The Society of Orion: The Orion Codex (8 page)

Chapter Twenty-Three

At 2:00 P.M. sharp, everything was ready. Banyon’s team was brisling with excitement and itching to start their adventure. The lure of vast riches was almost too much to bear. The fact that thirty well-armed Germans were chasing them didn’t seem to bother any of them except Colton Banyon.

“Okay, let’s get going,” Banyon said and clapped his hands. “Steve you drive, Maya you navigate and sit in the front.”

“I’m an expert navigator,” Carol quickly pointed out.

“Alright you navigate then,” Banyon agreed.

The travelers climbed into the Hummer for the four hour trip down the moderate slope from the center of the country to the Amazon rainforest on the eastern edge of Ecuador. There was only one road which headed into the jungle from Cuenca. At some point, they would leave the road for the caves.

Just as Banyon was climbing into his seat, Father Hector appeared.

“A word,” he uttered and waved Banyon to the side.

Their animated discussion was keenly observed by the people in the Hummer. Banyon was kicking dirt and waving his arms in the air, everyone could see that he was very upset. Father Hector was patiently talking and trying to calm Banyon down by using his hands. Eventually, Banyon showed a sign of resignation and defeat. The two men hugged and Banyon returned to take his seat in the Hummer.

“What was that about?” Loni quickly asked.

“I don’t want to talk right now,” Banyon responded. “I need to think some things through first.”

The four monks and Father Hector stood in a row and waved goodbye to the Hummer as it left the mission.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Meanwhile, Colonel Carl Walther was inspecting his small military convoy. He walked along the six battered trucks making sure they were all in running condition while kicking the tires. If one of them broke down on the trip, he knew it would jeopardize his goal.

A huge unlit Cuban cigar filled his mouth. He wore military camouflage fatigues and a red beret on his head. He was armed with two handguns which road high on his hips. He felt a leader should look the part and patterned is attire after heroes he had seen in movies about Vietnam.

“Make sure the two mortars are not in the same truck,” he ordered as he pointed to the back of one of the vehicles.

“Why?” one of the thirty men standing around asked. “We’re all going to the same place.”

“In case something happens to one of the trucks we will still have one left,” he replied.

“Should we divide up the grenades too?” the man asked nervously. He was just beginning to realize that the jungle was a dangerous place.

“That was going to be my next order,” the colonel muttered as he lit the huge cigar.

“I believe that we are ready then,” another German man said. “All the provisions are loaded.”

“We leave in two hours.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

As the Banyon expedition traveled down into the vast Amazon basin, the temperature quickly shot up from a moderate seventy degrees to over ninety. The travelers began to shed clothes and toss them into the back of the Hummer. Soon they all were dressed in just shorts and clinging tops.

The air suddenly became very heavy with humidity and the smell of rotting vegetation became stronger as they drove deeper into the jungle. The foliage along the side of the road became denser. The trees got taller and the road got bumpier.

Everyone was chattering away about visiting the largest jungle on the planet. Loni was reading from a brochure one of the monks had given her. Banyon sat beside her, but said nothing.

“It says here that about eighty percent of all the foods we eat originally came from the rainforest,” she told everyone. “That includes: coffee, tomatoes, potatoes and even corn.”

“I’ve read somewhere that many medicines are coming from the plants in the jungle too,” Mandy said.

“That’s right,” Loni agreed. “According to this brochure, over twenty-five percent of the medicines we use today originated from plants in the Amazon rainforest. And scientists have only tested about one percent of the millions of different plants here.”

“What about animals?” Maya asked.

“Over half of the world’s animal species live in the rainforest,” Loni offered.

“But aren’t the rainforests in the world shrinking?” Carol inquired.

“Not shrinking,” Loni answered. “The rainforests are being deforested to make farmland. At the rate of one and a half acres per second I might add.”

“That can’t be good!” Carol exclaimed.

“Stop the car,” Banyon suddenly roared. “I have several things to tell all of you.”

***

Once they had pulled off the road, the travelers piled out of the Hummer and congregated in a semi-circle around the back of the vehicle. There was a look of concern on their faces. The excitement of the adventure was suddenly washed away. Something was wrong.

“I need a few minutes to collect my thoughts,” Banyon explained. “Just wait here.” He then went off into the foliage.

When he was far enough away from the road, Banyon asked Wolf a question.

“Is what Father Hector told me true?”

“He doesn’t lie, but he does at times omit some things,” the spirit replied.

