Tunguska Battle

Glacial Conquistadors © Trilogy

Gerard Condhesc

Independently Publish

Copyright © 2024 Gerard Condhesc

Globalhce Unlimited A.I
São Paulo, Brazil
IBN: 9798334548916  ( hardcover )
IBN: 9798325623745  ( paperback )
IBN: 9798325658037  ( ebook )
English Version

© Glacial Conquistadors 2024
First publishing Kindle Amazon
Independently Publishing

Text copyright © Gerard Condhesc 2024
Cover design by Gerard Condhesc
Generative Art Globalhce Unlimited A.I

All rights reserved,
no part of this publication
may be reproduced, stored in
a retrieval system,or transmitted
in any form or by any means.
Electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without the
prior written permission of the Publishers.

Science fiction has often
proven to be a form of precognition,
offering insights into future events,
technological advancements, and their  
potential impacts on civilization.
Our imagination holds limitless potential,
making anything possible.

This trilogy is dedicated to the
science fiction fans,
out-of-the-box thinkers,
and inquisitive minds pondering
the when, where,  and why
of mankind's origins.

"If aliens ever visit us,
I think the outcome
would be much as when
Christopher Columbus
first landed in America,
which didn't turn out
very well for
the native americans."

Stephen Hawking

Prologue

In June of 1908, amidst the vastness of the Siberian tundra, an Alhuskan hunter traced the path of a falling star, drawn by the tremendous explosion that echoed through the icy wilderness a few miles from his village.  

  Pursuing it, he stumbled upon a strange spacecraft, half submerged in a frozen lake. Venturing inside, he discovered the lifeless bodies of three alien beings. Outside, tracks in the deep snow hinted at a survivor’s escape.

   Guided by an old Alhuskan Shaman, the hunter embarked on a mission to uncover the intentions of this mysterious visitor.

   As he tracked the being, the hunter faced an incredible revelation. The alien survivor revealed its role in an intergalactic mission against an ancient and predatory civilization.

   Desperation and hope forged an unlikely alliance between the hunter and the visitor as they prepared to thwart an imminent invasion by the reptilian Wardemonds, who sought to eradicate all life on Earth to expand their empire.

   Over seven days, this epic saga unfolded, culminating in a massive explosion in the Siberian Tunguska taiga on June 30, 1908.Contrary to popular belief attributing the event to a meteor, it was a dramatic clash between forces of good and evil in the remote Siberian sky.

   Teeming with wildlife, pulsating with adventure, and brimming with action, the narrative seamlessly weaves futuristic incredible technologies with ancient myths, delivering a gripping tale of cosmic conflict.

Chapter 1

The Falling Star

“Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will.”
—James Stephens

The year is 1908. In the vast Siberian tundra, a quaint Alhuskan village endures, its inhabitants descendants of an ancient tribe that traversed from Alaska thousands of years ago during the last Ice Age. They steadfastly adhere to their inherited way of life, preserving a legacy in this remote corner of the world.

   At the local tavern, Inusuk, a 40-year-old skilled hunter, prepares to return home after a week spent hunting for his survival needs ahead of the approaching Arctic winter.

   "Heading out, Inusuk? Must have been a tough hunt," Kadik says, approaching the tavern door.

  "Yes, Kadik. I'm exhausted. The cold is getting worse, and the game is scarce," Inusuk replies.

   "Rest well, my friend. We'll need your strength for the winter," Kadik says.

   "You too, Kadik," Inusuk responds.

   Accompanied by Keto, his trusted Husky dog and herd leader, Inusuk strolls along the main road that cuts through the village. He pauses, gazing up at the night sky, captivated by its breathtaking display of stars, including the luminous swath of the Milky Way galaxy. The scent of burning firewood and forest essences fills the crisp air.

    It is a clear, serene night with a sense of calm and quietude. Suddenly, Inusuk notices an unusual orange trail across the sky, resembling a falling star, hurtling towards the horizon at incredible speed, a few miles distant from the village. Within moments, an otherworldly thunderous sound, akin to an astral roar, reverberates through the air, followed by a blinding flash explosion.

   "What the hell was that?" he murmurs, eyes tracking the luminous trail in the night sky.

   Too exhausted to investigate, Inusuk retreats to his dwelling and prepares to sleep. However, before settling in for the night, he casts a final glance out the window and observes flames flickering behind the distant mountains. Something sizable has fallen from space.

   He looks to his dog, Keto, and exclaims, "Buddy, we're going to investigate it tomorrow. Let's have an adventure... OK?" Keto jumps on him, requesting cuddles.

     Inusuk is the village's best hunter, admired and a source of inspiration for the new generations of his ancient tribe. He is the eldest son of a typical Alhuskan family. Inusuk’s father was a famous hunter, and his mother was a brave and leading woman in the hostile Arctic environment. Two years ago, his brother left the village to make a living in Saint Petersburg, occasionally sending news of his well-being from the Russian Empire’s capital.

     The next morning, Inusuk ventures outside to gather firewood. As he glances towards the horizon, his eyes catch sight of a smoke column billowing from the suspected site. The flames have dissipated, leaving behind only a thick column of smoke. He feels weary from his previous days of hunting, but his urge to search is stronger. Inusuk eats a modest breakfast, prepares his sleigh, and gathers his team of dogs to push forward.

Keto leads the pack. "Let's go, buddy!" shouts Inusuk.

     The snow continues to fall steadily, its tiny ice flakes creating a relentless curtain around him. Inusuk estimates that he can reach the location before nightfall; it should be around 3 p.m., the typical time of twilight in the Northern Siberian region. The dogs run smoothly, steadily approaching the suspected crash site. As the sun begins its descent, they suddenly halt before an ice-covered snow hill, where an unusual orange fog wafts behind it. Sensing their unease, they begin to bark nervously. Inusuk recognizes this behavior as a warning sign.

     He retrieves his unique Springfield hunting rifle and strides towards the crest of the hill, enveloped in an eerie fog. Upon reaching the apex, he beholds a breathtaking panorama of the crash site below. At the frozen lake’s edge lies an oval object embedded in the ice, its metallic texture gleaming under the wintry sun.

     Despite the absence of significant damage or surface scratches indicative of a crash, the object remains partially submerged beneath the snow, with tendrils of orange smog billowing from its edges, pulsating violet light.

Inusuk approaches the spot where the dog indicated.

     "Stay here, Keto, wait for me here... outside," he orders to protect his dog. Keto stops and sits down, barking.

Standing before the device, Inusuk is taken aback as a triangular door materializes, large enough for him to pass through effortlessly. A mysterious force compels Inusuk deeper into the unknown depths of the craft. Inside, it smells like burnt metal. He can hear a buzzing sound coming from the core of the object.

     Entering through the triangular door, he finds himself traversing a vast corridor that draws him inexorably forward. As he emerges into a colossal chamber, Inusuk is astonished by its size, which defies the exterior dimensions. The room stretches out before him, vast and expansive, far exceeding what could be perceived from the outside. Intrigued and somewhat unnerved, Inusuk presses on, driven by a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

     He walks a few more meters and then comes upon a large throne-like chair positioned at the end of a circular room. Upon it reclines a tall figure. This being wears a dark, futuristic suit with an unusual insect-like body shape. Its head is fully concealed by a helmet engraved with symbols reminiscent of those found on the craft’s surface. It appears lifeless, likely a casualty of the crash impact.

     Two shattered crystal columns lay strewn across the floor nearby. The chair features a small control console adorned with engraved handprints. It appears to be the helm of the spacecraft.

     As he proceeds cautiously through the room, he notices three other beings lying lifeless against the back wall. Wondering if any of these unknown visitors had survived, he feels compelled by instinct to check for survivors. Despite recognizing the advanced nature of this race, he can’t shake the concern that they might pose a threat to his tribe and endanger his people’s lives. He once again approaches the entrance he had previously used. Although it is now shut, it promptly swings open as soon as he reaches it.

     Keto barks to catch his attention, seated behind the makeshift structure. Inusuk notices footprints in the snow, indicating that someone has left the device after the crash and ventured into the woods. His apprehensions materialize as he realizes there are survivors from the crash. With a snowstorm looming, he understands the urgency to vacate the crash site swiftly with his dogs and sled.

     Meanwhile, from the peak of a nearby hill, the surviving alien observer silently watches Inusuk’s departure. The tall being wears a tight uniform that looks like flexible armor. He has no visible wounds. The armor has a black texture with engraved symbols on it. He has a humanoid body type.     

     A full helmet covers his head, with a futuristic shape, seemingly designed by high-tech processes thousands of years ahead of existing helmets in 1908. He walks on the snow as if gliding, then retrieves a small device that provides an aerial view of the region. He scans the village view, using digital controls to program his destination. His body is then affected by some transfer of energy, disintegrating his molecular structure.

     When his shape is recomposed at the top of a hill very close to the village's main entrance, he prepares to study the environment and wait for Inusuk's arrival. The Alhuskan hunter must be a crucial link for his assigned mission. He recalls the space battle with a predator spacecraft. His crew and craft had been targeted by laser beams, forcing them to make an emergency landing on Earth. The impact was tremendous, and his survival was a one-in-a-thousand chance.

Inusuk rides his sled at high speed, driven by the dogs who sense an approaching snowstorm. He decides to take a shortcut he once explored while hunting.

     He knows that as an emergency solution, he can find shelter in a small cave not far from there. It might be better to do so, as the wind is increasing, and he doesn’t want to push his dogs too hard. They reach the cave and wait for the storm to pass. He sets up a fire to keep himself and the dogs warm.

Inusuk starts thinking about his experience in the spacecraft. He is astonished by the discovery. It is blowing his mind. He remembers that a long time ago, he heard from the tribe’s shaman that their ancestors were visited by celestial beings.

     He needs to visit the shaman as soon as he gets back to the village. His amazing discovery must be shared with the wise man.

      A couple of hours later, the storm slows down.

     It is time to leave the shelter and continue his journey back to the village. He sets his sled and gets the dogs to push it. Night is falling, revealing the outstanding view of the Arctic sky—clear and deep, with no clouds.

   He estimates that he will arrive at the village in one more hour. He is still very excited and anxious to share his journey.

   Finally, the village appears on the horizon, with its fireplaces and traditional Alhuskan homes. It has been the same view since his childhood. This view gives him a sense of warm comfort. The community day-by-day routine. Seeing his friends and neighbors working, hunting, and fishing, always in a happy way, enjoying life among the snow, the cold, and the wilderness environment.

   Inusuk made a trip a couple of years ago to see a big town of the Russian settlers, but he felt that he could never change his habits in such a city with its people and noisy sounds.

    This Alhuskan village is his beloved land and way of life.

   His mission in life was to protect the tribe's culture and the tundra environment, as his ancestors did centuries ago against all unexpected threats and challenges.

   And right now, he has a big challenge to face.

Chapter 2

The Shaman's Widsom

“A spiritual retreat is time with ourselves to find our way back to the age-old wisdom of the ancestors.”

 — Susanna Aarnio

A few hours later, Inusuk arrived at the village. He needed to talk with Yaquipack, the ancient shaman of the Alhuskan tribe and his closest old friend. He walked to Yaquipack's home, a traditional tribal construction adorned with wooden sculptures representing the main spirits of Alhuskan beliefs. Inusuk knocked on the door.

   The door creaked open slowly, revealing a dimly lit room filled with the scent of burning herbs and the sound of a crackling fire. Inusuk stepped inside, greeted by the familiar sight of Yaquipack seated near the hearth, his weathered face illuminated by the dancing flames.

   “Inusuk, my old friend,” Yaquipack said warmly. “It’s been too long since your last visit. Come, sit by the fire. What brings you here tonight?”

   Inusuk sat down, looking at the shaman with a mixture of excitement and concern. “Yaquipack, I’ve come seeking your wisdom again.”

   “Of course, my son. It will be my pleasure.”

   Inusuk sat near the fireplace and asked, "Do you remember the tales you shared with me years ago about the celestial beings and their flying devices that occasionally visit our region?”

   Yaquipack nodded solemnly, his eyes reflecting memories of ancient stories. "Indeed, Inusuk, I remember well. The stories have been passed down through generations among our people. The beings you speak of have enigmatic flying devices.”

   Inusuk began to describe his recent encounter with the strange object and the possible survivor being. Yaquipack listened intently, his expression growing more serious.

   “Inusuk, I was told by other old shamans that these beings have been visiting our lands for centuries, and they seem to have specific intentions tied to the minerals of our mountains.”

   Yaquipack explained that Inusuk's recent discovery echoed the oval spacecraft depicted in ancient drawings, a motif seen by a few tribes in bygone eras. The shaman picked up a wrapped animal skin and showed an ancient drawing of the beings' interpretation. The figures depicted were otherworldly, with elongated limbs and large, dark eyes. The oval spacecraft were etched with symbols that seemed to glow faintly in the firelight. However, Yaquipack noted that these encounters weren’t limited to peaceful visitations. He highlighted instances of aggressive and extremely hostile alien visitors from a distant galaxy and a reptilian-type race known as the “Tornasuk” stars tribe, dubbed “Demons from far skies.”

   “My friend, you must investigate as soon as possible what the intentions of this visitor survivor are,” Yaquipack advised.

    “But you also should be very discreet. It is not good yet to alarm our people,” added the shaman, taking a long breath from his tobacco pipe.

   Inusuk took a moment to absorb the gravity of the situation before responding, “Sure, venerable. I will begin my search discreetly and tread carefully. I understand the importance of not alarming our people until we have a clear understanding of these visitors’ intentions.”

   With Yaquipack’s guidance and the knowledge passed down through generations, Inusuk felt a sense of duty and responsibility to protect his tribe and their lands. As he prepared to embark on this journey, he knew that he carried the weight of history and tradition on his shoulders. After leaving the shaman’s house, Inusuk walked through the silent village. He couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. The weight of his task pressed heavily on his shoulders, blending with the icy wind that bit at his skin. The fate of his tribe may now rest in his hands.

