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Damascus Code
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CONTENTS
DAMASCUS CODE
Copyright
Gratitude
Contents
Dedication 1
Dedication 2
The Backstory
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Damascus Code Book 2 And Movies
About The Author
Thanks To My Readers
More Goodies For You
Book Notes
DAMASCUS CODE
Merri Christi Pemberton
An Adventure Where Every Twist And Turn Is A Revelation
Copyright © 2019 by Merri Christi Pemberton.
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by GCW Publishing.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means -electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise -except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act without either the prior written permission of the author.
The electronic version of this book is available through online book providers, which have the permission of the author for the book to be purchased online and read in digital format by the consumer.
For any additional permission requests outside of the previous allowances stated in this paragraph, send an email with your request to the author at [email protected].
Limit of Liability and Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction. Even though parts of this book was inspired by historical text, religion and faith, events, and people; this book is a fictional story. The publisher and author make no representations or warranties to the absolute exact accuracy or completeness of the contents of the book, and they disclaim any implied warranties or representations.
The author, publisher, and all involved in the creation of this book are not liable for any losses through, or the misuse of, the book’s contents or any material connected to this book and those involved.
The publisher, author, and all involved in the creation of this book are not liable for any loss of profit or any commercial damages, or any life issues and situations, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages; relating or not relating to any of the information and subject matter stated in this book or any related materials created, produced, published or connected to the author and publisher, or anyone associated with this book.
For more information on the author, visit her website at http://www.gcwmediagroup.com. To connect with the author on social media, please go to https://www.instagram.com/merrichristi_live. Additional contact information is given at the end of this book.
I Thank God Everyday For Every Blessing.
To All Who Dare To Live On Top Of The World
Contents
DAMASCUS Title Page
Copyright
Gratitude
Dedication 1
Dedication 2
The Backstory
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Damascus Code Book 2 And Movies
About The Author
Thanks To My Readers
More Goodies For You
Book Notes
Dedication 1
To my mom, I could not have asked or prayed for a better mother. Every bit of your life demonstrates what a strong and loving woman—and mother—of Faith and integrity look like. I may not have always taken your advice, but I always took what you said to heart. You are an exceptional mom who sacrificed so much for me. You taught me that my actions, career, and words must reflect dignity, self respect, helping others, integrity, and Love. To my family who have been there for me since Day 1, thank you for your love and support. I am thankful to God for all of you.
Dedication 2
On the 8th of May 2018, I met a very special and beautiful man—Perry Miguel D’Marco. Perry, you are a wonderful blessing in my life. As we grow in this journey each day, we discover something new and beautiful about one another. Thank you for your love, patience, and support. Thank you for listening to my heart, thoughts, and dreams. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, dreams, and heart’s desires with me. Your trust and openness, I can not take for granted. You are my blessing from our loving God. As we start a new chapter in our adventure, I am reminded of just how rich life can be.
My Love for you always, Merri Christi PMV
The Backstory
I began writing Damascus Code under the temporary name of Quest about two years go. The story came from a show series that I was working on at the time called American Exile. This show is currently releasing episodes on the GCW website (see link below) through summer 2019.
Through this book, you will experience a deeper and delicious backstory about some of the supporting characters. They will be central in American Exile and an upcoming feature film. The Damascus Code, along with American Exile and the film, will form a universe—a legacy— of stories.
In these two of the characters, Morgan and Francisco, will become significant forces. In this book, however, these two dynamic characters will be a supporting power to two students—Avalon and Silas—who lead the story.
The story is fictional, but was inspired by elements of fact, the mysteries of humanity, and truth. Damascus Code dives into a fictional mystery where Faith and the language of science come together for a remarkable revelation, which could upset the status quote and the world’s power brokers.
Thank you for joining this adventure!
Prologue
Damascus Antiquities Lab, Syria - November 2004
8:30PM
A raging inferno engulfed the secluded lab on the outskirts of the Syrian capital of Damascus.
Stumbling between towering flames and dust, Dr. Benjamin Ezra fought through the hellish scene around him. He screamed for help, strangling on black smoke. No answer back. Storage bins and display cases with 2,000 year old artifacts were being destroyed in seconds.
The famed scientist pushed by tables of Hebrew scrolls, bins of Roman coins, and statuettes rumored to belong to King Solomon. None of those mattered. He had to get to the vault!
He grabbed a table corner, lunging himself forward one more time. He fell against a stone wall. As he ran his hand across the wall for balance, he felt shallow punctures in the surface.
