Project Ouroboros

by Makovetskaya, Kseniya

  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.

  Chapter 12

  The month turned out to be intense, one had to do a heavy load of work, and Aleph could't note that a lot of new people appeared in the city; Now the streets were no longer deserted, and in the hall of the local theater there was always a crowd.

  The young man saw the changes when he walked with El’Athar along the main street of Anshan. Agent was allowed to take custody of Lamashtu, and now, slowly approaching El’Athar's house, Aleph turned his head in different directions, like a child, trapped in a strange place: it seemed to him that just in a month the trees stretched almost to the skies and houses became several times larger. He was like in a different world!

  — It turns out that I missed so much while working — said Aleph aloud. — When I lived on the street playing the flute, it was much easier for me.

  — Don't you like to work? — El’Athar grinned.

  — The last time I was walking over a month ago. How many people there are... — Aleph only had time to look around.

  — A new economic department has just opened in the National University. It has begun recruiting students and teachers. As you can see, this trend is popular — El’Athar pulled out his keys.

  The house where the agent lived was completely white. Tall and narrow, with a single entrance and a huge number of small apartments for civil servants, it grew up as if from nowhere. Approaching the door, El’Athar showed how to punch an individual code for each apartment on the touch panel. A message appeared on the screen that the lock was unlocked, and the agent invited the guest to enter the house.

  Beautiful shiny building with large windows, high ceilings and spacious balconies only recently had been put into operation, and inside, even in the elevator there was a strong smell of paint.

  — I don't have a palace, of course, but there is enough space for all of us. I have prepared a room for you and Tharsis, I bought two beds and a wardrobe — Agent let Aleph inside and gestured toward the door behind which was Lamashtu's bedroom furnished.

  — It's great — the young man threw his backpack, as empty as in the first days of stay in Anshan on the bed of his choice.

  — Coffee?

  — No, thanks, I'm saving.

  — I'm sorry, I forgot. You generally do not eat?

  — I love fruit, especially sour like lemons. I don't get sick of them.

  — I prefer sweet ones — El’Athar led the guest to the kitchen.

  — No, it's not for me, but I understand the hint. I'll buy something sweet — Aleph smiled.

  — I do not understand how you live, how your body works, if you do not eat. I wonder if you have dreams and whether you feel any emotions. Everything is so strange — El’Athar sat down on a chair by the window, and turned away from Aleph.

  — I need to sleep a lot — Aleph sat across and put his hands on the window sill. The view from the apartment was really good and the young man thought that the agent should stare at the reflection of the sun in the sea waves every day drinking coffee, as it seemed so close that one could reach it with a hand.

  Hearing the sound of the cup put on the window sill, Aleph looked at the dark liquid with suspicion.

  — You know, I have never even tried this drink — now he did not have absolutely any desire to speculate about the nature of his organism, the mood was too melancholic for this. He wanted to rest and to watch the sea outside.

  — Here, try it — El’Athar gave him the coffee — it is without sugar.

  Aleph took a sip and smiled.

  — Not bad.

  — Drink, I will make some more. By the way, now you should not necessarily work. And Tharsis as well. Is he coming in the morning?

  — Yes, he has the night shift today.

  — He needs a lot of sleep too?

  — A little less than me. Maybe because his body is more receptive to food. But it's hard for him to work for twelve hours.

  — He can quit. Go
for a walk, play the flute and sleep. At home you do not bother me, I'm not here so often.

  — Mr Director General is too ambitious to stop removing officials with your hands?

  — He is.

  — I do not like him. And Dingir with his parents, too. We were told that we should be with them, and we were in this terrible room in the basement of their office.

  During a conversation El’Athar never turned, continuing to examine the sunlit horizon. Aleph was OK with it, when the agent stared at him, his frown burned out a hole somewhere in the solar plexus. That is why in the presence of the agent the youth often felt some confusion.

