History_09 [Shirokuma Literature Club] [lpz.89]
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In the freezing streets of Berlin, where the wind bites, Ryota was chasing the code 'lpz.89' left behind by the missing Nozomi. He and his friend Erika tried to decipher it but hit a wall, and furthermore, a threat from the Petrov Connection arrived on a secret app. It was a warning that if he didn't stop his pursuit, she would lose her life, but it was also proof that Nozomi was still alive.
The next morning, Ryota and Erika were having breakfast at a nearby cafe that still bore traces of the Berlin Wall, which once divided East and West. Ever since receiving the warning message from the Petrov Connection last night, Ryota had been constantly on guard. Erika took a sip of her coffee and opened the laptop in front of her.
“I focused my research on the 'lpz.89' code, looking specifically at protocols and military codes from the former East Germany era.”
“Did you find any clues?”
“Yes. First, 'LPZ'. Assuming this three-letter abbreviation was a code for a location, I cross-referenced it with lists of abbreviations and code documents from the former East Germany, and I found one strong candidate.”
Erika turned the screen toward Ryota. What was displayed was a list of station codes for the former East German railway.
“Look at this. There is a record of 'LPZ' being used as an abbreviation for 'Leipzig' in German-speaking regions. Leipzig was once one of the centers of politics and culture in East Germany.”
“Leipzig... why would Nozomi go there?”
“And '89'. This isn't just a number to Germans.”
Erika stared out the window in the direction where the Berlin Wall once stood.
“1989. It was a decisive year in German history, when the Berlin Wall fell and East and West Germany moved toward reunification.”
Ryota was startled. He took the 'lpz.89' note out of his pocket and spread it on the table. In that moment, he felt everything connect.
“Erika. This note was tucked inside a European travel catalog. Look, the corner of the Germany page is folded.”
“Ryota...! She was giving us a hint about the location!”
“'Repro', the ultra-high-speed decryption technology from the former East Germany. Its developer, Guido Engels, might have been at a top-secret research facility near Leipzig.”
“Leipzig is where the demonstrations that triggered the Peaceful Revolution in the autumn of '89 took place. Guido Engels must have disappeared during that chaos.”
“In other words, Nozomi might have headed to Leipzig to find that secret research facility.”
“That must be it.”
Ryota felt his heart swell with emotion, realizing that Nozomi had left clues for him to find right up until the moment she disappeared.
“It's Leipzig. Erika, let's go right away. The clues must be there.”
In Ryota's eyes, there was no hesitation, only the light of firm determination.
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I am serializing this short story. I plan to post it around every Friday. I have included links to each chapter in the table of contents, so please feel free to look back.
(Click here for [Characters and Table of Contents])
I am participating in Kosuke Komaki's project.
Thank you for every week.
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