Akiko, spent two hours circling around Stockholm city avoiding police pursuit. She felt bad for the owner of the motorbike so she left 10,000 krona in the trunk of the motorbike that was parked in a dead end alley. After that she calmly boarded a tram bound for Värtahamnen Harbor. The three of them were on board the Viking Line Ferry. It would take them 17 hours to sail the Baltic Sea.
Cecilia paid for a cabin that could accommodate four people so they could stay together, and Akiko could protect Professor Mbutu who was apparently also being hunted by the Organization.
Professor Mbutu closed the book he had been reading since the Viking Line had anchored and left the harbor. His gaze fell on Cecilia who was enjoying her second cup of coffee. He demanded an explanation.
"You heard the scripts from the Extraterrestrial beings earlier. We didn't plan to bring you in this way. But apparently the Organization, it's the secret organization that has always undermined all our efforts to prepare for the Mollivirus sibericum and Bacillus antracis pandemic, all over the world."
Cecilia took another sip of her coffee.
"We need you, professor, to join our team at Pandora. They are studying Object X from the Arctic and baby leopard from Cuvette Centrale Congo. These two objects are our best bets to find serum for these super-dangerous viruses and bacteria."
Professor Mbutu listened intently to Cecilia's explanation. He could still hear the recording of the extraordinary script in his mind.
"You have expertise only few people have. Our team need your expertise in Carbon Chemistry to decipher the cosmic and gamma radiation in Object X's body as mentioned in the script."
Cecilia took another sip of her coffee. She felt that her days were increasingly tiring.
"Where should I do my part?" Professor Mbutu asked softly. He didn't need to be convinced by a long explanation if it was a humanitarian cause.
"You will work at the Pandora Laboratory in a secret location in the Arctic." Cecilia answered and guessed how Professor Mbutu's would react.
"Can I call my family, so they know I'm okay?" Cecilia didn't expect that Professor Mbutu wasn't surprised at all. She nodded. She continued her explanation that the Professor wouldn't be treated like prisoner or anything like that. He could contact his family any time.
Akiko was listening while watching the Baltic Sea begin to dim. Dusk set in. She remembered Andalas' warning on X-One. The man was in a very dangerous territory. She didn't know what he was doing in Grozny.
One of a few most dangerous cities in the world.
Akiko's memories revolved around her previous fight against the ninjas. She had no chance to unmask any of the attackers but she was 100% sure that they were all Japanese. Had she have the chance to see their backs or chests, she would have been able to identify which Yakuza clan they belonged to.
They were clearly Yakuza. There was no syndicate in Japan other than the Yakuza that hunted people as far as Scandinavian countries. Akiko only had one scary scenario. Could the attackers sent by Hitoshi Nakamura, her father?
Akiko and Cecilia used the 17 hours trip for resting. Professor Mbutu was reading a book quietly on his bed.
Before going to sleep, Cecilia contacted Doctor Aslan. Previously, Professor Sato said he would be preoccupied with new development in Object X.
Cecilia was very curious about the news. But she understood that Professor Sato needed to concentrate dealing with Object X. Cecilia started a chat with Doctor Aslan.
We've secured Professor Mbutu. He is willing to be part of the team. Please pick him up at Vantaa Airport.
Sure Cecil. I'll take care of it.
Some people attacked us earlier in Stockholm. According to the information we received from Andalas, the attack was ordered by the Organization.
Got it. Andalas is taking care of the Organization. He is in Grozny.
What do you think we should do after taking Professor Mbutu to Helsinski?
You two should go to Geneva. I need your help here. Marc apparently kept pressuring me using his diplomatic network. There is a possibility that I will be demoted from Director General because of the vote of no confidence from several countries.
Very well, Doctor. We're flying to Geneva from Helsinki tomorrow afternoon.
Cecilia closed the X-One. She saw Akiko was asleep on the top bunk. Professor Mbutu was also sleeping soundly with an open book on his chest.
Cecilia yawned and hoped for a good night's sleep without dreams about quarantined cities.