Project Ouroboros

by Makovetskaya, Kseniya

  Rada thought about why they could need El’Athar so urgently ... Although, to be honest, she had no idea what he was doing. According to the statements of the personnel — he was a special security personnel, but what his work truly was remained unknown for everyone. Except the Director, of course. She often wondered about the mysterious colleague. Who was he? A Secret Agent, a killer, an industrial spy? How can such people be engaged in simple research centres? To steal information from competitors? ..

  Her messenger squeaked — it received an incoming message.

  Rada dialled the Director:

  — Mr Aine Soph, El’Athar will arrive in twenty minutes. Coffee? In a minute.

  El’Athar burst into the office as a hurricane, sweeping away everything and everyone in his path. He was tall, skinny and awkward, in huge shapeless clothes. Weekly bristles on a sufficiently thin and effeminate face and matted long, almost to the waist, dark hair, inadvertently suggested of where Director's order reached him. On the one hand, only blind couldn't notice such a secret agent, but on the other hand, it was difficult to suspect him of a serious operative work. El’Athar rather created the impression of a young, but already rumpled bohemian.

  — The Director is waiting for you! — Rada had time to shout to him before the Director's office door slammed shut loudly.

  — Good afternoon, Mr Soph. — without waiting for an invitation, El’Athar literally fell into a chair and crossed his legs.

  — Did you do what I asked for?

  — Yes, — the young man took out multiple folders from the diplomat. — Here are the photos and copies of documents you have requested. I did everything so that no one had any suspicion that someone had seen them.

  — Good. Here's another task — Tekhina Ami. In the near term, our future employee. We need to know everything about her. She is, so to speak, clean at hand. But ... I will not allow such things here. I want to be sure that she is completely controlled by me. If the information leaks to the masses... Centre "Enki" will be liquidated, and all we will have to do is to commit collective suicide — it will be much better than space prison, where we will be going sharply afterwards. I think you will be able to determine what to prepare for the security services, and that for me personally.

  — Do not worry, Mr Director.

  — And more... Two Lamashtu appeared in the city. Find them.

  — What should I do with them?

  — Nothing. Just find and watch.

  El’Athar nodded.

  Aine Soph pressed the red button:

  — Rada, prepare an order for the accounts to grant Mr El’Athar performance fees in cash.

  — Yes, of course, Mr Soph.

  Director hung up.

  — You know what, El’Athar — said Aine Soph after a minute thinking — Invite Rada on a date. She's a good girl.

  — Certainly.

  Chapter 5

  Early morning was unusually sunny and warm. There was no wish to get up, but it was time to get ready for work. Ea rose from the bed and went to the bathroom to brush up. The apartment was quiet, so Aleph was still asleep. The woman still could not understand how she related to this strange young man who settled so suddenly on the sofa in her living room.

  She would not want him to continue to play in the streets. If Aleph gets beaten again ... she would be upset. Yes. She had to admit it. Perhaps there Ea's inner longing showed, the causes of which were unsettled personal life and absence of children. If she had a son like that... Someone for whom she prepared various goodies, with whom she could go to the movies, or just talk about everything! Aleph awakened sincere sympathy in her, but somehow Ea was afraid to look him in the eye — this transparent and indifferent look made her feel uneasy.

  A woman came out of the shower and made some coffee. Ea decided to leave her guest a note, and as to do two things at the same time never worked for her, a piece of paper on a table was covered with intricate coffee stains.

  Ea Aohni was one of the first to be asked to return to Anshan to resume work on her specialty, which she gladly accepted. Not because she missed home town, far from it. She would be happy to forget both this place, and the nightmarish events that happened here thirty years ago. She was young and energetic, and has just received an important position back then... And everything was destroyed. Much to her dismay, after the tragedy the past decades she could not achieve anything even approximately similar to her past life. She washed the floors in the homes of others, and looked after other people's children, and suddenly she got the opportunity to gain the lost and return to the meteorological station. Ea could not say no.

  For a long time she did not leave attempts to answer the question, what had happened thirty years ago. But even now, after the return of people to the city, the public has not been provided with any official versions. The Investigation of the reasons of Tiamat continued, but there was no hope to complete it. No one will ever be able to answer why so many people died.

  Aleph did not sleep, he waited until Ea had left to get up and collect his belongings scattered all over the room. Ea bought him some new shirts and Aleph has not yet decided whether it was right to pick them up, shyly running away from this house without a farewell.

  — How long can you sit on the neck of a poor woman, — he grumbled under his breath. — It's too intrusive, to stay here just like that, without any reason, it is time to call it quits.

  While washing his face, Aleph was thinking that the last few performances gave him some money and now he could afford to settle in a motel for a few days. And what came then was yet to be seen.

  He took two bottles of water, some apples with him, and he threw away with regret the breakfast prepared for him. It was not that Ea was a bad cook, on the contrary — Yum! But... a strange thing — he did not feel the need for food: as far as musician could remember, he had never eaten anything more than a few apples. The only time when Ea tried to feed Aleph, he got sick, and since then he had to quietly dispose of part of the meal so that Ea was not worried that he was hungry.

