Chapter 1
The heat had already left his cheeks as he walked through the city with rapid steps. The cold rain, apart from soaking the city for days, it also greatly contributed to the feeling of coldness that crawled under the coats of passers. You could feel in the air that autumn had already occupied all the major strongholds of the city.
Driven by the cold, Mr. Morgan's pace accelerated, and the neon sign "Gray MagPie." was nearly in front of him. It was the local cafe where he finds his peace, feels safe and often, and as he used to say it was his muse.
Growing up in foster families after the death of his parents in a car accident, he moved often when he was a child, and because of that, this cafe meant more to him than he wanted to admit.
Today a business meeting with an old friend took him there, otherwise he would never leave his rented apartment and go out during this weather. Before entering the Gray MagPie, he closed the umbrella well soaked and shook it out of respect for the staff not to have to wipe the floor.
Right upon entering, he looked around, just to make sure everything is right place, his gaze was intercepted by a waiter, a younger boy who had only been employed here for a few months.
Hello, Mr. Morgan.
He couldn't hide a slight smile, perhaps because Morgan had never been a demanding guest since he had waited on his own during his college days.
Hi Mike, a beautiful day isn't it?
A rhetorical question, with a slice of sarcasm. A slight nod to the young waiter's head meant he understood and continued in a gentle voice that could sense the respect he had for Mr. Morgan.
You want your usual Mr. Morgan?
Yes, Mike, thank you.
Morgan was already moving toward the corner of the cafe, looking for a friend that invited him to come.
A bigger man, apparently in shape and not overly bulky was sitting at the window so he could look at everything that is going on in the cafe, but also outside the cafe as well.
Hey Lou, you look good.
Lou got up from the chair that if you ask him it could be a little wider, provide a "bear paw" with a sincere smile to his friend Morgan, and shook his hand.
He has always had gentlemanly manners since elementary school. The learned parents who gave him all they could and instilled in him a truly virtuous virtue.
Morgan, you are still wearing the trench coat like the failed private detective?
I see you still have a great eye for details, sorry Special Agent Lou. – they both smiled.
A handshake was not enough, and Lou pulled him in with ease and hugged him, gesturing with his hand to sit.
Since elementary school, Morgan had dreamed of being a journalist someday, not like those reporters who appear on TV at the same time every day and read pre-written sentences from the screen.
Morgan dreamed of being a field reporter, to be side by side with the emergency services, to listen the police radio, and be the first to report from the scene of an accident so that he could convey the situation in detail to people.
He wanted people to buy newspapers because of his stories, to feel excited while reading his article.
That was the reason why he enrolled in journalism after school while Lou headed in other direction.
Lou's father was a soldier, and he influenced his decisions, so Lou wanted in his heart and head only to be an FBI agent, and he devoted his entire life to it.
Thank you Morgan for coming in this crazy weather. I know it was sudden.
Mike just brought the usual, salted caramel cappuccino sprinkled with chocolate crumbs, Lou just followed with a chuckle and said: Very bold.
Morgan couldn't hide his smile. He asked him about his parents, and his sister, how's at work ...
Normal talk, but today Lou looked pretty nervous which was pretty weird because he was one of those people who knew how to calm every situation and always knew what to say and when to say it and when to keep quiet.
He was Morgan's biggest support after breaking up with a longtime girlfriend, it was a very difficult period in Morgan's life.
But with Lou's help, Morgan came out stronger than ever and finally quit as a permanent journalist at one of the largest news outlets in the city, he never felt satisfied with that job.
Journalism is no longer what it used to be. Nowadays, people scroll through newspapers with their finger on their cell phones and click on their computers, a very few if you don't count cafes buy newspapers, and news online is censured to the maximum.
There is far too little freedom left when writing articles.
In recent years, Morgan has been involved in freelance journalism as an independent journalist, and Lou helped him a lot at the time.
He gave him some information about the cases he worked on, but only so important that he was ahead of the competition but keeping himself out of trouble.
Lou what's wrong?
Morgan could no longer stand and watch his friend, who was growing more nervous as time went on.
Lou removed a folder from his briefcase and pushed it past a saucer containing an empty cup of once-hot salted caramel.
