Page 61 of Johan. (Van Den Bosch #8)

Johan

After staying in London for two days, we return to Muscat and head straight back to our camp near Shisr in a private airplane.

The roar of the aircraft’s engines fills my ears as we soar above the sprawling desert, the vast sea of sand stretching out endlessly below us.

The sun blazes in the sky, its relentless heat seeping into the plane despite the air conditioning.

As we land on a makeshift airstrip near Shisr, the airplane’s wheels kick up clouds of fine sand, and the heat hits us like a physical force as we step out onto the tarmac.

The dry, scorching air feels like it’s sucking the moisture from my skin.

I shield my eyes from the glaring sunlight with my hand, squinting at the familiar landscape of sand dunes and rocky outcrops.

The stark beauty of the desert is marred only by the oppressive heat.

Every muscle in my body aches with fatigue from the long journey. My eyes feel heavy, and my movements are sluggish as we make our way back to the camp. The cool, shaded interiors of our tents offer some respite, but the ever-present heat lingers, even in the shade.

As we arrive, I notice the tight-lipped expressions and the way conversations abruptly hush when we enter the central tent.

Ludovic’s stern gaze sweeps across the room, and without a word, he gestures for us to gather around the large table where maps and artifacts are spread out.

The cool air from the generator-powered fans is a welcome relief from the outside heat, but the subtle hum of the fans seems to amplify the unspoken tension, making the air feel thick and uneasy.

The slight breeze they create feels heavenly on my sweat-dampened skin, yet it does little to ease the knot tightening in my stomach.

Ludovic stands at the head of the table, his expression stern. “I want everyone to focus on finding the Star of Ubar,” he announces, his voice brooking no argument. “We've had enough delays. This is our top priority.”

I exchange glances with Lukas, his face mirroring my own determination. We nod in agreement, though for different reasons than Ludovic might expect.

As the meeting wraps up, I discreetly catch Rachid’s eye and signal for him to meet me later after dinner in my tent. He nods subtly, understanding the urgency.

Dinner passes with a sense of subdued anticipation. The camp is quieter than usual, everyone focused on their tasks and the importance of our mission. After the meal, I make my way back to my tent, the chill of the desert night seeping through my clothes.

A little later, Rachid steps into my tent, closing the door behind him. The dim light casts long shadows on the walls, creating an atmosphere of secrecy. The faint hum of the generator outside is a constant reminder of our isolation.

Rachid looks around, slightly tense. “What's going on, Johan?” he asks, his voice filled with concern. He crosses his arms, his brow furrowed.

I take a deep breath to gather my thoughts.

“Rachid, there's something you need to know about Ludovic.” I lean forward, my voice lowering to a near whisper.

“He's not just an archaeologist—he’s a treasure hunter. His real reason for coming here is to find the Star of Ubar and sell it to the highest bidder.”

Rachid's eyes narrow, and he shakes his head. “Are you serious? Mr. Goschen has always been passionate about archaeology. I find that hard to believe.” His tone is skeptical, his body tensing with disbelief.

“I understand your skepticism,” I say, leaning forward. “But I just came back from London where I saw with my own eyes Ludovic selling artifacts to an art dealer called Loki. He's in this for the money, not the history.”

Rachid's eyes widen in shock. He steps back, his hand running through his hair as he processes the information. “Are you serious?”

“Yes,” I nod, maintaining eye contact. “I’ve already alerted the dean of Cambridge, Dr. Henry Pembroke, and my own head of department about Ludovic’s intentions. They are aware and supportive of our mission to protect the Star.”

Rachid is silent for a moment, absorbing the information. The weight of the situation is clear on his face. He finally exhales, his shoulders slumping slightly. “This changes everything. We need to be careful. If Ludovic finds out that we know, he might do something drastic.”

“I know,” I say, my voice low but firm. “That's why we need to find the Star of Ubar before he does. We have to protect it.”

Rachid nods, his resolve hardening. He straightens up, his eyes meeting mine with renewed determination. “You have my support, Johan. And I'll make sure to let the government officials know about this.”

