Favoured Friends
Part 46/51

Summary: An invitation to the National Egyptology Conference quickly becomes deadly race for the mythic Ichriem against an old rival of Sydney's - the assassin known only as 'the Viper'.

Note: This is a round robin originally posted at the Relic Hunter Yahoo Group. Although I'm posting it, I did not write the entire thing. This part was written by Cari Loran ( carilorus@yahoo.com )

Also, I have Support Services. That means that, if you want, you can put me on Author Alert and receive notice when other stories of mine are posted, even if you haven't paid yourself.

Posted: Sunday, January 11, 2004

Sydney tightened her hold on her newly acquired .45 Glock, her fingers wrapped around the molded grip in tense readiness. The rocky grit that passed as the island of Mer de Tueur crunched and shifted loosely beneath her feet as she emerged from the safety of the helicopter.

From what she could see, courtesy of Mother Nature and the nearly-full moon, there was nothing overly impressive about their newest locale. It was a jagged, deserted island.

The small patch of sand where the helicopter landed wasn't the sort of pristine substance found on popular beaches, it was rough and coarse, most of it left behind by swollen tides that had encroached year after year over the rocky shore. Hard volcanic stone was apparent beneath the feeble inch of sandy cover, becoming more prevalent after only a few steps inland. Even in the dim light, the craggy outcrops that jutted periodically from the earth were clearly visible, looming rather ominously in the distant darkness.

At her side, Nigel's mind clicked through a similar train of thought, secretly wishing it were daylight so he could have a better look. This was it after all, Mer de Teuer... The Killer Sea... the reputed home of the long lost statue of Ichriem and the main cause behind his recent suffering. He felt the odd desire to know this place, to see it in whatever splendor it possessed, to see it the way the ancient Phoenicians had seen it the day they'd hidden Ichriem away on its shores.

Of course, if he could magically harness the power to travel through time and see the Phoenicians, he'd take the opportunity to kindly point out theft was a crime. If they'd quietly broken away from Egypt with a friendly handshake and a "nice knowing you" it certainly would have saved him a lot of grief.

But nooo, ancient cultures never parted on good terms... that would be too easy. Instead they became enemies, they fought, held grudges, and of course, stole... and stole frequently. Theft had apparently been something of a sport, all part of an elaborate game of keep-away. He could scarcely count the number of relics he and Syd recovered that had been `lost' simply because they'd been pilfered. He wouldn't be surprised if the Phoenicians sent a messenger back to Egypt with a childish taunt: "We've got something you don't have! Nyeh!"

He couldn't help but wonder just what the Egyptians had done when they discovered their idol was missing. How long had it taken them to learn who was responsible? Had they ever tried to recover it?

Any further speculation was broken as he stumbled slightly on a rock, snapping his thoughts back to the present. Derek had taken the lead, skulking across the rocky landscape with his pistol at the ready and even more firepower hidden away in various pockets... not to mention the M-16 dangling by its strap across his back. The agent periodically paused and held up his hand, motioning everyone to stop while he had a better look around.

Nigel could tell the man was in concealed pain, and it was something he could sympathize with, knowing it had come from the hands of The Viper. He'd come to realize that while it hadn't seemed so at the time, The Viper had apparently been inordinately kind to him.

"Nigel." Came a quiet whisper at his side, and he turned his head slightly as his brother attracted his attention and moved a little closer. The older Bailey kept his voice low as not to attract any more attention. "Does anyone know where we're going?"

*Hmm…* Nigel furrowed his brow. A good question. He found himself glancing around the area with new scrutiny, as though he might suddenly spot a neon signpost. Just where were they going anyway? He certainly didn't know. Did Sydney? For that matter, did Derek? "I don't know," he whispered back. "But I assume so."

"That's not very comforting." Preston responded, trying to keep the nervousness from his voice. He couldn't let anyone... most especially Nigel, think he was anything but prepared for what they were doing. From the start, the whole situation had been beyond precedent for him. One moment he'd arrived home from work as he did everyday, with nothing more troublesome in his life than the fact he had an obnoxiously fluffy radio jingle stuck in his head from his drive home. He'd even been humming the hated ditty as he answered the door and greeted the deliveryman who bestowed him with a plain brown package and unknowingly became a harbinger of sorrow.

"Don't worry," Nigel whispered, although having answers certainly would be a novel idea. Sydney was a few steps ahead of him and quickened his pace to catch up to her, Preston at his heels. "Syd," he questioned lowly. "What's going on? Where are we going?"

Sydney glanced forward at Lloyd, her eyes already adjusted to the darkness, and noted him carefully peer around an outcropping, then shook her head slightly. "From what I've picked up," she muttered, "Derek already has some friends around here somewhere to back us up… all he has to do is find them. Remember what he said earlier about there already being a dig underway."

"Does he think they're close?" Preston asked.

"Well, they can't be too far, this isn't a very big island." Nigel quipped.

Sydney nearly smiled. The remark was so typically something her assistant might say, it seemed like a momentary flash of normalcy in the midst of unreality. "No, but we landed on the opposite side of it to try throwing off Gurel Nataz."

"Ah." Nigel nodded in understanding, seeing his brother nod as well. "So we're playing a bit of hide and seek... and I take it no one knows exactly where the Gurel Nataz are hiding."

"Bingo." Syndey made an unconscious sweep of the area. "If they're here, they could be anywhere. Keep your eyes open." She glanced at the semi-automatic in Nigel's hands, knowing her assistant would use it if push came to shove. The young man had wielded weapons before, but she couldn't ever remember him having to fire a shot. She could only hope the situation wouldn't become that desperate, but somehow doubted it. The Gurel Nataz wanted this one too badly. "Try to stay close to the rocks and pay attention to Derek. And don't forget," she could scarcely believe what she was about to say, "if they shoot at you... shoot back."

In the moonlight, Nigel met her serious glance and nodded again, nervously readjusting his hold on his weapon. Ahead of them, Derek finished his survey of whatever was around the corner and starting creeping forward again, giving the `let's move' signal for everyone to follow.

"I still don't see why he wouldn't give me a weapon," Preston whispered in a quick, low tone at his brother's side. "What the deuce am I going to need my hands free for?"

Nigel knew the likely reason… Derek likely wanted someone who could reload weapons while everyone else was firing if gunplay broke out, but he suddenly felt a devilish smile inch across his face. "Well someone's going to have carry Ichriem out of here."

He was met with a light swat on his shoulder and felt his smile turn into an all out grin.

A feeling of new determination surged through him on the waves of adrenaline that had been his best friends for the course of the evening. He realized how lucky he was: he had friends who had risked their lives for him and a brother who'd not only done the same, but had also been willing to give up millions in ransom. He suddenly no longer felt the same nervousness he'd had only moments before.

He'd nearly lost everything... nearly been killed several times because of Ichriem... because of greed... because of the Gurel Nataz. There was a line being slowly drawn in the sand. This was no ordinary relic hunt, it never had been. The rules had changed without permission and the line in the sand became longer and longer. If at some point that line became too long and had to be crossed, he knew he could face it if it meant saving the people who had risked everything to save him.

End Part Forty-Six