How familiar are you with the 'Dark Web, Morgan?'
Morgan was a little surprised with the question, though he knew there had to be something big about it, as soon as it made such an impression on Lou.
I've heard about it, but I've never visited.
There are allegedly illegal things, some uncensored videos that are not for everyone, as well as information about the government, politicians, various theories and conspiracies.
But why are you asking me that? What did you get yourself into? Is this a new case you're working on?
Morgan when you get home check on the Dark Web for any information about the disappearances, there is allegedly some government-sponsored experiment.
My partner detective Rupert, I told you about him, we were supposed to meet a few days ago, but he never showed up. He has been missing since. Just look for any information, you always had a flair for the story. I have to go Morgan. It's getting late.
Morgan said goodbye to an old friend and followed him with a glance as he walked away.
He had never seen Lou in this condition, but the very fact that the FBI Special Agent is asking about the "Dark Web" speaks to the seriousness of the situation.
Shortly after Lou left, Morgan paid and say bye to Mike and headed home to his rented apartment. Autumn rain still ruled the city.
Chapter 2
Morgan opened the apartment door with his hand already frozen. He quickly took his wet clothes off and went to get a warm shower.
He removed frozen jam dumplings from the freezer and put them into the water, it says on the package, cook 15 minutes. He lived a lonely life, a loner that some would say, but Morgan loved that lifestyle. While he ate his dinner, he turned on his laptop and pulled out a file with the intention of going to work immediately. On document as soon as he opened the file, it said Jack Rupert, Special Agent. He was Lou's missing partner, and documents say they are working on a network discovery case about a secret government-sponsored experiment. He scrutinized everything Lou's team had collected and finished the dinner. There was so much information on the dark web about various conspiracies from those users wearing aluminum foil wrapped around their heads convinced that the US government was picking on their minds, to some theories that might have been true. But none of this was useful, Morgan was deeply immersed in various stories and combing everything in detail, but when he was about to give up, he came across secret files and documents that fenced off the US government, as well as some other states that were mentioned. The text referred to various unofficial statements by anonymous representatives of some government agencies. What caught his eye is the link between all these stories, the Antartic. The various conspiracies he encountered and the conspiracy stories had a connection, people who get too close disappear or die in strange circumstances, seemingly by accident. That was the best clue he had.
He didn't even notice, time flew by. Midnight was long behind him it was closer to dawn, and he decided to continue tomorrow. Most often, while he slept, he found solutions. Morgan woke up around 11 , and on laptop there was a notification that he's got a new email. He couldn't even guess who the sender might be. The US government is all what was wrote, but immediately noticed that no agencies were listed. When he opened the mail it said nothing, just the first and last name, and the blank space to that, the address of residence,... it was a form to fill out. Morgan's heart was beating faster, his thoughts were racing, and he was just looking at it, in his full name, and in "the United States government."
He wouldn't even know how much time had elapsed when another e-mail tugged at him from his absence. Same sender, but this time just a text message.
"Mr Morgan, we track your movements and everything you visit on the Internet. We know what you were looking for. Fill out the form and send it back to us. "
Short and clear, but Morgan didn't know what they still wanted, just kept telling him they had nothing against him because he didn't do anything illegal. The Dark Web was not prohibited by law, nor was reading the conspiracy texts, copying anything or engaging in any discussions on the site. But he did something that draw their attention, didn't know what, "must be something he opened online" Morgan thought. He did not sleep that night, dream simply did not want come to his eyes, and his thoughts merely sought a reason for such a turn of events.
At around 6am, he decided to cooperate and filled out a form and sent it to the sender. He thought if he send it, they could think that he is not hiding anything and that he was ready to cooperate, and if he acted differently he was afraid that they might dig deeper and find out about his relationship with Lou, and that would not be good for him. He felt somehow calmer now that he had fulfilled it, and he was comforted to think of any chance of anyone even contacting him. He decided to have his coffee at Gray MagPie, but before that he went to the market. As soon as he stepped outside the building, a taxi stood outside as ordered. He sat in it and said he was going to the town market.
"This will be a good day."
