Eye of Ra (21 page)

“How’d it end?”

“In the battle known as The Purge,” it explained. “One final all-out assault was conducted on their home planet of Razcar. Set the second, commanding a Star Class Obliterator vessel called the Argento, was able to get close enough to the planet and fire the first anti-matter beam ever constructed, resulting in the destruction of the entire planet. Every single Razcargian on the surface was instantly killed, and those that remained were either hunted down or went into hiding.

At the end of the conflict, it was determined that the planets that fought side by side in the conflict would keep their alliance and form what would become known as the Dominion Council in part to ensure that threats similar to the Razcargians never occurred again.

After confirming with several researchers, the newly formed Dominion Council came to the conclusion that their greatest disadvantage during the conflict was how greatly they were outclassed by the Razcargians’ natural capabilities during combat. It was determined that Razcargians acquired these abilities through a steady progression of evolution, and that the probability of other races progressing this same way was high. This led to the enactment of the Articles of Genetic Selection. Researchers from selected planets within the Council with extensive knowledge of genetic evolution set out to planets with sentient species considered primitive under the guidelines of the Council to observe and test their evolutionary development.”  

“So that they can determine who’s a threat and who’s not,” Laurence snapped. “To decide who has a right to live or die!”

“Your statement is incorrect and is only a small portion of the guideline protocols under the Articles of Genetic Selection,” the familiar answered back. “Planets observed to pose no future threat to the universe under the Articles of Genetic Selection are automatically placed under the protection of the Dominion Council, and are future candidates to be extended an invitation to join once they meet acceptable evolutionary parameters.”

“And based on what you told me in the ship,” he glared at it. “Earth currently does not meet those parameters.”

“It does not,” it answered.

“So what do you think?” Laurence asked.

“I do not understand your question,” it coiled back in confusion.

“This Articles of Genetic Selection,” he gestured. “Do you think it’s bullshit or not?”

“As a familiar I don’t have an opinion on politics and theories.” It answered back.

“Well I’m commanding you to give me an opinion,” he pointed to it. “Use that super computer mind of yours and tell me, if these so-called ‘protocols’ are a logical course of action.”

It went silent as its eyes flickered, proceeding to do as commanded, giving its opinion.

“I find certain protocols within the Articles of Genetic Selection inconclusive and flawed,” it finally answered. “Although evolutionary testing can determine the potential physical threat level of a race, it cannot determine if a race will be a potential threat on the level of the Razcargians in the near future. The human race, despite its current evolutionary defects, also does not fit the parameters of being a threat to the universe.”

“Okay,” he nodded, “So what if we just deleted all of the data from the ship and from you? Hold up, how come Anubis didn’t just beam into the ship itself?”

“The ship is currently instructed to allow entrance to only you,” it answered. “Should he attempt to perform a dimensional jump into the ship, it will phase and teleport to another secure location. He cannot get the data from me, because I can only be commanded by a bloodline under Amun-Ra. His only alternative is to attempt to access the data from you.”

“From me?” Laurence stepped back. “I’m ain’t telling him jack! How …?”

“Because I relayed to you the details of the report,” the familiar explained, “Your mind has involuntarily and permanently stored the information from this conversation. As the Eye of Set, Anubis has been trained to create a mental tether and access your memories. With no mental training, you would be unable to prevent him from accessing your mind. The only thing that prevented him from doing so earlier was the fact that your helm is capable of blocking mental attacks and intrusion. He also needs to be an estimated one human yard away from you to initiate a tether. The only individuals that can perform mental tethers regardless of distance, training, or whether the individual is wearing a helm, are Elders.”

“I need to be alive for him to do this tether thing right?” Laurence uneasily asked.

“No, you do not.” His familiar responded. “Your brain just needs to function for seven minutes for him to complete the tether before it dies due to oxygen loss.”

“That’s messed up,” he nodded with a blank look on his face. “And I pretty much don’t have a chance in hell of beating him, right?”

“Anubis possesses superior armor, physical strength and speed, and an estimated two thousand human years of battle experience,” the familiar answered. “Based on that alone, the odds are greatly in his favor.”

“And he’s never going to stop …is he?” Laurence lowered his head.

“He is under the belief that his father met with a treacherous end at the hands of Amun-Ra. He has committed his life to avenge his father by wiping out the earthbound bloodline of Amun-Ra, starting with you.” His familiar answered him. “Judging by pupil scans, I can confirm that he will not listen to reason. He will not stop until you and anyone related to you are exterminated. And if he comes into possession of the data that I have presented to you, he will bring it to the Council of Elders.”

“And they’ll drop it at the feet of the Dominion Council,” he shook his head.

“Affirmative.”

Laurence turned, taking several steps away from the familiar to collect his thoughts. As he stared up at the bright blue and green alien sky above, he proceeded to rub his hands together. Slowly, he ran his hand across the top of his bracers. For the second time since he put the armor on, he looked down at himself. He allowed it all to sink in who he was, and what he had become. As he did so, he began to straighten his posture, standing taller. He realized that at that moment, having been so low for so long, this was probably the highest he would ever ascend. He smiled as he accepted that if this was to be his end, it would be a wonderful death.

 “So let’s give him what he wants,” he smirked.

“Again, I do not comprehend your meaning,” it tilted its head.

“Man wants to fight,” he turned to it. “I’m gonna give him one.”

“Your statement defies logic,” the familiar coiled back again. “Perhaps you did not comprehend my analysis of a confrontation between you and Anubis.”

“I
comprehend
clearly what you just said,” he snorted. “You said the odds were in his favor, you didn’t say I would lose.”

