Keepers of the Lost Garden (The Lost Garden Trilogy Book 2) (6 page)

Chapter Seven

The rented Jeep Cherokee was parked short of a fork in the dirt road. The Elburz Mountains were easily seen from this distance as a light breeze helped to disperse the unearthly smell that emanated from the beautiful, yet repulsive Sulna Obvesky. Alexey had the passenger-side door open to let in fresh air. Sulna’s stench had permeated the entire vehicle. The driver stood outside and had all of the windows down. Sulna stood near the road with her arms crossed in front of her.

Now they waited.

Patience was not one of Alexey’s strong points.

It was not long before the rumble of several large trucks was heard. Alexey jumped up in anticipation.

Sulna stood almost at the fork itself as she turned toward the sound. “Is that your Colonel Sharif?”

Alexey smiled with the knowledge that he would again be in charge, once Sulna saw his army.

It wasn’t long before Sulna could see the lead truck barreling toward her. She saw the box-shaped cab of the military vehicle soon followed by many more of the same.

Twenty-seven in all.             

The lead truck stopped with the engine still running. The passenger door swung open and a middle-aged Iranian man jumped down from the cab.

Colonel Sharif.

He had seen his share of battle as a colonel in the Iranian army. There was a large scar on his face starting at his left eyebrow and stretching down to the corner of his mouth. There was a small wheezing sound with each breath he took. As his feet touched the dirt road, he groaned.

Then again, when he walked toward Alexey and Sulna, Sulna’s mouth dropped in surprise and disgust at the sight of this supposed military leader. Sharif approached Alexey with a pained smile.

“Alexey, my friend! It is…good to see you!” His speech was interrupted by the occasional need to breathe. “All is…ready.”

Alexey placed one hand on Sharif’s shoulder as Sulna looked on in disgust. Her expectations were of a leader of men.

A warrior.

Or at least, someone who could stand upright.

“I protest! This is not only an outrage but ludicrous! Maybe Colonel Sharif was an amazing leader and soldier several decades ago, but I will not stand beside someone who can’t even stand!” Her belief that the mission would succeed was now in serious doubt.

Alexey’s instinct was to jump to the defense of the battle-weary Iranian.

The military leader stood up straight, in spite of a spinal cord injury. The pride of the soldier that Sharif was came shining through to all who stood near him.

Sharif’s pained expression as he limped toward Sulna spoke volumes to Alexey of why he dealt with him in the first place.

Despite Sharif’s ruthlessness and fierceness…he had honor.

Sharif was much shorter than Sulna, which made his confrontation that much more impressive.

Sharif clenched his teeth as a single drop of sweat ran down his forehead. He gagged as the smell that emanated from Sulna nearly made him vomit. He breathed through his mouth and stood tall. “I am a decorated soldier with more earned respect than you will ever receive. Despite my experience, I won’t be joining you. My men will be under another’s leadership.”

Sulna looked pleased and confused at the same time. “I take it that I shall lead your men.”

Sharif laughed. “No. My men will take no orders from a woman.”

Sulna scoffed at the sexist remark.

He should be so lucky to have a woman, especially her, lead his forces!

“Who then, is this born leader who will guide us to the Mountain of God? Show me this
man
among men that is a more qualified warrior than I!”

Sharif backed away due to the horrible stench that surrounded Sulna. Two soldiers helped the colonel back to the lead vehicle. He leaned up against the front.

Alexey walked up to Sulna and winked at her.

“I believe that would be me.”

* * *

Colonel Sharif had just finished explaining the specifications of the twenty-seven Neynava trucks that he’d brought for use in the war against Eden. The two-and-a-half ton 4X4 military vehicles were packed with supplies, weapons, ammunition, and soldiers.

Sharif smiled at Alexey. “Let me discuss the inventory that you are now in control of, while your associate inspects the cargo.”

Sulna didn’t like the term,
associate,
applied to her.

Without her, there was no mission!

Only she knew of the secret entrance to Eden!

She knew she still needed Alexey…at least, for a little while longer. She would eliminate him only after he had helped her defeat the Daughters of Eve.

And only then.

She smiled and started to walk down the line of trucks, leaving Alexey alone with Sharif.

Sharif kept watch as the putrid smell faded after the Amazon made her way along the line of vehicles.

Sharif’s enthusiasm perked up. “Alexey. I don’t like this ally of yours.”

