Keepers of the Lost Ark

by J. Robert Kennedy

  “Good thinking.”

  “I’m not just a pretty face.”

  “When we get home, I’m going to mess that face up in the ring.”

  “What did I do to deserve that?”

  “You asked my girlfriend if she was wearing panties.”

  “Only so you could get in them.”

  “Now I’m really going to mess you up.”

  The big man handcuffed him to the steering wheel, then they both bolted toward the action, leaving Ganno to watch helplessly as two of the oddest men he had ever encountered raced toward the secret he was sworn to protect.

  “Well, that was stupid.”

  Dawson chuckled as he peered down the stairs to see the Russian staring up at the barrels of two assault rifles aimed at him, the professors alive and well, though Laura appeared to be in some pain. The Russian raised his hands and Acton quickly stripped him of weapons when gunfire erupted to Dawson’s left.

  He dove, rolling, then placed two rounds in the chest of his nearest target, Red doing the same on his right. It took only moments, and all five remaining Russians, including the one who had panicked and started the ill-advised firefight, were down, either dead or incapacitated.

  He leaped to his feet and rushed forward, disarming his man, confirming what he had already suspected. The Russians were wearing body armor. “Disarm them, secure them, then treat them. They’re wearing body armor.”

  His men executed his orders as Atlas and Niner appeared over the rise to his right.

  “Everything good?” asked Niner as he came to a halt.

  Dawson nodded. “What took you two so long?”

  “We encountered that Ganno guy Langley told us about.”

  Dawson reached out and grabbed Atlas by the shoulder, turning him around slightly.

  “Looking for something?” asked the big man.

  “Just checking to see if you had strapped him on your back.”

  “Haw haw.” Atlas jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “We handcuffed him to a truck.”

  “Okay, things are secure here, so go get—”

  “Holy shit, BD!”

  Dawson turned to where Spock was pointing and cursed. Dozens of Ethiopian regulars had just crested the rise, their fifties aimed at his team.”

  “This can’t be good,” rumbled Atlas.

  Niner punched him on the shoulder. “Ya think?”

  Red sauntered over in as non-threatening a manner as anyone could manage under the circumstances. “Do you think they’re here for us?”

  Dawson shook his head. “Nobody knows we’re here.”

  “Then they’re here for the, umm, thing?”

  “Probably.”

  “So, we’re in their way.”

  “I’d say that’s an accurate assessment.”

  Red’s head bobbed. “Do you think they’ll let us go?”

  “Unlikely.”

  “So, we’re screwed.”

  “Could be.”

  “So, any idea on how to get unscrewed?”

  Dawson nodded. “The church is the only cover, and they don’t really have an angle on it from where they are.” He glanced at his men, all on their feet, backing slowly away from the Russians now zip-tied and on the ground. “Everyone keep your weapons down, and slowly approach the edge while I distract them.”

  He activated his comms then grabbed one of the Russians, hauling him to his feet, only his pride and ribs wounded. He turned him to face the Ethiopians. “Is this who you want? We took them out for you. Let us leave, and you can take whatever you want.” He lowered his voice as his men slowly edged toward the only cover in the area. “Control, ETA on that backup?”

  “Five minutes, Zero-One.”

  “That’s not going to be good enough. Drones?”

  “Two, both armed. Choose your targets.”

  “Roger that. Anything with a fifty in the back. And tell those guys to try and not hit the same one twice.”

  Leroux chuckled. “I’ll pass it on.” There was a pause as one of the Ethiopians, apparently in charge, stepped out of his vehicle, his hands on his hips as he surveyed the area. “Engaging now.”

  Dawson turned his head slightly toward the Russian. “When they hit, get down those stairs if you want to live. Go for a weapon, I’ll kill you myself.”

  The man glared at him, but nodded.

  “You are a hostile force on Ethiopian territory, American. Surrender yourselves, and we may let you live.”

  May. How nice of him.

  “Control, where are those—”

  “Impact in five, four, three, two—”

  Dawson shoved the Russian to the ground then jumped on top of him as two AGM-114 Hellfires slammed into the cluster of Ethiopian regulars. Screams and secondary explosions filled the air and Dawson leaped to his feet, leaving the Russian behind, as he raced for the cover of the church stairs, carved into the solid rock, his men already hopping over the edge and out of sight. The Russians still alive and mobile scrambled to join them as disorganized gunfire erupted from the Ethiopian position. He dove for the stairs, coming up slightly short, then rolled into the abyss, hands catching him before he hit the hard rock.

  “Everybody good?” he asked as he was helped to his feet, a round of affirmatives greeting him. “Professors?”

  “Peachy!” replied Acton from below.

  “Good. Then let’s hold this position until the cavalry arrives. Take out those fifties before they regroup.”

  Ganno flinched at the two massive explosions just out of sight of where the bastard Americans had left him. He tugged at his hand, trying to force his wrist through the handcuffs, but it was no use. He was running out of time. There was only one reason the Americans were here, and it was the same as the military personnel he had seen drive by his position minutes ago.

  They both wanted the Ark.

  The secret was out, and it had to be destroyed.

  And there was no one left to do it but himself.

