by Gene Curtis
Major Earl Nottingham was a big man, balding and his mouth turned down in a perpetual frown. “Dominick? He’s a good investigator, likes to dig into information. If he were a Magi, I guess he’d be in the Beryl Tribe. He lost his wife and two daughters a few years back and tracked the killer to New Orleans. He hooked up with a guy from Virginia that most people think is a nut case. Because of what he learned about the Neo-Phylum from him they’ve been collaborating ever since.”
Mr. Young said, “That collaboration is why he’s in the hospital now. Seems he had a dream that showed him the real sunstone and he sketched it out for his friend. His friend used it on a book cover.”
“I take it his friend is dead and that’s why you’re here.”
“Indeed... Sergeant Polaris may... still be in... danger.”
“I’ll keep an eye on him. Standard procedure if I need help?”
Mr. Young said, “We have a six person combat team standing by at all times with one on duty using Spirit Sight, same location as always, bookstore balcony.”
When they went back into the room the sergeant was saying, “That’s a crying shame. I liked Clarence. He could see connections between seemingly unrelated things like no one I’ve ever met. He’d have been the one I’d ask to take a look at that book. He talked about it some, thought it might be an encryption. If he could show that was true...” He sniffled and his eyes began watering. “I’m going to miss Clarence.”
Mark stepped to his bedside, “Sir, I think they planned to kill you before you could tell me about your dream, the one about the sunstone, but Ruby is after LeOmi too. That may be the only reason you’re alive right now. I’m pretty sure they’ll be back.”
“There wasn’t much to the dream, but I had the feeling it was important. I told Clarence about it and he was fascinated and asked me to draw what I saw. I’m not a very good artist, but I did the best I could.
“In the dream I was in a cave and for me that’s quite odd, first time that I can ever remember dreaming I was in a cave. I don’t like caves, no place for cover and limited options on escape should the need arise. No, I don’t like caves. And you know how caves are always supposed to be cool, this one wasn’t, it was uncomfortably warm, like it was in a desert or something.
“The sunstone was just sitting there, like it had been rolled in and just left. It looked like it had been carved out of a white boulder, completely out of place where it was. The cave walls were brownish. I went to touch it and that’s where the dream ended. Told you it wasn’t much.”
Mark asked, “Do you remember if the cave had any paintings?”
He shook his head, “None that I remember.”
“Sometimes you get a sense of where you are geographically.”
He shook his head again, “Sorry. I know it’s not much help. Why is this sunstone so important?”
“We believe it to be Aztec, not Mayan. It could be the first one ever made.”
“So, it is real? Why do the Neo-Phylum want it?” Sgt. Polaris tried to prop himself up, winced and lay back down.
Mark nodded, “It’s real all right and how do you know about the Neo-Phylum?”
“That’s what Clarence called the new world order group; that would make you with the Antiquis Ordinis, the Old Order, if I’m guessing correctly. How can I help?”
“Can you tell me what you know about them?”
“Oh, it’s not me that knows; it was Clarence. He said that they’re planning world dominion and the group Antiquis Ordinis was trying to stop them. He had a ton of evidence, some of it thousands of years old.”
Mr. Young asked, “Evidence, what kind of evidence?”
“Dissertations, archeological records, books, relics and the like.”
“Perchance... did he keep... all these records... in his bookstore?”
“One wall was a library of sorts.”
Nick asked, “Did he have any idea how they were planning to take over the world?”
“A military action wouldn’t work. They’d have to do it economically by controlling key industries like transportation, communication and trade and maybe even the politics of the larger countries.”
LeOmi asked, “Is the book Ruby gave you still at your house?”
The sergeant pointed at a pile of bloody garments on the counter. “It’s in a plastic bag over there.”
She walked over and pulled the large bag from beneath the shredded pajamas, pulled the book from the bag and laid it on a clear spot on the counter. It was the journal that had been stolen from the museum last year and it was unlocked. It wasn’t the original writings, which had undoubtedly been on clay tablets. Each page in the book was a rubbing presumably of the original tablets, which had been lost to history. She turned each page carefully until she came to one that had a drawing. “What’s a drawing doing in here? I thought this was supposed to just be a list of possessions.”
Sgt. Polaris said, “Is it a drawing of the Tower of Babel? Clarence said he thought that might be the secret it held.”
“No, it looks like a city, with a big dot near the edge.”
Mr. Young and Mr. Diefenderfer took a look and Mr. Young turned the book sideways for a different perspective. He said, “Orhangazi?”
Mr. Diefenderfer said, “Quite possibly.”
LeOmi said, “What’s Orhangazi?”
“The original site of the Tower of Babel.”
Sgt. Polaris said, “So Clarence was sorta right.”
Mark said, “Yeah, he was right about a lot of stuff, but not everything.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
The Tower of Babel
It was late when they returned to the school. Jet lag was something that Mark had heard about, but had never really experienced. His body told him that it was supposed to be 2 a.m. and it was way past time for sleep. His mind knew it was 11 p.m. at the mountain and while it was time to turn in, it wasn’t unusual to stay up a little longer. At the top of the agenda was to let Cap’n Ben have a look at the journal, but that would have to wait for tomorrow.
