by Erinn Price
“They have it.” Was all he said, but he did not have to say more.
I immediately had the cocoons form around my parents. The outer layer formed first and then I had the inner layers form. The inner layers alternated between diamond, chromium, a synthetic steel matrix, lonsdaleite and lonsdaleiterium. I was hoping, that as the synthetic steel matrix was a new material that ArcCorp was developing, that it would take them a while to figure out how to get through it. The lonsdaleite layers would still take them a long time to get through, even with them having the right equipment, so I had them as the first and last two layers. I had my nanos, in my parents’ bodies, watching their vital statistics. Oxygen would be the most important to watch and I linked their internal nanos with their cocoons. If their oxygen levels got too low, the cocoon would allow oxygen to flow into the cocoon, by forming a tube through to the undercarriage of the train.
I heard Matthew laugh and looked at him in surprise. “You just scared the hell out of them and they are frantically trying to figure out what is going on.” He told me, in answer to my questioning look. A small smile of pleasure covered my face for a second.
“Hopefully that will keep them busy for a while and Richard will have time to rescue my parents. Before anything happens to them.” I said.
I linked into the camera, in the corner of the train coach and gave Matthew access to it as well. It would allow us to watch their progress. The camera was blended into the roof of the train and I knew they would not be able to see or detect it.
“Well, nothing more we can do there but observe. Ready to go rob a grave?” Matthew asked me.
I was wearing one of the loose pants and tops that I had bought at the train station, so I did not need to change. I had my bag change into a large canvas shoulder bag and into a weasel. I just activated the weasel. As the bags had been made from my personal nanos, I could have activated the shoulder bag as well, but it was not needed. I had the postcard to Richard, my parents and the weasel now linked to my Integrated Network System. Due to the uncertainty of what we would face and not wanting to stretch my integration system too far, I currently did not want more INSLs.
We strolled towards the Palace compound, playing the happy couple again, and mingling with the other tourists. Fortunately, there were parks and shops running around the compound, so we could get close to it, without drawing attention. We slowed when we reached the section of the compound we thought was our best option. When there was a slight break in the amount of people around us, I sent my weasel over the wall. Matthew had his glasses with him, to watch the camera in the train, but I set it to allow him to watch the progress of the weasel as well. I was watching both the train and the weasel. I felt Matthew take my hand and he led me to a food stand. He ordered a sugared bread-roll-type looking thing and then led me to a bench overlooking a part of the outside garden. As my weasel searched the grounds looking for any type of grave, Matthew and I sat on the bench, and ate the sweet rolls.
I nearly shrieked when I felt Matthew lean down and whisper in my ear, “There, that small archway Wally just passed.”
“Wally?” I asked back, as I sent the weasel to investigate the archway.
“Wally the weasel.” Matthew responded.
I just shook my head at his silliness, as I knew he was just trying to lighten the tenseness of the situation. I knew he could feel how tense and worried I was for my parents. The archway was an entrance to an underground catacomb.
“How did you know?” I asked Matthew.
“The head of Medusa on the archway.” Matthew supplied. “Medusa’s head was used as a symbol of protection on tombs and shields.”
I gave him a quizzical look, wondering how he knew that. “I researched a bit, after you told me we would be digging up a grave. Sphinxes, gorgons and sirens often adorned entrances to tombs for protection.”
