A/N: This can be considered to have occured at some point before 'Christmas Cake' and be in the same continuity of that storyline.
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The Nile River.
Once the bread basket of humanity, the murky river looked unpalatable and uninviting.
Small boats were propelled here and there, the craft of hopeful anchovy fishermen. No other large traffic was visible. Crocodiles basked forebodingly on the shores, paying no heed to the hippos who disappeared beneath the rippled surface as the Mithril barge grew near.
Sousuke's thoughts were as dark as the churning water pushed away by the ponderous craft and its decrepit looking tug. The ECS system was functioning well, meaning that he and the cargo were invisible. However, the process did not work in reverse. While his view was not restricted, there was nothing he wanted to look at.
In the past, he would have loved a chance to visit either of the two sites targeted for this mission. But today, his heart just was not in it.
The way he felt that moment, he wondered if it mattered one way or another.
The two Mithril teams had initially been inserted over land, a good distance above the Aswan High Dam and Lake Nasser. The huge artificial body of water---480 km in total length---was a potential terrorist target of immense destructive power, bit little political likelihood. Should the Aswan Dan be destroyed, the unfathomable deluge of accumulated water could flood all of Egypt. It was not the focus of their concern.
Egypt had come to the Camp David accords because of the dam---Israel had marked it as a target of great worth. Mithril had stopped one terrorist plot targeting the dam in the past, early in Sousuke's career. The massive artifice was to have been booby tapped by anti-Israeli forces intent on framing that nation. The yound soldier had lost a number of team members who had befriended him. That was not the reason for his gloomy countenance.
"Hey Sis, look! The Sphinx!" Kurz flounced his hair, swinging it in Melissa's face. She grabbed her combat knife, struck with a sudden urge to give her flamboyant team member a crew cut. Kurz was pointing at Sousuke.
"How does the Sphinx smell without a nose?" The young sniper waved his arms, trying to get someone to respond. The men working on the deck of the barge either didn't speak the language, or didn't want anything to do with the noisy soldier.
Neither Sousuke nor Melissa took the bait.
That only encouraged Kurz all the more.
"Terrible." He looked on expectantly. No one laughed. But, that didn't matter. Everything provided one kind of opportunity or another. He sidled up next to Sgt. Major Mao, a lascivious look on his face.
"Babe, if your not going to laugh at my jokes, I have another way to pass the time. You. Me. A lot of moaning and groaning." He made a gyrating motion with his pelvis, then pumped his fist.
"Weber, you are a horse's ass. I retract that. I like horses. You are a f-cking hippo's ass." Melissa spat into the river. "We can do that moaning and groaning thing if you like." She showed him her blade. "I'm not a surgeon, but I think I can get your balls off without too much blood loss."
Kurz wasn't certain whether or not Sgt. Major Mao was joking. She probably was, but there were a number of things he refused to risk on a 'probably.' He walked over to stand in front of Sousuke.
"Sousuke, old chum. How about you and I wrap nasty old Mao in some bandages. We can make a fortune selling her as a mummy. She's dried up... stiff... and no fun at all. Who would notice any difference?"
Sousuke didn't even bother to look up from the equipment bundle he sat on.
"We could trade her to a Bedouin. They like things with humps... a real bad attitude...and a tendency to spit or bite. But, it might be easier for them to take care of a camel instead." Kurz ducked under a roundhouse kick. "Maybe we can get a couple of dancing girls in return."
"Leave Sousuke alone, Weber. You know he's not his usual self today. Just give him some space. It's time for you and I to prep our M9s. You don't have any time to spare, since you'll be prepping his too!" She threw her cigarette into the Nile.
"C'mon, Sis! He's a big strong boy. I'm certain he can handle it. It might even do him some good. You never pamper me like that!" Kurz followed on Melissa's heels. "I could use some babying too, you know." He reached a hand around towards Melissa's front. "I'm partial to breast feeding."
The last think Sousuke heard from them then was a shout of pain from Kurz.
