Wild Academia Keeping up with the professor(Closed)

[Tio_Narratore]

Mariam led Eamonn to a bench in the center of the gallery.

“I presume you’re here about the Necklace of Velnar,” she said quietly. “I’ve heard the curator talking to people about it. I think it may be a very dangerous quest.”

“I expect so,” O’Riley replied, “but Dr. DaViega has never worried about danger on her expeditions.”

“I’ve read a few ancient stories about it,” Mariam began. “In one, it says the Prince would give the necklace to a girl in his harem and then send her to seduce and kill one of his rivals or enemies. In another, it was said that it was made for his princess so that she’d satisfy any perverse desire he dreamed of.”

She placed her hand on Eamonn’s knee.

“Do you think it really could do that? Make a modest woman perform immodest - even perverted - acts?”

O’Riley put his hand on hers.

“I think it’s likely just legend,” he said, “and anyway, mind control, even with scopolamine or hypnosis, can’t make people do something they wouldn’t. To get them to do those things, they have to be given suggestions that make the act acceptable to them. Like telling a woman under hypnosis that she’s about to take a bath in order to get her to undress, when she wouldn’t do it if just told to strip.”

 

[Asa]

Arina... Cassidy pondered that.

That can't be good?

The old man shook his head. Never good when that woman and you father are looking for same thing. Something important about it to someone.

We need to get to the village but he has literally been back and forth across the ocean at least twice. He is a jetlag bomb waiting to happen.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

“I have an idea, Mariam,” Eamonn declared. “If the Doctor and I get hold of the necklace, I might be able to borrow it and we could see if it actually has the power of mind control. You could wear it, and I’d see what I could get you to do.”

“I’d like to try that,” Mariam replied, lowering her eyes modestly.

“And if I can’t get it, we could undertake some experiential research into the power of suggestion.”

“That would be good, too,” Mariam agreed. “Perhaps we could start now.”

“I don’t know, Mariam,” he said. “I can see you’re a very modest girl; your blouse is buttoned all the way up your neck. But you’re also a very attractive girl, and well-worth showing yourself off just a little bit.”

He placed his finger lightly on the to button of her starched white cotton blouse.

“For example,” he continued, “if you undid the top two buttons, it would uncover your manubrial notch. It would still be modest, but it would show an area that attracts much unconscious attention. Perhaps you should try it.”

As he waited to see if Mariam would follow his suggestion, O’Riley wondered just how much time he would have until DaViega paged him.

 

[Asa]

Arina and my father are in the village?

The old man nodded.

With that Cassidy was headed for the door her focus stopping the two of them at all cost.

Perhaps you should go with your professor... I fear news recieved has put her in wolf mind

 

[Tio_Narratore]

“Yes, Mariam, the Professor looks serious,” Eamonn said as he got up from the bench. “I’d better go with her. Maybe we can do that research together when I return. Maybe even with the Necklace of Velnar.”

With that, he lightly touched her cheek and raced to catch up to DaViega.

“What’s up, Professor,” he asked with a worried look. “Is it something bad? Fill me in so I can be of some help.”

 

[Asa]

He went and told you I left the museum.

She started to say more but decided against it. She had no idea if he was connected sti to the CIA and mentioning her father if he was could add more issues than they needed.

I know some of the competition to find it. Let's just leave it at that.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

“At least let me know what to expect,” he asked. “Are off to the field now? Should we go back to the hotel to change to our field clothes? And, is it dangerous enough that I should bring my handgun?”

O’Riley had even more questions than those, but it was clear DaViega wasn’t going to answer them, let alone any more. She was likely still suspicious of his connections and his motivation. He’d have to decide. on his own, and be ready to assist whether she wanted him as an assistant or not.

 

[Asa]

Yes we are headed to the village. Yes I have my reasons and Yes you can go back to the hotel if you want.

She got a hold of a couple of camels and was ready to go

 

[Tio_Narratore]

O’Riley was off to the hotel and back in a flash, or quickly, at least. Field clothes and field kit both light khaki; good for keeping invisible in the desert. And in the hidden holster on the outside of his field bag, a 9mm Glock. He chose that sidearm for the ease of finding ammo for it in this part of the world; .45 caliber was much less frequently available. As he caught up with the Professor he took hold of the reins of the second camel and mounted it.

“I'm ready, Dr. DaViega,” he called out as he brought the camel to its feet. “Lead the way.”

