by Stan Schatt
Olivia looked down from the stage and saw people wore press badges from all the Egyptian and Western newspapers, as well as, all the local television stations. She even saw some Western reporters from the New York Times and London Times. Matt also studied the press and noted that some of what he called the “crackpot press” also was there, people who believed that aliens had colonized Earth thousands of years ago. Several men wearing dark suits occupied an entire row. Tom Thornton pointed to them and whispered to Matt that they were part of some governmental agency.
Matt began by describing the myths associated with Atlantis and Egypt. He saw just how skeptical many of the reporters were. He then displayed pictures of the Black Sphinx. Suddenly it was completely quiet. The reporters who were chatting among themselves about everything—including where they intended to go for lunch—were stunned.
Matt showed pictures of Olivia in her robe and crown. Someone in the audience tittered. That stopped when he showed a film clip of Olivia destroying part of a very thick wall of solid stone. He included a film clip of an expert on demolition who described the force necessary to create such a hole.
Finally, Matt introduced Tom and Taylor. Both described their experiences. The investor had a reputation for being a very levelheaded businessman, so even the skeptical reporters listened attentively. Mister Hargrove also voiced his support, although his Government had told him not to play a major role at the press conference since it wanted to keep his Mossad connection a secret.
Matt once again took the microphone. He began to explain the ethical dilemma he and his daughter faced. The weapon could be used to hurt innocent people. Its power seemed to be unlimited. He knew they both were in danger as long as they kept the weapon.
Then he explained how they had thrown the garment and crown into the Ark. Since those items were required to enter the Ark, the weapon would be safe since anyone trying to enter that area would instantly be incinerated.
The news conference became a near riot. Questions rained down on the small group on the stage. Matt said he had a short prepared statement.
“We left all my notes, as well as, any data that could help us find the Sphinx again inside the Sphinx. We do not feel the world is ready for what is inside. We no longer are able to retrace her steps and doubt anyone else will be able to do so either.”
The news conference went on for two more hours. Olivia occasionally would touch her gemstone during the question and answer session, but it didn’t seem to provide her with the feelings of comfort that it normally did.
Afterwards one of the men in a dark suit came up to the three families that were still on stage and directed his words to Matt.
“We’d like the two girls and their fathers to join us for a few minutes. We’ve reserved a conference room down the hall.”
Matt looked at Tom and saw the investor nod. He didn’t seem surprised by the request.
The small conference room had a large table and several chairs around it. One man stepped outside, closed the door, and stood there guarding the entrance. The leader of the group was clearly an Egyptian, dark with a broad nose and thick lips. He wore his hair short and looked like he had come directly from a military unit. The white shirt hung tightly around his thick neck.
“Do you think the press believes you?” he asked.
“I think some do while others are still skeptical,” Matt said with complete honesty.
“You don’t have the weapon anymore? Would you be willing to take a polygraph and have us ask you that question specifically?”
“Why should I agree?”
“It could be very beneficial for you and both girls,” the man said.
“What are you trying to say?” Tom Thornton said.
“It really does not matter if the press believes you or not. They will soon forget about this. What does matter are two things: Whether anyone can control the weapon and whether or not you could find your way back. We are not sure of the first question but are convinced one of you could find your way back.”
“What’s your point?” Matt said.
“If you will agree to taking the polygraph and satisfactorily proving to us that the weapon is safe, we will offer you something very valuable for your absolute assurance that you will never lead anyone back to the Hall of Records or Sphinx.
“What do you have to offer that’s so valuable?”
“We are aware that your contract is about to expire and that it will not be renewed,” the leader said.
Matt stared at him. “That’s not common knowledge.”
Olivia felt embarrassed because she didn’t know if Taylor heard about it from her father. Taylor’s face showed that she was surprised.
“And?” Matt kept his voice level, but it was clear he was angry and embarrassed.
“We have arranged for a fully endowed, tenured chair in Egyptology to be offered to you by American University.”
“The faulty would never agree,” Matt said weakly, stunned.
“The size of the anonymous gift to the university has silenced all possible opposition. You may have the offer letter in writing by tomorrow if you’ll take the polygraph and answer that one question.”
Matt looked at Olivia and at Tom. Both nodded. Tom had a broad smile on his face.
“Don’t look at me. I think it’s a wonderful idea, but it’s not my doing.”
“It’s perfect, Dad,” Olivia said.
The next day Matt went to the huge Government building’s annex and found a small, unmarked room where two men stood outside waiting for him. One man sat him down next to the lie detector, strapped him in, and gave him some test questions before asking him the question of whether or not the weapon was safe. Matt watched the needle rise and fall. The man administering the test nodded to his companion who unstrapped Matt.
“You’ve answered the question truthfully,” he said.
That night the Thorntons and Hunters had dinner together, something they did fairly frequently now.
“You know the implied threat was that the Government would not give you any licenses for further digs. I suppose that’s a death sentence for an archeologist,” Tom said.
“If I weren’t able to do any more digs here, it wouldn’t bother me. Not long ago I thought it would be the end of the world for me, but now it wouldn’t matter at all.”
“I don’t understand. I thought every archeologist lived for the digs and possible discoveries.”
Matt’s face broadened into a big smile. He pointed to his head. “It’s all up there now. I have years of exploring to do just to learn what’s up there. I can go through texts that have been hidden for thousands of years. If I find some medical secrets that can save lives, we can work on those together. Thanks to our daughters, I’ve won.”
