THE HAUNTING PAST MYSTERY OF BIGFOOT

THE HAUNTING PAST: THE MYSTERY OF BIG FOOT While enroute to Canada, Tami and I would open the file, on what might be the most laugh-able case, we had, ever, reviewed. It was no wonder the Canadian government had requested the Brown Agency to investigate. While reports, of "big foot", wandering into cities, seeming to be searching, for food, were older than I was, what the Canadians were trying to "keep a lid on", were the reports, of "big foot", not just vandalizing property. Some women were suggesting that "big foot" was having sex, with the women. While five, of these "reports", were from women, who claimed that "big foot" was no worse than the womens husbands, three women, actually, claimed the creature was BETTER, in bed, than husbands were. The reason why Canadian law enforcement was concerned was because, until recently, "big foot" had been known to AVOID contact, with humans. The Canadians wanted to know the reason WHY such a creature would, suddenly, change its habits. Taami's first thought was "I would bet that "big foot" is being blamed, for the womens infidelity." After all, ever since "big foot" had been known to be hunted, un-successfully, for centuries, HOW could anyone prove the creature fathered no human children? Add to this the fact that, historically, "big foot" only roamed towns, AFTER dark, when cover was easier to find, and this would add even MORE suspicion, and reports, of the creature, being reported, leaving homes "the morning after". By the time G.S.2 passed into Canadian Air Space, and approached our destination, Tami's mind was made up, even before we landed. As for my own mind, it was, more-or-less, made up, once we landed, and a sheriff gave us the "news". "Big foot" had been arrested, inside a local diner, where the creature had written its order, for breakfast, then sat down, to eat. When the sheriff said "At present, our "big foot" is "cooling his heels", in a jail cell." When Tami asked "Have you identified him, yet?" The sheriff would say "No such luck. Between his suit, and the fact that he only responds, to questions, with growls, and grunts, we suspect that he is a paid actor." Tami and I realized what the sheriff meant, when we stepped inside the sheriff's office, and got the shock of our lives. Tami was first to ask "Thats Chewbacca?" Then Tami asked "Is this a joke?" The sheriff would say "No ma'am. While that IS a Star Wars "Chewbacca" suit, we believe there is a human inside." I would add "Obviously. If he wrote out a breakfast order." When I added "For the record, WHAT did he order?" The sheriff produced his notebook, then read "Six eggs, over easy, a pound of bacon, three cups, of coffee, four glasses of Orange Juice, and a stack, of buttered toast". When Tami would ask "Would it be safe to say that this amount of food would feed a small family?" The sheriff would say "A family, of four, maybe." I observed the "creatures" reaction, as I suggested "I think our "friend", here, was preparing for an extended hike. Maybe, across the border, into America." I was right. As I mentioned the hike, into America, "Chewbacca's" eyes moved toward me, in awareness. When the sheriff would say "Impossible. We have the finest border patrol, in North America." When I looked at the "creature", as I suggested "But, how MANY, of your guards, would report seeing "Chewbacca", crossing the brder?" I saw the intelligence, in those eyes, as the "creature" listened, as the sheriff would say "**I** would not have believed it, if I hadn't seen it, in the diner." I would say "Precisely. NO officer, in their right mind, would report seeing this alien, Wookie, Chewbacca, crossing the Canadian-American border" Tami would ask "This leaves the question of WHY this person CHOSE to "break cover", and order breakfast. It would be like he was begging to be caught." The sheriff would suggest "It MIGHT have something to do with that university team, that we invited in. You know about the women, alledging sex, with the creature?" Tami and I would agree. That is when the sheriff would suggest "We asked for a team, not just to identify "this" (the sheriff said, as he pointed at the creature), but to test the womens stories. See if any, of the women were just looking for attention." By the time the sheriff finished updating us, on the creatures latest "escapades", the researchers had arrived, and, try as they might, to avoid using the tranquillizer darts, the researchers ended up using four darts, which "hit home", and the "creature" fell asleep. The person, who designed this suit, was one, master, costumer. It would take almost an hour, to find the connection points. Once we did, however, facial recognition, and finger-prints, provided an I.D., even before the human was awake. In fact, by the time the man was awake, deputies had aided the researchers, in "testing" the women, who had alleged "encounters", for "inter-species" breeding. While the women complained up a storm, when threatened with arrest, and filing false criminal, reports, the women decided to comply with the tests. NO one was surprised when it turned out that all "residue", inside the womens bodies, was HUMAN. Inside the jail, and without his costume, when the man was questioned, he admitted "Sherlock, here (meaning me) had it figured, right. Once I knew them egg-heads were coming, I KNEW my "big foot" act was over with. I HAD hoped that, when I appearred, at the diner, cashiers, and staff, would be scarred, silent. Sherlock was right, though. My plan was to down my breakfast, then WALK across the border, and ditch the costume." When the sheriff would ask "WHY come to Canada, in the first place?" The actor would say "I was HIRED, by someone. Someone, who thought that big foot had not been seen, in too long a time. My job was to make the animal SEEM less intelligent." The sheriff would say "More sightings would mean more media coverage". ""Big foot" would be in the news, again. Thats what my employer said, anyway." When the sheriff would ask "Just WHO is this "employer"?" The actor would say "NO idea. Just sent me the costume, and a first class plane ticket, as well as $50,000, in cash. All I had to do was walk around, and let people SEE me." When Tami would ask "What about the women, who said you attacked them?" The actor looked startled as he said "Now, WAIT one minute. I was hired to dress, in a costume, and let people SEE me. I have NOTHING to do with those, wild, stories. I may have been IN town, but I was, fully, costumed! THAT, I will SWEAR to, in court. I never molested any woman." When his D.N.A. test came back "negative", "big foot" was "off the hook". After this, the women were charged with "Inciting to riot". This, for upsetting other women, with the fear that "big foot" would molest other women, as well. Yes, this is the quickest case Tami and I ever wrapped. (OR, was it?) For the mans honesty, the actor was allowed to WALK across the border, back into America. As for Tami and I, we were about to return, to G.S.2, and fly back, to America, when a hunter came into town, telling the sheriff "This time, I TRACKED it like you told me to." When Tami and I looked interested, the sheriff would say "Johnson, here, says there are REAL big foot's, out there, in the wilderness. According to Johnson, the creatures are protecting something." When Johnson would add "Sure are. I guess I got to close, this time. Instead of vanishing, like they, usually, does, THIS time, one got right in my face, did an immitation, of a grizzly bear, then turned, and vanished. I tell you, sheriff, there is something, in that area, and those creatures dont want it seen." When Tami would suggest "Maybe, it is just their lair. Maybe, they are trying to protect their members?" Johnson would produce a map, saying "Here, here, here, and here. Outposts, where they watch." "Patrols, every hour. You cant tell ME that security is for protecting family members. I tell you those things is hiding something!" When the sheriff would ask "What do you want me to do? Get a search warrant, for the entire wilderness? How many creatures are there? Even if I did get a warrant, HOW would I serve it?" When Johnson would suggest "Them army surplus vehicles Adams has. Gas one up, load them with weapons..." The sheriff would interupt, asking "Then, what? Shoot up the forrest? Kill how many animals? Animal rights are, already, crawling all over us, looking for a reason to press charges. If we pull a D-Day style invasion, on the wilderness, my badge would not be worth the metal it is made of." When Johnson would say "Dammit! Sheriff! We MUST attack them before they decide to attack us!" (Where had Tami and I heard such rhetoric, before?) When I asked Johnson "Pardon my asking, but WHY do you see these creatures as a threat? What have the creatures done, to deserve being attacked?" Johnson would say "I dont like them. Too secretive. No idea what they are doing, in them woods. Could be assembling bombs, for all we know." When the sheriff realized that Johnson was about to "go off the deep end", with another of his "attack" theories, the sheriff promised to look into the information, and sent Johnson home. After this, the sheriff would inform Tami and I "I really dont think "big foot" is planning an "invasion". After all, the creatures have been recorded, for centuries. If the creatures were going to attack, why wait until Canada is a well-established nation?" (Neither Tami, nor I, had any answers) When Tami transmitted her daily report, to Mr. Brown, however, it would seem that our boss had information, FOR us. "Yes, the military has records, showing that Johnson served, in both Afghanistan, and Iraq. Multiple tours, in each place. It seems, however, that, after awhile, Johnson began "seeing" the Taliban, everywhere. He not only began rounding up any locals "suspected" of Taliban sympathy, but he took his weapon, and held some American soldiers hostage, telling command "They are Taliban, in our uniforms." Johnson was given an honorable dis-charge, after it was realized that he could not distinguish the Taliban, from Afghani's, Iraqi's, and even Muslum-Americans. While the Pentagon vehemently denies the problem, there have been dozens, of such dis-charges, among soldiers who, once in combat, for awhile, can no-longer distinguish between friend and foe." That night, as Tami and I were relaxing, on-board G.S.2, the sheriff called, saying "I need your help, like pronto, or STAT, even." When Tami activated the receiver, asking "Whats up, sheriff?" The sheriff would say "Trouble, like in SPADES." When Tami would ask "Explain?" The sheriff would say "Remember when I told Johnson to go home, and relax. I told him that I would look into his report?" When Tami would say "Yes, a few hours ago." The sheriff would say "Well, Johnson did not "go home". Instead, he broke into the hardware store. Took enough explosives, and ammunition, to wipe this town out, ten times over." Tami would suggest "You are concerned that Johnson is about to attack the creatures?" The sheriff would say "Worse. I am afraid that, once he runs out of ammo, the creatures will not only dispose of HIM, but they WILL see the event as an attack, on THEIR lair. The creatures may attack the town, out of retaliation, for the lives Johnson takes." Tami would whisper, sadly "Just like the Middle East, after 9/11." The sheriff would say "Exactly! Unless we stop him, he could start a war, which neither Canada, nor the British Empire, wants." When Tami would ask "How much, of a head start does Johson have?" The sheriff would say "Too much. Remember that this is a small town. No need for electronic security. The hardware store owner only reported the break in, while doing his evening rounds." When the sheriff would add "We must HURRY". This is when Tami would suggest an alternative to the sheriff's Jeep. "Why dont you come on-board our plane. We can be almost anywhere, inside fifteen minutes." When the sheriff would ask "Even when we find him, WHERE will you land?" Tami would say "Trust me, our pilots can land, on a dime, if need be. All we need is something, which belongs to Johnson." After the sheriff grabbed an object, which was "covered" in Johnson's D.N.A., it took maybe ten minutes, for the computer to find a "match". Another five minutes, and we were "hot", on Johnsons trail. By the way the man was driving, it was a wonder that he did not blow himself up, by accident. When a blast, of 30-calibur gun-fire, from our port turret, did not dissuade Johnson, and the sheriff would say "He did his tours, bullets wont scare him." Still, our pilots tried the starboard side turret, and its 50-calibur rounds. We can only assume that Johnson must have thought he was back, in the Middle East, and fighting the Taliban, since the former soldier drove right through the barrage, and our pilot would be left to confer with our co-pilot, asking "Plan Z?" When the co-pilot agreed, our pilot brought G.S.2 around, for another pass. This while our co-pilot, looking grim, at his assigned duty, grabbed some C-4, from our supplies, affixed detonators, then, with G.S.2 "hovering" just over the moving truck, the co-pilot would toss the bricks, of C-4 onto the hood of Johnsons truck. By the time Johnson realized what the lumps were, Johnson looked up, saw the air force man cross himself, give a massive salute, then flipped the switch, on the hand-held detonator. Now, ofcourse, with the placement, of the charges, a normal, motor vehicle would have broken in half, with the engine compartment rushing away from the passenger compartment. In Johnson's case, however, with his truck practically over-flowing, with explosives, from the cab, to the rear deck, there was no way to prevent the truck from exploding. Johnson went up, in a fire-ball, so powerful, that, even at 250 feet, overhead, G.S.2 was "rocked", as alarms shrieked, and the computers fought the concussion, of the blast, while trying to level our plane. After what seemed like an "eternity", but was, actually, only a couple of moments, G.S.2 found clean, solid, air, and the co-pilot had "fought" his way back to the cockpit, and aided his partner, in bringing the plane back into balance. Minutes later, when G.S.2 went vertical, and landed, near the truck, the flames were so hot that we could not get