There are many Universes - some more different than others.
Perhaps in your universe there's a comic book character, or movie character, called Tony Stark - but this Tony Stark is a little different - so if you're expecting 'superheroes' well ... there's always Teddy and Faunus...
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| Steps to the 'Old Cataract Hotel' - Aswan - Upper Egypt |
Eventually Josh arrived at the reception desk and asked to see Mr Stark.
Then there was a long wait.
Stark, while being declared by many to be a 'genius', was also a man of rather disorganised habits, and often inclined to be side-lined by the attraction of the moment.
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| Old Cataract Hotel - Lobby - Aswan |
Stark immediately spoke to one of the receptionists.
"So where's Mr Walton ?" Stark asked, totally ignoring Josh.
"Er, it's me...
Josh Walton.", Josh said shyly.
"You ?... You're Mr Walton ?", Stark asked, obviously puzzled.
"Yes... I'm Josh.", Josh replied.
"You're the Deputy CEO of the 'Athena Corporation' ?", Stark asked, incredulously.
"Well yes...
That is, since Mr James Johnson took over the Corporation.". Josh explained.
"Starting a bit young - aren't you ?", Stark said, obviously surprised.
"Well - I'm about the same age as Jim...", Josh replied, rather taken aback by Stark's forthright manner.
"Oh... It's Jim, eh ?
Like he's your 'buddy' ?", Stark countered.
"We have known each other a long time...
But - let's get down to business." Josh said, getting a bit tired of Stark's banter.
Josh then steered Stark away from the reception desk, in order that they were well out of earshot of any bystanders.
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| Street in Armant - West Bank - Upper Egypt |
He wishes you to know that he will be staying here at the 'Cataract Hotel' for a couple of days in order to visit the 'Temple of Isis', and 'Kitchener's Island' - and during that time he wants to discuss with you the matter of recovering a 'particular item' from an archaeological site just outside the town of Armant.
Josh, of course, is referring to the 'hi-tech' sarcophagus, although he makes no direct reference to it, (not knowing if Jim has, in fact, told Stark of the purpose of his visit to Armant).
Josh continued...
"Hopefully you will be able to arrange for a vehicle to be used for the transportation of that 'particular item' back to Luxor - should it in fact be recovered successfully.", Josh explained carefully and slowly.
"OK - 'well said' Josh...
So tell your 'boss', Jim, that everything's understood, and I'll be looking forward to him arriving tomorrow - but not too early - I hope.", Stark suggested - obviously realizing that Josh did not really appreciate his kind of humour.
"So, what about a quick Jack Daniels at the bar, kiddo ?", Stark asked, patting Josh on the shoulder.
"Sorry, Mr Stark, but I don't drink - except for Pepsi Max - thank you all the same.", Josh replied.
"Oh... I see - my mistake." Stark said, realizing he had taken the wrong measure of Jim's friend.
"Well, anyway - drink, or no drink - will I be seeing you tomorrow ?", Stark asked.
"Yes... yes of course.
But now I must get back to the 'Hadeel' for a meeting with Mr Johnson.", Josh said - excusing himself.
"OK... See you tomorrow, Josh.", Stark said - and they shook on it.
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| 'Hadeel' - Sun Deck |
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| Road in Upper Egypt |
It was only about thirty miles from Aswan to where the 'Hadeel' was moored - so, by fast, air-conditioned limo, on the practically empty roads of Upper Egypt, it took next to no time for Josh to make his journey back for the meeting with Jim and the others.
Josh made his way onto the sun-deck, where Jim was waiting for him.
"So how was your meeting with Tony ?", Jim asked.
"A bit strange...", Josh replied with a quizzical smile.
"Well he is a remarkable man - in some ways - ", Jim said.
"Odd... but he kept calling me 'kiddo' - as if I were some high-school dude !", Josh explained, sounding suitably annoyed.
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| 'Hadeel' - Lounge |
But now I'll try to explain more, if you come with me - down to the lounge - where we are about to have our meeting.", Jim said, as they left the sun-deck.
The meeting in the lounge was important, as the main protagonists in the expedition to Armant, who would be joining Tony Stark, needed to be briefed about the upcoming situation.
