Basileios shook his head. “No, it is only abandonment if you do so against our will. We want you to save yourself. Let us provide you with a diversion so that you can escape, so that you can live on to fight another day. Athens needs you, but it doesn’t need us. Let us be the distraction that saves you, and perhaps, Apollo willing, we too will survive to fight at your side.”
Cylon’s eyes burned and his chest ached at the words of his friend, and even more so at the unanimous agreement expressed by the others, scores of arms reaching out toward him in solidarity.
Yet he couldn’t let them die.
“There has to be another way,” he finally managed, thankful his voice didn’t crack with emotion. “If they discover that I am not with you, they will surely kill you.”
Basileios smiled as a thought apparently occurred to him. He stared up at the statue of Athena towering over them. “Not if we remain under her protection.”
13 |
Lower Nubia, Egypt
Present Day
Retired Special Air Services Lieutenant Colonel Cameron Leather lay in his hammock, a tan fedora covering his face as he enjoyed the gentle breeze that took the edge off the desert heat. Most of the camp was quiet now, the afternoons in the Egyptian desert too hot for work on days like today.
It suited him fine.
He didn’t mind the heat too much. It was dry, allowing his perspiration to evaporate and cool his body, and relief wasn’t far, Professor Laura Palmer’s tent equipped with air conditioning. All were welcome to take the edge off at any time under her watch.
When she was away, which was most of the time now, her two recently married senior grad students, Terrence and Jenny Mitchell, were in charge, and now occupied the tent. They weren’t as qualified, obviously, but they were proving more competent than he had feared they might be. Terrence was hilariously awkward, especially during combat training.
When Acton and Laura began to have some problems with outside “organizations,” she had requested he and his men train them in self-defense. That had expanded over the years to include her students if they wanted to participate, and privately had extended into Special Forces levels of training. He had taught them hand-to-hand combat, weapons including guns and knives, explosives, surveillance techniques, and more. Anything he could think of they might need, or anything they found they lacked after yet another incident.
It was always interesting.
Terrence had proven his bravery on several occasions, which had been stunning to behold each time, and it might explain how he had managed to land Jenny, a girl way out of his league.
Opposites attract.
Acton and Laura were a perfect match. They were so much alike, he sometimes swore they were twins separated at birth. Theirs was the type of relationship he wanted. His marriage had been an unmitigated disaster, and had ended long ago. They wanted completely different things. He wanted a career in the military, serving his country, and she wanted a banker to satisfy her expensive tastes.
He had resigned himself to stress relievers, but on a recent trip into Cairo, he had met someone.
Someone spectacular.
Someone that terrified him.
Because he could actually see a future there, after just one wild weekend.
Adelaide Burnett.
She worked at the Australian embassy, mid-thirties, long curly blond hair, and bronzed skin.
And a bundle of energy.
Adelaide had kept him on his toes the entire three days they were together. An old Aussie SAS buddy had called him after being assigned as private security to the embassy, and Leather had met him for drinks. She was with the group, introductions were made, and after too many shots and a few dares, they were inseparable for the duration of his leave.
She had made him feel like a teenager, and he had been reminded of what those butterflies felt like.
It was good.
And genuinely terrifying.
And he couldn’t wait to see her tomorrow.
He had two days off, and he didn’t plan to see a sliver of sunlight the entire time.
Something twitched.
He sighed.
Life is good.
The satellite phone sitting on his chest rang, spoiling his mood. “Go for Leather.”
“You sound like you’re in a good mood.”
He smiled at his client’s voice. He liked Laura. She was a good sort, friendly though demanding in a reasonable way. Her wants and needs made sense, and usually were in line with his way of thinking.
And she had unlimited resources, unlike many of his previous clients who argued over the pennies.
“I am. I have two days off starting tomorrow.”
“Oh no! I forgot about that.”
He could sense something in her voice, and he rolled out of the hammock, heading for his tent. “What’s wrong? Are you in danger?”
“No, no, nothing like that, though we do have a security issue that I thought you might be able to help with.”
He stepped inside his tent and took a seat at the small table to the left of the entrance. “Tell me everything.”
What he heard had him breathing easy after only a few moments. Stolen minor artifacts were only a threat to his client if she interrupted the thief in progress, and while a concern, he had a feeling this was a petty criminal as opposed to an organized ring that might carry serious weapons.
But it was still a risk, and the thefts, irrespective of danger to his client, had to be stopped.
“I think it’s better if I contract this out.”
“I understand. You’ve got your leave, and you should take it.”
He chuckled, a smile spreading.
She is the best client.
“No, that’s not what I meant. I have an old colleague, Greek, who has a private security firm. They already have all the necessary permits to operate on Greek soil, armed. My team would need to get permits if we wanted to carry weapons, and it could take months. I’ll give him a shout and see if he can send a team there to help with security.”
“That would be wonderful, Cameron, thank you.”
