Previously in Tomb Raider Uncharted:
Sailing her expensive yacht on the sparkling seas of Miami, Florida served as a luxurious diversion for Lara Croft as she waited for a gangbanger who carried an ancient Assyrian key she required.
On boarding the boat with gangsters and drug sealers Ms Croft acquired her little trinket by force, and when she went below deck, she found a man who had been beaten up there; that man was an adventurer in his own right, Nathan Drake, descendent of famous explorer Sir Francis Drake...
On freeing Drake and entertaining him on her yacht Lara told him that she required the key to free a friend then left the conversation hanging in the air as she retired for an evening of "private time", but not without Nathan getting an eye full...
Lara then told Nathan he would accompany her to Egypt to free her friend Professor Von Croy from an Arab arms dealer and Jihad leader...
*
The hazy vapors of evaporating water caused the hot sun to almost swim in the golden sky; from the north the white sea plane shimmered in its glare as it flew in earthbound.
Nathan Drake eased the stick down as he flew the aircraft down toward the river.
"We have hurry, we're really pressed for time", Lara said to him as she checked her guns for the fifth time since they had left Miami.
"Yeah", Nathan replied, "We're really, really low on fuel."
"I'm worried about my engagement with Adlah dear, his not a very patient man and shan't like us taking our sweet time."
Nathan checked his watch, "thought you set the meet for three, local time?"
"I also said I was unwilling to trade him the key for Werner."
"Can't be much of a friend", Nathan smirked.
"Actually Werner was my trusted mentor, and one of the dearest people in my life, that was until he left me for dead; here in Egypt actually. However, I am not about to give a man like Abdul bin Adlah the finance he needs for his holy war."
Nathan kept the next comment to himself, Lara Croft certainly was a passionate woman; he had to admire that. He just hoped she had a plan.
"We're coming in to the town about a mile up."
A wave of water dashed up into the air like liquid wings as the sea plane came in, landing on the water of the Nile River.
"Atbara", Lara said looking at the town overhead. A man came running over the peer when he saw her.
He ran to the door of the plane and opened it, "Ms Croft, I thought you will not be making it in time."
"Abu, nice of you to come and greet us", Lara smiled stepping out.
The little man was dressed in white, his greasy long hair looked tangled and unkempt, the crown of his head completely bald. His beady eyes were peering down Lara's cleavage as she stepped onto the peer.
"Be a darling and have the plane filled will you Abu, I fear we'll be making a rather hasty retreat."
Nathan climbed over the passenger seat and also got out of the plane. He was surprised to see a suspicious glare on Abu's mouse-like face as he looked at him.
"Hey, I'm Nathan", he smiled, extending his hand.
Abu looked at him, and then turned to follow Lara as she strutted toward the town.
"Jeez, talk about cold reception, Lara, I don't like Egypt", he said running after her as well.
"The place is rather deserted, isn't it", Lara said to Nathan as he caught up.
Abu answered, "Abdul bin Adlah brings with him fear and terror, Ms Croft, the people will cower in their homes until he passes through."
"Wonderful", Nathan said sarcastically.
"We had better prepare ourselves for his arrival then, shan't we?" Lara commented, thinking out loud.
********** *************** *************
In the quietness of the Town Square Lara heard the rumbling engine of the truck that approached from down the dusty street.
It drove into the town and stopped.
Abdul bin Adlah was dressed in his black jilbāb. His long grey beard rested on his chest, his eyes were like black coals in their sockets.
"Mr. Adlah, I trust you have brought my friend?"
Abdul looked back at the truck. Two men pulled the elderly gentleman out of the back; he looked unharmed, though he did seem a tad dehydrated.
"Are you alright Werner?"
"Fine my dear, a little the worse for ware, but quite..."
He shut his mouth as Adlah raised a hand.
"Where is my key?"
Lara was looking at Nathan as he moved over the roof top, trying to position himself just above Adlah's men as she spoke, "I have it..."