Part 5
Terminal Two at Manchester Airport was a hub of activity. Busy travellers, eager to reach their destination, moved through the terminal like M25 rush hour traffic. Skyler felt like rolling her eyes once again as she heard the repeated message warning passengers not to leave baggage unattended. She knew the information was important, but it was such a repetitive drone. Skyler surveyed her surroundings. Ahead of her she could see Addison standing at the check-in. She smiled at the agent's state of dress. After convincing Addison she was indeed very positive about her intention on travelling back to Egypt, they had to decide upon a cover. They agreed to arrive and wait at the airport separately. Skyler, taking into account her first class seating, dressed in a smart business suit. Wearing a navy three-piece trouser suit, Skyler carried her weapons and clothing in two carry-on holdalls. She had a black leather sports bag and compact suitcase on wheels. Addison, on the other hand, preferred the casual approach. Never one to favour formal dress after one too many years in military uniform, Addison preferred the ease and comfort of casual attire. With this in mind she opted for a pair of faded jeans, black t-shirt and training shoes. She wore a baseball cap and dark sunglasses designed to shield her features. In an effort to disguise her appearance, Skyler chose a long, curly wig. What she'd hoped was an inspired idea for disguise turned out to be a great annoyance. She never realised wearing a hairpiece could itch so much.
Seeing a vacant seat beside a departure screen, Skyler sat down. She placed her suitcase by her feet and adjusted her hidden earpiece. "No luck?" she asked.
"Check-in is over and Santos hasn't arrived so it is safe to say he's not on this flight. No visual confirmation." Addison sighed over the transmitter. "Looks like we're in for the long haul, Penfold!"
"Great." Skyler slumped back in her chair. She scratched her hairline and tried not to fiddle with her curly, auburn locks. "Next time I think I'm just going to dye my hair. Anything is better than the bird's nest on my head at the moment."
"I told you to wear a turban, Sky, but no…"
Skyler's growl rumbled down Addison's ear. "You're not funny, G-woman." Looking out over the sea of travellers, Skyler spotted Addison walked in her direction. She watched as the agent turned to the right and began reading a departure screen. "I can't believe we have to wait here for another ten or so hours. I hate waiting."
"You'll get used to it; waiting can be a huge part of the job." Addison continued reading the departures board as she spoke. "Once I was sent on a reconnaissance mission in South America. In order to avoid detection by an army of guerrillas I had to hide out in the jungle for three days. Believe me, this is luxury. Food, drink and bathroom facilities in close proximity, I wouldn't grumble if I were you."
"You sound like my late grandpa. If I ever bitched about having to walk somewhere he'd lecture me about how good kids have it nowadays. He lived on a ranch in Nevada and had to walk twenty-three miles every day to get to school!"
Addison chuckled. "Sounds like a typical grandparent to me." Turning away from her perusal of the departure screens, Addison looked over at Skyler. She had to admit, the redhead look did suit Skyler. However, if anybody looked close enough, they would be able to tell her discomfort. Not only was the itchy hairpiece an annoyance to Skyler, but so were the three-inch power heels adorning her feet. They boosted Skyler's physical stature two and a half inches above Addison's own height. Secretly the agent found her appearance curiously thrilling.
Looking down at her watch, Addison frowned. There would be at least another seven hours before Santos was expected. Their man at Heathrow, Agent Wilson, had already contacted her stating Santos was not Derek James. This meant, without a doubt, Addison would put her money on Casey Weinberg "Skyler," she said, walking past the doctor. "We have a few hours to kill before Santos arrives. Meet me down by that all day breakfast restaurant. I'm getting hungry."
Skyler rose behind Addison. Picking up her baggage she followed the agent down an escalator.
"Skyler, I think we have a problem," Addison suddenly warned.
"What?" Skyler asked in alarm. "What is it?"
"I'm being followed… by some crazy looking redhead."
The doctor was about to respond when Addison's words registered. "You almost scared me there for a moment. Damn it, Addison!" She heard the agent's chuckle deep within her right ear. "Don't think I won't get you back for that one, Minnie Mouse!"
"I think you mean Danger Mouse," Addison replied.
"I know what I'm saying." Stepping off the elevator, Skyler followed Addison to a wide, open plan eatery. She sidled up behind the agent and poked her side. "What are you getting me?"
Addison's eyes moved over the wide selection of foods. "Whatever you want; I don't know when we'll next eat so let's get a decent meal while we can."
"What about on the plane?"
"I said decent meal!" Addison picked up a shiny white plate. She handed a second one to Skyler. "They have black pudding; if they offer… just say no!"
Already knowing the contents of the infamous sausage, Skyler simply said, "I hear you!"
Waiting for what she approximated to be another ten hours, Addison was at least glad they were in a venue designed to cater to a waiting public with various forms of entertainment. The airport boasted many different catering establishments, amusement arcades and a wide selection of shops. It was enough to keep them occupied until hopefully Santos arrived at the airport. If he didn't show up, Addison intended on taking the flight to Egypt and tracking him from there. She was, however, confident Casey Weinberg was indeed Santos.
Though at first the hours seemed to pass slowly, the agents soon found themselves back at the check-in of Terminal Two. This time it was Skyler who waited around the desk while Addison loitered in the shadows. She leaned against a wall, thumbing through a healthy living magazine. Addison was just starting to read an interesting article on the newly discovered benefits of meditation when Skyler's voice called down her ear. "Addison, positive I.D. on Santos. He's here."
Keeping still, nothing but the agent's eyes moved as she looked over the edge of her magazine. "Which one is he?" She saw Skyler beside the check-in desk. She was eating a bar of chocolate and looking incredibly bored.
"Dark green pants, plaid shirt and dark khaki fedora."
Addison searched for a figure fitting Skyler's description. She spotted him. The man in question turned and took off his hat. He scratched his head and then put the hat back on. "Hello Alexander Santos!" She looked back to Skyler. "You follow him. I'm going to check his itinerary."
"Right." Skyler set off behind Santos as Addison approached the check-in he'd just used. Neither woman acknowledged the other as they passed.
Just before reaching the desk Addison said, "Saw that sexy redhead again!"
"Oh now she's sexy?" Skyler countered.
Addison replied saying, "I got a closer look this time. I sure wouldn't say no." She heard Skyler titter, but remained neutral as she approached a woman behind the desk. She was a middle-aged lady with a haircut reminiscent of the nineteen sixties. Her dyed blonde hair was piled high upon her head and a thick layer of make-up covered her face.
"Yes, Ma'am?"
Addison flashed a silver badge. "Addison Black, airport security. I need to know the name of the man who just checked into this flight."
"Do you mind if I…" The woman, whose nametag deemed her Patricia, took Addison's badge and studied it closer. She ran a necessary check to determine the agent's airport status. She had never seen this security officer before.
"Just moved over from Heathrow," Addison explained. She couldn't see the woman's screen, but knew she would find her details. As an agent for Special Operations Addison possessed many credentials and passed as numerous security and police officials.
The woman looked up from her screen. "Ah yes, Officer Black. Hold on a moment." She searched through the passenger list. "His name is Casey Weinberg. He's booked on flight MS125 in economy, seat twenty-four A. Is there a problem?"
"No, and thank you… he isn't the guy I'm waiting for." Addison nodded politely. She walked away towards the escalator Skyler had taken. "Still got him?" she asked the doctor.
"He's in the bathroom; I'd look a bit conspicuous going in there. He's passed through security and passport control. I did what you said, put my bags through the metal detector after I showed my identification. I can't believe I just passed through security with what I have in my baggage."
"Yeah, working for S.O. carries many responsibilities. They don't know who we are, just that we hold governmental licence in the possession and use of lethal weapons." Addison had heard the odd speculation about who she and her colleagues actually were. It seemed the movie industry aided in occasionally fuelling the odd creative mind with ludicrous ideas. The most amusing of such was the possibility of them being cyber-assassins built and controlled by the government. Addison loved that particular one. In her case she had worked many assignments; she was the spy, the soldier, the assassin, the thief, the peacekeeper and even the bodyguard, but a cybernetic assassin? Addison only hoped Samuel Perkins never heard about that one. She didn't dare to imagine what his inventive mind would conceive. One chip inside of her was enough!
Passing through the security point, Addison made her way to the waiting lounge. She spied Skyler now seated upon one of the many cushioned chairs, half watching a television news channel. Alexander Santos was to her left. He stood in line at a coffee bar where she watched him make and receive his order before occupying one of the remaining vacant tables. Addison sat opposite him, but on the far side of the room. She held a newspaper in front of her, scanning the pages slowly. "Everything okay?" she asked Skyler.
