Within a week of their deployment, Jessica recalled, she had become accustomed to their presence and felt quite secure when they were on duty, which remarkably enough seemed to be twenty-four, seven. There were other Marine personnel assigned, but Captain Curtis’ men were always the ones closest to her. Still, she and Bruce were cautious around them, but they could not help but like the squad that looked after them. General Grill stressed that Jessica and Bruce’s security was of paramount concern and that they were at risk, from what he would not be specific. As General Grill required, Jessica wore the nine-millimeter sidearm while on the dig, but not while she was at her apartment.
Another unusual presence came to mind. It seemed a small and separate group of migrant workers from Central America had a great interest in the dig. Some had gotten jobs on the construction crews until this last find when the General had dismissed all the civilian workers. Some stayed in town, doing whatever type of work they could find and kept up with the information on the dig the rumor mills circulated. They kept to their own separate community from the regular migrant workers. Jessica became aware this group watched her with something like distant respect. Jessica observed this happening in other countries with indigenous populations when archaeologists found what they considered sacred artifacts. After she found the little statue, they viewed her with respectful awe.
Jessica stepped off her bike, back at the dig after a twenty-five mile ride and stretched. She unbuckled her special shoes and stepped into her work boots.
Merk, one of the Marines who accompanied her stepped up. “I’ll put your bike up, ma’am.”
“Oh thanks, Lieutenant,â€� Jessica smiled her gratitude. “I need to go into town for some supplies. I sure appreciate it.”
“My pleasure.” Merk took her Cannondale and put it with their Treks in the supply tent.
Jessica changed in her tent into fresh khakis, jumped into her jeep, and drove to the older part of Okeechobee to a small Western Shoppe. Earlier she had dismissed her thoughts about the small group of migrant workers strange attitude, and not given them much credence anyway. She stepped out of the Shoppe, her arms full of new western clothes, and started walking down one the last wooden sidewalks in Okeechobee.
Walking towards her was one of the migrant workers who had worked at the dig. Upon seeing Jessica, he stepped off the walk and bowed in respect. This struck Jessica as extremely odd and embarrassed her a bit. None of the workers ever reacted to her in such a manner. Jessica recognized him as one of the diggers on site until the General dismissed them. The man kept his eyes down until she had passed as if she were royalty or a deity. Warning chills ran through her. Jessica didn’t mention the incident to Captain Curtis, but it continued to bother her the rest of the day. Later Jessica called Bruce at school, “I just didn’t think it was worth mentioning to Captain Curtis,â€� she explained, wishing Bruce were back. “Or to,â€� and Jessica hesitated, “Ms. Simon.â€�
“What would you say the man meant by it? He wasn’t threatening in any manner, was he?â€� Bruce asked.
“No, he wasn’t, but it sure gave me the creeps, and I don’t know why.â€� Jessica confessed and it was rare, Bruce knew, that she would admit anything bothered her.
“They have their superstitions,� Bruce said, “Maybe just because we found that out-of-place statue.�
“That is probably it. When are you coming back down?â€� Jessica dismissed the incident.
“Soon,� Bruce said, then “See you.� And he hung up.
Press coverage became more of a problem as the President’s visit drew nearer. Their find was too unusual not to attract coverage, especially on the local scene. Jessica expected another visit from Mr. Kallias, feeling he was a reporter. Though she would not admit it, even to herself, she was disappointed when he did not return. His presence provoked a powerfully sensuous effect on her, one she refused to acknowledge. Ms. Simon questioned her about his visit a couple of times and Jessica told her the same thing she wrote in her report.
“Ms. Simon, I’ve never seen him before.â€� Jessica told the FBI agent, not very sure that was true, but unable to fully detail where she might have encountered him. He was an enigma. “He appeared and was gone. I’m sure he was just a reporter who was looking for a story. That type of thing happens on these projects.â€� Jessica told her the first time she questioned her. “I was told you were familiar with archaeology.â€�
“I have been on several sites.� Ms. Simon assured her.
“Where? They must have been small digs and since you are FBI they must have been inside the United States.�
“Yes, they were.� she agreed.
“Then you do not have experience with digs that have this much possible impact on World History, or from what General Grill has said, possible National Security.�
“I have enough experience.� Ms. Simon was not one to admit inability at anything.
“If that is the case, you should know how clever reporters can be.� Jessica informed her and left her standing in the hot Florida sun, an afternoon thunderstorm approaching.
With some effort, Jessica forced Mr. Kallias from her conscious mind to focus on other matters more important and pending. Secret Service agents began their preliminary visits to set up security for the expected visit from the President a week away. This presented more problems, and took away time from the true work Jessica would rather be doing. Jessica knew it was unavoidable, resigned herself to deal with it and hoped Bruce would be back from school soon to help.
After the discovery of the Star Room, as they called it, progress slowed and it gave Jessica time to research the artifacts already cataloged. Her main concern was not the visit of the President, now only days away, but watching the tropics. Fearful even a near miss from a hurricane could ruin their dig, even with the present drought. Another concern was the heat and humidity of Lake Okeechobee. The lake continued to be in drought condition, as did the rest of the state. This caused occasional mudslides and shifted things around inside the Pyramid, and occasionally, an artifact would surface.
