by Gene Stiles
The spring sunshine was a warm welcome as the four stepped out on the gigantic, marble-pillared veranda that looked down upon the vast city from the top of the low hillock in the center of the bustling metropolis. Fragrant, colorful blossoms hung from bright green vines entwined in the wooden latticework of the roof filtering the light into a stunning array of misty yellow beams. More flowering vines crept up and around the stone columns and along the white-painted, low fences between them. Paths of bleached-white sand wound through gardens of polished granite statues and artistically trimmed bushes.
In the middle of the beautiful garden sat a large, round, polished mahogany table heaped with fruits, steamed vegetables and simmering meats. Cut crystal pitchers were filled with red and white wines and icy-cold water. Fresh rounds of hard-crusted bread sat next to sliced wedges of cheese and bowls of spicy yellow mustard. A few, white-robed servers stood to one side awaiting their guests with small towels and bright smiles.
“Now I see why you are adding a few pounds,” Zeus said lightly as he pulled out a plushly padded chair. “There is enough here to feed an entire squad of hungry Aam.”
“You, too, Zeus?” Ra said with a chuckle. “Since when did my weight become such a humorous topic?”
“Since it became so noticeable,” the ebony-skinned Astraeus replied coolly. He took a large platter from one of the servers and began loading it with baked chicken, braised bull, boiled red potatoes and a large chunk of honey-coated bread. He filled his goblet with red wine and licked his wide lips in anticipation.
“You are one to speak, Astraeus!” Isis commented as she put only a few choice items on her plate. “You outweigh Ra by fifty pounds at least!”
“Yes,” the massive man said through mouthfuls of succulents, “but I am much more solid than he is.” Astraeus rubbed his wide, stone-hard waist. “I need to fuel this finely tuned machine and keep up my strength.”
The friends laughed loudly and took time to enjoy their feast before turning to more serious subjects. The plates were cleared and the servers disappeared after taking the leftovers back to the kitchens, leaving only the wines, water and sweetbreads behind.
“There is a question I have always been meaning to ask,” Zeus said, wiping crumbs from his curly, red beard. “Why is it you chose to build your administration buildings away from your pyramids instead of within them?” Looking out at the incredible edifices rising in the distance, Zeus was in awe of their gold-crowned, majestic peaks. “They are the most amazing structures I have ever seen. Fantastically beautiful.”
“Thank you,” Ra responded, sipping on his red wine. “We are very proud of them. However, they are not intended for residences.” He looked questioningly at Astraeus and Isis and saw them nod slightly. “They serve far more important purposes.”
“You have been the shield that protects our lands,” Ra said as he gazed at the Olympian. “You have put your life and the life of your people in harm’s way to keep Cronus at bay. We cannot thank you enough.”
“You have aided us for decades,” Zeus said, his strangely golden eyes darkening. “You helped us at Home. You gave us sanctuary and the tools to build our own city. You hid our location from Atlantis and gave us weapons to defend ourselves until we could create our own and without the help of Raet, many more would have died when Olympia fell. It is now our time. We owe you this much and more. Thank you.”
“You are more than welcome,” Isis said with a warm smile. “All people deserve a place of peace and security. Yet, you have never asked why we have not taken a more direct role in the conflicts between you and the Lord Father.”
“I always believed it was because you knew it was a ‘family’ matter and did not concern you,” Zeus said, cocking his head to one side as he looked curiously at the beautiful woman. “I respect your desire to keep your own people safe above all others.”
“That is not the only reason,” Ra said firmly. He stared into the distance as his mind traveled back in time. “Back when I was Ramathus, Captain of the Atlantean ship Morning Star, I hated many of the policies of the Lord Father and the Twelve. We all did. His treatment of the Izon, bloodkin of the People, appalled us. His use of the Black Guard to intimidate the citizens and force them to bend to his will enraged us. That is why we were more than happy to spend our time at sea.”