  A note that Aleph found on the table, said: "I went to work, will be back at 8". The guy turned the page and wrote: "Thank you for your hospitality, I will not stay in debt. See you".

  The musician left the apartment, the door slammed shut behind him automatically — triggered by an electronic lock. Aleph slowly descended the stairs, not paying attention to the free elevator — there was nowhere to hurry. He decided to walk along the still deserted sunny street to the sea. He wanted to swim and to play the flute.

  It was getting hot. Glass skyscrapers of bizarre shapes — an architect, who designed these retail, office centres and homes, apparently claimed to be the most ambitious — iridescent colours of the rainbow, and the young palm trees happily rustled leaves over the heads of pedestrians. The air smelled of salt water.

  The beach was almost empty. All bars were open until late in the evening, but during the day barely anyone came there. Looking around, Aleph spotted tousled curly teen standing ankle-deep in water, looking into the distance. And no one else for many kilometers of sandy shore.

  — Do you like the water? — asked Aleph.

  — Try for yourself — teenager did not leave his occupation.

  There was absolutely nothing to do, therefore, after removing the shoes and tucking his jeans Aleph stepped into the water.

  — Cold! — he recoiled immediately.

  — No, you only think so. Wait five minutes and it becomes good.

  — You think?

  — Well, I'm standing.

  — All right, — Aleph peered closely into the face of his interlocutor. A funny fellow. Snub-nosed, freckled, red-haired and plump. In his background the skinny blonde seemed even thinner, but how could he?

  Something in this teenager was special, Aleph felt warm inside. He felt the need to show him something ...

  — My name is Aleph. And yours?

  — Tharsis.

  — Wow, a beautiful name.


  — You're the first of twenty-two?

  — Yes. And you ... — Aleph revealed the cuneiform writing on the wrist.

  — Me too. Seventeenth. — Tharsis turned to look, although he knew that he had

  the exact same tattoo on his hand. — I did not think I'd find you so soon.

  — I'm not looking for anyone. I do not remember anything. Neither who I am nor why I'm here.

  — And you do not have to remember. You've done the most important thing — appeared in the world and called for all of us. Take it as a new life from scratch ... You can be anyone, do whatever you want. For example, you can tell people that your name is Duke Karl Rudolf Libershtern the Fifth. In my opinion, it's funny — Tharsis smiled.

  — I tell everyone, my name is Aleph.

  — And this is not right. I'm not sure that I'm right yet, but I think — there are people who we disturb by our existence and purpose. Soon there will be twenty-two of us and we should be very careful if we are to fulfil our mission.

  They stood in silence. Tharsis began to look at the horizon again, where a few boats could be seen. It seemed that he was trying to see something, but maybe it was just a manifestation of curiosity. Aleph was a bit confused, thinking about what he was doing there. For who was Lamashtu's presence there important? What was their purpose? Could Aleph understand the meaning of his own existence? He did not know.

  — I want to go play by the theater. Would you come with me? — after a few minutes of silence and reflection Aleph asked his new acquaintance.

  — Of course! I heard about your talent. In our circles, they say that you play better than the Pan! — Tharsis turned to leave the water, and once again briefly, from under his brows, squinting his dark brown eyes, looked at him.

  Aleph picked up his sneakers and barefoot trudged behind the same barefoot Tharsis. And, apparently, the red-haired didn't have any shoes at all. He was wearing only a T-shirt and denim breeches. No bag or pockets — nothing.

  Near the city theater people gathered — today one of the most popular plays of the season was showed. Many of the spectators came in advance to have time to admire the scenery, chat with friends, drink wine and listen to the flute player, rumours of whom filled Anshan.

  The scenery was really gorgeous: wide palm alley that ran along the beach, disappeared somewhere over the horizon, and new high-gloss houses absorbing all shades of the sunset with fantastic iridescent colours. It was especially advantageous in this palette to watch glass Ziggurat-6.

  The sea roared, pan flute sounded in the air, barefoot teen collecting money from passers-by, who huddled around the musician.

  The police never bothered Aleph. They just enjoyed the music with the rest of the citizens, and when he lived at Ea, even occasionally gave him a lift home.

  Suddenly he was filled with cold.

  Aleph finished playing and looked up at the man, blocking out the sun. The tall, fair-haired, with piercing blue eyes, man stared at the musician. Then Aleph understood. This man came for him.

  Chapter 6

  30 years ago

  "Are you by? Team "Merkhaba" calls for centre "Enki"! Team "Merkhaba" calls for the centre, come in! I Trier Lugal, and a team "Merkhaba" asks the centre to grant the sixth level access! Are you by? We demand the sixth level access!"

  "Centre "Enki " here! Are you by?! How do you hear us? Mr Aine Soph orders to continue the research! Access is granted! Are you by?"

