The Darkside of the Medallion

By Edwin D Ferretti III

On Jen’s 21st birthday, her grandfather gives her a gold medallion that he found on a dig in Egypt many years ago: a relic that bridges 280,000 light-years, and opens a portal to continue a 7000-year-old war into Jen’s present time.

From the moment Jen touched the ancient medallion, her life changed. Visions of a battle that took place in another galaxy flood her inner view: spaceships with lasers blasting, and alien troops, advancing against a large city assault her mind. As she blinked her eyes, the mental pictures faded. The battle seemed so real; was it a glimpse into the past or in her future?

Follow Jen and her friends, in this galactic adventure, to an alien world ruled by awesome magic. Mere thoughts of the story will teleport the reader to an unknown universe and chaotic battles that can only be won with powerful magic and raw courage.

Experience the power of fire-breathing dragons as they hurdle down from the dark clouds of war and collide head on, in this epic battle of all time, with the ancient evil Egyptian god Seth and his Army of Death. Dragons? Ah yes, dragons can be sneaky; whose side are they really on?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Edwin D Ferretti III
• Release date: Feb 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781943842391

Edwin D Ferretti III

Edwin D Ferretti III is a: writer, tinkerer in electronics, trumpet player and an amateur archaeologist—with a passion for ancient Egypt. He hails from Chicago, Illinois. In 1969, he graduated from the then Southwest State Teachers College, San Marcos, Texas with a BA in History. He also graduated from an advanced class from the US Air Force Academy in Foreign Affairs. After twenty-eight years of working for the United States Government, he retired and began writing Science Fiction and Fantasy commercial fiction books for the YA of Yesteryear. Currently he is finishing his DARKSIDE OF THE MEDALLION trilogy. The second book, titled FIRE IN THE SKY, is published on Smashwords. The final book, LIVING ENDURINGLY, is his current work in progress. THE HORSE OF ARTEMIS will soon follow.Mr. Ferretti retired from a successful career as a Naval Flight Officer. He currently resides in Nebraska amid hundreds of acres of farmer’s fields with his rescued horses, dogs and cats.

Book preview

DAVENPORT, MAINE 2017

Standford

At the beginning of Jen's 21st birthday, the guardian formed a dome of protection around the Standford family home. The Guardian remained alert until the next morning when her ears detected the high screech of a golden hunting falcon.

The pole light in Jen's backyard illuminated freshly cut grass, her mother’s prized pink roses, and motionless trees. This was in stark contrast to the hurricane wind, lightning, and waves of hailstones tap dancing on the street that passed by the backyard of her home. Tree limbs, roof shingles, and other objects flew past her sight.

OMG, this storm is everywhere, except over my house.

Jen nervously leaned into her bedroom's bay window for a closer look. Something moved in her peripheral vision.

Jen turned her head, swept her long red hair behind her ears, and looked again. Three apparitions floated just outside the entrance to her backyard—staring at her, beckoning to her, grinning at her. The torrential wind flapped their black hoods, cloaks, and stringy hair, giving them the appearance of scarecrows flying pell-mell in a hurricane.

Lightning flashes illuminated their ghostly features, pointed teeth, and bony arms. A green mist emitted from their mouths as the three wraiths moved their right arms in Jen’s direction. Harsh cackling entered her mind as the sinister breath glided towards her. Jen's breathing changed to short fast gulps, her body trembled and her hands turned clammy.

What the—? Jen extended her right arm and pointed to the green vapor, and then discovered that she couldn't move any part of her body; she was frozen in place. Struggling to break free of the invisible restraints, Jen's breathing suddenly increased, and she felt lightheaded. Jen observed a red glow bathe the three hags, and they faded back into the storm’s fury.

Her eyes opened wider as she watched the mist stop its forward motion and settle on the lawn. Brown splotches spread out randomly, killing grass, trees, and her mother's pride and joy. Panicking, she pulled downward with all of her strength to break the bonds confining her; the force holding her in place suddenly released its hold, causing Jen's balance to shift as her arms plummeted toward the window ledge.

Ouch! Her hands brushed something furry then landed with a crack on the edge of the marble windowsill. Looking down, she saw that the knuckles of her right hand were bleeding and her thumb turning blue. Regaining her stance, she turned around; her body shook uncontrollably and her legs gave out from under her. What's happening? This is my twenty-first birthday and—her chest suddenly constricted.

Darn, I’m having another asthma attack, she wheezed desperately. Jen reached up and grasped the windowsill. With a groan, she managed to get a leg under herself and she stood. Going to the dresser, Jen took her inhaler and shoved it into her mouth. The medicine brought quick relief; deep inhales and exhales sounded in the room.

