”Looks like there’s some space here. I suggest that we keep right the next forty meters and then make a sharp left. Then we should reach it.”
“I wonder if it’s that the place we’re looking for.”
Sonja pulled open her rucksack and pushed the tablet into it. When she was done, she flung the rucksack over her shoulder and started walking.
“We won’t find out until we get there.”
Tim felt at breeze of chilly air and was about to reply when she suddenly screamed.
Copenhagen, Denmark
March 14, 2049
Also, she saw her destiny clearly when she watched the clear-blue sky outside the beautiful window. The late afternoons weak rays of sunlight struggled to penetrate the low clouds over the city.
She sank down into the soft, leather armchair and did not notice when it creaked under her weight. Dagmar Buch closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She could still smell Arne around her. He had always had a special scent, a mix of salty sea and forest with an undertone of cigarette smoke.
She let her fingers slowly dance over the armrest while she savored the moment. Her plan had succeeded. It had been close, but she had made it. She was free. Free. She had broken out of the prison she had been in for so long and now the taste of liberty was almost too much for her to bear. She and Arne had been married for what seemed like an eternity. No, not only an eternity but a cruel and merciless eternity. Now, when it was over, she could finally relax.
She reminisced over the time before she had met Arne. The future had been so bright, so full of opportunity but when she had met Arne, all that had been taken away from her. Now, in the clear light of age, it was easy to see the chain of events that had led her here. But when she was young it had been difficult to see the forest for all the trees.
She had been young, naïve, and that had caught Arne’s eye. But when he had seen here, he became not only interested, he became obsessed. He had to have her, no matter what the cost was, and Dagmar had not been able to reject him.
They had married soon after they had met and despite it all, not everything had been terrible. She thought of the trips they had taken down to Dragør and how they had spent an afternoon walking around in the small harbor. They had stopped at a local café and then made their way to Dragør fort where they went up to the highest point where you could see Sweden if the weather was right.
In fact, these regular trips had become something of a routine and she recalled her looking forward to these small interrupts in her daily rhythm with Arne who sometimes was violent towards her. Other than that, it had been mostly a glum life in the vast apartment on Frederiksberg in Copenhagen. Arne had been busy and been traveling a lot to build his business empire.
Arne’s father, James, had been a successful businessman who had worked all over Europe and Arne had to a large extent taken over the web of contacts when James had passed away. She recalled that fateful millennium evening like it was yesterday. She and Arne had hosted the party of the year with the cream of Scandinavian high society and the evening had been a success. But right before the stroke of midnight she had seen how a courier had approached Arne and before she could protest, the courier had handed over an envelope to Arne and then disappeared.
Dagmar had seen the reaction on Arne's face and how he swiftly had gone upstairs. But as the clock approached midnight, several of the guests had asked for him and as the good hostess she was she had gone upstairs to find him. When she had entered his office, she had seen the marron-colored box and she still remembered the chill that had gone through her when she had seen the Fabergé-eggs within.
Arne had gone up to and she could still feel that powerless feeling when he had taken hold of her breast and squeezed. She thought of the utter despair she had felt when he had raped her, right there, in front of the Fabergé-eggs. More than anything, she still thought that some of the most beautiful objects ever created would bear witness to such a degrading act.
She sighed. But it had been like that, she could not deny it. Arne had raped her when he felt like it and she had been powerless to stop it.
But now, in hindsight, she could see it so clearly. Each time he did it, something died within her. Slowly but relentlessly, the fragile seeds of love that she had felt for him in the early years had turned into blinding hatred. It was hatred that had been given time to fester and grow for many years, and because of that, it was exceptionally strong.
She smiled when she recalled that special night almost two months ago when she had come into Arne’s office and during that day he had been in an unusually good mood. He had been writing in his journal and when he had seen her, he had smiled triumphantly at her. The smile had been a mixture of real joy and something that resembled malice.
”I’ve got it.” Arne had said, “Now I know where the final egg is.”
She had starred at him.
Arne had laughed and walked up to her. But instead of hurting her, he had taken her hand and led her to the chair and sat her down. She had seen the two Fabergé-eggs in the box.
“Remember these?”
She had nodded.
“You know what they are?”
She had nodded again.
“Yes, two Fabergé-eggs. One is called Necessaire and the other Royal Danish. They were gifts from the Russian Tsar to his mother and wife and has been missing since 1920:s”
Arne had been genuinely surprised.
“How do you know all this?”
She had shrugged, unwilling to tell of her own research. He did not need to know and that she probably knew more about them than he did. He had not waited for her answer, instead, he had placed his strong hands on her shoulders and squeezed.
“Doesn’t matter.” He had paused, “This is far more important. You see that notebook?” and pointed to an old, worn, brown notebook that lay next to the box.
She had nodded.
”Yes.”
”The history within it is that of a Russian soldier that after the first world war meets an intelligent, alien being that gives him what appears to be a key. The soldier and his father hide the key together with a priceless treasure. It also tells a story about father and two of his comrades that during the Second World War comes into possession of the box. And we’re not talking about any treasure.”
