We are Reborn (Closed)

[Asa]

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She was one a priestess... Long ago in the deserts of the Old Kingdoms times in Egypt. No one knew where she came from but she could not only hear the Gods and Goddesses she could see them and when in her presence there were a scattered few who could as well. The Priests and Priestesses that raised her and watched her carefully noted that from from the day she was found in the Desert alone with no signs of any others having ever been around her she was the daughter of the Gods and Goddesses themselves.
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When she was 20 war came to her land and her people. At first the temples were safe no one dared bring harm to those of religious power. Temples were places of peace and safety, but then as war will do the soldiers became mad and scavenge and would raid the temples.

She by this time had become close with a young Commander. He had done all he could to keep the men in his command away from any sign of her temple home. And for a while that was possible until one of his men followed him to see where he would slip away to late in the night. Finding the young priestess and his commander he was sure the witch had put a spell on his commander so he took command and led the rest of the soldiers that very night to destroy the temple and slaughter all within. The last thing she saw where the eyes of her lover as he held her as she died.

Now centuries later those eyes haunt the dreams and nightmares of a young woman also found as an orphan in the deserts of Egypt who now works with all Egyptian Exhibits in the US.

She had drawn those eyes a thousand times and now here walking into her office this man with those same eyes and an Ankh around his neck stood before her.

Umm... She watched him for a moment as he watched her as well waiting for an answer to his introduction.

Are you alright Maam?

Oh Uh yes...Sorry I tend to zone everything out when situations get like this. Now what were you saying?

He introduced himself again as the commander of the small contingent of soldiers she and the Egyptian Antiquities dept had petitioned the US Government for with the new arrival of artifacts and the national tour of Old Kingdom artifacts and mummies.

She had no idea why but those eyes seemed to be a strange comfort and a great fear... but why.

In another room still packed away in a box was the sacred stone from the Priestess headdress softly glowing feeling the souls it had protected now together again. Drawing the attention of a stray stowaway night black cat who curled up by the box purring contentedly as it listened to the soft voice of the stone.

 

[Insidious_Word]

“Michael West, ma’am,” he reintroduced himself smiling, somewhat bemused by her initial lack of response, his opinion of her falling from his first estimate, though not much. “First Lieutenant Michael West. I’ll be in charge of the security detail of your tour – pleased to be working with you.”

A chance to return to beloved country had made him take up the sudden assignment that was in the works, and his knowledge of the middle-eastern area and its customs had just helped to cinch the post. Tour time had made him quite conscious there was a woman before him, and a pretty one at that, and he reminded himself not to stare. At least not too openly. There was also something about her that fascinated him so, though he could not quite place his finger on it, something like a half-forgotten dream that tugs at the back of the mind.

Unbidden, a calm night in the desert drifted to his mind, with beautiful auroras drifting across the sky whilst a glorious full moon bathed the sands in its soft light turning the sands into a rolling plain of sapphire dust. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he thought he saw her, beautiful and dark haired, her eyes pools of dark mystery, her garments scanty and silver as the jewellery that laced her body and hair.

Michael coughed aloud and cleared his throat, realising that he too was drifting into daydream, but the image his mind had conjured was clear and still vivid in his mind’s eye. Unconsciously his hands drifted to play with the small gold ankh about his neck – a sign to any that knew him that he was feeling nervous – and souvenir from Egypt by some trader who swore it had once belonged to some noble family, and that it could be his to treasure. For forty five Yankee greenbacks. The thought grounded him somewhat and brought him back to the reality of the commercialised modern world.

Extending his hand to shake hers, he was taller by a head and broad of shoulders, and tanned from the desert sun which had been living under until very recently. His dark hair was clipped short in the military fashion, though it was starting to grow back, giving him something of a roguish appearance, combined with his deep green eyes.

 

[Asa]

Well will ti be Lt West or Michael? She tore her gaze from his eyes and back to her paper work... I am Samira...

She caught herself unconsciously drawing that eye again and quickly erasing it from her notes.

