"My name is Simon Petrikov. I'm studying to be an antiquarian."
Simon stood there freezing on the docks of Northern Scandinavia. He was trying to get the attention of the worker there unloading crates from the FPSO Saillean. There were snow all around but the sky was clear. "Uh, Hello? Sir?"
Finally, after numerous attempts, the lone dock worker let go of his hand truck. "Yea?" he asked. Simon, albeit having gotten impatient, smiled at him. The worker simply looked at him grimly. His wrinkled face was blistered with ice; his beard white with snow. Simon asked, "Can you point me to Stellan?"
"Yer talking to 'im."
Simon was surprised. "So… do you have the cargo?"
"You Petrikov?"
"Yes." Uttered Simon. His face showed the expression of desire to see his precious cargo. "Why are alone here?"
"Been expectiny you. This isn't exactly legal, sonny."
"Nothing is legal anymore. There's a war going on."
Stellan shrugged in acception. "Very Well."
The dockworker grabbed his trolley and went into the ship's cargo bay. Few moments passed, he returned with a medium sized wooden crate. He dropped the box near Petrikov's feet. Stellan grabbed a crowbar and placed the flat piece on the small opening in the crate. "Where's the money?"
"I want to see the artifact first."
Stellan levered the opening and the nails popped off the crate. Simon's eyes widened as he gazed upon the golden artifact inside. The wind got colder and it began snowing. Simon wore the feathered hood of his jacket on top of his head.
"That thing is supposed to be displayed in the Sweden National Museum next week." Explained Stellan.
"So… I hope $500,000 will cover your trouble?"
"It's just lost cargo now."
Simon reached into his pocket and handed an envelope to Stellan. "Pleasure doing business with you." Stellan left him. Simon opened a large aluminum attaché case. He slowly lifted the artifact and transferred the jeweled artifact into the foamed insides of the case.