By the rivers of Babylon
Chapter 1
Richard Carter heard the voice of his wife, as if from a long distance away.
“Ricky! Ricky, wake up!” she shouted
He shook himself out of the dream, and woke to find her shaking him.
“Wha ... what is it?” he asked, blearily.
“You were having a nightmare.” His wife Anne said, worriedly.
Richard shook the sleep out of his eyes, and sat up.
He was debating whether to tell his wife about the dream when she surprised him, saying, “Hon, I ... you weren’t the only one with a dream. I had one, too.”
“What did you dream about?” Richard asked.
“I dreamed of Iraq. Of you, in your uniform. Except it was like I was seeing everything from your point of view.”
Richard looked at his wife, and started to be afraid.
“What did you see?” He managed to ask.
“I saw a temple, Ricky. And a madman trying to use your men as a sacrifice to a god.”
“I haven’t been talking in my sleep, have I?” Richard asked.
“No. I’m telling you that I just dreamed this. Is that what happened?” Anne said.
“Yes. that’s exactly what happened.” Richard replied.
“So, how did you get away?”
“Well ... here’s the thing. We didn’t. Not really.”
“Okay, I think I need to hear your side of the story now.”
“It was ten years ago, during the war to get Sadam out of Kuwait ...”
Richard, Ten years ago on the Iraq-Kuwait border ...
Command had spotted what looked like an abandoned building not far from where our unit was. So they sent three of us to go check it out - Me, Corporal Donald Ford, and Specialist Mitch Woodward.
However, as soon as we were out of sight of the unit, a freak sandstorm kicked up, blinding us temporarily.
The sand was blowing so hard, I could barely make out my squadmates.
“Where the heck did this sandstorm come from, Sarge?” Donald asked me.
“Do I look like I’m a weatherman to you, Corporal Ford?””
“Sir, no sir!”
“You get anything, Woodward”?” I asked the specialist.
“Nothing, sir. Communication is out.”
“Keep trying. I’ll feel happier about not being able to see an inch in front of my face if I know where our unit is.”
Then the wind died, and I could see a building in front of us.
The corporal whistled, and said, “Look at that place!”
“Looks like a temple of some kind. Maybe something from Babylonian empire days.” Woodward stated.
I gave him a look, and he actually blushed, and added, “Bit of a history and archaeology buff, sir.”
I knew I’d have to make a decision, and quick. These two young men were counting on me. So I said, “Okay, we can take cover at this ‘temple’. Woodward, with the storm gone, keep working on radio contact as we go, and if you get through, tell them that’s where we’ll be. Ford, you take lead, keep an eye out for hostiles. I’ll be covering the rear. Move out!”
It didn’t take us long to reach what looked like the main entrance to the place. We hustled up the stairs, and reached the front door, and I realized I had another decision. Saddam could have stationed a unit or even several, here, and I had a feeling it might be a while before any friendlies joined us.
On the other hand, staying outside wouldn’t be much safer if anybody inside was alerted to our presence, so I said, “All right. We’re going to go in stealth, get a scan of the entry area, and if possible establish a hold point there, preferably one where we can see anybody coming before they see us. On three, go in. One, two, ...”
Ford opened the front door quietly and smoothly, and the three of us slipped in, and quickly closed the door behind us. The entryway had two alcoves on either side, so I had Ford set up in one, while Woodward and I went to the other. Quick looks out seemed to suggest that no hostiles had noticed us, so far, and I let a breath go I didn’t even know I had been holding in.
I watched Woodward work while keeping an eye out for any company. He’d managed to set up a system so he didn’t even have to whisper to try to send messages, reducing the chance of giving our position away.
Meanwhile, in the other alcove, I saw that Corporal Ford had put on infrared goggles, and then take them off, shaking his head. I knew what he meant by that. The place was dim with the door closed, but there was obviously enough light coming in to make the goggles less effective. Still, I was pleased he had at least tried them, to be sure.
For a moment, all was quiet, and then I heard a voice. I couldn’t understand what it was saying, but something about it caused me to step out of the alcove. I was so focused on the voice I that barely noticed that Ford had also stepped out, too, and we started walking toward the voice. Behind us, I heard Woodward calling our names, and then cursing as he followed us, but I couldn’t seem to make myself care. I didn’t pay any attention to our environment, so I can’t describe the temple, but soon we found ourselves in a room with a lowered section of floor that looked like a bowl, and on the edge of the bowl was a man standing at a small altar speaking in a strange language.
Even in my blissful state, and even though I couldn’t understand the language, something about what he was saying sent a shudder through my body.
That shuddering got worse when I realized a shape was taking form at the bottom of the bowl. Despite the fact that the shape started to look more like a beautiful woman, I wasn’t getting less scared.
In fact it was the opposite ...
She began speaking in the same language as the man at the altar, but somehow, my brain started translating what she said into English.
“You have summoned Negal, mortal,” she said to the man at the altar.
