THE EXTINCTION AGENDA

CHAPTER SEVEN

                

               

The Swiss Alps, Switzerland.

1000 hours.

18th April.

As the cable car gently ascended, carrying Agent Thelma McDonagh and the dozen passengers higher and higher above the quaint Swiss village, her thoughts drifted away. She could not help but constrain her train of thought to the information passed on to her by Director Bullard through her mobile two days ago.

It read:

'Reliable intel informs HQ that Doc Strauss, Project Lotus' robotics technician is currently at the Swiss Alps. We require an important 411 from him..."

And that was it. Short and precise.

As the cable car continued its ascent, the landscape beneath her began to transform. The lush green meadows and charming alpine chalets gradually gave way to a magnificent panorama of towering snow-capped peaks. The air grew crisper and cooler, carrying with it the invigorating scent of fresh mountain air.

With each passing moment, the view from the cable car became more awe-inspiring.

The Swiss Alps stretched out before them in all their majestic glory. The peaks, seemingly endless in number, pierced the sky like sentinels of nature's grandeur. Their jagged edges created an intricate tapestry against the azure sky, forming a dramatic backdrop that left me in awe.

The snow-capped mountains stood proudly, their white coats glistening under the radiant sunlight. The play of light and shadow on the slopes created a mesmerizing contrast, enhancing the beauty of the landscape. The sheer size and scale of the mountains were humbling, reminding her of the immense power and timelessness of nature.

As she gazed out of the cable car's window, she tried forgetting the assignment Bullard had instructed her to carry out as her inquisitive eyes traced the contours of the mountains, following the graceful curves and valleys that crisscrossed their surfaces. Far below, she could see the winding paths and trails that adventurers had carved into the rugged terrain, inviting hikers and climbers to explore the wonders of this alpine paradise.

She was always blown away by the natural elegance the Alps had to offer anytime she visited.

Occasionally, she caught glimpses of shimmering mountain lakes nestled amidst the peaks. Their crystal-clear waters mirrored the surrounding mountains, creating a symphony of blues and greens that added a touch of serenity to the scene. She imagined the tranquility of those secluded lakes and the joy of encountering them while hiking through this pristine wilderness.

The cable car continued its ascent, and as it reached higher altitudes, she noticed patches of glistening glaciers clinging to the mountain slopes. These frozen rivers of ice added an ethereal beauty to the already mesmerizing landscape. The glacial tongues extended their icy fingers as if reaching out to touch the valley below, leaving me in awe of their timeless presence.

Birds soared effortlessly in the sky, dancing with the wind, as if inviting her to explore the heights and experience the freedom of flight. She felt a sense of liberation and a deep connection to the natural world as she embraced the magnificence of the Swiss Alps from the comfort of the cable car.

The view from the cable car was a feast for the senses, an experience that words can scarcely capture. It was a symphony of sights and sounds, a masterpiece painted by nature's hand.

The cable car's gentle swaying motion provided a soothing rhythm as it approached the summit. A final turn and the car glided effortlessly onto the platform. The mechanical whir of the cable system gradually faded away, replaced by the hushed anticipation of the passengers.

As the doors opened, a wave of cool mountain air rushed in, carrying the scent of pine and adventure. She and the passengers stepped onto the platform, their eyes wide with wonder, eager to explore the beauty that awaited them. They disembarked one by one, their footsteps echoing against the wooden platform.

Families with children clutched cameras, ready to capture every moment of this unforgettable experience. Couples strolled hand in hand, their smiles reflecting the joy of the journey. Solo travelers, lost in their thoughts, gazed at the awe-inspiring panorama, a sense of tranquility washing over them.

The cable car, now empty, stood silently, waiting for the next group of adventurers. 

Thelma cautiously stepped off the cable car, feeling the slight sway of the carriage as it whirred to a halt.

She noticed the cable car conductor, an old gay man, bidding farewell to the departing passengers with a friendly smile.

She took a moment to adjust her trench coat, shielding herself from the brisk chilly wind that greeted her. The doors of the cable car closed with a soft hiss behind her, and the car slowly began its descent. As it glided effortlessly through the sky once again, the passengers who had disembarked watched from below, their hearts filled with memories of a breathtaking journey

She keenly observed the entire vicinity was shrouded by a continual white sheet of snow. With a glance around, she took quick glimpses of the breathtaking mountain scenery that surrounded the cable car terminus.

As she streaked swiftly towards the terminal, her boots waddling through the snow, her eyes caught sight of a quaint café nestled nearby.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air. This was. probably the spot Jacques had agreed to meet her.

As she walked into the simple building, her senses tingled with zest as the air infused with the rich, invigorating scent of freshly ground beans assailed her nostrils. The café's interior exuded a rustic elegance, with wooden beams, stone walls, and large windows offering panoramic views of the majestic snow-capped peaks outside. Soft, ambient lighting cast a warm glow, creating an inviting atmosphere that beckoned weary adventurers and curious passersby alike.

She snapped her fingers at a poised and attentive stewardess dressed in a smart uniform gracefully navigating between tables, taking orders, and serving coffee prepared by the baristas, with finesse. 

She requested a cup of latte and waited eagerly. She cast her mind back to the events of the past week.

She had been assigned to a case bothering on a fraudulent internet syndicate that engaged in the forgery of debit cards. Following a tip-off from a member of the syndicate in an undercover operation, she trailed the syndicate to the quaint village of Gandria. In conjunction with the police, the syndicate was smashed and as a reward, she was granted some days off to marinate.

She simply just crossed the border into Switzerland and engaged in a romantic foray into the pastoral life of the Swiss Alps until the message from Bullard to ascertain Dr. Sigmund Strauss' role in a potential conspiracy plot.

Relevant intel revealed that after the dismantling of the Project Lotus program, a year before Prof Reginald Slatterys harrowing murder which she had been trying so hard to forget, Dr. Sigmund Strauss had left the UK and clandestinely established connections with Russian operatives. She even memorized the salient aspects of the case as indicated in the  file: 

"...MI-6's espionage ring reliably revealed that the German-born Robotics expert had begun plotting a sinister conspiracy that could undermine international security and potentially jeopardize the lives of countless individuals. In the depths of his betrayal, he had revealed some relevant aspects of the research to his Russian benefactors and as a reward, a job in a research institute in Zurich, an exquisite mansion, and a lavish lifestyle..."

He was not the only scientist who was part of Project Lotus that was under surveillance. 

There was Dr. Donald Lee Mason, still domiciled in the UK, and Professor Ezra Brunswick Harlow, resident in the U.S.

Getting Dr. Strauss would require the auspices of the Federal Intelligence Services (FIS). She had worked with a couple of them on some cases that had an international interest in the past. Notable among them was Jacques Blaise, a Swiss-French middle-aged man with a soot-marked mustache and a brazen look.

Soon she saw the six-foot, dark-complexioned Jacques sidle through the glass door flanked by a short stout man. Jacques's tall, muscular frame was accentuated by a tailored tweedy deep crimson coat, adorned with tufts of yellow that hinted at his flamboyance. His eyes, bright and gleaming with mischief, surveyed the room as if he owned it.

His assailant clad in a simple leather jacket had his hands snuggled in the waist pocket of his jeans trousers. Thelma's gaze caught Jacques who expressed a broad grin and waved his assailant along.

As they approached her table, Jacques flashed a charming smile at the barista, whose eyes widened in anticipation. In a voice that carried a hint of mystery, he ordered a bold, exotic blend of coffee, challenging the barista to create a concoction that would match his audacious spirit.

Both men sat as the stewardess arrived with several chin-aware cups for the trio.

'I never expected you to be in a shitty hole as this,' Jacques said in his typical French accent while taking a close look at her.

She smiled, knowing Jacques always felt his handsome features were enough to sweep her off her feet: 'No darling, I 'm no roughneck like other Britons.'

He nodded his head jocularly: 'I can see how comfortable you like. I hope you find what you wish here.'

He pointed to the short man sitting by him, he possessed an enigmatic mask that concealed his thoughts and emotions. His eyes, sharp and penetrating, revealed nothing of his inner world. Every line on his seemingly Bavarian countenance seemed etched with purpose, displaying an unwavering resolve. No hint of a smile or a frown betrayed his composure, leaving observers to wonder about the depths hidden beneath his stoic facade and it mystified Thelma.

