CHAPTER SEVEN
Deception Slithers With Pride
It was magical; the feeling of love was something powerful. In this state she could fathom love but in a way in which words only limited the description thereof. This notion was spoken and felt with only the spirit, any instance of the flesh for she knew would only pollute the real meaning of what this truly was.
Chun-Li wondered if this was what God's love was like. Or perhaps to even further delve into the subject she wondered if this was what she had been experiencing there in that convoluted moment; the feeling of God's love like she had never experienced before.
Though her surroundings hadn't been consistent with any particular flow of time or space, Chun-Li felt at ease. A word involuntarily entered her mind again. The one her father had spoken to her just recently in their encounter: Forgive.
She didn't know where to begin. She didn't know how to forgive. Since this was love she felt, the feeling she basked in that very moment had to have been God she was experiencing to some form, she asked for help in some intricate though process for help in such a daunting task.
Chun-Li pondered on the subject more, bringing her thoughts to the terrible circumstance in which she had viewed herself to be in; the murder of her father, the rape, and now a pregnancy. Instantly as those thoughts entered her mind, she found herself to be in a more familiar state of being. All fleshly sense and awareness had begun to return.
Sense of touch, slowly began to generate within her. Hands touched and caressed her lovingly, stroking her face, her neck, and her shoulders. Mind still in transition, Chun-Li pondered if these very hands had been the hands of God which now showed His love in a more familiar sense. She felt herself smiling. Her sense of hearing then began to return as well.
"I think she's waking up," she heard Ken's voice say. "Get out of the way bozo."
"Chun-Li," Another familiar voice called. "It's Ryu… Can you hear me?"
"Ryu…" She whispered. Her friends were around her, and in that time memory of her surgery had returned to her. Slowly she began to open her eyes, optic nerves slowly adjusting to the flood of light that poured through her weakened retinas. Her body ached terribly, nausea began to surface.
"My beautiful…" an uncanny familiar voice said that time.
Chun-Li allowed her eyes to settle in on her surroundings slowly. Directly in off to her left sat Vega, the last person she would ever imagine being by her side. His eyes, still showing the effects of the injuries she had inflicted upon them in their fight, had peer down at her in a look that was concurrent to the time they had briefly dated. In that instant alarm suddenly arose up within her as she realized she was no longer in the hospital where she last had been.
Ken and Ryu stood in the background against the wall; they soon came to her side as they realized her expression and voice showed a sudden state of alarm.
"Where am I, and why is he here?" She asked regarding Vega.
"I'm still asking myself the same question," Ken muttered.
Ryu sat down on the edge of her bed. "The place they had us in was run by Shadowlaw, this whole operation…"
"… the tournament, the fights, the hospital everything…" Ken added.
Ryu continued. "Since your father was behind the whole drug bust back in New York, Shadowlaw is in danger of being exposed. Their ruler, some guy named M. Bison decided to throw this tournament to gain strong fighters for purpose of adding them to an army of mindless killing machines."
"That creepy doctor wasn't going to perform any surgery; they were going to take you away to perform experiments on you." Ken informed. "Vega here saved your life. He saved all of our lives."
This wasn't happening. This just couldn't have been happening. Chun-Li waited to wake up from the dream, yet still she remained lost for words.
"I know; it's crazy." Ken said, and proceeded to explain how Dr. Sarathy, the original doctor had been killed by the hand of Bison, and how Vega had overheard what Bison's plans had been for her. He then explained that Vega killed Dr. Luvco and his tech assistant before they had a chance to take her away. Apparently over the past day and a half that she had been out, a lot had happened. Through aid of the Spanish embassy, Vega had obtained a place for them to stay, where they had remained. Apparently not too long after, Shadowlaw, whom had obviously caught on to what had happened began their search.
Unable to get the answers they needed in regards to the where-abouts of Vega, or the three of them, they had learned from the news that the organization and most likely Bison had ordered the Spanish Embassy bombed. Thirteen people in all were killed and several more were injured from the explosion. The media as did law enforcement continued in the investigation believing the despicable act was a revolt from terrorists.
Chun-Li wondered, after all he had done to her, how he had literally destroyed a large portion of her life, why Vega was doing this for them now. He gazed down at her, all consumed. She finally had to speak on her behalf. "But Vega works for Shadowlaw…"
"Did…" He corrected. "After all of this, they know what I've done and they want me dead. I know this." He went to touch her face.