   Inusuk was asleep. It was three o'clock in the Arctic morning, the onset of a bitterly cold winter, marked by strong winds and deep snow. He found himself in the silent embrace of the Arctic night, with his husky dogs nestled indoors behind the front door. The crackling of the fireplace provided the only warmth in the cabin as it consumed the last of the firewood.

   Suddenly, a tall silhouette cut across the window’s view. Instantly, Keto, the lead husky, began to growl and bark, rousing the rest of the pack. Inusuk sprang into action, grabbing his Springfield rifle. With fluid movements, he opened the front door and stepped outside, his breath forming frosty clouds in the frigid air. In the dim light, he glimpsed a mysterious figure disappearing into the dense forest. Large footprints marred the pristine snow, mirroring those found at the crash site. Inusuk’s heart quickened—it was the alien survivor. But how did it find its way to his remote cabin? And more pressing still, was it hunting him?

   With conviction burning in his chest, Inusuk dismissed the notion of coincidence. The being was undoubtedly hunting him. Every rustle of the wind, every shadow dancing in the moonlight seemed to whisper confirmation of his fears. With a surge of caution, Inusuk halted his advance and retreated to the safety of his cabin.

   As he secured the door behind him, a sense of unease settled over him like a heavy blanket. He knew he must remain vigilant, his senses attuned to any sign. Inside the cabin, he positioned himself near the window, his rifle at the ready. Time stretched out as he waited in tense anticipation, his heart pounding in rhythm with the howling wind outside. Every crack of the wooden beams, every gust of wind against the walls kept his nerves on edge. He had never been in this situation before.

   In the dim glow of the dying fire, Inusuk’s eyes scanned the darkness beyond the window, searching for any movement, any hint of the alien’s return. His grip tightened on the rifle as thoughts of survival and the unknown dangers lurking in the Arctic night flooded his mind.

   Hours passed in silence, broken only by the occasional sound of the crackling fire. Yet, Inusuk remained steadfast, his resolve unyielding as he waited for the inevitable confrontation with the being that hunted him.

   But why was he being hunted by the alien? It didn’t make sense. If it was a predator species, it wouldn’t choose a specific victim. This likely meant the creature was trying to establish some form of communication with him and had followed him all the way from the crash site. How did it manage to do so quickly and precisely in such deep snow? It was inexplicable.

   As a skilled hunter, Inusuk started thinking quickly and rationally, his survival instincts kicking in. He felt that this interpretation of the situation was closer to the truth and began to plan for the next day. Inusuk woke up early as always, just as the sun was rising on the horizon.

   The snowstorm had passed, leaving deep snow around his cabin. He took a panoramic view from his window. Everything was quiet. There were no signs of the alien being, no footprints, just the white snow over the forest.

   When he opened the door, he heard absolute silence. The wind was not strong, and the sun was beginning to shine timidly on the horizon. From his house, he could see the village, with no people in the streets. They were starting their daily routine of fishing and hunting, knowing they must stockpile as much food as possible for the next winter. The tribe's shaman had dreamt it could be the coldest winter in the last 100 years.

   The village population was no more than a thousand residents. Few were older, and the average age was young adulthood. The men were not very tall but were strong and healthy, shaped by the severe winters of the Siberian Arctic.        Only strong men could withstand its challenges and fears.  But this was the legacy of the Alhuska tribe.

   Their ancestors had come from Alaska, crossing the frozen Bering Sea. It was an epic journey that proved the Alhuska people's determination and resilience. This was the great pride of the Alhuskans, and they always remembered their origins and past history.

   They were integrated with the hostile environment.

Chapter 3

The Intergalactic Warrior

“Good alliances are made of strong, capable partners.”
—Mark Esper

As the early morning light filtered through the cabin windows, Inusuk began his daily routine. He brewed a steaming mug of hot tea and prepared a hearty meal of roast salmon and bread, ensuring his loyal husky dogs were fed before setting out.

   Outside, the weather had relented, and a clear sky greeted him—a rare respite from the biting cold. Recalling his conversation with Yaquipack, Inusuk resolved to pursue the mysterious visitor. Following the faint trail of footprints left in the snow, he ventured deeper into the frozen forest.

   A faint scent of sulfur lingered in the air, adding an eerie quality to the already haunting landscape.

   Abruptly, his gaze fell upon a familiar sight—a pyramid-shaped stone, a natural landmark that had guided him through these woods countless times before. Its position, with one corner pointing unerringly toward the North Pole, served as a beacon in the vast expanse of wilderness. Inusuk noticed a significant portion of the pyramid’s stone had been removed, leaving a precise, square-cut opening that seemed perfect for sheltering against a snowstorm. He marveled at the visitor’s skills and tools, evident in the meticulous craftsmanship of the cut. It appeared that the visitor had spent several hours there during the previous night’s storm.

   As Inusuk ventured deeper into the forest, he discovered new footprints leading toward an abandoned mine a few miles away. Years ago, foreign miners, the “Mainaq” in the Alhuskan language, were hired by the Russian Tsar to extract gold from the region. They set up camp and worked for several months until one fateful night when they mysteriously vanished. Local legends attributed their disappearance to the curse of the Hunted Gold Cave.

   Inusuk had visited the cave once after the miners went missing, and he could still recall the sense of desolation and an eerie force emanating from within, with objects that seemed to move strangely, adding to the cave’s mystique and the legend surrounding it. Remnants of the missing miners' camping gear and tools for gold extraction still littered the area. As the alien visitor arrived at the entrance, he retrieved a small device with a flashing screen and began scanning the mine location, presumably in search of a particular mineral.

    Inusuk, following him at a secure distance and observing his movements, pondered what this special mineral could be. The visitor then slipped through the entrance, disappearing from view. Inusuk realized he must follow and entered the cave.

   Inside, absolute silence and darkness enveloped the corridor. Gradually, a faint blue light emanated from the far end, growing more intense with each step. Inusuk discovered its source: a massive blue crystal stone, casting its luminous glow throughout this section of the cave. Near the crystal, the visitor stood, awaiting his approach. Despite his apprehension, Inusuk pressed on, feeling compelled not to fear the visitor’s imposing presence.

   As they neared each other, Inusuk realized the alien was at least two heads taller than himself. He began to receive mental flashes and constant alerts, urging him not to fear. He sensed that the visitor was attempting to establish a communication link. Then, the visitor raised his right hand, emitting a blue light beam that focused directly on Inusuk’s face. Despite not knowing how, Inusuk realized that the visitor was now communicating in the Alhuskan dialect.

   The visitor’s voice resonated within Inusuk’s mind:
   “I know your tribe from many generations. My people come here once in a while to obtain an important mineral that can only be found here. It once existed in other galaxies, but it is no longer so.”

   Inusuk inquired, “Where is your land?”

The visitor took off a small device from his armor and projected a detailed image of the universe—galaxies, planets—images shown at a fast speed, but enough for Inusuk to follow until it stopped at a dark and foggy planet. The visitor responded:
   "In the very deep sky. Our planet is named Astrion and located in the Pleiades star system. We discovered your planet half a million years ago.”

   Inusuk asked, “Did you ever meet my tribe’s people?”

   The visitor replied, “Just on a few occasions. We have been instructed by the masters not to interfere or affect your tribe’s way of life and culture.”

   Inusuk asked, “So, you are the benevolent beings, aren’t you?”

   The visitor responded, "I belong to the Intergalactic Guardian Federation. Our purpose is to safeguard the evolution of this galaxy; we were created for that. I am the Guardian Unit-TX8. However, there are also perilous negative forces inhabited by malevolent beings who seek to oppose us.”

Inusuk probed further, “What befell your spacecraft?”

   The visitor recounted, “We encountered an assault from the most formidable and malevolent race among the negative forces, the Wardemonds. They overpowered my crew, leaving me to confront their impending invasion alone.”

Inusuk nervously questioned, “Invasion? What do you mean?”

   The visitor grimly explained, “The Wardemonds plan to invade and conquer Earth, annihilating all life. They intend to establish a forward command post to extend their dominion over the galaxy.”

   Inusuk became visibly distressed, overwhelmed by the notion that the entire planet could fall victim to these malevolent forces. He asked the visitor, “How do you plan to aid our people against the potential invasion?”

   Driven by his instinct to meticulously analyze the situation, much like the skilled hunter he was, Inusuk laid bare his fears to the visitor. The visitor replied, “Your assistance will be invaluable, Hunter. We’ll need to ensure that our spacecraft is fully operational and equipped for the mission. You can help by gathering additional resources or materials we might require for repairs and modifications. Additionally, we’ll need to strategize the best approach for inserting the weapon device into their mothership when it appears to land in this region. The Wardemonds’ invasion forces rely solely on their formidable mothership, ominously dubbed ‘The Planet Buster.’ It is imperative to keep your tribe unaware of this information for their safety. Your expertise in this region is crucial. I require another mineral element to finalize the preparation of the crucial device. Through my scans, I have pinpointed its location to a cave within the nearest mountain range to your settlement.” The visitor retrieved a small screen from his waist belt and displayed precise images of one of the mountains. Inusuk immediately recognized it. He then handed another small screen to Inusuk and instructed him to keep it with him.
    “Hunter, this device will serve as our communication channel,” he taught Inusuk and added, “Return to your home and await my further instructions.”

   In the meantime, the visitor would return to the crash site to make all necessary arrangements and repairs for the impending attack. With that, the visitor turned and headed in the direction of the blue stone. Suddenly, his entire body was enveloped and transferred inside it, disappearing.

   On his way back to the cave entrance, Inusuk noticed a pair of light blue, energized footprints following him. He observed them, smiled, and took the opportunity to leap over them. The footprints seemed to have a sleigh function, making them faster and smoother, almost as if they were guided by his thoughts.

   Upon arriving home, Inusuk realized that the time he spent conversing with the visitor in the cave did not match the time displayed on his home clock; it was only ten minutes later! Inusuk was profoundly affected by all the information he absorbed from the visitor. Everything was beyond his knowledge and comprehension, blowing his mind. On the other hand, the situation was dramatic, and a possible invasion by predatory aliens would put all his people at stake.      Their power of destruction was tremendous, and they could not be defeated with bravery and rifles alone.

    The visitor's battle plan and strategy, using his know-how and crashed spacecraft supplies, would be crucial to winning this battle and ensuring his Alhuskan village's survival. According to their shaman's knowledge, there had not been a real confrontation between these evil alien forces and humans in recorded history.

   There was no experience or advice that could help in the coming battle.

   This would be the most unique and dangerous challenge of his life.

Chapter 4

The War is Coming

“To be prepared for war is the most effective

means of preserving peace.”
—George Washington

The weight of the visitor's revelations pressed heavily on Inusuk’s mind as he made his way to the Shaman’s dwelling. Each step through the snow-crusted village underscored the peace he was determined to protect. Time was slipping away, and every moment felt precious.

  Consulting the Shaman, the tribe's spiritual guide, was essential. The Shaman's ancient wisdom and calm presence could provide a plan to face the impending threat.

   Upon arrival, Inusuk learned that the Shaman was engaged in prayer and meditation. Entering the main room, Inusuk found the Shaman kneeling amidst sculptures of various Yupik deities. Respectfully, Inusuk took a seat at the back of the room and waited in silence. When the Shaman completed his rituals, he turned to Inusuk with a knowing look and said, "It seems you have encountered the unexpected visitor, my friend.”

   Inusuk drew his legs close and began recounting his experience. He was both excited and concerned. The visitor’s revelations had shattered his previous understanding of life on Earth and the universe. For a moment, he felt as if he had been chosen by some cosmic force to aid his people—a notion he found both thrilling and alarming.

After a moment of contemplation, the Shaman spoke with urgency:

    "It is time to convene the tribal council. We must prepare for the coming battle."

  He continued, "First, we must arrange an emergency settlement in the east mountain cave to protect our people. Twelve young hunters will accompany you, Inusuk, to support your mission with the celestial warrior. Additionally, the council will designate three watchers to monitor the sky perimeter of the village. Their vigilance will be crucial. The visitor must also explain his strategy for defeating the invading forces and reveal the enemy's weaknesses."

   Inusuk agreed to the Shaman's plan and set out to prepare.     He packed a backpack and meticulously cleaned his Springfield rifle, knowing this could be the most challenging hunt of his life. As late afternoon approached, a blue light began flashing on the warrior's device, signaling a communication.   The crashed craft was operational, and it was time to work on the device needed for the Wardemons' mothership.

   Inusuk assembled a list of twelve skilled hunters. They had shared many adventures and faced numerous challenges in the harsh Arctic environment. Most were young like himself, though a few older ones, who were familiar with the region, would be invaluable. Each hunter possessed a rifle, and many were also skilled in archery.

   Though his people lived peacefully, they had demonstrated remarkable bravery and discipline in extraordinary situations. Epic battles were rare in their history, but their victories had brought them great glory. Inusuk would lead a team of five dogs, commanded by Kato, while the Shaman’s group would shelter the rest of the tribe.

   Though uncertain about the mission's outcome, Inusuk knew that every action needed to be swift, precise, and flawless. He closed his door, as always, leaving it unlocked—a testament to his tribe’s pride and ethical behavior.

The tribe was made up of many families, each with an average of two children. People typically lived to eighty or ninety years old, thanks to their genetics, lifestyle, clean water, and natural food. Illness was rare.

   With the council meeting scheduled for late afternoon, Inusuk decided to scout the mountains for a suitable cave to serve as emergency shelter. He knew of three large caves that could accommodate the village’s 900 inhabitants.   These caves, hidden in the rarely visited mountains, required significant effort to access. However, Inusuk enjoyed climbing and the view from the top.