Chapter Seventeen
There have been more massive demonstrations to protest how slowly things are changing. The Army did fine Hosni Mubarak $34 million dollars for “shutting off communications.” That shows what happens when you get telecom companies mad at you. Far more serious for us is that the Government eased the blockade of Gaza’s Rafah border, allowing most people to go freely although men aged eighteen to forty still need permits. Mubarak kept that border closed for three years. Israel protested the opening, but it did no good. Unfortunately that means that it will be easier for terrorists to move freely. I’m betting Egypt will be an Islamic Republic run by the dominant Muslim Brotherhood party within one year. That spells trouble for Israel.
—From the Secret Diary of David Hargrove
School seemed so dull for me compared to all the interesting stuff now cluttering up my brain. I felt like I’d lived a hundred years already. I broke out of my thoughts when I realized Mister Aziz had asked me a question.
I replied slowly and clearly, using the classical Arabic accent that had existed for thousands of years. When I finished, I sat down and watched my teacher’s face.
He seemed confused. He started to say something and then stopped. Finall
y, he nodded in my direction and turned to ask a question to another student.
I discovered I knew a number of ancient languages, including some that hadn’t been spoken for thousands of years. My accent was flawless, so Mister Aziz reluctantly began handing me ‘B’s’ on my tests. I accepted them with good grace. I then would turn and wink at Taylor, and she would wink back.
It took weeks after the press conference for things to settle down at school. Several non-Western students had surrounded me one day and accused me of making up the story just to make me seem more important.
I looked directly at Neguib. “Did I make up the story? Do you want me to show everyone that it’s real?”
Neguib shook his head and walked away without saying a word. His lack of fight shocked his friends who saw the fear in his eyes and decided to back off.
My life changed markedly at school. I no longer ate alone or at a small table with Aasuma. Taylor had insisted that I join her, and I had insisted that they include Aasuma. Taylor had shrugged and agreed.
Tiffany had objected.
“We don’t have to eat lunch with them,” she said pointing at Aasuma and fully expecting Taylor to come to her defense.
Taylor stood her ground.
“If you want to say something nasty about Olivia or her friend, it’s like you saying it to me.”
Tiffany had stared at her friend for a couple of minutes before backing off.
Taylor had never lost her popularity, so most of her friends quickly accepted Aasuma and me rather than be cast out of Taylor’s group. Of course they gossiped among themselves. Why would someone like Taylor even want to be friends with someone like me who had no friends, no money, and looked like I did?
What particularly bothered many of Taylor’s old girlfriends was that she and I often would turn to each other and begin talking and whispering. We would continue for several minutes, ignoring those around them as if we lived in our own unique world.
So much had changed. My reunion with Aasuma had been surreal. We hugged. She felt terribly guilty because she had obeyed Abdul and not told her parents about his weapon. Caught up in the demonstration, the army detained him. By the time the Muslim Brotherhood won the election, Abdul’s face revealed the damage he had suffered. Meanwhile, Aasuma’s family had been devastated because now it would be more difficult for them to find a suitable bride. They talked openly about finding a match for Aasuma. The girl prayed it would take them years.
Taylor and I were not terribly surprised that the Army released Neguib even though the other ‘Lions of Islam’ were still in jail awaiting trial. Apparently, his father pulled a number of strings by using his diplomatic status.
Neguib hadn’t learned anything from his ordeal. The Revolution of January 25th filled him with fervor. He still joined his comrades in marches to force the Army to cede power. His current dream was for an Islamic empire to cover the entire Middle East—a goal his father also shared. Still, Neguib avoided me. He would find excuses to walk away whenever I approached him. He confided to one friend that he still had nightmares in which he saw me blow a hole through one of his friends. He feared if he said something that offended me, I might respond and inflict such damage that even his father would not be able to fix the situation.
* * * *
One day Aasuma and I were studying together in the library. She noticed that I was fingering my gemstone absentmindedly while concentrating on the novel I was reading.
“It doesn’t glow as brightly as before,” Aasuma said.
I looked up and nodded. “Nothing is the same as before.”
Dad promised me that when the time was right, he would return the real necklace from the secret safe deposit box where it now lay. He found this substitute in a museum store. He feared that people who saw the film showing me destroying the wall would notice just how brightly my gemstone was glowing and make the connection that part of my power came from that jewel.
Aasuma and I discussed the upcoming dance. It seemed like a year since we had first shopped for my dress. We had made a second shopping trip a couple of weeks ago. I felt so much older and more mature now. Paul had asked me to go as his date and I accepted.
I now thought of Mister Hargrove as an old friend. He confided to me that his country was furious at me, but he was very proud of me for what I did. He told his wife it was a brilliant solution. Now, his only concern was that Paul and I would have a wonderful time at the dance. As a little present, he arranged for a limo and dinner for the four of us. Taylor and I were double dating. Her date was a couple of years older, but that was only to be expected. That girl always preferred older boys.
When I went to bed, images and sacred texts from the Hall of Records flooded my mind. I searched for ancient wisdom that would help me with practical things like getting through high school. The thousands of volumes provided insight on almost everything else. They were curiously silent when it came to the everyday problems of a teenage girl. They had all kinds of arcane advice, but had nothing to say about how to talk to boys or deal with my emotions that rose and fell seemingly without any control on my part. I decided I’d have to rely on Aasuma and Taylor to help me get through the next few years.
About the Author:
Stan Schatt is interested in almost everything. He’s been an autopsy assistant, a law enforcement administrator, an English professor, a software trainer, a network manager, a retail store manager, and an industry analyst—just to name some of his careers. He taught at Tokyo University as a Fulbright professor and received citations for outstanding teaching from the University of Southern California and DeVry Institute of Technology.
Schatt has written thirty books on subjects ranging from green careers and telecommunications to law enforcement and Afro-American culture. He holds a PhD in English from the University of Southern California, an MBA from the Thunderbird School of International Management, and a BA in Chemistry from Arizona State University.
He now devotes himself full-time to writing novels. You can learn more about him at http://www.stanschatt.com
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