are susceptible as they are born mortal, whereas we have all assumed our immortal state already?’ Maelgwn argued. There were a million possibilities, what he needed was hard facts.

Noah had never known Maelgwn to be irrational, but the man’s concern for his children threatened to drive him beyond reason before too long. ‘Perhaps I would be of better service in my library. I could —’

‘Your prediction.’ Maelgwn clicked his fingers as he recalled it and, turning to Noah, he startled the scholar with the sudden attention.

‘What prediction?’ Noah shank from the question, as he recalled mumbling something to Tory in his drunken stupor the night her pregnancy had been announced.

‘Our children would be unique in their purpose, you said.’ Maelgwn approached to tower over the prophet. ‘What did you mean?’

‘I wish I could tell you,’ he tried to explain, as Maelgwn took hold of his shirt in a threatening fashion. ‘I only remember it at all, because Tory told me I said it, I swear to you!’

Thais, who was also tall like Maelgwn although not as muscle-bound in form, was about to intervene in the dispute but Maelgwn released the historian.

‘Damn it!’ the worried father barked, startling everyone present. ‘Can nobody tell me if they are suffering, at least!’ Tears of rage and frustration streamed down his face, but his jaw remained clenched in an attempt to withhold his emotions.

‘Dear Goddess!’ Candace gasped, her sights frozen on the crib.

Maelgwn turned to discover the source of her horror, whereby he froze, as did all present, beholding the floating alien forms that had emerged from the flaming chrysalis wearing the clothes Avery and Lirathea had last been seen in. The creatures appeared to have assumed a fully physical form and all trace of the two angelic babes had vanished along with the colourful auric cocoon that had consumed them.

Their skin of soft pink had turned a dark shade of green and was more reptilian in texture. The features of their faces were now more akin to the Nefilim or the faerie folk of the Otherworld. Their ears were larger, and pointed. Their enlarged eyes were almond shaped and had turned amber in colour. The babies’ hands and feet were claws and they had both sprouted tails at the base of their spines. These new appendages had ripped through the nappy and suit they wore and swished around behind them as they floated a couple of feet above the bedcovers.

Maelgwn’s disgust and anger consumed him, but he had no intention of giving up his children without a fight. On the quiet, he was hoping this was either a case of possession or that these creatures were in fact Changelings.

Back in his lifetime in ancient Britain, Maelgwn had heard the tales of changeling babies left in place of stolen human babes by the Tylwyth Teg, or the faerie folk as they were more widely known. These changeling babes were said to appear stupid, ugly and strange-looking — the revolting beasts before him certainly seemed to fit this general description.

Close window. Maelgwn gave a mental instruction to the window, so as not to startle the creatures he meant to entrap.

As the nursery window closed, both the aliens marked the movement and in no way alarmed by it, they returned their sights to Maelgwn.

He focused on a small section of the floor. Items of equipment began to manifest — a couple of hand nets, and two incubation cages, like those used to quarantine sick wildlife. He took hold of one of the large nets and handed the other to Noah, who appeared concerned that he’d been chosen to assist. ‘You go left, I’ll go right,’ he instructed.

‘Don’t you want to try coaxing them into the incubators?’ Thais suggested. ‘Netting them will surely throw them into a state of panic.’

Maelgwn shot a spiteful look at Thais. ‘Do you think I care?’

‘You asked me here to advise,’ Thais reminded him, appearing very concerned for the strange little beings. ‘And I think that you should take a moment to consider —’

‘With all due respect, Thais,’ hissed Maelgwn, short on patience. ‘I want these things quarantined, yesterday! Whatever works fastest … I’m all for that!’

‘Surely it is obvious that, no matter what breed of entity these beings belong to, they are but newborns.’ Thais persisted in pleading their case. ‘And will therefore be highly impressionable —’

‘Would you please leave!’ Maelgwn roared, whereby the pair of alien babes were startled and began, not to cry, but to shriek!

All present covered their ears, shattered by the dreadful sound.

‘Damn it!’ Maelgwn shot an angry glance at Thais, as he proceeded to net one of the noisy creatures.

The little female did not resist Maelgwn at all, although her squawks remained constant throughout the whole procedure. Once she was contained inside the incubator, she sat huddled and trembling, her eyes firmly fixed on the one who had imprisoned her.

The look in the creature’s eyes was one of betrayal, but the thought of being sympathetic to the being that had just consumed his child angered Maelgwn and his heart closed off to her. He turned to find Noah still chasing the shrieking male all around the room. ‘Stop mucking about.’ Maelgwn netted the creature in the first attempt and then bundled it into the second incubator. As the little being squawked in protest, its face appeared all the uglier.

‘This is cruel.’ Thais stated his opinion for the record and took his leave, unable to watch any more.

Maelgwn looked to Candace and Cadfan to see what they had to say about it, and it was clear neither of them knew how they felt.

‘Would you like for me to give them a physical examination?’ Cadfan offered, in an attempt to be constructive. ‘I’ll see what I can find out from a medical perspective.’

Maelgwn calmed and nodded, thinking the suggestion a good one, until, glancing back to the creatures, he discovered that the male had joined the female in her incubator. The aliens were now huddled together and still making a frightful noise. ‘Shit, they can teleport at will. It might be best not to get near them for the moment.’ Maelgwn reneged on the physical checkup.

‘So why do you think they are staying in the incubator when it obviously disturbs them?’ Noah wondered aloud and struck a nerve in Maelgwn.

‘Because in order to teleport yourself anywhere one needs a clear picture of the person or destination one is seeking.’ He stated the obvious. ‘They have not been out of this room since —’ he was going to say birth, which brought the memory of birthing his children to mind and a deep empty feeling of loss consumed him. He turned to leave the room and was startled when Tory appeared in his path.

‘The twins are frightened.’ She struggled against Maelgwn, who was blocking her path to the crib.

‘She shouldn’t be awake.’ Cadfan came over to assist in escorting her from the room. ‘That sedative I gave her should have knocked her out for hours.’

‘What is that noise?’ Tory demanded to know, bursting into tears. ‘Let me see!’

‘No, Tory,’ Maelgwn pleaded, as his wife employed her martial arts skills to give both he and Cadfan the slip.

She gasped upon sighting the creatures huddled in the incubator and then noting the vacated crib, Tory put two and two together. ‘Dear Goddess, no!’ Her knees gave way and she sank to the floor, weeping uncontrollably.

As the creatures observed Tory their squawks subsided to whimpers and, reaching out towards her, their claw-like hands penetrated through the reinforced glass siding on the incubator.

‘Come away.’ Maelgwn raised his wife and aided her to walk out of the room. As the distraught parents exited the nursery, the horrid shrieking began again.

Dazed and emotionally numbed, Tory felt somewhat distanced from her reality.

Her husband had left her to go to the Governor’s offices and record an address for the Great Pantheon, which Brian would take with him to Nibiru. With his children in peril, Maelgwn was not about to leave Kila.

Tory sat wide-eyed and motionless, wondering why she had created such a devastating event in her otherwise idyllic life. Where is the good in this situation?

It was only as it began to vibrate that Tory realised that she was clutching the divining pendant that she’d worn around her neck for some fifty years.

Up until now she’d been under the impression that she was required to hold the base of the Tablet against her forehead in order to utilise its divining function. Due to the advent of the PKA handheld orb, however, Tory had obviously become so adept at channelling her thoughts through her palms that holding the pendant in her hand was sufficient enough to activate it.

The tool, which took the form of a pyramid, detached itself from the magnetic ball that bound it to the chain and began to spin before Tory’s eyes. The pyramid expanded and began exuding light through the golden hieroglyphs which were the central feature of each of the Tablet’s four surfaces. In a burst of brilliant light the Tablet of Destinies opened and the three upright sides of the pyramid fell flat to the base to form one large triangle. A different image could be viewed within each of the four smaller triangles within the Tablet, which was positioned pinnacle upright before Tory’s eyes.

Shocked right out of her grief, Tory became preoccupied with trying to recall how to decipher the images the ancient tool had provided. ‘It’s been so long,’ she sniffled and sat forward in her seat to focus on the triangle featured in the centre of the arrangement. The image of her two beautiful newborns, just as she’d left them this morning, brought the tears back to her eyes. ‘The cause of my concern,’ Tory wheezed, recalling what this segment of the Tablet pertained to.

She turned her sights on the lower-left segment of the Tablet where she saw the two angelic beings so radiant and beautiful that they defied imagination. Gathered around the angelic souls were all the human tribes in existence. The various races stood side by side in harmony and unity — Tory got a distinct sense of peace and liberty from the scene. ‘The best that can result of my concern,’ she nodded, sure that that was what this segment decreed. ‘But who are these two divine beings, and what have they to do with my missing babes?’

Perhaps the answer lay in one of the two remaining segments and so Tory looked at the bottom-right section of the Tablet, recalling its meaning. The worst that can result from my concern. In this triangle was an image of the two beasts that had replaced her babes in the nursery, but in the vision the creatures were fully-grown. Hideous and hostile in appearance they hovered over a pile of bloody corpses composed of human mortals of every tribe. From this image Tory perceived feelings of resentment, hatred and fear.

Wishing to escape the dreadful vibration, she raised her sights to divine the meaning of the triangle that crowned the other three at the top of the pyramid. This segment decreed the outcome of Tory’s concern, should no action be taken, and it was a desolate vision that the Tablet foretold. Their beautiful city was being laid to waste by an air and sea attack. Tory gasped, rocketed by the scale of the destruction she beheld, when suddenly the vision overtook her and she was no longer viewing the image, she was zooming down through it.

The streets of the city were littered with the dead and dying remains of the Delphinus, Leonine, Centaur and Falcon breeds, but it was not alien creatures to blame for the carnage this time. All at once, Tory’s perception became stationary. She was in Central Park walking through the fresh kill from the recent battle. Around her were her fellow Chosen Ones, blood-splattered, exhausted and bewildered from the fight. Then looking down at herself, Tory saw that her clothes were stained deep red and the blood of the dying was dripping from her hands.

‘No!’ she cried in anguish. ‘It was my purpose to protect them!’

‘My ignorance shall not be the ruin of mortal man.’ Tory charged out of her bedroom and down the winding hall towards the nursery. She had never run away from a challenge in her life and she was not prepared to crumble in the face of this one. There was some connection between the disappearance of her babes and the fate of the human tribes and she intended to find out what that was. Her children’s souls depended on her solving this conundrum and she would not rest until she had. ‘Focus,’ she instructed herself, mentally mustering her scattered sensibilities.

‘Nin!’ Cadfan, who was outside the nursery consulting with his wife, was obviously surprised and concerned to see the frantic mother heading his way, looking very determined. ‘I think you should be resting,’ he advised.

‘I don’t need rest, Cadfan. What I need is comprehension.’ She did not pause from her course, even though the physician blocked the doorway. Open door. She gave the mental instruction and ducking down she avoided Cadfan and went straight into the nursery, the door manifesting behind her.

The squawking of the creatures that had been constant since Tory had left the room, subsided into whimpers as she entered their line of sight once more. The soft sound the aliens were making caused Tory’s swollen breasts to begin to exude milk, just as they did when her babies were crying to be fed.

‘Goddess no,’ she uttered, crossing her arms across her chest, as she realised what it was they were calling for. She perished the thought of cuddling one of these little beasts to her breast. Everything about them was repulsive, except for their large soulful eyes, which seemed to appeal to one’s compassion. Tory was a bit hard-pressed to be well disposed towards the creatures at present, but she would learn nothing by being hostile.

Obediently, the aliens had stayed inside the cage where they’d been put, but the claws of their arms reached out towards Tory through the glass of their prison.

With a deep inhalation, Tory retreated inside herself to adjust her attitude. She imagined that her children were watching and learning from behind the eyes of the alien creatures, and what she did to these beasts, she did to her own children. Instantly, it was easy to conjure a warm tender smile as she crouched down beside the incubator to get to know the aliens better.

The two creatures responded by smiling also, their extraordinarily small mouths expanding wide to expose their tiny, pointed, razor-sharp teeth.

Tory was a little startled by the discovery and backed away a little: the creatures became immediately saddened, beckoning for her to come closer. Their manner was so cute that Tory felt compelled to oblige. ‘You’re really rather sweet,’ she said reaching out to make contact with their extended claws.

‘Nin?’

The magic of the moment was broken and the alien babes withdrew into the incubator, hissing and snarling.

‘Damn it.’ She turned to confront Noah.

‘I am so sorry, Nin.’ He bowed his head in apology. ‘But I think I have discovered some information that could be useful.’

Tory could never remain mad with anyone — Noah least of all. ‘Come and sit down then.’ Tory moved to a couple of comfortable chairs that she usually used for feeding the babies. ‘Shh!’ she instructed the two squawking beasts, amazing herself and Noah when the infants fell quiet. ‘Good babies.’ She let them know she was pleased, whereby they started making a sweet contented sound, which was not unlike the cooing of a pigeon.

‘You’ve worked it out already,’ Noah assumed from Tory’s exchange with the creatures.

‘To what do you refer?’ Tory frowned; she’d been too upset to do much reasoning yet.

‘That the Deva youngsters are responding directly to exterior stimuli, not only in an emotional and mental sense, but in a physical sense also.’

‘So you believe they are Devas?’ Tory was most curious to note his choice of words.

‘At first, I was doubtful,’ admitted Noah. ‘As was everyone due to their unsightly appearance … one expects celestial beings to be beautiful beyond compare, right?’

Tory nodded to agree but said nothing to put Noah off his train of thought.

‘But when talking about Devas, one must understand that they have no prior knowledge of any negative concepts or stimuli. They don’t understand anger, fear, ugly! These are human concepts. They would never have experienced anything as dramatic as cold or physical discomfort and because their physical body is so attuned to their mental and emotional bodies, when their mind and feelings react to their scary new physical environment, their physical bodies merely reflect their discomfort and horror.’

Both of Tory’s hands had come to cover her mouth. She was so awestruck and petrified by the implications of the theory, that she barely knew where to begin to repair the damage already done to the Deva babes. ‘If what you say is true, Noah, these infants have to be kept in a completely negative-free environment and not even I have the discipline to be so perfect all the time.’

Noah leant across and embraced both Tory’s hands with his own. ‘The Logos obviously believes that you do, or it would never have left these very special Changelings in your care.’

‘Changelings you say?’ Tory was filled with hope by the suggestion. ‘So you think that my babes are safe and well … where?’

Noah was no spiritual leader, but his scholarly mind could suggest only one possible place. ‘If human babes exchanged for fairy Changelings were raised in Annwn or fairyland, then I would suspect human babes exchanged for Deva babes must be residing in —’

‘Devachan,’ Tory concluded surely. ‘And how does one acquire access to this realm?’

‘Humans cannot,’ Noah advised, his sights turning to the devas. ‘But they might be adept enough to help.’

Tory looked to the two terrified infants who needed loads of tender loving care, comfort and warmth. ‘Stay with me and see me through this?’ Tory conscripted Noah to her cause.

Noah nodded and gave her a reassuring smile. ‘Alien nappies, what a treat!’

The comment actually brought a smile to Tory’s face. ‘They’re not aliens, they are beautiful Devas.’ Tory turned to the babes to pay them the compliment. ‘And they shall be referred to as thus from now on.’

Obviously the creatures greatly approved as their purring increased to a sweet little song that completely delighted their two human carers.

Bathed, and changed into nappies and suits modified to accommodate their tails, Tory settled down to feed one of the baby Devas with breast milk she’d extracted and bottled — as spiritually advanced as she wished to be, she could not bring herself to feed the beings from her breast. She had bundled up the little male in her son’s blanket and cuddled him close as she fed him, paying him compliments and reassuring him that he was wanted and appreciated.

Noah was holding the little female, who was awaiting her mother’s attention. Tory threw a compliment her way now and then, which incited the female Deva to song every time.

‘Is it just me, or are they getting cuter?’

Tory smiled at Noah, thinking that he was joining in on her positive reinforcement exercise.

‘I’m serious … just look at that little guy.’ Noah noted that the boy child Tory was feeding had begun to radiate with light. ‘A bit of warmth, comfort and affection goes a long way it would seem.’

When Tory looked down at the Devas she saw a vague image of one of the beautiful beings who had stood united with the human tribes in one of the Tablet’s visions. ‘The Devas are the saviours and the destroyers.’ she gasped. ‘The potential to be either is within them, and which side of their nature dominates their adult years hinges on their early experiences and education.’

‘That would be the case with all babies, just more so with these two because of their super psychic attributes.’ Noah offered more information. ‘Some esoteric texts suggest that a baby’s soul is only loosely attached to its body when born, and floats in and out of its physical vehicle as it desires. If the child is not nurtured with a loving life experience and the soul is not fully integrated into the body by the age of five or so, then there is little chance that it will ever fully enter its earthly body … unless drawn into it by some cathartic experience later in life.’

‘But the human personification of such a lost soul would have to go through life in a zombie-like state, not questioning its existence, its circumstance or the universal scheme of things,’ Tory theorised, sounding horrified.

‘That explains twenty-first century Gaia,’ commented Noah. ‘I was just as you describe before I met you.’

Tory was vaguely amused by his claim, but did not waver from the topic. ‘So, if nurtured and their soul then becomes fully present in the body, they will take the path of the righteous. They will have contact with the divine within and therefore a greater chance of discovering and following their soul quest.’

‘That’s the theory. As for these two, if each soul remains distanced then only the Goddess knows how that would affect them.’ Noah shuddered to think.

‘I know what effect it would have,’ said Tory. Now, all the segments of the Tablet’s prophecy began to make perfect sense.

This was the connection between the Devas and the mortal tribes that she’d been seeking. If Tory developed all that was good and compassionate in these two beings then they would aid with her soul quest: to liberate the other human tribes from Nefilim domination. But if she ignored their needs, they would turn against all humans and become her greatest adversaries. If the fate of the mortal tribes did not change dramatically for the better, it was not hard to imagine that the tribes might soon rise up against the Nefilim and the Chosen. This would result in the fourth and final vision the Tablet had disclosed.

The awe inspired by the revelations taking place in Tory’s head bordered on fright. The image of the angel disappeared from the little Deva’s face as he picked up on Tory’s erratic emotions, but the being continued to radiate light.

‘Wow, did you see that?’ Noah was very excited by the changes in the Deva.

‘What is going on in here?’

Tory and Noah snapped to attention at the sound of Maelgwn’s voice and the Deva babes took to the air, sensing panic and ill will in the vicinity.

‘Please tell me you’re not nourishing these creatures?’ Maelgwn appealed to his wife.

Tory could tell by the look of disgust on her husband’s face that he would not be well disposed to consider their theory. ‘Maelgwn, we need to talk … elsewhere,’ she appealed calmly, aware that the Devas were perceiving the emotions of all in the room and perhaps beyond.

‘There is nothing to talk about. Those two creatures are going into bio-containment for observation,’ Maelgwn stated firmly.

‘I’m afraid that’s out of the question. They must stay with me.’ Tory’s tone was not harsh and yet not to be reckoned with either. ‘I assume full responsibility for this investigation and these two beings.’

‘Tory!’ Maelgwn was surprised and deeply hurt that she would side against him in this affair. Then her source of inspiration dawned on him and he looked to Noah. ‘What have you been telling her?’

Noah opened his mouth to answer, rather pleased that he’d been asked, but was not given a chance to get a word in. The female Deva that Noah had been holding came to float over the scholar’s head and began snarling at Maelgwn.

‘Those things are out of control and should be contained,’ Maelgwn insisted.

‘It is you who is out of control,’ Tory informed him, on the verge of losing her temper as she had noted that both the Devas had ceased to glow. ‘Our children will do and say things that seem incredible, but despite how outrageous their acts and claims, my advice is that you endeavour to be patient and give them the benefit of the doubt … is that not what Cleo said?’

‘She also told us that there was no cause to fear for our babes!’ He drove home his view. ‘These are no longer our children, Tory. You could well be aiding Avery and Lirathea’s murderers!’

‘They may also be our only means to find the twins.’ she persisted, which frustrated her husband all the more.

‘You should always trust your first instinct, that’s what you always say,’ Maelgwn lectured. ‘Well, your first instinct about our children’s destiny was one of foreboding and that instinct has proven spot on.’

‘It was my own ignorance I feared. That I would not understand their destiny when it came to the crunch, and I damn near didn’t!’ She let her passion run away with her a moment. ‘You were the one who said that whatever is to become of Avery and Lirathea will have been devised by their higher selves to aid their divine purpose!’

Tory’s argument disturbed Maelgwn, for he understood where she was coming from. His wife had become rather adamant about their ability to create their own destiny, and would never concede that this situation could be a case of the Logos enforcing its will upon them to serve its own hidden agenda. ‘What if these creatures are nothing but huge viral parasites? Are you prepared to explain to the parents of the next children they consume why you saw fit to nourish them and keep them at liberty, when you had absolutely no idea what you were dealing with?’

Tory saw the sense of his argument and knew that her defiance would seem like arrogance, but every instinct told her that Maelgwn was wrong and that if he had his way the destructive potential of the Devas would be activated. ‘Please maintain a civil tone, or I must ask you to leave.’ Tory avoided his question and yet her unsaid message was delivered loud and clear.

Maelgwn fixed his wife with a look of challenge. ‘I will not support you in this, Tory. Even if you’re right, to take the risk with the lives of other people’s children is —’

‘I cannot do as you suggest,’ Tory bellowed out to cut him short. ‘And that is final! I cannot and I will not.’

‘I see.’ Maelgwn reached boiling point and thought it best to take his leave before he said something he’d regret. ‘Well then, as my opinion is obviously of no consequence here, I have a flight I should catch.’ He looked at Noah briefly, showing his disappointment in him, and then back to Tory. ‘You had better pray you are right, my love. I sincerely hope that you are.’ He vanished with no kiss, no fond farewell.

Tory stood dazed and shattered in the wake of his leaving. ‘We’ve never parted on an argument, not for as long as I can remember.’ Tory looked at Noah, who was cowering away in the wake of the confrontation.

‘I never imagined that you two argued, period!’ Noah shook his head in disbelief.

‘We don’t have disagreements often and we’ve never ever slept on one.’ Tory wanted to cry suddenly. ‘I can’t believe he’s going to Nibiru!’

As her tears fell, so the Deva babes began to howl, like wolves at the moon.

‘I feel sure he’ll change his mind.’ Noah, feeling compelled to do something, awkwardly embraced Tory. ‘Come on, Nin, you’re causing your beautiful Devas to make an awful din.’

‘Goddess-damn that man.’ She broke away, suddenly annoyed. ‘He never listens!’

The Devas began to growl with the intensity of a large wildcat.

‘No, I lie,’ Tory confessed and, by so doing, regained control of her sensibilities. She then confronted the two Devas who were learning from the intent of her emotions. ‘He is normally very understanding and fair, and has only acted adversely out of concern for us,’ she informed them. ‘However, by the time he returns we shall have all the answers he craves so desperately. Because we love him above all men and want only to please him and see him happy.’

The tiny Devas stopped their din and looked to each other, rather confused by their mother’s resolve.

‘He misunderstands you, as you misunderstand him, but love is greater than any mistake,’ she explained. ‘Spite is never a solution. Only clarity, reason and a willingness to learn will benefit the greater good and will bring harmony in the end. Maelgwn already knows this, and you two will learn.’

‘Bravo!’ cheered Noah. ‘Let’s do it!’

The scholar’s cheer incited the little Devas into an excited frenzy of song and flight.

‘We shall teach them to love this earthly realm and everything in it.’ Tory smiled broadly as the infants once again began to radiate with light.

When Maelgwn suddenly appeared in the flight lounge of the Governor’s official deep space craft, Brian and Rhun were very surprised, having been made familiar with the ex-Governor’s reasons for wanting to forgo the diplomatic flight to Nibiru. Maelgwn was obviously in the foulest of moods, but Brian was overjoyed to see him all the same.

‘Praise the Goddess! Tell me you’ve changed your mind about accompanying me to address the Pantheon?’ the Governor appealed.

Maelgwn nodded and took a seat to brood.

‘Yes!’ Brian gave a cheer and then calmed down to inquire: ‘Has the condition of your children righted itself then?’ Brian assumed it must have, if Maelgwn was prepared to leave Kila.

‘Tory insists she has the situation in hand,’ he replied.

‘You and mother have had a difference of opinion with regard to the nature of the twins’ condition I take it?’ Rhun knew he pushed his luck to ask. The answer was written very clearly on his father’s face.

‘That’s putting it mildly,’ Maelgwn growled.

‘We can handle this without you if you want to reconsider staying on Kila.’ Rhun made it sound as if his greatest concern was for his parent’s happiness, but in truth, Rhun and his father had never been in a situation were they were forced to work closely together. In fact, Rhun had avoided politics until now because of his father’s governorship. Like most father’s, Maelgwn still treated Rhun like a juvenile at times and this really irked Rhun as he was well over ninety years old.

‘Speak for yourself.’ Brian protested Rhun’s confidence, preferring Maelgwn’s plan. ‘Besides, you know what my sister’s like once she gets an idea in her head.’

Maelgwn finally ceased staring vaguely into space and looked to his eldest son to explain. ‘Right now, I would rather be where my presence will make a difference.’

‘Absolutely,’ Brian agreed and feeling more relaxed about the mission he took the seat beside Maelgwn.

‘I thought you said that the first rule of marriage was never to part from your lover on an argument.’ Rhun chose to pursue the issue, finding it disconcerting to have his parents, the perfect couple, at odds with one another.

‘And, the first rule of survival is never to harass your father,’ Maelgwn hissed, knowing he was being unreasonable and rash. He felt terrible abandoning Tory, yet she had practically demanded that he do so. He really did want to see her point of view and trust in her instinct as he always had … then Maelgwn realised that leaving Tory to her investigation meant that he did. I sure hope she interprets my actions thus.

The ship’s magnetic propulsion system fired up to prepare the launch tube for take off by bombarding it with waves of magnetically charged rings.

Rhun sat himself down beside his father and Maelgwn looked at his son. Not wishing to stir up any more ill will within the family he said quietly, ‘I may not have gone about this the right way, Rhun, but I am doing the right thing. The Pantheon will be suspicious if I do not make an appearance, and perhaps that is why fate stirred up this argument. To get me on this flight.’

Rhun’s jaw unclenched as he nodded in acquiescence. ‘Perhaps I should stay behind then. With you along the Governor shall have precious little need of my services.’

‘That’s hardly the point of your presence on this trip,’ Brian noted. ‘You can’t expect to win the trust and support of the Nefilim if you don’t get in amongst them and make yourself known. And besides … the three of us on a mission together will surely be invincible.’

Rhun smiled at his uncle. ‘Or it could be a recipe for disaster.’ Sceptical, he looked back to his father.

Maelgwn caught his son’s drift and realised that his presence was a threat to Rhun’s new authority. ‘I am no longer Governor,’ he advised Rhun, and then glanced at the man in charge. ‘Brian is in command here and I have no problem with following his instructions.’

‘Nor do I,’ Rhun conceded, still eyeballing his father with a cynical look.

‘And you are second in command,’ Maelgwn was more than happy to admit. ‘I am here to advise only when asked and that shall be the extent of my involvement in this mission.’

‘Well, I’ve had to take orders from both of you in the past,’ Brian reminded them. ‘So, it’s payback time.’ The new Governor rubbed his hands together, mischievously. ‘And my first order is that you two Dragons cease breathing fire and get along.’

‘You won’t even know I’m here, I swear it.’ Maelgwn looked at his son and held out a hand to shake on it.

Rhun still appeared to be apprehensive, but he shook his father’s hand. Then their seats locked them in for launch.

What his son didn’t know, and what Maelgwn couldn’t say, was that he had an entirely different agenda to attend to once they reached Nibiru. He was hoping that the Goddess Inanna might have accompanied her husband, Dumuzi, to the Senate meeting. For although she was no longer one of the Pantheon of Twelve, she was a social creature. It would be less suspicious if Maelgwn could approach Inanna on a social level about the personal effects that she took from Durak some seventy years ago, rather than having to seek a special appointment to discuss the issue. Maelgwn wanted to avoid raising the Goddess’ interest in the particular rock he was seeking. The last thing he needed was for the Nefilim to discover that they held the key that would lead to, and unlock, the Lord Master Enki’s Creation Stations. The Nefilim would rather destroy the stations than be enlightened by them, and ensure humankind did not gain access to the Lord Master Enki’s secret doctrine.

5

THE IMPOSSIBLE
DREAM

Over the days that followed the baby Devas’ arrival in this world, Tory and Noah found themselves constantly amazed.

The babies were maturing at the inconceivable rate of about a year a day, and were absorbing information about the physical realm faster than their human carers could teach it. Only Tory and Noah saw the two babies and, having the devoted attention of the two people they’d come to trust most, day and night, all traces of ugliness had disappeared from the little beings’ presence.

Tory imagined that the Devas resembled Nefilim babies, although she had never seen such a child. None of the Nefilim had given birth during the course of Tory’s association with them, although she knew the Goddess Inanna and her husband, Dumuzi, had been trying forever to conceive. The fairylike features of the Devas’ radiant little faces were very expressive and they were actually more beautiful and perfect in appearance than human babies of the same age. Although they could never replace the gaping hole that Avery and Lirathea had left in Tory’s life, the Devas were certainly proving a delightful distraction until such time as she figured out how to locate her own children.

She realised now that she’d done the right thing in keeping the Devas in a positive, informative and loving environment. Had her husband had his way, the harsh, cold, segregated environment of a bio-containment laboratory would have generated enough destructive stimuli to have had an irreversible effect on the young and impressionable psyches of the twins. Tory also knew how delighted Maelgwn would be to have been proven wrong.

Both babes had sprouted blonde hair and the pupils of their large almond-shaped eyes had turned violet like Tory’s. The rest of their form was now very human in appearance, although their fingers and toes were especially long and slender. Their sharp, pointed teeth had transformed into human teeth and the tails of the Devas had vanished. It was as if the little beings were making a concerted effort to fit in with the human race.

Cleo, at the Institute of Astronomy, had been consulted on the conundrum of what to name the pair. They had manifested days after Avery and Lirathea had been born, and therefore it would be completely inappropriate to call the celestial babes by those names. Going back over the events of the morning when the Devas had arrived, Noah had managed to estimate their time of birth, give or take fifteen minutes. Cleo then compiled a list of names suitable for babies born within this time and, from the meanings given for the names selected, it was easy for Tory to know which ones were meant for the twins. The beings had manifested simultaneously, so once Tory had found the name most apt for the male Deva — Sacha, ‘the helper of mankind’ — the female name that corresponded to the same time of birth was Psyche, which simply meant ‘the soul’.

On the third day of Sacha and Psyche’s development, things got really interesting, for although the beings were approaching three years of age in appearance, they had yet to speak a word, although they had no problem comprehending anything they were told.

Both Tory and Noah wore thought-wave neutralisers in an attempt to shield the celestial babes from telepathically probing their thoughts and stumbling onto negative stimuli buried in the dark recesses of their minds. However, there was no way of knowing if the thought-wave neutralisers were effective enough to protect the Devas from human thought and memory altogether. By the very nature of their origins, the Devas were bound to be psychically gifted beyond human comprehension.

Whilst thought-wave neutralisers prevented the wearer from probing the minds of others, it did allow for some telepathic communication. Such projected thoughts made a more solid wave that could be detected above the lesser brain wave functions that the device was designed to scramble. But, the babes hadn’t attempted telepathic transfer, only using the basic sounds and sign language akin to that of a human infant who had yet to learn to speak. The only way Tory could join with the Devas and probe their minds for information would be to remove her restraint. To open her mind, or any other human’s for that matter, to the Devas would be completely irresponsible.

Noah appeared in the nursery, this particular morning, with an old portable computer that Floyd — Head of Communications Technology on Kila — had managed to resurrect for him. ‘More research texts,’ Noah announced with glee, holding his archaic piece of equipment up triumphantly.

The two Deva babes were so curious about his new toy that they literally flew to the scholar’s side.

‘Splendid.’ Tory expressed her delight, but remained seated and waited for all to join her on the lounges. ‘Floyd never disappoints.’

Noah struggled over to take a seat, avoiding colliding with or squashing either of the excited beings that were hovering about him.

‘Sacha, Psyche, give Noah a chance to settle and set up his tool.’ Tory beckoned the Devas back to her. ‘You are only delaying the demonstration by hounding him,’ she explained, whereupon the twins returned to settle on her lap and wait for their instructor to be ready for them.

Noah put the portable computer down on the coffee table and the screen popped up to expose the keypad.

‘Ooh!’ gasped the twins in unison, intrigued by the development.

He opened a case containing several different CD-ROMs and optical storage disks, and selecting a CD he placed it into drive to load. ‘I’d nearly forgotten how to use a keyboard … and if you thought I was a slow typist fifty years ago, there is no hope for me now,’ he joked, as the computer finished booting up.

Sacha had drifted away from Tory, having taken an interest in Noah’s case of disks. The little Deva perused the titles on offer, then made a selection.

Tory found it interesting that Sacha had chosen an encyclopedic dictionary. ‘Noah, look.’ Tory motioned with her eyes towards the boy.

‘Would you like me to load that up for you, Sacha?’ Noah offered, whereby the Deva nodded, and handing over the disk, he began to clap excitedly.

Once the program had been activated, Psyche joined Sacha in front of the computer. They placed their hands on the monitor and the information contained in the encyclopedic dictionary began flashing across the screen faster than the program or the system were capable of running.

‘They are controlling the hard drive psychokinetically,’ Tory uttered, mystified.

‘But this system is not equipped with PKA capabilities!’ Noah sat back to give the Devas some room, hardly believing what he was witnessing. ‘Holy Goddess, they’re up to H already.’

Tory raised herself from her chair and moved over behind the one in which Noah was seated to see for herself the stream of text and images that were flashing across the screen beneath the hands of the probing Devas. ‘They must be able to connect and manipulate artificial intelligence at an atomic level.’

‘Just imagine what they could do to us,’ Noah uttered over his shoulder to Tory, trying not to sound fearful about the realisation that he was at the mercy of a couple of three year olds with such capabilities.

‘Maybe we should have censored that disk, as it does not refer to this planet, but Gaia,’ Tory pointed out to Noah’s great distress.

‘Shit.’ He noted the Devas had reached the letter T and quickly switched off the computer.

Sacha and Psyche were most upset and began moaning in protest.

‘Wrong planet and time frame,’ he explained, producing two PKA orbs from nowhere that contained the standard encyclopedic dictionary used as a reference in the Institutes on Kila.

The Deva accepted the more advanced learning tools with pleasure and settled down quietly to absorb the information that was contained thereon.

‘Phew,’ said Noah. ‘I only intended to show them how to operate the system. I didn’t plan on subjecting them to the primitive concepts of Gaia’s civilisation.’ It worried him how quickly the situation had gotten out of hand. ‘There isn’t anything in our encyclopedic dictionary that should be too primitive for their consumption. Still,’ he cocked an eye in speculation, ‘as perfect as I feel the life we lead on Kila is, our civilisation and beliefs will appear as barbaric to them as the Dark Ages of Briton appeared to you. More backward even!’

Tory was actually quite encouraged by the comparison and crouched down beside his chair to address Noah more directly. ‘As barbaric as the Dark Ages seemed, it was not difficult for me to see the goodness in many of the souls who endured that brutal, and yet defining time in human evolution. And, as Maelgwn and his kin were doing the best they could with the knowledge they had, so are we doing the best that we can … the universe can ask no more of us than that.’

Noah was gazing at Tory, blissfully unaware of the adoring look on his face. He loved it when she started philosophising about life, the universe and her travels. He felt he could quite happily sit for forever and listen to her speak.

Tory raised her eyebrows, wondering if she still had Noah’s full attention; he was looking at her, but she suspected his mind had gone walkabout.

‘I do love it when you burst into a tutorial.’ Noah explained his reverent pause.

‘I know exactly what you mean,’ Tory confessed. ‘I feel the same way every time you start sprouting information.’

Noah shook his head, finding the comparison unacceptable.

‘Where would even the greatest theologian be had the wisdom of the ages not been compiled and recorded for his reference?’ She argued her point. ‘I rely on your research skills, Noah. I literally get high on our conversations.’

Noah sat forward, empathising with her completely but disagreeing all the same. ‘But you open my mind to new possibilities each and every time we meet.’

‘So do you,’ Tory uttered, and suddenly found herself drowning in Noah’s soft blue eyes. ‘Speaking of which, you said you’d gained access to more information about our little visitors?’ Tory shifted the focus of the conversation away from how they felt about each other and quickly began to clean up the nursery.

‘I haven’t actually had a chance to skim over much of it yet.’ Noah’s focus shifted back to the portable computer, although in his mind he was recounting the last few moments. ‘Perhaps I should take it back to my library where I shan’t be distracted and report any findings to you as they come to hand.’

‘An excellent idea,’ Tory was quick to concede, and Noah was packed up in an instant.

‘I’ll um … speak with you soon then.’ Noah chanced a look in Tory’s direction, to find her looking as panicked as he felt.

‘I appreciate your efforts,’ Tory said, wanting to explain how the moment had suddenly become so intimate … a rationale escaped her.

As soon as Noah had departed, Tory breathed easier. Looking over at the twins, she found them both watching her intently with large smiles on their faces. ‘What do you know about this?’

Predictably, the Devas maintained their silence.

Later that same day, Sacha was in the tub and Tory had Psyche on the change table getting her dry. Tory was rattling on about what they were doing, as she always did, in the hope that the infants might latch onto her meaning and start communicating.

‘Okay, we’ll just put this over your head,’ Tory advised as she bundled the dress over the girl and popped her head through the neckline. ‘Arms,’ was the next instruction, and as Tory pulled Psyche’s garment on, she admired the child’s sweet little face. ‘My, but you do look like me,’ she commented. ‘Much as Lirathea would have I expect, were she still —’ Tory choked on her welling emotions and wanted to kick herself. She’d been doing so well at maintaining a positive outlook for the Devas, and now she was going to blow all her hard work by collapsing into a state of depression and fear. Don’t you do it, she cautioned herself and took a few deep breaths — but still her sorrow welled. Busy battling her fear, she didn’t perceive the light emanating from Psyche intensify until the Deva held out her hand and touched the Tablet of Destinies that hung about her neck.

We choose to reflect you because you are the goodliest thing in our world, she said, as though she’d been speaking for twenty years.

‘You can touch the Tablet … and you can speak!’ Tory was so stunned and relieved to receive a reply that she burst into tears.

Rejoice, Psyche urged. You have been kind and patient with us and by so doing you have secured salvation for all your kind. We understand that you fear for your lost children and that you wish more than anything to know that all fares well with them.

‘Yes,’ Tory nodded, unable to say more, as her sadness and worry flowed from her body with her tears.

Psyche took to the air and came to hover in the middle of the room, facing Tory. Your babes are in the perfect bliss and peace of Devachan, living a life with you that is more real to them than this life is to your consciousness. They perceive you through us, but only the very best reflections, for there is only perfection where they reside. The child reached into her stomach and ripped the fabric of her being apart, whereby the light that illuminated her, escaped.

The blinding event sent shockwaves through Tory’s body and for a moment she thought that she might faint. But then, at the end of the passage of rainbow light that had been opened to her, Tory noted a vision emerging.

There was a big white house by a river, and playing on the wide grassy bank that was shaded by willow trees were two blonde children with eyes of violet.

‘My babies.’ The implications made Tory gasp. ‘They have been aging at the same rate as you have?’

No, no, Sacha flew over to advise. You can view your children at any stage of their life in Devachan. For there is no time there.

‘Can I visit them?’ Tory ventured closer to the opening between the dimensions.

No. Sacha flew around in front of Tory to hold her back. You would never return.

‘Of course I would,’ Tory assured sincerely, entranced by the sight of her children at play.

But the Deva shook his head. The allure of Devachan is too strong. Even your most blissful moment on this earth, a thousand times intensified, could not compare to the joy and repose of the Heavenworld.

‘I want to hold them, just once,’ Tory pleaded.

There is nothing to hold. Sacha forestalled her advance once more. We have possession of Avery and Lirathea’s physical forms whilst on the physical plane. Meantime, your children’s souls are cocooned in Devachan enjoying their repose. You are glimpsing the reality that they and we have created for them.

Tory looked to Sacha and then back to his sister, who was still exposing the spectral passageway to the mental plane of existence in the space in her body where her entrails should have been. ‘You’re mobile doorways to the fourth dimension!’ Tory began to consider what higher purpose they might have been designed to serve as the young Deva male nodded.

Your children traded places with us, so that we might aid you to realise your soul quest.

‘You’ve come for the Nefilim,’ Tory stated as though nothing was ever surer. ‘To guide them back to the higher fold of their Solar Logos, Anu. For only then can all the human tribes be liberated.’ Tory deduced this outcome from the vision she’d seen in the Tablet.

We hope to rescue our fallen kindred, yes, he confirmed, but we cannot force them to return to Devachan.

‘Kindred, you say?’ Tory’s suspicions regarding the Devas physical similarities to the Nefilim were confirmed. ‘You’re Nefilim?’

All the inhabitants of the invisible worlds that interpenetrate the physical world, which are not part of mineral, vegetable, animal or human consciousness, are of a devanic consciousness, Sasha replied. The Nefilim were a devanic race, experienced on the mental level of awareness, who skipped their astral evolution and entered the physical world prematurely in order to aid with the creation of the Logoi’s next big project.

‘Humankind and human consciousness,’ Tory guessed. ‘So Devas are like angels and fairies.’

Sasha nodded. So, in answer to the question, was I one of the Nefilim? … part of the essence that is my soul-source ascended into the physical so that the Nefilim could have a soul-mind and thus a consciousness. But in our present state of evolution we have spiritually progressed beyond our Nefilim existence. We are only aware of a karmic promise that must be fulfilled, he explained. So as to fully understand emotion in the sense that humans do, we required human vehicles to inhabit. Intelligence without love is a dangerous commodity in the physical realm, as the Nefilim have proven. But just as treacherous, is love without intelligence as many a human has come to realise. Humans have a strong astral body and, although human mental bodies are not as developed as the Nefilim’s, our Devachanic consciousness makes up for that. Thus, we are a new breed of being in the physical world.

‘And have you struck this arrangement with my children for life?’ Tory was almost too afraid of the answer to ask.

We have use of these bodies only as long as it takes to complete our mission here, Sacha advised.

‘But the Nefilim are bound to refuse to leave. Am I to miss my babies’ entire childhood?’

Indeed, any of the fallen that reject the path of the righteous must be left behind. For Anu, although he emits little light that the human senses are aware of, the Logos still emits a divine light and energy out into the galaxy that is essential for every Nefilm’s survival. Starved of this divine substance the atoms of their being will slow to the lowest rate of vibration and their souls held in a suspended state until some future chain of planetary evolution can accommodate their grade of mentality.

‘Density,’ Tory mumbled. This was the name given to the plane below the physical; the place better known as hell, where souls were said to exist in a state of perpetual darkness, starved of the divine light.

It is time for humankind to bring a little heart into the rulership of this galaxy. It was always meant to be your dominion, concluded Sacha.

Tory’s attention had again become focused on the Devachanic vision showing where her children were living, for she saw herself in the image.

She was seated beneath one of the large willow trees reading aloud from a book, and Maelgwn had his head rested in her lap. At least, she assumed it was Maelgwn — the man had a hat resting over his face. Avery and Lirathea came charging over to give their mother a hug, whereupon their father stirred from his repose and flung aside the hat. Tory was horrified to discover it was Noah to whom she had been reading.

‘Hold on,’ Tory panicked, startling both Devas. The vision departed as Psyche withdrew. ‘Noah is not their father.’

But we wish him to be, Sacha ventured to explain.

‘Oh, Goddess!’ Tory gasped, figuring that this explained her sudden attraction to the scholar. The Devas were reworking reality and if something wasn’t done about their negative impression of Maelgwn, he would cease to exist to the two souls he had so lovingly delivered into this world.

In his private chambers at the Institute of Immortal History, Noah was seated in front of his personal computer. He was cross-referencing data with the information in the textbooks that were spread all over his desk and floor, whilst submitting mental notes to a PKA orb in the palm of his hand.

So, although there are an infinite number of types of Devas inhabiting the etheric realms they can be divided into three main groupings: Kamadevas, Rupadevas, and ah …?

Noah sat and dwelt on the answer. Then, placing the orb aside, he collapsed back into his seat and ran his hands over the short spiky hair on his head before deciding, ‘This is useless! I can’t think with my gut in a knot.’ He stood and stepped over his research texts to a bare patch of floor where he could move about more freely.

The memory of that magical moment this morning just wouldn’t be pushed from his thoughts. The desire he’d seen in Tory’s eyes was slowly destroying his peace of mind as the feeling had been mutual.

‘I’ve been a friend to Tory for over seventy years, why is this happening now? I love my wife!’ he insisted with his fists clenched in conviction. ‘I also treasure Maelgwn’s trust and friendship, and have no desire to jeopardise that.’

Then the image of Tory staring deep into his eyes returned to bewitch him, and existence as he knew it rushed away from him along with all the cares and responsibilities attached to it.

I literally get high on our conversations.

The lingering echo of Tory’s confession sent a thunderbolt through Noah’s heart, just as it had when first she’d uttered it. His heart and soul filled with delight. Although Noah knew it was wrong to wallow in her compliment in this fashion, it seemed his ego had run away with him.

Noah buried his face in his hands, trying to massage this morning’s instance from his head. ‘If there is a divine Logos looking out for me from on high, then I beg that these adverse thoughts be dispelled from my being.’

‘Noah?’

Tory called timidly for his attention. Noah looked up to find her near and wished to die where he stood.

‘It’s alright, I am in complete sympathy with your woes,’ she confessed openly, so that he might relax. ‘And I believe I know how to reverse this involuntary attraction that has befallen us.’

‘Involuntary attraction?’ He became suddenly hopeful. ‘Are you implying a spell has been cast on us?’

‘The Devas have come to love and see you as a father figure, and their perception of this realm constructs the perfect reality of my babes, who are currently residing in Devachan.’ She paused, nodding to Noah … he’d been right in his deduction on that count. ‘Avery and Lirathea are currently perceiving you to be their father and in their perfect world, you and I must be in love.’

‘Are you saying that Sacha and Psyche want me to be their father so much that they’re reworking our higher realities to bring it about?’

‘In a nutshell.’

‘I’ve never been a father figure before,’ he mumbled, with a tinge of pride to his statement. ‘You must have got them communicating.’ Noah’s panic transformed into excitement.

‘Oh, they are communicating alright! And I’ll tell you all about it as soon as we solve our other little problem.’

‘The sooner the better.’ Noah seconded the plan. ‘It’s an eternity since I felt this kind of guilt … and I have to tell you, I don’t like it.’

Tory nodded in empathy and gave a reassuring smile.

‘So what is the plan?’

Tory, who’d been maintaining her distance, neared to explain. In her hand she held a PKA orb.

She needed Noah’s aid to create an account of Maelgwn’s life for the Devas to view. Then they might see him for the wonderful and loving man he was and thus weave him back into the reality of his children.

‘That just might work.’ Noah was impressed, until Tory frowned to indicate a problem. ‘Okay … what’s the hitch?’

‘Well …’ She felt a bit awkward about explaining and looked anywhere but at Noah as she did. ‘The truth is, I can’t stop thinking about you.’

There was that thunderbolt through his being again and Noah felt his desire increase twofold in a heartbeat. ‘Please Tory, you’re the advanced being here … I have no hope of maintaining a rational state of mind on this matter if you can’t.’

‘I’m not trying to seduce you, Noah,’ she explained, refraining from becoming flustered. ‘I’m outlining why I require your help. I need you to monitor my thoughts as I lay down the material for the Devas and prevent me getting off the track.’

‘You want me to prevent you thinking affectionate thoughts about me?’ Noah thought this task would be near impossible in his present state of mind.

‘Who else can I get to do it?’ she appealed. ‘And you’re the best with this PKA technology, bar Floyd and his kin.’

‘In all honesty, Tory,’ Noah battled his instinct, which was to help her, but he feared this stemmed from wanting to be close to her, not from wanting to aid their situation, ‘I think, in fact, I know, that it would be really dangerous for me to have such intimate insight into your thoughts at present.’

‘Do you think this is easy for me?’ Tory defended, not realising she was losing the plot. ‘Here I am suggesting this to you, when all I want to do is just submit to the hand I’m being dealt.’

‘Don’t tell me that,’ Noah whined, wanting to kiss her and put them both out of this misery. ‘Although I must confess I know what you mean. But think of our loved ones,’ he urged. ‘We can’t do it to them.’ He found himself standing very close to Tory, on the verge of throwing caution to the wind.

‘I am thinking of our loved ones right now.’ She held the orb up between them. ‘Help me to help us, Noah.’

Noah took a step away from Tory and, taking the orb from her, he nodded to agree.

The back room of Noah’s personal library at the Institute was a PKA data-editing suite.

Tory’s orb had been placed onto the recording plate; the final edit would be submitted to the orb for storage when complete. Noah had a headset that linked to an invisible vertical soft-light screen, which would allow him to view the memories that Tory was conjuring for the recording session.

Soft-light was the shortened term for a vertical, data projection system screen that conveyed data via lightbeams confined to a flat square field, the size of which varied from user to user. From side-on the screen simply appeared like a vertical beam of green-white light. From front-on a soft-light screen appeared much as any screen did, without any casing, and soft-light was only slightly more transparent than the old-fashioned solid screens of the last century.

‘I’m set. So, whenever you’re ready, maestro.’ Noah swivelled on his hover-seat and looked over to Tory who was on the lounge next to the PKA edit console. She was still seated upright and was fiddling with the PKA transmitter band that she held in her hands.

‘Is something wrong?’ Noah queried.

‘I just want to apologise in advance.’ Tory glanced up at Noah briefly and then looked down at the floor. ‘In case what we are about to do is in any way hurtful to you.’

‘Why should it be hurtful?’ Noah said optimistically.

Tory braved another look into the face of the soul who was driving her to distraction. ‘If I had to sit there and watch you recording wonderful memories of your wife, in my current state I would feel …’ Tory decided it would be detrimental to their cause to continue that thought. ‘Oh, do shut up and get on with it!’ she scolded herself, setting both ends of the PKA transmitter band in place on each of her temples, so that it sat across her third eye area.

‘The way I figure it, the more painful this experience, the better the material is for the Devas,’ Noah stated, to let Tory know he knew what she’d been trying to say. ‘I can take it,’ he challenged in jest as Tory looked back at him. ‘In fact, I entreat you to break my heart … so that I might regain some control.’

‘Right on, brother.’ Tory attempted to be cheery before lying down to try and focus on her husband.

‘I have dug up a little something that might get you started.’ Noah placed an orb in Tory’s hand. ‘It’s a PKA recording you made of your four-day wedding in ancient Gwynedd.’ He smiled in encouragement.

Tory greatly appreciated his consideration, and was conscious of allowing the moment to become sentimental. ‘Let us set the cosmos straight then, shall we?’ She settled back into her chair to absorb the fond memories of the day she’d wed Maelgwn.

The pain and confusion that Noah really felt was evident on his face once Tory’s attention was occupied with her marital history. He hung his head, ashamed at how desperately he wanted to seduce her; verses of devotion were welling in his heart.

If I only could confess,
this need that I possess,
to explore the hidden bliss,
behind the promise of her kiss.

Stop it! He forced himself to look at the screen, which he was supposed to be monitoring, and saw himself seated beside Tory on a picnic blanket in the shade of a large willow tree. Noah looked over to his edit couch to find Tory had let go of the orb containing the memories of her wedding.

‘Creation has yet to exceed the bliss, held within a human kiss,’ Noah heard himself say, and looking back to the screen, he witnessed his greatest desire fulfilled. He kissed Tory as only lovers kiss, and laying her back on the ground, he began to undress her.

I can’t allow this happen, Noah lectured himself, his eyes glued to the screen. Hold on, this cannot be a memory when it has never happened, his mind reasoned. For the scholar was still not prepared to speak aloud and risk breaking Tory’s concentration, whereupon the dream he witnessed would cease to unfold. But is it a dream?

For the verse he’d composed just now was suspiciously similar to what he had said to Tory on screen to seduce her. What if he was aiding the new reality the Devas were weaving with every adulterous thought he had? That meant that his lustful thoughts were as bad as being physically unfaithful to his wife. He was also betraying Tory, as she was relying on him to stop her thoughts from straying whilst in her semi-tranced state; as much as Noah desired her, he couldn’t betray her trust.

As the image of him on the screen finished unbuttoning the dress Tory wore and slid a hand inside the garment to expose her body, Noah looked away. He picked up the orb that Tory had dropped and placing her hands securely around it, he activated the play function once more.

When Noah dared to look back at the screen, the image of Tory giving herself to Maelgwn in marriage reduced him to tears.

I refuse to succumb to this hellish state of the heart, goddamn it! Everyone involved is too important to me. Noah gathered his shattered sensibilities and, planting his butt in the edit seat, he got back to work.

Tory emerged from a deep meditative state to find her being saturated with a deep love of her husband. In the afterglow of her efforts she recalled tiny fragments of the material she had laid down for the Devas, and the fond memories of Maelgwn aroused her. This made her smile, as it was a good sign for the success of her efforts.

‘Alright. You can stop with the torture now.’ Noah urged her to return his transmitter band.

‘I did good … yes?’ Tory removed the headset, and sitting upright she handed it back to its owner.

‘You excelled yourself.’ Noah smiled reassuringly, but his red swollen eyes gave away his private torment. ‘I was touched.’ He explained away his watery eyes, as he gave a sniffle. ‘I just have a bit of editing to do, as some of the material went a little beyond a G rating.’

‘Like the scene with you and I.’

Noah was horrified. If Tory had been aware of her fantasising, why then had she waited for him to put a stop to it? ‘You were testing me?’ He appealed to her for an explanation.

‘Hell no! At least, I’d hate to think I was.’ She doubted herself for a second. ‘I don’t know where the notion came from, although the scene was practically identical to the one the Devas made visible to me this afternoon.’ Tory shrugged and shook her head apologetically. ‘It could have been a conscious slip … but my attempts to stop the scenario from unfolding proved futile. I could only conclude that I was again glimpsing myself inside my children’s Devachanic existence.’

‘Ah-huh.’ This whole episode had made Noah distinctly moody. He didn’t know what to believe anymore and he didn’t much care. ‘It might be better if you don’t wait for me to do this. I’ll drop over two copies of the orb as soon as they are ready. After that,’ Noah took a deep breath and looked away from Tory, knowing his sudden cold front would distress her, ‘I feel I should have no further contact with the Devas, as I have obviously confused them enough already.’

Although Tory agreed with his reasoning, she was paralysed by the waves of distress that besieged her being; here was her dearest friend practically accusing her of emotional blackmail. ‘You think that I am making all this up?’ Tory gasped, deeply hurt. ‘To what end?’ She stood and held out both her hands to stop him from responding. ‘Perhaps it’s best that you think the worst. I’ll send someone to fetch the orbs.’ She backed away. ‘I thank you for your time and patience in this affair.’ On the verge of bursting into tears, Tory vanished.

‘You weren’t going to do that.’ Noah cursed himself in the wake of her leaving.

Viewing Tory’s fond memories of Maelgwn had been more hurtful than he’d imagined. Now he’d vented that hurt back upon Tory and she was upset too. He didn’t really believe that she would devise such a deception, but then, his jperception was serving to keep them at odds with each other and therefore out of harm’s way for the moment.

‘You can apologise after reality has been set straight,’ he told himself and set about his edit.

It was Cleo who arrived to collect the orbs from Noah.

‘Really, I can deliver my work to Nin Tory,’ Noah insisted, still guilt-ridden by the fact that he’d hurt her so deeply. ‘I need to explain —’

‘She insisted that I take your labours to her,’ Cleo politely interrupted to advise him. ‘Nin Tory said she will be more than happy to see you … after the Devas have absorbed the information contained on those orbs that you hold.’

As it was too difficult to try and talk his way around Tory’s instruction, Noah handed the orbs over to Cleo. She graciously accepted them and moved to depart.

‘Oh, I nearly forgot.’ She turned back to the historian. ‘Nin Tory suggested that you might find it beneficial to seek out your wife and tell her of all that has occurred around the Deva babes in the past few days.’ This was Tory’s way of pleading innocent to the wilful seduction he’d accused her of earlier this day.

For Noah, the idea of seeing Rebecca at present was rather distressing, although in his heart he knew it was the only way to free himself from all his guilt.

‘Let Nin Tory know that I shall do as she suggests,’ Noah answered, finally. ‘But please tell her that I should like an audience with her, as soon as the Devas have been set straight.’

Cleo frowned, realising that something adverse was going on between the ex-Governess and the historian, but not being one to pry, she simply nodded and faded from sight to carry the orbs forth to the recipients.

Noah’s thoughts turned to his wife. The Goddess only knew where Rebecca was at present, but right now Noah didn’t care in the midst of what wild scenario he joined his wife. Tory was dead right. He needed to purge himself of the emotional burden he was carrying. Thus, envisioning his lovely lady, Noah willed himself to her side.

A couple of days later, Tory arranged to meet with Noah at Central Park, near to her home.

‘Nin.’ Noah bowed to her as she approached, whereby Tory smiled, amused.

‘I am no one of consequence any longer, En Noah, hence there is no need to revere me.’ Although under normal circumstances she would’ve hugged the historian in greeting, she refrained in this instance.

‘Sorry, Nin.’ Noah blushed. ‘First you were my boss, then my Governess … I am so used to you being in a position of authority over me that it seems strange to not revere you.’

‘Well, to me it feels like liberation.’ She took hold of his arm and they walked along in silence, taking in the lovely day.

‘So you saw Rebecca?’ Tory had noticed that the air of guilt had completely dispersed from Noah’s presence.

The scholar nodded, happy to talk about Rebecca’s feelings. ‘She wasn’t in any way worried by our misadventure. She said that she could have told me that I had an intellectual crush on you years ago.’

At this, they both had a good laugh, but Noah sobered first.

‘Nin, I feel —’

‘Don’t apologise, Noah.’ Tory cut him off, lightheartedly. ‘Anything that happened was not of your will.’

‘My reaction to circumstances was of my own choosing.’ He stopped abruptly to voice his view. ‘I hurt you and for that I am deeply sorry.’

‘And I hurt you.’ Tory was quick to respond in a jovial manner. ‘But our reactions were our saving grace, Noah. It was self-preservation and nothing more.’ As Noah smiled in agreement, Tory took hold of both his hands to make a request. ‘All I want is for us to be as we were, before our emotional debacle.’

The historian breathed a sigh of relief at her proposal. ‘That is my wish also, Nin.’

‘Look.’ Tory seemed mildly amused and perturbed at once. ‘I promise to cease addressing you as En Noah, if you would please just call me Tory. And stop revering me as some sort of guru! You are every bit as spiritually advanced as I, and in all probability more mentally advanced.’

Noah was shaking his head to disagree.

‘Yes!’ Tory yanked his arms to stress her conviction. ‘Equals or strangers, that’s the deal.’

Noah rolled his eyes as Tory persuaded him to accept her terms. ‘I’ll settle for equals then, Tory.’

‘That would be mighty fine, Noah.’ She let go of his hands to hold her arms wide. ‘Big hug.’ She invited his embrace to seal the deal and Noah obliged without reservation.

Uncle Noah! Uncle Noah!

He turned to find the two devas gliding towards him from the direction of the house.

The twins had doubled in age since last he’d seen them and were now about six years old by human standards.

The truly amazing thing was that Noah had never heard the Devas speak, let alone call him by name. Uncle Noah? He turned to Tory and cocked an eye in question.

‘I explained that, although you are not their father, they could still regard you as kindred and love you as such.’ She smiled warmly, a lump forming in her throat as she ventured to add: ‘Just as I do.’

The Devas were upon Noah before he had a chance to respond to her lovely sentiment, but he figured the look on his face probably said it all.

‘So you guys are out and about?’ Noah turned his attention to the excited children as each came to settle on one of his hips, their arms embracing his neck.

Mother said that our five days’ incubation period is over, Psyche explained.

Our souls have come to fully occupy our physical forms and our primary belief system is now in place, Sacha added.

‘My, but you are verbal,’ Noah emphasised for Tory’s benefit and she nodded to agree; the devas may only have been six days old and looked six years of age, but their intellect probably surpassed even the most intellectual of the Chosen Ones.

Mother said that you might be able to better explain the effect on history of our father’s mighty achievements? Sacha directed Noah’s eyes to focus on him.

‘I can,’ he assured the youngster, at which the entity was overjoyed and began glowing brightly.

We want your view on father’s time as a Star Warrior also. Psyche turned Noah’s head so that he now looked at her.

‘Well … ah,’ Noah hesitated, as that information was classified at present. ‘Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,’ he suggested, warily. ‘We might save that discussion for further down the track.’ He looked at Tory, who seemed amused by his distress.

Sacha misunderstood their tutor’s reluctance. If we are progressing too fast for you, Uncle Noah, just say so.

‘So,’ said Noah in jest and his reaction amused them all.

‘I’m sure the children will comply with whatever you think is best.’ Tory directed her remark to the twins, knowing that they were already aware of what it was that Noah feared to reveal to them.

We’ve missed you, father, said Psyche, giving Noah a squeeze. I mean, Uncle Noah, she corrected herself, looking to her mother, who smiled in a pleased way.

‘Everything’s going to be just fine.’ Tory breathed easier, as did Noah, both glad to have their hearts back in the right place.

6

THE PANTHEON
OF TWELVE

On approach, Nibiru appeared to glow gold in colour due to the artificial force-field that the Nefilim had created to protect their home planet from freezing over. The shield’s colour was a byproduct of the super-conductive agent that powered its generator. This super-conductive material was derived from gold, which was why the Nefilim had been attracted to Gaia in the first place, for it was abundant with this precious mineral required to save Nibiru from inevitable desolation.

Anu, the central sun of the planet Nibiru’s solar system, was a red super-giant that no longer provided its distant planets with any great amount of heat or light. It had been known for some time that the great star was nearing the end of its lifespan.

So why were the Nefilim still occupying an injured planet in a dying system? Nibiru may not have been the natural beauty it once was, but it did contain some of the most splendid and opulent cities in the known universe and a larger population than any other planet in the galaxy. The head of the great Pantheon, Nergal, would not abandon such wealth and power on the off-chance that Anu might self-destruct within the next millennium.

Is it any wonder they risk all to frequent this place? Maelgwn thought as he entered the ballroom of the great Pantheon’s Senate building, which was filled to overflowing with colour, glitter and decadence.

The few Nefilim in attendance were scattered amongst the clusters of officials, viceroys and dignitaries belonging to the various human tribes. Pantheon members all differed in their choice of human subordinates: some favoured a particular breed; others had no preference and were willing to exploit them all. Very few in the Pantheon were sympathetic to the plight of the human breeds, who were naught but slave labour. In fact, those of the mortal human tribes that were in favour with one or another of the Nefilim Gods, didn’t care at all about the plight of the others of their species.

‘Holy cow!’ Rhun mumbled as he accompanied his father and the Governor into the regal reception.

‘I feel understaffed,’ commented Brian, being accompanied only by an entourage of two.

‘Kila’s reigning Governor, Brian Alexander, Vice-Governor Rhun Gwynedd, and ex-Governor, Maelgwn Gwynedd,’ announced a Delphinus official standing at the entrance doors, his eyes fixed straight ahead.

‘The Lord Dumuzi.’ The next arrival was announced, whereby Maelgwn did an about-face.

Dragon, just the man I need. Dumuzi approached Maelgwn and shook his hand, then hugged him. I cannot tell you how glad I am to see you, my friend.

Although they had endured a few adventures together and he had once saved the Nefilim Lord’s life, Maelgwn still thought Dumuzi’s affection a bit excessive. ‘Is something the matter, Lord?’ He noted that Dumuzi’s expression was rather subdued, when this Nefilim male was usually the life of the party.

I need a favour. Dumuzi’s devilish amber eyes turned to the two men in Maelgwn’s company, and he nodded at them in acknowledgement. Would you excuse us?

‘Of course.’ Brian reluctantly granted Maelgwn leave, but Brian wore a very concerned look on his face as he watched Dumuzi lead his advisor out of the room.

‘He’ll be back soon enough.’ Rhun cheerfully ribbed his uncle in an attempt to alleviate Brian’s worry.

‘I don’t know.’ Brian’s gaze did not shift from the doorway through which Maelgwn had exited. ‘I have a bad feeling about this.’

‘It’s called paranoia,’ Rhun advised Brian, as he stood eyeing off all the interesting looking officials and guests in the ballroom, dying to get in amongst all the conversations taking place. ‘Come and introduce me to some of the Pantheon … starting with that lovely looking creature over there.’

Brian diverted his attention from the doors to see who had struck the interest of his Vice-Governor.

She was one of the Pantheon, notorious as a seductress, and currently unattached. Her long, dark hair fell in ringlets about her tall and slender person, which was clothed in ornate but modest attire. Her large almond-shaped eyes were a pale shade of violet-pink and their unusual colour made them all the more hypnotic and alluring.

‘You don’t want to go there,’ Brian warned. ‘That is Shamash’s ex-wife, Aya.’

Shamash was Inanna’s brother. He had been banished to the otherworldly realm of Gaia’s moon for the attempted murder of his brother-in-law, Dumuzi, and for then framing Marduk for his crime.

‘I didn’t realise Shamash was ever married,’ Rhun commented, his eyes still fixed on Aya.

‘Oh yes, he has two daughters in the Senate.’ Brian searched the crowd and pointed out two more Nefilim females. ‘The brunette is Shala, his firstborn, and the warlike looking blonde is Tashmet.’

‘Two more females to avoid then?’ Rhun queried.

Brian shrugged. ‘Shala, as wife of Micah, is very well disposed towards humans of every breed. But Tashmet, Nabu’s wife, holds us all in contempt and will openly say so — her husband finds it more diplomatic to refrain.’

‘Is that Nabu next to her?’ Rhun looked at the couple, who appeared very absorbed with themselves.

‘It is,’ Brian said, warily. ‘He is the adopted son of Nergal and next in line to rule the Pantheon after him. He was better known on Gaia as Horus.’

‘But I was led to believe that Horus was well disposed towards Marduk and his Chosen?’ Rhun questioned his uncle’s implication that Nabu and his wife were two of the Pantheon exploiting the human breeds.

‘Demi-gods are one thing,’ Brian advised. ‘Mortals, who cannot match wits and psychic knowhow with the Nefilim, are considered by some to be little more than cattle.’

‘So they admire a good threat, do they?’ Rhun surmised. ‘That’s something to bear in mind.’

As Brian’s attention had strayed back to the doors through which Maelgwin had disappeared, he was not really heeding his nephew’s words, and just nodded.

Once they had reached a deserted part of the great entrance corridor, Dumuzi came to a standstill to converse with Maelgwn.

This Nefilim Lord was short for one of his ilk and was only a little taller than Maelgwn. His fiery amber-brown hair was cut into a point down the middle of his forehead, making him appear all the more pixie-like and mischievous. As was usual for the Lord, he wore no garments above the waist; only jewellery that would enhance the appearance of his tanned muscular torso.

My good wife and I have recently known a very sad turn of events, he began. Inanna conceived a child and managed to carry it to full-term, but regrettably the child was stillborn.

Maelgwn gave a heavy sigh at the news, knowing how heartbroken Inanna would be. ‘I am deeply sorry for your loss.’ He gave his condolences, but Dumuzi only shrugged.

I feel no loss bar that of my wife, he explained, honestly.

Once known as the God of Fertility, Dumuzi was far more preoccupied with conception than birth and parenting.

Since the stillbirth, Inanna is a changed person. He leant closer to Maelgwn to whisper: Mad, I fear. She refuses to allow anyone to take the rotting corpse from her room, and it has been days since the event. She won’t eat, wash, or see anyone … she won’t even move! She just sits there staring at the dead infant, crying and mumbling to herself.

‘Is there some way that I might be of aid?’ Maelgwn was concerned. He needed Inanna coherent enough to remember what she might have done with one of her numerous prisoners’ personal effects, some seventy years ago.

I have suggested all manner of people that she could speak with to aid her in coming to terms with her grief. A pleading look came over the Lord’s face. But she refuses to speak with anyone but you.

‘Me!’ Maelgwn was shocked to his foundations. ‘Why me?’

Again Dumuzi shrugged. She mumbled something about a karmic score she needs to settle with you and she begs that you have mercy on her soul, or some such rubbish. He waved off her reasons, obviously thinking them deluded. Please, Dragon, she is mentally ill and if she believes that speaking with you will save her soul, then you are my only hope of bringing her back to sanity. Will you see her?

‘Of course,’ he conceded without hesitation, to put the Lord Dumuzi’s mind at ease. ‘As soon as I address the Pantheon, I shall —’

Please, Dragon, I truly fear for her welfare if we delay. Dumuzi fidgeted in his stance, desperate to achieve his goal. We have a day and a night to kill before the Pantheon will withdraw to the Senate chambers.

Although a day and a night on Nibiru added up to about thirty-six hours, Kila time, Maelgwn still felt they would be cutting their journey a bit fine. ‘I cannot risk angering the great Pantheon by keeping them waiting,’ he reasoned. But what if Inanna withdrew from reality altogether in the interim?

The wormhole to Tarazean is clear of etheric leakage. There will be no delay, Dumuzi promised. If we left now we’d be back before tonight’s feast is consumed.

Although the chances of the long wormhole remaining clear of leakage weren’t good, Maelgwn felt disposed towards aiding the Lord. He figured that while he had him on the spot like this, he may as well milk the situation for all it was worth. ‘And do I get to ask a favour in return?’

Absolutely, Dumuzi agreed without reservation. Provided I get my wife back.

‘Deal.’ Maelgwn held high his right hand and Dumuzi gripped hold to seal their pledge. Then, at the sight of Brian striding down the corridor towards them, Maelgwn realised he still had some fast-talking to do before he could leave.

I’m in dock seven-twenty, east wing. Dumuzi began to back off to go and ready his vessel for their getaway. I’ll see you there pronto, yes? He paused in his retreat only long enough for Maelgwn to nod in confirmation.

‘What was that all about? I didn’t give you permission to leave the planet!’ Brian protested.

‘I shall be back before the Pantheon sits in council tomorrow,’ Maelgwn told him, but Brian shook his head to disagree.

‘You cannot promise that, and you know it! I will not grant permission and that is final.’ Brian attempted to assert his authority over his brother-in-law for the first time.

‘There is more at stake here than just a seat in the Senate.’ With an apologetic look on his face, Maelgwn moved off in the direction Dumuzi had gone. ‘You have my recording should anything go amiss with me, and Rhun shall not steer you wrong.’

‘Don’t do this, Maelgwn. I have never been insubordinate to your command,’ Brian appealed.

‘If you were in my position, you’d do the same thing.’ Maelgwn continued to back up.

‘I am in your position, goddammit!’ Brian was infuriated as Maelgwn turned his back on him and continued to walk away. However, as Maelgwn had never let him down before now, Brian swallowed his pride, and called after him, ‘I am relying on you, Dragon! Come see me as soon as you return.’

With a wave of appreciation, Maelgwn turned down an adjoining corridor and out of sight.

Please Goddess, don’t make me face the Pantheon alone. Brian gave a heavy sigh.

Although Brian had brushed up on his psychic self-defence before leaving Kila, neither he or Maelgwn had ever been granted admittance to a Pantheon meeting. The thought of addressing the council was more than a little daunting, and Brian much preferred the idea of Maelgwn being given the honour before he was.

Back at the reception, Aya had gone out of her way to introduce herself to the new Vice-Governor of Kila and was giving him the lowdown on all her relatives, some of whom Rhun was already familiar with.

‘And who is that Lord over there?’ he queried, pointing to the one remaining Nefilim male in the room that he could not pin a name to.

That is my older brother and Nergal’s only blood son, Micah. Aya leant closer than necessary to advise him. Did you know that he knew your mother back before the demise of the Atlantean civilisation on Gaia? As Rhun shook his head, none the wiser, Aya nodded. He did a lot of missionary work around the spiritual evolution of the mortals there.

‘I see.’ Rhun found the information rather curious. ‘Well, if Micah is Nergal’s natural son, then why is Nabu next in line to head the Pantheon?’

Because Nabu is a firstborn son of the firstborn son of Enlil, Ninurta, who met his demise during the time of the great Pyramid Wars. Aya moved closer still to whisper her opinion. But they say Nergal adopted Nabu because Micah did not complement the family business, being too soft on the human labour.

‘So … Nabu isn’t then?’

Aya shook her head. My daughter wouldn’t stand for it. She hates pets. No offence. Aya patted Rhun’s hand. That Pantheon term is probably a little tasteless in present company.

‘No offence taken,’ Rhun smiled politely, knowing she was having a dig to see if he’d bite. ‘We ferals didn’t really prove suitable for domestication anyway. Our owners found us to be a bit too … unpredictable.’

Ferals! Aya was sincerely amused by the term. That’s a good one, she chuckled again. You must let me use it.

‘Feel free,’ Rhun granted, finding the term more preferable to pets. It’s nice to know what they truly think of us. He looked away in order to maintain his indifferent facade, expecting to be patted on the head at any moment. But it was his shoulder that Aya tapped.

Your new Governor … Aya set her eyes on Brian, who stood at the door looking around for Rhun. Is he really the brother of Lamamu? she asked, sounding aroused by the notion. They say he is a warrior who is second to none.

‘Except me,’ Rhun boasted in jest, and Aya smiled.

Seriously … are the rumours true? She appealed for an answer. Is he the brother of your infamous mother?

Rhun cocked an eye, intending to keep her in suspense. ‘Haven’t you had dealings with Brian in his capacity of Vice-Governor before now, Nin?’

Aya sighed. He won’t have anything to do with me, she concluded with a slight pout.

‘Well, of course he won’t,’ Rhun advised, surely. ‘He’s a happily married man.’

Aya laughed. There’s no such thing.

‘I beg to differ,’ Rhun claimed, standing tall, and the Goddess laughed again.

Rhun appeared so confident about this that Aya fixed her seductress gaze upon him in challenge. But surely you crave a little variety?

Rhun raised his brows and shook his head, indifferent to the offer. No … we ferals mate for life.

Aya reacted as if most insulted, and the demeanour of an aloof snob overshadowed her enchantress’ gaze. An infinity of boredom. How drab for you, she retorted.

‘Indeed.’ Rhun found it hard to keep a smile of satisfaction from his face, for the Goddess was truly riled. ‘Eternal love really sucks.’

‘Love’ was a word that every Nefilim hated, for they had yet to fully grasp the concept. Inanna’s dispute with Tory Alexander had taught the Nefilim females that they could not compete with a human woman for the love of her man. Try as she certainly did to steal Maelgwn’s affections from his beloved, Inanna had failed miserably.

But how tragic it must be for one of your kind to lose his mate, the Goddess said sorrowfully, but she managed to make it sound more like a threat. Would you then opt for a lifetime of loneliness? she wondered playfully, her sights returning to rest on Brian.

‘He would,’ Rhun stated sharply, and Aya looked back to him, momentarily angered.

Realising she’d gotten a rise out of the young Vice-Governor, she chose to gracefully take her leave of him. ‘Interesting,’ she said, slipping away into the crowd.

‘Making friends?’ Brian queried as he finally reached Rhun, who was startled by the question.

‘I don’t think so,’ he replied, and then nudged Brian’s arm to make light of his own bewilderment. ‘She thinks very highly of you though.’ Rhun thought it best not to tell Brian just how deep her admiration ran.

‘Really.’ Brian appeared to be flattered. ‘Why, what did she say?’

‘You don’t want to go there.’ Rhun was desperately trying to think of a way to get the Governor off the subject of Aya, when fate stepped into the room in the form of Dumuzi.

‘What the hell is he doing back here?’ Brian mumbled as he caught sight of the Lord, and moved off in Dumuzi’s direction.

Rhun trailed him, giving silent praise to the universe.

Brian confronted Dumuzi. ‘I was of the impression that you were accompanying Maelgwn somewhere?’ He didn’t know or trust the Lord as much as his brother-in-law did.

There you are, Brain. Dumuzi shook his hand.

‘The name is Brian,’ he corrected. ‘Brian Alexander.’

Yeah, whatever. Dumuzi moved on to shake Rhun’s hand. The Dragon insisted that I stay here and show you two around.

‘Father has gone?’ Rhun questioned, most inspired by the news.

‘Only for the remainder of the day,’ Brian advised, attempting to convince himself of the truth of the statement in the process.

‘King for a day then,’ Rhun mumbled, pleased to have a chance to prove his worth.

‘Don’t go getting any wild ideas,’ Brian cautioned as Dumuzi smiled at Rhun, seeing in him a kindred party spirit.

‘I wouldn’t dream of it,’ Rhun defended in all seriousness. ‘I am here to be of aid to you, dear Uncle.’

As his nephew placed an arm over his shoulders Brian knew he was in trouble.

‘And I do believe that the very best way that I can be of aid to you at present,’ Rhun continued, ‘is to help you relax.’

Now that I can help you with, Dumuzi concurred, eager to help out.

‘Oh no.’ The Governor made a weak attempt at resistance, but Rhun took hold of Brian by one arm and Dumuzi took hold of Brian by the other.

Brian didn’t take too much convincing to allow his company to lead him off towards the feasting chamber of the Great Pantheon, commonly known as ‘the Arena’.

On the way they had words with nearly all the Nefilim representatives. The Pantheon members were eager to get an insight into the man the Dragon was putting forward to join their ranks. Obviously, all the Pantheon members had seen Brian in the company of Marduk and the ex-Governor of Kila, but none had had any direct association with the man.

A low-key confrontation took place when Brian addressed the Head of the Pantheon, Nergal, who, at over eight feet in height, made a joke of kneeling down in order to shake the hands of Kila’s new officials. Maelgwn had never been the brunt of this kind of joke as he was exceedingly tall for a human. Brian and Rhun, who were average height by human standards, did not appreciate the action.

‘My dear Lord Nergal.’ Brian maintained his pleasant demeanour. ‘Such veneration overwhelms me. I was under the impression that you knelt before no one.’

‘Whoa!’ gasped the onlookers, suspecting Nergal would take offence at the comment.

The Head of the Pantheon rose to look down upon Brian and Rhun, his expression blank. Well, it is nice to be in the same hemisphere as the person you are addressing, is it not?

As Nergal and his entourage broke into laughter, Brian and Rhun forced themselves to laugh along and avoid any further unpleasantness.

So. Nergal became serious. You are to be the new Governor of Kila?

‘I am the new Governor of Kila, yes,’ Brian responded with assurance.

A very pretty planet, that one, the Lord recalled. I hear the poaching is mighty fine there.

‘Only for our game protection wardens,’ Brian assured him, suddenly enlightened as to why the poaching problem had become so bad recently. Was this yet another form of Nefilim sabotage?

And what do you think of Nibiru? Nergal queried Brian, as they began to make their way into the banquet hall.

‘I always find my stay on Nibiru rather exhilarating,’ responded Brian. ‘Rather like living on a fault line.’

Nergal pretended to find the comment amusing when, in fact, he was vexed by Brian’s response and changed the subject completely. What has become of the Dragon? Did he not arrive with you?

‘He has pressing business elsewhere, but will be present to address the Pantheon tomorrow,’ Brian assured Nergal.

Nergal appeared to be satisfied with this. Well then, do enjoy this evening’s festivities, won’t you? He gave Brian a peculiar grin as they entered the huge banquet chamber with its large sunken pit in the centre.

‘I greatly look forward to the experience.’ Brian gave a slight bow in parting. As Nergal moved off to his reserved table, Brian took the opportunity to gape at the huge banquet room. ‘So what is the pit for?’ he inquired of Dumuzi.

Why, gladiators, of course, he announced cheerfully. It’s our favourite spectator sport.

‘What do you do for a support act … feed a few lawbreakers to the lions?’ Rhun made jest of their entertainment preferences.

Hardly, scoffed Dumuzi. That went out of vogue ages ago.

At each table belonging to a Pantheon member, besides servants to serve food and refreshments, there were several masseurs to aid the delegates to relax before their day in the Senate. The tables sat low to the padded velvet floor that was covered with cushions on which the guests could lie whilst feasting.

‘Now this is not so terrible, is it … a little jaunt back to ancient Rome, with all the mod cons?’ Rhun put the question to Brian as a couple of lovely Leonine women rubbed their backs and shoulders.

‘I could think of worse things I might be doing this afternoon,’ Brian conceded, before he was fed another huge purple berry.

‘Hey, Dumuzi …’ Rhun called to the Lord, who was underneath the table getting more than just his back massaged by the Leonine woman in his company.

The Lord stuck his head up above the table to view the men he was chaperoning.

‘You’d best watch yourself,’ Brian warned him, as sexual relations between immortals and mortals was strictly forbidden.

I’m not doing anything illegal, he defended. My lady friend here is just exploring the possibilities. He grinned broadly at Rhun, although he was dying to give the Leonine his fullest attention once more. Is there something you wanted?

‘When does the fighting get started?’ Rhun motioned to the arena, where some acrobats of the Falcon breed were defying gravity with their stunts.

Soon. Dumuzi managed to respond while experiencing much pleasure from what was going on beneath the table.

‘And who shall be fighting?’ Rhun kept the conversation going, just to be annoying.

Um? Dumuzi’s eyes rolled back into his head. He was so distracted, he had to rack his brain to even fathom the question. A Lahmuian mutant most likely.

Brian and Rhun looked to each other, perplexed. ‘A what?’ They looked at the Lord, curious to hear his response.

Dumuzi held up a finger to postpone their conversation a second, and disappeared beneath the table, groaning with delight. Holy mother! His thought projection seemed to fill the huge chamber and echo around it a few times.

Rhun and Brian smothered their amusement, which stemmed half from embarrassment and half from shock — the Lord had an abundance of gall, daring to practise in public what his relatives would only risk behind closed doors.

Brian chanced a glance in Nergal’s direction, but the Overlord appeared to be ignoring his little brother’s impropriety, as were the rest of his kindred.

Right! Dumuzi sat up, having regained control of his wits. Where were we? he queried, doing up the belt on his trousers and then reaching for his drink.

‘Lahmuian mutant,’ Brian and Rhun reminded him in unison.

Ah, yes. The Lord raised both brows, surprised. I can’t believe you’ve never encountered the species. After all, they were spawn in your original star system.

‘Lahmu?’ Rhun racked his brain to think of which planet in Gaia’s system the Nefilim had named thus. ‘Mars,’ he nudged Brian as he informed him. ‘They’re Martians!’ Both he and the Governor grinned in amusement.

They are only one species of creature that developed on the planet, but they are by far the most hideous and nasty. Dumuzi raised his eyebrows a couple of times to heighten his listeners’ expectations.

‘So who fights these creatures … or do they fight each other?’ Brian queried, as Dumuzi’s masseur emerged from under the table wearing a mischievous grin on her face.

No, no. Anyone who fancies themselves as a personal guard to one of the Nefilim may prove their skill, their guide explained. There is nothing so admired by the Pantheon than a warrior who can defeat a Lahmuian mutant.

‘How to win friends and influence people.’ Rhun raised his brow thinking the system somewhat extreme.

‘What if no one volunteers?’ Brian figured the Nefilim would not go without their entertainment.

Then someone will usually supply enough incentive for a worthy warrior to oblige. Dumuzi shrugged. The nominator seldom has to pay up the reward, so we still get a free show.

‘So what do these mutants look like?’ Rhun left his masseur to move closer to Dumuzi, for he was most interested to hear about these creatures.

Ah! The Lord smiled, having anticipated the question. I wouldn’t want to spoil the spectacle. In the interests of his own amusement, Dumuzi felt it best to keep them in suspense.

Tarazean was a beautiful purple planet in the binary star system of Sirius under the governorship of Pantheon members, Narnar and Ningal. The planet’s extraordinary appearance was due to dust storms churning up the purple particles of sand that covered most of the planet in desert. The sheer rocky mountain peaks were the same rich colour.

Inanna had taken up residency on her parents’ planet by order of the Pantheon. After the discovery of the Chosen Ones and Inanna’s crimes against Marduk and his children, she had lost her place in the Twelve and was on probation under the watchful eye of her mother, Ningal, for many years.

After Inanna had once again been deemed fit to rejoin intergalactic society, she had continued to use Tarazean as a home base. Her brother, Shamash, had used her previous home planet for target practice, and she no longer had a capital city to call her own.

The wormhole had been free of leakage, just as Dumuzi had promised, so the passage had been swift. Maelgwn entered Tarazean’s capital city, constructed high upon a cliff face with steep inclines surrounding it on three sides, with ample time to speak to Inanna and make it back to address the Senate.

The Lord Dumuzi had sent word of Maelgwn’s pending visit and had instructed that the Dragon be met and guided to Inanna with all due haste.

The Goddess’ quarters were dim and still; the only sound to be heard was that of her soft mournful whimpers. Due to the pungent smell of decaying flesh, Death’s presence hung heavy in the enclosed chamber. Inanna sat on the far side of her birthing bed which had yet to be cleaned, with her back to the entrance door.

I told you to stay away, and leave me with my demons.

Maelgwn came to a standstill just inside the door, to gauge her reaction before approaching. ‘It is I, Maelgwn Gwynedd, who addresses you, Inanna. I was told you wished to see me.’

Dragon? She twisted around to see for herself, and upon sighting Maelgwn, Inanna gasped in disbelief. Once again you take mercy on my soul.

‘I have been told of your tragedy, Nin, and I grieve for your loss.’

Inanna forced out half a laugh. You can, you see … as thanks to me you know how it feels to lose a child before you’ve even had the chance to hold it close.

Although Inanna was sounding very sentimental for one of her breed, Maelgwn was fairly sure it was not an act; she was plainly displaying signs of experiencing heartfelt emotion. She knew nothing of his own recent tragedy, and thus the Goddess could only have been referring to the child she had aborted from a Delphinus woman some seventy years before. Maelgwn had made the dire mistake of having a brief encounter with the wife of one of his own past-life incarnations. Her name was Aquilla, and her soul had been akin to Tory’s. She had become pregnant with the first Chosen One of the Delphinus kind; the forced termination had devastated Aquilla.

‘Destiny has a cruel agenda at times, but it always acts in the interests of the greater good, without bias against one soul or another. Whatever has happened was meant to be, and that which eludes us was never fated.’ Maelgwn neared the Goddess cautiously.

As he approached, the cradle over which the Goddess wept came into clear view and Maelgwn saw the remains of her lifeless babe therein. He had to stop himself from gasping aloud, for the infant was remarkably similar in appearance to the alien creatures that had consumed his own children.

He was not so hideous when born. Inanna noted the Dragon’s look of disgust. He was beautiful beyond compare. Her tone had softened as her gaze became lost in the cherished memory.

‘Is this,’ Maelgwn considered a non-offensive way of describing the disfiguration, ‘condition, the byproduct of some sort of virus or disease, Nin?’

The Goddess shook her head. It is a nervous reaction to an unpleasant situation, she advised him calmly, thankful to have someone to speak with who was generally interested in her misfortune. Inanna had no true friends and those of her kind did their utmost not to feel emotion at the best of times. As adults, we Nefilim have learnt not to allow unfavourable outside stimuli to distort our perfected physical forms. But infants of our kind, who have yet to learn the art of detaching the physical body from the mental, directly reflect the extent of their physical discomfort in their appearance.

This information seemed to indicate that the creatures who had consumed his children were Changelings after all, and therefore his own children would be safely residing in the Changelings’ realm of origin. Then Tory had been right to want to befriend the entities, for they could well hold the only key to finding Avery and Lirathea. No matter how badly Maelgwn wished to whip himself over the issue, he pushed it to the back of his mind and came to focus on the problem at hand.

As you can see my babe died a very painful death … and is it any wonder, when his mother is cursed? Inanna bowed her head in shame. I have inflicted on others such tragedy without sympathy or remorse for their loss — none of whom are still alive to appease for my malice. The Goddess raised her sapphire blue eyes to look at Maelgwn’s face. You are the only one who can alleviate the tragic plight that I have created for myself.

‘You cannot hope to return the child that you took from me, Nin. In any case, I forgave you your crimes against me long ago.’ Maelgwn found himself strangely moved as tears began to trickle from the eyes of the Goddess. In seventy years he’d never seen any of the Nefilim cry for any reason but fear for their own skin.

I couldn’t kill him, Dragon. I wanted a baby so badly that I merely stole the child from your lover’s womb. Inanna paused in her confession to allow the news to sink in.

Shocked to the foundations of his being, Maelgwn could scarcely believe that she might be telling him the truth. In the seventy years since that tragic episode, it had never once occurred to him that the first immortal Homo sapien-Delphinus baby had been permitted to survive.

Nobody knew about the child bar Serena and Barnabus, my personal attachés … they aided me to keep my secret from the rest of the Pantheon. I called the babe Zabeel, ‘the gift of the Logos’, for he was so very much like you.

