by John Sneeden
Amanda raised her hand. “What can we expect once we’re off the boat? Are there trails, or are we going to have to cut our way through the jungle?”
Zane noticed Max rolling his eyes and shaking his head. Katiya elbowed him again.
“Jorge, perhaps you can answer that,” Zane said.
The Brazilian pulled an unlit cigar from his mouth and said, “There is a path that runs east then north through the jungle. I’ve traveled it many times. Unfortunately, it’s been a while, so I can’t guarantee what it will look like now. Any of you who have spent time in the jungle know a place can look completely different even after a year or two.”
“Our ultimate goal is to reach an area right along in here.” Zane twirled the red dot at an area well north of the tributary. “When we arrive at the perimeter, I may lead a one or two man team into the target zone before we bring all of you in.”
Katiya cleared her throat. “Zane, I think it’s important that Max and I be a part of any team that might establish first contact, whether with indigenous people, extraterrestrials, or something not yet defined. It’s going to be vital that we have people who can communicate if necessary.”
Zane nodded. “I appreciate that. Right now, we don’t even know what we’re going to find once we get there. Safety has to be our first priority, and the area we’re going to enter is—”
Max held his hands in the air. “Of course we don’t know what to expect. Dr. Mills and I still haven’t been given access to map routes or the audio files of the supposed transmission.”
“Your maps are right here.” Zane jerked a thumb toward the image on the wall. “As for the audio file, I haven’t had access to that either. But even if you had it, would you know what you were listening to? Of course not. The bottom line is, we know where the signal came from. What we don’t know is what caused it.”
Max muttered something and shook his head.
“Have they heard anything since the first broadcast?” Amanda asked.
“No, they haven’t. But they are continuing to monitor our atmosphere for additional sounds. If they can shed more light on the target zone, they will.”
Landon Tocchet, the Green Beret in charge, raised his hand. “Sir, is there anything we need to be aware of? Hostiles, dangerous animals, that kind of thing?”
Corporal Nash patted his M4 rifle. “Yeah, just tell us what needs to die, and we’ll make it happen.”
“Yes, there are a few things we all need to be aware of,” Zane said. “And with that I’ll turn it over to Jorge.” He nodded at the Brazilian.
Jorge stepped forward. “Please remember that the most dangerous part of the Amazon is the water—the creeks, streams, and dark pools that seem to be everywhere. It’s in those places that you’ll find… how you say in English… your worst nightmares: leeches the size of your hand, caiman, electric eel, piranha, and even the anaconda.” He looked at Max. “Unless I’ve given you the green light, please don’t enter any body of water. Stay clear and pay close attention to my instructions. We want everyone back alive.”
“What about human hostiles?” Tocchet asked.
Jorge crossed his arms and thought for a moment. Finally, he said, “There are tribes in the area, but I wouldn’t call them hostile. Most are peaceful and won’t bother you unless provoked.” He walked over to the image on the wall and moved his finger along the route they would take across land. “Most of the area we’ll pass through is either outside or along the edge of tribal communities. So, it is possible that we’ll encounter an Indian or an indigenous tribesman. But I wouldn’t say it’s likely. And even if we do, they shouldn’t pose a threat. There are hostile tribes in the jungle, but most are many miles to the west.” Zane thought he saw a flicker of something in the Brazilian’s eyes. A secret perhaps.
Katiya looked at Zane and caught his attention. “I hate to beat a dead horse, but that goes back to what I said earlier. Max and I need to be there when you enter each new stretch of jungle. As you probably know, Max can speak over a dozen indigenous languages. In fact, he and I have both worked with tribes around the world, including ones in other parts of the Amazon. We know how they think and how they react to contact with those from the outside world.”
“Dr. Mills—”
“Call me Katiya.” She gave him a grin.
“Katiya, the two of you do have impressive resumes. That’s one of the reasons you were selected for the team. And I agree with much of what you said a moment ago.” He paused for a moment then continued. “Let me promise you this… I’ll assess the situation when we get there. If I feel comfortable, then we may all go in together. If not, then my first priority has to be getting all of you out alive. We don’t believe this mission involves any imminent threat to our national security, so the gathering of information will always be secondary to everyone’s safety.”
“I appreciate that,” she said. “That’s all we can ask for. I would just remind you that Max and I are here voluntarily. We knew the danger involved and gladly accepted. We don’t want to do anything stupid, but at the same time, risk is an inherent part of this entire operation. There is no way to avoid it. We’ll be in a danger zone the minute we step on land.”
Dr. Katiya Mills was even more impressive than Zane had expected. He’d always known she was a striking combination of beauty and smarts; a brief perusal of her dossier had told him that. What he hadn’t anticipated was her ability to communicate and work through difficult issues. The Oracle had hit a home run in choosing her.
“Fair enough. I give you my word that you’ll be at the point of the spear whenever possible.”
A gust of wind sent a sheet of rain splattering across the bridge’s windshield, and the boat shook in response.
Amanda’s brow furrowed. “Do we know anything specific about the area we’re targeting?”
