Bab 72: Sarcophagus
The scene before them fueled excitement. A vast underground space revealed numerous pyramids. The significance of this discovery, if known to the outside world, would make headlines. They were a group witnessing history unfold.
In Varion's sunglasses, a 3D image materialized. From the outside, the sunglasses remained dark, but the interior displayed a different scene.
The pyramid's structure diagram, extensive building structures, hundreds of rooms, and even the presence of an alien queen were all marked. Varion marveled at the intricate mechanism, employing a weight-sensing device. Stepping on the pyramid's brick surface activated the mechanism.
Such a system would render anyone who entered it helpless, especially with the pyramids moving every 10 minutes. Once inside, escape would seem undesirable.
Equipment from the base above began to descend, but Woods observed Peter. His earlier excitement worried her as he hadn't been well. She suggested, "Mr. Peter Weyland, let's go up first. It's confirmed that there are pyramids here. Your name is already etched in history; there's no need to risk yourself."
"Thank you, but it would be a shame not to see it."
Woods wanted to persuade him further, but Stafford intervened, "Sir, we're ready."
"Then let's go."
Hesitating, Woods sighed and followed. As the only team member with experience exploring the wild, she earned her keep.
"It's incredible. How was this built?" Miller marveled at the pyramids, and the tall guard sculptures, illustrating the power of the ancient civilization.
Sidian patted his shoulder, saying, "Come on in! You might find more surprises."
"Sounds reasonable," Miller nodded.
Even Peter's body guards were awestruck. Witnessing the pyramids firsthand exceeded what they had learned from TV and books.
"Do you think there might be something valuable here? You know, like antiques or something."
"Maybe, but don't get your hopes up." He gestured towards Peter.
Peter remained oblivious, the Lord's presence overshadowing any thoughts of claiming a share of potential antiques.
In a wide corridor, they discovered a space with several stone platforms, each holding skeletons. It seemed to be a tomb.
"Mr. Sidian, it looks like it's your time to shine."
Sidian donned a flashlight and inspected the surroundings. The patterns and hieroglyphs seemed to encapsulate aspects of the ancient civilization.
Varion directed his flashlight at a fresco relief, revealing humanoid figures battling creatures—some wielding knives, others with spears and flying rings.
To others, these scenes might appear as ancestral worship, but Varion recognized them as depictions of battles between Predators and Aliens. The mural spanned thousands of years.
"Mr. Varion, do you know the significance of this mural?" Woods approached, her curiosity evident.
Varion hesitated for a moment, "Know what?"
"The meaning behind this mural. I believe Mr. Varion is quite interested in it!"
Varion threw the question back at her, "Don't you find it intriguing?"
"These are merely depictions of ignorant. These murals may have no meaning at all," Woods shook her head, skeptical.
"Maybe, who knows!" Varion shrugged.
The revelation of their significance would come later, and by then, laughter might be in short supply.
The switch from hunter to prey can be remarkably unforeseen.
"Sidian, can you read it?" Peter asked.
As the team's sole archaeologist, expectations were high. If even he couldn't decipher the meaning behind these depictions, they were essentially in the dark.
"This seems to be a sacrificial burial chamber."
Sidian gestured to the corpses on the platform, "Look at these bodies; there are no signs of binding. They came here willingly."
Stafford pointed to a hole in a skeleton, questioning, "And these holes? Are they part of the sacrificial process too?"
"It's not uncommon for sacrificial methods to involve removing the internal organs of the sacrificer." Sidian confirmed.
Perhaps, but he didn't believe it. The holes in these bones looked more like something bursting out from inside the chest, forcefully breaking the sternum.
"Sir, there are several passages here. Which one should we take?" Stafford inquired of Peter.
Peter raised his flashlight, surveying the area. Being no expert, he was unsure of the direction. Woods, on the other hand, had been advocating for a return, presumably for safety. Peter's gaze shifted towards Varion, intending to ask questions, but the team members on the other side drew their attention.