“We thought the mission to find iridium here on a new, vast, uninhabited continent would take us far from the growing horrors of Atlantis,” Ra continued, stroking his squared jawline. “Instead, we found a land crushed under the heel of our very own star-faring ancestors who had crashed here many thousands of years ago while searching for us. All of the atrocities we fled were here, visited upon the Izon a hundredfold at the hands of Apophus and those who considered themselves gods.”
“As in Atlantis back then,” Astraeus injected, his onyx eyes glittering, “most of the Nillian People were kind and hated the actions of the original Trinity. But, also like our own people, they saw the Izon as mere work animals and not as kin. Our Nillian brethren have told us that Apophus and his cronies were aberrations among them just as Cronus had become. Even the most outspoken among the Nil lived in fear and did not have the power to oppose their rulers.”
“We could not tolerate such foulness again,” Ra continued gravely. “Once we found the technology of the lost ship, we had the means to defeat Apophus and free all of the people. It also gave us the ability to keep Cronus at bay and the chance to build a world of our own choosing.”
“I know of your history,” Zeus said, pondering their words, “but how does all that relate to my original question? Why your offices and private quarters not within the pyramids?”
“Ah, yes,” Ra replied with a nod. “I regress somewhat, but it is important for your understanding. Are you aware the Nillians were once called Cydonians and their ship and tech come from the far off, ancient star-spanning empire built by the descendants of Atlan that escaped to the Sirius system?”
“I had heard those rumors,” Zeus answered with a disbelieving smile. “Are you telling me they are true?”
“It is,” Isis assured him. “You have noticed the oddly oblong skulls of our Nillian brethren?” At his affirmation, she continued. “That was caused by millions of years of evolution on worlds of far different environments. While we slept in stasis for eons, they changed. In many ways, they are smarter than we are. They can easily grasp concepts that boggle my mind and their sciences are so far ahead of ours that we are primitive in comparison. Without the help of these good people, we would never have understood the incredible wealth of knowledge in their ship’s data banks.”
“And now to the crux of the matter,” Ra said gravely. His raptor-like eyes narrowed and his wide brow furrowed. A light breezed blew in from the river and ruffled his hair. It sent a chill across his bare chest and raised bumps on his red-tinted skin. “There is a coming storm that will overtake this world and it could – and I say could – be more devastating than a war with Cronus.”
“This world is heating up,” he said, biting out the words. “There is a marked increase in volcanic eruptions on the other side of the planet and a dramatic shift in the tectonic plates.” Ra stared hard at Zeus and spoke grimly. “We predict a climate change as radical as when Atlan slammed the asteroid into the earth that killed the great saurus that once roamed here.”
“Within the Great Pyramid is a device that will send a faster-than-light message to Cydonia asking for help,” Ra concluded as his gaze shifted to the mammoth structures on the horizon. “If their science cannot stop the coming cataclysm, we hope they can evacuate humanity and take us all to a new, peaceful home among the stars.”
Zeus felt a huge stone drop into the pit of his stomach. As if fighting Cronus was not enough. How could he protect his people from nature gone mad? But the stars? This world was their home. They had fought for it. Died for it. Carved out cities and towns and raised their families here. He would not give up on it so easily.
“What makes you think any other planet might be better or more peaceful?” Zeus said, his golden eyes hooded as he pondered their words. “Just because the Nillians and this Cydonian Empire are more evolved and advanced does not mean they are a better race of humanity.” He stood up from the table and looked out at the stunning vista of a city bathed in the Creator’s brilliant light. “You have something extraordinary here in Nil, my friends, yet it is built upon foundations of pain and suffering by a group of these same ‘advanced’ Cydonians. Apophus and his ilk believed themselves superior to all other races on this one planet and enslaved them.”
Staring hard at the Trinity, Zeus said, “They showed the same cruelty and viciousness we see throughout the Atlantean empire and within individuals of all breeds of humanity. Did they do the same thing as they expanded into the universe? Did they use force to create their type of peace by stepping upon the corpses of those who opposed them? Just look at the weaponry you developed from their knowledge. Look at their armor.”
