Helder Ster’s experts in mining had become important in the recent developments. The first recorded occurrence of unusual seismic activity had been reported from the Moon and soon after, similar events had been reported from Mars and possibly also from the other planets of the solar system. So far, no unusual seismic events had been reported on Earth and for that, it was Arik grateful. They had enough to do without worrying about Earth. Naturally, it was more difficult to confirm seismic activity on Venus and Mercuries than it was on the Moon and Mars, so they still tried to confirm these facts.
On the Moon, the permanent base that had been established in the start of 2040:s had first reported that something was happening. It was less than a month ago and the frequency of the reports had increased steadily. The United Nations space division had assembled a working group and Arik, because of Helder Ster expertise within mining, had been elected to lead it.
Much of the wealth within Helder Ster came from the gold-, silver- and diamond mines that it controlled. And that had become a crucial point when the United Nations selected the participants. The other representatives in the committee were of a broad mix of highly trained people from around the world.
Arik rose and continued walking when his holo-band around his wrist started to vibrate. He glanced down at it.
“Show.”
The holo-band lit up and a greenish hologram of a map materialized above it. Two small, red dots on the map moved slowly forwards and Arik could see the coordinates move. A metallic voice came from the nearly invisible personal sound amplification device in his ear. The voice spoke a string of numbers that indicated to Arik that the message can from one of his secret agents that he had sent out on a special assignment.
He had in secret been monitoring the two doctors, Weng-Li and Ln'geem who had worked for John Vendrick III and Tabula Rasa for several years. And when the disastrous events unfolded at Tabula Rasa three months earlier caused the two doctors to flee, Arik rubbed his hands with delight. The two doctors who had taken care of the experimental cloning trials of people on Tabula Rasa had succeeded in slipping out the authorities' network. And Arik wanted the two doctors to come to Helder Ster and start working for him. But there was so little time.
He knew that the United Nations had invested considerable resources in finding the two doctors, so he had to act quickly. He had instructed the agent to report directly to him via an encrypted link and this was the third report. The first two had not confirmed visual contact so Arik's heart took an extra shot when he listened to the message.
"Report dated 2049-03-13. Observer confirms visual contact with target one and two. DNA match confirmed. Target two is injured, probably broken arm. The targets are located just outside Flor Fria, Macau. Will initiate contact attempt in the immediate future."
The voice fell silent and Arik went over his options. If the agent had visual contact with them, there was a real chance that he would be able to contact him immediately. Arik had a suspicion that Dr. Weng-Li's sister would be a beacon of hope for a much-needed refuge and his suspicion had been correct.
His heart rate increased, his gamble had succeeded, at least so far. He would show the others in the Rete Group, those who doubted him. They were some within the group that thought that they should not go after target one and two. They were high-risk persons and the mere suspicion that they had to do with them would trigger immediate sanctions at the highest level. But for Arik, that was what made it so much more worthwhile. Risk. The risk of putting everything at stake and feeling the rush of excitement when you succeeded.
He was content with the situation as he approached his private residence. The big white house stretched itself out in front of him. It had soft organic forms and consisted of two parts that glided into each other. The roof of each part swept down to the ground and gave the house a quite livid impression. A frosted glass wall slid aside as he approached, and a short, Asian man with a nervous tick on his face stood on the dark wooden deck surrounding the whole house.
Kenneth de Joong bowed deeply and held out a heated towel. Arik ignored him when he took the stretched towel in his hand. He wiped his face and was refreshed when he sensed the essential oils in the towel gave him new energy. The smell of eucalyptus was fresh, and he felt how he was filled with pleasure.
He opened his hand and the towel fell to the ground. Kenneth fixed his gaze on the towel when it fell.
“There’s a call for you in the library. It’s Dr. Hofstadder.”
Arik missed at step and sighed when he heard this. The unnerving German scientist was beginning to get on his nerves. The German was so overly meticulous in his analyses and kept on insisting to double- and sometimes even triple check all work the workgroup compiled. Dr. Hofstadder was, however, a prominent figure within the field of interplanetary, volcanic activity and thus he had been selected to participate in the workgroup, but he had certainly not been one of Arik’s choices.
He left Kenneth behind, walked into the library and sat down in the handmade sofa. The library was inspired by several of Harvard’s many libraries that he had visited almost daily during his education. Exclusive bookcases made of out of dark wood lined the walls and were filled with rare editions. He had always have had a penchant for books. There was something eternal over them. To be able to hold a book in his hands had always given him great pleasure. The words and stories that had painstakingly been written done by now deceased men and women.
The floor was covered by a thick, dark-green and gold carpet. He snapped his fingers and watched as four metallic arms extended from the beautiful, low glass table. The machine beeped, and the glittering face of Dr. Hofstadder glittered in front of him. Arik tried and smiled widely.
”Doctor, so nice to hear from you.
Dr. Hofstadders pockmarked face nodded curtly, and his voice was surprisingly nasal.
”Mr. Chairman, thank you for accepting my communication.”
Arik nodded. These Germans were always so prudent, the well-manicured, grey hair was perfectly combed to one side.
