After a flight to Alexandria, Jim, Ethan and Teddy, Novius, Ashraf and Zac
arrive in Alexandria and search for evidence about the 'Guardians' and 'Archons'
Josh and Tony are left in Luxor in order to deal with any business that might turn up as a result of their involvement in the US.
"Well - Here we go - yet again !
Stuck in one of these little 'Cessna-thingys' for god knows how long!", Ethan moaned, as they took off
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| Cessna Citation - Luxor to Alexandria |
from 'Luxor International Airport'.
"Now it's only four hours at the most, and Teddy's not complaining...", Jim said.
"Yes - but now he's got this 'thing' about looking at the pretty clouds, so as long as it's not a helicopter he doesn't mind flying so much.", Ethan replied.
Teddy wisely said nothing - and continued looking at the clouds.
It was a 'thing' Teddy had got when he was researching Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci (?) - who apparently got their inspiration from seeing shapes and images in the clouds.
"So what are we actually looking for in Alexandria ?", Zac asked.
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| 'Borg El Arab International Airport' - Alexandria - Egypt |
"Hopefully we are looking to get some useful information about the 'Guardians' and 'Archons' - maybe to be found the book stacks of the 'Library at Alexandria'...", Novius replied.
The flight passed without incident, and, as it was an internal flight, there were no problems with passports and customs.
"A good sign - at least there's some people in this airport - so maybe people like coming here", Ethan commented.
"Well actually Alexandria is very popular with wealthy Egyptians- but less so with Americans and Europeans", Teddy said.
Zac had previously arranged for two Mercedes limos for the duration of their visit, with English speaking drivers, and Josh had made appropriate reservations at the 'Cecil Hotel' on the seafront in Alexandria.
Enough said....
The drive to the 'Cecil Hotel' through the busy streets of Alexandria took only 40 minutes.
 |
| 'Cecil Hotel' - Main Entrance - 'Maydan Saed Zaghlul' - Alexandria - Egypt |
"So - here it is....", Jim stated as they smoothly pulled up in front of the hotel.
"Mm ... not really impressive - a bit small.", Ethan commented, eyeing the seafront façade warily.
"Well, it's very famous - everybody who was anybody has stayed here..", Teddy commented.
The 'Cecil Hotel' in Alexandria, Egypt, was designed by Alessandro Loria, a Jewish Egyptian architect, in 1929, for the French-Egyptian Jewish Metzger family.
The hotel is situated at ميدان سعد زغلول - 'Saad Zaghloul Square' where previously 'Cleopatra's Obelisk' had been, in front of the Corniche.
The authors Somerset Maugham and Agatha Christie stayed here, as did Winston Churchill and Al Capone, moreover, the British Secret Service maintained a suite at the hotel for their operations.
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| سعد زغلول - Saad Zaghloul Pasha |
The 'Cecil Hotel' was seized by the Egyptian government after the revolution in 1952, and five years later the Metzger family was expelled from the country.
Later, after a lengthy court battle, legal ownership of the hotel was returned to the Metzger family, who subsequently sold it to the Egyptian government.
This hotel appears in 'The Alexandria Quartet', written by Lawrence Durrell, and the novel 'Miramar' by Naguib Mahfuz -
Now the 'Cecil Hotel' faces the famous 'Saad Zaghlul Maydan' (Maydan means 'square')- so who is Saad Zaghlul ?
Well, سعد زغلول - Saad Zaghloul Pasha was born in1859, and died in 1927. He was an Egyptian revolutionary and statesman, and was the leader of Egypt's nationalist 'Wafd Party' - and played an important role in prompting the 'British Unilateral Declaration of Egyptian Independence' in 1922. He served as Prime Minister of Egypt from 26 January 1924 to 24 November 1924.
information derived from Teddy's data-base.
"Jim - have you noticed something really strange ?", Ethan asked, as they waited for their luggage to be unloaded.
"Now what, Ethan ?", Jim asked, expecting a further complaint from Ethan.
 |
| Villa Aurea - Baiae - Sinus Neapolitanus |
The sea - we haven't smelt the sea for a very long time", Ethan said, sounding ridiculously nostalgic.
"Yes - from another time and another place - the smell of salt in the air - and the humidity - and memories of the 'Villa Aurea', Baiae and the Sinus Neapolitanus
"Yes - from another time and another place - the smell of salt in the air - and the humidity - and memories of the 'Villa Aurea', Baiae and the Sinus Neapolitanus
All those memories....", Jim said.
"And I wonder if we shall ever see that time and place again ?", Novius said sadly.
"I do not understand.... of what do you speak ?", Ashraf questioned.
