Read Chapter 13: — THE CITY SECTION

After the desert formation package was completed, the team transferred to a metropolitan viaduct section outside Almar City.

The landscape changed from dunes to traffic, utilities, tight access and residents who objected—understandably—to construction outside their windows.

Daniel almost missed the desert.

The new challenge was a sequence of elevated guideway spans and bridge structures. Work had to coordinate with municipal authorities, utility companies and road closures. A task that took three hours in open desert could consume three days of permits in the city.

Samir rejoined Daniel full-time.

“You complained about sand,” Samir said. “Now you will learn to love sand.”

“I never complained.”

“You are British. Complaining is your national weather.”

The city phase also brought more contact with senior management. Daniel was invited to planning meetings where Graham increasingly asked for his view before offering his own.

Toby noticed.

“You’re the favourite.”

“I get shouted at more than anyone.”

“Exactly. Special attention.”

Maya rolled her eyes.

One morning Daniel worked through breakfast, then lunch, then most of dinner without noticing. At nine in the evening he developed a sharp stomach pain and sat down hard beside the drawing table.

Maya found him first.

“When did you eat?”

Daniel thought about it.

“That is not a difficult question,” she said.

“Yesterday?”

She stared at him with open disgust.

Toby arrived carrying instant porridge, antacids and the expression of a betrayed spouse.

“My own mentor,” he said. “Destroying himself through basic nutritional incompetence.”

Graham heard about the episode.

The next morning a bowl of plain noodles appeared at Daniel’s desk, cooked by the camp chef with egg and vegetables.

“No idea who ordered that,” the chef said.

Daniel looked toward Graham’s office.

The older man was pretending to read a report.

Something tightened strangely in Daniel’s chest.