Tridas (22 page)

"Are
you suggesting Antipater expected us to heal his heart with gold?"
Allatore could barely believe the words coming from his mouth.

"He was
always very spiritual. Even more so when Kavani captured his heart".

"Alchemy
is dangerous". Allatore shrugged, becoming more and more open to the
concept with each passing moment. "Could you administer the gold?"

"The
good news is, they are already dead". Aristotle stated, almost matter of
fact, "but I will require your assistance".

"I'm
thankful we exchanged the bodies before the burning ceremony." Allatore
admitted. "Working with bodies preserved in frankincense and myrrh will be
more bearable than charred flesh."

"Is
there a smith we can trust to refine the gold?" Aristotle asked, quickly
changing the subject before his imagination had a chance to form an image.

Aven wanted to
trust the Colonel, but was equally skeptical of his actual motives. Aven had
seen and heard much in his life. The tale was not too unbelievable, but men
usually forged bonds for one of three reasons, and Aven could honestly not
decide which was the motivating factor. 

The staff cleared the table as Colonel Suttikul reached for two shot glasses. He filled
each a third full with Frangelico.

"Do you like the Russian Quaalude? I find it a relaxing after dinner
drink. It's like a dessert. Some enjoy it shaken, but I prefer the layers
purely for presentation".

"Why am I here?" Aven burst out impatiently. "Your knowledge of
the symbol brought me a quarter of the way back around the globe and in the
opposite direction of our greatest threat and yet you are more concerned with
playing host than providing me any real information!"

"You are here, because I want you here!" Aven had obviously struck a
chord. Raising the shot glass, "Drink up. Na zdorovie".

"Russians don't actually toast that way..." Aven threw back the
drink, hoping the emotional display meant the Colonel was ready to divulge some
real intel. The room started to spin. 

"You are here, because we want you here, away from Kavani".

Aven could feel his mind starting to cloud over. "Kava doesn't need my
protection". He lounged for his enemy, but the Colonel simply lifted his
hand and froze Aven motionless. "You have powers".

"Yes! Great power Antipater". Leaning in, with almost a whisper,
"Kavani may need protection if the danger is assumed to be a friend".

Aven passed out and crumbled to the floor.

Even nearing unconsciousness, Aven fixated on Kavani. This positive energy
found him in a dreamlike state. Hundreds of images passed. He pictured her
beach combing in an ivory slip, one strap off the shoulder trying to balance on
a rock as the tide rolls in... We should kiss, written in the sand. He
remembered coming home late, finding her studying. Reading a book in nothing
but one of his shiny black button ups... Sleeves cuffed, knees up, legs crossed
at the heels, feet resting on the seat of a classic ladder back chair. She was
amazing, even doing the simple things of life.

Over the centuries, Aven had built up his immunity to poison. He finally forced
out, "What about your grandfather's journal, predicting the coming
terror?"

"Impressive, most men would have been out for days. It's only been a few
hours". Aven couldn't believe his ears. The Colonel stood from his chair
and cowered over his prey. "My grandfather feared what he did not
understand. It is a battle against humanity, but some of us are Gods".

"Don't get too confident. Pride comes before the fall. There is always a
reckoning".

Almost laughing, Suttikul chided, "Your reputation
is more daunting than the real experience". 

"Kill me, I can't stand to listen to your ego." 

"You can't stand at all. It is a greater punishment for you to live
without your beloved Kavani." The Colonel exited down the long haul,
leaving Aven in a cloudy heap to wallow in grief. 

****

Hoyt and Kava were just back on board the ship, tucked away from detection,
awaiting Sihamuni's imminent arrival.

"Point me to communications". Kava was excited to link up and phone
Aven.

"I'll escort you. I should check in as well". Hoyt was racking his
brain to think of an excuse to persuade Kava from connecting with Aven. He had
not expected her to return, but his accident had changed the course of events.
His recollection of the summit was still a bit hazy. He bumped into the
corridor wall.

"Easy Big Guy", still playing the friend role. She suggested he get
some attention.

"Good idea". Seizing the opportunity, "Maybe you can escort
me".

Not sure she had adequately swayed his perception of the island exploration,
Kava agreed. 

"What happened to you?", came the medic's response as they entered
the sick bay.

"This one can't put one foot in front of the other. Almost lost him,"
Kava jokingly reported.

"Welcome to the binnacle list. Besides cleaning up those cuts, I'll need
to run some head scans". The medic recited after hearing more of Kava's
details and anecdotes. 

"Where is communications?" Kava asked the medic.

"At the other end of the ship", came the answer. Kava excused
herself.

The medic left the room to get a few more supplies. Hoyt had already surveyed
the area and was pleased to see an additional transmitter for the ship's one
way internal communication system. He activated the 1MC and input the signal
for a fire drill. The bridge, quarterdeck and central station assumed one of
the others transmitted the signal and all began to follow the protocol for
firefighting, stopping Kava from reaching the communication hub. 

Kava knew she was not ready to tell Aven the truth about Hoyt. She knew Hoyt
would better serve in his altered capacity and Aven would likely not be able to
control his emotions knowing he was assigned to kill her. She still wanted to
see what he had learned back in Thailand and confirm that he also was indeed
alright. Kava missed Aven. She was ushered out onto the deck as part of the
drill. Being on a ship, reminded her of his dream to be a taxi boat driver on
the Grand Canal in Venice.