That thought went through his head, the rain finally stopped falling, he didn't have to wait for a taxy or walk to the main street to find him, and a salted caramel cappuccino in a cup to go was waiting for him in the cafe. The taxi driver was not too talkative, nor did he look at him from the inside rearview mirror. Morgan looked out of the car window at all those people walking carelessly, unaware of what was happening around them, wondering what was true and what wasn't. All those conspiracies and theories, and the meeting with Lou left a mark on him, at least in his mind. A short "beep" on the cell phone marked a new email, Morgan recognized the sound.
Feeling of discomfort, panic and at the same time of excitement filled his body. As he tugged his cell phone out of his pocket in a gentle motion, fearing who had sent the e-mail, was that the answer to the form he had filled out? Now he thought for the first time why he had filled out this form at all, when he didn't know what it was for. A person with his experience and an eye for detail, always considered himself a person who was wary of such a move as blindly completing a form should not have happened.
He was trying to keep his emotions and cool gaze when he noticed that the email he had received had really been sent by the US government ... he didn't dare open it, the taxi driver was looking at him at once, they were just standing at the traffic light and people seemed to be looking at him... Paranoia? He thought ... what I got into ...
He put his cell phone back in his pocket, decided not to open it now, tried to calm his breathing, calm his thoughts. Just to move on. The dark red light shifted to green, the taxi driver lowered the manual and started slowly.
Taxi driver volume up radio, and from speakers inside cab, you could hear Sinatra's song "That's life", Morgan tought isn't that ironic, but as loud as music was, there was some sounds, someone speaking that Morgan noticed.
Driver had earpiece in his left ear, it was wireless, but Morgan saw it on the reflection of drivers mirror, and realized that driver is communicating with someone.
And just about he wanted to ask who is communicating with, the beam of the toothy sun broke through to Morgan's eyes, blinking for a moment, and it seemed as if it was dark before the eyelids hid their gaze, he noticed a truck on the right. Before he could open his eyes, the sound of the brakes filled the intersection, and a horrible blow was heard, which shook the birds from the branches of nearby Hoffman Park. The truck hit Morgan's taxi at a tremendous speed.
And the last thing he heard was cab drivers words "Don't worry Morgan, everything will be ok, just relax, and stay calm".
Chapter 3
Back in 1961 Antarctic Treaty System has been signed between several states including US, Soviet Union, back then, now Russia, South Africa, France, Japan, etc...
The Antarctic Treaty System currently has 54 parties, and noone knows why this Treaty System has signed, and why is there peace, and noone want to „own" this piece of land.
Few decades before this was signed, a cave appeared in Antarctic, has been opened for a couple of months, and then disappeared. The cave appeared again few years later, been opened for a couple of months, and then disappeared again. Then in mid 1950s they waited for cave to open again, and then four man entered in the cave, with supplies for surviving, communications gear, and some weapons, but they never come out, they just disappeared.
Team of four men that entered was French best biologist, Russian communication expert, US finest SEAL, and a very best South African hunter and medic. It was an expedition, in wich whole world participate, everyone wanted to investigate it, everybody worked together and everyone was informed about everything, so no country could take credit of anything they discover.
It's been almost a month that cave disappeared among with these man inside, and everybody began to lost all hopes that they will ever found them alive, just thought they all freeze and starved to death.
Rescue teams was sent to find them, but even with the best tools and equipment that they had at the time, they couldn't even scratch the surface of the ice and snow that covered the cave.
Before team entered, they made a deal on which frequency they will comunicate with the base, so because of the time zones, anytime in a day there was always someone listening to frequency, hoping to hear any news, but it's been months, and nothing, and then one day a call for help come.
***
Morgan's cab was totally smashed, the fire department needed to cut metal to pull Morgan out of car, driver "got lucky" he didn't even have a scratch. After they pulled him out of cab, Morgan was immediately put on stretcher and in emergency vehicle. With the sound of sirens they rushed trough the traffic, and after few minutes, the sound of siren can no longer be heard.
When they got in a safe distance, they pulled a side, opened the back door where Morgan was sitting, safe and sound. He jumped out and got in the dark Lincoln that was waiting for him parked left where emergency vehicle stopped.