Jen looked at the tall mirror that stood next to her dresser. Her five-foot-eight body reflected a pale, nervous face. Her breathing increased again and she began to shiver.

Making the sign of the cross, and remembering the slight feeling of fur before her hand smashed into the window sill, she walked to her Siamese cat, at the end of her bed, leaned down, and hoarsely whispered, You didn’t have anything to do with this, did you? Jen pointed toward the window. The animal ignored her. Jen took a few seconds to calm down.

If my cat's not agitated then maybe I imagined it. No. I know what I saw and I'm still shaking, and my hands hurt. She leaned toward her cat.

If you want your dinner, you’d better shake a leg to the kitchen before the lady in charge of cat food gives it away.

Miss Licky lifted her head, yawned, stood, jumped from the bed, and left the room. Rummaging through her dresser drawer, she found a cotton neckerchief and wrapped it around her right hand.

Jen closed the bedroom door with more force than was necessary as she exited the room. A loud bang echoed in the darkened hallway, adding to her jitters. Expelling a few deep breaths, she hurried downstairs and entered the music room, running into her grandfather; pain shot through her hands as she gripped his shoulders, preventing him from losing his balance.

Thanks, that was a close call, her grandfather greeted her. How does it feel to join the ranks of adulthood? Jen's grandfather stood five foot eight inches, his white hair proclaimed his position as senior head of the Standford family.

A strained smile spread across Jen's face. Evening Gramps. I’m wiser, not older. What’d you do today?

You’d make a great politician, he smiled. Jen’s eyebrows arched. I mean with your ability to slyly sidestep the question asked, and move on to misdirection. He grinned at her. Most of the day I spent working on my autobiography and reading a new book on the tomb of Menhotep, keeper of the king’s royal horses.

Dialogue on Egyptian archeology was commonplace in the Standford home. Every member of her immediate family was an archeologist. Jen’s grandfather, Dr. Henry James Standford founded the J. P. Simmons University of Archeology in her hometown of Davenport, Maine. Her father, Dr. William David Standford chaired the Ancient Egyptian Department, while her mother, Dr. Phyllis Standford taught ancient languages and art. Jen’s uncle, Dr. Henry Standford, also an accomplished archaeologist, promised upon her graduation to let her join him in Egypt and begin her fieldwork. After tomorrow's graduation, it would be official: Jennifer Lynn Standford, archeologist.

Jen looked around the music room. Her mother's grand piano took up most of the east end of the space and her father's Swedish Bang & Olufsen stereo system occupied the west wall.

The house lights flickered several times, reminding her of the heavy storm outside. Jen struggled to speak; the sounds of deep inhaling and exhaling sounded in the room.

Your voice sounds hoarse, another asthma attack?

It happened a few minutes ago and scared me to death. I saw something out of my window that I can't explain. Gramps, did you see or hear anything unusual in the last ten minutes?

Only a loud bang from upstairs. I guessed it might be you. What's up? You seem scared and preoccupied. If Gramps and my cat didn't see or hear anything maybe I didn't either. She looked at her bandaged hand and let the matter drop.

Nothing, I think that my imagination was playing tricks with me.

Her grandfather looked at her. Beautifully dressed and no place to go.

My date called and canceled because of the hail and tree limbs flying around.

Her grandfather nodded, sat in his favorite blue recliner, and leaned down, picking up something from the floor.

Jen, I wanted to talk to you before I headed to bed. So much is happening in such a short time. Jen perked up.

I know; my awesome party last night, birthday today, graduation, and a trip to Egypt tomorrow. What can I do for you?

Nothing; I wanted to give you my presents and explain their significance. However, before I do I want you to level with me. What happened upstairs that triggered your latest asthma attack and how did you injure your hands?

Jen told him the entire story. I think that the storm's violent activity frightened me into believing that I saw the three apparitions.

Well, there's only one way to see if your theory holds water. Standing, he led Jen to the back porch. Flipping the backyard lights on, he opened the door.

OMG, Jen felt lightheaded again and her hands throbbed. "Most of the back yard is dead, black, and burnt to a crisp." Grandfather didn't say anything, just turned off the lights, shut the door and returned to the music room, and seated himself in his chair.

Her grandfather looked at Jen, Let me tell you of my gifts and their significance. Perhaps this will help explain some of what you witnessed."

Jen noticed the small hand-carved box in her grandfather's lap. Curiosity grew in her mind as she grunted, pushing and shoving her heavy chair opposite him.

