Altai Mountains, Mongolia
They arrived at the town of Arshaty in the morning two days after leaving Kotyayevka. From Kotyayevka they drove into Atyrau and took a flight across the country to Semey, a town near the southern border of Russia. They hired a car, purchased all the necessary camping and climbing equipment and drove another nine hours to Arshaty, the last town before hitting the remote wilderness of Kazakhstan and towards the Russian-Mongolian border. From there it was another day and a half of rough roads as they drove along a naturally formed route made flat by locals who had driven out this way to tend to farm animals. They were treated to a vista of rolling hills, green as emeralds and in the distance a panoramic view of the snow-capped Altai Mountains
"I'll say one thing for this trip, Nate" Mia said.
"What's that?" Nate asked, manoeuvring the car along the track, avoiding dips and around large rocks.
"The views are spectacular. If not for this insanely crazy treasure hunt - that not in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would be a part of by the way - I would still be stuck in the office in Hawaii."
Nate laughed, "There is a silver lining between the gun fights and the madmen" he said.
They hit a smooth patch of track and Mia asked, "Let me ask you a question, let's say you find Sully and get out of here, leave Khanoğlu to do what he wants with the Crown Jewels, what then for you?"
Nate was silent for a long time, enjoying the fresh air on a clear day while he considered the question, finally he said, "I clear our names first. With the Bishop Museum by getting your letter back. Make sure Khanoğlu is held responsible for Budapest...somehow. Once those two things are done and we are free and clear I'm going to punch Sully in the head and shave off his moustache."
Mia laughed.
"Seriously though, I guess we will continue doing what we do."
"You don't think there will be any issues with Sully then?"
"Nah, we've fought like an old married couple before," he smiled at the memories of their various arguments. "And even though he is a greedy son of a bitch, I know this isn't entirely his fault and he'll come around eventually. Once we get a new job and there's the idea of another treasure in his mind, he'll be all for it."
"How can you be so sure?"
"For Sully, it's the simple things in life for him: adventure, treasure and women. Not necessarily in that order either."
After another couple of minutes of silence, Nate asked, "What about you? Do you think you can go back to office work after all of this?"
"I've been giving that a bit of thought. I don't think I can go back to the office, but definitely not a fan of bullets and madmen. Maybe there's a happy middle in there, it sounds like there are still a lot of uncovered mysteries in this world."
"Amen to that" Nate said.
They drove on for another three hours, passing the border into Russia. A small shack that passed for the border control building was occupied by a dour man who looked like he would rather be anywhere else in the world. He gave a casual glance at their passports, took the money and then waved them through. They drove on until they reached a branch in the road, straight ahead leading to the border into Mongolia and another left heading towards the west side of the Saylyugem Mountains. They headed left, the terrain changing as the tracks cut a path through the hills. The Saylyugem Mountains now in front of them, rising higher and higher into the sky as they got closer and an hour later they saw the lake that was their destination.
Nate took the car off road and they bumped and rolled over uneven terrain until they were on the far side of the lake and the Saylyugem Mountains loomed in front of them.
Nate parked the car and pulled the map out, "Alright, we're going to pick up the trail here" he said pointing to a valley on the map where the Altai and Saylyugem Mountains met. "From here, we walk."
It was mid-afternoon, the grey clouds low and Nate wondered if it would snow. They got out of the car and opened the back to get out their jackets and packs.
"Do you know how far away it is?" Mia asked.
Nate shook his head, "Could be a day could be five. Either way, rug up" he said, shutting the door.
The weather was cold and crisp, their breath misting as they spoke and they each wore thermal boots with thick thermal socks, insulated hiking pants and thermals underneath their pullovers. They each wore goose-down jackets, Nate's a dull orange and Mia's red. He knew they would stick out like a sore thumb against the white backdrop of the mountains but they had no other choice.
"Right, ready to go?" Nate asked once they were prepared, packs on their backs.
"As ready as I'll ever be" Mia said, looking anything but.
He looked at her, "You sure you want to come?"
She swallowed and nodded.
"Then let's go" he said and headed towards the Mountain.
Nate led Mia along a rough track and past grassy fields. The track looked well-worn, maybe used in the past by farmers. The track took them deeper into the mountains but no higher and by the time night had fallen they had covered a lot of kilometres but gained little elevation. They set up a cold camp behind an outcrop of large boulders, just off the track but hidden in case Khanoğlu's men were on their trail. The night was cold, but their sleeping bags were designed to keep them warm in extremely cold temperatures.
They continued on at first light the next morning, the day clear and the sun shining and by mid-morning the air turned cooler and they left the rough track. With the grassy fields left behind they were walking along a path of thick brush and large rocks strewn haphazardly, forcing them to climb over or take wide berths around them. They took a break at noon, finally having trekked on an incline that was taking them higher into the mountains. Nate looked ahead to see snow clusters on the ground and in the distance grey clouds threatened as it surrounded the peaks of the mountain.
While they ate their trail mix, he wondered if Sully had come this way. There had been no sign of him, but he didn't know the first thing about tracking, and it would be a waste of time. Sully knew navigation, learned it when he was in the Navy, he would be at the hideout by now, maybe even in possession of the Crown Jewels already.