“And I see you even brought me a present” She added, looking at Ford and I.
She licked her lips, and sweat started seeping from my brow ...
Then she looked behind us at Woodward, and hissed.
“No! No female can be present during this ritual!” She shouted.
And just like that, she was gone.
Before I could even ask Woodward what that was about, the whole place shimmered, and flickered.
“We have to get out of here!” Woodward shouted at Ford and I. He grabbed the two of us by the arm, and pulled us out.
The next thing I knew, we were just outside the temple, and it looked totally different. Besides the door and entryway with the two alcoves, almost the whole building had collapsed. Worse, it didnt look like it had just happened, instead it looked like the kind of damage on a ruin you’d expect after three or four thousand years had past.
Had we somehow been pulled into the past, and now returned to the present?
I had no idea.
My thoughts were interrupted by Woodward’s communication set starting to work, as Command asked for a report.
Woodward somehow managed to sound perfectly normal as he told Command that we had found only ruins, and no hostiles, and were returning to base.
So we walked back, and I asked Woodward about why that creature had talked about a female in the room, and he told me about feeling like more of a girl than a guy, that he had joined the army to “man up”, and that because of what had just happened he was going to leave the service as soon as the war was over, and find out how much of a woman he ... or she, I guess, could become.
Today
Anne listened thoughtfully to Richard’s description of what had happened, nodding as she realized it matched the dream she had just woken from. Then she said, “That was what I dreamed, Rick. I can understand why you might dream of it, but me ... Rick I think the dream was a warning, and a summons. Can you get ahold of Ford and Woodward?”
Richard nodded, and said, “I still have contact information for both, I think.”
“Good,” His wife said, then she added, “you find those contacts, and I think I better pack. I don’t know why, but I have a feeling we’re going on a trip.”
To be continued ...
By the rivers of Babylon
Chapter 2
Author's note: Sorry this has taken so long. You might need to re-read chapter 1 first ...
Richard went digging for Don Ford’s contact information, as well as the last number he had for Mitch Woodward. By the time Anne had finished making breakfast, he was on the phone with Don Ford, and discovered that Don and his wife Linda had both had the same dream as well, and all of them felt the urge ... the need ...
To go back to the desert.
Soon the four of them made plans to meet up, and then go to the last known address of Mitch Woodward. Even as they conferred, both Anne and Linda remarked how ... easy it was to get the time off work, almost like ...
Something was smoothing their way.
Time passed, and finally the day came when the four of them met together and made preparations to go to find Mitch. Despite some attempts at small talk, the four of them found the whole experience less like a reunion and more like something far more serious was at stake. Indeed, both Richard and Don remarked how they felt like they had going to Iraq the first time, knowing that a war awaited them ...
Eventually, they made their way to the address they had for Woodward, and it turned out to be a mid-range hotel. They went to the front desk, and told the manager that they were looking for Mr. Woodward.
The manager made a face, but then said, “If you would please wait in the lounge, I will send a message to the person you’re looking for.”
The four of them went to the lounge, and quietly discussed the situation, and their confusion about what had happened to Woodward.
*********
Then they heard a soft voice say, “Hello, Richard, hello Don. These must be your wives. I guess you got the call as well?”
The four of them turned, and saw Woodward, now clearly transitioned to womenhood. She was wearing a less-than-figure-flattering dark red sweater-dress that went down to her knees, dark hose, and ballet style flats. She had pink-tinted fake diamond earrings, and a matching necklace and her blonde hair went down to her shoulders.
Richard tried to sound casual as he asked, “So, you did it. Transitioned. What do you call yourself?”
“Brianna.” She replied.
Richard looked at Don, who shrugged, and then the two men introduced Brianna to their wives.
Some drinks were shared, and perhaps that was why the the next hour or so became something of a blur to Richard. At some point, Linda and Anne decided they would help Brianna pack for the upcoming trip back to Iraq, while he and Don remained down in the lounge.
He tried to explain to Don an idea that had came into his head when he saw Sarah, saying “Its like what this sculpture artist said once, that he couldn’t carve an elephant out of marble, all he could do was see the elephant, and remove all the bits that didnt belong. That’s what Brianna did.”
“Yeah, I see what you mean. She’s ... just not hiding anymore.” Don replied.
Meanwhile, upstairs in Brianna’s room, Linda and Anne were sharing stories of their impressions of their respective husbands while Brianna packed, while at the same time she shared about her transition. To help lighten the mood, Linda and Anne teased her about her wardrobe while openly admiring her taste and style.
Eventually the three women got a couple of suitcases packed, and went downstairs to find the men. Realizing that they were a little tipsy, they all decided it would be better to spend overnight at the hotel and make their way to the airport in the morning.
********
In the morning, the five of them were surprised to feel no ill-effects of their drinking - no hangover of any kind. Taking that as a good sign, they headed towards the airport for their flight to Kuwait.
