Ragnarock Read Online Free PDF Page B

somewhat bushy beard and mustache.
    "This is Dr. Alexi Goronay, of the
University
of
Kiev
, where he is a professor of archeology. Two weeks ago, Dr. Goronay and a team of students from the University were excavating an archeological site in the mountains of the Ukraine. They discovered an unusual artifact during the dig, a clay tablet carved with symbols, which Goronay brought to his trailer on the site. Less than an hour later, Goronay disappeared and one of his students was found murdered in the trailer, beaten to death with a hammer. The tablet was smashed into fragments."
    Talon looked up from the display and met Brackhaus' eyes. Aracos was right; there was no emotion displayed there, only a calm, businesslike demeanor, as if they were discussing the weather rather than a brutal murder.
    "What's your employer's interest in this?" Talon asked.
    "Dr. Goronay's research was funded by grants from my corporation."
    "Hmmm, I didn't know Saeder-Krupp sponsored so many educational programs." Talon said dryly. The sarcasm seemed lost on Brackhaus, or he chose to ignore it. "So what do you want us to do?"
    "The fragments of the tablet left behind in the trailer indicate that it was hollow, as was suspected by one of Goronay's students, who helped unearth it. Whatever was inside disappeared along with the doctor." Brackhaus reached down and touched the control pad of the pocket secretary again. "This was taken yesterday in Essen, in the Rhine-Ruhr megaplex." The screen showed a grainy, digitally-enhanced holopic of a street, with people moving along the sidewalks. One figure was circled in red. Talon looked closely at it.
    "Dr. Goronay." he said.
    "Yes."
    "Who's the guy he's talking to?"
    "We don't know as yet. We've tentatively identified him as a member of a policlub called Alt Welt."
    "I'd heard they were out of business." Talon mused aloud. "What would a professor of archeology want with a member of a radical policlub?"
    "We believe Goronay stole whatever was hidden inside the artifact unearthed in the Ukraine and now plans to sell it."
    "Why would he do something like that?" Talon asked. "And why would a lame-duck policlub like Alt Welt be interested in buying an archeological artifact? What good is it to them?"
    "We don't know." Brackhaus said. Talon seriously doubted that, but did not say it.
    "That's why my employer wishes to engage your services." Brackhaus went on. "We want your team to locate Dr. Goronay and recover both him and the stolen artifact. We're prepared to pay you one hundred thousand nuyen in certified credit and we will handle any other expenses involved in the recovery."
    Talon had a number of questions clamoring for attention in the back of his mind as he studied the blurred image of Dr. Goronay on the tiny video screen. He ignored them for the time being. Brackhaus wouldn't answer them anyway, and there was no need to give the Johnson any further reason to lie to him. There was clearly a lot about this job that Brackhaus wasn't telling. Still, a hundred thousand nuyen was a lot of money, enough to keep him and his team set for a good while.
    "I'll have to speak to the rest of my team." Talon said.
    "Of course." Brackhaus flipped the pocket secretary shut and slipped it back into his jacket pocket. "You can reach me at the same number you used for the last job if you decide to take this one. However, I'll need a decision in the next twenty-four hours or I will be forced to inquire elsewhere. After that time, the number will become inactive. Notify me as soon as possible. Time is of the essence."
    Talon nodded. "I'll call you as soon as I have an answer, one way or another."
    "Excellent." Brackhaus gave him a slight smile. The Eurocar slowed and pulled to the side of the road and Brackhaus extended a hand to Talon. Talon shook it firmly as he reached for the door.
    "A pleasure doing business with you." Brackhaus said. "I hope we can continue to work together in the future."
    "Thank you, Mr. Brackhaus." Talon