As you may guess, the whole car accident was staged, government made it all happened, Morgan needed to be dead for the world, so no one will be looking for him, they sell all his stuff, cancle the lease of his apartment, and even arranged his funeral. Right after the accident, the car that waited for Morgan, drove him to a nearby military base. At entrance in base driver just showed his ID, and they let them in, without any questions asked.
After few minutes they have arrived to an airstrip, where plane was ready to take off, it was a small plane for maybe 10, 15 passengers seat.
Morgan entered, sit, and put his seat belt on, looked trough the window, and saw a car approaching, next passenger was arriving.
First one thet got on a plane, right after Morgan, was Peter from Finland, biologist, who wanted a new challenge in his life, he was a small but muscular guy, in his mid 30's.
Next one that arrived, was Finonna, she came from South Africa, she's in her late 20's, and she spent most of her life in woods, she is a very good tracker and hunter.
Few minutes later Mila and Alex came, a couple from Ukraine, she has long curly black hair, she worked in hospital in Donetsk. Alex is a big muscular guy, he was unemployed at the time they applied for this government job.
After they all introduce themselves, Morgan came to conclusion, that this "job" isn't made by US, it is worldwide organization.
That means that all countries, races and religions actually could live together in peace, he realized that 'cause they are all "dead" and there where they are going, they will spent the rest of their lives together, living in a community.
The last ones that got on board was Tom Wilson US sergeant from Wyoming, Kurt Schneider German sergeant from Bonn, Haruto Ito, also sergeant from Kyoto Japan, and last one was Russian sergeant Fedor Semenov from Ekaterinburg.
They were ready to take off, and their secret destination was finally revealed to them while they were up in the air.
***
They were heading to Greenwich island, settled in Antarctica, and all of them were very confused, they were told, that they are going to start a new life, get a fresh start, after sergeants saw confusion on our faces, they just laughed and told us everything will be clear to us once we land and all of us gather together.
None of them had a lot of stuff, 'cause they were told they need to leave everything behind, since they all disappeared, and actually don't need anything.
Few minutes after landing in cloaked base in Greenwich, they gathered in a big room, where on entrance all were checked, just to make sure that they all are who they say they are.
Few minutes after they all gathered in big room, lights went out, and on a big screen, some kind of presentation started. In that short presentation, they all had their first look to their new home, new planet named Heart, the new Earth.
They were explained that all of them need to go trough one way portal, to new planet, it wont hurt them, it takes only few seconds, and all of them will have a good and accommodating life, but also each and every one of them will have their purpose on new planet.
In presentation was also explained why is it named Heart, well because heart is the most important organ, a symbol of love, and also anagram of word Earth. Once they pass trough portal, they all need to go to quarantine just to make sure they didn't brought any kind of bacteria that could jeopardize future of Heart planet.
And then lights went on and they all receive white jump suits, got dresses and all lined up I started to walk towards big metal door. Door opened and there was a corridor that lead to portal.
Chapter 4
Finonna grew up in a farm, she lived there with her mother, and grandfather.
Grandfather Ben, well he was big like a lumberman, with a big long gray beard, trapper heat, red and black plaid shirt with suspenders that holds olive-green pants tucked in old army boots.
He looked like he could crush you with his hands, he always had a knife in a belt holster and a rifle on strap, but he was very good man, the one you could say Mr. nice guy.
Her grandpa Ben, taught her everything she knows, when Finonna was just six years old, Ben took her on hir first hunting.
Finonna was thrilled, and after that, her and Ben were inseparable, and she learned, more and more each time they went in woods.
By the time she was 13, she was fully independent, and very often went hunting by herself, or picking mushrooms and other eatable berries that can be found in the woods, even sometimes she made breakfast by the time her mother and Ben woke up.
Few years later her mother got sick and died, Ben couldn't live with his grief and a couple of months later he passed away.
Finonna lived all by herself in a big wooden hut, and one cold winter while she was sitting and warming in front of a fireplace, drinking hot chocolate with a little pieces of marshmallows floating on top, someone knocked on her door.