The thought of Sully having the Crown Jewels made Nate clench his teeth.
Calm down he admonished himself silently, closing his eyes and counting to ten. He had to keep control. Only a couple more days and they would be out of here, he was sure this was the final resting place of the treasure. He opened his eyes after ten and focused on his surroundings. The mountain vista, rising into the cloudy sky, provided a show unseen by many, calmed him down and he smiled, feeling more at peace.
They finished their lunch and continued, Nate consulting the map, confident they were following the same trail the Mongols did 800 years ago. Then as the day wore on the terrain became steeper still and they had to scramble up steep inclines, squeezing through narrow crevices and manoeuvre narrow ledges that overlooked sharp drops. Nate's confidence began to waver. If they were on course how did the Mongols travel up here with their horses. He knew 800 years' worth of harsh elements would have changed the place but surely not that much. He was hoping to find some sign that he was on the right track. Snow began to fall in the late afternoon and while Nate kept his worries to himself, he was still concerned there was no evidence anyone had ever been here.
It was almost dusk, the snow had abated for now and Nate was setting up camp in a clearing, under an overhang when Mia called out to him, sounding urgent.
He rushed over, torch in hand and found her around an outcrop of rocks. He looked around but saw no danger and asked, "What's wrong?"
She motioned for him to follow and he followed her around a large boulder, pointed and said, "That."
Nate followed with his torchlight and saw a black boot protruding in the thick snow cover, "What the?"
He walked over, and examined the boot brushing off snow and found it attached to a black pant leg, "It's a body" he called.
Brushing off the rest of the snow unveiled the rest of the pants, black jacket and ski mask. A M1911 in a thigh holster and Akdal MKA 1919 shotgun strapped to the back told Nate this was one of Khanoğlu's men.
"He must have gotten separated from his group" Nate said. "But was he part of a scouting party or are they ahead of us?"
He removed the guns from the dead body and they returned back to their camp.
"Will we be safe here?" Mia asked.
"I think so, Nate said. "If they're in front of us, no problem. That might even be to our advantage but if they are behind us then they're not going to be out at night, not even Khanoğlu is that crazy. But it means we have to get a move on in the morning."
He pulled out the map and shone his light on it, "We're about here" he said point to an area about halfway along the trail. "So I don't think we have too far to go, two days with good weather, three at the most until we get there.
"You get some rest. I'll stay up for a bit, make sure no one is coming."
Reluctantly, Mia got into her sleeping back while Nate, shotgun by his side, sat against a large rock and watched.
After a restless night, they both packed up and were back on the trail just as the sun peeked over the mountains. The trail got steeper and as they got higher, the air grew colder and thinner and they had to take more frequent rest breaks, chests heaving. Above them the dark grey clouds threatened to drop more snow.
They took a mid-morning rest break, Mia munching on a trail bar while Nate explored on ahead. He passed through a narrow gap of rocks and came to a wide flat snow covered opening surrounded by tall rock walls, giving it the feel of a natural arena. Nate moved through the ankle-deep snow, circling the area until he came to the far end where a mound of snow piled up to head height lay against the far wall. Looking for a way up, Nate idly brushed the snow away until his hand hit something solid. He looked and poking through the snow was a piece of wood. He brushed away more snow revealing a flat piece of board. Brushing away the rest of the snow underneath revealed more flat boards, piled in a heap on the ground with frayed rope attached to each side of the board. It was a ladder!
Nate looked up at the top of the wall and saw two bits of frayed rope hanging over the side. Relief washed over him, this had to be the path the Mongols took. They were on the right track. He rushed back through the tight gap between the rocks and rounded the corner getting back to camp. Mia was studying that map when he arrived. Both packs were ready at her feet. She looked up when he arrived and asked, "Ready to go?"
"I found the Mongol path," he said.
"You did? Where?"
"Around the corner, follow me" he said.
He went to pick up his pack when a loud crack echoed in the still air. The stone next to his head exploded, chips of it cutting his face and instinctively he dropped to the ground and yelled for Mia to do the same.
Pulling out the M1911 from his waistband, he rolled behind a boulder and peered around the corner from where the shot came from. The land tapered downwards, steep steps here and there but otherwise an easy walk and marching towards him were ten mercenaries, with another behind them, his sniper rifle scanning the area where they were.
"Shit" he said.
"What?" Mia asked lying prone in the snow.
"Khanoğlu's men are coming."
"What do we do?"
Nate thought but they only had one option. "Follow my footsteps in the snow, you will come to a narrow gap, go through and wait for me there."
"What are you going to do?"
"Try to buy us some time," he said. "When I start firing, you run."
Mia nodded and Nate took three deep breaths and then popped up out of cover and sighted the sniper. He knew he was not going to get anywhere near to hitting him but if he could distract him enough it would buy Mia enough time to get around the corner. He squeezed off four shots from the handgun, the whip crack sound disturbing the otherwise silent air, and saw the sniper duck. He ducked back down behind his cover.