 

[Asa]

She took off into the desert ready for anything. No one crossed their path by nightfall so she felt a little more relaxed about stopping for the night.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

Just as impetuous as ever, O’Riley thought, ready to charge off expecting everything would take care of itself. Well, some of it was; the camel driver packed them two weeks of food and water. O’Riley was happy, though, that he had brought his field kit.

As they settled down for the night, the assistant produced a folding stove and sterno from his kit and brewed some espresso to drink with the dried fruits and meat that had been packed. He set up his lightweight tent, with sealed floor to keep out sand and wildlife.

“You can join me in the tent, Cassidy,” he said over coffee and the meal; “just like the old days. Unless you’d prefer to spend the night with the vipers and scorpions.”

He smiled to himself as he remembered the days and nights when they had been lovers.

 

[Asa]

Least vipers and scorpions don't have a history of manipulating me to get Intel on my father and his brotherhood.

She set up a small tent and turned in.

Sunrise we finish the journey. It may take most three days travel I don't intend to take that long to get there.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

“Before we start,” O’Riley said, “is there an oasis at our destination? If you drive the camels hard, they will need water. And if we loose the camels, we’ll loose ourselves as well.”

He paused and then addressed her again.

“And let’s get something straight, Cassidy,” he said sharply. “I’m not CIA. I quit the Agency. You want to know why I’m here? It’s not for the Agency; it’s for the University. They’re worried for you. You’re after something in great demand, demand by ov er a dozen countries. They want the necklace to see if it does have mind control power. They want to find out how it does it so they can replicate it thousands - millions - of times. Your friends and allies are curators and honest people who support your returns of artifacts. But curators have little power. The big powers are after it and they have dangerous operatives out here. Garret James was a nothing to them. Whoever had hired him considered him expendable. You don’t have to worry about tomb raiders; you have to worry about government sanctioned hit men. You find what you’re looking for, and they won’t think twice about killing you for it. I’m here to try to prevent that. Now, let’s go."

 

[Asa]

I thought you said Reece sent you the keep the university dean better wrangled and appeased so I can donwaht I do. If that was a lie... Leave now! I will not be spied on by the dean nor that school.

She had dealt with enough lies and manipulation between her father the CIA and other organizations she attempted to help. Not to mention other men in her life lying to her and trying to gain fame and glory for her work.

I am not some.damned wilting flower I all but live out here doing stuff like this and have done so for longer than I can remember!

 

[Tio_Narratore]

“No spying. I am here to assist you. The whole story? Here it is.”

O’Riley’s eyes were riveted on Dr. DaViega.

“The agency met with the Dean. Told him your next quest was more than dangerous: it was suicidal. They demanded he send one of their agents along with you. He went to the University President to have him stop you from going at all. President Harper knew you’d go anyway, even if it meant giving up your post. And he didn’t trust the Agency to be acting in your best interest. That they’d be as likely to terminate you to get their hands on the necklace as any one else would. He went to Dr, Reece for advise. Reece knew all about it; MI6 had already tried to recruit him to find the necklace. He declined. He advised Dr. Harper to have the Dean turn down the CIA and instead send me as your assistant. He knew I could be of academic help to you, and my field experience in archaeology and in Agency field ops would make me the best candidate for going with you. So there it is. I’m here for the University, but on Reece’s recommendation.”

He paused a minute.

“Take it or leave it, but no matter what you say, Cassidy, I’m going with you.”

 

[Asa]

There is nothing that makes this any more dangerous than the crystal armor in Tibet or the ruins in Brazil.

I swear the next time I see Reece That's it!

Good night!

 

[Tio_Narratore]

“There is, Cassidy. It’s much more dangerous. You’re looking at it as an artifact, and artifact worth millions, like many others. But there’s over a dozen nations looking at it as a potential source of world domination. That’s what makes it different. That’s what makes it more dangerous.”

He waited a minute in hopes that it would sink in.

“And that’s why I’m staying with you.”

O’Riley knew he’d have to be up early to make sure DaViega didn’t try to get started ahead of him.

 

[Asa]

She needed to contact Reece... but now she didn't even know if she could trust him either.

When dawn came she was already up getting ready to go.

The government's wanting it I don't buy this isn't Nazi Germany and conspiracy ridden zealots any more.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

Eamonn was up before the dawn, all ready to go with DaViega.

“I’ll stay out of your way, Cassidy, but I’ll be close. The danger is real. You’re not just competing with site looters here.”

