‘Intriguing,’ said the Emir. ‘How far did the empire of Atlantis reach?’
‘Right around the world. They were at their strongest in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, of course, but I’ve been to two separate sites in the Himalayas, one in Nepal and the other in Tibet, and they also reached South America, into Africa, the Middle East . . . Their most famous explorer, Talonor, was fastidious about recording his journeys, and several volumes of his records have now been found and translated. I actually helped with the ones discovered in Spain – I wouldn’t say I’m fluent in the Atlantean language, but I’m as good as anyone.’
‘So how could a primitive society have used antimatter? I understand it is very hard to make, and even more expensive.’
‘Atlantis was very ancient, but it wasn’t primitive,’ Nina insisted. ‘The more we know about it, the more we realise how much we don’t know. They had knowledge and techniques that were lost when the island sank, and that haven’t been duplicated even now. They’re almost a case of an alternate technological path, a road not taken. Our society is based on electricity and silicon; theirs on . . . who knows what? Earth energy, crystals, unknown meteoric materials – I know it sounds crazy,’ she said, sensing scepticism round the table, ‘but I’ve seen them myself. An Atlantean crystal was part of my own family’s history.’
Lobato’s expression revealed no scepticism; rather, intense interest. ‘And you believe – you posited,’ he corrected, ‘that another of these crystals was the source of the Atlanteans’ antimatter.’
‘Maybe,’ she said. ‘An Atlantean text found beneath one of the Tartessian sites referred to weapons called “spearheads”, which were supposedly hidden near the capitals of some of the rival empires of the era. If any of these rivals ever posed a direct threat to Atlantis, the Atlanteans would send out an emissary who would somehow prepare one of these spearheads, then issue an ultimatum – surrender to Atlantean rule or be destroyed. If the enemy didn’t obey, or harmed the emissary, the spearhead would wipe them out.’
Eddie generally left his wife to get on with her research by herself; this was all new to him. ‘Sounds like a doomsday weapon.’
‘A doomsday weapon would only be an effective threat if the people being threatened knew of its existence, though,’ said Olivia. ‘You remember Dr Strangelove, surely.’
‘Yeah, I married her,’ Eddie joked.
‘You’re the strange one,’ Nina retorted. ‘But the Atlanteans did let their enemies know – at least, so they claim. They did . . . well, a demonstration, I guess, with the smallest of their four spearheads, for the ambassadors of some rival powers. It was kept in a vault on a small island somewhere in the Mediterranean. After the spearhead was taken out, it exploded – with what we’d consider nuclear force.’
‘What happened to the island?’ asked the Emir.
Nina regarded the blue Mediterranean beyond the windows. ‘Gone. Completely obliterated. When they went back, after the tidal waves subsided, there was nothing left of it. The island was at least a mile across, so for it to be utterly destroyed would have taken a weapon of immense power, multiple megatons. That means a really big nuke – or antimatter.’
‘But how? Antimatter explodes if it comes into contact with normal matter. How could it be stored?’
‘Something I discovered in Nepal gave me the idea,’ she explained. ‘It was a crystal called the Crucible – the origin of the legend of King Midas. It could trap neutrons in such a way that they transmuted elements inside it into others. Mercury into gold, for one. I did some research, and found that theoretically – if something else with similar properties to the Crucible actually existed – naturally occurring antimatter could be trapped and stored safely, and over time build up into a very powerful weapon. For example, there are subatomic particles called positrons, one of the building blocks of antimatter, which are more common than you’d think.’
‘How common?’ Eddie asked.
‘Remember those bananas we bought the other day?’
‘Yeah?’
‘They’re spitting out positrons right now. Bananas have potassium in them, and a small amount of that is potassium-40 – which is radioactive and produces positrons.’
He was appalled. ‘Wait, you mean we’ve got radioactive antimatter in our kitchen?’
She laughed. ‘Only in tiny, tiny quantities. Like I said, positrons are subatomic particles. But if you had a container similar to the Crucible that could trap and contain antimatter particles inside a magnetic field without them ever coming into contact with normal matter, then if you left it for long enough, the amount of accumulated antiparticles would go from the sub-micro into the macro. Just a gram of antimatter has more explosive potential than both atomic bombs used in the Second World War combined.’
