'Without the risk of losing the Key, I want these men eliminated. Dahlia is of the same opinion.' Tomlinson sipped his drink and then smiled, embarrassed for what he was about to say. 'You've known me since I was a child, Lilith. I have never shown fear in any arena. However, these men that have been in the way since Ethiopia ... well, I fear them. It's like they have been placed here just to stop me.'
'I've never thought you a mystical person, William. These men just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. A chain of events allowed them to become very lucky people. That is all.'
'Thank you for easing my mind, but I would still feel better having them out of the way. Dahlia believes an ambush could be set up without endangering the diamond. As you know, I am an opportunist. This is one of those--'
A knock sounded at the door, interrupting Tomlinson. He placed his drink on the sideboard and straightened his suit jacket. He composed himself and answered the door.
Caretaker half bowed in greeting. August Nelson was behind him and looked very much agitated over something.
'Gentlemen, we were just discussing the plans for the recovery of the Key. Come in, please.'
Caretaker entered, followed by Nelson. He bowed and smiled at Lilith and then turned to Tomlinson. Before he could say anything, August Nelson blurted out a stream of words.
'The American president has done the unexpected, William. He is--'
'Please, Mr. Nelson, calm yourself. I will inform Mr. Tomlinson of the facts. There is no need to be so emotional.'
Tomlinson looked from the red-faced Nelson to the calm demeanor of Caretaker, a man he had never once seen flustered.
'It seems the American president has withdrawn his forces from the disputed line in Korea, sir.'
'Impossible! He would never allow the North Koreans into the South; the United Nations and South Korea would crucify him.'
'It seems to be gaining a widening support base in the United Nations. It is seen as a sign of nonaggression by the Americans.'
'The plan banks on a conflict, William. This is serious, very serious.'
Tomlinson looked almost sadly at Nelson. The man was not as strong as he had hoped. He would have to deal with that issue another time.
'Gentlemen, please sit down and have a drink.' He gestured to the bar, and Nelson made a beeline to it. Caretaker sat in a chair.
'There is some rather good news: it seems the Russians have bought into the ruse you created with the Wave aircraft. They were nowhere near the UN council chambers today.'
'You see, Nelson, you have gains and then losses, but the market always settles.' Tomlinson retrieved his drink from the sidebar and then glanced at August Nelson. The man would have to be replaced with another true- blood, one who had a little more intestinal fortitude. Reactions like his worked like a plague around other members of the Coalition.
'William, this is not the stock market. We are dealing with dangerous nations here who have armies under their command. I wish now that--'
'I think it's the right time to allow you into the world of intelligence. Both you and Caretaker have been most patient.'
Caretaker sensed a shade of patronization in Tomlinson's tone but decided not to comment.
'The war in Korea will start very, very soon, gentlemen. It will happen regardless of what the American administration does or does not do. They are helpless in the matter. North Korea will attack.'
'You have an assurance of this?' Caretaker asked.
'I have more than that, my dear Caretaker. I have the general in command of all North Korean forces, Major General Ton Shi Quang.'
Caretaker leaned forward in his chair, a surprised look on his face.
'I am rarely, if ever, surprised in this position, Mr. Tomlinson. However, in this case I am happy to say I did not see that statement coming. Someday I would like to learn how you gained access to a closed society and purchased the services of this man. Please, if there is anything else?'
Tomlinson looked at Dame Lilith and wondered if he should impart the knowledge he had confessed to her about Dahlia's ambush plans. Lilith saw his look and shook her head almost imperceptively.
'No, Caretaker, I believe you are now up to date on everything in my bag of tricks.' Tomlinson smiled and once again walked to the bar. 'Now please, Caretaker, toast the recovery of what we have sought for thousands of years, the Atlantean Key.'
'For that item alone, Mr. Tomlinson, I will indeed have a drink.'
'Imagine no more country-versus-country nonsense. Only one system to govern, a new reich that the people can call whatever they choose, and everyone working together to fulfill a destiny that was cut short fifteen thousand years ago.' He handed Caretaker his drink.
'To Atlantis,' they toasted.
13
Ryan had pulled the shift security from the complex and ordered a full detail to meet Jack and Carl at the airfield. Twenty heavily armed men accompanied the two men and their very valuable cargo. The large group took no chances as they entered the massive, dilapidated hangar of the main gate for the complex.
Ryan and Mendenhall met the colonel and captain at the elevator. The two men and their security looked small in the cavernous lift used for the transport of large artifacts into the underground facility.
'Lieutenant,' Jack said as he stepped from the lift.
'Colonel, Captain, exciting trip, I understand?'
'It seems it was mission standard for us anymore,' Everett said as he spied Virginia Pollock exiting the elevator from the complex below.
'Glad to have you two back in one piece. You had us worried, as usual,' she said, approaching the men.
'Well, here's what the hubbub was about.' Carl handed her a large case.
She accepted the case and then looked at the two officers. 'All those deaths for this ...' She handed the case to Mendenhall. 'Will, make sure Pete Golding gets this right away down on level eighteen, lab six; he's waiting on it.'
Mendenhall took the case and Ryan made his exit with him.
'The president has placed a lot of emphasis on making sure the Coalition doesn't get their hands on the diamond. Niles wants us to get it and has promised you all the support you need.'
Jack nodded and started for the elevator. 'So the president has bought in fully to the theory of the quakes?'
Virginia pushed the Down button on the pneumatic elevator for level seven. She then related the horrid facts of the Tomlinson raid.
Jack and Carl were silent as they stepped into the elevator. Virginia followed and the doors closed.
'The Russians downed what they believe is a U.S. Air Force aircraft carrying strange equipment. They say it was transmitting the same type of audio signal as the tape in the Sea of Japan.'
'These people are still a step ahead of us, maybe even two or three,' Everett said as the elevator arrived at level seven.
'Mr. Everett, get with Ryan and give me a duty roster and pick a strike team ready to leave as soon as the science teams get this plate thing figured out. Virginia, what archaeologist and experienced dig people can you afford to part with?'
'Well, I think we'll send the same people that were just there, Sandra Leekie and her team.'
'That's fine, but cut it to bare bones, Doctor. I don't want any kids on this trip.'