"Uh huh," Skyler replied. Being as though she was sitting alone and had no paper to cover her features, Skyler had to reply in simple grunts and light nondescript noises.
"Do you want to hear a joke?" Addison asked.
Skyler growled.
"Was that a yes?"
Clearing her throat, Skyler's attention remained upon the television screen as she scratched her nose with her middle finger.
"My goodness, look at that obscene finger gesture. Okay, okay… no jokes. I'll read you an article in the paper. Let me have a look." Addison scanned the pages. "Ah yes, there's an interesting one here about the early years of a topless 'Page 3' girl." Addison began to read.
Oh boy, Skyler groaned internally, this is going to be a long couple of hours!
*********
Haphazard piles of folders littered Mark Blithe's desk. Each one was a different assignment his agents had completed in the last twelve months. It was approaching the end of summer and evaluation reports were due to be handed in during September. It was a lot of work to get done and proved to be Mark's busiest time of the year.
Skyler's addition to the team made her S.O.112. She was in fact one of only eighty-seven working agents. The remaining twenty-five had all been either injured during the line of duty, killed or had retired from service. Out of the eighty-seven agents within Special Operations, only thirty-one of them were field agents. They all, however, carried out important roles within the team, bringing their own expertise to the operation.
General Blithe sat beside his assistant Joseph. Folders surrounded them both. Mark sat, lounging back in his chair as he read through mission reports and dictated his thoughts to Joseph. The assistant recorded them on a computer. They both paused from their work and looked up at a knock on the general's door. "Come in," Mark called. Danny Sleet stepped into Mark's office. He held a single sheet of white paper in his left hand. Mark could tell it was a fax. "What's up, Dan?"
Placing the paper upon Mark's desk Danny said, "I've just received this fax from the police in charge of the murder of William Bryson in Wales. It might be a possible lead in Addison and Skyler's investigation."
Mark picked up the fax and began reading. He frowned. "Who's Phoenix Hawthorn?"
"Hawthorn is an ex-student of Clyde University. An all-round computer geek… and I don't mind saying that description is a profound understatement. He was a child prodigy who attended the university at the age of fifteen. He got his Masters degree at seventeen, but continued on studying at the university. Not long before his nineteenth birthday he dropped out of his PhD courses. He stated they weren't challenging enough for him. Apparently though, Hawthorn had written some controversial papers and got into a large disagreement with two of his professors."
"What were the grounds of the arguments? Do you know what the papers were about?"
Danny shrugged. "Don't know yet. I'm going to research into his essays and such to try and find that out. See whether he has any work on line that may help and if so I'll contact his former professors myself. The fact is that two different people saw Alexander Santos in deep discussion with Hawthorn on two separate occasions and both those times they had been off campus grounds. This appears to be the only solid link made with Santos.
Mark's eyes scanned the report. He nodded and looked up at Danny. "Get on it. Do what you can to find out everything possible about Phoenix Hawthorn."
"Will do, Mark." Taking the document, Danny left Mark's office. The general watched him leave and as the door closed he turned back to Joseph. "Now… where were we?"
*********
Skyler had to admit it; flying first class was, without a doubt, the only way to travel. The only part to hamper her enjoyment was Santos. Both she and Addison had to remain in constant vigilance. It was imperative to keep him under surveillance and make sure he, most importantly, didn't see or in anyway recognise them. Luckily, apart from one trip to the lavatory, Santos remained in his seat.
They arrived back in Cairo International Airport at ten o'clock in the morning. Addison realised she had a difficult task ahead of her. Like herself and Skyler, Santos brought only one piece of carry-on luggage with him. The agent needed to place a tracking device somewhere on Santos or his possessions. Making that happen was going to be a challenge, but as always Addison relished the opportunity to test herself. Being first class, Addison and Skyler exited the plane first. Addison stood in the arrival lounge, waiting by the gate. She instructed Skyler to wait a little further ahead and informed her of what she was to do. Their wait wasn't too long. As per usual, all passengers grappled to retrieve their hand baggage as soon as the seatbelt light extinguished. Human traffic shunted down the aircraft as each passenger left the plane. Standing inconspicuously by the arrival gate, Addison watched each person enter the lounge. With a seemingly disinterested exterior she idly waited until Santos arrived. A small hint of a smile graced her lips as she began to follow Xander towards Customs.
Ahead, Addison made eye contact with Skyler. She nodded, giving her the 'go-ahead' to put their plan into action. Skyler made a show of looking down at her watch. After checking the time she picked up her baggage and began a dash towards Passport Control.
"Here we go," Skyler mumbled. She increased her pace, brushing past Santos where she proceeded to stumble on her heeled shoes. Skyler shrieked as she tumbled to the floor, pulling Santos and another man with her. They fell into a jumbled heap upon the ground. Their luggage spilled over the floor. Instantly several travellers rallied around to help them. "Oh I'm so sorry," Skyler exclaimed.
"It's okay," said the male passer-by as he pulled himself up from the floor.
"Watch where you are going next time!" Santos snatched his bag from under Skyler's with annoyance.
An Asian woman helped Skyler to her feet. "Are you okay?" she asked.
"Yes, thank you." She accepted her suitcase from whom she assumed to be the woman's husband.
"Where's my…? Oh." Santos took his fedora from a woman wearing a baseball cap and dark shades. He placed it back upon his head, shouldered his carrier and swiftly walked away.
Skyler replied to the onslaught of questions. "Yes, I'm fine thank you. Just a little embarrassed to be honest." Brushing the dust from her pants she adjusted her clothing. "Serves me right for wearing these shoes," she laughed and took her bag with thanks. "I'm really okay. Thank you for helping me." With another humbled 'thank you', Skyler excused herself to the bathroom. She entered the compact room, finding only one other occupant inside. Dropping her baggage, Skyler threw her arms into the air. "Please tell me that was worth the commotion."
Pulling off her baseball cap and shades, Addison grinned widely. "It was… and well worth it for entertainment value as well." She took a small device from her pocket and passed it to Skyler. "Tracker is in place and Santos is on the move!"
Skyler looked down at the palm-sized screen. A green flashing blip signalled Santos' movements. With a sigh she pulled her wig from her head. Running blunt fingers through her hair she scratched her scalp. "We got him! Did you place the tracker in the lining of his hat?" Addison nodded and held out her hand; Skyler slapped it in triumph. "Now what?"
"Now we track and follow 'Baron Greenback!'"
Skyler rolled her eyes. "You really have to stop with the 'Danger Mouse' analogies!"
Chapter 19
Strolling down a dry, dusty road in the town of Zagazig, Alexander Santos studied the buildings around him. He was looking for a specific hotel and all Phoenix had given him was the name and a vague description. According to Phoenix, the Hotel Teti was a small, family run establishment. It didn't stand out from any other building, but a painted, wooden sign upon its wall informed possible patrons of its services. Xander kept his eyes peeled. He scanned the front of each building until he located the Hotel Teti. Gripping the straps of his holdall, he entered the inn.
Although small, the atmosphere was both warm and inviting. The floors were covered in a grey stone tile and the walls were an off white colour. Three girls sat on the floor playing with rag-dolls and a young woman, who Xander presumed to be the mother, watched with a placid smile. Xander approached the woman, secretly annoyed by Phoenix's choice in hotel. If it wasn't getting ploughed down in the airport it was a hotel full of children. Santos ground his teeth together, but remained outwardly serene. The young woman with flowing dark hair looked up at Xander. Instantly recognising his European features she spoke in English saying, "Good day, Sir, how can I help you?"
"I have a room pre-booked by a Mr Phoenix Hawthorn under the name of Alexander Santos."
The young mother looked down at a small diary. Her finger ran down the page. Only being a small establishment, it didn't take long to find his name. "Mr Santos, you are in Room Four. You are next to Mr Hawthorn in Room Five." She handed Xander a key. "Up the stairs, the room on the far right."
Looking at the worn key in his hand, Xander said, "Thanks." Without looking back he turned and walked towards a wooden stairway. Locating his room easily, Xander was relieved to shut himself away in a much-desired moment of privacy. His room was sparse. A single bed stood by the far wall, covered in a light blue, woven blanket. The wooden floor, decorated with only a small rug, creaked under his heavy weight. Taking off his fedora, Xander dropped it onto the bed. He placed his bag carefully beside it. A sigh escaped his lips as he sat. He took a moment to survey the rest of his room. The only other piece of furniture was a chest of drawers. Its shabby appearance and scratched wood revealed many years of usage.
