by Gar Wilson
"But you don't believe the formula is still here in Mongolia because this is a 'terrible police state' associated with the 'evil empire' of the Soviet Union?" Pushkin sneered.
"At last we can agree on something," Katz replied with a smile. "The fact is, a crime syndicate would have difficulty functioning in a country with so many strict government controls. Criminal organizations couldn't operate in Nazi Germany, largely because the Nazis were ultimate criminals working for the state. It has been said that the Mafia planned to assassinate Mussolini because they couldn't conduct business in a Fascist country..."
"You're comparing communism to those damn dictatorships?" The KGB colonel was furious.
"I don't want to argue with you," the Israeli sighed. "But you must admit that government controls under communism are as extreme as they were under Hitler or Mussolini. The last public execution in the Soviet Union, sometime in the 1960's, involved a man who worked the black market. International crime networks would obviously avoid the Soviet Union and her satellite nations."
"They'd feel more at home in the United States," Pushkin commented, "where anyone can get a gun."
"The wrong people can always get weapons," Katz said with a shrug.
"This argument about our two countries isn't solving the problem," Alekseyev declared. "We need to find the VL-800 formula. If TRIO has it, we need to find them."
"They wouldn't stay in Mongolia," Katz declared. "And the USSR would be even worse for their needs. Same would be true about Communist China. That means they'd head for the coast... either the Sea of Japan or the Yellow Sea."
"And where would they go from there?" Pushkin inquired.
"Your people believed the Red Chinese were responsible," Katz mused. "So your investigation concentrated along the border. Did anyone consider the possibility they may have fled to North Korea instead?"
"We did," Pushkin confirmed. "One theory was that the thieves might be CIA or Japanese Kempai agents. In which case we thought the bastards would probably head east toward Japan or south to American installations in South Korea."
Katz rose from his chair and approached a map of the world that hung on a wall. The Israeli gazed at eastern Asia. He noticed several red pins stuck in the map along the coast of the Sea of Japan. Many more were lined up along the border by mainland China. Only a few marked the coast of North Korea by the Yellow Sea.
"Is this a chart of KGB personnel emplacements set up to prevent the thieves from escaping?" Katz asked.
"Do," Pushkin confirmed. "I put the pins in the map this morning because I thought you people might want to examine it. Needless to say, I don't make a habit of keeping a wall chart of KGB activities. Frankly, I don't care to give you any more details unless I receive authorization from Moscow."
"The Sea of Japan is covered pretty well," the Phoenix Force commander remarked, "but the Yellow Sea isn't. Most of the personnel seem to be concentrated along the border at South and North Korea. The coast along Korea is wide open."
"Hardly," the KGB colonel insisted. "There were hundreds of Soviet and Korean operatives stationed there."
"But it's still the weak point in the net," Katz stated. "Check the dates on the time these blockades and observation posts were set up. If the stations at the Yellow Sea were among the latter posts and if they weren't reinforced, it suggests a good possibility that it's the route that the thieves used. Naturally we'll check with Kempai and the CIA to see if any likely ships reached Japan or South Korea."
"How could they tell if the ship was carrying TRIO gangsters with our VL-800 formula?" Pushkin inquired.
"The samurai short sword suggests yakuza are among the TRIO thieves," the Israeli explained. "That means they're Japanese and probably have identification. If they arrived in Japan or Korea, they'd certainly be questioned about the fact their vessel came from the direction of Mongolia and the Soviet Union. There's bound to be a record of that."
"But you don't think they went to Japan or Korea?" Alekseyev asked. "You suspect they headed down the Yellow Sea? Correct?"
"Suspicions aren't good enough," Katz replied. "What we need are facts. But since the weakness is at the Yellow Sea, it suggests the enemy headed south. Possibly to Korea, but I suspect TRIO would want to get as far away from Mongolia and the Soviet Union as possible. Maybe they'd head for Taiwan or Hong Kong."
"You think they could get that far?" Pushkin frowned. "Why not head for the Philippines?"
