Buccaneer (Dane Maddock Adventures) (46 page)

“
They
’
re too powerful,
”
Dane said.
“
Imag
ine if one nation harnessed that
technology, or a terrorist group got hold of it.
”

“
It is more than that,
”
Rhiannon said
, picking up the spear and the G
rail.
“
People need faith, and these,
”
she held them up for emphasis,
“
have the power to destroy that faith.
”

“
Why, because they might be alien artifacts, or leftovers from an undiscovered, advanced civilization?
”
Bones asked.
“
Hell, I
’
ve believed in that stuff for years.
”

“
No. It is because of what they are. What they were used for.
”

Understanding
began to trickle
through Dane.

“
That
’
s the Holy Lance!
”
he exclaimed.

“
Precisely. But it never pierced Jesus
’
side. And the G
rail did not catch his blood. Quite the opposite, actually.
”

“
Wait a minute.
”
Avery, who was now back on her feet, held up her hands as if trying to slow Rhiannon down.
“
What are you saying?
”

“
Just as Morgan
’
s blood saved you, the blood of another restored Jesus to life after his ordeal on the cross.
”

“
Whose?
”
Avery looked stunned.

“
Who among those closest to him died shortly after the crucifixion?
”

“
Judas,
”
Dane said.
“
Are you saying he wasn
’
t a traitor? He didn
’
t kill himself out of remorse?
”

“
The betrayal was planned, as was his sacrifice for his lord.
”

“
I don
’
t buy it,
”
Willis said in a scornful tone.
“
That might be the story you all have passed down, but that don
’
t mean that
’
s the way it happened.
”

“
Perhaps not,
”
Rhiannon mused,
“
but, in any case, we cannot risk that story getting out. You can see the damage it could do.
”

One by one, they all nodded, except for Tam, who was doubtless thinking of the uses to which the government could put these items.

With a sad smile, Rhiannon dropped the Holy Grail and the Holy Lan
ce into the pit. Dane watched them
fall, wondering if they
’
d made a mistake, but knowing deep down they had not.

“
So, what happens now?
”

Rhiannon
’
s sad expression melted into a look of determination.

“
I am the last remaining Sister, so I shall assume leadership.
Morgan
’
s body will be found on the grounds of Modron, a victim of her misguided attempt to tamper with nature. I shall also put a stop to her plot against the
Royal Family
.
”

“
What about this place?
”
Avery asked.

“
We will move Arthur
’
s remains to a secret location, and then this chamber, and the passageways leading to it, must be destroyed. I suggest you leave as soon as possible.
”

“
If you
’
re leaving, we scored a sweet helicopter.
”
Matt entered the chamber, followed by Greg, Tam
’
s agent.
“
It belonged to the Dominion, so we figured it was okay.
”

“
How did you find us?
”
Willis asked.

“
Just followed the dead bodies. You guys really make a mess.
”

“
That
’
s another thing,
”
Dane said to Rhiannon.
“
How did the Dominion get involved in all this?
”

“
I suspect my Sister, Tamsin, betrayed us, but I cannot be sure
.
We will know more after we question our prisoner.
”
She reached out and shook Dane
’
s hand.
“
You should go now. Good luck.
”

“
I don
’
t know how to thank you for saving my sister
’
s life.
”

“
Keep our confidence, and continue the fight against the Dominion.
”

The moon was low on the horizon when they returned to the surface. Dane put his arms around Angel, holding her close and feeling more alive than he had in... he didn
’
t know how long. There was no need to talk. He could tell she felt it too.

“
You two going to stand there all night?
”
Bones asked.

“
I guess we
’
d better get going,
”
Dane agreed.
“
We
’
ve got a long trip home.
”

“
So, who
’
s riding in my awesome helicopter?
”
Matt asked.

“
I could go for a ride,
”
Tam said.
“
Who else is coming?
”
Willis and Greg volunteered.
“
How about you, Maddock?
”

Dane looked from Angel to Avery to Bones.

“
I don
’
t think so,
”
he said.
“
I think we
’
ll go for the relaxing cruise. You know, have a little family time.
”

Tam smiled.

“
Enjoy your night, then. Because, tomorrow, you start working for me.
”

The End

David Wood is the author of the
Dane Maddock Adventures
series and several stand-alone works, as well as
The Absent Gods
fantasy series under his David Debord pseudonym. He enjoys history, archaeology, mythology, and cryptozoology, and works all of these elements into his adventure fiction.

A proud member of International Thriller Writers and David co-hosts ThrillerCast, a podcast about writing and publishing in thriller and genre fiction. When not writing, he can be found coaching fast-pitch softball or rooting on the Atlanta Braves. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with his wife and children. Visit him online at www.davidwoodweb.com.

The Dane Maddock Adventures

Dourado

Cibola

Quest

Icefall

Buccaneer

Stand-Alone Works

Into the Woods (with David S. Wood)

Callsign: Queen (with Jeremy Robinson)

Dark Rite (with Alan Baxter-forthcoming)

Apocalypse Tales

The Zombie-Driven Life

The 7 Habits of Highly Infective Zombies (forthcoming)

The Dunn Kelly Mysteries

You Suck (Forthcoming)

Bite Me (Forthcoming)

Writing as David Debord

The Silver Serpent

Keeper of the Mists

The Gates of Iron (forthcoming)

Thanks for joining Dane and Bones on another adventure! As always, the plot is grounded in history, but I’ve taken a few liberties for the sake of the story. I hope these little tweaks add to your enjoyment.

Some readers might recall the “Name Dane’s Parents” contest on my Facebook page. We had lots of great suggestions, and I won’t spoil the surprise here, but I’d like to thank the people whose suggestions I used:

Cheryl Dalton, Michael Dunne, Michael R. Valentine, and Barbara Blake.

I also wish to thank the people who permitted me to fictionalize them within these pages:

A.J. Hartley, J.F. Penn, Alan Baxter, Sean Sweeney, Myra Bodrick, Diane Boudreau White, Darryl White