‘He is immortal?’ Maelgwn sought clarification.

Inanna shook her head and looked away. At the time my doctors advised me not to take the risk of allowing a half-caste to be born immortal, so we deactivated the immortal gene during the earliest stages of foetal development. As Maelgwn served her a cold look of disapproval, Inanna defended her decision. He could have been deformed and condemned to that deformity for all time. He could have —

‘Been the first of the Chosen of his kind!’ Maelgwn snapped, infuriated by what she had done, for although the immortal gene could be reactivated, if Zabeel encountered death before his DNA was returned to normal, he would indeed die as a mortal. ‘Where is he? Is he still alive?’

I wish I knew. She gave a great sigh, not eager to continue for none of it was good. For fifty years now I have had bounty hunters trying to track Zabeel down, but having spent his entire life in hiding, he seems to have blended into the shadows … my trackers haven’t found so much as a hair. Inanna stood, for she had yet another confession to make. I told him many lies about you, Dragon. I despised you for rejecting me, and Zabeel was to be my revenge.

‘Why didn’t you tell me of this fifty years ago, when I resurrected your husband from the grave and saved your marriage?’ Maelgwn was not feeling quite so compassionate towards the Goddess now.

Because Zabeel jumped ship before any of that unfolded, she replied, tears streaming from her eyes as she gripped hold of Maelgwn’s shirt to implore him to hear her out. I held off from telling you in the hope that I could find him and set him straight before you encountered one another. You must believe that I have done all within my power to make amends for my actions, for you have shown me great kindness and I am … so … very — The Goddess swayed and, exhausted from her ordeal and the great outpouring of emotion, she fainted.

7

HUMAN HEART

Having waited half the day to see the Lahmuian mutant, Brian and Rhun looked forward to its imminent appearance. The master of ceremonies, a large man of the Falcon breed who was dressed for the part, called for the evening’s challengers to come forward and enter the arena.

The bird breed of the human species were easily defined by the huge wings they sported. Upon their heads in the place of hair grew soft, quill combs, which could be raised or lowered, although some Falcon wore their quills so long that they were no longer able to elevate them. Their skin colour varied. Some Falcons had fair skin and white or beige body feathers, and others with feathers that were brown or black had skin that was dark.

When no warriors presented themselves for the challenge, the crowd became disgruntled.

‘I wonder who the Pantheon are going to sucker into this fools’ crusade then?’ Brian commented aside to Rhun, who shrugged, looking about the room for potential nominees.

They say he is warrior who is second to none. Aya’s query flashed through Rhun’s mind as he spotted her having a quiet word in her father’s ear. ‘Oh dear,’ he uttered, as Nergal rose to put forward his challenge. ‘Governor, this might be a good time to go take a leak.’

‘Why?’ Brian asked, wary of the expression on Rhun’s face. ‘What’s the concern?’

No sooner had he asked than Nergal’s Falcon Viceroy was calling the room to attention to hear the Lord’s announcement.

‘He’s going to challenge you,’ Rhun whispered in his Governor’s ear. Brian smirked, thinking Rhun was joking, until Nergal turned and looked their way.

I have a proposition for the new Governor of Kila.

‘Shit,’ Brian uttered under his breath, but he stood to hear what Nergal wished to propose. ‘Proposition away, Lord.’

As the Pantheon are still undecided as to whether to extend the Dragon’s invitation to join the twelve to yourself, we thought this might be a good opportunity for you to impress us all. The Dragon’s conquests are well known throughout the galaxy, but the name Brian Alexander has no legend currently attached.

Brian rolled his eyes, having no intention of being conned so easily. The Nefilim had every intention of permitting one of the Chosen to sit in the Senate, so as to have access to that person’s mind.

And yet, continued Nergal, it has been rumoured that you are a warrior who is second to none amongst the Chosen … and if you decline to fight the mutant, I shall send a more inferior warrior of your species to meet the challenge. How would that rest on your immortal human conscience, when your supposed purpose is to act in the best interests of all humankind?

Brian was going to suggest that Nergal forgo his entertainment completely, and thus spare a human life, when Brian realised that humans of every breed were watching him and waiting for him to defend them. If he called for Nergal to cancel the fight, this would make the Head of the Pantheon look like the hero in the eyes of those gathered here today. However, if he accepted the challenge and won the fight, this was a perfect opportunity to win the favour and trust of the other human tribes. This was a dangerous game Nergal was playing, so he obviously expected to win. Brian turned to Rhun, who was observing the breathless masses awaiting their decision.

Rhun realised what a crucial political opportunity for the Chosen this was, and knowing what he must do, the Vice-Governor rose to address Nergal himself.

‘In view of his important business in the Senate on the morrow, I must advise my Governor not to accept your challenge.’

As the crowd began to boo loudly, Brian turned to his nephew to quietly convey his disapproval. ‘Have your senses taken their leave?’ he uttered hoarsely.

‘But I should like,’ Rhun ignored his Governor and spoke up to silence the din, ‘to accept my Lord Nergal’s challenge on my Governor’s behalf in the hope of securing for him a seat in the Senate so that he may bring about a better life for all humankind.’

With the announcement the crowd went wild.

‘You are insane.’ Brian grabbed hold of him. ‘I won’t let you do this. You’re a better diplomat than I.’ He attempted to reason with his nephew.

‘That is horse-shit, Brian. My father didn’t nominate you as his Vice without good reason. Clearly, one of us has to fight this thing, and if the creature whips my butt you can still bail us out. If it flattens you first, I’ve got no hope.’ Rhun admitted to being the inferior warrior and Brian knew he was right. ‘So, I figure our best bet is to give me a chance to put the beast down first and you can finish him off if needs be.’

Nergal was now feeling uncomfortable about the enthusiasm the human masses were showing for the challenge. He was hoping their excitement stemmed from pure bloodlust and not the want of a new hero. He was having second thoughts about inviting one of the Chosen to fight, for if by some miracle he won the duel, he stood to win far more favour for the Chosen in the eyes of mortal men than they’d ever had before.

No, Father, this won’t do at all. Aya objected to Rhun volunteering. You said I could see Brian Alexander fight.

Change of plan, retorted Nergal preferring that the challenge remain as it was. This way the Vice-Governor would be shamed when defeated, and Brian Alexander would remain out of favour with the human masses and in good health to have his mind probed in the Senate. When they had learnt all they could from him, the Pantheon would figure out some quiet, non-eventful way to be rid of him and then lure the Dragon back into taking up the position in the Senate. We find your proposal acceptable, Nergal pronounced and was again seated. Release the contender.

As the doors within the pit of the arena opened, the master of ceremonies fluttered up to a safe height above ground level. ‘Behold, the master instrument of death,’ he announced, as the Luhmuian mutant crawled forth out of the darkness.

At about three times Rhun’s size and weight, the tarantula scorpion cross was a formidable fighting machine. It sported eight legs to support its huge body weight and two shorter clawed arms at the front, which could sever limbs with a single scissor motion. But it was the long upturned scorpion tail that gladiators feared the most, for its sting paralysed both immortals and mortals alike. The fight was all over for the gladiator once stung, as the mutant injected the fatal venom into its victim from its forward fangs, or finished its prey by dismemberment and finally ingestion.

When the commentator finished outlining the beast’s killing potential, Rhun was looking decidedly more doubtful about the duel. ‘How the hell am I supposed to kill that thing?’ Rhun put the question to Dumuzi, who was looking rather concerned for his charge.

‘I don’t think you’re supposed to succeed.’ Brian fixed their chaperone with a look of accusation. ‘I think the idea is to get us both killed, in order to get the Dragon back in the Senate.’

You think I had something to do with this? Dumuzi challenged.

‘If Maelgwn were here he would negotiate a way around this mess,’ Brian explained pointedly, ‘but Maelgwn is not here, is he my Lord?’

Rhun caught Brian’s drift and even though he felt Brian’s suspicions might be correct, it was too late to avoid the trap now. Their only chance was to fight their way out. ‘If father were here he would have volunteered his services in your stead, just as I have. Now how do I kill that thing?’ The Vice-Governor appealed to the Nefilim Lord for his advice.

Dumuzi was eager to prove his innocence and so moved in closer to advise Rhun: See the hard dark shell over the mutant’s head?

Rhun nodded. ‘I thought it was its eye.’

It’s a helmet, Dumuzi told him, that protects what little it has of a brain. In order to kill it, you have to remove its protection and spear it straight between the eyes.

‘With what?’ Rhun wondered aloud. The Lord directed his attention to the master of ceremonies who dropped a charichalum spear into the arena from a great height. ‘I don’t suppose either of you want to go fetch that for me?’ Rhun asked in jest.

The beast does have other weaknesses. Dumuzi slapped the warrior’s shoulder in encouragement, as Rhun was urged by the chanting crowd to enter the arena. Its legs are puny and it has trouble turning around quickly, Dumuzi advised as he accompanied Rhun towards the pit. The best defensive position is to be found beneath the creature, for it has no means of attack or defence on its underbelly.

Rhun nodded to confirm that he’d heard every word, and methodically stripped to the waist, removing his weapon belt and thigh holster also.

‘It’s not too late for me to take your place.’ Brian gave him a final opportunity to change his mind.

‘Nah.’ Rhun was outwardly confident as he swung his legs over the barrier. ‘It’s been ages since I’ve had a good fight. It’ll be a hoot.’ He winked and jumped into the pit.

As soon as the creature spied Rhun it began to attack, scampering forward to confront its challenger. With its body dipped low to the ground, the Luhmuian raised its tail high into the air and drove its stinger forth in Rhun’s direction.

Instead of backing up, as most men would, Rhun ran towards the mutant and underneath it, just as Dumuzi had advised. As the creature turned about in confusion, Rhun launched himself, feet first, into one of the creature’s hind support legs, which snapped as the warrior made contact.

The creature reared up in pain and the crowd went wild.

That’s the way! Dumuzi was excited that his advice had been of aid to Rhun, but glancing aside and catching Brian’s look of disdain, the Lord decided he’d best play down his enthusiasm.

Rhun made a break for the spear, which was in the centre of the arena. Fortunately for him, the beast’s injury threw its aim off and its second attempt to paralyse him with its lightning fast tail hit the ground to one side of Rhun as he dived for the spear. He rolled clear, and with the spear firmly in hand he launched himself into several backflips, landing on his feet to confront the mutant. The creature became noticeably more cautious now that its prey could defend itself, which seemed to indicate a certain level of intellect and reasoning on its behalf. It circled at a distance, snapping its razor-sharp claws as it made ready to use them. Rhun changed his grip on the spear and wielded it like a staff to block the mutant’s attempts to retrieve the weapon from him. When the creature became fed up and again tried to strike at Rhun with its tail, the warrior batted the stinger away like he was hitting a home run, whereupon the creature again wailed in pain.

Suddenly flowers began pouring into the arena, and Rhun looked up to see all the women of the various human tribes casting their offerings of admiration into the pit whilst chanting his name.

‘Focus on the fight!’ Brian yelled, noting his nephew’s distraction.

With renewed confidence, Rhun gripped the spear that he still held like a bat, and took aim at the creature’s helmet.

This had been the very move the mutant had been waiting for. It pulled back to avoid the strike and, gripping the spear with one claw, it severed Rhun’s arm at the shoulder. The defunct body part fell onto the dusty ground at the warrior’s feet.

The crowd gasped in horror and disappointment, believing their gladiator was done for.

Shocked though Rhun was, he gripped tight the spear with his one good remaining arm and willed his severed limb back to rejoin his body. Then, yanking the spear free from the mutant’s claw, Rhun somersaulted off to one side to avoid being stung.

As the crowd again went wild, Brian breathed a sigh of relief. ‘I swear that kid’s ego will get him killed one day.’

Not today, however, replied Dumuzi, as Rhun speared the mutant in the chest and it began to bleed a red river onto the stadium floor.

As Rhun chanced a glance at his adoring crowd of female fans, the creature dipped low.

‘Rhun, look out!’ Brian cried, although he knew his nephew had no hope of hearing him over the din.

The stinger came down and planted itself in Rhun’s chest, and he fell to the ground completely immobilised.

‘Goddamn it!’ Brian jumped into the arena and the lamenting audience gave a mighty cheer.

Splendid. Aya jumped up, overjoyed by the development.

Her father stood also. You had better hope he survives. The Pantheon can’t learn anything from him dead.

He’s not the one you really want to probe, Father. Aya brushed off his threat. And as this new Governor certainly seems to appeal to the crowd, I rather thought the mutant might be doing you a favour by finishing him off.

The spear had fallen to the ground next to Rhun, and the mutant was dangerously close to him. Venom dripped from its huge fangs, which were positioned just above the charichalum helmet that concealed its face. Dumuzi hadn’t mentioned what effect the creature’s venom might have on an immortal, but Brian felt fairly sure that if the mutant dismembered and ate Rhun, he’d be looking for a new Vice-Governor.

Brian came skidding in from beneath the mutant’s body to grab hold of the idle spear. No sooner had the Lahmuian spied its second challenger than Brian had disappeared beneath its body once more. The mutant backed up quickly, hoping to expose its prey, but Brian kept pace with the creature until it grew frustrated and came to a stop to turn about. As it did, Brian gripped hold of one of the mutant’s upper legs and swung himself up and onto its back. Although the roar from the crowd was near deafening, Brian heard nothing as he took a seat at the base of the creature’s spine, facing its long smooth tail. The curl of the mutant’s stinging device did not allow for it to reach that section of its own body, probably so the creature could not injure itself. With the spear aimed at the stinger, Brian slid down the scaled tail so his weight held it down. As the end of the tail made contact with the ground ahead of him, Brian launched the spear. The sharp point pierced right through the creature’s stinger and into the ground, pinning the mutant to the spot — well away from Rhun. As Brian scampered back up the tail and onto the mutant’s back, it wailed in pain and frustration, trying to cast the warrior off. Brian looked to the master of ceremonies and held his hands high to appeal for a second spear with which to finish the contest.

The Falcon looked to Nergal to receive permission, but the Nefilim leader shook his head.

Son-of-a-bitch, thought Brian. He had other weapons on his person, but to use them would be considered cheating.

The crowd were booing profusely, and to protest Nergal’s decision they began to stomp their feet.

Brian looked up to see the master of ceremonies give a slight nod to someone in the crowd, whereupon a second spear came hurtling forth and into his awaiting grasp.

The crowd’s great cry of approval empowered Brian and he actually found he was rather enjoying this challenge. The mutant beneath him had settled, as if awaiting its inevitable demise, but Brian still crawled carefully up the spine. As he neared the dripping fangs beyond which the beast’s helmet lay, Brian got a firm grip on its neck with his legs. The creature’s fangs, although ominous, could not strike him at this angle. Its only hope now would be to catch him unawares and throw him to the ground, where it could administer the fatal injection.

He is magnificent, Aya observed as Brian carefully reached around the beast’s fangs to release the catch to its helmet.

It’s not over yet. Nergal was quietly seething that his order to leave the warrior weaponless had been ignored. Lamamu’s brother was more dangerous than he’d imagined, and the quicker he died the better.

Inserted in the mutant’s brain was a disciplining device which inflicted it with grievous pain when its owners needed to restrain it. Nergal fancied that the curse of the beast might well turn out to be its saving grace.

Aya noted her father’s finger poised on the button that triggered the beast’s pain sensor. I’ll bet you ten of my best Falcons that he still wins, Aya goaded him.

You’re on. Nergal pressed the button.

The beast beneath Brian began thrashing about violently and he lost his balance, sliding to one side of the mutant’s head. He gripped the base of one of its large fangs to prevent his fall, and managed to right himself once more. Some dripping venom was cast onto Brian’s hand during the attempt and it burnt his skin badly upon contact. ‘Ya … ouch!’ Brian tucked the wounded hand under his good arm and clung on with his legs for dear life.

Finally, the beast collapsed on the ground exhausted and its unfastened helmet came flying off. Spear held high and ready to strike at his target, Brian raised himself to view the creature’s face. What he saw was the agonised features of a human male — distorted and deformed — but human nonetheless.

This is no mutant of nature’s design, Brian realised. He turned his baleful gaze to Nergal and the crowd fell deathly silent. ‘This abomination is of your design,’ he accused.

Not mine personally, Nergal explained. I just found gainful employment for the species.

Brian was disgusted by this blatant disregard for humanity and he intended to make that point plain, even if it cost him his life. I will not kill one of my own kind for entertainment. He jumped down from the Lahmuian’s back and walked into the beast’s attack range to look it in the eye. Brian cast aside the spear and all his weapons. ‘I am sworn to protect all humans from exploitation, especially the like of this man.’

The audience had mixed reactions about being referred to as kinfolk to the mutant, but their comments were whispers, for all eyes were riveted to the Governor as he removed the thought-wave neutraliser from his wrist.

Nergal’s finger was poised on the creature’s pain sensor control, ready to finish the beast off if this scene became too sentimental.

No father, please, Aya appealed. This is interesting, don’t you find … the mutant could strike at any second. Surely he doesn’t mean to communicate with it?

Nergal smiled, hoping this was the Governor’s intent. Perhaps I’ll win our wager after all?

Brian stared at the creature for some time, before he ventured to move near to it. You could have heard a pin drop in the stadium as he steadily inched his way forward and came to rest both his hands on each side of the mutant’s face.

A great sigh was heard from the masses, who were all moved to tears by the compassion and courage they were witnessing.

We really should put a stop to this, Nergal suggested. Heaven knows what information the creature has stored in its disturbed little brain.

Aya, frustrated by not understanding the crowd’s emotions, nodded to agree. This is the most boring conclusion to a spectacle that I have ever witnessed.

Brian was totally absorbed in receiving the mutant’s horrendous memories, when he suddenly perceived a sharp wave of pain that threw him clear of the beast. Its head exploded, splattering him with the remains. ‘No!’ He raised himself to confront Nergal, who he suspected was responsible for inflicting the mutant’s death.

‘It was not a killer by nature,’ he announced, tears of conviction springing to his eyes. ‘You have made it thus!’ He pointed a finger at Nergal, although he referred to all the Nefilim.

Ah, before you say anything you might regret, Nergal said, might I remind you that, as I was forced to put this pathetic creature out of its misery, you have lost your wager and thus your seat in the Senate is still in question.

Rebellion at this moment could place everything Brian cherished in jeopardy — his home planet and all his kindred. But there would never be such a perfect opportunity to win the confidence of the other human tribes. They didn’t want to see a human representative in the Pantheon working in cooperation with the Nefilim.

What they needed was a leader who was not afraid to oppose the Pantheon’s way — someone they could believe would lead an uprising against them.

All eyes rested on Brian, to see if he’d be manipulated into adhering to the Nergal’s advice.

Don’t you submit, Brian. Rhun lay motionless staring at the ceiling, wishing he could cry out his thoughts.

Brian looked around at all his potential allies, their faces agonised as they awaited his response, then to Nergal, who appeared confident of getting his way. ‘My dear Lord Nergal … you can take your seat in the Pantheon and stick it where it pleases you most. Humankind does not need Pantheon aid or permission to free its repressed masses. We shall see to it on our own.’

The triumphant roar which greeted Brian’s words threatened to raise the roof from its foundations.

Nergal stood, enraged, intending to demonstrate his psychokinetic abilities on the rogue Governor.

Brian walked over to retrieve Rhun, who had managed to will himself free of the effects of his injury. The Governor helped his Vice-Governor to stand up, and then held his nephew’s hand high in victory.

Suddenly, the cheering masses hushed and began to cower in fear — the Lord Nergal, his spouse, Ereshkigal, Nubu, Tashmet and Aya had all taken to the air.

This is all very touching … but you must understand we can’t possibly indulge your little fantasy any longer.

Rhun looked to Brian, whose face had the darkest expression Rhun had ever seen him wear, and it was aimed right at Nergal. Goddess help us, he’s not going to back down. They were both psychically gifted, but not so experienced at wielding the craft as the Nefilim were — and at two against five the odds were not looking good for them.

Dumuzi floated down into the arena. Sorry, bro, nothing personal, he explained to Nergal as he joined Rhun and Brian. But I gave my word to the Dragon to protect these clowns.

Then die with them. Nergal and his kin began to focus their deadly intent.

I must also protest. Micah, Nergal’s son, and his spouse, Shala, floated down to join the side of the Chosen Ones.

Then Ningal and her husband, Narnar, floated down into the pit, giving the opposition greater numbers. I also owe the Dragon a debt of gratitude … Ningal stood with the Chosen warriors to oppose her brother, Nergal. The Pantheon has voted, the Chosen Ones walk free.

Gibal has not voted, Nergal called for his other brother’s deciding vote.

Gibal hated taking sides in family feuds, especially when there might be serious repercussions, but he owed the Dragon for saving him from an eternity of torment. The Chosen go free, he announced, whereupon all in the arena gave a mighty cheer.

Micah, who was beside Brian, touched his shoulder to gain his attention. This victory will be the first of many for you, Lahmu, he enlightened and gave the Governor a wink of encouragement.

‘Lahmu’ was the name the crowd chanted, and Brian had thought it was to venerate the passing of the Lahmuian mutant.

It means Deity of War, Micah advised with a smile. Your coming is well known to us, although I was beginning to think we’d never find you.

The Lord stunned Brian with the claim. ‘I don’t understand. Why are you calling me that?’

There is an old prophecy about Lahmu, the promised one who would rule the galaxy in the Pantheon’s wake.

‘Surely you’ve got the wrong guy. It sounds like Maelgwn Gwynedd’s type of destiny, not mine.’

Micah shook his head. We thought for a long time that the Dragon was the one. But it was you who tamed the Lahmuian, Brian Alexander, and this was prophesied as the defining act of Lahmu.

This piece of information left Brian in a state of confusion, as he and Rhun were escorted out of the stadium by the rogue Nefilim.

Inanna awoke in a fresh bed, wearing fresh clothes, and her room was filled with flowers. All the window shields had been opened to allow natural light to permeate the chamber. A spectacular purple sandstorm was raging outside.

My babe! Inanna rose and looked about her quickly. Her panic subsided when she found her child’s body in an enclosed case with a transparent lid, through which she could still view it.

The whole scenario was like a beautiful healing dream, so touching it made her gasp. That anyone would care enough to arrange for her suffering to be eased in this way, without her prior order, was completely beyond her comprehension. She knew who she had to thank, and looking around for him she spied the Dragon seated in a quiet corner. Why do you insist on stirring my blood with your acts of kindness, when I know you hold no lust for me?

‘That’s what friends do, Inanna. They help you out when you need it most,’ he explained.

But when have I ever been a friend to you … when it wasn’t to benefit my own cause, that is?

‘You haven’t. Ever,’ he advised for the record, his mouth curving to a cheeky smile. ‘But today could be your lucky day.’

So, your kindness does have a motive after all, Inanna said, but as she owed Maelgwn several favours and he was so gorgeous when he smiled, she resolved to please him. It seems today is your lucky day, Dragon … ask of me what you will.

‘Do you know where I might find the personal belongings you took from my Delphinus incarnation, Durak?’ He put the question to her straight away, and it seemed to startle the Goddess, for it was obviously not a topic she’d anticipated.

Dear Gods, Dragon, you’re not asking much. She felt panicky as she scanned her memory, fearing she would not be able to satisfy his request.

‘I don’t expect you to produce what I am looking for.’ Maelgwn rose to approach her. ‘Just a clue as to where I might start to look would be helpful.’

Inanna’s eyes narrowed as if she were insulted. Oh ye of little faith. She realised she didn’t need to recall where she’d put the archaeologist’s case, for she knew its distinctive appearance. Inanna raised her eyebrows seductively before holding out her hands and manifesting Durak’s dusty old case, which she handed to the Dragon.

‘Astonishing.’ Maelgwn grinned, impressed, as he took possession of the case.

Do I get a kiss for my efforts? The siren in Inanna began to get the better of her, as it was prone to do whenever she felt well disposed towards any male.

Maelgwn’s expression lost its warmth. ‘No. Now you get to tell me about my son.’ He took hold of the Nefilim woman’s wrist and led her to a seat. Any other man would have died for his presumption, but for this man she made an allowance. ‘Let’s start with the lies you told Zabeel about me.’

Please don’t be mad with me, Dragon. Would a true friend act thus? She needed to see him smile at her again, for it warmed her frosty insides like no other stimuli she’d ever known.

‘Yes, a true friend would,’ he told her firmly. ‘A true friend would tell you that you don’t need the physical love of another to feel good about yourself. The reason you feel so amicable in this instance is not out of desire for me.’

You could have fooled me. The Goddess gazed at him with her lovely blue eyes.

‘Your interest stems from knowing that you are doing something right and good by helping me, without thought for your own gain or loss.’

The Goddess looked rather astonished at this suggestion, but gave it some serious consideration. But that would mean that —

‘You are utilising your astral body of emotion,’ Maelgwn granted. ‘And, my dear Inanna, giving to another for the sake of doing the right thing is the basis of unconditional love.’

Inanna was excited beyond reason to finally experience and understand the secret knowledge that only mortals, and those Nefilim long since ascended back to their soul-source, understood. What I am feeling, this is love?

‘Of the most sacred kind. For it is the love of giving to others that enables us to love ourselves and be loved in return.’

Maelgwn’s words reduced the Goddess to tears, for suddenly she could empathise with what he meant. The purest and most empowering emotion she’d ever felt began surging through her being, filling her with such joy and goodwill that her capacity for speech escaped her.

‘Your soul-source never stopped loving you, Inanna. It was you who stopped loving yourself when you shut yourself off to Anu’s influence. Dare to look deep within yourself and you shall not find demons lurking there … what you shall find is the pure and loving child you’ve been seeking all your life.’

She closed her eyes to give silent praise to her creator as she felt the warmth of the Logos alive inside her heart for the first time since she was a girl. I will aid your cause, Dragon, for clearly Anu wishes it.

The smile returned to Maelgwn’s face. ‘Tell me more about Zabeel.’

Inanna confessed to having led the lad to believe that, disgusted by her pregnancy, Maelgwn had slain Aquilla and left her and her unborn baby to die. Zabeel believed that Inanna had saved his life by separating him from his mother soon after conception, as Aquilla’s wound had proven fatal. I never told Zabeel your name, I professed only to have known you as ‘the Dragon’. My guess is that he went looking for you, to seek revenge. Inanna handed Maelgwn a thought-band recorder containing memories of Zabeel when last seen. If he’d only hung around a little longer I would have led him straight to you, she shrugged, thinking the circumstances ironic. As it is, he’s probably perished in the attempt to locate you. She shed a couple of tears for the child she’d raised, but wiped them away quickly. I suppose I have no right to grieve his loss, as he should never have been mine in the first place.

Maelgwn placed a hand on her shoulder. ‘Have faith that all fares well with him, Nin, for I shall find him if it does.’

The Goddess materialised a small phial in her palm, which she pushed into the Dragon’s hand. The means by which to restore Zabeel to the first Chosen One of his kind. She forced a smile, hoping it would not be too late.

As Maelgwn placed her offering into his pocket for safekeeping, he leant down and kissed her cheek, long and soft. ‘Bless you for facing this nightmare, Inanna. The light of the Logos is upon you.’

Inanna watched Maelgwn walk from her presence, dying to order him back to give her comfort and delight, but it was the will of Anu that she let him go. She could feel the divine at work within her now. The Dragon had shown her the way to her redemption, just as she had foreseen. My soul debt can and will be repaid. She had made of herself an island by acts of hatred and selfishness and now her love and selflessness would flow like a river to the people that she had so long abused.

When Maelgwn reached his transport back to Nibiru, he knew he’d been detained on Tarazean too long to possibly hope to make it back to address the Senate. He was confident that Brian, however apprehensive he may have been, would have met the challenge head on. Maelgwn hoped that the new Governor of Kila had succeeded in making a lasting impression on the Pantheon he sought to infiltrate.

‘The Governor is online and waiting to speak with you, En Maelgwn,’ the onboard communications officer advised as Maelgwn boarded. ‘The line is secure,’ the officer added, whereupon Maelgwn understood the urgency of the matter and made straight for the communications room and shut himself in.

‘Governor, what’s news? Did all go well at the meeting?’ asked Maelgwn, lightheartedly.

‘I never made it to the meeting,’ Brian replied. ‘You know that war you’ve been expecting me to start?’

Maelgwn smiled, amused by his brother-in-law’s approach. ‘You do hate to disappoint, don’t you?’

‘The good news is that I think I might have gained some influence with the other human tribes.’

Maelgwn had expected to have longer to prepare for an uprising, but after waiting seventy years, now seemed as good a time as any. ‘Was war actually declared?’

‘Does it have to be?’ Brian’s question was rhetorical. ‘My fear is that Kila is grossly unprepared to defend against a Nefilim attack.’

‘Do not worry,’ Maelgwn advised him, and then seemingly changed the subject. ‘I suspect you are heading back to Kila at present, Governor. When you arrive, I shall meet you with a plan of action. Out.’

‘But you are further afoot from Kila than we are.’ Brian managed to voice his concern before Maelgwn terminated the transmission.

The Dragon was of a mind to risk teleporting himself across the unpredictable recesses of deep space in order to beat the Governor back to Kila and ready the city for evacuation. This had never been attempted by any of the Chosen before now, for fear of becoming trapped in a time warp, or worse, an entirely different dimension. But in this instance Maelgwn was prepared to take the risk for the stakes were high. However, before he attempted such a daring stunt, he needed to arrange a temporary safe haven for the Kila refugees. Maelgwn advised his crew to stay put on Tarazean and willed himself back to the side of the Goddess Inanna.

8

THE ASSASSINATION

For two weeks Tory and Noah had managed to hold the attention of the Devas. Sacha and Psyche had taken instruction from the head of every major institutional faculty in Kila, in subjects ranging from the mind and earth sciences, to law, art, history, commerce, astronomy, and every subject in between. All their tutors had found them to be extraordinary students who lapped up information at the rate of a full course on any given subject in the matter of a few hours.

Now that the twins’ teenage growth hormones had kicked in, they had started to rebel against their formal studies and were out and about in search of some real life experience. In the past couple of days the Deva twins had taken to keeping the company of Tory’s grandchildren, Asher and Rai, and were experiencing what it was to be carefree adolescents for a time. Tory considered this to be a good thing; in the next week the twins would be young adults and their interests would be diverted to more important issues.

Personally speaking, Tory had found the twins’ coming of age to be a little anti-climatic. Two weeks of intense care and attention and her newborn babes were near grown and out on their own. Still, with every advancement the young Devas made, their quest became more imminent — as did the return of Avery and Lirathea. Tory had abandoned any thought of trying to visit her children in their current abode, as all her sources agreed that human soul-minds didn’t associate on that level of awareness. Devachan was not a social evolution as hers was, but a solitary growth period. This meant that, even if she managed to manifest in Devachan, she would only perceive her experience of it, designed by the Logos for her specific development. To hope to experience Devachan from another’s reality, in this case her twins, was a fool’s crusade — an impossible dream.

‘Even the worst Devachanic experience far surpasses a wonderful physical existence,’ she commented to Noah, as they strolled through Central Park, ‘so I don’t know why I can’t just accept our separation, for however long it’s fated to last?’

‘Maybe you envy them a little?’ Noah timidly suggested with a shrug.

Tory gave him a sideways glance and a sly, questioning grin.

‘Well,’ he defended, ‘you’ve been in the service of others since landing on Kila. In developing our great nation, you’ve scarce had time to do any developing yourself.’ As Tory seemed interested in his ideas, he rolled with it. ‘Perhaps that is why your children have been taken off your hands for a time, because what you really need right now is to focus on yourself … which is exactly what you secretly wish to do.’

Tory gave a heavy sigh. He’d hit the nail right on the head. ‘Everyone reveres me as this great spiritual leader, Noah, “the holder of the Tablet of Destinies”! But I don’t feel deserving of that acclaim. Truth be known, I don’t even know how to use the damn thing properly … a problem I could rectify if I could rouse the time and courage to experiment with the divine tool.’ Tory, frustrated, walked away from Noah a little. ‘I mean, why didn’t Taliesin give the Tablet to someone who might have the knowhow to make better use of it? Like Thais, or you!’

‘Me?’ Noah startled, stepped backward. ‘I think you might be confusing me with Selwyn.’

‘But you are Selwyn!’ she emphasised. ‘I see more of the druid in you each time we meet.’

‘And I see the Goddess in you, Tory,’ he retorted, flattered by her statement.

‘Then why don’t I?’ she whined, feeling drained and inadequate.

Noah gave her a warm look. ‘I don’t know anyone who could’ve handled the ordeal you’ve just been through and still be sane.’ He approached Tory to place an arm around her shoulder and give her a comforting squeeze.

‘It’s not like Maelgwn to stay mad at me this long.’ Another of Tory’s brooding fears surfaced. ‘I felt sure he would have contacted me by now … even if it was only to tell me he’s still annoyed with me.’

If truth be told, Noah had also expected that the Dragon would’ve made his peace with Tory by this time, but he was not about to say so. ‘You need to recharge your batteries, Nin … you can’t expend so much energy on others and not expect to feel drained.’

Tory forced a smile, seeing reason. ‘So what do you suggest?’

He wrinkled his brow as he thought about the best avenue of rejuvenation. ‘Perhaps it’s time you allowed others to pour a little energy into you. Let us go and see En Thais and his students. They’ll replenish your energy stores, quick smart.’

Tory’s smile was genuine, as she nodded to agree that it was a good idea.

Whilst Tory lay on a table of pure crystal in the Institute of the Mind Sciences, receiving Reiki and a guided meditation from Thais and his adepts, Noah relaxed in the sunshine of the facility’s garden café, which was practically deserted this morning.

He was thinking about what he might do this afternoon. Noah had a load of work to catch up on at the Institute, planning courses for the next year.

‘Ho-hum,’ he sighed. It all seemed a bit mundane after six months in the jungle and two weeks with a couple of higher world intelligences. Like Tory, he secretly craved a little more adventure in his life, which led Noah to wonder how Maelgwn was doing in his quest to find the stone that would lead them to one of the Lord Master Enki’s Creation Stations. He supposed that the meeting with the Pantheon was probably keeping the Dragon well occupied and as Kila hadn’t received any word from Nibiru, Noah assumed that the Senate was still in session.

‘No news is good news, I guess.’ He picked up his cup to finish his tea, when a large obstruction suddenly appeared before him.

It was the time-shifting chariot that Taliesin had left in his safekeeping, Noah realised, and at the controls was Maelgwn. Noah had thought the precious treasure safely locked away in a secret chamber under the Institute of Immortal History.

‘Pardon my asking, En Maelgwn, but how did you get access to the chariot?’ Noah stood up, horrified that someone had managed to breach his security measures.

‘This is the only copy of the original, made by Aquilla for Inanna,’ Maelgwn explained as he climbed out. ‘When the Goddess learnt that I was entertaining the notion of projecting myself through open space to return to Kila, she insisted on lending me her toy to ensure my safe and speedy arrival.’

So many questions arose in Noah’s mind from this statement. Inanna was concerned for someone? He thought this very strange. Obviously Maelgwn had seen the Goddess, but had she given him the stone?

One of Noah’s questions took precedence over the rest. ‘Why the rush to return home?’

Maelgwn fixed Noah with a determined and very serious look. ‘We have to evacuate the city.’

‘What!’ Noah freaked and then forced a smile as he looked about him to see if anyone might be following their conversation, but there was no one within earshot. ‘You’re not serious … are you?’

Maelgwn hated to shatter Noah’s illusion that this might be a hoax. ‘All visitors to the city must return to their homes at once. All residents — those that are not head of a government department, part of the defence department, KEPA, or an advisor of the Governor — are to evacuate to Tarazean.’

Noah didn’t have to ask what had happened. ‘The rebellion has begun then?’

Maelgwn nodded firmly. ‘We’re going underground.’

Although Tory had cried her eyes out during the hands-on healing session, she now lay in a calm state of bliss upon the amethyst healing table. Thais and his students had worked their magic and aided her to release most of the emotional blockages that were disturbing the flow of energy around her subtle body.

Thais dismissed his students from the healing room and only he remained with the patient to guide her through a meditation.

Tory was very relaxed now. Her whole body tingled with a sensation like pins and needles. This was not a painful experience, however, as when a limb became numb, what she felt as present was liberating and tranquillising. This detached sensation was synonymous with the astral body being ever so slightly out of alignment with the physical.

Thais guided Tory’s mind through a meditation of colour and sound, starting with the colour red and a deep vibrational chant that was connected to the lowest chakra of her subtle body. He worked up through the colour spectrum and sound scale, until they reached the pure white of the crown chakra and the highest associated note.

‘All your chakras are fully open to receive the life-diving energy of the Logos,’ Thais advised softly. Tory breathed deep the brilliant white light she’d visualised in her mind and brought it down to surround her physical body. As she did, Tory felt as if she had begun to float. ‘Now,’ said Thais, ‘keeping your eyes closed, I want you to look down upon your body and tell me if you can see your aura.’

Tory directed her third eye to look down over her body, and the splendour she saw made her gasp. ‘I can. It’s sparkling silver, like sunshine reflected on a lake.’ Inside the glistening light field her chakra centres whirled, drawing celestial energy into her subtle body. Tory’s perception began to drift upward.

‘Tory, this is a grounding exercise, stay with me,’ Thais instructed, as he noticed Tory’s etheric double separate from her physical body completely.

Tory meant to obey Thais’ instruction and tried to draw her perception back down towards her physical self, but it seemed her subtle body had plans of its own. Higher and higher it rose until it encountered the ceiling of the healing chamber, and Tory looked down to see herself lying on the amethyst block. A long, fine thread, sparkling silver like her aura, connected her etheric double with the physical presence it mirrored.

‘Tory?’ Thais gazed up at her free-floating etheric form. ‘This is not today’s objective. I realise the thought of going for a stroll in the astral realms must be most appealing, but that is not going to aid your physical condition. I need you present to complete the repairs,’ he pleaded. Thais heard the entrance door to the healing chamber open and he turned to address the intruder. ‘I said we were not to be disturb—’

A laser bullet shot forth and Thais hit the ground, unconscious. A second bullet shot into Tory’s already motionless body and her subtle form rebounded from the shock of the pulse laser bullet entering her physical body. The intruder entered and closed the door. He was one of the Falcon species — a pirate, poacher or bounty hunter by the look of his attire, which was draped with holsters, belts and pockets to accommodate all his gadgets and weapons.

Who is this? Tory willed herself closer to get a better look at him. And what does he want with me?

The large winged male approached her body, dousing a padded gag with fluid from a bottle as he moved. ‘The pulse laser won’t have a lasting effect on a Goddess like you.’ He stuck the wet pad over her mouth and nose, and upon contact the gag’s strap automatically latched itself tight around her head. ‘But this stuff will keep you sleeping like a babe. Hey-ho …’ he joked, looking over the body of the woman he’d come to snatch, ‘… you already are one.’

He must have doused the gag with some immortal-strength chloroform to keep me sleeping, Tory surmised and upon viewing her assailant’s face she recognised him — or rather she recognised the incarnating soul-mind within him. Doc!

This soul’s Chosen incarnation and his mate were the only two of their kind to remain on Gaia. The enlightened path had never come easy to this man, and he’d caused Gaia much damage before he’d seen the error of his ways. Doc had stayed on earth to amend the wrongs he’d done to the planet and to protect Gaia against any further damage. In the Dark Ages he had been Maelgwn’s younger half brother, Caradoc, whom Tory had had several nasty confrontations with. In the end, she had killed Caradoc out of mercy when she had found him rotting in a dungeon at Arwystli.

‘And just in case any of your demi-god mates try willing themselves into your presence …’ The intruder slapped a NERGUZ module around the wrist of her unconscious person to ensure she could not be found via psychic teleportation.

But the Pantheon had banned and confiscated all NERGUZ modules after the Shamash debacle some fifty years before. How on earth did he get possession of one of those? When the Falcon man lifted her limp form up onto his shoulder, Tory got a fair idea of his intent and felt she had to protest. She spotted a large crystal on a nearby table and willed it to rise. Sorry, friend, but I can’t let you abscond with my person. The heavy quartz rock ascended from its resting place, and Tory willed it on a collision course with the Falcon’s head.

‘Hey!’ He sensed the movement in time to duck. ‘Pluck me!’ Upon realising the extent of his unconscious captive’s abilities and noting all the large crystal sculptures that stood about the healing chamber, the Falcon decided to move quickly. Glancing upward, he saw the large glass dome in the roof and smiled. ‘I love having the Gods on my side.’

Tory watched with horror as her kidnapper activated a module he wore on his wrist and a light beam shot forth a compact getaway vehicle. Oh my stars, he’s going to get away with this. Feeling a little out of it, Tory couldn’t think of how to stop him. Her only thought was to stay with her body and try to get back into it. But then, what was the point when it was obviously unconscious and therefore useless to her. I wonder if I am always this conscious when I am unconscious and the recollection just becomes an unconscious one once I become conscious again? Tory pondered, as she followed her body and her abductor inside the tiny vessel.

As soon as Noah saw Inanna’s chariot safely locked away under the Institute of Immortal History with its twin, he returned to Maelgwn’s side in the government’s offices where he was rallying everyone to the evacuation cause.

‘And what of those of us in government, where do we go?’ Candace queried Maelgwn’s evacuation plans.

‘When only key personnel remain, I shall divulge more,’ he advised the new Governess with a smile that urged her to have a little faith.

‘Just like old times, hey Dragon,’ she commented, dryly, referring to the years she’d spent fighting the Lord Marduk’s cause under Maelgwn’s command.

‘You still trust me, don’t you?’ Maelgwn attempted to appease her with a little charm.

‘Of course I do,’ she stated winningly, but then her mood took a sudden swing towardss annoyance. ‘But as Governess of this city and Head of Defence, it is I who should be making plans!’ Candace drove home her point with a cutting look and drawing a deep breath, she instantly regained her composure. ‘Obviously we are hard-pressed for time at present, but I shall have this matter out with you as soon as we are at leisure. Agreed?’

Maelgwn nodded, quite taken aback, but still noted how well Candace wielded her newfound authority. She’d always had the aptitude, he thought.

‘Right now, however, I shall do as you advise, Dragon. Twelve hours to complete evacuation. Department heads will meet in Government House as soon —’

‘Under Centre Stage would be preferable,’ Maelgwn interrupted, aware of the fact that he was pushing his luck.

‘In the dressing rooms?’ She frowned, and when Maelgwn nodded to confirm her query, she knew it was pointless to ask why. ‘Very well then, have it your way, Dragon. Under Centre Stage it is.’

Once Candace had left to address her department heads, Maelgwn spotted Noah standing quietly nearby and approached to ask: ‘Do you know of Tory’s whereabouts, no one has seen her?’

Noah nodded. ‘She’s having a session with Thais in the healing temple,’ he advised and then ventured to add: ‘She’s had a tough time in the past few weeks … when she didn’t hear from you following your parting disagreement …’ He shrugged.

Maelgwn was a little ashamed of his behaviour in retrospect. ‘I know her hunch about the Devas was right, Noah,’ he confessed.

‘Your hunch could just as easily have been right.’ Maelgwn seemed so remorseful, Noah gave him another viewpoint to consider.

‘But it wasn’t. And I haven’t had a spare moment to let Tory know or to apologise.’

Noah wondered how Maelgwn could be so certain about the Devas, but did not ask, knowing Tory would be very relieved to learn that she was no longer out of sorts with her husband. ‘Well, I was just waiting for her to complete the session with Thais when you found me. She should be done by now.’

‘Then let’s go find her.’ Noah looked confused, so Maelgwn explained further. ‘I want you to stay close to me, for we have much to discuss. But first, let us see Tory to safety, and the Devas.’

‘The twins are something extraordinary.’ Noah was keen to offer his opinion. ‘I feel sure you will be amazed by their progress and abilities.’

Maelgwn nodded, wanting to know more about what had transpired in his absence, but as the siren sounded to alert the city to evacuate, there was no time to spare at present.

On arrival outside the healing chamber, Noah and Maelgwn were surprised to find the entrance door locked.

‘No problem,’ Maelgwn commented, only fractionally annoyed by the minor delay. He knew what the interior of the chamber looked like and so willed himself inside. Noah followed.

The two men were startled by the noise and air turbulence of a transport firing up its thrusters in the room.

‘Holy Goddess!’ Maelgwn cried over the din, as the vessel shot straight up, smashing through the glass dome overhead and bringing large chunks of glass crashing to the ground. ‘Watch out!’ Maelgwn dive-tackled Noah, driving them both out of the way of the falling debris.

When the sound of smashing glass subsided, Maelgwn and Noah dared to raise their heads. They spied Thais, still unconscious in the middle of the chamber, bleeding from cuts made by the falling splinters of glass. Maelgwn placed a hand over the communicator he wore on the left-hand shoulder of his suit, and issued a silent command to the head healer of the body sciences, Cadfan, to attend the scene in the temple.

‘Tory isn’t here,’ Noah stated in a panic, having stood up to scan the room for her. ‘She must have been on board the vessel.’ Without any thought, and without waiting for word from Maelgwn, Noah closed his eyes to will himself to Tory’s side.

‘I just tried.’ Maelgwn placed a hand on the distraught scholar’s shoulder. ‘She must be restrained by a NERGUZ module.’

‘But all those devices were confiscated by the Pantheon,’ Noah blurted out in disbelief.

‘And what does that tell us?’ Maelgwn commented, and Noah’s jaw dropped as the implications ran through his mind. ‘We need to track that vehicle,’ Maelgwn stated.

‘But, En Thais?’ Noah looked to the injured healer, whose cuts had now begun to heal.

‘En Cadfan is on his way,’ Maelgwn advised, and vanished.

‘I’m right behind you.’ Noah willed himself to the space tracking station in the wake of the Dragon.

On board the small vessel Tory was trying to figure out her abductor’s plan and motive. Surely he can’t go far in this tiny craft.

No sooner had she made this observation than the Falcon man issued his ship a new command and it began to expand and change form in mid-flight. As the interior of the spacecraft tripled in size and upgraded its capabilities in the process, Tory couldn’t believe what she was witnessing — this was new technology. This guy must have Pantheon connections. Even the most infamous pirate would have been hard-pressed to steal so much advanced technology and get away with it.

‘Right!’ Her abductor turned from his control panel to address her unconscious form. ‘You could try meddling with the control panel … in which case you’ll get us both killed, or you could just lie back and enjoy the ride.’

Tory noticed a clipboard hanging nearby and willed it at the Falcon to protest against her predicament.

‘You little bitch!’ he snarled as the metal board whacked him in the back of the head and he rose to retaliate. ‘I’ll teach you a thing or two about messing with —’

‘Mission Control to Crow. Come in, Crow.’

The man’s anger vanished as the incoming communication stole his attention. He returned to his seat and activated the headset that allowed him to communicate with Mission Control. ‘This is Crow.’

The incoming transmission had been transferred to the headset once it was activated and Tory drew closer hoping to overhear the caller’s conversation.

‘Mission accomplished,’ Crow advised his superior. ‘I have possession of the merchandise, which is sedated as requested …’ he covered the mouthpiece to mumble to himself, ‘most of her anyway.’

The next question his superior asked seemed to bother the Falcon pirate. ‘What does it matter where the body is positioned in the craft? She’s out cold, I assure you.’ He listened intently to the response, growing ever more wary, although his puzzlement did not reflect in his voice. ‘If it is so important to you, my Lord, I shall go move her and report back. Out.’ He retracted the headset. ‘Why does this not seem like a simple kidnapping anymore? I mean, what could be so goddamned important about positioning her body right in the centre of the vessel?’ Crow looked over the ship’s instrumentation and noticed one small part of the security panel that wasn’t functioning. It was the bomb detection readout. ‘Shit!’

What is it, what’s wrong? Tory gave chase as her pilot made a dash for the back of the craft.

On his way past Tory’s slumbering carcass, which was already positioned in the middle of the craft just as Mission Control desired, Crow grabbed her up, dragged her to the rear of the vessel and dumped her there. ‘You double-crossing son-of-a-Lahmuian, Nergal.’

Nergal! Why would Nergal want to kidnap me?

A hatch at the back of the craft led down into a storage hold which also gave access to the ship’s circuitry. Tory followed Crow below, where he quickly made for the middle of the craft.

‘Stuff it! I knew it!’ Crow cursed, mad at himself for trusting the word of a member of the Pantheon.

In the midst all of the inner workings of the craft was a very complex self-contained device. Please don’t tell me that’s a bomb. That would seem to explain why Crow’s employers wanted to ensure her body was in the centre of the craft — directly above the device. That way, when it exploded, she would be evenly dispersed into space in all directions, which would thwart any chance of her scattered body parts regrouping in a hurry. The Pantheon want me dead. The realisation was chilling. But why, what have I done … recently?

‘The escape pod.’ Crow headed to the rear of the cargo hold.

So you’re just going to leave me here? Tory willed tools and anything else that wasn’t tied down to travel in the pirate’s general direction.

‘Hey, I’d love to take you with me.’ Crow pressed a button that opened the hatch of the pod, while fending off flying metal. ‘But there’s only room for one, you understand? Ouch!’ he cried, as a hammer slammed into his cheek. ‘I lost out in this deal too, you know? Them’s the breaks, sweetheart.’

Coward! Tory wanted to yell, as the pod door closed. The craft immediately took off. I am in some serious shit here, she acknowledged and yet was amazed by how calm she felt about her imminent physical destruction. The bomb. She turned her attention to it and attempted to will it off the wall. However, it did not budge. Tory realised that to achieve the bomb’s removal, she would need to find and detach each of the rivets that fastened the bomb in place. Easier to try and move myself, she decided.

On her way to the main deck level, a great flash of light and heat overcame Tory. Too late. As the spacecraft exploded in all directions, the silver thread attaching Tory’s soul-mind to her body snapped leaving her consciousness adrift in open space.

The explosion was a great spectacle in the distant reaches of the sky above Chaliada. As the event coincided with losing track of Tory’s kidnapper’s craft on their tracking monitor, Maelgwn and Noah were both struggling to comprehend what they believed had occurred.

The bereaved husband stood dazed for the longest time and Noah dared not speak before he did.

‘The Pantheon have murdered her!’ Maelgwn drew the only conclusion he could, his voice quivering with the depth of his loss.

‘We don’t know that,’ Noah reasoned. ‘We can’t be sure Tory was on that craft, nor can we say who is responsible for her disappearance.’

‘Her murder!’ Maelgwn stated bluntly, although his rage was not directed at his friend.

‘Whose murder?’ Brian entered with Rhun in tow. ‘What the devil is going on? I thought you were going to meet me when I landed?’

Maelgwn, beside himself with grief and looking to vent his anger, grabbed at Brian’s clothing. ‘What happened on Nibiru? What did you do to spite the Pantheon like this?’

‘Like what?’ Brian was so stunned by his brother-in-law’s greeting, he didn’t retaliate, but Rhun intervened on the Governor’s behalf.

‘Our Governor was doing his sworn duty! What is the matter with you?’ Rhun wrenched his father away from his uncle.

‘What is the matter with me?’ Maelgwn shouted, preparing to bellow out his grievance. Then he realised it was his son and Tory’s brother that he was addressing and he could not bring himself to announce her death to them, or anyone, until he’d come to terms with it himself. ‘Forgive me.’ Maelgwn vanished from their midst.

Rhun knew something dreadful must have happened. ‘Tell me father’s woes.’ He looked at Noah, desperate to know.

With a deep breath to control his own welling emotions, Noah attempted an explanation. ‘It’s your mother …’ He began to convey what he knew, and his tale was completely devastating to both the men in his presence.

Maelgwn spent many hours in the privacy of Chaliada’s underground secret operations base, seeking his own solace. He’d exhausted his emotions and powers of reasoning with regard to the mystery surrounding his wife’s whereabouts and possible death. He was now attempting to set aside his personal tragedy in order to undertake all the other duties required of him this day.

Father.

Maelgwn was startled. He had come here because no one could interrupt him, for only he and Noah knew the base existed. He raised his tear-stained face and looked at what he thought were two angels, a male and a female, hovering at the end of his conference table.

May we call you father? The breathtakingly beautiful female ventured closer, her eyes and hair reminiscent of his wife’s.

‘You are the Changelings?’ he uttered, staggered by their transformation from ugly infant to stunning adolescent.

The lovely Deva nodded and smiled warmly. I am Psyche and this is Sacha … we are here to help you.

Although they each occupied a physical body, the twins’ appearance also seemed somehow fluid. This was very sedating to the beholder, like watching waves on a beach or ripples on a pool. ‘Help me?’ His tears welled for the umpteenth time when he recalled how cruelly he’d treated the Deva babes. ‘Why would you want to do that?’

It is our purpose, she replied.

‘You have heard about your mother?’ Maelgwn wondered if he needed to break the news, although he suspected these beings probably knew more about the incident than he did.

Our mother was on the vessel that exploded, Sacha informed. Our sources in Devachan have confirmed her consciousness is with them.

‘So, my love is dead.’ The truth came as no relief to Maelgwn, and the Devas felt his grief.

Do not torture yourself so, Psyche pleaded. Her departure from this life shall only be brief.

The thought of waiting for Tory to reincarnate into the Chosen race was no comfort to Maelgwn either.

He misunderstands you. Sacha cut in to take control of the conversation. Mother’s body was dispersed in the explosion, but because she was at the rear of the craft when it happened, her molecules were blown out into space in the same general direction and, therefore, will eventually regroup. Meanwhile, mother’s consciousness resides in Devachan taking a well-earned break from physical demands and worry, he concluded cheerfully.

Maelgwn’s grief dissipated. In fact, all emotion escaped him as he struggled to accept their claim. ‘And when her body reforms, her consciousness will return to it?’

It may. Sacha winced at the only snag.

That’s where we can help. Psyche endeavoured to keep Maelgwn positive.

Basically — Sacha resumed his teaching — Devachan is where your soul goes to forget this godawful existence. Once in the clutches of our blissful realm, it’s very hard to become inspired about returning here. And even if she does willingly decide to return, she won’t remember anything of the life to which she is returning.

‘Great!’ Maelgwn threw his hands in the air, thinking this could be the worst scenario yet.

But you forget that, on the chain around her neck, she carries the memory of the entire Logos, including the memory of her lifetime here with you. Psyche attempted to quell his fears. All she need do is touch the Tablet and ask for her memory back.

‘If the divine tool was not lost in the explosion,’ Maelgwn suggested, but Psyche shook her head.

The Tablet will never leave her, Psyche assured him. It would have divided with her and will reunite with her. The main problem we have is coaxing mother’s consciousness back into her physical body.

‘And how are we to do that?’ Maelgwn asked, almost daring to believe that his lover would be returned to him.

I intend to go into Devachan to find mother armed with the only physical recollection that is meaningful enough to speed her back to a first plane existence. Psyche smiled as if her weapon was elementary. Her love for you will bring her back. Both the Devas appeared most confident about that.

‘But is it the right course of action? Or am I just being selfish in wanting her back?’ Now that Maelgwn thought about it, if Tory was happier where she was, then he was happy for her.

Human immortals who no longer incarnate obviously don’t require the Devachanic hibernation that takes place between incarnations, Sacha informed matter-of-factly. But your wife’s mini-death has thrown her soul into a default Devachanic state, which is only a distraction from her true soul quest, which lies with you. For her soul and yours are destined for places of divinity.

It was completely enchanting listening to the Devas speak, and it was almost impossible to remain objective. ‘I want to help.’

Oh, you will, Sacha assured. It’s up to you and me to find the body.

Even amid the chaos of an evacuation, the word of Tory’s suspected death spread like wildfire throughout the city. By the early hours of the morning, when the evacuation was complete and the government officials made for their meeting in the heart of Chaliada’s Central Park, there was not a dry eye to be seen.

Everyone crowded into the area under the stage, sniffling as they discussed what little they knew about the state of emergency, their ex-Governess’s disappearance and reported death, and the unusual choice of meeting place.

‘Where is the Dragon, Noah?’ Brian wanted some answers. ‘If the Nefilim decide to attack Chaliada now, they could wipe out our entire government and security force with one well placed missile!’

Knowing what he did, Noah couldn’t keep the smug smile from his face. ‘Fear not,’ he assured.

‘That’s what Maelgwn said.’ Brian grew ever more frustrated.

Noah remained calm and obliging. ‘Then you ought to know that he does have the situation in hand and will be here presently.’

Behind the historian, a section of wall, which was beneath the stage stairs, vanished and Maelgwn emerged to greet everyone. ‘Sorry I’m late. Please follow me.’ He turned to Noah before returning into the passage. ‘Make sure we’re all accounted for and close up behind us. Only the Chosen enter.’

Noah gave a firm nod. He thought that Maelgwn had collected himself rather well and appeared to be in fine spirits.

‘She’s not dead,’ Maelgwn explained simply as he gave his friend a slap on the shoulder. ‘I’ll fill you in on the details later.’ He left Noah to lead the government officials underground.

All were amazed to behold the secret establishment that would be their new home away from home for a while.

Once the few hundred souls who had remained on Kila finished familiarising themselves with the place, Maelgwn addressed them. He began with an updated bulletin on his wife and, without going into any details, he merely declared that she was missing, rather than dead — news that served to raise the spirits of all those present. Maelgwn then went on: ‘As you may guess, having viewed this underground operations centre, I have suspected the advent of war with the Nefilim for some time.’

‘How the hell did you manage to achieve all this?’ Brian had to ask and all those present became silent to listen to the answer.

‘Many of you gathered here today contributed to the design and construction of this facility and agreed to have all memory of your involvement erased for obvious security reasons,’ Maelgwn advised, to the sound of many amazed gasps and mutters from his audience. ‘If none of you suspected the existence of this enterprise,’ his sights turned to Candace to answer her unasked question from earlier today, ‘I dare say our foe shall not expect us to be this organised either.’

Candace nodded graciously, although she would clearly have preferred to have been made privy sooner.

‘The true fight for our freedom has begun.’ Maelgwn made ready to introduce the master speaker. ‘To fill you all in on the events that have brought about this necessity, I hand you over to the good Governor of our city, Brian Alexander.’

Brian stepped up onto the table, which Maelgwn had been using to elevate himself above Kila’s government officials, advisors and warriors, as Maelgwn vacated it. Brian nodded to Maelgwn, acknowledging his opening speech, for it made the pending announcement one hell of a lot easier to make. ‘The events that unfolded upon my recent visit to Nibiru,’ he began, ‘made plain what little regard, if any, half of the Pantheon members have for human life. Therefore, I found it highly unsuitable to accept the seat offered to me in their Senate.’

Noah was listening intently to the proceedings, when Maelgwn crept up beside him and tugged at his sleeve. ‘I have something for you,’ he whispered and beckoned Noah to follow him into the next room.

‘Don’t you want to know what happened on Nibiru to trigger a war!’ Noah queried, as he joined Maeglwn who was pouring himself a drink in the large conference room.

‘A minor detail.’ He held up the jug to see if Noah wanted to partake.

‘But you were ready to kill the Governor this morning to find out.’ Noah nodded to accept a drink.

‘I was just looking to place blame for Tory’s death, and now,’ he shrugged, ‘I don’t have to.’ Maelgwn handed a goblet to Noah and clinked his own goblet against it. ‘Cheers.’

‘How can you be sure Tory didn’t perish?’ Noah had to know so that he could believe in the miracle himself.

‘Your prodigies told me.’ Maelgwn was pleased that Noah had educated the higher world intelligences in the ways of the physical plane so well.

‘You have spoken with Psyche and Sacha?’

‘I have,’ Maelgwn smiled. ‘And you were right, they do amaze me.’

The Dragon walked over to the conference table and from underneath it he pulled Durak’s old case.

‘My next mission is clear. I have to find Tory.’ Maelgwn dumped the case into Noah’s arms. ‘But here is the means to pursue your quest.’

‘The keystone is in here?’ Noah excitedly whipped the case open to find a large, but fairly ordinary looking, piece of rock. ‘Is this a joke?’

Maelgwn raised both brows in question. ‘That’s for you to find out.’ He finished up his drink and grabbed his coat.

‘This is all I have to work with?’ Noah panicked, as Maelgwn appeared to be making ready to depart.

‘There’s a couple of notebooks under the rock that might be of aid.’ He put on the coat that was standard issue space attire.

‘You’re not leaving?’ Noah protested. ‘Not without the Governor’s permission.’

‘Look Noah, if I stay and go through all the rigmarole, Brian is only going to give me the task of finding his sister, so I may as well go now and save the time.’

‘You’re going alone then?’ Noah assumed. He knew Maelgwn would not take any key personnel out of the Governor’s service during a crisis.

Maelgwn shook his head. ‘Sacha and Psyche will be with me, and that’s all the help I need. May the Logoi speed you on your journey, Noah. I shall be most interested to hear of your findings.’

‘But how shall I …’ Noah tried to detain him, but Maelgwn was out the door and gone. ‘… find you?’ Noah looked back to the hunk of rock inside the bag and sighed. ‘I think mine is going to be the shortest quest in history.’

9

THE INWARD SPIRAL

A purple mist enveloped Tory, slowly obscuring the universe in which she was adrift. As the haze thickened its cloud-like quality sparkled into a reflection. Within the mirror of the celestial sphere Tory beheld her etheric double, appearing like an ultra-violet angel — the severed etheric cord, which had connected her to the physical world, still hung at a loose end from her navel.

So this is death, she surmised, calmly. But her next thought was for Maelgwn and panic possessed her being. What shall become of him without me? In the reflection of herself Tory witnessed her subtle bodies begin to regress from an adult to a teenager. How shall we complete our quest now! Looking down upon herself she beheld the figure of a young girl, a baby, a foetus, a cell!

In a great flash of light Tory was reborn to live her life over; every long forgotten instance yielding up its secrets for review, moment by moment, event after event. Tory perceived her past from the viewpoint of her higher self, and was herself only a spectator. Highlighted, were Tory’s predominate tendencies and interests throughout her previous life, for all her pursuits would determine the shape and nature of Tory’s new life in the Devachanic world.

Brian featured in the early years, as Tory’s parents had travelled a good deal, but her brother had remained her constant companion. As a young adult studying Tae-kwon-do, Brian continued to be a guiding influence in her life, along with the young Sensei who became Tory’s first love, Teo. Tory had devoted a large part of her life to the study of the martial arts and self-defence, yet in Devachan there was no cause to defend one’s self or others and thus little use for such fighting skill. The positive aspects of this course of study that Tory would carry over into Devachan with her, were the discipline, mind control and spiritual insight that was the basis of the art.

The next phase of Tory’s life had been spent in the Dark Ages, learning the skills of a leader and learning of unconditional love in the company of her first and present husband, Maelgwn. Her first contact with the higher realms of existence had come at this time, thanks to the High Merlin, Taliesin Pen Beirdd. It was he who caused her displacement in time and he who had activated the dormant immortal gene in her DNA. The Merlin had also inspired her initial delving into the psychic arts.

In Atlantis, Tory had been taught about the healing of the mind, body and spirit, and explored the principles of time and space in the company of the technologist, Turan.

Upon her return to twenty-first century life Tory married the archaeologist, Miles Thurlow, and began her inquiry into the origins of the Chosen Ones.

At the time of the great Gathering, Tory was united with other Homo sapien immortals, including Maelgwn, and took up the challenge to move to a new planet and a life with the rest of her kind.

Her last fifty years in Chaliada were the happiest of all, for her love of people and all her accumulated knowledge had been able to develop and be put to good use. The arrival in her life of the Devas had caused a giant leap in Tory’s otherworldly comprehension, and curiosity.

Freed from the self-deception of a physical intellect, Tory realised that she had partly caused her own death to satisfy a yearning for knowledge and, with this conclusion reached, she found herself returned to the stability of the cocoon inside the reflective purple sphere. Unlike before, however, her subtle bodies felt restrained and at odds, and her reflection was that of a dull, purple statue.

What’s happened to me? She began to panic when she could not shake herself loose from the curse of non-movement — this was truly the stuff nightmares were made of, like running on the spot or being buried alive.

Fear not, your etheric double is disengaging. You shall be free of it presently.

Taliesin? Tory questioned hopefully, and so powerful was her desire to see the ascendant Master that her hard, statue-like outer casing shattered and fell away in a purple haze, leaving a sparking silver personification staring back from her reflection. This was her pure astral form, freed from the elements of physical plane existence. Behind her floated Taliesin’s celestial apparition. She turned about to confront him, to find his image was only a reflection in the surrounding purple sphere no matter which way she turned. Is this a game? she appealed to his reflection.

More a test, he replied with a smile.

Tory smiled also, realising she’d known the response before she’d asked the question.

Beyond this sphere is the astral realm of awareness, into which your astral presence needs to pass in order to join me. Being psychically adept as you are, you ought to be able to dispense with your incubator at will. But a caution, the Master added, as he knew Tory had always been quick to dive right in. All memory of your previous incarnation will be passed on to your Keeper, your higher self, and you shall remember naught of it.

What? The notion greatly distressed her.

In order to fathom why this must happen, I must ask you to conceive of desire as an entity with its own will, evolution and agenda to follow, and not a mere random emotion as humans would believe. Desire is the dark half of the Love Principle and Love rules the astral world through which you are about to pass. Desire detests the astral world for this reason, preferring the physical world where it holds far more influence. Still, desire cannot evolve without attaching itself to entities that are involved in its favourite plane of expression.

The physical world, Tory responded, following him so far.

Whilst inside this cocoon the desire elemental residing inside your astral body is sedated, but once exposed to the general mass of astral essence it will instinctively seek to further its own evolution, the descent into the physical world, and it will show great ingenuity in achieving its goal.

Can’t I get rid of it and keep my memory? Tory found the idea of sharing her subtle body with a hibernating elemental presence rather creepy.

Taliesin laughed at her question and her fear. You don’t want to get rid of it. It’s been with you through all your lives and you’ll need it if you wish to return to your last life on Kila.

Oh yes, I do, Tory begged him, as if her return was Taliesin’s to decide, more than anything in the universe.

And therein lies the problem. After moving into a state of astral essence, should you entertain the desire to return to your life, before your physical vehicle has had a chance to repair itself, the desire elemental will use your wish as fuel to rejoin its host, dragging your subtle bodies back down into the physical with it.

But that would mean that I would be … Tory waved her arms wide to show that she would be torn apart.

Feel uncomfortably stretched, Taliesin found a more pleasant way of putting it. And as desire thrives on all the coarser vibrations of physical matter, it would absolutely revel in the agonising confusion of your shattered atoms as they struggle to find each other and reform.

Sounds pretty gross. Tory admitted that leaving the past behind was sounding better all the time.

As unpleasant as you consider being returned to physical matter would be, the desire elemental finds it just as unpleasant to be returned to astral essence. The only way to keep the peace during your stay, is to lose the memory of your previous incarnation … the whole of which is but a tiny instance in the memory of the Logos that guides the galaxy in which you were born.

In the memory of Tory’s life past, an unconscious memory had surfaced also, one of meeting a beautiful devanic being at the place she’d dubbed Devaglen in its honour.

You have a direct link with Akasha … the true memory of Allied Logoi, it had told her.

Tory looked to her sparkling celestial reflection to note that the Tablet of Destinies still hung about her neck. I never passed it on, she fretted.

Well, if you intend on returning to your old life, you’re going to need it. A simple request to the Tablet will restore all knowledge of your previous life.

It will! She was excited for a moment, but found a flaw in Taliesin’s reasoning. But I would have to recall that I had a previous life, to want to remember it. And how am I to remember that I want to go back to my old life, if I can’t remember why, or that I lived it at all?

That’s why I am here, to remind you.

Tory felt rather ripped off suddenly. So how come you get to remember everything about everything, but I must forget?

Because I spiritually progressed, along with my soul-mate, to the causal level of existence, and beyond the Devachanic cleansing periods that take place between incarnations.

Wasn’t I supposed to do that? Tory folded her arms, feeling the universe had made a grievous error.

Yes. The Master answered simply, raising both brows to indicate that even he was surprised to see her here. But your will is far more developed than you realise, Tory. Your yearning to experience Devachan, as your babes do, has brought you to this sorry circumstance. In reality, the mental realms are somewhat beneath your spiritual comprehension. There is nothing there for you to learn any more that you could not learn in a physical personification, which is why you incarnated into an immortal being. But as you are here now, your Keeper has devised an experience that it feels will be of benefit to you before you return to the physical … if you dare to trust in the universal process and step beyond life as you know it for a while. Alternatively, you can remain inside your cocoon, which is decomposing as we speak … it may last long enough for your physical body to reform, but if it doesn’t …?

I get ripped apart, Tory stated, getting his drift. So basically this is my own damn fault … but, as there are no accidents in the universal scheme of things, my death, for whatever reason must have been meant.

Exactly. Taliesin nodded, conceding her point. It’s rare that an immortal experiences a mini-death, but it is by no means unheard of. Therefore this emergency arrangement has been devised and has been known to work in the past.

Has it ever failed? Tory wondered, wanting to get all her facts straight before deciding what to do.

Only insofar as the soul in question enjoyed its stay in Devachan so much that it refused to return to the physical world. Its Keeper was forced to allow the soul to reincarnate into its species. The soul’s old immortal body began to decompose after that, but its quest was finally realised within its new vehicle.

But I cannot afford to take such a risk, I must return soon, Taliesin, not hundreds of years from now! she appealed in desperation.

That is why I am here, to guide you through your Devachanic experience. And when it is time to rejoin your physical self, I shall see to it that you are compelled to do so.

But can’t we cheat time in the astral realm?

Taliesin gave a nod. Yes. But there is always a price to pay for cheating, and in this case I feel it would be the passing up of a great opportunity. For why would this instance have come about at all if it were not going to benefit you in some way? That which is offered to you is not a bad consolation for a minor inconvenience … I would have thought you’d be jumping at the chance to expand your natural aptitudes and understanding.

But I’m going to forget everything!

No! You are only losing all the junk you had to go through to obtain your present level of understanding. You cannot expect to carry the memory of all that physical abuse into an existence of pure love … any sooner than you could expect to carry personal emotion into a realm of pure thought.

Which is where I am headed, right?

If your fear of loss doesn’t hold you back. Taliesin made her aware of her biggest obstacle. You have developed and disciplined your physical body into the ultimate tool. Your emotions are pure and disposed towards the greater good. It is a lack of pure reason that has been your shortcoming and thus the Logos has seen fit to grant your aspiration to know more about the realms beyond your own … then you may use this knowledge to the benefit of your quest and the divine plan.

Tory couldn’t obtain information on the higher realms from a physical perspective, not even with the aid of the Tablet of Destinies, for it only made her privy to the memory of the physical world. This was a once in a soul-mind opportunity, and she felt Taliesin was right. If it were not meant to be, she would not be standing upon this precipice.

Leap into the void. Taliesin’s reflection held out his hand to her.

As the Master’s presence was seen to be behind her, Tory reached her hand across her body and up over her shoulder to take hold of his. Guide me right, old friend.

All your life, he assured and the reflective sphere dispersed into a purple haze from which it had formed.

When the mist cleared Tory beheld a beautiful expansive landscape, the colours of which were made luminous by the ultra-violet light they absorbed from the sun overhead. So too were the many tiny beings aglow with vivid colour.

Within this great expanse there were many distinctly different worlds co-existing in perfect harmony. In the forest there were primitive-looking Norsemen, hunting to their heart’s content. On the open plain the American Indians had their happy hunting ground. Off in the distance was a beautiful golden and jewelled city, which was not unlike the New Jerusalem as described by the early Christians. On the horizon, there were still more little pockets of peoples seeming to stretch into infinity.

‘Welcome to the Summerland, a minor pitstop on our way to Heavensworld,’ announced Taliesin.

Distracted from the breathtaking view, Tory realised she had hold of someone’s hand and turned to discover to whom it belonged. ‘Hello,’ she said winningly as she beheld the splendid being.

The Master bowed his head in friendly greeting. ‘Taliesin, at your service. I am here to answer any questions you might have.’

‘How wonderful.’ Tory was distracted from their conversation, wanting to inspect a nearby tree.

Upon closer scrutiny, she discovered she could see bright little atoms moving in a rapid motion to form the structure and colour of the object; thus, the tree was not entirely solid in appearance, yet it felt solid to the touch. Tory held up her own hand and gave it a closer look, to find that it was also of the same loose density. ‘Curious,’ she said, and reaching out to touch the trunk once more she willed her hand to pass right through the glowing wood. It did.

Taliesin gave a delighted chuckle. ‘See, you remember the important things. My teachings are imbedded in your psyche and are second nature to you now.’

Tory smiled, of the mind to reply, when a beautiful body of mist having a constant undulating motion confronted her. Its texture had the appearance of mother of pearl and its colour varied from moment to moment.

‘It’s lovely, what is it?’ She reached out to make contact with the mist, whereupon a large dog’s head protruded from the mist to bark and snap at her. Tory quickly withdrew her hand.

‘It’s a thought form,’ Taliesin advised as the dog’s head disappeared back into the undulating mist. ‘It won’t harm you. It cannot.’

Given the all-clear, Tory approached the entity once more and as she touched the mist her hand penetrated it. Out of the thought form, directly alongside where her hand had entered, Tory’s fingers were seen to protrude back out at her. It looked as if her digits had been folded completely in half. Tory would have believed the illusion had the protrusion not been formed of the same colourful, pearly substance as the thought form. ‘Ha!’

‘Such is the chaotic nature of fourth-dimensional space,’ Taliesin summed up.

‘Did we have somewhere to go?’ Tory looked back to the Master to recall what he had said earlier. ‘The Heavensworld?’

Never misses a thing, this one, thought Taliesin on the quiet. ‘Even the most advanced soul must take this journey in stages. True, there is little to keep you here, as this is a realm of ephemeral delights and you seek spiritual repose or a more intellectually stimulating experience.’

‘So what is keeping me here, Taliesin?’ She wandered back towards him. On second thoughts, she decided she’d float.

‘During your physical life you did a lot of work in this particular astral sub-plane and have a build-up of its matter within your astral form. When your astral body has exhausted its attraction to this sub-plane, the gross matter previously built up will fall away to be left on this level of awareness. Your higher subtle bodies shall be free to move into the more blissful state of Devachan.’

Far off in the distance, Tory could hear the sounds of young children at play, but she did not comment on it. ‘Can I not simply will the gross matter from my being?’ The world around Tory had become slightly out of focus and the jovial children seemed to be getting nearer.

‘I think you have already dispensed with it,’ he commented, observing the view around them melt away into an entirely new one.

The huge children’s playground backed onto a kindergarten, situated in the middle of a large clearing which was surrounded by a thriving wilderness. The vegetation here was much more magnificent in appearance and colour than the forests of the astral realm and far more heavily populated by creatures from the fairy realm.

The amusement park was filled with young human children at play, who were of every different tribe and species.

‘The future of the Chosen Ones,’ Taliesin announced, as Tory gazed at the children with delight.

‘They are my project,’ Tory was pleased to state, as though nothing was ever surer.

‘And you are theirs,’ Taliesin concurred.

In amongst the children of the Delphinus, Falcon, Leonine and Centaur races, there were two children who were Homo sapiens. The twins, a boy and a girl, both had hair of snowy white and eyes of deep violet.

Tory’s heart welled with joy as the pair broke from their game and ran over to her. She had no conscious memory of why she should feel such an affinity with these twins; she felt it and it did not matter why.

‘Come and play with us.’ The little girl took hold of one of Tory’s hands, and her brother took hold of the other hand.

‘Please,’ pleaded the little boy.

‘Nothing would please me more,’ Tory replied wholeheartedly. She turned to Taliesin and smiled broadly. ‘Paradise.’ She allowed the children to lead her away.

‘As above, then so below,’ Taliesin commented to himself. ‘That is our plan.’

PART 2

THE HUMAN
TRIBES

CHARACTER LIST

THE CHOSEN

Head of Deep Space Exploration

Cadwell

Cadwell’s 2IC

Neraida

Munitions Development

Talynn

Brian’s father

Myrddin

DEVACHAN

Falcon child

Sparrowhawk

Leonine child

Bast

Delphinus child

Zabeel

Centaur child

Thais

Girl twin

Lirathea

Boy twin

Avery

Spirit guide

Taliesin

The Kamadeva

CREW OF THE BIL-ME

Captain

Hawk

Cook/Doctor

Seagull

Systems Eng/Tech

Chook

Munitions

Crow

Systems Analyst

Raven

LEONINES-NUGIA

Head of Resistance

Tyrus-Leon

Tyrus’ wife

Samara-Leon

Tyrus’ son

Adair

Aid to Tyrus

Kesla

Viceroy

Gallard

EDIN

Head of the Pantheon

Anu

Lord of Gaia

Enlil

Enlil’s spouse

Ninlil

Lord of Eridu

Enki

Enki’s spouse

Ninki

Head of Genetics

Ninharsag

Enlil’s son

Ninurta

Enki’s Nefilim son

Marduk

Enki’s first human son

Adama

Adama’s sister soul

Eve

The Sage of Eridu

Adapa

Adapa’s soul sister

Lilith

The Warrior

Samson

Samson’s soul sister

Delilah

The Technologist

Geebo

Geebo’s soul sister

Kya

The Farmer

Adin

The Fisherman

Kalisto

The Hunter/Gatherer

Incus

Mutant Monster

Gurlu

CHARACTER
INCARNATION GUIDE

10

PART OF A PROPHECY

In the dying days of Anu’s rein,

The Nefilim shall be judged again,

Some to shine and some to fade,

When all debts have been repaid.

The tamer of the Lahmuian will rule,

All who oppose shall be destiny’s fools.

Lahmu’s victory hails the Pantheon’s fall,

The dawn equality and liberty for all.

On a planet of Lions the fight will start,

A victory of vision and a caring heart.

Defying the most rigid law of the age,

Lahmu will —

‘Lahmu will what?’ Noah wanted to know, having translated the entire missive from the Nefilim dialect. ‘Where’s the rest of it?’

‘The Lord Micah vowed this was all he knew,’ Brian replied. ‘He has been carrying around this small fragment since he was a child on Gaia. He realises it is incomplete, but it was enough for him to connect me with the prophecy because of the events that took place on my last visit to Nibiru.’

‘But where did he procure this portion from?’ Noah pushed Brian for more information.

‘From a thought-recorder he stumbled across in his father’s chambers long ago, when Enki’s works were first under threat of being banned.’ Brian told Noah the little he knew. ‘Micah wanted to know about the controversial scriptures. He managed to sneak this brief glimpse before he was caught by Nergal and punished severely.’

Noah wondered what punishment might await him were he to be caught with the piece of rock given to him by Maelgwn, the key which was supposed to grant access to the banned chronicles.

‘As Micah was considered too young to be influenced by his grandfather’s teaching, he was allowed to get away with the memory … and eventually took up the human cause on Gaia, and now in the Pantheon. I am only at liberty and in one piece because he, and his like-minded Nefilim allies in the Senate, came to my defence. They believe that I am the Lahmu of the prophecy who is to assume the Pantheon’s leadership of the galaxy.’ Brian rolled his eyes.

‘You don’t believe it then?’ Noah surmised, seeing the Governor’s reaction.

‘It seems more like a convenient coincidence if you ask me,’ Brian scoffed. He cocked his head to one side. ‘Clearly, Micah believes it. But how can I say for sure that he hasn’t just been conned by some cruel Nefilim joke of his father’s devising?’

Noah nodded to concede the Governor his point and looked to Rhun, who’d been silent on the matter.

The Vice-Governor shrugged in a non-committal fashion. ‘Whether it is a valid prophecy or not, we could certainly use it to stir up the support of the other human tribes — starting with the Leonines — in accordance with what the text tells us.’

The historian raised his eyebrows, thinking Rhun’s viewpoint was a valid one.

‘I don’t want to be some bloody Messiah!’ Brian protested.

‘Too late,’ Rhun told him, flippantly. ‘Word of your contest with the Lahmuian would have spread like wildfire by now and if the humans in Micah’s charge are aware of the prophecy, as he said they were, then you are already being hailed as the destroyer of the Pantheon by every human who dares to believe the ancient prophecy.’

‘By the Nefilim too, most likely.’ Noah’s expression turned grave. ‘We know from what Micah has told us that Nergal certainly knows about Enki’s writings regarding the taming of the Lahmuian and what it would ultimately mean to the Pantheon.’

‘Nergal would know all of the prophecy,’ Rhun added, ‘which makes him one up on us.’ He sighed, then smiled at Brian. ‘During your quiet discussion with the Lahmuian, Nergal must have been cursing his oversight in sending one of the Chosen up against a Lahmuian, that’s for sure.’

Both Brian and Noah gave a satisfied grin to agree.

‘Perhaps that’s where the tradition of battling Lahmuians originally came from,’ Noah put to his companions. ‘It’s just like the Nefilim to make an open mockery of the prophecy in the hope of destroying the belief of all those who have faith in it.’

‘By encouraging the human tribes to hate, fear and destroy the Lahmuians,’ Brian expanded on the theme, ‘the Nefilim were hoping to destroy any chance of the moment being created that would hail the revolution of the human tribes and seal the Nefilim’s precarious fate.’

‘So, you do believe it!’ Rhun teased his uncle, pleased to have him committed to the cause.

‘No,’ Brian said and took a deep breath to summon his courage: ‘But I do believe we can make use of this preposterous propaganda to help further the cause of the human races.’

Rhun and Noah broke into a round of applause and Brian cracked a smile. ‘Well, if someone has to be this bloody Messiah, it might as well be me.’ He took a bow as Rhun and Noah broke into whistles of encouragement. ‘So,’ he motioned them to quiet down, ‘what course of action do you suggest I take … a small vehicle aimed at a black hole at ramming speed?’ He gripped his head and leant on the conference table to brood.

‘Come on, it’s not so bad,’ Rhun told him. ‘The very worst that could happen is that you could find yourself in a small vehicle aimed straight at a black hole —’

‘— at ramming speed,’ Brian and Rhun concluded in unison. Brian forced a smile, not very amused.

‘What we really need is the rest of that prophecy, and if it does truly exist, I think I know where to find it.’ Noah saw the opportunity to gain permission to pursue the Dragon’s request that he seek Enki’s Station.

Both the Governor and his Vice were stunned into silence by Noah’s statement, and listened intently as Noah told them all he knew about the Lord Master Enki’s Creation Stations.

‘And in my travels, I could also try to identify the Planet of Lions mentioned in the prophecy,’ Noah concluded, feeling pleased with himself, knowing that his leave of absence was assured.

‘I am already familiar with the planet,’ Brian admitted a little hesitantly. ‘But if you could learn the full text of this prophecy concerning Lahmu, before I visit the planet, I would be greatly obliged to you, Noah.’

‘No promises,’ Noah said quickly, as he thought about the rock he had to work with. ‘But I shall give it my best shot.’ He rose to leave the Governor’s conference room. ‘If ah … I manage to pinpoint a destination,’ he paused to ask, ‘I shall need to take my wife, Rebecca, with me.’

Brian was perturbed. ‘I have spoken with your wife already. She seemed very determined to remain in the wilderness to protect Kila’s wildlife.’

‘I see.’ Noah frowned, and after a moment’s thought, he ventured to say: ‘I believe she might change her mind about that. Would it be a problem if she did?’

‘Well, she is very good at what she does, Noah, and would be sorely missed,’ Brian explained. ‘Why is it so important that she go?’

Noah grinned, knowing how corny his reason was going to sound. ‘It was foreseen, by Rebecca herself.’

Brian did not find the statement corny, however. ‘Then I shall not argue about it should Rebecca decide to accompany you.’ Brian was not one of the most spiritually accomplished souls amidst the Chosen, but he greatly revered anyone who was.

‘Many thanks.’ Noah bowed his head and left with Durak’s case to pursue his quest.

There were numerous meditation chambers inside the underground base, for although the Chosen had no need of sleep and so required no sleeping quarters, they did have need of rest, alone or otherwise. Noah withdrew to one of these chambers to have a closer look at the contents of the case that had once belonged to the Delphinus archaeologist, Durak.

A chill of recognition came over Noah as he examined the bag more carefully. He felt his past-life incarnation, Uriah, was close at hand. Uriah would have been well acquainted with his brother’s well-travelled case and Noah felt this was a good indication that the container was at least legitimate. The big question was, were the contents?

He lifted the great dirty chunk of rock out of the bag and placed it carefully aside.

Underneath was a pile of notebooks that appeared to have fallen victim to a mudslide; they were completely caked with muck and, needless to say, the written text was no longer readable.

‘Well, thanks for nothing, Dragon.’ Noah tossed the useless weights back into their container.

It was not like Maelgwn to play such a cruel joke. Why would he suggest the text might be helpful, when he’d obviously seen the state the diaries were in?

‘Hold on.’ Noah lifted the rock and began rubbing the dirty surface, whereupon the mud fell away to reveal a crystal underneath. ‘My kingdom for a basin.’ Noah raised himself to find one, enthusiastic about the hunt once more.

The rock cleaned up to reveal a jewel that was about the same size as Noah’s hand, but this gem was unlike any other crystal Noah had come across. For inside the clear, but solid, quartz-like outer structure, were thousands of tiny precious stones of every colour imaginable. These stones were conductors arranged within an intricate circuitry.

‘Whoa,’ he gasped, as he noted little waves of electrical energy begin to rush through the tiny conductors. ‘I think Floyd should take a look at this thing.’

Noah hoped Floyd, the Head Technologist, might be able to figure out how to utilise the unique tool.

Floyd liked to work alone, and Maelgwn had allowed for this in his grand plan by having Floyd design his own operations base within the complex. Floyd remembered nothing of his involvement, but as everything was as he would have it, right down to the hydroponics setup in the back corner of his station, the technologist knew he’d had a hand in the layout. His chamber was one of several that overlooked the main control centre of the underground complex.

Visiting Floyd in his new quarters under Chaliada was very reminiscent of Noah’s first meeting with him, which had occurred in another underground hideout in Central Australia back on Gaia. Noah entered to find the room thick with dope smoke and the music of Floyd’s youth blasting out from the system speakers at maximum volume.

Since landing on Kila, Floyd had steered more towards the engineering side of information technology work, which perfectly complemented his extensive programming and code-breaking capabilities.

The technologist’s eyes were glued to one of the huge upright screens of his database console; these were more commonly known as soft-light screens. With his right hand resting on the PKA control plate, Floyd controlled the on-screen functions. In his left hand he held a small tool he was using to fine tune a complex-looking circuit board, which was currently magnified on the screen Floyd was so intent upon. ‘Well, if it isn’t the answers man himself.’ As Floyd set everything aside and swivelled his free-floating control chair around to greet Noah, the volume of the music decreased to a tolerable level.

‘How did you know it was me?’

Floyd tapped the eyepiece that covered his left eye and then removed the headgear to which it was attached. ‘Monitors the door,’ he explained, setting it aside.

‘If this is a bad time, I could come back,’ Noah suggested, as the man was obviously up to his ears in work — circuit boards like the one Floyd was working on were piled up all over the place.

Floyd grinned and hopped off his seat to shake the scholar’s hand. ‘I think this might be as good as it gets for a while, my friend … what can I do you for?’

‘I was wondering if you might be able to give me a little insight into how this might work?’ Noah pulled his prize from his robes.

‘What is it?’ Floyd looked at it curiously before taking it in hand to examine it more closely.

‘It has a couple of functions that I am aware of, that of a locator and that of a key.’

‘Goddamn!’ Floyd uttered, aghast, when he spotted the electrical circuitry and activity within the stone. He retrieved the headband he had been wearing, and pushed aside the tiny eyepiece that monitored the exterior of the door to his workstation. His headgear’s other attachment was a magnifying lens, and he dropped it down to cover his right eye. The technologist examined the intricate inner workings of the stone closely. ‘If this is a key, I’d sure love to know what it unlocks.’

‘Have you seen anything like it before?’ Noah politely sidestepped the query.

‘Never,’ he said surely. ‘Tell me, was it glowing like this when you found it?’

Now that Floyd mentioned it, Noah noticed the illumination. ‘Actually, no. That’s only happened since I started handling it.’

‘Interesting. It feels rather like a joystick,’ he commented, as his hand melted comfortably into the crystal’s contours in a very snug grip. ‘In fact, that’s exactly what it feels like … see for yourself.’ Floyd handed the crystal over to Noah and headed back to his control chair.

The scholar smiled, delighted by the observation. ‘So, you think we should resurrect an old Playstation, play a few games and see if we learn anything?’

Floyd, who like Noah had been born in the second half of the twentieth century AD on Gaia, found the suggestion inspiring. ‘That’s got to be more fun than what I’m currently doing.’ Floyd retrieved the crystal from Noah and set it down on his scanner. ‘Let’s see what our database makes of its composition.’

As Floyd ran his scan, the screen began to scroll down, listing the complex electrical components and gems that were powering the minute circuitry — some of these registered as unknown.

