CHAPTER 4 – LA PLEINE LUNE1

Robert Ferrand roamed the streets in heavy rain. Despite having an umbrella, he didn't manage to remain completely dry. Now that the curfews were lifted he could move around the city quite freely, even if on his way the police already checked his ID twice.

But now he didn't feel like roaming aimlessly. He was looking for a specific place – a club called "La pleine lune". For an unknown reason his friend, Anne Dupont, urged him to come there this evening. On his every question Anne had only one answer: "We have to talk in private." Robert found an idea of a private talk in a club quite weird, but eventually he agreed to come.

Finally he found the place. It was located in a former warehouse and its exterior with small blue neon lights didn't look too invitingly. Robert sighed and entered.

"Fifteen credits" a woman in the box office located on Robert's left side said.

Robert paid the demanded sum of money and entered through the second door.

The interior turned out to be large and spacious; bathed in dark blue light it made an eerie impression, heightened by atmospheric, hypnotizing music. The dance-floor took up the most of the area and was the central part of the room, while the bar and the chairs were situated by the walls. At one of the corners stairs could be seen.

Robert went to the bar where Anne was supposed to wait for him. He sat on one of the high stools and was about to order a beer when he heard a familiar voice.

"Robert!" It was Anne. "I'm glad that you came. Let's find a more secluded place."

"It won't be easy" the man answered.

"There are some good places on the upper floor" the woman said. "Follow me."

Both went upstairs. This place was more quiet, with plenty of tables and armchairs and also lit with the blue light. They chose an isolated table in a corner of the room.

"What happened?" Robert asked as they took their seats.

"Paul Duval is dead. He was shot yesterday during the curfew" Anne went straight to the point.

"And you're taking me to a club!" Robert clutched his head. He stared at Anne shocked, unable to believe in what he just heard.

"This is the best place," Anne insisted, "The one we can meet without attracting anyone's attention."

Robert had to admit that - logically - his friend is right. They both wore black and their appearance – especially Anne's - didn't differ from the other visitors. But still, the fact that he was sitting in a club, felt just wrong. Trying hard to hold his despair in check, he asked:

"Why these precautions?"

"I think his death had to do with his… with our free-time activities" the woman sighed.

Robert, alarmed, pricked up his ears.

"Why do you think so?"

"He was found two blocks away from my place," Anne continued her story, "We were supposed to meet this morning, but he didn't show up. I called the police, but they didn't give me any information. So, I had to check my sources."

Robert nodded, since he knew about whom Anne was talking about. One of her friends worked in the police and he had access to the central database.

The woman lit her cigarette and continued:

"I know Paul was working on something. He refused to give me any further details but I'm sure it was something big. You know him - he always aimed high."

Robert nodded.

"And I think I know where he aimed this time" Anne added seriously. "You remember what happened in the network?"

The question was rhetorical. Everyone knew what happened. Robert's eyes widened as he realized where his friend is heading.

"No way!" he opposed. "Paul was a risk-taker, but that's just too crazy – even for him."

"Nothing was too crazy for him." Anne's sharp features and burning look resembled those of a predator.

"Ok, but I still wonder what caused him to wander the streets during a curfew near your place!" Robert changed the subject.

"I think he found something." Anne said crisply, throwing a nervous glance.

Robert closed his eyes. Although trying his best not to show it, he felt like crying. One of two people whom he regarded as friends was dead and mere speaking about him in past tense caused pain.

He glanced at Anne's face and saw no trace of emotions there. Still, he knew her well enough to know, that she already went through her major breakdown.

But he wasn't able to hold his tears back any longer.

Anne recognized Robert's emotional state flawlessly and remained silent for a moment, letting him cry. He did it silently, hidden in the dark corner of the room.

"Couldn't he wait until the next meeting? Or call you?" he eventually asked with exasperation.

"As for waiting," Anne sighed, "that's a good question. I don't think he was thinking rationally at that time. Probably he found something that alarmed him to such a degree that, ignoring the curfew, he decided to reach my place and tell me about it as soon as possible. "

Now it was Robert who lit his cigarette.

"As for calling," Anne continued "You seem to forget about the Aquinas Protocol."

"As far as I know, it controls the Internet-3 and other forms of media."

"Not only media, not only Internet-3, but also telecommunications are under control" Anne said, lowering her voice. "Of course no-one is supposed to know about that, but I managed to learn the truth on the Crypto message boards before they were shut down."

"Crypto was shut down?" Robert was surprised. "I've never been a member, but I heard about those boards. What happened?"

"They were shut down eight days ago, officially because of the violation of rules. But I'm pretty sure the real reason was different. Last time I was logged there, there were rumors about a new, powerful AI entity, which has taken over Hong Kong. The rumors were pretty vague. From what I've read, the AI was created for a certain, unknown purpose, but it got out of control. Judging from what I've read about the taking over and from the recent events – it was Helios."

"Do you think he shut down Crypto, so we couldn't learn about him prematurely?"

"It's very likely."

"So we can pack our bags and start using computers only for typing" Robert snorted.

"Quiet!" Anne suddenly hissed.

"What?"

"Someone's watching us – on your left, the guy near the middle of the room."

Robert looked at the mentioned direction and out of the corner of his eye he noticed a man watching them.

"Let's talk about something casual and see if he gives up. If not, we're going to try to lose him in the dancing crowd" Anne whispered.

Robert nodded.

For about five minutes Robert and Anne were making a small talk, occasionally peeking at the man. As they saw that he has no intent of giving up, they stood up and went down on the ground floor.

The man glanced at them and smiled. He got everything he needed – loud and clear. His directional microphone once again proved to be reliable.

1 In French: „The Full Moon"