close enough to use our fire extinguishers. The "war on terror" had claimed ANOTHER, innocent, victim. The sheriff would suggest "He must not only have filled his gas tank, prior to this, but, I would assume we will find the remains, of gas cans, once the fire burns itself out." When Tami, catiously, asked "Gasoline?" our co-pilot would say "Yes, ma'am. It is a tactic, employed, by the military, for many years. Locate a target, then combine munitions with cans of gasoline Even if the transport blows up, short of destination, sheer velocity will carry the gasoline to the final destination." When I would suggest "A suicide run?" Our pilot would say "Hard to say. In World War Two, may drivers dove out, of trucks, just before impact. Some, of the drivers, actually survived." By the time the nearest fire department reached our location, the truck had all-but burned itself out. When the remains, of the gas cans, were collected, the fire department would ask "What was he planning to do? Blow up a mountain?" Later, the sheriff, and towns-people, would make CERTAIN that Johnson, a military veteran, with a sterling service record, would receive a proper burial. (The "war on terror" had created far too many "Johnsons". People, who, otherwise stable, had been turned into "animals", who could not tell friend from foe). While th fire department had been collecting evidence, from the explosion, Tami had been on the internet, with searches, cross-referencing "big foot", with "foot patrols", "guard posts", and "lairs/camps". What amazed neither of us was just how much "big foot" lore there was. While the most hilarious of this was that "big foot" was an alien, and Earth was a research outpost... The goofiest was the idea that "big foot" was not an animal, at all. Some, of these stories, suggsted that the military was dressing soldiers, as "big foot", in order to guard military bases. OUR favorite version, however, was that "big foot" was the descendant, of a prior race. One which left behind weapons, or even knowedge, which the creatures were sworn to protect. Thankfully, to most humans, "big foot" was nothing more than folk lore, and bed time stories. While a military attache had been dispatched, to bring the remains, of the "mobile bomb" to a military base, when Tami asked the soldier "HAS the military ever considered an all-out search?" The attache would say "Ma'am, you understand that the wilderness covers so much land. The only way to search, thoroughly, would be to "flatten the place", then search the wreckage. Can you imagine what the "tree-huggers", and environmentalists, would say? No, Ma'am. I am not about to risk my career, and my pension, chasing some wild animal." When Tami would suggest "Then, you DONT think its human?" The attached would say "Ma'am, I believe we, both, have better things to do then chase legends. Now, if you will excuse me." Once the "mobile bomb" (Johnsons truck), had been loaded onto a trailer, the attache joined his unit, and departed. When I would ask Tami "I wonder WHO is right, as in correct? The military, or the camp-fire stories?" When Tami would, in turn, ask the sheriff "What is down this path, anyway?" The sheriff would say "As far as I know, this trail ends, just past some camp sites. It just dissolves into the forrest." When Tami would ask our pilots "Do we have enough fuel, for a leisurely fly-by?" Our co-pilot would say "Our tanks are only 90% full. We can, only, cruise, until the food runs out." When Tami would suggest just a "quick pass", at the end of the path. Just enough to verify what lay at the end of the path. Everyone, including the sheriff, would agree. While the sheriff had, initially, seemed so certain, of where the path ended, even the sheriff was surprised that, as we hovered, over the end of the path, it appearred as though someone had EXTENDED the path. Where to, even the sheriff did not know. While our thermal sensors did, occassionally, produce some "human-sized" images, which were about as tall as a professional football player, the problem was the D.N.A. analysis. While G.S.2 got close enough, to five, of the creatures, to make the creatures howl, and make "gestures" at the plane, when we "shot" the creatures, with D.N.A. analyzers, the results were neither human, ape, or anything similar. In fact, our on-board computers registered the creatures as "Version: X. Species: Unknown. D.N.A. matches: Negative." By the time the analyzers batteries gave out, we were left with more questions than ever. When we returned the sheriff to his office, he would return to his "normal" life. Fences being crushed. Animal traps being poached. The usual assortment, of women, all complaining of being "watched". It was not until the evening, of our farewell celebration, that things got "weird". Our pilots were off, with the older men, sharing war stories, while Tami and I were enjoying good food, and drink, when we, all, heard familiar, and un-familiar, sounds. The sounds, which we recognized, were the sounds, of G.S.2's 30, and 50-calibur gun turrets firing. Since the guns were firing, that meant someone had violated the planes security perimeter. What spooked locals, and caught the sheriff's attention, were the "wookie-like" howls, which accompanied the gun-fire. When the sheriff, Tami, myself, and our pilots, rushed for our plane, we may have found no bodies, but we found plenty of heavy foot prints, and pools of blood. When we listened, and heard more howls, then there was the question of "Are they planning another attack?" followed by "That does not SOUND like an attack call. Sounds more like a "help with the wounded" call." When our pilots would ask "Why attack our plane, anyway? Only our codes can operate the systems." The sheriff would suggest "Maybe when your ship got close enough, to "tag" them, the creatures interpreted this as an "invasion of privacy", or "intent to attack". While we rested, in town, for another night, sometime, between 3, and 4, A.M., someone tossed a whole tree through a store window. By the time Tami and I arrived, on scene, the sheriff would be telling locals "It wasn't the excavators, or bulldozers" When Tami would ask "How do you know?" The sheriff would say "Look at the bark. No evidence of chains, or spikes. I, also, dont think those claw marks are real." When Tami would ask "WHY is that?" The sheriff would say "Its just a guess, but a person, tall enough to move that tree? Maybe fifteen, to twenty, feet tall? Muscular, to the max." When I would ask "Other options?" The sheriff would suggest "Maybe ropes. The question is: HOW to dispose of the ropes, before we arrived?" When at breakfast, there was more gun-fire, and more howls, from the area, of G.S.2, Tami and I agreed with our pilots. Someone did not WANT us here. While our automatic defense turrets protected the plane from attack, when Tami and I reviewed the video footage, even our trained eyes could not accept what we saw. While our trained pilots could not believe the images, either, when another round, of howls, came from close by, our pilots would say "Time to lift off. Take your seats, please." Thank Heaven for that unusuall alloy, which our hull was made of. When "un-specified targets" began hurtling BOULDERS, at G.S.2, our composite hull took the barrage, in stride. As for the REASON, for the attacks, the best that the Brown Agency could offer was a combination of "We invaded their territory", as well as the insertion of the D.N.A. devices. Still, our pilots remained on "full aleart" until we passed over the Canada/U.S. border. On the way back, to our home state, Tami received a message, from the Brown Agency biology department. "Results of testing remain in-conclusive. D.N.A. seems to be a mix, of up to seventeen species. Some extinct. NO definitive analysis available. Species remains unknown. Sorry, but this is ALL we have." At G.S.2's home hangar, the maintenance crews seemed amazed at the lack of damage, caused by the boulders. As for our "report", to Mr. Brown, this was full of more "holes", than Swiss Cheese. As for "Chewbacca", the actor was off, on another acting gig. This time, as a different creature. As for the women, who had claimed "molestation", by "big foot", these women were left in disgrace. The Canadian government remained un-certain, of how to prosecute such a case. As for the creatures, the government was of the feeling that "If there was something, out in that wilderness, the military sure wasn't interested. Nor was the government". The sheriff would report that, after what happened, with Johnson, the number, of trackers, trying to locate "big foot" had dropped, from dozens, to only three of the most "hard core". These people had been retained, since they promised a LIVE "big foot", to various carnivals. Tami and I were just about to take a well-deserved rest, when Mr. Brown would suggest "If you have a minute, I would appreciate your thoughts, on this file. It doesn't seem like much, bu the client seems sincere. I dont know why, but I have an "odd feeling" about this one." Yep! So much for rest, and relaxation. POST SCRIPT: Sometimes, I wonder if we should have taken the "Mystery of the Gaming House", after all. WHAT would our lives be like, if I had, never, talked Tami into attending the original event? Would our lives be quieter, if Tami had followed her instincts, and thrown away that post card? Then, again. It was Tami whose treaties, between the living, and the dead, which were allowing dozens of cities to "Rest in Peace", at night. Besides, as Tami would point out "IF we were not doing this, WHAT would we be doing, with our time?"

DEPORTATION THE FINAL ACT

DEPORTATION: THE FINAL, DESPERATE, ACT While the news was being "flooded", with reports, of Gestapo-style raids, primarily on area's, where latino's seemed most in evidence, There was, also, PLENTY, of media coverage, showing children, being ripped from parents embrace. This, under federal orders, which stated "Tearing families apart WILL DIS-courage future, illegal, immigration." What the businessman, nor his cabinet, nor his staff, had PROJECTED for, was the "back-lash", of the American people. According to corporate PROJECTIONS, the militant tactics, and mass deportations, SHOULD have lead "patriotic" Americans, to proclaim that the businessman should be placed up, for "sainthood". Boy! Were these PROJECTIONS WRONG. When the businessman learned that Americans were staging ambushes, to force the military to withdraw, from neighborhoods, while calling a halt, to ripping communities apart, just to detain illegals, The businessman, then, went on national television, calling all those, who defended the illegals "TRAITOR", followed by an executive order, calling for the use, of M-1 tanks, and Apache attack helicopters, to be used INSIDE American cities. The Republican Party, SILENTLY, watched, and waited for the results. What Washington D.C. just could not comprehend was to what LENGTHS Americans were willing to go, to protect friends, neighbors, and co-workers. It would not be until after more than a dozen, seperate, M-1's were bathed, in burning gasoline, and forced to withdraw, from combat, that the Apache's found themselves facing the same resistence, in the skies, over the same cities. The SAME kind of resistance the pilots had faced, in the skies, of the Middle East. Apache's were shot at, from so many directions, at one time, that the gunners had no idea which direction to shoot, first. It was not, however, until one, Apache, gunner (without orders), armed his Hell-Fire missiles, then blasted the roof-tops, off of eight, close, buildings, then the gunner called out, over the radio "Take THAT, you wet-back scum." While the other pilots, in the same, flight group, remained silent, about the destruction, back in Washington D.C., the response was immediate, even if in conflict. While the businessman wanted to HAIL the pilots initiative, the Pentagon was quick to inform the media "The firing, of Hell-Fire missiles, was NOT approved, by command. I repeat. The firing, of Hell-Fire missiles, was NOT approved, by command." Still, whether the attack was "approved", or not, the dead remained dead, even as the injured flooded E.R.'s. Shortly after this, when word reached the businessman, that Latino's were marrying Americans, in order to remain in the United States, the businessman sent forth an executive order, which not only nullified all such marriages, but, effectively, ENDED his control, of the federal government. When the Supreme Court was first to denounce this executive order, stating "The Executive Branch, of government, has NO such authority, or power." Congress, rapidly, followed up, reminding the media of the SEPERATION of church, and state. In his final act, of desperation, to IMPOSE HIS vision, of America, on the nation, the businessman would issue his final, and most controversial, "executive order". The order stated "Any American, who marries an illegal, to protect the illegal, from deportation is a TRAITOR! These people are TRAITORS, to the United States. Such TRAITORS will have their OWN U.S. citizenship revoked, then these TRAITORS will be sent out of America, along with the illegal immigrants, whom the TRAITORS have married. Such TREASON will not be tollerated, in America!" With this, his most controversial "executive order", to date, the businessman found himself facing opposition, not only from the courts, and Congress, but the holy church, as well. The general agreement was that it was NOT LEGAL, to terminate an Americans citizenship, on the basis of marrying a foreigner. (The businessman was furious when his own marriage, to a foreigner, was used as the basis, of this decision) His final act, before "sneaking" out of Washington D.C., and returning to his real estate empire, the businessman made the same declaration, of America, which Adolf Hitler made, of Germany, at the close, of World war Two. "These people are UN-worthy of my leadership. They have no stomach, no back-bone, for what needs to be done." Maybe. The only thing, which was for certain, was that the federal government had a MASSIVE repair bill, to pay, for all of the damage, caused, under executive orders. It would take even more YEARS, to re-build the TRUST, which had been so ruthlessly SHATTERED, under the businessman. And for what????????

