Tridas

by Alan, Mark

  "The number 1 is the Primal Force. Number 2 is the All Knowing. And Number 3 is the Creative. My mother saw the rings as cohesive, but what if they represent discord. The conflict between these three great foundations... The Strong, The Knowledgeable, The Creative".

  "Or maybe a talisman to summon the power of all three", Antipater suggested. "You stated, the prince displayed great power with it in his possession".

  "Actually, I stated, he had greater wisdom and understanding than others with similar gifts". Kavani corrected. "But I agree, his carving seemed to add to the stone's power. Plus, there is no legend of a curse tied to his carving into the stone. He was said to have dreams and accurately predict the future. Perhaps the symbol came to him in a vision".

  "And the spiral?" Aristotle asked, attempting to keep her on task.

  "I've thought of it as a vibration", Kavani answered. "Like a ripple effect in a reflecting pool".

  "Your ideas are astute". Aristotle further complemented. Antipater admired her energy.

  "I've had years to ponder". Kavani humbly replied, her natural modesty nothing but endearing.

  You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.

  ~ Aristotle ~

  The defensive attempts failed to stop the Russian missile. The smoke had proven enough of a cloak to hide the exact trajectory of the missile for a pinpoint intercept. The missile dove deep into the crater of the volcano. It easily broke through the thin layer of the planet's crust. Well within the earth's mantle the warhead exploded.

  Calculating the time differential and no nuclear particle detection or cloud chamber, the intercept was assumed successful. The speaker on Kava's ship cracked to life, "The missile has been neutralized over the intended target. It was a direct hit. The warhead did not detonate. No detection of nuclear particles entering the atmosphere".

  Kava could hear the cheers of the crew through the wall of her quarters, which was suddenly interrupted by a knock at the door. "Kava, it's Hoyt. We did it!" She opened the door and Hoyt burst into the room.

  "The smoke screen did the trick!" said Hoyt, almost shouting. "Thanks to our perfect timing. Now we can focus on the samples you collected for other potential strike points".

  Kava was surprised at Hoyt's jovial spirit. Did he actually have a change of heart and genuinely was happy the disaster was averted? or, did he know something the others did not? She honestly couldn't read him. Throughout the entire mission, he had successfully fooled, both her and Aven, as well as his entire team. He had assumed the role for years. Keeping him close would remain paramount.

  Hoyt believed the information reported by the ship's Captain. Although the strike on the island had failed, he would not fail in eliminating Kavani as a threat to their future.

  "The core samples will need to be evaluated by specialists", Kava replied. "May be in Argentina?"

  "I'm sure a research facility can be identified. Aven is probably going stir crazy", Hoyt replied, changing the subject abruptly. "With things settling, we should reach out to him".

  Hoyt opened the door and gestured gentlemanly, as Kava stepped out into the corridor towards communications. Hoyt closed the door behind them, but not before tossing a surveillance bug under the bunk.

  "The island was a bust". Hoyt roared into the communications, before Kava had a chance to respond to Aven's hello.

  "Actually, due to Hoyt's quick thinking, it appears we have avoided a nuclear incident, but I still feel uneasy". Kava was as interested in Hoyt's reaction to her statement as she was to Aven's response. "How are you doing?"

  "The airport has been on lock down. No one seemed to have any real answers, but I knew it was island related. What did your sweep reveal?" Aven asked.

  "There were remnant lasers, but the signal was weak. Someone had been to the island crater". Kava offered, repeating Hoyt's report from the chopper.

  "Enough evidence to keep us guessing", Hoyt added. "Maybe it's like you said Aven, the enemy is simply sending us in opposite directions to divide our forces".

  "You gotta be kidding me", Aven spoke unexpectedly.

  "Excuse me!" Hoyt reacted.

  "Can you turn this up?" Aven said, obviously speaking to someone other than Kavani and Hoyt. "Sorry", diverting his attention back to them, "Sihamuni is on TV. He is in local custody. His son, Ambassador Franco, is making a statement".

  "What?" Kavani said shocked, her mind racing while watching Hoyt's reaction to Aven's words.

  "The news break is in Portuguese, but from what I can make out Sihamuni has admitted to his involvement in some international affairs and is being held indefinitely until the matters are further reviewed".

  Hoyt looked genuinely horrified. "Hey! This is good news". Kavani said staring at Hoyt, snapping him back to reality.