Eddie shook his head. ‘That part I can wrap my head around. The rest of it really does sound like Star Trek technobabble.’
‘It is all perfectly sound theory,’ said Lobato. ‘I would be intrigued to hear more about the specifics, Dr Wilde. How would such a magnetic field be maintained?’
Nina laughed. ‘Hell if I know! I’m an archaeologist. Weird science is just my hobby. The only reason I started doing this kind of research is because I’ve discovered plenty of things that needed weird science to explain them. Once it actually requires equations and formulae drawn on a whiteboard, I’ll leave it to the real experts.’
The gaunt man nodded contemplatively, but others had questions of their own. ‘How could the people of Atlantis have made such things?’ asked Alula.
Nina shrugged. ‘I don’t know, but according to their records, they existed. Whether they’re something formed by nature, something they adapted or something they actually made . . . again, I don’t know. We’d have to find one to be sure.’
Lobato leaned towards her again, with renewed intensity. ‘Do you believe they can be found?’
‘If they still exist, then yes, I imagine so. The marcadores de lanza – the “spear markers” – discovered at the pre-Tartessian site near Seville supposedly point the way to the vaults where the spearheads are hidden. Nobody’s figured out how yet, but given time, I’m sure somebody will.’
‘And will that somebody be you? Are you going to search for them?’
‘No.’
For all his implacability, an odd expression flickered across the billionaire’s face at her blunt response. Nina got the feeling he had hoped for a different answer. ‘Why not?’
‘I . . .’ She hesitated before replying. ‘I’ve retired from fieldwork.’
‘Why?’
Her response was reluctant. ‘The last time I went into the field, in the Congo, it was . . . to follow another of my theories. And people lost their lives because of it.’
‘But others have died on your expeditions, yet you continued,’ said Lobato. ‘Why was this time different?’
‘If you don’t mind,’ Eddie said, his daughter’s presence the only thing keeping him from expressing himself less politely, ‘I think you should change the subject. Wouldn’t want to spoil this very nice dinner.’
‘Eddie, it’s okay,’ said Nina. ‘Really.’ She drew in a breath, then went on with fake cheer: ‘My shrink keeps telling me that talking about it will help me get over it, right? Yes, in the past, people died on my expeditions, and no, that doesn’t mean I downplayed those losses in any way. Some of them were . . . extremely painful. But this was different because it was all on camera. I went into the jungle with a documentary crew, who filmed the whole thing. And this time, I couldn’t hide behind self-justification or rationalisation after the fact – everything was right there on screen, unvarnished, exactly as it happened. For the first time, I . . . I saw myself as others see me. And I didn’t like it. I saw an obsessive egotist who put her own goals above everything else – and because of that, people got killed.’
‘That’s not what happened,’ Eddie said sharply. ‘That’s not who you are.’
She gave
him a sad look, but continued. ‘And after that, when I got back to the States, I was sued by one of the surviving film crew. She claimed all the deaths were because of my negligence.’
‘She sued the production company and the television network too,’ Olivia reminded her. ‘And she lost.’
‘In the end. But it was still a year of hell on top of everything that happened – in the Congo, and in London too. Big Ben was destroyed and hundreds of people killed as a direct consequence of my deciding that I had to make one more big find, just to prove that I still could. Well, I don’t need to prove anything else. I don’t want to prove anything else. I won’t risk any more lives just to satisfy my ego.’
The uncomfortable silence that followed was broken by Macy. ‘Mommy, you’re crying . . .’
‘I’m okay,’ Nina assured her daughter, wiping away tears. ‘I’m fine, honey. Thank you.’
The other diners kept a respectful silence, but Lobato pressed on. ‘Then there is no chance that you would search for these spearheads yourself?’
‘Absolutely not. From now on, I’m happy to do all my exploration in libraries.’
‘I understand. As you say, someone will find them eventually. Though it may take far longer than if you looked for them yourself.’
‘That’s not my problem. And considering everything that’s happened because of me over the past fourteen years, it might be for the best if nobody ever does find them.’
She had not meant her last words to be the literal last word on the subject, but her vehemence made them exactly that. ‘Well,’ said the Emir, keen to move on, ‘I believe the next course is ready.’
