Chapter 14: Breaking in
Louvre
Paris
17 November 2003
20:00
Lara Croft
In the dimly lit depths behind the majestic façade of the Louvre, Lara Croft moved with the grace of a predator on the hunt. Every step she took was deliberate, her senses attuned to the surroundings that concealed her. Her objective loomed ahead as she approached a nondescript storm drain nestled at the museum's rear. With a firm resolve, she leveraged the rusted cover open, revealing a gaping maw that led into the labyrinthine underbelly of the institution.
Descending the makeshift chute, Lara found herself within what seemed to be a part of the Louvre's intricate waterworks. Taking a moment to orient herself, she let her instincts guide her toward her intended destination.
"This is exactly where I need to be," she murmured, her determination a palpable force propelling her onward.
Following the tunnel's winding course, Lara soon encountered a shallow pool that mirrored the dim light above. Her trained eyes scanned the submerged surroundings, quickly identifying a tunnel concealed beneath the water's surface. Without hesitation, she plunged into the icy depths, the chill of winter water gnawing at her senses.
"I can't stand cold water in the winter," she thought, suppressing a shiver as she pressed forward, resolve unwavering.
Undeterred by discomfort, Lara swam through the submerged passage, eventually opting for a narrower branch that sloped downward. The water's murkiness hinted at the depths yet to be navigated, leading her to a small flooded chamber where multiple tunnels converged.
Instinctively assessing her options, Lara realized she needed to find a way to halt the water flow to proceed.
"I might need to find a control point to stop the water," she contemplated.
Surveying the area, Lara located a ladder ascending to a small room housing a crucial valve, encased protectively behind a mesh barrier. Consulting Werner's invaluable notes, she uncovered a vital clue related to the Louvre's internal layout.
"To access the lower levels, I'll need clearance from the main office," she read aloud, already plotting her next move.
"I need to locate that main office," Lara concluded decisively.
With purposeful intent, she consulted her map once more, plotting the path required to reach her objective.
"I must reach that section, even if I have to bypass a ventilation obstacle," Lara muttered, folding the map with practiced efficiency before venturing deeper into the intricate underground passages.
Pressing forward, she navigated narrow corridors and passed through multiple chambers until emerging into a broader tunnel. Turning a corner, she encountered a central hub where several pathways converged.
Yet, it was here that Lara faced an unexpected challenge—a deep chasm yawning across the path ahead. Carefully circling its edge, she weighed her options, fully aware of the peril that a misstep would bring.
"Phew, that was close. A fall would have been disastrous," she murmured, her voice tinged with the seriousness of the situation.
With urgency, Lara glanced upward at the cascading water, its relentless flow a constant reminder of the obstacles ahead. Consulting her map again, she identified the route that would lead her deeper into the heart of the Louvre.
"That's my way into the heart of the Louvre," she affirmed, steeling herself for what lay ahead.
Turning left, Lara stowed her map and ascended a nearby conduit, leveraging her agility to reach an overhead walkway. Traversing its length, she located a control switch and deactivated it decisively.
"That ought to halt the large fan in the adjacent room," she noted, her actions precise and calculated.
But her journey was far from over. Across a gap in the walkway, Lara spotted another valve she needed to access, yet the span was too wide to leap across.
"I'll discover an alternative route to reach that valve," she resolved, refusing to be deterred by any obstacle.
Descending back to ground level, Lara traced the perimeter of the room until she discovered a tunnel marked by a conspicuous curved pipe. Following it away from the central hub, her determination propelled her deeper into the clandestine depths of the Louvre.
Near the tunnel's end, Lara Croft's sharp eyes caught sight of a short ladder to her right. Ascending it swiftly, she reached the large fan she had previously disabled, only to find a critical flaw—a missing blade.
"I need to rotate it so the broken part faces the opening. That should make it passable," she reasoned, her mind already solving the puzzle.
With focused determination, Lara gripped the fan's blades and maneuvered them until she successfully aligned the damaged side with the opening.
"That should take care of it," she confirmed, satisfied with her ingenuity.
On her hands and knees, Lara crawled beneath the fan, moving towards the first valve switch and quickly shutting it off.
"One down, several more to go," she noted, her mission progressing smoothly.
