Toby deliberately emphasized the words "special," "urgent," "flexible," and "unique value."
Mustafa leisurely picked up a gold object nearby, examining it in the light as if assessing its purity.
"Hmm... large equipnt... indeed requires special arrangents. 'Special Entry Fee' and 'Urgent Inspection Fee' are additional service costs outside of standard procedures, reflecting the value of efficiency... As for 'Facility Usage Fee,' although the X17 berth is old, its... 'historical value' and the 'exclusive space' it provides are indeed worth a matching price. I will personally sign the special approval docunts, ensuring 'Seagull' gets priority access to berth X17... hmm, late night the day after tomorrow. On the port record, it will be temporarily approved for use due to... 'equipnt testing requirents'."
Toby's lips curled into a barely noticeable smile: "Thank you for your efficiency and understanding, Deputy Director. The agency of 'Seagull' will soon submit a... fee statent that fully reflects the berth's 'historical value' and this service's 'efficiency'."
...
Another two hours passed.
The "breakfast eting" of a certain customs section chief.
Ti: 6:00 AM.
Location changed to a private room in a high-end hotel in the Alexandria Port Area.
Samir Abbas, the section chief, was younger than Toby imagined, slender, with eyes sharp like a hawk wearing a crisp uniform, with only a cup of black coffee in front of him.
He apparently did not like beating around the bush.
Mr. Papadopoulos, Hakeem said you have an 'urgent compliance' request? About a... 'Seagull'?"
Samir jumped straight to the point.
"Yes, Director Abbas."
Toby placed another sports bag underneath the table, between the two, as naturally as if adjusting his sitting posture.
"'Seagull' is loaded with a batch of heavy mining crusher components and auxiliary facilities for a critical project in West Africa. Ti is very tight. I hope your office can provide the highest priority expedited inspection to ensure the process... goes smoothly. Of course, I fully understand the 'special administrative cost' arising from assigning extra personnel and overti work."
Samir picked up his coffee cup, but his gaze fell on the bulging bag under the table.
"Expedited inspection... requires sufficient reasons and complete docunt support. Mining machinery? Specific model? Origin certification? Safety certification? Customs duty is to ensure everything is legal and compliant, with transparent procedures."
Though he spoke in this way, his tone did not carry genuine questioning, more like confirming the "script."
Toby understood and slightly smiled: "All docunts have been prepared by my team, fully et international standards and Egyptian regulations. The specific model of the crusher components is the 'Titan-7800,' and the docunts will clearly list all parts number and specifications. The origin certification cos from reputable manufacturers in Germany and Turkey, with full safety certification. My request is only that, on the premise of docunt compliance, the inspection process can maximize... 'cooperate' with the loading schedule, avoiding unnecessary delays. After all, port ti is money."
He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice, "To thank your office for the 'efficient cooperation' during special tis, I have prepared an 'ergency handling fund,' specifically to cover any additional... hmm, 'resource allocation' costs that may arise from this expedited inspection. This fund will be directly injected into a... more flexible operating account."
He implied that this money would not go through official records but enter a "slush fund" controlled by Samir.
Samir took a sip of coffee, put down the cup, and lightly tapped the table with his finger.
"'Titan-7800'... large equipnt. Complete docunts... very good. Expedited inspection requires mobilizing elite teams, round-the-clock shifts... the cost is indeed high. 'Ergency handling fund'... is a reasonable solution. I will personally supervise the inspection process to ensure it is both 'thorough' and... 'efficient.' The cargo na will be registered as you provided, 'heavy mining crusher components and auxiliary facilities.' As long as the docunts are in order, the container... will not be unnecessarily opened for spot-checking of core parts."
He particularly emphasized the words "core parts," hinting that as long as the docunts are in order, they can turn a blind eye to the contents inside.
"Much appreciated, Director Abbas. Your professionalism and efficiency are a model of Egyptian customs."
Toby said sincerely.
"I have urgent matters to attend to, please allow to leave now. After the matter is resolved, I will personally pay you a visit to thank you."
...
7:30 PM
This was the last eting of Toby's visit to Egypt.
The location was arranged at the terrace of a private club transford from an abandoned lighthouse in Alexandria Port, overlooking the busy port and the distant diterranean.
The port police chief Jamil Abdullah Rahman was a burly man with authority and a police badge, while his companion "Sea Eagle" Mr.—the senior navy patrol officer Colonel Ahd Rashid—was dressed in civilian clothes but stood tall with a piercing gaze like sea wind.
Toby did not bring a big bag but instead pushed two thick, bank-sealed cash bags in front of the two n.
"Chief Jamil, Colonel Rashid, thank you for taking ti out of your busy schedules."
Toby got straight to the point: "'Seagull' will be docking at berth X17 late tomorrow night for loading operations. That place is secluded, and security work might need special attention. I do not want any... unexpected interference, such as unnecessary patrols and searches, or idle people approaching. At the sa ti, I hope the 'regular order' of the port and nearby waters can remain... stable during that period."
Chief Jamil weighed the cash bag's weight, displaying a satisfied expression.
"Berth X17... indeed requires reinforced vigilance. I will arrange the most reliable officers to set up a 'security buffer zone' around the berth, ensuring absolute quiet during operations, free from any external disturbance. The police patrol routes will be 'temporarily optimized' to avoid that area."
Colonel Rashid silently picked up the cash bag, casting a sharp glance at Toby: "Late-night operations... require special attention to navigation safety. Berth X17 is close to an unofficial small boat passage, occasionally having... 'stray fishing lights.' The navy patrol has the responsibility to ensure the absolute safety of the main channel and nearby waters."
He paused for a mont, speaking aningfully, "Tomorrow night, during the latter part of the night, I just happened to arrange a specific anti-illegal fishing exercise area... covering the sector five nautical miles west of berth X17."
"During the exercise, the attention of all patrol vessels will be focused on the 'exercise area,' with radar monitoring prioritizing that direction. Of course, the 'safety' of the port berth itself depends on Chief Jamil."
His aning was that the navy would deliberately pull patrol forces away and "ignore" radar signals near berth X17, as long as Toby ensured no trouble at the port during loading, the sea route would be safe.
Toby raised his whiskey glass: "For the safety of the port, for the glory of the navy, and for our common pursuit of... efficiency and stability. Cheers."
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