by Dan Arnold
The men had placed their backpacks a little ways back down the tunnel. After seeing the partially crushed skull of the mummified corpse, they kept the helmets on their heads.
“Mud is heavier than dust and dirt. This is tough enough without the extra weight of water,” David said. He’d rejoined them after they’d been working for nearly an hour.
Upon his return he reported that everything was in place. He handed the keys to the fork lift and the cargo truck to Jake
The pile of rubble in the tunnel was now lowered by nearly three feet, although they’d only progressed about three meters in distance. They had to remove debris, pass it back, and then place it along the sides of the open tunnel walls behind them. At first they did this by passing the larger slabs of stone from man to man. Every now and then, they had to use shovels. It slowed them down. The dirt and debris was scraped away from one man to the next. The last man had to toss a shovel load off to the side.
About one and a half meters into the pile, they exposed the booted foot of another mummified body. It took the better part of an hour to dig the horrible thing out. It was now lying at the edge of the tunnel about five meters behind them
“How long have we been down here?” Lorenzo asked.
“Altogether, we’ve been in these tunnels for about five hours. I reckon it’s about three o’clock in the afternoon outside, in the world of sunshine and blue skies.’
“Right, but down here it’s always midnight.”
Jake was up on the pile loosening a heavy chunk of rock when it dawned on him he’d forgotten a simple principle. When it’s not important, don’t spend too much time on it. He rolled the rock off to the side.
Turning to the men behind him, he said, “We don’t have to send back anymore debris. We’ll just shift it off to the sides of the pile. That will be faster and less taxing on everyone. Since the space is so cramped, and there’s only room for one man up front at a time, we’ll take turns. I’ll come down in fifteen minutes or so. Then Ruben can have a go for about thirty minutes. Lorenzo is next, then David. Going at it this way, three men are resting while one is working.”
“Oh, I like that idea,” Lorenzo said. “How long do you think it will take us to get past this blockage?”
“Maybe two more hours, tops.”
“How much farther do we have to go after that?” Ruben asked.
“This tunnel goes all the way to a corner under the Temple Mount and then turns northwest. I’m not sure where it terminates. To answer your question, we only need to go about another quarter of a mile, but we have to be even more cautious going forward. This cave in was triggered by a booby trap. I believe there are more beyond here.”
“Why bother with more than one trap? This one killed at least two men and probably injured a few more. I doubt anyone went beyond here.”
“I agree, but Morty told me there are more traps, just in case unwanted visitors were able to avoid this first one. He wasn’t kidding around.”
“So, we could find more collapsed sections like this?” David asked.
“It’s possible, but probably not. We just have to be careful we don’t cause one. Excuse me, gentlemen. I have to get back to work. You may want to turn off your lights to conserve the batteries.”
“We have more, Jake, enough to keep us all in light for nearly a week.”
Jake nodded and turned back to his digging. He was wondering what other useful things the men carried in those backpacks.
An hour later, Jake, Ruben and David were sitting beside each other as Lorenzo labored on the pile of rubble.
“David is related to him, but how do you and Lorenzo happen to know Morty?” Jake asked Ruben.
“Oh, we’re all in the same book club. We get together once a month to sip tea and discuss literature. We like romance novels.”
Jake didn’t find much humor in that response. Getting a straight answer from Ruben was challenging.
“No, seriously, I’ve known Morty for almost fifteen years. I met him on a dig in Italy. We’ve stayed in touch over the years. How do you all know each other?”
David spoke first.
“It’s a fair question. We might as well tell him.”
Ruben scowled, but made a gesture indicating David could proceed.
“As you know, Jake, he and I are related. In addition to our blood ties, Professor Horowitz is something of a national treasure. He’s been at the forefront of most of the important archeological research in Israel and the Middle East. Naturally he was the man our government turned to when the Ark of the Covenant was first discovered. Until now, he alone knew the truth about the Ark and where it’s hidden. He’s kept this secret for many years. In certain circles he’s known as ‘the guardian’. While we’ve never known what he was guarding, it’s a term of deep respect. As I said, he’s a national treasure.”
“What does that have to do with how you all know each other?”
“I’m coming to that. Because of his work and esoteric knowledge, our government has been protecting Professor Horowitz for decades. Ruben’s been assigned to that detail for what, something like nine years? Lorenzo has been with him for five, and I’m the new guy. I came on the detail in the middle of last year. We’ve all accompanied him on archeological digs, undercover as part of his team. ”
“So, you’re all in some kind of Israeli Secret Service?”
“You could call it that,” Ruben said.
“How does that work, exactly?
“That’s none of your business. I wouldn’t have told you this much.” He shot David a disapproving glare.
Jake scowled.
“Well, it might just be my business. When this is over, I’ll be the only person who knows the exact location of the Ark. Will that make me an Israeli national treasure?”
Ruben shrugged.
“That’s above our pay grade. I guess time will tell.”
“Morty told me he was being watched, day and night. I don’t think he was just referring to his security detail. Who else is watching him?”
