“You have all been misled,” Banyon said as he addressed his group.
“How so,” Steve asked suspiciously.
“Father Hector did not tell you everything about the Germans,” Banyon responded.
“What do you mean?” Mandy asked. “Father Hector told us the Germans were leaving four hours after us and they didn’t have a good map.”
“That’s true,” Banyon explained. “But what he didn’t tell you was that he sent Father Bartholomew to tell them where we’ll camp tonight.”
“Why would he do that?” Mandy screamed out.
“Because he wants us to eliminate them,” Banyon responded.
“But he said there will be thirty of them,” Maya added nervously.
“They will also have two mortars and hand grenades,” Banyon told the group. “They’ll be trying to eliminate us.”
“But he must realize we have no chance against that kind of firepower,” Steve shouted and waved his arms in frustration.
“Yes, I know,” Banyon said sadly.” This adventure has turned into a very dangerous quest. I’ll understand if some of you don’t want to get involved in this takedown,” Banyon admitted.
No one said anything. They stared at each other in stunned silence.
“But you have a plan, don’t you Colt,” Mandy quickly asked.
“Yes,” he replied.
“Let’s hear it then,” Mandy asked hopefully.
“I’ll tell you about our plan, but first I must fill you in on something else,” Banyon tossed out.
“What?” Mandy asked again.
“We actually came to Ecuador to collect the Orion Codex. That was our original mission. We have collected it. Our true goal is complete.”
“What’s the Orion Codex?” Kenny spoke for the first time.
“It’s a record of all of the weapons of Orion and how to use them,” Banyon said knowing that nothing would ever be the same again.
“Wait?” Steve uttered. “The artifacts we collected in Poland. You called them Orion weapons too.”
“That’s right Steve,” Banyon nodded.
“The Magic Belt we protected in Wisconsin was also an Orion weapon right?” Mandy had been there and saw several people die.
“There were actually eight weapons on the belt. Barbara Reynolds used one of them just before the battle.”
“So are you telling us the weapons really work?” Steve said incredulously.
“Yes,” Banyon replied. Shock registered on several faces. “That’s why we must keep the knowledge of the weapons a secret and we need to collect them all. If we don’t, some unscrupulous person will surely use them for evil.”
“How many weapons are we talking about?” Steve quickly asked.
“We currently have twenty-four of them. There are one hundred and fifteen in total.”
“Wow!” Mandy exclaimed. “That’s a lot of weapons.”
“Where are these weapons?” Kenny asked.
“They are scattered around the world,” Banyon said expansively. “They have been protected by The Society of Orion, but according to Father Hector, the society has become weak and ineffective. Someone has to step in and protect them or there will be chaos in the world.”
“Why are you telling us this now?” Carol asked curiously.
“Well, there’re two reasons,” Banyon replied. “First, we’re going to use some of the weapons to defeat the Germans, so you will be exposed to their powers. Also I want to solicit your help in collecting all of the remaining Orion weapons. It will probably take a long time, but they must be protected. You all are the right people for the job.”
“Is this another of your deep secrets Colt?” Mandy asked happily. She and Steve had only recently been made members of Banyon’s team and knew there were some things they weren’t trusted with knowing yet.
“Yes,” Banyon agreed. “We will also include Heather.”
“What about us?” Kenny Cole yelled out.
“I think you and Carol will become valuable members of the Orion weapons recovery team.” The two young people looked at each other and then spoke.
“We’re in,” they both said at once.
“We know our Father was involved with the society, but we never knew to what extent,” Kenny offered.
“Yes,” Banyon said and nodded his head. “I only recently found out he was a member.”
“We’re all in,” Steve spoke for Mandy who nodded her head in agreement. Banyon already knew that Maya and Loni were committed.
“Okay, we fight then,” Banyon announced. “Now let me show you the weapons and how we’ll use them.” He nodded his head towards Loni.
“This one is called Shield,” she said as she showed them the Orion ring which she had on her wrist.
“What does it do?” Carol asked.
“It can protect a person. Watch,” Loni responded and stepped way. She turned the ring. Suddenly a clear bubble appeared around her.
“Try to penetrate it,” Maya said. “Not even bullets can.”
Mandy, Steve and the Cole’s went to the shield and attempted to push it and break it open. Loni stood calmly inside, but indicated she could not hear them. Once they were all satisfied, Loni turned the ring again.
“The second weapon is named Call,” Loni informed them. “Let me show you what it does.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
They traveled another hundred miles down the road and into the dense rainforest. Along the way, Banyon exposed his battle plan. He told them there would need to be several adjustments to the plan when they reached the camping site. The team peppered him with questions.
He described the German plan to take over Ecuador and how they had killed many people along the way. He explained that Father Hector had been deceitful because his main interest was to protect the people of Ecuador, not the treasures of the Tayos cave or even The Society of Orion.
Eventually Banyon began to talk about The Society of Orion and how it was formed. He told them there were seven chapters and Ecuador was the second one he had visited. The first was Poland. He further explained that both chapters had become corrupt. He said Father Hector also told him the other chapters were using the weapons rather frequently.
