Team Seven of Heroes Chapter 32

32.

“Your pursuit to here in search of the mastermind to the so named tri-alliance of M has been noted. My Master held nothing back for you have come far. My Master was in talks with them for his own personal gains as a trader. He had seen the pursuit of the tri-alliance will aid his own with the sharing of knowledge. The pact of the tri-alliance was to create three domain; the Western Europe, the Eastern Europe and then the greater Far East Empire.” The lady explained. “That was not the only core factor in the pact.”

“My Master as like the predecessor of rulers from the Empire, immortality had evaded them. The first Emperor of Greater China, Huang Ti had sorted it then. He had even dispatched ship loads of children to the nearby isles to seek the elixir of life.” The lady smiled. “What is the significance of the throne when the life cycle is with an ending? The child in the mother’s womb may be the life given by the father but can the father see beyond the child’s life cycle?”

“So the Mandarin was keen on the study of the species and its origin?” Sherlock shifted his mind to the new possibilities of questions.

“Yes, my Master was intrigued by the findings of the researcher there but to access it was to be an ally. He offered his own findings and shared the results. He had seen to the skies to have the dragons once roamed the skies although now they came in balloons and gas. That was why he took the methods here and created his own dragons for the skies.”

“Your master found his new dragons and maybe even the new claws to his tigers on the prowl, but he found none in the elixir of life?” Sherlock cued in his question.

“I can concur with you on that. The study by the others was not grasping the elixir of life but the evolution of the creatures by pre-creating on the origin. My Master had dominion over the land unlike the others who sought it although they have an extensive network over it. He had no desire to create the new army for there was one at his disposal. He only desired the elixir of life.”

“I thought one of the first known fossils was discovered in Sichuan China. It was documented by Chang Qu over two thousand years ago. He was the gazetteer of the region then.” Sherlock had a fascination on pathology. “Since then hidden research were done on the findings. Your Taoist alchemist Xu Fu sought the elixir …”

“I already covered that Mr Holmes. I am done with my message. My Master does not wished to interfere in other continent’s issue. You must return to your own land for its turmoil there is much greater.”

Mycroft rushed forth towards the lady but he was intervened by the sudden appearance of three guards who held their broadsword at his neck and chest.

“What have you…”

“My Master had no desire to fight on your land when he holds a larger on here. He has also disassociated with the others. If I am to let you know, Monsignor Dupont had perished during his escape. His network have been dissolved or detained by the authorities. Germany is safe for now.”

“What about London?” Sherlock asked.

“London has fallen. Your Parliament is under the control of M.” The Madame replied. “To be precise, it’s under the influence of the Moriarty family.”

“Frank, James and Mary Moriarty.”

“Three? I am …” Sherlock taken aback by the disclosure. He then looked at Mycroft. “Could it be her?”

Mycroft shook his head while his right hand reached for his nose. It was his odd behaviour when he could not answer the question.

“I thought she left us for good.” Mycroft let off a cough. “Father told me so before he died.”

“Father have so many children; seven to be exact and with his later years came down with dementia, how would he knew where or what happened to Sigrina. She disliked him for he was never there for her. And so were we. I was in the lab most times and you were always away.” Sherlock sighed then. His father had seven children including him and Mycroft. The senior Holmes was not the best of father but he was their father.

“It can’t be her?” Mycroft defended the youngest sister. “She …went away from what I read.”

“Do you recall her words? We are the Government and you need to trust us. Like brother and sister.” Sherlock looked to his brother. She named us double zero but we stopped at six. You were zero one zero. Are you?”

“No, I was not. I have no reference to my rank. Double zeroes were just the …making of her own ….words.” Mycroft broke his words when he spoke. “She was double zero seven or the seventh child.”

“By Holmes, your mind is working now.” Sherlock snapped out in glee. “I cannot believe we fell for it. Sigrina is the exceptional one but why Moriarty? And how did she become M?”

“Perhaps I can explain.” Watson then spoke. “I am the real double zero seven. Even M does not know that for I was in the service before she was M. Please allow me to explain later for we have to return to London soon.”

“Perhaps I can help.” The Madame spoke out with her hidden in the background listening to the conversation. “The Mandarin have assigned you a series of dirigibles to take you from here and across the great range to the dry desert and then across Northern Europe before your final journey through Scotland. All the dirigibles are in place to ensure a fast ride home.”

Team Seven of Heroes Chapter 31

31.

