Arik smiled at Umbra and took her arm and showed the way when they got inside Helder Ster. The heat in the air could not measure itself with the heat inside Umbra.
* * *
The speed decreased. The slender plane cut through the air. Normally, it took at least ten hours to cover the distance from Paris to Johannesburg, but Jonathan had done it in three hours. Backmann had called in a favor that the French Air Force owed him, and Jonathan had been allowed to use the co-pilot seat in a supersonic military plane that took him straight to Tambo, the main airport outside Johannesburg.
There, Jonathan had changed the means of transport to a Rooivalk attack helicopter. The helicopter was unarmed and an older version but was still a formidable means of transport. The helicopter pilot adjusted the speed further and the momentum continued to decrease. The helmet was tight around his head. It crackled in his headphones when the pilot spoke.
"Not so far left now. Four minutes. "
The knot in his stomach tightened. He would perform a parachute jump down towards Helder Ster. It was a gamble, he knew that, but it had good chances of success. It would not be something they expected, that he would pursue Umbra so soon. It was no real HALO jump, which stood for High-altitude-Low-opening, but the butterflies in Jonathan's stomach was just as real. He rose and walked up to the door.
HALO-jumps simply meant that you jumped out from the high altitude and fell almost all the way down to the ground before opening the ground. The biggest advantage of this type of jump was that you could avoid being detected on radar. But it was also one of the riskiest jumps that existed. Normally, the parachute was triggered when you were between one and two kilometers from the ground, then it was ample time to unfold a parachute if something went wrong. But at HALO-jumps that was not possible. If something went wrong during the jump and there was a problem with unfolding the parachute, it was simply too little time to correct it, he tried to let calm.
"Ready."
He stumbled and nearly fell when the helicopter passed through turbulence. A few seconds later, the ride had calmed down and he looked down towards Helder Ster. Its soft edges were drawn far beneath him and small clouds slipped in from the west.
The pilot gave thumbs up and pressed a button on the center console. A light started flashing green above Jonathan.
"Now."
Jonathan pressed a button next to the door and it opened. A wall of strong wind began to pull his clothes and they began to flutter violently. He braced and threw himself out into the abyss. He fell. First slowly, almost as if he floated weightlessly through the air. Then he started to fall faster. Faster and faster as the speed increased, and the wind tore and pulled his clothes. He fell for what seemed to be an eternity while struggling to gain control of his case.
Helder Ster's formidable forms under him disappeared from his field of vision for a few seconds and then came into focus again. A faint sense of panic grew in him when he felt that he was not in control. He instinctively drew his arms close, fell through the air and then stretched them out softly. He breathed out hard when he felt that he regained control. He pulled the front arm and peeked at the altimeter. Not yet. Jonathan adjusted the course so Helder Ster slipped in under him again.
* * *
The wind tore at him as a raging animal and he was close to losing his equilibrium, but he managed to maintain control. Jonathan used his body to control it and his arms to keep the balance. Far beneath, the South African land stretched out as far as the eye reached. He controlled his altimeter and adjusted the course, so he headed towards Helder Ster under him. His helmet microphone crackled, and he heard Marie's voice.
"Do you have eye contact with the target area?"
He saw Helder Ster beneath him as he quickly approached. Seeing it was not particularly difficult, it was more landing that would be a bit challenging.
"Yes, I see it. Thirty Seconds to landing."
Marie's voice was cool but clear.
“Good. We are stand-by, notify when you have contact. "
Jonathan adjusted his position in the air.
"Roger."
A strong gust of wind threw him temporarily off course and he had to try to regain control. Eight hundred meters left. He stared down towards the target area at Helder Ster. It would be a difficult landing. He had to wait to trigger the parachute if possible to escape detection. The Amber Group had worked out a quick analysis of the well-known monitoring systems of Helder Ster and Backmann and Marie had made the assessment that if Jonathan could wait by triggering the parachute to the very last second, he would have a real chance to avoid detection, but it was still a risky moment, but Jonathan did not hesitate.
The woman who called herself Umbra had defeated him twice and his pride had been hurt but he would get his revenge, he would not let Umbra get away this time.
He focused on the landing site, which was up on one of the service platforms that were located up on top of Helder Ster. It was a beautiful complex and when Jonathan quickly approached it from above, he saw new details. He had visited the complex many years ago but then it did not look as it looked now. Now it was one of the most advanced mega-complexes in the world and they were leaders in mining, especially in the gold and diamonds. The complex itself was divided into two gigantic, undulating shapes that stretched more than seven hundred meters up into the air. The shapes moved around each other and resembled a yin-yang symbol.
Something moved on the horizon and he turned to see what it was. A dark cloud moved towards him. He stared at it.
"Do you see this?"
Two seconds passed before Marie confirmed what Jonathan's helmet camera showed on one of the screens in the control room in the Amber Groups headquarter.
"It looks like a sandstorm. A big one. "
Jonathan checked the altimeter again. 300 meters left. Before he replied, Marie spoke.
"We can use it to your advantage. If there is a sandstorm on the way, it can help to hide your approach. "
Jonathan appreciated Marie's quick analysis of turning the sandstorm into something beneficial.
"Roger."
It was time. He pulled the ripcord and a violent jerk caused him to temporarily lose his breath. He was hurled backward by the force. The speed decreased quickly when the parachute was unfolded, and he took control of his descent.
He had come in a bit awry and maneuvered the parachute, so that he approached the eastern of the two parts of Helder Ster. His target area was not big, it consisted of an oval platform surrounded by a high fence. The platforms were used primarily for service maintenance and helicopter landings and would provide direct access to the Helder Ster. According to the information available to the Amber Group, they were not guarded.
He looked towards the platform and saw that it was approaching quickly. It looked tiny. He swallowed hard and adjusted his course. He came in a bit low and was close to hitting his legs on the railing, but he pulled hard in the control lines and the speed decreased rapidly.
He swung up in an arc and was close to slipping over the railing on the other side of the platform. He hit the railing hard and lost his breath for a moment. His parachute continued forward above him and he felt a wave of by panic when his body began to lighten when it slid further forward. Close to panic, he hunkered down as he pressed the retraction button on his control display on the arm. The parachute folded together and pulled back onto his back.
He stared down along the abyss that stretched diagonally downwards. The view was breathtaking. He let go of the railing and he sat down and waited until his pulse went down before he contacted Marie. The air was warm and pleasant, but he looked astonished at the tracks after his own landing in the dust that seemed to be everywhere.
"Landing completed."
Marie's voice responded immediately.
"Excellent." a few seconds passed, "any problems?"
"Not special, is a little sore after I hit in the railing, but it will go over. "
"Ok, when you're
done, go down through the service tunnel. I send the hacked codes we have for Helder Ster, so we can hope that they work. Then go down to Ariks office, that's where we suspect he has the Fabergé-eggs. He also has Maja Buch, so keep an eye out for her as well. "
Jonathan activated his holo-band and a three-dimensional map glittered up above his arm. His position was indicated by a red, blinking dot. From the dot went a thin, light blue line that showed the way down to the Ariks office. It was a gamble, he knew but it was too late to back out now. He clenched his fists, got up and ran crouching towards the big service elevator doors.
* * *
He moved quickly. The ceiling was low and Jonathan had to crouch down when he ran but he could still move relatively fast. Heat from the walls made him sweat. The winding tunnel stretched eastward from the platform at first but after a few dozen meters it began to turn off slightly towards the right and down. The walls were covered with pipes in different diameters that meander like snakes next to him. He stopped and checked his holo-band. The hologram spun around when he touched it.
He was near the top of the soft, undulating main tower in the Helder Ster-complex. Arik would certainly bring Maja to his office for further interrogation. Exactly what she would be exposed to, Jonathan did not want to think about, so he pushed the thoughts from his head and focused on the mission. A vibrating signal from his holo-band interrupted him. The hologram disappeared, and he heard Marie's quiet voice clearly in his earpiece.
"Jonathan?"
He was always amazed at the sound quality in the small, almost invisible instrument that was placed in his ear canal.
"Yes, I hear you. I'm inside. "
He could almost hear how Marie sighed with relief.
“Good. I just wanted to inform you that we completed another analyses of Umbra and we may have a suggestion on how you can respond to her. It is not foolproof and there are no guarantees, but it can perhaps give you enough time for you to complete your mission. "
Jonathan listened intently.
"Go on."
Marie explained for a few minutes and Jonathan listened, first doubtful but then with increasing confidence. Marie fell silent and waited for Jonathan to respond.
"Do you know what?" he said, "it might actually work."
Marie worked quickly and adjusted the screen on her control table.
"Good, put your holo-band in upgrade mode and we will upload the software update to it at once. It's a new feature so we're not sure it works but it should do it. Then we can only hope that it really works if or when you need it. But remember, it's a last resort. When you activate the feature, the battery will only last for a few minutes, max three. "
Jonathan nodded.
"Ok, it's better than nothing. If I need it, I at least have a way to confront her. "
Marie uploaded the necessary updates and then confirmed that it was clear.
"It's ready. Good luck. "
Jonathan nodded, smiled at her, and rose up.
"See you later."
He continued into a narrow walkway and passed the air purification units that made a noise like they were on the verge to break. During the flight there he had had time to read through the dossier that the Amber Group had compiled about Arik Zimki and Helder Ster.
Arik belonged to the absolute top tier in the global society and could mention countless influential people around the world as his friends. But his influence did not stop there. According to the information that the Amber Group had managed to compile, Arik was the one who had pressed John Vendrick III to share his discoveries in human cloning. All such attempts were for a long time banned but some dubious research groups around in the world had reached far within that field and it was a field that Arik wanted to get into.
Vendrick had been a brilliant visionary but in the end, he had fallen prey to his own vanity. In an insane decision, Vendrick had decided to inject the drugs used in cloning experiments on himself. He had gotten a synthetic cocktail of growth hormones and steroids to develop himself into the next generation of superhuman.