She had glanced over to the Fabergé-eggs. Arne had laughed.
“Exactly. But it also tells something else. Something even more extraordinary.” His eyes had gleamed. “It tells of how a key in three parts was found together with the Fabergé-eggs. Three parts to a key. But as the war was over and James and his comrades were on the way back home, the third egg was stolen. And with that, the third piece of the key was gone.”
“I’ve spent a fortune on locating the third egg and now I have done it. I know where it’s located and I’m so close of being the first person on this planet to be in possession of all parts of the key.”
Dagmar had not understood.
“But how do you know it’s a key? What is it for?”
Arne had squeezed her shoulders as he had continued.
“I know because I have seen it. I have seen the future and my absolute power over it.”
***
The worn notebook lay silently in front of her. But even so, the pages spoke to her. Arne had been right. The story retold by it was remarkable. It told of how the Russian soldier Dimitri had been chased and how he had fallen down an abandoned mine shaft and how he had met an intelligent, alien being that had given him the key.
It told of all the clues that James and Arne had pursued during their hunt for the third Fabergé-egg. It summarized the small fortune that had been spent sending detectives and private investigators around the world chasing down all leads that could lead them right. She turned the page and continued to read.
Another dead end. The lawyer in Portugal did not know about the object and even when he died, he could not reveal any clues. It cannot be helped. I must find it. Time is slip
ping away. I am the last. Like my father was last when Mike and Tommy died, I am now last. I have no children and thus the hunt will end with me.
Dagmar swallowed hard and thought of Maja. It seemed like an eternity ago but many years ago, Dagmar and Arne had become parents to a girl they had named Maja. But even from an early age, Arne had never been particularly interested of their daughter.
Her eyes welled up when she pictured the pain that Maja must have felt when Arne had pushed her away. Dagmar had laid sleepless endless nights to find the strength to be a stronger support for her daughter but could not have cared less.
She still recalled the crushing grief when Maja was sixteen and had run out of the apartment and she never returned. Dagmar had stood by the window and seen Maja leave without turning back. Dagmar knew that Arne was cold but even to write such a thing for himself was repulsive. She blinked away tears and turned the page. The date on the top was not more than two weeks ago.
Therefore, I must succeed. Must. Succeed. However, there are a couple of good opportunities left, so hope is not lost. But pursuing these clues will cost, and it will cost more than just money. Therefore, I have recently accepted the Rete Group's proposal for help. They will send a resource to help follow up on the clue. I have particularly great hopes for the lead in Lima.
Dagmar leaned forward and continued to read. The leather armchairs creaked.
They will send a woman who is obviously particularly adept at persuading people. I really hope she's as good as they say she is. The clue in Lima has the potential to be of crucial importance. One of the notaries at the law firm has sent a copy of a telegram. The telegram was sent by a Russian diplomat who was on Sandhurst, and he believes that the Fabergé-egg can be on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. The diplomat writes in the telegram that on board the ship is a Russian couple who the diplomat initially thought were spies so he arranged to search their cabin while they were having dinner. But when he searched the cabin, he did not find what he thought. Instead of sensitive information, he found a smaller unlocked metal box and when he looked at it he saw what seemed to be a Fabergé egg.
A chill went down Dagmar’s back.
As he examined the egg closer, he realized that it could be one of the missing eggs that one never found. And that was not all. He also saw something hidden inside the egg that did not resemble something he had seen before. The small thing looked like a bent piece of metal that seemed to shine from within. The diplomat was so surprised at what he saw and did not know what he would do so he just replaced the egg in the box and left the cabin. He sent the telegram to the Russian embassy but for some unknown reason, there was never sent an answer.
Dagmar breathed hard. Imagine if it was true? Imagine if the third of the lost Fabergé-eggs lay on the bottom of the ocean, the egg was stolen from Tommy when James, Tommy, and Mike traveled home from the war. Imagine that the egg contained the last part of the key. She frowned. She went over her opportunities. And who was this group of people mentioned by Arne in his diary? She had never heard of them. But considering what Arne wrote, it seemed that they could possibly send someone who could help find the egg. And what were the two key parts for something? Were the three parts that together formed a key? But what? The questions swirled around her head and she closed her eyes.
It had started to rain outside, and she heard the heavy water droplets hit the windows. The monotonous sound made her drowsy and she sat for a while and allowed could feel herself doze off.
She suddenly felt as she was falling. She accidentally kicked the desk and swore. Perhaps she would contact this team for help? But there was something in her that held back. What had Arne written? She raised the diary again; Therefore, I have recently accepted the Rete Group's proposal for help.
