Curse of Atlantis

by Petersen, Christopher David

  “Unbelievable,” Burt said in amazement.

  “Jack, I can’t believe you came in here and did this all by yourself. Weren’t you scared? Weren’t you worried about dying in one of those traps?” Javier asked

  “Every second. I think I went through several pairs of underwear before I was finished,” Jack joked.

  “Ok, Jack, I understand how you worked through the problem and figured it all out, but I’m still confused. How’d you know the ceiling was going to collapse?” Javier asked.

  Jack smiled and said simply, “I didn’t.”

  “You didn’t?” Javier responded incredulously.

  “Nope.”

  “Then how’d you know about the trap?” Javier asked.

  “Remember the engraved sunburst in the first chamber that almost killed us, and then the one that triggered the collapse that almost killed you?” Jack asked.

  “How could I ever forget?” Javier joked.

  “Well, there was one of the sunbursts directly in front of the doorway. The minute I saw it, I knew there was a trap in that room.”

  “So what did you do?” Burt asked.

  “Simple: I went back, reset the trap, and waited for the Russians to enter the chamber alone.”

  “Simple… right. Nicolae almost shot you. The only thing that saved you was the safety on his gun,” Javier said. “You were very lucky that time.”

  “Eh, sometimes you have to take chances,” Jack joked, then added, “But to be honest, I thought I overplayed that one too. Imagine my relief when he only clubbed me.”

  “I can relate, Jack. That animal did that to me too,” Serena responded.

  “He beat you?” Jack asked, now angry.

  Serena nodded simply.

  Shaking his head in disgust, he replied, “If he weren’t already dead, I’d kill ‘em again.”

  “Well, it’s over now. I’m safe… we’re all safe,” Serena said, trying to stay positive.

  “Thanks to you, Jack,” Javier said. “We owe you our lives.”

  “Aw, it was nothing,” Jack joked.

  As the four stared into the rectangular room, a sudden quiet developed as they considered the four men crushed beneath the large stone floor.

  “It’s a real shame those piles of filth are stuck underneath this floor. They’re going to be stinking up our pyramid,” Javier said acidly. Looking to Jack, he asked, “Do you think that crystal works in reverse?”

  “Only one way to find out,” Jack replied.

  He walked over to the altar and lifted the crystal key. Suddenly, the sound of flowing sand began and the heavy stone floor began to rise.

  “Wow, that is impressive,” Burt shouted over the roar of the rising floor.

  All watched as the floor rose to the top of the rectangular chamber and became the ceiling once again, as the heavy door simultaneously closed.

  “Now what?” Javier said, speculating aloud to their next move.

  “If I’m not mistaken, I think it’s probably just a simple matter of placing the crystal on top of the pedestal again, but this time, engaging the locking mechanism,” Jack replied.

  Without waiting for word from the others, he immediately lowered the crystal onto the pedestal and watched it descend. A moment later, the sound of flowing sand could be heard deep within the walls and the heavy door began move. As it slid across the doorway, Jack ran over and searched for the hidden tile on the wall that he had pointed out earlier. As the door came to a stop, he pushed the tile into the wall, engaging the lock.

  “That’s it, guys. The tomb’s reset and locked,” Jack announced confidently. “Who wants to go first?”

  Stepping into the now open chamber, he looked back at the others and said, “Coming?”

  “Jack, hold up. What if there’re more traps?” Burt asked, now growing skeptical.

  “There’s not.”

  “You’ve been in the King’s Tomb?” Javier asked, surprised.

  “Sort of.”

  “What do you mean sort of?” Javier pressed further.

  "What? And spoil the surprise?” Jack said, smiling cryptically.

  ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~

  Stepping around the crushed bodies, each person averted their eyes, forcing their minds to block the horrific sight that spread out on the tomb’s floor.

  Jack led the group across the rectangular chamber and into the darkened corridor. Shining their flashlights into the far chamber, their hearts raced with excitement as the golden artifacts reflected the light. After fifteen feet, the corridor opened up into a circular chamber. With the lights scanning the ancient artifacts that adorned the room, they stood in awe of such beauty.