”What can I do for you?”
A shadow of concern moved over Dr. Hofstadders face.
"I was sitting last night with my team and double-checked data from the two satellites in the Moon's orbit, collecting data. We reviewed the seismic measurements and the raw data transmitted by the satellites in the last two days."
Arik nodded to doctor.
"Continue."
"What our probes have reported from the moon is relatively unsettling. The seismic measurements indicate that they now last at intervals that do not appear to be natural."
Arik unconsciously stroked his goatee.
"Can you please elaborate?"
The doctor wrinkled his forehead.
"Normal, natural earthquake has certain specific phases, for example, there is always an initial phase where small tremors occur. Of course, they vary greatly in strength and intensity, but usually, there are always certain specific phases in a quake that can be analyzed. We do not experience this ", he paused before continuing." What we see is just bizarre. The phases usually found in a quake are just not there. The last quake on the moon has shown some amazing results. For example, it lasted more than two hours. "
Now it was Arik's turn to wrinkle his forehead.
"It sounds exceedingly long?"
The doctor nodded emphatically.
"Yes, it's extremely long, even to be on the moon, but it was not really the strangest thing about it. It turned out that we investigated data closer to the quake showing rhythm, a strange kind of regularity that I have never seen before. The intensity of it seemed to follow a pattern. At first, it was weak but then intensity increased linearly for two minutes and then decreased. Then the cycle repeated. "
Arik stared at the doctor.
"It does not sound like any quake I've ever heard of, and our experts at Helder Ster have seen most."
"Yes, I agree with you. But unfortunately, it also means a lot of the conclusions
about the nature of the quakes."
Arik waited for the doctor to continue. When he did not, Arik's voice was impatient.
"What?"
"That the quakes are not natural occurrences of seismic activity without the result of something else."
Arik closed his eyes. This was something he had begun to suspect last week. He was not sure why, but something in him told him that this whole situation was strange. In one way, everything meshed together, the spheres that had contacted mankind, the quakes on the moon, there was a connection between everything. He needed time to think.
Dr. Hofstadder looked down for a second. He continued to drone on about quality and synchronization problems until Arik had enough of the doctor’s monotonous voice. Arik raised his hand.
"Thank you for being so careful, Dr. Hofstadder."
The doctor seemed perplexed when Arik interrupted him.
"Mr. Chairman?"
Arik stared blankly at him.
"Unfortunately, I have an important conversation I have to attend to, we can continue our interesting discussion later."
Before Dr. Hofstadder had time to answer, Arik continued.
"One final question before I have to terminate our conversation. How is cooperation with ESA progressing?
Dr. Hofstadder hesitated.
"It could be better. They seem to cooperate and share all the information, but I have to say I'm not completely convinced with the quality of the data they are sharing."
"Thank you, Doctor. We'll be talking more tomorrow."
Before Dr. Hofstadder could say anything, Arik had terminated the conversation. He sat for a couple of minutes and tried to regain the good mood he had when he left his private park but failed. He swore and stood up.
"Damn doctor. And damned ESA, I knew they would not share everything. Good thing I have made other precautions."
He left the library and walked to the beautiful hall. He went to a stunning, man-sized painting of Midas. The gold-colored painting seemed to glow when he came closer. He touched it, it clicked and immediately slid aside and revealed a door that was almost invisible due to its thin edge. Arik laid his hand against the door. It was cold when he touched it.
A wave of fluorescent light moved across the door and it slid aside. Behind the door, a white-marble clad staircase stretched downwards. Small but strong spotlights on the roof and in the steps illuminated the way. He followed the stairs and as he moved down, his mood went upwards. He came to the last step and opened the door waiting there. An oval room with vaulted ceilings stretched out in front of him and he felt simmering anticipation when he saw walked in and closed the door behind him.
Beautiful medieval armor lined up along the left wall and along the other was a mixture of oriental and Mongolian weapons mounted. Double-arched bows were mixed with beautiful European swords and Japanese katanas. He immensely enjoyed the sight of the invaluable weapons.
Two curved white sofas followed the shape of the room and between them was a low, round glass table. He walked around the sofas until the other end of the room stood in front of what looked like a rectangular blackboard on the wall. He put his hand against the board and a faint click was heard. From the roof above the glass table, a sleek metal arm descended. Gently, it moved down while Arik walked over and sat down on the couch and admired the two boxes that the metal arm left behind it retreated.
He reached out and touched the top of the two boxes and they began to unfold. He was always as fascinated as he saw how the same magic transformed two seemingly ordinary boxes to something like a pair of sculptures of two fire-spewing dragons. On one of the dragons were small holders with shiny gold coins. On the other lay four beautiful Fabergé-eggs. He grinned.
His collection of Fabergé-eggs always made him in a good mood and after John Vendrick III's death on Tabula Rasa, Arik had also managed to get his fingers at the Johns gold coin collection. It had been required that some favors were repaid but as Arik was a prominent member of the Rete Group, he had succeeded. Vendrick had turned out to be a devoted collector, but Arik had been pleasantly surprised when he went through the gold coin collection.
