S2E22: Eerie Plans

A curious development has occurred that deepens my concern over Enlil’s activities. When I got back from Babylon, right after paying my respects at Dumuzi’s memorial, I realized something odd – the space where Enlil’s shuttle once rested atop the Tower was vacant. Upon making discrete inquiries among the laborers, I discovered his ship had not been seen launching from or landing at the spaceport.

Neither could any of Enlil’s loyal guards be found stationed within the limits of the city, as was customary. It seems my brother has pulled up stakes from Eridu and Babel Tower spaceport without informing anyone of his plans or destination. This stealthy retreat troubles me greatly. What covert schemes has Enlil embarked upon this time, away from watchful eyes?

Resolving to discover the truth, I recalled how Marduk had the foresight some time past to clandestinely plant a tracker within Enlil’s vessel, should the need arise to locate him discreetly. Activating the homing signal from Eridu, I was relieved but also disturbed to detect the faintest pulse emanating from the ringed planet.

What business could Enlil possibly have taking his forces to eerie Saturn? The gas giant hosts no outposts or resources of interest, to my knowledge. No…something far more intriguing and potentially sinister is afoot, I feel it in my blood. I must travel there under cover of darkness and discover the secret my brother now guards so jealously among the swirling violence of those rocky planet rings.

This discovery compels me to continue my entries from afar. The next will hopefully reveal at last what unknown plans are unfolding in that wondrous faraway destination.

After much travel through the turbulent Jovian space winds, I have finally traced Enlil’s signal to its source among the planet’s swirling rings of rocks. Emerging from the dust clouds, my craft was rocked by strong gravitational tides before the form took shape before me — a vast, perfectly hewn Black Cube hovering before the churning gases.

Seeing this planetary defense dreadnought stationed so far from Nibiru fills me with unease. The Black Cubes hold capabilities far beyond normal transports or outposts, designed solely for devastating warfare across the vast gulf between stars. But how and when did Enlil obtain such a weapon in our isolated Sol system?

I know from histories that only the King of Nibiru and the War Ministry possess the authority to deploy Black Cubes on missions. For one to appear here without official decree implies… treachery, or ill intentions. What game is my brother playing that demands a Black Cube’s strength, so distant from where its power was meant to be applied?

Cautiously docking my craft, I entered the Cube’s massive hangar bay undetected. Not a soul was in sight amid the towering machinery and weaponry galleries lining endless corridors. An atmosphere of perfect, ominous silence prevailed within.

My questions multiplied as I searched.

Proceeding cautiously deeper into the Black Cube’s formidable interior, I ensured my passage left no trace upon the sensor records. The immense, skeletal structure seemed abandoned, but still I trod softly, wary of unseen observers.

At last, in a computer core at the hangar bay, I found what I sought — records of the Black Cube’s covert journey dating back centuries, long before I suspected. The Black Cube was built here right after my own arrival in the Sol System… what does this even mean?

Translating the ancient cylinder scripts activated a 3D war simulation that filled me with grim insight.  Its gullet pulsed with crimson light, like some living thing slumbering in wait. I began my hack, fingers flying in a delicate dance across sensor-blind touchpads. My breath caught as movement registered on my periphery scanners – a patrol, heading my way!

Quick as thought, I melted into the bowels of machinery framing the core. Heavy boots rang out as two figures entered, deep voices echoing off steel walls. I stilled my breathing, praying their gear detected no alien presence.

Soldier 1: Check the release systems while I secure the bays.

Long moments passed as they checked readouts, conferring in hushed, angry tones.

Soldier 2: All systems are nominal and ready here, Sir!

Soldier 1: C’mon, we have 11 hangar bays to checkout before departure.

Oh no, this was not good at all, the cube was preparing for movement, I can easily guess where Enlil is taking this beast!

I had little time to leave the place… At last, they left, oblivious to the interloper in their midst. I released a tense exhalation and resumed my work.

Data began to spill across screens – schematics, logs, troop movements. The puzzle pieces fell into a terrifying picture confirming my fears. But there was no time to linger. I had to bring this information to the others before we were overtaken by the storm about to break upon our shores…

We need allies… and we need them quick!