by Alan, Mark
"Do you like the Russian Quaalude? I find it a relaxing after dinner drink. It's like a dessert. Some enjoy it shaken, but I prefer the layers purely for presentation".
"Why am I here?" Aven burst out impatiently. "Your knowledge of the symbol brought me a quarter of the way back around the globe and in the opposite direction of our greatest threat and yet you are more concerned with playing host than providing me any real information!"
"You are here, because I want you here!" Aven had obviously struck a chord. Raising the shot glass, "Drink up. Na zdorovie".
"Russians don't actually toast that way..." Aven threw back the drink, hoping the emotional display meant the Colonel was ready to divulge some real intel. The room started to spin.
"You are here, because we want you here, away from Kavani".
Aven could feel his mind starting to cloud over. "Kava doesn't need my protection". He lounged for his enemy, but the Colonel simply lifted his hand and froze Aven motionless. "You have powers".
"Yes! Great power Antipater". Leaning in, with almost a whisper, "Kavani may need protection if the danger is assumed to be a friend".
Aven passed out and crumbled to the floor.
Even nearing unconsciousness, Aven fixated on Kavani. This positive energy found him in a dreamlike state. Hundreds of images passed. He pictured her beach combing in an ivory slip, one strap off the shoulder trying to balance on a rock as the tide rolls in... We should kiss, written in the sand. He remembered coming home late, finding her studying. Reading a book in nothing but one of his shiny black button ups... Sleeves cuffed, knees up, legs crossed at the heels, feet resting on the seat of a classic ladder back chair. She was amazing, even doing the simple things of life.
Over the centuries, Aven had built up his immunity to poison. He finally forced out, "What about your grandfather's journal, predicting the coming terror?"
"Impressive, most men would have been out for days. It's only been a few hours". Aven couldn't believe his ears. The Colonel stood from his chair and cowered over his prey. "My grandfather feared what he did not understand. It is a battle against humanity, but some of us are Gods".
"Don't get too confident. Pride comes before the fall. There is always a reckoning".
Almost laughing, Suttikul chided, "Your reputation is more daunting than the real experience".
"Kill me, I can't stand to listen to your ego."
"You can't stand at all. It is a greater punishment for you to live without your beloved Kavani." The Colonel exited down the long haul, leaving Aven in a cloudy heap to wallow in grief.
****
Hoyt and Kava were just back on board the ship, tucked away from detection, awaiting Sihamuni's imminent arrival.
"Point me to communications". Kava was excited to link up and phone Aven.
"I'll escort you. I should check in as well". Hoyt was racking his brain to think of an excuse to persuade Kava from connecting with Aven. He had not expected her to return, but his accident had changed the course of events. His recollection of the summit was still a bit hazy. He bumped into the corridor wall.
"Easy Big Guy", still playing the friend role. She suggested he get some attention.
"Good idea". Seizing the opportunity, "Maybe you can escort me".
Not sure she had adequately swayed his perception of the island exploration, Kava agreed.
"What happened to you?", came the medic's response as they entered the sick bay.
"This one can't put one foot in front of the other. Almost lost him," Kava jokingly reported.
"Welcome to the binnacle list. Besides cleaning up those cuts, I'll need to run some head scans". The medic recited after hearing more of Kava's details and anecdotes.
"Where is communications?" Kava asked the medic.
"At the other end of the ship", came the answer. Kava excused herself.
The medic left the room to get a few more supplies. Hoyt had already surveyed the area and was pleased to see an additional transmitter for the ship's one way internal communication system. He activated the 1MC and input the signal for a fire drill. The bridge, quarterdeck and central station assumed one of the others transmitted the signal and all began to follow the protocol for firefighting, stopping Kava from reaching the communication hub.
Kava knew she was not ready to tell Aven the truth about Hoyt. She knew Hoyt would better serve in his altered capacity and Aven would likely not be able to control his emotions knowing he was assigned to kill her. She still wanted to see what he had learned back in Thailand and confirm that he also was indeed alright. Kava missed Aven. She was ushered out onto the deck as part of the drill. Being on a ship, reminded her of his dream to be a taxi boat driver on the Grand Canal in Venice.
