‘He’s an immortal,’ Rhun concluded, most interested in Thais’ statement. ‘And as none of the Chosen were even aware of the legend of Lahmu until recently, chances are Nova isn’t one of us.’ He narrowed the possibilities down considerably. ‘Holy heck. He has to be one of the Pantheon!’ Rhun was so shocked, he laughed.
‘Correct,’ Thais granted. ‘Now, there are only a half dozen Nefilim with us, and well disposed towards the human races. There were even fewer who were well disposed towards humans prior to the Gathering, fifty years ago.’
‘There was only Gibal, Micah and Micah’s spouse, Shala.’ Brian, being knowledgeable about political history, named the Gods in question. ‘Nabu was on our side then, or rather, he was secretly allied to Marduk. But who can say if he really was pro the human cause and not just a spy for Nergal?’
‘Gibal has the Aten for mobility and was the closest associate to Marduk during his banishment.’ Rhun made his guess at the DJ’s true persona.
‘But it was Micah who jumped into the arena to come to our defence.’ Brian leant more towards this Lord as the prime suspect. ‘And it was Micah who made us aware of the legend in the first place.’
‘But how can we be sure the DJ is an ally?’ Rhun decided to play devil’s advocate for a moment. ‘Nova could be some long-term Nefilim insurance policy, designed specifically to snare Lahmu should he ever arise from legend to challenge them.’
‘Well,’ Thais raised his eyebrows to point out, ‘he was right about Tashmet not being on Nugia.’
‘Yes, he was, wasn’t he,’ Brian admitted, and it gave him hope that the DJ’s report on Kila was also true. ‘Then, perhaps, once you find the rebel base on Karleashian you could try and get word to us via the DJ?’
The suggestion made Thais smile for he knew this meant his departure was imminent.
‘The rest of us shall seek you out as soon as we batten down the hatches here on Nugia.’ Brian placed a hand on his advisor’s shoulder in encouragement. ‘By the next time we meet, we shall know for sure just how helpful and accurate the DJ’s information truly is.’
Thais took a deep breath, not wanting to consider the possibility that his quest might turn out to be a complete farce. ‘That we will, Governor … that we will.’
16
THE PAST CALLING
Their immediate desire exhausted overnight, it was difficult to part in the knowledge that they would never know the intimacy of the other’s touch again.
Dressed, and awaiting the patter of tiny feet, Hawk sat on the floor against the wall in the tech-room and Tory sat curled up between his legs, cradled inside his arms and wings.
‘Where is the power to create my own reality now?’ Tory cuddled closer, wanting to curl up inside this man and be carried around within him forever.
Hawk kissed the top of her head, breathing deep her scent, committing it to memory. ‘I do believe that halting time or altering history are even beyond your scope …’ he was going to say Swan, but recalling her true name decided to use it. ‘Tory.’
‘No!’ She shifted herself so as to look Hawk in the face. ‘Please don’t call me that. We don’t know for sure … it could all just be some terrible misunderstanding.’
Hawk shook his head, sorrowfully, having little doubt. ‘If we expect the worst, then we can only be pleasantly surprised … right?’ His smile was strained.
Tory gasped at his words. ‘Expect the worst and that’s exactly what you’ll get.’ The difference in their belief systems was suddenly very obvious to Hawk and Tory could feel his hellish past preventing him from being able to accept her view. His fear of losing his newfound love exceeded even her own. ‘Screw this for a joke.’ Tory rose to open the hatch door.
‘What’s wrong?’ Hawk got to his feet. ‘Where are you going?’
‘To find out the truth.’ Tory kissed Hawk and then vanished into thin air.
Tory manifested before the soul she sought. He was in the kitchen with Chook and Seagull, gaping in awe at her sudden appearance.
If the Goddess was teleporting herself about, Crow figured she was no longer wearing the restraining module. A glance at her wrist confirmed his horror and he made a quick getaway out of the kitchen.
‘Where do you think you’re going?’ Tory appeared in Crow’s path and scared the wits out of him.
‘You wanted to see me, Swan?’ He halted short of colliding with her and backed up, playing naive.