Guided by her instincts, Lara approached a ventilation shaft further down the tunnel. Looking through, she found herself right above the Louvre's main office. Without a second thought, she removed the vent cover and descended into the museum's administrative heart. There, the switch to unlock the cage around the next valve caught her eye.
"Now, let's see if this is unlocked," Lara whispered, her determination firm.
She made her way back through the vent, once again navigating under the fan and vaulting over a railing into a wider tunnel. Heading left towards the central hub, she hugged the perimeter of the room until she reached a tunnel across from where she started. Moving with purpose, she returned to the small room she had previously explored.
The evidence of her success was unmistakable.
"It worked," Lara breathed to herself, feeling a rush of triumph as she continued her quest for the Obscura paintings deep within the Louvre.
Lara continued with exacting care through the complex subterranean network beneath the Louvre, systematically closing valves and directing the water flow to further her quest.
Upon unlocking the cage surrounding the second valve, the click of success was music to her ears. She backtracked through the tight passageways, her steps resonating in the dim tunnels. Turning right, she made her way back to the central hub.
Climbing a vertical pipe once more, Lara reached the hub's middle level and skillfully traversed a black and yellow crossbeam to access the third valve. With a twist, water began filling the shaft below, marking her progress.
Descending back into the pool, her underwater agility a testament to her skill, Lara navigated the tunnel's twists and turns, emerging unscathed in the next chamber.
Using a collapsed catwalk as an improvised ladder, she ascended out of the pool and followed a walkway to a break in the railing. A precise leap allowed her to grasp a horizontal pipe, shimmying her way to the room's center. Dropping onto another black and yellow crossbeam, she efficiently turned the fourth valve.
Despite the apparent ease of her progress, Lara remained cautious.
"This feels too straightforward," she thought, her instincts urging vigilance.
Returning to the crossbeam's center, she vaulted back onto the pipe, skillfully traversing it to the opposite side. Scaling a bent catwalk to higher ground, she followed the walkway clockwise around the room. A well-timed jump bridged a gap in the walkway, leading her to the fifth valve, which she promptly sealed shut.
With each valve closed, Lara drew nearer to her objective, though she maintained awareness of challenges ahead. Retracing her steps, she leaped gaps and navigated maze-like walkways until returning to the top of the initial hub.
"How many valves left before the water is completely cut off?" Lara mused, her resolve firm.
She stepped onto a black and yellow crossbeam, positioning herself under a narrow pipe that spanned the shaft. Timing her jump perfectly, she caught hold of the pipe, swinging across to land on a small ledge by the sixth valve. With one final turn, the water from the large pipe stopped.
Aware that her goal was near, Lara stayed alert. She climbed the narrow pipe again, crossing back to the black and yellow beam. At the end of it, she entered the pipe that was once filled with rushing water, now empty.
"Time to find the exact place to break through the wall," Lara thought, advancing to the next section.
Then, a particular smell grabbed her attention.
"There's the scent of oil," she observed, her senses sharpened.
Looking around the room, Lara spotted two fuel tanks, pinpointed on her map—one hidden behind construction materials, the other not far off.
Faced with a crucial choice, she put away the map and headed to the more distant tank, quickly fixing an explosive to it.
"Diving would be wise," she considered, feeling a rush of excitement.
Executing a smooth backflip, Lara dived just as the tank exploded, sending a burst of flames above the water.
Staying underwater, Lara surveyed her options, noticing two exits. Choosing the one closer to the tanks, she swam left, then right, and left once more. She surfaced at the end of the pipe, on solid ground, with a clear route ahead.
Climbing a tunnel that overlooked the fiery pool, Lara took in the result of her actions, telling herself to keep a cautious pace.
"Better be careful," Lara reminded herself, her voice a whisper in the echoing tunnel. Her determination remained unwavering, even as the heat from the flames below threatened to undermine her focus.
She calculated the distance carefully before dropping from the tunnel opening. Her boots hit the narrow walkway with a soft thud, and she instantly turned to face the pool of fire that illuminated the cavernous space. Each step she took was deliberate, her senses heightened, as she proceeded cautiously to the left. Her objective loomed ahead, a tantalizing promise of secrets yet to be uncovered.