A flight of birds flew overhead. Absentmindedly, the young soldier watched as they darted down close to the water, wheeling away as if they were one large animal. Sousuke sighed. He envied them their freedom.
They were not burdened by emotions.
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The briefing had taken place aboard the TDD-1.
Sousuke had been pulled away from Tokyo during mid terms. His final grades would not prove to be a problem. The contributions that Mithril made to Jindai High School would make certain of that. It necessary, a little more coukd be added to sweeten the pot.
Kaname had not been happy.
She had gone to a lot of trouble to cook Sousuke's favorite dishes. She had put together a study planner so she could help Sousuke prepare. Moments before he knocked on her door, the recall message came in. It was a high priority signal. There could be no delay.
He gave Kaname the bad news over his cellular phone.
She hung up during his explanation.
A mushroom was the cause of all the trouble. Amanita bisporigera. 'The Destroying Angel.' An oxymoron of sorts. The nondescript fleshy white parasol was one of the most dangerous saprophytes on earth---one bite of the mushroom could kill a healthy adult, thanks to a heavy concentration of the cyclic peptide Amanitin
Sousuke learned that the poison is almost always fatal, with the death being a very unpleasant one. Severe abdominal pains would soon be followed by liver, kidney, and circulatory system failure. There was no antidote.
Nothing would prevent the terrible suffering.
Usually, the only unfortunate victims of that mushroom were campers and hikers in North American who foolishly trusted their mushroom lore, mistaking the button stage of the mushroom for similar edible fungi. However, distressing news had been brought to Mithril's attention by means of the Israelis. A terrorist group had set up facilities to grow huge numbers of mushrooms.
Their aim was unclear, but their method was clear enough.
Large underground caverns had been built underneath a number of archeological treasures, the last place that the perpetrators would expect anyone would look without cause or provocation. The builders had planned ahead, working towards some unknown future opportunity.
When the formation of Lake Nasser threatened to submerge the wonders of Abu Simbel, the miraculous temple was cut up into huge blocks and moved to higher ground. Secret facilities were built during that procedure, with the hidden knowledge passed from one underground sect to another over the years.
A use had been found.
The other man-made cavern was built beneath the ruins of Deir al-Madinah, an ancient Egyptian village that was once the home to the artisans who were responsible for building the Great pyramids. It had once been called Set Maat her imenty Waset, 'The place of Maat.'
By extension, the older name meant "place of truth." In actuality, it was now a den of the darkest deceit. The villagers had once worshipped Meretseger, the Cobra-goddess who guarded the Valley of Kings. That was apropos.
Poison was no stranger to the region.
Sousuke's troubles had only started when he left for Da Danaan. They became worse when he flew back to Tokyo, awaiting word of successful mission preparations. While time was not on Mithril's side, they had to work through clandestine political channels.
Consequently, there was no telling how long he would have in Japan. He would by necessity be flown back to the TDD-1 as soon as he was needed. There was no margin for error, so there could be no unnecessary delay. .
Even one escaping truck loaded with mushrooms could cause deaths on an unimaginable scale.
Melissa had made it a point to coach Sousuke. She told him to buy Kaname flowers. She suggested a gold pendant or bracelet as well. Those, and honesty. It wasn't his fault that he had to leave for the briefing.
Kurz had told him to get her drunk and explore the true depths of her feelings. He spent the rest of the day walking funny, thanks to his squad leader.
Sousuke eventually found himself outside of Kaname's door. For some reason, his heart was pounding in his chest. Perhaps he was worried about the choice of gifts. He had thrilled a local jeweler by purchasing some nice items. The cost was immaterial. Kaname was important to him.
But, this wasn't the first time he had decided to give her jewelry. He remembered handing her a locator bracelet and a pair of flash bang earrings.
That had not gone well.
He wanted things to go better this time. While he did not entirely understand his feelings for his classmate, he knew that he felt good when she was happy with him, and felt terrible when she was angry.
He knocked on the door.
