Although the idea of having more children that he might actually have a chance to partake in the parenting of appealed greatly to Maelgwn, he was still rather bewildered by Marduk’s little insight into the future. ‘Who is Lamamu?’ He queried the only part of the prophecy that was not entirely clear.
That was the name that the ancients gave your female other. It means the divine goddess of love and war.
Maelgwn found this briefly amusing. ‘That she is,’ he smiled, warmed by memories of her playing cupid with the members of his court, and the awesome sight of Tory in combat. But the memory of her being fondled by Shamash shrouded his delight. He knew it hadn’t really been Tory who had raped him, tortured him and left him to die, along with the others, but the images were taunting him just the same.
I think Candace should head the salvage mission for Gibal, Marduk decided, seemingly out of the blue.
The Lord was obviously picking up on Maelgwn’s disturbed frame of mind. ‘No please, let me go,’ he appealed. ‘I assure you, I can place my personal setbacks aside until I return with Gibal. Seshut will back me up on that. For, although Gibal may never trust me again, I want to be there to assure him and update him on the situation when he’s found … better the devil he knows, than a bunch of strangers he doesn’t, I figure.’
Marduk nodded to concede he might be right. I’m sending the rest of Dragon squad with you to assist with the recovery of the cases containing my brother. The containers could have been scattered, and may not even be at the same location. In the event that an extensive scan or search of the area is required, you’d best take a team reconnaissance vessel rather than individual craft. Maelgwn nodded to agree with all of the above, when the Lord added: But do try and bring the recon unit back this time.
Maelgwn gave a firmer nod. ‘We might be able to see our way clear to doing that.’
The area on Lura where Gibal has been deposited is renowned for whirlpool activity, Marduk advised as he returned the mask to his face, and ascended the stairs to take a seat on his throne. There is one such disturbance subsiding at present, so the mission is due to depart at the start of your next shift … by which time we hope conditions will be more favourable.
Maelgwn checked the band of his suit, which indicated that he still had a few hours before blast off. ‘Are you aware of how Laarsa and by now, I expect, the Mazua were destroyed?’
In truth, Dragon, our systems are finding that a baffling question. I was hoping you might be able to shed some light on the subject. Even though Maelgwn’s thought wave neutraliser had been replaced, Marduk could tell the commander had already drawn a few conclusions of his own.
‘I have no proof,’ Maelgwn stated outright, ‘but I strongly suspect some kind of weapon was involved.’ He dwelt on his theory a second. ‘I know we cannot track Shamash’s vessels, but can we estimate how far behind us they are at present?’
If Mazua’s destruction is any indication, they would only just be entering the wormhole or at the very most the outer reaches of this star system, Marduk advised, foreseeing what Maelgwn was driving at. If there is any fear for the Aten, let me assure you that a simple jump into the future will ensure we avoid detection or destruction. I shall arrange a suitable destination to venture forth to immediately upon your return from Lura.
The Lord’s guarantee sparked Maelgwn’s curiosity. ‘How exactly have you been achieving all the time travel required for the realisation of the Chosen Ones? And, while we are on the subject, where are we placed in time now … according to the understanding of those we left behind on Gaia?’
Perhaps we should discuss this when you return, Dragon, Marduk suggested, as the outcome of your mission will decree how long it will take us to make it to the Gathering, and that’s what you’re really asking, isn’t it?
‘Sorry, my Lord,’ Maelgwn frowned, ‘but I don’t understand the bearing my mission has on our schedule.’
We have been hopping all over the time continuum since your induction into our ranks, Dragon. Much of this was done before you even became conscious that you were with us. Even if I told you our present status in relation to Gaia’s history, our situation will change again before we return there, so you cannot hope to measure the time remaining till the Gathering. The problem is that Shamash’s deep-space crafts will outrun us eventually, so if we don’t want to take a detour via eternity to beat our foe to our destination, then Gibal’s rescue is all important, the Lord advised. For amongst the paraphernalia we pulled from his lab, is a possible shortcut to Gaia.