  "Unbelievable", was all Hoyt could say.

  "When will you two be back in port?" Aven asked. "We need to pay our friend a visit, before extradition. Can you arrange for that Hoyt?"

  "We are just hours away", Hoyt stated looking down at his watch. "I'll make a few calls".

  Hoyt requested for a new channel to be opened. Kavani continued the call with Aven, knowing Hoyt was still within earshot.

  "Any further revelations regarding the image I drew for you?" Aven asked softly.

  "To be honest, it had completely slipped my mind". Kava said with a wondering tone, "Why?"

  "I feel like there is more to it. Do you remember the image? The spiral, it feels like a vibration to me".

  Kavani suddenly felt faint, "I need to lie down".

  "Rest, we will see each other shortly. I love you". Aven reassured her.

  Images, visions, memories began to flood Kavani's mind, even her sub conscious. "Hoyt, can you assist me back to my room? I'm losing my sea legs. Good thing this cruise is coming to an end. I would like to rest before we meet up with Aven. I get the feeling you two are planning another long night".

  Laying in her bunk, Kava fell into a trance. The true meaning of the image, and her history with it being revealed at last.

  ****

  The acceleration of particles from the detonation of the warhead within the earth's mantle had begun to have an effect on the Ringwoodite. The magnetic nature of the element drew the ions north as the latent water began to transition its phase.

  ****

  Hoyt lay listening to the surveillance bug he had dropped in Kavani's quarters. It was completely silent. This could be his opportunity to eliminate her. Everyone in the communication deck had seen her turn pale and almost pass out. Could he poison her and walk away unscathed? Even continue his connection with Aven? He decided to strike.

  Entering one of the common areas, Hoyt announced to the small room of officers, "Who's taking celebratory shots with me?" hoisting a bottle of Vodka into the air. Once the others were sufficiently inebriated and Hoyt felt comfortable with his alibi, he continued to Kava's room.

  Hoyt cracked open, Kavani's door. She lay still. Maneuvering quietly into the space, he began to administer his deadly concoction. Kavani's eyes opened, burning like nothing Hoyt had ever seen. With one quick motion of her hand, Hoyt flew across the room, slamming into the solid wall. Kavani stepped into the hall as the commotion attracted the drunk men stumbling towards the noise.

  "I need help! Hoyt has passed out", she yelled into the hall. A few sober within earshot, dashed passed the others to aid in the situation.

  "He has multiple broken bones", explained one of the responders. "It is not safe to move him, until medical personnel can evaluate. He also appears to be completely unconscious".

  "I was not feeling well earlier", Kava said. "Perhaps we were exposed to something on the island".

  "He had also had a few too many", slurred one of his companions from earlier, steadying himself in the doorway. Medical aids pushed into the room and confirmed Hoyt's condition.

  Even though they were only minutes from the mainland, it was decided to m
edevac Hoyt immediately to the Aleman Hospital in Buenos Aires. Kavani would travel with him in case her condition worsened or it was determined the island excursions were at the root of the problems.

  Kavani flipped on her cell. She had reception. She dialed Aven.

  "Hoyt is not well. Can you meet us at the Aleman Hospital?"

  "Sure" Aven replied with a bit of surprise.

  "I've got so much to tell you", Kavani added.

  "I thought you might", Aven answered. "I also received notice from the Command that we have a clearance to visit Sihamuni".

  "See you shortly. They are loading Hoyt into the chopper now".

  Aven made his way to the ICU, Kavani was sitting in the empty waiting room.

  "Did Suttikul have my necklace?" Kavani asked jumping into Aven's arms.

  "You remember!"

  "I remember everything! Do you have my necklace?"

  They sat down and Aven opened the frayed diary, "Here is the journal I told you about. Suttikul's grandfather has meticulous notes surrounding the symbol, but never any mention of your necklace or even the stone. The seminal piece seems to be a scrap of wood etched with the symbol." Aven flipped to a specific page, "According to this, it washed up on the shores of Sri Lanka after a tsunami wiped out most of its coastal cities. It was worshipped by the people. It was believed to keep their cities safe from future floods".

  Kava was lost in its words, as she paged through the journal, filling in the gaps of her own recent recollections.

  A doctor broke the silence, "It is not likely your friend will ever walk again".

  Aven stood.

