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Chapter 21

Again, the atmosphere of a planet was left to cruise around in airless space afterwards.

"So what's your plan now that we've landed?" echoed Maahes, turning to Anuset.

"We get out and walk 2000 meters," came the simple answer.

"You're not going to tell me that's your plan, are you?"

"Yes I do, I don't know if my troops are off the original rotation, how many have dropped out," Anuset added.

"So we land and be surprised?" inquired Onari.

"That's exactly how it is. There is no plan. There's us, our weapons, and the sentries in and around the catacombs. The rest comes from the situation."

"Great," Camillla exclaimed, "I've always dreamed of this."

"I thought I was the only one in your dreams?" fluted Anuset.

"Now that was also sarcastically mean. Of course, you've always been in my dreams and only you."

"When do we land?" deflected Anuset.

"Ten hours from now. So we still have plenty of time," Maahes reassured, "And you really want to stay in this Taur body?"

"Yes."

"But you know that on Sirius D there is Anubis' body and also Seth's," the lion pointed out.

"I know that, at least that's how it used to be. Are you sure it's still like that?" Anuset asked.

"No. None of us have been there since."

"Now let's get to Sirius B first," Camillla admonished, "What kind of weapons do we have?"

Maahes rose and went to the back of the ferry. A soft curse was heard, a clatter, then a short, deep breath and the lion appeared with a dozen weapons in his arms, placed them on one of the desks, "Is that enough?"

"Laser rifles," Onari muttered, "They should do against Seth's mummies," she grabbed one, turning it back and forth and checking its condition, "Not bad. Not the latest, but acceptable and sufficient."

"What did you expect?" growled Anuset, "All of this is older than anyone still alive, except for Isis, Maahes, me, and Nephtys."

"Point taken," Onari countered, waving it off.

"Can you scan the surface?", Anuset turned to Maahes.

"Possible from this distance, but what are you looking for?"

"Don't ask so many Queenions. Just do it," the Taur suddenly snorted.

"Look, if you want to have a fight, then ...," the lion started.

"... Then what?" growled Anuset further, "Just do what I just said. What's so hard to understand about that?"

"Can I ask what's going on all of a sudden?" interjected Camillla.

"I have such a funny feeling," Anuset tried to justify himself.

"In what way?"

"There's something wrong. Don't ask me what it could be. But I have a nasty suspicion creeping up on me."

"Your scanner data just tumbled in," Maahes called out, looking sullenly at Anuset, "Now may I know what you're looking for?"

"Yes, you may. I'll look at the ads first."

Maahes positioned himself next to the Taur with his arms crossed while the latter stared intently at the monitors.

"Just as I thought," the Taur added, "The troops are partially down and the rest are not moving according to plan."

"You mean ...," Maahes began.

"... They show up where we don't need or suspect them."

"The plateau?" asked Isis between them.

"Is free," Anuset replied curtly.

"Is there anything else out of the ordinary?" chimed in Onari.

"Not so far, but that may change. The first catacomb contains the lower left leg and one cavern further, the associated thigh. Originally, there were two squads of 20 guards each. But if, as it seems, there should be only half, then we have an easier game," explained Anuset.

"What about the traps?" inquired Stephen by interjection.

"Post-sliding debris. So nothing moving if it's not moving itself."

"And what if you do?" asked Camillla.

"Then several thousand tons of the neatly piled material slides. As long as we move carefully, nothing happens. The access itself is not blocked and the debris is only on the side in front of the mock accesses," added Anuset.

"Sounds simple," mused the fox-wolf, shrugging her shoulders.

"The guards will try to push us into these false corridors. So we have to be careful and eliminate them as soon as possible. No shot must hit the rubble, otherwise everything will slide," Anuset warned.

"Thank you. That puts what I said into perspective," Camillla sighed.

"Guys!" shouted Onari suddenly, "I think we have company coming."

"What, who's that supposed to be?" growled Maahes.

"The design of the ship is remotely similar to Nephtys'."

"Another Antermerian?" Queenioned Camillla.

"Seems so," Anuset muttered, "but who would that be, especially who else knows we're here?"

"The ship is calling us," Onari intoned.

"I'll get it," Maahes called out, pressing the com button. "Who is this?" he asked casually.

