‘This one I think, it tells the Admiral that they must return the artefacts to the place they were found.’
Jacob turned to look at the brilliant crystal artefact, the silver and vivid blue glinting in the artificial light.
‘So this is from South America, being taken to where, Greenland?’
‘The Chinese are known to have been there.’
An explosion interrupted the conversation, the shockwave rocked the porta-cabin. Jacob ran to see what had happened. Outside in a separate area, a team had a small sealed cabin with a bank of analytical tools, to assess the composition of the crushed metal and crystal object. They came out of the smoking room, coughing and blackened with soot, but none appeared seriously hurt, just a little deaf.
‘What happened?’
The lead lab tech shouted back, Jacob did not stop him, more concerned at the information than the volume with which it was delivered.
‘We were using laser light to check the absorption properties of the crystal, and we got strange results.’
‘How strange?’
‘It kept absorbing the light, not refracting it or reflecting it back.’
‘Did it explode?’
‘No, that was our machine, for a second I thought I saw light come out of the crystal.’
Jacob went to check the camera feeds on the hard drive outside the room, even though the cameras were now fried, the recordings were safe.
Lorraine joined him, while the three-man team from the small lab were given first aid. He took the feedback just five minutes and zoomed in, sure enough the crystal appeared to absorb the light, and he slowed down he images.
Just before the explosion, the crystal sent a beam of energy out back into the laser analyser, which had caused the explosion. He went back to the lab and opening the door fully to allow the smoke to clear, he looked for the metal and crystal object. Still in place on the workbench was the metal, no charring or damage apparent, the other equipment around it scorched and burnt. He did not attempt to pick up the object, leaving it for the team to deal with.
He exited the lab and spoke to Lorraine, ‘There is something different about this crystal, and I would presume that this artefact is constructed in a similar way.’
‘If we carefully analyse its properties, but with reduced levels of power and shield it more effectively.’
‘Agreed, just use caution, imagine if they had performed the same test on this object, that crystal is only about two centimetres across and was able to destroy the lab.’
‘I suppose it is similar to overloading a capacitor, the energy stored suddenly released in one massive surge.’
‘That would explain the delay between the light energy entering the crystal, and the discharge some minutes later.’
An expression of determination came across Jacob’s face, he moved forward, carefully re-wrapping the artefact in its original protective silk and bamboo, and placing it firmly in an airtight bag.
‘Lorraine, call Paul Stone, tell him I need paperwork to take this to Ecuador.’
‘Ecuador, why?’
‘Because I suspect that is where this amulet originated from, and that Laurent has found a ship containing another one.’ Jacob strode confidently from the lab, Andy scuttling along behind him. Jean called over from near the hangar entrance, ‘One more thing, KEVIN!’
Kevin poked his head out of the communications station next to Eli, Jacob spotted him and waved him over. ‘Get your gear Kevin we are going to Ecuador.’
Before Kevin could respond Jacob was walking towards the waiting helicopter, Jean waiting impatiently beside it.
‘Jacob, can we go now?’
‘Yes we can my friend, south to discovery if you please.’
THIRTEEN
Laurent had returned to camp for supplies, his venture to discover the secrets of the circular wall appeared fruitless. He said all he found was a clay brick wall, with a lake in the middle. His assistant Marianne was as attentive as always, fussing around him like a mother hen. Fortunately Katherine did not witness it, she may have shot the girl. Three days in the jungle with her hero, Marianne had obviously taken advantage. The rest of the group were aware, only keeping their silence to maintain their position on the expedition. Laurent had his usual smug expression upon his less than triumphant return, probably due the exploration of Marianne and not of the jungle.
He dumped his gear, and walked over to Katherine, embraced her attempted to kiss her. She pushed him away, unhappy at the public show of lust. ‘Christophe, no.’
He looked around to check who had witnessed this rejection, everyone was looking at him. Christophe tried to console her, brushed her cheek, she moved away, looking straight at him.
‘I had a phone call while you were away.’
‘Really, who would bother to call here?’
‘Jacob.’
She waited, arms folded, Christophe’s predictable reaction followed.
‘What did he want? Did you call him?’
‘No I did not call him.’ which was true, she emailed him, but she let the rat squirm for now.
‘So what did he call about? Something trivial no doubt.’
‘Actually he wanted to know why you had claimed the find of the walled crater, and everything else here, when in fact I discovered the major find.’
Christophe flushed crimson, obviously caught out by a far more intelligent foe; he attempted and failed to bypass the question. Katherine was having none of it.
‘I can tell you now that Jacob is fully aware of who discovered what, and in future, I will be informing The Institute personally of any other finds!’
‘You think you will find more, more things! You only discovered the other items by folly not by design, amateur!’
At this point Marianne appeared on the walkway behind Christophe and made a vain attempt to defend him.
‘Katrine, I think you will find that Christophe gave joint credit for your finds.’
‘Firstly it’s KATHERINE, not Katrine, second, you know damn well that you would cover his back if it was inches thick in shit, so shut your mouth and walk away!’
Marianne stepped forward, glaring and took a vain swing at Katherine, who blocked her attempted slap, and punched her in the jaw, sending her reeling back into the lounge area. Christophe was left alone in front of his furious fiancé, wondering what to say, if anything. Katherine saved him the trouble, ‘Here is your ring back. She threw it off into the jungle, ‘You can keep it, if you can find it! I am not leaving this expedition, I am contracted by Jacob.’
‘Are you sure about that, perhaps you should check with Jacob!’
‘You can check yourself. He will be here by tomorrow, flying into Quito!’
Christophe was stunned, Jacob here, undermining him, this would not stand, he must do something. He decided that for now he was best ensuring that all the research and recovery was complete for the wreck, and leave the walled crater for now. He moved silently back from Katherine, still staring at him, backtracked and went down a ladder and through to the dig site, leaving Marianne on the floor.
Debra Sharpe came over, recently arrived on a supply boat. ‘Nice one Katherine, best move you have made in months, course I would have shot Marianne, but that’s just me.’ Katherine smiled, thankful for the small amount of tension relieved by her close friend. ‘I was considering it, that’s why I left my gun under my bunk, no temptation then eh?’
Debra gave her a hug, unusual but welcome, took Katherine by the hand, and guided her to the food hall, ‘Jerk Chicken always makes you feel better.’
Laurent walked swiftly to the dig site, avoiding eye contact from all in his path. Someone had put the conversation out on the walkie-talkies, so by the time he crested the mound near the dig site, everyone was looking at him. He cursed quietly to himself, applied his best fake smile, and addressed the head of the dig.