Cheng emerged nervously from the bunker, Eddie and Macy following. A Z-20 transport helicopter, an updated copy of the American Black Hawk, was taking aboard a hurriedly assembled squad of troops. A second aircraft was on its way from the main airbase to collect another group. The captain from the control centre climbed into the waiting chopper. The Z-20’s engines screamed to full power, and it hauled itself skywards, turning east.

Eddie watched it go, then regarded its approaching twin. ‘He didn’t see us. Think you can bullshit your way aboard this one?’

‘I’ll try my best,’ Cheng replied.

‘Daddy!’ exclaimed Macy. ‘You swore!’

Her father grinned. ‘Afraid you might hear a lot more rude words from me, love. I can only watch one thing at once, and if anything kicks off, it won’t be my mouth.’

The second helicopter landed. The assembled soldiers shielded their faces from the gritty wind, then hurried to it. ‘Come on,’ said Cheng, running after them.

Eddie and Macy followed. A junior officer counted the team into the cabin; he looked in surprise at the civilians, deep suspicion rising when he realised two were not Chinese. Cheng shouted an explanation over the idling engines. Eddie tensed. If the soldier knew that Dr Hui had been removed from her post, the only place they would be taken was a cell . . .

The man seemed unsure what to do – but the situation’s urgency, and the presence of the project director’s son, overcame his concerns. He pointed into the cabin. Cheng thanked him, then squeezed inside. Eddie and Macy went in after him, the lieutenant boarding and slamming the door.

With two gunners, ten soldiers and their gear already within, the cabin was a tight squeeze. Cheng took the last empty seat, holding his backpack on his thighs. The Englishman pushed his way up the central aisle and crammed himself into a corner behind the cockpit seats. There were no spare seat belts; the best he could do was wedge his feet against the seat frames and grasp a cargo strap. He used his free arm to hold Macy on his lap. ‘You okay?’ he asked her.

‘I don’t think this’ll be as nice as the flight to China,’ she replied, worried.

‘So long as we get there in one piece, that’s the main thing.’ The engines rose in volume. ‘And then we’ll see what trouble your mum’s caused this time!’

The Z-20 lumbered into the air, following the first aircraft towards the distant mountains.

Gadreel disconnected the cables and lifted the key from the altar, then led Nina to the mausoleum. Zan took up position at the top of the stairs to watch the throne room’s other entrances. ‘He wants you to open his wife’s sarcophagus,’ the translator told her. ‘There’s a hole, like the one in the altar – put in the resurrection key, then place your hand on it.’