Well I will be in the other room for now going through all they have agreed to send. Much of this I have net even seen before. They sent items from a strange tomb they found that also housed a few artifacts from what appears to be one of their known enemies... They were placed almost protectively around the sarcophagus. Reading over this I can't make heads or tails of the descriptions so I will be researching these items while we are touring America.

She finally looked up again. I am sure that Dr Amran told you or one of your people to make sure I do not just work constantly for the entire tour but to get out and experience life. When my work is COMPLETELY done I will try one of those fast food places okay... I want to learn more about this tomb and its contents... I... Can't explain it... I really need to solve this.

She finally stood up and started towards the other room... if he joined her that was fine if not she was not worried about it. Moments later a motion sensor went off in one of the storage rooms housing some of the artifacts. The stowaway stray black cat had gotten tangled in some packing tape and was dragging along a still sealed little box hissing and yowling trying to run away from it.

 

[Insidious_Word]

“Michael will suffice ma’am,” he acquiesced. “My only concern here is to make sure that your exhibition pieces and your peers remain safe while you tour ma’am.”

Cute. He thought at her express desire not be disturbed. He didn’t know anything about Egyptian artefacts, let alone the language, so it was doubtful he’d be able to help her get it done faster. He was considering his options when the alarm went off. Jeez. On my very first day...

His eyebrow arched when he saw the culprit who intended to commit the theft. But a job’s a job. With a single motion, he caught it by the scruff of the neck and jerked the clinging tape from its fur, much to its displeasure, which it made known. West was forced to drop the feline as he felt its claws rake his hand and cat scurried to the safety of a low desk to watch him with calculating eyes as only a cat can.

Recovering the sealed box, he handed it over to Samira with a grin.

“Well... not bad for a days’ work if I do say so myself,” he told with wince for his scratched hand, leaning in to whisper conspiratorially, “just don’t tell the boys about this one.”

 

[Asa]

She laughed and nodded to him.

Not a word

Smiling softly she moved to collect up the cat.

Well hello there little one.
Picking up the feline that seemed to almost automatically curl up in her arms though still watching Michael.

Poor little thing you are a very long way from him. since everything in that room just got here and I was told of no small animals in there when we arrived. I guess you will just have to become a part of the tour.

Taking the box from him she studied it and reading the notes on it she well might as well start with opening this one first.

Moving to the desk she set the cat down and carefully opened the small box finding a smaller metal and woven reed pouch. carefully opening it up she looked at the priestess small gauntlet bracelet. A crescent moon cradling a full moon on very ornately woven bronze. She stared at the symbol as if entranced by it... Shaking her mind free she seemed to bow her head to the symbol though it was not a conscious action but almost "muscle memory" sort of reaction.

Interesting. She placed it on the desk and looked it up on the inventory list marking it off... Well NOW I will be working on sorting everything. Hopefully there will be no more alarms going off today right little one. She looked to the cat who was sound asleep on her desk.

 

[Insidious_Word]

For a brief while he watched her work, but of course there was nothing he could contribute other than his gaze. The foamy mass of her hair, the natural tanned hues of her limbs; all of these captivated his attention and again he found himself drifting again into that delightful cool dream. It vaguely irritated him that he was day dreaming again, but he had no desire to let it go. Then there was fire and burning buildings and blood lay across the floor and walls. He was there and it was startlingly real. There was much running about and the bodies of several women nearby, but before him a man knelt on the ground cradling a blood-stained figure in his arms. It was Samira, or it would have been save for the scanty torn garments she wore that no longer afforded her even dignity.

He shook head slightly and he was back, Samira was unharmed and working at her desk. The cat was watching him with startling green eyes. No. The cat didn’t have anything to do with this; it was most likely the heat. Loosening the collar of his shirt, he wiped the thin sheen of cold sweat that was on his brow. There were other things he had to do rather than stand around and get worked up over a woman he barely knew.