Zeus shook his head, his face dour and dark. “These are not instruments of peace. What you do here is dangerous. Your message might bring help, but it could just as easily bring an army of invaders. Think well on what you are planning to do.”
“We have,” Ra said, disappointed that Zeus did not see the benefits of becoming part of a galaxy-spanning society. “What you have heard today is only a fragment of what we know. If you had more information, I do believe you would see things our way.”
“Perhaps,” Zeus agreed solemnly, troubled and unconvinced. “Still, I ask you to think of this before you send a message you cannot take back.” He waved his hand over the beautiful landscape spread out before them. “You stayed here to build your own society based on freedom, tolerance and peace the same we did with Home and Olympia. Why give that up to be part of someone else’s vision? A vision you have no way of knowing is compatible with your own.”
“Your point is well taken,” Isis assured him, for the first time feeling a touch out doubt nibble at the edges of her mind. She arose and brushed a few breadcrumbs from the red-linen shift that draped her well-curved body from shoulder to mid-thigh in waves of soft, light cloth. “But, if I may, could I point out a couple of things you may not have thought of?”
“But of course, Lady,” Zeus replied, not as affected by her sensuous, fluid grace as most men were. Yes, he noticed her striking beauty, but it was her logic, intelligence and strength of heart that he admired more. Isis held his respect as strongly as most wished to hold her arms.
“You mention the use of force,” Isis said, handing Zeus the goblet of wine he had left on the table. “Yes, there is evil in all humanity. There are those who use power of any kind for their own vile purposes and personal gain, true. But if a civilization is to grow and improve itself, it can only be done from a position of strength. Having power in the right hands keeps those who would abuse it from trampling on the freedoms of others. It allows us to pursue loftier philosophies, find peaceful uses for science and technology to improve the lives of all peoples.”
“Without the ability and willingness to use force for protection,” Isis told him as she placed a soft hand upon Zeus’ arm, “society cannot grow.”
“Look at all you see around you, my friend,” the deep bass voice of Astraeus rumbled. “Do you think all of this would have been possible if it were not for the fact that our military might is equal to or greater than that of Atlantis? Is it not that we are willing to fight for our people that keeps Cronus from our shores and allows us to live in peace?”
“Yet, he is – or was – on your shores,” Zeus reminded him coldly.
“Yes,” Astraeus conceded, leaning back in his chair. “And it was your use of force that kept him at bay.”
“Granted,” Zeus acknowledged, understanding what they were trying to say. He turned back to the table where Astraeus and Ra still sat, Isis at his side. “I will need your help if we are to be able to continue doing so.”
“I promise we will address that,” Ra responded with a stiff nod. He took a small length of leather from his belt and tied his flowing, blond locks at the base of his thick, sinewy neck. The breeze was rising and he did not like his hair blowing in his face. “I wanted you to understand why we have not entered the fray as yet. The Message is important to us. All our efforts are on protecting our home and completing the system before the coming catastrophe.”
“If you men will quit interrupting me,” Isis said with a slight grin, “I would like to finish what I was saying to Zeus.”
“Oh, you poor woman,” Ra quipped with a small smile, hoping to alleviate some of the fog of tension encircling around them. “Please forgive us foul creatures. I ask you to continue…before your feeble female mind forgets what you deem so important.”
“Feeble female mind?” Isis bit back as Astraeus bellowed. Even Zeus could not help but chuckle softly. Sparks flashed in her jade green eyes, but the quirk at the corner of her well-shaped lips showed they were only in jest. “You will pay for that, ‘Lord Ra’, and soon.”
“Of that, I have no doubt,” Ra replied with a raise of an eyebrow.
“The other thing I was going to say before I was so rudely interrupted,” Isis said in a playful huff, “was you should look again at our weapons, friend Zeus.” Her tone became serious once again as she spoke. “The camouflage systems, the EM pulse devices we improved upon and even the Raven drones are all defensive weapons. The warbirds, plasma cannons and Condensed Light rifles are all Atlantean designs, not Nillian. Even the famous bows of Lelantos are of Olympian design, not ours.”