‘Holy cow, Noah, where did you get this?’ Floyd’s eyes remained glued to the fast scrolling list, but as the database prepared the schematics of the crystal’s design, Floyd’s state of the art system had a meltdown and died. ‘Ah what!’ The technologist groaned, annoyed. ‘Give me a break —’

Before Floyd had a chance to touch it, the system rebooted of its own accord.

‘This is new.’ He was a little stunned as his system loaded ten times faster than was normal. On the screen, the programs on his hard drive were being shuffled through at an amazing speed, as if a particular application was being sought by a foreign entity. Floyd placed his hand on the PKA control plate hoping to bring his rogue hard drive to a standstill, but he had been locked out. ‘For hell’s sake, quit!’ he barked, frustrated. ‘I think we’re being hacked.’

‘Let it run, see where it goes,’ Noah urged, having seen this behaviour from a hard drive only a couple of weeks before.

The young Devas had accessed the information on an old PC in just this fashion. Could it be that this stone had an intellect all its own, which also gave it the ability to control technology? Perhaps the stone was a fourth-dimension semi-artificial intelligence?

‘My system is going to get fried!’ Floyd panicked, strapping his long, fine blonde hair back into a ponytail to get it away from his face. ‘I’ll have to shut it down.’ As Floyd reached under his console to cut the power, Noah, who was still staring at the screen, grabbed his hand to prevent him.

‘Wait! Look.’ Noah referred him back to the screen, where a 3D map of the Eshmah star system was now displayed. Eshmah was the central sun around which Kila revolved. ‘It’s communicating.’

‘What is?’ Floyd was confused and then amused. ‘Surely you don’t mean to imply the rock is our mysterious hacker?’

‘Stranger things have happened,’ Noah commented, getting in close for a better look. Kila was highlighted on the screen. ‘See, it’s saying, “you are here”.’

Floyd scoffed. ‘It could also be saying, “this planet will self-destruct in five seconds”.’ The technologist glanced over at the mysterious piece of rock to find it brightly illuminated; on each of its flat surfaces was reflected the same image now shown on the computer screen. His eyes widened in wonder as the visual zoomed out to a panoramic shot of their quadrant of the galaxy.

‘Well, bugger me,’ Floyd said, conceding that the historian might be right about what was occurring.

‘See …’ Noah nudged Floyd in excitement. ‘What did I tell you?’ While Kila remained highlighted a line was drawn to a distant point in space. Then the image zoomed in to a close-up of the pinpointed area.

‘We didn’t call you the answers man for no reason.’ Floyd used the PKA plate to request more information and this time the computer obliged. ‘It’s Ciamah,’ Floyd informed Noah. ‘A small dead moon that orbits one of the Nefilim’s prime mineral mining planets, Nugia.’

‘Who oversees the mines on Nugia these days?’ Noah felt uneasy about being sent to a destination in such close proximity to a heavily-populated Pantheon-controlled planet.

Floyd winced. ‘Nabu and Tashmet.’ The pair of Nefilim were renowned for being a couple of very tough slave drivers. ‘In the main, they exploit Leonines, and although they profess to adhere to the code of practice that Marduk pushed through the Senate regarding the treatment of mortals, reports have it that there are still terrible atrocities being committed on Nugia.’

The screen went black.

‘What gives?’ Floyd looked over at the rock that had now resumed its faint dull glow.

Normal system functions returned to Floyd’s computer, and without rebooting or having to reload his programs, Floyd found himself staring at his normal desktop screen. In the corner of his monitor, an alert icon was flashing.

‘Floyd, this is Rhun,’ the Vice-Governor’s voice came over the intercom. ‘The Governor requires your presence in the pit, asap.’ The pit was the main control centre that Floyd’s workstation overlooked.

Noah and Floyd had been so caught up in their own little world that they hadn’t ventured a glance below. They gazed down, and realised that all hell was breaking loose in the pit.

‘We have incoming Nefilim craft,’ Rhun explained.

Noah and Floyd looked at each other apprehensively.

‘Shit!’ Floyd flipped down the communicator attached to his headgear. ‘I’m there,’ he stated in answer to the Governor’s request. ‘Gotta go, Noah,’ Floyd said. ‘We’ll talk more about your techo-rock soon, I hope.’ He vanished from the workstation.

Noah retrieved his precious treasure from Floyd’s scanner. ‘Ciamah, here I come,’ he said, not thrilled about the unattractive and potentially treacherous destination.

Although Noah was concerned about the approach of the Nefilim fleet, his mission for the Governor, the Dragon, and ultimately, for the Logos, could not be delayed by such concerns. The Nefilim threat was not his responsibility in any case.

‘Time to find Rebecca,’ he decided, conjuring her image and willing himself forth.

Chaliada had been evacuated, but the city left intact, in the hope that the greedy Nefilim Lords would make themselves at home. From their secret hideaway, the Chosen Ones could then follow every move their foe made. Surveillance devices had been planted in Government offices and every other key location in Chaliada. Lord Nergal would detect and destroy many of them, but knowing every inch of the city as they did, the Chosen could replace any damaged devices.

The Nefilim deep space vessels had parked themselves out beyond the atmosphere of the planet, and they launched thousands of smaller craft from this position. Many of these smaller craft descended towards the docking station on the fourth island ring. Nergal’s personal craft landed in Central Park, right on the doorstep of the Government offices.

Planted in the Governor’s office were several surveillance cameras, through which everyone in the underground base watched, and waited for the Lord Nergal’s arrival.

Two Falcon guards burst into the office, bearing arms and scanners to seek out any sabotage devices that the Chosen may have left behind.

Nergal and his daughter, Aya, entered behind their soldiers — although they did not walk, they floated.

What do you think they’re playing at by evacuating the city? Aya queried her father, frustrated by the lack of citizens to bully.

Obviously, they realise that they’ve abused my hospitality and have fled, having anticipated my serving them their eviction notice. Nergal sat in the Govenor’s chair.

But I hardly thought they’d walk away without a fight. Aya floated up to take a seat on the desk. Not after Lahmu’s performance in the arena.

Don’t call him that! Nergal’s thought thundered out at such volume that it caused his guards to cower from their search. Get out! he ordered them, angry that they had overheard his daughter refer to the prophecy.

‘But my Lord —’ One of the guards attempted to inform Nergal that the room was bugged.

When his outspoken comrade began contorting from the internal pain inflicted by Nergal, the second guard obliged his Lord without question and scurried from the God’s presence.

I know the room is bugged, Nergal explained to the hapless soldier as the man drew his final breath and fell to the floor.

I don’t see what you’re getting so upset about. That prophecy is older than I am, Aya scoffed, not fazed by her father’s irate state. Unless, of course, you actually believe in the old hex that Enki dreamt up in order to threaten the Pantheon, she teased, knowing Nergal still revered his father, although he would never openly admit it.

No, I do not believe it, Negal growled.

Nergal stood up and began to speak for the benefit of whoever was listening in on their conversation. However, the new Governor of Kila will pay for his insult to the Pantheon, that much I do know. Hide from me if you will, Alexander, and watch me destroy the paradise you have nurtured on this planet.

Nergal had tried willing himself into Brian Alexander’s presence since landing on Kila, but his attempts had proven unsuccessful. But why bother frustrating himself with the hunt, when a good lure would snare his prey just as nicely?

The Lord turned in circles as he voiced his threat of destruction, unsure where the cameras were located. I will kill your wildlife, pollute your waters, lay waste to your forests and mine Kila barren! And if that is not enough to flush you out, Governor, then I shall begin murdering the children of the mortals you hold so dear — in this very office! One by one you can watch the innocent suffer unto their deaths from the safety and comfort of your cosy retreat.

And I have written a grimoire on human torture, Aya announced. It is a long and in-depth study, she continued, in a nasty tone of voice. So why fight it, Lahmu? Your arse is ours.

I told you not to call him that! Nergal slapped his daughter’s face so hard he split her lip.

Aya only smiled and licked the blood away from her wound with her tongue.

You’ve got an hour to think it over, Nergal summed up. Then I will set my army loose in your wilderness to kill every living thing that moves.

Nergal and Aya departed, teleporting themselves back to their deep space vessel.

Brian stood, poised in horror, staring at the monitor on which Nergal had stated his terms — how could he help but feel responsible for their predicament? His own welfare seemed a small price to pay to save this beautiful planet from ruin and allow the Chosen to continue the idyllic lifestyle they had enjoyed for fifty years. Alas, there was no going back. That lifestyle was gone and his people would only know such bliss again when the Nefilim had been removed from power. Now the Chosen were in the same boat as all the other human tribes. Stay subordinate, or be persecuted — those were the options — and, in reality, always had been. Brian figured the Pantheon had only favoured the Chosen in the first place so as to make them look bad in the eyes of the other human tribes, and to keep the Chosen on side and under the Pantheon’s thumb. That’s what this attack was really all about. He had openly defied the Pantheon and that would not be tolerated.

‘Any thoughts?’ Brian queried his advisors, who all looked bewildered, except Rhun, who was looking decidedly annoyed.

‘He doesn’t have any mortal children to torture,’ the Vice-Governor stated reasonably, ‘and it will take him weeks to get any here. The threat to our wilderness is most unfortunate, but the threat to the human tribes must take precedence. Even if you were to give yourself up, Nergal’s destruction of this planet would not cease and he would persist in his slaughter of the human tribes.’

‘I know all this, Rhun,’ Brian stated flatly. ‘What I want to know is how we stop him.’

Rhun shrugged. ‘Give him something else to worry about?’

‘Exactly!’ Candace agreed. ‘If Nergal is so spooked by this prophecy of Lahmu, then it’s time we started building ourselves a legend.’ She motioned to her husband, who was cringing at her implication. ‘Better to be a hero than a victim,’ she reasoned with a smile. There was no way she was going to allow her husband to give himself up to Nergal. ‘If Aya wants a fight then let us give her one.’

‘Then what was the point to all this?’ Brian held his arms out and turned a circle. ‘We may as well just have stood our ground and defended the city.’

‘We’re not going to pick a fight on our home ground,’ Candace informed him.

It was Rhun who named the target. ‘The Planet of Lions, that’s where it has to start.’

Brian was reluctant to agree. ‘It hosts one of Nergal’s major mining operations,’ he warned, ‘and is currently under the rulership of Nabu and Tashmet.’

Rhun, having met the pair in question, wasn’t happy about it either.

‘Nugia?’ Floyd guessed the planet in question, thinking the coincidence odd. ‘En Noah is planning an expedition to one of its moons, Ciamah.’

Rhun and Brian looked to each other, knowing the scholar’s mission.

‘Perhaps we can kill several birds with one stone,’ Brian became more disposed towards the idea.

‘We don’t need an army, just a good team,’ Rhun said encouragingly, eager to take action.

‘I’ll stay and take care of the counter defensive here,’ Candace informed Brian, ‘so that you and Rhun are free to go.’ Her husband didn’t look thrilled about this turn of events. ‘Floyd, Cadwallon and I can handle any situation that might arise and we have the best staff in the universe at our disposal. You, however, are of far greater good to us on Nugia.’

Brian took his wife aside. ‘Then come with me.’

Candace shook her head firmly. ‘Out of the question.’

‘Why?’ Brian appealed to her. ‘Rhun could stay —’

‘I am with child,’ she cut in and ended the argument.

Under normal circumstances this would have been a happy announcement, but the look on her face was one of apology. Brian’s astonishment was momentary. He grabbed his wife and hugged her, both excited and worried by this development. ‘How long have you known?’

‘Since before you departed for the Pantheon,’ she confessed, pulling away to look him in the face. His expression was one of bewilderment.

‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ he asked softly, picturing the peaceful future his child could have had.

‘I didn’t want the knowledge affecting your judgement.’ Candace had to force a smile now, for the decision had cost her dearly, although she knew in her heart it had been the right choice. ‘You never would have taken this stand had you known.’

Brian held Candace close to reassure her that he was thrilled by the event, but inside he cursed himself. There was only one way his child would have a promising future now and, for him, this fact would prove a prime motivation for the rebellion ahead.

11

LOST SOULS

In the playground of her mental body, Tory experienced the potential future of humankind.

There was no fighting for favour here, no discrimination, greed or jealousy. The children played peacefully together, because they had a deep respect, understanding and love for everyone and everything around them.

Tory had no favourites amongst her charges. They were each as dear to her heart as if they were a child she had borne in her own womb. A child from each of the human races had taken it upon themselves to keep her company during her stay in the Heavensworld.

The feistiest of these was a young male Centaur named Thais. He raced around on his four nimble legs and enjoyed nothing more than the games which allowed him to show off his skill.

The most thoughtful child was a Delphinus male, Zabeel. He was telepathic and therefore quieter than the others, for he was constantly assessing all that went unsaid.

Bast, a female Leonine, had the cunning mind of a cat and the same need to snooze and snuggle a lot. The girl took both her play time and her rest time very seriously.

The chivalrous one was a Falcon lad who called himself Sparrowhawk, and as Tory had no knowledge of having a name, Sparrowhawk had named her Swan.

‘Because you are beautiful, long and graceful,’ he’d explained.

At present, the children in question were playing a game of psychokinetic marbles with the fair-haired twins, Avery and Lirathea.

In many ways, Lirathea had more in common with Sparrowhawk than she did with her twin brother and spent far more time in the young Falcon’s company. For Lirathea and Sparrowhawk both enjoyed developing their psychic skills and imagination, whereas Avery was far more active and preferred running wild with nature spirits in the company of Thais and Bast.

‘Do you want to play, Swan?’ Sparrowhawk had noticed Tory observing their game. Instead of propelling the ball of coloured water he was using as a marble towards those already suspended in mid-air further down the playing field, he waited for Tory to answer.

Their game board was three large rings spinning in random directions one inside the other. A spinning vortex of ultra-blue ethereal matter caught the coloured marbles as they passed through the moving rings and held the balls of water in a firm orbit. A different child controlled different parts of the game. Tory had noticed that all the games the children devised for themselves were designed so that the children could work together. Any one of these souls could have controlled the entire game, but there was more challenge in working together and these children thrived on that.

‘If your marble hits the rings it will burst.’ Thais came galloping forward to explain.

‘Closest marble to the centre of the sphere wins,’ Bast added.

‘But you’re not allowed to hit any of our marbles,’ Lirathea chimed in.

‘Spectating is fun too.’ Tory declined their invitation, not wanting to disrupt their game.

‘Come on, you get three goes.’ Sparrowhawk conjured up two other balls to start a fresh game.

‘I’m afraid I need to sweep her off elsewhere,’ Taliesin advised the boy as he manifested in their midst. He ruffled the soft, dark plumage on the lad’s head.

‘You’re taking her to see the lost children,’ Zabeel stated, sadly.

‘She needs to be aware of their plight, don’t you think?’ The Lord sought the lad’s opinion.

‘If they are to find themselves, yes,’ the Delphinus nodded in reply.

‘Our place in the world cannot be assured until they do,’ Bast added, coming to stand beside Zabeel and looking to Tory with a hopeful look on her face.

‘Well, then,’ Tory prompted, eager to be made aware of what everyone else here seemed to know. ‘Shall we go?’

Taliesin took her hand, saying: ‘We are there.’

The scenery blurred around them in an upward motion and Tory felt herself descending into a more forbidding environment.

A sterile-looking playground, which reminded Tory more of an institutional exercise yard, existed amid an abandoned futuristic city. The lively warmth of Devachanic life had vanished — there was a harsh reality about this place.

‘Where are we?’ Tory wondered, viewing the children who frequented the area.

They were not human children, appearing to be more akin to the fairy folk, who were one of the lowest order of Deva. All were shrouded in a dark cloud, which seemed to make them oblivious to the other children around them. Some of the children sulked quietly. Others were absorbed in their own projects. A little girl sat combing her hair and adoring herself in a hand mirror, while the little girl next to her tortured a small dog.

‘We have transcended from the middle level of mental awareness to the lowest level of mental awareness,’ Taliesin advised, eyeing the place over with compassion.

‘My mental awareness?’ Tory sought clarification.

Taliesin nodded, but replied: ‘All mental awareness. You see, every plane of existence has many subtle levels, as all interpenetrate the others. Each plane of existence has seven distinct levels of awareness, corresponding to each of the planes above and below it. The highest level of the mental plane is that of mental-nirvana, and from there mental awareness extends down through various levels of consciousness: mental-monadic, mental-spiritual, mental-causal, mental-mental, and mental-astral, to this place, the mental-physical level of the mental plane. That is, the part of the mental realm that extends into the physical world.’

‘There are human soul-minds residing here?’ Tory decided that they would have an extremely cold, self-serving intelligence to reside in such a place.

Taliesin shook his head. ‘Not too many. There is, in the astral realm, a place like this one where lost human souls reside, trying to break free of their emotional entanglements. Desire is what usually holds human souls in a state of purgatory, preventing them from progressing along their spiritual path … it nearly held you back,’ he commented. Tory raised her eyebrows questioningly, only half believing him.

‘The souls that reside here have no emotional problems, in that they have never utilised their astral forms and therefore have no connection with that plane of existence. Because of this lack of feeling, the physical world has proven a harsh place indeed for these beings. And now that the human race has shown them glimpses of how divine it is to love and be loved, these souls do not dare to open themselves to any emotion. This is an unconscious self-defence mechanism, as their own memory of past deeds would drive them insane with guilt, shame and remorse. This is the very best they feel they deserve … the very best they can draw from their experience of physical life. They have become lost in their own nightmares and they avoid the realm of dreams, as deep down they fear they are not worthy of joy, peace or contentment anymore.’

A streak of rainbow fire swooped overhead and came to hover over the youngster who had been brushing her hair. The disturbance assumed the form of a spectral angel with large wings of flaming colour. The aura of love and wellbeing that accompanied the brilliant celestial entity brought a momentary relief from the frigidity of the place.

‘I’ve seen that entity somewhere,’ Tory mumbled, trying to recall their meeting, but her mind was blank.

‘Have you now?’ Taliesin smiled, seeing Maelgwn in the Deva before them. Her memory of her Chosen other was deeply embedded in her super-consciousness, so she was always bound to recognise any personification of his soul-mind.

‘What’s happening?’ Tory asked, as the Deva wrapped his large wings around his subject, enveloping the girl in a fiery cocoon.

‘She has dared to face her demons and feel,’ Taliesin said aside to Tory, his eyes fixed on the miracle taking place before them. ‘Her astral atom has been activated. The Deva has come to aid her subtle body to free itself from its intellectual entanglements.’

After a moment the Deva withdrew and vanished. The dark mist had dispersed from the girl’s being and she looked about her as if awakening from a deep sleep. Upon noticing the girl beside her torturing the dog, she put aside her brush and mirror.

‘Stop that, it’s cruel.’ When the obnoxious child didn’t hear her, she turned slowly around taking in the selfish endeavours of the other children in her company. ‘What is wrong with all of you?’ she cried. ‘You have to wake up, or you’re going to be left behind!’

‘By the Goddess,’ Taliesin gasped, excited by the event. ‘It’s Inanna.’

Tory was none the wiser when informed of the child’s identity, but she smiled as she noted a change in the girl. ‘She has begun to glow, like we do.’

‘Yes, and it’s the true illumination of her Logos that radiates through her, and not some mimicked celestial radiance, as is the light that she exudes from her being in the physical world.’

‘How does one fake the glow of an enlightened being?’ Tory queried curiously.

‘Many of Inanna’s kind who are still trapped in the physical realm participate in the same charade. For they have seen what a truly enlightened being looks like and as they believe that they are truly enlightened beings, they project the illusion of divine enlightenment … not all of her kindred deceive in this fashion, just these few.’

At a quick count Tory counted seven, not including the girl who had come to her senses.

‘Nevertheless, this is a very promising sign,’ he informed. ‘We must take her to the others.’

‘The others?’

‘Her kindred who have progressed to the astral level of this realm on their way back to their soul-source.’

In the glowing gardens of the astral level of the mental realm, Taliesin took Inanna to join a group of older children and adults of her own species, who were picnicking happily with soul-minds of the human race.

Tory did not approach the gathering with Taliesin, feeling that they would not be staying. The delightful indulgences of the people in this realm were not really of interest to her. She had been there and done that and was eager for more intellectually stimulating experiences.

The child, Inanna, was welcomed with open arms by her kindred, and she appeared most appeased by her new surroundings.

‘Micah will take care of her now,’ Taliesin explained as he floated back to Tory. ‘When her Logos, Anu, withdraws to the next level of consciousness and thus ceases to exist in the physical world, Inanna’s place at his side is assured. However, she and her people have much to achieve before then if their remaining lost kindred are to be freed from their private hells and progress in the great evolutionary scheme of life with the rest of their soul group.’

‘And where is the rest of my soul group?’ Tory asked, gathering that she too had to belong to a greater body of consciousness.

Taliesin refrained from answering her for a moment. ‘You are not yet ready to join them. That’s why you are here instead of in their company.’

Tory noted that there was another change in atmosphere, whereby she found herself back in the perfect playground of Devachan. ‘Am I unworthy?’

‘You are,’ Taliesin smiled, leading her where he must, ‘incomplete.’

Tory was concerned by his words, seeing the paradise around her in a new light.

Lirathea, who was playing close by, turned to look at Tory. Her features had become more fairylike and yet, the child appeared familiar all the same. ‘You got your wish, Mother, but it is time for you to head back to us and finish what we started.’

‘I am just like Inanna was,’ she gasped. ‘I am caught up in my own little world.’ Tory gazed at the child in wonder. ‘I am not lost in a nightmare, but a beautiful dream.’

‘You can make your dream a reality,’ Taliesin assured her.

There were no goodbyes in the Heavensworld. In the course of a cosmic lifetime no soul ever really left any plane of existence; it was only their conscious awareness that shifted from one perception to another.

‘On the threshold of Devachan, karma and its skandhas await to aid your re-emergence into consciousness,’ Psyche advised, as her spirit separated from that of the girl, Lirathea, who had served as a guide to locate Tory’s soul-mind.

‘Skandhas?’ Tory frowned in question.

‘Material qualities,’ Sparrowhawk explained. ‘They are the mental, emotional and moral peculiarities that give your ego its own individual personality, Swan.’

‘You could say they’re little bundles of attributes,’ Lirathea expanded on her friend’s explanation. ‘Like abstract ideas, tendencies of mind, and mental and psychic ability.’

‘Skandhas are the seeds of causes previously sown in your life that have not yet come to fruition,’ Taliesin concluded. ‘Psychological impulse seeds.’

‘So what must I do in order to commence the outward spiral?’ Tory asked, wishing to end this detour in her life and get back on track.

‘Just submit.’ Taliesin looked up to witness the fiery rainbow entity that approached.

As Tory spotted the entity a statement came to mind that helped to solve the question that had been bothering her since the same being had appeared to Inanna; had they met before? I merely act upon a human’s desires in order to bring them into being, in accordance with their karma. She saw the beautiful being hovering over a pool of water. ‘Devaglen,’ Tory uttered, overwhelmed to be having a memory from beyond Devachan, but it was short-lived and sparked no other earthly memories in her. She figured it was just the Deva’s way of saying ‘hello, we meet again’.

‘This is your ride,’ Taliesin commented as the celestial being came to hover over them, and the Lord awarded his charge an endearing smile in parting. ‘And so my vow to you has been kept, Tory Alexander.’

‘Tory Alexander?’ she queried, and yet she possessed a recognition of the name. The sonic vibration of the words sent the very essence of her being into a frenzy of activity. ‘Oh heavens.’ She gripped her gut and forehead. ‘I feel ill.’

The ultimate sacrifice — the descent into the physical — is never an easy passage, but it is the only means for release from this spiritual antechamber you have constructed for your soul’s refuge throughout your unexpected death. I am Destiny, come to collect you … if you care to embrace me, I shall cushion your passage forth. The Deva spread his wings and arms wide.

Tory’s heart welled to bursting point with emotion, as she moved into the celestial being’s fold and the Devachanic world melted away.

Psyche has found her, Sacha informed Maelgwn, who clearly could not believe what he was witnessing.

Inside the stretched gut of the male Deva’s being was a rainbow corridor into the ether, at the end of which Tory stood, alongside the Lord Master Taliesin, amid a throng of children of every human tribe.

‘Are you sure we are doing the right thing?’ Maelgwn felt a little guilty hauling Tory back into the strife of the present.

Sacha cast his sights down over the celestial event taking place within his person and then looked back to the concerned husband with an ironic look upon his face. Pretty sure.

All things considered, in retrospect it did seem a stupid question. Maelgwn looked at the body that Psyche had abandoned in order to seek Tory’s soul-mind in Devachan and was astonished to note that the seventeen-year-old girl lying on the table was fully human.

‘Lirathea?’ He stared at the girl, bemused that he’d missed out on the entire youth of yet another of his children.

No, Sacha corrected. It’s just the atoms that form her outer layers. Her deeper essence remains in Devachan.

In a streak of light, Psyche came shooting out of the etheric tunnel her brother had created and her fiery spirit floated down to join with the body that she’d left on the flight deck of their deep space craft.

Under normal circumstances, this vessel would require a full complement of twelve crew to operate, but the Devas’ aptitude allowed Maelgwn to execute this mission alone.

The features of the Deva remanifested in the girl and she began to glow with celestial radiance as her eyes opened.

‘What happened?’ Maelgwn asked softly, not meaning to harass Psyche back into the physical world, but he had to know. ‘You weren’t gone very long.’

On the contrary, I was gone for ages. Psyche smiled, sensing the anxiety that Maelgwn felt. Rest easy, Father. She is on her way back to us.

‘Praise the Goddess.’ He breathed a sigh of relief and collapsed into a seat to gather his wits. Strangely enough, he found himself smiling, for he wondered: ‘Was it the memory of me that persuaded her to return, as you thought?’

Psyche was tickled by his curiosity, sensing his deep love for his wife. I had no need to persuade her so, she advised and seeing how disappointed the man was, she thought she’d best explain. Your higher self got there ahead of me … I should have known you’d be there to rescue her from a crisis.

This surprised Maelgwn greatly, although it pleased him to know he was on the case. ‘Well, that’s one worry solved. Still, I don’t see how you plan to locate her. She isn’t wearing anything on her person that we could track.’

That’s not exactly true. Sacha closed the passage into the fourth dimension and his floating form resumed its normal physical appearance.

We can sense the location of the Tablet of Destinies, because it is made of the same etheric material as we are. At that, Psyche floated into the air to get her bearings. Sacha made a move towards their deep space tracking console, which contained all the star charts for the galaxy.

What is your feeling, Sis? Sacha queried, as his sister closed her eyes and began slowly turning to get a fix on which direction the Tablet lay. At last, Psyche stopped still and Sacha called up the star charts for the direction she was facing. She then held her hand downward at about a 45-degree angle.

Trajectory angle from Kila’s orbital plane is forty-one point four degrees, she advised, whereby Sacha called up the maps for all the systems in the appointed direction.

As suspected, our path to her is going to be treacherous. Sacha glanced back to Maelgwn. There’s a hell of a lot of space debris throughout the entire area.

Maelgwn approached the Devas to view the charts for himself. ‘Any idea how far away she is? Or, more importantly, how long it will take us to catch up with her?’

She’s too close for a wormhole stabiliser to be of any use. Sacha cocked an eye to calculate. If this vessel can travel a parsec per second, which was equal to 3.26 light-years in open space, it shouldn’t take us any longer than about four standard days, Kila time.

‘But surely she’ll get pulverised if it takes us that long to get to her!’ Maelgwn objected.

The Allied Logoi have incredible timing. Psyche placed a hand on the man’s shoulder in comfort. And, having taken into account all the factors surrounding your wife’s return to life, the Logoi will ensure that she does not return to her earthly vessel before she is delivered safely into the right hands.

‘Could I not just will myself to her?’ Maelgwn reasoned, looking for a way to speed things along.

And what if she’s still in pieces? Sacha posed as a deterrent.

‘Is she?’ Maelgwn shot back in distress.

Sacha’s expression became grave, and he nodded. You cannot hope to speed up that which the Allied Logoi have so carefully planned … why would you want to? Why can you not trust that all is as it should be and will unfold in accordance with the will of the divine?

‘Because,’ Maelgwn was aggravated by the delay that was keeping him from his search for Zabeel and assisting his fellow Chosen with the current strife on Kila, ‘I fear that the will of the divine might not be in accordance with the best interests of my kindred.’

You know that is not the case, Sacha gently encouraged him to admit. You have known for seventy years what the true intent of the Allied Logoi is. And you are not the only man alive capable of greatness.

Maelwyn was shocked that the Deva could read him so easily, even with the thought-wave neutraliser he wore.

While you remain on Kila you are a crutch to those around you, Sacha lectured. You must leave your fellow Chosen to their own devices in order for them to realise their own divine potential.

‘So what am I to do for the next four days?’ Maelgwn whined, unsatisfied with his lot.

Sacha shrugged. I guess you’ll just have to put up with our boring conversation.

The thought brought a smile to Maelgwn’s face — the acquisition of knowledge was always pleasing to him.

Noah located his wife in the midst of evacuating her staff and supervising the removal of all their field equipment. He followed Rebecca as she stalked around the large campsite shouting orders, and informed her of the quest the Governor and the Dragon had asked Noah to undertake.

‘As much as I love you, Noah, I’m not going anywhere with you right now.’ She rolled her eyes and continued with her duties, unable to believe he was serious.

‘These are the Governor’s orders, Becky,’ he pointed out. ‘And you’ll only be sitting around back at HQ anyway, so —’

‘I’m not going back to HQ,’ she insisted.

‘But the Governor has ordered all of KEPA to withdraw,’ Noah argued.

‘Rhiannon, Robin, Jenny, and a few of the other KEPA department heads are going to head to our main base inside Shutura Crevice. I’m going too.’

Shutura was the well-concealed headquarters of KEPA, built inside a large mountain crevice. The crevice was halfway down a sheer cliff face and opened into a large body of water. The pool had eroded and deepened the crevice over the aeons into an underwater cave. Upon discovery, it was deemed the perfect place for a submerged operations base for wildlife protection. The base was located in the wilderness close to the action, but it did not intrude on the pristine landscape. Hence the name SHU-TURA, which in the old Nefilim and Atlantean tongue meant ‘most supreme mountain base’. The Shutura Crevice was located more or less on the opposite side of the planet to Chaliada.

‘All our main wildlife monitoring systems are there, along with the equipment we’ll need to launch a counter-defence,’ Rebecca added as she finished packing her equipment and possessions. She began loading it all into a mini-shuttle which would deliver the gear to a larger shuttle that was transporting everything to Shutura. ‘You’ve proven you have a good aptitude for wildlife defence. Why don’t you join us?’

‘Now hold on just a minute.’ Noah took hold of the bag containing her personal possessions to prevent it being taken elsewhere. ‘Haven’t you been listening to a word I have said? These are the Governor’s orders.’ She appeared unmoved by his insistence. ‘You were the one who told me that you would accompany me on this quest, remember?’

‘We were at leisure then. At peace! The Governor’s stand has changed everything!’ Rebecca was infuriated by his persistence. ‘Any second now the Pantheon are going to declare open season on all the animals inhabiting this planet … they are my responsibility, Noah. For Goddess sakes! Don’t you care?’

‘And what of the human inhabitants of this entire galaxy? Where do they figure in your equation?’ he retorted sarcastically.

‘They are not about to be slaughtered.’ Rebecca appealed to reason, wanting to avoid an unpleasant argument.

‘No!’ he barked, annoyed that she would not budge on the issue and refused to see the big picture. ‘They are being slaughtered!’

One of the members of Rebecca’s force rushed towards the couple, but came to a standstill a short distance away, sensing the tension in the air.

‘It has begun, Commander,’ he informed, once Rebecca gave him the nod to speak. ‘In the great northern forest, north-east of Kila … they’re killing everything with gas.’

Rebecca’s tolerance level reached zero. ‘Then we have to find out where the hell they’re storing the toxins and figure out a way to dispose of it.’ The soldier nodded and ran off to collect his team. Rebecca looked at her husband and reclaimed her bag from him. ‘I’m sorry, Noah, but I’ve got to go.’ She leant forward and kissed him, but he did not kiss her back. Rebecca stepped away to look Noah in the face, disappointed in him. ‘I really thought you of all people would understand.’

‘So did I,’ he replied, feeling just as thwarted as she.

‘I guess we were both mistaken.’ Rebecca turned and walked away from the quarrel.

‘Looks that way,’ Noah muttered to himself, and disillusioned with the universe, he decided not to pursue her. ‘I go it alone, then.’

The molecules of her subtle body calmed to a synchronised vibration as the being’s embrace enveloped her. His wings enclosed her inside a celestial cocoon where only the Sacred Triad held sway: the Logos that was her soul-source, the Silent Watcher, who was her higher self, and the sacred spirit, Fohat, that formed the thread that spanned the vast expanse of evolution between the parent soul and its infant, maintaining the lines of communication between them.

Inside the cosmic womb, her unborn soul was sedated against the uncomfortable process of drawing forth her spiritual triad of life atoms that had retreated via her heart centre into the permanent atoms of her causal body at the time of death. Her lower material triad of atoms had dissolved along with her lower etheric bodies, as she’d transcended beyond their threshold on her inward spiral, and this ethereal matter would be gathered unto herself as fresh life atoms were created during her outward spiral back into the physical. So although her earthly memories were lost, any information pertaining to her higher consciousness would survive inside her higher triad of permanent atoms for reference in the next life.

Tory lost all sense of herself inside the haven the Deva provided. She was aware only of a wave-like sensation rushing over her being, gently at first and then, in a great rush of awareness, her consciousness began expanding, rippling and swaying in a sea of tranquillity and joy. Here she had no questions, no worries, no fear; there was no past, there was no future, no cause and effect, no destiny or fate, only the complete bliss and oneness of an eternal moment in the presence of the divine.

This cleansing rapture ended abruptly as she was wrenched from the beautiful life force and spat forth into existence in a flaming ball of fire. Every fibre of her being cried out in agony upon separation. The large swirling celestial body, around which she was now in a spiral orbit, was her soul-source. She was but one of zillions of stars taking the outward journey into the realms of matter in order that her unrealised potential might evolve through interactive experience of cause and effect, which could only be experienced on the physical plan. Upon leaving her soul-source, her ego had been cast into the only true Hell in existence — the physical plane, a region of sinners, trial and pain, where every bad thought and act was subject to Karmic Law and would be atoned for. She, like all of the Star Born, was paying the ultimate price for the ultimate prize. Her separation from her soul-source would be long and arduous, and this inner knowing induced the ultimate sadness. And yet, her will to succeed for the glory of the divine was absolute; her will to live and participate in the great scheme of creation was all-consuming.

You were not alone, as you are not alone now or ever. I have been with you for all time.

Her spirit awoke to find she had been dreaming, or rather remembering her original outpouring into creation. She was afloat inside the devanic cocoon and it was this entity that had spoken to comfort her and awaken her from the sad, but poignant recollection. If you were with me, Tory reasoned to the best of her ability, at the time of my first outpouring … we are a twin soul. Reflected in the inner walls of her etheric shell was a vague image of herself, little more than a shadow. But the energy centre in her chest was ablaze with activity. Behind her, in the relective surface, the radiant Deva nodded.

Beyond earthly love and time, there is a unity of spirit that we share for all existence, and nothing in creation or beyond can ever break the bond that we have. The Deva passed a hand over his own brilliant heart chakra, whereupon a long golden thread sprang from Tory’s heart centre and rose all the way to the crown of her head where it attached itself firmly. A bright, whirling helix of white energy passed up the golden thread and came to settle on her crown. This was the first and highest energy centre, or chakra, of her etheric nervous system.

The seven planes of existence (physical, astral, mental, causal, spiritual, monadic and God consciousness) are divided into two triads, higher and lower, with an intermediary plane dividing them. So, too, are the chakras of a human’s etheric body divided into a higher and lower triad, connected via an intermediary energy centre, located where the heart would be found in the physical body.

The bright, whirling helix of white energy that now whirled over Tory’s crown was the spirit atom or will aspect of the higher triad, known as the crown chakra. At the Deva’s leave, a second helix, purple in colour, shot up the golden thread to settle on Tory’s brow. This was the intuition atom, or wisdom aspect, known as the third-eye chakra. The blue helix that followed attached itself to her throat chakra and was the mental atom or pure reason aspect of the soul-mind.

The lower triad was activated from the heart centre once the higher triad was in place. From the vortex of green energy whirling over her heart, another gold thread shot down to attach itself to where Tory’s base chakra would soon be located.

A yellow helix positioned itself over her solar plexus. This was the mental molecule that was the seat of the intellect in the subtle body. This energy centre acted as a magnet for mental substance, and performed the huge task of preparing the blueprint for the mental, astral and etheric bodies that would be inhabited by the soul-mind. The second aspect of the lower triad was that of emotion and accompanied the astral atom’s placement; this chakra centre was orange and was located near the spleen in the physical body. The physical atom or activity aspect manifested in the soul-mind last of all to complete the etheric nervous system. This chakra centre was deep red in colour and was akin to the root or base chakra located at the base of the spine.

Tory observed the changes taking place within her without fear or apprehension, for she trusted the celestial being implicitly.

Her complete chakra system was now in place and with energy centres whirling vigorously, her mental unit began to vibrate, drawing mental essence around herself with vibratory powers akin to her own.

The higher triad of atoms had no bodies attached to them, for they corresponded to realms of existence beyond individualisation. The fourth or causal plane of existence was where the soul-mind emerged into individuality and this entity was called the causal body, although it consisted of spiritual essence only and lacked any real form.

Only the mental, astral and physical atoms attracted to them the substance of the planes to which they were akin, and created bodies to house the human soul-mind during its incarnation into the material world. These subtle bodies shaped the personality, intellect and ego of the physical being and kept it constantly connected to the higher realms of existence of which it was no longer aware.

There were three spiritual bodies that needed to be formed before a soul-mind could take on a physical persona: the mental body, the astral body and the etheric double. Tory’s first undergarment of spiritual matter took the form of a web-like cloud, slightly less dense than the body of astral mist that followed. The essence that she attracted in these two instances was capable of reproducing a mental and astral body of exactly the same characteristics as those Tory had possessed before her misadventure.

Once the mental and astral substance moulded itself to suit her causal shadow, a network of shimmering thread sprang forth from all her chakras to spin a web around her subtle form. This intricate network, of delicate beauty, gave her an almost solid, glowing silver spiritual form. Tory’s etheric double had returned.

As she admired her beauteous form in her reflection, her affectionate gaze drifted over to the Deva behind her.

His face suddenly inspired the memory of a different kind of love to the all-consuming dedication she felt for soul-source. This feeling had nothing to do with the greater scheme of things; it was an entirely selfish need to be desired by him, to be involved with him on a physical basis. Tory’s ego had come into play and her will to be close to this soul her being craved so desperately, was sufficient to commence her change back into the physical world.

12

A PIRATE’S LIFE

Crow was in a foul mood by the time he made it back to the pirate ship ‘BIL-ME’, which, contrary to the pun, simply meant ‘flying ship that burns rocks’. The vessel was a meteor cruncher, specifically designed for negotiating areas where there were concentrations of space debris. This was why Crow’s brother, Hawk, had chosen to acquire this particular vessel, as systems full of space junk were about the best place for outlaws to hide out.

‘What the stuff are you doing back here?’ The systems engineer removed his protective earmuffs, stunned to see their renegade munitions expert wandering through the engine room.

‘Things didn’t quite go as planned,’ Crow grumbled as he passed his younger crewmate.

‘Hawk is going to be so pissed that you came back,’ the lad informed, with a hint of delight. ‘You might have been better off to stay where you were.’

‘Can it, Chook. Blood is thicker than politics,’ Crow assured him confidently, as he approached the open hatch door that led to the crew quarters.

Chook’s smile only broadened and with a shake of his head, he replaced his earmuffs and fired up his grinder.

As Chook was rarely so confident about anything, Crow had to figure his situation was precarious. His pace slowed and he decided to sidetrack to the kitchen to see if he couldn’t get a bite to eat before his brother did a dance on his face. Crow felt he could defend himself against his younger, although larger brother, but he’d eat as a precaution, just in case things got out of hand at their happy family reunion.

‘Well, holy calamari, Crow, you have got balls of solid charichalum.’ Seagull, the ship’s aged and rather huge cook, chuckled to himself as Crow entered his domain.

Seagull wasn’t a Falcon. He was a Delphinus, whom they’d found adrift in open space, so his name was a bit of a joke. As he claimed not to remember his own name, the nickname had stuck.

‘Anything to drink on this hunk of junk?’ Crow ignored Seagull’s taunt, as he checked the supply hatches.

‘Sure.’ Seagull produced a flask from his stores. ‘I couldn’t deny a dying man his last request.’ The old cook held his sides, laughing, whereupon Crow snatched the alcohol from him.

‘Try not to give yourself a heart attack there, Pops,’ Crow advised, taking a swig from the flask and quickly spitting it out again. ‘This tastes like piss!’

‘Oh, sorry.’ Seagull reached into his stores and pulled out another flask, identical to the first. ‘Here, try this.’

‘What was in that?’ Crow asked as he exchanged his flask.

‘Piss,’ advised Seagull, with a shrug. ‘That’s the trouble with being the cook and the medical officer.’

‘Ugh!’ Crow spat several times in disgust. ‘Whose piss? Don’t answer that, I don’t want to know.’ He took a whiff of the contents of the flask that he now held in his hand to ensure it was alcohol, and then swallowed the entire contents. ‘Ahhh!’ he sighed, feeling satisfied. He wiped his mouth clean with the back of his wrist.

‘If it isn’t the prodigal prick.’

Crow was spun round one-eighty degrees to come face to face with his brother.

‘Welcome home,’ Hawk leered, headbutting his brother in the nose and letting him slide to a seat where he could tower over him. ‘Where do you get off coming back here after you’ve given yourself up to the Pantheon, huh? Come to fetch us in for the Lord Nergal, have we?’

‘Hardly.’ Crow struggled to recover from the blow and think. ‘Nergal tried to kill me … the scumsucker sent me on a suicide mission.’

‘Then how is it that you are still living and breathing?’ Hawk grabbed his brother’s throat, threatening to kill him, depending on the answer.

‘There was an escape pod on the ship he provided. I managed to get out before Nergal could detonate his explosive device.’

‘I’m sure the Lord didn’t go to all that trouble just to get rid of you.’ Hawk slammed his brother’s head back into the metal headrest of the chair. ‘Who else was on board?’

Before Hawk got his answer, Crow managed to raised a leg and cast his brother off.

‘She was one of those immortal mutants,’ Crow confessed before his brother recovered and took him back in hand. ‘The ex-Governess of Kila.’

‘You’ve been on Kila?’ Seagull was interested to know, but Crow was not given a chance to respond as Hawk grabbed him up by his jacket.

‘You idiot! Her brother, the reigning Governor of Kila, has just declared war on the Pantheon.’ He smacked Crow in the head in an attempt to knock some sense into him.

‘I know already!’ Crow broke free once again. ‘That’s where my pod landed, so I was on Kila when the Pantheon invaded, but by the time Nergal got there all the Chosen had fled. They abandoned their city in fear.’ He emphasised his words, to get his point across.

Hawk smiled, and heartened by the news, he forgot all about beating up his brother. ‘Lahmu is very smart.’

‘Lahmu?’ Crow was shocked to hear the name of the legend mentioned.

‘How do you figure that?’ Seagull asked Hawk, ignoring their uninformed crewmate. ‘Looks like a clear-cut case of chickened out to me.’

‘That the Governor of Kila would put the plight of our kind, and that of all men, ahead of his own capital city and kindred, seems to me to confirm his true commitment to the cause. He didn’t even waste time or resources defending his city. He just went straight underground to concentrate on his attack.’

Hawk might have been younger than Crow, but this ship had been Hawk’s acquisition. Unlike his brother, Hawk was a team player and had managed to assemble a small but specialised crew to aid him in his pirating endeavours. Crow usually only returned to the Bil-me when he was hard up and in trouble with the authorities.

‘So what makes you think the new Governor of Kila is Lahmu?’ Crow asked, amused, until his two crewmates began looking at him like he had two heads.

‘Haven’t you heard?’ Hawk jeered in disbelief. ‘Before the last sitting of the Pantheon, in the Arena —’

‘The Governor of Kila tamed the Lahmuian?’ Crow whimpered in dread, for he had clung to the legend all his life, as had all mortals born under Nefilim rule.

‘And you just left his sister for dead!’ Hawk moved to have another swing at his brother, but Crow backed up and avoided him.

‘What else was I supposed to do? The bitch was throwing things at me!’

‘Oh, boo-hoo,’ Hawk scoffed.

‘She was unconscious,’ Crow added, and both Hawk and Seagull were stunned by this additional information. ‘And heavily sedated.’

Hawk held his head and slowly shook it. He considered how amazing this woman’s abilities would have been when conscious, and the benefit she could have been to the cause. ‘I want you gone,’ he decreed finally, looking to his brother in disgust.

‘How was I to know!’ Crow whined. He had nowhere else to go.

Hawk scowled at his kin, and as accommodating as Hawk usually was, Crow was not going to get around him this time. ‘You were doing the work of the Pantheon, so whatever you were doing was bound to be contrary to our interests. You have two hours,’ he warned. ‘If you’re not off this ship by then I’ll shoot you myself.’ Hawk backed up, turned and left.

‘He’s not serious,’ Crow advised Seagull, who didn’t seem to be so sure.

‘I hope you’re right, man.’ The cook went back to his food preparation. ‘I sure would hate to be scrubbing up your guts this evening.’

‘Any chance of a last feed?’ Seagull nodded, and Crow took a seat to consider the options he didn’t have. He resolved to try talking with Hawk in an hour or so when he had had a chance to cool down. Crow felt sure he could eventually convince his brother to change his ruling.

A small five-man team had been selected to accompany Brian to Nugia. Besides the Governor and Rhun, Rhun’s firstborn son, Cadwell — Head of Deep Space Exploration — had also been selected, along with Cadwell’s wife, Neriada, who was her husband’s 2IC. Talynn, being their foremost munitions expert, was an essential team member, along with Thais, the Centaur. Thais was Head of the Mind Sciences, a Shaman, and not Homo sapien, and so he was being taken along to act as mediator for the new Governor if need be.

Noah was catching a ride as far as Nugia’s moon, Caimah, and would be dropped off en route to pursue his own investigations. Although his wife would not be accompanying him as hoped, he figured her presence was by no means essential to his quest. What disappointed him most about her absence was that Rebecca refused to trust her own vision and inner voice, which had told her about this quest nearly a year ago now. He was with Brian as he said goodbye to his own wife, when one of the communications advisors approached the Governor to inform.

‘The slaughter of animals in the Great Northern Forest has slowed,’ he announced to Brian, ‘as it would seem the enemy’s stores of toxic gas have mysteriously disappeared.’

The news brought a smile to Brian’s face and Noah’s, too, as a round of applause broke out.

‘Rebecca,’ the scholar uttered, proud of his wife’s efforts. Perhaps she would be of greater good here on Kila after all.

‘There you are.’

Noah turned to find Rebecca suited up in space attire and lugging a case of equipment.

‘Thank goodness I caught you before you left,’ she said, smiling broadly as she walked towards him.

‘But …’ Noah grinned at her. He’d been so sure her decision not to come was irrevocable.

‘To protect our planet is one thing,’ she explained, ‘but you are my home.’ She dropped her luggage and embraced Noah, tears welling in her eyes. ‘You were right to be mad at me,’ she whispered as she clung to her husband.

‘I could never be mad at you for doing what you believe is best,’ Noah assured her, as he squeezed her tight, deeply relieved that she had changed her mind.

‘With you, I am at my best.’ She loosened herself from the hug to look Noah in the eye. ‘Never let me forget that.’

‘Ditto,’ he told her with all sincerity.

‘Let’s get this circus on the road,’ Brian advised one and all, having finished saying farewell to his better half.

The Governor’s team gathered in a circle to teleport themselves to Kila’s closest planet, from where they stood a good chance of launching their deep space vessel and escaping without being detected by the Pantheon. They could teleport themselves to the planned location safe in the knowledge that the way between Kila and its closest planet was free of anomaly.

The general rule of teleportation through space was that any location within the same star system was a safe destination. But if a traveller had to cross the anti-matter superhighway that existed between star systems, things got unpredictable. This was the reason why deep space travel was only truly safe via a wormhole, as it built a bridge of order through a region of chaos. These days, only etheric leakage into the wormholes caused a delay, but in the Nefilim’s pioneering days of space travel, expeditions beyond their own system had resulted in hundreds of years of lost transit time. Some star fleets had never returned home.

Nefilim who tried to physically teleport themselves to known destinations beyond their system that did not have wormhole access, like Gaia, also had problems. Some of these individuals had experienced loss of time, whilst others vanished completely and what had become of them could only be speculated upon. Like the Bermuda Triangle, or the Dragon’s Triangle, on Gaia, it was most likely that those who vanished attempting teleportation beyond their own system didn’t actually perish. It seemed likely that they might find themselves misplaced in time … in a past or future era so distant from home that they couldn’t hope to make contact with those they’d left behind. Marduk had solved the problem of getting to Gaia with the construction of the Aten — a whole city that defied time and space by taking a shortcut through the ethers. The Aten had passed into the possession of Lord Gibal upon Lord Marduk’s ascent back to the Logos, and it was now stationed on Gibal’s beloved water planet of Lura.

Raven, the systems analyst and pilot of the Bil-me, was manning the control panels when he noticed a most unusual reading on one of the exterior scanning monitors.

‘Hawk, I’m registering a life reading outside the ship,’ Raven advised the captain through the intercom. ‘I think you should get up here and take a look at this.’

It only took the captain moments to make an appearance on the flight deck. ‘Did I hear you right?’ He leant over his pilot’s shoulder to view the readouts himself.

‘Sure did.’ Raven nodded emphatically. ‘The database is telling me the life reading is human.’

Raven was some years older than Hawk and, apart from Crow, was the longest serving member of Hawk’s crew. For ten years they’d been raiding Pantheon storage depots and wreaking havoc where they could.

Raven treated Hawk with a fatherly manner, and Raven was, without question, the pirate captain’s most trusted friend.

‘Now how the hell could that be? Any human outside this ship would have to be dead, so why the hell are we registering a life reading?’ Hawk grabbed a headseat to speak with his technician. ‘Chook, are you spacewalking at present?’ Hawk thought he’d better check, because the lad was often outside for maintenance duties.

‘With all the activity out there this morning,’ Chook replied, tickled by the thought, ‘I don’t think so.’

‘How about Crow?’ Hawk didn’t bother inquiring about Seagull, as he was too old for such endeavours and never left the ship. In fact, the cook rarely left his kitchen.

‘I haven’t seen him go past me,’ Chook told his captain. Anyone wanting to reach the dock, or either of the other two hatches to the exterior, would have to go through his engine room.

‘Oh my Goddess!’ Raven mumbled, zooming the exterior camera in on the life reading in question. ‘I’ve died and gone to heaven.’ He gave a mental command, via the PKA plate under his hand, to sharpen up the image on his soft-light monitor.

Hawk moved closer to view the naked human afloat in open space, curled up in the foetal position and obviously unconscious.

‘It’s a woman,’ he stated in amazement.

‘It is,’ Raven agreed, ‘but she ain’t one of ours.’

She had no tail, so she was not Leonine; no blowhole in her forehead meant she wasn’t Delphinus. Obviously she wasn’t a Centaur or one of the Nefilim either, which only left one other possibility.

‘She must be one of the Chosen.’ Hawk was inspired by the idea of meeting a superhuman. ‘How the hell did she get out there?’ Hawk moved quickly to use the ship’s paging system. ‘Crow, get your worthless carcass to the flight deck.’

‘However she got there, she’s going to get pulverised if she stays out there much longer.’ Raven spotted a great hunk of rock and metal heading for the helpless female and raced to reprogram the forward half of the vessel’s firepower to protect her.

The exterior of the Bil-me was entirely surrounded by independently revolving panels which were either pulse lasers or detectors of approaching pieces of junk. They continually monitored the exterior of the craft and shot away approaching debris, or altered the vessel’s course to avoid it.

As the trajectory of the offending hunk of rock was altered by a blast from one of the lasers, Raven breathed a sigh of relief. ‘We’d better figure some way of getting her on board real quick.’

‘I knew you’d change your mind,’ Crow said cheerily as he joined his brother.

Hawk gripped Crow around his neck and shoved his face towards the soft-light screen that was monitoring the free-floating female. ‘Is that the woman you left for dead?’

Crow’s eyes opened wide in horror as he viewed the naked, bald version of the babe he’d kidnapped, but he recovered from his shock quickly. ‘Quite a looker, ain’t she?’

‘Is it her?’ Hawk gave his brother a shake, to get his answer.

‘No, it isn’t,’ he fibbed. ‘But that bitch is surely one of the Pantheon’s pets. Leave her to rot, I say.’

‘I will not leave her to rot.’ Hawk shoved Crow aside.

‘Are you demented?’ Crow flipped out. ‘You have to leave her. These beings can find each other with a thought! Any member of the Pantheon can do it too.’ Crow confronted his little brother, concerned for all the crew. ‘You take her on board and we’re all as good as fried.’

Hawk looked to Raven to get his opinion. The analyst looked back to the image on his screen. ‘If she is to be the agent of our demise, then … what a way to go.’ He looked back to the captain and gave him a grin.

Crow knew what this woman was capable of, having been fully briefed by Nergal, but Nergal had given Crow a couple of illegal control modules. If one of the Chosen was wearing one, they could not be detected by any other person. Negal had said the module also curtailed their use of telepathy and teleportation, although it did not drain the superhuman’s psychokinetic ability, as another version of this prototype had. When first invented, these modules had served to dominate the will of the wearer as well, but this function had not been built into this particular version of the device, as the Pantheon feared them being stolen and used against themselves.

Crow had secured one of the control modules on Tory when he’d kidnapped her, but it had obviously been destroyed in the explosion. But, he still had one in his possession.

‘You’re both nuts,’ Crow informed them, before giving them a smile. ‘Fortunately, I just may be of some assistance in this affair.’

As Tory stirred from her coma, the first thing she sensed was a huddle of men involved in a hushed, although heated conversation. She drew deeply her first conscious breaths of air and released a painful groan from the displeasure it gave her to be alive.

‘Shut up the lot of you, she’s coming around.’

As her eyes ventured to open, Tory beheld the face of the beautiful Deva. Her disenchantment melted away and she smiled warmly, overjoyed to see him.

‘Don’t be alarmed,’ Hawk ventured to say, mesmerised by the unusual colour of her soft, violet eyes.

Although Tory had no recollection of being part of one race or another, she recognised the tongue he spoke and understood every word.

‘Why should I be alarmed, when you are here?’ she asked him, and reaching up around the back of his neck, she drew his lips to hers and kissed him passionately.

‘Perhaps she’s some sort of space siren?’ Chook commented aside to Raven, who was looking on in envy.

‘Some sort of whore, more like,’ Crow said snidely, ‘floating around in space lookin’ like that.’

‘Does every man has this effect on her?’ Raven wondered out loud.

Hawk didn’t know what to say in the wake of his heated encounter. Although he had found her kiss very stirring, it didn’t feel right to take advantage of her bleary state. ‘I think, perhaps, that you might have me confused with someone else.’

‘Why so?’ Tory’s elated expression dissolved into a frown of curiosity, noting the long quills that sprouted from the Deva’s head. She ran her fingers through soft, black plumage and sighed with delight at the pleasing sensation.

Hawk gently took her hand from his head and placed it upon her own bare crown that was nearly bald, although it had sprouted a fuzzy blonde shadow of hair while she’d slept.

Tory was alarmed, amazed and disappointed. ‘It’s different,’ she said.

‘Yes,’ nodded Hawk, feeling as thwarted by the fact as she appeared to be. ‘Very different.’

Tory looked around her, finding her environment unfamiliar, but she could not recall in what surroundings she might feel more comfortable.

‘You are on board my vessel, the Bil-me,’ Hawk informed her. ‘We found you adrift in space and so brought you on board.’

‘A castaway in a sea of stars,’ she uttered slowly. She looked through the porthole by her bed and noted the rocky debris outside. She looked down at herself to find she was wearing a large, man’s shirt. ‘A naked castaway?’ She was a little concerned by her lack of attire.

Raven spoke up to draw her attention ‘We didn’t look as we dressed you. We had our eyes closed the entire time,’ he added in a jovial fashion, trying to ease her embarrassment.

Tory did feel a little self-conscious and vulnerable suddenly, but the young lad beside Raven appeared to be far more flushed than she was.

As Chook had drawn their guest’s attention, Hawk thought to introduce him. ‘That’s Chook in the space suit … he’s the one who went out in the meteor storm to fetch you in.’

‘You are very brave.’ Tory raised herself to a seated position to thank her young saviour.

Chook was very fair-skinned and looked to be younger than his companions. He had a smaller frame than his crewmates, who were all rather warrior-like in form — none so much so as the captain, however. The white feathers on Chook’s head were shorn nearly as short as Tory’s hair was, and the wings he sported were the same snowy white colour. His eyes were pale blue and twinkled with mischief.

‘It was nothing.’ He waved off her praise, becoming even more flushed. ‘I do it every day.’

‘What Chook didn’t mention was that he enjoyed every minute of today’s jaunt in space.’ Raven ribbed the lad and riffled his feathers.

‘I didn’t look either. I swear,’ Chook assured her, with a completely red face.

‘I am Raven, by the way.’ The cheerful fellow tipped his head to her in a charming fashion. ‘I just fended off all the flying space debris whilst superboy here went out and got you.’

Raven was an attractive middle-aged man, quite obviously intelligent and good-natured to boot. His mottled light and dark tan quills fell to shoulder length and he had eyes of steel blue.

Tory was deeply amused by the men’s antics. They were obviously excited by her presence and she felt safe and at ease in their company. ‘It seems I owe you all for my life.’

‘Don’t thank me.’ Crow drew her attention to himself, to see what kind of a reaction he’d fetch. ‘A head job will suffice nicely.’

This birdman had identical colouring to the capttain. He was fair-skinned, though his quills were long and dark, and his eyes were deep brown. Unlike her charming host, however, this fellow seemed unfriendly, and a man to be avoided.

‘Ignore my brother,’ Hawk urged her. ‘He’s leaving anyway.’ He rose from the bed and hustled Crow out the door. ‘All of you back to your stations. Our guest needs to rest. Right, Doc?’ Hawk looked at Seagull, who nodded in confirmation.

‘And something to eat probably wouldn’t go astray either.’ The old Delphinus giant gave Tory a look of reassurance as he left. ‘I’ll fix something up.’

Tory smiled to show that she appreciated his thought, despite the fact she didn’t feel in the least bit hungry.

‘I’m really not tired,’ Tory informed the captain as he closed the door behind the rest of his crew. ‘I feel as if I’ve been asleep for ages.’

‘Well, maybe you have been,’ he said, pouring her a glass of water.

Tory cast her sights about the cosy cabin, finding it homely and appealing. ‘These are your quarters, I presume.’

‘It’s about the best accommodation on the ship, I’m afraid.’ Hawk was conscious that someone of her breeding was probably used to more luxurious surroundings.

‘No, I like it,’ she told him honestly. ‘But I didn’t catch your name? Or do I call you captain, too?’

Hawk was surprised at himself. ‘I am sorry, my name is Hawk.’ He walked over and handed the drink to her. ‘And you are?’

Tory opened her mouth to respond and found herself at a loss. ‘Well, how do you like that?’ She racked her brain, but still it did not come. ‘I have no idea.’

As she was beginning to sound distressed, Hawk decided to leave any more questions for a few days. ‘Then we shall have to make one up for you, until you remember your own,’ he advised, confidently.

It was customary for those of his breed to be named after birds. Hawk looked at Tory while he considered what bird she was most akin to.

‘How about …’ he grinned as the right name dawned on him, ‘Swan … because —’

‘Because I am beautiful, long and graceful,’ Tory had stated the reason before she even realised she knew it.

‘My thoughts exactly.’ Hawk was impressed. ‘How did you do that?’

Tory shook her head. ‘I wish I knew. What’s this?’ She held up her right wrist around which a metallic band had been placed. She looked Hawk over, and noted several devices secured to his person in one place or another.

‘Oh that.’ Hawk was a little uncomfortable about the query. ‘It’s a … monitoring your vital signs. Seagull wants you to wear it for a while so he can keep an eye on you. He said you’re not to take if off until he says it’s okay.’

‘Seagull?’ Tory didn’t recall being introduced to anyone of that name.

‘The big, old blue guy,’ Hawk said, and Tory nodded in recognition.

‘The cook. What’s his story?’ She hoped Hawk didn’t mind her prying. ‘He’s not like the rest of you.’

‘His story is quite a bit like yours in many ways.’ Hawk took a seat on the bed, but maintained a comfortable distance between them. ‘We found him adrift in space, half dead … of course, he was in a spacecraft when we found him,’ he joked, without thinking.

‘And I wasn’t?’ Tory queried, a little disturbed.

Hawk realised he was on shaky ground with her again. ‘No,’ he replied simply.

‘And that’s not normal?’ She could tell by his tone that it wasn’t.

Hawk placed a hand on hers to calm her, sensing that she was on the verge of going into shock. ‘It is not normal for those of my species, but I understand it is possible for those of yours.’

‘We’re a completely different species?’ Tory couldn’t accept this. ‘We look so much alike.’

Hawk shook his head, realising he wasn’t explaining this very well. ‘We are both human beings, but of very different tribes.’

Tory detected something else in his manner; a prejudice. ‘Your people have some cause to despise mine then?’ She dug deeper.

Hawk was surprised at her perceptiveness. ‘In the past. But lately, Swan, I feel just the opposite is true. You are safe here.’ He wanted to make that clear to her. ‘As safe as we are, anyway.’

Tory smiled, feeling he was making a joke. ‘Why … what is it you do on board the Bil-me?’

‘Captain.’ Chook swung the door open. ‘We’ve got company.’

Raven was in the pilot’s seat pulling some fairly fancy manoeuvres, when Hawk arrived. ‘What’s the problem?’

‘We’re being tailed, at a good distance at present, but they’re following us alright,’ Raven briefed him, as Hawk jumped into the co-pilot’s seat.

‘What’s wrong with our cloaking system?’ he demanded to know, thinking Chook had let them down.

‘Nothing’s wrong with it,’ Raven barked. ‘It’s on!’

‘Then how the hell are they still tracking us?’

‘Search me.’ Raven steered clear of a large, whirling rock. ‘But as it is a rather large vessel, it has to be one of the Pantheon’s. I suggest we find ourselves a new system to hide out in for a while. Take the controls, I’ll map us a course.’

‘They’ve got to be mad bringing anything but a Bil-me in here.’ Hawk didn’t think that any of them were really worth someone taking such a risk.

‘I’ll bet they’re after your girlfriend.’ Crow, who’d been standing back observing the scene as it unfolded, came forward to offer his expert opinion.

‘Are you still here?’ Hawk snapped, not interested in anything his brother had to say.

‘I’ll warrant they’re tracking her,’ he persisted.

‘I thought you said that that band she’s wearing would prevent them tracking her.’ Hawk struggled to concentrate on the controls, shooting and the conversation all at the same time.

Raven had taken the controls off automatic to make better speed. Chook was in the cockpit below the vessel manning the pulse lasers underneath the vessel, to fend off debris that could not be readily seen from the flight deck.

‘What I said,’ Crow jogged his brother’s memory, ‘was that it would prevent any super-being finding her telepathically.’

‘Is there a difference?’ Hawk urged him to get to the point.

‘On second thoughts,’ Raven cut in, ‘why don’t I take the controls, before your brotherly love gets us all killed.’

Hawk gave up his duty reluctantly, and rose from his seat to confront his brother, who backed up a few paces. ‘Explain to me how you track a naked woman, hey?’

‘She wasn’t completely naked,’ Crow remembered. ‘What about that charm on the chain around her neck?’

Hawk shuddered as his brother brought up the subject. As Raven and Hawk dressed the woman, they had tried several times to touch the charm and chain in question, for it was an amazing piece of jewellery. Each time, their fingers had passed right through the jewel, as if it were only an illusion.

‘I cannot ask her to part with the only link to her past that she has,’ Hawk protested.

Crow threw a sideways glance at Raven. ‘Are they still following us?’

‘Yep!’ the pilot replied. ‘Every little twist and turn.’

Crow looked back to his brother with an apologetic look on his face. ‘I told you she’d be trouble.’

‘Here.’

Crow and Hawk were both stunned to discover Tory was present. They had no idea how long she’d been standing there.

Tory removed the pendant from around her neck and held it out to Hawk. ‘I cannot get you all into trouble after you saved my life.’

‘I’m sorry, Swan.’ The pirate was touched by her kindness. ‘The truth is, we’re all outlaws.’

‘I figured.’ She shrugged off the unfortunate truth and again urged him to take her necklace.

Due to his prior experience with the jewel, Hawk was hesitant, but roused the courage to reach out and accept the jewellery from her. He was rather surprised when it fell into his hand.

‘Wow,’ he drooled, examining the piece more closely. ‘I can’t let you cast something like this into oblivion. This would fetch enough wealth to set you up for life.’

‘Thanks to you and your crew I have a life.’ She stepped back, refusing to take it back.

‘We’re all very touched,’ Crow grumbled, as he moved to grab the jewel and jettison it out the garbage shute. ‘Let’s just get rid of the bloody thing.’ His fingers passed right through the jewel. ‘What gives?’ Crow tried repeatedly to retrieve the item without success.

Hawk looked to his mysterious guest. ‘How is this possible?’

Tory gave an amused sigh. ‘Alas.’ She shook her head and shrugged. ‘Another enigma.’

‘Your whole existence is an enigma, if you ask me,’ Crow muttered under his breath, disgruntled that he was not able to hold the jewel and his brother was. ‘Will you please do the honours then?’ he urged Hawk.

Tory nodded to Hawk to encourage him to comply with his brother’s wish. ‘It’s just a pendant, Captain.’

Her mind focused on perceiving the Tablet of Destinies, Psyche steered their large craft according to her perception of the ancient divining tool’s whereabouts.

Maelgwn was rather uncomfortable about taking a deep space vessel into the treacherous region known as AN-TU-IM or ‘Heaven of Storms’. Only an idiot would venture into an asteroid field driving anything other than a Bil-me and even then you’d be considered insane. But the Devas had grown to adulthood in the last few days and with their increased strength were capable of feats far beyond Maelgwn’s current imagination.

While his sister guided them forth, Sacha fended off all external obstacles, willing away asteroids the size of small moons that were coming at them from all directions at once. The Deva accomplished this feat from the middle of the flight lounge. He wasn’t utilising any of the ship’s power; he wasn’t even looking out the windows or at any of the monitors.

There are electronic games such as this back on Kila. Sacha conversed with Maelgwn, although his eyes remained closed to focus on his task, but there’s really nothing like the real deal.

In the face of such chaos, Maelgwn found it hard to believe how cool and collected the lad was. ‘Well, just remember you don’t get three turns in this game.’

I’ve never needed more than one. Sacha gave a cocky smile.

‘Why do I believe you?’ Maelgwn raised his eyebrows. He had a long way to go with his own psychic training, and these two Devas were proving highly inspirational.

I can’t believe the slipstreams of the asteroid field are this turbulent … the Tablet is ducking and weaving all over the place. Psyche’s thoughts were those of an aggravated person, and yet she looked as serene as if she were in a deep meditative state. Hold everything … it’s stopped still.

Maelgwn rushed forward to see if the sensors were picking up any external life readings — they weren’t. ‘There’s nothing alive out there. Are you sure?’

I’m sure, she confirmed.

I second that, Sacha said, without stirring.

I’ve got a fix on it, I’ll bring us in close.

After a time, the glowing female Deva slowed their vessel to a stop. The sensors still weren’t registering anything, and in the inky blackness of space, beyond the lights of their craft, Maelgwn could see nothing. ‘I’m going out there.’

Allow me, Sacha offered, whereupon all the activity of the whirling rock storm outside ceased. Be right back.

Maelgwn could do little but watch, dumbstruck, as Sacha floated out through the forward shield window of their vessel and into open space.

Once they’d got rid of the suspected tracking device the Bil-me had turned tail to escape their pursuers, when everything around them suddenly stopped dead — their craft included.

‘What the —’ Raven looked up from his frozen controls and out of the forward shield window, where the rock he was aiming to avoid now spun on the spot in close proximity — ‘Ah … reality check, someone?’ he appealed, upon realising the entire asteroid field was poised in time and space.

‘Yeah, we’re with you buddy,’ Hawk assured him. ‘You haven’t gone nuts. But be buggered if I can explain this.’

‘Maybe it’s a new space phenomenon,’ Raven ventured. ‘Not a white hole spewing time, or a black hole sucking it in, but rather, a kind of grey hole that just suspends matter?’

‘You’d better be prepared for it to end.’ Crow wanted Raven to concentrate. ‘That boulder is going to annihilate us as soon as whatever this is ends.’

‘If it ends.’ Raven settled in his seat to keep his wits about him until the standoff was over. ‘I’ve been in space since I was a kid and I’ve never witnessed anything like this.’

‘Have you?’ Hawk looked at Tory, who was standing back out of the way.

‘Total atomic manipulation? No.’ Tory shook her head. ‘Only an ascended Master would be capable of such a feat and few such entities are concerned with this place.’

‘This system, you mean?’ Hawk questioned.

‘The physical plane of existence,’ she clarified, and Hawk marvelled at her words.

‘For someone who doesn’t remember anything, you sure seem to know a lot,’ Crow commented warily. Either she really didn’t recall him being her abductor or she was doing a fine job of disguising the fact — not knowing made Crow very uneasy.

‘There is conscious memory, and there is superconscious memory,’ explained Tory, in a congenial fashion. ‘I seem to have retained the latter.’

Tory sensed that Crow had a chip on his shoulder where she was concerned, but was it her sex, her race, or just her that he despised?

‘Is this the Apocalypse?’ Chook rushed onto the flight deck, with Seagull hot on his heels.

‘Yeah,’ jeered Crow, ‘and I’m the Virgin Mary. I think it’s more likely to be some new form of weapon.’

‘You would.’ Hawk looked to the soft-light screen that was visually monitoring the rear of the Bil-me and the large uncloaked craft from which they were fleeing. ‘What the hell is that?’

Everyone rushed to view the screen Hawk was gazing at, except Raven, who was stuck in a stare-out with the large revolving asteroid ahead.

‘What’s what?’ the pilot pleaded to be informed.

‘Looks like an angel,’ Chook told him.

‘Don’t think this supports your “end of the universe” theory,’ Crow quipped, at a complete loss to explain it himself.

As Tory viewed the glowing being, the strange occurrence they were experiencing began to make sense. ‘There’s your ascended Master. Chook was right. It is an angel of low order.’

‘Well, it seems to be after your necklace, princess,’ Crow observed, accusation in his voice.

‘Zoom in, Hawk,’ Chook encouraged.

As he did so and they saw that it had retrieved the pendant, the celestial being turned and looked straight down the lens at them.

‘Oh shit!’ Crow jumped back, startling his crewmates into doing likewise.

‘It knows we’re here,’ Chook said, spooked.

‘Perhaps I should go to it,’ Tory offered. ‘It’s obvious they’re after me, not you.’

‘Good idea.’ Crow, for once, agreed with her.

Hawk served his brother a dirty look, but by the time his gaze had shifted to Tory his expression was one of concern. ‘And how do we know this being is not working for the Pantheon?’ he argued.

‘Who are the Pantheon?’ Tory queried, and every man present rolled his eyes, bar Hawk.

‘The enemy,’ Hawk said simply.

‘Along with your lot,’ Crow added, ‘who are in real tight with them.’

‘Were in with them,’ Hawk corrected. ‘Now even your people, Swan, are rebelling against the Nefilim.’

‘This being could never side with an evil entity.’ Tory endeavoured to put all their fears to rest. ‘Therefore there can be no danger to me. I should —’

‘The angel’s returning to its ship,’ Chook told them. His eyes were still glued to the screen.

The angel glanced back to their ship, and made a sweeping movement with his hand.

‘It’s moving away,’ Raven called, referring to the rock that had threatened to pound their ship once reality returned.

On the screen the angel smiled and then returned to his vessel with the pendant.

‘If it is after you and it knows you’re here,’ Hawk speculated, ‘why did it not come for you?’

‘Perhaps it doesn’t think it’s safe to contact you,’ Chook suggested.

Tory shrugged, unsure what to make of it all. ‘Maybe it only wanted the jewel.’

But the jewel is still here, Hawk wanted to say to Tory, but with his entire crew present, he thought better of it.

As they watched the screen, they saw the being disappear back through the hull of the pursuit craft, and, instantly, the surrounding system was thrown back into chaos.

‘Shit!’ Raven was startled into action, for, although the large asteroid had been removed from their path, there was plenty of other debris to contend with. ‘I’m on it,’ he assured everyone. ‘Stuff this for a joke. I’m heading us into open space.’

When Sacha returned alone, with the Tablet, Maelgwn was devastated. He had not entertained the notion that they would not find his wife. If the Tablet had reformed, then so had Tory and if the sacred tool was here then she had to be nearby.

No, Father. Psyche picked up on his intent to will himself to his wife and urged against it. You don’t know where she is.

‘She is where I wish to be.’ He disregarded Psyche’s caution, and conjuring an image of the woman he loved, he willed himself to her side.

Physical teleportation was not a talent that required any great amount of effort on Maelgwn’s part anymore, unless he was also transporting someone else. Then, it was a draining experience, but never unsuccessful. When Maelgwn opened his eyes to find he hadn’t moved, there was only one conclusion to be reached.

‘The Nefilim have got to her first.’ It seemed the only explanation. ‘I thought all the NERGUZ modules had been destroyed, but obviously not.’

Sacha and Psyche both nodded in accordance with his reasoning, like a couple of psychoanalysts assessing a patient, and allowed Maelgwn to draw all his own conclusions.

‘But why would any of the Pantheon leave this treasure behind?’ Maelgwn’s eyes narrowed, as he grew frustrated with speculating. ‘I want some answers, damn it! And I’m going straight to Nergal to get them.’

Good idea! Sacha seconded the motion, saying nothing about sensing Tory in near proximity.

Maelgwn looked at Psyche to see that the young woman was not as excited about their course of action. What must be done, must be done, and it is not ours to question.

Then don’t. Sacha nudged his sister. This is but a momentary sadness, a fair exchange for the greater happiness of all.

The corners of Psyche’s mouth turned down in a vague attempt to smile.

‘What’s going on here?’ Maelgwn sensed he wasn’t being told the whole story.

Nothing, Sacha was quick to assure. We feel your hurt and it is very disturbing to us.

Maelgwn frowned, bothered by the circumstances and worried that he still wasn’t being told all the facts. ‘For your perception, I am sorry. To take all our minds off this sad turn of events, let us talk about your agenda.’

Our agenda is your agenda, Father, Sacha pronounced, fastening the Tablet of Destinies around his own neck. For safekeeping, he explained.

‘And what about Tory?’ Maelgwn turned his attention to Psyche for an answer. ‘She’s out there naked, with no memory, no identity. If the Nefilim have her, then only the Goddess knows what lies she’s being fed.’

The girl looked from Maelgwn to her brother, who wore a stern look of warning on his face. Mother is with the other soul you seek, your Delphinus son, Zabeel. She looked back to Maelgwn to enlighten him.

Psyche! Sacha was disgruntled at her saying more than she had to.

Zabeel is not seeking revenge through her. The female Deva caught Maelgwn’s concern and dismissed it. In fact, they’re not even aware of each other’s true identity.

‘So where shall I find them both?’ Maelgwn asked, momentarily excited that his investigations were finally taking a leap forward. The two Devas only shrugged.

Where, is not the question, Psyche advised him. How, is the question, to which you already know the answer.

Maelgwn took a deep breath, realising no more information would be forthcoming. At this stage, what other choice did he have than to believe that these beings knew the best course of action? ‘To Nergal then.’

Sacha nodded. All the fallen must be tested, before the day of Anu’s Judgement is upon us.

Maelgwn was frowning again. ‘Are you saying the star, Anu, is going to collapse in the near future?’

Both the Devas nodded, indifferent to the fact.

‘But Nibiru will be devastated, millions of lives will be lost!’ Maelgwn gripped his head in both hands. ‘Tell me Tory is not there,’ Maelgwn pleaded.

We can’t tell you where she is now, Psyche told him honestly, and no mortal soul need be lost if we play our cards right. Trust us, Dragon, for we know what we do.

13

FLIRTING WITH THE
FORBIDDEN

Kila’s neighbouring planet, SUTI-MASHUM, or ‘planet of green storms’, had an atmosphere saturated in poisonous gases that were fatal to mortal beings. Thus, the planet had never been settled, patrolled or monitored by the Pantheon. During Maelgwn’s reign as Governor, he’d insisted that all of Kila’s Government officials made at least one visit to the deadly green planet to inform themselves about the place. It was only now that the foresight behind this directive became plain, for physical teleportation was only possible to a destination or person with which you were familiar already. Under siege on their own planet and in need of a remote launching pad, Suti-mashum had been just the ticket for the secret task force from Kila.

The departure of the Governor’s party from the stormy, green planet had been entirely uneventful, for, as suspected, none of Nergal’s forces were stationed beyond the outer atmosphere of Kila. Until now, the Pantheon had only ever needed to cope with one or two immortal rebels at a time and their present defence strategy was still based on previous experience. The Nefilim were vain, and could not entertain the notion that the Chosen were clever. In Nefilim company, the Chosen had always done their best not to flaunt their expertise. As the Lord Nergal currently had half his force combing Kila for his stolen supplies of toxic gas, he was fast finding out what an army of immortal warriors were capable of. The Lord would never find his missing stores, as they were now safely locked away in the underground HQ of the Chosen.

‘The luck of the Logos is with us,’ Noah commented, as he was freed from the strange effects of the wormhole from which their craft shot forth into a twin-sun system where Nugia and its moon were to be found. ‘No etheric leakage. Our passage seemed very swift.’

His crewmates nodded to agree.

‘We’ve made good time, alright,’ Cadwell stated, as if it were to be expected. ‘After all, I am the pilot and I made the shot.’ Cadwell had fired the wormhole stabiliser, which, for a medium-sized craft such as this, created a tunnel barely big enough for the ship to pass through. The passage then collapsed in the craft’s wake, so there was no turning back.

‘Whoever said ego is not a dirty word, obviously never met you.’ As Cadwell’s father, Rhun felt he should chastise his son on everyone’s behalf.

‘How long until we reach Caimah?’ Noah questioned, eager to unlock the secrets of the ages.

‘A few hours.’ Cadwell pointed off towards a tiny black dot, barely visible, orbiting the planet Nugia, which was, in turn, orbiting the revolving twin suns far off in distant space.

‘I couldn’t find any references to Caimah anywhere. No pictures, nothing!’ Noah told Cadwell. ‘Any idea what the conditions are like there?’

‘Conditions, what conditions? It’s dead is what it is,’ Cadwell enlightened the scholar. ‘No one has bothered documenting it, because there is nothing there worth documenting!’

‘Just the way we like it.’ Rebecca winked at her husband to boost his spirits. ‘The two of us, alone in the middle of nowhere.’ She made it sound like a treat.

‘Could be better than what we’ve got planned.’ Brian gave voice to his misgivings.

‘Rubbish.’ Rhun affectionately punched his uncle’s shoulder. ‘You’ve always enjoyed stirring up trouble as much as the rest of us.’

‘True,’ Brian conceded graciously, maintaining a serious face. ‘But, as Governor, I feel we should bear in mind that this mission has been brought about by most grievous circumstances, and our actions henceforth shall have far-reaching implications for the future. My hand in this affair has been forced, and therefore I take no pleasure in doing whatever I must to bring all of the Nefilim’s slave industry to a grinding holt.’ He grinned, whereupon his band of warriors began cheering and whistling, now assured that their leader was as excited as they were.

On the inside, however, Brian was praying he was up to a showdown. Somehow, ruler of the galaxy seemed an unlikely vocation for a guy born and bred on the north shore of Sydney, Australia. However, he was the son of Myrddin, High Merlin and Druid, so Brian felt that at least he had something going for him. His sister had become a legend of time: was it any more unlikely that he would become a legend of space? After all, he must have been born into his extraordinary family for some reason known only to the cosmos. He had to ask himself the question: was he prepared to accept that that reason was to fulfil the legend of Lahmu?

You’ve never felt inferior in your life, son, now is no time to discover self-doubt.

Brian thought he heard his father speaking in his mind. But then he decided it was more likely that he was imagining what he needed to hear, coming from the mouth of someone whose opinion he respected.

You are deluded. When did you ever respect my opinion?

Brian’s eyes opened wide, feeling these comments had not sprung from his own imagination.

‘Are you all right, Governor?’ Thais queried. As if already knowing the answer, he added: ‘Perhaps you should retreat to quieter quarters for a spell, hey?’

‘Yes,’ Brian nodded and rose to leave. ‘I need to think for a bit,’ he explained to the others. Brian wondered if the Head of Mind Sciences had aided his exit purely by coincidence, or had Myrddin been having a quiet word in Thais’ ear too? Either way Brian was grateful and made swiftly for his onboard office.

Closing the door for privacy, Brian whispered, ‘Dad?’ He looked about frantically for his parent.

Oh, Myrddin groaned, you’re not going to make me manifest, are you?

‘You’d bloody well better manifest,’ Brian hissed, ‘unless you want me to think I’ve gone completely around the twist!’

And I thought your sister was a drama queen.

A small pinprick of light appeared in the centre of the cabin. From this light, a bright celestial presence burst forth, blinding Brian for a second. The being’s body could only just be seen within the outline of its iridescent white aura. The features of the face were well enough defined though.

‘Dad?’ Brian finally spoke, confounded by Myrddin’s new angelic personification.

If you don’t remember me, then why did you insist that I manifest?

‘I do remember you,’ Brian was quick to reply. ‘I just don’t remember you ever looking quite like … this.’

I remember you appearing as I am now. His father smiled a cheeky smile, knowing Brian would find the notion perplexing. Brian did. However, might I suggest we concentrate on your current life and explore this reluctance you have to commit to a cause.

Brian’s awe of his father quickly disappeared. ‘Are you talking about the plight of the human races or this legend business?’

It is the same … to free the tribes is Lahmu’s cause.

‘Am I Lahmu?’ Brian asked straight out.

A man chooses a destiny. A destiny does not choose a man.

‘Well, according to my experience, I would have to disagree with you there, Pop.’

Fate has brought you and this destiny together. Embrace it, or fate will take this destiny and introduce it elsewhere.

‘Come on, Dad!’ Brian protested that the cosmos could put him on the spot like this. ‘It is a bit much to embrace without some hesitation, don’t you think? If only we had a full copy of the legend, that would be something. I mean, what the hell am I supposed to be doing?’

As soon as Brian asked the question, Myrddin withdrew into the tiny pinprick of light. It vanished in a burst of silver sparks.

‘Don’t disappear in the middle of a goddamn conversation!’ he yelled to the empty cabin. ‘It’s great to know I can still rely on you for help!’

On a planet of Lions the fight will start. A victory of vision and a caring heart. Defying the most rigid law of the age …

‘Yes,’ Brian urged, waiting with great expectation to learn the missing line of the prophecy.

Lahmu will … plant his seed in the feline’s cage.

‘Lahmu will what?’

As uncomfortable as Brian felt about discussing his father’s recent visitation with someone else, he paged Noah to join him in his office.

Quickly skimming over how he had acquired the information, the Governor told the historian that he knew the missing sentence that completed the part of the prophecy that Micah had given them.

Wide-eyed, Noah waited to be told more, but when Brian remained tight-lipped, he thought he’d coax the information out of the Governor. ‘And how goes all with Master Myrddin these days?’ Noah asked, not at all sceptical about the source. ‘I had the privilege of being visited by Taliesin last year.’

‘Really?’ The Governor’s peculiar mood softened a little.

‘When an important occasion is at hand, an Ascendant Master is always close by to counsel the key players,’ Noah concluded, and fell silent, hoping the Governor would be forthcoming with the mystery sentence.

Brian sat back in his seat and breathed a deep sigh. ‘Defying the most rigid law of the age, Lahmu will plant his seed in the feline’s cage,’ he said, feeling ridiculous.

Noah’s jaw dropped, as it was pretty clear what the prophecy meant.

‘You realise what it is saying that I should do?’ Brian felt very peculiar about spelling it out.

For the past fifty years, Brian had been well aware of the law forbidding the Chosen from sexual relations with any of the mortal human tribes. This law was not without good reason, as one bad seed in the ranks of the Chosen could cause no end of damage.

Noah took a moment before responding. ‘When you think about the big picture, Governor, the course of action the prophecy suggests is the only true way to ensure the equality and survival of all the human tribes.’

‘Yes,’ Brian agreed, ‘but why was this destiny given to a single man? Am I to plant my seed in every different human tribe? I think Candace shall dismember me before the Nefilim do.’

‘It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be unfaithful to your wife in order to fulfil your role. The prophecy says “plant your seed”, which could equally as well mean genetically plant. This isn’t the Dark Ages, you know. We do have the technology for artificial insemination.’

‘Praise the universe. You’re right. Thanks, Noah.’ Brian breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Even so, I don’t think I’m really qualified to judge who would best mother a Chosen child … I am not Marduk by a long shot.’

‘If you are Lahmu, then you will know,’ Noah assured him, manifesting in his hand a PKA thought-recorder. ‘I feel, circumstances being what they are, that the Dragon would want me to give you this.’

‘What is it?’ Brian was intrigued as he took the orb in hand.

‘It is a copy of a highly controversial chronicle that Maelgwn recorded for me last year. We decided that the information contained on this orb should be withheld from public knowledge, for reasons I’m sure you can figure out. But I believe it might hold a revelation or two that will aid your current quest.’

The Governor sat, staring at the orb with a funny smile on his face. ‘It’s funny how Maelgwn can be absent and still manage to aid me at every turn of this disaster. The base, that rock he gave you, his insistence about visiting Suti-mashum, and now this!’

Noah raised a brow and grinned, considering the viewing Brian had in store. ‘The orb will explain why the Dragon has seemingly had such amazing foresight in this affair.’

‘Excellent!’ Brian exclaimed, hopefully. ‘I could use a bit of insight at present.’ He paused and then smiled. ‘But then, Maelgwn knew that.’

Caimah’s surface was a vast, rocky flat, broken here and there by sheer cliffs that dropped into deep canyons and huge ancient craters. The theory was that the largest of these impacts, aeons ago, had caused the unusual tilt of Ciamah’s axis. The small satellite spun like a top with its southern pole facing Nugia and the moon’s northern pole was never seen from the surface of the planet around which it revolved.

‘If I needed to build on that boulder, without anyone finding out, I know the location I’d pick,’ commented Rebecca, who was piloting the two-man craft transporting Noah and herself to the surface of the moon.

‘I agree,’ Noah affirmed her hunch. ‘Head for the unseen region.’

‘According to my scanners, the terrain is pretty cavernous around there,’ she advised, ‘but I’ll get us as close as I can.’

Fortunately, the area of the moon they sought had just entered its daylight hours and the topography of the landscape was well lit.

‘Holy moley!’ Noah boggled at the labyrinth of sheer cliffs and caverns below. ‘It seems a rather precarious landscape to build a crystal city in.’

Rebecca had foreseen that they would discover a crystal city containing a learning device unlike anything she’d ever seen before. As her premonition had pretty well described one of the Lord Master Enki’s Creation Stations, Noah had to figure that her vision and his quest had not been sheer coincidence.

‘It is sure not what I envisioned.’ Rebecca was starting to doubt her own prophecy.

Noah, sitting behind Rebecca, leant forward to pat his wife’s shoulder in reassurance. ‘Things aren’t always what they seem … I’m still game.’

‘That’s the spirit,’ Rebecca responded lightheartedly. ‘Still, that canyon sure looks uninviting.’

‘Just as it should,’ Noah surmised, as they descended towards the flat, rocky desert that bordered the forbidding maze.

On the ground, conditions were pleasant enough for an immortal.

Rebecca brought their vehicle to rest near one of the many precarious routes that nature had provided for descent into the canyon. Equipment was quickly unloaded, and Rebecca then reduced their craft to its finest particles and returned it to the fighter module that she wore on her wrist.

The black organic fibre of their suits turned to beige as it thinned and loosened from the body in response to the intense heat on the surface of the planet. Their boots automatically adjusted in weight to allow for the lack of gravity, to keep their wearers comfortably earthed. The unbearable heat drove them to make haste into the shade of the nearest cavern.

The way down into the shadowy abyss was wide at first, but the further they followed the rocky road, the wider the canyon became and the narrower and steeper the path.

‘This is going to take forever.’ Rebecca reached down and picked up a good-sized rock. ‘If there’s anything to be found here, it’s going to be on the canyon floor, right?’

‘If there is a floor,’ Noah replied.

