Ronjisu

By Les Stone

Six Earthlings find themselves transported onto a Planet in out space and are ionvolved in much suspense and drama as they were given a one thousand year life span to achieve the impossible, the amalgamation of the Federation of Planets and the rebirth of Planet Earth to finally return in death to Ronjisu.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Singapore
• Release date: Oct 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9781543754940

Les Stone

The Author is an ex-Rhodesian from Africa raised in a time of conflict and unrest when Afica was in the throes of decolonization. Fought in its wars and subsiquently has seen the demise of Democratic processes in African Political The Author is an ex-Rhodesian from Africa raised in a time of conflict and unrest when Afica was in the throes of decolonization. Fought in its wars and subsiquently has seen the demise of Democratic processes in African Political arenas

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Copyright © 2019 by Les Stone.

ISBN:                Softcover                    978-1-5437-5493-3

                         eBook                         978-1-5437-5494-0

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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CONTENTS

Introduction

The Team

The Reds

Yoroni

Kulth

Ronjisu

Sahirq

Yoroni Retrebution

Earth

Quasar

Ronjisu

Earth2

Otmanza

Fugan Quadrant

Quasar

Urantza Re-visited

The Void

Interstellar Travel- Year 2475

Planet Earth revisited – Year 2484

Conflict –Year 2504

The Alliance – Year 2560

Return

Diplomatic Assignment

Human Moles

Nagur

Battle Stations Earth

The Final Years [Big Five]

INTRODUCTION

IN THE YEAR 4000 BC, a space craft of immense size hovered over the mountainous region of desert in the southern parts of the country known as the Jordan rift valley just north of the Gulf of Aqaba and bored down into the red rock below to deposit a rectangular box. This intrusion into the silence of the desert did not go unnoticed as local Nabataea’s in the area made a record of the event on a clay tablet. These people traditionally left no record of their history or any other record for that fact in spite of all these people being literate who lived as nomads. Josephus the ancient Jewish historian identified the Nabataeans with Ishmael’s eldest son (Genesis 25:13). He claimed that the Nabataeans lived through the whole country extending from the Euphrates to the Red Sea. He refers to this area as Nabataea, or the area that the Nabataeans ranged in. Josephus goes on to say that it was the Nabataeans who conferred their names on the Arabian nations. (Jewish Antiquities I.22, 1) By this statement, we can assume to mean that during his lifetime the word Arabs and Nabataeans had become synonymous. Josephus lived and wrote during the time that the Nabataeans were in existence, and supposedly, he obtained his information directly from the Nabataeans themselves.

Hundreds of years later from the date of that first sighting, in the year 312 BC the Nabataea, a nomadic people suddenly without reason constructed a City of immense beauty liken to Hellenistic architecture known to the Nabataean world as Raqmu and later renamed Rekeme by the Arabs until the Greeks renamed it Petra. What was the motivation behind this enterprise no one will know as the Nabateans never kept records save for one found in Petra during the Ottoman occupation 1517-1915 which was subsequently sent to the Istanbul Historical Museum? A clay tablet recorded on it in ancient Sumerian suggesting a visitation from Masters from the heavens who had thousands of years prior deposited a box like object somewhere in the rock hills within the area of the City of Petra. Many scholars and archeologists searched in vain throughout the years to no avail and eventually the pursuit of the illusive box was abandoned due to the sensitive nature of Petra. Many years passed until in the year 2033 a certain German archeologist named Thomas Blinkt while visiting the Istanbul Archaeological Museum stumbled across the tablet in its glass case and became intrigued to determine its significance.

THE TEAM

ONE

THOMAS CONFRONTED ISTANBUL’S Museum’s curator, Aitan Tabak to probe for more information from the man regarding a tablet and its written inscription.

My name is Thomas Blinkt, an Archeologist from the University of Berlin, how do you do Sir.

The Curator blinked, wondering what this man wanted from him, but returned the curtesy all the same.

Good day, how can I be of assistance?

I noticed a tablet in your collection of Nabataean artifacts scribed in ancient Sumerian referring to the City of Petra. Queried Thomas.

Yes, you are right, and we conclude this tablet to be a mystery along with Petra itself and leave it at that. Answered Aitan smiling.

Would you mind if I took a photo of the tablet? Asked Thomas.

Not at all. Be mindful that Petra is a National Heritage site and excavation of any sort is strictly prohibited.

Thank you for your time and yes, I agree with you. Replied Thomas taking his leave to capture the tablets image on his communicator.