The old locomotive then running was powered by the cut down timber woods pulled the two wagons on the route from Chengdu to Kunming. The routes ran through tunnels and across the mountains. The ride was not smooth but it was efficient. Unknown to the guests, the railway tracks was not made known to the ruling Imperial dynasty but kept as a hidden project under the patron of the officials and dignitaries. It was like the secret bases for the dirigibles which the Imperial commanders were not aware or the hidden caches of guns that were kept in the inner provinces. Such was the narrow focus of the administration which concentrated on the eastern land by the sea and most of the interior was left to the warlords.  The warlords have their domain but most of them were under the influence of the Mandarin or appointee.

After some days and nights of travelling, they arrived at city of Kunming.

“Welcome to the city of Kunming.” Wolfgang announced to the travel weary guests. “China is a wide country like the United States of America. For us to travel from one end to the other may take days today when it was once months to reach. Please allow me to show you the accommodations. The group of travellers were led then by the servants through the long corridors which were by the decorated ponds and the beds of flowers. Their walk was long but it was worth the distance when they saw the accommodations. The chambers were huge in length and width with the separate sections for the bedding, the living area, and also the patio which over looked the smaller ponds. The only intimidation issue was that at every corner was the sentry with the rifle and broadsword by the waist belt. The place held high walls to prevent anyone intruding the different designated areas.

Soon after their rest, they were taken to rest in the Main Hall of the mansion where a feast was prepared for them. Wolfgang then was dressed in the Chinese attire of the long gown with the motifs of the Southern Tiger prowling on a ledge. The guests were served by the army of servants but there was still the guards lined up at the walls.

“Welcome to the Hall of Unity. In this hall, all men and women are equal and they may speak freely. It’s alike your Parliament House in London but here we held no leader among them. China is a wide country and it cannot be commanded by one leader alone but there will be several layers of leader and within Hall, all may speak their mind for long as it was for the unity of the country.”

“Your remarks are contrary to the man I met some days earlier. Are you who I thought was or are you someone of a differing interest?” Sherlock raised the question towards Wolfgang. “I have doubts that you appeared out of nowhere to rescue us and from Tientsin we are now in Kunming.”  

“I thought we were going to Tientsin too.” Mycroft protested before he stretched his aching back.

“Unfortunately we can’t be there. The rebellion by the boxers had spread wide and the eastern side are in turmoil now. As I speak the city of Tientsin is now besieged by the Eight Nation Alliance to rescue their people trapped there.  The Imperial Army have sided with the rebels and fighting the Alliance Army.” Wolfgang commented. “Your arrival here had been in the worst of times and we are forced to protect you.”

“Well then, thank you to the Alliance.” Mycroft replied. “God bless the Queen!”

“The Queen may be blessed but to whom are we obliged with this hospitality?” Sherlock asked once more.

“The Queen is not involved and neither is the Alliance. You are all guests of the Mandarin. He is concerned that you may be injured in the war so that I was asked to bring you here. The Mandarin will join us shortly.”

“You betrayed us.” Mycroft voiced out in anger. “I ought to kill you.”

“Killing me won’t resolve your problem, Mr Mycroft Holmes.” Wolfgang replied. “Perhaps I give you the Mandarin aide to explain things.”

Wolfgang stepped aside to allow the lady to step forth. She was small in her figure like most Oriental ladies and was dressed in green figure hugging gown that held a slit high to the upper thigh on the right leg. Her hair was jet black and set in a bun on the rear of her head. She had on a long yellow coat that hid her mother to be condition. She would had been considered as an Oriental but her high cheekbones and sunken eyes revealed a mixed heritage from the Slavic region.

“Madame will explain it all.”

“First, please allow me to welcome you to the Mansion. I am known as the Madame or you can call me Empress Warlord.” The lady bowed before the assembled. “My master the Mandarin could not make it here and sent me instead.”

“How is the Mandarin? We may have met before.” Sherlock injected in but was ignored by the lady.  He was involved in the case involving drugs shipped from China under the control of the Black Lotus Tong. It was his rare encounters with the Tong. He had wondered on the growing population of Chinese then in London and did asked if they would be bringing on their protectors like the Tongs’. It was not reported but the rumours then that the tongs in London was led by one named M. Sherlock had then assumed the M stands for the elusive leader.

“We have trailed you from London to Munich, the Ardennes Forest and through Europe to Constantinopole, and across the Himalaya into our domain. I was told that you seek the Mandarin for his so named involvement with the group with the M in the circle. I am also told that Monsignor Dupont had perished during his escape from Germany. I also…” It was Sherlock who intervened in her speech.

“I heard of you, Madame Warlord. Your name is not known by all.” Sherlock I interjected once more. “You are..”