  "There is something you need to know", Kava said. "I've been waiting for the right time to tell you. Hoyt is Russian. He is working with Suttikul and the monk".

  "Are you sure?"

  "He tried to kill me. TWICE".

  "What?" Aven said sitting back down next to Kava.

  "He has yet to regain consciousness". The doctor continued in Spanish, oblivious to what Kava had just revealed. "But the damage to his bones is mind-boggling. Many are completely shattered".

  Aven put the pieces together as the doctor exited the waiting room. "He attacked you on the ship?"

  "And on the island. I clouded his memories. Even if he regains consciousness, he will not be aware that we know his secret".

  "You are bad ass!" Aven said with a smirk, admiring his seemingly innocuous companion.

  "I am just happy this is all over", he could hear her release in each word. "Next time you travel for work, I think I'll just go dancing with Staci".

  Aven laughed inside and flashed a smile, nothing but thankful she had chosen to join him.

  "Almost", Aven clarified. "Suttikul is petrified. Vasily is under surveillance, and Hoyt" still shocked at his involvement, "is out of commission. Let's go visit the monk."

  "Are you in the right state of mind for that encounter Aven?" Kava questioned, "Your response to the TV broadcast was a bit worrisome".

  "We have the upper hand now". Aven stated triumphantly. "I want to make sure we keep it!"

  "If you think it will be helpful..." Kavani turned her phone for Aven to view. The screen displayed a view from inside a tent, on the ocean, looking out to a small beach fire. "Me resting, on your lap here, might be more helpful".

  Aven agreed. "Let's keep the meeting with the monk short. Make sure we know all we need to know and head home".

  A short briefing with the military revealed that Ambassador Franco was unsuccessful in freeing his father. Sihamuni would not be offered any extraordinary rendition. The actual launch, successful or not, of a nuclear strike superseded any political "get out of jail free card". This calmed Aven a bit, but he still needed to get a sense of how powerful the monk was in this place. Kavani drew power from certain objects and special locations and he sensed the monk was similar.

  Sihamuni was ushered in, shirtless and shackled at the ankles and wrists. His face was covered by a hood. One of the guards explained, "This one's eyes, scare the other prisoners!"

  Less than thrilled with that bit of information, Aven still requested the hood be removed. The room was small. In the close proximity, Kava noticed his blackened toes and fingertips, presumably from electric shock. Aven had heard the rumors of continued "mistreatment" of prisoners in Argentina, but in this case, he was less sure of his stance.

  Aven looked deep into Sihamuni's eyes, "You Lost". Calmly trying to incite a reaction, from the monk.

  "You are very confident for a man who has seen so much history." Sihamuni replied with equal calm. "Outcomes are rarely as simple as they seem".

  "There has been nothing simple about this event, but prophecy or not, it has unraveled".

  "Your own words betray you. This prophecy has not come to an end. It is simply beginning!"

  The clarity in his voice, as well as his penetrating gaze spoke to Aven. He turned to Kavani knowing that what Sihamuni had just spoken was true. Kava's eyes confirmed the fact.

  Kava responded. "Tell us what you know about Tridas".

  "The missile was not intercepted. Its target was below the surface. It detonated in the earth's mantle. The effects of the blast are in motion as we speak". Aven could hardly believe his ears, but strangely it was his eyes that were seeking the most of his attention. The longer Aven listened to the monk describe the Tridas mission, the more he felt like he was staring into a mirror. With every blink, Aven's eyes would refocus on Sihamuni's face and each time it looked more and more like his own, until it was his face, his voice proclaiming the details of the mission.

  In shock, he looked wide eyed at Kavani. She smiled back, "What is it Aven?"

  "He has my face!!" Aven yelled as he pushed out of his seat.

  "Calm down", she reassured, as she rose to his side. "Come look at your reflection in this window".

  Aven couldn't accept the image reflected in the window pane, but was further horrified when he felt Kavani click shackles around his wrists. "I look like him!"

  Kavani spoke and the shackles fell from Sihamuni. He kicked them over to her, as she fastened them around Aven's ankles. His body was frozen. Aven was unsure if it was magic or simply his natural reaction from the shock of what was happening.

  "Sentry!" Kavani shouted. Guards flooded the tiny room to safeguard the visitors, as Aven wrestled under their force. They secured him to the chair and cloaked his face with the hood, but not before he witnessed Kavani and Sihamuni being escorted from the facility.