Fiery judgement and epilogue.

        “We are in over our head, C.J.”

        “We are, yes.” They were staring at the imposing figure who was now advancing on Hem-Netjer Tepey. For once, neither of them knew what to do.

        “You stand accused. What say you?”

        The high-priest leaned against the wall, an eerie growl issuing from his throat. “I tried my best. I was betrayed!”

        The creature’s eyes flared red, “Failure has no excuse. You were told this.”

        “Should we leave?” Hitomi asked quietly.

        “I don’t know.”

        Unfortunately, seemed the beast heard them and turned its gaze on them. “You both shall witness this being’s fate. Such is decreed by the Great Anubis!”

        “Oh, crap. Can you?” Hitomi started to ask, but before she could finish, Siege was already in motion.

        “Got it!” She rushed forward, grabbed the high priest and headed for the airlock. The beast roared in rage and came after them. At the door, she shoved the priest at Hitomi and rammed the door with her shoulder. It took three rushes, but it finally gave. With the door wide open, they started through the door, into the suddenly freezing air.

        Hitomi started to shove Hem-Netjer into the door, but a fiery hand grabbed him. He screamed, “No! Please!”

        “Too late for you.” A flash of flame and heated air shoved the women out into the bay and to the ground followed by a blood-curdling scream. The beast walked out in front of them holding what had been Hem-Netjer Tepey. Its eyes flashed red again. “You have born witness, humans. I will leave you both to your fates.”

        Before turning away, he threw the body to the ground. Reduced to bones, what had been the man’s masked head rolled to rest in front of the two friends. Looking back up, the were just in time to see the beast disappear into flames. Then all was quiet.

        The stood up, suddenly very cold. As C.J. stooped to pick up the mask, Hitomi muttered, “I hate the supernatural.”

        C.J. grunted in agreement. Then they were reminded that they were still in danger by an explosion that rocked the base. Quickly, they ran to their crawler. Hitomi opened the doors and jumped in to crank the heat, while C.J., still carrying their grisly trophy, hopped on the platform and hit the control button that started them up to the surface. Once there, they cranked the crawler and headed as fast as they could back to McMurdo Base.

# # #

        They were quiet for most of their journey home. They had to use a cover story to get the masked skull through customs, but once they settled that, their journey was an uneventful one. After getting through the last customs hurdle at LAX, they found Buck himself waiting to drive them home. He noticed their expressions right away, and prattled small talk about the kids at home. It put them at ease, which is what he’d intended.

        He quietly led them to his office, while inquisitive faces watched them. Once settled he sat back and looked at them in turn. “I hear that a small area of ice collapsed in on itself. Investigators found masonry and everything. Archeologists are going to have a field day, they say.”

        The women shifted in their chairs a bit uncomfortably. He laughed quietly, “Oh don’t worry. McMurdo was strongly advised to forget they saw you. So. What happened?”

        They took turns relating the story. When they got to the end, they gave Buck the masked head. He turned it around in his hands. “This is either quite ancient, or a very good fake. You said this Hem-Netjer was wearing this?” They both nodded. He thumbed the catch on the back of the mask, opening it and froze. “I hate the supernatural...” he muttered and passed the now open mask to C.J. and Hitomi.

        “See, that’s what I said,” she trailed off. “Okay, I really hate the supernatural.”

        C.J. picked up a canine looking skull from the mask. “I would lay odds that this is a jackal skull.” Buck nodded, and she put it back in the mask and closed it.

        “The three of us have seen more of this type of weirdness than the other two teams, I would wager.” They both nodded. “I almost wish we could have brought the priest back here. Ah well. If wishes were horses and all that.”

        Hitomi was about to open her mouth to point out that he had horses, but he looked at her and she stopped. C.J. smirked and elbowed her. “C’mon partner. Let’s get some dinner. Then, I’m getting some sleep.”

        “Oh.. sleep for a couple of days. That sounds great!” They bid Buck a good night and walked out, their normal back and forth faded as they went to the cafeteria.

        Buck sat for a moment, contemplating the mask on his desk. Shaking his head, he picked it up and placed it on one of his shelves, next to other miscellaneous artifacts that he had collected over the years. He turned away, shutting off the lights in his office as he went to join the girls for a nice meal.