  He still had the detonator. The wires to attach it to were only a couple of hundred feet from here, and with everyone distracted by the gun battle, he could fulfill his oath easily.

  If only he could get loose.

  He searched the vehicle for anything that might help, then stopped, a solution to his problem spotted lying on the back seat.

  A horrible solution.

  Please, Lord, give me strength.

  Captain Mussa dropped to his stomach and drew his weapon, opening fire as the last few who remained in the open were shredded, though they appeared unarmed. He had a feeling they were dealing with two groups here, one victorious over the other.

  He surveyed the area as the gunfire eased, then shook his head. Dozens of bodies were strewn about, including many locals.

  Three groups?

  It appeared half the country knew the Ark was here, as well as half the world.

  That meant they had little time.

  He rose, raising his arm and ordering his men forward. “No grenades! We can’t risk what’s inside!”

  There were several puzzled glances, his men still in the dark, but they executed his orders, slowly advancing on the church that lay below. He turned to the remaining two technicals with fifties mounted in the back. “Separate those guns. We don’t know what they hit us with, but they could be back.”

  He advanced with his men then raised his weapon as a head popped out from the sunken steps. He fired, his men joining in, but the man ducked in time.

  A popping sound was heard from the enemy position and Mussa cursed. “Take cover!”

  An explosive round slammed into the ground to his left, two of his men cut in half as he hit the dirt. Another pop and his men panicked as they raced for cover, none to be found.

  This better be worth it!

  Acton bound the Russian leader’s hands behind his back with zip ties provided by Red, then shoved him inside the church and out of the way as Laura covered him. The surviving Russians were passed down, the process rep
eated, then they both covered them, freeing up the Delta personnel to engage yet another enemy hellbent on possessing the Ark.

  Explosions overhead shook the entire area, and he warily eyed the structure they were now sheltering in as dust slowly settled around them. Dawson appeared in the doorway, startling him.

  “You two got this?”

  Acton nodded. “Yes.”

  “Good. Is there another way out of here?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  “The Ark is here, isn’t it?”

  Acton’s eyebrows popped. “You know about that?”

  “Doc, everybody knows. You wouldn’t believe the shitstorm that’s been happening since you left.”

  Laura stepped forward. “I thought it was supposed to be a secret.”

  Dawson shrugged. “I don’t know what to tell you, but somebody blabbed, and now every relic hunter on the planet is after it and converging on this area.”

  Acton glanced at the Russians. “They can’t be allowed to find it.”

  “So, it is here.”

  “Yes.”

  Dawson’s eyes bulged. “Umm, is it, ahh, real?”

  Acton sighed, exchanging a glance with Laura. “Well, there’s some debate surrounding that, but it’s a definite possibility.” He jabbed a finger at the action that continued overhead. “We can’t let these people have it.”

  “My orders are to take the Ark into custody and bring it back to the United States.”

  Laura’s eyes widened. “Are you kidding me? Why?”

  “Because, Professor, if it’s real and falls into the wrong hands, it could cause a war. And if it’s not, and the wrong people have it, it could trigger a war regardless, just to get it back.”

  Acton shook his head. “What are you going to do with it?”

  “I’m not going to do anything. The President wants it in American hands, then put away so no one can touch it.”

  Acton chewed his cheek, shaking his head. “Do you trust him?”

  “I trust him, but who the hell knows who the next guy is going to be?”

  A massive explosion shook the room and Acton ducked. “It might not matter if we don’t survive this.”

  Dawson checked his watch then grinned. “Doc, I think it’s about to rain.”

  Captain Mussa cowered behind one of his remaining vehicles as his men poured lead onto the enemy’s position. They had plenty of ammo, and he had no doubt they would outlast what he presumed were Americans. The fact no more missiles had hit them meant any threat from the sky was over, whatever had fired the two missiles, probably drones, out of ammo.

  They would be victorious in the end, and all he had to do was survive the battle and claim his reward.

  But how would he sell it?

  He’d have to talk to his brother. He’d know.

  He’ll want a cut.

  Even if the bastard took half, it wouldn’t matter. He would still be rich, and why not share it with family?

  You could just melt it down for the gold.

  That was an idea. It would simplify things, and if there was as much gold there as the legends suggested, he would still be a wealthy man, and could simply use it as he needed it, without it being traceable. Selling the Ark itself could prove exceedingly difficult.

  He smiled.

  Melting it down, it is!

  The ground vibrated, and he felt a thumping in his chest. He slowly rose, looking about for the source, when suddenly half a dozen massive helicopters appeared on the horizon, rockets erupting from their weapons pods as 7.62mm rounds belched from their cannons. His men were shredded around him and he dove for cover.

  Too late.

  He shook from the impact as several rounds tore through his torso, knocking him to the ground as agonizing pain racked his body, and the last thing he saw before blacking out, was the pool of blood growing at his side, and the cheering Americans emerging from the church.

  Ganno half crawled, half stumbled, toward the wires for the explosives, the excruciating pain threatening to overwhelm him. The bloody stump where his hand used to be was oozing blood, his belt staunching some of it, but not enough. If he didn’t attach the detonator soon, he would pass out, and the Americans would have the Ark.