  Immediately upon entering, they noticed a similar altar like the one in the pentagon-shaped chamber. On the left side, stood a golden statue of a brawny man, nearly six feet tall with robes draped from his waist. His long beard and flowing hair had the appearance of an older man. In his hands, he held a scepter that contained rubies and emeralds around its crown. On the other side, a similar golden statue stood brilliantly in the beams of their flashlights. Standing just over six feet tall, his muscular frame was adorned with robes draped from one shoulder. He too had a long beard and flowing hair and like the other, appeared to be middle aged. In his right hand, he held a three-pronged spear that sparkled as the light refracted off the diamonds and rubies.

  “Wow, look at these. Absolutely brilliant,” Burt commented first.

  Serena immediately walked over to one and ran her hand over the surface.

  “These are gold. They’re exquisite,” she said in awe.

  Javier stood beside Serena. He was nearly speechless.

  “Unbelievable,” he said, simply.

  “Anyone have an idea who they are? One of them has to be the King of Atlantis, I’m guessing,” Jack asked. “I’m taking bets. I’m thinking the taller guy with the really cool pitch fork is the King.”

  “Why’s that?” Serena asked.

  “He’s taller and more muscular. He just looks more impressive,” he responded.

  “Jack, that’s not a pitch fork,” Burt said, his voice quivering. “It’s a trident.”

  Javier flashed Burt a knowing stare and said, “Do you really think it is who I think it is?”

  “Who else could it be?” Burt replied, excitement growing in his face by the second.

  “Can you guys let us in on your little secret?” Jack asked, now growing impatient.

  Turning to Jack, Burt replied, “Mind you, I’m only guessing, but if I was a betting man, I’d say this guy with the trident is Poseidon.”

  “And if I had to guess, I’d say this guy here with the scepter is none other than Zeus,” Javier cut in, excitedly.

  “Cool,” Jack said blandly, only mildly interested in their historical significance.

  “No way, how could that be?” Serena shouted, incredulously.

  “That’s what’s so amazing about this,” Burt said.

  “You guys are doing it again,” Jack joked. “Zeus and Poseidon… what’s the big mystery?”

  “Jack, Zeus and Poseidon were mythical gods in the Greek poet Homer’s essays, Iliad and The Oddessy. They were reportedly written sometime around the seventh or eighth century B.C. When Homer wrote these essays, it’s believed their storylines took place in the twelfth century B.C.” Serena explained.

  “I just know you’re trying to tell me something important,” Jack responded sarcastically.

  “What Serena is saying, Jack, is that references to these mythical gods has been dated back three thousand years ago or so,” Javier cut in. “Finding these statues is important because we can now prove belief in these gods dated back much further, as much as seven thousand years ago.”

  “Astounding,” Burt said simply, rubbing his hands lightly over the scepter of Zeus.

  “Nice… So what do you think the meltdown value would be?” Jack teased. “Enough to buy a fancy steak dinner?”

  “I’d shoot you dead before I
let you do that,” Serena shot back in good humor.

  Jack shined the light around the room. More busts of men and women sat on ornately carved stands made of stone. Nearby, there were exquisitely decorated pottery and carved statues of horses and miniature replicas of boats.

  “Wow, look at this boat,” Burt said, now shining his own light on it. “Amazing. Look at the size. I’m betting it could have held a couple dozen men, at least.”

  Javier looked around the room and suddenly, a look of disappointment crossed his face. Looking past her father, Serena noticed the expression.

  “Dad, you ok?”

  “I’m a little disappointed. I was really hoping to find the King of Atlantis in here.”

  “He’s not in here,” Jack grinned.

  “You found him? You found the King?” Javier shot back, now instantly excited.

  “Well, sort of,” Jack replied.

  Walking over to the altar, he rested the crystal on the concave surface of the pedestal and adjusted its position to line up with mark on the pedestal’s surface. As it began to descend, Jack pulled a lighter from his pocket. He flicked the dial and created a flame. With the crystal hovering just above the altar, he moved the lighter next to the crystal and watched a dim beam of light stretch across the room. Keeping his eye on a spot on the far wall, he raced over and ran his flashlight over the area. All eyes were glued on Jack.

