Atlantis Vortex
Page 9
Their arrival on the dig seemed to go unnoticed, but Jessica’s movements were of interest to others than Xerxes’ watchers. Several of the migrant workers were actually Aztec worshipers of an ancient sect. The High Priest of their pagan religion ordered them to monitor the artifacts found on this site. Their prophecies foretold the discovery of a statue of their god known as Coxcox. Long centuries they waited and hoped for such a discovery.
Bruce and Jessica set to work, as was their routine. The first chamber revealed most of its secrets, only a grime-coated fresco remained covered in muck and the location of the trigger into the second chamber remained unfound. Both wanted to have the second chamber open for the Governor’s visit the next day, but the trigger to open the entrance eluded them. They managed to clean most of the mural and set the workers to putting the dig into a more orderly condition for his visit.
During these efforts, Bruce had begun to notice the way several of the workers watched the proceedings at the dig, and the way they watched Jessica. It made him uncomfortable, but he could not say exactly why. He made a mental note to mention it to the sheriffs’ deputies that guarded the dig. With their day concluded, they took their normal bike ride and turned in for the day. Tomorrow and the next day would be hectic, and the day after, Bruce would return to school for a few days.
*
“Atlantis’ security is all that I care about.â€� Marcus whined as Xerxes again denied his demand that Ms. Carter and Mr. Lance be terminated.
“Then why have you twice placed security at risk by traveling to the upper-world, without permission, I will add? Twice that I have overlooked,â€� Xerxes’ eyes seared into his, he looked away.
“That is not the issue here.� Marcus sneered.
“You are the one who has brought up the issue of Atlantis’ security. I am only questioning your motives in seeking this,â€� Xerxes said. “Not only that Marcus, but termination is not the only solution, both scientists can be brought down and given the option to live here. Considering their ages and education, both would be fine additions to our community. Or would their knowledge of archaeology prove a challenge for you?â€�
“We all know why you want Ms. Carter brought here,� Marcus whined.
“That is not an issue Marcus, and if it were it still would be my choice!� Xerxes informed him. “I am still High Lord here.� Marcus remained silent.
“If the Council has no further business and is in agreement, we will adjourn,” Xerxes announced. They were in agreement with Xerxes, except Marcus.
“Very well,� Xerxes said, pleased they all agreed with him, even if Marcus did not. “Until next week, unless there are further developments, we are in recess.� Xerxes dismissed the meeting. “Marcus, please stay.�
“At your service, sire,� Marcus said with a showy bow.
Xerxes ignored his gesture, “Marcus you have two days until my inspection of your department, I only remind you so that you will still have adequate time to prepare. Thank you.� Xerxes turned and left him standing.
Marcus wasn’t concerned about Xerxes’ inspection. He didn’t care that the Department of Antiquities was in shambles. What better way to cover the objects I have sold to eager artifact collectors and built my upper-world bank account? He thought. Now I am a rich man by upper-world standards, he chuckled. Secure with a soft cushion of money to fall on should my attempt to take control Atlantis fail. He smiled to himself, then he laughed.
Marcus had amassed enough wealth that he could use his money to prove Xerxes an unfit ruler, or so he thought. During his upper-world visits, he had also developed several contacts that would be helpful to his schemes, some were unscrupulous, but easy to manipulate. He chuckled to himself as he left the Council chambers and remembered what a good time he had last time he was in the upper-world. He had spent an entire evening in a Gentleman’s Club that specialized in women who danced topless and saw to a man’s needs in a proper fashion, for a small fee. He planned to make that type of entertainment available in Atlantis when he became High Lord. Of course, he would control it. Pleased with himself, he considered the connections he had made that evening, and his mood became lighter. Unaware his strange mood swings caused the observers Xerxes had assigned to him to give pause to the degree of his rationality, or lack of it. They reported all of this to Xerxes. Xerxes ordered them to continue their surveillance. Marcus was also unaware his strange behavior was caught on the video cameras Xerxes ordered installed in the Council Chambers a few weeks earlier.
*
Florida graced them with a perfect day for the Governor’s visit. Jessica and Bruce stood atop the levy and watched his helicopter land. Both drew deep breaths, as not only the Governor, but also Anthony, disembarked the helicopter. The Governor was already looking over their operation as they walked up to greet them.
“Jessica Carter, Bruce Lance,” Anthony said, “Governor Craig Hillsboro of the State of Florida.” The Governor shook their hands cordially. He was the second Governor by that name in the State’s history.
“So nice to meet you, Mr. Governor.” Jessica and Bruce both said, and of course, the Governor replied in kind.
“What can you tell me about your dig, Ms. Carter?” Governor Hillsboro asked, his interest immediate and genuine. This dig was important and could make Florida a historical center that would second Egypt.
Jessica and Bruce began to brief the Governor about their find. Anthony politely interrupted. “Before we get too far along, let’s all gets some lunch where Jessica and Bruce can brief you, Governor, then we can get back for a complete tour of the dig.” Anthony suggested.
