by Dan Arnold
“Wait, are you saying the thing is under the Temple Mount?”
“Yes, Jake. It’s in a chamber more or less directly under the ruins of the site of Herod’s Temple.”
Mordechai pointed at the glove box.
“In there you will find a folded piece of paper. It’s a hand drawn map of the tunnels you’ll use to approach and access the artifact. It is the only copy in existence. I drew it myself.”
Jake took a moment to study the map.
“Say, this is really good. You’ve included distances and landmarks. Do these red dots indicate hazards?”
Mordechai nodded as he put the car in gear and pulled away from the curb.
Jake whistled.
“This location isn’t just under the Temple Mount, it’s also under the Al Aqsa Mosque. How did it get there?”
“I put it there. More than thirty years ago, before the complete ban on archeological research, as part of my earliest work, we were experimenting with ground penetrating radar. You may be aware we were the first to experiment with it. Anyway, I found an anomaly. I was the only one with knowledge of the cavity. I kept it to myself.
As you surmised, after the object was discovered in nineteen eighty six, I was tasked by the government with examining it to determine its authenticity. When they heard my report, they asked me to secure the thing and keep the location secret—even from them. I’ve done so, to this day.”
“You must’ve had a team with you. You couldn’t find the chamber and move the ‘thing’ all by yourself.”
“Correct. Then, as now, I personally selected my associates. There were only four of us. I’m the last man standing.
It took the better part of three weeks to locate and clear debris filled tunnels dating back to the earliest days of the city.
Secrecy reigned supreme. We worked mostly at night, struggling to be quiet, aware every moment we might be crushed in a tunnel collapse without anyone knowing where we were. As I say, we feared for our lives.
We were also constantly afraid of discovery. We had no training or instruction on what to do if that occurred. Finally, we broke through a wall and found the cavity I’d seen in the radar images all those years before. It proved to be a small rectangular space, about eight feet wide, maybe ten feet long and nearly filled with debris. There was so much earth and stone in the room, there was only about three feet of space below the collapsed ceiling.
Naturally, I was disappointed, but it was all we had. The only good news was that everything seemed to be stable. It appeared there hadn’t been a cave in for centuries, probably not since the destruction of Herod’s Temple. We cleared a space just large enough for the object. As fast as we could, we moved it in there and sealed up the wall.”
“Was that when the Muslims discovered you were digging under the Temple Mount?”
“No. At that time archeological research in the general area was still permitted, so our work out near the Church Of The Holy Sepulchre site wasn’t suspect. That’s just outside the Old City walls. They had no way of knowing we were actually exploring hidden tunnels under the Temple Mount.”
“That’s the same subterfuge we’re using this time. What makes you think they won’t be more alert now?”
“They will be more alert. Everything related to archeological research is suspect these days. That’s why having an outside expert researching a historical site dating back to Roman times is least threatening. The location is a half mile from the Temple Mount. It isn’t even the same place we started from before.”
“Still, someone will be curious.”
Sure, that’s why I prepared the site with things we discovered in other places. There actually is Roman graffiti on the walls of the cave and tunnel. I put it there myself.”
“You defiled an archeological site?”
“Not as far as anyone else knows. What you will uncover is graffiti and paintings suggesting the Romans may have used the location as a brothel, about two thousand years ago.”
“I don’t want to be a part of something so unethical.”
Mordechai gave Jake a penetrating look.
“This is our one shot, Jake. This is the way we gain access to the Ark. Can’t you lay aside your scientific ethics for something this important?”
“Clearly, you can. I’m not comfortable with it. How am I supposed to publish findings I know are bogus?”
“That’s for you to figure out. For now, focus on the real mission. Here we are. This is the location.
As Jake climbed out of the vehicle he found himself in an area filled with tour buses and tourists by the dozens.
“That’s the hillside they call Golgotha, or the Place of the Skull. It’s an old stone quarry. Because of the fissures and caves, it resembles the face of a skull. They say Jesus was crucified on the hilltop.”
“It does look like a skull, but I doubt it looked like that two thousand years ago. I don’t think this is the actual place where Jesus was crucified with two other men.”
“Why do you say that?”
“For one thing, most of that excavation is too recent and the erosion isn’t old enough. The crucifixion happened at a location called ‘the place of the skull’, not a place that looks like a skull. More importantly, the Romans used crucifixion both as capital punishment and a warning to keep people in line. They stood the crosses along major thoroughfares and at the entrances to a city. The top of that hill isn’t either of those. It’s too obscure for that purpose.”
“Hmmm. That’s a good point. In the distance there, you see the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Constantine’s mother, Helena, believed that was the location of both the crucifixion and the interment. It is beside an important road and gateway into the old city. She commissioned the building of that church on the spot she believed was the location of the empty tomb. After the destruction of Herod’s Temple, the Romans built a temple to Venus where that church now stands, evidently to mock and erase the memory of the events that occurred there. Helena had the pagan temple destroyed and the church replaced it.”
