Tridas (25 page)

Antipater held Kavani as tears
started to fill her eyes.

"When she died, I couldn't
bear to wear the stone. The memories of
her
necklace were too close to
my heart. I kept it safe, until I felt drawn to it in my studies of the
aconite. The symbol has always intrigued me".

"Did your Mother offer any
clue to its meaning when she gave it to you?", Antipater asked.

"The rod is undoubtedly
the instrument central to our heritage. It is believed to be carved from the
first tree, the symbol of budding life from the garden. The life giving power of
the necklace bestowed upon us, seems to confirm this element", Kavani
continued. "My mother believed the three bands to be symbolic of the Gods,
but I always wondered about her exact interpretation".

"How so?" Aristotle
interjected, both of them almost forgetting he had returned.

"I think about the one who
carved it into the precious jewel. He was well versed in our history - the
sacred nature of the stone. Yet he was not afraid to
deface
its beauty
with his own work. The mark must have been influenced by his studies in Persia
or even by the enchanter who oversaw his addition".

"Interesting!"
Aristotle complemented. "By your nature, you must have followed this path.
What have your studies revealed?"

"Numbers carry great
significance in the Persian Empire. The Babylonians discovered and charted the
astrological signs and the numerology of events past, present and future".

"Some would argue the
point, but continue". Aristotle stated, but with no contention.

"The number 1 is the
Primal Force. Number 2 is the All Knowing. And Number 3 is the Creative. My mother
saw the rings as cohesive, but what if they represent discord. The conflict
between these three great foundations... The Strong, The Knowledgeable, The
Creative".

"Or maybe a talisman to
summon the power of all three", Antipater suggested. "You stated, the
prince displayed great power with it in his possession".

"Actually, I stated, he
had greater wisdom and understanding than others with similar gifts".
Kavani corrected. "But I agree, his carving seemed to add to the stone's
power. Plus, there is no legend of a curse tied to his carving into the stone.
He was said to have dreams and accurately predict the future. Perhaps the
symbol came to him in a vision".

"And the spiral?"
Aristotle asked, attempting to keep her on task.

"I've thought of it as a
vibration", Kavani answered. "Like a ripple effect in a reflecting
pool".

"Your ideas are
astute". Aristotle further complemented. Antipater admired her energy.

"I've had years to
ponder". Kavani humbly replied, her natural modesty nothing but endearing.

The defensive attempts failed
to stop the Russian missile. The smoke had proven enough of a cloak to hide the
exact trajectory of the missile for a pinpoint intercept. The missile dove deep
into the crater of the volcano. It easily broke through the thin layer of the
planet's crust. Well within the earth's mantle the warhead exploded.

Calculating the time
differential and no nuclear particle detection or cloud chamber, the intercept
was assumed successful. The speaker on Kava's ship cracked to life, "The
missile has been neutralized over the intended target. It was a direct hit. The
warhead did not detonate. No detection of nuclear particles entering the
atmosphere".

Kava could hear the cheers of
the crew through the wall of her quarters, which was suddenly interrupted by a
knock at the door. "Kava, it's Hoyt. We did it!" She opened the door
and Hoyt burst into the room.

"The smoke screen did the
trick!" said Hoyt, almost shouting. "Thanks to
our
perfect
timing. Now we can focus on the samples you collected for other potential
strike points".

Kava was surprised at Hoyt's
jovial spirit. Did he actually have a change of heart and genuinely was happy
the disaster was averted? or, did he know something the others did not? She
honestly couldn't read him. Throughout the entire mission, he had successfully
fooled, both her and Aven, as well as his entire team. He had assumed the role
for years. Keeping him close would remain paramount.

Hoyt believed the information
reported by the ship's Captain. Although the strike on the island had failed,
he would not fail in eliminating Kavani as a threat to their future.

"The core samples will
need to be evaluated by specialists", Kava replied. "May be in
Argentina?"

"I'm sure a research
facility can be identified. Aven is probably going stir crazy", Hoyt
replied, changing the subject abruptly. "With things settling, we should
reach out to him".

Hoyt opened the door and
gestured gentlemanly, as Kava stepped out into the corridor towards communications.
Hoyt closed the door behind them, but not before tossing a surveillance bug
under the bunk.

"The island was a
bust". Hoyt roared into the communications, before Kava had a chance to
respond to Aven's hello.

"Actually, due to Hoyt's
quick thinking, it appears we have avoided a nuclear incident, but I still feel
uneasy". Kava was as interested in Hoyt's reaction to her statement as she
was to Aven's response. "How are you doing?"

"The airport has been on
lock down. No one seemed to have any real answers, but I knew it was island
related. What did your sweep reveal?" Aven asked.

"There were remnant
lasers, but the signal was weak. Someone had been to the island crater".
Kava offered, repeating Hoyt's report from the chopper.

"Enough evidence to keep
us guessing", Hoyt added. "Maybe it's like you said Aven, the enemy
is simply sending us in opposite directions to divide our forces".

"You gotta be kidding
me", Aven spoke unexpectedly.

"Excuse me!" Hoyt
reacted.

"Can you turn this
up?" Aven said, obviously speaking to someone other than Kavani and Hoyt.
"Sorry", diverting his attention back to them, "Sihamuni is on
TV. He is in local custody. His son, Ambassador Franco, is making a
statement".

"What?" Kavani said
shocked, her mind racing while watching Hoyt's reaction to Aven's words.

"The news break is in
Portuguese, but from what I can make out Sihamuni has admitted to his involvement
in some international affairs and is being held indefinitely until the matters are
further reviewed".