“Excellent idea.” the Governor agreed. After a good lunch at one of the colorful local restaurants, Bruce and Jessica both answered most of the Governor’s questions and gave him a short course on Egyptian Archaeology. He began to realize the possible implications once all the artifacts analyzed had proven their theories, and Jessica and Bruce published their findings. Conversation during lunch was challenging for Jessica and Bruce. They found the Governor to be interested in their work and a quick study.
While touring the site, they found several stones worked loose, the lakebed strangely seemed to shift a bit lately. One such stone landed at Jessica’s feet, as did the statue hidden behind it. The Governor, being the gentleman he was, picked the up the three foot high statue that spattered mud over his suit. He handed the item to his head archaeologist. It gave him the feeling of being a bit of the team for his efforts. Covered in mud from the floor, and crusted with algae and the muck of time it was hard to see what a treasure it was.
“What’s this?â€� the Governor asked, he wiped his hands on the cloth Bruce provided him.
Jessica examined the artifact, “Hmm, when properly cleaned, it will be easier to tell but this item is totally out of place. It looks like a piece from the Aztec Empire around the Fifteen Hundreds, possibly brought here by the natives to be hidden from the Spanish conquerors.� Jessica was silent for a few moments, “This could change things around a bit. Still, this is just the outer room and it could have been open at that time and left here by a group of Aztecs hiding treasure from the Spanish.�
After this find, while they explained the existence of the second, yet unopened room, the unstable lakebed sifted more violently. Not enough to be classified as an earthquake but a enough of a tremor to cause the grime to fall from the wall they had been cleaning and revealed the totality of the mural.
Anthony and the Governor stood in stunned silence along with Jessica and Bruce. It became clear that this Pyramid was not only a storehouse of knowledge but would shake the base of ancient history to its core. Before them was a wall covered with pictures of starships, mechanical building machines and robots that only today were being dreamed of. Jessica still held the statue they had found, its importance soon forgotten compared to the magnificence before the
m.
“Skip,� the Governor found his voice first, “Get all this sealed off. No one else is to come into this room, and put in a call to the President.� He stood there a few seconds longer in awe. “He is going to want to know about this.� He turned to his head archaeologist, “Jessica, no pictures until he has cleared it. We have a whole new issue here.� They walked outside and the Governor stopped. Anthony handed him the phone to talk to the President on his secure line
Jessica was surprised at how fast the call had gotten through. “Ms. Carter,� the Governor said more formally when he got off the phone, “You and Bruce, ah Mr. Lance, will remain our lead scientists here. As of now, this is a higher security situation. A Marine General Grill will be here with a unit of special Marines to manage security in a few hours. He will work with you, should you have a problem use the phone Skip gave you to call Skip or me. General Grill knows you are in charge, but you will need to work closely with him.�
“Thank you, Governor, for your confidence in both of us.� She told him.
“You are the experts here, and it is your find. I would not expect to appoint anyone else.� The Governor shook both their hands.
“Thank you sir, we both know there are older more experienced scientists.� Bruce told him.
“That may be, but you two found the site and followed the proper protocols. I know many older, more experienced scientists who would not have done that.� he walked toward his helicopter. “Keep in close touch. Good luck.�
“Jessica, Bruce,” Anthony’s face had taken on a serious air, “More security will arrive in an hour, this really has escalated.”
“I guess so.” Jessica stammered.
“I was going back to school this afternoon,” Bruce said, in a bit of a daze.
“If you need to go - go ahead. Jessica will be well-guarded by the Marines.” Anthony told him. “Get whatever you need to taken care of so that you can be here without distraction.”
“Very well, I’ll go then,” Bruce conceded. Although the thought of Jessica surrounded by a group of handsome Marines at her disposal left him feeling uncomfortable.
“I will call you tonight, Jessica.” Anthony told her and followed the Governor.
“Jessica,â€� Bruce said with concern, and a great deal of regret in his voice, “I still have to fly back to Gainesville this afternoon I would like to stay until this General Grill arrives. I don’t like leaving you here to face him alone.â€�
“For heaven’s sake Bruce, I think I can handle a Marine General. I’m not in uniform - he answers to me, for now at least.â€� Jessica laughed. “Don’t worry about it. Get your business finished and hurry back.â€�
“Okay.� Bruce hugged Jessica close and kissed her quickly on the lips. He knew it was the most he could expect, however Bruce wished for more. Jessica was in love with archaeology and had not yet remembered meeting the man who could distract her from the science. Always there was the unremembered memory of someone deep in her subconscious mind. Who, at present, was haunting her dreams and intricately tied to the discovery of the Pyramid.
In the excitement of the revelation of the fresco inside the Pyramid, neither Jessica nor Bruce had noticed the Central American worker watching Jessica with sharp, black, observant eyes as she had emerged from the ancient structure holding the out-of-place statue they had found. Quickly he lay down his shovel, and with a furtive glance at Jessica, he left, not to return to the dig. Instead, he reported the event to the High Priest of the secret Pagan Sect of which he was a devout member. For hundreds of years, this small band of Aztecs had, as their ancestors passed down from generation to the next, followed their ancient religion waiting for this foretold miracle to occur. Now they would prepare for the sacrifice of their awaited Princess, Jessica, and rebirth of their awaited Priestess.
