James Haley ordered the destruction of the recordings of the fight in the Noodle House. It would become a data black hole, significant by its absence. There may be questions, but no one else would be able to assert what had been on those disk drives. She caught his eye, he looked stressed, but still confident and in control. He would most likely be the trigger man, the one to purge the team and clean up the mess.

  She studied James, an ironic smile gracing her lips. Will you be my killer? I guess I will find out soon enough.

  * * *

  Anton sat at the dining room table with Gang and Li.

  Gang opened a bottle of Sake and arranged three glasses in front of them. He poured the shots and lifted his glass, Li and Anton followed his lead.

  “Best done quickly,” Gang urged, downing the shot and grinning at Anton.

  Li followed suit. Anton drank his shot, the liquor was exquisite, a rare and aged reserve.

  Gang poured a second round, and again the glasses were emptied. This time, Gang stoppered the bottle and put it aside. For a long moment, they sat there simply looking at each other.

  Anton’s hands had stopped shaking. The aftershocks of combat smoothed away by the physiological changes of the Ramp and the soothing effect of the Sake. “What happens now?” Anton asked, his voice was quiet and reflective. “What will happen to the Noodle House?”

  “Mr. Chan will look after it for me, he can be trusted. Tonight, we rest and tomorrow we move to an Order safe house. We will be picked up and escorted by Francis Mirovar, he is a force leader of long standing and very senior within the Order. I managed to contact him after breakfast. He has promised that he will come and I trust his word.”

  “They’re coming here?”

  “No. We’ll meet them near the Boston docks. I have an address, that’s all I know for now.”

  “Do you know where the safe house is?”

  “No.”

  Anton tilted his head quizzically and observed sardonically, “We’re a bit in the dark, aren’t we?”

  Gang nodded, sighed and explained, “It’s because I have been inactive for years. Plus, neither Li nor you are officially in the Order.”

  “Hang on, what about those promises that I made weeks ago, just before you switched on my Ramp capability? I thought that was enough to be in the Order.”

  “Well, they’re definitely the first steps and very much a real part of being in the Order. However, your membership has to be confirmed at an Order Conclave.”

  “A meeting of the Order; when do they happen?” Anton asked.

  “In due course there will be one, and I’m sure that both Li and yourself will be confirmed as full members of the Order.”

  “What happens if we’re not confirmed?”

  Gang hesitated.

  Li offered, “The Order keeps its own secrets.”

  So, they will kill us, that’s comforting to know, Anton thought sarcastically. He stared hard at Gang and inquired, “How do we make sure that we’re accepted and confirmed?”

  Gang explained, “You just need to be accepted by at least one force leader. Operationally the force leaders have tremendous authority. The reason that someone becomes a force leader is by common assent based on their capability to fight vampires, keep their team alive and avoid killing the innocent. Being accepted by a force leader is a sure path to confirmation.”

  “Speaking of Order membership, how is it that you can be inactive? I thought that being in the order was an either/or proposition.”

  Gang stroked his chin. “Well it’s a funny sort of situation.”

  Anton arched an eyebrow, and Li tilted her head and declared sardonically, “Is it now?”

  Gang blinked at their reactions and laughed. It immediately became infectious and they all laughed together.

  Anton felt all his tensions from the conflict earlier that night evaporate away. He marveled at how Gang had a way that made him feel welcomed. Yes, but no, it’s more than that, I feel that I really belong here - with them - like family. Anton found that he was wiping away tears from his eyes, as the laughter around the table naturally subsided.

  Gang mock sniffed. “Well, as usual, I get no respect.”

  Li got up out of her chair and hugged her father, and declared softly, “I respect you more than anyone else.”

  Gang’s face worked with emotion as Li sat back down. He took a deep breath and instructed, “To put it simply, only a force leader can accept you into the order, and into his team, and only a force leader can throw you out. Anton, can you see where this is going?”

  “Arthur Slayne was your force leader.”