  “Ah ha,” he said, approvingly.

  “Jack, you found another lock,” Burt said. Looking around, he asked, “Is there another doorway in here?”

  As he pushed on a round tile, it sunk into the wall by two inches.

  “I haven’t done this before, but I suspect your answer to the ‘doorway’ question lies somewhere outside the pyramid.”

  They all stood quietly and listened as the familiar "hissing" signaled the start of flowing sand. A moment later, a dull "thud" sounded deep within the pyramid.

  Burt, Javier, and Serena each scanned the chamber with their flashlights.

  “Nothing happened,” Serena said.

  “Right, nothing happened in here,” Jack said wryly.

  “Jack, you think the King’s buried somewhere outside the pyramid?” Javier asked incredulously.

  “No, I think he’s still buried inside this pyramid, but I think we need to go outside to find him.”

  “Ahhh, I think I understand,” Burt said with a knowing grin.

  “I’m not sure I understand, though,” Serena responded.

  He flashed her a toothy smile and said, “Follow me.”

  ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~

  Energized and excited, the four hurried back through the chambers and down the corridors, exiting out the front of the pyramid in less than a half hour. As they assembled just outside the front entrance, Jack explained his theory.

  “Remember how I told you I examined the altar and the scrolls? Well, I realized that whoever recorded this info, probably followed similar logic in both. In other words, if the altar contained hidden meanings, then the scrolls probably did too.”

  “You found something on the scrolls, Jack?” Javier asked, now eager for information.

  “Yup, sure did. On the scroll that described the burial of the King, one of the images of the pyramid and the ‘all-seeing eye’ was slightly different from all the rest. At first, I just chalked it up to a mistake, but then I remembered the hidden meaning of the image on the altar. I began to compare the data with suspicion and made an interesting discovery.”

  “Which is?” Serena asked, growing impatient.

  “Basically, this one image of the pyramid showed the ‘all-seeing eye’ suspended in its center, not hovering over the top of the pyramid like the other images showed. Additionally, the image showed a couple of squares located at the pyramid's bottom edge. Originally, I thought they were smudges, but when I looked at them under a magnifying glass, it was obvious they were intentionally drawn in.”

  “I think I get, Jack,” Burt interrupted. “The lower blocks represented the chambers we just visited, so the ‘all-seeing eye’ in the center must represent the King’s burial chamber.”

  “Exactly. They built traps for raiders down low and buried the King up high where it’s inaccessible. It’s perfect,” Jack concurred.

  “So somewhere up above, you think there’s a door?” Javier asked.

  Jack hurried a few yards away, enough for him to see the outside of the pyramid clearly. He looked up and smiled.

  “I don’t think there’s a door above… I know there’s a door above us. I can see it,” Jack shouted loudly, now barely able to contain his excitement.

  Burt, Javier and Serena ran to Jack’s position and looked skyward.

  “It’s a door… an open door,” Javier blurted happily.

  “How’d we miss that? We excavated right past it,” Burt said.

  “I’m sure it was barely visible and we probably just thought its seams were thin cracks,” Jack replied.

  “I’d like to know how the heck we’re going to get up there. The face of the pyramid is smooth from bottom to top and that door has to be at least two hundred feet above us,” Serena said.

  Burt pulled his cellphone from his pocket and pressed a button. As the phone began to ring, he said aloud, “Let’s not make this complicated. Anyone up for a helicopter ride?”

  “What are you… INSANE?” Serena blurted loudly. “I just spent two months in captivity: haven’t washed, eaten or slept in months. I’m thinking a cheeseburger, a long bath and a good night’s sleep first, before I even consider stepping into another dangerous situation.”

  In a quick move that caught everyone’s attention, Jack inhaled deeply, held his breath, then stepped abruptly to the other side of Serena. Looking back at the others, a wily grin spread across his face. He then exhaled.

