[Geisel Library, San Diego, California, USA, 8th of November 2024, 18:56]
It was already evening when a small Ford parked at the front door of the Geisel library, a very rainy evening. Because of the storm clouds everything seemed colorless and dark in the quiet city. There weren’t that many people on the streets. And the beautiful structure of the library just looked foreign in that place.
Two people got out of the car, a tall guy and a smaller girl. Their strange appearances had got something in common – both of them were wearing only black and had their hoods and masks on. The two headed to the library entrance.
After entering, the girl removed her mask and rushed to the librarian, who was placing books on the shelves.
“We are here to see Dr. Babić”, she said.
The guy followed her without any hurry, he was carrying a black bag that seemed quite heavy.
The librarian looked at them with surprise, then after realizing something, he said:
“Glad to finally meet you two, follow me.” He led them into a small reading room. “The professor is gone for work. Could you wait for him here? I’ll send him to you as soon as he arrives”.
The boy, who still hadn’t removed his mask, nodded, so the librarian left them there to continue his job. Both mysterious arrivers sat waiting. This small room was even darker than the previous one, but had faint yellow lights on. The sound of the rain was loud, and there were some lightnings and thunders too.
“What do you think, why did they call us?”, the girl suddenly asked her friend.
“Just another job to be done, I’m sure it’s nothing serious.” He was always careless in such things.
“But professor Zoran Babić himself wanted to see us… He is with #28300, remember? I am too excited for this job, I guess. What if we fail…?”
“Hey, remember, we are walkers, #84987 and #100161, we can handle everything!” He finally took his mask off and smiled.
“You are right.” She calmed down.
The rain was getting heavier every second.
Walker #84987 put his headphones on and started reading a random book he had picked from the shelf, it was an old book with yellowish weak pages and that pleasant smell only aged books can have. His friend took a tour to the further shelves, sorting out the names of the interesting tomes and tracing the covers with her fingers. It would look like a peaceful evening to spend in the library.
Through the sound of the rain the music playing loudly in the headphones could be almost heard. Suddenly a random EDM song ended and got replaced by a lovely melody of the Alone pt2’s intro. The friends looked at each other, exchanging warm sights. Maybe, they would have started a conversation again, but it didn’t happen, because the doors finally opened, letting a man in. The music stopped playing, #84987 made a serious face, putting his mask on again, and walked towards the newcomer, an old man with a dark beard and hair, wearing a black suit. The girl joined them from the other side of the room. No one broke silence for a minute. Maybe, they decided that greetings would be needless in such a situation. The professor, Zoran Babić – it was really him – looked, let’s say, not his best, it had been only a few months since he had been saved by the walkers from the Red Nexus forces. Since then he had to hide, working on the background. He was a wanted fugitive.
With a mysterious manner he handed a piece of paper to #84987. The walker took a look, something was written on it and even illustrated.
“We can get it”, he agreed without any explanation.
“I assume you might have already guessed why it was you chosen to do this kind of job,” the professor said in low voice.
Both walkers smiled.
“Because we are the best.” #100161 said.
“She is right, as always.” #84987 confirmed with a nod.
“A professional hacker, talented engineer and the most skilled drone pilot accompanied by an investigator, ancient history expert and the best researcher after #28300”, Zoran said. “Honestly, I’m impressed. It was you, walker #84987, who destroyed the rednex.us database in 2022. And 100161’s theory about the ancient walker tribes in South America that I’ve read was really interesting.”
“That site needed to be taken down.” #84987 responded.
#100161 was too excited to say anything after hearing those words from such a person. She wouldn’t show her feelings in that moment, the professional behavior didn’t allow it. But later she would talk about it to #84987 all night long in the car while driving to complete their next mission.
“It should be done in three days, the fourth day you will be expected in the state airport, the coordinates are given on the paper”, the professor continued.
“Why in such a hurry?” #84987 was interested.
“It is a part of the SMTS mission,” whispered Zoran.
“Okay, we got it.”
Any walker would do his best to be a part of this secret operation.
Suddenly the librarian bursted into the room.
“You’ve been followed!” He informed the walkers.
“No way it’s true, we chose our route carefully.” #100161 couldn’t believe it.
#84987 rushed to the window, from where the empty street was visible. Through the curtains he saw a black car parked in the corner of a building, not far from the place their Ford was left.
“Say goodbye to our car, they came after us…” He whispered.
“Red Nexus?”
“Their hired spies.” He picked his backpack up from the chair. “We must leave immediately.”
“Don’t use the front door, leave the car”, the professor said.
“But how?”
“Take this,” the librarian handed over a key to #84987. “I’ll show you the way, you need to go through the underground garage and leave the library in another car.”
The walkers didn’t have any other choice.
“And, guys, good luck, see you in Honk Kong.” Professor Zoran smiled slightly, watching them leave.
The three went down to the garage, a dark spacious room under the Geisel library that almost no one knew about. The librarian, who was guiding them, opened the large doors.
“Oh my God, is that Walkermobile?” #100161 rushed to the car in the darker corner as she recognized it. “That’s crazy! Are we going to ride this one?!”
“Sorry, that car isn’t convenient this time.” The librarian said guiltily.
“Why?! This car is perfect!”
“You’ll get out of here through a tunnel, it will let you out a few miles away to the south.” He pointed to the dark exit door he just opened.
“Got it.” #84987 looked around, there were a few cars in the garage, he used the key to find out which one they’re going to take. A big off-road vehicle with removable roof and AW-styled logos in the doors reacted to his key. “The Walkermobile would be better choice for the city streets, but you know.” #84987 looked way more excited for the off-road car than #100161 for the Walkermobile. “Wait a minute, can we keep the car then?”
“As you wish”, a simple reply followed.
“That’s great!” He hurried to the driver’s seat. #100161 sat next to him, the first thing she checked was the radio and audio-player in the car.
“Okay, that’s not bad,” she sighed, still wanting to ride the Walkermobile, but at least the off-road one had a good player.
“Good luck.”
And the walkers drove away.