NEW GODS: THE JOHNSON TRILOGY, #1

By Graham McQuade

NEW GODS from the author Graham McQuade is the first in the Johnson trilogy.

 

An unimaginable discovery in a cave deep within the Rhône Alps starts a chain of events that has the heart of Europe paralysed by a seemingly uncontrollable virus.

 

Margaret (Gwendolyn Johnson) and Jon (Wallis) are tasked with solving the mystery and embark on a horrific and breathtaking journey which takes them from Europe to Africa.

 

A story of  friendship but at its heart a story of courage and determination in the face of  bigotry, power and adversity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Graham McQuade
• Release date: Jul 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9798648332492

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Funeral

5th December 2017

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Loss is an incredibly powerful and painful emotion. Whether it is the loss of a loved one, a friend, a lover, a parent... a child.

Margaret stands looking into the space that occupies a couple of inches ahead of her. She doesn’t see her son’s coffin being carried carefully towards its final resting place or the grieving family and friends around her. She’s replaying, for the thousandth time, that last moment. The last moment they embraced, the warmth of Nate’s cheek against hers, the look on his face, his eyes, the cuddle, the wave goodbye and the last time he uttered the words, love you mum.

This incredibly powerful and beautiful memory is never replayed alone and is always followed by an equally powerful one. The shock and disbelief when she was told of what had happened. She screamed, but all there was, was silence. From that moment she felt totally alone.

No one could feel her pain, no one could understand... This emotion, this pain, this loss was hers alone and the only cure was gone, disappeared forever.

The strength and support that she had relied on in the past was fractured, also reeling from the loss of Nathan.

To think that she actually ran into that room where Nathan laid, wanting it so desperately not to be her baby.

She held his body so tight, hoping that her beating heart, the beating heart of his mother would somehow bring him back to life.

Her gaze drops a little until she takes in the image of Nathan’s coffin. A chord deep within her is struck and it resonates from her heart, gradually consuming her whole body. For the briefest of moments, she loses her composure and begins to sway as if about to faint. Hands from all sides gently steady her. Margaret is flanked by her mother to the right and father to the left. Just behind her is her closest friend Jon, Jon Wallis. His hands are on her waist.

The two weeks leading to this day have seemed to merge into one bleak continuous moment; no day or night, just grey. The day has already been long and exhausting... full of tears, anger and uncontrollable sorrow.

A young girl stands alone on the small platform in front of Nate’s coffin. Her nerves are compounded by the looks on the grief stricken faces. Her name is Callie, she is nine and was one of Nate’s closest friends.

The packed room falls silent...

Callie begins to recite a poem that she had written for her friend:

Why was Nate our friend

He always listened

He was always kind

He was never afraid to speak his mind

He always had a hug for us all

He kept us all together at school

But the one thing we’ll all miss by far

Is that smile and how he made us laugh 

We miss you Nate and we... and I feel so sad

This incredible young girl had the courage to bare her heart in front the grieving audience. And for the first time, moved everybody to look out from their own grief to others around them. This beautiful, simple poem, galvanised the gathered. This poem, this moment, was the first step back.

Chapter 2

3rd August 2020

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It’s early July and dawn breaks over Samoans, a beautiful commune set amongst the Rhone Alps in South Eastern France.

A group of renowned cave explorers are gathered and preparing their equipment for what is expected to be one of the deepest decent’s into the Earth ever attempted. The site is located a mile or so  from the famous Gouffre Jean-Bernard-Cave, a cave regarded as one of the deepest in the world.

The small entry point sits in the middle of a recently erected base camp. Tents house computers, provisions, sleeping facilities and  an eating area. No expense has been spared to support this exploration.

The team of twelve explorers have been together for around four days. As most don’t know each other and speak different languages, it was agreed that the team should get an opportunity to bond with one another.  There has been great excitement around this particular expedition, ever since the discovery of the site by a ground penetrating radar.

The radar was being used to locate an underwater spring, and by chance had located what could be a cave so deep that it could rival the great Krubera-Voronja in the mountains of Western Caucasus and the Veryovkina Cave in the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, north-west Georgia.

Since the discovery of the cave some months earlier, extraordinary lengths had been taken to ensure that the site remained a secret until an experienced team could be assembled to explore the discovery. During the months that followed, ground entry points were researched and surveyed until a suitable entry point to investigate this potentially historic finding was located. An entry point was located and a date during July 2020 was set for the expedition to proceed. Organised and funded by Mellas Extreme, it was finally ready. 

