Chapter 43 Helsinki, 60° 10′ 15″ N, 24° 56′ 15″ E Vantaa Airport

Professor Mbutu waved at Akiko and Cecilia. Even though their introduction session was like a Hollywood bloody gangster movie set, the 70 year old Professor knows that these two doctors were fighting for something big. Much bigger that the three of them.

He respected them for taking the heavy burden to ensure the survival of humanity. He thought of his Nobel medal laying idly at home. He wanted to give one more contribution before he died. Once again Professor Mbutu waved from the window before the specially chartered plane taxied away and prepared to take off.

Akiko and Cecilia got into the WHO car to return to the check-in counter. They would be heading to Geneva in a few hours. Doctor Aslan needed them for something. Although they weren't quite sure how to help him if he was already in the vortex of political intrigue.

At least they could breathe a sigh of relief. Finally, the Pandora's team had been completed. All they needed to do was using their magic wand to save the world.

Except for Akiko. She felt that there was something lacking. They were already halfway through their mission to save the world. But it wasn't the case for Andalas. Maybe he was more than halfway to hell. And Grozny was one of the doors.

Akiko glanced at Cecilia. She looked a bit calmer. Some of the puzzles had fallen into the right places. Pandora, Object X, the leopard cub, the world's most brilliant team of scientists, competent colleagues, and the Goddess of Luck. So far, luck was on her side and her team. But everything could change as easily as falling off a log.

Akiko saw something very suspicious. An Asian man hastily covered his face with the newspaper. At first glance Akiko caught the man watching them. She pressed standby mode in her head.

Akiko whispered to Cecilia that she was going to the toilet and asked her to be alert. Cecilia nodded. The airport was very crowded. Anyone would think twice before making any trouble here.

But what about Doha? And Heathrow? Cecilia calmed herself while watching Akiko left and acted like she was desperately needed her bathroom break.

Actually Akiko was looking for an opportunity to take a picture of the suspicious guy and send it to Andalas to be checked with the database.

Doctor Aslan gave them new device when they were in Boston.

A super high-resolution mini camera attached to a shirt button. She didn't have to pretend to take selfies anymore. All she needed to do was just aim the button camera to an object, it would capture and transfer the picture automatically to her gadget and the X-One.

She only had to tap on her watch and the camera would do its job.

She got out of the toilet and walked back and forth while looking at her watch acting impatiently. Akiko remembered what Andalas said. If there was a sign of danger, then the danger could be more than one thing. That was why when she saw the Asian-looking man acting suspiciously, she checked almost everyone for any possibility. She followed her intuition whether a person needed to be photographed or not.

Akiko returned to her seat next to Cecilia. She took out her device to send all pictures to Andalas. Cecilia smiled slightly when she caught a glimpse of the name Andalas on Akiko's device.

After that Akiko looked calm. She leaned her head back on the chair and said in a low tone, "There are some people I find very suspicious. We need to be careful and alert."

Cecilia replied, "You sound very much like Andalas. Easily suspicious and can't wait to beat people up."

Akiko was stunned. Then she realized that Cecilia was joking. She giggled then lightly elbowed Cecilia's arm. Her device vibrated.

Akiko, the newspaper guy is fine. But there are two people you should watch. A Nordic-looking caucasian woman with a nose pierced and a Turkish man in his thirties carrying a guitar case.

Are you sure? I thought it was the newspaper guy.

I am certain. Maybe he's watching you because he has a crush on you.

Damn you Andalas.

Akiko blushed. Suddenly a question crossed her mind. Do you have a crush on me?

The device vibrated again. Andalas sent back photos of the two people she had to watch out for. Akiko looked around and spotted the woman. She acted indifferent to her surroundings and capriciously put her leg on the seat in front of her while chewing gum.

The man was holding the guitar bag tightly as if someone was about to snatch it. Akiko frowned, it reminded her of the movie Desperado. One of the characters had a machine gun modified like a guitar. Akiko stealthily held her kaiken in her pocket.

Boarding announcement was heard. Akiko asked Cecilia to wait until everyone got on the plane. Their seat was in the first class so they could board any time. Cecilia sat back down. Another tip she got from Andalas.

Akiko felt her heart beating faster. The three people had not yet boarded. The man with the guitar was fixing his shoelaces. The woman with chewing gum was busy rummaging through her bag, and the man in front of them was still reading the newspaper.

The woman stood up and threw something that looked like trash to the direction of Akiko and Cecilia, then casually strolled through the gate followed by the man with the guitar. The man with the newspaper was still sitting. Akiko held her Kaiken tightly.

Suddenly the innocent looking trash exploded. Akiko who was on high alert jumped toward Cecilia just seconds before the explosion. Cecilia survived nothing less. But Akiko felt a piercing pain on her shoulder. Blood came out of a wound on her back right on the tattoo of the samurai sword wrapped around the scorpion. Akiko knew she was about to black out. But she heard the commotion, a scream, and a cry, before the darkness completely embraced her.

"Akikooooo!"