by Peter Vegas
“Sam, you’re awake.”
The words had become recognizable, and when Sam turned his head, he knew the face, too.
“You took quite a blow to the head,” Jerry said. “You’ve been asleep for a few hours.”
Sam stared at the man as he gently prodded the bandage on his forehead. Questions began to form, but his mind felt sluggish and unwilling to do its job. He blinked again, half expecting the apparition beside him to vanish. As he studied the policeman’s face, he saw streaks of black face paint around his ears and neck.
“You . . . ,” he croaked, waiting for more words to come to him. “. . . you pulled me out of the river?”
Jerry nodded. “I have some questions for you, Sam.”
“You have questions?” Sam looked around the small bedroom and then out the window. All he could see was forest. “Where am I? What happened?”
Instead of replying, Jerry got up and left the room. Sam propped himself up on his elbow then noticed his bare feet protruding from the sheets. Jerry returned with a newspaper and held it out to Sam, who tried to brush it away.
“I don’t want to read the paper.”
“Look at it,” Jerry said.
He held it in front of Sam’s face. It was a copy of the Belize Times. A large black-and-white picture dominated the front page. It was a burned-out building, and Sam recognized it. Then he read the headline: “Explosion at Xibalba kills Felix Ramos and local police officer Jerry Castillo.”
Jerry folded the paper and tossed it onto a set of drawers on the other side of the room, then he sat on the bed again.
“I don’t understand,” Sam said.
“No. There’s much you don’t understand, Sam. I will tell you what I can . . . what I am allowed. Have you heard of Delta Force?”
Sam nodded. “They’re special forces.”
“That’s right,” Jerry said. “That’s the cover story, anyway. The original Delta Force was created for one very specific mission: to locate the missing Arks.”
“Hang on, what?” Sam pushed himself up on both arms. “The Arks?”
“That’s right. Have you seen the Delta Force badge?”
Sam shook his head, and Jerry pulled his wallet from his back pocket and took out a business card. “I haven’t given one of these out for over two years.
“Our logo is a pyramid with a lightning bolt inside it. It represents the secret fire and the heart of the pyramid. Anyone who knows the true story behind the Arks can see our mission there in our logo, hiding in plain sight.”
“So you aren’t a cop?”
“No.”
“But your name really is Jerry.”
“Rule number one of undercover work,” Jerry said. “Tell as few lies as possible. Makes it easier.”
“Why are you here?”
“I was sent to watch over the Ark.”
“So you know what happened to my parents?” Sam said.
“No. I told you the truth back at the police station. We weren’t aware of the Ark in the pyramid at Lamanai until after your parents . . . until after they’d gone.”
“But—”
“Listen,” Jerry said again, placing a hand on Sam’s arm. “I’m not supposed to tell you anything, but I will, because I know what you’ve been through.
“Every five thousand years, the earth’s crust becomes unstable, triggering a disaster that wipes out everything. After the destruction that the Maya called the end of the fourth cycle, the greatest minds of the time came up with a way to stabilize the planet.”
“The network of pyramids,” Sam said.
“Exactly. Pyramids, built on key energy points around the world. Powered by Arks, they create an energy field that holds the earth’s crust in place. But an Ark can also produce something else. It has been known by many names over the centuries—Mfkzt, the philosopher’s stone—perhaps the elixir of life is the most accurate description. But the Ark will only produce this magical substance if it is taken out of the pyramid. A small group decided to sacrifice the earth in return for their own immortality and the power that came with that. They stole one Ark for themselves from the Great Pyramid at Giza. But then, to prevent others attempting the same goal, they set out to track down and destroy every other Ark on the planet. In doing so, they knew they were condemning mankind to death in 2012.”
“But they lost the Ark they stole from Giza,” Sam said. “We learned that in Egypt. We also found out that more than one survived.”