"Come and see, there's another level here, just below us."
A peculiarly shaped hole, a cold light emanating from the gap, revealed a vast space below. Where to go next? Continue exploring or not?
With determination, Peter declared, "Let's go!"
Stafford smiled, "You guys stay here to set up the equipment. We'll check below."
Several team members remained as the rest split into two groups.
Before leaving, Varion cast a glance at the remaining members, silently wishing them luck.
"It's truly bizarre. Look at these statues. They incorporate elements of civilization. I wonder who built this. It must be from a time far before from us," Miller remarked, snapping pictures with his camera.
"Don't be afraid, man. Just grab a sample from here when we leave, and I can help analyze it," Sidian reassured.
"What are we waiting for then?" The two shared a look, feeling as if they were the Columbuses discovering a new world.
Woods checked her watch, "If you want to find something, better do it quickly."
"You worry too much. As a seasoned explorer, the spirit of adventure is a must," retorted a team member with a briefcase, showing some disdain toward Woods. After all, more exploration meant more money for them. How could riches be gained without any danger?
After navigating a series of twists and turns, they finally reached the lower floor. A cold light illuminated the stone platform, the same one they had thrown down earlier.
Peter directed his flashlight upwards. They were right below the sacrificial room, which raised the question: What purpose did this place serve?
"My God!"
Sidian rushed forward and laid down on the stone platform, examining the intricate symbols.
"What's wrong?" Woods inquired.
"Look at this. It's using the Mayan long calendar, this is the Aztec calendar, and this... is this some kind of combination lock?" Sidian paused, glancing at the perplexed crowd.
"Isn't this a sarcophagus? Why is it also a combination lock? Don't tell me this thing has been here for many years, and they used the calendars of two civilizations to create a combination lock."
Sidian nodded, "Yes, that's exactly what puzzles me."
As they continued their inspection, each symbol seemed to carry profound significance. The combination of calendars from two civilizations, seemingly existing simultaneously, presented an inexplicable temporal and spatial disconnect.
"Wait..." Shocked expressions adorned everyone's faces as they turned to Sidian.
"Look here. This represents the year, month, and day. God, this combination lock has been adjusted. It should be a hundred years ago from now."
Pointing at the sarcophagus, Wieland questioned, "You mean someone came here a hundred years ago?"
"I know it's hard to believe, sir, but that's what the dates on this sarcophagus indicate."
Peter appeared bewildered. Weren't they the first ones to enter?
"Mr. Varion, I'm afraid there's nothing to gain from this trip," Peter expressed his disappointment.
"It doesn't matter, Mr. Peter. Even if someone has been here before, there's no record outside. Unlikely, because if someone came and published it, it would have shocked the world. Perhaps we can still learn something new."
Peter nodded, holding onto hope.
Sidian, though aware of some information from above, was now formulating a plausible hypothesis.
"Miss Woods, do you know what today's date is?"
"October 10th? Why do you ask?"
Stephano hinted, "You'll find out soon."
"I've set the time above to the present. Maybe there will be a suprise."
Everyone gathered, intrigued by the mystery within the sarcophagus. Sidian was contemplating, having a hunch that his guess might hold some truth.
"What do you think is inside?" Woods inquired.
"No idea Miss Woods." Even Peter replied.
Varion and S20, stood unfazed. The rest of the group, consisting of doctors, experts, and seasoned warriors, had been startled by a mere sarcophagus.
"It's alright; I know you're just creating an atmosphere. But you should come and take a look inside."
"What could it be?"
Despite the initial shock, everyone finally moved closer. After a few minutes of silence, Woods spoke.
"What do you think this thing is? Could people create something like this in ancient times?"
Sidian's expression darkened as he recalled a past archaeological experience at a Pyramids site where he discovered a soda bottle cap at the entrance.
It was ironic, almost as if they had printed a "Thank you for your patronage" on the lid.
This, however, was not quite the same.
....
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