TEMPLARS QUEST: LUCEM SANCTAM (THE TEMPLARS QUEST CHRONICLES: A Historical Mystery Book 3) (4 page)

Maggie said, “I never heard of it. What is it?”

“It’s a group of ancient ruins located at Wupatki National Monument, north of Flagstaff, near Sunset Crater. They’re ancient structures built by the Pueblo People, who were known as the Anasazi, or Ancient Ones.” 

Maggie asked, “How do you know that?”

“I’ve been to the ruins four times. The first time was with my Dad, when I was only twelve.”

“How old are these ruins,” Baldwin asked.

“If I remember correctly, Indians started moving to the area in 500 AD and by 1300 AD they moved away because of water shortages. But who really knows. They might have been around when the Templar Knights came here in 1350.”

Baldwin said, “Let’s check this place out on the Army Command Website. Jack, do you know where this place is?”

“If we stay on Navajo 15 it turns into Leupp Road. Then we pick up Townsend-Winoma Road and that takes us directly to Route 89. It’s about 70 miles to Route 89 from here. Once on 89 we turn north for 10 miles to the south entrance of Loop Road, which is the southern route to the park HQ. The northern entrance to Loop Road is another 10 or 15 miles further up Route 89.”

“Jack, what did you do, memorize the map?”

“Of course, I got a photographic memory.”

Maggie pulled out the SAT phone and up-linked the computer tablet. She typed in Wupatki and it popped right up, showing us a map. Using a portable digital laser scanner, she made copies for all our men on special plastic paper, which is waterproof. Basically it can’t be destroyed, except by fire.

As our men gathered around, we studied our maps. “Ok, everyone, listen up!” Baldwin said. “The map shows there is only one road in and out, which is called Loop Road. But you can come in from the southern or northern entrance off of Route 89. We’re gonna block both exits with our Hummers and trucks.” 

Sunset Crater and Wupatki Ruins are located along the 34 mile scenic Loop Road that takes you through open meadows and the beautiful Ponderosa pine forests. It winds through Juniper grasslands and provides a view of the Painted Desert before reaching Wupatki National Monument. The road’s general direction takes it north and south but since it curves around so much you also travel east and west to some degree. It is a two lane paved road that the National Park Service used to maintain in the old days. The park HQ is between the north and south entrance on Loop Road.

“Jack, since you’ve been there before, where do you think they’ll be bivouacked?”

“Most likely they’re at the park’s visitor center or HQ,” as I pointed to it on the map.

“Are you sure about that?”

“I’m pretty sure because I would hold up there. It’s more comfortable than living in a 1,000-year-old ruin. Besides that, maybe it has lights and air, like the Petrified Forest center had.”

Baldwin said, “We’ll split into two teams. Squad one will move in from the south entrance and squad two from the north entrance. Two Hummers and three trucks will take the south entrance on Loop Road. The other two Humvees, with the remaining trucks, will proceed to the north entrance. Both teams are to move within three miles of the visitor center and wait for further orders. The Humvees will block the road at that those points terminating anyone who tries to pass. Four men will be positioned at each roadblock.”

“Sounds good,” I commented. 

Baldwin continued, “Alright, Pete and I will recon from the south with squad one. Jack and Maggie, you’re with squad two, and will be coming from the north entrance.”

“The squads will be support for the recon teams. Eight men will be in Jack’s squad, and eight in mine. The squads will surround the target area providing overwatch protection for us.”

“Is everyone with me so far?” The warriors all nodded as he peered into their eyes, one at a time, searching for any negative reaction. None of the warriors spoke a word, as they waited for Captain Baldwin to continue. “Now here’s the key point, no one is to fire until I give the order. You have to wait until the rescue team is in place to extract Adam. Is that clear?”

A question came from Jeff. “Boss, which way will you extract, north or south?”

“It depends … but let me make it clear, we’ll extract the direction that is the safest, be it north or south. Your job is to make sure it is safe and cover our backs. Any comments?”

No one said a word, so I spoke up. “Let’s take a closer look at the grounds, the buildings, and how they’re positioned.”

This type of operation requires special attention to the details. You have to know the best way in and the safest way out. You need to know the layout of the buildings, inside and outside. The terrain needs to be known, so you can take advantage of strategic locations to use for cover. Timing is critical, so everyone needs to set a schedule and have go/no-go signals. The entire rescue operation needs to run like a well-oiled machine. If a mistake is made, some of our men or Adam could be killed, and that is not acceptable.