“Evidently she had an eye for detail.”
“Well, she was here about seventeen hundred years ago. At that time, people still talked about where the Romans did the crucifixions. Also, the church is just outside the original walls of the old city of Jerusalem at the time of Christ. A few hundred years after Helena’s death, the original church was destroyed by followers of Muhammad. It was rebuilt during the Crusades. That’s how Jerusalem is, like so many other ancient cities, it’s just one thing on top of another.
Now, this location here is outside the walls built by the Romans less than two thousand years ago. It isn’t part of the old city. It’s old, but perhaps not old enough. It doesn’t date back to the time of Jesus, much less Jeremiah and Nebuchadnezzar. For our purposes it doesn’t really matter either way. This is where you’ll start. You see those barricades over there?”
“Yes.”
“That’s where your team is assembled. The cave entrance is behind the barricade. The university is paying for the security keeping the tourists and everyone else away from the dig site.”
“Is this where you originally found the artifact?”
“No, it doesn’t matter where it was when I found it, but it wasn’t here.”
Jake didn’t appreciate Mordechai’s obfuscation, but there was no point in pressing the matter. They were working their way through throngs of tourists.
“I guess it’s time to meet your team.”
“Your team, Jake, they’re your team now.”
Jake stopped in his tracks.
“No, Morty, they’re not my team. I don’t know any of these men. It took weeks or months of planning to set all this up. I’ve had nothing to do with any of it, so far. You and your handlers are just using me as a beard. You say it’s my team, but you and they are running this operation. I get it. I don’t like it, but I get it. Just don’t treat me like you think I’m stupid.”
Mordechai glanced around
at the crowd. He lowered his voice.
“Jake, if you feel that way, why did you agree to secure the artifact?”
“…Because you’re right. This is too important and potentially disastrous if it isn’t handled with discretion and caution.
I don’t mind being the false front for the dig. I think it’s a tremendous privilege to be a part of this, but don’t pee on my leg and tell me it’s raining.”
“It’s not like that, Jake, at least not entirely. You aren’t just flying a false flag to disguise the true purpose of the dig. As far as getting to the artifact and recovering it goes, you’re in charge. Those old tunnels are dangerous. The approach to the uhh…’box’ is your area of expertise. Those men have been told to follow your lead and instructions. The men on your team don’t have much experience underground. I may have exaggerated their archeological experience a little bit too. Let’s just say their skill set is different from yours. If you run into trouble, they have the tools and talent to deal with it. Unless or until that happens, you give the orders.”
“There’s something more you aren’t telling me, isn’t there.”
“I was going to get to it, but you’ve been hounding me with questions and suspicions.”
“Tell me now.”
Mordechai leaned in close to Jake’s ear.
“As part of the process of attempting to secure the ‘box’, I took certain precautions to ensure that anyone attempting to retrace our passage through the tunnels wouldn’t live to regret trying it.”
“Booby traps?” Jake hissed.
“Yes. Now, don’t worry. There’re no explosives involved. I’m not trained for that and I couldn’t risk damage to the artifact, or too much attention being drawn to the tunnels. We did it the old fashioned way.”
“Are you talking about deadfalls, snares and pit traps?”
“Yes, that’s it exactly. The men on your team would get themselves killed trying to travel through those tunnels without your guidance. The thing is; I spent too much time securing the tunnels. Someone became suspicious and attempted to investigate where I’d been. There was a cave in and several Muslims lost their lives. They claimed it was because what we called research was really an attempt to undermine the Al Aqsa Mosque.”
“Is that what started the trouble? Is that why all archeological research became banned on the Temple Mount?”
“Yes, it was my mistake.”
“So, some portions of the tunnels are booby trapped and other parts are caved in? Even with the map, this could take longer than I thought.”
“Do you see why we need you to lead the team? It has to be done quickly and correctly. I’m told you’ll only have about three days. It isn’t just getting to the location either. As I told you, where and how the artifact is secured will be up to you as well.”
Jake’s mind was racing. Could he and his men clear the tunnels and extract the Ark in three days’ time? For some reason, his friend seemed to think they could. It was only a half mile away. They could walk that distance on the surface in about ten minutes. Working their way through dangerous and partially collapsed tunnels would take far longer, maybe even days.
“Jake, the most important thing is to secure the object after you retrieve it. Do you have any idea how you will do that?”
“I have a plan. There are some things I’ll need.
“Excellent. Whatever you need I can provide within a matter of hours. I mean anything. Just let me know.”
“Alright, Morty, I need a stack of large empty cartons with innocuous labels. They should look like they have something in them. They’ll go in empty, but come out heavy. You know the dimensions. Do you follow me?”
“Yes, it’s ingenious.”
“Send them in on a pallet with a fork lift. Also, I’ll need some steel pipe, six inch diameter, eight or nine feet in length. Eight or ten of those should be enough. Bring it all in a box truck. Once it’s unloaded, leave the truck here.”
“And then what?”
