Ancients

12

The president sat silently watching the live C-SPAN feed from the United Nations in New York. The ambassador from North Korea was berating the Americans from the podium.

"They just threw out the evidence we sent them," the president said to no one in particular. "The Chinese were not able to convince them of the truth, or they're just not hearing it."

Niles watched the angry animation of the Korean ambassador, but what was more important to Niles was the way the Chinese delegation sat stoically, not moving an inch as their ally decried what they perceived as a South Korean and American conspiracy to weaken the People's Army to the point of total collapse. The ambassador even threw in the disaster at the Russian port of Vladivostok for good measure. Damn! The president needed the Russians' support, but Niles as well as the president knew that this was a backlash action over the harvest and grain shortages.

Previously, the American secretary of state had told the world about the true nature of the Coalition that was truly responsible for the seismic attacks. Armed with only circumstantial evidence, and with the ambush in Chicago on record, even allies of the United States had looked on with skepticism.

The president could endure it no longer and snapped off the television.

"We can't stop them if they come across the border, can we, Ken?"

"The delay in moving in our sea power has seriously damaged our reaction time. Our pilots and the Japanese are running nonstop from Kempo, they're beat, and it's even harder on the aircraft."

"So there's not a whole hell of a lot we can do about it," the president finished for him.

"We have options, Mr. President.

"Ken, you know me--until they threaten to push the Second Infantry Division into the sea, that option will not be discussed, not with the world thinking we're behind these disasters."

Admiral Fuqua stood and paced to the far wall and looked at a portrait of General George Washington. Compton had briefed the admiral on his SEAL-and salvage-team losses at Pearl and knew his anger.

"Admiral, do you have something on your mind?" the president asked.

"I see no way out of this outside of nuclear weapons' use."

The room erupted as most thought that the admiral might be intentionally goading the president.

"Gentlemen, let the admiral voice his opinion," the president said.

"We can't take more carrier groups from their current deployments," he said, turning to face the room. "Hell, it would be over by the time we got them in theater anyway. But we can"--the admiral turned again and faced the president directly--"pull everyone out."

The gathered military men just stared at the admiral as if he had lost his mind. However, Niles could see the brilliance of the statement as soon as the admiral had said the words. He nodded as he listened.

"As a navy man, I know what we face in Korea is a funnel which will slide thousands upon thousands of young men into uncertain hostilities, and in the end someone, maybe even us, will push that button we've feared since we were crawling under school desks as children during air-raid drills."

The president watched the admiral walk back to his chair and sit. He swallowed and looked from face to face.

"In the end, we would prevail--I truly believe that--but at what cost? I say we place the emphasis on the North Koreans by pulling back the Second ID and the South Korean army. Pull them all the way back south of Seoul and let them set up defensive positions there, and let the world see us do it."

"Brilliant!" Niles said, to let the admiral know that he, for one, did not think he was nuts or defeatist.

"That just may read like an invitation to Kim Jong Il to come through the door quicker than he otherwise would," General Caulfield said.

"Maybe," said the president. "But it would go a long way to demonstrate to the Chinese and Russians that we have no designs on Korea, or themselves." He looked at Niles, knowing that the emphasis for getting them out of this mess might have just landed in the Group's lap. "How soon can we get the orders out to the Second ID to pull back from the DMZ?"

"They can be on the move in six hours. I'll order the overflights stopped, border patrols only. Admiral, you can order the two carrier task forces to hold station at their current location."

"And I'll announce to the world that we're pulling back. Let's just hope we can take the sword out of the Korean hand without getting ourselves cut to pieces," the president, said looking from the general to Niles.

The door opened and the president's secretary entered and handed him a communique.

As the men in the room watched, he crumbled the paper and tossed it onto the coffee table, almost smiling at the way things were developing.

"The Russians are claiming they have downed a U.S. Air Force 777 cargo-conversion aircraft in their airspace." He looked up with red eyes. "They claim they have some of the wreckage in their possession and proof that the aircraft was attempting to use the Audio Wave against their nation."

"Impossible! The air force didn't--"

The president glared at the air-force chief of staff. "It doesn't matter, General. Whoever this Coalition is, they just outplayed our move."

