Chapter 261 -- LFN Storyboard 2

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Date Posted: 02:47:53 08/29/12 Wed
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: CPE-58-161-96-65.nsw.bigpond.net.au / 58.161.96.65
Subject: Chapter 261
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "Sorry everyone but I'm have major problems with The Rising Dragons on both boards with posting ... trying to fix it" on 00:23:33 08/27/12 Mon

Chapter 261

The sound of the rubber tyres on the loading dock squashing against his vessel alerted Samuel to the fact that they had finally reached their destination. The captain carefully steered the luxury pleasure craft closer and closer as he commenced the mooring process. One of the boat�s deck hands tossed a thick mooring line to the person waiting on the dock as the vessel came closer to the floating restaurant. After some tugging by the man on the ropes to steady and secure the boat, aft and stern, the lines were soon fixed to deck fittings on the vessel at one end. They were then pulled tight and fastened to the bollards on the dock thus preventing the boat from moving while keeping it close to the dock.

Once the vessel was moored, Samuel gathered up his documents for the meeting, and emerged from the cabin. Thanking his captain who was waiting at the gang plank for further instructions, he walked down the gangway and disembarked from the boat � ready for whatever this meeting would bring.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Waiting on the dock to meet him was Stanley Tai-hung and Uncle Monk two members of the Black Panthers. One after the other, the men shared their secret handshake given with the right hand held away from the body in greeting. However, Samuel noticed that the two men were a little reticent, so before entering the doors that would take them upstairs; he looked Stanley in the eye wanting to gauge the atmosphere in the room for the meeting.

�Has everyone arrived?� he asked.

�Yes � they are waiting for you upstairs.�

�Excellent. How is the mood of the gathering?�

Samuel was concerned by the dejected look on his face and readied himself for his answer. �Sombre � a little uncertain but at the same time optimistic to hear what you have to say � but ��

�But what?�

After casting a worried glance to Stanley, Uncle Monk replied. �I don�t think that everyone is happy to be here. There are a few disgruntled people.�

As the new leader of the Black Panthers, Samuel was aware that he was not exactly admired by some of his father�s colleagues. He wondered who the dissentients were and asked for clarification. �Who?�

�Big Head, Uncle Cocky and Johnnie Tao to name three.�

Three? It sounded like there were more? Of the six leaders who were in attendance he had three with him and three against him. One of these was also a rival so he would need to tread warily to gauge their reasons for their opposition. This may not be as easy as he�d hoped if it came to a vote. A narrow victory ballot of 4 to 3 would not be an ideal result. He needed to convince at least two of these triad leaders to his way of thinking. �I see.�

Samuel was a little apprehensive that Johnnie Tao from the Red Lanterns triad was one who opposed this meeting. Big Head, the leader of the Crouching Tigers and Uncle Cocky from the Water Rats could put up resistance to his proposal. He may very well have his job cut out for him to sway them to his way of thinking. All three were powerful leaders of large triads and if he was unable to change their minds or they were able to convince other members to their way of thinking then he might be in trouble of his plan working. He was a little troubled by this information as he needed everyone�s support to bring down Sun Yee Lok and extract his revenge on the Rising Dragons.

�Did they give any reason why they feel this way?�

�They have been sprouting off about you being a young upstart that hasn�t earned the right to challenge the elders� authority in the brotherhood. I�m afraid it may be difficult to convince them of your motives.�

�Well I guess we�ll just have to change their minds � won�t we?� Samuel replied with a renewed confidence.

Bracing himself for what he may find when he entered the meeting room; the three men entered the building passing by two giant red dragon pillars that stood on either side of the entrance. Foreboding, menacing and invincible looking, the statues towered over all who entered rendering them insignificant in comparison. Samuel felt a sudden chill pass through his body and hoped this was not a bad omen or an indication of what was to come.

He brushed these negative thoughts from his mind.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

With the two members of his triad flanking him in solidarity, Samuel made his way up the stairs in lighting that bathed the wooden wall carvings and steps in a golden glow. Members of the brotherhood were waiting for his arrival in the private function room on the top of the restaurant where the meeting was to take place. Three storeys high and elaborately decorated, the ambiance of the floating restaurant was like that of a gorgeous and exquisite ancient Chinese imperial palace with a mixture of Ming Dynasty and contemporary Chinese. However, as they climbed the wide staircase he couldn�t stop thinking of the omnipotent presence of the dragon statues and their significance for warding off evil spirits at the entrance.

Everywhere he looked it seemed as if a dragon was watching his every move. There were Chinese decorations and swirling red and gold dragons and other traditional Chinese motifs everywhere in the building. Dragons of course were auspicious in Chinese mythology but the analogy and synergy with the dragon and that of the Rising Dragons triad was not lost in translation for him. Even the scenes on the magnificent mosaic murals of ancient Chinese civilization on the walls depicted the dragon as a symbol of power and excellence, valiantly and boldness, heroism and perseverance, nobility and divinity. He had planned this meeting meticulously and failure was not an option to him, but there was no escaping the images that formed in his mind of a foreboding incident that would occur this night to thwart his plans for a takeover of leadership from Sun Yee Lok.

