The Treasure Hunters

[IDreamofBunnies]

The view of the sun from the Penthous of Pheonix Tower was obscured, eclispsed by something rather large and rotund. A large airship, the largest one ever created made it's way to the roof of Pheonix Tower at good speed. The zepplin's flight had been cleared through all proper channels well before reaching the city and there had been a small article in the newspapers about the event so people were confident that this was no terrorist attack.

Julius had the crew coordinate with his host's staff to have them pick up the mooring lines on the roof to allow him to disembark.

When the zepplin had been moored Julius Pryce disembarked, awaiting his hosts to welcome him.

 

[gohan18]

Robert Smith

Looking around at the people who were there and slowly watching the new ones thats came in. My eyes setting on a women talking to another women. She was a very beutiful women. He hair her body everything about here just seemed just so soft and delicate. Overhearing the converstaion I picked up her name it was Messalina.

'Anybody thirsty? I'm parched. So... Where are you from, Zara? Me, I live here in the Village.', i heard Messa say over the group of people.

Walking over I stand next to the other women.

"That sounds good. Give me the strongest stuff he's got in there. It was a long ride on my hog and I'm really thirsty."

 

[Daisymell]

Zara looked to the man who joined her and Messa and watched as he seemed hooked on her. Zara rolled her eyes and took a water from Messa muttering a thanks and went over to a window to stand and sip her drink.
She wanted to get going badly and wondered where the boss of this outfit was and when he would show up. She looked back towards the room and scanned all the guys and Messa. The all looked and acted very different. How was this crowd going to get along?

 

[Angelus]

Randolph stood there and watched as the zeppelin maneuvered in for a landing. As soon as it was close enough he watched as Julius walked down the ramp and onto the roof. Randolph walked slowly up to him and smiled, "Ah, Mr. Pryce, so good to see you. If you would like to follow me my boss is waiting to see you and I think you will be most interested in what he has to say."

Without a word Randolph turned and walked away, listening for the footsteps of Julius behind him.

 

[Graybread]

Manfred Allison

Manfred had been leaning against the wall, he wasn’t in much of a social mood, not until he heard.

“Messalina Bishop,” Just call me Messa. Everyone does.”

He watched as the two women went to the bar, then he followed.

“Anybody thirsty? I'm parched.” Bishop said.

“Hi,” he said approaching the bar. “I certainly could use a drink. I’m not much on social functions. I heard you say your name was Zara,….Zara Lane,” he said offering his hand to the young woman. It’s a pleasure to meet you Miss Lane. And did I hear correctly,” he added turning to the other woman. “You are Messalina Bishop, Dr. Messalina Bishop? I’ve read your work. Most recently your paper on the dig at Aphrodisia in Turkey, in the Maeander River basin, if I’m not mistaken. I am much impressed with your insights, Miss Bishop. You believe you have actually found the birthplace of Aphrodite and her cult following. I had always assumed that her cult went back to an earlier time, or am I mistaken again. And didn’t Professor Kenan Erim, the noted Turkish archaeologist, start that dig? He died in ’90 as I remember.”

He stopped and paused for a minute, looking at the two of them.

“Excuse, I’m being rude again,” he said. “I’m Manfred Allison. You wouldn’t happen to know what this little gathering is all about, would you? Could I have a scotch on the rocks please."

 

[Messalina]

Messalina Bishop

Messalina had handed Zara a Perrier and poured the biker a hefty glass of Laphroaig. He probably wouldn't know it from Wild Turkey, but he did ask for something strong -- and this was one of the best Scotches. If nothing else, the Phoenix Group and whoever stood behind them were moneyed.

Yet another of the group joined them at the bar as Zara wandered off. He introduced himself as Manfred Allison, making small talk before indicating that he knew who she was. That always surprised Messa -- when someone outside her immediate circle recognized her. And to say that he had actually read something she'd written??

She was tempted to ask if he was that hard up for reading material -- though this project had been one of her most treasured of all. Deciding to behave, she replied.

"Yes. I spent some time at Aphrodisias. The birthplace of Aphrodite." Messa took a sip of the brandy she had poured herself. "The site is southeast of Izmir. I was privileged to be part of the NYU project there. Bronze Age." She grinned at the memory he had invoked.

"Have you ever been to Aphrodisias, Manfred? Zara? It's wondrous." Not waiting for a reply, she continued. "As I entered the city wall, I first saw the Sebastian complex. The buildings stretched out toward the rising sun. It seemed as though they were surrounded by a golden crown."

"Further down the path is the Tetrasoon -- an arena circled by great columns. The center of this was the marketplace. I thought I could almost hear the merchants crying out their wares and the murmurs of heated bargaining between them and the customers. I smelled the aromas of foods being prepared, spices displayed in stalls, animals in pens... "

Messa glanced up, embarrassed. Were his eyes glazing over? They must all think me mad, she thought to herself. "I apologize. You wanted to hear about the Temple and the artifacts... "

Then again, maybe not. She glanced around the room hoping someone would save the day. Or at least change the subject. Oh yes... Someone had asked about the reason for the invitations. Manfred who was practically in a coma from her diatribe.
"I haven't the faintest idea. My specialty is classical art and ancient history. You must be versed in something of that sort to know about Aphrodisias. How about you?" She looked at the biker again and glanced up at Zara and the other two in the room. Curiouser and curiouser. They certainly were a motley crew.