"Oh they'll tell you one day - but it's a very long and strange story
- but you are one of the few people who may understand.", Teddy said.
Meanwhile Ethan was sniffing the air...
"Well it makes a nice change -
'Vegas smells of motor exhaust, Luxor smells of donkey and horse shit - and here we are in Alexandria, and its smells of the sea.
"Well enough of this - let's go and announce our presence...", Zac said.
Now in case you haven't been following this story in the way that Teddy says that you should - or if you haven't read the prequel - 'The Story of Gracchus' - the 'Villa Aurea' - the 'Golden Villa' was a huge palatial villa at Baiae, by the Mediterranean Sea.
 |
| Gnæus Octavian Gracchus |
Julius Caesar and Nero both had villas there, and Hadrian died at his villa in AD 138.
Baiae was notorious for the hedonistic lifestyle of its residents and guests (a little like Las Vegas, but without the hotels and casinos, 2000 years later).
In the 1st century, Seneca the Younger described it as a 'vortex of luxury' and a 'harbour of vice'.
Gnæus Octavian Gracchus - who adopted his slave, Marcus (Jim), had probably the finest and largest villa in the area.
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| Reception Lobby - Cecil Hotel - Alexandria |
Having had a quick inspection of the elevator, Ethan brought Teddy back to the reception desk.
Fortunately Teddy's SEBF was operating, so there were no awkward questions - which was a good thing, because if the hotel had noticed that Teddy was fully 'animated' they might have caused a problem, as 'pets' were not allowed in the hotel.
Fortunately the hotel staff didn't class Ethan as a 'pet'.
"Well, the hotel's quite 'cool' and refined, and a little bit 'Deco', Ethan announced, as passports and credit cards were checked.
As everything checked out very nicely, it was time to view their rooms.
 |
| Elevator - Cecil Hotel - Alexandria |
So Ethan took Teddy to one side, and stood behind a pillar.
"So, you had a look at the elevator - can we use it ?", Ethan asked.
"Yep it's working fine...", Teddy said quietly .
"OK - and you promise not to press the buttons - just this once, as there will be a hotel worker with us ?", Ethan asked.
"Promise...", Teddy replied.
And so they were all able to use the elevator - but not all together as it was a very small elevator.
 |
| Balcony view - Jim's Suite - Alexandria |
"Well, I like the air - and we can see the sea from our balcony, so it's the first hotel that we've stayed in with a really good view - and generally the hotel's quite nice...", Ethan replied.
"One of the best... but definitely not enough pillows and cushions - so you better 'phone the desk and get them to bring some up.", Teddy commented from his perch on one of the fine, ormulu mounted chests of drawers.
"So, tell us something about Alexandria...", Jim asked.
"Here we go...", Ethan muttered.
"You mean now, in this time, or in ancient times?", Teddy asked as he bundled one of Ethan's best shirts into a drawer.
"Well, a bit of both, but just while we unpack...", Jim replied - hoping that Teddy would not go into too much detail.
So Teddy began....
"Alexandria - yes - الإسكندرية in Arabic, and in Greek it's Ἀλεξάνδρεια.
Today it's the second largest city in Egypt.
It was founded, however, in c. 331 BC by Alexander the Great, so it's in no way as old as the pyramids and the temples in Luxor, but it is slightly older than some of the temples on the banks of the Nile, such a Kom Ombo, Edfu and Dendera that we have visited before.
During the Hellenistic period, it was home to the Lighthouse of Alexandria, which ranked among the 'Seven Wonders of the Ancient World', as well as the 'Library of Alexandria'.
It was to Egypt that the general Ptolemy brought the body of Alexander, which was initially buried in Memphis, before being transferred to Alexandria, where it was reburied.
 |
| Cleopatra VII Philopator - Κλεοπάτρα Φιλοπάτωρ 1888 - John William Waterhouse |
Alexander's body was embalmed and encased in crystal.", Teddy explained.
"Spooky...", Ethan commented.
Teddy then continued...
"Well, with the death of Cleopatra, the last of the Ptolemies, Alexandria became the second city in the Roman empire.
When the Roman Empire became christian, Alexandria became an important centre for the Coptic christians
Subsequently, Alexandria was conquered by the Muslim Arabs.
Due to the constant presence of war in Alexandria in ancient times, very little of the ancient city has survived into the present day.
The city remained a significant port for Mediterranean trade well through the medieval period, under the Mamluk sultanate, however, it declined further under the Ottoman Empire, losing its water supply from the Nile, and its commercial importance,
 |
| Napoleon in Egypt - Jean Leon Gerome |
Muhammad Ali, the Ottoman Governor of Egypt, began rebuilding the city around 1810, and by 1850, Alexandria had returned to something akin to its former glory - although it never returned to its dominant position under Ottoman and British control.
