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Sabah nodded “He is Upon his arrival, all the members of the consortiu”

“And what of General Aziz, the Egyptian?” Jinn asked “Does he continue to withhold the funds he’s promised?”

“He will speak with us three days from now,” Sabah said “When it is a better time for him”

Jinn al-Khalif took a deep breath, inhaling the pure desert air Aziz had pledged yptian businessmen and the military, but he had yet to pay a cent

“Aziz mocks us,” Jinn said

“We will talk with hi him back in line,” Sabah insisted

“No,” Jinn said “He will continue to defy us because he can Because he feels he is beyond our reach”

Sabah looked at Jinn quizzically

“It’s the answer to the riddle of life,” Jinn said “What matters isn’t s were enough to savethatpower He who has it, rules He who doesn’t, begs Aziz has us begging, but I will soon turn the tables on him I will soon attain a kind of power that has never been held by a man before”

Sabah nodded slowly and a smile wrinkled his beard “You have learned well, Jinn Even better than I could have hoped Truly, you surpass your teacher”

Below the to a stop in front of the cave

“You have been the pole star that guides me,” Jinn said “That is why my father entrusted me to your care”

Sabah bowed slightly “I accept your words of kindness Now, let us greet our guests”

Minutes later they were inside the cavern, four levels below The interior terees, a stark contrast to the one-hundred-and-five-degree winds beginning to blow outside

Despite the priuests sat in comfortable office chairs at a black conference table The rooineered and carved froreat hall filled with modern decor