Tridas (10 page)

"Let's divide and conquer”, the commander
ordered. "Keep coms live. I will patrol the perimeter, while Techie
continues to patch into their communications. Thermal will be too conspicuous,
so we are old school on this op. Once the Colonel is secured, we hold the
strong position, giving us more options. Move out".

Given the chaos in the streets, it was not
difficult to blend, even just steps from the iron fences walling in the
Government House. Cultivating a riot was easy and served as a perfect
distraction of the guards, to enter the grounds.

Aven had separated off with the largest of the unit,
a Dutch farm boy from Michigan. "The team appreciates your expertise Aven.
You are probably the most intelligent guy I have ever met, but I got to be
honest... your ideas about an ancient prediction of floods and magic-talk have
us all a little bugged out", Hoyt confessed. "The scientific study
about the water in the core of the earth seems reasonable, but rumor has it,
you cracked the code by channeling the spirit world at some pyramid in Cancun?
Come on man, Cancun is a Spring Break destination, not a vestige of military
intelligence from the gods!"

Aven reasoned, it was not likely a good time to
fill his new cynical friend in on his further exploits at Angkor, but actually
embraced Hoyt's sarcasm. "People embrace science to explain what they
cannot understand. Acknowledging the existence of magic would destroy the last
vestige of that egocentric control".

"Deep", Hoyt replied, but internalized
the message more than the one word response indicated.

"Where do we stand?" The commander's
voice snapped over the coms embedded in their ears. The position reports of the
unit came next. Aven and Hoyt were making the best progress. The tunnels had
proven a good route to remain unseen while approaching the inner offices. From
the layout maps they had studied, Hoyt could sense they were very close to the
assumed position of the Colonel. Now they simply needed an access point back to
the surface.

"The fact that the tunnels were omitted from
our layout plans, leads me to assume they may be secret even to the Thai. That
being the case, the likely hood of an obvious exit is pretty slim”. Hoyt
offered up his thoughts.

"The first principle of good strategy. Never
assume anything" Aven replied, in his best impersonation of Hoyt's
previously sarcastic tone.

They both burst out laughing, the echoes bouncing
off the cavern walls. Hoyt froze, head cocked. "The acoustics are wrong.
There is an attenuation effect coming from this left wall. It's not pure
rock." Turns out, Hoyt is an echo suppression expert. He at least had
exceptional hearing.

"Nice work Hoyt!" Aven complimented.

"When it comes to 'having ears on it,' I'm
the best!" Hoyt stated, full of pride. "Let's scout out some tools
and bust threw this outer layer. I'm betting it's not thick at all."

"Ever seen
Indiana Jones and The Last
Crusade?
"

"Who hasn't? Made my visit to Petra a must
when we were stationed in Jordan”, Hoyt recalled.

"The Treasury is amazing, but I was hinting
at the library scene... X marks the spot..."

"Awe, the velvet rope and pedestals blocking
the initial staircase we descended". Came Hoyt realizing the reference, already
in stride, moving in the direction from which they had come.

"I'll go this way, just in case another
staircase is around the corner". Aven yelled back over his shoulder as he
stepped into a brisk jog in the opposite direction.

Aven's path came to a dead end, but retracing his
steps, he could already hear the sound of Hoyt hammering away. Returning to
where they had parted ways, Hoyt had uncovered a wood formed mosaic. Hoyt had
been tempted to bust through the weak, tiled stones, but squelched his urge,
figuring Aven would reveal that it was "priceless" upon his return.
Hoyt found the image of the wolf "to be cool" anyway, but rarely (if
ever) let "art" interfere with the parameters of his mission.

Aven was taken aback by the relevance of the
image. The two of them could easily dislodge the mosaic by its frame. After a
few coordinated pulls, the image broke loose from the wall revealing a square
ramped hollow backed only by plaster. They quietly cracked through the plaster
and found themselves in the hall connecting the inner offices. Voices from
behind the third door, indicated the room as their target. Instead, approaching
the second option, the door swung open to an empty chamber with large
pointed-arch windows.

"Perfect! Easy access to our neighbors next
door”. Hoyt spoke softly, yet triumphantly. "I'll alert the unit".

"Coms are jammed. Some of the team could be
compromised", Hoyt reported after a few attempts. Aven tried his link as
well. Radio's had been quiet, but they both had attributed the silence to their
underground location. Coms were down.

Tilting open the stained glass, the window ledge
would be more than enough edge to peer in the next room and the colored glass
would provide some concealment as well. "Ready to check in next
door?" Aven asked.

"Nosy neighbor reporting for duty, Sir".
Hoyt quipped... rigid posture, salute gesture and all. He certainly made any
situation more fun.

In the neighboring room sat Colonel Suttikul and
three others. It appeared by the relaxed nature of the grouping, that if any
members of the unit had been compromised, the guards had not thought it
necessary to alert their leader.

Accessing the situation, Hoyt shrugged,
"Equipment failure?" referring to the non-functioning earpieces.

"Don't assume. Let's take the room",
Aven spoke more focused than Hoyt had ever seen him. They took their respective
positions. Hoyt burst through the door. His massive size, the more dramatic
distraction, as Aven came through the window, stealth mode. The element of
shock swayed the odds, making it easy to secure the Colonel and confine his
companions. Hoyt stripped them of any weapons, while Aven examined the office
for any unwanted surprises.

With coms down and no time to waste, Hoyt began
his interrogation. His instruction had included extensive negotiation training;
coupled with Aven's ageless diplomacy experience, getting the answers they
wanted should not be too difficult.

It was initially easier than either of them
expected. The Colonel was very forth coming.

