Lilith — Eden's Planetary Princess

Chapter 1

A Whisper

What’s at risk in this long war? Our Ratna is at risk. Our eternal existence. Certain castes of Nephilim called Harvesters trap their enemies, disassemble their Personalities, and use the pieces to create their own armies. That’s who I hunt. I hunt the Harvesters and the Demigods who send them. And when I find them, I kill them. That’s what I call ‘fun’.

—Valkyrie Silver Storm Lieutenant Colonel Frank Haiguns

Eden Year of 9,054,512
35,180 Years Ago from Today
The Celestial Realm of Planet Eden
Mansion World I Space Country of Northern Venom, City of Lehous

“What a bloody fucking mess this is,” Lieutenant Colonel Frank Haiguns muttered as he stared at what the Harvesters had left behind. Three Angels, recently sacrificed, were still strapped tightly to racks. Dozens of other racks that had once held more Angels lined the room.

“Shit. They’re still alive,” Janene said, and then muttered, “If alive is what you can call an Angel who’s been plucked.”

Ratna Harvest would have been the more sensitive term, but the Overlords called these Angelic sacrifices ‘Plucking a Pigeon’. By extracting the filaments constituting the bulk of an Angel’s Personality, their Essence, the Harvesters could construct Nephilim, loyal servants to the Overlords.

After the extraction, the Harvesters left the Angels in this state — neither dead nor alive. All that was left behind were tiny harmonic filaments — Celestial bodies filled with billions of tiny vibrating threads, threads whose last experience was one of pure horror as Individuality was torn apart. But those vibrating threads were enough to send a signal to the leader of all Angels, Lady Sipheria that her Angel was still alive.

“Nephilim scat,” Frank called to Janene, pointing to the floor. “The kind we’ve been looking for. So now we know who’s behind this mess.” Janene knelt down, holding a probe at the scat.

“Yep, these are the ones,” Janene said quietly, verifying Frank’s readings. By following the trails of scat, Frank and Janene had been tracking packs of Nephilim across hundreds of planetary war zones for millions of years.

Janene did not try to hold back her tears as she held the tormented Angel’s hand. The Angel’s eyes were wide open, jerking around the room, attempting to comprehend what was happening, his lips moving as if trying to whisper a secret. Janene glanced at Frank as he slid a needle into the Angel’s vein. The no-pain-toxin, npt, would work quickly.

Usually, death was little more than an inconvenience. After all, Angels incarnated and died in the Material realm all the time. After death, they arrived on a Resurrection Hall in Celestial Mansion World II space where they evaluated their past life and then prepared for their next incarnation, or left for a vacation spot for a much needed rest.

But this kind of death in the Celestial realm — death by Ratna Harvest — it was permanent, for all time, forever. And it was irreversible. As if that was not bad enough, the Angel’s Essence was now scattered, divided, and living in servants loyal to the Overlords, the enemy.

Not a tear dropped from Frank’s icy blue eyes as he put the Angel out of his misery. It always amazed Janene how Frank could so tightly control his emotions. Perfectly cold eyes. A perfectly cold heart. A perfectly unyielding assassin when it came to the Harvesters and the Overlords who sent them.

Lieutenant Colonel Frank Haiguns and Technical Sergeant Janene Windsor had been working together off and on for just over 50 million years. Frank was in a special unit of the Valkyrie, the Silver Storms, assassins loyal to King Joshua and the Ultimate Creator, El Elyon. Frank was an expert in tracking and killing Harvesters. Janene, his assistant, was an expert in Harvester detection and identification.

“I love you,” Janene whispered to the Angel, delicately stroking his cheek as all life faded. The scans Frank took would reveal their last sights, tastes, and smells. What they heard was always the same — screams of fellow Angels, mixed with their own. But no one really knew what an Angel in this plucked state could hear or understand.

Now that Frank’s npt had taken effect, the two remaining Angels quickly followed their tormented brother. The tiny harmonic filaments no longer vibrated. The Angel no longer existed except for the pieces of their Morontial Personalities scattered throughout the newly created Nephilim.

