by R. Brown
“Just one. Is there a name that you would like to designate to this new vessel?”
Though the question was not one Steven had anticipated, his answer came quickly. “Pegasus.”
“Pegasus, the winged horse that carries the gods,” affirmed the Keeper.
“Hmm—that is a fitting name for the ship that carries your wife and child,” said Gorok.
Chapter 8
Council Chamber
Tryskellyon, Capital City of Heaven
By design, the Keeper had constructed the Council Chamber within the palace to be the most grandiose and elaborately decorated room within the Capital City. Tall columns lined the main entrance and walkways that led to the internal chamber. On the way, grandstands that could seat thousands lined the palace’s amphitheater. It was a place that would someday hold spectacular sporting events and performances. The walk through the palace never failed to impress, though they had been there many times over the last months.
And beneath it all, sat the Council Chamber. On the wall, a massive ornate, golden crested lion’s head represented the Anunnaki people, symbolizing the importance of their intimate gathering place.
“Thank you, everyone, for coming,” said Steven. “As all of you know, an hour ago, Ashlyn left aboard the new ship, Pegasus. For our safety, the location of where the Keeper took her is undisclosed, even to myself.
“It’s important for all of you to know how much I’ve appreciated your support these last months while I’ve been in training.”
“No need to thank us,” said Brooks. “You’re our Superman against the Dracs. Besides, the Keeper has been doing all the heavy lifting. He’s seen to all our needs while we perfect and train people how to safely shift form.”
“He’s right,” said Tomlinson. “We have it all under control. The people are happy. Everyone is having fun with their new abilities. Mankind always wanted to fly like the eagles, and now that we can—we’ve all lost more than a little sleep playing around.”
Stratton chimed in. “It’s pretty damn exciting to be honest. And it sure beats having to hop into a car to get somewhere.”
Everyone agreed, their voices overlapping.
“I knew it was going to be one of the highlights,” said Steven. “I wonder what the indigenous naga think, seeing their population explode overnight?”
Moore belted out a large laugh. All but Steven, in the room, seemed to know where he was heading. “We’ve had some really awkward moments. The female nagas seem to think it’s breeding season, because they keep trying to snuggle up.”
“Snuggle up is definitely not the right phrase,” said Tomlinson. “They’re downright aggressive. They physically force the males out of the air by bumping them until they are on the ground. Once you’re on the ground, they sit on you and tail whip you into submission.”
Tomlinson’s voice trailed off as he saw the wide eyes of all in the room upon him. “I got away though.” To the snickers of those around him. “I did.” The men laughed harder. “I really did—she chased me all the way back to the city.”
After the snarky grins and chuckles died, “And because of that—we now make sure that the kids are always accompanied by an adult when they go flying,” said Brooks.
Steven laughed. “Whoever would have guessed we’d be having such a conversation?”
“Long ago, we found that a good hard blow to their beak will stop their pursuit. Though it was not uncommon to see that it hurt their feelings,” added Solon.
Again, they laughed.
“Anything else I should know?”
The men looked at one another, nothing coming to mind.
“I met someone,” said Novacek throwing a glance at Atrahasis. “He has a sister.”
Atrahasis shifted uneasily in his seat. “Athena is too young.”
Steven cocked his head, his face questioning.
Novacek grinned and gave a small chuckle. He looked at Steven. “She’s seventy-four.”
“Yes, too young to be thinking of such things. She has much to learn yet,” said Atrahasis.
Steven smiled and turned to Atrahasis. “How old do you think Ashlyn is?”
“I do not know, but older than seventy-four,” said Atrahasis through gritted teeth.
“She’s twenty-six,” said Steven.
Atrahasis’ brow furrowed. “This is not the Anunnaki way.”
“No disrespect, my friend—but the Anunnaki world you knew does not exist. The precedents that we set are the Anunnaki way, the human way. The world will be what we make it. No one here, including you, would question Ashlyn’s qualifications of womanhood—though she is young by the old Anunnaki standards to which you were accustomed.”