As she read the sentence repeatedly, she got the feeling that the Rete Group might have offered to help several times, but Arne had previously rejected them. Could it be that? Unsure and discouraged she fell back into the chair and sighed. Was there nobody else who could help her? The world must be full of people who would enjoy such a mission. Indiana Jones types and adrenaline junkies. She sighed. But then she hit her. She had heard Arne talk about a company he encountered in connection with that story in Madagascar. What were they called again? She tried to remember but could not. She took a few deep breaths and let the air slowly flow out from her nose, she focused. The Amber Group. That's what they called. She chuckled.
"I must have become old."
She turned on the embedded computer in the desk. It activated, and the screen slipped up in front of her. A dialog box prompted for a password. She smiled to herself while she entered "FABERGE". She navigated around the menus and opened Arne's contact list. There were all sorts of contacts that Arne had crossed roads during his career. He had been effective in that way. He had liked to plan, and he had a strong sense of order. But now it did not matter anymore. At last, he had received what he deserved.
She found the number and pressed the connection. After a couple of seconds, a woman's face appeared onto the screen.
"Good day, how can I help?"
Dagmar froze. She had not thought about what she would say when the Amber group responded. She hesitated.
"My name is Dagmar Buch."
"I know who you are Mrs. Buch. I know you very well." she leaned forward, "And I'm sorry for your loss."
Dagmar was sincerely surprised.
"You know who I am?"
The woman smiled.
"Of course. My name is Dolores, how can I help you?"
"I need help with a something. There is something that has disappeared from our family and I need help to recover it. And I've heard you're good at that kind of mission."
Dolores smile did not move an inch.
"I understand. May I ask who it is who has given you your number?"
"I do not want to go into that." she sharpened the voice, "Can you help or not?"
Dolores nodded shortly.
"Just a moment, I'll connect you. Please wait."
Before Dagmar responded, the hologram of Dolores disappeared. Dagmar felt anger rising within her. Who were they to allow themselves to treat her in this way? Anguish and rage grew within her and she was ready to break the connection when a man's face slipped forward in front of the holo-screen.
"Good day, Mrs. Buch. Sorry, you should wait. My name is Nicholas Backmann and I'm the manager of the Amber Group." He nodded briefly. Dagmar controlled herself.
"Good day, Mr. Backmann. As I explained to your secretary, I need help recovering a lost artifact. And I've heard that there's something you can possibly help with?"
Backmann smile widened.
"We certainly can, Mrs. Buch. But before we can talk about the details of a possible mission, we need to go through a few terms. Only formalities but it have to be done." His eyes fixed Dagmar and she nodded briefly.
"Of course, what are the terms?"
"The first is that we cost five percent of the value of the artifact in question. And it is not negotiable. Before the mission is initiated, an estimated valuation of absentia is carried out, that is, when we obviously do not have the artifact in question, a realistic estimate of a value will be used, and the money will then be transferred to an account that none of us have access to. Half of the sum is paid immediately and is non-refundable, even if the mission fails or is aborted. The other half is paid on a successful assignment. “He paused for a couple of seconds and let Dagmar think about what he said, "Is it acceptable?"
She nodded.
"And the other?"
"The Amber Group handles the assignment entirely on its own. There is no involvement of the client in any way. The Amber Group reserves the right to fully administer any resources without the inscription of the client. Accepted?"
Dagmar nodded again.
"Excellent. So now, tell me what we can help?"
Helder Ster, South-Africa
March 14, 2049
The power was his. He knew it,
all the way out his fingertips. Arik Zimki walked lazily through the exclusive park outside his private residence in Helder Ster.
It was still early in the evening and a gentle rain had just stopped, however, it was still warm in the air. He enjoyed these quiet moments. In the public parks in the mega complex, there were almost always many people but not here, this park belonged solely to him.
Solitude was nowadays a luxury in modern society and especially in the relatively new mega-complexes that had been built around the world.
He contently surveyed his surroundings. Exotic plants and bushes, each decorated with majestic flowers in yellow, red and gold, were symmetrically placed along the small path he followed. The humid evening air mixed with the scent of Jasmin as he continued. What luxury. It was moments like these that made life worth living. You could not work all the time and god knows he been working hard lately.
He stopped, crouched before a large stone placed in the flowerbed and touched it. His finger made a thin, sharp line in the moist dust as it slid over the stone. He knew that the issues they were having with the quality of air had improved but still he noticed a growing resentment that the problem was not fixed yet. His experts had assured him that the problem had been addressed but apparently, that was not the case.
He made a note to himself to bring it up at the next meeting with the working committee that controlled life for all who lived there. Helder Ster was despite it all, one of the most modern mega-complexes and currently housed a shade over eight hundred thousand souls. The mere fact that they could not get their air-cleaning process in order was just embarrassing.
Because of his prominent position, Arik had been chosen to lead the working group that the United Nations had assembled to investigate the seismic activities recorded in recent weeks on the Moon and Mars, and partly on other planets and celestial bodies in the solar system. So far, no unusual activity on Earth has been registered. At least not what he knew. There were always small earthquakes that occurred all over the planet, but according to the reports he received, no one had noticed anything strange. In any case, it was something positive throughout this story.
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