“Well, if you’ll excuse me ma’am, I’ll be going to check on the other members of my team to make sure everyone is ready. I’ll check back later so that we can work out any arrangements to be made and what details I’m expecting your group to abide by so that I can ensure their security. Don’t get too absorbed in your work.”

She’d be fine by herself for little while after all. The men he was looking for were already present and assembled, recognising them all; Warrant Officer Mason, Corporal Williams, Private Stanley, and Private Harris. They were all men he knew of the Middle Eastern theatre of operations. No need for introductions then. The smile on his face was genuine as memories of many escapades, both in the line of duty and off-record came back to him.

 

[Asa]

She read over the information and began cataloging each item as she unpacked it. She felt his eyes on her and strangely it made her calm but at the same time that calm scared her. She nodded when he offered to go and check on the other guards

Yes thats fine Thank you for all of your help on this tour in advance.

Her mind however had drifted again as she drew those eyes again. She saw them as if they were looking down at something emotion provoking... The eyes held anger and heart wrenching pain and loss. Yet looking into those eyes before her she saw something there too... confusion and duty... Dreams and yet the intent of will only a soldiers eyes could hold.

She radioed one of her people to see how the replica was coming and what it seemed to be. They radioed back that from the looks of the replica pieces and the carvings on them it may have been a temple of some sort. Informing them she would be down there later to take a look at it she went back to cataloging the items as she open ed them. Curious at the enemy items found in this tomb she studied them for a moment before the Cat seemed to grow irate with them and began hissing and attempting to attack the sword and shield and dagger.

Fine you don't like them lets get you something to eat in the other room. Carrying the cat to the break room she set it down and looked around for something it could eat. Opting to give it a hamburger and going back to her work.

 

[Insidious_Word]

They ceased their chatter as they watched as Samira entered, carrying the black cat, and watched her leave the room again. “Now ain’t that a nice pus...”

“Secure that crap Williams,” warned West, though he was not as admonishing as he could have been, at least not with the vaguest hint a grin on his lips.

“I was talking about the cat,” protested Curtis Williams, hands raised for his defence.

“Of course you were Corporal,” grimaced Mason.

“Miss Samira will part of the retinue we are guarding,” Michael informed them. “I don’t need to remind you that we are at the orders of the brass at the pentagon, and, likely, we’re in the public eye, so keep those pearly-whites out and your best behaviour at all times. Keep those uniforms straight and polish those damn buttons.”

“Yes sir!” offered Williams, leaping to his feet saluting, “I’ll be doing some polishing all night, sir!”

At that, there was much crude banter and laughter. By the time Michael had suppressed it, sifted through the plans, chewed their way through lunch, and made sure every man there present knew their tasks, it was late afternoon. Tired of having to plan, his thoughts again drifted back to her – why did it feel as if he had once run his hands through her hair, cradled her body in his arms, known the kisses of her lips? Still it wouldn’t hurt to go and look in on her. Surely keep an entire day to herself in the company of old dusty relics.

 

[Asa]

By late evening she was finally making her way in the form of her break to the replica temple structure. She stood before the entrance looking to the actual statue remains and full sized posters of what they looked like in their time from the temple.. Her eyes looked a thousand miles away as she held a hand out to them as if touching a memory. Shaking her mind loose she continued into the temple replica and looked around guiding her associates to place the various items where they belonged from the arch dig that discovered them. To here many of them seemed wrong and had them moved for just a moment to reveal how she seemed to think they should be. Telling her people to get photos of the items where she had them put them then place them back the way the archaeologist said they were.

She was sitting on the floor unknown to her roughly where the priestess had lost her life so long ago. She watched as they put everything back the way the archaeologist said they found it with a sigh and went back to plotting out where the rest of the exhibit would be placed in contest to the temple replica. She would work on the tomb findings tomorrow for some reason they bothered her.

 

[Insidious_Word]

It wasn’t too hard to find her. She worked too hard, but then again the perfectionist him understood that at least and it meant somebody else would have to be her welfare officer as it were – her team members were too in awe of her to fore- or gainsay her decisions.

