Andalas looked neat. He was wearing an expensive tuxedo, with disguised sideburns and a thin mustache, complemented with a lightly oiled wig.
Akiko laughed and commented that Andalas was like a forecast television announcer. Lian Xi secretly began to admire the icy man. His dedication was unquestionable. At least to that cheeky girl who was laughing. Huh!
This time Andalas went alone. He experienced the same situation as what happened at SNB Zurich. As soon as he mentioned the code 121-AA1111, the service changed drastically. Again, a manager who escorted him took a small deposit box.
Andalas didn't want to open it and decided to take it to the hotel after thanking the bank clerk who nodded and repeatedly said the word grazie. What are they grateful for?
In the presence of Cecilia, Akiko, and Lian Xi, Andalas opened the safe box using the key he got from the safe deposit box in Zurich.
They were all dying to know. The puzzle would make anyone curious. Moreover, the puzzle maker was the former Director General of WHO.
Andalas, who already guessed that the contents must be another key, raised two keys from the box. One small key was the same with the previous two keys, and a large and heavy key that seemed to open a large padlock. On the handle of the key hang a label that read Taliedo Airport Hangar 2A.
Akiko frowned.
"Taliedo? I think I've heard that name before?"
"Taliedo is an old airport in the city of Milan which is now operated as a non-commercial airport. Only for private planes and old hangars where planes are stored." Lian Xi explained with a smile to Akiko.
Akiko stood up and was about to slap Lian Xi. That smile was mocking. Cecilia interceded with a question.
"Should we go to Taliedo? So, when are you leaving to the U.S? We had already discussed whether to leave for China this morning."
Andalas shook his head.
"We stay together. We don't know for sure what the security status of the Gobi Facility is. Besides, the Chinese government denied its existence. We'd better investigate the facility quietly. We'll get to the Gobi via Mongolia once all these key things are done. You come with me to the U.S."
Akiko's face brightened. For some reasons, Lian Xi was the same. Only Cecilia was still stunned.
"After New York, where are we going to?" Cecilia tried to imagine what kind of timeline they had to go through. This pandemic was so rampant. Maybe half the world's population was gone, and they just found something to counteract it.
Andalas replied.
"After New York, Beijing, then back to Switzerland, Geneva."
Cecilia looked at Andalas.
"If we really have to stay together, then what about the Organization?"
Andalas replied while looking at Lian Xi.
"They are going after Lian Xi, not us." Lian Xi nodded in agreement.
"That seems to be the case. They'll make me a guide to the Gobi Facility. The only place that has the resources and samples to make serums."
"That's why we stay together. I'm also starting to think there's no way Doctor Aslan would have prepared this riddle if not for something big to support this mission. And I need your help with this." Andalas continued.
"One more thing you need to know. Not only Helda and Yakuza Hitoshi Nakamura were hired by the Organization, but also Zov Tigra and Abdelahi."
Akiko wasn't surprised. Of course, his father was also hired by the Organization. Otherwise, how could Isamu trail them in Paris and Switzerland. But who is Zov Tigra? She knew Abdelahi. Andalas once told a story about Malaa'ig Mogadishu.
Andalas seemed to know what was going through Akiko's mind.
"This Zov Tigra is a dangerous assassin. An ex-KGB who is in the Consultant's priority list."
Lian Xi and Cecilia gave a short exclamation. They were surprised that those who were going after them turned out to be highly skilled people.
Andalas packed up all his things, followed by others. They were going to Taliedo to solve one more riddle before going to New York. But registering as passengers on a commercial plane was very risky for them. Their faces and names had been flagged on notice by Interpol everywhere.
They checked out of the hotel after disguising themselves as best as they could. Andalas remained with his dandy make over. Akiko turned into an edgy model who dyed her hair blue. Lian Xi wore a hat and uniform jacket as if she was a Chinese military attaché. Lastly, Cecilia looked as plain as she was and only wore huge sunglasses that almost covered her entire face.
Akiko drove a rental car from the hotel to Taliedo airport which was about 15 miles out of Milan. Cecilia advised the hotel clerk that the rental car could be picked up at a supermarket not far from Taliedo. Cecilia made it all up. For her supermarkets were everywhere. Especially if it was close to large facilities such as the airport.
Less than an hour later, they entered the airport which was still well maintained even though all the facilities looked dated. Even the ATC tower was still standing strong. Activity at the old airport was not too busy. Only a few luxury cars were seen parked in the parking slots.
Of course Andalas and others understood that this airport looked deserted. This airport only served flights and parking for private and chartered aircraft, not commercial.
Andalas started his car towards the hangar area which was lined up like giant warehouses that were no longer used.
A2. Here you go! There was nobody there. Andalas was about to open the big lock on the hangar's giant door when a pick-up approached them. A middle-aged man came out and said hello.
Akiko fumbled for her jacket pocket. The FN was still there.
"Sorry young man. This is a private hangar. Do you have any interest here?" the middle-aged man asked Andalas probingly who stopped his attempt to insert the key.
"Excuse me sir. I just wanted to open this hangar door on the orders of someone who gave me the key."
"Hmm, where did you get the key and who gave you the order?"
Andalas handed the key to a man who looked completely harmless and instinctively told him that this man could be trusted.
The man studied the key he had received from Andalas.
"This doesn't mean anything, young man. Try to explain where you got this key from, and you also haven't answered my question who sent you."
Andalas understood now. The middle-aged man was verifying himself.
"I got this key based on the code I got from Doctor Adli Aslan. SNB-Zurich-101-AA1010 and Bankitalia-Milan-121-AA1111."
The man nodded with a relieved look on his face. He opened the hangar using the key from Andalas.
The hangar door opened. There was a sight that made all gawked. The hangar was empty, except for a Gulfstream G650 which was elegantly parked inside.
There was a big code on the tail of the plane. I-AA.