Dual Mind - Prologue

          Soldiers fished metal detectors from hummers and dived in their sectors. An Afroamerican doctor, with the name "Baker" written on the badge on his chest, approached Alex.</div>

"Let’s hope, someone trips over it." he stated, observing the glide cautiously.

"We’ll search until we find it, no matter how." answered Alexei coldly.

          But nobody tripped over nothing. All units had to search further than indicated target was and often appoint new one, but at least they found it.

          A manhole.

          It took them another hour to clean it from the vast greenery it was covered with and to open sealed door. Under the hatch they discovered a shaft – steel ladder reached long way down and most of it disappeared in darkness. First ones to explore it were captain Dragomirov along with Baker. The air was dry and still. It’s smell was weirdly devoid of human presence.

"Technicians should check ventilation shafts." said Baker flashing his light down the long dark concrete corridor. "How big is it?"

"Ten floors down." answered Alexei studying old bunker plans, written in Cirillic. "But someone else will play the Dora the Explorer. We have nine more objects to find."

          It seemed the Project Bastion had better odds than he thought was possible.

          Helicopter landed in deep darkness of a pre-dawn. Only then it’s arrival was welcomed by a single lit reflector.A lone male figure in a gas mask waited on the airstrip. The masked man stood straight, putting hands behind his back expectantly. The door opened before tandem rotors came to full stop and few soldiers, also in gas masks, jumped on the ground. Behind them appeared slightly hunched old man. Among all of them only he wasn’t wearing a mask. 

"With whom do I have a pleasure?" he asked in English, although with heavy German accent.

"Michael Hadlock, I’m Mrs. Armstrong’s assistant." answered the younger man. "Forgive us this masquerade but these are the procedures we must follow. There’s just one thing, before we proceed" he extended his hand, holding small device similar to glucometer. "I know boys already checked before the flight but you surely understand, Professor…"

"Aye, I do." said old man pressing his thumb to the sensor. He winced when needle pierced his skin.

"I’m glad you could join us, Professor Ümit." smiled Michael, while scanner processed data. "Mrs. Armstrong was dying to meet you. Once again I’m sorry for all this Chandleresque atmosphere." the device beeped and flashed green. "Please, follow me."

          Reflector went out. For a while the only sources of light were pale Ukrainian moon and stars along with lightsticks pinned to soldiers’ jackets. The building they were heading to was dark except for dimly lit elevator inside. Michael and Ümit entered it but soldiers accompanying them returned to the helicopter preparing to take off. Once inside Michael took his mask off and armed himself with glasses instead. He informed Ümit, the Professor wasn’t the only person on the guest list tonight.

"Do we know where did it come from?" asked Ümit following Michael further into the building.

"According to latest news, from Korea." the one who answered wasn’t Michael, but blonde woman with short hair coming forward to greet them. "It’s an honor to meet you, Professor. I’ve read your publications and your presence here today gives me…all of us, a great hope." she extended her hand in Ümit’s direction. "Juliette Armstrong."

"Pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Armstrong." said Professor, shaking her hand. He looked around appreciatively. "Well, well… to organize something like that in times of crisis… Impressive."

"A bit of luck, nothing more." Juliette shared Professor’s observation. "If not for UKSFOR we probably wouldn’t be able to find it." She motioned Professor to follow her. Michael nodded his goodbyes and went to pick up the next guest.

"So, you say it’s Korea? Surely you don’t mean Northern Korea?"

"According to our intelligence it’s not political, but purely private. Someone chose Korea to base laboratories there. What he hoped to accomplish doesn’t matter now. All we know is that the virus is out of control." she halted in front of the door and entered access code. -"But we hope we’ll be able to stop the pandemic before white ebola devours many more human lives."

          The door stood open showing flashy white laboratory equipped with advanced technology. Juliette made a welcoming gesture.

"Welcome to the Bastion."