Page 50
Story: The Siren
Ziyi was quick to gather the interface and load it inside her computer case. Then she stuck her tongue out at Violet.
“Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. and Mrs. Fury,” said Lucienne. “I think it’s best if King Henry doesn’t know any of this. You can tell him I used strong spells on you and your memory was a blur after that.”
Lucienne, Vladimir, and Ziyi returned to Sphinxes later that day. Kian stayed behind, tasked with overseeing the operation in Hell Gate and the search for Ashburn. His team set up temporary generators and basic electricity for the natives and provided them with clothes and food to help them get through the winter.
A month later, Kian came to Lucienne. “We’ve searched all the islands of Alaska. I also paid a visit to the Aleutian inhabitants. That boy isn’t among them. It’s wasting our resources to continue looking for him.”
Vladimir sided with Kian.
“But he couldn’t have just vanished from the planet if he’s the one who holds the covenant key. Unless—” Lucienne’s eyes widened in realization “—he has jumped to a quantum plane.”
“Quantum or not, I’ll order the team to retreat in a week,” Kian said.
From Sphinxes, Lucienne watched Nirvana turn bleaker every day. And Ashburn’s fate remained unknown.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Lucienne regarded the sleep-deprived eyes of her decoding team and sighed. She didn’t care if they got along, but it had been a month, and the three of them hadn’t given her anything. Not Dr. Alexander Kubrick, a short-tempered symbologist and mathematician; nor Dr. Susan Cross, a sharp tongued cryptographer; nor Bansi Soni, a genius programming engineer.
They were as obsessed with the half page of numbers, formula, and three looping symbols from the Eye of Time as she was. Maybe the data was beyond the perception of human minds?
“I need more time,” Dr. Kubrick said, “And I need Dr. Cross’ assistance. She’s been holding back information!”
“I’m tired of constantly reminding you, Dr. Kubrick,” Dr. Cross said, “that the symbols might be sacred writings of a lost ancient civilization. Look here, the patterns—”
“I know patterns,” Dr. Kubrick interrupted her. “But how can we decipher—”
“Find their fingerprints! They left codes,” Dr. Cross said.
“You cut me off again, Dr. Cross,” Dr. Kubrick said. “What I meant to say is: how can I decipher them without more time and my team members’ cooperation?”
“Your team?” Dr. Cross narrowed her eyes.
“They’re driving me crazy, these two,” Bansi Soni said in an Indian accent. “They constantly fight. Never peace. They often disrupt me at crucial moments when I am on the verge of new software and crack the codes.” The programmer ignored glares from both Dr. Kubrickand Dr. Cross. “Can you move me to a private research hall, Miss Lam?”
Lucienne was ready to chastise all three of them when the intercom buzzed. “Lucia, please come to the satellite lab,” Vladimir said. “Ashburn Fury has returned.”
~
Something heavy hit the surface of the river beneath a low cliff and went under. Rain beads splattered like beans. Seconds later, a boy’s face broke the surface. He looked to be around Prince Vladimir’s age. His platinum hair clung to his marble-pale face and ended at the nape of his neck, dripping. His pale blue eyes shone like cold sunlight on ice.
The live streaming in the satellite lab continued with audio.
“The river is located in the western part of Nirvana,” Vladimir said.
“Holy root, I’ve seen plenty of pretty boys, but none this level perfect,” Ziyi cried. “No wonder the red pepper is crazy about him. I’d ogle him, too, and I don’t usually ogle men, not even Vladimir.”
Vladimir shrugged with a mocking smile.
“He does have nice hair,” Lucienne said, and felt Vladimir tense beside her. Fighting a laugh, she continued. “What a pity he’s wheelchair bound. Maybe we can fix him.” She turned to Vladimir, who had relaxed a little. “You said Violet is with him. Where is she? How did she find—?” Before Lucienne could finish her words, Violet’s face surfaced. Ashburn had lifted her above the water.
The girl was gasping and coughing. Holding Violet tight, Ashburn swam her toward the shore under the bombarding rain. The girl’s long, red hair floated on the water.
“For a handicapped boy, he seems to have great strength,” Ziyi said. “But there’s no way he can climb the cliff. Should I page Kian to go fetch them?”
“Not before we see how he overcomes a little inconvenience,” Lucienne said. “Show me the footage of when he first reappeared.”
Another screen replayed the footage.
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