Read Connexion : The Atlantis Project, Book.1 for Free Online

IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED IN THE CANTEEN.
    “ If it’s prohibited in the canteen then it
must be permitted elsewhere. Ask him.”
    Charlie answered softly, “You’re wearing me
out, carrying on like a kid. Take some responsibility – ask him
yourself!”
    “Is something wrong, Gentlemen?”
    Clementine quickly answered for them, afraid
that Giuseppe might discover Jacques’ new gift. “No, no, nothing.
Everything’s fine. Charlie sometimes has moments of confusion when
he talks to himself.”
    Jacques quickly added, “Yes, he sometimes
goes a bit weird, but he soon comes round again.” Then he spoke to
his brother again in a loud voice, adopting an obviously
condescending tone, “Don’t stress! If you’re worried about whether
smoking is allowed on the base, you just need to ask. I’m sure
Giuseppe would be quite happy to answer, wouldn’t you,
Giuseppe?”
    “Yes, of course. Don’t worry about that.
There are specially designated areas for smoking. However, only
electronic cigarettes are permitted here. You can pick one up from
the pavilion’s concierge.”
    Charlie wore a sardonic smile, pleased to
have found some revenge for the way his brother had just thumbed
his nose at him. Jacques was clearly unhappy with the idea of
having to forgo real tobacco. Clementine, who was used to their
pranks, smiled broadly for the first time in a long while, to the
great pleasure of the twins, who had been starting to miss their
usual audience.
    Inside, the canteen was quite pleasant. A
dozen men were eating in a rather noisy atmosphere. Through the
hubbub of conversation it was possible to distinguish several
languages. The loudest group were the Italians, who had put several
tables together in the middle of the room. A little off to the
side, a small group of Asians were eating at one table, while a
Hispanic-looking man, sitting alone, seemed to be engrossed in
reading his book.
     

 
    5 FRANCISCO

     
    Little by little, the noise subsided and all
eyes turned toward the twins. Giuseppe, who preceded them, headed
for the table of Italians.
    “Follow me, I will introduce you. Gentlemen,
may I introduce to you Jacques and Charlie. They are new to the
base and will be staying in your pavilion. Their help will be of
great value to us. I’m relying on you to give them a warm welcome,
along with their friend, Clementine, who is accompanying them.”
    One of the men stood to his feet and spoke to
Clementine, “Please have a seat. Come and join us, along with your
friends.” Two others quickly followed suit, giving up their seats
to welcome the new arrivals.
    “Please be seated. Mario will make the
introductions. I must leave you for a moment,” said Giuseppe. He
moved away immediately in the direction of the man with the book.
The four Asians came over to join in the introductions. During all
this time, the lone man had not looked up from his book. Giuseppe
took a chair and sat down on his left. The two men did not look at
each other. Giuseppe seemed to be speaking to him, but their eyes
never met.
    “Francisco, I have come with the Siamese
twins. They are accompanied by their friend, a young woman who
cares for them. She seems very discreet.”
    Francisco, still looking at his book,
answered, “There are three of them?”
    “You could say that, yes.”
    “That’s inconvenient,” replied Francisco. “I
need to know whether I should consider that there are three of
them, or whether I should act as if they were only two. I need to
know, you understand? It’s important to me. You know what I’m like,
don’t you? You’ve known me for a while now. You must realize that I
need you to be precise.”
    “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to them.
Besides, they both seem like very kind people.”
    “Okay then. You can count on me. I was
expecting two brothers, but it doesn’t matter. I’ll think of them
as three people. I’ll get used to it.”
    “Are you ready to meet them?”
    “Yes. Bring them over. I’ll