The long planned for confrontation with the FBI arrives at the conclusion to the wrestling match between Brody and Paco at the 'Combat Club'.
As Tolson and Mikey leave the 'Club' they are confronted by the Las Vegas Police and the Athena Security Service.
ADULT THEMES, IMAGES & LANGUAGE - PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL INDIVIDUALS (EXCLUDING 'TEDDY') FEATURED IN THIS CHAPTER WERE OVER THE AGE OF TWENTY ONE YEARS AT THE TIME THAT THE ORIGINAL IMAGES AND TEXT WERE PRODUCED
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Officially the area of Las Vegas in which the 'Park Hotel' and the 'Park Theater' were located was under the jurisdiction of the 'Henderson Police Department', which was controlled by Police Chief Eckart, and 'Chief Eckart' was a 'friend' of Jim and Zac - and the term 'friend' is used advisedly.
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| Henderson Police Department |
"Two good matches there, Kurt", Jim commented.
"Yes - but I apologize about Blake - perhaps you could have a word with him some time about being too - what shall we say - 'enthusiastic'. Kurt said.
"OK - after we come back from Egypt we'll talk - but for tonight - send one of the 'ring-boys' -Tripp - down to escort Tolson and Mikey out, so the audience won't notice anything untoward happening, as the police will be here - and don't worry - Chief Eckart will send Mikey back almost straight away, and he can continue with his usual duties...", Jim advised.
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| Chief Eckart |
In fact Tolson found Chief Eckart and two of his officers waiting for him.
"Good evening, sir - could we step outside for a moment ?", Eckart began very politely and formally.
Once they were on the sidewalk in front of the 'Club' Eckart spoke...
"We have been informed that you have brought a minor into this club which is restricted to those over the age of twenty-one years.", Eckart stated.
"Look, I'm sure that there must have been a mistake made here.
I don't know this boy - he was just sitting beside me in the audience." Tolson muttered, reaching for his wallet.
"Stop ! - I need to frisk you first, sir...", one of the officers then said, intervening.
Of course Tolson was simply looking for his identity badge, and not a weapon, and Eckart had already been informed by Zac that Tolson was FBI - so Eckart was not interested in seeing his proof of identity
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| Mikey Returns to the 'Combat Club' |
And at that point Mikey was led back by one of the officers into the 'Combat Club' - apparently for further, separate questioning.
In fact he was taken back to Kurt - and returned to his normal duties.
Chief Eckart then continued with his accusations regarding Tolson and Mikey.
"We also have evidence from your hotel, the 'Athena Park' that you have known this boy for some time during your stay, and have been 'entertaining' him in your suite on numerous occasions.
For this reason they are concerned, and have contacted us.
While the 'boy' is probably not underage with regard to sharing the suite with yourself, there are other problems - with regard to alcohol, and the possible use of illegal substances...", Eckart continued.
"So, rather that take you to headquarters, it might be more discreet if we continued this discussion at your hotel, rather than in a public place, such as the 'Club', or the sidewalk.", Chief Eckart explained.
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| 'Athena Paradise Park Hotel' - Grand Entrance |
Tolson had little choice at that point, as a 'Police Cruiser' drew up to the sidewalk in order to take him the short distance to the 'Athena Paradise Park Hotel', where his suite was situated.
On arriving at the 'Park Hotel', Eckart and his officers discretely escorted Tolson to an elevator, which took them to the appropriate floor where Tolson's suite was situated.
Then, without further ado Tolson took them into his suite.
"So what are we waiting for?", Tolson asked, by then becoming agitated.
"Well our involvement in this matter began with a tip-off from the manager of this Hotel - a Mr Evans.
He, obviously, required the permission of the owner of the hotel in order to bring in the police, and the hotel's security staff also became involved... so we are waiting for the manager, the head of hotel security, and possibility also the owner.", Eckart explained.
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| Clyde Tolson |
Tolson shook his head in a combination of exasperation and disbelief, and at that moment the door buzzer sounded - but whoever was at the door didn't bother to wait for an answer, as they obviously has a pass 'key'.
Two men then entered.
"May I introduce Mr. Evans - hotel manager - and Mr. Taylor - head of security.", Eckart said.
Tolson shook hands with Zac and Evans..
"OK - Mr. Taylor. perhaps you can explain what all this fuss is about.", Tolson began.
"Well, perhaps we could be seated - and I think you might prefer it if we dispensed, at least for the moment, with the local police, as our discussion will probably involve sensitive information regarding the FBI and your 'boss'...", Zac suggested.
Tolson looked surprised, but agreed...
"OK, Mr. Taylor - we'll continue our investigations at the 'Combat Club', and interview the 'kid'...
We'll be in touch.", Chief Eckart agreed - and he and his officers left the suite.
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| Caleb Harley outside the 'Athena Park Hotel' - La Vegas |
"So what is this ? - Some kind of 'shakedown' - because if it is you're making a big mistake with me.", Tolson then said.
"It's not a 'shakedown' - we know who you are, and we want to get matters sorted out - so I will explain the situation, and then it will be up to the hotel owner to suggest a solution to the situation.", Zac explained.