“So the Germans will have mortars and grenades?

“Yes,” Wolf answered.

“And what about the Tayos caves? Is that also true?”

“Yes, I’m afraid what he told you is also true.”

“So the only reason we are heading into the jungle is to put a stop to the German threat. Is that right?”

“Father Hector is a devious man with a strong desire to help humanity,” Wolf answered. “I would not tell your team about the caves though. Let them find out for themselves after the confrontation with the Germans,” Wolf advised.

“What about the Orion weapons?” Banyon next asked. “Should I explain how to use them to everyone?”

“From what Father Hector told you, you will have more than enough work in the future concerning protecting the weapons. You need people to help you,” Wolf responded. “Yes, you should tell them.”

“Then I know what to do,” Banyon replied and headed back to the road.

***

“You have all been misled,” Banyon said as he addressed his group.

“How so,” Steve asked suspiciously.

“Father Hector did not tell you everything about the Germans,” Banyon responded.

“What do you mean?” Mandy asked. “Father Hector told us the Germans were leaving four hours after us and they didn’t have a good map.”

“That’s true,” Banyon explained. “But what he didn’t tell you was that he sent Father Bartholomew to tell them where we’ll camp tonight.”

“Why would he do that?” Mandy screamed out.

“Because he wants us to eliminate them,” Banyon responded.

“But he said there will be thirty of them,” Maya added nervously.

“They will also have two mortars and hand grenades,” Banyon told the group. “They’ll be trying to eliminate us.”

“But he must realize we have no chance against that kind of firepower,” Steve shouted and waved his arms in frustration.

“Yes, I know,” Banyon said sadly.” This adventure has turned into a very dangerous quest. I’ll understand if some of you don’t want to get involved in this takedown,” Banyon admitted.

No one said anything. They stared at each other in stunned silence.

“But you have a plan, don’t you Colt,” Mandy quickly asked.

“Yes,” he replied.

“Let’s hear it then,” Mandy asked hopefully.

“I’ll tell you about our plan, but first I must fill you in on something else,” Banyon tossed out.

“What?” Mandy asked again.

“We actually came to Ecuador to collect the Orion Codex. That was our original mission. We have collected it. Our true goal is complete.”

“What’s the Orion Codex?” Kenny spoke for the first time.

“It’s a record of all of the weapons of Orion and how to use them,” Banyon said knowing that nothing would ever be the same again.

“Wait?” Steve uttered. “The artifacts we collected in Poland. You called them Orion weapons too.”

“That’s right Steve,” Banyon nodded.

“The Magic Belt we protected in Wisconsin was also an Orion weapon right?” Mandy had been there and saw several people die.

“There were actually eight weapons on the belt. Barbara Reynolds used one of them just before the battle.”

“So are you telling us the weapons really work?” Steve said incredulously.

“Yes,” Banyon replied. Shock registered on several faces. “That’s why we must keep the knowledge of the weapons a secret and we need to collect them all. If we don’t, some unscrupulous person will surely use them for evil.”

“How many weapons are we talking about?” Steve quickly asked.

“We currently have twenty-four of them. There are one hundred and fifteen in total.”

“Wow!” Mandy exclaimed. “That’s a lot of weapons.”

“Where are these weapons?” Kenny asked.

“They are scattered around the world,” Banyon said expansively. “They have been protected by The Society of Orion, but according to Father Hector, the society has become weak and ineffective. Someone has to step in and protect them or there will be chaos in the world.”

“Why are you telling us this now?” Carol asked curiously.

“Well, there’re two reasons,” Banyon replied. “First, we’re going to use some of the weapons to defeat the Germans, so you will be exposed to their powers. Also I want to solicit your help in collecting all of the remaining Orion weapons. It will probably take a long time, but they must be protected. You all are the right people for the job.”

“Is this another of your deep secrets Colt?” Mandy asked happily. She and Steve had only recently been made members of Banyon’s team and knew there were some things they weren’t trusted with knowing yet.

“Yes,” Banyon agreed. “We will also include Heather.”

“What about us?” Kenny Cole yelled out.

“I think you and Carol will become valuable members of the Orion weapons recovery team.” The two young people looked at each other and then spoke.

“We’re in,” they both said at once.

“We know our Father was involved with the society, but we never knew to what extent,” Kenny offered.

“Yes,” Banyon said and nodded his head. “I only recently found out he was a member.”

