‘It will be ready for them,’ Cheng insisted. ‘I’ve been there, it’s very cool. It has the world’s second-largest indoor ski run!’

‘Only the second-largest?’ said Eddie with wry amusement. ‘I thought China wanted to be number one at everything.’

‘The Arabs built a bigger one right after it was finished.’ The fact seemed almost a personal insult to the young Chinese man. ‘We’re going to Cangliang air force base, about forty kilometres away.’

The plane banked, slowing further as it continued its descent. The pilot’s voice came over the cabin speakers; Cheng translated. ‘We’re about to land. You need to put on your seat belts.’

Nina and Eddie did so.

There was little to be seen of the airbase itself as they approached. Two tall rings of wire-mesh fences with guard towers dotted along their length enclosed thousands of acres of barren sand. Occasional masts and towers of indeterminate function were the only other structures visible until after the jet touched down and began to taxi. The heart of the base finally swung into view. A tall control tower, hardened hangars, fuel dumps and warehouses, banks of grim barracks; military functionalism was much the same anywhere in the world.

The plane took them to an area somewhat detached from the central complex. Apart from a water tower and a large bank of electrical transformers, the only structure was a squat concrete bunker. ‘We’re here,’ said Cheng, standing as the plane halted. ‘Come on.’ He gathered his belongings and headed for the exit.

Eddie and Nina followed. They descended the steps to see Cheng embracing a woman; several other people, a mix of civilians and military personnel, waited behind her. ‘Professor Wilde,’ said Cheng, ‘I’d like you to meet my mother – Dr Hui Ling.’

Hui extended her hand. ‘Professor Wilde. It is a very great honour to meet you.’

‘You too, Dr Hui,’ Nina replied, shaking it. The Chinese woman was around fifty-five, small in stature with her greying hair cut in a bob, her eyes alert and intelligent. ‘Your papers were an inspiration for my own early work.’

‘Really?’ Hui smiled, pleased. ‘We must find time to discuss archaeology in general later. But we have a more specific subject for now.’ She looked down the plane’s length, where a forklift was unloading a large crate containing the sarcophagus.

‘The Nephilim.’

‘Yes. Cheng has told you, then. Good; that will save time.’ She turned to the Chinese officer beside her, a stocky, stern-faced man of about Eddie’s age. ‘This is Colonel Commandant Wu Jun, the military commander of this base.’ The slight emphasis on the word military was clearly intended to differentiate her side of the work from his.

‘Colonel Wu,’ said Nina, receiving a stiff, formal handshake. His features were oddly familiar – then the reason came to her. ‘You’re Major Wu’s father?’ She glanced back at the special forces leader.