by Dan Arnold
“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.”
Chapter 8
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 again?”
“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.”
That answer told Jake the young man was someone who respected the value to science above any religious or political consideration.
“Now, you tell us what it means to you, Dr. Walker.” Ruben said.
Jake thought about his answer. It was complicated for him.
From a purely scientific perspective finding the Ark of the Covenant was the most significant experience imaginable to anyone involved in researching the ancient world?
On a more personal and spiritual level, seeing the box that contained the stone tablets carved by Moses, some of the manna that appeared like frost but was both nutritious and imperishable, and Aaron’s rod that budded, was beyond his wildest imagination. As with other, less notable discoveries, it would be an immensely valuable contribution to the evidence for the accuracy of Biblical history.
On another level, the complexity of the geo-political significance was frightening. The idea that they might be killed in the attempt to secure it was never far from his mind.
He took a deep breath.
“For me it’s a tremendous honor. What we’re doing could help maintain peace in the Middle East, secure an irreplaceable object of art, and further my understanding of human history. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I wouldn’t miss it for anything. OK, gentlemen, that’s all. Let’s get started.”
Chapter 9
“Jake, will you walk with me out to my car.” Professor Horowi
tz asked.
“Alright, while I’m doing that, you men start breaking through the wall of the tunnel. You will make the opening on the left side, twenty meters from where this tunnel meets this cavern. Work quickly, but as quietly as possible. Do not go through the opening into the tunnel on the other side of the wall. I’ll be right back.”
As they walked through the crowd of tourists, neither man said a word.
Professor Horowitz stopped beside his car.
“Remember this, Jake; three days. Three days is all you’ve got. There is at least one other group coming for the artifact.”
“I thought you said you were the only person alive who knew the location.”
“Yes, until now, only I knew the exact location. Evidently there have been some intelligence leaks recently. It would’ve been better to do this some weeks ago, but we weren’t prepared. By now, there are people who know the object is probably somewhere under the Temple Mount. We estimate it will take three days for them to get organized. By then you’d better be gone. Do you understand?”
“Do you think we can do it?”
“As I recall the conditions, if you work hard and all goes well, you could reach the room tonight. Unfortunately, we can’t be sure what the conditions are like now. Having to clear a lot of debris will slow you.”
“How long will it take you to make the arrangements we discussed?”
Mordechai pulled out his mobile phone.
“You’ll have the fork lift, the truck, and the cartons within the next two hours. The plane will be fueled and the pilots on standby in the same amount of time. The clock has started. The timing and schedule are all on you now, my friend.”
“We’ll get it done, Morty.”
“From your mouth to God’s ear. If anyone can, it will be you. I wish I could be with you, but I’ll be drawing attention away from here.”
Jake nodded, reaching out to shake hands with his friend.
Mordechai shook Jake’s hand, saying, “May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob guide you and protect you in this work.”