by S. L. Menear
“I’m glad you and Bill are such badass pilots. Good work. You’ll get a much longer rest break at Camp Baledogle.” I waved and left the cockpit.
Back at my seat, I pulled the canister out of my backpack and used my new ring to open it.
Mike leaned in. “Close call with those cops. What’s in there?”
I held it open. “A thick scroll and some vials.”
“Start reading and let us know if you discover anything important.” Mike sat back and reclined his seat. The rest of the team followed his lead.
I pulled out the scroll and unrolled it. The text was in Atlantean—no surprise. I was fortunate the triplets had transferred all their knowledge of Atlantis—its language, history, and technology—to me via their advanced form of telepathy. In an instant they had saved me years of studying the scrolls I’d recovered from Atlantis’s Hall of Records.
I slowly read the ancient scroll. The information shocked me. I read it again, thinking it could turn the world of anthropology upside down. Then I stared at the vials and wondered if I should tell anyone about this or just destroy everything and avoid the uproar it would cause. My mind raced as I rolled up the scroll and secured it inside its container.
Banger sat beside me. “Anything interesting in there?”
“Oh, yeah, but the scientific world won’t like it.”
“All right, my queen, let’s have it.” Banger sat back and looked into my eyes.
“For starters, Darwin’s theory will be toast if this gets out. At least the part about human evolution.” The evidence rested on my lap.
Banger sat up. “No kidding? What’s on the scroll?”
“Atlanteans claim their civilization has been here for two hundred thousand years. They experimented with various types of apes to produce smarter, more capable animals with the end goal being domestication and servitude.”
“Are you saying Africans descended from apes?” Banger arched a brow. “I thought that was what Darwin said.”
“According to this, Darwin was wrong. Apes evolved from the many DNA experiments done on them by Atlanteans over millennia. The apes’ DNA is very similar to ours because the Atlanteans injected their DNA into ape embryos.” I glanced at the ancient container. “This refutes the theory that we evolved from apes. Neanderthals were examples of failed experiments, as were many others.”
“Right, because if we evolved from apes, why are there still apes?”
I nodded. “My thoughts exactly.”
Banger looked at me. “What are you going to do with the scroll and vials?”
“Well, the thing is, the DNA in the vials is Atlantean, which means if scientists get their hands on it, they might clone some new Atlanteans, and that might not be a good thing.” I sighed.
“Besides the obvious moral issues, what concerns you?” Banger searched my eyes.
“Even though Atlanteans were super intelligent, they were also warmongers bent on world domination.” I tapped the canister. “All they cared about were things that benefitted their people. Don’t forget they planned to drown millions of people to regain control of the world.”
“What about you? You’re an Atlantean descendant, and you’re not like that.”
“I’m a descendant of a separate race worshipped by them because of our rare electromagnetic energy frequency and our telepathic and psychic abilities.”
“Are you worried that breeding a new race of Atlanteans could end up destroying the world as we know it?”
“It’s possible, not to mention the giant can of worms this scroll will open in the science of anthropology.”
“What do you think Professor Armitage would do about this?” Banger nudged me. “Maybe you should discuss it with him.”
“Ben will be blown away by this.” I pulled out my satellite phone. “And he has colleagues in the Anthropology Department at Harvard. I’ll ask his advice.”
Ben answered on the first ring. “Sam, glad you called. Harvard is buzzing about the Great Pyramid. Live video is playing on all the news networks. Did you do that?”
I gave him a brief recap about the engineering room under the Sphinx’s left paw and what we’d done to fire up the power plant. “We had to leave in a hurry to avoid getting fried, and we didn’t find the Blue Dragon.”
“That’s too bad,” Ben said. “Did you find anything interesting?”
“That’s why I’m calling.” I gave him a description of what we found in the cave near Hadar. “I know scientists don’t like having their life’s work disproved. Do you think we should destroy the scroll and vials and forget we ever found them?”