While the weasel slipped into the catacombs, I quickly researched on what Matthew had said. I was a bit upset that I had not thought to research this, but then I was distracted by my parents. I found that the royal cemetery of Kom-El Shoqafa used the head of Medusa as a protector. Medusa even meant protector in Greek. From what I saw through the weasel, the Royal Montaza Catacombs were very similar in design to that of the Kom-El Shoqafa catacombs. The décor and art seemed to be a mixture of Greek, Roman and Egyptian. I did notice, that as the weasel went to lower levels, the artwork became more Egyptian in nature. The catacombs, seemed to have five levels and my grandfather would be on the lowest level, if he was in these catacombs. He could also be buried at a completely different location. The fifth level was completely Egyptian and surprisingly the artwork was in the Amarna style. The style of art was introduced by Akhenaten, believed to be Tutenkhamun’s father, when he introduced worship centred on Aten, the sun god. The shift of religion was not accepted and soon after his death, Akhenaten was all but removed from history. My weasel came across a side tunnel that seemed to lead away from the main burial chambers. Considering this the best tunnel to search first, I sent my weasel down it. The carvings became simpler and there were no branch tunnels leading off this one. Eventually, the weasel did come across a chamber with a single sarcophagus in it. The sarcophagus was covered in Egyptian art and hieroglyphics but on the very top of the sarcophagus was a block with the name Dumont on it. I reformed the weasel to allow it to scan through the sarcophagus and saw a body with a solid, book-like object laying on its chest.
“Now, how do we get that out of there?” Matthew asked.
I smiled at him, “Wally needs a friend.” I reformed the contents of my bag into another weasel and sent it off to join Wally.
“You think two weasels carrying a book will be less conspicuous than one weasel carrying a book?” Matthew asked.
I ignored him and set the weasel already in the tomb, to reconstruct part of the sarcophagus. Nanos would change the composition of a section of the sarcophagus, into sand. Making a hole big enough to fit the book through. Once the book was out, the sand would be reverted to its original state. No trace of the hole would remain, and no evidence that there ever was a hole, would be visible. Changing the composition of the sarcophagus was quick, as I was not changing the material into nanos, simply just changing the existing material. The second weasel reached the tomb, and shortly thereafter the book was out. My second weasel placed the book on the back of Wally. The nanos on Wally adhered to the book, firmly attaching the book to its back. I then had the second weasel reconstruct into a liquid form, which I moved to cover the book. The liquid changed to a retro-reflective material and all but made the book invisible. The weasel would be moving fast, and no one would be able to see that it had a book on its back.
“That will work.” Matthew said. “Why did you not just change the whole weasel to be invisible?”
“It takes too much concentration to keep the book invisible. I need to constantly adjust the reflection of light and ensure the book does not cast a shadow.” I replied.
“How is that even possible?” Matthew asked.
“I can calculate how the light should behave from readings from the weasel’s head. Using this, I know how it will behave with the book, I just adjust it accordingly.” I replied. “Images from behind, the sides and underneath the book are recorded and play across the nanos covering the surface of the book, showing you what you would see if the book was not there.”
Matthew asked no more questions and we waited for the weasel to return with the book. Having the weasel climb into my bag would look a bit strange, so I had it drop the book out of sight. Matthew and I got up and strolled to where the book was. I stumbled and dropped my bag on top of the book. It was easy to reconfigure my bag and the nanos on the book to form around the book. When Matthew picked the bag up and handed it to me, the book was inside. I kept Wally to watch and search for anyone who might be following or watching us.
We were about half an hour away from our hotel, when I noticed an increase in activity on a certain frequency. Just as I was
about to mention it to Matthew, he said, “We are being followed.”
I concentrated on the signal I had noticed and highlighted the location of people using it. I sent the image to Matthew’s glasses. I had the weasel move to a higher point, to give us a clearer view of where the people following us were. There were seven signals indicated and Matthew began to move us away from these signals.
“What now?” I asked Matthew as more and more signals appeared, surrounding us.
“Run and try to avoid them, they must not get the book.” Matthew told me and then he grabbed my hand, pulling me along with him, as he began to run. I was frantically thinking as we ran, as I doubted we would get away. Matthew was using an online map to navigate with, but unfortunately due to the constantly moving street vendors, the map was not always reliable. A cart of merchandise blocked the entrance to a side alley that Matthew had wanted to take, and back tracking would take us dangerously close to one of the signals. Not having a choice, Matthew turned around and we headed back the way we had come from. I let go of Matthew’s hand and held the bag against my chest, it kept getting in the way hanging from my shoulder. Matthew ran ahead of me, clearing my path, as we raced to get to the train station. It did not seem like a wise idea to head back to our hotel, not knowing how they had found us. I stumbled against a person and dropped the bag, crying out as I did so. I saw Matthew stop and turn around, heading back for me. As he reached me, the signal of one of our pursuers closed in.