‘You okay?’ Eddie whispered to Nina as staff cleared the plates.
‘Yeah,’ she said flatly. ‘Super-fine.’
The main course was followed by desserts that were every bit as exquisite. Lobato ate his quickly, then finished his glass of iced water. ‘I must leave now,’ he announced. ‘I have to fly to Paris.’
‘Business or pleasure?’ asked Nina.
‘For me, everything is business.’
‘Doesn’t sound much fun,’ said Eddie.
‘There is no time to waste to save the world, Mr Chase,’ the skinny billionaire countered. ‘Every day in which the problems of pollution are not solved is another day in which hundreds die needlessly, and many more suffer its effects. Before my parents came to America, we lived in Istanbul. Our house was beside a major road, and also close to the port. The pollution was . . .’ For a moment he seemed to be genuinely struggling to breathe, the thought alone toxic. ‘Particularly bad,’ he concluded. ‘I have asthma to this day, and I am convinced it was the main contributing factor in limiting my physical development. Fortunately, it did not affect my intellectual growth.’
‘Modest, isn’t he?’ Eddie said, just loud enough for Nina to hear.
‘Indeed it did not,’ said Fadil. ‘I believe you are going to speak at the renewable energy talks?’
‘Yes,’ Lobato replied. ‘Then I will visit my battery development facility in Germany, before going on to attend the World Economic Forum’s regional meeting in Zurich, and after that I am giving a talk on climate change at the Scuola Grande in Venice.’
‘San Rocco?’ asked Olivia, suddenly perking up. ‘Beautiful place, I know the Guardian Grando well.’
‘Dr Pinto?’
‘Yes, you must give him my regards.’
His small nod was utterly non-committal. ‘Anyway, I must leave. It has been a great pleasure to meet you all.’ The remark sounded almost mechanical, learned by rote.
‘It’s been . . . very interesting talking to you,’ Nina replied. From his behaviour earlier she doubted that he would shake hands with his dinner companions before leaving, and she was right. The only person he treated to anything more than a perfunctory goodbye was the Emir, the two men holding a short conversation at the door before Lobato exited. Two large men in dark suits and mirrored sunglasses were waiting for him outside, falling into place with military precision to guard him.
‘A very, very clever man,’ said the Emir as he returned to the table. ‘If anyone can keep the world from choking on its own smog, it is him! Now, would anyone like more to drink, or eat?’
‘We’re fine, thank you,’ said Nina. ‘It’s been an amazing dinner. My compliments to the chef – and our host, of course.’
The Emir bowed his head. ‘The honour is all mine, Dr Wilde. It has been a great pleasure to meet you – and I hope you are still willing to give me a private showing of the treasures in the Atlantis exhibition.’
‘Of course. I’m looking forward to it.’
‘Then shall we say,’ he looked at his watch, ‘in thirty minutes?’
‘That’ll be fine,’ said Nina.
‘Excellent. If we meet in the Sapphire Lounge on Deck 6, I will escort you there myself.’
Nina and her family said their goodbyes, then left the dining room. Ana was waiting for them. ‘I hope you enjoyed your dinner. Are you going back to your cabins?’
‘For now, yes,’ said Nina. ‘I’m meeting the Emir in a half-hour, but I’m sure everyone else has other things they’d rather do.’
‘Wouldn’t mind chilling out and digesting for a while,’ said her husband as they started back through the ship.
‘I want to go on the waterslides!’ cried Macy.
‘Or,’ Eddie continued with a resigned sigh, ‘I could go on the waterslides with Macy.’
‘I’ll come too,’ said Olivia.
‘You want to go swimming?’ Nina asked, surprised.
Olivia gave her a haughty look. ‘What, I’m banned from the water once I reach a certain age? I’ve been swimming Olympic lengths since I was eight.’
‘Okay, you all go for a swim,’ said the redhead, amused. ‘I’ll find you when I’m done.’
‘I’ll get towels for you,’ Ana said. ‘And anything else you need.’
Nina smiled at her. ‘Ana, thank you, but really, you don’t have to wait on us hand and foot. It’s not our thing.’
