by Mike Ramon
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Beijing, People’s Republic of China
June 13 -- 05:22 UTC/1:22 pm local time
“We have been pressing the North Koreans to step up and do their part,” Colonel Guo said.
Colonel Guo was the Ministry of State Security’s liaison with the Recovery Team. He was addressing Lu Ping and the rest of the top members of the Recovery Team in a conference room within MSS headquarters. Even though the Recovery Team operated separately from the Ministry, they had taken set up base in the HQ of China’s primary intelligence service. Colonel Guo’s trip to this particular conference had consisted of an elevator ride one floor up from his own office.
“How high should our hopes be that they will really do all that they can?” Lu Ping asked.
“They appear to realize, at last, the importance of crushing the Violet Dawn organization,” Colonel Guo replied. “I have been assured that they will begin conducting raids in a matter of days.”
“Very good. And what of the progress of our own agents on the ground in North Korea?”
Colonel Guo didn’t answer her. He looked around at some of the others gathered around the table before looking back at Lu Ping.
“We have full trust in the North Korean authorities to strike a blow against the terrorists,” he finally said.
“Oh come now, Colonel; we all know that the Ministry must have people on the ground over there. I know how the Ministry works, and how much they hate to reveal anything, but I must ask you to set aside your natural preference for secrecy and to be honest with me.”
Colonel Guo thought for a moment.
“I’m not authorized to confirm whether we have agents inside the DPRK,” he said. “But if we did, I imagine they would be doing all that is within their abilities to track the terrorists.”
Lu Ping had to roll her eyes; men like the Colonel had dwelt so long in a world of secrets and shadows that even now he could not “confirm” what was practically open knowledge amongst the Recovery Team. She sighed, knowing that she would have to settle for such a non-answer for the time being.
“All right, then,” she said. “Thank you for your report, Colonel.”
She flipped through the papers in front of her, reports from various ministries and departments, from the Army and members of the Recovery Team. So many reports, so many words, and it all added up to one thing: nobody had any idea where Dragon’s Breath was, or where the leadership of Violet Dawn was based. They could be in China, in North Korea, South Korea, maybe even in Japan. It was at times like this, thinking these thoughts, that Lu Ping sometimes sensed her heart rate quickening, felt her pulse pounding in her temples, and had to take a moment to get her breathing under control, to steady herself to avoid a full on panic attack.
Lu Ping opened her eyes; she hadn’t realized that she had closed them. All eyes were on her, looks of concern on the faces of her Team members.
“I apologize,” she said. “I’m just a little tired. I guess all of us have been working hard; I’m sure I’m not the only one who hasn’t been getting a full night’s sleep lately.”
There was some laughter, and the worry faded from the faces that surrounded her.
“Mister Yao,” she said, addressing the liaison from the Ministry of National Defense. “Is there anything you care to add to the discussion?”
She listened as the man filled the group in on the thoughts and concerns of the MOD. The mee________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ting broke up a half hour later, after everyone had gotten a turn to speak and to ask questions. As the people gathered around the table got to their feet and shook hands, or passed a little idle chatter for a few minutes before clearing the room, Lu Ping kept an eye on one particular member of the group. Even when Lieutenant Li, the newest member of the Recovery Team, came over to have a few words with her, Lu Ping surreptitiously kept one eye on the man.
When the man who she was so interested in stepped out of the room Lu Ping looked to another man, Wu Lei, who was a member of her Team. More important than that, he was someone that she trusted. Their eyes met, and she gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod. Wu Lei slipped out of the office and followed after the other man.