Read Chapter 4: — MOVING GROUND

The site data confirmed the problem.

The dune field consisted mainly of fine, loose aeolian sand with very low natural moisture, poor cohesion and a habit of going wherever the wind wanted it to go. Traditional surface barriers had helped, but the storm regime was more aggressive than the earlier models assumed.

Daniel spent his first night reading reports with senior engineer Owen Clarke, Graham’s long-time deputy.

Owen was smaller, quieter and possessed the particular patience of a man who had spent twenty years translating Graham’s temper into usable instructions.

“Don’t take him personally,” Owen said.

“Does anyone?”

“Everyone does. That’s the problem.”

Daniel studied cross-sections, compaction results and storm records.

“The approach is basically sound,” he said. “But we’re treating stabilisation as one problem. It’s three. Wind, loose sand and heat.”

“Go on.”

“Wind fencing and surface barriers reduce transport. We need heavier protection at vulnerable shoulders, possibly graded rock or gravel blankets where the geometry allows. For the foundation itself, impact compaction may work in shallower loose layers. Vibro-compaction or replacement methods for deeper sections. But we need field trials.”

Owen smiled. “You’re about twelve hours late.”

Daniel looked up.

“Graham ordered the same tests yesterday.”

The next morning Graham handed Daniel the results without comment.

The field data showed impact rolling could effectively densify the shallower sand layer. Deeper zones responded better to vibro methods with imported gravel as backfill.

Daniel felt annoyed for three seconds, then understood.

“You knew the answer.”

“I knew an answer,” Graham said. “I wanted to see whether the new arrivals could reach it without being led.”

Toby whispered to Maya, “Is hazing a recognised management methodology?”

Maya’s eyes smiled above the scarf covering the lower half of the face.

Daniel proposed running the formation works and wind-protection installation in parallel to recover lost time. Graham approved it.

Then Daniel raised a different issue.

“The shift system is creating resentment.”

Graham frowned. “We’re discussing engineering.”

“So am I. A railway doesn’t get built by drawings. Local crews are avoiding night work. European crews are carrying too much of it. People think the workload is unfair. That becomes a safety problem.”

Owen leaned back.

Daniel suggested shorter staggered rotations avoiding the most dangerous afternoon heat while distributing night work more evenly. He also proposed recruiting local engineers into technical coordination instead of relying solely on translated instructions.

Graham stared at him for a long moment.

“You’ve been here less than twenty-four hours.”

“Which is why the friction is obvious.”

Owen coughed into his hand to hide a laugh.

Graham pointed at Daniel.

“You speak Arabic. You can explain your clever shift system to the local supervisors yourself.”

Daniel nodded.

“Gladly.”

That answer seemed to irritate Graham more than resistance would have.