The recent Khedives and Kings of Egypt all had palaces in Egypt - but Cairo, in modern times has always been the seat of power.", Teddy concluded.
"Is that it ?", Jim asked, just as he was finishing his unpacking.
"Well you did ask for an abbreviated version,,,", Teddy replied.
"Well it was quite interesting.", Ethan said.
"OK - so let's round up the others and have a little look around the place... Jim then suggested.
Eventually Zac contacted everyone by 'phone, and got them all to meet in the entrance lobby.
"So Teddy, where do you suggest we go first ?", Jim asked.
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| قصر المنتزه - Montaza Palace - Alexandria - Egypt |
"So what do we tell our two drivers ?", Zac asked.
"I suggest that we get Ashraf to tell them to drive us to the 'Montaza Palace' - and he can do it in Arabic - once they know we have what they think is an Egyptian guide they should treat us well.", Teddy advised.
"OK - ",Zac replied, and Ashraf gave the drivers the appropriate instructions.
It wasn't a long drive, as Alexandria, while being the second city of Egypt, is in no way as extensive as Cairo, and soon the Montaza Palace came into sight.
Leaving the drivers to park the Mercedes limos, Jim's group approached the main entrance of the palace.
It was quite early in the morning and there were few sightseers around, and those that were appeared to me Egyptians.
"So Teddy, what have you got to tell us ?", Jim asked.
Teddy appropriately put on his King Farouk style sunglasses (Farouk spent much time at the Montaza Palace), and began to explain the history of the rather strange looking building that they were about to explore.
"Well the 'Salamlek Palace', was built in 1892 by Khedive Abbas II, who was the last of the Muhammad Ali Dynasty to hold the title of 'Khedive of Egypt and the Sudan'.
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| فؤاد الأول - King Fuad I |
The 'Salamlek Palace' was used as a hunting lodge, and residence for Khedive's male companion.[
The larger 'Al-Haramlik Palace', and royal gardens, were added to the 'Montaza Palace' grounds, being built by King Fuad I in 1932, as a summer palace.
Fuad I - in Arabic فؤاد الأول - was the 'Sultan', and later 'King of Egypt and the the Sudan'.
سلطان - Sultan is a position with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic abstract noun meaning 'strength', 'authority', 'rulership', derived from the verbal noun سلطة - meaning 'power'. Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who claimed almost full sovereignty (i.e., not having dependence on any higher ruler) without claiming the overall 'caliphate', or to refer to a powerful governor of a province within the caliphate. The adjectival form of the word is 'sultanic', and the state and territories ruled by a sultan, as well as his office, are referred to as a سلطنة - sultanate. It is not the equivalent of 'king'.
Fuad I was the ninth ruler of 'Egypt and the Sudan' of the Muhammad Ali dynasty.
He replaced the title of 'Sultan' with 'King' when the United Kingdom unilaterally declared Egyptian independence - although Egypt was still a British 'protectorate'.
The 'Al-Haramlik Palace' in Alexandria is built in an eclectic mixture of Ottoman and Florentine styles, with two towers.
The palace has long open arcades facing the sea along each floor.
"That is good - but the signs in Arabic say it is closed...", Ashraf said.
"Yes, I didn't notice that - and it seems that the rest of the palace complex is a sort of 'Disneyland Hotel' - so perhaps we could look at the gardens.", Teddy said.
 |
| Montaza Gardens |
"Yes, but to be honest, from what I can see from here, the gardens don't look very interesting...", Jim said, obviously annoyed.
"Well someone obviously really liked palm trees, but it's not actually the sort of place where I'd like to have a picnic..", Ethan said.
"I think we're just wasting our time here...", Novius commented, obviously not very happy.
"So what else is there to see ?", Jim asked Teddy.
Teddy looked embarrassed - which is difficult for a teddy-bear.
"You see there is a problem about Alexandria.
Most of the really interesting stuff is under water - you see earthquakes and tidal waves submerged much of Hellenistic Alexandria - and the sea bed is littered with the remains of palaces and temples.", Teddy explained.
Ethan looked disappointed.
"So now you tell us - so really not much to see - so I'm not surprised that the hotel is practically empty, and there were so few people at the airport !", Ethan said.
"And perhaps that explains why historical places - like this palace - are closed.", Zac added.
"Well let's go and have something to eat, and we can decide what to do next...", Jim suggested.
 |
| 'Four Seasons Hotel' - Alexandria - Egypt |
"OK - according to my data-base there's a very good restaurant at the 'Four Seasons Hotel' not far from here.", Teddy remarked.