"Maybe in our retirement." she giggled. It was refreshing to have a moment of joy thinking about their future. The air was cold, but Kava was warmed by her thoughts.
****
Aven wouldn't believe Kavani was dead. The thought that she was even in danger fueled his rage. The drug still in his system, mustering his strength, he pursued the Colonel. Knowing Suttikul's powers were beyond him, especially in his given state, Aven carefully rounded each corner keeping a safe distance between him and his prey.
"I have to warn Kava!" was exploding in his head. By calling him away, they saw her in a weak position, "I don't think she is ever vulnerable", he thought as he pulled his cell, dialed and received an out of area response from her phone.
Colonel Suttikul continued down an almost empty hall, unlocked one of a handful of doors, stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. Aven approached and listened from outside. He could hear the Colonel, but he was speaking in Russian.
"What is the status of Tridas?" Suttikul asked.
"We are ready”. The response was muffled, like it was coming over a speaker phone. "But final confirmation has yet to be received that the target has been painted".
"Confirm all obstacles are removed?" Suttikul persisted.
"Negative", came back the response. "The two are likely connected."
Aven's phone started to ring. The Colonel jumped from his chair and approached the door. Silencing his phone while immediately checking the handle of the flanking door, Aven slipped into the room and locked the door behind him. Suttikul stepped into the hall, noticed a man few paces away on his phone and returned inside.
"Our threat is thousands of miles away, but one can never be too careful", Suttikul thought to himself. "Keep me posted on both accounts", he demanded in the direction of the speaker phone.
Aven answered his phone, "Kava?"
"You wish Lover Boy. It's Hoyt. A fire drill sounded, Kava and I were separated, but she should be making her way down here to communications anytime. Just wanted to check in. Frankly, I'm surprised you answered".
"Really?"
"I just thought negotiations, or whatever it is you are doing with Colonel Suttikul would still have you tied up. By the way, what is it you are doing over there anyway?"
Aven broke into his interpretation of the situation. "I feel like I was partially set up... a ruse to separate me from Kavani. She is safe right? Has she joined you yet?"
"She just walked in". Kavani snagged the com link from Hoyt's grip.
"I miss you". Kavani wholeheartedly stated into the mic.
"I love you! Are you OK?" Aven responded.
"Of course love. Why do you ask?" Playing it nonchalant to further sell Hoyt.
"Just something Suttikul said".
Hoyt interrupted. "Yes, more details are needed about the mission. Your mushy, love bird talk can wait until you are reunited".
"Tell us how you really feel!" Kava said while socking Hoyt in the arm, rather hard no less.
Aven started again. "Suttikul made it sound like my whole trip to Thailand was to separate me from Kava and that someone on our side is actually working against us".
"Did he reveal the identity, or offer any clues?" Kava asked.
"He just said it was
someone close... and may be a Russian".
"Good thing I'm here to keep her safe". Hoyt said in his usual cocky tone.
"You know she doesn't require your protection Hoyt, anymore than she needs mine, but play it safe Star".
"I'm ready for anything". Kavani reassured him, being way more prepared than Aven actually may ever know.
"More cutesy nicknames. Ugh, I'll leave the rest of this conversation to the two of you". Hoyt exited communications in a huff.
Kavani was thankful to have some alone time with Aven. Hoyt's true allegiance was still a surprise to her, so she was unwilling to underestimate his precautions. His secret would remain with her for the time being.
Hoyt returned to his quarters and fished out a high tech SAT phone, a Gonets-M1, to be exact, insuring complete confidentiality.
"Captain. Tridas4. Copy?"
"Go ahead Tridas4", came the response in Russian.
Hoyt proceeded in Russian, "Obstacle still in play. Target will be painted within scheduled 48 hour window. Suicide protocol initiated".