“We’re all in,” Steve spoke for Mandy who nodded her head in agreement. Banyon already knew that Maya and Loni were committed.

“Okay, we fight then,” Banyon announced. “Now let me show you the weapons and how we’ll use them.” He nodded his head towards Loni.

“This one is called
Shield
,” she said as she showed them the Orion ring which she had on her wrist.

“What does it do?” Carol asked.

“It can protect a person. Watch,” Loni responded and stepped way. She turned the ring. Suddenly a clear bubble appeared around her.

“Try to penetrate it,” Maya said. “Not even bullets can.”

Mandy, Steve and the Cole’s went to the shield and attempted to push it and break it open. Loni stood calmly inside, but indicated she could not hear them. Once they were all satisfied, Loni turned the ring again.

“The second weapon is named
Call
,” Loni informed them. “Let me show you what it does.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

They traveled another hundred miles down the road and into the dense rainforest. Along the way, Banyon exposed his battle plan. He told them there would need to be several adjustments to the plan when they reached the camping site. The team peppered him with questions.

He described the German plan to take over Ecuador and how they had killed many people along the way. He explained that Father Hector had been deceitful because his main interest was to protect the people of Ecuador, not the treasures of the Tayos cave or even The Society of Orion.

Eventually Banyon began to talk about The Society of Orion and how it was formed. He told them there were seven chapters and Ecuador was the second one he had visited. The first was Poland. He further explained that both chapters had become corrupt. He said Father Hector also told him the other chapters were using the weapons rather frequently.

Banyon told them that too many weapons were being used. He explained they were never meant to be used by the society or anyone else except Orion. Things had to be set right.

“How did this chapter become corrupt?” Mandy asked. “Father Hector seems to be a very religious person.”

“He is, but Father Hector has used the weapons several times to bring in money for the mission,” Banyon explained. Before him, his predecessors also used the weapons for monetary reward. He told me how they had helped the Mormons back in 1848 as an example.”

“Another example of how power can corrupt even good people,” Maya uttered in disgust.”

“The society has become a ‘miracle for hire organization’,” Banyon explained to his team. “They are mercenaries for hire in the name of good.”

“But who decides what is good and what is evil?” Loni said philosophically.

“Precisely the point,” Banyon replied. “To the Germans, taking over Ecuador is good.”

“Steve, the turn off is just up ahead on your right,” Carol sang out.

***

Steve missed the turn because the foliage was too heavy to see the small dirt road. He stopped the Hummer and Carol jumped out to try to locate the opening. After rummaging around at the edge of the road, she waved for Steve to back up the vehicle. She pointed to the opening. It was completely covered by large thick leaves from very green plants. She jumped back into the Hummer and they headed into the deep jungle.

“These roads are rarely straight,” Carol told Steve. “Go slowly until we reach the canopy.”

“I can’t see more than a couple of feet in front of me,” he complained. “What if we hit a stream or a hole?”

“Carol and I’ll get out and guide you,” Kenny piped up.

They got out of the vehicle and walked ahead. Kenny disappeared into the foliage and Carol stayed close enough for Steve to see her. Everyone else in the Hummer moved to the edge of their seats. The pace was slow and tense.

Soon the foliage became less dense yet the jungle became darker. Steve had to put on his headlights to see. He followed a turn in the road and suddenly the way was clear. Carol and Kenny climbed back into the vehicle.

“What happened?” Mandy cried out.

“We’ve reached the canopy of the rainforest,” Kenny explained. “We’re in the real rainforest now. See, the trees surrounding us, are all very tall,” he pointed. “There is little vegetation on the ground because the tree tops stop almost all sunshine from penetrating.”

“We can drive a little faster now,” Carol said. “We are about a half mile from our destination.”

“What’s that smell?” Mandy uttered as she grabbed her small nose.

“The only materials on the ground this far into the rainforest is rotting vegetation from the trees. You’ll get used to it,” Kenny said.

“But I thought the rainforest was the largest source of oxygen on the planet,” Mandy countered. “It sure doesn’t smell like oxygen.”

“That’s true,” Carol responded. “But almost all the oxygen is used in the rotting process on the ground.”

“Oh!” Mandy exclaimed.

“Look, I see a wide stream,” Loni exclaimed.

“And there is an old wooden bridge across it, just like Father Hector told us,” Maya added as she pointed to the dilapidated structure.

“The camp site is just over that bridge,” Banyon added.

“Will the bridge hold under the weight of this Hummer?” Steve wondered out loud.