by James Burke
‘Dear nai nai and ye ye, I am visiting the mountain. Please do not worry as I will safely return in three days. I am sorry for any concern this may cause you but please do not be afraid. I shall see you soon enough.’
The mountain was just under 100 miles from his village and it took him a three hour plus bus ride to get close to its base. Once on foot, armed with a walking stick that could double as a fighting pole and shouldering a small backpack full of food and bits of clothing, he headed up the mountain, towards an area he’d seen in his dreams at least a dozen times over the past two years.
In these dreams he saw a mystical place three-quarters of the way up the mountain, a place that felt familiar, like home. He presumed he’d been there before in another life. In his dreams there was also a westerner, a man with sandy hair and blue eyes. Additionally, he dreamt of a spring fountain in the rock wall and a mystical dragon guarding the area.
But as Kai walked up the mountain he was unsure what he would find in reality. It wasn’t until the last hour of daylight on day two of his trek that he reached his desired destination. As he approached, the first thing he saw was a group of white butterflies fluttering near the cliff’s edge which was the verge of a terrace that fronted the remains of the Taoist’s sanctuary.
The area was more dilapidated than it was in his dreams but when he walked onto the terrace he did so with reverence. After 12 paces, he stopped at its center and observed the area. Two car-sized boulders covered half of the terrace’s space. He rightly presumed they had recently tumbled down from further up the mountain. There was no longer a plum tree as per his dreams and there was certainly no man from the West there either. Nevertheless, Kai knew it was the place of his dreams.
Kai made his way to the mountain wall where he dreamt the spring fountain had been, but he only found a small hole in the rock. He put his hand inside it and found it to be dry and dusty. After dusting off his hand on a trouser leg, he moved towards what appeared a cave opening further along the terrace but stopped when he heard a loud clunk and felt a shudder that seemed to come from within the mountain itself. A second later, water began to flow into the rock hole he had just been investigating. The boy quickly returned to it. Initially the water was muddy, but it quickly became crystal clear.
The biggest smile spread across his face. This mountain is indeed alive, he thought.
Kai retrieved a blue plastic cup from his bag and scooped out some water. He gulped it down. It was the sweetest water he’d ever tasted, and it made him feel good.
He pulled a canteen bottle from his bag and as he began to fill it with water he felt the arrival of something behind him. He sensed it was large but unthreatening. He heard it shuffle closer to him and then felt its warm breath on the back of his neck. Kai turned and found himself face to face with the White Dragon of the mountain.
It was a glorious sight.
Both the boy and the mystical creature smiled at each other.
Flying To South-West China
Quintus and Tina were once again placed in the cargo hold of Marx’s jet, this time for the 15 hours it takes to fly from New York City to the Chinese city of Chengdu. They sat on the floor with their hands zip-tied behind their backs and the black hoods over their heads.
Tina was distressed and confused by what was happening but as long as Quintus was nearby she was able to restrain her fears and sleep for half of the flight.
As for Quintus, he was trying to make the most of their predicament by keeping his mind clear, strong and detached. In fact, he was actually buoyed by the news that they were going to China. He just somehow had to avoid getting himself and Tina killed for their organs and then get himself to White Dragon Mountain as once predicted.
Marx’s two minions took turns watching over them and Irfan got the last leg of the trip. Towards the 15th hour Vacher opened the door to pass on a message.
‘We’re landing in 10 minutes, make sure these two are awake and ready to move after landing,’ he told Irfan.
‘What time is it in wherever we’re going to?’
‘Around 3.30 am I was told.’
‘You think the clubs will be open?’
‘No time for partying. We gotta look after these two and make sure nothing happens to the Iranian.’
‘You really think he’s Iranian?’ asked Irfan about War.
‘It’s only an educated guess. The Iranians and North Koreans are allies. So why not? Or is this about you?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Is this a Muslim Sunni versus Shia thing?’
Irfan shrugged.
‘Either way get ready, we’re landing soon,’ Vacher said as he shut the door.
As the Frenchman returned to his seat in the middle of the cabin, he passed by Marx who tugged at his arm, stopping him.
‘Everything okay in there?’ Marx asked.
‘Yes boss, everything is fine. They’ll be ready to move out once we land.’
‘Don’t forget they do so only after Kristen and Ivan are off the jet and in vehicles driving away. Is Irfan clear on that?’
‘Of course, Mr. Marx.’
‘I certainly hope so,’ said Marx who nodded for Vacher to carry on.
Up at the very front of the cabin near the cockpit, Kristen was sitting next to War who sketched in a drawing pad. She’d just woken up from several hours of sleep which included another dream featuring the Roman soldier and the young girl. This time it was more serious, the soldier was holding up his shield protecting the girl from something dark and sinister. Kristen didn’t understand what it meant but it added to her building sense of unease.
CHAPTER XI
Awaiting The Crow
Colonel Deng chain smoked as he waited outside one of the six large hangars on Chengdu’s Baishiyi military airbase. He was edgy, there was much at stake. It was true that if Marx’s operation succeeded, Deng would be comfortably rich but if it failed he’d be dead or imprisoned for life. As backups, he had three escape plans if things didn’t work out.