Those involved were, obviously, Ethan and Teddy, Josh, Zac, Novius, Glen and 'Sigi' - and of course, Faunus.
Once they had been provided with refreshments by some of the staff of the 'Hadeel' - and had settled themselves, Jim began.
"Now I think I should say something about Mr Tony Stark, who we shall be meeting tomorrow at the 'Old Cataract Hotel' in Aswan.
Some of you know of this information, but a number of you do not, so excuse me if I explain some facts of which some of you are already aware...
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| Howard Stark - Stark Industries |
This was at a time when the 'Boss' was looking for wealthy individuals who might be interested in acquiring some of the priceless Mayan artefacts that he had recovered previously in the course of his excavations in Mexico.
The 'go-between' for these somewhat 'illicit' deals was our friend Faunus - and so the 'connections' were made.
Faunus, as you might imagine, was also able to assist Howard Stark in some of his more 'unusual' scientific projects.
Now initially Howard Stark had been working on many projects for the US Government, and had close links with the US armed forces, and intelligence organisations - and you should bear this in mind.
While Howard liked to present himself as an objective, scientific rationalist, he was privately aware, through his researches, that there was a far more complex depth to be found in the supposedly 'material world' - as had been suggested by 'quantum theory' and the 'theory of indeterminacy' - and please, Ethan, don't ask me to explain.", Jim said, interrupting himself.
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| 'Schrödinger's Cat' |
It's all to do with 'kitties' - like Sekhmet and Bastet.", Ethan said.
(Ethan, of course, is referring to Erwin Schrödinger's 'thought experiment', involving a cat - which Teddy had undoubtedly described to Ethan at some time in the past - and Ethan had probably completely misunderstood)
"Yes... OK...", Jim said, grateful that Ethan thought he knew what was being discussed.
"So Howard and Faunus had a fruitful working relationship - although most of the time the 'Boss' was not really aware of that fact.
When I arrived on the scene, I was introduced to Howard, and his son, Tony by the 'Boss' - but shortly after, Howard died - in circumstances that were never properly explained.
Tony then inherited 'Stark Industries'.
'Stark Industries' was originally a vast, US cooperate defence contractor - but later, under Tony Stark, branched out into non-military areas of hi-tech developments and consumer products.
"So ... this is all very interesting, Marcus, but why are we now planning to meet this Tony Stark - and here, in Egypt ?", Novius asked.
"Well that takes me to the next point, Novius...
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| The Pyramid at Armant - Upper Egypt |
Inside the pyramid was a sarcophagus of very unusual design...
According to Faunus the sarcophagus was some kind of 'machine' that was actually designed to possibly 're-rejuvenate' the biological functions of an individual, although it was not clear if the extent of this rejuvenation was permanent or temporary.
Now, the reappearance of Khonsu - or as we now know him, Ashraf - tends to confirm what Faunus has told us.
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| Pyramid 'Take-off' |
At this point Novius spoke up again...
"And - if I may interrupt - I must agree with Marcus (Jim) that there is much to be said for Ashraf's account of what happened to him, and that he has offered some significant proof of the veracity of his statements."
"So how do we know that the pyramid - and the sarcophagus, for that matter, will still be out in the desert near Armant ?", Zac asked.
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| Giza Pyramid - Cairo - Egypt |
"Well yes - but that was if it was actually a solid, real pyramid - like the ones at Giza.", 'Sigi' said.
"But remember what Teddy said - 'it doesn't want to be seen... and that really the pyramid might be a sort of 'Platonic representation'.", Ethan reminded them - trying to sound clever.
"It's simple actually - it will be there if we really want to see it.", Faunus said - making his first, but undoubtedly significant contribution to the meeting.
"So, do we know where we found the pyramid on our previous visit ?", Josh asked.
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| Main Road in Armant - West Bank - Upper Egypt |
"Right ! - so this pyramid shouldn't be too hard to find... if, as Teddy has suggested, it wants to be seen.", Zac said enthusiastically.
"So... Glen, can you help us there ?
If you do have some sort of link with the 'guys' who might be responsible for all of this - then have 'they' been in touch in any way ?
Given you any sort of a hint ?".