Niles looked down, knowing that the Coalition might finally have severed any chance they had at ending this thing peacefully.

Major General Ton Shi Quang had relieved the previous commander after the artillery exchange between the Americans and the forward shock troops. As he sat in his command bunker, he saw that his troop and tank buildup was nearly complete. He saw that overwhelmingly he outnumbered the two armies gathering to the south and knew he could crush them within two days without help from the American naval and air forces. He outgunned the Americans five to one in tanks. The deciding factor would be as it always was--the ground soldier. In that arena, he had a fifteen-to-one superiority, and unless the United States and their southern lackeys did the unthinkable, he would be in Seoul having lunch on the second day of battle.

"Intelligence report from Pyongyang," his orderly said stiffly.

The general did not like to have his thoughts disturbed and gave the colonel a stern look as he reached for the flimsy paper.

American defensive troops of the Second U.S. Infantry Division appear to be falling back from frontal positions. The South Korean army, after initial hesitation, has also begun what seems a possible withdrawal. Stand down from all offensive operations until tactic can be analyzed.

The lead military-council member of the Great Leader's inner circle had signed the message.

"Analyzed? This is obviously a trick by the imperialists! What are they thinking in Pyongyang? Are those old fools falling for this? They only wish us to believe they are falling back. This is obviously a ruse to create more time to bring up what I suspect will be a preemptive strike on our People's Army by nuclear forces!"

The colonel shot a worried look at his commanding general; the horror of what he was saying was clearly etched on the man's sharp features.

"I'm sure the council has taken that into consider--"

"I will not allow the Americans a first-strike opportunity here." The general looked at his watch. "Inform command that we are in receipt of the message."

The colonel hesitated before departing with his orders.

"Go!"

"That is all, General? Pyongyang will want to know how you plan to deploy for defensive purposes."

The general slapped the large map table in front of him, knocking several of the small models from their positions.

"Defensive positions?" the general said loudly. "That particular word has no meaning for me. Now send off the message that we are in receipt of the new orders, and that is all!"

The general watched him go. If the American forces were actually moving back from the lines, it would give his armor a running start and thus be unstoppable. He placed the disturbed models back onto the table and they formed a three-tank regiment spearheaded right at the American and South Korean lines. If the Americans did not start this, he would.

One of the oldest and finest hotels in Italy was emptied of guests upon the Coalition's arrival; in the small print of several international contracts, they owned it outright. They also owned most of the local police, and that, coupled with the ties they had with certain people in the Vatican hierarchy and the Italian government, allowed them a free hand in running their illicit operations.

William Tomlinson stared out the window at the Coliseum only six blocks away. Their Group had its roots not far from that ancient and revered place. The Juliai had learned early on in that wealth was power, the only true power on earth.

"How excited you must be, William--finally, the Atlantean Key within reach," Dame Lilith said from her chair in the main parlor of the suite.

Tomlinson turned from the window and his view of the Coliseum. He smiled politely and took in the woman's lovely features.

"Yes, of course. I was just lost in thought. The thing that is most exciting to me is the knowledge that we will soon be stepping fifteen thousand years into the past, our past and no one else's. To the place our ancestors once dwelled and where our blood was born."

"It's so sad that there are not many pure-bloods left in the Coalition. We have been watered down so. At least those that remain will have this opportunity, all because of your foresight, William."

"Too kind, Lilith," he said as he turned and walked to the bar.

"Something far more pressing is troubling you. Tell me?"

"It's Dahlia's report. I received the full text this morning just as we landed. The plate map was not recovered," he said, turning to Dame Lilith. He held up a hand when she suddenly sat up in her chair. "Calm, calm ... Dahlia recovered something far better and less time-consuming than the plate map. We have a true map. A map made by the very man the plate was sent to. However, you are right--I am troubled. The American government recovered the plate. It is now in the possession of the same group of people that have sheltered Laughlin and Rothman."

"William, this is indeed serious. They will come after the Key. How soon is Dahlia arriving in Africa?"

"Soon, very soon," he said as he poured Lilith and himself a drink. "We may have an opportunity here. The people of this secret group that have become such a troublesome lot will undoubtedly lead the charge to Africa for the diamond. As a matter of fact, Dahlia has virtually guaranteed it," he said as he turned and offered Lilith her drink.