“How about something to drink?” he offered the warm cup of coffee to her as he came up from behind. He reflected that dusk of the evening suited her well, added to the sense of sensuous mystery that fascinated him so about her. Once, such a woman had stood before him as of now, her back to him, the curves of her body inviting, and with hands he had slowly began to slip the gauzy silver mantle from her shoulders, where his lips grazed against the sleek arch of her neck as she leaned into him and...

Shaking himself out of the reverie that had taken him, Michael realised a lazy smile had crept across his lips. He quickly wiped it from his face, though he did not overcompensate with a sterner expression.

“Perhaps you should turn in for the night, or you’ll burn yourself out before you have a chance to start tomorrow.”

 

[Asa]

This place... the temple... the tomb...

She shook her head reaching absently for the coffee.

Maybe you could offer some insight or opinion on this. The armor of their enemy was buried with the priestess... Armor and weapons only placed protectively around the sarcophagus. Why would they do that... Who would do that?

She found herself eye to eye with him and for a moment she was lost... Only this memory was not from looking up into them but as if standing before them warm... caring... tender... not sad like they had been before in her visions. She closed her eyes and made herself look to the coffee as she slowly stood up.

A nap might be an idea but still this... They think I can solve it while on the road with the exhibit.

 

[Insidious_Word]

He was unsure about the customs and traditions about ancient Egypt. Nevertheless, arms and armour had been presented, so it might have been a soldier thing, he reflected. Which may well be the reason she was was inquiring it of him.

"So here is the tomb of some priestess. So here is the armour of her enemy. Maybe you're thinking too deeply about it and the answer might well be straightforward."

He thought about it for moment. "What's the usual reason for burying armour and weapons around a coffin?"

 

[Asa]

The wars at her time of death were brutal... I have no idea... Shaking her head she looked at the images and showed them to him. The destruction and devastation they left in their wake in this battle... I can't see a soldier willingly letting even a fallen comrades armor being buried with the enemy.

She turned walking towards where her associates had set it up just like the pictures showed it and motioned for him to come with her to see it for himself.

Here... Please as a soldier make sense of that for me.

 

[Insidious_Word]

"Well it seems to me that the burial chamber of priestess is place of honour... so maybe this guy was a defector of sorts? Maybe someone important to the priestess herself?"

It was the only answer he could think of. Or at least the only answer that seemed to make sense. If this had been done as an act of defilement, it would be doubtful they'd leave their equipment neatly arranged and the tomb relatively untouched - he himself would have probably broken the place apart and strung whatever corpse was within for the world to see. You just wouldn't leave the enemy any degree of dignity.

"Would this make any sense? I can't claim I know about ancient Egyptian customs very much."

He gazed into her eyes, trying to let her know he really was trying to help, however limited it might be.

 

[Asa]

Her eyes locked on the sarcophagus for the first time and she seemed to freeze staring at it. Her steps halting quickly as she stared at it. Seeing the armor and weapons around it she tilted her head so little was known about the enemy army... They had fallen into the depths of history with only really their battle with Egypt as their moment in time. To see something of theirs was a rare find. The only thing that prevented her mind to move back to that memory.

SO strange... Maybe a loving gesture... Maybe just for the metals... I... She fell silent just staring at it.

 

[Insidious_Word]

"Are you alright Samira?" he asked as he placed his cup aside, "Don't space out on us now. Maybe you should get some rest after all. There another long day ahead of you tomorrow and you have all the time you need to figure this out."

Placing his hands on her shoulder, he was sure if it was for the physical contact or just a genuine gesture of worry, he began to nudge her away from the replica tomb. He was worried that she was the sort of person who became too absorbed in her work. He was close enough to inhale the scent of the foamy mass of her hair, and he almost stumbled at that.

"See?" he chuckled as lightly as he could, "It's even getting to me now."

He was aware that his hands had began to caress rather than guide and quickly retracted then, as he jerked his head towards the door.

 

[Asa]

Being guided out she accepted and moved with his encouragement. Feeling him stumble she glanced back... Seeing the armor and his eyes she paused only for a second then began moving again.

