Takers of the Lost Arc, Part Iii

...He saw his prize slipping away, his future he now found in doubt, had to make sure whoever came would perish, and never walk out. He had a compound in Puntland, where arc and hostages were kept, on guard were always sixty men, on rotation, when others slept. He brought them close, to the big room, where the arc waited for its price, for weeks Ibrahim lived in stress, fearing an attack day or night. When it came he still was awake, it was evening, darkness still young, they heard the sound of the choppers, all leapt up, ready with their guns. If any came there for his prize in blood he’d make the bastard’s drown, in Allah’s name he sought to fight, he’d shoot all the infidels down. They heard gunshots, muffled by walls, the men were nervous, but remained, He heard shouts of his men dying, but still held his ground, all the same. He expected the door to burst, that was what they usually breached, instead he heard the gunshots fade, this main room they’d not even reached! They looked confused as they all heard the sound of choppers fly away, one of his men rushed to the room, said, “They’ve left! Chosen not to stay!” Ibrahim raised an eyebrow then, none of this seemed to make much sense, he’d fought Americans before, their soldiers were brutal, tough men. As they stepped out, still quite perplexed another man came up to him, cried, “They went for the hostages! They’re gone, they took them all with them!” Ibrahim was amazed by this, but for how long, it is not known. He had little time to contemplate as Tomahawk missiles hit home… It was in a Blackhawk flying that Alice saw a Navy S.E.A.L., after all that happened to her she didn’t believe it was real. She said, “I do not understand, those missiles just destroyed the arc!” The S.E.A.L. pulled out a crucifix on a chain, just above his heart. The man smiled, and said to her, “Our orders were to rescue you. Crumbled remains of commandments don’t matter as much as you do. “It’s not like they are not printed on books and buildings everywhere. God commands me to protect life, about old wood, I don’t think He cares. “It wasn’t relics he died for, and human life can’t be replaced. Do you think for anything less I ever would come to this place?” He put the crucifix away, as they flew to the carrier. Alice never forgot that man, or the words that he said to her... CONCLUDES IN PART IV.