Andréas Mellas, the wealthy owner of Mellas Extreme, arrives by helicopter to the base camp to address the explorers and the support team, which numbers around fifty.

The forty year old Andreas stands just over six foot, athletically built, thick set with dark shoulder length hair and healthy opal skin. As he approaches the assembled support team and the explorers, he is beaming and takes a good look around at the group.

Welcome my friends.

He is speaking in English but it is impossible not to notice his Greek accent. His voice is strong, confident.

I am so happy that you could join us on this magnificent adventure.

The whole group are now gathered around and listening to quietly Andreas.

Many months of meticulous planning and hard work has led us to this point. He gestures, pointing to the ground. Each one of you, hand picked so that we have the best team possible to explore this cave and share its riches with the world.

He looks to the twelve cave explorers made up from Spanish, French, British and Portuguese adventurers.

My team here at base camp will support you throughout your journey. We have an experienced support team that are ready to come and get you should anything go wrong.

Why aren’t you joining us? jokes one of the team.

Come on Andreas, it’ll be fun, calls out another.

The group laugh. Andreas holds up his hands, smiling broadly.  I am flattered my friends, but alas I have a company to run and besides, I would only slow you down. He places his hands on his belly. There are calls of ‘no’ followed by more laughter from the group.

Hey, and someone needs to arrange the celebration party when you return.

There is more laughter accompanied by the odd cheer. Andreas raises his hands to quieten the team... Let us not forget that we are on the cusp of making history, it won’t be easy and no doubt, there will be obstacles to overcome... both physically and mentally. But each and every one of you have shown great qualities in endurance, stamina and above all, determination to succeed. You are winners. I wish you safe passage my friends, and expect to see you all when you return to the surface.

The assembled team applaud Andreas and a couple of members of the team make their way over to him, some shake his hand while others dispense with formality and hug him. Andreas says his goodbyes and heads back to the helicopter.

It would be another couple of hours before the team begin their decent into the earth.

It is unusual for an expedition to start with a decent into an open void, but this wasn’t an ordinary expedition. The twelve spelunkers make their way over to the huge pyramid shaped frame that stands over the three meter diameter hole. Then, with the assistance of the support team, they are attached to a rope which runs from a large rope reel to the top of the frame. One by one they disappear into the abyss. Each of the explorers are applauded by the support team as they descend out of the morning light into the cold darkness.

The expedition is expected to run for over two weeks, which in itself is a record. Mellas has seemingly prepared for everything, even having six equally talented explorers in the support team just in case any of the main team members need recovering. State of the art communication systems have been put in place to track the team. As the team descend, the explorers will attach small communication discs every thousand meters, which serve to bounce a signal from the descending team to Alpha One.

Once the last of the explorers are out of sight, the support team slowly disperse to continue with their tasks around the basecamp. The landscape drifts back to its calm and peaceful self.

Chapter 3

3rd August 2020

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The team begins their decent into the cold darkness of the Earth. For some, this constant confinement, uncertainty and darkness is the stuff of nightmares. For others it’s an adventure; an adventure into the Earth’s last wilderness. An opportunity to unmask some of the world's last secrets...

The team are relentless as they work tirelessly and efficiently through the darkness. Working hard navigating their way through the narrows, the shallows and near freezing pools of water that have filtered down through the limestone and settled.

Twelve explorers had been handpicked from a pool of eighteen candidates. Chosen, not just on their caving skills and past achievements but also on character and personality. Tests were carried out on all members of the team to ensure they were compatible with the other members, ensuring a good balance throughout. It was imperative that they were all able to support each other both physically and mentally.

Once the twelve had been selected they were then split into three teams of four... point, analytical and cover. Four members on ‘point', determining the best route forward, assessing openings and navigating other routes. Behind them are the next four members of the team, the analytical team. They are tasked with observing the environment, testing air quality and sample gathering. They will halt the team if they need to examine areas that they are passing through. They will also be responsible for sample gathering and storage for collection when they exit the cave. The remaining four are ‘cover', who are responsible for ensuring that the route out of the cave is fully mapped. They also attach the communication discs and constantly communicate with the surface with progress reports and updates.

The suits that the explorers are wearing are fully monitored so that the surface team can monitor heart rates and energy levels, enabling them to notify other explorers if they feel that one of their number is in need of help. The stress on the human body can be testing in the best of caving conditions, but descending into the depths of a cave as complex as this one will prove difficult for even the most experienced.