“She is a means to an end, Colonel. I would never walk into any situation without a way out. You know, some would say that my partnership with you is suspect. I would also like to remind you that you are a paid employee.”

Sharif nodded in agreement as he handed Alexey a folder. “This is the itemized list of supplies and handheld weapons I have included with the trucks. From what you tell me, the trucks will not be able to make it to your final destination. I added a few things to make your life easier when you get to where you are going.”

Alexey leafed through the folder of weaponry and supplies. His heart stopped when he reached the pages of information that Sharif mentioned.

Alexey looked up and scanned the line of trucks.

“No, Alexey. They are not here. Your contact is on the main sheet of information. He will meet you in Tabriz.”

For the first time, Alexey panicked. “Are you insane? The Iranian army will kill you for giving me these!”

Sharif put one hand on Alexey’s shoulder. His expression was one of contentment.

“Alexey. Look at what I have brought you. Do you not think that they are already upset? What are one or two more items?”

Alexey understood.

Sharif had no plans of surviving.

“Colonel Sharif, you knew all along that you would be killed. Then why did you even take my money and agree to everything?”

“Look at the trucks, Alexey. What do you see?”

Alexey looked at the trucks. “I see an army.”

“I see something different. I see each and every man inside of those trucks. They will be killed as well if they return with me. Instead, they will each get a decent share of the money that you gave us. They are deserters. If any of them survive, they will leave Iran and never return. Those with families have already relocated their loved ones.”

“Why do you get to play the martyr?”

“I don’t
get
to do it, Alexey. I
have
to do it. If I go back, then the Iranian army will be satisfied with just me. I am the leader of men and my execution will serve as an example to the people of Iran of what will happen if you betray the government.”

“What about your family? I’ll bet you already got them out of the country!”

“Yes, Alexey. My family is safely away with my portion of the money.”

Alexey grinned victoriously. “Do you see now, Colonel Sharif? Your sacrifice is nothing of the kind! Look at you! Your body is weak and you can’t even stand! You know that you are going to die soon anyway, so you decide to go out as a martyr! A martyr who will be remembered forever!”

Sharif smiled. “Tell me you wouldn’t want to go out the same way.”

Alexey took out the pages with the special item information from the folder. He folded them and put them in his pocket.

“I don’t need adulation.”

“I don’t need to be remembered.”

“After this, I will be immortal.”

Chapter Eight

For years, industrial pollution had hung over the skies of Tabriz, Iran. It was a constant reminder of the price of progress.

Evan Knight, Jessima IL Eve, and Geronimo Bismark walked slowly through the always busy Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex. Reminiscent of the ancient Arabian marketplaces, the bazaar featured vendors of all kinds joined together under the arched roof.

Geronimo and Knight stopped themselves from acting like wide-eyed tourists at the sights and sounds of the Iranian Bazaar.

They weren’t here on a vacation.

Within the bazaar were smaller bazaars designated for specific items. They sought the Amir Bazaar, which housed dealers in gold and jewelry.

Jess led them straight to the vendor, Yousef Omidi. Yousef was an older man who apparently had an extreme fondness for fried food. The only thing that kept their eyes from staring at his girth was the fact that his thick beard contained remnants from several past meals. As Knight’s team approached with Jess in the lead, Yousef reached into his beard, pulled out a small piece of meat and ate it.

His eyes scanned the trio as his half-smile never moved. “Americans?”

Jess looked concerned. “Yes. Americans. We discussed this…”

Before Jess could utter another word, Yousef jumped up with a speed that contradicted his size and placed a greasy finger over her lips.

Jess pulled back in disgust as she wiped her mouth.

Yousef’s smile grew as his eyes darted to each person. “Yes. I see you have an eye for the rare jewels. I do not keep the extremely scarce items here. Too many unsavory characters, you know. I hope you checked into the hotel that I suggested. Some places will search your belongings when you leave. They love tourists!”

Jess nodded. Knight and Geronimo remained silent as they exchanged glances.

This was Jess’s show now.

Yousef waved for them to follow him as he went deeper into his ornate vending area. When they arrived at Yousef’s storage room, he pulled some old tapestries down from one wall. There was a seam in the shape of a doorway embedded into the wall. He held one finger to his lips as he pushed on the upper left and right corners of the seam at the same time.