Navigating the precarious walkway, Lara's eyes locked onto a rusted ladder. She reached it swiftly, her hands finding the rungs with practiced ease. She climbed, muscles straining, until she was level with a narrow ledge in front of the left set of fuel tanks. With a deep breath, she launched herself to the left, muscles coiling and releasing in a single fluid motion. She narrowly avoided the flames that licked dangerously close, the heat searing the air around her.
"That was too close," she muttered, a slight tremor in her voice betraying the adrenaline coursing through her veins.
Undeterred, Lara pressed on, her path leading her through the hole she had blasted in the wall earlier. She found herself in a lower gallery of the Louvre, the grandeur of the space a stark contrast to the perilous journey she had just undertaken. Ahead, a conspicuous gold door beckoned, its opulence hinting at the treasures and trials that lay beyond.
"I'm in," Lara whispered to herself, a thrill of excitement coursing through her. The heart of the museum lay ahead, and with it, the promise of the Obscura paintings. She steeled herself, ready to face whatever challenges awaited her in this pursuit of hidden knowledge and ancient artifacts.
Louvre
Paris
17 November 2003
20:00
Kurtis Trent
The city lay shrouded in darkness, its usual hustle and bustle subdued by the late hour. Kurtis, astride his motorcycle, approached the museum with a calculated calmness. He knew the importance of stealth and subterfuge in his line of work, and tonight was no exception. Parking his motorcycle a block away from his target, he left it behind, preferring to proceed on foot to minimize any risk of drawing unwanted attention.
As he approached the museum, Kurtis became acutely aware of the need to assess the security measures in place. His sharp eyes scanned the vicinity, searching for signs of security cameras or patrolling guards. The darkness concealed his movements, but he remained vigilant.
His focus honed in on a tall, metallic fence that served as the barrier to his entry point. Such obstacles were familiar to Kurtis, and he had the skills to overcome them. With practiced grace, he scaled the fence, the cool metal meeting his hands as he hoisted himself over the top. Landing on the other side, he moved with the fluidity of a seasoned professional, tucking into a crouch and taking cover behind nearby bushes.
In the shadows, Kurtis bided his time, his senses attuned to any potential threats. Suddenly, a beam of light sliced through the darkness, momentarily blinding him. The voice of a guard speaking into a nearby radio reached his ears, causing his heart to race.
"Negative might have been an animal or something," the voice on the radio said.
Kurtis let out a silent breath of relief, realizing that he had not been detected. With cat-like stealth, he approached the guard who had wielded the flashlight. Before the man could react, Kurtis applied a swift and efficient maneuver, locking his elbow around the guard's neck until he lost consciousness. He gently placed the unconscious guard on the ground, swiftly rifling through his belongings to retrieve ammunition and a security pass.
Silently approaching the museum entrance, Kurtis kept an attentive ear to the guard's radio chatter. A transmission from headquarters came through, signaling the presence of a woman resembling Lara Croft. Grasping the situation's severity, Kurtis knew he needed to locate Miss Croft to ensure she, not the Cabal, would find the painting.
Kurtis left the cover of the bushes and dashed towards a secluded backdoor of the museum. Taking a deep breath, he used the purloined security pass, his tension peaking as he anticipated the outcome. The emitted green light signaled entry granted; he had infiltrated the building, edging nearer to the heart of his mission.
Louvre
Paris
17 November 2003
20:45
Lara Croft
She ascended the stairs, stepping into the hushed galleries. The tourists had long since left, and the cleaning staff had emptied the rubbish bins, polished the floors, and secured the building for the night. The corridor lights were off, with only a few small lamps casting a dim glow. Lara knew from previous visits that the main galleries would be illuminated by a handful of red up-lighters to protect the paintings from photonic damage.
Lara listened intently as she navigated the steep corridor, flanked by minor exhibits. She ducked behind a pillar and heard another set of footsteps. Judging by the heavy tread, it was a man. As he rounded the corner, she waited, hidden, and then pounced, striking him in the neck.
She quickly propped the unconscious man against the wall and looked up the staircase toward a door. Lara ascended and opened it, revealing a vast gallery where a battalion of art enthusiasts could easily get lost.