“Inconclusive to your assumptions and inconspicuous to you if you think I would assist.” The lady stepped back to sit on the high back seat with her right hand rested on her tummy. “My unborn is making me uneasy.”

That line of conversation raised the interest of the other ladies but Sherlock ever intrigued with challenges took the cue to speak once more.

“If you are not willing to assist then why are you here, Madame?” The blunt request was taken with a smile by the lady.

“The Mandarin knew of your visit and with regret the rebellion had become a full fledge war now. However his presence was needed there to stop the spread of the war or the nation will further suffer. The eight Nations have made much intrusion into the territory with their superior weapons of which the Imperial Army was not able to counterbalanced.”

“Counterbalance, Madame? Surely the Mandarin have accessed to his own cache of weapons …” Sherlock tested his assumptions.

“Yes, we do but the balance of power need not necessary be by use of force. Both our so named enemies are at battle with losses on both sides The Imperial Army huge with its numbers have realized its impotence against a well equip army. The Tiger will not attack when it had sampled defeat once before. Or the eagle dares to swoop when it had felt the pain in it wings. If neither will fight once more then only can the serpent struck then at their hesitation.”

“An unusual assessment of the outcome but surely the Imperial Army could return to fight once more as will be the Eight Nations if they are forced.” Sherlock defended his assumptions.

“The dragon never revealed its claws when the minions like the tiger and the eagle battle for it knew they will only weaken their own strength in the battle. Victory is best won with the least effort.” The lady replied. “Which comes to the message my Master wishes to convey here.”

Team Seven of Heroes Chapter 30

30.

Lord Greystoke glared at the fighters. He had stepped out to challenge the two who had taken his challenge. They were dressed only in the loose pants and sandals but one wielded the long spear and other the long staff. The English Lord displayed his metal staff held in midway. He crossed the metal staffs and stepped forth. The spear man came at him with the front thrust when Lord Greystoke sidestepped and used the left staff to deflect the spear while his right staff swung out at the spearman face. The blow was deflected by the second fighter with the wooden staff who intervened. The staff fighter then swung the wooden staff at Lord Greystoke face but the later had pulled back to face the two fighters. He then tossed his metal staff to Lady Jane and went into a half body crouch. His face expression was then of snarling look and his arms swung loosely at the sides. The spearman came thrusting the weapon at Lord Greystoke but the later had then grabbed the spear before the head and used the momentum to swing up and with his legs doing the drop kick. The spearman went down without his spear but then Lord Greystoke had broken the spear staff into two pieces. He tossed the broken pieces aside and faced the other with the wooden staff. The other one came with the staff swinging left to right and then with a twist of the hand, it was going for a upper blow on Lord Greystoke’ head but the later had charged in like bull into the fighter. His arms went around the fighter at the waist and then he heaved the figure up before his strength crushed the ribs and spine. He then jumped holding the wounded man and did a front body slam with it. Then Lord Greystoke stepped off the dead body and faced his other adversary.

The other fighter motioned to the other fighters to join. The other three were armed with broad swords and daggers.

“They are mine.” Watson stepped forth. He reached for the daggers under his jacket. He held two each on his hands and then braced on his stance. He did not wait for the signal and tossed the daggers off. The daggers found their marks on the attackers’ throat. The four fighters fell down even before Sherlock could exclaim his surprise.

“I say Watson, its elementary you learned that in the Frontier. Why on heaven sake didn’t you tell me?”

Everyone ignored the man and followed the official inside the house and soon they were out on the emptied street with a distance to the station. The train was there but they were soon surprised by two more fighters who were versed with pugilistic skills.

“The Woo brothers! They are good at the Tiger and Crane styles. They are also hired killers.” Wolfgang commented. “We cannot stop now.”

Wolfgang rushed forth and was floored by the brother with the Tiger style. The techniques used in the Tiger style are typically fast strikes but the nature of the tiger adopted was its ferocity in the attack. The favoured move was the clenched fingers with the fingers bent at the first knuckle which forms a claw. The exponent can hit with the open palm for an upper hit on the jaws or the bridge nose; and with a change of impact, it can do a finger clawing on the face or the body with the fingers spread out. The exponent trained hard with their fingers to harden it for such moves. Wolfgang was given that deadly blow when the clenched fingers hit him in the left shoulders and took a piece of his flesh there. The wound looked as if he was mauled by the tiger’s claws. The brother went for the second blow to the neck but Van Helsing stepped in with his right arm blocking the blow. Van Helsing used his armoured arm to push the brother off. With his enhanced strength Van Helsing pushed ahead with the move to swing a punch at the brother. His silver arm broke the other at the right shoulder before he followed up with a right kick at the brother.

