— Thank you.
He hung up, and then turned to El’Athar:
— Soon there will be more. Watch the city. And keep an eye on Tekhina Ami.
— All right, I will do everything in my power.
Chapter 7
Security service of "Enki" research centre was in the basement, and access to it was possible only with a special biometric passport, having the shape of a semicircle. The department had two levels of access: regular and archive. Data marked "Top Secret" was stocked in the archive. Only four people had access there, among whom was El’Athar.
Archives of "Enki" looked quite ordinary: long steel shelves with folders, drawers, boxes — all numbered and sorted by date of receipt. There were memory sticks filled with the data. Some of the information was printed, most often those were very old documents that have not yet been digitized. However, modern state institutions were not able to do anything without the paper chase and bureaucracy, especially when it came to the important things. Knowing what you are looking for, you could easily find the top-secret materials in plain text form, endorsed by the Ministry of the Interior. There was a desktop computer, which was used exclusively for the data search. There was a little direct information on the server, normally only markers and file names, indicating exactly where the documents were located.
El’Athar sat down at the computer and typed "Merkhaba" in the search bar. He did not know how many documents on this project there were, which ones were there, and which ones at the Ministry of the Interior. After some time, the system prompted for the password, and the agent immediately introduced a secret code. "The password is entered incorrectly." El’Athar swore and re-dialled the combination, but an error message flashed again on the monitor. Apparently, the documents tagged as "Project "Merkhaba" were destroyed. So he had to deal with reports from the Ministry.
Sometimes in the process of searching he managed to find quite strange documents, from which secrecy and conspiracy emanated, and in such moments El’Athar felt like a hero detective close to unlocking the secrets of the mystical, but very often information that fell into his hands increasingly convinced that even very serious people who were responsible for the fate of the State, may be the most common idiots.
Realizing that further searches were useless El’Athar decided to visit the guys who he brought to "Enki" that day, and at the same time to get acquainted with the new employee, as she would certainly be with them in the "corner of Dr Moreau." Agent went down to minus first floor, where the entrance to the laboratory "unit" was.
From the outset El’Athar clearly understood what it was going to be, when he agreed to work in "Enki". Unfortunately, he was not in a position to refuse to perform certain questionable errands of Director General or to dictate his terms. Agent should at least admit to himself that he was a prisoner rather than an employee, despite the high salary and absolute trust of Aine Soph. A year ago, the Director General appeared on the verge of death row and offered cooperation, noting that the country's best scout had nothing to do in prison. Lord, a year already... All this time El’Athar was ready to unconditionally fulfil the tasks that he received from Aine Soph, even if they were beyond morality. But to experiment on children, even if they were not quite human — was too much even for the one who had passed through a lot of human filth. And now he was frantically thinking about whether or not to do anything to save the unfortunate Lamashtu from the fate of experimental materials prepared for them. They were just kids! However, special agent had never indulged in vain hopes. El’Athar never had to discuss his position with the Director General, but the agent was firmly convinced that in case of rebellion he would find himself on death row rather quickly.
"Isn't it too much for you to take, El’Athar?" — He thought, and opened the door. In the hall of the "corner of Dr Moreau" stood a couple of sofas, clothes hangers, umbrellas and outdoor clothing, on the floor — vases with fresh flowers. On one of the sofas both Lamashtu were sitting with gloomy faces, and the older one appeared to shrivel somehow and pressed himself into the soft furnishings. El’Athar walked across the room to see if there was someone else. Dr Tekhina Ami was in her office talking on the phone — it was heard because of the half-open door, which had already a sign with her name. The agent was about to announce his presence, but the woman herself went into the common room and stared at El’Athar.
"She's all right," — he thought, quickly and professionally examining wheat thick hair, big green eyes, red lipstick on her lips and delicate hands. At first glance, Dr Ami was too thin, but it fitted her, and her smock bothered to estimate the true figure.
— I am El’Athar, a special security officer — agent introduced himself, waiting for Dr Ami's reaction, other than wide-eyed astonishment.
— My name is Tekhina Ami, I'm a specialist in neuroscience — now she looked more puzzled, but still continued to stand at the threshold of her office. — What are you doing here, special officer?
— These kids are my responsibility, I brought them here.
— I think I have heard something about you — Dr Ami went to the couch in the lobby.
— Really? — El’Athar grinned and followed Tekhina. — What have you heard?
— No one knows what you do, but as I can see, you're interfering with the work of others. — She leaned over the blonde older guy, asking him to allow to look at his hands.
— What are you doing now, I do not know. — The agent sat on the sofa in front of her, watching the actions of the new employee and her legs.
— I'm just passing the examination. With these children I can see at what stage an error crept into my work. Of course, if I will be allowed to carry out some research.
— So that's why they're here — El’Athar did not even pretend that he was surprised. Instead, he turned to Lamashtu:
— What's your name then?
— I am Aleph, a musician — the older one said quietly, without raising his head.