Finonna removed blanket in which she was tucked in, got up, and asked who's there?
It's Caroline, voice from outside said, open the door, I'm freezing.
Finnona rushed to open door, and give a big hug to Caroline, it's nice to see you she said, come in Car.
Caroline took off her green feathered jacked, under which she had blue pullover, and red pants, took her boots off too, stayed in wool black socks.
Hey Car, would you like some homemade rosehip to get you warmed?
Sure Fi, you know that's my favourite.
I know, we spent many hours drinking it back in good old days.
They talked for hours in front of the fireplace, and eventually fall asleep.
Rise and shine, time to wake up Car, Finnona woke her, I made us breakfast, and coffee she said.
Caroline got up, walked to the kitchen table where some fresh made coffee waited for her, and warm ham and eggs.
Smile showed on her face, 'cause Finonna knew, that's Caroline favourite breakfast.
After they finished breakfast, Fi there is something I need to talk to you about, said Caroline, with a little fear and doubt in her voice.
What's wrong Car, are you ok?
Wel not quite, I have a proposition for you, something, well kinda thing that will change your life.
My fiancé Jack is missing, it's been almost a week since I heard from him, Caroline said and start to cry. We have been working on something, something about the people are missing, but they all disappeared in a very strange way. Most of them died in accident, and their deaths are very suspicious, so we started to investigate it, and when we finally found something, Jack went to check it out, and he never got back. I think that our government is involved in this, and they have Jack, but I can't investigate it, since you know 'cause of my hacking and publishing several things, they keep an eye on me.So I thought, maybe you could go and check it out for me, please Fi, I'm desperate, and very, very concerned that Jack is in very big trouble, I can't go to the police, 'cause I don't know who is involved in this.
I researched Dark Web with Jack just before he disappeared, and we found this application for something that is very strange, and now since he's gone, and I'm on their radar, I'm begging you to help me, I even fill this application for you, they checked you, and give you a green light, which means that, you are clean and good to go. I'll leave now and give you a few days to think about it, but I must tell you, if you go after Jack, I don't know what you might find, and how dangerous it could be. Here is a folder with everything we found, and your filled application, after you read everything, please destroy it, so no one can found it, I'll be staying in hotel in town, room 17, and if you don't come in next 48 hours, I'll be gone, and try to find someone else to help me, see you Fi, good bye.
Finonna took folder, and just said, see you Car. When Caroline left, Finonna seat in front of fire place, and start to read, and think. Next morning, she took folder and burned it in fireplace, few minutes put out the fire, got dressed, pick up ashes, buried it outside, like Caroline said, so no one can found it, and started to walk toward city, half an hour later she knocked, door opened and Caroline looked at her, Finonna just said Ok, Car let's do it, let's go and find Jack, I can't wait to meet him, Finonna smiled, Caroline huged her very tight, and with tears on her face said, thank you Fi, thank you.
***
It's been chilling night in April, when Johannes come to work his night shift in army base settled in Kokkola, Finland.
Johannes come to work at 9:30 pm, half an hour before the start of his shift, and as usual brought his coffee, strong enough to keep him up all night, and some sandwiches, it was a routine for him, 'cause he is on this function for last seven years and during his night shifts nothing ever happened, until that night.
At about 4:17 am, a call for help came.
Mayday, Mayday, can anyone hear us, the voice from speakers said, it was voice from US navy seal Micheal Porter, again he repeated "Mayday, Mayday, can anyone hear us, over?
This is private Porter speaking, Mayday, Mayday, can anyone hear us, over?
Yes, Johannes answered, this is private Johannes, who is this, over?
O thanks God, it's so good to hear your voice, this is private Porter speaking, we transmit through all frequencies back and forth, we are trying to reach for anyone for weeks, we almost lost hope, can you please contact our base in Antarctic, and let them know we made contact with us, and give them our frequency, over?
Right away, sir, I'll give them call , just stay put, someone will contact you as soon as possible, over.
Even if he didn't know what it was all about, Johannes immediately took phone and called number that Porter gave him and got connected straight to officer in Antarctic. Officer then woke Japan general Yonamoto which at that time was officer in charge in base.
