Tridas (5 page)

The super computers were
churning away and had found the first match, by substituting one of the ancient
characters with SERPENT. The decrypted element of the code read: SS-18. This
first clue had been disseminated to all agencies, but no connection had been
identified. Aven had proven his value, once again, and was asked to return to
the analyst station to see if he could expedite the process by giving his best
guesses for the match game. A few hours in, Aven tried replacing one of the
ancient water symbols with Xiang Yao, one of the eastern mythic water Gods
responsible for the great floods. The code descrambled revealing: HYDROXIDE
IONS. Two leads now and this one definitely had a science connection. Every
database containing even the most recent journals and theories would need to be
scoured for relevant intel.

Within the hour a journal,
that had been published this very morning, by a handful of scientists out of
New Mexico, was found using the term hydroxide ions – theorizing it as a 4
^th
phase water can take, in addition to liquid, ice or vapor. The coincidental
publishing that very morning, along with the location, had the room buzzing
with "Alien" jokes – on top of those details, today's date was Friday
the 13
^th
. It wasn't
Dreamland
, but it might as well be. Aven
knew better than to joke about aliens or other dimensions. In this situation,
what the collective knowledge in the room didn't know could actually kill them.

"What else does the
journal theorize?" Aven prompted, realizing the strange timing could be
critical.

Reading her screen, one of
the analysts spoke up, "It appears this form of water has been found in
minerals from meteorites. The mineral does not exist on earth, because the
temperatures and pressures to create the stone would be too intense. Scientists
disagree if the mineral, now coined Ringwoodite, could exist at the earth's
core. This journal is claiming proof, by reading seismic waves, that this
mineral is in fact a large part of the earth's mantle, the separation layer
between the core and crust of our planet".

"Does that mean what
I think it means?" Aven proffered.

"Yes, in the
transition zone of the earth's mantle lies the OCEANS' worth of water".
She confirmed.

Few of Langley's finest
had actually believed Aven's assessment, during his cursory explanation upon
his return from the ancient pyramid, but now details were linking up. Perhaps
this code was linked to an ancient prophesy predicting a global flood.

The Director of National
Intelligence motioned Aven into his office. "I just received a call from
the Secretary of Defense that NATO has a link to SS-18, He has assembled a
meeting with the joint chiefs and the combatant commanders. POTUS is in route
and your presence has been requested as well. We need to leave
immediately".

Aven had a high level of
clearance from previous projects, but whatever NATO had uncovered, had sparked
attention at the highest level. They entered the briefing room and joined the
others seated at the table. All 15 individuals stood, as the President entered
and was introduced to Aven, already being briefed on his expertise and
necessary involvement. The Secretary of Defense began, "The DoD
intercepted an encrypted code out of Thailand. With their current state of
martial law, the data was run up the chain of command to confirm the risk
threshold. Experts were recruited once the encryption was classified
"unbreakable". In the last few hours, we have a reason to believe the
situation has escalated to a global threat. An element of the encryption was
broken and the resulting code transmission includes SS-18. This is a NATO
classification name involving the Russian R-36, a family of intercontinental
ballistic missiles (ICBMs.) The original weapon 8K67, classified as SS-9 Scarp
by NATO, was developed during the Cold War to rival our Peace keeper missile
project. The project was reinitiated last year, classified by NATO as SS-18
Satan. It carries 10 warheads and up to 40 penetration aids. It is the heaviest
ICBM ever built. The throw weight of the missile is 9,100 Kgs”.

The reference to the
number 91 wasn't missed by Aven. Pieces were starting to compose a picture of
what the entire code could reveal.

The Secretary continued,
"MacDill has been put on alert, Mr. President and is awaiting for your
direction Sir".

The President dismissed
the room. As they were exiting, Aven asked the Director, "When the special
command reconnaissance team is dispatched from MacDill Air Force Base will we
be notified?"

"It will be 'need to
know,' so the more of the encryption we can unravel the better".

Aven countered with
another question, "Why is there no briefing on the Ringwoodite
discovery?"

"It is important, but
still seems more theory than concrete data. We need more clues like
SS-18."

Aven believed the
"coincidently-timed" journal study proving the ocean amount of water
captured in ions within the earth's mantle, was more than a theory and was
equally certain that SS-18 directed at the right spot could have a melting
effect on the Ringwoodite, triggering a global flood.

"Langley then and
let's pray for progress".

336 B.C.

Virtually putting himself under house arrest, Antipater had confined
himself to a secure place deep within the city walls; for all intents and
purposes underground. He had done it as much for Kavani, as for his own safety.

"I feel quite monastic tucked away".
Antipater bemoaned.

"A monk? I can certainly squelch that
feeling." Kava seductively whispered in his ear, pressing her chest into
his back.

Antipater spun around and grabbed her,
"What did you have in mind?"

"Grape stomping! It will clear your mind.
It can be relaxing as well as enjoyable".

"Really?" Antipater burst out in
laughter.