The flight was uneventful, but after almost ten hours in the air the five of them were glad to be able to walk around a little while arranging a car to drive them around while they were in Kuwait.
The place looked vastly different from the last time Richard, Don, and Brianna had seen it. Then it had been blackened by the smoke from burning oil, from refineries set on fire by the Iraqis as they had fled the American invasion.
Now, despite the continuing tensions with Iraq, Kuwait was rebuilding.
They slowly made their way to the border, and if they had any doubts their journey was being “helped”, those doubts were dispelled by the ease of their travel through the border to the temple, which once again looked like it had just been built rather than the ruin they had left behind.
The five of them went towards the temple, and the doors swung open as they approached, and a woman’s voice welcomed them each by name.
Once they had made it to the altar, they saw a woman standing there, and she said, “I am Inanna, and I have brought you here to thank you, and to reward you.”
“Thank us? Reward us?” What are you talking about?” asked Richard.
“Ten years ago, a man named Fadhil attempted to summon Nergal, goddess of war, plagues, and the destructive power of the sun. He wished the goddess to win his war for him, against the will of forces that even gods must answer to. That attempt failed, thanks to you.”
The five of them looked at the goddess in shock ...
To be continued ...
By the rivers of Babylon, Chapter 3
Author's note: Sorry this took so long, and sorry its so short. Hope you guys like it anyway.
Five people were looking at a goddess in shock, but eventually, they found their voices.
“I didnt do anything.” Richard replied.
“Neither did I” Don chimed in.
“Actually, you did much more than you think. Let me show you.” the goddess replied.
She waved her hand, and they saw the past ...
Brianna:
It started the same as the dream we had all shared.
Except I saw from the perspective of Fadhil that he had actually manipulated our superiors into sending only the three of us to check out the temple, because he didnt feel like he could handle an entire company of soldiers.
And that wasn’t the only bit of information I learned. When we got to the temple, he was concerned about the fact I seemed to be able to resist him, and he actually tried to get Don and Richard to kill me.
They fought that impulse, and finally, he just made them double-time into the area with the altar. And then for a second time Fadhil attempted to have Don and Richard kill me before I came close enough for my then hidden femininity to disrupt the ritual, and once more they resisted long enough for Nergal to appear, realize the ritual was contaminated and worthless, and then go back to her own realm, taking Fadhil with her.
While I was still processing that surprise we were back in the present ...
“The guys ... really fought that control ...refused to kill me?” I asked the goddess.
“They did. And thanks to them, we can stand here today.” she replied.
“I dont understand.” I said.
“If the summoning had been successful ... you cannot even imagine the devastation it would have caused. But that has been avoided. Now, I must seal this place, because it is a ... soft point between the mortal realm and mine. With your help.”
“What can we do?” Asked Richard.
“As representatives of the mortal race, give me your consent. I can then seal this place. In exchange, I can also give each of you a blessing.”
The five of us looked at each other, and then Richard spoke for us all, saying, “Sealing this place would mean no one could try to do here what Fadhil tried? Reward or not, let’s do this.”
So the goddess instructed us to make a circle, hold hands, and concentrate on giving her our permission to close the breach, as she called it.
It took about five minutes, but then she said, “it is done. Now, for your blessings. Richard and Anne Carter. You have wished for a child. With your permission, I will bless you so you will have healthy child by this time next year. Will you take my blessing?”
Richard and Anne looked at each other, and said, “Yes! We really want a kid.”
“Then let it be so.” The goddess said, and the two of them vanished.
Then she said, “Donald and Linda Ford. You also have wished for a child. Will you take my blessing?”
Don and Linda nodded, and said, “Yes. we will.”
The goddess then said “let it be so” and the two of them vanished.
Lastly she turned to me, and said, “I cannot bless you with a child. To do so would undo what we have done here. But I can ... arrange that a good man will come into your life, and that he will bring with him a child who needs a mother. Will you take my blessing Brianna?”
I thought about it, and said, “I will, but one thing. Why did you do this now?”
The goddess smiled at me, and said, “The mortal world, and your country in particular, are about to undergo a terrible time of trial and tribulation. This place had to be sealed before that began, so no one would be tempted to come here and get help from beyond this plane, for good or evil. Even if it was done with the best of intentions, it would lead to consequences for both gods and men. Now, return to your home, and know that despite the dark days coming you are not forgotten, nor will you ever be.”
I bowed my head, and the next thing I knew I was back in my room above the hotel.
Epilogue:
It’s been two months since I returned from the Middle East, and true to her word, I am now dating a lovely man named Peter who has a little girl just about to turn five. I keep in contact with Richard and Don and their wives, who are already teasing me about when my wedding will happen.
But I cant help but think about what the goddess said about a time of trial, and I hope that we’re strong enough to endure it as a country, and as individuals.
Brianna (formally Mitch) Woodward; Sept. 10th, 2001.
End.