"No, sir... nothing.", Glen replied, trying to sound very apologetic.
"Yes, but then when we were in the pyramid last time, there was no sign of the creepy little 'greys' - or anyone else for that matter.", Ethan said.
"True... ", Josh agreed.
And there... for a moment, everyone seemed to be lost for words.
Novius then broke the momentary silence.
"But... getting back to my original point... where does this Mr Stark come into this whole business ?", Novius asked.
"Yes...
Sorry Novius - that needs explaining.", Jim replied.
"Well, first I should give you all a little background..." Jim began.
"When I first saw the 'Lion Cave' on the 'Luxor West Bank' I was very puzzled - particularly by the so-called 'false door' - which was obviously very similar to the door to 'Room Thirty-Three' back in the 'Club Athena' in 'Vegas - not in actual appearance, but with regard to function.", Jim explained.
'False' Door in the Lion Cave A false door, similar to a recessed niche, is an artistic representation of a door which does not normally function like a 'real' door. They can be carved into a wall, or painted on it. The 'false door' is a common architectural element in the tombs of ancient Egypt. Later they also occur in Etruscan tombs and in the time of ancient Rome they were used in the interiors of both houses and tombs. Egyptologists believed that the false door was a representation of the threshold between the worlds of the living and the dead, and through which a 'neter' or spirit of the deceased could enter and exit. Most false doors are found on the West wall of a funerary chapel or offering chamber because the Ancient Egyptians associated always the West with the 'Land of the Dead' - the 'Amduat'. (Ancient Egyptian: jmj dwꜣt, literally 'That Which Is In the Afterworld'.)
Jim continued,
"However, the 'False Door' in the 'Lion Cave', unlike those discovered during archaeological excavations in Egypt, proved to be a real door - although not in the usual sense.
As you should all be aware, the 'False Door' in the 'Lion Cave' is, in fact, a true 'dimensional portal'.", Jim explained.
Theoretically, a 'dimensional portal' allows apparently instant transport across space, and even time itself, and it operates with a minimum of physical equipment. Such a 'portal' relies on the concept of 'hyperspace', in which the universe is thought to be 'crumpled' in higher 'spacetime' dimensions, and that by traveling in a 'higher space time dimension', it is possible to move instantaneously in the common space time dimensions. An analogy is to crumple a newspaper into a ball and stick a needle straight through: the needle will make widely spaced holes in the two-dimensional surface of the paper. While this concept involves new dimensions, it is not, however, an example of a 'parallel universe'.for more information follow this link
Jim continued...
"On returning to the US, Faunus contacted Tony Stark, and it was Tony who was able, with some difficultly may I say, to construct a 'hi-tech', collapsible version of the 'dimensional portal' that could be carried around in a plastic 'Walmart' bag - which was a special requirement from Teddy.
Faunus, however, still will not reveal all the 'secrets' of the 'dimensional portal' - even to Tony - which is, I suppose, understandable, considering how dangerous such a device could be if it were in the 'wrong hands' - and Tony is prepared to accept that - and I wouldn't want it any other way.
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| Sarcophagus at Armant - West Bank - Upper Egypt |
Apart from the information that Ashraf has given us - we don't really know very much about the sarcophagus.
That, in itself, means that we need to be very careful about who, other than ourselves, knows about the existence of the sarcophagus.
Like the 'dimensional portal', which archaeologist like to describe as a 'false door', it appears to harbour a technology that is 'anachronistic'...", Jim began - before being, as expected, interrupted.
"And 'anachronistic-thingy' means... ?", Ethan asked.
"Let me help - ", Teddy suggested.
"An anachronism - which is from the Greek ἀνά- 'ana', 'against' and χρόνος - 'kronos', 'time' - is a chronological inconsistency.
In this case I think that Jim means something that seems too 'modern' for the time in which it is found - although the word anachronism can often be used the other way round - in other words an 'old-fashioned' thing found in a 'modern' setting.", Teddy explained.
