Chapter 1 : Business Not as Usual

In the middle of a lecture stood a young professor. He had raven black hair that was combed to the side with gel. Dozens of eager young minds were listening attentively to the passionate discourse that they had all become accustomed to.

The thirty-year-old professor was still seeking tenure and was being paid very little, despite his doctorate's degree in Comparative Mythology. Many of his colleagues looked down on him. Not because of his field, but because he was eccentric and actually believed that myths were real or at least had truth to them.

Other than his passion for mythology and his deep yearning to discover the truth about humanity's past, Professor Thelete was, for the most part, an ordinary man.

Most everyone has a passion or a hobby that brings them great joy or makes them feel a sense of purpose in their life. His was mythology and his passion burned deep enough to make it the central focus of his life.

"There are over 600 flood myth traditions from around the world and they all have a lot in common," Professor Thelete said with determination. "In fact, the basic story behind all of them is the same. If we take the Biblical Flood tradition and use it as our cultural metric, since that is the one that is probably most familiar to us as a whole, then it becomes much easier to understand just what I mean."

"The more that one compares the various flood traditions, the more it becomes apparent that they are all expressing the same event just in slightly different terms," the Professor continued.

Out of the corner of his eye, near the entrance to the left of the professor, he noticed someone dressed in an all-black suit with an earpiece in his right ear. The man was bald and very muscular and looked completely out of place for a college campus.

(That is strange.) Professor Thelete thought to himself. (Does he work for the government?)

The professor was about to continue his lecture when the door suddenly flung open and whoever the out-of-place character was came barging into the lecture hall, drawing all the attention away from the professor and onto himself.

"Dr. Thelete," the unknown man said with a deep gravely voice and with a thick accent. "I am sorry to interrupt your lecture. I need to speak to you about an urgent matter." The unknown man said.

(His accent sounds like it is Russian or perhaps Eastern European) the professor thought to himself, trying to puzzle out who this man is and what he wants with him.

"You clearly do not know me very well," the professor said, a little annoyed. "If you did, you would know that I dislike being called 'Dr. Thelete', and would much prefer if you called me either Professor Thelete or just simply Professor." Professor Thelete, at this point, turned to face the person who interrupted his lecture and folded his arms across his chest. "Furthermore, I am not so high and mighty as to be referred to as Dr. and think that it should be reserved only for those in the medical profession."

"I do apologize, but if I could have but a few minutes of your time, I and my government would be most gracious," the unknown governmental agent said flatly.

(So, he is a governmental agent as I suspected! But what in the world would they need me for? It is not unheard of for governments to work hand in hand with academia, but it is still not that common).

"Fine," the professor stated in a monotone voice. "Class, I want you read from chapter 12 while I step out for a few minutes."

The professor follows the man out into the hallway and continues walking a good 100 feet or so to be out of earshot of anyone who might be curious about what was occurring. As the professor was leaving, there was lots of murmuring going on as the students went on speculating amongst themselves about what was happening.

Once the governmental agent was sure that they were far enough away from the auditorium, he stopped and formally introduced himself to the professor.

"My name is Mikael Krushev and I represent the Russian government," he said with a thick accent. "We have a very serious matter that we are sure that you can help with," Mikael continued.

"And what exactly do you need from me? Why does the Russian government require an American citizen? Why not use someone from your own country?" Professor Thelete asked, somewhat confused.

"I am afraid that I cannot tell you that, but I can tell you that it is related to your field of research. Professor, will you help? Will you come with me, please?" Mikael said with zero emotional response.

"How can I?" Professor Thelete said with utter annoyance. "I have no idea where we are going, why you want me or any relevant information and you expect me to just follow you? That is absurd!"

"Look Professor, I know that this is tough, but I can take you to my embassy where more information can be given to you there. It is not safe to talk about classified intelligence out in the open like this," Mikael said, completely bored and stoically.

Professor Thelete was a student of history, and the more that one studies history, the more the atrocities that various governments of the past and those of present become acutely aware. The Professor's lack of trust in all government institutions coupled with the lack of information being presented made his choice clear.

"If you cannot or are unwilling to give me more information, then this conversation is over. You came to me, not the other way around. I do not have time to play games and need to head back to my class." The professor had lost all patience at this point and walked away.

"Wait!" Mikael said. "Please! At least take my card and think about it."