However the fifth amulet holder hesitated, and that delay caused the power to reach very high levels, far in excess of what was required. If the fifth amulet had been engaged a few minutes later, the discharge would have missed the object completely.’
Jacob listened intently, not interrupting as the hovercraft continued its upriver journey.
‘Fortunately the complex discharged and we hit the object.’
‘When was this Augusta Fabiola?’
‘The night of 29 June 1908, he said he never forgot that day.’
‘You know what they hit that day?’
‘Yes, some people call it The Tunguska Event.’
‘Which happened on 30th June 1908, but the difference in time zones meant you did it on the 29th?’
‘Yes although there were no time zones like now, but yes we stopped it. You know that if we had hit it four minutes and forty seven seconds later, it would have been over St Petersburg when it exploded.’
‘Did they know about the devastation caused on the ground?’
‘No, they did not, even in Russia no one explored the area until 1921.’
‘There have always been rumours that a blue light went up and not down as eye witnesses stated.’
‘That would be correct blue lights hit it, and then it exploded high in the atmosphere.’
Jacob was astonished at Augusta Fabiola’s revelation, an event that had puzzled and enthralled many people for decades, was revealed as caused by a small group of people deep in the Ecuador rainforest.
Augusta Fabiola knew from her Grandfather that the power of the complex must be managed very carefully, to avoid such an event occurring over a more populated area. If they missed their firing window it could have drastic consequences, the object they were aiming for was manmade, and smaller than the complex was designed for, but just as vital to hit.
Below, unseen to La gente de la luz azul, Mastasson was holding the chamber to ransom, ‘Give me the amulet, I know you have it.’
‘I do not have it, Osvaldo Roderigo is the keystone guardian.’
‘How very quaint. Pass it to me guardian.’
‘You do not want this power my friend.’
‘Firstly I am no friend of yours, or anyone else here; second what I want is not your concern, what I will do if I do not get that amulet, is.’
He held up his hand gripping the trigger firmly, his knuckles white with the force, to emphasise his point. Osvaldo Roderigo stepped forward, removed the amulet slowly from his bag, and unwrapped it. Jacob stepped forward to stop him, ‘you cannot give that to him, we cannot allow him to have the power.’
‘Jacob, I took a vow to protect this place, and if that means giving him the fifth amulet to save it, then so be it.’
Osvaldo Roderigo stepped around Jacob, and lay the amulet on the ground in front of Mastasson.
‘Thank you Osvaldo, now all step back please.’
Jacob, Osvaldo Roderigo and Katherine stepped to the side of the dome in the floor, all watching Mastasson intently.
The devious General moved forward, reaching with his free hand to collect the amulet, never lowering his gaze from his three hostages.
‘Now Osvaldo, tell me what I need to do.’
‘I am reluctant to do so, but I feel you have left me no choice, but you must let these two go.’
‘Oh I am sorry Osvaldo, but you don’t get to make demands, they stay, you stay!’
Augusta Fabiola knew that in less than three minutes they must fire the device, or miss their opportunity, but her display and that of her colleagues showed that the fifth amulet was not in place. She could not see her associates but knew they would be just as concerned as her, she could not leave the obelisk to check, the blue shield would remain in place until they had fired, only then would it dissipate.
The keystone was being adjusted by Dalia Maria and Lucio Andres, setting the co-ordinates to intercept and strike the object at the ideal angle. The hatch in the roof of the dome opened, dilating as the multiple sections of it opened and disappeared like the delicate movement of an iris. Some water pouring in from the storm above, the majority ran off down gutters and away, none but a few drops of it falling through into the chamber.
Once the hatch was completely open, the keystone began to ascend again, separating into three distinct pieces as it did so. It moved outside into the empty space, shining amongst the violent storm blackened sky. The co-ordinates were all entered and monitored from the obelisks below, and the keystone remained in place despite the raging storm affecting the countryside around it.
Osvaldo Roderigo gestured for Mastasson to join him by the dome in the centre of the room, ‘Please step over here.’
Mastasson obliged, and Jacob and Katherine moved to one side, allowing him to pass out of arm’s length.
‘Mr Mastasson, you must place the fifth amulet into that hole on the cylinder above the dome.’
‘And what will that do?’
‘It will release the final sequence and allow you to unleash the power of this complex.’
‘And only I can do this?’
‘Well normally it would be me, and I am sure Jacob would undertake the honour.’
‘That was before you brought explosives into the equation Vincent.’
‘You know me Jacob, C4 don’t leave home without it.’
Mastasson moved onto the dome’s walkway, looking to the obelisks above him, and then to the keystone glowing against the darkened sky of the jungle far above.
‘This is my destiny.’
As instructed by Osvaldo Roderigo, Mastasson had placed his hand inside the amulet, holding the bar that was across the inside. The black stone object now appeared like a swollen fist on the end of his arm. The glyphs on the object glowed but he did not understand or care of their inscription.
He pushed the fifth amulet home, sliding it into the cylinder, a perfect fit. He looked back at Jacob with a sensation of triumph, but Jacob did not look beaten at all, neither did Osvaldo Roderigo. Mastasson went to remove his hand from the amulet but it was clamped around his wrist.
‘What is happening? Why can I not remove my hand? My job is done.’
‘No Vincent, your task is just beginning.’
Without warning a pin fired into Mastasson’s body, piercing above his wrist and between his ulna and radius bones in his forearm. He screamed from the intense burning sensation and attempted to pull his hand out by force, but the pin was between all his bones, foiling his attempts at freedom.
‘What have you done to me?’
‘That Mr Mastasson is part of the duty of the fifth amulet holder; you cannot leave the grip of the amulet, until your task is completed.’
‘What if I cut off my arm?’
‘You do not have time, or a knife.’
Mastasson had forgot to pick up the knife that Katherine was now waving in her hand.
‘Give me the knife bitch!’
‘Now that is harsh.’
‘I will let this bomb go off.’
‘If you do Vincent, you will never see what power you can have. Leave the bomb, disarm it.’
‘And you will tell me how to free myself.’
‘Of course.’
Mastasson reluctantly switched off the trigger, and lowered the bag to the waiting arms of Jacob.
‘Now tell me what to do next.’
‘Just hang on Vincent.’
The cylinder that the amulet was embedded in began to ascend, pulling Vincent clear of the walkway and into the air. The blood now running down his arm from the hole in his forearm, the pain increasing in magnitude as all his body weight was held by his damaged limb.