Commandeering a self-drive taxi to his hotel, the Hilton of Istanbul, his mind was working hard thinking of possibilities and the rewards should his theory be made manifest to the world. It would put him fairly and squarely on the archeological map as a man of substance in historical community and ensure sponsorship for any other expeditions he might dream up. This one on the other hand had to be done in his own time and expense. What he needed was the assistance of some high profile associates he came to know through the years. He would call in his markers on some of them, they owed him that much. For the next few days Thomas communicated across the globe till finally he achieved his goal and to boot, the finance he needed to fund the expedition. Shortly after, the rest of his expedition’s personnel arrived in Istanbul. Two men and three women. Their arrival at the hotel was uneventful save for the notes of instruction left at the Hotel Reception for them by Thomas. Thirty minutes later the group converged into the Hotel foyer where Thomas was waiting in the lounge. He addressed the group.

Well, you are probably wondering what this is all about, so here it is, Petra Jordan.

The group studied his face all of them very familiar with the name Petra and the many failed attempts to excavate in depth due to Jordan’s Antiquities Bureau blocking any would be possible damages to the site once it had been declared a national monument and a National Heritage site, they remained silent letting the man continue to enlighten them.

I have to say I have a theory and you men and women have been chosen for your various technical expertise required to undertake this expedition. I have been in contact with the Jordanian authorities and have assured them that any undertaking on our part will in no way be cause for concern due to the nature of our sophisticated equipment does not necessitate any excavation what so ever. They wanted reassurances so I was obliged to forward to them the specifications of our equipment, barring a few strategic details for obvious reasons, because we want this chance and not leave it up to them with our technology. So introduce yourselves please.

My name is Katarina Muller, from Hamburg, a geologist and ancient Hieroglyphics expert having done much research in both Egypt and Peru. Call me Kati.

This was one red head with fiery green eyes who appeared to be all business. Slim figure, well-manicured and self-confident. Short in statue, in her late thirties. Heads nodded acknowledgement then a long dark haired young woman spoke.

I am Maria Sanchez from La Plaz Bolivia and I am a PC expert as well as a librarian aged 24, but don’t let that fool you, I am also very handy with a knife. So saying she shifted her athletic torso uncurling her crossed legs in a lazy relaxed fashion.

One of the men chucked out loud commenting,

Well looks like we have a delectable muchacha here, mucho gusto Maria. My name is Lucas Dejong from Holland Amsterdam. My expertise is somewhat different in that I am, how do say, unclassified. Ex Dutch Army special forces majoring in explosives and modern weapons. My function together with this Chinaman here is to protect the expedition and keep the bad guys away.

Kati eyed the Dutchman lounging in the hotel chair. This was one dangerous hombre, standing she imaged over six foot of sheer muscle and looked to be in his early thirties or late thirties. Not someone you wanted to tangle with. Handsome with his long blonde hair and beard.

Ni Hou, my name is Andrew Cheng, graduate of the WuSu academy of Nanking China, originally from Kowloon Island Hong Kong and an expert in ancient weapons. My purpose is to look after you ladies in case this Dutchman decides to take advantage of his standing in this group.

The Dutchman roared with laughter replying.

Cheeky man don’t bet on it.

A very strongly built yet slim woman stood up with hands on hips, her powerful torso saying it all. The blonde hair neatly tucked into a pony tail belayed the fierce expression of those cold steely blue eyes.

Dobra Utra Comraden, my name is Anfisa Balakin, Russian from University of Moscow and the religious and historical part of this expedition. I am 28 years old, also a woman wrestler in my spare time.

Lucas was amused, what was Thomas gathering here, scientists, geologist, archeologists or a combat unit. None the less he was impressed, a good combination this group formed especially if things got a bit rough. The women all looked like they could handle themselves which was in his mind a huge load off. Security was his main concern and any one of this group could fall victim to outside elements. He stood up and faced Thomas.

I speak on behalf of the rest of us and would like to clear the air before we commit to this expedition. We were offered guarantees in terms of financial remuneration to be paid on completion whether successful or not. On this basis then we want commitment from you to uphold your side of the deal with us as we will undertake to give our full and undivided attention to this expedition and would suggest we work as a fully cohesive team. No doubt Thomas, you must be expecting some form of repercussion from somewhere otherwise we would not be here with our collective non-academic talents.

Thomas eyed the man. Lucas came highly recommended as did the others in the group who all had faced at some point situations to test their own integrities and pass with flying colors especially Maria Sanchez who proved to be a little hell cat when pushed into a corner. As for the Russian, reports of her loyalty were undisputed as was that of Andrew who was a Chinese version of the ancient Ninja warrior. Kati was the only one that seemed to be the odd one out, but he was sure she would merge with the group. She was after all an Olympic recurve bow archer of some standing. Yes this was a good group for what he had in mind.