THE HAUNTING PAST THE MYSTERY OF CZAR NICHOLAS THE SECOND

THE HAUNTING PAST: MYSTERY OF CZAR NICHOLAS 2 While, in the cockpit, of G.S.2, our veteran pilots could have plotted, and flown, the course, to Soviet Russia, with their eyes closed (Having plotted, and flown, the same course, hundreds of times, during the Cold war), still, it seems that the very idea, of flying, even NEAR Soviet waters, brought the retiree's to "instant alert". This, despite the fact that, similar to A.W.A.C.'s aircraft, our plane was equipped with sensors, which could detect, and identify, in-bound threats, before the pilots even SAW the threats. Still, our air force pilots were not about to trust electronics, to protect either the plane, or their passengers. The men would remain on "instant alert", until G.S.2 exited Soviet Air Space. Invited, or not, the word was "Alert!". While the pilots kept an "Eagle eye", on the sky, back in the work space, of the plane, the three of us were busy, trying to seperate fact from fiction. And not just Soviet propaganda, either. The United States government was the largest source, of anti-Soviet propaganda. As we were to learn, the only difference, between Soviet, and American, propaganda, was the accusation, of which side would launch World War Three, and WHY. The Soviets taught their children that America would strike, FIRST, in order to destory the "evil empire", and bring "Christianity", to the Soviets, at GUN-point. (Atleast, to the survivors, of an American FIRST strike). As a result, Soviet leadership had decreed that only "Eternal Vigilance" would protect the Soviet people from becoming "puppets", of the American government. By comparison, American propaganda did little more than reverse the roles, portaying the Soviet Union as the First strike aggressor. Washington D.C. had spent decades, teaching Americans that the Soviet Union would strike, first, in an effort to destroy (WHAT). Christianity? Capitalism? Free Speech? The list was endless, of what the Soviets would want to accomplish. Even American "think tanks" could not agree, on the reason why the Soviets would want to attack. One university, when asked, about the Soviet goal, of standing, on the front steps, of the White House, proclaiming "We have WON!" The university had questioned "Won what? Even if Soviet missiles bathed American soil, in lethal radiation, any Soviet forces, sent into America, for the next century, would DIE, of the exact same radiation poisoning, which the attack had brought to America". The universities, quietly, ruled that, no matter which side struck, first, or fastest, no one would survive. Even if America were blasted, with enough radiation, to blow the nation right off the globe, the fall-out, from the blasts, would ride the trade-winds, and the Soviets would begin to die, of the exact same radiation poisoning, within just hours of celebrating their "victory". As for that nonsense, about standing on the steps, of the White House, such an act MIGHT have been potent, in the mid-twentieth century. Nowadays, however, the White House had lost its importance, as a sign of "Freedom". Now, the building was just another, government, building. These were the kinds, of propaganda, which the three of us would have to "deal with", to learn about the czar. While Tami and I worked at our normal stations, Lysia would be just as busy, with her laptop computer. And an extra-special thanks, to our air force retiree's, for making the flight so smooth that it was easy to forget that we were, in fact, airborne. What relieved the retiree's was when, fifty miles beyond Soviet Air Space, it seems that Mr. Brown had arranged a mid-air re-fuelling. Not because Mr. Brown did not trust his Soviet sources, but because stealth technology was so "sensitive", to even subtle changes, in things, such as fuel quality, that Mr. Brown decided to make certain that G.S.2 did not have to re-fuel, over Soviet territory. While we took on fuel, the planes non-verbal communications system informed Soviet Air control, of our flight plan. Our pilots even expected the escort fighters, which flew up, to meet us, at the border, of Soviet Air Space. After all, G.S.2 was, offically, a U.S. Air Force BOMBER. Our pilots, also, understood the reason why the fighters took up a visual position, to the rear of our plane. After all, G.S.2 was DESIGNED to defeat radar. Visual was the only SURE way, of tracking our plane. At the appropriate points, our pilots made course changes, as per Soviet orders. By the time we arrived, at the grounds, of Czar Nicholas 2's palace, Tami, Lysia, and I knew the place, even better than our pilots. If our pilots had one grienvance, to register, with the Soviets, it was that the "marked", "designated" landing zone was much smaller than our plane. Not surprisingly, when the Soviets pointed weapons, at our plane, upon landing, and the Soviet officers TRIED to "take the high ground", stating "You have failed to land within the designated landing zone. Your plane will, now, be searched, for any threats, to Soviet security." While our pilots did their best, to maintain military courtesy, the air force retiree's reprimanded the Soviets, by stating "This landing zone isn't large enough for an American drone, let alone a full size airplane. I wonder what the American ambassador would think, of THAT?" Realizing that the locals had "lost the high ground", the Soviet officer would order their soldiers "Move the indicators to the exact SHAPE, of this aircraft." Then, to our pilots, the Soviet officer would say "IF, during your stay, on Soviet soil, this plane move one milimeter beyond the outlined area, **I** will give the order, to destroy your aircraft, and ALL on-board. Understand?" To the Soviets anger, our pilots diffused the situation, by saying "A pleasure doing business with you." Shortly after the "posturing", a young-ish, female, officer would arrive, dropping protocol, and saying (as she looked upon our plane) "I never thought I would live to see the day that an American Air Force bomber would set on Soviet territory." Tami would remind the officer "Your government INVITED us". The officer would say "Of course. Still..." even as she gazed upon the body of our plane. During the coming tour, of Czar Nicholas 2's mansion, when the officer would say "At various times, during the previous century, Soviet military forces have practiced drills, within these walls. At other times, administrators have used this location, for logistical purposes. The property is, however, officially, listed as "vacant". When Lysia would ask "May I ask WHY such a beautiful place is vacant?" The officer seemed un-easy, as she said "There have been stories. Tales, even. I think you Americans would call such stories "camp fire stories." When Tami would ask "Would you define what TYPES, of stories these are?" The officer would say "While my government MAY have invited you, to our land, I caution you NOT to question Soviet ethics. The Soviet Union may not be as rich as your America, but we retain our PRIDE, in WHO we ARE." The three, of us, soon understood that this soldier was not about to oblige us, with any useful information. While the tour took the better part, of an hour, the soldier made SURE we understood that SHE was in command. While the markers, around G.S.2 were moved, to the exact shape of our plane, our pilots would explain WHY one of us would be required to remain with the plane, at ALL times. The simple fact that our Soviet "watch-dogs" were well inside G.S.2's security perimeter. This meant that, if ALL of us departed the plane, at any given time, the automatic defense system would open fire, on the Soviet soldiers. As our pilot would say "Those men are just following orders. It would be terrible to let the plane gun them down, when they are just doing thier duty. They are under orders to be so close, to G.S.2" Worse yet was the fact that each soldier carried not only an automatic rifle, but grenade-launchers, as well. This meant that, if we left the plane, all at once, it might take the defense computer all of thirty seconds, to gun down every single guard, "watching" our plane. The air force men knew how American families would feel, if a cornered, foreign, soldier, shot a family member. (No one wanted such tragic deaths on their conscience). While Mr. Brown would send an official grievance, to the Soviets, military command would insist that the troops remain where they were posted (for "security" reasons). Result, this meant that, to save innocent, Soviet, lives, one of us would be required to STAY with G.S.2, "round-the-clock". As Tami, Lysia, and myself, were, soon, to discover, "official", Soviet, history, began in 1917. The Red October revolution, of 1917, to be precise. For information, prior to this time, the three of us were limited to the internet, and to the memories, of elderly people. While the very notion, that people, from 1900, would remain alive, at this date, would be to stretch reality, to its breaking point, Tami, and Lysia, held hope that generations shared stories, of the days when the czar was in power. Who knows? Maybe, we MIGHT get lucky, and learn more about the man known as "Peter the Great". The man whom, some history says, united the Russian Republics, well over a century ago. Still, as Mr. Brown was known, for telling agents "It is FINE to gather extra knowledge, in order to fulfill the general needs, of a client request. Just make sure that you remain focused on your goal." In our case, this meant finding out WHO was observing Czar Nicholas 2, WHERE he was being sighted, and how MANY people were present, at each sighting? About the only thing the three, of us, could be certain about, while in the Soviet Union, was that, any time locals took to speaking Cyrillic, we were certain that they were talking about us. This because, when the people were talking TO us, they used English, which made me feel like a kindergartner. Accents aside, these peple spoke excellent English. The normal problem, which we ran into, was that of the variety, of stories, and the variety, of sources. Some people said that czar Nicholas 2 was a frequent, at local taverns. Others said the man was devout, to sobriety, and could be seen, often, at the local church. Of all of the conversations, which Tami, and Lysia, held, with locals, about the only, common, "thread", was that the czar was seen, wearing his army uniform. One thing locals were adamant about, however, was that the man was NOT being viewed, in his dress uniform. At every, single, sighting, Czar Nicholas 2 was being observed, wearing his battlefield uniform. This point was EMPHASIZED, by EVERYONE we spoke to. Over the next two weeks, Tami, Lysia, and I attempted to chart the czar's movements. This despite the fact that Soviet officers stated that they had been trying the same method, for months. So far, however, nothing was "panning out", for the military officers. This is why Tami suggested "Since we are civilains, maybe we can observe the question, from a different angle." When a confused-looking, Soviet soldier would ask "WHAT other angle?" Lysia would suggest "You, sir, are trained, to look at life, as a soldier, correct?" When the Soviet soldier would say "Da! What other way SHOULD a soldier look at life?" Lysia would say "Precisely. While you observe life, as a soldier, WE observe life, as civilians." After two weeks, of trying to track the czar, with little success, beyond beginning to understand some, basic, Soviet, phrases, one day, G.S.2 would recall us, saying "Big news! Something is going on, inside the czar's palace." When Tami would ask "What KIND of something?" Our co-pilot would say "Whatever it is, it MUST be important. The Soviets have recalled every guard they had, on our plane. Some sort of search is taking place. If you get back, soon enough, maybe you can join in the fun." While the three of us made the best time, possible, considering that our only "ride" was a flat-bed truck, still, we managed to return, while the search was continuing. When we asked a Soviet officer "Whats going on?" The officer no-sooner said "Nothing to see...", then back-pedalled, saying "Apologies. I thought you were members of the media. They LOVE to swarm these kinds of reports." Of this, we were, fully, aware. This is why, so often, the Brown Agency was called in, for DISCREET investigations. After making the apologies, the officer would say "I do not know how much "help" you can be. My squads seem to have lost visual contact, with the intruder." When Tami would ask "Intruder?" The officer would say "We will call them an "intruder", until we know who they REALLY, are." Lysia would suggest "So, you do not believe that your "intruder" is Czar Nicholas 2?" The officer would say "Ma'am, with all due respect, the czar has been dead, for over a century. Outside of your American movies, I have, yet, to see a dead person ACTUALLY walk among the living." When Tami would ask "What about ghosts?" The officer would say "Only fools believe in such things. Educated soldiers do not believe in such things." Tami would counter with "So, if this is NOT a ghost, then you have it surrounded, and we can wrap this case, before nightfall." The officer would say "That is our