No one answered.
Was she in? Had she looked through the security port hole and decided to leave him standing there? Could she be with someone else?
He knocked again.
Still no answer.
Sousuke had come over the first moment he could, but realized that there really was no reason to rush. What had prompted him to stop by her apartment now? He had gear to stow, and other items to get ready.
He turned to leave.
The door opened.
Kaname's face was red and her blouse was soaked with tears. Her hair was a mess. She looked frantic.
"You're back already, Sousuke. Only two days. Good. I need your help. Please." She was obviously terribly upset about something. She had an armful of clothing.
"Kaname?" Sousuke watched her drop a bra here...a T-shirt there...and socks at multiple sites... as she walked aimlessly between the door and points unknown.
"I have my ticket. I bought a second one just in case you made it back in time. Our flight leaves in three hours. I'm glad you're here." She was trying to sound calm and collected, but her voice cracked repeatedly.
"Flight, Kaname? But I...."
"We need to get to New York City as quickly as possible. I don't just need a bodyguard now Sousuke; I need a friend. It's Ayame." At the mention of her sister's name, the tears flowed again.
"What..."
"She's sick, Sousuke. Very sick. The doctors don't know if she'll make it." Kaname walked over to him, looked up into his eyes. There's no time to waste. Did you unpack? If not, that's great--- you'll be ready to go."
Kaname was actually trembling. Sousuke did not know what to do. He was so used to her strength and resilience.
"I cannot go, Kaname." The words hung between the two of them like unexploded ordinance.
The look on Kaname's face was one of disbelief.
"Sousuke? What do you mean? I need your help." Her voice was plaintive. She had never allowed anyone to see her this vulnerable before.
"The mission is not over, Kaname. That was just the briefing. I am on standby. I cannot leave the safe house." Sousuke felt terrible. It was a feeling he was all too familiar with---he had felt this way in battle before, when he was forced to leave wounded comrades behind in order to assure that the objectives were met.
"But..." Kaname dropped every single item she had been carrying. She looked like she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"I am sorry, Kaname." Sousuke felt as if he was torn in two. He might not be the most compassionate person, but Kaname's pain was hurting him too.
"Sorry?" The word carried with it a sense of total numbness. That would soon change.
"Yes. I would...."
"You would WHAT???" Kaname's eyes flashed, only slightly dulled by her fear and concern.
"I need your help more than ever. Are you saying that your are going to abandon me?" All of Kaname's insecurities converged. For that moment in time, it felt as if Sousuke was the cause of them all.
"Kaname, I do not have a choice. There are millions of lives in danger." At that moment, Kaname's understanding was very important to Sousuke. She had to realize that he would never willingly fail her.
"There are always millions of lives in danger, Sousuke." Kaname was not in the mood to be reasonable. "I only have ONE sister." Her face crumbled. She felt helpless and alone. Those were not feelings that Kaname Chidori was allowed to have.
"But---"
"I need your help. Don't you understand that? I need you to help me. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
"I understand, Kaname." Sousuke clearly looked upset himself now. If Kaname had been in a rational state, she might even have marveled at that. "But, I am not a doctor. I cannot cure your sister."
Kaname took a step back. She looked at Sousuke as if she was seeing him for the first time and didn't like what she saw. Setting her jaw, she began picking up her clothes.
"Please, Kaname. There is no antidote for the poison of the Destroying Angel mushroom. If the mission fails, many will die a hideously painful death." Sousuke was not exaggerating. Water supplies of big cities were notoriously vulnerable. The catastrophe could be enormous.
"A mushroom, Sousuke. A damn mushroom." She threw the clothes violently into an open suitcase. "You choose that over Ayame? You can't be serious." Sousuke had never met her sister, but that was immaterial.
Nothing Sousuke said made any head way. He placed the beautifully wrapped jewelry and the exquisite bouquet of flowers on the floor inside of Kaname's door.
She kicked the gifts out into the hallway.
That act had relatively little impact compared to her final words.