Tolson sat back in his armchair in an apparent gesture of resignation..
"OK, gentlemen - get on with it.."
"So - we begin with an employee at the 'California Combat Club' - a venue that seems to have very much caught your interest since you arrived here in 'Vegas from Washington.
That employee was a young man called Caleb Harley, a wrestler at the 'Club', from Iowa.
And it seems that one of your FBI guys - Wayne Gordy - got Harley 'hitched up' with you...
Now the question is why...", Zac explained.
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| FBI Agent Wayne Gordy |
Tolson looked uncomfortable.
"So why ? - ", Zac questioned, becoming more animated...
"Did Gordy think Harley was a Russian spy, or maybe a Mafiosi - or did he think that Harley was a cute looking kid, and now that you were a long way from home, and from your young and compliant Washington 'rent-boys', you would need some 'company' ?".Zac suggested.
"Now wait a minute - Mr.Taylor, or whoever you are - what are you implying.", Tolson said rising from his seat.
At that moment the door buzzer sounded, and Zac - glad of the interruption that might help to calm down Tolson, got up and opened the door.
It was Ethan, rather incongruously holding on to Teddy.
Wisely Teddy has already activated his 'SEBF', so Tolson didn't even notice the fluffy little teddy-bear in Ethan's arms
"Hi Jim - Hi Zac - Just popped in to see how you two were getting on.", Ethan said, trying to be casual.
"Just coming to the good bits, so settle down on the sofa, and try not to say anything inappropriate...", Jim said politely.
"Okey dokey...", Ethan replied,
The sofa, however, had lots of cushions, so Teddy immediately began rearranging them into a little 'teddy-bear den', but of course Tolson was oblivious to Teddy's very bizarre behavior.
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| Athena Corporation Seal |
"I must point out to you that we operate audio and video monitors in all rooms and suites in this hotel - primarily in order to check for gambling fraud.
Now the problem for you is not simply the fact that you supplied this underage individual, Caleb Harley, with alcoholic drinks - but rather that you questioned him in detail, over a number of nights, with regard to the 'Athena Corporation', its structure and management, and that the said 'Athena Corporation' is the owner of this hotel - among many others in Las Vegas and elsewhere.", Zac said accusingly.
Tolson looked understandably worried....
"Well I'm sure that you already know that I am an FBI Agent - and we, at the 'Bureau', are interested to know a little more about this 'Athena Corporation' - so we questioned one of the Corporation employees...", Tolson lamely replied.
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| Seal of the CIA |
But more to the point, what is it that interests you so much about a perfectly respectable and legal corporation that owns hotels and resorts, and has interests in mining and oil ?', Zac asked.
"Well that's restricted information - we're only looking into the matter on behalf of the CIA.", Tolson admitted.
"So in that case you must have some knowledge of what it might be that the CIA is looking for ...", Zac concluded.
"As I told you - it's highly 'classified'...", Tolson insisted - repeating himself.
"OK - so this gentleman with me is Mr Johnson - the person that you were previously asking about during your numerous assignations with Harley, and the 'kid' that you claim 'not to know' - so perhaps you'd like to ask Mr Johnson now some questions, and then take the answers back to Mr Helms...", Zac said - with a touch of sarcasm.
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| Richard M Helms |
Richard McGarrah Helms was an American government official and diplomat who served as 'Director of Central Intelligence' (DCI). Helms began intelligence work with the'Office of Strategic Services' during World War II. Following the 1947 creation of the 'Central Intelligence Agency' (CIA), he rose in its ranks during the presidencies of Truman.
Tolson looked nonplussed... although Tolson must have recognized Jim, as it seemed almost certain that the FBI would have numerous photos, and possibly even video of Jim - but by the time the interview had reached this point, Tolson was probably more concerned about his own position, rather than discovering any relevant facts about the elusive Mr Johnson.
"Well....?", Jim asked.
Tolson looked blankly at Jim...
"It's nice to meet you, Mr Johnson, but perhaps this is neither the time or the place for such questions...", Tolson suggested,.
In reality Tolson had no idea what to ask, and simply wanted his 'visitors' to leave.
"So then - I would like to take this opportunity to ask you to look at the 'hard facts'..."
Jim said, and then sat down opposite Tolson and began...
"To begin with, you occupy a very important position in the executive branch of the US Government.
That organisation, to which you belong, has for some considerable time been concerned about the morality of the citizens of this country, primarily using the excuse that so called 'immoral individuals' are a threat to the safety and national security of the United States - and this relates in particular to individuals who you identify as being 'homosexual', or sexually deviant in some way.
Now my view on morality, for various reasons, sees no differentiation between 'homosexuality' and 'heterosexuality' - so, if you want to have sexual relations with men or boys, then that, as far as I am concerned, is your affair - but I am concerned about the hypocrisy and double standards of both you, and Mr Hoover.
Also, in addition, I resent your unwarranted surveillance of my business interests, and the activities of my associates.
I and warning you - and your 'boss' - J Edgar - that if this does not stop, then I will make your activities with 'young boys' in Washington, Florida and California - and your irregular relationship with your 'boss', Hoover, common knowledge in the public media in this country, and elsewhere - common knowledge and that will result in the ruination you and Hoover, and the ruination of the already tarnished reputation of the FBI.