"Maybe in our retirement." she giggled. It was refreshing to have a
moment of joy thinking about their future. The air was cold, but Kava was
warmed by her thoughts. 

****

Aven
wouldn't believe Kavani was dead. The thought that she was even in danger
fueled his rage. The drug still in his system, mustering his strength, he
pursued the Colonel. Knowing Suttikul's
powers were beyond him, especially in his given state, Aven carefully rounded
each corner keeping a safe distance between him and his prey.

"I have to warn Kava!" was exploding in
his head. By calling him away, they saw her in a weak position, "I don't
think she is ever vulnerable", he thought as he pulled his cell, dialed
and received an out of area response from her phone.

Colonel Suttikul continued down an almost empty
hall, unlocked one of a handful of doors, stepped into the room and closed the
door behind him. Aven approached and listened from outside. He could hear the
Colonel, but he was speaking in Russian.

"What is the status of Tridas?"
Suttikul asked.

"We are ready”. The response was muffled,
like it was coming over a speaker phone. "But final confirmation has yet
to be received that the target has been painted".

"Confirm all obstacles are removed?" Suttikul
persisted.

"Negative", came back the response.
"The two are likely connected."

Aven's phone started to ring. The Colonel jumped
from his chair and approached the door. Silencing his phone while immediately
checking the handle of the flanking door, Aven slipped into the room and locked
the door behind him. Suttikul stepped into the hall, noticed a man few paces
away on his phone and returned inside.

"Our threat is thousands of miles away, but
one can never be too careful", Suttikul thought to himself. "Keep me
posted on both accounts", he demanded in the direction of the speaker
phone.

Aven answered his phone, "Kava?"

"You wish Lover Boy. It's Hoyt. A fire drill
sounded, Kava and I were separated, but she should be making her way down here
to communications anytime. Just wanted to check in. Frankly, I'm surprised you
answered".

"Really?"

"I just thought negotiations, or whatever it
is you are doing with Colonel Suttikul would still have you tied up. By the
way, what is it you are doing over there anyway?"

Aven broke into his interpretation of the
situation. "I feel like I was partially set up... a ruse to separate me
from Kavani. She is safe right? Has she joined you yet?"

"She just walked in". Kavani snagged
the com link from Hoyt's grip.

"I miss you". Kavani wholeheartedly
stated into the mic.

"I love you! Are you OK?" Aven
responded.

"Of course love. Why do you ask?"
Playing it nonchalant to further sell Hoyt.

"Just something Suttikul said".

Hoyt interrupted. "Yes, more details are
needed about the mission. Your mushy, love bird talk can wait until you are
reunited".

"Tell us how you really feel!" Kava said while socking Hoyt in the
arm, rather hard no less.

Aven started again. "Suttikul made it sound like my whole trip to Thailand
was to separate me from Kava and that someone on our side is actually working
against us".

"Did he reveal the identity, or offer any clues?" Kava asked.

"He just said it was someone close... and may be a Russian".

"Good thing I'm here to keep her safe". Hoyt said in his usual cocky
tone.

"You know she doesn't require your protection Hoyt, anymore than she needs
mine, but play it safe Star".

"I'm ready for anything". Kavani reassured him, being way more
prepared than Aven actually may ever know.

"More cutesy nicknames. Ugh, I'll leave the rest of this conversation to
the two of you". Hoyt exited communications in a huff.

Kavani was thankful to have some alone time with Aven. Hoyt's true allegiance
was still a surprise to her, so she was unwilling to underestimate his
precautions. His secret would remain with her for the time being. 

Hoyt returned to his quarters and fished out a high tech SAT phone, a
Gonets-M1, to be exact, insuring complete confidentiality. 

"Captain. Tridas4. Copy?"

"Go ahead Tridas4", came the response in Russian.

Hoyt proceeded in Russian, "Obstacle still in play. Target will be painted
within scheduled 48 hour window. Suicide protocol initiated".

"Is that truly necessary?"

Hoyt insisted, "The Colonel revealed details and failed to tie up the
loose ends. I will not fall short of my task".

"Why was the SALH not deployed on the initial summit?"

Admiring the heat resistant Semi Active Laser Homing devices on his bunk, Hoyt
simply stated the truth, "I tripped. Target escorted me off the crater.
Tridas4 out".

Hoyt was embarrassed to admit the fiasco to Captain Vasily, but he knew he
would not fail a second time. 

Rushing back into the Communications Center, Hoyt burst out, "We need to
return to the summit as soon as possible!"

"What?" Kavani said with Aven still on the open line. 

"With my accident, I was never able to sweep the crater for laser
guidance".

"Laser guidance?" Aven asked, obviously seeking more details.

"Yes laser guidance. If the monk is attempting to fire a Russian missile
at the island, like you all suggest. From any distance, for an accurate strike
zone the target will need to be painted".

Kavani looked dumbfounded, so Hoyt continued with a few more details. "A
laser at the target sends energy in every direction. This is known as painting
the target. A missile is launched in the general area. Once it is close enough
for some of the reflected laser to reach it, a detector on board the weapon
determines the direction from which the laser came and changes the trajectory
of the missile to reach its intended target".