Well people, Lucas is right and I do stand guarantor for your remuneration dead or alive. We have a lot of organizing to do, equipment to procure and relative authorizations from the Jordanian authorities so to begin this expedition on a good footing I have organized a dinner in the city, agreed, so we will meet down here in the foyer in an hour. Thomas proclaimed.

All acknowledged making their respective ways to their rooms watched by a set of speckled piercing brown eyes from a chair at the bar. Inspector Demir took note of this group of people and sensed a danger yet he knew from his questioning of the Museum curator the purpose of this gathering. He did not much like the concept yet understood the implication and noted with much interest the individuals whom this Thomas Blinkt had gathered to himself. He checked their names against Interpol records and they were as indicated except two men, the Dutchman and the Chinese, they were the mystery and ones to watch. Petra was an enigma and had been for centuries and this expedition could arouse some unethical interest. According to Interpol the Dutchman was a retired Dutch army major, nothing was known about him and remained classified. The Chinaman on the other hand was an open book and no secrets there. As an all Asian martial arts champion his record was easy to follow, clean as a whistle. This could be very interesting to see where all this led to as he contemplated exiting the hotel for his office.

Meanwhile an hour later the group reformed and headed out for their evening meal at the Erhan Restaurant which proved to be a bonding experience particularly with the consumption of alcohol most barriers were brought down between them. Because of their differences in language, English was the language of choice. At this point the group was feeling each other out and there would be individuals drifting towards each other which was inevitable, yet as a group, Thomas hoped would be united. The following days were filled with planning, studying topographical charts of Jordan in the Petra region, acquiring tools of their trade for the expedition and equipment which included some highly advanced x-ray hand held items and monitors attached to either an arm or to a hovering drone plus sophisticated laser cutting devices. Days passed into three weeks and finally authority from the Jordanian Government and the Jordanian Antiquities authority came through including import licenses for all their equipment. They were to fly to the Queen Alia airport in Amman Jordan where they were to be met with a Jordanian government representative, a man named Kaled Bahar and his group of observers. One of which was a police inspector, Hassan Salib and his assistant Adama Nahas.

The flight to Amman was uneventful, the meeting and rerouting a flight to Aqaba equally went without complications. The Golden Tulip Hotel in Aqaba was their destination, but before anyone could relax their cargo had to be secured on road transport and placed under guard. Until the go ahead from Petra was given which could take a few days this meant with time to spend the group did what any tourist would do, went to the beach to sunbath and swim, lounge around, eat, drink and be wary. Lucas with Anfi crossed the border to Israel’s Eilat resort. They returned three days later and it was obvious the two had spent their time in romantic bliss. No one said a word, it was accepted. After all, they made a matched couple. A week later on the Sunday, authority was given to procced to Petra in a military escorted convoy. This puzzled the group, but if that’s the way it was to be so be it. Their arrival in Petra was cloaked in secrecy to a pre-arranged camp site and instructed to only work outside of tourist hours which meant from 17:00 to 07:00 the following morning. Money is money and a lot of Jordanians were minting it out of tourism.

Inspector Salib took his responsibility to heart and made sure everyone was confined to their stations during work and off periods allowing the group to function within the boundaries of their designated areas only. This did cause a little friction with the group which Thomas managed to appease with welcomed addition to meals including alcohol beverages. Meals were an Arabic cuisine consisting of mostly salads, Humus, olives and tinned tuna fish and for evening meals mostly cooked with either rice or Bulgar and meats yet all the same palatable. Work began in the Treasury also known as Khazneh with its magnificent facade of Hellenistic Architecture carved out of the red rock face with its six main supporting pillars, the recessed archway and entrance beautifully decorated. Above were the two sentinel towers supported by twin pillars apiece and each with a carved figurine. The center piece was its crowning glory with its circular elaborately carved lip and crown also with a carved figurine at its middle. The whole building was recessed into the red rock face and truly a marvel to behold. A nomadic Nabataean tribe could suddenly out of nowhere be the creators of such an amazing architecture seems a bit out of their league unless, they were inspired by someone outside of this realm because the detail was too perfect. It’s as if the builders had travelled forward in time to Greece and made a study of building practices there. Who’s to know, as these people left no written record what so ever?

What do you think? Asked Thomas addressing the group.

We have x-rayed these back walls to a depth of fifty feet and nothing. Even above and below without result and we don’t know quite exactly what we are looking for. Answered Kati.