   Upon inspecting the caves, he found the most suitable one obstructed by large stones at the entrance. He proceeded to the nearest cave, which, though smaller, still offered ample space for the villagers. The main entrance provided a strategic vantage point with a 180-degree panoramic view, essential for detecting and monitoring potential invaders.   This position would be crucial for preparing defenses and launching counterattacks. Inusuk drew upon the ancestral wisdom passed down through storytelling, which included knowledge of nature, the wilderness, and spiritual insights from the old Shaman. He began to feel this ancient energy enhancing his resolve.

   Returning to the village, Inusuk stopped at the tavern for a drink. The atmosphere was lively due to the Shaman’s call for an extraordinary council meeting. Everyone speculated about the reason for this urgent gathering. Inusuk sat alone at a table, sipping a local beer. Though alcohol wasn’t traditionally part of Alhuskan culture, interactions with Russians had introduced vodka and beer to the local tavern. Inusuk never drank excessively; he usually had two pints of beer or two shots of vodka before leaving.

   That afternoon, he was preoccupied with thoughts of the Alhuskan village's future. He believed any potential conflict between the Wardemons and the Guardians must remain far from his people’s territory. He sensed that the impending confrontation would unleash a massive surge of energy with far-reaching effects. Inusuk was convinced that the survival of the Yupik people hinged on the Guardians' strategic intervention.

   In parallel, far away against the backdrop of the deep universe, the Guardian Federation Fleet monitored messages from their lost warrior who had crashed on Earth. The Guardian Federation of Universe III was an intergalactic force responsible for overseeing and influencing the evolution of Universe III, which included Earth and the Solar System. The exact number of universes remains unknown, believed to be infinite. The Guardians were still unraveling the mysteries of creation, with each exploration reshaping their understanding.

   The Guardians’ civilization had existed for over a billion years, with an understanding of space and time far beyond our current comprehension. Led by the Nordics—tall, blonde, with long hair and smooth, muscular bodies—their intelligence surpassed that of Earth’s greatest minds by at least twentyfold. While the fleet could not be present on Earth during the Wardemons’ arrival, they planned to assist the lost Guardian remotely and organize a rescue mission with a designated platoon.

   They anticipated arriving within ten days of Earth time. The command panel had detected the Wardemons’ mothership on its trajectory toward Earth.

Chapter 5

The Alhuskan Council

“In union there is strength.”
—Aeosp

The men filed into the Alhuskan Council Room, their faces etched with anxiety and tension. It had been a long time since such a meeting had been called, signaling something extraordinary. As they settled in, some took seats while others sat cross-legged on the floor. Silence fell as the old Shaman entered, accompanied by his assistant and Inusuk.      The Shaman carried a package wrapped in animal skins and tied with a thin rope.

   He greeted the men solemnly and began recounting Inusuk’s encounters with the crashed spacecraft and the Guardian Visitor. The men listened intently, exchanging astonished glances as the Shaman unfolded ancient drawings depicting past encounters with visitors from distant lands. Some had come in peace, while others had brought conflict to the tribe.

   "Brothers," the Shaman began, gesturing toward the drawings, "these depictions record our ancestors' interactions with beings who arrived in strange vehicles from distant skies.”

   A tall man in the corner, smoking an old pipe, spoke up:    "Will these beings attack us?"

   "To answer that and many other questions," the Shaman replied, "let us hear from Inusuk about the main reason for our urgent council meeting.”

   Inusuk stepped forward, his expression grave. He recounted his experiences since discovering the crashed spacecraft in the frozen lake, detailing his encounter with the Guardian Visitor and the threat of the predatory race approaching their region. He emphasized that their only hope lay with the Guardian, now a lone survivor from a crew sent to halt the invasion.

   "Our Guardian visitor plans to implant a powerful explosive device in their mothership," Inusuk explained, miming the action. "Our mission will be to distract their scouting platoon."

   "How many of these demons are aboard their ship?" asked an old Yupik hunter.

   "We estimate no more than fifty," Inusuk replied. "This is just the first wave. A larger invasion force may follow."

   "So, we must defeat this initial platoon," concluded the Shaman. "How will we protect our families, Inusuk?"

   "It’s not just about protection," Inusuk said, outlining his strategy. "We must keep this battle far from our village. I’ve found a cave in the nearby mountains that can shelter our people and supplies."

   Discussion ensued among the men. It was an unprecedented situation, and Inusuk patiently answered their questions, reassuring them with his detailed plans.

   "Alright, men," Inusuk finally declared, striking the floor with a fishing spear that hung on the wall. "It’s time for us to discuss our next steps together.”

   He outlined the tasks:

  Select twelve skilled men to deploy and detonate explosives to distract the Wardemons.

  Assign four watchers to high mountains to monitor the sky for any enemy movement.

  Prepare for evacuation to the mountain cave if necessary.

   "It’s crucial that despite the gravity of the situation, we remain calm and focused," Inusuk urged passionately.     “Brothers: our bravery is our legacy! Let’s win this battle!”

   The council quickly voted on the chosen warriors and watchers, gathering their weapons and supplies to follow Inusuk to the crash site. Meanwhile, the watchers departed for their positions in the mountains.

   Inusuk retrieved his staff and waited on the village’s main street. When the men were ready, they set off for the crash site, embarking on a new adventure bound by their cultural survival. Hours later, they arrived at the site. For most, the sight of the spacecraft was astounding. While the men explored outside, Inusuk entered to find the Guardian.

Inside, the Guardian was monitoring cosmic movements at a panoramic panel. He established a mental link with Inusuk, who informed him of the men’s readiness. Together, they joined the others outside. Facing the twelve warriors, the Guardian telepathically communicated, “We don’t have much time. The Predators will arrive tomorrow at noon near here. My spacecraft will be camouflaged, and I’ll be ready.”

He projected a holographic map, detailing the landing spot and the Wardemons’ path into the forest. “Follow my instructions precisely. Precision is crucial.”

   The men nodded, their respect for the Guardian evident. Turning to Inusuk, the Guardian said, “We must retrieve a mineral from Ghost Mountain tonight. It is essential for the explosive device. Prepare for tomorrow.”

   Inusuk thought of his father’s words about the strength found in unity and felt the weight of their legacy on his shoulders. The Shaman, having seen many winters, felt a deep sense of duty. He remembered the tales of old ancestors who faced similar threats and knew that history was repeating itself.

   "Our ancestors faced the unknown with courage," the Shaman said, his voice carrying a mystical quality. "The spirits of the past guide us. We must honor their memory by standing together.”

   The Council Room was filled with the scent of burning sage, a tradition meant to purify and protect. The crackling fire in the corner added to the solemn atmosphere. At the crash site, the air was cold and crisp, with a faint metallic smell emanating from the spacecraft. The soft crunch of snow underfoot amplified the surreal sight before them.

Inusuk felt a knot of fear in his stomach but pushed it aside.        There was no room for doubt. Their survival depended on their unity and bravery.

   The mineral was crucial for the explosive device; without it, their plan would fail.

   The stakes were high, and the tension was palpable. But in the face of such danger, the men found strength in their unity, ready to protect their people and their way of life.

Chapter 6

The Ghost Mountain

"Engage your brain before you engage your weapon."
—General James Martin

Before setting off for Ghost Mountain, Inusuk instructed his men to watch the sky closely for any signs of movement. He observed that the Guardian had tidied up the wreckage, and the bodies of his crew were buried in the snow in special capsules that disintegrated the remains, leaving no visible trace of the crash site.

   Inusuk stepped outside the craft with the Guardian, who led him to a platform with two seats made of transparent blue glass. The device was astonishing. The Guardian set a few coordinates, and they took off, soaring over the forest at incredible speed.

   As they neared Ghost Mountain, Inusuk felt a growing unease. For many years, they had avoided that sacred place. The ancestors of his people had reported seeing strange lights emanating from the main cave, known as "The Crystal Cave."

   They arrived at the cave's entrance, which was obstructed by large rocks, likely from a snow avalanche. This was not a significant obstacle for the Guardian. He used his belt device to move the rocks. A light green beam emerged from the device, and the rocks began to levitate like feathers, gently being moved aside one by one.

  "You must enter the cave and follow my instructions using this device. I cannot accompany you inside," said the Guardian. "The Wardemons have sent a sentinel drone to guard the main chamber, where the Blue Gem—an extraordinary mineral essential for our weapon—is located. As a local inhabitant, you will appear as an ordinary visitor to the drone.   I must remain undetected to maintain our advantage. This drone is always dispatched to planets when prospecting for this unique mineral. Coincidentally, the only place on Earth where the Blue Gem can be found is your region."

Inusuk listened intently, preparing his exploration bag with a flask of water, a lantern, and his rifle. The Guardian then handed him a special device—a kind of lightning knife.

   "This will help you light the cave tunnels. Once you find the main chamber, you will need to cut a piece of the Gem, about the size of a human head. I will demonstrate how it works." The Guardian cut a piece from one of the removed stones to show him.

   "But be cautious. Areas with the Blue Gem typically have an anomalous magnetic field that generates mutative radiation. This could affect the genetic structure of wild animals if they are exposed for too long."

  “We’ve seen ordinary lizards, snakes, even bears transform into terrible predators,” he warned Inusuk. “I will be waiting here for you. Move quickly for your safety and to stay within our tight schedule. Is that clear, hunter?”

Inusuk tightened his grip on the nearly empty bag, its weight a stark reminder of the precious cargo he hoped to secure. He gave a resolute nod to the Guardian before stepping into the yawning mouth of the cave. The air inside was a frigid, clammy embrace, sending a shiver down his spine. With a flick of the lightning knife, a bright beam sliced through the oppressive darkness, casting eerie shadows on the damp walls and revealing the narrow path ahead.

  The cave was cold, humid, and dark. Using the knife device, he increased the light, making it easier to navigate the narrow corridors. After a few minutes, the tunnel opened into a larger cavern adorned with impressive prehistoric paintings depicting ancient daily life. He didn’t linger over the paintings and pressed on. The main corridor branched into three new tunnels. He knew he had to make a choice.

   For a few seconds, he turned off his light device. In the darkness, he noticed a faint blue glow coming from the right tunnel. This was a clue that it could be the right path. He turned his light device back on and proceeded down the right tunnel. A breeze, cold and dry, blew from within. On both sides of the tunnel, the paintings depicted humans interacting with strange flying devices hovering over the forest.

   Inusuk heard a distant grunt, likely from a wild animal somewhere in the cave. The corridor ended at a primitive wooden door. He opened it and found a large cavern with a stone altar engraved with symbols. At the center of the altar was an extraordinarily large Blue Gem.

   Inusuk decided to trust his instincts and not enter the chamber immediately. He waited for any unexpected sounds or movements. Suddenly, from one of the chamber corridors, came a strange noise like a buzzing bee. He spotted a small, round sphere rolling on the chamber floor. A violet beam scanned the nearby walls and ceiling. This must be the sentinel drone the Guardian had warned him about.

   Inusuk threw a small stone against one of the walls. The sphere moved towards the sound, following it. He then threw another stone down a right corridor branching off from the chamber. It worked; the drone chased after it like a dog after a bone. Smiling, Inusuk hurried towards the Blue Gem.

   The Blue Gem was magnificent, like a huge diamond he had seen with the old miners. He took out his device and, following the Guardian's instructions, began cutting one of the sides of the Gem. He needed a piece about ten inches by ten inches. The cut was precise and progressed quickly. He could still hear the buzz of the sentinel from the corridor, but it was growing fainter.

   Outside, the Guardian scanned the perimeter. There were no signs of the Wardemons' spacecraft arriving. Everything aligned with his projections for the predators' arrival time. He noticed strange footprints in the snow, resembling those of a large animal. The tracks were unusual—what kind of Earth animal could make such prints? He followed them and realized they disappeared on the east side of the cave entrance. There must be another way into the cave that the large animal had discovered.

   Using his knife device, which also had the capability to receive telepathic messages, the Guardian tried to warn Inusuk of the danger. Inusuk's device began vibrating, and an alert thought entered his mind. It must be the Guardian. The cut was complete, but the sentinel was drawing closer. He placed the piece of the Gem in his bag. Surprisingly, it wasn’t as heavy as he had expected. He took a few steps from the altar and hid again at the chamber entrance.

   The sphere was back, scanning the walls and ceiling. Returning from the same direction, Inusuk had a strange feeling linked to the telepathic message he received. Something else, something large, was approaching. He readied his rifle and started running toward the cave exit.

   Behind him, a wild and monstrous creature resembling a white bear was chasing him. It was enormous, far beyond normal proportions. He glanced back and fired his rifle twice. It seemed the animal wasn’t hit. The growls grew louder and closer. He fell and turned around instinctively.    The monster was almost upon him. He steadied the rifle and fired three times. A shot struck the beast in its eye. The creature screamed in agony but, fueled by adrenaline, continued to pursue Inusuk.

   Inusuk neared the main entrance, the same one he had entered. The beast seemed to lag behind until its screams faded. He reached the spot and, upon emerging, found the Guardian absent. Taking two steps forward, he heard the beast's growl close to his right side, where the Guardian had followed the footprints. His rifle slipped from his grasp, leaving him unarmed.

   Just as he thought he was done for, a powerful orange beam targeted the beast's head, knocking it out and sending it rolling down the mountain abyss. He turned and saw the Guardian holding a weapon. He had saved Inusuk’s life.    There was no time for further conversation.

   Inusuk handed the bag to the Guardian, who checked the gem piece and nodded affirmatively. They headed to the platform device, needing to return to the spacecraft. The Guardian would prepare the weapon to defeat the incoming predators. Time was of the essence. The return journey was swift, and the vimana's speed was incredible. Soon, they landed near the spacecraft.

   One of the twelve Yupik warriors approached and asked, "A few minutes ago, we saw a spherical object hovering near the forest. Is that their spacecraft?"