The signal from each suit is picked up at the base camp, where each explorer has their own profile on a large grid of sixteen screens, in what has become the command centre for the whole operation. Each screen shows a range of readings from each suit; from heart rate to body temperature, plus intermittent footage from cameras inside the suits. This footage will become more sporadic and delayed the deeper they get.

The remaining screens show averages across the team. One screen tracks the discs that are being placed by the team. Amongst other things, the discs feed back the route the team are taking. The team is adding additional information constantly... height clearance, water depth amongst a variety of other things.

Much work had already gone into understanding the caves underground water system, its geological development and the ancient climate the team would be expected to be breathing. The information they had gathered was only accurate to a point, although what was certain was that there were two huge caves within, one deeper than the other.

Data suggested that the target cave could be as deep as 2300 metres. But rather than head straight for the deepest cave (which the team confidently labelled Alpha One) they planned to explore another cave en route which was impressive in its own right. Despite this cave being slightly off-track, it would give the team the opportunity to regroup physically and mentally before the push on to Alpha One.

Chapter 4

6th August 2020

After three gruelling days clawing through the darkness, they hit two welcome landmarks. The first, they are over a mile deep which represents over half way to Alpha One. The second is that they finally reach their first target cave. This is the first real opportunity to stretch and allow their bodies to unfold. The team will use this time to collate and take stock of what information has been gathered thus far.

One by one the twelve emerge from an angled gap in the side of the cave. There are collective sighs as they emerge, combined with the occasional hug and high five. All are happy and upbeat and although they have been working together, some have not seen each other for days given the 'spread' of the team.

Once emerged they find themselves gathered on a large ledge looking into the dark and open void of the cave. They all take care not to step and slip into the darkness. The team use their helmet lights to determine the cave’s breadth and depth to work out the best way to tackle the decent. However, the helmet torches have a limited range so some begin take out their powerful wind-up torches. There is soon a collective ‘hum’ of the torches being charged as the handles are spun quickly. Within seconds, light illuminates the huge limestone cave. The explorers stand silent, speechless and overwhelmed at the caves size and beauty.

And this is the smaller one? says one of the team.

Lines of moisture glisten in the torchlight, giving the cave an extraordinary depth, so pleasant on the eyes of the explorers given all they have experienced these last couple of days is darkness and limited space.

It’s vast, announces one of the team.

Incrível, says another.

Beautiful, adds one more.

After the initial scan of the cave, the team get to work on anchoring ropes for the descent to the bottom. Most of the team are not required and  stand to the side and wait. Some stretch and continue to unfold themselves, others secure their rucksacks in readiness for the descent. To pass a bit of time, some scan the walls and base of the cave with their torches.

After a moment one of the team notices something, something that isn't quite right. Something that looks in no way associated with the surroundings.

Guys...

There is no initial response from the team.

Hey guys, what’s that?

His touch is pointing to the floor of the cave. And although it's difficult to fully make out the strange object, it is clear that what the torch is picking out is totally out of place.

Is that an animal? says one.

Looks like a body, a human body.

A naked human body.

After a minute or so most of the team have their torches out and are powering them up. One by one, torch beams find their way over to the object and begin to scan the area.

One 'body', quickly becomes two bodies, then three...

I count seven, shouts one.

I see eight, says another.

They look mummified.

Or burnt, says another.

Okay, let's get this line down there, says Samokhin, one of the senior members of the team.

Is that wise?

What d’you mean?

We have no idea what is happening down there, shouldn't we at least leave half the team here until the area is deemed clear?

Samokhin ponders the suggestion for a moment whilst looking at the body-like figures in the distance, then agrees.

Good idea... volunteers?

Most of the team put their hand up; Samokhin choses six including himself. Within ten minutes, six members of the team are at the base of the cave.

Okay, says Samokhin. We tread carefully and film everything. It is not our place to disturb anything, that will ultimately be the job of another team who are more experienced in this area.

They form a line, and with torches in hand they slowly walk towards the bodies. The other members of the team are doing their best to illuminate the area from the ledge. The six cautiously make their way toward the bodies. Scanning the area just ahead of them before placing a foot forward, being careful not to disturb any of the surrounding area.

As they get closer their lights illuminate the area around the bodies. Whatever it is, it doesn't seem to make much sense. They take care not to disturb the artefacts scattered all around and observe various sized pots and goblets along with spears and other weaponry.