  He did not quite understand why El’Athar took them to live with him, because the agent had never been interested in Lamashtu. He didn't come to see them in the centre, did not feel any sympathy for them, or show heightened interest. But, nevertheless, today Aleph was there, and he felt that the answer to this question would soon become clear, because El’Athar never did anything without a reason — at least, so the young man took a man who was next to him.

  — And Trier Lugal, what kind of a person is he?

  — They are all unpleasant — Aleph nervously shrugged, plunging into memories. — I once heard Lydia telling her son that Trier was very different before the expedition "Merkhaba"... They are obsessed with their nasty work — Aleph suddenly seemed frozen.

  He recalled the events and his face hardened. Looking out the window with unseeing eyes, he could hardly utter a word.

  — You know, the study of Dr Tekhina is interesting, it can be useful for people. But what Lugal family does is disgusting. Once I saw how they connect the wires to the cervical vertebrae of some unfortunate animal. I do not know the names of the animals, but it was big enough and something like a human. Throughout the experiment it was bleeding on it's neck, but it remained motionless. Perhaps it was under the same tranquilizers that I was.

  Aleph did not know whether it was right, but if he should tell someone everything that happened to him during that time, it was El’Athar. Somehow the young man was sure that the agent would approach the story seriously and listen to the end.

  — What?.. — Agent turned sharply, quickly putting the cup on the table. — Why didn't you tell me that they did something to you? Why didn't Tekhina say anything?

  — She knew nothing. Dr Ami took my blood sample and did a scan. Then she let me go, Dingir didn't take me home, but to the "corner of Dr Moreau."

  — Tekhina also works at the centre. How could she not see you?

  — She doesn't know much. Her office and common rooms are located on the same floor, but behind the cupboard there is a door that leads to the floor below. There are lots of huge rooms. I cannot describe everything in detail, but I have seen so many things wrong... it's incredible... — Aleph paused for a moment. — Most of the time I slept or was under the influence of drugs on the operating table. And I remember almost nothing. I remember that human-like animal with big ears and kind sad eyes. I saw it only once, then... Is it alive? I would like to take it from there... I saw a lot of strange instruments ... and there was a dump. Like a closet. Used tools some body parts... and mostly — bones.

  — Why didn't you tell me anything?

  — Nobody knows anything. Even Tharsis.

  — He was not with you?

  — No, he was immediately released. I think he knows that I did not fall down the stairs, but we never discussed that. I heard them say that the others were not needed. I was enough. They said I was the key to the tree. Or it was a dream, I do not know...

  — Fell down the stairs?

  Aleph drank coffee in one gulp and began to undress. He took off all his clothes and stood in front of the agent, allowing him to see his thin body. It was almost completely covered with cuts, burns and scars.

  — You had to tell me! — Agent abruptly jumped up from his chair and stared at the frail body, riddled with fresh scars and scratches.

  — I do not remember anything. My mind exists only for a few months, and I want to understand who I am and why I'm here so much. If I am not human, then what am I? — Usually quiet and indifferent Aleph's voice became higher, but the young man immediately wilted. — I didn't know what to do...

  Aleph dressed.

  — Come on, — El’Athar rose — I have to show you something. Something that only I know.

  The agent finished his coffee and left the kitchen. The young man automatically reached for his cup, but there was only thick — pellet stuck in the throat, Aleph coughed. However El’Athar did not even turn to see if everything was fine.

  A minute later, the young man followed the agent. He himself could not understand why, but he was a little scared. As if something important was going to happen that day. The most important thing of all that had happened before.

  Aleph stood at the entrance to the room, leaning against the doorjamb and watched El’Athar boot the computer and drop into a chair.

  — Ready? — The agent turned.

  — Yes — Aleph came and sat down beside him.

  El’Athar launched a strange video, at the first frames young man's blood literally froze in his veins. Video lasted only two minutes, but when it ended, Aleph could not recover for some time. There was a lump in his throat, his chest was filled with horror — so strong was the emotion for the melancholic nature of Aleph that it was unbearably difficult and painful. In the end, the young man overcame his fear:

  — I need to see the video several times. I think I can understand what they say ... Where did you get it? — The last question broke suddenly.

