บท 35: Arrival in Ohane City

An hour later the plane landed in Ohane city. Booking a cab we traveled towards the northern part of the city as Nia requested for it.

Booking a room, everyone freshened up, had some food, and gathered in my room. I hadn't locked my room so with permission all three entered my room.

As Nia, Eve, and Ray entered my room I was searching about Ohane city on the web. I had a basic understanding of the city as I was a part of the Wega intelligence team before but I had never been here besides the time when I rescued Nia on the train and admit to the hospital. I hadn't time to stroll in Ohane. And in a few years, some changes and development have happened. It was better to be updated.

One thing I noticed as I entered the city was something was happening here and was unsafe to stay in. Many people were migrating from the northern part to the center of the city. It was as if those people were afraid of some unspeakable things. I tried to search for more on the web but there was no trace as if someone deliberately erased it. I could dive more into the situation but first I want to know the reason for Nia's appearance in Ohane.

I exactly didn't know what were we going to inspect as I had only known that some investigation was to be done. So to know further detail about the investigation and to come up with a suitable plan all of us were gathered.

As usual the most curious was Ray so he was the first to speak even before he got seated, "B, what are we going to do here? What will be my role?"

Eve - "Yeah B tell us more about our role." I could see both were excited more than being serious.

I didn't answer but looked toward Nia hoping she would answer their question as I didn't know what was she interested to investigate.

Noticing my gaze, Nia felt a bit uneasy. But adjusting her emotions she spoke slowly," Have you ever heard of Prohine -IV?"

Ray was quiet as he didn't know. I had heard of it but not in detail.

Eve spoke, "I have heard of it. It was said to be a medicine created to cure heart attacks. I don't know more but heard later it was banned due to some reason and every ounce of it was destroyed."

Nia sighed - "The drug was said to be a cure for heart attack but the side effects were much worse as it will get people to have strong hallucinations and relieve any sort of pain. If a person gets a dose of Prohine-IV that person can't stop themselves to have more doses. It was the one of most powerful drug-human created. Luckily the government noticed it so got banned erasing every trace of it."

"Er, but why are we talking about it? Is it related?" Ray asked scratching his head as he was confused about where the direction of the conversation was going.

Nia looked towards the silent me and lean her head on the chair, speaking closing her eyes, "What do you expect if a drug much more powerful than Prohine-IV was to be created in the name of medical research?"

Ray- "AHH...All the underworld and mafia with some powerful organization will fight to the death to get their hand in it."

Eve- "That will be a disaster."

Nia didn't speak more as she rested her head in the chair with her eyes closed. I could see tears in the corner of her eyes. Maybe the new drug could be the reason for her to leave Capital University Lab. The information I wanted to get from Nia wasn't enough and neither did it helped with the investigation. I know that Nia hasn't trusted my group completely. I can't blame her for that.

Ugh...I have to have a good talk with her alone or at least get info to make plans for whatever she wanted to search for.

"Ray and Eve, both of you roam around the city and bring the complete blueprint of the city. I want to know each and every corner of the city. Pay attention to the rumor and talk of the city. Interact with the citizens." As I issued the work for both my subordinates, they left leaving Nia and me alone.

I didn't speak but continued to contact some informers to gather crucial news and information about the city via the internet. The room was silent for five minutes with only the sound of typing being heard.

I didn't want to make it difficult or uncomfortable for Nia so keeping my phone down I spoke, "I know you can't trust us but you need to explain what you want to search for and why then only we will be able to help you. Otherwise, how do you expect us to act without knowing anything?"

As Nia opened her eyes, I could see the sadness in her eyes, "Sorry for the trouble. The people closest betrayed me so I don't know who should I trust or not. As I asked for help from you, sorry for not disclosing any info. I will keep my belief in you as it is my last retort and I hope you won't backstab me."

I could only sympathize with her situation. I had decided if she keep her trust in me I would help her to do the complete investigation with whatever she wanted. Otherwise,... we could part from here. I also had a selfish reason to help her as I would need her assistance in my own matters.

"Okay B. I won't be secretive but I am here to search for a person...dead or alive and everything related to him. Further investigation can only proceed after finding him. It not going to be easy to find him either. But I need to find him. And the other reason is that by accident I heard, that the lab with some other organization was going to test their new unauthorized medicine in name of a medical camp in Ohane. " I could see expectations in her eyes beside the former sadness.

"Don't worry. Let's try, who knows we may succeed. Tell me about him."

" Name- Oliver Lee, former professor of Capital University and also my mentor. I had lost contact with him for a year after his sudden disaaperance but sometimes I got messages from him. He was also a researcher. The last message I got from him was three months ago. I fear something has happened to him." Nia told in a shaky voice.

"Nia, why do you think he was here? Did he mention it?"

"Yeah, in his last message he indicated Ohane. I felt he was in danger."

" If you don't mind can I see the last message?"

"Sure" she showed the last message to her mentor.

<<'Time is changing, stay safe. Maybe I won't be able to contact you. Don't mix with the people you shouldn't. Never put yourself at risk. Ohane is beautiful but the black cloud surrounds here. Destroy the remains. Note the number 0369. Hoping for your safe arrival.'>>

The message wasn't clear but care, warning, and some clues were mentioned.

"Besides the message is there any clue of him being here?"

"There is--"