"Sands of Other Stars"

[Unopened Excavation Zone, Aswan, Egypt]

—And what are you saying he did? — clarified the professor, looking at the stunned student who was turning his head and couldn't focus on the question.

—It just... activated itself? — mumbled the graduate girl standing nearby, studying ancient Egyptian history.

—I didn't even touch it, Professor! It... — the young man sitting on the chair was muttering confusedly.

—Show me your left hand, please, — requested the professor. The student extended his arm for inspection without any hesitation. On his wrist, a burned piece was visible.

—Is this what I think it is? — the professor asked, frowning.

—My smart watch... originally, — the student sobbed, still feeling the effects of the electric shock.

—Even your generation's watch is smart, but you can't even fulfil

—l simple requests from the expedition leader! — the professor began to lose composure. — I told everyone three times: no electronics in the hall except those authorized on the list!

[Unknown Quadrant of Space, "Messenger" Class Ship, Solar System]

My captain, data has been received from one of the control points. The Rebirth Beacon has been activated, — reported the junior assistant who rushed into the room. The person standing in front of the control panel turned his head toward the newcomer and barely smiled. Sobekai guessed that soon he would have another chance to wear his famous armor. Recently, such pleasant events had been rare.

—Really? Which planet? — he asked slowly.

—"Sa en newet," my captain, — the assistant hurried to answer, sending an image of the planet from which the signal was received to the holographic display of the control panel. The man at the console perked up and turned his entire body toward the assistant.

—Is anyone else aware? From our forces?

—I suppose that besides us, Heter's team might have detected the signal...

—Gather the group, we're heading there in half an hour, — said the one who just transferred authority from the "Messenger" captain to the landing commander. He was no longer smiling.

—I will go with you, landing commander (she especially emphasized "commander"), Sobekai, whether you want that or not, — a gentle voice sounded through the combat helmet's receivers. Sobekai smiled.

—What, Noura, want to film me again turning them into dust at the bottom of the sea? — the commander couldn't resist a sharp remark. — That’s always doable. How could I object to the High Engineer, especially about such a matter? — Sobekai tried to infuse his voice with as much tenderness as he could, but it sounded more like mockery than what he intended.

—I just want to assess the level of progress of the contenders so I have something to show the Council later. And it's better to capture them in the "before" state than your usual reports "what became after," Sobekai. You know the Council wants to see everything, not just debris and ruins.

—Understood, High Engineer. Your quarters will be ready shortly, you may proceed to the landing zone, — the commander said emotionless. The communication line with Noura was disconnected.

—Guard Akram here, sir! May I speak? — Sobekai's helmet speakers sounded again.

—Permission granted, Akram, — the commander answered authoritatively, finishing preparations and calibrating the last settings of his gilded exoskeleton.

—With all due respect... maybe we should just ignore this signal? They probably haven't managed to reach anything significant. Just wasting time and turning some savages into shadows on the rocks again... Sobekai laughed, still being on the line.

—Am I right in understanding that you feel sorry for the contenders? — he asked for clarification.

—Not at all, sir, it's just...

—Just wasting time, right? Akram, it seems you're only interested in the mess hall and the holosphere, — Sobekai interrupted mockingly. The other side of the comms went silent in shame.

—Relax, don't worry. I also don't believe they'll surprise us with anything... We'll test our latest jump engines. I plan to be back at the base by dinner and forget about this signal, as well as many others. Prepare to bear the divine wrath.

—Thank you, Commander! Preparing to bear the divine wrath, — the soldier's voice carried genuine relief. Trials are trials, but nobody canceled plans for the evening.