"Is that truly necessary?"
Hoyt insisted, "The Colonel revealed details and failed to tie up the loose ends. I will not fall short of my task".
"Why was the SALH not deployed on the initial summit?"
Admiring the heat resistant Semi Active Laser Homing devices on his bunk, Hoyt simply stated the truth, "I tripped. Target escorted me off the crater. Tridas4 out".
Hoyt was embarrassed to admit the fiasco to Captain Vasily, but he knew he would not fail a second time.
Rushing back into the Communications Center, Hoyt burst out, "We need to return to the summit as soon as possible!"
"What?" Kavani said with Aven still on the open line.
"With my accident, I was never able to sweep the crater for laser guidance".
"Laser guidance?" Aven asked, obviously seeking more details.
"Yes laser guidance. If the monk is attempting to fire a Russian missile at the island, like you all suggest. From any distance, for an accurate strike zone the target will need to be painted".
Kavani looked dumbfounded, so Hoyt continued with a few more details. "A laser at the target sends energy in every direction. This is known as painting the target. A missile is launched in the general area. Once it is close enough for some of the reflected laser to reach it, a detector on board the weapon determines the direction from which the laser came and changes the trajectory of the missile to reach its intended target".
"Kudos Hoyt, you seem to have this whole thing figured out". Aven stated with ample praise. Kavani realized Hoyt was revealing the actual plan.
"Both of you have told me your versions of this flood flowing from the center of the earth. If there is any truth to it and this island is the best access point, you know Sihamuni and Vasily are teaming up to bomb the crater".
Kavani could barely believe her ears, "If lasers are pointed at the crater, it sounds like a suicide mission. What is your plan?"
"A simple smoke screen inhibits the laser refraction". Hoyt stated proudly. "We drop a canister in the crater and potential problem solved".
"So you could drop it from the chopper". Aven suggested.
"Better to emit the smoke, around the entire ring of the crater by hand. Dropping the canister is not precise enough. Besides it could possibly melt in the volcano prior to releasing sufficient smoke".
"This is your area of expertise". Kava admitted, "If you think we need to go back, we go back at first light".
"I'm just less than 24 hours away". Aven calculated, "I'm heading to Argentina tonight". They ended the call, so both sides could prep.
Aven turned off his phone and stepped back into the hall. Suttikul was talking with Captain Vasily. Aven listened, then made his way back to the place and crumpled position where the Colonel had left him. Aven had told Kavani that Suttikul had powers and that he had drugged him, the effects of which had completely warn off. Kavani had told Aven how to fight back. He would need the element of surprise to gain the upper hand, but in his fake stupor, Aven knew he could catch Suttikul off guard.
Kavani and Hoyt returned to their separate quarters. Kavani knew she would need to be better prepared for this second trip. Hoyt lay on his bunk, concealing the lasers in the smoke canister.
****
Suttikul found Aven just as he left him. "Seems you have shared our secret with your friends".
So much for the element of surprise. Aven weakly slipped his phone out of his pocket for Suttikul to see.
The Colonel laughed as he approached Aven, "You are resilient, but still a mere mortal in a battle with Gods".
When the Colonel was very close, Aven began to recite the words Kava had instructed him to speak. Suttikul did not recognize the language, but at this close distance the words had great power. Intended to have a similar stilling effect as the energy shot from Suttikul's hand earlier, the words pronounced from Aven's spirit core began turning the Colonel to stone. Aven dodged his reach as Colonel Suttikul became another statue among the Buddha.
Aven entered the room Suttikul had retreated to earlier. He scheduled a flight and called for a car to the airport. On the desk were a few notes and Suttikul's Grandfather's journal. Aven grabbed everything, closed the door behind him and proceeded to the lower level of the temple and into his awaiting car. Argentina awaited.
****
Hoyt stepped out to the helicopter landing pad, surprised to see a small grouping- the pilot, Kavani, and two other officers.