"Xander?" Phoenix appeared at his door, his head peeping around the barrier. "You're back. Can I see it?" He strode into the room.
"No 'how was your flight?' or 'I'm sorry for booking you into the hotel from hell'?" Xander rose to face Phoenix.
The younger man laughed. "Three children hardly makes this the hotel from hell. Besides, you're forgetting two important facts."
"Which are?"
Phoenix tapped the inside of his index finger. "Firstly, we are out of here tomorrow." He pressed his middle finger. "And secondly, we're out of here tomorrow! I have the team assembled and ready to meet us after nightfall. Zavren will be here sooner." The young man's expression turned resentful. "Your favourite, bloodthirsty, henchman."
Xander sneered. "You're not still upset about seeing that professor's head lopped off are you?" He stepped closer to Phoenix. "A little bloodshed for what we're about to do? It sounds worth it to me. Think about what we're doing here and focus on our goal." Opening his jacket, Xander handed Phoenix the key. "Remember what this opens."
Phoenix opened a white cloth to reveal the round, black opal. He held it up to the light. "This is it?" he asked. "It looks like the right shape, but…"
"But nothing," Xander countered. "Believe me, Phoenix, that is the key. Do you grasp how close we are to realising and combining our dreams? Soon we'll own the world."
"Since when did world domination become part of the plan?"
Xander shrugged. "Since I realised it was possible. Why not?"
As he tried to answer Xander's question, Phoenix realised he could offer no argument. Why not indeed?
*********
Addison yawned and slid her hand down the side of the car seat. She turned its knob and the seat lowered. Her body moved into a semi-reclined position. Placing one hand behind her head. she closed her eyes. After twelve hours of waiting in the airport and keeping a close eye on Santos during the flight, neither she nor Skyler had been able to sleep. After planting the tracking device on Santos they had rented a car and followed him at a distance. When Santos entered the Hotel Teti, they parked in the car park of Zagazig University.
Looking beside her, Addison studied Skyler as she slumbered peacefully. The doctor had slipped easily into a heavy sleep. Light snores rose with deep, even breaths. With the tracker in place it wasn't important for them to take turns in resting, but Addison found it difficult to sleep. Long years of training had instilled her with vigilance in keeping watch. Even if she did manage to drift, it would never be as deep as Skyler. Addison had to acknowledge though, she didn't think anybody could sleep as well as Skyler did.
The vehicle they hired was the largest airport rentals had to offer. Thankfully for Addison it was a Jeep and although it had travelled more than seventy thousand miles they were assured of its reliability. A quick check under the bonnet convinced Addison as such. With a detailed study of the hieroglyphics, Skyler believed their destination was the ancient city of Bubastis, its modern name being Tell Basta. Their map indicated Tell Basta was eighty miles northeast of Cairo. When Santos took the road to Zagazig, Skyler knew that was the final destination. Covering a large area, Tell Basta was bisected by a road with the sites of the Ka temples of Teti and Pepi 1, the first of the VI Dynasty. Only a few scattered remains of columns marked the structures today. With the discovery of a protodynastic tomb, it was another place Skyler wanted to visit.
Addison opened her eyes. The hot mid-afternoon sun was shining down through the window screen. Reaching into her pocket she pulled out her sunglasses. She placed them upon her nose and looked at the tracker situated upon the dashboard. Santos hadn't moved. The system was designed to alert if the target moved outside a ten-mile radius. With this in mind, Addison realised she really could relax. She knew they hadn't been detected. Santos had no idea they were on his trail. Knowing this, Addison felt her body sink a little lower into the reclined seat. Her eyelids became heavy and tranquillity seeped through her limbs. She yawned. Maybe sleep was not such a far off notion. Maybe if she allowed herself to acknowledge the fact they were safe and out of sight she would be able to get a little sleep. Maybe, Addison thought as her mind drifted into slumber.
The hours passed with little recognition from either woman. A peaceful, undisturbed and much needed sleep was well received. The sun had dipped below the horizon and the moon was rising into a cloudy night sky by the time Addison awoke. She opened her eyes, surprised by the darkness. What she was less surprised by was the fact Skyler was only just waking herself. Adjusting her seat, Addison asked, "Sleep well?"
"Hmm yeah!" Skyler stretched her arms above her head. "I take it Santos hasn't moved?"
Addison checked the gadget. "No."
"Addison, you put the chip in his hat. How can you be sure he didn't leave it behind?"
"We have photographic evidence as well as descriptions of Santos and in them all he is wearing what appears to be the very same hat. Right down to the bandanna tied around it." Addison popped a piece of chewing gum into her mouth and then offered Skyler a piece. "I think it is safe to say the hat alone bears great sentimental value." Releasing the clip from her left Beretta, Addison checked its load. She repeated this action with her right weapon. "Where he goes, it goes."
"But are we going to…?"
Addison grinned. "Under the cover of darkness we're going to check up on him, yes."
In the process of checking her own weapons, Skyler placed her Browning pistol into the holster wrapped around her lower leg. "What time is it?" There was no visible clock in the vehicle and being in the process of attaching weapons to her leg, Skyler was unable to see her watch.
"Twenty-seven minutes past ten." Addison strapped a third pistol onto one boot and a knife into the other. She dropped her pant legs, allowing the material to cover her weapons. "We'll move in about ten minutes." Addison scooted forwards in her seat and slipped her Beretta's into their holsters. She watched Skyler slip on her shoulder holster and check her Taser and ammunition. "Are you about ready?"
"Just about," Skyler replied. She attached several more Taser batteries to holsters upon her belt.
As a stark contrast to the warm days, the nights were very cold. The further into the desert one travelled, the colder they seemed. Aware of this, both women brought extra clothing. They had found themselves in the middle of a slight disagreement. Standard S.O. desert fatigues consisted of combat pants, shirt and other accessories in a colour Skyler described as khaki. Addison, however, disagreed stating khaki was a canal green and the actual colour was sandy beige. Neither woman could agree on the proper colours name, a petty disagreement they knew, but it always led to amusing banter. When a situation was tense it never failed in easing the anxiety.
Not wanting to be caught out by the quality of arms used by Santos and his men, Addison was better prepared. This time she brought along her own weapon, the Diemaco L119A1. Samuel had given her four bullets of his new ammunition and she placed them in a smaller magazine. This resided in her top pocket.
"Okay," Skyler said as she looked over at Addison. "I'm ready when you are."
Handing the tracking system to Skyler, Addison started the Jeep's engine. "We'll have to…"
"Hold on," the doctor interrupted suddenly as she looked down at the device. "He's on the move; Santos is on the move." She held the screen out for Addison to assess.
"Looks like we weren't the only ones waiting for the cover of darkness." Addison turned off the engine. "Can you tell where he's going?"
"He's heading southeast." Skyler scratched her chin. "In that direction I'd put money on Tell Basta." She was silent in a moment of thought. "I know during the day the Bubastis ruins are guarded by security. Darkness may make that easier. Plus he wont have to pay."
"Pay what?"
"Entrance to the ruins costs, I believe, around ten Egyptian pounds. I checked it out the other day. My guess is they don't allow visitors at night."
Prodding the inside of her mouth with her tongue, Addison frowned. She moved the oral muscle over her teeth before saying, "And no doubt whatever Santos has in mind is going to be that much easier to obtain without an audience." Addison restarted the engine. "I say we get moving."
Skyler took a deep breath. "Let's go."
Bracing one hand on the back of Skyler's seat, Addison backed out of the car park. She looked out at the road ahead. "Let's take this slow. I don't know who is with him or how strong his manpower is." Skyler placed the tracker back onto the dashboard for Addison to follow. The agent drove slowly. "We may have taken out about fifteen of his men, but I have a feeling he'll be able to pull out the reinforcements."
"You think there'll be more, even if he doesn't suspect he's followed?"
"Better safe than sorry. Santos may be confident, but he's obviously not stupid."
"Too bad for us, huh!"
Addison chuckled. "Unfortunately they never are in this job. As far as Santos is concerned what bothers me the most is wondering what on earth that key opens which is worth killing for?"
Skyler looked at Addison in confusion. "Jewels, money… 'A great undiscovered wealth of Egypt'. That's what it says in the Dendera Texts."
