Chapter 190 -- LFN Storyboard 2

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Date Posted: 00:48:18 11/30/08 Sun
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: CPE-124-188-8-101.nsw.bigpond.net.au / 124.188.8.101
Subject: Chapter 190
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "The Rising Dragons - continued" on 04:46:57 11/03/08 Mon

Chapter 190

Jasmine had heard the worry in Birkoff�s voice when he�d asked about his friend and she cast her eyes over to Walter as he sat with his eyes closed catching some shut eye � or so she thought. He suddenly opened one eye then the other and looked her way. She felt a slight embarrassment at having been caught out staring at him, but Walter merely gave her a cheeky wink. Jasmine gave him a smile back. They broke eye contact when Walter cast his eyes over towards Michael and Nikita.

She in turn surreptitiously studied the seasoned Section One operative and reflected on his reasons for being on the mission. Jasmine liked Walter. He was a free spirit, and although cantankerous at times and rebellious at others, he was to be admired. He�d learned the art of survival in Section One and for any field operative that was not an easy feat. She could learn a lot from him and had been grateful that he was on her team for this mission.

Having volunteered to come into the field to search for Michael and Nikita was testament to the obvious friendship Walter had with the couple. The wily old fox had managed to ingratiate himself into the team in the ruse of being indispensable on this retrieval mission because of his expertise in Asian weaponry techniques. What humbug! She knew he and Birkoff had been worried sick about Nikita�s welfare and they had wanted to help Michael. This way he could be in the thick of things if something had gone wrong rather than hear it second hand when the teams returned to Section. However, despite his age Walter had proved his mettle time and again and had certainly been invaluable to the mission. Although he�d once been a field operative, it had been some time since his last foray into the field. But he had been superb. His knowledge of explosives and the destructive gadgets he�d created had been very useful in the end. If not for Walter ... things may have gone pear shape.

Jasmine cast one last look over at their wounded colleagues. There wasn't much else that could be done about Michael and Nikita on the flight back to Section One, other than to keep them both comfortable and try to prevent any further bleeding from Michael�s wound. She returned to her debrief making a mental note to give Walter a special mention in her report. Birkoff had said Operations would want it ASAP on her return and she had much to cover about this mission and how all the team members had performed.

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

The three triad members had gone over their recollection of events and were satisfied that they had done everything possible to bring closure for the Rising Dragons. Michael Samuelle and Nikita Wirth were dead and now there was nothing stopping the triad from regrouping and rising from the ashes stronger and more resilient than ever. Sun Yee Lok would be proud. They had left nothing to chance and were prepared for whatever questions he may ask of them when they finally landed.

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

The aircraft was nearing the palatial home of their leader Sun Yee Lok. Situated on several secluded acres of pristine coastal land his private residence was sheltered on the north and east side by a mountain range. Being very superstitious it was vital to the triad leader that the layout of his home was in line with the powerful chi for prosperity, wealth and longevity. It was important that visually the first impression was pleasing to the eye but more importantly that the energy flow in and around his home was as beneficial as possible. By creating an internal and external environment that welcomed an abundance of positive ch�i then Sun Yee Lok was able to enjoy its beneficial influence in his life. Thus all the elements were aligned to make the most of every aspect of favourable Feng Shui and being situated near water was also very fortuitous and lucky as it carried good ch�i.

Meeting at his home in this auspicious environment would put a positive spin on what had been a troublesome time for the Rising Dragons. He was interested to hear what his daughter and the others had to say about what had happened on Lantau Island. Sun Yee Lok was positive that their meeting would be extremely constructive and looked forward to their accounts of events at the monastery and the future repercussions for the triad. He was confident that the news he would hear from Andy Koo and Wang Yu would only bring good luck to the Rising Dragons from here on in. As leader of the triad, he also needed to know how Karen had performed and would ask Wang Yu for his candid impression of his daughter�s leadership capabilities. Sun Yee Lok had his reasons for wanting to know every detail of the part she�d played in turning the triad�s fortune around.

However, a full account was not necessary this evening but ... first thing in the morning he expected to hear only good news. When all three were rested and refreshed he would meet with them individually ... but tonight was cause for celebration. Tomorrow was time to make headway.

