The Heart of Ashurbanipal:
All characters are 18 years or older. Historical figures are long dead but have given their approval to appear in this story. Much of this narrative wrote itself so blame it not me. If you are weirded out at any point think of how I felt being forced to write by the damn voice in my head saying 'they'll love it' or 'no don't delete it, it's awesome character development'. You have been warned, so without further prattle on my part here is part two of Spell, Crook and Handle.
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*Onsen - Japanese hot spring or resort built around a hot spring
Intro:
The World Court convened this month and ruled to empower a multinational agency for the preservation of antiquities. With the recent activities of terrorists and the destruction of not just national treasures but sites and artifacts that are considered treasures of humanity. This group will possess the rights to enter any nation under threat and handle those threats with extreme prejudice. A team of handpicked historians, archaeologists and anthropologists have been chosen to aid military forces in rescuing said treasures.
The scientific liaisons have undergone combat training with firearms and basic military tactics. After completing this training these men and women were dispatched to collect and secure specific artifacts that were considered under threat. These relics were marked and sent to museums worldwide with the promise that they would be repatriated when the threat was eliminated. The intelligence community began monitoring for signs of not just threats to life and limb but to historical treasures as well.
At the Heart of the Matter:
I leveled the pistol at my target and carefully squeezed off nine shots. When I had begun this training I had been uncomfortable with a weapon in my hands. Now I was at the range at least twice a week. After that little event in China I was one of the first people chosen for the Antiquities Preservation Taskforce. I had been to Bagdad twice and dropped into Syria once.
Bagdad had been pretty damn hairy but Syria was a fucking nightmare. They had completely underestimated the force we had been sent against. The soldiers managed to turn things around and though they were outnumbered we were the better trained force. I say we because I managed to rank up a few kills during the firefight. You'd be surprised what you are capable of when you are staring death in the eyes.
We managed to secure the relics with little problems after the firefight. I never thought I would ever see these antiquities much less hold them in my hands. There were three of us attached to the military force. We handpicked the rarest of the treasures to rescue and packed them for travel. The team was safely extracted and flown to Zurich. I had a layover there and enjoyed the hospitality of the Swiss government.
The three of us, Professor Tetsuo Watanabe, Doctor Emelia Vanderbloemen and I went to a local watering hole the Old Crow. While we had shared the intimacy of a firefight and the rescue of Syrian relics we knew little about each other. The military teams lived and trained together but the advisors were drawn from an availability pool. The three of us just happened to be free when the call came. So we spent the next few hours swapping stories.
Tetsuo was a short wiry fellow with a light dash of silver in his ebony hair. His eyes were pebbles of jet set in a handsome face with an easy smile. There was something new now that lurked behind his eyes. The hint of fear and pain was deeply etched there and would remain for years to come. I learned Tetsuo was a huge anime fan and he even had a fairly extensive costume collection. You find out a lot about people after a few beers. He invited us to visit him if we ever landed in Japan. He knew the best karaoke bars, onsen and restaurants in Tokyo.
Dr. Emelia Vanderbloemen was a tall leggy German born in the outskirts of Berlin. She was a western Berliner and very proud of her heritage. She was a natural blonde who wore her hair short for practical reasons. When you are venturing around in the wilds long hair could be considered a detriment. She was good looking the way a farm girl or even the girl next door type. She had bright blue eyes and a figure that got her a lot of attention. The top she was wearing showed off that ample cleavage quite nicely. Emelia shared a few interesting stories but I felt she was holding back. So I made a command decision and ordered a round of shots. Three rounds of shots later I was able to coerce one interesting story from Emelia and it was a doozy.
"So we snuck into the museum's vault and 'borrowed' some clothing for the University Halloween party. Everything was fine until the head of the History department saw us and remarked at how authentic our costumes were. We took first place in the costume contest."
We all laughed and then it was my turn. I was trying to decide what to share when I was ambushed by the pair. They looked at each other and smiled.
"Tell us about China," Tetsuo said pouncing.
"Yeah, what REALLY happened," Emelia asked in that seductive tone. "All the files are sealed."
"Well," I said expecting this might happen. "There isn't much I can share. There are a couple of governments involved in that little incident."