"Hmm… I don't think so." Addison took a left turning. Her eyes switched between the road and the satellite tracking system. "There's more to it; I just know it. These aren't the actions of typical thieves. Think about it, Sky, right back to the beginning, the murder of Karlyn Sanderson and her team. Very precise plans have been put into action for a specific purpose. Whatever the cost, Santos is willing to face it in order to get the key. How many people have died so far?"
Skyler chewed her bottom lip as she listened to Addison's reasoning. She admitted that it did made sense. However, the question remained... Why? What did the key unlock? It was a question to which they would soon discover the answer.
Moving steadily, Addison manoeuvred down narrow roads at a cautious distance. Santos was never within sight, but she wasn't far behind him. They drove for just under five minutes before reaching a dead end. It meant they would have to travel the rest of the distance on foot. Addison parked their Jeep and climbed out into the cool night air. The sky was surprisingly black and cloudy. Not a star could be seen sparkling in the cloak of darkness. A light wind blew over the edge of the desert sands. Golden grains whispered over the ground, coiling around her booted feet. Addison strapped the Diemaco rifle to her side and Skyler handed her a pair of night vision binoculars.
"Skyler," Addison placed the binoculars around her neck. "Keep your weapon at the ready. There may be guards placed around the boundary and I don't mean site security. We need to get to wherever Santos is heading without being seen."
Holding the tracking device, Skyler studied the progress of Alexander Santos. "He's about a mile ahead of us and from what I can tell, he's stopped. I think he's reached his final destination."
"Which way?"
Skyler pointed in an easterly direction. "This way."
"Let's go."
Together the women began moving. The night was eerily calm. Nothing but the hypnotic sound of sand rustling over the ground caressed their senses. In the distance nocturnal sounds of the desert's predators echoed through the darkness. It wasn't the first time Addison had been in the desert, not by a long shot, but if she had to choose her least favourite place to be, this would be it. It felt too exposed, too open. There was also the added annoyance of sand getting into the nooks and crannies of one's clothing.
Walking for long minutes down a long sandy path, the agents passed a single level stone building. There was no indication as to its use and all lights within were extinguished. Ahead of them Addison could see a sign indicating the distance to the ruins of Bubastis. They were very close. She stopped and peered through her binoculars. Two bodies were just visible by the entrance to the temple ruins. What concerned her, however, was the fact these men appeared to be sitting on the floor, slumped against the wall. Something was seriously wrong.
"Damn it." Dropping the binoculars, Addison adjusted her rifle. "Be alert, Sky. Looks like the action's about to begin." Adopting a ready stance, Addison and Skyler advanced upon the fallen security guards. Keeping low, Skyler placed two fingers on the carotid artery of one mans neck. She didn't feel a pulse. What she did feel was the warm, sticky texture of fresh blood.
"Addison!" Skyler held up her fingers. "He's dead." She checked the second man and discovered he'd fallen upon the same fate. "They're both dead."
Addison took a small torch from her pant leg pocket. She shone its light directly upon the bodies. "Throat cut… both of them. Silent but deadly attack."
With a grimace, Skyler wiped her fingers upon the side of her trousers. "At least we know we're on the right track." Noticing one mans eye's were open, Skyler leaned forwards and gently lowered his lids. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
"Shush…" Addison placed her index finger over her lips. "Somebody is coming," she whispered. Addison hugged the wall and Skyler followed suit as the sounds of footsteps in the sand drew closer. Addison peered around the corner of the wall. She could only just see the dark figure approach. The shadowed outline of a firearm was visible in his right hand. Addison held up her hand, signalling Skyler to remain still. As the figure neared, Addison reached out, grasping him by the collar and spinning him around. She thrust him against the wall.
"You…" He was silenced by a punch to the stomach.
"I'm talking," Addison stated firmly.
He tried to move, but Addison held firm. "Bitch," he sneered.
With a frown the agent looked at Skyler. "Did you just hear something?"
"Nothing," replied Skyler.
Shrugging, Addison turned back to the shadowed man in front of her. "What's Santos after? Giving me an answer now is the difference between me kicking your sorry arse or her... and believe me, she will be much quicker." Skyler pulled the Taser from its holster. "Now tell me; what is Santos after?"
"I tell you nothing."
"Wrong answer." She turned him around, thrusting his face against the wall. "You're playing a dangerous game, Mate." She took his arm, twisting it roughly behind his back. The shoulder dislocated and he growled in agony. "Shall we try that again? How about this… what is Santos up to?" The man said nothing. "Wrong again." Wrapping her hand around his neck, Addison squeezed the sides at a particular point making the man choke and gag. "I know this doesn't feel nice. You can stop it any time. What is he…?"
"A… ma… machine," he replied with difficulty. Addison took her hand away. "He is building a machine." He coughed harshly.
"What kind of machine?"
"I don't know."
"If you're…"
"I swear, I swear… I don't know."
Addison turned to Skyler. The doctor nodded, indicating she believed him. Shaking her head in anger, Addison took a Beretta and pistol-whipped him. He crumpled to the ground.
Skyler winced. "Ouch." With a margin of caution she peered around the corner of the wall. There didn't seem to be anybody else coming. The tracking device indicated Santos was somewhere ahead of them in the site ruins. She turned back to see Addison searching the man's body.
"He has nothing on him," she said. "Not even a wallet or form of identification. Hold on... what's this?" From a hidden sheath in his pants Addison pulled out a large knife. She shone the torch light over its blade. "Blood. Two guesses who he was playing with earlier." She looked over at the bodies of the fallen security guards. "Bastard." Taking his revolver she emptied the bullets into her hand and threw them into the distance. "So Santos is stealing to fund building some kind of machine?"
"If we can believe this guy. Whatever the key unlocks must be more valuable than we originally thought."
"Seems to be the case." As yet Addison didn't fully understand what Santos' larger plan really was. His actions didn't make any sense. She needed to know more and there was only one way to find out. "Skyler…"
"I know, I know… I'll keep behind you."
Addison grinned. "Thanks. Okay… lets go." Leading the way, Addison moved out towards the ruins. Only a few dull lights were dotted around the site and Skyler presumed most of them had probably been broken on purpose. They walked in a northwesterly direction. Reaching a broken column, Addison checked the tracking receiver. Santos was only a quarter of a mile ahead of them. However, neither woman was able to see any lights to signify movement in the darkness. In curiosity Addison whispered, "Sky, I don't see any lights. Would I unfortunately be correct in assuming this temple may very well be under the bloody ground?"
"If it was above ground it wouldn't be standing now."
"Bollocks! I'm getting tired of all these places being underground!"
"Oh come on, Addison, you know you love those stuffy, dusty chambers." The agent stopped moving and Skyler paused behind her. "What is it?"
Addison remained silent as she looked around them. She could see nothing but the darkened outlines of fallen bricks and broken columns. Wind whistled around the ruins like ghostly whispers of the ancients. Something didn't seem right.
"Addison, what's wrong?"
The agent shook her head. "I don't know," she whispered. "It's just too still. We're supposed to be two hundred yards away from Santos and there's no sign of anybody apart from one guy at the entrance." She looked around in the darkness. "We'll lose Santos if we don't find the opening where he entered. If we get any closer we'll soon be on top of him." A sound to the left caught their attention. Skyler stood flush against the column and Addison dropped to one knee. They saw somebody emerge in the distance. Whoever it was patrolled the area with a flashlight. As the powerful beam moved towards them, both women dropped to the ground. They lay in the sand, still and silent. There was discomfort from lying upon her rifle, which was into the side of Addison's right breast, it was painful, but she didn't move. From her position she could clearly see the man holding the flashlight. By the sheer size of the weapon hanging over his shoulder she knew it was one of Santos' men. One fact became very clear to her. Not only were they unremorsefully terminating any possible threat to Xander's plan, but it was also obvious this was the final piece to the puzzle, at least in this part of Egypt. They didn't seem particularly concerned about what carnage they left behind.
"Are you taking him out?" Skyler asked in a low whisper, knowing Addison would be able to hear her.
"Not unless I have to… I want to see where he goes." They watched him circle the perimeter and as he moved out of sight they followed. Keeping in the shadows and against broken columns, Addison and Skyler watched him closely. His surveillance took almost fifteen minutes. Addison knew he was about to finish when he changed direction and headed back towards the far edge of the site. "He's going back," Addison mumbled. Together the women followed, closing in at a steady pace. Soon a light from within the ground came into view. Knowing they were too close to talk, Addison held up her fist indicating Skyler was to stop and remain where she was. The blonde stood against a broken pillar as Addison moved off. She was deathly silent, not even her footsteps in the sand made a noise. Addison approached the guard from behind. She could see an entrance shaft ahead, a dull light emanating from within. Addison saw a shadow move from inside; it grew larger. Somebody else was coming. She needed to act fast.