— I am Tharsis — the younger glared into his eyes angrily.
El’Athar nodded.
— On the minus third floor there are several premises for employees. Basically the ones who have not yet had time to get housing or prefer to live at work are lodged there — Dr Ami continued, examining the hand of Tharsis. — You can live there.
— You, too, would prefer to live on the job? — El’Athar grinned when Tekhina could not find the answer, but the question was more rhetorical.
— I'm still working at the University of Elam. So I have no time to be at home — after a long pause said Ami.
— They you can stay with me — suggested El’Athar.
— Don't you have enough of your own concerns? — Tekhina grunted, without looking at him.
— Enough! You know I have planned a visit to the city theater on Friday, they are showing a new musical, would you keep me company?
— What time does it start?
— At eight o'clock.
— Well, pick me up at the lab at seven.
— Agreed — El’Athar smiled and went out into the hall.
Chapter 8
Information about the project "Merkhaba" was necessary to be found by the end of the day, and as much as El’Athar wanted to do any other work, he had to find a way to get into the archives of the Ministry of Interior. Of course, sitting in the company of a pretty employee was nicer, but there was no choice. "If you hadn't agreed to work with Aine Soph, you would not be alive El’Athar" — the agent reassured himself on the way home.
El’Athar didn't worry about how to get into the Ministry of Interior: the system has been worked out. The guard only slyly winked at the fake pass inspection in exchange for his fifty denarii a month and a case of beer.
To get to the needed repository was quite easy, but to carry out the documents marked "top secret" was almost impossible, cameras were everywhere. After thinking a little, El’Athar sent a message to his envoy, "Need help. In half an hour in the parking lot." In the city there was a
great set of parking lots, but El’Athar always met with his agents on the same spot, so clarifications were not necessary.
Five minutes to rest and he should get ready.
At home El’Athar changed into his only decent suit — black in the narrow dark stripe. Agent shaved, found his favourite sunglasses and called a taxi to the parking lot, where he was going to rent a car. Normally, the car was selected by two criteria: it had to look decent and inconspicuous. El’Athar picked up even numbers — with no repeating digits.
The man in the strict dark grey suit was waiting at the far end of the parking lot that was almost empty. He looked around nervously, as if afraid that someone may follow him — but a vacant lot on the outskirts of the city was deserted.
— Why did you call me in the middle of the day? — He lashed at El’Athar.
— I urgently need your help. After half an hour I will be at the Ministry. My pass is still valid, it's okay, but I need to take some documents from the archives.
— There's cameras everywhere and a guard at the entrance, what do you want from me?
— It is necessary to turn off the cameras, just for a couple of minutes. You should know how to do it.
— I do not know... Well, I'll think of something.
— Do not forget who helped you get the job.
— Yes, I remember. Okay, in half an hour be at the entrance to the archives. It is in the basement, if you have not been there. There are two guards, you will need to sign, where they indicate, leave all things and wear protective clothing. You will have fifteen minutes to find the documents. Now it's three o'clock and two minutes in the afternoon, at three o'clock fifty minutes the electricity will switch off, and the alarm will turn on.
Man in a suit got in his car and quickly left without saying goodbye.
Half an hour later El’Athar pulled up to the building of the Ministry in a black middle class car and parked in the parking lot for employees. In fact, he could not stand to drive a car, preferring to walk, even if it was very far.
Hekkoy-6, the Ministry of the Internal Affairs of Elam, was located near the sea. All Hekkoys created a perfect semi-circle along the main street that contoured the coastline.
In the Ministry, he quickly went through the checkpoint and headed to the basement, which was completely equipped for the needs of the archive: spacious rooms, a library lounge, computers, and endless boxes with memory cards and paper documents everywhere. El’Athar knew that all the information on the project "Merkhaba" was stored in the same folder in the vault number 4, which could be accessed only by special permission. But when there was no electricity, no one could see where you were going.
The guards forced the agent to sign a log and provided him with a disposable suit and cellophane gloves, as it was common in public institutions. It smelled of dust and mould. These guys weren't allowed to ventilate the room so that the paper would not damp, so there was absolutely no oxygen.
El’Athar looked at his watch. He had ten minutes before the electricity would be switched off. He checked whether the flashlight was in his pocket. It remained to wait a bit, pretending to be busy searching for information in the computer.
Several people were sitting in different parts of the archives, idly leafing through catalogs and sending messages. Only five minutes before the power switching off. Three ... two ...
— ...what has happened? — In total darkness said an alarmed man's voice.
— I would ask the present visitors to stay in their places! — one of the guards came in the library hall — if five minutes later the electricity doesn't switch back on, we will withdraw visitors from all areas.
He shone his flashlight around the room, it seemed that everything was in place, but El’Athar as quietly as he could, crept to the right repository. He sat down so that the guard at the entrance with a flashlight did not notice him, and waited for the alarm to work. There was always a chance that you can cheat, but in the case of El’Athar it was fraught — traitors did not live long.
