The Scarlet Crane: Transition Magic Book One (The Transition Magic Series 1)

by J. E. Hopkins

  Zhi gazed at Thanna with a gentle expression. “I understand from Principal Chu-hua that Colonel Rong abused you quite severely.”

  Thanna shrugged and said nothing. Zhi looked like a kindly grandfather with his soft voice, gray hair, and round glasses, but Rong had also seemed gentle until the bloody confrontation in the Chinese countryside.

  “I’m sorry he did that. It was very wrong, and I never would have permitted it. Thanna, do you know why I allowed you to attend our school?”

  She shook her head.

  “Because you understand Mandarin and can help care for the Vietnamese children, including those you call your little ones,” Zhi said. “I hope that’s something you still wish to do, because they need you. But I’ll understand if you don’t, and will arrange for you to return to Hanoi if that’s the case. Will you stay and help us?”

  Thanna wanted to believe him, but years on the street had taught her that the smoother a man’s words, the greater the danger.

  You’ll never let me go home.

  The seed of an idea began to form in Thanna’s mind. A way for her and all the children to be safe, to go home.

  When she remained silent, Zhi asked, “Well, child. Which do you prefer?”

  Thanna whispered, “Grandfather, can I learn magic if I stay?” She noticed Zhi’s eyes flick to Eng and return.

  “Of course you may. You and the other children in Transition may use magic together. Uncle Eng will teach you.”

  Thanna nodded. “And can we have ice cream? All of us?”

  Eng laughed. “I like how you bargain. Yes. Every night, after dinner.”

  She looked at the two of them and forced a smile. “I want to stay.”

  Hoeryong

  The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

  Zhi gazed at the frozen fields of North Korea sliding by on the other side of the Mercedes’ rear passenger window. Dusk’s failing light painted the barren landscape in shades of gray. He shifted his focus to Colonel Rong’s icy posture behind the wheel.

  Rong had collected Zhi and Eng an hour earlier at the Hoeryong military air terminal. Rong had been sullen and silent, his only interaction a scowling salute as they disembarked from the Gulfstream jet. That, and a grunt when Zhi introduced Eng—Major Zhang—as his new aide. Eng sat mute in the front passenger seat, eyes forward, obviously uncomfortable with the tension between the two officers.

  Zhi contemplated letting the silence extend unchallenged as a test of Rong’s stubbornness. But he had much to do, and a sulking Rong would only slow him down.

  “I don’t like our situation any more than you do, Rong Ming. My revered grandfather once told me the wise adapt themselves to circumstances, as water molds itself to the pitcher. Perhaps that is something for us both to learn from our ancestors.”

  Rong shook his head. “I’ll work with you because I’ve been ordered to. But you are not to be trusted.”

  Zhi sighed. “He who does not trust enough, will not be trusted, Colonel. However, I’ll accept whatever you’re willing to offer.”

  Zhi returned his gaze to the frozen, snow-covered plains. “What has transpired during my absence?”

  “I believe Comrade Wu already informed you, Senior Colonel. I captured and returned the children and Principal Chu-hua to the program.”

  “And my former aide?” Zhi asked.

  Eng needs to understand Rong is not his friend.

  “I shot him in the head, stripped his clothing, and left the body in a field outside Hoeryong. Some farmer will uncover his bones in the spring.”

  Eng turned and stared at Rong for several seconds, then faced forward. Rong appeared not to notice.

  “And the children and Principal Chu-hua? What of them since their return?”

  Rong hunched over the steering wheel. “Chu-hua will hardly speak to me. The children are equally reluctant.”

  “How many are in Transition?”

  “Five. Plus the Hanoi girl you approved. She has a few days left; the others just started.”

  “How is the girl? Can we use her?”

  “No. She should be repatriated. She’s insolent and a trouble maker. The other kids follow her like puppies.”

  Zhi smiled.

  Any kid you hate that much is already useful.

  “What else?”

  “Comrade Wu expects the two of us to call first thing tomorrow. Beyond that, I’m to make daily reports. It seems I’m not the only one who doesn’t trust you.”

