by S. E. Meyer
“And what’s going to happen to me now? You said that I took one of these injections.”
“The first injection just starts the process, you’ll notice increased concentration, better memory retention and a few other things, but unless you continue to take them, you should be fine and no additional changes will take place.”
Jenny spoke up with a concerned look on her face. “What about the promise of long life. What does that mean Frank? Are you saying John will live to be nine hundred years old like Methuselah?” She chortled at the thought, half joking.
Frank breathed deeply before responding. “Actually Jenny, Methuselah didn’t live to be over nine hundred years old, and neither did Noah. There is no evidence of anyone, anywhere, ever living to be much older than one hundred. No physical remains have ever been unearthed that were proven to be much older than that, and there is no mention of it in any ancient text anywhere in the world, with the exception of the Bible. I would think if someone were to live that long it would have been recorded in other ancient writings.”
“Well everyone knows people lived a lot longer in the Bible days,” she responded.
“That is just a mistranslation of the Biblical texts. You see the ancient Hebrews didn’t count age in years. According to the Hebrew calendar, they often counted in cycles of the moon. Methuselah wasn’t over nine hundred years old; he was over nine hundred moon cycles old. Now, there are a little less than thirteen moon cycles in a year, so if you divide Methuselah’s age by thirteen, you get a number closer to seventy-four. Which for that time period, would have made him a very old man. At that time the average person only lived to thirty-five. Similarly with Noah, they say he was five hundred before having children. Was he really five hundred, or was he thirty-eight? Which sounds more likely?”
“Well, I’ve never heard of that before and no-one likes a no-it-all Frank, besides, what does all of that have to do with John?” asked Jenny with a slight irritation in her tone.
“I apologize Jennifer, I didn’t mean to offend you. I get so excited to discuss such things that I just babble away and don’t always consider the fact that it may be offensive.”
Jenny shrugged her shoulders. “Don’t worry about it Frank. It’s okay, I’m just worried about John.”
“I can assure you both, I didn’t do anything harmful to John,” pleaded Frank.
John looked into Frank’s eyes and held his gaze before responding. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely”
“Well, the reason I am looking for a little reassurance is because there is some information I haven’t shared with you yet. We lost all of the animals in A4 at the lab yesterday Frank, they’re all dead, and there are more problems with the other groups. Apparently they went crazy and beat themselves to death against their cages. We found out that we haven’t been giving them the serum for days now, maybe as long as a week, and it was switched with simple saline. With your story about Adam and Brent, now I know where the serum went, but it doesn’t explain what’s going on here or why the animals are dying. Adam and Brent went crazy for taking too much of the serum and we lost an entire control group of animals, it would seem, because they stopped taking it? What does it all mean Frank, how do you explain that?”
“I can’t, but that’s very interesting news. All dead after they stopped receiving it you say?” Frank asked as he rubbed his temple.
“Yes,” John replied.
“Wow,” Jenny added. It was all she could say, at a loss for words. They sat there in silence for a minute until Jenny spoke again. “What do we do? Do we call the police?”
“We’re way past calling the police. I don’t know what I would even tell them. I’m going to have to figure something out on my own. Besides, they’re not going to do anything anyway, other than put out a restraining order against Adam and Brent. Not a lot of good that will do. I think I need to leave the country. I’ll probably go visit a friend down in Mexico and get away from here for a while, let things settle down. While I’m there, I hope to finish deciphering what’s written on this thing.” Frank picked up the pyramid and turned it over in his hand, studying it carefully. It’s hard to believe huh John? All of this because of a little pyramid?” He handed it to John who stared at his own reflection in the gleaming base as it sat upside down in his hand.
“Well good luck my friend. This is all so crazy. I don’t even know what to think. I shut everything down at the lab for now. Do you want me to just leave it that way until I hear back from you?”
“Yes, that’s probably a good idea, I’ll just have to get in touch with you later once things have settled down. Leave this project on the back burner for now. Just keep working on everything else until I get back.”
“Okay, in the meantime is there anything else we can do?” asked John.
“You have done so much already, but if I could inconvenience you one more time, I will need a ride to the airport. Then you can get back to your lives and forget all about this.”
“No problem, I can give you a ride. I would be happy to help.” John moved to place the pyramid back on the table and it carelessly slipped from his hand. He tried to grab at it with his free hand, but failed, and the stone fell upside down directly onto the top of his foot. John immediately felt searing pain rip through his foot and up his leg.
“Ouch!” John bellowed. He jumped up off the chair and began hopping on one foot while trying to rub the other. “Ouch, ouch, ouch.” John repeated biting his lip. “Damn, that hurt!” John bent over and rubbed the middle of his foot just above his toes. Within a few second there was a small dark red circle of blood soaking through his sock. He felt a tear run down his nose and drip onto the floor as he continued to rub the area.
“Is it broken?” asked Frank.
“Maybe, it hurts like hell.”
“I was talking about the pyramid,” Frank clarified.
