The morning desert wind moved slowly across the excavation site.
Workers continued organizing equipment near the shaft while Hassan reviewed the newly signed land documents on his tablet.
Arun stood beside Albert, staring toward the elevator platform that led deep underground.
"If Li Wen is right about what we saw down there," Arun said quietly, "this might be the greatest archaeological discovery ever."
Albert gave a faint smile.
"That's exactly why we're here."
Before Arun could respond—
a loud mechanical sound rolled across the desert.
Mark looked up immediately.
A helicopter was approaching from the eastern horizon.
Low.
Fast.
Mark's expression hardened.
"That's not media."
The aircraft circled once above the site before descending.
Sand exploded outward as the helicopter landed.
Workers stepped back nervously.
Mark moved slightly in front of Albert.
"Stay behind me."
The helicopter door opened.
A tall man stepped out wearing a dark coat.
His sharp eyes immediately found Albert.
Albert stared at him for a moment.
Then he laughed softly.
"Ну здравствуй, мой русский друг."
(Well hello, my Russian friend.)
"How are you, George?"
The man walked toward him calmly.
"Я в порядке, Альберт."
(I am fine, Albert.)
He stopped a few feet away.
"But the real question is…"
"Что ты здесь делаешь?"
(What are you doing here?)
Albert shrugged casually.
"Ничего особенного."
(Nothing special.)
"You know me."
"Я очень безответственный человек."
(I'm a very careless person.)
George shook his head slowly.
"Да, я знаю."
(Yes, I know.)
"You are a very careless person."
He studied Albert carefully.
"That is exactly why I came."
Albert raised an eyebrow.
"Oh really?"
"You came all the way to Egypt just to check on me?"
George's voice lowered.
"Ты в опасности, Альберт."
(You are in danger, Albert.)
Albert laughed.
"I'm in danger?"
"That's a good joke."
Mark stepped forward slightly.
His hand moved close to the weapon hidden under his jacket.
George glanced at him.
"And this is?"
Albert waved his hand casually.
"Relax."
"That's Mark."
"My security."
Mark stared at George without blinking.
"If anyone touches my boss," Mark said quietly, "they die."
George raised his hands slightly.
"No need for threats."
He looked back at Albert.
"I came with a message."
Albert sighed.
"Of course you did."
"And I assume this message is from your boss."
George nodded slowly.
"Да."
(Yes.)
Albert leaned closer.
"Well then."
"Передай своему боссу моё сообщение."
(Send my message to your boss.)
He spoke calmly.
"You will never stop me."
George looked disappointed.
"Я надеялся, что ты скажешь что-то другое."
(I hoped you would say something different.)
Albert shrugged.
"Sorry."
George stepped backward toward the helicopter.
"I warned you, Albert."
Albert crossed his arms.
"And I ignored you."
George nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"I expected that."
He turned and began walking toward the aircraft.
Then he stopped.
He looked back at Albert one last time.
"Мне жаль, мой друг."
(I'm sorry, my friend.)
Albert frowned slightly.
"For what?"
George answered quietly.
"За то, что скоро произойдет здесь."
(For what is about to happen here.)
The helicopter blades began spinning again.
The aircraft slowly lifted into the sky.
Mark watched it carefully.
Something about that conversation did not feel like a warning.
It felt like…
a final notice.
And far above the desert—
another aircraft had just appeared in the sky.
And it was flying straight toward the excavation site.