ANNIHILATOR

2 Sam.1:27
How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

~~~

Coordinates: 32° 12′ 34”, Crystal Cove, Bermuda
Time Stamp: 1:23 am, 2752 AD

A high-pitched siren filled the submarine laboratory. The flashing red lights of alarm reflected off the glistening faces of the five biotech scientists.

“High-level risk detected,” Locus’s monotonous voice droned.

“What the heck is going on?” Saph barked, his voice drowning out the monotonous voice of the AGI. He grabbed the lead biotech scientist by his collar.

The bespectacled man, trembling in his boots, stammered an incoherent response.

Saph’s irritation was evident in his voice.
“Would you quit blabbering?! We don’t have time to waste!”

“There was a minor glitch with the prototype, sir. When we tried to test the cybernetic armour we created for the clone, it malfunctioned, sir.”

“Minor? You call that minor?” Saph growled, narrowing his eyes.

“I assure you, sir, my team and I will take care of this.”

“I said we don’t have time!” Saph screeched as he forcefully flung the poor scientist who crashed into a shelf stacked high with laboratory paraphernalia.

Suddenly, Saph’s eyes transformed into an obsidian black, reptilian-like orb. The trembling biotech scientists stiffened as the atmosphere turned chilly.

“Leave,” came the one-word order from Saph’s mouth in a low growl.

“But, sir…”

“Your work here is done. You’ll get your remuneration as agreed.” He paused for effect and glared at each of the cowering scientists. “Do not let me repeat myself.”

They all shuffled out the door. It was better to leave unscathed than to irk Saph when his alternate personality took over. They’d heard of how, when a previous scientist tried to oppose him, he snapped off the man’s head from his neck.

What they didn’t realise was that, just like countless other scientists that preceded them, there would be no returning to the surface world for them. Once they shuffled through the passageway, they would be locked in from both entrances. The poisonous gases would be unleashed. Within three minutes in the Void Chamber, their bodies would shrivel up, the death throes excruciating but quick.

Saph calmly walked to the glass encasement where the hibernating monstrosity lay.

“Locus, grant me access to the incubation chamber,” he said to the AGI.

“The subject is still highly unstable.”

“Do as I say.”

“Affirmative.”

The door slid open and bluish-grey cryogenic vapour poured out as Saph stepped in.

The subject, a ten-foot tall androgynoid giant, lay stark naked, strapped to a metal table with metal chains, jerking from spasming. The table appeared as though it would snap in two from the intensity of its seizure.

Saph slowly ran his jewelled fingers over the chiselled eight-packs of the massive creature. Its sporadic jerking ceased.
Saph’s keen eyes appraised the high-tech cybernetic implants inserted as additions to every limb sporting six digits each.

This ‘experimental’ but intelligent creature, a Nephil, was a fascination to all the best scientists that had been covertly recruited and silenced over the years. None would be able to comprehend how Saph’s ancestral spirit guide, during one of his out-of-body experiences, had handed over the missing link to complete the mutation procedure.

Saph pulled out a miniature quartz vial from his pocket. It contained a blue-black blob suspended in Glycerol. This blob was the DNA sample of a direct Nephil, with which he would inoculate this giant named Ogrephaim.

With the latest intel, things had to be sped up. The Zionites had been basking in luxury for too long, protected by the invisible being they worshipped. Now, their leader had compromised, providing a perfect opportunity to strike and reclaim lost territory.

Saph opened the vial and gently poured its content directly into the mouth of the rigid Nephil clone.

With a smirk, Saph leaned down and whispered directly into Ogrephaim’s large ears, “Now is the time for your reincarnation, my spawn.”

Then, as if performing a mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, he breathed into Ogrephaim. The Nephil’s eyelids flew open. His irises were larger obsidian orbs, the expanded reflection of Saph’s.

~~~

Coordinates: 31°5’16”, Cyber Command Facility, Tel Aviv
Time Stamp: 17:34, 2753 AD

Hebron marched into the war room after his father, Captain Zuar. Elaim, the chief war strategist, tailed him.

From outside, a terrible roar reverberated into the enclosure. The moment Elaim slammed the door shut, the soundproof nature of the room was activated.

“Father, just allow me,” Hebron began. “I’m a warrior. I’ve been trained for this…”

“Trained for what exactly?” Captain Zuar snapped. “Fighting a genetically-modified beast, an abomination? Have you seen the mass of that godzilla, the tremors his voice cause? I’d rather die than allow my only son to foolishly plunge to his certain death.”