"Our vision is bigger than either of you or
those you represent." The colonel began pontificating. Gesturing towards
Aven, "Your appearance matches the descriptions I received from Angkor.
Your discoveries there will not prove as powerful as you anticipate. What is in
motion has strong roots. In ancient times, Cambodia and Thailand were one
nation. We have been weakened by our separation, but the countries will
reunify. My modern military prowess in tandem with the spiritual forces of our
Warrior Priests of Angkor, your so-called
super power
of the west will
not withstand our wrath. The seeds of destruction have existed for millennia.
The threat is growing, even as I speak. Fear it!"

"Creepy" Hoyt interjected, unable to
contain his opinions.

Not missing a beat, Aven stepped in, "What
of your connection with the Russian Captain?"

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend",
Suttikul quoted.

"We have been tracking his travels and
intend to intercept him here in Thailand. We have this chair right here waiting
for him to join our quaint little party" Hoyt declared, merely inches from
the Colonel's face.

"Appearances can be deceiving",
Suttikul sneered.

"In case you haven't noticed Colonel, your
role in this grand plan is over", Hoyt grinned. "Coms are live, I
reported successful
hands on target
, and our team is now leveraging your
hostage situation to fully secure the grounds. Like I said, this party is
by-invitation-only, with one more guest request pending... Capt. Vasily. Does
he like cake or is he more of a pie guy?"

The Commander entered the room, "Good Work.
We need to keep up appearances. Capt. Vasily is confirmed on a flight into
Thailand, under an alias. It's critical he not diverge from his set itinerary.
Let's not spook him. The outside guards have been replaced by our men. We
assume his destination is here. We can secure once he is on the grounds. What
have you learned here?"

"They are definitely working together",
Hoyt spoke first. "And his story is just as crazy as Mr. Antipater's,
Sir... No offense." Looking over at Aven.

"None taken" Aven smiled. "Just
don't close your mind Hoyt as more of the facts present themselves. Answers
will prove what is true, no matter the source".

"Antipater", Suttikul interrupted the
discussion. "Why do I know that name?"

"Do you know your history?" Aven
snapped back, with the same intensity, Hoyt had noticed earlier.

"Can I hear some more of your mad
plan?" Hoyt asked Suttikul, giving Aven a moment to step away.

"You think I am eccentric” Suttikul jeered,
"when in fact, it is you who is not in the proper frame of mind for the
events that are pending. Sanity runs on a separate plane when encountering the
supernatural. You should be questioning your friend, Mr. Antipater, over there,
if you want more answers. You will not break me".

Hoyt knew there was some truth in the Colonel's
statements, but he also knew it had been a long day and right now they seemed
to have the upper hand. He would be happy with these outcomes for today.

329 B.C.

Kavani broke through the wooded grove into a semi
hidden meadow. The moon shining on the field rivaled daylight. The Druid
festivities were comparably lively as the celebration she had left with the
Roman statesmen, with one exception, everyone was nude.

The Celtic movements, music and symbols were all
new to Kavani and she relished the energy present on the field. Her formal
garments raised suspicion. The activity halted as she approached. It was not
uncommon to send a beautiful woman to serve as a distraction for a pending
surprise attack. An initial scout report of the naked Druids would likely have
viewed them as quite vulnerable, however nothing could be further from true.
The dancing had changed to a state of meditation. Hands linked and quiet as
they collectively "reached out" to judge Kavani's intentions.

"Welcome High Priestess”, was the joint
response, but Kavani could not tell if she had heard it with her ears or just
her mind. "More yet, Goddess, accept our visit to your realm. May we share
the enchantment of the evening".

Shedding her clothes, Kavani began her journey of
enlightenment amongst the Druids. A relationship, that would flourish for years
to come.

Although she did not sleep all night, Kavani was
more energized than normal for the morning games. She was at the north end of
the tracks, in reserved seats, with a spectacular view of the events. As the champions
entered the Circus Maximus, her eyes fell on Antipater, his bronze skin hidden
only by the medallion strapped to his chest. He and Kavani had spent much time
choosing a symbol to represent him, once he had been considered to compete. For
years he had proudly worn the sun crest of Alexander. Kavani admired his
loyalty, but was equally eager for Antipater to be dressed in an image that was
symbolic of him alone. They had settled on the wolf. The creature bore many
attributes representative of Antipater's style and character. The animal also
had strong ties to the moon and other elements of Kavani's educations that made
her further treasure the choice. The icon emblazoned into metal across
Antipater's chest was strong and powerful. His competitors knew he would be a
formidable foe.

Antipater easily advanced through the first round
of races and gladiator events. Kavani had forgotten how physically powerful
Antipater could be, as well as how strategically calculating he was in his
movements. He was not the biggest participant by far, but he competed with such
finesse. Kavani was not the only one to take notice. In just the first day,
Antipater "the Wolf" had become a crowd favorite.

On the fifth night, of the week long games, was
another stately celebration that demanded Antipater's attendance as Rome's
latest man of interest. Antipater enjoyed exercising his skills, but had not
counted on the notoriety accompanying his successes. He and Kavani had done a
good job maintaining a comparably low profile over the years hidden away in
Rome. It was only four more days, he reasoned, and he could return to just
being a good winemaker.

"You look incredible in that purple dress as
a true royalty", Antipater expressed as they readied themselves for the
evening's affair.

"Wait 'til you see what I wear at the Druid
initiation", was Kavani's answer. Antipater smiled, his skin turning a
little flush.

Titus Veturius Calvinus, the head of the
consulship, was in attendance. He sought out Antipater to congratulate his
triumphs. "I sense we have met before." Calvinus continued,
"Your countenance is hard to forget. How long have you been in Rome?"