Project Ouroboros (6 page)

The theater was stuffy and noisy. Some people from the audience were discussing actors outfits, some argued that the movie was more interesting, and someone had come up with the stupid idea to pour the whole bottle of perfume from the latest collection of local fashion house "Ishtar" at themselves.

Neither the theater nor his companion interested El’Athar, only his suit that restricted movements irritated slightly. El’Athar was just doing his job. Typically, indirect indications of his management agent understood his own way, interpreting them as it felt better for him. But now, in a theater, watching this shoddy performance, he regretted his rash decision to "watch" Dr Ami by inviting her on a date. El’Athar didn't know what irritated him more: the fact that she was completely uninteresting, this beautiful woman, or that one could find a solution to this burdensome task. Besides, Tekhina, apparently, didn't quite understand why she agreed to the invitation. At first it seemed that it was a good excuse to spend time outside of work in the company of a new friend, which she considered attractive enough to be interested in him, but, to her chagrin, the special agent wasn't interested in her as a woman, absolutely wasn't.

— A horrible musical, however, the audience as well, — commented the theatrical evening Tekhina as soon as they went out. — God, fresh air finally!

— You're right, of course — agreed El’Athar. — Let's walk?

— Yes, I vitally need oxygen.

— A good bar has opened on the coast, with great drinks.

— It's not too far? I'm wearing new shoes. I haven't bought the shoes with heels for five years already.

— Yes, you have wasted money for nothing for this musical.

— Who knew... But it's all right. I'll have to go to the movies in a cocktail dress now — Tekhina smiled, trying to keep up with the fast pace of the agent. She paused for a moment to dissolve the hair from a braid before, and looked forward. — Will it be long?

— We're almost there. So, next time we go to the movies?

— Yes, maybe, at least, that experiment would be successful!

El’Athar veered off the sidewalk to the track paved with marble tiles. It led to a bar styled as a bungalow, with a long shiny bar, a dance floor and open-air tables around it.

Tekhina looked around in surprise. It was the end of the working week, and there were a lot of people: empty seats weren't visible. But El’Athar confidently walked up to the bartender and ordered a beer and a "good cocktail for the lady".

— Come on — he came back with a dark ale and a turquoise cocktail, which, according to the bartender, should be "incredibly delicious."

El’Athar confidently led Tekhina along the coast. The warm evening breeze, the mysterious whispering palm leaves, calm sea, which reflected the city lights — all granted some peace after not such successful visit to the theater. The air smelled of salt water and magnolias. Tekhina and El’Athar leisurely strolled, moving away from the music and the bar.

— Look, — the agent pointed at a lone free bench under a palm tree — it is the best you can come up with right now, right?

— Yes, it's fine. — She sat down, took the cocktail out of his hands and looked at the sea. — May I ask?

— Yes, of course — El’Athar sat beside her.

— What did you feel when you realized that you have to kill people from the ministry?

— I was annoyed. I always trying to work so that as little as possible of people knew about me, and now everyone in the "Enki" seem to realize what I was doing.

— No, not all. Only our small department. Dingir, his parents and me. They are here ... on a special account, or something. Since the creation of the centre, before Tiamat. I just ... I feel uncomfortable. They look like it thirty years haven't passed since then. Like there wasn't this terrible break. They are still twenty-five, and they are still as confident. When they are close, I feel as if...

— ...something was wrong with them? — ended her sentence El’Athar.

— Yes.

— I get the same feeling when I look at the Director General.

— They are somewhat similar — Tekhina shrugged.

— Yes.

— And Lamashtu? A strange feeling, too, but another one.

— I do not feel their presence. Nothing that you feel when you live next to a man — El’Athar was finally able to articulate his thoughts.

— I made a complete examination and released them under the responsibility of Dingir.

— And that — the findings — were useful?

— I've been working on... the problem of creating an artificial nervous system, and each time it seems to me that everything is perfect — an experimental model refuses to function. And I cannot understand what's going on.

— You thought Lamashtu would help?

— Yes...

— And when you realized that they are by all indications ordinary people, you've decided to let them go?

— Yes...

— Besides — without the knowledge of Mr Director General.

— They are supervised.

— Let's hope. I am sure that Lamashtu are needed not only because of your research, even if they are very important for science. I do not want to be guilty for something.

— No, Dingir looks after them.

— Still, it would be better if they moved to me. I have a big apartment. This way it will be more reliable. Security. Both for you and for me ... we are still under the control of Mr Soph.

— I know — Tekhina has decided to speak out, since such an opportunity appeared — I'm scared.

— Scared?

— One of my experiments... I need a live person.

— Well... that's why you work in the department, that's called "corner of Dr Moreau".

Tekhina remained silent. She finished her drink and offered to treat the agent with another beer. El’Athar nodded.

They had a few drinks at the bar and decided to take a walk along the coast once again.

Tekhina took off her shoes and enjoying unusually gentle and warm sea, walked barefoot on the sand.