"I spoke with the ship's Captain," Kavani began once Hoyt was within earshot, "regarding our return to the summit and enlisted these men to assist in gathering core samples".
"Core samples? For what?"
"Thin spots in the earth's crust could have geological similarities. This could help us target other potential strike points. After Aven's interaction with Suttikul, and no news on the team intercepting the Chikyu, I think it best we move off the defensive and form a plan of attack against our enemies, both known and unknown. You and I could be on a goose chase!" She didn't actually believe the island was a dead end, but her argument sounded convincing.
"We will know once we make the laser sweep if our trip was worthless or not", Hoyt stated confidently. However the extra men would make his ultimate plans more difficult. Kavani knew this.
"Let's make this voyage short and sweet", Kava advised. "I don't think either one of us is too excited to experience the aroma again, while you are sweeping the crater and placing the smoke screen. We will gather the core samples". Hoping to keep some reasonable distance, between them.
"No hopes of connecting with the mountain's inner voice this trip?" Hoyt sarcastically fired back.
"It's your intel that is critical this time". She said with a smile
Hoyt knew Kavani was a threat, but with her new entourage, he had to reprioritize. Killing all three of them would seem awfully suspicious. He was willing to die for the cause, but it was not part of Sihamuni's original plan. Perhaps he could be of better service alive. If he could paint the target with the lasers, Kavani's death at his hands may not be necessary. Alone on the summit, he could be sure the guidance beams were not impacted by the smoke screen. It was turning out to be a perfect scenario.
Masks under arm, they loaded the chopper and headed for the island. Kava and her recruits began to extract the core samples as Hoyt scaled the summit in relatively quick fashion. He set one of the lasers and then released the smoke to direct his placement of the remaining SALH devices. The smoke was rising straight up, easy to place the lasers outside of the smoke's cloaking effect.
Hoyt activated his sat phone, "Tridas4. Copy? The target has been painted".
Descending from the crater immediately, Hoyt knew there were only minutes before Vasily would launch the Tridas missile. Kava had completed her extractions as well and they all boarded the chopper, which had remained on island this time for the quick return to the volcano.
"The sweep showed a weak lase
r presence, likely from devices embedded some time ago. The smoke screen will obstruct any further signal". Hoyt stated confidently over the headset once they were airborne.
"So the monk has already been to the island?" Kava asked.
"Doubtful. The timing seems off. If lasers were placed, why not launch a missile? It's like he is waiting for something..." Hoyt said, soundly as if he was thinking out loud.
Kavani listened closely to Hoyt's statements, knowing they carried more information than he would want to reveal. "You detained Vasily and Sihamuni... maybe that added a delay to their timeline?" Kava offered, equally appearing to be thinking on her feet. "Who authorized their release? They seem to be such critical pieces to the puzzle..."
"Allowing them their freedom, keeps everything in motion”. Hoyt rationalized. "There seems to be a time element to this event. It appears to be years in the making, and although disciplined our encounters with the men show them to be driven by ego, convinced their plan is destined to succeed. Putting them back into play is to our advantage to stop their efforts while the critical players are known entities. Otherwise, they go underground and resurface in the future with different faces and a whole new plan for us to decipher from stage 1”.
"Sounds convincing, but also dangerous at the same time”, Kava concluded.
"Trust us. We know what we are doing”. Hoyt stated with focused eyes and a big confident grin.
Suddenly the nose of the helicopter pitched down and there was a noticeable increase in airspeed. The pilot came over the headset, “The ship is moving off the coast of the island to mid Atlantic waters. We have been instructed to rendezvous at this new location ASAP. We will be briefed when we land with further details."
"Probable intercept of the monk's ship!" Hoyt practically yelled, and could barely keep to his seat.
Kava, on the other hand, had the eerie sense that this was not good news.
326 B.C.
Spark shards filled the air as the large black tongs removed the clay chalice of molten gold from the heating chamber.
"Pouring the gold directly over the scars of Antipater's heart will require a skillful hand”. Allatore cautioned.