Banyon told them that too many weapons were being used. He explained they were never meant to be used by the society or anyone else except Orion. Things had to be set right.
“How did this chapter become corrupt?” Mandy asked. “Father Hector seems to be a very religious person.”
“He is, but Father Hector has used the weapons several times to bring in money for the mission,” Banyon explained. Before him, his predecessors also used the weapons for monetary reward. He told me how they had helped the Mormons back in 1848 as an example.”
“Another example of how power can corrupt even good people,” Maya uttered in disgust.”
“The society has become a ‘miracle for hire organization’,” Banyon explained to his team. “They are mercenaries for hire in the name of good.”
“But who decides what is good and what is evil?” Loni said philosophically.
“Precisely the point,” Banyon replied. “To the Germans, taking over Ecuador is good.”
“Steve, the turn off is just up ahead on your right,” Carol sang out.
***
Steve missed the turn because the foliage was too heavy to see the small dirt road. He stopped the Hummer and Carol jumped out to try to locate the opening. After rummaging around at the edge of the road, she waved for Steve to back up the vehicle. She pointed to the opening. It was completely covered by large thick leaves from very green plants. She jumped back into the Hummer and they headed into the deep jungle.
“These roads are rarely straight,” Carol told Steve. “Go slowly until we reach the canopy.”
“I can’t see more than a couple of feet in front of me,” he complained. “What if we hit a stream or a hole?”
“Carol and I’ll get out and guide you,” Kenny pi
ped up.
They got out of the vehicle and walked ahead. Kenny disappeared into the foliage and Carol stayed close enough for Steve to see her. Everyone else in the Hummer moved to the edge of their seats. The pace was slow and tense.
Soon the foliage became less dense yet the jungle became darker. Steve had to put on his headlights to see. He followed a turn in the road and suddenly the way was clear. Carol and Kenny climbed back into the vehicle.
“What happened?” Mandy cried out.
“We’ve reached the canopy of the rainforest,” Kenny explained. “We’re in the real rainforest now. See, the trees surrounding us, are all very tall,” he pointed. “There is little vegetation on the ground because the tree tops stop almost all sunshine from penetrating.”
“We can drive a little faster now,” Carol said. “We are about a half mile from our destination.”
“What’s that smell?” Mandy uttered as she grabbed her small nose.
“The only materials on the ground this far into the rainforest is rotting vegetation from the trees. You’ll get used to it,” Kenny said.
“But I thought the rainforest was the largest source of oxygen on the planet,” Mandy countered. “It sure doesn’t smell like oxygen.”
“That’s true,” Carol responded. “But almost all the oxygen is used in the rotting process on the ground.”
“Oh!” Mandy exclaimed.
“Look, I see a wide stream,” Loni exclaimed.
“And there is an old wooden bridge across it, just like Father Hector told us,” Maya added as she pointed to the dilapidated structure.
“The camp site is just over that bridge,” Banyon added.
“Will the bridge hold under the weight of this Hummer?” Steve wondered out loud.
Part Three
Jungle Warfare
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Colton Banyon stood on the opposite bank of the stream. It looked more like a rapidly flowing river to him. It was deep and fairly wide. He was surveying the potential campsite. They were running out of time and he needed to make some defensive decisions in the little daylight he had left. It would be night soon.
The rest of the team was busy unloading everything from the large Hummer on the opposite bank. Steve wanted to make the vehicle as light as possible before attempting to cross the stream on the old bridge.
There was a chant of, “Go, Steve go,” from the team as he slowly drove onto the bridge. About halfway across, the structure began to talk. The groans were loud and clear, but Steve hit the gas and flew over the rotting wood with ease.
“You guys bring the supplies,” he called out as he left the vehicle. “My nerves are a little shot right now.”
***
Once everything was across, Banyon began giving orders. “Carol, you and Maya collect firewood. We’ll need a large bonfire right here.”
“On it,” they both replied and hustled off into the underbrush.
“Steve you and Kenny need to build five fox holes along the stream’s bank to shoot across the river. See if you can find some rocks to build a wall in front of the foxholes.”
“Good thing we brought two shovels,” Steve replied sarcastically.
“Mandy, I want you and Loni to set up camp,” Banyon continued. “Set the tents up and set out some food. We may not have time to eat later.”
“But Colt,” Loni whined. “You know I’m not very domestic. Mandy isn’t either. We’ll just screw everything up. Why don’t you make the food, you’re a much better cook than I am,” she reasoned.
Banyon didn’t say anything for a few seconds. “Okay, I’ll cook, but you need to find a way across the stream for our plan to work Loni. Do you think you and Mandy can do that without getting into trouble?”
Both of their eyes lit up. Banyon knew they loved adventure. “We’ll be back as soon as we find a way across,” Loni gushed. She grabbed a handgun and some rope. The two petite women scampered off downstream to look for a crossing place.
“And I get to do the KP duty work,” Banyon muttered to himself.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Isn’t this exciting,” Mandy gushed. “Here we are deep in the Amazon rainforest alone and nobody even knows where we are. Maybe we’ll run into some lost tribe or an unknown species of animal.”