"Right - well Ashraf, tell the drivers to take us there...", Jim said.
And that's where they went....
"Shit ! - look at the size of that !", Ethan exclaimed, as they approached the beach façade of the 'Four Seasons Hotel'
"So why build such a large hotel in a town with so few attractions ?", Zac asked.
"Good question...", Teddy commented.
And so the two large Mercedes limos parked, and Jim, Novius, Tony and the boys - including Teddy - made their way to the reception in order to ask if it was possible for them to have lunch - half expecting to be told that the restaurants were closed.
But much to everyone's surprise the staff at the reception were only too pleased to offer the choice of a number of restaurants situated in the hotel - which didn't really surprise anybody as the hotel seemed practically deserted.
 |
| 'Babylos Restaurant' - Four Seasons Hotel - Alexandria |
"Probably subsidies from the Egyptian government ", Teddy replied.
So Jim chose the 'Babylos Restaurant' as that was supposed to serve a middle eastern cuisine.
"Well this is more like it.
Almost looks like one of the restaurants that we own back in 'Vegas.", Ethan commented as they took their seats - all except Teddy of course, who as usual sat on the table.
And of course, as Teddy had his SEBF operating at full power, none of the staff actually noticed the fluffy little bear sitting on the table, or if they did they assumed that Teddy was someone else's' business - which, in fact, he was.
Ethan had a problem trying to order roast water-buffalo - now his favourite lunchtime meal, and in the end had to make do with best sirloin steak.
Everybody, however, agreed that the food and service were excellent.
 |
| Underwater Archaeology - Alexandria - Egypt |
"Well there is a museum featuring underwater archaeology, which is not really surprising considering that much of ancient Alexandria has sunk under the Mediterranean, while most of the rest of ancient Alexandria is buried under the modern city, and cannot not be excavated.
It's a bit like Cairo, where ancient Memphis has almost completely disappeared under the streets and buildings of the present city.", Teddy explained.
"Then there's the 'Royal Jewellery Museum' - seems to be just lots of very flashy jewellery - I think Clare would probably like to see that, if we come here again and bring her.
And there's also the 'Alexandria National Museum', which houses various pieces from the different periods of Alexandrian history - that might be interesting.", Teddy said.
"Yes, but shouldn't we get to the library, because we have a definite reason for being here in Alexandria, and I think it might take some time to work our way through the catalogue if we are to find anything that might help us.", Novius said.
"True Novius, that should be our priority..", Jim replied.
And so they left the 'Babylos Restaurant' at 'Four Seasons Hotel', and Ashraf instructed the drivers to take them to the grandly named 'Bibliotheca Alexandrina'.
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| مكتبة الإسكندرية - Bibliotheca Alexandrina - Alexandria - Egypt - Entrance |
"Now, if you had organized a competition intended to produce the ugliest library building in the world - then this design would have certainly have won - 'hands down'...", Ethan declared.
"Yes - and it looks as if the roof is collapsing...", Novius added - and Novius was loathe to make disparaging comments normally.
"So what do you say, Jim ?", Zac asked.
"I'd really rather not say.", Jim replied diplomatically.
"Well, according to my data-base, it's a building that was designed by a committee - and doesn't it show.", Teddy commented.
Now these opinions may seem rather extreme - but it should be remembered that Jim, Novius and the others had the opportunity to have seen real classical architecture, in both ancient Athens and ancient Rome - and they knew what good architecture really looked like.
مكتبة الإسكندرية - 'Bibliotheca Alexandrina' (Latin for 'Library of Alexandria' [why not Koine or Ancient Greek]) is a library in Alexandria, Egypt. It is supposed to be a commemoration of the 'Great Library of Alexandria', which was destroyed in antiquity. Construction cost US$220, and the library received a donation of 500,000 books from the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. The library has shelf space for eight million books, with the main reading room covering 220,000 sq ft. The complex also houses a conference centre, museums, art galleries, permanent exhibitions, a cinema and a manuscript restoration laboratory. The 'architecture' was designed by 'Snøhetta', a Norwegian architectural office, associated with Austrian architect Christoph Kapeller, and Egyptian architect Ihab El Habbak, with an architectural team that consisted of ten members representing six countries.
"OK so let's go in and start our search. "Jim said.
"And how do we do that ?", Ethan asked ....
"because there's an awful lot of 'book-thingys' on these shelves...",
Now Ethan didn't read books very often, so it was understandable that he should find such a huge number of books rather intimidating - and that was only in the foyer...
