The Discovery of the Century

The four men scale the slight incline leading to the entrance of the pyramid and the sand is hot. "Excuse me, but could you explain to me again why we need these... specialists, to penetrate the presumed queen's crypt? Are you not prepared, Mr. Fathi? Surely you have archeologists with skills to enter rooms like these?" The chinese business man asks the round man with the impressive mustache.

"There aren't, hahaha!" He laughs loudly from his chest so the whole valley hears: "These men are one of a kind! And this here is a one of a kind discovery! Also, my men are all thieves, hahaha! These rich Americans already have all the money they need, so they can respect the... how do you say, archaeological value of what's inside the crypt. My poor workers, they are all thieves!" He laughs more and the Chinese man doesn't seem very amused. Earlier Nolan and Connor learned that Zou apparently got his claws on the project first with his promises of throwing Dr. Shun in the deal as the lead researcher. The woman is a legend in the field so it was no shock that he got the permission to conduct the expedition.

"Mr. Connor. I see Monica has an eye for you. Pretty one she is, very young." Zou starts and walks next to Connor who side-eyes the sleazy man: "Have you heard of her achievements? She's the pride of all China in the field of archeology! Such a beauty both in intellect and looks especially! And single too, can you imagine? It is almost a travesty." The man creeps Connor out and he stays quiet as they reach the pyramid entrance. It's a large open hole by the side of the pyramid with tourist signs around.

The four enter and pass by local workers who are transporting sand and rock out on wheelbarrows outside. They follow the wheelbarrow tracks to an off-shoot of the main path and descend until their eyes direct to an open passageway with security guarding it and workers shoveling the loose rock on more wheelbarrows. "Here it is. The two tourists were lucky to not get crushed. If that happened the police would take all the riches, hahaha! Good thing the police have no business here, right?" Mr. Fathi slams his hand on one of the security's backs which makes the skinny man loose his footing for a moment. He has a gaunt face and looks malnourished.

"This is a very irregular tomb. Normally the queen's chamber would be deeper in the pyramid. This feels more like a diversion. Alas though." Nolan comments and steps into the unexplored part of the hallway. The other three follow with the skinny security guard tagging along. This part of the tomb is very well preserved. The wall paintings are beautiful and they portray the vitality of the pharaoh with his multiple wives. A snake's tail slithers on one side of the hallway while the image of an imposing vulture roosts on the other. Ra's eye appears in front of them as they reach the room at the end of the hallway.

"Ah, this is awesome. Wow! This is unheard of!" Nolan exclaims as they enter the large central room. It is decorated much like the king's chamber with golden trinkets and long ago destroyed fabrics and statues of Anubis, the **** god with a jackal's head on a man's body. The four start exploring the room and Connor follows Nolan to a small metal cage. "It's a copper cage, and what is that..." Connor looks closer at what's inside. It looks like a crystal in the shape of a flower. It's beautiful and beyond anything similar to Egyptian art. "It's a... crystal lotus flower... how? The Egyptians didn't know this level of glass working. What the hell..." Nolan looks closer as Zou and Fathi approach the tomb in the center of the room. It looks like a queen's grave and the sarcophagus is covered by a stone coffin. "Hey! Come here to remove the stone! The best treasure is inside the chest!" Zou shouts and the two leave the crystal alone for a moment and go help uncover the sarcophagus. It's just a part of preserving history. Rather have a museum take in the treasure than a grave robber.

The lid finally moves over and a dust cloud rises from the floor. The four cough and as they come to, there is a tremble. A red light fills the room like an alarm and the men look around trying to not panic. It's bizarre beyond belief. What is this place?

"What the fuck! What is making this!" Zou asks panting and then they see it, the crystal is glowing red. Then like a nightmare a long groan escapes the opened tomb. The men back away and Connor reaches for his revolver. The four men watch in horror as a bandage wrapped arm reaches up from the tomb in the ominous red light.