General Yonamoto quickly got out of bed and ran toward the communication room.
As he entered he immediately grabbed the radio and said „this is general Yonamoto speaking, can you read me, over? nothing happened.
Then he repeated " this is general Yonamoto speaking, can you read me, over?"
And after the crackling in speakers in main room, where about 15 soldiers were listening and trying to clear sound as best as possible, they heard "This is private Porter speaking, can you hear us, over?"
Then for a few seconds whole room start to cheer, but they all knew they needed to be quiet, so they all settle down, and then once again, but this time with a slight smile on his face general Yonamoto said "we hear you, private Porter, loud and clear, we hear you,over".
***
Peter grew up in Finland, in a family of army, his grandpa Johannes was the one that answered private Porter's call, and Johannes knew that someday, someone in his future bloodline will be a good person for this project, so he raise his son to be a soldier, and later he wanted Peter to be a soldier as well, but Peter choose different call.
He become biologist, but he worked out every day, and with excellent knowing of biology, he was well-trained in combat and surviving.
Johannes was well familiar with project, they walked him trough details as a reward for his response, and even offered him to take part, but he turned them down, just because his wife was pregnant, and few weeks after Peter's father was born.
Johannes signed confidentiality document, and was very aware, that he must tell no one about project.
And he didn't, he keep it secret his entire life, but when he was old and sick, he told Peter everything, and even told him how to apply for "the job".
Chapter 5
Mila as you already know, worked in a hospital in Donetsk, and because Alex was currently unemployed, Mila worked two jobs.
Every day before or after her shift she went on the other side of the town, 'cause she was taking care of war veteran and Ukrainian retired general Mykola Kobzarenko.
Mykola was 87 years old, his wife died 7 years ago, and his children lived in Harkiv.
They visited him once or twice every month, offered him to move in with them, or to go in a retirement home, money was no problem, since they all had good jobs, and Mykola received military pension, but he didn't want to hear about it, like he used to say " I'm too stubborn and to proud to leave my home, and I'll be here till the day I die".
His family respected his decision, but they couldn't move in with him, so they hired Mila to visit him every day, and to take care of him.
Since Mykola lived far from their home, Alex drove her there every day, and day by day, month after month Mykola and Mila become friends, and Alex sometimes go shopping for Mykola, and even did some maintenance around house.
Mykola often offered him some money, but Alex always refused it, sometimes Mila made something to eat, and all three of them eat together, and listen to Mykola's old stories.
One night after dinner, Mykola told them " I need to tell you something, but you can't tell anyone, something that will change your life".
Both Alex and Mila were speechless, they looked at each other, Mila looked at Alex with a sign of approval in her eyes, and he just said " what are you talking about mr Mykola?"
Mykola then tell them all about international program, based in Antartica, in wich he participated, and because he was one of the founders back in 1961 he recived a "gold ticket".
He can give it to anyone he want, but whoever he give it to, he or she must keep it a secret.
Mykola gave them few days to think about it, and, few days later Mila and Alex told him that they have decided to accept this opportunity.
How can we thank you Mykola? Alex asked him.
Mykola just said, you already thanked me by helping me last 3 years, and this is my way to say thank you, to both of you. I just hope that this will be a step forward in your life.
Ok, but we won't go as long as we can be by your side and help you, Mila said.
Mykola smiled and said I knew you won't leave and left me by myself.
Few months later Mykola passed away, and couple days after funeral, they packed and bought a plane tickets.
***
Caroline moved to Massachusetts, right after she finished high school, she was always crazy about computers, so she wanted to go to MIT, but unfortunately she didn't get in, like they said in MIT, she wasn't to good to them.But she didn't give up, she wanted to let them know they made a mistake, and in despite to them she dedicated her life to become famous,in one way or another. So Carol, after few failures to create something that will make her famous, she started to investigate Dark web, and at first tried to found some dirt about MIT, but couldn't find anything, everything there was by the book. Dark web made quite an impression on her, and she continued to dig deeper, and deeper. Carol worked in a local library, so when she wasn't online, she used every free moment to read about conspiracies, all kind of treaties, and eventually about Antarctic Treaty System signed back in 1961.