And a further warning - don't send the Mafia - who your 'boss' says doesn't exist - after myself or any of my associates - because they work for me, when needed, in case you didn't know...", Jim concluded.
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| J Edgar Hoover on the 'Phone |
"Well Jim, I think our friend Clyde should now pack his bags and leave your hotel, and go back to chat with Mr Hoover...", Teddy said quietly.
Tolson looked pale, staggered to his feet, and at the same time Jim , Zac and Ethan also stood.
"We shall take our leave...", Zac said, as Ethan picked up Teddy, and they left.
Tolson sat then down, feeling confused and slightly faint, and shakily poured himself a stiff drink as his 'phone rang.
It was Hoover - but Tolson closed the 'phone as soon as he heard Hoover's voice - after all, what could he say ? - who would believe his story about a talking teddy-bear ? - let alone everything else that had happened, and had been said.
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| Richard von Krafft-Ebing |
"Yes Teddy - I think we could have done without your cavalier comment." Jim said, as they left Tolson's suite and stepped into the elevator.
"I thought it might help - you know, 'knock him off balance'. a bit so that he wouldn't do anything straight away.", Teddy explained, as he enthusiastically hit the elevator buttons.
"You might just be right... ", Zac agreed.
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| Zac & Jim's Departure - McCarran International Airport |
Jim nodded.
"Well I don't think anything will happen - other than that these FBI and CIA guys may just leave us alone for a bit - and, with luck, Tolson and Hoover will have a 'bust up'.", Ethan said.
"OK - so let's get back to the 'Penthouse Building' and make preparations for our departure...", Jim said.
Now (in case you have forgotten), Jim and Zac were planning to fly by scheduled night flight - mainly in order to have their journey recorded by passport control, both in the US, and at their destination.
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| Jim's Favorite Cadillac Pullman Limousine |
And the destination ?
For Jim and Zac it's Cairo, and for the others - it's the 'Winter Palace' in Luxor...
And a little later Jim and Zac will take a transfer from Cairo to Luxor.
So Chuck loaded Zac and Jim's luggage into the trunk of Jim's favourite Cadillac, (a large Pullman limousine) and then they set off on the short journey to McCarren International Airport for the long flight to Cairo.
Ironically, that flight was an 'AirWest' flight, and as you should know, 'AirWest' was a subsidiary of the now ubiquitous 'Athena Corporation', owned jointly by Jim, Ethan, Zac and Josh.
Back at the 'Combat Club', after the evening show was over, Mikey was happily regaling Adam, Tripp, Blake and Paco, and some of the others with the 'tale' of the way that Jim, Zac and Teddy had outsmarted the FBI - although Zac had made it clear that Mikey was not to directly name any of the protagonists in the events described - so it was just 'these guys from the FBI' - or 'our boss' - and so forth.
(the 'Combat Club' itself was guaranteed not to be bugged, but 'careless talk' could cause problems.)`
As Mikey got into his story, Kurt interrupted him.
"Sorry Mikey - but I need to have a word.
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| Kurt and Mikey |
"So what's the problem boss ?", Mikey asked.
"No problem, Mikey - and remember, there's only one 'Boss' - and you know well enough who that is.", Kurt said reprovingly.
"Yes, sorry Kurt... so ?"
Kurt went over to the small safe in his office, and opened it.
"As it happens, it is about the 'Boss'...
He asked me to give you this...", Kurt said, handing Mikey an oblong, pristine white, well-filled envelope.
On the front was neatly typed Mikey Harrison - with thanks
"Hey - thanks !", Mikey said.
"Don't thank me - you earned it - but remember to thank the 'Boss' - I'm serious...", Kurt added.
"But there's something else...
The 'Boss', and Mr Duncan, have some plans they want to discuss with you.
They'll speak to you when they get back from their trip.
And take my advice - go along with whatever they're suggesting - it'll be in your interests.
And I want you to start some training with Brody - but just an introduction.
You're at the age now when you could put on a bit of muscle.", Kurt advised.
So Mikey was left wondering...
Now at this point there was no real hurry.
Jim and Zac would be spending practically a whole day getting to Cairo via Egypt Air, and even then there would be a time consuming transfer, and then another hour long flight to Luxor, and then a further thirty minute drive to the 'Winter Palace', so there was no rush for the others to set out on their journey - such as it was.
The kittens were safely in their basket, and Glaux was settled with Josh.
Ethan had manged to find his white plastic 'Walmart' bag - in which Ethan kept the 'gold box' when they were having 'adventures' - although it was a new one, as the previous bag, after many adventures had become a bit tatty.
The gold box itself, which was, in reality, the 'dimensional portal' - but all 'folded up' into a convenient size, - was brought by Chuck in a secure, lead-lined box from the 'Club Jaguar' to the 'Penthouse Building', and placed in the centre of the main living room.
Now only Tony Stark had the slightest idea of how the 'Gold Box', which was a 'Dimensional Portal', actually worked - although it was in some way connected with the portal in the 'Lion Cave' in the Theban Hills, on the West Bank of the Nike at Luxor.
