<P>They walked down several flights of stairs. He assumed the elevators had been kept offline to conserve electricity. Operating an entire hotel with that kind of equipment set up must have been expensive. Once outside, the doctor pointed Tiberius towards a waiting van. Apparently, the driver knew exactly what to do, because he simply started driving as soon as Tiberius was inside. It was then that Carson decided to contact him.
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<P>"I hope you slept well," he said. The Infolink no longer spooked Tiberius the way it used to. He had started to grow accustomed to people having access to his head. "There is soy food in the van, it'll have to do for breakfast. You're leaving the Columbus Sea Hotel in Genoa, Italy. At this time, we lack a central base of operations, but we were able to establish something in the Columbus Sea that is a little more comforting than the Paris warehouse in which Zeus is being constructed.
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<P>"Your new partner is in Genoa on assignment currently. It's an espionage mission that is nearly complete. The conclusion of this assignment is an assassination, and I will tell you up front that it will be a difficult one. That is why it is being handed over to you. The agent on the scene lacks the capabilities that you possess. It is an unfortunate fact of human nature that not everyone will agree with my objectives, and some of them choose to express this conviction violently. The individual in question is very dangerous, and resourceful to a point where I cannot yet disclose his identity to you for fear that you will attract unwanted attention in seeking him. Your partner will brief you in regards to his whereabouts."
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<P>Tiberius could feel the van speeding along through the city streets. He wondered how many people actually drove right now. The collapse of the global network had likely crippled the fuel supply. He wished for a window or some way in which to see what was happening outside.
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<P>What will I encounter when that door opens up?
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<P>He had his answer long before he wanted it. The van cruised along for quite some time while he consumed his meager and rather tasteless meal. When at last it came to a stop and the door was opened, he was greeted by a sight beyond belief.