"Many years ago the university tasked me with leading an excavation in Egypt. The site was on the east side of the Nile River, opposite the ancient city of Abydos. Previous surface artifacts found in this area, date to the First Dynasty period and we were all eager to begin searching.

"Two days after setting up camp, a sand storm swept through our site, covering the area that we were exploring. Nevertheless, the blowing sand also exposed new possibilities a half-mile behind our camp.

Later that day I explored this area and saw that the winds had cleared sand away from the front of a hard sandstone ridge; exposing parts of a large polished rock slab near the top of the ridge. I suspected that ancient Egyptians made this object, and moved our camp. It took us several hours to clear the sand from the top; exposing four corners, and another half-day to clear the north side as we looked for an opening. Her grandfather coughed and took a sip from his brandy snifter.

Jen, fascinated with her grandfather's discovery, couldn't take her eyes off him, drinking in every word he spoke. I wonder why Gramps never told me this story before. Could it be the tomb of somebody important?

Two feet down from the top, we unearthed the top of a door. You can imagine our excitement when we realized we might have discovered a very extraordinary, unopened tomb. We spent another day clearing sand away before we reached the bottom of the burial chamber—eleven feet down. The most astounding feature was the shape of the portal; not rectangular, but a perfect eight-foot circle.

An eight-foot circle! Jen looked into her grandfather’s eyes. I’ve heard of round tomb doors being found in the Holy Land and early Christian burials, but never in Egypt and never from the First Dynasty.

"I agree with you, and there lies the dilemma. We couldn’t deny what we saw—only embrace its absurdity.

"The door had a large handle with a cavity behind it carved out of the solid rock. We tried to open it, with no success. One of the associate professors suggested that we tie a rope to it and all of us pull.

At first, the door resisted. When we heard the sound of air sucking into the tomb, we realized it would release; the portal opened. We were like children visiting a candy store, all eager to rush in and discover new knowledge that could shed more light on the ancient Egyptian religious practices and their daily life.

Jen saw in her grandfather’s face a youthful glow while he relived his discovery.

Containing our excitement, we waited thirty minutes to clear out any bad tomb air. Taking a lantern, I approached the round door and noted a series of rock steps leading to the chamber floor. When I first stood inside the cavity, a static charge covered my body. It happened in a millisecond, and I could have sworn that I saw it discharge from the walls of the chamber. Holding the lantern up high, I noted the absence of anything inside. The chamber appeared empty.

Jen stared at her grandfather in astonishment.

Nothing Gramps? Not even a broken pot? How can this be? Even Tomb Robbers leave damaged artifacts.

Her grandfather coughed and continued.

"After the initial disappointment of not discovering a tomb, we began to examine the compartment. Every corner proved to be set at ninety degrees. The floor and walls looked like a mirror—our reflections followed our every move. The ceiling held the only carving in the room. It depicted a night sky, like nothing I had ever seen before. Alien stars, suns, and planets are carved with such clarity you would expect them to move and shine down on you.

The south end of the chamber held the only artifact. A four-inch gold disk is set flush into the wall. At first glance, it looked Egyptian. I mean, it had a line of hieroglyphs along the outside edge. The left side depicted a smaller section of the night sky that was on the chamber's ceiling. The right side held three unidentifiable glyphs. However, the strangest object sat in the center—a true representation of a pyramid!

Jen’s head snapped up. How’s that possible? King Sneferu, the founder of the Fourth Dynasty, built the first True smooth-sided pyramid. All sides were covered in polished white Tura limestone. Her grandfather said nothing, just nodded, and continued his narrative. Trying to impress my grandfather with my knowledge is akin to digging a hole to China with my bare hands; bummer.

That night, I couldn't sleep and ended up sitting by the dying embers of the campfire. A wavering pale blue light emanating from the opening of the chamber caught my attention. It was mesmerizing, compelling me to the tomb's entranceway. Entering inside, I raised my head. The carving of the alien sky was alive with beauty and movement. The suns were shining, stars twinkling and the planets were in motion. Jen gasped.

Looking seriously at her for a few seconds, he continued. This sounds crazy, doesn’t it? That feeling also occupied my thoughts while I observed the night sky of another time or place. I remember reaching up and trying to touch several of the planets and stars; they distorted as my fingers passed through them and yet when I withdrew my hand they resumed their original positions.

I think I know why he never told me this story or reported it to his mentor or peers. The ridicule would have killed his archeological career. I still love you, Gramps. Her grandfather continued.

"Turning around, I noted a yellow halo of light surrounding the object at the far end of the chamber. The radiance pulsated, making the pyramid appear to float away from the wall. Holding one of my hands near the disk brought forth another strange feeling, which made my fingers twitch. Touching the pyramid caused the disk to slide into the wall.

