Book of Mura

By Dewey Starbuck

In order to tell the Story of Mura we must go way back in time to when she was a young girl living with her mother and uncle among the citizens of Atlantis. Although other wars with Martians took place later on in history in India and Scotland, the first was in Atlantis.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Feb 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9781665548984

Dewey Starbuck

DEWEY STARBUCK

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

THE FIRST WAR

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Atlantis, 11,500 BC

In order to tell the Story of Mura we must go way back in time to when she was a young girl living with her mother and uncle among the citizens of Atlantis. Although other wars with Martians took place later on in history in India and Scotland, the first was in Atlantis.

The people of the planet Sirius had been visiting Earth for thousands of years. They were the self proclaimed Protectors of Earth. Their presence here at this time is to defend Atlantis from an impending attack by hostile Martians.

The walkway leading up to the Temple had just been completed. Omar was pleased that he could now set a date for the placing of the Skulls in their final resting place. He is anxious for the Promenade of Skulls to take place so the skulls will be ready if and when they may need them.

Lexor and Alfaro were fishing alongside a canal that ran next to their homes. Something they liked to do as often as they could as it helped them to relax and meditate.

Omar and his niece Mura could be seen approaching in the distance. They were walking slowly, meaning there was nothing pressing on Omar’s mind. With the threat of war on all their minds recently, it was good to see him more relaxed.

It’s good to see away from your desk, says Lex. And not scurrying along like a little lost mouse.

It’s good to be away, replies Omar. And to bring some good news to you two for a change. The walkway is complete and my High Priest has given me a date for the ceremony. Within a few days we will be safe from any attack.

That is good news, for sure, says Al.

I am having a party at my place tomorrow evening, continues Omar. I want all twelve of you Skull Riders to be there. Bring your family, as there will be little business. My wish is to help everyone relax and feel safe.

He sits down between the two men as Mura wades in the water and he joins them in their tranquil and quiet setting; the only sound is that of the water softly splashing against the shore and Mura’s childish laughter. He looks across the canal at the homes, and beyond to the tall buildings of the square. He is touched by the beauty and awed by the vastness of the entire city.

The white polished granite houses sparkled between the green trees, as tall columns rose up beyond the tree tops, showing the grandeur and splendor of Atlantis. The Great hall and the Arena towered above all.

Flower gardens lined the canals and square and were in full bloom. Omar was pleased with himself for being part of the growth of the city the past twenty years, and how picture perfect Atlantis had become. There was no way he was going to let his beloved city fall into the hands of the Martians.

Everyone was wearing their finest Toga for the party that evening. It was an outdoor event by the pool. Peach nectar was the favorite drink and everyone was having a wonderful time. Omar only took the twelve riders aside for a brief moment to tell them of a gathering at the Temple tomorrow afternoon, and for them to enjoy the rest of the evening. That evening was the first time in a long time that they all were able to relax and enjoy a festive atmosphere.

The next day as they were entering the Temple, Omar pulls aside Al and Lex. He tells them he will need them to help him pull everyone together as one, and that he has complete confidence in them. They are the back bone of the skull riders.

After test firing the skulls, Omar tells everyone of their success, and they can go home and rest now until they may be needed. He is much more relaxed and confident now that they will be able to defend themselves, should the need arise.

A great wall had been build down the center of the Island many years ago to keep the Martians and the Peoples of Atlantis separated. A few weeks after the celebration and the skulls were in place, things started to pick up. Recently a Martian War Ship had arrived and was parked just outside Earth’s atmosphere, waiting, but for what.

Omar had been in radio contact with Egar, the council elder on Sirius. Egar was telling Omar that he wishes he could help, but most of his Siriuan war ships were away helping the Turoffs defend themselves from the Mersinease. The rest were needed at home to defend Sirius.

Isn’t the Temple finished? asks Egar.

Yes, replies Omar. I was just hoping for a little more help.

You will do fine, Egar tells him. The skulls will be more than enough to send the Martians scurrying away should they pose a threat.

You are right as usual, Councilor, says Omar. I should trust in the Gods to help us pass through the Valley of Darkness/Death. We will either be heroes or a pile of corpses.

Do not doubt your own abilities, says Egar. The Gods have nothing to do with the Skulls. You and your band of Skull Riders are the most powerful weapon that Earth has ever seen. Wait for your enemy to attack first, and then destroy him with the Skulls. Show him you wield the Sword of Destiny and his efforts are useless.

So that is how we shall write the history books, says Omar. Our first victory over the Martians, and hopefully the last. Maybe then the citizens of Atlantis can live in real peace and harmony. They laugh.

Remember, says Egar. It’s not what happens that counts, but how we react that matters the most.

The next day Omar is given a report that tells of an attack at one of the gates at the wall. A band of Martian soldiers killed all of the guards, and burned the village that supported the guards. They then retreated back to their side of the wall.

How close is the nearest battalion of men? Omar asks his General.

I have two battalions only a day’s ride from the post, replies the General. I am sending two other battalions to the northern gate. Two more will leave here tomorrow morning for both gates. That still leaves fifteen to defend Atlantis.

Very good General, says Omar. I only hope that four battalions at each gate will be enough.

Get me in touch with Morock, he tells his aid. I need to talk with him face to face.

A few moments later the aid arrives and informs Omar that Morock is on the line.

Omar, what a pleasant surprise to hear from you, he tells Omar, pretending not to know of the attack.

It seems we have a problem, Morock, begins Omar. Yesterday a band of Martian soldiers attacked a gate at the wall, killing the guards and burning the village.

I’m sorry for your loss, says Morock. But I swear, I had nothing to do with it. It may have been some renegades wearing my soldier’s cloths.