Ashraf obviously knew something about the portal on the West Bank, as did the kittens, Sekhmet and Bastet - but they were not saying anything - but then they rarely did.
And then there was 'Room 33', at the 'Club Jaguar' - which was another 'portal' - but that portal belonged to Faunus.
But no matter - and despite the fact that it was the early hours of the morning, all the luggage was laboriously brought into the main living room - and the it was up to Ethan to press the red button on the gold box - which he did - and out popped the 'dimensional portal'.
Then it was a matter of loading the luggage into the portal - but there was never a problem regarding if there would be enough room, as the interior of the portal simply expanded to accommodate whatever was loaded into it, while externally remaining the same size - but externally it appeared to be only abut half a meter deep - which was quite impossible - but then when 'packed away', the 'portal' could fit into a fifteen centimetre cube - which was also impossible !
So - taking all this into consideration, there was still plenty of room for the passengers, as well as the luggage.
When all the luggage had been loaded Novius, Faunus, Tony Stark, Ashraf, Josh with Glaux, Max, Caleb and finally Ethan, the kittens and Teddy entered the 'portal' - as Clare was left to look after the 'Penthouse'.
Glen was left to 'supervise' Franklin, 'Sigi' had overall control of 'Athena Security' (on behalf of Zac), and Glen was 'entrusted' with Ethan's 'Entertainments Division'.
"Right - let's get started...
But where exactly are we planning to arrive ?" Ethan asked Teddy.
"Well, Ismail's in charge of the 'Winter Palace' while we're away - so I contacted him, and he's had the 'Victorian Lounge' completely closed off, so hopefully we won't 'squish' anybody when the 'portal' suddenly arrives in the middle of the carpet there.", Teddy replied.
"Okey dokey, Teddy - then just press the buttons...", Ethan said.
And that's exactly what Teddy did - and the doors slid open a matter of seconds later.
So - you can tell by the 'page divider' with the lotus flower, above, that we are now in Egypt - and in fact just where Teddy said they would arrive... the 'Victorian Lounge' in the 'Winter Palace' - and it was midday - which is accounted for by the time difference..
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| The 'Dimensional Portal' Arrives in the 'Winter Palace' |
And Ismail was waiting to greet them, with a dozen what would be called 'bell-hops' in a hotel - but since Jim had bought the Winter Palace, it was no longer a hotel, but a 'palace by the Nile' for Jim, Ethan, the kittens, Glaux and their friends.
"Ethan effendi - so good to see you - but you must not stay away from us for so long - we miss you.", Ismail said, embracing Ethan.
('effendi' is an Arabic courtesy title, similar to 'Sir')
"But where is Jim Pasha ?", Ismail asked.
"Oh, Jim Pasha is on his way, but will not arrive until tomorrow... and he will be arriving with Zac - our chief of Security.", Ethan explained.
('Pasha' - a Turkish title, used informally in Egypt, and to a man of high rank).
That is good - but Zac will have no problems with security - everything has been done since you left make sure that the 'Winter Palace' is safe - and always ready for your return.", Ismail said reassuringly.
Having now arrived at the 'Winter Palace' - for those readers who are new to 'The Story of Jim'- it might help if some 'Backstory' was given, in order to explain Jim and the 'boys' involvement with Egypt...
The whole business with Egypt began with the seemingly accidental involvement with what the 'Boss' and the 'boys' took to be 'UFOs' and 'aliens' during the 'American road trip' that the 'Boss' (Alexander Johnson) had organized for Jim.
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| Alien UFO - New Mexico |
These experiences, began quite innocently, when the 'Boss'' bought Jim a 'Mead' telescope, which Jim, Max and Faunus took out into the desert to test, and came across an apparently lost 'alien', and eventually became connected with a series of 'messages', seemingly 'channeled' through Glen - from various 'aliens'.
There was also an incident with 'aliens' - not surprisingly at Roswell, New Mexico - after which 'Glen' began to receive further 'extraterrestrial' messages - including one that Glen received in Amarillo about a meeting at with 'aliens' at the 'Devils Tower' in Wyoming - and it was there that 'Egypt' was first mentions - along with the Neteru - the Egyptian 'gods'.
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| The Mysterious 'Upuaut' |
It was in the aptly named 'Pyramid Ship' at the Canyon that they encountered 'Upuaut', who claimed to be an 'alien leader'.
This development caused much discussion and disagreement among members of the group, just prior to the first ever dispute between Jim and the 'Boss' - which resulted in the 'Boss' disappearing to Mexico, and Jim and Ethan effectively leaving the group.
But the split came to nothing with the mysterious demise of the 'Boss', in Palenque, in Mexico, and Jim becoming 'Dominus'.
But even while Jim worked to establish his position as Dominus, discussion continued about the true nature of the 'aliens, and in particular the true identity of 'Upuaut'.
The most significant event then occurred at the 'California Combat Club', when Glen briefly lost consciousness and had a 'vision' of hieroglyphics that Teddy was able to extract from his memory and translate.
The message was very simple - 'COME TO US'.
