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Date Posted: 04:08:17 03/18/06 Sat
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: WNPP-p-203-54-22-192.prem.tmns.net.au / 203.54.22.192
Subject: Chapter 50
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "The Rising Dragons - continued ..." on 05:12:38 03/04/06 Sat

Chapter 50


Back at Section, Birkoff was monitoring the mission from Systems. As he watched his monitor he was able to see exactly what had eventuated in the room at the embassy. Nikita had provided the visual and it was now a game of wait and see. Operations knowing that the in play scenario was active checked in with Birkoff for an update on the mission.

“Birkoff … report.”

“They've separated sir. The target is with Nikita.”

“Has she administered the tranq?”

“Yes.”

“Keep me posted.”

“It shouldn’t be too long before the drug kicks in.”

“Have the appropriate vehicles stand by.”

“They’re in position already.”

“Good! … Inform Michael that we want a clean pick on this.”

“Yes sir.”


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


As Alain Dubois danced with Nikita the thoughts careening around in his mind were far different from the outward persona he had presented to these two very interesting guests.

When he’d seen Nikita standing amongst the invited guests he was thankful that his wife had been unaware of why he had suddenly felt edgy. She had failed to see what he had seen in the crowded ballroom ... a woman with an uncanny resemblance to their dead daughter. There were many beautiful blonde women here tonight, but it was his guilty conscious playing tricks on his mind that had singled out this woman in the sea of faces.

Although he knew of Nathalie’s subterfuge and lifestyle with the Rising Dragons triad, his wife did not. To her, Nathalie was just another missing teenager that had severed all ties with her family. Catherine had not seen their daughter for many years and Nathalie had not contacted her in all that time. He knew this had broken her heart. Nathalie had also changed her appearance considerably. When she’d left home she had been a pimply faced teenager but Nathalie had been groomed into a sophisticated, alluring young woman under Madame Cheung’s tutelage. He wondered if his wife would even have recognised her as a grown woman let alone picked her out in a crowded ballroom.

However, those thoughts soon dissipated when he came face to face with this gorgeous woman ... and that is when he began to set his plan in motion.

Was Nikita the woman that his informant had told him about? The one he had seen at the airport? If so, he had been right … she did fit the profile. Madame Cheung would be most interested in her. Nikita Fontaine was definitely the type of woman that she was anxious to have in her employ ... one that men would pay good money for.

He would contact his informant as soon as possible … tonight even … after the ball and organise a meeting and arrange for him to approach Nikita. He would have to get rid of the husband though, but that shouldn’t be too hard. Michael Fontaine could meet with an “accident” just like Wu on the junk. Pity about the research though … but this was business and business was money … lots of money in his pocket.

His contact’s job was to approach Western women travelling alone at the airport, bars, nightclubs and restaurants with a proposition too good to refuse. How the girls came into Madame Cheung’s employ was of no concern to him, although coercion of vulnerable women into prostitution and escort services was not uncommon. Madame Cheung had always seen to the seedier side of procuring their services. Drugging and brainwashing the women after her initial meeting with them had been her most successful method of compliance.

He in turn was responsible for providing the wealthy clients to her escort service. Diplomats visiting China on the look out for beautiful women companions were his speciality. He had an extensive list of powerful clients who wanted discreet meetings with beautiful women and his arrangement with Madame Cheung worked well. It was because of this and his many diplomatic contacts, that he had gained a prominent position in the Rising Dragons.

Getting hold of Nikita Fontaine for Madame Cheung would certainly raise his profile and Sun Yee Lok could look favourably on his contributions to the Rising Dragons and consider him for a promotion within the triad. Tony Wong had served his purpose … it was now time to further his horizons. Having members of the inner circle in his favour was a very desirable proposition, and one he fostered at every available opportunity.

Only one regret played on his mind and that was that he had deceived his wife over all these years. She had never fully recovered from their daughter’s disappearance and leaving home. It was only when he had been recruited by the Rising Dragons that he became aware of his daughter’s involvement with the triad too. He could never have told her the full extent of how Nathalie’s life had changed. Catherine would never have understood how their daughter had become involved in the Rising Dragons’ triad or for that matter how he had in criminal dealings.

He thought Nathalie would be the one who saw to his rise within the Rising Dragons particularly given Madame Cheung’s fondness for her. However, Nathalie had turned against all that had been offered to her. She was about to bite the hand that fed her and would have jeopardised not only his position but that of the Rising Dragons’ inner circle ... and that was intolerable. Her death, however as much as he regretted what had happened to her, he knew that there was no other way. If Tony and he had come under greater scrutiny then their days would have been marked. As it was Tony was dead and he was not going to follow in his footsteps.

He had an opportunity to enhance not only his coffers but also his standing in the triad ... and that meant everything.


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


Michael continued his surveillance of the target dancing with Nikita. He observed the body language as Alain Dubois talked with her and when Nikita glanced his way Michael knew she was communicating that Dubois was beginning to show signs of the drug’s effect.

“I’m sorry my dear, b...ut I feel a little faint,” Dubois said to Nikita as they danced.

“Are you okay ambassador?”

“No … Not really! Do you mind if I sit down?”

“Certainly not … Here, let me help you,” she replied and escorted him over to where Michael was standing.

“Dr. Fontaine … I don’t feel …” but before Dubois could finish what he was saying he staggered forward. Michael caught him before he hit the floor. The ambassador’s skin had turned a shade of pale, and he appeared disorientated and somewhat stunned at the turn of events. Taking Dubois’ arm Michael and Nikita began to escort him from the ballroom and away from the crowd before anyone noticed his distressed state.

However, his security team had noticed that something was wrong with the ambassador, and they descended on Michael and Nikita as they were hustling Dubois away.

“Quick he needs to get some air,” Michael stated as they approached. “I’m a doctor … clear the way please. The ambassador’s feeling faint.”

“We’ll help you,” they replied and cleared a path for them and with Nikita’s help they led Dubois out as inconspicuously as possible.


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


Dubois and his wife had separated soon after entering the ballroom and she was mingling with guests on the opposite side of the room out of view of her husband. This was not uncommon as it enabled them to mix with as many people as possible at these functions.

When they had entered the ballroom tonight, she had been looking forward to an enjoyable evening. She took great pride in organising these parties and it kept her mind and heavy heart off the recent death of their estranged daughter.

She had not seen Nathalie for many years having lost all communication with her. Alain and she never spoke of their daughter for she blamed him for her leaving home. When Nathalie had left she was barely sixteen with an attitude to match. She’d always been a wilful child, headstrong and recalcitrant. Nathalie was difficult to handle and had bickered with her father constantly.

She’d been distraught at her disappearance and the years of separation had taken their toll on her. Now all she had to occupy her time were these events at the embassy.

Madame Dubois was oblivious to all the turmoil that was unfolding on the other side of the ballroom in the sitting room, but having been informed that the ambassador was unwell, and anxious about his health, she came hurrying over to see what had happened to her husband.

Worriedly she spoke to Michael asking, “What happened? Is there a problem?”

“I’m Dr Fontaine,” Michael replied reassuringly. “I don't know yet, but your husband needs to be admitted to a hospital.”

“A hospital? ... Why? ... What's wrong with him?”

“I don’t want to alarm you Madame.”

“Is he okay? ... He was a little pale and sweaty earlier this evening.”

“Hmmm ... Is that so?”

“I asked Alain how he was feeling Dr Fontaine, and he said he was fine ... but there really is something wrong with him, isn’t there?”

“It could be a heart attack,” Michael stated with some concern.

“Oh my goodness!” She replied in shock. “Will he be all right?”

“I’ll know more when we get him to the hospital Madame. We’ll have to run some tests. I’ve already called the paramedics and my colleague ... a heart specialist.”

“Thank you Dr Fontaine!”

In her distressed state about her husband’s plight, Madame Dubois failed to notice Nikita standing nearby until she asked, “Are you all right Madame Dubois?”

She saw the beautiful woman but didn’t really “look” at her. The shock of Alain’s apparent heart attack had affected Catherine Dubois deeply and now a feeling of panic coursed through her body in her worry. She saw people standing around but looked right through them as her attention was completely focused on her husband and what they were to do.

“Yes, yes ... I’m fine ... I’ll go with you.”

“Of course Madame.”


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


Alain Dubois lay in the hospital bed unconscious while the heart monitor he was attached to beeped consistently. Catherine Dubois sat by her husband’s bedside as the Intensive Care nurse attended to him. She studied his chart, then took his vital signs writing her observations in her notes.

As she was adjusting the monitor, Catherine asked, “Is there any change?”

“He’s stable Madame.”

‘That’s good isn’t it?” She asked hopefully.

When the nurse just smiled at her, Michael replied, “These things take time unfortunately. Life is so fragile where the heart is concerned.”

“Is there any hope for him?”

“There is always hope Madame. I’ll page his specialist to talk to you.”

“Thank you.”


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


“Dr. St. Pierre to Admitting ... Dr. St. Pierre to Admitting”


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Play on Text ... ONJ, L&C and WOB

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