Regardless, it was then a question of getting through the security - and as usual there was a bank of metal detectors, and a squad of mean looking, well armed young police waiting to check everything - and of course they didn't speak English - or pretended not to - so Ashraf had to do the translating.
And then - not surprisingly perhaps - Faunus turned up - or was it Ali ? or whoever - and it seemed that all the security police thought he was someone important, and then they were all very deferential, and started treating Jim and his party as VIPs.
"So who are you today ?", Ethan asked Faunus.
"I'm Dr. Mustafa - 'Assistant Director for Public Relations', among other things - we've met before, if you remember.", Faunus replied, shaking Etan by the hand.
"How could I possibly forget...", Ethan said, wondering just where all this was going to lead.
"So - aren't you going to introduce me to Mr Johnston ?", Faunus - or was it Dr. Mustafa - asked.
"Jim - this is 'Mustafa' - 'Mustafa' - this is Jim...", Ethan said, thinking that the introduction was quite pointless.
Jim looked at Dr. Mustafa, (Faunus), obviously mystified.
 |
| Faunus |
And then there was the bizarre way in which everyone went along with the deception, and with everything that Faunus said.
Faunus, it should be said, was, by his own admission, a δαίμων' - (Greek - 'daimon') - a lesser deity or 'guiding spirit'.
Such beings are believed to be able to speak any and all languages, and to have all knowledge of events in the past and present - and to some extent the future - and in addition they are 'shape-shifters', beings able to take on the appearance of any person, being or even object.
"So what clever ideas have you got for helping Novius find the manuscripts he wants ?", Ethan asked, as Faunus guided them to a reading room.
"It's all very simple." Faunus replied.
"So ?", Zac asked.
"Well Teddy knows, don't you Ted ?", Faunus said nonchalantly.
"Yep...", Teddy replied, as Faunus sat him on one of the many rather cheap looking tables, some of which were provided with equally cheap looking computer 'terminals' - that is computer keyboards and screens.
 |
| Computer and Reading Room - Bibliotheca Alexandrina |
"OK, so just plug me in, and tell the others to go and browse - we don't wan them all standing over here watching me - it might look suspicious - and anyway I'm shy.", Teddy whispered.
"Don't worry, Teddy - I'm in charge here, so nobody's going to make any problems - and I'm simply showing off, to you in particular, the so-called up-to-date technology installed here..", Faunus replied.
"Well I hope you're right...", Teddy said.
"So I'll plug in this USB, and we'll be ok", Faunus said.
"Tell me then Faunus, exactly how will this work ?", Teddy asked.
"Well I'm sending some 'search-bots' into the library's main catalogue, and then when I plug you in, they'll send back all the information that might be relevant for Novius.
"And it won't damage my systems ?", Teddy whispered nervously.
"Of course not - but it might tickle a bit.", Faunus said with a grin.
By then, however, the search-bots were hard at work.
"Just a minute or so, and they'll be done.", Faunus then said.
At that point Jim strolled over.
"How's it going, Faunus ?", Jim asked, having settled down after the initial shock of meeting Faunus in yet another guise, and at the Library.
 |
| 'Search-Bot' |
"Oh fine.
We're just waiting for the 'bots' to report back with Novius' information.", Faunus replied.
"The 'whats' ?", Jim queried.
"..'Bots..'
They're like little 'guys' who go off and look for what you want, and then tell you were it is - but in a computer.".
"OK - if you say so.", Jim said - and at that point Faunus asked for Teddy's USB lead.
"Right, Teddy, now we'll plug you in.", Faunus said.
Teddy's plug was a bright blue - matching his small, bright blue HP laptop - although he'd left that back at the hotel.
Tony, however, had the simple, little laptop radically upgraded some time previously, so that it was not only unbelievably fast, but also had a huge storage capacity required for dealing with the processing of Teddy's regular 'data-base' updates.
"How does that feel ?", Faunus asked.
"Odd - like you said, it tickles a bit.", Teddy whispered.
 |
| Plugging in Teddy |
Then something strange happened.
"Nice to meet you Teddy.
Tell Faunus the mission was accomplished successfully", a voice, and not Teddy's, said.
"Who was that ?", Teddy said, sounding slightly alarmed.
"Oh, the 'chat-bot' - just reporting - nothing to be worried about.
The 'chat-bot' is part of the 'search-bot' team.", Faunus said.
"So is that it ?", Teddy asked.
"Yes, all the relevant document titles have been located, and are now part of your 'data-base', Teddy.", Faunus replied.
"So let's go amigos.", Ethan, who had come over to see what as taking so long, said.