“Then I shall give you a clear verbal affirmation,” it slithered forward. “If you decide to face Anubis in combat, you will …”

“You said he ain’t gonna stop,” he cut it off. “Eventually he’s gonna catch up with me, right? And I and every human on Earth are dead either way. I’m the only thing in the universe right now that stands between him and the end of human civilization. Correct?”

“Affirmative,” it nodded.

“Then I’d rather go out on my feet, fighting to save my race, then hiding under some rock,” he scowled. “How long before he can hone in on our current location?”

“Forty-five Earth minutes and counting,” it calculated.

He took in a deep gulp of alien air, and then let it out slowly as a disturbing calmness fell over him.

 “Enough prep time to see if we can throw a Hail Mary.”

CHAPTER 9

Laurence stood anxiously gripping his familiar, now in combat staff mode, in the middle of an abandoned ancient city on another alien world.

His familiar had advised him that the planet known as Gendari was not an ideal battlefield to make a stand against Anubis.

Corazal, once inhabited by the Corazalitans, one of the first species to be almost exterminated by the Razcargian, was now one of many memorial planets left uninhabited. The few surviving Corazalitans, less than five hundred in number, had abandoned the planet, unable to stay on a world that had been soaked in an ocean of blood.

He gazed around at the decaying structures, neglected over the centuries. Foliage, weather, and time had claimed the majority. Those still standing would serve as areas to hide and execute ambushes. Laurence would have to employ these tactics if he hoped to survive this showdown.

“How long before he gets here?” He fidgeted a bit, starting a conversation to take the edge off.

“Anubis was able to pinpoint and track us five minutes ago,” answered the familiar. “I calculate that he will be here very shortly.”

“By the way,” he nodded. “Thank you for taking care of my father.”

“I am here to serve. Based on your planet’s current currency rate,” it confirmed, “the gold from the transport that I relocated to his domicile should sustain him for three lifespans. I also left a projection crystal delivering your message to him. It will activate once it visually detects his presence.”

“Remember, if this goes sideways,” he swallowed. “Anubis does not get a chance to tap my brain.”

“As stated, the detonating force of your armor will ensure that there is no trace of your body once you are deceased.”

He nodded as he gripped his familiar tighter. Before he could say more, a gust of wind and a crackling sound told him that the time for light conversation was over. Anubis stepped through the portal with his armor in sentry mode, while his familiars sat resting on his bracers. There was a confident swagger to his step and arrogant smirk plastered on his lips.

As the portal closed, he gave Laurence a dismissive glance as he viewed the battleground.

“Corazal,” Anubis looked around recognizing the planet. “You chose a long way from home to die, half-breed.”

“No,” Laurence shook his head. “I chose this spot so no one would get hurt because of this stupid beef you got with me.” 

Anubis gave him a scowl of confusion.

“Do you mock me? What does Earth food have to do with our quarrel?”

“What? Nah son,” he held up a hand trying to explain. “‘Beef’ also means whatever problem you have with me.”

“‘My beef,” Anubis reared his teeth, “Is that your deceiving tongue continues to wag. When I have silenced it, I shall then rip the truth from what’s left of your skull!”

“Hey look man!” Laurence held out a hand. “It ain’t got to go down this way! I didn’t even know I was an Annunaki until a couple of days ago! I can tell you what happened to your father, but we got to come to some kind of agreement that what I tell you stays right here between the two of us!”

“No, I shall make no such bargain,” howled Anubis. “You are not Annunaki! You are from the bastard bloodline of a traitor who has no right to wear that armor or wield that familiar in your grip! Your corpse shall lie naked on this planet to rot or to be eaten, never to get proper burial. I shall retrieve what does not rightfully belong to you, along with whatever information you possess!”

“So that’s how it’s gonna be?” A frustrated Laurence lowered his head.

“Yes, that is how it shall be,” returned the Annunaki warrior.

“Well since there’s nothing more to discuss, let’s get this party started.” He answered back.

“Your arrogance to believe that you can stand against me is irritating,” Anubis snarled. “Your death will not only be lingering and full of suffering; it will be equivalent to butchering livestock.”

“Save that Shakespeare shit for halfway crooks!” He barked back. “Sentinel mode!”

Obeying his command, his faceplate went down as his Menos covered his hands forming gauntlets. An unimpressed Anubis remained in sentry mode, summoning his familiars to transform once again into his dual khopeshes.

“Remember, for Anubis to inflict physical mortal damage, he will be aiming for your Menos,” informed his familiar. “He also does not need to be drawn to close range to inflict such a wound.”

“Got it,” Laurence muttered.

Anubis attacked first, breaking into a bull charge. Laurence this time stood his ground and unleashed rapid-fire god shots at him. Once again it did little to stop the ancient battle-proven warrior’s momentum as he deflected them with his khopeshes without breaking his stride. Laurence stood his ground and continued to pour on the heat until Anubis got within a yard and a half of him.

“Armor, airborne now!”

Obeying his command, the armor launched him into the air. Still unable to master mental commands, he had prepped by devising short verbal commands to communicate with his armor more quickly. He had to remember to give himself either enough distance or the element of surprise to allow it the time to obey him.

Once in the air, he pointed his staff downward and rained down hell on Anubis. The near omnipotent power he unleashed brought down structures equivalent to Earth skyscrapers in an attempt to atomize him. After half a minute he eased up on his scorched Earth attack, allowing the smoke to clear to see what had become of Anubis.

 He muttered a curse as the son of Set remained standing and unscathed save for smoke and blast patterns on his armor. He was also in sentinel mode.