"I don't want to loose my sister. Maybe there can be a trade. I wish you were dead instead."
The slamming door carried with it a terrible sense of finality.
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Sousuke watched the children playing down by the river's edge. The barge was passing through a heavily populated region, now. The youths cavorted and splashed into the water, seemingly unconcerned about the dangers around them. The crocodiles remained still, but alert. A lone hippopotamus watched them, flicking its ears, ready to flee if necessary. An emaciated jackal ran out of cover, grabbed a dead fish, then disappeared.
Life and death.
The Nile brought life. The great river also brought death. Would any of those children meet an untimely end?
Would Kaname's sister?
He shook his head hard. It wasn't his fault that Ayame was stricken. She had bacterial meningitis, an infection of the membranes that line the brain and spinal cord. About 20% of such cases were fatal. Some survivors suffered significant complications, such as deafness, mental deterioration, or epilepsy. The bacteria were passed from one person to another by respiratory secretions sneezed or coughed up by an infected person.
He wasn't infected.
He had not even met Kaname's sister.
His emotions were confounding him. He did not need that with a battle approaching. Especially, this battle. The threat to the civilized world was staggering. The value of the ruins they would be fighting near was astronomical. He would rather take serious injuries himself, then see even a single chip of stone removed from the ancient temples and other edifices.
Kaname.
He pictured the blue-haired girl walking away from him. She never looked back. Not once.
Sitting on the creaking barge, brushing away flies and inundated with the scent of tar and mildewed tarps, he had begun to come to terms with what she must mean to him. Recently, he had begun to modify his behavior, trying to please her. He would gladly give his own life, to keep her from harm. If he could have, he would have gone with her to the States. The lives of the many outweighed the lives of the few, or the one.
He understood her priorities.
He had hoped that she would accept his.
'I wish you were dead instead.'
Those words had been spoken in the heat of the moment, spurred on by anger, frustration, and fear. Sousuke knew that Kaname did not literally mean what she had said. But the words had already started a snowball rolling down the hill. Sousuke's thoughts had subsequently become a huge rampaging sphere of ice. They threatened to become an avalanche. The analogy seemed out of place, with the relentless sun bearing down on the young soldier's towel- covered head.
Sousuke thought about life. The meaning of life. The uncertainty of life.
As the ponderous barge began to navigate a bend in the river, the children passed out of sight. It was as if they never existed, or were merely phantoms conjured up by his mind. Just like his own brother and sister, dead all these years, murdered by Russian soldiers in Afghanistan. He couldn't make out their faces, no matter how he tried. He somehow felt he had failed them, as a result.
Had they truly existed?
What might his life be like if they were still alive?
Scraping tar off of the soles of his boots with his well-worn combat knife, he grew strangely morbid. Could this be time? What would Kaname feel if he died? How might she feel after speaking the words she did?
Just what would be his legacy? It was something he had never asked himself before. Had he made a difference in the world? His actions help create or preserve peace and prosperity, there was no doubt of that. But, wasn't he also in effect a destroyer, a bringer of death and pain?
Had he done anything that made Kaname's life better?
Should he have done things differently?
What would he change if he were given the choice?
There were bricks being used to hold down the tarps spread over the slumbering Arm Slaves. Standing up, Sousuke began picking up the bricks, heaving them as far as he could out into the river. He followed their arc, his eyes squinting in the noonday sun. Their flight was brief. They disappeared from view with a splash, never to be seen again.
How many people had even known those bricks existed?
Would anyone care that they were gone?
They never had the opportunity to be used to their fullest potential.
'I want to make a trade.'
There was no bargaining with death. Sousuke knew that. When it was time, the darkness would descend. No matter how good a man's deeds, he would die. No matter how far his evil reached, his days would end. The only way he might live on was in the hearts and minds of others.
Sousuke was a fan of legends and mythology. Brooding on death---sitting on a barge in the middle of Egypt---he thought of Anubis, the ancient god of death and dying. The great jackal-headed deity was known as The Guardian of the Dead. He had once been the lord of the underworld, but allowed Osiris to take that position out of respect.