Ok, let’s move on to the Burial Temple and try there. Somewhere here we are bound to find something it’s just a matter of time. Responded Thomas.

Let’s hope so. Quirked Kati

With that the group relocated their efforts to the Burial Temple. At 17:00 hrs. Sharp, scaffolding was erected inside the inner chamber of the Temple which itself as constructed in similar fashion as with the Khazneh. The exception was the front access stair well leading up to the temple portal consisted of arches reminiscent of Roman type aqueduct construction in two switch back configurations of stairs. It had four tall supporting pillars which were only carved half way into the rock face symbolizing standing pillars. Above the pillars was carved an ornamental façade depicting a roof structure. Internal lighting was arranged by generators and so the team started phase two of their search. The x-ray mechanism attached to a drone systematically scanned the back walls centimeter by centimeter from top to bottom and side to side making absolutely sure leaving no margin for error. 7:00 Hrs. the next day down came the scaffolding until the evening session. The group took to their cots to sleep. This went on for a further four days of slow tedious scanning until on the fifth morning Maria gave an excited yell bringing the rest of the group to her table and the computer screen on which showed very distinctly a large rectangular object embedded just centimeters in from the rear walls face. It lay a meter off the ground and looked like it was two meters in length, a meter in height. There was much excitement and immediately the officials were crowding over the screen jabbering away excitedly in Arabic. Inspector Salib enforced his authority and cordoned off the whole outer temple with troops. The Government official Mr. Bahar communicated directly with Amman. This section of Petra was deemed out of bounds to everyone except the expedition team and authorized personnel waiting for a response from the Jordanian Government. It was slow in coming and with-it came their civil engineers and other Government officials with orders to supervise any excavation minimizing damages to the back wall of the temple. The team were forced to retire to their camp site while officials evaluated the temple wall. After two days of indecision Thomas confronted the group and offered a workable solution. Solution accepted. Drill a small hole into the wall to gauge the depth at which the box lay. If it was minimal, then only the exact shape of the box would be excavated out from the wall itself. They agreed so it was up to Lucas to do the honors.

Lucas chose the left hand top corner measured by projected laser beams and drilled a hole. Less than three centimeters was the depth of the box. He then brought out one of his specialized pieces of equipment, a laser cutter able to cut precise depths down to hundreds of a millimeter. After recalibrating the laser markers on the back wall and the laser gun adjustments allowing for a safety margin of quarter of a millimeter he carefully activated the gun to follow the marked lines on the wall. The cut was clean and fast allowing a single piece of rock to be very carefully removed off the wall and placed safely to one side. Now the only obstacle was the screen of rock to chip away. Slowly the layer was chipped away to reveal a black box on which was inscribed some form of written text. Both Kati and Anfi studied the letters and shook their heads to which Kati voiced her opinion.

This is not from planet earth, there are no known writings of this type anywhere to be found. Gentlemen and ladies what we have here is an alien object of unknown origin and purpose. I suggest we proceed with extreme caution from here on. Do you all agree?

Everyone present muttered agreement. This was out of anyone’s realm of expertise and until they could figure things out the temple would be closed to the public herewith. Orders were given and guards doubled while the team copied the strange letters on the box then scanned the details into the computers and waited. These were no ordinary PC’s, but highly developed super computers. Two hours later the results came through onto the screen. Through an algorithm written specially to decipher Glyphs the answer was given.

GLO ARAZ PUTIC YOTIS KIMZOT ISERO QA ZOUM VERUL SA

No known language. Letters/numerals deciphered to English alphabet.

This was head scratching time, where to proceed from here onwards. The box did not seem to hold any threats, but all the same, best to treat it with caution now that it was revealed. So the team pulled up their chairs and began to brainstorm.

Ok, we know from the tablet that 4000 BC a space ship dropped this box here obviously for a reason. That reason is yet to be discovered. Let us therefore probe its interior with the X-ray and see what it can tell us about itself and while we are about it, Kati how about using that little gismo of yours to tell us what the composition of the boxes construction is made of. Suggested Thomas.

Kati took her little modified analysis spectrometer and scanned the box. A bunch of scientific codes appeared on its screen to which she returned to her table to write down what was registered in plain language for the rest of the team to understand.

It’s like this Guys, surprise, surprise. This box is made up of the following components. Ionsdaleite mixed with tungsten, high titanium, basalts and chromium with wurtzite doron nitride. This my friends is the preverbal strongest substance possible or ever created, the densest and heaviest. No way are we going to move that box anywhere, plus it is solid through and through.

