Page 62 of Johan. (Van Den Bosch #8)

"Tomorrow is Saturday,” I say. “Ludovic usually leaves the base to relax by the sea, near Salalah. It's the perfect opportunity to send a team of local workers to this area without raising suspicion.”

Rachid nods. “Agreed. We'll organize the team and make sure they're briefed on what to look for.”

Amelia and Angela exchange determined looks. “Let's hope this leads us to the Star.”

As the meeting wraps up, we go over the final details and ensure everyone is on the same page. The stakes are high, and the tension is palpable, but we all know what's at risk.

The next day, the camp wakes up early. The desert is still cool from the night, a brief respite before the heat of the day sets in.

The early morning light casts long shadows across the dunes, and the air is filled with quiet anticipation.

Ludovic, as expected, leaves for his usual Friday getaway by the sea near Salalah. Once he's gone, we mobilize our team.

Local workers, carefully briefed and sworn to secrecy, set out towards the designated location in their jeeps.

The engines roar to life, and we drive across the rugged landscape, the sun slowly climbing higher in the sky.

The journey is arduous, the terrain challenging, but the promise of finding the Star of Ubar drives us forward.

The designated location is a few miles from Shisr, near the ancient city of Ubar. The area is remote and largely untouched, a perfect hiding place for the legendary tomb.

As we arrive, the workers immediately begin setting up a temporary base camp, pitching tents and unloading equipment.

Rachid introduces the workers to Amelia and Angela, first in Arabic and then in English for us to understand. “These are the experts,” Rachid says, gesturing to the two women. “They will guide you on what to do. Follow their instructions carefully.”

Amelia and Angela nod in acknowledgment. “Thank you, Rachid,” Amelia says, giving him a nod. “We’ll ensure everything is done meticulously.”

Rachid then introduces another man standing beside him. “This is Ahmed,” he says, putting a hand on his shoulder. “He works directly for me and will serve as a translator and liaison between the local workers and you both.”

Ahmed, a middle-aged man with a kind face and an air of quiet competence, steps forward and nods. “Thank you, Rachid,” he says in fluent English. “Please don't hesitate to ask if you need anything.”

With the initial setup complete, Rachid stays behind to oversee the operation with Ahmed while Lukas and I head back to the main base camp. The drive back is quiet, both of us lost in our thoughts about the importance of this mission and the necessity of secrecy.

The week passes slowly at the main base camp. Our daily tasks are interspersed with anxious thoughts about the progress at the secondary site. We hear nothing from Amelia or Angela, as planned, to avoid any suspicion from Ludovic. The tension is palpable as we wait for the weekend.

Finally, another Saturday arrives, and Ludovic leaves for his usual getaway.

Lukas and I waste no time driving back out to the secondary site.

The sun is already high when we arrive, casting a harsh light over the desert.

As we approach, I notice the focused figures of Amelia and Angela, along with the workers, diligently working at the tomb's entrance.

Rachid greets us with a hopeful expression. "We’ve made significant progress," he says. "Come, see for yourselves.”

We step out of the jeep, the air thick with anticipation. The workers have uncovered a large stone doorway, intricately carved with ancient symbols and scenes from a long-forgotten era. Amelia and Angela are carefully brushing away the last layers of sand, revealing more of the carvings.

"This is it," Amelia says, her voice trembling with excitement. "The entrance to the tomb of Shaddad ibn ‘Ad."

We stand in awe, taking in the grandeur of the entrance. The carvings depict scenes of battles, religious rituals, and mythical creatures, all telling the story of the great ruler buried.

With a collective deep breath, we step inside, our flashlights cutting through the darkness.

The narrow corridor is lined with more intricate carvings and paintings, the colors surprisingly vibrant despite the centuries.

The walls are adorned with depictions of Shaddad ibn 'Ad's life and conquests, interspersed with scenes of the afterlife and divine guardians.

"This is incredible," Angela whispers, her eyes wide with wonder. "The preservation is remarkable.”

We continue deeper into the tomb, the air growing cooler and heavier with each step.

The corridor opens into an antechamber, where stone benches line the walls, and a large stone altar stands in the center, covered with remnants of ancient offerings—pottery shards, incense holders, and small figurines.

“This must have been a place for offerings and tributes," Amelia explains, her voice echoing softly in the chamber. "It's amazing how much has been preserved.”

As we move further, the atmosphere shifts, thickening with a sense of awe and reverence.

We step into the main burial chamber, and my breath catches in my throat.

The space is grand and imposing, with towering ceilings supported by intricately decorated pillars that seem to stretch endlessly upward.

Every inch of the walls is alive with vibrant frescoes, each stroke telling the ancient tale of a soul’s journey to the afterlife, guarded fiercely by mythical creatures and revered deities.

The flickering beams from our flashlights sweep across the scenes, making the figures seem to move and breathe, as if the past is not so far away after all.

And then, there it is—the massive stone sarcophagus of Shaddad ibn 'Ad, dominating the center of the chamber.

My heart pounds as I take it in, every surface adorned with exquisite carvings and inlaid with precious stones that glint in the low light.

The air seems to hum with the weight of history, of lives long past yet somehow still present.

Surrounding the sarcophagus are relics of a time long gone but not forgotten—ceremonial weapons with blades that still catch the light, golden vessels that once held offerings, and intricate jewelry that must have once adorned the ruler himself.

Each artifact tells a story, speaks of a life lived with grandeur and a death honored with reverence.

“Can you believe this?” I whisper, my voice trembling with a mix of disbelief and wonder. "We’re standing in the presence of a legend… It’s as if Shaddad himself is watching us, deciding whether we’re worthy of uncovering his secrets."

“This is beyond anything I could have imagined,” Lukas says, his voice filled with awe. "The craftsmanship, the history... it's overwhelming.”

With a mix of reverence and excitement, we approach the sarcophagus. Angela and Amelia begin carefully brushing away the remaining dust and sand, revealing the intricate details of the carvings. The tension in the air is palpable as we prepare to open the sarcophagus.

With a deep breath, we lift the heavy stone lid, our flashlights illuminating the interior.

Inside, we find the remains of Shaddad ibn 'Ad, wrapped in fine linens.

The body is not mummified in the Egyptian sense, but the arid desert conditions have preserved it remarkably well.

Around the body are various grave goods—weapons, jewelry, and personal items—all placed to accompany the ruler into the afterlife.

And there, nestled beside the remains, is the Star of Ubar. The artifact is breathtakingly beautiful, made of gold and encrusted with rare jewels. The light from our flashlights catches the jewels, casting a radiant glow around the chamber.

“We found it,” I whisper, my voice trembling with emotion. "The Star of Ubar.”

The team works together to carefully remove the Star from the sarcophagus, securing it in a protective case we brought for this purpose. The weight of it is substantial, both physically and metaphorically. This is not just a treasure; it is a piece of history, a symbol of a bygone era.

Rachid watches, a look of awe on his face. “We did it,” he whispers. “We actually did it.”

As we load the Star into the jeep and prepare to return to the main base camp, the reality of our situation sets in. We have succeeded in our quest, but now we must ensure its safety. Ludovic must not find out what we have discovered until it is safely away from his reach.

Back at the main base camp, under the cover of darkness, we gather in the tent, the Star of Ubar securely hidden. "We need to get this back to Cambridge," I say, my voice steady despite the excitement coursing through me. “We can't let Ludovic get his hands on it.”

The journey ahead will be fraught with challenges, but for now, we savor this moment of triumph.

We have found the Star of Ubar, and with it, a piece of history that will change our understanding of the ancient world.

The road ahead is long, but together, we will protect this treasure and ensure its legacy endures.