“Never. You have something that might change history and anthropology as we know it. It’s too important to be discarded.” Ben paused. “Your little adventure in the Great Pyramid has already proven the Egyptians didn’t build it. Not to mention everything we’re learning from the Atlantean archives you recovered. It’s high time the scientific community realizes just how profoundly Atlantis influenced the entire world for many thousands of years.”
“It’s just that I’m worried about what might be done with the DNA in the vials.”
“Look, Sam, I understand you experienced the Atlanteans at their worst, but a lot of good might come from studying their DNA—medical cures, advances to the human race—the possibilities are endless.” His tone radiated excitement.
“I don’t know, Ben. I want to do the right thing. I guess I’ll hand it over to our government and let them worry about what to do with it. They’ll probably ask you for advice.”
“I hope I can convince them to give a copy of the scroll and a vial or two to Harvard for further study.” He paused. “What about the Blue Dragon? Where will you go next?”
“The Cradle of Humankind in Ethiopia had no clues to its location. Could be the same at the other site in South Africa. Any suggestions on where the Lost Sahara Civilization might be?”
Ben paused a few beats. “Try looking for a powerful intersection of ley lines in Tassili n’Ajjer.”
“Tassili n’Ajjer? Where’s that?” I pulled out my map of Africa.
“It’s a huge national park and UNESCO World Heritage site in the southeast section of Algeria, near where it borders Libya, Niger, and Mali in the Sahara—looks like a weird lunar landscape. The area covers twenty-eight thousand square miles of rock forests made from eroded sandstone. That’s why you need to find intersecting ley lines to narrow down your search grid.”
“And what exactly am I looking for?” I asked, exasperated.
“An ancient civilization hidden somewhere under the Sahara Desert.”
“But how can you be certain it’s there? I can’t afford to waste time with lives at stake.”
“Fossils, cave paintings—some dating back twelve-thousand years, and ancient pottery have been found in a huge area covering all the way from Timbuktu in the west to Chad in the east. They prove that people lived in a lush tropical climate thousands of years ago. Satellite imagery shows a megalake once covered forty-two thousand square miles of the Sahara.”
What Ben said didn’t make sense. I asked, “Why did it become a huge desert?”
“The Earth’s axis changed its tilt by two degrees, triggering a climate shift that turned the area into an arid wasteland. That ancient civilization existed, Sam. Find a way down to it, maybe inside one of those strange rock towers. The Blue Dragon might be hidden near one of the cities in a primordial lake or in a cave that connects to the lake. Look for an intersection of ley lines.”
“Oh, good, sounds easy,” I said, my frustration building.
“Sorry, but if it were easy, anyone could find the Blue Dragon, including Sweetwater.”
“You’re right, Ben, and I appreciate your help. It’s just that I’m worried it’ll take too long to find it. There are only five days left after today, and then Ross and Derek will be killed.”
“I’ll research other possible sites while you’re busy searching.” Ben paused. “If you don’t find i
t there, I’ll have another location teed up for you.”
“Thanks, Ben. I’ll call as soon as we finish in Algeria, but first we’ll need to get some sleep.”
“Understood. Good luck, Sam. I hope you find it tomorrow.”
An hour later, we landed at Camp Baledogle.
Mike tapped my shoulder. “Sam, you and I will meet first with Commander Metz and General Ryan while our team sleeps.” Mike held the gold cylinder with the riddle inside from Thonis-Heracleion. He’d retrieved it from the wall in the airplane’s lavatory. “We’ll hand over this and the metal canister you found near Hadar, answer their questions, and then grab some sleep.”
I nodded, yawning. “By the way, I discussed it with Ben, and our next stop is a weird section of Algeria known as Tassili n’Ajjer. Should be a lot more interesting than that cave in Hadar.”
“Knowing you, it’ll probably turn out to be the only place on Earth with living dinosaurs.”
I grinned. “Good, then we can hitch a ride on a pterodactyl. I’ve always wanted to fly one.” My tone matched his. I was getting the hang of SEAL banter.
