Chapter Four- Redefining History
Declaimer: I do not own National Treasure or any of the characters. That right belongs to the Disney Corporation.
Author's Note: I would like to say I have seriously enjoyed writing this. I know some of the things I write look as though they are unorganized but it's probably because I write my ideas down so fast. I mean to do go back and change things but sometimes what I want to say is hard to put in easier words so I leave it that way. I really appreciate everyone's support with my story and believe me I'll be writing A LOT more. Any suggestions I'm welcome to them. ;)
Lying on an already prepared table exposed into a well-lit, air filtration room was the 4 page historical legend that had shaped the government into what it was today.
"Now boys I expect you to play nice with the equipment, alright?" Abigail announced lifting up a thin piece of saran wrap that was covering the delicate document.
Ben took a deep breath and reached into his pocket and retrieved the lens in order to find out the truth. Abigail and Riley both held their breaths, hoping that they had nothing to worry about and that everything up to this point was a dream.
As Ben slipped the glasses once again upon his face he felt as though he was unlocking another key to the same past, answering questions that had already been resolved, however, his eyes drifted down upon the parchment and widened at what he saw.
"This is unbelievable. It reads… In need of a Great Symbol, the Threads of Time were nimble, in order to show off our Nation, we needed to look to one Mason, into Battle we stride, with this Pennant at our Side, Beneath the intricate Design, here you will find what We left behind." As Ben examined the words closer he realized the important words were all capitalized, making it easier for him to sort out the points he had to look at.
Abigail and Riley waited patiently while Ben walked back and forth mumbling out interpretations of the passage.
"Great Symbol indicates something great in history. Threads of Time could refer to something in material that would last over the ages. Showing off the Nation probably means a symbol of the Nation. The involvement of one specific Mason had to have been important. This symbol was taken in battle at our side and survived. Underneath the design is where we'll find what we're looking for. Now, if I'm not mistaken, one symbol taken into battle would be the Original Flag of the United States sewn by Betsy Ross. It would make sense, probably also suggesting that the mason referred in the passage could be talking about her." Ben looked toward Abigail who started shaking her head almost immediately.
"I don't think so Ben. I don't have control over the American History Museum. You know I only have control over the National Archives. What do you have me do?" she quickly replied to Ben's eager face.
Riley sighed, "Please don't tell me we have to steal something again..."
"Absolutely not, the original American Flag is very delicate, even more so than the Declaration. The Museum is in the process of preserving it to make it better for future generations. If one bit of it is moved you could risk the deterioration process to speed up and take its toll on the flag. I'm sorry but I couldn't allow you to take that chance." Abigail spoke up, leaning on one of the glass windows surrounding them.
"What if all we wanted to do is look through these glasses upon it?" Ben suggested, "Not to touch it or work with it hands on, but to examine it from afar?"
"It's not on display anymore, so what you're asking for is just a private viewing?" Abigail asked, somewhat discouraged by the whole idea.
Ben grinned evilly, "No, not exactly."
Abigail, a little frightened blinked, "Then what do you mean?"
"You'll be asking for the private viewing alone…" He replied, moving closer to Abigail.
"I think we've overstayed our visit…" Riley said, watching as three FBI agents walked into the room. One of whom he recognized as Agent Peter Sadusky.
'Now, I know we leveled with you once Ben, however, you're taking it a little too far this time. I thought I told you government property was strictly off limits after your little bargain." Sadusky said, eyeing the Declaration, making sure that it was still there, "Don't you think we're a little suspicious of why you're here?"
Riley started to move to the corner shadow of the room, trying not to draw much attention while Ben and Abigail nervously explained themselves.
"Well, you see Agent Sadusky, we have reason to believe that there is more information located on different documents and items of U.S history." Abigail stated plainly, avoiding too much detail unlike Ben who she knew would elaborate the truth.
He nodded, overlooking both of them trying to read their real intentions. It didn't work too well, even though he half believed the story he had a feeling something wasn't right, "Well, I'm sorry but I have to escort Gates and Poole out of this building immediately." He replied to Abigail who nodded understandingly following them out.
Once the three of them were outside the agents left them and returned inside the archives building. Riley believed they were returning to make sure nothing was stolen or tampered with, "Just goes to show you that we're not trusted anymore, even as the finders of the Mason's treasure." He said, kicking his foot against the side of the pavement.
Abigail looked up at Ben who stood on the edge of the curb, overlooking the street.
Suddenly from around the corner a green van came around the corner driving at abnormal speeds aiming at Ben. Abigail shrieked as Ben nearly got clipped on the side of the road. Luckily Riley was near him, pulling him back away from the point of impact much like he had done for her before.
As the van went to the intersection it made a sharp turn toward them once again.
Ben, Abigail, and Riley all knew at once that the van belonged to Ian, They all ran into the parking lot eyeing Ben's car. Literally jumping into the car they sped out of the lot onto the streets.
Before they knew it right behind them some shots were fired.
"Looks like Ian got himself a new team." Ben said shifting the wheel sharply down an alley.
Another round of gunfire quickly was heard, this time puncturing holes in the windows of the car. Abigail ducked as the glass shattered everywhere along with Riley who lifted the hood of his jacket to shield himself from the pieces.
"Do you think he planned this?" Riley asked, trying to hold onto his seat as they just clipped a lamppost.
Ben, too occupied on driving, tried to make a few minutes in order to think about the possibility, "He might have deliberately messed up our house to make it look like he was searching for something when really he knew we would think he was after something and think about what it could be, knowing we would investigate…he followed us to the archives in order to learn if the Constitution really had any information on it."
"That would explain why nothing was taken the first time. I do believe that Ian wouldn't have overlooked your bedside table so easily. He probably deliberately left it there in order for you to find and think he was up to something." Abigail said, trying desperately not to fall out of her seat.
The sounds of sirens started to appear in the distance and everyone began to become nervous.
"Whoa, cops? This isn't good…can you let me off here?" Riley said just as a cop car bolted out from the intersection right in front of Ben, "On second thought keep going!"
Ian showed no signs of stopping at this point, even with four cop cars on his tail.
"How are we going to get out of this one?" Riley asked, trying to hide his face from the police car coming up on his side.
Ben quickly developed an idea, swerving the car down a flight of steps leading into the park. Just as he thought the cops didn't follow. When he reached a good amount of trees he parked the car quickly and instructed everyone to exit, "Listen its our luck that Ian hasn't caught up with us but its only a matter of minutes before he shows up followed by the police. We're going to ditch the car and head to the Museum of American History." Ben stated, pointing to a taxi nearby that seemed to have stopped to let out a passenger.
Abigail was the first to reach the taxi, giving the driver the directions and a tip to drive as quickly as possible.
Watching the park get further and further away Riley finally left out a sigh of relief, "That was too close. Remind me never to be in the car with you Ben when you're being chased by convicts, alright?" Riley asked, not even trying to be humorous.
Abigail pointed to the museum as it came into view, "Give me thirty minutes. By then I will have seen all that is need to be seen."
As the taxi stopped Abigail advanced up the steps, carrying the glasses Ben had slipped her as they got out of the taxi. Ben and Riley hid behind two pillars holding up a part of the building, deciding to wait for her return.