All Along the Coastline (Part 5)

- They have a branch in the south, in the Capital. That's where we're going. We will not be found so easily, once we’re there. When they realize, we'll be far away... I hope! 

- If I go against this idea, it will not do any good, will it? 

The young man wearing glasses seemed gloomy, defeated and scared. The other man ignored the question. He was more focused on making plans for the trip to the Capital. 

- And we're going by train. If we go by rental car, they may have the means to know and find us. We have no idea of the contact networks they have, but these people are very dangerous. Using public transport we will remain incognito, for longer. 

- They think we're dead. 

- For now... and we'd better let them think we are, until... 

- Until we're really dead? 

They exchanged serious, worried looks. 

*** 

- At least we are more confident everything is going right now. So far, all information he delivered is correct. The samples behaved beautifully, according to the report. Now, we must wait for the last part of the material, to begin producing the first units. 

- Can we trust him? 

- Do we have any reason to doubt him? So far, he has been flawless... although quite unpredictable... but the impression he gave was that everything he has done has been out of caution. Given his origin, he must be very prudent. This excessive caution has delayed the project a bit, but we did not go far, alone, anyway. 

- We must not be in a hurry. If we rush things, we may raise unwelcome suspicions. The little man is right. All in due time and we will have no problems... 

The meeting of the management of N.M.E. was interrupted by the sound of the telephone. The executive answered sharply, by saying: 

- I said I did not want to be interrupted. What can be so important...? 

Apparently interrupted himself with urgent news and of unquestionable relevance, the man listened in silence and, without further ado, hung up. Less than five seconds later, the secretary entered the meeting room with a brown envelope in her hands. 

- Sirs, we have good news and bad news. The good news is that the material we were expecting just arrived by special mail. It will be enough to complete the analysis and start producing the drugs, which will be a big step in the company's history. We are entering a very particular era. It is the beginning of the future. 

- And the bad news, then? 

The man looked at the other members of the N.M.E. and cleared his throat. He carefully opened the envelope, from which he took out a notepad, apparently quite worn out by use. It did not look anything like the report he had received earlier. The secretary then handed him another small, open envelope that contained a letter. He took the paper out of the envelope and unfolded it, reading the message aloud. 

*** 

- I did not count on that. We must be very careful. If someone suspects of anything, we are in a big mess. All the eyes and attention will turn to us. 

- We will not be discovered. No one will ever know that it was us. 

- I really hope not. 

- Don’t worry. The company will never be associated or liable for an accident in a research laboratory at the University. Accidents happen every day in research laboratories, especially in the University campus. 

- Even so, we must be prepared. Best to avoid any contact with people. Let's take advantage that it's late at night. This makes it easier not to raise suspicions or get caught in sight. 

- I'll get the van. If something happens that could raise any kind of questions, that one is the vehicle that is already going to campus more often and therefore may seem more natural... 

- OK. 

As soon as his colleague left, the Security chief picked up the phone and dialed a speed dial number. He waited a couple of seconds and said in a low voice, 

- We are ready. We’re are driving to the University now... 

He listened in silence. He felt anxious and tense. A drop of sweat broke out on his forehead and ran down his face. He felt the scent of his own shaving lotion exhale. It was not a good sign that he felt that way. 

- Yes, OK. Leave it to me... 

*** 

- Which way are we going? 

- As far as I know, there must be a hotel on one of these streets near the station. Let me think. 

- There must be many, after all, we're in the Capital. Should not we do what we came first for? 

- Going to the company? Maybe we should go to the university first... I just had an idea. 

The young man wearing glasses smiled. He preferred to go to university, but he knew that it was only a matter of time before he had to face the challenge, for which he did not feel at all prepared. 

- Since we're here, let's go downstairs and take the subway to the University. 

*** 

The University was quite busy, as usual on normal days. There were a lot of people walking around. Quieter groups, lonely students with earphones, others busy with the latest generation phones, girls in groups, laughing, people from many different age groups, from the younger ones, still teenagers, to the older ones, probably PhDs, all contributed to make them go unnoticed in the midst of that crowd of unfamiliar faces. 

- Let's go to the research lab. That article we read mentioned a research in the field of food genetics, but that led to a shift in strategy, more to the side of human genetics and DNA changes. That sounded very strange. There is something smelly here... 

- If they are changing the genetics of food to promote a transformation in human DNA, that’s at least a crime or are they really planning a kind of... genocide?" 

- Let's see what we can find out. 

The young man wearing glasses consulted the signposting information and pointed west, where the Biology Department and the labs were supposed to be. They took that direction. They seemed eager to find out more and still had to plan the next step. 

The two walked in silence, when suddenly the young man wearing glasses stopped and held his friend's arm. 

Right ahead, a white van was parked in the lot of the area reserved for the University researchers. On its sides, written in large red letters, the company acronym: N.M.E. 

- Oh, no. Not again! They look like a plague! 

- Let's walk back, before they see us. We better go to the library. From there we can check a few things before we get a chance to come back and visit the lab. I hope they do not spend much time in here. 

The Library was not far from where they were and had a view to where their point of interest was. They sat near one of the windows facing west and kept watching the movement of the vehicle. They decided they would go there as soon as they felt safe. It was a better bet and a more secure step. 

The day passed slowly dull, and they saw no movements of the van. 

The driver sometimes left the vehicle for smoking. He looked impatient, in his dark suit. The other man would get in and out of the car, go to the bar, come back to the car, go to the other side. He seemed uncomfortable too. The night was approaching slowly, and they still had a mission to fulfil. 

To the disappointment of the two young men, the library was about to close doors, and they had to leave. Worse still, the van was still there. The movement of the students and professionals of the campus had diminished a lot. 

They felt that they had missed the opportunity and the purpose of their journey. They could not find out much about the research, besides what they already knew. The only novelty, which they could still discover, was that the new research was leading to a study of human longevity, not an attempt at genocide, as they initially suspected. 

That was a good thing, after all. They still needed to know, however, why those men were there, parked all afternoon, and also why they had tried to kill them. 

- There is one important piece missing in this puzzle. What can it be? 

As they talked, while leaving the Library building, they saw four people walking lightly towards the lab. At that time, it was not very normal, but nothing disturbing. 

The woman looked worried. The young man who was with her, too. An older man and a younger one, very pale, were coming close after them. They did not notice the van and walked straight to the metal door of the Biology building. 

What happened at that moment was so quick that the two young soldiers only had time to hide behind one of the buildings and watch from afar for fear of getting caught up in the middle of a big mess. 

As soon as he saw the group of people reach the door, the driver got out of the van and pulling out an automatic weapon, fired at them. The group was still able to enter the building, lock the door, which did not stay closed for long. In a few minutes, the armed men entered the building and, not too long after, a big explosion happened in the room. 

As they watched, frightened, the unfolding of that private war, they saw that four people were running out from the other side, towards the forest. In a short time, the two security guards, still armed and firing against them, headed in the same direction. 

- What was that, for heaven’s sake? We are screwed. Now we will not be able to find out anything else. The lab is all destroyed, and we cannot get out of here. 

- We're going to have to leave here, anyway. In a little while this will be an insane pandemonium. There should be a fire alarm, which must have already been triggered. 

Even before he finished speaking, he heard the loud sound of the alarm sirens. 

They should not be seen there. If they said they had witnessed anything, they would be exposed and the N.M.E. would know they were still alive. Just as they turned around to head towards the Campus exit, they saw a man standing behind them. 

- You should not be here! 

***