In fact the 'sarcophagus' in question can be described as a possible 'prochronism' - (from the Greek πρό, 'before', and χρόνος, 'time'). A 'prochronism' is an impossible anachronism which occurs when an object or idea has not yet been invented when the situation takes place, and therefore could not have possibly existed at the time. A 'prochronism' may be an object not yet developed, a verbal expression that had not yet been coined, a philosophy not yet formulated, or the use of a technology that had not yet been created. Teddy wisely did not explain this detail - as Ethan appeared to be sufficiently confused by the term 'anachronism'.
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| The Lion Cave - West Bank - Luxor |
"Now, as with the portal, I do not think that we should simply leave this sarcophagus for others to find, although, like the portal in the 'Lion Cave', I feel that the sarcophagus has some strange way of only allowing certain individuals to have access to it.", Jim said.
"Oh yes... I remember when those 'creeps' from the alabaster shop tried to follow us - and the cave seemingly just swallowed them up !", Ethan added, enthusiastically.
"Yes, quite right, Ethan - but we cannot rely on that.", Jim said.
"But to return to the sarcophagus...
If we are able to find the pyramid - presuming that it is revealed to us, - and if we can enter it, as we did before, Tony has offered to examine it.
Also, if a way can organised of removing it from the pyramid, then it may be possible to transport it to the 'Winter Palace' - where further investigation may take place.
That's the plan, anyway.", Jim explained.
"So when is all this going to happen ?", Zac asked.
"Well, first we need for you to all meet Mr Stark - and presumably that can happen when we 'check in' at the 'Old Cataract Hotel' sometime tomorrow morning.
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| 'Bucheum House' - Armant 1920s |
"And why should we avoid the town ?", Brody asked.
"Well, hardly any tourists visit the area - and we would stand out - and anyway some of us are already known there - and the townspeople there probably have good reason, after out last visit, to be suspicious of us.", Zac explained.
The excavations at Armant were begun under the financial backing and direction of Sir Robert Ludwig Mond (1867- 1938) in 1926. Work was directed first by Walter Bryan Emery (1903-1971) before been taken over by Henry Frankfort (1897-1954) and then Frederick William Green (1869-1949). In 1930 the directorship passed to Oliver Humphrys Myers (1903-1966) and he continued working at Armant until 1938 when the work stopped.
"So ... Let's see what happens tomorrow...", Jim concluded, giving the group a weak smile.
"This trip to Armant - tomorrow.
It's got me worried...
Will it be safe ?", Ethan asked Jim, as they left the lounge, and returned to the sun deck.
"If we listen to Zac - yes - I'm sure it will be.", Jim replied.
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| The 'Hadeel' Arrives in Aswan - Upper Egypt |
"Why didn't you wake me up, Teddy ?", Ethan asked, sleepily.
"I thought that you needed your sleep...", Teddy replied, without commenting any further.
Teddy was aware that Ethan was worried about returning to Armant, but didn't want to make an issue of the matter.
So breakfast was quite hurried, and Jim, Ethan, Zac and the others went over the plans for the morning.
Jim then had some of the crew of the 'Hadeel' take their luggage over to the Cataract Hotel, while Josh dealt with the rather complicated matter of registering everyone at reception.
Jim then asked if Mr Stark was available... and as Jim expected, he was told that Mr Stark was waiting for them in the bar.
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| Cataract Hotel - Bar - Aswan - Upper Egypt |
"Oh yes... I remember this... very weird...
And are those real zebras on the chairs ?", Ethan commented, as they made their way to the bar where a person - presumably Mr Stark - was 'nursing' what proved to be a 'Jack Daniels'.
"Ah... Mr Stark !", Jim began.
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| Tony Stark - Cataract Hotel - Aswan - Upper Egypt |
"Oh, sorry... Tony - I forgot.", Jim replied, correcting himself.
"So I see you've brought some friends with you...", Tony said, looking at the group who had entered the bar along with Jim...
"So are you going to introduce us ?"...
And so Jim went through the group - Zac, Josh, 'Sigi', Glen, Brody, Ashraf - and then, finally Ethan and Faunus.
"Well Faunus I have met before.
Ethan I don't know, - but I do know the little guy he's carrying.", Tony said with a smile, indicating Teddy.
"So how's it going, little guy ?", Tony asked, tickling Teddy's ear.
"Very well, thank you, Mr Stark.", Teddy replied.
