THE HAUNTING PAST THE SIDE BAR TRIPS

THE HAUNTING PAST THE SIDE-BAR TRIP Sure enough, that was SUPPOSED to be the plan. Once Tami and I departed the Egyptian artifact case (while leaving behind a HEATED debate, over whether Christians, or "heathens", had sailed, to the America's, first). To hear Mr. Brown say it, it was a "mere" one hundred miles, off of our projected course, to pick up the package. At this time, Tami and I were, still, growing accustomed to how quiet Ghost Ship Two's engines were. This "bird" was so sleek that it seemed that "she" just skimmed through the air. During the flight, Tami went through her personal e-mail, learning that her mother remained hopeful that Tami and I would begin dating, in the near future (if not, already). By contrast, since I had no one I was, really, close to, I spent my time reviewing footage, of the raging debate (with headphones, ofcourse). It would seem that most of those people, who were opposed to the concept, of pre-Columbian, Trans-Atlantic, travel, were the people who were saying "So what?! So you have a boat, and a few writings. WHERE is the REST of your supporting evidence?" When proponents countered this with "I do believe that, even if we produced a pyramid, you would maintain the position of "WHERES your proof?" Opponents maintained that the finding was "false", since there was no other, obvious evidence, of Egyptian life, in the America's. One opponent even said "So, you have a boat, and some scrolls. WHERE is the REST of your proof? Show me pots, dishes, cups, etc. If you want me to believe, show me an Egyptian village, located on American soil". The only part I found truly funny was when an opponent was challenged with "WHY was Columbus believed, when he said he had sailed around the world? Why didn't skeptics, at that time, say "WHERE is your proof?" On-board Ghost Ship Two, I had to switch the connection off. It was the same old debate, which had RAGED, for CENTURIES. While Christians believed that saying "ON my faith, as a good Christian..." was all the "proof" they needed, these same people insisted that all opponents, to the Christian view, of life, were required to provide in-disputable PROOF. Opponents did this, knowing, full well, that such "proof" would be nearly impossible to find, especially after the passage of tens of thousands of years. Yet, while some opponents were asking "How do you Christians know, for a fact, that the Garden of Eden actually existed? Where is your PROOF? What are the coordinates, of the garden?" The religious were silent. Like I said, the same old debate. Fortunately, by the time I tuned out, of the debate, and Tami closed her family e-mail, Ghost Ship Two had clearance for landing, and for pick-up, of our package. I wil, never, cease to be amazed at how soft, and quiet, modern aircraft are, upon landing. For example: With G.S. 2, during either take-off, or landing, Tami and I, hardly felt a thing. Then, there was that "Ground Speed Sensor" thing, which, when our landing gear deployed, the sensor rotated the wheels, just fast enough to avoid the old fashioned screech, of tires touching pavement. With Ghost Ship Two, the landing was pure silence, even as the tires touched the runway. After a short "taxi", G.S.2 stopped in front of a hangar, where we would await the arrival of this "package", which we were to pick up. Although the instructions were for the package to be waiting for us, about fifteen minutes passed, prior to the packages arrival. This is why the pilots shut down the engines. To conserve fuel. It would be two HOURS, after arrival, the package would be hand-delivered, by a carrier, who seemed in an awful rush. When we accepted the package, Tami, barely, had time to put pen to the form, registering receipt, of the package, when the messenger rushed away, saying "Thats good enough". When Tami and I took the package inside the plane, and strapped it down, then tried the intercom, informing the pilots that we were ready for lift-off, yet there was no answer. In fact, first Tami, then myself, noticed that none, of the stand-by indicators were lit. When Tami and I walked to the bridge, we found the pilots cross-checking every system. When we asked "Whats going on?" The pilots would say "Total power loss. We are trying to locate the source, right now" When the co-pilot would say "I just dont understand it. Everything was fine, when we landed. Why wont the girl work, now?" When the local air national guard brought out some batteries, to "jump-start" G.S. 2, the techs promised that the batteries were "fully charged", before the leads were connected to our plane. Within moments, though, the batteries went dead, right after the leads were connected to G.S.2. When Tami and I pondered this, for a moment, considering the events, which lead up to the power loss, Tami would say "Nothing has changed, since we landed. Everything remains in place". When I asked "Are you sure?" Tami would say "The only thing, which is "different" is that the package is, now, on-board". When I would look at her, and Tami would say "You dont think..." I would say "Lets try it, and see what happens". When Tami and I, together, lifted the package, and walked out of Ghost Ship Two, we noticed that the package seemed heavier than it had been, when we took it into the plane. The question was "HOW could that be?" When we labored to carry the package behind a nearby shack, and sat the package on the ground, then strolled back, to Ghost Ship Two, we would be surprised when, moments after our arrival, at the plane, the power was restored, and the systems began re-booting. When we contacted the pilots, via the comm, both men said "I dont understand. We lost ALL power, yet for no visible reason.. Now, power is restored. The Air Force Chief of Staff is NOT going to like this report". When Tami asked me "You dont think?" and I would ask the pilots "Mind if we try something?" The pilots would say "Why not? This is YOUR plane". When Tami and I departed the plane, and walked behind the shack, to retrieve the package, we found it odd that the package was, now, light enough for Tami to carry, on her own. With a baffling look, between us, Tami and I returned the package, to Ghost Ship Two. Shortly after entry, though, when Tami placed the package on top of our scanner table, the plane, suddenly, lost all power, again. A moment later, Tami asked me "Do you feel that?" I wasn't sure WHAT I was feeling, but our pilot, soon, let out a curse, loud enough to be heard throughout the plane as he said "Not again". This, even as the co-pilot would say "Nothing wrong, here". When Tami and I went to pick up the package, Tami noticed the increased weight, even as she asked me to help her carry the package. (Again, the package seemed much heavier, coming out of the plane.) This time, Tami suggested that we simply place the package on the ground, at the edge of the tarmac. Shortly after setting the heavy package down, and returning to the plane, we watched as, again, the systems re-booted. When the pilot came to us, asking "What is that thing?" Tami would say "I dont know, but its just too dangerous to fly, with it on-board the plane." When Tami contacted the Brown Agency, via comm-link, and reported on recent events, Mr. Brown, Mr. Blue, and Mr. Black, all agreed that ground transportation would be safest, for whatever this thing was. Tami would add the suggestion, of an armoured car. Preferrably a model from the age before electronic fuel injection. (No one was surprised by the agency request, that we remain on-site, until the armoured car arrived). Though we MIGHT have expected a Pinkerton's truck, we would be surprised when a medical equipment truck, designated for nuclear material, drove up, to the plane, later, and the driver gave us the code word, which the agency had told us to expect. When Tami asked the truck driver "Why a medical vehicle?" The driver said "Lead lined walls. It is about as "easy" to drive, as a tank, however, the lead lining SHOULD contain your package." When Tami and I carried the package, to the trucks rear doors, we realized the reason why the truck was so massive. This truck had walls thick enough to shield contents from a nuclear blast. After the package was locked, behind the lead walls, the driver signed off, on receipt, saying "Give me 48-72 hours, for travel time. This "thing" has all of the "pick up" of a turtle". All Tami and I cared about was returning to base, and HOPING that our next case would be a regular, ghost, case. Back, at the Brown Agency, Tami and I noticed that we were not the only agents being recruited, to study the package. It would seem that Mr. Blacks entire tech department was on-hand, as well as Mr. Blues entire team. Although a tech, in a bomb squad suit, was able to open the package, and show us the interior, of the package, no-sooner did we see something, which no one, present, recognized, but, moments after the package was opened, all the power went out. And not just in the lab, either. It seems that the entire building lost power. When Mr. Black gave the tech the hand signal, for "close it", and the tech closed the package, everyone, present, was amazed when, just about three minutes, AFTER the lid was closed, the buildings power came back on-line (In a repeat of what had happened to G.S.2.) When Mr. Brown asked "Did the client happpen to mention WHERE this thing came from?" The secretary would, only, say "The client reports that their children found the package, while playing, and outdoors, exploring." then added "We were contacted when, without warning, or reason, the clients home electricity ceased to function. The report says that the power was not restored, until the package was lugged, or dragged, out of the house, and into a nearby shed." When Tami asked "Did the shed happen to have a dirt floor?" The secretary would say "I have no idea, but I may inquire, of the contact." When Mr. Brown would ask those assembled "Any thoughts, or theories?" Mr. Black would say "An observation. Any time this "thing" is around electronics, or wiring, it would appear that it drains all energy, for its use. The only time it appears to be in-active is when, such as present, the "thing" is resting, on a pile of dirt" When Mr. Blue would ask "What about the delivery van? Why didn't it stall out?" Mr. Black would suggest "The package was contained within thick, lead, walls." When Mr. Brown cast a questioning look, Mr. Black would suggest "Lead is an Earth element. The truck, like the soil, in the observation room, are made of Earth elements. I would suggest that Earth elements cause that "thing" to either "power down", or dissipate its power". When Mr. Brown would ask "Proof?" Mr. Black would instruct the tech, in the bomb suit, "While leaving the package in the pile of dirt, open the cover, for just a moment". To everyones surprise, the contents were dark, as though powered down. When Mr. Brown would say "Analysis?" Mr. Black would say "We do not dare use our equipment, on the object. I suggest filing off samples, to place under examination". When the samples were taken, the tech, inside the lab, would report the faintest glow, eminating from within the package. Similar to friction, trying to power the device up. Just as everyone feared, though, the filings did not match any minerals, or metals, found on Earth. When Mr. Blacks team was left to ponder the "thing", Tami and I would be asked to review what Mr. Brown called "Something similar to the Hatfields and McCoys". Mr. Brown provided us with the case file, and a conference room, in which to examine the file. Tami and I agreed on one thing, atleast. Since the file stated that two, seperate, groups, of spirits, were "shooting" at one another, and that, spectral or not, each gun-shot was leaving a very REAL mark, in the landscape, Tami and I were willing to leave this case to others. As Tami and I agreed "Its bad enough being attacked, by the unknown, but bullets?" When Tami