Chapter 7

The Mighty Weapon

"No one who saw it could forget it,

a foul and awesome display."
Kenneth Brainbridge

Inusuk followed the Guardian Warrior with a sense of awe, thrilled by the opportunity to explore the spacecraft and witness the advanced technology of the Guardian's civilization. As they walked, Inusuk expressed his gratitude for the Guardian saving his life and probed into personal questions about the Guardian Warrior's origins and connections to his home planet.

   The Guardian Warrior responded in a measured tone, "Saving you was part of my mission, Hunter. I am an organic clone unit, programmed to safeguard and assist the Intergalactic Federation Force against hostile civilizations. Our lifespan is approximately 12 Earth years before recycling."

   Inusuk's curiosity led him to ask, "Do you experience emotions like we do?"

   The Guardian Warrior paused before replying, "I do not believe so. Our training emphasizes absolute rationality and logic. Our actions and analyses must be swift and precise, devoid of error or failure."

  "How many units like you does the Federation possess?" Inusuk inquired.

   "We number 6,325,678 warriors and 6,000 commanders, all programmed for defensive and exploratory missions," the Guardian Warrior disclosed.

   Intrigued, Inusuk asked, "How ancient is your master civilization, the Xrydon civilization?"

   "The Xrydon civilization has existed for 1.2 million years. Our evolutionary path has diverged significantly from that of humanity," the Guardian Warrior revealed.

   "And what sustenance do you require?" Inusuk inquired further.

   "We rely on specialized compounds, a blend of metallic and organic components that surpass human development," the Guardian Warrior explained.

   Inusuk, intrigued by the Wardemons, asked about their history, motivations, and future. The Guardian provided a detailed account:

   "Much like your human race, my masters from Xrydon lack precise knowledge of the many universes that coexist across time's infinity. They do not know how many civilizations have been born and developed, nor which are friendly or hostile. Many centuries ago, a coalition of advanced civilizations founded the Intergalactic Federation of the Guardians of Light. Their goal was to maintain peaceful harmony across the known universe, despite vast planetary differences. The Wardemons are a younger civilization, about 500 million years old. They arose from the remnants of an ancient civilization's failed attempt to establish an intergalactic alliance for peace. From their inception, the Wardemons have been driven by a relentless hunger for power, domination, and expansion, leading them to decimate promising civilizations in their quest for supremacy."

   "What became of the populations of these conquered planets?" Inusuk asked, his concern evident.

   "Hunter, they were obliterated. I possess extensive files in my memory software, but my masters advise against sharing them with you. We must prevail in this battle to ensure your people can continue their way of life, culture, and traditions. It is a vital part of the natural evolutionary process—much like the stages seen in other civilizations throughout our universe's development."

   With that, the Guardian led Inusuk into the spacecraft's laboratory. The lab was immaculate, furnished minimally—a U-shaped table with three seats and numerous screens displaying continuous data. Inusuk was awestruck by the array of incomprehensible devices.

   The Guardian retrieved the gem and placed it on a platform slightly larger than its base. Flipping switches and pressing buttons, the gem spun at high speed, transforming into a pure energy fog that was absorbed by a thick wire. This wire transferred the energy to a metallic sphere smaller than the original gem. Inusuk understood that the gem's power now resided within this smaller sphere.

  The Guardian worked swiftly, placing a square device with strange symbols into a central depression. Made of dark metal resembling dark silver, the Guardian carefully inserted the small sphere. It fit perfectly, drawn by a magnetic field. Light lines around the sphere illuminated, signaling that it was operational. The Guardian then placed this device into a triangular frame, where it nested perfectly. The weapon was prepared, intended to be affixed atop the Wardemons' mothership—their vulnerable point for setting an explosive.

  "How do you plan to attach it to the mothership's structure?" Inusuk asked.

   "The emergency module is functioning adequately. It will provide enough displacement to ascend above the atmosphere and maneuver until I can secure it," the Guardian explained, pausing briefly. "It won’t be simple… but it is not impossible."

   Returning to the screens, the Guardian monitored the approaching Wardemon mothership, noting its increased speed. Adjustments to their estimated arrival time were necessary.

   Meanwhile, Inusuk checked on his team of warriors. They were resting, some praying for victory, others enjoying smoked salmon and fresh water. They remained captivated by the spacecraft's interior, which appeared larger than its exterior suggested.

   As the sunset bathed the snow-covered landscape in an ethereal glow against the backdrop of the universe and the Milky Way galaxy, Inusuk tended to the dogs resting near the warriors. Watchers stationed atop hillsides tracked movements across the northern, southern, eastern, and western skies. Their vigilant observation ensured that any new presence or object in the region would be promptly identified.

   Life in the village was tense, with everyone concerned for their tribe's future. Facing this new challenge required calm and courage. Prayers were offered to overcome this ordeal. The shaman organized a collective prayer to Ellam Yua, the Spirit of the Universe. Some men readied smoked food supplies and water, ferrying them to the designated Shelter for emergencies—essential preparations for survival in unforeseen circumstances.

   Late into the night, Inusuk finally slept, mesmerized by the Milky Way's breathtaking display against the Arctic's nocturnal darkness. He wondered how many planets and civilizations had faced similar threats from potential Wardemon invasions.

  During this time, the Guardian made final adjustments to the weapon device, fully aware of the immense energy stored in the twelve-inch diameter sphere. Any leaks could unleash uncontrollable devastation. The explosion, when triggered, would be monumental.

   As a hybrid warrior of organic and advanced technology, the Guardian required no sleep, entering brief standby periods to recharge and maintain optimal function. Throughout its life cycle, this unit had participated in numerous perilous missions—not only against the Wardemons' lethal force but also in response to planet-wide natural mutations. The Intergalactic Federation's scientists rigorously monitored and assessed unit performance. Any operational errors or deviations from established protocols would prompt intervention, including deactivation or restricted function until repairs could be made. Units were recycled and salvaged, conserving time and material resources.

   For the Federation masters, lifespans and timelines operated on different dimensions. In some sectors of the known universe, a century's passage could equate to a minute of Earth time. Establishing parameters around Earth's temporal fluctuations and their implications for civilization's development remained a challenge.

   Inusuk awoke past midnight, having rested for five hours—sufficient for his conditioned body. During winter, he sometimes took brief evening naps. Fetching a piece of bread from his backpack, he gathered fresh water from a cliff. Though he missed hot tea or coffee, he improvised a small fire outside the craft, brewing tea for himself and two awakened comrades who conversed and chuckled. A distant sound cut through their laughter—an alert horn, signaling the watchers' alert.

  Inusuk hurried inside to find the Guardian. Though in standby mode, its systems activated upon sensing Inusuk’s presence.

   "Guardian, our watchers detected something in the skies," Inusuk alerted.

   The Guardian returned to the screen controls, observing the Wardemon mothership’s arrival over Earth, now hovering in their direction. Activating a camouflage system, the Guardian projected an image of its spacecraft as completely destroyed—a crash illusion intended to divert the Wardemons' focus from the village.

   The battle needed to be waged as far from their homes as possible—a commitment the Guardian held firm.

Chapter 8

The Predators Arrival

"The world consisted of predators and prey.

You were either hunting or running."
–Charlene Weir

From their elevated vantage point, the watchers blew their horn trumpets, their calls echoing through the snow-covered valleys. This ancient signal, handed down from their Alhuskan ancestors, remained remarkably effective.

  On the northern watch, a sentinel spotted an ominous shape on the horizon: a dark, metallic ship, almost triangular, looming large and menacing. Its surface was etched with strange symbols, and thunderbolts crackled from beneath it. Pulses of red, purple, and orange light emanated from the ship, casting an eerie glow over the landscape.

   Inusuk's heart raced as he rallied his warriors. They stood motionless, their breaths visible in the frigid air. The spacecraft passed overhead, revealing more inscrutable symbols and external tubes resembling ground-level cannons. It moved silently, leaving a faint sulfuric scent in its wake, its dark metal surface humming with unseen energy.

  Two miles away, on a high plateau surrounded by rocks and snow, the Wardemon mothership landed smoothly, its electrical activity halting with a loud announcement of its arrival. Inusuk and his warriors watched in horrified fascination; the scene felt like a living nightmare.

   The Guardian appeared behind them, his voice calm and measured. "In a few minutes, the main door will open, and the first explorer platoon will emerge. Each platoon consists of thirteen members, hybrid beings in flexible, armored suits. Their only vulnerability is the back of their necks—the helmet offers no protection there. Any other approach will likely result in failure and casualties."

   He paused, producing a metal box with pre-programmed explosives. "These devices must be placed around the platoon. The explosions will disorient them, giving us the opportunity to strike."

   "How will you escape?" Inusuk asked, his voice barely a whisper.

   "I am trained for such situations," the Guardian replied. "As emotional organic units, control your emotions and act with precision. We are more intelligent than them, and the time to act is now."

   Inusuk's mind raced as he processed the Guardian's words. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on him, but he steeled himself. His people depended on him.

   Moments later, the mothership's main door opened, and a platoon of Wardemons emerged. Tall and humanoid, clad in futuristic armor etched with symbols, they wielded crystal-like spears. Their helmets concealed their faces, and they were led by a reptilian commander who organized them into a precise V-formation.

   The Inusuk warriors, now camouflaged in white by the Guardian, retrieved the timed explosives and swiftly moved to the nearby forest. In fifteen minutes, they had hidden the devices in the snow and returned to the crash site.

 Simultaneously the Wardemons advanced towards the forest, scanning the area vigilantly every few seconds.

   Back at the mothership, the door closed, sealing the craft. Inusuk observed that it was impenetrable—a solid block of dark silver metal with no apparent openings.

   Fifty feet from the spacecraft, the Wardemons halted. The reptilian leader scanned the forest. Spotting a caribou, one Wardemon aimed its crystal spear, emitting a red light ray that struck the animal dead within seconds. Another Wardemon drained its fluids into a flask.

   Inusuk telepathically inquired about their intentions. "They use these fluids to sustain their organic components," the Guardian explained. "They are ruthless predators, indifferent to the destruction they cause. Living beings are their natural prey."

   Inusuk's blood ran cold at the Guardian's words. He signaled his warriors to prepare. They spread out in pairs, waiting for the right moment to strike. Their target: the vulnerable spot at the back of the Wardemons' helmets.

   The Guardian monitored the Wardemons' position. They paused at the edge of the forest. Inusuk asked, "How many platoons are aboard their mothership?"

   "My systems estimate twelve more like this one," the Guardian replied. "Their destructive capabilities may escalate."

   "We must stop this platoon now," Inusuk urged. "We may not get another chance."

   "You're right," the Guardian confirmed, observing through his long-view device. "They’re moving again. Be ready.”

   "My systems estimate twelve more like this one," the Guardian replied. "Their destructive capabilities may escalate."

"We must stop this platoon now," Inusuk urged."We may not get another chance."

"You're right," the Guardian confirmed, observing through his long-view device. "They’re moving again. Be ready.”

The Alhuskan warriors were on edge. The enemy had finally arrived, and their appearance was utterly menacing. Though humanoid in shape, they moved with a jarring blend of animalistic grace and mechanical precision.

For many of the warriors, the sight of the wardemons felt like a vivid embodiment of the mystical tales they had heard throughout their lives—stories of Alhuskan divine beings battling against malevolent forces.

Inusuk, as with most of his hunting endeavors, was completely focused on the mission. While he was a fraternal figure within his community, he could also be as cold as ice when making decisions and taking actions for his survival. That trait was innate in him.

All of them were utterly silent, waiting for the Guardian's instructions.

Only the wind could be heard rustling through the frozen forest trees—a deep silence now punctuated by the faint echo of a strange guttural voice, probably from the commander of the landed platoon.

In the sky, an eagle circled, observing the strange dark figures against the whiteness of the snow.

Inusuk was ready to face this war.

Chapter 9

The Explorers Platoon

“The Spartans do not ask how many

are the enemy but where they are.”

–Plutarch

The Wardemon units were created as part of the Empire's expansion plan. The Reptilian Lords of War decided that the universe must be controlled by them, shaped to meet their needs and behavior. When the first platoons began their exploration journeys, peaceful civilizations and planetary resources were devastated.

   Entire planets were decimated instantaneously, with no regard for rules, ethics, or mercy.The Wardemons appropriated planets, transforming them to serve their own purposes. In five hundred years, according to Earth time, entire galaxies suffered at the hands of these intergalactic barbarians.

This continued until the Intergalactic Federation of Light Guardians organized a massive task force to combat and defeat their evil purposes.

When Planet Earth was targeted as a potential conquest for the Wardemon Empire, the Guardians acted immediately, leveraging their past experience and avoiding previous delays.

A special army force was assigned to monitor this part of the universe, constantly scanning the Wardemon fleet and their exploratory platoons.

Each movement was analyzed, and actions were swiftly taken to contain the threat. It was a continuous effort to maintain universal harmony, knowing that.

sooner or later, the Wardemon civilization would need to be

eliminated forever. The Guardian was a special unit within the Intergalactic Federation Warriors.

   Trained for the most complex and risky missions against the Wardemon Forces, he was a state-of-the-art creation developed by the ancient civilization of Astrion, which existed a billion years ago.

   This civilization was commanded by a select group of sapiens with the highest spiritual development, capable of living in various dimensions.

Physically, they resembled Nordic races: tall, athletic, with blonde hair and light blue eyes. They could decipher and learn any language or dialect in seconds.

The Guardian, composed of unique organic compounds and metals with innovative properties, possessed hyper-fast analytical thinking, outstanding physical reflexes, and greater resistance to elemental anomalies such as fire, water, and air.

The imminent attack on Planet Earth by the Wardemon forces was detected by the Guardian Unit while traveling in deep space with his crew. During their galaxy scans, they noticed the Wardemon mothership heading toward Earth.

They tracked its movements closely, observing as it sent a drone to detect the blue crystal precious mineral at Ghost Mountain.