“It’s Savate.” Van Helsing commented on his style.

The other brother rushed in with the clenched fingers resembling the bill of the crane. The crane fighting style uses the four limbs for its attack. The exponent basic stance was to stand on one leg and held the arms out wide as it was how a real crane will stand. The crane uses two basic moves which is the crane wing for blocking and the beak for the strike. It may seem ‘elegant’ in the pose but the movement has its strength. The spread out arms could block an attack with the forearm just below the wrist and then encircling of the hand over and on top of the opponent’ wrist to snap the bone there or bring it down with a forceful thrust of the fingers.

The move was not seen by Van Helsing but Mycroft had intervened. The huge man took up his fists to block the right fingers aimed at Van Helsing. The hardened knuckles from the bare fights stopped the fingers but Mycroft then moved in with the fingers to grab the wrist there and twisted it like how he was taught at Academy then. It was a judoka move which was taught then by visiting masters. Mycroft then pulled the brother towards by him with the injured wrist and then landed a solid kick in between the legs. He followed through with a hard chop on the back of the neck.

“Portobello alley style. We don’t like to lose.” Mycroft smiled. He was then seen to be hit by some fast punches followed by a vicious kick to the left knee which caused him to fall on his face. The kicks were delivered from the knees with repeated kicks that were aimed at the face. It was done by a tall scrawny figure with a pig tailed below his round hat and the long robe favoured by the elder Chinese.  Van Helsing rushed forth but he was counter attacked by the long Chinese fan that swung open in front of his eyes. The Chinese hand fan can be a deadly weapon in the hands of the skilled. The ribs when closed on the fan can be used like a small bludgeon stick or as a dagger into the soft flesh. The wide open hand fan also served as  a camouflage to hide your fists or kicks by shielding the opponent’s eye. That was what Van Helsing encountered blocking his view before he felt the spine of the fan hit his throat and then the powerful jab into his left ribs before his left knee was hit by the side to drop him.

“Bundolo!” Lord Greystoke leaped into the battle but he landed with his arms missing his target. He was then assaulted by a series of flying kicks onto his face before he was sent toppling behind. He pushed himself up and was impacted by the open palm hit on the jaws and then his left arm locked to the ground by the elder man. Lord Greystoke pulled himself free with great effort and pushed the elderly man off his arm but his effort to stand was to slacken when the elderly man used his body frame to slam into Lord Greystoke. The slam caused the man to fall down but he was held by the arm to prevent him reaching the ground.

“You fight like a black bear but you hold the agility of the monkey.” The elderly man told Lord Greystoke but it was Lady Jane who replied in the local language.

“He is not of the monkey but of the apes. He is their King.” Lady Jane then looked at the others. “I learned Chinese from the grocer near the estate. He was from Canton.”

“That’s enough, guys.” Lady Harkness stepped in with the rifle aimed at the Chinese fighter left temple. “Move and I will blow your brains off.”

“Stop! Please! This is Master Hung. He may be mistaken us for the foreigners.” Wolfgang intervened and with a long chatter of local words, he pacified the elderly master of the arts. “Master Hung meant no malice. He thought you were attacking the locals.”

The Chinese master then turned to walk away leaving the remaining five still recovering from the swift battle.

“I say Watson, it’s obviously elementary that we met a real master of the arts. I sympathise with Mycroft for his …”

“Snotty behaviour and brash words? I doubt it. He did display some good moves which a crippled like me could use.” Watson replied. “I can’t bloody do those kicks and the fan; I might use it to swat flies perhaps. Should we get onto the train before we ended up in some monastery learning how to sweep the floors?”

Team Seven of Heroes Chapter 29

29.

The view from the dirigible carriage was magnificent and cannot be compared to the one they took over the Alpine. The dirigible was piloted by a seasoned Captain who took them past the lower peaks and then passed the higher ones. The air was thin so everyone had on an oxygen mask with the canister. Their conversation was minimal with their rest time extended.

The Himalaya name was derived from the Sanskrit word which means the Abode of Snow. The range included over a hundred mountains exceeding twenty three thousand feet in elevation. It was challenged only by the Aconcagua in the Andes at over twenty two thousand feet. The Himalayan range is bordered on the northwest by the Karakoram and Hindu Kush, on the north by the Tibetan Plateau and on the south by the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The range was the source for Indus River, the Ganges, and the Tsangpo-Brahmaputra. The rivers were to serve over six million people with its streams and rivers. The climate range of the range varies from its tropical forest at the base to the icy snow clad at the higher elevations. The pilot directed the dirigible past the range into the edge of the Tarim Basin with the Kunlun Range as his guide on the right and the Basin on the left. He piloted the ship until he was in sight of the Sichuan Basin and from there to the North China Plain.