Tassili n’Ajjer
It was day three in our one-week quest to find the Blue Dragon before Sweetwater’s ultimatum expired. We passed a small area where, according to the sign, the live cypress trees were four thousand years old but were no longer able to reproduce. I studied the GPS as Bryce drove our military Humvee through an endless forest of strange stone towers bathed in bright sunlight.
Nature had eroded the sandstone into a sea of unusual shapes rising from the plateau’s harsh wasteland. The reddish-brown-and-black landscape looked otherworldly and slightly distorted by rising heat waves. Our destination was a spot where multiple ley lines intersected.
“It looks like we’re exploring another planet.” I tapped Bryce’s shoulder. “Just a little farther. It’s probably near that tall formation that looks a little like a T-Rex.”
Lisa fanned herself and sprinkled her neck with a few tiny splashes from her water bottle. “I hope we find a way in so we can escape this desert heat.”
Lance leaned over and glanced at the GPS strapped to my left arm. “You’re right. It can’t be more than a hundred yards ahead.”
“May as well park in the shade of that dinosaur rock.” Mike looked back at me. “And if you find a secret passage, we’re all going wherever you go, Sam.”
Banger grinned. “Jealous about missing a chance to almost get fried in the pyramid?”
“Maybe if we stick together, like we did in the cave near Hadar, you and Sam will make better decisions, and nobody will almost get fried.” When the Humvee stopped, Mike jumped out onto the hard-packed sand and pulled on his backpack.
Lance grabbed his gear and stood by Mike. “If you actually believe you can control the danger factor, you haven’t spent enough time with your sister.”
Lisa nudged Bryce. “How did we get roped into this weird mission?”
“What? You aren’t enjoying our adventure with the crazy Americans?” Bryce smiled as he tightened the straps on his backpack.
Lisa sighed. “It’s just that whenever I’m with Sam I feel like everything is out of my control, and I’m just along for the ride.”
Banger laughed. “That’s exactly what a mission with Sam is like.”
I looked up at the massive sandstone tower rising almost three hundred feet into the bright sunshine. “Stop your whining and help me find a trident or some other symbol carved into that rock formation.” I walked around the Hummer and ran my hands over the T-Rex shape from the ground up to as high as I could reach, starting at the rear of the imaginary beast. As usual, I had my medallion key hanging from my neck, the sphere in my belly bag, the Eye in its pouch tied to my belt loop, the healing bracelet on my right wrist, the pyramid ring on my right hand, and my backpack strapped to my back. Lucky me, a Sherpa for ancient artifacts.
“Anything?” Mike gazed up at the top as an eagle soared on the rising thermal air currents.
“Maybe.” I looked around for Banger, who was right behind me.
He grinned. “Need a lift?”
“It’s like you can read my mind.”
“That’s a scary prospect.”
I poked Mike. “Better sling your climbing rope over my shoulder before Banger hoists me up.”
Once I had the rope ready, Banger lifted me by my ankles. I ran my hands over the sandstone, feeling for electromagnetic energy.
“Move three feet to your right,” I yelled down to Banger.
He did as I instructed, and my hands found the energy spike.
“Here.” I pulled a scraper from my pocket and removed an inch of sandstone, revealing a gold hatch about half a foot in diameter. A notch in the center appeared to have the same dimensions as the pyramid-shaped diamond in my ring. The gem had opened the canister. Maybe it would work here too.
I turned my hand and shoved the jewel into the slot. The hatch shook for a moment, and then it popped open. Inside the shadowy interior, I spotted a gold lever shaped like a trident. Based on past experiences, I wasn’t worried about pulling the lever. My concern was for what might be lurking inside the dark space.
Just as I reached for the control, a black lizard leaped out at me. I jerked my head to the side so it wouldn’t land on my face, but the sudden move made me lose my balance. I fell backward.
A second or two later, Banger caught me. Again.
“Woman, you’re lucky I’m so good at catching you.” He set me down. “What happened this time?”
“A lizard made me lose my balance. Sorry.” I stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Thanks for another great save.”