Chun-Li dodged his hand. "Don't touch me…"
"Chun-Li, you okay?" Ken asked coming to her side. His eyes shifted to Vega warily concerned.
Tears edged in the corners of her eyes that time. Composing herself she managed to stifle her emotions to speak, "He's the one. He killed my father."
Ken and Ryu immediately stood on guard at that news.
"You've got to be kidding me." Ken spoke in disbelief.
Vega chuckled nonchalantly at the budding trepidation, disregarding the feelings his presence was invoking in the moment. "I was ordered under Bison's rules to kill him. They had me follow the detective, gave me his information. It was either my life or his." He paused contemplatively, "I was just never expecting to be caught up in the beauty you've graced me with Chun-Li. That is surely the truth"
"Cut the crap!" Ken snapped. "Why are you here?" He looked to Chun-Li "And how could you keep something like that from us? Were your friends! We could have had his butt prosecuted, maybe seeking death penalty. My dad knows the best lawyers. It's going to be harder to prove now since it's been so long!"
Chun-Li was too ashamed to explain the entire situation. She didn't want to portray the entire scenario that played out following Dorai's death; how she had been raped, her pregnancy. Would they really understand if she had relayed this news to them?
Vega turned his eyes to her again. A look of self satisfaction had crossed over his face. "This girl, rather, this woman, caused me to hastily and blindly resent her for reasons that are now irrelevant. There are more important things to be concerned over, for one she is carrying my child. I know that this is my sign and I have an obligation now to her." For reasons unknown to her, or to anyone else for that matter, his expression grew sad as if he recalled something painful within his own mind. A somberness crept into his eyes as he looked down. "It's like I've been given a second chance…"
Ken attempted to lunge at him that time, screaming "You Lie!" Ryu restrained his friend attempting to settle him.
How could he have known that she was pregnant? Had Bison and Sarathy discussed her condition within his line of hearing? This scenario had seemingly been more obvious than not.
"Chun-Li, he's lying isn't he?!" Ken asked as he finally settled down. Both he and Ryu regarded her in a search for answers. She felt Vega's eyes on her as well.
Chun-Li closed her eyes, refusing to meet any of theirs. "No…" She finally relented. "He's not. Dr. Sarathy informed me I was pregnant the other day."
There was an awkward yet tense silence.
Not even further delving on the particulars of the complex situation, the two of them said nothing for a long while. Ken sighed in frustration and plopped himself down into a nearby armchair. Ryu only remained standing and continued to just stare in a saddened and disappointed look of disbelief.
Vega regarded her with a smile. If having the strength to do so, Chun-Li would have re-shifted his face with her fist.
Finally Ken spoke up again to her. "Man… what are you gonna do? I mean a baby? That's like serious work."
"I know…" she admitted quietly.
"There's always abortion."
"That's not an option!" Vega boldly protested.
"Shut-up I'm not talking to your sorry excuse for a butt!" Ken glared hatefully at him. "I'm talking to my friend who has a choice in this matter."
"Ken you know I don't believe in that…"
"Nor did you believe in sex before marriage, but I guess that lapsed didn't it?" He carelessly stated.
"No…" She said, hurt by his brash words. "He actually drugged, and took me by force."
Ken lunged at Vega again, and that time Ryu did not restrain him.
***
The fight which broke between Ken and Vega had not been long. Realizing they had all been under scrutiny and close watch by Shadowlaw, the two of them relented in their struggle. To keep things between everyone at equal level, Vega was forced to leave.
He protested heavily, not wishing to leave Chun-Li's side. Yet in the end however, realizing we was outnumbered by both Ken and Ryu, and already injured as it was, he had no choice but to. He was quite angry, actually very angry indeed; angry that he could do nothing about the situation. The perceived humiliation he had endured in the transition had been such a blow to his already inflated ego. On his way out the door those eyes burned with a fierce rage just boiling beneath the surface. If they had been actual daggers, Ken and Ryu would have surely felt their sting.
Before his departure he turned to Chun-Li, and in an expression softening to its typical look of adoration saying, "I have an obligation to fulfill to you my beautiful. I will be seeing you again, but until then…"
Chun-Li remained quiet, her eyes at a downcast as she was lost for words and overall stressed from the entire ordeal.