“One more thing,” I add, my voice steady. “Dr. Angela and Prof Amelia from past expeditions are present and sleeping in another camp not far from here. They will testify against Ludovic when the time comes, but they know what he’s capable of and are more than ready to tell you more.”

Rachid takes a moment to absorb this information, then looks at me with determination. “We have a plan, and we have the right people. Let's make sure Ludovic doesn't get away with this.”

As Rachid leaves the tent, I feel a renewed sense of purpose. The stakes are high, but with allies like Rachid, Amelia, and Angela, I’m confident that we can outmaneuver Ludovic and protect the legacy of the Star of Ubar.

I step outside and take a deep breath of the desert air.

The sky is painted in hues of orange and pink as the sun sets, casting long shadows across the sand.

Despite my exhaustion, I feel a sense of determination and hope.

We will find the Star of Ubar, and we will protect it from those who seek to exploit its history and significance.

The next few days are spent tirelessly searching for the Star of Ubar in several excavation sites across the area, but despite our best efforts, we only find potteries and tools, but nothing that would thrill Ludovic.

The desert sun beats down on us during the day, while the cold nights bring little relief.

The tension in the camp grows as the fruitless search continues.

On a starry night, we prepare for our weekly clandestine meeting away from the base camp in the middle of the desert.

We drive out in jeeps, the engines roaring through the silent landscape.

The cool night air whips past us, carrying the scent of sand and distant vegetation.

We finally reach a small, inconspicuous tent set up in a secluded area, far from prying eyes.

I park the jeep and step out, feeling the chill of the desert night seep through my clothes. Lukas, Rachid, and I gather inside the tent, the only light coming from the lanterns we brought, casting a dim glow on the rugged landscape. The air inside is filled with a sense of anticipation.

We sit in the small tent, the silence only broken by the occasional rustle of the wind against the fabric.

After a short wait, we hear the low rumble of another jeep approaching.

Amelia and Dr. Angela step out, their silhouettes outlined by the vehicle’s headlights.

They approach with their driver, who stays back to keep watch.

“Rachid, I'd like you to meet Dr. Amelia and Dr. Angela,” I say, introducing our trusted colleagues.

As they shake hands, I can see the curious gaze in both academics, wondering who this man is.

“Rachid is a government official and our key contact with the Omani authorities,” I tell them. “He's been instrumental in securing permits and ensuring our activities comply with local regulations. He’s also a crucial part of our strategy to safeguard the Star of Ubar from Ludovic.”

Amelia and Angela nod, understanding the importance of his involvement. “Thank you for your support,” Angela says sincerely.

Amelia spreads out a map on the table in front of us, her fingers tracing the lines and contours of the terrain.

“We believe the tomb where the Star of Ubar is located is a few miles from the excavation site in Shisr where Ludovic is currently searching,” she explains.

“We've cross-referenced ancient texts and historical accounts, and everything points to this location near the ancient city of Ubar.”

Angela nods in agreement. “The reasoning is based on the historical significance of this area. The texts suggest that the Star was buried with Shaddad ibn 'Ad, a great ruler of the ancient tribe of 'Ad. The descriptions match this specific region.”

Rachid leans forward, scrutinizing the map. “But this area is known for its unstable ground. Many have searched here and found nothing but disappointment. What makes you so sure?”

Amelia smiles, her confidence unwavering.

"It's true that many have searched here and failed, but they didn't have access to the latest satellite imaging technology.

We've identified a sub-surface anomaly that matches the description of a large, buried structure.

The instability of the ground might have deterred others, but it's also what kept the site relatively undisturbed.”

Rachid raises an eyebrow. "And what if it’s another false lead? We can't afford to waste resources.”

Angela steps in. "We’ve cross-referenced the anomaly with historical records and local legends. Every piece of evidence points to this spot near the ancient frankincense route. It's not just a random guess; it's a calculated risk based on solid data.”

Rachid rubs his chin, considering their words. "I see your point. But how do we handle the logistics? We can't just dig up the entire area.”

"We don't need to," Amelia replies. “We’ve pinpointed a specific location to start our search. It's a manageable area, and we can focus our efforts there.”

Rachid glances at me, then back at Amelia and Angela. “Alright. Let's assume you're right. What’s the plan for tomorrow?”