  Serena shot him a disturbing glare and said, “Ok Jack, what’re you up to this time?”

  “Nothing,” he replied, feigning innocence. “Just stepping upwind.”

  “Oh my GOD, Jack! That’s not even funny,” Serena said.

  After knowing him for months, she came to understand Jack’s somewhat twisted sense of humor and knew he meant no harm. She glared at him with scorn, as she struggled to hide her grin.

  “Serena, bathed or unbathed, you still look amazing,” he responded affectionately.

  “You know, you really make it hard for someone to dislike you, Jack,” Serena shot back with an appreciative smile.

  Standing beside him, Burt bumped his elbow into Jack’s side and said under his breath, “Nice save.”

  “It’s a gift,” he said quietly in return.

  Chapter 20

  Two days later:

  Berta stood next to Serena. With her arm wrapped firmly around her shoulder, she held her daughter tightly and refused to let go. Having gotten the word of Serena’s safety, she took the next flight out of the Islands. The next day, their tearful reunion was punctuated by protests of their next dangerous escapade.

  Standing in front of the Russian-made MI-26 heavy-lifting helicopter, Jack, Javier, Serena, and Burt listened intently to the operations officer instruct them on safety during their mission. With their waist and chest harnesses tightly fastened, they were ready to be lowered to the upper chamber on the pyramid.

  “Ok, file in and fasten your seat and shoulder belts,” the operations officer instructed.

  “You be careful, Honey,” Berta said to Serena.

  “I will,” Javier responded back, humorously.

  Berta shot him an unpleasant glance and said, “Not you. I was talking to Serena. You, I could kill right now.”

  Looking to the rest of the crowd, he shrugged his shoulders and said with a smile, “At least she’s still talking to me.”

  One by one, they climbed the ladder and stepped into the large open door of the helicopter. Finding a seat, they fastened their seatbelts and waited for further instruction. Moments later, they heard the high pitched whine of the engine and then saw the ma
in rotor begin to rotate.

  “Nervous?” Jack asked, sitting across from Serena.

  “What gave it away? My white knuckles?” she joked.

  “Don’t worry. It’ll be fine. Once I’m in, they’ll lower you next. I’ll haul you in and clip you to an anchor inside,” Jack said.

  Serena nodded simply.

  A great smile spread across Jack’s face.

  “What are you smiling at?” Serena said, feeling a bit self-conscious.

  “I’m just happy to see you. I missed you,” Jack said.

  Serena’s reddened and her stomach fluttered.

  “I missed you too, although I’m sure you look a lot better than I do right now,” she replied, nervously touching her swollen cheek and lips, her last attack still evident on her face.

  “I think you look beautiful.”

  Serena’s heart pounded. Before she could respond, the engine sped up and the rotor speed increased. In seconds, they were airborne. Standing beyond the rotor’s reach, Berta waved vigorously as the helicopter lifted off. The lift to the top of the pyramid was short, less than thirty seconds. As they hovered over the apex, the operations officer stood and made his way to the back with his passengers.

  “Ok, Jack, you’re first,” he said.

  Grabbing a cable fed from an outside beam, the operations officer pulled out a few extra feet, then hooked the connection to Jack’s harness.

  “Ok, just like we practiced,” he yelled over the sound of the rotors.

  Jack nodded simply and stood up.

  The ops officer pushed a button on a panel and the winch connected to the beam started to real in the excess cable. As Jack’s harness came taut, the ops officer motioned him to stand at the opening.

  “OK, step out and I’ll start to lower you. Just like we practiced, ok?” he yelled once more.

  “Got it,” Jack yelled back.

  Jack took a small step and felt the cable slowly release. He leaned out and let his weight hang from the beam. The ops officer worked a joystick and began to lower Jack. All eyes watched nervously as he disappeared beneath the aircraft.

  Staring down at the ground, Jack watched the team of police swarming the base of the pyramid as they began their investigation into the deaths of the Russians. Thinking of Serena’s swollen face, he felt warm satisfaction that he had beaten her attackers at their own game.