"The polished walls in the chamber came to life with depictions of surreal scenes. One wall showed a vast canyon stretching for miles and a city of glass at the far end. The other side of the chamber depicted a beautiful and peaceful beach scene of either an ocean or a large lake. Trees, the likes of none I’ve ever seen, swayed to an invisible breeze, and strange animals flew and walked around on the ground. The pictures overwhelmed my senses, almost too much for me to comprehend in one glance. When I turned my head, I saw something different on a wall that I'd looked at only a minute before. The picture I remember clearest showed a view of a planet below illuminated by two stars and circled by three moons.

"Wanting the other members to witness this display, I walked to the door and called my team to join me. Turning around I saw that the walls and ceiling were starting to dim.

"By the time they gathered inside, the pictures were a memory. I explained what I’d witnessed and returned to the disk that was again flush with the wall. Placing my fingers over the object brought no response. I pushed it into the recess. Nothing happened until a few seconds later the disk flew out; I was lucky enough to catch it in my hands.

"The chamber started to vibrate; panic ensued as we rushed for the opening. When we reached safety, the portal closed. We turned and watched the compartment shimmer, and then it vanished from our sight! We were all stunned, almost as if we were under the influence of a hallucinating drug.

You can imagine the discussions that took place. Seeing something disappear in front of your eyes affected all of us. With nothing to show for our efforts, we agreed never to mention it to anyone. Remember in those days archeology was a science that studied ancient cultures through close examination of their remains. Ridicule ran rampant against anyone who offered speculative theories without proof.

I was correct about Gramps being afraid of being speared in the back with such a fanciful story.

Several days after the chamber’s disappearance, I discovered the disk in one of the pockets of my field coat. Funny, I distinctly remembered it falling out of my hands as we madly rushed to escape the tomb. Yet, there it was. Based on the decision that we made, I didn't tell the others, and have kept it all of these years in hope that something similar might be found.

He reached into the box again and held out the four-inch gold disk with a new necklace loop attached at the top. Jen took out her Coke bottle glasses from the armrest's hidden compartment and placed them on her head.

Holding the medallion, Jen’s eyes shut tight, her mind’s eye flooded with visions of ancient Egyptian gods, and goddesses along with alien images locked in a deadly war. A spaceship with lasers blasting flew past Jen’s inner view. Screams of the dying assaulted her ears. The medallion slipped from her shaking hand, dropping into her lap; the mental images disappeared.

Grandfather watched Jen's reactions, missing nothing.

Jen picked it up again and the battle renewed. Alien troops marched toward an ancient city, annihilating anyone who stood in their way.

As she blinked her eyes, the mental pictures faded. Thank goodness. Did I just witness a real battle that took place a long time ago? Jen shook her head.

I hate chaos, she muttered. Jen's mind flashed back to her early teen years when her mother would stand in the doorway of her room and point to the piles of her clothing tossed everywhere. ‘I hate chaos,’ was all that her mother said, and then she would leave.

Yep, I received that message loud and clear. Now I classify everything that's messy, unexplainable, or uncontrollable as chaos. My birthday party fitted well into the uncontrollable realm. The music was loud, the food excellent and dancing bodies packed tight. Did I dance with Sally? She blushed and quickly resumed her inspection of the medallion.

Examining the symbols and the pyramid, she let out a breath. Her vision suddenly blurred and her hands stopped throbbing. Removing her glasses, she rubbed her eyes and looked at the disk.

I can see the smallest details without my glasses, and my hands don't hurt any longer! This is nuts.

Shaking her head, Jen turned it over. Her eyelids shot open. The back of the disk had three images. On the left stood a full figure of the Goddess Neith, a creator goddess. Her right hand grasped a bow and quiver of arrows while the left rested upon a shield that stood upright in front of her. The opposite side showed Horus, the falcon god of the sky, identified as a protector of the kings of Egypt from the earliest times. The two deities faced inward and stared at the face in the center of the disk. The head they were protecting resembled an Olmec head, with hypnotic red eyes. Jen's fingers tingled when she brushed them over the relief of the face.

I can’t believe how much this looks like the stone carvings made by the Olmec culture in Central America. Yet this face isn’t crude, like the large Olmec stone heads. Hmm, the Olmec civilization thrived in parts of modern-day Central Mexico between 1200 and 400 BC. The timeline is different from that of the First Dynasty of ancient Egypt by several thousand years; nevertheless, I believe I'm holding a link between these two cultures. I'll ask my BFF, Sally, she's the resident expert on the Olmec.

