Keepers of the Lost Ark
Page 19
Acton shook the man’s hand. “Get out of here, Father, before it’s too late.”
Laura took the man’s hand. “It’s okay, Father, we don’t blame you.”
The old man smiled, then made the sign of the cross, blessing them both. “Just in case.”
Acton chuckled. “Go, before it’s too late.”
Amanuel nodded then disappeared inside. Acton rushed to the top of the stairs, keeping low as he neared the surface, flush with the ground.
Laura knelt behind him, her assault rifle gripped comfortably. “So, what do we do? Surrender?”
He vehemently shook his head. “There’s no way I’m letting them take you alive. God only knows what they’d do to you.”
“Well, I’m not letting them take you alive either. You’re a handsome man, and maybe some of them are into that kind of thing.”
Acton laughed. “Never thought of that.” He erased his smile as he stared at her. “Save one bullet for yourself, in case it comes to that.” His chest ached at the thought, and he leaned in, kissing her hard, thinking of everything they had been through over the years, then wiped away the threatening tears as he took aim at the ridgeline, wishing he had a Glock and an MP5 instead of an aging AK-47 that had seen better days.
Let’s just hope these things can still fire.
Ganno waved his hand then pointed, his men rising and slowly advancing from all sides on the church carved into the ground ahead. There had been no sign of Amanuel or his men leaving, and he wasn’t happy about that. If they fought back, then so be it, though he prayed they were simply hiding inside, consumed by prayer.
I hope you know what you’re doing, Father.
Gunfire erupted from the church, well-aimed, several of his men dropping from two directions. He hit the ground, returning fire, all positions opening up as half a dozen of his men writhed on the ground, bleeding out, or lay still, their souls already departed.
Whose side are you on, Lord?
Tankov cocked an ear, gunfire erupting in the distance. He smiled. “Sounds like the fun has already begun.” He pointed to a dune ahead, Utkin now driving. “Head over there. It should provide good cover.”
Utkin guided them behind the dune and the men exited the large SUV, crawling to the top. Tankov surveyed the area and Utkin pointed. “There are the professors.”
Tankov didn’t see them. “Where?”
“In that, I don’t know, thing. See the square, carved into the ground?”
Tankov removed the binoculars and just looked with his bare eyes. “What the hell is that?”
Utkin shrugged. “I don’t know. I can see some sort of stairs, though, leading down. That’s where they’ve taken up position.”
Tankov peered through the binoculars again, spotting them easily this time. “Got them. Looks like he’s covering one and two, she’s covering three and four. Looks like about two dozen hostiles, though a few seem to be out of commission.”
“What should we do?”
Tankov sighed. “I really don’t like seeing the numbers so uneven like that. It’s hardly a fair fight. And I’d hate to see my future wife taken out like this.”
“Your love life aside, if they somehow come out on top, they won’t let the Ark go without a fight, and it will be us killing the professors.”
Tankov frowned. “Okay, let’s see what happens. Maybe the decision will be made for us. We’re here for the Ark, not the professors. But let’s get ready to take out whoever wins.”
“Do you think they have a chance?”
“No. They’ll be out of ammo any minute now. They’re on single-shot for a reason.”
“I think this is it,” said Acton, taking Laura by the shoulders. “I love you!”
Tears burned her eyes as she stared at her husband for what would be the last time. Memories of their years together flooded her mind, and for a moment anger surged through her as she asked why God would let them die when there was so much evil in the world. “I love you too!”
He smiled at her. “See you on the other side?”
She nodded then gasped as tears flooded her eyes. He grabbed her and she held on to him as tightly as she could, breathing in his scent one last time before he let her go, jumping up and firing like the maddest, bravest man she had ever met. She joined him, flicking her weapon to full auto, emptying what few bullets she had left into the encroaching enemy.
Then heavy, distinctive gunfire erupted from her left.
What the hell?
Tankov rained bullets on the enemy, deciding he wasn’t about to let two people he respected, regardless of them being rivals, die in this way. The enemy quickly figured out their position and returned fire, which was when his second position opened up on them. Caught in a crossfire, they were quickly mowed down, the last few racing for a technical and beating a hasty retreat.
The guns fell silent, and after a few moments, the professors rose, searching for their saviors.
He stood and waved, a smile on his face, a face neither of them had seen before.
“Who the hell is that?”
Laura shrugged. “I don’t know. They don’t look like Bravo Team.”
Acton shook his head. “No, they don’t. For all we know, they’re here to steal the Ark.”
“They did save our asses.”
“Did they? Or did they just save their payday.” Acton paused, staring at the man as he approached, recognizing the weapon. “I think they’re Russian.”
“You mean as in the ones who kidnapped us when they stole the Amber Room?”
“As in exactly them.”
“If it is, we’re in trouble. Ammo?”
“I’m empty.”
“Me too.”
Acton glanced at his wife. “I thought I told you to save one bullet?”
“You didn’t.”