He tapped the punctures in a specific rhythm. That partition of the wall popped out as a 10x12 stone square drawer. He pulled the drawer open. He shoved his hand inside the square hole and pulled out a small thin black case.
He laid his head against the wall in exhaustion, heaving, the air was so thin.
A prayer to YHWH, Benjamin Ezra then turned back around. With gritted teeth, he feared to see what awaited for him. How could he possibly escape this place?
Between the flames, a narrow pathway suddenly appeared. A way out! Thank God!
He plummeted forth using every ounce of power from his legs. The pain in his chest and limbs were like knives tearing his muscles.
He made it through the doorway, and then to the back exit door.
On the count of three. 1..2..3! He shoved the door open and ran out of the blazing building.
As soon as the fresh air hit him, gunshots rang all around.
Benjamin Ezra ran
behind an abandoned car and hunched down. He pulled out a cell phone from his pocket, frantically dialing. A familiar voice answered,
“Hello?”
“Magellan!”
“Ezra?!”
GUNSHOTS
“They found me.”
The voice on the end screamed, “Morgan…get Hannibal NOW!”
Benjamin Ezra heard a speeding car close by. He hit the floor. “Get someone to meet me at the border in five hours.”
“We got you. Do you have it?”
Ezra patted his chest—shirt pocket, “Yeah, but we can’t keep quiet any longer.”
Another barrage of shots. This time a group of five masked men in black hoods stood on the other side of the car where Ezra hid.
“Ezra,” called one of them.
It’s now or never. Ezra stood up with hands behind his head. He slowly backed away from the car.
The terrorists began approaching the car with guns drawn. Ezra stood motionless on the other side. As the shooters were about to walk past the car—.
BLAST!
The car exploded in a fireball.
In 2003, stories of Al Qaeda looting artifacts from Iraq headlined the international news. The men who set the Syrian lab on fire were not Al Qaeda. They were not there to loot mere artifacts.
They were after Ezra’s black case—and the blood inside.
Chapter 1
March 2005. Aberdeen, Scotland
Avalon Mesa rushed through the campus of the University of Aberdeen. She glanced at the time on her grey cell phone. It’s 9:58am, only two minutes to go. She shoved the phone back in her tan overcoat pocket. The grad student shivered underneath her pink scarf wrapped around her neck. Springtime in New Mexico was millions of miles away, boy was she homesick!
The young archaeology student sprinted to a white cylinder building. Moments later, she was seated in a large lecture room. The colosseum arrangement made the commanding voice of her professor even more domineering. Professor Malcolm Darius was a man of 70, dignified of the old order of things, with white hair and a well-groomed beard.
Professor Darius recently replaced the previous professor, controversial “fight the power” scientist Dr. Francisco Magellan. Magellan ruffled a lot of feathers with the traditionalists in the science department. Avalon was very familiar with a few of those stories. Her friend was personally involved.
"Ms. Mesa,” called Professor Darius.
Avalon snapped out of her thoughts. "Yes.”
“This isn't the time to sink into your deep thoughts.” Professor Darius peered over his wire-rimmed glasses at her, “Unless, of course, its about molecular structure.”
“I'm sorry. It won't happen again, sir.”
The stern professor softened. "We all have our off days.” He lifted his eyes to the rest of the class. “Okay, that's it for today. Good luck on your examinations.”
The students packed up to leave. Avalon grabbed her overcoat and scarf.
"Ms. Mesa. I need to see you for a moment.”
Avalon grumbled under breath, but approached the professor at his desk. She wasn’t looking forward to a lecture.
Professor Darius lowered his voice, "I have noticed your absence from our class for the past week.”
Avalon could not look at him in the eye.
"That's another concern,” he continued, “When I catch you not paying attention these days, you don't look me in the eye.”
"I know, but I've been very exhausted lately with the extra hours at the cafe."
Professor Darius knew something was weighing heavily on Avalon. "I've had you in my classes for a year. You are a good student and normally well prepared.”
Avalon wanted to scream. She thought her life was getting back to normal, but the nightmares are back. Sometimes two hours of sleep was the best she could do.
“I’m okay, just exhausted.” Avalon was able to squeak out a tight smile.
Darius knew better than that.
“It isn’t my business whether you are getting enough sleep, but you can't allow it to damage your standing here.”
"I’ll do better.”
Professor Darius let her off the hook. "Listen, I want you to schedule an appointment to see me first week of May. There is a research opportunity that I think you would be interested in.”
