Back to Business

Some days after the events of the forgotten temple of life, the group is hard at work again. With the danger of the collective now firmly imprinted in everyone’s minds, the first thing Fathi did was buy protection from the Egyptian police. The others had serious doubts about buying police, but Fathi assured them that it was perfectly normal and he knows most of the cops well anyways. After a free tour to the pyramid, the police were happy enough to stick around for a couple weeks.

Unrelated to the new dangers lurking, the expedition also had a new member. Onemia has been spending time with Baya and talking in their foreign language. Despite Fathi trying to make her wear some modern clothes she has turned them down and is still proudly walking around with her bare breasts showing. Baya explained that she is quite confused and needs some time to adjust. She has also been doing something mysterious in her tent which was erected not too long after they came back to the main camp. She spends a lot of time by herself too, and not much time with anyone else. With Baya as the only real exception.

Now the crew is sitting in the main tent as Nolan thinks he found something.

“Listen… do you hear it?” Nolan shuts up and puts his ear close to the radio. He brought back that radio the collective was using, but has not been able to tune in on any signals. “Why do you still try, American, huh? Can it play music?” Fathi shouts while crossing his arms. Monica is standing to the side in thought while Connor stands next to Nolan and tries to listen. “Quiet! It’s a radio, of course it plays music. Now shut up, I think it’s clearing up…”

Suddenly there’s a voice in the static. “-our great discoveries…- -on the side of the collective…- -you my support!” Monica gasps and turns around and others take note. Monica has been silent ever since the incident and all the others have seen her do is grumpily marching back and forth between her tent and the storage tent. “T-that’s Z-Zou… I’m sure of it… was it…?” Monica walks in closer and looks at Nolan with an unsure expression and he puts a hand over the machine and sighs: “Yeah. Looks like he changed sides on us. I’m sorry, Monica. Did he… was he important to you?”

Monica sits down and thinks for a moment and then opens her mouth: “H-he has been in my life longer than just my professional career. I-I owe him a great deal.” She looks around and Fathi puts a foot down: “No! You don’t owe him anything! It is decided!” He laughs and Monica shakes her head and scowls: “I do. Trust me, I do. It’s not a joke. A-and… I was fearing this would happen. I might have to leave this expedition b-behind me…” She grinds her teeth and looks down as Nolan gasps. This can’t be happening. Monica can’t actually be leaving, could she?

“W-w-wait! You aren’t really leaving, Monica? You aren’t thinking of joining the collective, are you?” Nolan sits down next to her and the girl seems conflicted and gets up. Before anyone else has time to say anything, the door opens and the Egyptian woman walks in with a smile.

She clears her throat and announces: “H-hello everyone! Do you understand me?” The others look at her surprised and nod. “I just wanted to tell you all that you are doing a good thing. I… I’m very grateful for everything you have done. I just wanted to tell you this.” She smiles and bows and fidgets with her staff. She always has that thing with her. The sudden interruption leaves everyone silent and Monica hurries out of the room and Nolan follows her as Fathi looks at Onemia with an uncomfortable look. Connor sits down and motions Onemia to join: “Thanks, we do our best.”