“That is really what is important here. You must find it and keep it for yourself, at least, for now. We may need it to stop Schultz’s son, Vice Admiral Meyers.”
“How strong a hold does he have on the country?” Banyon suddenly asked.
“At this point, there is no way to dislodge him and after some people start dying tomorrow, it may be impossible.”
“Unless, we use the talisman to stop him, right?”
“Correct.”
Chapter Seventy
L
oni and Banyon entered his second story condominium home a little while later. The four Patel clan members were seated around the dining room table talking. They all sprang to their feet and rushed to greet them. The three women were dressed in black spandex outfits which covered everything but their hands and head. They wore black running shoes. Their attire molded to their well-developed bodies. Despite having gun belts on their hips, they were very sexy. Banyon could tell which one was Maya, as she had a slightly larger bust, but could not determine which one was Previne and which one was Pramilla. Eric was, as usual, dressed like he didn’t own any other clothes — but at least they were dark.
“You guys are way late,” Eric said as he stepped forward and gave Loni a smothering bear hug. She giggled with delight.
“It couldn’t be helped. There is a huge crisis going on,” Banyon replied as he felt one of the twin sisters press herself tightly against his body. He was sure it was Previne. She had a red tie holding her ponytail. She was soon yanked off by another sister who had a green tie in her hair and she was soon replaced by the third one who had a yellow tie. Banyon was relieved that he could at least tell them apart. Eric gave him a firm handshake.
“We have already scanned the house with your sensor device. There were no bugs,” Previne announced as she spread her slender arms.
“Good, and thanks,” Banyon replied.
“Who is bugging you Colt?” Eric asked.
“I think Bart the managing partner at Dewey & Beatem is trying to find out about all of you and Wolf,” Banyon explained.
“You need to watch what you say around him,” Loni warned them.
“My lips are sealed,” Maya joked.
“We have to leave in just a few minutes, so let’s map out our plan at the table,” Banyon said.
“I have to change first,” Loni announced and ran to the bedroom. The rest of the team grabbed seats at the table.
“So, what is this artifact we are after?” Previne quickly asked. “I can’t wait to get my hands on it.”
“It is part of a treasure that has been buried in the desert near Laughlin since 1934,” Banyon said to gain their attention.
“Damn, now I know why you wanted us to buy shovels,” Eric whined as he slapped his knee with annoyance. “I knew I’d wind up digging in the sand, just like when I was in Iraq,” he complained.
“It’s not buried too deep in the sand,” Banyon replied defensively, wondering what Eric meant about Iraq. “The door to the treasure is just a couple of feet below the surface and a corrugated metal room is above it.”
“What can you tell us about the treasure?” Maya asked sweetly.
“Wolf told me he thinks it may be worth fifty or sixty million dollars, but there are several priceless items from Europe and they must be returned. He wants us to return the precious stones too,” Banyon said seriously. “The treasure was stolen from the Jewish population in Europe before the war by the Nazis.”
“We can’t keep any of it?” Eric exclaimed in disbelief. “You want me to dig in the desert for nothing?”
“Don’t worry, we will still get a large finder’s fee on some of the items,” Banyon reassured them.
“I don’t care about the treasure,” Previne said with a wave of her hand. “Tell us about the artifact.”
“Okay, I’ll tell you what I know,” Banyon agreed. “The artifact is a talisman which has the power to insert thoughts into the minds of people who are nearby. This makes it a serious mind control artifact.”
“What’s the color?” Previne asked with sudden urgency.
“Red I believe,” he stammered.
“Is it worn on the neck or held in a hand?” Previne quickly asked as her eyes widened with excitement.
“This one is worn,” Banyon replied.
“Maya,” Previne ordered. “Look up artifacts of ‘The Society of Orion’,” she said to her sister who had a laptop open.
“Working on it,” Maya replied as she pounded the keys.
“Do you know something about this artifact?” Banyon inquired. Previne was a worldwide expert on artifacts.
“Possibly,” Previne replied evasively. “The artifact may have to do with ancient Greek mythology.”
“But isn’t Greek mythology all made up?” Eric asked.
“Some of it has a basis in real events,” Previne replied. “Like most Greek myths, there is some truth and a whole lot of fantasy surrounding everything written back then. According to mythology, Orion was the son of Poseidon, god of the sea and a mortal woman. He was very tall and strong. Most myths report he was a hunter, adventurer and somewhat of a trouble maker. He was always getting in trouble over a woman. Many of their husbands and fathers were equally as powerful as Orion. Poseidon tried to protect his son from other gods and mortals by giving him a gift of several special objects which he found when they crashed into the oceans, eons ago. All have supernatural powers. The items came from deep space.”
“Greek mythology, really?” Loni questioned as she made her entrance into the room showing off her outfit. It was also all black, but it was actually a full-body leotard that fit her slim toned body like a second skin. The leotard had a hood which she could use to cover her long hair. She wore a holster with two big guns on her narrow hips and black slippers. She struck a defensive pose with her arms out in front, Kung Fu style.
“Wow,” Eric exclaimed. “You look just like a very attractive little ninja.”