Rebecca tossed the rock into the void below, and it began to slowly float downwards. ‘I’m all for taking the direct route.’ She smiled a cocky smile.

Noah’s mouth curved into a lopsided grin, for he admired her guts. ‘We’re a lot heavier than that rock and will have far greater momentum. What if —’

To prevent a long debate, Rebecca stepped to the edge of the path and launched herself into the chasm.

‘Becky. No!’ Noah rushed to the edge, and nearly overbalanced. As he righted himself he saw that Rebecca was slowly floating downward and enjoying the experience immensely. ‘What if there is no floor?’ He knelt to argue with her. ‘Wait on, I’ll throw you a line,’ he decided, dashing over to their supplies to find one.

‘I don’t need one.’

Rebecca’s response startled Noah as he looked up and found his wife floating above him, out in the middle of no man’s land.

‘Strong up-currents?’ he asked, more than a little overcome by the possibilities this represented.

Rebecca shook her head and smiled at her scholar. ‘Strong will,’ she explained. ‘’Twas my own invention.’

In a split second, Noah’s comprehension of his own potential took a giant leap forward. ‘Well, I could go so far as to say that your will staggers the imagination.’ Noah retrieved their equipment and threw a couple of bags to his wife, which she simply let drop. Following her example, Noah tossed the rest of the stuff over the edge too.

‘Now you’re learning.’ Rebecca beckoned with her index finger for him to join her. ‘Going down?’ she suggested in a saucy fashion.

Noah sprang off the ledge towards his lover, but falling short of his intended destination, he began plummeting aimlessly into the darkness below. ‘W…h…o…a!’

‘Noah?’ Rebecca cried out in horror, her descent hastening as her worry intensified.

Like a bullet, Noah shot up out of the shadows and came to a stop in front of his lady. ‘This is some invention you’ve got here,’ he exclaimed, and took hold of Rebecca’s waist to pull her free-floating form closer. ‘Care to go for a spin?’

‘Only if I can drive.’ Rebecca took hold of Noah’s face in both her hands and, kissing him, she set them on a slow spiralling descent into the unknown.

Tory had discovered that she didn’t need to sleep, or breathe, or even eat, but as Seagull was quite a good chef she had had a hearty appetite since her return to reality.

She very much liked the crew of the Bil-me, even Crow, despite the fact that he’d been doing his level best to make her feel out of place and useless.

Her warrior form had not gone unnoticed, yet she had no recall as to how her body had become so developed. Fortunately, she had proven to be of roughly the same dimensions, body-wise, as young Chook. He had donated to her a pair of leather trousers and a couple of tank tops. All Falcon upper bodywear was backless to accommodate their large wings. Long sleeved shirts, T-shirts, jackets and singlets all fastened around neck and lower back.

Tory frequented Hawk’s quarters whenever she needed some privacy, for most areas of the medium-sized deep space craft were public domain.

In the captain’s cabin, she was viewing herself in a large mirror. The way she figured it she’d done some form of exercise in the past to build up her physique to look like this and so she slowly began to stretch, to see if her body recalled something of what her mind did not.

Her movements, forced at first, were dance-like, but as she breathed deeply, Tory became absorbed in her exercise and her body seemed to take over the routine. The moves she made became increasingly precise, swift and aggressive. Her actions were spurred on by the determined cries her effort inspired. When she finally came to a standstill, her hands were clenched into fists and were pulled close to her body to counter-balance her right leg, extended out to one side of her body. Steady in the posture, she lowered her extended limb back to a standing position, and bringing her hands together in front of her solar plexus in the prayer position, she bowed calmly — her heart pounding sixteen to the dozen in her chest.

‘By the Gods,’ uttered Hawk, standing flabbergasted in the doorway to his cabin. ‘Where did you learn to move like that?’

Tory turned to him, her eyes ablaze with the adrenaline pumping through her body. ‘Hit me.’ She beckoned the huge, muscle-bound captain to move close to her.

Hawk grinned and shied from the invitation, feeling that as fit and resilient as this woman was, he’d still hurt her. ‘I really don’t think that would be wise.’

Tory rolled her eyes, realising that Hawk was way too polite for her purposes. ‘Never mind.’ She moved past him. ‘I need Crow, where is he?’

‘Maintenance level, checking the state of our munitions stores.’ Tory was on her way there before Hawk had finished the sentence and, concerned about her intentions, he took off after her. ‘Swan! Surely you aren’t going to ask Crow to hit you? He will, you know.’

‘I know.’ She looked back at him with a huge mischievous grin on her face. ‘Because you are a gentleman, you are useless,’ she explained and headed down the charichalum stairs to the maintenance level.

Hawk laughed out loud at her assessment of him. ‘You think I am a gentleman?’ He laughed again. ‘’Tis obvious you don’t know me very well.’

‘Gentleman is as gentleman does,’ Tory retorted, as the large Falcon joined her at the bottom of the stairs. ‘It has nothing to do with breeding. Speaking of which,’ Tory rubbed her brow, awkwardly, ‘I wanted to apologise for when I awoke on board your ship. I was mistaking your present manifestation for another.’

‘Do you know who?’ Hawk was intrigued, as up until now she hadn’t remembered much about her previous life at all.

Tory burst into a smile, knowing the pirate would find her answer amusing. ‘A Deva,’ she enlightened him. ‘It’s like an angel,’ she explained in response to his bemused expression.

‘I know what a Deva is,’ Hawk said. ‘Like the being that came for your necklace.’

‘Exactly.’ Tory gave a clap. ‘But you were of an even higher order of Deva than the one we saw. I recall seeing you as an angel right before I came to and saw you here. And with that lovely set of wings you sport, well …’ She shrugged. ‘You can see how the error occurred.’ It was clear that Hawk didn’t know what to say, so Tory spoke up to get him out of a fix. ‘I realise kissing a mutant might have been a tad unpleasant for you, but you handled me really well. I —’

‘Swan,’ Hawk interrupted, as he felt he’d given her the wrong impression. ‘In the real world, beyond this ship, I am the inferior mutant. It is your kind who are the perfect demi-gods that all the mortal tribes secretly aspire to emulate.’

‘No, that can’t be,’ Tory protested, seriously. ‘As a race your kind are far more talented … and better looking.’

‘How do you know that?’ Hawk was flattered by her words, but felt he should point out something. ‘You don’t remember any of your kin.’

‘Compared to me, I mean. I feel like a spare toe around here.’ Recalling her current mission, she resumed her search for Crow. ‘I want to pull my own weight, serve some useful purpose.’

They had already discussed the prospect of returning Tory to her kin, but with the current plight of the Chosen being as it was, they weren’t too sure where any of her kindred were. There was a pirate radio ship, the Blasphemagraph, that kept all the degenerates of the galaxy up to date on what was going on. No one knew who the phantom broadcaster was. He was known only as Nova. This DJ broadcast in random bursts to avoid detection by the Pantheon, but managed to source and put to air all manner of incriminating audio and visual accounts of Nefilim cruelty and injustice. All the people subordinate to the Pantheon were kept informed about their crooked ventures. Sooner or later Nova was bound to report on the whereabouts of some of Tory’s kin, but until he did, Hawk had suggested that she stay on the Bil-me.

‘So, what useful purpose did you have in mind, Swan?’ Hawk couldn’t think of any task on a pirate ship, suited to a woman, that wouldn’t earn him a slap in the face.

‘Well … Raven told me that your stores are getting low and that you will have to do a little raiding soon.’

‘Yes, so?’

‘Then, if —’ Tory paused, and, glancing back at Hawk, she decided to postpone enlightening him until she had proven her worth. ‘Tell you later.’ She ducked through the hatchway onto the main maintenance deck.

As Chook spied Tory making her way through his systems room, he whistled with approval. ‘Are they my clothes?’ he shouted out.

‘Hey, Chook, you like?’ Tory waved, did a catwalk twirl for him, and without stopping continued into the munitions storage area.

‘If looks could kill, you’d be lethal,’ Chook assured and received an affirmative nod from the captain as he trailed their exotic guest.

‘There you are.’ Tory spotted Crow entering numbers into a handheld computer as he eyed over their weapon racks.

‘What do you want?’ He glanced at her briefly, immediately irked by her presence.

‘I’ve come with a request that’s going to make your day.’ Tory waited for Crow to be curious enough to look at her before informing him: ‘I want you to hit me.’

‘No, she doesn’t,’ Hawk countered, entering the room.

‘Stay out of this,’ Tory warned him.

‘Why would I be bothered hitting you?’ Crow scoffed, going back to his stocktaking. Hawk was amused by his brother’s comeback.

‘Alright, that’s fair enough,’ Tory granted. She began folding the bottom of her sleeveless, backless top into a midriff style, and with the hipsters she wore, a good part of her muscular torso was left exposed. ‘How about trying to steal my favours then?’ She placed her hands on her hips to make the offer.

Hawk’s eyes widened, as did his brother’s.

‘If you can overpower me, I’ll give you that head job you asked for,’ she baited him. Crow smiled broadly.

In truth, Tory had no idea what a head job was, but she knew Crow wanted it.

‘Swan?’ Hawk appeared a little disappointed in her.

‘What’s wrong, Hawk? Pissed off that she didn’t make you the same offer?’ Crow teased, for it was plain that Hawk doted on their super-human guest. His little brother, having spent most of his life on the run in deep space, hadn’t had a lot of experience with women. It was fun to see him so smitten — for once Hawk didn’t have all the answers.

‘Hawk is the kind of man to fight for a woman’s favours, not fight a woman for her favours. Big difference.’ Tory explained her preference for Crow.

‘How do you know what kind of man I am?’ Hawk protested, although she was absolutely right.

‘Because I am an amazing judge of character,’ she boasted.

‘Well, then.’ Crow dropped everything to stop the couple from gazing into each other’s eyes any longer. ‘Let’s get to it. You’d better leave, eh?’ he suggested to Hawk, as he unfastened the jacket he wore. ‘This could get messy.’

Hawk looked at Tory, reluctant to leave. Even though Tory had picked the fight, he still felt compelled to stay and defend her.

‘He’s right,’ Tory agreed. ‘It wouldn’t be polite to belittle your older brother in your presence.’

Hawk looked away from both parties, knowing they could each read him very well.

Half of him was annoyed, although there was no rational reason as to why he should be. It was her body, her risk to take. The other half of him wanted to smile, daring to believe that she harboured forgotten powers that would save her in this instance. Her display in his quarters just now had certainly been impressive, but could she put such skills into practice against a real opponent? That was exactly what she was trying to discover, he thought. She was right in thinking that he would have let her win, whereas Crow never would — certainly not with the incentive she’d given him.

Hawk breathed a sigh of relief as he realised this challenge had nothing to do with any attraction Swan had for his older brother, but rather, the opposite was true.

‘You’re not going to pull any of that supernatural hocus pocus are you?’ Crow began having second thoughts about their deal, remembering how her unconscious form had battered him with flying debris during his attempt to kidnap her. Right now, they were standing in the middle of stored munitions — she’d be capable of doing him far more damage in here. Then the horrifying thought occurred. What if she does remember? Everything! She’ll kill me for sure.

‘What are you on about?’ Tory frowned. ‘I don’t know any hocus pocus.’

Hawk was also wondering where his brother’s comment had come from when he remembered Crow confessing what the Chosen woman had put him through when he’d kidnapped her. Did this mean Crow was lying about Swan having been his target, or was he simply wary because he knew what her kind were capable of?

‘Actually,’ Crow’s mood became very peculiar, ‘I have better things to do.’

‘Oh … come on,’ Tory protested. ‘You’re not going to wimp out on me, are you, Crow?’

Although Crow knew that his brother would become suspicious if he declined Swan’s challenge, he was still hesitant to take it.

‘Weren’t you leaving, Captain?’ Tory reached around behind her back to unfasten her top and rouse Crow’s interest in the fight again.

The thought of her losing to his brother was too unbearable for Hawk. ‘Allow me to accept the challenge —’

‘No way,’ Crow barked, as he shoved his brother out the doorway and, placing a hand on the control plate, closed the door. ‘Now your arse is mine, princess.’ He turned back to Tory to find her refastening her top. ‘I thought you were taking that off?’ he protested.

‘You take it off me. I dare you.’ She held out her arm and beckoned with her fingers for him to approach.

Hawk could have opened the hatch door, as his palm print overrode all the locks on this ship. But both Swan and Crow seemed content on their mischief, so who was he to interfere?

Chook knew something suspicious was going on when he noted his captain literally flying back towards the stairs leading to the control deck level. He set down his tools to go investigate.

‘I’ve got it on screen and Seagull is heating up the popcorn.’ Raven rubbed his hands together in excitement as the captain entered.

‘Is she still conscious?’ Hawk rushed over to take up his seat alongside the pilot.

‘Are you kidding?’ Raven laughed. ‘Crow hasn’t gotten within arm’s reach of her. It would seem our little Swan is gifted with an amazing instinct for self-defence.’

Hawk became mesmerised as he watched the demi-goddess fend off her much larger attacker. The truly amazing thing was that she wasn’t even looking at her opponent. Her eyes were focused straight ahead and were even closed at times.

‘How is she doing that?’ Chook questioned, startling the two men seated in front of the screen.

‘Why are you here?’ Hawk snapped, as both he and Raven gave the lad a slap for having scared them.

‘My mistake.’ Chook moved backwards, but as his superiors became immediately re-immersed in the fight, he too stayed to witness the outcome.

‘Fuck this!’ Crow staggered back to a seat and conceded defeat.

As he regained his breath, Tory stood perfectly poised and inwardly focused, awaiting another onslaught. At length, Crow smiled and raised himself out of his slouch. ‘Perhaps you’ll prove of some use, after all.’

Tory emerged from a dream-like state as she let down her defences. ‘That was amazing,’ she said. She held her head, then released a great excited, ‘YAHOO!’ that nearly startled Crow out of his wits. To the Falcon’s further bemusement she ran up and hugged him. ‘Thank you so much!’ Tory kissed his cheek, saying: ‘I’m sorry if I hurt you.’ She pulled back to take a look at his left eye. It had copped a fair beating.

‘It’s fine,’ Crow growled, pulling away. Her warmth confused him. He liked the attention but it was not like him to admit it. He just couldn’t recapture the same animosity he’d felt for her before his beating; truth was, he admired her.

‘So, is this how you treat all your men?’ he grumbled, so astounded by his defeat that he only now came to realise how humiliating it was. ‘Seduce them and beat them up?’

Tory laughed at this and Crow found himself laughing with her.

‘You think I could come in handy on your next raid?’ she prompted.

‘No!’ Hawk came charging through the door.

Both Tory and Crow looked to Hawk to protest. ‘What do you mean, no?’

‘I mean that Crow does not call the shots in that regard.’

‘I see.’ Tory fronted up to Hawk. ‘You want me to beat you up, too, is that it?’

Both brothers laughed, but it was Crow who explained to Tory: ‘He just doesn’t like to see me scoring all the hugs and kisses … sibling rivalry is what it is.’

Tory was quite astonished at this development, and it must have reflected on her face.

‘Oh, he’s keen on you alright,’ Crow continued, enjoying seeing his brother squirm for a change.

Tory sensed the friction in the air. How could she get out of this fix without making either brother uncomfortable? ‘Get serious, Crow.’ She slapped his shoulder playfully. ‘I’m sure the women of your breed are more beautiful than plain old me.’ She scratched the short spikes on her head and wandered out through the hatchway while the going was good.

By the time Noah and Rebecca touched down on the canyon floor they were shrouded in complete darkness. The only light to be seen was a thin crack above which served to keep the couple aware of which way was up.

‘Don’t move,’ Rebecca advised, clinging close to her husband as she pulled her infra-red glasses from her equipment belt. ‘Let’s see where we are.’

Noah found his infra-red glasses as his wife took a look around. ‘What do you see?’

‘Pretty much what you’d expect to see.’ She tried not to sound bored and disappointed. ‘A fairly narrow chasm, lots of rubble, and more rubble. This might be a good time to consult that rock the Dragon gave you.’

‘Shit!’ Noah hit himself. ‘We probably should have done that before we descended into the canyon.’

Rebecca nodded to agree, but as the thought hadn’t occurred to her before now she could hardly hold his error against him.

‘What the hell, I’m new at this questing business.’ Noah pulled the precious treasure from his jacket pocket. Even from within the drawn pouch of black leather in which it was sitting, the light coming from it was near blinding.

‘Was it glowing that brightly earlier?’ Rebecca didn’t think so.

‘No way.’ Noah removed his eyewear before loosening the drawstring and opening the pouch.

The keystone was not just exuding light, but ultra-violet light, which filled the space around them and brought to life the towering rock walls above them, shot through with mineral deposits of amazing colour. In that instant their desolate surroundings were as awe inspiring as a beautiful coral reef, minus the plants and animals.

‘Oh my,’ uttered Rebecca as she removed her eyewear. ‘Is it crystal?’

Noah hadn’t encountered this type of iridescent fluorescence before. ‘Of sorts,’ he replied at last. ‘It would seem to be a good sign that we are getting closer to your city.’

Rebecca collected a sample of the radiant rock and bagged it for the Geology Department back on Kila. ‘This does look vaguely familiar to me …’ She gazed at another huge sample. It was now a long time since she had had her vision of this place, but the strange waves of colour that rushed through the mineral were reminiscent of the amazing construction she had foreseen.

‘If this thing is a locator then how does one get it to locate without a computer or some other device?’ Noah looked the rock over, and on the flat, back plane of the stone he found an image had appeared. ‘Hello.’ He held the stone out in front of him and then behind, and discovered, thanks to the markings in the glowing rock, that it was the path ahead that matched the image the stone projected. ‘I believe it wants us to go this way.’

Rebecca had collected their luggage, and now joined her husband to take a look at the stone herself. ‘Fine by me.’ She rose into the air and glided in the direction indicated.

‘This sure beats the hell out of walking.’ Noah rose up also and willed himself after his wife. ‘Why didn’t we try this ages ago?’

Rebecca turned and shrugged. ‘Sometimes one needs to be removed from one’s environment before trying new things … we need change and challenges in order to exert ourselves, and thus, we learn and grow.’

As they made their way over the rubble-strewn canyon floor, Noah began to wonder how everyone else was doing on their quests. Had Brian and his wrecking crew landed safely on Nugia? Had the Dragon found his wife? Was Tory still alive? How was their good Governess holding out on Kila? His wondering only brought him sorrow, for he felt this was a hoot compared to what everybody else must be going through.

Seeing the sadness on her husband’s face Rebecca distracted him. ‘We’re doing well,’ she encouraged. ‘Look.’ She pointed up ahead to where the canyon took a sharp curve. ‘Has the image in the stone changed?’

Noah raised the stone to view its flat surface, which displayed the entrance to a dark cavern. ‘Yep,’ Noah confirmed, and Rebecca gave a cheer.

‘We’re getting closer, I can feel it.’ She took off ahead of him, eager to see if what the stone showed was around the bend.

When Noah heard his wife’s excited squeal he knew that they were on the right track.

Random traces of iridescent mineral deposits continued into the dark cavern and so their guiding stone lit the way very efficiently. Once they were inside the entrance, the image on the stone changed again to show a large, flat disc, fashioned from the same material as the crystal rock Noah held, set in the middle of a golden floor.

‘Oh my,’ Noah said, delighted at what lay in store. Up ahead the cavern widened out into a perfectly rounded chamber.

‘This is a bit too neat to be a natural formation,’ commented Rebecca when she moved into it.

It was obvious that the chamber must have once had a perfectly domed roof, but a good half of it had fallen away and now covered the floor in dust and rubble.

Noah came to stand on a level area, suspecting the disc he sought was now buried. As he brushed dirt away from the floor beneath his feet he found gold. ‘Ah-huh,’ he grunted, annoyed at the inconvenience of having to clear the rubble. ‘Here, hold this will you?’ Noah handed their guiding crystal to his wife.

‘What are you going to do?’ She smiled, intrigued, as he held up a finger to beg her patience.

Noah turned to face the trouble spot, getting a feel for the task at hand. When he had a clear image in his mind, he closed his eyes and held his hands out in front of him. Noah took a deep breath, parted his arms wide and imagined the dirt and rubble dispersing.

Rebecca gasped when the mounds of rubble began to shift aside, exposing a round disc embossed with ancient hieroglyphs and pictographs. This treasure almost seemed alive as the glowing iridescent substance from which it was made played on the eyes.

Noah was tickled pink with himself and, turning to catch what his wife thought of this achievement, he found her gazing at him in shock.

‘I saw Myrddin do it in one of Tory’s chronicles, so I thought I’d give it a bash,’ he explained. The next thing he knew he was being kissed.

‘I just adore you at times, Noah Purcell,’ Rebecca explained, then walked over to investigate the find.

It wasn’t often that Noah felt genuinely proud of himself. ‘I have to admit, I’ve even surprised myself this trip.’ Noah floated upwards to get an aerial perspective.

‘It says here that no Nefilim can advance beyond this chamber,’ Rebecca relayed the ancient text as she deciphered it from the disc.

‘Of course they can’t,’ Noah scoffed. ‘It’s a dead end.’

‘Shh! Listen,’ Rebecca urged and read on. ‘Only a human, Enki’s appointed one, can turn the key that unlocks the door to the secrets stored herein. The —’ She was distracted from her reading as she noticed the light ebbing from the crystal she held. ‘What’s happened to the power?’

Noah hastily looked his techo-rock over. As soon as he regained possession of it, the glow began to regain its intensity.

‘You’re in resonance with it,’ Rebecca realised. ‘It draws its power from you … you must be Enki’s appointed.’

‘Now, let’s not get too excited,’ Noah insisted. ‘Durak discovered and opened one of Enki’s Creation Stations … it seems more likely that the Dragon is Enki’s appointed.’

‘You don’t know that Durak ever gained access,’ Rebecca pointed out. ‘And why has the stone led you here, if you are not the one? Why does it glow for you and not for me?’

‘Let’s find out.’ Noah rose up into the air once more and glided into the centre of the large disk he’d exposed.

‘Have you found something?’ Rebecca came to kneel beside him.

They discovered a smooth round section, with a hunk taken out of the centre. To the uninformed person it would appear as if the work had met with a nasty accident that had chipped a great chunk out of the centrepiece.

‘I do believe I might be onto something here.’ Noah held the rock with its flat surface upward and placed it into the missing section. The crystal filled the empty space perfectly, leaving only a narrow finger-width crevice down either side it. ‘Only the appointed one can turn the key, did you say?’

Noah looked at his wife, who gave a nod of anticipation. Let it be me, he besought the universe, and with a flick of his wrist the whole centrepiece rotated forty-five degrees and light began shooting out of every etching on the huge disc.

It’s a passage to the Otherworld. As Noah realised this, he embraced Rebecca, and was swept with her into the next realm of existence.

Hawk had been such a polite host these past few days that Tory hadn’t suspected he might be harbouring a personal interest in her. This wouldn’t have been a concern, had she herself not been repressing an inexplicable feeling of closeness to Hawk since first they’d met. This affinity went beyond the mere gratitude she felt for his charity and kindness.

‘Well,’ she announced, upon shutting herself into Hawk’s cabin where she could be alone a moment. ‘At least I seem to have lost my need to be close to him, for the moment.’

She dreaded their next meeting. With no memory of previous intimate relationships, she may as well have been a teenage virgin. All she felt was this overwhelming desire welling within her lower chakras, which rose to her heart centre and there accumulated. This stored energy exploded every time Hawk came to mind, and each explosion felt as if it burnt a hole in her chest, and sent a rising heat up to her crown.

‘It’s so hot.’ She put her hands in the washbasin, where they were sprayed with water, and then ran her fingers through the little hair she had. Her image in the mirror made her cringe; she didn’t like this butch appearance at all. ‘I’d much prefer to be a Falcon. They look far more majestic. How can it be that my kind are Chosen? And what does that mean, anyway, to be one of the “Chosen”?’ Perhaps it had something to do with the strange sensation she’d experienced whilst fighting Crow? Could that be part of the supernatural hocus pocus Crow had referred to earlier? Having pondered these issues, Tory’s mind returned to the only mystery she really cared about — Hawk. She stared hard at her reflection, imagining how fine she would look with long quills and white plumage on her head, and a set of matching wings.

Her imagination impressed her greatly, as in the mirror a metamorphosis took place. Quills sprouted from her scalp, and large wings extended forth from between her shoulder blades.

Tory smiled, rather fancying herself as one of Hawk’s kind. Her appearance as shown in the mirror made her feeling of affinity to the captain seem a befitting reality. ‘What a shame it’s only an illusion,’ she muttered under her breath.

‘The things you get up to in here.’ Hawk made his presence known.

He’d been coming to apologise for the uncomfortable situation Crow had created, when he witnessed the transformation in Tory take place. But as she looked at him the illusion faded away.

‘Why should you want to be anything but what you are?’ Hawk asked, hoping it had something to do with him.

He hadn’t had much experience with women in his twenty-seven years of life. He had been with a couple of whores and had a few one-night stands — nothing that could really be construed as a relationship. Thus, he wasn’t too good at reading women and knew next to nothing about romancing one. He did know that it was against the law for any mortal to even consider a relationship with an immortal. But then, he was an outlaw and honour bound to break such laws. Not that a close relationship was in the offing at present. Swan was so mysterious and amazing that Hawk felt he’d be happy to just get inside her head for a bit.

‘You saw that?’ Tory queried. ‘I thought I was just imagining things, truly.’ She smiled.

‘I think that with you, imagination and reality are not so far removed.’ Hawk gave expression to his confusion.

‘That’s a good theory,’ she granted. ‘Shall we test it out?’

Hawk started waving his hands about to slow down the proceedings. ‘First, tell me what was going on during your fight with Crow? You weren’t even watching him!’

‘Yes I was,’ Tory informed him. ‘I was just viewing him through my third eye … from outside and above myself.’

‘Wow … really?’ Hawk backed up a step, impressed by her claim. ‘And you can do that at will?’

Tory shrugged, and then nodded. ‘Seems so.’ She began searching the room for a suitable item to experiment on, and settled for a cushion that was on the bed.

‘That’s incredible!’ Hawk exclaimed, far more inspired than Tory was by her talent.

‘Duck!’ Tory prompted, and Hawk did so, whereupon she caught the cushion she’d willed to herself. Then, casting it loose again, she began directing it to different locations in the room. ‘So, as I am the only immortal on board and the best bulletproof shield you have, do you still think I should stay behind on your next raid?’

Hawk fell on his butt, having gone weak in the knees at the display. Tory directed the cushion to a speedy collision with Hawk’s head, but the captain caught it before it made contact.

‘Good reflexes,’ Tory applauded, as she squatted down before him to get her answer. ‘What do you say, Captain … am I pirate material or not?’

‘I’ll tell you what. Teach me some of those audacious moves you used against Crow and you’re on the crew.’

‘Alright.’ Tory nudged his shoulder, pleased that he’d come round. As they sat there smiling, both pleased with the deal they’d struck, Tory began to chuckle.

‘What’s so funny then?’ Hawk asked.

Tory shook her head, unable to wipe the smile from her face. ‘Hard to explain.’ She bit her lip and then decided to have a stab at communicating what was on her mind. ‘All this seems so familiar to me.’

‘All what?’

‘Being stuck in these odd circumstances with you and your crew.’

‘That feels familiar to you?’ Hawk exclaimed, wanting to be sure he had heard her correctly, because if he had, he wasn’t understanding her at all.

‘It’s like I’ve been here before — not here as in a time and space sense — but I’ve known this circumstance before,’ Tory proffered in an attempt to clear up the confusion, but Hawk only appeared more bemused.

‘Sorry Swan, you’ve completely lost me.’ Hawk got to his feet, and Tory rose also.

‘That’s okay,’ Tory shrugged. ‘I’ve lost me too.’

Hawk considered she had a very sweet way about her, as he laughed. ‘Look, what I actually came to see you about, was to apologise for the munitions room.’ Hawk broached the subject a little shyly. ‘Crow is a compulsive shit stirrer, as I’m sure you realise, and I’m sorry if he makes you feel uncomfortable.’

‘Crow doesn’t make me feel uncomfortable,’ Tory informed him matter of factly. She wasn’t too sure of what Hawk was trying to say here. Was this his polite way of denying Crow’s implication?

‘Then why did you leave so abruptly?’ Hawk wondered.

‘I left because Crow was making you feel uncomfortable,’ Tory informed jovially, as she pushed her finger into his chest. ‘Was that not the case?’

Hawk smiled. She was quite correct. ‘Crow’s very existence makes me uncomfortable,’ he confirmed, avoiding her question nicely.

‘He’s not as bad as he makes out.’ Tory’s gaze got lost in the memory of fighting Crow and she smiled fondly.

‘You’re not one of those women who likes abusive men are you?’ Hawk made the question sound like a joke, although he was seriously worried that she might be attracted to his brother.

‘No.’ She served him a cheeky grin to inform: ‘I like gentlemen.’

As she’d earlier referred to him thus, Hawk couldn’t wipe the smile from his face.

‘Captain?’ Raven ventured to interrupt them from the open hatchway, ahead of serving Tory a friendly wink. ‘We have a potential target,’ he advised.

14

THE OUTLAW WAY

The Governor’s party set their craft down and disembarked on the night side of the dead moon, Caimah. The reason for their stopover was to avoid their craft being detected approaching Nugia. They would teleport themselves into the heart of the only established city on Nugia, Su. This stunt was possible because Brian had visited the planet before as part of a good relations tour with the members of the Pantheon, Lord Marduk and Maelgwn. On that visit, Lord Marduk’s party had only been introduced to the small, upper class society of the city, and only shown a brief glimpse of the slightly larger working class community.

SU meant ‘desolate city’, and was the name the Nefilim had given to the remote outpost that, by all accounts, was fast becoming a ghost town. The Leonines had another name for it — SU-AMELU, ‘desolate city of slaves’ — for rumour had it that thousands of their kind were born into slavery in the city, and never saw daylight. Only the few Leonines that excelled themselves as good servants to the Nefilim ever knew there was a world beyond the harsh, dark existence of their brethren. Some members of the Pantheon, who might have a vested interest in the alleged gold mining and slave trade that thrived on Nugia, strongly denied that any major enterprise was taking place on the planet. They claimed this was why they had only ever built one city there, to cater for the Leonines who were exploiting small mineral deposits for the profit of their planet.

The huge, gold mining industry certainly seemed to be a phantom, for Brian had not seen evidence of any major mining ventures taking place around the city. And yet, the palace of Nabu and Teshmit was adorned with a lot more riches than one would expect to find on a remote dustbowl of a planet that was concerned only with mining lesser metals and stones.

It had been a bit of a stretch for Brian to visualise a location in Su that might be devoid of people, so he picked a spot that would be so packed with people no one would notice his party’s sudden appearance — the local marketplace.

Each member of the six-man team assumed the illusion of having a Leonine form, in the hope of blending in with the natives. Robes with large hoods were must-have attire on Nugia, for protection against the strong dust laden winds.

In a crouched position, Brian, Talynn, Neriada, Cadwell, Thais and Rhun first removed their thought-wave neutralisers, then joined hands in a circle and telepathically perceived their Governor’s memory of their destination.

For security reasons, when the Governor’s group materialised in the busy marketplace, Talynn immediately broke away from her teammates to follow at a distance. Thais, too, headed off on his own and would rejoin the team before sunset to report on any local gossip he might manage to dig up. Cadwell and Neriada’s task was to find their party accommodation, for use as a temporary base, where they could assess their findings in safety. After dark in Su, a strict curfew was enforced by Nabu’s guards, who patrolled the streets and would shoot to kill on sight. Obviously, none of the Governor’s team was deterred by the threat of death, but there was the threat of exposure. Brian thought it best to keep the Chosen’s presence here on Nugia a secret, until such time as it suited them to make themselves known.

The Governor and his Vice made for the slums on the outer reaches of the city, to see if they could gain any hard facts pertaining to mining ventures here.

‘Su sure isn’t much to look at down this end of town,’ Rhun commented quietly to the Governor.

Although there was some beautiful architecture in the centre of the city, the structures on the outskirts of town were very simple, domed dwellings made of mud-brick, which blended into the high rocky walls surrounding the city on three sides. The city had been sited in a naturally formed basin, chosen for protection against the harsh winds and dust storms that plagued the planet for three-quarters of the year. Fortunately, Nugia was just entering its season of mild climate, and thus, conditions were hospitable. Reddish clouds covered the sky overhead, but only a light breeze swept down the baked dirt road upon which they walked.

‘In the harsher weather, they get a lot of rock slides and tumbling debris,’ Brian explained, ‘so these dwellings were formed using organic sedimentation engineering.’

Rhun nodded, understanding this process very well. He’d employed the same means of manipulation of form when constructing an underground base back on Gaia over ninety years ago. It was a simple process, which involved painting an existing earthen or sand structure with a bonding agent. This bonding agent captured flying particles — in this case dust from the windstorms — and cemented them to the structure, reinforcing it year after year. The longer an OSE structure was in existence, the more resilient the fortification became. This building technique had not been perfected on Gaia until the year 2035AD. The Nefilim must have been employing it for much longer, as this city had been founded over a thousand Gaia years ago. The earthen pathways extended up the cliff face and wove through the dwellings, which blended in so well with the natural landscape that it was hard to define where the city ended and the natural rock face began.

The local Leonine residents captured Rhun’s attention next, for he’d never had that much to do with their kind. He saw that many of the Leonine males who passed them by were toying with the tuft of fur at the end of their tails. Thus Rhun fished around behind himself to grab up his tail. ‘I quite like the long nails and the wild red hair,’ said Rhun, ‘but could you please tell me what this tail is for?’

‘Dexterity when climbing,’ Brian replied, gazing up to where the steep rocky cliff walls were almost perpendicular. Here, pathways between dwellings were virtually non-existent and the residents just leapt from dwelling to dwelling.

Rhun began to notice that when a Leonine landed from a jump, it was its tail that twirled around in order to regain its balance. They did not use their arms as a Homo sapien would. ‘I see.’ Rhun let go of his tail and attempted to get a feel for the technique, without much success.

Brian laughed at the painstaking concentration Rhun gave his endeavours. ‘I do believe it’s a reflex action.’

Rhun gave up and as he looked behind himself to grab up his tail once more, he noticed a stranger ducking behind a building to avoid being seen. ‘Don’t look now,’ Rhun advised Brian quietly, ‘but I believe we have a tail on our tail.’ He pointed the tuft on the end of his spare appendage in the direction that their mysterious stalker was lurking.

‘Well then,’ said Brian, ‘we’d best head away from this public thoroughfare.’ He led Rhun off into a narrow side alley on the opposite side of the street, away from where their stalker was hiding out.

Leaping up onto the curving, domed roof of the closest dwelling and landing on all fours, Rhun got to experience the reflex action of his tail as it swung around madly to counteract his body weight. ‘Very cool,’ he decided, lowering himself onto his belly and pulling himself up next to Brian.

‘Shh,’ he instructed, laying low to view their stalker as he dashed across the main street and crept into the alley down which they’d vanished. ‘When I nod, we jump him.’ Brian glanced aside at his nephew and saw Rhun’s tail raised high in the air for all to see. Brian rolled his eyes and pushed it down.

Rhun, a tad embarrassed by his oversight, gave Brian a thumbs up for the plan.

With a nod, they leapt onto the stranger when he walked below, and overpowered him easily. Rhun had their stalker’s arms pinned behind his back and held him up for Brian to question.

‘Tyrus-Leon, it is you,’ said the familiar-looking stranger. ‘How did you escape Nabu’s moles? We heard they’d sent you to work in the hell-pit.’

‘It’s Robin,’ Brian advised Rhun, rather shocked by the fact himself. Back on Kila this man headed the marine department of KEPA, along with his wife, Jenny.

Without releasing him, Rhun turned the Leonine to view his face. ‘Well, bugger me … so it is.’

‘No,’ protested their captive. ‘It is I, Kesla. Do you not recognise your most trusted friend and ally?’ he queried Brian.

‘Oh, I recognise you, alright,’ Brian confirmed.

‘Then have your man release me,’ Kesla demanded and Rhun took offence.

‘What makes you think I’m his man?’ He tightened his hold. Rhun hadn’t taken any orders from Brian in this man’s presence, nor referred to Brian as a superior.

‘Is this a test, or a joke?’ Kesla snarled, pained by the hold Rhun had on him.

‘Just answer the question,’ Brian suggested, but was surprised when the answer came from a different source — one that was behind him.

‘All our kind are answerable to you, father.’

Brian knew he was in trouble when he turned to confront the Leonine incarnation of Cadwallon, Chief Justice of Chaliada. Cadwallon had been Brian’s firstborn son during his lifetime in ancient Gwynedd. With the sudden threat of exposure, Brian wasn’t too sure how to react, but was very aware of maintaining a poker face as he mulled over the situation.

‘This man has no memory,’ Rhun informed them all, and Brian looked to his Vice, thankful for the invention.

Wary of where Rhun’s tale was going to lead, Brian jumped in to take over. ‘I was told I had a bad mining accident.’ He immediately conjured a bad scar on his head, and parted his thick chestnut curls to show the Leonine men. ‘I remember nothing.’

The Leonine who was at libertty produced a sonic pulse blaster from beneath his robes and aimed it at them both. ‘I don’t believe a word of it.’ He looked from Brian to Rhun. ‘Let Kesla go.’

Rhun didn’t bother complying with the order, as he spied Talynn coming up behind the gunman.

Talynn dug her blaster into her target’s back to make him aware of her presence. ‘Be a nice pussycat, won’t you?’ she advised.

Rhun couldn’t believe it when another hooded figure jumped down into the alley behind Talynn, with a weapon aimed at her.

‘That makes us one gun up on you, my love.’ The new arrival drew back her hood, and it was the Governor’s wife who stared them back — the Leonine incarnation of her anyway. ‘Tell me you do not recognise my face, Tyrus-Leon?’ She set her sights on Brian and no one dared to intervene as she approached him.

Brian had personally known two of his wife’s incarnations and met countless others via past-life regression. Beautiful she had always been, but never before had she come in the form of such a fiery little seductress. She must have been around forty years of age; the boy beside her who claimed to be her son appeared to be in his early twenties. Nevertheless, her years were not betrayed by her small, but athletic form. ‘I do recognise you, it is your name that escapes me.’

‘Come, come, I feel sure it’s on the tip of your tongue.’ She reached out to hold his face. ‘Allow me to aid your search.’

Her kiss was such that Rhun suspected the couple might fornicate where they stood, and as his Governor showed no sign of protesting, he thought he’d best interrupt. ‘As we’re all so cosy, I gather it’s okay for me to let Kesla here go?’ He set the Leonine loose and the other Leonine gunman put away his weapon. ‘And you are?’

‘Adair,’ Cadwallon’s Leonine persona advised, looking perturbed at his parents’ behaviour.

Rhun suspected Adair knew Brian was a fraud. Perhaps his mother did too? But if she did suspect, she was doing a fine job of hiding it. ‘How long have these two been separated for?’

‘Two years,’ Adair informed and then gave a heavy sigh.

As their kiss ended, the Leonine woman held Brian’s face so that his sights remained focused on her. ‘Samara-Leon.’ She gave him the name that escaped his memory. ‘And we must get you out of sight.’ Samara looked about, as did her comrades. The sound of marching soldiers reached their ears and they attempted to assess their direction. ‘Let’s go.’ She motioned one and all to follow, as she grabbed Brian’s hand and led him away from the main thoroughfare.

Lost in an embrace, Noah slowly became aware that he was lying on a stationary surface and so parted his eyelids to see where his action had landed them. The profound beauty and splendour of the iridescent crystal structure that towered around them, lit entirely by its own illumined substance, took his breath away.

‘Rebecca,’ he uttered softly, not wanting to startle her.

‘I know.’ She raised her head off his chest, her eyes wide with wonder as they explored the little temple. She saw an identical disc to the one they’d left in the crumbling cavern of the dead moon. In fact, this was that same domed chamber, only now it was in perfect condition.

Rebecca got herself to a seated position and gaped at the solid gold floor of the chamber — which, upon closer inspection, didn’t really appear solid at all. The matter that composed everything herein looked to be unusually loosely bound together, and yet it felt solid enough to the touch. ‘What in the world just happened to this place?’

‘I suspect this place might interpenetrate the physical world but is not actually of it,’ Noah commented, frowning as he realised there was no obvious exit — the chamber was perfectly circular, with no windows or doors, only eight or so crystal columns that supported the domed ceiling overhead. He shifted his butt from where it was now resting on top of his techo-rock and retrieved his treasure from the disk.

Rebecca applauded her husband and gave a cheer as an arched inset in the temple wall vanished. ‘Hey, you’re really good at this questing business.’

Noah was flabbergasted. His only thought had been to take the rock; this development was an unexpected bonus. ‘Elementary, my good woman.’ He arose and offered his arm to Rebecca before escorting her into the brilliant crystal tunnel beyond the open archway. ‘No doubt we are meant to take the keystone with us,’ he surmised.

As they neared the end of the tunnel, the vision that Rebecca had seen so long ago, was revealed.

‘The crystal city,’ she cried, astounded to find it actually existed.

Tall towers rose from the four cardinal points of the structure and from the rear these gradually arched downwards to meet and form a cross-section that supported a huge orb that was the central feature.

‘So we’ll find one of the Lord Master Enki’s Creation stations here, do you think?’ They approached the open entrance doors to the alien dwelling.

‘If this much is true,’ Rebecca commented, still marvelling at the sight of her dream made manifest, ‘I’ll warrant it’s here alright.’

Inside, stairs led to a massive central platform that was the arena of a stadium-like setting, entirely composed of the beautiful iridescent mineral substance. The only exception were some triangular features in the arena floor that appeared to be made of charichalum. These triangles shot out from a central crystal circle, forming sun-like rays around it. There were twelve of these triangles around the crystal circle, and each pointed to an octagonal mound. These mounds were set into a perfect circle around the perimeter.

‘Oh my god,’ Noah mumbled, venturing to wander over the amazing construction. He thought it resembled the sacred stone circles of ancient Britain.

High above them, in the centre of the massive orb that encompassed the entire site, was another small circular feature of glossy black charichalum.

‘Well, Becky, I dare say we might have found one of the Lord Master Enki’s learning devices … now I’m just wondering if he left a manual lying about anywhere?’

Although she was amused by his droll tone, Rebecca was quick to pull her sonic pulse blaster when a third person was heard to comment: It is the only such construction that Enki ever built.

Both of them eyed the crystal stairs that rose up around the arena in all directions. Above the doorway through which they had entered stood Gwyn ap Nudd — the Lord of the Otherworld. Neither Rebecca nor Noah had had any personal dealings with this entity since their lifetime in the Dark Ages of ancient Briton, and both were rather honoured to make his acquaintance once again.

Enki built several doorways in your world but they all lead to the same place in mine, Gwyn concluded, amused by their astonished expressions. By the way, Druid … the Lord jumped down to land in their midst, and placing his hand on the weapon Rebecca had aimed at him, he lowered it to the ground. I am your manual, Gwyn advised, with an encouraging nudge to the scholar’s shoulder that nearly sent him flying.

‘Why you?’ queried Noah, as he rubbed his battered shoulder. ‘I didn’t think you were very well disposed towards the human races?’

‘I’m not,’ Gwyn admitted, ‘so I am for anything that might improve your behaviour and understanding. And besides, I was persuaded to take a special interest in your case.’

Amabel, Noah concluded on the quiet. Perhaps the fairy queen still held a little flame for him after all. ‘I think you might be confusing me with a past-life incarnation.’

No confusion, little scholar, Gwyn grinned, planning to spark Noah’s curiosity. You’re the one Enki chose to take this joyride. You and he had an agreement.

‘What agreement?’ Noah’s interest snowballed. ‘Are you saying I knew him?’

Of course you knew him, Gwyn scoffed. Do you think he’d trust his precious knowledge to a complete stranger?

‘He trusted the Delphinus, Durak, with it,’ Rebecca cut in, to settle an argument that Noah and herself were having earlier.

The Lord shook his head. He never made it past the disk. He couldn’t turn the lock.

‘What did I tell you?’ she chafed her husband.

‘Then how did Durak know about the legend of the Chosen Ones?’ Noah argued.

He deciphered the legend inscribed upon the disc he found. Gwyn was happy to flatten Noah’s self--doubt. He was not the one for whom this place was meant.

A wave of realisation passed over the scholar. ‘That’s why Maelgwn was so disinterested in this quest and why he passed the rock on to me without so much as glancing it over —’

Because he knew the treasure was useless to him, Gwyn finished off Noah’s train of thought. Destiny has other pursuits in store for the Dragon.

‘I see,’ conceded Noah, looking a little green around the gills as he figured there was no backing out for him now. His own destiny was staring him blatantly in the face. ‘I need to know the full legend of Lahmu and I wish to recall that defining time in human consciousness that none of the Chosen can remember.’ Noah outlined his primary concerns, so that he and Gwyn ap Nudd were both clear about what Noah was doing here.

I know you do, Gwyn replied. And as I see you are eager to get started, we shall. The Lord motioned Rebecca to take a seat in the huge spectators’ area.

‘This isn’t going to adversely affect him in any way, is it?’ She hesitated to leave her husband’s side and instead drew close to hold him.

Adversely … no, replied Gwyn, in a horrible attempt at reassurance.

‘You heard the Lord,’ Noah spoke up bravely. ‘Enki and myself had an agreement, which I also wish to know more about,’ he stressed, glancing to Gwyn then back at his wife. ‘I have to do this. Every lifetime that I have ever lived has been preparing me for this moment … it is the whole reason I was brought into existence at all.’

You’d better believe it, Gwyn mumbled.

‘I’ll be right here watching out for you,’ Rebecca vowed.

Oh please, Gwyn grumbled as the lovers kissed. It seems every time I see you, Druid, you’re sucking face with someone.

The couple were reduced to laughter, and the tension and romance dispersed abruptly. Gwyn ushered Rebecca off to the sidelines and led Noah into the centre of the playing field.

Now, we’re going to start slowly, until you adjust to the inwardness of the Sensor-sphere.

‘The Sensor-sphere?’ Noah tried to make his apprehension sound as if he were merely intrigued.

Aye, Gwyn nodded. Here’s how it works. Each one of the octagonal mounds you see around the perimeter contains data relating to different eras of creation. To load data into the Sensor-sphere, just take the keystone and insert the base of it into the socket that is atop each one of these mounds. You do have the keystone?

Noah pulled the tool from a pocket inside his jacket, as he approached and knelt before one of the twelve mounds. He noted that these crystal formations were also filled with massive amounts of tiny circuitry. ‘How shall I know where to start?’

Well, it’s pretty much a preset course, Gwyn advised. You start at the beginning and work your way through. But, for your first experience, we’ll just try you out on the introduction to the Sensor-sphere, and see how you fare. Sound good?

Noah nodded surely. His curiosity was making him game.

Gwyn motioned Noah to the mound that was at the one o’clock position around the ‘dial’. Place the keystone there, he instructed and Noah complied, eager to see the Sensor-sphere activated.

This time it was the base of the keystone that locked easily into place, whereupon the electrical current inside it extended down to spark into action the inner circuitry of the mound. The one-twelfth segment of the dial belonging to this mound increased three-fold in brightness compared with the rest of the Creation Station, and it lit the way into the central circle, which was also radiating brightly within the black metal feature. This centre spot seemed to beckon Noah hither.

Your instinct is good, Gwyn urged, as he backed up out of the arena. You should follow it.

Noah summoned his courage and strode towards the heart of the station. As he stepped into the centre, the small black dome in the roof commenced lowering itself towards him. The points of the triangle features embedded in the floor began to curl and rise towards the ceiling until they formed a sphere. The dome overhead stopped just above the circle formed by the metal arms of this Sensor-sphere.

A cylindrical tube of pale green light beamed down from the charichalum dome overhead to seal Noah in its fold. Rebecca looked on in horror and wonderment as a second light beam shot out from the black dome above her husband. This additional light field had a much broader beam than the first. Confined within the bowl that the upturned triangles on the floor created, the hazy light matter began whirling with hurricane intensity, until it formed a perfect globe of light around Noah. Her husband appeared overwhelmed by the phenomenon and let loose a cry of surprise when, within the safety of the light-tube, his body levitated into the air and was spun around to face the activated mound. From this source, images began shooting around the inside of the Sensor-sphere and Rebecca imagined it might have been forming a 360-degree picture, although from the outside the visual was very distorted and impossible to make out.

‘How long is he going to be in there?’ she asked Gwyn, who stood closer to the action.

Not long for this first experience, he advised her.

Her sights drifted back to her man floating about inside the glowing inner cylinder, and as she watched him taking in the experience of the Sensor-sphere, Rebecca became worried that he might wind up with sensory overload. ‘The term, Sensor-sphere, seems to indicate full sensory perception, which an everyday thought-recorder is capable of. How does this thought transference process differ?’

A thinking woman, Gwyn thought to himself, impressed by her question. He climbed the crystal stairs to take a seat beside her. Your thought-recording process caters only for the physical senses. The seeing can provoke emotions in you, but what you feel is your reaction. You never truly feel what the subject matter of your recording is experiencing … you cannot record emotion anymore than you can record another being’s understanding —

‘I can only understand another’s life according to the limits of my own,’ Rebecca concluded.

Until now. The Lord looked back to the Sensorsphere.

Rebecca’s eyes opened wide as she fathomed the transformation her lover was currently undergoing. ‘What’s Noah savouring in there?’

The birth of the universe, Gwyn advised casually.

‘What!’ Rebecca freaked, but before she had a chance to protest, the Creation Station shut down. The data ceased to flow from the mound and as the outer light-sphere dissipated, Noah’s free wheeling form was lowered back to the ground. The cylinder of light retracted, as did the small charichalum dome. As the spike formation around Noah lowered its points flat to the floor once more, Rebecca held her breath.

Noah was a little shaky on his feet when he found himself bound by gravity once more, but he managed to raise his heavy, wobbling head. ‘I am a God!’ he cried out, sounding liberated and exhilarated by what he had just been through. ‘I am a galaxy filled with stars,’ he yelled, with just as much conviction. Then, as a violent rush of awareness swept over him, he ran for the perimeter of the sacred learning device and promptly threw up.

‘Goodness gracious,’ Rebecca gasped, rushing off to his assistance.

It’s just nerves and shock … he’ll be fine.

Rebecca didn’t waver from her course. ‘Noah, are you alright?’

‘I am better than alright.’ He wiped his mouth on his sleeve and turned back to assure his oncoming wife: ‘I am bloody well fantastic!’ He stood tall. ‘I feel like I could take on the whole of the Pantheon and win! For this tiny little instance in time is nothing … nothing compared to the great expanse of existence, that goes so far beyond the universe as we understand it, that …’ he broke into laughter as he was so overwhelmed, ‘… that I cannot even begin to express the infinite hugeness and complexity of just our soul-mind’s role therein. Now that I realise how grand and diverse the realms of creation are, I shall never again fear for this earthly life we lead. This physical consciousness is the hell that Christians once feared, for there is no state of awareness more painful or courageous than this one … we are, all of us, fallen angels … fallen from the stars.’

As Noah wandered away to attempt to assimilate his experience in the Sensor-sphere into his thoughts, Rebecca left him to speak with Gwyn ap Nudd.

The Lord of the Otherworld knew her concerns from her expression. Have no fear, he’s not insane … for thus unfolds the path to enlightenment. And you shall be the next to brave it.

Rebecca gasped, taken aback by the notion. ‘But I thought Noah was the only one —’

Who could unlock the secrets. Gwyn corrected her misconception. In other words, only he can lead the adept to this learning tool, but he shall not be the only one to be made privy to its secret knowledge. Why did you think you were here?

His question delighted, honoured and humbled Rebecca all at once. ‘I hadn’t thought,’ she confessed in all honesty. ‘I came because Noah needed me.’

Yes, he does. Gwyn smiled, as he knew the fact was pleasing to her. This man’s destiny and development have always paralleled your own, and will continue to do so far into the future.

‘But I am no scholar and certainly no spiritualist.’ She shied away from the Lord, feeling very inadequate suddenly. ‘I’ve been so caught up with my responsibilities with KEPA that I have neglected my responsibility to myself. I should have dedicated more time to exploring the higher mysteries. I had a vision of this place; surely that should have been incentive enough to prepare, but —’

The Lord of the Otherworld stood, shaking his head. Beyond a pure heart and a willingness to learn, there is nothing else you require.

Her mouth open and ready to utter another protest, Rebecca was stumped to find she had none. ‘I believe I do possess those prerequisites,’ she admitted finally, daring a smile.

And always have had, Gwyn added. For this is the end to a journey you and this Sage began long ago … as you shall see.

Hawk had excused himself from Tory to go take a look at their potential target, and she figured he didn’t want her tagging along. As she was feeling like eating, she made her way down to Seagull’s domain to find what was on the menu.

When she arrived the old Delphinus chef was pulling a variety of long, flat loaves of bread from the oven and Chook was hovering around in anticipation of scoring a few samples.

Seagull spotted their guest in the hatchway and laughed. ‘The smell of fresh bread always brings them running.’

‘’Tis seldom I am compelled to eat,’ Tory strolled in, breathing deep the aroma, ‘but that heavenly smell is teasing my taste buds.’

‘I could say the same of you,’ Crow teased, having crept up behind her. As he placed his hands on her thighs, he experienced a sudden numbing agony.

Tory pressed each of her thumbs into the pressure points on his wrists. ‘Are you so much recovered from your last beating that you desire another?’

‘Ah, no … I’ll pass,’ Crow resolved, to the amusement of his crewmates, and was much relieved when Tory let him go.

‘I heard that was a really amazing display you put on earlier,’ Seagull commented, as he broke off the end of a fresh loaf.

‘Was it ever,’ Chook confirmed, breaking himself off a piece.

As Seagull held out his offering to Tory she noted that this Delphinus male had no webbing between his fingers and this was most confusing to her.

‘You want to know where’s my webbing?’ Seagull guessed her curiosity, as she was slow to take the food.

Tory noted Chook standing behind the old chef, shaking his head furiously, as he feared she might offend the man. ‘It’s just that I read that —’

‘Your information is correct,’ Seagull granted, a little warily. ‘And to the best of my knowledge, I am the only exception.’

‘Well,’ Tory forced a smile, to make the best of an uncomfortable situation, ‘thanks for clearing that up for me.’

‘Welcome.’ He decided not to take offence. ‘I’ve been told I’m also a tad pale for one of my kind, but that could just be old age.’

It was true his skin was not as blue as most Delphinus, having a slight pinkish tinge.

The chef returned to his oven to pull out more loaves. ‘I used to have dark hair in younger days, which is also unusual, as most Delphinus are fair.’

‘Were either of your parents dark?’ Tory pursued the conversation to Chook’s apparent horror, but she felt Seagull comfortable with the subject matter.

‘Were yours?’ he queried abruptly, and Tory was taken aback by his sharp retort.

‘I … I don’t remember.’

‘Exactly,’ he explained with a nod. ‘I’d taken a bad knock to the head when Hawk found my tiny craft spinning out of control in deep space … like you, my past was taken from me and who knows,’ he shrugged, ‘perhaps it’s for the best.’

‘I like to think so.’ Tory felt more at ease when she realised that Seagull wasn’t annoyed with her, but rather, trying to make a point. ‘So you learnt how to cook and heal after you joined Hawk’s crew?’

‘I did, indeed,’ he confirmed with a broad smile.

‘That reminds me.’ Tory raised her right wrist, around which Crow’s restraining device was attached. ‘How much longer do I have to wear this?’

Crow had just taken a huge bite of hot bread when he saw Seagull frown at Tory’s query. Crow recalled that he and Hawk had yet to tell Seagull anything about the device. Crow spat out his morsel in one sharp hack. ‘He has to discuss that with Hawk.’

‘Why?’ Tory looked to Crow, immediately suspicious.

‘Because …’ Crow racked his brain for a believable reason.

‘Because Hawk has assumed full responsibility for your welfare,’ Seagull intervened, understanding that Hawk had been spinning tales; as a devoted member of his crew, the cook was bound to play along. ‘I’m not allowed to make any decisions concerning you without consulting him first,’ he babbled, and pretty sure the explanation was unconvincing, Seagull thought it best to change the subject. ‘Can I get you something to drink with that?’

‘Look lively crew. We have a target.’

Upon hearing Hawk’s announcement, Tory made for the flight deck. As Seagull and Crow breathed a sigh of relief, they noted Chook serving them a filthy look.

‘She knows you’re both full of shit,’ he smirked, confident they’d get their comeuppance if they were deceiving her in any way. ‘I really wouldn’t mess with that woman, if I were you.’

‘Well, you’re not me,’ Crow snarled.

‘Thank heavens.’ Chook backed up, and quickly went in pursuit of Tory as Crow threatened to attack him.

‘What the hell was that all about?’ The huge Delphinus smacked Crow in the head from behind. ‘He’s right, I don’t want to be pissing her off.’

Crow was suddenly more humble and made a swift retreat after Chook — the Delphinus may have been old, but he was still large and gnarly. ‘I’ll explain later … or ask Hawk!’ He suggested an even better solution.

Their target was a Pantheon deep space vessel that seemed to be stranded, or perhaps partially shut down for repairs, as the craft had no shields operating. This particular type of vessel was one of Hawk’s favourite targets to pilfer, as it was a low risk, high gain target. All its cargo holds were under the belly of the vessel and could be drilled into directly from below.

Built to negotiate asteroid fields, the Bil-me was primarily designed for drilling into large moving objects. Their cloaking device enabled them to come up underneath their target and attach their craft without detection. This security measure had not come with their ship, however, as any honest deep space mining vessel would have precious little use for such measures. Hawk had procured the system from a small luxury vessel he’d hijacked off one of Nergal’s high officials. Chook and Raven had tailored the cloaking system to suit the Bil-me.

They could never know beforehand if the hull of the vessel they were drilling had security sensors. However, on a ship this size, it usually took a while for a group of guards to get down into the bowels of the vessel where the breach was taking place. The idea was to furiously load booty into the Bil-me until the guards showed up, whereupon the pirates would shoot their way out and the Bil-me would pull away, leaving a gaping hole in their target’s cargo bay. The vacuum of space took care of the ensuing force.

Once they’d approached and attached the Bil-me, drilling through the reinforced charichalum hull of the craft only took moments, as the laser drill on their vessel was designed to cut through thick, raw deposits of the metal.

‘We’re through,’ Chook advised his crewmates from the flight deck via the intercom. Raven, Hawk, Crow and Tory were standing under the hatchway located behind the laser drill head atop their craft. ‘Retracting drill head and opening hatch … happy hunting, chaps.’

Hawk guided Tory into taking a few steps backwards, which puzzled her, until the hatch door opened and the piece of metal that had been cut from the hull of the ship above crashed to the floor at her feet.

‘What is that smell?’ Crow was repulsed by it and appeared none too eager to discover the source.

‘Don’t be such a girl,’ Hawk jeered at him. ‘Just go.’ At his word his accomplices spread their wings and flew up through the hatchway into the vessel above. Hawk gripped Tory about the waist to carry her with him.

She pulled away — not because she disliked being close to Hawk, but because she wanted to make a point. ‘I am capable, even for a girl,’ she advised, and without so much as springing off from a standing position, she rose steadily upward after the others.

‘What an asset,’ he mumbled, before shooting up through the hatchway after her.

‘I don’t blooming well believe it!’ Crow grumbled.

Hawk rose to where the others were hovering in mid-air and looked down to discover what so disturbed his brother.

‘Kids.’ Crow verbalised the problem.

Fifty or so children — Delphinus, Falcon and Leonine, aged between two and ten — were cowering around the walls of the dimly lit storage hold. They were dirty, smelly and, more than likely, starving and sick as well.

‘What on earth are they doing here?’ Hawk gaped at the sight, as it brought horrid memories of his own youth back to haunt him.

‘Well, whatever they’re doing here, clearly, we have to get them out.’ Tory lowered herself down to the floor.

‘Typical bloody woman!’ Crow growled as he landed beside her.

‘What were you going to do?’ Tory retorted harshly, as she moved to confront him. ‘Take off and let them all be sucked into space?’

Hawk joined them on the ground and stepped in between them. ‘She’s right.’ Hawk said reluctantly. ‘We don’t have a choice.’

‘Oh … for crying out loud,’ Crow protested. ‘What are we going to do with a bunch of kids?’

‘All we have to do is find them a safe haven.’ Raven joined in to reason with Crow. ‘We could get in contact with Nova. He might be able to suggest somewhere.’ They were all confirmed bachelors and none of them wanted to take responsibility for this lot, but the alternative was unthinkable.

‘Ah, fu…dge.’ Crow accepted the inevitable, and grabbing up a couple of the horrified youngsters he proceeded to the hatch of the Bil-me. ‘Best get the little buggers loaded quickly then,’ he commented on his way past his captain, his voice more gravelly than usual.

Hawk knew it was not suppressed anger that was causing the harshness in his brother’s voice, but empathy. Raven was also teary-eyed, although he played the loveable clown very well. He explained to the children that they were pirates come to whisk them away to safety, and, as if he were the Pied Piper, all of them followed him to the hatch of their own accord.

Only one little Falcon female resisted his charms, and had taken to fluttering around near the ceiling to avoid capture. ‘I’m not going without my brother,’ she yelled defiantly. She looked to be all of seven years old.

‘Leave her here then,’ Crow resolved.

‘We can’t leave her,’ Tory insisted, floating up slowly to get nearer to the girl. ‘Where is your brother now?’

‘He climbed out through the air-duct to try and find out where we were being taken and he hasn’t come back yet.’ She burst into tears. ‘He is all the family I have left.’ In her already exhausted state, the girl’s weeping depleted her, and as she hadn’t the energy to flap her wings any more, she fell towards the floor.

Tory was quick to catch the child before she hit the ground. ‘I’ve got you.’ She held the girl close for reassurance and stroked her head to calm her crying as they came to land on the floor.

Hawk’s heart did a backflip into his throat as he witnessed how the immortal Goddess cared for the Falcon girl. She was truly concerned for the girl’s welfare. She addressed the little mortal stranger as if she were the child of a dear friend put into her keeping, instilling in her charge the feeling that she was precious and cared about — something Hawk had never felt.

The door to the storage hold opened and a large Falcon guard entered, towing a young Falcon lad. ‘I will find that sister of yours, and when I do, you will tell me what you did to our drive system.’

Where Tory was situated, she wasn’t in the intruder’s direct line of sight and she urged the child she held around behind herself. The guard had a pulse laser in hand and none of their crew had a weapon drawn. Raven was down inside the hatch, so it was Hawk and Crow that the armed man spotted as he looked up. ‘What the …?’

The Falcon brothers both reached for their weapons as the guard raised his and took aim at Crow.

‘Mine!’ Tory cried out as she willed the intruder’s weapon from him.

In the split second between the guard pulling the trigger, and the gun leaving the guard’s possession, the pulse laser bullet was thrown off its course and missed Crow by a fraction of an inch.

Before either of the brothers had got a shot away, Tory had the weapon in hand. She switched it from kill to stun to save hitting the lad, swung it around and fired.

As her target dropped, she spotted a second guard entering the room, and launched herself at him to take him into custody. Kicking his weapon aside, she gripped him tightly about the throat. ‘Where were these children bound?’

‘Kila,’ he gasped, startled by the attack.

‘Why there?’ Hawk approached to give Tory a hand.

‘I don’t know,’ whined the guard, until Hawk tried to shove the end of his weapon up his nostril. ‘Nergal planned to torture them, in the hope of forcing the outlaw Lahmu to give himself up.’

‘Thank you.’ Hawk blasted the guard into unconsciousness.

Tory frowned. ‘But I wanted to ask —’

‘No time,’ insisted the captain, grabbing her hand to urge her along.

‘Finch!’ The little girl ran to lead her brother down through the hatch after the other children.

‘Was she made for this occupation, or what?’ Crow appealed to his brother. ‘I guess I owe you a favour, now.’ Crow winked at her, thankful for her timely intervention.

‘I guess so,’ Tory smiled amiably.

‘My body is at your disposal anytime you’re ready,’ he said, glancing at Hawk to see what he was making of their dialogue.

‘Disposal would be the best thing for it.’ Hawk placed a protective arm about Tory’s shoulder and headed her to the hatchway. ‘I feel sure Swan has better things to do than catch your social diseases.’

Tory looked at Hawk, amused that he was defending her honour. ‘And what about your romantic endeavours, Captain?’ She allowed him to pull her close and fly her down into the Bil-me.

‘It helps if one has spent time in some form of society.’ He made light of his inexperience. ‘I’ve spent most of my life out here, on the run.’

Hawk looked about his vessel, now filled with children, and Tory suddenly realised why he’d been so reluctant about taking them on board. It must have been like viewing himself as a lad — it was the painful memories that weren’t welcome, not the children.

Hawk was pleasantly surprised when he suddenly found himself being hugged. ‘What’s this for?”

Tory pulled back, smiling broadly. ‘How does it feel to be a hero?’ she asked, and clearly, the captain hadn’t thought about what his decision meant to the children he’d just saved, who were now all staring adoringly up at him.

The hatch door closed behind Crow, who protested at Hawk getting all the credit. ‘I’m a hero too you know!’

A little child, who Crow had carted to the hold, came forward to hug his leg, and before they knew it, the three of them were caught in the grip of an island of little bodies.

The Governor had been led to a vacated house on the very outskirts of town, and although it appeared tiny from the outside, Brian was assured that a secret passage within led to a much larger dwelling.

‘I wouldn’t have looked in here,’ Rhun commented over Brian’s shoulder as they entered a small bathroom. Kesla and Adair, with a great heave, slid the entire bath forward to reveal a stairway underneath.

‘And where does this go?’ Talynn questioned suspiciously, feeling they were being led into the lion’s lair.

‘To safety,’ Samara informed surely, heading down the stairs with Brian in tow.

‘Come on.’ Rhun encouraged his teammate to loosen up. ‘It won’t kill us to trust these people, now will it?’

Talynn cracked a smile. She liked how cocky Rhun was, both in attitude and expression. Still, he knew that she executed her job better from a distance.

‘If it bothers you so much you can wait here,’ Rhun suggested, turning back to Adair and Kesla. ‘Alright by you guys?’

Both the Leonines were put on the spot. Kesla looked to Adair, who was obviously his superior.

‘And how do we know you’re not working for Nabu?’ Adair expressed their reluctance to agree.

‘How do we know you’re not?’ Talynn became very insistent. Rhun, being the good-natured individual he was, intervened.

‘Easy solved.’ His tone urged everyone to chill out. ‘Why don’t you leave Kesla here with Talynn?’ he asked Adair, who appeared happy with this. It was Talynn who protested.

‘But I may have errands to run,’ she stressed in a low tone.

Rhun was unaffected by her annoyance. ‘Well there’s no reason Kesla cannot go with you.’

Her eyes widened with objection. ‘I prefer to work alone.’ She made a final appeal.

‘Now is that any way to instill confidence in our new allies? If Kesla is a problem then ignore him,’ Rhun suggested, as he proceeded down the stairs.

Suddenly the Vice-Governor was not so amusing to Talynn and with a frustrated grunt, she headed back into the main part of the house as Kesla pushed the bath back into place.

The stairs led to a winding, earthen corridor that extended out in two directions. Brian and Rhun were led past several rooms filled with the living arrangements of a small resistance force. At the end of the passageway was a large operations room, where telecommunications equipment was spread around, although none of it was in use at this time. The twenty or so Leonines in the room were either reading, writing or cataloguing data on a few archaic PKA database systems — the soft-light screens of which had almost had their day.

All present in the room gave a cheer as Brian entered, believing him to be Tyrus-Leon, their enslaved leader, returned to them unharmed. Brian felt truly undeserving of the goodwill they bestowed on him. How was he supposed to handle this?

‘Don’t get too excited,’ Samara warned her people. ‘This is not Tyrus-Leon.’ As she turned her accusing gaze Brian’s way, her associates backed away from the impostor.

Praise the Goddess for that, thought Brian, relieved that he didn’t have to keep up the charade, as he’d never been a very good actor. ‘There has been a case of mistaken identity,’ he confessed, and Rhun rolled his eyes in despair as Brian relinquished his cover at the first opportunity.

‘He admits it!’ Adair was pleased to have his first instinct verified.

Brian assumed his true form, which sent everyone in the room another step backwards, except for Adair and his mother, who stood their ground.

‘Who are you?’ Samara’s eyes narrowed. She’d never actually seen one of the Chosen Ones before, but the man before her certainly fitted the description.

‘My name is Brian Alexander,’ he gently confessed. ‘I am the reigning Governor of Ki—’

‘Lahmu!’ Samara cried out in horror, whereupon every Leonine in the room dropped to the ground to cower at his feet.

Bemused by this turn of events, Brian looked to Rhun, who was grinning broadly. Brian gave his nephew a stern look, thinking he might have had something to do with his predicament.

‘Come on,’ Rhun defended, having not been out of his uncle’s sight since they’d arrived. ‘I’m good, but I ain’t that good.’ He resumed his true appearance also. ‘I swear, I don’t know where they got it from.’

Brian knelt down to try and raise Samara and found that she was silently weeping. ‘Why are you crying, Samara-Leon?’

‘You exist,’ she mumbled.

‘Well, if my existence is going to upset you like this, I shall have to do away with myself,’ he joked and Samara laughed, although she did not rise.

‘Look at me,’ Brian urged, and although she allowed him to tilt her head upwards, she averted her large golden eyes.

‘But you are a God,’ she gasped, hyperventilating with the fear and exhilaration of being this close to the legend.

‘True,’ Brian was reluctant to admit. ‘But to you and your people I am not a God to be feared … for I was once a mortal just as you are.’

The lioness slowly turned her eyes his way. ‘Please forgive my offensive —’

Brian placed a finger to her lips to stop her apology. ‘I was the one attempting to deceive you … although not very well, it seems. Nevertheless, if anyone should apologise, it should be me.’

‘The prophecy unfolds,’ she mumbled, as silent tears of relief rolled down her face. You do have a caring heart, she inwardly observed.

‘So it would seem.’ Brian forced a smile, then frowned. ‘How is it that you know of my connection to the legend of Lahmu?’

‘The same way everybody knows,’ Adair said.

‘Adair.’ Samara reprimanded him for speaking out of turn, but Brian urged them all to stand.

‘No, please speak freely. We can hardly win a revolution on our knees with no communication.’ Brian used humour to appeal to their sense of reason.

Rhun was rather impressed, as the mood in the room lightened considerably and everyone rose to a humble, although upstanding, position. Brian had a greater knack for diplomacy than he gave himself credit for.

‘So, Adair,’ Brian motioned the young man forth, ‘tell me about your source of information?’

‘The pirate broadcaster, Nova, has been keeping every outlaw and resistance movement in the known galaxy informed of your defiance of Nergal,’ Adair advised in an admiring fashion. ‘Did you really tell Nergal that he could stick his seat in —’

‘Adair!’ Samara insisted he’d gone too far.

Brian looked to Rhun, worried that the account was a little too accurate.

His Vice, however, was struggling to suppress his complete rapture; they couldn’t have bought this kind of publicity. ‘He sure did,’ Rhun answered Adair’s question enthusiastically. ‘And do you know what else Lahmu told Nergal?’

‘Rhun!’ Brian sternly cut him short, and then softened his expression. ‘Do we have to make this worse than it already is?’ When Rhun nodded, Brian pulled Adair aside. ‘Where will I find this Nova person?’

‘But … I thought you knew him?’ Adair was confused. ‘Nova gives that impression,’ he explained, and the Leonines around him agreed.

Brian and Rhun both frowned as this news was most curious.

‘In answer to your original question, my Lord,’ Samara spoke up, ‘no one knows where to find Nova. He must stay anonymous and on the move in order to elude Pantheon detection. He broadcasts via a by-directional laser-optic datalink he has with our system. But Nova only downloads when he has an update.’

‘So, he downloads his broadcast and then any reports you have for him are uploaded to the source.’ Brian was familiar with this old method of transferring data through deep space, for wave frequencies dissipated in the vacuum. This process converted data into a laser-optic pulse bullet that plotted a course around stationary obstacles to a designated receiver. Still, unpredictable space phenomena like comets and dust clouds were always interfering with these transmissions. These days a synchronous photon-optic linking system was used, which moved data infinitely faster and there was less chance of data being lost or damaged in transit.

‘I know you must be thinking that our means are very archaic.’ Adair guessed the Gods were too polite to mention the fact. ‘But this old system is very specific to Nova’s needs, for its laser is powered by what my grandfather, the first exponent of the Leonine resistance on Nugia, used to call “smart rocks”.’

‘Smart rocks?’ Rhun grinned at the term.

‘I swear, it’s true,’ Adair insisted. His mother stepped in to explain.

‘The Lord Marduk was aware that minerals had intelligence, but unlike the human soul-mind, it is a collective consciousness that encompasses the entire deposit. After much investigation into fourth-dimension minerals the Lord discovered one that he named a telestial crystal, for it had an extraordinary talent —’

‘Let me guess,’ Rhun smiled, thinking the idea outlandish, ‘telepathy.’

‘Indeed,’ Samara answered surely, as she could tell the Gods were in doubt. ‘When Marduk brought forth a huge chunk of the telestial rock into the physical realm, he discovered that the main body of the rock could telepathically find the smallest splinter of itself, no matter how far removed in space the splintered fragment was from the mother stone. The reason this system serves Nova so well is that, even if a resistance movement is adrift in space, as the pirate DJ is himself, Nova can still locate and transmit to his mobile targets. Every time a new resistance force forms, Nova sends them a transmitter and a receiver.’

Rhun wasn’t looking sceptical now, and raised his eyebrows, impressed by the pirate’s generosity. ‘He is certainly a person of means then,’ he decided, as these communications systems couldn’t have been cheap to put together and God knows how many the DJ had distributed. ‘But how does he know if the rebel force is legitimate?’

‘Oh, the Pantheon receive his transmissions.’ Samara implied that spies were not a problem. In fact, she made it sound as if the DJ welcomed their attention. ‘Nova has always moved on by the time the Nefilim can trace him and give chase.’

As these transmissions could equal the dimensions of a fist-sized ball of light, depending on how much data they were carrying, and were, in appearance, not unlike tiny shooting stars as they raced between transmitter and receiver, Brian had to wonder. ‘So how do you prevent your data linkup being seen?’

‘Our receivers and transmitting beacons are built into the far side of the Su canyon,’ Adair advised. ‘We need the cover of night to prevent the Pantheon’s air surveillance spotting our set up. We have a cloaking device that projects an image of the steep canyon cliffs and camouflages our equipment by day. But, as this shield will damage the data on an optic-transfer, our equipment cannot perform its function efficiently from behind the camouflage. We can only open for transmissions after curfew and we transmit in ultra-violet.’

‘Black light,’ Rhun stated, thinking the arrangement rather clever. ‘How long have you had this setup?’

‘My grandfather established this haven with the help of the Lord Marduk,’ Adair stated proudly for the record.

‘And in all that time the Pantheon have not tracked your transmissions?’ Brian found this unbelievable.

‘It is their arrogance that is their undoing,’ Adair enlightened him, disdain in his voice. ‘They think us far too primitive and suppressed to be this organised. Catching Nova, and Lahmu,’ he nodded to the Lord in acknowledgement, ‘seems to be keeping the Pantheon busy for the present.’

‘Where I come from originally,’ Rhun placed a hand on Adair’s shoulder, ‘the Nefilim used to be referred to as the Lofty Ones. I used to think this was because of their imposing height, but I have come to realise of late that it was the Nefilim’s overdeveloped superiority complex to which our ancient forefather’s referred.’

Adair smiled at Rhun, pleasantly surprised and warmed by their mutual cause and ideas. ‘And who might you be, Lord … if you don’t mind me asking?’

Rhun laughed and then apologised for his rudeness. ‘I am Rhun, Vice-Governor of Kila, at your service.’

Adair was stunned to learn this. ‘But if both the Governor and his Vice are here on Nugia, who has been left to guard your own planet?’

‘My wife, the Governess.’ Brian couldn’t prevent his glance from drifting to Samara, who was holding the fort for her husband.

Do I remind you of her, as you remind me of my Tyrus? she wanted to ask, but decorum prevented it.

‘You are wondering why I appear so much like your husband.’ Brian guessed the cause of her dismayed expression.

Samara nodded, fearing he could read her mind and so she dared not deny it.

‘Do you have somewhere private we could talk?’ he queried with a distinctly softer tone in his voice. When Samara nodded once again and moved to lead the way, Brian turned back to Rhun to instruct: ‘It won’t be long until curfew. Best send Talynn to fetch the others back here before dark.’

‘Done,’ Rhun confirmed and vanished, which left everyone in the room gasping.

‘You are as powerful as the Nefilim,’ Adair announced, rather astounded by the fact.

But not as experienced. Brian’s thought was contrary to the cocky smile on his face. ‘And there are many, many more of us,’ he informed Adair, not wanting to put a dampener on his excitement.

‘Do you plan to free my father?’ Adair appealed hopefully, and his mother turned back to hear the response.

‘I plan to free every enslaved soul in this galaxy,’ Brian told the young man with certainty. ‘Starting with Tyrus-Leon.’

15

AND LOVING IT!

Everyone on board the Bil-me had their hands full.

Seagull was working overtime in the kitchen feeding the hungry mass of children they’d taken on board. Chook was in the crew washroom, herding the older boys through the showers. Hawk was taking care of sleeping arrangements, whilst Crow had volunteered for the clothes washing detail just to escape the chaos. Raven, having already made contact with Nova, was awaiting another by-directional data linkup with the DJ, hoping he would advise of a safe destination for their excess of living cargo.

Tory was in the captain’s private washroom and, having ushered all the older girls through it already, she was currently scrubbing her way through the younger children. Fortunately, Hawk was a big man and his cleansing tube was large enough to fit several of the youngsters at once.

When Hawk entered his quarters to find it in complete anarchy, he had to wonder if Tory was still alive in there. A bunch of clean six year olds were bouncing up and down on his bed. Dirty youngsters were rumbling all over the floor and attempting to penetrate the bed space; the older, cleaner kids were deflecting them.

‘Oi, you lot.’ Tory stuck her head out of the washroom to reprimand the clean kids. ‘I told you to go see Seagull.’ There was a unanimous whine in response. ‘Do it now, please,’ she instructed them, calmly but sternly, and they gave up their protest and pottered off past Hawk, saluting him as they passed.

‘Clean troops, dismissed,’ he responded with a smile as he watched them depart. ‘You handled that well.’ He seemed surprised by the children’s obedience.

‘They’re good kids.’ Tory ruffled the filthy hair of the Leonine female who was next in line. ‘Have you come to help?’

‘Can I?’ Hawk queried her back. He’d never had much to do with kids, so he wasn’t sure where to start.

‘It’s easy.’ Tory raised a finger and beckoned him closer. ‘You just strip them off and usher them in and out. Then I’ll tend to any injuries, and get them dressed. If Crow,’ she raised her voice to a shout, ‘ever shows up with the clean clothes!’

Crow came powering into the cabin hauling a large basket and all the children dived aside to make way for him. Hawk was not fast enough to move and so got bumped out of the way. ‘There you go, your Majesty!’ He threw the basket down at Tory’s feet.

‘Thank you,’ she said calmly, pointing to the new pile of soiled clothes on the floor outside the washroom door.

‘Not more!’ Crow grumbled as he began gathering up the stinky laundry. ‘I’m not built for this parenting crap!’ He stood with his load, repulsed by the smell. ‘You little shits had better learn to stay clean, cause I ain’t doing this again,’ he snarled, and exited, leaving a trail of laundry behind him.

Hawk stood, stupefied by the fact that Tory had his brother doing laundry.

‘Are you up for this, or what?’ Tory raised her brow questioningly.

‘Sure. How hard can it be?’ Hawk edged his way through the crowds of adoring youngsters to kneel at the front of the line and commence his task. When Hawk realised that a little girl was the first in line to be undressed, he seemed a little awkward about disrobing her.

It amused Tory greatly when the little Leonine female raised her arms, eager to be of aid to the captain.

‘Many thanks …?’ Hawk prompted the girl for her name.

‘Meline,’ she told him, bursting into a huge smile.

‘That’s a very pretty name,’ he told her, whipping off her dirty top, and as he removed the rest of Meline’s clothes and sent her on to Tory, Tory gave him a wink of encouragement.

‘Handled like an old pro,’ she assured the captain, who appeared rather pleased with himself as he moved on to the next child.

As the last two children were dressed and sent off to the kitchen, Tory collapsed onto the bed to take five.

Hawk fell onto his stomach beside her. ‘How could something so enjoyable be so exhausting?’

‘Makes you appreciate your own parents’ efforts, doesn’t it?’ Tory gazed at the ceiling, wishing she had some recollection of her folks. After a few moments she looked to Hawk, noticing that he’d gone rather quiet. He was looking rather forlorn.

‘I don’t remember them at all,’ he explained, restraining his pent-up feelings on the matter as best he could. ‘My father was not a good subordinate, you see? He spoke his mind once too often and Nergal, the head of the Pantheon …’ he explained for her benefit, ‘… had my father and mother thrown to a Lahmuian mutant in the arena.’

Although Tory didn’t know what a Lahmuian mutant was, it certainly didn’t sound like a very enticing fate. Her heart went out to Hawk for the obvious pain the memory caused him.

‘Crow and myself were sold into slavery — he was eight years old, I was two.’ When Hawk’s attention turned from his tragic past to Tory, he was surprised to find tears streaming down her face. ‘Hey, no need to be upset. Our bondage didn’t last long.’ He forced a smile.

‘Crow got you out?’ Tory gathered this was why Hawk was so tolerant of his older brother these days.

Hawk nodded, his loyalty to his only kin written plainly on his face. ‘He kept me alive … taught me everything I know.’ The captain had trouble finishing his sentence as his emotion welled. ‘So, today’s little experience makes me appreciate his efforts all the more.’ He turned away to hide a tear that was escaping his eye.

‘Well, Crow couldn’t be all bad then.’ Tory spoke up to lighten the mood. ‘You certainly turned out alright.’ She slapped a hand down on his shoulder and gave it a rub.

‘Swan?’ Hawk wondered where her better judgement had got to. ‘I’m an outlaw.’

‘No,’ she disagreed. ‘You’re a hero.’ As Hawk rolled his eyes at her exaggeration, Tory placed a hand to his cheek and drew his attention once more. ‘If the Pantheon were not in power, you would be hailed as a Prince among men for today’s little piece of work. These children are deeply indebted to you for their lives … as am I.’

Her voice faltered. Hawk gazed at Tory, astonished by her tenderness. She truly felt for him! The revelation set his heart pounding in his chest and the thumping seemed to resound all the way up into his throat. His secret fantasy had suddenly manifested before his eyes, as he beheld the face of a woman longing for his kiss. As he ventured closer to the object of his desire, the pirate realised he was about to defy the only interstellar law he’d yet to break.

Raven meandered into the captain’s cabin, looking over his printout. ‘Got it! Nova sent us a des—’ Looking up to find the intimate scene he was interrupting, Raven immediately began to back up quietly.

Thwarted one second short of his wildest aspiration, Hawk watched Tory sit to attention as if she’d been busted misbehaving, and he felt that nothing short of killing Raven would truly make up for what he’d lost.

‘Shit, I’m sorry. Please continue,’ Raven urged in a panic as he watched his captain raise himself, the magic of the moment lost.

‘Don’t apologise, Raven, the door was open,’ Tory told him, hoping her approach might help the pilot lose his guilt and encourage Hawk to stop glaring at Raven. ‘What did Nova have to say?’ She wiped the excess of tears from her eyes and tried to sound interested as she neared him.

‘Um …’ Raven hesitated. He’d never been on the receiving end of Hawk’s anger before and it was very unnerving. ‘Tarazean is a safe haven. Apparently …’ Raven seemed reluctant to mention it now, considering how attached his captain had become to their immortal guest. ‘… many of the Chosen Ones fled there.’

‘What?’ The information rocked Tory and she glanced aside at Hawk as he came to stand beside her. She was just starting to fit in here — she liked the pirate life and wasn’t sure if she even wanted to know who she’d been before Hawk had found her. ‘May I see?’ Raven handed over the printout and backed up to the hatchway. ‘How long will it take us to reach Tarazean?’

Raven seemed even more reluctant to answer. ‘Lunchtime tomorrow.’ He looked from Tory to Hawk and back again. ‘Sorry, friends.’ He left them alone.

Tory read the printout and handed it to Hawk. ‘I suppose it’s good news for the kids.’ She tried to find a bright side.

‘And good news for you.’ Hawk looked at the printout, although he was too distraught to read it. ‘You’ll finally be where you belong, Swan.’

‘I feel I belong here,’ Tory ventured, taking his comment the wrong way.

Inside, Hawk wanted to tell her that she was the miracle of his life, but he also knew that he had no right to claim her. Undoubtedly, such a treasure belonged to a man who was far more deserving. ‘I know you don’t belong here,’ he told her, truthfully, in a rather jovial but callous fashion, all the while struggling to contain the tears of denial that were forming a lump in his throat.

‘Seagull said we’re ready for bed now.’

The couple looked down to find a pack of youngsters, who had been designated to sleep in the captain’s bed.

‘I’ll see to it.’ Tory repressed her hurt feelings, and put on a happy face for the children.

‘I’ll leave you to it then.’ Hawk made a quick exit to seek a place to stabilise his scattered sensibilities. There was a small technician’s room just behind the flight deck that wasn’t too far afoot, and Hawk made haste to enter it and lock himself within.

Nova’s broadcasts were something of an event for the little underground community of Su — the good news he bore, and the hope the pirate DJ gave them, was the highlight of their whole existence. Every inhabitant of the hidden burrow crammed into the operations room to see if their phantom broadcaster would make contact and bring them up to date with the state of the galaxy.

‘Shield wall deactivated, receiver open for by-directional linkup,’ announced the operator, ‘awaiting down-link.’

Adair had recorded a memo, requesting Nova to make contact with him to discuss a sensitive issue.

As the identity of their Governor’s number one fan was unknown to Rhun, he didn’t want the DJ to know that Lahmu was on Nugia in case he blew their cover. All Rhun was hoping to establish via their communication was some idea of the DJ’s identity, or perhaps arrange a meeting. In reality, he couldn’t see the phantom DJ agreeing to that, as Rhun felt sure the Pantheon had already tried to lure Nova out of hiding with the promise of a meeting with Lahmu. Nova would surely think they were baiting him. But Rhun needed to find out how extensive the DJ’s following was, and thus, how large his Governor’s following was.

Talynn finally reported back with Thais and Kesla.

‘Where are Cadwell and Neriada?’ Rhun asked.

‘They found safe accommodation and are staying put,’ she replied, fully expecting an objection.

‘I don’t think so,’ protested Rhun. ‘I know what that son of mine has in mind —’

‘It was my idea,’ Talynn admitted, glancing at Adair warily. ‘If I do not contact them regularly with an update, they shall call in additional forces and come seek us out.’

Rhun thought Talynn’s measures unnecessary, but then, she was so good at her job that the instance never arose when he was alarmed about security. Rhun figured he could afford to be blasé when Talynn was on the job.

‘Fair enough,’ Rhun conceded with a smile, at last.

‘I think you misjudge us.’ Adair took offence to Talynn’s motive.

Rhun turned to the young man, still smiling broadly. ‘You can neither be too careful, nor too confident where the Pantheon are concerned.’ Rhun let Adair know that the precaution was to their mutual benefit.

‘I’m sure you’re right, Lord,’ Adair backed down. He still seemed rather out of sorts with Talynn, though.

‘Please don’t take it personally.’ Talynn managed a smile to explain: ‘It is my job to suspect everyone, and to anticipate that which is most unexpected.’

‘Down-link established.’ The operator kept them up to date with the proceedings. ‘Receiving and translating data now … looks like it’s all audio,’ he advised, switching on the loudspeakers.

‘What! No visual?’ Rhun objected. ‘We don’t get to see him?’

‘Nova only ever sends visual when he’s got incriminating footage to air and has certainly never broadcast pictures of himself,’ Adair explained, and as Rhun wallowed in his disappointment, Adair thought it a good time to beg his leave. ‘Perhaps I should go see what has become of my mother and Lahmu?’

Rhun gave a vague nod in response and Adair departed.

As the young Leonine male headed towards his mother’s chambers, he had horrid visions of finding her in the throes of passion with the God. Adair felt that if this were the case, the Lord would fall greatly short of his expectations. Lahmu would be taking advantage of the volatile emotions of a lonely woman, who missed her husband desperately.

Adair boldly burst into the room without knocking, to find that he’d been rudely mistaken about what was taking place within.

Lahmu sat across the room from Samara. She was calm and at peace in the wake of what had clearly been nothing more than a discussion.

‘What is it, Adair?’ Samara asked, not perturbed in the slightest that he hadn’t bothered to knock.