Andi whistled through his teeth exclaiming,

You must be joking, so what you are saying is this box which comes from outer space in our gravity environment is immovable unless we are able somehow to create an anti-gravity field around it, this is where it will stay for the next 6150 years.

Putting it mildly, yes. Replied Kati.

Lucas offered his opinion,

I say we try to figure out those writings because if we start to mess with this box who knows what it’s capable of to protect itself. If we can figure out what’s written which gives us answers and know how to proceed. Maria I suggest you concoct another algorithm based on the computers findings and let’s see what comes out of it, if anything.

Agreed. Voiced Thomas.

With that Maria got down to business on her computer while the others walked over to the box to study it. There was much debate for the next twenty four hours while the computers ground away at their task. The next day Maria informed the group of the computers results, as they gathered around to hear she explained.

This is a beacon from the Canis Major, which is a satellite galaxy of our own Milky Way. I have read about this Galaxy and the way our Milky Way is slowly depleting it and sooner or later will merge with ours. What it also says is this is no ordinary box, but some form of robotic entity which will protect itself if tampered with. That’s it. Cool huh!!

Everyone stared at the box. Questions were flying through their minds and some doubts as to the authenticity of Marias statement. One thing was sure, this was no ordinary box. Thomas ordered the group to clear out all their equipment and return to camp and let the authorities decide what’s to be done. The team had achieved their goal and the expedition was a success to which Thomas would get his recognition. Back in camp Kati made a statement, one which was on all their minds.

You know of course the Jordanians are going to try to move, open or blast that box and I feel we should be nowhere near here when they attempt it. Thomas I think it’s an appropriate time to evacuate this site, I have a bad feeling about this as I am sure some of you do also.

Yes you are right, I will inform the officials here our task is complete and we are moving on. Pack up everything as quickly as possible, we might have to make a dash for the Israeli border. Advised Thomas to which he went in search of the officials.

While he was gone Lucas prepared the others making sure they wore appropriate attire with backpacks filled with bare essentials in case flight was the last option left to them. He was confident the group could run the distance across to Israel where there was bound to be an awkward reception awaiting them. He was aware that if that box became a robot as was warned, those persons in the Burial Temple would die for sure and what of the others on the outside? He was not prepared to take any chances on their survival if that was the case. Thomas returned with a worried look on his face.

We have been told to sit tight and they have posted guards around our camp to prevent our leaving. They also say any mishap occurring by their tampering with the box we will be held accountable. I suggest we all prepare ourselves for a fight. They have been warned not to meddle with the box, let it alone, reseal it and that’s that, but they will have none of it.

Thomas, we are ready to take flight. We know a route that will get us out of here which will bide us time. We have to do this at night though to avoid detection for as long as possible. You know they will blame us for everything and want to use us to appease their blunders in the eyes of their superiors. This means imprisonment and possible execution so if we have to run lets run. Declared Andi.

All agreed. Questioned Thomas.

Everyone nodded in agreement. Now it was a waiting game while the Jordanians work on their plan to breach the box. Only the team knew it appeared to be a solid chunk of matter, so it was only a matter of time for the inevitable to occur. Meanwhile, Andi slipped out of the camp and surveyed their escape route across the divide of the Jordan rift valley to a destination on the map named Kushi 101, a settlement on the Israeli/Jordanian border. He returned some time later confident his reckoning would secure their escape if need be, Meanwhile they waited in their camp checking their equipment and making sure they had enough water between them. Sure enough, a few hours later the inevitable happened. The Burial Temple exploded outward in a blinding flash and the team, taking advantage of the mayhem exited the camp site under the confusion and panic. It would take time before their absence was noted. Quickly the group descended down to the valley floor and ran towards Israel amid explosion upon massive explosion causing untold devastation of the once majestic Petra.

Way down in the valley the flashes of exploding Petra could be seen for kilometers against the night sky. This did not help the group’s plight because by now the whole southern border of Israel would be made aware and preparing their own defensive line for possible attack. Thomas was out of breath and his legs started flagging to which Lucas bodily hefted him onto his shoulders and ran on. Andi sprinted forward to ensure the path was clear and to sight any possible dangers ahead. On approach to Kushi101 the group surveyed the area seeing the now armed activity going on in and around its compound. Not wanting to encounter any trigger happy Israeli’s the group scouted further north and crossed the border between Kushi101 and the Moshav Faran. Their discovery would be inevitable sooner or later, but until then they had to keep as low a profile as possible. Cash in hand, although Euro currency, did not help them so somehow they had to secure transport to put as much distance between them and where they found themselves and merge into a city to exchange monies. Lucas made the most logical suggestion and that was to get to the City of Eilat where their presence would not be of interest as they would appear to be regular tourists. The group were hiding just off a main road in among the agricultural hot houses when a single Toyota double cab glided by and stopped at a water distribution station. A man got out of the vehicle and was checking dials on a panel with a flash light when Andi struck. The poor man did not know what hit him and slumped to the ground out for the count. They made their victim as comfortable as possible then navigated the vehicle south bound passing Kushi101 and an ineffective road block posing as tourists. Once in Eilat, they ditched the vehicle careful to remove any telltale signs of their presence using Kati’s special gismo to detect even skin and hair follicles.