‘The wormhole stabiliser,’ Maelgwn surmised.
That is correct, Marduk confirmed. Even if it takes Gibal twenty years to get the device functioning, we can still cut ourselves a hole through space and win the race to Gaia.
This may not have been the answer Maelgwn was looking for, but it did give him some means to gauge the distance between Tory and himself. ‘You still haven’t answered my question about how you have been achieving your mobility through time.’
Marduk held up a finger to beg his patience a moment. He passed a hand over the PK terminal on the arm of his crystal throne, and it began to rise out of the floor.
As the stairs and floor retracted towards Maelgwn, he backed up out of the way of the rising crystal that, at five times the size of the throne carved into its pinnacle, was of megalithic proportions. Only the throne that capped the stone was quartz, Maelgwn realised. Below this feature traces of bronze, yellow and deep brown deposits cascaded through the huge crystalline structure. Once the heart of the huge drive system was exposed to him, Maelgwn had his answer. ‘The whole ship is akin to the chariot,’ he uttered, aghast.
Marduk nodded to confirm. Meet Eli, the elestial. Marduk motioned to the giant mineral deposit beneath him. He is from an advanced species of mineral presently thriving on the astral plane of existence. Eli has assumed a physical presence to aid us with the realisation of the Chosen, for his soul too is destined to be born into your ranks.
Maelgwn wasn’t too sure how to respond to Marduk’s claim. Was he joking? ‘Am I to take it, my Lord, that you’re saying this rock is conscious?’
Oh yes. And is a higher consciousness than either of us, he informed. In fact, that is why Eli’s soul has had to wait for the advent of a Chosen race of human beings before incarnating into human form, as his soul has advanced beyond the realms of ordinary human understanding.
‘I see.’ Maelgwn suppressed a smile; it wasn’t that he didn’t believe the Lord, he just found the premise amusing. Still, what he didn’t realise was that the thought wave neutraliser he wore did not shield his thoughts from the elestial crystal, as it was attuned to the level of awareness where Maelgwn’s higher consciousness resided.
On the first planet of the evolution of your Logos, you too were part of mineral consciousness, and through progressive evaluations you have worked your way through the vegetable and animal kingdoms to the human form and consciousness you now entertain.
The tutorial echoed through Maelgwn’s head, although it was not the Lord Marduk who was delivering it. As he looked to Marduk to question this, the Lord confirmed his awe by pointing to the elestial rock formation upon which he sat.
Just because an entity appears docile by your limited understanding, doesn’t mean that is necessarily the case … in fact, more often than not, you shall find yourself gravely mistaken.
‘As I do in this case.’ Maelgwn changed his view, quick-smart. ‘I am sorry to have offended.’ He bowed slightly in apology.
No offence taken. We realise the existence of our consciousness has, up until now, been beyond the scope of your comprehension, the mineral advised to Maelgwn’s great humiliation.
‘Upon your advice I shall endeavour to remain more open-minded in the future.’
A good resolve, it granted. I shall look forward to seeing you there.
As Maelgwn stood there, shell-shocked, the huge megalith sank slowly back into its secluded resting place beneath the floor. ‘Ple
ase don’t tell me that that soul will be one of my children as well?’ His son had been enough of a handful to raise, owing to Rhun’s superhuman abilities. To imagine a child with superhuman understanding as well, was really more than Maelgwn could cope with at present.
I’m not too sure, the Lord replied. Shall I ask?
‘No!’ Maelgwn declined, deciding he didn’t really want to know.
Marduk slapped his hands down on both armrests to conclude their meeting. Well, as that seems to be all your questions answered, I really must bring this audience to a close. I have to see to a little surprise I’ve been arranging for you, which I expect will raise your spirits before you depart on your hunt for Gibal.
‘My Lord, ple —’ Before he had the chance to query this, Marduk gave him a wave and Maelgwn found himself back in his own quarters.
Marduk gave a little chuckle now that he was alone, knowing his comment would be vexing the Dragon. However, he knew his father-to-be would not object to the gift he had in mind. Marduk may not have been able to endure Inanna’s torture on the Dragon’s behalf, but he could do something about healing the hurt his sister-in-law had caused his favourite son.