  Zhi snorted. “You may report to Comrade Wu every hour if you wish, but I command Crane, Colonel. I’m here because Comrade Wu lacks confidence in you. You will follow my orders without hesitation or complaint. Do otherwise, and the farmer will find additional bones in the spring.”

  Something else Eng needs to hear. I am the master of his fate. Not Rong. Not Wu.

  “When we arrive, please inform Principal Chu-hua that I’ll meet with her at seven tomorrow, in her office. After our meeting, I’ll want to visit with the children. Then we can place our call to Comrade Wu.”

  “Very well, Senior Colonel.”

  “One last thing. Assign Major Zhang the quarters adjacent to mine.”

  “I’m in those quarters, Senior Colonel. I vacated your apartment when I learned of your return.”

  Zhi laid his head against the seat and closed his eyes. “Return to your billet in the Attainment Unit.”

  * * *

  Zhi rose, showered and dressed, choosing a sport coat and casual shirt rather than his uniform. He left his apartment and strode the short distance down the hall to the adjoining unit. Eng answered after one knock, wearing his dress uniform, complete with the single star insignia of his new rank. Zhi wondered how he’d managed to obtain the emblem in the little free time available since his promotion.

  Zhi said, “You need to wear something more friendly. Put on your exercise sweats. We’ll get you some civilian clothes later.” He waited by the door while Eng changed.

  Eng emerged wearing dark blue sweats, a pair of Nike running shoes, and a puzzled expression. “Much better,” Zhi said. “A uniform would scare our principal and the kids. We want them to like you. Trust you.”

  Eng smiled and nodded. “I understand, Senior Colonel.”

  “We are partners in this enterprise, you and I. Call me Zhi Peng when we’re alone. Unless you object, I’ll continue to call you Eng.”

  “Thank you, Zhi Peng. I’m honored by whatever name you choose.”

  A willing sycophant.

  “Excellent. I’ll show you to your post a little later. Right now I want you to attend my early meetings. I encourage you to seize any opportunity to befriend Principal Chu-hua Li and our young charges. You must appear secure and comfortable with your position, as if you are politically connected.” Zhi smiled. “Your sweats are consistent with such confidence—how would you dare dress in this manner if you didn’t have a powerful patron?”

  He led Eng from the building and across the icy compound to the Education Center. About half-way there, he stopped, turned to Eng, and yelled over the wind. “I’ve taken a decision. Colonel Rong can no longer work effectively with the children. You will take his place in preparing them to use magic and conducting the sessions.”

  Eng shivered and stomped his athletic shoes in the foot-deep snow. “I don’t know what that means.”

  “You must help the children learn the ritual words for magic and guide them in saying the words properly. Do it well, and I’ll see about another promotion.”

  Rong must go, and you are my best alternative.

  Eng nodded. “I will do my best.”

  “Of course you will.”

  Zhi turned and hurried to the warmth of the Education Center. Their arrival caused a stir among the building’s staff, who hurried to get them hot tea before showing them to Chu-hua’s office. They found her standing at attention behind her desk.

  Zhi waved her to her chair. “Please, Principal Chu-hua, sit, sit.”

  She to
ok her seat—back rigid, hands clasped on her desktop, eyes pinched, lips in a thin, tight line. Zhi and Eng settled in the two chairs facing her desk.

  She said, “Senior Colonel, I—”

  “Tut, tut. One moment before you say anything. Let me introduce Major Zhang Meng. He is an extraordinarily talented young officer with influential friends. Friends who are concerned about the welfare of the children. The major’s job is to ensure you and they are treated well and your voices are heard.”

  Chu-hua nodded. Zhi watched as she glanced at Zhang’s feet and clothing before she settled on his face. “Welcome, Major Zhang.”

  Zhi couldn’t recall ever seeing Eng smile, but he did so now, his expression warm and open. “Thank you, revered Teacher. I’d be honored if you’d call me ‘Eng.’ It’s a pet name my family uses. I hope we become close.” He relaxed against the back of his chair.

  There are layers to this young man worth exploiting.

  Chu-hua’s face cracked into the slightest smile. She nodded.

  Zhi said, “My reason for visiting is to beg your forgiveness for the unfortunate way you and the children were treated.”

  Chu-hua’s eyes widened; her lips formed into a small “o.”

  “This morning I will order the Repatriation Unit closed. Children will be placed in an orphanage after they emerge from Transition and be treated with the respect they’ve earned for their contributions to the state.”

  “But won’t the children still die using magic, Senior Colonel?”

  “I’ll be open with you Chu-hua Li. No secrets. Just prior to Colonel Rong’s interference, I solved the mystery of how to use Transition safely. Children need no longer die if my procedures are followed with care.”

  The stiffness in Chu hua’s posture had begun to melt.

  Zhi continued. “Some risk remains, yes. But I promise that Eng and I will do all in our power to protect the children.”

  “What about Colonel Rong? That night, he scared them so terribly. He …” She composed herself. “He put his pistol in my mouth and killed your aide in front of us and said he would kill us all if we didn’t do what he commanded. He’s a—”

  Eng interrupted. “Dismiss that horror from your mind, Chu-hua Li. Only you and I will work with the children to conduct magic.”

  Principal Chu-hua’s eyes filled. “Thank you, Eng. Senior Colonel.” She breathed deeply. Her face was still drawn with tension. “I fled because I feared for the lives of the children. My children. I didn’t understand why our country needed their lives.”

  Zhi said, “I honor your commitment.” He brushed a hand across each of his shoulders, clearing invisible lint. “This is water already spilled. I know you remain loyal to our cause and the state. Now you and Major Zhang can ensure we succeed while protecting them.”

  At least until I replace you with someone less … emotional.

  “Now, shall we visit them? I’d like to get Crane back on track as quickly as possible.”

  * * *

  Zhi stood before his office windows, enthralled by the violence of a swirling snowstorm that had appeared without warning.

  His visit with the children had gone well. They were spooked by the events of the last few days, but calmed as they sensed Principal Chu-hua was more relaxed. They warmed immediately to Eng. He and Eng had talked privately with the girl from Hanoi. She was a calculating little bitch, typical of street urchins, but had agreed to help with the Viet children. Even better, she’d asked to use magic. Zhi had directed Eng to include her in the group that would kill Colonel Rong.

  There was a sharp knock on his closed door. “Senior Colonel?”

  Zhi crossed to his desk, took his seat, and adjusted his collar. “Come.”

  Rong entered, saluted, and stood at attention. “Relax, Colonel,” Zhi said. “Take a seat.”

  Zhi punched the number for Wu’s secure line into the speaker phone.

  Comrade Wu answered, wheezing and coughing. “Hello? Senior Colonel?”

  Zhi saw the sick old man in his mind’s eye, cigarette in hand, sitting in the center of a smoky cloud. “I’m prepared to report Comrade. Colonel Rong is with me.”

  “Get on with it.”

  Zhi summarized his visits, emphasizing that Major Zheng would now be the one responsible for guiding the children’s use of magic.

  Rong’s face darkened like the storm outside Zhi’s windows. “Guiding the children is my role, not some wet behind the ears—”

  The phone line crackled with Wu’s cough, interrupting Rong before he could launch into a full rant. “Did we not agree, Senior Colonel, that Colonel Rong is the second in command?”

  Zhi said, “We did, Comrade, and he is. Unfortunately, Colonel Rong so terrified Principal Chu-hua and the children that they are too afraid to work with him. This is why he’s been unable to get the program restarted.”

  “That’s absurd,” Rong countered. “Given time I can get them to do what we want.”

  So. Wu hasn’t disclosed his cancer to this stupid fool. We have no time.

  Zhi glared at Rong. “You slaughtered my aide in front of them. You threatened their lives. They will never trust you again.”

  Zhi addressed the speaker phone. “Comrade Wu, six children will be in Transition during the next two weeks. If I can calm them enough to begin training, we can restart the program whenever we wish.”

  To cure your disease.

  “It will take a few days to know how the children respond. However, I assure you—magic will be impossible if Colonel Rong is the one working with them.”

  Wu’s responded without hesitation. “Then proceed, Senior Colonel. Do you have a role in mind for Colonel Rong?”

  Zhi told Wu about his promise to place children who survived Transition in an orphanage. “This is essential to obtain Principal Chu-hua’s unreserved cooperation. Colonel Rong’s role will be to get the facility up and running.”

  “I don’t like this idea of an orphanage,” Wu said. “Those children are security risks and no security can be perfect. Word of what we’re doing will get out.”

  A smile creased Rong’s face as Wu voiced his objection.

  Zhi said, “I beg your indulgence Comrade Wu. Before I proceed with this conversation, I must ask Colonel Rong to leave my office. I have something for your ears only.”

  Rong protested hotly. “Absolutely not. I—”

  Wu sighed loudly, “Don’t be tiresome, Rong Wing. Go take a leak. The Senior Colonel will let you know when you can rejoin the call.”

  Rong stormed out of the office, slamming the heavy mahogany door.

  Wu said, “I hope this wasn’t just a stunt to further embarrass the Colonel.”

  “He embarrasses himself,” Zhi said. “I can’t take the risk that Colonel Rong will divulge my plans to Principal Chu-hua to undermine me.”

  Wu asked, “What plans are those?”

  “I agree with you about the orphanage, Comrade. I mean for the facility to be temporary until I obtain a replacement for Chu-hua. Someone more loyal and less sensitive. Once I have a new principal, we’ll eliminate the children in the orphanage and return to our prior policy. Until then, we must have a credible institution to hold them, one that Chu-hua can inspect and be satisfied with.”

  The connection was silent for several moments. Wu said, “I’ve missed you, Senior Colonel. Your special combination of inspiration, cunning, and duplicity. We shall proceed as you propose. Bring the colonel back into your office.”

  Zhi punched the intercom and requested Rong’s presence. The colonel stomped back into Zhi’s office and remained standing.

  “We’re both here, Comrade.”

  Wu said, “Colonel Rong, I’m recalling you to Beijing to develop the secure orphanage. I believe one of our remote facilities will work quite well. You must have it up and running before Senior Colonel Zhi’s next use of magic. There is much to do. Report to my office by tomorrow afternoon.”

  Rong’s dour face carried a look of defeate
d resignation. “Yes, Comrade.”

  “You’re dismissed,” Wu said.

  The defeated colonel pivoted and strode from the room, slamming the door.

  Wu’s breathing, congested with phlegm, carried across the secure phone line. “One last thing. The American agents have surfaced in Zurich. I’ve issued orders to have them taken, but I want a backup. After you use magic to heal me, be ready to use it to kill them.”

  Zurich

  The Swiss Confederation

  John and Stony left the overlook and trekked silently to the car, where Stony slid behind the wheel for the drive back to Zurich.

  John pulled his cell from his pocket and called Heinrich. He put the phone on speaker and laid it on the seat next to him. “Our guest won’t be coming back. We tried to be tidy, but I’m sure you’ll want to have your service do a more thorough cleaning.”

  Hope that’s not too obscure. He needs to sanitize the site.

  The phone was silent for a moment. Heinrich said, “We Swiss are neat to a fault, that’s true. We’ll take care of it. Is there anything else?”

  “No. I’m ready for an uneventful night’s sleep.”

  “Take care, my friend.” The line disconnected.

  Stony said, “You murdered her.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Don’t misunderstand. I keep asking myself if I would’ve done the same thing. God forgive me, but I hope so. Her death throws sand in the Chinese operation. Which is what we’re trying to do, right?”

  “If it makes any difference, I didn’t know I was going to kill her until she went over the ledge. But if you’re wondering whether I feel remorse, the answer’s no. None.”

  “I get that, but is an evil act justified by another evil act? That’s a scary, slippery slope.”

  John’s voice hardened. “Maybe there are evils in the world that demand an evil act to stop them. Maybe not. Makes no difference. We have to move forward.”