And so - tired of all the mystery and speculation surrounding the supposedly 'alien' encounters that he and other members of the group had been experiencing - and desiring a 'change scene' after the trauma of the death of the'Boss', Jim decided, with the encouragement of Faunus and Novius, to travel to Egypt and see if any answers to the ongoing enigma regarding 'Upuaut' might lie there.
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| Winter Palace - Luxor - Egypt |
This particular visit, however, was also linked to mineral prospecting on behalf of the 'Athena Corporation'.
Minerals have been largely neglected since President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized much of the country’s industry in 1961 and 1962, which prompted the bulk of geological talent in Egypt to flee abroad, however, Egypt is undoubtedly sitting on mineral deposits worth hundreds of billions of dollars which, once developed, could surpass oil as a source of income.
Since then subsequent Egyptian governments have focused on oil and gas at the expense of minerals, and the result is that a country known to be rich in minerals has yet to be developed.
The Eastern Desert and Sinai are scattered with more than a thousand ancient mining sites, mainly gold, silver and copper, some of which extend back more than 5,000 years.
Ancient miners, lacking modern mining equipment, rarely dug down more than 20 or 30 meters, following veins visible from the surface.
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| Theban Hills - West of Armant.- Upper Egypt |
There was one mineral that they would be prospecting for that was not discussed openly, however, and that mineral was the precious 'Armantium' - a element of unbounded power - the origins of which were not of this earth.
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| Armantium Crystals |
Armant they knew well as it was where they had discovered the sarcophagus, (which was partly constructed from Armantium) and the area was easy to access from Luxor.
And it was because of the Armantium that they had brought Tony Stark with them, as he had first identified the previously unknown, crystalline element, Armantium, which Jim had name appropriately after the Upper Egyptian town where it had first been discovered in modern times.
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| Μανέθων (Manetho) |
There was, however, a trace of the effects of Armantium's existence in the writings of Μανέθων (Manetho) - an Egyptian priest from Sebennytos who lived in the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt in the early third century BC, during the Hellenistic period.
Manetho is best known for his'Αἰγυπτιακά' ('Aegyptiaca' or 'History of Egypt').
The 'Αἰγυπτιακά' is famed for its 'King List' - which enumerates the rulers of Egypt in Ancient times in chronological order.
Manetho established four dynasties before Menes, two of gods and 'demigods', and a fourth transition, suggesting the origin of the Egyptian civilization can be attributed to seven major deities: Ptah, Ra, Shu, Geb, Osiris, Seth and, Horus, who ruled over the lands of Egypt for a period of 12,300 years.
After them, a second dynasty ruled over Ancient Egypt, led by Thoth, composed of twelve ‘divine Pharaohs’, who ruled over 1500 years, and after which thirty 'demi-gods' rose to power.
These 'demi-gods' were usually identified with the 'Shemsu Hor' (Followers of Horus), and were symbolized as falcons, and ruled the lands of ancient Egypt for a period of 6,000 years.
After the rule of these ‘otherworldly’ beings, chaos ruled over the land of Egypt until Menes managed to restore order, and unify the land of ancient Egypt.
According to Tony Stark, and the translations provided by Ashraf, however, these extended lifespans of the 'gods' and 'demi-gods' were almost certainly the result of the unique effects of Armantium, which was undoubtedly known to the Egyptians from earliest times.
But that's enough of the explanations...
It was midday in hot, sunny Luxor, and before getting down to any business, or any adventures for that matter, everyone wanted time to relax.
"So, pash... you could have something to eat if you wish - Murad is ready to cook for you, or you could relax in the garden...", Ismail offered. -
(pash is not a 'typo', but Egyptian slang for Pasha)
"Well I need to let the kittens go out into the gardens...", Ethan insisted.
"Yes... and I need to help Glaux find a nice tree, somewhere quiet- where he can sleep until it gets dark.", Josh added.
"ممتاز - سيساعدك الأولاد" - Ismail said.
"What did he say ? Josh asked.
"He said 'that's good - the boys will help you'...", Teddy translated.
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| The Kittens in the Winter Palace Gardens |
So Ethan found the cat basket among the suitcases, and took Sekhmet and Bastet out into the garden, while Josh and Glaux went to look at some trees.
The others were shown to their room and started unpacking.
Ethan then returned to where Jim and Ismail were chatting.
"Are the kittens OK ?", Novius asked.
"Oh yes - they know the gardens like the back of their hand.", Ethan replied, sounding far more relaxed now that the kittens were back in the place they obviously liked best.
"Back of their 'paw' don't you mean - kittens don't have hands...", Teddy said pedantically.
"...'Suppose so...", Ethan replied, as he flopped down beside Teddy on one of the ornate gilded sofas.
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| McDonald's - Luxor - Egypt |
"Well, if you still have your McDonald's here... I would like to go for a cheeseburger, and after, a walk along the Corniche to look at the Nile and all the pretty little boats...", Ethan suggested.
"Yes - and Murad came make you a real Egyptian meal for the evening, when we come back...", Ismail suggested.
"And will the kittens be OK on their own in the gardens.", Josh asked.