   This led to a deep-space battle, during which their spacecraft was shot down by the Wardemons.

The Guardian Unit and its crew made an emergency crash landing in one of the most desolate regions of Earth at the time: the Siberian Arctic.

This location would also be the best place to repair any damages to their spacecraft.Using their maximum speed, they evaded the Wardemons' radars and entered Earth’s atmosphere at night in the northern hemisphere.

This event was the falling star that Insuk saw in the sky above his village a few days ago. Although the spacecraft's structure was nearly indestructible, the crew couldn't repair the internal deceleration process and gravity controls in time. This caused tremendous internal damage to their hybrid bodies. The Guardian managed to protect himself in an ejection tube, holding on with all his strength. The rest of the crew, two members, were killed by the impact.

The Guardian quickly assessed the spacecraft's condition and evaluated the necessary repairs. He realized he would need local support to continue his mission, knowing that the Wardemons would soon arrive on Earth to begin their invasion. Leaving the craft, he climbed to the top of a hill and saw a Yupik hunter riding his sleigh toward the crash site.

The Guardian observed his reactions, monitoring him visually, aurally, and telepathically. This could be the right human approach. The hunter was brave, young, open-minded, and curious—qualities that would be invaluable for the Guardian's defense plan. He followed the hunter to the village and kept a close watch.

   The Guardian's intuition in choosing Insuk was flawless. A respected leader in his community, Insuk's outlook on life had changed dramatically after losing his beloved wife in a snowstorm. Once cheerful and full of life, he became more circumspect, sometimes bitter and curt in his responses. He spoke little and focused on hunting supplies for the coming winter.

   A year ago, Insuk rescued a stranded miner from a gold cave. The main entrance was blocked, and he had to make a great

effort to open a passage and save the miner's life. In gratitude, the skilled miner, who had also prospected gold in Alaska, gave him a magnificent Springfield rifle made in 1905.   This highly precise weapon was extremely rare in the region in 1908. His dog, Keto, and the rifle were his closest and most loyal companions.

   Insuk was born in the village, the son of a famous hunter and brave explorer. His mother descended from an old Yupik clan from Alaska, which had settled in Arctic Siberia. He had one brother, Akiak, who migrated south with his family five years ago. Insuk missed him dearly.

    A few months ago, he received a letter from his brother saying he would visit soon, filling Insuk with happiness and excitement. But Insuk had never faced a combat scenario like the one looming against the Wardemons.

   Like his father, Insuk was a brave hunter, rarely experiencing fear. He controlled his emotions and instinctively found the best alternatives to overcome dangerous situations. However, the current threat was entirely unexpected and unpredictable. It would be the biggest challenge of his life.

   The Wardemon platoon stood still for a moment, forming a "V" position and waiting to advance into the nearby forest. Their leader, a warrior of a reptilian race, was tall and strong, wearing armor engraved with the same symbols.  They communicated through grunts and guttural syllables, a different language composed of short, loud expressions. There seemed to be some telepathic link between them.

   They scanned the perimeter, sensing that they were being watched. The silence in the frozen valley was absolute for a while. Then they received an order from their leader and resumed their march toward the trees.

   The Alhuskan warriors were spread out, waiting for their approach. They were tense and nervous but determined to stop the platoon. The Guardian was planning the right moment to detonate the explosives, allowing the warriors to shoot down the first group of invaders. Insuk was transmitting the telepathic orders from the Guardian to his team, absolutely focused on the platoon's movements.

   Meanwhile, in the village, the inhabitants had received the message that the invaders were arriving. They would wait a couple of hours before moving the people to the cave shelter.

The Alhuskan people were aware that an unknown enemy had arrived but did not yet know it was from outer space. Such knowledge would provoke collective hysteria, an attitude the Old Shaman wanted to avoid at all costs. Now they had to remain focused, precise, and sharp.

The Guardian meticulously calculated the sequence of explosives, aiming to catch the invaders off guard and vulnerable to the warriors' precise shots at their neck weak points. Coordination was key—every move had to be swift and exact. The platoon advanced in synchronized fashion, scanning the entire 360° perimeter ahead without being detected.

   At one point, they were briefly distracted by a small animal but refrained from firing as they had done before. Insuk sensed that the invaders anticipated an ambush from somewhere.

   The Inusuks warriors remained effectively concealed by the snow. Insuk awaited the signal to blow a whistle mimicking a common bird, indicating the Guardian's decision to detonate the explosives. Tension mounted as they waited.

Finally, the Guardian gave a telepathic signal to Insuk, who promptly whistled to the warriors. The explosives erupted in a frenzied sequence, catching the Wardemon units off guard momentarian unexpected surprise. The warriors swiftly fired their rifles—one, two, three shots—bringing down one unit after another.

Soon, only the Reptilian leader remained, seeking cover behind a rock formation, likely aiming to reach the safety of the mothership. Insuk anticipated his move, keeping his rifle trained and ready. As the leader made a desperate dash towards the craft, Insuk swiftly fired his Springfield rifle twice, ensuring his elimination before he could escape.   The threat was neutralized, securing a significant victory for the warriors against the Wardemon crew.

Chapter 10

The Guerrilla Attack

"The conventional army loses if it does win.

The guerrilla wins if it does not lose.”

Henry A. Kissinger

A warrior burst into the room, urgency etched on his face.

   "Inusuk, we’ve detected movement on the mothership!”

Inusuk sprinted to the entrance of the Guardian spacecraft. Peering outside, he saw a new device emerging from the top of the mothership: a crystal cross adorned with sharp arrows. It emitted a high-pitched, piercing noise as it spun rapidly.

   The Guardian approached, his expression serious. "Tell your warriors to stay hidden and protect themselves! They’re preparing a powerful weapon."

   Inusuk shouted in the Alhuskan dialect, instructing his men to remain concealed in their snow depressions. As he did, the spinning cross unleashed red rays in a 360-degree perimeter, setting the nearby forest ablaze within seconds. The acrid smell of burning wood filled the air, and the high-pitched whine of the rays was almost unbearable.

   The Guardian's voice crackled over the communicator. “Prepare for a counterattack. We need to arm the spears with new explosives to neutralize the cross and breach its shield.”

   Inusuk’s warriors, their faces set with determination, readied their spears. They waited, watching as the cross continued its devastating assault. When the cross finally halted, the Guardian gave the signal. The warriors launched their attack. The explosion was thunderous, sending shockwaves through the air and causing the ground to tremble.

   At the same time the Guardian prepared his modular spacecraft. Though compact, it was equipped with strategic weaponry. Donning thin yet strong armor, he entered the craft and sent a telepathic message to Inusuk: “Stay focused. It’s difficult, but not impossible.”

   A warrior soon returned with news of renewed activity on the mothership. Another platoon had emerged, armed with robotic trackers advancing toward the forest. The Guardian’s spacecraft released a module, piloted by him. It looped in the air, its sleek form slicing through the sky.   When it plummeted back down, the shockwave was immense. Trees snapped like twigs, and the air was filled with the sound of shattering metal and the cries of the fallen platoon.

   Inusuk and his Alhuskan warriors celebrated their success, bolstered by the Guardian’s craft. Inside the Wardemons' mothership, the reptilian command recognized the formidable threat posed by the Guardians of Light. Commander-in-chief Hassas convened his generals, issuing a directive: "Eliminate the Guardian force swiftly before they signal for rescue."

The generals agreed and began coordinating efforts to track the Guardian space module. Meanwhile, the Alhuskans prepared for their next attack on the mothership’s Ray Cross.

   Inusuk divided his warriors into groups, positioning them strategically at cardinal points. The east group was targeted by the Wardemons, resulting in injuries. One of Inusuk’s warriors shot an arrow, hitting a hatch and causing an explosion. The other groups launched their attacks, damaging the Ray Cross.

   The Guardian, observing from a distance, was satisfied with the progress. He used a healing device to tend to the wounded warrior and prepared to reappear and command the next phase of the battle. Cloaked for stealth, the Guardian descended toward the mothership, evading Wardemon attacks.

   The Guardian’s module expelled a spinning disk, which attached to the underside of the Ray Cross. With the device in place, the Guardian ascended, drawing the mothership's attention. The final battle loomed in the skies.

   The Guardian’s plan was to neutralize the next Wardemon wave, breach the mothership’s shield, and escalate the battle with a nuclear device in Earth's atmosphere. Inusuk received instructions from the Guardian to prepare for the upcoming attack. He moved to a larger chamber, where a sleek, versatile combat module awaited—its design defying conventional physics and promising a decisive edge in the fight.

Chapter 11

The Tunguska Battle

"I wish for many reasons flying had never been invented."
—Stanley Baldwin

The Guardian piloted his module higher above Earth’s surface. Suddenly, the mothership leveled off and opened its hangar doors, releasing smaller fighter crafts into the sky.

Now, the Guardian faced not only the massive mothership but also three smaller fighters in pursuit. The challenge was immense.

   He couldn’t activate the weapon device explosion immediately; he needed extra seconds to avoid an unpredictable reaction.

   The three space fighters closed in from the left, right, and middle. Timing his move perfectly, the Guardian dove sharply and executed an incredible loop, downing the middle fighter. The remaining two pursued him with relentless speed. He let them close in before performing a daring freefall followed by another loop, showcasing his superior maneuvering skills.

   With the last two fighters still on his tail, the Guardian feigned a module malfunction and veered towards the mothership. As the mothership shifted position, he found cover behind it. One fighter emerged, and the Guardian targeted it with a powerful beam of light, disintegrating the craft. He followed up with another loop, ascending rapidly.

   The final fighter hesitated, caught between strategies but ultimately ordered to eliminate the Guardian at any cost. The Guardian descended to the mothership’s level and awaited the fighter’s move. The pilot, opting for a suicidal ramming attack, aimed to crash into the Guardian's module and destroy both.

   Anticipating the collision, the Guardian positioned his craft in front of the mothership's protective shield, waiting until the last possible moment to evade. As the fighter charged towards him, the Guardian deftly maneuvered above it, executed a loop, and fired three beams. The fighter veered into the mothership’s shield and disintegrated.

   With the battle escalating, the hangar doors opened again, revealing a new and formidable craft unlike any the Guardians had encountered. Shaped like a boomerang, it gleamed with orange and violet lights and spun unpredictably, making it a challenging target.

   The Guardian found himself pursued by this new "Space Boomerang," forced to keep his distance from the mothership where the weapon device awaited activation. Considering his options, he relied on his module's ability to generate magnetic fields—a potential advantage against the new adversary.

   The boomerang spun rapidly towards him without launching any attacks. Suddenly, it emitted a powerful beam of light, creating a dark portal reminiscent of a black hole with intense magnetic activity. The Guardian felt his craft being pulled towards the portal while the boomerang maneuvered behind him, creating a magnetic tug-of-war.

   Realizing the imminent danger, the Guardian quickly deployed magnetic countermeasures to stabilize his craft. Knowing he had to act decisively, he devised a risky plan: using a magnetic lasso, he tethered the boomerang to his module, ensuring that if he was pulled into the portal, the boomerang would follow.

   With tremendous effort, the Guardian pushed the boomerang towards the portal's threshold and accelerated at maximum speed. At the last possible moment, he severed the magnetic lasso. The boomerang was drawn into the portal, triggering a cataclysmic release of energy.

   Concurrently, the mothership’s commanders, reacting to the Guardian’s resistance, initiated a pursuit. Having already defeated three fighters and forced a fourth to crash in Siberia, the Guardian now faced their most formidable weapon—the vanished Boomerang.

   Planning his final move meticulously, the Guardian set his module on a collision course with the mothership. Simultaneously, he activated the weapon device, ensuring his survival with an ejection into a specially designed survival capsule, which would carry him to safety in Siberia until rescue arrived.

   The capsule, equipped with advanced shielding and propulsion, ejected just seconds before impact. The weapon device detonated, unleashing a colossal shockwave that devastated the Tunguska region. Eighty million trees were obliterated across 2,150 square kilometers, and the explosion's reverberations were felt as far as Germany, Denmark, and Croatia.

   Despite the catastrophic aftermath, the Guardian’s precise execution ensured he was well clear of the blast radius. He communicated his success to his commanders, receiving acknowledgment and assurance of imminent rescue.

   As he descended into Earth’s atmosphere, the Guardian reflected on his journey, pondering the fate of the Yupik hunter and the ongoing threat posed by the Wardemons. With his duty fulfilled, he allowed himself a moment’s rest, preparing for whatever challenges lay ahead.

Chapter 12

The Shockwave Effect

“It’s called the Infinity Effect.”
—Edward M. Wolfe

Inusuk watched the sky, searching for any sign of the outcome from the epic battle between the Guardian and the Wardemons' mothership. How brave was this warrior to face such a monumental challenge? Inusuk and his warriors observed the action from the safety of the crashed spacecraft.    The Guardian had warned them to protect themselves from a potential explosion that could obliterate the mothership. They needed to ensure their own safety to return to their village and aid their people.

   Inusuk saw the Guardian's module craft dive sharply, marking the last visible moment of the battle. Then, flashes erupted in the clouds, followed by deafening explosions.

   A few minutes later, a flash brighter than the sun appeared on the horizon, accompanied by a tremendous roar. A wave of intense heat swept through the forest, shaking the earth with unprecedented force. An orange, dusty fog settled over the landscape, and the area fell into a profound silence. No signs of life were visible.

   Inusuk approached the communication device left by the Guardian and noticed it was active. The Guardian’s image appeared on the small screen.

   "The battle was won. For many decades of your Earth time, the Wardemons' threat will be postponed," the Guardian said solemnly to Inusuk. "However, be aware that they will return in the future. New human generations will develop the technology and knowledge needed to confront their predatory power. It is crucial that this battle be shared with the right people. Our Federation will be monitoring it."