“I have a friend who’s in hospital in Johannesburg. I need to go back to South Africa in a couple of days to see how she’s progressing. I’ll need a charter flight to Johannesburg. I’ll be hauling a bunch of video recording and editing equipment, lights and poles, that sort of thing, for a project in South Africa. Can you arrange it and handle customs?”
“Yes. Is that where you plan…
“…One step at a time, Morty. The sooner we get started, the sooner we complete the mission. Let’s go meet my team.”
Eight
The team of workers, Professor of Archeology, Dr. Mordechai Horowitz had assembled included only three men, of mixed ages. All were fit and tan, indicating both ancestral lineage and attention to physical conditioning. A man named Ruben was the oldest and had the darkest complexion. Among this group Jake appeared pale and very European. He stood a few inches taller and would’ve matched them for fitness, but he knew the time spent recovering from the helicopter crash had softened him.
After the introductions were made they all stooped through the low and narrow opening of a small cave to discuss the plans for the approach to the Ark. Inside, the only light was that which fell through the cave opening. In the gloom they squatted in a rough circle.
“Gentlemen, I’ve briefed Dr. Walker on the true aim of this dig. I chose him because he is the most qualified man I know to lead a mission like this. Not only is he an expert on ancient cultural influences, he’s a highly skilled scientist and explorer with years of experience in the field. He also has a similar background to some of you. He served in a United States Army Special Forces unit.”
“Army Ranger, weren’t you?” A young man about twenty five years of age named David asked.
“That’s right. Rangers lead the way.”
“I understand you’ve been in combat?”
Jake nodded.
“I did four tours in Afghanistan.”
The three men glanced at each other.
Jake grinned.
“Now, I’m just a humble explorer seeking to understand how ancient civilizations shaped the modern world.”
“Well you’ve come to the right place. Hasn’t he, Professor?” David asked.
“Yes, Israel has probably had more effect on both the ancient and modern world than any place on earth.”
Jake shrugged.
“Sure, to some degree. There have been many others as well. The influences of the Roman Empire are also very much with us today. For example, how many coliseums and stadiums are there in the modern world?”
“Which brings us to the subject at hand,” Mordechai said. “Jake, I’ve already photographed the walls of this cave and the adjoining tunnel. These Roman era paintings and graffiti will support the story of what you are supposedly researching. I know you aren’t comfortable about publishing false information, so we’ll worry about that later. The point is you won’t have to waste any time pretending to study the artifacts here. You can begin the approach to the real objective immediately. I think you’ll find all the equipment you’ll need just inside the tunnel mouth, over there. Do any of you gentlemen have any questions for me, before I leave you to it?”
“After we secure the artifact, how do we return to our normal routine?” The man called Ruben asked. The oldest of the three men, he looked to be about the same age as Jake.
“Dr. Walker will tell you when, where and how, at the appropriate time. When you leave here, this dig will be shut down and the site returned to a more or less normal appearance. You men can return to your previous lives shortly after that.”
Jake had a question.
“In an emergency or after we retrieve the object, how do I contact you?”
“You don’t contact me, Jake. I’m going to be on a dig site in Egypt. In the case of an emergency, these men have a certain protocol to follow. I’ll make the arrangements we discussed, but once you’ve retrieved the artifact, you’re on your own.”
“That’s it then? We never speak of it ag
ain?”
“That’s the plan. Find it, retrieve it, secure it and forget any of this ever happened. Your findings on the so called Roman graffiti will be published with photos in a leading archeological research magazine under the university’s imprimatur. End of story.”
“Alright, do these men know what we’ve been sent to recover?”
The men gave the professor a penetrating gaze.
“Yes, as I told you, I selected them myself. I would trust these men with my life. Because this is such a sensitive mission with a high degree of risk, I had to tell them our objective.”
“Fair enough.” Jake turned to the men. “I have to trust you guys with my life and the outcome of this mission. So, let me ask you all a question. What are your feelings about retrieving this particular artifact?”
Professor Horowitz raised his eyebrows. He’d never thought to ask such a question.
It caught the men a little off guard as well.
“Ruben, tell me your thoughts on the matter.”
“Well, Dr. Walker, I never believed there was such an object. I won’t believe it until I see it myself. Until then, it’s just another mission.”
Jake nodded. This answer told him he’d guessed correctly. These men were probably professional operators, a part of some clandestine intelligence or military unit. Jake looked over at a man who called himself Lorenzo.
The man shrugged.
“I must say, it’s intriguing. I’m not very familiar with the story, but I’m looking forward to seeing the thing.”
“Ok. It’s your turn, David. What do you have to say?”
“Full disclosure? Professor Horowitz is my great uncle. I believe what he’s told me.”
Jake shot his friend a look. Mordechai shrugged in response. Jake turned back to the youngest member of the team.
“What has my friend, Morty told you?”
“He told me it’s a sacred object to some people, a dangerous device to others. To him, as a scientist, it’s a priceless artifact. If anything were to happen to it, it would be the greatest loss in the history of archeology.”