Standing before the High Priest - the worker bowed respectfully, “I have seen the statue,” he declared proudly. “It was found by the woman archaeologist who found the Pyramid.â€�
“As was foretold, she is our Princess,� replied the priest. “Go now and alert the others. We must recover the statue, then the woman. She is the one chosen as the Princess and the Sacrifice.�
“By your command, but it will not be easy. The United States has ordered their Marines in to secure the dig site,� the worker informed the priest.
“A way will be provided,� the priest intoned, his faith seemingly strong, and dismissed the man to do his bidding.
The Aztec priest turned away and stood before his Pagan Altar. Their group had grown small over the years. Now that vigilant group of worshipers would reclaim the statue and perform the ceremony. Their rewards would be great when they served their Royal Princess and Priestess of Coxcox. He smiled an evil smile, and began the preparation for the ceremony that would be necessary. From the priest’s small cabin, he could see the lake, the dig, and a boat with three fishermen finishing their day of angling.
From the same fishing boat that had watched Jessica from the beginning, but a little different location on the lake, the same two “fishermen� and now a third younger and more interested man watched and heard what had just transpired around the dig. No report was necessary, the High Lord of Atlantis heard every word, as did his fishing companions, on the listening device introduced late the night before into the Pyramid. These two young scientists had gotten too close to a secret that was more than six thousand years old. Now Xerxes had to act.
Xerxes arrived back at his official office in Atlantis and immediately called a meeting of his Councilors. He waited for them as they filed in, Marcus last as always. He threw Xerxes a disquieted look.
Xerxes inspection of his department had been unpleasant; the department was in chaos and it appeared Marcus had done little to put it in order. Xerxes had spoken with Marcus’ secretary and the poor woman was in tears. He had tried to calm her, to assure her that he knew the problems in the department were Marcus’ responsibility and not hers. Marcus had not had the courtesy to be present at the inspection and no one seemed to know where he was. Xerxes knew who was to blame and he affixed Marcus with a stern stare with his intense aquamarine eyes. As soon as this matter with the archaeological dig concluded and the affair with the traitor was resolved, his department would have a new director. If it turned out Marcus was not the traitor, retirement was in his future. Xerxes called his Council to order, the influence of his powerful personality radiated throughout the room.
“I have implemented my plan to manage the archaeological dig at Lake Okeechobee in the upper-world. Our security team will be in place this afternoon. Mr. Lance has gone back to school in Gainesville and will not need to be brought here or terminated,â€� Xerxes addressed this directly to Councilor Marcus. “Arrangements have been made to bring Ms. Carter to Atlantis. She will become my responsibility. There will be no need to terminate her. On that I am firm and will not consider any other course,â€� Xerxes said this clearly, also for Marcus’ benefit, his eyes on Marcus. “This plan should not take more than two, possible three weeks, to conclude. If we are fortunate and a tropical storm develops in the Gulf of Mexico, we will be able to use this as a good cover. Does anyone here have any questions?â€� He knew Marcus would have some input or problem.
“I believe we would be better served to terminate anyone involved in this project to protect Atlantian security,� Marcus said with a sneer, causing Xerxes to wonder again, why he wanted the two scientists dead.
Without Xerxes’ intervention, the Council broke into loud protest, “We are not murderers!â€� Councilwoman Lorian, head of Commerce said in a firm protest, standing as she did.
“Marcus, we are all enormously tired of your bloodthirsty demands.â€� The Councilwoman, who was head of Agriculture, objected. “Lord Xerxes has been more than p
atient with you, as we all have been. For heaven’s sake man, both of these scientists are young and if anything drastic needs done, it would be to bring them down here. We could use their talents. From what I’ve seen, your department could use the help.â€�
Marcus’ look at the woman would have cut stone, “You will all soon find that our security in this matter will bring Atlantis down around our heads.â€� Marcus rose, drew his dignity around him like a fine robe, and left Council without waiting for Xerxes to dismiss him or their session.
Xerxes could have had him barred, but he didn’t, that would come soon enough. “Any other comments?â€� he asked, unfazed by Marcus’ melodramatic display.
“I have one.â€� the Minister of Internal Security voiced his opinion, this time his voice was cold and serious, “Lord Xerxes, please find us another Head of Antiquities.â€� he didn’t smile, neither did the rest of the Council. Rather informally, his suggestion quickly was seconded and unanimously agreed on. Xerxes had already started to think along the same lines.
“I’ll work on that.â€� Xerxes said. “Council is dismissed. Xerxes was relieved to know his Council supported him and found Marcus as unpleasant as he did.
Xerxes had made time to continue reading his father’s journals. He gained more insight into Marcus’ behavior and learned more about his father as a bonus. Xerxes truly loved and respected his father, and remembered him as an affectionate and compassionate man. Perhaps that was why he and Alena had accepted Andros’ second wife so quickly and why the Citizenry of Atlantis had accepted her as well. Xerxes began to read that entry but laid the journal aside. Xerxes began looking through some of the photos and remembered his stepmother telling him and his sister and brother her version: