He sat there trying to take it all in...
What the frack just happened? What were all those images I saw? Why do I know that Malachem's name? I've gotta find a com...
El gets up and begins to look around the war zone, he can hear and feel the sounds of fighting in the distance, but too far to walk. He finds a com on one of the dead bodies and calls in his location.
As he surveys the land around him El takes a moment of silent reverence for the dead, on both sides.
He watches as an armored transport breaks through the clouds and ascends towards him. As it lands the rear hatch lowers and standing there is his best friend, Svikari.
"How much did you win Finn?" El asked as he grabbed his wrist for a hand up into the transport.
"Not as much as you'd think, people, are starting to realize that you can’t be killed," Finnis smirked.
"I can't let them take all your money, who else would pay for all the food I eat. So you see, you're my reason for going on Finn, OOOH Finn!" El grabs his chest and throws his head back being overly dramatic.
"Is that so?" El heard behind him.
He turns to see Nah Lexa standing there, arms crossed looking angry and pouty at the same time.
"I thought I was your reason for going on?" She lowers her head and sticks out her bottom lip
"You are my reason." he slides over and takes her in his arms and kisses the tip of her nose and he sees her blush just a bit. "I gotta let him think it through."
They both look at Finn and all three burst into laughter.
Finn grabs his arm and grows very somber,
"Did anyone else survive? Did you see anyone else down there?"
El fidgets a little and asks "What do you mean did I see anyone else? Can't you see what's out there? I can't believe I survived, there was not another living creature around." The lie came easily for El who had never lied to these two, but El knew in his heart that Mikha'el spoke the truth when he said they were not nor ever were enemies.
"Relax man, no need to get all defensive about it, I know it's hard on you, you know I'd be down there with you if I could," Finn said pleadingly.
"No way bro, your brain is worth WAY too much for a helmet and blaster, besides I need you up here getting dinner money... Speaking of which." El slaps Finn on the back as they head aft...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“The time has come for change. Aapep says that we are to be more, we are to be Gods!” he shouts the last slamming his hand down onto the control panel.
“Aapep speaks much heresy Brother, this does not make it so. You have seen the horrors of war Enlil. You have witnessed firsthand what become of these worlds with gods. They become petty, warring people fighting in the name of whatever gods their side worships. Their societies become obsessed with war and division.”
“I would tend to agree my dear sister, but these worlds have evolved without the leadership of their gods. Where we would differ dear Enki is that we would be here, active in their growth and evolution, guiding them into a free and equal people.”
“You are blinded by your loyalty to Aapep and his need for power. He is not satisfied with his position with the Living Triune, he would place himself higher than The One Above Others. His words are spoken with malice and envy. You would be wise to pay no mind to his words, they will lead to war in the Heavens…”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"El! Hey you in there" Lexa reaches over and pokes his forehead and he snaps back to the cafe they are sitting in back on the Command Cruiser.
"You ok buddy? One minute your eating next you’re staring off into space like you were somewhere else, you good?"
El just uncomfortably chuckles and lies again, "Just remembering the battle, sorry it was especially brutal, I didn't think I’d see you guys again." and he gives them a warm smile.
"I just need a shower and some rest. I'll see you both tomorrow." He stands quickly.
"You want me to walk you back to the transporter?" Leta begins to get up.
Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.
"No, that's ok, I need some time to think, I'll see you later." and without another word turns and walks away, not hearing Lexa's last words.
"I love you" she calls to his back but the words fall on deaf ears.
"What do you think is going on with him?" Finn asked her.
Lexa follows him with her eyes until he turns the corner then turns back to their table, "I don't know, I've never seen him like this, ever." forehead furrowing in nervous thought.
"You don't think he’s shell-shocked do you?" Finn whispers
"We agreed to never speak of such things, so DO NOT SPEAK OF SUCH THINGS!" She whispered back, very aggressively, and then with a big warm smile, she stood and grabbed her things. "Goodnight Finn, see you at roll call." and with that Finn was alone left to wonder what might be wrong with El…
----------------------------------------
“Chiva, I am afraid, how will we live outside of Atlantica? We have never been off the Isle of Atlas.”