‘What’s my real name?’ Her query seemed to alarm Crow all the more and before he had a chance to deny anything, Tory strode forth and placed the palm of her right hand over his third eye to extract the answer for herself.
Tory backed away from Crow shaking her head, tears of shock beginning to stream down her face. ‘I am Tory Alexander.’ She looked at the floor as she tried to recall her previous existence. When she could not she looked back at Crow. ‘I cannot believe that even after I saved your life, you still continued to lie to me.’
‘I wanted to tell you what I knew,’ he appealed, truly remorseful at his failure. ‘But after our run-in in the munitions room, I knew you’d kill me.’
‘Well, somebody should,’ commented Seagull, who had come to stand outside the kitchen hatch with Chook to watch the proceedings.
Crow did his best to ignore the cook and stayed focused on Tory. She was the first female whose company he truly treasured, and it was only now that he was losing her friendship that he realised how much it meant to him. ‘You seemed so happy here, and Hawk was so —’
‘Don’t you dare pretend that you give a damn! You left me for dead. Answer my queries and then I never want to speak with you ever again.’
Tory didn’t have to threaten violence. The look of betrayal on her face was more cutting than the ultra-violet setting on an EMS wand. ‘What do you wish to know?’ Crow asked, more open to her will than he’d ever been.
‘Why does Nergal want me dead?’
Crow raised his brow in surprise as if the answer were elementary. ‘You are the most beloved leader of your people,’ he said honestly, for he’d not had to ask Nergal his reasons for wanting Tory Alexander taken prisoner; not after her brother’s performance in the arena. ‘By killing you, Nergal hoped to rile your brother, Brian Alexander, the Governor of Kila and the suspected fulfiller of the prophecy of Lahmu. Your husband is Maelgwn Gwynedd —’ Crow’s eyes shot to his brother as he came downstairs to join the conversation. He felt sorry that Hawk had become so attached to a married woman, but Crow continued the explanation as was Tory’s wish. ‘Better known as the Dragon, he is, from what I can gather, privy to some secret knowledge that the Pantheon is not. For your death was meant to provoke the ex-Governor of Kila into confronting Nergal, and the Lord then planned to entrap and probe the Dragon for information. Originally, Nergal had planned to penetrate the Dragon’s mind once he’d joined the Pantheon of Twelve. He knew the Chosen One would not refuse the position offered, because the human tribes would lose one of their few spokesmen in the Senate. But the Dragon did the unexpected and waived the position in favour of his Vice, your brother. This move convinced Nergal that Maelgwn must be hiding something … maybe he even suspected that the Dragon might be the prophesied Lahmu. Anyhow, as your brother was a virtual nobody politically, Nergal never even suspected him of being the promised one. If he had, he never would have connived to get your brother into a contest with a Lahmuian mutant. The Head of the Pantheon was sure that the young Governor would perish in the arena and thus, your husband would be forced to assume the position in the Senate.’ Crow took a breath and gave Tory a chance to absorb the information.
Hawk had sunk to a seat on the stairs, his face as pale as a sheet. Chook and Seagull were leaning on opposite sides of the kitchen hatchway, also engrossed in the tale.
‘As it was, Brian Alexander tamed the mutant as per the prophecy,’ Crow summed up. ‘Instead of accepting the seat in the Senate, he declared war on the Pantheon and split it down the centre. Over half the Nefilim
present took a stand alongside Lahmu, against Nergal. That’s when Nergal realised he’d unleashed his ultimate nightmare. His vanity demanded revenge on Brian Alexander for challenging him in the arena and living to tell of it. I was Nergal’s agent in Chaliada at the time. Before your brother’s flight had even left the Senate capital on Nibiru, I had been assigned the mission of kidnapping you.’
Tory was dumbfounded, and searching for a handle on the moment she looked to Hawk, who couldn’t speak he was so mortified by the truth.
‘He didn’t know anything about it,’ Crow informed Tory. ‘Hawk hadn’t seen me for years at that stage.’
‘I know,’ she replied, and before Crow had time to wonder how she knew, Tory changed the subject. ‘So Nergal still believes I am dead?’
Crow nodded. ‘To the best of my knowledge.’
