"How are you feeling Captain Black" Jackie asked.
"I'm still breathing, but I've been better" Captain Black replied.
"I found information about the woman. Name is Maya René Gomez. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Height is 5'11; weight is 156 lbs. Specialty skill is computers; she is an expert street fighter. She was previously married but divorced after a year and a half. Her ex-husband's name is Ernie Gomez. He now currently lives in Seattle, Washington and is married" Jackie said.
Black nodded.
"If I can get a hold of him we may be able to figure out how Maya works," Jackie explained.
"Good idea. Look up this Ernie Gomez. He could be of some use to us," Black agreed.
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Today was one of the hottest so far. The temperature hovered around 89° all morning. The Enforcers all sat around inside trying to cool off. It was a pretty lazy day. Everyone's wounds have healed so things were back to normal.
"Listen up. I heard of a very old and priceless artifact hidden deep in the rainforest of Brazil. We are leaving as soon as you are packed. So get packing" Valmont said.
After the Enforcers were done moaning and groaning they went to pack their things. Each had one suitcase with a change of clothes for 3 days; along with other this need to survive in a bug infested forest such as bug repellent, sunscreen, and of course deodorant. Dragging everything up the stairs was pretty easy today. Maya hopped into the chopper after Chow. Foo took up his normal spot in the pilot's chair. He started the twin rotors and prepared for take off. Maya had conned Ratso into playing a game of Mercy. Needless to say he surrendered to pain fairly easily.
"Hey, Valmont. How long before we get there" Maya asked.
"About 3 hours" Valmont responded.
Maya went back to causing Ratso pain. In her mind it was fun, but it was quickly getting boring. After playing a couple games of Black Jack and a hand or two of poker, Maya began to stare out the window. For Maya landing couldn't have come at a better moment. Valmont walked off the chopper to meet with one of his business partners.
"We travel to the last town before we enter the forest. Once there we go by boat. Some where further up the river we will have to leave the river and travel by land to reach the site" Valmont explained.
Grunts of displeasure sounded as he led the way to the waterfront. The group had been there for no more than five minutes and they were already sweating. Renting a boat was easy enough, and so began the journey into a steamy, humid hell. Out of site from the town the six Dark Hand members continued travel up the river. Maya noticed splashing and turned her attention to Finn and Ratso.
"Stop it right now" Maya ordered.
"Why?"
"Because I said so, now remove your hands and other body parts from the water" Maya said.
"Why should we?" Finn asked.
"Because of what lives in this river. Not only are the piranha, but there are also crocodiles, snakes, and sharks" Maya explained.
"What do you mean sharks? I thought they only lived in the saltwater ocean," Valmont asked.
"Sharks do in fact inhabit this river. To be more specific, Bull Sharks. *Bull Sharks are unusual due to the fact that they travel past the brackish waters of estuaries and lagoons into freshwater rivers and even lakes. They have been seen over 2,000 miles (3,200 km) up the Amazon*. That's way past the Brazilian boarder and up into Peru" Maya stated.
Everyone gave a nervous laugh and moved toward the center of the boat. Maya had a smirk plastered on her face.
"Not only that, but when we travel by land, there are going to be snakes, jaguars, pumas, and God only knows what else" Maya added.
Terror flashed across the faces of her companions. Maya didn't know why, but she loved being the barer of bad news. She quickly explained that there was very little chance of being attacked by any of the big cats. Quickly they reached the checkpoint and began to hike though the jungle. Foo was leading the group, as he was the one carrying the machete. Maya looked at she watch and noticed that they had been hiking for about two hours and it was getting dark out. Valmont called a halt to the day's expedition.
"I suggest that we find somewhere off the ground to sleep. With the anaconda around here, I wouldn't dare sleep at ground level" Maya said.
Each Enforcer helped another up a tree until they were at a good height. Sleep was very bad for the group. No one got more than two hours at a time. As the early morning pink and gold rays of sunlight crept upon the forest, Maya gathered water and fruit for breakfast.
"Uh, what time is it" Chow yawned.
"6:30; now get up. We have to move out early," Maya answered.
Chow woke the rest of the group as he unsuccessfully tried to land on his feet. Grumbling in pain, he grabbed a banana and took a drink. Since no one bothered to bring anything to hunt with they would have to make it themselves. All they would need was a two or three sharpened spears. Luckily they did remember to bring a couple of small pocketknives.
"Remind me why we didn't bring any food," Valmont questioned.
"Too much extra weight. If we want food, we hunt it like the Aztec Indians of this region did. We use spears to hunt and fish, we collect the rainwater and drink that. It is much easier than carrying all that food" Maya answered.
"Are you sure you know what your doing?" Foo asked.
"Positive. I know how to hunt, survive, and watch for anything that might cause a problem," Maya said.
"Ok" Foo doubted.
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"Hmm, this is odd" Jackie began.
"What's odd" Jade asked.
"This" Jackie showed his niece an old tablet he was researching.
"Jackie, this is so boring" Jade whined.
Jackie rolled his eyes at Jade and continued his work for Uncle. Jackie soon put down this notes when the phone rang.