The eyes, inlaid with beautifully faceted rubies, looked real and frightening, almost as if they possessed a power that could control or kill an enemy. The lips and nose were not over-large, suggesting this could be a portrait of an actual being. The helmet he wore emulated a modern pilot or an old football helmet from the 1920 or 30s, shaped to fit snuggly over his head. The top section looked like a protective face shield that could slide down covering the face. What has grandfather found?

Jen, her grandfather continued. Her gaze met his. This enigma has kept me interested in archeology for many years, and I need resolution. When you were born, I felt a strong urge to give this to you. Somehow, you, the medallion, and the black chamber are connected; don't ask how I know because I can't give you a direct answer. This medallion is possessive and does strange things like take you to ancient places when you're dreaming or illuminate a dark room. Call it my gut feeling that someone higher than you or I want you to have it. You have a full life ahead of you; take up this quest and discover the secret of the medallion.

Good thing Gramps and I aren't having a mental check-up; we'd flunk it big-time.

He reached into the box one more time and retrieved a small notebook, a cased CD, and three labels.

Here’s my field journal of that excavation. All of my notes are on this disk, including the maps of the area. When your parents arrive in Egypt for their summer dig, they’ll be about fifteen miles from the chamber’s original location. If you join them for a week or two, you may find other clues to their origin. The three labels were found on the first day of our expedition. Two are made from ebony and one from ivory. Three more of the strange glyphs are on the back of each label.

Her grandfather placed the items back into the box, closed the lid, placed a birthday card on top, and handed it to her. Jen opened the envelope and smiled when she read the handmade card. Egyptian hieroglyphs spelled out her name and a wish for health, longevity, and prosperity. Jen stood, brushing away the tears that welled in her eyes, and gave him a big hug and kiss.

I love you grandfather, I’ll investigate your mystery and see what else I find.

I see it’s almost nine-thirty and I must be off to bed if I’m to be of any use tomorrow. With that, he stood, turned, and started to leave. Before reaching the door, he faced her and said, That box came from a dear friend of mine numerous years ago. He was a likable scoundrel who robbed tombs for a living. Jen's head lifted and anger exploded from her mouth.

All tomb robbers should be shot. Her grandfather smiled remembering several times when he purchased artifacts from local street vendors to display in his collection. Many years ago, he donated them to the university that he founded. He looked at his granddaughter.

Now where was I, oh yes I remember. I was talking about my friend. He told me that the container held a secret. However, what that mystery is, I don’t know...it has always eluded me. My friend passed away several years back and now that mystery is also yours. Her grandfather looked relieved and went to leave.

The lights in the room suddenly extinguished, leaving them in total darkness.

From Jen’s closed fist, a red glow spilled between her fingers. Opening her hand the medallion’s light sprang forth, illuminating the room in a wash of scarlet. Jen's gaze remained welded to the medallion and her fear factor zoomed to max overload. I'm so sorry Gramps. I'll never doubt your sanity again.

Her grandfather watched the light, a smile crossing his face when he turned to leave. The lights in the room came back on and the medallion's light extinguished. Jen quickly headed to her bedroom. Once inside she placed the box and medallion on top of her desk and then sat on the edge of her bed, clutching her head in her hands.

"How is this possible? A dark room suddenly fills with a reddish glow from my medallion and what about those crazy videos I saw and screams I heard with my eyes shut. Ah yes, my eyes. All of my life I've been unable to see close up without the aid of my thick reading glasses; until tonight when I first held the medallion. Soft purring entered Jen's ears, soothing, comforting, and relaxing her. She looked to her left and saw Miss Licky sitting next to her.

Licky, how did you enter this room? Her hand rose and stifled a yawn. I know you didn't come in with me. She yawned again and lost interest in waiting for an answer.

That night while Jen snuggled under her covers she perceived a soft red glow emerged from the medallion’s eyes and surround her; a feeling of calm, safety, and love-filled her mind. Having just fallen asleep at two in the morning, a figure with the head of a lioness and the body of a woman appeared next to her bed.

The ancient Egyptian Goddess of War and Healing, Sekhmet, placed her hands near Jen’s chest; a bright white light filled the room, casting shadows of Miss Licky on the walls. After a few minutes, the radiance diminished. Sekhmet leaned over and whispered words of ancient Egyptian to Jen's cat then vanished from the room. Jen sighed, rolled over, and slipped deeper into a dream world.

She dreamed of a medallion with an Olmec face that illuminated a darkened room, and of a mysterious black chamber, with a ceiling full of suns, planets, and moons from another galaxy.

The Guardian resumed her position on the windowsill.

