The Relic Runner Origin Story Box Set, Ernest Dempsey [summer books TXT] 📗

"But we're the good guys. And I say it's time for the good guys to get a little pay day."

Luis and Carson agreed.

"What's going on?" Nathan asked into the radio. "You guys find something?"

"Yeah," Bo said. "Something that could send us to an early retirement."

"Really?"

"No," Dak interrupted. "We aren't stealing this stuff. Right now it's evidence and after the area is cleaned up, it'll probably be taken to the antiquities authorities in Baghdad."

Bo leveled his gaze at Dak, clearly unhappy with his team leader's plans.

He changed his methods in hopes of converting him."Dak, come on man. Think about it. If the other crates have similar stuff to this, we could be talking about millions. Maybe more. All of us are nearly done with our time in the military. What were you going to do? Start working for private security firms? Go out and get a real job?"

None of that sounded like what Dak wanted. If he was honest, he really just wanted to find a nice place in the mountains to settle down, somewhere quiet. With the money he could scoop from these stolen artifacts, he'd have a nice little nest egg to get him all of that, and still have plenty left over.

He eyed the statue with a measure of curiosity. He'd studied ancient history in his spare time and found it fascinating while he was in school, earning a minor in history and a major in political science before shipping off to training, then Officer Candidate School.

Dak had served with these men. He'd developed trust with all of them. Things were never perfect, but they rarely clashed, and when they did it had more to do with strategies or planning than anything else. Those disagreements typically ended amicably and with everyone on the same page.

This, however, was a different situation.

Dak knew that everything Bo was saying made sense, but these artifacts didn't belong to them. And after a quick look at the statue, Dak immediately recognized the design as deity from the ancient Sumerian culture. He felt his stomach turn at the realization that these relics were easily more than five thousand years old, probably closer to six. Still, that fact wouldn't change the minds of his men. They were thirsty for something better, an easier life after the military. One that didn't involve 9:00 to 5:00 jobs or protecting wealthy elites on their exploitative missions to dangerous areas of the world. He could sympathize with that, but he knew his men couldn't sympathize with his argument. Still, he had to try.

"Guys, I don't even know where we could move artifacts like this. You'd have to have a connection in the antiquities black market to fence things like this, and I'm not sure any of you have those contacts."

"I'd be willing to work at it," Bo countered. He stepped closer, a look in his eyes unlike any Dak had seen before. He and Bo had been on more missions together than he could count. Actually, that wasn't true. He knew exactly how many. Twenty-six. They'd performed twenty-six dangerous, covert operations together. And not one time had Dak ever seen this look in Bo's eyes.

"I'm sure you would," Dak said with a snort. "Seriously, though, guys. We need to get out of here, report back to base, and get this place cleaned up."

"No," Bo said. "We're taking those crates."

"Guys?" Billy said into the radio. "What's going on in there?"

"Shut up, Billy," Bo said, using his sniper's real name through the radio. It was a no-no in their line of work, but Bo was done playing by the rules. Dak could see it.

"Bo," Dak interrupted, "we're not stealing these artifacts. Okay? They belong in a museum or in a lab for research. And like I said, even if we could take them, there's no way we can move them. Who's going to buy them?"

"Leave that to me."

Dak's eyelids narrowed to slits. "Stand down, Bo. That's an order."

Bo turned away for a moment, frustrated. "Fine," he said. "Have it you way. Mr. Always Play By the Rules. You go on home to the states and get your college tuition paid off. Maybe they'll have you stand up at one of the football games this fall so everyone in the stadium can clap for you and thank you for your service."

"Bo, stop it."

"No, I'm done playing by the rules, Dak. We deserve a score like this. We've given everything, sacrificed everything. And what do we get? A standing ovation when we board a commercial airline? A gas station attendant thanking us for our service?"

"We didn't sign up for this job for the money. Or the glory. We do it because we can, and because no one else is capable."

"Maybe," Bo said. "But I think it's time we take a little something for ourselves."

He spun around and drew his pistol, aiming it straight at Dak's head.

Luis and Carson flinched and took a step back, uncertain what they should do.

Five

Hamrin Mountains

“Bo?” Luis said. “What are you doing?”

“Taking what’s owed to us,” Bo answered. “You going to stand in my way, Luis? Or are you going to get what’s coming to you?”

The long silence told Dak that Luis was mulling it over.

“Dak is our friend,” Luis countered. “He’s been with us through everything. We can’t do this.”

“I offered Dak the chance. He said no thanks. That means we’re splitting the loot five ways instead of six.”

“Bo? What’s going on in there? What loot?” Billy asked through the radio.

“Shut. Up. Billy.” Dak’s voice rumbled as he issued the order.

“I say we take it,” Carson chirped. “Like Bo said, we’ve been on the front lines, doing stuff no one even knows about back home. And he makes a good point.” He swore. “Most of what we do doesn’t even get back to the president, much less the people. We work in the shadows, risking our lives every single day. And for what? They say thanks for your service. Those civilians don’t even know what service