Surveying the room, Lara spotted a figure at the far end. He wore a guard's uniform, his face frozen in surprise, his hand already reaching for his gun. She sprinted towards him, closing the distance as he drew his weapon. In one swift move, she broke his left arm, twisted him around, and dropped him to the floor. His breath escaped in a wheeze as she punched his temple, knocking him out.
Now to find Carvier's office. I need to get to the dig site and avoid a career in boxing.
The galleries were warmer than she expected. She frisked the guard's pockets, finding a security pass.
Lara moved cautiously down the corridor, her zapper drawn and its tip constantly scanning. She peered through a door, revealing a new hallway that was almost a work of art itself. Thin columns of pearly marble supported the vaulted roof, adorned with statues of gods and goddesses. Moonlight streamed through the windows, casting pale beams across the floor, interrupted only by dots of red light from laser traps along the walls and columns.
Damn security and their obsession with laser traps.
She kept low, pressing her chest to slide past the invisible beams.
Not the first time I wished I had smaller assets.
At the dim hall's end, the path cleared. A notice board detailed recent archaeological work under the museum, but the hidden entrance nearby wasn't for public access. Lara's access card was useless against the secured door, and using the C4 in her backpack would attract too much attention.
"I need Carvier's security pass," Lara muttered under her breath.
Finding Carvier's office was surprisingly straightforward. The labyrinthine corridors were quiet, and she encountered only a few guards, easily avoided. Ordinary office doors lined the halls, each marked with small plaques indicating departments like 'Oils Restoration' and 'X-Ray and Spectral Imaging'.
She paused outside a door marked 'Private: Security Personnel Only'. Peering through the small window, she saw a lone guard lounging on a chair, engrossed in the bank of CCTV monitors in front of him. A half-eaten pastry and a cooling cup of coffee cluttered his desk. With practiced precision, Lara slipped inside and, using her neck-grip technique, swiftly and silently subdued him, just as she had with the goon in Le Serpent Rouge.
With the cameras deactivated, Lara used her generic pass on the door, feeling a rush of relief as the locking mechanism flashed green.
"Madame keeps a tidy office," Lara remarked, scanning the immaculate room. Photographs of family and friends adorned Carvier's desk, mingling with antique and modern furnishings. Dark woods—mahogany, rosewood, and oak—dominated the decor, while a genuine Persian rug lay in front of a modest fireplace.
Lara's gaze was drawn to the paintings on the mantelpiece. The largest depicted a man bound in a crucifixion-like manner, his arms restrained by his sides and his face hidden beneath a leather hood, set against a backdrop of a Germanic-style castle.
Picking up a book with a notepad as a bookmark, Lara read Carvier's precise notes aloud. "The Obscura Paintings. Five images on thick wooden bases, reminiscent of Russian icons. Created by the Black Alchemist, Pieter Van Eckhardt, in the thirteenth or fourteenth century. Seized by the Lux Veritatis, painted over with religious imagery. Each painting conceals a metallic symbol of power, together forming the Sanglyph, or 'Blood Sign'."
Curiosity piqued, Lara continued, "I wonder what that does?"
Her instincts told her she was on the right track. "Eckhardt... the same name as Werner's client. Quite a coincidence."
Finding no more notes, Lara continued her search, drawn to a large work desk cluttered with yellowed parchments. She read aloud again, "The five Obscura Engravings. Brother Obscura of the Lux Veritatis painted over Eckhardt's originals with religious imagery but made secret, sketched copies containing encrypted maps to their hidden locations. Known as the Obscura Engravings."
"This is what Werner was after," Lara mused, recalling his journal mentioning Mathias Vasiley in Prague and the deciphering of encrypted maps.
"He must have been led here by one of these Engravings," Lara concluded, pocketing the book and continuing her search. In a drawer, she found Carvier's security pass.
For the first time since Werner's death, Lara felt like a thief, despite her long history of 'recoveries'. Perhaps it was because she had visited Carvier's home and understood her style. With the pass in hand, Lara left the office and descended the stairwell at the hall's end. The quiet unnerved her—no guards in sight as she returned to Galerie 3 and the locked door leading to the dig site.
"Where are all the guards?" Lara wondered aloud, swiping Carvier's pass to open the door, her photo staring back at her, unsmiling and heavy with purpose.