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

Sally

Jen woke early the next morning. Placing her pillow behind her back, she sat up, recalling the events of the previous night. She shivered, picturing how the medallion produced images of an alien battle. Looking down she noticed her bandaged hand. Carefully unwinding the covering she gasped, her hand was completely healed, with no broken skin, no blood, and the pain was gone. Flexing her hand Jen pulled the covers up to her shoulders. How is this possible? Last night my right hand was bleeding and painful, and my left thumb was swollen and dark blue; now they're healed.

Looking out of her window, she noted that bright sunlight had replaced last night’s hailstorm. A smile filled her face. Good old Re. Re, the ancient Egyptian sun god, travels across the sky in his solar boat, bringing the sun with him from the east and leaving with it into the west.

Slipping out of bed, she dressed and headed downstairs. Poking her head into the kitchen, she watched Hanna, their live-in housekeeper putting down water and food for her cat.

Good morning and Happy Birthday again, said Hanna.

"Thanks, only coffee, and juice this morning. I have to finish packing before graduation.

I do hope you enjoy the book that I gave you. Honestly, I had to ask your mother and father for hints for your gift.

Jen went over and hugged Hanna. Grabbing a mug of coffee and a glass of juice, she returned to her room; she retrieved the gold disk from her dresser and took digital pictures of both sides. She also photographed the most recent things that her grandfather had given her last night, the three small labels with three more of the unknown glyphs, one on the back of each label. The pictures were then downloaded, along with her grandfather’s excavation notes, to her laptop. The small wood box found a place in her carry-on backpack. When Jen finished packing, she walked to a recessed wall cupboard, opened the twin glass doors, and placed the ivory and two ebony labels on a shelf. Going to her desk, she opened her jewelry box and selected a strong gold chain, threading it through the oval on top of her medallion; she fastened it around her neck. A strange prickling sensation caressed her body and the medallion felt warm against her chest.

Have you eaten breakfast? her father asked when she stepped into the hall.

Nope, it’s not on my schedule today.

Still packing? Your mother and I are off for a quick bite; sure you don't want to join us?

I'm on my way to give Sally her graduation present.

Entering the garage she removed the cover from her grandfather’s 1986 powder blue Corvette, she seated herself behind the wheel, reached out, and pressed the garage door remote. Bright sunlight greeted her. With a turn of the key, the motor roared to life, emitting a low but powerful growl. Backing out of the garage, she closed the garage door and then continued to the end of her driveway. Looking for oncoming cars she also saw the damage from yesterday's storm. Water engulfed the gutters lining both sides of the road; broken tree limbs littered the yards and sidewalks outside her driveway. Several cars had broken windows and Matilda Jenkins' 1964 Volkswagen Beetle sat proudly on Mr. Mittle's front lawn. Jen waved to a neighbor assessing the hail damage to his roof.

Her ears picked up the male Cape May Warbler, filling the air with his song, trying to attract a female. Turning onto her street—Baker Street—Davenport’s main drag, she saw her best friend forever (BFF), Sally Shaw. Clutching a bag in her arms, Sally limped slightly while walking toward Jen’s house. Slowing the car down, Jen pulled to the curb and honked the horn. Sally turned, smiled, and headed toward the vehicle.

Jen leaned toward the open passenger window.

Hi gorgeous, what brings you outside today?

Sally’s long platinum blonde hair swung forward as she bent down, a smile spreading across her face, blinking vivid blue eyes.

I’m glad you saw me. Your birthday party was awesome, and you know me, I forgot to bring your gift, was planning on bringing it last night. She looked at the water rushing to the gutters and shook her head. With all of the hail and tree limbs flying through the air, I decided to wait and bring it this morning. She grinned at Jen.

Sally’s limp, caused by a family car accident when she was six years old, didn't hinder her active lifestyle. It was because of her strong belief in reaching a goal that she pushed herself to excel academically and musically. Jen's musical voice was like a Frog with a bad cold; on the other hand, Sally played the guitar and sang folk and pop songs like a professional singer. She also studied the Olmec culture and the ancient glyphs of the Manding language, as spoken and written in West Africa three thousand years ago. Modern-day Central and South American language experts see a direct link between the two languages and based on evidence found theorize that the original Olmec population in Central America spoke Manding. Sally also spoke Spanish fluently. She would be leaving in a few days for Central America—joining a small contingent of students and professors from the university—to continue her study of the Olmec culture and assist in a current university-sponsored excavation.

I was going to visit my BFF and exchange graduation gifts. Let's sit and talk for a while.

Sally nodded, opened the door, and slid into the low front seat. She handed Jen two gift-wrapped presents.

