Beyond the End of the World, Lokians 1

Chapter 7

In just over a half an hour, the Carrier covered a distance well beyond the Phoenix's capabilities. Right after their arrival, Thewls scanned the solar system. Findings revealed a G-class star surrounded by large and small planets. There was an asteroid belt—the Kuiper belt to which Nandy had referred—located in an area required by the Titius-Bode law, an equation, which mandated where planets had to exist.

While At-Emon vocalized the readings, Nandesrikahl decided to school the rest of the crew on astronomic facts, saying, "See that? It's Neptune. Its strange orbit is an indicator of the stress caused by another planetary body, and there it is...I knew we'd find this planet," he grinned.

At-Emon turned to the crew to speak. "We have located your Nibiru."

"I can't believe that all this time there was another planet no one knew for certain existed. I wonder why it was kept a secret," Nandesrikahl asked.

They all looked at the planet in question, a bluish rock with gaseous light wafting off in a red and orange haze shaped like wings. "Probably, someone upstairs knows something we're not supposed to know," Swain ventured.

"Upstairs," Imes asked.

"He doesn't mean God, dumbass," Becker snapped. "He means a government crony."

Swain and Imes shrugged to each other. O'Hara cocked an eyebrow, and as he thought about his friend's proposition, he slowly turned his gaze to the agents. Adams and Franklin made brief eye contact. These guys know something. Neither one of them had said two words since they boarded the Carrier.

"There are reasons," Adams said, cryptically.

"Protocol," Franklin added with a nod. "The Bureau has known a few things for certain for a long time, but, gentlemen, you must understand...."

Some Thewls looked the agents over. They whispered in hushed, gurgling tones.

Adams made a gesture of acquiescence. "There is so much more to the universe, and all of it threatens Earth."

"We can tell them now," Franklin remarked. Adams didn't mind, but both Humans and Thewls were curious and huddled around. "In all likelihood, a race of intelligent beings did arrive on Earth during the time of the Sumerians."

Adams immediately picked up where Franklin left off, saying, "They may have made contact before and after that period. Whoever these people were...." Adams paused, leading the crew to believe Franklin was speaking next.

Neither agent said a word. They just stared blankly. O'Hara leaned in and raised his eyebrows expectantly while Swain wrung his hands.

"What man?" Martinez yelled.

"They don't exist anymore," Adams smiled.

Everyone was quiet. Ambassador Weh grew concerned, denoted by the pallor draining from his visage. He was nearly gray.

"What do you two know about the travelers," he asked.

"Not much, I'm afraid" Franklin answered.

"This planet, it's actually called Marduk, and it does come by Earth every thirty six hundred years," Adams continued.

"The last time it came by, we waited for our friends. They never came, though. Until recently, we didn't have the ability to attempt communication," Franklin said.

"Well, that's not entirely accurate," Adams corrected. "We made an attempt to communicate about fifty years ago and found nothing."

"I didn't mean we personally," Franklin condescended. Adams gave him a look insinuating it was a useless addition. "Right, there was some, static energy frequency—a lingering residue of energy—if you will," Franklin explained.