"Go!" he shouted and Mia, on her hands and knees shot out like a sprinter in starters blocks. The sound of gunfire followed but she was safely around the corner and the bullets smacked into the wall, breaking off chunks of stone.
Nate put the M1911 in his waistband and grabbed the shotgun. He pumped it and popped out of cover, firing two rounds at the nearest mercenaries. The closest was blown off his feet, having no chance to even react but the second shot clipped another, and the remaining mercenaries scrambled, firing a barrage of shotgun and assault rifle fire at him.
Taking advantage of the mercenaries trying to take cover, Nate fired off two more rounds from the shotgun and sprinted across the open plain, a sniper bullet missing him barely, and around the corner. He was safe from fire for the moment but continued on, squeezing through the narrow gap until he was in the bowl where Mia waited.
"Now what?" She fretted.
Nate pointed to the remains of the rope ladder, "I boost you up."
"But what about-"
Nate interrupted her, "No arguments, let's go."
He hurried to the wall and dropped the shotgun in the snow. Then he turned and against the wall, half squatted, half crouched, hands cupped in front of him. He nodded at her and Mia took a couple of hurried steps, placed her foot in his cupped hands and Nate boosted her up. She sprang into the air and grabbed the ledge above her.
While she scrambled up, Nate said, " Get the rope from your bag and see if you can tie it to something up there."
Mia climbed up and looked back at him, "Ok".
Nate pulled the M1911 from his waistband and tossed it up to her.
"I don't know how to use a gun!" she said.
"It's easy. Just point and shoot" Nate said. "You'll need it when I start climbing. Now hurry!"
Mia disappeared over the ledge, kicking down a dusting of snow while Nate picked up the shotgun and took cover near the narrow opening to the bowl. He only had eight shots left so he had to be careful, but the advantage he had was the narrow gap. They would have to take it one by one which would be a killing tunnel. He watched and waited and finally one of the mercs, cautiously peered around the corner.
Nate let off a shot and the head disappeared back around.
That should buy him some valuable seconds. He looked back towards the ledge but couldn't see anything.
Come on, Mia he urged.
You should have kept the map, now she has no use for you.
"Not now" he grumbled.
The sound of gunfire echoed as the mercenaries fired back, the bullets that found their way through the narrow gap chipping away at the walls.
Nate blind fired another shotgun blast and waited. More bullets fired from the mercenaries.
Where was she?
She's gone.
He blind fired another shot and now he only had five shots left. He peered around the corner through the narrow gap and saw one of the mercs on the ground, red hot blood splattering the white snow around him. He was only a couple of meters from the entrance. He must have been sneaking up and Nate hit him on the blind fire.
Two mercenaries approached, rifles raised, aiming at the entrance. Then when they reached their fallen comrade, one shouldered his rifle and pulled his unconscious colleague by the collar of his jacket while the other slowly backed away.
By the time they had rounded the corner out of sight, Mia called out from behind. He looked and she had tossed the rope down, the remains of it coiled at the base of the bowl.
Finally!
He slowly backed away from the entrance, firing the remaining bullets from the shotgun as he walked and when he reached the far wall he tossed away the empty weapon and grabbed the rope.
He called up, "Keep the gun aimed at the entrance, anyone comes through, shoot them."
"Ok" she said nervously, laying down at the edge with the gun pointed at the entrance.
Rope between his hands, boots planted on the wall, Nate began to pull himself up. When he was halfway up, bullets peppered the walls all around him.
"Shoot! Shoot!" he yelled at Mia.
There was a clicking sound but no bullets.
"It's not working!" she screamed.
"Take the safety off" Nate shouted back.
There was a pause and then the M1911 fired back.
"Not all of the bullets!" Nate yelled over the noise.
But it was too late. The tell-tale click click of an empty clip could be heard, each click sounding as loud as a church bell to Nate.
Wasting no time, he pulled himself up as fast as he could. Behind him the mercenaries filed into the arena. He was a sitting duck.
Mia lay prone on the edge, hand out.
"Grab my hand!" she said.
Nate reached out with his hand.
Missed once.
Twice.
Finally, the hands gripped and Mia pulled while Nate's feet scrabbled over the rock face. Bullets pelting the surface all around him.
Then he was up, and over the edge. He rolled away as the bullets kept coming, chipping the ledge.
BOOM!
Something blasted the rock, like dynamite and the ground shuddered. Nate looked back down into the arena. One of the mercenaries had a grenade launcher.
"You'll bring down an aval-" Nate started to yell but the mercenary launched another grenade that flew over his head and exploded somewhere behind him.
The ground rumbled, like an earthquake and fissures appeared like a spreading cobweb across the ground.
"Oh shit!" Nate said. "Run! Run" he yelled at Mia. Pulling her to her feet and pushing her forward. "Go! Go!"
They ran, the ground crumbling beneath their feet and the cracks forming miniature islands that began to slide down the mountain side into the valley below. Mia led the way, hopping across the splintering fissures. Ahead of them it looked like the land stabilized and Mia got there first. She turned and reached out for Nate's hand but the section of ground he was on crumbled completely under his feet and he slid down into the darkened valley below.
"Nate!" she called, but it was too late.