I hope that you like them, the smaller one is your graduation present.

Opening the bag, Jen found a card and two gifts. She read the card first and then tore the colorful paper from the largest gift; revealing a framed color photograph. Sally’s smiling face greeted her. Sally stood next to an Olmec head, her right arm wrapped around the cranium and her other arm waving to an unknown audience. At the bottom of the picture, Sally delicately inscribed—‘To my best friend forever—love, Sally.’ The second gift was a beautiful Cross Classic Century, 10 karats gold-filled, ballpoint pen and pencil set. Jen reached over and squeezed her hand.

"Thanks so much. I have a place for this picture on my wall, and I'll put the Cross-set to good use.

While Jen had taken additional classes last summer, Sally participated in her first field trip to Central America. Her team uncovered this massive head and other artifacts from the Olmec culture. Jen gazed again at the photograph, proof of Sally's successful expedition. Jen handed Sally her graduation present and a card.

Sally read the card and blushed then tore off the colored tissue paper from her graduation present.

Oh Jen, you shouldn't have— Jen reached out, grabbed the present, and pulled it toward herself.

Good, now I can return it and buy that new dress that I wanted. Sally's hand shot forward and snatched the box from Jen.

No you don’t Miss sticky fingers, this is the close-up attachment for my new camera that I desperately wanted. I can't thank you enough. Sally reached out and hugged Jen. Thank you, thank you—

Enough already, I get it, you love my gift. Jen and Sally smiled at each other.

Before I drive you home, tell me that we didn't...you know, dance together at my party. Sally suppressed a smile, and like a Southern Belle leaned her head back and placed her wrist over her forehead.

Why honey, you swept me off my feet.

No!

Yes; ask anyone present, they all saw us together. To make it clear, you were leading; I just followed as you guided me around the floor.

How could I have done something like that and not remember it? I must have been happier than usual. Sally lost it and laughter first snorted out of her nose then her mouth. Jen looked at her.

You were enjoying that, weren't you?

Ya gotta admit it makes for lifetime memories.

Checking her mirror, Jen pulled away from the curb. Thinking of Sally’s present brought her grandfather’s gift to mind.

Sally, undo the clasp around my neck.

Sally reached over, released the clasp, and pulled the chain and medallion out of Jen's blouse. Her eyebrows arched when she held the beautiful gold disk covered in hieroglyphs and other strange symbols. When she turned it over her pulse went into full overload.

"Jen, this face has the characteristics of an Olmec Head.

Jen told her about the present from her grandfather and his story of the long-ago find.

I shot several pictures of the disk and will send you a copy. Maybe you can keep an eye open when you’re away this summer for more of the glyphs that are on the right side of the pyramid. Sally turned the disk over.

How exciting. I’ll look for them and check with Professor Mingle, my mentor. I can tell you that they aren't Manding. She turned the disk over. Who are the two figures on the side of the head?

The one on the left is Neith, said to have created the world and the sun. She is also associated with war and hunting. The other one is Horus, a sky god, and the king’s protector.

Jen pulled up in front of Sally's house. Sally returned the chain and disk.

Sally, I'll see you at the graduation ceremony.

Today our dreams become reality, tomorrow is the start of the remainder of our lives. Sally smiled, got out of the car, waved, and walked to her front door.

Driving into her garage, Jen covered the car and headed to the kitchen.

Hi darling, said her mother. Jen's mother was the tallest one in the family, topping six feet one inch. Her long brown hair and eyes proclaimed her French ancestry. Her maiden name was LaHaise, and she was born in Canada.

Jen told her mother and Hanna about Sally's birthday and graduation gifts, showing them the picture of Sally and the gold disk her grandfather gave to her.

Beautiful, said Hanna.

I’ve never seen that artifact before, her mother said. How striking it is…what strange markings. The face on the back is an Olmec head. Why's it protected by Neith and Horus?

I don’t know, Jen replied. Someday, I want to answer those questions for you.

With four hours remaining before her graduation ceremony, she headed upstairs to her room.

I’ve been packing for weeks, and I’m still not finished—bummer. The previous week Jen had asked both her mother and father what she needed to take with her. Their answers would have filled another large suitcase. Her dad confessed with a smile, that her mother always managed to squeeze in everything but the microwave.

