Chapter 28 Chapter Twenty Seven

"Victoria, I will never allow you to do that!" As the elevator continued to rise, Kohler's breathing became more and more short and labored. Victoria ignored him.She longed for a sanctuary now, a place that had once felt familiar and familiar to her, but it no longer felt like home to her.She knew it would never be again.Now, she can only bear the pain and take action.Go make a phone call. Beside her, Robert Langdon remained silent.Victoria had long since bothered to wonder what kind of person he was.Are you an expert?More professional than Kohler?Mr. Langdon can help us find your father's killer.In fact, Langdon wasn't helping at all.It seems that his enthusiasm and kindness are real, but he has been hiding something.Why is she not.

Kohler turned to her again: "As the director of CERN, I have a responsibility for the future of science. If you make this an international event, CERN will suffer from— " "The future of science?" Victoria retorted. "Are you really going to evade responsibility and never admit that antimatter was taken out of CERN? Are you going to turn a blind eye to those we put at risk?" "It's not us," Khloe countered. "It's you. You and your father." Victoria turned her face away. "As for endangering life," Kohler said, "this stuff is about life. You know that antimatter technology will have a huge impact on life on this planet. If CERN goes bankrupt because of this scandal, it's over, Then everyone will be out of luck. The future of mankind is in the hands of scientific institutions like CERN, and in the hands of scientists like you and your father who are committed to solving the future survival dilemma!"

Victoria had heard Kohler's report entitled "Science is God", but she did not take this view seriously.Half the problems science is trying to solve are of its own making. "Progress" is the most serious malignant tumor growing on Mother Earth. "Scientific progress requires risk," Kohler continued. "Risk is bound to exist. The space program, genetic research, medicine and pharmaceuticals—they can all go wrong. For the benefit of man, science must continue." Kohler's ability to deal with moral issues and scientific rationality surprised Victoria.His intellect seemed to have nothing to do with his heart. "You think 'CERN' is so vital to the future of the planet that we have to disregard our moral responsibilities?"

"Don't talk about morals with me! As early as making that sample, you have crossed the so-called moral bottom line and put the whole 'CERN' at risk. I am trying my best to protect not only 'CERN' 'The jobs of three thousand scientists, and your father's reputation. Think for him. A man like your father should not be regarded as a maker of weapons of mass destruction." Victoria thought he was on to something.It was I who convinced my father to make that sample.It was my fault! The elevator doors opened, and Kohler was still chattering.Victoria stepped out of the elevator, took out her cell phone, and tried calling again.

Still no dial tone.Damn it!She went straight to the door. "Stop! Victoria!" panted the director, speeding up to keep up with her. "Wait a minute, we need to have a good talk." "Enough! Stop talking!" "Think about your father," Khloe pleaded, "what would he do?" She walked on. "Victoria, I admit that I have something to hide from you." She couldn't help but slow down. "I don't know what I think." Kohler said apologetically, "I just want to protect you. Tell me, what do you want? Here, we have to work together."

Victoria stopped suddenly. She stood in the center of the laboratory, but did not turn around. "I want to find samples of antimatter. I want to know who killed my father." She stayed where she was. Kohler sighed. "Victoria, in fact, we already know who killed your father. I'm sorry that I haven't told you." Victoria turned around. "What did you say?" "I don't know what to tell you. It's really hard—" "Do you know who killed my father?" "Yes, we have some clues. The killer left something like a business card at the scene. That's why I brought in Mr. Langdon. He's got a lot of research on the group that claims responsibility."

"Organization? A terrorist organization?" "Victoria, they stole 0.25 grams of antimatter." Victoria looked at Robert Langdon, who stood in the middle of the room.At this moment, everything came to light.This may explain some of the doubts.Victoria wondered how she hadn't noticed this earlier.After all, Kohler found authority.Everything is clear now.Robert Langdon was an American, sharp-looking, prudent, and obviously very intelligent.What is he if not an expert?Victoria should have guessed this from the start.She turned to him with a new gleam of hope. "Mr. Langdon, can you tell me who killed my father? Also, can your institution help us find antimatter?"

Langdon looked flustered. "What? Our institution?" "I guess you are from the US Intelligence Agency." "Actually... no." Kohler quickly interjected, "Mr. Langdon is a professor of art history at Harvard University." Victoria seemed to have been poured a bucket of ice water, and it was cold from head to toe. "A teacher who teaches art?" "He is an expert in pagan semiotics," Kohler sighed again, "Victoria, we think your father was killed by a cult." Victoria took this to heart, but she hadn't been able to fathom what it meant.

"The group claiming responsibility for this is calling themselves the Illuminati." Victoria looked at Khloe, then at Langdon, wondering if this was some malicious joke. "Illuminati?" she pressed. "Illuminati from Bavaria?" Kohler showed a surprised expression. "So you've heard of it?" Victoria felt that tears of grief were about to well up in her eyes. "The Illuminati in Bavaria: The New World Order. A computer game made by Steve Jackson. Half the tech here loves to play it online." Her voice was hoarse. "But I don't understand..."

Kohler gave Langdon a puzzled look. Langdon nodded. "Very popular game. It's about a brotherhood from ancient times taking over the world. A semi-historical game. I didn't expect it to be popular in Europe." Victoria was confused. "What are you talking about? What Illuminati? It's just a computer game!" "Victoria," Kohler said, "the Illuminati are the group that claimed responsibility for your father's death." Victoria tried to muster up her courage and hold back her tears.She forced herself to hold on and analyze the current situation rationally.But the harder she tried to concentrate, the more confused she became.Her father had been murdered, the security of CERN had been seriously threatened, and there was a time bomb somewhere counting down, and she herself had something to do with it.But now, the director of the "European Nuclear Center" has brought in an art teacher to help them find a mythical evil brother gang.

Victoria suddenly felt alone.She turned around and was about to leave when Kohler suddenly blocked her way.He fumbled in his pocket for a long time, then pulled out a piece of crumpled fax paper and handed it to her as if by magic. Seeing that image, Victoria staggered in fright. "They branded him," Khloe said, "They put a goddamn brand on his chest!"