Deng’s main concern was that the operation appeared rather ad hoc and overly reliant on bribery. Two days earlier, on behalf of Marx, he bribed the air base’s commander to go on a holiday for a week. In his absence, Deng was considered the base’s ranking officer despite his being a logistics officer and not at all in any way or form previously connected to the airfield. It cost Marx US $2 million for that privilege which Deng presumed would count for nothing if things really went amiss.
Marx was paying Deng a larger sum of $4 million for his own role in securing control over both the security of the base and in the neighboring military hospital. Half of the amount had already been paid into an offshore account. With the money Deng would retire to a life of ease outside of China, someplace where he couldn’t be extradited from.
Deng considered the $4 million compensation enough for dealing with Marx and for being kept in the dark over what he was actually being a part of. The only thing he knew was that it involved supplying his sick uncle with a new liver and was related to Marx making inroads into North Korea. Lin told Deng it was a need-to-know-basis situation and he had no need to know. Besides, it would be safer for him and everyone else if he was not fully acquainted with the details, he was told.
As he put out a cigarette, three military vehicles that were Chinese versions of the Humvee drove up with dimmed lights. They halted near him, close to one of the hangar’s side doors. Deng approached the now parked lead vehicle which Lin stepped out of.
‘Hello cousin,’ Lin said.
‘Lin how can you be sure Marx has a source of organs for your father?’
‘He told me so. He has two matching specimens. Your hatred of Marx clouds your judgement.’
‘You’re taking a risk on his word,’ Deng said. ‘And they’re late.’
‘Yes, but they’re about to arrive,’ Lin said looking back towards the start of the airstrip.
As if on cue, out of the early morning night sky, the Crow came into
land.
Fate Awaits
Kristen was more than anxious as the Crow parked inside one of the hangars. Nervous beads of perspiration formed on her cheeks and neck. Her heart was beating furiously. Through the window she saw Chinese military personnel rushing about and then she heard the hangar’s large doors close behind. It all seemed very covert, especially as Marx told her halfway into the flight there was no need to go through customs or any form of immigration control once they got to China.
Every bone in her body now regretted coming on the flight. It’s an understatement to say that she would have much preferred to be back with her family in Texas.
Once the jet halted and its engines died down, one of the two pilots exited the cockpit to open the passenger’s door which became a set of stairs for passengers to ascend.
Kristen and War were closest to the door, but they baulked at being the first to depart, they left that to Marx who passed them and exited the jet to be met by Lin at the base of the stairs.
Marx and Lin limply shook hands.
‘How’s the general?’ Marx asked referring to Lin’s father.
‘Unfortunately, not getting any better.’
‘Then we’ll make sure he does. Where is Deng?’
‘Outside.’
‘Sulking?’
‘Somewhat Mr. Marx but I think he will be fine. Just a minor loss of face.’
‘If he misbehaves further Lin, your cousin will lose much more. Is he able to fulfil his obligations?’
‘Yes, he is.’
‘I hope so, he didn’t come cheap and we can’t afford any ineptitude,’ Marx said as he turned to see Kristen and War descending the jet’s stairs. ‘The woman is my assistant and that bearded fellow is who we need to get to North Korea,’ he told Lin.
‘The Iranian nuclear scientist?’ Lin asked Marx who nodded.
Just as Kristen and War joined them, Lin held out his hand for War to shake but it was ignored.
‘Oh, I hope you had a good flight,’ Lin said, trying hard to hide his embarrassment.
‘He’s not one for awkward pleasantries,’ Marx said. ‘How about we just get them to where they’re going to stay.’
Lin nodded.
‘You’ll be residing at the military hospital,’ Lin said. ‘It has comfortable accommodation. It’s not far, just next to the air base. Lieutenant Wu will take you both there,’ Lin said as a Chinese officer with his aide stepped forward from behind him.
Marx indicated for Kristen to do as Lin requested.
‘Take Ivan and get some rest. We will meet at midday local time. I have some minor matters that need addressing with the Chinese before then,’ Marx said.
‘What about the pilots?’ Kristen asked.
‘They’re going to a hotel in the city,’ he said. ‘They’re big boys. Don’t worry about them. Now move along.’
The aide took Kristen’s baggage and the officer gestured for them to follow. After they exited the building Lin turned to Marx and voiced his concerns.
‘That nuclear scientist looks very young,’ he said.
‘Yes, he was a child genius and now he’ll help push forward the North Korean’s miniature nuke program,’ Marx replied.
It was all baloney of course. Marx just had to get War near where the North Koreans had their nuclear tipped long-range missiles. There War would set a ‘mystical timer’ which would launch the North Korean’s missiles against Japan and the U.S. within a week. Washington’s response of course would be devastating. China and Russia, among others, would shortly thereafter get dragged into it. By then Marx planned to be in his well-stocked bunker in New Zealand waiting out the nuclear war he helped orchestrated. It was the kind of conflict that’d kill off most of humanity.
