A Collision In Time
Chapter 23 – Diplomacy

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

– Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Uruk, Sumeria. On the Great River (the Euphrates)

Before dawn a flash of orange temporarily brightened the darkened river. Two men appeared instantly within a kuphar, kilometers upstream from Uruk. The ancient round boat floated along with the current at a leisurely pace. The men shuffled around until they found comfort.

Asmodi reached inside his satchel and removed a bronze bottle. He uncapped it and drank deeply, then offered it to his brother. “Some wine? It’s Sumerian. Not bad, actually.”

Arion took it. “Is it poisoned?” He passed it back.

Modi laughed and drank again. “You are not trusting, brother.” He gave the bottle to Arion.

Arion looked at it. “Why not?” He uncapped the bottle and sampled the aroma. He drank a sip, followed by a proper swallow. “Surely you did not invite me for wine. I have your assurance we are here to discuss our civil matters.”

“Indeed. But don’t insult me—you can lower your energy field. I am sincere. After all, we are family.”

“What do you want, then?” said Arion as he relaxed.

“I want you to understand me. My reputation is unfounded.”

“You have left hundreds dead in your wake, Asmodi; Earth’s history is forever changed. We have had to seal Pachamama from the time-wave ripples, an undertaking of enormous effort and energy resources. I am not sure we will be successful.”

“I have not changed Earth’s history any more significantly than the council has on other planets and civilizations.”

“Perhaps, but the council’s interference is calculated and focused to ensure minimal disruption and lives lost. The changes you have imposed are random and selfish. You cannot have calculated anything.”

“This is where we disagree, brother, and where I differ with the council, as I have for centuries, at least. The strategies in Sarajevo, Boston, and Sandon align with the very essence of who humans are. Humans are competitive, violent, uncaring of other life. They are a byproduct of a natural evolutionary order that materialized on Earth over two billion years. On Earth, lions consume their defenseless prey. My techniques align with their environment order. Your approach to settle Earth would have failed.”

“You have it wrong, brother. Natural order itself evolves. This is why we have yet to civilize Earth. But nature balances —”

“Anyway…” Asmodi drawled, shifting the conversation. “I invited you here for a favor. As my brother.” He paused.

Arion waited. “Proceed, then,” he said impatiently.

“My brother, stop interfering. I will leave Dov alone. I no longer believe she plays an integral role in transformation other than as a liaison to Cara, Emerson, and Kushim. Allow me to demonstrate how I can mold history based on my hypothesis. Let me be and return home.”

“I made a deal with the council, Asmodi. I cannot, nor do I want to. I have a duty to protect her.”

“If you persist, the damage may be far greater. Please, leave it be.”

Arion remained quiet.

“Then I must do what I must do,” Asmodi said, defiance in his voice. A shimmering light wrapped itself around him.

“You triggered your energy field?” Arion asked. “You don’t trust my words now?” The same light expanded around Arion. “Likewise, you will force my hand. I will have to become personally involved. I have avoided that.”

“Dov did adequately as your surrogate.”

“You force my hand, brother.” Arion’s face hardened.

’Yes, I expected that.” Asmodi offered the bottle to Arion. “A final drink together, brother?”

“No.” Arion shook his head. “When does this begin?”

“Tomorrow, I suspect.” Asmodi winked out in a blinding flash.

Arion sat back in the kuphar. He absorbed the nature around him. The moving river, and the sounds of the hundreds of species of birds, insects and animals that surrounded the shore. In the east, the sun peeked over the horizon.

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