   "Visitor, are we safe to leave your crashed spacecraft and return to our village?" Inusuk asked.

   "Wait three hours before leaving the shelter. Avoid the core area for at least two years. I tried to contain the explosion, but part of the region will remain radioactive for decades before returning to normal," replied the Guardian.

   "Will we see you again?" Inusuk inquired as the image began to fade.

   "I can’t predict that. I must await my rescue team," answered the Guardian. "Take care of your people, Hunter. Stay safe."

   The image vanished, and Inusuk informed his warriors about the battle and the Guardian's instructions. The twelve Yupik warriors celebrated, their joy and laughter marking the victory they had achieved. As the sunset approached, they planned to return to their village early the next morning. The sun rose over the devastated forest landscape, with the wind gradually dispersing the orange smog.

   Inusuk checked the sleds and dogs, eager to leave the haunted area behind. The warriors were ready, their food supplies nearly depleted. They had only fresh water, smoked salmon, and some dried deer meat left. The surrounding silence was overwhelming—no birds, foxes, rabbits, or bears. The land was marked by the devastation of thousands of trees, with the sky a dull gray, though blue patches on the horizon hinted at clearer skies ahead.

   The dogs, usually lively, seemed affected by the environment, spurring them to move quickly. As they journeyed, they saw signs of recovery—preserved trees, patches of green grass, and a clearer sky. They encountered an Evenki hunter and a few Russian settlers, who inquired about the disturbance. Inusuk, choosing not to reveal the full truth, suggested it might have been a meteorite fall or an earthquake. The Russian settlers mentioned that the explosion's shockwave had damaged houses near Lake Baikal.

   “I advise your people to stay clear of the core site for a while. We don’t know the full extent of its effects,” Inusuk said, saluting them before continuing his journey.

   In the meantime in the Yupik village, the Shaman meditated and prayed to their goddess and nature spirits. After several minutes of quiet reflection, a vision emerged: images of the devastated forest, a solar flash, a blast, thunder, and a pristine universe. The Shaman felt a sense of relief as Inusuk’s figure appeared in the vision, riding his sled with his young warriors. The Shaman sang a ritual song of gratitude, celebrating the defeat of evil forces and the promise of peace for future generations.

   Akafia, the Shaman’s assistant, entered the room and was informed of the forthcoming celebration. "We will have a grand celebration. Inform the council members to extend a warm welcome to our victorious heroes," the Shaman announced with a smile. "Our village will thrive in peace and harmony for many years."

   Akafia, thrilled, hurried to spread the news. Villagers poured into the streets, celebrating and embracing each other. It was a day of joy and unity, a special occasion etched into their memories.

   Inusuk and his warriors were still two hours away from the village, having passed the worst of the forest’s devastation. The landscape was returning to normal, with preserved trees, plants, and animals. Inusuk noticed an unusual object covered by snow—a smooth, hill-like formation he hadn’t seen before. Deciding to investigate later, he continued towards the village.

   The men were tired but elated. The wounded warrior had made a miraculous recovery thanks to the Guardian’s device. Inusuk wondered if such advanced tools would soon be available to humans. The experience had given him a new perspective on life and the universe.

  "Inusuk, are you happy or still concerned about something?" asked one of the warriors, offering a small bottle of vodka.

   "Thanks, I am more relaxed now. It has been a hell of a journey, my friend," he replied, taking a gulp of the drink. "We will never forget all this... someday in the future, we will be telling this story to our descendants."

   As the village’s lights appeared on the horizon, the celebrations began. At the tavern, women cooked meat on a wide grill, prepared vegetables, and brewed homemade vodka and beer. A young musician played traditional Alhuskan songs while children pretended to hunt, and dogs slept by the fireplaces. The night was cold but still, the sky clear, and the Milky Way shining brightly. One of the watchers called out, "They are coming! I can see them!" The reception party gathered at the village’s main entrance, cheering and waving torches.Inusuk, leading the sled convoy, laughed and fired his rifle three times into the air.

   The heroes were warmly embraced and carried to the tavern, where the celebration continued in their honor. A few hours away, at the location where Inusuk had noticed an unusual elevation, the wind revealed a metallic structure— a space fighter craft that had crashed between pine trees and rocks. Inside, a Wardemon pilot, having regained consciousness from the impact, began to assess the situation.

Chapter 13

The Quite Aftermath

“Well, there are only four horsemen.”
—Richelle Mead

Inusuk woke up early, missing the comfort of his bed after several days aboard an interstellar spacecraft. He chuckled to himself, knowing no one would believe his story. He and his warriors had agreed to keep the details of their battle secret to protect their community.

   After a simple breakfast of bread and hot tea, he glanced at his herd nestled safely inside their shelter, the fireplace still burning warmly. Eager to share his experiences, Inusuk donned his warm skin coat and made his way to visit the venerable Yaquipack, the tribe’s shaman.

   Minutes later, he was knocking on Yaquipack's door.

   "Did you sleep well, my friend?" asked the elderly shaman as he welcomed Inusuk inside.

   "More or less... My mind has been racing with thoughts. The whole experience was incredible," Inusuk replied, taking a seat at the weathered wooden table.

   Yaquipack reached for his pipe, filling it with a mixture of tobacco and herbs. "Son, our lives, our planet, the Sun, the Moon... everything is part of the infinite universe. We are like grains of sand within it."

   He looked Inusuk in the eyes, his wisdom shaped by 75 years of extraordinary experiences. "You know, after all these years, I find myself in constant debate. I ask, why? What for? Is everything connected? Who holds the answers?" He took a deep breath from his pipe and continued,   "This being you faced during your trials has added many more questions to my meditations. For the gods who created this vast universe, humanity was never their priority. We are but a small part of their grand design."

   "I believe, Inusuk, that our punishment is to never fully grasp how this universe operates. We should marvel at its mysteries every day."

   "Why are you sharing these thoughts with me, venerable one?" asked Inusuk, pouring himself a cup of fresh water.

   "Because you have proven yourself ready for deeper knowledge. You did not panic or feel overwhelmed by this extraordinary event. You met it with courage and clarity. You have a powerful mind, my son. Now, let’s enjoy a nice cup of hot tea. We deserve it."

   Inusuk smiled at the venerable shaman, touching his shoulder in a gesture of respect and friendship.

   As Inusuk left Yaquipack’s home and walked back to his own, he observed the village returning to its daily routine. Hunters set out to feed their families and support the community. Fishermen launched their kayaks into the lakes and rivers. Women busied themselves with cooking, while children played in the snow-covered streets.

   Upon reaching his home, Inusuk heard the distinctive, sharp buzz of the Guardian device. He retrieved it from his bag and sat before it, marveling as the Guardian’s image materialized in his house.

   The Guardian informed him that a rescue craft had been dispatched. Inusuk had already disposed of any evidence of his module craft. The rendezvous point would be in the center of the forest near the village. He was instructed to bury the device in a secure location after their communication ended to ensure his safety and the protection of his people.

   Future generations need not know the full truth about Tunguska; the world would only uncover it by 2030.

   The Guardian elaborated that their civilization possessed knowledge of time travel, implying that multiple realities could emerge in future events. Layers of the universe's magnetic fields each directed different evolutionary paths. Earth had experienced cycles of ice ages, heat waves, catastrophes, wars, and pandemics—events that had, in various ways, strengthened humanity’s skills, survival, and evolution in spirit and ethics.

   The Guardian revealed that humanity was still in an immature stage of evolution, shaped by genetic manipulations by extraterrestrial beings over the past 450,000 years. One such civilization, the Anunnaki, faced atmospheric changes on their native planet and sought pure gold from Earth to stabilize their environment. This early interaction marked the beginnings of human civilization.

   The Guardians had been studying humanity’s evolution and metabolic system, with communities like the Yupik serving as living samples. They assured Inusuk that his tribe would endure for many generations with their culture intact. After the communication ended, Inusuk buried the device, wrapping it in animal skin and placing it beneath two selected stones in his main room.

   Inusuk sat at his table, reflecting on the Guardian’s messages. He had many questions remaining. As he delved into this new understanding, he felt like a small particle in a vast system controlling the universe. In the days that followed, he watched the sky, hoping for a possible fleet to rescue the Guardian.

   He also heard from neighboring communities about the Tunguska event. Witnesses offered various theories—some said it was an asteroid crash, while mystics claimed it was a war between gods and evil spirits. These mystics were closest to the truth.

   His twelve warriors resumed their routines, and Inusuk was grateful for their bond. This new brotherhood in the Yupik Village earned them the title “Twelve Brave Warriors of Freedom,” the guardians of the Alhuskan village.

   Inusuk began a new relationship with Sassuma, a beautiful and pure Alhuskan girl, younger than him. It was time to rebuild his life after the loss of his previous wife in a snow avalanche.

   Keto, his loyal dog, also appeared with a new female dog and a herd of eight husky puppies—more than Inusuk had ever had.

   A few miles from the Yupik Village, at the site where Inusuk had discovered an unusual object in the snow, a surviving Wardemon warrior struggled to stay alive. He was a pilot of one of the spaceship fighters from the Tunguska battle, shot down by the Guardian and crashing in this desolate region. To maintain his hybrid unit system, he needed nutrition fluids from live animals, which he hunted and drained with a special device.

   He had attempted to repair the spaceship engines without success, clinging to hope for a rescue by the Wardemon fleet. Part of his spacecraft, containing a crucial communication device, was lost during his landing attempt. Despite the loss, he used a less powerful but functional device from the control panel to contact his fleet.

   As he noticed activity on his control panel screen, he saw a craft approaching. Initially hopeful it was his fleet, he soon realized it was the Guardian’s rescue force. He turned off all energy devices and lay silent on the floor. The Guardians of Light mothership hovered slowly two miles above his crash site. "Will they stop and check?" he wondered.

   The mothership paused briefly before moving away to rescue their lost warrior.

Chapter 14

The Final Path

"The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.”
—Leo Tolstoy

Inusuk pondered the timing and location of the Guardian’s rescue, feeling a surge of curiosity about these beings from distant lands. His belief that the world's boundaries were confined to his native village, mountains, and nearby rivers had been shattered in just a week by a harsh reality: nothing remains safe forever. Life is perpetually shaped by external forces.

   This revelation had transformed him from a naive dreamer into a rational thinker, evaluating evidence and contemplating future scenarios based on present realities. Despite the profound satisfaction he felt in defending his community against the Wardemonds’ invasion, it was the continuity of life within his village that filled him with the deepest joy—an ecstasy that felt like the greatest reward of his life.

   Yet, one thing troubled him: the object he had seen in the Arctic on his return journey. Was it the wreckage of a Wardemonds spacecraft? Driven by a need for answers, he resolved to investigate it himself.

   The next morning, Inusuk was jolted awake by his dogs barking. It was early, around 6:30 a.m. The sky was clear and the air crisp, with a gentle south wind. He prepared for the journey alone, accompanied only by Keto, a few dogs, and his sled. The expedition would take several hours.

   The dogs trotted steadily until they began to slow down about a mile from the site. They halted and barked at the sky. Following their gaze, Inusuk spotted a massive mothership—disk-shaped, with a dark bronze metallic surface and engraved Sumerian symbols. It resembled the crashed craft from the Guardian.

   Inusuk observed as the spacecraft approached to rescue the Guardian warrior. Two hundred yards away, he shouted a Yupik salute. The Guardian noticed him and raised a hand. A green beam shot from the spacecraft, lifting the Guardian into the air. Moments later, the beam enveloped Inusuk, rendering him unconscious.

   When he awoke, he found himself in a stark, white room, its dimensions seeming boundless and unidentifiable. Lying on a table, he struggled to sit up. An invisible door opened, and three Nordic, human-like beings entered. They were two men and one woman—tall, slim, with blonde hair, and dressed in white uniforms. They greeted him with discreet smiles and communicated telepathically.

   “Hunter, it was a remarkable experience, wasn’t it?” asked one of them, a man with a red beard.

   “Yes,” Inusuk replied, still dazed.

   “For reasons we cannot fully explain, you were chosen to assist our warrior in completing his mission. We are grateful and will impart knowledge that will remain with you forever. You will only access this knowledge in situations where your survival depends on it.”

   “Come with us,” they instructed, guiding him to another room where a large screen was monitored by two additional Nordic beings. The bearded man used the main screen to show Inusuk their origin in the vastness of the known universe. He then displayed vivid images of a futuristic city on a distant planet, inhabited by ageless children and young people, with adults who never seemed to age. The city was immaculate, clean, and serene.

   The beings imparted knowledge about a universal federation that oversees planetary evolution. They explained the origin of the Wardemonds and their destructive impact on other planets’ development. The balance of evolution in the universe was maintained by positive and negative forces.

   Inusuk attempted telepathic communication. "Will the Wardemonds return?" he asked.

   “Yes, hunter. They will come back to invade, but it won’t happen during your lifetime on this planet,” the Nordic woman answered.

   “Can I alert the Tsar about this?”

  The Nordic woman looked at him with calm resolve. "Hunter, only a few are equipped to handle this extraordinary information. Your Tsar will not remain on the Russian Empire's throne for long. Many changes and wars are forthcoming." She added, "For your own safety, it is best not to share this information or your encounter with anyone. They will not believe you, and their ignorance and fear could lead to hostility."

   “You must use this knowledge wisely. Only your shaman friend could understand and possibly assist you,” said the bearded Nordic man with a kind smile.

   “What am I to do with this knowledge?” Inusuk asked, still bewildered.

   “It will be your guide for leading your community throughout your lifetime,” replied the Nordic woman. "Earth has undergone numerous changes since it was a molten lava ball. It is one of the most unstable planets in the galaxy. Nothing lasts forever.”

   “Your mission is to prepare your younger generations to adapt to these changes and be ready for the unexpected. This is the essence of growth and evolution in the universe.”

   “Come with us, hunter. There is more to show you.”