Petra lay in ruins, bodies strewn everywhere, thick dust hung in the air as a convoy of military personnel arrived. The Commanding Officer conducted an immediate search of the stricken area and found no trace of the Government representatives nor the group who were assigned to investigate a finding in the Burial temple as was the information his superiors had offered to him. He had been instructed to secure their arrest if there were any of them still alive. His task was impossible, there was nothing left of the hills around Petra. It was as if an atomic bomb had exploded and flattened everything. Chances of finding any survivors were negative. They searched to no avail. The communication to his superiors was simple. Everyone had been vaporized by the blasts. Impossible to find any trace. Amman was grieved hoping to have found scrape goats for this tragedy, now there were none and it would tell the world its National Heritage site was no more, the causes were equally unknown to have triggered such total devastation. Nor could they explain the so called box found at Petra, as all and any site records had been burned or buried under tons of shattered rock.

Back in Eilat the group were all business and found a Currency Exchange at the beach front enabling them to exchange money giving them buying power at least. By now Petra made international news and side walk screens showed pictures of the devastation and endless discussion by Jordanian media as to causes and speculations. International Investigators had been dispatched to the area to conduct tests to determine the causes of the devastation. The group by now were acting their role as the grey man and melting into Eilats tourist scene. Thomas used his communicator to contact a confidant in Germany he knew would keep his silence and figure out a way to get the group out of Eilat. The next setback came when their names and pictures of the archeological team presumed dead in Petra was published across the worldwide media. The group had to come up with disguises to bide themselves until Thomas’s contacts made arrangements. This called for some ingenious changes to their physical appearances and necessitated cutting of hair, changing its color, using external aids such as wigs and contact lenses found in a novelty store as well as clothing and masking Marias tattoo. Instead of speaking English to one another they reverted to Russian as all were trilingual and this would account for the fair complexions of some of the group. The odd one out was of course Andi. No way to change his fascial design so they resorted to transforming him into a Mongolian with shaven head with hazel contact lenses. Not too convincing, but passable. Lucas became a skin head minus his beard and mustache dressing to suit while Anfi cropped her hair and became Lucas’s skin head buddy. Kati and Thomas died their hair blonde and wore blue contact lenses while Maria became an Israeli, her skin was darkened and dressed like any other girl in the street. One of Maria’s attributes was she could speak Arabic fluently. They could not book into any hotels or boarding houses because their identification documents were a dead giveaway. The most likely alternative was the Marina where luxury motor homes and yachts were moored. Thomas contacted a friend in Germany requesting assistance and indicated the nature of it to be made available in the next few days.

Franco Guiseppi was a wealthy man having made his fortune through illicit dealings across Europe and treated himself to a present, a modern ocean going motorized palace. Sleek, beautiful and reeking of money. Franco was not alone however, he brought with him his circus of body guards, seamen and entertainment in form of high class call girls. The floating hotel was named Pricilla of all things. Andi strolled past the mooring station where one of the security personnel of the vessel was hanging about the ships gang way which took or put back passengers to and from the vessel. The security guard was packing a concealed weapon and looked a mean character. Andi approached the man asking.

Any chance of a job on this floating tin can?

The man grunted.

Stupid man, get lost, go on fuck off.

Andi struck like grease lightning, the man died instantly his body slumping over the gang way as if snoozing while Andi walked away like nothing had happened and no one around was the wiser. At a distance he stopped and observed watching for any reaction. He did not have to wait long before some of the ships staff returned to go aboard. The reaction to finding the dead guard was as Andi anticipated, they very quickly took the body aboard and posted someone else in the dead persons place. By now they would have been alerted that something was amiss and be watching. Andi made a note of the staff count both on board that he could see and those who had arrived prior. He estimated there to be at least sixty persons in all of which probably twenty to thirty being security and maritime staff. So Andi decided to play his own little game and right under the noses of the watching people on board he delivered another killing blow on his walk past. The victim remained leaning against the gang way like nothing had happened. The blow to the central nervous system paralyzed the body in a sudden tensioning of all the muscles at once causing the body to become ridged. This time Andi did not wait to see the results of his handy work rather focused his attention on a luxury yacht moored alongside where an elderly couple and four young persons were sitting on deck chatting. Next to this yacht was a schooner moored and a party was in full swing so Andi invited himself aboard and picked up a beer from the cooler box on deck, joined in with the festivities like he was part of the group. This was some party and it raged until late when the harbor authorities came to quell the noise.

