PROLOGUE

A Soviet era Mil Mi-8 helicopter descended low over the dunes and dry valleys of Omnogovi, Mongolia, piercing the sky with its whirling reverberation. Its presence was threatening. Bathed in the intense summer afternoon sunlight, the twin-engine metal bird embarked on its planned mission.  

      In the picturesque landscape, cottony white clouds gracefully floated amidst the heavens, offering solace to the workers of Federated Petroleum Corporation as the mined for coal. Fortunate to be accompanied by the desert's constant winds, they were shielded from the devastating sandstorms that typically plagued the region during springtime.

      At the age of thirty-seven, Walter Trant had already established himself as one of FPC's top geologists. During his days off, he often retreated to a campsite near Sevrei, a district in Omnogovi Province located just outside the magnificent Gurvan Saikhan National Park. 

     A few miles from Walter's campsite, situated on the outskirts of the park, stood a modest rock formation. Its meager height of eight feet and width of twelve feet concealed a narrow opening leading to a hollow below. This cave, known as Gurvan Aqui xoep Cave, held global allure, captivating tourists with its depths. Plummeting to 79.3 meters, it claimed the distinction of being Mongolia's second deepest cave. Inside, a small stream, barely a foot wide, coursed through the underground chamber, disappearing into the earth after a few short feet. The ancient walls bore the faint etchings of rock art, remnants of a civilization that had thrived there for at least 25,000 years. 

     Before setting out on his planned exploration, Walter sat at his makeshift desk in a temporary shelter made of heavy green canvas. The structure around him creaked with every gust of the arid wind that blew against it. The gentle hum of the generator outside played a constant, comforting tone, grounding him in the reality of his exploration.

     His fingers danced across the keys, as he input the final pieces of his findings. But his moment of pride and accomplishment was shattered abruptly as the sudden roar of the helicopter reverberated through the walls of his temporary abode.

     The seconds stretched into eternity, with the sound of the muffled thud from the helicopter blades and Walter's increasing heartbeat echoing loudly in his own ears.

     His heartbeat skyrocketed, an unsettling premonition prickling at the base of his neck. As he lifted his head above the screen, two figures with grim, hardened faces appeared at his tent His breath caught in his throat, a chilling realization dawning on him that these men know of his research.

     The cold, assessing gaze of the apparent leader of the duo seemed to see right through Walter, as if gauging the depth of secrets buried within him.

     With rifles slung over their shoulders, they halted just inches away from Walter. With uneasy breath, Walter mustered the courage to ask, "Can I help you?" 

     As the lead officer began to speak, the other soldier, his face inscrutable, chewed on a half-smoked cigar dangling from his lips.

     The commander fixed Walter with a piercing stare, his eyes revealing nothing. After a tense moment he spoke, his words thick with accent. "You know something, and we know you are aware of it," he said, his tone menacing.
 

     Walter felt a cold sweat break out, his fear mingling with the desperate need to protect the knowledge that had suddenly become a perilous burden.
 

     Swallowing hard, Walter collected a voice that felt distant and weak, "I don't know what you're talking about."
 

     The silence that followed was thick, the tension was unmistakable as the leader's gaze never wavered, a predatory anticipation emanating from him. Walter felt like prey caught in a deadly trap, the air thick with the scent of danger.
 

     The commander slammed his hand on the table, leaning in so close that Walter could feel his hot breath on his face. "Don't lie! You found something, and we cannot let you leave with that knowledge," he snarled, his face seethed with anger.
 

     A chill ran down Walter's spine, their intent was clear.

     “They won’t let me leave.”

     Walter's thoughts instantly jumped to the worst conclusion, his body tensing for the impending danger.

       "This should help you remember," the second soldier sneered, raising his AK-47

     Adrenaline surged through Walter's veins, and with quick thinking, he hurled his scalding afternoon coffee into the intruders' faces, simultaneously grabbing and thrusting the desk toward them. Seizing the opportunity, he dashed towards the exit, his heart pounding in his ears. He tore open the tarp, and sprinted into the barren wilderness, knowing that escape was futile.

     The scorching sun's rays beat down on him, causing tiny beads of sweat to trickle down his brow as he ran.

     “I can’t give up, for the sake of my wife and my daughter.”

     As his rapid breaths echoed in his mind, his feet sank into the gritty ground, draining his energy and making it increasingly difficult to flee. A single gunshot rang out behind him, propelling him forward, as an intense, searing pain exploded within his chest. BANG ! 

     The metallic fragment tore through Walter’s flesh, creating a gaping hole that oozed blood.  It sliced through his weakened body like a hot knife through butter, ripping apart layers of skin and muscle. The sickening mix of scarlet and viscera burst forth from the ruptured cavity, staining his sweat drenched shirt, evidence of his mortal wound.

     His limbs crumbled, sinking into the soft dirt as his body folded like a slackened marionette. Gasping for precious air, his lungs struggled to fill with the oxygen they craved.

     “Am I dying?”

     The unbearable pain surged through every nerve ending, as his trembling hands reached for the wound. His fingers clung to the exposed tissue, slick with the mingled fluids of his shattered insides, desperately attempting to hold unto the remnants of protection that had once shielded his heart. 

     In his hazy consciousness, memories and voices intertwined. “Is that you, Gloria, my dear wife?” he murmured, extending his blood-stained hand toward the empty expanse before him. The world around him blurred as he started choking, blood-filled lungs drowning him from within. Scarlet liquid dribbled from his mouth, trickling down his lips as he toppled face-first into the sand.  

     "When are you coming home, Daddy?" He heard his daughter Kelly ask.

     “I am coming home, my love,” he whispered, his final words carried away by the wind. 

     The lead officer flicked off the small generator. Spreading its flammable contents throughout the interior. Simultaneously, the other soldier discarded his cigar, onto the ground now soaked in gasoline. 

     The volatile liquid ignited. With a burst of intense heat and brightness, an inferno erupted, engulfing the shelter in a swirling vortex of fire. The air crackled with the sound of burning canvas, sending sparks and embers into the darkening sky. The once vibrant green structure succumbed to the all-consuming flames, turning charred black in its wake. 

     Both men stepped out of the engulfed structure, their expressions stoic. The gunman, now without his cigar, stooped to retrieve Walter’s lifeless body, intending to throw it into the voracious fire. However, a heavy hand on his shoulder halted him. 

     “Үгүй, no!” exclaimed the commanding officer. “Түүнийг оÑ?Ñ?и. ЯвÑ?гааÑ?. Leave him. Let’s go.” 

     Reluctantly, the soldier abandoned his grisly task, leaving Walter’s body untouched on the scorched ground. The commanding officer cast a final glance at the smoldering remains before turning away, urging his comrade to follow. The two militants boarded their transport and disappeared into the fading daylight, leaving behind the desolate scene. 

      As the flames danced and the smoke billowed into the twilight, the echoes of Walter’s life and the questions surrounding his demise lingered in the air. The wilderness, now tainted by tragedy, carried the secrets of a life cut short, awaiting someone to uncover the truth hidden within its depths.