"Jackie, answer phone. How can I do research with such noise" Uncle reprimanded.
"Alright Uncle. Hello, Uncle's Rare Finds" Jackie said.
"Jackie, glad I got a hold of you. I have a job for you" Captain Black said.
After moments of conversation Jackie hung the phone up.
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Foo continued to hack away at the low hanging foliage. He suddenly stopped and looked up in awe. Unfortunately his sudden stop caused everyone to run into each other.
"Hey Foo what's the big…Woe" Finn started.
"Perfect. Now all we have to do is climb. The 'Plaque of the Gods' is at the top in the temple," Valmont said.
The trek to the top of the temple pyramid was long and exhausting. By the time they reached the top everyone was breathing hard. However, all the fatigue was set aside when a piece of gold and obsidian glittered in the sunlight. The six people ran inside to see the most beautiful wall plaque they had ever laid eyes on. The base was outline in gold with obsidian, jade, emerald, and other valuable stones in set in the center. The mural that was carved onto the plaque described how the Aztec Gods came to be and how each God ruled over a different element. It also told of the sacrifices the Aztec Indians made to please the Gods and keep them happy. Carefully removing the wall hanging Finn, Maya, and Foo placed it into a pack that they brought. Chow, Ratso, and Valmont held the pack open. As always, it is easier to go down than up. The hike back though the jungle was harder with the artifact, but well worth it.
"Guys, we should take a break. We have been walking for hours," Maya panted.
No one disagreed with that. Flopping down on the ground, Maya took a sip of water and past the canteen to Valmont. To tiered to even move the Enforcers just laid there. As bad of timing as it was, it started to rain. Though none of the Dark Hand could find anything wrong with it pouring rain right now.
"We might want to get cleaned up a little. This is one of the only times, if not the only time we can scrub some of this dirt off" Chow stated.
"I can't wait until we are back in Frisco. Uh, the first thing I am doing is taking a long hot bath" Maya sighed.
"I don't know about you, but I'm getting some real food" Finn said.
"Yah, like McDonald's is real food," Foo laughed.
"What about you Ratso. What are you going to do when we get back?" Valmont asked.
"Watch TV" Ratso replied.
"I'm going to go for a swim in a pool," Valmont said.
"I just want air conditioning," Foo stated.
Everyone agreed to that. A week in a humid, hot jungle was enough to last a lifetime. Eventually the troop got up to move again. A few more miles and they would reach the riverbank and boat. With whatever strength they had left they ran they last couple hundred meters. They were home free. The only thing left to do was head back down stream and get on the chopper.
"We made it. We home free" Finn cheered as he boarded the aircraft.
Foo started the engines and took off. Within minutes, every passenger was asleep.
"Master, we are here" Foo shook Valmont awake.
Valmont hopped out and stretched. Soon the others followed in suit. Maya cracked her back loud enough for everyone to turn and look.
"Don't worry, it's natural. Your lucky I haven't cracked my neck yet" Maya assured them.
Shaking their heads they all walked inside. Like she said. The first thing Maya did was run for the bathroom.
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Jackie sat in front of Captain Black's desk as he briefed him. Apparently Jackie's job was to go to Egypt and retrieve a sacred amulet from an old tomb. According to Black, the amulet was very valuable and would sell easy on the black market. Jackie's job; get it before the Dark Hand does.
"Jackie, we just got a report the a ancient plaque was stolen out of an Aztec temple. I'm figuring it was the Dark Hand" Captain Black reported.
"Yes, probably" Jackie sighed and rubbed his eyes.
A quick glance at the clock told him that it was nearly midnight. Uncle was probably having a fit because his research isn't finished.
"Jackie, go get some rest. You look like hell" Black commented.
"Thank you, I will" Jackie yawned.
Walking toward his room Jackie yawned again and stretched his muscles.
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Maya quickly got online and found something of great interest. An ancient Egyptian amulet. She had heard something about it before. For some reason, something was telling her to go after it. Maya downloaded a picture of the pendant so she would know what she was looking for. The amulet itself was an ankh, the symbol of life. In the center was an engraved 'Eye of Horus' along with some hieroglyphics. In the center of the eye was a blood red ruby. Maya become memorized by the amulet and told herself she would have it.
'I will have that amulet. I want it. I need it' Maya repeated.
A soft knocking disrupted her thoughts. When Maya opened the door she was face to face with Foo.
"Can I come in?" he asked.
"Sure" Maya smiled.
"I came to tell you good night," Foo whispered.
Maya blushed.
"Would you stay here with me?" Maya thought out loud "Crap, did I say that first part out loud".
Foo chuckled and led her to the bed. With in minutes, fatigue and exhaustion set in and they were asleep.
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*Bull Sharks are unusual due to the fact that they travel past the brackish waters of estuaries and lagoons into freshwater rivers and even lakes. They have been seen over 2,000 miles (3,200 km) up the Amazon*
From: Bright, Michael. The Private Life of Sharks. Stackpole Books. Mechanicsburgh, PA. 2000. Pp 28-30
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(It's me again, Dark Wolf. Thanks for being patient with me. My computer is on the fritz.)