“But the armor is Nillian,” Zeus responded coolly, retaking his seat at the table and refreshing his wine. “I have witnessed its destructive power.”
“That you have,” Isis answered calmly, “but think again. Did Raet attack the armies of Cronus first or did she only respond to their assault?”
“Oh,” Zeus said, suddenly realizing what Isis was driving at. Unconsciously, he stroked his wavy, red beard as he remembered that horrible day in terrifying, sickening detail. “I see.”
“The armor is Cydonian, not Nillian,” Ra added pointedly. He called out and a server magically appeared. Zeus did not hear what was said, but the man hurried away inside. “If not for that, none of us would be here. We found the armor when we searched the crashed Cydonian spaceship. Apophus did not have it. If he did, he would have crushed us and all of Atlantis.”
“There were only six suits of battle armor in the craft,” Isis said as she gazed at Zeus. “If the Cydonians had wanted them to invade a civilization, why were there not enough for all their troops? At that, why were they designed so elegantly in the shape of fierce animals and birds? Why not make them more functional than artistic?”
“I do not know,” Zeus said softly. He was beginning to formulate ideas, but he was not sure of his conclusions. Better to listen than assume.
The servant came back to the table and handed Ra a helmet, retreating quickly into the garden once again. Ra passed it to Zeus, saying nothing at first. The metallic, golden-beaked hawk looked vicious and ferocious with its mouth wide open in a soundless battle cry. The onyx eyebrows arched downward below its brow of silver and black feathers with a look of deadly anger.
Zeus had seen it before on Ra’s head, but never so close he could touch it. The cowl of purple and gold stripes that surrounded the face and flowed onto the table was also made of metal, but it felt supple, almost soft beneath his fingertips. The sun-like globe that sat between the upraised horns centered in the solid gold crown that encircled the hood swirled as if it were alive. Zeus touched it and was surprised to find it warm beneath his hand.
“This is beyond incredible,” Zeus murmured, awed by the feel and artistry of the helmet. “What is it made of?”
“That we do not know,” Ra replied honestly. He took possession of the helmet again and stared into its face. “We do know none of the materials can be found on this earth. It cannot be duplicated
. None of the suits of armor can be and I thank the Creator for that. Such power,” he whispered reverently.
“This is what we do know about it,” Isis said fully appreciating the look of wonder on Zeus’ face. She felt it herself whenever she donned one of these magnificent creations. “The Cydonians gave the armor such visages just to incite such awe as you are feeling now. From what we read in the ship’s archives was their purpose was to instill a sense of beauty and majesty…and maybe a touch of fear…into the hearts and minds of any humanoid race they might find on other worlds. That very shock could stave off any aggressive behavior at the very beginning.”
“In case it did not,” the dark-skinned Astraeus added, “the armor is impregnable to any known weapon including projectile arms such as the aeros of Lelantos.”
“Lastly,” Isis said, taking the hawk helmet from Ra, “the orbs on the crowns, on the staffs and on the chest plates can absorb and reflect back any known energy.”
“I witnessed that in Olympia,” Zeus acknowledged grimly, remembering Raet standing before the army of Iapetus. “Devastating.”
“Yes,” Isis agreed, “but, again, only in self-defense and in the defense of others. The orbs and the circuitry in the armor retain little power on their own. They only come alive when they are attacked.”
“Think, friend Zeus,” she finished, reaching out to gently grasp his forearm. “What does that tell you of the Cydonian people? They seek to avoid conflict in any way they can, act only in self-defense and yet have incredible power. Does this sound like tyrannical invaders to you?”
“No,” Zeus conceded reluctantly, unsure of the thoughts that still plagued his mind. “No, it does not. However, as we all know, defensive weapons can become offensive in the wrong hands. You tell me this ship crashed here over thirty-thousand years ago. Who rules these Cydonians now? What is their society like after all these millenniums? We have absolutely no way of knowing.”