POINT 3

Pr e f a ce


I t is t r u e w h en people say scien ce br ou gh t doom n ot boom . Th e scien t if ic r ace
w as on . Ev er y cou n t r y pr ov in g it s w or t h on plan et ear t h . Wit h n o lim it s t o scien ce
an d in n ov at ion , w or ld saw som et h in g n ew bein g cr eat ed as ev er y secon d t ick ed
by . Th in gs w er e cr eat ed w h ich soon becam e a pr oblem an d t h u s a n ew t h in g w as
cr eat ed t o solv e it . Wor ld seem ed en dless.

A n ew w or ld w as bein g cr eat ed. Wor ld f ar bey on d w h at w e cou ld im agin e a cen t u r y back . Af t er all, it w as t h e cellu lar w h ich en ded t h e er a of t eleph on es an d
f ir e w as n o lon ger n ecessar y t o ligh t a dar k r oom . Ev er y t h in g h ad t o en d an d en d
it sh all.

Tech n ology w as spr eadin g lik e plagu e eat in g w h at ev er cam e in it s w ay in a dizzy in g speed. People cou ld n o lon ger su r v iv e w it h ou t t ech n ology ar ou n d t h em
an d t h ey say , ' Man cr eat ed t ech n ology . '�

Men liv ed an d liv ed, f or t h ey h ad t ech n ology t o su r v iv e - Th e t ech n ology f or lif e
an d t h e t ech n ology f or lif e af t er deat h . Soon , t h e w or ld w ill be t h e lan d of t h e dead cau se t h e dead sh all liv e.








































2

POINT 3






























PART I






































3

POINT 3



Ch a p t e r 1

A lot h ad ch an ged sin ce I k ept m y f ir st st ep on plan et ear t h . No, I am n ot an alien . My f ir st st ep w as f r om t h e cr adle on t o t h e f loor . My m ot h er w as delir iou s
w it h ex cit em en t as if sh e n ev er t h ou gh t I w ou ld w alk . Th er e w as a lot m or e t o be
ex cit ed abou t an d t h e ex cit em en t seem ed n ev er en din g as t h e w or ld w as ch an gin g w it h ligh t en in g pace.

I m agin at ion s an d ideas w er e t ak in g sh ape. I deas st at ed du m b w er e n ow bein g applau ded by t h e gr eat est an d t h e m ost soph ist icat ed.

I t w as y ear 2 0 4 2 . Th ir t y y ear s f lew past m e an d I ex per ien ced t h e m ost am azin g
t h in gs h appen . Plan es cou ld f ly by t h em selv es, f in ger sized m obiles, com pu t er s
t h at cou ld t alk an d aids cou ld be t r eat ed. Space w as n o lon ger ligh t y ear s aw ay . Mor e st u dies w er e bein g don e on space r at h er t h an ear t h . A t en t h plan et added t o
ou r solar sy st em bu t alas, n o lif e f ou n d elsew h er e.

Br igh t su n n y day it w as as t h e r ay s escaped t h r ou gh t h e t h in lin en of t h e dr apes dist u r bin g m y sou n d sleep. I w as qu ick t o get u p f or I h ad an agen da t o m eet . An agen da so u n scr u pu lou sly dan ger ou s t h at t h e v er y t h ou gh t of it br in gs ch ills.

Th er e w er e on ly t w o sides t o t h is t ask I w as abou t t o u n der t ak e. On e side w as
br igh t er t h an gold t h at cou ld giv e m e glor y , f am e, all at on e sh ot . Th e ot h er , dar k er t h an h ell; t h e r oad t o per dit ion w h er e t h e f or ces of ev il w er e w ait in g f or
m e w it h t h eir st eely k n iv es.

I n v olv ed in m y ow n t h ou gh t s as I w ash ed m y f ace. Wat er dr ipped dow n m y f ace
an d I w as look in g deep w it h in m y ey es in t h e r ef lect ion sear ch in g f or an an sw er ,
' Wh at if it doesn 't w or k ou t t h e w ay it is su pposed t o?'� I cou ld f eel t h e t en sion
cr eepin g u p.

Nev er bef or e w as I so w or r ied f or m y pr of ession cou ld n ev er af f or d it . I n o lon ger
r em em ber ed h ow t o cr y , h ow t o r ej oice, h ow t o com f or t an d n or did I f eel an y pain .

A qu ick sh ow er an d br eak f ast got m e r eady by 8 . I r each ed ou t f or t h e dr aw er
an d pick ed u p a piece of paper w it h an addr ess. ' Caf é Mar in o, 8 t h Av en u e, Coper n icu s Squ ar e'� I t r ead. I pu t it in m y t r ou ser pock et an d I h eaded f or 8 t h
av en u e in m y old DMC.

St eer in g t h r ou gh t h e st r eet I sear ch ed f or t h e caf é sh op. Rou n d t h e cor n er w as a sm all cof f ee sh op w it h a boar d t h at said Caf é Mar in o in bold. Sm all an d sh abby
w it h t h e w in dow s dir t y , cu r t ain s t or n , cobw ebs all ov er an d t h e sw eeper bu sy sm ok in g h is cigar et t e t o it s bu t t . I t look ed lik e a per f ect place f or t h e t ask in
h an d.

Hesit an t ly , I en t er ed in side t h e sh op. I w as gr eet ed by a f ew occu pan t s st ar in g at
m e as if I h ad don e som e sin h av in g en t er ed. I w as f eelin g t ot ally ou t of place. I


4




POINT 3



pu lled a ch air back . Som eh ow I f elt it w ou ld be bet t er t o st an d, f r om t h e cr eak in g
sou n d t h e ch air m ade as I sat . I st ill m an aged t o m ak e m y self com f or t able. I t w as
n in e t h ir t y t w o. Tw o m in u t es ov er t h e t im e w e h ad agr eed t o m eet . I w ait ed as
t im e t ick ed by . Fif t een m in u t es passed an d a lady appr oach ed m e, ' Sir , w ou ld y ou
lik e t o h av e som et h in g?'�

' Hm m '�A cof f ee please. '�

I n an ot h er t w o m in u t es, a cu p of br ew w as at m y t able. St ill t h er e w as n o sign of
Valdam ov . All k in ds of t h ou gh t s h ov er ed ov er m y h ead. I j u st h oped ev er y t h in g
w as f in e. I t w asn 't a h ot day , y et sw eat t r ick led dow n m y f or eh ead. I w as st ar t in g
t o w or r y f or n o sign of Valdam ov cou ld be seen . I t w as v er y u n u su al of h im . I cou ld n ot ev en call h im on h is cell f or it cou ld pu t m in e as w ell as h is lif e in dan ger .

I h ad lost m y cool an d w as abou t t o leav e. ' Bill please, '� I sh ou t ed. Th e lady
n odded.

Wit h t h e bill w as a sm all piece of t or n paper . I t said, ' Sor r y . Cou ld n ot m ak e it
t oday . Sam e t im e sam e place t om or r ow . Hav e a big n ew s. Hold y ou r br eat h . '�

I k ept st ar in g at t h e paper f or som e t im e u n t il t h e w ait r ess in t er r u pt ed m e. I gav e
h er t h e m on ey w it h ou t t ak in g m y ey es of f t h e paper . Wh at w as t h e big n ew s
Valdam ov h ad an d w h y pr ocr ast in at e it ? Som et h in g m ade m e f eel t h er e w as m or e
t o it . Som et h in g big.






POINT 3



Ch a p t e r 2

Valdam ov w as Ru ssian by bir t h bu t h ad t h at f lu en t accen t w h ich cou ld f ool an y
on e if on e m isses ou t t o see h is f ace. His f ace cou ld be descr ibed in j u st on e w or d
' st on e. Ch iseled dow n t o h is ch in , black h air t h at cou ld ev en pu t a Rav en t o
sh am e, ey es com plem en t in g h is h air , w r in k les on h is f or eh ead, h is h air com bed
st r aigh t t o t h e back an d a gh ast ly look in g f ace w ou ld descr ibe h im t h e best .

I h ad m et h im j u st t w o m on t h s back . He cou ld be easily t agged as a m obile
en cy clopedia. He h ad su per f lu it y of in f or m at ion . He cou ld f ill y ou r ear s t h e w h ole day . His appet it e f or lear n in g n ew t h in gs n ev er seem ed t o en d. Som et im es, I despised h im w it h ou t say in g so. Bu t , I adm ir ed h im f or t h e per f ect ion h e sh ow ed
in h is w or k an d h is pu n ct u alit y . Th at w as w h y ; h e n ot t u r n in g u p on t im e dist u r bed m e. He w ou ld alw ay s car r y a t o do list . Su ch a sy st em at ic m an h e w as.

At n igh t I h ad din n er w it h m y lady lov e. Sh e look ed st ar t lin g w it h a r ed f ish dr ess clad ov er h er slen der body . I cou ldn 't k eep m y ey es of f h er as I h ad m y din n er .

' Ron , y ou don 't seem t o be y ou r self t oday , '� Sh e spok e ou t .

' Wit h som eon e as st u n n in gly beau t if u l as y ou in f r on t , I bet n o on e w ou ld ev en
u t t er a w or d. Th an k s f or m ak in g m y lif e as beau t if u l as y ou ar e. '� Sh e blu sh ed an d god sh e look ed m or e beau t if u l.
I dr opped h er at h er apar t m en t , gav e a good- n igh t k iss an d lef t alt h ou gh I w asn 't
in t h e m ood t o leav e h er . Sh e w as t h e on ly pill f or t h e t en sion in t h e air .

A h alf an h ou r 's dr iv e got m e t o m y apar t m en t . I t w as a t ir in g day an d I n eeded a good sleep. I st r aigh t aw ay j u m ped in t o t h e bed w it h ou t ev en t ak in g m y sh oes
of f . Open w in dow s let t h e cool br eeze in side w h ich br u sh ed by m y sw eat y body
t ak in g ev er y dr op of sw eat w it h it . Th e h air on m y body st ood an d sw ay ed on m y
dr y body as if t h ey w er e dan cin g t o t h e t u n e of gu sh in g air .

Bir ds ch ir ped an d t h e r oar of car en gin es br ok e m y sleep. Th e su pposedly big day
h ad begu n . A six m on t h h u n t w as f in ally goin g t o en d. Bu t t h e big n ew s Valdam ov
h ad cou ld m ean a f in al t w ist in t h e t ale. Wh at ev er it be, w it h t h e closu r e of t h is
t ask w ou ld com e m assiv e pan dem on iu m an d w or ld w ill see it self bein g su pplan t ed by a com plet ely n ew w or ld.

By n in e, I w as at t h e Caf é. I m ade m y self com f or t able in side. Th e w ait r ess gav e
m e a pleasan t sm ile w ish in g m e m or n in g. I sipped t h r ou gh a cu p of cof f ee t o k eep
m y eager n ess aw ay .

Ev er y secon d seem ed lik e day s n ow . Sh ar p on t im e a car scr eech ed in f r on t of t h e caf é. A black Mer c w it h t in t ed glass st ood, w it h passer - by s st ar in g at it w it h cr av e. Silen ce f ollow ed an d su dden ly t h e door f lew open an d ou t cam e t w o gu y s w it h a black bag in h an d.


6

POINT 3



Keepin g t h e bag n ear t h e en t r an ce t o t h e caf é, on e of t h e gu y s lif t ed h is h ead an d
f r ow n ed. I n a f ew m in u t es, t h e Mer c disappear ed. I h esit an t ly m ov ed t ow ar ds t h e bag f ear in g t h e w or st . To m y h or r or I f ou n d a body in side an d it w as Valdam ov
w it h blood sm ear ed all ov er h is body . His ey es st ar ed at m e w it h ou t blin k in g. I
cou ld see h is sk u ll r u pt u r ed gh ast ly . All I cou ld do w as st an d t h er e h elplessly w it h
t ear s r ollin g dow n m y ch eek s. A piece of paper st u ck ou t f r om h is pock et . I
r each ed ou t t o get it . I t w as a t o do list . ' Sen d a m ail t o Ron w it h docu m en t s an d sn aps. Meet Ron at caf é. Meet Valen t in o'�'�



Wh at w er e t h e sn aps all abou t ? Was it r elat ed t o w h at h e w as abou t t o t ell m e
t oday ? Qu est ion s clogged m y br ain .

Cops an d em er gen cy v an s w er e t h er e in n o t im e. Th ey assist ed m e t o t h eir v an s
an d t r ied t o con sole m e t o t ak e m e ou t of t h e daze I w as in t o. Th ey ask ed t o leav e f or h om e bu t w ar n ed m e n ot t o leav e t h e cit y . I u n der st ood t h ey w er e doin g
t h eir du t y .

All absor bed in t h ou gh t s, I dr ov e t o m y place. I k n ew w h y Valdam ov w as k illed
an d t h at t h ey w er e com in g f or m e as w ell. I pack ed m y t h in gs in a su it case an d decided t o f lee f r om t h e place.

As I sat in side m y car , I called u p m y dear old f r ien d Tim w h om I can easily r at e
as a f r ien d on e can r ely on at an y t im e. He w as w or k in g w it h m e on t h is t ask sin ce t h e begin n in g.