“A lethal one too, just so you know,” she spat back, but smiled at the compliment. She sashayed over to Banyon and put her hand protectively on his shoulder. She then stared directly at Previne.
Previne cleared her throat, and turned towards the other members of the team. “Anyway, Orion used these objects in many of his adventures over the years and developed a following, a cult, who followed him everywhere. The cult grew as he courageously cleared away bad men and beasts from humble villages and farms. He eventually got himself killed over a woman, actually more than one time, according to the myth. But the last time, several of his followers made it to his side before he died. Supposedly, he told them to protect the objects. His last words were, ‘I’ll be back’.”
“So, a secret society, The Society of Orion was started to keep the artifacts safe until he returned, right?” Banyon asked.
“Some people believe the society still exists and is active to this day and protects many of the Orion trinkets.” she replied.
“So, if this talisman is the real deal, will there be more objects for us to find?” Pramilla asked hopefully.
“I don’t know. It’s all myth at this point,” Previne acknowledged. “But there is a distinct possibility.”
Maya suddenly spoke up. “I’ve found something. According to this article, the author believes items from the society have surfaced several times throughout history.”
“Really?” Loni asked skeptically.
“Listen to this,” Maya said excitedly “The society was originally based in the ancient city of Pi-Ramesses but had to escape when the Pharaoh of Egypt went back on his word and went to enslave them. They were all Israelites and doomed to extinction if caught. They were chased across the desert by the Pharaoh’s army in horse drawn chariots. According to this article, one of the objects was used then. That was about thirty-five hundred years ago.”
“It was the staff which Moses used to part the red sea and save the Jews fleeing Egypt,” Banyon the historian suddenly uttered. E
veryone turned and looked at him with surprise. “It has never been seen since,” he added.
“Your absolutely right, Colt,” Maya agreed and then continued. “Here is another example of an Orion artifact. The writer claims that in the sixteen hundreds there is more evidence. It surrounds the prophecies of Nostradamus. It seems Nostradamus was an apothecary, someone who supplies medical products like a modern pharmacist. He was also an occultist. He wrote a letter to a friend which said he often received insights into the future by drinking water from a small jug he had obtained while buying herbs. The jug was made from a hollowed out rock. After drinking the water he would gaze at the sky and visit with the stars.”
“Nostradamus claimed astrology was the root of many of his predictions,” Banyon told everyone.
“He also said, because of the politics and religions of his time, it was the Dark Ages, he wrote his future predictions so they lent themselves to a lot of interpretation. Not what he actually knew.” Previne added.
“In any case,” Maya said. “Upon his death — which he predicted — the jug and the letter to his friend disappeared “It has not been found since. The writer believes the jug was an Orion artifact.”
“Interesting,” Previne remarked.
“So drinking water from that specific jug allows someone to predict the future,” Pramilla surmised.
“Does it say anything about a red stone,” Previne asked to speed things along. They were running out of time.
“There are several more examples. Orion must have carried many artifacts,” Maya told them as she scanned the long article.
“He was a huge man,” Banyon explained. “Some of the ancient myths say he was twenty feet tall.”
“That’s what I thought,” Previne acknowledged. “He could have carried many artifacts with secret powers.”
“Wait, here it is,” Maya gushed. “The article says the Nazis found it in a cave in India in the early thirties. Several men attempted to defend it but were killed.”
“They probably were members of The Society of Orion,” Banyon said.
“According to this article,” Maya said as she read. “The stone is some sort of mental transmitter. It can place thoughts into other people’s heads. The author writes the red stone was taken back to Germany broken apart and fashioned into a talisman of a swastika by Himmler as a present for Hitler. But when Hitler was presented with the gift, he angrily rejected it out of hand.”
“It’s a swastika?” Loni said in disbelief.
“I’m afraid so,” Banyon qualified.
“Why did Hitler reject it?” Pramilla asked.
“There was a mistake in the design,” Maya replied. “The ends of the official Nazi swastika face right at a 90 degree angle. The craftsman who built the talisman faced the ends at a 90 degree angle to the left. Hitler was insulted and ordered Himmler to destroy the talisman.”
“But Himmler didn’t do that. Instead he sent it to America. He knew it worked and figured Americans wouldn’t notice the difference.” Banyon said.
“Well, let’s go get it,” Pramilla said cheerfully.
They all started to leave the table, but Banyon stopped them.
“Wait,” he commanded. “I have to tell you about the threat to America first and about Bernard Schultz.” It took another five minutes to get them up to speed.
They were just headed for the door when Banyon’s phone rang. It was Bart.
Chapter Seventy-One
B
anyon’s phone suddenly rang. “We’re heading out to Laughlin,” Bart said into the phone. “Are you guys on the road yet.”
“We were just about to leave when you called,” Banyon replied. “Oh, by the way we are driving a jeep down. I decided against taking the jaguar.” Bart’s silence told him that the jag was indeed bugged.
“We’ll meet you in Laughlin,” Bart finally replied. There was disappointment in his voice.
“How many shooters do you have?”
“We’re bringing ten people armed to the teeth. The local Chief of Police has also promised us six officers when we get there. He understands what is going on and wants to help us, thanks to Haleigh,” Bart replied.