All personalities were manufactured using Morontial Stuff and could inhabit either Material bodies or Celestial bodies. The Morontial existed between the Celestial and Material realms. These three realms, or dimensions gave rise to all Morontial, Celestial, and Material substances. Substances from all three realms could inhabit the same space, but they existed at orthogonal angles and were difficult to see when in one realm looking at another.

When Angels incarnated into the Material realm, they lived in a Material body. In the Celestial realm, where Frank, Janene, and the Angels were, they lived in a Celestial body.

The Overlords had been instructing their loyal minions to conduct Ratna Harvests in the Celestial realm. Much like a surgeon could harvest livers, kidneys, and hearts, Harvesters could extract the Essence of an Angel’s Personality, its Morontial filaments, and then reassemble them, creating a new creature called a Nephilim, a Personality completely loyal to the Overlords.

The Nephilim conducting the Ratna Harvests were often times the very Individuals the Angels were trying to rescue — individuals who had been deceived when incarnated into Eden’s Material realm and enticed with promises of power and immortality. Once in the Celestial, they continued to do the Overlord’s bidding, unaware they had been manipulated into serving the enemy. Many of the Angels who were sent to save their deceived brothers and sisters lost their Personalities for all time through the Ratna Harvests.

The big question was whether the original Personality could ever be reconstructed with its pieces scattered throughout thousands of Nephilim. No one knew.

“Looks like Beliar’s work,” Frank said after inspecting the technique used. “Hate it when some guy, convinced he’s a God, fucks it up and tosses large ripped up filaments on the floor. I’ve seen video of the Nephilim doing some very rough shit.”

Prince Beliar knew how to pluck a pigeon. He was on a mission to sacrifice as many Angels as he could, taking their fragments to build a force of Nephilim loyal to his father, Lord Smigyl, the Overlord whom Satan trusted the most. This personal army would help Lord Smigyl take over the Material planet of Eden before his rival, King Joshua could assume his seventh and final Bestowal. Once King Joshua made his final Bestowal, it would be much more difficult for Lord Smigyl to win.

And what better way than to disassemble Joshua’s own Angels and make them forces against His mission.

Frank and Janene slowly made their way from room to room in the large abandoned warehouse. They found only one other Immolation room by the time they reached the top of the warehouse, but no remaining Angel fragments.

They trotted to the south edge of the roof, the full moon their only witness. Frank quickly set up a transmitter, one whose signal would reach the commander of Valkyrie Special Forces, the SAS, Major Butler Metcalf, and started transmitting his findings. A few minutes later, they headed toward the stairs.

“There’s still something missing here,” Frank called to Janene’s back as they leapt down the stairs, their sounds nothing more than a whisper. With their camouflage armor and internal communication systems, no one could see or hear them until it was too late. “My informant predicted over thirty. You don’t set up shop for a big-time Harvester and then only pluck five. We still have hundreds of missing on our list.”

“Come on,” Janene said when they reached the ground floor. “Let’s go back to the first room.”

“You know we can’t be late, dear,” Frank sarcastically called after her. “We have to at least pretend to be reasonably-acting business travelers. It took years to get tickets for this evening’s gala event.”

Janene said nothing as she took a deep breath and re-entered the first room.

“You know who’s foremost on my mind, so let’s not blow our cover at this point,” Frank called out after her. “We’ve got our data. Nothing left of these poor souls beyond a bunch of empty Celestial shells. Metcalf’s team will deal with cleanup.”

Janene remained silent. The great advantage of working with a Goddess, Frank thought to himself, as he watched Janene’s senses open. Within a few minutes, she would be able to detect the source of any unusual molecules they might have missed.

And the nightmare of working for one, Frank thought again, reflecting upon his own boss, the brilliant and deadly Goddess who was Eden’s Theatre commander for all Valkyrie and SAS operations, Colonel Josephine P. Doulmahel.

“I should have never doubted you, my dear,” Frank said when Janene opened a concealed panel, revealing a low passageway.

They stood, staring speechless at the prize they sought.

“Yep, this is the one we’ve been looking for,” Frank said, pulling a syringe from his belt. Janene did the same, stuffing down her emotions. Together, they quickly moved through the fifty-seven Angels, taking scans, injecting npt.

Chapter 2

Falling In Love is as Simple as Falling With Gravity

One simple truth drives Creation. We fall in love. With whom do we fall in love? Who or what has control over that, I cannot say.