That was his flight plan.

“We have a problem.” The Captain of the dirigible voiced out. His voice sounded hoarse from the intake of oxygen through the mouth then motioned to Sherlock the threat ahead.

“The wind there is too strong. We need to land. And then take alternate route.” The view was shared with the others and the decision was made to land nearby. The dirigible landed at the plain and then balloon collapsed. The Captain then led the seven of them with the baggage carried by the crews to a nearby town. The Captain although he was German managed to secure passages for the seven travellers.

Their route was to the city of Chendu.

“There is a train service there.” The Captain then waved them off on their trip by the two secured double wheel wagons pulled by the single horse with the local guide. The seven guests did not see the exchange of gold pieces by the local warlord to the pilot who immediately readied his dirigible for a quick exit. The ride was scenic but there were also sights of depressing people holding out for assistance. Sherlock saw the dried fields and deducted that the drought had plagued the province. The ride was long and hard when they then found themselves stopping before a tall and huge gate. The gates opened and the wagons went in.

Sherlock stepped out and saw the siege of armed oriental guards with rifles.

“Welcome to my home. We are secured here.” The person who spoke was German and he was not alone. He was with an official dressed in the Government attire with the broad sword on his waist belt. “My name is Wolfgang and I am your …probably friend here.”

“Why are we here?” Mycroft tested his German language but it came out in cracked syllable. “May you speak in English?”

“I would for your convenience.” The ascent was vividly London. “I was raised in London before migrating back to Munich and then to this great land.”

“You father was a missionary and he brought you here.” Sherlock gave out his honest opinion on the person. The reaction was natural and Sherlock gave him his concluding facts.

“You wore a cross on your neck and your choice of dressing displayed your oriental stay. Your ascent was London which were distinct tell me that you still see your friends here from London. Your appearance with the official tells me that you are connected but I will say it will be more inclined to the Mandarin than the Imperial Army.”

“Your reputation precedes you, Herr Holmes. I am not with the Imperial Army although Cheng here is one. We are sworn brothers to the Mandarin circle.” Wolfgang explained. “There is an event that going to erupt here. The Mandarin sent us to save you.”

“I am not surprised. The Mandarin must had known that we were coming and will probably meet us.” Sherlock added in his assumptions.

“You are not wrong but the event I mentioned made all of you undesirable to walk on the street.”

The next day, hordes of fighters who were trained to fight in the pugilistic skills had swarmed the foreign quarters in the main capital then. They had earlier appeared with the placards and banners condemning the foreigners. They ran amok on the streets and tore up the notices that were for the foreigners. Foreign establishments were besieged and then looted.

Then the ruling elites made the crucial move.

War was declared on the foreigners but the Imperial army was split into two sides.

Most of the fighting was focused on the capital and the surrounding areas with many foreigners then massacred. It triggered the declaration of war by the eight nations that have armies on the land. It was no different at the mansion at Chengdu.

“Have you not considered that we are attracting one too many sieges in the last weeks?” Mycroft cursed while he loaded the rifles. They were Type 30 rifle nicknamed the Manchu Arisaka. The rifle was bolt action with a five round internal magazine. It fired the six point five cartridges and fired at ten rounds per minute. The mansion held forty guards with the official and twenty servants with their eight guests. The Chinese fighters were just outside the walls with their overturned wagons to form their own walls. The distance separated the two walls was about a hundred feet or the width of the street.

Wolfgang had on a Luger in the shoulder holster and the same rifle he held in his right hand with the bandolier of cartridges across his chest. He carried in the case containing the ceramic round pots filled with gunpowder and the wick that will blow it.

“Each of these is hand sized and enough to blow a roomful of people.” Wolfgang told them. “We can’t fight them with just our fists.”

“握住墙” (Hold the wall) The Imperial Officer called out the order while the guards climbed on stacked up boxes to look over the walls.

“他们在外面露营”, (They are camped outside). The guards reported back. Just then another guard came to report that they were more at the rear. 

“We are trapped then.” Wolfgang relayed the message to the others. He then told them of the next plan. “If we can make it to the train station, we can take the train out.” 

“Through that mob? You must be nuts.” Mycroft replied. “I will stake my chance here.” 

“We have an escape route. The official here had a tunnel which we can leave for the station.” Wolfgang assured him. “Take your belongings and the needed rifles.”