However, we do have the advantage over the bad guys. They don’t know we are coming for them. They don’t know we’re going to kill most of them before they even see us. Using our night vision gear, we own the night.

I grabbed a piece of plastic paper, a marking pen, and drew the following rough diagram, based on the map and from my memory. I wanted everyone to know more details about the area. Maggie made copies for everyone to study.   

I said, “The X’s mark the suggested locations for the squads to take assault positions. The top of this diagram is due west and the bottom is east.

“Building 1 is the main Visitor Center. Building 2 is for storage. Number 3 is a repair shop. Numbers 4, 5, and 6 are resident houses.”

I commented, “There are two ways into the Visitor Center, as noted by the trails. There’s a front door on the eastside and a back door on the westside of the building.”

Baldwin commented, “Thanks, Jack. Now, everyone note, as soon as we arrive, squads one and two set up and wait for my command to open fire. But you hear us fire, then open up if you see a target. If you’re spotted, defend yourself. Pete and I will proceed to the back door, while Jack and Maggie cover the front.”

I interjected, “There are big windows in the front and back, so it’s easy to see inside if the lights are on.”

“Ok, when Pete and I breach the rear door and enter the building, you and Maggie follow in through the front. Before entering, we need to locate Adam,” Baldwin advised.

Maggie asked, “What if he’s not in the main building?”

“Good point,” Baldwin said. “If he’s not in the main building then we’ll need to carefully search each one until we find him. Our job is to find Adam before any assault begins. The squads will provide overwatch protection. They got our backs.”

I looked at the time because the sun was getting low in the sky. It was 6 pm and Baldwin said, “Let’s proceed to Route 89. We’ll stop there to rest, eat, check our weapons, and review the plan again before proceeding. I’d like us to be in position at the target shortly after midnight.”

We drove on, 70 more miles, to the Route 89 intersection and pulled to the side of the road, out of sight. We were well-concealed from any traffic that might pass by, which could possibly give us away to the nomads.

Here for the next few hours, we made ready to do battle with the nomad bandits. Everyone checked their gear, guns, radios, ammo, and water supplies.

It was just after midnight on the 27
th
of May, as my squad rolled onto Loop Road, at the northern entrance to Wupakti ruins. We stopped about three miles from the Visitor Center. Everyone knew what to do and how important this mission was.

The two Hums, short for Humvees as I call them, set up a roadblock on Loop Road, as planned. Four men would remain there, guarding the road not letting any vehicles or persons pass during this operation. It was after midnight and we figured that anyone driving around that late would be a bogie, so we would shoot first and ask questions later.

It was a little chilly with a slight breeze blowing across the open desert. The sky was clear, exposing millions of stars and a half moon. It was surprising to me just how much the stars and half moon lit up the night. Once your eyes adjusted to the darkness, you almost didn’t need night vision. But our night vision is the best FLIR system money can buy. It shows the body heat of a target as small as a mouse. You can’t hide behind a bush to be safe from our rounds.

I was very anxious and wanted to find Adam quickly, praying that he was still alive, and had not been beaten or tortured. If he had been, there would be hell to pay. As I have always said, I hate bullies and people who harm children in any manner. The only justice for these sick bastards is a bullet in the head. That solves everything, in my opinion.

We were getting ready to move out on foot for the three-mile hike. Maggie asked, “Should we bring the dogs?”

I thought about it for a minute. If we bring our guard dogs, Adolf and Freda, they could give us away with one bark. On the other hand, if we can’t locate Adam, they could sniff him out no matter what building he was in.

“I don’t wanna risk bringing the dogs. They could give us away with one bark and blow the mission, getting Adam killed and maybe some of us,” I said.

Maggie nodded her head in agreement, and put the dogs back inside the truck so they wouldn’t follow us. Our squad was made up of ten people. Maggie and I along with eight Templar Warriors, who would be our support team and cover our backs. They would take positions on the east side and the south side of the visitor center compound. Baldwin’s men would be on the west and north side.

We were dressed in our standard black SWAT-type combat gear, which made us look like Ninjas. We would blend in with the shadows even on a star-lit night, making us invisible to the enemy.

Our men would select the best positions to cover us once they arrived at the target zone. My crude map with the X’s only suggested positions for the overwatch crews to locate. They would decide the exact spots based on their experience.

We would approach the Visitors Center, staying off the main road in case there were any cameras. Once the Warriors had located their overwatch positions, Maggie and I would proceed to the rendezvous point, meeting up with Baldwin and Pete. We had to circle around to the north side, crossing over the visitor center driveway, to link up with them.