Avalon was a little confused. Her field was archaeology, the bio-chemistry course was just to fill in a requirement. "Sure, I'll do that.”
First week of May, Avalon knocked on the professor’s office door.
“Come in.”
Avalon opened the door and walked in a quite dignified office. Professor Darius rose up from his brown leather chair. His desk was stately..looked like oak. You could host a Shakespeare reading in this cozy space.
“Ms. Mesa, have a seat.”
Avalon smiled. "Thank you!"
She sat down. "I'm curious about this new project.”
Professor Darius sat down and shuffled his papers. "I couldn't think of a better person to take it.”
“What is it about?”
“Well, it involves a very important genetics project.”
Avalon’s brow crinkled. “Um, my major is archaeology, not bio-chemistry.”
“Professor Geoffrey Carrington recommended you.”
Professor Carrington? Avalon was intrigued now. Geoffrey Carrington taught many of her archaeology courses including the summer fieldwork project last year. He was pleased with her work. Last year, he began recommending her for a few of his more sensitive artifact research. He matched her with a mentor, a recent graduate student who became good friends with Avalon. The mentor was also the friend involved in the Magellan controversy mentioned earlier.
Darius continued, “A Syrian artifacts lab was recently destroyed by a terrorist organization.”
"Oh no! Was it Al Qaeda?”
“No. We don’t know who they were.”
“What did they steal?”
Professor Darius explained, “The object wasn’t stolen. It was well hidden in the storage room wall.”
“Hmm.”
“A colleague of mine was able to save it.”
This was quite a story so far.
Avalon rubbed her chin. “So, the object was heavily protected with no chance of drawing attention.”
“Yes. It was imperative to keep it out of sight until it’s designated time to go public."
Avalon pressed for direct answers, "What is this artifact?"
Professor Darius paused with pierced his lips. He leaned forward quietly and said. "It is a small glass casing about the size of your thumb. Inside of it is a dime-sized amount—of preserved blood.”
Avalon's blinked, “Come again? Blood?”
"It gets more intriguing.”
“Go on.”
“The blood sample is believed to be from the Apostle Paul.”
Avalon laughed. “What? That’s quite a story!”
Darius didn’t crack a smile. “Some believe it was taken from Paul during his encounter with the Lord on his way to Damascus. You know the story?"
"I know it. He was known as Saul before that event,” said Avalon.
The professor’s voice became quieter, “Well, there was an additional story—not written or included in the biblical text, but it was a local legend originating from the outskirts of Damascus. It tells that his blood holds a supernatural healing capability.”
Avalon slowly leaned back in her chair to take all of this information in. She listened to Darius intensely.
“That healing power came from that split second in time.. the time of direct contact with God’s energy during the event.”
There was a brief silence.
Avalon questioned, "So, is there a scientific theory about this?”
“There are a few researchers who think it could have been a molecular structural change.”
Avalon shrugged, "But we don’t know for sure if that theory is true.”
Professor Darius smile
d big, "That’s where you come in.”
Avalon chuckled nervously as she shook her head, "Sir, I’m no scientist.”
”Your expertise in artifacts and your special contacts are what we need.”
“Ohhh—I see what you mean.” Avalon realized now what he wanted. This was a special classified mission.
Professor Darius then opened his desk drawer and pulled out a yellow envelope. He gave it to Avalon.
She opened it and pulled out a color 8x11 photograph. The photo was of the encased blood sample. The sample was a brownish color, suspended in the encased glass.
She noticed a label underneath the sample, attached to the photograph.
Her eyes squinted to read the tiny writing. "This looks Aramaic.” Her antiquity language study came in handy here.
"Can you translate the message, Ms. Mesa?”
"I’m still learning the basics of Aramaic, but I have a contact who can do it.”
Professor Darius nodded, "Good. First we need you to find this sample and Benjamin Ezra.”
Avalon almost jumped out of her skin. “Benjamin Ezra! He’s the colleague?”
“Yes.”
Dr. Benjamin Ezra was known in the science and medical circles for his groundbreaking work in disease and genetics study. He believed that there was plant life that could heal any disease. Not everyone was happy with him. His knack for exposing new methods of disease eradication without drugs was a threat to some in the pharmaceutical industry and its mega investors.
Professor Darius asked, "Will you help us?”
A very familiar smile crept onto Avalon. "When can I start?”
The lines in the professor’s face became especially pronounced with a toothy grin. He boomed, "Superb! You begin as soon as you finish examinations."