“Careful,” Loni shot back with alarm. “Be quiet.”
“Why, no one can hear us,” Mandy replied.
“No, I mean be careful where your walking,” Loni said as she pointed to the large snake slithering across their path.
“Yikes!” Mandy yelped.
“And look over there,” Loni pointed. Mandy followed her direction and noticed a large black cat sleeping in a tree. “Panther,” she whispered. “We don’t want to mess with him.”
The two women became very quiet and stealthy as they maneuvered along the two foot high stream bank. They became very aware of the noises in the thick jungle. There were insects buzzing, birds singing, monkeys screeching, and what seemed to be an army of creatures shuffling around on the ground in the distance. They quickly decided the jungle was a very dangerous place.
After walking for a half hour, they came upon a hook shaped spit of land that jutted out into the water. It was a sand bar caused by a bend in the stream. The stream was only about tens yards wide there.
“This looks about as good as we’ll find,” Loni said.
“Do you plan to just swim across?” Mandy questioned.
“I don’t think it would be a good idea,” Loni nervously replied as she studied the stream. “Look in the water.”
“My god, what the hell are they?” Mandy all but screamed. There were about twenty pairs of eyes watching them from the water.
“They are called Caiman,” Loni replied knowingly. “They are the South American version of the Alligator. I read about them in the travel brochure.”
“What’re so many of them doing right here?” the startled Mandy asked.
“They are feeding,” Loni responded. “Or to be exact, they are waiting to feed on any animal stupid enough to walk out onto that sandbar.”
“Look,” Mandy cried out. Three of the Caiman opened their mouths wide and pointed their heads skyward. “What are they doing?”
Before Loni could answer, they heard several monkeys screaming. The women looked up into the tall trees. They saw six large monkeys riding one vine and swinging over the water. The Caiman tried to maneuver so they would be right under the vine in case one of the monkeys fell off. The monkeys didn’t seem to be concerned. They reached the other side and disappeared into the jungle.
Mandy looked at Loni with mischief in her eye. “I’ll bet we could both swing across on a vine. Those six monkeys weighed more than either of us.”
“Who are you? Are you Tarzan or are you Jane?” Loni quipped. “And are you totally insane?”
“No, I’m not crazy,” Mandy fought back and pouted. “If we tie the rope high up on one of those trees, we can swing across and tie the other end to another tree. Then tonight all you would have to do is shimmy across.”
“Hmm,” Loni said. “Your idea has merit. Let’s do it.”
They moved back towards the camp and found a suitable tree which had vines long enough to cross the stream. The Caiman followed them upstream hoping for a meal. They swung across the stream easily and shouted “Whoopee”. They then tied the rope high on another tree. They skillfully used the rope bridge to get back to the camp side of the stream. By the time they hit the ground they were very satisfied with their handiwork and started back towards camp.
While they were walking, Mandy turned her head to say something and tripped on a ground vine. She started to fall over the high bank.
“Uh-oh,” she screamed.
Loni never hesitated. She grabbed Mandy in a bear hug and they both went over the edge heading for the Caiman infested water.
Luckily, Loni still wore the Orion ring. She quickly turned it as they dropped to the water. They were instantly e
ngulfed in a clear egg shaped sphere. A Caiman rushed forward and attempted to clamp his huge jaws on the bubble before they even hit the water. The large animal bounced off like it had hit a wall. Several teeth broke off and went flying into the water. The two women clung onto each other in terror inside the bubble as it bounced back into the air.
The shield splashed into the fast-running stream — suddenly Loni and Mandy began to drift downstream at an alarming pace. They were helpless to stop it.
Loni yelled to Mandy. “See if we can roll towards the shore,” she said, but quickly realized no sound came out of her mouth. Inside the bubble it was completely silent. Mandy could not hear her. She began to feel the edge of panic creep down her spine. How will we ever get out of here?
As they were swept down the stream the Caiman again followed. Loni believed they could just float along until the Caiman tired of chasing them and then she could turn off the bubble to swim to land. But she also remembered the stream fed a huge waterfall not too far downstream. She began to think desperate thoughts.
Suddenly, Mandy licked Loni’s face. She looked at Mandy with surprise. Mandy used her eyes to indicate something outside the bubble. When Loni looked over her shoulder, she saw the spit of land jutting out into the stream. They were heading right for it.
They slid onto the shore like a boat beaching, and they worked together to roll themselves further up onto the sand. They then stood up just as two Caiman shot out of the water and crashed into the bubble. It didn’t budge. More Caiman charged at the bubble, it still didn’t move. Loni was shocked by the strength of their shield. The animals attacking the sphere easily weighed five hundred pounds or more yet the women didn’t even feel the slightest impact.
Loni let go of Mandy with one hand and used two fingers to give the walk sign. They then walked up the sandbar and onto the stream bank. Once they were there, the Caiman turned and flopped back into the water. The crisis was over. Loni turned the ring and breathed a sigh of relief. They weren’t even wet.
“Wow, that was fun,” Loni said sarcastically.
The Society of Orion: The Orion Codex Page 7
