by Ryan Hartung
“What?” Vladimir growled and let Dmitry drop back into his lumpy padded seat.
“Here. I just got an email telling us that the Italian government is not allowing us access to Mount Vesuvius.”
“Why not?” Vladimir growled even deeper and more menacing than before.
“The message says the government has given Colt Andrews and his American crew first crack at the volcano. It says they’ve been inundated with requests by explorers to enter the crater, and they’ve worked out some sort of agreement with the American government,” Dmitry stated with authority.
“So, does the communication say what we’re supposed to do?”
“Yep, we’re supposed to avoid the Italians and find a way up the mountain. The message is very clear, the Americans are NOT to get their hands on the artifact,” Dmitry answered.
“Can you find out if the Americans have landed yet? I need to figure out what we’re going to do.”
Dmitry began typing and clicking on various links as Vladimir impatiently stood by, waiting for an answer.
“There, got it. I’ve hacked into the control tower’s log.” Dmitry paused as he searched the records for their American counterparts. “Ah there it is. Nope, they aren’t here yet. It looks like their plane is scheduled to arrive a few hours from now.”
Vladimir turned and paced along the carpeted aisle. He scratched his rough chin while thinking and then turned back to Dmitry. “Alright, get your gear off the plane and meet the rest of us outside,” he ordered.
Dmitry shuffled in his seat and started closing his open browser windows. “See, I wasn’t just wasting time. Someone has to be in charge of these communications,” Dmitry said before closing his laptop. He then meekly scurried away to the rear of the plane for his belongings before Vladimir punched him for his insubordination.
After Dmitry had finally joined the others outside of the Russian plane, Vladimir was ready to give them their orders.
“Here’s what we’re going to do,” he began. “Through Dmitry, I have learned the Italians denied our request to look for the artifact while we were airborne. This however doesn’t change our mission. We still have standing orders to retrieve the artifact, if it’s here, and return with it to Russia.
“The Italians have given the American team dibs on being the first to search Mount Vesuvius, probably because this Colt Andrews is the same archeologist who found the original artifact. However, none of that matters, because this unfortunate turn of events might actually play into our favor.
“The Americans are lazy. They aren’t going to the top of the volcano tonight; I’d bet on it. Dmitry says, they’re arriving in a couple of hours, where they’ll probably head toward their lodging and try tackling the volcano tomorrow morning. We’re going to do exactly the same. For now, we’re going to find a place to sleep, and then tomorrow, we’ll follow the Americans up the mountain.
“Let them do all of the hard work and find wherever this artifact is. Once they do, we’ll take it by force. Pavel, tomorrow morning I want you in charge of the plane. Make sure it’s ready to take off at a moment’s notice. If we manage to get our hands on the artifact, we’re going to need to get out of here fast.
“Dmitry, I want you to find out where the Americans are staying. Get us an address. Natalya and I’ll get up early and wait outside their hotel to find out when they leave. That means it’s up to you and Pavel to make sure we’re ready to go.
“Alright, any questions?” Vladimir asked. He looked from one pair of hardened Russian eyes to the next. Everyone knew their orders and was ready to play their part. Tomorrow would be the day.
Chapter
4
Algerian’s president Mehdi Kateb rode in his armored jeep through the streets of Algiers, his nation’s capital. Nestled against the Mediterranean Sea with a population approaching four million, the needs of his people were evident. While some parts of the city had recently been renovated by Algier’s past presidents, to give a newly modernized feel, others were severely lacking.
The capital city’s newest, most modern section overlooked the ancient sea as a mixture of contemporary architecture, and large white stone buildings arose from sea level against a backdrop of deep blue waters and golden sand. At one point in history, the Ottoman Empire had ruled his capitol city, followed by the French. In 1962, they finally granted Algiers their independence.
Unfortunately, like most of its other African brethren, Algeria and Algiers had been in varying states of turmoil ever since, due to overzealous Islamic extremists waging their jihadist civil wars throughout the region.
As Mehdi Kateb’s jeep continued through the streets, he was proud of what Algiers had become over the past twentieth century. His nation’s capital was now one of the economic hubs of the African continent. However, in addition to the growing metropolis’ heightened economy also came the highest cost of living per capita of any city throughout the continent.
To his right was a contingent of troops, used for keeping the peace, but also reminding the public that although their president had been democratically elected to an unprecedented four terms in a row, that their government was in reality authoritarian in nature, not democratic. He reveled in the fact that his nation possessed the second largest army in Africa and that the expansion of their peaceful nuclear program to military uses would take only a matter of months.
However, all of this, every single piece of infrastructure and commerce was now about to come crumbling down. For decades, even before Mehdi Kateb had taken the office of president, Algeria’s past leaders had striven to diversify their economy away from abundant hydrocarbons toward more diverse and innovative fields, but with little success.
America and Europe’s dwindling appetite for Algeria’s black gold would eventually break his country’s back and undo decades of growth within a matter of years. What he’d worked tirelessly to build would come crashing down in a quarter of the time it took to build.
