Free The Nathan Daniels Saga: Part 1 by Sam Lippert Page B

Mary Magdalene.  As you can see we have a bit of a hike ahead of us.  Any questions before we head out?”
    “ What exactly are we trying to get?” Remi asked.
    “ There are two criteria.  First, anything that is explicitly mentioned in the Christian Bible.  Second, anything that directly interacts with Jesus, as long as you've captured a record of that interaction.”  With that the small group headed out to their rendezvous with the band of soon-to-be Christians.
    After the long trek to the other side of the city, the crew of the Nola took up a position a discreet distance away from the group.  They did not attempt to hide, but rather worked to blend in, because, as usual there was a large crowd around the teacher.
    They didn't have to wait long.  Shortly after they arrived, several of Jesus' followers, including Mary, had a brief discussion with him, then departed, heading for the city.
    “Those would be the people going to prepare the passover meal,” Nathan informed Omany and Remi.  “You two stay here and keep your eye on this group.  I’m going to follow them.”
    Nathan followed Mary and the small group of apostles through the city, until they came to an old man carrying a pail of water.  After a short discussion, the man led them to his home.  Nathan followed.
    After spending a few minutes inside with his new guests, the man reemerged, still carrying his pail which was now empty.  Nathan approached the man.
    “ kind sir,” Nathan said, taking his bag of coins in his hands.  “I am in need of a fine pail, such as that.  I will give you seven denari for it.”
    The old man's eyes lit up.  Seven denari was quite a deal for the old pail.  Seeing that a deal had been made, Nathan counted out the coins and exchanged them for the pail.
    “I'll have another ten denari for you if you bring me the teacher's cup after the meal is finished,” Nathan told the old man.  The excited man agreed and Nathan headed back to the Nola with his newly acquired pail, after arranging a time and place to receive the grail.
    Once the pail was safely stowed in the cargo bay, Daniels refilled his pouch of coins and set out to meet up with Omany and Remi.  Glancing at the locating device, he noticed that they were still where he had left them.
    “It's a wonder Judas was needed to betray him,” Nathan thought.  “He stays in one spot so much!  Then again, with the crowd that always is around him, it would be difficult to arrest him with anything less than a legion!  They must have needed Judas to give them a time when the group around him would be small.
    Nathan reunited with his comrades just under an hour after he left the ship.
    “Well, I acquired a pail,” Nathan told them as he approached.
    “ A pail?” Remi said quizzically.
    “ Yes,” Nathan replied.  “When he was asked where they should prepare the Passover meal, Jesus sent his followers into town to find a man carrying a pail of water.  The apostles were told that this man would allow use of his house for the meal.”
    “ And you were able to buy the pail?”
    “ Absolutely!” was the captain's response.  “What has been going on here?”
    “ Mostly he's been teaching all afternoon,” Remi replied.  “Other than the group you followed, no one has left.”
    “ Except,” Omany countered.  “There was the one fellow, he was obviously part of the inner circle.  He slowly made his way out to the edge of the crowd, then departed toward the city.”
    “ I didn't even notice that!” The Princess confessed.
    “ He was very slow and subtle in his movements,” Omany explained.  "It was obvious to me that he did not want to be noticed leaving.  I did not follow him, because I deduced who he was and realized that we would gain nothing of value from his exploits today.”
    “ Who was he?” Remi asked.
    “ Judas Iscariot,” Nathan replied.  “Off to set up his deal to hand Jesus over to the Pharisees.  You were right, old man, no