“I have news.”
“So spill it.”
“The Mexican Home Army is stationed nearby in Centennial.”
Paul didn’t sit up, but Romo had his attention. “Is Colonel Valdez with them?” he asked.
“But of course,” Romo said.
“How did you learn about this?”
“I received a phone call from a friend. The Colonel is still very angry with you.”
“And probably he’s now angry with you, too,” Paul said.
“This is true. It is why my friend called: to warn me.”
“So if your friend called, he knows you’re here—obviously.” Paul was thinking aloud.
In Mexico on a SOCOM mission, Paul had lost the Colonel’s daughter, Maria. She’d been his team’s guide. The Chinese had captured her. Colonel Valdez held Paul responsible for the loss. Valdez had sent assassins to kill him. Romo had been the best of those assassins, but Paul had saved his life and they had become blood brothers. The Colonel now hated both of them.
“The Colonel must know you’re here, too,” Paul said. “We should move you somewhere else.”
“Not necessary,” Romo said. “My friend would tell me if the Colonel planned to kill me.”
Paul wasn’t so sure about that. He’d done a little investigation into Colonel Valdez. The man killed those he distrusted. It had become an ingrained habit, and Romo had failed the Colonel, therefore…
“You sure you’re not worried?” Paul asked.
“This is a military hospital. The Colonel wouldn’t send one of his men here and jeopardize his standing with the Americans.”
“You’re dreaming if you believe that. In fact, you can’t believe that. I can get you moved.”
“I’ll keep it in mind,” Romo said. He yawned and his eyelids looked heavy.
Paul stood. He needed to talk to the chief doctor. “Get some more sleep. Get better. We have work to do, remember?”
“Si. I’ll get better. I just need a few more nights of sleep.”
Paul watched Romo close his eyes. If the man in charge of the hospital couldn’t do anything about this, meaning get him military guards, Paul would have to tell some of the others in SOCOM. He’d work out a rotation system, keeping watch on Romo. It would just be for a few more nights. What a thing… It used to be the enemy of my enemy is my friend. But Colonel Valdez, he collected enemies like some men notched victory points for sleeping with beautiful women. Valdez had a condition, a mental problem, and it wasn’t going to change anytime soon.
EL PASO, TEXAS
It was night as Guardian Inspector Shun Li of East Lightning strode down the corridor of a former underground bank vault. Above, the captured American city was a mass of rubble, ruined buildings and various Chinese headquarters. Down here, the technicians had already reinstalled full power. The lights overhead glared harshly, reflecting off the tiled floor.
Three East Lightning enforcers marched in front of her, their boots crashing in cadence. They were big men in body armor and enclosed helmets with darkened visors. Each cradled a close-combat carbine and would shoot anyone she wanted, at her command. She need merely point and nod or simply say, “Kill.”
Like trained beasts, they were eager to please her. Like beasts, they enjoyed their work.
East Lighting was the Chinese secret police. She was the Guardian Inspector for North America and answered only to Police Minister Xiao of the Ruling Committee.
Shun Li was of average size for a Chinese woman. She kept her dark hair short, barely covering her ears and wore a scarlet uniform with brown straps, reversing the normal East Lightning uniform. A short brown cape fluttered over her shoulders and pigskin gloves clad her hands. She had a peasant girl’s features. They were too wide in Chinese terms to be called beautiful. Even so, she had a pleasing face, with incredibly dark eyes of a compelling nature.
She also had a gift: a nose for politically potent information. She also knew the baseness of human nature and the trouble torture and premeditated killing caused for most people. It was hard to kill in cold blood. It was difficult for most people to inflict pain and make others scream and beg for mercy, even when doing so in the line of duty.
Because of that, East Lighting had learned to use social misfits to great effect. They took the outcasts of society, the sociopaths and the morally deficient. They gave the repugnant leave to follow their basest instincts as they tormented others into revealing critical data. East Lightning rewarded the vile for doing what otherwise would have landed them on death row as serial murders or psychotic rapists.
Even so, the last vestiges of right and wrong at times intruded on the outcasts’ souls. It was an occupational hazard that could cause a gnawing worm of distress in even the hardest of hearts. Such compromised interrogators often fled into drink or drugs for relief. Ironically, it surprised many of the misfits to discover they owned consciences.
They may be ugly, misshapen consciences and often stunted, but nevertheless were things that desperately needed silencing. This was why most interrogators wilted over the years. It’s why some became unhinged or why they turned dangerous like blood-maddened tigers tasting human flesh. The latter butchered the final remnants of their conscience and thereby became devilish and difficult to control.
Because her work mandated perfection and carried the seeds of her own destruction, Guardian Inspector Shun Li carefully watched her three enforcers. She hunted for the telltale signs. Too often in the past, East Lightning had sent hit teams to kill the killers, those who had become drunk on their task of carnage.
As Guardian Inspector, she had sent many otherwise fine East Lightning officers to the front to die. Earlier this year, Captain Wei had died in California. He had been a cunning operator, but the signs had been quite evident the last time she’d spoken with him. Men like him were careful lairs, very difficult to uncover. It was one more reason why she needed to be ruthless.
As she strode down the underground corridor with her short brown cape fluttering, Shun Li shrugged. Before his reassignment, Captain Wei had discovered useful information. Possibly, it had been wrong to engineer his death, but that was the price of being a torturer. His time had come and she had done her duty for the sake of Greater China.
When will someone come for me?
Her eyes tightened. She didn’t like to think about that, but she refused to lie to herself. If she watched these below, someone above watched her. She had long ago decided that the key to her survival was to keep the blood-madness at bay. She refused to enjoy killing. She refused to retreat into drink or drugs. She was beginning to wonder, however, if she used sex as her release. Even now, as her three enforcers marched ahead of her, she watched the play of their muscled buttocks. They were strong, powerful men with large appetites in all things. And the things the four of them did together in the bedroom…
Shun Li scowled so she could feel the lines appear in her forehead. Understanding hit her in the gut. The tasks are getting to me. I have done this too long.
She almost faltered as panic threatened. Do you realize what you’re admitting? She had indulged in bloodletting too long. Deciding who lived and who died—I have to give up my post before an executioner comes for me.
If that was true…Her three enforcers must die. They knew too many secrets about her that no one must ever learn.
I must cover my tracks, beginning today.
Ahead of her, the three enforcers paused before a closed door.
I have no more time for contemplation. I have a task to perform.
“Enter,” she said briskly.
With a gloved hand, the first enforcer opened the door. Then the three of them surged into the room, one after the other. A man inside gasped loud enough for Shun Li to hear.
She allowed herself a slight grin. It was time to play her persona. But I must not enjoy this. No. I do the task for the good of China.
Shun Li entered the chamber. An East Lighting major stood behind his desk, scowling at
the three carbines leveled at him. He ran to fat, this major, with a big belly. Still, the man had presence and stern features.
“What is the meaning of this, Guardian Inspector?” the major asked.
“I’m paying you a visit,” Shun Li said. “Please, sit down.”
The major glanced at the carbines and lifted a sardonic eyebrow at her.
Shun Li said nothing. The man kept his calm, which annoyed her. Maybe he needed breaking before they could proceed. She raised a hand as if to adjust her cape. The gloved hand stopped and she lifted a finger.
Underneath his enclosed helmet, the first enforcer grinned. He had several gold teeth. Coming around the desk, the enforcer swung the butt of his carbine, striking the major across the chin. The fat major catapulted back into his chair, his head thudded against the wall behind him.
Shun Li waved her hand.
The enforcer backed away, moving stiffly like an enraged hound.
Fear and pain shined in the major’s eyes. Gingerly, he touched his jaw, moving it tenderly from side to side. The sternness had departed. He deflated and his shoulders hunched.
In a hoarse voice, he said, “This is an unwarranted—”
The enforcer moved fast, lifting his carbine, tucking the butt against his shoulder and aiming at the East Lightning major. The man choked on his words as terror replaced the fear. It made his otherwise stern features seem pasty and doughy.
Suddenly, Shun Li was weary of this. The exchange seldom varied and it had become tedious.
The major turned away from the carbine and looked at her with pleading and hope. Once, she had enjoyed the range of emotions and enjoyed playing with a tormenter as a child would a new toy. The interrogator would have ruled too long in his spider kingdom, acting like a god, bestowing life or demanding death. He had forgotten how to deal with someone slapping him in the face or pointing a gun at his chest. To see the knowledge of his coming demise glow in his eyes had always made her grin inwardly.
Yes, I’ve enjoyed my tasks too much. Now I must escape this death-spiral or soon I will be the one sitting in the major’s chair.
Yet how could she escape? She was a spider with a larger web, but a spider nonetheless waiting for the coming wasp of higher command.
“Guardian Inspector,” the major said, “I would like to—”
“Quiet,” she said. “Let me think.”
One of the enforcers glanced at her, aiming his dark visor in her direction.
Shun Li suppressed a shudder. It felt as if the future looked at her, a grim reaper cutting her thread of life.
She almost said, “Kill him,” meaning the major. It would be a form of release from the awful knowledge of her own mortality. Fear thudded in her chest. Normally, she assuaged her wilted conscience by feeding it blood, attempting to drown it perhaps. She did have the blood madness, didn’t she? Is it too late for me?
Instead of giving the kill order, she snapped her mouth shut so her teeth clicked together. There had to be a way out of this self-made trap. She didn’t want to pay for—they’re not crimes. I did this for the good of China.
“Wait outside in the hall,” she told the enforcers.
The three killers hesitated. Then the first turned without a word and headed for the door. The other two followed. In a moment, the door closed behind them.
Shun Li regarded the major. He had bad skin and kept a warding hand hovering over his no doubt painful jaw. Still, the man was clever. If he seemed cowed now, she knew he schemed like a rat. It would be good to let him see the whip.
“You are slated to die,” she said.
Ha! His lower lip trembled. Yes, maybe he wasn’t so clever after all. Maybe she could—
“But I have decided to change your fate,” she said.
“You’re giving me mercy?” he asked in surprise.
The concept and the novelty of it struck her hard. Indeed, it felt as if a kung fu fighter heel-kicked her in the chest. Her mouth dropped open. What an interesting notion. Mercy, maybe by showing mercy she could repay Fate for all the blood she had shed. How much mercy would that take?
The thought made her frown. Maybe it would take several lifetimes of mercy, but she didn’t have that long. She needed a way out now.
The major’s lower lip trembled even more. “Guardian Inspector,” he said in a weasel tone, “I would like to show you something if I may?’
“Stay in your chair. Tell me this something instead.”
He nodded meekly and perspiration appeared on his face. “I have uncovered a fact the Chairman might find significant.”
“Have you filed it?”
The major shook his head.
“Why have you waited to inform your superiors about this knowledge?” she asked.
He looked down at his desk. “I’m due back in China. I leave in two days, in fact. I-I had planned to report this directly to Police Minister Xiao.”
He’s lying. There is something else going on here.
“Well, what is this significant something?” she asked. “Hurry up and tell me.”
He glanced up at her. The cunning was plain in his eyes. Yes, this one thought he was very clever.
“I will trade you the information,” he said.
Shun Li couldn’t help but grin. She had heard similar words so many times that it seemed impossible he believed it would work. Still, today…today, she would be merciful. She had to be careful, though. The major might have hidden recorders.
“I don’t understand this talk of trades,” she said, while looking at him significantly, letting him see she was trading. “I have personally come to inform you of tasks well done. Headquarters is pleased with your efforts.”
He grinned at her, and his eyes shone with newfound hope. He even took his protecting hand away from his jaw.
Shun Li found herself smiling in return. She smiled enough to let her lips part and reveal the tips of her teeth. Mercy felt good. Usually, she would have made the offender squirm and plead for his life. Today, she gave him hope, even though he was a pig of a drug addict and he had lost his better judgment. He deserved a nasty end, but not today because her conscience needed balancing, needing purging from its excessive bloodletting.
“You were saying,” she prompted.
“Yes, yes, I was going to personally tell Police Minister Xiao that I have discovered two pieces of vital information for the war effort.”
“Tell me now. I will decide how vital this information is.”
“Yes, of course.” He cleared his throat. “Firstly, I have discovered that there is but a single American Behemoth manufacturing plant.”
“This is true?” she asked. The Behemoth tanks were a nightmare, although they had remained hidden during the summer and fall offensives. It seemed inconceivable to her the Americans only built them in one location, as the tank had struck Chinese Command as a war-winning weapons system.
“It’s an amazing thing,” the major agreed. “But I have clear proof it is true. I have also discovered where the single plant lies: in Denver, Colorado.”
Hmm. She could see why the major wanted to be the one to show this to Xiao. This was incredible news. Still, how true was it?
“What proof do you have?” she asked.
“May I open my drawer?”
“Do so,” she said, although she dropped a gloved hand onto the butt of her holstered pistol. If the major brought up a weapon, he would die.
Slowly and carefully, the major opened a drawer, taking out a folder. He opened it, turning the papers to face her, and he began to explain how he had stumbled onto the information.
Shun Li craned for a look. Soon, she nodded in appreciation. This was incredibly vital news. The Behemoth tanks had gone a long way toward defeating the Californian invasion earlier this spring. She knew Army High Command dearly wanted to know where the Behemoths were hiding. If China could knock out the sole manufacturing plant—
“The Police Minister will welcome this news,” she said.
“I give you this prize,” he said, sliding the folder across the desk to her.
A thought struck. Had this prize come to her because she was being merciful? Maybe she could use this news to help her escape her fate as a tired Guardian Inspector. Maybe she could maneuver herself back into a post in China. With this, she might be able to maneuver onto the Police Minister’s staff in Beijing.
Shun Li picked up the folder.
“I would also like to give you this,” he said, “The transcript of the interviews.” He opened another drawer and slapped down a thicker folder.
“Are any of the prisoners still alive?” she asked.
“Alas, no, each one perished under questioning.”
Shun Li shook her head. Often, this was the sign an interrogator had lost his touch: when his prisoners began to expire under his ministrations.
“I assure you it couldn’t be helped,” he said.
“Of course,” she said. “I will write that in my report.”
The major smiled. “May I say, Guardian Inspector, that this—”
His words failed as she drew her pistol. He looked at her openmouthed. He must be wondering what she was going to do. She was giving him mercy. Headquarters had decided he must die. There was no escaping the decision. Her mercy had been in letting him think—these last few minutes of life—that he was going to live. Her mercy was in making his last moments enjoyable by thinking he could barter with Death.
“I thought we had a bargain,” he whispered.
“We did and we do,” she said, aiming at his forehead and pulling the trigger three times.
He smashed back, with three neatly placed holes smoking in his forehead.
Shun Li waved her pistol in the air to clear the smoke. Behind her, the door flew open and the first enforcer thrust the carbine through the opening. When he saw her, he relaxed.
Picking up the two folders, Shun Li tucked them under an arm. “Take him to the incinerator,” she said.
The enforcers let her pass. Afterward, they hurried into the major’s office. She headed for the surface. Here was priceless information indeed. Yes, she must get this to Police Minister Xiao tonight.
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