Team Seven of Heroes III Chapter 19 & 20

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.”