While she hated his untamed arrogance and something outright rudeness, she was always fond of him. But right now Director Lotus was annoyed she'd been left alone by her superiors and Dr Kalus Gallica to deal with two agents from top brass in the conference room at 4:30pm on a Friday afternoon when she would much rather be eating luke warm pizza with the other scientists in the mess hall upstairs.
But this wasn't an ordinary day. Yesterday herself, Klaus, and the rest of her team had made history; despite it currently being recorded as a total failure.
“I'll get my assistant to page him”, she said to the agent that was clearly in charge. “What won't be necessary, Miss Lotus. We have a man addressing the issue”.
“Oh?” She said, raising her eyebrows. “What exactly does that mean?”
"He was seen attempting to leave the campus as we were exiting your rather slow elevator, we have a man in pursuit". The lead agent said.
“In pursuit? Where do you think he is going? Have you forgotten we are in the middle of the arctic, its thirty below upstairs." Lotus exclaimed, getting frustrated with the accusatory nature of the agent.
“You don't know what he is carrying” the other agent said, speaking for the first time since the elevator encounter, and beginning to set up the equipment he was removing from the large metallic briefcase.
“Enlighten me” Lotus said, sitting down at the end of the conference room table.
“Actually, we were hoping you could tell us. After all, it is your government that set this entire escapade in motion” The lead agent said, removing their sunglasses for the first time.
“What exactly does that mean? This is a joint scientific program, not a military one. And I've noticed that both of you are carrying weapons, this is a civilian installation. They should have been checked in with the security officer when you arrived” Lotus barked back, getting annoyed and mildly worried.
“This site has become classified, once we have apprehended Dr Gallica and you have both answered our questions, you will be permitted to leave” the lead agent said.
Before she could respond, the PA system erupted.
BEEP! DR GALLICA TO CONFERENCE ROOM SUB-LEVEL 18. DR GALLICA TO CONFERENCE ROOM SUB-LEVEL 18.
sigh “I'm getting some coffee” Lotus said, in a defeated tone.
“You may, but don't leave this level. You don't want to implicate yourself further.” the lead agent said. “…whatever that means” Lotus said, standing up from the desk and heading to the door.
“Oh, and leave your phone on the table please.” said, the second agent pointing at Director Lotus.
“Phones aren't allowed in this part of the installation” Lotus said, with a smug tone, “Its in my locker”.
“We know, we were talking about your other phone” said the agent.
Lotus was shocked, now could they possibly know whats in her pocket?
“…I keep this one on my person to remain in contact with the rest of the team in Geneva. Signal is non-existent in the Arctic and this one is a satellite phone” said Lotus in a defensive tone.
“Very responsible and civic-minded of you, but you can use the hardlines like everyone else. Now put it on the table before there are any other revelations” the lead agent said, as the projector screen in the conference came to life, displaying a floor-plan of the complex.
Without saying anything further, she quietly walked back over to the table and placed the handset on the table, but not before turning the device off.
“Wonderful, now go get your coffee and hurry back. There is much to discuss and we need to debrief you before the others arrive” said the lead agent.
“Others?” lotus said.
“Yes, this is a big event and upstairs has been interested in the reports coming out of this frozen hellscape for months. Dr Gallica has demonstrated immense courage, intellect…followed by monumental stupidity over the last twenty-four hours, and top brass would like to join the assignment meeting.”
Lotus didn't say anything, instead walking back over to the conference room door and opening it. What the hell is going on? Why do they keep saying top brass as if this is a military operation. She needed to think, but away from these creepy people. They've forbidden her to leave this level so Lotus has no way to speak to other staff without using a phone, and she sure as hell isn't going to use a desk phone now.
Regardless, coffee is needed, and some thinking time. She headed down the hall to the break room and went inside, she found two junior scientists she couldn't remember the names of and an IT technician who accompanied her on her most recent flight up to the Arctic.
Internally she was freaking out but she is the Program Director and needs to maintain an outward degree calm and composure, even when she feels completely out of the loop. “Good afternoon” she said to the people in the break room, smiling.
“Afternoon Director” the IT tech said, “who are our guests? Should I attend the meeting? There was nothing in my calendar.”
Before she could answer, the elevator in the hallway chimed. Ignoring the question, she finished grabbing a coffee from the machine and headed towards the door.
In the hallway, Klaus was being escorted, albeit unrestrained but clearly against his will, by the third agent. Seven other individuals towards the conference room.
She noticed the emblems on their briefcases, ASTRA DEFENCE SYSTEMS.
Not military, something much worse. Private military, had the project changed hands and she'd been kept in the dark? A cold feeling entered the pit of her stomach, she felt danger.
BEEP! THE 1930 FLIGHT TO ICELAND HAS BEEN CANCELLED, PERSONNEL ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT TRANSPORT SERVICES FOR RESCHEDULING.
It may already be too late.
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