Samuel had a moment of regret that he�d called a meeting here with all the reminders of the Rising Dragons� symbol represented and what the dragon symbolized everywhere, but it was too late to back out now. He would have to forge ahead regardless of any threatening signs by turning any negative thoughts he had into a positive and to look at the other side of the coin. Dragons meant good luck and power. A dragon overcame obstacles until it achieved success ... so at this meeting he would too. Nevertheless he fingered the two lucky gold talismans in his pocket. Chinese people placed a great deal of emphasis on luck and auspicious symbols � hence his lucky charms. One was a round, gold coin with a square hole in the middle representing heaven and earth, considered to be a symbolic representation of wealth, fortune, success for personal and business endeavours. The other a metal fish symbolising perseverance in overcoming the barriers a person must pass through in life. If ever he needed some good fortune after hearing the report from his men about those gathered ... was now.

Despite some misgivings, his body language portrayed a man who was in full control. Samuel knew he had the confidence in his ability to turn this meeting in his favour regardless of the opposition he sensed was there from some of the other triad leaders.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Having navigated the top two floors, Samuel and his men came to the upper deck which was once a mah-jong parlour for the restaurant staff, but now had been transformed into the alfresco Top Deck restaurant serving a fine menu of Asian and Western cuisine. Providing a unique dining experience on the top floor of the Jumbo Floating Restaurant, the eatery looked out to the luxury yachts of the exclusive Aberdeen Marina Club to the front and the high-rise blocks of Ap Lei Chau to the rear. Top Deck successfully combined the original fixture and fittings of Imperial China with contemporary design elements to make dining experiences a truly special one. This was evident this evening as it had on the occasions when he had dined here with his family. The smell of delicious cooked seafood and excellent Cantonese fare wafted in the air. The diners were obviously enjoying relaxing on the couches and deck chairs on the outdoor roof deck while taking in the tranquil sights and sounds of the illuminated harbour without the noise and clutter of the main dining room.

However, Samuel had no time to think of pleasantries. He was a man on a mission. His destination was up the next flight of stairs to a private room away from any prying eyes of the diners in the main restaurant or those alfresco dining. This meeting was taking place in a popular setting surrounded by people to avoid bringing attention to who was gathered here and why. Nevertheless, he cast a wary eye from side to side scrutinizing those gathered there this evening in fear that Sun Yee Lok may have got wind of the secret meeting.

Despite all his meticulous vigilance to every possible detail or possibility, little did he know that his fears may indeed come to a realization?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Finally, reaching the rendezvous place, Samuel took a deep breath to compose himself before entering through the closed triangular, red door. His destiny lay on the other side of that door. This was the most important meeting of his life and everything depended on it. His credibility, leadership, negotiation skills and his ability to achieve his end game were all on the line. What took place in this room could have a tremendous bearing on the Black Panthers. He would either look a fool or be triumphant.

This was the role providence had given him. Samuel Li's destiny had come from his birth. His father was a criminal, and he was destined to be a better criminal too now that he was the leader of the Black Panthers. His wife�s vision of him becoming a legitimate successful businessman was doomed because it was not his destiny, nor would it, most likely, be that of his son. Circumstances had dealt him this hand and now he had to play the cards he�d been given. His transformation from a somewhat reputable business man into an all out ruthless gangster was now his fate in life. He needed to make the Black Panthers invincible and at the same time crush the Rising Dragons into submission because of what they had done to his father. He had to make amends and save face in adversity. This meeting was the first step in his quest for that redemption.

If he was elected the new Chairman or Dragon Head of the triad syndicates of which he was already a member � he would have a position of such power and prestige that even the long arm of the law would be unable to touch him. If he attained the highest position in the triad hierarchy he would have it all � money, status and power. Samuel had already proven his ability to be a successful businessman � tonight would be a testament to his ability as a potential supreme leader. Money made money but the seduction of having power brought even greater riches. With power, the mainland Chinese would give him more respect, and with that, the potential for more business. With his connections to Chinese officials through his wife Maggie, Samuel aimed to increase his business relations with mainland China. He knew that he had the smarts for raking in new business deals for the Black Panthers and thus be able to consolidate his position as Dragon Head and businessman at the same time. This could also be a winning vote for his leadership. Unfortunately, politics and business went hand and hand. If he wanted to expand his business in the Mainland, where all the opportunities were, he had to control the underworld. He might have to make some allowances for this marriage of convenience but he had no intention of being a proxy or a puppet for anyone. It was his aim for the Black Panthers to be the dominant triad amongst all the members.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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