Dash had never seen such a place. When he had heard the word "tomb" he had thought of the pyramids, or a large stone building in a graveyard.
The tomb instead was carved directly into rock a giant natural rack formation. One literally went into the rock to reach the tomb. Around the entrance were other fairly large carvings of people on horses. Not in odd positions as the ancient Egyptian drawings, but as lifelike as modern day sculptures of people.
"Not bad, eh Mate?" Johnny asked smiling to Dash.
"Not bad at all," Dash replied, "Are all the tombs you go into like this?
"Course not. They're different for every ancient culture. Take Greece for example. They have what are called 'beehive tombs' because their circular layers makes them look like beehives," Johnny replied.
"I guess I never really paid that much attention to this sort of thing," said Dash.
"Well Pippin works for a magazine where she publishes articles on this sort of thing. I'm sure if you asked her, she'd help you subscribe," Johnny told him, "For now, though, let's head in."
Dash nodded and the 4 climbed up the rock face and went into one of the entrances, Pippin holding the torch.
Once inside Dash noted that this section somehow didn't seem complete. He briefly wondered if, with Darius III being the last in his particular reign, that something had interrupted his tomb's creation.
As they made their way through the corridors Dr. Kilroy took some time to explain about the tomb itself. He said that there were actually 5 rulers buried here, one of which being Darius III. Each of the 5 cross shaped entrances lead to another ruler. So he knew for certain they were in the right part of the tomb.
Unfortunantly the fact that they were on the right path became painfully obvious. The four rounded a corner running into Ogel.
"Ah. I've been waiting for you, Dash," he said coldly, "Seems I'm having a bit of trouble doing this myself."
He nodded over to a couple drones who were in pieces. No doubt from the traps that protected the cup of Jamshid.
"You found the secret room?" Dash asked astonished, "How?"
"There is little this world can hide from me Dash. Now if one of you would be so kind as to give me a hand in this part, I'll give back something that you want,"
"What could you possibly have that we would want?" Pippin asked coldly.
"How does this sound?" Ogel replied pulling out Cam from the shadows by her hair.
"CAM!" Dash cried about to run to her, but Johnny held him back.
"I'm sorry, Dash," Cam said through tears, "We tried to prevent him from reaching Iran. I thought I was strong enough to help…but I over estimated myself."
"You won't get away with this, mate," Johnny said angrily, "Let her go. Can't you see she's too weak to help you?"
Cam indeed looked weak, or at least tired out. Dash could tell she shouldn't have attempted mission work.
"We'll negotiate things after I get the cup," Johnny declared.
"Let's hope you know what you're doing, and that you understand the price for not handing it over," said Ogel shifting a hidden lever which opened the door.
Johnny went in. Dash felt his heart pounding. It was too dark to see much and after a while he couldn't see Johnny at all. But Dash could hear rushes of air like dart guns, axes grinding against the floor, and loud booms of things falling, and the sound of stone floors crumbling away. The only thing that kept his hope up was he never heard Johnny cry out in pain or in fear.
After a while the sounds got closer together and more intense.
"He must have gotten it," Pippin whispered to Dash, "Traps always get worse after you grab what they're guarding."
Dash held his breath hoping for the best. Minutes felt like hours.
At last Johnny out, looking a little worse for wear, but unharmed. In his hand he held the cup of Jamshid.
Once he caught his breath Johnny straitened facing Ogel. Dash could tell he'd been in situations like this before.
"Alright, Ogel was it? You hand over the sheila, and I'll hand over the cup," Johnny said.
"Fine with me," said Ogel, "As you said, she's too weak to be of any help."
With that he threw Cam to Dash by her hair. Dash caught her and gently laid her down.
"Did he hurt you?" Dash asked concerned.
"Not badly," Cam answered.
"Now that I have both hands free…" Ogel punched Johnny in the face hard with his metal gloved hand.
Johnny stumbled back dazed and his lip bleeding. In his state he dropped the cup and Ogel picked it up. The liquid which spilled when Johnny dropped it, refilled itself.
"Perfect now…" he dropped a canister which spewed out gas. Dash found himself slipping drowsily into unconsciousness.