The solid stone slab moved easily inward to reveal a secret passage lit by several strings of Christmas lights strung carelessly down the passage.

As soon as all of them were safely inside, Yousef picked up a large tapestry and hung it over the opening. He then went inside the passage and pressed on the other side of the slab in the exact manner that he did when he’d opened it.

The slab moved back into place.

Yousef breathed a sigh of relief as Knight’s patience wore off. “I understand why the…”

“Shh!” Yousef got in Knight’s face, clearly angry. “You are not welcome here…Americans! I only talk to the Cherubim! No Americans!”

Cherubim.

Knight thought that he and Jess were the only ones to know her as a Cherubim.

How much does Yousef know?

Jess smiled a reassuring smile at Knight as she gently placed her hands on his chest. “It’s all right. You have to remember, Evan Knight, that you are an outsider and a
hated American
here.”

“Well, I should have seen that one coming,” groaned Geronimo.

“You, too, Geronimo. Please let me handle this with Yousef.” Jess looked at Yousef.

“Please tell us what you have for us, Yousef Omidi.”

Yousef sneered at Knight. “I have a cache of weapons at the end of this passage. There are three backpacks filled with provisions and supplies. There are also passports with different names so that you will be able to leave Iran, should you survive.”

Jess’s and Knight’s eyes met in a gaze that expressed concern for each other’s welfare. There was a sparkle of what Knight thought could have been love.

Love for him.

A love that they had for each other.

This just started to become real.

The only question was whether they would live long enough to fully express their love.

Yousef continued as he pointed down the barely lit passage. “This will take you to a path that will lead to Mount Sahand.”

Knight recognized that name.

He snapped out of his thoughts of Jess and realized that all of his research might have been correct. According to his research, Mount Sahand was one of the mountains that had walled in the Garden of Eden.

They were close.

He could feel it.

Jess hugged Yousef, while carefully avoiding his beard of surprises. “Thank you, Yousef Omidi. You and your family will be blessed for your assistance to the Daughters.”

Yousef wiped a tear from his eye and headed back to the door. They all watched as the stone slab closed one final time, leaving them alone in the passage.

Geronimo looked down the passage. “I don’t understand, Jess. That guy believes in Allah. Why did he just help someone who believes in God?”

Jess blatantly showed her disappointment. “You assume that two people cannot work together because of different beliefs? I would expect a friend of the Chosen One’s to see things as they are, not as the world has chosen for you to see! Whether you choose to believe in Allah, God, Buddha or whoever, it is the fact that we believe in a higher power that unites us! I call shame on you, Geronimo.”

“Now, let us proceed.”

Knight couldn’t hold in his laughter as Geronimo stood in shock.

Didn’t know she had it in her.

* * *

The passage appeared shorter than it was.

The smell of mildew became more evident as the passage became damp.

They walked in two inches of water until they spotted a wooden plank propped between the walls. Geronimo checked to make sure that the Christmas lights were far enough off of the ground and away from the water.

Supported on the thick plank were three backpacks and two black duffel bags.

Knight handed a backpack to Jess and Geronimo and kept one for himself. He put it on without checking inside.

His curiosity was focused on what was inside the duffel bags. He carefully unzipped the closest one and peered inside.

* * *

The Soufian Cement Company seemed all but desolate, as the jeep that contained Sulna and Alexey approached the rear of the building.

An overly nervous Iranian man was pacing in front of the loading dock as the jeep came to a stop.

It took a lot to impress Alexey Konstantin.

The fact that this 1.5 million-ton, cement-producing plant was shut down by one man, did just that.

The impatient man was extremely thin. He usually tugged on his beard when he was nervous.

He couldn’t stop tugging now.

Alexey exited the jeep and marveled at the size of the cement plant. His excitement was expressed in his first words to the Iranian.

“Simply amazing! I would hire you in an instant! How could one man have possibly shut down a plant this size?”

The Iranian’s eyes darted back and forth as if he were expecting trouble. “I have no time for pleasantries! The bomb threat I called in will not keep the doors closed for long. I had to wait until the military completely searched the building before I could store your items. It will be any day now when they decide to open it back up.”

Sulna stepped close to the Iranian.

He was immediately repulsed by her smell.

He took his scarf and wrapped it around his nose and mouth. “By Allah! I was told of you, but nothing could prepare me for that smell!”