hope." Problem was that, even after five, complete, searches, of the mansion, from roof to basement, no sign, of the intruder, was found. When Tami would ask "Whats next?" The soldier would say "We begin looking for escape tunnels." When Lysia would ask "WHY?" while knowing the answer, she wanted to hear the Soviet version. The soldier would say "You never, heard this from me, correct?" When all three of us agreed "You never said "A" word", the officer would say "My grand-father, and his father, tell stories, to amuse the children. Stories, about how the aristocracy used to build escape tunnels into homes. Some of the tunnels run, for MILES, under the country-side. Grand-father says that these tunnels were for use during civil un-rest. If the aristocracy felt "threatened", they would, how do you say it, "exit, stage right", and not return until things were calm." When Tami would ask "You suspect the intruder used this same kind of tunnel?" The soldier would say "It will sound better, in my report, to command, than reporting that the czar is "back in town"." In Tami's, daily, report, to base, she would refer to the officer as an "un-specified source". She would report the sightings, and the suspicion, that the intruder was using old time tunnels, to escape the Soviet government. Tami would include "Unles this is a thrill-seeker, who is trying to annoy the Soviets, why BOTHER trying to haunt the czar's palace? Wouldn't the intruder realize that this place is guarded, by the Soviets?" When Mr. Brown would agree, saying "I suggest that you follow up on that thrill-seeker angle. Maybe it IS someone, trying for a new "high." Lysia would comment "Wouldn't that be a dangerous "high"? Challenging the Soviets, openly? I mean, in America, we give people the benefit, of the doubt. The Soviets?" Still, Mr. Brown would say "Make sure you follow up on that thrill-seeker angle. If this is some fool, they may not realize that they are "playing with fire". Tami would suggest "Unless they ENJOY "playing with fire"." The one thing, which both the military, and civilian, population, agreed on, was the fact that thrill-seekers sought their thrills, OUTSIDE Soviet borders. As many people would tell us "While the Communist Party may have fallen, in 1991, there remain elements, which are LOYAL to party ways. This is why "thrill-seekers" go out-of-country, for their thrills." When the ladies would ask "What about escape artists? Would they consider eluding the police to be great publicity?" Civilians would say "Anyone, that STUPID would not live long." Okay, if we could rule out thrill-seekers, and escape-artists, then WHAT did this leave us with? Besides spirits, that is?" While none of us Amereicans had anything against Soviet cooking, the problem was my stomach. It seems that the herbs, and spices, used, in Soviet village cooking, made me green, upon approach. This is why I stayed, with G.S.2, while the rest, of our group, had dinner, in the local village. I knew that military rations would not upset my annoyingly sensitive stomach. (Note, it is "thanks" to this stomach, that I cannot eat as much American candy, as I would like, either. For decades, I have been reduced to diet soda, and sugar free candy.) The GOOD news would be that, at the dinner, there was plenty of conversation, especially once the alcohol began flowing. Oddly enough, however, these people knew how to have fun, while avoiding becoming drunk. From G.S. 2, I monitored, and recorded, details, of conversations, as the rest, of the crew made conversation, with our hosts. Our pilots even had a lively conversation, with some Soviet pilots, over which type, of fighter plane was more maneuverable. While the Soviets agreed that the Hind helicopter was a "hulking beast", designed to strike fear, by its very presense, both nations pilots considered the American Apache to be more cat-like. Both in its ability to sneak up, on targets, and in its ability to strike, without warning. It would be the Soviet soldiers who would tell of the service, of both Peter the Great, and Czar Nicholas 2. "Peter was a great leader, and an inspiration, to the Soviet people, while Nicholas was a dedicated soldier. They, both, served Russia very well. We honor their memory." During the celebrations, however, I wasn't quite, certain, myself, but, from what I saw, on the cameras footage, it seemed like Czar Nicholas 2 made a few apparances. When I contacted the ladies, however, both denied seeing the man. Later, while returning to the plane, the ladies would report seeing what they THOUGHT appearred to be Nicholas 2. Both times, however, it turned out to be nothing more than Soviet soldiers, on night patrol. When Lysia would ask "Could this be what others are seeing. Live soldiers, on patrol? Just not, carefully, observed?" Tami would say "Anything is possible. I am just amazed that, if Nicholas is around, that he does not pay our plane a visit." I would have to agree that spirits, on our plane, would be nothing new. Sometimes, the spirits liked to call on US, versus us calling on THEM. The question was "If Czar Nicholas 2 WAS in fact, making appearances, HOW did we draw him, to us?" When I made the suggestion "Maybe, if I enlisted, in the Soviet Army?" The ladies would laugh, openly, saying "For one thing, you are too OLD. For another, you are American. The Communists would, NEVER, have an American, in their military." Another, unknown, voice would say "You do not even speak Cyrillic. HOW would you follow commands?" When we looked behind us, there he was, large as life. Czar Nicholas 2. When Lysia would say "Pleased to meet you, sir." The czar would say "Like-wise, I am sure.", then the man would turn to me, saying "Your allegiance is to America, not Mother Russia. How could you serve a nation, which you are not pledged to?" I would add "It was only a thought." The czar would say "Be cautious, with airing such thoughts. Mother Russia is, still, going through changes. She has some difficult times, before her. She will need her childrens protection, and support, if she is to survive." When Tami would ask "What will Russia need to "survive"?" Nicholas would say "Word has reached me that an international group "spear-headed" by some American investors, is working to bring gambling to Mother Russia." When I would ask "Doesn't Russia have its OWN vice services?" Nicholas would say "While that is correct, it would seem that your new, vice-based, economy, is trying to "muscle-in", on Mother Russia." All three of us KNEW what Nicholas spoke of. In fact, it was common knowledge, in America, that states, which were desperate, for money, but REFUSING to create factory jobs, were approving more, and more gambling, everyday. Even the home-state, of Tami, and myself, had approved a record number, of new casino's, while, adamantly, denouncing creation, of factory jobs. Our state was determined that VICE would be the states future, no matter how many LIVES it cost. Still, when Tami would ask Nicholas "What can we do, to help?" Nicholas would say "If you can spread the word, among my people. Let them know that Mother Russia will be there, for them, as long as they protect her, then I will be most happy." When Lysia would ask "And, just HOW are WE, as Americans, supposed to convince Russians that gambling is NOT in your nations best interest?" Nicholas would give us some passage, in Russian, which we were to repeat, to anyone who doubted Czar Nicholas 2. The problem was that, even though we memorized the words, we had no idea what they meant. (The one thing, which G.S. 2's designers had, never, considered, was adding the Cyrillic language to the planes database.). When Lysia would ask "Sir, please tell me one thing. Are the legends true, that you are returning, with an immortal army, to re-take your throne?" Thankfully, the czar was wearing his field uniform, since he laughed, so hard, at this, that he, ALMOST, wet himself. After he finished laughing, Nicholas would inform Lysia "Yes, I, too, have heard that story. I wish I DID have an army, at my command. If I did, I would storm Moscow, at dawn, and ORDER them to terminate this, wretched "deal"." When Tami would suggest "Then, you are on your own? No support staff?" Nicholas would say "No, I have no regiments, at my command. As you may know, I have been deceased, for over a century. This means that, IF I wanted to raise an army, I would have to ASK for volunteers." When Lysia would suggest "Why not ask the Soviet PEOPLE. The villagers? Maybe THEY can aid your cause?" The czar would mention "I would need trained, seasoned, troops, for what we are suggesting. Villagers are fine, for village needs, but I would not expect them to FIGHT, for the nation." When Tami would mention the thirteen colonies, of North America, Nicholas would remind Tami "How MANY, of those, noble, people, gave their LIVES, to create your nation? How many lost their homes, businesses, their LIVES, to create your nation?" For some reason, Tami would ask "You do not believe that Russia is WORTH fighting for?" Nicholas would say "Not without trained battallions. Mortal, or immortal, I will not attack without trained sldiers, at my command." Over the next couple of days, G.S.2 became some sort of "command post", as the spirits, of officers, including generals, colonels, and so on, stopped by, for discussions, with Czar Nicholas 2. The main question, which everyone seemed to have was "How many soldiers will it take, to ensure success?". Another question was "How many soldiers do you, currently, have, under your command?" The problem, with the after-life, was that there was no such thing as "draft registration". If a leader wanted to lead troops, soldiers had to be contacted, and ASKED if they wanted to give up their eternal slumber, for another chance, at battle. While the soldiers were discussing battle plans, Lysia, and Tami, were conversing, with Moscow (which was VERY surprised that Americans had any idea of the proposed project). When Tami had asked one Politburo member, for their signature, on a form, stating that NOTHING was aggreed to, as yet, the member would, only, say "According to the proposed agreement, no releases are allowed, until Russia decides if we want the casino's." When Tami asked the member "Does Russia WANT the gambling?" She noticed how the party member hesitated, about answering. While she felt certain that the member was opposed, to gambling, the member was wise enough to remain quiet. When Tami re-phrased th question as "What will happen, to Russia, IF the gambling is NOT approved?" The member would say "No one is for certain. Some believe it will lead to civil war, as people fight over resources. Others believe that it will lead to a return to Communism. Others say "Wait and see". To Tami, it was obvious that the party member was part of the "wait and see" faction. Question was, HOW to convince Czar Nicholas 2 that gambling was, by no means, a "sure thing"? Tami knew that the time had come, for her to "rustle up" a treaty, and FAST, when not only did the spirits, of Soviet soldiers, begin to come forward, prepared to serve Mother Russia, once more, but when Vikings made an appearance, as well as the spirits, of three, entire, armored, divisions, of the U.S. Army, arrived, to join the fight. When Tami had asked the American spirits if they understood that this was a fight, for Russia, the spirits had explained their rationale, for wanting to take part. "We WANTED to serve, in World War Two, except that our machines broke down, and we were mowed down, before we could get into the fight. Later, we HOPED to serve, in the liberation, of the Middle East. Problem is that Pentagon brass have this "rule" about all soldiers needing to be alive. Basically, we were told "Unless you have a pulse, we dont WANT you." When Tami would ask "And, Russia?" The head, of an American battallion, would say "Finally, we have a chance to SERVE. To put our training to use. Who knows. Maybe even a unit citation, IF we succeed." Okay, so, even dead soldiers wanted to prove their worth. The question, which both Tami, and Lysia, had to deal with, was the question of "How will the Soviets react, when an army, of spirits, comes, crashing, into the government center, demanding an end to the gambling agreement?" In fact, how would the Soviets react, at all, to even SEEING an army, of spirits? Using her "classic" wording, Tami would draft a treaty, between the living, and the dead. A treaty, which, basically, said "You stay on YOUR side of the line, and we will stay on ours." When a Russian source would contact Mr. Brown, asking "Is that woman insane? Does she, REALLY, expect ghosts to abide by a treaty?" Mr. Brown would ask "Why not? My agent has negotiated more than a DOZEN, such treaties. To date, both the living, and the dead, have respected the terms, of each draft." When the Russian would ask "But, negotiating with dead people? Spirits? If word gets out, it will spell the END of my career, as well as Mother Russia." Mr. Brown would remind the Russian "THAT is why you requested the Brown Agency, remember? We specialize in keeping such matters OUT of the media." When the Russian would ask "But, but, but..." Mr. Brown would ask "Would you rather have an attack, by