19.
Sean Mercer looked
into the black tea in his cup as if expecting to read the leaves. He had a series of misfortune ever since the attack on the enemies of the Princess he
was paid to serve. He was also upset that the final payment did not come
through leaving him stranded. He had paid his mercenaries but there were
unhappy ones. He had them dealt in the normal mode; killing their leader but
not all were discouraged.
Sean sensed the danger with his back to the far wall and seated at the
corner. He was dressed in the casual tunic and pants with his boots which he
refused to trade. He told himself that but he will die with it on his feet. His
right hand snaked to his waist belt till it felt the assured comfort of his gun
holstered there. He recalled he have five bullets left with the one more in his
tunic pocket for the final coup. He was not looking forward to be slashed like
some prey. He looked to his surrounding; not his first since he stepped in an
hour ago. The tea house was alike the many that ringed the city seaside;
attracting the local and the curious tourists to the shadier leafy roof and the
wooden walls, with the windows to ventilate the air. The tea house held four
tables with the counter where the owner prepares the tea and other assorted
delicacies. He counted two other tables occupied with two patrons each. They
were the local patrons; enjoying their drinks while their conversation was on
the local gossip. He felt no threat from them but the owner was suspicious in
nature. The man was slim tall with the tattooed arms seems to be adept with the
business but he had been sneaking in glimpses at Sean.
Maybe it’s my looks; the snarly thought went by Sean’s mind. He was an
odd one in the teahouse.
It was then Sean saw his previous employer. She was dressed in the
khaki two piece that left her knees exposed but her face was half covered by
the wide brimmed hat. She had on the walking shoes that matched her dressing
with the sizeable bag on the left arm.
“Hello, Mr Mercer.” Sean looked at the lady standing before him. “I
believed we have unresolved issues.”
The lady placed the bag of guinea coins on the table. Sean looked at
it and then back to the lady. He did not speak but reached for the bag. He held
it in his right hand and weighed the coins. It was heavier than expected and
that drove up his curiosity then. He pushed the bag towards the lady
“I will take only what I am entitled to. And no more than that. I am
after all, an Irish lad.” Sean voiced out. “Mrs Hudson, I am doing anymore works
for you. And for your King no more. No too to his cousin from Germany. I am
staying on here to live my life quietly.”
“Brave words, Mr Mercer. I can assure you that we won’t be needing
your service anymore. Your recruitment by the Germans were part of our effort
then to intercept on the dispute then on findings. We if you chose to believe
are unbiased in our approach.” Mrs Hudson explained. “For Lord Greystoke, he
was a beast; untamed most times, and you were to do it but you failed. We
lengthen the leash on you to take down the others given…”
“The findings that you felt justified to terminate their existence. I
do wonder if you do have any others now to take upon me.” Sean snapped back. “I
am after all, just another pawn in the game to you.”
“You are remaining pawn in the last set that needed to be sacrifice
although we are late in moving for your demise.” Mrs Hudson smiled. “The bag of
coins was not only for you. It was also to pay for your immediate silence.”
The four other patrons then stood up and displayed the guns hidden
beneath their tunic. Three fired at Mercer, while the fourth took down the
owner. Mrs Hudson then took to her heels while the assassins took the bag but
he stepped out and saw Mycroft standing there by the coconut tree.
“I thought I was good but you are better. How much you may had heard
will remain with you. Your oath as the servant of the King cannot be breached.”
Mrs Hudson reminded Mycroft. The other was getting upset but the lady assured
him.
“We are all the King’s trusted servant. We cannot be drawn to the
petty issues while the world needs us to govern it.” Mrs Hudson told him. “Like
our once kindred feeling, we made the sacrifice to part.”
“You are a bitch….” Mycroft snapped out.
“I was then and now but tell me was I not a racy one then when we
fucked.” Mrs Hudson replied. “We are living in trying times, Mycroft. Be done
with it and move on. For now, I have two ladies to take care.”
Watson realised then that he was duped by the sleuth when he
discovered by the hotel staff that Sherlock had his belongings forwarded to the
train station last night. He cursed himself for not anticipating it but knew
that he was never the equal of Sherlock. For the last few weeks, he had been a
recluse living his rage at the one man he should had consulted on. He was
withdrawn to his shell, letting the raging parasite inside him taking over his
senses. He knew that the incidents in India was no different to the many that
he had encountered with Sherlock but he let down his professional approach.
Watson knew that he had to find Sherlock. They were a pair.
Unlike the above, Van Helsing was happier to be back with the
population. Well, it was not many to crow about but he felt elated to be there.
He stood on the lonely section of the wall that was part of the Jiayu Pass; the
first pass at the west end of the Great Wall of China. It was built between two
hills, one which was the Jiayuguan Pass and the other side was an oasis. The
pass held a perimeter of over two thousand feet with the height of just over
thirty feet There are two gates; one on the eastern side and the western side.
On the eastern side was a building with the inscription ‘Jiayuguan’. The wall
was strengthened during the fear of the invasion by Timor of the Mongol Empire.
“You are a brave warrior.” Van Helsing thought he was alone but found
himself with a company. It was the master of the Wolves; Daeng
No Pra, the Head Priest.
“You are standing by the
inner boundary of the one that was to be hunted. Are you ready?” The priest
asked and did not wait for the reply. “The new Emperor have been advised of
your presence. He has sent his best to kill you.”
“Prepare to defend, warrior.” Van Helsing turned to look and saw the
four warriors that he had met at the mountain but they looked different.
The four Wolves warriors have been turned to Vampires.
They were named Earth, Wind, Water and Fire. They did not disappoint
their Masters.