Opening her laptop, she sent an email to her uncle, thanking him for his card and birthday gift. She also sent pictures of the gold disk and ivory label, asking if he has ever seen anything like it before. Next, she wrote a short message to Sally and sent it along with the pictures she took of the disk and labels. Finished, she closed her laptop and worked on her three bags. Throughout the next hour, she re-packed each one, ending up with a small pile of excess clothing and several extra hairbrushes for her efforts. She also found space in her backpack for her birthday gifts: a personal GPS unit, my new digital camera system, binoculars, a pen set, the new book, and one of two field notebooks. Picking up the remaining journal, she opened it and wrote a short note to Sally. One notebook will last me a long time.

She shook her head when her mother called from the bottom of the stairs, Are you ready? We leave in an hour.

Darn, time goes by fast. I still have to shower, fix my hair, and dress. Argg.

Jen showered fast. Dressing took a little longer and hair drying a lot longer. Picking up her cap, she added the school tassel of blue and gold. Standing in front of the mirror, she fastened the medallion around her neck and placed it inside her gown. Adjusting the cap on her head, she inwardly smiled at the figure she saw grinning back at her. All right, Jen, she said."

Jen, her mother called, we’re leaving.

Coming, mother, she replied. One quick look in the mirror and she headed downstairs.

You look awesome, her father smiled at her.

Thank you, sir, Jen curtsied with a dramatic flourish.

Let’s go, said her mother, or we’ll miss the ceremony. Heading outside, they took seats in the small family suburban. Her father reminded Jen her passport and medical documents were in the wall safe.

I’ll pick them up before we leave for the airport.

The university contracted a cargo aircraft to carry excavation supplies and three other graduate students. This year, the university-sponsored three excavations to Egypt and one to Central America. Because Jen's father was the Egyptian Department head, and because she graduated with honors the university gave her a free ticket. Her only expenditure was for two box lunches and several soft drinks that she ordered. Excitement swelled inside her as she realized her career in archeology would begin right after graduation.

The car slowed when her father turned a corner.Looking up, Jen saw the university parking lot. Next year’s senior class students set up chairs and a pavilion next to the statue of The Father of Modern Archeology, Sir William Matthew Flanders Petrie. Petrie had compiled the list of Egyptian kings of the First Dynasty and promulgated a system of sequence dating of potsherds, which allowed one to date a site.

I’m proud to graduate as a fledgling archaeologist, under Petrie’s shadow.

Dr. Saxton, Dean of the University, stood on the platform under the pavilion, talking to another professor. The family headed toward the seating area. Jen caught sight of Sally and her family and waved hello. Sally smiled and returned the gesture. Jen remained with her mother, grandfather, and Hanna until they found seats. She and her father then proceeded to join her classmates on the podium.

Good afternoon Miss, are you an archaeologist? Sally teased while she moved next to her. Both girls smiled and sat down.

I’m so darn nervous, I could shake apart. Sally fidgeted in her seat.

Jen placed her hand on Sally’s arm. Take a deep breath, settle down, and concentrate on your speech. You worked hard for this moment, and you'll surpass our expectations. She smiled at her.

Dr. Saxton took his place behind the microphone and welcomed everyone present. He introduced the city mayor, who gave words of encouragement to the graduating students. Then he introduced the five department heads, including Jen’s father. They presented several academic awards to students.

The University offered several grants each year to graduates who wanted to begin working toward their doctorate. Both Jen and Sally declined their hard-earned grants, as they knew other deserving students needed the monetary help to further their careers.

The Dean introduced Sally as the class valedictorian, and she excelled in her speech. When she finished, everyone stood, clapped, and cheered. Pre-recorded music filled the background as Dr. Saxton started calling names and handed the diplomas out.

The fifteen graduating students all congratulated each other and then stood together for everyone to take pictures. Jen smiled when she saw her mother's camera pointed in her direction.

Being born into a family of archeologists comes with responsibilities; Jen knew that not graduating from this university wasn't an option. Now I finally understand what the phrase 'a weight fell off your shoulders' means. When she reached the area where her family gathered, they gave her hugs, kisses, and well wishes.

Darling, your father and I are so proud of you.

A dream that your mother and I have had since your birth has come true, her father grinned."

Sally came up and congratulated her. Remembering the extra field log in her purse Jen handed it to her. Sally read the dedication on the first page and blushed.

You’d better keep in constant touch with me, Sally said, or I’ll fly to Egypt and make an example out of you for a baby ostrich. Sally gave Jen a smile and one more squeeze, wished her success on her expedition and thanked her for her gift one more time, then left to join her family.

Jen's father parked in front of their house.

Jen, bring your bags down and leave them by the kitchen door. I’ll load them into the car for you.

I’m on my way to do that, she replied. You're the best dad. Jen darted upstairs. Entering her bedroom, she removed her graduation clothing. Folding up the robe, she placed the border on the top and put them both on a