Chapter 5
The Road Less Traveled
(continued)
April 19th, 1936, 16:05 pm…Industrial District, Hailar…
In an abandoned warehouse, that was located five hundred meters from the site of the gun battle, two men stood talking. One was Manchurian, the other European. The two men stopped talking as a trap door in the middle of the warehouse popped open. Smoke billowed out of the hole followed by six men wearing gas masks and armed with sub machineguns, one man carrying a rifle. The last man dropped the trap door as the rest of the men removed their gas masks. As one, the group trotted over to the two men.
“Report”, said the Manchurian in Russian.
“It went perfectly sir. The target was taken down as ordered”, replied the leader of the group.
“Fatalities?” asked the European.
“No fatalities sir. I would estimate possibly a dozen wounded, none seriously except for the target.”
The European looked down at his watch. “Thirty minutes from the time of first entry to your return here. Not bad.”
The Manchurian looked at the European. “You are satisfied with the results?”
“Hell yes! Aren’t you?” he replied.
The man smiled. “Yes, quite satisfied.” He looked at the group of men. “Stow your weapons and uniforms in that truck over there and then make your way back to Changchun. Once there, stay at the safe house until I contact you. That should be in a couple of days. Do you understand?”
The group nodded in unison. “Very well, get going”, said the man.
The group trotted over to the truck and started to stow there weapons and gear. As the realization hit them of the absolute success of their mission, they started to joke and laugh as they listened to each other brag about their part in its success.
The Manchurian and the European watched them for a few moments, then the Manchurian turned to his comrade. In English he said, “Well Major Fitzgerald, you have certainly earned your money.” With that, the man reached inside the window of the car they were standing in front of and pulled forth a briefcase. “You will find the agreed upon sum inside, plus…a little bonus for a job well done. Are you sure I cannot convince you to stay on awhile longer?” he asked.
The Irishman smiled, “Sorry, but his Majestie's work is never done. I am expected in Nepal in three months. And since I am going to have to take the long way through the interior I need to get going.”
“But Mr. Fitzgerald, you are a mercenary. What does the far away king of England have to do with this?” the man inquired.
“I may be a mercenary, but I do so at the kings bidding, just as you do. I am sure you understand”, Fitzgerald replied.
“Yes, I understand duty”, he said solemnly. Then with a smile, “But I had to try. We do not have enough men with your expertise and we desperately need it.”
Fitzgerald gestured towards the group of men that were now heading towards a number of separate exits. “You do now.”
The man turned and regarded the men as they left the building and then turned back to Fitzgerald with a growing smile on his face. “That is something that I had not considered. They know enough now to train others?”
“Absolutely. Your leader has a good head on his shoulders. They would make an excellent training cadre. I know it’s tough. Use the tool that I have built for you now, or wait till the tool has fashioned more tools. You’re not ready to move anyway. Use them to train more men. If you need them for the occasional mission, use them”, said Fitzgerald, as if lecturing a new recruit.
“You speak wisely Major. There is nothing that cannot wait. I will heed your advice and use these men and their new found expertise as you suggest”, said the man, now in deep contemplation.
Major Fitzgerald clapped the man on the shoulder. “Good man. Now I really must be on my way. Good luck”, he said, extending his hand.
The man, pulled from his thoughts, took Fitzgerald’s hand. “Good luck to you Major, and safe journey. And should your king have no further use for you, you are always welcome here.”
Fitzgerald laughed. “The king will have no further use for me only after I am dead and buried and not before.”
The man smiled at Fitzgerald. “You are right of course. Wise monarchs do not discard such men foolishly.”