Excavations and Enlightenment (A sequel to "Caveats and Cliches")

Chapter 19: Smoke And Mirrors

Sarah is not wrong; Toby and Easton have us up at the crack of dawn and transitioning the second breakfast is over. Since we are meeting the abductors in the capital, we are able to transition there directly. We don't call Pema's captor right away, though. First, we get familiar with the area. Sarah locates a travel agency that helps us find a place to exchange currency and buy maps. We also pick up a translation book to help us communicate. Lunch is spent scanning the maps for possible locations where the abductor might instruct us to meet. It doesn't help us, though. The maps either specify places of interest or roadways. Surprisingly, none of them include abandoned industrial buildings in seedy, remote locations. We have to know where we are going before we can do anything else, and that means making the call. Easton dials the number and it barely rings before it is answered.

"I take it this is Robin Hood and his band of merry men?"

Easton frowns but doesn't bother acknowledging the taunt. "I have what you asked for. Where do you want to meet?"

Toby scratches down the address on a piece of paper and Easton confirms it.

"Tomorrow, at 9:00 pm. Come alone."

"I have your word that Pema will be there and unharmed?"

"She is mostly unharmed. Aren't you, my dear?"

We hear a voice in the background, strong and commanding. "Get away from me, you slime!"

Easton and Toby wince at the sound; it's certainly Pema.

"You wouldn't begrudge me a bruise or two from caring for such a little firebrand, now would you?"

"I'll be there. 9:00 pm tomorrow." Easton hangs up first, fresh anger coloring his face.

Our next concern is scoping out the building and surrounding area. It is very much like the place where we first met the kidnappers. There is no sign of life, so we move in for a closer look. After circling the entire structure, we find the building is open and make ourselves at home. Toby goes to find the main electrical box while the three of us search the rest of the building. There are a few twists and turns, but the body of the structure is a long straight hallway that branches off into offices, then ends on a large empty room. Easton and I discuss how best to use the layout while Sarah checks to see how many of the rooms are accessible.

"I think we should make use of the hallway." Easton says, looking at the lighting overhead. When I don't reply, he continues. "No windows, a definite choke point, the limited space should make it easier to project accurately."

I nod my agreement. "It will limit the directions you can be attacked from as well. Of course, that also means you won't have anywhere to run."

Easton shakes his head. "I have no intention of running."

When he turns to look at me, I can see he is deathly serious. He plans to finish this tonight, one way or another. Suddenly, the lights above us spring to life, giving the hallway a florescent glow. I hear Toby whoop from another part of the building. I look back at Easton.

"Excellent, we have power."

Easton smiles. "Alright, then let's get to work."

It turns out plotting a conquest in a foreign country is a lot harder than we thought. Our plan is not supremely complicated, but little things keep tripping us up. For example, this area of the sphere uses electrical junctions that are different from those used in other regions of this sphere. Toby is unfamiliar with them and has trouble getting things set up the way he would like. When he does figure out what he needs, the language barrier makes it difficult to procure the parts. We spend nearly the entire day bumbling over what should have been quick work. Sarah and Toby keep the tension at bay by making quips about the abductor's likeness to a famous human singer.