Arik had apparently had some kind of hold on Vendrick and he had forced Vendrick to share the discoveries but at first, Arik had failed. He wanted the two doctors, Dr. Ln'Geem and Dr. Weng-Li, to come over to Helder Ster to help Arik develop their cloning program but Vendrick had refused.
After Vendrick had died and the doctors had been placed in house-arrest, Arik had staged a plan to get hold of them.
Jonathan ran through the tunnel and came out in what resembled a smaller service room. He slipped and saw that the floor was covered with a thin layer of dust. He muttered to himself while he left the room and disappeared out of the rickety door.
"Get some cleaning help."
The room was covered on one side by electric panels. On the opposite side was there different control levers. The heavy steel wheels were massive, and the room reminded Jonathan of a high-tech version of a control room on an old nuclear power plant. He hurried on and ran.
* * *
Her heartbeat throbbed in her ears. Umbra glanced over at Arik and swallowed hard.
She saw that his eyes were watery. The beautiful marron-colored box was placed on the desk. Umbra stood in front of him and watched when he put his hands on it and mumbled a few words. Umbra did not hear what he said and leaned forward to hear. He continued to stand in front of the box with his hands on it and talked as in trance. He did not look at it but kept his hands still. Umbra did not know if she would say anything, so she remained silent. After a few seconds, Arik turned towards her.
“Thank you. Thank you for giving me this gift. "
She was surprised by the sincerity of the words but smiled when she heard them.
"You’re welcome, father, hope you are happy it".
"Yes, I am. Far more satisfied than I could ever imagine. "
She lowered her gaze and mumbled.
”Thank you.”
The feeling of satisfaction and joy was like a warm wave within her. That was how it should be, or it was this way it was. Feeling the sweetness of victory was something she loved. She watched when he opened the box and she saw that his hands trembled when he brought up the lid.
A faint, shimmering light radiated from within the box and Umbra held her breath. Arik gazed down at the three Fabergé-eggs. He gently lifted one of them and kept it in his hands.
"Finally. Now you are mine. "
He let his fingers move over it while his smile became wider. He took up the Royal Danish egg and weighed it in his hands.
“Magnificent. So very exquisite. "
He carefully opened the egg and stared at the surprise inside. The piece was small, barely half an inch but it was still fantastic. Arik took out a velvety canvas and placed it on the table. Gently, he took the shimmering piece of the arc and placed it on the canvas and looked at it. It glittered in colors that he had never seen before. He could not explain how beautiful it was. It was something quite extraordinary. He picked up the other two eggs and put down the remaining two pieces next to the first one. They gleamed like the sun and he took a deep breath. Umbra walked around and put his hand on his shoulder.
“Wonderful. Absolutely amazing. "
Arik nodded.
"Yes."
Slowly he brought the parts together and two of the parts touched. A thin wave of light rolled over the small, circular object in front of them.
"What are you doing?"
He stared at the three pieces in front of him.
"Now is time. It is time for me to get control of my destiny. "
His voice fell silent and he brought the parts together. All three parts touched each other and formed a hollow ring and yet another wave of light rolled over it but died out after barely a second, like a wave retracts to the sea. Nothing more happened. He stared at the pieces as if he could merge them with his willpower.
Nothing. Umbra swallowed. Arik was bent over them like a falcon that had locked onto a mouse. He brought the parts to
gether and pushed them together hard. Small, thin waves of light started moving over the ring but then they also died away. Arik’s voice had a sharp edge to it when he spoke.
"I don't understand. There are three parts and I place them together, is that not enough? Should I do anything more? "
He turned his gaze towards Umbra for help, but she just stared at the ring and then at Arik. She shrugged.
"I don't know what to say."
She could see the disappointment in her father's eyes and it cut within her like searing, white-hot arrow.
* * *
He was there but still not. Jonathan held his breath, but his heartbeat banged so hard in his ears that he thought they would hear him. He was close to the thin grate that faced Ariks office. He had followed the passage through the service tunnel as Marie laid out to him but when he was halfway, Marie had sent an update. If he took a different path, he could get in with a small service hatch in the ventilation system.
It was a gamble, but it had paid off. He squatted and waited until the sweat flowing from his forehead would wane. It had been hot outside but here, in certain sections of the ventilation system, even hotter. He checked his position once more and moved on.
After a few strenuous meters, he came up to the grate, looked through it and saw two figures bent over table. They said something that Jonathan did not quite hear. One of the figures turned around and Jonathan saw that it was Umbra. She had tears in her eyes and seemed to be upset.
Jonathan carefully withdrew a few meters from the grate and pondered his next move. He pulled up a black box that he placed on the floor in front of him. He placed his thumb on the box and it clicked. An opening appeared, and Jonathan saw a tiny, black insect crawl out. He would send it off towards Arik and Umbra. He held up the screen in front of him and saw how a dragonfly slipped out through the grid.
Genesis Page 29