Let's split into two teams, says Samokhin. Make sure your cameras are on and give as much commentary as you can.

With that the team splits and head either side of the bodies.

Are these mummified or burnt?

It’s hard to say, whatever it is, it looks like they were in pain come the end.

Have you noticed how they are all laying the same way?

What d’you mean?

Look. The female explorer kneels close to one of the bodies. They are all in the same position. On their backs, hands at their sides, heads tilted back and mouths open. They look as if they are struggling to draw their last breath.

They looked like they've been placed here.

That would be impossible right? No way are they dragging these down here.

Unless there's another way...

This seems to silence the group, some even scanning the cave for other obvious entrances.

Olhar para as suas mãos, comes a surprised voice.

What?

Sorry, look at their hands, replies the man in a Portuguese accent.

The team focus their lights on the hands of some of the bodies.

They look like... claws.

The team shift nervously and collectively take a step back from the bodies.

Actually, look at the jaws. They seem to protrude.

The more I look at them the less I am convinced they are human at all.

What on earth have we found?

I’m not sure, but I’m feeling pretty fucking terrified right now, replies one of the team.

Me too, comes another voice.

The team begin to chat nervously amongst themselves, clearly uncomfortably at the discovery.

Okay, okay... let’s just take a moment and decide what we should do.

Err, leave...?

There is a general murmur of agreement from the team.

I agree, I think we should at least take a moment to document what we have found and head back up.

The team get to work in detailing their findings, taking photos and continuing with filming of the bodies and the surrounding  area.

After about twenty minutes, Samokhin calls time. Okay guys, let’s head back up.

At that moment the team are silenced by what sounds like bones cracking. What was that? calls out one of the team.

Guys comes a panicked shout from one of the team on the ledge. There's something moving down there, you need to get out.

There is now shifting and cracking all around the team.

The bodies, look, they are moving.

Looks like something is moving in their chests.

At that moment, almost in sync, the chest area on all of the bodies begin to expand as if inflating. Their mouths begin to stretch wide open and what looks like a long cold breath flows out. This is accompanied by a hissing noise as if someone has opened a gas tap.

All twelve explorers immediately drop to the ground, fully unconscious before they hit the floor.

Chapter 5

21st August 2020

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Margaret Gwendolyn Johnson stands at five feet eight inches at about 147 pounds. She has always  had an athletic build. But regardless of this, she still insists on training regularly, more for her state of mind. She admits that she feels guilty if she doesn’t do some training at least four times a week.

Her dark shoulder length hair flies around in the gentle breeze as she studies the carved structure. She soon concludes that is far from in keeping with the surroundings. This makes no sense, I’m seeing Aztec, Latvian, Tibetan... and what’s with the snake statues?

There is a sudden roar and it consumes all around her, everything begins to shake but Johnson is unfazed, focusing on the carving.

From behind her comes a voice, a voice of a young girl. MJ, quick! Johnson looks around and in the distance she sees her brother, sister in law, two nieces and a nephew in the queue for the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril ride. You’re gonna lose your place.

She stands up and makes her way through the queue until back with her family. This is all wrong you know, she begins to point out to her brother. If this structure were real it would need to be spread over three continents and thousands of years.

Seriously! replies her brother. You’re such a geek.

You would think they would get this sort of thing right, this is a big attraction and could be really educational.

Not wishing to pop ya balloon, but no one really cares... it’s a queue.

Whatever! she replies with a roll of her eyes, and then a smile.

The Johnson family had decided to take a family trip to Disneyland Paris. They rarely got away together as a family, life seemed to do its utmost to get in the way of most of their plans. This is no surprise given just how big the Johnson family is. But, after some stern words from Margaret’s parents, the family really had no choice but to make an extra effort to make this short break happen.

In the last couple of years, since Nathan’s death, Margaret had found it difficult to be around any family, let alone her own. The very people you would think to migrate to in the face of tragedy are the ones she tried to avoid. She hates herself for the way she feels around them. It’s just every time she sees her nieces and nephews, it makes her feel so sad.

Nathan had his ways of bringing all of his cousins together. If one was sad, he’d sit with them and try cheering them up. He’d always read to the younger ones and joined in with whatever game they dreamed up, but he’d always make sure that none of them were ever left out.

Since his death the family would come together on the odd occasion, generally Christmas and Easter. Johnson would really notice how the dynamic of the cousins had changed. They just didn’t seem that interested in playing together anymore. ‘Maybe it’s just an age thing,’ she would think... but she knew full well that