Caroline become obsessed with that, and at work she read about it, and after work she investigated about it on Dark web. Although Caroline was very beautiful, she wasn't in a relationship at the time, she just didn't care about that at the moment. One day, the usual day at work, a guy walked in library, at first Caroline didn't noticed him, she was deep in reading, and then guy coughed, and said Excuse me, can you help me?. Caroline looked at him, he had black leather jacket, and underneath white shirt, he was clean shaved, greet her with big smile, with shinning white teeth, warm brown eyes, and short military black haircut. She was very confused, she just lift her glasses, and put them on top of her curly blonde hair, looked him with her green eyes, and said Yes I'm Caroline, nice to meet you. Man laughed and said, I waned some help with the books, but since you said your name, I'm Jack, nice to meet you too.
Caroline blushed, and Jack just laughed, and said, well Caroline after you help me find a book I'm interested in, would you like to grab a cup of coffee with me? Caroline also smiled, sure Jack, I finish at 5.
Great, so please help me find my book, and I'll read it, and wait for you in cafe down the street, cafe Gray MagPie, you know where that is?
I sure do,Caroline said.
Ok , see you then, but I still need my book.
Sure thing Jack, what do you need?
I need something about Antarctic Treaty System, do you have any?
Of course we do, I'll go get it, just wait here.
Tnx Caroline.
Few minutes later, Caroline returned with four books, Jack looked confused, Wow, that's sure a lot of books, he said.
Yes, I want to make sure you'll wait for me, Caroline smiled.Don't worry, I'll wait for you, see you.
It's a date Caroline said, and then blushed again, no, no I didn't mean it like that, I...
Jack laughed again, don't worry, see you at Gray MagPie, I'll be there waiting for you.
Chapter 6
Jack just stood and watch all the people going trough the door, all of them were dresses the same, and just before the last person entered, Jack made a decision, he's gonna go trough that door no matter what, he must know where all these people are going, and why are there two man guarding door with firearms. These people need help, they all are going in cave, to be experimented on them or worse Jack thought. Last man entered, and then something like alarm sounded, and two rotating blue lights, one on each side of doors started to blink. It was a sign that doors are shutting, and Jack needed to act fast.
Jack started to run as fast as he can, door was slightly closing, and Jack knocked one guard,pushed another and in last moment he ran trough, and just before the door closed, he heard on of the guards, Stop you don't know what you' re doing, it's not safe... and door closed, and everything got quiet.
Jack was in a tunnel, not well lighted, it had light in the middle of the tunnel ceiling, but you could barely see anything. He kept on walking, and after a short while, dimmed mixture of blue, black and gray with a sprinkles of white light, was shown, revealing some kind of passage.
Jack carefully come close, placed his ear near, but couldn't hear anything, no voices, no sound, absolute silence. Jack touched that weird mass with caution, it felt like touching kinetic sand, so he pushed his arm trough it, and felt like a slight draft, like a vacuum is pulling him. He was pretty scared, but he wanted to go and save all those people, so scary but decisively he put's another arm, then his face went trough, and right after his whole body, mass stayed behind him and now he was in dark tunnel, with no lights just darkness. As scared as he was he made one small step, and another, and after few steps, tunnel sucked him in. His whole body was light as a feather, and he felt that he floats,that something caries him like a leaf on a wind. Seconds after Jack went trough, portal dissapeared, it vanished, looked like when you turn tv off, all collors shrinked into little white dot, and then it all went black. After a few moments, bright light began to appear, and Jack was suddenly on white sand, the same one you can see in desert.
He fainted, and after a while, someone start to kick him in his tie, he heard I'm not sure if he's alive.
I'm alive, Jack answered, but still couldn't see the face of a man standing above him, bright sun rays was blocking his view.
Stand up, man said, Jack saw he's having gun, and there is another guy next to him, also armed.
Who are you, how did you get here?
Easy, I don't want no trouble, I'm investigating multiple missing persons, which I followed trough tunnel, and suddenly I ended up here on hot desert sand, and while ago I was on cold Arctic snow, can you explain that to me.