“I quite agree with you, Captain,” Elaim added, nodding. “Our spies gathered snippets of information about his capabilities. Besides his hulk-like build, this creature named Ogrephaim is equipped with the most advanced alloy armour ever made.”

Hebron ignored the menacing info-dump and earnestly turned to his father.

“Father, you are not listening to me. I know you’ve been troubled lately. But, isn’t there a mustard seed of faith left in you any longer? Where is the fierce man of courage I once knew?”

“I am being wise,” Captain Zuar said. “Whoever among our troops decides to fight this beast will be highly compensated, just like I promised.”

Hebron rolled his eyes and scoffed. “That is if the said volunteer makes it back alive. The odds are greatly against us. The soldiers might not say it, but I’m certain they see this whole transaction as cowardice.”

Captain Zuar ignored his son and faced Elaim.

“Has there been any positive response from the troops to the call for volunteers?”

“I’m afraid none so far, sir.”

Captain Zuar let out a string of choice words.

“You must understand that they are all terrified, and rightly so,” Hebron said. “Whoever goes is a scapegoat that will no doubt be crushed between the fingers of that Nephil.”

“And you’re crazy enough to want to be that one?”

Hebron fell silent.

“Any word from Prophet Naphtali?” Captain Zuar asked Elaim.

“The seer has refused to emerge from whatever cave he has burrowed into, Captain. The last time he was detected on the radar, he paid a visit to one of the remote southern regions of Engedi.”

“I have bigger worries to deal with than sniffing into what that old man has up his sleeves. Why has Yah put me in this terrible fix, only to abandon me?”

Captain Zuar slammed his fist into the Plexiglass screen of the table where the maps were digitally displayed. Spontaneous fits of rage like these were signals of incoming torment from the delirium Captain Zuar had been suffering from lately.

Suddenly, the door creaked open and a lieutenant peeked in.

Elaim snapped, “Didn’t I give an order for us not to be interrupted?”

Hebron signalled for Elaim to relax.

“My apologies, Captain Zuar,” the lieutenant said after a salute, “but, we have found a volunteer.”

“Really?” Captain Zuar said, his voice animated as he perked up. “What are you waiting for? Bring him in.”

“Em, sir…”

“What?”

“It’s a ‘she’.”

Before the absurd declaration could register in their minds, a jaunty young lady walked in. Her attire—hand-woven, Graphene-based Negev Nova jumpsuit—hugged her frame, emphasizing her ruggedness.
The well-defined muscles of her arms and her tanned skin gave a hint of her outdoor exposure. Her confident gait, striking beauty, large doe eyes, auburn wavy curls pulled into a ponytail and the claw-marks on her exposed shoulder made her presence more compelling. Hebron couldn’t stop gaping.

She knelt on one knee before Captain Zuar.

“What is this I hear?” he said with a disapproving frown.

“Sir, I will go fight this giant.” Her voice, though firm, had a soothing lyrical tenor to it.

“You’re a girl. A young one at that. What do you know of fighting a man, not to talk of a beast?”

“I heard the taunt of that imbecile as I approached the camp, and holy anger burned in my lungs. I believe Yah wants me to fight on His behalf.”

“That is not enough basis to ride blindly to your death. Let me educate you. This creature you supposedly want to face has been genetically-engineered and, if my sources are accurate, also spiritually fortified for warfare. You…” Captain Zuar’s voice trailed off as he shook his head.

“I am skilled in archery, and I’m quick on my feet. In my climbing exploration on the mountains of Engedi, I have been attacked by wild beasts. Once, by an injured Sasquatch and another time by a hungry Jaguar. On both occasions, Yah, the Lord of heaven and earth, saved me. I trust him not to abandon me now. Allow me to fight.”

Captain Zuar squirmed.
“Rise, young maiden.”

She stood and stared at him with eyes that were almost golden in their translucence.

“What is your name? What region are you from?”

“My name is Jedidiah ben Judah. I came to deliver some supplies to my brothers who are soldiers in the Zionite troop. When I arrived, that giant was taunting the army. I made enquiries and heard about the call for a volunteer.”

Captain Zuar studied her for a long time. He paced briskly, massaged his brows and finally said, “Jedidiah, I give you my blessings. Go, and may Yah be with you.”

She smiled and bowed her head. “I don’t take this privilege for granted.”

“Hebron will escort you to the armoury where you can pick any weapon of your choosing.”

“I don’t think that will be necessary. I prefer sticking with what I have.”
She rose, patted her quiver and bow, smiled and sauntered out.

A dazed Hebron raced after her, barely catching up with her long, determined strides.