—Lady Sipheria, Nebadon’s Archangel of Compassion

Edentia: Capital of the Constellation Norlatiadek
Mansion World V Celestial Sphere

“So why am I here?” Lieutenant Colonel Pasiel Pegasus asked skeptically after she landed at Edentia’s Valkyrie headquarters and reported to Colonel Kahmael Shiva’s office. Kahmael was Valkyrie commander over all of Norlatiadek Constellation’s military activities. Is this Ka’s latest attempt at a not-so-funny practical joke? she wondered.

“Go to Jerusem, pick up the packages, take some of them to Eden, and then continue on to Salvington with the rest. Is that a problem?” Kahmael said. Clearly, he was in a rotten mood. Pegasus hoped she was not the cause of his irritation. Kahmael was well known for his temper even when things were going well.o why am I here?” Lieutenant Colonel Pasiel Pegasus asked skeptically after she landed at Edentia’s Valkyrie headquarters and reported to Colonel Kahmael Shiva’s office. Kahmael was Valkyrie commander over all of Norlatiadek Constellation’s military activities. Is this Ka’s latest attempt at a not-so-funny practical joke? she wondered.

Edentia was the capital of the Norlatiadek Constellation, one of ten constellations within the Shangri La Galaxy, also known as the Milky Way. The Satania System was one of a hundred Systems within Norlatiadek. The Satania System contained 1,000 evolutionary worlds including the Planets Eden and Urantia. That put Kahmael Shiva in command of over 100,000 planets in a hot warzone — a very busy Deity indeed.

Pegasus still had months of testing on the newest version of Lanonandek transport. Now Ka was telling her the experimental craft was being pulled through The Sea of Glass so she could dive into the lowest levels of the Celestial Waters, pick up some important dignitaries, and transport them all the way from Jerusem to Salvington. And I’m supposed to do all this before Salvington’s engineers sign off? This is nuts.

One of Ka’s intense blue eyes glanced up and glared at her for a few seconds while the other continued reading his report. It was unnerving how one eye could read while the other scanned the room, all while carrying on a completely unrelated conversation.

“Well, yes sir. As a matter of fact, it is a problem. This thing hasn’t been south of the Ashti. The engineers are confident she’ll have no problems all the way to the densest levels of the Rasa. But Ka, how many times have we been told that? I’ve only just started testing in the Ashti circuits. I’m months away from going that deep.”

“Peg, I recommended you as the best pilot for the job. But taking an experimental transport craft into the lower waters wasn’t my idea.”

“Ka. Ya know what? I don’t care whose idea it was. Do you have any idea how many carefully planned performance tests I had to cancel because of this? What I care about is authorization. Who authorized this crazy mission anyway?”

While Pegasus ranted, Kahmael put down his report and began shuffling through mounds of papers on his desk. Pegasus knew Kahmael well enough not to be offended by his dismissive manner. Besides, he outranked her as the Constellation commander, so what choice did she have?

She expected him to toss the letter to the edge of his desk without speaking and then continue to read his aggravating report. Instead, and much to her surprise, he stood, walked around to the front of the desk, leaned back against it, and then handed the orders to her with a skeptical expression and a shake of his head.

He agreed. This was more than just a bad idea; it was a security nightmare.

“On no,” Pegasus muttered. There it was, the word ‘Salvington’ arched above a beautiful drawing of the great spiral-armed Shangri-La galaxy, the capital of the Local Universe of Nebadon.

Kahmael said nothing. He studied her strong face as she read. The letter was short and to the point. She would have recognized Mac’s style even if it had not been signed.

To: Valkyrie Special Forces Officer Lieutenant Colonel Pasiel Pegasus

You are instructed to fly Lanonandek Transport # XLT 07735 to Jerusem Sphere # JV3.
Report to Commander Vegu-Aniel Odinero.
Believe no others.

Machiventa Melchizedek
Major General
Nebadon Valkyrie Command

Machiventa Melchizedek, King Joshua’s second eldest son had just taken control of her future. As so many before her knew, reporting directly to a demanding ball-buster like Machiventa was not her idea of a good time. The last of the 700,000 galaxies within Nebadon were now forming, all of which were under Mac’s Valkyrie command. With that kind of pressure, and Overlord forces able to unexpectedly pop-up almost anywhere, Mac had zero time for incompetence.

