Death

By Ryan Hartung

Book 2 – Death
After their discovery of Zeus’ Lightning Staff in Peru, Colt Andrews and his team begin searching for the next ancient relic waiting to be unearthed. Buried deep beneath the surface of Mount Vesuvius lays Hades’ temple and perhaps the most powerful treasure yet. However, this time they must fight to retrieve the powerful artifact before the Russians and the Chinese can call it their own.

Hundreds of years in the making, a full worldwide war between the East and the West is brewing. The cataclysmic divide between the richer western nations and the poorer East has reached a breaking point. Shadowed behind the veil of impending war is new evidence suggesting the Greek and Roman gods of legend might have been real after all. Though hidden for many millennia, mighty weapons embodying the Greek god’s magnificent powers are beginning to be found. Each country fully understands the tremendous importance of finding the remaining god-like treasures before the rest. The race is on as each half of the world battles to gain possession of the enormously powerful ancient artifacts. The world’s fate is in their hands.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ryan Hartung
• Release date: Sep 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781942123019

Ryan Hartung

Dr. Ryan E. Hartung spent most of his life growing up in rural Nebraska. After earning his Ph. D. in organic chemistry from the Ohio State University he then made a quick stop with his family in the garden state before finally settling in Tucson, Arizona. Ryan continues to live in Tucson with his wife Elizabeth, his two daughters Amber and Keira, their dog Ginger and currently untamed hamster Brave. He is the author of the World's Divide series of novellas among other novels.

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Chapter

1

Russian President Boris Aleksandrov watched the final clip of his state ran news version of CNN, which was currently detailing ad nauseam the Americans’ miraculous find of the ancient Peruvian artifact. The piece he noticed, however, was devoid of any mention of England first having the remarkable artifact and then allowing it to slip through their hands. In actuality, it mattered little to Boris who currently possessed the Lightning Staff, as the reporters had dubbed the artifact. What mattered to Boris was the possibility that more relics like it might actually exist.

Have we taken to napping this early in the morning? Anatoly Lipov, his aging mentor, questioned from the open door at seeing the Russian President silently staring out his large office window. Anatoly roughly pushed his unkempt greying hair to one side of his head, which meshed well with his rather drab communist styled clothing of dark blues and grey. Only his bright blue ever-watching eyes led credence to the brilliant and calculating mind hidden under the unimpressive exterior.

Don’t be ridiculous. I was only pondering this morning’s world news report, Boris replied. Anatoly had taught him much over the years, but his mentor’s judgmental character at times was a difficult pill to swallow, such as today where a simple good morning would have sufficed.

Ahh, I see you’ve heard about the American’s discovery then. Have you any thoughts on the matter?

Boris studied the aging communist legend, knowing he believed there was only one correct answer to the question. I was thinking Russia would benefit greatly from a device such as that. To control the lightning, what a weapon, Boris thoughtfully said, while at the same time eyeing his mentor and seeking his approval.

Yes, powerful indeed, Boris. However, that staff would not necessarily have to serve as just a weapon though. Perhaps as a source of electricity or even more than that, Anatoly returned. But we shouldn’t waste our time deliberating the would haves and could haves. What we should be discussing is that there are potentially five remaining artifacts.

If they even exist, Boris blurted out, unconvinced.

Are you really that naïve to believe they don’t? The whole world has seen what the Lightning Staff can do. Do you really believe the passage of time has destroyed the other artifacts? Humans used to think the world was flat and that the earth was the center of the universe. Is it really that ridiculous that we might have been wrong about this too?

What do you want me to do old man? Boris demanded, sick of Anatoly’s game of questions. Tell me!

You are the Russian president. You must decide for yourself what you must do. I can only offer advice. But, in a situation such as this, as the Americans are fond of saying, it’s the early bird that gets the worm. I do not believe it would be wise to wait in the shadows while the rest of the world is hunting for these magnificent treasures.

You would hunt for the relics then?

I would, Anatoly replied matter-of-factly.

Well, I know you have a plan so spit it out. I’m not a mind reader.

If I were Russia’s president I would send a small reconnaissance team to search for the only artifact whose location was explicitly defined. I’d send them to Mount Vesuvius in Naples, Italy.

