“That is correct, sir,” Tonwen replied.
“So you’re telling me these people have blown through the agricultural age in a matter of months, and skipped the trading age all together? Something’s not right here. I think this is the first piece of evidence the Alpha are involved here. The pace of this community’s development and their proximity to the Alpha crash site is no coincidence.”
“I haven’t seen anything to suggest your assumption is correct,” Tomal protested.
“See if you can get a look at the overall construction plan for this pyramid and figure out where the plans came from,” Hastelloy ordered. “And while you’re at it, see what goes on at the construction site while all the workers take their mid day break. I don’t think it’s just so the workers can avoid hard labor during the hottest part of the day.”
“I’ll do my best,” Tomal responded.
“No,” Hastelloy barked. Tomal’s lackadaisical attitude needed to be set straight. “Losers always talk about doing their best. Officers of the fifth fleet get the job done, no matter what it takes. Now are you an officer or not?”
The resentment in Tomal’s eyes came and went in a flash, but it was there. “I will get the job done, sir, whatever it takes.”
Chapter 21: Poison Darts
Professor Russell froze mid stride when they reached the top of the ramp underneath the Sphinx. A massive metal door reminiscent of a stout bank vault stood in front of them. The door was locked tight and was illuminated by a workstation along the far wall. A closer look at the workstation revealed a palm reader, a voice analyzer, and a retinal scanner.
Professor Russell nudged Alex in the side and teased. “Well what are you waiting for? Get out your tension wrench and nail file and start cracking it open.”
Alex couldn’t contain a laugh. “I think this might be a little out of my league. What the hell is this anyway? The only entity on the planet possessing the kind of technology and resources needed to build something like this is a government. Not just any government, mind you, but an extremely wealthy super power like the United States, Russia or China.”
She took off her backpack and proceeded to walk cautiously towards the workstation. “Let me take a closer look at the equipment and see if I can find a way to open the door.”
“Careful,” Dr. Andre cautioned. “Any booby traps in this place will not be some simple spears coming out of the floor, or poison darts shooting from the walls.”
“You watch too many movies, doctor,” Alex responded with a wink and then took a few steps forward.
When Alex got within five feet of the workstation Professor Russell heard the high-pitched whine of machinery powering up from above. He looked up just in time to see a small antenna mounted on the ceiling point directly at Alex and fire a bright blue beam that enveloped her body.
“No!” the professor shouted as he instinctively took two steps into the room on his way to help.
Professor Russell’s blood turned ice cold as he watched the antenna shift its aim toward him. He screeched to a halt and performed his best impersonation of a statue by not moving a muscle; he even held his breath.
Minutes passed in absolute silence as Professor Russell tried to evaluate the situation. The first priority was the air in his lungs. He didn’t take a very deep breath so his chest was screaming for more air. The professor fought the urge with every ounce of willpower he could summon. He was convinced even the slightest movement of his chest expanding would draw the weapon’s fire. The situation was life or death; he had to hold it.
Finally the body’s survival instinct took over and his lungs involuntarily drew in oxygen and rapidly expanded. The stale air delivered welcome relief to the fire in his chest, but relief came at a high price. The extra movement was enough for the antenna to refine its aim and shoot its electric blue beam.
The professor slammed his eyes shut and tried to raise his hands in front of his face. To the professor’s great surprise, the world did not end when the blue light hit. In fact, he couldn’t feel anything at all.
Slowly he opened his eyes. Apparently his hands didn’t have time to reach his face as he could just barely see the fingertips in his periphery. Alex was about five feet directly ahead with her back to him. The energy beam from the antenna caused a soft blue glow to emanate around her skin. The professor focused his eyes back on his own fingers and noticed the same ghostly blue shimmer.
Brian became a little self conscious about how ridiculous holding his hands in front of his face must look, so his brain sent a signal to the appropriate muscle group to lower them. Somewhere along the neural path that request got lost. His hands and arms remained in place. An attempt to move his legs also met the same result. The blue beam was immobilizing most of his body.
Professor Russell paid attention to his breathing for a moment and was relieved his diaphragm still functioned normally. He tried speaking but was frustrated to discover his lips would not move. His tongue was still mobile and that combined with air passing over his vocal cords would have to do. He tried to talk as best he could but the results sounded like a dental patient trying to speak during a root canal procedure.
“A . . . Alex,” the professor slurred. “Are you okay?”
“Sort of,” she mumbled back. “I can’t move anything except my eyes.”
“At least you can breathe and keep your eyes watered,” Dr. Andre whispered from half way down the entrance ramp to the room. “I am slowly backing down the ramp. I do not want to talk too loud in case that weapon is also sensitive to sound.”
“Can you safely reach my backpack?” Alex asked. “There’s a radio in there you can use to reach Frank.”
“I am afraid your pack is at the top of the ramp and in that weapon’s line of fire,” Dr. Andre responded in a trembling voice. “Besides, I think we are well past simply reaching out to your potty mouthed helicopter pilot for assistance. It is time to bring in the proper authorities.”
“No. Please,” the professor strained. “This discovery is my life’s work. Everything I have has gone into this. Please don’t rip it away from me when I’m this close.”
“You are close all right,” Dr Andre said. “You are five feet away in fact, but you are now paralyzed and can get no closer. It is over.”
“I refuse to accept that,” the professor protested. “If Frank is not able to help then I agree we need to involve the authorities, but please give me this last chance. I am begging you as a professional colleague and as a friend.”
“A true friend would give you the best help available,” Dr. Andre said. “What good is Frank going to do anyway? The man is an imbecile.”
“Maybe, but he is useful. Trust me now. I have a plan,” Professor Russell assured the doctor. “Go back to base camp. Have Frank bring his rifle. On your way back here stop by a shopping center and pick up four mirrors that are at least five foot by three foot in size. Make sure to bring enough rope to lower and raise the mirrors in the shafts.”
“I am now at the ladder and on my way down,” Dr. Andre said. “Be safe my friends. I will contemplate your request to only involve Frank on my way back to the command tent. Do not get your hopes up though; I will most likely return with the police, fire department, army, Jaws of Life, and whatever else I can think of that might help.”
Brian listened to the sound of Dr. Andre climbing down the ladder drift away into silence. He made his case passionately to the director. In truth, part of him wanted to see a vast rescue team coming to his aid. However, a bigger part needed to see this expedition through to the end. All there was left to do now was wait for Dr. Andre’s return and see who he brought in tow.
“So Alex,” the professor said as best he could. “We don’t have any beers in front of us but would you mind telling me the story about you breaking into the university server room?”
Chapter 22: The Alpha Plan
“Tomal has ordered us to join him for dinner tonight,” Valnor reported to his Captain.
“Ordered?” Gallono repeated.
“Basically, yes. Apparently he has some profound news to share.”
“Well it’s about time,” Gallono said with a huff. “For three weeks now he’s been with the overseers. So far he’s gotten nothing useful from them except lavish foods and gifts to make him feel important. Who the hell is he to order us to go anywhere, we’re his commanding officers.”
“He is getting a little big for his britches isn’t he?” Hastelloy said with frustration. “If he discovered something about the monument plans, or the Alpha, then it will all be worth it though.”
Hastelloy stood up from his cross-legged sitting position and proceeded to stretch his aching muscles. “At least that’s what I keep telling myself anyway,” he said offhandedly as he walked toward the overseer side of camp.
The guard outside Tomal’s tent announced the group’s arrival as they entered Tomal’s opulent abode. Hastelloy silently took in the room.
The front third boasted an impressive receiving area complete with a large area rug and four floor lamps set ablaze. The middle third of the room consisted of a large table set less than two feet off the ground surrounded by overstuffed pillows. The back portion of the tent contained an enormous pile of pillows and animal skin blankets. He stopped counting, but he was fairly certain several new pillows were added to the sleeping area since he was there last. Hastelloy took particular notice of a scantly clothed female occupying Tomal’s bed.
Tomal turned to greet his guests. “I have great news! I finally got to meet Neferhotep yesterday. He is moving Nofru to lead the stone placement and inspection detail. As a result, I was promoted to overseer of stone transportation. You four will work for me now.”
“Well yay for you. You met the king and he gave you a pretty title,” Gallono grumbled. “If that’s all, I’ll return to my bedroll now.”
“Of course that’s not all,” Tomal barked back. “By the way, the title Neferhotep bestowed upon himself is Pharaoh.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Hastelloy said with a chuckle.
“Hmm, I see he gave himself a pretty title too,” Gallono mocked.
“Enough,” Hastelloy snapped. “What else have you learned, and why is this woman here listening to us speak?”
“Ah, Mosa was a gift to me from Pharaoh. She has many, many talents,” Tomal boasted with his face positively aglow like a child who’d just been handed his favorite candy to eat.
Gallono did an about face and started pacing toward the exit. “I’m out of here.” He glanced back over his shoulder at Tomal with disdain. “Seriously?”
“Stop him,” Tomal commanded in the sigma species language. With those two simple words uttered, the guard stepped into the tent with his sword drawn and put a halt to Gallono’s progress. “Sit down, all of you. Among Mosa’s talents, she is a rather gifted poet. I thought one piece in particular might interest you.”
Turning his attention to the woman on the bed, “Please join us, and bring that special tablet you showed me earlier.” Tomal spoke in the Sigma language once more.
Gallono shot Hastelloy a look that was begging to let him dismantle the armed guard and use the blade on Tomal. The captain shook his head slightly and gestured for the commander to take a seat among the fluffy pillows around the dining table. Seeing the need for his presence now passed, the guard returned to his post outside the tent.
Mosa gently grabbed a clay tablet from the corner and glided over to the dining area. She handed Tomal the mysterious writing and then floated down to take her seat by his side.