“Fine, Ka. But ‘cha know what?”

Kahmael stared into space as he leaned against his desk with his arms across his chest. No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.

“I’m still gonna fly this thing like a test pilot. I know Satania’s waters pretty good. So I know there’ll be plenty of opportunity for this thing to get squirrely. And just so ya know, I’m gonna pull as many G’s as I need to. If some novice in the back gets squished,” she pointed her thumb over her right shoulder to indicate where her passengers might meet their doom, “that’s their problem. And if I have to bail to save my skin, I will bail.”

Suddenly, Kahmael’s eyes lost their glare and appeared quite tired. She had not noticed before, but now standing so close, she could see the fatigue on his face.

“Peg, that’s exactly why I suggested you for this mission. The personal message from Mac is for you to do exactly that. Fly as if you’re alone. Pull as many G’s as you wanna. Bail if ya gotta.” Kahmael scowled. “When you see your passengers, you’ll understand.”

Ka abruptly turned and began digging through papers again. He did not bother to say, ‘good bye’ or ‘good luck’. He had no idea what luck looked like or whether it would be good for her to have some.

As he turned, Pegasus gave him a friendly punch to the shoulder. As she walked to the door, she wondered what ever possessed her to hit Norlatiadek’s Valkyrie commander in the shoulder rather than salute him. If they had been buddies, that would have been one thing. Considering their past, they definitely were not.

That’s exactly why I suggested you for this mission. His words ran through Pegasus’ mind, leaving a bad feeling. Maybe Kahmael was still out for her blood. Maybe he volunteered her for this mission because of the high potential for death.

Test pilot under the best conditions was a dangerous occupation. Death by design oversight happened all the time. As Peg trotted to her transport, she had the feeling something had already gone wrong.

Eden means Elysium, and Elysium means Nazz Madame General Kuko Kiena. Oh god. No. Not Kuko again. What an idiot I was to think someone as refined, beautiful, and elegant as Kuko would want me. Convincing myself I could be her Seraphic Guardian. Wow. I’m so stupid. What a bunch of self-serving noise that was.

She walked with her head down, arriving at the door to the massive hangar where her ship rested. Two security screens later, she walked around her ship, giving it a final inspection. She strapped in and put on her helmet, mask, goggles, and gloves.

A tractor towed the transport into Edentia’s central Thicypher calculation device, which regulated the cytometric conduits within Norlatiadek. Minutes later, the winged Angelic messenger known as Pasiel Pegasus and her beautiful new prototype Lanonandek transport were whisked away to Jerusem.

Soon, she would land on a small isolated planet known as Urantia in the System of Satania, where most unexpectedly for this nomadic pilot, her later exploits would propel her into an everlasting mythology.

Chapter 3

Kuko Kiena

Never underestimate me. In service to my God, I am capable of anything. Learn this lesson quickly or you will die for your ignorance.

—Nazz Madam General Kuko Kiena

Celestial Realm of Elysium: Mansion World I Space
Situated on a large asteroid in planar orbit around Pollux, Eden’s Solar Orb

Nazz Madam General Kuko Kiena sauntered down the wide, busy hallway, whistling an ancient Nazz victory tune. She was on her way to an early morning meeting with her beloved personal God and Overlord, Lord Indra, the God of War.

Her fingers gently caressed the wall as she walked. Every detail of the nearly completed Elysium was perfect. All that remained were a few statues, the gardens, and several details in The Grand Reception Hall.

Kuko considered the Grand Reception Hall her ultimate architectural and artistic achievement, a gift from her and the Nazz to Indra. Their God had yet to see it — with Kuko insisting that he wait until every detail was completed.

To the Nazz, Elysium was sacred. Meaning ‘Refuge of the Righteous’, it was the Celestial heaven where the war dead were resurrected and recovered while they waited for their next Material incarnation into battle.

When they started building Elysium 4,300 years ago, Lord Rahu was Eden’s Planetary Prince. Rahu’s father and his own personal God, Lord Smigyl, knew his son Rahu could not defeat the Valkyrie without Indra and the Nazz. Smigyl had given Rahu orders to give Indra any space he wanted for Elysium.

