Meet the source
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As Mathis navigated the bustling city streets, a nagging sense of irritation gnawed at him, fueled by the whirlwind of events from the past few days. While there had been fleeting moments of peace, the looming shadow of pursuit had never lifted. It was becoming increasingly clear to Mathis that contacting the source was crucial to unravel the mystery behind the relentless chase by unknown adversaries.
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Mathis felt a sense of relief as he carefully loaded all of Bram's files into the car. He knew the criminals were likely staking out the hotel by now, so returning there was pointless. As he drove back into town, he found a parking space and finally felt he could take a moment to breathe.
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The city was waking up, its vibrant energy starkly contrasting with the weight Mathis carried. As the sun rose higher in the sky, its soft blue hues brought a sense of joy to the people. Shops were opening, and a stream of pedestrians began to flow in. Mathis navigated through the bustling crowd, eventually finding himself in a quaint little park. At the center stood a magnificent statue of a knight. Mathis kept a keen eye on the people around him as he approached the statue, but no one appeared suspicious. Before moving on, he discreetly inscribed a symbol on the statue's base. Mathis's thoughts were sharp and clear. "I believe the source is still in town; they're probably just trying to understand what happened."
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Mathis stumbled upon a charming open-air café and settled into a comfortable chair at a sleek metal table. A large parasol shielded him from the sun's radiant warmth, casting a soft, dappled light over the area.
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The breeze brushed gently against him as several people strolled by, some breaking into a run while others cycled past. Time seemed to slip away as the conversations around him buzzed, and the glasses on the table slowly filled with condensation. Just as Mathis was about to take a bite of his sandwich, a message popped up.
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"A monkey and a turtle went to a party; the monkey asked the turtle..." was the message.
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The sender consistently sent cryptic messages, making it impossible to respond without prior context. Mathis decided to play along, responding, "Why were the rabbits unable to join?"
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"Good to hear from you again, old friend. What happened to Bram?" came the reply.
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"Unfortunately, Bram is no longer with us. What information did you have that was so important?" Mathis waited impatiently for the answer.
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"I see. Meet me at the old tower house in an hour. You know where." read the message.
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They had often exchanged messages, though they had never met in person. After finishing his meal, Mathis returned to his car and left the city behind. He soon arrived at a weathered old church. Exiting the car, he surveyed his surroundings carefully, scanning for potential threats before entering the dilapidated building. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he proceeded cautiously into the abandoned sanctuary.
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The scene was eerie: overturned benches, broken chandeliers, and a thick layer of dust coating everything. With a growing sense of foreboding, Mathis drew his gun from its holster and cautiously ascended a creaky staircase leading to the church tower. Despite the quiet, an unsettling stillness hung in the air, broken only by the groan of the old stairs underfoot. At the top of the tower, a weathered church bell dangled, and remnants of decaying wood framed the perimeter. As Mathis peered over the edge, a voice spoke from behind.
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"Hello, old friend. Nice to finally meet you, Mathis."
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Mathis's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on his gun as he moved cautiously forward. Skeptical but calm, he greeted the man with a measured tone. "Good to meet you too. What's the name of the rabbit's friend?"
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The man turned and smiled, breaking the silence. "The Monkey and the Turtle."
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Mathis slowly holstered his gun, feeling its weight settle at his hip. He stood beside the tall, slender man, who had a smooth, round head with only a few strands of hair. The man's eyes were hidden behind dark sunglasses, and his black jacket obscured his appearance. Despite the disguise, Mathis estimated him to be in his mid-fifties. This moment held significance for Mathis; the man had been a valuable source of information for many years. A rare mix of emotions stirred within him as he stood face-to-face with the man for the first time. "So, why did you call this meeting? What's so important?"
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The man looked down briefly before meeting Mathis's gaze. "There exists a substantial criminal organization known as the Shadow Front. This group is dedicated to destabilizing global peace for their own profit. Their operations span far beyond your home country of Norway. Their latest plan threatens countless lives and could cause global devastation," the man warned.
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Mathis's eyes narrowed again as a sense of dread washed over him. Could they be planning a major assassination? What dark event lay ahead? These questions raced through his mind as he spoke. "What's going to happen? Is this about an assassination? There have been plenty of people who've tried and failed to conquer the world," he asked, his voice tinged with both concern and doubt.
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"It's much bigger than that, my friend. They've developed a computer program capable of hacking into any system worldwide. Once activated, it can plant viruses, compromise networks, and crash critical systems. Think of the chaos they could cause, or the leverage they could gain. Imagine a country wanting to ruin another—North Korea, for instance."