"Of course - and I will go and sit in a nice shady spot, and keep an eye on them." Novius assured Josh.
"So do you want to come with us, and have an Egyptian McDonald's cheeseburger ?", Josh asked Tony.
"Why not McDonald's - but are they different to American burgers ?", Tony asked.
"Exactly the same - that's why I like them...", Ethan replied.
"So you've come all the way to Egypt to go to a burger-bar that's identical to those in America, and eat cheeseburgers that taste exactly the same as those in the US...", Novius said, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Well yes - just for today, until I get acclimatized, and then I'll move on the roast water-buffalo.", Ethan replied, trying to sound very logical and rational.
"But before we go - I must pack away the 'dimensional portal' - ", Ethan said, and quickly pressed the top red button, the 'portal' disappeared, in it's unremarkable white plastic Walmart bag.
McDonald's outlets that are found in Alexandria, Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and a few other large towns - mainly in the Red Sea resorts, are by and large far too expensive for the average Egyptian,
and are mainly patronized by tourists. - There are a number of McDonald's in Cairo, however,
(and Cairo has comparative few foreign tourists), but the Cairo McDonald's are rather oddly
considered to be 'cool' places to meet and eat by the Cairo 'rich kids'.
But here, perhaps, we should stop and explain some other matters.
On a previous visit to Luxor Jim had arranged to buy the Winter Palace - which had originally been the finest hotel in Luxor, but as time passed, and tourists had been discouraged from visiting Luxor by terrorism in the Nile Valley, and the safer option of holidaying in the Red Sea resorts, and the 'Winter Palace' had lost it's clientele of rich Europeans, and was no longer profitable, and was therefore offered for sale (it was partly owned by the Egyptian government).
Subsequently, Jim has had the one time hotel converted into a private residence for himself and his close associates - with Ethan, the Kittens and Glaux very much in mind.
see the conversion of The Winter Palace (a New 'Home' for the 'Penthouse Gang')
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| Ismail Amr |
Jim first met Ismail in Cairo - in a car park at Saqqara, on the 'Giza Plateau'.
Ismail attaches himself to Jim and the group as a guide - but the meeting seems very strange...
Later they go to the 'Cairo Museum', and Ismail shows Jim a statue of Anubis from the tomb of Tutankhamen - which is invisible to other members of the group, apart from Faunus and Teddy.
Ismail tells Jim that the 'vision' of the Anubis statue is the 'answer' that Jim needs - and that the 'answer' is in Luxor (see 'The Message').
Subsequently, that 'message' leads Jim and his friends to the 'Lion Cave' on the West Bank of the Nile at Luxor - and it is there they discover a 'Dimensional Portal', the kittens (Sehkmet and Bastet), and Khonsu (Ashraf).
The kittens, it should be pointed out, ore no ordinary kittens but avatars of Sehkmet and Bastet - two Egyptian feline neteru ('gods').
Ismail, whose family lives on the West Bank in Luxor, subsequently takes on the permanent task of overseeing the running of the 'Winter Palace'.
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| The Corniche from the Winter Palace |
A corniche is a road with the ground rising on one side and falling away on the other. The word has been absorbed into English from the French term 'route à corniche' or 'road on a ledge', originally derived from the Italian cornice, for 'ledge. The 'Winter Palace' overlooks the Corniche, the River Nile at Luxor, the West Bank and Theban Hills.
Of course there was the inevitable shock of emerging from the quiet, very cool, air-conditioned 'Winter Palace' into the torrid heat, hustle and bustle and noise of Luxor.
All these particular travelers were used to the summer heat of Las Vegas and Nevada, but despite that, the sheer intensity of the heat of Upper Egypt always came as something of a shock, and also the brilliance of the light.
Some of the 'boys', however, had elected to spend the time before their late lunch in the very large and luxurious pool in the Winter Palace Gardens.
The Pool had originally been overlooked by the 'Winter Palace Pavilion' - which was a low-cost extension to the 'Old Winter Palace Hotel' - in the days when tourists visited in large numbers - but many were not sufficiently wealthy to afford the high rates demanded by the original 'Old Winter Palace'.
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| The Winter Palace Pool |
So, as a result, the newly acquired 'Winter Palace' had gardens and a pool which were suitably private.
Ethan, however, loved the atmosphere of the Corniche and Luxor Town - and this also applied to Josh and to Novius.
"Just smell that horse-dung !", Ethan exclaimed.
There was, of course, a rather odd reason why Ethan relished the smell of horse-dung.
Ethan, and the other members of 'original group', that is Jim, Zac, Josh and Novius had all come from a much less technological society - and their lives had centered on the Greek ἀγορά agorá (Agora or Market Place), or the Roman Forum - and in the case of Ethan and Zac they had grown up in a farming community.
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| Ancient Roman Market Place |
was the center of day-to-day life, the site of triumphal processions and elections, the venue for public speeches, criminal trials, and gladiatorial contests, and the nucleus of commercial affairs.
Modern towns cities, particularly in the US and Europe are not dominated by horses drawn carriages (calèches), or carts, or with heavily laden donkeys - however in Luxor horse drawn carriages and donkeys are common - hence the smell of horse-dung.