Hoyt looked genuinely
horrified. "Hey! This is good news". Kavani said staring at Hoyt,
snapping him back to reality.

"Unbelievable", was
all Hoyt could say.

"When will you two be back
in port?" Aven asked. "We need to pay our friend a visit, before
extradition. Can you arrange for that Hoyt?"

"We are just hours
away", Hoyt stated looking down at his watch. "I'll make a few calls".

Hoyt requested for a new
channel to be opened. Kavani continued the call with Aven, knowing Hoyt was
still within earshot.

"Any further revelations
regarding the image I drew for you?" Aven asked softly.

"To be honest, it had
completely slipped my mind". Kava said with a wondering tone,
"Why?"

"I feel like there is more
to it. Do you remember the image? The spiral, it feels like a
vibration
to me".

Kavani suddenly felt faint,
"I need to lie down".

"Rest, we will see each
other shortly. I love you". Aven reassured her.

Images, visions, memories began
to flood Kavani's mind, even her sub conscious. "Hoyt, can you assist me
back to my room? I'm losing my sea legs. Good thing this cruise is coming to an
end. I would like to rest before we meet up with Aven. I get the feeling you
two are planning another long night".

Laying in her bunk, Kava fell
into a trance. The true meaning of the image, and her history with it being
revealed at last.

****

The acceleration of particles
from the detonation of the warhead within the earth's mantle had begun to have
an effect on the Ringwoodite. The magnetic nature of the element drew the ions
north as the latent water began to transition its phase.

****

Hoyt lay listening to the
surveillance bug he had dropped in Kavani's quarters. It was completely silent.
This could be his opportunity to eliminate her. Everyone in the communication
deck had seen her turn pale and almost pass out. Could he poison her and walk
away unscathed? Even continue his connection with Aven? He decided to strike.

Entering one of the common
areas, Hoyt announced to the small room of officers, "Who's taking
celebratory shots with me?" hoisting a bottle of Vodka into the air. Once
the others were sufficiently inebriated and Hoyt felt comfortable with his
alibi, he continued to Kava's room.

Hoyt cracked open, Kavani's
door. She lay still. Maneuvering quietly into the space, he began to administer
his deadly concoction. Kavani's eyes opened, burning like nothing Hoyt had ever
seen. With one quick motion of her hand, Hoyt flew across the room, slamming
into the solid wall. Kavani stepped into the hall as the commotion attracted
the drunk men stumbling towards the noise.

"I need help! Hoyt has
passed out", she yelled into the hall. A few sober within earshot, dashed
passed the others to aid in the situation.

"He has multiple broken
bones", explained one of the responders. "It is not safe to move him,
until medical personnel can evaluate. He also appears to be completely
unconscious".

"I was not feeling well
earlier", Kava said. "Perhaps we were exposed to something on the
island".

"He had also had a few too
many", slurred one of his companions from earlier, steadying himself in
the doorway. Medical aids pushed into the room and confirmed Hoyt's condition.

Even though they were only
minutes from the mainland, it was decided to medevac Hoyt immediately to the
Aleman Hospital in Buenos Aires. Kavani would travel with him in case her
condition worsened or it was determined the island excursions were at the root
of the problems.

Kavani flipped on her cell. She
had reception. She dialed Aven.

"Hoyt is not well. Can you
meet us at the Aleman Hospital?"

"Sure" Aven replied
with a bit of surprise.

"I've got so much to tell
you", Kavani added.

"I thought you might",
Aven answered. "I also received notice from the Command that we have a clearance
to visit Sihamuni".

"See you shortly. They are
loading Hoyt into the chopper now".

Aven made his way to the ICU,
Kavani was sitting in the empty waiting room.

"Did Suttikul have my
necklace?" Kavani asked jumping into Aven's arms.

"You remember!"

"I remember everything! Do
you have my necklace?"

They sat down and Aven opened
the frayed diary, "Here is the journal I told you about. Suttikul's
grandfather has meticulous notes surrounding the symbol, but never any mention
of your necklace or even the stone. The seminal piece seems to be a scrap of
wood etched with the symbol." Aven flipped to a specific page, "According
to this, it washed up on the shores of Sri Lanka after a tsunami wiped out most
of its coastal cities. It was worshipped by the people. It was believed to keep
their cities safe from future floods".

Kava was lost in its words, as
she paged through the journal, filling in the gaps of her own recent
recollections.

A doctor broke the silence,
"It is not likely your friend will ever walk again".

Aven stood.

"There is something you
need to know", Kava said. "I've been waiting for the right time to
tell you. Hoyt is Russian. He is working with Suttikul and the monk".

"Are you sure?"

"He tried to kill me.
TWICE".

"What?" Aven said
sitting back down next to Kava.

"He has yet to regain
consciousness". The doctor continued in Spanish, oblivious to what Kava had
just revealed. "But the damage to his bones is mind-boggling. Many are
completely shattered".

Aven put the pieces together as
the doctor exited the waiting room. "He attacked you on the ship?"

"And on the island. I
clouded his memories. Even if he regains consciousness, he will not be aware
that we know his secret".

"You are bad ass!"
Aven said with a smirk, admiring his seemingly innocuous companion.

"I am just happy this is
all over", he could hear her release in each word. "Next time you
travel for work, I think I'll just go dancing with Staci".

Aven laughed inside and flashed
a smile, nothing but thankful she had chosen to join him.

"Almost", Aven clarified.
"Suttikul is petrified. Vasily is under surveillance, and Hoyt" still
shocked at his involvement, "is out of commission. Let's go visit the
monk."