Vance aimed his light down the shaft. “So you’re saying the platform dropped out from under him?”
“Exactly that,” Major Reeves replied, tying the rope to the phoenix statue’s legs. He was being assisted by one of his SAS men. “He stepped onto it, it shuddered, and down it went.”
“God damn,” Vance said, “and why is it so damn hot in here?”
“Whatever it is, the source seems to coming from down there.”
Vance turned around and put on his gloves, “I do not want to go down there; I’m too fat for this shit.” He then eyed the gold satellite dish and phoenix statue. “So Al thinks that you English ladies found a hidden signal inside that statue, or the gold dishes? Have you told Ed yet?”
“Yes, I have informed Commander Collins of the signal. Satellite Command will assist in verifying it.”
“Well, okay,” Vance said, “I guess you Brits know what you’re doing.”
A SAS soldier handed a rope to Vance and he tossed it down the shaft. He then tightened on his backpack, gloves, slung his weapon over his shoulder, grabbed the rope, and clipped it to his belt. “Well, sweetheart, let’s get on with it. Al is probably well-cooked by now.” He then smiled at the British major, and began repelling down the shaft.
Major Reeves followed behind.