I grabbed Matthew and thought to him. “Let it go, act indecisive but let them get the bag. I have the real book.”
Matthew looked at me and then at the bag, which a big man was reaching for. Reaching a decision, he took hold of my hand and started running again, away from the man and my bag. As we continued running we noticed the signals dropping away behind us. It seemed that they were content with the bag and the book inside.
We reached the train station and boarded the first we could, from there we changed trains a few times. I continuously changed our clothing and our facial structures along the way. Neither of us said much, wanting to get somewhere safe. Wally had joined us on the first train and I had him reform into another bag. I withdrew a lot of cash at one of the train stops, so that we had some money on hand. Paying cash, we booked into a cheap motel. Exhausted, I dropped onto one of the beds. I had booked us a room with two singles. Since our cover was blown, we did not need to pretend to be married anymore.
“I take it you gave them a fake book and made the real invisible?” Matthew asked.
I turned around and had the nanos covering the book move away. When I had held the bag to my chest, I used nanos to adhere it to my clothing. I then had a fake book reform in the bag.
“Yes. I was hoping they were more interested in the book than in us.” I stated.
“The book will not fool them for too long.” Matthew said.
“It will for at least a couple of days.” I told him.
“How?” Matthew asked.
“I made the cover a complex lock system, with vials showing. Any person looking at it would notice if they do not use the correct keys, that the vials will break and destroy the contents of the book.” I smiled, as I told Matthew this.
“The necklace, you made it the key? But they do not have the second one.” Matthew said.
“They think that the second is a duplicate of the first one, so they think they know what it should look like. The petals of the flowers alternate between gold and silver, that is what will take them some time to figure out. To open the book, they need to have the right rose in the right indentation and the petals must line up correctly. They will be able to do it through trial and error, but it will take them a few days.” I informed Matthew. Since the Shadow Organisation seemed to think the necklaces were a key, it seemed right to have them think they were the key to my grandfather’s diary.
“We need to find the artefact before they figure out the book they have is fake.” Matthew said.
“I will begin reading my grandfather’s diary immediately.” I said.
“Pity, you cannot give me half to go through, we need to do this as quickly as possible.” Matthew said.
I grinned and used the nanos to scan the diary, then I had them make an exact replica of it. I opened the diary and quickly flipped through the pages. The pages of the real diary were copied to the duplicate diary. Before long the duplicate was finished, and I handed it to Matthew.
“You read the second half, if anything stands out let me know.” I said to him.
Matthew just looked at the book I held out to him and then took it without a word. We both settled back to read my grandfather’s diary and to try find out what this was all about. A few hours later I sighed in disappointment.
“Nothing in my section. The first page just mentions that the necklaces are the key, but nothing more. I need to get my necklace here, to see if maybe there is something hidden in it.” I told Matthew.
“My section just has a lot on Egypt. The different Pharaoh’s, tombs and places, but nothing stands out. He does not pay any extra attention to any specific Pharaoh, tomb or location.” Matthew told me.
“Well, then we need to focus on the necklaces only. The diary could be a red herring.” I told Matthew.
“Agreed. Tell me what you know of the necklaces.” Matthew asked, then I saw his eyes go wide. “Oh my god, they will have your necklace if they know which room we were in.”
I shook my head, “No, I still have the necklace. I just hid it.” I showed Matthew the necklace I was wearing. I had used nanos to change it to look like a solid, Egyptian-style necklace. The roses were made to look like colourful scarabs. It was a stunning piece, and no one would think it weird that I was wearing it or associate it in any way with my mother’s necklace.