"Now do you mind if I join you at the hotel ?", Faunus asked.
"Well you don't usually ask, but in this case, of course - and I'm sure that Novius will want to talk to you.", Ethan replied.
 |
| Faunus' Edsel Parked Outside the Cecil Hotel. |
And the they all gathered in the Library Foyer while Faunus (Dr. Mustafa), explained the other officials in the library, that he was needed in another part of town, and left...
"Well I'm glad that's over..
I wonder if there ever was a Dr. Mustafa working at the Library ? - and if anyone working at the library will remember either the Dr. or ourselves ?", Jim said, almost to himself - pausing and looking puzzled.
Ethan, however had quickly followed Faunus out of the building.
"So how are you getting to our hotel ?", Ethan asked.
"Oh - don't worry - I've got my trusty Edsel with me, and I know my way round Alexandria like the back of my hand - so I'll probably arrive at the 'Cecil' before you ", Faunus explained.
Eventually Jim and the others arrived at the 'Cecil Hotel', only to find Faunus' ridiculous 'puce' and white Edsel parked quite illegally right in front of the hotel.
"You know, you can't leave the Edsel parked like that...", Zac said as they left their limos and entered the 'Cecil Hotel'..."
"Don't worry - nobody will notice..." Faunus replied.
The Edsel is a failed classic that was discontinued only three short years after its 'launch'. The Edsel is the stuff of which nightmares are made. The Edsel is a vehicle that has been significantly discussed, and is often cited as one of the biggest automotive flops of all time. The Edsel was marketed by the Ford Motor Company from the 1958 to the 1960 model years. Deriving its name from Edsel Ford, son of Edsels were developed in an effort to give Ford a fourth brand to gain additional market share from 'Chrysler' and 'General Motors'.
 |
| Search-Bot in the Book Stacks - Bibliotheca Alexandrina |
So having returned to the hotel, Jim, Faunus, Ethan and Teddy, and Novius and Ashraf went to Novius' suite in order to see what information Teddy had on his data-base as a result of the search that had been made in the 'Bibliotheca Alexandrina'.
Now the 'search-bots' had been very busy - but were still in the process of organizing the information that they had retrieved.
"So how long do we have to wait for these 'little guys' to finish ?", Ethan asked.
"Not long - but you must remember that these 'little guys' are really just programs, and not real little robots...", Faunus explained.
"Well I know that - but if they were real little 'guys' they would be 'cute'...", Ethan persisted.
"Yes - true - as long as there were no problems with them..".
"Perhaps...", Ethan said, sounding a little disappointed.
Probably Ethan was thinking of having a 'bot' as a new 'friend' - like Teddy.
"So - the 'bots' have now organized the data...", Teddy finally said.
"That's good, Teddy -
So what groups are they in ?", Novius asked...
"Well there's manuscripts that mention 'Archons' - and those that mention 'egrḗgoroi' - 'watchers' - עִירִין,
The manuscripts the Bots have listed include the 'Book of Daniel', from the canonical Hebrew scriptures - the 'First Book of Enoch', the 'Second Book of Enoch' ('Slavonic Enoch'), the writings of Philo, and the Essene 'Books of Jubilees' and the 'Damascus Document'.
At that point Teddy decided that one word needed some explanation....
 |
| Hills at خربة قمران - Qumran |
"Now you might be wondering what the name 'Essene' means, so here's some information -
The אִסִּיִים - Essenes (Greek: Ἐσσηνοί,) were a mystic Jewish religious sect during the Second Temple period that flourished from the 2nd century BCE to the 1st century
The Jewish historian Josephus records that Essenes that the Essenes congregated in communes dedicated to voluntary poverty, daily immersion, and asceticism.
The Essenes have gained fame in modern times as a result of the discovery of an extensive group of religious documents at خربة قمران - Qumran in Palestine - known as the 'Dead Sea Scrolls'.
 |
| Dead Sea Scroll |
There is much still to be discovered about this group - and although the scrolls were initially discovered in 1946, surprisingly many have still to be restored and translated.
Interestingly, the scrolls were discovered in caves situated in rocky hills bordering the 'Dead Sea' which are remarkably similar to the Theban hills in Egypt....
"Thanks Teddy -
Now that sounds like an awful lot of documents... ", Jim commented.
"Yes, but Novius and I can easily get copies from the internet, and then set up searches in order to find the appropriate textural locations for this information,", Teddy said reassuringly.
"So what do we do now ?", Ethan asked.
"Well the best thing to do is for us to leave Novius and Teddy to start checking out their leads, while we have a last look round Alexandria...", Jim suggested.
"So where do we go ?", Zac asked.