“Oh, thanks for your concern,” John said playfully, but was annoyed with the comment. The pain in his foot was throbbing now. He picked the pyramid up off the floor and managed to place it back on the table without dropping it this time. They all stared at it for a silent moment and it suddenly began to move. The top layers of cuneiform and hieroglyphs began to slowly turn in one direction while the lower layers turned in another. It reminded John of a Rubik’s cube as each of the small square markings changed their positions. They all stared in amazement as the stone continued to turn and reorganize the lettering on its four faces from top to bottom. The top of the pyramid slid upwards exposing a small chamber inside that held a miniature cylinder seal. Frank’s eyes were wide and he had a look of shock on his face. “I’ve never seen it do that before!”
South gate station
A tall figure with excellent build and dressed in black entered through an automatic doorway into a room filled with men and women seated at workstations. He had a strong jaw and a look of power about him as he moved through the room. He stood close to seven feet tall and carried the height handsomely. He briskly walked through the room and stopped at one of the nearest computer terminals. The man seated there had a surprised look when he noticed the figure standing over him.
“What do we have? Any word yet?” the figure asked the man seated at the terminal.
“Yes sir, just checked in, the operation was a success.”
“Excellent Durka, where is it now?”
“It’s arriving as we speak sir, Traedon should be here any minute.”
“Have him come to my office as soon as he arrives.”
“Yes Braedon Sir!” Durka turned back around to face his screen while Braedon walked to the side of the room and disappeared through a doorway. Within minutes another tall figure entered the room, looking almost identical to the first, and carrying something under his arm.
“He is in his private office Traedon,” Durka said before the figure could ask.
“How many times to I have to tell you, speak only when spoken to.”
Durka winced slight
ly before responding. “Yes sir, sorry sir.” Traedon ignored him and walked towards the door Braedon had exited a few moments before.
“Ever hear of knocking?” Braedon asked as Traedon entered the room.
“Sorry your highness.” Traedon’s voice was mocking, matching his irreverent expression.
“Alright forget the formal pleasantries. Besides, I think you do it more out of mockery than respect my brother.”
“How intuitive you are.”
“Enough!” thundered Braedon. He waved his hand in irritation. “I understand things went well and you have it with you?”
“Yes, the deed is done.” Traedon set the black case he was holding on the floor next to him and crossed his arms. He had a look of satisfaction on his face.
“Any casualties or was it clean?”
“Clean as possible.” Traedon grinned as he placed a small pyramid on top of his older brother’s desk.
“Good, that means there should have been none. And good to see you didn’t screw things up this time like in the U.S.. Any updates for me on that situation?”
“We’re getting …close, brother. It won’t be long now.” Traedon held his brothers gaze with a serious expression.
“Excellent, be sure that you don’t lose focus. We must have all of them for it to work. I have to arrange transportation, you can go now.”
“Wait, I have some information that might interest you.” Traedon leaned forward in his seat and raised an eyebrow. Braedon responded with a sigh of boredom before he spoke.
“I very much doubt it brother, please, I have work to attend to.”
“You would not be interested in knowing that there was a Sura there?”
Braedon looked up from his desk. He had a look of surprise and genuine interest for the first time since Traedon walked into his office. “What? Are you sure?”
“I saw it with my own eyes, a male,” Traedon explained.
“You have information to find this Sura?”
“Yes, he is currently being held by London Police, although that probably won’t last long.”
“A Sura, a half-breed, and you‘re positive?”
“Absolutely.”
Braedon picked up the small pyramid and massaged it in his hand. He shrugged his shoulders. “It’s not a problem, this has happened before. Genetic mutations can still occur and we have always taken care of it.”
“Ah, but you see this one was different, he was not born that way.”
“And how would you know that? That is impossible!”
“As I said, I saw him with my own eyes my brother. Also, he just happened to be at the auction house and was bidding on the key. That can’t just be coincidence”
“Then he must know what the key is. Things are much worse than I thought brother, you have let this get out of hand. Wasn’t the protection and guarding of the keys your responsibility?”
“There was no way for me to know where father hid every one of them! They were meant to be stewarded by the people and used for their own protection,” Traedon defended.
“It is your job to know, this is what happens when you lose focus. Remember you told me once that they had all been recovered? It doesn’t matter now Traedon, just get the Sura into custody. We must find out everything that he knows. Do it quietly and with no casualties this time,” Braedon ordered.
“Yes, Commander!” Traedon responded mockingly.
“Be careful brother, it is not my choice to be given the birthright, only my destiny. You would be wise to follow the law, and respect it. You know what can be done to remind you,” Braedon replied as his eyes flashed a cold blue.
“Yes, brother,” Traedon hung his head slightly, speaking in a more respectful tone. “Am I dismissed then?”
“Yes, you may go.” replied Braedon.