Mr. Diefenderfer said, “It would be... best if our... minds were well... rested when we... reflect on what... we have learned. Would you three... join us for... breakfast at six... shall we say?”
* * *
The next morning Mark walked with LeOmi into The Oasis. They were both wearing their formal, hooded robes. They hadn’t finished approaching the stage when Mr. Young motioned them up. Nick and Cap’n Ben were already there. Mr. Young said, “I took the liberty of ordering for you both. Shall we get started?”
Mark nodded, “Yes, sir.”
No one moved to be seated; they all just looked back and forth to each other. Mr. Diefenderfer, being the senior member of the group and a member of the Council of Elders, would normally give thanks at this point.
Mr. Diefenderfer said, “Mark... you are our... leader in this... quest.”
He felt his neck and ears get warm and the weight of that suddenly settled in. Benrah’s success or failure was dependent on their success or failure, which would be a direct result of his decisions, his ability to lead. He dropped to one knee and raised his eyes to the ceiling, “Father, keep me in the path you would have me follow. I am honored to serve you. Thank you for breakfast among family.” He stood, “Let’s get started.”
They sat and LeOmi slid the book to Cap’n Ben. “My mother was killed, in part, because of this book. Benrah was keen to have it. It was one of the things stolen from the museum last year. Ruby gave it to Sergeant Polaris with instructions to give it to me. I’m sure they would have made a copy of it. Either they have what they want from it or it wasn’t what they expected it to be. Ruby has to think there is something in it that will lead me to a specific location, someplace that she will have laid a trap.”
Cap’n Ben opened the book and flipped a few pages. He turned it over, flipped a few pages and looked at the back of one particular page. Then he looked at the backs of pages before and after that page. “This is a forg
ery, a good one, but a forgery none the less.”
Mr. Diefenderfer said, “Indeed... I take it... that Mr. McGraw... employed your gift... to translate artifacts... as they came... into his custody?”
“I actually volunteered last year. I needed the extra credit. There were so many that I decided to put a tiny mark on the back of things so I could tell if I’d already translated it. For books, I put the mark on the seventh page from the back. This book doesn’t have my mark and I know I translated it.”
Mr. Young asked, “Do you happen to remember anything about it?”
“This one was a bit unusual as I recall. Acrostics were generally rare, where the first or last glyphs of lines formed another message when placed together. This book had acrostics with both the first and last characters, rare, but not remarkable. The unusual thing was the spacing between the symbols. It was uniform for most of them, but where it varied—larger or smaller—it formed symbols for numbers. There were two numbers per page. Using the two numbers to pick symbols from each line yielded a surprising result: the technical details of a very large ziggurat. Mr. McGraw was delighted; he thought it might be the building specifications for the Tower of Babel.”
Mr. Young said, “That may explain why they were so interested in this book. The Tower of Babel was supposed to reach into the heavens and they are planning to rebuild it. As I recall, it was supposed to be over eight thousand feet tall. They may intend it as a temple for Benrah as well—”
Mark interrupted, “Eight thousand feet! That’s taller than The Seventh Mountain. Can they even build it that tall?”
Nick answered, “Not straight up, it’d have to have slanted walls like the pyramids do.”
Shana and Jeremy brought platters of scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, toast and sliced fruit, sat it on the table along with a couple of carafes and then left without saying a word.
Mr. Diefenderfer said, “Our sources tell... us that they... have located the... original site outside... of Orhangazi, Turkey... right across the... lake from their... headquarters. They are conducting... extensive archeological digs... on the site... and it is... well guarded.”
LeOmi asked, “How big is the lake?”
Nick said, “It’s Lake Iznik and it is on the list of lakes that fit your criteria.”
Mr. Young interjected, “The Tower of Babel, according to ancient legend, was not only being built as high as the heavens, but as a way to reach beyond the realm of this world. The Ninevites believed that there were certain locations high overhead that were gateways to this place, not heaven, but more like the concept of Avalon or Shambhala. They believed they had located one of these gateways directly above the tower site.”
Nick said, “So you’re telling us there is an Eighth Mountain?”
“Benrah and his... followers may believe... it is so... but there has... been no evidence... that it exists.”
“There is, however,” said Mr. Young, “a connective plain between the seven mountains. This is what allows the subways to traverse between the mountains. We have searched for an entrance from the Earth to this area and have not found it.”
Cap’n Ben asked, “Where exactly does one come into the realm of the seven mountains when they come through a gateway?”
“On the islands... of their respective... mountains. There is... no island on... the connective plain.”
Mark said, “The other entrances to the labyrinths weren’t found until this year. Maybe I need to look.”
Nick said, “If that doesn’t pan out then we can get in a balloon and cruise around at eight thousand feet for a while; see if we can’t come in that way.”
LeOmi said, “If that’s the place I dreamed about, then we just need to go there. Everything will play out as it’s supposed to.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
The Citadel
Chenoa said, “I wonder when the zombies are going to run out?”