A little more than an hour had passed. The radio crackled. “We’re in place,” Baldwin said. “Over.”

I pushed the radio button, “Our men are in place. We’re on the way over to you now. Don’t shoot us by mistake. Over.”

The radio hissed, “Ha, ha. Jack, we wouldn’t do that. Over.”

“Very funny, asshole.”

Maggie and I kept a low profile and crossed the driveway, meeting Baldwin and Pete with no problems.

Baldwin got on the horn again, speaking to everyone. “If anyone has an eye on a bogie, speak up.” No one replied. So far we have not seen any nomads.

The four of us were about a hundred feet away from the building, kneeling behind some small shrubs. We could see dim lights in the main room and in one of the housing units located on the northeast side. Thank God these stupid jerks didn’t have any security posted. They must have felt smug as a bug in a rug.

Baldwin said, “Pete and I will proceed to the back door and try to get a look-see inside. I’ll radio you when I do.”

“Roger that. We’ll sit tight until you give us the ok to move up.”

Maggie and I watched as they kept low moving across the desert, and around the building to the rear door. I scanned the front door using my FLIR and didn’t see a soul.

I said, “Maggie, keep your eyes open.”

Then, a body flashed by the front window, blocking the light for an instant. It was just a shadow-like figure. I radioed George. “I just saw someone walk by the front window.”

A whisper came back. “Roger that. I got eyes on him. It’s the guy with the eye patch and black head bandana.”

“Adam has to be in that room.”

“He is, Jack. Move your butts up to the front door fast, because we’re going in. I count six bogies. Two are awake and four seem to be asleep.”

Maggie and I ran the 100 feet in record time. I radioed George, “We’re here.” I peeked in the window with Maggie to determine exactly where these jerks were at.

“Going in now, Jack.”

“Roger that. We’re right behind you.” We observed George open the rear door and open fire on the two men sitting at the front desk. Maggie and I quickly entered the room and opened up on the four sleeping on the floor, but now they were awake. Startled, they reached for AK47’s. We gunned them down before they could turn a weapon on us. Everyone was quickly terminated without them firing a single shot.

I wish I had a video of it. The four of us firing M4s on full automatic pumping lead into these dirt bags; watching the bodies jumping around as if an invisible string was making them move. Blood was splattered all over the room, covering the white walls with spots of crimson red.

We stopped firing. Pete went to make sure the rest of the building was clear. I glanced around the room. Adam wasn’t here. George told me he was here. I panicked and grabbed George by the shoulders. “Where’s Adam at? You said he was here.”

“Take it easy, Jack. He’s here alright.”

Then the restroom door squeaked opened. I raised my M4 putting my finger on the trigger getting ready to squeeze. Baldwin grabbed my arm and stood in front of me.

“You don’t wanna shoot your Grandson, do you? He ran into the washroom when we entered to keep from being shot by the bad guys. Smart kid.”

Suddenly we heard gunfire from outside. The radio hissed, “Boss, five tangos are terminated. It’s all clear out here. Over.”

“Roger that. It’s all clear in here.” Baldwin replied. “Hold your positions until further notice. There’s no need for an extraction.”  

Adam ran to me and we tightly embraced each other. Then Maggie joined in hugging us both. Captain Baldwin joined in, making it a big group hug.

Adam had tears in his eyes. He said, “I knew you would come for me, Grandpa. I told them you would kill them all for kidnapping me. They laughed at me.”

I held Adams face in my hands and carefully examined it. He had some bruises and a black eye. I said, “They beat you.”

“Yeah, a little but I’m ok. They wanted to know where the treasure was.”

“I know, White Feather told them about the treasure.”

“Yeah, that’s right. How did you know that?”

“We found White Feather and he told us. We also found out White Feather was friends with these guys at one time.”

Adam said, “I could tell he knew them. They were friendly to him at first. But when they hurt me he did step in and tried to stop them. Then they beat him up pretty good. Somehow he escaped, and boy that pissed them off. They searched for him all night.”

“Well, I have to admit White Feather did help us find you by providing some information.”

“Is he here?” Adam asked.

“No, he chickened out.” 

Adam glanced around the room at the dead bodies. He counted them and said in a whisper, “One man missing.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure. There were seven men here and there are only six bodies.”

Walking over to George, I advised him in a whisper what Adam had just told me. Baldwin nodded and hand signaled Pete. They went to perform another sweep of the building.

I spun around, turning in circles, peering at the room wondering where someone could be hiding. Then I saw it. It was blended into the wall so closely that you could hardly spot it. It was a door to somewhere. I thought,
most
likely it’s just a closet, with no exit.