A calèche is a type of light, 2-wheeled carriage
drawn by a single horse with a folding hood
and seats for 2 passengers with another for the
driver on the splash-board
So walking in Luxor, with such sights and smells, combined with street sellers, and goods displayed outside shops was very reminiscent of their previous lives, and was one of the reasons that they were attracted to, and felt at home in Luxor.
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| Omar - 'Horsey' and his Calèche |
The McDonald's in Luxor was very close to the 'Winter Palace', and it was simply a matte of turning left as as you came out of the main entrance of the Winter Palace, and then following the road as it curved left, as if on the way to شارع المحطة (Station Street).
As it happened, there were very few tourists in McDonald's.
"So how do you find your friend Omar ?", Tony asked, once they were seated with their cheese-burgers and Pepsi.
"I don't know - but he'll be around somewhere...", Ethan replied.
"Why not 'phone him ?", Teddy suggested.
"Yes - but I don't know his number.", Ethan replied dejectedly.
"Yes - but I do - it's on my data-base.", Teddy said brightly.
"Is everything on your data-base ?", Ethan asked.
"Almost everything, Teddy boasted, as he produced Ethan's cell phone from the white plastic Walmart bag, and dictated the number to Ethan.
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| Luxor Train Station |
As it happened, Omar was hanging around the Station, trying to catch people arriving in Luxor - and so, as the trains were few and far between, an offer from a tourist was welcome.
"Now this is a good guy, so be nice to him...?", Ethan pleaded to the others.
Luxor Train station is built in the Art Deco Neo-Egyptian style - 'pretending' to be an ancient Egyptian Temple - which is odd, considering it is a government building in a Muslim country - and although the Egyptians were apparently keen to free themselves of the British, it is equally odd that the name 'Luxor' (in English) appears in at least three places in the decoration of the facade. The Mukhabarat (Government Security Police) considers railway stations in Egypt to be a prime target for dissidents and religious extremists, and always parks police and military vehicles in the station forecourt (the blue van in the center of the picture above), and an armed member of the police hides in the shadow of the last column on the right.
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| Feluccas Moored at Luxor Corniche |
A felucca, (Arabic: فلوكة), is a traditional wooden sailing boat used in the eastern Mediterranean, including around Malta and Tunisia and also in Egypt and the Sudan, and particularly along the Nile. Its rig consists of one or two lateen sails. They are usually able to accommodate ten passengers, and the crew consists of two or three people. They are especially popular among tourists, who can enjoy a quieter and calmer mood than motorboats have to offer.
Now it was not really surprising that Omar recognized and remembered Ethan, after all, Teddy was a 'give-away'.
"So why you stay away from us for so long, Mr Ethan ?", Omar asked in his idiosyncratic English, as he climbed down from his seat on the calèche.
"It wasn't long, Omar, and I have been very busy - like you, I have a job to do back where I live.", Ethan replied, careful as ever not to give too much away.
"And where is Mr Jim ?", Omar added.
"Oh Jim will be arriving tomorrow.", Ethan said reassuringly.
"And where you stay ?", Omar asked.
"At the 'Winter Palace'.", Ethan replied.
"But Winter Palace no more has tourists...", Omar countered.
"I know - but Jim bought it - so me and my friends can stay there."
"I think Mr Jim is a very rich man then.", Omar said, seemingly marveling at the thought.
"So, let's go and get some apples for 'Horsey'...", Ethan suggested, eager to change the subject and avoid awkward explanations.
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| View of the Theban Hills from Luxor West Bank |
"So - you like Luxor, Tony ?", Josh asked.
"Yes, it seems very quaint...", Tony replied rather non-concomitantly.
"So where are these hills on the West Bank ?", Tony then said, obviously thinking about where the proposed prospecting would take place.
"Well - over there - but the ones that you are probably interested in - near Armant - are further to the south - and at the moment we are driving north.", Ethan replied knowingly.
"So - the hills don't look very high...", Tony observed.
"Yes - but there's a wide flat plain between those palm trees and the hills, so they look smaller and lower than the actually are - and I know - I've climbed them - and at night - and it's not easy...", Ethan said.
"Spooky places - the Theban Hills, and really strange things happen there, and just the sort of place where you'd find something weird, like Armantium...", Ethan added.
"Well, we can't do anything until Jim and Zac come back with a permit from Cairo allowing us to do some prospecting...", Tony said.
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| Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources |
Just before Jim, Franklin and Tony agreed to mount expeditions to prospect for minerals in Egypt, the Egyptian government removed the requirement to form joint ventures between Egypt and prospecting groups, and the adjusting of state royalties in favor of such groups. These were mainly aimed at those prospecting for gold - but would apply equally to other minerals. Jim, of course, had no intention of alerting the Egyptian government to the discovery of Armantium - and all discoveries and subsequent exports of Armantium would be subsumed under other types of minerals, and the physical export of Armentium itself - undertaken using the 'Dimensional Portal' - would be more than adequate amounts, as the actual quantity of Armentium for any practical usage would be quite minimal.