Siren. It was such a high-pitched whine that no one heard the sharply opened and closed steel door to the vault № 4. El’Athar turned on a flashlight and quickly began to inspect the boxes to find the right documents. He had very little time, and if he is found there, he would have to at least give up on his career.
There they are! El’Athar stuffed an impressive folder deep underneath his shirt and tried to sneak back into the library room. At the door stood the guard and shone a flashlight in his face:
— What were you doing there, sir...
— White. My name is White.
— Mr White.
— I was lost — El’Athar wanted to bypass the guard without turning his back on him, and trying not to be nervous.
— Where are you going? — He grabbed the agent's hand. — You are not allowed to go anywhere until I tell you so. Got it? What were you looking for?
— I told you I was just lost.
— And I know something else about you... — the security guard did not finish, he received a heavy blow on the head with a pistol. Damn protective gown, it could be done earlier and faster.
The agent stepped over the body and hurried out of the room until the lights were on. He tore off his coat and gloves, having pushed them into his briefcase. He placed the documents there too.
Three... two... one... The light was turned on at the premises again.
Agent leisurely walked through the half-empty front door.
The body of an employee of the Ministry of the Internal Affairs has been found in the country-berth yacht club "Persia". Special features: dark short hair, a mole on his right cheek, a strict black suit...
Chapter 9
— Do you realize what you've done, Mr Lugal?
— I haven't done anything that would contradict the policy of "Enki".
— Do you know the purpose for which the organization was established?
— I've been doing and am doing my duty. I like my job. If you ask me about some problems of a secret research center, it is beyond my competence in any case. I know no more than you.
— You witnessed something unusual there at the station?
— Just what is recorded on film.
— Tell what is recorded on film.
— Echo coming from the depths of the Earth. As if it were voices. I can't guess whose they are.
— Have you not found the source of the voices?
— No.
— Were you scared?
— Yes.
— What do you think about it?
— I think that these voices is the cause of the hurricane "Tiamat."
End of record.
***
— Good afternoon, Mr Soph. It is Mr Keter. We will get in touch with this gadget. Mr Daath and the organization of "Elohim" welcomes you to our cosy company. We are glad that you have sworn to serve Mr Daath, like all of us, for a good purpose.
— Good afternoon, Mr Keter. I'm ready to get to work.
— Our main mission, as you know, is finding all twenty-two Lamashtu seeking to interfere with our plans. We cannot let these nasty creatures in our world.
— I am ready to do everything in my power, Mr Keter. Where should I start?
— We will get back to you, Mr Soph.
***
"Project "Merkhaba"
"Case № 36"
"Top secret"
Video 1: 146 sec., b/w, authenticity confirmed. Attached.
Video recording 2: 210 min., b/w, operational footage. Attached.
The team of investigators, as part of the Case № 36 "Project "Merkhaba", travelled to Greenland on July 15, 2023 A.A.D. Arriving in the city of Nuuk — on 17 July of the same year. Research Station "Merkhaba" is located 300 kilometers north of the city. Precise coordinates: 64 ° 50'30 "N 51 ° 14'00 "W
On the base found:
Computer — 2.
Camera — 3.
Camcorder — 1.
Data storage (SSD) — 1 .
Rock samples — 13.
Equipment was faulty because of the high level of humidity, so the corrosion has begun. Data is not preserved. The drive contains a damaged videotape 1. It is partially restored. The nature of the interference and damage could not be determined, the authenticity of the video is confirmed by the technical laboratory of the Ministry of the Interior Affairs. The recorded material includes a video track — an image of a far mine, and the audio stream — presumably male voices. The language that the voices of unknown origin use was not identified. Interference in the video and acoustic echo in the mine — 75%.
Rock samples mines are ten kilometres to the north-east from the base. Precise coordinates: 64 ° 50'10 "N 51 ° 13'05 "W
Water flooded the shaft, due to the low temperature is in the solid phase (ice). Drilling didn't have any results, the members of the group "Merkhaba" could not be found.
The mine from the tape was not found.
A detailed report about the expedition and the results of the analysis of the rock samples are attached.
Head of Investigation Service of the World Research Centre
Palen Orth
***
The Government of Elam:
Wanted criminal!
Height — 185-195 cm, athletic build, age 30-35 years, dark long hair. No distinctive marks. Anyone who can provide any relevant information, please call 555-37-45. Assistance in apprehending the criminal will be entitled to remuneration in the amount of 500 denarii.
— Well, you have created quite a mess — Aine Soph looked at the first page of the city newspaper «SAG» displeased. — Disturbed this quiet town.
— I acted strictly according to the circumstances — El’Athar shrugged.
— Did you have to hit the unfortunate guard, so that he died on the spot? A Ministry agent who worked with you?! Suddenly deceased...
— If I had hesitated and did not close the question, I would have been slacking behind bars. And the work would have remained unfulfilled.
Project Ouroboros Page 4
