Hitman: Resurgence

The Desert of Ice

THE WIND WAS SHARPER THAN NEEDLES as 47 crossed with difficulty the frozen plains of Antarctica. The sky was dark and he couldn't see any stars. 47 was covered top to bottom with insulated, heavy-duty jacket and pants. His bald head was covered by a fur-trimmed hood and a balaclava, and he was wearing red goggles. Even protected against the wind and cold, 47 still felt his backpack weighing him down, and the snow flocks flying rapidly around him gave him confirmation that weather was just about to get worse.

Crouching, he retrieved his binoculars, scanning the vast whiteness in front of him to pinpoint his destination. Not a single trace of human life for what looked like hundreds of miles.

47 had been walking for the last eight hours or so, following Olivia's directions through a satellite phone. He took a cargo ship from Japan to Chile. Olivia managed to contact his supplier, who left his requested equipment in Rio Grande, Argentina, where he took a research vessel named La Monada to Antarctica. The whole travel had taken over a month.

His phone vibrated in his inner pocket. 47 quickly picked it up.

_Diana? – He asked, immediately remembering the situation he was at. – I'm sorry. Olivia, what do you have for me?

_You are doing fine. According to the satellite imagery, you should be close. I believe a couple more hundred meters south and you will be right onto your destination.

47 was taking the hard route. As Olivia had said, ETHER used that base to store containers and re-ship them to the rest of the world. There was a road that connected it to a harbor, but 47 couldn't risk getting spotted. If that was how he usually approached normal missions, in Antarctica he would have to be even more careful. There was nowhere to run if things went sideways.

_47, I know it's too late to say this but... Are you sure you are gonna find anything at all?

_I'm positive about this. If Diana isn't here, this is where I'm gonna find out where she was sent to.

_If you say so, 47... Be safe.

He put the phone back in his pocket and continued walking. "Soon," he thought, "I'll know what is happening." Beyond finding Diana, 47 still needed answers on who had taken her.

Suddenly, 47 fell on his knees on the snow field. His head began to burn in pain and he closed his eyes.

"47?"

A light was shone in his eyes, blinding him.

_47? – A voice brought him to reality. He was in a dining hall somewhere. In front of him, a young and bald boy was talking to him while they both ate. Even without a beard and hair, 47 recognized him. It was Lucas Grey.

_I thought I had lost you for a moment. Anyway, back to the plan. It will be tonight.

His voice had the low pitch of an adult. He was probably in his late 20's.

_I already have the access card. We will have a short window of time until they notice it. Are you listening, 47? – He looked up to 47.

_Yes. – 47 answered, robotically. He felt trapped in his own body, not able to control what he said. He was trapped in this memory. – But Ort-Meyer will look for us. Maybe someone discovered our plan, maybe it's all a trap. I don't know if it is a good idea to go on with this, 6.

_Come on, 47. We arranged everything. We all know the risks. I don't need to remind you of this. – He paused, looking at the food. – What is our true purpose?