Van Helsing jumped the wall when the warrior named Earth had delivered
a furious kick which broke off a section of the wall. The warrior held a
devastating kick which had left their marks there. Van Helsing landed on the
ground and was whisked off his feet by the other named Wind. The later was
swift in the movements and with it came the multiple blows landing on Van
Helsing chest. The multiple blow was the cause of Van Helsing falling backwards
and he was hit by the third warrior; Fire which lived up to his name. The
warrior was armed with the pyro substances that was emitting the flames from
the hands. The flames singed Van Helsing on the legs and he rolled to snuff the
fire there. He rolled on and then crouched up. He looked at the one who had not
attack him yet.
“You going to gloat or be part of the audience.” Van Helsing glared at
the warrior. The next blow came from the warrior named Earth with a hard kick
at the back of Van Helsing. The later fell on his face and was seated himself
upon by the warrior named Water. The warrior clamped hard on Van Helsing while
another warrior named Wind grabbed hold of Van Helsing’s metal arm. He yanked
the arm off the other shoulder causing Van Helsing to scream in pain. The arm
came off and was tossed to the last warrior named Water while Van Helsing
struggled in pain. The other warrior had stepped off Van Helsing watching the
one-armed warrior in pain. It was equally painful to watch but the pain was
soon not being felt.
Van Helsing slipped into unconsciousness then.
It was the way the mind responding to pain.
20.
Sir Fleming read the message given to him by the staff. It was his
third reading and was interrupted by the arrival of his other staff. The two
gentlemen walked in and stood before their boss.
“Nayland Smith, Mr. Hyde I presume? Welcome back to the section.” Sir
Fleming looked at the two gentlemen who had answered his call. He had known
Nayland Smith; courageous and reliable but the staff had too much of tasks
involving the one named Fu Manchu. He was not there to set the previous tasks
but if there was any consolation, those ranked M were competent to assign the
correct staff to the tasks. He trusted their calls and he was to induce Nayland
to that recurring task.
“Nayland, I need you to assist Mycroft on the Fu Manchu’s trail. He
reported in on the lack of resources.” What was not mentioned to Nayland then
was Mycroft mentioned to Sir Fleming on the murder of Sean Mercer. He had
trailed Hrs Hudson and saw the murder that took place. If Mycroft made that
call, he will respect that. He knew that Mycroft needed reinforcement.
“Mycroft have Sherlock and Watson, with Mrs Hudson holding those two
lunatics ladies, I am sure that your call may be premature or you have
something else in your mind.” Nayland looked towards the doctor. “Mr. Hyde or
whatever he may be, seems to responding to our treatments. He has not reverted
to the other ego.”
“I was given the report. Mr Hyde has his regular dosage but he could
revert on his …will.” Sir Fleming smiled. He knew the other may do his alter
ego when in rage. He read the medical reports, before Mr Edward Hyde then on a
task for the section. Hyde was a good staff; he was the best in the art of
deception took the role of the Doctor Henry Jekyll but his cover was blown. He
was fed with a new serum that was supposed to enhance the body strength; one of
those super soldier’ serum. The serum reacted to his enzymes and caused him to
mutate to the monstrous frame with increased strength but he lost control of
his behaviour. He developed anger issues with murderous desire. He was
recovered and given the antidote; it worked but he needed the regular antidote.
Other than that Mr Hyde was cleared for active duty.
“Sir Fleming, I am not ready for active task. I am…” Mr Hyde muttered
but he was cut off.
“Agent Zero Fifteen, we don’t run a charity home and when you took the
oath, your obligation was to the King and the country. Your task awaits you and
there is another reason for it. Your infliction; the pain that you have
undergone, the shame of being labelled a killer, it’s linked to your current
task. The serum you were injected was another act of Fu Manchu and his
fascination with the Elixir of Life. He did not find it but he discovered the
Super Soldier’s serum; unstable but it worked. Fu Manchu was never concerned on
whom he sacrificed for advancement.”
Mr Hyde looked at the man who had spoken of his predicament as if he
was reading a report.
“I read your file. It was part of my task to know you.” Sir Fleming
looked at staff of his who then anguished at the revelation. He had thought
that he was implemented of the serum by some bigot villain but unknown in
identity. That new revelation hit at him badly; the section knew and no one
told him.
“I quit, Sir. I am asking to be relived to get some rest.” Mr Hyde
replied. “I am …”
“You will remain here. And there is a task here. You will get your
vengeance on the one who did the misdeed on you.” Sir Fleming cut him off. “You
will join Nayland on the task. A task which you have sworn to undertake when
you joined the Section.”
Sir Fleming then turned towards Nayland.
“You will track down Mycroft. Now let give you a new insight into your
nemesis, Fu Manchu. We have reports that he is going back to China, but his
double on the throne have mass an army to stop him coming back. We believed the
battle will take place at Jiayu Pass. There is something there which the
Emperor needed there. Maybe what he seeks is there; the elixir of life.”
“And more to it, you won’t be the only reinforcement. I have others
re-route to the same place besides the pair of you. We are the Empire and with
our resources, we are capable of mounting our own army.” Sir Fleming adjusted
his inner vest to smoothen the edges.
“And for what? To defend or to fight the Emperor?” Nayland asked.
“Unfortunately, whatever it may take to get the thing that Emperor
seeks there. The elixir may be an interesting artefact to hold. Or bargain
with.”
“Then I am offered the deep blue sea or the Devil.” Nayland glared at
his superior. “I wondered sometimes if I should also quit too. You chaps are ….
heartless.”
“I am glad you came to term with your employment.” Sir Fleming smiled.
“I learned that a long time ago. Now make your way to the airstrip. We have a
line-up of dirigibles to get you to China on schedule. Don’t throw a rage if
the food served are more like those you will find on Soho. I figured you might
missed it if your stay in China become permanent.”