"Hello Maahes, glad you're still around," purred a female voice.

"Sachmet?" the lion inquired incredulously.

"Who else? I heard you were a bunch of crazies, and as a full-on crazy person, I wanted to join."

"The figure set is completing," Onari snapped.

"Come aboard, we'll sort it out," Maahes growled.

"Sure thing. See you in a minute," the lioness replied.

"You didn't sound that crazy, though," Camillla noted.

"Wait it out," Anuset admonished, "I just hope she doesn't suddenly get the idea of wanting me again."

"Oh no," cried Camillla energetically, "I won't let you do that."

"Won't happen either, my love!" the taur reassured the fox-wolf.

A little later, Sachmet stood aboard the ferry and looked around, eyeing those present. "Well, well. There you were going to have fun, and without me."

"How to take it," escaped Anuset.

"Seth and Anubis in a Taur body. Delightful. No matter who you're jumping on ... Seth is mine, the Anubis part he or she can have."

"I want to keep them both, though," Camillla countered.

"Oh no, a cute little fox wolf. Honey, Seth and I were a couple before you were even a thought. You're welcome to Anubis, but I claim my elder rights to Seth."

"Girls!", Anuset intervened, "We will put Osiris together and he will decide how to proceed with me."

"All right, let him decide. But I won't give up voluntarily," Sachmet grumbled.

"Neither do I," Camillla countered.

"Sweetie. I can understand you. Of course, a stallion like that is different from a male jackal."

"You think I'm only concerned with the size of his tail?" the fox-wolf indignantly asked.

"Well, at least I thought about it."

"Sachmet! Off!" hissed Anuset, "She's not all about that. She's gotten used to the whole package and loves me for who I am."

"I you too, at least the jackal-mule hybrid," Sachmet continued to counter.

"Then let Osiris make a wise decision. I remain Anuset, spiritually and also physically and with Camillla. Seth has the physical attributes and character you want and you shall have them."

"Anuset! No!", Camillla screamed.

"Camillla, dearest! I will remain as I am. Sachmet will get the copy of my Seth spirit and the Seth body that lies on Sirius D. I myself will remain the Taur and as you know me."

"And you can do that?" the fox-wolf inquired.

"Of course," Anuset reassured his partner, "and you can even consider in the meantime whether you really want to keep the Taur or prefer the body of Anubis."

"Are you kidding me right now?" enraged Camillla.

"No, I'm totally serious. Since Osiris also knows his way around the Chnum potter's wheel, he can even fit the original jackal body with the stallion penis. Think about it when the time comes."

"Are you really insinuating right now that all I care about with you is your manhood?" muttered Camillla, disappointed.

"I didn't say that. I'm just showing you all the possibilities and you'd be lying to me if you didn't love my stud side, or at least prefer it when it goes that way," Anuset explained.

"Hmmm ..., I agree with you to some extent," the fox-wolf admitted meekly, "but it's not the main reason."

"I know that, and so does everyone else. But you know yourself that we both had the most fun as stallion and fawn," Anuset reassured her.

"True. Wouldn't want to be without it."

"See, no one is insinuating that you're just out for sex."

Sachmet smiled gently at the fox-wolf, "You see ..."

"What am I supposed to see? That you're into the stud dick too?"

"Hit," Sachmet replied curtly, not even ashamed.

"Great, that's settled then," Anuset finished, "Are we there at last?" the Taur turned to Maahes in the same breath.

"Within range," the lion replied.

"It's about time. Land the tin pile and then we'll see," growled Anuset. "And now for you," he turned to Sachmet, "What is your function now?"

"I'll go with you."

"Maahes said you had completely withdrawn."

"As you can see, I needed the time to myself, but that's over. I want to be with Seth, plus you need reinforcements."

"And what are you going to do when it's over?" echoed Camillla.

"I hear you have a mansion and a large estate? How about some alleged gods settling down with you in fleshly form?" noted Sachmet.

"You mean that after this mission you will live as a couple on my land?"

"Why not? Anuset and you, me and Seth, your butler and Nephtys and your brother and Isis," the lioness summarized, "Besides, I can take care of your children, too."

"How do you know all this?"

"Sachmet isn't just slightly crazy, she's just Sachmet," Isis interjected.

