The Lost Libraries Archive (The Erik Midgard Case Files Volume 2)

Chapter 14

XIV

Mirabi's boot must have knocked the co-ordinates off slightly as, instead of the jungle, we re-materialised in the middle of one of Tutal Xiu's streets.

"No!" gasped Ra, as he realised where we were. He immediately started struggling again. I gripped his arm as hard as I could, preventing him from moving the knife any closer to Megan or Mirabi. Unfortunately, I was using both hands and Ra's first uppercut punch caught me straight on the chin, under the visor of my helmet. His wrist forced the visor open and upwards, ripping my helmet off my head. I gasped in pain as it rolled away from me and Ra twisted out of my grip and was quickly up and running.

"Go!" said Mirabi, who was rolling over to help Megan, who'd been trapped between all three of us. She wasn't bleeding.

I jumped up and chased after Ra through the streets of Tutal Xiu. The locals looked at me in astonishment, seeing my black 30th century uniform for the first time. It was probably a good thing I'd lost my helmet. Ra blended in slightly better with the earth and the clay walled houses in his brown jacket as he sprinted ahead of me, the jaguar knife still clasped in his hand. He glanced back and saw me following. I sped up as he darted left and right, trying to lose me in the maze of house, but I kept up my pace and kept him in sight until we reached the stone buildings around the centre. Ra swore out loud and dashed up the steps into the temple I'd visited when I was last here.

He was standing panting, with his back to one of the carved altars, as I burst in. Two of the priests were kneeling close to it, looking at him with astonishment. One of them was Huehuetlotl, whom Baldr had been talking to when I'd first been here

"Get away from me!" said Ra, panting.

"I'm not the danger, Doctor," I said. "You're in danger as long as you stay here. Give me the knife. Let's go back."

"Ba'ax ku yúuchul?" said Huehuetlotl, standing up, his huge Jaguar headdress rustling.

"Le wíiniko' ba'axi' juntúul chokoj pool sajbe'en. Leti'e' taan u kíinsik tuláakal!" said Ra, gesturing at me, obviously telling them that I was dangerous.

"I'm not here to harm anyone," I said, as clearly as I could. I quickly holstered my Unigun and showed them my empty hands, hoping that looking unthreatening would be enough. I took a slow step towards Ra.

"Stay back!" said Ra, whipping the jaguar knife out and brandishing it at me. I moved one of my hands towards my shockstick. It probably wasn't going to cut my uniform – which had a very high fibre density – but there was no sense in taking chances.

"Le kili'ich xotob!" said Huehuetlotl.

The priest was staring at the knife. I suddenly remembered where Baal had said he'd stolen the dagger from; one of the temple's while the priest's back was turned.

"Keep back, sir," I said, holding up my hand. The last thing I needed right now was him trying to retrieve his property. If Ra killed a local, none of us might make it out of here alive.

"Bin tech," said Huehuetlotl, staring at Ra. "Robó le kili'ich xotob ba'ax Ma'atech debía utia'al u p'atik le Santuario."

"Ma' u ba'ax in k'áaj bejla'e'. Le wíiniko' Talan!"  said Ra, without looking at him.

Footsteps – not sandals, but modern shoes – sounded on the steps behind me as Mirabi and Megan ran into the temple.

"Are you all right?" said Mirabi.

"Fine."

"Doctor Ra, please," said Megan. "This is insane. Let's just go back."

"Stay away from me! All you!" said Ra, backing away towards the altar. "I'm not dying here. Do you hear me? I am not going to die h..."