He waited for her to take the lead.

 

[Asa]

Once in the little village she spotted Reece immediately looking like every movie about the Nile form the early 40s. Even with the surprise size comparison she had the man pinned to the wall of an alley.

Hello Reece... you have some explaining to do.
Cassidy...
I hired someone to get the dean and the university off your back if my orders got bastardized then blame previous training. I thought that an assistant of his background would know how to smooth over the feathers you ruffle... I am truly sorry if that is not in fact the case. I will rectify this misstep once you are back at the university.

I don't need this is right now not with a Relic like this and not only my dad but Arina looking for it too.

He tensed at the mention of her dad in front of even former CIA. He knew quite well how younwere never fully free of people like them even if you thought you were.

I see... well then definitely sorry about the choice of people this sion to get the university off your back.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

O’Riley took note of the mention of Cassidy’s father; that would mean CIA would be here for sure. He’d have to be on the lookout. In the meantime, he gathered that she was trying to have Reece take him off the assignment.

“Dr. Reece,” he said when DaViega had finished. “How nice to see you here. How about you and I head over to the café for a bit of refreshment? I’ll meet you there in ten minutes.”

Reece understood it wasn’t a request, and finished talking to DaViega to walk over to join O’Riley.

“Have a seat, Doctor.”

Eamonn had already spotted two agents in the cafe.

“I thought you turned down MI6 for this, Dr. Reece; yet here you are. Who are you working for?”

He didn’t really expect an answer to that question, so he continued.

“It is dangerous here, and I’m supposed to help protect Cassidy - both from the agents and the University. I’ve been taking care of the Dean and the President, assuring them all is okay every time they text me, but it’s going to be hard watching out for her with the foreign agents around. I don’t even know that I can trust our own people, particularly if her father gets involved. You recommended me for this job; what do you suggest I do now?”

 

[Asa]

Coddle the university that was your assignment. Agents, guns and near death she can handle she always had. I am here because I had a feeling your orders would get bastardized. Don't worry about the agents. They like her are just making sure these things she has hunted since she could walk thanks to her father do not fall into the wrong hands. Don't worry about protecting her. Especially in this village. It was founded by people like her and worst if anything in this town she will be protecting you.

He looked over at Cassidy who had already made and sat talking with the agents. After she took off from her father I guided her to a family of... unique talents. She can track anyone almost anywhere and survive conditions a polarbear would think twice about. Her father is the least of your worries unless you two rekindle.

He waved a dismissive hand to silence any how did you know about that secret questions.

She can handle him as well as Arina. I am going to figure out why she is here this is not exactly her normal hunting target.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

“I’m less worried about her father than I am about the two FSB agents in the corner. They’re a far way from Lubyanka Square, and there must be a reason. The Savak man who just walked in is less of a worry, but there’s bound to be more like him.

A waiter came to their table. Eamonn ordered orzatas for himself and Reece.

“Okay, then,” he continued after the waiter left. “I’ll worry less about the agents. It’ll give me more time for archaeological work. I’ll still keep Dr, Harper and the Dean off her back.”

Their drinks arrived, and O’Riley waited to see what else Reece might have to say.

 

[Asa]

Cassidy k own this village well. To learn its all but built over a corner of Velnar... that was a find in and of itself and most of what the world knows about it is owed to her and a coue of others.

He paused a moment as if remembering the dead.

Follow her lead and... it's going to take her a while to trust you and I guarantee you those two being here didn't help your shot and proving yourself.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

“I’ll tale your advice, Reece, but it remains that there’s quite a few actors here who aren’t archaeologists, and aren’t here for the monetary value of the necklace.”

O’Riley left the cafe and caught up to DaViega.

“Cassidy,” he began, “let’s get some things straight. I know you’re really focused on the archaeology and professional ethics of this search, but there are others here - government agents - who are working on the possibility that there really is mind control in the necklace of Velnar. They’re ready to kill to get it. I think they’re out of their minds, but they’re serious. I know you can take care of yourself, but if they gang up on you, it might be helpful to have someone with you. Me. And, more importantly, I can assist you in the archaeology, and in keeping the University off your back - remember, I’m the one they insisted be your assistant. And, I have to say, I only accepted this position because I still care for you. Yes, even if your father is around. So, I’ll keep out of your way, but I’ll be nearby if you need me for archaeology or my gun for additional protection. Shall we get started?”