"You can call me Tony - and I suppose you're called Teddy.", Tony said.
"Of course.", Teddy replied, sounding unusually shy.
"And these guys are all aware of what's going on here ?", Tony asked.
"Oh yes... so we can talk freely.", Jim replied.
"OK - well let's go out for a walk round the gardens - you never know who might be listening.", Tony suggested.
And so they did.
"Now you haven't really told me all that much... so what's this - what shall we say - 'artefact' that you want some help with ?", Tony began.
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| Teddy, Ethan and the Armant Sarcophagus |
"It's taken with Jim's Hasselblad..", Teddy said.
"Mm... nice pic of you, Teddy...", Tony commented, smiling.
"Yes - but it's what I'm sitting on that's important...", Teddy said.
"And presumably you're not referring to you butt ?", Tony said - smirking.
"No...", Teddy was just beginning to sound a little annoyed.
"No... It's the sarcophagus-thingy.", Ethan said, interrupting.
"And very interesting it looks...", Tony noted, as he examined the photo carefully.
"And what exactly is a 'sarcophagus-thingy' ?", Tony asked.
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| Gold Outer Coffin - Tutankhamun - West Bank - Luxor |
"OK - but I'm no expert on ancient Egyptian things - but to me it looks a bit more like a sarcophagus than a coffin - although even these 'Egyptologist' guys are a bit confused about the exact definition of these terms.
But - by the size of it I would say it's a sarcophagus, although it's not like any sarcophagus that I ever seen, either in a museum, or as part of documentary movie, or a photo in a book.", Tony said.
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| The Sarcophagus as a Cartouche ? |
"I see...", Ethan said - sounding remarkably knowledgeable and erudite...
(Although Ethan didn't know the meaning of the word 'erudite'.)
"But looking at the photo that you showed me, I would risk a guess that the sarcophagus - as we might call it - is in the shape of a cartouche...", Tony suggested.
"But we'll need to process the image with a computer in order to check that.", Tony added.
"Well, we can do that later today.", Ethan proposed.
"Right - but when are we actually going to look at this sarcophagus - if that is what it is ? - because then it would be obvious if it was in the shape of a cartouche..", Tony asked.
"It's possible that we could try and find it this evening...", Jim said.
"So what if the rest of the guys go for a swim in the pool, and you me and Zac, here, make some plans about how we are going to find this thing ?", Tony said.
Despite the fact that it seemed a bit odd for Tony to be taking control of the situation - he was the eldest at the meeting - and in the morning heat, the pool did seem very inviting.
"OK, guys - you go on ahead - I've got to take Teddy back up to our suite - I don't want him overheating...", Ethan said.
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| The Temple of Montu |
Montu's name, (shown in Egyptian hieroglyphs to the right), is technically transcribed as 'mntw' (meaning 'Nomad'). A very ancient god, Montu was originally a manifestation of the scorching effect of Ra - and as such often appeared under the epithet 'Montu-Ra', and he eventually became a widely revered war-god. The Egyptians thought that Montu would attack the enemies of 'Maat' (the cosmic order) while inspiring, at the same time, glorious warlike exploits. Because of the association of raging bulls with strength and war, the Egyptians also believed that Montu manifested himself as a bull whom they named 'Buchis' - a Hellenization of the original 'Bakha' - a living bull revered in Armant - and this special sacred bull had dozens of servants and wore precious crowns and other jewellery.
At Armant - (Ἑρμῶνθις in ancient Greek) there was an impressive 'Temple to Montu' at least since the 11th Dynasty. The the original complex was enlarged and embellished during the New Kingdom - especially under King Thutmose III and Ramesses II. A new temple was begun by King Nectanebo II the last native pharaoh of Egypt, and continued by the Ptolemies. In the 1st century BC, Cleopatra VII (51–30 BC) built a mammisi and a sacred lake there in honour of her son, the very young Ptolemy XV Caesarion (son of Julius Caesar). In the large Armant complex there was a necropolis of the Buchis sacred bulls. The first burial of a Buchis in this special necropolis dates back to the reign of Nectanebo II, while the final one took place at the time of the Roman Emperor Diocletian (c. 300 AD).
