In teams of two, they repelled over the edge of the cliff and entered the massive hole in the side of the island. Enormous trucks were hauling loose rock and gravel to the edge, dumping it into the sea. Whether it was intentional or not, they were adding acreage to the tiny island.
The men walked silently toward the back, careful to step out of the way of the workers. It was a massive operation requiring dozens of workers around the clock.
Kiel silently knelt down, pocketing some of the rock. They would test them just to be sure there was nothing in the soil or rock that was valuable enough to hijack an entire island.
Adam touched his brother’s arm, pointing toward a man leaning over a large table.
Petros Andriopoulos.
“How much longer?” he asked the man beside him in the hardhat.
“A few weeks. It’s slow going. If we do too much at once the mainland will come. We’re already creating small seismic bursts. We can’t have people coming out here looking.”
“A few weeks,” he mumbled. “It’s too long. I can’t wait a few weeks. I need this operational sooner.”
“Sir, I’ll do my best but I’m not sure we can do this safely. Maybe, maybe we move the islanders to the ship.”
“No. No, absolutely not. They cannot see what’s on that ship, even if by accident. They will remain here.” Petros started to walk away, then turned to the man. “Get it done or I’ll find someone who can.”
Clearly frustrated, the man walked toward the workers, explaining what Petros had said. They all shook their heads, mumbling about it not being possible. When Joseph and Kiel stood over the plans on the table, they hoped to see something that would help them.
Instead, it was simply a plan of blasting a hole the right size into the side of the cliff face.
Hugging the wall of the cave, they inched their way back toward the ropes and pulled themselves up. After retracting the ropes and slowly making their way toward the other side of the island, they finally felt they were in a good place to send a message back home.
There wasn’t much to say. They were blasting a hole but they had yet to figure out why.
Arriving at the homes of Nico and Leonidas, the two men were anxious to see them.
“You’re safe. You disappeared and we didn’t know what happened to you.”
“Don’t worry, Nico, we’ll be just fine. Thank you for worrying though. It’s nice to know someone is worried.”
“We’re all worried,” said Leonidas. “I think we should tell the others. When you feel comfortable. No one here wants this and we fear that we’re being held as hostages.”
“I’m afraid that’s exactly what you are. For now,” said Ben. “Tomorrow night we’re going to see what’s on that ship out there. Once we know that, we may be able to make some sense of this. Until then, get some rest.”
“There is food and water in the cellar. It will keep it cool and fresh for you. Help yourselves,” said Nico.
“We’ll be sure to replenish whatever we eat,” said Dalton. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
Nico and Leonidas nodded, leaving the men to their rest. Dalton, Ben, and Adam stayed with Nico, while Kiel and Joseph went with Leonidas. Before they parted, Adam turned to the others.
“Get some rest. I have a feeling tomorrow night is going to be a long one.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Nicolai listened as the men recounted what the team on his island had seen in the cave. For the life of him, he couldn’t figure out why they were digging or what they were digging for.
“Even if this man brings in weapons, as much as I love my country, we are not a match for Syria or any other country in the region. This just doesn’t make any sense to me at all,” said Nicolai.
“Madness rarely does make sense,” said Luke. “Either way, we’ve got to figure this out. Any amount of weapons, and God forbid there might be a nuclear weapon, needs to be stopped.”
“Firing a nuclear weapon from the island could destroy it,” said Nicolai, his eyes watery with unshed tears. “My island, our island would be gone. Thousands of years of existence, culture, community would be gone.”
“We know, Nicolai and we’re doing everything we can to stop it.”
“I know you are. I don’t mean to appear ungrateful, it’s just that I feel so helpless sitting here doing nothing.”