"Well what about the 'Alexandria National Museum' ?", Jim suggested.
The building housing the 'Alexandria National Museum' was previously the United States consulate - and before that, the building was a private mansion that was built in 1926 in the western classical style. The Museum contains around 1,800 artefacts that represent aspects of the history of Alexandria and Egypt in general. Most of the pieces on display, however, come from other Egyptian museums.
information derived from Teddy's data-base.
 |
| متحف الإسكندرية القومي - Alexandria National Museum |
"Now that's quite a cute looking building, but 'seems a bit small and 'dinky' for a 'national museum'...", Ethan observed, as they pulled up outside the well proportioned, classical style mansion.
"And the question is - is it open ? - as it all looks pretty deserted.", Zac said.
In fact it was open, and so Jim paid for the entrance tickets, and they made their way round the exhibits.
 |
| Alexandria National Museum - Exhibits - Egypt |
"Well this is strange - all very dark, and mysterious...", Zac said.
"Yes - well I think they're trying to save on their electricity bills...", Ethan commented.
"Yes - perhaps you're right...", Jim added.
"And all the thingys on show seem to be very crumbly... ", Ethan observed, using one of his favourite words when describing ancient artefacts.
 |
| Akhenaten - Alexandria National Museum - Egypt |
"I think it because - as Teddy told us - much of the old city was built over, in the many years that have passed.", Ashraf wisely suggested.
"Well I can spot the backside of a sphinx...", Ethan then said.
"Yes and there's a head of that Pharaoh that we saw in the 'Cairo Museum' - but I don't know what he's got to do with Alexandria.
"But it's all such a jumble - and so dark that it's difficult to read the labels - so without Teddy I'm not sure who's who, or what's what...", Zac complained.
"Excuse - I saw a sign - in Arabic - it say there are mummies here - downstairs - so we could go and look - and then go back to the hotel...", Ashraf suggested.
"OK - then let's look at the mummies, and then we'll go back to the 'Cecil Hotel' and see how Novius and Teddy are getting on.", Jim said.
The mummies, of course , were very 'crumbly' - but that's just the way mummies are - so, as it was getting late, they decided to follow Jim's advice and drive back to 'Saad Zaghlul Maydan', and the 'Cecil Hotel'.
Jim's group said little on their drive back to the 'Cecil Hotel'.
There was an air of disappointment regarding their trip 'Alexandria National Museum' - and they were hoping that at least their might be some good news from Novius and Teddy.
On their return to the 'Cecil Hotel', Jim suggested that the whole group take a brief rest, shower and change, and then meet in the hotel conference room.
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| Cecil Hotel - Alexandria - Egypt |
"So Jim, why did we come all this way to Alexandria, just to look at a crummy museum, a palace that was closed, and rows and rows of palm-trees.
And we didn't even get a chance to paddle in the Mediterranean. ?
After all, we could have just searched with my HP laptop for the book-thingys that Novius needed ?", Ethan asked a little petulantly.
"Well I think Teddy could answer that better than me...", Jim replied, as Teddy conveniently popped his fury little head round the door.
"Precisely .", Teddy began, as he started to fiddle once again with some cushions.
It was a sort of 'diversionary tactic'...."
Ethan looked confused...
"A whaty ?"
So Teddy settled himself and began to try to provide an answer..
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| Cecil Hotel - Alexandria - Egypt - Jim's Suite |
But making the search in the Library itself - and using special, dedicated 'search-bots' that couldn't be traced, and would leave no evidence behind was the perfect solution.", Teddy explained.
"So you knew that Faunus would be there at the Library to help us ?", Jim asked.
"Of course !", Teddy replied, as if it was obvious.
"So you didn't think to tell me...", Jim commented.
"Well you've got quite enough to think about...", Teddy replied.
"But did you enjoy your visit to the 'Alexandria National Museum' ?", Teddy then asked.
"Not really - it was creepy, and dark, and most of the stuff was very crumbly - and we didn't have you there to explain thingys for us..", Ethan replied.
"Well no matter - because I think Novius have got some rather more interesting things for you and the the guys.", Teddy said, trying to cheer up Ethan.
So later everyone trooped down to the conference room in the 'Cecil Hotel'.
After having a lacklustre trip to various 'attractions' in Alexandria - they were unsure if they were really prepared to sit through a possibly boring lecture from Novius - although Tony and Ashraf had a more positive attitude, as they were hoping that, after the search at the 'Bibliotheca Alexandrina', there might be some useful information regarding the strange phenomena that Ethan always described as 'pesky aliens'.