Lunging forwards Addison took the guard by the shoulder. She spun him around and thrust her fist into his face. At the same time she swept his legs out from under him. As he fell Addison moved with him, delivering a second blow that knocked him out cold. She looked up quickly. The second guard emerged from the shaft. Before he could fully comprehend what was happening Addison was upon him. The agent rolled forwards and took him by the feet. She pulled him to the ground and again used a swift and brutal blow to render him unconscious.
Remaining crouched upon the ground, Addison looked over her shoulder. She raised her hand and Skyler emerged from behind the pillar. The doctor jogged over to Addison. "How the hell do you do that?"
"You don't want to know." Addison rose beside Skyler. "Ready to head inside?"
"Ready… no. Terrified… yes, but that's a good thing, right?"
"Only if you use that fear. How do you feel?"
Skyler sucked in a deep breath of cool, desert air. "I want to get in there."
"Then lets go." Taking the lead, Addison approached the entrance. She looked down at the sandy slope. Wooden boards had been placed upon the ground to provide easy access. They descended cautiously. Voices, escalating in volume, came from within.
"I thought only one would be the right size," one voice yelled.
"Well that doesn't appear to be the case, does it? So what do we do now? There's tons of them," replied a second male voice. "If it unlocks to the key's specific density and weight we only get one shot."
"I know that… there has to be a logical answer…"
Addison looked back at Skyler. "Do you think we're…" her words were cut short. Behind Skyler stood Zavren. He held the doctor with one hand around her neck. The other hand held an automatic pistol to her temple. Skyler's eyes were wide with fear. Where did he come from?
"Drop your weapons. If you don't do as I say… she dies. Move too fast… she dies. Breath any way out of the ordinary and she dies… got it?"
The agent gritted her teeth. She knew at that particular point it would be easier to do as he said. Addison's eyes moved from Zavren's trigger finger to Skyler. She tried to send her a calming message of courage. With a feeling of resentment, Addison dropped her rifle.
"And the rest," Zavren pressed. He pushed the barrel of his gun harder against Skyler's temple. She whimpered in pain.
"Okay, okay." Addison undid a belt around her waist and her weapons and ammunition fell to the ground. She held her hands up, but saw Zavren's eyes travel down her body to her feet.
"Lift your pant legs."
"No need." Moving slowly and precisely Addison crouched and removed the pistol from her left ankle. She pulled at the right trouser leg showing Zavren there was nothing attached to her right boot.
"What the hell's going on here?" Santos stormed towards Zavren and his new captives. He studied the two women. "You!" He glared at Addison. "You must be Inspector Black."
"Technically… no, but…"
Xander held up his hand. He didn't want to hear anymore. He knew who she was. "Tim, Preston... get out here." Two heavily armed men emerged from a narrow passageway. They were followed by Phoenix. "Tim," Xander addressed the taller of the two men. He was a stocky guy with a shaved head and tattoo that travelled down his neck and beneath his clothes. "Bind their wrists."
The thug grinned evilly. He pulled several cable ties from his pocket and then took Addison's hands, pulling them behind her back and wrapping a strip of the nylon around her wrists. He pulled tight before moving onto Skyler. He did the same while Zavren removed her weapons and dropped them onto the ground beside Addison's.
"You two again. How did you…?" Phoenix placed his hands upon his hips. A smug expression shaped his features. "We got you this time." Five more men appeared behind him. All were armed with their weapons at the ready. Addison tested the binds around her wrists, but she couldn't move.
Tapping his chin, Santos stepped up to Skyler. "So you're Tidwell. You're the one who deciphered the tablets."
Skyler held her head high as she said, "Yes I am," as confidently as possible.
"Good." Santos pulled the key from his pocket. He looked back at his man Tim and inclined his head towards Addison. Within an instant she had a gun pressed to the back of her head. "If you want her to live, you'll help us now."
Chapter 20
Skyler stumbled as she was pushed through a narrow passageway at gunpoint. Managing to keep balanced, despite her bound hands, she followed Alexander Santos towards a bright light. Zavren kept his pistol pressed into her back while pushing her forwards. Behind him, Addison was ushered to follow. Six armed men were behind her and at Phoenix's orders they kept a close eye upon Addison. She had six sub-machine guns aimed upon her and their aim was ordered not to deviate.
Looking around, Skyler visually studied the passageways. She wondered how on earth the chambers were constructed. It had obviously taken a lot of time and hard work to build a network of tunnels into the sand. The stones were half the size of ones used to build the pyramids. Even at such a dimension they were still extraordinarily heavy. Skyler attempted to move her shoulders; already cramp was setting into her limbs. She moved her head from side to side in a semi-circular motion.
"Keep moving," Zavren ordered. He pushed Skyler roughly. The steel barrel of his pistol pressed against her spine. She winced in pain, but didn't give him the satisfaction of knowing. Although afraid, Skyler couldn't help wondering what was about to happen. Santos had asked her to help them use the key. She recalled hearing his argument with the man whom she'd recently discovered was called Phoenix. The young man still wore the same tinted sunglasses and baseball cap. She recalled hearing them discuss the lock and how it opened with a key of the correct density and weight. How am I supposed to help? Should I help? Skyler knew she would ultimately follow Addison's directives. She trusted the agent's instincts above anything.
Walking the remainder of the journey in silence, Addison looked ahead. She watched Santos lead the way into the outer chamber. The lights grew brighter as they entered. Artificial illumination had already been set up around the room. The floor was bare with only random sets of footprints in the age-old dust. Addison turned and looked around at the walls. Three of the four held a large painting, a picture of Imhotep performing one of his many tasks. The fourth and seemingly largest wall was littered with holes. Addison frowned. She hoped Skyler could make sense of what was around them. It certainly was perplexing.
Santos turned, holding his arms out wide. "So, what do you think? I do admit to naively assuming only one of those holes would accept the key's size. The text says, …" Both women glanced at each other as Santos mentioned the Dendera Text. " 'You must place the key in heaven's gateway to worship him'. The holes are of different sizes and many allow the key inside."
"Are you sure you translated the…"
"My father translated the text, Inspector Tidwell. None was more qualified."
Addison decided it was time she spoke. "If your father was so smart how come he never found the key?"
Ire burned in Xander's eyes. "He would have found the key. Don't ask questions you know absolutely nothing about, Inspector Black. He lost his life before that could happen."
Looking at the guards surrounding her, Addison said, "You know, Santos, I don't know if I should feel honoured by all this attention."
Phoenix stepped forwards. He stood toe to toe with Addison. "You can quit the smart remarks."
"Hey, Kid." Addison stared into the young man's eyes. From such close proximity it was the first time she saw their true colour through the tinted lenses of his glasses. "You seem awfully more confident. I wonder why that is? Last time I remember you disappeared as soon as the first bullets were fired."
"Phoenix," Xander warned. "Leave it." He waited until the younger man stepped down before turning his attention to Skyler. The artificial lights highlighted her anxious features. Seeing a possible weakness, he knew he had to use it. "If you want to live, Inspector Tidwell, you'll help us now."
"Don't listen to him, Sky. He intends to kill us just as soon as he gets what he wants." Addison glared at Santos. "Isn't that right?"
Alexander remained silent yet his features quivered in anger. Addison knew if looks could kill, at that particular moment she would be a dead woman. She held her head high as Santos approached her. He looked down at her with anger and she smirked. "Don't ever presume to predict my intentions, Inspector Black. You don't know me."
"I know hundreds like you," Addison challenged. "I've come up against you all. That's exactly why and how I can predict your intentions. I'll tell you this … to save me killing you in the near future… quit now, while my hands are still tied."
Xander seethed. Baring his teeth in rage, he struck Addison hard across the jaw. He thrust his knee into her stomach.
"No… please stop," Skyler implored. "I'll help you."
Santos addressed the guards around Addison. "One more word out of Black and you have my authorisation to kill her."
Addison adjusted her stance, despite the throbbing pain in her abdomen. She smiled at Santos, revealing white teeth smeared with red blood. She spat a mouthful of the metallic tasting substance to the ground, but remained silent. Looking over at Skyler, the doctor's expression showed determination. Addison winked at her, letting her know she could take the lead. She trusted Skyler more than she ever realised.