Yeah... I should rest...

Then feeling him caressing her shoulders her eyes closed as a smile faintly tried to grace her lips then as quickly as he pulled away it was gone.

I will rest in the office for tonight I think and not worry about the hotel suites I don't even know how they have us set up? Is it all of us on one room and all of you in another or one worker one soldier per suite... I didn't even look at the set up.

 

[RLA68]

Michael West

His head was cloudy for sure. He couldn’t pinpoint if it was something from the tomb or maybe his sleepless nights catching up to him. He stepped back from the inappropriate touching he was doing.

He listened to her say she would sleep in the office.
“Samira…I would feel better if we went back to the hotel. I have a detail on the floor we are staying and in the lobby and outside the hotel. Men outside the room and patrolling the hallway. We have a suite..you and I, so I will be just a shout away.” He stated taking a breath to refresh his senses.

“I felt it would be intrusive if anyone stayed in the living room area of the suite that separates our bedrooms. With men all around, I feel good about the security job I am doing here. So, 2 soldiers outside the hotel, 2 in the lobby, 2 patrolling the floor and 2 close by outside our room. I sleep with my weapon by my pillow and I will be close by.” He adds and smiles.

“Are you sure you are okay?” he questioned as they headed to their transportation.

"Tom...can you help Samira into the car." Michael west asked of his senior field supervisor under his command.

 

[Asa]

Y..yes I... I am fine. I need to collect a few things to take to the hotel with me. Walking into her office she placed a few pictures and reports in her bag and scooping up the cat.

We don't need you setting off any more alarms and one of those soldiers accidentally shooting you now do we?

She walked back over to Tom and nodded as she let him help her into the car the cat immediately hopping from her arms and up onto the dashboard and curling up watching everyone in the car. Its eyes seemed to be intently studying each of them in turn.

 

[RLA68]

Michael West was mostly silent on the ride to the hotel except making sure his men were ready and in place. He wasn’t knowledgeable about Egyptian culture much less what they found in the tomb, but he was an expert in security and protecting his assignment.

The only thing that bothered him some was that there is something about his assignment. It is more than her just being attractive. He has been around the super model girlfriends of dignitaries much less rock stars, movie stars and any other star on the planet. What is different about her was consuming his thoughts. He barely heard a question from Tom.
“Umm yes sounds good Tom. Make it happen.” He finally replied after clarifying. Tom was not only his top agent in charge but went to the academy together and even went to college together where they met. Both likely will have their choice of agencies they can go to when their tour of duty is over.

They arrive at the hotel and Michael shows her the security he has in place with soldiers and when they get to the suite.
“I had glassbreaks and photobeams installed on your window but with your cat…I removed the photobeams. I did the same in the living room. I also have three 360 degree motion detectors in the living room…don’t worry they are pet immune. Any animal less than 40 pounds won’t be detected. I have a door contact on your bedroom door. One of my soldiers in the lobby is monitoring this locally.” He states proudly.

“I told you I take my security seriously. You will also have a wireless panic button next to your bed. I have the keypad so I will also be alerted of anything. This entire system is wireless. So….enough of my overkill security procedures. Any ideas of why the tomb was the way it was. I don’t know much about burial traditions but enemies are not normally buried with someone of that priestess’ rank and buried with respect like that. Sorry I am just curious and I like puzzles and that one seems to be a historical puzzle and then some.” He adds showing her the living room area after her bedroom. He ushers his soldiers away.

 

[Asa]

The tomb makes no sense to me but so much about this assignment surprises me. I was asked to basically figure it all out while its on tour because my bosses... "Had a feeling" I could figure it all out. The way things were arranged in the pictures of the temple feel all wrong... the Tomb... Why an enemy's shield and weapons would be arranged so... "protectively" around the sarcophagus is beyond anything I have ever seen. I guess thats why I wanted to sleep there. I would be able to walk back into the display.