  "I can't hear you! The research is being continued in accordance with Directive 126 on the sixth level access! The connection is cutting off! We could be some time offline! "

  "Sending reinforcements to you! Are you by? Team "Merkhaba" Can you hear me ?! Come in! Come in! "

  ... communication interrupted ...

  ***

  — Hello, is this Mr Director General's reception office?

  — Hello, Mr Aine Soph is busy.

  — Tell him it's very important! It is from Greenland!

  — One minute.

  — Hello.

  — Mr Aine Soph, I'm calling from Greenland. The rescue team "Athena" has found a team member of "Merkhaba"! He claims that his name is Trier Lugal. No one but him has survived. What do we do?

  — Bring him to me.

  ... communication interrupted ...

  ***

  The interrogation room was pitch dark. Trier Lugal didn't see people who were interrogating him, and they also didn't see him. They didn't need to know each other. Perhaps it was just the security service, perhaps — Elam reconnaissance or even someone more serious, but one thing he was sure about was that somewhere there was a chair, where Mr Director General was sitting. He didn't give a reason to guess his presence, but the particular chill that went from this terrible man, even in darkness permeated. He was definitely there.

  — What happened the day when Tiamat-1 reached Elam?

  — I drew up a report that this natural phenomenon in no way could affect our research, and insisted on it's continuation. In response, I received approval from the management. Then, due to increase of Tiamat-1, we have requested permission to use the sixth level access.

  — What does it mean?

  — Continuation of work in emergency conditions. We didn't have a chance to put together the team and evacuate. It was almost impossible technically.

  — What happened to you then?

  — Hurricane Tiamat reached Greenland. Our station was flooded.

  — Why didn't the others survive?

  — They were down in caves, and I was on duty at the surface. I was protected by the walls, the others drowned.

  — You managed to keep the results of the research?

  — Yes.

  — And where are they?

  — In my mind.

  ***

  Black telephone rang again.

  — Aine Soph listening.

  — It's Mr Tiferet speaking. We've heard you have some news.

  — Good afternoon, Mr Tiferet. We have two Lamashtu. Can we begin?

  — Mr Daath has allowed to carry out experiments.

  — Experimental units are ready.

  — We will be present in person.

  — Thank you, Mr Tiferet. I am very grateful.

  — Don't be. It is a common business.

  Communication interrupted.

  Mr Director-General stared out the window of his office. El’Athar was looking at his heavy boots with metal inserts that he bought the day before. He mentally imagined how he drives a skull in the concrete: he wanted to try a new thing in practice very much. He wondered, whether the blood would wash away without any problems.

  In fact, the agent was languishing in anticipation of further orders, because both Lamashtu were in detention security units, and no one knew what to do with them next. Frankly, El’Athar didn't really understand why, "Enki" would need two homeless teens, as he wasn't stupid.

  It seemed to the special agent that these Lamashtu created the effect of presence artfully, but in fact physically they weren't there, just their projections. El’Athar immediately felt that they were not real people, but they had the charisma that filled these projections with enough volume to become three-dimensional. Mr Aine Soph was also not quite human, but didn't cause any other emotions besides cold and alienation. Consequently, they did not belong to the same species of non-human. Of course, it was only a guess, but El’Athar had some special skills, which could detect and analyse the smallest details and make some conclusions, using the method of induction.

  El’Athar tired. He was waiting for any indication, but Mr Director said nothing, lost in his thought. Agent was a little anxious, he realized that all this time he was engaged in some kind of nonsense, but now the REAL work, which only he could do, began. However, so far nothing happened, and El’Athar continued thinking.

  After the first meeting with Mr Director El’Athar found as much information about the phenomenon of "Uncanny valley" as he could. Now he knew why Aine Soph caused rejection and La
mashtu didn't. The essence of this phenomenon lied in the fact that a humanoid robot evoked fear and dislike, because his actions looked too smooth, his face frightened with perfect symmetry. Slow, awkward, unnatural director was clear evidence of these words — in his presence, everyone felt uncomfortable. But Lamashtu were not particularly like people and didn't cause such cold feelings. When looking at them people felt light sympathy — and nothing more.

  Special agent's conclusions were too inaccurate and probably a little far-fetched, but he could not stop thinking about it. When he imagined that those creatures had long been among to the ordinary people who were not even aware of such a surprise, it didn't let him stop thinking because of a cold sensation that these thoughts created in his chest. What else can be hidden inside the armoured walls of large corporations and government agencies? And how one could not become paranoid? In fact, it was terrifying. Really terrifying.

  Well, and what are you, El’Athar? Do you firmly believe in yourself and who you really are?..

  The agent returned to reality when Mr Director General stood up from his chair and continuing to think about something, walked around the office. The agent sat motionless — he was still waiting for orders.

  Aine Soph pressed the red button:

  — Rada notify the security service that Lamashtu should be transferred to the area of responsibility of our new employee, Dr Tekhina Ami.

  — Yes, Mr Director.