“This is why we must join forces,” President Kateb said to Nigerian President Abassi Okafor. “Look around you. All of this is going to be blown away like grains of dust in the coming years if we do not act.”
“But what you are asking for is complete insanity!” President Abassi Okafor returned. “How can we compete militarily with the United States and Europe? It just can’t be done.”
“You are correct my friend. Alone we can’t. But if the South American nations and the Middle Eastern nations join us, together our populations trump theirs.”
“Don’t tell me you’re basing a war against the West as solely a numbers game. They could have half the population and still rout us with their technology alone. The Americans have thousands of drones in the sky that could send us back into the dark ages with the push of a few buttons. Who knows, they probably even have satellites in space with gigantic lasers like in their James Bond movies that could pick us apart while we sleep,” President Okafor said intermixed with wild hand gestures.
“That is all true, but what if a world power was to unite with us? What if I told you that Russia also has an interest in this worldwide changing event?”
“If that were true, I might be forced to reconsider my country’s position.”
“I thought you might,” President Kateb replied. He smiled with the satisfaction that another African country had just fallen into place. Selling his African brethren on war with the West was not an easy task, but each country’s president was slowly beginning to see the writing on the walls. Even if they weren’t dependent on oil, they were dependent on each other. If one African nation fell, thousands upon thousands of refugees would flood into the neighboring countries, and not one of them had the depth of resources to handle any additional people, let alone their own.
As their exports of oil diminished each day, so did the avenues for a political solution. There simply wasn’t the time or available resources to shift their nations’ economies toward renewable energy or to ramp up their fledgling local indu
stries to compensate for the lack of oil sales.
“Unfortunately you are right, Mehdi. If Algeria falls due to major economic hardships, it will send a rippling effect throughout Africa. To make matters worse, the dire scenario you have just painted does not apply to only your country. It applies to many others as well,” President Okafor said while he gazed out the car’s tinted windows.
Finally, the long motorcade of military jeeps and SUVs adorned with tiny green, white and red flags pulled into the capital’s airport. The security forces on duty proudly saluted the incoming convoy and let them through seconds later.
“Tell me what you want me to do, and I will do it,” the Nigerian president said. He wasn’t sold on a third world war, but what choice did he have? For the moment, he was content to follow the Algerian president’s wishes and to have a foot in the game. Until someone fired the first shot, Nigeria was only watching out for her interests, nothing more.
“Please, talk to the nations closest to you. Tell them our position. Tell them that Russia, South America, and the Middle East are united for the first time in history against the oppressive West. Tell them that if we don’t act now, soon it will be too late,” President Mehdi Kateb said with a firm seriousness that sent an unwelcome shiver down the Nigerian president’s spine.
The Algerian President neglected to mention that Russia had yet to accept their proposal, but he was confident they would soon put that puzzle piece into place.
“Remember, I have not made a commitment one way or another on this topic. I will do as you ask, but until the majority of Africa decides to unite for war or rally against it, Nigeria will remain neutral. Although I must admit I fear our countries’ fates have already been decided.”
The Nigerian president stepped out of the car’s tinted shade and cool air conditioning and into the hot and humid air that smelled of salt. He shook the Algerian president’s hand and boarded his waiting plane, worrying more about his country’s future as he climbed each step. The coming war was not what he wanted for his country, but at the moment, there seemed to be no other choice.
***
“Time to get up guys,” Colt Andrews cheerfully announced. Dominic rolled his eyes at his leader’s overflowing amount of energy and tried to hide his face under his bed’s fluffy pillow. Whenever they started a new quest, the first day always started out the same. Colt would bounce around their lodgings, annoying him and Hillary with his unwavering exuberance until they had to get on the road just to shut him up. It appeared this time would be no different.
“Come on Colt, just a few more minutes, you said we were the only ones allowed in the volcano. Have a heart man,” Dominic whined from under his pillow.
“How are you not more excited?” Hillary scolded Dominic from inside the bathroom. “We’re on the verge of another gigantic discovery and all you want to do is sleep?”
“Oh, I’m excited,” he yawned. “I was just hoping for a little more shut eye, that’s all.” Dominic yawned again and began pulling himself out of bed when there came a knocking on the other side of their plush hotel room’s front door.
Colt strode to the door and pulled it open, revealing Colonel Barns and their Italian liaison Leonardo Sava. Colt’s first thought was to slam the door in the Italian Casanova’s face, but he restrained the strong urge.
“Good morning everybody,” Cliff said without emotion as any high-ranking marine would. “I guess most of you know Leonardo, but in case you haven’t,” he said looking at Dominic, “here he is.”
Dominic looked at the well-tanned Italian playboy archeologist and feigned a yawn of disinterest. All Dominic needed to know he already knew. Leonardo was a source of friction between two of his closest friends, which meant to him the Italian was not welcome.
Colt and Hillary exchanged glances at seeing Leonardo in person again after so many years, determined not to let him interfere in their relationship. Although having fought on the plane about his relevance in their lives, after their ride landed, they had spent the necessary time needed to work through their issues concerning him. Now on the same page, they were closer than ever.