"Why look for trouble?" Katz smiled. "Look, if they could reach the South China Sea, there are virtually thousands of harbors they could choose from — Taipei, Sinchu, Hong Kong, about a hundred islands."
"We might never find them," Alekseyev said grimly.
"Not if we don't start looking for them," Katz replied.
9
Wang Tse-tu sat on his throne and gazed at the column of smoke that rose from the cobra-shaped incense burner. The obese Chinese seemed to be consulting the smoke as if expecting to find the answer to some grievous problem drifting in the fragrant mist. He shook his head slowly. Wang Tse-tu knew well how to deal with obstacles in business, but the problem that troubled him now was with the organization.
Wang Tse-tu did not look like a typical organization man. He wore a green mang p'ao dragon robe with a long purple jacket and an ornate court collar trimmed with gold. A Mandarin cap with a peacock feather tassel was perched on his round head, and a pu fang coat of arms hung from a gold chain around his neck. The amulet bore the symbol of TRIO, a three-headed black serpent.
However, Wang Tse-tu was the ling shyou of the Black Serpent Tong, the Chinese section of TRIO. He was one of the most powerful and feared men in Asia. The tong leader had inherited his position after the death of his father. For thirty-three years Wang Tse-tu had ruled one of the largest and most successful criminal societies in the Orient with branches extending to the United States and Western Europe. When the Black Serpent Tong joined forces with the Snake Clan and the New Horde, Wang Tse-tu became even more powerful.
Wang Tse-tu had learned that the key to holding power is not to grab for too much too soon. He feared that Tosha Khan had violated that rule and had jeopardized all of TRIO in the process.
"The Vacpalenee Lagkech 800 formula is probably the most valuable commodity that has ever fallen into our possession," Tosha Khan declared. "The potential for profit is limitless. Yet you seem displeased, my brothers."
Tosha Khan was not as surprised at the response as he pretended. The leader of the New Horde had not expected the others to be pleased when they learned what he had done. However, the Mongol crime czar did not care what they thought. He had seized the opportunity fate had offered. Success belonged to the bold, and the timid were only fit to follow their leaders.
Tosha Khan was a bold man, a general commanding troops in the field. He wore the uniform of a Mongol conqueror. A metal breastplate covered his thick chest. Bracelets of chain mail were bound to his wrists, and he wore a brass helmet with hornlike decorations at the crown. The blood of greatness ran through his veins. He was descended from the great Genghis Khan. The others would do well to remember that, he thought.
Shimo Goro had never been impressed with Tosha Khan's stories of his esteemed ancestry. Tosha Khan had no proof that he came from a line of bastard offspring of Genghis Khan. However, Shimo Goro was indeed descended of an honorable and noble family.
The proof leaned at the armrest of Shimo's throne. It was a thirteenth-century katana, a samurai long sword. The weapon had been crafted by the great swordmaker Hashigo Naifu. Shimo Karada, a great samurai warrior, had wielded the sword on the battlefield. Karada had become a ronin or mercenary samurai, and later a yakuza. A thief with honor.
The leader of the Snake Clan wore a less elaborate costume than his companions. Shimo was dressed in a black kimono with matching hakama culottes and a gold obi sash bound around his waist. The Japanese obyan considered the ritual of wearing traditional costumes absurd, but he understood the benefits. Ritual costume e
voked reverence, and the showmanship and symbolism impressed the many followers of TRIO.
"You should have consulted us before taking action, Tosha Khan," Wang Tse-tu declared. The three master criminals of the greatest Asian syndicate in the world conversed in English. It was a concession of equality, a neutral language. They did not know one another's native tongues.
"Time was important," the Mongol declared. "I had to order my men to act immediately or it would have been too late to seize the formula from the Russians."
"Your men?" Shimo Goro replied, raising his bushy black eyebrows. "Need I remind you that you ordered several of my yakuza and some of Wang Tse-tu's tong to participate in the raid on the installation? A number of them were killed in the process."
"But the formula arrived safely here in Hong Kong." Tosha Khan smiled. "I've had chemists working on it. They analyzed the VL-800 formula, and they assure me that producing it in volume will not present any problem."
"That's wonderful," Shimo sneered. "We don't need a damned biochemical weapon to begin with, but you expect us to be delighted that you plan to make more of it. For what purpose, Tosha Khan? We are businessmen, involved in a profitable international market of goods and services. We do not need killer viruses or invisible nerve gas."
"I thought you understood, Mr. Shimo," Tosha began. "The VL-800 formula causes victims to die from pneumonia. They lose all natural immunities and simply get sick and die. It is a perfect means for eliminating enemies without creating suspicion."
"Eliminating individuals is simply a necessary part of our profession," Wang Tse-tu announced, raising an index finger with a fingernail nearly as long as the digit itself. "It has to be done occasionally, but we hardly need a biochemical weapon capable of wiping out an entire city."
"Or a country," Shimo added. "Is that what you had in mind, Tosha Khan? Do you plan to unleash this VL-800 on anyone in particular?"
"Don't be coy," the Mongol said. "Please, speak your mind, Mr. Shimo."
"Tosha Khan," Wang Tse-tu began wearily. "We are well aware of the fact you despise the Soviet Union. You resent the control the Russians have in Mongolia. I'm certain if Mr. Shimo or I had been born in your country, we would feel the same way toward the Russians."
"I have not suggested using the formula in the Soviet Union," Tosha Khan insisted.
"But you didn't mind stealing it from the Soviets," Shimo declared. "Do you think the Kremlin is going to simply shrug and say 'How terrible. We've been robbed. Perhaps we should report the theft to Interpol'? You of all people should know how the Soviets will react. The KGB is probably hunting us at this very moment."
"The KGB doesn't know anything about us," Tosha Khan told him. "They think the Communist Chinese stole the formula. By the time they realize their mistake, it will be too late."
"You are certainly underestimating the KGB, Tosha Khan," Shimo stated. "The Soviet intelligence service is probably the largest and most ruthless clandestine organization in the world. We are not espionage agents, and you are getting us involved in an area outside our expertise. That is very dangerous, Tosha Khan."
"Don't worry about the KGB," Tosha Khan insisted. "The New Horde has operated in Mongolia and Eastern Europe for twenty years, and the Russian spies haven't done anything about us yet."
"You never stole a Soviet secret weapon before," Shimo replied. "I say the best thing we can do is get rid of the VL-800 formula. Burn it with thermite and destroy it."
"That would be throwing away a fortune," Tosha Khan declared. "We can sell the formula to foreign governments. Or sell it to political revolutionaries and terrorists. We can even sell it back to the Russians."
"Absolutely not," Shimo told him.
"Mr. Wang," Tosha said, turning to the Chinese master criminal. "It appears we need a deciding vote. Do you side with Mr. Shimo or with me?"
"I don't agree with either of you entirely," Wang replied. "Tosha Khan, you were wrong to begin this business without discussing the matter with us. You may have jeopardized our entire organization. The risk is not justified by the potential for profit. However, I do not agree with Mr. Shimo either. To destroy valuable merchandise would be foolish. As you said, Mr. Shimo, some of our people have already died getting this formula. It would seem a futile effort if we did not make use of the VL-800 formula."
"That's going to cost us more lives," Shimo said grimly.
"This business includes an element of risk," Wang stated. "We've all been doing this long enough to know that. Now, we'll have to decide how to best use the formula to make the largest possible profit with the least amount of risk."
"Thank you, Mr. Wang," Tosha said with a nod.
"Very well," Shimo sighed. "But I want to state officially that I am opposed to biochemical weapons. I also wish to exercise my right to refuse to recruit more of my yakuza for a mission that I regard as less than stable."
"Will you be sending your men back as well?" Wang asked.
"The yakuza already committed to this operation will stay," Shimo replied. "I have given my word that they would be stationed in the Hong Kong area, and here they shall stay. However, I will not bring reinforcements from Japan. If the mission goes badly, that is karma."
"I can agree to those terms," Tosha Khan stated. "Very well," Wang nodded. "Now let's decide how to handle this matter and who we'll put in charge of the mission."
"I already have my choice," Tosha Khan said proudly. "My son Temujin has arrived from Mongolia. He speaks Cantonese and Mandarin fluently. I have trained him since childhood. He is an excellent commander and a fine warrior."
"I'm sure he is," Wang Tse-tu assured Tosha Khan. Actually the Chinese tong leader doubted that Temujin was as impressive as his father claimed. Wang Tse-tu had four sons of his own, and while he regarded them all as perfect examples of manhood, he realized that a father's opinion of his own son was biased.
"Temujin brought some interesting news from Mongolia," Tosha Khan began. "The Russians have been investigating the site of the installation where the VL-800 was being produced. Six strange men accompanied the Russians. Temujin does not believe they were Soviets, because they wore masks. He said their general physical description fits that of the mysterious five-man team that destroyed our operation in the Philippines last year."
"How long have you known about this?" Shimo demanded. His hand reached for the hilt of the katana by his chair.
"Temujin told me about this personally only two hours ago," Tosha Khan explained. He had not wished to tell the others because he knew they would be disturbed by the news, yet he knew they would find out about it sooner or later. It was better they heard it from him now than discovered he had remained silent about the matter."
"There may be no connection," Wang Tse-tu stated. He noticed Shimo was prepared to draw his sword. TRIO infighting could rapidly lead to their downfall. "Temujin said there were six men. Not five."
"There were six in San Francisco," Shimo reminded the Chinese. "But what information we've been able to acquire suggests the same group was involved in both incidents. The two greatest defeats TRIO has suffered were at the hands of those bastards. Now, Tosha Khan wants us to go ahead with this germ-warfare scheme, although he knows our worst enemies have joined forces with the KGB to try to track us down."
"Please allow me to finish," Tosha Khan said mildly. "My son realized these men might present a serious threat to our operation. So he contacted a gang of bandits who occasionally work under contract for the New Horde, although they know no details about the organization. The bandits ambushed the six masked men and their Russian friends while they were crossing a section of the Gobi Desert. There is no cover in the Gobi, and the bandits numbered more than thirty men. I'm certain our enemies no longer present a problem."
"Does Temujin know for certain that these bandits destroyed the enemy?" Wang Tse-tu inquired.
"He had to leave immediately," the Mongol answered, "in order to reach Hong Kong in time to take command of this operation. But th
ere is no doubt the ambush was successful..."
"In other words," Shimo snapped, "the answer is no. The six professional killers might still be alive. Perhaps the KGB did not know about TRIO, but those six American butchers know about us. If they are working with the KGB, we may be facing the worst threat to our organization since the encounter with the Triad when we first created TRIO."
"Mr. Shimo," Wang Tse-tu began. "If you will recall, we managed to avoid bloodshed with the Triad. We came to an understanding with them. An agreement was made, and TRIO and the Triad have not had any confrontations since."
"This is not the sort of situation we can negotiate our way through," the yakuza boss insisted.
"No," Wang Tse-tu agreed. "But the same principle of keeping a cool head and dealing with the situation in a rational manner does apply. We do not know that these are the same men. We do not know that they survived the bandit ambush. We do not know that they are going to be any more successful at locating our base of operations than the KGB has been. It is logical to prepare for trouble, but it is destructive to worry too quickly about matters that might not exist."
"But it is far more dangerous to ignore a threat to our organization," Shimo insisted.
"Gentlemen," Tosha Khan announced. "I suggest we set up observation posts at airports and large airstrips to see if these six mystery men arrive in Hong Kong. If they do, we'll simply eliminate them."
"And draw more attention to TRIO operations," Shimo complained. "Killing them in Hong Kong will draw the attention of the authorities. It is more apt to compound our problems than to solve them."
"We must leave Hong Kong within two hours," Wang Tse-tu reminded the others. "Let's spend that time determining exactly what plan of action best suits this situation."