“That’s right, Sam. And lucky for us. By ‘us,’ I mean mankind. A battle has gone on for thousands of years. One side is trying to find an Ark and reclaim their godlike power while the other side wants to restore the network and protect the world.”
“And Delta Force is the other side?”
Jerry nodded.
“That’s why the US dollar bill has the all-seeing eye on it, and the pyramid has thirteen steps,” Sam said.
“That’s right,” Jerry said. “Members of the US government have been involved in this hunt since the country was created. Like the Delta Force logo, the signs are there, hidden in plain sight for anyone with the knowledge. Delta was created to find the Arks and install them before 2012, and make sure the other side didn’t find any.”
“But you only need three Arks to stabilize the planet.”
“That’s the minimum. But for the longest time we couldn’t find any.”
“Delta Force is a modern version of the Keepers of the Light?” Sam asked.
Jerry smiled. “The KOL were the first, then came the Templar Knights. You know that their logo is a pyramid?”
“I thought it was a cross?”
“Take another look with fresh eyes and you’ll see it for what it really is. A bird’s-eye view of the four sides of a pyramid. Again, the secret is hiding in plain sight for those who know what to look for. Over the years, other organizations have formed with the same mission as ours, but they were always infiltrated by the other side and forced to change. Did you know the Templars came to an end on Friday the thirteenth, 1307?”
“The thirteenth?”
“The date was no coincidence. Choosing the thirteenth was the other side sending a message.”
“Who is the other side?” Sam asked.
“Powerful men and women. Descendants of the original destroyers of the pyramid network. Their organization has also had many names over the centuries. Today we know them simply as the Committee.”
“My parents believed in a network of pyramids,” Sam said. “They came to Belize to locate the Ark that was sent here in 1942.”
Jerry nodded. “I know.”
“Were you working with them? Do you know what happened to them?”
“No, Sam,” Jerry said. “I have never met your parents. Delta Force became aware of Felix Ramos after he created Xibalba. We heard the rumors of his newfound powers and his links to the pyramid at Lamanai. I was sent in undercover, as a policeman, to see what he had found. I worked out that your parents had located the Ark in Lamanai, but also that Ramos had no idea of its existence. That suited us. We were in the countdown to 2012, and his crazy antics kept other prying eyes away. I was ordered to stay on here and make sure the true secret of the chamber at Lamanai was never discovered.”
“But what about my parents?”
“Sam, your parents sacrificed themselves to protect the secret that the Ark had been installed in the Lamanai pyramid.”
“You mean they’re dead.”
“No.” Jerry shook his head, and placed a hand on Sam’s arm. “I don’t believe they are. They’re too valuable. The Committee knows your parents are their best chance of finding an Ark.”
“What do you mean?”
“2012 didn’t happen. The network was restored. But the Committee hasn’t given up their hunt for an Ark. If they find one in a pyramid, they will pull it out and sacrifice the world to own it. That’s why I was sent here. To guard it.”
“Where are the other two Arks?” Sam asked.
>
Jerry tensed, and he looked out the window, and then back at Sam. “We don’t know.”
“What do you mean?”
“The only working pyramid we have located is the one here in Lamanai. We are still searching for the other two. And trying to stop the Committee finding one of them first.”
“So the Committee is holding my parents hostage until they find an Ark. But if they do find one, that will mean the end of the world?”
Jerry got up suddenly. “This is a lot to take in. Let’s take a break. I’ll go and make you some food.”
Sam looked down at his feet sticking out from under the sheet. He shook his right leg, and the jingle of the handcuff around his ankle made Jerry stop. “I put that on for your own protection,” he said. “I’ll be back soon.”
JERRY RETURNED FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER carrying a tray with an orange juice and a plate loaded with fried eggs, bacon, and toast. The questions Sam had come up with were forgotten as he devoured the food.
“You must be wondering how I found you,” Jerry said as he watched Sam inhale his meal.
Sam nodded. It was one of the questions he would have asked if he hadn’t been so busy eating.
