by Tom Hunter
Akhenaton’s eyes narrowed, not breaking contact with Samuel’s, until he suddenly laughed. “There’s no doubting your courage,” he said, shaking his head and brushing himself down, as Samuel let go of his clothes. “I do believe you would have taken a punch and then some. Another time, another place, maybe we would be assessing your suitability for my Order. All right. You have a point. You do deserve to learn a little more about what it is we’re fighting for and why it would have been better to let me destroy the headdress than have it fall into the hands of evil men.”
He clasped his hands behind his back, pacing up and down as he considered what he could and couldn’t say.
“Some of what I am about to tell you is known fact, and some of it is supposition based on my Order’s studies of ancient texts, as well as our oral history. Stories that have been passed down through the generations gradually change in the telling, but everything that I’ve seen and heard suggests that what I am about to say is true, no matter how fantastic it may seem.”
“Go on,” urged Samuel. “We’re listening.”
“As you surmised, that particular chamber of St. Augustine is connected with memory,” Akhenaton explained. “The headdress itself holds the main mechanism to granting power over minds and memory. However, possession of the headdress alone is not enough to unlock its secrets. No one will be able to figure out how to use it properly without further information and artifacts, all of which have been scattered across sites hidden from here to Hippo, covering a distance of well over 2,000 miles. My Order takes its guardianship of these treasures very seriously. It is a sacred duty, one which we are prepared to give our lives for. As you’ve already seen.”
“So your Order is in fact a network that covers this entire region?” asked Samuel. “What’s to stop a member stealing these secrets for their own use?”
“Who watches the watchers, you mean?” Akhenaton smiled. “Our hierarchy is set up in such a way that the Order places three cells to watch over each site. Not only are we guarding the treasure, we are also guarding each other to ensure that no cell is seduced by the power we protect. We are forbidden from contacting other cells and can only interact with each other through an intermediary. In addition, it is only the High Marshal of each cell who can contact the leader of our Order so that our leader is also protected from traitors and those who would plunder our treasures.”
“I’m guessing that you’re not a High Marshal then,” observed Samuel.
Akhenaton shrugged. “Maybe I am and maybe I’m not. Either way, I couldn’t tell you.”
“Or you’d have to kill me,” finished Samuel.
Akhenaton smirked, nodding.
“What do you think, guys?” Samuel turned to the rest of the group. “Should we do as Akhenaton suggests and fly to his Order for help? Or should we take our chances with the helicopter and get as close to the camp as we can before finishing the journey on foot? If we do the latter, we’ll have to time it carefully to avoid the midday sun and give ourselves the best chance of survival.”
“I say we go back to camp,” Waleed replied immediately. “We know nothing about this Akhenaton or his Order. For all we know, they could be allied with the Bruard and merely stringing you along to see how much you know before brutally murdering us in our sleep.”
Akhenaton let out a bark of laughter. “Believe me, if I wanted to kill you, I’d do it straight to your face,” he told Waleed. “That way, I can show you what your guts look like when I rip them out of your body.”
Waleed paled and gulped. “Thank you for demonstrating exactly why I think going to his Order for assistance is a bad idea. Does anyone really believe that this madman has our best interests at heart?”
“Much as it pains me to say it, I agree with Waleed,” put in Basile. “Think about it, Samuel. Akhenaton has gone to great lengths to make it clear how important secrecy is to his Order. Why would they work so hard at staying under the radar and then be willing to blow their cover just for our sake? No, I don’t think we should go to his friends for help. They might let us into their camp, but I do not believe that they’ll ever let us out again, at least not alive. I’d rather take my chances with the desert sun.”
“You have a point,” nodded Samuel. “What do you think, Josh?”
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s pretty straightforward,” shrugged the pilot. “We don’t have enough fuel to fly back to the dig site and we don’t have enough water to sustain a crossing of the desert by foot. If we had a working vehicle or even a camel or two, I’d be willing to risk it, but we don’t. If we try to get back to the dig site, it’s certain death. At least with Akhenaton’s Order, we have a chance of living.”