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| Flying above the Clouds |
Tolson had not reported intermediately to Hoover, as he felt that he needed some time to get his story straight.
FBI agents didn't just simply disappear !
Equally there was the question of the additional disappearance of Caleb Harley who - as we know, was enjoying cooling off in the 'Winter Palace' pool - in Luxor, Egypt.
Caleb had left the US, but by such unconventional means that there was, by then, no 'trail' to follow.
Not surprisingly, Tolson had not revealed to Hoover everything that had occurred, or the possible repercussions that those events might involve - but then Tolson's 'hands were tied'.
He had been informed that James Johnson and Zac Taylor had left Las Vegas with tickets for Cairo, Egypt, but there was no information as to where they would be staying, or what their business in Cairo might be..
In addition Tolson had been informed that most of those who were known to be prominently associated with the 'Athena Corporation' could not be located - anywhere in the US - despite the best efforts of the Bureau, and that did not bode well for Tolson, as he guessed that Hoover would take the view that Tolson had 'scared them all off', and somehow they has all 'gone to ground'.
So things were turning out exactly as Jim had hoped they would ...
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| Winter Palace Luxor - Gardens - Sunset |
On returning to the 'Winter Palace', Ethan found that the 'boys' were all enjoying a late siesta in their various suites, while the kittens had joined Novius in the Library, where he was assiduously studying maps of the Theban Hills.
Glaux, of course, was slowly waking, as the sun set in a beautiful pink glow, and once it was dark Glaux would be off and on his way - hunting.
A convivial meal, excellently prepared by Murad and his staff, and served in the spacious 'Winter Palace' dining room, then followed.
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| The Bar in the 'Winter Palace' - Luxor - Egypt |
Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun - KV62- in 1922. An ancient stroke of 'luck' allowed the tomb to survive to modern times. The tomb's entrance was buried by mounds of debris from the cutting of KV9 over 150 years after Tutankhamun's burial. The first step of the tomb's entrance staircase was uncovered on 4 November 1922. Accounts attribute the discovery to an village boy digging outside the assigned work area. On 17 February 1923 at just after two o'clock, the seal to the tomb was broken. There were 5,398 items found in the tomb, including a solid gold coffin, face mask, thrones, archery bows, trumpets, a lotus chalice, furniture, food and wine. Howard Carter took 10 years to catalog the items. It was the statue of Anubis (or was it Upuaut ?) from the tomb, which Faunus showed to Jim in the Cairo Museum, that led Jim to Luxor - and its many mysteries.
Of course Tony Stark had his 'Jack Daniels', but the rest of the company didn't drink alcohol, and stuck to shay (sweet, strong Egyptian without milk) or Pepsi Max.
Most of the conversation during the evening was centered on what might be Jim's plans once he and Zac finally arrived.
As an added diversion, Ethan told some fanciful tales about their previous trips to Egypt, but wisely leaving out any of the stranger incidents, and simply focusing on their visits to the pyramids and various temple - and also the mosques and shops of Cairo.
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| Dahabiya 'Hadeel' |
He was also particularly interested in the dahabiya 'Hadeel' which the 'boy's had used previously on their Nile Cruises.
A dahabiya (Arabic ذهبية), is a passenger boat used on the river Nile in Egypt. The term is normally used to describe a shallow-bottomed, barge-like vessel with two or more sails. The vessels have been around in one form or another for thousands of years, with similar craft being depicted on the walls of the tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs. Indeed, the name derives from the Arabic word for 'gold', owing to similar, gilded state barges used by the Muslim rulers of Egypt in the Middle Ages.
In Caleb's case it was quite understandable that talk of boat interested Caleb, mainly because, surprisingly perhaps, Caleb had never been on a boat as, despite the fact that there are a number of rivers in Iowa - including the River Iowa, Mississippi and Missouri, none of these rivers ran anywhere near where Caleb had lived, and of course, being originally Amish, Caleb's family and friends travelled very little.
A dahabiya (Arabic ذهبية), is a passenger boat used on the river Nile in Egypt. The term is normally used to describe a shallow-bottomed, barge-like vessel with two or more sails. The vessels have been around in one form or another for thousands of years, with similar craft being depicted on the walls of the tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs. Indeed, the name derives from the Arabic word for "gold", owing to similar, gilded state barges used by the Muslim rulers of Egypt in the Middle Ages.
The evening ends uneventfully - but in the morning Josh is woken by a phone call telling him that Jim and Zac have arrived, and from then on Jim takes control...
IMPORTAMNT - PLEASE BE PATIENT
THERE HAS BEEN A TECHNOLOGICAL 'GLITCH' THAT IS CAUSING A DELAY IN CONTINUINMG THIS NEW CHAPTER
normal service WILL BE RESUMED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
GOOD NEWS
the glitch has been fixed !
Teddy, not surprisingly was very worried, being in suspended animation, like 'Ashraf in the sarcophagus', but now he will be able to wake up Ethan as usual and the story will go on with Jim and Zac arriving in Luxor..
CLICK BELOW FOR
with brief résumés
All text - © Copyright Peter Crawford 2022
All Images - © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2022
Graphic Design - © Copyright Zac Sawyer 2022