   He was led to another room, where everything was clear and bright. The light then dimmed, and three-dimensional images were projected into the air above the stage, offering a succinct overview of Earth’s evolutionary history from its inception.

  The Nordic woman concluded, “Our message to your people is that they must seek Spiritual Enlightenment.”

   “How?” Inusuk asked telepathically.

   “We possess a higher consciousness and understanding of the universe. There is a creative force and energy that interconnects all life forms,” the Nordic man explained. "Thus, it is essential for humanity to cultivate love, peace, and harmony.”

   “We have advanced technology that allows us to manipulate time, including time travel and interdimensional travel. This technology might appear as time travel to human observers. We view time as a flexible construct, capable of being bent or stretched according to our needs or intentions,” continued the Nordic woman.

   “Human understanding of time is limited; it is not as rigid as it seems. We exist beyond the constraints of time, in a realm where time, as humans perceive it, does not apply.    This allows us to navigate freely through what humans consider the timeline,” she added.

   Inusuk realized that a force was aiding his brain in assimilating this knowledge. Given his past experiences, it would have been impossible for him to process such information on his own.

  After the lesson, he was taken to a corridor leading to a large hangar with several spacecraft fighters and Guardian warriors in their XT3 suits. One of them, his hero friend, approached.

   He communicated telepathically, "Hello, Hunter. Good to see you here. Are you well? How is life in the village?"

Inusuk explained that everything was calm and stable after the events. Feeling a warm connection, the Guardian raised his hand in a farewell salute.

   The two Nordic guides escorted him back to the first room and laid him on a table bed. A green beam enveloped him, and he fell unconscious.

   When he awoke, he was surrounded by his dogs, with Keto licking his face. He realized he was no longer in the same location but closer to the village. The Nordic beings had likely transported him and his dogs to this new spot.

   He looked up at the clear blue sky of the Siberian Arctic. This experience, with all its profound revelations, would remain with him for the rest of his life.

Chapter 15

The Village Serenity

“Despair is the dampness of hell,

as joy is the serenity of heaven.”
—John Donne

Inusuk felt as though he was floating, detached from his body, soaring at high altitudes outside the Shaman's home. The Shaman's voice echoed gently in his mind, guiding him to let his thoughts flow freely and to embrace the memories of his encounter with the celestial visitors. He needed to remain calm and open, not succumbing to fear.

Visions began to form in Inusuk's mind—a vast blue cave, sequences of his telepathic communication with the visitors—all guided by the Shaman's ritualistic chants and the aromatic scents of pine. For an hour that felt like eternity, Inusuk was immersed in this deep mental state until, gradually, he felt the return of his physical senses. Yaquipack, having absorbed every detail from Inusuk's mind, awaited him.

"My son, this is precious knowledge," Yaquipack said solemnly. "You must safeguard it and share it only when the time is right. This blessing from the visitors is extraordinary."

"Why me?" Inusuk asked, still puzzled by the magnitude of what had transpired.

"It is a convergence of time, place, and spirit. You are a cornerstone in our community—a person of strong values and deep respect. Your mission now is to preserve our culture's flame for generations to come."

Yaquipack's eyes bore into Inusuk's, conveying both pride and gravity. He embraced Inusuk fraternally before adding, "We will speak more of this, of the vast universe and its myriad beings, in the nights to come."

Returning home, Inusuk found solace in the routine of caring for his dogs and sought out Yaquipack the following day. The Shaman, amidst teaching children about the forest's wonders, greeted him warmly.

"Good morning, venerable Yaquipack. It seems you are busy imparting wisdom as always."

"Hello, my friend. Nature is our greatest treasure, to be cherished and understood," Yaquipack replied, handing fruits to the children who scampered off to play.

"Inusuk, any new revelations from your encounter?" Yaquipack inquired knowingly.

"Yes, venerable. Though my memory is hazy, I believe I encountered the visitors again," Inusuk replied cautiously. "I wish to share more with you."

"Come, my son. Let us prepare a ritual to delve deeper into these memories. I am eager to hear," Yaquipack said, leading Inusuk into a sacred room adorned with artifacts of their heritage.

Together, they performed a regression mind ritual, akin to hypnosis, invoking ancient songs and scents to unlock hidden memories. Sitting on Arctic white bear skin, surrounded by the green vapor of burning herbs, Inusuk slipped into a trance.

Feeling relaxed upon leaving, Inusuk chose solitude that evening, declining his new girlfriend's company to reflect. Tomorrow, he resolved, would bring clarity and renewed purpose.

Days later, dawn broke with neighbors' frantic cries awakening Inusuk. Joining them, he learned of a Wardemon warrior sighted nearby, unsettling news suggesting survivors from the battle. Suppressing his own disquiet, Inusuk readied his Springfield rifle, investigating the area for clues or tracks but finding none.

Could it have been an illusion? How could such beings traverse deep snow without a trace? Memories stirred of the platoon's advanced gear—aerial backpacks allowing silent movement over snow. Gathering his elite watchers, Inusuk launched a meticulous hunt for the lost warrior. Dividing into six groups, they scoured day and night, tracking elusive signs.

Late one night, a knock summoned Inusuk and Sussuma. Kavik, breathless and brimming with urgency, burst in.

"Apologies for the hour, may I join?" Kavik asked eagerly.

"Of course, brother. Sit," Inusuk invited, pouring vodka into two glasses.

Kavik recounted his findings. "After days of tracking, strange boot prints led me near Glacial Mountain..."

Inusuk, seizing action, interrupted. "You did well, Kavik. We must act swiftly. What did you observe?"

   "Inside the mountain, I saw him—carrying a caribou toward the caves," Kavik replied, eyes blazing.

   "We must convene our brothers," Inusuk declared. "They are fortifying for another invasion."

   Gathering the Aluska knights, forged in the battle against the Wardemons, they strategized near the grand lake. Aware of the stakes, they prepared to eradicate the platoon, ensuring secrecy to prevent panic.

   Securing explosives, Inusuk entrusted Akiak with their deployment. With skills honed in gold mines, Akiak knew the mountain's dynamics, critical for their mission's success.

In the cave, Inusuk and Kavik surveyed the Wardemons' positions—a precarious reconnaissance cut short by discovery. Inusuk's precise shot allowed escape, detonating explosives to seal their exit.

   Outside, the mountain rumbled with explosions and avalanches, concealing their actions. Smoke rose, a deceptive cover for their mission, known only to the Shaman who understood. Inusuk exhaled, proud of his men. They had safeguarded their village once more, demonstrating resilience against cosmic odds.

Chapter 16

The Cossack Antonov

"Their bravery knows no bounds; they fear no enemy."
— The Cossacks

Two years later, Inusuk prepared for another hunting expedition, keenly aware of the urgency as winter approached. Dropping temperatures meant stocking up on food for himself and his companions. Yet, the once-familiar hunting grounds had changed starkly since the Tunguska event.

   The landscape lay veiled in an eerie fog that thickened with the advancing cold, driving wildlife to safer territories as if sensing impending danger.

   In anticipation of these unsettling transformations, the Russian Tsar dispatched a Cossack Captain to investigate the region. Prior to their arrival, Inusuk convened with the tribe's Shaman for a clandestine council meeting. They agreed to withhold the truth about their encounter with the Wardemons, deeming it crucial for the tribe's safety. Crafting a unified narrative, they spun a tale of a colossal falling star that had devastated the Tunguska region, dissuading further inquiry.

   The Cossacks, typical mercenaries enlisted by the Tsar to bolster his faltering forces, arrived with more mundane concerns. In a pragmatic decision, the council offered them lodging in the council house, reasoning that it could comfortably accommodate the captain for the duration of their mission. Additionally, they sought the services of a skilled hunter to navigate the treacherous snow-covered terrain and guide the Cossack to their destination.

   There was no doubt that Inusuk was the best guide available. Highly recommended by the tribe, he was also deeply involved in the intergalactic battle. Captain Antonov Makovsky, fifty years old and seasoned by years of service to the Tsar, welcomed Inusuk's assistance. He had hunted in Siberia several times, surviving a powerful snowstorm where his comrades perished, rescued only by Yupik hunters after three harrowing days. Strong, experienced, and sharp, Captain Antonov quickly recognized the value of Inusuk’s expertise for their mission. He made an advance payment to Inusuk, arranged for food supplies, and they embarked on their journey with two sleds borrowed from the tribe and Inusuk’s husky team.

   The weather was cold, but the sky remained clear and sunny as they set out on what should have been a two-day journey. In the surrounding villages, the forest remained intact, but wildlife had become more elusive than usual. Inusuk attributed this to the aftermath of the Tunguska event.   He hadn’t visited the spot in over two years, but he had heard that parts of the forest had turned into crystal-like formations. The blast from the Wardemons' mothership was the most powerful energy displacement he had ever witnessed in his wilderness life — nothing else compared.

Captain Antonov began probing Inusuk with questions. He inquired whether the tribe had observed any unusual events related to the explosion — how many witnesses saw it, what the sky looked like that day, what they heard. Inusuk responded evasively, positioning himself as the most reliable witness to prevent the captain from interrogating his people too intensely. He attributed any unusual events to the religious beliefs of his tribe, offering mystical interpretations rather than rational explanations.

   The captain seemed familiar with such phenomena, particularly interested in oval-shaped crafts sighted in the sky. This prompted Inusuk to share information from the Shaman. “Our elders spoke of noticing strange objects flying in our skies,” Inusuk told the captain. “I’ve seen ancient cave paintings depicting these objects in detail. Are you familiar with this?”

   Unfazed, the captain lit his pipe, smoking in the frozen morning air. He retrieved a bottle of vodka from his backpack, took a sip, and offered it to Inusuk. “I’ve been investigating these objects for twenty years. The Tsar is deeply concerned, considering their potential danger and impact on his power and religious beliefs. My work on this matter has been discreet, gathering all possible information. But it must remain secret until the Tsar decides on necessary actions — likely harsh ones.”

   “Actions against whom?” asked Inusuk, his concern palpable.

   “Hunter, our scholars advise that these artifacts don’t belong to our world as we know it. I witnessed something unusual at Lake Baikal years ago. Exploring there in winter, a colossal craft emerged from the lake. It was menacing,” said the captain, taking another swig of vodka, resting on a frozen tree stump. “I’ve never seen anything like it — dark metallic texture, strange symbols engraved all over, lights flashing in different colors. It emitted a loud, escalating sound, then hovered and sped away into the sky.”

   “Our elders spoke of something similar centuries ago. They believe it came for a special mineral,” Inusuk said, starting to check his sled and feed the dogs.

   “Hunter, if these beings decide to conquer our world, it won’t be difficult for them. Their weaponry and soldiers must be formidable. Unless our scientists match their technology, we face decimation or enslavement,” said the captain, standing to continue their exploration journey.

   Inusuk fell silent, checking his rifle seriously, pulling his hood over his head, and standing in the sled. The captain did the same, and both sleds resumed over the snowy plain. The sky remained clear and blue. Two hours later, they sighted the vast, devastated landscape. Trees appeared charred and toppled like burnt matchsticks. The captain halted to observe the fallen trees — burnt remnants glowing faintly blue after all these years. No human or animal corpses were visible. If any had perished in the impact, their remains would have mixed with the forest ashes.

   As their sleds reached a snowy hill's peak, the sky darkened with approaching clouds. Inusuk pointed out a darker structure amidst the devastated forest, about four miles distant. Captain Antonov halted and took out a spyglass from his coat pocket, removing his gloves to feel the cold wind on his warm hands.

   Confirming Inusuk’s observation, a large, unnatural shape stood in the area — round and opaque, not resembling any surviving part of the forest. It would take time to reach, so they descended into the desolate valley. Absolute silence prevailed — no Siberian cranes echoed. Only burnt trees and ashes surrounded them. As they neared the structure, Inusuk felt a familiar sensation, reminiscent of his discovery of the crashed spacecraft two years prior. It was alien, likely fallen during the blast — a smaller craft, perhaps from the Wardemon fleet.

   Closer, the shape emerged clearly — round, dark metal covered in snow and ice. The captain grew eager to approach, while Inusuk became convinced it was a spacecraft ruin. They were just five yards away now, amidst forest ashes, facing a crashed oval-shaped object engraved with symbols, inert and tilted, partially buried in snow.

   Inusuk moved ahead to examine it closely, scanning the perimeter for any signs.

   “My god!. Look at that! ” exclaimed the captain just behind him.

   “Let’s proceed with caution, Captain. I have a bad feeling about what we might find inside,” Inusuk said, walking cautiously, rifle ready. The only sound was his footsteps in the snow. Approaching a cracked part of the craft, he heard a familiar high-pitched scream — a Wardemon attack scream.

Chapter 17

The Evenki Chief

"The future is uncertain, but the end is always near."
— Jim Morrison

Suddenly, a menacing Wardemon emerged from inside the craft, wielding a metal spear. Inusuk quickly jumped to the right and grabbed his rifle. The creature confronted Captain Antonov, whose astonishment at the Wardemon's structure and armor momentarily caused him to freeze. The Wardemon targeted the captain as its primary foe.

   The Darkdemon took a few steps toward the Cossack. Having regained his instincts, Antonov drew his sword to repel the attack. Inusuk, having fought this race two years ago, knew that the Cossack stood little chance against the alien warrior. The Wardemon had only two weak points behind its helmet. Inusuk had to make an extremely precise shot with his rifle to bring it down. He aimed at the creature.

   As it neared the Cossack, he fired his Springfield rifle. The shot echoed through the silent forest. The Wardemon turned to scan for the source but soon fell lifelessly into the snow, killed by the hunter. Antonov, recovering his composure, laughed heartily. "You are a hell of a hunter, my friend. I owe you my life!"

   "What kind of monster is this? Did you see its armor? That helmet... What was it doing here?"

