[hr][hr][center][img]http://fontmeme.com/embed.php?text=Deeper%20Than%20The%20Sands:%20Chapter%20One&name=prinp___.ttf&size=30&style_color=f7976a[/img][hr][h3][b][color=f7976a]October 5th, 1924[/color][/b][/h3][hr][hr][/center]
	Pulling back up to the Barracks, George opened the car door and held a hand out for Vera. Assisting her out of the vehicle and keeping an arm around her waste as she nearly tripped over her feet as she caught her slip on her heel. [color=598527]"Mmm, careful,"[/color] he said as he helped to right her and then got a few guards to help him get her things from the cab. There were several trunks and bags. It seemed much more than the others were bringing. 

	Vera looked sheepish slightly. [color=f7976a]"I am sorry I Was not here quicker, I wanted to make sure to have as much research material as I could get the curator to agree to sign out as possible. Wouldn't want us caught without something vital while on the dig,"[/color] she said as she came to the gate. 

	Once everyone was moved into the barracks, everyones belongings were loaded up on a truck by the men of the barracks. George rolling up his sleeves and helping to make sure everything was secure and handled with care. Vera watching him closely, he seemed to take particular care each time her hand raised and she nearly said careful but never had to. George was on top of it and handling each box that contained anything from the museum with the utmost care and caution. Even if the crates were not stamped [i]Fra-gee-lay.[/i] Tickets had been secured and they would be sailing out that evening. It wasn't much time so with haste the group clamored into cars and trucks in the courtyard and headed out. 

	Arriving at the docks, it was a mad house but the military men of the barracks knew what to do. Quickly unloading and getting the items checked in with the ships baggage claim. Funds were exchanged with the purser. Ticket were set. It seemed to be a rather full boat. Some people had boarded earlier that day, as it had been in port since that morning. Many were at the rails of the three stories above port looking out below. Others were enjoying drinks on the deck or settling into their rooms. The ship would travel from Cairo up the Delta Nile to the northwest on the Damietta Branch and dock in three days time in the port city of Zagazig. Now that they were at the docks Vera seemed to brighten up some. 

	[color=f7976a]"This is most exciting. Zagazig was once known as Tell Basta during the ancient times. Now, several miles to the south east of Zagazig we will find Bubastis. It was the capital of the 18th nome, or as what we would call counties in England. It was a captial during the 22nd and 23rd dynasties. Most fascinating. There is actually a cats tomb that dates back that far on the dig site. While in Cairo we have the pyramids for the pharaohs, they placed far more value on cats. They were incarnations of the goddess Bastet. In fact the catacombs from Pepi I Meryre hold the remains of the felines they held most sacred. Entombed with all the pomp and circumstance we would give the King himself."[/color] Vera kept rambling as she made her way up the gang plank. 

	George adjusted his hat and wiped the sweat form his brow as he stood there looking once the baggage was secure. Feeling a tap on his shoulder he turned around and one single eye widened a bit. [color=598527]"Mmm, what are you doing here?"[/color] he asked to a dark hair woman standing in front of him now. His head tilting to the side quizzically like a dog that was very confused. 

	"ALL ABOARD! Anchors up in ten minutes!" a man standing by the gangplank bellowed as he looked at his pocket watch.