He grinned. “I figured they’d oblige.” He reached out from the stairwell they stood in and grabbed the nearest body, dragging it closer. A quick pat down revealed four magazines. He handed two back to Laura then reloaded.
“Are we taking them on?”
“We might not have a choice.”
Laura took him by the arm. “But we do. We can walk away. Let them have it.”
He stared at her. “Do you want the power of God in the hands of the Russians?”
“Of course not, but we don’t know if this thing is real.”
“You felt it just like I did!”
She shook her head. “I don’t know what I felt.”
“Then maybe you should get back in there and try again.”
She gave him the stink eye. “Don’t get snarky.”
He sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. “You’re right, I’m sorry. But I think it could be real. Yes, maybe it was all in my head, but if it wasn’t, then we have to protect it from people like these guys.”
Laura grunted. “Maybe we shouldn’t have killed so many of the Sons of Tamrin.”
Acton shrugged. “Well, I always wanted to go out in a blaze of glory.” He nodded toward the approaching man. “Once again these Russians have ruined my plans.”
“Professor Acton! Professor Palmer! So good to see you again.”
Acton turned to face him, a frown on his face as he recognized the voice from Poland and Athens, confirming the man’s identity.
“Now what?” asked Laura, her voice barely a whisper.
“Lie our asses off?”
“Do you think that will work?”
“Not a chance.”
“Then what?”
“Pray for a miracle.”
Ganno scrambled behind a cluster of boulders, his chest heaving as he gasped for breath. The few survivors from the surprise attack dropped around him, all in shock, all exhausted.
“What just happened? Who were they?” asked the youngest.
Ganno shook his head. “I don’t know, but they’re well-armed and know what they’re doing.”
“What do we do now? Call for reinforcements?”
“Then what do we do?”
Ganno sighed, closing his eyes as his duty was clear, and after three thousand years, he would be the one forced to do it. “We have no choice. If these men are here, then they know about the Ark. Word is already out. We must fulfill our sworn duty.”
Wide eyes and slack jaws surrounded him.
“Destroy the Ark?”
“I see no other choice.”
“But how? We’ve lost the fight.”
Ganno smiled at the young man. “We may have, but we haven’t lost the war. Years ago, when we knew there might be need, our operatives infiltrated the four churches the Keepers use to hide the Ark in, and planted explosives, just in case they might ever be needed.”
“You did? I mean, we did? Why don’t I know about this?”
“Because you’re a junior member, son. Eventually, you would have been told when the day approached that it might be your responsibility to fulfill our oath.”
The boy nodded. “I understand, I guess.” He looked around. “But how do we set off the explosives?”
“We ran wires to a safe distance.” Ganno pointed to the south. “About one hundred meters that way. We just need to connect the detonator.” He cursed as he remembered something. “And it’s in my truck.” He rose, peering out from between the rocks, his vehicle only a couple hundred yards away, though very close to where the new arrivals were. There were additional detonators at his house, and those of his brothers, but that was too far, especially on foot. He had no choice.
“Okay, I’m going to get the detonator. You stay here. If I don’t make it back, one of you has to try again. We need that detonator, otherwise we fail in our duty.” He rose. “Praise be to Menelik and Tamrin, and to our Lord, Jesus Christ.”
Acton aimed his weapon at the ground, but in the general direction of their approaching savior. “That’s close enough.”
The Russian smiled, coming to a stop. “You don’t trust me, Professor? We just saved your lives.”
Acton gave him a look. “For entirely altruistic reasons, I’m sure.”
“Why, is there something of importance here?”
Acton shook his head. “Not at all, just an old church we’re visiting.”
“And these men that tried to kill you?”
He shrugged. “No idea. They just showed up here, demanded we be handed over, and we decided not to go down without a fight.”
“You were doing good. I was impressed.”
Acton gave a slight bow. “Thank you.”
“And that final act, jumping up and shooting madly into the crowd? That seemed either desperate or noble.”
“Perhaps a little of both.”
“I think you were sacrificing yourselves for something.”
Acton shook his head. “Nothing so noble. We just didn’t want to be captured by the likes of these.”
The Russian nodded. “True. This part of the world isn’t known for its civilized behavior toward prisoners.” He stared at Laura, his eyes roaming her from top to bottom and back. “Especially when it comes to beautiful women.” He returned his attention to Acton. “So, what are we going to do here? There are six of us, heavily armed, and two of you. We all know what lies inside that church.”
Acton played dumb. “What?”
“The Ark of the Covenant.”
“What makes you think that?”
The Russian chuckled. “Professor, I believe you’ve been out of communication for some time. At least five distinct groups of, shall we say, relic hunters, arrived here today, because someone spilled the beans for good old cash. Two wiped each other out at the airport, with the help of the Ethiopian military, two more were doing a good job of killing each other not far from here, and the fact they’re not here yet tells me they succeeded, and now we’re who’s left in the game. We will take the Ark. You can either step aside and let us, or we can walk over your dead bodies and take it anyway.” He raised his weapon. “What’s it going to be?”