A movement on the far side of the enormous room caught her eye. Randolph. With yet another person in tow. Only they weren't coming this way, he was leading the latest arrival toward a door she'd noticed on coming in. An office, she'd presumed at the time. Something told her she'd find out soon enough. They'd all find out.

As if sensing Messalina's attention, Randolph looked up at her. His eyes practically bored into her mind as he nodded curtly before continuing on. "Now that one gives me the creeps," she said to no one in particular. "Anyone else want something since I've taken on the job of bartender extraordinaire?"

 

[Gazesby]

The letter

Francisco's eyes started to hurt again. He took up the small bottle with eye drops he always carried on him and released a drop in each eye. He put his thick glasses back on and continued reading the text, making notes in a notepad in front of him. He had been working 15 hours straight now.

The lightning in the archive was damp to avoid damaging the ancient text stored in the room. Francisco DiStephano was used to it by now. He had been living in the vatican for almost 40 years now, working in the secret archives. He had interpreted thousands of texts and was considered by the church and most of the outside world as the number one in his field. Although Francisco didnt care what others thought of him, he didnt even care what the church thought.

An orphan, he had grown up in a monastary near the village of Stephan in south Italy. He later became a priest, not serve God but to get access to the vatican archives. Of course Fransisco believed in God but he didnt love him as most of his fellow priests did. In fact he despised God, he hated the catolic church. It would be hard not to after having read what he had. The texts he had translated and interpreted for the pope and the cardinals, speaking of things he knew never would be acknowledged by them. He knew all about the churchs past and he didnt like it.

Suddenly one of the doors to the archive opened and a young man, a monk came in.

-"Padre, forgive me for interupting but the man said it was urging"

DiStephano took the letter from the boy and read it. He immidiatly went to his chambers to pack. He burnt the letter and took a taxi to the international airport not telling anyone where he was going. They wouldnt miss him anyway....

 

[Lady_Siren]

Destiny stood back from the rest observing her surroundings. She didn't like working with a team. She didn't get along with people. Her father used to tease her endlessly about her aversion to people but it had done nothing to change her perferences. She didn't like worrying about someone else when she was working and no matter how she trying she would end up worrying about all these people. She just had to hope that her employer had chosen them for their skill as well. She recognized one, Dr. Messalina Bishop she had done some interesting studies and Destiny liked to follow her work. So there was at least one person she could at least tolerate. Sighing softly she glanced around again. When was this going to start?

 

[Angelus]

Adam sat back in his chair but watched as everyone stood near the bar talking. He wondered what this was all about and what Randolph or his employer wanted from him but he knew whatever it was must be something very important and extraordinary and that alone had piqued his interest.

Just then he saw Randolph escorting someone off to another room and wondered what he had been taken off that way but before he could come up with any answer to that he heard the woman who was standing behind the bar ask everyone if they wanted something to drink and he looked in that direction but decided against it.

 

[Morgoth]

J.T. stood, walking to the bar. "Excuse me", he said curtly, grabbing a glass and pouring himself vodka. He took a sip, nodding to himself, and sat. As he slowly sipped at his drink, he looked all about him. He recognized most of them. He had read files on them before. Some had even been prospective missions. Some of them termination ones. In the end, something had told him to pass those up. And lo and behold, here he was, sitting amongst unknowing sheep. He contained his laugh, but couldn't hide a smile. Until he took his next sip, anyway.

 

[Gazesby]

New York City

The plane touched the ground at La Guardia international airport and Franciscos eyes slowly opened. Sweat formed as drops on his forehead, his hand still firm around his krucifix. He was the first one of the plane, carrying no handluggage except a small package containing a very old document.

A document dated 1492, written by a french monk and stored in the vatican secret archives ever since. Francisco had studied the text many times but did not fully comprehend its deeper meaning. He knew this text was one of the reasons he had been called to this meeting in New York.

Francisco picked up his two old leather bags and walked thru customs. At the passport control, he was stopped but when the customs officer saw his priestcollar he waved him thru. Francisco DiStephano proceeded to the exit and got into the first yellow cab in the taxi line.

-"Phoenix Tower"

He said to the cabdriver who nodded and started the car. When they arrived at the building, DiStephano payed and walked in at the front door. At the reception he was asked to follow a man into an elevator taking them to the top floor.

There he was escorted into a large room with a few others present. They all looked at him and he came in. First at his face and then at his collar. After that most eyes fixated on the packet he squeezed to his chest. After a while they all turned back to what they were doing before and Francisco DiStephano sat down in a couch close to the window....

 

[IDreamofBunnies]

Julius followed the man who had come to meet him on the roof, frankly he was slightly annoyed. He had been lead to believe that this was some sort of garden party or a gathering of gentleman but it seemed as if someone had let the trash in as well.

 

[Angelus]

I slowly stood up from behind my large desk with a smile and watched as Randolph walked into the room with Mr. Pryce close behind him. I slowly walked down from the raised platform to where the two of them stood and looked at Mr. Pryce's face.
"Ah, Mr. Pryce. I am so glad to see you. I am glad that you have brought you airship along as you will need it as you can see from the group of people that is out there but I must ask you what the matter is. You look as if you are annoyed with something?"