Ancient Egyptians saw death as the start of a perilous journey, rather than the end of life. In order to reach the land where the gods dwelt---and to live among them---they had believed that they must first traverse the land of the dead.
Each 'Book Of The Dead' was tailored to some extent for the individual making the journey. It contained the spells and hymns felt to be most appropriate to the life that person had led, as well as a collection of speeches and entreaties that would be used in attempts to pass the tests they would face during their journey.
The most crucial test was the Weighing of the Heart.
To those long-dead people, the heart had been viewd as a book---it recorded all of the deeds of a person's life, good and bad. In the Hall of Judgement, the data would be analyzed during an official ceremony'
Anubis would lead the deceased into the Hall. The deceased's heart would be placed on one of the pans of a scale, to be weighed against the goddess Maat's Feather of Truth. Anubis would adjust the plummet, seeing if the heart was sinful, weighing more than the feather. Thoth would record the verdict. The deceased would be led by Horus before Osiris, if the verdict had been rendered in his or her favor. If, instead, the verdict went against the petitioner, he would be given to the Devourer, the Eater of Hearts.
Sousuke thought about Ammut, the Devourer.
She had a demon to the Ancients. More accurately, she was the demoness of punishment. For a moment, he pictured her with Kaname's face, instead of her usual crocodile's head Would Kaname judge his heart to be heavy with sin? Would she wish the final death for him?
He blinked hard, and the vision cleared.
One thing was for certain, he would never mention that thought to Kaname. He would have to explain that the demoness had the mid portion of a lion. She might not take offense at that. He knew exactly what would happen if he told her that the Eater of Hearts had the hind quarters of a hippopotamus.
Sousuke did not have a Book of the Dead. That did not stop him from thinking back on his life. He began to take a tally of his good and bad deeds.
Would he find himself worthy?
Would Kaname?
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Sousuke stood near the edge of the barge, hand above his eye. In the heat of the day, the images in the distance wavered, looking tenuous and uncertain. They were not far from their destination, or at least the point where they would leave the water.
He would need to get into his pilot suit soon. That was a necessity. Getting his thoughts in order would be important, too. He should do that now. If he pushed ahead with his recriminations purposefully and voluntarily, there was less chance of random and crippling thoughts tripping him up at an inopportune time.
The final briefing had gone smoothly, from a professional standpoint. He, Sgt. Major Mao, and Sgt. Weber would escort one squad of ground troops to Abu Simbel.
If they were fortunate, there would be no Arm Slaves or other vehicles requiring their special attention. In that case, they would stand guard and mop up any external resistance. They had no idea what to expect. Little was known about the monetary wealth of the terrorists or their potential backers. Even less was known about their total manpower, equipment resources, or alliances.
Kurz once again made a disruptive spectacle of himself near the end of the meeting. Threats from Melissa did not blunt his irreverence or diffuse his jocularity. Sousuke, without a trace of humor pr intent, had provided the key to his comrade's subsequent come uppence..
"Sgt. Weber, as you are no doubt aware, we are in Egypt. I would suggest you do not anger the Sgt. Major. The stories in this country are rather colorful. The outcomes are often quite drastic." Sousuke was becoming a good student of both Kurz and Melissa. In combat, he knew how to play to their strengths and weaknesses. He was learning to do the same with their squabbles.
"Sousuke, you truly need to lighten up a bit. Life is for the living. There is plenty of time for order and propriety after we die. Life's a story. It's what you write that counts, not how the tale ends!" Kurz had a beer in his hand. That might be the greatest danger he would face on this mission.
Drinking before a mission was verboten. Stealing Melissa's beer was tantamount to a death sentence. The Sgt. Major had been the only one with the foresight to bring along post-fight libations.