  “He is my force leader until he is dead - conviction or no conviction. I don’t have to answer to anyone else unless Arthur is proven to be dead. The sanctity of the force team within the Order trumps all other rules.”

  “There are a lot of rules I don’t know about.”

  “You know the most important ones. You have only been with us for a little over a month, you can’t learn everything about a five-thousand-year-old organization in that time.”

  “If my grandfather is still your force leader, then you must have had contact with him. Perhaps a lot of contact with him over the years.”

  Gang agreed, “Yes, that is true.”

  Anton sat back in his chair, shaking his head slowly and conceded, “I’ve been completely in the dark for so long.” He felt a sudden wave of sadness. Did his parents not trust him with the truth? How would he ever be able to answer that question? He had to know more, and asked, “When my grandfather was convicted, what happened, did you fight?”

  “I wanted to, but Arthur insisted that I remain out of any conflict. I believe he anticipated this day would come. The rest of the team scattered, and like your grandfather, they’re lone wolves fighting against the vampires, I have no idea how many still survive.”

  Anton paused, digesting what Gang had told him. “So, we will work with Francis Mirovar?”

  “Yes. He has promised to shelter us until the next conclave. Have you packed everything that you need? We will leave tomorrow morning after breakfast.”

  “I think so,” Anton replied.

  Gang directed, “Wait here, there is something else that you will need.” He disappeared into his room for a minute, returning with a long case. He placed it on the table before Anton and opened it. Resting inside on a bed of black velvet was a sword identical to Li’s and Gang’s, except that it had a deep blue sapphire in the handle. He looked into Anton’s eyes and declared, “This is the Blue Dragon. This is what you will need to kill vampires with.”

  Anton felt his heart jump as he realized the generosity of Gang’s gift.

  “This is my brother Qiang’s sword, it is right that you should have it,” Li affirmed, her eyes glistening with tears.

  Gang explained, “It is an heirloom of our family, inherited from my wife Tatsu Yoshindo’s family line, from the island of Hokkaido in Japan.”

  Anton felt overwhelmed. “It’s beautiful - are you sure that you want to give it to me?”

  Gang declared emphatically, “Yes. You have earned it tonight by fighting with courage.”

  Li nodded.

  Anton put his hand over his heart and offered, “Thank you, I don’t know how to repay you.”

  Gang smiled. “With victory over our foes.”

  Anton nodded. He picked up the sword and drew it from its scabbard. The blade was majestic, flawless and beautifully balanced. He flourished it; the katana felt like a natural extension of his arm.

  “Remarkable,” Gang noted. “You look just like your grandfather when I first met him.”

  Anton lowered the sword. “I do?”

  “He has the Black Dragon.”

  Anton returned the sword to its scabbard, placed it back in the case, and asked, “How many of these swords are there?”

  “Li’s maternal ancestor, Kanenaga Yoshindo, made five swords during the winter of 1675. They were forged from iron drawn from a fallen meteor and are stronger and sharper than any other swords. There are the three here, the Green, White and Blue Dragons identified by an emerald, diamond, and a blue sapphire respectively. Arthur Slayne carries the Black Dragon, which has a lustrous black pearl in the handle.”

  Gang paused, stroking his chin. “And then there is the fifth sword, the Red Dragon, marked with a dark ruby the color of blood.”

  “Who has it?”

  “The vampire Armitage.”

  “Why on earth does she have it?”

  “The Red Dragon was given to the Emperor of Japan in 1676, apparently the Imperial family gifted it to a traveler in 1897.”

  Anton shook his head in disgust. How does she do that? She has everything that she needs. He frowned, took a deep breath and suggested, “You expect that I will need this sword to fight her.”

  “It’s inevitable. She has some dark purpose of her own that involves you. Why else would she leave you alive? We need to thwart that purpose, and you need a weapon that is the equal of what she carries to stand a chance.”

  “Well, unless her purpose is to see a lot of dead vampires, I don’t see how my being a member of the Order of Thoth is going to work out well for her.”

  Gang shook his head and advised, “She is subtle, very subtle. In all things remotely associated with her, you must be fully aware of what the consequences are.” The table fell silent. “One more for the road,” Gang offered, pouring each of them a final shot.

  They downed their drinks and Gang ordered, “Now everyone to bed, breakfast will be at 7:30 in the garden. It will be our last breakfast here, so don’t be late.”

  Anton and Li both gave their assent and went to their rooms. As they walked down the hallway together, Li suddenly turned and hugged Anton fiercely. She stood on tiptoes, whispering into his ear, “Thank you, Anton, for looking after us tonight.”

  She kissed him quickly on the cheek, then broke away and went into her room closing the door behind her.

  “Uh, sure, no problem -” Anton said half-dazed, and then realized sheepishly that he was speaking to an empty hall. He went to the bathroom, and then to bed. He found himself staring at the ceiling, his mind replaying Li’s embrace, and his cheek tingling with the sensation of her kiss.

  And with that in mind, Anton drifted quietly into sleep.

  * * *

  Chloe Armitage met privately with Cornelius Crane in his chambers on the 104th floor of the Vampire Dominion citadel.

  She predicted confidently, “The Boston cell will run later today. Their current position is no longer tenable.”

  Crane arched a quizzical eyebrow and inquired, “You believe they will seek Mirovar, and draw him and his followers out into the open?”

  “Yes, Cornelius.”

  He smiled. “It is good to see that you are on track with the promise you made in Jerusalem.”

  “Yes, I will have this wrapped up within the week.”

  “Francis Mirovar and his team are no easy marks, what is your plan?”

  “We will track the Wus to ground, and create a perimeter with Shadowstone forces. We will keep our vampire forces nearby, and then attack once Mirovar arrives.”

  “You will be fighting on a ground of their choosing,” Crane observed sagely. “That suggests a tactical disadvantage for our forces, have you accounted for that?”

  “The ground must be chosen by the Order,” Chloe explained. “Mirovar will not step into an obvious trap, we have to give them the ground to create confidence and foster the belief they have the initiative.”

  “… ‘And therefore, those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle and are not brought there by him.’” Crane declared.

  “Sun Tzu, from the Art of War. You see my strategy here?” Chloe asked rhetorically.

  Crane frowned. “Of course, but there will be losses. How many of my praetorians do you plan to sacrifice on this mission?”

  Time to ask for what will not be given. Chloe shook her head and observed, “I cannot guarantee that any engagement with the Order will be without casualties. To ensure success, I will need twelve praetorians, four to engage the Wus and eight with me to engage Francis Mirovar and his team.”

  Crane stared at her for a long moment, and then stated decisively, “You will have six of my best. I can spare no more. We both know how you excel at combat. I expect to see blood on your blade when you return to my citadel.”

  Chloe responded, “Yes, Sir.”

  “Furthermore,” Crane continued. “I’m concerned with the use of Shadowstone forces in an Order of Thoth engagement. Their primary purposes are surveillance and maintenance of operational security. Their involvement in this mission risks their unnecessary deaths and exposure of the secrets of the Vampire Dominion.”

  Why are these men so important to you? Chloe asked herself. Crane could and had seen millions die without blinking.

  Crane frowned again and directed, “If necessary, to maintain secrecy - I will not hesitate to cleanse them all. But I warn you, do not put me in the position of having to make that choice.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “I expect you to not waste our Shadowstone operatives in futile engagements with the Order of Thoth. Such battles are currently beyond their capabilities.”

  Aha, currently beyond, but not in the future? UK Shadowstone enhanced operatives have been sent to Jerusalem. Arthur Slayne is on an operation against Crane in Brazil. Crane’s network of distributed labs and research centers are working on secret projects with a single overarching goal. Chloe’s mind raced as she integrated all the evidence that she had. He has a plan for Shadowstone super soldiers able to directly combat the Order of Thoth and the Red Empire during the day. How far away is he from the completion of this plan and how does he propose to control such men?

  Crane instructed, “I expect you to manage this engagement for victory with minimal losses.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Now there is fresh food on the 105th. I suggest that you get a bite to eat and rest up in one of our studios here. You can leave with the praetorians later this evening.”

  Chloe nodded. “Will do, Sir.”

  Crane clapped her on the shoulder and grinned wolfishly. “Good hunting General.”

  “Yes, Sir.” Chloe stepped back, gave a small bow, turned and left his chambers. She smiled slyly as she walked down the corridor to the vault-like doors that were the only means to exit the floor. Only six praetorians that leaves me under-resourced for this mission. A sharp defeat so close to home and a sudden attack by the Red Empire will drag Crane’s attention away from the Metaframe artifacts, and give me a free hand to address matters in the northeast.

  Chloe’s new plan began to come together as she left Crane’s quarters.

  * * *

  Gang strolled through the garden at the back of his home.

  He inspected his roses along the back fence for the last time. They had not received much attention over the last five weeks due to the heavy training schedule with Anton and Li. He leaned over one of his favorite plants. A Rugosa rose with a set of strongly perfumed pink flowers, he gently sniffed one of the blooms. Beautiful, just beautiful. Who will look after you when I am gone? Pulling back from the rose, he noticed a small object wedged against a brick on top of his back fence. It was a short cylinder that merged with the silhouette of the brick and trailed a short lead the color of aged mortar behind it. On the front of the cylinder, he could clearly see a lens.

  Shadowstone! Gang’s heart froze, but he kept moving. He sniffed a second and a third flower. He murmured approving comments as he spent another three minutes thinking furiously while strolling around the back yard.

  He berated himself bitterly. I have been lax! I have allowed the issues around Anton’s arrival and the Hu Shizu to distract me. God knows how much Shadowstone have learned.

  Gang went into the house, catching up with Anton and Li in the kitchen. He tapped them both on the shoulder, before writing a quick note on a piece of paper. It read, ‘Stay silent, we are compromised.’

  Anton and Li, stared at him, shock flashing across their faces.

  Gang wrote another note which read, ‘Get your gear, we leave now.’

  Anton and Li, immediately left for their rooms.

  Gang went out to the garage and opened a safe there. Inside was a thick wad of cash and a short-barreled Glock 9mm in an ankle holster with a spare magazine. Next to the gun were a pair of incendiary grenades modified with ten-minute timers. He pocketed the cash and strapped the Glock to his ankle. He carefully synchronized the timers on the two incendiary grenades with his wrist watch. He armed and placed the first of the grenades in the trunk of the car, right next to the fuel tank. Picking up a metal jerry can of fuel, he left the garage. He carried the can into the kitchen where Anton and Li were waiting for him.

  Gang put the can of fuel on top of the kitchen table. He set the timer of the second incendiary grenade to a half second behind the first grenade, armed it and strapped it to the jerry can with duct tape.

  He checked his watch. Six minutes and forty-five seconds before all this blows. Gang mouthed, wait.

  Anton and Li both shot worried looks at the timer on the grenade before nodding.

  Gang went to his room, fetching the backpack he’d prepared earlier that morning. Picking up the White Dragon in its traveling case, he went back to the kitchen. He reached into the backpack, pulling out an old Nokia cell phone and switched it on. As it powered up, he wrote two notes for Anton and Li. On the notes was the same message, ‘Split up, be indirect and meet at this address in two hours after.’ The address was written beneath the instruction.

  He scanned the timer on the grenade, it was now reading under three minutes. He picked up the Nokia and dialed 911. He got an operator and described a fire and gas explosion at his home address. He abruptly hung up, put the old cell phone next to the jerry can, and turned the gas on full on all the cooktop hobs in the kitchen.

 

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