dead soldiers, levelling Moscow, or would you, rather, have a secret treaty, which saves your nation innocent lives?" When the Russian said nothing, Mr. Brown "read" the Russians face, saying "Trust my agents. Their track record speaks for itself. I guarantee that, as long as the living keep to their end, of the deal, the dead will, as well." Result, in a super-secret meeting, held on-board G.S.2, top Russians would sign a treaty, stating that international gambling would NOT set foot, on Russian soil. In return, the spirits agreed to return to their rest. When Tami spoke to the lead, American, spirit, asking "Are you dis-pleased that there was no battle?" The spirit would say "All we wanted was a chance to, finally, prove our value. If the cause is just, we WILL fight. I guess, though, that PEACE has its uses, as well." Still, Tami, Lysia, and I, all felt sad, as the American divisions did an about-face, and headed back into the mists of time. Soldiers, whose only desire was to PROVE their value, to their nation. Tami would suggest "Maybe, someday, they will." After the Americans dissolved, back into time, the Vikings followed suit. The Russians, however, remained, long enough, to congratulate the sons, and grand-sons, of fallen comrades, as the men had, in the modern day, achieved the ranks, which other men only dreamed of. After hand-shakes, and embraces, all around, the spirits gave a hearty, Soviet, salute, to the living, then, still in keeping with Soviet military practices, the soldiers marched off, back into the mists of time. Their beloved nation, safe, for another day. When our Soviet hosts just looked at us, as if to say "How will we report this, to Moscow?" Tami would suggest "Why not give them a version of the truth. There were some people around, who were opposed to the gambling, and these people wanted to make their opposition clear. The government decided to arrange a "cease-fire", in order to save innocent lives. The situation has been handled. On, to the next task." When our hosts would ask "You dont, really, expect Moscow to believe such a tale?" I would suggest "Do you think that Moscow would believe the complete "truth"?" When the Soviets shook their heads, Tami would say "Version "B" is the winner." On-board G.S.2, Tami would upload BOTH versions, to the Brown Agency, along with the suggestion "The Soviets are agreeing to Version "B". Version "A" is for our records." To our surprise, the same soldiers, who "stood guard", over our plane, upon arrival, seemed happy to aid us, when it was time to pack up. According to the soldiers "We have family, in, and around, Moscow. Thanks to your efforts, our families are safe." Shortly after take-off, Lysia answered a chirping sound, from her laptop computer. A signal that she had an incoming message. Lysia would say "It is, probably, Rodney, calling to let me know HE has accepted the position." When Tami would ask "Do you think he will be that BAD, of a boss?" Lysia would say "I doubt we will, even, SEE one another, more than twice per year. He LIVES for field work." It was not, however, until Lysia opened her laptop that she got a look, on her face, of sheer surprise. One of those "I just cant BELIEVE it" looks. When Tami would say "Dont keep us in suspense. What does it say?" Lysia lost her voice, for a moment, then showed us her laptop, with the message, open. The message read "Great work, both in Peru, and in Russia. Top flight research work. Sound conclusions. The university is happy to announce that YOU are now..." Lysia had gotten the job, after all. According to a follow up message, not only had Rodney turned down the post, saying "I'm just too busy, in the field. No time for office duties. Give it to Lysia. Lord knows, she has EARNED it. Give her my best. I hope she makes it." Lysia was, now, one step closer, to her goal. I have no doubt, at all, that she WILL reach her goal. I just dont know if I can imagine Lysia, in a chancellors robes? A dress? Maybe. work clothes? Definitely. Chancellors robes? Then, Mr. Brown would send us a message. "After you return Lysia to the university, I wonder if you could swing up, to Canada. I have something stirring, up there, and you may be of some use." the next day, G.S.2 drew its usual amount, of gazes, as our jet made its vertical landing, in a university parking lot. It seems the lot had been cleared, specifically for Lysia's return. A sort of celebration, for her promotion. Still, even among the "welcome home's", and other greetings, our pilots set Lysias belongings aside, then all eyes were glued, to our jet, as the engines came up to power, with a sound, which made everyone look, as the plane began its leisurely rise, above the tree-tops, before going into horizontal mode. Before exiting the plane, Lysia had told us "I wont bother to say "Goodbye" since I have a feeling that you will be seeing me, again. For this reason, I will say "Until later". As our jet coasted out of sight, Lysia found that she could, never, get enough of that sight. For some reason, our jet seemed "beautiful", and "graceful", even if its surface was matte black. On, to Canada, and the next case.

THE HAUNTING PAST MYSTERY OF PERU

THE HAUNTING PAST: THE MYSTERY OF PERU As G.S.2 cruised over western Europe, headed for the Pacific Ocean, Tami and I opened the file, on our next case. (And we learned the reason why Mr. Brown had suggested tropical outfits). When we opened the file, we found a video, of Lysia. The video stated "Friends, my apologies, for not contacting you, sooner. I just never expected this to happen." Lysia went on to explain "While I was pursuing investigative avenues, regarding the mummies, located beneath California, I was surprised to receive an offer. It seems that, within Peru, while there are "traditional" factions, which maintain that the Inca, Maya, Aztec, and so on, NEVER departed Peru, for any reason, there have been artifacts, found, primarily, around Africa, as well as Egypt, and which trace back to Peruvian culture. This evidence has lead to the creation, of a new faction, and a new way of thinking. The idea being that the Indians were not, in fact, as primitive, as students are taught. Now, while even I will admit that atleast SOME, of the "artifacts" are, obvious, FAKES, due to carrying labels, which say "Made in China, Korea, Taiwan, etc" It is the remainder, of the artifacts, which is causing concern. While the new faction is claiming that South America had, very regular access, to Europe, thousands of years before either the Vikings, or even Columbus, The traditionalists are maintaining that, either the Trans-Oceanic goods are cheap "knock-off's", or that paralel development was taking place. The Peruvian government has requested "outside assistance", with this problem. I guess that I should thank your Peruvian mummies, for my invitation, since this find is the reason why I began researching the topic. This is, also, why I was invited to visit Peru. The new faction wants to know that, IF it were possible, to cross the Atlantic Ocean, earlier in history, then WHY should it have been impossible for ships to just follow the coast-line, north, to what would, much later, become known as California?" When Tami would look at me, asking "What could the rationale, for such a trip, be? Back, in those days, pre-California was a wilderness." I would suggest "Might they have been searching for new resources? Maybe searching for a site, for a new outpost?" On the video, Lysia would continue "I understand that it will seem a "stretch", however, some Peruvians believe that the ancestors travelled, in search of new resources. Possibly even to establish a new outpost, for a growing civilization." While considering this information, Tami and I were reviewing our private collection, of the photo's, of the mummies, even as, somewhere, over the Atlantic Ocean, G.S.2 rendezvoused with our re-fuelling plane. Someone must have given REAL thought, to the design, of our plane. Someone else, really, must have thought they were being "clever", in attaching a microphone, to the fuel probe. Well, G.S.2's designers had been no fools, either. They had understood surveillance techniques, as well as anyone. No-doubt, that is why, when the fuel probe inserted, into our fuel tanks, and the microphone was detected, by our planes sensors, a silent, visual, warning, "sounded", throughout G.S.2. As a result, with our course, generally, set, towards North America, our pilots made general flight conversation, while Tami and I discussed which case we would prefer to handle, next. Aboard the fuel plane, the crew smiled, at the frustrated expression, on the Homeland Security officials face, as the four of us discussed NOTHING which was not, already, known. While the fuel crew did, as ordered, leaving the microphone attached to G.S.2, as the fuel probe retracted, to its mother plane, the crew, of the fuel plane, watched, as G.S.2's computer detached, then jettisonned, the microphone. This is when the fuel plane crew reminded the Homeland Security official "We TOLD you. Stealth technology is DESIGNED to detect, and deter, surveillance." The fuel plane pulled away, even as the waterproof, eaves-dropping, device would fall, thousands of feet, to plop into the Atlantic Ocean. (For the thirty day lifespan, of the "bugs" battery, all that Homeland Security would hear would be marine life, sea waves, and the occassional, passing, ship) Only AFTER the fuel plane was well out of the area would our pilot turn G.S.2 onto a new course, towards Peru. While our pilots did this, Tami and I would send Lysia a text message, regarding our pending arrival. To this message, our pilot would add "Any suggestions, for either horizontal, or vertical landing, spaces?" Via return text, Lysia would provide coordinates, saying "There should be plenty of space, for your plane." It would seem that our stealth bombers designers, and builders, had taken the stealth concept to a whole ,new , level. This was proven, by the fact that, even as G.S.2 approached Peruvian Air Space, our navigational computer was having a "chat", with the computers, at Peruvian Air Traffic Control. G.S.2's computer, silently, transmitted our complete flight plan, to the national computers. I can only guess that the designers figured that a great way, to ambush airplanes, was to LISTEN in, on "radio chatter". Once a plane announced its destination, renegade forces could track the plane. For this reason, G.S.2 was equipped with a non-verbal system. The computers would talk, in computer code, over the air. To anyone listening, all the transmission would sound like was background noise. Once the destination was logged, air traffic control computers would update the control towers feeds. While the approach, of our plane, to the "target location", made several Indians nervous, while other Indians crossed themselves, Lysia stood, proudly, waiving "Hello", to her arriving friends. While Lysia had spent hours, prior to our arrival, explaining WHY our plane did not need a landing STRIP, once our plane cruised in, overhead, and entered vertical descent mode, villagers drew back, into cover, while the hatches, on our planes underside slid open, revealling the protected, vertical, landing camera's. (Some Indians actually thought that the lenses were the "eyes" of a "beast"). Lysia knew that our pilots opened these hatches, to be able to SEE the ground, beneath the plane. Still, it was not until the terrian-following radar confirmed that G.S.2 had fifty feet, to spare, both port and starboard, as well as a few feet, bow and stern, that our pilots landed the plane. Once the jet-wash had subsided, Lysia walked up, to our personnel hatch, saying "Welcome to Peru. I am your host, Lysia. I will be your guide, during your stay." When Tami would ask "Why so formal?" Lysia would say "Prior to coming to Peru, I admit that I spent a few days reviewing the CLASSIC "Fantasy Island". You remember, the one starring Ricardo Montalban, as the debonair Mr. Roarke, and Herve Villachez, as the adorable dwarf, Tatto." When I would mention "I watched that show, when I was young, and it was brand new." Lysia would say "So, you understand why I could not resist the temptation." While it WAS true, that "Fantasy Island" was, disastrously re-worked, in the 1990's, failing, shortly, after premiering, the re-runs, of the original, classic, were drawing old, AND NEW, audiences. This included viewers, in the new millenium. When Tami asked Lysia "I thought you were up, for a position. What happened?" Lysia would say "Positions come, and go. Another will come up. THIS, however, is science. Real field work. Once-in-a-lifetime stuff. This is what I LIVE for." (Funny thing, however, is that, if I remembered, correctly, Lysia was doing field research, with Tami and I, when her degree was announced.) While Lysia would skip much, of the local history, she would focus Tami and I in, on a sub-group (whose name I wont pretend I can pronounce). As Lysia would remind us, these tribe members bound infants skulls, allegedly, to honor the "gods". Legend has it that this group, by binding the skulls, hoped to attain the level of skill, and knowledge, of the gods. Tami would mention "Unless the gods were not, in