"What are you suggesting?"

"Without the risk of losing the Key, I want these men eliminated. Dahlia is of the same opinion." Tomlinson sipped his drink and then smiled, embarrassed for what he was about to say. "You've known me since I was a child, Lilith. I have never shown fear in any arena. However, these men that have been in the way since Ethiopia ... well, I fear them. It's like they have been placed here just to stop me."

"I've never thought you a mystical person, William. These men just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. A chain of events allowed them to become very lucky people. That is all."

"Thank you for easing my mind, but I would still feel better having them out of the way. Dahlia believes an ambush could be set up without endangering the diamond. As you know, I am an opportunist. This is one of those--"

A knock sounded at the door, interrupting Tomlinson. He placed his drink on the sideboard and straightened his suit jacket. He composed himself and answered the door.

Caretaker half bowed in greeting. August Nelson was behind him and looked very much agitated over something.

"Gentlemen, we were just discussing the plans for the recovery of the Key. Come in, please."

Caretaker entered, followed by Nelson. He bowed and smiled at Lilith and then turned to Tomlinson. Before he could say anything, August Nelson blurted out a stream of words.

"The American president has done the unexpected, William. He is--"

"Please, Mr. Nelson, calm yourself. I will inform Mr. Tomlinson of the facts. There is no need to be so emotional."

Tomlinson looked from the red-faced Nelson to the calm demeanor of Caretaker, a man he had never once seen flustered.

"It seems the American president has withdrawn his forces from the disputed line in Korea, sir."

"Impossible! He would never allow the North Koreans into the South; the United Nations and South Korea would crucify him."

"It seems to be gaining a widening support base in the United Nations. It is seen as a sign of nonaggression by the Americans."

"The plan banks on a conflict, William. This is serious, very serious."

Tomlinson looked almost sadly at Nelson. The man was not as strong as he had hoped. He would have to deal with that issue another time.

"Gentlemen, please sit down and have a drink." He gestured to the bar, and Nelson made a beeline to it. Caretaker sat in a chair.

"There is some rather good news: it seems the Russians have bought into the ruse you created with the Wave aircraft. They were nowhere near the UN council chambers today."

"You see, Nelson, you have gains and then losses, but the market always settles." Tomlinson retrieved his drink from the sidebar and then glanced at August Nelson. The man would have to be replaced with another true-blood, one who had a little more intestinal fortitude. Reactions like his worked like a plague around other members of the Coalition.

"William, this is not the stock market. We are dealing with dangerous nations here who have armies under their command. I wish now that--"

"I think it's the right time to allow you into the world of intelligence. Both you and Caretaker have been most patient."

Caretaker sensed a shade of patronization in Tomlinson's tone but decided not to comment.

"The war in Korea will start very, very soon, gentlemen. It will happen regardless of what the American administration does or does not do. They are helpless in the matter. North Korea will attack."

"You have an assurance of this?" Caretaker asked.

"I have more than that, my dear Caretaker. I have the general in command of all North Korean forces, Major General Ton Shi Quang."

Caretaker leaned forward in his chair, a surprised look on his face.

"I am rarely, if ever, surprised in this position, Mr. Tomlinson. However, in this case I am happy to say I did not see that statement coming. Someday I would like to learn how you gained access to a closed society and purchased the services of this man. Please, if there is anything else?"

Tomlinson looked at Dame Lilith and wondered if he should impart the knowledge he had confessed to her about Dahlia's ambush plans. Lilith saw his look and shook her head almost imperceptively.

"No, Caretaker, I believe you are now up to date on everything in my bag of tricks." Tomlinson smiled and once again walked to the bar. "Now please, Caretaker, toast the recovery of what we have sought for thousands of years, the Atlantean Key."

"For that item alone, Mr. Tomlinson, I will indeed have a drink."

"Imagine no more country-versus-country nonsense. Only one system to govern, a new reich that the people can call whatever they choose, and everyone working together to fulfill a destiny that was cut short fifteen thousand years ago." He handed Caretaker his drink.

"To Atlantis," they toasted.