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Mathis felt skeptical—it all seemed far-fetched. Hacking into computers once seemed impossible, but not anymore. Despite his doubts, he couldn't ignore the threat. "How can you be sure this is true?" he asked, watching the man closely.
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"I have confirmation and extensive information about the organization. An assassination is not in the works, but if they manage to hack into the world's computer systems, the global impact will be catastrophic. This organization has infiltrated several governments and intelligence agencies, including your own," the man said.
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This was a lot for Mathis to process—global domination through computer hacking. Everything the man said felt like something straight out of a spy novel. "Who is this organization? Who is the mole?"
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"The organization was founded in the aftermath of World War II. As the war was ending, a group of individuals took it upon themselves to recover treasures looted by the Nazis. A submarine was assigned a top-secret mission to transport valuables, including crucial documents detailing the locations of hidden assets like gold. The submarine also carried numerous chests filled with treasures that had been stored in Norway during the war," the man explained.
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Mathis considered this carefully. "Are you saying a German submarine crew founded this organization after the war?"
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"Unfortunately, I have no information about the submarine's fate. But I do know the person who established the group. I can also provide details about the current leadership within the organization," the man disclosed.
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Mathis's mind raced. "Who is this person with so much influence? When will this worldwide upheaval take place?"
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"I'm not certain of the exact timeline, but the mission could be completed within the next week. If you can arrange for me to leave the country with a new identity, I'll reveal the rest of the information," the man offered.
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Mathis was determined to learn more before agreeing to help. "Can you at least tell me who currently leads the organization?"
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As he spoke, a sudden, sharp crack split the air—a gunshot. The man staggered backward, a cry escaping him as he crumpled to the ground. More shots followed, the sounds fading as Mathis dropped to the ground. He saw blood seeping from the man's chest, but he was still alive. "Who runs the organization? What's the rest of the information?"
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"Go to Berlin. Once there, head to the Westin Grand Berlin Hotel. Look for Bree Schneider—she can help you," the man said weakly.
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Mathis found a handkerchief in the man's jacket and pressed it to the gunshot wound, trying to stop the bleeding. "Who's the leader?" he asked urgently.
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"I'm not entirely sure. There's an elderly man who has led the group for some time, but there's uncertainty about his role now. There's also a figurehead, a man who smokes cigars—a very old-fashioned sort. But the real leader is a woman, connected to the submarine mission," the man explained, his voice growing weaker.
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The pain worsened, and the man began to cough up blood. "She's extremely dangerous, manipulative. I don't know much about her, but I've heard rumors that her father was involved with the Norwegian government after the war. She's ruthless—she killed the father of her child when he opposed her involvement in the organization. I don't know her real name, but within the group, they call her 'E,'" the man whispered, his eyes dimming with every word.
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Mathis's heart pounded. A woman with a daughter—could it be?
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"I've heard she murdered the child's father to protect her role in the organization. She'll stop at nothing. I don't know her real name, but she's only referred to as 'E,'" the man added, his voice barely audible.
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Mathis's thoughts raced, the puzzle pieces falling into place. But he needed more information. "How do you know so much about this organization?" he demanded, tightening his grip on the man's shoulder, trying desperately to stop the bleeding.
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"I was part of it... the mole is..." the man gasped.
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Mathis pressed harder on the wound, desperation in his voice. "What's your name? Who's the mole?"
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The man's breathing became shallow, his eyes glazed with pain. "My name is Nicolay Pavlova... The mole's name is..." His voice trailed off into a faint whisper.
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Mathis leaned in, straining to hear, but Nicolay's eyes fluttered shut, his body going limp. Checking his pulse, Mathis realized it was too late—Nicolay was gone. A wave of disbelief and frustration washed over him as he stood over his fallen informant.
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"E? No, it can't be... Eva?" Mathis muttered, the name echoing in his mind. The realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. He recalled the time he had saved Eva and her daughter, a situation that now seemed laced with dark undertones. She had once ordered a woman out of her daughter's room—an encounter that now took on a far more sinister meaning.
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Mathis's heart raced as he absorbed the revelation. If Eva was indeed the "E" Nicolay had spoken of, it meant she was deeply involved with the Shadow Front. Worse, Eva's daughter could be in grave danger. He had to confirm Eva's true identity, uncover her motives, and protect her child, if necessary.
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Steeling himself for what lay ahead, Mathis began planning his next move. Every detail mattered; every second counted. To unravel this conspiracy, he would need all his skills, resourcefulness, and resolve.
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As he prepared to embark on this dangerous new mission, the weight of Nicolay's death and the urgency of the situation pushed him forward. The stakes had never been higher, and Mathis knew that revealing the truth behind Eva's involvement with the Shadow Front was now his most critical task.
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