“We knew Xibalba was in financial trouble and that Felix was preparing to leave. I had the chamber under surveillance to make sure he didn’t accidentally stumble upon the true Ark.”
“How?” Sam asked before cramming a piece of bread into his mouth.
“I installed hidden cameras inside the chamber when I first arrived.”
“Hang on. So you knew we were in there?”
Jerry shifted uncomfortably and nodded. “I was watching. I would have come for you,” he said, “but my first priority was to keep watch over Ramos.”
“So you were there to watch Felix. Not save me.”
“I followed Felix from the chamber. I didn’t expect you to turn up. Or destroy the sub. You were lucky you had that crocodile repellent on, or it might have taken you instead.”
“You know about the repellent, too?”
“I told you, Sam, I’ve been here for five years. I know all there is to know about the Lamanai pyramid and the chamber.”
“So what else do you know about my parents?”
“Not much,” Jerry said. “Your parents sent a message to Francis Verulam telling him Lamanai was a dead end. The Committee found out and sent a team to kidnap them. I guess they decided if there was no Ark here they would put your parents to work searching for other locations. They were flown out on a private plane, but that was untraceable. There was no flight plan filed. All I managed to find out, from an airport worker, was the name of the pilot, a Captain Sadis.”
Sam had finished eating and stared at his plate.
“I shouldn’t have told you that information, Sam. My bosses wouldn’t be happy if they knew, but I figure it’s the least I can do after what you’ve been through.”
“So what happens now?” Sam asked.
“Now I do what I tried to do a couple of days ago. Put you on a plane home . . . don’t argue,” Jerry said as Sam looked up at him. “You should never have come here in the first place. I told you what I did so you can understand what’s at stake and who we are up against. I’m taking you to the airport this afternoon. What about your friend?”
“What friend?”
“Please, Sam, I saw her on the camera. The girl who is helping you. Do you want me to book her a flight out too? Can you contact her?”
“I need my phone,” Sam said.
Jerry picked up the tray and put it on the chest of drawers, then he opened the top drawer and took out Sam’s phone and the plastic bag containing his notebook. “I found some gold coins in your pocket. I put them in the bag,” Jerry said as he placed the items on the bed.
“They’re for a friend,” Sam explained.
Jerry shrugged. “Felix Ramos has no more use for them. We need to be at the airport in Belize by seven. Tell the girl to meet us there, or we can pick her up if she’s nearby. We’ll leave here at four.” Jerry picked up the tray and left the room.
The first thing Sam did was use the map on his phone to work out where he was. He was relieved to see the house was in Orange Walk. It was eleven a.m. He imagined Mary sitting in the boat shed worrying, and the thought made his fingers shake. He flicked to e-mail and entered Mary’s e-mail address.
From: Sam Force [email protected]
To: [email protected]
It’s me. I’m okay. I’m with Jerry the policeman. He has booked us flights back home. You need to meet us at the airport at seven. Tell Elio it would be nice to see him as I am making the big jump home. We are leaving Orange Walk at four.
Just as he finished typing, Jerry entered the room. He crossed to the bed and took the phone. He read the e-mail then handed it back. “Sorry,” he said, “I had to make sure you aren’t playing any games. You’ve proven that you’re pretty resourceful.”
Sam shrugged and took the phone back. “What happened to the dagger?”
“That needs to go to headquarters. You know as well as I do that it contains information that can’t fall into the wrong hands.”
“Can I at least see it?”
Jerry considered the question as he watched Sam, then he turned to the drawer and came back with the canvas bag. He placed it on the bed next to the open journal.
Sam took out the dagger. It was heavier than he’d expected. He ran his fingers over the engraving of the crocodile on the blade, the details so fine they appeared to have been made with a laser. He wrapped his hand around the hilt. The silver wire wound around it warmed under his grip, but it had been made for a larger hand and his fingers struggled to hold it.
