Chapter 170 -- LFN Storyboard 2

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Date Posted: 09:24:04 07/03/08 Thu
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: CPE-124-188-8-162.nsw.bigpond.net.au / 124.188.8.162
Subject: Chapter 170
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "The Rising Dragons ... continued" on 07:57:02 06/07/08 Sat

Chapter 170

Making a perfect descent Michael landed the light plane on the private airstrip on the outskirts of the town of Tai O and taxied the aircraft to where Birkoff had arranged for a 4wheel drive jeep to be waiting for him.

Using the information gauged from the video recording, Birkoff had been able to pinpoint that Nikita was being held captive at the Tsz Hsing Monastery situated in the south-west. The monastery was located in a relatively remote part of Lantau Island where the roads and trails were not easily defined. Since the environment was also inaccessible to normal vehicles in this region, this kind of transportation was a necessity. To complicate matters the landscape was difficult and mountainous as well, hence the four wheeled jeep would be able to manoeuvre the conditions of the terrain. Not only that but the jeep was well camouflaged and would blend in nicely with the surroundings.

Everything had been organised for him. Michael also had Karen Ho and she would verify Nikita�s location. She had no other choice although he knew Karen would not divulge information voluntarily. Hence, it was necessary to make some inroads before morning as there was much he needed to do on this mission to find Nikita and the sooner he got started the better. After consulting his map, Michael bundled his reluctant passenger into the jeep and headed in the direction of Tai O to begin his journey.

Karen Ho sat stony faced beside him.

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

In no time Michael made his way into the ancient and quaint fishing village of Tai O located on the west coast of Lantau Island. Known as the Venice of Hong Kong the sleepy hamlet could trace its history back more than three centuries when pirates ruled the waves around the island. In a country of modernization on the big island of Hong Kong, Tai O had obviously retained most of its historical settings as the sight that greeted him was several hundred stilt houses indicative of a traditional rural life. Driving through the earthen streets it was evident that this was a rural area reliant on the fishing industry for the stilt houses and fishing boats dotted the waterways and fishing village scenery. Salted fish, a traditional Chinese food, hung from premises along the dirt road to dry, and shrimp paste seemed to be the village�s only economic industry as premises for making the seafood paste was located everywhere in the town.

Passing through the village the terrain began to incline and a little further on Michael came to signage directing hikers to a number of well-marked trails that meandered into the national park. The Lantau Trail a 70-kilometre, 12-section hikers� haven was the best known of these trails and a section of the circular route through the finest scenery of the Lantau Country Parks began at Tai O. This part of the trail started a little way past the township with steps leading up into the wooded forest. The very steep contour of the steps looked difficult to negotiate and was typical of the route that Michael now drove along. As the area was suitable for hikers, Michael�s mode of transport was a necessity.

Fifty percent of the island was covered with forested areas and the dense foliage of this type of environment would make the going that much harder for him to negotiate to find the monastery where Nikita was being held. Driving into the forested area he wanted to put some distance between him and the township before setting up camp somewhere along the way. Looking very much like tourists setting out on a weekend camping trip, Michael knew he would need to negotiate the rough terrain in daylight hours for his safety. It would do no one any good if the jeep went over an embankment along the road in the pitch black of night. Although the road began to deteriorate, he continued on for every kilometre meant he was getting closer to Nikita.

After travelling for an hour or so, the road suddenly dipped and became more hazardous. Although Michael negotiated the jeep with skill manoeuvring the vehicle around potholes and other obstacles along the way he decided to cut the engine and set up camp for the night. Swerving into a cleared area he pulled the jeep to a stop.

Karen looked at Michael with disdain. �Why are we stopping?�

�Out of the jeep,� he ordered without even a sideways look at his passenger.

�What are you doing?�

When Karen refused to get out of the jeep Michael pulled her out and dragged her away. Caught unawares by his actions, she put up a fight and lashed out kicking with her legs while hanging from his arm. Dragging her into the woods, Karen repeatedly turned to try to make eye contact with Michael who completely ignored her antics. If only she had, then Karen would have seen a steely quiet in them that was devoid of any emotion. Although she struggled against him, Karen felt the strength of Michael�s grip as he placed her arms behind her back then tied her securely to a tree.

Belligerently she slid down the trunk and sat on the ground. �Why? Why are you doing this?�

Ignoring her question, Michael turned and walked away. Returning to the jeep he fetched some security lasers and blankets. Karen watched as he meticulously aligned the parameter with the lights then turned them on. There was no camp fire but the low shielded lights placed around the base, created an eerie glow in the makeshift camp.

�What do you want?�

�The location.�

�Ahhh! You think I will tell you.�

Michael stared at Karen for a second. �Where is it?�

She merely stared him down in defiance �You have all the answers ... so you find it Michael.�

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

Leaving Karen tied up to the tree Michael went to study the map he had on the area. According to his calculations they were probably about twenty kilometres from the monastery, but the gradient appeared to increase noticeably the deeper they went into the mountains. Tomorrow�s journey would probably be hard going and they would have to take it slow in the rough conditions. This meant that getting to Nikita would take longer than he�d first anticipated. Although it was only twenty kilometres in distance, the time to travel along the terrain could be doubled or even tripled depending on what he found along the way.

Michael decided to contact Birkoff to clarify his estimates and see if there was an alternate route he could take to avoid some of the difficulties that lay ahead over the next few kilometres. �Birkoff? ... Birkoff?�

There was a brief pause before he received an answer. �Michael? Is that you ... I can hardly hear you. The reception is very poor.�

Michael could hear the crackling of his radio unit too and the faint reply back from Section. �I need the coordinates for the monastery.�

�Twenty kilometres due East, at nine thirty.�

�Thank you ... Is there another way to get to it?�

�No ... there�s only one way in and out.�

�Okay.�

�Michael ... We�ve gauged that the Rising Dragon�s surveillance at the monastery is sophisticated; from now on we maintain radio silence.�

�I understand.�

�Do you want backup?�

�No ... I�ll be ......�

There was more interference and the reception was dreadful. What? ... What did you say? ... Michael ... you�re breaking up ... I�m losing you ...� Birkoff stated alarmingly as he was unable to hear the final word of Michael's reply.

�... fine.�

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

Michael Samuelle looked like he was talking to himself, so in a challenging voice Karen called out from the tree to distract him, �Hey ... I've got to go. Is that all right?�

Turning slightly, he looked at her. �It's okay if I say it is.�

Karen was indignant. Leaning against the tree she turned away, hatred burning in her eyes at having to take orders from this man who held her prisoner. �I request permission then.�

Michael didn�t look at Karen when he answered her request. �Permission denied.�

He won't rest until we're dead. Karen thought as she watched him ignore her pleas. Then he'll die, too, she vowed. Nikita and Michael will both die together. Her mind went into overdrive contemplating her next move.

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

Sometime later Michael approached Karen with a blanket and retied her arms in the front, then left her there. Although she was still shackled to the tree she had enough rope to find some privacy for her bathroom requirements when needed. With a malicious look, her eyes followed his retreating back. �May I say something?�

�Go ahead.�

�Regarding the past ... as far as I'm concerned everyone in the triad ... was just doing their job ... and, as for the present ... I have no hard feelings. I just want to stay alive.�

Michael turned and met Karen�s gaze. �Really?�

Her expression continued to show only sincerity. �Really ... In fact, there's a question that ... I've been wanting to ask you, Michael, for a long time. It's kind of a ... personal question, but seeing as how we know each other better now, I guess we've got a lot in common and you won't mind my asking it ...�

He looked up but didn�t turn to face her.

�When you guys go on Missions, or whatever you call them ... how does Section One react to you and Nikita being together romantically?�

Michael's expression remained blank, but he turned and issued a final warning. �I said drop it. It�s best if you don�t mention Section One.�

Karen wore a fake repentant expression on her face as she apologized. �I'm sorry, I'm over the line. I'll see you in the morning then.�

Having said all she�d wanted to say to try and put Michael off guard Karen rolled over with a smug look on her face. She was aware of their little �secret� ... it could come in handy once the triad had rescued her. Now ... If I can just alert them somehow, then Michael Samuelle will be on the receiving end of their revenge. My father will not tolerate such treatment of his daughter. Once we get closer to the monastery I�ll think of something to let Steven or one of the others know that I�m being held captive.

Pulling the blanket around her Karen curled up with a plan formulating in her mind. She was soon asleep.

Getting comfortable for the night Michael closed his eyes. Suddenly the vision of a face appeared in his mind�s eye with eyes that pierced his soul. This was the face of his beautiful Nikita the woman who had been tortured on the disc. The Rising Dragons may have broken her physically but they would never break the light that shone within. She was unwavering. The next vision he saw was of her blue, cerulean eyes radiating with love and laughter. Nikita was everything that was good in his life.

He was only a short distance away from her now and once he reached the monastery she would be safe. Nikita�s ordeal would be over. He was coming to rescue his woman and nothing would stop him from that objective.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Play on text from ... Mother, Double Date and BIS

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