Atlantis

Chapter 31

“What do we know about this crystal cave?” Dane scanned a map of the area where the cave was located. He, Greg and Kasey were winging their way across the Gulf of Mexico in an S-6, a modified version of the Saker S-1, a jet capable of cruising at more than 1,100 kilometers per hour. While unable to reach such speeds, the S-6 could exceed 800 kilometers an hour, and carried six passengers. It was also equipped with an ejection mechanism so passengers could parachute from the plane. He had to hand it to Tam — she had some useful connections.

“The main access is through a mining operation,” Kasey said. “It was discovered by accident, and it’s only the turbines that pump underground water from the mine that prevent it from flooding. If the mine ever shuts down, the Mexican government will either have to foot the bill for keeping the pumps going, or let the caverns flood.” She consulted her notes. “The place is dangerously hot and humid. You have to wear a special suit or you won’t last long. We’ll have suits waiting for us.”

“How do we find Matt once we’re there?” Dane took out a second map, this of the caverns. “There are so many channels to choose from. He could be down any of them.”

“Matt and Joel,” Kasey frowned at Dane’s omission of their team member, “will probably be down one of the passages that hasn’t yet been completely mapped. If there’s a source of Atlantean crystal, it stands to reason that’s where it will be found.”

“I just got something from Tam.” Greg tapped his iPad and read the message aloud. “Kevin Bray, geologist, was found dead in his apartment in Los Angeles.”

“I hope there’s more.” Kasey didn’t look up from her notes.

“There is. His laptop, journal, and all his research were gone. Cash and other valuables were still there. And the kicker? He had recently returned from an excursion to the Cave of the Crystals. According to his colleagues, he got lost, and when he finally made it out, barely alive, he had with him a crystal that he claimed was unlike anything known to science.”

“That’s promising.” Dane leaned over and read Tam’s message for himself. “Friends thought the heat exhaustion had messed with his head.”

“I can see how a scientist who, all of a sudden, begins talking about crystal power could seem hippy-dippy to his colleagues,” Kasey said. “So, the Dominion got to him first.”

“If not, it’s one heck of a coincidence.” Greg closed the message and consulted his watch. “We’re almost there. Get ready to jump.”