A wave of etheric light washed through the Star Chamber, and Marduk rotated his throne one hundred and eighty degrees to behold the astral form of the Dragon’s chosen other.
As she had just been projected forth from the central regions of early twenty-first century Australia, his granddaughter was looking like a native desert queen. Her etheric form was clothed in loose-fitting attire, which exposed painted designs of red, white, yellow and black on her arms, neck and face. These motifs had been painted on her by the female custodians of Uluru to protect both Tory’s astral and physical bodies during her flight into the otherworldly regions of space. Her long golden hair was windblown and her violet eyes were wide with wonder.
Lamamu. This is an expected surprise.
Marduk was given the perfect opportunity to spring his gift on the unsuspecting commander, as he found Maelgwn killing time, alone, in the suiting station. The Dragon’s first reaction was not as favourable as anticipated, however.
Maelgwn was furious that Tory had disobeyed the warnings Seshut had sent her via Rhun and Cadfan. It wasn’t until Marduk explained that Inanna had been taunting Tory with visions of her husband’s capture that Maelgwn understood why Marduk had risked this meeting. Inanna had only revealed fragments of their parting conversation to his wife, but the tormenting images had driven Tory to defy all warnings for fear of his welfare.
The images just made the not knowing where you were, or how you fared, so much worse, Tory confessed, wary of his mood, and perhaps a little hurt that he’d not been more excited by her visit. But now I have seen all goes well with you, I shall go, if that’s what you wish.
The thoughts he imagined were running through her mind broke Maelgwn’s heart, for he was in truth overjoyed by her presence. ‘Tory,’ he protested, forestalling her retreat. ‘I have willed you to me so often that this situation is probably more my fault than yours.’
It was about this time that Marduk made himself scarce.
‘I do praise the Goddess that you defied me.’ Maelgwn approached Tory’s light-filled form, which was even more lovely than he remembered. ‘There have been moments during our separation when I would have faced the torture of Shamash and Inanna a thousand times over for just an hour of your company.’
I know what you mean, Tory agreed, with a large smile. And I deeply regret that I am not fully equipped to fulfil all your expectations at this time.
As Maelgwn cracked a smile, all his ill-will and worry rushed away. ‘That’s something to look forward to then. And right now, I must confess that you are a sight for sore eyes.’ The warmth and love that his wife exuded was as powerful and as healing as the rays of Apsu. And although she lacked the density to touch him, her hands remained paused close to his face in wanting.
As are you. Tory admired his new look, seemingly delighted by the transformation from pre-medieval King to Star Warrior.
The short time that Maelgwn spent in his wife’s company was an amazing healing experience. For he realised that Tory’s finer qualities couldn’t possibly be duplicated by an entity that lacked her emotional understanding, and in this knowledge his battered emotions found a safe haven.
When Cadwallon and Cadwell arrived in the suiting station, Maelgwn discovered that Tory’s astral venture into space was not entirely on account of her concern for his welfare. She had a few queries to chase up whilst she was here and took a particular interest in Cadwallon. She was asking after his son, Cadwaladr, wanting to know if Taliesin had tutored him as one of the Chosen, as he had with all of the Dragon’s line before him. According to Cadwallon, his son hadn’t really proven to be Chosen material and so had been passed over. Tory would not reveal the reason for her interest in him, but her query got Maelgwn wondering whether Cadwaladr could have been the one Inanna and Shamash were calling their Chosen One? If nothing else, he was certainly a likely candidate. The commander decided to get Cadwallon to do a little past-life regression into the matter as soon as they found themselves at leisure to do so.
It wasn’t long before the rest of his squadron reported to the suiting station, and finding Tory’s etheric form there, they bombarded her with questions about the Chosen Ones in her company on earth. As Maelgwn watched his wife console and amuse his crew with tales of their lovers and friends, the very familiar scene thawed his frosty emotions.
