Arcade Catastrophe
Page 58

Nate leaned forward in his seat. All around him listened raptly.
“The Gate has changed hands many times over the centuries,” Jonas related. “The Protector remains where it was first hidden, cleverly guarded. Learning that the Graywater family held the secret to its location was the most difficult part of this entire puzzle. Through my research, I know some of the dangers that await. Having come this far, given the risk you will take, you ought to know some of what I have learned. But only if you mean to continue. Only if you are fully committed. This next assignment will be life-threatening. I do not make a habit of wasting my time. I believe you can succeed. But I will not compel any to proceed. If you wish to abandon the treasure hunt at this point, please let me know immediately.”
Nate looked at Summer and Lindy. Many of the kids around the table exchanged wary glances. Nobody backed out.
“Very well,” Jonas continued. “Once we have both the Gate and the Protector, we will be in position to go after Uweya itself. Claiming the Protector will be no easy matter. The Lodestar of the West is submerged off the coast of Yerba Buena Island in the San Francisco Bay. This is the island motorists encounter while traversing the Bay Bridge. It adjoins a man-made islet dubbed Treasure Island. Much of the area has been owned by the U.S. Navy, although naval operations there have decreased in recent years.”
“How deep is the lighthouse?” Roman asked.
“The San Francisco Bay is not particularly deep,” Jonas said. “At the same time, our lost monument must be fairly deep to have avoided discovery. The particulars are for the Jets to discover. They will let the guidestone lead them. Much about the guidestone remains a mystery to me. I know that the Graywater family has watched over it for generations. In my studies, I most often found it referenced as a map, but also as a key, a compass, a lodestone, and a simulacrum. Before this mission is over, the Jets will know more about the subject than I do.”
“The first club to bring the Protector back to Arcadeland wins?” Nate checked.
“Correct,” Jonas said. “But there is a catch. The Protector resides within an ancient chest. The chest is not light, and it will not open in close quarters. The Protector will be difficult to extract from the chest. I do not want the chest. I want the Protector.”
“They won’t be able to open the chest underwater?” Roman inquired.
“Very doubtful,” Jonas said. “The chest is temperamental and dangerous. It was designed by Iwa Iza himself. According to legend, wherever it opens is where it will remain. I do not want it opened within ten miles of Arcadeland. I will provide a map to dispel any ignorance regarding that boundary. Failure to open the chest far enough away will result in disqualification. In addition, I want the chest opened in a remote area. The map also identifies areas I consider too close to civilization for opening the chest. Again, failure to comply will result in disqualification. Do we understand one another so far?”
Nobody dissented.
“The Jets begin with a decided advantage,” Jonas said. “They get the guidestone, and they will enjoy a lack of competition retrieving the chest. To balance out this advantage, I have fashioned bracelets for the Jets to wear. Though
unobtrusive, the bracelets will enable the Tanks to track their opponents.”
“What?” Chris exclaimed.
“As if you get to whine,” Roman snapped.
“Save it, Roman,” Chris said. “The guidestone isn’t an advantage. It just means the Jets have to do all the heavy lifting. How is it fair that after we salvage the chest from the lighthouse, you get to know where you can come to steal it?”
“Sounds about right to me,” Derek said.
“How heavy is this chest?” Nate wondered. “Will we be able to move it far?”
“It will probably be heavy,” Jonas said. “I don’t know how far you’ll be able to transport it.”
“This is ridiculous,” Chris muttered.
Roman shook his head. “You’ll still have the advantage.”
“Give me a break,” Chris huffed. “Rested and ready, you get to swoop in and take something you couldn’t have gotten yourselves.”
“Enough debate,” Jonas said. “These are the rules for this mission. There is no room for negotiation. Either participate or quit.”
Silence followed the ultimatum.
“When do we start?” Nate finally asked.
“At nightfall,” Jonas said. “Both clubs will set out from here tonight. The Tanks will have the same driver who took them to Devil’s Shadow. He will go wherever they direct. They are free to abandon him at their discretion. The Jets will take to the sky. I’ll wait for a winner to return with the prize.”
“And if some of us die?” Summer asked.
“That’s the risk,” Jonas said. “Dismissed.”
*****
Around sunset, Summer cornered Roman outside of Arcadeland. Ruth and Derek had gone ahead to get dinner. She and Roman were supposed to catch up and eat with them, but Summer had failed to get him alone all afternoon and wasn’t about to let the opportunity slip away. The Tanks looked to Roman for leadership, so she had to know where he stood regarding Jonas White.
“Roman, can we talk for a minute?” Summer asked.
“Can we do it over hamburgers?” he asked. “We’re running out of time.”
“Not really,” she said. “It won’t take long.”
Roman leaned against the wall. “What’s up?”
“How much do you trust Jonas White?” Summer asked bluntly.
Roman seemed at a loss for a moment. “Enough, I guess. He’s held true to everything he’s told us.”
“You realize the Subs and the Racers didn’t just lose,” she said. “They disappeared.”
“I asked about that,” Roman said. “They’re on special assignments. Prep work for those of us still in the game.”
“Do you believe that?”
“Don’t you?”
Summer realized that she was on dangerous ground. If she seemed too rebellious, and he doubted her loyalty, Roman might report her to Jonas. She could get left behind on the upcoming mission, unable to help anyone.
“I’m just worried,” she said. “The Graywaters seemed sincere to me. I’m afraid that Jonas getting Uweya may not be a good thing.”
“It’s just some old treasure,” Roman said.