Sulna grabbed him and drew him in closer. “We have not time for this, as well! What do you need from us?”

The Iranian pulled away from Sulna’s grasp and unlocked the huge double doors to the plant. The metal door creaked as the Iranian struggled to open it.

As the door slowly moved outward, Sulna and Alexey gazed upon the very thing that might sway the war in their favor.

There were two box-shaped tanks with steel-welded turrets.

Alexey’s confidence rose to insurmountable levels.

The Iranian smiled at his success of hiding the tanks. “They are Zulfiqar MBTs.”

Sulna looked puzzled. “MBTs?”

“Main battle tanks.” The Iranian continued his description. “They are 36 tons each with a diesel engine, giving them a 21.7 horsepower per-ton ratio. It takes a crew of three to operate, but these are modified to work with no less than two people. There are several soldiers with you who can operate the Zulfiqar, so you won’t have any problems there. The user manuals are inside each tank.”

The Iranian addressed Alexey. “I need to know where to take your items. Where do I meet you with them?”

Alexey’s surprise confused the Iranian. “What do you mean? I was under the impression that we would take them now.”

“That’s impossible!” Sulna took over. “There is no way that we can take those things with us. Just like there is no way that we can take the trucks into Eden. Do you have some paper and a pen or pencil?”

The Iranian ran around the side of the building to his motorcycle. He looked through the storage compartment and found what Sulna had requested. He then ran back to Sulna and gave her the paper and pen.

She placed the paper on the hood of the jeep and then looked around to get her bearings. She started to draw a map. A map that led to the entrance of Eden.

Alexey glared at the Iranian, who continued to pace. “You obviously need someone else to help you bring them to the designated area. These people had better be trustworthy.”

The Iranian showed his disgust. “You do not worry about who I get to help me! They are my responsibility! We will meet you wherever the stinky woman tells us to meet.”

Sulna pushed the paper and pen into the Iranian’s face. He grabbed them and ran to his motorcycle.

Sulna and Alexey returned to their jeep.

Alexey smiled. “We actually have a chance of winning this war.”

He started driving as Sulna looked at the surrounding mountains. He decided that he had better calm her down.

He still needed her.

“Sulna. My breath is always taken away by the majestic beauty of the mountains. Of course, they pale in comparison to your beauty.”

She ignored him as she continued to stare away from him.

“All is in readiness, my dear. We have the upper hand.” Alexey felt confident.

He got Sulna’s attention.

She turned to him with fury in her eyes.

“Do you think this is a game, Alexey? Are you pleased, even though you have no idea what we are going into?”

Alexey tried to hide his contempt for her. “Why are you so cynical all the time? Do you not see how far we have come? It is only with the pairing of you and I that this could come about. You, with your knowledge of Eden and me, with my knowledge of everything else.”

She had had enough.

“Do you believe this will be a walk in the park, Alexey? Do you honestly believe that no matter how well prepared we are, it will be easy? These are warriors that we will be fighting! While you were sucking on your mother’s teat, they were training to defend their home! When you were starting your first business venture, each and every one of the Daughters of Eve had already accumulated more knowledge about computers and technology than one thousand of the smartest men and women in the world could ever retain! Their fighting power individually is amazing enough, but together, they are legion! You are smug behind the fact that we have artillery and weapons and yet, no matter how many times I explain what we are up against, you still fool yourself into believing that we will just waltz into Eden and claim the Tree of Life without so much as a struggle!”

Alexey’s smile faded and he stayed quiet as they rejoined the trucks.

Alexey and Sulna got out of the jeep. Colonel Sharif embraced Alexey and then got into the jeep and drove back to Tabriz.

As he drove out of sight, Alexey thought about the colonel becoming a martyr. He laughed it off as he and Sulna got into the cab of the lead Neynava truck.

The driver acted as if they weren’t even there. He was doing as he was instructed.

Only talk if they talk to you.

Alexey’s positive feelings about the upcoming battle were deflated as quickly as it took for Sulna to give her speech.

He had hoped that he wouldn’t have to talk to her again until they reached their destination, but he knew that was impossible.

“Sulna. Do us both a favor and let the driver know where we are headed.”

She immediately leaned in close to the driver. She looked back at Alexey and then started whispering into the driver’s ear. She then leaned back in her seat.

“You will not take this from me, woman!” Alexey did not like the way that she had consistently treated him.

He was no minion.