— You know, I love the sea! But I was here only one time when I arrived, although it has been two months already.

— We can always come here again. For example, after the movies.

— Next Friday?

— Why not. If I am, of course, still alive. Do you want to come and see me?

— With pleasure.

Top secret

The Ministry of the Interior Affairs of the Republic of Elam with the support of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Elam Tiberisus Abey and President of the Republic of Elam Olaf Hakim

Resolution

Archive data:

"Project Merkhaba"

"Case № 56"

"Enterprises of Uruck"

"Case № 154"

"Project Hadzhibey"

"The Baghdad National Museum"

To be decommissioned.

08.11.2053

Signature of the Acting Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr O'Heyly ____________

Signature of the Prime Minister T. Abey ______________

Signature of the President O. Hakim _______________

To implement immediately.

***

Morning heat. El’Athar got up early, made coffee and sat in the kitchen, thinking about the situation. What's next? A completely unpredictable situation. Documents in the case of "Merkhaba" were scrupulously studied and were given to the Director. Of course, before this agent made copies and put the card in a safe place, hoping that these manipulations wouldn't bring him closer to the grave.

In fact El’Athar wasn't really sure if these materials would ever come in handy, but if someone found out that he left a copy — the body would not be found... The fear for his life struggled with vague dreams of the triumph of justice and banal curiosity. Irresistibly he wanted to understand everything concerning the project "Merkhaba", the more that professional instinct prompted: this involved more than one government agency in the world. Too much was at stake, too much ambition and money.

The coffee was cold.

Tekhina was still asleep. All last week she stayed with him, even though the agent was aware that tolerates her presence only because of the desire to better insight into the activities of "Enki". El’Athar imagined that it was still nice to wake up next to Tekhina, but some detail haunted him. In fact, he did not care... this beautiful and intelligent woman aroused in him absolutely no emotion.

— ... El’Athar, you have not had a girlfriend for a long time.

— Damn it, I am fine without one.

He thought that he was not interested in relationships with people, even friendly ones. El’Athar had only casual acquaintances, with whom it was possible to have a beer on occasion, and occasional woman when his physiology took its course.

But he didn't even want sex from Tekhina. Ad nauseam. It was unfair to her.

Agent closed his eyes. Maybe this was all just a dream, there was no Aine Soph, "Merkhaba" and Lamashtu? If only it was so!

Brewed in vain coffee was poured into the sink.

Somehow he didn't want anything anymore.

The tall figure of a special agent sank in the bright light of the morning sun. Dark, almost black wavy hair resting on her shoulders, and the aristocratic white skin glowed as if from within. El’Athar stood near the window, thin and limp, as if suddenly aged a few years, but still beautiful.

The agent did not like the bright light that seemed to lay bare all the shortcomings about which he wanted to forget: at the corner of his mouth on the right side there was a scar that could be seen clearly, as if he was picking up his lips in a smile; long bangs hid mutilated left temple and ear, and in the morning light blue eyes became unnaturally bright. If you look closely, this little nose was a surgical miracle as well.

...what has happened to you? ..

— El’Athar ... — sounded behind his back, and the agent turned sharply, having forgotten that there was someone else in the apartment.

— What is your full name? — Tekhina asked, standing beside him, looking out the window in fascination — over the roofs of neighbouring houses she could see the sea to the horizon. The water was so close that even the half-blind Tekhina saw this beauty.

— El’Athar is not my name — said her agent. — This is my nickname in the files of intelligence of Elam. In the future, I hope I can share with you my secret if I'll have time — El’Athar chuckled, obviously pleased with his joke.

Tekhina frowned.

— I have my birthday in a few days — she said quietly.

— Thirty six?

— Yes. Not a lot of fun, of course, but I'd like to spend the day well. And your age, is it also a mystery? In "Enki" no one can answer this question — the blonde smiled, picking up her hair in a ponytail.

— No. Twenty eight.

— I see! And I was that you are older. Well, I think it's time to get ready.

— Yes, that's a good idea. Coffee?

— Yes, please.

***

Hello Lydie! We are fine. I did not expect that the research would be so interesting. I regret that you are not with us as for any young scientist this expedition is a great start! We found several caves, where we had drill rods installed. But even without drilling we revealed a stunning fact: just imagine — the age of some stones is more than a million years! We found the remains of field mice, and as far as you know, my dear, they have been extinct for five to ten thousand years! And in all of Greenland there is nothing left but ice. Once upon a time people lived here...

Forever yours, Trier.

Hello Lydie! I was glad to get your letter last night, I'm sorry I did not answer immediately. Congratulations on your promotion! A junior researcher is a great position! I'm sure you will have a distinguished academic career! Now a little about the expedition. Everything goes according to the plan. We've made a surprising discovery — perfectly preserved skeletons of polar owls. Beautiful birds they were ... It's a pity that in the last two thousand years the flora and fauna were reduced by 90%, so we can only look at the beautiful pictures of Earth from the distant past and admire them. I wish I were there with you ...