As soon as Braedon said the word ‘go’ Traedon jumped to his feet and exited the room, leaving his older brother to his own thoughts. How could anyone have deciphered the old Tongue? Braedon thought. Most of his own family didn’t even remember how to speak it, except for the Old Ones. This was not good news. Braedon was deep in thought, but could not contain his excitement. The prospect of a Sura being brought to him encouraged a wicked smile to form across his lips. Suddenly a light flashed on the corner of Braedon’s desk, tearing him from his thoughts. He tapped a small button next to his ear. “Yes, Aryn what is it?”
“I’m sorry to disturb you Commander,” came Aryn’s voice through the communication device in his ear, “but I think you’re going to want to see this.”
“I’ll be right there,” responded Braedon as he got up and walked through the doorway, almost knocking Aryn over.
“Well?” Braedon said in an irritated tone.
“We think we have a hit on the other key.”
“Are you sure? Where?”
“Put it up on the screen” Aryn said, gesturing to one of the others. He led Braedon down the small flight of stairs and in front of the large screen that was facing the room.
Braedon followed with an interested look on his face. “Can you speed it up a bit?” he asked.
“We found a few more contacts for the Palancar Dig lead we were following up on in the U.S.” There were now three state drivers license pictures on the screen. “Frank Johnson was in contact with all three of these people within the last two weeks. The one on the top left is Adam Schultz. He’s the one London police are holding. Traedon will be on site soon. We have been monitoring the other two and will move in to make contact soon.” Next to Adam’s picture was Brent’s and directly below them was a picture of John.
“Interesting, keep me informed,” Braedon said with a slight hand gesture as he turned around. He went back into his office and picked up the smooth pyramid from his desk. He walked over to the other side of his office and opened a small case sitting on a desk against the far wall. He placed the brilliant stone into its place in the soft material next to five others. The stones were identical and neatly placed in a row, except for one empty space at the end. Braedon ran the finger of his right hand along the outline of the empty space while he brushed the other six pyramids with his left.
One more, and then it can begin.
A black SUV pulled up in front of London Police Department's South Gate Station. A tall figure dressed in black hurriedly left the vehicle and effortlessly climbed the front steps two at a time. Stopping at the last rise, the figure straightened his coat and ran his hand through his hair. The short blond locks, momentarily silver-gray, as the figure passed under the glow of the blue lamps outside the station. He walked through the front doors and went directly to the Sergeant's desk. The Sergeant was on the phone and waived the man off. The figure reached into his trench coat and pulled out a badge and showed it to the Sergeant.
“I’ll be with you in a moment,” said the stocky Sergeant seated behind the counter. The figure waited impatiently as the Sergeant finished his conversation and hung up the phone.
“Now,” the man said, “what can I do for you?”
Traedon flashed his badge and ID again, handing it across the counter. “I’m Agent Witten, I’m here to take custody of one of your prisoners.” Traedon pulled a file folder from under his coat and handed it to the Sergeant.
“Here is all the paperwork, so where is he being held?”
“Well, just a minute, Mr. Witten, I have to verify your request and my Chief has to sign off on it. The wheels turn slow around here sometimes, but they do turn.” The Sergeant explained.
“Just take me to your Chief Constable's office and I can take care of things from there.”
“Very well, hang on” the Sergeant replied as he typed the information from the agents badge into his computer. “Just need to verify through our database.” Neither of them spoke for half a minute while the computer ran its’ search. “Ah, there we are, sorry about that Agent Witten, but I’m sure you’re aware of the protocols around here. We have to double check everything” explained the Sergeant. “Hey F
inn!” the Sergeant yelled. There was a long pause and the Sergeant yelled louder. “Constable!” After several minutes a young uniformed officer came around the corner from behind a glass partition. He was buttoning his pants and immediately became apologetic after seeing the Sergeants irritated expression.
“Yes sir? Sorry sir, I was just in the loo,” the young man explained.
“Take this gentleman to see the Chief.”
“Yes, Sir” He disappeared for a moment and there was a loud buzzing sound as the young police constable re-appeared from behind a side door. Traedon followed the young man through the doorway and down a hall. There was a lot of noise coming from one of the rooms ahead, and it was this room that the constable led Traedon. They walked into a brightly lit open area with cubicles and desks, neatly set in rows around the room. At the far end was a large office with glass walls and door. The constable walked up to the large office door and gestured for Traedon to stop. “Chief, this is Agent Witten” the young constable called out with trepidation..
“What now? Oh, fine, fine come in,” the Chief replied in an irritated tone, unhappy with the intrusion. The constable gestured for Traedon to enter before turning to leave. Traedon entered the office and walked directly up to the Chief's desk, staring the elderly man down.
“I’m here for one of your prisoners,” he said before the Chief could ask. “I left the custody paperwork with your desk sergeant. This is a matter of National and International Security and I need you to expedite this as quickly as you can.”
“Who are you here to pick up?” the chief asked, raising one bushy eyebrow above a pair of battleship gray eyes. The chief held Traedon's gaze while rubbing the stubble on his chin with his left hand.