Atrahasis looked over at Novacek and then dropped his head. Under his breath, he growled, “Perhaps.”
Novacek threw a wink at Steven, thanking him.
“Anything else?” asked Steven.
The men shook their heads.
***
ASHLYN
Three Days After Her departure
From Heaven
A soft chime sounded. Ashlyn opened her eyes to see Tara’s welcoming smile.
“We have arrived at our new home,” said Tara.
Ashlyn’s thoughts were muddled, Tara’s words holding no meaning. Seeing Tara standing before her, a wave of panic overtook her. It meant that something was wrong. Her hands went to her stomach, concerned for the safety of her baby.
“You are well. The baby is well. You are safe,” assured Tara as she hit the button that lowered the side of the chamber so Ashlyn could exit.
Ash swung her legs out and put her hand out to Tara. Both Tara and Gorok stepped to the fore, helping her. “Why was I awakened early? What is wrong?” asked Ash, concerned about Steven and those she had left behind.
The Keeper’s image appeared on the left side of the stasis chamber, opposite Tara. “You are still weak, Ashlyn. You will regain mental clarity in a few minutes, but you will need several hours to regain your physical strength. Six months in stasis was a long time for your physiology.
“Most everything is as planned,” assured the Keeper. “We have arrived at our new home.”
“Most everything? I don’t understand. No disrespect, Tara—but you aren’t supposed to be here.” Her eyes shifted from the Keeper to Tara and Gorok. “Did Steven tell you to go with me?”
“He did not tell us,” answered Gorok. “He asked us if we would accompany you aboard, Pegasus. It was our choice, and we were happy to do so.”
“We are family,” said Tara, her gentle smile reminding Ashlyn of her own words.
Ashlyn’s eyes softened, giving Tara a warm smile in return. “Thank you, Tara—and you, Gorok. I’m glad that you’re here. I assume your daughters are here too?”
“Yes. They are looking forward to Ja’kal being born,” answered Tara. “I think he will be very spoiled.”
Ash couldn’t help but grin. She turned to the Keeper. “I guess the big question is—where and when did you take us to? And what did you mean by ‘most everything?’”
“We are on Hadaesia. You would call it the year 2289 A.D., but in the new reality, that designation is inaccurate.”
“Hadaesia?” Her eyes narrowed as the memories of all they had endured on the world came flooding back, sending a shiver down her spine. “Of all places, why Hadaesia? You know what happened here. And why is the year inaccurate?”
“Since the events by which you mark time never happened in this timeline, it is only the year 2289 within my internal chronometer. In this reality, you have never been to Hadaesia before today. All that you believed happened here, never did.”
“I do not understand.” Tara’s eyes turned to Ashlyn for explanation. “How can you have been to a place—and not have been to that place?”
Ash shook her head. “It’s not an easy concept to grasp. Sometimes, I struggle with it too.”
“Logic also dictates that if there was no war between Enlil and Enki—the events that prom
pted Enlil to bring humans here, also never happened. If all had gone as expected, the planet would be unscorched and flourishing with animal life, like it once had in the prior timeline.”
“You’re saying that it isn’t as expected?” Ash could feel the weight upon the Keeper’s shoulders. Something was very wrong.
“Much of it is, but the planet is not as it should be. The Garden that should exist here, overseen by my counterpart, is not here. There is no evidence that the Anunnaki have ever visited this world.”
“Perhaps that was by choice?” Ash said.
“No. In wanting to create as few ripples as possible, I had set a plan in motion. One such event was to have a ship identical to Destiny waiting on the third moon, where you and Steven first found it, but the ship is not there.
“If either the Garden or the ship were here, I would have the information I need to know—when it was safe to take us back to Heaven. It was critical to our returning at the proper point in time. Something has happened that changed the timeline, stopping the Anunnaki and Destiny from fulfilling the mission.”
“Your best hypothesis, Keeper?” asked Ashlyn, her face clearly denoting her fear of the answer.