“We couldn’t say.” As he gave that answer, Ruben shot David a warning look.
“He told me there was a recent leak of highly classified information related to the Ark. Do you know anything about that?”
“Again, that’s above our pay grade.”
“Morty also said there is at least one other group who will be attempting to approach the Ark the same way we are. Who is it?”
Ruben frowned. His dirty face looked grim in the gloomy light emanating from the electric torches.
“You ask a lot of questions, Jake. You should’ve asked Professor Horowitz if he knows who they are.”
“I did. He told me to use my imagination. Israel has a lot of enemies and when it comes to the Ark of the Covenant, even her allies can’t be trusted.”
“I’d say that about sums it up.”
“I understand there are some Jewish zealots who are planning to re-build the Temple. They would need the Ark, because it is, and would be, the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies. Do you know anything about that?”
David and Ruben exchanged a look.
“It sounds like you know more about this than we do. Stop asking us all these questions, Jake. It seems you already know the answers.”
“I ask because I don’t know the answers. You’re making it very difficult for me to trust you.”
“That’s fine with us. We don’t trust you either. You’re planning to take the Ark and just disappear with it. We’re talking about what may be the most sacred and valuable object known to man. I wonder what you could sell it for, say in a bidding war?”
“I’ve never given it any thought, but it’s clear you have. I’m outnumbered. What’s to stop you three from killing me the moment I show you where the Ark is hidden?”
“Nothing, there’s no way you could stop us.”
Lorenzo had stopped working to listen to the conversation.
“Alright, that’s enough!” He yelled. “Prof
essor Horowitz trusts this American. That means something to me, Ruben. How about you, David? Is your great Uncle a fool?”
David looked down at his boots.
“No, of course not.”
“And what about you, Dr. Walker? We’ve been closer than brothers to Professor Horowitz, some of us for years. We’ve earned his trust. Do you really think if we wanted the Ark we couldn’t have made him tell us where it is, long before now?”
Jake took a deep breath. He glanced at Ruben.
“I’m sure you could.”
“Well. We didn’t. We’ve all got to trust each other. There’s no other option. I understand your concerns, Jake. You don’t know us. You’ll have to decide if you trust Professor Horowitz’s judgement. Ruben, I’ll remind you, in addition to the Professor’s recommendation; Dr. Walker has been vetted by our superiors.”
Ruben nodded in acquiescence.
Jake looked over at him.
“I’m sorry, Ruben. I had no reason to accuse you of something like that.”
“Likewise.”
Jake nodded.
“The truth is; Lorenzo is right; we have to trust each other. I believe we are all in service to a higher purpose. I’m going to remind myself of that, the next time I start worrying.”
Ruben chuckled.
“I’ve spent my whole life in service to a higher purpose—the government of Israel. Considering my experience dealing with that bureaucracy, I suspect it’s not the same purpose to which you are referring. If you’re saying you put your trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, yes, I suppose I could give that a try. I’m always open to new things.”
David nodded.
“If recovering and securing the Ark of the Covenant isn’t serving a higher purpose, I don’t know what is.”
Lorenzo laughed.
“Well then, if we’re all agreed on that, I’ll get back to clearing this tunnel.”
Twelve
David pushed aside the last of the rubble. They now had a passageway about four feet wide and five feet high over the debris field that had been blocking the tunnel. It wasn’t pretty and it didn’t look safe, but it would do to get the Ark back out after they recovered it from the hidden chamber.
While David and the others grabbed their gear, Jake examined the tunnel on the far side of the blockage. He shone the light briefly on the map before putting it back in his pocket.
The four men assembled to discuss their next steps. They hunched together as close as the space would allow.
Jake pointed over his shoulder.
“I’ll walk up the tunnel about ten meters ahead of the rest of you. I’ll have to go slowly to scout for booby traps. If I accidently trigger one it’ll only take me out. You should be safe enough.”
Ruben didn’t like it.
“We’re supposed to be keeping you safe so you can find and secure the Ark. Tell me what to look for and I’ll scout ahead.”
Jake hesitated. He wasn’t sure what to look for himself, but at least he had the map showing the location of the traps marked by red dots. It was time to make a decision. Should he let them see the map, or try to remember where the dots were in relation to their present location?
He wanted to trust these men, but the map revealed the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. He wasn’t ready to divulge that information just yet.
“According to Morty, the next booby trap is about thirty meters farther along. I don’t know what it is. You’ll have to look for something hard to see. It might be a tiny wire stretched across the tunnel. It could be at any height, depending on what it triggers. It might not even be a wire. Look for any change in the surface of the floor, the walls or the ceiling. That’s the best I can tell you. Like I say, I don’t know specifically what traps or triggers he used.”
“This will really slow us down,” Ruben said.
“Right, speed is our enemy at this point. It’s vital that we don’t hurry and blunder into a trap like those poor devils behind us did.”
“Time is our enemy, Jake. We’ve got to find the thing and get it out of here as fast as we can.”
“I know. I’ll be happy to lead the way, if you think it will help.”