fact, human." Lysia would say "Part of the reason why you are here. I need help, with seperating fact from fiction." Tami would mention "I doubt Mr. Brown would have sent us, just to look at artifacts. You have a "spirit problem", dont you." Lysia would say "Of THAT, I am NOT certain. What I do know is that workers are reporting seeing "things". Things which MIGHT be spirits." When Tami would say "You sound suspicious. Why do you dis-believe the stories?" Lysia would say "After dealing with those fake mediums, I do not take anything for granted. There is, however, a problem." When Tami would say "The spirits do NOT appear, when YOU are around." Lysia would add "Even when I try to chase them, or camp out, at sighting locations, hoping that they will appear." I would mention "Sounds like someone either trying to play games, or dis-credit your efforts. Maybe even trying to get you kicked out, of the country." Lysia would ask "The question is: WHY? I mean, this whole, area, of Peru, has been reviewed, DOZENS of times. Why would anyone CARE if we dig up more?" Tami and I would ask one another "California?" When Lysia would ask "What about California? The state did not even exist, officially, until about 175 years ago." Tami would say "THAT is the problem." When Lysia looked confused, Tami would add "A state senator tried to use demolition explosives, to destroy a tunnel system, which Californians knew nothing about." When Lysia would say "Big deal. Everyone knows that Asians, referred to as "Coolies", were imported, both to lay the trans-continental railroad, and to dig tunnels. I doubt we will, ever, know WHERE most of these tunnels were buried." Tami would state "The governor, and the legislature, knew of ANOTHER set, of tunnels. These tunnels were built centuries, maybe even millenia, before the Asians were imported." When Lysia would ask "Is THAT where you found the mummies? An older tunnel system?" Tami would say "Yes. An old, but very ELABORATE, tunnel system. A state senator insisted that he HAD to use eight, full, crates, of plastic explosive, to seal the tunnels." When Lysia would ask "Eight CRATES? What was he trying to blow up? A tunnel, or a town square?" Tami would say "The senator THINKS he blew up the tunnel system. He does NOT know that a Cherokee elders spirit came to G.S.2, to inform us that the Indians removed most of the explosive. All that the senator really blew up was the tunnel entrance." When Lysia would ask "What for? All of that history. Who knows what it might have told us." Tami would say "THAT is why the senator said the tunnels HAD to be destroyed. In order to allow Californians to rest easy, knowing their lives would go on. In short, to preserve OFFICIAL history." When Lysia would ask "Why?" Tami would say "According to the senator, it is his belief that Californians can only rest, in the knowledge that "life goes on". When Lysia would say "Sounds twisted, to me". I would remind Lysia "Some people are terrified of "change". Their FEAR, of the unknown, is why they work, so aggressively, to heckle those, who search for the truth of subjects, such as Atlantis." Tami would add "It is the age-old FEAR, which movies, and television, have preyed upon, for a century. The FEAR that aliens might come to Earth, to FEAST on humans." Lysia would remark "Psychotic, yet possible." I would remind Lysia "Rational minds remain FEARFUL, of that which they do not understand." Still, it did seem a bit "odd" that modern day people would be fearful of a group, which had not been seen, on Earth, for many millenia. The BIG mistake, which one "ghost" made, in trying to sneak into Lysia's base-camp, was the mistake of thinking that the same material, which made objects, and people, seem "transparent", to the naked eye, would make this person appear "transparent", to G.S.2's defense computer. While some natives were spooked, silent, by the "ghostly arrival", G.S.2's computer registered what the material, of the costume, could not "hide". Heart rate, Body temperature, D.N.A., and so on. Once the computer registered "human", our port-side turret slid out of the wing and, just like in Hawaii, a "ghost" stood, stunned, at facing the twin barrels, of our gun turret. While the material, of the costume might have deflected the laser targetting, this was not G.S.2's only method, of identifying threats. Our computers had, also, been programmed, not just to SCAN, for D.N.A., and heart rate, but to be able to use THESE, to zero in, on a specific target. Even if a target were within a crowd, our computer would pick out a single scan, and lock on, with deadly accuracy. In fact, the ONLY way that an "innocent" could be injured, by our guns, would be if they stepped, or FELL, in front of the gun turret. (A most un-likely happening). In Peru, when the "ghost" showed up, seeming to "glow", as it walked about, its walked ended, when G.S.2 deployed its turret. The "ghost's" final mistake? Firing a flare gun, at the turret. Seconds after the flare was fired, G.S.2 encircled the "visitor" with ten seconds worth of automatic gun fire, before the computer voice would say "You have violated this aircrafts security perimeter. Throw down your weapons, or the next round goes between the eye's". It seems that our "ghost" realized he was captured. As a result, the man surrendered, to the computer. "Now" Lysia thought "We might get some answers." Problem was, this man was NOT Peruvian. He was as American, as we were. As he would tell us. "I am an actor. I was hired, and sent to Peru, to pretend to be a ghost." When Lysia asked "WHY?" The man would say "I dont ask questions. I take my paycheck, and do the work." When Tami would ask "What IS your work?" The actor would say "At night, I am, occassionally, to walk around the area, and report if I scare anyone." When Tami would ask "Why do you say "Occassionally". Dont you walk EVERY night?" The actor would say "Not according to my contract. I walk ONLY when I am texted. When the boss says "WALK", I walk. They dont seem to want nightly visits. Just occassional sightings. Why, I dont know." Lysia would say "It is simple. If you appearred, too often, natives would come to expect you. Once word got around that you were not harmful, locals would, no-longer FEAR you." When the man would say "All I know is that I get paid." Tami would add "As long you you appear, only occassionally, natives live in fear of what they do not understand." When Tami would ask the actor "How much are you paid, to walk?" The man would say "$10,000 per night." Still, Lysia did not understand why anyone would pay someone, to "haunt" excavations. Tami would suggest "I THINK that there is something, which some one does not WANT you to find." When Lysia would ask "What could that be? Peru has been dug up, dozens of times. WHAT could be left to find?" Tami would suggest "The previous explorers were looking for gold, jewels, and priceless artwork, correct?" When Lysia would say "Of course. But what does that..." And Tami would ask "WHAT is the purpose of your group?" Lysia would say "We are here to confirm, or deny, that these people travelled to North America. If so, why?" Tami would say "Precisely. Some one does NOT want this question answered. Makes me wonder if the senator was acting of his own, FREE, will, or if he was "hired", as well?" When I would ask "To prevent us from examining ancient history?" Lysia would say "Correction. IF we FIND something, it might CHANGE history. What do you think would happen if, for example, we were to find an actual flying saucer? Maybe even the remains, of an alien crew?" Tami would say "It would start a revolution. A world war, between traditionalists, and "new age" thinkers. Nations could be burned to the ground. Suicide cults. You name it." Lysia would ask "All because of some 5,000 (plus) year old mummies, and artifacts?" Tami would add "People kill, for far less, everyday." Despite the arrival, of our "ghostly" visitor, the site, not surprisingly, turned up few brand new discoveries. Mostly, it was more of same. Pottery, trinkets, some gold, and a few inscriptions. While no one, among our group, could, actually, READ the messages, word for word, as most people read newspapers, enough could be generally translated, for even more generalized understanding. Naturally, they were pictographs, involved, with most of these showing "gods", riding chariots, across the sky. When I asked about one chariot, which seemed to be trailing flames, Lysia would say "It is accepted, locally, that this represents a friendship, between a foreign "god", and the sun-god, Ra. The flare is part of Ra, and its presence, on the chariot, indicates Ra's faith, in the visting "god". When I asked "Any chance some of the gods flew, across the sky, without chariots?" Lysia would surprise Tami when Lysia would say "Not in this chamber, but in others." When Tami would ask "You're not serious, are you?" Lysia would add "Follow me." When Lysia showed us another chamber, on whose walls the "gods" soared, with out-stretched arms. Lysia would mention "While I am certain that "artistic license" was, at times, involved" It was when Lysia said "This one represents the high priests, climbing into the robe, of the "god", then, under the "gods" protection, soaring, far, above the Earth." I would ask Lysia "Is it just my imagination, or does that "god's"" body appear very similar to a commercial jet?" Lysia would say "Only one, of MANY, possible, interpretations." Over the next three weeks, Tami and I aided the locals, as much as possible (under Lysia's supervision), while our pilots performed general maintenance, to the plane, then visited an abandoned U.S. base (which was, now, home, to a miniscule "air force", which was all that locals could afford.) In our daily reports, to the Brown Agency, Tami would reflect my belief, that we were being "watched", or, even, "staked out". The question was "Why?" The site was, clearly, not yielding any major, new, discoveries. Sure, we located what Lysia referred to as the "Temple, of the Harvest", as well as the "Temple, of the Rains". Tami would, also, report, to the Brown Agency, that all three of us saw "things", in the dark. Things which we could not identify. One night, while Lysia and I were taking a walk, and I asked Lysia "What will the university position mean, for you?" When Lysia would say "One step, further, from the ghetto. Maybe even PROVE that, coming from a low-income family does NOT commit one to following this life-path." Lysia would, then, smile, saying "Besides, I am travelling the world. Meeting new people (Lysia gave me a kiss, at this point), and expanding my knowledge, of the world, in general. What more could a girl ask for?" When I would ask "What IS your ultimate goal?" Lysia would say "Beyond marriage, and motherhood? I would LOVE to become a chancellor, of the university." When I would suggest "Pretty lofty goal." Lysia would ask "Dont you think I CAN make it? Or, is it that you dont think I should even TRY?" I would add "I was curious since, when we, first brought the mystery, to you, your feet seemed "set in concrete", about staying close to home." Lysia would smile as she said "A womans perogative, to change her mind." When I suggested "Scientific curiousity, as well, I would wager." This is when Lysia would say "Dont wager, either on that, or another night, with me." I looked at Lysia like "Who? Me?" Lysia would say "Dont play coy with me. I can SEE that passion, in those eyes." The next day, the tone, of an incoming mesasage, almost startled both Tami and I. To our shock, however, the message was, neither, from Mr. Brown, nor was it for Tami, nor I. It was from some guy, at the university. He was calling to gloat, at Lysia. "My dear (negress), I thought you should know that, while you, and your "little friends" are digging, in the dirt, in Peru, I have been called for a SECOND interview." "Because my dedication is to the university, and NOT to making mud-pies, I am moving UP the list, of candidates. I will, no-doubt, be your BOSS, upon your return, from the playground. Enjoy your play-time, while it lasts." A few days later, two, of Lysia's friends, at university, sent messages, asking "Can you believe it? That jerk turned down TWO, prize, digs, just to stay close, to the chancellors, until the position is announced." In a way, Lysia could not blame the man, since all WE seemed to be doing was re-covering the same ground, which others had covered, before. When Tami would ask Lysia "Just WHAT is it that you were asked to look for?" Lysia would say "The goal is to confirm, or deny, categorically, whether the South Americans DID have the technology, for trans-oceanic shipping, as well as if they DID, in FACT, travel to what would, eventually, become California." Tami and I wished we could call on Mother Superior, since the nun was the chairmans "right hand". Due to her position, she would be allowed to ask "The Boss", about this question. Problem was, neither Mother Superior, nor the chairman, was being very "open-mouthed", lately. In th case of the humans, some villagers would not speak, with us, at all, for various reasons, while others said they would not speak before "women". One villager even claimed they would not speak, until