All of this put Enki in a foul mood. Uruk would never have served him their last cow, even after everything he had given them. It seemed he was forever doomed by virtue of his birth, to live in the shadow of his intolerably arrogant brother, who was served the universe in his lap just for honoring others with the grace of his presence. 

Enki’s rage was roiling beneath the surface, threatening to break free. For a moment, he even fantasized about sinking his teeth into that regal neck. He imagined the supreme satisfaction he would get feeling Enlil go limp in his jaws. The sad reality of the matter was, Enlil was a psychic of unparalleled power. Even if Enki could overpower him in a physical fight, which was a coin flip in the best of circumstances, Enlil could turn Enki’s mind inside out with a single psychic strike.

Enki was an adept psychic himself, but Enlil had trained with Anu since his birth. Anu had an entire program developed specifically for Enlil, his chosen son. Enki remembered all too well how much Enlil suffered during that time. Relentless psychic assaults from father at all hours of the day.

Anu had even employed the use of a machine he had gotten from Zeta Reticuli, one capable of broadcasting thoughts into one’s mind on an endless loop. The training was so grueling, Nammu, their mother, pleaded with Anu to stop, for fear it would drive their first-born son mad. 

Anu did eventually cease the use of the machine from Zeta Reticuli, but by that time, Enlil’s psychic strength had grown to a point where it rivaled that of Anu himself, which Enki always suspected was the true reason he stopped Enlil’s training. 

“Why did you invite him?” Enki asked Enlil in a private psychic exchange. 

“The people need to grow accustomed to their king. He should be with them often. Why? Does his presence disturb you?” Enlil asked, the edge of innocence in his voice was quite telling.

Enki still could not figure out what game Enlil was playing. He remained stoic. “He annoys me. Always going on about Anu. He is a mad, old, greedy, obsolete human. A genetically inferior variant. Can we find no one better?”

“He has his flaws certainly, but that is a part of his charm. His many weaknesses make him easy to manipulate, and quite loyal. That is why father favors him,” Enlil explained.

“Yes, and those same weaknesses can be exploited by our enemies as well. Has father given any more thought to my suggestion for his new puppet king?”

Enlil smirked psychically. “Ah, that is what this is about. I should have known. Lugalbanda is certainly a superior specimen, but father questions where his loyalties truly lie. Frankly brother, he doesn’t trust you, and why should he? You haven’t given him much reason to.”

Enki sighed, at least, the thoughts he broadcasted openly into his brother’s mind gave that impression. “Anu trusts no one. He has grown paranoid. Neither of you are here day to day. These mortals are a lot to manage. They have so many problems. I am growing weary brother. Enmerkar does not have the mental fortitude or capacity to lead these people. So who do you think the duty truly falls upon when he proves inadequate?”

“That is precisely why you are here Enki. Please tell me you do not plan to go derelict on your duties. We both know father sent you here as punishment. It was not meant to be a leisurely cruise across the cosmos. If you would only have been more obedient and respectful, he never would have sent you here in the first place. You only have yourself to blame for that.”

Enki scoffed. “That is exactly the issue. Father is determined to see me as his enemy. The truth is that everything I do is to bring glory to our name, to strengthen our family. These humans are operating at a fraction of their true capacity. We are fighting a war on too many fronts in this galaxy brother. Our enemies outnumber and surround us. We need an edge, an advantage that no other possesses.”

Enlil regarded Enki with pity and incredulity, this time, in the physical realm. He was so surprised by Enki’s thoughts that he could not help it. “You cannot be serious? You really think these bags of meat are that capable?”

“You have not been with them brother. You have not seen what they are capable of. Their genome is unlike any other in the galaxy.”

Enlil’s eyes widened. “Enki. I say this out of earnest concern for you. Please tell me you are not tinkering with their genome. This would be an unforgivable offense to father. I personally don’t care what you do with your monkey men. The future of evolution is mechanical. Synthetics are superior in every way. But you already walk the razor’s edge with father’s patience. He will not tolerate any further insolence from you. He made it very clear that only he has the authority to decide how these humans will evolve.”

“Has he told that to Thoth?” Enki growled. 

“Oh don’t worry. He has plans to deal with the avians, rest assured.”