Pointing the blade down, he admired the craftsmanship on the end. Above the grip, the hilt flattened out. Embossed on it was a large X with smaller symbols and lines around it. Sam thought back to his father’s words—X always marks the spot.
Sam ran his thumb down the blade, but as he did, he lost his grip on the hilt. The dagger dropped, and its point pierced his journal. Sam looked down in shock at the long, red slice the blade had cut into his thumb. A ribbon of blood trickled across the palm of his hand. He watched it pooling in shock as Jerry reacted. He ran to the chest and grabbed the paper towel on the breakfast tray. Sam’s hand was a glistening red mess as he picked up the dagger by the top of the hilt and handed it back.
Jerry shook his head. “Just as well I’m keeping this,” he said, dropping it back into the canvas bag.
Jerry returned to the bed as Sam closed his blood-splattered journal and wrapped the paper towel around his wound. “That was stupid,” he said sheepishly.
“You’ve had a rough few days, and you’re exhausted,” Jerry said. “Why don’t you get a bit more rest. We’re not leaving for a few hours.”
Sam nodded gratefully. He lay down and shut his eyes.
He listened to the door shut and fading footsteps in the hallway. He counted another thirty seconds in his head, then opened his journal to inspect the results of his little performance.
30
THE DROP-OFF
THEY LEFT JERRY’S HOME AT four.
The house turned out to be down a long driveway in the middle of a thick stand of brush. Within a few minutes, they were back in Orange Walk, and Sam spotted some familiar sites. They passed the motel Mary and he had briefly stayed at, and then the bus depot.
Staring at the old building, Sam found it hard to believe he had only been there two days. He reflected on what had happened. If he had known what was in store for him when he’d arrived, would he have gotten on the next bus to the airport?
That, he realized, was the opportunity Jerry was giving him now.
Before they left, Jerry had put on a wig, hat, and glasses. The story in the paper meant his cover was blown. His time in Orange Walk was up too.
“What will happen to the Ark?” Sam asked.
“Another operator will move in to watch over it.”
“
Another policeman?”
Jerry shook his head. “No, they’ll create a new cover for him. I’ve suggested a tour guide. Someone who can spend more time up in Lamanai. The Ark in this pyramid is relatively safe. When the stone lid of the sarcophagus was lowered into place, the men from sub 518 removed the iron rings that the ropes were attached to. It is virtually impossible to shift it.”
“So why the need to guard it?”
“To see if it lures members of the Committee here,” Jerry said.
They stopped at the lights. Sam knew exactly where they were. The next turn would take them onto the road that led to the bridge out of town.
Jerry looked at Sam. “My bosses have leaked word that you’re here in Orange Walk,” he said.
“Why?” Sam asked.
The lights went green, and Jerry put the car back in gear. “To see who’ll react. This is a war, remember. Our job isn’t just to keep the world safe, we have to defeat the enemy.”
“By using me as a pawn?”
Jerry nodded. “You understand now why I want to get you out of town. The Committee doesn’t believe there is an Ark in Lamanai, but your presence could bring them here. They know you’ll be looking for your parents, and that could interfere with their plans.”
The traffic was bumper-to-bumper across the bridge. Horns blared as tempers frayed in the afternoon heat.
“Can I roll down the window?” Sam asked as he fumbled for the handle.
“Careful!” Jerry called out as Sam pulled the lever that opened the door instead. The warning came too late. The door swung open, and Sam toppled out onto the black tarmac. The car lurched to a stop and Jerry called out something else, but Sam didn’t hear him.
The roadway had been baking in the afternoon sun; it was warm and soft. Sam felt his fingers sink into it as he sprang up. He had been going over the move since the moment he got into the car. Pretend to roll down the window, accidentally open the door, and fall onto the road. He’d been praying that the traffic would be slow on the bridge. That, like his exit move, had gone to plan.
Jerry yelled again, an angry one-word bark as Sam sprinted away from the car.