“I’ll make arrangements to join you as soon as possible. I was heading to Cairo regardless, so should be able to catch a flight in short order. It’s just a hop to Athens from there.”
“No, no, you had plans, I’m sure. Take your vacation. I’ve been working you too hard. How about you send one of your men?”
He thought of Adelaide and what he had planned for her and closed his eyes, picturing her naked form on top of him.
Oh, what I sacrifice for the job.
“No, none of them have served with my friend. It’s best that I’m there since he can be a little rough around the edges.”
“You sound disappointed. I feel terrible.”
He frowned, not realizing he had failed to keep his tone neutral. “It’s nothing.”
“It’s a girl, isn’t it?”
He chuckled. “Ma’am, I think I’ve been working for you for too long.”
She laughed. “I have a feeling you’ll retire from this job, rather than move on to the next.”
“I live to serve. Don’t worry about her, she’ll understand.”
“Is she in Cairo?”
“Yes. She works at the Australian Embassy.”
There was a pause. “I have a wonderful idea. Why don’t you bring her?”
His eyebrows shot up. “Ma’am?”
“Bring her. I don’t think this is a dangerous assignment. I think we just need to get some additional security set up, that should deter the thief, then we’ll be out of here in a few days. Bring her, I’ll set you guys up at our hotel in a suite, and when you’re off duty, you two can enjoy each other’s company.”
The idea sounded fantastic, though he hated mixing business with pleasure. Any other assignment, he would have refused outright, but Laura was correct—this wasn’t a dangerous assignment. This was just beefing up security at what was obviously an underfund
ed dig site. Adelaide wouldn’t even be at the site, just the hotel and its surrounds. He would get to spend his evenings and nights with her, far better than the other prospect he was facing of no time together at all.
“I’ll float the idea past her, see what she thinks.”
“Wonderful! I’ll arrange the hotel. Let me know when to expect your Greek friends.”
“Will do.”
He ended the call and leaned back in his chair, a smile on his face. He’d rather spend a few days in Athens than Cairo any day.
Though the inside of a hotel room is pretty much the same anywhere.
He grinned, dialing her number, hoping against hope she could leave the country on short notice.
Otherwise one of them would have to go AWOL.
14 |
Temple of Athena, The Acropolis
City of Athens
632 BC
Their demand hadn’t taken long to be fulfilled, and now they had one impossibly long strand of thread, consisting of dozens of tied together spools provided by those who lived in the area and had heeded their plea. Basileios watched with pride and regret as his friend tied one end to the outstretched hand of their goddess Athena, who had protected them this entire time. Cylon stepped down and handed the other end to Basileios, then embraced him for what Basileios was certain was the last time.
“You have always been a good friend to me.”
Basileios’ voice cracked. “And you have been the best to me.”
Cylon sighed. “I had always thought we would die in battle together. Never did I think I would be leaving you alone to fight, while I ran away like a coward.”
Basileios gripped his friend’s shoulder. “You are the bravest man I know, and no coward would willingly face what lies ahead for you. You are destined to lead, and you will, but without the help of your closest friends and advisors. Your path will be even more difficult than it was this morning, yet I know in my heart you will succeed.”
Cylon smiled. “Then you have more confidence than me, my friend.”
“It’s time,” hissed one of his men from the shadows, everyone having taken hold of a portion of the long thread.
Cylon nodded, removing from around his neck the amulet given him by Pythia. He pressed it into Basileios’ hand. “Let it bring you the success it failed to bring me.”
Basileios clasped it against his chest. “I shall treasure it.” He gave his friend one last hug, his chest aching as if his heart were about to burst, then motioned to the four men assigned to give the best friend, and the greatest man he had ever known, any hope of escape.
As the torches inside the temple were doused to provide them with cover, Cylon stared at those gathered. “Should any of us not survive the night, then I shall see you again in Elysium, and there we shall rejoice together, with no regrets, over what we tried here this tragic day.”
And with that, Cylon slipped into the darkness with his escort, and Basileios, tears streaming down his face, silently led those who remained from the temple that had protected them, and into the uncertainty that lay ahead.
15 |
Phaleron Delta Necropolis
Athens, Greece
Present Day
Basil Antoniou pointed at the long line of excavated skeletons, all in a neat row, all with their hands shackled together over their heads.
An unusual configuration.
Acton scratched his chin. “Do you have an explanation for this? This burial method?”
Antoniou looked at him, a slight smile on his face. “Why don’t you give me your theory, Professor?”
Acton chuckled, taking the bait willingly. “If you insist.” He stepped closer to the solemn sight. “The shackles suggest they were criminals, or at least prisoners. And were so when they died. There’s no way they would be buried this way if they were innocent.”
Antoniou nodded. “Agreed.”
