Chapter 44 Helsinki, 60° 10′ 15″ N, 24° 56′ 15″ E Haartman Hospital

Akiko found herself in the dark forest of Aokigahara. She was surrounded by black trees that gave off extremely cold air. Her body shivered. But she was Histoshi Nakamura's daughter, a legendary Yakuza boss. She felt no fear even though she was surrounded by dozens of samurai wielding their katana with their two hands ready to attack her.

Akiko made a stand. The Masamune's katana vibrated ever so slightly in her hands. Thirsty of blood, ready to slaughter those who persecuted the innocent. The horde of samurai charged toward Akiko with war cries. Akiko responded with the most fearsome war cries a samurai had ever shouted.

A rough palm held her trembling hand. It felt like electric current jolted her to consciousness. Akiko opened her eyes. She could feel the pain in her shoulder. She saw a pair of cold eyes staring at her warmly. Andalas!

Akiko opened her eyes wider. The darkness of the Aokigahara forest had disappeared. It was replaced by a gentle gaze from the icy cold eyes in front of her. Next to him, a pair of puffy, sleep-deprived eyes beamed at the sight of her waking up from a coma.

Cecilia felt like a huge rock was lifted from her shoulder, she hugged Akiko and cried.

"You sacrificed yourself to save me Akiko. Thanks to you and thank God for giving you another chance," she said while crying happy tears.

Akiko smiled faintly. She waited for Andalas to say something, anything. But all she got was a tight grip on her hand and a faint smile. Akiko chuckled in her mind. How could she expect the world top-class killer to be romantic?

Cecilia started telling her what had happened. The explosion came from a thrash thrown by the woman with a nose pierced. Low-explosive but moderately lethal bombs within its 10-meter radius.

Akiko was lucky enough even though she was badly injured and in a coma for two days. The man with the newspaper who was sitting in front of them died on the spot.

The woman fled from the airport through the skybridge side door. Andalas was still tracking her.

"That woman is very dangerous. Her name is Helda Kilstorm. Her nickname is Killer from the Baltic. I don't see her has anything to do with the Organization.

I think she was commissioned by somebody else to kill the two of you."

Cecilia turned to Andalas with questioning look. Who else? Andalas gave a gesture. I'm still investigating.

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be in Grozny?" Akiko asked curiously while looking straight into Andalas' eyes. Andalas face showed no emotion but there was a tiny hint of smile. He kept silent.

Finally, Cecilia said, "Obviously he's worried about you Akiko. As soon as I told him about your condition, he came here immediately."

Akiko blushed. Cecilia amused. The Yakuza princess was a shy girl.

"I was beginning to find traces of the Executor in Grozny. I stalked him for a few days. But I couldn't get close to him. He was surrounded by dozens of troops. I managed to catch one of them and dig up some information. Today the Executor has moved to Mogadishu."

Andalas paused and got up to get a glass of water for Akiko who was coughing. Carefully he put the glass to Akiko's mouth and supported her back with his right hand to help her drinking. Cecilia witnessed the tender moment and cleared her throat loudly. Akiko blushed again. Andalas remained as cold as ice.

"So, when are you going to Mogadishu?" Akiko asked casually.

"After you start to recover and can take care of yourself and Cecilia."

Cecilia retorted quickly, "Shouldn't you wait for Akiko to fully recover and then the three of us investigate the Organization?"

Andalas shook his head slowly, "No. It's safer for you guys if I handle this matter myself."

Akiko looked away. Andalas was right. With her condition, it would be better for Andalas to work alone. But she preferred to accompany him to investigate the Organization.

Cecilia thought harder. The Organization business couldn't be ignored. The Organization continued to sabotage whatever they did to mitigate the possibility of Mollivirus sibericum and Bacillus antracis pandemic.

So far they didn't understand what the Organization's motive in throwing everything they had to stop finding the cure.

Andalas was working on it. She and Akiko could still support him without being on the field. The vulnerable point was Doctor Aslan's position. Should the Director-General be removed from his position, Pandora's fate would be in jeopardy, as well as the whole mission.

Cecilia explained her thoughts to Akiko and she understood what was at stake. They still needed to work in separate team. Andalas continued to work alone, while she and Cecilia had to go to Geneva immediately. Saving Doctor Aslan was the top priority.

There was a knock on the hospital room door. A nurse nodded warmly to them as she ushered someone in.

That someone was a charismatic middle-aged man with a scar on his left forehead.

"Tou-san!" Akiko shouted in surprise.

"Hitoshi Nakamura!" Andalas hissed fiercely.