'This is Martin Quaresma, he's been an undercover operative with the FIS. After Mr. Bullard met with us, we agreed to help, bearing in mind the treaty our countries signed at the behest of both royal families...' he paused to sip his coffee and then continued. 'We have been monitoring Dr. Strauss ever since his arrival in Switzerland and I would inform you that Martin has ample knowledge on the activities of the scholar', he flashed an inquiring gaze at Martin who sipped his coffee and carefully dabbed his lips with a white handkerchief.

She admired his table etiquette.

She sipped the latte ordered and said: ', and that would be with your immense help.'

Jacques leaned forward and uttered in dulcet tones: 'Which is the reason why I am here.'

He turned to Quaresma whose booming cadence elicited her rapt attention: 'As part of my assignment, I have been able to infiltrate Dr. Strauss's circle in his series of meetings with some Russian dissidents especially.' He reached for the internal breast pocket of his coat and withdraw an A4 Khaki envelope. He withdrew about a dozen pictures from it and passed them to Thelma who perused the images closely.

The pictures revealed the lithe Dr. Strauss clad in a long coat mingling with a triumvirate of bald, brawn-faced men. The magnified pictures revealed lucid images of the men with a fleeting backdrop.

'That was some five days ago at a rendezvous in Zurich where they usually meet. I guess the Russians led by the principal figure, Vladimir Lucescu...' he paused pointing at one of the men who spotted a beard. 'He's representing a high personality in the Kremlin and from my little understanding, he intends to influence the Russian project to embark on a deep space exploration program designed to actualize their ambition.'

She wondered what could be going on. How could Project Lotus be related to a space program? Or was it all a diversion from something else? 

'So when are you meeting with Strauss and his Russian dweebs?' She asked, draining her cup and leaning back with her arms folded on her voluptuous chest. 

'We are meeting in his private yacht - an acquisition gifted by the Russian PM.' Quaresma said, downing the content of his cup in a gentle swig.

She nodded, reaching for her mobile to set a remainder.

Jacques stared at her, while still sipping his cup of warm coffee: 'I guess you have your eyes on Dr. Lee Mason. You all slipped on Slattery and Strauss. I hope the Americans are also keeping tabs on Brunswick. We can't afford to let them off our sight again.'

She nodded approvingly, dropping some crumpled notes on the table: 'This is not Britain's problem but the world's. We messed up and now your country is equally been used as a platform for actualizing their plans. Ain't you messing up as well ?' She smiled sarcastically and walked away leaving Jacques and Quaresma to enjoy the calm ambiance of the coffee café.

                      *********

1130 hours.

18th April.

As the bells of the cafe door tinkled, Thelma stepped out onto the bustling walkway shrouded with moles of snow, her determined steps mirroring her agile grace. 

Standing at the massive terrace of the terminal possessing a green marquee, the tall and thin Kolba, with his piercing gaze, watched her every move. His eyes locked on her as she briskly made her way toward the departure lounge, her movements exuding an athletic prowess that caught his attention.

He grasped his sleek device and swiftly dialed a familiar contact. The instant the line connected, he spurted with urgency, his words spilling into the receiver like an erupting volcano. 'I 've got her, she's on her way to the hotel', his voice was laced with anticipation. 'And the Bravarian agent? Oh, he's ripe for the taking. The web will applaud his performance.'

A sinister, yet alluring, female voice responded on the other end. It whispered through the crackling line. 'Leave him to me, my darling,' she purred, a hint of wickedness lacing her words. A wicked grin tugged at his lips as he replied, 'Excellent. Meanwhile, I've set Solo on the trail of the Prof in America. Soon, he'll meet his demise. But for now, I have a business to attend to. Kremlinsky awaits.'

With a hint of passionate resolve, the female voice affirmed, 'All for Mother Russia.'

He echoed her sentiment, his voice dripping with devotion: 'All for Mother Russia.'

And with that, he severed the connection with the touch of the device before disappearing into the terminal, ready to execute his perilous mission.