The Annunaki War

Jericho

Adom and Cava hovered over Lot's gravestone, paying their respects to the man who had saved them from nuclear fire. Though they had spent years trekking through the desert, making camp with other refugees, this was the first time they had ever felt truly lost. Lot had been like a father to them both, ever since the resistance had been nearly destroyed in a single blow. Many times, they had spoken of their lives before this war; how simple and uninteresting they had been. Cava longed for some of that simplicity now, though she knew it would never come. Now, as the walls of Jericho rose above, some two hundred meters behind them, she began to eulogize him.

"Lot was an uncommon man. He went through trials and tribulations most of us can't handle, and he did it so that we would never have to. He witnessed his own wife lose her life to the cause, yet he never wavered. A father to us, as well as to countless unborn children who will owe their existence to him, he was a beacon of hope to all who dared to dream of something greater than slavery. He spoke and walked with the gods, and lived to tell of it; that others might realize this dream. Now, it's up to us to see this through. Goodbye, my friend. May we meet again someday." 

Cava leaned down to kiss the top of the grave marker, followed by Adom. As she wiped a tear from her cheek, wrinkled with age, she turned and raised her eyes to Jericho, now no more than a short hike east. "Well," she took Adom's hand as they said in unison, "Let's do this."

Across the Jordan River, Moses stood with his chosen successor, Joshua, as they prepared to storm the city. Finally, after so much time wandering though the scorching, dry desert, would they have a city to call home again. According to Yahwew, the city of Jericho was destined to be a stronghold for the Israelites, from which they would spread forth and deliver Yahwew's law to the world. Inspecting the city now, it seemed an insurmountable challenge. The walls of the city, renowned for its precious metals exports, rose more than 30 meters, and were as impenetrable as a city wealthy in gold could build. Inside, the heathans loyal to Annu and his ilk schemed for the eradication of Yahwew's law. Cloaked in the protection of brick and mortar, all manner of sinful activity went on inside. The walls must be brought down, and the city sacked, if Yahwews' law was to spread. As he looked upon the city, Moses' resolve began to crack. He was too old for this sort of thing; too weakened by his time as a wandering hermit. And so, he had chosen Joshua, still young and virile, to take his place as Yahwew's crier. 

"Are you ready, my son?" Moses asked him.

"Yes, elder," Joshua nodded. "Yahwews' word will not be ignored any longer. Let us cleanse this city together!"

"No, Joshua. I cannot go with you."

"What?" Joshua had counted on Moses' council after the battle. After all, he knew nothing of politics. He was a warrior, trained by the best fighters among the group. "I will need your council, elder."

"No. You need only the council of Yahwew. He is your elder, not I. I am merely an old servant. Too old. I would not be any help to you with what is to come."

"Surely, there is a place for you here, in the new order?"

"My place in the order is secure, Joshua. I have delivered you this far, and have been the voice of Yawhew. The rest is up to you." He removed the ram's horn, strapped to his back, and passed it to Joshua. "Circle the city once a day for seven days, blowing the horn each time.. Do this, and on the seventh day the walls shall crumble underneath the weight of the sound. These are the instructions of Yahwew."

"I don't understand. how can sound...?"

"It can because your god has commanded that it is so. Do this, and the power of Yahwew shall become clear to you, clearer than it has ever been."

"Yes Moses, I believe in the power of Yahwew. "

"I have but one more thing to offer you, Joshua." Moses reached in his satchel and produced a booklet, many hundreds of pages long, made of papyrus scrolls and bound together with rams hair. "The word of god," he announced. "Bestowed upon me by Yawhew himself on Mount Sinai, and written by me during our travels. Take it, and use the lessons you find in it to guide you into the future. Make sure others read it as well. For within is the secret of a safe and secure society."

"Yes, Moses." Joshua cautiously tucked the book away in his own satchel.

"Now," Moses embraced Joshua with open arms. "Go, my son. Restore peace and justice to Yahwews' land."