asked Mr. Brown "Just WHERE would REAL spirits find live ammunition?" Mr. Brown would, only, say "One, of many, questions". Questions, we didn't mind. Conversing with the deceased? We were okay with that. Chasing, and being chased by, "monsters"? We could live with that. Being shot to death? Not high on either of our priority's lists. While waiting for a non-lethal case to come along, Tami and I did agree to investigate the case of a woman, in a trailer park, who claimed she was being sexually asaulted, by an "un-seen force". The file claimed that the only thing the woman knew, about her attacker, was that it was a male. What the file DID contain was the caution "Subject has a LONG history, of substance abuse". When Tami and I visited the area, where the woman lived, in the hope of finding something "concrete", concerning all that we had learned, from both police, and the womans neighbors, about the only thing Tami and I learned was that the woman was NO "reformed" addict. It would seem that everyone Tami and I spoke with, said it was easy to tell when the woman was "using". As far as to how the intruder gained access, to the trailer, without breaking in, again, there was mutual agreement, among the community, that the woman was, often, so stoned that she did not even remember to close, or lock, her trailer door. After being cautioned, by the womans neighbors, Tami and I entered the womans trailer. Tami's concern was that the neighbors were correct. The woman did not even remember to lock her door. As for the interior, of the trailer, Tami and I were not surpised, at what we found. Just as locals had said, the woman was "too far gone", to care. Tami and I could only stand the interior, of the trailer, for a few moments, before we felt the urge to leave. As we departed the trailer, the lot owner said "Told you. Thats why Im puttin her out. Her electric has not been on, in months, and I dont even think that woman has had a real bath, in months. With this information in hand, Tami and I began our stake-out. Thankfully, it was not long before the facts of the case, came to "light". Maybe, the woman did not take actual showers, however, she did "borrow" a neighbors garden hose, and what looked like laundry soap, to shower with. Tami was not surprised when several, local, boys, stopped by, to watch the woman "bathe". After the woman was "clean", she snatched some clothes, from a laundry line, in another yard, then left the area, just before a patrol car stopped by. When the woman returned to her trailer, later that evening, Tami agreed that, as stoned as the woman, obviously, was, an attacker could chop the woman to pieces, long before she realized she was being attacked, and murdered. It was, maybe, an hour, after the womans return, to her trailer, that a man, in a suit, and overcoat, stopped by the womans trailer. When Tami and I crept close enough, to hear what was going on, we found out where the "light show", and "ghost" really came from. The woman was so far out-of-touch, with reality, that, once her "guest" got un-dressed, all he had to do was whisper the suggestion "Look at all the sparkling lights", into the womans ear. While the "action" was going on, Tami and I recorded enough, of the "proceedings", to make sure that the man, whomever he was, could be convicted. After all of this, I had to embrace Tami, for a moment, as she shivered at the thought of "She is so far gone, she would have believed him if he said "I am God"" Shortly after Tami and I made our preliminary report, to the local police, and a police cruiser, and an ambulance, were sent, to the trailer, the paramedics verified that everyone was too late. The woman was dead. While the police searched for physical evidence, of the cause of death, Tami and I found it, in some video, from a camera we had planted (as a precaution). It seems that the man, in an effort to save himself, had not only gotten the woman stoned, again, but, this time, he "put her out", permanently. Neither Tami, nor I, could believe that the man could kill just by saying "Look at the shining gates. Paradise lies beyond. An eternity of peace. Why not walk inside". After the woman had exhaled her final breath, and the man made sure her pulse was gone, he whispered something I wont repeat, in this report. When we reported in, to the Brown Agency, staff confirmed that this kind of death is called "hypnotic suggestion", while Tami had an even simpler name, for the process: Murder. The problem was that, with no weapon, or visible struggle, there was nothing to tie the man, a corporate administrator, to the crime. He would walk away, without so much as an interview. Now that the woman was dead, the lot owner would have the womans trailer towed away. By the time Tami managed to trace the lot rent payments, through various front companies, the executive would have placed enough "protection", around himself, that the law could not touch him. Add to this that there was no evidence, of "foul play", and the corporation could not be charged, either. Tami did make note, for the file, that the last time anyone saw the executive, he had boarded a corporate jet, flew a few hundred miles, then landed, switched to a private car. The man was clever enough NOT to even use a modern car, either. As for his victim, the woman, it seems that her family was so ashamed, of her, that the family had cut all ties, with the woman, years ago. And it was no wonder. A fine family, of Southern Baptists. Fine homes, cars, private school educations, proper community involvement. True preparation for up-and-coming leaders. The womans mother would tell Tami and I "From childhood, that girl seemed to hate everything this family stood for. She wasted so much time, away from home. After she ended up, in a homeless shelter, twice, we realized there was little which could be done. Every time she was dragged into detox, the process involved triple the normal time, Finally, we just had to give up on her. We had the full support, of the church, and the community, when we abandoned her, to live her own life. As our preacher said "A parent can only do so much, for a child. After that, the child must be set free". Still, despite the fact that the woman had made her own choices, and decisions, her mother seemed full of remorse, even asked she asked Tami "You are a woman. WHAT more could I have done, for my baby girl?" Tami would suggest that the woman focus on her remaining, adult, children. Those, who had turned out, as planned. When the womans other daughter joined us, saying "Mother, you should come inside, now." Then telling Tami and I "We thank you for the news". (Even the young womans eyes were full of remorse). Maybe the family did not wear their feelings on their sleeves, but their eyes spoke the "volumes" which their voices did not. As Tami and I departed the property, Tami would ask me "I wonder if my own family felt the same way, when I went my own way?" I would only say "Based upon the way the family has accepted you, back, I would say your family thinks a LOT of you" Tami would add "If only my mother would stop trying to marry me off." (Tami just hoped that I could not read her thoughts). Thankfully, by the time Tami and I concluded this case review, the Brown Agency had another case, for us. This would appear to be a case of disturbed remains, or relics. It would seem that a land survey, funded by a group, hoping to build a new casino, had turned up some pieces of clay pots, and a couple of sharpened stones. It would seem that, when the finds were sent in, for analysis, a group, of archeologists, appearred, on the construction site, and placed construction work on hold, while the area was being excavated. IF the contact information was correct, the "disturbances" started after what were reported as "pieces" of funeral gear, were excavated, and removed from the site, for analysis. Now, it seems that people, in VERY OLD clothing, were being sighted, around the dig. Tami's hope, for a simple "Visualize and Verify" went "out the window", when the report contained claims that some, of the "visitors", were actually asking workers questions. Questions such as "What are you doing here?" and "Why are you here?" Local police had started their own investigation, by checking costume rental stores, and fabric stores, to find out if anyone had rented costumes, or purchased material, with which to make costumes. Even the police investigation, of the internet, turned up "dry", for ORDERS of goods. When the police set up security, around the site, some of the patrol officers not only reported visuals, of the "visitors", but, in atleast two cases, "visitors" had gotten rough, with officers, while demanding to know "WHY are you disturbing my resting place?" Police were reporting that, in the seconds, between cuffing suspects, and opening cruiser doors, that hand-cuff's had fallen, loose, in officers hands. The "visitors" were nowhere to be seen. Since no one else WANTED to investigate the dig site, the file had landed at the Brown Agency, and its "Resident Ghost-Busters". Due to the fact that the contact file stated that the requested information was for Tami and I to find out if the "haunting" was "real", and, IF so, WHO was behind it, as well as the reason for the haunt. If the file was correct, the reason, for the haunt, would be obvious. Although local citizens had been petitioning local government, for many years, asking for factory jobs, the only money, which would be approved, for investment, would be for the construction of the latest resort. Something called an "Interplanetary" resort. According to a booklet, enclosed in the file, it would seem that the resorts restaurants, and guest rooms, were listed, in the designs, to be on the upper levels. Inside some kind of spheres, which would be constructed to resemble the planets, of this solar system. The main floors would be devoted, completely, and solely, to gambling. When Tami and I presented our primary report, Mr. Brown would say "I agree. WAY too much money going into the gambling, with NOTHING to show for it, in the local economy". On our flight, to the area, Tami expressed her concerns, especially over the "vanishing visitors". The people who, allegedly, escaped hand-cuffs. Tami wondered if these stories were a cover, for escaped prisoners, or if the stories were just fire-side tales. Something to give the site additional mystery, or even mystique? When Tami reviewed the law, concerning the filing of false police reports, and viewed the penalties, of same, she just could not see anyone, risking so much, just for fire-side stories. When Ghost Ship Two touched down, near the site, it would seem that we landed in the middle of what some would consider an "attack". While the archeologists were running for their lives, un-seen attackers were hurtling arrows into the air. Thankfully, our prototype ships designers had placed anti-radar, and anti-debris, covers, over the engines intakes. Our plane also had windows, which could withstand 88 milimeter rounds. What neither Tami nor I, nor even our pilots, could figure out was the reason why our infrared sensors were not tracking the body heat, from the attackers. Sure, our equipment was experimental, but our infrared had never failed, before. To view the scene, it was as if there was no one behind the arrows. This is why Tami and I agreed with the pilots. "Arrows do not shoot themselves. There MUST be someone out there". Since there were neither thermal, nor movements, to activate our automatic defenses, the pilots placed the guns under manual control, then deployed the cannons. When five arrows flew at the guns, our pilot, calmly, said "Lets see what happens when we fire back". It would seem that a three second burst, from our cannons, was all that was needed, to end the "attack". As to WHO the "attackers" were, even Tami and I stepped off the plane, expecting a "thank you", for ending the fight, only to receive a reprimand of "I