"What? It can be sexy too. After all, the
by product is wine". She simply stated as she caressed the side of her leg
through the slit in her dress, momentarily looking up to ensure Antipater was
admiring her act. They were both laughing as she left the chamber to gather
grapes.

Kavani returned momentarily with a very large
barrel of grapes. She placed the barrel next to a stone cistern, "The
vineyards are ripe and the pickers are hard at work. I would have requested
workers bring more barrels, but your presence is secret and none can be
trusted".

"This is a perfect and private selection
made for two”. Antipater replied, as he reached around the barrel to empty the
grapes into the cistern for smashing. "By Zeus, this is heavy! How did you
manage so effortlessly?" He questioned as he awkwardly hoisted the barrel,
his biceps rippling, spilling a few grapes onto the floor.

Kavani spoke an incantation and the iris in her
eyes flashed a golden glow. The barrel became weightless in Antipater's arms.
"Magic". She replied with sexy confidence. "Nice arms. Your
strength is impressive".

Antipater knew he had the favor of the Gods, but
Kavani's connection was a different kind of blessing.

"Olympias revealed to me my eternal link to
the Goddess Aphrodite. I had always felt a connection with her 'Morning Star'
but after the rituals were performed and ancient words spoken, there has been new
knowledge, a new power inside me”.

"It is beautiful”. Antipater acknowledged
her inner confession.

"It completes me”. She smiled”. As well as
prepared me for our encounter”.

"In what way?"
 

"We were designed for each other Antipater.
Our love has a noble purpose. We need each other to fulfill our destinies”.

"Ours is a great love for the ages. I feel
it too Kavani. I did the moment I first saw you in the moonlight. Our
connection will never die. Our love will follow us into the next world”. He
embraced her, a bit intimidated, but completely in love... both new feelings
for Antipater.

After a long while, she broke the embrace”. Cover
your feet in olive oil. It repels the grape stain. Purple may be a sign of
royalty, but purple feet under your greaves sounds quite laughable." She
said, giggling at the thought.

"Your feet would be beautiful in any color”.
Came, his quick reply.

She smiled and they both stepped into the
cistern and began jumping away.

A second set of soldiers
bearing Alexander's crest were apprehended off the coast of Rhodes, long before
they could endanger Antipater. The handful of men willingly surrendered their
weapons and offered their message direct from Alexander himself.

To Antipater, son of Cassander, Regent of the Empire

My
great and beloved friend, dear Antipater!

It is a
very, very long time since I wrote to you; but as you know I have been
over-occupied with military matters, and while we were marching through
Hyrcania, Drangiana, and Gedrosia, and advancing beyond the Indus, I had
neither the time nor the inclination to take up my pen. Now, I am in Susa for
some months; but I have been so overwhelmed with administrative business,
appointing officials, and mopping up all kinds of intrigues and revolts, that I
have not had a moment till today to write to you about myself. Of course, you
know roughly from the official reports what I have been doing; but both my
devotion to you and my confidence in your influence on cultivated Hellenic
circles urge me once more to open my heart to you.

Many
rumors have come to me regarding your intentions at the capital, not only
political, but involving my dear mother. Exploits like those of Achilles
himself. Tales you have given yourself up to heroism and greatness, claiming my
victories and advancing against my enemies in your name. I can say that I did
not fall short of my ideal of you. I seek the sober truth. I hold a very
different view and chose to ignore these unfavorable statements in favor of
your laurels worthy of my praise. It is sheer political necessity, my dear
Antipater, that I understand this situation thoroughly and request a meeting in
Macedonia. I will break away shortly. It is absolutely paramount to subdue
these rumors. I leave it to you to consider whether you wish to undertake this
task as a reasonable and patriotic work and one which is politically necessary.

Greetings,
my dear Antipater,

From
your Alexander

The
letter settled in Antipater's mind that the threat lied solely with Olympias
and he would not return to the capital until Alexander's arrival was announced.

Olympias
received the word that Alexander was returning from his Indus campaign to have
a face to face meeting with Antipater. She knew her death squad had obviously
failed, but she would not be thwarted; she would destroy Antipater.

After
being at Langley late into the evening, Aven requested a thumb drive of the
encryption and returned to his hotel. A hot shower had been refreshing, but the
code was constantly on his mind. He could sense the immanent nature of the
event. Glancing at the clock, he realized it was not too late back in Seattle.
Grabbing his stealth cell, he dialed Kavani.

"Sorry
to interrupt your evening, but I wanted to catch you up on what we have learned
and review with you the details of our time in Chichen Itza, I feel like I am
forgetting something".

Aven
listed the terms they had tried that were effective in deciphering the
encryption and what the code revealed.

"You
mentioned feeling a tremor or quake when your 91 steps reached the cataclysmic
depiction inside the pyramid", Kava offered. 

Before
she could continue, Aven had submitted tremor, quake, and earthquake. Keying in
EARTHQUAKE the symbol descrambled to reveal CHIKYU.