Laura stepped forward, kneeling beside the first body. “And these men were buried with respect.” She gestured along the straight line. “They were all positioned neatly, orderly. If they were being discarded en masse as prisoners, they would likely have simply been tossed into a mass grave.” She frowned, shaking her head. “Back then, the bodies of dead criminals were rarely treated with respect like this.”
Antoniou smiled, his eyes widening suggestively. “Unless?”
Acton pursed his lips. “Unless they were nobility. Despite their crimes, they still would have been accorded respect. The authorities wouldn’t have dared offend the families.”
“Go on.”
“According to what I read, they’ve been carbon dated to the third quarter of the seventh century BC.”
“Yes. Confirmed multiple times.”
“Which, according to incorrect news reports, places them between 650 and 675. But we know that the third quarter of the seventh century BC is actually the opposite of that, and places them between 625 and 650 BC.”
Antoniou’s head bobbed appreciatively. “I’m glad you picked up on that. You wouldn’t believe how many deaf ears my pleas fell on to have those reports corrected. And once our discovery is announced, those erroneous reports will be used to try and debunk our theory.”
Acton stared at the bodies, noting signs of wounds—chipped and broken bones, and head wounds that suggested impact by blunt objects, perhaps stones. “Well, I’ve always felt, from the moment that this find was announced, that there was only one possible explanation for this.”
Antoniou smiled. “That these are those Plutarch referred to? That these are those who were massacred?”
Acton nodded. “Exactly. But other than the timing, and the fact the circumstances of their death seem to corroborate with Plutarch’s account, no proof has been found.” He paused, a smile creeping onto his face. “This discovery you keep alluding to. You’ve found the proof, haven’t you?”
Antoniou put an arm around his wife’s shoulders. “We have. And it proves it beyond any doubt.”
16 |
Outside the Temple of Athena, The Acropolis
City of Athens
632 BC
Cylon hid behind the statue of Athena with the others as they stripped off their armor. It was dark inside the temple, the only light from the torches surrounding the outside, and as his followers slowly made their way out, all gripping the thread that would keep them linked to the goddess and the protection she provided, the attentions of those outside followed them.
It was working.
The torches outside moved, converging on the other side, leaving the opposite side almost devoid of people. Orders were shouted and the crowds parted, allowing his people passage unscathed.
He said a silent prayer to Apollo and the goddess Athena, then turned to his men. “Ready?”
They nodded as one.
“Then let’s go. Quietly, calmly.” He led the way, striding from their hiding position to one of the outer columns, then pressed against it, the others doing the same at columns on either side. He peered into the darkness and smiled.
Nobody remained, though there was still some torchlight from fixed positions.
He sheathed his sword, hiding it under his robes, then stepped casually out from behind the column, striding across the square and toward an alleyway closest their position.
Someone shouted to their right. “Some of them are escaping!”
His escort converged on his position and grabbed him by both arms, hauling him toward the alleyway as he at first struggled against them, wanting instead to fight at their side.
But if he did, they would all die, and they would have died for nothing.
He stopped resisting, and instead broke out into a sprint toward the narrow opening, his men releasing their grip as he was now committed to their bidding.
Swords clashed behind him as he reached the alleyway. More shouts and the pounding of footfalls echoed behind him. Someone cried out. It was one of their own, he was sure. He cringed as yet another was heard meeting his end.
He pressed forward, emerging from the alleyway and into another street. He sprinted in the opposite direction of his home, as there would be no safety found there, and instead headed toward the port and the security provided by the unfamiliar faces of those not from these parts.
And prayed for the souls of his fallen friends.
17 |
Phaleron Delta Necropolis
Athens, Greece
Present Day
Shouts from outside had Acton and the others heading for the ramp before Antoniou’s major discovery could be revealed. There was no sense of urgency, just excitement, and as he emerged from the pit, he smiled in relief at the sight of two black SUVs quickly emptying of their occupants and cargo.
An imposing figure of a man strode toward them, decked out in gear fit for any well-equipped Special Ops soldier, and a casual salute was given.
“I am Darius Korba. Which one of you is Professor Palmer?”
Laura stepped forward, extending a hand. “I am. Are you Cameron’s man?”
“Colonel Leather and I had the distinction of serving together, yes. He has briefed me on the situation, and we are fully prepared to take over security of the site.”
Acton noticed Antoniou bristle at the words. “I think there might have been a slight misunderstanding. We need you to supplement the security, not take it over. This site is controlled by the Greek government, so we can’t supplant their people without permission.”
Korba bowed slightly. “Understood, sir. I presume you are Professor Acton?”
Acton nodded. “I am.”
“Excellent. Colonel Leather has informed me that the two of you are well-trained. I may require your assistance later, until the rest of my team arrives tomorrow.”
“You’re bringing more?”
“This is just an advance team of six to get monitoring equipment set up. Another six are arriving tomorrow. That will give us enough to rotate shifts.”
“Will twelve be enough?” asked Laura.
The Cylon Curse Page 5