Holding my finger to my lips, I warned Adam not to speak. I spoke loud enough to be heard and said, “Well, we got these guys.” I hand motioned for Adam to move to the washroom and waved Maggie over to me.

Maggie came over. “What’s up?”

I pointed to the hidden door and held my finger to my lips. I said loudly, “They’re all dead so let’s get out of here.” Whispering in her ear, I told her someone is hiding behind that door, so follow my lead, as I pointed at the wall.

We shuffled our feet and walked past the door, while observing it. I didn’t see a doorknob, so I figured it was the kind of door you push in a little and it will pop open on its own.

We very quietly moved back in front of the door. I hand signaled Maggie to make ready her M4. She stood back a few steps, off to the side. The problem was, I didn’t know what side the hinges were on, which would determine whether the door would open to the left or right. I guessed the hinges were on the left, based on the layout of the room. That meant that Maggie had a good position for a shot.

I pushed on the door and it popped open an inch, just as I thought it would. Grabbing the door frame I swiftly pulled it open. The nomad was standing inside the small room with his hands up. He mumbled, “Don’t shoot. I surrender.” He didn’t have a gun.

I said, “Hold our fire, Maggie, while I zip tie this bastard up.”

“Come on, Jack, let’s kill the asshole now.”

“No, not yet. I want some information.”

This guy was a dirty looking creep with curly black hair and beady eyes. He wore a plaid shirt and blue jeans. His facial features looked Mexican or Mexican-Indian to me. He had a black bandana tied around his forehead. He was a short little asshole, about five foot four, weighing around one-hundred thirty pounds. 

I pulled out a zip-cuff, dragged him out of the closet, and ruffed him up a bit. I gave him a gun barrel to the gut, hard, that made him double over and fall to his knees. Then I cuffed him really tight. I knew the cuffs would cut off the circulation to his hands in a few minutes. They would turn numb and he would lose all feeling after an hour. In the meantime, he would be in real pain from the cuffs.

He said, “Hey man, these cuffs are killing me.”

“Shut up, dork.” I didn’t give a shit about his pain. I wanted to inflict more pain on this piece of crap. I yanked him up by the cuffs, almost dislocating his shoulders in the process. He screamed loudly which made me feel good.

Adam came out of the washroom, and at the same time, Pete and Baldwin returned.

“Hey, you found him,” Pete said.

“Yeah, he was in that hidden closet,” I replied, as I pointed to the open door in the wall.

Adam said, “He’s the guy who beat me.”

“I’m sorry, but I had to, kid. I didn’t really hurt you and I could have,” he said.

“You’re a liar! Grandpa, he’s one of the leaders.”

“What’s your name,” I asked.

“Pablo.”

“That’s a Mexican name. Is your gang made up of Mexicans?”

“Some are, but not all.”

“Well Pablo, your gonna tell me what I want to know. If you don’t, I’ll hurt you real bad. Hold on to your teeth because this is gonna hurt.” I took the butt of my M4 and slammed it into his face as hard as I could. He fell to the floor knocked out cold from the blow. I wanted him to know that I would hurt him.

Maggie dribbled some water over his face to wake him up.

He came to in few minutes. Blood was flowing out of his mouth as he mumbled, “You’re going to kill me anyway … so why should I talk?”

“I’ll make you a deal. If you talk and tell the truth, I won’t kill you. If you don’t talk, you will suffer unbearable pain before you die.” I pulled out my trusty Black Bear fighting knife and waved it in front of his face. “Pablo, I know how to make people talk.”

In a swift move, I grabbed his left ear and sliced it off. It was like cutting warm butter. He screamed, “You’re crazy! I’ll talk … I’ll talk!” Blood ran down the side of his face and neck.

I held his ear up to my mouth and shouted into it. “Yes, I am crazy! Can you hear me?” He nodded his head yes, very quickly up and down. “You know, it makes me sad that you wanna talk because I wanted to cut off more body parts.” I threw the bloody ear into his face.

Maggie commented, “Yeah, it also makes me sad, because I wanted to cut off his little prick.” She pulled out her Barong Machete and swung it in a circle over her head.

This is Maggie’s favorite weapon. It is the weapon of choice for the Amazon Warriors who guard our island home, named Tocabaga. The Barong is made from 1055 hardened steel and has an 18-inch long leaf-shaped blade. It is so sharp you can shave with it. Maggie is very skillful with this weapon. She has killed several dirtbags by slicing off their heads, as well as other body parts.