"Santos," Skyler began.
"Xander, please."
"Xander… I'll open the lock for you, but I'll need some time to figure out what all this means."
"You have twenty minutes."
Skyler was incredulous. "What?"
"Nineteen… get on it."
"How am I…?"
"Eighteen. I suggest you start thinking, Inspector Tidwell."
Skyler spun around in a desperate attempt to begin studying the ancient images. Sometimes she would spend hours simply looking at puzzles, allowing the clues to sink naturally into her subconscious before she would even attempt to fit the pieces together. Eighteen minutes? It showed how desperate Santos really was. However, Skyler couldn't worry about how little time she did have. The clock was ticking. She turned right to the first wall. "Okay… this portrays Imhotep as a younger man." She frowned. "He appears to be in a confrontation with evil."
"How can you tell it's evil?" Phoenix asked.
Unable to use her hands, Skyler walked closer to the wall. She directed her head towards Imhotep's opponent, specifically his hand. "This man is a priest. He is obviously a man of evil intent because he is carrying a weapon in his left hand. Throughout the ages being left-handed was considered the markings of, as Addison would say, a dodgy person. There is plenty of evidence backing this. The Roman word for a right was dextra... for left it's sinistra! Being ambidextrous... two right hands. Egyptians always portrayed their foes as being left-handed."
"Enough of the history lesson," Santos drawled as she strolled around the outer chamber. "What does it mean?"
"Oh… well… this simply shows how Imhotep defeated an evil priest and gained favour with the people. It was his first big step on the 'ladder'."
Phoenix rolled his eyes. "On a scale of one to ten for helping us, that's a zero. What about the next wall?"
Chewing the corner of her bottom lip, Skyler's attention turned to the second wall. Her assessment of the picture didn't take more than ten seconds to complete. "This one is simple; it's a portrayal of the Pharaoh Djoser commissioning Imhotep to build his final resting place."
"And the last?"
"The last…" Skyler frowned. This one was the hardest to understand. She stepped closer, her eyes moving over every inch of the image. It was definitely Imhotep, but she didn't understand what he was doing. The respected figure of a man stood tall. In his hands he held a papyrus and writing implement. He looked towards the sky, apparently staring at the moon. In the distance she clearly identified Djoser's pyramid. Like the others, the picture was very basic. Imhotep was the dominant figure. Skyler knew each picture was a clue to discovering the lock, but she didn't yet understand how it fit together.
"Six minutes." Santos tapped the face of his digital watch.
"Alright." Skyler groaned in frustration. "I don't know." She began to go through the obvious signs. "It's Imhotep. He appears to be looking up at the sky." She thought for a moment before saying, "Imhotep was an astrologer."
Skyler's thought process led to a spark of clarity for Addison. She cleared her throat loudly, attracting Xander's attention. Her eyes moved to Skyler and then back to Xander. In silent question she arched her eyebrows.
"You have something to say, Inspector Black?"
"I do." Addison turned to Skyler. "Sky, remember in Imhotep's burial chamber, the picture upon the wall? Can you see the connection with these at all?"
Thinking back, Skyler mentally visualised the portrayal of two priests worshiping the sky. She looked back to each of the three depictions. Suddenly the puzzle began making sense to her. "Night time," she exclaimed. "Of course! Each picture, each act, they take place at night. Look," she said. "The moon is in the sky on each one."
Phoenix frowned. "Okay?"
"Don't you get it?" She walked towards the wall covered with holes. "What else do you get in the night sky apart from the moon?"
After only a moment's hesitation, Phoenix said, "Stars."
"Yes. Imhotep was an astrologer." She turned to look at the wall. The patterns were finally making sense to her. "These holes in the wall represent constellations in the night sky."
"That's it!" Santos ran his hand over the wall. He joined together a familiar pattern of holes with his index finger. "Lyra." He looked back to Skyler. "This still doesn't tell us which is the true lock though, does it?"
Skyler looked away. Santos did have a point; though they were a step closer. She frowned and continued to bite the corner of her lower lip in thought. Looking once again at each painting on the chamber walls, Skyler wondered if the passage of time had caused the paint to age and dull to the point where some of their details might have faded. It was a possibility for such a thing to happen, but not on these walls. The pictures were just too clear and precise. Shut off for many hundreds of years, earth's natural elements had little chance in weathering the paint.
As she tried to ignore an itch upon the back of her head, Skyler's eyes turned to the final illustration. She studied the distant image of Djoser's pyramid. Green eyes travelled up the painted structure to its summit. "The Eternal stars," she whispered.
Santos stepped closer. "What?"
Turning to face the room, Skyler said, "The Eternal stars… or called 'The Indestructibles' by the ancient Egyptians."
"Do you mean the Circum-polar stars?" Santos asked.
"Yes!" Once again the excitement rose in Skyler's voice as she began putting the pieces together. "The ancient Egyptians believed one particular star in the sky was the entrance to heaven… the North Star. The Circum-polar stars, which never set, circle around the North Star. They built their pyramids to point towards this star so it was an easy journey to heaven in the after life."
"Polaris," Phoenix said, referring to the North Star.
Santos grinned widely. "The entrance to heaven. Of course it is. It makes perfect sense now." Taking the round opal from his pocket, Santos strode towards the wall's star chart. He studied the constellations looking for Ursa Minor. "Here," he said. "This is the lock. The brightest star in Ursa Minor." With a trembling hand he placed the key against the opening.
"WAIT!"
Jumping, Santos turned to Skyler. "What are you playing at?"
"Polaris isn't the North Star," she said swiftly.
Addison frowned as Phoenix stepped towards Skyler. "Don't listen to her, Xander. Of course Polaris is the North Star."
With that encouragement, Xander placed the key back against the lock.
"Please… don't," Skyler implored.
Phoenix slapped her around the face. His actions caused Addison to lunge forwards in anger, but six sub-machine guns closed in on her and she froze. "You've just signed your own death warrant, Kid" she spat with a vengeful promise.
Ignoring Addison and Phoenix, Santos stormed towards Skyler, his face red with anger. "Now is not the time to FUCK WITH ME!"
"Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to let you stick that key in the wrong lock and fail," Skyler answered calmly. "But I don't know what would happen if you did. I don't know about you, but I happen to value my life."
Santos wrapped his hand around Skyler's jaw. He held her firm. "Do you get your smart mouth from her?" He looked at Addison.
The agent shrugged. "Unfortunately I can't take credit for that one."
Skyler pulled away from Xander's hand with a jerk. "You want to hear smart? Then listen to me. The Earth is not a perfect sphere; it is actually ellipsoidal in shape. The equatorial diameter of Earth is forty-three kilometres larger than the diameter measured pole to pole. This is called Earth's equatorial bulge."
Xander looked at Phoenix, Addison and then back to Skyler. "Smart, but I'm not impressed. What the HELL does this have to do with anything?"
The doctor ground her teeth in frustration. "Polaris will not always be the North Star and it has not always been the North Star. In approximately fourteen thousand A.D. the star Vega in Lyra will be the new North Star. In two thousand B.C. the North Star was Thuban in the constellation Draco."
"And this is because?"
"In layman's terms and as concisely as possible, this is because the earth is not a perfect sphere. It causes changes through time."
Taking a step back, Xander studied Skyler. As much as he didn't trust either her or Addison, he did believe her. Xander pursed his lips in thought. Phoenix approached him quickly. "What do you think?" he whispered.
"I believe her," he replied, loud enough for all other occupants of the room to hear. Never breaking eye contact with Skyler he asked, "Which star is Thuban?"
Skyler's body sagged in relief. "Go to Draco."
Santos did as asked and placed his hand among the constellation of Draco. He moved his fingers over the first star. "This one?" Skyler shook her head. He tried again. "This one?"
"No."
Alexander tried another. "This one?"
Taking a deep breath, Skyler nodded. "Yes, that's the one."
"You wouldn't be fucking with me… would you?"
"No."
Licking his lips in anticipation, Xander placed the key over its lock. He felt a tremor of nervous excitement bubble through him. The outer chamber fell silent and the air crackled with expectation. Addison moved next to Skyler. In a low voice she whispered, "God you turn me on when you start talking with your brain!"
Despite her own anticipation Skyler snorted lightly. "So not the right time to start this!" She smiled at Addison before looking back at Santos. She was just in time to see him drop the key into Thuban's position. The occupants of the outer chamber held their breaths.
