Chapter 94
[Kagoshima, Japan]
(September 15, 2013)
Four men were strapped to a chair each. They were blindfolded but, to their surprise, they weren't gagged so they could speak if they wanted to. None of them wished to speak until they knew where they were. They each listened to their surrounding noting the breathing of each other. Still, they stayed silent waiting for a clue to indicate where they were. They got none. Waiting in the darkness, they each recalled what happened to them before losing consciousness. They didn't know how much time has passed with the darkness completely screwing with their ability to tell time. Suddenly, there was a voice.
"Welcome! I hope you four gentlemen are comfortable with our setup. We didn't have much time to prepare for your arrival unfortunately. Ulrich and Ferdinand, it's great to see you two. I was worried we lost you both in Berlin. I'm truly relieved to see you two alright. How are you two?" A pause. "Not in the mood to talk? That's understandable. Those tranquilizers pack quite a punch. I fear your other friends didn't survive."
Ulrich tightened his fist struggling to keep his mouth shut. Ferdinand betrayed nothing as he remained still.
"Now, I mentioned that there are four of you, haven't I? Our third guest is Heinz. An operative who has been working in Qingdao. Quite a record, I must admit. Was flawless until the recent mission where he lost his entire squad. He is indeed fortunate to be the lone survivor. I think that deserves an applause." There were clapping in the room for a brief moment. "Right, I forgot that you four have your hands tied up. Maybe another time. Last and not least, we have the only Chinese representative, Scorpion. I will admit I'm fascinated with that name. If I ever want a nickname, I would pick something along those lines. I think that wraps up our introduction. None of you are gagged so feel free to interact. I must go now, I'm afraid. As a host, I feel terrible about leaving my guests behind." Another pause. "Oh yes, I forgot to mention something. Considering this a prize for attending. We are five minutes before midnight. In other words, we are five minutes before the sixteenth. By the noon of sixteenth, we will launch our magnificent Archangel. I am saddened that the four of you won't see its grand appearance. I promise to bring you a few photos though. Goodbye and goodnight!"
The silence dragged on for a few minutes.
"That's five minutes, right?" started Scorpion.
"Yes," replied Ulrich, "we have hit midnight."
"What do we do now?" asked Heinz.
"We get out of here and save the world," answered Ferdinand.
"Then they will make a movie out of it," said Scorpion drawing out laughter from everyone. "First, we must make the Fourth Reich regret letting us live."
"What's the plan then?" asked Heinz.
"We wait," was Scorpion's response.
"Good," said Heinz, "I doubt I can do anything else."
All four men laughed before they went silent. For Scorpion, he began the countdown in his head.
[Kagoshima, Japan]
(September 15, 2013)
Four men were strapped to a chair each. They were blindfolded but, to their surprise, they weren't gagged so they could speak if they wanted to. None of them wished to speak until they knew where they were. They each listened to their surrounding noting the breathing of each other. Still, they stayed silent waiting for a clue to indicate where they were. They got none. Waiting in the darkness, they each recalled what happened to them before losing consciousness. They didn't know how much time has passed with the darkness completely screwing with their ability to tell time. Suddenly, there was a voice.
"Welcome! I hope you four gentlemen are comfortable with our setup. We didn't have much time to prepare for your arrival unfortunately. Ulrich and Ferdinand, it's great to see you two. I was worried we lost you both in Berlin. I'm truly relieved to see you two alright. How are you two?" A pause. "Not in the mood to talk? That's understandable. Those tranquilizers pack quite a punch. I fear your other friends didn't survive."
Ulrich tightened his fist struggling to keep his mouth shut. Ferdinand betrayed nothing as he remained still.
"Now, I mentioned that there are four of you, haven't I? Our third guest is Heinz. An operative who has been working in Qingdao. Quite a record, I must admit. Was flawless until the recent mission where he lost his entire squad. He is indeed fortunate to be the lone survivor. I think that deserves an applause." There were clapping in the room for a brief moment. "Right, I forgot that you four have your hands tied up. Maybe another time. Last and not least, we have the only Chinese representative, Scorpion. I will admit I'm fascinated with that name. If I ever want a nickname, I would pick something along those lines. I think that wraps up our introduction. None of you are gagged so feel free to interact. I must go now, I'm afraid. As a host, I feel terrible about leaving my guests behind." Another pause. "Oh yes, I forgot to mention something. Considering this a prize for attending. We are five minutes before midnight. In other words, we are five minutes before the sixteenth. By the noon of sixteenth, we will launch our magnificent Archangel. I am saddened that the four of you won't see its grand appearance. I promise to bring you a few photos though. Goodbye and goodnight!"
The silence dragged on for a few minutes.
"That's five minutes, right?" started Scorpion.
"Yes," replied Ulrich, "we have hit midnight."
"What do we do now?" asked Heinz.
"We get out of here and save the world," answered Ferdinand.
"Then they will make a movie out of it," said Scorpion drawing out laughter from everyone. "First, we must make the Fourth Reich regret letting us live."
"What's the plan then?" asked Heinz.
"We wait," was Scorpion's response.
"Good," said Heinz, "I doubt I can do anything else."
All four men laughed before they went silent. For Scorpion, he began the countdown in his head.