War of the Ancients

12.0 - Blindsided

Apart from a soft, hypnotic hum emanating from the ship's core, the hyperbaric chamber was tranquil, the soft golden light pulsing around its walls. The section had a mellow ambience, perfect considering the room's purpose with its many pods. The large capsules were empty, bar one; its occupant - Bill's housekeeper. 

Janet's hawkish features appeared softer as she slept within the large receptacle, but one individual knew the wiry woman would remain a nuisance. 

Inanna stood beside the pod, closely watching the housekeeper's face for the slightest indication that she was stirring from the inertia cypher painted on her brow. Thankfully, the sedative was still effective, but there was no way of knowing for how much longer. Inanna's eyes lifted as footsteps neared. Marduk approached.

The warrior stopped at the foot of the pod. "She still out cold? He asked abruptly.

Inanna nodded. "Yes, but for how long, I don't know. I can guarantee my spell's effectiveness when no other is present, but I sensed the trace of another glyph."

"To keep her from being discovered?"

"Evidently, but it was a sophisticated cypher with an underlying potency. I can't decrypt its capabilities," Inanna replied, frustrated. "Regardless, I can't believe we were so easily blindsided." She walked around the pod to stand next to the warrior. 

"Don't beat yourself up about it," Marduk reassured, taking her hand. "She fooled me, too. Like you, I didn't warm to her, but I never suspected anything covert - until the other night when I saw her transform while she snuck around Bill's garden. I don't know what she was doing, but the fact she'd kept her identity a secret made me uneasy."

Inanna lightly squeezed Marduk's hand. "Well, I'm glad you uncovered her duplicity because I've been yearning for an excuse to silence her." A playful grin graced the goddess's lips.

Marduk laughed lightly. "At first, I gave her the benefit of the doubt, assuming she'd only adopted a human persona to blend in, as we have. But something didn't feel right."

"Not like you to be so gullible, Marduk," Inanna teased. "Disguises are not used to remain incognito to our kind." 

Marduk nodded. "We're all working towards the common goal, or, at least, we should be," he responded. His eyes were ablaze, almost molten. 

In something akin to a low growl, Inanna uttered, "How many more are shielding their identities from us?"

"Yes, and with what objective?"

The goddess raised her eyes to meet the warrior's rapt expression and cleared her throat before asking her next question. "Your father, he knew nothing about this?" 

The intensity in Marduk's stare hadn't eased. "No," he replied, shaking his head. "I could tell by his reaction when we arrived. He was oblivious." 

It was an observation Inanna had also noted, but there was no relief in her tone when she next spoke. "So, it strongly suggests she has to be on the king's - or Enlil's - payroll."

Marduk straightened. He could not deny Inanna's thesis. "Indeed. There is no other logical reason for her covert behaviour. Still, I need to find out before we break the news to my father."

Inanna placed her hand on the warrior's forearm. "Our time is limited, perilously so! We are, without doubt, heading to war anyway, so what good will it do? We could try to keep her sedated and worry about her allegiances after."

Marduk covered her hand with his. "Of course. And then maybe there will be an end to the war before it even starts."

At that, Inanna laughed out loud. "Since when did you, Marduk the great warrior, avoid an opportunity to show off your fighting skills?"

"I was being sarcastic." 

"So was I." The two Annunaki laughed, but again, their humour was strained.

"I know my grandfather is fierce by nature and feels more than a twinge of schadenfreude after executing his orders." Marduk paused, glancing at the sleeping housekeeper and rallying his thoughts. "But, Earth does not warrant such a merciless fate," he said decisively, turning to face Inanna again. "There is huge potential for Man to become more advanced."

"That is exactly what Anu fears. Remember the wars between our people aeons ago! Because of Man's rebellious nature, which was conceived as nothing short of treason and blasphemy, the councils could not agree on the continuum of this planet. People had stopped worshipping us; they chose to renounce and deny what we'd accomplished and created for them. Instead, they glorified and followed those who spoke against us. The final insult came when they conceived mythical deities to idolise." 

 The warrior prince towered over the goddess, his stance challenging. "You agree with the councils' decisions?"

Inanna stumbled back, surprised by Marduk's accusation. "No! Not at all!" she attested. She stepped closer, daring to reach out to the furious warrior. He flinched as her hand rested on his forearm. "How can you even think that of me, Marduk? No, but the cold, harsh reality is that we lost so many of our kin long ago because the heads of state could not agree. We must not repeat our past mistakes." 

"So, what do you suggest, Inanna? The king will continue to destroy planets. When he commanded the Great Flood to rid this planet of life, he didn't stop to think what it would cost our people - those who'd invested in Man. No! His plan for destruction failed then, thanks to Enki. But Anu then shackled my father and all who shared his vision to this floating rock as punishment. The king has again set his sights on Earth, our home. We must defend it."

"And what of Nibiru? That, too, is our home, our heritage." 

Marduk held Inanna's gaze, but he knew not how best to answer her question. All he could do was clasp her hand.