“The Anunnaki were defeated in battle, a million years ago.”
Ashlyn’s gut twisted, her knees crumbled, and she collapsed to the floor.
Tara bent in support, pulling Ashlyn tight to her. Her tears dripped for the pain she saw in Ashlyn. Her own heart aching for her.
Hoping it would be of solace the Keeper said, “I am currently recreating the Garden and preparing a home for all of you within. Perhaps, its familiarity will be of comfort to you.”
“Keeper, I appreciate the effort, but it is of no comfort. As soon as the Garden is ready, beam Tara and her family down.
“You and I are going back to Heaven to find out what happened,” said Ashlyn, her commanding voice leaving no room for argument.
“Lady Ashlyn, we will not leave you,” said Tara. She put her hand atop Ashlyn’s arm, a gentle plea to accompany her.
“I have to, Tara. You have a family, and I can’t risk your daughters lives.”
“And I made an oath to Lord Steven—” said Gorok.
“Steven—oh my god!” Ashlyn’s hands went to her belly. “I remember now. I know what happened.”
Chapter 9
STEVEN
Three Years After
Ashlyn’s Departure
From Heaven
Steven took his seat at the head of the Council. “I’d like to thank everyone for coming today. There has never been a more important meeting of this Council. Today is a day of—revelations.” Having gotten the attention of all in attendance, “Go ahead, Keeper, you have the floor.”
The holo of the Keeper stood and tipped his head to those in attendance. “We now have thirty ships identical to Destiny and are continuing the duplication process. Each is strategically placed, and hidden from discovery should the Draconians arrive. Each is on full tactical alert. As planned, we will soon be ready to take the war to them if need be.
“This morning, we completed the defensive matrix of platforms. Each of the eighteen hundred platforms is locked into a stationary orbit and has been activated. The grid is impenetrable. Heaven is fully protected.”
The members of the Council were ear-to-ear smiles. It was the news they had been waiting for.
“Two of the seven smaller moons have been harvested for their materials to build the fleet. As expected it is-”
“Yada, yada, yada. Shut the fuck up, Keeper.” Steven’s voice boomed, godlike. His eyes were black, featureless. “You are literally boring us to death.” Steven waved a hand, stilling the Keeper’s voice.
“All of you are so fucking naïve, so stupidly ignorant. You are a waste of flesh. You are nothing more than stillborn mush within your mother’s womb.”
Steven walked casually around the struggling men who were trying to move, “Don’t bother, you are but insects. You live because we allow it and nothing more.”
“All right, Keeper—” said Steven jovially, playfully. He again waved his hand. “—you may talk. Tell them again—how many ships do you have? How many defensive platforms?”
The Keeper took a moment to himself, finally responding with, “None. They are gone.”
“Ohhh—howww sad. Years of work and planning, all for nothing. And if the ships are gone, that must mean that the bags of dust aboard them are gone too.” Steven leaned into Novacek, putting his face inches away. “Wasn’t Athena, your dust bag of a wife aboard one of those ships?”
Novacek’s eyes filled with rage, hatred—his voice unable to form more than a simple growl.
“What did you say—you hate me now? You want to kill me? But, but we were friends just minutes ago.” The darkness within Steven enjoyed the sanctimonious tease of their enemy. They had waited long for this moment, and they were in no hurry to see it end.
Steven pulled back. “You trusted me with your life—literally—all of you did.” Steven spun, looking at them. “That was a mistake. But, there is good news—it will also be your last mistake.
“God, aren’t we having fun?” said Steven slowly, putting a strong emphasis on each word as though he were pounding nails into their wrists.
He tipped his head to the side, a playful gleam in his eyes. “Heads or tails?” Steven waved his hand and broke Moore’s neck. The snap of cracking bone filled the room. His head fell backwards. “Head’s wins.”
“That was entertaining. We like these games your people play. You have so many. Aren’t you just dying to know who the winner will be?” said Steven to Brooks.