Even though he had his orders, Rahu had been stingy with which planets and moons he offered Indra — a few moons around a gas giant over a billion miles from Eden’s solar orb as well as any solid planet beyond that. Even if Lord Smigyl insisted they were allies in their war against the Valkyrie, there was no way Rahu would allow the Nazz to have a quick flight time to his Eden.

Rahu had also offered any asteroid Indra wanted, never suspecting that Indra’s huge ego would settle on something as measly as an asteroid. He was shocked when Indra named several large asteroids that were only a hundred million miles from Pollux. At certain times of the year, Elysium was a mere twenty nine million miles from Eden.

But Rahu was a Demigod of his word. Smigyl would have punished him terribly if he had reneged on such an important, strategic matter with a God as mighty as Indra. Now that Elysium was in Rahu’s backyard, he tried to appear calm, even pleased and fascinated with the unexpected choice, while secretly fearing Indra’s power.

Kuko had been the head of the lead team, which had first arrived in the Eden theatre to survey the suitability of the planets, moons, and asteroids. She made the project personal, wanting the Elysium of Eden to fulfill the dreams of every Nazz warrior who fell in the many battles on Eden’s Material realm.

From an intersecting hallway, Kuko heard whistling in perfect harmony to her tune. She recognized the author immediately and picked up her pace so she could arrive at the junction point at the same time as her brother, Castor Mayhew.

They walked side by side, finishing the tune together.

“Good morning, Mister Mayhew. How are you on this excellent day?”

“Oh how wonderful it is to see you, Madame Kiena. Thank you for asking. I am feeling splendid. Most splendid,” he said in a completely dry, apathetic voice. Anyone listening or seeing his face would have been unable to tell if he actually felt splendid or horrible. That was the way Castor Mayhew liked it.

“And how about you, dearest sister? I trust you are filled with joy as you survey Nazz heaven.”

She said nothing; rather, she reached down and squeezed his hand, looking over to him, smiling. She nodded her head. “We really did a great job, didn’t we?”

He did not smile. Castor Mayhew never smiled. Yet, the twinkle in his eyes said everything.

They stopped at a massive picture window overlooking Elysium’s primary parade grounds. From their altitude, they could see the entire arena. As was usual, there were over a million Nazz practicing their techniques of military excellence.

Kuko’s exquisite green eyes immediately found her two youngest daughters. Twins. Both bearing the rank of second lieutenant. They each had a squadron consisting of privates, corporals, and a few sergeants. One of the twins was at the far side of the parade ground. The other was right in front of her.

Kuko shook her head watching Erin attempt to command her troops. This morning, Kuko was in a good mood and found Erin’s efforts somewhat amusing. In the past, there had been times Kuko screamed at the twins for their lack of focus and discipline.

“Halt!”

The window was sound proof, but Kuko did not need to hear to know what Erin had shouted.

Erin stormed into the middle of the squadron, grabbed a young private by the front of her uniform, and dragged her before the group. She slapped her hard across the face.

“What the fuck are you doing? Learning to march or talking to your sister? Now drop and give me fifty.”

Erin glanced at the window and saw her mother standing there. The sad expression on Erin’s cute green face tugged at Kuko’s heart.

Erin signed to her with a few quick flicks of her fingers. “I’m sorry. I really suck at this.”

Kuko signed back. “Please don’t be sorry. Leadership is far harder than followership.”

“What do I do?”

“You keep practicing and do the best you can, of course.”

Erin nodded.

“Do you think there’s any hope for those two?” Kuko wondered out loud. Castor said nothing as they resumed their walk.

* * * * *

The Celestial Realm of Planet Eden

Mansion World I Space: Country of Northern Venom
City of Lehous

Janene sat on the shower’s tiled floor, her head between her knees, unaware of the water beating on her back. Their hotel room was luxurious, not that she noticed.

It was the biggest Immolation room she had ever seen. A Goddess like Janene knew the names and history of every registered Angel in Nebadon. She personally knew two of the sacrificed Angels found earlier that evening. One, she called friend.

“Please, Heavenly Mother. Please let me die and wake up in some other Super Universe far away from here,” Janene whispered to the water.

