Having worshipped at God's feet for the best part of twenty-five years, Father Hendrie should know better - nightmares are only a fabrication of an over-active imagination. But the dreams which haunt him are terrifyingly vivid and all are somehow li...
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The console flickered into life, sending a streak of golden light coursing throughout the deck. It ran along the floor, up the walls, bleeding into all the geometrical panels, continuing overhead, humming as it spread. In its wake, symbols materialised, their texts ancient and sacred. The ship had awakened.
The gold light soon snaked its way down into the belly of the ship, illuminating the entire craft. In the hull, enormous pods, stationed side by side, contained occupants still held within a deep sleep. As the light sped around the compartment and kissed the domed surfaces, the capsules started to open. Systematically, the hiss from their unsealing mingled with the soft hum from the light.
Gradually the sleepers awakened. Their movements were slow, lethargic at first, but a burst of vitality soon helped them leave their slumber well behind.
Close on a hundred and fifty individuals arose, each one tall, with alabaster skin and large black eyes. Their features were strangely beautiful but equally unearthly.
Greeting each other as they emerged, they all gravitated towards the centre of the enormous chamber, towards another capsule that was kept separate from the rest. But, the pod was empty, appearing to have been vacated for a considerable time.
Confused mumblings passed between the gathering until a deep voice spoke from behind. "Your time for rest has ended. Now we must rise from the depths."
The Fallen turned to face their Prince. Dressed in a simple vermillion tunic, with intricate golden cuneiform around the hem and neckline, Enki stood, poised, courageous. He moved along the line of attentive faces, his leather caligae creaking slightly, as he walked across the metal floor.
"A high number of us remained vigilant while you've slept," he said, his voice steady, carrying the characteristic two-tone reverberation of his race. "And we have been preparing the way for what we know is inevitable."
Mumblings simmered, but no one spoke outright; they waited patiently for the Prince to continue. "Over the past three weeks, Earth has been beset by many storms, earthquakes and eruptions; much more than is considered 'normal'. The people are frightened, suffering and dying. Some humans believe it is Armaggedon, the end of the world." A reflective smile stretched Enki's lips. "We know it... as Nibiru."
He stopped and faced the Fallen squarely. "The King is advancing, and war is now a certainty."
As Enki turned, his black hair, pulled taut in a thick braid, rippled down his back. Retracing his steps in front of his rapt crew, he continued. "We have been furnished with the necessary alloys to repair our ships and expand our armouries. We are ready. Now go to your stations, and when I give the signal, our battalion will rise."
The crew dispersed, orderly, and soon only Enki and one other was left in the chamber.
"Our son has served us well," Damkina said as she handed Enki his weapon of choice - a large curved sword, not unlike a khopesh, but with a technologically powered hilt. It could sever an enemy in two, by blade or by laser.
The Prince attached the sword to his belt, smiling wanly. "Yes, he has, but I remain concerned."
Damkina frowned. "You worry too much, my love. Marduk has worked covertly and effectively to help bring what we need to protect Mankind and those innocents left on Nibiru. He is good at what he does."
"Hmm," Enki mumbled.
"You doubt him?"
The Prince gently held his wife's hands. Damkina's beliefs had established a steady reassurance amongst their kin during their initial centuries on the planet. She'd firmly voiced that they could counter whatever the Annunaki attempted to undermine Earth. And for the most part, she'd been right. But things were changing.
"Damkina, listen to me. I know Marduk was young and vain - still is - and he was desperate to earn the King's favour. But, when he led my father's armies, I know he didn't want to believe Anu would betray us, or that our fate was already sealed. Not only was our exile seen as treachery in Marduk's eyes, but equally, his grandfather's deception over the good people of Nibiru has plagued our son with endless guilt. He is trying to serve two sides, albeit for the greater good."
"I know," Damkina agreed, her heart aching with both pride and sorrow. "But in a strange way, through his guilt, we have been given a chance. We are renewed, stronger than when first we were exiled. Thanks to our son and those humans willing to work with us, our technology has endured here on Earth, progressed even."
"The weight of guilt mixed with his sense of invincibility can also make Marduk careless, less astute, perhaps reckless."
The Prince turned from Damkina and proceeded to run diagnostics on the pods from a nearby control panel. It was a task he did not ordinarily perform, but the need to distance himself from his wife's unshakeable maternal instincts was necessary. Enki loved their son just as fiercely as Damkina but, he also knew how easily Marduk's vanity could spell his doom, so in his attempt to dodge the conversation, Enki methodically calibrated the capsules using holographic symbols.
"Enki! We are talking about Marduk!" Damkina defended, tugging at his arm, pulling him to face her again. "He is still revered as the finest warrior Nibiru ever produced, and it was you who helped him to make the rank!"
The Prince gave his wife his full attention once more with a deep sigh. "That was in days of old, Damkina. Once my father realises the resources Marduk shipped to Nibiru were divided and reserves sent to us, he will seek our son's head and slaughter all who aided him; the numbers too great to comprehend."
"Husband, I know we will fight hard and courageously, but I'm not stupid. I understand our lives could be forfeited, and yes, that includes Marduk and the innocent people of Nibiru. It is a risk that has always been present. And yes, I know that hopes for this planet to survive are now futile. But we have a new prospect, a real chance for all of us, and that is in the final stages as we speak."
Although her heart looked towards a different future now, Damkina never lost hope; it was part of why Enki loved his wife so deeply.
But, equally, he was no fool. He knew one day his father would return with a pertinacious determination to drain the Earth's resources and leave it a lifeless husk. That was the nature of King Anu, a family trait Enki was thankful that he did not inherit.
Enlil, however, was more like their father than he, himself, would care to admit. He was even more ruthless - if that was at all possible. If Enlil's persuasive methods fueled the King, Enki sensed this war could bring an end to him and his family. More worryingly still, it could predict the beginning of a new reign, one where Enlil would rule absolute.
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