General Grill had made her safety the Marines main priority, and they all took it seriously. With Bruce away at school, Jessica had become closer to the six unusual Marines of Captain Curtis’ squad. Jessica was popular with the men responsible for her safety, and she had earned their respect quickly. This seemed to chafe Ms. Simon that Jessica could obtain anything she needed from the Military men when she could not. She failed to see why.
Jessica did not ask them to do what she would not do herself. She did not take breaks or eat unless they did. If there were dirty jobs at the dig, she did them with the troops, generally laughing at their whispered racy jokes before they realized she had heard them, and she respected them. They considered her one of their own. In a way, they had adopted her. Ms. Simon stood by and watched most of the time when she was not in her small office in town. She felt her position should afford her the respect that Jessica had earned.
Late in the afternoon on a steamy hot July day, Ms. Simon had left the dig site early and left Jessica in peace. She sat in her tent at work and suddenly became dizzy. Despite the air-conditioning in her tent, she attributed the sensation to the heat. Jessica stood on unsteady legs and realized she wasn’t dizzy, but the ground shook. It was not a mudslide, but a tremor. Earthquakes are extremely uncommon in Florida. Jessica ran down the wooden plank scaffolding for the Pyramid. One of the Marines saw her and ran after her, knowing full well she wasn’t suppose to go inside alone for safety reasons.
Jessica stopped at the door and stared. An entire wall had fallen away to open into a cavern. Video camera in hand, she started filming the interior of the Pyramid where the wall had fallen as the dust began to settle. Gone were the cartouches of starships and robots. Revealed was an entrance to another chamber that led downward into the earth. She heard a
Marine come up behind her and turned to see which one it was.
Jessica exclaimed in an excited voice, “Captain Curtis, what do you think about that?�
“Wow!â€� Was all he said, and he treated her to one of his rare smiles. Captain Curtis knew this was Xerxes signal of the end. It was time to give Jessica a very special clue, just for her. Xerxes had prepared it for her himself. Pericles looked at Jessica intently. He knew his friend, his Lord and his future brother-in-law, loved this woman the way he love Alena, Xerxes’ sister and his future bride. Jessica caught the way he looked at her and a strange glint came into his eyes.
“Captain, why do you look at me that way?” she inquired. Jessica knew Captain Curtis was something a little different from the usual Marine.
“Sorry Ma’am, just concerned for your safety,” Pericles recovered quickly and realized he already considered her a part of his own family.
Jessica studied him a moment, “Your concern is admirable, Captain,” she returned. “Who is here? Bruce is still at school until tomorrow,â€� Jessica asked, breathless with awe at the new discovery.
“Just my Marines and you,� Captain Curtis informed her, that strange glint in his brown eyes.
“Go get some back-up, several of the big lights and a long rope.â€� Jessica didn’t order, but requested.
“You’re not thinking of going in there, Ma’am?â€� The Captain was incredulous.
“Yes, I am,� Jessica assured him.
The ground shook again, yet the Pyramid stood steady. “Ma’am, I can’t let you go in there.â€�
“Do you really think you could stop me?� Jessica smiled at him questioningly.
Knowing he could not stop her and wondered if Xerxes could. “No Ma’am,â€� he admitted.
“Back me up?� Jessica asked.
“Of course. I’ll be back soon, but please wait for me.â€� Captain Curtis hurried bringing the six others with him, the lights, and several long lengths of rope.
Jessica tied a length of the braided cotton line around her waist, put on her gloves and gingerly walked to the edge of the cavern. She didn’t notice the Marines look at each other and assess her skill and bravery.
“Looks stable,â€� she yelled back, “its only about eight feet deep. There are several artifacts down here, send down a large bucket after I get down and I’ll send them up if I find anything.â€� At that, she expertly stepped off the edge and repelled down. Jessica snapped a quick roll of pictures and filmed with her video camera. She was so engrossed filming she did not see Captain Curtis drop an object right at her feet.
Jessica felt a rumble under her feet then slinging the cameras over her shoulders, she yelled at the Marines, “Pull the bucket up Captain,� a stronger rumble hit knocking Jessica to the muddy ground.
“Ma’am, you’d better come up first.â€� Captain Curtis yelled back. He knew that was the final warning, Xerxes was about to collapse the Pyramid and he was fearful she wouldn’t see the artifact he had just dropped at her feet.
“On my way! Be a stubborn Jar Head,� Jessica yelled with humor in her voice, she heard him laugh. As she stood, her foot hit something in the mud. She picked up the object up and became completely engrossed in examining it. Several rectangular pieces of metal joined by a metal ring heavily coated in muck. It looked like an ancient AAA road map and she was completely engrossed in the new find.
Suddenly she could feel the beginnings of another rumble and this one was building. Jessica stuffed the weird map in her work vest and started up the rope, hand over hand, her feet on the ancient wall pulling herself up.