“And for awhile, forget the terrible things I’ve seen…forget the terrible things I’ve done.” Janene looked at her hands, still stained with the memory of Angel’s blood.

A wail of agony welled up from a dark pit in her heart. Her bitter, angry tears blended with the hot water slipping down the drain. It was a lonely, primal cry to no one — as if there were no one in existence who knew or cared what she had just seen — knew or cared what she and Frank had just done.

Frank heard his partner’s cries but pushed her pain away while he worked with a technical specialist to compile the data they had just obtained from the plucked Angels.

An hour later, they arrived at one of the few train stations in the area, dressed as proper visitors from Castile. Celestial Mansion World I was always layered on top of a Material realm. Frank and Janene were Celestial representatives from the Celestial realm of Castile, which was layered over the large Material country of Castile. The same was true for their destination. The Celestial realm called Northern Venom lay on top of the much smaller Material country of Northern Venom.

As they rode the train to Lehous, they tried to act enthusiastic about the reception and dinner they were about to attend, tickets courtesy of one of Frank’s moles.

The compiled scan data revealed the faces of several new Nephilim who were most likely involved with the harvests. Janene felt better now that she had something to focus her anger on. She added those new faces to an already long list. Frank and she would look for those faces during tonight’s festivities.

When they arrived at the banquet, Janene watched Frank as he mingled. He looked completely comfortable as he freely moved between the different languages.

Frank was charming, bold yet unassuming. He was fascinating to talk to. A natural athlete. A powerful male Angel Personality inside a powerful, blue male body. Women got lost in his eyes. He was a ferocious warrior. Any enemy of his King Joshua could soon find their throat slit.

For Janene, his touch held an unexpected tenderness. They were not lovers. It was not like that, though they had sex at times. Sex simply supported the role they had to play. Janene was fairly far on the lesbian side of bisexual. When their undercover missions called for them to be lovers, she made a game out of it, searching for words to make Frank unable to perform. So far, she had not found anything that did the trick.

“Announcing the arrival of his holiness, Prince Beliar,” boomed the herald at the entrance to the banquet.

There was evil and then there was Prince Beliar, the legendary one called ‘The Beast’. For everything good, Beliar was the exact opposite. Worthless in general, he was capable of any atrocity he deemed necessary, just as long as it allowed him to consume whatever indulgences he might lust for at the time.

Beliar approached Goddess Lakshmi, his mother and cast his eyes to her feet. He fell to his knees and kissed the floor just in front of her.

Lakshmi looked down at Beliar. Her beautiful blue face took on the appearance of a mother who was a touch embarrassed by a beloved son’s overtures of supplication and humility. Frank and Janene knew better. Lakshmi and her loyal followers, the Pharisee Priests would destroy every drop of Beliar’s wealth if he did any less.

Frank joined the others as they ceremoniously looked upon the contrived spectacle. Frank was registered as a military arms merchant. He was doing a good job of playing his role as a charming Caligastian businessman.

But Janene knew her boss.

Both of them had seen Beliar many times over the last fifty million years. Tonight, there was something in Frank’s eyes she had never seen before.

Beliar did not know it, but from where Janene stood, Beast Beliar was already dead. Lieutenant Colonel Frank Haiguns’ cold heart did not care how many he had to slay to get to him. It was just a matter of time.

Frank’s time.

* * * * *

Elysium

Castor knocked sharply on Indra’s office door. It was exactly 07:00.

“Enter.”

Castor opened the door, allowing Kuko to enter first. Kuko approached her God’s desk slowly, allowing time for Castor to close the door and catch up. They arrived three paces in front of his desk at precisely the same instant. They stopped and threw their right arms up in synchrony, palms facing forward.

“Heil Indra,” they said as one.

Indra nodded in reply. The powerful Overlord smiled sincerely, happy to see his two primary bodyguards and closest confidants.

Major General Sade Heinrich, the head of Nazz Intelligence Services was sitting just to the right of Indra’s desk. She stood. “Good morning Kuko,” she said pleasantly.

“Good morning Sade,” Kuko replied. The two women hugged. They were not best friends, nor were they enemies. They would never do anything to undermine the other. Indra would beat them senseless if they ever engaged in such petty, self-serving nonsense. But neither had any reservation to call the other out, even screaming in each other’s face.

