After making other calls to the Imperial Palace, Pon called Prime Master Samouern.
“Hello Pon,” said Samouern sounding anxious.
Pon heard Cambodian people shouting in the background and said, “Prime Master Samouern, we have just been attacked so I wanted to warn you that your Wat is also likely to be attacked.”
“We were now under attack Pon. A Chokdet Warrior cut the head off an Amanussa several hours ago. We found no others in the Sanctuary, but maybe they got scared when they saw the smoke and dogs so fled into the jungle. My Chokdet Warriors are searching the jungle and if there are more my Warriors will soon find them,” said Samouern sounding confident. “Are you and the Tinju okay, Pon?”
“Yes, Samouern, we also found only one. We have him prisoner, but he’s not talking. The Imperial Palace in Bangkok was also attacked earlier, and they only found one Amanussa who is dead. I know it sounds unlikely but maybe there is only one attacker at each Sanctuary.”
“Oh,” said Samouern sounding puzzled. “But our Gopetu said the descendants were attacked by more than one,”
“Yes,” said Pon, “and both of the Gopetu’s here said the same, there was more than one attacker on the families. Perhaps it’s different with the Sanctuaries.”
“Hmm,” said Samouern, “this all sounds strange.”
“You are correct Samouern, and I am taking our prisoner to Bangkok in the morning, perhaps I can learn more there.”
Prime Master Samouern, then sounding surprised said, “The one we killed didn’t look Asian.”
“No,” said Pon, “neither were the ones who attacked us. I think they’re Arabs.”
Pon, realising that Samouern would not know what an Arab was, said. “I will explain later old friend.”
“Thank you Pon; my phone is charged, so I won’t use it anymore until you call again.”
The pair hung up and Pon went to check around the Wat’s grounds again before going to bed, although he slept little and checked several more times throughout the night as Warriors and Masters made their patrols.
****
Taksin and Vitchae waited on the palace heli-pad with two Tinju Warriors when the helicopter arrived. Once the rotors stopped, Pon stepped out of the fuselage with their prisoner.
The Tinju shoved the man still covered in a sheet into the back of a prison van and it drove away.
“They will take him to the Imperial Palace cells,” said Taksin and wai-ed Pon.
Manhut and Lek then stepped from the helicopter.
Vitchae wai-ed the three.
“Master Vitchae, this is Manhut and Lek,” said Pon, “Will you take them to the living quarters, and I will be along soon.”
Master Vitchae nodded, smiled, and saw the little girl staring blankly as he spoke to Manhut and then he led the pair to the quarters.
Pon handed Taksin the key fob.
Taksin took the device, looked at it, nodded, and said. “This looked the same as the one Dave gave me from the attack here.” He held it up and inspected it. “This one hasn’t been triggered. I will send it to the lab so they can analyse both.”
Pon nodded and asked. “Where’s the dead man’s body now?”
“In the Bangkok police morgue. The police coroner is doing a post mortem this morning and blood has been sent to their forensic lab for analysis,” said Taksin and looked at his watch. “I should have the blood results along with the autopsy sometime this afternoon.”
“Thank you Khun Taksin. I will go to the living quarters and see Manhut, Lek, and the others. Master Vitchae and I will then go to the cell and interrogate the prisoner,” said Pon and grinned, “Master Vitchae has ways of extracting information.”
Taksin smiled and wai-ed the Prime Master.
They were all sitting in the lounge when Pon went in. Having already introduced Manhut and Lek, Vitchae sat on a sofa with them. Moo and Dao knelt in front of Lek; they spoke softly and cuddled the little girl who remained entranced, staring at them through lifeless eyes.
Pon kissed Kim and Samnan sitting with Dave and Sid on the floor playing with toys.
Spock and Stu sat on two armchairs unable to understand what was going on with everyone speaking Thai. They knew by the angry expression of the Thai Gopetu, and the vacant expression of the little girl, that they had been through a horrific experience.
Pon nodded and smiled at Spock and Stu and then went to speak with Dave.
Dave then took Sid over to the lads and said, “Ay-up, pal, you go with Spock and Stu into ‘t’ kitchen.” he smiled and looked at Stu.
“Yeah, this will be boring old Thai stuff, so come with us Sid, we can watch Telly,” and sounding excited, said “Did you know I was writing a book about a Vampire? I’ll read it to you if you like.”
Sid raised his eyebrows and looked at Spock for help.
Spock smirked. “Bring your Gameboy and I’ll show you how it’s done,” he said and Sid breathed a sigh of relief.
While Dao, Moo, and Kim comforted the young girl; Pon, Vitchae, Manhut, and Dave, sat on the sofa discussing events.
Neither Gopetu could understand why there had been only one attacker at the Sanctuaries.
“I had hold of someone while others were attacking Kai and Noi. I saw another slit the dog’s throat, so there must have been at least four,” said Dave, now doubting what he saw and looking confused, he furrowed his brow and said, “and I saw no eyes like we did here.”
Thirty-minutes later, with the Thai men looking and sounding perplexed, Pon said. “I am sure the Arab we caught has the answers we need.” He looked at Vitchae. “With your help Master Vitchae, we will go to the cells and find out.”
Vitchae nodded and smiled. “I need to collect something from my quarter’s first Prime Master.”
Pon smirked and he and Vitchae left.
— Chapter Eight —
The prisoner sat on the floor of the cell in the palace security building. The two Tinju monks with their sword blades inches from his face, glared at the prisoner who trembled as he stared back at them.
When Taksin, Vitchae, and Pon came in and walked over to the prisoner, the Tinju guards stood back.
The man glared at Taksin when he asked in English. “What is your name?”
The man looked forward and ignored him.
Taksin leant forward and, looking into the man’s eyes repeated. “What is your name?”
The man glared again at Taksin who sighed and stood back. “I don’t think he understands English Pon.”
Pon looked at the man on the floor and then nodded to Vitchae.
“We will soon find out Khun Taksin,” said Pon, leant over, grabbed the man’s hair, and pulled back his head.
The man winced and saw out of the corner of his eye the elderly monk taking a small ceramic pot from his cassock.
With Pon holding his head still, the man tried in vain to shake his head from side to side, as Vitchae rubbed a blob of ointment into each nostril.
The man’s eyes watered as he snorted, trying to expel the foul smelling paste. He then went still and gazed at the Thai’s as Pon let go of his hair. He felt the room spinning before darkness enveloped him and his head slumped forward.
Pon smiled and said. “Ask him again Khun Taksin.”
“What is your name?”
The man raised his head, opened his eyes, and said. “Abdullah Ranghit.”
Taksin smiled. “Huh, so he does speak English,” he said and asked. “Where are you from, Abdullah?”
“I was born in Kabahla village, northern Pakistan, but now I am a soldier of Allah and live with my brothers in the caves within the Hindu Raj Mountains,” said Abdulla in English with a Pakistani twang.
Taksin looked surprised and said. “He isn’t an Arab… he is Pakistani.”
“Why did you attack us?” asked Pon sounding calm.
“Orders,” said Abdullah now staring at Pon.
“Who gave those orders?” asked Pon.
Pon could see Abdul
lah trying to fight the truth-inducing herbal mixture as he furrowed his brow and squinted. Pon repeated the question. “Who gave those orders?”
“Fahed Del Alaz,” said Abdullah trembling.
Pon looked surprised, “Stu was right.”
Pon looked at the prisoner and asked. “Why?”
They saw beads of sweat running down the man’s face as he replied. “Because Buddhists killed his father.”
Pon, Vitchae, and Taksin stared at Abdullah and Taksin asked.
“Where is Fahed Del Alaz?”
Abdullah shrugged, “I don’t know. None of us have seen him. He only dealt with our chiefs and paid them money to recruit us. We were ordered to go to a training camp to be briefed on our mission and trained by Fahed’s soldiers.”
Taksin furrowed his brow. “Where was the training camp?”
They saw Abdullah’s face scrunch up as he searched his memory for the answer and said. “I don’t know. We met his soldiers at the foot of our mountain hideout and driven to a large compound in covered trucks,” said Abdullah and frowned. “It was a long journey and the further we travelled, the hotter it became in the back of the trucks. We ended up in a desert. I don’t know where because we only stayed in the compound a few days to learn about the mission, our targets, and their location. We were given equipment and then flown out at night to begin our missions.”
Taksin pondered, spoke to Pon and Vitchae, and left the cell.
Pon continued with his questioning.
“Who else was at the training camp?”
Abdullah’s face scrunched up again before he answered. “Apart from my brother soldiers from the caves, they had Arab soldiers and instructors, and I saw many large white foreigners from Fahed’s army, but we were forbidden to speak to them.”
Pon, noticing beads of sweat running down Abdullah’s face, gave him several minutes respite and when Abdullah looked more composed, Pon took a cold towel and wiped the sweat from Abdullah’s face before continuing. “How do you be invisible?”
Abdullah looked at Pon, smiled, and said. “The suits.”
Pon furrowed his brow. “How are the suits made?”
Abdullah shrugged. “I don’t know, they gave us them at the training facility and told us how to use them.”
Pon sighed. “What do you know about Amanussas or the Puravuttanta?”
Abdulla looked at Pon and shrugged.
Realising Abdullah knew nothing about ancient Amanussa or their methods, Pon asked. “What were your orders?”
Looking entranced, Abdulla stammered. “I was to follow my targets until they reached your Sanctuary and then hide and observe. When I felt certain that the Gopetu had recovered enough to tell you what had happened, I would infiltrate your Sanctuary and get caught. When I was taken to your inner sanctum, I was to press Allah’s help and wait until Fahed’s army arrived, and along with them kill you all.” Abdullah then sounded morose and said, “but no help came for me, because I failed.”
Pon looked confused before realising that Allah’s help meant the poison key fob.
Vitchae said something to Pon in Thai.
Pon nodded and asked. “Did you attack and kill the descendants Abdullah?”
Abdullah shook his head and smirked. “No, the soldiers from Fahed’s army were given that task. I went to the descendant’s home in Bangkok with them, but as my task was essential, I was told I was too valuable to risk injury. I waited nearby and followed the Gopetu and surviving descendant on the bus to Salaburi. I put on my suit and stayed close when he went into your Sanctuary. When I saw the Gopetu walking with the young girl, that night I made my move as instructed.
Pon furrowed his brow and realised that Abdullah did not know the key fob was poison and unaware of his colleague’s demise.
Pon and Vitchae looked at Abdullah and then spoke Thai.
“Now we know Fahed was behind this and why, it makes no sense Master Vitchae. Why send them to the Sanctuary only to kill them. Surely Fahed realised we would be on high alert, which would be the last thing an attacking army wanted.
Pon translated for Vitchae and the old Master furrowed his brow and stroked his chin. “I don’t understand either Pon,” he said pointing at Abdullah, “unless they were only a diversion.”
“A diversion for what I wonder?” said Pon and looked at Abdulla. “He has no clue, he is only a pawn.”
Pon sighed and asked Abdullah, “What happened after your soldiers defeated us?”
Abdullah smirked. “When we wiped you out, we would return to the training facility. Fahed would then give us money and new weapons. We would then return to our homes in the mountains to continue our fight against the Western invaders of our country.”
Pon considered his next question carefully. He now understood the reason behind the attack on the Tinju was Fahed’s revenge for his father, but to attack the English descendants and Gopetu’s, and the Cambodians and their Sanctuary, seemed beyond reason.
Taking a deep breath, he asked. “How many other descendants are targets?”
Abdullah looked up at Pon and smirked, “All of them; Fahed wanted to wipe all Buddha’s spawn along with their collaborators off the face of the planet.”
Pon looked surprised and then translated in Thai for Vitchae who looked concerned and spoke to Pon.
Pon nodded, frowned, and asked Abdullah. “How do they know where they all are?”
Abdullah closed his eyes while searching for the answer and said. “I don’t know, they just gave us each given a target.”
Pon looked worried as he told Vitchae, who, looking shocked, told him, “We have a problem Pon, we have no way to contact the others Sanctuaries to warn them.” Vitchae sighed. “Maybe it’s already too late, and they have been wiped out.”
Pon rubbed his temples as he thought and said. “Perhaps… unless it was like you said Master Vitchae, this was only a diversion.”
Pon sighed, closed his eyes, and rubbed his forehead.
Taksin returned to the room carrying maps.
“Is everything okay Pon?” He asked seeing the Prime Master looking perplexed.
Pon nodded and asked. “What have you got there Khun Taksin?”
Taksin smiled and laid two maps on the floor in front of the groggy prisoner and said. “Look at these.”.
Abdullah held onto his sheet and moved closer, trying to focus on the maps as Taksin told Pon and Vitchae.
“These are surveillance maps of areas picked up by satellites. The Americans know terrorists hide in the Hindu Raj Mountains, so American Homeland Security released these to all the allies involved in their war against terror.”
They looked at Abdullah studying the maps and Taksin asked. “Where is your base?”
Abdullah looked at the map of the Hindu Raj mountain range and several minutes later, he smiled, tapped on the map, and said. “Here… in the caves of the valley between these two peaks.”
Taksin marked the area with a felt pen and asked. “Where did you meet Fahed’s soldiers?”
Abdullah looked again and pointed to foothills several kilometres away.
“Here,” he said, and Taksin marked that area.
“And how long did it take you to get from there to the training camp?”
Abdullah looked up and sighed. He closed his eyes recalling the journey and said. “About two days, although I am not sure because my brothers and I slept for most of the journey. When we stopped Fahed’s soldiers brought food to us and we only got out for toilet breaks, which were brief and in the middle of nowhere.”
Taksin furrowed his brow and in Thai, said. “Damn, so it could be anywhere.”
Taksin then saw Pon, who no longer seemed focused on the interrogation, and asked. “What are you thinking Pon?”
Pon looked at Taksin and said. “The only way to slay the dragon is to cut off its head.”
Taksin nodded. “I agree; by killing Fahed, his soldiers have no reason to continue.” Taksin shrugged and furrowed his brow. “But wh
ere do we find the dragon?”
Pon pointed to the marks on the map and said. “We have one location. We can find out more when we get there.”
Taksin and Vitchae looked taken aback. “What do you mean?” asked Taksin sounding surprised. “Surely you aren’t considering trying to infiltrate Abdullah’s camp?”
Pon looked at Taksin and nodded. “I have no other choice. We need to kill Fahed before he destroyed us all, and it’s all we have to go on. We need to see Abdullah’s chiefs.”
Vitchae gasped. “Prime Master, the location is in an impassable mountain terrain with sub-zero temperatures. Even following the coordinates the caves will be impossible to find unless you know the trails.”
Concerned, Taksin pointed to Abdullah and said, “Pon, you will be up against a fanatical enemy who is well armed and dedicated to their cause. They know how to fight in this terrain and it is too dangerous, even the American military avoid sending troops there.”
Taksin then looked at Pon and frowned. “Pon, I beg you to reconsider.”
Pon, noticing Taksin’s worried expression, said. “Thank you for your concern my friend, but unless any other Sanctuaries contact me with an alternative, which is unlikely, we have no choice. I will take our best Tinju warriors and call Prime Master Samouern. I feel certain that he will send some of his Chokdet warriors to help.” Pon pointed at Abdullah and said, “and he will show us the route.”
“Buddha will protect them,” said Vitchae taking more ointment from his pot and putting it into Abdullah’s nostrils.
— Chapter Nine —
Looking in the mirror and rubbing along the top of his scalp, the man smiled and thought. ‘That looks fine.’
He turned off his electric razor and looked at the activity through the internal window as his soldiers placed explosives in the now deserted factory.
Putting on a thick fleece jacket, he took documents off his desk and, as he was about to put them into a large briefcase, his phone rang.
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