"Besides, the stories you are talking about are so old, you would need to spend a whole week just blowing the dust off of them! What possible lesson could they hold for the magnificent Kurz Weber?" He looked at the empty can in his palm. Should he toss it into the passing water, or parade it before Melissa?
"I shall let you decide. I will merely speak of the god Osiris." Sousuke's voice became deeper and smoother than usual, as if some movie drector was using him for a voice over.
"He was the deity of life, death, and rebirth. The great-grandson of Ra, he sat upon the throne of the gods, ruling over the living world as Ra ruled over the gods. He was the first Pharaoh, and his Queen, Isis, was the first Queen. They ruled for many ages together, when the world was still young. His ways were just and upright. All peoples praised Osiris and Isis, and peace reigned over all, for that was the Golden Age."
"Hey, there's nothing wrong with this story. I think I like this Osiris dude. Reminds me a lot of...well... me." Kurz laughed. He was still undecided about the beer can.
"Yet there was trouble. Proud Set---the brother of Osiri, and the one who defended the Sun Boat from Apep the Destroyer---was unsettled in his heart." Sousuke's cadence was uncharacteristically captivating. Kurz managed to stand still for more than a minute at a time.
"He coveted the throne of Osiris. He coveted Isis. He coveted the power over the living world. He desired to take all that from his brother. He built a box and inscribed it with wicked magic that would chain anyone who entered it from escaping."
"Wow. That's one nasty son-of-a-bitch," Kurz said, belching. The smell of beer wafted about the impromptu meeting area, situated under the tarp and between to of the M9s. "Sound a lot like Sis, here." He jerked a thumb over his shoulder, in the direction of an approaching Melissa.
"Set took the box to the great feast of the gods. He waited until Osiris had made himself drunk on much beer, then challenged Osiris to a contest of strength." Sousuke stopped and stared at the beer can that Kurz held.
"Each one in turn would enter the box, and attempt, through sheer strength, to break it open. Osiris, sure in his power yet feeble in mind because of his drink, entered the box. Set quickly poured molten lead into the box. Osiris tried to escape, but the wicked magic held him tightly bound and he died. Set then picked up the box and hurled it into the Nile where it floated away. Set claimed the throne of Osiris for himself and demanded that Isis be his Queen. None of the other gods dared to stand against him, for he had killed Osiris and could easily do the same to them. Great Ra turned his head aside and mourned, yet he did not stand against Set."
"You see, Kurzie poo. There is a danger in drinking beer." Melissa put a hand on the blond soldier's shoulder. "It doesn't help being a feeble- minded cretin to start with either, right?"
Kurz threw the beer can into the Nile. He held his empty hands up in front of Melissa and smiled.
"That was a dark time. Set was everything his brother was not. He was cruel and unkind. War divided Egypt, and all was lawless while Set ruled. In vain the people cried to Ra, but his heart was hardened by grief, and he would not listen." Sousuke continued with his tale, never missing a beat.
"Just like Tessa," Kurz said. "She wouldn't listen. I told her I should be squad leader. I don't understand why she got all huffy when I told her that women were better as underlings. She must like it on top, eh Sousuke?" The ne'er-do-well laughed at his own joke. "I guess that makes you an upperling too, right Sis?"
Melissa cracked her knuckles. She practiced a few kicks.
"Only Isis persevered---she was unafraid of Set. Mourning, she searched all of the Nile for the box containing the body. Finally she found it, lodged in a tamarisk bush that had turned into a mighty tree, for the power of Osiris still was in him, though he lay dead. She tore open the box and wept over the lifeless body of Osiris. She carried the box back to Egypt and placed it in the house of the gods. She cast a spell. The spirit of dead Osiris entered her and she conceived and birthed a son whose destiny it would be to avenge his father. She called the child Horus, and hid him on an island far away from the gaze of his uncle Set."
"Damn, what fun is that? A baby, but no horizontal mambo? Harsh! "
"The story's moving off course, Sousuke." Melissa smiled. "If Kurz was Osiris, who would mourn for him?"