The Urban Warfare section had that feel to it, as if it was a movie set ready to film a ‘B’ movie. It was essentially an abandoned small city complete with tall buildings, residential sections, shopping centers and the like.
Nick jested, “There aren’t any traffic cones; every zombie movie I ever saw had a lot of traffic cones. I think it’s a rule.”
Mr. Young said, “We’ve moved the training that used to be done at this facility to The First Mountain. This section has also been renamed The Citadel of the Seven Friends. Mark Young, you are its first commandant. The ceremony for bestowing on you the rank of General will be this Friday just after the regular assembly.”
“General? Sir, I decline. I don’t need an official rank to do what God tells me to do.” He looked around at the group of followers standing around him on the paved roadway. “Everyone here wants to be a part of standing against Benrah. They’re not following me; they’re waiting for God to give them direction.”
“And that direction... will come through... you,” Mr. Diefenderfer interjected. “You are the... bearer of the... staff. You are pre-chosen... by the General. Every living person... has dreamt of... you and that... staff. God made you... general, not us. We are just... acknowledging His choice.”
Mr. Young added, “You are a general in every way that matters whether you accept the rank or not, but by accepting that rank you officially outrank every Magi council when it comes to military matters. You will also command a large part of the vast Magi military resources.”
Mark shook his head, “I’ll accept when God tells me to.”
“Raphael said you’d... object. Expect to see... him tonight,” said Mr. Diefenderfer.
“Whatever your decision, this facility is yours to command,” added Mr. Young. “What say we have a closer look?”
That night Mark dreamt of standing on an island amid pine trees just back from the beach. Butterflies of every color swarmed around him and a warm summer breeze brought the smell of the ocean. He opened his mind to try and hear the thoughts of the beautiful insects flying around him and was overwhelmed by a fear of a three-headed bat soaring high above. He looked up and saw its silhouette against the bright blue sky. That was odd, a bat flying in the middle of the day.
He understood the butterflies were here with him for protection. He continued looking at the strange bat and it was joined by thousands of others of every size and shape.
A familiar voice behind him said, “As it stands now, three heads indicates three years; the beast and his followers will make a feast of their flesh. The butterflies are every follower of God that rejects Benrah’s world. They’ll use the wings of the butterflies to make a portrait of him.”
Mark looked back expecting to see Raphael and instead saw seven lions standing on a small hill. One lion was larger than the others were. The bats began swooping down and the lions attacked, knocking bats down sometimes in groups, sometimes one at a time.
“The slaughter cannot be stopped, but it can be lessened in intensity and duration. How much mitigation or delay depends on the seven lions and how much they use the tools that God has placed in their path.”
Mark said, “So I should accept the rank of general?”
“God knows your heart. You are cautious because of Balaam’s failure; he got greedy. Because of this, you are not likely to succumb to the desire for riches. Being a general will give you the ability to command, not merely make requests and wait for a decision.”
Mark nodded, “I understand. Thank you.”
That morning at breakfast, Mark made the announcement. “Last night Raphael showed me a prophecy about what will happen and I’ve changed my mind. I will be accepting the rank of general. We have three years to prepare for battle.”
Everyone seemed solemn while weighing the words they’d just heard. After a couple of minutes Steve asked, “What kind of battle?”
Mark told them of his dream and said, “The pre-chosen will be my captains. Salina will be my administrative officer and will have the rank of captain.” He passed them each an envelope labeled: Or
ders: Eyes Only, followed by their name.
You will select 10 lieutenants by giving a general order to anyone wanting the position. The order you issue will be totally silly, something similar to: ‘You will bring me 10,000 pink stones.’ or ‘You will stack 10,000 buckets in the shape of a pyramid.’
Anyone that questions the order or asks for an explanation will be disqualified. The selections will be based on your judgment as to who best accomplished the task according to speed, creativity and resourcefulness.
The rank of lieutenant will be a paid position, yet to be determined.
We will meet Saturday morning for breakfast. I expect you to have your officers by that time and to have surveyed the citadel with them to determine what you will need to accomplish your mission. Present your wish list to me then.
Air Forces Operations: Captain Chenoa Day
Ground Forces Operations: Captain J. Benjamin O’ham
Vehicle Operations: Captain James Young
Nutrition Operations: Captain Jamal Terfa
Intelligence Operations: Captain Nikola Poparov
Special Forces Operations: Captain LeOmi Jones
Administrative Operations: Captain Salina Hawthorne
Medical Operations: to be determined
General Mark Young
Mark knew that five days wasn’t much time for selecting lieutenants, but they had to get a move on. Three years until Benrah unleashed his forces on the world wasn’t much time either. Using a Gideon type selection process for the lieutenants would probably yield good results. If any were incompetent, they could be replaced later.
* * *
Friday came too quickly for Mark; the week had gone by in a blur of activity. The lieutenants had been selected and he’d helped with assessing what was needed to turn the old urban combat training grounds into a base of operations that would suit their needs. Between that and the week’s classes, he was exhausted.