“I agree,” added Shafira. “I don’t believe that Akhenaton is the kind of man who would let us save his life and then kill us as a thank you. We can’t stay here and we can’t get back to the dig. That means that going with Akhenaton is our only real option.”
“Which leaves me with the deciding vote.” Samuel thought for a moment. “It’s a tough call, but I agree with Shafira.” He turned to face Akhenaton. “For all your bluster, I don’t believe that you would kill us after everything we’ve been through together. We’ll fly to your Order, and hope that they can offer us help.”
“You’ve made the right choice,” Akhenaton nodded. “I’ll be able to guide us to the camp, hopefully before we run out of fuel.”
“Hopefully,” sighed Josh as the party headed over to the copter, the six of them squeezing in ready for takeoff.
Four
Pin hummed a little under his breath as he sat on his own in the cockpit of the VTOL, flying it in the direction of his little hideaway. In his mind, he ran over a number of scenarios, strategizing his next move now that he had St. Augustine’s headdress.
The island where Pin had his retreat came into view on the horizon. From a distance, it looked like an idyllic retreat, a tropical paradise for the select few wealthy enough to visit. Anyone with sharp eyesight might notice that the lush green foliage concealed anti-aircraft batteries he’d had installed to ward off intruders, meaning that only approved aircraft would be able to touch down on the large landing strip near the villa.
The VTOL’s radio crackled and a voice came over the airwaves.
“Geogi nuguya? Dangsin-ui jeongcheseong-eul deuleonaegeona bunno-e jigmyeonhasibsio. Who goes there? Reveal your identity or face our wrath.”
“Jeung-inseog-eseo mulleona da. Pin Nam-gi.” Pin told the guard to stand down.
“Dangsin-eun chaglyug heogaleul bad-assseubnida. Hwan-yeonghabnida. You have permission to land. Welcome home, sir.”
“Welcome home indeed,” Pin muttered to himself before calling out to Gord.
“Take over the controls,” he ordered. “I wish to speak to the men before we touch down.”
“Yes, sir.” Gord nodded and took Pin’s place in the pilot’s seat, as his superior went back to address the mercenaries that had been instrumental in enabling him to steal the relic from Samuel and Akhenaton.
“I’m sure you’ll be pleased to hear that we are very nearly at our destination,” he began. “And I’d like to take a moment to thank you for your help and support so far. Perhaps you do not realize the import of your actions recently, but you should know that, over the past few days, we have made history together. We have recovered an artifact long since believed to be lost, an artifact that has the power to change the world without a single shot being fired. Each and every one of you has played a vital role in restoring this relic to its rightful place in the hands of our glorious leader. It will not be long before we will fully understand St. Augustine’s creation, unlocking the knowledge long since lost in the mists of time. As soon as its true purpose is revealed, I can assure you that we will face no resistance in our quest to conquer the world, saving millions of lives.”
He beamed at the gathered soldiers. “You have all made it possible for the Bruard to take our place as the rightful rulers of the globe. When
you see every world leader bowing before us, you will be able to feel proud that you made it happen. I can assure you that the Bruard’s generosity will know no bounds.”
“I don’t get it.”
Pin frowned as one of the mercenaries spoke out. The man was short and thin, with more than one faded scar running across his face. A menacing aura surrounded him that suggested that he wasn’t afraid of finishing a fight. If anything, he seemed to be the kind of person who enjoyed starting one, just to entertain himself.
“It’s just a hat, right?” he went on, a slight hint of a Korean accent to his words. “Yet the way that you talk about it, it sounds like ancient mumbo-jumbo to me. All this nonsense about mind control through headgear, it’s a load of rubbish, right? Why don’t you try it on, show us how it works?”
