The Chaldaean Oracles

by L.E. Croft & Lucky

**Note from L.E. Croft - This story is a work in progress. We’ve been working on it for sometime now just for fun. It’s sort of an off-shoot from Tales of Prophecy, but doesn’t follow the main plot, it just has some of the same characters. :) **

The Chaldaean Oracles is © L.E. Croft & Lucky. 2004-2007 All rights reserved. Tomb Raider and Lara Croft are © Eidos Interactive. 1996-2007 All rights reserved. Indiana Jones and the Indiana Jones series are © Lucasflim Ltd 1981-2007 All rights are reserved.

Chapter 1

            Lara Croft sat in the study of her mansion in Surrey, England as her butler and dear friend Winston came into the room. He placed a tray with a hot cup of tea on the table next to her. She gently closed the book she was reading as Winston gave her a letter. 

"This came for you today." Winston said, as Lara took the letter.

            "Thank you, Winston." she smiled.

            She looked at the letter and smiled faintly as she seen the name Indiana Jones. She opened the envelop and pulled out the letter. Unfolding the letter, she took a sip of her tea then began to read.
Lara,
I have a lead on an artifact, but I need your help. We need to get to Iran. I have secured our safe passage into the country, via the mountains of Iraq. All we have to do is slip across the border between Turkey and Iraq......

            Lara stopped reading and paused a moment.

            "Indy sure does enjoy treading in hot water." She rolled her eyes.
            What an idiot. Yet, this letter sounded so mysterious so tempting. He even invited Ken, I can't believe that Indy would invite Ken, but here it was, in black and white. She thought as she looked back at the letter to continue reading.

            .....Ask Ken to come along as well, I need someone who can work some behind the scenes matters and some work with different paramilitary groups. He might be useful....

            Lara smiled, "Oh boy, those two fighting over me."

            She shook her head. Well, what is it we are after, Indy? She stuck her nose back into the letter.

            .....I believe that the Chaldaens believed in three souls. The First soul would be the intelligible, or divine soul. The second soul would be the rational soul, some might say the "intellectual" soul. It's the third soul that is the most mysterious, the irrational, passionate soul. It's this soul, Lara, the irrational soul that the Chaldaeans assigned to something called the Lunar Sphere. Lara, I believe this Lunar Sphere is more than just the moon, maybe, just maybe it's a sphere or place on earth where this Lunar Sphere is located.

            The letter went on to explain his ideas on exploring this further, even looking for ancient Chaldaean Oracles, ancient writings. Even looking for ancient tablets belonging to Zoroaster priests that were written 300 years before Alexander the Great invaded Iran.

            Lara sighed, "Well, so much for my vacation."

Istanbul, Turkey

            Indiana Jones stood outside of the airport in Istanbul waiting for Lara and Ken's plane to arrive. He tipped up the front of his fedora as he looked up at the darkening sky.

            "Hmmm....Looks like rain." He sighed.

            He looked around as a woman coming out of the airport caught his eye. There he saw the brunette British woman he had fallen for. His heart fluttered then sank into his stomach as he seen the scruffy southern bumpkin Ken Luckhardt come dashing out after her.

            Oh brother. I can't believe I asked Lara to bring him along. Indy thought rolling his eyes.

            Lara smiled as Indy walked up to her and Ken.

            "It's good to see you." Indy made a faint smile then kissed her cheek.

            Lara smiled giving the man a hug.

            "Jones." Ken said, narrowing his eyes slightly.

            "Luckhardt." Indy said, exchanging glares with Ken.

            Lara rolled her eyes. "If you don't mind boys, but I suggest we get moving and leave the dirty looks for later. Shall we?"

            Indy nodded as he helped with the bags. The three walked to the cab waiting for them.

Chapter 2

            The trio arrived at the Saint Sophia in old town Istanbul. Ken looked at the hotel as they got out of the cab.

            "Nice choice of hotels, Indy." mused Ken.

            "Your welcome." He shot back.

            The taxi popped it's trunk and they unloaded suitcases, bags and equipment. Lara stepped back to look at the hotel. It was a quaint white color with a marble facade, old, but quaint. She liked staying in the older hotels, where their character was developed over the years. They walked inside and checked in, three rooms on the second floor, side by side, just as Ken had suggested.

            "I'll check fire escapes and security after I drop off the bags and do we want to grab a bite to eat in a little bit?" Ken asked.

            Lara finished signing her name on the contract and turned, "Yes, lets meet up in about 45 minutes and eat a late lunch."

            As the three foreigners moved towards the elevator, curious eyes were following them from across the room.

            The room was clean, not too large, and one single bed in the middle. Bathroom was adequate, 1960s looking, but clean. Ken unpacked his bags quickly, thought about a shower. No, no time for that right at the moment. He turned on his TV set, punched the volume up to a higher volume and put it on a sports channel. There was a soccer game between two European countries. Fine, he thought, this will at least make enough noise to keep honest men honest. He slipped his card key into his pocket and left to check out the hotel fire escapes. At least, he thought, being on the second floor if we had to jump, we'd survive it.

            Lara unpacked and hung up her explorer clothes. She placed her identity papers and passport on the table and stepped into the shower.

            "I've been waiting for this." She muttered as she closed the curtain and began to soak up the warm water, she sighed, "I can't believe I'm in Istanbul, Turkey."

            Her mind raced over all the artifacts that might be in this city alone, much less the great country of Turkey. She thought briefly about the trip across Turkey to Iran, then shuddered. This was going to be a very dangerous
mission.

            Indy unpacked a clean shirt. He slipped it on and left the room heading for the bar. He decided to walk down the steps, sizing up the hotel staff and security.

            He smiled, "I don't like that Ken, but when it comes to traveling in a hostile environment, he's got a cool head on his shoulders."

            He eyed a maid and smiled. She averted her eyes from him and went on into another room on the first floor. Indy made his way through the lobby and into the old bar. Here was a long counter made of mahogany. The bar was trimmed in brass and showed age. At one end of the bar hung a large bell, Indy guessed this was for making announcements, " drinks for everyone" type stuff? He laughed. Sitting down at the bar a short Indian looking man with a well trimmed mustache and glasses approached.

            "Sir, how can I help you?" He said in perfect English.

            Indy smiled, "How did you know I was an American?"

            "It's your clothes, you look like American." he shrugged. "Can I get you something? A drink, a snack?"

            Indy stopped for a second, "How about a Miller Light Beer?"

            "Yes, anything else?"

            "No, thanks, that's all for now." Indy paused. "Say, what's the lowdown around here? What's going on in the big city?"

            "It has been very quiet, but the tourist season will pick up soon, maybe in a month or so." replied the bar tender.

            "So are we the only tourists you've seen this week?" Indy asked.

            "No, there was that German fellow and his friends, and a girl I think, but I haven't seen them in the last day or so."

            "Really?" Indy narrowed his eyes. " Did you get his name?"

            "No, I just do my job, but he was a good tipper, that I remember." The bar tender turned and wrote down the beer sale into a ledger book.

            Lara finished her shower and dressed. She stood in front of the mirror fixing her hair.

            "Hmmm, good time to tease tonight," She smiled.

            She put on her tight fitting black top and blue jeans. Looking at her figure in the mirror she thought, "Perfect." She was almost purring at the comment.

            Ken ordered a table for three and all three eventually made their way to the cozy restaurant. The walls were paneled wood, some type of red mahogany, with ancient brass lamps. The booth was comfortable and roomy. Lara sat across from the two men, making them sit together. She smiled laughing to herself. Ken slid in first then Indy and they waited quietly on their waitress.

            "I like this place." Lara said finally.

            "Yeah, me too, security looks ok, but there are a lot of foreigners here this week. I've seen several out by the pool." Ken mused.

            "No doubt, you checked them out thoroughly." Lara shot.

            Ken smiled.

            "Well, I heard there was a German checked in here within the last several days, I hope we don't have company." Indy said staring at his menu.

            "Darn, Indy, the whole country of Turkey is full of Germans. Germans and Turks love each other." Ken said.

            "Well, boys, we'll keep our eyes open, meanwhile, I'm starved!" Lara picked up her menu and looked at the biggest meal they had.

            Indy glanced up from his menu as the waitress walked over. She was about 5ft 6in, middle weight, and around the age of 45.

            "Can I get you something to drink?" The waitress asked, her English a little rusty but understandable.

            "I'll have a glass of red wine, please." Lara said in her British accent.

            "I'll have the same." Indy glanced at the waitress then looked back at his menu.

            "And you sir?" The waitress asked, looking at Ken.

            "I'll have a Miller Light." He said quickly, noticing they were waiting on him.

            "Are you ready to order your food now?" The waitress asked before she left to fetch their drinks.
"Yes, I'll have the Shish kebab." Lara smiled, as her stomach growled and grumbled.
"And for you, sir?" the waitress looked at Indy.
"I'll have the steak." Indy said. "Medium rare."
The waitress nodded then looked at Ken.
"I'll have the same thing as him." Ken said softly.
"Will that be all?" the waitress asked.
"Yes, thank you." Lara said.
The waitress nodded then left to fetch their drinks.

The evening had been quite uneventful after the three finished up their meals. They decided to return to their rooms and lay out a plan for how they would go about getting to Iran.
"Well, Indy, how are we supposed to get to Iran without being killed?" Lara raised one eyebrow as she folded her arms.
"There's a passage through the mountains in Iraq. It's the safest way. The only time we'll have to worry about anything is when crossing the Turkish/Iraqi border. But like I said in the letter, if Ken can talk some paramilitary groups into helping us we should be AOK." Indy said digging through his bag.
Lara looked from Indy to Ken as she sat on the bed.
"Well?" Lara looked at him.
"I'll see what I can do, but with the war and all, it might be difficult to find anyone that will safe guard us across the border and into the mountains. But it's worth a try." Ken said softly.
"All right, we'll start tomorrow morning." Indy said placing his whip and pistol on the bed.
"Well, I'm exhausted so I think I'll be getting my beauty rest now, I'd advise you two to do the same." Lara smiled as she stood up and left Indy's room returning to her own.
"Better do what the lady says, we have a long day ahead of us." Indy said shooing Ken out of his room.
Ken moseyed next door to his room where the TV still could be heard blaring away.

Chapter 3

Ken rose early and made his way to breakfast and met with Indy and Lara.
"I've got a lead which I'm checking out later this morning. Meanwhile, you two should look over our shoulder and make sure that we aren't being tailed, I have a bad feeling about this."
Indy nodded in agreement. Lara shook her head yes, and swept the room briefly.
"Can you fill us in Ken? I mean, is this so hush hush that you can't share it with us?" asked Lara.
"Well, what I can tell you is I'm talking with some folks in the PKK, that Kurdish Communist bunch. I don't trust them, but they might be the only ones that can get us from Turkey into Iran!"
Indy sighed, " Darn Commies. Why on earth must we deal with those butchers?"
"Yes, Ken, why are we dealing with the PKK? Isn't that asking for a betrayal?"
"No, because the sensitivity of our missing requires that it be kept a secret. If I deal with any other organization, including some crooked officials, it'll slip out and we'll be caught by the Iranians to boot. Besides, the 'Company' has asked us to look at a few other things while we're in the country."
Lara looked surprised, "You mean THEY know about our mission?"
Indy cursed.
"Look, it's the only way I could guarantee that we get OUT of Iran, I feel the PKK may just leave us in there. Besides, not everyone in the CIA knows we're going in, just a handful of operatives."
Lara looked away mad. "I can't believe you sold us out and we didn't even get out of the States before you cut a deal."
"Ken," snarled Indy, "that was a low blow, totally uncalled for."
"Look, so far we've gotten in the country and everything is clicking along, trust me." Ken looked for eye contact.
Finally Lara gave it to him with a weak smile. "Ken, I swear, if you get us killed, I'm going to stomp on your dead carcass!"
Indy just looked away mad.

Ibriham Achmed AlHadi was sipping on a cup of Turkish tea. He put the heavy brew down on his desk. His hands dwarfed the little tea cup decorated with Turkish roses.
"Ken says he'll pay us 100,000 US Dollars for this mission, I smell a rat."
Ufra Sultan sat quietly, "It's a CIA job, no doubt, but I think that it's directed at Iran, and not the PKK per say, or the Kurds in general. I heard it was after something the Zoroasters had in Western Iran. Besides, we take his money and kill him." Sultan said smiling stroking his scraggly beard.
"No", shot Achmed, "No, I'll honor his request, but he may be stuck in Iran for a long time. Besides, those idiots in Iran will probably butcher him. If he isn't going to harm Kurds or Muslims in general, then I'll honor it. Go set up the meeting at the Al Anatolia café for this afternoon. Tell him not to be followed and be there on time, say right after 1pm. But tell him, the meeting ends at 2pm, I want my afternoon nap."

Ken dressed in his very light purple Disdasha, a long robe like overgarment, then he put on a light tan round cap and over this he tied a turban. Rolling the major edge back and forth, making an accordion shape out of the fabric, he placed it on his forehead and then crossed the two pieces on his forehead and then knotting it in an overhand knot in the back.
"I'll leave it untucked, I'll be an Omani today."
He left the two ends of his turban hanging sloppily out, very common in Oman.
He darkened his face with makeup, then his ears and hands, and finally put his glasses back on. He was unshaven, scraggly bearded. He walked downstairs right past Indy who was drinking at the bar.
"Marhaba" he said lightly as he passed.
"Asalam Aliakoom" Indy shot back without a second look.
Good, Ken thought, Indy didn't even realize it was me. He left the hotel and got into a taxi.

The Al Anatolia was a small building with pointed arched windows. The building was light blue pastel color, very cool looking. The windows and doors were painted a very dark blue and red paint color scheme, very decorative. Inside the café a few patrons were finishing a late lunch, but it was early in the afternoon and most Turks were going to the house to rest, most work ceased at 2 pm anyway.
Ken sat down with Sultan at a small booth. Two more men, probably body guards, positioned themselves across from him in another booth. Achmed entered from a back room and sat down quietly.
"Mr. Luckhardt, how are you and your family?" Achmed asked.
"Fine, Achmed, and yours?"
"Fine, now lets get down to business. Here are your bus tickets. You will do the following, you will ride a bus from Istanbul to Ankara, change buses in Ankara for an Eastern Turkey tour down to Tarsus, where you will visit the Apostle Paul's homesite. From there you will board a third bus for a village called Tatwao. Here you will board a boat for the Valletta of Van. From Van you will ride mules southward towards Kurdistan portion of the Iraqi Mountains, you will cross over into Iraq, then into Eastern Iran, south of Rezayeh. There you will meet a man by the name of Suleyman. He will take you to the Zoroasters, but beware. I understand they may not be happy to see you if your friends, Mr. Jones and Ms. Croft intend on stealing their treasures."
Ken sat back smiling. He looked at the tickets in his hand.
"Achmed, thank you. Now here is your money." Ken handed him an envelope with $100,000 of 100 dollar bills.
"No questions Mr. Luckhardt?" quipped Sultan.
"No, I've got it all up here." Ken pointed to his forehead.
"I'm surprised that you have nothing else to say?" asked Achmed, fishing.
"No, thank you, and remember, a deal is a deal. May Ali be blessed."
"Ah, yes, it is a deal, and if you bring harm to us, Mr. Luckhardt, from your friends at the CIA or the Turkish government, then your family will be murdered in the States!" Achmed was smiling.
"Yes, Achmed, and if you double cross me, I'll personally cut out your guts." Ken wasn't laughing.
Sultan and Achmed sat back.
Unhappily Achmed said, "Then it is a deal and I shall hope to never see you again, Mr. Luckhardt."
Ken stood up and bowed slightly, touching his hand to his heart, he departed.

Lara walked into the bar to see Indy sitting at the bar drinking water. She smiled faintly then sat down next to him.
"I don't like the looks of this Lara." he said, not looking at her.
"I know, but then again this was your idea remember."
"My IDEA was to get help from someone we could trust. Backstabbed by a hill billy." Indy sneered.
"I know it is very risky, Indy, but he knows what he's doing. And you know he wouldn't put us in harms way, not intentionally." Lara placed her hand on his.
"Maybe to you. I'm beginning to wonder if bringing him along was a mistake." Indy took a sip of his water.
"He knows what he's doing. We just have to trust his judgment." Lara smiled faintly as she took his hand.
Indy sighed in frustration. "Well, I won't trust his judgment, but I'll bare with you on this."
Lara smiled tilting up the front of his fedora. "Come on we have work to do."
Indy made a weak smile as Lara stood up walking away.

Chapter 4

That night Ken spent several hours explaining the plan in great detail to Lara and Indy.
“It’ll be a dusty and very long trip, why can’t we fly?” Indy shot Ken a dirty glance.
“Look, it’s a good way to travel cross country, and gives us time to slip out of the country without a whole lot of eyes on us. The Hi-Tech surveillance stuff is in the airports, not at bus stations.” Ken said.
Eventually, they were convinced and retired for the night. Tomorrow was going to be a big day, and a very long hot tiresome ride to Ankara.
 

Lara was sleeping soundly when she felt a hand cover her mouth and a knee press against her chest. She struggled but the man was overpowering her and pinning her to her bed. A million things raced through her head in the pitch black room, finally she raised a knee hitting him square in the groin, causing the big man to grunt and fall forward. Quickly Lara threw her left forearm across the mans face and neck making him bend his head slightly to the right, she quickly bit him in the jugular vein. The bite jolted the man into a extremely painful scream, where he immediately shoved her away from him sending her crashing into the night stand. Lara scrambled away towards her backpack as the man stalked up behind her. He grabbed her left leg and began to drag her away from the backpack. She rolled over kicking the man in the head. She rushed to her backpack pulling out her two pistols as the man came back at her. She fired rapidly at the man. Taking several blows to the chest and one to the head, the man fell backwards dead.

Indy heard the gun shots and ran headlong into the hall
meeting Ken simultaneously at Lara's door. Ken backed up and let Indy burst in. Flipping on the light Indy saw Lara sitting on the floor panting and grabbing at her throat. The man had tried to strangle her, but now he lay dead on the floor.
“Good Lord” muttered Indy, “Lara are you ok?”
He stooped down to brush her hair out of her face.
“Got to get him out of here now.” murmured Ken, “We need to watch for his helpers, I’m sure he’s not alone.”
Lara finally caught her breath and felt ill. When she had bit the man she ended up swallowing some of his blood and it was making her sick. She leaned over feeling like she was going to vomit.
Ken pulled the carcass down the hall and out into the
back alley, placing him in a drainage ditch full of trash and covering him.
“It’ll be a while before he starts to smell.” Ken muttered then quickly returned to the room to help clean up the mess.
“What time is it.” shot Ken.
“3 a.m.” Indy said.
“We must leave now, I cannot sleep in this room or stay in this hotel another minute.” Lara said faintly.
“Lara, we’ll all sleep in Indy’s room till day break, get some lunch and then walk down to the bus station.” Ken said hurriedly as he cleaned up the mess.
Lara gaged then vomitted.
“Are you going to be ok, princess?” Indy said stroking her hair.
“Yes, I think I’m feeling a little better.” she said slowly standing.
Indy helped her out of the room and back to his.

The trio didn’t sleep the rest of the night. They tossed and turned in their sleeping bags and the floor was hard and uninviting. Finally a rooster crowed some where far away. Ken rose up and began to stuff his sleeping bag into a tote sack.
“Time to go.” he said in a military voice.
No one argued as they finished packing their backpacks.

After a quick breakfast the trio walked out the door into the cool morning Istanbul air. The streets were narrow, and old looking. Istanbul (Constantinople) was always a city of numerous narrow city streets. Even in the ancient days when it was called Byzantium, it was confusing to walk the streets. Many knights and visitors would get lost for days inside the city itself.
Ken looked over at Lara, she was pale and her throat bore a bruise, he touched her shoulder.
“Lara, I'm not sure what happened last not, but are you sure you are alright?"
Lara smiled faintly. “I'm fine, a little shaken but fine.”

The bus station was bathed in sunlight from the east as the three boarded a crowded cab over bus for Ankara. The trip would be long and uncomfortable, but they had dealt with worse.
Lara sat snuggly between Indy and Ken. The three just barely could fit on the seat while others were packing four people. Lara adjusted her sunglasses as the bus began to leave Istanbul and make its way to Ankara.
"Well, this should be fun." Indy said sarcastically.
"I know, but we'll just have to tough it out now won't we." Lara smiled. "Besides I've taken worse ways of transportation."
"Let's just hope this is the worse it will get." Indy said looking out the bus window.

Chapter 5

Ankara was crowded and modern, but it didn't have the character that Istanbul presents. After they checked into a local five star hotel, they went downstairs for an afternoon brunch.
"That man sitting over in the corner." Lara nodded to her right, "I've seen him at the Saint Sophia, he was watching us. Remember him Indy?"
Jones wasn't smiling. He cut a quick look and then sat down.
"Yep, that guy's tailing us, now how did he find us?"
"Winston." piped Ken.
"Winston? He wouldn't give us away, I mean, he's from the old school and a tough old soldier." Lara shot back.
"I didn't mean that he said anything, it might be that he had something in his paperwork, or phone calls, or something. Besides, I'm sure they have found the body by now." Ken said eyeing for a waiter.
"Yep, that guy found out we were heading here, I'm guessing it was a phone tap." Indy said.
Lara looked nervous, "Should I call him to make sure he's ok? I'm scared they've tortured him or killed him..."
"No!" Ken said muttering, "We cannot risk a phone call at this point. Look, Lara, I'm sure Winston is ok. The people behind the attack wouldn't risk a second incident. I agree with Indy, it's probably a phone tap."

After brunch they withdrew to their rooms for a rest. Ken made several calls from a nearby pay phone to check on their next bus, it was leaving at 5 AM. He hung up. Standing across the roadway was the man wearing a white suit, black tie and a straw hat. Ken meandered through traffic towards the man, who now looked nervous. As he neared, the man turned to walk away but Ken grabbed him by the arm.
"Hold on there a minute bus driver!" Ken shouted in a half laughing manner.
The man looked terrified.
"What do you want." The man almost spat saying it.
"I'm warning you the next time I see you, I'm going kill you!" Ken smiled.
The man was sweating and looked back towards Ken, lowering his eyes, "I wouldn't be talking so bravely, Mr. Luckhardt, we have our people everywhere."
"We? And who is we? Bernard and his gang of thugs? Or the Turkish Secret Service? Whose we?"
"You know who -WE- are Mr. Luckhardt, Lara knows us very well." He was smirking, "If you hurt me, I guarantee you that our agents will finish you...."
He didn't finish the sentence. Ken brought a swift knee up into his groin, doubling over the rotund man in an agonizing ball. Lowering him to the pavement, Ken kneeled down.
"I don't scare too easy, bus driver, when you decide to do us in, bring your lunch. It'll take you a while."
The fat man didn't understand Ken's pun, he was too busy trying to get his breath.

That night the trio slept in the same bedroom for protection. Early the next morning they slipped out the fire escape, grabbing a taxi to the bus station across town. They reached the city of Tarsus late in the afternoon.
Dusty and dirty, the trio unloaded their luggage and checked into a tall modern hotel near the ancient ruins of Tarsus.
"There isn't much left here anymore, Lara, I mean, much of the historic places have been destroyed over the centuries."
Lara smiled, "Well Ken, I thought the whole idea of our trip was to explore Tarsus, now you tell me that it's just about deteriorated into nothingness? Thanks, I think."
"Frankly, I was quite impressed with that last leg, the Silician Gates were quite impressive. Riding through that pass was worth the trip for me." Indy said as he turned and dropped the last suitcase on the dolly. "I've
read about those gates, but seeing them in person was quite impressive. Those mountains form a perfect gate on the East and the West, just remarkable."
"Yeah, I saw Persians by the thousands marching westward through those gates to invade ancient Europe and Alexander the Great marching eastward to take his revenge!" Ken said smiling.
"Well, now the three of us have marched through those gates to ancient Persia. I just hope we get to travel westward when this is all over!" Indy frowned and rolled his eyes.
Ken laughed.
"I never dreamed that a six lane road would run through that pass. Anyway, I want to see some of these ruins before it gets too late. You two hurry and lets do some site seeing while we are here!" Lara turned and hurried off towards the elevator, then stopped. "Ken!" she called.
He turned to face her. Lara tossed a blue opaque medallion towards him that had a large eye painted on its face.
"What's this?" he exclaimed.
"It's an evil eye, the Turks call it -Nazar Bonjuk- wear it for good luck!"
"It’s not so pretty, sort of gaudy if you ask me. I've never seen one." He said hesitantly.
Indy rolled his eyes again, "You hillbilly. How’d you find your way out of the mountains?"
"Indy, hush. Ken, it's been around Turkey for many centuries, ever since people believed that someone could cast an evil spell on you. So wear it for good luck." Lara smiled.
"Ok, Lara. I'm a good sport." Ken placed the trinket around his neck.

After resting Indy and Lara walked the streets of Tarsus, meandering down to the waterfront. It was hard to believe that among the heaps of archaeological ruins more than half a million people had lived here. Tarsus was not only the birthplace of Paul the Apostle, but was a very important city in the Roman Empire. They plodded through several ruins eyeballing heights of walls and measuring mental doorways and crevices. Their eyes and mind putting all the pieces together, where the fireplace and cooking nooks were located, where the animals slept. They could see people busy sweeping or thrashing grain, kids playing in the street. Their experience bringing the dead and dusty ruins to life was breath taking.
"It's beautiful...." Lara whispered as the setting sun shined through the cracks and holes in the ruins.
Indy made a crooked grin. "That's not the only thing."
Lara glanced at him shaking her head as she smiled weakly.
"Your flattering will get you nowhere Dr. Jones." Lara said as they walked.
"I know, it's usually my smart aleck responses." He grinned.
Lara rolled her eyes as Indy stopped walking, grabbing her gently by the arm.
He looked into her eyes slowly leaning in to kiss her.

Meanwhile, Ken was setting up the third and last bus ride to Tatwao. He was worried about the boat ride from Valletta to Van. He spent the evening
mapping out their trek. It would be tricky. Who would pilot the boat? Kurds? Turks? Thieves? He shook his head, it only got worse from there. Riding mules to Iran sounded like something out of the Bible! Could he trust the Kurds? The PKK, the Communist terrorist that practiced the art of kidnaping European tourists for ransom, or even just to kill them? This was getting dangerous now. Even more tricky, was meeting up with this man named 'Suleyman.' How would he know who Suleyman was?
"Darn it, I should have gotten a photograph or something more concrete to prove whom I was dealing with." Ken felt numb as he sat down. "Well, I won't meet this man until we're inside Iran. Until then I have no choice but to put my fate into the hands of the Kurds."
The boat ride, the mules, the border of Iran, all sounded too much to comprehend.
He sat there quietly for a long time. He remembered growing up in the mountains and always wondering what was over the hill in front of the house. Climbing the hill as a young boy, with his brother, they crossed over the ridge line and down into a long narrow valley that opened into a meadow. Here they found remains of an old house. Sifting through broken glass and brick they found an old spoon. Eventually they came across the green sand stone mantle piece and an old candle holder, charred from fire, they began to visualize what had happened many years before. This wet his appetite for exploration and archaeology.
He stood up and looked out his hotel window over the sprawling city of Tarsus.
Well, this will be dangerous, but hey, what was over the hill? What would they endure to look upon the Chaldaean Oracles, what were they, how important to the modern world would they be? He didn't know, but the excitement flowed back into his body.
"I gotta see this for myself." He muttered.

Chapter 6

Al Habib Suleyman sat down to tea.
"Asalam Aliakoom" he said quietly.
The robed man answered him "And God be with you, too."
He took the small cup from the old man's hands. Vishtaspa nodded as he sipped his heavy black brew.
"I like mine without any cream or sugar, Suleyman, but now, tell me more about this man that is coming to see the oracles. Does he know that it is a secret place and not a thing?"
"No excellency, he does not, perhaps the demons will kill him before he arrives in Iran."
"Perhaps, but it is not wise to predict something that is in God's hands. If he arrives, then so be it, but why didn't he come into the country like all the other tourists that we see every day?"
"Excellency, he comes with two other great archaeologists, they seek the Chaldaean Oracles. I think they are trying to sneak in to hide from authorities, we should turn them in and be done with them."
"No my son, I think in the long run, they may be allies of ours. I don't know why, but there is a hidden enemy that is lurking in the shadows. We must beware of others that may already be inside of Iran."
Suleyman shook his head in approval and finished his tea.
"Then if you trust your prayers and your soul, then I shall treat them as honored guests. But what of these enemies in the shadows?"
"My son, I have no more knowledge as the demons of fire, wind, water, and earth hide them from me. But the Archangel has warned me of their approach. Beware my son, it is a real threat."
Suleyman bowed and left the cave for his donkey.

Bernard von Eckhard listened intently as his portly intelligence officer briefed him on the current location of Lara Croft, Indiana Jones, and Ken Luckhardt.
"Darn them, they just won't give up. Well, never mind them, I intend to find, capture and retrieve the
Chaldaean oracles. I will not be denied!" Eckhard slammed his fist on the table.
The fat man across from Eckhard turned red faced. "General, I have heard that it is a place not
a thing, besides, how will we infiltrate the deity? How will we know what to look for?"
"Fool" Eckhard shot back, "I've hired a small army of experts that can get us into their caverns, into where the eternal light flickers. I intend to take what I want!"
Eckhard sneered to himself as a woman with long blonde hair entered the room.
"Leave us!" Eckhard snarled at the officers in the room.
They scrambled out leaving Eckhard and the woman.
"Do you have it?" Eckhard said standing up.
"Yes." The woman pulled a small glass vile out of her coat pocket.
She placed it in Eckhard's hand as she walked to the table.
"That was the last of Luther's serum. His lab in Paris and Prague have been completely cleaned out. You're lucky I found what I did, Bernard." The woman said leaning on the table.
"Thank you Catherine, it will have to do for now." Eckhard said taking a syringe and poking it through the cap of the glass vile.
After filling the syringe with the liquid he rolled up his left sleeve pushing the syringe into the vein in his arm. He curled his upper lip as he injected the liquid.
Catherine watched as Eckhard dropped the syringe then fell to his knees.
"Bernard, are you ok?" She asked, rushing to his side.
He didn't answer as he breathed heavily. She looked at him with concern as his eyes flashed red. He stood up cracking his neck.
"Are you ok?" Catherine asked again.
"Never been better. Now it's time to remove a very large thorn from my side." Eckhard said leaving the room.

Chapter 7

The third bus ride took them into the winding foothills of Eastern Turkey. Bumpy and dusty, the trio slept as best they could on this leg of the trip. With a few hairpin turns and breathtaking views of steep drop offs, they finally reached Tatwao. The small town was not as modern as they liked, with a few Mom and Pop stores they were able to refurbish their knapsacks with freeze-dried food for their long ride into Iran.

Ken smiled as he asked if he could photograph a small baby wearing a small red dress with Mickey and Mini Mouse dancing all over it.

“What is your daughters name?” he asked carefully.

The old Turk smiled and waved his hand across the baby carriage, “Her name is Miriam, you know, from Mary in the Bible.”

This took Ken by surprise and he smiled, “Miriam, of course, a beautiful name. May I take a picture of you and her?” Ken said pointing to his camera.

“Yes, of course.” The Father said, smiling, he struck a pose by pushing his daughters carriage in front of him to showcase her.

Ken took the picture and knelt down. “Sir, this little dress has Mickey and Mini Mouse on it?”

The old man smiled and said, “Ahhh, it is the new generation.” He said half musingly, and shook his head.

There is hope for all of us to live in peace, he thought.

Rising he turned and walked into a nearby shop. Lara was buying a fragrance of perfume, “Here, smell this…” She waved it under Lucky’s nose.

“Lara, that smells of, hmmm, Frankincense maybe?” He grinned.

“Yes, it’s imported from Oman, I think. I’ll take a small bottle of this.” She said as she handed the man several coins.

Indy was making eyes at a woman, even though she was dressed all in black from her head to her feet. He noticed her eyes, those wonderful eyes.

“Indy!” Lara let out with a sharp, but measured tone, “Stop that, you cad!”

Indy turned red and turned his head away, carefully examining his drink of heavy coffee.

“Lara, I was just checking out the local custom, you know, every tribe dresses differently.” He shot back in his defense.

“Yeah” quipped Ken, “but you were thinking something else!” Ken laughed.

Lara punched him solidly on his right arm, “Ouch!” He grimaced.

The man was large, ugly, with a large mustache. “Are you the one they call Ken?” He asked without smiling.

“Yes, and whom are you?” He asked politely.

“They call me Talos, my enemies call me the butcher, my friends call me a savior…you may call me Mr. Talos.” He didn’t smile.

“Great Mr. Talos,” mused Indy, “Are you taking us across the lake?”

“Yes, tonight, right now.” He was direct.

“But,” Lara pleaded, “We just arrived, we just checked in…”

He cut her short, “You will come with me tonight, or you will rot here in Tatwao.”

After checking back out and paying for their nights stay, the three adventurers made their way down to the small docks. Here was an old motorboat with a 75 horsepower engine.

Quietly they boarded the small speedboat. “I hope this thing doesn’t sink, it’s a piece of crap.” Indy said meekly.

Ken smiled, “Yeah, and the worst thing about it is, it’s a pretty wide lake, so no telling what we’ll see out in the middle of this thing.”

Lara sat down quietly and pulled the wrinkled map from her backpack. “We are getting closer, It’s hard to believe, Ken, tell me more about your ideas about the Chaldean Oracles.”

Ken sat down next to her, Indy nestled down as the boat churned out of the port of Tatwao heading for the east side of the lake.”

“We’re on our way to Van, from there we’ll ride horses over into Iran.”

“I know all that Ken, but tell me about the Oracles, what is we are looking for?”

“I think it’s got something to do with something written, or something held as local knowledge, Lara, not a real relic per se.”

Indy rolled his eyes, “Figures I’d put my life in peril for some damn book.”

“No, Indy, it’s more like maybe an ancient formula for time travel.” Ken mused.

“Really?” Indy shot back. “What on earth could be that valuable to us.” Indy was getting loud.

“Look, Indy, listen to me, several years ago a scientist that was investigating old formulas, found one in a manuscript from more than 200 years ago. In this manuscript he found a formula that he called the ‘String’ Theory. From this, they found that the String Theory might contain as many as 10 dimensions. From this, they developed something called the M-Theory and perhaps as many as 11 dimensions. Think of this, Indy, we only know of 4 dimensions, what if we could unlock all 11?”

Indy raised an eyebrow slightly, “Is there any money in all this?”

Lara spoke up, “Indy, what Ken is saying is that science has tied the universe with Quantum Mechanics, the world of atoms. If we could find the secret to the 11 dimensions we might be able to find the secret to time travel.”

Indy was quiet, “Time travel?”

“Yes, even in the world of the smallest particles on earth there are black holes. Think of it, Indy, what if we could step through one of those other dimensions, we might be able to step through time.”

Indy thought for a moment, “Impossible, Lara, Fermions!”

“Yeah” Ken laughed, “Fermions, sure, where two atoms can’t share the same space, keeps us from walking through doors, but what if we could break the code on all that, find a way to walk through doors?”

“Impossible.” Indy shouted as the boat bumped and jumped in the open seawater.

“Not really Indy, it’s a matter of God unfolding his secrets to us.” Ken smiled.

The boat slowed as the Talos changed gas tanks and drained water from the boat with a sump pump. Soon they were on there way again. As the crashed along the open water, Lara looked up at a brilliant blue white moon. “The moon’s looking blue tonight, Ken.”

Ken raised his head skyward; the moon was full and brilliant. Yet the stars shown through brightly, ignoring the moon’s dominance.

“Lara, I think that’s caused by some volcanic ash in the upper atmosphere.”

“Always the scientist, huh, you stupid hillbilly.” Indy scowled.

Ken didn’t answer he just laid back and shut his eyes, just for a moment, just for a second, just for a little rest.

The boat came to a stop as the dusk was breaking. Talos tied up the small craft as the trio lifted their backpacks out of the boat.

“Now what, Talos.” Ken said hurriedly.

Talos replied, “I will walk you down to the hostel, here you will meet a man named Hussein.”

“The Tiger, is he any kin to Saddam or the King of Jordan?” quipped Ken.

The man didn’t laugh, but threw Ken the rest of his gear from the boat, “You must learn not to be so funny, Mr. Lucky.”

The Hostel was dirty and run down. Van was even more depressing than Tatwao. They checked in and decided to grab a quick bite to eat before meeting up with Hussein. They returned to the Hostel for a few hours rest when the phone woke Ken up. Startled he grabbed the receiver, “What, yes, yes, we’re ready. Tonight? Fine, where will…. you’ll come meet us here? Fine.” Ken hung up.

“Well, this is going to get tiresome.” He said as he went next door waking up Lara.

Later that night, nursing a cup of hot tea, the threesome sat at a small table in the corner of the Hostel. A small, balding man stepped through the door, looking the room over slowly; he spied the three Americans in the corner.

He sauntered up to the table, the three stood up to meet him. “Please, sit sit.” The man said in broken English.

“These are not the times for Americans to be traveling abroad.” He said quietly.

“True,” Indy said looking him in the eyes, “But then, we aren’t your typical Americans.”

The man nodded, “Truly, you are not, especially if your wanting to go INTO Iran, instead of running from that God forsaken place.”

“I know it’s bad over there, but be more specific.” Ken asked.

“Terrorists!” The man said quietly, “They run everything over there, especially along the border. And you, my American friends, are in great peril if you go into Iran.”

“Will you help us anyway?” Ken said looking the man directly into his eyes.

“Yes, only because the money is good!” The man said smiling. “But you must do exactly as I ask of you, or Ali will get his revenge on your souls!”

“Well, my friend, I know why you are called the Tiger!” Ken smiled.

“Yes, the Tiger, but more importantly, Mr. Lucky, I am called the ‘Lucky’ Tiger, let us pray my luck holds out.”

That night they saddled their mules, each one quietly learning to tie diamond hitches to hold the 60 plus pounds of gear each donkey they intend to pull along with them. The animals were stubborn and smelly, but strong and sure-footed. In the mountains they would be expert climbers, sure-footed, strong, and even if they were ill tempered they were preferred over horses or camels.

“Camels are better.” Hussein quipped, “but camels are branded. Did you know that all camels belong to someone?”

“Really?” Lara mused. “I didn’t know that.”

“Yes, Ms Lara, they are all branded, and by that brand can be traced back to a country, a tribe, even an owner. We will use these Donkeys, they are stolen and unmarked.”

Lara let out a small laugh, “Here I am, a horse thief!”

The four dressed in white serapes from head to foot, and Lara covered her face, just like Hussein had instructed them. Tucking in their head coverings, they headed east along a small trail, up into the mountains of eastern Turkey.

            Bernard von Eckhard sat in front of a computer clicking away at the mouse. Various windows appeared all saying the same thing, “The String Theory”. He minimized the windows leave one. He leaned back in the chair and began to read what the web page said.

String Theory and its relationship to Quantum Mechanics

    The String Theory is a mathematical equation developed about 200 years ago and carried out to its fruition by modern to study the fundamental building blocks of everything. In the String Theory they have found 10 dimensions, rather than the 4 we are accustomed to. They even found one more to make 11 dimensions. The theory suggests that there are three copies of every particle organized into “families”, the only difference between these particles is their mass.

    These strings which can be opened like a cut rubber band or closed like a rubber band, can appear as an electron

Chapter 8

Leading their donkeys along a path from the hostel to a back road, Indy pointed over to a large outcropping of rock.

“That’s called the Rock of the Van, I wish I had time to just meander through those ancient walls.”

“Me too, Indy, those ancient walls were built around some ancient funeral monuments. I think they date back to the Kingdom of Uratu.” Lara said as she yanked her donkey along the narrow street. “Probably a thousand years before Christ.” She stared up at the large fortress walls as they slipped by.

“Ken, I thought this was a small place.” Indy shouted back towards Ken bringing up the rear of the column. “I’ve seen nothing but cars and trucks on the local highway, quite the busy place.”

“Ah yes, my friend,” butted in Hussein, “Van is an ancient city, but has a population of almost a half million people.” He paused for a bit. “It’s easiest to get to Iran by car, but this way you will most certainly slip into Iran unnoticed. It’s most curious you came into Van by boat, certainly you could have gotten here sooner had you flown in by jet. Are you trying to throw someone off your trail? If so, why would you have checked into the local Hostel.”

Ken started to reply, but let it drop. Sometimes it was best not to substantiate anything, just let it go.

Winding their way out of the city of Van, Hussein was taking all the back roads, the less traveled way. Some streets were paved, others dirt, but they all ran through the rougher side of town. As they passed by several homes painted a soft desert sand color, trimmed in blues and greens, Lara noticed a large white cat. She stopped to talk briefly with the animal.

“Hi sweetie.” she said softly, the cat didn’t run or move but yawned and stretched. Lara stepped closer to the cat, its pure white coat seemed to shimmer in the glare of the sun.

“Indy, this cat has one blue eye and one amber eye?!” Lara said as she knelt down to rub the cat between its ears. “Most unusual!”

Hussein laughed quietly, “Ms. Croft, that is the famous Van cat. They are very beautiful and they are dwindling in numbers.” He waved his hand back towards the city. “You cannot export these cats anymore, I’m afraid some day you will see the last of them, like many of Ali’s marvels, they dwindle away at the cost of civilization.”

Lara spent a few more minutes scratching the cat that was now purring, and rolled over to have its tummy scratched.

“Awwww.” Lara said in a soft voice.

“Come on, Lara.” Indy said impatiently, “It’s just a cat.”

“Yep, Indy, I’m no cat lover, but I have to admit it, that’s one beautiful animal.” laughed Ken.

Lara said her goodbyes and stood up and turned. The cat transfixed it’s blue and amber eyes upon her, yawning as it stretched then went back to sleep.

Hussein eventually took them out into a large plain that faced snow capped mountains off to the North and East. Sticking close to the northeastern side of Lake Van, they eventually made their way into the foothills of the mountains north of Van. Walking their donkeys up a steep trail that stretched upwards for miles, they eventually reached the snow-covered summit. It was cold, yet bearable. Snow in the summer time was like that.

They stopped for fresh water, runoff from the snow. Ken drew the water up into large bags using a small hand pump that filtered out a lot of the impurities, and then he added several iodine tablets to each goatskin of water.

“Wait an hour or so before you drink this, you know cold water takes longer to kill bacteria.” Ken said giving everyone their goatskin of water.

Hussein smiled and took a large deep swig of untreated water. “My friend, to me this is the sweetest water around.” He smiled as he cinched the goatskin to his donkey.

Later in the evening they were finally headed down the other side of the mountain, into a large open range between two mountains. A small road could be seen slithering through the canyon below, running from the west to the east, towards Iran. No traffic was noticeable on this highway, which stretched eastward towards a massive mountain range.

“Will we follow that road into those mountains?” Ken said pointing eastward.

Hussein laughed, “Yes, Mr. Luckhardt, this road goes up into some ancient Turkish Tribal areas, and eventually to a few trade routes used by drug dealers. It will be perilous for all of us. As we get closer I will instruct you on how to behave, but do not talk, do not utter a word when we talk to strangers.”

His warning caused all three to shift uneasily in their saddles, as the donkeys continued to wind downhill to the valley floor below.

It was dark when they began to pitch camp. Hussein had instructed them on how to unroll and erect a Bedouin tent. All four climbed inside the structure, but Hussein insisted that Lara sleep by herself in one corner of the tent, reluctantly, she did as she was told. Muttering to herself, she unrolled her bedroll and climbed in. Exhausted they all fell asleep within minutes.

As the early dawn began it’s ghostly pall, Ken woke. He poked Indy, who in turn threw his pillow at Lara.

“Time to get up, princess.” He spoke softly.

Hussein was up instantly and they all began rolling up their bags and striking camp.

“We don’t want to be caught off guard by those that run drugs through this area, or by the Turkish police. We must move smartly along.” Hussein said hurriedly as he began to strike the tent.

Within minutes the donkeys were fed and loaded for the journey towards Iran. Soon the sun lit the valley, even though the large mountain range kept the orange ball from shining directly down on them until mid morning. They stopped once at a small village to buy provisions and to draw water. Trying to be inconspicuous, they felt like they were on stage. But Hussein handled everything expertly and soon they were on their way towards the frontier between Turkey and Iran.

“How did you handle that Hussein, how did you get them to mind their own business?” Indy quipped.

“I told them that my son had just married his betrothed and we were transporting her diary back to our home tribe.”

Lara laughed through her veil, “Now I’ve heard everything, so who did I marry, Ken or Indy?”

Hussein grinned, “Why of course the better looking one!” He said no more.

This was driving Indy crazy with jealousy. “What do you mean the better looking one? Me or that stupid old man over there!” He scowled softly, pointing at Ken.

Hussein only smiled and kept plodding along.

A Turkish helicopter flew low overhead, but the foursome kept pace along the trail.

“Don’t be alarmed.” Hussein said dryly, “It’s customary for them to fly this route. Since we are so lightly loaded down, and because we are traveling by day, they will most likely leave us alone. There are bigger fish to catch.”

“Yeah, lets hope they don’t decide to take us out with a mini gun.” quipped Indy.

The helicopter zoomed overhead once more and Lara waved at them as they flew by. The mustached Turkish soldier sitting door gunner waved back and the helicopter went west towards Van.

Eventually they reached the foothills of the Turkish frontier. The road had long since become disjointed paths, hundreds of them, meandering towards the massive mountain. Hussein led them to a small ravine and here they pitched their tent. The sun was now long gone and the night air was chilling. Lara shivered as she unrolled her bedroll in the ascribed corner. Ken noticed Hussein quietly unrolling his bedroll and had pulled off his sandals.

“Hussein, why are you helping us?” Ken asked.

“The money is good.” He said as he stretched out.

“Yes, the money is good, but really, why? I mean, we are Americans and I thought all Muslims disliked Americans.”

Hussein was quiet for a short time then he said quietly, “I help you because of the Turkish Mafia, you know they control the drug trade throughout Turkey.”

“Yeah, I have heard that before.” stated Ken, “But why help us?”

“There is a war in Turkey, they call it the ‘Darkness of a Thousand Operations’ I call it massacres. My village was destroyed and burned down because it didn’t cooperate in the Turkish Mafia’s drug trade. It’s difficult to know friend from foe here.” He was quiet.

“Really, what happened in your village? I mean, what’s become of the people?” Lara asked quietly.

“Our village was forcibly evacuated, and then burned down. It is impossible to know exactly who it was, but we suspect it was the mafia and those from the police forces that are evil, members of gangs probably. It was horrible. Those that were forced to leave were interrogated, some tortured, some murdered. I escaped, but my family is lost.” He was quiet again, and then he said in a murmur “I live in a swamp of insecurity, I have no home now, no family, nothing of honor. When I was approached to help you, I asked who you were and as it was explained to me, you are seeking some valuable information in Iran that can be used for good. I am lost in a country running amok in gang killings and torture, I only seek two things of which you have.” He paused.

“What’s that Hussein?” Indy asked.

“I want Freedom, Justice and equal rights, I want my Freedom and Democracy!” Hussein rolled over on his side. “You have no concept of living in a place where people disappear, villages are burned or abandoned to poverty and disease. It is my duty to help those that are trying to do good. Just remember,” he yawned, “if we cross paths with anyone here, it is probably druggies moving drugs. Act uninterested, do not overreact or act irrationally, let me do the talking.” With that he became quiet.

In a campsite no more than 10 miles from where Lara and her friends were Bernard von Eckhard and his men planned their attack. With the Turkish Mafia on his side getting in and out of Iran would be a piece of cake. His only problem was Lara Croft and her friends.

“I received an insight from the Turkish military that one of their patrol choppers spotted four Turkish tribes members moving eastward towards Iran. They said their appeared to be three men and one woman.” Eckhard said as he stood at one edge of the table where a large map covering both Turkey and Iran laid. “That was precisely ten hours ago.”

“And your point is?” A Turkish man said, eying Eckhard.

“My point is those were no ordinary Turks, it was Croft and her idiot friends. They are ten miles behind us, maybe more or less depending on whether or not they’ve set up camp.” Eckhard said dryly.

“Who is the fourth man?” Another Turkish man asked.

“I believe their guide. They intend on taking this passage through the mountains of Turkey into Iran.” Eckhard said running his right index finger along the path Lara and her friends were to take. “Our best bet is to......”

“Stop them in their tracks.” The first Turk cut Eckhard off. “We can set up an ambush right here.”

Eckhart narrowed his eyes as he looked at the spot where the man had pointed.

“There’s excellent covering here. If we set up a group of my best men here Croft and her boys will be trapped.”

“And what if they take a different route?” The other Turk quipped.

“Then will set up another ambush here.” Eckhard said pointing to another passage. “But this is what I want you guys to do. I don’t want them dead. Injure them if you must but I want them alive. They are the only ones that can get us to the Oracles. Understand?”

The group of men nodded as they loaded their guns.

Early that morning Lara, Indy, Ken, and Hussein were awakened by shouts and screams in Turkish, the four stood up shakily.

Hussein spoke quickly in Arabic. “What is it you want, we have no money, just food and water.”

The man looked at his partner, and spoke in Arabic. “Abdullah, do you believe this toad?” He laughed out loud.

Abdullah shook his head from side to side, “No, Mehmet, I do not believe this toad is innocent.”

The four stood motionless in the dark as Abdullah pushed aside Hussein with his AK 50, and moved towards Lara. A big grin came on his face, but was soon changed to a grimace as Lara planted a foot between his legs. Hussein quickly knelt down and in an instant underhanded a knife into Mehmet’s chest. Mehmet let out a cry as he fell forward.

Abdullah tried to raise his weapon, but Indy quickly dispatched him with a chop to the neck, and then grabbing and twisting his neck, breaking it instantly.

“Quick, lets leave this area and be on our way.” Hussein said hurriedly.

Soon they were packed and the bodies were covered in stones. The early morning chill was still in the air when Hussein drove off the pair’s horses. “They will soon be discovered.” he said, “We need to be over this mountain ridge in order to survive!”

“Drug dealers?” asked Lara.

“I’m not sure if they are drug dealers or secret police, or mafia, it’s all the same in this part of the world. Those that have the bigger stick win here!” huffed Hussein.

“Well,” mused Indy, “those two will be maggot bait in a couple of hours, they won’t be hurting anyone now.”

In the long shadows of the setting moon, Hussein led the trio up the mountain trails into the snow-capped peaks. Hussein let something slip that bothered Ken, “Ali will bless all revolutionaries.”

Ken thought for a moment, we’re in the hands of a member of the DHKP-C, the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party and Front – Communists. Necessity was the mother of invention and she had put together a weird combination of capitalists and communists fighting evil? It made his head hurt. Well, with enough money, anyone could become a real capitalist. Regardless, Ken would now have to watch this short, balding man, ‘The Tiger’, a little closer. They were in deep trouble now, and there was no way out.

Chapter 9

             "Asalam Aliakoom" Al Habib Suleyman sat down on a large cushion and leaned back against the cool wall in the cavern. “Vishtaspa, what’s the latest gossip.” He said as he sipped a brew of hot tea and cream.

“Excellency, they are near, probably within two or three days. Our spies also fear that evil is even nearer!” Vishtaspa replied.

             “Ah, yes, what’s his name, Von Eckhardt?” Habib stared into space, then finally finished, “It’s God’s will, Vishtaspa. Remember the amesha spenta has warned us that good and evil are coming. I’m afraid we must prepare for this great struggle.”

             Vishtaspa hung his head quietly, was this the end of life as he knew it? His life as a monk serving his Excellency and studying Zarathustra divinity of wisdom? Men were so evil!

“No, Vishtaspa, not all men are always evil. Remember your studies, that there are three great characteristics of wisdom; a good spirit, a good mind, and doing what is right. Certainly the good forces following evil will counteract evil!”

             “Not since the horned devil has such a plague came upon us.” replied Vishtaspa. “Alexander the Great? Perhaps, but sometimes we are not given the ability to choose. We cannot choose our parents, nor where we will be born, and we cannot choose where we will die, Vishtaspa, but between birth and death we can choose. We will choose to help good. Make the Oracles are hidden so they cannot be found without our lives being spared.”

             Vishtaspa bowed slightly and left the cavern to make sure the Oracles were put in a safe place. He put his hands on the cool tablet with the strange language of the Gatha inscribed upon them. Hardly anyone knew the dead language anymore. Luckily, he and about a dozen other monks had studied it all their natural born days, since they were little boys, yes perhaps when they were just toddlers. He turned and carried the tablet to its hiding place.

             Bernard von Eckhardt, was furious. He lost track of the foursome, where were they? Now they were into the mountain range and could be almost anywhere. Well, never mind, his expert on Zoroastrian Religion was guiding him to the right spot and he would just beat them to the Oracles, the Lunar Sphere. A place where time had no meaning, the ability to travel back and forth thru time, only the knowledge in the Oracles could destroy such a power. He planned on using the Oracles to open the time string in the Lunar Sphere so he could travel back in time to rearrange the past to alter his near future. He knew Lara Croft had the ability to finish him off, he couldn’t allow it, he won’t allow it. He planned on going back and killing her before she ever became a Tomb Raider, leaving him to obtain the artifacts she had stopped him from obtaining before.

Eckhardt smirked, “Now I can finally be done with that wretch.”

             Ali Sadr Caves were about 100 kilometers north of Hamadan. Eckhardt was now on the Iranian side of the mountain range and making his way down towards the western side of lake Urmia. He calculated that they were about two hundred kilometers from the caverns. He had a good guide, a small, trustworthy force of cutthroat druggies; he would win this race and then destroy Lara Croft for good.

             The caverns had been the home of the secretive Zoroastrian Monk community for thousands of years, but had been discovered about forty years ago by a local shepherd looking for a lost goat. Unfortunately, the lost goat opened up tourism to a well-kept secret for thousands of years. The Iranian Government was using it as a tourist trap, but many rich foreigners shied away from Iran.

             Ken knew it would be Communists that he would have to deal with, it truly didn’t come as a complete surprise. Perhaps the Tiger would be loyal after all, only time would tell.

“What’s on your mind Ken, your looking way off into space.” Lara mused. “Nothing, I’m just thinking ahead. We’re going down into the Naxcivan valley and then south along lake Urmia.” He paused, “I’m sure that Eckhardt is ahead of us. I’m almost positive those two maggots were sent to do us harm by that maniac.”

“Not necessarily harm us, he probably wanted us alive, for whatever evil purpose he has. What do you think will happen when he gets to the caverns before us?” She looked at him sheepishly.

             Ken smiled, “Well, he’s got to find the Zoroastrians, I mean that place is so big that it contains several large lakes underground. And the lakes are deep, it’s so remote that even bats don’t live there!”

 “Really?” replied Indy, now more interested in the conversation. “Why is that?”

“I don’t know why, but bats don’t live in the cave and there are no living creatures in the water. Sort of a really sterile place for the most holy thing to be stored, the Chaldaean Oracles.”

             Indy whistled, and shook his head, “Ken, I have to hand it to you, it sounds like quite the adventure ahead of us.”

Ken smiled.

             That night Hussein pitched camp alongside lake Urmia, he figured that his enemies were about a days march ahead of them.

“We should be safe tonight.” He huffed as he unloaded the tent of the little donkey.

“Regardless, ‘Tiger’, I think we’ll take turns sitting up on watch tonight.” shot back Indy.

Hussein didn’t argue.

             The morning air sent a shiver down Lara’s back. It’s always chilly up here in the morning, she thought, then it gets hot and dusty. What a place, she surmised as she carried her backpack to the donkey. Indy smiled faintly as he walked over to her putting his jacket over her shoulders.

“Here.” He said softly.

“Thanks. You know, I’m a bit worried.” Lara said faintly.

“I don’t blame you. I figured the Oracles and the Lunar Sphere were just artifacts to be put in a museum, but time travel? That’s one thing I don’t want to take my chances with. I mean having the ability to go back to a certain point in time and having the power to alter it all, that’s a scary thought.” Indy said, his tone soft.

“Yes, and knowing Eckhardt is ahead of us, I’m worried. What if he finds the Oracles, what if he goes back and alters the past to change our future in order for him to win. I don’t like this, I don’t like this at all.” Lara quipped.

“Well, don’t worry yourself too much, sweetheart.” Indy said as he looked into her deep brown eyes for a moment.

“I won’t.” She said softly.

“You know, it seems every time we’re together we never seem to get a break.” He whispered.

“That’s because we’re working, Indy, that’s the only time we see each other, is when we need to find an artifact or a lost city, that’s our job.” Lara mused.

“Exactly.” Indy said, hushed.

“What are you trying to say, Indy?” Lara looked into his eyes.

“I don’t know.” He sighed.

“Look, I’m not going to move to New Jersey and become your assistant and you’re not going to move to London and become mine. Archaeology is the only thing that let’s us see each other. When an artifact needs to be found we either go after it alone or together, and that’s the way it is.” Lara said giving him his jacket back.

Indy made a faint unnoticeable frown. “That hurts, Lara. I’m sorry you feel that way.” He turned walking back towards the tent.

Lara looked down for a moment. “Indy, wait.”

Indy glanced back at her as she walked towards him.

“Don’t worry about it, Croft. I can’t help it I’ve fallen for you and I honestly don’t expect you to feel the same, I actually don’t blame you.” He quipped. “I’m sure you have feelings for some one else, but hey that’s ok, Ken is a great guy.”

Lara giggled. “Indy, what are you talking about?”

“Oh come on, I see how you two look at each other. I use to think that maybe you felt that way about me but after that comment I think maybe you’ve been leading me on.” Indy retorted.

“Indiana Jones, you are adorable.” Lara laughed. “You think Ken and I are in love? We’re friends, Indy, yes he does like to look at me as more than that but he knows that our relationship is different and very special. Neither of us would change that for anything.”

“And what about me?” Indy raised one brow, slightly.

Lara smiled. “I can’t stand you, but still think that you’re the only man I could ever possibly fall for.”

Indy made a weak crooked grin. “Why do you do that?”

“Do what?” She smiled titling up the front of his fedora.

“Twirl me around in circles like that.” He gently wrapped his arms around her.

She giggled slightly. “Because I like to watch you spin.”

He smiled as he kissed her softly.

Ken peered out of the tent seeing the two. He frowned faintly then went back to packing his bag.

“She loves him very much.” Hussein museed.

“I know. He loves her too.” Ken murmured.

“Yes, but you also love her.” Hussein quipped. “Such a miserable thing is it not? Seeing the woman you care for in the arms of another man? A long time ago when I first knew my wife I was in love with her since the day I met her but she was in love with my friend. My heart ached for several years until I met her again, my friend had been killed and she turned to me for help. Soon she found herself realizing that she had loved me all along.”

Ken looked over at the man, not speaking.

“Well, no matter, we should get going soon.” Hussein said, leaving the tent.

             Lake Urima stretched like a question mark along the western border of Iran and Turkey, with its most southern edge bordering Iraq. In this lawless area drug lords transshipped tons of heroin to Europe. In spite of Iranian efforts to stop these shipments, the drug lords were getting rich from the killing powder. The largest city, Tabriz, was on a river tributary east of lake Urima. Hussein had calculated that they would skirt around the city of Orumiyeh by sticking close to the mountain range between Turkey and Iran, leading into a large valley where the Ali Sadr Caves, a remarkable cavern system, sat quietly in the Iranian sun.

             Eckhardt pushed his horse towards the valley below. Stretching out before him was an oasis stuck in the middle of a rock-strewn valley. Hills of rock, red rocks, brown slate, and black mounds of boulders dotted the valley floor. A hodgepodge of rock and boulders created a beautiful landscape in spite of its lack of vegetation. Ahead was an oasis with narrow palms reaching for the sky, looking comical as they protruded upwards from the floor of the valley.

             Small hedges lined narrow streets as he wandered into the small city of Ali Sadr village. Women wearing traditional black berkas and veils went about their business without staring at the foreigners. They were use to Europeans invading their little village, this was just another nuisance visit, and “Spend your money and go” was the way of life here.

            Eckhardt dismounted and followed his guide to a small hostel, painted all white with green trim; he entered and secured himself a room for the night. An Iranian policeman eyed them candidly, but didn’t bother the tourists. He gave them a look of disdain and left to patrol the small dusty streets. Eckhardt’s entourage finished checking in and retired to their rooms for a bath and quick rest.