“Ready to try again?” He crouched down and grabbed my ankles.
“Up, please.”
When I was once again in front of the open hatch, I pulled the lever toward me, and tumbling rock chips from above made me shield my eyes and glance up. The towering formation vibrated, and sand dropped on my head. An eagle soared over the rock tower as an opening in the solid stone appeared twenty feet above me.
“Now what?” Mike cupped his hands over his eyes and looked up at me. “You can’t reach the door from there.”
“I have an idea.” I held one hand against my belly bag and spoke instructions in Atlantean.
The sphere lifted me up as I grasped the bag with both hands to remain upright and yelled, “Let go, Banger.”
My little friend lifted me straight up to the open door, and I stepped onto the landing. Now I knew it could carry me through the air without a paraglider.
“I’ll look around for a place to fasten the rope.” I shined my flashlight inside and spotted a strange black statue rising out of the interior. It had been carved deep into the solid interior wall, so I knew it wouldn’t move. I couldn’t reach it without stepping away from the door. Since I didn’t see a way to open the door from the inside, I fashioned a loop and used it like a lasso.
I tossed the loop and missed.
“Dammit.” My cowboy skills were lacking.
Banger looked up at me. “What the hell, Sam? I thought you grew up in Texas.”
“I did, but I’m better at riding than roping.” I flung the loop again, and it landed just short of the target.
Why does everything have to be so darn difficult?
It took five tries, but I finally got the loop over the statue. Once the rope was secure, I dropped the end down to my team.
“Okay, you can climb up now. I have to wait in the doorway so the door won’t close.”
Mike said, “I’ll go first and check the rope.”
Lance and Bryce followed him. They were able to squeeze past me, but I knew Banger wouldn’t fit with me in the way.
He stroked Lisa’s skinny arm with his massive hand and glanced up at me. “Does that rope still look secure?”
“So far, it’s not frayed, and it’s looped around a statue that’s part of this rock. Can Lisa make it up here?”
Banger turned to her. �
�She’s coming up with me.”
I watched while she climbed onto his back, and then he pulled himself up the rope like she was weightless.
I turned to Lance. “Hold my hand while I pull Lisa in.” I grasped his hand and then took hold of Lisa’s.
She stepped onto Banger’s shoulders, and I drew her through the door.
“Banger, we’ll do a modified version of what we did at the Sphinx so you can get in. Just don’t step on my fingers this time.” I eased down his back, keeping my head inside the door. “Move up slowly, while I lower myself behind you.”
“Okay, steady as she goes.” He inched up the rope.
As his body made it farther through the opening, I kept backing down so that just my head was inside. Once his upper legs cleared the door, I was able to grasp the rope and hold on. Hanging over the side with just my head and hands in the doorway, I waited until his feet cleared the door.
We must’ve been too close to a nest, because the golden eagle I’d spotted earlier swooped down and gouged my head with its powerful talons. Dizzy with pain, I lost my grip on the rope. As I fell backward, the stone door slammed shut with a loud thud, and the severed rope slapped against my bleeding head.
Nineteen
Realizing I had seconds to live, I commanded in Atlantean, “Stop my fall,” as I wrapped the rope around me. The sphere’s anti-gravity mechanism engaged and arrested my descent a foot or two before I would’ve smashed into the ground on my back. I reached down and touched the dirt, my heart thumping harder than a drum solo.
The eagle dived at me again.
My breath came in short spurts. There wasn’t time to form a telepathic connection with the menacing bird. I commanded, “Fire the laser close enough to scare away the eagle without hurting it.”
The laser ploy worked, but it burned a small hole in my belly bag, which still held the device and me securely.
“Lift me to the hatch,” I commanded as I hunched over the belly bag, clutching it with both hands.
Blood ran down my face as I hovered in front of the gold cover. I shoved my ring’s jewel into the slot, opened the hatch, and pulled the door control. Then my new friend pulled me up to the open door, and Banger yanked me inside.