Having put an end to all the mysteries and problems that had befallen the triad over the past few months meant that things could return to some normalcy. The Rising Dragons could now avoid a turf war with the Black Panthers which had been simmering ever since The Triangle had been firebombed. Perhaps he could also mend fences with Samuel Li. Sun Yee Lok contemplated the possibility that he may, however, need to call for a gathering of the fractions first to negotiate the territory they would control in Hong Kong. He was willing to concede a small inconsequential district for the Black Panthers and 14K to control, but the majority of Hong Kong belonged to the Rising Dragons and would continue to do so. This was a time for the survival of the fittest. It was time for the triad to assert its dominance in Hong Kong and beyond once more and he intended that the Rising Dragons would be the one to triumph over all the smaller fractious groups.

Sun Yee Lok smiled knowingly.

To all who dare to take us on
We will demonstrate forceful prowess
You may try but you will never win
Your failure only brings success ... to
The Rising Dragon!

Yes tonight ... there was much to celebrate. He signalled to a staff member to ready the chilled champagne that awaited their successful return.

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

Although Walter observed both his friends as they settled in for the flight back to Section One he made a closer appraisal of Nikita.

She will be all right. Everything will be all right now that we have her back with us. Had Nikita known how worried he and Birkoff were after seeing the tape of her being tortured? Did she ever think that if there was something he could do to get her back then he would? She knew for certain that Michael would always come after her but in her wildest dreams she would never think that he would be on the retrieval team. He was surprised that Operations had granted permission to go on the mission but who was he to look a gift horse in the mouth? Despite his aging years he was still in top condition and the adrenalin rush had been euphoric. Not only had that, but the new explosive device he�d invented been sensational. The impact of the blast was his best yet.

Unaware of the thoughts careening through Walter�s mind as he intently looked over her way; Nikita lifted her head and caught his eye. They looked at each other for a moment then Walter�s eyes crinkled up with his most lecherous smile hoping that he would get a reaction from his Sugar. She took the bait.

Nikita nodded her head in reply with the smile that he loved � and mouthed the words �Thank you,� before closing her eyes once more.

She will be all right, he thought, but Walter was still very worried about his Sugar. Nikita had lost the sparkle from her eyes, but in time he was confident that it would return ... all she needed was a little rest and recuperation. She needed to gain her strength back as well as come to terms with what she�d experienced at the hands of her captors.

Walter then turned his attention to Michael. Worriedly he took in his ashen features and the sweat beading on his brow. His breathing wasn�t right either ... it appeared to be laboured and shallow. Walter also noticed that Michael�s chest rose and fell in an uneven staccato. That wasn�t good, but he was obviously covering up his own distress for Nikita�s sake. He�d moved heaven and earth to find her. Michael had come through as they knew he would and Walter was extremely grateful that he was the operative that he was. If anyone could have found her then ... Michael Samuelle would have.

When they�d first entered the aircraft, Michael had ignored everyone in the transport plane until he had settled down for the return flight. Walter didn�t want to watch but he�d been mesmerized by the tenderness that both covertly showed towards each other � but without drawing undue attention to one another. He�d watched as Michael tenderly looked to Nikita�s needs as she did to his. Michael�s eyes had gleamed with dark emotion as he�d gently cradled her against his body. He would know that look anywhere. He knew what it meant. Michael�s actions spoke volumes. He�d glanced around wondering if others had noticed, but the other exhausted operatives were already asleep and Jasmine was occupied in writing her report. Thankfully Michael and Nikita�s shared moment had not been witnessed by anyone else.

His eyes travelled over to Nikita once more as she sat next to Michael with her head resting on his good shoulder. Both appeared to be asleep.

These two people had given their all for Section One but would Madeline and Operations be of the same view? They needed some well earned down time to get back on track but would they have the compassion to grant them some leave together? Surely Madeline and Operations wouldn�t be that heartless?

The roar of the engines brought Nikita back to consciousness and her eyes opened briefly. Walter looked up to see her watching him through drowsy eyes. She smiled at him then nestled back into Michael�s warmth.

Walter smiled back at her with only one wish on his mind ... that the plane could go faster.

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

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