"But now we should concentrate," Onari intervened, "We have Sachmet's shuttle in tow and we have to park it in orbit around Sirius B. The plateau only has room for our transporter. The plateau only has room for our transporter, then we have 2000 meters of walking ahead of us and probably the first encounter with undead."

"Seth?", Sachmet started, "What did you do?"

"The usual. - I picked up a few volunteers."

"You're a pervert."

"You think so?" the Taur asked rhetorically, looking to Camillla.

The fox-wolf shrugged her shoulders, grinned ambiguously, and licked her lips.

"All right. I'm already wild about it," intoned Sachmet and reached for one of the laser rifles.

"Not just on that, I heard something about Cyndra," Camillla snapped.

"Seth? You remember the swapped spacesuits?" exulted Sachmet.

"Never in my life would I forget that."

"Especially the two explosions when we exploded together as well," added the lioness.

"Oh, you didn't tell me about that?" the fox-wolf inquired curiously.

"Well, it wasn't really important," the Taur justified himself.

"Sachmet seems to care, though," Camillla admonished him.

"What's this going to be?" indignant Anuset said, "Am I on trial here?"

"No, sweetheart," Sachmet added, "but we were already two wild sweeps."

"Yeah, it's been a long time, and you're getting Seth back, after all."

"And I'm keeping my anuset," Camillla shouted between them.

"Landing approach," Onari shouted between them.

"Landing site verified," Maahes added, "sit down and shut up."

A good hour later, the shuttle touched down on the plateau, the smaller shuttle that Sachmet had appeared with hovered in a stable orbit around the planet.

"So far so good," Onari muttered, "Close the suits, arm up and get out," the hyena finally ordered.

A few moments later, the group was standing on the plateau, weapons at the ready and securing themselves in all directions.

"Nothing!" announced Onari, came the confirmation from Maahes and likewise from Sachmet.

"Well, that's a start," Anuset sighed with relief, pointing in the future direction of march.

"Okay people!", Onari instigated, "All head east and be careful. You can expect an encounter at any time."

They covered one meter after the other, putting one leg in front of the other. Nothing happened. A few meters became hundreds and in the end they were just before the first finish.

Suddenly and without warning, something rushed at them, coming out of nowhere. Anuset just turned to Camillla and wanted to say something, but did not come up with a syllable.

The something lunged directly at the Taur, sweeping him off his feet.

"Fire!" shouted Maahes.

Headless and full of irritation, all participants shot around, but only hit rock walls.

"Damn it!" roared Onari, "What was that?"

Anuset got to his feet, knocked the dust from his fur and picked up a piece of bandage: "One of my mummies," he explained briefly.

Even as he waved the scrap of cloth around, the next one appeared, turned around a ledge and reared up in front of them.

Slightly puzzled, they all looked at each other.

"What do you suggest?" asked Camillla.

"I'll try communication," Anuset replied, walking slowly toward the bandaged man, "Greetings! It's me, Seth."

The mummy seemed to understand the taur, tilted its head a bit, but couldn't seem to connect the name of its master with its appearance. So it shrugged its shoulders and lowered the scimitar.

"Lord and Master?" the mummy finally mumbled Queenioningly for lack of a tongue, "You look changed, but I recognize your voice."

"Yes, that's me. Where are the others?"

"There are very few of us left. The air is bad and the master of the balm has also left us. But say, O master, what brings you to us?"

"We are here to getthe parts of Osiris. Can you reach the others?"

"I can try."

"Then please and please do that right now," Anuset ordered kindly.

The mummy turned around and left the place.

"What are you doing now?" wondered Camillla.

"He's looking for the others," Anuset concluded, and received confirmation a few minutes later when, one by one, ten bandaged bodies stood before him and bowed.

"Welcome back, master. What is your desire, how can we help?" sounded from within them.

"We collect the parts of the Osiris and put it back together. I am Anuset. In this Taur body, Anubis and Seth are united. We desire entrance into all the catacombs."

"Then so be it," the leader of the group spoke and made a welcoming gesture, pointing to the entrance.

The group shuffled and reluctantly started moving.

"Do you think this is one of your better ideas?" asked Onari doubtfully.