“Well we are in his home, so we will adhere to his wishes.” Sherlock added in. The guests were then taken to the main hall and into the rear pavilion. There the official indicated to the covered well. It was seen to be a dry one but upon descending the rope, they saw there was a crawl space into a tunnel. The official took point followed by the others and soon they found themselves climbing up some wooden bamboo steps into another backyard. Lord Greystoke who had followed behind the official found the official had just slit the throat of an elderly man there. The dead man was headed for the doorway when the official killed him. 

“There is no one and we can leave now.” Just then a group of five Chinese men burst into the backyard holding weapons. 

“By golly, they are here too.” Mycroft sounded and leveled his rifle to be stopped by Wolfgang. 

“No shooting. We will fight them with fists.” 

Team Seven of Heroes Chapter 28

28

“I say old chap, you may dread sampling the heat once more.” Mycroft spoke to Watson. “I would be with such heat and dirty condition. Did I once tell you that I was in Albania where the cold ….”

Watson had ignored the other and moved along the ship railing to the helm. They were not going to the land just yet. The arrangement was they will travel by the dirigible from there but the later was late for a needed refuelling. 

“Watson, you looked in pain. Can I help?” Lady Harkness stood next to the doctor. “I have not been this far East but I am intrigued already. The city looked very inviting.”

“It’s my Lady. A city that both inviting likes the region that almost everyone from the Western side had come to invade and ruled as their extended empire.” It was Lady Jane who cut in. “The Middle East and the Far East are no different from the Dark Continent. Where the British had not landed, the Germans or the Spanish before them had done so. The question remained how long they can secured the invasion to then ruled it like their own backward.”

“A tinge of sarcasm, Lady Jane.” Watson replied with a smile. “I was not here to rule but to heal the ones that lived here.”

“Were you Doctor Watson?” Lord Greystoke joined the discussion. “Medicine had their benefits but the ones that brought it also brought along the mass with the guns. They desire not healing but having their own.”

“More sarcasm? Please excuse me before I vote for the next Frontier Wars.” Watson excused himself and took the walk to look for Sherlock. The sleuth was missing for some hours then and he was later found among the sailors at the lower bunks.

“Herr Heinrich, do tell me more?” The sleuth was seated there with his legs crossed and listening to the sailors’ tales. He saw Watson and motioned him to sit along with them.

“Heinrich here was telling me of the place we are going. He had spent some time there and there are no better guides than one who knew the hidden side of the city.”

The tales told were not of the tourist interest but to Holmes, it was information he was digesting. The current dynasty was on the verge of collapsing. According to Heinrich, the changes were rapid in the last few centuries that they retained the old scripture boards in case the older dynasty was revived. When Sherlock asked on the Mandarin, there was a hush before the sailors continued on.

“The Mandarin held more influence than the Emperor. He was revered like a God and no one dares defy him. Not even the colonial authorities. They allowed him freedom of passage inside the area for his return to the freedom of trade. The Mandarin controls the ports and noting get loaded without his consent. We held the cannons but the Mandarin held the army that he was building. He had ships in the other ports equipped with our weapons. He holds several areas where they made dirigibles for war.”

“I once saw a man fly on a pair of wings.” Another sailor added in. “These Orientals are awesome.”

“Have you seen their fighting fists? It was so fast.” The conversation loose up and more sailors added on. Watson felt confined there and stepped out. He found his way back to the officer bunker and saw Mycroft there.

“Watson old chap, am I glad to see you again? M send this telegram to you.” Watson was surprised that he was referred to by the dame at London. He took the sealed telegram and opened it.

‘Rajah Manuj sent his regards.’

So after that many years the old man was still alive.

“Doctor, do you still carry the Webley?” Mycroft asked. “I have a spare.”

Watson ignored the man and went to his bunk where he remained unless called for food. Sherlock had then heard enough and stepped out of the area to the salty air of the sea. He looked over the railings and at the sea waves. His mind worked like the waves; they never stopped breaking it and absorb all the impact but forever moving forth.

“Amazing how the mind works. We build many things that gave us so many new edges.” It was Lady Jane who said that. She saw the quizzed expression. “I was there at the next most primitive land and we brought them our inventions. We had good intentions; guns to replace the spears, plough for the hand tools, and …”

“Your first assessment reflected your hostility. You resented the changes there.” Sherlock gave his deduction. “You wanted to say we saved them to become slaves but slavery had been with us for eons even before the Spartans and Greeks. All of them advanced in some manner but they still do slavery.”