Vega smiled, closed his eyes and nodded in whatever imagined confirmation he thought she might have given. Then bowing at the hip as if he had just performed a spectacular show, he bid her farewell and shut the door behind him.
After he was gone, the three of them looked to one another.
"Seriously?!" Ken cried, obviously disturbed by the behavior he had seen. "I mean is he for real? What a nutcase!!"
"It's like he won't take no for an answer…" Ryu added.
Ken looked to Chun-Li. "It's more like his ears are programmed not to hear a single negative word of resistance. What is wrong with him? There just has to be a screw loose in there somewhere."
"I don't know. Perhaps he just feels obliged because of my condition." Chun-Li suggested. "It's like his chivalry remains, but it's so warped now to a point of delusion."
Ken chuffed. "You sure picked a winner."
"I didn't pick anything!" She shot back hastily. "And you didn't have to say what you did either. That was really uncalled for." Tears edged on the corner of her eyes.
"Easy there girl… I was only joking, just calm down." He replied in a tone almost as tense as hers had been.
"Vega just looks like that type that is just used to getting what he wants. It sounds like someone else I know." Ryu looked over to Ken, who had obviously missed the subtle sarcasm in his statement; his eyes then settled onto Chun-Li. "I'm sure he thinks that the fact that your paths have crossed is a sign of destiny, especially now that a child is involved."
And perhaps Ryu was right; perhaps there was a higher purpose in this whole unfolding situation. Although maybe it hadn't been the same supposed destined purpose that Vega had in mind.
The silence was eminent that time.
"So what now?" Ken asked.
"Well we need to leave somehow as quickly as we can. We now know that Vega was telling the truth and Shadowlaw is on the trail to find us." Ryu explained.
"How are we going to do that?" Chun-Li asked from her place on the bed. "Even if we try to get on an airplane, that's the first place they'll look."
He turned to regard Chun-Li. "What a smart move you pulled, changing your name like that to throw them off."
"It was just something I felt I needed to do, especially with the recent death of my dad." She explained. "I can't really describe the feeling…"
"Well that's pretty good intuition you have. Wish mine had worked when I needed it." Ken said. "I do have an idea though. It may not be as conventional but it should still work."
"What's that?" Ryu asked him.
"We board a boat at the docks. If we pay someone enough, we could probably get them to take us down the gulf to an island called Ko Samui. I can call one of my dad's private jets; have them meet us there so that it can take us back to the states where we can make our next move. I'll need to contact Eliza and tell her to meet us in Seattle."
"Won't that be one of the first places they'll look for us?" Ryu asked.
"Don't know, after they blew up the Spanish embassy like that, it looks like they're after Vega first."
"That should buy us some time. We should get moving soon."
It would have seemed customary to have traveled by nightfall to appear less noticeable by the enemy; however Shadowlaw, much like its namesake seemed to operate in full force by the shadow of the night. Leaving at the enemy's prime would have only been an invitation into their world and where most would have probably been searching for them during the night hours it would be less ideal for travel.
Ken, Ryu and Chun-Li gathered what little they had in their possession and made their way out to the dock harbor at around eleven o'clock the following morning. Upon their arrival, Ken was able to get in touch with the crew that was contracted for piloting Ken's father with whatever trips he needed to make. Ken had estimated to them that their trip to Ko Samui by boat would take three days, and this had given the crew ample amount of time for them to prepare the jets for departure.
The sun was out full and bright that late June morning. The weather had been evenly tempered that day and Chun-Li felt especially good about their trip. In what little and broken Thai she knew, as well as with Ken's help in providing the cash, she was able to convince a fisherman, a young man by the name of Tam who had been around the age of eighteen, to taxi them to the island. The boat, which had been of a pretty decent size to start off, had actually belonged to the young man's father who ran a rather profitable fishing business along the coast of the Bangkok metropolitan area. He had been very unsure about taking the boat for three days so far away from everything he knew, yet Ken insistently bargained and made him an offer he wasn't able to refuse. Though he would be losing income to a few days of missed work, the money offered was way over compensated in return. With enough insistent bargaining, Tam finally agreed to the proposition, seemingly more excited that he would be making such a profit for his services than anything else. The money Ken offered him covered the expense of fuel for his entire trip and then some. He explained that the three of them would arrive at the island in approximately three days.