“Nice to see you guys again,” Leonardo said in a manly robust voice. Somewhat of a hotshot in his country and well known to its women as a modern day Casanova, he gave Hillary a wink, assuming what brief relationship they had known in the past could hopefully be rekindled over the coming few days.
Hillary tried not to roll her eyes at his leering glances. Instead, she replaced an annoyed eye roll with a disapproving furrowing of her brow, which of course he failed to notice.
“It would be great to exchange pleasantries, but if you’re all ready, we should leave now to maximize our time at the site,” Leonardo added. Dominic immediately knew the last statement was meant for him. Without a hint of shyness, he tossed his white linen sheets aside, and in nothing but a pair of baby blue boxers, he reached for yesterday’s pants lying on the floor.
Colt smirked at his friend’s lack of modesty and shot Hillary an amused look, which she quickly returned. Colt had been friends with Dominic long enough to know the more he acted like someone didn’t exist; the more he deeply despised the person. Inside Colt couldn’t have been more proud of their friendship at that moment.
In less than a minute, Dominic was fully dressed and ready to go. Outside of the hotel, Leonardo had a rugged looking white van parked outside and ready to take them to the volcano’s base.
After stowing their gear into the van’s open rear, they loaded into its insides with Leonardo taking the wheel and Colonel Barns riding shotgun. Hillary and Colt sat in bucket seats across from each other in the second row, while Dominic stretched out in the open third row and was happily snoring before they had even driven a mile.
“I understand your flight arrived around midnight last night,” Leonardo said, idly chatting, “so let me be the first to welcome you to Naples. Maybe after we finish our work on Vesuvius I can give all of you a proper tour of the city.”
“If we’re not called back to the United States right away, that would be nice,” Cliff replied.
“To be perfectly honest, I was initially quite pessimistic about anything of value being inside our volcano, but after reviewing your country’s satellite images, I’ve grown rather optimistic at our chances. If it weren’t for those images, I’d have never believed anything manmade would have been able to withstand the insane amount of heat and pressure a volcano can produce. There’s a reason Vesuvius’ eruption wiped out Pompey after all.
But, I guess I’m not alone in my thinking because I received a report this morning that my government had to turn away a Russian team of archeologists only a few hours before your plane arrived. Actually, I’m surprised that the Russians even asked permission. For every two or three teams like yours that go through the proper channels, there’s another ten that don’t.”
“So, where are the Russians now?” Colt asked out of curiosity.
“I couldn’t tell you. Last I heard they are waiting somewhere in town to see if we find anything. You have to realize that what you three found in Peru isn’t just some priceless artifact. It’s a weapon of immeasurable power. Every country in the world wants to get their hands on a treasure like yours and probably not for pacifistic reasons.
“That’s why my government allowed your team into our country to search for Hades’ treasure. Some people would say Colt is the best archeologist in the world, and since it was your team that found the Lightning Staff, what better group of archeologists to help locate our country’s treasure before robbers begin infiltrating the site,” Leonardo yelled over the van’s loud engine.
Colt could tell from the inflection in Leonardo’s voice that he was certainly not one of the many people who regarded him as the top archeologist in the world. Colt smiled to himself, knowing Leonardo must have hated saying those words aloud.
As their white van approached Vesuvio National Park, green trees and bushes along the roadway were eventually replaced t
he city’s buildings. The team of five explorers made their way through the densely vegetated road as they approached a military checkpoint up ahead.
“We’ve been expecting you,” the guard said through Leonardo’s open window once they had fully stopped. “Here’s a walkie talkie, so you can call us if you need assistance. We’ve already caught seven people just this morning trying to sneak into the area, so keep a lookout for anyone who shouldn’t be there. I guess the word’s out that there’s buried treasure somewhere around here.”
“Guess so,” Leonardo cordially replied. “Thanks for the radio, and we’ll call if we see anyone else around.”
The guard saluted their white van before waving them through the unfinished checkpoint. After driving another mile to the base of the volcano, it was time to finish the trek on foot.
“Get your packs on everyone,” Colt ordered assuming command of their little contingent. Although Leonardo Sava was the only person native to the country they were in. Due to both his uncanny discovering capabilities and his control over the Lightning Staff’s powers, Colt had the lead.
Once everyone was ready to go, Colt began leading the way along a well-worn trail to the top of the peak, while using the Lightning Staff as a makeshift walking stick. Each time he glanced back at his team of four, Hillary and Dominic smiled in return with excitement, while Cliff’s face was completely focused and expressionless. Leonardo, on the other hand, was almost always staring at the Lightning Staff, wishing it was his.
After roughly an hour of hiking, with each of them carrying approximately fifty pounds of gear, they arrived at the top of the volcano. Looking down, the Americans were amazed at the sheer depth and size of the crater.
“In case you were wondering, the crater is roughly two thousand feet wide from side to side. That’s over half a kilometer or right around a third of a mile for you Yanks,” Leonardo said with a smirk.