Alliance

By Ryan Hartung

Hundreds of years in the making, a full worldwide war between the East and the West is brewing. The cataclysmic divide between the richer western nations and the poorer East has reached a breaking point. Shadowed behind the veil of impending war is new evidence suggesting the Greek and Roman gods of legend might have been real after all. Though hidden for many millennia, mighty weapons embodying the Greek god's magnificent powers are beginning to be found. Each country fully understands the tremendous importance of finding the remaining god-like treasures before the rest. The race is on as each half of the world battles to gain possession of the enormously powerful ancient artifacts. The world's fate is in their hands.

Book 6 – Alliance
With Persephone's Bangle in Jesus and Ahmed's possession, the thieves travel to South Africa and set their sights on the country's gold supply housed in its Reserve Bank. Using the artifact's power to steal the necessary armaments to crush the South African Army's ill-prepared response, only the small contingent of Americans and Russians with their own artifacts can stop them, if they arrive in time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ryan Hartung
• Release date: Jan 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781942123088

Ryan Hartung

Dr. Ryan E. Hartung spent most of his life growing up in rural Nebraska. After earning his Ph. D. in organic chemistry from the Ohio State University he then made a quick stop with his family in the garden state before finally settling in Tucson, Arizona. Ryan continues to live in Tucson with his wife Elizabeth, his two daughters Amber and Keira, their dog Ginger and currently untamed hamster Brave. He is the author of the World's Divide series of novellas among other novels.

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Chapter

1

The rainforest’s plethora of leafy, tall trees continued decreasing both in size and frequency as the mixture of Russian and American explorers exited the Ethiopian forest. Many of the preconceived reservations they had about each other had been dispelled during the previous night’s supper and the following morning’s breakfast.

Although slight remnants of distrust still remained, both nationalities were intermingling in somewhat light–hearted moods as they walked. As the morning sun continued climbing off the far, easterly horizon, they reached a large hill from where the Russians expected to see their waiting ride.

Where is it? Dmitry said looking around and seeing nothing but a mixture of green foliage and increasing brown dirt. Nowhere along the leveling terrain in the distance could any of them see anything remotely resembling a vehicle. Annoyed at having to give up his electronics and air–conditioning for the varying Ethiopian climates and terrain, Dmitry wanted nothing more than to get back to civilization

You know where it is, Pavel shot back, almost certain he knew who had stolen their luxurious all–terrain vehicle.

The dudes that knifed Colt obviously took it, Dominic chimed in from the rear, to which Pavel and Dmitry both looked back at him and glared. What? It’s what we’re all thinking, he said to the stares from everyone in their small traveling party.

Well, we don’t know that for sure, but I think it’s our best guess, Sam reasoned, always thinking logically and with a level head. As he spoke, he fingered the giant white tooth hanging from his neck, and it pulsed its usual beautiful copper hues.

So, what do we do now? Pavel asked, turning his attention to Vladimir Pavlov, the Russian’s military leader.

Keep on going. What other choice do we have? The Americans have a ride coming further out there. It’ll be crowded in the back of their small pickup, but I’m sure we can manage. What do you think, Colt?

Colt Andrews stared the Russian leader squarely in the eyes and nodded in agreement. Moving a piece of his dark brown hair off to the side and thoughtfully scratching his unshaven stubble, he agreed that the Russian leader was right.

Yeah. I don’t think that should be a problem, but it still is a little bit further of hike to get back where we were dropped off, he replied, letting the Russian know they weren’t there yet.

We should continue then, no? Natalya asked the group, with Hillary off to the side. Ever since the Russian and American teams had decided to hike together, she and Hillary were virtually inseparable. Both beautiful, strong women, but playing a man’s game, they continued growing closer every minute as they constantly talked in hushed tones. Conversing on every topic from men to careers and clothes, hardly any subject was off limits for the two budding friends.

Natalya’s question really wasn’t a question at all though. They were on the edge of the Ethiopian rainforest and miles away from the closest road. Being multiple hours away from the closest city, their cell phones for the time being were dead. In reality, they had no choice but to continue on from where the Russian’s large ATV should have been and from there to where the American’s ride would hopefully be waiting.

***

Standing on the double ruts that led back toward town, Salim and Nurtai paused, staring back toward the direction whence they had just come.

You’re seeing things. There’s no one out there, Salim said to his Kazakhstani friend. He squinted into the tree line in the distance, trying to see what his friend was looking at, but saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Nurtai himself continued staring into the distance, his trained sharpshooter eyes and calculating mind inspecting the far off surroundings.

No, I’m positive the Americans and Russians are closing in, he said again seeing a quick flash of light, in the far off distance.

He couldn’t explain it, but Nurtai always knew when someone was following him and now was one of those times. If his traveling companion had been more physical and less cerebral, he and the Iraqi archeologist would be much further than their current position.

Well, I still don’t see anything, Salim countered, adjusting his glasses on his forehead, seeing nothing but scraggly green bushes and patches of brown dirt. Although green swaths of foliage covered the mountains in the far distance, they had long ago walked away from lushness of the small rainforest.

We’re just going to have to agree to disagree on this one, but in any case, we need to get moving, Nurtai replied. He took one last glance behind them before abruptly turning his attention back to the emerging road. Starting down one of the dual ruts, worn into the semi–arid terrain, he left Salim to his daydreaming for the moment.

Looking to his right a little later, Salim noticed Nurtai was already a few yards away, leaving him behind. Although his legs ached and his back was tired from carrying the extra weight of his gear, he jogged a few steps on the rut’s twin, two feet of drying grass away from Nurtai, to catch up. They both knew the set of ruts led back to town and were hoping to see their driver at some point in the late morning.

***

Finally reaching where their ATV should have been, Vladimir, Pavel and Dmitry combed the area searching for clues. However, they found nothing out of the ordinary. Cliff and Sam helped the Russian soldiers in their search, but they too couldn’t find anything that was a conclusive piece of evidence, leading them to know for certain who had stolen their ride.

Eventually they left the four equally spaced divots, dug into the Ethiopian wild grasses by the ATV’s four large tires; the only real evidence the ATV had even been there to begin with.

As they began descending the last true hill before reaching the semi–arid valley below, Cliff and Pavel at the same time noticed something gleaming in the far distance.

There’s someone down there, Cliff said to the traveling group, careful not to be too loud to cause any unwanted commotion.

Da, I saw it too, Pavel agreed.

Without stopping, the group quickened their pace, trying to catch up to the unknown figures in the distance. Another mile later, the Americans and Russians were at the beginning of the dual ruts leading back into town, only a few minutes behind the elusive figures. In each set of ruts were a set of footprints left by whomever it was they were following. Knowing they were hot on the trail of two men, hopefully the bastards that had knifed Colt and stolen the treasure, they quickened their pace even more.

The originally close group of four Russians and five Americans spread out, those in the best shape jogged with their heavy packs while the others walked. Cliff, Sam, Pavel, and Dmitry were leading the pack, each trying to outdo the others in a semi–showoff of manliness. Colt and Vladimir kept a moderate pace behind them, knowing that if the four soldiers in front found the third party first, their cooler heads were going to be needed. Dominic trailed behind the two leaders, wanting to keep up, but finding it difficult to do so, followed by Hillary and Natalya, who were content to let the boys handle the situation while they continued their intimate discussions.

Before too long, Sam and the others were able to see the backs of two men far in the distance. Drenched in sweat and tiring from the added exertion of running with his