"Oh there has to be something you can share," Emelia pleaded.
"There are a few things not covered by the gag order," I said and watched their eyes widen.
I launched into why we there in the first place. I told them about looking for a first dynasty temple to one of the Eight Immortals. They hung on every word. If it had been any other audience they would have been bored to tears. Until you've dug for buried treasure you don't understand the thrill. Yes it is back breaking labor and requires a ton of patience but it is worth it. I set the stage describing the river valley and the local legends told by the indigenous people.
"They say that a monk that lived in the region centuries ago was able to bind Yaoguai, demons. It was said he was a Taoist sorcerer of the first order and a blood descendant of one of the Eight Immortals. I can say that we did find pottery that dated back to the first dynasty."
Tetsuo just smiled while Emelia wanted more details. I shook my head telling her I had already pushed the boundaries of the court order. Reluctantly she backed off and took another sip of beer. It looked to me that Tetsuo was lost in thought so I left him to whatever had him enthralled. Emelia looked at her beer and the empty shot glasses and threw up her hands. She surrendered and plopped down some cash to help cover the tab. I watched her make her way with only a hint of a stagger out of the Old Crow. Tetsuo rose to the occasion and waved energetically to me as he followed Emelia out. I wondered if they were going to hook up or if he was just being a gentleman.
"None of my damn business," I said as I polished off my beer.
"There is a lady looking for you."
"A lady," I said looking up at my server in confusion. "What kind of lady? Is she cute?"
"I will let you judge that for yourself," another voice chimed in. I turned and looked up at the stunning brunette. "May I join you," the newcomer asked.
"Two more shots, a beer for me and whatever the lady would like," I said as I pulled out the chair nearest to me.
"Jack and coke," the lady said as she sat down.
"So, what is one of the Saudi royal family doing in Zurich?"
The first salvo struck her between the eyes and her mask fell away. I took a finger and pushed her jaw up. I sat there as she recovered her composure. Our drinks arrived and she snatched both shots for herself and downed them in quick succession. I took a healthy swig of beer and continued.
"I have been briefed for any and all complications over my last assignment. There was quite an extensive file on your grandfather and his ties with Syria. For what it's worth, your photo doesn't do you justice."
"I apologize," she said. "I am unaccustomed to dealing with..."
"Is this easier," I said switching to Arabic. "You may have to speak a little slower but I should be able to keep up."
"Yes, thank you," she said. "I have a job offer for you."
"Well, I am currently my own man," I told her and she looked at me puzzled. "I am between assignments."
"Ah, then this opportunity may be quite fortunate," She replied.
"Who, what and where," I asked and she rewarded me with a gorgeous smile.
"This is a briefing of the object you are being employed to acquire and verify. There will also be a tactical team going with you to see to your safety. Workers will be assigned on an as needed basis."
"Let me read this over and I'll... what?"
"I'm afraid the file and I go together. The object in question is a national treasure and must be treated with great care and your utmost discretion."
"I suggest we retire to my hotel room so I can look over your offer in privacy," I said not expecting her to agree.
"Lead the way," she said as she snatched up the file and returned it to her briefcase.
I walked up to the bar and paid the tab in full. I had to wait for my change so I looked over my shoulder at the pretty young thing. She was the epitome of Middle Eastern beauty. She stood about five foot two with a long mane of silky black hair. Her skin was smooth, dusky and free of blemish. She was stunning and any man her family chose for her would be damn lucky to have her.
The limo ride back to my hotel was not a great surprise. She was after all the granddaughter to one of the richest men on the planet. Though how much longer that would be was in question. I had sat in rapt attention when the press conference was held over the history making discovery by Richard Sterling. He had, if the testing proved true, a cold fusion device he had unearthed in the Egyptian desert. This could change life and history as we knew it. If they could reverse engineer that kind of technology oil producing nations would be in a world of hurt.
"So are you a virgin," I asked and her eyes sharpened to laser points.
"How dare you ask me such a question? You don't even know my name and... damn it you did it again!"
"You are Qadira and you didn't answer my question," I replied watching her cheeks flush even more.
"I don't think that has any bearing on the current situation," she said.
