Cecilia remembered that she once entered the office disguised as a ridiculously high-profile woman. She also remembered how Doctor Aslan greeted her properly even though he had a hunch that something wasn't right when she said that she was going to give 1 billion euros donation. Cecilia was amused that she didn't understand the meaning of 1 billion Euros.
This time she came with Akiko by invitation. Doctor Aslan was waiting in his office.
"Doctor, you said that..." Cecilia stopped her question. Doctor Aslan, who seemed much thinner, put his index finger to his lips. Hmm, someone is listening somewhere.
"How are you Akiko?" Doctor Aslan's voice sounded normal.
Akiko nodded. This was the first time for her to directly meet the person who had been very supportive of the mission that they had been working on. What an incredible person he was! Not many people in his position would do something like this!
"I'm sorry for the attack that happened to you. I think it could happen to all of us too." Doctor Aslan smiled sympathetically at her. Akiko nodded again. Her mind was busy guessing what exactly was threatening Doctor Aslan. Cecilia had the same thoughts.
Doctor Aslan knew that they were curious about what had happened to him. The Director-General stood up and walked to the bookshelf behind his seat. He pulled out a thick book which activated a mechanism, and the bookshelf swinged open.
He locked the main door to his office and told his secretary through the intercom that he couldn't be disturbed for the next 2 hours. Doctor Aslan motioned for them to follow him through the secret door.
Cecilia and Akiko were surprised that an organization like the WHO had the need to have a secret room. But then they realized that the position of a Director General of the World Health Organization was indeed quite vulnerable because there were so many interests from each member countries lurking behind it.
Espionage activity was very common. But this time, Doctor Aslan felt that he was being watched intensely. All activities were monitored and tapped almost 24 hours. The only safest ways of communicating were the X-One and in the hidden room behind his office.
"Marc, and the strong men behind him are now openly against me. Several powerful nations filed a motion of no confidence on the grounds that I hid an important matter the world should know on Pandora." Doctor Aslan looked at a painting featuring a 14th century illustration of the Black Death on the walls of the secret room, then continued.
"I always report all activities including Pandora lab.
Though of course I can't open up about the Object X research and the baby leopard from the Congo Basin. It is not the time yet. It will cause panic and chaos throughout the world."
Cecilia and Akiko simultaneously nodded.
"I understand, Doctor. After all what we are doing in Pandora is the exact opposite. I think something as unpredictable as this should be kept secret until we can find an answer."
Akiko asked a question that had been occupying her mind for a while.
"So this Marc, what should we do with him?"
"I don't think we can respond to these issues and confrontations with violence, Akiko." Doctor Aslan seemed to know what was on Akiko's mind.
"We will fight the political intrigue by political means. I am gathering support from several strong countries that are still independent in this regard. China and Germany can still be convinced that the WHO is on the right track. I just need evidence to convince them."
"What kind of evidence can convince them Doctor?" Akiko asked.
"The evidence that a threat of a pandemic is real but does not reveal the existence of Object X and the leopard cub. I want to discuss this strategy with you."
Cecilia pondered for a moment. Then raised his face doubtfully.
"Wy don't we have a meeting with the Chinese and German governments. Explaining all of this, we present witnesses from ground zero in the Congo Basin and Hantaa 01."
Akiko turned around.
"You mean we bring witnesses like Fabumi, Captain Shinji, First mate Yoshido?"
Cecilia nodded.
"They are living witnesses who can strengthen the narrative of diplomacy that we have built for the two countries."
Doctor Aslan looked at Cecilia with admiration. He wasn't wrong to assign her as the team leader.
"So, what's your plan Cecilia?"
"Akiko and I will go to find Hantaa 05 and contact Captain Shinji Akira and First mate Yoshido. Andalas has a task to free Fabumi because the last news I heard he was detained by the GRU and hidden somewhere. Andalas is very good at that, I am sure you know that."
They all agreed to carry out Cecilia's plan. Doctor Aslan would continue the political efforts with countries that were still possible to support him as Director General.
Cecilia and Akiko said goodbye. Doctor Aslan closed the secret room again.
As soon as the door was about to close, a small spider like insect snuck up and disappeared under the bookshelf.
In a room still in the same building, Marc removed the headset and called someone with his smartphone.
"Pierre, you need to catch up this time. Have the best DGSE agents follow Cecilia and Akiko. Also someone named Andalas."