035. Karabash

Dmitry, who was hesitant in joining the three veteran members from three different countries, was dragged by Oswald as they walked together towards the restaurant serving shawarma and kebabs, something the Englishman complained about as he had hoped to enjoy borscht and pirozhki. Shawarma and kebabs were not something unique across the European continent.
But the restaurant's menu was still better than the other one located a few meters away. From a distance, the restaurant sign indicated a menu of sushi and pizza. Oswald didn't believe a restaurant that served food from two different countries simultaneously, even though Andrei repeatedly praised their homemade pizza.
They then enjoyed their meal while listening to Oswald's banter, compiling a list of culinary recreation spots he wanted to visit. The man's antics lightened the burden of the case on Andrei's mind. Laughing along, Bayu savored his shawarma on the plate with gusto. Since London, he hadn't had a chance to fill his stomach.
Unlike Oswald, who was very particular about food, Bayu was always ready to eat anything containing meat. Coincidentally, meat was a mandatory food for EPCU task force members before starting a mission. Amidst laughter and banter, Dmitry noticed that the camaraderie of the three middle-aged men resembled that of old friends reminiscing about their youth in the restaurant.
After the meal, wasting no time, they promptly headed to the industrial area of Karabash, which, even after decades, was still known as one of the most polluted regions in the world. Even before entering the industrial zone, they were greeted by the sight of tall chimneys emitting dense black smoke that stained the horizon.
The mountains around the mining and copper-smelting area appeared barren, devoid of trees due to acid rain. No plants thrived within a hundred meters of the riverbanks poisoned by factory waste. Dust covered the desolate streets. Karabash was indeed an environmental nightmare on Earth.
"No healthy soul in this town," remarked Andrei. "All sacrificed for the sake of the world's lifestyle."
Oswald and Bayu remained silent, gazing with concern through the car windows.
"OCK operatives are being dispersed throughout the area," continued Andrei. "No call yet, meaning they haven't found anything."
The car stopped at the end of the dead-end street before heading to the barren mountains. A man in his thirties quickly approached the black SUV. He wore typical mining coveralls but no helmet, allowing his blond hair to flutter in the wind. Seeing the man, Andrei rolled down his car window.
“Status update, Sergei?” Andrei inquired.
“We’ve yet to confirm this area as point zero,” Sergei responded, his tone clipped and efficient. “Closing off the factory has proven difficult. They're supported by both local and central governments. Anna is coordinating with Moscow to enforce jurisdiction.”
“Govno,” Andrei muttered, his frustration controlled.
Oswald, stepping out of the car alongside Bayu, interjected, “Another sample case of bureaucratic hurdles, isn’t it?”
"Mr. Wheatley. Mr. Adiwira." Sergei acknowledged them with a respective nod.
“Any positive developments though?” Andrei asked, though his eyes betrayed his concern.
“Our search was compromised once the factory began operations. But we've found out that there are two workers who have been reported missing in the northern sector,” Sergei continued, his words rekindling Andrei’s focus. “Both were last seen working the night shift at the mine two days ago. Other operatives and I have integrated with the workforce to maintain surveillance. I’ve also identified you as FSB agents to secure your operational cover.”
“Good work,” Andrei remarked, exiting the car and moving toward the trunk. “We’ll disperse and reconvene at the designated location.”
Oswald and Bayu quickly followed the brown-haired man. In the trunk of the black SUV, there was a small box that Andrei promptly opened. Its contents were everyday items easily found anywhere, anytime. However, appearances were often deceptive.
The man handed Oswald and Bayu each a black clip-on earring that served as a communication device and GPS, crafted by OCK, directly linked to satellites, and recorded by their headquarters in Moscow. Even when submerged underwater, the signal emitted by the device remained undisturbed.
"Choose your tools," Andrei said as he lifted the floor of the car's trunk.
Underneath the metal plate lined with rubber carpet in the trunk, various types of weapons were neatly lined up, ranging from the size of a revolver to as large as a bazooka.
"Blimey! If I hadn't laid eyes on it myself, I'd never believe you tote around an arsenal of weapons wherever you go, Andrei." Oswald commented as he picked up a machine gun resembling an AK-47.
"Only in dire situations like this, my friend," Andrei replied before turning to Bayu as he took something that looked like a thumb-sized black metal capsule.
"No, no!" Andrei intervened, grabbing Bayu's wrist.
"Why?" The Indonesian released Andrei's grip by twisting his own wrist. "I need something to defend myself!"
"No crazy stunts from Division 96 under my watch, Bayu!"
"Don't worry," Bayu countered Andrei's words. "I'll bring these two daggers as weapons. I'm just going to observe this expensive bomb. Oswald never let me be anywhere near one back in Thames House."
Andrei sighed as he took a machine gun similar to the one chosen by Oswald. He knew well that no one could sway Bayu's decisions; the man had a mindset harder than titanium. He then closed the car trunk and set up his own communication device.
Meanwhile, Dmitry, who was meeting a Division 96 field agent for the first time, marveled at Bayu's audacity. What he had heard from Kusuma and Konstantin turned out to be true. Division 96 members always preferred blades over firearms. And they always carried bombs as 'insurance' in case they were cornered.
Without wasting any more time, the four men dispersed into the area surrounding the mining region indicated by Sergei. They meticulously examined even the smallest marks on the ground to trace the tracks left by their elusive target. Andrei, Oswald, Dmitry and Sergei were completely absorbed in every inch of the terrain they covered, to the extent that the three men didn't realize Bayu had already reached the barren hilltop that bordered the area from the wilderness.
Bayu is the sole son of Arbi, a figure who became a legend not only in Division 96 but also across the entire EPCU task force. Even without the genetic engineering he underwent, Bayu is no ordinary human. Through inheritance, Arbi passed on the 'enhancements' he obtained from the laboratory to Bayu's DNA.
The man possesses a sense of smell stronger than any beast. He caught scents that shouldn't be discernible in the mining area dominated by the earthy and metallic fragrances. Bayu detected the bitter and cold aroma of liorum guiding him to the direction from where the creature terrorizing the continent of Europe was coming.