‘Speak for yourself!’ said Eddie.
‘We’ll be fine,’ she went on. ‘You should take the evening off.’
‘Are you sure?’ asked the Brazilian. ‘What if Mrs Garde—’
‘I’m sure I can manage,’ said Olivia. ‘After all, I have a grandson-in-law to wait on me if I need anything.’
‘Just ’cause I’m English doesn’t mean I’m a butler!’ Eddie retorted.
‘Go on, Ana,’ Nina insisted. ‘Take a break.’
Ana nodded. ‘Thank you. But I’m still on duty, so use your wristband if you need anything, okay?’ She smiled, then headed away as the others continued to their cabins.
Once there, Eddie got changed into trunks, T-shirt and flip-flops, Macy putting on a swimming costume. Nina, meanwhile, considered donning something more casual, but decided to stay with her dress and heels. She was going to be in the company of a king, after all. ‘Okay, I’ll see you guys later,’ she said as her husband and daughter headed for the door.
‘Remember, he’s got a country to run, so don’t blather on about Atlantis for hours,’ Eddie joked, before seeing what Macy was about to put into her bag. ‘No, love. Leave that here.’
‘But I need to practise,’ she insisted, swinging the toy trikan on its cord. ‘It’s bigger than the one at home, it’s harder to do tricks with.’
‘Yeah, but if you do tricks in the pool, you’ll have someone’s eye out.’
‘It’s soft, look,’ she said, bending one of the extended blades with her thumb. ‘It won’t hurt anyone.’
‘Just leave it here, Macy,’ Nina ordered, sharing a long-suffering look with Eddie. Their daughter pouted, but put the trikan down – after performing a quick flick-and-return of the yo-yo-like toy. ‘Have fun!’
‘You too,’ he replied.
Once they had left, Nina freshened up before checking a map of the ship to locate the Sapphire Lounge. The Emir was not there when she arrived in the luxuri
ous bar, so she ordered a glass of water and waited. He eventually appeared ten minutes later in the company of Alula, a male member of his entourage and a man Nina hadn’t seen before, a tall, neatly bearded Caucasian with piercing grey eyes. ‘Dr Wilde, my apologies,’ the Emir said, bowing. ‘I had to attend to business of state.’
‘That’s okay,’ she said. Whatever his business had been, his sister’s frown suggested her opinion had not matched his – but the monarch always got his way.
He turned to the bearded man. ‘This is Monsieur Thomas Agreste, who is in charge of security for the Atlantis exhibition.’
‘Good to meet you,’ Nina said, shaking Agreste’s hand.
‘And you, Dr Wilde,’ the Frenchman replied. The way he was subtly assessing not only her but everyone else in the bar suggested that his career before entering private security had been in law enforcement. She expected him to say more, but he was clearly not given to small talk.
‘Shall we go to the exhibition hall?’ asked the Emir.
‘Please, lead the way,’ said Nina.
He spoke to Alula in Arabic, dismissing her and the other Dhajani, then left the lounge with Nina and Agreste. ‘We have three exhibition halls aboard,’ he said. ‘As well as Atlantis, there are also showings of Islamic art and the latest renewable energy technology. Our other ship, the Pacifia, will have a Picasso exhibition aboard its maiden voyage.’ They descended a sweeping spiral staircase to Deck 5, then continued aft. ‘Oh! I would like to make a brief detour. I am sure Gideon would appreciate you seeing this.’
He led the way into a large room containing numerous display stands and video screens, as well as impressive models of power plants, tidal generators, even a satellite suspended from the ceiling. A row of gleaming cars was also on display. ‘Renewable energy, I’m guessing?’ Nina said.
‘Yes,’ the Emir replied, guiding her to one of the models. ‘This is the solar facility in Dhajan.’ It was a section of rocky desert, bank upon bank of polished hexagonal panels resembling glass flowers surrounding a trio of towers. ‘It is currently only a test facility, but it already produces and stores a great deal of power. Once it reaches its full size, my country will have total energy independence, without needing to burn a single drop of oil.’ He turned to a row of electric vehicles. ‘My hope is that every car in Dhajan will be electric in the next five years.’
The Spear of Atlantis (Wilde/Chase 14) Page 5