Acton retreated two steps down, slightly raising his weapon in response. “We just survived two against two dozen. I’m willing to take my chances on half a dozen.”
The Russian sighed. “Very well. I really didn’t want it to end this way.” He abruptly raised his weapon, opening fire as Acton dove backward, taking Laura with him as they tumbled down the stone steps.
Tankov advanced, debating whether to toss a grenade down the stairs he was now seeing, but deciding against it as it might damage the Ark. A hail of gunfire erupted from the recessed stairs and he backed off.
“Professor, you’re making this harder than it needs to be. Just drop your weapons and come out. You can still survive the day. I don’t care about you. I only care about the Ark.”
“How touching!”
Tankov chuckled.
“Why don’t you come and get it?”
Tankov shook his head. “Very well, professor, you had your chance.” He motioned his team forward, and they surrounded the stairwell on the three exposed sides. “One grenade, and you’re both dead.”
“One grenade, and you destroy the Ark. Something tells me your buyer won’t be happy with that. ”
Tankov sighed. “You’re right.” He removed a flashbang from his belt and popped the pin. “Sorry, professors, you’re simply out of your league.”
“Now.”
Niner squeezed the trigger, putting several rounds at the feet of the Russians as the rest of Bravo Team rose from their hidden positions, surging forward and surrounding the hostiles.
Dawson aimed his weapon directly at the Russian Langley had identified as Alexie Tankov. “How about you put that pin back in there?”
Tankov cursed, slowly turning around, his hands rising as he stepped backward several paces. “And who the hell are you?”
“United States Army. I believe you’re threatening the lives of an American citizen, and an ally.” Dawson took another step closer. “As well as two good friends of mine.”
“BD, is that you?”
Dawson stepped closer to the hole cut into the ground, his eyebrows popping slightly as he got an angle on it, a set of stairs revealed. “Secure yourselves, Doc, this should only take a moment.”
“Roger that!”
Dawson flicked his MP5. “Drop your weapons, and we’ll let you leave. Hesitate, you die.”
Tankov regarded him. “You’d kill Russian citizens, just like that?”
Dawson shrugged. “Why not? Nobody will ever find your bodies.”
Tankov’s eyes narrowed. “You’re here for the Ark, aren’t you? Your President sent you here to retrieve it.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He took another step closer, raising his weapon slightly. “Now, drop your weapons, and walk away. Last time I’m going to ask.”
“Very well.” Tankov dropped the flashbang and dove down the stairs, Dawson cursing as he turned away from the blast.
Ganno scrambled the last few feet as a loud blast erupted ahead. He pressed against the truck and peered through the windows, no evidence of an explosion visible.
Was it inside the church?
If it was, then his job might already be done, but he couldn’t take that chance. He had to finish the job. He crawled inside and found the detonator in the glove compartment, where one was always kept just in case. He slithered back out, then headed for the wires hidden well away from the targeted churches, so they could be detonated without interference from the Keepers.
The Ark was moved regularly, switched with fakes that were spread throughout the area. Some were obvious, some were remarkably accurate.
Four to be exact.
And those were rotated so few ever knew which one was real, even among the Keepers and the Sons of Tamrin.
But the number of locations was limited, as it would involve too many people if more churches were us
ed, which made the order’s job easier.
He reached the cover of some nearby rocks and took a moment, his chest aching and stomach churning with the knowledge of what he was only moments away from doing. After all these years, it would be him who would destroy the precious relic, a gift from God Himself to His chosen people.
Yet along with the guilt that racked him was joy. The thought that because of him, because of what he was about to do, the prophecy would finally have a chance to come true, without the risk of the Ark becoming known to man ever again, sent shivers through his body.
“And just where do you think you’re going?”
Ganno froze, the deep voice, impossibly deep voice, was followed by a foot shoved into his back, sending him sprawling on the ground. The detonator was still gripped in his hand, a hand now hidden under him. He slipped the device into his pocket.
“Get up.”
The foot was removed and Ganno struggled to his feet, raising his hands over his head, his eyes widening at the massive man in front of him, equipped with state of the art gear that likely meant he was American.
“Let’s drop the gun. Nice and easy now.”
Ganno unslung the AK-47 from his back, slowly lowering it to the ground. The man kicked it aside. “Who are you?”
“I’m asking the questions.”
Gunfire erupted to their left and the big man turned toward it. Ganno made a break for it but found his path blocked by an Asian man, half the size of the behemoth. A boot swiftly kicked Ganno in the balls and he dropped to the ground in agony.
“Didn’t your mama teach you not to run away from strangers?”
The big man eyed the little one. “I think your mama and my mama need to have a talk.”
More gunfire had this odd couple serious once more, the big man pointing at the truck.
“Let’s handcuff him to that. We’ll collect him later.”
Ganno was hauled to his feet and led back to his truck, where the big man pulled out a plastic zip tie to secure him. The Asian shook his head.
“No, use handcuffs. He might have a knife in there somewhere.”