The Backdrop

"Well that blip should not be there, I mean if it keeps blinking like that then it can only mean one thing" remarked Andrew looking at his radar screen.

"You broke another one of my equipment?" said Jane.

Jane and Andrew have been working together for past 3 years, they met on an expedition to Antarctica and Jane ended up saving Andrew's life. That incident some how acted like a catalyst for their future endeavours.

"You know that some times you actually get on my nerves don't you" snapped Andrew

"No need to be so cranky, it might be nothing besides a faulty equipment -"

"or it might be something worth checking out, I mean there is a reason I placed the beacon there!!!"

"Come on Andrew, we can't really go on a wild goose chase all over again we have been to that place a hundred times and always came back with the same results. We are on the brink of closure because of this. We need to go to Cairo next week the Czar museum has already paid us in advance for the excavation there. It's easy work we just need to catalogue and authenticate the finds. We need that money."

"Yah money, life was easier when I did not have to worry about that"

"Yah mine too." she bumped her fist on his back and left.

Andrew's father was an archaeologist and his grandfather was a privateer in the queen's army. His grandfather had returned from various voyages drastically increasing the wealth of his family. When his grandfather retired from the adventurous life he became a social elite which only added to the mounds.

His father didn't really get along with his grandfather unlike Andrew who used to get along really great with him. His father was always away on expeditions so he had to spend much of his time with his grandfather. His mother had died early when he was 2 year old. His father had hired a governess to take care of his daily needs and growing older he used to consider her like his mother. Staying with his grandfather he was always treated to some kind of voyage story. Legends and Myths became a respite to the solitary life he was living. This led him to this path. He was not an archaeologist nor was he a sailor or anything which might make him stand out, he was just your average jack but he had a knack for finding things and places others won't give a try because it was highly illogical.

Andrew knew that Jane had his best interest in her heart but he also knew that Jane was a cautious person. She liked to plan things out in detail and had a backup plan for her backup plan. Andrew was resourceful and spontaneous and if someone asked him what his plans were for tonight , he doubted even he knew.

He looked at the blip, it was still blinking, he could feel it in his gut that this was different. If he left now he could reach the coordinates in four - five days. Without thinking twice about it he left leaving a not behind -

Jane,

I am so sorry to have bothered you with my stupid obsessions, but thanks for everything you have done. I could never have made it through the past year without you looking out for me. This is something I need to check out. I will be meet up with you in a few days in Cairo. Try to manage a few days with out me.

P.S. : Taking Turtle

" Hmm seems all right, now to book the tickets for ---------"