Good night, sweetheart! Yours, Trier.

Lydie, are you alright? Lately there has been... some anxiety. Maybe it is because of the fact that it's Greenland and almost day and night we stay in the caves and it influences me so, but I sleep badly. This damn concern does not leave me for a moment. In addition, I began to hear talk in my sleep, unfamiliar people, and completely incomprehensible foreign language. I guess I'm just tired. Besides that I'm fine, do not worry.

Hi dear! How do you do? You wrote that you are working on a new project. It's great! It seems that all of us are caught in chronic fatigue, many began to feel sick. I hope that everything will be fine.

Today we descended to the distant caves. There's a huge amount of unique minerals, various types of soil. It's strange to be in there, as if you are somewhere but not on Earth. Cave passages are very intricate, every time I'm afraid to get lost. Remember when I said that I dreamed of people talking in an unknown language? I think I have heard them there, underground. Those voices are particularly audible if one leans his ear to the wall. Next time I'll take the camcorder with me. In any case, this phenomenon should be recorded; photos and videos are needed for reporting.

Mr Director General said that the term of our return home is approaching, and I will finally see you! After endless two months... I cannot wait. It remains only to find something important, for what started all this.

I am looking forward to seeing you, Trier.

Lydie, it's terrible. We've all heard those voices! Everyone! They were there throughout, in those distant caves! We managed to make a video, and each view terrifies us. None of us knows what language we hear or what those talks are about! It is a mass insanity, or there really is someone. Someone!.. Oh, Gods ... I'm so scared, Lydie, I want to go home to you. Tell me, tell me, and give me hope that you would marry me when I get back! I am looking forward to our meeting, your Trier.

Dear Lydie, I was left here all alone. The rest went into the caves and did not return... None of them came back... On the surface, a terrible hurricane is raging, it's been reported that accidents occur all over the planet. We found what we were looking for... But I wanted. I was left alone. Mr Director General said that they have sent a rescue team for me; they will pick me up and try to find the others. Our team... they were my family, my family... I'm all alone in this place... I hope that in Elam everything is fine, and my message gets to you. Dear Lydie, I believe that we will be all right!

There is no Elam anymore... I was brought to Taymir. Are you getting my messages? Where are you, Lydie? How can I find you?

***

El’Athar saw this correspondence whenever he closed his eyes. The agent could not believe that after all he had experienced while working in reconnaissance for twelve years, at night he would not dream of war and killing people, but the documents in the folder "Merkhaba". Sometimes it seemed to him that he heard the terrible voice from the video. All that was missing was to go mad, as it was just the tip of the iceberg of research centre "Enki" mysteries. The centre caused fear.

...The research station dormitories in Greenland were always dark and humid. And very cold. On the island there was no one who could come to the rescue the team, and there was no place to hide in case of danger. In the world of feelings and dreams there was nothing left except that damp room described in the reports of "Merkhaba". One could only sleep, wrapped in several blankets, and save water, to live through a few more agonizing days.

After reading the materials of the expedition chilling sensations began frequenting El’Athar when he went to bed. He imagined a young scientist locked in the research station for two weeks at the time when the inexorable natural disaster was destroying the Earth.

Tiamat... When he thought about the hurricane the memories surfaced in his head about how heavy leaden waves devoured the coast and strong winds tore trees up by the roots, and took them away. Black sky ... It was so low that it was possible to reach it with one's hands. Horizon scope. All merged into one sinister mess...

— You were born after the hurricane — Tekhina frowned.

— I know. Only it does not negate the fact that I somehow remember it.

— I almost do not remember anything. Only turmoil around and panic. I remember that we first drove the car, and then my parents put me and my grandmother on the bus. Mom and Dad went back ... for a dog. I have never seen them again. Although sometimes it seems to me that they are alive.

— You did not try to find them?

— No.

— Why?

— What for? They left the five-year child to pick up the dog. I think it is more than an eloquent testimony to their priorities.

— Are you still angry? I wouldn't, for example, in such a situation dare to leave my dog...

— It's just a dog!

— I understand...

The agent couldn't sleep, through dreams he constantly heard voices and echoes, echoes, dissolving in the walls of the apartment. The fear of the unknown moved to the stage of panic, and now, every night before going to bed, El’Athar could not think about anything other than that video, and the testimony of Trier Lugal. About anything but dark and mysterious project "Merkhaba".

On the third day of his terrible insomnia El’Athar started drinking. Aine Soph didn't give him any work, but promised that soon there would be quite a lot of it, so there was enough time for internal personal anguish and planning further actions. The agent was firmly convinced that he should move on in his research, and try to obtain hidden information in all possible ways, but for now he just drank...

If only everything happened according to a different scenario, but he had no strength to think it through and thirst for truth forced him to fulfil all Aine Soph's orders patiently, and to coexist with Tekhina and Lamashtu. Just because everything else was not so important. The main thing was that El’Athar knew how he would act in the future, no matter that he wanted to stay at home and never to be sober.