As the bands on their suits turned white to inform one and all it was time to depart, Maelgwn found himself dragging the chain — which seemed rather ironic when he’d previously been so eager to get moving. ‘I wish I could stay,’ he told Tory, as he backed towards the chamber door through which the rest of his squad had already passed. ‘All I’ve wanted since arriving here was to speed up the clock, now I just wish time would stop for a moment.’
The affairs of the universe won’t wait. Tory made light of their parting. But I will, she vowed. And with a smile, a blown kiss and wave, she faded from his presence.
As Maelgwn witnessed her going, he felt time and space distending between them. I love you, Tory Alexander, he called into the widening void.
And I you, Maelgwn Gwynedd, tenfold as much.
He stood alone in the suiting station, with silent tears streaming down his face. A deep breath managed to suppress the highly volatile emotions that were welling in his chest. He had sworn to Marduk that his ailments would not get in the way of this mission, and he fully intended to keep that vow. The reason Marduk had sprung Tory on him before his departure was to remind him of the bigger picture and to reassure him that the promise the future held was still very much intact.
Upon boarding the reconnaissance vessel, Maelgwn was pleasantly surprised to find Zerrah and Uriah awaiting the squadron in the control deck.
‘What do you two think you’re doing here?’ Maelgwn queried, half suspecting what the answer would be.
‘You can’t send an ape to do a dolphin’s job,’ Zerrah informed him with a glint in his eye. ‘Not even one with your unique capabilities.’
‘Standard procedure for a mission such as this,’ Candace expanded on the explanation for the commander. ‘Mission control decided it was best to utilise two Delphinus who were already involved in the case and erase their recall after the rescue is completed.’
‘We’ll see about that,’ Zerrah challenged. ‘I’d rather think of this mission as a kind of job interview.’ He smiled at the Dragon broadly.
‘Me too,’ seconded Uriah, with his eyes firmly planted on Rebecca.
Zerrah grabbed hold of his companion. ‘Need I remind you that you are already in trouble?’ He dragged Uriah to a seat at the back of the control deck, out of the way of the rest of the crew as they prepared their vessel for departure.
‘Zerrah’s spirits seem to have lifted somewhat.’ Maelgwn muttered to Candace, figuring that she had something to do with his change
of attitude.
Candace gave a shy shrug that confirmed Maelgwn’s hunch. ‘In your absence, many of us began to explore our lives spent among the other human tribes. I discovered my Delphinus incarnation was born and raised right here on the Aten,’ she explained. ‘And is, at present, working in the animal labs. I was not permitted to make contact with her, for obvious reasons. But when I saw Zerrah … the synchronicity seemed uncanny. I figured I’d been made aware so that I could direct him to her.’ She suppressed a sigh of regret as her gaze drifted to Zerrah. ‘It was love at first sight.’ Candace seemed to envy her past incarnation’s new romance.
‘You did the right thing for all involved, Candace,’ Maelgwn told her, wishing he could say the same thing about his own misadventure with his Delphinus incarnation.
‘Hey,’ Candace pepped Maelgwn up with a chug on the shoulder. ‘Some things are meant to happen, whether we like it or not, with or without our involvement … but some good comes from every instance, so there is no wrong and right, no failure or success.’
‘It’s all in your viewpoint,’ Maelgwn posed, although his tone implied he found no comfort in it — the loss of Aquilla and her terminated foetus was still blinding his outlook on the affair.
‘It does make you wonder how Zerrah would have met his true love had his sister’s death not brought us all together.’ Candace raised her brow to bring home her point, as she wandered off to take up her station.
Her perspective eased Maelgwn’s guilt a little and the sound of their vessel powering up brought the smile back to his face.
‘Dragon rescue, ready for launch, Commander,’ advised Robin.
As Maelgwn sat himself down in the captain’s seat and Candace assumed her seat alongside him, he felt a sudden surge of pride and excitement at embarking upon his first assignment with a full squadron. It was comforting to realise that the current plight of the Chosen was not all heartache and torment. ‘Launch when ready.’ He granted leave for take off.
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