‘We have a report from Nova,’ he advised, without withdrawing.

As his mother and Lahmu raised themselves to make for the operations room, Samara wore a smile of sheer happiness, the like of which Adair had not seen adorn her face since his father’s departure. What was more confusing was that her joy was not directed at the Lord, but seemed to stem from an inward pleasure.

‘Nova could tell me nothing more wondrous than that I have just heard,’ Samara commented in a breezy fashion on her way past her son, and then turned back to address Brian. ‘Thank you for sharing the truth with me, Lahmu. I realise you didn’t have to.’

‘It was for the best,’ Brian advised.

Although she wondered at the meaning of his odd response, Samara kept her smile and moved off down the corridor.

‘Forgive me, Lord.’ Adair spoke up to gain Brian’s attention before he departed. ‘It seems I have misjudged you several times in one day.’

Brian found Adair’s confession most amusing and laughed out loud. He’d thought it rather odd that the lad had burst into his mother’s chamber without warning just now. ‘Your mother is a very attractive woman. Don’t think I wasn’t tempted by her attention,’ Brian did a little confessing of his own. ‘But the love she craves is not mine,’ he concluded, slapping a hand on Adair’s shoulder. ‘We must fetch her true love back and set her heart to rights, ay?’

Adair was deeply moved by Brian’s lighthearted manner. ‘That is my greatest wish, Lord,’ he acknowledged in all seriousness.

‘And my destiny,’ Brian confirmed, beginning to take his quest more seriously.

Samara had already told him that the mining ventures on Nugia were all underground, and very hard to penetrate, as there was usually only one very heavily guarded entrance. The mining operations were also numerous. Although they’d heard rumours of what had become of Tyrus-Leon, the truth was he could be anywhere, if he was still alive at all.

‘We will get your father out,’ Brian said convincingly. ‘I have a plan.’

‘You do?’ Adair asked, surprised and excited.

Sort of, thought Brian, ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘But before we discuss it, let me first address the enigma of DJ Nova.’

Greetings, interstellar trouble seekers, Nova commenced his audio broadcast. It seems you have all been hard at work since last we beamed, for I have many good tidings to convey.

‘I don’t recognise the voice,’ Rhun commented aside to his Governor.

‘You wouldn’t,’ Samara uttered, quietly. ‘Nova uses a myriad of different voices, but never his own.’

‘Dammit,’ Rhun cursed. ‘The man is elusive.’

‘Or woman?’ Samara suggested and Brian nodded to agree that she may well be right.

The latest word in from my agent on Kila is that Nergal is being thwarted on every front in his attempt to wreak destruction and force Lahmu out of hiding there … and I mean every front!

‘What does he mean “his agent on Kila”?’ Rhun wondered. ‘It couldn’t be one of our people.’

Brian waved his Vice to silence to hear the rest of the transmission.

Some Falcon sympathisers with Lahmu’s cause have taken out my award for ‘humanitarianism in political sabotage’, for they have intercepted a cargo of children bound for torture on Kila. And, as I can fully appreciate how annoyed my dear Lord Nergal is going to be by this event, I’ve arranged a real warm welcome where my feathered friends are bound.

Nova went on to explain how the children had been of various tribes and all under age ten. Everyone present in the operations room gave a standing ovation to the bravery of the foreign human breed who had come to the rescue of some of their own kind.

So who is the lucky Nefilim who gets to front up to Nergal and explain this bungle? The queen of pain herself, the beautiful, the deadly, Tashmet. The DJ broke into hysterical laughter.

The riotous reaction this news roused in the Leonine gathering bordered on euphoric frenzy. Tashmet had ruled their planet with an iron fist for eons. It was music to their ears that she was to get a taste of her own medicine.

Brian found himself enchanted by the broadcaster. Nova was uniting the races by getting them rooting for one another against their common enemy. Even if the information was false, which Brian doubted, he still had to love the phantom for the great job he was doing in human relations. Brian also found it interesting that Nova’s announcement implied that Nabu was the only immortal residing in the Su Palace at present. A smile formed on his face as he considered that conquering this planet might be a whole lot easier than he thought — if the news was legitimate.

Those Centaurs on Karleashian finally got their shit together, and yes, Nergal, that means you have yet another resistance force to contend with.

Shocked to learn of the existence of a colony of Centaurs, Brian looked to Thais who looked completely floored by the news.

As far as Thais had known, he and his mate, Hero, were the sole remnants of his breed. They’d never had children for fear that once grown, their offspring could never hope to find a suitable mate. The news was both horrendous and heartwarming to Thais — he’d just discovered his distant kindred, but they were a race enslaved and abused.

But, not to worry my stallion friends, Nergal thinks I’m full of lies and why bother looking for another rebel force that obviously doesn’t exist … how could it? When all are slaves or righteous supporters of the Pantheon. Still, I fear my Lord’s dear wife, Ereshkigal, will have a few unexplained happenings to report from Karleashian in the near future.

As Thais approached, Brian knew just what he was thinking.

‘I must investigate.’ Thais proved predictable.

‘One planet at a time, Thais.’ Brian encouraged him to have a little patience and faith. ‘Today we’ll hand Nugia back to the Leonines, and tomorrow we shall reclaim Karleashian for your people.’

‘Let me go ahead alone,’ Thais begged.

‘Sorry.’ Brian hated to deny Thais, but he had other plans. ‘I need you to come with me right now, but I promise our errand won’t take long.’

‘Where are you going?’ Adair wanted to know. ‘What if Nova calls back?’

‘Patch his call through to my new residence,’ Brian requested, as the Chosen Ones present gathered around to accompany the Governor to his new destination.

‘And where might that be?’ Adair needed an address if it was to be at all possible.

‘I’ll be staying at the Su Palace,’ Brian boasted. ‘You must come visit me there soon.’

As the Governor and his party vanished, the Leonines didn’t know what to make of his claim.

‘Surely he doesn’t mean to confront Nabu on his own ground?’ Samara found herself fretting for her husband’s lookalike.

Adair smiled at this. ‘I think Lahmu means everything he says.’

Once all the children were asleep in their designated beds, Tory headed for the flight deck, hoping to find Hawk.

She felt sure he hadn’t meant what he’d said, about her not belonging on his crew. After she’d saved all their butts on their last misadventure? But then, why would he lie?

Tory was alarmed to find a steady stream of smoke rising from the pilot’s seat and she approached quickly to see what was on fire. ‘Oh Raven,’ she exclaimed, relieved to find the smoke emanating from a long paper tube he held in his hand. ‘I thought we had an alert.’ She waved away the smoke and collapsed into the co-pilot’s seat.

Raven shook his head, placing the offending item in his mouth and puffing away madly. ‘To the contrary, things are very chilly here, my dear,’ he grinned, high as a kite. ‘Do you indulge?’ He offered the smoke to her.

‘I don’t think so,’ she decided, as the smoke drifted into her eye and stung like mad. ‘Although, the smell does seem vaguely familiar.’

‘It is distinctive.’ Placing the tube back in his mouth, he turned to address a flashing light on his console.

‘I was looking for Hawk. Have you seen him?’

Raven was surprised by her question. ‘He disappeared hours ago. I thought he must have been hiding out with you somewhere.’ He winked at her, and roused a shy smile from their guest.

Tory shook her head, thinking his assumption farfetched. ‘I really don’t think he’s very interested —’

Raven burst into hysterical laughter. ‘Sorry Swan.’ He struggled to repress his amusement. ‘Oh shit …’ he drew a deep breath, ‘… love is blind.’ He gave another couple of chuckles and finally regained control.

‘You think I’m mistaken then?’ Tory dropped her tone and leant closer to the pilot, eager for him to expand on his opinion.

‘The interest is there, my sweet. Believe me!’ he emphasised. ‘I think that perhaps Hawk feels undeserving… you are a Goddess, after all.’

‘Would our association normally be deemed unlawful then?’ Tory wondered if this was more the reason that Hawk was hesitant to get close.

‘He’s broken just about every law there damn well is to break!’ Raven scoffed. ‘Pantheon law is not his worry.’

‘You think?’ Tory was not fully convinced.

Raven looked her square in the eye to satisfy her doubt. ‘It wouldn’t stop me.’

Tory was touched by his argument. ‘Thank you.’ She leant across and kissed the pilot’s cheek.

‘You’d best go find him then,’ Raven suggested, feeling honoured to be in such good favour with a Goddess. ‘All our extended crew will be awake and demanding your attention before you know it.’

Tory nodded, walking swiftly from the flight deck. No sooner had she stepped into the corridor, than she felt someone grab her wrist. This was startling, and looking around she found Hawk. His eyes were darker than usual, and swollen, although they were dry at present.

‘Shh.’ He held a finger to his lips and urged her, with a gentle tug, to join him inside the small tech-room.

Brightly lit panels of equipment illuminated the room, and it was rather snug size-wise.

‘Swan, I’ve lied to you.’ Hawk turned to address her after securing the hatch door behind them. ‘I believe —’

Tory clamped a hand over his mouth. ‘I know what you’re going to say and I don’t care.’

Hawk removed her hand. ‘No, you don’t.’

‘Is this confession leading to a kiss, because that’s all I wish to know?’ she boldly insisted.

‘If you would just hear me out, I feel sure you won’t be considering that eventuality any longer,’ Hawk was sad to say.

‘I’ll take that as a no.’ Tory moved him out of the way to open the door.

‘Swan …’ Hawk grabbed hold of her shoulders to prevent her from leaving and turned her about to face him. ‘Why are you making this so difficult?’

‘Because I’m in love with you,’ she blurted out, rather vexed by the fact. ‘I don’t care about any stupid law,’ she thumped him away from her, ‘or who I used to be! What I care about …’ she grabbed his leather vest and pulled Hawk close once more, ‘is that, here and now, I’ve met the most incredible man, who, by lunchtime tomorrow, is going to vanish out of my life! What should I do, Captain? What would you do?’ She shook him to prompt a response, as Hawk was completely dumbfounded — but only for a second.

He pulled Tory close and kissed her long and soft. As her body hugged close to his, their kiss became more frenzied. When it ended, Hawk kissed her face, her neck and shoulders.

‘I have no idea what I’m doing,’ Tory confessed in a sultry whisper, welcoming the sensation that his hands aroused as they skimmed over her body. ‘Still, I have this dying urge to get naked.’

‘Whoa, yeah,’ Hawk agreed, and emerging from his rapture he whispered: ‘It figures that the one time I really need my cabin, it’s full of kids. This …’ he looked around the tech-room, ‘… is about as unromantic as it gets.’

‘Really?’ Tory’s eyes remained glued to his face as she reached behind her neck and unfastened her top. ‘I can’t say that I noticed.’

As the flimsy material fell to her waist, leaving the Goddess half-naked before him, Hawk felt compelled to admit: ‘Breaking the law has never been so sweet.’

The restraint his brother had insisted the Goddess wear drew his attention. ‘No need for this anymore.’ He detached from her wrist the source of the only deliberate lie he’d told her and cast it aside — for he could not, in good conscience, make love to this woman unless she knew all that he did. Without the device, Hawk knew his guest would regain her telepathic ability, and so wrapped his arms about her and engaged her in a deep, loving kiss.

In his mind he ran through what he’d suspected all along — that Crow had lied to him — but due to his fascination with this immortal warrior woman, he’d hesitated to voice his suspicion. Deep down he’d realised that Crow had been lying when he denied knowing Swan before. She was the Chosen One he’d kidnapped for Nergal and left unconscious in a spaceship about to self-destruct. Crow’s target had been the ex-Governess of Kila, sister of Lahmu and wife of the legendary Dragon, Maelgwn Gwynedd, whose praises Nova had sung for many years.

As the information began pouring into her brain, Tory felt all the more compelled to love Hawk, for she was also perceiving the intense attraction he felt for her and the feelings of inferiority that had kept him at bay. ‘If only you could read my mind, and know how much I don’t care.’ She wiped the tears from his face and drew his forehead down to rest against her own. ‘I’ll worry about my past, tomorrow. Only the present truly exists … and, right now, all I care about is you.’

Hawk felt more deeply moved at this moment than he had in his entire troubled existence. ‘Do you not fear that what we are about to do might be a sin against creation?’

‘Is it not creation that compels us to feel as we do?’ Tory reasoned. ‘You can’t always trust what life has led you to think, which is why I believe my prior earthly knowledge has been taken from me. I have only my higher instinct to guide me in this affair, and therefore, I can only think that you deserve to know the love you inspire in me … you and no one else.’

His heart exploded with her words and he could not speak, for never before in conscious memory had another living soul professed to love him.

Tory thought it all the more reason to bestow her affection upon him. After everything this soul had endured throughout his life, he’d more than earned the right to feel loved. And, what’s more, Tory felt she would die where she stood if she could not fulfil the curious desire to be one with him, the desire that had possessed her being since the instant they’d met.

Hawk’s mouth caressed a trail from Tory’s forehead to her lips and, within their blissful delirium, the young captain felt the fear of the Pantheon and their laws, and his own low self-esteem, being torn away. Stripped naked to his own feelings, Hawk found himself in complete empathy with Tory — he’d never known love to feel so right.

At the one entrance to the Su Palace on Nugia, it was looking like another quiet night on the job for the four huge Leonine warriors who guarded the gatehouse. In fact, this shift was proving to be exceedingly quiet, as there hadn’t been a report of anyone even so much as being sighted breaking curfew. The guards chatted amongst themselves to pass the non-eventful hours and stay awake.

‘Sorry to interrupt your meeting, chaps.’ Brian drew the guards’ attention to his six-man band.

The guards immediately drew their weapons, startled by the appearance of the six alien humans, as Brian had picked up Cadwell and Neriada en route. The pathway to the gatehouse was long, open and lit well at this time of night; no one could have crept up on the guard post so fast without being spotted. The four Leonines began to tremble as they realised that their uninvited guests had to be Chosen Ones.

‘State your business,’ the head guard got the courage to demand. ‘Or I shall be forced to …’

‘Kill me?’ Brian queried, whereby the guard was forced to rethink his strategy. ‘Not to worry, my friend.’ Brian set the warrior at ease with his light, friendly manner. ‘I am here to see your Lord. I don’t have an appointment, but I feel quite sure he will see me.’

‘Who are you?’ The guard stammered out his query.

‘Tell Nabu that Lahmu is here to see him.’ Brian used his alias at Rhun’s suggestion to see if the legend had infiltrated the palace. Brian hadn’t even finished the sentence before all four guards had their faces in the dirt at his feet, begging forgiveness for serving their evil master. The Governor looked to his Vice, who was clearly delighted that all was going to plan.

‘It was just a hunch?’ Rhun explained, giving Brian a cocky grin that encouraged him to proceed.

‘Gentlemen, please.’ Brian hoisted all the Leonines back to their feet. ‘It is from your people that you must seek forgiveness. All I require from you is a little cooperation.’

‘Anything, Lord,’ the head gatekeeper appealed, and began to sink to his knees again.

Brian grabbed the guard by the shirt to keep him standing. ‘If you would be so kind as to open the gate, we would be greatly obliged.’

‘Why … it would be my honour.’ The large, burly Leonine bowed low.

All the way through the palace the gatehouse guard pronounced the arrival of Lahmu and guards stepped aside, as if they’d been secretly awaiting the event for some time.

‘This is proving a lot easier than I imagined.’ Rhun voiced his reservation, mainly for Brian’s benefit.

‘It’s got to be a trap.’ Cadwell offered his view, which was usually more optimistic.

‘I agree,’ Talynn seconded, as she checked the place for surveillance and booby traps.

‘I think you’re all underestimating the extent of Nova’s influence on these people.’ Thais strolled along behind the Governor’s party, clearly at ease with the proceedings. ‘The DJ has made our dear Governor more famous than Ra, Jesus Christ or the master Buddha was, back on Gaia. I am talking centuries of legend, Governor, that you shouldn’t be afraid to use to your advantage. After all, the legend was created with the very intent of aiding your coming to greatness.’

Brian was startled to a standstill. ‘You know who Nova is?’ His query bordered on accusation.

Thais gave a shy smile. ‘I have merely speculated on the possibilities.’

‘Uh-hum!’ Talynn cleared her throat to protest their pause.

‘Might I suggest we discuss this after we complete our business here?’ Rhun urged the Governor to keep moving.

When, finally, they came to the throne room inside the Su Palace, beyond which lay the private abode of Nabu and Tashmet, Brian was pleasantly surprised to find Nabu’s personal guard had taken up a defensive position outside the doors. The force showed no sign of stepping aside and allowing his party entry.

‘I am Gallard, Viceroy to the Lord Nabu,’ a rather overweight, regal-looking Leonine came forth to announce. ‘My Lord wishes to advise that he has no desire to meet with anyone at this time.’

The thirty or so guards behind the Viceroy raised their blasters ready to fire.

Brian smiled, inspired by the message. ‘But you know I am wanted by the Pantheon?’ He needled the Viceroy with the query. ‘Surely the mighty Nabu would not pass up the opportunity to take me into custody? Surely he is smart enough to devise a means to entrap and contain six immortals?’ With a wave of his hand, Brian willed every weapon aimed at him to hit the ceiling and tried not to appear too surprised as his desire became real. Maelgwn was right, our capabilities are only limited by the imagination.

The Viceroy’s confident manner crumbled as the immortal warrior called his bluff. ‘Nabu has other more pressing business to attend,’ Gallard insisted, as he broke into a worried sweat.

‘He’s not here, you mean?’ Brian suggested, aiding the official to admit the truth.

‘Exactly,’ conceded the Viceroy. He had no desire to try to lie to six beings who all possessed the same psychic potential as his current master.

‘So there is no immortal on Nugia to challenge me at this time?’ Brian made his intentions fairly plain with the query.

‘No, my Lord Lahmu, there is not.’ Gallard was not happy about it. He’d learnt over the years how to humour Nabu and Tashmet and now he faced a whole new fight to save his skin. ‘I throw myself and the governorship of this planet upon your mercy, Lord.’ He bowed low, as did the entire guard that blocked the doorway to the throne room. ‘What have you planned for us?’

‘Well.’ Brian rubbed his hands together, gleeful at this fortunate turn of events. ‘That really depends on how helpful you are willing to be, Gallard?’

‘Oh, I’m simply a hive of information, sire.’ The Viceroy raised his eyes, keen to get on the good side of the new presiding Lords.

Brian’s party moved in closer to the official, eager to achieve their objective as quickly as possible. ‘Do you know the details of all Nabu’s mining ventures here?’

‘Oh yes, Lords. I know all … I have maps, annals, export details, the lot!’ He began to chuckle nervously, overwhelmed to have so many of the Gods looking down on him at once.

‘Do you know where to find Tyrus-Leon?’ Brian challenged.

Gallard was mortified by the question, as he’d been responsible for having the rebel leader enslaved. He shuddered as he noted the physical resemblance Lahmu had to Tyrus. ‘I knew you reminded me of —’

Talynn gripped the Viceroy round the back of the neck. ‘Just answer Lahmu’s question,’ she advised.

‘Tyrus-Leon was condemned to the hell-pit and is probably dead by now,’ the official spat out. ‘Nobody lasts years on that chain gang.’

‘Well, perhaps somebody should go and find out what has become of my loyal subject?’ Brian suggested, but as Gallard moved off on hands and knees to comply, he grabbed him back. ‘But not you.’

‘Yes, my, Lord.’ Gallard bowed repeatedly. ‘I live only to serve you.’

‘No.’ Brian squatted, and held up a finger to correct him. ‘From now on you live only to serve your people, just as it should have been all along. I want every one of your people released from slavery.’ Brian stood once more to make an announcement. ‘As of now, all mining ventures on Nugia are officially closed down.’

Horror danced with elation on the Viceroy’s face, and every Leonine within earshot began to cheer. Could they dare to believe that the nightmare rule of the Pantheon was truly coming to an end as predicted? Or would today’s little adventure only serve to bring the Pantheon’s wrath down upon their tiny city? ‘With all due respect, Lord,’ Gallard timidly cleared his throat to voice an opinion. ‘Nabu will seek retribution, and our defences are minimal against the might of the Pantheon.’

‘Oh, I don’t know,’ Brian theorised, raising Gallard up and taking him under his arm to steer him to the throne room door. ‘I suppose it depends on if you care about saving the city, or if you care more about saving your kindred and improving their lot in the long run?’

‘Well … both,’ Gallard said, as Brian raised the Viceroy’s hand and placed it on the PKA plate that opened the doors; the barrier vanished. ‘What good will it do to save my people if they have nowhere to live?’ he reasoned.

As Brian eyed the opulent splendour of the imperial chamber, he could see why the Viceroy wanted assurances that the city would be protected. ‘But surely you have living arrangements underground to accommodate the slave drivers and workers in the mines?’ Brian strolled into the heart of the palace he’d just stolen, proud of his achievement but impervious to the wealth of his acquisition. ‘I’ve heard the mines are virtually impenetrable from the outside.’

Gallard was repulsed by the idea. ‘You can’t expect the upper-class citizens of Su to move down there!’

Brian turned back to address the overfed official, not really surprised by his ridiculous protest. ‘If they want to live, they won’t have much choice now, will they?’ This response must have put things into perspective for the Viceroy; he fell silent. Brian then looked to his team, who had followed him into the throne room and were turning in circles and gaping at the decadence of the decor. ‘Talynn,’ Brian called for her attention. ‘Please fetch Samara, Adair and their people here, and let me know if they’ve re-established communication with Nova yet.’

Talynn nodded in confirmation of the order, and vanished.

‘Cadwell, I want you and Neriada to take some of Gallard’s men and find Tyrus-Leon.’ As Brian gave the command the Viceroy directed several of his men, loitering by the doors, to accompany the Gods on Lahmu’s errand. ‘And you, my good Viceroy …’ Gallard jumped as Brian slapped a hand down on his shoulder, ‘… can give the rest of us the guided tour of Nabu’s business dealings.’

‘I wish to request permission to investigate the situation on Karleashian, Governor.’ Thais stepped forward to appeal for leave.

‘Not until you tell me who Nova is.’ Brian gave his response in a jovial strain, but Thais knew he meant it well enough.

‘I honestly cannot say.’ Thais’ eyes fell upon Gallard, as he was not too sure he trusted Nabu’s Viceroy.

Brian noted this and thought it a wise move to dismiss the official for the moment. ‘Gallard, why don’t you go assemble some of that data we’ll need to look at.’

‘At once, Lord.’ Gallard rushed from their presence, thankful to be leaving.

‘No transmitting now,’ Brian warned the official. ‘I’ll have someone checking the city’s network. If I find out anyone has tried to warn the Pantheon about our endeavours here, I shall hold you personally responsible.’

‘Woe is me,’ the Viceroy whined, as he escaped the throne room.

‘Now,’ Brian looked back to Thais. ‘I know you suspect someone … who?’

‘Does it really matter who the DJ is?’ Thais reasoned, wondering why they were wasting time musing over the issue. ‘He has been your ally since before you were born! Reports have it that DJ Nova is not a recent phenomenon.’

‘He’s an immortal,’ Rhun concluded, most interested in Thais’ statement. ‘And as none of the Chosen were even aware of the legend of Lahmu until recently, chances are Nova isn’t one of us.’ He narrowed the possibilities down considerably. ‘Holy heck. He has to be one of the Pantheon!’ Rhun was so shocked, he laughed.

‘Correct,’ Thais granted. ‘Now, there are only a half dozen Nefilim with us, and well disposed towards the human races. There were even fewer who were well disposed towards humans prior to the Gathering, fifty years ago.’

‘There was only Gibal, Micah and Micah’s spouse, Shala.’ Brian, being knowledgeable about political history, named the Gods in question. ‘Nabu was on our side then, or rather, he was secretly allied to Marduk. But who can say if he really was pro the human cause and not just a spy for Nergal?’

‘Gibal has the Aten for mobility and was the closest associate to Marduk during his banishment.’ Rhun made his guess at the DJ’s true persona.

‘But it was Micah who jumped into the arena to come to our defence.’ Brian leant more towards this Lord as the prime suspect. ‘And it was Micah who made us aware of the legend in the first place.’

‘But how can we be sure the DJ is an ally?’ Rhun decided to play devil’s advocate for a moment. ‘Nova could be some long-term Nefilim insurance policy, designed specifically to snare Lahmu should he ever arise from legend to challenge them.’

‘Well,’ Thais raised his eyebrows to point out, ‘he was right about Tashmet not being on Nugia.’

‘Yes, he was, wasn’t he,’ Brian admitted, and it gave him hope that the DJ’s report on Kila was also true. ‘Then, perhaps, once you find the rebel base on Karleashian you could try and get word to us via the DJ?’

The suggestion made Thais smile for he knew this meant his departure was imminent.

‘The rest of us shall seek you out as soon as we batten down the hatches here on Nugia.’ Brian placed a hand on his advisor’s shoulder in encouragement. ‘By the next time we meet, we shall know for sure just how helpful and accurate the DJ’s information truly is.’

Thais took a deep breath, not wanting to consider the possibility that his quest might turn out to be a complete farce. ‘That we will, Governor … that we will.’

16

THE PAST CALLING

Their immediate desire exhausted overnight, it was difficult to part in the knowledge that they would never know the intimacy of the other’s touch again.

Dressed, and awaiting the patter of tiny feet, Hawk sat on the floor against the wall in the tech-room and Tory sat curled up between his legs, cradled inside his arms and wings.

‘Where is the power to create my own reality now?’ Tory cuddled closer, wanting to curl up inside this man and be carried around within him forever.

Hawk kissed the top of her head, breathing deep her scent, committing it to memory. ‘I do believe that halting time or altering history are even beyond your scope …’ he was going to say Swan, but recalling her true name decided to use it. ‘Tory.’

‘No!’ She shifted herself so as to look Hawk in the face. ‘Please don’t call me that. We don’t know for sure … it could all just be some terrible misunderstanding.’

Hawk shook his head, sorrowfully, having little doubt. ‘If we expect the worst, then we can only be pleasantly surprised … right?’ His smile was strained.

Tory gasped at his words. ‘Expect the worst and that’s exactly what you’ll get.’ The difference in their belief systems was suddenly very obvious to Hawk and Tory could feel his hellish past preventing him from being able to accept her view. His fear of losing his newfound love exceeded even her own. ‘Screw this for a joke.’ Tory rose to open the hatch door.

‘What’s wrong?’ Hawk got to his feet. ‘Where are you going?’

‘To find out the truth.’ Tory kissed Hawk and then vanished into thin air.

Tory manifested before the soul she sought. He was in the kitchen with Chook and Seagull, gaping in awe at her sudden appearance.

If the Goddess was teleporting herself about, Crow figured she was no longer wearing the restraining module. A glance at her wrist confirmed his horror and he made a quick getaway out of the kitchen.

‘Where do you think you’re going?’ Tory appeared in Crow’s path and scared the wits out of him.

‘You wanted to see me, Swan?’ He halted short of colliding with her and backed up, playing naive.

‘What’s my real name?’ Her query seemed to alarm Crow all the more and before he had a chance to deny anything, Tory strode forth and placed the palm of her right hand over his third eye to extract the answer for herself.

Tory backed away from Crow shaking her head, tears of shock beginning to stream down her face. ‘I am Tory Alexander.’ She looked at the floor as she tried to recall her previous existence. When she could not she looked back at Crow. ‘I cannot believe that even after I saved your life, you still continued to lie to me.’

‘I wanted to tell you what I knew,’ he appealed, truly remorseful at his failure. ‘But after our run-in in the munitions room, I knew you’d kill me.’

‘Well, somebody should,’ commented Seagull, who had come to stand outside the kitchen hatch with Chook to watch the proceedings.

Crow did his best to ignore the cook and stayed focused on Tory. She was the first female whose company he truly treasured, and it was only now that he was losing her friendship that he realised how much it meant to him. ‘You seemed so happy here, and Hawk was so —’

‘Don’t you dare pretend that you give a damn! You left me for dead. Answer my queries and then I never want to speak with you ever again.’

Tory didn’t have to threaten violence. The look of betrayal on her face was more cutting than the ultra-violet setting on an EMS wand. ‘What do you wish to know?’ Crow asked, more open to her will than he’d ever been.

‘Why does Nergal want me dead?’

Crow raised his brow in surprise as if the answer were elementary. ‘You are the most beloved leader of your people,’ he said honestly, for he’d not had to ask Nergal his reasons for wanting Tory Alexander taken prisoner; not after her brother’s performance in the arena. ‘By killing you, Nergal hoped to rile your brother, Brian Alexander, the Governor of Kila and the suspected fulfiller of the prophecy of Lahmu. Your husband is Maelgwn Gwynedd —’ Crow’s eyes shot to his brother as he came downstairs to join the conversation. He felt sorry that Hawk had become so attached to a married woman, but Crow continued the explanation as was Tory’s wish. ‘Better known as the Dragon, he is, from what I can gather, privy to some secret knowledge that the Pantheon is not. For your death was meant to provoke the ex-Governor of Kila into confronting Nergal, and the Lord then planned to entrap and probe the Dragon for information. Originally, Nergal had planned to penetrate the Dragon’s mind once he’d joined the Pantheon of Twelve. He knew the Chosen One would not refuse the position offered, because the human tribes would lose one of their few spokesmen in the Senate. But the Dragon did the unexpected and waived the position in favour of his Vice, your brother. This move convinced Nergal that Maelgwn must be hiding something … maybe he even suspected that the Dragon might be the prophesied Lahmu. Anyhow, as your brother was a virtual nobody politically, Nergal never even suspected him of being the promised one. If he had, he never would have connived to get your brother into a contest with a Lahmuian mutant. The Head of the Pantheon was sure that the young Governor would perish in the arena and thus, your husband would be forced to assume the position in the Senate.’ Crow took a breath and gave Tory a chance to absorb the information.

Hawk had sunk to a seat on the stairs, his face as pale as a sheet. Chook and Seagull were leaning on opposite sides of the kitchen hatchway, also engrossed in the tale.

‘As it was, Brian Alexander tamed the mutant as per the prophecy,’ Crow summed up. ‘Instead of accepting the seat in the Senate, he declared war on the Pantheon and split it down the centre. Over half the Nefilim present took a stand alongside Lahmu, against Nergal. That’s when Nergal realised he’d unleashed his ultimate nightmare. His vanity demanded revenge on Brian Alexander for challenging him in the arena and living to tell of it. I was Nergal’s agent in Chaliada at the time. Before your brother’s flight had even left the Senate capital on Nibiru, I had been assigned the mission of kidnapping you.’

Tory was dumbfounded, and searching for a handle on the moment she looked to Hawk, who couldn’t speak he was so mortified by the truth.

‘He didn’t know anything about it,’ Crow informed Tory. ‘Hawk hadn’t seen me for years at that stage.’

‘I know,’ she replied, and before Crow had time to wonder how she knew, Tory changed the subject. ‘So Nergal still believes I am dead?’

Crow nodded. ‘To the best of my knowledge.’

Tory recalled the first day that she’d awoken on the Bil-me and of the ship that had been in pursuit of their craft. ‘But, someone came looking for me. Do you know anything about the necklace I gave away?’ She probed further. ‘Who gave it to me?’

‘Maybe your husband.’ Crow hazarded a guess. ‘I really don’t know.’

In retrospect, Tory considered her actions might have been a bit rash in that instance, but as there was little point in worrying about it now, she turned her mind to other matters. ‘So where are Lahmu and the Dragon to be found?’

Crow shrugged. ‘Your death did not have the desired effect on them. Instead of confronting Nergal as expected, Lahmu and the Dragon have both disappeared from the face of the galaxy, taking all Kila’s key governmental people with them. When Nergal landed in Kila’s capital city he found it completely abandoned.’

Even though Crow hadn’t answered her query, Tory was excited by the information. ‘Well, if all my kin have gone into hiding, then I believe I shall remain dead for the time being.’

Hawk’s spirits lifted, thinking that her resolution might somehow extend their time together. ‘How do you mean?’

Tory held up a finger to beg his patience and, closing her eyes, she assumed the form of a white-feathered Falcon woman.

Hawk had seen this transformation before, but even he was overawed by her ability to change form at will. The other three males were absolutely stupefied.

Tory’s eyes opened to behold the amazed faces of her crewmates, but she looked back at the captain. ‘How do you feel about having a concubine a while longer?’

Hawk’s smile returned, as Tory slid into his arms to hug him. ‘The longer the while, the better,’ he assured her.

Crow’s state of wonderment departed rapidly. He grabbed hold of his little brother and yanked him away from the Goddess. ‘Do you have a death wish?’ he hollered. ‘Not only is she an immortal, but she’s married to one!’

‘Was,’ Tory defended. ‘Isn’t a marriage only legal until death do us part?’

‘The Chosen don’t split up! They don’t get divorced!’ Crow clued her and his brother in on a few home truths. ‘They mate for all eternity!’ he overstated, focusing all his attention on his brother. ‘And her other half is going to eat your balls for breakfast if you defile his woman.’

‘Ooops … too late.’ Hawk stared defiantly back at his brother, furious that Crow would have the gall to reprimand him on his own ship, or lecture him in the affairs of the heart. Crow was making what had been the ultimate intimate encounter sound like rape.

‘You’re a damn fool, Hawk.’ Crow backed away, bewildered and then angered. ‘Why the fuck did I bother keeping you alive?’ he snarled, serving Tory a dirty look as he stormed off past her towards the maintenance area.

Tory turned to Hawk, who was doing his best to look merely perturbed, instead of hurt. ‘Forgive me, I didn’t imagine he would —’

Hawk held a hand up. ‘You have nothing to apologise for,’ he insisted. ‘That wasn’t about concern for my welfare, or yours.’

‘What was it about then?’ Tory queried, but Hawk was reluctant to comment.

‘Any cover you wish to assume is fine with me,’ the captain pronounced. ‘My ship, my crew and myself, are entirely at your disposal for as long as you need us, Swan.’ He smiled, knowing that she would be using his given name for her for a while yet.

‘Your generosity and loyalty will be rewarded,’ Tory avowed, to dismiss what Crow had said earlier. ‘I can’t speak for the rest of my kind, but I promise.’

‘Your love is all the reward I shall ever need.’ The captain moved in closer to Tory to bestow a kiss, at which time Chook and Seagull quietly withdrew into the kitchen.

After viewing the layout of the subterranean cities that had sprung up within each of the hidden mining sites on Nugia, Brian and Rhun agreed that the people of Su would be far safer relocated underground for the time being.

Under the Su Palace, Brian was surprised to discover the grand central station of a subterranean superhighway, with tunnels branching out in all directions, giving faster access to the hidden mining sites that the planet hosted. This was one of Su’s best-kept secrets and this transport system had certainly not been included on the official guided tour of the city, when Brian had accompanied Maelgwn and Marduk some time ago.

‘We’ll get the people evacuated via the underground,’ Rhun advised his Governor, ‘and then blow up central station.’

As Talynn and Brian nodded to agree with the Vice-Governor’s strategy, Gallard nearly had a fit. ‘But the palace will be destroyed?’

‘This palace is the key to holding the planet, and as a target it’s as vulnerable as all hell. We won’t be able to hold it,’ Rhun explained. ‘But if we destroy it, the Nefilim cannot regain control of operations here.’

‘But neither can we,’ the Viceroy fretted.

‘We don’t need to, at present. The mines are well stocked with supplies,’ Brian informed. ‘What we need to do is cut off all bar the one surface entrance to each mine. It will make them easier to defend.’

‘But how shall the mines communicate when the only photon-linking system is here in the palace?’ Gallard reasoned.

‘We’ll take care of communications from now on,’ Adair informed the Viceroy, who he despised with a vengeance. He was only being civil to the official because Lahmu was present. ‘The mining bases will just have to revert to the old by-directional laser-optic data-linking system.’ He looked to Rhun for clarification. ‘I’m gathering it’s just the palace you’re destroying and not the entire city?’

Rhun nodded, and then smiled. ‘Your people are welcome to raid the palace for spoils before we do away with it.’

‘The Nefilim have nothing we need.’ Samara spoke for her people, serving Gallard a look of disdain. ‘Unless the gold and jewels in this palace can be miraculously transformed into food, clothes and a place to sleep, feel free to bury it back in the earth from whence it came.’

‘Ah …’ Adair hated to contradict his mother, but he felt he must in this case. ‘We might just take a look at the communication and equipment stores … if that’s alright by you.’

Samara was surprised at her oversight. ‘You’re right,’ she conceded, feeling silly. ‘Forgive me if I am a little over-emotional at present.’

Brian could see the woman was sick with worry for her husband and exhausted from lack of rest. ‘Why don’t you take your mother to get some air?’ Brian instructed Adair. ‘Gallard will see to the evacuation.’

The Viceroy was most disgruntled by the order, but Samara and Adair were thankful to leave Gallard’s presence.

‘How am I to redistribute so many people in …’ The official realised he didn’t know the schedule. ‘How long do I have?’

‘Notify everyone before sundown, and we’ll move them tonight,’ Brian advised.

Gallard thought the task impossible. ‘But —’

‘If you give me one more objection, Viceroy Gallard, I shall have you sent to the hell-pit.’ Brian shut him up quick smart. ‘Just do it … now,’ he emphasised, to get the man moving. Gallard hopped to it, racing from Nabu’s room of court, where Brian had set himself up.

The Governor and his Vice were going through the palace food store records when Neriada and Cadwell manifested with a withered figure of a man.

As Brian observed his Leonine personage, he couldn’t recall ever appearing so puny. The man had wasted away in the mines. ‘Tyrus-Leon?’ Brian fetched a chair for the fellow to sit on.

‘Sorry we took so long.’ Cadwell held the Leonine warrior in a standing position until the chair arrived. ‘It took a little while to clean him up.’

‘I’m alright,’ Tyrus grumbled and slapped away their helping hands once he was seated. He was having a little trouble focusing in the brightly lit room, but he strained his eyes, determined to see the Lord who had taken the name of Lahmu. ‘Which of you has assumed control of Nugia?’

‘I am in charge here, Tyrus.’ Brian knelt before his past-life incarnation, completely captivated by himself.

‘Hold still.’ Tyrus grabbed Brian’s face and concentrated all his efforts on viewing him.

The Leonine revolutionary did not cower in the presence of his immortal company. His years in slavery had obviously curbed his fear of death, and Brian had to admire his courage.

As Tyrus’ focus suddenly sharpened and he saw himself in the Lord’s face, the Leonine nearly fell backwards off his chair.

‘Take it easy.’ Brian gripped the seat before it tipped off balance. ‘I know I must be a shock —’

‘What have you done with Samara?’ Tyrus found his strength as he lunged forward and latched both hands around Brian’s neck.

‘Samara and Adair are both fine,’ Brian uttered hoarsely, as Neriada and Cadwell pulled the Leonine off him and sat him down. ‘Why should my appearance cause you concern for your wife?’

Tyrus seemed to be pacified by the innocent question, but fixed Brian with a killer glare. ‘If you’ve touched her, God or no, I will kill you.’

‘Oh yeah,’ smirked Rhun, as he looked at his uncle. ‘He’s you alright.’

‘Leave us.’ Brian bade his company farewell, wanting to get to the bottom of the Leonine’s distrust of him. He’d rather expected to get along better with himself.

‘You’ve chosen her, haven’t you?’ Tyrus accused Brian, as soon as they were alone in the room. When Brian only frowned, the Leonine said: ‘She is the one in which you shall plant your seed.’

Brian was caught off guard by the comment. ‘How do you know about that?’

‘Goddamn it!’ Tyrus raised himself. ‘I knew it!’

‘No!’ Brian realised the misunderstanding. ‘Nothing beyond conversation has transpired between Samara-Leon and myself,’ he swore solemnly, and the irate husband calmed a little and reseated himself. ‘I meant, how did you know about the prophecy? That is what you were quoting just now.’

‘Aye,’ Tyrus nodded, still wary of his tail-less lookalike. ‘Down in the pit of hell I had … visitations, from heavenly Lords.’

He seemed uncomfortable naming his source, which was most amusing to Brian, for he knew how awkward he would’ve felt admitting the same. Still, Brian’s expression remained quite serious. ‘Go on.’

‘When I was told the prophecy, I asked who would mother this Chosen child?’ Tyrus appeared angered as he recalled the celestial entity’s response. ‘Lahmu will mirror in image a member of my tribe, the being told me. And the wife of the Leonine that the God reflects will mother the next race of my breed.’ He was gritting his teeth to endure the meaning of his confession. ‘Why did you have to look like me?’ he snarled angrily.

‘Do you think I am happy about this? I’d never even heard of Lahmu a couple of weeks ago, and now I am him! My wife will skin me alive for such an indiscretion as the legend demands and that is why I have no intention of complying.’

‘But you must!’ Tyrus protested, unexpectedly. ‘Or our race will never be able to defend itself against the Nefilim.’

‘By the time the Chosen are finished with the Pantheon, you will no longer have that worry.’ Brian was quite determined about that.

‘Then … who shall defend us from you?’ Tyrus knew it was a loaded question, but it had to be asked.

Strangely enough, Brian did not take offence, but rather, realised how unfair the situation was — a small twist of fate and Brian might have found himself appealing to Tyrus to set Homo sapiens free from their mortal coil.

‘I agree, it must be done,’ Brian admitted, shyly, ‘but there need be no intimate issue between Samara and myself, we have the technology —’

‘No way!’ Tyrus stood to insist. ‘I won’t have you experimenting with creation inside my wife. I have seen some of the mutants that have emerged from the genetic labs of the Nefilim, so you can forget it. It must be done the old-fashioned way.’ Tyrus could hardly believe what he was demanding. ‘Goddamn it!’ He turned from Brian to curb his frustration. Tyrus knew it was pointless to insist Lahmu pick another Leonine woman to impregnate, because any other female would not be the one chosen by creation and the wrong upbringing could spell disaster for his race.

‘Don’t you think we should discuss what we know with Samara, before we make any presumptions on her behalf?’ Brian felt it would be only fair to her.

Tyrus turned back to Brian, a hopeless look of resignation upon his face. ‘It is not for us to question the will of the Logoi.’

On Tarazean, the Bil-me was guided into the interstellar landing dock of Nannar and Ningal’s capital city. The pirates became very uneasy when air traffic control then directed their craft to a huge teleporter plate, which promptly spirited the pirate ship to the Town Square.

Due to the harsh sandstorms on the pretty purple planet, every section of the city was shielded from the external elements. The roof of Town Square was a force-field spanning several triangular conductors that towered high over city central in a pyramid formation. This allowed a view of the swirling winds of purple sand, obscuring the midnight sky, caught by the light illuminating the event taking place in the heart of the city below. The thousands of Chosen refugees from Kila had assembled to show the crew of the Bil-me their appreciation for the thwarting of Nergal’s most sinister blackmail threat against their Governor. The rest of the masses gathered represented all the human races; they were present to commend the pirates for saving many of their youth. Nannar and Ningal waited to greet the Falcon crew at the opposing end of a long golden carpet, the other end of which began at the platform outside the exit hatch of their craft. The golden carpet travelled through the crowd to the royal stage in the middle of the square.

‘I wasn’t expecting this kind of reception.’ Hawk observed the assembly on the soft-screen that monitored external events. ‘I thought we’d be quietly dropping the kids off and then slipping away into the night.’

‘Nova needs heroes to keep the listeners motivated for Lahmu’s forthcoming rebellion.’ Raven voiced his suspicions. ‘I’ll bet he set this up.’

‘Well, there’s no way I am going out there,’ Crow protested, recognising the other Nefilim female who was standing by Nannar and Ningal. ‘That’s Inanna, and she eats guys like us for breakfast!’

‘In your dreams, maybe,’ Chook teased, eager to get amongst the celebrations outside — he’d never seen so many beautiful women assembled in one place.

‘Don’t worry, Crow,’ Tory pouted. ‘I’ll protect you.’ She hit the hatch switch and it vanished, giving the men little chance to escape their heroes’ welcome.

As their young multi-racial entourage raced out of the craft ahead of the pirates, a deafening cheer arose from the crowd and even Seagull, who rarely left his kitchen, was enticed out onto the platform to accept the accolades.

The crew descended the stairs of the golden walkway to ground level, where the crowds lined the pathway to the Gods. Tory walked alongside Hawk, feeling secure in her Falcon disguise, when a young man of the Chosen reached beyond the crowd barricade to grab her hand.

‘Grandmother?’ The lad queried her with a hopeful desperation in his voice. ‘It’s me, Asher.’

‘Do I remind you of someone?’ She stopped and looked at him, not recognising him at all.

‘Oh yes, Nin,’ the fair-haired, blue-eyed youth advised. ‘My grandmother, the great Tory Alexander, has been missing for some time and her kindred fear that she has met with foul play.’ He looked at the dark-quilled pirate captain, who came to a stop beside the white Falcon woman he addressed. ‘Grandfather?’ Asher was even more astounded, and lowered his voice to a whisper. ‘Is this some sort of undercover op?’

Tory’s jaw nearly hit the ground when she realised the implications of what the lad was saying. ‘So Hawk resembles the Chosen One known as the Dragon, is that what you’re saying?’

Asher was perplexed by her question, but nodded. ‘Spitting image.’

‘The Nefilim are waiting,’ Raven reminded the captain.

‘En Floyd!’ exclaimed the lad, his eyes nearly popping out of his head as he spied yet another of his kinsmen disguised as a Falcon.

‘Sorry?’ Raven looked to Tory, but the name meant nothing to her.

‘What’s the hold-up?’ Chook backed up to find out, not game to proceed to the royal stage without the captain.

‘En Daniel,’ Asher mumbled, going white as a sheet. This was just too much of a coincidence. ‘What is going on?’

‘Shh,’ Tory urged the young stranger, before looking at Hawk. ‘I think we should bring him with us.’

‘It’s your call,’ the captain granted.

‘No.’ Asher backed away, suddenly spooked. ‘If you’re not my grandmother, I’m not going anywhere with you.’ He ducked into the crowd and was lost.

‘Forget him,’ Hawk insisted, when Tory moved to pursue the lad, and he tapped her on the head to remind her of her brain and talents. ‘He’ll be easy enough for you to find, if you will it.’

Accepting his reasoning, Tory committed the lad’s image to memory and followed the fellows to meet the guardians of Tarazean.

Crow and Seagull had nearly made it to the stage and slowed their advance to wait for the rest of the crew to catch them up. Before they had even begun their climb up the stairs to the royal stage, the Goddess Inanna came floating down towards them.

‘Oh damn.’ Crow wanted to retreat, but his male ego managed to keep him rooted to the spot.

Zabeel? She paused a short distance from them to observe Seagull more closely, and Crow breathed a sigh of relief when he discovered that she was not interested in him.

‘Sorry, Highness.’ The huge Delphinus humbled himself before her, bowing his head low. ‘I have no knowledge of ever having made your acquaintance before.’

Inanna gasped, immediately moved to tears. By some miracle have you forgotten your childhood, Zabeel? She knew her own stepson, even if he was fifty years older now.

‘I have, Majesty,’ he replied, surprised.

Her eyes closed to give silent praise to Anu for undoing the frightful lies she’d told this soul about his parents. As Zabeel had been led back into her fold by fate, Inanna felt this was a sure sign that Anu had forgiven her for her heinous crimes and awarded her a second chance to set history straight.

‘If you know something of my past, I pray that you enlighten me, Majesty,’ Seagull appealed, hoping he would not be reprimanded for speaking out of turn. ‘I have so long wondered about my origins that I would give my life to know who I am.’ His plea choked him up and for the first time that he could recall, the Delphinus shed a tear.

Inanna opened her eyes and smiled at her long lost step-son. You are far more than you seem, Zabeel, she informed him warmly as she closed the distance between them. And it will be my redemption to tell you the whole truth about your origins.

‘Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle,’ Crow commented under his breath, as the eight-foot tall Goddess embraced the sobbing cook.

As the reception seemed to have shifted to the bottom of the stage stairs, Ningal and Nannar descended to join their guests.

Is he the one? Ningal asked her daughter, as she floated to a stop beside her, and Inanna nodded proudly.

May we be excused, we have much to … Inanna was stumped as she spotted Hawk. Dragon? she asked, with enough heartfelt delight to make Tory feel a twinge of jealousy.

‘No, Majesty,’ the captain advised, bowing his head. ‘But I have been told that both myself and my lady, Swan,’ he motioned to Tory beside him, ‘bear a striking resemblance to the ex-Governor and Governess of Kila.’

That you do, Inanna confirmed, and filled with sentiment by the coincidence, she shed a tear. How wonderful that you found each other, yet again.

Hawk was touched by the Goddess’ view, although he suspected he only understood the half of what she meant.

As her love for Hawk was vindicated, Tory was moved. Yet, she couldn’t help but spare a thought for her true husband, of whom everyone else was so obviously fond. She realised that the soul of Maelgwn Gwynedd must also be akin to the Deva with whom she’d fallen in love. ‘Does no one know what has become of the Dragon and his woman, Majesties?’ As soon as Tory had asked the question, she regretted pursuing the subject of her husband in Hawk’s presence, for she felt the query drive a dagger through his heart.

Her interest in the Dragon confirmed in Hawk’s mind what he’d known all along — that once returned to her own kind, Tory would not desire to be one of the Falcon kind any longer. The captain in no way resented her for her change of heart; he just didn’t want to accept the fact that their brief love affair was over.

I’m afraid that even Nova has failed to turn up any information in that regard. Inanna appeared saddened as she gave them an update. Maelgwn Gwynedd saved my soul from eternal damnation, the Goddess said as she looked Tory straight in the eye. Then he left on a quest to find his missing wife and has not been seen or heard from since.

Tory suddenly felt ashamed of the cover she’d assumed and feared her ability to maintain it, for it seemed Inanna suspected her deception. But how? The Goddess and her parents were wearing thought-wave neutralisers to prevent their minds from being probed, which also hindered the Gods from reading the minds of others. Inanna could not have exposed her telepathically. The only way Tory’s cover could be blown was if she gave it away herself, but perhaps this was just what the Nefilim Goddess was hoping for? ‘That is unfortunate,’ Tory replied, turning her attention to the orphans crowded around them. ‘But we have more pressing concerns to contend with, like the welfare and future of these children.’

We have set up an orphanage to cater for them, temporarily, until foster homes are arranged. Ningal motioned to the masses assembled in the Town Square surrounding them. And as you can see, we have many citizens eager to support this cause.

‘Then there’s no need for us to delay here,’ Crow fronted up to comment, ‘as we really should be leaving.’ As everyone else on the crew turned to him with a look of disagreement on their face, Crow understood he was the only one considering that this might be an elaborate front for their capture.

You must stay the night, at least, as our honoured guests, Nannar insisted. Nova made it very clear that we were to feed you all and stock you up with any supplies you need.

The DJ wields more influence than I’d imagined, thought Tory on the quiet. He must be one of them.

The entire crew found the compensation very much to their liking, as it would save weeks of raiding when they departed. Hawk thanked the Nefilim and accepted their kind offer, while Inanna whisked Seagull away to speak with him alone. Raven and Chook were already chatting up a couple of female Falcons, hanging over the barricade, helped by the adoring refugee children, who were recounting the tale of their rescue. Crow was the only one who still appeared disturbed. Having swapped sides in this rebellion a couple of times, he couldn’t feel at ease with either side.

Tory was pleased that the crew would be staying. The enigma of her old life was taunting her, as were the reports about the man they called the Dragon to whom she’d once been wed. All the people who had once been close to Tory Alexander seemed deeply embroiled in the interstellar war that was being waged via the light waves by the phantom DJ. She had to figure that if Nergal wanted her dead, then she too had a major role to play in the rebellion of the human tribes. The universe spared my life so that I could finish my work here. To deny that can only be detrimental. I must seek myself. The thought caused a burning sensation in her chest; she was being encouraged to follow her feelings.

At the same time her heart ached for Hawk, whose worst fear was seemingly becoming more and more inevitable — tomorrow could be goodbye.

17

IN THE BEGINNING

When first spirit mixed with matter

Father Reason and Mother Voice
produced the Word,
the Logos,
a means of self expression.

Into existence came
the law of cause and effect.

the twists of fate
and the will of destiny.

Many forms of matter endured being
before intellect found a worthy body in the Nefilim.

Many more hellish existences were undertaken,
to fashion the perfect vehicle
for the emotional understanding of the self.

Earthly parents, blind to emotion,
were provided by Anu.

To be led by their child to understanding
as karma would have it.

Fourteen old souls pioneered human consciousness.

The price for understanding was eternal life.

And thus man’s mortal coil commenced.

In the chamber of fates the deal was struck,
in the hall of designs a gene omitted.

A pressured parent’s choice…

but not the will of heaven.

The soul who condemned man to die,
would be the one to ensure him life everlasting.

Designed for the lot of a slave,
the manipulation of man’s essence
produced one as perfect as the maker.

Destined to change the fate of the cosmos
with intelligent love.

The Pantheon condemned the master craftsman,
forbidding any more of the like being fashioned.

The Adama was no sexless moron as those before,

He had reasoning and the male organs to procreate.

In his city of Eridu, the maker dared defiance.

Six males and seven females were produced.

Of his brothers and sisters the Adama knew not.

The thirteen were set to work in Edin,
until the fateful day that Adama met his like.

Under a sky devoid of cloud, palm trees swayed in the morning breeze, their brilliant green leaves in contrast to the azure blanket above.

The sun pelted down upon his sweaty body as he carted yet another timber log from the forest, all the way down the earthen road to the latest construction site of Eridu, Enki’s cultural centre in Edin. Adapa was glad to offload his burden, for he was not really built for the task he’d been given; still, he was young and would grow some yet. A huge squawk behind him urged Adapa to move out of the way and he promptly did so.

The two-headed creature had the same facial features as Adapa did, but their placement on his faces were not symmetrical like Adapa’s features were. The creature was nearly twice Adapa’s size and so carried many more planks of wood. The beast had the body of a man, but no reproductive organs; his genitalia were more akin to a woman’s. One of its arms had a hand on the end, and the other ended in a claw; one of its legs had a foot and the other a talon.

‘Good, Gurlu.’ Adapa applauded the beast’s effort, as the creature dropped his load and walked towards him.

The creature made a happy grunting sound, both its heads nodding in agreement, but, becoming overexcited by the praise, a stream of urine began running from between its legs.

Adapa took a step back, thinking he should have known better than to excite the beast. The creature wasn’t at all bothered by the event. Adapa could never understand why he found such things offensive, when most of the creatures around him did not.

‘Back to work,’ yelled the Nefilim guard supervising the work, as he gave Gurlu a prod with his long metal staff.

Adapa, being fairly quick-witted, had never really had a problem with the guards. Gurlu was not so gifted, however, and squawked at the guard, annoyed by the order.

‘Quiet, freak,’ the Nefilim demanded, ‘unless you’d prefer it back in the mines.’

Long sentences confused Gurlu, but the word ‘mine’ he knew and feared.

‘Come, Gurlu.’ Adapa urged it to follow him back up the road to the forest. The creature responded to the friendly request and did as it was asked.

It was as they reached the top of the road with heavy loads on their return trip, that Adapa accidentally dropped the long log he was carrying. He watched it roll down the hill and was inspired by an idea. Gurlu was big enough to stop the logs at the bottom of the hill. All he had to do was give each log a good hard push down to the creature and they would both be saved much effort.

‘Adama, you are not permitted outside the palace,’ stressed Marduk. ‘Father shall have a fit when he finds out.’

‘If he finds out,’ Adama corrected sternly. He noticed a construction site and moved to investigate.

Although Marduk was just a little younger than Adama, he felt he should have superiority in this instance. For Marduk was a pure Nefilim, not a half-caste as Adama was. ‘I could change your mind with a thought,’ he pointed out.

‘Then you’d be destroying the thing you like most about me,’ Adama commented, in a matter-of-fact manner. ‘And that is, that I think for myself.’

‘I could kill you instead.’ The young Nefilim male resorted to his usual threat; being an immortal, Marduk did not have that worry.

‘Then kill me.’ Adama stood in the middle of the road to invite his brother. ‘And lose your only loyal friend,’ he appealed, surprised when Marduk launched himself in his direction.

‘Watch out!’ he cried, as they collided and went toppling off to the side of the road. A large timber log rolled down the road past them and a huge, squawking creature gave chase.

The Nefilim guard, having seen the incident, brought the log to a stop with a wave of his hand and began bashing the beast around its heads with a staff for its clumsiness.

‘It might have been easier if you’d stopped the log,’ Adama grumbled, using his grazed hands that stung with a vengeance, to push himself up.

‘Sorry,’ Marduk mocked. ‘It happened so quickly, I didn’t have time to think. Do your wounds hurt?’

Adama served his brother a look of scepticism and displeasure, before his attention was diverted to a slave running down the dirt road towards them.

‘No!’ cried Adapa, as he came to Gurlu’s rescue. ‘My fault, my fault!’ He insisted on taking the blame for the incident, but the guard was not interested in the truth.

Beating the creature to the ground, the guard reached his hand out towards the creature’s deformed ribcage.

‘Please, Lord, mercy!’ Adapa knelt to beseech the Nefilim guard not to deal a fatal blow.

‘What is it?’ Marduk queried his brother, who seemed most interested in the events taking place.

‘I’ve never known anyone desire to take the punishment for another,’ said Adama, and noting the similarities between the being in question and himself he moved off towards the commotion.

‘Big deal,’ grumbled Marduk, trailing behind Adama. ‘I don’t suppose I could dissuade you from investigating?’

‘You suppose right.’ As Adama neared the fracas, he eyeballed the man very closely, and saw that the man looked almost perfectly human. Adama had been led to believe he himself was a unique specimen of human male sexuality and intellect, and that all the other humans in existence were either sexless, witless, deformed, or all of the above.

Marduk and Adama approached the guard, who held the still beating heart of the beast in his hand. When he saw the two Lords approach, he knelt and held the organ up in offering. ‘I beg forgiveness, my Lord Marduk. I should have seen —’

Marduk waved the guard to silence, not interested in his explanation. Had Marduk been on this earth longer than sixteen years, the guard may well have met the same fate as his victim. But Marduk was young and nonchalant. He was more interested in the pursuit of knowledge than mining, or slavery management techniques that included torture and punishment.

Adapa had crawled over beside the beast. One of its heads was so badly beaten that it was naught but a bleeding mound of flesh. The second head’s one good eye, positioned in the middle of its face where its nose should have been, slowly closed. ‘My fault,’ Adapa wept, as he leant over the dead beast. ‘Forgive me.’

‘I have seen you do this …’ Marduk ran his hand down his own face, referring to the tears the man was shedding. ‘What does it mean?’

‘It means he hurts,’ Adama explained.

Marduk was most confused. ‘But the guard didn’t touch him.’

Adama look a deep breath to steady his own welling emotions. ‘Perhaps I should have said, he hurts for his friend.’

‘Are you implying he’s telepathic?’ Marduk was horrified by the notion.

‘No, I’m not.’ Adama nearly gave up on trying to explain, but Marduk’s eager expression urged him to persevere. ‘How would you feel if I died?’

Marduk shrugged, for he found the notion confusing. ‘Relieved.’

Adama was offended by his response. ‘Seriously?’

Marduk nodded. ‘You bet. Then there would be nobody to outshine me in father’s eyes, and he’d stop pushing me to try and excel you, a mere mortal!’

Adama gave up on the topic, moving to speak with the grieving human. ‘His death was not your fault,’ Adama told the man, who ventured to raise his filthy tear-stained face. Inwardly, Adapa was completely startled by the Lord addressing him, for he was not one of the Nefilim, but a human in a God’s attire. He dared not argue the issue, for fear he’d end up like Gurlu.

‘Unfortunately, the Nefilim do not know any other way.’ Adama shrugged, finding the fact tragic. ‘But you and I,’ he reached out and collected a tear from the slave’s cheek, ‘we know different.’

Adapa’s eyes opened wide in awe, feeling an instant affinity to the Lord, for he understood the Lord’s meaning perfectly.

‘Speak man. Tell me your name.’

‘My name is Adapa, Lord.’ He felt liberated and honoured to be addressing such a fine being, but humbled himself again as he spied the guard’s look of displeasure.

‘Ignore him, Adapa, he is of no consequence.’ Adama grabbed the slave’s arm and raised him to his feet, leading him away from the bleeding animal. ‘You speak very well. Do you write also?’

‘Write, my Lord.’ Adapa frowned. ‘What is write?’

‘You know.’ Adama’s eyes roved around, looking for some script, but outside the palace there was no writing anywhere, for there was supposedly no one who could understand it. Adama knelt in the dirt and began tracing symbols in the dust.

Adapa was most intrigued by the Lord’s endeavour and knelt beside him to see if he could copy his work.

Marduk became somewhat disturbed to see his brother teaching sacred scripture to a slave. ‘I think you’ve had too much sun, dear brother.’ He erased the work Adama had done.

‘He shouldn’t be here.’ Adama stood to confront his younger, though larger, brother.

‘Sure he should,’ Marduk said. ‘Do you think Father would have sent him here if he was some sort of prodigy?’

Adama looked back to the slave and was amazed to find him still working on the script. ‘He memorised it,’ he gasped, so excited he could hardly breathe.

‘No,’ Marduk protested. ‘He can’t have.’

Adapa finished the final strokes of the symbols the Lord had drawn and looked up at his dumbfounded peers. ‘What does write do?’

Adama began to laugh, delightedly. ‘He’s an open book.’

‘No, he isn’t!’ Marduk grabbed his brother’s arm. ‘He is not going to turn into one of your little projects, so you can dismiss that thought right now.’

‘We have to tell Father.’ Adama stood his ground, thinking it a question of morality.

‘He knows,’ Marduk assured. ‘Father personally gives each being in Eridu their task here. He knows what this man is doing, I assure you.’

‘But why this fate?’ Adama was immediately angered. ‘Explain to me why I live in a palace and this being lives with beasts?’

Marduk rolled his eyes at his brother’s dramatics, which only infuriated Adama all the more.

‘Either he comes with us, or I stay here with him,’ he stated. ‘Because as soon as I depart that guard will rip his heart out, and a possibly bright, if not brilliant, mind shall be lost.’

‘This is probably why Father didn’t want you to venture beyond the palace,’ Marduk retorted coldly. ‘You are not equipped to deal with the injustice of the real world, Adama.’

‘I can deal with it, alright.’ Adama grabbed hold of Adapa’s wrist and led him off towards the palace entrance.

‘If you take that disgusting excuse for a human being to Father, we’re both going to be in trouble.’ Marduk strode after Adama to catch him up.

‘I’ll tell him I ventured out on my own.’ Adama absolved his brother of any wrongdoing.

‘And how did you get past security again?’ Marduk questioned sarcastically. ‘You just teleported yourself forth, I suppose?’

‘Look, why are you so against this?’ Adama stopped to query his brother. ‘Anyone would think you were jealous.’

‘The Nefilim don’t get jealous,’ he retorted smugly.

‘Oh yes, you do,’ Adama said. ‘You can be jealous, you just don’t feel it.’ He looked from Marduk to Adapa to explain. ‘That’s the big difference between their kind and ours.’

‘That makes no sense at all,’ Marduk scoffed, as they entered through the palace gates.

Adapa smiled as he nodded in silent accord with the human Lord’s statement, and his heart filled with joy to know that someone else in creation felt and thought as he did.

‘You shall never be a slave again, Adapa,’ Adama told him, as they passed underneath the solid golden archway into the palace grounds of Eridu. ‘Welcome to paradise.’

When Adapa was washed clean of sixteen years of dirt and filth, Adama was intrigued by the young slave worker’s appearance.

All of the human prototypes that had gone before Adama had been very dark skinned; Enki and Ninharsag had designed them that way. Adama, however, had obviously not been fashioned for the life of a slave, but for a son of Enki and the life of a scholar.

The Nefilim Lord, Enki, had only seeded daughters by natural means. In desperation he turned to his sister, Ninharsag, and her genius with genetic manipulation, to create him a male heir for his kingdom and for his knowledge, who was as close to the Nefilim in appearance as humanly possible. The year after Adama had been successfully engineered, Marduk was born to Enki by his mate, Ninki. In retrospect, Enki believed that his desire for a son, which had driven him to create the perfect human, was due to his Logos, Anu; the advent of a new thinking species had been predestined by the cosmos.

Adama’s skin was not as fair as a Nefilim’s, but it was not as black as a slave worker’s either — it had more of a red-brown tinge. Adama’s hair and eyes were dark like a slave’s, and this was where Adapa’s appearance differed. His eyes were a paler brown and his hair, once washed, was the colour of sand. Adapa was not as tall or as well-built as Adama, but his body was solid from working outdoors.

Marduk stood, arms folded, observing Adama help his prize find pull on the robe of a scholar. ‘I’ve never seen anything like it. A human with Nefilim hair.’

Adapa was inspecting the wet strands of hair that fell in front of his eyes. ‘I never knew I had hair this colour either,’ he chuckled. ‘What does it mean, Lord?’ he asked Adama.

‘It means that you have been blessed by the maker,’ he assured, as he came at Adapa with a comb. ‘But for what purpose? That we must endeavour to find out.’

The young Lords arranged to have an audience with the Lord Enki in his council chambers, and contrary to the young Lords’ fears, their father was not infuriated when he laid eyes upon Adama’s human find.

Enki chose to appear as forty human years of age, although he was, in truth, thousands of years old. His hair, always trimmed short, was golden brown and not much darker than Adapa’s. The Lord’s eyes were an amazing colour of deep blue — the dark eyes and dark hair of Adama and Marduk came from his wife Ninki’s contribution to their gene pool. Enki, standing over eight feet tall, was a larger man than either of his offspring, although Marduk had yet to grow to full maturity.

From his throne, the Lord sat looking down upon his sons and their new acquaintance, his demeanour calm, as if this moment had been anticipated.

‘You believe I have some explaining to do, Adama.’ Enki decided that now was the time. ‘Marduk. Please take Adapa to the scriptorium and show him around. I need to speak with your brother, alone.’

As Homo sapiens had yet to prove themselves to be telepathically skilled, the Nefilim usually spoke aloud when dealing with them. Humans could hear the Lords when the Nefilim thought-projected, but the Nefilim found that this method only confused the lesser species, so thought-projection was reserved for intimidatory purposes. On rare occasions, the Nefilim used telepathy to speak privately amongst themselves, but, fiercely paranoid of each other’s ambitions, the Nefilim chose to wear thought-wave neutralisers almost all of the time.

Marduk teleported Adapa from the room as requested, leaving Adama to question his father. ‘I am not the only one, am I?’ He came striding forth to demand some answers. ‘Why didn’t you tell me there were others?’

‘Why?’ Enki posed. ‘Because of your next question.’

Adama was on a roll and so hadn’t really caught his father’s response until after he’d asked: ‘Are there any females?’ Adama frowned when he realised he’d fallen right into his father’s trap. ‘Why would you wish to deny me a mate, when every other creature in creation has one?’

‘No other creature in creation poses a threat to the Nefilim. Unfortunately, Adama, you do.’

‘Then why create more of me? Why run the risk?’

‘Because I found the company and temperament of humans preferable to that of my own kind. Besides, I don’t like being told what I can and can’t do with my research by the Pantheon, when my motivation and existence comes from Anu.’

Anu was the name of Enki’s father, head of the Pantheon. This was also the name of the Logos at the centre of the Nefilim’s home star system, for it was believed by the Nefilim that their Logos spoke through their leader.

Enki had begun to fear that his brother, Enlil, had been poisoned by greed. It was no secret that Enlil despised the slave workers who made his life so easy. Enki had known that his brother posed the biggest threat to genetic research and felt that he had to go over his brother’s head regarding developments in this field: ever since Enki and Ninharsag had created slaves to give the Nefilim liberty from hard labour, their kindred had no longer fully appreciated the wealth and minerals they came by. Resources were wasted on toys and weapons for the amusement of Gaia’s Gods and for keeping subordinates in line. Enki had been granted a vision of the self-indulgence that lay in store for his people and had privately conveyed this knowledge to the great Anu. In his wisdom, Anu had advised that Enki must do as his own inner voice compelled him and advance his research into the human species of whom he was so fond, so that they might have a chance of defending themselves against Nefilim injustice in the future.

‘Anu told you to create us?’ Adama queried in awe. ‘For what purpose?’

‘To guide my kindred back home,’ Enki replied, his eyes glassing over as he became engrossed in thought. ‘You have an additional etheric body that we Nefilim have never found a use for. Even I do not yet understand your depth of feeling.’

‘Oh, I think you do, Father,’ Adama commented, knowing Enki was telepathic and would have come to know something of feeling through probing Adama’s mind. ‘It is because you have an inkling of compassion and love that you stand apart from most of your brethren.’

Enki smiled at this. ‘Coming from you, Adama, that is a real compliment. But this emotional body you have was not something Ninharsag or I created via the manipulation of your essence on a physical level … it was something prepared especially for humankind in the spiritual realms. The emotional body seems to be something unique to Gaia’s spawn, and is the part of you that comes from the ape man of this planet, which supplied part of your essential makeup … or at least that was my theory.’

‘Ah … now the truth comes out.’ Adama knew there must have been a scientific angle behind Enki’s repeating of the experiment and producing others of his ilk. ‘I had emotional understanding, but was that just me or was it something any perfect human would develop?’

‘Exactly!’ Enki admitted, eager to expand on his brilliant hypothesis. ‘The introduction of intellect and reason must have awakened the subtle body in question, or at least given you the means to understand the stimuli it produces. That is why, when the others were created, I separated you all. I placed you into different circumstances, to gauge if a certain environment enhanced or repressed the development of the emotional body.’

‘How many of us are there?’ Adama asked warily, suspecting his father would not divulge the information.

‘If I tell you, you will ruin the experiment.’

‘Is that all I am to you?’ Adama launched an emotional attack, which always confused the Nefilim.

‘You are my pride, my treasure,’ the Lord responded surely.

‘And what of the others you created, are they not your sons and daughters too?’

‘I never said that I had made any females,’ Enki pointed out, knowing that Adama was trying to outsmart him. Enki found it a commendable try.

‘What?’ Adama scoffed, having already received his answer. ‘Your curiosity for this emotional body didn’t extend as far as to wonder what differences there would be in the female of the species?’

‘Bravo!’ Enki applauded his boy, well proud of him. ‘You are most perceptive … nevertheless that is all the information you are getting out of me for now.’

‘But Father —’

‘Subject closed,’ Enki stood up to insist. ‘I shall allow you to keep and educate the human you found today, because it serves my interests to see how he shall take to palace life after such a deprived existence. If Adapa makes good of his mind, then so be it … if he has no aptitude for higher learning, then he shall go back from whence he came. That is my will, you are dismissed.’

Adama reluctantly bowed and took his leave. His father was clearly not going to be of any more assistance. He’d managed to find Adapa on his own, and he would find the others as well. Enki had not forbidden further investigation, nor had he punished him for his disobedience in venturing out of the palace. He came to a halt in the corridor outside the council chamber, thinking that his father’s decision was very odd indeed — it was almost as if he wanted Adama to defy him.

‘Of course!’ he exclaimed. Father cannot encourage my curiosity in this regard without becoming liable for the consequences. I must pursue his quest for knowledge on my own.

The next few years saw many changes within the Palace at Eridu in Edin.

Enlil, the supreme ruler of the Nefilim on Gaia, decided that, as Marduk was coming of age, it was high time he learnt something of mining and leadership. The order was approved by Anu, who was residing on the Nefilim’s home planet of Nibiru, and so Marduk was ordered south to the mining country known as Arali, ‘the place of the shining loads’. Enlil’s wife, Ninlil, governed the capital city, Kurra, named after its location ‘in the crest of mountains’. Enki knew that his brother’s decision to find gainful employment for Marduk had nothing to do with the reasons he’d given. Enlil feared that if Marduk remained in Eridu, his father’s strange ideas might rub off and the young Nefilim Lord would become a human sympathiser. Due to his association with Adama, Marduk was already prone to be too soft on slaves and on his Nefilim subordinates, a trait that Enlil thought could only prove detrimental to the future of his mining ventures on Gaia.

Before Marduk left Eridu, however, he made a parting gift to his brother Adama by letting him in on a little secret. He told of a hidden passage that began in their father’s chambers and granted access to the city beyond the palace walls. ‘In case you ever need to venture out,’ he’d advised Adama, as he could no longer aid his mortal brother in that regard.

This was the breakthrough that Adama had been waiting for to pursue his secret quest. It also proved to him that a little of his sentimentality and compassion had rubbed off on Marduk over the time they had associated. Since finding Adapa, Adama had been considering how he could seek others of his kind. The best way, in Adama’s mind, was to go out in search of them, but Marduk wouldn’t be persuaded to teleport Adama beyond the palace since the Adapa incident. Marduk’s parting gift was the means for Adama to fulfil his own desires, without involving any of his Nefilim kindred.

Adapa had taken to scripture and learning like a monkey took to the trees. Both Adama and Adapa were obsessed with the secret doctrine of reproduction that only the Nefilim knew about. Only through discovering something of this scientific knowledge did their species stand a chance of survival. There were two avenues of research that could aid their cause. One was to find and mate with a female of their species, to see if they could produce offspring, as the Nefilim did and indeed every other living species on the planet. They had been given the reproduction equipment, but did it work? An even better alternative was to learn about the manipulation of man’s essential essence — the doctrine of Ninharsag. If humans had been fashioned from the ‘essence’ of the Gods, why were they mortal and the Nefilim immortal? Could this defect be reversed?

When Adama considered how dangerous to the Nefilim his association with Adapa was, he had to wonder why Enki had allowed them in each other’s company? They inspired each other’s radical thoughts and theories and made no secret of their interest in pursuing the knowledge of the Gods. By the same token, the Lord Enki never strongly discouraged their curiosity.

Adapa had an extraordinary memory and ability to learn, and his writing ability was truly outstanding. He had already made his way through the available texts on Scribemanship, Mathematics, Geology, Metallurgy, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Architecture, Nefilim law, Astronomy and the Earth Sciences, although Enki had purposely withheld all information pertaining to the Healing Sciences. This latter course of study had been denied to Adama also, for fear he would come to understand the reproduction process and the science of DNA manipulation. Adapa was currently studying Nefilim history and cosmology.

He had come to rival Adama in his knowledge of all things, and was favoured by Enki when it came to conversation and debate. In the palace, Adapa was hailed as ‘the Sage of Eridu’, and would be remembered as such for all of human history.

Adama was not jealous of the favour Adapa had gained in their father’s eyes, because Enki’s fascination with Adapa freed Adama to pursue his investigations.

It had become a ritual that, for a few hours every day, Adapa kept Enki company in the gardens. Safe in this knowledge, Adama decided to seize the opportunity to investigate the secret tunnel that Marduk had claimed lay inside Enki’s private chambers.

He’d entered these quarters thousands of times in the past, seeking his father when he was at leisure, but today, venturing within, Adama felt nervous and excited to be up to mischief. If I am doing the wrong thing, then how come it feels so great? He pondered the thought, creeping quietly into his father’s sleeping chamber, which Enki only ever used for seduction and mating.

At the foot of the bed was a large statue of a red beast, which Marduk had referred to as a dragon. ‘Grab the piece by the head and pull it towards you,’ his brother had said, ‘and the passage will reveal itself.’

As Adama gripped the statue around the head, he was having the horrid thought that his brother might have been telling him a yarn, and pulling the statue off balance might only serve to send the heavy piece crashing onto the marble floor.

‘I’ll only live once,’ he decided, and with a great heave the dragon bowed forward. The bed slid into the ornamental bedhead to expose a stairway underneath.

‘I owe you one, my friend,’ Adama smiled, proud of his brother for even conceiving of such a favour.

Descending the stairs, Adama was momentarily concerned as to how he would close the entrance behind him, but by the time he’d reached a walkway, the secret passage had begun to close of its own accord. The next worry was that he was going to find himself in complete darkness once the entrance was sealed.

And how shall I get back out? He turned to scale the stairs, but it was too late. The passage closed and darkness fell. ‘Damn,’ he uttered, only slightly perturbed by his oversight.

A single, thin tube of light ran from the floor, around the roof of the tubular tunnel and back down to the opposite side to the floor. Other tubes of light lit up one after the other all the way down the passage and off into the distance.

‘Holy cow!’ Adama ventured forward. He had never imagined that a tunnel of this magnitude ran under the palace. What was its real purpose? Enki, of course, could simply manifest where he chose, so why go to all this trouble?

Marduk had only told him that, a little way down this passage, he would come to a ladder that gave access to the palace exterior. Marduk had not mentioned where the tunnel led.

Adama reached the foot of the ladder, and looked down the seemingly never-ending tunnel of light, at an impasse as to which way to go. Up the ladder, he decided.

At the top, a panel slid aside, and sticking his head out, he found himself in a tree stump in the forest, just outside the city.

The direction the tunnel went was to the east, away from civilisation and into the wilderness. ‘What on earth could Father be thinking?’ Adama had to find out, and closing the exit over, he descended to the tunnel once more.

He walked for some time until he became fed up with the journey and began to run, desperate to find the end of the passage. If it didn’t come to an end soon, he’d be forced to turn back having used up all his time.

His burst of energy dissipated and he slowed to a walking pace. Having caught his breath, he came to focus on what appeared to be a brightly lit entrance ahead.

As he neared, Adama was alarmed to discern a lone figure awaiting his arrival. The tunnel light must have alerted them to my approach. It was too late to turn back, he figured, and so pressed on.

The lone figure was cloaked and stood in the shadows between the light tubes at the tunnel’s end. The back lighting, streaming through the glass entrance behind the figure, made it a dark silhouette.

‘Hello?’ Adama called, warily.

‘You are not the Lord Enki,’ said the person, in a distinctly female voice.

Adama’s heart leapt into his throat as he’d never met a female, bar his mother, Ninki, and the female Nefilim who served her, but Adama had been kept well away from her. He halted where he was, not wanting to alarm her.

‘You are right,’ he confessed. ‘I am Adapa, the Lord Enki’s firstborn human son. And you are?’ he queried hopefully. The female did not answer straightaway, but Adapa was patient and did not push for a response.

‘This place is forbidden to you,’ she stated, finally.

‘Really?’ Adama played ignorant. ‘I didn’t realise being lost was a crime.’

‘You accidentally stumbled into the secret royal passage to the House of Shimti?’ she challenged.

Shimti meant, ‘where the breath of life is blown in’, and Adama realised he was standing before the place where he had been fashioned by Ninharsag — the House of Shimti was her dominion. He wondered if it was the Great Mother herself he was addressing — if it was, she had probably telepathically discerned why he was here.

‘You should return the way you came, Adama, son of Enki,’ she advised when he failed to answer. ‘If you are discovered here your life will not be worth living. Leave now and I will tell no one of the incident.’

As she turned to go through the open glass doors, her face caught the light, and Adama could have sworn he glimpsed the distinct features of a human. ‘Wait!’ he cried, unsure of the best way to sway this woman to his will. To chase her could be construed as an attack and if she was one of the Nefilim playing tricks, she might well end his days for such insolence. Thus, Adama fell to his knees. ‘Nin, please. If you are human, have mercy, for I have been searching all my life for proof of your existence.’

The cloaked figure halted and bowed her head. ‘Then your adventure this day has not been completely in vain.’

Adama rose slowly as she chanced a look back in his direction.

‘I am Eve,’ she advised, removing the hood that shrouded her human features. Her long brown hair was piled in an elaborate arrangement of braids at the back of her head. ‘The firstborn human daughter of the Lord Enki.’

Her face was a revelation to Adama. In a world of alien beings and creatures it felt strange to see a female of his own species. Her skin was the colour of his skin, her eyes as dark as his own. Her facial features were petite and, although her mouth was smaller than his own, her lips were full and pert. Adama had tried many times to envision what the perfect human female might look like, but Eve’s beauty surpassed anything his imagination had conjured. She was more magnificent than any creature in the whole of creation.

‘Would you speak with me a while, Eve?’ The sound of her name set his heart to pounding in his chest. ‘I have so many things I’d like to ask you.’

‘I know what you want, Adama,’ she replied, coldly, ‘and it has nothing to do with conversation.’

Adama was a little disconcerted by her response, feeling that he’d done nothing to warrant her suspicion. ‘I don’t know what you mean. I just want to speak with you.’

‘And where will our talk lead us?’ She turned fully around to face him, keeping her cloak well about her. ‘On an exploration of my body, I expect.’

Adama was dumbstruck by her response. Being human, she couldn’t read his thoughts.

‘Males, be they Nefilim or human, are all the same,’ she concluded wearily, when Adama did not deny the accusation.

Adama was doubly shocked by this comment. He was horrified to think that his father, having created the perfect female, had not created her for his human sons but for his Nefilim ones.

‘The Nefilim have taken privileges with your body?’ he queried her, the hurt in his tone clearly conveying his shock and sympathy.

‘Well, no,’ Eve confessed, still suspicious, ‘but they have taken such favours from some of my sisters.’

Now that statement was a revelation! ‘How many sisters do you have?’ he asked cautiously.

‘I have told you too much already.’ She withdrew inside the glass doors and was of the mind to push the button that closed and locked them.

‘Please, Eve, it is very important that I know,’ he begged in desperation.

She hesitated, but the look on Adama’s face was breaking her heart. He seemed genuine. ‘I have six,’ she said finally. ‘Now you must go.’

‘Meet me again, Eve?’ he bravely spluttered, before she locked him out. ‘Just to talk,’ he swore, ‘as we are now.’ She seemed flustered and made strange little noises in her throat as she attempted to make up her mind. Adama found this behaviour most amusing. ‘Tomorrow,’ he suggested.

‘No,’ she decided when pushed.

‘Two days then. Three. Four!’ Adama kept counting, hoping that Eve would stop shaking her head and give him a nod. ‘Five, six, seven —’

‘Alright,’ she caved in. ‘But you had better keep your member to yourself. I know much about human anatomy, and I know how to inflict grievous bodily injury and pain if need be.’

‘I am not a Nefilim Lord, Eve,’ he reassured her. ‘As you are different from Nefilim females, so do I differ from Nefilim males.’

‘Hah!’ Eve had to suppress her amusement. ‘We will see, Adama … in seven days, after sundown.’ She pressed the button that closed the glass doors, but her eyes remained fixed upon him as a set of metal doors slowly began to close also.

Adama moved closer now, and when the metal doors had nearly concealed her from sight, Eve melted into a smile. ‘Yes!’ Adama cried, excited by the outcome of their first meeting. ‘I think that went rather well.’

Eve must give herself to Adama of her own accord, Ninharsag insisted, as she and Enki looked down upon the round surveillance screen which was set into a table, watching Adama depart the underground entrance doors to her laboratory. I shall have no more ‘education’ for my girls. I’m not running a brothel for the male members of your household.

Fear not. The attraction is unavoidable in this instance, Enki replied confidently. Eve was fashioned from Adama’s essence; you extracted the material from his rib yourself.

Anu had advised Enki how the development of mankind should proceed, and had insisted that each female of the species must be fashioned from the essence, or DNA, of a male. Each male of the species was to be fashioned as Adama had been, from the Gods, and one female only was to be fashioned from each man.

Mates is a lame description of what these beings mean to each other, Enki stated, knowing the cosmic reason behind Anu’s instructions. It is my understanding that mankind is not to be a lone-soul organism as we Nefilim are. They are to be the first split-soul entities. The existence of such an entity is made possible via the highly-developed emotional body that humans have, which gives them the capacity to care for another as much, if not more, than they care for themselves. Our Adama and Eve are soul-mates, the female and male split of the same soul-mind, and I firmly believe that they will reinvent the word ‘love’ as we understand it.

You know you’ll never prove that theory, Enki. Ninharsag smiled, appreciating his reassurances, but only scientific inquiry would set her mind at ease about the fate of humankind, and whether or not she could get them successfully breeding of their own accord.

It does not matter that I cannot prove it, dear sister, Enki told her. It is creation’s plan and mankind’s destiny.

As Adama wandered back down the long tunnel, his thoughts turned to sneaking back into the palace. If he was caught, he would be questioned about what he’d discovered. What he needed was an alibi, and another story to that of meeting Eve.

The Nefilim were telepathic, but Adama had learnt ways to stop them knowing his every thought. Lesser thoughts often went unheeded, so the trick was to find an experience more stimulating than the one he was trying to hide; one that could monopolise his mind were he probed about his adventures this day. An experience so overwhelming could not be dreamt up by the imagination, as the recall of a lie would never hold together under scrutiny. A fabrication was incomplete and unreliable, and therefore open to change.

The quest for a stimulating experience firmly in mind, Adama scaled the ladder that exited in the forest, and he headed off down the dirt road towards town. He was already late and in trouble, so he figured that he might as well make the most of it.

Eridu was hailed as the best-planned city in Edin, and the most becoming on the eye. Outside the huge ziggurats, gardens and waterways of the fortified palace grounds, there were several complexes under construction: a larger landing port for Nefilim spacecraft, a temple dedicated to Anu, and another sanctuary for giving thanks and praise to Enki, ruler of the city. It was mainly Nefilim who populated the city dwellings at Eridu, but also a few genetic mutants who had proven to have a head for business. Most of the human-like slave class lived in camps near to their assigned workstations, unless they had progressed as far as to be a house servant to a Nefilim Lord, in which case they were usually given some squalid accommodation, or a piece of floor in the Lord’s house.

‘If father scattered my brothers throughout Eridu to prevent us finding each other …’ Adama was working on the premise that he had six brothers just as Eve had six sisters, ‘… then there are not too many options as to where they could be residing. If Adapa was doing construction work, and I was placed in the palace, then it makes sense that I should find another brother in the city, another in the fields, one by the harbour docks, another working the forests, and the other …?’ Adama looked across the city from his vantage point, running out of possibilities. The only other area was the technological complex near Eridu’s new spaceport. ‘Worth a try,’ he shrugged, heading off on the main street through town to begin his search there.

The main street was lined with market stalls selling produce, manned by all manner of creatures. Behind these were the shopfronts of Nefilim merchants trading in metals, jewellery, cloth, clothes, pottery, vehicles, spare parts and so forth.

Adama was scouting the area for a human face with the distinct red-brown colouring he possessed, when a battalion of Nefilim troops came marching down the centre of the road, willing a large metal cage on wheels along behind them.

‘Make way for the mighty Samson,’ cried the guard at the head of the parade. ‘The strongest human in existence!’

The claim brought the citizens of Eridu running to see the caged man, and Adama joined them as they thronged to the side of the road.

Inside the cage stood one of Adama’s lost brothers; from the colour of his skin there could be no mistake. He was stooped to fit inside his cage, but still, he appeared to be shorter than Adama was, perhaps more like Adapa’s height. Adama had rarely seen a physique on any male, Nefilim or human, the like of this man — he certainly seemed to be as strong as the Nefilim guard was boasting.

‘One hundred gold pieces,’ the guard held up a leather pouch, ‘promises that Samson will meet the challenge of any mortal beast. If any of you have a worthy opponent, please come forth and place a bet.’

‘Why is this man in a cage?’ Adama stepped out onto the road to question the guard, forgetting that he was not inside the palace, nor did he have his famed royal brother in tow.

The guard looked Adama over, noting his well-to-do attire. ‘I think the question is more … why are you not in a cage?’

The other guards and the onlookers were amused by the jest. Reality hit home and Adama realised he was in as much trouble as Samson — not that the hulk of a man looked at all worried about what was taking place. In fact, he seemed rather pleased about it.

‘Why don’t I throw you in that cage with Samson and you can find out for yourself why we keep him locked up?’ the guard suggested as he approached Adama.

‘I am a scribe to the Lord Enki, and he shall be most displeased if …’ Adama gave up trying to explain, fearing that the guard might laugh himself to death. ‘I know that you can discern with a thought if I am telling the truth.’ Adama tried to reason with the Nefilim male as he gripped his arm tightly.

‘I do not waste my powers on the like of you,’ the guard advised, and dragged Adama around to the back of the metal cage.

Samson was leaning casually on one side of his prison and was actually laughing as the guard unlocked it.

‘What’s so funny, ape man?’ The guard fumbled with the locking mechanism.

‘For a scribe,’ Samson inched forward as he explained, ‘he sure ain’t too smart.’

The guard found the human’s assessment humorous, until the lock fell open in his hand and the cage door swung open and belted him in the head.

‘He’s smarter than you thought, fool!’ Samson slammed the Nefilim male between the eyes with his fist, and the guard dropped like a stone to the ground. Then, grabbing his reluctant conspirator’s hand, Samson took off down the street with the scribe.

‘Samson is loose!’ the guards yelled, and the Nefilim citizens fled for their lives.

Adama was confused that a human, even one so strong, could strike such fear into the Nefilim. ‘Are you mad?’ Adama cried, as they bolted down the road together. ‘You can’t possibly hope to resist the Nefilim!’

‘Do as I do,’ Samson told him and as the warrior ran he began making loud, growling sounds.

Adama tried to make the same sounds, but he felt awfully silly, until he realised that he was being drawn back towards the guards against his will, and Samson wasn’t. ‘Samson!’ Adama cried, to let him know he’d let him down.

