War of the Ancients

7.0 - Masquerade

Enlil smashed his fist down on the console, his suspicions solidified. Swiping his hand across the controls, he quickly dispersed all the holographic data suspended in mid-air. "I knew it!" He snarled. His eyes blackened, their inkiness unfathomable, as infinite as the universe. But, simmering dangerously near the surface, his rage threatened to erupt, causing all sorts of chaos.

Tattannu, Enlil's lifelong mentor and Justicar of the Niribuan kingdom, stared at the now blank console. At seven foot in height, muscular, with the characteristic sharp-angled features of the Nibiruans, Tattannu possessed an imposing mien, one which was awarded utmost respect. He flicked his fingers over the controls and sighed with relief as the suspended display sprang back to life. "Taking your angst out on our instruments will not grant us any favours, Highness."

Enlil scowled; his mentor only called him by his title when he was reprimanding him. The Prince's hands balled into fists as he leaned against the control panel. Tattannu was renowned for his level-headedness, but Enlil was not in the mood for criticism of his behaviour, especially not in light of his discovery.

"Marduk has executed a clever little stratagem, making the Martian supplies seem greater than they are by supplementing them with other planets' resources." 

The Justicar grunted and studied the images before his eyes. "The alloys he delivers are accounted for accurately, Enlil."

"Initially, yes, but if you delve into the elemental archives you will note the resources sitting within our cache do not marry up with what he first logged." 

Tattannu quickly scanned the data, looking for the evidence that the Prince insisted was there, knowing Enlil's fixation meant he would not listen to logic. The Justicar quickly ended the transmission. "Marduk serves Nibiru and our King faithfully. Why would he be depleting our resources?"

"To give Man a fighting chance!" As soon as the words left Enlil's lips, he laughed at the sheer absurdity of such an exercise. "Whatever the reason, it is no doubt being carried out under his father's orders!"

Enlil's mentor let out a deep sigh. The Prince's severe dislike for his older sibling had long been a bone of contention. Endeavouring to instil any sense into the Prince, where Enki was concerned, was a pointless exercise, yet Tattannu heard himself trying anyway. "Enki is exiled on the very planet you loathe. And his son aided in his banishment."

"All well and good, but the hero of Nibiru need not think he is impervious to suspicion. I believe he's aiding my brother, most likely in an attempt to prevent the inevitable."

"Your father will not act on mere conjecture. And your... execration of Enki is viewed merely as jealousy."

The Prince eyed his mentor with notable restraint. "No matter what I do, my father will never consider me worthy. Yet I am the one who stands by his side. I am the one who oversees operations and keeps our homeworld thriving. Enki just needed to smile, and father would give in to his every whim."

Tattannu refused to engage in his protégé's self-pity and envy of his brother. "Enlil, I must attend to other duties; I suggest you see to yours." With that, the Justicar left, his solid footsteps reverberating on the alloyed walkway.

Enlil remained at the central console, and he watched the operators and engineers as they went about their business. He started scrutinizing each one, his mind drifting back to the matter in hand.

 Marduk could not have worked alone; he would have required one or more individuals' aid, enabling his deception to go undetected. It could have been any one of the workers in the sector, but that would require further scrutiny, and the Prince did not wish to waste time and resources on investigations. He wanted action.

Nibiru was on course, its orbital trajectory moving the planet steadily towards its goal, as it did once in every 3,600 years. But Enlil could push the approach forward by launching the ships ahead of schedule - they could easily reach Earth from their current position.

Already, the humans' world was exhibiting the effects of Nibiru's approach; the increasing storms, tsunamis threatening cities, washing away lesser towns and hamlets, volcanoes turning the land to ash for miles, earthquakes swallowing and regurgitating the planet, taking some of the world's inhabitants along for the ride. Enlil could not deny the satisfaction of knowing this would be the last time Earth would be seen as a living, breathing planet, but he wanted to ensure more than just the planet's demise. 

The humans would be annihilated; of that, there was no doubt. They were created to be slaves, to provide for their masters, nothing more. But Enki, in his wisdom, had seen fit to furnish them with intellect, freedom of choice, and endorse their development. Was that why King Anu decided to leave Earth all those years ago? To allow his first-born time to play with his little minions?

He suspected, therefore, his father wanted no harm to befall Enki. Despite the King's initial agitation that his brother had seen fit to allow Earthlings to think beyond their shackles,  Anu's heart still beat with pride when it came to his eldest son. 

Instead of eradicating the traitor and accomplices, the King participated in a game. He appeared Godly to Man, pronouncing Enki as an adversary, a nemesis. But, was that perhaps a ruse? Did Anu, in fact, support Enki's plan to help Man evolve?  No! Surely not. It was not a practice he'd engaged in with other planets. The King was a ruthless man, he had to be for his people to survive.  No, all that exercise achieved was the bolstering of Enki's ego, permission for him to continue on Earth helping to ripen Man's intellect. It was no punishment as Sud insisted. It was a masquerade - the King had been lenient!

So, why bother ordering Enlil to investigate Marduk? Grinding his fists against the console again, he considered the possibilities. 

And then the most disturbing thoughts crossed Enlil's mind. The King wanted Enlil to know his place - beneath that of his precious brother and even Enki's offspring. Conceivably, the King could be well aware of the depleted stock. Perhaps that was why supplies were being sent to Earth - not for Mankind to try and defend the world, but for the Fallen Prince - the Prodigal Son - to return. 

Word Count:- 1,056