Mathew took the necklace from me and examined it, “It looks like it is made from gold, silver, ivory and is that ebony?”
I nodded my head at his question and then replied, “Mine is made from wood, bronze and iron.”
I saw Matthew freeze then reach for the diary, paging through it madly till he found what he was looking for. I took the book from him and looked at the page.
“That whole section is riddled with myths, poems and stories. Nothing real. The poem was not indicated as important or stand out in any way.” Matthew said, seeming to apologise for not realising it was important.
“The Book is at Koptos in the middle of the river.
In the middle of the river is an iron box,
In the iron box is a bronze box,
In the bronze box is a keté-wood box,
In the keté-wood box is an ivory and ebony box,
In the ivory and ebony box is a silver box,
In the silver box is a gold box,
And in the gold box is the Book of Thoth.
Round about the great iron box are snakes and scorpions and all manner of crawling things and above all, there is a snake which no man can kill. These things are set to guard the Book of Thoth”
“All this is for the Book of Thoth, but it is not real, it is a myth, a story.” I said in confusion.
“Many myths have some basis in fact.” Matthew said, “The Book of Thoth must be the artefact the Shadow Organisation wants. Imagine what they would do with a book said to contain all the knowledge of the universe.”
I linked to my interface and set it to track all mentions of the Book of Thoth. “Any other mention of the Book of Thoth in my grandfather’s diary?” I asked Matthew.
“No.” Matthew replied.
Just then I saw that my postcard had arrived in the ArcCorp compound. “The postcard is there, now we need to find Richard.”
“Try the main tower’s board room, they meet there the most. From there we can try the labs.” Matthew said.
I changed the postcard to a spider and moved it towards the towers, looking for Richard as it went. I knew Richard’s biometric signature, so I searched for it as I moved the spider. When I got to the confere
nce room, I saw Richard and my sister inside along with the other board members. I was a bit startled to see them drinking champagne and wondered what they were celebrating. After a bit, my sister came out and though I was dying to talk to her, I knew that now was not the time. I had the spider slip into the room as my sister left. I needed to get Richard alone, the fewer people who were involved the better and the more likely our chances of catching the mole. I scanned the room while I waited and knew it was secure. I hacked into the Tower AI and ensured it would not record or notice my interaction with Richard. Eventually Richard was alone, and I moved the spider to the table in front of him. He had sat back and closed his eyes, deep in thought. I reformed the postcard and waited for Richard to notice it.
“What the hell?” I heard him exclaim as he saw the postcard. I knew he had finished when I heard him chuckle at the picture of Matthew with his multi-coloured hair. I had added it for fun, to the end of Matthew’s message. I then sent my own message, informing him to press a piece of the postcard behind his ear. I had the top corner of the postcard break off. I could have forced this, but it was much easier to form a connection if the person was willing. The nanos reformed behind his ear and I could now think-speak to Richard. I linked Matthew to the connection, so that he could speak and hear Richard as well.
“Well, I am very glad to know you are both still alive.” Richard said, “I should have expected something unorthodox, having dealt with your sister these last few days. Your family seems to thrive on doing the unorthodox.”
“Hi, Richard. I need your help. They are going to zombify my parents if you do not rescue them soon.” I said.
“Zombify?” Richard queried.
“They corrupted my mind scan machine, to force memories, record them and leave the person it was performed on brain dead.” I told Richard. “For now, they are safe, but I do not know how long it will take them to break through my cocoons.”
“Cocoons?” Richard asked, sounding intrigued. “Never mind. We are trying to rescue your parents, but extraction will prove very difficult. They are on a train, which never stops. The train is heavily guarded, and we cannot get close without taking heavy damage, as well as putting your parents at risk. We are trying to figure out, how to safely stop the train and then get your parents off it.”