‘You wimp!’ Samson snarled. He turned around and, still making his wild, wailing sounds, went charging off towards the guards.

‘No, Samson,’ they demanded. ‘Down boy! Heel!’ The guards forgot about trying to reel Adama in and fled for their lives.

‘Now, scribe boy, perhaps you’ll do as I say.’ Samson grabbed Adama’s wrist and took off into a side street.

‘That’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen!’ Adama spluttered as he was dragged along behind the warrior. ‘How did you do that?’

‘You’re asking me this now?’ Samson shook his head, as they ran into a dead end. ‘We’re cooked,’ he decided, gazing up at the steep walls on all three sides of them.

‘Can’t you drive the Nefilim off again?’ Adama questioned, still curious about the warrior’s unusual talent.

‘No,’ he insisted, as if Adama was expecting a bit much. ‘I’ve calmed down now,’ he explained as the guards timidly edged round the corner.

‘Calm Samson, good boy,’ they encouraged.

Adama suddenly realised how he might be of aid here. ‘What do you think he is, some sort of pet?’ he queried the guards, whereby Samson started growling angrily. ‘He is not your possession to be bandied about as you see fit!’

‘Yeah!’ Samson seconded Adama’s words.

‘If you think you’re getting him back in that cage, you’ve got another think coming! Samson is stronger than you are,’ Adama challenged, hoping he was right. Before he had a chance to say more, Samson ran headlong into the wall of guards, knocking half of them to the ground without losing his footing. He turned to punch one of the remaining guards, whilst the other fell victim to his foot.

‘Boys, boys, boys!’

Adama breathed a sigh of relief as the Lord Enki manifested and brought the proceedings to a halt.

‘If this is what happens when you get together, I think I did well to keep you apart,’ he chuckled under his breath, proud that they’d managed to fend off their Nefilim foe. ‘Time for you to come back to the palace,’ Enki advised Adama. ‘You’ve had quite enough fun for one day.’

‘And what of Samson?’ Adama made an appeal on his brother’s behalf.

‘Bring him along,’ his father replied in a weary manner, ‘or I shall never hear the end of it … am I right?’

Adama nodded, pleased to have his way so easily and, quite frankly, surprised. He looking to the sweating, panting warrior, not too sure he’d adjust to palace life as well as Adapa had.

‘Come Samson.’ Enki held out his hand to him, and feeling anything was better than going with the guards, the warrior approached and took hold. ‘Time to put your strengths to good use.’

18

KNOWLEDGE OR
LIFE?

Fortunately for Adama, Enki was called away to the city of Nippur, Enlil’s control centre, northwest of Eridu in Edin. This had left Adama completely at leisure to keep his appointment with Eve and there was no one to probe him about his whereabouts afterwards.

He hadn’t informed either of his brothers about meeting Eve. Adapa was only interested in the female of the species from a scientific viewpoint at present, but Samson was driving Adama nuts with questions about the existence of females, and Adama had thought it best to keep them both in the dark until he knew more.

As he wandered into his father’s chambers, Adama noted the large bunches of flowers, which his mother insisted on being cut fresh and placed throughout the royal chambers every day. ‘I wonder if all females like flowers as much?’ He retrieved one of the beautiful mixed floral arrangements to take with him.

His passage down the tunnel, despite his haste, seemed to take an eternity, but the long, quiet walk gave Adama time to ponder the unfolding events. He found it odd and unsettling that his father had not so much as mentioned his defiance the day of Samson’s discovery, and he’d not queried his escape route from the palace either. If Enki had discerned his answers telepathically, then why had there been no reprimand?

‘Is this all some sort of game?’ Adama theorised, angered by the notion. ‘Samson could have been killed! And who’s to say that some of my other brothers have not already perished in their assigned lives beyond the safety of the palace walls? Why did father separate the males and not the females?’

As the light at the end of the tunnel came into view, Adama’s thoughts scattered and his being was filled with a delightful feeling of anticipation at the prospect of meeting Eve again.

A hooded figure awaited his arrival as before. ‘I thought you might have changed your mind,’ she said, and as he neared, she tossed back her hood.

Adama was stunned to find a different human female staring at him. This one was shorter than Eve and had long dark curly hair as Samson did.

‘You’re not Eve?’ He came to a stop outside the open entrance to the House of Shimiti.

‘My name is Delilah. I am one of Eve’s sisters,’ she advised, her eyes giving Adama the once-over as she suppressed a quiet smile of approval. ‘I am here to lead you to your meeting … if you are still game,’ she added playfully, for Adama looked a little wary now. ‘You have no need to fear. Ninharsag has been called away and Eve has been left in charge.’

‘I am not too sure which female I should fear more.’ He ventured through the glass doors and into the foyer, wondering if Ninharsag and Enki had gone to the same meeting. ‘But if Eve still wishes to see me, then please, lead me to her.’

When the exterior metal door to the secret tunnel closed behind them, a passageway into the House of Shimti opened before them.

‘Are there more like you at home?’ Delilah queried Adama as she led him down the passageway towards a flight of stairs.

‘I thought that you would know the answer to that question better than I,’ he replied, whereupon she came to an abrupt halt.

‘Each of my sisters was fashioned from one of your brothers.’ She turned to him to whisper what she did know. ‘I was fashioned from one known as Samson. Do you know of him?’

Adama nodded. ‘I know him.’ His mind dwelt on her words. ‘I could, perhaps, take a message to him, if it pleases you, Delilah?’ he suggested, knowing that Samson would be ecstatic to learn of her existence.

The girl could hardly repress her excitement. ‘Oh yes, Adama. Would you?’

‘Shh,’ he urged her to calm herself. ‘In exchange for some information, that is.’

Delilah’s eyes narrowed, wary of his terms, until she figured his question for herself. ‘The sister who was fashioned from you was —’

‘Eve,’ they both concluded at once, and smiled in accord.

‘Thank you for confirming that.’ He felt more confident about their pending meeting.

‘But I didn’t tell you that.’ Delilah winked at him. ‘Deal?’

‘Yes, indeed.’ He motioned for her to lead the way upstairs.

Here, a large nursery room, completely encased by glass, confronted them. Eve could be seen within, tending to one of a multitude of newborns — none of which appeared to be of the exact same species as she. She had hold of a young male that appeared human in all respects, except for the large wings that sprouted from his back, which were not yet feathered. Eve was caressing the little fellow’s head with her lips, as she cuddled him close.

‘What is she doing with her mouth?’ Adama queried, gazing through the glass, inwardly wishing he could swap places with the infant.

Delilah shrugged, for there was no name for it. ‘We do that to comfort the babes and calm them to sleep.’

‘I dare say if Eve did that to me, sleepy is not what I would feel.’ Adama gave half a laugh, admiring how her robes draped around the curves of her figure.

‘Interesting that you should say so,’ Delilah commented. ‘Nefilim men don’t like it either … or so I’m told.’

As fascinating as he found her conversation, he felt compelled to correct her misunderstanding. ‘I didn’t say I wouldn’t enjoy it. I just said it wouldn’t put me to sleep.’

‘Oh.’ Delilah giggled as she got his drift. ‘Well, that’s interesting to know.’ She pressed a button and entered the nursery. ‘Look who I found loitering around outside our door.’

Eve glanced up with an indifferent look upon her face, as she placed the young birdman on his belly in his crib. ‘I trust he didn’t give you any trouble?’ she asked, her hands placed on her hips.

‘On the contrary,’ Delilah advised in a charmed fashion, as Adama passed her to enter the nursery. ‘It was my pleasure entirely.’ She slipped out of the room, eager to write her letter. ‘Don’t leave without saying goodbye now.’ She winked at Adama.

‘I wouldn’t dream of it,’ he replied, and she departed.

Eve was vexed by her sister’s obvious liking of Adama, until he offered her the bunch of flowers he had hidden behind his back. ‘I thought you might like these, as a sweet reminder of our meeting.’

‘Oh, I love flowers,’ she sighed, and her nonchalant manner melted away as she relieved him of the elaborate arrangement. ‘No one has ever given them to me before.’ She blushed, as such things were reserved for Nefilim women.

‘Then I shall have them sent to you every day,’ Adama decreed in fun.

‘I think Ninharsag might get wise to our association if you did.’ Eve found his promise delightful, or was it just the mere fact of Adama’s presence that made her feel so tickled inside? ‘But it was a nice thought,’ she assured him.

‘So,’ Adama gazed about at their surroundings, ‘am I to help you work this evening?’

Eve began to giggle at the thought of a male tending babes. ‘No, one of my sisters will be here to relieve me presently. We have a garden. I thought we could talk there.’

‘Wonderful plan.’ He clapped his hands together in approval, whereupon the quiet nursery was quickly transformed into a room of screaming babies. ‘Sorry,’ Adama appealed, as his head shrank into his shoulders.

‘You know no better.’ Eve smiled sincerely then released a heavy sigh as she went about the task of settling all the infants again.

Feeling responsible for giving her extra work, Adama walked over to the nearest screaming child, which was bluish in colour and had a strange little hole in the top of its head. He raised the infant onto his shoulder as Eve did, and began rubbing its back and bouncing it gently. To his great surprise and delight, the babe stopped crying. ‘Hey, how about that,’ he whispered, and looking at Eve he found her already staring in amazement.

‘You have the touch,’ she encouraged him, placing her quieted child back in its crib. ‘Most well done, indeed.’ She picked up the next baby — a brilliantly red-haired infant, who sported a lion’s tail.

Adama lowered the newborn from his shoulder and cradled it on one arm, lulling it back to sleep. He thought to plant his lips upon its head as he’d seen Eve do, and this simple act stirred such a feeling in his heart that he had to force back his tears. The child’s head, cradled beneath his clean-shaven chin, felt so warm and soft and pleasing. He’d never held another being just for the pleasure of it and the emotions the moment induced were a complete revelation.

‘Are you insane? Letting him near a baby!’

The child was wrenched from Adama’s embrace by a tall, formidable-looking female, whose beauty rivalled Eve’s. Her harsh expression seemed chiselled on her face, as if it would never lift, and did her comely appearance no justice.

‘Kya, he was doing really well.’ Eve took hold of Adama’s hand to lead him away from her sister, knowing it would be far simpler than arguing with her.

‘Any male over ten years of age is not fit to live,’ Kya stated. ‘He’ll be your worst nightmare, Eve. You know I am right.’

Eve closed the door behind them when they exited, and she cringed at her sister’s ugly behaviour. ‘Sorry about that … Kya has had some bad experiences with males in the past.’

‘Nefilim?’ Adama assumed, and Eve nodded.

‘One of Ninharsag’s greatest mistakes, for she never meant my sisters harm by subjecting them to mating encounters. Ninharsag sought to give them practical knowledge of the science, but their experience only served to put them off the idea of mating for life.’ She forced a smile. ‘Ninharsag understands better now.’

Adama followed Eve through a door and into a huge greenhouse garden and, although it was a paradise on earth, he was way too engrossed in the conversation to pay it any mind. ‘What does Ninharsag understand better?’ Adama asked gently, hoping his curiosity would not offend.

‘The excess of inner feeling that we humans have.’

Eve’s explanation sounded more like an appeal for understanding than a statement, and for the first time, Adama noticed that her eyes were the colour of dark emerald jewels. ‘I, too, can be moved to tears by concern for a complete stranger,’ Adama told her. ‘And can be so filled with emotion that it compels me to do crazy things!’ he confessed, rather more loudly.

‘Yes!’

‘Even things that I know are forbidden,’ he added, as Eve continued to nod. ‘Like being here with you, when I know Father will punish me for it. But then I have to wonder what authority he really has to deny me the right to see you, if that is what we both wish?’

Eve stood gazing up into the man’s eyes, enchanted by his opinions and quietly impressed by his mastery of verbal self-expression. ‘It is not Enki who has forbidden our association … the whole of the Great Pantheon has forbidden our very existence.’

‘They obviously fear what our association might achieve,’ Adama suggested. ‘Enki confessed to me that Anu himself ordered the creation of my six brothers and seven sisters so that our species might have a chance to advance in the great scheme of evolution.’

Eve backed up, not fearful, but wary. ‘No slave in Edin has the ability to procreate. The Nefilim have reserved that right for themselves … although, even they are not producing as many offspring as they used to. The Nefilim designed it that way, to control our number and keep us dependent. So it makes no sense that Anu would order the advancement of a race that might ultimately rival his own.’

‘Father said that humans were needed to guide the Nefilim home, not in a physical sense but in a spiritual one. Our highly-developed emotions had something to do with it.’ Adama referred back to what Eve had been saying before, and scratched his head. ‘But as Father refuses to teach me otherworldly doctrine, I fail to understand the full implications. I’m kind of hoping Adapa will work it out.’

‘Tell me of your brothers,’ Eve implored him on behalf of her sisters, sure that some of them would be curious.

Eve moved to be seated, while Adama pondered his failure to locate all of his kinsmen. He wondered if it would be more diplomatic to avoid the topic for the present.

‘What’s the matter?’ Eve marked the concern in his expression.

Adama looked at her, still undecided as to how to respond, when the look of regard on her face compelled him to be honest. ‘Can you keep a secret from your sisters?’ He seated himself beside her.

‘I’ve never had just cause,’ she told him honestly. ‘But my better judgement is open to negotiation.’ She smiled to encourage him to voice his mind.

Many hours later, Adama and Eve had not budged from the bench in the garden, nor had they wanted for conversation.

Adama had never known such a delightful encounter. Eve was truly the female personification of himself. Their bodies differed, but their minds, and the thoughts spun therein, were identical.

During the course of their meeting, they had gone from sitting on opposite ends of the bench to leaning up against each other. Eve’s head had dropped onto Adama’s shoulder as they paused to ponder all they had discussed. He could smell the divine scent of her, and pleasured by his perception, he thanked Eve by planting a kiss upon her head.

Eve immediately retreated down the bench, before turning to look at him.

Adama had imagined he would see fear and anger in her face, but her expression was more one of awe and curiosity. ‘I apologise. I didn’t mean to alarm you.’ He defended his rash action, having forgotten himself a moment. ‘I understood it was a gesture of comfort.’

‘In the case of a child,’ she specified.

‘So, as adults, we are no longer permitted to comfort each other?’ Adama questioned.

‘Is that why you did it, to comfort me?’ she asked, in a neutral tone.

‘No,’ Adama admittedly openly, as the truth had been working well for him all evening. ‘I did it to thank you … this has been the most enjoyable evening of my life.’ He nearly choked on admitting so much to anyone, let alone someone he’d just met. ‘A shame it has to end, really,’ he added, as Eve had gone quiet and straight-faced, as if assessing him.

With her eyes fixed on Adama, Eve roused her courage and slid closer to him once more. ‘I wish to thank you also.’ She reached out her hand to steady his face and slowly brought her lips to meet his.

Gentle, warm and wet, her luscious lips caressed his own, stirring his emotions as nothing had before. Inside his being, energy ran rampant in a spiralling motion, setting his stomach, his heart and his head into a spin.

As they parted, Eve whispered her confession like a mischievous child. ‘I’ve always wondered what that would feel like.’ Her deep, green eyes sparkled in accord with the smile upon her lips.

‘You know the first rule of science is to always repeat the experiment.’ Adama fished for more of the same and was rather surprised when he got it.

This time their kiss was deeper, longer, and drew their bodies close. The same vortex of energy was set whirling inside Adama’s body, churning his emotions into an excited frenzy.

‘Oh my.’ Eve moved away from him to stabilise all the feelings surging through her body.

‘If it feels that good when only our mouths are touching, imagine what —’ Adama clammed up mid-sentence. He felt so at ease in Eve’s company, he’d actually forgotten he was addressing a female who might be offended by his next observation.

‘Indeed,’ she emphasised, and was pleased to surprise him. ‘I must say that I am curious … perhaps you will prove my sisters wrong about the male gender.’

‘No … I fear your sisters are right about their encounters, for the Nefilim cannot feel as we do. They can choose to experience what we feel, but I doubt that any Nefilim male, apart from my father, would freely expose himself to human feeling, for with every pleasure we feel there is always pain, and the reverse.’

‘It’s so true.’ Eve brushed the tears of joy from her cheeks, feeling she had uncovered a secret treasure in this man, and that she had only discovered the entrance hall to a palace full of jewels.

‘Will you see me again?’ Adama felt it was the right moment to broach the subject.

‘I would run with you into the wilderness this very second, Adama, if it didn’t mean leaving my sisters.’ Eve was as straightforward with him as she knew how to be. Adama was truly extraordinary and she wanted him in her life.

Adama’s heart went from pounding in his chest, to pounding in his throat, and he shed his first tear of joy. ‘Then we shall take them with us,’ he stated, in a deadly serious fashion.

‘And leave half of them without a mate?’ appealed Eve, shaking her head.

‘Then, I will find my brothers.’ Adama stood up, compelled by his conviction. ‘Better still, I shall go to Father and demand that he bring them to the palace for their protection.’

‘That could take some organising.’ Eve seemed to be reconsidering their plan, and Adama began to fear that she was having second thoughts. ‘I don’t think I could wait that long to see you again,’ she decided, finally, and then smiled at the look of relief on Adama’s face.

‘Well, if we are to escape from Eridu, we should map out an escape route,’ Adama suggested.

‘Of course. There’s an exit to the forest in the tunnel.’ Eve frowned. ‘Daytime or night?’

‘Night-time, of course.’ His smiled broadened, although he expected her to decline such a date. Such an adventure would leave them all alone, in the middle of the wilderness, in darkness.

‘Sounds good,’ she resolved, and noting his astonishment, she asked: ‘Why so amazed, Adama?’

‘Aren’t you afraid that I might try and impose myself upon you?’ He accentuated the word ‘impose’ in a humorous fashion.

‘Well, what is the point of this whole excursion if you don’t?’ Eve raised her eyebrows, letting him know she saw straight through his ploy, but was disposed towards his intent anyway.

Adama was lost for words, breath, rational thought! ‘But you must feel unsure after what your sisters —’

‘Adama,’ Eve interrupted, shaking her head. ‘I’ll draw my own conclusions. Somehow, I know that you will not hurt me. In fact, I believe just the opposite is possible.’ She breathed deep and taking hold of both his hands, she looked him straight in the eye. ‘I believe that you make me happy.’

The next morning, Adama breezed into the scriptorium, with not a care in the world and strolling up to Adapa, who was engrossed in study, he kissed his brother’s cheek.

‘What are you doing?’ Adapa demanded.

‘Is it not wonderful?’ Adama planted a kiss on his brother’s other cheek.

‘No, it is not!’ Adapa stood in protest and backed away to avoid being kissed again. ‘It’s like being back with the mutants … they were always licking my face like that.’

‘A human female did that to me, last night,’ Adama boasted, and Adapa’s interest snowballed, as expected.

‘I don’t believe you.’ Adapa smiled, wanting to. ‘You found a female?’

‘I found seven.’

‘Seven!’ Adapa was shocked beyond belief. ‘Then we have another four brothers somewhere … don’t you think?’

‘It seems nice and neat, as our Father would have it.’ Adama nodded surely. ‘I was also informed that the females each derived their essence from one of my brothers. They were not directly derived from the Nefilim’s essence as we males were.’

‘To what end, I wonder?’ Adapa dwelt upon the enigma, then his thoughts moved on. ‘I also made progress on my quest last night.’ He lowered his voice suddenly, as if guilt compelled him. ‘I had a rummage through Father’s private library and I came across an old Nefilim brief for the creation of the human species.’

Adama frowned as his brother moved to fetch his prize find. ‘But why would Father bring such a document into existence?’

The only printed documents were here in Eridu and had been created purely for Adama’s benefit, since he was not telepathic. Nor could his mind command the psychokinetically operated databases that the Nefilim used for information storage and for communicating over long distances. Adama’s Nefilim kindred also spoke aloud, for his benefit alone.

‘It’s a simple document …’ Adapa grabbed for the tiny scroll. He placed the end knobs of the wooden rod around which the scroll was wrapped, onto a device which allowed the reader to turn the knobs and scroll the text. ‘… filled with information we are already aware of. Like, low intelligence, no reproductive prospects and so on and so forth.’ They both nodded in accord as Adapa scrolled down to the relevant text. ‘But this here is very interesting.’ Adapa translated. ‘Humans are not to be given our lifespan and resilience, lest they use up the Orme that keeps the Nefilim ever filled with the light of youth.’

‘This is implying the Nefilim are not immortal!’ The implications were staggering, and Adama had to sit down. Why would Enki have wanted his human sons to know this? Why put such knowledge on paper to be discovered?

‘What is an Orme?’ Adama queried at last.

‘Well, I was rather curious about that myself.’ Adapa took a seat. ‘The only reference I could find to it was in metallurgy.’

‘Makes sense,’ said Adama, as ‘Or’ was the name for gold.

Adapa shuffled through the scrolls on his desk, but unable to locate the text he was seeking, decided to summarise in his own words. ‘Orme is what results from the process of reducing Or to its base elements, its pure substance. This substance is at the heart of the Nefilim’s operations here, as it is the super-conductive agent they use for the planetary shield that protects Nibiru and prevents it from freezing over.’

‘But in this text it is implied that it is the Nefilim who need the Orme, not just their planet,’ Adama pointed out, recalling something his father had said, many years ago now.

The emotional body seems to be something unique to Gaia’s spawn, and is part of you that comes from the ape man of this planet, which supplied part of your essential makeup …

‘Yes, it makes sense.’ Adama raised himself, his mind churning.

‘What makes sense?’ Adapa thought he must have missed something.

‘The Nefilim were spawned on Nibiru, therefore their essence was derived from that planet and must be in sympathy with it.’ Adama was both excited and terrified by his own theorising. ‘As their planet needs aid to prevent it freezing over and dying, perhaps the Nefilim too need the same aid to prevent them from freezing to death? For … they have no emotions to warm them.’ Adama looked to his brother, his speculation at an end; it scared him that it had a ring of truth about it.

‘Then perhaps the Nefilim way to immortality will differ from the human way to life eternal?’ Adapa suggested and his brother agreed with a nod.

‘My guess is that human emotion is the key to unlocking our immortality.’ Eve came to mind, and the amazing rushes of energy that had gripped his body from head to tail when their lips had met. ‘I’m also willing to bet that our female personifications hold the key to part of this mystery.’

Adapa shrugged at this assumption. ‘What could our sisters teach us that we cannot find out for ourselves?’

Adama smiled at his younger brother’s query. ‘She can stir up my emotions without anger, offence or concern being the cause.’

‘The getting of knowledge can do the same.’ Adapa disregarded his brother’s view and moved back to his texts.

Adama shook his head. How could he make the scholar understand? ‘Can just the sight of text excite you beyond rational thought, without you having to read a word?’ Adama was gazing out the open doors now, his eyes lost in the intense blue expanse of the morning sky.

The absolute wonder and delight in his brother’s tone made Adapa mildly curious. ‘The mere sight of her makes you feel this way?’

‘I die a thousand tiny deaths inside, each time I stop and realise I am without her company.’

‘Sounds like fun,’ Adapa retorted. ‘I think I shall give it a miss.’ He reached for his quill, feeling he was a far more contented man than his brother was.

‘No!’ Adama startled Adapa with his alarmed response. ‘You cannot just give it a miss! Once I find our other four brothers, I intend to take all my kindred far away from Eridu … Eve has already agreed to come with me. In fact,’ Adama calmed to a smile when he thought about it, ‘it was her idea.’

‘I will not leave Eridu!’ Adapa backed away from his oldest brother. ‘I have lived outside these palace walls most of my life and I tell you, it’s an existence that I will not go back to.’

Adama had never seen a defiant side to the sage before. ‘And what of your mate, Adapa? Are you not even curious to meet her?’

‘Not if it will risk my position in this household, and risk my access to written knowledge.’ Adapa shook his head decidedly. ‘No, I am not interested.’

‘Is knowledge more important than life then?’ Adama was annoyed by the sage’s stance, thinking it illogical.

‘Knowledge is life!’ Adapa shot back at his brother, as if he was the one being puerile.

‘I know, I’m late.’ Samson entered the room to find his brothers glaring at each other, and he backed up a step as he unconsciously sensed the hostility brewing. ‘I could be later if you like?’ He retreated to the door.

‘I’ve located the females,’ Adama advised Samson, his eyes still pinned on Adapa. He pulled a package from the deep pockets of his robe and tossed it in Samson’s direction.

Samson unfolded the package to find a note wrapped in a scarf. He took a long whiff of the silken fabric and gave the deep sigh of a beast tamed and contented. ‘To whom does this belong?’

‘It’s for you, from the female that was fashioned from your essence.’ Adama finally dragged his angry eyes from the sage and gave Samson his attention.

‘Great! Now we’ll never hear the end of it.’ Adapa rolled his eyes, knowing that the warrior’s sole purpose in life was to find his mate, and he would certainly take Adama’s side.

‘I never smelt this good.’ Samson grinned, and noticing the scribble inside the gift-wrapping, he held it up. ‘Is this anything?’

Again Adapa rolled his eyes as he stepped forward and snatched the parchment from the warrior. ‘It’s a message.’ His anger dwindled as he looked it over, curious to note that the penmanship was rather good.

Samson was immediately frustrated by Adapa’s appraisal. ‘Damn, I should have paid more attention to your tuition, Adapa … I never imagined that being able to read could be useful.’

‘Well, let this be a lesson to you,’ Adapa lectured, taking a seat. ‘I shall read it to you this once,’ he said, and the warrior was quick to take him up on the offer, promising to concentrate on writing lessons from now on.

Adama found it quietly amusing that Adapa had volunteered to read the missive — perhaps the sage was more curious about the females than he was letting on.

‘She says,’ Adapa began to read: ‘On this silk are the tears of joy I shed upon learning that you are safe and well and living in the palace. My greatest fear has been laid to rest, and I live now in excited expectation of our first meeting. Your sister soul, Delilah.’ Adapa was glad he’d finished reading, for a hard lump had formed in his throat.

Samson gently retrieved the piece of parchment. He, too, had a lump in his throat. ‘Delilah …’ He spoke the name in wonder and awe. ‘She wants to meet me!’ He looked at Adama, preparing to launch into twenty questions, when the door to the scriptorium opened and one of their father’s personal guards entered.

‘The Lord Enki has requested to see all of his human sons in his council chambers at once.’

Adama looked to Adapa to find him just as surprised by the announcement. ‘Father is back?’

The trio entered Enki’s council chambers to find their four missing brothers in attendance. All were attired very differently. Adama’s request to bring his kindred into the palace had been granted before he’d even had to make it.

‘I have just come from a meeting with the Pantheon,’ Enki advised, to speed his mystified sons’ approach. ‘It seems my brother, Enlil, has found out about Adapa.’

‘Marduk told him?’ Adama hated to suggest it, but his Nefilim brother was, most likely, the only other Nefilim Lord who knew about the sage.

‘I suspect so,’ Enki confirmed, seeming disappointed but not surprised. ‘Enlil has demanded I destroy my second human son.’

Adapa gasped. He wouldn’t have cared less before Adama had found him, but he’d just started to make something of his life.

‘Fear not, Adapa, that is not what is fated for you. But Enlil will demand the same action be taken if he ever finds out about the rest of my perfect human children … and Enlil will find out,’ Enki concluded in a heavy tone, but he went on, unfazed. ‘Still, as I foresaw all of these events a long time ago, I have prepared.’

‘Prepared what, Father?’ Adama urged, eager to learn if the rest of his wishes were about to be granted.

‘I shall come to that presently.’ He held up a finger to command the patience of his number one son. ‘First, allow me to introduce you to your brothers.’

As Adama met his four remaining brothers — Adin, Geebo, Kalisto and Incus — he realised why Enki had separated them. Adin had worked the land and had extensive knowledge of animal husbandry; Geebo knew the skills of building and technology; Kalisto was a fisherman; Incus was a hunter of both flora and fauna.

Between Adama and his brothers were all the skills and knowledge needed to carve out their own civilisation apart from the Nefilim.

‘So it was always the plan that my kind would flee into the wilderness beyond Edin?’ Adama questioned hisfather.

‘Yes, Adama.’ Enki smiled, as he only ever felt compelled to in human company.

‘Am I simply to disappear then, Father?’ Adapa queried his fate, not very satisfied with it.

‘Oh no, my dear scribe,’ Enki exclaimed, sounding excited for him. ‘Anu has decreed that he wishes to meet the Sage of Eridu before deciding what his fate shall be. I am to take you to Nippur. You will converse with Anu, who is on Nibiru, via the Duranki, a communications device designed for that purpose.’

Adapa had gone ghostly white with excitement and fear. ‘I am to converse with God?’ His voice was hoarse with stress, as this divine appointment was within the Lord Enlil’s capital city. Adapa feared he would not live to fulfil his destiny.

‘I shall be beside you the entire time,’ Enki assured. ‘I have foreseen this meeting,’ he said surely, and eased the sage’s fears. ‘The rest of you are finally to meet your female offspring, at an engagement my sister, Ninharsag, has arranged … except you Adama.’ Enki turned to look at his first son and immediately picked up on Adama’s fear and dread of being apprehended and punished. ‘I understand you have made other plans for this evening?’

Adama forced a smile, doing his best not to be bluffed into confessing his plans to meet with Eve. ‘I can cancel them, if I have to,’ he replied.

‘No need,’ retorted Enki. ‘I excuse you.’

Scarcely believing his own ears, Adama suppressed a grin, not game to query his father’s consent nor even to make a verbal response.

‘Stay and speak with me, Adama.’ The Lord dismissed his other sons with a wave of his hand. ‘It’s high time we talked about your aspirations. And I have a little time before I must leave for Nippur with your brother.’

Was he about to be enlightened or punished? Adama wasn’t sure; that was the thing about the Nefilim, their feelings never gave them away. ‘I would be honoured to impose upon your time, Father.’

Adama entered the secret tunnel that evening to meet with Eve, but for a change, his mind was not dwelling on her alone. The private audience with his father was foremost in Adama’s mind, for the Lord had spoken of his wondrous expectations for the future of humankind.

It had been revealed to Adama why Eve had been fashioned from his essence. He found it rather incredible that half of his soul-mind could exist in the body of another living being, but it did explain why the only time he ever recalled feeling contented and complete was in Eve’s company.

‘When you are joined in sexual union, I suspect that your soul-mind will become one once more,’ Enki had advised. ‘And I cannot say what effects this will have on your emotional psyche, but I expect the ramifications will be profound!’

The daughters of Enki had been initiated in the ways of sexual interplay by Nefilim males, and had come away from their experiences adversely affected, although the Nefilim males had been warmed by their human sexual experience. Enlightened by it, Enki had claimed.

His father’s terminology made Adama think of the condemning information in the Nefilim brief Adapa had found. The Orme that keeps we Nefilim ever filled with the light of youth. Could it be that humans generated the Orme naturally, via the emotional body that had been the gift of their home planet, Gaia?

Up ahead in the tunnel, he spied the stairs that led to the forest where they had arranged to meet, but Eve was nowhere to be seen. Upon reaching the stairs he procrastinated over whether to continue on to the House of Shimti. ‘Perhaps she’s had second thoughts?’ he wondered, disappointed.

‘Adama,’ Eve called. ‘Up here.’

He looked up to find her waving down at him through the exit at the top of the ladder.

With every stair he scaled he felt his destiny approaching and the anticipation heightened.

Adapa had never been physically teleported anywhere before. One moment ago he’d been in Eridu and now, thanks to his father, he was ascending the stairs of the Temple of the Duranki in Nippur.

The circular domed temple that arose before him had been specifically designed to house the Duranki — the bond between the heavens and those Nefilim here on Gaia. The interior of the temple was as grand in scale as it was in decoration. Adorned with jewels, silver and other precious metals, there was no gold featured anywhere on the building itself.

Perhaps Or is too highly prized to be used as a mere decoration? Adapa considered. He reached the top of the temple stairs and crossed the entrance platform, where he was able to look down into the sanctuary.

There was a beautiful sun motif set into the circular platform in the sunken centre of the large, open-air temple. This motif mirrored in size the transparent domed ceiling some distance above. Set into the stairs to the south, east and west of the central platform was a semi-circular platform. To the north was the shrine’s most striking feature — a box the size of an altar that was made of pure gold. This housed the Duranki.

A winged rod symbol, with two serpents entwining it in opposing directions, was engraved upon each side of the container. The golden lid was crowned by a statue of two winged figures, also in gold; they faced away from each other, their wings extending backwards and touching at the tips.

Enlil and his wife, Ninlil, stood below, in the inner circle of the shrine, with their son and heir, Ninurta, at their side, and his wife-to-be, Gula, also present. Marduk stood on Enlil’s other side, his expression cold as he watched Adapa descend towards them with Enki, Ninki and Ninharsag.

There was no one else present; not a Nefilim guard or servant in sight, which was highly unusual as the members of the Pantheon were almost always attended by a guard.

So you have brought him. Enlil projected his thoughts aloud, knowing the feat would disturb the human that he eyed over with distaste. Like a lamb to the slaughter.

Enki placed a comforting hand upon Adapa’s shoulder, sensing his fear. ‘Anu has not spoken yet,’ Enki responded, projecting his mind in the same fashion, before he whispered to Adapa: ‘See, it is naught but a silly trick.’

Enlil was furious that Enki sought to reassure the slave. ‘How smug you are, believing that you have seen a future for these hybrid abominations you have constructed. But I too have had a vision of their future that is in distinct contradiction to yours.’

For two brothers, Enlil and Enki were as diverse in appearance as they were in opinion. Where the Lord Enki’s features were rounded and soft, his brother’s were pointed and hard. Enki’s large almond-shaped eyes — consistent with all Nefilim — were brown, and his short, straight hair was in vast contrast to Enlil’s blonde waves and eyes of blue. Both were tall, as all Nefilim were, but Enlil’s build was that of a warrior, where Enki had the body of a scholar. Not that physique had anything to do with strength — a Nefilim’s power stemmed from his mastery of the mind and thus his ability to influence the world around him.

‘Let us begin,’ Enki suggested calmly. ‘And see what the outcome shall be?’

‘Yes, let’s.’ Ninharsag stepped forward to prevent Enlil replying. ‘Take Adapa to the judging platform and let him be judged.’

‘I will stand with you,’ Enki assured the sage quietly, as he turned to lead him to a platform at the top of the stairs to the south.

‘Oh no, you will not,’ Enlil protested. ‘The human stands alone.’

‘I am able, Lord Enki,’ Adapa pronounced bravely, moving off up the stairs unaccompanied, whilst all of the Nefilim turned to ascend the stairs to the north platform where the Duranki sat.

‘What you will see will be awe inspiring,’ Enki called after Adapa in warning, and his son nodded to heed him.

Adapa’s knees were shaking as he reached the platform, so he decided to kneel down to endure the proceedings, which seemed a more befitting way to come before a God in any case. He was grateful to be removed from the gathering of Nefilim, who now stood facing him in a half-circle around the Duranki, on the opposite side of the temple. Their arms were at their sides and their eyes were fixed on the golden feature. Adapa was just starting to feel at ease when the ornamental beings on the lid of the golden treasure suddenly came to life and flew upwards, taking the lid of the Duranki with them, out of the way of the proceedings.

Out of the golden base, around which the Nefilim stood, arose a cylindrical dome of a shiny metallic colour. All the Nefilim present placed their hands on this.

The tall, smokey-white pillars that supported the transparent domed ceiling of the temple appeared to become illuminated from the inside. The circular central feature at the base of the stairs split in half and slid aside to reveal a pool of glowing liquid boiling with turbulent clouds and electrical activity. A bolt of lightning lashed out of the swirling mass of liquid at the heart of the temple and made contact with the dome on which the hands of the Nefilim were resting.

Adapa was amazed by what he saw, and even more so when the glowing mixture of liquid and mist began to rise from the centre of the temple.

19

THE FATED CHOICE

They had been wandering through the forest for some time and had made much small talk about their mission to escape Eridu. Enki had actually told Adama this afternoon that he’d already made the arrangements for their departure from Edin. Now that the topic had served to occupy them long enough to get a good distance from the tunnel, Adama considered it a good time to confess to Eve that they could be at leisure this evening, as all had been arranged.

‘Oh, Adama, come look at this,’ Eve called from up ahead, where the forest cleared and moonlight streamed freely upon the expanse beyond.

From the edge of the forest, fields of flowers formed deep patches of colour that blanketed the countryside.

‘This must be where they grow mother’s flowers,’ Adama said, and had to smile — even Mother Nature was lending him a hand with his seduction. The aroma, as he moved into the field in pursuit of Eve, sent his senses swimming.

‘I have never seen anything so lovely,’ Eve commented, as she danced through the fields, sniffing the different flowers as she went.

‘I see something far more breathtaking.’ Adama had stopped still to admire the way she moved. Her hood had fallen from her head and the bulk of her long dark hair was trapped in the folds of her cloak.

Eve turned back, intrigued to learn what had so enchanted Adama and she was touched to discover he was complimenting her. ‘Ninharsag and Enki have made arrangements for our departure,’ Eve confessed to Adama, coming to a standstill also.

‘They have?’ Adama played dumb. ‘It looks like you’re stuck with me then.’ He broke into a smile.

‘You knew!’ It tickled Eve that Adama had been leading her here under false pretences, when she thought she’d been the one doing the leading.

‘I was going to tell you right before we found these fields,’ Adama was eager to admit.

‘I’ll let you in on another little secret.’ Eve moved towards him, untying her cloak. ‘I’ve known about these fields for ages.’ Her garment parted and dropped from her shoulders, leaving Eve naked as she slid into his arms. ‘I have dreamt of us here, in the gardens of Edin.’

Adama gulped, feeling the heat rising in his manhood, as his fingers rushed over the bare skin of Eve’s back and his lips became lost in hers. Their wild rushes of emotion wove a spell around them that cast off the outside world. A moment filled with heated kisses and soft caresses, found them naked and on the ground, pressed close against one another.

‘I care for you more than life,’ Adama whispered, pulling back to admire Eve’s smiling face. ‘The last thing I ever want to do is hurt you.’

‘You will not.’ She guided his fully erect member into position between her legs, where it was met by a delicious warm moistness that inspired a pleasured groan from them both.

Oh my God! Adapa did not have the courage to utter his awe aloud. The glowing body of liquid, cloud and lightning had risen to eye level, seething as it billowed in the centre of the Temple of the Duranki.

The mass appeared to be assuming a form. Strange noises, like a wild animal wailing, emanated from the celestial body and then were silenced by an unearthly hissing. The figure of a Nefilim became defined within the energetic substance, whereupon the strange sporadic wailing noises steadied into dialogue.

… how goes all with my children on Gaia? Have you brought the Sage of Eridu to me?

The abomination is here, Father, in the quadrant of judgement, Enlil advised, without stirring from his stance alongside his kindred gathered around the communication device.

The enormous lofty figure turned from addressing the Nefilim, to look at Adapa kneeling humbly alone.

Adapa bowed low to the ground, horrified beyond speech.

So you are the sage who desires to know God and the knowledge of Gaia?

Strangely enough, Adapa’s fear dissipated with the celestial Lord’s question, for he addressed him as the Lord Enki did, in a fatherly tone of voice. Unlike most Nefilim, Anu’s facial expressions were warm and welcoming, and so Adapa dared to raise his upper body to respond to the great leader of the Pantheon. ‘I wish to know what makes a God, Majesty,’ he clarified.

So that you, yourself, can become an immortal entity and thus ensure the survival of your kind, Anu questioned, and Adapa could not refute the claim. The human race have not yet earned the right for such awareness and would misuse it, Anu decreed. Perhaps even worse than we have.

‘You believe that humans will use up the Orme that keeps the Nefilim filled with the light of youth,’ Adapa ventured to state boldly. Either he was going to die, or get some answers.

Anu did not become angry that Adapa came right to the point. With a wave of the God’s hand, all of the Nefilim blacked out, remaining standing, but their heads falling forward.

Except for the Lord Enki, who spoke to Adapa. I must bid my leave of you, as I have things to arrange. But you are safe in the presence of Anu, my son. Enki bowed to his father, and was gone.

My people are fading into oblivion in droves, Adapa, and selfishness is the cause, Anu told him openly and honestly. Before long we will only have enough Or resources to keep the royal line of my people alive and our planet from freezing … although we are always seeking new reserves. Small amounts of the Orme taken over a long period of time allow we Nefilim an extended life period, but, having reached maturity, we only age one year to three thousand six hundred of your years. When a large amount of Orme is ingested by one of my brethren, it lightens our bodies of our souls, and it then rejoins Anu, our soul-source. In reality, we could produce enough Orme for all my kindred to ascend safely back to Anu right now. But the rich Nefilim refuse, wanting more physical life; thus, the price of Or is getting so expensive that the poorer Nefilim can only afford to keep themselves alive. When they can longer do even that, all the divine light is dissipated in their bodies and they die a mortal death, to find themselves trapped in the eternal darkness of Density, where they remain indefinitely. I have taken steps to set up a welfare scheme to prevent this from happening, but even this measure has met with protest from my wealthy subjects, as Orme is too precious to just be given away! As a human you have been blessed. You don’t need a continued dosage of Orme to maintain immortality. Once your immortal body is activated, the cosmos and nature have devised a means to generate the Orme of enlightenment internally. For, I have foreseen a greater shortfall with an artificially-prolonged lifespan, than even the selfish ways of my kin. I have come to understand that everything in creation is immortal; it simply changes form and must do so if it is to evolve and learn. To remain bound to one form for too long is to become stagnant … lost to creation. This is the fate that lies in wait for my kindred. Only the advent of a spiritually, mentally and physically developed human soulmind is going to be able to save those of my kin who have not opted to take the path of enlightenment by the time our Logos reaches the end of its lifespan.

‘Then give me the Orme, Highness, and I will strive to become this soul-mind and lead your people out of darkness.’

That is the fate of a leader, and fated to be a leader you are not, Adapa. And besides, different elemental forces came into play with the creation of your species. You have an additional etheric layer that needs high maintenance and is relatively short-lived, even if attended to properly.

‘Are you talking about emotions?’

Indeed I am. A whole new level of awareness has arisen in the ethers to cater for the elementary substance that will maintain the principal forces coming into play in the physical world. Creation has taken every precaution with the design of your breed, Adapa. The human soul-mind has been fashioned so that even if you manage to achieve immortality, the length of that divine state will be determined by your caring for another.

‘Another? Do you refer to my sister soul?’

Lilith, Anu informed, knowing that the sage had not bothered to discover the name of his twin soul for fear of being enticed by its vibration. So, although you can achieve immortality alone, without knowing and employing these new elemental principles that interaction with your sister soul will promote, you will not be able to maintain an everlasting state of being. Anu outlined the significance of the split-soul principle. I could award you the immortality you seek, but you would become a single soul organism like we Nefilim and risk fading into oblivion when you grow selfish and refuse to acknowledge or serve the creation that spawned you. You would be giving up a grand opportunity to be a part of something we Nefilim can only imagine. In the grand scheme of creation, your soul-mind is far more advanced than mine. Human consciousness will be breaking new ground in the cosmological scheme of things, and being the scholar that you are fated to be, Adapa, I don’t believe that you would want to miss out on that wave of discovery.

‘But if I don’t figure the secret before I die, then my kind will be lost in eternal darkness!’ Adapa said, as he considered the hand fate had dealt him.

Certainly not. Anu laughed to ease the Sage’s fears. Creation is not so cruel. Instead of a long lifespan as the Nefilim have, it is the human soul-mind’s lot to die and be reborn. This reincarnation process means that humans take into each life only that which is beneficial to their development in that life. Your soul-mind, which has already split itself once in order to gain a double perspective on the physical world, can split itself into different time periods in order to gather knowledge. You can split yourself into several incarnations belonging to the same time period and seek to absorb knowledge faster that way. These are things we Nefilim could never do. This is why it is so important that humans learn how to breed without our aid. Then, all the potential human souls who follow you into the realms of matter will have bodies to be born into, and your initial fourteen souls have bodies to be reborn into, and so on.

Adama had been right, the sage realised. Reproduction was more important than divinity at this stage of human evolution. Still, Adapa had to wonder why, if breeding was so important, they had been denied all knowledge of the subject and had never been permitted to interact with their female counterparts.

A new etheric substance, karma, is to supervise humankind’s development, Anu continued. All your physical incarnations will be subject to its law of cause and effect — as you do to others, so will they do to you. The Nefilim soul-mind has never been subject to this kind of scrutiny, an oversight that will prove our undoing. Our means to access the higher mysteries have been limited to a single mental perspective with good reason … so that we might grow bored with our physical existence and be drawn back to our soul-source. Our time in the realm of matter is nearly at an end. We will have outlived our usefulness by the time human beings cover the face of Gaia.

Adapa was stunned that the Lord would confess as much to him. ‘Great Majesty, I am a mere mortal. Why are you telling me all this?

Someone of your species must know and understand the divine plan, so that it might be recorded and heeded at the necessary time. I must take steps to ensure that my stray kindred will be delivered home to Anu safely, for ultimately, I was responsible for exposing them to this world of matter. This is mankind’s karmic debt to my people, who fashioned you, and the face of the planets that will nurture you. Nefilim essence does run in your veins, Adapa, and you have every right to pursue the longevity of your forefathers. But by so doing you must bypass the emotional experience that was Gaia’s gift to you … at this stage of your evolution the cosmos cannot risk allowing you to have it both ways.

Adapa really didn’t like the idea of having to rely on the aid of another to achieve his goals in life. ‘What would happen to my sister soul if I were to take the Nefilim way?’

Why … Lilith would cease to exist, Anu said, with certainty. As your soul-mind would reform into one body and existence.

‘That’s what I thought.’ Adapa breathed a heavy sigh, when he saw that it truly was a human’s lot to be selfless.

We Nefilim know little of the human path to salvation at present. Anu shrugged, wearily. This new ethereal plane of awareness is a wonder to us, with its split agendas … negative and positive, cause and effect, and the male and female split-soul principle … in all these instances one cannot exist without the other. Still, it is our theory that when these aspects, equal and opposite, are brought together that they cancel each other out and create a nullity. In this void exist spirit atoms, transmitters that pick up the underlying vibration of the universe, the pulse of the creator that underlies everything in existence. When these atoms are aroused by the love principle in a human, a Kundalini is created, setting the celestial atoms into a high spin, a coiling motion. The resulting vacuum attracts the Orme that is the divine unseen essence underlying all life. When you become filled with the light you become a perfect superconducting being. Orme stimulates the transceivers of the spirit atom and promotes access to speak directly to the Logoi.

If the pleasure grew any more intense Adama thought that he would black out. He had feared hurting Eve during the course of their union, but her gratified groans of arousal encouraged his deepest penetration. She seemed every bit as compelled as he to see where this flight of delight would end.

With one last high-pitched moan of passion, Eve clung close to Adama and gave up her struggle against the mysterious force that had compelled her to this union.

Adama felt her release perform a breathtaking rhythmic dance over his manhood, which exploded in response, sending his consciousness rocketing into the depth of his soul.

The destiny of mankind is fixed.

Adama heard the words in his head, and had no idea from whence they came. It seemed almost as if he was talking to himself.

From Gaia’s dust you were made and to her dust you shall return, over and over until your unborn potential to love is released.

What is love? Adama had never before heard the term, and he began to doubt whether it was indeed his own psyche he was addressing.

Love is the emotion that you are feeling right now. You love this woman who has pleasured you, in a selfish but positive way. Once your feelings for her are pure and unselfish, your love will be unconditional. When you feel unconditional love for all things in the cosmos, your unrealised potential shall be realised and unleashed.

‘I feel we have been touched by creation,’ Eve whispered, kissing Adama’s neck and face, and trying desperately to keep a whimper out of her voice. ‘For surely such joy is a blessed gift.’

Adama, who had collapsed on top of Eve, stirred from his blissful coma when he realised she was weeping.

‘Forgive me,’ he pleaded, sliding off her. ‘I have hurt you.’

‘No Adama, not at all.’ Eve held his face to set him straight. ‘These tears are of joy and relief … my sisters’ reports were all wrong. There is hope for our species after all.’

‘Adama! Eve!’

‘That is Father,’ Adama realised, lifting Eve’s cloak up and placing it around her, before pulling on his own robes. No sooner had he done so than Enki was standing over them both. ‘So, it is done?’

Adama rose and gave Eve a hand to get to her feet. ‘Yes, Father,’ Adama admitted, reverently, and even in the darkness he could see the relief on the Nefilim Lord’s face.

‘Then it is no longer safe for you here,’ Enki stated frankly, but with genuine concern. ‘Come … it is time to get you out of Edin.’

As Adapa stood staring into the eyes of his sister-soul, he knew he would only ever wish to be stuck with a human’s lot.

Lilith had been educated in genetic engineering, procreation and birthing and was as versed in otherworldly doctrine as any of the Nefilim. Ninharsag had educated her to be Adapa’s perfect complement, in a knowledge sense.

You both have chosen wisely. Anu smiled broadly in approval at them both.

‘What?’ said the humans together, looking at each other as if to say, ‘you weren’t thinking of wiping me from existence were you?’

At last Lilith smiled. ‘We truly are like minded.’

‘We have the same goals.’ Adapa gave a nod, shrugging off his near-extinction and praising the Logos that designed all humans to be self-sacrificing.

Like you, Lilith does not wish to leave Eridu with the rest of your kindred, Anu informed and Adapa was delighted.

‘Will you help me to record human destiny as the Lord Anu wishes?’ Adapa was excited by the notion of combining their knowledge on the project.

‘Well, actually.’ Lilith found his misconception amusing. ‘I expected that you would be helping me fulfil Anu’s wish, as the better part of my life has been dedicated to unravelling the destiny of our species.’ Adapa was a little miffed to learn this, for he had only had his ambition for a couple of years. ‘But now I realise that this is something I could never do without your aid and knowledge,’ she added to set her male counterpart at ease.

‘That was my very thought, not a moment ago,’ Adapa responded.

It is only thanks to Lilith’s work that I know what little I do about the love principle. Anu gave the female her due.

Adapa was most inspired by the announcement. ‘Your work is most impressive.’ He flattered Lilith with his enthusiasm. ‘I can hardly wait to get collaborating on this.’

Splendid, Anu cheered. I see this partnership is going to work well, and although wisdom brings its own rewards, I have gifts that will aid you both with our divine commission.

A pyramid pendant manifested on a chain around Adapa’s neck.

That is the Tablet of Destinies, an inspired gift to you and your people, Sage, from the Cosmic Logoi. It is a record of all that has gone before and all that will ever be. It is a means to divine the future, and beneficial outcomes. It must be passed on to the worthy, and will return to you in due course.

Next, a hand-sized chunk of crystal manifested in front of Adapa and floated before his eyes. There were very peculiar workings set inside the rock.

‘What is it, Majesty?’ The sage was so overcome by the strangeness of the object that he was hesitant to touch it.

It is the key to a thought-recording device I have had designed specifically for you. Once you have recorded your destiny, history and karmic debt to the Nefilim, your father shall devise a hiding place for the data, where it can lay in wait for your matured soul’s return.

Adapa reached out and took hold of the key. But, as he had already received the gift of the pendant, he moved to pass the key to Lilith.

‘Oh no,’ she declined. ‘I am a scientist, not a Sage. The recording of information is your destiny, not mine. Your expertise with the written word is a gift to me from the Logoi, and believe me, I intend to utilise it.’

Anu was very pleased by the outcome of their meeting. To you of wisdom, will be revealed the truth of Gaia. Eternal life you must earn, by her tests and principles. May the light of the Logoi always guide you ever nearer. With a wave of his hand the Nefilim around the Duranki awoke. Let it be known that from this day forth Adapa and Lilith will reside in Eridu to work on the commission of Anu, and will answer to me alone.

Where the hell did she come from? Enlil was outraged upon sighting the human female, and turned to his sister, Ninharsag, who wore a cool smile as she shrugged. Are there any more of the parasites?

Anu turned to his eldest son. After tomorrow, you may kill any other hybrid human you find in Eridu, he said. But if any harm befalls this Sage and his sister, I will exact the ultimate punishment for their loss.

The ultimate punishment was death by darkness, where the Orme was withheld and the criminal left to fade into oblivion.

The penalty took several thousand years to come about, so the offender had plenty of time to contemplate his pending demise.

When Anu had gone, Ninharsag and Ninki quickly swept the two humans out of the sight of their irate brother, Enlil.

Not only has your ffather broken our law by making another hybrid, Enlil vented his disapproval in Marduk’s direction, he also made a female!

Maybe more, the young Lord smiled, which riled his uncle.

I don’t see that there is anything to smile about, Enlil reprimanded his subordinate.

Marduk nodded his head. If we are allowed open season on human hybrids tomorrow, that means my father must be getting the other offenders out of Eridu tonight. Note that Father left our company early today.

Enlil thought about it. He’d been so irate he hadn’t noticed Enki absent.

But, fear not, Marduk continued. I have a fair idea of the route he shall use for their escape.

Enlil was satisfied with this news and his mood lightened considerably. Bring me dead bodies and you can ask any price in return.

Marduk was delighted with the offer and bowed dutifully to the Lord of Gaia.

You shall not have a problem with killing your childhood companion, Adama? Enlil wondered if he should send Ninurta along to ensure the younger Lord didn’t lose face.

I should have done so long ago. Marduk’s words had a malicious edge to them. Before my father’s mind was poisoned by him.

Enlil felt that Marduk was capable of the deed, and he didn’t want to undermine his confidence by sending a superior to oversee his mission. If he managed to execute the task put to him, then Enlil could rest assured of his loyalty. Make me proud, Marduk.

Enki led his twelve human children down the subterranean tunnel, towards the exit to the forest. In a valley a few hours walk east of Eridu, was a craft that would carry the human refugees far away from Nefilim lands — Geebo, the technologist, would fly their party to safety.

Geebo was Kya’s brother-soul. Despite her adverse opinions about men, Kya had chosen to accompany her brothers and sisters out of Eridu, rather than die by a Nefilim’s hand — as Enki had predicted would happen if she remained in the city of her birth. Enki had also foreseen that before long she would warm to her brother-soul. As Geebo was more interested in machines than anything living, he wasn’t particularly eager to get mating either, but theirs was an unavoidable attraction, Enki claimed.

Adama found himself wondering which of the remaining six sisters had also been badly affected by an encounter with a Nefilim male. None of the women, other than Kya, seemed to be averse to their brother-soul’s company. Perhaps the other victim was the sister not present, who was Adapa’s female counterpart?

As they came to the ladder that led up into the forest, Enki turned to Adama. ‘This is goodbye, my son. I have raised you to be a leader among men and so you are.’ He placed a hand on Adama’s shoulder and admired him proudly. ‘Many delights, dangers, adventures and hardships lie in store for you beyond Edin … but you are brave and determined. I know my Chosen Ones are safe in your hands.’

Adama was moved to tears now that he was confronted with their parting. ‘Shall I ever see you again, father?’

Enki smiled, although the sadness radiating from his son caused a tear to form in his eye. ‘Not if all goes well. But perhaps we will meet somewhere in the next creation.’

Adama sniffled back his emotions, accepting that their destinies lay along different paths. ‘Eve and I have a gift for you and Ninharsag before we go.’ Eve now drew closer and took hold of Adama’s hand.

‘What is it that you have for us?’ Enki was intrigued when Eve and Adama both held out their free hand and took hold of Enki’s hands. He was amused at the game, until he began to perceive a ball of warmth growing in his chest. He closed his eyes. An explosion of positivity began to pour forth from the heart centre of his subtle body, which, until now, had only ever been weakly stimulated by human contact. The euphoric energy whirling in his chest divided in two, ascending to his crown chakra and descending to his root chakra, setting every energy centre in his body whirling as it passed. Enki, in all his years, had never experienced such a sensation. As his mind floated in inner space, the Nefilim Lord began to laugh out loud and tears fell freely from his eyes. ‘Oh, to touch and truly feel,’ he mumbled, going weak at the knees, whereupon several of his sons rushed to support him.

‘Hey, could I have some of what you gave him?’ Samson inquired.

‘If you are very good to your sister-soul, I feel sure the universe will provide.’ Adama glanced sideways at Eve, who was more radiant than ever as she grinned.

‘What is going on here?’ Ninharsag demanded, as she approached along the tunnel with Adapa and Lilith in tow.

‘I have felt the primordial, unrefined essence of love, dear sister.’ Enki savoured the new and refreshing force that had been introduced into his being, as he stood on his own two feet and began to dance around. ‘It’s like a whole new awareness has opened to me.’ Enki stopped twirling and looked back to Adama and Eve. They were staring in amazement, having never seen one of the Nefilim exhibit frivolity before. ‘Thank you so much for opening the channel. I shall pass on your gift to my sister.’

Our guidance of the Nefilim has already begun, Adapa noted quietly, and he suddenly realised how mankind was to save the Nefilim in the future and now. They would save their selfish souls by teaching them how to feel.

‘I was sorry to learn you won’t be coming with us.’ Adama approached his brother, the sage, to say goodbye.

‘I wasn’t!’ Adapa tried to make light of their parting. ‘But I bid you a safe and prosperous journey, Adama. I shall always be indebted to you for insisting upon my education.’

‘You owe me nothing, dear brother. Your education was fated,’ Adama pointed out. ‘You are the one that embraced your destiny.’

Adapa smiled, considering Adama was quite right. ‘But without you, dear brother, to lead our people to greatness, my destiny will prove pointless … so, you take good care with your lives, until we are gathered once more.’

‘Lives?’ Adama frowned, noting that his brother had a twinkle of understanding in his eye that had never been there before. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘The next time you see me, Adama, you will understand,’ Adapa said, even more mysteriously.

The response was so unlike his brother, Adama thought. Adapa’s meeting with Anu had transformed the scholar into a Sage in the fullest sense of the word, and he appeared confident about his prophecy. ‘I greatly look forward to that time.’ Adama slapped a hand down on his brother’s shoulder and shook him about a bit in parting.

Adapa smiled to endure this roughing up, but cringed when he saw Samson heading his way.

‘Many thanks for attempting to teach me how to read.’ Samson placed his arm around Adapa’s shoulders, and whispered the rest. ‘But I got the girl anyway, so … it doesn’t matter much any more.’

Samson gave a squeeze that almost crushed Adapa’s ribcage and then let him go.

Adapa nearly dropped like a rock upon release, but Adama caught him up and set him on his feet. ‘Keep thinking, little scholar.’ Adama ruffled his brother’s sandy brown hair as he followed the rest of their kindred up the ladder.

We’ll be seeing you, Dragon, said Ninharsag quietly and Enki smiled.

‘Phase one, complete.’

It was a howling wind that met them as they entered the world above, but the deeper they moved into the forest the more hospitable the conditions became. Incus, the hunter, led their party, as he knew a route to the eastern mountain ranges and the valley where their transport awaited.

When they arrived, Marduk’s presence was an unexpected surprise.

‘Come to wish me farewell?’ Adama queried his Nefilim brother, but, judging from the dark look on Marduk’s face, Adama doubted that very much.

‘In a fashion,’ the Lord replied, as six Nefilim guards filed out of the awaiting craft to stand behind him. ‘Who’s the smart one now, Adama?’

‘No!’ Kya backed up in fear, but Geebo grabbed her close to whisper: ‘I will kill us both before they touch you again.’ He showed her a device he had attached to his wrist and Kya actually smiled.

‘Where do you think you are going with my women?’ Marduk queried smugly. ‘At least, Kya and Eve belong to me, and the others I shall make mine.’

Adama nearly died where he stood and Eve’s head had dropped low. ‘You were the other sister? Eve?’

‘I was hoping you would never have to know … but of course, my Lord knew that.’ Eve raised her head to look Marduk in the eye. ‘Our misadventure is not the reason you are here —’

‘Misadventure? I cared for you!’ Marduk roared.

‘There was no care in what took place between us,’ Eve stated bitterly. ‘If you want to know what love truly feels like,’ she moved towards him and held out her hand, ‘I dare you to take hold.’

Marduk was reluctant to take up her challenge, but seeing that she was keen, he’d just rape her before he killed her.

‘No, Eve … what are you doing?’ Adama moved to retrieve her, only to find himself held at bay by Marduk’s will.

‘Teach me, Eve.’ Marduk pulled her close, his eyes revelling in his brother’s agitation.

Eve stood, uncaring of the Nefilim Lord’s groping of her body. Her eyes were closed in silent repose.

Adama couldn’t watch, but could not turn away either. Behind Marduk his guards raised their hands, ready to will a gruesome death upon his brothers and sisters.

‘Stop thinking about him!’ Marduk unexpectedly threw Eve to the ground. ‘I know what you’re trying to do.’ Tears of fury sprang from the Lord’s eyes. ‘And it won’t work. I will kill you. Finish them all.’ He gave his guards leave to go to the slaughter. He held his own right hand out towards Eve’s chest to extract her heart.

From behind Adama came the aggravated growl of Samson approaching ramming speed. The warrior went charging past him, with his arms spread wide for maximum impact.

Marduk waved a hand in Samson’s direction, and was stunned when the warrior just kept coming, sending him and several of his subordinates crashing to the ground. The next thing Marduk knew he was being headbutted repeatedly.

Adama and his brothers followed the example set by Samson and charged the few guards still standing, wailing as they went. Geebo pulled a handheld device from one of the many pockets of his robe and quickly went about prodding the downed Nefilim with it.

As Kya followed Geebo, watching the Nefilim guards suddenly freeze still, she chuckled with delight. ‘Can I do Marduk?’ she pleaded, and Geebo passed the item to her.

As Kya took care of the remaining opposition, Samson arose from his headbutting fit, a little dazed but still coherent. ‘What a handy item,’ he commented, relieved.

‘Nefilim use it for stunning the larger beasts they have created,’ Geebo informed. ‘It has a very temporary effect on the Nefilim, I’m afraid.’

‘Best hit them all again then, just in case.’ Kya gleefully took off with the device to zap all the Nefilim again.

Adama helped Eve to her feet. ‘Are you hurt?’

‘Not any more,’ she replied, calmly. ‘You?’

‘I don’t know the meaning of the word,’ Adama assured her with a kiss.

‘You make me sick.’ Marduk squeezed out the words, struggling to free himself from the effects of the stun gun.

‘I think just the opposite is true.’ Eve crouched beside him. ‘I think we make you feel better and that is detrimental to your current lifestyle.’

‘What happened to all the good in you, Marduk?’ Adama crouched beside him also.

‘I grew up. I got serious,’ he advised, forcing one arm free as Kya came racing over to hit the Lord again.

‘No, don’t.’ Adama put her off. ‘We may as well be done with this now.’

‘What?’ Kya stressed.

‘He’ll only follow us —’ Adama was clutched around the neck so tight he couldn’t breathe. Immediately, he looked to Eve and allowed the tenderness and warmth he felt for her to flood his senses. It wasn’t long before Adama’s air began flowing once more as Marduk cast his brother to the ground.

‘Goddamn it, go! Get away from me,’ Marduk snarled, as he was again forced to wipe tears from his own eyes. ‘I’ll tell Enlil I blew up your ship.’

Eve urged Adama to rise before Marduk changed his mind.

‘Enlil will want to see wreckage,’ Adama pointed out, for how could he know that Marduk hadn’t planted an explosive device on their vessel?

The question aggravated the young Lord. ‘So … I shall have to arrange some,’ he stated, as if Adama was rubbing salt into his wound. ‘Are you trying to change my mind? Go, and good riddance to you both!’

Eve had begun dragging Adama towards the ship, and he was left with no choice but to trust that destiny had opened Marduk’s heart to their cause. ‘Do you think we might have heightened my brother’s awareness of emotion?’

Eve guessed her lover’s concern, for she had been entertaining the notion herself and had no desire to be blown up. ‘There is only one way we shall ever know,’ she replied. And with a brave smile of encouragement, Eve accompanied Adama onto their transport.

The vision of the past was consumed by a sensation of being submerged in a loving, cleansing fire where the individual soul-mind mingled with the perfect oneness of all creation. This all-consuming state spoke with a choral voice of Otherworldly beings, more beautiful and harmonious to the spirit than the song of the Tylwyth Teg.

Is there one or many lights burning around you? the primordial host asked.

I sense infinite lights threaded together inside one glorious flame, replied the soul, who aspired to an enlightened state.

A truthful insight, granted the celestial fire. Fohat, the vital motivating force of creation, flows freely through you now. Look within to the light that burns within your being. Do you find it different to the light that burns inside any manifested body?

Difference has no meaning, the aspirant realised. It is only karma that deludes the uninitiated into believing soul and desire is an individual experience. The divine spark inside each living molecule is but a jewel strung loosely on the thread of Fohat, which binds all into the cosmic web of the universal heart. To serve the illusion of individual ego is to deny Fohat’s influence. Only through aiding others can we strengthen our ties with our higher self to whom Fohat endeavours to keep us bound.

You understand that the link with Fohat can be broken… for braving the lower realms of existence to aid with the creation of a perfect emotional being, some less developed mental beings have paid the ultimate price.

The warm cleansing sensation withdrew as darkness and cold consumed the initiate. Not even thought had movement here, just a waking, dense nothingness prevailed. The dreaded fires of Hell would have been a welcome relief from this perpetual night, which inspired a horrid paranoid terror to pour from the core of the soul-mind from whence love and warmth once radiated.

Could any enlightened being wish this upon itself?

Thought being the pilot of the vehicle of Fohat, the soul-mind was once more embraced by the euphoric joy of enlightened existence.

Praise be to the Universe! The aspirant revelled in the light and love flowing into its being via the channel provided by Fohat. I know what must be done to save us.

The image inside the Tablet of Destinies faded out and Maelgwn was released from his trance state.

The Tablet shrank in size and re-formed into a small pyramid pendant, which Sacha retrieved from mid-air and re-attached to the chain about his neck. Now you are ready to settle the karmic debt with the Nefilim, the male Deva smiled. He could tell by the light glowing from Maelgwn’s eyes that the Dragon had been touched by the divine inspiration of Fohat.

Maelgwn rubbed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. The past-life regression had been very enlightening, but the explosion of energies that had followed far surpassed any otherworldly experience he’d ever had. ‘How long until we reach Nibiru?’ Maelgwn was more eager than ever to find his missing wife and evacuate the planet that was under threat of annihilation. His delving into the past had also revealed that without Tory, and the love that bound them together, Maelgwn could eventually cease to exist himself.

Have no fear, Sacha assured. Nergal is close at hand. He pointed out the front shield to the bright aquamarine planet beyond.

‘Why are we approaching Kila?’ Maelgwn stood, inspired by the sight of his home planet.

‘Because that’s where Nergal is,’ Sacha advised. ‘Attempting to flush your resistance out of hiding.’

‘Not for long.’ Maelgwn was unfazed when he spied the Pantheon fleet parked just beyond Kila’s atmosphere. ‘It’s judgement day for the Nefilim … may Anu be with them and have mercy on their darkening souls.’

The Creation Station shut down. The Sensor-sphere data ceased to flow from the mound and the outer sphere dispelled. Noah’s body descended to a standing position on the floor, before the inner light cylinder withdrew into the small charichalum dome overhead. The formation around Noah lowered its arms to lay flat in the mosaic on the floor, leaving the scholar unwavering in his stance.

That had been the last of the twelve stations the Sensor-sphere had to offer. No more information would ever be required.

Noah raised his eyes to see his wife and Gywn ap Nudd gazing at him with bated breath.

Rebecca gasped as she noticed the whites of her husband’s eyes; they now shone with the radiance of an enlightened being.

‘The Lord Enki was not the prophet whose scripture we seek,’ Noah informed. ‘His soothsaying was hearsay, quoted in the main from the works of Adapa, a collection of my first soul-mind’s foresight.’

At the time in question, the Lord had no choice but to claim the prophecy as his own. Gwyn defended the ascended Lord. For if Enlil had ever suspected that Adapa was capable of such knowledge, the God would have defied Anu to kill the Sage and his consort.

Rebecca, having yet to take the last lesson, couldn’t follow their mumbling and didn’t care to. She had greater concerns. ‘You went all the way back then, to Edin?’

Noah nodded surely. ‘And then some.’

‘And do you now know the entire prophecy of Lahmu?’ Rebecca pushed for information, as this particular prophecy had been one of the main reasons behind their quest.

‘I certainly should.’ He raised his eyebrows to stress his claim: ‘I wrote it.’

PART 3

THE NEFILIM

CHARACTER LIST

Head of KEPA

Rhiannon

Chief Justice of Kila

Cadwallon

Munitions Development

Ethan

Marine Research

Robin

Marine Protection

Jenny

Centaur Prophet

Kyron

Dumuzi’s daughter

Cordella

Banished Nefilim Lord

Shamash

Crone

Mahaud

Stony Fire Elemental

Tobit

20

ULTIMATUM

Noah had come full circle from Edin, to this, his Chosen incarnation; to a place where he’d developed and grown to such a state of being that he could remember and comprehend, in a waking state, all that his higher self endured to reach this moment of human enlightenment.

Every elemental form in the physical world

I have transcended to stand here.

I have been a rock,
first molten and then crystal.

I have grown tall in a forest,
and thrived in abundance under the sea.

I have run wild in nature,
a savage tamed to a domestic ally.

From the holiest Dhyan-Buddha

I descended into individuality.

By my own will and self-devised efforts,

I have progressed through karma’s trials.

My prize for this achievement,
is access to the insight of my own experience.

Noah smiled as he dwelt on his verse, for it sounded remarkably similar to the text of many an ancient prophet; text that had once read like a complete mystery to the historian before now. The ascended High Merlin of ancient Briton, Taliesin, had written one such verse after his own accidental spiritual advancement in the labs of Keridwen, or Ninharsag, as she was formerly known.

The connection Noah had established with the Logoi had not dissipated with the Sensor-sphere transmission either. Every adversity unfolding in the material world suddenly seemed beneficial and made perfect sense. Noah truly understood what it was to be a Master of reality.

From the Otherworldly fortress in which the Sensorsphere had been erected by the Lord Enki to store the ancient knowledge from the dangers of the physical realm, Noah projected his thoughts back into the macrocosm to advise his kindred of the prophecy he’d rediscovered.

Here ye now of the great design,
the Alpha and Omega of time.

All that is, was and will be of our age,
as prophesied by man’s first Sage.

‘Noah,’ uttered Brian, upon hearing the scholar’s words in his mind, and gazing around his council table it seemed that Cadwell, Neriada and Taylnn were picking up the telepathic communication too.

‘Did I miss something?’ Rhun queried his people about their sudden vagueness and disinterest in the defence strategy for Nugia.

‘Shh!’ they all barked at the Vice-Governor at once.

Six brothers and seven sisters, I address,
with whom I first began this quest.

Hear now the truth of our origin
for I have been to where it all began.

Those Chosen who had remained in the hidden underground base to defend Kila were about to launch a major defensive, to prevent tankers full of toxic waste being emptied into the pristine oceans of their planet.

Enlil had had the tankers flown in from the usual dumping ground in deep space, especially for the purpose of luring Lahmu out of hiding.

Everyone in the underground control centre, more commonly known as ‘the pit’, began to panic when their commander and Governess, Candace Alexander, their communications technology guru, Floyd and the now acting Head of Defence and long-time munitions development supervisor, Ethan, went into a trance.

Candace was conscious of her people awaiting her word, but the prophetic verse of the historian resounding through her brain had such vivid images accompanying it that even the impending disaster could not snatch her attention away from the soothsaying. For she felt her own primordial memory and inner power being quickened by the telepathic transference.

Our fate was sealed in ancient Edin,
where we committed no mortal sin,
bar claim the right to save our breed
and plant humanity’s mortal seed.

‘Shit!’ Rhiannon cursed. Inside the KEPA base in the Shutura Crevice, three of her key staff turned into zombies. ‘I’ve lost Bo, Jen and Robin, here,’ she advised her husband via her headset-link to HQ, where Cadwallon, the Chief Justice, had assumed control.

‘That’s your communications officer and both heads of marine defence, Rhiannon.’ He attempted to reason with his wife, knowing that she would fight this battle alone, if need be, to save her beloved planet. ‘I don’t see how we can proceed without them … we’ll just have to trust they’ll snap out of it, soon.’

‘The timing is too perfect,’ Rhiannon argued. ‘What if this trance is some new Nefilim form of warfare?’

‘No, Rhiannon,’ Robin managed to mumble, ‘it’s Noah. We’re okay.’

‘But Robin —’

‘Shh!’ All three of her subordinates hushed her to silence.

This made Rhiannon furious, but, as she’d been taught from birth to trust the universe in such situations, she took a deep breath to do just that. ‘Alright, we’ll wait,’ she confirmed to Cadwallon, and wondered why the hell she hadn’t been made privy to the historian’s message, when she was one of the undisputed masters of telepathic communication among her kin.

In the dying days of Anu’s reign,
the Nefilim shall be judged again,

Some to shine and some to fade

When all debts have been repaid.

The tamer of the Lahmuian will rule …

‘Swan?’ Hawk was concerned for Tory, as she suddenly clammed up mid-sentence and became entranced by her own thoughts. Nobody else at the royal banquet had noticed.

‘I recognise that voice,’ she uttered under her breath, her eyes closing with the deep relief she felt. Adapa, she called in her mind across time to the Sage who had stayed behind in Edin to record the secrets of the ages. The memory of her life in ancient times came flooding back to her with perfect clarity — if only she could have remembered her current life as clearly.

All men being equal, the universe will seed,

A chosen one of every breed.

To rule alongside the Serpent’s clan,
and end the plight of mortal man.

A Dragon will seek the fallen souls
for whom the judgement bell will toll.

From his ultimatum there is no escape,
those he confronts to decide their own fate.

Maelgwn’s vessel had requested and been granted permission to land on Kila. As his ship touched down on the landing pad, the vision being projected into Maelgwn’s mind came to match the vision on the screen before him. The screen showed the external world outside the spaceship.

Many of Nergal’s army of Falcon guards were formed along both sides of a path that led from the Dragon’s vessel and all the way across the three island rings that surrounded the central island of Chailida.

Through right action, thought and deed,
the universe supports our every need.

For mankind’s fated day has come,
to seize control from the Nefilim.

Maelgwn’s eyes opened wide as he emerged from his trance. ‘Message received loud and clear,’ he smiled, realising Noah had found the Creation Station and been made privy to the lost knowledge of the Sage of Eridu.

The exit hatchway opened, and Maelgwn descended the ramp onto the thoroughfare that had been arranged to lead him straight to Nergal. The two Devas floated along behind the Dragon, and their presence mystified the guards that lined the way to Nergal.

Tory gasped, her eyes wide open although she saw nothing of the banquet hall in which she sat. ‘I know where he is.’

‘Who, Swan?’ Hawk lowered his voice as Ningal was starting to take an interest in Tory’s odd behaviour.

‘The Dragon,’ she replied, tears streaming down her face as the image of Maelgwn bravely striding down the pathway lined with armed guards, faded. ‘I should be there with him.’ She felt it in her bones and she buried her face in her hands to hide her tears of shame and guilt.

Why should you be there? Ningal queried the white Falcon woman. Odd? Ningal commented to Hawk, when there came no answer from Tory. Those of the Falcon kind aren’t usually psychic.

Hawk wanted to curse the fact that he had no comeback. Now that the truth was known, he would surely be excluded from the ex-Governess’ company before long.

Tory could not have cared less that her cover was blown. ‘Would you help me find this place I see?’ Tory raised her teary eyes to Hawk, fearing she was asking too much of him.

But Hawk only gazed at her, speechless a moment. ‘The whites of your eyes are … glowing!’

Show me. Ningal directed her sobbing guest to look her way and when the Goddess saw that Hawk spoke the truth, she was taken aback, but relieved. Ningal leant closer to her husband, whose interest had been struck and uttered aside to him. The Sage has opened the channel … it won’t be long now.

‘Channel?’ Tory was immediately intrigued. ‘What channel? It won’t be long until what?’

Where is the Dragon? Ningal inquired, ignoring Tory’s pleas for information. Was he on Kila?

Tory hesitated, not knowing if she could trust the alien woman — she was completely unaware they had aided each other to victory once before.

Answer me woman. It is most important, the dark-haired Goddess insisted.

‘Important to whom?’ Tory thought to ask.

To all creation, Ningal replied seriously, before falling quiet to receive her answer.

‘It was an island city, encompassed by several ringed islands and canals —’

Kila, Ningal concluded, looking to Narnar. He’s delivering the ultimatum to Nergal.

Nergal will not accept the terms, Narnar feared. This war has a way to go yet.

‘I must get to him.’ Tory resumed her true form, as everyone seemed to be ignoring her, and thus managed to secure the attention of her hosts and that of the entire assembly.

All you need do is think of your husband and you can will yourself to his side, Ningal advised.

‘No, Grandmother!’ Asher came charging forth. He now had a young dark-haired lass with him, who was roughly the same age. Unbeknownst to Tory this was her daughter’s daughter, Ragan.

‘Not even we Chosen can project ourselves beyond the radius of any given star system and Kila is light-years away from here,’ Ragan advised, eyeing the Nefilim Goddess with contempt and suspicion.

And who taught you Chosen this? Ningal challenged the girl. We Nefilim. True, most of the Chosen cannot employ such skill, but then most of your kind don’t have a direct link with your soul-source. That light exuding from your grandmother’s eyes is the life force of the cosmos saturating her subtle bodies, filling them with the vital essence of creation.

‘Through right action, thought and deed, the universe supports our every …’ Tory mumbled, recalling the claim of the prophet.

You know the truth, Ningal surmised. The question is not how much you trust me, but how much you trust the Sage?

Tory looked at Hawk. She had never seen him so bewildered. Still, as he was the one being she did trust, she needed to know his view on all this.

‘I know nothing of cosmology.’ Hawk was finding it hard to speak with the great emotional lump that was forming in his throat. ‘However …’ He had to think about whether he wanted to give an encouraging response, as he wasn’t ready to let his Goddess go yet. ‘Being that you were born in an asteroid field, a bit of space curvature certainly shouldn’t pose too much of a threat.’ He attempted humour and then shrugged. ‘For what it’s worth, I believe that you are capable of achieving anything you put your mind to, Tory Alexander.’

Tory knew how hard it was for Hawk to be positive, in this instance, and she wished she could drag him off to a quiet corner somewhere to talk out their dilemma, or at least say goodbye. ‘I cannot simply plead ignorance of my responsibilities any more.’ She took a stab at an explanation. ‘And, as much as I desire to, I cannot keep running from myself.’

Hawk nodded, for he could not verbalise his feelings without making his hurt plain to all.

‘No fear,’ said the dark-haired girl. ‘That’s what you always say, Grandmother. Fear is the killer of will, and will is the tool with which we carve our dreams on the face of reality.’

Tory stared at the girl a second, amazed at the insight into her own self. ‘Thank you for the reminder …’ Tory fished for a name.

‘Ragan,’ advised the girl. ‘Don’t you remember?’

‘No,’ said Tory regretfully, ‘but I intend to.’

‘Maelgwn is here,’ Candace, still mesmerised by Noah, informed Cadwallon, who immediately got his people scanning their hidden surveillance cameras to get a visual.

‘He has landed,’ Cadwallon announced. ‘What on earth is he doing? Surely, he’s not planning to confront Nergal and half the Pantheon alone!’

‘He’s not alone,’ Candace advised. ‘The Devas are with him.’

‘Forget about my father,’ Rhiannon demanded on the com-link soft-light screen. ‘What about those bloody tankers? We have to ambush them before they land!’

‘They’re not going to land,’ Candace reported, feeling the Dragon’s intent as if it were her own. ‘The Dragon has come to claim back Kila.’

‘How could he possibly?’ Cadwallon frowned, thinking the fact unlikely without a substantial show of force. ‘And how could you know his intention, any more than I could? We have had no communication from the ex-Governor.’

‘It is not only the Dragon’s intent I perceive.’ Candace’s voice began to waver with relief and awe as the realisation hit her.

She looked Cadwallon’s way, and he was shocked into backing up a step, for the Governess’ eyes were glowing like those of a God or an Ascendant Master.

‘Brian,’ Candace gasped, as she inwardly discerned his success. ‘He has managed to take Nugia. And Tory,’ she paused to be sure her instinct was correct, ‘she is alive!’

‘Is that what you were envisioning just now?’ Cadwallon could only assume this was the case, for the Governess sounded very sure about her statements.

‘No,’ uttered the Governess, unable to explain how she knew what she did.

‘I can second your claims,’ Floyd assured his perplexed Governess as he emerged from his daze, his eyes aglow like hers were. ‘Noah must have sparked some deeper awareness in all of us.’

Candace’s attention shot straight to Floyd, and he stared at her, appearing every bit as sure about his theory, and as wonderstruck as she felt.

‘Then why have only some of you been made aware?’ Cadwallon, like his wife, felt rather insulted by being shut out.

Candace and Floyd were baffled by the question.

‘It is just we of the Dragon’s circle of twelve that have been affected. The same twelve souls that were first booted out of Edin.’ Ethan, the new Head of Defence, voiced his understanding of the situation, and consistent with Candace and Floyd, his eyes beamed with newfound enlightenment.

‘He’s right,’ Floyd realised, given a second to access those souls with whom he felt a direct mental link. ‘And Noah stated as much in his prophecy.’

‘Since when has En Noah been a prophet?’ Cadwallon became annoyed, trying to follow the conversation.

‘Since the dawn of human consciousness,’ Candace replied, although she knew the response was bound to frustrate the Chief Justice all the more.

Cadwallon didn’t even bother pursuing his line of questioning. ‘So what action are we to take in this instance?’

‘We do nothing,’ Candace stated surely. ‘That is the Dragon’s wish.’

‘Damn it all,’ Rhiannon snarled in response. ‘Jenny, Bo and Robin have all suggested restraint too. What the hell is going on with you people? Would someone kindly let me in on this little conspiracy you’re all having?’

‘They can’t all be wrong,’ Cadwallon argued with his wife. His eyes were fixed on the image of her father striding over the final island bridge that gave access to the innermost island of state.

‘I am praying they’re not.’ Rhiannon, clearly ill at ease with being forced to trust in blind faith, resigned herself to wait all the same.

As Maelgwn stepped onto the central island, he was inwardly accessing the whereabouts of those souls to whom he was now psychically linked. In a very timely fashion, Brian had crippled mining on Nugia; Maelgwn suspected the planet had been one of the Nefilim’s primary gold mining operations. Through his mental link with those on Nugia, Maelgwn understood that Thais was on his way to Karleashian. If the famous Shaman managed to pull off the same coup there as on Nugia, then that would be two major Orme sources out of action. This knowledge strengthened Maelgwn’s position, for he intended to prevent any Nefilim who were still not faithful to their soul-source from having access to any Orme.

‘Tory!’ Maelgwn stopped in his tracks, as he sensed her living presence. ‘Nergal does not have her at all.’ He perceived that she was on Tarazean and turned to confront the Devas about the fact.

Now is not the time to discuss this, Sacha advised sternly, already knowing the Dragon’s grievance.

Praise the universe for her wellbeing, Psyche added.

We both know that mother is not the main issue for discussion this day, and never was. The young male Deva gave a nod of encouragement to get his human father back on track.

Although Maelgwn felt compelled to launch into a ‘not even enlightened beings should lie to their parents’ lecture, the doorstep of Government House was not the place for it. With a severe look of displeasure, Maelgwn turned and resumed his course, liberated by the knowledge that Tory hadn’t been taken prisoner by his enemies.

Nergal had transformed the grand ballroom of Government House into a throne room and most of the God’s favourite kin were present: his daughter, Aya, his heir, Nabu, and Nabu’s wife, Tashmet. These four were the core of the slave problem; the only other Nefilim of concern was Nergal’s wife, Ereshkigal, who was no doubt at home on Karleashian and would soon come to loggerheads with Thais, the Centaur.

As Maelgwn entered through the large double doors with his celestial bodyguards trailing behind him, the Nefilim he approached appeared to be wary of those in his company.

So … finally you are gracing us with your presence, Dragon. Nergal spoke up before Maelgwn had even made his way halfway down the room. All this unpleasantness might have been avoided if you’d only bothered to show up to the Pantheon meeting as requested.

‘All this unpleasantness is neither here nor there, Nergal,’ Maelgwn informed, as he came to a standstill. ‘It is, however, at an end.’

Nergal couldn’t suppress his smile. You have come to surrender, I take it.

Although Nergal’s response was typically arrogant, Maelgwn refrained from rolling his eyes; even with two angelic beings confronting them, the Nefilim still fancied themselves as superior. ‘I have come before you today at the request of Anu.’

This statement drew a gasp from all Nefilim present, bar Nergal, who was sceptical. And these apparitions are his messengers, I suppose?

‘The Devas are your way back to your Logos,’ Maelgwn advised. ‘And they will do all within their power to ensure your souls are safely returned to their source.’

Nergal laughed heartily, although his kin seemed not so jovial. Are you threatening me, Dragon? The God could hardly believe a human would have such gall, even an immortal.

‘I am trying to help you,’ Maelgwn appealed, which only served to amuse the Nefilim Lord all the more. ‘Do you still claim to serve the Almighty, Anu?’ the Dragon roared over Nergal’s mocking laughter. ‘That is the only question we need answered this day.’

Suddenly Nergal was not so amused. I am the head of the Pantheon. Anu speaks through me! He stood, insulted by the Dragon’s inference. Do not assume to tell me the wishes of our great Logos!

‘You have no true contact with your Logos any more.’ Maelgwn called the Lord’s bluff. ‘If you did, then you would know of Anu’s imminent departure from this physical world and you would have ingested enough Orme to lighten your being to enable you to join your soul-source, and move on in the evolutionary scheme. Just as you should have done some time ago.’

At that statement, even Nergal gasped. Orme was the best-guarded secret the Pantheon had. Who has told you of this? Nergal demanded to know. I shall personally see them dead!

‘The Sage of Eridu told me,’ Maelgwn stated, to Nergal’s further annoyance.

No. He can’t have. Nergal was fearful. The Sage died before I was even born.

‘But, due to the human evolutionary process of reincarnation, you knew he would return.’ Maelgwn sensed the Lord’s apprehension and exploited what he guessed was the source of his dismay. ‘And that his return would mark the demise of Anu, and the downfall of the Nefilim, just as you knew Lahmu’s emergence would. You see the signs, Nergal, and still you do not heed them.’

Nergal appeared lost for words, although he shook his head to reject Maelgwn’s implication.

‘A Dragon will seek the fallen souls, for whom the judgement bell will toll.’ Maelgwn recited part of the Sage’s prophecy to see if he couldn’t help Nergal’s memory along. ‘From his ultimatum there is no escape, those he confronts to decide their own fate.’

Nergal mouthed the last line of the verse in accord with the human confronting him. He knew the prophecy well enough.

‘You know what you must do in order to make your peace with this world and move on to the next,’ Maelgwn concluded. ‘The quality of your life eternal now rests entirely on your own behaviour.’

Father … Aya ventured to speak. What does he mean?

He means … we are leaving. Nergal stood to vacate the Dragon’s presence as quickly as possible. He felt stifled by the power of Maelgwn’s presence and was afraid of the beings accompanying him.

What? Aya couldn’t believe it. Surely you don’t mean to retreat!

Nergal stared his daughter down. That is exactly what I mean, and you will do so as quickly and as quietly as possible, if you know what is good for you.

The Dragon did not grant you leave! His question has not been answered. The voices of the Devas resounded inside the huge chamber, not the beautiful, dulcet tones they had been using to address their Chosen associates, but a gruff and sinister voice.

Maelgwn turned slowly to view his celestial bodyguards. Their angelic manifestations had transformed into the vile green creatures who had consumed his twin babies. The event was a worry. Perhaps the young adult Devas were still not mature enough to endure contact with souls so spiritually ignorant as those Nefilim before them. Or perhaps the Devas were just attempting to beat the Nefilim at their own game — Nergal and his kin were certainly looking alarmed.

To what question do you refer? Nergal attempted to plead dumb, which was another way of challenging the beings before him.

Sacha and Psyche reared up and began snarling, their tails thrashing about in an agitated motion. If you are all superior beyond compare, try mortality and see how you fare.

Both the Devas went charging at the Nefilim, who stood rooted to the spot with fear for the first time in their long emotionless lives.

Nergal and Aya cowered as the creatures came upon them. Charging through their bodies, the Devas extracted the immortal essence from their souls, along with all the psychic talents that accompanied that state of being. Upon release from the attack, Nergal and Aya fell to their knees, crying out in agony, for gravity and the elements weighed heavily on their now weak, mortal forms. Their beauty faded, along with the light that had illuminated their bodies and shone from their eyes.

A morbid sense of curiosity had kept Nabu and Tashmet entranced, until it was too late to flee. By the time they attempted to will themselves elsewhere, the Devas were upon them.

A mortal turned immortal, Maelgwn recalled how liberating his transformation to a demi-god had been. He imagined the process in reverse, with the extra agony of never before being exposed to physical pain and suffering, and he began to fathom the extent of the punishment the Nefilim had been dealt.