"Sousuke would? Right old chum?" Kurz put both arms across his chest and struck a pose.
Sousuke opened his mouth, then stopped. The dark thoughts threatened to overwhelm him again. Would anyone weep over his loss, if he died this day?
"I am just the story teller. I must maintain impartiality." Sousuke's statement drew a thumbs-up up sign from Melissa. He took no notice of it.
"I shall resume the story. Isis went to wise Thoth, who knows all secrets, and implored his help. She asked him for magic that could bring Osiris back to life. Thoth was the lord of knowledge, and had brought himself into being by speaking his name. He searched through his magic. He knew that Osiris' spirit had departed his body and was lost. To restore Osiris, Thoth had to remake him so that his spirit would recognize him and rejoin...."
Sousuke was interrupted.
"Hey babe, after Sousuke gets done flapping his gums, how about you and I rejoin?" He looked lewdly at Melissa, enjoying her appearance in the form- fitting Arm Slave suit.
"There's only one thing stopping me, stud!" Melissa licked her lips, knowing she could get Kurz' hopes up. The fall would be spectacular.
"R-R-Really? Only one?" Kurz rubbed his hands together.
"Yes. Just a single insignificant thing."
"Oh yeh!!! Lay it on me, babe!" Kurz forced himself to breath slowly.
"We can't 'rejoin' because we've never joined in the first place." He was teetering on the edge of the precipice now.
"Sis!" Kurz' face was comical in its disappointment.
"And the only way we will EVER join is over my dead body!" That was the push that should have sent him tumbling.
"Really?" Kurz was made of strong stuff. He also didn't know enough to quit when he was behind.
"Well, I'll hold you to that promise. I'll tell you how things will go later, so that you'll know---it will be good for you. You know it!"
"Well, if I can't hurt you then, I'd better do it now. Right?" A roundhouse kick sent Kurz hard against his M9. A mechanic above him dropped a spanner. It hit the blond sergeant on the head. "Sousuke, you better finish up while Kurz is still conscious."
"Thoth and Isis together prepared the Ritual of Life. But, before Thoth could work the magic, cruel Set discovered them. He stole the body of Osiris and tore it into many pieces, scattering them throughout Egypt. He was sure that Osiris would never be reborn."
"I think I like this Set character," Melissa laughed. "He had a wealth of good ideas."
Kurz cringed.
"Isis did not despair. She asked her sister Nephthys to guide her and help her find the pieces of Osiris. They searched far and wide, bringing each piece to Thoth that he might work magic upon it. When all the pieces were together, Thoth went to Anubis, lord of the dead. Anubis sewed the pieces back together, washed the entrails of Osiris, embalmed him wrapped him in linen, and cast the Ritual of Life. When Osiris' mouth was opened, his spirit reentered him and he lived again." Sousuke hung his head. He was finished.
"Wow! I like the way that worked. Of course, that might mean someone could bring that crazy black-hearted bastard back!" Kurz didn't name names. No one wanted to hear the name 'Gauron' if it wasn't necessary.
"So Sousuke, what was the thing that Kurz needed to worry about?" Melissa looked as if she had been cheated at a hand of cards. The young soldier better pony up.
"Isis and Nepthys found every part but one." Sousuke said quietly.
"And?" Melissa thought she knew the answer. She wanted Kurz to know it too.
"His penis."
"WHAT???" Kurz' eyes went big.
"What's wrong with you Sousuke? Telling a tale like that!"
"O, I kinda liked it, Kurzie. You've always told me you were a god among men, right?" Melissa slid her combat knife out of its sheath. "Now, let's talk about my beer...."
It had done Sousuke some good seeing that exchange. It was a familiar thing, far away from home. The two soldiers were the closest thing he had to family.
His thoughts turned to Kaname again, wondering how things were going with her family.
If he were Osiris, would she be Set or Isis? If he returned safely, he would refrain from entering boxes or enclosed spaces. He would not stay around Kaname any time she had a knife in her hands.
He would rather take his chances with Ammut.