“True but the one creature that man could not keep in slavery was the wild creatures. They hold a huge wide jaw and fangs for the one bite.” Lady Jane sighed. “It’s just that they have grown smaller than the huge ones with bigger jaws.”

“The dinosaurs? I missed them. I wished I was born then and had traced their origins. I wondered why they were …grown so big and we so much smaller.” Sherlock smiled.

“You can tell God when you meet her.” Lady Jane added in with sarcasm. “She made mine perfectly.”

“Endowed perhaps? I won’t know as they are not mine.” Sherlock parlayed on the relevance. “But the dinosaurs are not here for us to understand. Why do you draw that topic into our quest?”

“The origin of species was what drove us together. A creature endowed with wings when it had none before. Was it to fly or run? I had seen the lioness hunt and speed was not their strength. The cheetah may do so but they hunt alone. Lioness hunts in packs.” Lady Jane gave her reply. “Are we looking at the origin or attempting to evolve these creatures?”

“And why would the criminal world unite to do this? Evolution and crime does not link at all.” Sherlock looked at Lady Jane. “Intrigue me please?”

“I believe the word should be induced me, Mr Holmes.” It was Lady Harkness. “I will do so. When I was with Vlad…. The man you knew as Dracula, he showed me some insight into the works of his. All of you knew Vlad as a blood sucker but he was also into research. His fascination also involved the species and their common link the blood. The blood in all of us including the creature is almost similar in its basic ….molecules. He once told me that with the blood he can trace their origin.”

“So indulge me in my possible deductions?” Sherlock was adamant to see how it affect their works. “They are looking to build an army of creatures that once terrorized man?”

“We don’t know. You are the sleuth, so please do investigate it while the ladies attend to matters privy in the bathroom.” Both the ladies left the sleuth with his array of new assumptions but they did raise a sounding idea. He then retired to the ship bridge to take up the Captain’s Bridge. It was also next to the telegram room. 

Team Seven of Heroes Chapter 27

27.

Constantinopole straddled the Bosphorus Straits which was the border from Europe and Asia. The city was well known as the imperial capital of the ancient Roman eastern empire, the Byzantine, the Latin and finally the Ottoman. The Ottoman did not hold good relations with England but it held diplomatic links with Germany. The steamer that took them was a German light cruiser of the Magdeburg Class. The four thousand five hundred tons ship went to full speed at twenty seven knots towards the eastern lands. The ship was armed with twelve guns in single pedestal mounts with a maximum elevation of thirty degrees. The seven were placed into the officer’s bunkers and provided armed guards.

The journey was to take four days and nights across the open sea. It was a time to rest and recover but for one it was a moment of reflection.

“It’s Captain Watson, John Watson of the Northumberland Fusiliers.” The man had registered his name with the hotel reception. “My sister, Harriet will be staying here.”

While the man pays the hotel reception for the three days stay, his sister was seen fanning herself from the heat of the weather. He was standing in the lobby of a major hotel in Kabul then.

“John, is it that hot here all year? I do miss London already.” Harriet or Harry to Watson voiced out her discomfort. He ignored her and waited for his receipt. He knew why Harry was there but the idea was loathsome and above all, it inconvenient him. The porter then arrived to take the bags but Harry had her idea of having a drink at the bar.

“I know it’s early by London time but I am in need of a drink.” Her drink was not alcoholic which was served only in the bar then but a long glass of lemonade. Watson settled for a cup of black tea and selected a nice spot on the patio to the end with his back against the wall. He was very careful with his seat and preferred the vantage point of knowing who he can see.

“Tell me, John. We were relieved that they found you.” Harry was ever excitable on his so named adventures. “How long was it? Two or three years?”

Watson raised his four fingers on the left hand to reply his sister. He was rescued by the Fusiliers during a raid on a local village when they found him. He was lying on the floor in the hut with a deep wound in his chest and shoulder. That was three months ago and with the time since then he had lain in the hospital to undergo post-traumatic stress.

“Your nice Colonel sent me a letter telling about your recovery. It took weeks before we receive it and when we did, I rushed over.” Harry took a long pull on the straw.

“How is Elliot?” Watson was to mumble some other name but he was not sure whom she had married but Elliot sounded just about right. They were all idiots to be associated with Harry.

“Allen you mean person. His name is Allen and he runs a book store. He told me that he would like to read your journal.”

Watson nodded. That message had rung into his ears several times since he met Harry but for the family sake, a slight nod was to suffice.

