The bricks lay end to end on a low worktable in the middle of the equipment tent. Sifting screens, trowels, and shovels lay strewn against the sidewall of the tent, waiting to be used in the next section of the dig. The gray light filtering in from the tent flap hovered over the reddish brown slabs like a strange halo protecting them from outer forces.

“These are very similar to the ones found in Chongqing last year,” Aria commented as Lotus traced the outlines on each brick with the tip of her finger, almost reverently.

“Did you send over to Lin Bizhong for a photo to compare?” Lotus asked, as she examined the stamped designs in the brick. The images of a hollow eyed, high nose people jumped out at her, screaming their story. The style was so different from traditional Chinese artwork, but it was often how foreigners were depicted in the early Dynasties.

Aria grimaced slightly. A noted archaeologist with the Chongqing Municipal Archaeological Team, Lin Binzhong was known for being difficult, a generous word. Discoveries were often treated as proprietary and mere photos were rarely released until the official findings were released. Lotus was sure Aria dreaded dealing with the formidable Lin. Many nights they sat up in University over cups of Sake and Vodka lamenting the state of egos in Archeology. Usually the morning after the sake and vodka was far worse than any ego clashing. “I have to fax over the request when I go into town next,” she replied quietly.

Lotus nodded, knowing Aria deplored conflict. “You want me to do it?” she asked.

Aria shook her head. “I’ll manage,”

“What’s this?” Lotus brought out her portable microscope and leaned closer.

“Find something?”

“Not sure…” Lotus’ voice trailed off. “Looks like red paint. You have the preliminaries on Lin’s findings? I vaguely remember something about red paint on his bricks.”

Aria shuffled through a ream of loose papers of the corner of the desk. “Here!” she said triumphantly, pointing to a section on paint and debris. “Says there were traces of red paint and molded stamps of the Han dynasty.”

Lotus quirked one eyebrow. “Han? Explicit stamping of the Han Emperor?”

Aria scanned the page again. “Doesn’t say, why?”

Lotus brought her scope up again. “We’ve got Tang dynasty stamps here. That’s 400 years later, at least.

Aria’s face fell. “So they’re not related.”
Lotus shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not.”

“I guess I should get the fax over to Lin today then, huh?

Lotus grinned. “I would. Might answer a lot of questions.”

From outside the tent, shouts rang. Quickly, Aria and Lotus hurried from the tent to see a gathering crowd of workers and scientists around the pit Lotus had been working with her assistant.

“Professor Horemheb!” her Assistant said, pushing his way through the growing crowd. “You MUST see this!”

“What? What did you find?” Lotus asked, allowing him to guide her back to the pit. At the edge, he stared down at the pit and pointed a long Chinese finger to the middle section of the pit where she was lecturing on flooding. In a small depression there stared out two very distinct human eye sockets and bone.