"I don't have a better one. Nevertheless, we should be careful, the guys are not without and set skillful traps," whispered Anuset.

Unchallenged and unopposed, they entered the first catacomb, descended a gentle slope which gradually turned into a spiral, leading deep into the planet's interior.

"I'm getting a really shitty feeling," Maahes growled, scowling at Sachmet who was walking beside him.

"You and your feelings. I want to hope that you're wrong again," the lioness sighed and didn't look happy either.

Suddenly the mummies quickened their steps, changed into a running pace, jumped to the walls, clung to the bumps and disappeared from one second to another, leaving the group alone.

"Why do I always have to be right," Maahes grumbled sourly, bringing his gun to bear.

"Let's just keep moving," Anuset suggested, "nothing has happened yet, and the disappearance of our companions doesn't necessarily mean it's a trap."

"Your trust in the gods is what I want," Camillla snapped, and she looked around apologetically.

Her gaze met Sachmet's: "Don't worry, we don't feel addressed or offended," the lioness replied.

"Silence!" cried Anuset, "do you hear that?"

"What do you want us to hear?" whispered Onari.

"I hear it too," Frank Simson muttered, "What is it?"

Strained, they all listened into the depths of the spiral corridor, staring with bated breath into the darkness of the centered shoal.

"All back against the side wall," Camillla suddenly shouted, pulling back the anuset that continued to stand diagonally above.

Not a second too late, everyone had reacted as a massive jet of fire raced out of the darkness toward the entrance.

"Either that was artificial or they have a fire-breathing pet down there," Camillla gasped in horror.

"Dragons don't go with Egyptian mummies," Maahes rumbled.

"Then explain to me the origin," Sachmet snapped at him, "Do you think undead adhere to any myths or rules?"

"My troops have a mission, are severely depleted, so anything that can help in any way helps, and be it ...", Anuset started, interrupting himself.

"What's wrong?" asked Camillla anxiously.

"Apophis," mused the Taur.

"You don't seriously mean that your undead have captured the Underworld Worm, do you?" incensed Nephtys, while Isis once again turned a little paler than usual.

"Wait a minute," Stephen Fang interjected, "that would mean Seth would have to face Apophis as Anuset?"

"On earth as it is in heaven," murmured the Taur.

"But we are not on earth," Sachmet intervened.

"That's secondary now," Anuset snorted, "If it's Apophis, then it's going to be epic."

"What do we do now?" asked Camillla uncertainly.

"We'll go down pressed close to the walls. Watch your step," the Taur ordered and continued walking, taking Camillla by the hand.

The further descent did not turn out to be difficult, if one disregarded the regularly recurring bursts of fire from the depths, it was rather tedious. In the end, the whole endeavor dragged on for several hours.

"When we get downstairs, I'm going to pee first," Camillla announced, drawing slightly irritated looks, "What? Don't you have to?" the she-fox continued Queenioningly.

"Yes, yes," Stephen added, "but that just came as a bit of a surprise. First of all, we'll have to look for the right places first."

"We'll shoot our way there," Onari decided, nodding in affirmation, "Even hyenas have to sometime."

"Then go and at them with a roar," intoned Maahes and ran screaming into the middle of the catacomb, blindly opening fire and by pure chance hitting three mummies who stood as dumb as a hundred yards of dirt road just in the way, "Yeah, that's the way to do it," he yelled and shot the next one to the ground.

"Do you need help?" shouted Anuset from behind.

"Not really," Maahes yelled back, "but it would be beneficial if you searched for the bathroom now so we could end the haunting afterwards."

While Onari, Camillla, and Stephen searched for a place to take a dump, eventually finding it, Maahes and Sachmet sent the number of final undead killed skyrocketing, Anuset separated himself and went in search of the true cause of the conflagrations.

Secretly, the Taur hoped it wasn't Apophis, but he suspected it would be and no matter what happened it could come down to a fight to the death.

Quietly and deliberately, the Taur moved forward, looking around carefully, making no noise, turning left and right several times, leaving the previous catacomb and entering a narrow corridor.

Just in time, the Taur threw himself into an alcove. A few moments later, a wave of fire shot away, taking his breath away.

Hesitantly, he gave up his guard, turned down the corridor and entered a grotto at its end.