Most of the Marines figured they would have to pull her up, but just as Jessica reached the top, a full quake hit and the Pyramid started to fall in. Captain Curtis stretched out his hand for Jessica’s and she took it, he pulled her only the last step of the climb. Together they ran from the collapsing structure to fall on the trampled saw grass outside with the other six Marines.
Where ancient proof of a long dead civilization stood, now only a deep crevasse remained, mud and water pouring in on top of it. Sudden awareness dawned on the group that they were still in imminent danger and they all scrambled further back while even more earth fell into the open abyss. For a few minutes, they sat in stunned silence, then the Marines and Jessica looked around at one another. Pericles made a mental note to chide Xerxes on the thoroughness of the destruction of the Pyramid; he didn’t expect it to be so extreme.
“Gentlemen,â€� she said with a sigh, “that was close. Captain Curtis, call the main gate. Tell them you are all going with me, so get some other people up here to secure the site. The drinks are on me gentlemen. Let’s get cleaned up.â€� She looked around, “By the way, where’s the bucket?â€�
“It didn’t make it ma’am,â€� one of the Marines informed her.
“Better it than us.â€� Jessica shrugged - even the rope connected to it was gone. They waited five minutes and a new group of Marines arrived, complete with M-16 rifles, to guard the collapsed Pyramid. Laughing, Captain Curtis’ group got up, dusted themselves off, and went to change their clothes.
Jessica showered, changed into a pair of jeans, western boots and a western shirt she hand-embroidered herself. Her escorts, dressed in civilian clothes, followed her in their own cars.
They invaded a small tavern, close by where they were all comfortable, always at ease, and welcome. Jessica and the Marines joked about their afternoon’s near miss and almost becoming part of the antiquity instead of discovering it. The Marines all agreed it was the strangest duty they had ever pulled. Each mellowed as they lowered the bar’s supply of beer and enjoyed reliving their recent harrowing adventure they toasted their escape. Country and Western music played on the stereo and John Anderson’s, Seminole Wind, a local favorite seemed to fit their mellowed mood.
Some of their squad drifted off to play pool or a game or two of pinball, but Captain Curtis and Lieutenant Merk sat with Jessica to talk and pass the time getting acquainted.
“What’s your interest in this, Captain,â€� Jessica asked Curtis, “You seem to know more than the others.â€�
“Well, ma’am, I’ve been taking some courses at Indian River Community College in archaeology since we came here. Up until then, I didn’t really know much, but it all seemed to catch my attention.â€�
“It’s an interesting science, but generally not this exciting. This has been exceptional. Most archeologists go for years and make small discoveries. I don’t know how Bruce and I got so lucky.â€� Jessica wondered at the Captain’s answer after what the General had told her about Curtis when they had met but she did not show her curiosity. Something was peculiar about Captain Curtis - Jessica could not put her finger on it, but he had just slipped a bit.
“Where is Mr. Lance?� Merk asked.
“It would seem one of his lady professors likes his company. She lures him away when she can find something of interest.� Jessica laughed.
“Does Ms. Simon know about that? She seems to like him too.� Merk interjected with a laugh.
“So, you and Mr. Lance are just good friends?� Captain Curtis asked with a curious twist to his question that made Jessica wonder what was really behind it.
“Yeah, Bruce and I are good friends. I’ve known him for about three years now, maybe a little longer,â€� Jessica said, sipping her beer.
“When is he coming back?� Captain Curtis asked.
“Tomorrow or the next day,â€� Jessica answered. “He just finished his Masters. I’m going to call him about this afternoon when I get back to my apartment.â€�
“You have your Masters already? You are only, how old?�
“I finished younger than most, I was lucky enough to start a little ahead. I was home-schooled an
d my parents traveled. I finished college by the time I was nineteen, and then finished my Masters just this past year. My Dad was in the Navy. It is a bit of a family tradition, so I joined the Navy reserves after ROTC in college. I have done the required time in the reserves during the summer. That was interesting. I’m twenty-two. This really is exceptional for someone my age.â€� She related without appearing conceited, and was quiet for a while. With a sigh, she drank the last of her second beer. Jessica signaled the waitress and paid for another round of beers for her friends. Seeing Jessica was getting ready to leave, the squad drifted back over to their table.
“Hey, I want to thank you all for saving my, what is it you say, six? I’ll see you all tomorrow.â€� She rose to leave and much to her embarrassment, failed to stifle a huge belch that erupted much like an ancient volcano. Her face turned a brilliant red, and produced a resounding round of applause from her companions, as Jimmy Buffett’s Margarettaville came on the sound system.
“Ma’amâ€� Captain Curtis rose as they all did, “May I see you to your quarters?â€�
“Thank you, Captain, but I think I’ll be okay. See you all tomorrow.â€� Jessica knew he was being polite and that he was engaged to be married, but it was his job to provide security. Her apartment was two miles away and she drove it carefully. Jessica failed to notice the old truck following her. Getting out she locked her little jeep and started up the walk. An eerie sensation assaulted her, and caused the hairs on her neck to stand up. She remembered the strange man at her tent a couple weeks back but her intuition told her it wasn’t him. Suddenly she turned, ready to face who ever it was and confirmed her intuition - it wasn’t the man with the aquamarine eyes.
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