She stopped abruptly to lace her boots. Then, she pulled out an arrow from her quiver, muttered a prayer over its tip and kissed its cold, pointy edge.

“Aren’t you scared?” Hebron asked, watching her.

“Of what?”

“Of fighting a mutant giant. Of dying.”

“The only one to be feared is Yah, and I’m sure He’s got my back on this.”

“I trust Yah as well, but this is impossible…”

She raised a brow and rose to face him, placing a hand on her hip.
“Because I’m female?”

“No, no! You’ve proven that you possess more fortitude than over fifty thousand well-trained and armed military men.”

Jedidiah smiled. “Good. Do what you can. Pray for me.”

“I will,” Hebron whispered, as he watched her retreating form. He turned and headed for the hangar where the hovercrafts were stationed. They needed a backup plan in case things went haywire.

~~~

Coordinates: 31°5’16”, Meddigo Valley, Tel Aviv
Time Stamp: 18:02, 2753 AD

Jedidiah walked past several murmuring soldiers as she made her way through their formations to begin the treacherous descent into the Meddigo Valley where the duel was slated to happen.

Her nerves were stretched to an elastic limit. A voice of doubt in her mind gnawed at her, warning her to turn back before the Nephil mutant sighted her.

What would her brothers do if they discovered what she had signed up for? What would her parents do if she died? What if this dangerous mission flopped and she became the trigger to a bloodbath for her people?

Oh Yah! Please, do not abandon me.
If I have done foolishly, out of pride, forgive me.
But, how can I sit still when your name is being mocked by this infidel?
Give Your Watchers charge over me.

The Nephil squinted at her as he watched her approaching lanky figure. Perplexed, he looked up, expecting a real warrior to follow after this wimpy, girly armour-bearer.

“Hey, Bighead!” Jedidiah said as loudly as she could manage, “What are you waiting for? You asked for a duel, and you’re about to get it.”

The Nephil blinked, then cackled—more like, roared in derisive laughter. Jedidiah stood her ground, chin up, clutching her bow.

“Is this all you’ve got?” he yelled in a guttural voice at the Zionite army.
“A pesky female fly? No one is man enough to fight me?”
He faced Jedidiah and said, “I give you the option to surrender now, girl!”

“I’m not a coward. Unlike you. Too scared to fight a girl?”

He growled, “I am Ogrephaim, the reincarnation of the Nephilim of old! I fear no one. I will annihilate every cell in your body and proceed to do the same to your cowardly army. My ancient lord will rule supreme upon his rightful territory!”
He proceeded to utter some harsh cuss words in a strange tongue.

Mustering courage, Jedidiah said, “Hear me, you abominable creature! Today, you come to me armed with your sorceries and weapons. But I come against you in the name of the Lord of Angel Armies, the God of Zion’s troops. Vultures, hyenas and worms will feast on your flesh both here and in Hades.”

Ogrephaim bellowed in rage and charged at her with heavy steps that caused the earth to quake.

He unleashed laser beams from his cybernetic arms at her. Running headlong, she narrowly dodged each one, her speed quicker than average.

At close range, she could see the impossible size of this giant. And what was with all the strange tattoos on the little exposed parts of his skin, including his bald head?

She could tell, from his attacks, that he wanted to catch and strangle her. Even despite his bulk, he moved like a snake. She took time to wear him out by dodging his snapping cybernetic arms and laser beams.

“Yah, show me what to do!” she prayed desperately in her mind.
In that moment, she saw her opportunity. An unexpected area in his armour, not made of metal, but instead of Polyamide fibre, obviously for comfort purposes.

As she circled him, deftly, Jedidiah pulled out an arrow and, praying, took aim for his groin.

“Yah, arise!” Jedidiah yelled as she released the arrow.

The arrow sliced through the air and hit its aim, rupturing the giant’s scrotum. With a roar that echoed through the canyon, Ogrephaim fell face first with a heavy thud.

Using the last ounce of her energy, she stumbled to his fallen form and detached the laser shooter from his hand. Then, targeting his trunk-like neck, she pressed the controls.
Sticky blue-black blood splattered across her neck and face as the laser made a clean cut.

“For Yah and his army, Zion!” Jedidiah cried at the top of her lungs as she raised the gigantic head high.

As though an invisible leash was cut, the Zionite army bellowed a loud victory cry and began a chase of the Nephil’s army.

From his vantage point in a hovercraft flying overhead, Hebron watched Jedidiah in awe, fascination with her bravery growing into something more profound.

~~~

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