“No, I’ll do it. We’re trained to spot things that don’t belong. I’ve just never had to do it in a dark tunnel under ground before. Lorenzo, hand me another torch. With twice the light, I’ll have a better chance to see something.”
Jake nodded. It was a smart move.
Lorenzo produced another tactical LED flashlight and handed it to Ruben.
Ruben set off walking slowly, scanning every inch of the tunnel from floor to ceiling.
When he was about ten meters farther into the tunnel, Jake began to follow him at the same distance. Lorenzo and David were right behind him. When Ruben was about twenty meters along from the blockage Jake called out to have him go even more circumspectly.
A short time later, Ruben stopped. Both of his flashlights were pointed at the floor of the tunnel.
“Jake, come up here. I may have something.”
Jake walked up behind him.
“What do you see?”
“…Nothing, specific. There’s just something about the surface that seems different. I don’t know what to do next.”
“Here, let me squeeze past you.”
Ruben shrugged out of his backpack so he could flatten against the wall of the tunnel.
Jake slid along the opposite wall, and then bent to have a closer look. After a moment he dropped to all fours. Running his hand over the floor he stopped.
“Ruben, do you have a knife?”
The immediate ‘snick’ of the blade opening answered his foolish question.
Jake took the knife and probed with the blade. After a moment he lifted the edge of a piece of canvas from under the dirt. As he pulled the fabric aside the beams of Ruben’s lights revealed a pit in the center of the floor. It was only about three feet deep and three feet in width. The total length was about five feet.
Ruben whistled between his teeth.
Anyone who stepped on the hidden canvas would’ve dropped the short distance into the pit. It wasn’t the fall that would disable them. Falling onto the fourteen sharpened steel stakes sticking nearly a foot up from the bottom of the pit would prove crippling, if not fatal.
Jake used the knife to be certain the ground remaining along each side of the tunnel was solid. Standing with his back against the wall he bent and dragged the heavy, dirt covered canvas toward him. Once the edges were exposed he dropped the whole thing into the pit.
He looked over at Ruben and smiled.
Even as dark and dirty as he was, Ruben looked pale in the glow from the reflected light of the flashlights. Jake started to hand him his knife, but Ruben held up a hand.
“Keep it. I have another. Man that’s some clever work, I didn’t really see anything.”
“Morty set that trap many years ago. The weight of the soil eventually caused the canvas to sag a little. That’s what you saw. It was the subtle way the light reflected back differently. You have a good eye, Ruben.”
“How are we going to carry the Ark back across that?”
Very carefully, there’s more than a foot of solid ground on each side. We’ll just have to straddle the opening. It’ll be alright.”
Ruben blew out a breath.
Jake chuckled.
“Relax, Ruben. The important thing is you saw it. Now, there’re only two more traps ahead of us.”
Jake turned and waived the other members of the team forward. When they saw the pit they shook their heads in disbelief.
“Who does something like this?” Lorenzo asked.
“Pretty much anyone who ever tried to protect something which could only be accessed by a narrow path,” David answered. “This is the way it was always done.”
“I’ll be glad to walk in daylight again,” Lorenzo said. “How far underground do you think we are?”
Jake answered him, saying, “W
ere only around forty feet under the surface here. I think we’re right below the edge of the Temple Mount. I hope you’ve brought some kind of food with you. Let’s take a few minutes to eat and drink something before we move on.”
Ruben didn’t seem to like the idea. Maybe almost falling into the pit had taken away his appetite. Looking at the others he finally held his hands up, indicating capitulation.
Within minutes MREs were being consumed. As they ate, they talked.
“David, you seem to be interested in history. Has protecting your great uncle enhanced your curiosity?” Jake asked.
Swallowing a bite of his beef stroganoff, the younger man answered.
“Actually, I have a degree in history from UCLA. After graduation I served in the IDF for four years. Now that I’m assigned to his protection detail, I’ve enjoyed being close to the professor at Tel Aviv University. I have access to the library and every department on campus.”
“The IDF? That’s the Israeli Defense Force, right?”
All three men nodded.
“Tell me, Ruben, How did you come to be on the protection detail?”
“After my military service, I spent seven years with Shin Bet. Are you familiar with that organization?”
“The Israeli Security Service? Isn’t that something like our FBI?”
Ruben shrugged and said, “Magen veLo Yera'e.” Seeing the baffled look on Jake’s face, he translated the statement for him. “It means; the unseen shield.”
“That sounds like something a spy agency would call themselves.”
David laughed.
“You’re probably thinking of Mossad. Now, those guys really are spies and stuff.”
“Anyway,” Ruben continued, “When the opportunity to transfer was offered, I took it.”
Jake nodded and turned to the next man.
“And you, Lorenzo?”
“My story is similar to Ruben’s, only I don’t have his level of experience dealing with hostiles.”
“Hostiles, what do you mean?”
“Hamas, Hezbollah, the PLO, among others, Israel has murderous enemies both inside and outside our country. Ruben was part of an elite anti-terrorism task force. Tell him, Ruben.”