“Do not fear my love, Enki has told us she shall let no harm come to us and we have no reason to doubt her now, look she approaches.”
They turn to see Enki running towards them with a contingent of armed guards behind her.
As Enki reaches them she towers over them, standing at least 3 meters tall, a full meter taller than Adamah and Chiva and she bends to embrace them.
“Hurry my children there is no time to dawdle, war is upon us.” and she points to the night sky which is lit up with explosions and fighting.
----------------------------------------
El isn’t sure when he woke up from the dream, he only knew he couldn’t stop thinking about it. Somehow he knew that the man in the dream was him. Who was this Enki, he had never heard of her, why had he never heard of Enlil’s sister? Who is the Living Triune? Who is the One Above All Others?
This is on top of all of the other questions he already had from his encounter with Mikha’el. I need answers and I don’t even know where to start looking. I think I’ll jump on the Net and see what I can find. If that doesn’t bring him any answers I’ll go and speak to the Draconic Priests and see what they can tell him about these things.
He laid in bed for a few more minutes then got up and showered and dressed. As he was combing his hair in the mirror his door buzzed.
“It’s open,” he said from in front of the bathroom mirror.
“Hello? Major Issa?” he heard as the door closed.
El heard from the other room feeling a little surprised at the mistake, he was a captain and not due for promotion for at least a year. He set his comb down and walked into the next room to see a Colonel standing in his living room.
“Good morning sir, but I’m afraid it’s only Captain Issa” and he gives a traditional salute, closed right fist over his heart.
“Not as of this morning Major” he replied returning the salute and extending his hand “You’ve caught the attention of some pretty important people son.”
“Thank you, sir, I don’t know what to say. I am ready to get back out there…”
“Hold on there young man. You are headed off-world.”
“Where to sir?” El asked somewhat surprised
“Home son, Uku Pacha. Well, Quechua Pacha actually. You are being transferred to command, congratulations.”
El heard himself thank the Colonel and felt himself shake his hand. He was aware of returning the Colonel’s salute and seeing him leave. He even vaguely remembered sitting down on a chair. How long he sat on that chair he couldn’t tell you.
As he became aware of a cramp in his backside his realization of his new deployment was setting in. Why would they be sending him back to command? There could only be one reason and it was tantamount to exile. He was being reassigned to the academy. He would be training the new recruits.
To any soldier, this would be seen as a great honor. To a warrior, this was like losing a limb.
----------------------------------------
The next couple of days were a blur. Between the formal announcement of his promotion and having to do some refresher training on Command Clearances and Command etiquette and procedures, he was wiped out.
The third day after his promotion he slept in. He had the next week off the duty roster to give him time to put his affairs in order. He hadn’t spoken to Nah Lexa in a few days. She was the best tactical planner the fleet had and she was here as a special request of the Fleet Admiral. It was supposed to be a temporary assignment for one cycle. Her temp assignment had stretched on for nearly four cycles now and they had been together for the last cycle.
He wasn’t sure if he loved her or not. He was sure that she was in love with him because he had overheard her tell Pheme, her best friend. He also heard her say that she knew he was going to ask her for her hand in to swear the Binding Oath of Fidelity.
The thought sent shivers down his side. Not that he was against the Binding, it’s just that it didn’t feel right. Lexa was awesome in every sense of the word, beautiful, smart, funny, and an amazing fighter. She was his favorite sparring partner with battle swords and fighting sticks.
How was he supposed to tell her that he was getting shipped off-world? And what about Finn? He is going to fracking kill me or himself for that matter. They are on a mission together and should be back by mid-day.
He reached over and touched the coms board,
“Officers Dining Hall,” he said into the speaker.
“This is the O.D.H. how may I help you?” a woman’s voice replied.
“This is Major Issa, are there any private dining pods available this evening?”
“Yes sir, major Issa, we have several, how large is your party?” She asked.
“Three including myself but I would prefer a larger pod if possible, and I would like to reserve it for the entire evening.”
“No problem sir, I’ve got you in our medium pod that sits six comfortably, will that do sir?”
“Perfect ma’am. Let’s make that for 1700 hours and please have a chilled bottle of sparkling wine, your finest bottle.”
“Yes sir, we shall see you at 1700 hours, sir.”