“Try it on?” sneered Pin, striding towards the man. “One does not simply ‘try on’ a priceless mystical artifact without conducting in-depth research in advance. You may be willing to risk your soul out of foolish pride, but there is a good reason why I am in charge of this mission while you are a mere grunt. ‘There are more things on heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.’ Do you understand what that means?”
“Of course,” bluffed the mercenary.
“Do you really?” Pin scoffed. “Somehow I doubt that. So let me explain, just for the avoidance of any doubt. There is no such thing as magic, merely the misunderstood. So what you dismiss out of hand as ‘rubbish,’ may not be anything of the sort. Until we have carried out a thorough array of tests, we simply cannot rule out the possibility that the ancients mastered mind control and the details of this incredible science have been waiting in that cavern all these centuries for one worthy of appreciating them. Do you think that you’re worthy?”
The soldier sniffed and shook his head. “What do I think? I think you’re wasting my time. You’re not paying me enough to listen to this crap.”
“Cool it, man.” The mercenary sitting next to him nudged the outspoken soldier, casting a worried glance at Pin. “Remember the first rule–never talk back to your commanding officer.”
“Now, now,” Pin wagged his forefinger at the second soldier, tutting. “Let us not make assumptions. As you know, I always like to make sure I have all the information to hand before making up my mind about the best way forward. Perhaps this gentlemen does not realize the full extent of his disrespect.” He glared at the insolent mercenary who’d dared to question his authority. “Are you talking back to me?”
“N-no.” The soldier paled, realizing for the first time that there was a distinct possibility that he’d gone too far. “I just think that perhaps you should go back to the Ministry, use the Haisam identity to get more information about this device first instead of speculating that some ancient myth is real.”
“Is that so?” Pin nodded, pondering on what the soldier had just said. “Your opinion is duly noted and will be given the consideration it deserves.”
“I didn’t mean anything. I’m sure you know what you’re doing. I wasn’t being deliberately disrespectful,” the soldier babbled as Pin slowly, deliberately walked to the back of the VTOL. Rummaging in his baggage, he found what he was looking for before returning to the soldier.
“I’m sure you weren’t.” He smiled coldly.
With a sudden movement too swift for the soldier to defend himself, Pin thrust at his neck, injecting him with the needle he had concealed in his hand.
“What the-” The man started scrabbling at his neck, as blood started to run from his eyes.
“Neither the Glorious Leader nor I have any patience for men like you who question our decisions,” Pin told him. “Let the next ten minutes of your life be an agonizing lesson for you. For all of you.” He turned to take in the frightened faces of the remaining soldiers on the VTOL. “We are on a mission. Our mission can only succeed if we keep our focus on the future. We cannot afford to be distracted by frivolous questions or concerns. Make no mistake. We have uncovered a device that will change the world. Anyone who doubts that is more than welcome to leave this aircraft. Right now, in midair. Anyone?”
The mercenaries all shook their heads.
“Excellent. We shall say no more about this unfortunate incident then.” He walked past the silently choking soldier and back out to the cockpit to sit in the co-pilot’s seat next to Gord.
“And you call me a sadist,” joked Gord.
“That’s because you are,” countered Pin. “I’ve seen you at work. You derive great pleasure from the pain you inflict on others. By contrast, I take no joy in having to teach someone a lesson. I merely do what needs to be done. A more merciful death may not have been enough to prevent further mutiny. Indeed, such weakness may have invited it. Instead, the soldiers understand their place again. Now let us not dwell on this anymore. We’re almost home and someone needs to land this thing safely without distraction.”
He took over the controls once more, humming tunelessly to himself as he guided his VTOL in to land.
Five
“Continue due north for another five klicks then head west,” Akhenaton instructed, as the desert floor slipped by beneath the helicopter.
“Is it much further?” asked Josh. “I’m keeping a careful eye on our fuel, but if we run out, we’ll be down in the sand, wishing we’d tried to get back to the dig. At least if we’d gone in that direction, there would be a chance of someone from the site coming out and finding us. We’re incredibly isolated out here. I haven’t seen any sign of this Order of yours.”
“Don’t worry,” Akhenaton reassured him. “We’ll make it to the camp.”
In the back of the helicopter, Waleed and Basile had fallen asleep resting on each other’s shoulders, Basile snoring lightly and twitching a little in his sleep.
“I’ve always admired that about Basile,” Samuel remarked to Shafira.
“What?”
“His ability to fall asleep no matter where we are,” Samuel told her. “I remember one time when we were in the Amazon. I was sure that I’d heard a puma snarl and Basile agreed with me, so I grabbed a stick out of the fire, clutching it as a torch to defend myself. Moments later, I heard another strange noise. It was Basile snoring next to me.”
Shafira laughed. “Are you kidding? What about the puma?”
“I guess Basile’s snoring chased it away,” joked Samuel, laughing with her.
“I wish I could sleep like that,” sighed Shafira. “It would be wonderful to have had so many adventures that a day like today would be nothing out of the ordinary.”
“Trust me. A day like today will always be out of the ordinary,” Samuel reassured her. “Just when you think you’ve seen it all, you uncover secret orders and ancient mind control devices.”
“It must be so amazing discovering all these hidden treasures,” Shafira breathed. “I can’t imagine all the things you must have seen.”
“It’s not as glamorous as you might think,” Samuel told her. “There are many hours of back breaking work and then there’s all the paperwork.”
“Ah yes.” Shafira smiled. “The paperwork. The bane of my life. Sometimes I dream that I’ve come into work and my in tray is empty. I’ve always found that when I have that dream, it’s a sign that it’s going to be a particularly busy day. If I never see another form BS9442 it’ll be too soon.”
“But you mustn’t underestimate the importance of what you do,” Samuel said. “It’s thanks to people like you that lets me stay out in the field. Don’t ever feel that I don’t appreciate your work, because I really do.”
“That’s kind of you to say,” murmured Shafira. “Still, sitting behind a desk all day every day isn’t half as exciting as being out in the field. I mean, you were one of the first people to go into St. Augustine’s inner sanctum for centuries. I can’t even begin to imagine how that must have felt. I wish we hadn’t had to destroy it to rescue you. I would have loved to see what it looked like.”
“I wish you
could have seen it too. It was pretty spectacular,” Samuel nodded. “But I’m sure you’ll have the opportunity to visit other sites in the not too distant future once we’ve sorted out the mess Pin created.”
“Maybe,” Shafira shrugged. “To be honest, the only reason I was able to escape my office was because Josh is an old family friend and I managed to persuade him to help me warn you about Pin. Otherwise, who knows how long it would have been before I saw a world outside of my cubicle? For all I know, I’ll be confined to an office for the rest of my career, especially if my actions are seen as insubordination. I’ll be lucky to get work as a receptionist if that happens.”
“Is that why you decided to work for the Ministry?” asked Samuel. “To see more of the world?”
“That had a lot to do with it,” Shafira confessed. “I had hoped that I’d manage to climb up the ladder and be promoted to a position that would enable me to visit a variety of digs. My parents wouldn’t let me get an archaeology degree, so I’m not qualified to work on site, but I hoped that maybe I could become an inspector, get close to the past that way. Instead, I found myself roped into inspecting recordings and paperwork for attempted fraud and you have no idea how dull it is to scan forms day in and day out, looking for tiny discrepancies that might indicate something untoward is going on.”
“If it wasn’t for your attention to detail, I’d be stuck under a mountain right now,” Samuel pointed out. “And I cannot emphasize enough how much today was atypical. Archaeology has its fair share of dullness too. Don’t believe everything the movies tell you about it, particularly not the Indiana Jones franchise. It’s just as boring scrabbling through layers of dirt in the hope that you’ll find a tiny trace of ancient remains. Sometimes you can sift through sand for hours and still find nothing.”