hope you didn't destroy more, of the find". To everyones relief, our retired, air force, pilots were experienced enough to fire just above the "deck", leaving the site intact, while sending rounds crashing into the wall, of a creek, beyond. When the archeology team leader saw the results, and mentioned "I am impressed", the air force pilots would say "We aim to please". Yes, the air, around the dig site, was "charged", with energy, for a few minutes, no doubt with the residual velocity, of the cannon shells, however, aside from this, the site did not seem damaged. This is when Tami, myself, and our pilots, came forward, asking the team "What was that?" When the team leader would ask "What do you mean?" Our pilot spelled it out. "We had to fire our guns, manually, since there was no thermal, or motion, for our gunnery sensors, to lock onto". When the team leader would say "I really do not know WHAT you are talking about". Our pilot would ask "Arrows do not launch themselves. WHO was firing?" This question was met with silence. Instead, the team returned to its work, collecting, cleaning, and storing, the artifacts, even as Tami would point out "All of these household goods, which you are packing. Isn't that, alone, some sign of both intelligence, and community?" The team leader would respond "It might", then they went on, cataloging the finds. Tami knew something was wrong when, as a worker called "Take a look at this", and the team leader would bark at the workers "Stay at your stations!" Even to the un-trained eyes, of Tami and myself, the find was in beautiful condition. It was even decorated, with a painting. When the team leader dismissed the find, as if it was just junk, or, in the leaders words: "Oriental knock off", Tami took a closer look, and agreed with the site worker. The find WAS significant. When Tami and I returned to our plane, Tami ran a web-search, on the team leader. She wanted to know how the man could dis-regard such finds. According to the internet search, the man had a significant drug, and alcohol, problem. That is, atleast until a rich person met them, and dumped the man into detox. According to rumor/gossip, when the rich person found the man living in a one room place, the rich person had taken notice of how he had categorized everything, in his "world". The rich person realized that such a man could be of use, in the rich persons business. Since the rich person was into land development, and the man had a passion, for reading, the man had been supplied with enough textbooks, that the man never had time, to think about vice. In the time, since the mans release, from detox, it seems the rich person kept him busy, taking a staff from site to site, categorizing anything, which the rich person felt was "significant". It would seem, though, that the rich person had a CLEAR definition, of what "significant" meant. It meant financial value. The only finds, which the man would recognize, were those which would bring a profit, at auction. When Tami and I agreed, with the actual workers, of the team, on the issue that other finds deserved the same respect, as the "valuable" ones, and we offered to allow the team to use Ghost Ship Two, for temporary storage, of these finds, even I was, truly, amazed that the site leader made no objections. In fact, all he did, with what he found, was to clear enough soil, to expose potential value. In fact, the only two "finds" which the man officially, noted, were the golden knives, which were found, and which had gemstones mounted into their handles. What puzzled all of us was how the man kept silent, about the stone foundation, which was found in one section, of the site. The foundation was about nine inches below grade, yet it stood three feet tall, with squared corners, and the remains of a wooden door. I know it was, probably just imagination, however, I just felt weird, in the space. I felt like a person would feel when they were trespassing on another persons space, even as the team dug out the foundation. This, even as the teams generator failed, and computer batteries drained. When flashlights were tested, they, too, failed to operate. Then, there was the sound. A sound which the team leader insisted was "Just the wind". Still, the sound did resemble human moaning. Athough I am not certain of the exact connection, however, as the team leader told his workers "I want this thing cleaned, and documented, BY tonight. This way, it can be demolished, tomorrow morning." Within moments of this "address", a mist rose from the ground, and a body began to form. When the face formed, the "eyes", seemed to bore right through the team leader, who had been ordering workers back into the pit, even as the mist appearred. When a muscular, male, body, formed, from the mist, and a growl was emitted, the man laughed as he told the mist "Nice try. I have been around men, twice your size, and several times uglier. If they did not scare me, why should you?" While the other worker stood well away, the team leader climbed into the pit, and stood right in front of the "man". When the team leader crossed his arms, and announced "Whatcha gonna do?", seconds later, an arm, as strong as a tree, lifted the man into the air, and tossed him across the site, where he landed in a pile of bumps and bruises. When the "man" turned to the other workers, and even Tami and I THOUGHT we "heard" the "man" say "Out!", the workers scrambled out of the pit, even as my partner decided it was time she did her "thing". When Tami climbed into the pit, asking the "man" "Was this your home? Maybe your burial place?" When the "man" turned to Tami, eyes flashing a burning red color, Tami would remark "Very impressive, sir, however, I am wondering WHO you are, and WHY you are here". (I remain certain that Tami could calm an erupting volcano, just by talking to it). When the burning red eyes changed to a deep blue, Tami would remark "What beautiful, deep, blue eyes. May I see more?" The man seemed to consider this, then waived his hands, about the area, as if to say "This is all I have". When Tami asked "Would you like to meet, over by the black bird, over there?" (indicating Ghost Ship Two), the man bowed, then gestured "lead the way". The man DID "ask" Tami to have the diggers move elsewhere. He did not want his privacy disturbed, anymore than it already was. When Tami relayed the request, to the team, they seemed happy to comply. When the three of us reached G.S.2, the man showed us "images", of his life. Images of farming, when not off, soldiering. Images of building his wife her dream home, and of her raising their children. He showed images, of how he had built the "small" places, of stone, as his private place. It seems this was the place where his spirit rested. It was no wonder he did not want people disturbing the site. In another set, of images, the man showed his grown children, leaving home, then his wife, taken by illness. After her death, he had lost the will to live. When Tami asked the man "Did anyone else live nearby?"" The man showed us more images. This time, of fiends, and neighbors. He, also, showed us some sort of community workshop, where men banded together, to repair items, build tools, and to share some ale, at the end of the work-day. Once Tami got a good look, at the images, and asked the man "Would your friends be upset if the team digs on their sites?" The man showed us the image of a not very large man. A man who, when another man invaded his private space, and laughed at the smaller mans dis-comfort, and order, to LEAVE, it seems that "big and powerful" were no match for the smaller mans sheer determination. Small man pummelled "big and powerful", then dumped the big man outside the area. After that point, no one dared enter the small mans place, without being invited. When Tami went to thank the man, then added "I know not your name, or your title." The spirit "said" "Delcon Maximillian". When I bowed to the spirit, out of respect, and then Tami made an un-expected curtsey, Maximillian bowed, to us, then dissolved. When Tami downloaded a geological map, of the area, then placed the drawings, of delcons visions, over the map, she would say "This is what we can expect to find, at each location. There will be a large workshop, at this point, and it is "surrounded" by several, smaller, spaces. Each space was its builders private space, or "man-cave", if you will". She, then pointed to the small mans space, cautioning "Although I think we should excavate THIS location, we should dig ONLY far enough to verify that the space is present." When one of the workers asked "Why not go all the way down?" Tami would say "The man this space belonged to has very little patience, with intruders. If we dig into that foundation, we should be prepared for some serious injuies". When another worker would ask "Would a ghost REALLY attack us?" Tami would say "In life, this man once pulverized a man, more than twice his size, just for invading his privacy." When the worker asked "But, isn't he dead?" Tami saw the look, on the vaporous face, of the spirit, as if daring the humans to invade his space. Tami would warn the crew "If you attempt to excavate THAT foundation, you do so, at your own, personal, risk" For a brief moment, everyone looked around them, even as a deep chuckle semed to ride the air. When a female worker asked "What was that?" Tami replied "A warning". As to the reason why the academics could not see the spirits, even while Tami and I could see the deceased, Tami and I considered this to be debate-able. Some people had mentioned that our past experience, with the spirit world, had provided us an "edge". Others claimed it was because Tami and I kept open minds, to the world, around us. Ofcourse, there were those who considered us "kooks", claiming that Tami and I just saw what we wanted to see. To Tami and I, though, the reason did not matter. No matter which version people chose to believe, all that mattered, to us, was that "we got the job done". When some diggers ignored Tami's warning, and dug into the "forbidden" foundation, the diggers did not dig, far down, before both diggers were grabbed, by the belt, lifted seven feet, in the air, for long enough for the rest of the team to witness, then the diggers were pitched some 100 feet away, from the foundation. After this, the rest of the diggers agreed to AVOID the spot. When the workshop was located, the space turned out to be even more expansive than the image had shown. Our best guess was that the space was about three stories tall, and massive. In regards to the overall project, though, the problem was that, with more artifacts being un-Earthed, the longer the construction crew was held up, from starting their own work. It seems that the local government REALLY wanted the resort built, to attract tourist dollars. This meant that, as long as the diggers were bringing out artifacts, the longer the wait, before the foundation, for the resort could be dug, and poured, with concrete. There was, however, another problem. Due to the design, of the resort, the foundations would have to be dug twice as deep as the level where the relics were being found. When relics just kept coming out of the ground, the team leader realized that this land would, now, fall under historic preservation guidelines. When the suggestion was made, that the resort, simply, be moved, to the other side of the highway, there turned out to be a problem, there, as well. In fact, the very problem which had resulted in the current site having been chosen. Between what Tami had been told, locally, and what she had found, on the internet, the original, proposed, site was, at one time, the site of a whore-house. Although this information did not discourage construction, nor did the fact that the home had burned down, due to an explosion, of the furnace, The problem was that local people believed that the prostitutes spirits roamed the property. In fact, this seemed