The Rete Group was a secret organization that existed outside the law. The group consisted of both men and women, nine in all, each of which had some common features. They were all leaders of a mega-complex or one of the global business complexes, and they were driven, unscrupulous and obsessed with a willingness to win.
John Vendrick III had also been a member but when he died, the Group had immediately started locating his successor. It would not be easy, but they would succeed. But within the scientific field, Vendrick was truly a visionary, the researchers at Tabula Rasa had obtained evidence that seemed to indicate that there was possibly something hidden underneath the surface of the moon and Mars. Exactly what it was, Vendrick had not managed to find out, but Arik suspected that the spheres in orbit around the planet certainly had someone with it to do.
His holo-band vibrated, and he looked surprised at it, there were not many who had that number and they were all aware of how high Arik appreciated not to be disturbed. It could not already be the agent who followed the two doctors outside Flor Fria. He looked down at the message that moved over the holo-band.
Fabergé egg mentioned in communication; Angel with wagon. Holo-transmission two hours ago between Arne Buch's widow Dagmar and the head of the Amber Group, Nicholas Backmann, in Paris. Dagmar has hired them to relocate the egg for her. Information file sent.
He stared at the message that repeated until he waved it away. A wave of heat flowed through him and he had to take a few deep breaths to calm down. It could not be true. It was the holy grail of the lost Fabergé eggs. Angel with wagon was an outstanding masterpiece, and Arik felt how he became hot inside when he imagined the egg in his hands. He had to have it. He must have it, no matter the cost. He must do everything. A thought flashed through his head. It was time for his best agent. She had never failed a mission. He pressed her icon on the holo-band. A female voice answered immediately.
"Yes, father?"
"I’ll send a file after our call. It's about a Fabergé-egg. You'll get it for me."
Houlgate, France
March 15, 2049
She smelled divine, a subtle mix of flowers and honey. He enjoyed her scent when he carefully pushed open the creaking, wooden door and entered the bedroom. Jonathan Jarl tenderly watched Marie L’angi when she lay in the large, soft bed, partly hidden under the thick, white covers. Her dark hair was tousled and partly covered her cheek. She looked like an angel when she slept, and Jonathan thanked his lucky star that he had met her.
It was early morning and this time of the year in the Northern parts of France, spring had really taken hold. In the last few decades, the weather cycles had been accelerating and that made spring come increasingly early in northern Europe. He and Marie had spent the last month in their apartment in Houlgate. They had been lucky to find an old, two-bedroom apartment close to the beach that the immediately had fallen in love with. It was not big but for Jonathan and Marie, it was perfect. They had decorated it with love and its rustic interior gave Jonathan a kind of calm that he had not felt in a long time. The broad wooden floor planks groaned when you walked on them and the scent of lavender bushes on the balcony gave it a pleasant air.
He had awoken early, went down to the local bakery that was one street up from their place. There he had gotten some newly baked croissants and now the scent from the bakery mixed with the lavender.
Marie shifted slowly in bed when Jonathan came into the room. He did not tire of the sight of her. Her beautiful eyes opened and looked at him. She smiled. The warmth within him was immediate and he returned the smile.
He came around the bed while balancing the tray and gently placed it on the dresser. Marie sat up and looked gratefully on the warm cup of coffee waiting for her. Jonathan leaned forward, kissed her and gave her a cup.
“Hey, good-looking.”
“Hey, han
dsome.”
Even though she just had awoken, her lips tasted of strawberry. He sat quietly a few moments, gazing at her. Their time in Houlgate after Jonathan's close encounter with death at Tabula Rasa had been the best sort of remedy he could think of. He had been seriously injured when he had fought John Vendrick III, a psychotic businessman that had created a mega complex on the coast of Madagascar. Out of the reach from the global authorities, John had created several illegal cloning-programs that aimed to research and create a new generation of super-humans.
These programs had not only been illegal and unethical, but they had also been to a large extent successful. There had been at least one generation of viable clones that had seen the light of day. After John had died, the United Nations, who had the responsibility to monitor these new mega-complexes, quietly initiated a committee that sole purpose was to track and capture the responsible medical doctors, Dr. Weng-Li and Dr. Ln’geem that had been able to escape from Tabula Rasa.
. Luckily, before Jonathan had to face off against John, Marie had given him an injection that helped him protect him during the struggle. During the fight, Jonathan had been able to inject a syringe of nano-robots different from the strain that John voluntarily had been injected himself with. John had been taking part in a secret program there had gotten injections to enable himself to evolve into a kind of super-human.
But when Jonathan had injected the second, incompatible batch of nano-robots, the two types had violently attacked each other and used John’s body as a battlefield. John had suffered a ferocious and excruciating death and Jonathan had barely survived the encounter.
He caressed her shoulder.
”Sleep well?”
She nodded absent-minded and stretched.
“Pretty good”, she hesitated while she yawned, “But I think I had a nightmare. I dreamt that we were out jogging but when I turned to talk to you, you were gone.” She shook her head, “It was so strange. I kept running in bigger and bigger circles to find you, but you were nowhere to be found.”
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