Tory recalled the first day that she’d awoken on the Bil-me and of the ship that had been in pursuit of their craft. ‘But, someone came looking for me. Do you know anything about the necklace I gave away?’ She probed further. ‘Who gave it to me?’
‘Maybe your husband.’ Crow hazarded a guess. ‘I really don’t know.’
In retrospect, Tory considered her actions might have been a bit rash in that instance, but as there was little point in worrying about it now, she turned her mind to other matters. ‘So where are Lahmu and the Dragon to be found?’
Crow shrugged. ‘Your death did not have the desired effect on them. Instead of confronting Nergal as expected, Lahmu and the Dragon have both disappeared from the face of the galaxy, taking all Kila’s key governmental people with them. When Nergal landed in Kila’s capital city he found it completely abandoned.’
Even though Crow hadn’t answered her query, Tory was excited by the information. ‘Well, if all my kin have gone into hiding, then I believe I shall remain dead for the time being.’
Hawk’s spirits lifted, thinking that her resolution might somehow extend their time together. ‘How do you mean?’
Tory held up a finger to beg his patience and, closing her eyes, she assumed the form of a white-feathered Falcon woman.
Hawk had seen this transformation before, but even he was overawed by her ability to change form at will. The other three males were absolutely stupefied.
Tory’s eyes opened to behold the amazed faces of her crewmates, but she looked back at the captain. ‘How do you feel about having a concubine a while longer?’
Hawk’s smile returned, as Tory slid into his arms to hug him. ‘The longer the while, the better,’ he assured her.
Crow’s state of wonderment departed rapidly. He grabbed hold of his little brother and yanked him away from the Goddess. ‘Do you have a death wish?’ he hollered. ‘Not only is she an immortal, but she’s married to one!’
‘Was,’ Tory defended. ‘Isn’t a marriage only legal until death do us part?’
‘The Chosen don’t split up! They don’t get divorced!’ Crow clued her and his brother in on a few home truths. ‘They mate for all eternity!’ he overstated, focusing all his attention on his brother. ‘And her other half is going to eat your balls for breakfast if you defile his woman.’
‘Ooops … too late.’ Hawk stared defiantly back at his brother, furious that Crow would have the gall to reprimand him on his own ship, or lecture him in the affairs of the heart. Crow was making what had been the ultimate intimate encounter sound like rape.
‘You’re a damn fool, Hawk.’ Crow backed away, bewildered and then angered. ‘Why the fuck did I bother keeping you alive?’ he snarled, serving Tory a dirty look as he stormed off past her towards the maintenance area.
Tory turned to Hawk, who was doing his best to look merely perturbed, instead of hurt. ‘Forgive me, I didn’t imagine he would —’
Hawk held a hand up. ‘You have nothing to apologise for,’ he insisted. ‘That wasn’t about concern for my welfare, or yours.’
‘What was it about then?’ Tory queried, but Hawk was reluctant to comment.
‘Any cover you wish to assume is fine with me,’ the captain pronounced. ‘My ship, my crew and myself, are entirely at your disposal for as long as you need us, Swan.’ He smiled, knowing that she would be using his given name for her for a while yet.
‘Your generosity and loyalty will be rewarded,’ Tory avowed, to dismiss what Crow had said earlier. ‘I can’t speak for the rest of my kind, but I promise.’
‘Your love is all the reward I shall ever need.’ The captain moved in closer to Tory to bestow a kiss, at which time Chook and Seagull quietly withdrew into the kitchen.
After viewing the layout of the subterranean cities that had sprung up within each of the hidden mining sites on Nugia, Brian and Rhun agreed that the people of Su would be far safer relocated underground for the time being.
Under the Su Palace, Brian was surprised to discover the grand central station of a subterranean superhighway, with tunnels branching out in all directions, giving faster access to the hidden mining sites that the planet hosted. This was one of Su’s best-kept secrets and this transport system had certainly not been included on the official guided tour of the city, when Brian had accompanied Maelgwn and Marduk some time ago.
‘We’ll get the people evacuated via the underground,’ Rhun advised his Governor, ‘and then blow up central station.’
As Talynn and Brian nodded to agree with the Vice-Governor’s strategy, Gallard nearly had a fit. ‘But the palace will be destroyed?’
