Lemuria by Burt Clinchandhill (most popular novels of all time .txt) 📗

behind him. Bishop looked down from the cliff, onto the waves battering the rocks some one hundred feet below them. In between the waves, rare, black Lava Gulls hovered over the rocks, looking for stranded seafood washed ashore.

“This could take a while.” De Cremonese took off his helmet and walked to Bishop.

“Just when I started to have doubts, Father.”

“What are we doing here?” De Cremonese asked.

Bishop thought for a long moment. “Looking for a friend.”

De Cremonese also looked down. “Or, maybe we’re following a hunch. That might be a bit less disappointing if this hunch doesn’t pay off.”

“Words, Father. Words. That doesn’t mean....” Bishop stopped and felt his pants pockets where his satellite phone was vibrating. He took it out and pressed the screen. “Yes.”

“How are you doing over there?” Lindsey’s voice sounded.

“Good to hear your voice,” Bishop answered. “We’re doing okay, but the island is one big open field of rocks and shrubs, without nothing standing out so far. We took a few flyovers with the helicopter that showed nothing. We’re now out on the bikes, seeing if there’s any clue of life at all on this island. Human life that is.”

“It’s good to hear you too,” Lindsey said. “And since you didn’t find anything yet, it’s good you answered this call. Just a sec. Let me put you on speaker.”

“I’ll do the same here.” Bishop pushed the screen and put the phone on his bike’s saddle. “Can you hear me?”

“And me?” De Cremonese added.

“I hear you just fine,” Lindsey said.

“Me too,” Ignatowski added.

“And I can also hear you just fine,” Amie said.

Bishop and De Cremonese gave each other a quick glance. “Who’s that?” De Cremonese asked.

“Mr. Bishop, Father De Cremonese, I’m Amie Coleman.”

Bishop and De Cremonese laughed out loud.

“Are you okay over there?” Bishop asked.

“We’re just fine,” Lindsey answered. “I’ll fill you in on the details later, but we’re still at the hotel. We found Amie in good condition, being held in a sealed-off wing of the hotel. She’s okay, and we’re still there, but I don’t think we’ll have a hard time getting out.”

“Listen,” Ignatowski said, “there’s still some time before we need to get out, but Amie thought it wise first to contact you.”

“I heard you’re looking for your friend Jennifer.”

“We are,” Bishop confirmed. “We’re on Darwin Island looking for her, but so far the island seems deserted. Please tell us we didn’t come all this way for nothing?”

“You didn’t,” Amie spoke. “I understand you’re calling from a smart satellite phone?”

“A Thuraya X5,” Bishop answered.

“Great,” Amie agreed. “Just a moment. May I?” she pointed to Lindsey’s phone.

“Sure.” Lindsey handed her the phone.

Amie opened the SMS app on Lindsey’s phone and started typing. After a few seconds, she put the phone down again. “That’s it,” she called out. “Mr. Bishop, Father.”

“We’re here,” Bishop came back.

“You should have received a text message.”

At that exact same moment, a small screen on Bishop’s phone opened.

You’ve got 1 new message.

“Got it.” De Cremonese pointed to the screen.

“Great,” Amie said. “When we hang up, open the message. Inside you’ll find a link that you can open in the phone’s Internet browser. The link will open up a navigation application that will take you to the entrance of an underground location.”

Bishop eyed De Cremonese. “That explains why we didn’t see anything from the sky. Is our friend over there?”

“I’m too long out of the loop to be sure, but there’s a good chance she is,” Amie replied. “But I’m sure that on your way there you will get new answers to some of the other questions that you and your friends have been asking.”

“What do you mean?” De Cremonese asked.

“Listen,” Amie answered. “I understand you’re in a hurry, so I suggest you get on your way. I don’t expect you to run into any security or resistance. The local government sanctioned everything that happens out here, and no one else is allowed on the island, so there’s never been much need for that. You shouldn’t have a problem getting in.”

“What are we looking for?” Bishop asked.

“I’ve never been there myself, but I’m sure you’ll recognize it when you get there. Now, if you don’t mind. I would like to get out of here myself.”

“Bishop?” Lindsey asked.

“Yes.”

“We’ll get Amie out of here and to safety. Now you take care over there and find your friend.”

“Thank you,” Bishop replied. “We’ll keep you informed.”

“Good luck,” Ignatowski shouted.

“You too,” De Cremonese said, just before the connection broke off. “That’s good news, Matthew.”

“That’s certainly good news,” Bishop replied. “Exactly when I could use some.”

“Told you so.” De Cremonese smiled. “Can you open the link?

Bishop fiddled with his phone for a few seconds.

A young blonde woman appeared on the screen. “Hello. I am Lea, and I will be your guide to The Core.”

Chapter 32 – The Wall

Surprised, Bishop and De Cremonese looked at the screen.

“Sure, why not?” De Cremonese shrugged.

“Hi, Lea. It’s good to see you again. You remember me?” Bishop asked.

“Sure I do, professor. It’s also good to see you again.”

“I understand you have a route for us to our destination?”

“I do, professor. It will take about ten minutes to arrive at your destination. I should warn you that the route does not provide any paved roads, so you’re in for a bumpy drive.”

“That’s not a problem, Lea,” Bishop replied. “Can you show me the way?”

“Here’s a map to your destination.” On the screen, the contours of the island appeared. A small symbol of a car in the lower center showed their position.

There were no roads, buildings or any other markings to indicate a location on the island. A small checkered flag appeared in the center of the screen. A red line first appeared to lead straight to the destination but took an indirect route at about the halfway point.

“That’s strange,” De Cremonese remarked. “There are no roads, or any obstacles for that matter, but she seems to direct us around something.”

“Indeed, strange,” Bishop confirmed. “Well, I guess there’s only one way to find out.” Bishop