Chapter 16

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When the TARDIS landed, Jerry was the first to step out. "Finally" he sobbed hugging the ground "I'm back in my own time!"

The rest of the group followed him out and found themselves on the street in Miami in which Reilly's Rare Books was located. Not only that but the sun was setting. However the bookshop appeared to be open.

Walking over to Reilly's shop, the Doctor knocked on the door. A second later, it opened to reveal the tired form of Ignatius J Reilly. When he saw the group, his face lit up

"Ah my friends! You've returned! How was Japan?"

"Let us inside and we'll tell you" Emma replied "It's one hell of a story"

After they'd gotten inside, the group told Reilly the complete story of their adventure through Edo Period Japan. The whole time Reilly listened with great interest. When they'd finished, he laughed

"Magnificent! Absolutely magnificent!"

Jerry rolled his eyes "You wouldn't have said that if you were there"

Ignoring him, Reilly spoke to the doctor

"And may I see this rune?"

The Doctor took it out of his pocket and handed it to Reilly. Reilly looked it over with intrigue.

"Yes yes" he nodded "It's certainly ancient"

"Speaking of Runes, you ain't found anything out have you?" Mcclane asked

"As a matter of fact I have!" Reilly replied "According to my research, one of the runes ended up in the possession of the Egyptian priest-physician Sinuhe who took it to his grave!" "Great" Mulder grinned "Now we just have to find his grave, dig up his remains and we'll be one step closer to saving the world"

Reilly paused "That may be a little difficult"

At this, Mulder's face fell "I thought there'd be a catch. What is it?"

"Unfortunately nobody knows where Sinuhe is actually buried. The last records place him in exile at the Red Sea, but after that, nobody knows where he ended up or even when he died" "Great" Jerry sighed "Now what are we gonna do?"

For a few seconds, nobody spoke. Then the Doctor grinned

"Don't worry. I think I know just the man who can help us"

"Really?" Emma raised an eyebrow "Who?"

"He's an old friend of mine from a few years back by the name of Doctor Jones. He teaches archaeology at Marshall college New Jersey as a day job, but he's also one of the finest archaeologists in history."

Scully folded her arms and frowned "And he can find this grave?"

"Oh yes" the Doctor replied "In fact I think he did a bit of research on the subject a few years back. Now if you just wait here, I'll go and contact him"

He then stepped outside and entered the TARDIS

A little later, the Doctor returned to the shop with a smile on his face "I have good news. I've contacted Dr Jones and he's agreed to meet us in Cairo"

"On what day?" Mcclane asked

"Around 1936" the Doctor replied

"What!?" Jerry was taken aback as were the rest of the group "How did you contact somebody 64 years in the past?"

The Doctor tapped his nose "Are you forgetting about the TARDIS?"

"Fair enough" Jerry nodded "So what's the plan?"

"When I spoke to Doctor Jones, he mentioned he was working on a study of the potential resting place. He claims it's somewhere in the jungles of Africa and he may be able to lead us there."

At this, Jerry's heart sank "Did you say jungle?" S

cully lightly slapped him "Oh don't start complaining again! We're all in the same boat here!" The Doctor continued "So we've made a plan. I'll drop you off in Cairo in 1936 and you'll meet with Dr Jones at the Egyptian museum. Meanwhile I'm going to get ahold of another friend of mine who knows a thing or two about trekking through Africa"

"Who's that?" Mulder asked "I'll introduce you properly when we meet, but let's just say he's a pretty good expert when it comes to the uncharted regions of Africa"

"Then I guess that's sorted" Emma said "Now shall we get some rest? I've been missing the feel of a modern day mattress for long enough"

"Just one more thing" The Doctor turned to Ignatius and removed the other rune from his coat pocket

"Would you hold on to the runes for us?"

Ignatius was surprised "Why?"

"Because we've witnessed the power of these runes first hand. The last thing we need is them falling into the wrong hands and frankly I think a nondescript shop in the middle of Miami is the last place anyone'll think to look"

Ignatius nodded "I see your point. I shall guard them with my life"

"Glad that's settled" the Doctor turned to the group "Now what do you say we get some nice rest. Tomorrow brings the start of an even more perilous trek than what we faced in Japan!"

Later that night at Jerry's house, while the rest of the group were sleeping, The Doctor was still sitting in the living room, pouring over some research notes of his own. Admittedly though he was getting tired and was thinking of getting some rest himself.

He was then brought out of his trance by a noise from the kitchen.

"Who's there?" the Doctor called out. No answer

So he did the only sensible thing. The Doctor crept up to the kitchen door and called out again

"Jerry? Is that you?"

A second later, he opened the door and peaked through to see a figure looking through the fridge. Opening the door fully, the Doctor was about to say something when a familiar voice rung out

"It's nice to see you again Doctor"

The Doctor rubbed his eyes and soon realised the figure in the kitchen was in fact, the woman who'd sent them on the adventure in the first place, Mater herself

"What are you doing here?" the Doctor asked

"Can't a woman drop in on her helpers to see their progress" Mater replied from behind the mask she wore.

"Well everybody's gone to bed" the Doctor told her "It just seems a little-"

"Oh don't worry about that" Mater closed the fridge door "I've seen everything I need to see and I must say, I'm very much pleased with your progress"

"Well I'm glad you think so" the Doctor replied with a grin "We've been risking our lives for it"

"I expected nothing less" Mater walked up to the Doctor "But keep your eyes peeled. There's some really dangerous individuals out there"

"Oh I know that all too well" The Doctor replied "But I have to ask something. Who are you really?"

"That's not at all important or relevant" Mater replied "For now, you've just got to keep up the good work"

"But I think it would be better if you were a little more open" The Doctor looked sternly at Mater who blinked

"Would it really Doctor? I think there's far more important things to worry about now"

At that, Mater walked past the Doctor and out of the Kitchen. The Doctor followed her a second later and saw that the front door was open. He looked out however to find she was nowhere to be seen.

Before the Doctor could investigate he yawned. At that point, he decided to get some sleep. After all, the next stage of their adventure was about to begin and although he didn't know it, it was going to be one of the most dangerous they'd faced so far.

Notes:

Sinuhe the physicist is from the novel The Egyptian by Mika Waltari

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