We don't need to explain anything to you, how did you come here, why don't you have clothes like the others, identify yourself at once.
My name is Jack Rupert, private investigator from Massachusetts, and like I said already, I'm investigating multiple missing person.
So can you tell me, where to hell I am?
Well since you pass point of no return, we might as well tell you, welcome to the Heart planet Mr. Rupert.
Heart what, where the hell am I, what's going on, and what did you mean by that point of no return?
Well, you pass trough portal, and now you are on the other planet, planet we named heart, but you'll get more information later, first we need to take you to quarantine, and right after you'll settled, you'll get all the information you need.
Portal, what portal? I need to take all those people back.
I'm afraid that is not possible, but like I said you'll get all the information you need, but now please we need to take you to quarantine, we can do this the easy or the hard way, your choice.
Jack had no choice than go with them, he turned his head, and he saw that the portal is still here, but Jack didn't know that on the other side, back on earth portal disappeared.
Right after they climb up a small sand hill, Jack get to see a quarantine where all the others that went trough portal were lined up, checked and showered for disinfection.
***
Ellis Kuper is a girl from Edinburgh, she has long red hair, freckles, braces, small brown eyes, little nose, round cheekbones and glasses, she looked like a nerd, but a very cute nerd.
Ellis always wear shirts with funny sayings, denim vest, red or even sometimes green skirt, and black boots. After high school, she was recruited by Stafford College, and after finished Valedictorian, got offer to continue in Quantico and to become behavioral expert. She spent few years in Quantico, just to become the best behavioral expert, and that's why they offered her to go on Heart, and to help people that find it hard to adjust to new environment. First she traveled to Switzerland, on camp to observe soldiers that train, and to assess are they capable to go to a brand new environment. When training ended, all capable ones, and Ellis took flight to Antarctic, but because of bad weather, they couldn't make it on time, so they flew to Mosel Bay, South Africa, and the straight to Antarctic by ship, but what Ellis didn't know, that Jack was following her all the way from Switzerland to Mosley Bay, and eventually sneaked into ship leading him straight to Antarctic.
***
Few weeks ago, like every other day after finishing her 9-17 shift in library Caroline went to Gray MagPie, and while drinking her favourite coffe, she read some interesting stuff on Dark Web, Caroline found a section about Quantico.
She click on it, and found a bunch of stuff, from building schematic to every little detail about all of people who either work or attend Quantico academy. While browsing and reading about it all, Caroline found Ellis Kupers file to be very interesting. She called Jack to come and meet her, and while waiting for him to arrive, Caroline read more and more about Ellis Kuper, she was so deep in reading, that she didn't even noticed that hours passed and when Jack finally come said hello and tried to kiss her, she jumped like someone stabbed her, Jack said, don't be afraid that's just me, but when he saw her face, he just said, wow it must be something big that you find.
And few seconds later Caroline puts smile on her face, and said Jack honey, not something big, I think I found a way to infiltrate and find all those missing people.
Jack was pretty excited, sit next to Caroline, and told her show me what you find!
Caroline showed him everything, they were sitting at Gray MagPie so long that at one point sun started to show, it was early morning, they lost track of time exploring whole night.
They found out that Ellis Kuper is going to secret location, named Heart, and she will there work with all "subjects" that are relocated to Heart, so Jack decided to go to Switzerland, and keep track of Ellis Kuper's, not knowing that Heart is a new planet, and once he get there he will not be able to contact Caroline, or this is the last time to see her ever again.
They made a deal, that if Jack couldn't contact her by phone or by email, he will send her a message written on paper and delivered to her in Gray MagPie, so Caroline spent most of her time there.
Sometimes while surfing on Dark web, she glanced over her laptop to see is there anyone suspicious looking or even following her, and then she noticed Morgan who was regular there. Caroline knew he was familiar to her, like she already saw him somewhere, but she just couldn't remember where she saw him. She started to think, and to look pictures and documents on DarkWeb, and thorough everything, and after few hours, Caroline finally found Morgan.
She found documents about how Morgan is approached and recruited to go to Antarctica, the same place where Ellis was supposed to go, so Caroline decided to follow Morgan.
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