Zane and Jorge exchanged a knowing glance. “Actually we do know a little,” Zane said. He lifted the laser pointer again, focusing on the same area he’d indicated before. “Brett was able to use advanced software to enhance the satellite image to near-HD quality.”
Brett pecked away at his laptop for a moment then looked over at Amanda. “What we found was a topographical anomaly, something that makes this area unique in the Amazon basin, at least as far as we know. To say that it’s strange doesn’t begin to tell you how bizarre this place is.” He turned his laptop around so that Amanda could see the image on the screen. “It’s a crater, or at least it resembles one. There are rocky ridges around the perimeter, and as you can see, the rainforest fills the interior.”
Katiya scooted her chair around so that she could see better. “Do we know how it formed and what’s in there?”
Brett shook his head. “We don’t know how it was formed.”
Jorge addressed her. “At this point, the only thing we know for sure is that it is some of the deepest, darkest jungle anywhere. But what concerns me is not what we know about it, but what we don’t know about it.”
“Our people are continuing to look at everything they can find,” Zane said. “Topo maps, enhanced satellite images… they’re even going through books written by naturalists who’ve spent time in the area.” Zane clicked off the laser pointer. “But one thing is certain, we’ll know when we get there.”
Katiya looked at Brett. “I’d like to get the coordinates from you so that I can do some snooping around tonight.”
Brett nodded.
“And with that, we’ll call it a night,” Zane said. “We’ll have more tomorrow, but for now, I need you all to get a good night’s rest.”
As the group stood, mumbled conversations filled the room.
Zane wondered if there were already some who wished they’d stayed in Manaus.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
AMANDA LOOKED BOTH ways before tapping lightly on the door. She hoped it wasn’t too late for a visit, but she also knew there might not be a better opportunity to speak to Dr. Katiya Mills one-on-one. They had been introduced just p
rior to the group meeting, but there hadn’t been time for anything beyond pleasantries.
As an archaeologist, Amanda was familiar with the field of anthropology. That meant she was also familiar with the giants of the field, including Dr. Katiya Mills. In preparing for the trip, Amanda had reviewed a number of her papers. She found it all fascinating, but it had only served to generate more questions.
She was about to knock again, this time more firmly, when she heard a rustling in the room, followed by the pad of footsteps. There was a clicking, and the door opened about an inch.
Amanda smiled. “Hi. It’s me.”
Katiya opened the door all the way. She was wearing a terry cloth robe, and her soft brown hair was pulled into a ponytail. She smiled. “Hello. Amanda, I believe?”
“Yes. When we met earlier, I didn’t get a chance to properly introduce myself. I hope I didn’t—”
Katiya swept her arm back, inviting her into the room. “You’re not bothering me at all. I’m so glad you stopped by.” Once Amanda was inside, Katiya gestured toward a folding chair near the window. “Please, have a seat. Sorry my room is not more accommodating.”
“Thank you.”
Amanda noticed a laptop and stacks of papers strewn across the bed. Katiya pushed the laptop aside and sat back against a pile of pillows.
“Can I offer you a drink?” The anthropologist lifted a bottle of water in the air.
“No, I’m fine. Thanks though.”
A gust of wind blew a sheet of rain against the window. Katiya glanced briefly at the glass before turning toward Amanda. “So, I hear you teach at UT Austin?”
“I do. I was a graduate assistant for a couple of years, and now I’m a full-fledged professor. Currently my emphasis is on field work and research papers, which suits me just fine.”
“I spent a few months there and loved it.”
Amanda gave her a quizzical look. “I didn’t know that.”
“I was there for maybe two cups of coffee.”
“Did you like it?”
“I probably loved it too much.” Katiya chuckled. “Austin is that kind of place. What happens on Sixth Street stays on Sixth Street.”
A broad smile spread over Amanda’s face. “Funny you mentioned Sixth Street. That’s often the first thing people ask me about when I tell them I live in Austin.”
“It’s probably a good thing I was only there for the summer. No telling what kind of trouble I might have gotten into if I had stayed.”
“It is a great place to live, particularly if you’re young.” Amanda watched as the rain gathered in rivulets on the outside of the window. “I haven’t had much time to socialize, but I’m okay with that.”
Katiya reached over and closed her laptop then pulled one foot toward her. “You know, it’s probably none of my business, but if I could pass along one thing, it’s this: don’t let your twenties pass you by without having a little fun. Unfortunately, that summer in Austin was one of the few times I let my hair down. I wish there had been more of those over the years.”
“But look at all you’ve accomplished. I’d say you’ve done okay.”
“And yet I would’ve traded it for more time with my friends. More time spent being a twenty-something. Perhaps even more time with someone special.”
“You never married?”
Katiya’s eyes fixed on a random stack of papers on the bed. “No, and to be honest, I’ve never even gotten close. When I was about your age, I decided that I was going to be the best anthropologist in the country. I know that sounds a bit cocky, but it was more a search for knowledge than it was a desire for recognition. At least I hope that’s true.”
A gust of wind howled outside, spraying more rain across the window.
After it died down, Katiya continued. “Some say that I’ve achieved that goal. But what does that mean exactly? I guess I’m still trying to find out. I don’t necessarily regret it, although I’d love to have more balance. You know, I’ve made a living studying humankind, and now I’ve discovered I know very little about the humanity around me. It’s the irony of ironies.” She smiled. “But I’m going to change all of that.”
Amanda nodded. “What you say makes perfect sense. It’s amazing how similar our thought processes are.” She raised an eyebrow. “And maybe you’re right. Maybe I do need to socialize more. I’m a Christian, and how else am I going to share my good news if I don’t get out into the world and meet new people?”
“Exactly,” Katiya agreed. “I’m always curious about the beliefs of others. Perhaps we can—”
Suddenly the door to the room swung open. Amanda jumped at the noise. When she turned, she saw Maxwell Cameron standing there. When he saw her, his frown transitioned quickly to a look of surprise.
“I… I heard voices,” he said. “I—”
Katiya seemed strangely unaffected by the intrusion. “Max, have you met Amanda?”
“Ah, yes… we met earlier.”
Amanda extended her hand. “Nice to see you again.”
“Nice to see you.” He shook her hand but kept his eyes on Katiya. “Don’t you need some rest? It’s getting late.”
“We’re just going to talk for a few minutes. We’re fine.”
“But—”
“We’re fine, Max.”
He took a few steps backwards but then stopped. “Okay. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thank you, Max.”
“And let me know—”
“I’ll see you in the morning, okay?”
Max glowered but backed out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Amanda faced Katiya again. “Sorry, but I have to ask… does he always just barge in like that?”
Katiya let out a long sigh. “You’ll have to forgive Max. He and I are close friends, and he cares about me. A lot. I know he’s a bit overbearing, but he really does mean well. If it weren’t for him, I doubt I’d be where I am today.” She poked a few random pages on her bedspread with a finger. “As I’m sure you know, the academic world can be filled with backstabbing and jealousy. And because of that it’s good to have a friend who’ll watch your back. For me, Max is that friend.”
Amanda nodded. She agreed that friends were invaluable, particularly in academia, but it still didn’t explain or excuse the man’s odd behavior. Couldn’t she have found someone a little more stable to run her support network? He seemed a little odd for that role.
Amanda decided it might be a good time to switch gears. “So tell me about alien anthropology. I’m fascinated by the topic.”
“Well, can I tell you a dirty little secret?” Katiya’s eyes beamed playfully.
“Of course. I love dirty little secrets.”
Katiya leaned forward and whispered, “There really isn’t anything to tell.” After holding her serious look for a moment, Katiya laughed. “To be honest, I was afraid someone was going to ask me about it, and I guess I should’ve expected it might be you. I’m exaggerating a bit. We’ve actually conducted quite a bit of research, but the field is still in its infancy.”
Amanda sat upright. “So tell me what you have done.”
“Well, for one, I’ve conducted a lot of interviews. And when I say a lot, I mean a lot.”
“How many?”
“I lost count a long time ago. If I had to guess, I’d say I’m probably approaching a thousand.”
Amanda’s eyes widened. “And who have you interviewed? What’s it all about?”
“Right now it’s the primary way we gather information. We want to talk to anyone who claims to have seen an alien craft or who says they’ve been abducted.” She bit her lower lip. “Let me make a clarification: we don’t interview just anyone. The people we sit down with must have an unassailable reputation for character and ethics. In fact, I probably spend almost as much time looking into each person’s background as I do conducting the interview itself.”
“So, be honest… do you believe these people are telling the truth?”
“Have you been able to gather any concrete evidence that we’re being visited?”
“Amanda, you’re an archaeologist, so you know there is research and then there is research. For example, you conduct digs and extract things out of the earth: pottery, vases, weapons, cooking utensils, ancient tablets. Then you document those findings in a tangible way.
“It’s different in our field. There’s very little physical evidence.”
“Okay, but very little physical evidence? That implies there is some.”
Katiya held her thumb and index finger slightly apart. “A tiny little bit, yes. And that’s what really gets me excited.”
“Well, let’s hear it.”
Katiya paused for a moment. It seemed like she was sorting through what she could share. Finally, she looked up at Amanda and said, “Okay, here’s one. Two years ago we interviewed a man from a small town in Vermont. Great reputation in his community. Owns a chain of highly successful hardware stores in the eastern part of the state. He has a lot to lose if people think he’s turned into some sort of flake, and yet he still spoke out.
“Anyway, he claims he was abducted on three separate occasions. Each time, he was placed in sort of a hypnotic state before being levitated and carted out of the house. His story was so compelling that we decided to conduct a second interview with him under hypnosis. It’s something we often do with convincing cases. It was during that second interview that we picked up a piece of information that hadn’t come out before. During the final abduction, which had taken place only a week before, one of the beings did something unusual. It placed a hand on one of the sliding glass doors at the back of the man’s home.”