The rest of Thomas’s group were engaged in their own separate excursions. Lucas and Anfi hit the beach making quite an impression when they undressed leaving only their swim suits on and began to do some acrobatic exercises together in hand balancing, body lifts and a form of acrobatic dance which required a lot of strength to lift their bodies simultaneously into the air. By now a crowd had gathered and a few more crazy moves wowing the crowd. Lucus bowing thanking the people took their leave to another part of the beach which was less populated. Thomas and Kati with Maria tagging along stuck to the more sedate tourist activities and went sightseeing visiting the various attractions Eilat had to offer. At 24:00 HRS as was agreed the team reassembled at the entrance to the huge shopping center on the beach front. Andi guided the team back to the Schooner and calmly took up residence on board where some bodies were sprawled in drunken stupor. Very conveniently for the team, no one to ask questions where they spent the rest of night. The next day the group took a slow walk passing the Pricilla where there were now four guards posted at the gang way. Andi of course recounting his events the day before and the motivation for them. This was an ideal opportunity for them to find a way out and it was starring them right in the face.

A plan was formulated which necessitated the cover of darkness, some basic equipment and the rest up to their own initiatives. The Schooner provided what was basically needed in its storage compartments and other pieces of equipment found concealed in side panels obliviously not the kind one wanted the authorities to know about as they constituted ships security. The trick here was to create a diversion thus enabling the team to access the Pricilla without being detected and secure her bridge and engine room. Lucas and Anfi would take the bridge because that’s where most of the action would take place and between the two of them made a heavy duty defense team. Thomas and Maria the engine room while Andi and Kati would commandeer the radio room as final objectives. Before that however, the staff and body guards had to be neutralized, locked away and or eliminated. The owner of the Pricilla, would be used as a hostage to prevent his staff from getting creative. At 01:30 HRS, Andi set fire on the schooner causing a flurry of activity both on and off the shore enabling the team to climb aboard Pricilla via the grappling lines cast on the blind side of the vessel away from the goings on and went to work with synchronized speed. Those staff members on night watch were rendered immobile by Andi and his nerve point strikes. Quietly but effectively, cabin by cabin, anyone in them was rendered immobile. Not killed only immobile. This operation took ten minutes to complete while the fire brigade and police were busy quenching the fires on the schooner. The four guards below on wharf watch were oblivious to the goings on aboard as their attention was riveted to the schooner. Now all that remained were the four guards to deal with. Pricilla’s Captain was brought onto the bridge when the port authorities ordered the vessels closest to the Schooner to leave their moorings and head out of the harbor which constituted five boats in all. The four guards did exactly what was anticipated, assisted with mooring lines to release the Pricilla. This is exactly what Thomas had envisaged would happen and the team took advantage of this mishap to the schooner to force the Pricilla’s Captain to open the throttles and head for open waters and freedom. Within thirty minutes it was all over and the Pricilla was in international waters out of the reach of Israeli naval patrol boats. The four guards who had come aboard met Andi who dispatched them overboard.

Now out at sea the situation could be better analyzed and acted upon. Life rafts were organized and all body guards and none essential personnel set adrift with fresh water and food. The remainder of the essential staff which constituted the ship’s captain, his navigator, the medic, ships engineer and Mr. Franco himself with two of his concubines all bundled into the main lounge where Thomas was to give them the new conditions of employment to put it mildly. Lucas engaged auto pilot and joined the people in the lounge.

Good morning Gentlemen, Ladies, my name is Thomas, these here are my colleges who constitute the balance of my personnel. We have taken siege of your vessel as a means to an end and that’s all. The vessel will be returned to your control when our objectives have been accomplished and not before. In a short while the whole world will be out looking for us including Mr. Franco’s syndicate members, so things might get a little hot on board for you. We require you to perform your normal duties as assigned and no harm will come to you. Any attempt on anyone’s part to undermine the integrity of my people will result in you becoming shark bait, is this clearly understood?

Thomas scrutinized the faces and saw abject dislike written on them so he grabbed one of the girls and handed her to Andi who promptly took her wriggling protesting body and threw her overboard. On his return to the lounge there was a shocked silence.