to be the primary reason why no one, locally, would buy, or develop, the property. When Tami checked the internet, while I roamed the property, I did find signs that the foundation, of a substantial home, had, once stood at the location. If pressed to identify the type of residence, all I could say, with confidence, was that it appearred to have a Victorian lay-out. As for the so-called feeling, of being "watched", I am not certain if the feeling was real. With the nearby brush, I figured that, IF I were being "watched", it was by other humans. I made this determination since I sensed no malicious intent. As for Tami's part, of the investigation, Tami reported finding old snap shots, from the age of old black-and-white film. The site information included the names, of the madams, along with some photo's, which Tami was most suspicious of. When Tami showed me the photo's, and asked "What do you see?" I told her the truth. "I see women, wearing traditional clothes, bun-style hairdo's, and long, flowing, dresses, of the Victorian age." When Tami asked "What else do you see?" I asked her "What am I supposed to see?" Tami spelled it out. The women, in the photo's, were slim, and curvacious. They had basic, female, arms, and subdued features. When I asked "What of it?" Tami would say "These photo's are, supposedly, of pioneer women. Remember, from the days of out-houses, and carrying buckets of water, from pumps, into kitchens. Now, look at those arms. Do they look like they spend their days lugging fire-wood, and water buckets?" When I suggested "Maybe, they had help? Maybe, they either employed local men, for the brute work, or offered their "services", for the mens labors?" When Tami retorted "And, maybe my mother is the evil witch from The Wizard of Oz". When I suggested "Okay, lets suppose, just suppose, that these are NOT pictures, of the prostitutes. Why bother posting the fakes, on a web-site? After all, the prostitutes died, in the furnace explosion. How could anyone profit from the distortion?" Tami would shake her head as she said "Wrong question. The women were victims, yes, BUT, it is the TOWN which would benefit from such a story. As long as people BELIEVE that the place COULD be haunted, the superstitious, and the paranoid, will stay away, and the county can set its own price, for the land" When I asked "Just how much HAS the town profited, from the haunting stories?" Tami would say "As far as I can figure, about $10,000, per year, from tourist interest". When I asked "And the land, itself?" Tami would say "It is on the market, at a price of $5 million." When I said "You have got to be kidding. $5 million for dirt, and a burned out foundation?" Tami would remind me that there were those, in the world, who MIGHT PAY $50 million, to own property, which is "verified" as being "haunted." A short while later, and via video-conference, Mr. Brown verified that "Yes, there are people, who will pay fortunes, for what they want. In fact, a collector, of "haunted" possessions, just paid $75 million, to own the dress, supposedly worn, by Lizzie Borden, the day Lizzie, supposedly seduced, then murdered, two relatives, who, if legends are to be believed, committed incest, with her". When I asked "How much of this has been verified?" Mr. Brown would say "The dress purchaser paid $25 million, just to find out if Lizzie Borden even owned the dress. You should, also, know that the bowl, which Lizzie, allegedly, stood in, to rinse her relatives blood off her body, sold, some years back, for $7 million, while the pitcher, which Lizzie allegedly used, and which does bear **A** persons fingerprints, sold, for $12 million". When I suggested "So, does it not matter what can be proven. People are paying millions of dollars, just to be able to say "I own a piece of history"? Tami would add "THAT is what THIS town is waiting for. Someone, who WANTS to buy haunted land. The city can ask its own price, IF the buyer wants the land, bad enough". When Tami would ask Mr. Brown "Sir, if the current excavation continues, and more relics are found, what should we tell the developer, about the site?" Mr. Brown would say "My secretary has, already, done that research. That area has only been inhabited, for two centuries. There SHOULD be nothing, at all, beyond say, 75 feet. As far the artifacts, the Smithsonian has agreed to accept the items." When Tami would ask about the vengeful spirit, the one which had tossed eight workers, in total, out of his "private space", to date, Mr. Brown would say "That is being handled". The owner has determined that an excavator, and a bulldozer, can "take care" of the "spook". Atleast, that was the plan, for forty-eight hours. Although no one had any clue, as to where the spirit found the energy, when the machines went to work, on the spirits foundation, both the evidence, of sabotage, and the laughter, which seemed to "float" on the wind, was enough to convince the workers, even before the machines were flipped over. When, over the following week, the machines were turned right side up, and workers were prepared to resume work, everything halted when, with a deep, male, laugh, the machines were flipped, again. When Tami asked the contractor "What is to be built on this site, anyway?" The contractor would say "I think its just going to be a grade space. A place, for resort guests to rest, and relax". This is when Tami suggested "If there is going to be nothing over, around, or beneath, this foundation, why not just cover it with soil, and work around it?" The contractor would remind her "The plans call for masive foundations, deep into the ground. We have to dig this whole place up, to firm up the work". Tami would add "So, un-like th allies, in World War 2, you cant just go around it?" (Tami was referring to the German command-and-control bunkers, of th world war. The bunkers which had been so rigidly reinforced that Europe eventually gave up, on trying to destroy the places, and just built, over and around, the places.) This is when the contractor also remembered his own history lessons, including the one about how the post-war Germans had not only built a park, memorializing the victims, of the Third Reich, but how architects had directed intake water, from the bunker pipes, into the fountain, and that the same pipes, and pumps, remained in use, to this day. Pumps and pipes, which powered three, majestic, fountains. The bunker would remian fifteen feet below the surface, so that even planting tree's had been no problem. Now that the contractor remembered this, they had the foundation filled in, and marked, with red flags. Once the hole was filled, and marked, the mans spirit, no-longer malevolent, spiteful, or angry, appearred, to Tami, gave my partner a graceful bow, to which Tami gave a return curtsey, then the spirit dissolved. And, just as "Delcon Maxmillian" had predicted, the site turned out to be filled with workshops, each containing even more arftifacts. In some cases, Tami and I even watched how spirits, seen only by us, watched the humans excavate their lives. The excavator DID pull something, like a large cube-shaped, stone, out of the ground, however, due to its size, the contractor considered it a bonus, saying "Not so much digging, now". By the time concrete, for the foundations, had been poured, and the wiring, for a fantastic casino, began being installed, even Tami and I were left speechless. Especially when someone paid $300 million, for the site, of the supposed "bordello". (This, even though neither Tami, nor I, ever confirmed the home had, ever, been a bordello). When Tami and I were invited back, later, for the resorts grand opening, the "Interplanetary Casino", Tami's thoughts, and words, saying how lonely the place was, seemed echoed by other women, as well. All that I will say is that the place looked like it was straight out of the worst horror movie, I had, ever, viewed. In a surprise, to the investors, and the community, many people, including Tami and I, declined to enter the resort, since it did not give off the illusion, that it was safe. About the only people, who did want to enter, were those who wanted to play the odds. When "delcon Maxmillian" appearred, between Tami and I, looking at the thing, and asking, in a DEEP baritone, voice "Is THIS what we have come to? "Monsters", where the un-wary wager their lives away?" When Tami would correct "Delcon", saying "THIS is how our "governments" CHOOSE to make money. The people have no say, in the matter". Delcon would reply "I am relieved that I did not live to see this attrocity. It would have brought shame upon the clans, for sure". When Tami would ask "Your people believed in a fair days wages, for a fair days labor, did you not?" Delcon would nod as he replied, softly "WE valued the WORTH, of the individual. We worked the land, and aided one another. My brethern will be heart-broken to see what has become, of our lands". With a "Thank You", and a "Farewell, my friends", delcon would dissolve. In less than two years time, revenue, from the "Interplanetary Casino" would fall so far SHORT, of expectations, that the casino would be declared a "white elephant". This, despite the hundreds of millions of dollars spent, on the hotel suites. It would be verified that, over time, no one, except resort staff, ventured to the "planets". As for the projected income, from the resort, this would fall short, of goals, by close to $10 billion. The local chapter, of Gamblers Anonymous, not only saw its ranks swell, especially with visitors, who had gambled away every cent they had, plus automobiles, and so on, but the chapter ended up setting up a "Community Service" program, to aid gamblers, in paying off debts. When the results were made public, the old city council was "swept away", replaced with a new, civically minded, council. This council would have to inform locals that the only grant money, still available, was for gambling resorts. The government had made it CLEAR. NO MONEY, for building factories. No one was sure just what to do, with the casino, though. The place may have been a blight, on the area, but demolition would bankrupt the local economy. Since the federal government would not approve demolition funds, the only decision, left, for the city, was to shut down the un-used suites, and just try operating the casino. (The rest would be "written off", of taxes). As for the Smithsonian, it seems that the finds were in conflict with what museum staff had thought about delcon's people. Museum staffers had been so certain, that delcons people had been nomadic, following game, and taking women, whenever they chose to. Now, that delcon's village had been un-covered, the nomadic theme would have to be re-visited. Tami would suggest, in her final report, that not ALL, of delcon's people, had been villagers. After all, NOT ALL modern people, are city-folks. The Smithsonian would only HESITANTLY agree that this was POSSIBLE, even though this would re-write history. Still, the museum agreed to review the matter. Well, at this point, I WOULD, normally, say "On, to the next case", except...

THE HAUNTING PAST MYSTERY OF THE EGYPTIAN ARTIFACT