Chapter 21
What started as a rumble deep within the earth rose distinctly in volume. Having experienced more than one earthquake, Skyler was able to liken the sound to that of tectonic plates shifting beneath the earth's surface. Then the ground began to move. With bound hands both women found it difficult to maintain their balance as the earth trembled below their feet. Skyler fell to the ground. Above them the ceiling started to crack and small pieces of rock began to fall. Addison dove over Skyler, covering her as a large, jagged stone fell from above. Xander fell against the wall. He used the solid structure to keep on his feet, bracing his hands against the painted stone.
"What's going on?" shouted one of his men.
With his back against the wall, Xander said, "Keep calm!" He noticed another of his men looking like he was about to run. "NOBODY MOVES! Do you expect its mechanisms to run smoothly after thousands of years?"
Addison remained where she landed, her body lying over Skyler's back. "What's going on?" she asked in a raised voice. She could hear Santos yelling at his men. He told them to prepare the jacks, just in case. She wondered what he meant and what they needed jacks for.
"Rusty mechanisms," Skyler replied. "They're trying to open the doorway." She flinched as another rock fell inches from her face.
"Great!" Addison responded sarcastically.
Suddenly a tremendous scraping of stone on stone captured their attention. Phoenix fell to the floor. He watched in awe as the immense rock structure of the star chart wall began physically shaking. The rumbling ground calmed as the wall began to rise.
"Sky, look!" Addison yelled.
The doctor turned to watch the doorway rise. Her jaw slackened, as, from her position on the ground, she was able to get first glimpse into the temple. "My god," she whispered. Dust fell from the edges of the wall. Its progression slowed and started to shudder in an effort to continue rising. Cogs could be heard grinding as they tried in vain to continue lifting the mass of rock.
"Quick," Phoenix yelled. "Get the jacks ready. If that thing falls, it's over." All but Zavren and Tim rallied around to support the wall. They knew at least two had to keep constant watch upon Addison and Skyler. With the ground now stabilised they stood firm, weapons trained upon the captives.
Three hefty jacks, larger than anything Skyler had seen before, were swiftly wheeled towards the rising wall. "Hurry," one of Xander's men shouted as they were placed besides the ascending stone. The men attached six-foot supports to the leverage system. They were designed to withstand many tons of weight. "Come on, come on," another man chanted. It needed to rise only a few more centimetres before the jacks could be rolled into place. All but Addison and Skyler willed the wall to rise those last few centimetres. Addison rolled off Skyler. She landed on her back, bound hands trapped under her body. She looked up to find Zavren standing over her, the barrel of his weapon aimed upon her. He wasn't close enough for her to kick out. Addison knew she had to bide her time.
The wall trembled and strained to ascend the final millimetres, but as soon as it moved above the six-foot supports, the jacks were rolled into place. Xander's men pumped the levers slowly, aligning the steel supports with the wall until it moved no more. With the threat of the wall falling now eradicated, they were all able to gain their first unobstructed view of Imhotep's temple. Climbing to her knees, Skyler looked at Addison beside her. The agent in turn looked back at Skyler. Both women wore expressions mixed with equal amounts of alarm and awe. They turned back to the vision of the inner temple.
With a raucous laugh, Xander strode into the temple. "Can you believe this?" He turned, taking in the magnitude of their discovery. The temple was large and hexagon in shape. A single pillar was situated in the centre; it stood from floor to ceiling. Its condition was perfect and unblemished. Each wall was highly decorated and colourfully expressed. At the far end of the temple was a large, stone altar. Its highly polished white stone was covered with a thick layer of ancient dust. On either side of the altar stood tall vases that reached over five feet in height. Their decoration was simple, but clearly Egyptian in design. Without a doubt the newly discovered temple was nothing short of magnificent.
While Zavren and Tim remained guarding the agents, everybody else rushed inside. Addison moved closer to Skyler. "Undiscovered wealth?" she asked through the corner of her mouth. "Sky…?"
"I… I don't know," Skyler replied. "I'd need to…"
"So where are they?" Phoenix strolled around the temple. He ran his hands over the walls, occasionally tapping the side of his fist onto the stone. "Is there supposed to be a secret doorway?" He turned a challenging glare upon Santos. Xander smirked. He held out a hand to one of his men who handed him a shotgun. Addison's eyes narrowed in caution as she watched Santos stroll over to one of the vases. Taking the barrel of the shotgun he held the weapon like a baseball bat. With a mighty swing, Xander struck the vase. The pottery shattered and its contents rumbled out onto the ground. Everyone stepped forward for a closer look while Xander approached the second vase. He smashed through the clay. Again the contents rolled out onto the floor.
Addison stared ahead at the vase contents. "Sky," she whispered. "Do they look like what I think they look like?"
"Do you think they look like diamonds?"
Addison nodded as she said, "Uh huh!"
"Then yes."
"Holy sh…"
Addison's words were interrupted by Phoenix. "Xander, you are a freaking genius." The young man picked up one of the precious stones; it was larger than the palm of his hand. Taking a jeweller's eyepiece from his pocket, he studied the gem. "It's just perfect. Though uncut, this is perfect." He dropped it and picked another to examine.
Bending down, Santos picked up a smaller uncut gem. He looked over to Addison and Skyler and with a smile he approached them. "Thousands of carats of uncut diamonds undiscovered for thousands of years. These are the purest form of diamond, so rare they occur rarely in nature."
"How…?" Skyler began.
"How did Imhotep get these? How did he know what they were?" Xander said, effectively voicing the questions Skyler had been thinking.
"Yes."
"The text isn't entirely specific. It doesn't say where exactly they were discovered, just that it was during a southerly expedition." Xander held the gem up to a beam of artificial light. "As far as how he knew what they were… well that is a little harder to understand and therefore harder to explain." Placing the diamond in his top breast pocket, Xander took a thick cigar from a metal container. He ran the moulded tobacco leaves under his nose, taking in their scent before placing it between his teeth and biting off the end. He lit it, drawing a deep celebratory breath of pungent smoke. "Imhotep described them as the hardest natural stone he'd ever encountered. He commented on their purity, clarity and the way they refracted light in a rainbow of colour. It's unclear exactly what or how he was able to determine so much from the stones. It seems at the time he was only given a couple as a gift in honour of his work. Imhotep was one of the smartest men of his time. I'm sure he had his ways of realising the worth of these stones."
Watching Xander's men begin loading the diamonds into wooden crates, Addison said, "So all this was for diamonds? All the lives taken, the…"
Santos frowned in what appeared to be false confusion. "Lives taken… I didn't take any lives."
"Of course you didn't. You're just a victim of coincidence, right?"
Xander smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "What can I say…?" He turned to watch the men carefully pack away every diamond. "I'm just unfortunate in being in the wrong place at the wrong time." Xander looked back to address Skyler. "And, Inspector Tidwell, without you it probably would have taken a lot longer to open the temple."
"My pleasure," Skyler replied dryly. She wondered what Addison's plan was. Standing beside the agent she saw Xander's men carrying one box of uncut diamonds out of the chamber. There were another two crates to be filled. They certainly don't waste any time, she thought. Skyler knew Xander would want to leave the temple and possibly Egypt as soon as possible. Santos simply watched as Phoenix strutted around his men, barking orders harshly. Again she wondered exactly what Phoenix's role in the greater plan really was. Judging by the way he held himself and spoke to the men it was clear he was as much an equal partner as Xander. She recalled earlier words from the man Addison had caught. He spoke of Xander building a machine. It seemed likely the sale of these diamonds would fund their intended and obviously illegal plans with millions of pounds, but what of the machine? Skyler presumed Phoenix had a part in that area of the plan; he certainly didn't appear to have much knowledge in the field of archaeology.
"Okay, you two take this out. We've one more to go." Phoenix placed a lid on the second wooden crate and nailed it closed. He watched Xander approach as he waited for the last crate to be filled. The pair spoke quietly with each other.
"Addison," Skyler whispered. "What are we doing? How are we…?"
"We're not."
"Not what?"
"We're not going to make any attempt to get out of this," Addison replied. "I want Santos to believe he has us. We need to play this by ear. There's so much more going on than just a search for diamonds, Sky. If we are to learn the truth, now is not the time to take over the situation."
"We need to find out about the machine they're allegedly building."
"Exactly!"