As they’d finished implementing their verdict, the Devas rose high into the air to advise the offenders:

You shall age a human year a day,
until you dare to feel the human way.

Die of old age before you repent,
and into darkest density you will descend.

‘I shall arrange for a team of my people to accompany you to your respective planets, where you are to set about aiding the subjects you once repressed,’ Maelgwn informed the fallen Gods, whose depleted state of being was causing them to weep. ‘You are to advise my people of all your mining endeavours. Your cooperation in this instance shall be your final judgement … ignore Anu’s cause this time and he will forsake you, for all time!’ Maelgwn’s address was so impassioned that every human guard in the room fell to his knees in awe of the Dragon. ‘For this is, and always was, the will of the great Houses of Don and Llyr!’

‘So be it!’ cried all within the pit at Kila HQ.

‘It’s over.’ Candace burst into tears. Floyd grabbed her up and twirled her around in the air.

‘Time to go breathe some fresh air.’ The technologist set the Governess down, and they both laughed excitedly.

The relief was overwhelming for Candace. Her baby would be born into freedom after all.

‘Well done, honeybun.’

Candace gasped. The comment had to have come from her husband, as nobody else would dare address her in such a way. She turned around to find Brian looking very pleased with himself. ‘How did you get here so fast?’ She jumped into his arms to squeeze and kiss him.

‘You risked taking the quantum leap, didn’t you?’ Cadwallon interrupted the lover’s reunion to find out if Brian had indeed teleported himself forth from beyond Kila’s star system.

Brian raised his eyebrow questioningly, and then both arms in victory. ‘Princes of the Universe,’ he declaimed. ‘No system is too distant … for me to make it home by bedtime every night!’ The Governor took his wife in hand again, and kissed her in a way that was not to be interrupted.

Cadwallon looked to Floyd and Ethan, who were both appearing a little overawed in the wake of Brian’s appearance and announcement.

‘No more smoking for me then,’ Floyd decided soberly, and both Ethan and Cadwallon nearly fell over in shock. ‘Well … what if I got too stoned and forgot where I was headed?’ Floyd reasoned. ‘I’ve vagued out at my computer before today and snapped out of it to find I’d accidentally willed myself elsewhere. Now if I do that, I could wake up and find myself back on Gaia! Or worse!’

Cadwallon gave a chuckle and nodded to confirm that the technologist’s resolution was probably for the best. ‘If Anu is set to self-destruct, you wouldn’t want to be ringside on Gaia … unless you’re chasing a really severe suntan,’ he joked, only realising the implications of what he’d said when he saw the horrified look on Ethan and Floyd’s faces.

‘Oh, Goddess,’ Ethan gasped. ‘He’s right … the mortals still inhabiting the Earth are going to get fried!’

‘All the inhabited planets in that quadrant of the galaxy will be affected,’ Floyd realised. ‘Tarazean, Numan, Nibiru!’

‘Holy hell.’ Cadwallon went pale, as he thought about the task of evacuating, relocating and accommodating so many. ‘Our interstellar war has just escalated into an intergalactic rescue.’ He exhaled heavily as he scanned his mind for a simpler solution, and when no brilliant ploys were forthcoming, Cadwallon had to wonder: ‘So where’s our newly adept Sage when you need him?’

‘Gentlemen.’ Noah came in on cue, with his wife, Rebecca. ‘Fear not about Anu’s demise. I believe a simple solution to the radiation problem will present itself.’

Floyd and Ethan, picking up on Noah’s plan, smiled and nodded in understanding.

Cadwallon folded his arms in protest at being left out of the psychic circuit. ‘So are you going to share this solution, or am I going to have to guess?’

Floyd gave a mocking laugh in the Chief Justice’s direction. ‘You’ll never guess what he’s got in mind.’

21

DESTINY’S BABES

The Pantheon troops accompanied their mortal Lords from the ballroom.

Maelgwn, having driven home his message to the Nefilim, turned to make his way to Kila’s government chambers and was startled to find his wife standing in his path. With her short spiky hair and her black leather clothes, Tory looked every bit the revolutionary.

‘Tory.’ He moved to embrace her. ‘I feared you had —’ Maelgwn froze, panicked that his wife was backing away from him.

‘I have little memory of us, Dragon,’ she explained, as she wept silent tears of bemusement. She recognised the man before her, although after her association with Hawk, Maelgwn seemed like a comparative stranger. ‘I have already had one sad case of mistaken identity, so please understand that I am a little wary.’

As she said this Maelgwn psychically perceived the details of the indiscretion to which she referred, along with the mixture of guilt, confusion and loss brewing inside her. ‘It was an honest mistake, Tory,’ he allowed, rejecting the remorse and jealousy that threatened to consume his heart and overshadow his true feelings on the matter.

‘There are no mistakes.’ Tory sniffled back her emotions, and standing tall, she turned an accusing look on the Devas. ‘And contrary to how it might seem, I believe that my whole sad affair was rather carefully planned out.’ Her stare went to Sacha in particular. ‘You knew I was close at hand when you retrieved the Tablet from the asteroid field, and yet you left me there with no memory, to fall in love with the wrong man!’

Every adversity has a hidden advantage, advised Psyche, who had re-assumed her angelic manifestation, as had her twin brother.

Every event in creation has its reason, added Sacha, moving forward to present Tory with the Tablet of Destinies. It is time, now, for you to reclaim the past that was stolen from you.

‘To be made to feel even more wretched about my ignorance than I do already. No thank you!’ Tory refused to take it. Her emotions regarding the lover she’d abandoned on Tarazean were blinding her better judgement. ‘Just tell me why you let me break his heart?’ she appealed to Sacha. ‘And my husband’s too!’

‘You have not betrayed me.’ Maelgwn spoke up to allay her fears. ‘I could hardly hold you in contempt for the same error that I myself made in the past. Which was, in fact, no error at all. Aquilla was you, a Delphinus incarnation of you, and although, immediately following our brief affair, I feared that I had made a fatal mistake by falling in love with her, I have since discovered a very wonderful reason for our tragic union.’

‘Seagull!’ Tory had a burst of enlightenment when she perceived that Maelgwn had been looking for his missing half-caste son.

‘Pardon?’ Maelgwn queried. Tory’s thoughts had gone into a whirl he couldn’t follow.

‘Zabeel would be old now, right?’ She was excited by the freak coincidence and forgot her own woes. ‘By human standards, he’d be about sixty or seventy years?’

Maelgwn’s eyes narrowed and he nodded.

‘Seagull is Zabeel!’ she concluded with certainty, recalling the Nefilim referring to her crewmate as Zabeel. ‘Inanna has already found your son, or rather he found her. Zabeel is on Tarazean.’

Didn’t I tell you mother was with Zabeel? Psyche jogged Maelgwn’s memory

‘So you did.’ Maelgwn smiled, proud to have spawned a son who would father a whole new race of Chosen Ones and gratified to know that Zabeel was still alive and kicking. ‘He is the first Chosen One of his kind.’ He went silent as he figured the answer to Tory’s latest misadventure. The explanation lay in a section of the Sage’s prophecy. ‘The child you are carrying will parent the immortal sons and daughters of the Falcon kind.’

Their eyes met and Tory’s were wide with alarm, for she’d not even dared to consider the possibility as yet. Although, admittedly, after hearing the prophecy of the Sage, the event had crossed her mind.

‘Our clan just keeps getting bigger and more varied all the time.’ Maelgwn’s frown dissolved into a smile.

There was something about this man’s manner that Tory found hauntingly familiar. There was a hidden gentleness in the huge warrior, which she found reminiscent of Hawk, and so very becoming. Still, in all likelihood, it had simply been the fragments of the Dragon’s superego that she’d glimpsed in Hawk, which she had found so attractive about the pirate in the first place.

‘Give me that damn pendant.’ Tory held out her hand towards Sacha, deciding she was ready to know herself, even though past knowledge was sure to confuse present issues.

The experience could be a little overwhelming. You might want to find a quiet place to sit down. Sacha dropped the sacred divining tool into Tory’s hand.

For a moment Tory was confused by the challenge of finding a quiet place in a city she remembered naught of.

‘I know such a place,’ Maelgwn spoke up to help her out. ‘You loved to go there when you were pregnant. It’s just outside the city.’ He held out his hand to her.

He exuded the most intoxicating energy and Tory took hold of his hand. She was now rather curious to recall a life spent in his company.

A thick, misty cloud shrouded the mountainous globe, which was rich in forests and waterways. Little of the light of the binary sun system penetrated the cloud cover, making the surface conditions on Karleashian dim, damp and chilly. The planet was a far cry from a Centaur’s dream location; those of Thais’ kind craved dry, lush, green rolling fields bathed in sunshine.

The Shaman landed as far from civilisation as possible, and assumed the form of a large bird of prey to complete the last leg of his journey. The heavy cloud made the flight perilous and he was forced to keep a high altitude. It was a good thing that Ereshkigal’s capital, Kurra, was lit up like a celestial event through the mist on the horizon, or Thais might never have found it. Named after its counterpart in ancient Edin, Kurra was situated ‘in the crest of mountains’, thus the name was just as appropriate now as it had been in yesteryear.

This planet had never been part of any interstellar Pantheon good-relations tour, however. It was so obscure that it was barely on the star charts and was listed as a heritage planet, which, so it was said, kept the larger Nefilim civilisations in fresh springwater. Of course nobody truly believed that drinking water was the primary industry of Ereshkigal’s operations here. The Lord Marduk and the Dragon had come to loggerheads with Nergal and his spouse every time they had asked to further investigate the planet. There had certainly never been the slightest suggestion of a Centaur population; it was claimed that Nergal’s Falcon troops were employed to run the industry on Karleashian.

And from the outskirts of the city, that is exactly how it appeared to be, for only Falcons roamed the streets. To blend in, Thais shed his full coat of feathers and assumed the evolved human form that was the same as the governing class of the planet. Naked and freezing, Thais willed forth his clothes and equipment from where he’d left them miles away. He tore holes in his jacket to accommodate his Falcon wings, and the organic fibre of his suit moulded itself snugly into place around his additional appendages where they sprouted from between his shoulder blades. Fashion-wise his space attire seemed to be an acceptable alternative to the uniform of the Karleashian military; there was obviously a lot of interstellar traffic, judging from the many pilots and freight crew personnel in the area.

There was no sign of any Centaurs however. All the citizens frequenting the dwellings, shops, restaurants and bars of the outer city were Falcon, although there were a few token Leonine and Delphinus men and women among the civilian population.

There were several large establishments at the heart of the city. Three impressive complexes bordered a large ziggurat, which Thais assumed was Ereshkigal’s headquarters. One of the adjoining buildings probably catered to the planet’s springwater industry. The remaining two structures appeared to be high security areas as they were heavily guarded, and so they captured the Centaur’s interest.

Nevertheless, before he went stirring up any trouble in the wrong place, Thais removed his thought-wave neutraliser and wandered into the closest bar to see what dirt he could uncover on Karleashian enterprises.

He got one of the local freighting crews to chat over a few drinks, and as they seemed to hold no love for Ereshkigal’s military presence here in Kurra, Thais ventured to comment: ‘I heard the springwater is just a front for the Pantheon’s mining operations here.’

All the laugher and chatting of the five Falcons ceased.

‘Did you now?’ The pilot sat back in his chair — his interest in bad-mouthing the military seemed to be at an end.

Thais had nothing to lose. ‘Rumour has it there’s a race of Centaurs enslaved hereabouts.’

‘Well, it’s safer not to believe everything you hear about this place,’ advised the pilot, warily. ‘Unless you wish to end up in prison, that is.’

Thanks to the captain, Thais became aware that a force of Ereshkigal’s guards had come to stand behind him. ‘Is there a prison in Kurra?’ he asked jovially. The pilot and his crew nodded, their eyes firmly planted on the warriors at his back. ‘I should very much like to see it,’ prompted Thais, and large hands clamped down upon each of his shoulders.

‘What a coincidence. We would very much like to give you the guided tour,’ advised the officer.

‘Excellent,’ commented Thais as he rose and was roughly taken into custody.

If there were Centaurs anywhere on this planet, besides in the heavily-guarded mines, prison was where Thais would find them, and he accompanied the guards with no questions, no struggle. If he didn’t find the evidence he sought in Kurra’s dungeons, then perhaps he’d get lucky and be sent to the mines.

Led to a cell, Thais allowed himself to be beaten to a pulp. Violence was not his way, and would not serve his purpose.

When the guards left, his body repaired quickly enough, but, Thais mused to himself, if Ereshkigal’s guards would bully one of their own kind so grievously, he feared for the enslaved Centaurs here — if, indeed, there really were any.

Thais projected his form back into the corridor to begin his search. The cells of sandstone were damp and small, with solid doors and walls to prevent communication between prisoners. Each door had a small hatch at eye level for the benefit of the guards.

In the first cell was a dead Delphinus man. At least, he looked and smelt as if he had been deceased for several days. The Falcon resident in the next cell was alive, although she had obviously been subjected to physical abuse and torment. ‘Leave me alone!’ she screamed, covering her naked, battered person with a tattered rag. Thais slammed shut the hatch, fearing her screams would attract unwanted attention. It was a long time since the Shaman had been exposed to such human suffering and although his heart went out to the woman, he knew it would only bring him grief if he tried to aid her now. She had been too badly assaulted to trust anyone at present.

‘Whoa,’ he uttered and drew a deep breath for strength; what wretched plight would the next hatch reveal? Opening the hatch more discreetly this time, Thais’ heart leapt into his throat as he found a male Centaur within.

The young buck, with long, dark hair and a reddish complexion, was dancing on the spot and singing to himself.

Although the scene was comical, and a pleasant relief from the last one, it occurred to Thais that perhaps this prisoner had gone mad too. ‘What have you to dance about, Centaur?’

‘I’m being rescued today,’ he replied, looking up to find the Falcon man peering into his cell. He continued his merry dance, and began whistling as well.

Thais recognised the lad. He had known him as Shar Jerram in Atlantis and as Teo in the early twenty-first century on Gaia. This same soul-mind had been born as Gwion Bach in the Dark Ages of ancient Britain. A fateful accident in the labs of Ninharsag, or Keridwen as she was known in that time, transformed the mortal lab assistant into the great Merlin and Ascendant Master, Taliesin Pen Beridd.

‘How can you be so sure of your liberation?’ Thais couldn’t resist inquiring.

‘An angel told me,’ the young Centaur stated, confident of his source. ‘It said that a mighty Shaman would come to liberate me on this the one hundred and fiftieth day of my confinement. As a prophet to my people I cannot question the word of the Logoi’s messenger.’

Thais smiled, amused by the thought that the angel had probably been Taliesin, this soul-mind’s higher self. ‘By the sound of it, you are a truthful and insightful prophet indeed.’

The young Centaur ceased his jig as an unlikely question came to mind. ‘Are you the Shaman, then?’ The lad was excited only a second, before he waved off the possibility. ‘Nah … you can’t be,’ he decided. ‘The mighty Shaman is a Centaur, I am sure of it … or why else would he want to save me?’

Thais found the lad’s convincing argument rather sad. ‘We are all human, are we not?’

‘Hey, that’s what I always say, birdman,’ the buck agreed. ‘But your lot don’t want a bar of it! We Centaurs are four-legged freaks, right, just like the Satyrs … we may as well be Lahmuian mutants for all —’

‘Satyrs!’ Thais echoed in shock. ‘There are Satyrs on Karleashian as well?’

The lad fixed Thais with a peculiar look. ‘You don’t get around much, do you?’

‘Unfortunately, I have been a bit complacent in that regard,’ responded Thais, as he vanished from the exterior of the cell door and reappeared in the interior. ‘But perhaps you’d see your way clear to enlightening me, in exchange for your freedom?’

Devaglen was the perfect place to awaken from her insight into herself. The warm, balmy breeze and the sun on her face lulled Tory gently back to reality. Once aware, however, her mind immediately began to assimilate the new data with the old and she slowly came to realise what a mess she’d created.

She looked around for Maelgwn and found him sitting on a grassy embankment overlooking the ocean and beach. He stood as he noted her approach and the sad look of question on his face made her want to cry. Her urge to hug him was so great that Tory broke into a run to fulfil her need. ‘I’m so sorry.’ She burst into tears once absorbed in the comfort of his familiar embrace.

‘No, I do believe the first apology is owed by me.’ He kissed his wife’s forehead several times, thankful for the privilege. ‘I should have trusted in your instinct, instead of leaving you to cope alone.’

‘You had other concerns to chase.’

‘And now you have a growing concern.’ Maelgwn looked down to her belly that showed nothing of the child it concealed.

‘You make a very charming and alluring pirate.’ Tory couldn’t apologise for the affair. It had meant too much to her. ‘I always did love that aspect of you … and now I know where it came from.’ She forced a smile and swallowed back her tears.

Maelgwn could feel her hurting for the pirate and quickly cut to a topic that was sure to make her forget her worries. ‘And what’s this I perceive about you kissing Noah?’ he smiled.

‘I never kissed Noah.’ Tory was quick to defend herself, but backed up to think about it.

‘Just testing,’ Maelgwn admitted, and Tory was tempted to hit him but kissed him instead.

‘I missed you.’ Maelgwn was teary-eyed. He had feared for her safety and for their marriage for too long. ‘I believe I can cope with anything but being parted from you again.’

‘If we truly create our own reality, we really ought to be able to get it together on that one.’ Tory wiped the tears from his face, as Maelgwn cracked a smile.

‘So, we are in agreement then?’ Maelgwn returned the favour, brushing the tears from his wife’s cheeks.

‘I’m not going anywhere,’ Tory assured him, and then realised she was fibbing. ‘Except …’ She feared more discord, and her good mood departed. Maelgwn was shaking his head. ‘I have to tell Hawk about this,’ she insisted, gently. ‘You don’t know what it would mean to him to know he is a father.’

‘Of course I know what it would mean to him, he’s me!’ Maelgwn reassured her that he held no malice for the pirate. ‘What I am saying is that you should confirm our suspicions first,’ Maelgwn decreed sensibly.

‘We both know the truth of it, Maelgwn. Why else would I have been taken on my little joyride away from reality?’

‘This is true,’ he conceded. ‘But humour me on this one.’

Tory rolled her eyes, not at all thrilled by the notion of giving birth to a child with two extra appendages. ‘Looks like I’m off to see Cadfan again.’

Maelgwn was considering an alternative to his wife giving birth, however. Zabeel had not developed in his mother’s belly, nor in his adopted mother’s. Maelgwn suspected that there was no surrogate mother, and that Inanna had used some other means to incubate the growing embryo.

‘There’s no need for you to come with me.’ Tory surprised Maelgwn with her comment. ‘Go to Tarazean, speak with Inanna and Zabeel. I’ll be fine. Truly,’ she urged, and was happy when the worry lifted from her husband’s face.

‘I’d better touch base with Brian first.’ Maelgwn intended to follow her advice. ‘But I’ll be back beside you before nightfall,’ he vowed with a kiss, and dissolved into the breeze that danced around Tory’s face.

When Maelgwn arrived at Brian’s side, he found the Governor and Governess alone in their private office. Brian was distressed, and Candace was on the verge of tears.

‘Thank God, a valid third opinion.’ Brian looked to Maelgwn for aid.

Brian had viewed the orb that Noah had given him, which had exposed Maelgwn’s sexual association with a Delphinus woman, who had conceived the first Chosen One of her breed. But the Dragon’s act in this instance had been inspired by love — the scenario unfolding between Brian and Samara-Leon was a very different affair.

Maelgwn realised he’d stepped straight into the middle of a family feud, and was relieved to bring a little hope to their dilemma with a possible solution. ‘If Tyrus-Leon’s only objection is to us playing God inside his wife’s body, then I believe I may have an answer to all our woes.’

‘Do you really think Inanna has the technology to get around the problem?’ Candace picked up on Maelgwn’s ideas telepathically.

‘Logic gives me just cause to think she does.’ Maelgwn looked from the relieved wife to her husband. ‘You might want to accompany me to Tarazean before returning to settle things on Nugia.’

‘Absolutely.’ Brian breathed a sigh of relief, and grabbed up his jacket. As he kissed Candace farewell, Maelgwn snatched the opportunity to make himself absent.

‘I’ll be back by dinner time to celebrate the new family member,’ Brian assured in his cocky, although endearing manner.

‘We’ll be waiting,’ Candace smiled, knowing her husband had no desire to have an extramarital affair.

Brian winked, grateful for her unquestioning faith as he vanished after Maelgwn.

Zabeel bid farewell to his living companions of many years, yet it was an altogether younger man who shook the pirates’ hands in parting.

Inanna’s antidote had activated the immortal gene passed on to Zabeel via his father and, having freely chosen to experience mortal death, he’d become the first Chosen One of the Delphinus branch of humanity. His youthful face was pale as snow, but not blue as was usual for his race. His hair was dark and straight like his father’s; his eyes were icy blue as his mother’s had been. The Delphinus’ build nearly rivalled the Dragon’s warrior form and would probably equal it given a few weeks to build up his youthful body.

Inanna had truthfully recounted Zabeel’s missing past to him and as he said goodbye to Hawk, he knew he was addressing the Falcon incarnation of the father he’d never met — a fact that warmed his heart. Even though the Dragon had been unable to aid Zabeel’s life to date, a reincarnation of him had still managed to save his missing son’s life and kept him alive and well all these years. ‘Thanks for everything, Captain. I’m sorry there wasn’t a happier circumstance awaiting you here on Tarazean … but your true Swan has got to be out there somewhere, I feel sure of it,’ he added in a lower tone.

‘Then I’d best start looking.’ Hawk forced himself to be in good spirits whilst in company. ‘Good luck to you, Seagull.’

As Hawk slapped his shoulder, Zabeel noted that the captain wore the NERGUZ module that had been used to restrain Tory Alexander during her time on the Bil-me. He suspected that Hawk was not wearing the device for sentimental reasons, but to prevent the Goddess from locating him again. Their brief affair had hurt the captain deeply, Zabeel feared.

‘We’ll sure miss your cookin’,’ commented Chook, with a friendly chug to the ex-cook’s shoulder.

‘Yeah, but we won’t miss being given piss to drink.’ Crow made Zabeel laugh with the comment, as Crow waved and made for the Bil-me. Crow was eager to put some distance between himself and the Nefilim, who he couldn’t bring himself to trust again.

‘See you, big guy.’ Raven moved in to shake Zabeel’s hand. ‘It’s very comforting to know I have a friend amongst the Gods.’

‘An enduring friend at that,’ Zabeel assured, as his crewmates departed to their craft, waving back at him as they went. ‘I’ll sure miss you guys,’ he sighed under his breath.

Now that he’d recovered his past, Zabeel’s future seemed uncertain. Umpteen years in a kitchen hadn’t really prepared him for the life of a leader, and although Inanna had told him of his origins he didn’t actually remember any of his life before his service on the Bil-me.

‘Alone again,’ he mumbled, as the Bil-me propulsion system fired up and the craft departed for deep space. As his stepmother had lied to him since birth and his father was a stranger, there seemed to be no one in his life to whom he felt close.

‘I understand I am not a complete stranger, Zabeel.’

It was a man’s voice that addressed him. Zabeel spun around to find the Goddess Inanna with two Chosen males, whose eyes and being glowed with enlightenment. One of the men looked remarkably like Hawk. ‘Dragon?’ Zabeel ventured a guess, although his voice nearly escaped him.

Hawk’s Homo sapiens lookalike nodded as he stepped forward from his company.

I’ll give you a guided tour of my lab, Governor, Inanna turned to the other gentleman to suggest.

Brian knew an exit was in order, but was a little daunted about accompanying the Goddess to a laboratory.

Fear not, Lahmu. I am sympathetic to Nova’s cause and yours. I am a changed being. She cast an affectionate gaze in the Dragon’s direction.

‘You are Lahmu?’ Zabeel gasped, as he observed the stranger more closely, for that name had been embedded in his brain.

‘That’s Uncle Lahmu to you,’ Brian joked in a disgruntled fashion. He was still uncomfortable with his lot and he would remain so until he got this seeding business resolved.

Follow me, oh mighty Lahmu … if you dare. Inanna faded from view, as did her chuckle.

Brian looked to Maelgwn bemused.

‘Fear not.’ It was Noah who spoke. The Sage and his wife startled Brian as they manifested close by him. ‘Rebecca needs to have a close look at Inanna’s facilities,’ he explained. ‘So we shall escort you.’

‘Good call.’ Brian was happy.

‘You might want to give Maelgwn back the chronicle I gave you,’ Noah prompted the Governor, who pulled the orb containing the episode out of his jacket pocket. ‘Could come in handy,’ added Noah, giving Maelgwn a smile of reassurance.

Now was not the time to discuss all that he wished to with Noah, so Maelgwn bit his lip and smiled in return. As Brian handed over the Orb, it occurred to Maelgwn that perhaps he and Noah were not the only ones who had remembered back to the beginning. ‘You have remembered a thing or two about your life in Edin, Nin?’ Maelgwn assumed this was the reason for Rebecca’s interest in the Goddess’ facilities.

Edin, thought Zabeel. He remembered nothing of his past and yet the name of this place rang a bell.

Rebecca looked at Maelgwn, the smile on her face conveying the extent of her recall. ‘I assisted Ninharsag with the genetic manipulation of nearly every branch of humanity. I think I can manage to navigate this little storm.’

‘We’ll speak with you presently.’ Noah nodded to Maelgwn as he departed into thin air, along with Rebecca and Brian.

‘By the Gods.’ Zabeel was flabbergasted. ‘I had no idea that the Chosen were all so advanced.’

‘Practice makes perfect, Zabeel,’ Maelgwn commented with a smile, although his Delphinus son appeared uncertain about mastering his new psychic skills. ‘You have many kindred to assist with your getting of knowledge.’

‘Kindred?’ The half-caste Delphinus was quietly excited by the prospect.

‘Yes, indeed,’ Maelgwn confirmed. ‘You have two sisters, two brothers and another sibling on the way. You have uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins and a mother who —’

‘My mother is dead,’ Zabeel interjected, wondering if Inanna had been lying to him again.

‘Your mother’s soul-mind lives on in my wife, Tory Alexander.’

‘Swan … of course,’ uttered Zabeel, before breaking into a huge smile. ‘But she remembers no —’

‘Everything,’ Maelgwn cut in. ‘Her memory of the past has been fully restored, and I’ll warrant that if you wish it, she shall be able to return your memory to you also.’

Zabeel shrugged, not too keen on the idea. ‘It was all just a lie, anyway.’

‘But Inanna taught you skills that will come in handy in the future,’ Maelgwn said, without pushing the point.

‘She taught me to hate you.’ Zabeel resisted any sentiment. ‘I have no desire to take what could well be a giant step backwards.’

‘The truth does wonders, my good fellow,’ Maelgwn assured him. ‘I cannot believe that the first fifty years of your life were entirely without purpose, but they will be if you choose to deny their existence.’

This was a fair point, Zabeel considered, giving a slight nod to concede he’d give the notion further thought. ‘So what am I to do now, Dragon? Where am I supposed to go?’

‘You’ve not been conscripted into the army, Zabeel,’ Maelgwn announced jovially, to allay his son’s fear. ‘You are free to go and do as you wish. It is my wish, however, to take you home to your family on Kila, where you will always have full citizenship.’

‘A citizen. Me?’ The ex-pirate had to laugh, although he was overjoyed by the prospect. He’d never truly belonged anywhere and as he differed in appearance from any human living at this time, he doubted if he could ever fit anywhere.

‘Although you are the only hybrid of your race at this time, you will not be alone in your uniqueness forever.’ Maelgwn addressed Zabeel’s unspoken worry. ‘I feel sure that my associates shall be able to alleviate all your concerns before too long. Here,’ Maelgwn held out the orb that Brian had returned to him, ‘a present.’

Zabeel recognised the tool as a thought-recorder, and wary of the subject matter contained therein, Zabeel hesitated to accept the gift.

‘It’s my memory of meeting your mother … and losing her.’ Maelgwn waved his offering at Zabeel, urging him to take it.

‘Really?’ Zabeel was overcome by sentiment as he took possession. ‘Then I thank you, Dragon.’ He looked the orb over, having never used one before. ‘How does it work?’

‘If you wish to accompany me back to Kila, you’ll have to save the chronicle for later.’ Maelgwn placed a hand on Zabeel’s shoulder, noting that his Delphinus son was the first of his children to equal him in height. ‘There are many urgent matters that demand my immediate attention, so I really need to get on the move.’

‘Matters?’ Zabeel raised his brow, curious to know what he was letting himself in for.

‘Your youngest brother and sister are trapped in an otherworldly realm.’ Maelgwn began his preposterous tale, although Zabeel did not appear cynical, only concerned. ‘And there they shall remain until all the Nefilim leave the physical realms of existence and return to their soul-source. Anu’s star system is fast speeding towards its end of days and —’

‘But what of the citizens of Nibiru?’ The news propelled Zabeel into a state of panic. ‘And Tarazean is sure to be irradiated as a result, and the charichalum miners on Numan will be affected.’

‘Relax,’ Maelgwn urged. ‘I believe Noah is already hatching a solution to that problem. If you’d care to come with me, we can learn the latest.’

‘That sounds a whole lot better than sitting around and waiting to get cooked,’ Zabeel said. ‘I’m with you, Dragon.’

Maelgwn visualised his Governor’s whereabouts, and he and Zabeel immediately joined Inanna’s guided tour to find the rest of their party gathered around a huge, enclosed glass compartment that had an egg-shaped pod suspended from its ceiling. From the pod sprung masses of tubes and wires that connected to monitoring systems and computers outside the incubated environment of the showcase.

‘What the hell is that?’ Zabeel couldn’t imagine …

‘It’s an artificial womb,’ Rebecca informed gently. ‘This technology, combined with my expertise, is going to bring a lot of hope to the mortal tribes.’

And has already, with you, Inanna added.

‘I was born this way?’ Zabeel backed up a step, feeling this made him even more of a freak than he already was.

‘Such a privilege is not without an advantage,’ Rebecca hastened to say. ‘There was no pain or trauma associated with your birth and that is part of the reason why you are so emotionally stable, Zabeel, because your first experience of this life was so blissful.’

‘Anyway, there shall be a couple more where you came from by this time next year,’ Brian stated with certainty — this scenario was the answer to his prayers.

‘More?’ Zabeel was suddenly fascinated. Did they refer to a female hybrid Delphinus, or was he to be condemned for all eternity to watch his mates age and die — if indeed he ever found a mate.

‘I know what you are thinking.’ Maelgwn picked up on what was in Zabeel’s mind. ‘But there is not one of us Chosen who has not suffered the fate you fear.’

‘Destiny will provide you a mate,’ Noah assured the new demi-god. ‘For there is not a Chosen One born into existence that is not accompanied into this world by a twin-soul.’

‘Some of us had to wait centuries to find that Chosen other,’ Rebecca recalled.

‘But if I am the first immortal of my tribe then my Chosen other would have to descend from me!’

‘In an orderly universe, one would assume so,’ Noah theorised. ‘But the fact is, the universe is subject to chaos, and thus no one can predict from where your twin-soul might spring.’

Zabeel frowned, feeling betrayed. ‘And why can’t you just create her, if you have all the equipment?’

Rebecca approached Zabeel and took up both of his hands. ‘I am but an instrument of the Allied Logoi. I do as they compel me. I would love nothing more than to fulfil your wish, but the fact remains that the parents of the woman you seek have not been made known to me, and without this information your request is impossible to grant.’

The young Delphinus male stared back at Rebecca for a moment. He could feel in his gut that she spoke the truth, and was overwhelmed by her concern and love for him, radiating into his body via her gentle grasp.

‘I must learn to trust the universal process,’ he voiced out loud and Rebecca nodded.

‘Your telepathic skill has not suffered from your memory loss.’ She smiled in reassurance at Zabeel, and he returned the smile, picking up on her mind once more.

‘One step at a time, hey,’ Zabeel conceded.

‘So, then.’ Brian slapped his hands together. ‘Time to get organised.’ He looked at Inanna first. ‘We need a few of these incubators taken to Kila.’ The Governor glanced at Rebecca. ‘I shall bring Tyrus-Leon and Samara to speak with you there. Noah,’ Brian turned to the Sage, ‘I understand that you and Floyd wish to seek out the Lord Gibal?’

Noah nodded. ‘The technologist knows more than anyone about the design of the shield of Orme that protects Nibiru and holds its heat within. I have been musing on it and I believe a similar system may be able to contain the imploding sun’s radiation.’

Inanna shook her head. The shield would not hold, and even if it did, it would absorb radiation like a sponge and before long the poisons would start to leak.

‘A shield drawing its power from Orme might,’ Noah conceded. ‘But a shield of charichalum Orme, I believe, would be a different matter … being a black metal, logic tells us that it wouldn’t allow any particle to escape.’

‘That’s completely brilliant!’ Zabeel was impressed by the scope of the Sage’s thinking.

‘But I understood Orme was only derived from gold, “Or” being the Nefilim name for the mineral?’ Maelgwn queried.

Noah shook his head. ‘I’ve been speaking with Floyd who informs me that there are many different metals from which Orme can be derived. Orme actually stands for Orbitally Rearranged Monatomic Elements. No one has had cause to try and derive Orme from charichalum before, for any being or planet subject to charichalum Orme would experience certain death.’

‘Then seek Gibal by all means.’ Brian gave the Sage his leave and looked at Maelgwn, knowing it was pointless giving his brother-in-law any instruction. ‘What is your plan of action, Dragon?’

‘After returning Zabeel to Kila and seeing to Tory’s welfare, the Devas and I still have several Nefilim to seek out … starting with Ereshkigal on Karleashian.’

‘Excellent.’ Brian was pleased to have one of his responsibilities taken off his hands. ‘I promised Thais some help out there as soon as we could spare it.’

Maelgwn broke into a cool smile of amusement. ‘Thais is not the being on Karleashian who needs help, believe me.’

DJ Nova had not been lying when he’d reported a resistance group of Centaurs on Karleashian.

The young buck that Thais had liberated from Kurra’s prison went by the name of Kyron. He’d led a handful of his fellow mine workers in a rebellion against the Falcon military. His small band were living wild in the untamed mountain wilderness outside of Kurra.

‘Our main problem has been the cold,’ Kyron explained as he led the Shaman Centaur through the dark, damp, misty forest. ‘Having lived our whole lives underground in confined spaces, we’re not used to the harsh elements of the great outdoors … I’ve lost quite a few people due to exposure.’

‘A move to a warmer planet seems in order,’ Thais resolved, in all seriousness.

‘Rumour has it that this planet was once bathed by the golden sunshine from our largest yellow sun … at least that’s what the old folk down the mines used to tell us.’ Kyron shrugged as he trudged on, unsure if he believed it. ‘Maybe they were just trying to give us kids something to hope for.’

‘Did the elders mention what brought about the change in climate?’

Kyron halted from his trek and turned to speak to Thais. ‘They claim Ereshkigal cast a spell that brought down the mists and cut out the sun’s rays. This broke the will of our people, as we no longer desired to escape the underground.’

Thais mulled the information over, thinking it more likely that some sort of technology was used to achieve the feat. ‘Then we shall just have to persuade the Goddess to un-cast her spell.’

The resistance had been hiding out inside a deep cave in the base of a mountain, through the centre of which flowed a freshwater stream. Large stores of wood were drying out around the walls of the breezy, damp cavern, which would be used to fuel the fires that prevented the small resistance force from freezing to death. Kyron and Thais warmed themselves in front of the largest fire.

All the Centaurs at the camp were excited to see their prophet delivered from prison as he foretold. They were beholden to the man in Kyron’s company also, knowing him to be the Shaman who’d come to liberate their people from Ereshkigal and her Falcon forces.

Thais was informed that, although some gold mining was done on Karleashian and the freshwater industry thrived, the main purpose of Kurra was Orme production.

‘Orme,’ Thais gasped, having not heard that term since Egyptian times on Gaia.

He’d known, since before he could remember, that the substance was used to fuel the golden shield of Nibiru — but now he would use it to blackmail the Pantheon into freeing his people.

Suddenly, a Centaur came rushing out of the communications hut to inform Kyron: ‘A communiqué from DJ Nova reports that Kila has been reclaimed by the Dragon, and that Nugia and Nibiru are now under the governorship of the Chosen Ones.’ The messenger’s eyes drifted to the Shaman in their midst. ‘Is that to be the way of it here, Lord?’ he asked hopefully, mystified to think that any one man could meet the challenge.

Thais smiled, heartened by the DJ’s report — provided, of course, that it was true. Thais couldn’t understand how Maelgwn might have reclaimed his home planet from their foe, but he had an inkling that the Devas may have had a hand in it. The Shaman wasn’t exactly sure how he would psychically match wits with the Nefilim Goddess either, yet he did not fear their meeting, for he felt the righteous energy of the Allied Logoi flowing through him, warming his being and determination from within. His people, numbering in the thousands, Kyron claimed, could not be allowed to suffer one moment longer.

‘Tomorrow morning the sun’s rays will shine down on Kurra, a city of free souls,’ Thais assured the messenger and the rest of the rebel band, none of whom looked older than eighteen years of age. ‘I have waited forever to find my people, and I shall not fail them now that I have.’

‘So, what’s the plan, Master Shaman?’ Kyron rubbed his hands together briskly, eager to get with the program.

‘Time I paid Ereshkigal a personal visit.’

‘We,’ Kyron corrected. ‘I have a better knowledge of the palace than any of our people,’ he boasted.

‘And how is that?’ Thais challenged in fun.

‘My spirit takes flight there at every given opportunity,’ Kyron explained. ‘I used the same talent to find us a way out of the mines,’ and those around him nodded to confirm the story.

His positive attitude kept the prophet the fittest and healthiest among the rebel band. ‘I would be thankful for your aid, Kyron, but just you,’ Thais decreed, and the rest of the young Centaurs looked rather relieved. ‘We need to look as inconspicuous as possible until we get inside the palace.’

‘Yeah, right!’ Kyron motioned down at his cumbersome form. ‘So there is no confusion, Ereshkigal decreed that never would a Centaur walk the streets of her city as a free man.’

Thais was doing his best not to resent the Nefilim ruler, as he knew that giving in to such emotion would only weaken his position. ‘A simple deception will overthrow that law, for good.’

22

LITTLE MIRACLES

Every bone and muscle of his mortal body ached with a vengeance by the time Nergal was returned to his palace on Nibiru. He wasn’t used to this walking business and there was no one who would lighten him of the terrible load he was being forced to carry.

Nibiru’s military were no longer answerable to Nefilim command. They would only heed the word of the Dragon’s appointed representative, the Chief Justice of Kila, Cadwallon.

Low-life ingrates, thought Nergal, as he laboured his way to his private chambers, accompanied by his daughter, Aya, Cadwallon and numerous guards. The Nefilim Lord refused to be done out of his immortal birthright and dominion so easily. He had a plan for his redemption, but he needed to shake off the escort if he was to execute it.

The Lord felt as if the Logos was finally smiling upon him, when, at the entrance to his private rooms, Cadwallon instructed that Nergal and Aya were to be locked inside, and several guards stationed outside.

‘I understand that you must both require rest and nourishment,’ the Dragon’s official explained.

But in truth, Cadwallon was only doing as Maelgwn and Noah had instructed him to do. Personally, the Chief Justice wouldn’t have taken his eyes off the two Nefilim for a second, but his superiors had been very specific about leaving the pair alone upon returning them to their private dwelling.

Inside their quarters, Aya collapsed onto a reclining lounge to rest her weary form. ‘Mortals are far stronger than I imagined.’ She held her throat — being forced to speak out loud was a strain on her neglected vocal cords.

‘Perhaps,’ Nergal snarled, hesitant to give humans any due. ‘But even the immortals among them are as thick as two charichalum bricks.’

Aya could not support her father’s view, given their current circumstances. ‘They’ve managed to reduce us to passive captives,’ she said, thinking her father was truly having visions of grandeur if he felt he could outsmart the forces that had brought them to this sorry state.

‘Passive captive, me!’ Nergal roared, before lowering his voice to a hoarse whisper. ‘Not for long.’ The Nefilim Lord dragged his weary carcass towards a hidden safe containing his private stash of Orme.

With all due haste, Nergal prepared himself for the injection.

Most Nefilim chose to inject Orme, because by the time the life-giving substance was due to be taken, the effects took too long to occur when the Orme was ingested. They preferred the elixir to be shot straight into the heart — the icy core of the Nefilim’s failing physical bodies.

Aya actually bothered to raise herself when she caught on to her father’s scheme. ‘But now is not your designated time! You have no way of calculating the specific dosage, and how are you to know that Orme will restore your immortality and your psychic skills? Those monsters altered our molecular structure, and I know I do not feel any more inwardly chilled than normal. What if —’

‘Oh … do shut that mortal trap of yours, Aya. Your vocalisations are most grating on the ear. I’ll just take the dosage a little at a time,’ he reasoned, pressing the tip of the tiny injecting gun to his heart. ‘It certainly can’t make me feel any worse.’

A slight squeeze on the trigger sent a rush of stimulating relief through the Nefilim Lord’s body, and he seemed for a moment to defy gravity as he once had.

Aya, curious, moved to examine her father more closely.

‘Am I glowing with vitality?’ Nergal questioned, appearing euphoric and at peace.

Aya gasped when Nergal opened his eyes and she saw that the whites were glowing brightly. ‘Yes! Quickly, attempt a psychic feat,’ she urged, excited that her own deliverance might be at hand.

Nergal willed the lounge chair to rise from the ground, but his attempts were to no avail.

‘I must have slightly underestimated the dosage.’ He raised the gun and injected more of the glowing gaseous substance, filled with sparkling gold specks of light, into his heart and, following a moment of intense pleasure, he tried to raise the lounge again — without success. ‘You know,’ Nergal turned to his disappointed daughter and smiled, ‘I don’t know why I am even bothering with this psychic nonsense. I don’t need it.’

Aya frowned. She didn’t understand his confidence or his calm acceptance of failure. ‘How do you figure?’

‘Well,’ Nergal raised his brow, ‘I have a lovely wife and two beautiful children to be thankful for … three children, counting Nabu.’

‘Beautiful? Be thankful for?’ Aya backed away as if her father had caught some fatal disease and, in a way, he had. ‘Oh sweet misery, Father, you’ve overdosed!’

‘One can never overdose on love.’ Nergal served his daughter a reassuring smile that did anything but reassure her. ‘Come child, give your father a hug.’ He held his arms wide.

‘Stay away from me.’ Aya ran for the door and began pounding on it. ‘Help me! Let me out of here!’

Back on Kila, Rebecca called a meeting at the Institute of Medical Advancement for all those interested in the capabilities of the artificial womb the Goddess Inanna had preserved from the labs of Ninharsag.

Her pregnancy confirmed, Tory was interested in hearing the lecture, and was on her way through Central Park to attend with Maelgwn and Zabeel. She’d been preoccupied since seeing her physician. What with helping Candace reorganise the city and making Zabeel feel at home, Tory just hadn’t had time to seek out Hawk. Perhaps she’d been evading the issue; she’d been savouring Maelgwn’s company and had no wish to make him disgruntled or uncomfortable by bringing up the subject. Nevertheless, the decisions that she may have to make concerning the sacred child she carried, were not hers alone to make, nor were they Maelgwn’s — Hawk needed to be at this lecture too.

‘I am hardly going to object to the father’s presence.’ Maelgwn, who’d been following Tory’s train of thought, came to a standstill to openly reassure her of his feelings on the matter.

‘Hawk, you mean?’ Zabeel clarified, having been made privy to Tory’s condition. ‘You won’t find him.’

As he said this, Tory glimpsed the image Zabeel held in mind of Hawk wearing the NERGUZ. It saddened her that the pirate would go to such lengths not to see her again. ‘Well, despite what he may think of me, he has to know. So,’ she took a deep breath to steady her emotions, ‘I shall seek Raven, for he is never far removed from the captain.’

‘Send my regards,’ Zabeel requested.

‘We’ll see you both there.’ Maelgwn kissed her cheek and continued en route to the first island ring where the Institute of Medical Advancement was located.

He was making a fine show of being unaffected by the notion of confronting his Falcon self and Tory knew it was Maelgwn’s accursed jealous streak that worried him the most. He’s beyond expending his energy on such detrimental emotions, thought Tory, more certain of her husband’s capabilities than he was.

Maelgwn looked back and winked at her.

‘Swan?’ It took Raven a second to recognise Tory with her long, blonde hair. The pilot was most perturbed by her presence so it was fortunate that the Bil-me was on automatic pilot.

‘I must see Hawk,’ she pleaded. ‘Where is he?’

‘Where he’s been ever since you vanished.’ Raven swivelled around in his seat to face her, his tone far cooler than was usual for him. ‘In his cabin, pissed out of his mind.’

Tory gave a heavy sigh, feeling responsible and guilty. ‘Crow has been getting in his ear, I suppose?’ Tory imagined that Hawk’s older brother had had a field day badmouthing her for rushing off to Maelgwn’s side.

‘If you are implying Crow has been blowing things out of proportion to make you look bad, I can assure you he didn’t have to exaggerate.’

At any other time Tory could have taken the criticism, but in her pregnant condition she just burst into tears. ‘I’m being torn apart, Raven,’ she mumbled in vague explanation.

‘Oh shit, Swan … um, Tory, whatever.’ The pilot climbed out of his seat to apologise to her, being a born sucker for a female in tears.

‘See what I mean?’ She felt he’d highlighted her point beautifully. ‘You can’t imagine what it’s like trying to choose between the same man!’

‘You’re married to one of them.’ Raven saw little chance for his friend winning the contest. ‘Where’s the choice?’

Tory looked Raven in the eye, knowing the pilot was like a father to Hawk. ‘I’m pregnant … with Hawk’s child.’

The announcement sent the pilot into a state of shock and for a moment, words and feeling escaped him.

‘Do you think the event will please him?’ Tory prompted the pilot to say something.

‘Of course,’ Raven said soberly. ‘But the circumstances being as they are,’ he shook his head, deeply concerned for his friend, ‘it can only lead to more heartache … which he doesn’t deserve.’

‘No,’ Tory quite agreed, ‘but there must be some reason why Hawk was chosen to father this particular child —’

‘What do you mean?’ Raven was puzzled, but his perplexed expression dissolved into one of amazement when he realised the captain had impregnated an immortal. ‘You don’t mean …’ Raven nearly choked on the suggestion that the long prophesied event was coming to pass as they spoke.

Tory nodded surely. ‘The first Chosen One of your kind, Raven. A messiah to unite the Falcon kind and lead them into a new era of freedom.’

‘So the stories of Lahmu are true, the revolution has started?’

‘Started … it’s all but over!’ She heightened his expectation, pleased to be able to bring some joy and hope to the crew of the Bil-me after the obvious grief that she’d caused them. ‘Most of the troublesome members of the Pantheon have already been overthrown, bar Ereshkigal, and Maelgwn will be addressing the troubles on Karleashian presently.’

Raven found it impossible to repress a smile, and after releasing a mighty ‘Yahoo!’, he took hold of Tory’s hands. ‘Perhaps this scenario could work out better for Hawk than I imagined. I’m sorry I was so harsh on you just now, for none of what has happened has been your fault.’

Tory shook her head, feeling Raven had no need to apologise.

‘In all actuality,’ he insisted on continuing, ‘I am beholden to you.’

As the pilot dropped down on one knee before her, Tory saw Sir Tiernan in the man and her heart jumped into her throat, reducing her to tears once more.

‘Thank you for making the liberation of my people possible.’

Tory reached down and stroked the pilot’s cheek. ‘The pleasure is all mine, Raven.’

‘What’s going on here then, eh?’ Crow folded both arms, having entered just in time to see Raven kneel before the Goddess.

The sentiment of the moment destroyed, Tory made a move to find Hawk and as she passed Crow, she commented, ‘Looks like you’re finally a monkey’s uncle.’

Her words confused the warrior, although Raven burst out laughing. ‘What?’ Crow turned to pursue the Goddess.

‘Leave her be,’ Raven ordered Crow, ‘or I shall be forced to break your legs.’

‘What did she mean?’ Crow’s frown became intense.

‘She means … a new and better life for us all.’ Raven nodded, inviting Crow to challenge him on the issue. Crow did not.

When Tory peeked into the captain’s dimly-lit quarters, he was lying spread-eagled on his stomach on the bed. His wings were folded close to his body, as they were whenever he slept, so Tory assumed he was passed out and entered to gently stir him.

‘Go away,’ he mumbled, without turning to see who was creeping in. But his utterance startled Tory and her gasp was a wake-up call for the pirate, who sat up faster than he should have. ‘Oh Goddess,’ he mumbled, spying Tory as the room went into a spin and nearly sent him off balance.

Tory ran over to help him regain his equilibrium. ‘I’m sorry to just surprise you like this,’ she ignored his bedraggled appearance, knowing he would feel self-conscious about it, ‘but I had to see you.’

‘But how?’ He held up the wrist the NERGUZ was attached to.

‘Raven,’ she explained simply.

Hawk released a pained whine that implied he should have thought of that. He removed the NERGUZ and threw it away, then repositioned himself so that he was no longer within Tory’s reach. ‘So you’ve come to tell me that you’re all happy now, is that it?’

‘Well, yes, I am happy,’ she said, ‘but not —’

‘Look, I see no need for a long, drawn-out goodbye,’ Hawk mumbled, half-delirious. ‘We are history, I understand that. And you needn’t worry, I had no intention of disturbing your perfect, majestic family life.’

‘Oh boy,’ Tory puffed. ‘Are you in for a rude shock.’ She stalled, trying to figure out how to break her news. ‘I cannot give you my favours anymore, that is true, for they were long ago pledged to Maelgwn. However, I can bestow on you a child.’

Hawk gave half a laugh at this. ‘That’s going to be a bit difficult if we can’t have sex.’ The pirate nearly burst into laughter, until it occurred to him that perhaps the event had already come to pass. ‘No.’ His ego got a kickstart and he smiled broadly.

Tory nodded. ‘It’s the truth.’

The smile fell from Hawk’s face. ‘But Falcon women are better equipped to carry and give birth to Falcon babies. There could be great risks for you and the child.’

Tory giggled at his fears. ‘We’re immortal, we can cope. And back on Kila we have a means to reduce the development risks for this unique babe, destined to be a King. We have genetic experts who will ensure that our child shall inherit only the best of both of us.’

Hawk’s eyes had filled with tears, his excitement and his fear battling for precedence.

‘I’ve come to fetch you to a lecture on this technology … your first prenatal class, as it were.’ She attempted to be cheerful.

Hawk was far too thunderstruck to be amused. ‘I’m going to be a father,’ he said slowly, trying to comprehend it. ‘The father of a God.’

‘Who said it was a boy?’ she teased, whereupon Hawk’s smile returned.

‘Do you know?’ he quizzed, eager to know.

Feeling his resentment engulfed by joy and curiosity, Tory smiled and nodded. ‘His Chosen name will be Sparrowhawk.’

The pirate was obviously delighted and flattered by the name.

‘So will you come with me now, for his sake?’ Tory held out her hand to Hawk.

Looking down upon his sorry state, Hawk hesitated. ‘Any chance of a quick shower?’

‘Could be for the best.’ Tory gave him the nod, relieved beyond belief that he was eager to be part of this child’s life.

But the captain hesitated before moving off to his cleansing tube, reaching out and running his fingers through Tory’s long, blonde hair, which he found beautiful and becoming to her. ‘Is the Dragon going to be at this lecture?’

As she didn’t want to scare Hawk off, Tory thought a full explanation would be best. ‘Our child is one of four Chosen Ones who are destined to shape the future of humanity. A Centaur and a Delphinus demi-god have already been born —’

‘Seagull.’ Hawk clicked his fingers as he made the connection.

‘Also known as Zabeel,’ Tory told him. ‘And thus, your ex-cook has a vested interest in the birth of our child and the Leonine leader who will be along presently. As Zabeel’s father, Maelgwn is attending the tutorial for moral support, but he is also looking forward to meeting you.’

I’ll bet he is, thought Hawk as he headed for the shower.

Tory telepathically caught the comment.

The channel Noah had opened had unlocked the Logos within her, and had heightened not only her mental connection with her thirteen brothers and sisters from ancient Edin, but had increased her ability to hear the unsaid in all around her. Not even the Nefilim could protect their thoughts from her little soul-group any longer.

‘Hawk.’ Tory called for his attention as he undressed. ‘Maelgwn could not sooner despise you than despise himself, for you and he are the same soul-mind reincarnate.’

‘What!’ Hawk nearly dropped down dead.

Tory nodded with a cool smile of delight. ‘So you see our affair was not a betrayal to him, but simply another of his lifetimes in which we have fallen in love … as we inevitably always do, if we meet.’

Hawk’s jaw was dropping, although his smile was growing.

‘How do you think Zabeel came to be?’ Tory asked, intending to fully convince him. ‘Maelgwn fell in love with my Delphinus incarnation and …’ She held both palms up in conclusion, ‘there you have it.’

This shed a whole new light on things for Hawk and, still drunk from his binge, he wandered over to his bed to sit by Tory. ‘So, tell me again why you cannot give me your favours anymore?’ He cocked an eye in question. ‘Surely I wouldn’t wish to deny myself any opportunity to seduce you?’

Tory’s grin became most amiable, for Hawk’s reasoning was so like Maelgwn that she had to wonder if Maelgwn was speaking through him. ‘I don’t know, Hawk … this could get very complicated.’ She gazed into his eyes, feeling how badly he needed her to love his pain and doubt away. ‘Still, we never did get to say goodbye …’

Tory could not prevent herself being drawn in by the sentiment of the moment, for she needed to create a beautiful conclusion to their relationship as much as he needed to experience her love just one more time.

The Falcon contingent arrived late to the lecture, and there were many more people present in the tiny amphitheatre that overlooked the lab than Tory had expected.

The Goddess Inanna had the floor at present, sharing the history of the artificial womb with Rebecca, Cadfan, Hetty, Brian, Candace, and two Leonines, who Tory assumed to be Tyrus-Leon and Samara. The Devas were also present, along with numerous healers and students of the body sciences.

Tory and Hawk took a seat quietly, so as not to disturb the lecture in progress. She scanned the area for her husband and spied him leaning against the wall, alongside Zabeel, at the back of the amphitheatre. Maelgwn was staring straight at her and, with the cheeky grin he wore upon his face, Tory would’ve thought it had been him making love to her just a moment ago.

‘So, that’s the legendary Dragon,’ Hawk whispered, having followed Tory’s line of sight to spot his Homo sapien twin.

Tory nodded, averting her attention, and the captain’s, back to the lecture.

‘What’s he looking so cheerful about?’ Hawk was spooked by her husband’s apparent good mood.

‘Another past-life regression he can look forward to, I expect,’ she said, and the supposition shocked Hawk to a smile.

‘He can do that?’ The captain responded a little too loudly and Tory hushed him.

‘Later,’ she suggested.

Now Hawk was grinning broadly, for this brought to mind Zabeel’s parting words to him. ‘Your true Swan has got to be out there somewhere.’ If Tory’s husband could spy on his incarnation as a Falcon, then Tory surely could … if his true Swan was out there, perhaps Tory could help him track her down?

Inanna was in the process of explaining that her want of a child had seen her establish a top team of Leonine technologists, geneticists and medical experts. Her team of specialists had improved on Ninharsag’s original artificial womb over the eons since the Great Mother had departed the earthly realms. When Inanna had been reunited with her husband Dumuzi, fifty years ago, she went back to trying to conceive in the old-fashioned way; all her experts in the field of genetic engineering had since died off and she’d not bothered replacing them.

‘Thus, the restoration of my primordial memory has proven most timely.’ Rebecca took the floor. ‘I have recovered all of the knowledge I acquired under Ninharsag’s tutelage relating to the human genetic code and its manipulation. I recall the Great Mother once boasting that the good or bad of any man’s body and mind was entirely in her hands. Fortunately for all of us here, the Great Mother worked hard to bring out the best in all the human tribes that sprang from the House of Shimti in Edin.’

‘So why then have only Homo sapiens been granted access to the immortal gene pool of the Gods?’ Tyrus-Leon wanted to know.

‘Actually, the first Chosen One was not a Homo sapien, but a Centaur.’ Rebecca debunked his claim, politely. ‘As a race, however, ours was chosen to inherit the immortal gene first, because Homo sapiens were the only human tribe that Enlil wanted annihilated completely and Enki was protecting us. But the time has come when all the human tribes are under threat and so the universe has taken steps to start spreading the immortal gene around. Such a great leap in evolution cannot be undertaken lightly, and each new Chosen child must be tutored in the greater mysteries, as all the Chosen Ones before it have been.

‘The reason that the God gene was eventually deleted from the human genetic code was because of the discovery that, once the gene is activated in them, either naturally by enlightenment or artificially by Orme, a human does not require additional doses of the precious substance to maintain an immortal state, for love keeps us immortal. This fact put human beings at a distinct advantage over our Nefilim creators, thus they decided that the gene must be withheld from our genetic code.

‘Thais and Hero, the Centaurs, were the test subjects for the human immortality experiment using artificial means — that is, Orme. When they outlasted their Nefilim Masters, the Centaurs’ love for each other was the only explanation for the phenomenon. The additional etheric body that human beings have would prove to be one of the greatest enigmas to the Nefilim. They feared their lack of comprehension so much that it was forbidden for any human to be born in the House of Shimti with the God gene in his genetic code, even in a dormant state. It wasn’t until the Lord Marduk took his revenge upon the Pantheon and started planting the seed of the Chosen, that the God gene was secretly reintroduced into the genetic code of Homo sapiens.’

Rebecca went on to outline the benefits of the artificial birth process for the two expected demi-gods. She could ensure the physical traits of the babies leant towards the gene pool of the human tribe it was to lead and hence, as an adult, the Chosen One would be attracted to a mate of that race.

‘That’s interesting,’ Zabeel commented aside to his father, ‘as I do find Delphinus women more alluring than Homo sapien females … no offence.’

‘Hey,’ Maelgwn placed a hand on his son’s shoulder to assure him, ‘whatever makes you happy is fine by me. Personally speaking, I find your mother’s soul alluring no matter what race’s skin she is in.’

‘Obviously!’ Zabeel motioned to himself, a broad smile on his face, which was rare for him. ‘That chronicle you gave me was very enlightening … my mother was very beautiful.’ His gaze became lost in the memory of her image. ‘Is very beautiful,’ Zabeel added, snapping out of his daze.

‘Aye,’ Maelgwn turned to admire Tory, ‘she is extraordinary in every regard.’

Rebecca finished up her address by guaranteeing a blissful gestation for the babies and a trauma-free birth.

‘But won’t the child miss out on the day-to-day stimuli of life inside the womb … like feeling my emotional responses and hearing my voice, my heartbeat?’ Tory queried and Samara nodded in accord, also concerned about this.

‘This technology allows for us to record such stimuli from the mother and reproduce it inside the artificial womb,’ Rebecca explained. ‘The advantage of the artificial environment is that your children will only perceive you in the most positive of states, as we’ll record the data whilst you’re calm and relaxed. These soul-minds will be of the highest order and like Sacha and Psyche, will require large amounts of positive stimuli to enjoy the human condition.’

Zabeel raised his hand, rather curious. ‘Then am I to assume that my soul-mind is also fairly advanced?’

‘Absolutely,’ Rebecca concurred. ‘Noah and myself will help you investigate your past lives and begin your tuition in the greater mysteries as soon as the Nefilim conversion is completed.’

Zabeel was pleased by the news. A few immortal mentors was exactly what he needed to hone his new skills and feel at ease in his new life.

By the time Rebecca finished her presentation, Tory had plenty of food for thought. She’d already been through pregnancy one too many times in her opinion, but she wanted to be sure that she was doing the right thing by Sparrowhawk. The fact that both Thais and Zabeel had been born via artificial means was swaying her instincts towards trusting Rebecca. In her heart she also felt the Logos compelling her to let go of this pregnancy, although her maternal instinct was resisting.

‘What mother ever wants to think that a machine can do a better job of growing her baby than she can?’ Rebecca sat down beside Tory to help ease her doubt. ‘But the truth is, Tory, that you have other places to be … places I cannot allow you to take this precious child.’

She stared at Rebecca a moment, having no idea what she was talking about. ‘But phychically speaking I am well equipped —’

‘I refer more to the mental and spiritual trials that lie in store,’ Rebecca clarified, ‘which could be detrimental to such an impressionable soul as the one within you.’

Maelgwn caught Tory’s eye and she realised that she needed to resume their soul quest, if Avery and Lirathea were ever to be returned home. Her attention shifted to Hawk to hear his view, but he only shrugged.

‘This is all so far over my head that … it has got to be your call, Tory.’ His brow wrinkled in apology. ‘Whatever you think is best.’

‘My brother and Samara have committed to the scheme,’ Tory assumed, as it suited their purpose well.

‘But they are also conceiving artificially.’ Rebecca emphasised that Tory’s case was different.

‘Is the risk to my babe any greater?’

‘No,’ Rebecca stated, taking hold of Tory’s hand. ‘He is immortal. His life is assured no matter what should happen or what you decide. My aim is to make his coming into being easier on both of you.’

Tory had never felt especially close to Rebecca, and yet suddenly the lady’s loving presence overwhelmed her with a sense of sisterhood. Recollections of the secret sisterhood to which they had both belonged back in Edin, began streaming through Tory’s mind. They had both been midwives in the labs of Ninharsag, but only Rebecca had proven to have an aptitude for the scientific side of birthing.

‘You know how much I know.’ Rebecca nudged away Tory’s worry with her shoulder. ‘Ninharsag didn’t spend all that time training me for no reason.’

‘I want to remember it all, as you do.’ Tory was curious about the Creation Station and how it had changed Rebecca from a good soul to an enlightened being practically overnight.

‘You will. But, one miracle at a time, hey?’ Rebecca set the topic aside for discussion at a later date. ‘First thing we need to do —’

‘Sorry,’ Tory apologised to Rebecca, as she spied Maelgwn giving her a wave. ‘I’ll be right back.’ She flashed a smile at Hawk as she raced off after her husband. ‘Where are you going?’ Tory caught Maelgwn up.

‘Zabeel, the Devas and I, are off to give Thais a hand on Karleashian,’ he advised, only half regretful. ‘Governor’s orders.’

‘But I want to come with you,’ Tory whined, realising it was impossible. ‘I don’t feel I’ve been of any aid to you in our quest at all.’

Maelgwn gave her a hug of reassurance. ‘Our quest is not about aiding each other. It’s about aiding the greater good.’

As Tory raised her eyes to look into Maelgwn’s large dark ones, she forced a smile. ‘So much for not being separated, huh?’

‘I’ll be keeping my half of the bargain.’ Maelgwn motioned to Hawk, who was observing them closely.

‘I’m sorry I can’t keep my half.’ Tory was on the verge of tears again — pregnancy really sucked in that regard, she thought.

‘Don’t apologise for what isn’t your fault.’ He kissed her forehead and backed up to take hold of Zabeel’s arm. ‘I’ll be back soon to check on your progress.’ With a wave Maelgwn and his son departed.

Tory’s heart sank in her chest, as it did every time Maelgwn left her company. If she utilised their heightened psychic link to perceive his movements, it would only serve to make her aware of what she was missing. I will not sit idle and watch him complete our quest alone. As excited as she was to be part of the genesis of a new breed of Chosen Ones, Tory would not abandon her lost children as a result, or her husband. Dear Goddess get me back on track, she silently prayed, feeling her death had got her somewhat sidetracked.

Take heart, Mother, Sacha floated over to reassure her. You shall be back at the front line before you know it.

You are always exactly where you are meant to be, Psyche added, as Sacha disappeared after Maelgwn. If you trust that, then you can see the full potential in each present and exploit it to the fullest.

‘So be it.’ Tory submitted to her lot. Still, now that she had reorientated herself with reality, she intended to assume control of her life.

His stint in prison allowed Thais to recall a place within the palace so that he could now teleport Kyron and himself back inside the ziggurat from where Ereshkigal oversaw the day-to-day running of her enterprises in Kurra. The Shaman was familiar with the Goddess’ appearance from ancient times on Gaia and could have willed himself directly to her. Thais, though, was of the mind to do a little exploration of the palace first and see if he couldn’t find a better explanation for the change in climate on Karleashian than a Goddess’ spell.

There were guard posts between the prison level and the palace, so Thais assumed the form of a Falcon to escort Kyron up. The prophet had been locked in a Centaur full-body harness.

This large, metal suit locked around the hindquarters of the four-legged prisoner and then encompassed his entire lower body, restraining him so that he could neither rear up or buck. The hands of the Centaur were cuffed behind his back, and attached to the harness.

‘That doesn’t look very comfortable.’ Thais pitied his young friend, for the harness was very heavy. ‘Perhaps I should go alone?’

‘I am your eyes in here, great Shaman,’ Kyron stated, determined to go. ‘It is the will of the great Logos that I go with you and as a prophet to my people I do not —’

‘Question these things,’ Thais concluded in accord, nodding to give his consent.

‘You can’t take that animal into the palace,’ protested one of the four-man Falcon guard at the entrance to Ereshkigal’s headquarters. ‘Her Highness shall have a fit! She cannot abide the filthy creatures.’

‘Her Highness has a special interest in this one,’ Thais informed casually, although the guard’s insult to his race hadn’t passed unnoticed. ‘He’s the prophet who escaped yesterday.’

The guard in charge appeared rather sceptical about this. ‘He’s no prophet,’ he scoffed. ‘His kind are too dimwitted to amount to much more than cattle … mooo!’ The guard began to laugh, as did his subordinates.

Psychical vengeance was feeling mighty tempting to Thais at this moment. The racial hatred that thrived here was intense. Karleashian would not be taken as easily as Nugia, because, even once the ruler had been overturned, the Falcon military would fight to keep the Centaurs oppressed.

Kyron was fuming. He glared at the Falcon guard, biting his tongue for the sake of the mission. He thought for a moment that his stare had real power, for the guards suddenly ceased to laugh and mock him. That’s when Kyron noted that he’d risen off the ground. His shock was only momentary and a brief glance at the Master Shaman confirmed that he was the source of the miracle.

Thais winked to encourage the young prophet to make the most of the deception.

‘Beware any soul who does not love and respect all of his fellow men, for the Logos is within us all. The avengers of the Almighty are among us and the downfall of the Great Pantheon is nigh. So consider carefully where your loyalties lie, friends … lest you wish to become targets yourselves!’ Kyron’s voice boomed, and the head Falcon guard passed his hand over the control plate that activated the door of the fortress before fleeing the palace in fear, along with his comrades. ‘How did I do that?’ The prophet held his throat as Thais lowered him back to the ground. ‘I sounded like … like a God!’

Thais only smiled as he watched the guards run away. ‘I had envisaged a simpler penetration of the fortress.’ He moved through the doorway the guards had been defending. ‘We’d best get a move on, before they bring back reinforcements to seek us out.’

‘Certainly, Master.’ Kyron kept pace with him. ‘But where would you like me to lead?’

‘I think I’d like to see the utility centre for the city,’ Thais advised and Kyron was inspired by this destination.

‘The power supply, of course! This way.’

As Kyron moved on ahead, Thais decided to dispense with the body harness that was slowing his accomplice down.

Kyron was greatly relieved when his full metal jacket dematerialised, but it worried him too. ‘If anyone spies us we’ll have no alibi,’ the prophet warned. ‘No Centaur is permitted in the palace, let alone allowed to wander around without a harness.’

‘We’re changing that rule.’ Thais stripped off his space attire and assumed his true Centaur form. ‘And anyone who doesn’t like it, can answer to me.’

The young prophet smiled broadly, having never known another Centaur to be so bold. A sonic bullet ploughed into Kyron’s back, startling both the Centaurs, and the prophet dropped to the ground.

All on Karleashian answer to me, advised Ereshkigal, who was surrounded by several armed guards, all female, some of whom Thais recognised as incarnations of Chosen associates.

Once Thais had determined that Kyron was only unconscious, he looked up to address the Goddess and his expression reflected the wrath that was about to befall her.

This Nefilim female had an ominous look about her. Her imperial dress was primarily black, trimmed by deep red, and her huge, almond-shaped eyes were grey-green in colour. Her black hair was short and spiked. Like all of her kind she had barely any nose at all, and a tiny mouth with large black-painted lips.

The Goddess tipped her head slightly as the face of the Centaur returned her to her childhood days in ancient Edin. Thais. Suddenly she felt under-guarded, for she realised this was no ordinary Centaur opposing her. His demi-god status had been why he’d been left to rot on Gaia before the great deluge, whilst the rest of his kind had been herded off to the mines on Numan and then Karleashian. Blast him, she instructed her guard as she vanished, but Thais willed himself after her.

He materialised to find the Goddess gliding down a corridor towards a doorway that opened at her demand. Too slow, pony boy. The door closed to seal her inside.

Again Thais willed himself after Ereshkigal and, not bothering to halt from his bolt towards the door, the Shaman slammed into the solid charichalum barrier at full speed. ‘Ouch!’ He staggered about holding his battered skull and upper body. ‘What happened … do my abilities fail me?’ Then the sound of laughter alerted him to company.

‘The room must be protected by a PK teleportation shield lock,’ advised Maelgwn. ‘One of the Lord Gibal’s top secret inventions. The same device is used to defend HQ in Kila.’

Thais and Maelgwn had not always seen eye to eye on every subject, but the Centaur had never been so glad to see anyone in all his long life. He wondered about Maelgwn’s Delphinus companion, for he’d never seen him before and yet he looked awfully familiar. ‘As you know so much, Dragon, I expect you have a plan for flushing Ereshkigal out of there?’

Maelgwn smiled to assure the Shaman that he did. As the Devas arrived on the scene they approached the impenetrable room and passed right through the walls.

‘So DJ Nova’s report was true, the Pantheon have all but fallen?’ Thais checked the validity of the reports.

‘There are still a few Nefilim souls in doubt, but the core of the problem has pretty well dissolved,’ Maelgwn assured. We’ve got a whole new set of problems now. He refrained from voicing the latter thought, not wanting to confuse the issue.

The charichalum doors parted and the Goddess came charging back out of her shelter, with the two Devas flying rings around her.

Thais marvelled at the powers of the two celestial beings, and Maelgwn placed a hand on his shoulder to assure him: ‘I think you’ll find the Goddess far more cooperative once the Devas and myself have spoken with her. You were right about their nature,’ he admitted, ‘and I was —’

‘Under a lot of stress,’ Thais acknowledged, and the Dragon appreciated his understanding.

‘Thais, meet Zabeel.’ Maelgwn thought to introduce them, before moving off to deal with the Goddess. ‘You two might have a thing or two to talk about, as you are soon to be fellow chieftains.’

Zabeel shook Thais’ hand gladly, yet he wore a peculiar look on his face. ‘You know, you seem so familiar, have we met before?’

Thais grinned. ‘Undoubtedly.’

Ereshkigal chose to resist the Devas’ summons back to her soul-source and subsequently was reduced to a mortal state of being.

‘You can’t treat members of the Great Pantheon like this!’ she sobbed in angered protest, holding her throat as she strained her virgin vocal cords. ‘I demand to speak with my husband!’

‘Disclose the whereabouts of the device you used to change the climate here on Karleashian and I will grant your wish,’ Thais bartered.

‘In your dreams, sub-creature,’ she snarled, allowing the hands that cradled her throat to drop to her side in defiance.

‘Fine.’ Thais shrugged indifferently and then uttered aside to Maelgwn: ‘Perhaps we should strip her down and tie her to a pole out in the lovely morning weather here on Karleashian?’

As Maelgwn nodded to agree it was a good idea, Ereshkigal really started to look worried. ‘You wouldn’t dare.’

Thais leant closer to impress his view on her. ‘Eleven thousand years of torture and persecution … just try me, Ereshkigal,’ he challenged.

The Goddess was the first to lower her eyes from the staring match. ‘Oh … deal!’ she snarled, backed into a corner. ‘But I had better get to speak to Nergal or …’

‘Or what?’ Thais prompted, both eyes raised in question as he reminded her of her predicament. ‘You’ll just have to pray to Anu that I have more ethics than you do.’

‘You’re eleven thousand years old?’ Zabeel’s jaw was still dropping.

‘No, I’m actually closer to forty-five thousand years old,’ Thais informed, and even Maelgwn was gobsmacked. ‘I was only left lonely for eleven thousand.’ Thais’ eyes turned back to the Goddess and for a second he saw her heartless facade weaken. ‘And if Marduk hadn’t rescued Hero from the isolated desert planet where Enlil left her to rot, I’d still be alone.’

‘It wasn’t my decision to take your mate from you,’ Ereshkigal advised, as if she nearly gave a damn. But as she remembered the role she had played in the torture of Thais’ people, her self-serving nature returned and thus she was not forced to deal with the pain of her guilt. ‘I would have disposed of you both,’ she resolved, spitefully.

‘Now it’s that kind of attitude that’s going to condemn you to an eternity of darkness and torment, Ereshkigal,’ Thais reminded her. ‘So now, let us discuss the disarmament of the Falcon force here on Karleashian, the closing down of all illegal industry and the release of your slave force.’

The next Nefilim God on the Devas’ hit list was the notorious sexual infidel, Dumuzi, who was found cruising deep space in his luxurious leisure vessel. The craft was the size of a small city to house the wild assortment of Leonine, Delphinus and Falcon mortals who appealed to his desire for art, promiscuity and all things pleasurable to the senses.

Maelgwn and his party arrived to find the Nefilim Lord presiding over a drunken orgy of food, music, dancing and laughter. Maelgwn was not really surprised.

‘My Lord, I think we have company,’ whispered one of the Leonine women that Dumuzi was molesting, and the Nefilim male glanced up to spy angels overhead.

I didn’t want to be unfaithful, the Lord appealed. He was sure the celestial beings had been summoned from the ethers by his wife to track him down.

‘Just what have you been up to?’ Maelgwn gazed around at the humans gathered here, some of whom appeared half Nefilim, and if they were the sons and daughters of Dumuzi, the immortal gene had been implanted in them also.

Oh, Dragon you’re here, praise Anu! Dumuzi wrapped himself in a fur and scampered over to use Maelgwn as a shield between himself and the lofty apparitions. Are these two with you?

‘Yes, they are.’ Maelgwn’s answer put Dumuzi at ease for a second. ‘But they’re seeking you, Lord,’ he advised, to the God’s horror. ‘How many children do you have on this craft?’

Don’t tell Inanna, Dumuzi begged. She’d never understand.

‘Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure.’ Maelgwn avoided making any promises. ‘How many?’ he urged more forcefully.

Well … I haven’t had a recent count, Dumuzi admitted, but the Dragon’s scowl urged him to guess. About fifty.

‘Fifty!’ Maelgwn was taken aback by the number. Zabeel was smiling broadly.

Dumuzi nodded, humbled by the trouble he was in. And then there’s the grandchildren.

‘Grand—’ Maelgwn took a deep breath, exasperated by the God’s recklessness. ‘You’ve managed all this in fifty years?’

Dumuzi shrugged, thinking it wasn’t so bad. That’s an average of only one pregnancy a year. That’s pretty good considering the amount of women I’ve —

‘May I remind you, Lord,’ Maelgwn grabbed the slightly taller God around the throat, to get his full attention, ‘you have a beautiful wife who has no idea where you are at present, and quite apart from that betrayal, you have seriously jeopardised the future of a universal government that the Logoi have been striving so hard to stabilise.’

There’s no need to worry, Dumuzi assured, the God gene in every single one of my children is dormant … always is in Nefilim bastards.

This explained why the God gene had had to be activated through death in all of the Chosen who had inherited their immortality from Marduk. The offspring of the Chosen did not have this disadvantage — they inherited the gene active, as long as the gene in at least one parent was active when the child was conceived.

‘If I found the right wife, Nin Rebecca could fix such an oversight.’ Zabeel rubbed his hands together, as he considered the opportunity this presented.

‘Right being the operative word,’ Maelgwn cautioned, as he released Dumuzi. ‘The Logos would have to confirm your choice before Rebecca could agree.’

‘How do you mean?’ Zabeel frowned.

‘You’re not just seeking a wife, but a soul-mate for all eternity. It would serve you well to keep that in mind,’ Maelgwn explained quickly, as he and the Devas needed to speak with Dumuzi away from the crowd. ‘So, happy hunting … but I wouldn’t go aiming any arrows at the heart of your game just yet,’ he warned as he led Dumuzi away.

How did you find me all the way out here, anyway? the Lord thought to ask as he kept pace with Maelgwn. You look different somehow. Dumuzi had noticed the light exuding from the Dragon’s eyes and he realised the human’s psychic comprehension had increased. Oh no. So the word from Nova on the rebellion is all true!

‘Every word,’ Maelgwn emphasised. Dumuzi sighed and slouched down, realising that his party days were at an end.

23

FATED MEETINGS

The transfer procedure of the would-be Falcon chieftain had gone every bit as well as expected, and Sparrowhawk was now safely residing inside the artificial womb.

The mating of Brian and Samara-Leon’s essence had also been successful and upon learning this, all four parents were currently in dispute over a suitable name.

Tyrus-Leon wanted to name the child after his father, Sebastian-Leon, but when Brian wasn’t overly eager about the suggestion, the Leonine had a fit and stormed out of the nursery consultation lounge.

‘Goddamn, I can be unreasonable.’ Brian decided not to chase up the argument, looking back to Candace and Samara, who both nodded to agree with him.

‘Actually, Tyrus will get his way … sort of,’ commented Tory, who was sitting quietly nearby, wired to a machine that was recording sound and nerve information for her child’s benefit.

‘Aw, please,’ Brian appealed to everyone, really not keen on the name.

‘Bastion is nice,’ Candace offered her view, ‘and besides, we have another child to name.’ She placed both hands on her belly, barely showing her condition yet. ‘Why not let Tyrus have his way with this one?’

But Brian, being as stubborn as Tyrus was, would not give in. ‘Tory said he’d sort of have his way.’ Brian looked to his sister to expand on her statement.

‘It’s a girl.’ Tory emphasised the one possibility no one seemed to be considering. ‘Her name shall be Bast.’

All three parents present were completely delighted by the news, especially Brian.

‘A daughter,’ he announced, standing a little taller, proud of the fact. ‘I’ve never had a baby girl before. Bast…’ He tried out the name. ‘I like that … and Tyrus is sure to be happy.’

Hello, everyone, hello. The Lord Micah came floating into the nursery lounge. I came as soon as I heard. The Nefilim Lord looked to Brian, well proud of him. The prophecy of Lahmu has been fulfilled?

Brian was overawed to see the Nefilim God, but smiled and nodded to confirm the gossip. He referred Micah to the large window with a view through to the lab next door, where the two self-contained artificial wombs were nursing their precious cargo. ‘The first Chosen Ones of the Leonine and Falcon races,’ he informed. ‘The Chosen Ones of the Delphinus and Centaur races already exist.’

The Sage found his memory. Micah knew just by looking in Lahmu’s eyes that he was correct.

Brian nodded. ‘Nugia, Nibiru and Kila have been relieved of Pantheon rule … but then you knew that.’

It is all news to me, I assure you, Micah responded, and good news to be sure.

The smile fell from Brian’s face. ‘But, are you not the DJ Nova? I was so sure —’

It had been a long time since Micah had laughed out loud and whilst the Lord was containing himself, Floyd’s boy, Drake, entered with the printout of a missive.

‘From DJ Nova,’ the technologist said, as he handed the communication over and abruptly withdrew from the Governor’s presence.

Brian looked at Micah, who merely shrugged as if to say, I told you so.

‘What does it say?’ Tory urged her brother to read it out.

The Governor’s eyes widened in astonishment as he took in the report. ‘Karleashian has fallen, Thais has assumed control,’ he announced, which inspired a round of applause. The Governor then turned around to greet company, mentally perceiving Noah’s announcement of his imminent arrival.

Floyd and the Lord Gibal manifested along with the Sage, who smiled broadly when he spied Lord Micah and Tory in the Governor’s company. Although Noah was mentally linked with all his brothers and sisters from Edin, unless he focused on an individual or they contacted him, he was no more aware of their movements than he used to be. For reasons of personal privacy, the enlightened ones endeavoured not to invade each other’s brain space without good cause.

‘So what’s the verdict, gentlemen?’ Brian got straight to the point. ‘Do we have to evacuate one quadrant of the galaxy, or not?’

‘We think not,’ Noah advised. ‘Only those on Nibiru will need to be relocated.’

‘Why only Nibiru?’ Brian frowned. ‘Either the shield is going to work or it isn’t.’

Oh, it will work, Gibal advised. I invented it eons ago. But as I couldn’t conceive of any useful purpose for such a shield, and my relatives would only have tortured whole planets with it, I locked away the files. I would have destroyed the small vial containing the prototype substance, Orme charichalum, but it disappeared from my lab long ago and our investigations came up with naught.

‘So what’s the problem?’ The Governor wasn’t following.

‘Manufacturing enough satellite stations to surround a sun the size of Anu.’ Floyd cut to the chase. ‘At hundreds of times the size of Nibiru, even if we used the aforementioned planet’s existing shield activation satellites, we’re going to be pushed to manufacture sufficient satellite stations to accomplish our aim this side of doomsday. Hence, why Nibiru needs to be evacuated.’

My Delphinus tradesmen could complete enough shield stations inside a year … maybe? Gibal winced, thinking the estimate was pushing their luck.

Brian looked to Lord Micah, who shook his head. They would run out of time way before then. ‘We need that shield up within months,’ Brian said, but when Micah again shook his head, Brian gulped and changed his order. ‘Make that weeks.’

Impossible. Gibal shrugged, unable to commit to his plan.

‘My people have nothing better to do at present.’ Samara stepped forward to offer Nugia’s services.

‘Yes!’ Her train of thought excited Brian. ‘We must rally all the idle hands on Karleashian, Tarazean, Kila, Numan … get everyone involved. We’re going to make that deadline,’ Brian assured Lord Micah with a firm nod. ‘Floyd, Lord Gibal, we have much organising to do.’

As soon as he was dismissed, Noah made a beeline for Tory.

‘Noah, my friend, it has been too long.’ Tory embraced him, recording wires and all.

‘You had us so worried.’ Noah sat down beside her, refraining from shedding the tears of joy that were welling upon viewing her safe and well. Of course, he was fully aware of how the ex-Governess fared the second he’d completed the lessons of the Sensor-sphere, but he cherished her company and had missed it.

‘You did it.’ Tory held both his hands and viewed the Sage, well proud of him. ‘You found the Creation Station and it has obviously taught you much.’

Noah nodded and knowing she was curious about the learning device, he smiled broadly. ‘Maelgwn and yourself shall be next to undergo the lessons of the Sensor-sphere.’

‘Sensor-sphere!’ Her eyes lit up as her mind captured Noah’s perception of the amazing construction. ‘When?’ She was eager to investigate.

‘As soon as your schedule permits.’ Noah threw the ball back into her court, knowing she had a lot on her plate right now.

‘Yes, I am a bit tied up at present.’ She flicked one of the wires to which she was attached, and looking down over all the sensors she noted the Tablet of Destinies around her neck. ‘I have something that belongs to you.’ She unlatched the chain.

‘Tory really, I do not need a tool to see into the future. It would be little more than a trinket to me now. It must have sentimental value to you as it was a parting gift from Taliesin,’ he insisted.

‘The Logoi gave it to you. And predicted it would return to you in time. It never did belong to me, Noah.’ Tory placed it in his hand, and folded his fingers over the treasure. ‘I’ve always felt that I was only minding it for someone. And you know,’ her tears welled as she confessed, ‘I always suspected that it was you. You’ve really come into your own. Whereas I, on the other hand,’ Tory frowned as she considered where she was at, ‘I have some sorting out to do. I’ve lost count of how many children I have,’ she muttered vaguely.

Noah could see the Tablet had been a burden on Tory’s shoulders and it was true that she’d never been comfortable with the tool. His heart told him that he should be the keeper of it for a time, for he was to instruct the new breed of Chosen Ones and the Tablet would help him keep an eye on their progress. Tory had so many other issues to deal with at present, that Noah was happy to lighten her of part of that load.

Pardon my intrusion. Lord Micah approached, having waited patiently by to speak with them both. The Sage of Eridu, the Lord announced, so delighted to make Noah’s acquaintance that he bowed before him. Your prophecy changed my life, Master Scribe, he explained his behaviour. And you have my humblest gratitude for enriching my life with good purpose.

‘You are the voice of Anu to your people, Micah,’ Noah told him surely, unfazed and accepting of the Lord’s compliment. ‘Your selfless devotion to the universal cause pleases him and your forefathers immensely.’

Tory couldn’t decide which was more incredible; the transformation in Noah or a Nefilim bowing before a human being.

I live now only to serve your cause, as is the desire of the great Anu. Micah looked from Noah to Tory. Dear Lamamu, he held out both hands to her. I told you that the evil ones would eventually succumb to the Shining Ones, did I not?

Tory was stupefied as her memory was hurled back to her departure from ancient Atlantis, when Micah had made the prophecy. ‘I assumed at the time that you referred to the Gathering … but you were talking about current events.’ Tory bit her lip and shook her head, simply mind-blown by the extent of her adventures. ‘If you’d told me it was going to take this long to right our struggle, I might have thought twice about pursuing this destiny,’ she joked.

In reality, she wouldn’t have changed a thing — except perhaps the amount of time Maelgwn and she got to spend together. Still, where her husband was concerned she was a glutton and no amount of time in his company was ever enough. Just as Maelgwn had come to realise that Aquilla was only a small part of the soul-mind that he loved so well, so too had she realised that Hawk was only one of the many amazing incarnations undertaken in order for Maelgwn’s human soul-mind to reach perfection. She loved Hawk, just as she’d loved every incarnation of her husband that she’d met in her travels through space and time, but Maelgwn was the one she would share eternity with — she knew that now, in her soul.

Dismissed from nursery duties, Tory wandered back to Hawk’s accommodation, located next to the Institute of Medical Advancement. He had been given a nice little apartment that looked across the second island canal to Chailida’s third island where the grand sporting arenas were situated amid lovely parks and thoroughfares.

She expected to find the captain still sleeping, but he was seated out in the sun by the canal, taking solace in a cup of tea. As he seemed rather engrossed in his thoughts, Tory sat in the chair alongside his without saying a word. It was a couple of minutes before Hawk drew a deep breath and looked to her.

‘I don’t belong here, Tory,’ he told her with some regret. ‘It’s not you or the baby, it’s just being here on solid ground. It doesn’t feel right, I’ve spent too long in space.’

Tory knew this was one of many reasons why he wouldn’t be staying, and the most significant was that he felt like an extra appendage when Maelgwn was around and Hawk could never see himself fitting in or settling on Kila.

‘I love you, Tory, and I love our son.’ Tears began to well in his eyes, but he held them back, feeling Tory was the one getting dumped on here. ‘But something keeps telling me that we were only ever meant to be together to bring Sparrowhawk into existence, and as much as I hate to lose you, I realise you were never mine in the first place.’

‘Don’t feel guilty Hawk, please,’ Tory begged him, taking hold of his face with both her hands. ‘I feel guilty enough for both of us.’

‘You’ve done nothing wrong,’ he said, surprised and insistent.

‘No one has,’ Tory smiled. ‘What happened was the will of the Logoi and nobody’s fault, Hawk … especially not yours.’

Hawk breathed a sigh of relief. ‘I want to be involved in Sparrowhawk’s life, but truly, what good can I do him at present? With the fall of the Pantheon, my life is bound to change … but, having been deprived of freedom for so long, I feel I really have to get a life before I can be of any great benefit to our son.’

As he said this, Tory picked up on his desire to locate her Falcon incarnation, and she nearly squealed with excitement, wondering why she hadn’t thought of it before. ‘If Swan exists, I shall help you find her. In fact, I’ll do it now.’ She stood up, spurred on by her desire to do right by this man. ‘You deserve a real life of true love and happiness. And if I can’t give that to you then I’ll find the woman who can.’

‘So … can you help me?’ Hawk cornered Tory as she emerged from the meditation chamber in his guest quarters, where she’d been for what seemed like eons.

Tory winced as she nodded, trying to look semi-positive about what she’d discovered.

‘What’s wrong? Is she old, deformed, gay? What?’ Hawk encouraged Tory to enlighten him.

‘No, none of the above,’ Tory assured, moving to the bar to pour Hawk a stiff drink.

‘What then?’

‘Like me, she is a warrior and from all appearances … a real handful.’ Tory chuckled, thinking Hawk would have his work cut out for him if he was to win the heart of such a woman. ‘She’s the commander of the Falcon military force on Karleashian.’

Hawk’s expression filled with bemusement at the news. ‘Maybe true love is not so important after all,’ he resolved, accepting a drink from Tory and taking a mouthful.

