“We show ourselves, they’ll gun us down,” Spencer said.
“So what do we do? Wait here to die?”
“I’m thinking,” Spencer said.
“Crap,” Joe exclaimed, and emptied the rifle in a sustained burst.
“What?”
“A bunch of ’em just crossed the river. They figured it out.”
“Then we have to surrender,” Allie said.
Spencer sighed. “I doubt they’ve got a copy of the Geneva Convention. Joe’s right. Second they see us, they’ll shoot.”
“It’s worth a try. The alternative’s certain death,” Drake said.
Spencer looked to Allie. “See if there’s another way out through the temple chamber. You never know.”
She nodded and hurried into the depths as Drake ferreted through his pack. He found what he was looking for near the bottom and held it aloft. A mostly white T-shirt.
“I say we give this a try,” Drake said. “Hang it on the end of a rifle and see what happens.”
“I can tell you what the reaction’s going to be. Better get down,” Joe said as he draped the shirt on his muzzle and dangled it out the opening.
A barrage of gunfire answered. Joe retracted the shirt, which had a half-dozen holes in it, and tossed it to Drake.
“There’s your warm Myanmar welcome.”
Allie returned from the temple area and shook her head. “No way out.”
“Then we need to take cover back in the temple and fend them off as long as possible. It’s going to be raining grenades pretty soon,” Spencer said, his tone hard.
“Will that work?” Allie asked.
A metal orb clanked against the rocks and rolled next to Joe, whose eyes bugged out of his head as he scrambled to toss it outside. The grenade detonated five yards from the entrance, showering them with dirt as they ducked, the shrapnel from it slamming harmlessly against the boulders at the cave mouth.
“Damn. That was quick,” Joe said, as though commenting on a surprise in a sporting event. “Let’s go. Won’t be long now.”
“But…” Allie said.
Drake took her hand. “I’m sorry, Allie,” he whispered. He crushed his lips to hers as Joe emptied the magazine at the gunmen, buying them precious seconds.
“Move. We’re out of time,” Spencer barked. They rushed to the temple gap and scurried through the opening as Joe lobbed one of his grenades out of the cave.
“Just to give them something to think about,” he said, and then turned and ran to the temple when the grenade exploded. He threw the crate through and followed it in, and he and Spencer took up position with their guns, waiting for the final assault.
Spencer looked at Drake. “Get her as far from here as possible, and hold your hands over your ears. When the first grenade goes off, the shock could rupture your eardrums.”
“What about you?” Allie demanded.
“I’ll roll with it.”
Joe and Spencer exchanged a resigned look, and Joe nodded. “Leave your magazines here for us.”
“No,” Allie protested. “There has to be another way.”
Spencer shook his head. “We’ll do the best we can.”
Allie’s face froze in horror at the finality of his words, and she followed Drake numbly into the temple. Joe moved to the door and pushed it closed as far as it would go with the rocks blocking it, and then settled down into his position by Spencer’s side.
“What’s that line from that old movie?” Joe whispered. “The Indian chief on the mountain, with Dustin Hoffman? ‘It’s a fine day to die’ or something?”
“Before my time,” Spencer said. “What happened to positive vibes?”
“That’s all the positive I have right now.”
They focused their attention on the cave opening, weapons at the ready, and waited with grim determination for the onslaught that would end their lives.
Chapter 56
Another explosion shook the cave floor, and Spencer eyed the opening. “That came from above us,” he said, and then automatic weapon fire rattled from outside the mouth of the cave.
Joe’s expression turned puzzled as he listened to the crescendo of chattering assault rifles from beyond the gap, and grew into astonished when a projectile whistled across the river and blasted into the rocks where the Red Moon gunmen were concentrated.
“Sounds like some help arrived,” Joe said. “Positive energy, dude.”
“Who called them?”
“The universe.”
Spencer shook his head, pushed himself through the gap, and moved back to the cave opening. Outside it sounded like a full-scale war was being waged, but now the object of the shooting wasn’t the cave. Joe crawled to where Spencer was peeking from the opening, and nodded as though he’d planned the entire thing.
The shooting and explosions lasted a good half an hour, and when the valley grew silent, Drake and Allie pushed from the temple and joined them at the cave entrance.
“What happened?” Drake asked.
“Somebody took out the bad guys,” Joe said.
“Who?” Allie asked.
“That’s a mystery; but whoever it is, I hope they’re friendlier than the others were.”
“Maybe the Shan?” Drake suggested.
“Could be.”
Their speculation was cut short by a guttural yell from outside. Joe listened intently and then called out in Thai. Another cry greeted his declaration, and he answered and then set his rifle down.
“We’re to come out with our hands up.”
“Can we trust them? Who is it?” Spencer demanded, obviously reluctant to drop his gun.
“Don’t think we have a choice,” Joe said and raised his hands over his head.
They filed out into the sun, blinking at the glare, and found themselves facing several hundred soldiers in the green camouflage uniforms of the Tatmadaw — the Myanmar Army. The river basin was littered with dead gunmen and a handful of soldiers. The fighters trained their weapons on the four of them until an older Asian man stepped from the group and approached.
The man’s uniform was adorned with the insignia of a general, and he looked like any sense of humor he’d once had was a distant memory. He glowered at them and demanded something in rusty Thai, and Joe offered a soft answer. The man’s expression changed from furious to something more like he’d just eaten a handful of scorpions, and he thrust his hand out in demand.
“He wants to see your permit,” Joe said to Allie.
“Really?” she said in relieved surprise, feeling in her pocket.
Two of the nearest soldiers stiffened and Spencer whispered to her, “Easy. No fast moves. They seem excitable.”
She pulled out the dog-eared, water-stained permit, unfolded it, and then stepped forward and presented it to the general like it was a holy relic. He snatched it from her and read the text, his eyes squinting as he came to the signature. He grunted and handed it back to her, and then rattled off some rapid-fire directions to his men before turning back to Joe. He said something more and then waved a hand in the direction of the cave. Joe’s face revealed nothing as he translated.
“He says that this area is now under the protection of the Myanmar Army and that he will take over the temple discovery.”
“What?” Spencer blurted. “I mean, that’s good, but what about our cut of the treasure? Never mind the historic value — how do we know it won’t just disappear?”
Joe shifted from foot to foot. “You really want me to ask that?”
“Maybe rephrase it so it’s softer.”
Joe spoke slowly, and when he was done, the general barked a harsh laugh and said something. Joe nodded respectfully and leaned toward Spencer. “He says you can apply to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Archaeological Commission for any reward, but that we’re not to set foot back in the cave or he’ll shoot us.”