The Anubis Plague полностью

Another battle was right around the corner — Zahra could feel it. If the Temple of Anubis really did exist, it would surely be the toughest test yet.

Ali and Cork joined Zahra and her father.

“Are we ready?” Zahra asked.

Ali and Cork both nodded.

“Yes,” Ali replied. “I have sent a team ahead of us to Cork’s plane to load the majority of our gear. He glanced down at his watch. “I suggest that we join them shortly.”

“Agreed,” Zahra replied. She didn’t meet George’s eyes. She didn’t want to see his worried face right now. She needed to stay focused. Everyone was counting on her to lead them.

“We know exactly where Khaliq is?”

“More or less,” Cork replied. “Ali’s people have narrowed down the coordinates enough. I can get us in the general area — no problem.”

“The Bahariya Oasis,” Wally announced, stepping around his son. “We have long suspected it to be of significance to them.”

“And based on the haste with which the Scales of Anubis are moving toward it,” Ali added, “we think we finally understand why. Whatever information the Anubian scroll had to offer has mobilized Khaliq in a way we have not seen in years.”

“So,” Zahra said, “the Temple of Anubis, huh? This is it.”

Wally nodded. “I believe so, yes.”

“Okay, then,” she looked at Ali, “let’s go.”

As if on cue, three other armed individuals joined Ali, two male and one female. Even though the woman was much smaller than her counterparts, Zahra knew she must have been a fierce combatant to be included in a mission as dangerous as this one. The rifle she cradled was nearly as long as she was tall.

Ali finished the introductions.

“And this is Rabia.”

Zahra recognized the weapon she held. “McMillan TAC-338, right? You any good with it?”

“She’s the best,” Ali replied. “No one’s hands are steadier, and no one’s eyes are keener.”

“How do you know what kind of rifle that is?” George asked.

“It’s what Chris Kyle used — the famous American sniper.”

“Ah, yes!” one of Ali’s men shouted cheerfully. “Bradley Cooper!” He smiled, happy with himself. “Doug? Where is Doug?”

Zahra didn’t know where to start. The local had smashed two of Cooper’s iconic movies together, and Zahra was too tired to correct him. “Yeah, him…”

Rabia didn’t comment. She didn’t utter a single word, in fact. Zahra wasn’t even sure the woman was breathing. Her face was indifferent, like stone, in fact. The precision shooter’s eyes were ice — cold and calculating. Zahra had known several people like Rabia. They lived and breathed their craft. Zahra did too, but she also knew that you needed to have a little fun along the way, or you would turn into, well, Rabia.

Even though this was technically Zahra’s operation, she allowed Ali to lead the way. He was the real expert here — in this world. Zahra was more of the supervisor here. She was well-rounded in many facets of life, but guerilla warfare wasn’t one of those areas. Once they were on location, Zahra would take over.

They clopped up the stairs of the hidden entryway and returned through the false container’s doors. George and Wally brought up the rear of the group, and when they each set foot on the concrete floor, a massive explosion rocked the grounds outside of the compound.

Pandemonium ensued.

Alarms blared, nearly drowning out the sounds of additional explosions and the sudden roar of gunfire. The battle that Zahra had felt coming was here. As one, everyone lifted their various weapons and charged forward toward the conflict. Even George was rushing onward, though keeping back a little. The academic was only armed with a nine-millimeter pistol, refusing to carry anything else.

Not that it would have done him much good, Zahra thought. Her father was a liability, as it were. Giving the man an assault rifle would have been a horrible idea.

She pointed at him but looked and shouted at Wally. The elder Badawi snapped his attention to her. “Take care of Dad!”

He nodded and grabbed George’s arm, dragging him away. Three of Wally’s men followed the pair closely, keeping a vigil watch for intruders.

“Zahra!”

She skidded to a halt. “Go, Dad! I’ll be fine!”

Wally nearly yanked her father out of his shoes before pulling him toward the bunker storehouse. It would act as the two men’s fallout shelter. The description was fitting too. The world outside resembled that of life itself coming to an end. Even while still inside the core SSC building, Zahra could hear the groan of metal. It slowed everyone to a light jog — but not Zahra. She picked up her pace and swiftly rejoined the others near the front door. She had fallen behind them while checking on her father. Ali gripped the metal sliding door handle with two hands, but hesitated. Like Zahra, he was unsure of what he’d see on the other side.