Lysia and I married, under tribal rules. Maybe a week, after the previous messages, from America, Lysia's friends sent us word: "You will never believe what has happened. You know about those two digs that "creepo" turned down, to remain at university? Well, "creepo" turned down two more, including one, where a chancellors daughter wanted the mans aid, with translations. Well, we just found out that, while the dig was REAL, it was, also, a TEST. The chancellors were testing "creepo", to find out WHERE his loyalties lie. When the creep turned down the chancellors daughter, saying he would "send someone else", until the position decision was made. THIS is what ENDED his chances, at the position. In fact, the dig "challenge" allowed the chancellors to "eliminate" three, other, applicants, as well. Now, it is between you and Rodney." This is when Lysia would say "Oh, crap." When Tami would ask, Lysia would say "If you think that **I** am dedicated, to field work, I am just a "by-stander", compared to Rodney. That man would pass up meals, church, even dates, to be the primary discoverer, of an ancient treasure." When Tami would ask "Fortune hunter?" Lysia would say "Rodney shares the primary goal, of all, REAL, explorers. He wants his NAME to be remembered. Sort of like "Indiana Jones". When Tami would say "I take it that he has a few "digs", over, or beyond, you." Lysia would say "It may sound morbid, but I wont to "catch up", until he drops dead. That is, unless I drop dead, first." While the Pruvian government was all in favor, of re-examining the past, even Lysia was surprised when the government hesitated to approve an "extended" dig. Lysia had petitioned, for this, in order to check on reports, from outside the approved dig site. Stories, which were coming in. Stories, of places, which "focused Ra's power". Temples, filled with "wonders", beyond human description. Tami would mention "Sounds like everything frrom "King Solomans Mines", to "Excalibur", and so on. When Lysia would suggest "Worth a look?" Tami would ask "Are you going to break this, entire, camp, just because of villagers tales?" Lysia would bring Tami and I close, as she whisepered "Camp stays. I was thinking about that hovercraft, of yours. The three of us, and your pilots, on that hovercraft. How about it?" When Tami contacted our pilots, we could HEAR the co-pilot yawning, and sighing "Maybe THIS will be some action." Just a few hours later, and under cover of darkness, our hovercraft slid away, from G.S.2, and, silently, as a preditor, stalking its prey, we slid from camp, un-noticed. Lysia's plan was simple. We would sneak into each location and, IF we found anything useful, we would flag the location, for further investigation. Over the next two days, we covered more than a dozen sites, most of which had, long ago, beeen looted, by the Conquistadors. One place, which we found suspicious, however, was the one location, where the hovercraft seemed to lose power, upon approach. When crafts systems were down to 50%, the pilot whispered "I wont risk going further. The three, of you, and the co-pilot, may continue forward. I will take the hovercraft back, to the plane, for recharge." Once we did dis-mount the hovercraft, it was a good thing we could begin to see the site, in the distance since, after we grabbed our packs, and set out, on foot, our G.P.S. , phones, and other electronics, ceased to function. Ironically, none, of our equipment blew up, as the devices do, in movies. In our case, the batteries just drained, and died. While the site, including pyramids, avenues, and fountains, were a wonder to behold, Lysia and Tami noticed, sooner than the co-pilot, and I had. Was it just our imaginations? Or, were the carved, lion-shaped, statues watching us? While our group examined several, of the statues, and found all to be made out of stone, still, there was SOMETHING about the statues. It was like the statues were "alive", and ready to pounce. What really amazed us, however, was what happened when Lysia took out a brush, and dusted a part, of the "avenue", exposing white marble. Since the lions were made of more common stone, Lysia decided to see just what material, which the fountains were made of. Just as Lysia suspected. More, bright white, marble. This, covered in millenia of dust. Things really only got "peculiar", though, when our "old friend", the full moon, made an appearance, over the site. As the moon cast shadows, over the site, the ladies laughed over the image, that the radiance, of the moon, made it appear that the stone lions were moving. While the women were more than ready, for a rest, seated on the edge of one of the sites fountains, our co-pilot recommended "If you ladies have no objection, I would prefer we take our rest period HIGHER up, on that ledge, up there." When Lysia would ask "Why? We are the only ones around this place." The retired air force man would say "We may be the only HUMANS, but..." Tami and I understood the mans concern. After all, no one stayed alive, in the military, by taking chances. While the trek, up the pyramid, was a bit of an effort, especially carrying the supplies, on our backs, the group was, maybe, halfway to the ledge, when Lysia made first one, then a second, discovery. By the time the retired air force man scooted Lysia up, to the ledge, we, ALL, saw what Lysia had discovered. While the pyramid appearred to be made of dull, dirt-covered stone, the places, on the handrails, where our hands had touched the surface, slined, of yellow gold. Our foot-prints revealled MORE, of the white marble, on the pyramid. Marble, so bright that it was like our foot-prints were illuminated. Tami, then, saw something which made her laugh, quietly. When Lysia asked, softly "Whats so funny?" Tami would whisper "The moon-light, and the shadows. I actually imagined that some, of the stone lions were circling the pyramid." It was when the co-pilot would ask "As though looking for some lunch?" Only then did Tami take a second look. The air force man was right. It DID look like the lions were stalking the humans. When I would ask "Does anyone know if lions can climb?" Lysia would say "Relax. Lions, Tigers, Cheetahs, and Leopards, are ground-based animals. On the ground, they can out-pace us, in seconds. However, they dont climb. Tami would add "Wait a minute. Those cant be the lions we saw, on the way in. Those were stone statues. These are LIVE. Someone has sent them on us." While our co-pilot doubted this rationale, Lysia would ask "How could "they" know we would be here? Even WE did not know we were coming, until a few hours ago." While our retired air force co-pilot was, carefully, watching the scene, below us, and the moon cast its radiance, overhead, I wondered just how much, of this place, was made of gold, and marble, and how much of this was buried under the dirt, and dust, of time. What baffled the air force retiree was that, every time he tried to use his binoculars, on thermal mode, trying to find the creatures vital organs, in order to save ammunition, should the creatures attack, The retiree was baffled that the creatures had NO thermal readings, at all. This lead the retiree to the question of "Why bother covering animals with NOMEX?" The only, binocular, modes, which worked, with the creatures, was visual, and motion sensing. Then, something, very bizzarre, happened. When the moon slid beyond sight, and the site went dark, the statues stopped moving. Whehn the retiree would say "Now's our chance", Tami and I agreed, readily. It was Lysia who lagged behind. As the three, of us, moved, cautiously, passed the stone lions, and while we could "feel" the statues gaze, upon us, the stone creatures did not move. When Lysia rapped on a few, of the statues, saying "Doesn't make sense. These are stone. Nothing could make them move, on their own.." When Tami passed an empty, stone, pedestal, where we remembered seeing one, of the stone lions, perched, and Tami asked Lysia "Explain this. There WAS a stone lion, on this base, when we walked in. WHERE is the lion now?" As Lysia looked about the stone lions, which, now, stood, on the avenue, Lysia was, almost, fearful, of the potential answer. While our co-pilot herded the ladies, just ahead of me, I slipped my own camera into "night vision" mode, and took photo's, of both the vacant bases, and the "free standing" lions. (I was going to enjoy hearing Mr. Black try to explain this). When we reached the hovercraft, our pilot had some most un-expected news, for us. It seems that the air force retiree had not only nursed the hovercraft out of the "danger zone", he was not just able to re-establish contact, with G.S.2, but he was, also, able to monitor local radio transmissions, as well. His report, however, baffled us. "I regret to report that your suggestion, that you were followed, and attacked, by conventional forces, is a badly-flawed idea". When Lysia would ask "But why?" The retiree would say "No radio chatter. Nothing electronic, either. No one gave any "attack", of "cease" orders. I had the computer check all frequencies." When Tami would ask "What about a low-powered, local, transmitter. Something like a child might use, for a radio-controlled car?" The pilot would say "IF those creatures, which you have reported, are, accurately, described, the remote signal would have to be powerful enough to activate the circuits, to give the creatures motion. THAT much power WOULD have registered." The next day, after uploading copies, of our photo's, to Mr. Black (The Brown Agency tech master), the man would vid-link, with us, asking "Are you SURE you have the correct location?" When Tami re-verified the location, Mr. Black would send us some satellite photo's, of the plaza, in question. To our, mutual, dis-belief, the lions were no-longer on the plaza. Each lion had returned to its base, like the creature had, never, departed. When Lysia would say "That cannot be. We SAW them, ON the avenue." Mr. Black would, only, say "While your photo's back up this point, the satellites say otherwise." (Just DONT ask me why it took the three of us another, FULL, day, to put the clues together.) Maybe, it had something to do with our curiousity, over the fact that the buildings, on the plaza, were made of marble (which remained so shiny, even after millenia of dis-repair, that it looked luminous, even in moon-light.) Then, there was all of that gold. Decorating almost every surface. If history were correct, and the Conquistadors had looted every ingot they could find, HOW could this place have survived, in tact? When Lysia contacted the university, she learned of a student, who was preparing "An alternative history, of Christianity, and the Spanish raids, on South America". When the three of us read through an electronic copy, of the document, no one was surprised by the lethal brutality, employed, by the Christians, in "converting" the Indians, to Christianity. Where the document caught our attention, was in the un-finished section, which was marked "Suppressed reports, of Spanish soldiers". The author noted "It is my belief that these reports were suppressed, due to the fact that the reports conflicted with official, Christian, beliefs." According to the reports, referenced, in the document (which unknown persons) had secreted away, for future generations, the Spanish had been "run"/"chased" away, from several locations. In some cases, the soldiers reported winged serpents. In these cases, no matter how many times the serpents were stabbed, sliced, or cut, by the soldiers, the serpents wounds, rapidly, vanished. The creatures remained on the attack, until the soldiers, eventually, withdrew. In two cases, an alleged King Cobra, which, reportedly had stood twenty feet tall, before the soldiers, and (conveniently), spoke Spanish, in ordering the soldiers to depart the land, or DIE. In five cases, soldiers reported doing "battle", with stone creatures. Creatures, which sliced, and diced, the soldiers, yet seemed immune to the soldiers weapons. The point, where the student had left off (so far), was at the fact that, when soldiers ATTEMPTED to report dangers, to commanders, that the church had decided, FOR the army, that the soldiers were traitors, both to God, and country. The church suggested that the soldiers had taken the gold, for themselves. As a result of this, the soldiers were tortured, to death, for not reveiling where the gold was hidden. When the soldiers never parted, from their stories, the church made SURE word reached Spain, of the soldiers "treachery". The church even encouraged the crown to take revenge, on family members, still living in Spain. As a result, many homes, in Spain, were burned, and anyone, who had not FLED, into the night, to start a new life, in another part, of the world, were tortured, to death (as an example, to anyone, who defied the church). The student did, however, make a point of stating "While the tortures, deaths, and arsons, are a matter of public record, I remain skeptical, about the soldiers stories". When Tami, Lysia, and I, reviewed the service records, of the accused soldiers, we came to agree with the students suspicions. After all, none, of the accused, was of a commissioned rank, lower than "captain". ALL had previous, military, amnd combat, experience. ALL had magnificent, service, records. Until South America, it seemed certain that each man was headed for a secure retirement. This is why the student was suspicious, about these men being accused of theft. Why would men, with so much interest, in career, military, service, suddenly turn into greedy profiteers? While Tami called up MORE information, on the area, of Peru, I checked the moon, tides, winds, and so on. The odd thing was that, when Tami reviewed the "witness reports", all that each report stated was that people "felt" that they were being "watched". When these "reports" were cross-referenced, with the lunar cycle, it was not long before we noticed that these reports, ALL, originated, during the full moon cycle. Not with the full moon visible, under sometimes cloudy skies, but during the full moon, anyway. Only our own sighting had been under a clear sky, with a bright, full, moon. While the Peruvian government, openly, rejected permission, for an official excavation, when Lysia made some "inquiries", Lysia was informed "The government is aware of your intentions, however, the government, also, wants Deniability. If you find what others do NOT want found, the government wants to be able to say "We never gave the Americans permission." When Lysia had asked "If a small, private, group, were to go in..." The conatct would say "If the group becomes "lost", even stumbles upon, then opens the site, HOW can Peru be blamed, for such an "accident"?" Sure, being discreet took a few, extra, days, but Tami and Lysia handled the challenge more like generals. Very subtly, the dig had been moved, to the new location, and when workers first swept off, then washed off, the marble, everyone was amazed at how the marble glistened, under the suns radiance. There was one problem, however. When a chunk, of gold, was sent, to the main office, for analysis, the findings were "peculiar", to say the least. While the three of us were prepared for a report, of Iron Pyrite (Fool's gold), the Brown Agency confirmed that the sample was NOT this substance. When Tami would ask "What is it?" Mr. Black would say "Within two molecules, this is, almost, real gold." When Tami would ask "What do you mean, almost?" Mr. Black would say "As neear as we can determine, this gold was "manufactured." When Tami would ask "You mean, like Alchemy?" Mr. Black would say "No. This is not about CHANGING lead into gold. This is about creating gold." When Tami would ask "Creating? How?" Mr. Back would say "I wish I knew. Nothing, like this, has been done, before. Certainly, no substance which is within just two molecules, of real gold." When I would ask "Could this whole thing have been staged? Animatronic statues, and fake gold?" Mr. Black would say "I doubt that. The statues, maybe. But making gold? To my knowledge, no one, on Earth, has this kind of tech. If those people did, they took the secret with them." Tami would summarize "What we have is a community, with walkways, fountains, and buildings, ALL made of radiant, white, marble. Decorated in a kind of gold, which does not exist. Question: Purpose? Mr. Black would say "Sorry, I'm just tech support. You will need to ask Mr. Brown about purpose, and philosophy." While I must credit the Peruvians, for, diligently, working, from sun-rise, to sun-set, each day, on clearing the "settlement", every night, at dusk, Tami, Lysia, and myself, were left, all alone, to keep watch. Even so, by the next full moon, the settlement sparkled as it had, more than a millenia ago. What none of us expected, was the gentleman, who came forth, from the "mists of time", to congratulate us, on the work. The man would say "It has been so very LONG since I have seen my beloved city look so beautiful. When the statues began to growl, with approaching dusk, the man held up a hand, and the growling subsided. This is when the man said "Be calm. Be silent", towards the stone creatures, then cast his gaze upon us. This is when our visitor asked "Why have you come to my land?" When Lysia would explain "Your descendants have asked us to visit your land. To learn of its past." The man would say "Many have come, before. Some with books, and paper. Others, with shovels. Which one are you?" Lysia would say "Books and paper. We want to learn MORE, about your people." The tall, muscular, man would correct Lysia "You came in search of the reason why my people visited what you, now, call "California". When Tami admitted "That IS part of the reason, yes." The man would ask "Allow me to answer your inquiry with my own question." Tami would say "Go ahead." The man would ask "Why did, FIRST, the Vikings, then the Spanish, followed by the English, travel to what you call the "United States"?" I would be first to admit "There are, MANY, possible, reasons, not the least of which was to expand royal holdings." The man would say "Interesting. Your people sought the land, for the same reason why my people travelled there." When Tami would ask "Sir, what became, of your people? We found mummies." The man would ask "WHAT are mummies?" Lysia would give a brief explanation, and the man would chuckle. When Tami would ask "What do you find so humorous, about this?" The man would say "You have no idea what went on, do you." When Lysia would say "We ARE listening", the man would summarize. "Thousands of years, before the original thirteen colonies were established, the people, of South America, sent forth researchers, and soldiers, on scouting trips, to what you, now, call the West Coast, or California. When our scouts arrived, they found what they THOUGHT were the remains, of even older camps. No one had any idea that another race had visited, and camoflauged their camp, to appear as normal wilderness. After my people set up camp, they began testing the soil, for planting our crops. With the harvests, our camp grew into a settlement, and we needed grain storage, for our shipments. Instead of building those ugly "grain elevators", which your civilization uses, we decided to store our grain underground. Both to protect the shipments, and to honor Mother Earth." When Tami asked "What eventually, happened?" The man seemed sad as he said "Had we KNOWN that we were trespassing, on the land, of another, we WOULD have settled another land." After a pause, the man would say "Eventually, the other race returned, declared us "trespassers", and lay seige, to our settlement. My people sent a distress call, then hid, in the tunnels, until we could send reinforcements. While a great battle ensued, our forces were too evenly matched. After severe losses, on both sides, a truce was declared, and the other race allowed us to remove what dead, and injured, whom we could locate. We, then, abandoned your "California", to the other race." When Lysia would assk "You keep using the term "other race". Do you mean humans, from another land?" The man would say "No, I mean, a race, from another world. One, for whom Earth is, also, a research outpost." When Lysia would ask "The mummies?" The man would seem sorrowful as he said "We did not know how many we left behind, until the injured, and dead, were claimed. Only then did we understand how many we left behind. Un-intentionally, of course." When Tami would ask "Why did you not return to the land, and search for the dead?" The man would say "The other race asserted its presence, for over five centuries. By that time, the dead were, most humbly, forgotten. That is why the dead remain under your California." Wheen Tami would ask "The tunnels?" The man would say "Began as walkways, to ease movement, between supplies. During the battle, became shelters. The other race tried, un-mercifully, to pound the shelters into the ground. Our creations, however, stood firm. Thank the great ancestors!" When Lysia would ask "The "great ancestors" would be whom?" The man would say "While your science chooses to believe that my people just charted the seasons, sacrifices, and other, pagan, rituals, from our temples, these places were much more than that. Our history states that this planet was, originally, a colony outpost, of another race. For reasons, not discussed, even among my people, after anywhere from 500 years, to 5,000 years, the supply ships just ceased to arrive, at the outpost. In time, my people adapted, to the land, and we flourished, living in peace, for millenia. Our end was brought, in large part, by the Conquistadors." When Lysia would ask "In what way?" The spirit would say "The Spanish soldiers brought disease to this land. Disease, which we had no knowledge of. The disease decimated our numbers, faster than any enemy attack could. In the end, all we could hope to do was save our knowledge, for future generations." When Lysia would ask "How so?" The spirit would say "Deep inside the Pyramid of Knowledge, you will find a sealed accessway. Behind the seal, you will find a great many answers, including where my people came from." When Tami would ask "Pardon my curiousity, but what about those statues. How do you make them move, as though alive?" The spirit gave the usual "In time, you will understand such matters. Your minds are not, yet, ready, for such concepts, at this time." When Lysia would ask "WHEN will we be ready?" The spirit would say "When you decide to stop killing one another, over politics, and religion. When you learn to live in peace, and SHARE this planets resources, then wonders will present themselves, which you are un-able to dream." When Tami would ask the spirit "What would your people hope that modern day man would do, with your settlement?" The spirit would say "While my people have either "gone, beyond the veil", of death, or become one, with the land, it matters not. The statues continue their eternal defense. The settlement will survive, until you are ready for the knowledge." After taking the hovercraft back to G.S.2, Tami would load our report, on the events, to date. This included the spirits caution not to tamper with the settlement, until we are ready, as a race, to understand the knowledge. As for the mummies, under California, all that Mr. Brown would say was "We are considering various avenues. Question: DO any, of the mummies have living descendants?" Lysia could, only, respond "IF they do, I doubt any would remember. We are talking about a period, of time, maybe even farther back, than the Atlantis legend." When Mr. Brown would ask "Based upon your recent experience, how much MORE, un-discovered, history, lies in South America?" When NONE of us was willing to comment, Mr. Brown would say "That much, huh?" Tami would remark "Who knows?" Mr. Brown would, then, address Lysia, directly, stating "While your university has stated that they are willing to send you a first class ticket, for your return, to the United States, I was wondering if, in return for a ride, home, aboard G.S.2, that you would not mind aiding my agents on another task." When Lysia would ask "What would that be?" Mr. Brown would say "Moscow is reporting having some problems. It seems that someone is moving about, dressed, and acting like, Tsar Nicholas." When Tami would ask "You mean, the Tsar, whose whole family was executed, in 1917?" Mr. Brown would say "It would SEEM so. The Soviets have ASKED this agency to find out, most discreetly, of course, if this is a REAL haunting, or if someone is trying to trick the Russians into THINKING that myth has become life." When Tami and I looked at one another, Lysia would say "It is a popular, yet silent, myth. Some White Russians believe that Tsar Nicholas will return, one day, to reclaim his throne. The legend says that, upon the Tsar's return, he will be accomanied by an "immortal army", which will aid his quest to re-take control of the Russian Empire." When Mr. Brown would ask "Isn't that myth a bit out of date? I mean, the Soviet Union "fell", under Gorbachev. The Russian Empire has not existed, in over a century." Tami would add "Everyone knows that the empire fell, during the October Revolution, of 1917. WHY would anyone wait, a full century, to pretend that the Tsar wants his throne back?" Mr. Brown would say "Those are some of the very questions, which Moscow has invited us to answer. IF this character is simply trying to play "ghosty", then the orders will be to expose their tricks, and turn them over, to Russian police." I would add "Sounds just like the World Trade Center, and the presidents order, about the F.B.I." Mr. Brown would say "Same situation. Just different country." It would be Lysia who would ask "I thought that the Russians did not believe, either in "god", or in ghosts?" Mr. Brown would say "Yet another question, in need of answers. So, what do you say? A side-bar trip, then G.S.2 delivers you to your home. What do you say?" Lysia would say "You have to ask?" Our pilots only comment was to share a "joke", saying "Remember the days, when we filed attack plans, into planes computers, in case the Soviets attacked America?" and "Yes, and NOW we are going to be GUESTS of the very same people we, once, planned to annihilate, with nuclear warheads. Talk about irony." The retiree's, then, shared a laugh, which could be heard, throughout the plane. Tsar Nicholas, here comes G.S.2!