“I best be going to my room to take a long bath and refresh myself for tea. Your Colonel’s wife was kind enough to invite me to meet the officer’s wives.”  With that Harry stepped off to her room while Watson excused himself to the rest room. He took the walk past the reception and then to the rear with limped walk assisted by his walking stick. He passed the bathroom and went straight for the rear exit. He stepped out into the alley and then proceeded to the adjacent street before he slipped into the bakery and then out by the rear to the alley and from there to the street once more. By then he was two blocks away from the hotel and he took to shelter in the shades of the water pipe or shisha shop. His wait was not long when he saw the figure came running out of the alley with the eyes searching for him. The figure was dressed in the local garbs of loose tunic and balloon pants with the sandals. He had one a turban and was bearded. The man rushed down the street and was joined by another and they went running down.

Watson knew those men and he turned the other way to walk up the street. He strolled on until he found a single carrier carriage by the mule. He hailed and took it back to his destination. He was not concerned on Harry for they will not attempt on her life but his was a different matter. He has to settle the matter before it erupted into another war between the Governments.  The ride was long and then he arrived at the gate to the Amir Bashar.

“There is no pact between us, Sahib.” Amir Bashar had received the doctor into his hall of the house. “I cannot protect you there but I can settle the feud for you. It will be a battle of fate between you and the Rajah.”

Watson nodded to the request. He knew that his past will soon reached him and it was time to lay it to rest.

“Tell me, Sahib. Did you not know the wrath of the father who had taken you for his son in law and then yet you betrayed him? Rajah Manuj is not a man you can offend. He is associated with the killers that concealed in the dark.”

Thugee.

Watson nodded. He was in haste to get involved with the local girl and from there the trust of a man he should not had trusted. Once he was in the circle, he ended up with a marriage to the daughter.. He was soon with his privileged position and was told to head the assassin guild by his father in law.

“A Sahib leading it will not arouse the interest of the authorities.” With that for three years, he trained and fought with them. And even kill with them for no one suspects a Sahib to be one with them. It was a new turn for him to be a killer than a healer. He had killed as an officer but never that close. The feeling was ecstatic then to sink the dagger into the throat but soon he found out that it was not his doing but the drug that was ingested by his family in him. He resisted but the urge was greater to take the drug. He became dependent on it. He was a healer and then he forced himself to cure of the addiction. It was tough and he escaped into the hills. He lived with the ones that he was forced to kill. He fought his way in by battle of strength and was to become one of the leaders. He stayed with them until he was attacked by a group. He fought hard and won but with wounds. It was also then the Fusiliers arrived.

Watson was saved but he had not escaped his enemy.

It was time to end it all.

“My renegade son by marriage, you have returned.” Rajah Manuj greeted the limping doctor. “I was told that you are back with the grand Army of yours but you cannot rest. Was that why you wanted to see me?”

“My daughter Nina had forgotten you. She have married my cousin’ son and bear him many children. Yours…” The voice trailed off but Watson refused to take the bait. “He still lived. He lives with me now. He has your look.”

“I did not come for him or for her. I came for my …the battle of fate. Send me your best or even your new son by marriage.” Watson called out in anger. “I will test my fate in battle.”

“A fierce one that is you, my errant son of marriage. I agreed with the Amir to the test but I cannot fight you. How can a father kill his son? However, I have are your challengers.”

A long chain was brought in and it held shackles for the hands. Each challenger was shackled by the left wrist but instead of two fighters, there were three sets of shackles. The Rajah had appointed two fighters instead of one to challenge Watson. They were each armed with a dagger that resembled the scythe used by farmers.

“Let the battle begin.” It was then the child of three years was pushed into the arena.

The child was cut on the left forearm when Watson was deflecting the swinging move by the one on the right. Watson reached out to grab the child but had to retreat when the left one charged at him with the bloodied scythe with his son’s blood. Watson kicked out with his right leg at the crying boy to the side and then with a full body turn he swung his scythe on the charging man. His move had the scythe inner curve cut into the side of the neck and he pulled it hard. The scythe was sharper at the inner curve cut into the flesh and severed the air passages. By then Watson was cut by the right side man with the scythe aimed at the rear of his left shoulder. He cried out in pain and used his body weight to slam backwards on the man. He was not huge in frame but his strength nurtured then in the hills gave him power. He released the scythe held by his right hand and turned to punch the other attacker in the face. His fist broke the nose bridge and with the second blow he had the bones there lodged into the brain. The attacker fell clutching his broken nose before his brain made him go into spasms on the floor.

Watson saved the child that day and his sister left him for London in distress but blessed with a nephew that she just knew. Watson was however warned not to come back to India.