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| UFO |
There were even some rumours that certain governments - the US in particular, had actually made contact with certain 'alien' entities, although there was, quite understandably, no definite proof available that this had in fact occurred.
But the question now is what will Novius and Teddy have to say after their brief look at some of the manuscripts highlighted by the 'search-bots' ?
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| Small Conference Room - 'Cecil Hotel' - Alexandria - Egypt |
"Not very good acoustically...", Teddy said knowingly, as he opened his blue HP laptop, and prepared to take minutes.
"So gentlemen, get yourselves settled and then we might begin...", Jim said.
And so, when there was complete silence, Novius stood up, shuffled his notes, cleared his throat and began his address.
"Thank you, Marcus...
Now, as I hope you all realize, we have not had sufficient time to review the documents that were indicated from the search at the 'Bibliotheca Alexandrina'.
And then there is also the problem of authenticity - which prevents me from making any definitive statements about such documents.
While most of the manuscripts referred to are readily available in various libraries, bookshops and online, these versions of the manuscripts are, in almost all cases, not facsimiles, and in in addition have been subjected to editing.
In order to have a true picture of what these documents are saying, we really need to obtain original copies, and that may be very difficult.
So, I can give you a rough outline of what we have so far, but then we need to investigate the possibility of finding some of theses original manuscripts for future use."
At that point Zac interrupted....
"So what's different about this information, compared to the other information we've gained from our research in Egypt.", Zac asked.
"That's a good question - but there are some differences, and that makes interpreting this information more difficult.
Let me try to explain...
As you should have learned in Egypt, and from here in Alexandria, there was much mixing of cultures and ideas in the Middle East before the rise of Islam tended to spread a uniform culture over the area.
Now most of these documents arise from events that occurred in the Levant and the surrounding area."
"So what's this 'levant-thingy' ?", Ethan asked.
"Well as far as we are concerned, it's the region of 'Greater Syria', which includes present-day Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and most of Turkey southwest of the middle Euphrates - but can also influence Egypt, right down to the Sudan.
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| Macedonian Star Burst |
Now historically that region has always been politically very unstable.
Now you already know about Alexander the Great, and his huge empire that dominated this region, but before Alexander there was the Persians, the Babylonians and the Assyrians among others - and of course later, the Romans, all of whom who conquered parts of this region.
But at the very centre of all this activity was the Jewish nation - and it is for this reason that many of the various religious traditions of their conquerors were taken up and adapted by the Jewish people.
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| Masoretic Text |
"So, Teddy, can you translate Masoretic and Aramaic ?", Novius asked.
"Of course - although I have never been asked to do that so far, so I will have to review the vocabulary and grammar.", Teddy replied with his usual confidence.
Good, because if we can find some original manuscripts we shall need a good, independent translation.
"So from where did the Jewish people originate ?", Jim then asked.
Novius thought for a moment.
"Well that's a difficult question to answer...
It is suggested that they were Semitic-speaking tribes, probably known later as Israelites, that inhabited a part of Canaan during the tribal and monarchic periods.
The Jewish religious scriptures, however, have a tradition that the Jews originated as nomadic tribes who left a city called Ur for Canaan."
"Er... where is Ur ?", Ethan asked, not entirely facetiously as he had never heard of it before.
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| Ziggurat at Ur - Iraq |
Later they are said to have migrated to Egypt to avoid a famine - and then after many years left Egypt and conquered the Canaanites - who were known to the ancient Greeks as 'Phoenicians'.
Now the main reason that I am telling you about all of this is so that you can understand why we are attempting to extrapolate some meanings relating to our experiences with 'aliens' from the scriptural traditions of the Jewish people - and how they relate to the mythologies of other civilisations of the 'Levant'.
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| Rome - the Eternal City |
"Well that's been very interesting, Novius - but where do we go from here.", Jim said, sensing that Novius had arrived at his final thoughts with regard to the search results from the 'Bibliotheca Alexandrina.'
"Well any further research may well be continued in Europe - but I suspect that you will be wanting us to return the the US quite soon.", Novius responded.
"Or maybe Rome ?", Ethan suggested hopefully.
"May be Rome... but first 'Vegas...", Jim said.
The 'boys' & Teddy & Novius & Tony fly back to Luxor, and then return to Las Vegas by the 'dimensional portal. They later take the 'Dreamliner' to Rome to continue Novius' search for documents - and take in the ruins of the places that some of the knew so well, while Tony supervises the construction of the depot at 'Habu. Also Ethan and Max get on with some music and organizing the 'Combat Club and a concert.
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All text - © Copyright Peter Crawford 2023
All Images - © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2023
Graphic Design - © Copyright Zac Sawyer 2023