dangerous in the wrong hands—and it looks like the Atlanteans knew about it eleven thousand years ago. Considering what we know about them now, that they were a race of ruthless conquerors, I don’t consider their hands particularly safe.”
Penrose rubbed his chin, thinking. “So how do you want to proceed?”
“For now, I want to do exactly what I told Lewis. We need to excavate the rest of the altar room and find out what’s written in the final texts—the last records of Atlantis before it sank. If there is an earth energy connection, then we have to find the statues. They’re too dangerous to be left in the open—especially in Stikes’s hands.”
“You think he might find a way to use them?”
“I’m more worried that he might sell them to someone who can. We know the Russians have the ability to build an earth energy weapon—and so does the United States, for that matter.” Both nations had developed systems that could collect and focus the natural power and unleash it on a faraway target with the force of an atomic blast. “It won’t work without a natural superconductor to channel the energy, but I have a horrible feeling that the statues might be exactly what they need.”
“But the superconductor won’t work on its own. They would also need a person who can activate the effect.”
Nina knew exactly what he was suggesting. “Yeah. Someone like me.”
“You know, that might …” He stopped.
“What?”
He hesitated before answering. “If someone did build another earth energy system, to make it work they would need the statues—and you. And if another party wanted to stop them from developing it, well …”
“They might try to kill me?” said Nina, suddenly feeling very cold even in the warm room.
“I’m just saying that this could be dangerous on a personal level, not simply as a global security issue. You’re the only person in the world who is known to be able to channel earth energy. That makes you potentially extremely valuable to some people … and possibly a great threat to others. You need to be careful. Very careful.”
“Careful?” Nina said. “After everything I’ve been through, it’s lucky I’m not completely paranoid! But judging from what’s written in the temple texts, I’m not the only person who’s ever been able to channel earth energy. There was a priestess, Nantalas, who could apparently do the same thing. I guess that proves Kristian and Kari Frost were right—I really am a descendant of the Atlanteans.”
“Personally, I wouldn’t place much stock in the beliefs of a pair of genocidal lunatics,” said Penrose. The IHA had been created in the wake of an attempt to use “pure” recovered Atlantean DNA to genetically engineer a virus that would be lethal to anyone not of that descent. The agency’s task since then had been to ensure that nobody else exploited Atlantis—or any other archaeological discoveries—for similar gain. “But the idea that Atlantis could hold the key to using earth energy … you’re right, it’s definitely a concern. And I absolutely agree with your decision to make it a security matter. If there is any more information in that temple, it needs to be found.”
“We need to find the statues too. And Stikes.”
“I’ll speak to the UN intelligence committee and try to prod its members into stepping up the search. And I’ll talk to the State Department as well, make sure the CIA and National Security Agency get a reminder.” He shook his head. “All those thousands of agents, billions of dollars, computers, satellites … and they can’t find one man.”
More than one, thought Nina, glancing at the photo of herself and Eddie.
She gave Penrose what additional facts she had; then the Englishman departed, leaving her alone with her thoughts. She continued reading Hayter’s files, but anything further the Atlanteans had recorded about the statues remained hidden in the Temple of Poseidon …
The phone rang. Lola again. “Nina, there’s a phone call for you.”
“ ‘Do not disturb’ is still in effect, Lola,” Nina replied testily.
“I know, but I think this could be important.”
Something in Lola’s tone made Nina’s heart pound. Eddie! Was it someone with news about him? Or even her husband himself, finally making contact? “Put it through!”
She waited in tense anticipation for the call to be transferred. A click of the line … then a voice.
It belonged to a man called Chase. But not the one she had hoped to hear.
Larry Chase, Eddie’s father.
THREE
Mozambique
The bar was dimly lit at best, and the haze of smoke