What type of team, military or scientific?

That would be up you to decide, but I believe a team comprised of both trades would be most advantageous. My daughter Natalya has made quite a name for herself in Russian archeological circles. Plus, her views are staunchly in line with The Communist Party. There would be no lingering concerns that she’d use the artifact for personal gain or citizenship to another country. To her Russia comes first.

Yes, I have watched her grow quite strong in many circles of influence lately, much like her older father, Boris replied to his mentor and saw a brief burst of pride in the old man’s eyes. I believe one scientific mind should be sufficient however for a mission such as this. The other members should all come from our military elite.

Agreed. And there is one commander above all else who is perfectly suited for the task at hand.

Vladimir Pavlov? Boris Aleksandrov asked, certain he already knew the answer.

Exactly, Anatoly confirmed. Let him pick his team. Two or three more soldiers along with Natalya will form a small group that can quickly enter and exit Italy without drawing very much attention. They should be able to ascertain if there is any validity to the treasure’s existence or if it’s a ruse.

Yes, that is a good plan. I’ll send Vladimir his orders. I’ll inform him we want him and his team ready to go and out of the country within a day’s time. His efficiency is well known. I wouldn’t be surprised if within another forty-eight hours after their departure, we will know if the purported treasure of Hades actually exists.

And with it, whether Russia will once again be able to control its own destiny, Anatoly added with optimism.

***

Get a move on Dmitry, President Aleksandrov wanted us in the air two hours ago! Vladimir Pavlov gruffly ordered his subordinate. Two hours earlier their first plane, on attempting to leave the Smolensk North Airport just outside of Moscow, had blown one of its engines. As Vladimir and his crew of three had been boarding the plane, the two pilots were dutifully following their normal checklists before takeoff. Out of nowhere, while the pilots were lastly checking each engine in turn, one of the engines caught fire, where the airport’s ground crew quickly extinguished it. The fire had scrapped their flight.

Although an inconvenience, the situation was not out of the ordinary for Russia’s aging fleet of military vehicles and aircraft. Vladimir had then quickly radioed his superiors requesting another plane, which was finally ready.

Alright, on the plane everyone, Vladimir ordered his small team. Natalya and Pavel dutifully boarded the waiting aircraft, but their third companion was nowhere to be seen. Now, two hours later and behind schedule, Dmitry had somehow found a way to unready himself from the boarding process.

So help me Dmitry, if you don’t get your white Russian butt on that plane in the next five minutes I’ll shoot you myself! Vladimir growled, getting no response from Dmitry concerning his previous order. Vladimir’s second threat, being much harsher than the first, finally found Dmitry’s attention. Within well under five minutes, Dmitry was on the plane strapped in his seat with his military gear stowed underneath.

Having worked for Vladimir in the past, Dmitry was quite aware of his leader’s ability to make good on his threats. As Vladimir himself boarded the plane, Dmitry along with Pavel and Natalya Lipov stared back at him with expressionless faces, waiting their orders.

Before addressing his small commando unit, Vladimir stuck his head into the pilot’s cockpit and ordered, Take off now. He didn’t elaborate because he didn’t need to. As he spoke his words, the tone in his voice let the pilots know he meant now.

Immediately, the pilots hurried the last part of their checklist. Before Vladimir had his seat belt buckled, the plane was already beginning to hurl itself down the cracked runway. He did not smile nor did he feel pleased that they were following his orders with such speed and veracity; he expected them to be.

In his seat with his lap belt secured, he turned in his chair to the three other Russians on the plane. Vladimir had worked with both Dmitry and Pavel on numerous military campaigns. When picking his team of three for this most curious of quests, he had required each person to be as different from the rest as possible to maximize their combined talents.

Dmitry was tall, but not overly muscular. Vladimir had chosen him to serve as the brains of their outfit. Most of the military units he’d previously worked with knew his computer skills and problem solving tactics were virtually unparalleled. For Vladimir however, the most important aspect of Dmitry’s character, regardless of how smart he was, was that foremost Dmitry was a soldier first.

Pavel was not so much unlike Dmitry, also quite smart himself,