“Do we know where we are going yet?” Banyon asked knowing the answer.
“A patrol officer spotted the stolen van up the street from a warehouse where there has been a lot of activity lately. Nobody was using the place until about two months ago. We’re pretty sure it is the right place,” Bart replied.
“How can you be sure? Does he have people watching?” Banyon asked.
“He has two officers watching both the facility and the van, but there is one more reason we are sure.”
“What’s that?”
“There is a huge tank and five soldiers stationed next to the building. The chief says as far as he knows there are no other military checkpoints present in the city. A local officer talked to the lieutenant in charge. He said they were sent to establish a checkpoint and stop any possible threats which come down the street. The street ends about two miles into the desert from the location of the warehouse.”
“That’s our place then,” Banyon agreed.
“But, Colt, I don’t want to get into a battle with military personal,” Bart told Banyon.
“Bart, I don’t think they are Effort people,” Banyon reasoned. “I’m sure the order to set up a checkpoint came down from Meyers, but he couldn’t know who the local military commander would send. They are just soldiers following orders.”
“That’s even worse,” Bart said. “We may have to shoot some of them when the action starts.”
“There is another way,” Banyon said after a couple of seconds. “Why don’t you change their orders,” Banyon offered.
“How would we do that?”
So, Banyon told him.
Chapter Seventy-Two
A
s they raced down the stairs from his condominium, Loni asked a question. “Why didn’t you tell Bart we were bringing four more people?”
“Because we are not going to the warehouse, at least not until we get the talisman. That’s the greater threat.”
“But what if Bart and his people get overwhelmed at the warehouse?” Loni said with concern.
“Schultz has only thirty people in the warehouse. Three are going with his daughter to get the loot and the talisman. Bart will be able to handle the rest especially if the attack is a surprise. Most of the people in the facility are workers or scientists. Wolf told me there are only a few guards.”
“I hope you’re right,” Loni replied reluctantly. She was disappointed as she wanted to be in on the fight.
They quickly made their way to their two rented vehicles. Previne jumped into the back of Banyon’s rented jeep, much to the dismay of Loni. She was in the driver’s seat. Eric was driving the other jeep and had agreed to follow Loni. He didn’t know Loni had a heavy foot and struggled to keep up as they dashed to the highway. Once on the highway, Loni kept the gas pedal all the way to the floor.
Just as they were leaving metro Las Vegas, Banyon’s phone rang again. It was Haleigh this time.
“What’s up,” Banyon spoke into the cell phone.
“I just got a call from the Police Chief,” she started. “He said one of his officers watching the warehouse reported that a car entered the parking lot a few minutes ago and three people got out.”
“Any descriptions?” Banyon asked.
“Yes,” she quickly replied. “One was an old man in a wheel chair. One was a woman with dyed blond hair and slinky clothes. The third person was someone who looked like a young Einstein.”
“That’s our guys,” Banyon told her.
Chapter Seventy-Three
A
small caravan raced down US 95 towards Laughlin at high speed. The night was very dark and eerie, the landscape void of any features. Ominous black mountains lurked in the distance. The only sound was the wail of the wind as it slammed into the SUVs windshields. The three black
SUVs contained all of Bart’s army of ten people. He was in the back of the third SUV, along with Steve, getting ready. Loni and Eric were only twenty minutes behind them and closing fast.
Bart was currently studying a layout of the warehouse. The Police Chief had rousted someone from city hall and obtained the blueprints. He was able to email a copy for Bart to look at on his laptop. A second copy was sent to Banyon’s phone.
The route to Laughlin from Las Vegas is low, straight, and barren like the moon, with almost no distractions. The only lights were in the far distance. The road is so desolate there is only one legitimate town between Las Vegas and Laughlin. It is located at a distance of over 70 miles straight south of Las Vegas. The tiny town is called Searchlight. The SUVs blasted through the small community in seconds.
There were few discussions in the SUVs as everyone thought about what would happen in a few minutes. Everyone knew they were heading into harm’s way to attempt to preserve America’s future, but wondered if they would be around to enjoy it. Bart had explained the importance of the raid.
***
Meanwhile, inside the warehouse, Bernard Schultz was preparing to show Brenda his prize facility. She had actually asked her first question as they had exited the delivery van and entered the building.
“Why is there an Army tank outside?”
“The military is there to protect us from attack. My son sent it to make sure we are safe. I’ve also arranged for additional security; they will be here shortly,” he told her. “No one can get to us here.”
“Oh!” she replied and struggled to ask another question. She knew Bernard expected it and she so wanted to please him right now. “How big is this building?”
“We have almost a half a million square feet under this roof,” he told her as she pushed him around the floor of the brightly lit, clean warehouse area. Men in bright colored uniforms rushed around the large open area. She maneuvered around some pallets of materials and followed his directions to an open area with a complete view of the entire floor. They were by themselves. Carl Catfish had immediately excused himself and left for the lab as soon as they entered the building.
A Dubious Device: The Nanobot Terror (A Colton Banyon Mystery Book 10) Page 24