THE HAUNTING PAST: MYSTERY OF THE EGYPTIAN ARTIFACT Although our pilots were, totally, devoted, to the care, and maintenance, of our new plane, it was once we touched down, in an abandoned field, that the air force veterans would come to Tami and I, reporting that not only was air traffic control un-happy, with the planes temporary identification, but, it seems, neither were the fans of televisions "Star Trek". Our pilot would inform us "I have been in contact, with my family, and, from the reports, I have been informed that my grand-children are being disciplined, in elementary school". When Tami asked "For what reason?" The pilot would say "For telling class-mates that grandpa is the pilot, of the NCC-1701". The pilot would add "Although the words were meant, in good humor, since our previous plane was nicknamed "Ghost Ship One",even I know about the sarcasm, each time I speak to air traffic control. Especially having to use the code number NCC-1701". When I would inquire "Just how LONG does the air force take, to issue proper codes, to aircraft?" The pilot would say "Who knows?" Then the co-pilot would inform us "Some plane are code-designated, even while still on the drawing boards. Others are only designated, AFTER flight tests have been completed." When I would inquire "What is the longest time that a plane has waited?" The pilots would look at one another, then say "Sorry, that is classified. All that we can tell you is that SOME craft have not been designated, for DECADES". When I would add "Let us HOPE that it is not THAT long" The pilot would say "You and me, both". At this point, Tami proposed another of her remarkably simple solutions. "Since the first plane was nicknamed "Ghost Ship One", despite its official, air force, designation, Why dont we just refer to this ship as "Ghost Ship Two"?" It would seem that our pilots were all in favor of this, but only on the condition that the U.S. Air Force agreed. This was when I remembered that the Air Force Chief of Staff had given permission, for the previous, cargo carrier, to be re-named. Hopefully, the Chief of Staff would be just as accomodating, with the new ship. To our surprise, Tami and I were just setting up shop, inside the plane, and assigning tasks, when th co-pilot brought us the news, while on his way to the supply area. As he passed us, the co-pilot would announce "Good news. The Chief of Staff approved the name change. We are, now, officially, "Ghost Ship Two". Now, where did I store those cleaning supplies?" With the pride, of a mother, shown to a favorite child, the four of us set about removing the temporary NCC-1701 decals, from the hull. I am just not certain if we "washed them off", or "covered them up", since the white lettering did not smudge as much as "vanish", under the coat, of that spray on, wipe off, stuff. The chemical did not even SMELL like any cleaner, which I knew of. Aftre the "deed" was done, and the four of us stood before our beautiful, black, airplane, Tami and I asked the pilots what the black stuff was. All that the pilots would say was "Who cares! So long as that logo is gone". Tami and I could agree with that. When the case of the Egyptian artifact came to the Brown Agency, the question of "Is it REAL?" became the highest priority, in the case. As the case file read, the problem, at hand, was not so much verifying that a vessel was present, but, rather, that the vessel had come from southern Europe? Ofcourse, even Tami and I knew that, as more evidence, of pre-Columbian travel, was being exposed, the two sides, of the debate, were taking to "howling like banshee's", over whether NON-Christians could have travelled the worlds oceans, in the days prior to Christian travel. Since neither Tami nor I, were "overly religious", we really could not care, LESS, about who did what, in history. All that we cared about was doing our job, and reaping the rewards, from generous benefactors. Rewards which included our second, deluxe, airplane, as well as expense accounts, whose balances we could not deplete, in the remainder of our lifetimes. This, and the fact that the benefactor, of a previous case, had connections, with the air force, and that this meant that fuel would never been a problem. Another benefactor had arranged for our open-ended contract, for all of the military rations, which our plane could carry. Despite all of this, Tami and I knew the reason why people were so good to us. Tami and I had aided so many spirits, in finding peace. As to just HOW we had gone from aiding the deceased, to aiding the living (See Mystery of the Werewolves), neither Tami nor I had any clue how this change had come about. Now, we were being asked to expand our experience, even more, by verifying, or denouncing, if a boat had, actually, come from Egypt, or whether someone was just trying to pull a trick. Once the plane was ready, and we were on our way, to who-knows-what, Tami agreed to tackle the interviews, while I accepted the assignment, of surveying the landscape, for signs of past rivers. Add to this was the equally "bizzare" task, of being instructed to search for signs of Egyptian jewelry, pots, and so on. I was just wondering what I would tell the curious, when locals might wonder what I was doing, in this traditionally southern area, of the United States. HOW should I ask "Have you seen any Egyptian pots, pans, etc (outside of t.v., movies, museums, etc.?) Upon arrival, at the site, I mounted my bicycle, to begin my task, even as Tami borrowed my Jeep, for the trip into town. After all, G.S.2 had been approved for landing, in a meadow. While Tami was surprised to find the archeologist team working out of a bed-and-breakfast, instead of the local historical society, Tami, soon, learned the reason, for the unusual accomodations. When Tami spotted the leader, of the science group, she noticed that he looked all around the dining room, and even "Shhh" Tami, even as she tried to introduce herself. When the man "secreted" my partner a card, which showed that a certain doctor was a project researcher, and Tami asked for I.D., the man flashed his I.D. at my partner, so FAST, that my partner could, barely, report having seen the color of the I.D. Tami would, also report that, when she had tried to show the man her detective badge, Tami had, barely, opened the cover, when the man slapped it shut, then looked around, nervously, before whispering "Not here". When the man hustled Tami out, of the dining room, and towards the stairs, Tami hoped she would not have to hurt the man. When the man lead Tami PAST the stairs, and out the back, of the building, through the kitchen, Tami would report that the man seemed troubled, like he was, truly afraid of being watched. When the man hustled Tami to a waiting Jeep, and, hurredly, belted her into the passenger seat, Tami made a show, of adjusting her hair, and clothes (While, actually, activating some tiny homing devices, which Mr. Blue had us field-testing, for future use). On the way to wherever they were going, the man drove the road only a fraction of the distance. The remainder, of the drive, the man insisted upon going off-road. His rationale: "It will deter our pursuers". Tami would, later, report, that she would have used one of the "psycho drugs" tests, with which we were, also, suplied, except that she, and her driver, were outdoors. Even Tami knew how easily drug tests can become contaminated. Tami would, also, report how greatful/relieved she had been, when the Jeep stopped, at an overhang. Still, Tami was glad she brought her bag along, since the man seemed in a terrible rush, to move beyond the overhang, and down the slope, to the cavern. As the two entered the cavern, Tami was not sure what it was, that she smelled, from just inside the entrance. She just thought it suspicious when she only scented the odor, just inside the entrance of the cavern. When the man seemed to run ahead, of Tami, while calling "Come on! Its this way", Tami decided it was prudent to find out exactly WHAT she had smelled. When Tami opened one of the hand-held, test-kits, supplied by the Brown Agency, to test for hazzardous materials, Tami was alarmed by the rapid pace, with which the test kit turned bright RED. Just a moment after this, one of Tami's transponders, which was equiped with a built in, electronic, "sniffer", sent off another alarm. With these two verifications, Tami wasted not one second pulling out the plastic bag, which contained another Brown Agency development. A combination of air filter, and protective eye-wear, as well as a built in comm set. Back at the agencies offices, while supplying Tami with a box, of these devices, Mr. Black had teased "You know, on the black market, these components should cost you $1,000, in total. You receive these, free of charge, for field tests. Just dont die, while using the devices, okay?" Now, Tami would have to report that she hadn't noticed, until she applied the filter, to her face, that her tongue had tasted "different", for a moment. Oddly enough, once the filter cleaned her air intake, Tami would report that the taste vanished. When Tami entered the chamber, which the man had wanted her to see, she made note of how much, visibly calmer the man was. Tami would wonder if it was the calm, of an addict, who had been in withdrawal, yet had, now, received his latest "fix". Although the find stood right in front of her, Tami did not notice it, at all. Instead, she found the other team members, huddled, a distance away, in a corner, like frightened children. Tami would include a notation, in her report, stating that she understood exactly how the workers had felt, due to Tamis own past, with drugs, and with all of the medically-presicribed drugs she had been taking, since her "suicide attempt". (Drugs, which she was glad to be free of, now). When Tami turned, to leave, she told the man "I am going to find my partner. He will want to see this, for himself" It was at that moment when the man grabbed a gun, from behind a rock, saying "You aint going anywhere". even as he pointed the gun, at my partner. The part I hated, about some of our assignments, was not so much looking at historical drawings, which contained wildly in-accurate depictions, of various places, but the problem, of viewing a modern landscape, and trying for a mental picture, of the view, from centuries ago. True, at places, such as the corporate lodge, locals had made a pretty decent attempt, to disguise waterways, over the past two centuries, however, that was different from the current case. If the report, in the file, was accurate, the waterway, in question, was thousands, if not tens of thousands, of years old. If the waterway had, at some, previous time, flowed near this location, it was very LONG ago. HOW was I supposed to find a 5,000 year old creek/river, anyway? I had been searching, for hours, without any success, when a local nun came to see me. (I dont know why it was, but, I was so amazed at how often young women were turning to the church. Especially women who COULD be fashion models. For some reason, some of these beauties chose to don "habits", instead). When the sister introduced herself, the one thing I was NOT surprised about was to hear that "Mother Superior" had sent the young woman, to me. (I would make a repeated point of reminding my libido that the woman was a nun. Dont even CONSIDER it). Still, the sister had brought forth information, including scrolls (Which I had to ask her to translate). My English is bad enough. Forget foreign languages, such as Latin. When I removed an electronic pad, from my own kit, I will admit that we snuggled, close. I have no doubt, though, that the Lord would condone our "snuggling", though, since the nun was helping me to identify markers, in the landscape (NOT making out). When I asked the nun about a word, which resembled "seeds", or "plenty", the nun informed me that the "seeds" were from a rare plant. Its source was unknown, however, legend said the "seeds" made paint, and ink, more durable. It was right about the moment, when the nun was trying to describe, for me, what a group, or clump, of tree's, had looked like, centuries ago, when a living Mother Superior would join us, asking "WHATS going on, here?" It was only when I would say "Zip it", to the woman, then asked the young nun "The stone, stick, and granite. Do you think they will be there. I mean, after ALL this time?" Mother Superior would say "The stone, and the granite, were moved, centuries ago. They, now, reside within church grounds" The woman seemed surprised, though, when I asked "Were the original sites marked, after the removal?" It was not until after Mother Superior mentioned it, that I noticed that my appearance, next to the young nun, might appear to be snuggling, to the un-aware. When Mother Superior said "Un-hand her", I gave the young nun my apologies, then the young nun departed our presense, leaving only Mother Superior to address my questions. First, though Mother Superior reminded me "YOUNG man, may I remind you that the sisters are NOT your playthings. These (indicating her habit) are NOT costumes. We are serious, about our convictions". Mother Superior seemed surprised when I responded with "I hope your conviction, to history, is as firm as your religious convictions" The ONLY reason why I snuggled up, to Mother Superior, was the same reason why I had snuggled up to the nun. Mother Superior noticed this, when I looked over her shoulder, while she pointed landmarks out, in the landscape. Mother Superior even showed me where the previous Mother Superior had shown her, that the markers had been placed, originally. Since even Mother Superior admitted that she could not find the waterway, Mother Superior invited me to join her, and the younger nun, in the churches records room. In all honesty, I really dont know how LONG we poured over the records, but I must have fallen asleep, since the nuns nudged me awake, so that Mother Superior could provide me a slip, of paper, containing the most likely positions, of the ancient waterway. By the time I returned, to Ghost Ship Two, the pilots were already packing their weapons away, while Tami was preparing her report, to the Brown Agency. It would seem that our "experimental gear" had worked far better than anticipated. According to her report, when Tami had turned, to leave the cavern, the man had fired a series, of shots, and even Tami had run for cover. On-board Ghost Ship Two, the recorded gun-fire had our pilots springing into action, within minutes. Locating Tami's tracker was easy. Un-loading the hovercraft was a bit tougher. As the pilots had un-loaded, and powered the thing up, the co-pilot then set to arming their weapons, while the pilot drove the thing, as though preparing to enter battle. By the time the hovercraft arrived, outside of the cavern, and the pilots called out, to Tami, she had been grazed, by three, stray, bullets. When the pilot called "Sitrep?" Tami would respond "We are in an enclosed cavern. The air is polluted, with a lethal compound. The research team has been significantly affected. Use caution. Non-lethal force, if possible". Moments later, the co-pilot would call to Tami "Your signal is distorted by the rock. Any chance you can move to an exterior wall?" Although Tami gave no verbal response, she and I had decided, long ago "If we are going to die, let it be quick". What Tami had forgotten was that, due to exposure, to the "drug", in the cavern, the man could not focus his aim. Not even as Tami ran to an outer wall. It was only when the mans shots went WAY WILD, that Tami realized that the man was having vision problems. Still, when she found what she THOUGHT was an outer wall, the co-pilot called "Locked on, DOWN!" Tami did not need to be told, twice. Whatever the gadget was, which the hovercraft had used, it had not acted like any projectile Tami knew of. In fact, instead of blowing the wall into the cavern, and toward the relic, the black-ops device had PULLED the wall OUT, from the surviving rock. When the rock face gave way, Tami would find herself pelted with small roccks, even as the bigger rocks were pulled away. What no one could be certain of was the reason why the scientist had, suddenly, stopped shooting. Was it really the automatic weapons fire, from the hovercraft, or could it have been the fact that the gap, in the wall, let a "flood" of fesh air, into the cavern? All that Tami knew was that, after the shooting stopped, and Tami opened another test strip, she found that this test strip took five minutes to glow, yellow. It would seem that, while I was dozing, at the church, the Centers for Disease Control were placing the archeologists into bio-hazzard units, which were, then, helicoptered to the nearest hospital, which was equipped with an isolation ward. By the time I had returned, to G.S.2, Tami had returned to the plane, showered, and changed clothes. When Tami uploaded our progress report, to the Brown Agency, Mr. Blue would appear, on the video-link, asking "I thought Tami was the researcher, and YOU were the "get dirty" one." Both Tami and I agreed that we had not forseen these circumstances. Well, we thought that a nights rest would make the world seem brighter. Boy! were we in for a surprise. Actually, neither Tami, nor I, was surprised, by the C.D.C. update, which reported that the toxin was "unknown". The reason why this did not surprise us was because, even a preliminary scan, of the find, in the cavern, registered an age, which pre-dated America, by centuries, atleast. It would seem that, before the researchers were affected, by the contagion, the workers had done an extensive survey, of the find. Tami would have been the first to rule the find a "hoax", except for the accumulated dust, on the vessel, and the unknown, chemical, composition, of the paint, used on the boat. That, and the fact that the wood, which made up the body, of the ship, was native to Egypt, NOT North America. As for the research team, the C.D.C. concluded that, until the contagion could be identified, ALL that the Centers could do was keep patients comfortable, and in drug induced coma's. When Mr. Brown came on the line, Tami and I saw what was coming, even before the boss said "New directive. Until further notice: i.e. a solution, to the contagion, is found, all other research, into the find, is terminated. Am I clear? Priority One is to find an antidote, for this virus. Understood?" When Tami and I would say "Understood", Mr. Brown would add "Good Luck". When Tami checked over my notes, from the visit, with the nuns, she suggested "Maybe there is more, in the records, than meets the eye". When I reminded her "I am pretty certain that Mother Superior would not enjoy my return", Tami would say "That is because you are a man. A man is "temptation", to a convent, full of nuns. Since I am one of them, a woman, I mean, maybe Mother Superior will be more open, with me". I told her "Good Luck with that. In the mean time, I will check out our so-called Egyptian Yacht. Maybe I can figure out just HOW the ship got there". Tami would say "Good luck with that, as well. That thing appears to be ancient". While Tami spent the next few days scouring old records, for a lead, I would spend those same days assisting the hazmat teams, as they vacuumed up what appeared to be dust, from the boat. About the only news, which the C.D.C. had, was the fact that, when the dust was exposed, to water, the molecules showed a high concentration, of lead. That, and some kind of seed. Something now extinct enough that, it was not recorded, in the C.D.C.'s databanks. This is where Tami, and the nuns came in. Tami would admit that, in times like this, she wished she COULD just call on the spirit, of Mother Superior. Under Immortal Law, though, Tami was not allowed to just ASK for the woman. As Mother Superior had informed us, during a visit "I am NOT your personal answering service. You must THINK for yourselves. Think of me as your Earthly mother." As a result, Tami, and about a dozen nuns, combed the ancient records, about the ship, its crew, or even the kind of lead-based paint, used on the boat. After a few days of searching, a nun brought forth a volume, of not-un-expected, hand-written, notes. When the nun placed the volume before Mother Superior, and Tami, pointing to what appeared like a boat drawing, the women were hesitant. The reason was simple. The drawing looked like a golden sun, shining above the vessel, while the nun asked "Is this of some use?" When Tami would say "I really dont know", and Mother Superior would suggest "Perhaps, that orb is the "light, of the Lords wisdom". It is guiding the ship, along its journey". Although Tami felt that this was a bit far-fetched, Tami remembered our agreement, with the church. We would seek counsel, and suggestions, however, we would NOT, directly, CHALLENGE the word of God, nor his servants, inside the church. When night came, though, and Tami saw lights, which appeared to be floating, on the local waters, Tami had to call one of the nuns, since Mother Superior was at her prayers. When Tami pointed out the lights, to the nun, who was of local birth, the nun took one look, shrugged, and said "Boat lights". As though being asked to identify a local train, or mass transit bus. When Tami asked the nun "What are "Boat lights?" the nun would say "My father use to tell us that ALL boats, which sail, by night, on the river, have these lights. Its just for navigation safety. Small, on-board, lights, to prevent boats from colliding". This is when Tami returned to the records room, then wrote Mother Superior a quick note. "Is it possible that this "orb" represents a boat light, for the night time, river, navigation?" When a nun offered to walk Tami back, to our plane, Tami suggested that a GROUP, of nuns, would be safer. "Safety, in numbers", Tami would mention. By the time Tami returned to the plane, I had my few notes ready to join her daily report. (The Brown Agency had not been joking when they had informed Tami's overseers that ALL agents reports in, daily, even if just to say "No leads, today"). It would seem that, although we were not aware of it, there was, now, a race on, to find out what the seeds were, and where they came from. A "race" where the dominant clue would come from Cairo, itself. Acually, the Museum of Antiquities. This museum would verify that the seeds had been used, in the distant past, to make different paint colors, as well as to make ink, and paint, more durable. It would seem that the C.D.C. agreed with the Egyptians. When various colors, of paint, were tested, the amount, of seeds, in each color, seemed to control the final, paint, color. Less seeds, in the lead paint, to produce darker colors. More seeds, to produce lighter colors. When asked HOW the scientists could have ingested the lead, since, after all, only children comsume lead, by biting things, it would turn out that Tami's hunch had been correct. Due to the confines, of the cavern, the air WAS trapped and, the more that workers moved around the find, the more lead was sent airborne, in the form of dust. This is the reason why, when Tami used her test, it turned bright red, almost immediately. The air had been thick with lead dust. Tami had been fortunate that she had applied her filter, when she did. Her own medical, tests had shown "Slightly elevated", but not dangerous, levels of lead. As long as she stayed away from the cavern, and drank plenty of fluids, as well as resting, she would be fine. By the time Cairo had collected the necessary information, and transmitted it, to the C.D.C., three patients hade become "critical", and one had died. For the survivors, Cairo cautioned that each dose should be tailored to the patient. Just as the priests, of ancient times, had done. It was not until the church received a copy, of Cairo's mesage, that the nuns concluded that, part of a journal, now, made sense. Something about locals taking ill, after drinking water, left in the ships wake. The drinkers had become mildly ill, for as long as four days. After that, the people recovered. Reason: unknown. Tami surmised, as did the church, and C.D.C., had concluded. With the high levels, of lead, in the ships paint, its wake would be like a crop-duster, spreading cyanide. When a copy, of the report, was sent to Homeland Security, the very FIRST question, which Homeland asked was "Was this a terrorist attack?" If the preliminary data were correct, the answer would be "NO". Reason: Until the mid-twentieth century, when lead was, clinically, proven, to be hazzardous, to humans, American homes were painted with lead based paint. Many home appliances, also, contained lead, as well. If the pre-Columbian ship was being accused, of poisoning the water, would that not make paint makers guilty, as well, for producing, and distributing, lead-based paint? Another fact, which pointed AWAY from "terrorism" was the fact that the best, and closest, matches, for the ships wood content, of the boats body parts, were that these were early dynastic wood, harvested during the earliest days, of the pharoahs. (America did not even exist, at that time). Also, thanks to the black-ops "wonder weapon", not only had the relic been spared destruction, but, once the cavern was opened up, the level, of toxic gases, measured very low, and even dropped to "trace" amounts. It seems that the fresh air had diluted the chemical into a form about as "deadly", as chewing on a number two, lead, pencil. The victims, of the lead poisoning, were a different task. Since each dose had to be created, for each patient, some recovered more rapidly than others. Still, it would be DAYS before the team was even coherent. The worst news was that almost none of the workers, not even the shooter, had any memory, of the past several days. When the project leader was infomed "You contacted the agency, for verification, of the find", the man asked "When?" When the doctors asked about the shooting, inside the cavern, they were not surprised when the project leader would say "We didn't find any guns, that I remember. WHERE did we get the guns?" When Tami visited the man, he seemed honest, when he introduced himself, informing Tami "Whatever I can do, to help". When Tami and I inquired, of hospital staff, all that staff could tell us was that the lead was washing out of the victims bodies. Given time, and treatment, either all, or partial, memory MIGHT return. Tami would report, to the Brown Agency, that, once visual records were taken, via camera crews, dressed in bio-hazzard suits, of the craft, inside the cavern, a state-licensed, lead/asbestos removal team was sent in, to remove as much of the lead, as possible. (Without destroying the find). Tami would report that the team did a GREAT job, as well. When the worst, of the lead, was removed, the true beauty, of the ships art work, was revealled. By the time the lead content was declared "safe", even Tami and I were impressed with the ships craftsmanship. This boat, ship, whatever, must have been used either by royalty, or by priests. The ship was too well decorated, for the use of "average people". Still, this left the question of "HOW did it come to be in America?" After all, the Christians were adamant that Columbus was the first Christian to sail to the "new world". While I was left to ponder HOW a large boat could have travelled, to this land, and the cavern, without a listed river, to sail upon, Tami was busy, not just with church records, but with municipal records, and with interviewing locals. Tami was just thankful that the local newspaper had placed both current, and back, issues, on the internet. Still, between interviews, and searching files, Tami found not one, but dozens, of stories, about an "elegant", or "fancy" boat, which had passed by the area, in the distant past. The problem, with almost all of the stories, was that most were told, and re-told, so many times, over the years, that various stories placed the waters, in a wide variety of locations. For example, some stories had the river WAY out of town, while others claimed that the river coiled, like a snake, around the town. Tami's favorite, though, was the legend, of the town being built INSIDE a river bed. When the living Mother Superior verified this, the living woman reminded Tami "No one built anything, INSIDE the river, itself. The waterway was diverted, first." Although Tami found evidence, of brooks, and streams, in the records, there was nothing to show a waterway, near the cavern. As for "descriptions", of the boat, talk about "artistic license". The sheer variety, of shapes, and designs, were a cross-section of every ships design, from A-to-Z. Tami never failed to find the laughter, in the sketches, which depicted couples, having sex, on the ships main deck. Although Tami never mentioned it, I DID inquire, at one point, as to how comfortable sex could be, on an open ships deck. When Tami had given the vague answer of "Depends on the womans love, for her man", I had to dis-agree that any sex, no matter how "romantic", could be comfortable, under those conditions. Back in our real world, what Tami found totally hilarious was how the drawings always portrayed the couples, surrounded by four, or five, torches, and with an audience, as well. Sure, Tami remembered men offering her up to $10,000, to "put on a show". Tami had told the men what they could do, with their money. Ofcourse, beyond the sexual, some of the drawings portrayed the ship as up to fifty stories tall, while others claimed the boat was as wide as a city. Personally, I think it was a race, between the Christian church, and the Egyptians, to figure out each piece, of the puzzle. What neither Tami, nor I, could figure out, was the reason WHY the Christians were willing to declare a "jihad", over the issue, of WHO crossed the Atlantic, first. While the Christians INSISTED that Christopher Columbus was the first, to reach America, there remained the problem of dating the materials, which the boat was constructed of. This included wood which had been harvested, milled, shaped, and assembled, LONG before Columbus's grand-parents were, even, born. Then, there was the problem, of fossilized, marine, life, on the ships hull. Based upon the various layers, of European, and North American, sediments, the marine biologists concluded that this boat had travelled the shipping lanes, for decades. Then, there was the problem, of the papyrus scrolls, which had been sealed, in clay pots. The pots, which were found behind a fake wall, yet which was so fake, it might as well have had a sign on it, saying "Secret hiding place". When the archeologists began sorting through the pots, the teams found not only scrolls, but maps, of the American East Coast. When the nearest museum, with staff, which could interpret ancient Egyptian writing, sent these staff, to the site, it was not long before these consultants were dividing scrolls into piles, such as "personal journals" versus "ships logs". The interpreters would, eventually, begin yawning, as they went, from one scroll, to another, saying "Ships manifest", "Cargo listing", "point of departure", etc. After the interpreters looked at enough scrolls, they uttered what we thought was an Egyptian curse word, as they said "No gold, jewels, or mummies. This was just a cargo ship. A freighter, if you will". When Tami asked "Then, why was it so elaborately decorated?" The interpreters would agree "That was, merely, to show the owners pride, in the ship". When Tami showed the interpreters the drawings, of the deck, the interpreters would agree "Back in the day, freighter crews, also, paid homage, to the gods, PRIOR to sailing. They never had the reserve man power, nor the cargo space, for such things. These were working ships". When Tami suggested "So, all of these drawings are just peoples imaginations?" The interpreters would agree "Most true. These records say that the Egyptians brought goods for trade, with locals. The ship sailed up, and down, the coast, collecting cargo. Once the hold was full, the ship set sail, for Egypt." When Tami asked "Just how far back did these freight runs take place?" The interpreters would speak, among themselves, then agree "A rough guess would be 10,000, to 15,000 B.C.E. We wont know, for certain, until the computers crunch the numbers". This is when Tami would call me aside, whispering "No wonder the Christians are "Up in arms". This ship is proof that not only the Vikings, but the Egyptians, sailed the oceans, centuries before the Christians set sail". I would sum up "World history, and parts, of the Bible, would have to be re-written." As far as religion went, Tami and I ignored this angle, in all of our work. Just as the interpreters, and scientists, were doing, now. Everyone, present, at the site, was working either to verify, or deny, this ships history. All that Tami could tell the Brown Agency, for over two weeks, was "The tests are on-going. Carbon-dating is in the works. At present, the ships condition has made for easier sample-taking. The problem is th extreme AGE, of the samples". When the secretary would ask "You are certain that this ship was not built, from parts, purchased at a home improvement center?" Tami would respond with "The one thing we ARE certain of is that this ship pre-dates not only home improvement centers, but the nation, as well.". The next, obvious, question was "What happened to the crew? Did they "blend in", to the local populations? Were they killed, for some reason?" If they died, with their ship, WHERE were the bones? Although Tami found many records, of the SHIP, transporting supplies, she could not discover one word, about the fate of the crew. All that she found was that, for decades, the ship had sailed, at regular intervals, then, as if "overnight", the ship just vanished. As for the lab analysis, all this could tell us, about the ships past, was that it was from Egypt, and was, probably, manufactured around 12,000, to 18,000 years ago. The ships design dated almost that far back, and over the centuries, the design had passed from one generation to the next. While the site workers continued to send reports, to the Brown Agency, Tami and I could understand the reason why vast amounts, of the reports, were never released, to the public. It would seem that some Christian bishops, and even ministers, were so determined, to preserve the Christian Christopher Columbus, as the Christain discoverer, of America, that the church would stop, at NOTHING, to preserve ITS VERSION, of history. By this point, in the investigation, though, Tami realized that no spirits remained, with the ship, to seek an "audience" with us. Normally, spirits could not wait, to contact us. Why was it different, this time? While science worked on the boat, and the scrolls, Tami suggested that the two of us take a walk. When Tami would say nothing more, until we were away from the cavern, I noticed how my partner peered around us, as though looking for something. When I suggested "Okay, whats up?" Tami asked "What do you mean?" I would remind her "Based upon your original reports, to the Brown Agency, of the team leaders behavior, I am wondering about your own behavior. Especially as you seem concerned that we might have been followed." It was only when she was satisifed, that we were alone, that Tami told me of her concerns. "Doesn't it seem odd, to you, that the first time we have discovered a mystery, yet none, of the deceased, have come forward, yet?" Okay, so Tami had a point. Especially in the time since Heaven, and Hell, had recognized our abilities, spirits had, at times, sought us out. Sometimes, practically lining up, for us. This left the question of "Why weren't the spirits, of the sailors, coming forth?" When I suggested "Maybe, they blended in, enough, with the locals, so that no one remembered them" Tami would say "Doubtful. Bak in those days, when women were married, husbands occupations were listed, on the documents. I have, yet, to find a single, marriage, certificate, from those days, which lists the husbands occupation as "sailor". When I asked "You are not suggesting murder, are you?" Tami would say "Either that, OR a bizzarre rash, of suicides, or even accidents". When I would ask "Why kill the men? The Christians were not even due, in the America's, for centuries. The land was wild." Tami would caution "As far as we know." When I said "Let me guess, you are about to suggest that the history books left something ELSE out". When Tami would ask "Why not? After all, history has all but wiped out the Gargoyles, Atlantis, and so many other events. How hard can it be to wipe out a few dozen sailors?" This is when a new voice joined us, saying "Very intelligent question, my dear" even as a man, dressed as a sailor, materialized, then kissed Tami's hand. After the kiss, the spirit would say "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Jean Claude Pierre. Mate, first class, of the Sterling Albatross". When Tami would do a resemblance, of a curtsey, saying "Thank you, kindly" Jean Claude would turn to me, asking "Are you interested, truly interested, in learning of our fate?" When I would say "Yes", Jean Claude would say "Then, I will lead you to the truth. Be cautious, though, since there are traps, for both humans, and for spirits." Thankfully, Tami and I had G.P.S., since Jean Claude lead us over hills, and into ditches. When Jean Claude halted, and said "We are here". When Tami and I asked "What is this place?", All Jean Claude would say was "This place is cursed". When Tami would ask "HOW is it cursed?" Jean Claude would pass his hand through the air and, as if by magic, old symbols, on several tree's, would begin to glow. From our own, past, cases, Tami and I knew the ancient symbols, which, if legends are to be believed, "kept "evil" in its place". When Tami would, cautiously, ask "WHO is buried, here?" Jean Claude would half-whisper "My brothers, from the sea". Tami was about to ask "Why do they not come forth?", when she realized that the tree markings were not just to ward off "evil". Each marking was designed to keep supposed demons, witches, zombies, and so on, in place. It was only when Jean Claude asked "Can you not hear them?" That Tami and I heard the all-too-familiar sound. Th sound of souls, wailing for escape. Not to terrorize the world, but to past to the next world. When Tami would ask Jean Claude "How many Egyptians are buried, here?" Jean Claude seemed confused, by the reference. When I suggested "How many, of the "desert people", are buried, here?" Jean Claude would say "Many". When Tami would ask "Jean Claude, I presume, by your name, that you are French". Jean Claude would say "Oui, madamoiselle. My body belongs to the sea, but my heart belongs to France". This is when Tami would ask "How do you know of the Egyptians?" Jean Claude would chuckle as he said "Young lady, Frenchmen, Egyptians, Englishmen, Norsemen. For centuries, we have sailed the seven seas, on boats which we hoped would bring profit. On the sea, we are all brothers". When Tami would ask "Why are they buried here?" Jean Claude would say "On the ships final voyage, its crew had only been in port some three hours, when a young woman was attacked. Naturally, since the attack happened, after the ship put into port..." Tami would conclude, saying "The crew were declared GUILTY" Jean Claude would whisper "Oui". When Tami would ask "What can we do, after all this time?" Jean Claude would suggest "Have the people remove those symbols, from the tree's, so that the deceased may find peace". Moments later, the spirit, of a deceased priest, would appear, saying "NEVER!" When Tami would ask the priest his reason, the priest would say "My child, these un-holy barbarians defiled a child. As a result, no man would want her. These criminals must dwell, with their sins, forever". When Tami went into "investigator" mode, asking the priest "So, you have PROOF, as in witnesses, who SAW the sailor "defile" the child?" When the priest would say "I have the word of GOD!" Tami would ask "No, I mean people. Someone who SAW the attack". The priest would only say "She was a clean, decent, proper member, of God's house. Her testimony will not be challenged". When Tami asked "What evidence was used, to convict the sailors?" The priest would say "The child was not attacked until after that ship arrived. What more did we need?" Although I could see that my partner was about to go "off", on the deceased priest, I noticed how she made a visible effort, to calm herself, before summarizing the situation. "So, you are saying that, just because an attack took place, within hours of a ship, docking, and that the ships sailors were in your community, the sailors were responsible for an attack, on a local girl?" The priest would say "My child, do not forget that these "heathens" did not worship the one, true, God. They worshipped a variety, of "false" gods". When Tami said "And, that made them "evil" enough to attack a child". The priest would say "Correct". When Tami and I returned to Ghost Ship Two, Tami seemed more than a little annoyed, at how the situation had turned. After all, we had been dispatched, to verify if a boat was as old as was claimed. Now, this investigation had lead us into one of the coldest "cold cases", in human history. A priest, guarding the condemned souls, accused of an act, from who-knows-how-long-ago. Talk about "Capital Punishment". And the nature, of the alleged "crime", against a young woman, in a remote village, who comes to town, a few hours after a ship docks. She tells locals that she is late, due to one of the sailors attacking her. Since the girl is a local, while the sailors are only in town, to load supplies, the crew is convicted, on the girls word, alone. The "evidence". The girl points to some randomly chosen sailor and, before the men know what is happening, they are tried, and convicted, of attacking the girl. The church even has a plan, to make an example, of the ship. The entire crew is to be hanged, and the ship made to "vanish". If anyone raises questions, they will be told "It was Gods justice, on the un-holy, for defiling the young woman". Tami would no-sooner remark "This case is so old, and so "cold", that even Mother Superior could not crack it", when the spirit nuns familiar voice would say "This is true, my child. At this point, in time, though, would you not say that "justice" has been served"?" When Tami would say "Many times over", Mother Superior would caution, "Do you think that the young womans family would, also, agree?" Tami would ask "Whats the point?" Mother Superior would point out "Child, you do not know the complete story, do you" When Tami asked "What more is there?" Mother Superior would say "Because th woman was "defiled", PRIOR to marriage, she was cast out, of her village, and ordered never to return. A form of a Life Sentence, in your world". When Tami asked "One question: WAS she raped?" The way Mother Superior would look, as she considered the word, even gave Tami pause to reflect. When Tami would ask "Is it possible that the woman was jusy "out", with another man, lost track of time, then needed an excuse, to "cover her tracks"?" The way Mother Superior would say "IT is possible. Yet the girl was, in fact, a respected member, of the holy church, and this carried real weight, in any community". Tami would say "So, IF th woman SAID "That man raped me", her fellow villagers would not question her statement, since she had a long history with the village, and the church?" When I interrupted both women asking "So, what? Even IF the man was framed, that was centuries ago. What do the deceased expect us to do? Go back, in time, and right the wrong?" When Mother Superior, and Tami, looked at me, and smiled, I was firm, as I said "No WAY! I am sick of time travel." When Tami asked "Wont you come along, and assist me in correcting history?" I told her "I will be glad to aid you, from this current century. Besides, even if we DID return, to the past, what good would it do?" Twelve hours later, and with the permission, of the Chairman of the Board, of Heaven, Tami and I were fitted out, and "transported" back, in time. One of Tami's main conditions, for this trip, was that she and I be able to fully understand whatever language locals spoke. Heaven had even approved Tami's plan. A plan to interrupt the lovers, in time for the woman to return home, before being suspected. That was the plan, anyway. Back in time, once Tami and I were in position, and the couple arrived at the location, where the seduction (not rape), was to take place, Tami and I observed both the couple, and the elapsing time. The only thing, which our modern day senses, had forgotten, was that, back in this time period, humans were taught to "listen", to the world, about them. This is why, even though I whispered, into Tami's ear "How LONG do we let this go on?" The man was just about to open the womans dress, when the woman was first to call out "Who's there?" When Tami came forth, before the couple, asking "Who is there, indeed. For shame". Moments later, the couple grabbed their belongings, and ran off, for home. Tami and I stayed in this time period just long enough to ensure that the sailors were NOT un-justly, accused. It was only after this information was verified that Tami and I heard Mother Superiors voice, behind us, asking "Shall we depart?" When Tami and I stepped back, into the present, and returned to the "pit", we found the spirit, of the priest, on his ghostly knee's, Rosary in his hands, praying for forgiveness. Even as the priest prayed, though, something, totally un-expected, happened. The symbols, carved into the tree's, glowed, like lights, then "fell" from the tree's, as though attached, by broken necklaces. Once the symbols fell away, the spirit forms, of the sailors, came into shape, from a ground mist. As a group, the men turned, to face Tami, then the men gave a very regal bow. Slow, subtle, and with genuine purpose. When my partner responded, with a slow, deliberate, respectful, curtsey, the spirits faded into the mist. All except Jean Claude, who remained long enough to inform us "My friends, I just want you to know that, although my ship-mates never committed the crime, for which we were accused, I do not wish you to think that we were angels, either. In life, even I perfomed some actions, for which I take no pride. Farewell." With that, Jean Claude dissolved. When the spirit priest rose, to his feet, saying "I have no idea what to do, next. My whole after-life, so far, has been devoted to this". Mother Superior would be the voice, of reason, as she came forth, and told the priest "First, you will appear, before the arch-angel, Gabriel, THEN the Lord will decide your fate". When Tami would ask Mother Superior "Doesn't the fact, that this man was a priest, almost guarantee him a place, in Heaven?" Mother Superior would respond with "My child, how many times must I remind you. It is not WHAT you are, in life. It is what you do, WITH your life, which matters". I, too, remember the nun, telling other spirits that it was not the "grandiose" gestures, which mattered. It is how each of us lives our lives, which really matters, in the "final tally book". With that, Tami stood by my side, as we watched as the nun, and priest, turned to mist, then dissolved. When Tami and I returned, to the cavern, the only change, which we found, was that, now, the ships history had changed. Now the boats "history" was more than a century, of freight-hauling, before, finally, being retired, with honor. Now, the researchers were working to prove WHO had captained the vessel, and if the vessel should be moved to a museum. In her more-or-less "final report", to the Brown Agency, Tami would include the documentation, verifying the validity, of the find. An Egyptian boat, which had cruised America's Eastern Coast line, when not hauling supplies across the Atlantic Ocean. All of this thousands of years before Columbus set sail. Although the case was, officially, concluded, Mr. Blue would ask Tami and I a "favor", Since we were "in the area". "A client has a package, which they are willing to PAY the agency, handsomely, to transport, and store. All you have to do is pick the package up, on your way back to base, and deliver the package to our headquarters." When Tami called the cockpit, the pilot said "Got it. Adjusted coordinates locked in. Adjusted E.T.A. will be two hours later than planned." Well, if all this was just a U.P.S. type, of pick up, and delivery, what was the harm? Famous last words....