' Hello, Ron '�I t h in k y ou sh ou ld leav e y ou r place. I am alr eady on m y w ay t o
Van cou v er . '�

' Van cou v er '�? Ev en I w as t h in k in g of leav in g. '�

' Wh y don 't y ou com e t o t h e j olly bees? I 'll pick y ou u p f r om t h er e. '�

A lon g silen ce f ollow ed.

' Ron , ar e y ou list en in g t o m e?'�

' Yeah '�y eah '�I 'll be t h er e in t en m in u t es. '�

' Ron , list en t o m e. Don 't y ou w or r y . Not h in g w ill h appen t o u s. On ce w e leav e t h e cit y , w e ar e saf e. Do y ou u n der st an d?'�

' Yeah '�t h an k s Tim . '�

' Don 't t h an k m e n ow Ron . Don 't t h an k m e n ow . '�

Th er e w asn 't m u ch t im e. I h ad t o act qu ick ly . I lef t f or t h e Jolly bees. Reach in g
t h er e I r eceiv ed a call f r om Tim . ' I am w ait in g in a r ed Pon t iac par k ed besides t h e



7

POINT 3



v en din g m ach in e ou t side. I t w on 't be saf e f or u s t o be t r av elin g in ou r v eh icle. I
t h in k y ou sh ou ld leav e y ou r s as w ell. '�

I lef t m y car an d w alk ed t ow ar ds t h e v en din g m ach in e. I saw a r ed car par k ed
an d t r av er sed acr oss t h e r oad. As I dr ew close t o t h e car , an ex plosion deaf en ed
m y ear s an d t h r ew m e y ar ds aw ay . I n a split secon d, t h e space on ce occu pied by
a car n ow h ad on ly r u bbles all in f lam es. I cou ld see Tim 's lim bs ly in g w it h blood sm ear ed all ov er t h e gr ou n d. Slow ly all m y n ear an d dear on es w er e bein g
sn at ch ed aw ay f r om m e. Wh o w ou ld be t h e n ex t w as an im m ediat e qu est ion t h at
st r u ck m e. Lin da'�?

I im m ediat ely called u p Lin da t o ch eck w h et h er sh e w as f in e.

' Lin da, ar e y ou at h om e?'�

' Ron , y ou h av e called on m y lan dlin e n u m ber . Of cou r se, I am at h om e. Wh at 's
t h e m at t er Ron ? You seem t o be t en sed. I s ev er y t h in g f in e?'� sh e cou ld sen se som et h in g w as w r on g.

' Lin da, j u st k eep t h e door s an d w in dow s closed dear . I 'll be t h er e in h alf an h ou r 's
t im e an d I 'll ex plain y ou ev er y t h in g. '� Wor r ied Lin da k ept t h e r eceiv er dow n .

I can n ot af f or d t o lose Lin da. Now , sh e w as all I h ad. Sh e w as m y lif e an d I cou ld
n ot let m y lif e sn at ch ed aw ay f r om m e. I f t h ey w an t ed t o play r ou gh , I 'd play so. I
w ill giv e t h em a t ast e of t h eir ow n m edicin e. Wit h r age, I dr ov e t o Lin da' s place.

I f ou n d h er door open an d I im m ediat ely sen sed dan ger . Wit h a r ev olv er in m y
h an d, I t ipt oed in side. I t w as all dar k an d silen t . I r each ed f or t h e sw it ch boar d
an d sw it ch ed t h e ligh t s on . I t w as t ot al ch aos. Th e r oom gav e m e an im pr ession
t h er e h ad been som e sor t of st r u ggle.

I r u sh ed t o t h e t er r ace. As soon as I open ed t h e door , I w as gr abbed by f ew m en
dr essed in black . Lin da st ood t h er e w it h a r ope t ied ar ou n d h er n eck . A m an w it h lon g h air st ood w it h h is back f acin g m e.

He h ad a Ru ssian accen t . ' Mr . Ron , y ou lik e a cat an d m ou se gam e. Eh ?'�

He t u r n ed t o h av e a glan ce at m e. He low er ed h is goggles an d r aised h is br ow s t o look at m e an d said, ' Bu t , alas I don 't lik e t h at gam e. I t s so sad f or y ou , Mr . Ron . '�

' Wh o ar e y ou ?'�

' Don 't r aise y ou r v oice. Don 't y ou r aise y ou r v oice, '� He con t in u ed, ' I am Ev an . Ev an Gor bon ov ic. '�

' Wh at do y ou w an t ?'�




8

POINT 3



Ev an lau gh ed an d spok e, ' I sn 't it f u n n y ? All t h is t im e I t h ou gh t it w as y ou w h o
n eeded som et h in g. I didn 't lik e y ou r appet it e f or in f or m at ion , Mr . Ron . '�

' Wh at ar e y ou t alk in g abou t ?'�

' Hey y ou , don 't act so sm ar t , '� h e h eld m y collar w it h an ger in h is ey es, ' You k n ow
w h at I am t alk in g abou t . Valdam ov an d Tim w er e good gu y s. Bu t t h e pr oblem is
ev en t h ey didn 't k n ow w h at I am t alk in g abou t . Bu t in y ou r case if y ou don 't speak ou t , it w on 't be y ou bu t u n f or t u n at ely w e w ou ld h av e t o k ill y ou r lady lov e. '�

Lin da w as st an din g n ear t h e edge of t h e t er r ace. Fear in g t h e w or st , I spok e ou t ,
' Ok . Wh at is it t h at y ou w an t f r om m e?'�

' Now y ou ar e com in g t o t h e poin t bu ddy . Ju st on e sim ple in f or m at ion f r om t h e big pie y ou h av e collect ed. '�

' Can y ou be a lit t le m or e pr ecise?'�

' OK. Ron , t ell m e w h o else h as t h e in f or m at ion . '�

' I t h in k y ou m u st be h av in g t h e k n ow ledge. Don 't y ou ? Tim , Valdam ov an d n ow
w h o else do y ou w an t t o k ill?'� scr eam ed I .

' You '�'� cam e a sou n d f r om beh in d. Ou t cam e a f igu r e f r om t h e sh adow s. As h e
w alk ed ou t of t h e sh adow s, I saw a f igu r e t h at seem ed qu it e f am iliar t o m e. I
st ood spellbou n d as h is f ace w as lit u p by t h e br igh t su n .

' Don 't be su r pr ised, '� h e sm iled an d t h en t u r n ed t o Ev an , ' No on e else k n ow s.
Tr u st m e. Kill bot h . Th an k s Ron , I lik ed y ou r com pan y . '� On e of t h e gu y s t h r ew Lin da f r om t h e bu ildin g.
' No'�'� cr ied I as I m ov ed t ow ar ds t h e edge of t h e bu ildin g. Sh e h u n g f r om t h e
bu ildin g st r u gglin g t o liv e. Sh e t r em bled lik e a m ou se w it h a sn ak e clu t ch in g it s
t h r oat bef or e sh e br ok e.

' Now t h at y ou r lady lov e is dead, it w ou ld be bet t er if I sen d y ou t o h er t oo so
t h at y ou liv e h appily ev er af t er , '� Said Ev an .

I t u r n ed t ow ar ds Ev an dish ev eled, ' You son of a '�'�

I w as in t er r u pt ed by a deaf en in g gu n sh ot . I cou ld sen se sm ok e com in g ou t
t h r ou gh m y ch est . Blood oozed ou t an d I lay t h er e on t h e con cr et e as ligh t slow ly blu r r ed of f . Slow ly t h in gs t u r n ed gr ey an d t h en black .

I h ad a last look at t h ose w h o st ood in f r on t of m e as I f ou n d it h ar d t o cat ch m y
br eat h .




9


POINT 3






























PART I I











POINT 3



Ch a p t e r 3

I cou ld f eel w at er escapin g m y closed ey es an d m oist en m y body . I st ar t ed f eelin g cold. I t seem ed h ar d t o open m y ey es f or t h er e w as ex t r em e br igh t n ess. Soon I
f ou n d it h ar d t o br eat h e. I st ar t ed t o lose br eat h an d I st r u ggled t o get ou t . I w as
in a ch am ber f u ll of w at er an d I cou ldn 't see an y t h in g else bu t w at er ar ou n d m e.

Su dden ly , t h e ch am ber w as pu lled open an d of f I f ell on t o t h e gr ou n d. I t r ied t o open m y ey es an d gain con sciou sn ess. Bu t it w as h ar d t o do so an d I dozed of f
w it h lack of en er gy .

Nex t t im e I open ed m y ey es, I f ou n d m y self in a r oom w it h dim ligh t s. Slow ly t h e
lu m in osit y in cr eased an d t h e br igh t n ess n o lon ger pin ch ed m y ey es. Th er e w as a
t able an d a ch air k ept in t h e cor n er of t h e ch am ber . I m ade m y self com f or t able in
t h e ch air an d st ar t ed t h in k in g. Ev er y t h in g seem ed so v er y em pt y t o m e. I sat st ill
w it h ou t an y m ot ion .

I cou ld n ot m ak e ou t w h o an d w h er e I w as. My h ead st ar t ed ach in g as I st r ain ed
m y self t r y in g t o r ecall bu t in v ain . I st ar t ed m ov in g ar ou n d t h e r oom dem en t ed.
Ju st t h en a m an , dr essed in all w h it e, w alk ed in an d t ook m y h an ds in h is an d spok e, ' Hello Ron . '�

' Ron '�?'� I spok e ou t silen t ly .

' Yes. You don 't r em em ber y ou r n am e do y ou ?'�

' No. I r em em ber n ot h in g, '� I said in a qu er y in g m an n er .

' Don 't be su r pr ised. Th is h appen s t o all. '�

' Wh at do y ou m ean ? Wh er e am I ?'�

' I k n ow y ou h av e sev er al qu est ion s t o f ir e at m e. Bu t , h old t h em . I 'll t ak e y ou
ar ou n d t h is place af t er w h ich y ou 'll h av e plen t y m or e. I 'll an sw er all y ou r qu er ies bu t lat er . I am y ou r adj u n ct . '�

' OK. Sh all w e leav e? Eh '�I am sor r y . I didn 't ev en ask y ou r good n am e. '�

' Par don m e. I didn 't in t r odu ce m y self . I am Cr aig. '�

' Hi Cr aig. I t 's k in d of su f f ocat in g in h er e. Sh all w e leav e?'�

' Oh su r e, Ron . Com e on . Keep f ollow in g m e. You sh all see som e h au n t in g sigh t s.
Ju st ign or e t h em . I 'll ex plain ev er y t h in g on ce w e ar e t h r ou gh . '�

Ju st bef or e leav in g, Cr aig st opped an d poin t ed t ow ar ds a clot h , ' You got t o w ear
t h ose f ir st . '� An d h e sm iled. I t w as t h en I obser v ed t h at I w as t ot ally n ak ed.




11

POINT 3



Wear in g t h e r obe, I lef t t o f in d m y iden t it y . As w e set ou r f oot ou t of t h e ch am ber ,
a sm all sph er ical ball sim ilar t o an ey eball st ar t ed h ov er in g n ear u s.

' Wh at 's t h is?'� ask ed I w it h cu r iosit y .

' Th is is a bot cam . Basically a su r v eillan ce cam er a. '�

' A cam er a an d it f loat s! '� I w as am azed.

' Ron , t h er e ar e m an y t h in gs t h at ar e w ait in g t o am aze y ou . I 'd say t h at y ou ar e goin g t o w it n ess som et h in g y ou h av e n ev er seen bef or e. '�

I h eld m y br eat h an d f ollow ed Cr aig w it h t h e sm all cam f ollow in g u s. I w alk ed
t h r ou gh t h e alley an d f ou n d m an y m or e lik e m e w alk in g w it h a h elper . All look ed as if t h ey w er e lost j u st lik e m e.

As w e w alk ed, I saw f ew m or e bot cam s h ov er in g h er e an d t h er e. Th en , cam e a scen e t h at sh ock ed m e. I n sm all glass ch am ber s f illed w it h w at er w er e h u m an s.
All w er e u n con sciou s.

' Wh at is t h is? Wh y ar e t h ese people in side t h ese w at er ch am ber s? Wh at k in d of a
n ast y ex per im en t is t h is?'� I spok e w it h f u r or .

' Don 't get so w ild. See Ron , Th ese people ar e dead. '�

' So, y ou m ean t o say t h at t h ey ar e gu in ea pigs?'�

' No, Ron . You ar e get t in g it all w r on g. Th is is t h e place w er e dead people ar e
br ou gh t t o lif e. Th is is t h e Tim esh ip. '�

' Wh at do y ou m ean ? Th is is n ot possible. How can a dead be br ou gh t back t o lif e? You ar e ly in g, '� I sou n ded su spiciou s.

' Now t h ey can be br ou gh t back t o lif e. '�

' Wasn 't I in t h at w at er ch am ber ?'� said I f in din g it h ar d t o con t in u e, ' Am I
dead'�t ell m e Cr aig am I dead?'�

' Uh '�n ot an y m or e. '�

I br ok e dow n an d h is w or ds ech oed in m y ear s. How cou ld I be dead an d h ow did
I die?

' Cr aig, h ow did I die?'�

' Sor r y , I can n ot h elp y ou on t h is. I am j u st a pr act it ion er an d w e ar e n ot
su pposed t o k n ow an y t h in g abou t t h e pat ien t ex cept f or t h eir n am es. I am sor r y . '�



12

POINT 3



' Cr aig, y ou n eed t o h elp m e h er e. Can y ou get m e t h e in f or m at ion abou t m e?'�

' No on e can ex cept y ou . '� He said.

' Wh at do y ou m ean ?'�

' Can y ou f eel som et h in g on t h e back of y ou r n eck ?'�

I f elt t h e back of m y n eck , ' Yes, I can f eel som e scr at ch es. '�

Cr aig gav e a f ain t lau gh an d said, ' Th at is n ot a scr at ch . I t 's a bar code. '�

' A bar code? Bar code f or people?'� ex claim ed I .

' Yes. Th at su r pr ises y ou eh ?'�

I k ept qu iet . Th en Cr aig spok e ou t , ' Can y ou gu ess t h e y ear , Ron ?'�

I st ill k ept qu iet an d w ait ed w it h an x iet y .

' I t is t h e y ear t w en t y f ou r t w en t y . '�







































13

POINT 3



Ch a p t e r 4

I look ed at Cr aig open m ou t h ed. My m ou t h h ad gon e dr y . Did I m iss som et h in g or
h ad I h ear d r igh t . I su dden ly f ou n d m y self at a loss f or w or ds.

' You m ean t w o f ou r t w o zer o?'�

' Yes. I t 's k in d of h ar d t o digest . I can u n der st an d. You died in t h e y ear t w en t y
f or t y t w o. '�

' I w as dead f or f ou r h u n dr ed y ear s! '� Th er e w as a br ief silen ce as I w as lost in m y ow n t h ou gh t s.

' Cr aig, y ou h av e t o h elp m e f in d m y iden t it y . '�

' I don 't k n ow h ow I can be of an y h elp. Bu t , look in g at y ou r code all I can t ell y ou
is t h at y ou ar e a poin t t h r ee. '�

' Wh at does t h at m ean ?'�

' Few people h er e ar e called poin t t h r ees. Th ey ar e su pposed t o be special people.
I don 't k n ow w h y y ou ar e special. I h ope y ou 'll f in d it . '�

' You n eed t o h elp m e Cr aig. Wh at 's t h is place an d h ow can I f in d m y iden t it y ?'� Cr aig t ook a deep br eat h an d t h en u t t er ed, ' OK. List en car ef u lly . '�
An d so h e st ar t ed. I k n ew it w ou ld t ak e som e t im e. I j u st h oped h e t ells m e w h at
I w an t ed t o h ear .

' Th is is t h e Tim esh ip bu ildin g, a gian t f or t r ess w it h n eit h er w in dow s n or door s. I t ' s
on ly poin t of en t r y , a t et r ah edr on t h at h ides u n der a su bt er r an ean t u n n el, is closely gu ar ded by a soph ist icat ed alar m sy st em . Th is bu ildin g at pr esen t h as t en
t h ou san d h u m an bein gs, each on e su spen ded v er t ically in in div idu al capsu les,
each on e con t in u ou sly spr ay ed w it h n it r ogen v apor at a t em per at u r e of - 1 5 0
degr ees Celsiu s. Th ey h av e decided t h at on e lif e is n ot en ou gh an d, t h er ef or e, at
t h e en d of t h eir ow n , h av e h ad t h em selv es f r ozen . '�

' So, did I die of a n at u r al cau se?'�

' Not n ecessar ily so. Th is also h as f r ozen people w h o h av e died du e t o ot h er
r eason s. '�

' You m ean acciden t s an d m u r der s?'�

' Yes. I f y ou w an t t o say so. '�





14


POINT 3



' Bu t h ow can people w h o h av e died be br ou gh t t o lif e? Sh ou ldn 't t h ey be
pr eser v ed w h en t h ey ar e aliv e?'�

' I t ' s n ot n ecessar y . Lif e does n ot f u n ct ion lik e a ligh t sw it ch t h at sh u t s of f in an
in st an t . Ev en w h en t h e h ear t an d lu n gs h av e st op, w h en a doct or m ak es t h e
of f icial pr on ou n cem en t of deat h , ou r cells an d or gan s h av e n ot lost all of t h eir
v it alit y . Ot h er w ise, h ow w ou ld it be possible t o t r an splan t t h e h ear t f r om som eon e
k illed in an acciden t in t o t h e body of an ot h er . Tr u e deat h is w h en it is n o lon ger possible t o r ean im at e. On ce t h e h ear t h as st opped beat in g, obv iou sly t h e dy in g
pr ocess acceler at es, as t h e or gan s an d t h e br ain n o lon ger r eceiv e ox y gen . I f
in st ead on e r eact s in t im e, it ' s con ceiv able t h at on e cou ld be pr eser v ed in
n it r ogen bef or e t h e t issu es ar e ir r ev er sibly dead, bef or e m em or ies, em ot ion s, an d
t h e sen se of self is er ased in t h e br ain - all t h at is t h e t r u e sou l of a per son . '�

' So y ou m ean I can h av e m y m em or ies back ?'�

' Yes, bu t y ou n eed cu es t o t r igger t h em . You st ill can r em em ber t h e basic f act s of
lif e bu t t h er e ar e som e pr iv at e in f or m at ion r esidin g in t h e lat er al par t of y ou r
br ain . You 'll soon r em em ber all. '�

' How w er e t h e dead or gan s r epair ed? You h av e pr act it ion er s f or t h at ?'�

' No, Ron . I t 's been f ou r h u n dr ed y ear s sin ce y ou r deat h an d w or ld h as ch an ged at
a t r em en dou s pace. Now it 's t h e t im e of n an ot ech n ology . '�

' Nan ot ech n ology ? I t sou n ds f am iliar . '�

' Sm all at om sized r obot s ar e in j ect ed in t o t h e h u m an an d t h ey ar e m ean t f or
r epair in g t h e dam aged par t s. Th e r obot s in side y ou ar e at w or k as w e ar e t alk in g. Righ t n ow , on ly people lik e y ou h av e t h ese. '�

' Wh at else do y ou k n ow ?'�

' All t h e r ean im at ed people ar e called t h e h iber n au t s. '�

' Ar e y ou a h iber n au t s t oo?'� ask ed I .

' No, I am n ot . On ly poin t on es ar e em ploy ed in t h is bu ildin g. '�

' Poin t on e is su pposed t o be t h e pr esen t gen er at ion ?'�

' Yes'�'�

Th er e w as a m in u t e's silen ce af t er w h ich Cr aig con t in u ed, ' Th e design of t h e
Tim esh ip Bu ildin g, a six - acr e st r u ct u r e t h at is m ean t f or lif e ex t en sion r esear ch
an d f or t h e cr y opr eser v at ion of DNA, biological t issu es, h u m an or gan s an d pat ien t s, w as t h e br ain - ch ild of an ar ch it ect St eph en Valen t in e k eepin g bot h it s
f u n ct ion al an d it s sy m bolic im por t an ce in m in d. Tim esh ip is t h e For t Kn ox of

POINT 3



biological m at er ials. DNA, t issu e sam ples an d cr y opr eser v ed pat ien t s, an d t h eir
saf et y an d secu r it y again st all t h r eat s, bot h n at u r al an d h u m an - m ade, h av e been
m ain t ain ed f or h u n dr eds of y ear s. Tim esh ip h as been design ed t o pr ov ide t h at secu r it y at ev er y lev el, f r om def en se again st t er r or ist at t ack , t o sea lev el ch an ges
du e t o global w ar m in g, t o in t er r u pt ion of en er gy su pplies du e t o an y cat ast r oph e. '�

' So y ou m ean all t h e in f or m at ion abou t t h e h iber n au t s ar e saf e an d secu r e an d can n ot be st olen . Th en h ow am I su pposed t o k n ow m y iden t it y ?'� I qu er ied.

' I don 't k n ow , Ron . Bu t , t h e on ly in f or m at ion I can of f er is t h at n ow all t h e
h iber n au t s' in f or m at ion is st or ed at a cen t r al ser v er . I t is a h u ge ser v er an d is called t h e pr odigy . '�

' Th e pr odigy '�'� I gav e a t h ou gh t f u l ex clam at ion , ' So, t h e pr odigy is t h e an sw er t o all m y qu est ion s. Ain 't it ?'�

' Yes. Ron , y ou w ill be let f r ee af t er on e w eek . I k n ow it w on 't be easy . You h av e a
n ew w or ld t o su r v iv e. I j u st h ope y ou f in d y ou r iden t it y . '�

' Th an k s Cr aig. I t 's been n ice m eet in g y ou . '�

' Sam e h er e, Ron . Her e's m y car d j u st in case y ou w an t t o con t act m e. '� He
h an ded ov er h is car d t o m e.

Th en h e w as gon e. I again got lost in m y ow n t h ou gh t s.


































16

POINT 3



Ch a p t e r 5

A n ew w or ld w ait ed f or m e ou t side. Fou r h u n dr ed y ear s h ad passed by . I
r em em ber ed w h at car s w er e, w h at bir ds w er e lik e, an d I also k n ew t h at I , w h o
w as on ce called as a h u m an w ill n ow be r ef er r ed t o as a h iber n au t ; a w alk in g dead. Bu t , I w as special an d w h y so w as a qu est .

I t w as su pper t im e an d on e of t h e bot cam s sh ow ed m e t h e w ay t o t h e caf et er ia. A big block f illed w it h h iber n au t s. I t all seem ed lik e an an t h ill w it h t h e cr eat u r es all gat h er ed t o st ock f ood f or t h e of f season . Wit h a plat e in m y h an d, I st ood in t h e
qu eu e. I w as ask ed t o place t h e plat e in a cou n t er . As I r each ed t h e collect ion cou n t er , I h ad a plat e f u ll of f ood. Ev er y t h in g w as au t om at ed in side, r igh t f r om squ ir t in g gr av y t o placin g br ead slices. Ju st I pu t t h e f ir st piece of br ead in m y
m ou t h , a v oice f r om beh in d spok e, ' I t seem s lik e t h is is y ou r f ir st day . '�

' Ex cu se m e. I didn 't r ecogn ize y ou . '�

' Do y ou t h in k y ou can r ecogn ize an y on e? We ar e h iber n au t s an d t h is w or ld is absolu t ely n ew t o u s. Hi, I am St ev en . Th e f u n n y par t is t h at I can 't in t r odu ce
m y self m or e t h an t h is. Th is is all I k n ow abou t m e. '�

I sm iled. ' Hi, I am Ron . So, ar e y ou a poin t t h r ee as w ell?'�

' No. I am a poin t f ou r . I don 't k n ow w h at poin t t h r ee is bu t I am su pposed t o be on e of t h ose elit es w h o en r olled t o be r ein car n at ed. '�

' OK. Wh at abou t y ou ? I s t h is y ou r f ir st day as w ell?'�

' No. I t 's been six day s. Tom or r ow I 'll be goin g ou t of h er e. '�

' Good f or y ou . I h av e six m or e day s t o go an d I w an t t o get ou t of h er e as soon as possible. I t 's su f f ocat in g in h er e. '�

' Don 't w or r y . You 'll adj u st in a f ew day s. '�

Th er e w as n ot h in g m or e on t h e plat e t o f ill m y st om ach w it h . Th e w h ole n igh t I
con v er sed w it h St ev en as if I k n ew h im f or y ear s. Wh en I got back t o m y ch am ber , I f ou n d a cou ch , a bed an d som e clot h in g.

I t w as a t ir in g day . I dozed of f w it h ou t st r ain in g m y self an y m or e. Best t h in g abou t
t h at n igh t 's sleep w as t h at t h er e w er e n o n igh t m ar es. On e n eeds t o ex plor e lif e t o
h av e n igh t m ar es. I r on y w as t h at I didn 't ev en k n ow w h at m y lif e w as lik e.

My deep sleep w as dist u r bed by a lou d r in g of a bell. I t w as m y secon d day an d I
m ade m y w ay t ow ar ds St ev en 's r oom becau se h e w as t h e on ly per son I k n ew
af t er Cr aig. Th e f act t h at h e t oo w as a h iber n au t m ade m e sh ar e m y f eelin gs w it h
h im .




17

POINT 3



His r oom seem ed t o be lock ed. He w as n o w h er e t o be f ou n d in t h e caf et er ia as
w ell. I h ad m y br eak f ast an d h eaded f or m y r oom disappoin t ed t h at I cou ldn 't bid
St ev en adieu bef or e h e lef t .

Ev en at lu n ch I w as all alon e an d t h er e w as n o sign of St ev en an y w h er e. Su dden ly in t h e ev en in g, St ev en st ood in f r on t of m y ch am ber .

' Hi Ron , I am sor r y . I w as so bu sy t oday . Th ese gu y s k ept m e in a separ at e cabin an d pr epar ed m e f or t h e j ou r n ey ah ead. I am v er y ex cit ed. '�

' I t h ou gh t y ou h ad alr eady lef t . Wh en ar e y ou leav in g?'�

' I n a sh or t w h ile. I ask ed t h em t o m ak e m e m eet y ou . '� He t h en pick ed ou t a car d
an d h an ded ov er t o m e. ' Th ey h av e giv en m e a cellu lar an d a n u m ber as w ell. Th is car d h as m y n am e an d n u m ber . I 'll see y ou ou t side. '�

' See y ou . '� An d of f h e w en t t o st ar t h is qu est f or lif e.

Day s passed by lik e y ear s as I an x iou sly look ed f or w ar d t o set m y f oot in t o t h e
n ew w or ld u n t il on e day . I t w as m y six t h day an d lik e an y ot h er n or m al m or n in g,
I h eaded f or t h e caf et er ia w h en I h ear d som ebody sh ou t in g at t h e peak of h is
v oice. Som ebody w as in pain . I f ollow ed t h e scr eam an d t o m y h or r or I f ou n d
St ev en . ' Leav e m e'�leav e m e'�I don 't w an t t o go back '�please'�. n o'�. '� Ju st t h en som ebody pat t ed m e on m y Back . I t w as Cr aig.
' Wh at h appen ed t o h im ? Wh y is h e back ? Wasn 't h e let t o go?'� I qu er ied.

' Th is h appen s som et im es. He m u st h av e lear n t som et h in g r eally h or r if ic abou t h is past lif e. We h av e t o liv e w it h it . Wh at h as h appen ed h as h appen ed. I t can 't be
ch an ged. Mak e a f u t u r e ou t of it . '�

' I w an t t o m eet h im . Please Cr aig m ak e m e m eet h im . '�

' I don 't t h in k t h is is t h e appr opr iat e m om en t . You can go t o h is ch am ber in t h e ev en in g. '�

As t im e t ick ed by an d it w as ev en in g, I w en t t o St ev en 's r oom an d peeped
t h r ou gh t h e sm all w in dow pr ov ided in t h e door . St ev en r aised h is h ead an d
ex cit em en t w as obv iou s. He r u sh ed t o open t h e door an d cau t iou sly pu lled m e in
af t er seein g t h at n obody else w as n ot icin g h im .

' Ron '�'� h e spok e t r y in g t o cat ch br eat h .

' Yes, St ev en '�'� I look ed in t o h is ey es. He h ad a w or r ied look . Som et h in g seem ed
t o be bot h er in g h im .






18

POINT 3



' I t is a h or r ible w or ld ou t t h er e. Th e past w ill n ev er leav e y ou . I t w ill k eep
h au n t in g y ou . '�

' Wh at ar e y ou t alk in g abou t ?'�

' I w as a m illion air e an d I h ad died a n at u r al deat h in t h e y ear t w en t y t h ir t y sev en . Fou r y ear s lat er it w as f ou n d t h at m y w if e h ad con spir ed t o k ill m e. '�

' Wh er e did y ou lear n all t h is f r om ?'�

' Don 't w or r y Ron . You 'll ev en t u ally lear n ev er y t h in g abou t y ou r self . Th ese
in f or m at ion w ill com e sear ch in g f or y ou . Th at 's w h y I am t ellin g y ou t h at y ou r past w ill n ev er leav e y ou . I t is y ou r past an d y ou r pr esen t as w ell. '�

He w en t on an d t h e w h ole n igh t h e n ar r at ed h is st or y . I t su r ely w as dar k . All I
cou ld do w as con sole h im w on der in g w h at w as in st or e f or m e ou t side.

Fin ally t h e day ar r iv ed an d I w as t ak en t o a r oom w h er e alr eady t w en t y odd
h iber n au t s h ad gat h er ed, all set t o see t h e n ew w or ld. I w as assist ed by Cr aig. A
v ar iet y of it em s in clu din g a su it w er e k ept in f r on t of m e. Cr aig h an ded m e a
f in ger lik e t h in g say in g t h at it w as a cellu lar .

' I don 't r em em ber m u ch , Cr aig. Bu t , isn 't a cellu lar su pposed t o h av e a k ey pad?'�

Cr aig lau gh ed h is h ear t ou t . ' You ar e st ill in y ou r t w en t y f or t ies. Ron , all y ou n eed
t o do is speak ou t t h e n u m ber an d it w ill get dialed. '�

I also got a car d f or m y self an d I ask ed f or a m in u t e's t im e su ch t h at I cou ld m eet
St ev en on ce. I m et h im an d gav e h im a car d an d lef t .

I w as gu ided t o an ot h er ch am ber w h er e a sleek car aw ait ed m e. I w as giv en t h e
in st r u ct ion s on h ow t o u se it . I sat in side. Not h in g w as v isible t h r ou gh t h e
w in dsh ield. I n a f ew m in u t es, I cou ld f eel t h e v eh icle m ov e. I t k ept on goin g f or
n ear ly an h ou r or so an d t h en it su dden ly st opped. Th e scr een in f r on t of t h e
w in dscr een r olled dow n . A n ew w or ld u n w r apped it self bef or e m e.




















19

POINT 3



Ch a p t e r 6

Gian t con cr et e st r u ct u r es st ood in f r on t of m e. Th ey w er e of all sizes an d sh apes. Veh icles v r oom ed past m e. Th e w or ld look ed a m u ch bu sier place t h an I h ad
im agin ed. Moon lit t h e w h ole place. St ar s t w in k led lik e diam on ds.

A sm all box open ed in f r on t of m e. I t con t ain ed som e it em s. Su dden ly a v oice
br ok e ou t f r om a v en t n ear t h e st eer in g w h eel. ' Ron , t h is is y ou r gu ide Mar ian n e. You h av e cer t ain it em s w it h y ou . I t in clu des t h e k ey s t o y ou r apar t m en t an d a sm ar t car d. You n eed n ot car r y cash in t h e begin n in g. Use t h is w h er ev er cash is
r equ ir ed. '�

' OK. I got it . Wh er e do I go n ow ?'�

' Can y ou see a sm all scr een on y ou r r igh t ?'�

' Yes'�t h er e is on e. '�

' I t 's a GPS. I t 'll gu ide y ou t o y ou r dest in at ion . Righ t n ow , t h e y ellow blin k is y ou r
bu ildin g an d f ou r h u n dr ed t w o is y ou r f lat n u m ber . Hav e a good n igh t sleep. You
m u st be t ir ed. '�

' I am t ir ed all r igh t . '� I y aw n ed.

' I n case y ou n eed an y h elp, j u st pr ess t h e bu t t on in f r on t of y ou w h ich say s gu ide. By e. '�

' By e. '� Silen ce f ollow ed.

I m ean der ed t h r ou gh t h e r oads f ollow in g t h e n av igat or 's dir ect ion u n t il I r each ed
a t all bu ildin g w h ich r ead Mer idian in bold. I par k ed m y car besides car s t h at w er e
t w ice t h e size of m in e. I got in side an elev at or , w h ich seem ed lik e st r u gglin g t o accom m odat e m or e. I som eh ow squ eezed in . As it r ose f r om on e f loor t o an ot h er , people k ept st ar in g at m e, w h ich k ept m e w on der in g if I h ad com m it t ed an y cr im e
or else if I r esem bled som eon e w h o h as.

Ju st as I r each ed m y apar t m en t , I h ear d som eon e r u st le, ' He is a poin t t h r ee. You saw t h at ?'�

' Yeah . I did. '� An ot h er v oice f ollow ed.

Tr y in g t o ign or e t h em , I r each ed ou t f or t h e k ey s in m y pock et . I t w as a big r oom accom pan ied by a k it ch en an d a bat h .

I t ook a m u ch - n eeded r est . As I j u m ped in t o t h e bed, t h e qu ilt r icoch et ed. Wit h
m y h ead sopped in t o t h e sof t pillow , I dozed of f .




20


POINT 3



Wit h t h e sou n d of a bell r in g, m y sou n d sleep w as br ok en . A m an dr essed in a
t u x edo st ood at t h e door w it h som e clot h es in h is h an d. ' Sir , h er e ar e som e clot h es f or y ou . '� He h an ded ov er t h e clot h es t o m e. ' Sir , in case y ou w an t t o giv e
y ou r clot h es f or lau n dr y , y ou m ay pu t t h em in t h is box placed ou t side y ou r r oom . '�
I didn 't r espon d m u ch ex cept f or n oddin g m y h ead.

I sat dow n on t h e cou ch t h in k in g deeply abou t m y dock et . Wit h a pen cil an d paper , I st ar t ed j ot t in g dow n poin t s. Fir st on m y list w as f in din g m y iden t it y .
























































21

POINT 3



Ch a p t e r 7

As I w alk ed ou t of m y apar t m en t , an old w om an st ood st ar in g at m e an d sh e
m ade h er w ay t o t h e elev at or w it h m e. Get t in g in side t h e elev at or , sh e spok e,
' Son , I h av en 't seen y ou h er e bef or e. Ar e y ou a n ew t en an t ?'�

Sh e h ad t h at w elcom in g sm ile. ' Yes, m a'am . I st ay in f ou r h u n dr ed t w o. '�

' Wh en did y ou m ov e in ?'�

' Ju st y est er day . '�

' Didn 't ev en h ear y ou m ov in g in . I st ay at f ou r h u n dr ed f iv e. I am Mar t h a. Wh at 's
y ou r n am e, son ?'�

' I am Ron , m a'am . Glad t o m eet y ou . '� I said, h opin g t h at it w ill be t h e en d of t h e discu ssion .

' Wh at do y ou do, Mr . Ron ?'� sh e qu er ied.

Un able t o f in d an an sw er , I look ed h er e an d t h er e ign or in g t h e lady . Th e I
u t t er ed, ' I '�I am a h iber n au t . '� I n st an t ly t h e old lady m ov ed back an d I cou ld see
h er qu er y in g ey es.

' I do n ot k n ow w h o I am . I h av e been r eleased f r om t h e Tim esh ip bu ildin g
y est er day . Cou ld y ou please h elp m e?'�

Sh e st ood st ill an d w alk ed ou t of t h e elev at or w it h ou t ev en a w h isper . Sh e w as all
w h it e as if sh e h ad seen a gh ou l. I cou ldn 't u n der st an d w h at m if f ed h er . Sh e w as
f in e u n t il I m en t ion ed abou t m e bein g a h iber n au t .

I gn or in g t h e in ciden t , I set ou t t o f in d m y iden t it y . I j u st h oped som eon e cou ld
h elp m e in t h at r egar d. Get t in g in side t h e car , I t y ped in Pr odigy in t h e n av igat or .
' I n v alid in pu t , '� w as t h e an sw er . Bu t , I w as t old Pr odigy is t h e cen t r al st or age of
in f or m at ion of all h iber n au t s.

I w en t in sear ch f or a su per - m ar t cau se I h ad t o pu r ch ase som e f ood f or m y self . Dow n t h e st r eet , I f ou n d a big su per - m ar t w h ich said, ' You n am e it , w e h av e it '� .

I w alk ed in w it h a car t an d f illed it w it h alm ost an y t h in g I cou ld get m y h an ds on
t o. A cu p of cof f ee, t w o san dw ich es, t w o h ot dogs w it h sau sage an d a don u t
f in ish ed m y appet it e.

I dr ov e back t o m y apar t m en t . As I r each ed t o u n lock t h e door , I f ou n d it open
an d t h er e w as n o n oise t o be h ear d f r om in side. I w as cau t iou s as I h eaded in side.
Th e dr aw in g r oom w as a t ot al ch aos. Som ebody h ad desper at ely sear ch ed f or som et h in g im por t an t . ' Bu t , w h at cou ld h e w an t f r om m e?'� I qu er ied m y self .




22

POINT 3



I sear ch ed m y apar t m en t ex pect in g a per pet r at or st ill t o be in side. As I peeped
in side t h e bat h r oom , I saw in t h e m ir r or , a w om an h idin g beh in d t h e w all car r y in g
a gu n . Pr et en din g t o n ot h av in g seen h er , I w alk ed t ow ar ds t h e w all.

Wit h a qu ick lu n ge, I got h old of h er h an d by h er w r ist as sh e w en t f or t h e t r igger . Tw o sh ot s f ollow ed h olin g t h e ceilin g. Af t er a sm all st r u ggle, sh e let go of h er gu n . Pick in g u p t h e pist ol, I poin t ed at h er , ' Wh at ar e y ou doin g in side m y h ou se?'�

Sh e k ept sm ilin g, adam an t n ot t o speak a w or d. ' Wh o sen t y ou ?'� I con t in u ed
f ir in g qu est ion s. Sh e st ill st ood silen t .

Fir in g a sh ot at h er leg t o en su r e t h at sh e w on 't m ov e, I st ar t ed callin g t h e police.
Ju st as I con n ect ed t o t h e ot h er en d, t h e lady r an t ow ar ds t h e w in dow an d m ade
a leap cr ash in g t h e w in dow . I n a m om en t , I cou ldn 't believ e w h at h ad h appen ed.
I t all h appen ed so qu ick ly f or m e t o r eact . Th er e sh e lay on t h e gr ou n d w it h ou t
m ov in g a lim b an d blood sm ear ed all ov er .

I k n ew cops w ou ld so easily get on t o m e. So I h ad t o r eact qu ick ly . I qu ick ly gat h er ed all m y belon gin gs an d r u sh ed f or m y car . Cr ow d h ad gat h er ed at t h e
sit e.

I t becam e all t h e m or e im por t an t t o k n ow w h o I w as. I called u p t h e Tim esh ip an d
in f or m ed t h em abou t t h e in ciden t . Ex pect in g lit t le su ppor t f r om t h eir side, I
decided t o dr iv e as f ar as possible.

A sm all ph on e boot h j u x t aposed a gas st at ion . As I par k ed t h e car t o get it s t an k
f illed, I called u p St ev en f r om t h e ph on e boot h t im id t o call f r om m y per son al cell.

' Hi Ron . '� w as t h e an sw er f r om t h e ot h er side.

' Hi. I s it St ev en ?'�

' Yes. Wh o else do y ou t h in k w ou ld k n ow y ou ?'�

' Bu t '�bu t '�h ow do y ou k n ow it w as m e?'� silen ce f ollow ed.

' St u pid, I got it f r om t h e Tim esh ip bu ildin g. '�

' O. K. So, it m ean s y ou h av e again been let f r ee f r om t h e Tim esh ip. List en St ev en ,
I h av e got m y self in a bit of t r ou ble. I n eed h elp. '�

' Oh god. Wh at is it ? I h ope it is n ot ser iou s. '� He r em ar k ed.

' Let 's m eet som ew h er e. I 'll ex plain y ou ev er y t h in g. '�

We decided on a place t o m eet an d in t w o h ou r s t im e w e w er e at an eat in g j oin t
t h at h ad on ly a f ew occu pan t s.




23

POINT 3



St ev en h u gged m e an d ask ed m e t o t ak e a ch air . His br ow s con v er ged w it h
con cer n .

As I n ar r at ed t h e in ciden t , h e list en ed qu iet ly an d t h e air ar ou n d ou r cu p of cof f ee con den sed. I n t h e en d, h e r em ain ed du m bst r u ck . Som et h in g t old u s t h at it all h ad
t o do w it h m y past lif e, as m y lif e at pr esen t h adn 't ev en m ov ed a m et er .

' St ev en , I w an t y ou t o h elp m e f in d m y iden t it y . '�

St ev en n odded. ' You k n ow t h e w ay t o get t o t h e Pr odigy ? I t is n ot ev en
m en t ion ed in t h e n av igat or , '� I con t in u ed.

' Well, I don 't k n ow h ow t o get t o t h e Pr odigy . Bu t , I do k n ow a m an w h o'll get
y ou t o t h e Pr odigy w it h ou t goin g t h er e. '�

' Wh at do y ou m ean ?'�

' His n am e is Har i. I m et h im t h e f ir st t im e I lef t t h e Tim esh ip. He is a com pu t er
m av en . He can h elp y ou get in t o t h e ser v er an d y ou get t o k n ow y ou r past . '�

' Wh er e can w e m eet t h is gu y ?'�

' He h as ask ed m e n ot t o m eet h im at h is r esiden ce. I n st ead, w e'll cat ch h im at h is
of f ice. I t 's lat e n ow . We'll h av e t o w ait t ill t om or r ow . '� Th er e w as a su dden dr oop
in m y sh ou lder s as if I h ad r u n ou t of bat t er ies.

' You m ay com e t o m y place an d r est . We'll st ar t of f f r om h er e t om or r ow . '�

I gr eet ed t h e n ex t day w it h eager becau se I w as goin g t o get m y iden t it y back . Bu t , I w as in a dilem m a abou t w h et h er I sh ou ld be gleef u l or w or r ied, as I didn 't
k n ow w h at m y past w ou ld br in g.

Wit h a n er v ou s sm ile, I set ou t w it h St ev en t o m eet Har i. We h ad ou r br eak f ast , got t h e t an k f illed an d set t h e n av igat or dest in at ion t o San t a Clar a.

A cou ple of h ou r 's dr iv e t ook u s t o San t a Clar a. People sw ar m ed w it h t h eir leat h er bags bu sy w it h t h eir w or k . Tall st r u ct u r es eclipsed t h e su n an d r ef lect ed each
ot h er in t h eir t in t ed glass. I t w as as if w e w er e cr u isin g t h r ou gh a cr y st al m aze
bu t w it h r ew ar d at t h e en d. My iden t it y w as t h e r ew ar d.

' I k n ow Ron . Ev en I h ad bu t t er f lies t h e f ir st t im e I cam e t o m eet Har i. Bu t believ e
m e, all m y ex cit em en t w en t in v ain w h en I lear n t t h e t r u t h . Kn ow in g t h e past
m ost of t en com es w it h a pr ice. '�

I w as so deeply in v olv ed in m y t h ou gh t s t h at I didn 't ev en h ear w h at St ev en
u t t er ed. I h oped I h ad a sim ple past w it h n o t ides or cy clon es. Bu t on e t h in g t h at
k ept h ov er in g ov er m y h ead, w h at m ade m e special an d w h et h er m y past h ad som et h in g t o do w it h t h e in ciden t .



24

POINT 3



I w as m in u t es aw ay f r om t h e an sw er . Hex aw ar e said t h e bu ildin g; w e par k ed ou r
car in f r on t of . At r ecept ion w e called f or Har i an d St ev en h an ded ov er h is car d t o
t h e r ecept ion ist .

We sat on t h e cou ch an d m ade ou r selv es com f or t able. Ou t cam e a m an w h o
w ou ld h av e been in h is ear ly t h ir t ies. Ch isel f aced, w ear in g a pair of glasses an d
dr essed in w h it e sh ir t an d f or m al t r ou ser .

' Hello, Har i. Meet m y f r ien d Ron . '� St ev en in t r odu ced m e t o Har i.

' Hi, Ron . '� He spok e w it h an I n dian accen t . ' I n eed t o t alk t o y ou , St ev en , '� h e con t in u ed an d t ook St ev en ou t side let t in g m e sit in side.

Fr om Har i's gest u r es, it seem ed h e w as u n h appy w it h som et h in g. Af t er a cou ple
of m in u t es, t h ey w alk ed in .

' I 'll j oin y ou in an h ou r . Mean w h ile y ou can eit h er w ait f or m e in t h e lou n ge or
y ou h av e a bon appét it in ou r f ood cou r t . '� Har i r em ar k ed.

On ask in g St ev en w h y Har i seem ed so u n h appy , h e j u st n odded w it h ou t say in g a
w or d.







































25


POINT 3



Ch a p t e r 8

An h ou r lat er , Har i j oin ed u s at t h e f ood cou r t . We lef t f or a place t h at w asn 't
r ev ealed t o m e.

As w e sat in side Har i's car , Har i spok e, ' Ron , in it ially I w asn 't goin g t o h elp y ou .
Ju st becau se I h elped St ev en doesn 't m ean I 'll h elp w h om soev er h e br in gs. '� I
list en ed silen t ly . ' I w ou ldn 't h av e if St ev en h adn 't t old m e w h at h appen ed t o y ou
t w o day s back . '�

' Th an k y ou Har i. '� I spok e.

' Don 't t h an k m e. Th an k St ev en . I am doin g it f or h im . He sav ed m y lif e on ce an d
t h is is on e w ay I can r epay h im . '�

Wh ile w e w er e in t h e car , Har i n ar r at ed h ow St ev en sav ed h is lif e t w o w eek s back
f r om a speedin g w agon .

A f ew m in u t es dr iv e br ou gh t u s t o a sm all bu ildin g. ' Wh er e ar e w e?'� ask ed I .

' Th is is a cy ber caf é. I am t ak in g pr ecau t ion s j u st in case w e ar e t r ack ed, '� said
Har i.

We w alk ed in an d Har i becam e bu sy w it h t h e br ow ser .
' w w w . pr odigy . com / t im esh ip'� Har i logged in .

Har i open ed h is br ief case an d pick ed ou t a disk an d a st r an ge look in g sm all dev ice. He in ser t ed t h e disk an d k ept play in g w it h it f or a f ew m in u t es. God k n ew
w h at h e w as doin g. ' Tu r n ar ou n d'� .

' Wh y ? Am I n ot su pposed t o w at ch ?'�

' I w an t t o scan y ou r bar code. Do it qu ick . '�

I t u r n ed ar ou n d an d h e did h is scan n in g. I t t ook a f ew secon ds f or t h e sit e t o display m y det ails. As soon as m y det ails w er e f lash ed on t h e scr een , Har i
in ser t ed a sm all dev ice w h ich h e called as a f lash dr iv e an d sav ed all becau se h e
didn 't w an t t o spen d m or e t im e logged in side t h e sit e as it w as illegit im at e.

We lef t t h e place. Sit t in g in side t h e car , Har i open ed h is lapt op t o display t h e con t en t sav ed.

Fir st page h ad m y ph ot ogr aph . ' You h av en 't ch an ged a bit in t h ese f ou r h u n dr ed
y ear s, '� j est ed St ev en .

' Th e on ly t h in g I m iss is m y h air . I look ed bet t er w it h h air , '� I r em ar k ed.

I cou ld h ear m y h ear t pou n din g as Har i m ov ed on t o t h e n ex t page.


26

POINT 3



Wh at f lash ed bef or e m e lef t m e du m bst r u ck .

Nam e: Ron Belgr ad. I D: 2 1 3 2 0 . 3 .
St at u s: Hiber n au t . Released. Dat e: 2 3 r d Sept em ber 2 4 2 0 .
Cr it er ia: Special.
Pr of ile: CI A agen t .

Hist or y :
A n at iv e of Ser bia bu t a cit izen of Am er ica sin ce bir t h . Bach elor in scien ce f r om
St an f or d Un iv er sit y . Join ed CI A in t h e y ear 2 0 3 5 . Won accolades f or m an y of t h e
in v est igat iv e pr oj ect s.

He w as par t of t h e t eam Falcon w h ich w as r espon sible f or su ccessf u lly r esolv in g
t h e assassin at ion of Pr esiden t St r eak case.

He died on 2 3 r d Sept em ber 2 0 4 2 . He w as f ou n d m u r der ed at a gir l's h ou se w h o
w as su pposedly h is gir lf r ien d. Her n am e w as Lin da an d ev en sh e w as f ou n d dead
on t h e v er y sam e day . I t w as believ ed t h at h e w as w or k in g on a case r elat ed t o a con t r ov er sy in v olv in g t h e Ru ssian s.

Tw o m on t h s lat er t h r ee Ru ssian s w er e ar r est ed in con n ect ion w it h t h eir m u r der . No f u r t h er det ails on t h e case w as st or ed.
He w as sign ed in f or cr y opr eser v at ion as h e w as con sider ed in t h e special cat egor y of Am er ican cit izen s.

NOTE: Ar ch iv es av ailable in t h e dat abase of t h e CI A. As t h e docu m en t s of t h e special agen t s w er e con sider ed im por t an t , t h eir ar ch iv es w er e k ept in t act . Click on
t h e f ollow in g lin k t o be dir ect ed t o t h e ar ch iv es page: w w w . cia. gov

En d of docu m en t .

Not a lim b m ov ed. St ev en an d Har i f ou n d it h ar d t o ev en u t t er a w or d. Th ey k ept look in g at each ot h er .

' Ron , I k n ow w h at y ou ar e goin g t h r ou gh . I am sor r y f or w h at h appen ed t o y ou , '�
said St ev en .

' I w an t t o k n ow w h at h appen ed on 2 3 r d Sept em ber . Can y ou gu y s h elp m e?'�

' Of cou r se. Th e Am er ican daily Th e Su n h as all t h ese in f or m at ion st or ed. You m ay
j u st get t h e n ew s of t w en t y f or t y t w o as w ell. '�

' Wh er e can I get it ?'�






27

POINT 3



' Eit h er ov er in t er n et or else y ou n eed t o go t o t h e libr ar y . Libr ar y w ill be a saf er
opt ion r igh t n ow . '�

' Tak e m e. '�

' Ron , don 't m in d. I h av e t o get t o m y of f ice n ow . Bu t , I assu r e y ou t h at I 'll h elp
y ou af t er I am t h r ou gh w it h m y w or k . '�

' Th an k s Har i. '�

At sev en in t h e ev en in g, w e w er e all set t o go. Har i dr ov e u s t o a n ear by libr ar y
an d w e go t o t h e sit e of Th e Su n an d t h e ar ch iv es, w e sear ch ed f or t h e y ear 2 0 4 2 .
I t w as st ill t h er e. We n av igat ed t o t h e issu e of 2 4 t h Sept em ber .

' CI A Agen t an d h is gir lf r ien d f ou n d m u r der ed, '� Read t h e h eadlin e. ' CI A agen t
Ron , popu lar ly k n ow n f or cr ack in g t h e case of Pr esiden t St eak 's assassin at ion ,
w as f ou n d dead in h is gir lf r ien d's h ou se. His gir lf r ien d iden t if ied as Lin da, an em ploy ee of Or acle, w as also f ou n d h u n g f r om t h e r oof . Bu r eau su spect s t h e
in v olv em en t of som e Ru ssian s in t h e case.

Sam e day , Valdam ov , a Ru ssian agen t an d a close associat e of Ron , w as also
f ou n d dead n ear a cof f ee h ou se in Coper n icu s squ ar e, Bay por t '�'�

Flabber gast ed, I w alk ed aw ay an d sat on a cou ch an d closed m y ey es t h in k in g deep. I w as t r y in g t o open t h e gat es t o m y br ain in an at t em pt t o r ecall t h e
in ciden t .

Su dden ly , scen es f lash ed bef or e m e. My st er y st ar t ed t o u n r av el. I t w as as if I w as
t r av elin g in a t im e m ach in e. I cou ld r ecall all.




I w as a CI A agen t an d w or k in g on a pr oj ect t o u n k n ot a con spir acy . Th er e w as a cold w ar bet w een t h e U. S an d t h e Ru ssian s. Som ebody w as leak in g in f or m at ion abou t t h e Tim esh ip bu ildin g pr oj ect w h ich w as u n der w ay at t h at t im e an d t h is
pr oj ect w as su pposed t o sh ow t h e t ech n ological su pr em acy of U. S t o t h e w or ld. A
Ru ssian sleu t h , Valdam ov h ad of f er ed m e h elp. I w as close t o solv in g it .

Valdam ov h ad called m e t o t h e cof f ee sh op f or h e h ad som e v er y im por t an t
in f or m at ion t h at cou ld br in g a t w ist t o t h e t ale. I w ait ed an d w ait ed u n t il a bag
w it h Valdam ov 's body w as dr opped ou t side t h e caf é. I called m y dear est f r ien d, Tim w h o w as in v olv ed in t h e case as w ell. We decided t o leav e t h e place an d go
u n der gr ou n d f or a f ew day s. Bu t , ev en h e w as k illed. I r u sh ed t o Lin da's h om e
w h er e t h er e w as t ot al ch aos.

Few m en st ood w ait in g f or m e an d Lin da w as st an din g at t h e edge of t h e t er r ace
w it h a r ope t ied ar ou n d h er n eck . A Ru ssian m an , Ev an Gor bon ov ic k ept ask in g,
' OK. Ron , t ell m e w h o else h as t h e in f or m at ion '� .



28

POINT 3




' I t h in k y ou m u st be h av in g t h e k n ow ledge. Don 't y ou ? Tim , Valdam ov an d n ow
w h o else do y ou w an t t o k ill?'� scr eam ed I .

' You '�'� cam e a sou n d f r om beh in d. Ou t cam e a f igu r e f r om t h e sh adow s. As h e
w alk ed ou t of t h e sh adow s, I saw a f igu r e t h at seem ed qu it e f am iliar t o m e. I
st ood spellbou n d as h is f ace w as lit u p by t h e br igh t su n .

I t w as Tim ! ! !

I saw Lin da bein g h an ged t o deat h an d I st ill sen sed t h e h ole in m y h ear t .





















































29

POINT 3



Ch a p t e r 9

' I t w as Tim , '� sh ou t ed I w it h ou t n ot icin g I w as in a libr ar y . Har i an d St ev en com f or t ed m e. I ex plain ed t h em ev er y t h in g.

' Har i, f in d ou t in ot h er issu es if Tim w as h eld r espon sible f or t h is m u r der . '�

Har i w en t t h r ou gh issu es t h at w er e dat ed t w o m on t h s f u r t h er dow n . 2 8 t h
Nov em ber issu e car r ied t h e det ails of t h e case h av in g been solv ed. A f ew
Ru ssian s, w h ich also in clu ded Ev an , w er e h eld r espon sible bu t n ev er w as t h er e an y m en t ion abou t Tim .

' Th at bast ar d, '� I cr ied ou t .

St ev en t ook m e back t o h is h om e. At h om e, St ev en sw it ch ed on t h e t elev ision .
' '�t oday a w om an n am ed Rach ael w as f ou n d dead at t h e Mer idian in Bay por t . Accor din g t o t h e police of f icials, sh e w as t h r ow n f r om r oom n u m ber f ou r h u n dr ed
t w o w h ich appar en t ly belon ged t o Mr . Ron Belgr ad w h o is a h iber n au t an d w as
r eleased on ly a w eek back . Cops ar e st ill t o f in d t h e w h er eabou t s of Mr . Ron . People ar e r equ est ed t o in f or m t h e cops in case t h ey com e acr oss Mr . Ron . Kin dly con t act t h e f ollow in g n u m ber '�'� n ew s ch an n els f lash ed m y ph ot ogr aph .

' As if I w asn 't in t r ou ble alr eady . '�

' Ron , w e h av e t o be car ef u l n ow . You go an d h av e a n ap, '� said St ev en .

As I slept , again scen es f r om m y past f lash ed bef or e m e. Sw eat t r ick led dow n m y
f or eh ead. I w as h av in g n igh t m ar es an d u n able t o sleep, I st ar t ed w alk in g in t h e
dr aw in g r oom . I saw St ev en h eav ily dr u n k sit t in g in t h e cou ch .

' St ev en , I t h in k y ou sh ou ld go t o sleep n ow . '�

' Hey , Ron '�'� ex claim ed St ev en , ' Do y ou k n ow w h at m y past w as?'�

' Yeah , y ou t old m e. You w er e a m illion air e an d y ou r w if e deceiv ed y ou . '�

' No, Ron . I lied t o y ou . On ly par t of it is t r u e. '�

' Wh at do y ou m ean ?'�

' I w as a m illion air e. I h ad an ex t r am ar it al af f air e. I plot t ed t o k ill m y w if e. I did
k ill an d sh e begged f or h er lif e. I w as so v er y r u t h less. I got m ar r ied again . Tw o
y ear s lat er m y w if e's body w as f ou n d bu r ied in t h e back y ar d. My secon d w if e h ad
let t h e in f or m at ion ou t becau se sh e believ ed I w as h av in g an ot h er ex t r am ar it al am ou r . '�

I list en ed qu iet ly .




30


POINT 3



' I w ish I h ad n ev er en r olled f or bein g r ebor n . I t h in k God w an t ed m e t o liv e again
w it h t h is t er r ible n igh t m ar e, '� He sobbed, ' Am I t h at bad, Ron ? Am I t h at bad?'�

' No'�f or get t h e past . You ar e dif f er en t n ow , St ev en . '� I gen t ly r u bbed m y palm
ov er h is back t r y in g t o con sole h im . He k ept w eepin g an d h e dozed of f as h e lay on m y lap.

' I am n ot t h e on ly on e t o liv e w it h a h or r if ic past , '� I pon der ed.

I n t h e m or n in g, I st ill f ou n d St ev en lay in t h e cou ch an d sn or in g. Wit h ou t dist u r bin g h im , I m ade m y w ay ou t t o t h e ph on e boot h . I called Har i.

' Hello'�'� said Har i in a h oar se v oice.

' Th is is Ron h er e, Har i. I w an t a f av or f r om y ou . '�

' Yes. Go on . '�

' All CI A agen t s w er e pu t u n der special cat egor y an d w er e au t om at ically en r olled
f or t h e Tim esh ip pr oj ect . '�

' OK. So, w h at is w it h it ?'�

' Tim '�Tim w as also a CI A agen t . So, h e m u st also be a h iber n au t r at h er a poin t
t h r ee. I w an t y ou t o f in d ou t h is st at u s, Har i. '�

' Hm m '�I t h in k y ou ar e r igh t . I t 'll t ak e som e t im e as I don 't h av e h is code t o scan . '�

' Tak e y ou r t im e, Har i. His f u ll n am e is Tim Woodbr idge. '�

' I 'll get back t o y ou in t h e ev en in g, Ron . '�

I n t h e ev en in g, Har i called m e t h er e w as good n ew s. ' Tim is st ill r ev iv in g in t h e
Tim esh ip. He died of a h ear t at t ack back t h en . '�

' Th at bast ar d deser v es m or e. Wh at is h is code?'�

' Tw o on e six f iv e zer o poin t t h r ee. '�

' Th an k s Har i. '�

St ev en w as h appy t o h ear t h at Tim w as st ill at t h e Tim esh ip. ' How did y ou
m an age t o get back t o t h e Tim esh ip af t er y ou w er e r eleased?'� ask ed I .

' Wh at 's in y ou r m in d, Ron ?'� qu est ion ed St ev en w it h cu r iosit y .






31

POINT 3



' I w an t t o go back t o t h e Tim esh ip an d k ill t h at pig bef or e h e ev en gr u n t s. '� I said
w it h f u r or .

' No, Ron . I t is n ot easy t o get t o t h ose cabin s ev en if y ou get t o t h e Tim esh ip. I t
is t oo r isk y f or y ou t o go t h er e. '�

' I t doesn 't m at t er . I can r isk m y lif e t o k ill h im . '�

' Don 't be f oolish , Ron . I h av e sou r ces in side t h e Tim esh ip. I can get t o t h at ch am ber easily . '�

' No St ev en . '�

' List en , Ron , let m e do som et h in g good in t h is lif e t o r u b t h e black m ar k of f m y past . God h as giv en m e a ch an ce. I can do t h is. You h av e t o believ e m e. Please believ e m e. '� St ev en pleaded.

I h eld St ev en 's h an d. ' I do believ e y ou . I h ope t o see y ou again . '� We h u gged each ot h er .










































32

POINT 3



Ch a p t e r 1 0

' Be car ef u l, '� I w ish ed St ev en as h e lef t f or t h e Tim esh ip.

Hou r s passed an d t h er e w as n o n ew s f r om St ev en . Ju st as I t h ou gh t of callin g
h im , m y ph on e r an g. I w as h appy t o h ear St ev en 's v oice at t h e ot h er en d.

' I j u st r each ed t h e Tim esh ip. Don 't w or r y . You r w or k w ill be don e. Wh at 's t h e code?'�

' I t is t w o on e six f iv e zer o poin t t h r ee. His n am e is Tim Woodbr idge. '�

' Con sider it don e. '�

I w ait ed an x iou sly t o h ear f r om St ev en . I k n ew t h at it w ou ld t ak e t im e. I decided
t o go ou t t o k eep m y self in v olv ed.

I h eaded f or t h e su per m ar t . I bou gh t a f ew f r u it s an d som e cok e t o qu en ch m y
dr y t h r oat . I t h ad gon e all dr y du e t o an x iet y .

As I w en t t o t h e cou n t er t o m ak e t h e pay m en t , t h e at t en dan t st ar ed at m e as if sh e h ad seen a gh ost . ' Hello sir , m ay I k n ow y ou r n am e please. '�

' Wh at do y ou n eed m y n am e f or ?'� I w as cu r iou s.

' Uh h '�'� sh e cou ldn 't f in d w or ds t o speak .

I im m ediat ely k n ew sh e w as u p t o som et h in g. I k ept som e m on ey on t h e desk an d f led.

Th e at t en dan t sh ou t ed at t h e t op of h er v oice, ' I t is t h at m an in t h e n ew s'�'�

As people t u r n ed ar ou n d t o h av e a look at m e, I f led f r om t h e scen e in m y car . So, I w as in m or e t r ou ble n ow . Th e n ew s w as soon spr eadin g am on gst people an d
I w as n ow lin k ed w it h t h e deat h of a gir l f ou n d ou t side m y apar t m en t .

I qu ick ly got t o St ev en 's h om e an d sw it ch ed on t h e t elev ision ex pect in g t h e w or st . Bu t , w h at I h ear d lef t m e du m b st r ick en . Wit h ou t a blin k , I w at ch ed t h e n ew s.

' '�Mr . St ev en , a h iber n au t , w as sh ot t o deat h . At n oon , t h e h or r ible in ciden t t ook place in t h e t im esh ip bu ildin g. Th e t im esh ip m em ber s say t h at t h is w as t h e secon d t im e St ev en h ad com e t o t h e Tim esh ip af t er bein g r ein car n at ed. Sou r ces say t h at h e w as dish ev eled w h en h e lear n t h is past . Back t o t h e desk . Th is is Rober t r epor t in g f r om t h e Tim esh ip bu ildin g. Th an k y ou Rober t . Th ose w h o h av e
j u st j oin ed u s, a t r agic in ciden t h appen ed in t h e Tim esh ip bu ildin g am idst v er y
h igh secu r it y , w h ich t h e t im esh ip boast s of . St ev en , a h iber n au t br each ed past
t h e secu r it y an d got in t o t h e ch am ber f or poin t t h r ees. He m an aged t o br eak t h e
ch am ber of a h iber n au t n am ed Mr . Tim Woodbr idge leadin g t o h is deat h in st an t ly .


33

POINT 3



St ev en w as sh ot dead by t h e secu r it y per son n el. Mr . St ev en w as a m illion air e an d
Mr . Woodbr idge, a CI A agen t in t h e past lif e. I n v est igat ion is goin g on t o f in d ou t
w h et h er t h er e w as an y m ot iv e beh in d Mr . St ev en 's act ion . Till n ow it is bein g
st at ed as Mr . St ev en 's m en t al illn ess spar k ed t h e er r an t beh av ior '�'�

Tear s r olled dow n m y ch in . Poor St ev en h ad lost h is lif e f or m e. Tim w as also gon e. I h ad av en ged Lin da's deat h . Bu t , at t h e cost of St ev en . I h adn 't ev en
r ecov er ed f r om on e sad n ew s an d t h e ch an n el f lash ed an ot h er , ' '�t oday Ron
Belgr ad, a h iber n au t lin k ed t o t h e deat h of a gir l n am ed Rach ael in t h e Mer idian ,
w as spot t ed by a Tesco su per m ar t em ploy ee. Accor din g t o h er , h e seem ed t o be dist u r bed w h en sh e r ecogn ized h im . Cops ar e in t h e look ou t f or Mr . Belgr ad
ar ou n d t h e su per m ar t . Cops h ope t o get in f or m at ion r egar din g all t h ese coin ciden t al in ciden t s in v olv in g t h r ee h iber n au t s w h ich in clu des t w o poin t
t h r ees'�'�

I h ad t o act f ast . I gat h er ed all m y n ecessit ies an d r ode of f in m y car . I dr ov e abou t f if t y m iles t ow ar ds t h e n or t h an d scr eech ed ben eat h a f ly ov er . Wit h m y
h ead r est ed on t h e st eer in g w h eel, I cogit at ed. I st ar t ed t o f in d an sw er s f or all m y
qu est ion s h ov er in g ov er m y h ead. Ex plain ev er y t h in g t o t h e cops an d I h oped m y docu m en t s w er e st ill pr esen t in t h e ar ch iv es of t h e CI A. Th at w as t h e on ly pr oof I
h ad, t o pr ov e m y in n ocen ce.







































34

POINT 3



Ch a p t e r 1 1

I t ook ou t a j ack et w it h a h ood an d goggles t o av oid an y on e f r om n ot icin g an d
r ecogn izin g m e in t h e v er y f ir st in st an ce. I w as f if t y m iles aw ay f r om t h e spot
w er e I w as iden t if ied. Bu t , st ill I didn 't w an t t o t ak e an y ch an ces. I w as qu ick ly
r u n n in g ou t of gas. I got m y t an k f illed an d decided t o call u p Har i.

' Hello'�'�

' Har i'�'�

' Ron '�I s t h at y ou , Ron ?'�

' Yes'�y es'�'�

' Did y ou h er e w h at h appen ed t o St ev en ? Wh y t h e h ell did h e go t o t h e t im esh ip? An d t h ose m edia people ar e say in g h e w as n ot in h is m in d'�'�

' Har i. Slow dow n . St ev en w en t t o t h e t im esh ip f or m e. I t w as m y m ist ak e. He
w an t ed t o h elp m e ou t . '�

' Wh at ar e y ou t alk in g abou t ?'�

' He k illed Tim Woodbr idge f or m e. '� Silen ce f ollow ed.
' Poor St ev en . He w as a good m an . May h e r est in peace. Bu t , Ron cops ar e on t h e look ou t f or y ou . You h av e t o act qu ick . '�

' I k n ow . I h av e called f or t h e v er y sam e pu r pose. You h av e t o do m e a f av or . '�

' Yes. Go on , Ron . '�

' Get t o t h e sit e of t h e CI A. Use m y login n am e as Ron Belgr ad w it h ou t an y space.
Ty pe in t w en t y t h r ee Lin da as t h e passw or d an d j u st let m e k n ow w h en y ou get
in t o m y ar ch iv e. '�

' Con t act m e af t er h alf an h ou r sh ar p. By t h e w ay , w h er e ar e y ou ?'�

' I don 't k n ow . I f led f r om St ev en 's place as soon as I h ear d t h e n ew s. I w ill call
y ou in an ot h er h alf an h ou r 's t im e. '� I k ept t h e r eceiv er dow n .

I j u st h oped all t h e docu m en t s w er e in t act . Secon ds seem ed lik e h ou r s f or m e. I
h alt ed m y car n ear an ot h er t eleph on e boot h an d I w alk ed ou t t o call on ce again . Har i pick ed u p t h e ph on e, ' Yes, Ron . I t seem s y ou r docu m en t s ar e st ill t h er e. '�


35


POINT 3



' Ju st r ead ou t t h e docu m en t s in t h e ar ch iv e an d do n ot speak ou t lou d. '�

' Her e ar e som e f older s. I 'll j u st r ead ou t t h e n am es. Repor t 2 1 on t h e MI 6
ev en t '�Not ice f r om t h e HQ'�I m p Valdam ov I n f o'�Repor t 1 6 r eopen ed'�'�

' St op. Ju st open u p I m p Valdam ov f older . Wh at is t h er e in it ?'�

' Som e ph ot ogr aph s w h ich seem t o be t ak en t h r ou gh a spy cam . '�

' I f y ou can see t h e t h u m bn ails, open t h e sn aps f or m e. '�

' Yes'�open ed. So, w h at is t h er e in it ? Wh o ar e t h ey ?'� qu er ied Har i w it h an x iet y .

' I assu m e t h er e w ou ld be Tim in at least on e of t h ose sn aps. Th ese w er e t h e
sn aps Valdam ov sen t m e bef or e h e died. He said h e h ad m ade a st u n n in g discov er y . '�

' Bu t , Ron . I am sor r y t o in t er r u pt y ou . I f ail t o u n der st an d h ow t h is w ill h elp y ou cau se I can n ot f in d Tim in an y of t h e sn aps. '�

My ear s st ood st r aigh t as I h ear d Har i say t h at . I h eld t h e r eceiv er in disbelief .
' Wh at do y ou m ean ? I sn 't t h er e an y on e in t h e sn ap w h om y ou r ecogn ize?'�

' No Ron . Th er e ar e m an y m en in t h ese sn aps w it h on e m an com m on t o m an y of
t h em . He h as t h is blon de h air an d is w ear in g a spect acle. '�

' Th at is Tim ! '� ex claim ed I .

' No. Th is isn 't t h e per son I saw in t h e pr odigy dat abase. '�

' I t can n ot be, '� I sh ou t ed as t h e by passer s t u r n ed ar ou n d.

' Ron , I t h in k t h er e is som e m isu n der st an din g. '�

' Har i, sav e all t h e docu m en t s in t h at f older . '�

' I 'll do so. I also h av e Tim 's dat a sav ed in m y f lash dr iv e. '�

' Good. Let s m eet som ew h er e. '�

' Wh er e ar e y ou r igh t n ow ?'�

' I do n ot k n ow , Har i. I can '�'� I pau sed f or a secon d look in g f or a lan dm ar k ou t side
t h e boot h , ' I can see a t all t ow er say in g I n t ot o in r ed. '�

' Ask som e passer by . '�

I pu t t h e call on h old an d ask ed a pedest r ian . ' Har i, t h is is Ch ey en n e. '�



36

POINT 3




' Got it . Be t h er e n ear t h e I n t ot o bu ildin g. I t 'll t ak e m e t w o h ou r s t o r each . See
y ou . '�

Af t er abou t t h r ee h ou r s, Har i's car scr eech ed ou t side t h e I n t ot o bu ildin g. I f lash ed
m y car 's h eadligh t s t o in dicat e Har i w h er e I w as. He silen t ly got in t o t h e r ear seat .

' Sor r y f or t h e delay . I w as st u ck in t h e t r af f ic. '�

' I t s all r igh t . Hav e y ou got t h e dat a?'�

' Yes. . '� h e open ed u p h is lapt op an d plu gged in h is f lash dr iv e, ' h er e ar e y ou r docu m en t s f r om t h e ar ch iv e an d t h is is t h e sn ap y ou w er e t alk in g abou t . '� Har i open ed on e of t h e ph ot ogr aph s.

' Yes, in t h is sn ap t h is m an st an din g on t h e lef t is Tim . Th e w om an an d t h e ot h er gu y y ou see h er e ar e Ru ssian s. '�

I h ad a look at t h e ot h er docu m en t s Har i f ou n d in t h e sam e f older . I t h ad all t h e
pr oof t o con n ect Tim w it h t h e con spir acy .

' Th is is t h e dat a I got f r om t h e pr odigy . Her e is w h at I w as t alk in g abou t . '�

Wh at Har i sh ow ed m e got m y h ear t pou n din g. I w as in a m u ch bigger m u ddle
t h an I t h ou gh t I w as in .

I f ou n d it h ar d t o speak , ' '�t h is'�t h is is Pau l Allen 's ph ot ogr aph in t h e dat abase. He h as been r egist er ed as Tim Woodbr idge in t h e pr odigy . Tw o on e six f iv e zer o poin t t h r ee is Pau l's code an d n ot Tim 's'�'�

' So, y ou m ean St ev en k illed Pau l?'�

I k ept silen t . ' Th en , w h er e is Tim ?'� Har i con t in u ed.

' I '�I don 't k n ow . Tim , t h at bast ar d is st ill aliv e. He is st ill play in g h is dir t y gam es again . Now h e h as k illed m e, Lin da, Pau l an d St ev en . '�

' Now w h at ?'�

' He k n ew I w as goin g t o get t o h im . Now I can v er y w ell con n ect t h e dot s. Rach ael w as sen t t o k ill m e. Tim is aliv e. '�

' Wh at ? Wh o is Tim t h en , I f Pau l is Tim ?'� ask ed Har i.

I spok e af t er a br ief silen ce, ' Pau l Allen . '�







37

POINT 3



Ch a p t e r 1 2

' Har i, I w an t y ou t o do m e on e last f av or an d t h en y ou m ay go. I don 't w an t
ot h er s t o be k illed becau se of m e. I h av e alr eady lost t w o pr eciou s m em ber s of
m y lif e. '�

' I 'll be w it h y ou t ill t h e en d, Ron . An y t h in g f or y ou an d St ev en . I h av e t o r epay
St ev en . Ju st t ell m e h ow I can h elp y ou . '�

' You h av e t o get m e t h e in f or m at ion an d w h er eabou t s of Pau l Allen f r om t h e
pr odigy . '�

' I 'll m eet y ou at t h e sam e place t om or r ow at sev en in t h e ev en in g w it h all t h e dat a. '�

I n a f ew m in u t es, Har i w as lost in t h e dar k n ess of t h e st r eet s. Now I h ad on ly on e per son I cou ld t r u st .

I h ad t o act qu ick ly f or t h er e w er e v er y f ew car ds in m y h an ds an d it w as m y
ch an ce n ow t o giv e an ace f or an ace. I k n ew I cou ld n ot h an d m y self ov er t o t h e cops n ow as Tim is alr eady dead f or t h em . My sear ch f or Pau l Allen h ad begu n .

I h ad n ow h er e t o go an d st ay in g in side t h e car w ou ld dr aw t h e cops. I decided t o get a r oom in a m ot el ex pect in g n obody t o r ecogn ize m e. Th e r ecept ion ist
ex pr essed n ot a pin ch of dou bt . He gav e m e t h e k ey s w it h ou t an y h esit at ion . He did n ot act in an y w ay t h at cou ld ar ou se su spicion in m y m in d.

I cou ld h ar dly doze of f . Scen es of Lin da an d St ev en k ept f lash in g w h ich k ept m e aw ak e all t h r ou gh n igh t . Su dden ly , I h ear d som e n oises ou t side. As I lean ed again st t h e r ailin g t o h av e a look , I saw a cou ple of police car s par k ed ou t side an d cops m ak in g t h eir w ay in side t h e m ot el w it h t h eir gu n s. Wit h ou t w ast in g a secon d
I gat h er ed m y bag of belon gin gs an d look ed ou t side t h e w in dow t o f in d an escape
r ou t e. A cou ple of leaps got m e on t o t h e gr ou n d. I assu m ed t h at by n ow t h e cops
w ou ld h av e lear n t t h at St ev en 's car w as w it h m e.

I spen t t h e r est of m y n igh t u n der a br idge an d n ear t h e gar bage, sh ar in g t h e r oof
w it h a f ew beggar s. Wor ld h adn 't ch an ged m u ch . Rich becam e r ich er at t h e
ex pen se of t h e pen u r y . I t w as an ir on y , bu t t h e su r r ou n din g gav e m e a sen se of secu r it y . No on e cou ld f in d m e h er e an d n obody w ou ld ev en k n ow w h o I w as.

I saw t h e su n r ise r igh t f r om t h e f ir st r ay s t h at lit u p t h e sk y . I j u st h oped it w ou ld
br in g m e a n ew lif e; a t h ir d lif e. I st ar t ed w on der in g w h y people r equ ir e a secon d
lif e if liv in g on ce is t h is h or r if ic. I am su r e t h e m ast er m in d beh in d t h e t im esh ip
w ou ld h av e opt ed ou t of t h e r ein car n at ion .

I called u p Har i an d t old h im w h at h appen ed last n igh t an d t h at I w on t be able t o
m ak e it n ear t h e spot w h er e w e m et t h e pr ev iou s day . He agr eed t o pick m e u p in
t h e ev en in g.


38

POINT 3



I t w as sev en in t h e ev en in g an d I w as w it h Har i in h is car . He seem ed t o be
car r y in g a w or r ied look on h is f ace. Ey es w ide open , w r in k les on h is f or eh ead an d
t ot ally lost in h is t h ou gh t s. Not a sin gle w or d did h e u t t er u n t il w e r each ed h is
h ou se. I assu m ed h e w as af r aid of w h at w ou ld h appen t o u s.

' Har i, w h at 's t h e m at t er ?'� ask ed I .

' Uh h '�h m m '�I h av e got Pau l's dat a, '� said Har i as sw eat r olled dow n h is f or eh ead.

' Th at 's good. So w h at 's t h e n ew s?'�

' You w er e r igh t . Tim is Pau l n ow . He w as also a CI A agen t bu t h e w as r eleased alm ost a y ear back an d is n ow a m illion air e if n ot a billion air e. '�

' OK'� I r em ar k ed, ' I see. '�

' Ron , w e w ill n ev er be able t o get t o h im . Nev er , '� Har i con t in u ed, ' an d h e w ill t r y
h is best t o get r id of u s. '�

' He r em em ber s ev er y t h in g an d h e k n ow s abou t ev er y st ep I t ak e. He k n ew w h en
I w as r eleased f r om t h e t im esh ip an d h e t r ied t o k ill m e at m y apar t m en t . He also
k n ew , I w ou ld ev en t u ally r ecall m y past an d t r y t o k ill h im or pr ov e h im gu ilt y of leak in g secr et in f or m at ion . So, h e sw apped h is iden t it y w it h Pau l's an d poor Pau l
h ad t o pay t h e pr ice. '�

' So, y ou m ean h e k n ow s abou t m e as w ell?'� Har i sou n ded n er v ou s.

' I am sor r y , Har i. I h av e n o clu e. Bu t , I gu ess n ot becau se Tim w on 't w ast e t im e
in get t in g r id of y ou if h e h ad k n ow n . I t h in k y ou h av e h elped m e en ou gh an d sh ou ld liv e y ou r lif e n ow . '�

' I am w or r ied an d af r aid all r igh t . Bu t , I w an t t o h elp y ou at least f or St ev en 's sak e. '�

' Th an k y ou Har i. Bu t , I w on t f or ce y ou t o do so. I t is y ou r w ish . I don 't w an t t o pu ll y ou in t o t h is. '�

' I t is OK. I am sor r y if I dem ot iv at ed y ou . Com e on , let 's get in t o t h e h ou se or else w e'll t r em ble t o deat h . I t s qu it e cold ou t side. '�

I h ad a sigh of r elief k n ow in g t h er e is som eon e by m y side w h om I cou ld t r u st . I
k n ew , w it h t im e h e w ou ld gr ow st r on ger .

I t w as t w en t y - f ou r an d w e w er e abou t t o get in t o t h e bed. Ju st t h en t h e door bell
r an g. As I got u p t o r eceiv e at t h e door , Har i spok e ou t , ' Th is is u n u su al. Wh o cou ld be t h er e at m idn igh t ?'�






39

POINT 3



Th is sin gle r em ar k m ade m y h air st an d st r aigh t . I peeped t h r ou gh t h e peeph ole
an d I cou ld see t w o gu y s st an din g ou t side desper at e t o get in . Su spect in g t h e
w or st , I h eaded t o Har i's bedr oom .

' Wh o is it ?'� sh ou t ed Har i look in g at m y dist u r bed look .

Hear in g t h e v oices f r om in side, t h e gu y s br ok e in . I sign aled Har i t o h u sh . I got
h old of a golf clu b. As on e of t h ose gu y s look ed in , I gav e a blow on h is w r ist t o loosen h is gr ip on t h e gu n . Wit h a sw in g t o h is h ead, t h e gu y f ell on t h e f loor . He cou ldn 't ev en m ov e a lim b. Blood oozed f r om h is t em ple, as h e lay dead. I look ed
u p an d t h er e w as t h is secon d gu y st ar in g at m e st ick in g h is gu n t o m y f or eh ead
an d t h en f ollow ed a gu n sh ot . Nex t t h in g I k n ew w as t h e secon d gu y ly in g again st
t h e w all w it h a h ole in h is ch est . Har i st ood beh in d m e w it h h is h an ds t r em blin g as sm ok e cam e of f t h e gu n in h is h an d.
















































40


POINT 3



Ch a p t e r 1 3

Ey es an d m ou t h w ide open , Har i f ou n d it h ar d t o ev en im agin e t h at h e h ad k illed som ebody . Wit h ou t w ast in g m or e t im e, I gr abbed Har i by h is h an d an d pu lled h im
w it h m e. As w e h eaded ou t side Har i's apar t m en t , n eigh bou r s w er e w at ch in g
an x iou sly f or t h ey h ad h ear d t h e gu n sh ot . I k n ew t h is w ou ld pu t u s in m or e
t r ou ble.

We dr ov e of f f r om t h e apar t m en t an d w e h ad n ow h er e t o go. Har i w as in v olv ed in deep t h ou gh t s. ' I t 's OK, '� I con soled h im .

' We ar e bein g f ollow ed, '� said Har i.

' Wh at ?'�

' Don 't look back . '� War n ed Har i an d I didn 't . I sw iv eled t h e r ear v iew m ir r or an d I
saw a black car w it h t w o m en . Th ey w ou ld t u r n w h er ev er w e w ou ld. Slow ly ou r
su spicion t u r n ed in t o t r u t h . As w e acceler at ed, t h e car w as t r y in g t o cat ch u s an d soon it becam e a cat an d m ou se ch ase.

' Hu r r y , h u r r y , '� cr ied Har i as I m ean der ed t h r ou gh t h e st r eet s. Headin g t ow ar ds
t h e h igh w ay w as m y biggest m ist ak e. Seein g t h at t h er e w asn 't an y on e t o n ot ice
t h e pu r su it in t h e h igh w ay , on e of t h e gu y s f ollow in g u s pu lled ou t a gu n an d aim ed at u s bu t in v ain . A speedin g t r u ck cam e in bet w een an d w e som eh ow
m an aged t o lose sigh t of t h em . We t ook a div er sion t o av oid bein g sigh t ed again .

We h alt ed t h e car in side a paddy f ield n ear by t o st r et ch ou r back an d r est . I t w as
a t ir in g day all r igh t . As w e pu sh ed t h e car seat s back w ar ds, Har i spok e ou t , ' Ron ,
is it t h em ?'�

I h ad a look beh in d an d saw a black car speedin g t ow ar ds u s. ' Not again , '� I
st epped on t h e gas.

We r aced t h r ou gh t h e f ield. ' Har i, y ou r gu n '�'� Har i st ar ed at m e, ' sh oot . '�

Har i pok ed h is h ead t h r ou gh t h e su n r oof an d sh ot t w ice. He bu r st t h eir t y r e an d
f in ally w e lost t h em of f ou r t ail. ' Nice sh ot , '� I r em ar k ed.

' Wh at ? I w as aim in g f or h is h ead. '� We br ok e in t o lau gh t er .

' How t h e h ell did t h ey k n ow w e w er e in bet w een t h at f ield?'� I qu er ied.

' Th ey ar e t r acin g u s. Did y ou m ak e an y calls f r om y ou r cellph on e?'�

' Nope. I don 't h av e m y cellph on e n ow . '�

' Th en w e h av e t o leav e t h is car . '�




41

POINT 3



' Wh at ? Wh y do w e h av e t o leav e t h e car ? I t doesn 't m ak e an y sen se. '�

' Tech n ology Ron . Tech n ology '�n ow it is also possible t o t r ace car s. Ev er y v eh icle
h as got a ch ip ben eat h t h e ch assis. Th e t r ack in g f acilit at es t h e police t o t r ace in cer t ain cases w h er e t h er e is a r equ ir em en t of t h at sor t . '�

' Bu t , w h y w ou ld t h e police t r ack y ou r car ? How w ou ld t h ey k n ow y ou ar e w it h
m e?'�

' Ron , it is n ot t h e police. I t is Tim . He h as m on ey an d pow er . He cou ld do
an y t h in g t o get r id of y ou an d h e k n ow s t h at I am also in v olv ed. He t r ied t o k ill u s
in m y apar t m en t an d n ow t h is car ch ase. I t is Tim , Ron . '�

' Th at bloody r ascal, '� I squ alled.

' Now let u s t h in k of a place t o leav e t h is car an d t h e w ay t o get back t o t h e cit y . '�

We lef t t h e car in an isolat ed place an d t ook a h it ch t o t h e cit y . I t w as elev en in
t h e ev en in g w h en w e r each ed t h e cit y . We decided t o get a m ot el r oom . Ju st t o
be cau t iou s, I m ade Har i get t h e k ey s su ch t h at n obody n ot ices m e. We h ad a sn or in g n igh t , as w e w er e ex h au st ed t o t h e lim it .

Nin e in t h e m or n in g an d Har i f ou n d m e sit t in g u pr igh t an d en gr ossed in deep
t h ou gh t s. ' Wh at ' s t h e m at t er , Ron ?'� y aw n ed Har i.

' We h av e t o pu t an en d t o t h is. How lon g ar e w e goin g t o r u n ? Th er e isn 't an y place t o h ide. Tim w ill ev en t u ally f in d u s. '�

Har i k ept n oddin g an d I con t in u ed, ' He h as don e w h at ev er h e w an t ed t o. Now it is ou r t u r n . '�

' An d w h at ar e y ou goin g t o do?'�

' Giv e h im a t ast e of h is ow n m edicin e. He is play in g a dir t y an d deceit f u l gam e. So be it . '� I sh ed t ear s. He k illed all m y n ear an d dear on es. Tim h as t o pay an d h e
sh all.

I h ad t o m ak e a f oolpr oof plan t h at ev en t h e best of t h e best can n ot cr ack . ' Har i, does t h e dat a y ou collect ed f r om t h e pr odigy abou t Pau l Allen h av e an y m en t ion abou t h is cu r r en t place of r esiden ce?'�

' No, sor r y . Th ese ar e pr iv acy issu es an d h en ce, y ou can 't get it an y w h er e u n less
y ou ar e per son ally t old. We don 't k n ow w h er e h e is an d n eit h er do w e k n ow h ow
h e look s lik e n ow . He is h idin g in h is den an d w e don 't ev en k n ow w h er e t h e den is. '� Har i gr in n ed.

' I f t h e lion w on 't com e ou t by h im self , w e w ill dr ag h im ou t . '�




42

POINT 3




' An d h ow ar e y ou goin g t o do t h at ?'�

' I w on 't Har i'�I w on 't . People w ill. I h av e a plan . '�

' I am dy in g t o h ear t h at . '�

' OK. On e by on e. Fir st of all, get t in g t h e lion ou t of t h e den . I s t h er e an y w ay w e can sen d a m essage t o t h e t im esh ip w it h ou t ph y sically goin g t h er e?'�

' Yes. We h av e t h ese special boot h s f or t h at pu r pose or w e also h av e ph on es in
t h e car s of h iber n au t s, w h ich dir ect ly con n ect u s t o t h e t im esh ip. An ot h er opt ion cou ld be a m ail ov er t h e in t er n et . '�

' A call w ill ser v e t h e pu r pose. Tim is Pau l n ow , r igh t . Get t o t h e n ear est boot h
f r om w h er e y ou cou ld call t h e t im esh ip an d t ell t h em t h at t h e m illion air e Pau l
Allen , w h o is a h iber n au t , is dead. Th is w ill gen er at e a r ipple t h r ou gh ou t t h e
t im esh ip as h iber n au t s h av e been in n ew s of f lat e an d t h ey 'll see a lin k in t h is.
I m m ediat ely Pau l Allen w ill be pu t on n ew s af t er discov er in g t h at it w as a h oax . '�

' Br illian t . Th en w e'll k n ow w h er e h e is. '�

' Yes. Bu t , be r eady t o sh if t f r om t h is place. '�

' Wh y ? No on e k n ow s w e ar e h er e. '�

' Th ey w ill, on ce y ou m ak e a ph on e call. Th ey 'll t r ace y ou r call. I w an t t h em t o
k n ow . An d also m ak e su r e y ou r en t a car by t h e n am e Ron Belgr ad. '�

' Wh y y ou r n am e?'�

' Pat ien ce'�Pat ien ce. I 'll ex plain y ou ev er y t h in g on ce y ou f in ish t h e f ir st t ask . Tr u st
m e w e ar e saf e. Ju st m ak e su r e y ou r en t a car u n der m y n am e. I t is im por t an t
t h at y ou do so. '�

' I do t r u st y ou . I t is j u st an x iet y . '�



















43

POINT 3






























PART I I I






































44

POINT 3



Ch a p t e r 1 4

My day s of su f f er in g w er e ov er an d it w as m y ch an ce t o becom e t h e pu ppet eer
an d m ak e Tim do w h at I w an t h im t o. I 'll av en ge ev er y dr op of blood. Ev er y sin gle
dr op.

Har i lef t t o call t h e t im esh ip as plan n ed. Tw o h ou r s lat er , Har i h on k ed t h e car h or n sign alin g t h at t h e t ask w as don e. We sw it ch ed on t h e t elev ision in ou r r oom
w ait in g f or t h e n ew s t o be on air . Half an h ou r lat er , it w as. Sear ch w as on t o f in d
Pau l Allen an d t h e t r u t h as w ell. Ev en t u ally , h e w as pu t on air .

' Th er e w e go. He is in Den v er . Th er e y ou h av e t h e f u ll addr ess as w ell, '� said I
poin t in g t ow ar ds t h e t elev ision .

New s k ept f lash in g, ' '�Mr . Pau l Allen is h ale an d h ear t y . Today in t h e m or n in g, an
an on y m ou s caller af f ir m ed t h at Mr . Allen w as dead. Fear in g t h at t h is cou ld be t h e
t h ir d in ciden t in v olv in g a h iber n au t in j u st t w o w eek s, ou r r epor t er s r u sh ed t o f in d
w h er e Mr . Allen w as. Lat er , it w as f ou n d t h at h e is aliv e. St ill t h er e is n o clu e abou t t h e w h er eabou t s of t h e