Had Hastelloy been attracted to Sigma women he’d have found her irresistible. Her long black hair and athletic figure were striking, but the grace with which she moved was simply mesmerizing. To top it all off, her every action expressed a willingness to do whatever was asked of her. Behind that submissive façade was a look in her eyes that displayed an unmistakable intelligence. Hastelloy could tell she played the quiet fool, while observing and retaining everything. She would bear watching in the future.
Hastelloy’s attention was snapped back to the room when Tomal slid the tablet into the middle of the table for all his crewmates to see. Hastelloy quickly realized the Sigma used a picture based written language. His first instinct was to dismiss this as Tomal showing off his ability to read the language.
He saw nothing remarkable on the tablet until his eyes moved to the middle of the slate. One particular hieroglyph leapt off the clay tablet when comprehension set in. The picture showed a being with the body of a man and the head of a jackal.
Observing that Hastelloy now understood the importance of what he saw, Tomal spoke up. “That is a depiction of their god, the one for whom we’re building the pyramid. They call him Anubis; look familiar?”
“The Alpha,” Hastelloy said slowly. “These people worship the Alpha. That explains their use of the word Pharaoh then; someone has a sense of humor among their crew.”
“Indeed,” Tomal said while bringing the groups attention back to the tablet. You understand that part. Now let me read the rest of the poem to you.”
Streaks of fire crossed the bright blue sky.
Thunder struck from way up high.
We looked about, there were no clouds
But gathering to watch the show were crowds
With rattling force an object landed near
Most ran off, they ran with fear
One brave soul, he chose to stay
He approached the object in a careful way
Out stepped Anubis, a great god from above
He did not come to punish; no, he came bearing gifts of love
The gifts were food, and ways to grow it
For the people of Egypt, this was a perfect fit
In return for these gifts, the gods did ask
For the brave soul to complete a difficult task
Build for me a great pyramid of stone
Then the path to heaven for you shall be shown
No one in the room spoke for several minutes. The impact Mosa’s poem made on the crew was profound. Finally, Tonwen broke the silence. “This is a complete disaster. They have irreversibly altered this planet’s development.”
“It could’ve been worse,” Hastelloy pondered. “The Alpha could have opened the hatch, made themselves gods, and then handed out wave blasters to their followers to have an army waiting for us. They’re showing some restraint when it comes to interfering with this civilization. They’re disrupting things just enough to accomplish what they need. The next question we need answered is why they need a giant pyramid built? What does it accomplish for them?”
Hastelloy stopped speaking as his eyes met those of Mosa. She may not have comprehended the words his crew spoke, but her eyes showed she knew this wasn’t a simple poetry reading session. “Your lady friend should leave now.”
Tomal seemed to agree as he promptly whispered something to the young woman. Without a word, she rose to her feet and gracefully floated out the front door of the tent.
Once she was gone, Hastelloy spoke again. “Tomal, do you have any notion how this pyramid will be useful to the Alpha? That question goes for all of you? I don’t care how crazy or outlandish the thought, I want to hear it so we all can debate the merits.”
Gallono opened the discussion with his take on the situation. “Could the pyramid be used somehow as an amplifier so they could send a transmission to their people, asking for a ride home?”
Tomal shot down the idea by pointing out a power source would be needed to send a transmission, particularly one able to cross thousands of light years.
Tonwen spoke up next. “Could the Alpha be setting themselves up as rulers of this planet? They could accelerate the technological development and eventually reach the point where they could fix their ship, or send a message. Maybe the pyramid does not do anything for them except solidify their place as gods in this culture.”
Again, Tomal had a rebuttal that dismissed th
e notion. “That’s a good thought, but the pyramid is being built to extremely precise calculations.”
Hastelloy felt himself suddenly grow enraged. “Tomal, have you seen the official plans for the pyramid and not told me about it?”
Tomal sat with a smug look on his face for a moment. “I guess I did get a little ahead of myself in this discussion and failed to mention that. Yes, Nofru is now in charge of inspecting the stone placements, and he needed my help. He showed me the plans yesterday.”
“Before you enlighten us about that, are there any other little nuggets of intel you think might be useful for us to know?” Gallono asked, with his frustration pot about to boil over. “Like you managed to twist two wires together and send a message home, and we are being picked up tomorrow. Something like that?”
“Nope,” Tomal responded, clearly enjoying the power and control he had over the moment. “As I said, the plans for the pyramid are extremely precise. I won’t bore you with all the math, calculations, and astronomical observations so here are the highlights. Each side is exactly lined up with the cardinal points of the compass. All four sides are 365.24 cubits long which is the exact number of days it takes this planet to orbit the sun. The length of the four sides is an exact scale correlation to this planet’s circumference, and the 35th level of blocks, which we are building right now, correlates to the exact distance of this planet to the sun.”
“To me, those relationships imply this pyramid will be used somehow in conjunction with the sun and the earth’s orbit,” Tonwen added.
“That is exactly my thinking as well. I also have another hunch that I need your navigation unit to prove, Captain, may I have it?” Tomal asked.
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