The doctor rolled her shoulders. Cramp was beginning to set into her muscles. "I don't understand, Addison. Why doesn't he just kill us? I mean, don't get me wrong, it's not like I want that, but he's killed so many already. I guess I'm just scared he'll see us as disposable as he saw every other person who got in his way. Addison… we're kind of helpless at the moment."
"Hey." Addison looked deep into Skyler's eyes. "Trust me when I say this… we're not helpless, okay? One thing I know through the years in this job is how to read people. I'll tell you this… Santos is a sadistic bastard, but killing us would be anticlimactic. I don't know what he has in mind, but if it was as simple as a bullet through the brain he would have done it by now."
"Addison, when you're trying to be reassuring, please don't use the phrase 'bullet through the brain'!"
"Quiet!" Skyler and Addison turned at the sound of Zavren's voice. Both he and Tim hadn't faltered in keeping the two women at gunpoint. The expression in Zavren's eyes alone was enough to tell Addison this man had no conscience and held no remorse for his actions. Now wasn't a good time to antagonise Xander's favourite henchman. Maintaining silence, Addison turned to watch and listen to the activities ahead of them. They had remained in the outer chamber while Alexander, Phoenix and their men packed and removed the diamonds.
Addison wondered how it came to be that the diamonds had been placed in Imhotep's temple. She understood the Dendera Text's explanation of a southerly expedition. Africa was a continent known for its diamonds. She knew that five thousand years ago diamond mining wasn't the booming trade industry it was today so Addison wondered how they became a gift for the ancient priest. Were they a tribute or an offering? Were they placed there after his death? At the precise moment, Addison decided those questions didn't really need pondering, they had a larger problem at hand. Santos… and what he intended doing with them. She needed to forfeit this round in order to discover the ultimate details of his plan. Her only concern was how to do this and stay alive. She needed to execute the outcome very carefully indeed.
"That's the last…" Phoenix thrust his hammer down hard, "…nail." He hit the metal again. "Secured." One final knock forced the nail snugly into the wood. He dropped the heavy tool onto its lid. "We're done. We have them all."
"Good." Xander addressed two of his men. "Get it loaded." The men nodded in silent acknowledgement and hauled the box from the ground. They transported it outside slowly. "Follow them and keep watch," he told Phoenix. "We need to be ready to leave in ten minutes to reach the airstrip."
The younger man whipped off his baseball cap, revealing a thick head of short, white hair. He stepped closer to Xander and whispered, "Why do I always get these jobs? We're equal partners yet you order me around like one of them."
Addison looked away, pretending she couldn't hear Phoenix's words. Xander watched her briefly before replying to his partner's complaints. "You don't have the stomach for this part of the job. Zavren is my man for the moment. I have two women to dispose of. You fainted like a girl when you saw the professor's body. You're the brains," he said in an attempt to reassure Phoenix. "Zavren… to be blunt… is sicker in the mind than everybody else here put together."
Phoenix remained adamant. "I may not like the sight of a decapitated corpse, but that doesn't mean I don't have a good idea for how to dispose of them."
"And what is that?" Santos asked curiously.
Aware of Addison watching him, Phoenix leaned closer and whispered quietly in Xander's ear. Xander laughed, a smile twisted his features with nefarious glee. He liked the idea. Laughing out aloud, he slapped Phoenix's back. "I like it… partner. This one I'm giving to you." With a smile that didn't reach his eyes, Santos stepped out of the temple. He approached Zavren and Tim, paying absolutely no attention to Addison and Skyler. He passed them by as if they weren't even there. "Listen to him." He smiled cruelly. "He has a plan!" Santos left the chamber.
Skyler and Addison looked quickly at each other before Phoenix's voice called to them. "Come in here," he ordered.
Addison looked behind her. Both men were too far away to consider an attack and she knew any movement in their direction would cause Zavren's itchy trigger finger to start pumping. She and Skyler entered the temple. She was pretty sure she knew what was about to happen. It was probably the only way they would have time to discover the true nature of Phoenix and Xander's plan.
"Stand behind the altar," Phoenix ordered. He maintained his own level of distance, walking around them as they approached the large altar. When both women were standing behind the stone structure he asked, "How did you find us? The location of this temple can only be discovered through the Dendera Text."
Not wanting to reveal that particular piece of information, Addison shrugged. "I guess you weren't as clever as you thought you were. It wasn't too hard to trace and follow your tracks."
Phoenix wasn't impressed. The backing of two armed gunmen and fifteen feet of distance between them boosted his confidence. "Don't keep me waiting for answers, Inspector Black. If you answer me now your death will be quick and relatively painless." Phoenix didn't realise he had just revealed his plans and proved Addison right in her presumption of his intentions. When she didn't reply, Phoenix turned to Skyler. "Inspector Tidwell, maybe you'll be a little more forthcoming?"
Skyler swallowed hard. "I don't think so."
Smiling, Addison said, "You won't get away with this. I personally guarantee you will pay for whatever actions you take here tonight."
"That remains to be seen, Inspector. What you should be worried about is that whatever happens from here on out, you wont be here to see it." He was silent for a brief moment and Addison could tell he was mulling over her words. He didn't appear fazed for long. "So you have chosen the long… slow… and painful death. Very well, but don't regret not taking me up on my original offer now."
Addison sighed. She knew what was coming and was beginning to wish he would just get on with it so she could figure out their next move. She looked at Skyler, seeing her worried expression. In a low voice she whispered, "It will be okay, trust me."
Phoenix stood behind the centre jack. He looked at Zavren and inclined his head to the jack on the right and then did the same with Tim, informing him to take the left. "I'm sorry you won't be around to witness the greatest achievement in modern history. I like to brag!"
"So don't do this," Skyler replied.
The young man laughed and waggled his finger from side to side. "Ah, ah, ah, Inspector Tidwell, nice try, but once I make up my mind I stick to it. Say 'goodbye', Inspectors." Phoenix grasped the release lever of the jack. He took a length of rope, handed to him by Tim and tied it around the lever. Holding the rope he backed away to the entrance of the outer chamber, Tim and Zavren flowed.
Addison fixed Phoenix with an icy glare. "Next time I see you, you'll be staring down the barrel of my gun."
Phoenix laughed, but Addison's expression sent a shiver down his spine. "I don't think so." He looked at Tim and Zavren. "Ready?" The men nodded. Phoenix looked back at the women. He paused for only a second before ordering them to pull. "Now," he shouted and together they pulled the ropes. This in turn released the jack leavers. The men turned and ran from the chamber, hearing the sound of steel supports falling to the ground. The earth shaking crash of solid rock falling to the floor in swift descent followed this. The weight of the impact caused the stone to crack and shatter. Rubble began falling, large boulders tumbling to the ground. As soon as Phoenix had given the order to release the levers, Addison knocked Skyler to the ground, under the altar. She swiftly followed, gaining cover under the stone structure and away from stray falling rocks. They lay upon the ground, Skyler's forehead against Addison's chest as the crashing and pounding of heavy boulders slowly blocked the temple's exit.
Addison breathed rapidly. She could feel grit and dust hit the back of her throat every time she took a breath. She coughed and buried her nose in Skyler's hair. The cave-in of rocks seemed never-ending, but could have only taken a maximum of ten seconds. Addison felt a measure of dread as the last shaft of light was extinguished and they were engulfed in complete darkness.
Finally the rocks ceased falling.
A feeling of trepidation surrounded both women. They remained underneath the altar, not yet daring to open their eyes. Both knew there was little chance of seeing anything anyway. After the air calmed, Addison finally did try looking around. She was greeted by the harsh reality of absolute darkness. She coughed, becoming aware of the woman beside her. Addison pulled away from Skyler, just enough for her to feel Skyler's head and place her forehead against the doctor's temple. "Sky," she whispered.
Skyler whimpered, "Addison, what… how…?"
"Hey it's okay, it's okay." Addison looked around, but still saw only darkness. She waited for her eyes to adjust in the feeble hope of limited sight.
Taking a deep breath, Skyler asked. "You knew this was going to happen, didn't you?"
"Pretty much, yes I did."
"So you have a plan?"
Removing her forehead from Skyler's, Addison attempted to straighten her back. The silence around them was palpable. "I will." Addison took a breath of hot, dusty air. She coughed again as the dust fragments hit her throat. A bead of sweat trickled down her temple. Addison looked around in the darkness, sensing more than seeing the dense walls around them, blocking any escape. "I'll think of something, Sky. I promise."
End of part 5
Continued...