  — Archives of the Ministry, the expedition "Merkhaba" — as calm as ever, said El’Athar. — No one knows that I have a copy. I really want to understand what has happened then.

  — Now I understand why Dr Lugal behaves that way... I'm sorry, I am sleepy ... I'm so tired. Can I go? Tomorrow I'll watch it again.

  — OK, let's go.

  They silently entered the Lamashtu's room. El’Athar pulled out of the closet pillow and blanket, and began to spread Aleph's bed.

  When El’Athar left, without even wishing good night, Aleph laid down, but soon realized that he couldn't fall asleep. As soon as he closed his eyes, there was an image from the video, the voice, so well-known and close, but somehow terrifying. Being alone was unbearable, but the young man had to find the courage to decide to go to the agent's room.

  El’Athar laid in bed, idly surfing the TV channels and did not notice that someone was standing at the door.

  — Aleph?..

  — Can I sleep here on your couch?

  — Of course.

  — Thanks.

  Aleph, trying not to make much noise, took the small couch, but then decided to talk.

  — El’Athar?..

  — Yes?

  — They say the same thing in different languages.

  — Yeah, I thought so.

  — I know them all. All of these languages.

  — What? — Aleph saw that the agent sat up in bed. Now he watched him so closely that it became embarrassing.

  — They said it seems... that Methatron's Cube can be unlocked with the Sephiroth Tree key, that those who want to do it live... on the outside or in the abyss, I do not exactly understand. And yet it is: "We are here, help us, look for us..." Lord, they cried and begged for help...

  Aleph sniffled, trying not to burst into tears.

  There was an awkward silence, a few minutes later interrupted by a heavy sigh of the agent:

  — I'm sorry, I did not have to show it to you. I just wanted to know....

  — You did the right thing. At least, maybe it will help me find out who I am... You do not have to apologize.

  — Maybe we should heal you wounds? I have some medicine.

  — We might. Tomorrow. However, I do not know if it would work.

  — I'm glad you're here.

  — I am glad as well. Thanks for everything.

  — And there is something else... �
�� Aleph spoke again, when the agent put his head down on the pillow. — I'm afraid to say it, but I have to.

  — What?

  — I heard his voice out there, — the musician sniffled again. — I was one of them. It was me asking for help, me...

  — Do not cry... — El’Athar got out of bed and walked over to the couch. He held out his hand, intending to pat the boy on the head, but at the last moment, when the Aleph almost felt fingertips on his hair, jerked his hand away. And then he sat down on the floor and leaned against the arm of the couch.

  Falling asleep, Aleph only saw the dark tangled hair, and the last phrase "Good night" quietly dissolved in a dream.

  Chapter 13

  El’Athar was awakened by a terrible headache. It seemed that someone burned with a hating, contemptuous look the defenseless, suffering from a hangover landlord.

  The agent jerked awake, not knowing what was happening, but when, finally, focused his look, saw a red haired Lamashtu standing in the doorway.

  — Ah, Tharsis, it's you... How did you get here? — El’Athar only now realized that he had spent the night having drunk half a bottle of rum beforehand, which he had bought just a few days ago. The agent sat down with great effort, feeling that his head was being torn apart.

  — Dr Tekhina told how to get here. The door to the apartment was unlocked — Lamashtu shrugged and looked around. — Where will I sleep?

  — In the next room, I'll show. In the fridge there is a snack if you wish. — El’Athar, sighing heavily got to his feet and looked at Tharsis, whose face looked haggard after a hard night shift, and the shadows under his eyes were caused by fatigue. — You look exhausted. A hard shift?

  — No, as usual — Tharsis yawned, then grinned, eyeing the agent. — But in general, I look better than you.

  — Thank you for your kind words — El’Athar grunted and smiled involuntarily. If you still need something, just tell me. — The agent came out of his bedroom and the redhaired man followed him: