The Night Gods III- VII: Serendipity

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Even with, or perhaps because of, the omnipresent UN stranglehold on the world, the winds of liberty were picking up momentum. China, after decades of maoist tyranny, was finding the added Un presence, as limited as it was, intolerable. Having modeled much of their eugenics program after China's population control schema, the UN was counting on China's complicity... and the "human weeds were becoming increasingly angry.

Because of Premier Zhao's support for N. Korea, Beijing and Shanghai had been targeted during the war. Hong Kong now served as the capital- it was the only major city remaining in China. It was also the home of Wu Feng the leader of the tongs- as it had been before the war. It was a very dangerous place for Gao Delun, who had to assume a myriad of disguises to enter and exit... He preferred the relative anonymity of the provinces.

However, it was necessary, from time to time, for him to meet with the Venerable Wu, as he was commonly known. The tongs had learned to adapt over the centuries and could flourish in any political and economic environment, but naturally preferred the freedom of the open market. The UN presence constituted more of a nuisance than anything else- but it was an impediment the tongs would rather see removed and Gao was the key... he had their full support.

Wu Feng had a palatial home on The Peak, as well as a luxurious condo in the fashionable Repulse Bay. He owned an import/export business specializing in art and oriental artifacts- the vast majority of his wealth, however, came from the tongs. His offices, which he seldom visited, were in the business district of Kowloon- but sharing the Chinese love of gambling- he liked to spend time at the racetrack in Happy Valley. On the occasions when he visited his offices, he travelled by the ferry with several bodyguards. It was often there, in the hub-bub of commuter traffic that he would meet Gao Delun... but it was most often that Gao would visit one of his many shops.

One of Wu's shops was on Hollywood Road in the fashionable Sheung Wan shopping district and it was there that Gao waited patiently for Wu's arrival. He had arrived minutes before disguised as a disgruntled rickshaw boy. He entered the shop and angrily demanded in broken English...

"I bring man... He say, you wait. He no come back... you pay!"

"There's no man here... Now get out of here," the clerk replied in a haughty tone, "before I call the police."

"I call police," the driver said closing his left eye and tugging on his right ear.

The clerk, recognizing the signal immediately said: "Come right this way please. I'll see that you get your money."

He showed Gao to the office in the back of the store. Beneath a tapestry was a false wall- a sliding panel that led to a stairwell leading down to the basement. Wu used it for storage and inside was another office, this one furnished in the old Chinese style.

"I didn't recognize you honorable Gao," the clerk said in perfect Mandarin bowing slightly. "The Venerable Wu is on his way... can I offer you tea?"

"No thank you," Gao replied returning the bow. "I'll wait for the Venerable Wu."

He didn't have long to wait. Moments later Wu came in through the back entrance. The clerk had returned to the store.

"Honorable Gao Delun," Wu bowed. "I trust your wait was not too long or uncomfortable," he said in English. "Did my unworthy clerk offer you tea?"

"Not at all, Venerable One," Gao said bowing himself. "Your honorable clerk offered me tea, I declined to wait for your honorable presence."

Both Gao and Wu Feng observed the old traditions of the China that existed before Mao's Cultural Revolution... the traditions both were fighting to preserve.

"May I now offer tea?" Wu asked. "I'm afraid it is not very good," he said bowing slightly, "hardly a worthy offering."

"I'm certain it is wonderful tea, Venerable Wu," Gao replied.

They enjoyed their tea exchanging pleasantries and news from the provinces. When tea was finished, it was time for business.

"We need supplies for Guangzhou Province. The troops are gathering strength there for an incursion inland. We must stop them there," Gao began. "We need your help once more Honorable Wu."

"Why is the UN sending troops here?" Wu asked. "China is hardly a part of the ebel conflict... our fight is with the People's Army.

"They figure with UN backing they can stop us more quickly," Gao said. "Then they can move troops elsewhere along with members of the PLA to stop trouble elsewhere... probably the US. We are determined to end this quickly," Venerable one.

"How may I be of service, honorable Gao Delun?" Wu asked.

"We have allies coming in from the provinces," Gao began, "But they are poor and unarmed- manpower we have in abundance, supplies we do not. With your help, Venerable One, we can fight the decisive battle to end this and restore Chine to the old ways."

"You must make a detailed list of what you believe you will need," Wu said, "and I will send word out to the tongs."

"I knew I could count on you, Venerable One," Gao replied, "I have anticipated your wish and prepared a list."

Always, my friend. We fight the same fight, Honorable Gao. You in your way and I in mine," Wu said with a bow. "How soon do you need them?"

"We are planning now, but planning to move by the first of the new year- in two months," Gao said.

That should be plenty of time," Wu told him reading the list. "Your needs are modest, I believe we can exceed them. Send me word beforehand and I will make certain the local tongs provide support."

Gao stood and bowed: "Your able and generous assistance is more than we could have hoped for, Venerable One," he said, your wisdom and benevolence are indeed legandary."

"As is your bravery, my honorable friend," Wu replied with a bow. "Now we must prepare for your departure... I have made the necessary arrangements."

Gao would leave through the back of the store disguised as a delivery truck driver carrying an order to a patron in the New Territories.

In Geneva word of Wade's death had reached Oliveira- and he was incensed. He called Behrmann to his office.

"Reinhardt," he began, "this business in America will not be tolerated. I want more troops... I told Patterson to focus on those broadcasts, but now I want a crackdown- a big one."

"We're stretched pretty thin as it is," Mr. President," Behrmann replied, "I don't know where we'll get them."

"Take them out of the China contingent," Oliveira told him. "It shouldn't take much to put those Chinese rebels down... we're only providing support for the PLA anyway."

"Very well, Mr. President," Behrmann said. "We can always increase conscription if we need to."

"In tonight's address, I want to focus on Wade- a tribute," Oliveira said. "You focus on the criminality of his death... the 'we won't let this cowardly deed go unpunished' angle."

"Of course, Mr. President," Behrmann said solemnly. "I'll write it myself."

When Behrmann was gone, Oliveira's phone rang- it was his assistant: "Mr. President," he said, "I have Mr. Beck on the line."

"Thank you, Raoul" he said, "I'll take it."

"Good afternoon, Mr. President," Beck said tersely, "I suppose you know about Wade..."

"Yes, Mr. Beck," Oliveira said, "a tragedy... criminals- this will not be tolerated... It will be the topic of tonight's address."

"Those addresses won't stop a thing," Beck returned bitterly. "Nobody listens to them- except at the beginning hoping for cartoons. I want to know what you're going to do about Wade."

"I hoped you might have a suggestion," Oliveira began, "or perhaps his Lordship..."

"Listen to me you fucking buffoon... Lord Penrose is most unhappy," Beck said. "We put in there because we thought you might at least show a little initiative... You're the president, not me. Do you mean to tell me you're going to do nothing more than give one of your idiotic speeches?"

Oliveira wasn't used to being spoken to like this- but it was Beck... a high ranking member of the Council. He swallowed deeply before answering: "I only thought..." he said meekly.

"No Oliveira," Beck cut in, "you didn't think. What was that business with Patterson about anyway?"

"I merely asked him to redouble his efforts to find the source of the broadcasts and sent Wade to find out what he needed..." Oliveira began.

Beck cut him off again: "Look you have less than a year left before the next election... and I think I can speak for the Councils when I say, we're not happy with the way things have been going... If you want our support, you better start putting your house in order."

"Yes Sir," Oliveira said into the dead phone. He sank into his chair, despondent. He decided that in his address he would play peacemaker and let Behrmann assume the "bad cop" the role.

"Citizens of the World," he began. "This lawlessness in unnecessary. The murder of Minister Wade, while a criminal act, was understandable... and terribly, not to mention tragically ill advised. I sent Minister Wade to meet with a representative of President Patterson carrying an olive branch... it was a mission of peace. His message was simple... to relax the curfews and economic sanctions against the United States in hope of mutual cooperation- and to allow Mr. Shoemaker's broadcasts to go on unabated... and now I'm afraid that a group of criminals have undermined my plans for peace and made that impossible. It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you- my people- that a criminal element within the United States has dashed my peace initiative to bits, Now Chancellor Behrmann will tell you of what is to come."

Behrmann's message was short and to the point... if the US wanted violence they would get it- in spades. There would be more troops, heavier economic sanctions and strictly enforced curfews. All troops destined for China would now be redeployed to America. Bad news perhaps for the patriots in America, but a godsend for Gao Delun and his compatriots in China.

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