‘Your brother’s soul-mate is her 2IC,’ Tory informed and Hawk nearly choked on his drink.

‘You’re kidding?’ he spluttered.

She shook her head. ‘And I just happen to be dear friends with the Centaur ruler who has just overthrown Ereshkigal and assumed control of Kurra.’ She raised both eyebrows a couple of times, suggestively. ‘Now, does this sound like destiny or what?’

Dumuzi had not lost his immortal state of being during his interview with the Devas only because Maelgwn had brought him up to date with Inanna’s recent change of heart, which had brought her closer to her soul-source. Upon learning that the Dragon had managed to drag his wife back to sanity, the Lord was very grateful.

‘It should have been you.’ Maelgwn didn’t want his gratitude. ‘Instead of worrying about how your own frivolous desires were going to be met, you should have been more concerned about your grieving spouse and how you could relieve her pain.’

Dumuzi was perplexed by the suggestion. Only humans are more concerned about others than themselves, we Nefilim —

‘Must learn!’ Maelgwn roared. ‘Your immortal soul depends on it! Get it!’ He closed in on the mortified God as Dumuzi backed away from him, fearing his wrath. ‘Unless you are prepared to give up every single thought for your own welfare, you may as well take the descent into Density right now!’

Suddenly, Dumuzi’s consciousness was consumed by Maelgwn’s short stint into the dark, cold existence of zero thought and movement, which he’d experienced courtesy of the Tablet of Destinies.

Once Maelgwn returned Dumuzi’s mind to its own thought processes, the Nefilim dropped to his knees whimpering for mercy. No, Dragon, please. Spare me the horror of life in the sub-planes … I’ll do anything you say, but don’t leave me to be damned.

Maelgwn looked at Sacha, who was undecided as to what the fate of the Lord should be.

Your call, father, he ruled.

You have a history with this soul. What does your instinct tell you? Psyche counselled, and Maelgwn frowned, unsure himself.

‘You see, Dumuzi,’ he crouched beside the petrified God, ‘the trouble I’m having is this … your only motive to reform is to save your own skin. But, if you could suggest some way that you might be of benefit to the greater cause of Anu, then perhaps we could consider your preservation.’

Um …? The Lord seemed desperate for suggestions, but Maelgwn only nodded, his eyes wide in encouragement. He was eager to hear whatever the Lord could come up with. I know! Dumuzi held up a finger, hopeful of saving face with his idea. I must apologise to Inanna. Confess even … yes, I must confess and beg forgiveness for my selfish indulgences.

‘Now you’re learning.’ Maelgwn smiled and patted the Lord’s shoulder to set him at ease. ‘That will be a good start on the right path.’

Dumuzi released a great wail of relief, and tears streamed from his eyes in the wake of his close brush with obscurity.

‘I shall leave Zabeel in command on this vessel,’ Maelgwn stood up and advised the humbled Nefilim Lord. ‘You are to head, at full speed, directly to Kila. Any attempt to deviate from that course or challenge Zabeel’s authority, and I shall not exhibit as much restraint with your fate. Many of your kin have not survived the Devas’ judgement as well as you have, Dumuzi. Be thankful.’

‘I am thankful.’ Dumuzi rose to bow before Maelgwn and his celestial companions. ‘I shall endeavour to be more like you, Dragon. Then I am assured redemption.’

‘We’ll see.’ His tone gave Dumuzi the benefit of the doubt, as Maelgwn departed the private audience chamber to advise Zabeel of the decision.

For Zabeel, command of Dumuzi’s craft was like a test run of his leadership abilities, and he was proud to be entrusted with the mission. Fortunately, he found the cheeky personality of the shamed Nefilim Lord rather appealing, and having set the ship on full speed to Kila, the pair got to talk.

‘So how many Delphinus daughters do you have, exactly?’ Zabeel couldn’t contain his curiosity any longer.

About seven or so, I think.

From feeling like a lone soul in a barren desert, Zabeel suddenly felt like a rooster in a hen house. ‘One of them has got to be destined for me,’ he mumbled aloud. Surely seventy years alone is enough, although, after hearing of Thais’ plight, Zabeel realised he could be wrong about that.

Dumuzi was inspired by the lad’s interest, as matchmaking was his second favourite pastime. I could summon them all forth for your perusal, Lord. Dumuzi was eager to please, but then frowned, recalling. Oh nuts, I can’t. I promised the Dragon not to lead you astray and such a gathering could be most tempting.

Zabeel had been keen on the idea for a second, but, reflecting on his father’s strong moral code, he knew Dumuzi was right. ‘Perhaps if we were to be doing an inspection of your craft and happened upon some of your Delphinus daughters, then … that would just be a pleasant coincidence, as opposed to deliberate exploitation.’

Dumuzi smiled, happy with the suggestion. And I know just the place for our plan — I mean, coincidence, to take place.

Outside of the Lord’s court, the different tribes that made up his subjects didn’t interact much, preferring to associate within their own ethnic groups. The various groups frequented different quadrants of the ship. The preferred lounge in the Delphinus quadrant was the Oceanic, and to keep their mission hush, hush, Dumuzi changed himself into a Delphinus. Although both Zabeel and Dumuzi both stood a little taller than most in the club, their entry was unheeded.

Over a drink, Dumuzi pointed out some of his daughters to Zabeel, and they were all beautiful in the Delphinus Lord’s eyes — so how was he to define his soul-mate? Despite craving a lover there were no fireworks going off in his heart when he viewed the lovely women. He’d seen the way his father looked at his soul-mate. The sparks flew each time Maelgwn and Tory’s eyes met. That was the kind of love he was seeking.

‘Aw … there’s no point, I won’t find her like this,’ Zabeel resolved and stood to leave the club.

Well, you won’t find her on the captain’s deck either. Dumuzi sipped on his drink, obviously intent on staying put. Look … the Dragon told me to stop thinking about myself and I am. Now I’m thinking about you and my best advice is … sit your butt back down there and tell me what you’re looking for. Not a virgin, I hope, ’cause I think we might be hard pressed to find one around here. However … he stressed, as Zabeel lowered himself back into a seat …

‘Silly, old, freak!’

The abusive words and a woman’s squeal seized the attention of all in the club.

‘What on earth?’ Zabeel went charging over to the scene of the disturbance and Dumuzi reluctantly followed, taking his drink with him.

‘I was taking pity on you, mutant!’ yelled the Delphinus male who was standing over his date, liquid in several shades of colour, dripping down his clothes.

Zabeel gripped hold of the offender’s raised fist, before he could strike the female. ‘I’m a mutant,’ he advised the smaller man.

Delphinus, on the whole, were the shortest among the human races; Zabeel, like his father, was unusually tall and well-built.

When the offender turned to spy his restrainer he took the defensive. ‘She poured a tray of drinks over me,’ he justified.

‘He needed cooling down,’ she insisted, but Zabeel’s eye did not leave his captive’s.

‘No matter what, there is never ever just cause to hit a female.’ Zabeel gave the information to the fellow at close range and then let him go. He scrambled away.

It’s Cordella. That figures … she’s the eldest of my Delphinus daughters, Dumuzi advised Zabeel on the quiet. If it’s a virgin you’re after, legend has it that you might be onto something there. Fancies herself as royalty that one … perhaps you are the Prince she’s been waiting for. The disguised Lord slipped into the crowd and disappeared.

Cordella was in her early forties, and although Zabeel appeared only thirty years of age, inside he was seventy. To his old eyes, Cordella appeared little more than a girl. Her skin was the same pale colour as his own and her fingers had no webbing. Her hair was honey brown and straight like her father’s, but it was her eyes that were her most outstanding feature, for they were like deep-green emerald jewels.

‘Fireworks,’ mumbled Zabeel, a silly smile forming on his face as his heart began burning a hole in his chest.

‘You’re not one of my little brothers?’ she queried as she stood up.

Little brother? thought Zabeel, still unaccustomed to his immortal persona. ‘I’m much older than I look,’ he assured.

‘Sure you are, sweet thing.’ She thought him flattering and chivalrous, and so gave him a kiss on the cheek for his assistance. ‘Thanks for coming to my rescue.’ She grabbed her bag and left the club.

‘Wait a second.’ Zabeel gave chase out into the corridor. ‘Aren’t we supposed to live happily ever after now?’

Cordella gave a hearty laugh. ‘You do wonders for an old woman’s ego,’ she granted, without altering from her course.

Zabeel continued his pursuit, frustrated. He’d not considered that being young and attractive would pose a problem in his hunt for a mate.

‘Aren’t you even the slightest bit interested in who I am?’ he appealed.

‘Actually,’ Cordella thought about it and then paused from her stride, ‘I am. Come on then,’ she gestured with her head to encourage him to catch her up. ‘You could walk with me a while.’

Upon Maelgwn’s return to Kila, he found the Governor in the throes of organising labour, and the shipment of parts, for the construction of the satellites for Anu’s shield. Brian took time out to listen to Maelgwn’s update of affairs and they planned for a conference, to take place in the near future.

The Devas had requested that all the Nefilim be brought together, along with the head of state of each tribe on each planet under Pantheon rule. The government of those planets needed to be organised as quickly as possible, for there would be many refugees who would wish to relocate themselves under the new allied rule. Government needed to be firmly set into place to assist with resettlement.

‘Lahmu must preside over this meeting,’ Maelgwn advised, ‘not I.’

‘I know.’ Brian forced a smile. He truly had assumed Maelgwn’s position and he knew now how it felt to carry the fate of nations on his shoulders. ‘Go home, bro,’ Brian suggested. ‘See your wife, take a break. The situation is under control … for the time being.’

Miraculously, when Maelgwn joined his wife, she was alone, relaxing and forgetting all her troubles in their large hot tub. ‘Ahh … alone at last.’ He startled her with his presence and found himself covered in water.

‘Goddamn it!’ Tory stopped shovelling water when she recovered from the shock.

‘Well, I could use a wash.’ Maelgwn shook himself off, as this was not the reception he’d been hoping for.

Tory knelt up in the large bath to entice him in. ‘So, what’s stopping you then?’

Maelgwn looked around, as if expecting company. ‘Where’s the pirate?’

‘Seeking out my Falcon incarnation on Karleashian,’ she advised, winningly, and Maelgwn began to strip off. ‘I figured that Thais could probably use a few good warriors that were hip to his cause.’

‘I’ll wager you’re right.’ Maelgwn gazed upon Tory’s shapely, wet torso, laced with bubbles, savouring a vision he’d not had in a long time. ‘Do you know what this reminds me of? Gwynedd.’ He climbed into the tub to kneel before her and draw her warm, naked body close.

‘Mmmm …’ she concurred vaguely, absorbed in the pleasure of being pressed so close to him that every muscle in his abdomen made an impression upon her belly. The distant memory of other such encounters in the tower tub at Aberffraw sent her mind to the same heavenly space her body was occupying — for a moment.

Her reminiscing about their hot tub in ancient Gwynedd caused her to recall being kidnapped from it, and thrown in Arwystli’s prison, where she’d happened upon Maelgwn’s dying brother, Caradoc. Caradoc’s chosen incarnation, Cadwaladr, had been the primary cause of the debacle at the time of the Gathering, having been influenced by the Nefilim Lord —

‘Shamash!’ both Tory and Maelgwn announced at once, as Maelgwn had been following her train of thought.

‘We forgot about him.’ Tory shuddered, as he was a nasty customer and had probably grown conceited in the fifty years he’d been banished to an otherworldly fortress on Gaia’s moon.

‘Ah, well, then,’ Maelgwn shrugged, unfazed by the oversight, ‘the universe won’t crumble if we forget him for another hour.’

‘Forget who?’ Tory returned her lips and her person to her husband’s amorous embrace.

When Tory and Maelgwn reported to Brian to advise him of the Shamash oversight, they found the Devas in the Governor’s company, aiding him to transport large shipments of equipment over vast distances instantaneously.

Oh, we didn’t forget Shamash, Father, Sacha informed with a glint in his eye.

We just felt you needed time to recharge your batteries, Psyche added, grinning also.

‘Much appreciated,’ Maelgwn warranted, aiming a mischievous grin in Tory’s direction, a sentiment she returned.

‘You can’t take the Devas, I need them,’ Brian insisted. ‘They’re doing an excellent job in distribution.’

‘Any of our brothers and sisters from Edin can help you accomplish your task,’ Tory argued. ‘The judgement of Shamash is more important.’

‘But I’ve already nabbed everyone who’s on the planet and not otherwise occupied … and they’re not familiar with many of the destinations,’ Brian whined.

‘We don’t plan to be long,’ Maelgwn said briefly, vanishing with Tory and the Devas, who waved in parting.

‘Does the word authority mean anything to anyone in my family?’ Brian was left talking to himself.

‘Gov!’ Floyd spotted Brian and hurried over with a printout. ‘I thought you might find it interesting to know that DJ Nova has put out an SOS, calling everyone to help with this project. Many rebels and outlaws are returning from exile in deep space to aid with Lahmu’s construction.’

Brian grabbed the missive and read it quickly. ‘Right, that proves it, it has to be Micah,’ he mumbled to himself, before glancing at Floyd. ‘Take over here, will you? I’ll be right back.’

Governor, what a pleasant surprise. Micah greeted Brian warmly when he joined him in the private lounge of the Lord’s deep space vessel, currently stationed just beyond Kila’s atmosphere. To what do I owe this great honour?

‘How is it that DJ Nova knows of our construction already?’ Brian handed the Nefilim Lord the printout.

Well, actually, I passed the information on, Micah confessed. I thought it would aid the cause, he explained.

‘It has.’ Brian tried not to sound annoyed. ‘But why did you withhold information from me, when you know I’ve been seeking the DJ?’

DJ Nova has only been able to aid your cause because of anonymity. It is not important for you or anybody else to know —

‘Not important!’ Brian strongly disagreed. ‘We should be working together!’

But you have been. Micah didn’t understand the problem. Has she — Micah suddenly clammed up.

‘Ah-huh!’ Brian’s eyes narrowed as he guessed the identity of the female that Micah was protecting. ‘Shala … of course.’ Brian hit himself in the head for being so stupid. ‘Can I meet with her? Is she on board?’

Micah nodded, deciding it was time to introduce Lahmu to his phantom ally, for Shala had done a mighty job. Follow me, Governor.

The large studio where Brian found himself was equivalent in technology, data storage and communications equipment to Floyd’s department back on Kila. ‘Holy shit.’ Brian was rather impressed with the arrangement as he watched Shala work. She was under a headset at present, screening incoming data and recording it for transmission — the Goddess appeared completely unaware of his presence.

Word just in from Nibiru is that the Lord Nergal has officially freed all human slaves. Yes, you heard me right, trouble seekers. Rumour has it that our fearless leader overdosed on Orme and accidentally enlightened himself. Mmm mmm … I wish I could be a fly on the wall when Nergal’s little woman hears about that blunder. There is to be a general meeting on Kila of all the key officials from each planet and tribe. This meeting will be chaired by, wait for it … Lahmu himself. I’ll be sure and keep you all posted as further details come to hand. News from Numan now …

Brian looked at Micah, horrified at what he heard. ‘You bugged my office, didn’t you?’ He knew the Lord must have, as Maelgwn and himself were the only ones who knew about the meeting.

No, no. We bugged your weapons belt, before you left the Pantheon meeting on Nibiru.

Brian’s jaw was dropping in amazement. ‘You sneaky …’ He shook his head, thankful it had been Micah who’d thought of this and not Nergal. ‘So, how long have you had this set-up?’ he asked, shaking off his alarm.

Shala was doing this hundreds of years before the Gathering even took place, Micah informed Brian, sounding proud of her. Like me, she was unable to stand by and watch the senseless abuse of the human races in order for a handful of our kind to indulge themselves forever. This was Shala’s solution to the problem, her way of undermining the culprits and exposing them. The Pantheon have always been under the impression that we only conducted charity work from this vessel. Micah had a little chuckle. I suppose this could qualify as a community service.

I’ve been waiting a long time to do an in-house interview with you, Lahmu. Shala drew their attention — the headset was now rested around her neck.

‘I’m your biggest fan,’ Brian responded, overawed by her devotion.

Ditto, warrior, she said. Thanks to you, the great prophecy is now legend and all our hard work has not been wasted.

‘Aw, no. It is you two who’ve kept the prophecy alive and given the oppressed masses a glimmer of hope through the centuries. Without you two,’ Brian only realised it as he said it, ‘the fall of the Pantheon would not have been possible.’

We all have our reason for being, Shala granted. Me … I had to prove to my relatives that the word is mightier than the sword.

‘And you have succeeded.’ Brian felt the praise was due. ‘I feel beholden to you, Shala, and to Micah. I wish there was some way I could repay your huge efforts on my behalf and on behalf of all mankind.’

You can rule this galaxy fairly, Micah suggested. That is all the thanks we’ll ever need.

‘But there must be something?’ the Governor insisted.

There is a favour you could do for me, Shala replied.

‘Anything.’ Brian spread his arms wide, appealing to her to ask away.

Well … as this DJ is about to disappear into obscurity, never to be heard of again, she sounded very calm, considering the hundreds of years she’d spent in the hot seat, I was wondering if you would like to record an address to the listeners. I’ve been telling them about Lahmu for so long, that it would be a good finish to have Lahmu on my final transmission.

The Governor saw this as the perfect opportunity to fill the masses in on what was truly going on. ‘DJ Nova,’ Brian smiled, pleased to accept her invitation. ‘That would be my very great honour … but, instead of just any old address, for your final broadcast why not give our supporters the address?’

Are you talking about the speech you are preparing for the high court of the planetary chain, re the formation of your new intergalactic Senate, Lahmu?

Brian nodded. ‘That I am … how better to show the masses that I have nothing to hide. I don’t want to show favouritism to those in power. All should be informed of what I have in mind, so that every individual can make an informed decision about their future.’

Micah gasped and smiled at once. You mean to go live with your address?

‘Sure.’ Brian was keen on the idea. ‘DJ Nova can be the Master of Ceremonies and we’ll beam audio and visual to the four corners of the galaxy … what do you say?’

I say … Shala smiled, deeply touched by Brian’s sentiment. Let’s do it!

24

HEARTS OF
DARKNESS,
SOULS OF LIGHT

This was not the first time Tory and Maelgwn had been to the Otherworldly prison on Gaia’s moon. It had been Narnar who had been banished here on their last visit and they’d aided the Lord to redeem himself. Today, they were there in the hope of doing the same for Shamash.

Tory stood staring up at the cold, bleak ziggurat, wondering where all the stony gargoyles that had once adorned the exterior had gone. Torches still burnt brightly up either side of the entrance stairs, although the bleak appearance of the ancient fortress did nothing to beckon hither. ‘Why do we always end up with these assignments?’

‘Because our life is being dictated by our children,’ Maelgwn stated, motioning back to Sacha and Psyche.

‘Any more excursions like this one and you two are definitely grounded.’ Tory played along with the banter as she scaled the stairs, eager to have the confrontation over, when suddenly she backed up. ‘Whoa!’

‘What is it?’ Maelgwn stopped still.

Tory looked back to note that the Devas had not followed them up the stairs of the ziggurat. ‘There’s intense evil here … can’t you feel it?’

Maelgwn shuddered suddenly as the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. ‘A cold, forbidding presence … aye, I feel it. And I’ve felt it before.’

‘No, it couldn’t be,’ Tory insisted, regretting that her recollections did not associate the presence with Shamash. The disgraced Nefilim God was a conniving tyrant, yes, but he’d never radiated such a foul energy as that which Tory perceived at present. There was only one entity with whom she was familiar whose aura alone was enough to make even a hardened immortal’s stomach churn. ‘It’s Mahaud,’ she whispered, mortified to be so sure about it. ‘How? I don’t know, but it’s her. In which case, we cannot risk the Devas being damaged by the presence of such a low-grade entity. Not if we ever want to see the twins again.’

‘We shall bring Shamash to you on Kila.’ Maelgwn turned back to the Devas to dismiss them at once.

Sorry Father. Sacha was clearly disappointed that he could not assist. This place is fortified by energies with which we cannot get involved.

We are stretching our endurance in the physical world as it is. The more sub-planes we descend, the more susceptible to low-grade stimuli we must become in order to endure. Psyche was beginning to fret.

‘Go quickly,’ Tory told them, in a mother’s tone. ‘And fear not, if your father and I could defeat this crone ninety years ago, we can sure as hell kick her butt now.’ She manifested a saxophone in her hand, as a tune her father, Myrddin, had taught her, had driven the crone away on a couple of occasions in the past.

Once the Devas had departed, Tory winced at having made the claim so loud. ‘You don’t think she heard me, do you?’

‘It won’t matter if she did, she’s bound to be disturbed to see us.’ Maelgwn took hold of Tory’s hand and began to scale the stairs.

Of course, they could have willed themselves directly to Shamash, but neither one of them was in much of a hurry to see the Lord, or his forbidding companion.

Aya had undergone most of the trip back to Kila in stasis, as she was now required to do so as a mortal. Her father had been driving her insane with his preaching about goodness, repenting and selfless service to others, so Aya was rather grateful for some time away from him.

‘I would gladly rot in oblivion before I would serve a human being,’ she grumbled to herself. She was sitting alone in her recovery room, waiting for the drowsy aftereffects of the stasis sleep to wear off. ‘Unless, of course, that human was Lahmu.’ She grinned for the first time in her mortal life. ‘What I wouldn’t do to have him service me.’ She chuckled mischievously a moment, and then snarled, frustrated that she no longer had the power to pursue her desires.

She pulled her cloak around her, feeling the temperature in the recovery room to be rather chilly. ‘Doesn’t this ship have heating!’ She thumped the wall so hard she hurt her hand. ‘I’ll bloody well freeze to death before we even get to Kila!’ Then Aya noticed the putrid smell. ‘What am I in, a garbage tanker?’ She hollered even louder. When her eyes began registering a shadowy patch of mist in the middle of the room, Aya’s first thought was that she was suffering some side-effect from stasis-sleep.

As the mist grew darker and thicker it began to take the form of an ugly demon spirit, which remained only vaguely present.

I have a gift for you — it spoke, whereby Aya nearly jumped out of her skin, she was so startled.

‘From whom?’ She composed herself and attempted to sound unperturbed and disinterested.

Your ex understands your current situation better than any, and despite your differences in the past, my Lord Shamash cannot bear to see his kindred belittled so.

‘So what’s he going to do, give me back my immortality?’ she scoffed. Shamash had failed at everything he’d ever attempted — their marriage included.

YES! the demon spirit emphasised. And in its darkest aspect. No more having to feel good after Orme injections until your naturally nasty deeds make things normal. Now you can feel free to become the dark and debauched being you always aspired to be, without fear of ever being cut off from your life source.

Aya was sceptical of course. ‘The promise is enough to make a sadist weep for joy … but how could it be possible?’

Charichalum Orme. The spectre grinned.

The idea intrigued Aya, until the creature held out a hand and manifested a small, sleek dart gun. My Lord requested that you shoot yourself.

‘Like hell I will!’ She backed away. ‘This mortal body doesn’t withstand much. Shamash never held me in high regard. He’s out to kill me.’

Would that be worse than where you’re at right now? the demon said. And if it were my Lord’s aim to do you harm, I could simply shoot you myself. Again the demon offered her the weapon and this time Aya took it.

‘I know Shamash.’ Aya was still wary. ‘There must be something in this for him.’

All he wants is for you to destroy Lahmu, the demon stated, already knowing that the notion would be pleasing to the Nefilim female.

It was difficult to repress her grin, but Aya managed to do so. ‘Tell Shamash that I shall do all within my power to grant his wish.’

My Lord Shamash already knows that you will. The demon withdrew into the mist that billowed and faded away.

Aya turned the weapon on herself and took aim at her heart. To that all-powerful dark force in nature, I beg deliverance from the righteous, so that I might pursue your designs. With a deep breath she found her nerve and pulled the trigger.

On the first level of the ziggurat, a long, wide stone passage led into the structure. Torches lined the walls, but the winged, spindly-limbed devils of stone that once featured atop the pillars, in between each torch, were absent.

‘I wonder where Tobit and his devilish friends have got to?’ Maelgwn voiced Tory’s very thought.

‘Maybe they couldn’t abide Mahaud either?’ Tory attempted humour, hoping that the crone had not bewitched the stony earth spirits into her service.

Before they entered the main chamber of the ominous stone dwelling, Maelgwn turned to his wife and took up both her hands. ‘Mahaud is a trickster beyond compare, as we both well know. But no matter what happens in her presence, no matter how she contorts the truth to her own end, remember that I love you, now, then and always.’

With a kiss, Tory showed she understood. ‘And I love you tenfold as much,’ she assured. Maelgwn shook his head in amusement.

‘We are one …’ he said, surely, ‘… in a reality not too distant from where we stand now.’

Tory tipped her head to one side, having an instinctive understanding of his statement. ‘I, too, feel that the time is fast approaching to be rid of this hindrance … this separateness.’

‘Something I greatly look forward to.’ Maelgwn returned his eyes to their path. ‘It will be a well-earned rest from this place, that’s for sure.’

Tory nodded. ‘Thank heavens Brian turned out to be Lahmu, that’s all I can say.’

This made Maelgwn laugh, as he heartily agreed.

The temperature plummeted as they moved towards the heart of the complex — the huge main chamber of the fortress was as cold as a meat locker. Shamash was slouched on a throne, seemingly unaffected by the cold. In his left hand was a goblet and in his right, a metal object that neither Tory nor Maelgwn could identify.

Is that a weapon? Tory bethought her husband, whose hand she was still clutching tightly.

Hard to say —

I’ve been waiting for you, Dragon, Lamamu. Shamash’s voice was saturated with Mahuad’s unmistakable tones, resonating with the harsh, gravelly echo of many unearthly spirits. The pupils of the Nefilim Lord’s eyes glowed deep red and his personal appearance had degenerated somewhat since he had last been seen. I knew that you would come for me before long … but you will not pacify me as easily as you have the rest of my kind.

‘Been following the progress of your kin, have you?’ Tory queried, wondering about the source of his information.

I’ve had visions. He grinned in a devilish manner.

‘No need to ask where Mahaud is hiding out then,’ Tory commented aside to her husband, and Shamash gave a snarl as he noted the instrument in Tory’s hands.

I cannot allow you to shield Anu, Shamash advised, cocking a leg to break wind in a loud, prolonged and satisfying fashion — the resulting stench was putrid.

‘What makes you think we plan to shield Anu?’ Maelgwn played down his surprise that Shamash was aware of their plans.

The dominions of nature are vast, even in the sub-planes. As above, then so below, he growled, placing aside his drink. I know all about Orme charichalum. He chuckled at their astonished expressions, stroking the unknown object he held. As there are devas above who would grant immortality, so are their demons below who shall do the same … a shadow self that we all have at our disposal. A whole hierarchy of chaotic and negative principles lie in wait to empower the adept student of the dark arts.

‘Am I talking to Shamash right now, or Mahaud?’ Maelgwn sought clarification.

Ah … Dragon, I was afraid you didn’t recognise me. Shamash stuck out his tongue and began waving it around in Maelgwn’s direction, then sank back into the seat. The crone and the God are one now, then and always.

‘So, how did you and Mahaud strike up this lovely friendship,’ Tory ventured to ask, ‘or do you consider that a personal question?’

What goes around comes around. Shamash relaxed, seemingly relaxed by the query. I know the incantation that invokes her demon spirit. I perfected and penned the dark invocation, to tempt mankind with promises of unlimited power. It was I who first summoned forth Mahaud from the sub-planes to wreak chaos on human history. In exchange for playing midwife to the demon’s birth into the plane of matter, Mahaud pledged to me life service. The crone is bound to answer my call and do my bidding until the day that I cease to exist in the physical world.

‘Then the reverse is true, right? And you shall be bound to do her bidding,’ Tory posed, as she knew a bit about demonology from dealing with Mahaud in the past.

I’m immortal! Shamash protested, making out he’d got the better end of the deal. And my accomplice needs me thus, to remain in the realms of matter where her skills achieve maximum impact.

‘But unlike we human beings you need Orme to remain so,’ Maelgwn reminded him.

Oh, I don’t know … Orme charichalum works just as well, he taunted with a sly grin. In my case, the outward spiral is simply reversed to an inward one to achieve an immortal state of being. This, of course, promotes contact with the demon, instead of the deva, within. He raised his brow a couple of times. It’s really a far more suitable solution for one of my ilk … instead of radiating energy, I suck it. And the coldness within that once threatened to end my days, now grants me life everlasting.

Tory and Maelgwn glanced at each other, alarmed by his boast. It did make perfect sense that the dark matter could reverse the inward spiral known as kundalini, which was a channel for the vital life force of the cosmos, into the subtle body of living beings.

So with that said … Shamash raised the weapon and took aim at the couple. I’ll bet you can imagine what this might be?

Tory raised the saxophone to her lips, to call Shamash’s bluff, but he only laughed.

It’s been a long time since you’ve played your instrument. Are you sure you remember the sequence of notes that summon the aid of the Lord of the Otherworld? He waved about the fingers of his free hand in Tory’s general direction.

‘Of course I remember it,’ Tory stated, when suddenly the four-note sequence known as the Pan call, slipped right out of her head.

Don’t waste your breath, your tune will not work here. You have walked into a circle that I have cast and fortified.

‘Oh damn.’ Maelgwn now noted that the main chamber in which they stood was circular and that torches were burning at the four cardinal points. Such a circle harnessed and magnified the power of the caster and protected Shamash from all undesirable elements. In this case, it protected him from positive stimuli that might weaken his position. Anyone who entered this space could not draw upon outside forces for assistance and thus all psychic power was effectively rendered useless.

And don’t be thinking you can simply teleport yourself elsewhere as, inside this chamber, you are restrained by the same PK teleportation shield lock that keeps me prisoner here, and prevents any visitors. Gwyn ap Nudd is the warden of this place and only he can shut off the shield or release me from this dwelling. There was an implant inside Shamash which prevented him from leaving the fortress, lest he be inflicted with grievous pain.

‘Exit, stage right,’ Tory uttered aside to Maelgwn and they both made a break for the entrance door on foot. Beyond the fortress the PKT shield would not prevent them from using teleportation.

Dominions of stone fulfil my purpose,
make manifest an impenetrable surface.

At Shamash’s request, the absent stone gargoyles emerged from the large sandstone blocks around the entranceway and, crowding together into the opening, they merged into a solid wall that depicted a mosaic of the devilish creatures.

Both Tory and Maelgwn ground to a halt, trapped inside the circle.

In amidst all the spindly limbs, bodies, wings and ghoulish faces depicted in stone before her, Tory spied a golden object, which upon closer inspection turned out to be her wedding ring. ‘Tobit,’ she whispered, and the little devil that wore the band of gold around his neck winked at her and then returned to his lot of appearing gruesome. ‘Traitor,’ she told him, as they’d once been friends.

Maelgwn was relieved to have sent the Devas back to Kila. If the weapon Shamash held shot Orme charichalum bullets as feared, then the witch had the power to convert even the holiest spirit to her cause. An overdose of the substance would disperse all cosmic light from the soul-mind, plunging it deep into Density where it effectively put a stop to itself. ‘Why should the shielding of Anu be of concern to you?’ Maelgwn walked back over to confront Shamash. ‘Beyond that it will save the lives of billions?’

Ah … Shamash was pleased they’d finally got back to the issue at hand. No light from Anu will be able to penetrate the shield you propose, and once cut off from the light of the soul’s source, the Nefilim will cease to exist … which will prove awfully inconvenient for myself.

Tory could hardly believe that a Nefilim Lord could be so gullible. ‘Anu is going to self-destruct anyway! Can’t you see that Mahaud is just playing you for a fool so she can wreak some mischief before she claims your soul forever?’

That’s not what I have planned at all, he hissed and it seemed that Mahaud had taken control of the conversation. I shall have possession of your immortal body, Tory Alexander, so I am no longer confined to this place. And he, Shamash pointed to Maelgwn, shall be completely devoted to my cause. Shamash screeched with the crone’s grating laughter. I will survive this Nefilim fool … he shall be bound to our service forever more, once Anu withdraws from this level of awareness.

Tory squeezed Maelgwn’s hand to fortify their love for one another, then let go to approach the crone and her captive. ‘If you can hear me, Shamash, we’re here to tell you that your future doesn’t have to be as the crone would have you believe —’

Mahaud began growling and snarling loudly to drown out Tory’s words.

‘You can return to Anu’s fold,’ she yelled in defiance. ‘Your mistake doesn’t have to cost you your soul! By allowing Mahaud into your body she can now inflict her will upon you, but she cannot occupy your body against your wish. Banish her and save face with the Logoi.’

Shamash released a great howl, as the two occupants of his body did battle briefly. I’ll move when I’m good and ready. He took aim and fired his weapon at Maelgwn, and although the Dragon dived aside the space-age dart hit his leg.

The sharp tip bore deep into his skin and self-administered its dosage on impact. ‘Oh Goddess, I’m hit!’ He pulled the dart out, having felt the vile substance enter his body.

‘Please, no.’ Tory fell to her knees beside him, helpless to change the horror that was about to transform the man she loved into his grossest aspect.

‘I am going to say and do terrible things.’ Maelgwn grabbed hold of his wife. ‘Don’t hesitate to defend yourself … ah!’ He curled up, experiencing great torment as the warm energy centre in his chest began to turn cold, his attitude along with it.

Tory stood, angered by the harsh torture the crone had inflicted on her love. ‘Come on, Shamash, you piss weak excuse for a God!’ she yelled, tears of frustration welling in her eyes. ‘You must have a charm that keeps the crone bound to you. Give it up, or I shall tear you apart to find it!’

Dragon, control your wife! the crone ordered as Tory stormed towards her. Mahaud had her own problems as the angry soul of Shamash was attempting to regain control of his right hand to reach inside his robes. Back off. Mahaud assumed control of the renegade limb, and with a wave of her hand, sent Tory flying backward into her husband’s arisen form.

‘Too easy.’ Maelgwn gripped her behind the neck, and Tory’s automatic response was to defend herself.

A well-placed elbow to her captor’s gut, and a smash to the face with the saxophone she held, won Tory freedom and she darted away to circle her husband in a sparring fashion. ‘He won’t defeat me,’ Tory told the crone, casting the saxophone aside, regretting that she’d used it as a weapon. ‘You’re wasting your time.’

Who said I wanted him to …? I shall find it far more entertaining watching you beat the one you love senseless.

‘Oh, I shall defeat her,’ Maelgwn assured, wiping his bloodied nose as he glared at Tory hungry for the challenge. ‘I’ve just never put my heart and soul into it before.’

Maelgwn lashed out with a fast-moving sequence of kicks and strikes, and Tory found herself on the defensive, for she could not put her heart and soul into the fight.

‘If you are enjoying this, Shamash,’ Tory appealed, between fending off Maelgwn’s fury, ‘bear in mind that Anu’s demise is a blink of the eye away, and if we destroy each other you’re going to be Mahaud’s toyboy for keeps!’

Take her, Dragon! the witch urged, whereby Tory suddenly found her movement restricted and Maelgwn copped her a beauty in the jaw.

Crashing to the floor in the arena, Tory regained control but she was not fast enough to her feet to prevent Maelgwn grabbing a handful of hair to drag her up. ‘For better or for worse, wasn’t it?’

She blocked his strike and he was open to her attack. A knee in the abdomen and then the jaw, sent him hurtling backwards. ‘Sure was, honey, I’m real sorry about this.’ Tory took a running jump, and a flying sidekick to the stomach knocked the huge warrior clean off his feet.

Lamamu. Tory heard Shamash’s true voice for the first time today and turned to find the God holding out an amulet. Hurry. He strained to maintain his will.

Maelgwn was still clambering to his feet. Tory made a break past the warrior to retrieve the item that could banish the witch from the Lord’s body, whereupon Mahaud would lose much of her influence over the physical world. Maelgwn nearly dive-tackled Tory to the ground, but a well-timed jump and she managed to maintain her sprint for the amulet. ‘Gotcha!’ Tory claimed it from the God.

You must completely destroy it. Shamash began to wail as the crone attempted to force her way back into the driver’s seat. Quickly!

Tory took off as Maelgwn approached, trying to view the charm as she ran. ‘Oh great.’ Among the collection of feathers, bones and herbs was a metal trinket. ‘Not even the torches will destroy that.’

‘Come here, bitch,’ Maelgwn snarled, infuriated that she kept managing to elude him. ‘I should have taught you to obey me a long time ago.’

Tory ignored his cutting tone, blocking it out of her heart so that she could think. ‘Tobit!’ she cried, veering towards the blockade of hardened stone. ‘Ningal granted you your fire aspect, now is the time to show your gratitude. Destroy this!’ she commanded.

As the wee stone beast began to emerge from the mosaic, Mahaud cried out an objection. Aid her, rock rodent, and I shall personally disperse every element from your body myself.

Tobit sank back, losing his heroic urge to rebel against the crone’s oppression.

‘She’s lying, Tobit. She is weak!’ Trapped in a deadend with Maelgwn fast approaching, Tory held the piece up towards the creature. ‘Please!’ she appealed in desperation.

Maelgwn decided to return his wife’s kind sentiments by launching himself at her and landing an almighty kick into the small of her back.

A great snap was heard, and as Tory fell to the ground near unconscious from the pain of a mini-death, she realised he’d broken her spine.

‘Let this be a lesson to you … never underestimate a male.’ Maelgwn ripped the amulet from her hand, and then dragged his wife’s broken body along by the hair, as he returned the item to the crone.

Excellent. Mahaud applauded her new champion’s capabilities. Drag her up. I want to have a little chat.

‘Ah!’ Tory’s felt the physical pain as her spine snapped back into place, and the nerves of her lower body began working, along with her legs.

I’ll call him off, if you’ll just take a little astral trip and leave your body vacated, Mahaud proposed. I’ll bet it was awfully tempting to break out of your body just then. And I feel sure the Dragon can come up with something suitably agonising to draw you out, if you won’t come out willingly.

Tory eyeballed the possessed God, ready to tell Mahaud where she could stick her proposal, when Tory noted Tobit emerging out of the stone floor beside Shamash’s throne. ‘Would you consider a time-share arrangement?’ Tory made useless conversation to give the gargoyle the chance to retrieve the amulet from the crone’s lap.

Don’t mock me, slut guts, or I’ll hit your pretty boy here with another bullet and send him straight to hell.

‘No,’ Tory begged.

Then do as I wish — Mahaud began, but feeling the amulet slip from Shamash’s lap, she looked down. What?

As the crone spotted Tobit, many of the stone creatures sprang from the floor to harass both Shamash and Maelgwn.

‘Do it, Tobit!’ Tory broke free of her husband and ran clear of the commotion to make sure Tobit did the job properly.

The amulet in the tiny creature’s hand burst into flame and melted to ashes before Tory’s eyes.

‘Okay, Shamash, eviction time.’ Tory cued the Lord and the gargoyles backed off as a red mist began to exude out of the Lord’s nose, mouth and ears.

‘It’s working.’ Tory forced a laugh, shell-shocked from her battle — and it wasn’t over yet.

Tobit’s friends had, thankfully, pacified Maelgwn and Shamash. The gargoyles had dragged them to the ground and encased their bodies, neck to toe, in a thin layer of stone. The huge warrior and the Nefilim Lord lay there cursing in every language in the known universe.

Mahaud’s dark, foul vapour whirled together to manifest her loose etheric form. This form was currently that of a partly-decomposed human corpse, with eyes that glowed red as blood. You’re still in my domain, princess perfect —

And you are still in mine, crone.

In the doorway, vacated now, in the wake of the gargoyles’ retreat, stood Gwyn ap Nudd.

You seem to be unable to remain in the lowest of my realms, where I have confined you repeatedly, the Lord roared.

I was summoned. Have mercy, Lord. The crone was humbled by his presence, for he held sway over the entire Otherworld and was the undisputed Master of all the psychic arts — negative and positive.

I banish you. The Lord of the Otherworld held his arm outstretched towards the gaseous red phantom, whereupon the tiny green lights of a healing Pan ray shot forth from his fingertips to surround the crone. See the captive to the threshold from which there is no return.

At the end of time I’ll be waiting to … The green gaseous vapour of the sparkling elemental force consumed the vile manifestation and suppressed her threat. This spun itself into a funnel that, having an inward spiral, eventually consumed itself.

At the end of time we shall all have moved on to a far better place. Whereas you, my dear Mahaud, shall have to start this whole tedious phase of soul-mind evolution all over again. The Lord turned his attention back to Tory, who’d collapsed in a heap. Having a few troubles, Lamamu? Gwyn approached and gave Tory a hand up.

‘Get your —cking hands off her,’ Maelgwn cussed, trying to wriggle free of his restraint.

‘You could say that … but how did you know?’ Tory forced a smile as her spouse continued to verbally abuse them both.

The Devas sought me out to report the degeneration of the energies here. Gwyn appeared to be rather concerned about the speed of the decline, despite his security measures. I can’t understand how Shamash found out about Mahaud.

Oh, for crying out loud, am I the only one here with a brain? Shamash cut in, rudely.

‘Shamash was the one who devised the legend in the first place,’ Tory muttered aside to the Night Hunter to fill him in.

In that case, with her written legend, her evil utensils and now her maker disposed of, we have seen the last of Mahaud, Gwyn surmised. I promise. This evolution is moving beyond such low-grade entities now. Those who cannot adapt to the way of the righteous will just have to wait until the next round.

Tory stood observing Gwyn, nodding in understanding as she wondered: ‘So what’s your story, Night Hunter? You are one of the Nefilim. What is to become of you when Anu withdraws?’

Gwyn shrugged. My access to the physical world will be cut off altogether … no great loss. I have a new and powerful ally who is about to make manifest into the Middle Kingdoms. As at home in my realms as yours, he shall become my apprentice and then I shall rejoin my soul-source before Anu retreats from the astral realms of existence.

‘A new Lord of the Otherworld, hey …’ Tory stressed her interest and her reservation. ‘Anyone I know?’

The Night Hunter smiled. ‘Your boy, in fact.’

‘Avery,’ Tory said with certainty, for his name meant ‘elf counsellor, wise counsellor’. ‘The soul that was once Marduk is to replace you?’ She smiled, rather proud of her boy’s destiny.

Gwyn began chuckling and Tory frowned, confused by his amusement. He explained: You think Avery is Marduk incarnate? He laughed even harder.

‘What’s so funny about that?’ Tory placed both hands on her hips, although she couldn’t help but smile at the extent of his amusement.

You can’t see for looking can you? He dropped a hint and then calmed himself to drop the subject. You’ll figure it out, I’m sure.

‘Don’t give me that!’ Tory protested.

If you two have quite finished gasbagging, I have a question. Did you mean what you said before? Shamash demanded a response from Tory. About me being able to escape the crone’s curse?

‘Of course I meant it.’ Tory approached the restrained God to assure him. ‘Anu wants nothing more than to have all his manifestations returned to him and saved from Density’s torment.’

And I shall be forgiven no matter what else I have done?

Tory frowned as she nodded, noting Shamash’s emphasis was on the ‘else’. ‘You must make your own peace with Anu, Shamash, and when you do, all shall be forgiven.’

I just knew you’d say something pathetic like that! Shamash snarled, seemingly disturbed by the news. He went quiet for a moment of inner debate. At last, he turned his bloodshot eyes of brilliant blue Tory’s way. You’ve got another problem … or rather Lahmu has.

‘Brian! What do you mean?’ Tory demanded an answer, concerned for her brother.

‘Some antagonist you are … don’t tell her.’ Maelgwn did his best to confuse matters, for he found Tory’s alarm amusing.

Shamash’s discarded weapon was lying nearby. Tory took it up and aimed it at him, to help speed his decision. ‘Explain quickly and completely, or I shall send you to the crone’s service myself.’

Cadwallon willed himself to the Governor’s side before the vessel had even docked on Kila. The Lord Nergal went with the Chief Justice, so that Cadwallon could keep an eye on him.

The pair found Brian in his private office, working on the address for his first Senate meeting on Kila, only a week or so away.

‘The room was guarded and locked,’ Cadwallon explained to his superior. ‘I can’t understand how she managed it.’

Such a pity, added Nergal. I felt I was really starting to get through to her.

‘All the life-form readings on board the ship have been accounted for, and,’ Cadwallon shook his head, bemused, ‘Aya wasn’t one of them. She’s just vanished.’

This was the last thing Brian needed to hear at present, but he suppressed his urge to start swearing, and set about solving the problem. Out of the fourteen souls that could project themselves beyond this star system, Brian was one of the few who knew what Aya looked like. Even though the Goddess was likely to be still within this star system, nothing was safe to assume as far as the Nefilim were concerned; he would not risk sending any of his other staff after her. All those souls who, like himself, had recently had their psychic talents boosted by Noah’s spiritual delving, were otherwise employed and he did not want to drag them from their individual missions without good cause. After all, he could contact them with a thought if he found he was in need of assistance. ‘Stay and take care of things here, and I shall go after Aya.’

‘Governor.’ Cadwallon stalled Brian’s departure. ‘I’m sorry for the grief. I’d like to request to go with you.’

That might be wise, Nergal advised Brian, as my daughter has a bit of a hankering for you, I’m afraid.

‘I was never this popular when I was single,’ Brian joked. ‘I have brain-fry from doing all this office work anyhow,’ he assured Cadwallon, ‘and Aya is not in a position to be a threat. I need someone to fill for me … it will be easier if I go alone. If I’m not back inside the hour, send Ethan after me.’ He offered a compromise to ease the mind of his Chief Justice and Cadwallon nodded, although he was obviously not keen on the plan.

A black palace chamber was where Brian found himself in his pursuit of the missing Aya. The hexagonal throne room had charichalum walls and roof. The black marble floor was inset with hexagons trimmed with gold, set one inside the other into the centre, where a solid gold hexagon made a striking feature. Around the walls were tall, ornate pillars of black marble, finely mottled in gold.

This is the throne room of the palace on Numan, Brian thought as he sighted the black-clad Nefilim Goddess. How the hell did Aya manage to get here so quickly?

Aya was floating at the other end of the room, a fact that was in itself daunting. Instead of radiating light, as Brian did, she emanated darkness in the form of an all-encompassing shadow.

Brian tried to extract an explanation telepathically, but it seemed Aya’s shadowy aura was deflecting his attempt.

Surprised, I take it, Lahmu? She raised her weapon from the concealment of her robes.

Brian folded his arms, undaunted by her aim. ‘The only thing that surprises me is that an intelligent entity like yourself would bother pulling a stunt like this! I am only going to drag you back to Kila for the conference.’

I have other plans.

Aya went on to explain her weapon’s dark purpose, and her plan to change Brian’s religion.

Once motivated by the selfish side of your nature, I believe you shall find your current lover rather a bore and seek a more like-minded playmate.

‘And together you and I shall rule the galaxy?’ Brian’s disbelief was reflected on his face. ‘Fire that thing at me, sister, and I shall concentrate all my fighting skills on ripping you to shreds,’ he informed her, frankly. ‘And if you think I fight well now, if I were inclined to be underhanded,’ he grinned confidently, ‘my skills would improve tenfold.’

Then you would leave me no choice but to destroy you altogether. Aya pointed out this small flaw in his plan and then fired at him.

Brian caught the dart before it made contact with his body and willing her weapon to him, the dark gun was ripped from Aya’s possession. Before it covered half the distance between them, the weapon stopped dead, caught between evenly-matched forces. The tug of war continued until the gun just spun in the centre, not inclined either way.

Your powers have improved since the arena, Lahmu. Aya found the fact interesting. But still, you are righteous and I am not — which puts me at a distinct advantage.

Brian remained focused on retrieving the gun. One more bullet in her body would send her straight to hell. However, the gold hexagon in the centre of the throne room floor, opened up, and proved quite a distraction.

Behold. A little something that Shamash industries, once based here on Numan, came up with for the permanent disposal of unwanted immortals. There was a delighted note in Aya’s voice.

Brian glanced into the deep hexagonal pit of charichalum to discover his unconscious wife locked in a charichalum sarcophagus at the bottom of the pit. The head of the black coffin was transparent, so that the occupant could be easily identified.

For a moment, Brian went into deep shock, fearful for his wife and unborn child. He gave up on willing the gun to himself and just willed himself to the gun. ‘She had better be alive, Aya.’ He grabbed the spinning weapon and aimed it at the Goddess.

Fire that thing at me, my lovely, and I will not perish so fast that I cannot activate this charichalum smelter and make your lover and unborn child a part of the hardest substance in the universe. And believe me, once mixed with the molten metal, there will be no putting them back together or being reborn again. Their souls will be trapped … not in hell, but in the closest thing to it on the physical plane.

‘Why are you doing this?’ Brian yelled, frustrated, hoping to God that one of his mental allies could feel his distress and was formulating a plan.

Someone has to save my kindred from being forced to conform to the Chosen way. All this loving all creatures and doing well by others … it’s not natural for us.

‘So what do you expect me to do about it?’ Brian prompted, still viewing her down the barrel of the dart gun.

Lahmu can restore the Old World order, she stated, only now, the emphasis would, naturally, be on the mining of charichalum.

‘Have you deluded yourself into forgetting that Anu is going to self-destruct?’ He pointed out the small flaw in her plan.

What do I care? Once that shield you wish to build goes up, it will be business as usual.

Brian shook his head, knowing otherwise. ‘You cannot exist independent of your life source, Aya.’

All that sun worshipping hocus-pocus is superstitious nonsense. That dying star at the centre of Nibiru’s system holds no sway over my soul, or destiny! she insisted, belligerently, and then calmed herself before suggesting: So either you turn that gun on yourself like a good fellow, or you shoot me and I make charichalum of your family. What’s it to be?

Noah, Tory, Ethan and Robin manifested around the pit in which Candace was trapped. They were each positioned at the four cardinal points.

‘Time to come quietly, Aya,’ Tory said, aiming Shamash’s weapon at her, now loaded with darts full of gold Orme. ‘Repent and Anu shall be merciful. Activate this smelter and Brian will fire.’

Brian was decidedly worried. What was his sister playing at?

I’d rather be damned, Aya decided, and to the sound of a mechanism activating, the Nefilim female vanished.

Tory got a shot away, but was unsure if she’d hit her target or not.

The round ports in each wall of the pit opened and liquid charichalum began pouring from them.

‘No!’ Brian ran for the smelter, but was dive-tackled by his sister before he leapt to his death.

‘Candace is no longer there, Brian,’ Tory shouted over his struggle. ‘The Devas got her out while I was giving Aya her ultimatum. Our circle formed a shield around the Devas that enabled them to do their work without being affected by such a low-grade entity.’

Brian looked from his sister to the others and their nods convinced him that all was well. ‘That bitch is going down,’ he promised, determined to see her to hell’s gates himself.

‘Pardon my saying so, Governor, but are those the words of an enlightened being endeavouring to aid one less fortunate?’ Noah posed, which annoyed Brian no end. ‘I did promise to try and deliver all of Anu’s lost souls and I have not given up hope for this one yet.’

‘Give me that, then.’ He snatched his sister’s weapon to take it along, just on the off-chance that the Goddess would have had a change of heart.

‘I’m coming with you.’ Tory attempted to retrieve her weapon from Brian.

‘Brian will fare better alone now that Aya is on the defensive.’ Noah settled the dispute. ‘And remember, with all things in the cosmos being connected, to condemn Aya’s soul to Density is to condemn a small part of yourself there too. My advice is to counsel her, Governor, as you would have someone counsel you, were you in her skin.’

Brian nodded, feeling calmer and in a better frame of mind. ‘I’ll fetch her back for you, Sage,’ Brian resolved. ‘But I can’t say I won’t be happy to see most of the Nefilim returned to their maker.’

‘Here, here,’ all present agreed.

On the palace balcony overlooking the deserted capital city of Nibiru, Brian caught up with Aya.

The sky was no longer golden warm, but exposed to space, and freezing. The shield stations had been shut down and many spacecraft were hovering high above, readying satellites for relocation.

Brian was fairly sure that Aya was aware of his presence, but she said nothing as she continued to stare at the remnants of her hometown. ‘Lonely, out in the cold?’ he asked.

I never thought anyone would succeed in bringing the shield down, she said bitterly. The great civilisation of my ancestors is now a ghost town … you ought to be proud of your handiwork.

‘So, you are sentimental about some things?’ Brian noted.

I couldn’t care less, she claimed. I still find the place quite habitable … I thrive on the cold.

The Goddess was bluffing. Brian could see her shivering, and the dark shadow had lifted from her aura. Tory’s dart must have made contact and Aya was trying to con him into reversing the positive effect it was having on her. If his theory proved correct, all the psychic skill she’d been drawing from the sub-planes had also departed, leaving her as the Devas had rendered her — mortal. Now Brian was glad that he’d not gone seeking revenge guns blazing, as he would have cut his own throat. ‘All of your kin have chosen to return to Anu, Aya —’

No! Not Shamash. She refused to believe it.

Brian nodded. ‘He is waiting back on Kila. You can ask him yourself.’

She backed away from Brian, wary of his patience with her. Do us both a favour, Lahmu and just shoot me! She made an open appeal, as the vortex inside her subtle being had reversed to an outward spiral and was now warming her. We both know that’s why you’re here … and there’s no need to feel morally concerned about sending me to hell, because I’m already there. The tears of desperation were welling and threatening to spill down her face.

‘Sorry.’ Brian walked over to her and took hold of her arm, before looking back to the frosty remains of the once-great Nefilim capital. ‘The Old World order is gone and it ain’t coming back. It’s time you embraced the change.’

As Brian called her bluff, Aya cringed. She had no power to make him back off and she knew that he knew that now. You win, Lahmu. She handed over the dart that Tory had planted in her.

25

REARRANGING
THE GALAXY

With a cup of herbal tea in hand, Maelgwn sat on the sunny back verandah of his home, feeling that he’d almost got his life back to square one. He’d returned to that single, contented moment that he’d been savouring just after he’d resigned as Governor, and right before the Devas had shown up and thrown his life into chaos.

Tory was at the Institute of Medical Advancement this morning, spending time with Sparrowhawk. She liked to sit and talk with him, and kept a constant check on his progress with Rebecca.

Maelgwn’s abuse of his wife during the Mahaud ordeal still made him sick to the stomach — Tory wouldn’t hear of an apology, but he was still finding it difficult to forgive himself. Mahaud was one entity he was glad to see the back of and dwelling on her demise, Maelgwn suddenly felt a whole lot better.

In fact, the vibe of the warm, breezy morning was as if all negativity and dread had been swept clean away, and an atmosphere of hope and expectation prevailed.

He didn’t envy Brian and what he must be going through. Maelgwn had been pleasantly surprised when he hadn’t been called upon to advise on the governmental nightmare being sorted out in the Senate at present. ‘I’ve earned a rest,’ Maelgwn impressed upon himself, stripping off his shirt to take in some rays.

‘Father? Father!’

Maelgwn heard someone moving about inside the house. ‘Zabeel?’

‘There you are!’ his Delphinus son announced when he found Maelgwn baking himself on the back stairs of the house.

‘What do you mean, here I am?’ Maelgwn queried. ‘Dumuzi’s vessel docked days ago. Where have you been?’ Zabeel smiled broadly, and Maelgwn knew at once where this was leading. ‘So you’ve found the love of your life already, hey?’

‘Now don’t be sceptical, Father.’ He sat down beside Maelgwn. ‘At least, not until you’ve met her.’

Maelgwn couldn’t wipe the smile off his face. ‘What I think of her is irrelevant.’

‘I know, but,’ Zabeel was bursting to tell someone, ‘she’s in love with me! I mean, really in love, and that’s never happened to me before … ever!’

‘Any woman is bound to fall for the next leader of her people, Zabeel.’ Maelgwn suggested a little caution, whereupon Zabeel’s expression became more sombre.

‘I haven’t told her about my being Chosen, or that she might be.’ Zabeel obviously felt bad about withholding such important details. ‘I told her I was a government official on Kila, which isn’t exactly a lie,’ he justified. ‘I had to be sure she could just love me for me … and she does! Even though she thinks I’m a bit young for her, but I even got her to see beyond the age difference!

‘Good for you.’ Maelgwn manifested a pitcher of Bahula and a couple of goblets. ‘Tell me more.’

‘She’s been working in administration and has a love of the arts, thanks to her father. And being a mutant, like me —’

‘Ah!’ Maelgwn pulled him up. ‘You are no more a mutant than any creature in creation. You’re a hybrid, a thoroughbred of your kind and don’t forget it! If you feel unworthy of such greatness, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to prove yourself in the near future.’

In the light of Maelgwn’s words, Zabeel seemed even surer about his feelings. ‘Cordella has the makings of a leader. She is my queen, Father. I know it.’

‘Cordella, hey?’ Maelgwn found this interesting. ‘In my native tongue Cordella means “jewel of the sea”.’

‘Oh … that she is, to be sure.’ Zabeel got lost in the memory of the woman who had him so enchanted.

‘Well, then, when are you planning on bringing her to meet us?’ Maelgwn inquired.

‘I’m afraid that she might be a little disconcerted upon meeting parents who appear to be younger than she is.’

‘Ah!’ Maelgwn could see his dilemma. ‘Then perhaps you should tell her the whole truth before we meet,’ he suggested.

‘It’s a sticky predicament.’ Zabeel became disgruntled once more. ‘I don’t want to get her hopes up and then discover she is not my Chosen other … that would crush her.’

‘That does make things rather awkward.’ Maelgwn raised both eyebrows in sympathy. ‘I’ll tell you what … why don’t you bring her to lunch with Tory and myself? You don’t have to tell Cordella we are your parents. Perhaps, together, we can shed some light on your dilemma before Brian’s address.’

Zabeel smiled broadly, obviously relieved by the idea. ‘I would be eternally grateful, Father, if you could.’

‘Then consider it done.’ Maelgwn reclined back onto his elbows, happy to have appeased his boy.

The Nefilim had spent several days in Chaliada’s temples of healing in the company of the Devas, purging themselves of their horrid experiences, crimes and secrets. The ex-Pantheon members were then delivered to Chaliada’s council chambers, and it was a very different group of beings who graced parliament that day — for all the Nefilim had been lightened of a physical form, and now radiated with celestial light.

Brian and his government were holding an inquiry into all of the Nefilim’s holdings and business affairs. The aim was to establish in what way the redistribution of capital to each of the races might best promote beneficial trade and industry. The Governor had been dreading the summit and was ecstatic when the Nefilim all proved extremely cooperative. Even Shamash came clean about his illegal development — where it could be found and how it should be destroyed. The ex-Pantheon members had already prepared their proposal that Brian would present to the peoples of the galaxy in his speech, and it was a deal that they felt would be acceptable, fair and beneficial to everyone. The Nefilim leaders also recommended to Lahmu members of their human staff who might prove helpful in the formation of new governing bodies on each of the once Pantheon-ruled planets. These persons had already been invited to be present on Kila for Lahmu’s address and Brian would pass on the recommendations to the nominated Governors of each planet for consideration.

The summit adjourned early and was deemed a great success by all who attended, although details of the proposal would not be disclosed to the masses until the Governor’s address the following day.

There was a big celebration planned to take place in Central Park following Lahmu’s address. The event was to be hosted by DJ Nova and beamed across the galaxy on her network, updated for maximum efficiency, as she was no longer being hunted as an outlaw. The main event planned for that evening’s festivities was the pirate DJ’s final address.

May the muses be with you tomorrow, Lahmu. Shala stayed behind after the inquiry to speak with Brian, and Micah remained also.

Yes indeed, Micah smiled. We feel confident at leaving the physical world in your very capable hands.

‘That’s very comforting.’ Brian frowned, as their tone had a ring of goodbye about it. ‘But you are going to be at the celebration afterwards, right?’

Shala shook her head. I have recorded my final broadcast, and plan to be well on my way to eternal bliss by the time it goes to air. Trust me, Lahmu, it is important that we do not delay here.

‘But what if tomorrow turns out to be a disaster?’ Brian voiced the first protest that came into his head. Micah and Shala both served him a look that implied he knew better than to even suggest failure. ‘Alright! So everything is going to be fine, but still …’ Brian paused to consider what really bothered him. ‘I won’t get the chance to thank you guys —’

You hate goodbyes, Lahmu, Micah interrupted politely.

‘I know,’ Brian protested, ‘but if I’m not going to see you again, then that’s what this is.’

Everything we do is divinely conceived. Micah tried to make it easier. All we did was believe … and we had a lot of fun doing it. You, however, you have to live up to the legend.

Now that Micah mentioned it, Brian thought, they had let him in for the monstrous task of resettling the galaxy. ‘You’re right,’ Brian admitted. ‘What am I thanking you for?’

The pair chuckled as they began to fade from his presence.

Live long, Lahmu. Shala blew him a kiss.

Rule with an intelligent heart and a loving mind, and you can’t go wrong. Micah bowed as they vanished from Brian’s presence completely.

Brian did hate goodbyes and now that the Pantheon were departing, everyone would be looking to him for answers. He exhaled heavily, a little daunted by what lay ahead. ‘Ah well, it’s not every day one gets to rearrange a whole galaxy.’

‘Governor.’ Sybil stuck her head inside the door. ‘The Falcon captain, Hawk, is waiting to see you in your office as requested.’

‘Ah, very good,’ Brian hopped to it, glad not to have the luxury of time in which to worry.

‘I think the captain is a little curious about being summoned back to Kila,’ Sybil advised, as the Governor approached.

‘I should think he would be.’ Brian rubbed his hands together as he passed his secretary. ‘Time to start doing a little delegating. I think I’ll start by saying, “My sister has told me all about you.” That ought to get the conversation off to a lively start.’

Sybil had a little chuckle at the Governor’s remark. ‘I wouldn’t get too clever if I were you, lest you come up a governor short tomorrow.’

Tory and Maelgwn had arranged to meet Zabeel and Cordella at an outdoor café by the canal where the Institute of Medical Advancement was located, and Tory allowed herself time to sidetrack and check on Sparrowhawk en route. She was curious and delighted to find Hawk in the observation lounge gazing at the unit that nurtured their developing son.

‘What are you doing back on Kila?’ Tory embraced him warmly. ‘I thought you were on Karleashian.’

‘Lahmu requested that I accompany Thais back to Kila.’ Hawk was disturbed about the reason for his return, yet he was pleased to see Tory — someone in whom he could confide. ‘Lahmu wishes to entrust our son’s birthright to me, until he is old enough to handle his destiny himself. I have until the end of the day to decide if I shall take up the appointment.’

Tory was smiling, as she found Brian’s reasoning very sound, and yet she felt for the pirate captain — having been in hiding most of his life, Hawk was now to be key figure and guiding light for the whole of his kind. ‘You are the obvious choice to precede Sparrowhawk, because, as his father, you can build up Falcon confidence in your Chosen son,’ she advised gently. ‘And you already have a hero status among your people, and all the races, for having rescued those children.’

‘That’s what Lahmu said. But that incident was an accident!’ he stressed.

‘There are no accidents as far as fate is concerned. This is the gift you get to take away from our association,’ she told him. ‘You did say you were looking to get a life that would be of benefit to our son, but it looks as though that life has found you. Now you have to decide if you shall make this fate your destiny, or will you entrust the future of your people to another?’

Hawk bowed his head, feeling in his heart that he could not leave his son’s inheritance in the hands of a stranger. Only he could pave the path that would secure his son’s future as destined by the great Logoi. ‘The thought terrifies me,’ he admitted.

‘And the alternative?’

‘Even more so,’ he sighed, finally conceding how it was to be. ‘I guess I have my answer then.’

‘You’ll have loads of willing helpers, Hawk, starting with your own crew.’ Tory rubbed his back affectionately. ‘And I shall be more than happy to advise you.’

Hawk made a scoffing sound. ‘I wish I could say the same about your Falcon incarnation. She doesn’t even want to know me.’

‘So you found her,’ Tory quizzed, eager to hear the gossip.

‘We met,’ he clarified, ‘and …’ he frowned and shook his head, ‘it did not go so well. There is a bit of a division on Karleashian at present. The Falcon military, although happy to be freed from Pantheon rule and to have sunshine in their city, still don’t trust Thais. As I am associated with the one who has freed all the Centaurs from slavery …’ he shrugged again.

‘She’s dark on you too. I see.’ Tory took a deep breath to give herself time to think of something positive to say. ‘I could do some regression and tell you what happens,’ she suggested.

‘No, please,’ Hawk begged. ‘Let us just leave my love life to unfold as it may. It looks like I’ll have plenty to keep my mind off —’ He hesitated to say it, but his attentive gaze conveyed his mind well enough. ‘Don’t apologise,’ he said quickly. ‘I have no regrets, believe me.’

‘Nor do I.’ She wanted to kiss him, but a hug seemed more befitting their new circumstance. ‘Our love has set great wheels in motion.’

‘Yes, indeed,’ Hawk agreed. ‘And those wheels are about to roll on over me. Just kidding,’ he was quick to say, knowing how Tory detested a defeatist attitude. ‘I look forward to the challenge.’ The captain tried to sound confident, but his frown betrayed his doubts.

‘What is meant to be, will be, Hawk.’ Tory stepped away from him and smiled. ‘Worry won’t change destiny so why bother wasting your precious energy on it?’

‘That’s easy for you to say,’ Hawk warranted. ‘You’ve been a ruler most of your life.’

‘And a very satisfying, insightful and wondrous life it has been too,’ she allowed. ‘In fact, I highly recommend it.’

Another very pleasing outcome awaited Tory at lunch.

She was late for the engagement. Maelgwn, Zabeel and Cordella were already seated, drinking tea. She could tell by the look on her husband’s face that something extraordinary was taking place, for Tory had not seen Maelgwn appear so elated since the birth of the twins.

‘Mother.’ Zabeel stood as he spotted her approaching. ‘We have had a revelation,’ he announced, absolutely beaming with delight.

Tory was taken aback by his enthusiasm, having been given the impression from her husband that Zabeel didn’t want to tell his beloved about his Chosen status until they were sure about the match. The fact that Zabeel referred to Tory as ‘mother’ seemed to indicate that the cat was out of the bag.

‘May I introduce Cordella.’ Zabeel motioned to the woman who was seated with her back to Tory.

The woman turned as she stood up to greet Tory, and upon viewing her face Tory nearly fell over backwards. ‘Rose!’

At her proclamation, all at the table fell about laughing. ‘My reaction, exactly,’ Maelgwn explained their amusement.

Tory suddenly saw Zabeel in a whole new light. ‘So you must be …’

‘Marduk incarnate,’ Zabeel announced. ‘We haven’t confirmed that with regression yet, but, at least we have a hope of verifying this match to Nin Rebecca’s satisfaction.’

‘It all makes perfect sense now,’ Maelgwn mused, as Tory sank to a seat, completely floored at the universe’s capability to make its will known. ‘That’s why Marduk sent me on that mission to meet Aquilla —’

‘He was ensuring his own conception.’ Tory guessed the rest. ‘No wonder Gwyn ap Nudd got a good laugh when we thought Avery was Marduk, when here he was, right under our noses all the time.’

Returned to them as a human-Delphinus, with no trace of his Nefilim features, Marduk was not so readily recognisable as most human incarnations. Still, now that Tory looked closer, the truth was plain. Zabeel was Marduk, that wondrous soul who had defied the Great Pantheon to bring the Chosen into existence, the very same soul-mind who had spared the lives of those first twelve humans who fled Edin and Nefilim rule.

Tory picked herself up and ran around the table to hug her adopted son. ‘I am so happy for you, Zabeel. I feel you shall finally have the rewarding life that you have so long deserved.’

‘The future holds much promise,’ he concurred, pleasantly overwhelmed by her sentiment.

Tory looked back at Cordella, who was obviously a little in awe of everything that was taking place. ‘We must sound like we are talking in code,’ joked Tory sympathetically, as she sniffled back her emotion. ‘Forgive us, Cordella, but this is quite an unexpected, but welcome, shock.’

‘You took the words right out of my mouth,’ Cordella agreed, near jumping out of her skin with expectation.

‘I declare that we plead your case to Rebecca and Noah without delay,’ Tory posed to Zabeel. ‘That way Cordella can be made privy to all that you need to discuss before Brian’s address tomorrow.’

‘I second that motion,’ Maelgwn concurred, whereupon Zabeel swept Cordella right off her feet and kissed her as he carried her forth to the Institute where Rebecca could be found. ‘I never thought I’d be praising the Logoi for Dumuzi’s infidelity,’ Maelgwn commented as he wrapped an arm about his wife, and trailed his son and soon-to-be daughter-in-law.

‘Well, Dumuzi was once hailed as the God of Love,’ Tory stated. ‘And as they are a match made in heaven, it looks as though he might finally have done something right.’

‘Dumuzi was actually hailed as the God of Fertility,’ Maelgwn politely corrected her misconception, whereby his wife’s smile broadened.

‘Then I expect we shall be blessed with many grandchildren.’

Maelgwn agreed that she was most likely right about that.

As Lahmu’s address was being broadcast live, there was no need for everyone to cram into the Grand Ballroom of Government House, where the speech would be given. Only the officials of each of the four races involved in the mammoth reshuffle were to be present at the luncheon, all of whom had been nominated by either the Nefilim or Lahmu. Most residents of Chaliada would be viewing the event from home, including a good percentage of Kila’s government officials, who, having been at the Nefilim inquiry, were already aware of the agenda.

The ex-Governor and Governess were listening in from home and most of the family were joining them for the day’s festivities. Maelgwn and Tory had offered to attend the luncheon as moral support for Zabeel, but as his old crewmate, Hawk, was in the same predicament as Zabeel, they had each other and Thais to lean on.

Old habits die hard and, unable to keep away any longer, Maelgwn popped by the Governor’s office to see how his brother-in-law was handling the build-up to his big gig. He arrived to find Noah inspiring Brian with a few final words.

‘Support for your rule is widespread,’ the historian-turned-Sage reported. ‘Far more so than you could imagine. The masses will heed your word, even the outlaws.’

‘Maelgwn.’ Brian noticed him standing quietly by and moved over to him, gratified by the visit. Brian looked his visitor up and down, noting how casual Maelgwn’s attire was compared to his own formal dress.

‘This is a pleasant role reversal, I must say.’ Maelgwn gripped Brian’s extended hand around the wrist and slapped Brian’s shoulder in an endearing fashion.

‘It figures you’d think so, Dragon.’ Brian was a little uncomfortable in the regal dress, as he inwardly walked the thin line between nerves and excitement. ‘I thought you’d be too busy sunning yourself by your pool today to be bothered vexing me.’

‘Surely nothing could vex anyone on so grand a day as this.’ Maelgwn became more eloquent. ‘May the muses be with you, Brian. I thought I’d been given some enormous and amazing quests in my time, but the legend you create today will beat all.’

‘I did have a little help.’ Brian smiled broadly and looked at Noah to include him in the equation. ‘I’ve been wanting to thank you both for the incredible job you’ve done over the past months. Your foresight and assistance has really saved my butt.’

‘And what a cute butt it is …’ Candace entered, although she could have been mistaken for a Goddess from ancient myth in her long elegant gown of pale gold.

The colour of the dress was a stunning contrast to her dark Mediterranean complexion and her eyes of deep brown. Her long, dark curls were piled high into a bun that was interwoven with golden ribbon, and only a few long ringlets fell about her neck and shoulders.

‘Wow!’ Maelgwn was stunned by her beauty, as was Noah.

‘You shall surely be the story on everyone’s lips today, Governess,’ Noah flattered her.

‘How lovely of you to say so, En Noah,’ Candace said graciously, surprised at how eloquent the once shy historian had become.

‘I say we forget the address, as I am bound to with you sitting next to me looking like that!’ Brian approached his wife and taking up her hand, he kissed it, then her palm, her forearm, her upper arm, her shoulder. ‘I suggest a more private luncheon is in order.’

‘It is against the rules to claim the prize before you’ve run the race, Governor,’ Candace teased, slipping away from him. ‘Until this evening, gentlemen.’ She waved to Maelgwn and Noah as she left them to finish up their conversation.

Brian drew in a deep breath and then released it completely. ‘Well, here goes everything.’ He raised his eyebrows in expectation.

‘DJ Nova will ensure that you are well received,’ Noah guaranteed, ‘so just enjoy the moment.’

‘Oh, I’ll enjoy the moment, alright,’ Brian scoffed, ‘the moment that this address is over.’ He headed out the door in pursuit of his wife. ‘I look forward to seeing you both … afterwards.’

Maelgwn turned back to the historian after farewelling Brian. ‘Well, En Noah, today should prove to be another brilliant edition for your Chronicles.’

‘The dawn of a whole new volume, I’ll wager,’ Noah smiled, as he greatly looked forward to the unfolding of it. ‘The future is always a grand adventure.’

Maelgwn looked thoughtful, as the future had always meant work for him before today. ‘And for the first time I feel that the adventure is going to live up to expectation.’

Welcome PeaceKeepers. This is DJ Nova beaming to you live from Kila, where the liberator of our galaxy, Lahmu, will be enlightening us all very shortly with his vision for the future. But before we cross live to the address, I would like to take the opportunity to read to you the great work that made me aware of the coming of Lahmu and inspired me into this perilous vocation. I have read fragments to you before today, but here for the first time in its entirety is the Great Prophecy of the Sage of Eridu.

The DJ did not expose herself on the visual broadcast. All the images were being relayed from the ballroom, where Brian was making his way to the podium.

As Vice-Governor, Rhun was present at the luncheon, along with his wife, Sybil, the Secretary of State. All the rest of the Alexanders and extended family had made themselves comfortable in Tory and Maelgwn’s lounge room and were intently watching DJ Nova’s broadcast on a large soft-light screen.

Tory sat and took in the prophecy that had been made known to her before today. She thought it the perfect prologue for Brian’s announcement, especially the verse that read: ‘All men being equal, the universe will seed a Chosen one of every breed.’ This verse was sure to take some of the shock out of the day’s announcements.

He has fulfilled the Great Prophecy and delivered the interplanetary chain from Pantheon rule. He has made good the promise of Marduk to abolish slavery in the galaxy. Many of you watching and listening to this broadcast today are experiencing your first taste of freedom, and every other citizen now knows a life without a Nefilim patron to serve. One man has risked all so that every human being would be given charge of their own life. That man is Lahmu. Please open your ears, eyes, hearts and minds to the new voice of the Allied Logoi.

As Brian stepped into the spotlight, a hush fell in the rowdy room. Tory crossed her fingers for her brother, although Brian appeared more confident and in command than she’d ever seen him — in this life or any other.

‘Delegates, dignitaries, friends and family. I am Brian Alexander, Governor of Kila, whom some of you will have come to know better as Lahmu.’ A deafening round of applause broke out, and Brian was flattered to have to wait to continue his address. ‘I bid you all welcome to this gathering, from where it is our intention to reconstruct the political framework of our galaxy. Not an easy task, I grant you, but just a few short months ago it would have been completely inconceivable, so I trust we shall have an easier time of it today.’

This perspective amused the audience and Brian went on to confirm the disintegration of the Great Pantheon and their imminent return to their soul-source. Next, he praised the efforts of all the races in the construction of the shield for Anu, which was progressing ahead of schedule. If all continued to go as well as expected, the shield would be operational within the fortnight.

It was smart of her brother to begin his address thus, Tory considered, for it illustrated perfectly what could be achieved when all the races cooperated.

Then came time for the big announcement.

‘As was prophesied to eventuate with the demise of the Pantheon, the universe has seeded a Chosen One of every breed.’

There was a great gasp from the audience, and a round of noisy mutterings broke out as Thais, Hawk, Tyrus-Leon and Zabeel came to stand on the stage behind Brian’s podium.

‘As it was the will of the Logoi that I rule in the Pantheon’s stead, so too is it the will of creation that these Chosen Ones serve under me, to be my eyes and ears for each of their individual races.’

The announcement that Thais was to rule on Karleashian came as no surprise to his people, and was cheered madly by the small delegation of Centaurs who’d accompanied him to the address. However, the full withdrawal of the Falcon military force from the planet raised a few eyebrows among those of the bird persuasion in the room, but they soon changed their tune when they learnt of the compensation. Ereshkigal’s force would transfer to Tarazean, as this planet was to be placed under the leadership of Hawk, the pirate hero and father of the Chosen One of the Falcon race.

The arrangement made Tory smile, for her Falcon incarnation who was giving Hawk so much grief, would now be directly answerable to the pirate captain. A curious start for a relationship, she thought, certain that Hawk and his warrioress would fall in love now that destiny had thrown them together. They would have met anyway, she realised, even if she hadn’t lent a psychic hand to help Hawk find the twin-soul eluding him.

The Leonine, Tyrus-Leon, was welcomed as ruler in Nugia. Thanks to Maelgwn’s timely repression of the Nefilim, the planet still had its capital city, Su. As they had not been forced to blow up the city to prevent Nabu from reclaiming it, the underground transportation system was also fully operational.

Tory was on the edge of her seat by the time Brian got around to announcing Zabeel’s appointment. He was introduced as the Delphinus son of the Dragon, and Zabeel was given a standing ovation by many of the Delphinus representatives in the ballroom.

‘Gee, for a virtual unknown, Uncle Zabeel is sure being well received.’ Asher commented back to his grandfather.

‘Many of these Delphinus are old enough to remember how the Dragon delivered the entire population of Mazua City to the Aten, before Shamash’s deadly weapon destroyed their capital,’ Noah advised the lad, so that Maelgwn didn’t have to boast. ‘With a father who’s a national hero to his race, Zabeel will be given a chance by his people. Now it is up to him to prove his worth.’

Naturally, the Delphinus’ beloved water planet had been left to them, along with the huge mobile city, the Aten, which the Delphinus had been occupying since the Dragon delivered them there seventy years before.

The planet of Numan would now belong to the interplanetary chain; because of the building of the shield for Anu, the prime mineral mined on Numan, charichalum, was going to be in great demand and no one race deserved a monopoly. The production of Orme charichalum would have to be closely monitored now that the Chosen Ones had been made aware of its destructive potential. It was the responsibility of Lahmu’s government to prevent the substance falling into the wrong hands.

‘Over the next few weeks there will be several conferences held,’ Brian wound up his address. ‘At the end of which we hope to emerge with governing bodies for each of these new territories. I wish to stress at this point that from now on every human, regardless of race, is welcome on any of the allied planets represented by this ruling body. It is my greatest wish that, in the not too distant future, we shall all have a place that we are proud to call home.’

The applause resonated through the room, the city, the star system and throughout the galaxy — a harmonic convergence of hope and release. Humankind had come of age.

In the darkened, frosty remains of the Nefilim’s grand city on Nibiru, Shala and Micah joined the Devas and their kindred in the temple dedicated to their Solar Logos.

It is done, Micah advised the Devas. All our possessions in the material world, we have renounced. And this plane of matter, saturated by emotion, is now in the hands of those more equipped to comprehend it.

Then let us move on, Sacha decreed, relieved that the Devas’ work in the earthly realm was also complete.

Time to start the long journey homeward, Psyche concurred, reaching into her stomach and ripping open the fibre of her being to create a path between realms.

Sacha touched each adept in turn, on the crown, whereupon the energy centres of their subtle bodies withdrew into the central heart chakra and all trace of their physical form vanished into a single orb of celestial light.

One by one the soul-centres trailed each other down the otherworldly passage to be reunited with kindred souls in the causal universe, where Anu’s revitalising rays still shone down brightly upon the fair city of Nibiru.

All the highlights of the performance on Centre Stage were over and most of the residents were heading home during the fireworks display to hear Nova’s final broadcast, although a good crowd remained in the park to view it on the big screen there.

When Brian, Rhun and company finally made it to the family gathering the party was in full swing.

‘Not too shabby,’ Maelgwn commented, handing the Governor a drink on his way through the door.

‘Well, we’ve not received any assassination threats yet, so we figure that all the delegates were pleased by the outcome.’ Brian was beaming, already a little tipsy from the day’s festivities.

‘I told him this Lahmu stunt would work wonders,’ Rhun boasted, as he urged his uncle into the house, so that he wouldn’t hold up the traffic.

‘We’re not too late to catch Nova’s final broadcast, are we?’ Candace kissed Maelgwn’s cheek as she and Sybil entered behind their two fairly merry male companions.

‘Not at all, you’ve time to spare.’ Maelgwn gave Sybil a squeeze and then let her go to greet Zabeel and his fiancé.

Cordella had shed years since their last meeting. Dumuzi’s firstborn Delphinus daughter had needed no prompting to end her mortal life, once Zabeel had tapped into his past-life as Marduk and proven her destined to join the ranks of the Chosen.

‘Cordella, you look wonderful.’ Maelgwn kissed her hand.

‘I feel wonderful,’ she said sincerely. ‘Thank you … Father.’ She tried the name out for size and it felt a little odd.

‘Welcome home, Cordella, your kindred have missed you.’ Maelgwn smiled warmly as he attempted to close the door on Zabeel. ‘I don’t know about your choice of husband though?’ he ribbed, as Zabeel struggled against his father to get back in.

‘It’s a done deal, Dragon.’ Zabeel was amazed by how easily his father could hold him off.

‘He comes from a very good family, I hear,’ Cordella defended on her beloved’s behalf.

‘Well, that’s true,’ Maelgwn considered, while Zabeel rammed the door with his shoulder to no great effect. ‘He could use a little building up, though,’ he teased.

‘We really do need to teach our father some manners, Zabeel.’ Rhun came to his younger brother’s rescue, and Cordella was forced out of way of the all-in brawl.

‘No more sons, Tory!’ Maelgwn cried out, being soundly defeated two to one.

‘No more anything, period!’ she yelled back at him from the kitchen, where she and Rhiannon were preparing food.

The sound of a baby crying spurred everyone to laughter, thinking someone was being funny.

‘Alright, who brought a baby?’ Brian posed aloud and then looked at his wife’s belly. ‘Junior?’ he queried, adding to the amusement.

The cry was heard again and louder this time.

Maelgwn’s eyes turned towards the stairs. ‘It’s coming from the nursery,’ he uttered softly, hesitant to speak out loud, lest he was wrong.

Tory came darting down the hallway past their guests to meet her husband on the staircase. Their smiles were the only sign of their hopes, as they raced each other to the nursery.

In the double crib lay the two newborn babes, naked and screaming for a feed.

At the sound of their cries, Tory’s breast filled with milk and tears of relief flowed from her eyes. ‘My babes.’

The elated parents rushed to touch the vision and hold it, to be certain it was real. Maelgwn wrapped Avery in blankets and cradled him, as Tory cuddled Lirathea, kissing her head repeatedly.

Maelgwn could barely see for his own tears as he gazed down upon the fair twins with eyes of violet just like their mother’s. ‘Praise the Goddess I married you, Tory Alexander. Had I had my way —’

‘It was a team effort,’ she insisted. ‘You, me … them. And what a team we make.’ She leant over and kissed him, loving Maelgwn all the more for their trials and cherishing the twins tenfold due to their recent absence.

‘I’ve learnt all I care to about the past and the future. It’s time I started living for the present.’ Maelgwn sniffled back his emotion, resting his forehead against Tory’s. ‘You and the twins are my quest, and my reason for being from now on.’

Tory smiled to second his sentiment. ‘Until death makes us one,’ she vowed.

Well, peacekeepers, that’s about all we have for you from Kila. We trust you have all found cause to celebrate and that you look to the future with hope and wonderful expectations. The time for this rebel DJ to hang up the headset permanently is finally upon us, but I feel no sadness that my task is at an end, for this is day we’ve all been striving for. Mission accomplished, I bid you all peace, love and prosperity. And remember …

Heaven and earth were your parents
and starlight flows in your veins.

Let awareness be your home,
honesty, your divine power,
and character, your magic secret.

Make carelessness your enemy,
benevolence, your amour,
and righteousness, your weapon.

Use unclouded thought as your strategy,
right action, as your miracle,
and understanding, as your means.

Desire only to seize life’s opportunities,
fulfil your potential,
and follow your heart.

May the Logos shine through you all
and shower you with blessings,
forever and ever, Amen.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bailey, Alice A., A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, Lucis Publishing Company, London, 1925.

Blavatsky, H.P., The Secret Doctrine, Theosophical University Press, 1988.

Bletzer, June G., Encyclopedic Psychic Dictionary, Donning Co, Virginia, 1986.

Powell, A. E., The Solar System, Health Research, 1985.

—The Etheric Double, Theosophical Publishing House, Illinois, 1996.

—The Astral Body, Theosophical Publishing House, Illinois, 1996.

—The Mental Body, Theosophical Publishing House, London, 1967.

—The Causal Body and the Ego, Theosophical Publishing House, Philippines, 1993.

Purucker, G. de, Occult Glossary, Theosophical University Press, 1996.

—Galaxies and Solar Systems, Point Loma Publications, California, 1987.

—Hierarchies and the Doctrine of Emanations, Point Loma Publications, California, 1987.

—Invisible Worlds and their Inhabitants, Point Loma Publications, California, 1987.

—The Doctrine of the Spheres, Point Loma Publications, California, 1987.

—The Hierarchy of Compassion, Point Loma Publications, California, 1987.

—Death and the Circulations of the Cosmos: Parts I & II, Point Loma Publications, California, 1987.

Sitchin, Zecharia, The 12th Planet, Avon Books, New York, 1976

—The Wars of Gods and Men, Avon Books, New York, 1985

—The Cosmic Code, Avon Books, New York, 1998

—When Time Began, Avon Books, New York, 1993

Special Note

Poem in DJ Nova’s final address inspired by ‘A Warrior’s Creed’, by anonymous Samurai, fourteenth century.
Source: Blum, Ralph, The Book of Runes, Angus & Robertson Publishers, Sydney, 1982

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This book being written was a miracle, and made possible by the gracious efforts of many — my family and friends primarily, with whom I feel sure you are all well familiar. Still, this year several new friends have aided me to make the deadline.

Many, many thanks to Mo (our wonderful nanny), and her husband, Ken, for securing me a few precious hours each week in order to type this tale, whilst at the same time nurturing my daughter’s creative potential. Thanks also to Shane and Wendy for their amazing cuisine, which enticed Dave and myself away from the computers every once in a while and ensured we both had a social life.

If my husband wasn’t so damn wonderful, he wouldn’t keep scoring a mention, but as David continues to defy the imagination with his patience and support, it just wouldn’t be right if I didn’t acknowledge his mammoth friendship which makes life worth living and ever more amazing.

Thanks to Mum for her healing and for giving us a taste of city life every now and then.

My praise and thanks always to my wonderful agent, Selwa, my editors, Sue and Steph, and all the guys and gals at HarperCollins who make an author’s lot a very enjoyable one indeed.

I would also like to thank all my avid readers for their emails of praise and support. I hope this new adventure is well worth the wait.

About the Author

Traci Harding lives on a quiet acre of bushland on the Hawkesbury River, with her exceedingly talented husband, David, and their beautiful two-year-old daughter, Sarah.

After the success of The Ancient Future Trilogy, and the overwhelming reader demand for more adventures with Tory Alexander and co., Traci Harding is currently sitting in her office overlooking the river and mountains beyond, in deep contemplation of the continuing affairs of the ‘Chosen Ones’.

Book One of the Trilogy, The Ancient Future: the Dark Age was published in 1996; Book Two, An Echo In Time: Atlantis was published in 1997; and Book Three, Masters of Reality: the Gathering in 1998. A stand-alone book, The Alchemist’s Key, was released in June 1999.

Her new trilogy The Celestial Triad began with The Chronicle of Ages and continues with this book.

Feel free to write to Traci Harding at the following email address: hardingd@ozemail.com.au. Or visit her on the World Wide Web at the site of ‘Artisus’: http://www.ozemail.com.au/˜hardingd

For information about Traci Harding and her books, plus all the latest science fiction news, visit ‘Voyager Online’: http://www.voyageronline.com.au — the website for lovers of science fiction and fantasy.

OTHER BOOKS BY TRACI HARDING

The Ancient Future Trilogy

The Ancient Future: the Dark Age (Book One)

An Echo in Time: Atlantis (Book Two)

Masters of Reality: the Gathering (Book Three)

The Alchemist’s Key

The Celestial Triad

Chronicle of Ages (Book One)

Tablet of Destinies (Book Two)

AVAILABLE 2002

The Cosmic Logos (Book Three)

Copyright

Voyager
An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, Australia

First published in Australia in 2001
This edition published in 2011
by HarperCollinsPublishers Australia Pty Limited
ABN 36 009 913 517
harpercollins.com.au

Text copyright © Traci Harding 2001

The right of Traci Harding to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her under the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000.

This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced, copied, scanned, stored in a retrieval system, recorded, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

HarperCollinsPublishers
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10 East 53rd Street, New York NY 10022, USA

National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication data:

Harding, Traci.
Tablet of destinies: book 2 of the celestial triad.
Bibliography.
ISBN 978 0 7322 6683 7 (pbk).
ISBN 978 0 7304 9974 9 (epub)
I.Title. (Series: Harding, Traci. Celestial triad; bk 2).
A823.3