So you say you know nothing of the raid, OK, replies Omar. But something like this could be seen as an act of war, and we both don’t want that to happen now do we.

I assure you Counselor Omar that none of my military were involved, Morock tells him. And I will send a team of investigators to check into the matter.

Very well for now, Morock, replies Omar. But my Generals are very upset, so do your best to see that nothing like this happens again, or you will be meeting them face to face.

Rest assured this was an isolated incident, Morock tells him.

I have been told you have a war ship nearby. says Omar. Care to explain?

Yes, says Morock. It is waiting for a cargo ship to arrive with fresh supplies. I see no harm in that.

Just see to it that no more war ships arrive, Omar tells him. And everything will be fine. End of transmission.

Do you think we can trust them? Omar asks his General.

Trust a Martian, never, is the reply.

The next morning his soldiers arrive at the burnt and smoldering village to find the bodies of the villagers. Some were burned while others were covered in their own blood. Small children, dogs, goats, every living creature had been slaughtered. It was a grizzly sight for the arriving soldiers, but they did what had to be done first, and buried them all in a mass grave.

I hate Martians, the Captain is telling one of his men. This crime should not go un-punished. Martians are cruel savages with no respect for human life. I hope Omar has a plan for retaliation.

It isn’t long before they get their wish.

That evening before Omar’s soldiers can arrive at the Northern Post; Martians once again attack the gate and burn the village, killing everyone. By morning when Omar first hears of the second incident, another Martian War Ship had arrived.

Immediately he is on the radio with Egar and telling him of all the new circumstances. Egar has spies in the Martian organization and knew everything Omar was going to tell him before he even called, and more.

Relax, Egar tells Omar. The Martians are playing directly into our hands. I have just been in touch with the Galactic Council and they have given full permission to use any force available to defend yourselves. And to punish the Martians any way you see fit, up to and including banishment.

Now that’s what I wanted to hear, replies Omar excitedly.

Waite for them to begin an attack, says Egar. And then crush them.

Yes, says Omar. And I believe they have already gone too far, and that I have the right to declare war on them now. I will move in that direction immediately and put an end to this Martian saga once and for all.

Very good then, replies Egar. Go in peace brother, or after the war is over that is. They laugh.

Omar wasted no time in getting in touch with Morock, only this time Morock is not so passive, but outwardly aggressive.

We seek a new treaty with Earthlings, begins Morock. And we need more land for farming. We demand that a new wall be built one hundred miles east of the present one, and to claim all lands their-in. We demand to have complete control of all the mines and minerals their-in. And finally, we demand to have the right for two War ships to remain here at all times.

Your demands are simply what they are Morock, demands, replies Omar. If we chose not to comply, then your demands mean nothing to us.

If you chose not to comply, then you leave me no choice, Morock tells them.

We always have a choice Morock, Omar says sternly. So chose wisely before making any decision.

The screen goes blank and there is silence.

In fifteen minutes I want you to re-open a channel with Morock again, Says Omar. And in the meantime keep monitoring their launch codes.

Radar indicates there are now four Martian War ships parked together and waiting, an aid is telling Omar.

Keep a very close eye on their launch codes, and let me know immediately if they begin to enter them, Omar replies.

Yes sir, says the aid.

It isn’t long before Omar is told they have started their launch codes, leaving Omar with no other choice. He enters the temple where the skull riders are waiting and tells them of the decision Morock has made. In the name of freedom, peace, and self-preservation, they must do what must be done.

Omar has them close their eyes and place both hands on the sides of the skulls, and to think only pure thoughts, he will do the rest. As the thirteenth skull begins to glow a pure white light, Omar releases the power from within the skull and fires a beam of light straight up not once but twice, destroying two of the Martian War ships.

Within seconds Morock is back on screen, screaming to stop.

Now it is your turn to listen to some demands Morock, Omar begins. You have violated our treaty and provoked a war by killing innocent women and children. You entered your launch codes in an attempt destroy our city.

By permission of the Galactic Council, you and all other Martians are hear by banished from earth. You will be exiled for a period of 10,000 years. You must remain at least 500,000 from Earth at all times. A Siriuan War will arrive tomorrow to ensure our demands have been kept, and remain hear for the safety of all citizens.

That is very harsh punishment for killing a few humans, replies Morock. We have been here for thousands of years, and have vested interests in various mines. Surely you can allow us to keep our mines.

Take what minerals you have now and go, while you still have 59 minutes left, Omar tells him.

Allow me some time to discuss this with my comrades, Morock is pleading.

This is not a debate, Omar says sternly. By entering your codes, you have put us in a state of war. Comply with our demands or face the consequences. You still have 58 minutes to save your own lives.

Comply with your demands? replies Morock, This is absurd, an absolute outrage! We will do as you wish for now, but the Galactic Counsel will hear of this.

Do as you wish, just away from hear, says Omar. But I will tell you we are acting with the permission of the council.

The screen goes blank as the exodus of Earth by the Martians begins. Within the hour the two war ship leave, carrying with them the last of the Martians.

That evening a celebration was in order for the Peoples of Atlantis. Peace and harmony can be felt ever where as they dance around the fire.

Mura sits on her uncle’s lap and watches the joyous occasion, she feels a closeness to her human cousins that will last in her forever. Her bond with Earthlings has begun.

Sitting in the safety of her uncle’s lap, her eyes become heavy and slowly begin to close. She dreams of herself as a woman, and tending to her flower garden in the back yard. Suddenly a hug wave of water covers them all sending Atlantis to the bottom of the sea.

Startled, she awakens and