“Eeny-meeny-miny-mo,” said Steven counting down the row of men. He closed his fist, crushing every bone in Tomlinson’s body. “Nope, it’s nottt you.” The young man’s misshapen body slumped, blood gurgled from his mouth and dripped from his ears. His skull was sunken, distorted. Tomlinson’s dying body fought to take a last gasping breath of air. “Hmm, he’s a tough one.” With a simple nod from Steven, Tomlinson’s body disappeared. “That’s so much better. We don’t want to mess up our new home now—do we?
“Who wants to be next, any volunteers?” Steven looked at Brooks, Novacek, Stratton, and then finally, at Atrahasis and Solon. “You two—you are not like the others. You have the smell of rotting Anunnaki.”
He nodded, and the two of them faded from existence.
Novacek, Brooks, and Stratton were wide-eyed.
“Steven, fight them. You are strong. You can—” said the Keeper.
“Silence,” said Steven, cutting off the Keeper’s words. “I didn’t tell you to speak.” With an egocentric laugh, he said, “Well—maybe I did. My bad.
“But the truth is, I don’t need you anymore either.” With a tip of his head, the Keeper disappeared.
“And then there were three. I’ve been watching, waiting for this moment ever since—ever since that whoring bitch Ashlyn left. I just needed to ‘get by with a little help from my friends,’ my undead friends, if you know what I mean.” Steven had said the words lyrically, with a swagger, emulating the voice from the famous song.
In a child-like whining drawl he kept at it. “You all thought—Ashlyn’s gone, so the darkness is gone too, and we’re all safe now.” Steven’s godlike laugh echoed throughout the Council chamber. “You were sooo wrong.”
He strolled between the men, his hand brushing across their shoulders. “I bet you are just dying to know what happened aren’t you? I know I would be. Isn’t the suspense just—just twisting you all up inside?
“All right, since you begged—you see, at the last second, when miss bitch was lapsing into unconsciousness and it was too late for her to stop us—we transferred into Steven. A simple touch was all it took. He was so distressed over her leaving that he didn’t even notice the cold chill in the room or the tingle of the transference.
“It was so easy. So very fucking easy.
“And all of you played the fool, while I p
layacted like Steven these last months. Now—we have returned. Our ships will soon begin to bring our people down. This world is ours again.
“Even now, I can hear the screams of your people outside. I have released my brethren from the nexus, and they have come to send your people to hell, where they will burn under the icy chill of death’s touch for eternity. They are here to cleanse this world of your stench.”
Outside, the people were under attack from something they couldn’t understand. Tens of thousands of haunting, black, floating apparitions were combing the city, carrying the humans toward a doorway that led to the nexus in the center of the city—a doorway that Steven had opened.
To no avail, people took shelter in their homes, huddling in the corners with their children. Thousands shifted form, trying to find something that could help them fight back, but no physical lifeform could stand against the strength and vast numbers of the ghostly creatures. Howls of long screeches announced each capture. The noise of defiant and crying humans echoed through the city.
“And before the sun sets this day, your people will be extinct, never to be heard from again. ‘Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord.’ I lovvve those six words, because it is my will—yes, my will and my vengeance that is being done.”
Outside, the terrified screams of women continued to waft upon the breeze, filling the chamber.
“Ah—I find the sound of battle, stimulating. The cries of the weak bring contentment—as does the blood of their bodies give us strength. It is all so—arousing. I have ordered them to save me one of your kind so I can satiate my need.”
“But, look at me, such a poor host—doing all the talking. Your silence makes me—lonely. So, I give you permission to speak. You can even move if you’d like.” Steven waved a hand, and fell back into his chair. He kicked a leg up over the chair’s arm. “Go ahead. I wish to hear the last thoughts of a people about to be exterminated. Make them big words, grandiose words, like, ‘Remember the Alamo.’” Steven hooted the words boisterously, with all the bravado he could muster. “Perhaps your words too will be remembered in the halls of—of those who are—forgotten.” Steven laughed.