So the others went off to the pool - but Tony, once they had gone, held Ethan back.
"You stay here, 'kiddo' - we need Teddy...", Tony said.
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| Drawing Room - Jim's Suite - Cataract Hotel - Aswan |
"So what's this business about trying to find it -
Don't you know where it is ?", Tony asked, as they made their way up to Jim's suite.
"Oh yes - it's in this big pyramid - but it's finding the pyramid that might be a problem...", Ethan said - not very helpfully.
"Right - well I think we need Ashraf now, and Novius, if we are to plan this properly, so I'll just 'phone them to come up to the suite.", Jim said, as they settled down in Jim's luxurious drawing room.
And so Jim began...
"First, I think we need to be careful, after what happened the last time we visited Armant.
This time we need to keep a low profile.Now our best driver - Hassan - still has his old taxi - which his brother now uses over on the West Bank - so I think we should us the old one - with Faunus (Ali) driving - as that should go more or less unnoticed for the final part of our journey on the West Bank.
And by avoiding the centre of Armant town, hopefully we can get to the area near what remains of 'Bucheum House', which is where we previously saw the pyramid.
It would be nice to take Novius - but he could slow us down if we had an 'emergency' - but no matter as he can see everything that happens, when we get back, on Teddy's recording of the events.
If we do find the pyramid - and the sarcophagus - Ethan and Teddy will assist Tony - and Ashraf will be on hand to sort out any difficulties with the inscriptions - with Teddy's help.
So - are we all agreed on that ?", Jim asked.
And everyone nodded in agreement.
"So, that all sounds OK - but I'm still puzzled, Jim - why are you so interested in this sarcophagus ?", Tony asked.
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| The Egyptian Museum - Cairo - Egypt |
"OK - but it's not a - how shall we say - a 'normal' ancient Egyptian antique - so I can't see that you could donate it to the 'Egyptian Museum' in Cairo - and anyway, I doubt if it would be 'appreciated', if you see what I mean - not being 'normal'.
And as for abroad. - the Egyptians, I am told, have very strict laws about removing antiquities from their country, so as far as I can see you can't donate, or sell it, to any foreign museum - including those in the US.
And I can't really see any eccentric billionaire wanting to buy it - particularly if he could never show it off. - so what do you want it for ?", Tony asked rather bluntly.
"I'm not entirely sure...", Jim admitted, finally being candid.
"It's something very special - 'precious'.", Jim continued...
"Perhaps it's like a 'message in a bottle' - cast upon the sands of Egypt - but 'washed ashore' from somewhere else, or from some far time - far, far distant."
"Now you're sounding a bit 'creepy'...", Ethan said.
"Yes... but it goes back to what Novius was saying.
You have all these guys, like that Hancock guy, and his friends, taking people on these tours of Egypt, and the researchers, and the guys making all that money writing books about 'ancient aliens' - and then there are the detractors, and of course, the Egyptologists, who say - well if we could just find one example of a piece of advanced technology that we could date to ancient times... then perhaps all this 'alien' stuff might have some substance - and here we have this sarcophagus - and even Tony - who admits he's no expert - thinks it looks odd - 'hi-tech'.
This is it - what they're all waiting for:", Jim enthused.
"Yes - but you're not going to tell them about it - are you, Jim ?", Teddy said - sounding remarkably old and wise for such a little bear.
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| Luxor Bridge - Sunset - Upper Egypt |
"Well no...", Jim replied.
"And now I'm really confused...", Ethan said.
"So what's new ?", Teddy said - back to his usual, annoying self.
"So when do we get going ?", Tony asked.
"Well I think it would be safest to start out towards the bridge soon, as it's quite a long journey from here to the outskirts of Luxor - even using the Mercedes Limos.", Zac suggested.
And so Jim, with a select group of 'companions' - including, on this occasion, the remarkable Mr Stark - set out on what could turn out to be a perilous adventure as they return to Armant in search of the elusive pyramid - which hopefully will house the mysterious, 'hi-tech' sarcophagus...
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All text - © Copyright Peter Crawford 2021
All Images - © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2021
Graphic Design - © Copyright Zac Sawyer 202