   Inusuk faced the captain and offered his opinion: "Maybe its race was the cause of the forest blast."

   Inusuk and the captain cautiously entered the crashed craft. Blue light illuminated the interior. It seemed that the Wardemon warrior had settled here to resist since the last battle or perhaps even earlier. The spacecraft was not very large, accommodating at most a crew of three beings.

   Inside, the internal panels had been reorganized to create a room with a long chair connected to numerous wires and crystal tubes. They found a few drops of old blood on the floor and on a wide desk in the room. Was it from the Wardemon warrior or someone else?

   Soon, they discovered a mummified deer head, its blood completely drained. The captain examined it carefully and said, "Hunter, I think this being feeds on animal blood. They drain the blood from the body without consuming the flesh.”

   Inusuk continued exploring the spacecraft. There were two more rooms inside. One contained two crystal tube-like cabins, large enough to fit a standing alien body. It seemed like a vertical bed, possibly a place for the beings to rest and restore their energy. The lights flickered slightly inside. A panel displayed a luminescent map of a constellation, resembling a navigation chart. It was very unusual, and the captain couldn’t recognize any similarity with the stellar maps shown to him by Tsar astronomers.

   He wanted to eliminate all traces of the inexplicable forces at work. Inusuk offered to help but mentioned to the captain that an important community 20 miles away might have a few witnesses of the event. The Evenki people, another old and significant tribe, lived in this inhospitable Siberian Arctic region.

   Antonov hesitated to venture deeper into the burnt forest to locate the precise impact site. He feared there might still be a radioactive fog covering the explosion's epicenter. He had received reports that two Cossacks, who had been near the area, died within days, showing signs of severe burns.

   "How long will it take to reach the tribe?" Antonov asked Inusuk.

   "We should arrive by noon tomorrow," Inusuk replied. "It would be safer to take shelter behind a group of tall rocks not far from here. We can sleep there, start a fire to cook food, and drink hot tea."

   Before leaving, they started a huge fire inside the crashed craft. Flames spread from the interior to the exterior, but the surface remained unaffected. The engraved symbols on the surface began to glow orange and flash, as if some internal energy source had been activated. A loud noise emerged from within the ship, which seemed organic and conscious. It was a completely unknown experience for Antonov and Inusuk, and they had no idea how it would end. Both men decided to move away from the spacecraft fire with their sleds as quickly as possible. They were concerned about an auto-destruction device being activated.

   They pushed their sleds about a hundred yards and urged the dogs to run. When they were about three hundred yards away, a bright beam shot out from the craft, causing an explosion. The impact shook the land, and an orange smog column rose into the atmosphere. The spacecraft crystallized and camouflaged in the deep snow. Their instincts had saved their lives.

   They decided to visit the Evenki tribe and ask all possible questions about the event that happened two years ago. Inusuk, who knew their local dialects, had visited the tribe four years ago. When they arrived, Inusuk was recognized by the Evenki people, who welcomed him warmly. He explained that they were collecting information regarding the Tunguska event, and they were taken to speak with the Evenki chief.

   The seventy-year-old man looked at them with intelligent eyes and a peaceful expression. Once they expressed their interest, he began the conversation: "It was early morning, and we were preparing for our daily routine on a calm June day when the sky started to darken as if a huge storm was approaching. We heard powerful explosions, and a very large, dark gray cloud was coming towards us. Thunderbolts appeared, and lightning flashed from it. Then a huge triangular shape became visible. It was a massive metal ship with purple lights, threatening with its unusual shape and performance. A few light beams came out from the ship, and another smaller spacecraft emerged from the top, attacking the large one."

   "Then both spacecraft were covered again by the cloud, and we saw them continue fighting out of sight until a big blast appeared on the horizon. It was a strong light, like a second sun, that expanded rapidly toward us, shaking the land. Trees, our homes—everything was impacted by the explosion. Some of our people had their faces burned by the light, and a few died a couple of days later after much suffering. Our wildlife and the closest forest disappeared in an instant. Only a few months after the event did part of the forest start to regenerate and grow again. We decided to move here, where nature was untouched by the death wind."

   Antonov absorbed this report with excitement; it was proof of what he had been investigating with the Tsar's scientists about possible extraterrestrial visitors. The extent and damages caused by this space battle blew his mind. These beings had the power to decimate the Russian Empire, and perhaps the rest of the world. Armies and weapons would not be strong enough to defeat such an invasion or bellic confrontation.

   "Did any hunter of your tribe go to the ground zero of the explosion after the event?" Antonov asked the Evenki chief.

   "Two skilled hunters went three months later..." said the chief. "The whole area was devastated. No trees left standing. No animals. Orange smog everywhere," the chief answered.

   "Did they see any wreckage or remains of the objects?" Antonov asked, facing the chief and glancing at Inusuk.

   "These two hunters returned after four weeks, extremely tired, their faces burnt as if from the great sunlight. They brought back an object with strange signs that flashed for a long time at night, then stopped," the chief said, taking a deep breath from his pipe.

   "Chief, did you keep the object?" Inusuk asked.

   "Sure, I have it here, buried behind my home in a metal box."

   "Could we see it, Chief?" Antonov asked eagerly.

   "Let's go outside. You'll need to help with the digging to get it," the chief replied.

   The three men went outside, behind the chief's home. Between a couple of tall pine trees was a small pile of stones marking the spot. "It’s down under the stones, five feet," the chief said, pointing.

   Inusuk and Antonov fetched their digging shovels from the sleds and started digging. After ten minutes, a metallic old bronze box emerged from the snow. They picked it up and carried it inside the chief's home.

Chapter 18

The Artifact Enigma

"Mysteries abound where most we seek for answers."
— Ray Bradbury

The Evenki Chief produced an ancient iron key and unlocked the metal box. Inside lay an object swathed in animal skin. Antonov's heart raced; he sensed it held knowledge beyond human experience.

They placed the wrapped artifact on a rough-hewn wooden table in the Evenki council room. It was compact and surprisingly light.

Unwrapping the animal hide revealed a thick, disk-shaped object adorned with intricate symbols across its surface. At its center, a crystal triangle emitted a faint blue glow through a sealed metallic door.

The Captain leaned closer, touching it tentatively, but it remained unyielding and impervious, showing no signs of openings or damage.

"Have any of your people attempted to open it before?" Antonov inquired.

"Yes, but it defied all attempts," replied the Chief. "Our Shaman sensed a spectral presence within and advised burying it until visitors from the south arrived."

"Could you summon your Shaman?" the Captain asked respectfully.

The Chief dispatched a council member to fetch him, and soon the Shaman arrived, bearing an aura of solemnity.

"This artifact," he began, "harbors a potent force. Long ago, I foresaw its significance and cautioned restraint."

The Shaman touched the artifact, entering a trance. He spoke of invaders vanquished by a celestial visitor and warriors from distant lands. He prophesied the return of an evil fleet in 120 years, predicting a cataclysmic battle for humanity’s survival.

After the Shaman departed, the Captain understood his mission — to transport the artifact southward. Back in the Yupik village, during dinner, he hinted at the Tunguska event, sensing Inusuk's silent reverence for his people's secrets.

Upon their return to the village, the Captain invited Inusuk to dine at the local tavern. Over stewed fish, wild potatoes, and vodka, he smiled at Inusuk, saying, "Hunter, my friend, I believe you know more about the Tunguska event than you let on."

"I understand your silence, protecting your people’s way of life. I won’t press further. In respect for you and your community, I'll ensure you remain off the Tsar's radar."

Inusuk asked, "How will you keep this from the Tsar?" with concern etched on his face.

"I’ll suggest that the truth about Tunguska remains elusive. From what I’ve gathered, it was likely a crash — a foreign vessel forcibly landed in Siberia’s icy depths."

Pouring vodka steadily, the Captain continued, "This artifact is our sole clue. It’s all we have to decipher what occurred in those desolate lands."

Pushing a glass towards Inusuk, he met his gaze with solemnity. "There’s much yet to uncover."

"In the next 120 years, I’ll find a way to alert the Tsar to the impending return of these invaders!" he declared. Both men erupted into laughter, their mirth filling the room. With a heartfelt toast, they celebrated a newfound camaraderie.

MOSCOW, 2029

New Year's approached, three days shy of December’s end in 2029.

Dimitry Petrov prepared for a brief respite from his duties at Roscosmos State Corporation, Russia's NASA counterpart. A former Spetsnaz sergeant, Dimitry specialized in cryptography and artificial intelligence, vital skills now pivotal to his assignment in Roscosmos’s lab.

His task? Unlocking an ancient disk-shaped artifact unearthed in Siberia.

This artifact, once studied by Tsar Nicholas II’s scientists until the Russian Revolution of 1917, later languished in Stalin's archives until the Soviet Union's dissolution in 1991.

For nearly three decades, Roscosmos scientists struggled to decode its enigmatic symbols, suspected to be of extraterrestrial origin. Dimitry’s expertise marked a turning point, especially in activating its unique computing capabilities.

Vladimir Borodin, Dimitry’s closest colleague, often joined him for discussions over football and women at a local bar. At 11:00 PM, Vladimir’s call buzzed with excitement and urgency.

"My friend, you won’t believe it... The triangle screen is displaying symbols, as if transmitting a message! Your AI and ancient cuneiform theory might crack the code! Eureka, we’ve done it!"

Dimitry leapt from his couch, preparing hastily. "Vlad, keep this under wraps. Wait for me. I'll be there in ten minutes."

"Absolutely, Dimitry! I’ll save our bottle of Beluga Noble Vodka for our celebration, tonight or tomorrow... haha."

Dimitry hurried down three flights of stairs, the door slamming behind him. His anticipation matched Vladimir’s. What revelations lay within this artifact? Eleven minutes later, Dimitry entered Roscosmos, greeted warmly by guards familiar with his and Vladimir’s late-night lab sessions.

 The elevator descended to the subterranean lab floor. Vladimir awaited with a toast, two glasses gleaming with Russia's finest vodka.

They downed it in one gulp before approaching the lab table. The artifact gleamed, its triangular screen emitting a soft, ethereal glow and displaying unfamiliar symbols — a blend of ancient Celtic and cuneiform, yet uniquely distinct.

Dimitry connected his laptop, initiating a rapid digitization process.

Establishing a communication link, he translated the symbols into clear Russian text.

Their AI tools excelled:

"Attention... Warunit TXT989... hold your position. We dispatch a rescue fleet launched ten cycles past. It nears Earth, third planet in solar system 7.635.064.098, in 112 cycles... The fleet secures planetary position, ready for conquest. Existing civilizations will be eradicated. Earth's environment will adapt for our invasion forces."

Dimitry and Vladimir sat in stunned silence, their gaze fixed on the artifact. Vladimir retrieved a folder detailing the artifact's origin:

“Recovered from the Tunguska epicenter after the 1908 event, by Captain Antonov of Tsar Nicholas's imperial guard. Transferred in 1993 from Stalin’s memorabilia.”

To be continued...

Afterword

“What can be asserted without evidence

can be dismissed without evidence.”

Christopher Hitchen

Famous archaeologists and scientists do not believe that, in the early beginnings of human civilization, mankind was affected by extraterrestrial visitors who might have arrived half a million years ago for gold and mineral prospecting.

   Writers such as Zecharia Sitchin and Erich von Däniken have been heavily criticized and even ridiculed for their theories about the Anunnaki and the possibility that pre-discovery civilizations like the Mayas, Incas, and Aztecs may have had interactions with intergalactic visitors.   Evidence from excavations and research has been ignored, and this exploration of our origins is left to a few out-of-the-box thinkers and scientists who consider it possible. 

   Mainstream scientists still maintain the conviction that we are the only developed civilization in our universe.               This perspective seems akin to the medieval mindset during witch hunts or the Inquisition's persecution of Galileo for his astronomical theories.

   Keeping an open mind has always been a significant challenge in our history. Most people prefer to stay comfortable and safe within orthodox patterns.

   However, a few make history by bringing forth new visions of the universe, life forms, and interaction possibilities. 

  We have to consider main archaeological findings that suggest a new interpretation of human evolution.

Thanks

My timeless gratitude

to all knowledge creators,

providers and authors who

inspired me directly or

indirectly in this

new phase of my

challenging career.

And specially to

my loved ones and friends

who  supported my journey.

.

About The Author

                         Gerard Condhesc

   After many years in the advertising and entertainment industries, Gerard Condhesc has worked as an art director, creative director,  and senior designer for Global Corporations, earning several awards and accolades.
   He now embraces a new challenge in his career with a science fiction trilogy designed for fans of the genre and innovative thinkers of all ages.

Praise For Author

The epic saga of
the Alhuskan Nation
against the most
predatory empire
of the known universe.

An inspiring story of
human resilience
preserving
Earth's heritage.

- Glacial Conquistadors ©

Books By This Author

Tunguska Battle

   In 1908, deep in the Siberian tundra, the millennium-old Alhuskan Nation thwarted an invasion attempt on Earth by the predatory extraterrestrial empire, The Wardemons. An unlikely alliance between an Alhuskan hunter and a surviving intergalactic warrior fought valiantly against the invaders, delaying their potential future takeover.Only time will tell how long it will be before the invaders return...

Wardemons Takeover

   The year is 2029. A colonel in the Russian special forces embarks on a mission to investigate the mysterious Tunguska event that occurred over 120 years ago.Once again, the Alhsukan Nation will play a crucial role in helping him to prepare humanity for the imminent return of the Wardemons invaders. They will be racing against time to prevent the possible extinction of mankind.

Forever Freedom

   After several years under the dominion of the Wardemons Empire,  the surviving humans begin a global, heroic rebellion against the ruthless tyranny of the invaders.
   A charismatic warrior woman emerges from the Siberian tundra. This Alhuskan hero leads the Earth Liberation Army to fight the final battle against the Wardemons. Humanity must struggle in a final effort to survive and restart civilization.