  Helicopters were passing overhead, raining fire down on his country’s military, and he felt sorry for them. They were outclassed, outgunned, and stood no chance. They were his countrymen, and their deaths at the hands of the Americans was criminal.

  Yet these “innocent” victims had been there for only one reason.

  To steal the Ark themselves.

  Did it really matter whose hands it fell into? Any hands were too many. The Ark had to be destroyed, and he had only minutes of consciousness left.

  He spotted the rock formation hiding the wires and smiled.

  Thank you, Lord!

  Acton stepped out of the way as the Russians were led up the stairs, reinforcements from two Seahawk helicopters mopping up the operation. Dawson entered the room with Red.

  “I think it’s time we see this thing.”

  Acton nodded reluctantly. He wasn’t certain how he felt about this outcome. Ideally, the Ark would remain with the priests, safely hidden away somewhere, but with the word now out, the search would never end until it was ultimately found.

  Safely stored in America is probably best.

  He just feared what might happen should someone choose to try and use it.

  If it’s real.

  He just wished he knew for certain.

  He led them into the room, shivers rushing over his body at the sight, a sight he could never grow tired of, even if it weren’t real. The artisanship, the craftsmanship, that had gone into the creation of the relic, was astonishing. And it was a relic. He had no doubt of that, merely from the condition of the wood they had seen.

  He simply had no idea if it was the relic, or if there ever had been a genuine article.

  Dawson whistled in appreciation, shaking his head. He pointed at their newly built chamber. “Is this your handiwork?”

  Laura nodded. “Yes. This is why we were brought here.”

  Dawson took a photo with his phone. “The brass want proof.”

  Acton motioned toward the phone. “Can you send me that? We weren’t allowed to take any photos.”

  Dawson winked. “Sure, just don’t tell anyone.” He surveyed the room. “What’s the best way to get it out of here?”

  Acton shrugged. “Up the stairs, I guess. But we should talk to Father Amanuel first. He’d know best.”

  “Who’s he?”

  “He’s the Keeper, he’s responsible for the Ark.”

  Dawson waved a hand at the room. “Then where is he?”

  Acton’s eyes narrowed, spinning on his heel as he looked about. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen him since the firefight began.”

  Laura grunted. “Which one?”

  Acton shrugged. “The first one, before the Russians. You?”

  Laura shook her head. “I haven’t seen him either.”

  Acton scratched his chin. “So, that means he’s been gone for what, an hour?”

  Laura nodded. “Could be. Time kind of flies when you’re being shot at.”

  Dawson stepped out of the room, barking orders to his men. “Okay, people, let’s search the place. We’re looking for a priest!”

  Niner cursed, Ganno nowhere to be found. He hauled open the door to confirm what he already knew then jumped back. “Holy shit!”

  “What?”

  Niner pointed at the front seat and Atlas peered through the passenger window. “Are you kidding me? If that doesn’t say fanatic, I don’t know what does.”

  Niner agreed, poking the severed hand with the barrel of his MP5.

  “What? Are you expecting it to crawl or something?”

  Niner shrugged. “Just making sure. I’ve never actually seen one voluntarily hacked off before.” He pointed at the machete. “That had to hurt.”

  Atlas grunted
. “Not sure he’d call it voluntary.”

  “Well, let’s go collect him before he causes any more trouble.” They followed the blood trail for a couple hundred feet and found their former prisoner hunched over something. Niner sighed. “You just don’t know when to give up, do you, Mr. Ganno?”

  Ganno turned, something gripped in his hand, wires leading to a pile of rocks.

  Atlas raised his weapon. “What have you got there?”

  Ganno held it up and Niner cursed, raising his own weapon as he recognized the crude detonator. “And just what do you plan to do with that?”

  “My duty.”

  “Which is?”

  “To destroy the Ark should it be at risk of falling into the wrong hands.”

  Niner unclipped his MP5, lowering it to the ground, then raising his hands as he approached the rapidly weakening man. “Listen, let’s talk about this. Maybe we can figure this out together.”

  Ganno shook his head. “It’s too late. Too many know.” He held up the detonator gripped in his one remaining hand. “Don’t come any closer. Tell your friends if they want to live, to get out of the church now.”

  Atlas whispered into his comms behind Niner, relaying the warning.

  “Look, let’s talk about this. I’m sure we can come to some arrangement.”

  The man collapsed to his side, his hand shaking. “No, my duty is clear, and my time grows short. Get your friends out. I don’t know how much longer I can hold on.”

  Niner cursed, his eyes bulging. “It’s a dead man’s switch!”

  “BD, get out of there, now! He’s got a dead man’s switch!”

  “Everybody out! Now! This place is gonna blow!”

  Acton spun toward Dawson, unsure of what was going on, the Bravo Team already executing their orders without question as everyone rushed toward the stairs. “What about the Ark?”

  “Forget it! There’s no time!” Dawson grabbed him by the shirt, dragging him toward the stairs. Acton turned, looking for Laura, and reached out for her as she followed them out of the chamber and into the fading sunlight that filtered down from overhead. She rushed up the stairs after the others, Acton following, Dawson taking up the rear.