But before then, many things had to fall into place. Marx looked to Lin and put his hand on his shoulder.
‘Now the important issue is that we must look after your father. We have two suitable donors on the plane; not just one,’ Marx said.
‘Good, very good Mr. Marx. We need to get them to the hospital quickly, the doctors and their team have been alerted,’ Lin said. ‘After the transplant operation we can then fly you and your team to North Korea as you want, hopefully the day after.’
‘I need a solid confirmation on that as soon as possible,’ Marx said.
‘Yes of course.’
‘Vacher!’ Marx yelled.
From inside the jet, Vacher acknowledged.
‘Oui!’
‘Bring them out, the surgeons are waiting.’
A minute later, Quintus and Tina — with black hoods over their heads — were escorted from the Crow by Marx’s minions who put them into one of the wannabe Humvees outside the hangar.
Soon enough they drove off and passed through a security gate to enter the grounds of the neighboring military hospital. The vehicle parked near a nondescript iron door of the badly-lit east side of a large hospital building. That’s where Quintus and Tina were taken inside.
Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance
During her meditation, Luo Jia managed to still her mind to the point that it was as clear as the Lake of Five Flowers. There was no emotion, no fear, no concern — just a sense of clarity sustained by a foundation built on kindness and patience.
The remarkable thing was that the 35-year-old managed this despite being one of 12 women crammed into a dark and stuffy concrete cell with no window. None of them knew if it was day or night outside but they each took turns lying down to sleep while others sat or stood to provide space to do that. Given they were all Falun Gong practitioners, many meditated or did their standing Tai Chi-like exercises.
Like the other women, Jia wore a drab blue prison tracksuit. Aged between 20 and 45, they were all good people trying to be the best versions of themselves. None of them deserved to be locked up. Jia was a school teacher before police caught her with a banner that read ‘Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance is Good,’ referring to the practice’s three main principles.
Jia and 16 others had been sent to the cell from a nearby women’s prison three days earlier. Over the course of the days that followed, five of them had been taken out and never returned. The remaining attempted not to dwell on their fate but when they understood they were in a military hospital they couldn’t but fear the worst. They were all aware that their fellow practitioners were targeted by the state for organ harvesting, it became widespread knowledge from 2006 onwards.
In the camps, each of them had already been forced to have medical checkups that focused on their vital ‘commercial’ organs. The details recorded presumably to match the needs of a cash-paying recipient. A prison guard told Jia five months earlier that local Chinese recipients preferred military hospitals for an organ transplant because it was cheaper than the civilian hospitals who were targeting richer overseas clients, mainly from Japan and South Korea. There was little surprise in this information, but Jia was shocked by how casually the guard mentioned it. It upset her that her country had become so amoral and misled.
She tried not to think about such matters as she now meditated in the cell. She instead sought nothingness.
After meditating for close to an hour, Jia unfolded her legs and as she waited for the tingly feeling in her feet to dissipate she heard noises coming from beyond the door. People, presumably soldiers, had entered the area immediately outside the cell which they understood was part of the building’s basement. Among the Chinese voices was a man with a heavy foreign brogue, which she correctly guessed belonged to an American.
‘This one, put him in here and prepare him,’ the man said in his accented Mandarin. His voice was also harsh and unforgiving.
The sound of a male voice that followed was a stark contrast.
‘Tina! Don’t be afraid, I’ll find you,’ the voice said in English. Despite Jia being unable to understand what he said, she sensed the man’s voice was full of hope and courage.
His gesture however sparked viciousness outside the cell.
Jia heard men beat the English speaker’s legs with electroshock batons before he was dragged off somewhere else as per orders of the man with the accented Mandarin.
‘Now the woman, put her in one of your holding cells. Just lock her away!’ the man with the accent demanded.
Jia heard the guards drag someone close to their cell door.
On the other side of the door, the soldiers took the black hood off Tina’s head and then the zip tie from around her wrists.
Another soldier hastily unlocked and opened the cell door and two others shoved Tina inside. The door was promptly shut and locked behind her. Most people would have only seen darkness in that unlit cell. But she instead saw how it was immersed in bright, warm light.
The Baton
In a sparse room adjoining the basement, Vacher and Irfan threw Quintus onto a hospital gurney and used a pair of their stainless-steel cuffs to tie his already zip-tied wrists to it. Along with Marx and his henchmen, in the room there was Lin, Deng and three soldiers who had never seen westerners up close before.
Marx pulled the back hood off Quintus’ head and thrust the electroshock baton he was holding close to his face.
‘Like how that stung?’ he asked.
‘Go back to Hell,’ Quintus replied.
‘You’ll be there before me Roman and the demon kings will have oodles of fun with you.’
Marx zapped Quintus with the baton, this time to the thigh. Quintus couldn’t help but quiver as 900 volts coursed through his body. After what seemed like an eternity, the pain stopped. He opened his eyes and saw Marx admiring the torture device.
‘I have substantial shares in the company that manufactures these handy-little things,’ Marx said. ‘They deliver a nasty shock, don’t they? Non-lethal yet excruciating.’