She raised a brow at how much security he had in place and shook her head. It seemed so over the top to her. He never really told her what all he had in place at the exhibit but between the museum's defenses and whatever over the top stuff he added and the guards that she had little doubt he assigned there everything was safe enough she was sure.

 

[RLA68]

“That makes two of us surprised at a good portion of this. I was told to provide security to a foreign dignitary working on artifacts and archeological stuff. I didn’t need to have surveillance cameras but top security to ensure her protection and that of what she deemed needing protection.” He replies.

“As a soldier I don’t question orders…but this makes little sense. That tomb is just eery and I am not into this stuff. Something doesn’t feel right to me….I have an odd feeling. I can’t allow you to sleep there with that feeling.” He added still perplexed pacing the floor.

“Samira…I will respectfully ask you…what is going on or what do you suspect? Are we up against something that will put you and my men in harm’s way? This isn’t one of those X File shows, but I am not beyond believing in mysticism. I know there is all sorts of powers and magic beyond science and comprehension of normal man out there. I just want to be prepared for anything to protect you and everyone.” He adds sitting on the couch.

 

[Asa]

The cat hissed softly at the word magic but then at his assuming he was protecting her instead of the cat it seemed to get mad and moved to her lap hissing directly at him.

Mysticism... I don't know the translations of the Priestess life and being found in the desert as a child sound so strange yet thats what the orphanage claimed happened to me as well.

She kept the fact that she had drawn eyes that looked just like his since she was a young girl but watched the cat intently for a moment.

I don't think she likes being left out of the "protection force" Maybe you should get her a little uniform.

She laughed and set the cat down off her lap.

I know nothing of mystic or magical powers or anything. The Egyptians had many mystical beliefs but like I said this set up is like nothing I have ever seen. A Temple that far out on its own leads me to believe there is a village possibly buried somewhere nearby so they are getting permission to excavate more and see what they find and send me any data they think will help me.

One of her aids knocked on the door before coming in and handed her the pictures of how she felt the temple should have been arranged and left. She quickly sank back into a work mentality and began studying them and comparing them to the pictures of how the archaeologists found the temple. She moved to the floor spreading them all out matching each angle up to see what all was wrong. Her eyes fell onto the pictures that contained the spot she had been sitting in in the display... the same place where the priestess died so long ago in he lovers arms.

 

[RLA68]

“Very strange…you and the priestess both being orphans found in the desert. Oh and I am here to protect you as well kitty.” He says trying to make friends with the cat. He smiles.
“I’ll look into a special uniform for her.” He said and chuckled.

He listens to her tell there might be a village buried and she is waiting on getting data back.

“I would be interested in what you find at this point. I can’t explain but I got a feeling unlike any I had ever even imagined in that tomb. I have been to many places around the world. There is something there…I just can’t explain.” He says and tails off.

An aide comes back in hands her pictures of the temple how it likely was according to all their data. He watched her intently as she studied al fo them and was obsessed with her eyes glued to everything and back into work mode. She was sifting through everything.

“Samira…it is against everything but if you need to go back tonight…then just say. I see your eyes and know you won’t sleep until this riddle is at least on its way to be solved.” He says to her.

“I don’t know anything about your studies but…is it not true that Cleopatra had a relationship with Rome’s Marc Anthony? I just wonder if….just an ignorant hypothesis. Could this priestess been in a relationship with an enemy soldier as to why the tomb was left in that manner? Sorry if it sounds foolish. Thinking outloud. Still doesn't explain any connection if any between you and the priestess as to what you experienced.” He states and raises an eyebrow.

 

[Asa]

I do feel I have been there before how I don't know though. Nothing about this makes sense... I must just be overtired. I do tend to work myself to death. Perhaps I will just turn in and try to get some sleep.. Dismiss all this foolishness from my mind with the light of morning.

Standing she looked to him and smiled.

Good night to both of my guards she smiled to him and the cat before turning and walking into her room for the night.

Sleep hit hard and deep... her judgement that she was just overtired from working on this tour and research was very spot on as she was fast asleep almost before her head hit the pillow.