‘This palace is the key to holding the planet, and as a target it’s as vulnerable as all hell. We won’t be able to hold it,’ Rhun explained. ‘But if we destroy it, the Nefilim cannot regain control of operations here.’
‘But neither can we,’ the Viceroy fretted.
‘We don’t need to, at present. The mines are well stocked with supplies,’ Brian informed. ‘What we need to do is cut off all bar the one surface entrance to each mine. It will make them easier to defend.’
‘But how shall the mines communicate when the only photon-linking system is here in the palace?’ Gallard reasoned.
‘We’ll take care of communications from now on,’ Adair informed the Viceroy, who he despised with a vengeance. He was only being civil to the official because Lahmu was present. ‘The mining bases will just have to revert to the old by-directional laser-optic data-linking system.’ He looked to Rhun for clarification. ‘I’m gathering it’s just the palace you’re destroying and not the entire city?’
Rhun nodded, and then smiled. ‘Your people are welcome to raid the palace for spoils before we do away with it.’
‘The Nefilim have nothing we need.’ Samara spoke for her people, serving Gallard a look of disdain. ‘Unless the gold and jewels in this palace can be miraculously transformed into food, clothes and a place to sleep, feel free to bury it back in the earth from whence it came.’
‘Ah …’ Adair hated to contradict his mother, but he felt he must in this case. ‘We might just take a look at the communication and equipment stores … if that’s alright by you.’
Samara was surprised at her oversight. ‘You’re right,’ she conceded, feeling silly. ‘Forgive me if I am a little over-emotional at present.’
Brian could see the woman was sick with worry for her husband and exhausted from lack of rest. ‘Why don’t you take your mother to get some air?’ Brian instructed Adair. ‘Gallard will see to the evacuation.’
The Viceroy was most disgruntled by the order, but Samara and Adair were thankful to leave Gallard’s presence.
‘How am I to redistribute so many people in …’ The official realised he didn’t know the schedule. ‘How long do I have?’
‘Notify everyone before sundown, and we’ll move them tonight,’ Brian advised.
Gallard thought the task impossible. ‘But —’
‘If you give me one more objection, Viceroy Gallard, I shall have you sent to the hell-pit.’ Brian shut him up quick smart. ‘Just do it … now,’ he emphasised, to get the man moving. Gallard ho
pped to it, racing from Nabu’s room of court, where Brian had set himself up.
The Governor and his Vice were going through the palace food store records when Neriada and Cadwell manifested with a withered figure of a man.
As Brian observed his Leonine personage, he couldn’t recall ever appearing so puny. The man had wasted away in the mines. ‘Tyrus-Leon?’ Brian fetched a chair for the fellow to sit on.
‘Sorry we took so long.’ Cadwell held the Leonine warrior in a standing position until the chair arrived. ‘It took a little while to clean him up.’
‘I’m alright,’ Tyrus grumbled and slapped away their helping hands once he was seated. He was having a little trouble focusing in the brightly lit room, but he strained his eyes, determined to see the Lord who had taken the name of Lahmu. ‘Which of you has assumed control of Nugia?’
‘I am in charge here, Tyrus.’ Brian knelt before his past-life incarnation, completely captivated by himself.
‘Hold still.’ Tyrus grabbed Brian’s face and concentrated all his efforts on viewing him.
The Leonine revolutionary did not cower in the presence of his immortal company. His years in slavery had obviously curbed his fear of death, and Brian had to admire his courage.
As Tyrus’ focus suddenly sharpened and he saw himself in the Lord’s face, the Leonine nearly fell backwards off his chair.
‘Take it easy.’ Brian gripped the seat before it tipped off balance. ‘I know I must be a shock —’
‘What have you done with Samara?’ Tyrus found his strength as he lunged forward and latched both hands around Brian’s neck.
‘Samara and Adair are both fine,’ Brian uttered hoarsely, as Neriada and Cadwell pulled the Leonine off him and sat him down. ‘Why should my appearance cause you concern for your wife?’
Tyrus seemed to be pacified by the innocent question, but fixed Brian with a killer glare. ‘If you’ve touched her, God or no, I will kill you.’
Tablet of Destinies Page 31