“Good morning Castor,” Sade said, stepping forward, enjoying the small sweet kiss that Castor planted on each of her cheeks. She did not expect him to say anything or produce any change of expression. She would have been alarmed if he had.

They quickly brought two more chairs and arranged them precisely in front of Indra.

“General Heinrich,” Indra said, gesturing to her. “I am eager to hear the latest news on Lord Rahu’s return to Eden.”

“Interesting news. I have been informed that Lord Smigyl himself will accompany Rahu on his trip here to Eden.” Kuko cocked her head. Castor subtly raised one eyebrow. Indra sat up straight in his chair.

“Interesting. Most interesting,” Indra enthusiastically replied. “Your latest report said Lord Smigyl would be taking a one-person capsule directly from Jerusem to Salvington. What changed?”

General Heinrich paused, a small smile coming to her lips as she tried to create some tension in her story. “We all know Rahu is little more than a tedious bureaucrat. If he had been a true leader, his Children of Luminosity would have defeated Abraham and the Valkyrie long ago. Of course, he completely underestimated what the Nazz are capable of. I suspect Rahu flipped when he found out how the Nazz have developed Elysium over the last 4,300 years since he’s been gone. Apparently, he begged Smigyl to accompany him because he is perfectly terrified of you.”

A huge grin spread across Indra’s bright yellow face. “Anything else?” he asked.

“Just one more detail. The initial plans called for Smigyl to leave from Jerusem. That plan was scrapped. The Valkyrie have now sent a Lanonandek transport craft all the way to planet Urantia to pick up the whole crew.”

Indra rose from his chair and walked around his desk, his hand on his chin, pondering what it all meant. Kuko, Castor, and Sade stood with him.

“And who else is on Urantia?” Indra asked.

“Lord Rahu, Guru Patanjali, and Pundit Chismael. Quite likely they will all travel together,” Sade continued. “And, of course, wherever Patanjali goes, his servant Shorinam isn’t far behind.”

“Yes. Yes. It makes sense. Rahu would want his best friends with him,” Indra said, pacing back and forth. “But that is of little relevance. The only thing of real importance to Nazz command is that Lord Smigyl himself is finally returning to Eden. We must construe a plan to delay him. We must compel Smigyl to remain here with us until we can convince him that we are truly his allies. With just a few small treaties, we can rearrange the entire Eden power structure.”

“Mecosta,” Castor replied dryly.

“Yes, General Mayhew. Mecosta indeed. Putting that one country under Nazz control will give us the pathway into Azakaman that we have long needed. And we all know that to take Eden, we must first take Azakaman.”

Indra stopped in front of Kuko. “Kuko. I want you to arrange a grand gala banquet to celebrate the return of the God of Light to Eden. We must invite prominent representatives from all the Overlord families. We must convince Smigyl of our love and support for The Children of Luminosity.”

“Yes, my Lord. Of course.” Kuko paused, a smile of understanding crossing her face. “Anything else?”

“Yes. I think it might be beneficial for you to rekindle some of Smigyl’s special affection for you.” Kuko nodded in agreement, already plotting what she would do.

All three gave Indra a polite bow before leaving. Castor closed the door behind him on their way out, clasping his hands lightly behind his back, his head down, in deep contemplation, walking in the opposite direction of Kuko and Sade.

Indra returned to his desk. Eden is a powder keg ready to explode, he thought to himself. Too many competing for limited space — The Children of Luminosity, the Pharisees, Caligastians, Daligastians, the Satanists, the Valkyrie. Smigyl’s return is just what I need. I have to ensure it appears I am loyal to him.

Indra stood and began to pace. I know exactly how to secretly help the Valkyrie first defeat the others. And with Rahu’s ineptitudes out of the way, my Nazz will crush the Valkyrie. Then planetary law will dictate that Eden is truly mine. I certainly didn’t build up Elysium’s armies for Rahu’s agenda.

With a series of techniques he had mastered over many years, Indra compelled himself to forget anything other than his loyalty to both Lord Smigyl and his self-serving son, Rahu. He set a series of internal timers that would repress his memory of his true agenda until Lord Smigyl had departed Eden and was well on his way to Salvington.

Then all his enemies would weep upon seeing the true strength of The God of War.