Chapter 26 - Briefing at the Grand

Northern California,

Three Hours Later...

"I still think they coulda' won that one before the series if they hadn't got their heads stuck up their asses!" Nicholas Howard cringed as the network technician drinking next to him bellowed once again. Nicholas wasn't sure what about... Some American baseball team or other. All he knew was that the guy was way too loud and way too drunk for anyone's good. He contemplated moving seats, but the room was already so crowded it was standing room only. Besides, it was close to the head of the table, and Mason would want him near.

"Plus, it's not like it would have made all that much of a difference... They still suck monkey balls. I'm loyal cuz my brother-in-law co-manages them. Isn't that somethin'?" Nicholas completely ignored the man, which didn't seem to slow him down at all. He knocked back a delightfully chilled shot of some Scottish liquor, trying desperately to fight the urgefor narcotics. He and twenty-some others were crowded into the Indigo Room of the Grand Plaza Hotel, a luxurious retreat far enough from L.A. so one could breathe. They were waiting for Mason and the Tomb Raiders, all three of whom were now a good ten minutes late. He continued to ignore the babbling technician beside him, and began to contemplate hiring some desirable company for the evening...

"Good afternoon everyone," Mason's voice bellowed over the din. Everyone fell silent, including the rowdy technician next to Nicholas. Mason entered the room, dressed elegantly in a soft silk duo of deep blue. His hair was smoothed back, and his sharp, granite-like features shimmered under what must have been a light moisturizer. Nicholas thought he looked more like himself back here in the civilized world, where he could get his regular massages and dress in his normal garb. He had barely been himself in India. He had talked with Nicholas very little, which was truly out of the ordinary. In fact, he had barely talked to anyone while they had been guests of the temple monks. Nicholas also noticed that he had begun to lose weight, which was odd considering Mason was in perfect shape. As Mason took his seat at the end of the table, Nicholas noticed dark hollows under his usually piercing eyes. Yet the sinister look remained, icing Nicholas to the bone as he had done for so many years.

Mason nodded to Nicholas, who immediately snapped his fingers, summoning a nearly invisible waiter from the far corner. He quietly ordered Mason's usual drink, and settled back as the others made themselves comfortable. Mason leaned forward, and seemed about to speak, when Lara and Alex walked in side-by-side. Alex wore his usual khaki shorts and a plain white tee. He sported a pair of worn hiking boots and an even older looking baseball cap. Lara wore a pair of black knit shorts and a shirt with a skull and crossbones on it. She wore black, thick-soled boots that laced up past her shapely calves. Her hair was swinging in a cascading ponytail, and her face looked haggard and sleepless. They nodded to everyone, taking their seats on Mason's other side. Alex nodded and cracked a half-smile toward Nicholas, who - despite his surprise at the gesture - returned the courtesy. Lara placed a stack of manilla folders on the granite table, and looked at Mason.

"Thank you for joining us Lady Croft, Mr. West." He turned his attention to the rest of the room. "I've called you all here for a little briefing on our next steps. Every one of you here plays a vital role in our expedition, and therefore need to be completely aware of our intents. Lady Croft?" Mason opened a palm towards Lara, who cleared her throat an stood up.

"Okay everyone. I've collected the necessary information, and it looks like we still have a lot of work ahead of us. My sources have, however, narrowed the playing field somewhat. I've talked with a good friend of mine who is an expert in occult lore. It seems the key we... salvaged... in West India indeed plays an important part in our quest for the amulet. It is the key to the Serpent's Gate, a legendary portal to an alternate plane, where the amulet is said to be hidden. I don't have much information on the gate itself, as it rests in a cloudy part of the history of early civilizations. However, the key does indeed open the gate."

At this everyone began to mull once more, sharing whisperings of excitement and confusion. Lara motioned the waiter over, who brought her a cold bottle of spring water. Mason held his hands up for silence.

"Please, please. Everyone quiet and let Lady Croft finish. I'm sure she has a great deal more to tell us." Lara took a swig from the icy bottle, and continued.

"However, there is also a second key that must be found before we can start looking for the Serpent's Gate. Legend says there were two keys fashioned by the first order of the Shankai. They were split up and kept secret in order to keep the Serpent's Gate closed forever. Unfortunately, theydidn't anticipate Victor Xavier. Now, we've already found the first key, which Xavier himself hid before his death. He knew what the key was for, and he knew he had to keep it secret. However, he did not know about the second key and the Serpent's Gate. I'm sure things would have been much worse if he had. After his death, the Shankai presumably hid the amulet behind the gate, taking the second key back with them to a sacred place. And I believe that place is the Temple of Hathor, where the first order of Shankai were trained. Where the amulet was first hidden from the eyes of man."

As she finished speaking and took her seat, the room burst into raucous shouting as everyone tried to talk a once. Nicholas slapped a hand over his eyes and tried to tune the whole thing out. He was starting to get a withdrawal headache. Alex was in a heated debate with Mancini, the head archeologist, about whether or not it was ethical to disturb ancient ruins. Two politicals sitting across from Lara were droning on about how it would be impossible to get clearance for such an operation. Mason was sitting quietly, sipping his drink. The network technician Nicholas had trouble with before continued prattling on about baseball. Lara dropped her head and massaged her temples, feeling her temper rising to a boil. At last, Alex stood up and crowed for everyone to shut up loudly enough to make Nicholas jump. Lara mouthed a thank you as everyone sat down and began to quiet.

"Okay, listen. I know this is all a little bit of a shock. I suppose we all thought this was just going to be an in-and-out mission. However, it seems we were all fooling ourselves. There's a lot that needs to be done, and we are the ones that need to do it. We're going to need everything from political clearance to extra shovels, so everyone needs to be in the same boat. I really doubt if we'll get anywhere arguing and nay-saying like a bunch of old biddies." With that, he sat down, casting a glance at Lara, whose face looked more exhausted than ever.

"Well said, Mr. West," Mason replied as he rose to his feet. "There is a great deal of work to do, and we are all responsible. For now, I think the briefing is finished. We all have an idea of what's going on, and we all have things to attend to. I will see you all personally to make sure your assignments are clear for the next few daysbefore we leave the States. Until then, all of you need to prepare for the next stage of our quest. Thank you all for your time. I will be in contact shortly." With that, Mason left the room with Nicholas at his heels. Once he was gone, people began to mill about once more. Some left promptly, while others remained to discuss the newest developments. Lara pulled herself to her feet and collected her folders. Shoving them under one arm, she left the Indigo Room and headed for the main floor.

Alex caught up with her a moment before she reached the posh lobby of the Grand Plaza Hotel.

"Lara! Hey Lara, wait up!" he called. She stopped, but did not turn around. Alex noticed her shoulders were hunched, giving her normally stunning frame a thin, weak appearance. He touched a hand to her shoulder, feeling her flinch slightly. "Lara, what's wrong?" She turned and he saw her eyes were dark and cloudy, her face turned downwards.

"I'm just tired, Alex. What do you care?"

"Actually, I care a lot. Not that you'd notice."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" she snapped.

"It means you have it out for me so bad you won't stop and realize I'm not that much of a bastard."

"Could have fooled me."

"Look, Lara... If you need to talk - "

"It certainly won't be to you." And with that, she stomped off, her ponytail swinging behind her like a brown waterfall. Alex only looked after her, shaking his head.