You get the picture my friends now I am sure

He watched for reactions, some unmoved others in disbelief so was able to gauge who were the ones to watch. Anfi got up and exited the lounge going to the deck where Andi had thrown the girl, leaned over the side and retrieved the terrified female from a retaining net which was installed for this same purpose to catch people falling overboard, then ushered her down into the lower deck and a cabin where she was locked in. Anfi returned to the lounge and nodded to Thomas. The ploy had worked. They were now the bad guys capable of bad things.

You will confine your activities to the upper deck where we can see you. Ah! We will prepare meals to make sure none of you gets wise to try to doctor the food with undesirable remedies which would cause any of us to regret eating it. Thomas concluded.

They had two days at most to find a solution to their new found predicament and escape the Pricilla. Thomas’s communicator vibrated and a face appeared. It was one of his trusted friends Hans Eisenblatter, a former German special forces commander.

Schöne Grüße Thomas, everything is arranged. At 06:00 HRS tomorrow morning a submarine will pick you up and transport you to a destination they alone know. I need your location so stay put at sea and don’t move.

The communicator transmitted the GPS co-ordinates then closed. So it was set, all they had to do was sit tight for the next eighteen hours and would be off this vessel. The team busied themselves with last minute details and prepared their last meal on the vessel and entertained their captives who were all seated in the main lounge wondering what was to become of them. No one slept, frankly they were sitting ducks being stationary like this, but under the cover of darkness without any ships external lights they were almost invisible except to radar. The hours ticked by slowly while Franco memorized the team’s faces in his mind. He would get this bunch one way of the other if it took him years to do it. Dawn broke and with it a submarine surfaced coming alongside the Pricilla the team embarked and were enveloped into the deep. Franco immediately took charge and sent out distress messages to every which way as well as contacting his associates informing them of Thomas and his team.

The submarine was German Navy and headed for a destination in the Pacific Ocean. On board they received new documentation and identities all of whom were of Belizean origin. A British commonwealth country in the South Americas bordering the east side of Mexico to its upper north, Guatemala on its west border and Honduras on its southern edge. New identities meant new names to familiarize with. These identities also carry occupations not related to archeology at all. Certificates of education from the University of Belize accompanied by family histories. The organization by Thomas’s friends was perfect barring plastic surgery right down to the last detail. Each member was given a dossier to study and memorize which later would be destroyed.

Thomas Walters’s alias Thomas Blinkt: Passport photo Glasses, occupation History teacher.

Catharine Boyd Walters married to Thomas Walters’s alias Katarina Muller: Passport photo blond, Occupation House wife.

Emily Smith Wong married to Lionel Wong alias Maria Sanchez: No change, occupation restaurant owner.

Lionel Wong alias Andrew Cheng: No change, occupation Chinese cuisine restaurant owner.

Michael Storm alias Lucas Dejong: Passport photo skin Head, occupation farmer.

Jennifer Saunders Storm married to Michael Storm alias Anfias Balanik: Passport photo Skin head, occupation House wife.

The scene was set, complete with bank accounts, enough funds to live respectable lives on. Nothing plush just simple everyday existence with cash to step out from time to time. Belize, Its mainland is about 290 km (180 mi) long and 110 km (68 mi) wide. Belize’s abundance of terrestrial and marine species and its diversity of ecosystems give it a key place in the globally significant Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. Belize has a diverse society, composed of many cultures and languages that reflect its rich history. English is the official language of Belize, while Belizean Creole is an unofficial native language. Over half the population is multilingual, with Spanish being the second most common spoken language. Belmopan is its capital. Michael Storm and his wife own a Rancho inherited from deceased parents just outside of the town while Lionel Wong owns a Chinese Restaurant in the city and manages it together with his wife. Thomas Walters lives in a condo on the beach front with his wife and is a History teacher at the local high school. All these couples are members of the cities Average Joes Bar and the Highway Trails Belize Resort and Country Club. Jointly they owned property deep in the Belize hinterland in Orange Walk County on the Guatemala border. This was to be their retreat and safe haven in case of complications arising. The team was given a second chance to lead different lives under their aliases and time would tell how the married couple side of things worked out. Whether it became an actuality or just as a front for the cameras so to speak. Hans Eisenblatter had seen to every contingency possible barring of course his own arrival in Belize with his family to take up residence there in his retirement. Of course he and Thomas were old and close friends going back to their youth. So it would only be fitting that old friends became reacquainted once again seeing as a large debt now stood between them and Hans was going to use the services of Thomas’s very capable team