To Chun-Li the boat had been pretty decent, it came with sleeping quarters below deck and other comfort enmities meant for long fishing trips. Both she and Ryu had been satisfied with the arrangement, however living in such a condition, even though temporary had been beneath Ken.
"If we hadn't been on the run from Shadowlaw," he said bitterly "I would have rented us a Yacht."
"We wouldn't have had need for any of this if we weren't on the run from them." Ryu replied.
Ken shrugged. "Regardless, of whatever situations we would have been in, I would have rented a yacht… regardless…"
Ryu shook his head, waving away his friend's impending stress induced statement.
Before boarding, they bought a few articles from the area market that they would need on their trip and they had been mindful as to where they had gone and who had been watching them. Shadowlaw as of that moment seemed to be a mindless and faceless entity that seemed frighteningly omnipresent in its own sense.
Just a little before noon, the boat started off on its journey. Its rhythmic motion was not easy on Chun-Li and she had never done well with circumstances that invoked motion sickness; and to add her pregnancy on top of that made matters much worse. For much of the trip she had made sure she stayed close to the boat's railing side toward the front.
Ken and Ryu remained to themselves; the conversation they shared was inaudible from where she sat. Their distance toward her had been apparent now, perhaps processing the news about her condition while at the same time still trying to figure out how to simply compose themselves toward her. Chun-Li could only guess. The situation she had found herself in had certainly been uncomfortable for everyone. And while their actions, whether deliberate or not hadn't bothered her, the sense of impending isolation had.
Sitting there on the bow portion of the boat, Chun-Li thought about her disposition. The uncertainty in her life had never been more prevalent. The idea of having no job, no husband, and now a child on the way made her a afraid on the surface, yet in the back of her mind she felt at ease about it. Her father always said that things always worked themselves out for the good, as long as the faith was there. Chun-Li wanted to even mock this notion, and there were times that she had done so. Faith had been almost a laughing matter rested against the circumstance she was in. Her life tangled in a game of wits by higher forces than she herself could even fathom. No longer wanting to escape into the release that weeping brought her, Chun-Li found the source of her pain, the outlet of her tears, and her emotions had begun to desiccate. In its place came the numbing effect of bitterness.
She asked herself endlessly in the last few weeks, who would she be spiting by holding such a cynical complacency? God certainly would not have been the object of spite, but after all He allowed this to happen to her. However Chun-Li knew there just had to be a purpose in all of this, though she could not see it currently. And Vega, while his regard for her had been strange, the remorselessness nature behind his actions had been his barrier against her unfettered rage toward him. If anything, she would only be spiting herself and no one else. Bitterness was a festering debilitation of the spirit, a ravaging disease to the soul, and a weight that pulled on self existence through the anchors of a heart that was in process of turning to stone. If God could not see her through this, then who would?
Then there were the others to think about as well in this. Her Aunt Lin, and Ming; Julia and Guile; Fei Long; how would they react to the news? What would they think of her? Guile had given his warnings off at a time most crucial and she didn't listen. What will he have to say now? The coldness of his nature could only keep Chun-Li guessing as to what he would say. With her current state of disposition, Chun-Li wasn't sure if she would be able to handle any cutting remarks from him and would be liable to simply fall apart if so. She thought of her young cousin Ming and how the girl had looked upon her as a sort of role model, the sister she never had. How would she appear now in the eyes of someone so young and impressionable? While something like that should not have worried her due to the nature of the situation, she remained bothered none-the-less.
***
Although it was really of no concern to him, Vega was fully aware of the consequences associated in aiding the escape of his beloved Chun-Li Xiang and her agitating friends Ken Masters and Ryu Hoshi. It was certain death indeed. After years of working for Shadowlaw however, he found he had learned a least one vital aspect of composure. That was to always stay one step ahead of your enemies, at whatever cost. This bit of knowledge was indeed important to have, especially now in this moment.
After leaving the hotel in, Vega brought his things and reluctantly journeyed to the slum district of Bangkok. It wasn't pleasant. On the contrary it was disgusting; for he had never seen, much less fathomed that such poverty and blatant downright repulsiveness ever existed. As uncomfortable as it had been, it was also practical none the less, as it was in his best interest for the time being to take cover in an area of town that had very little traces of Shadowlaw, and area that was too impoverished to set up any type of devious trade, and more importantly an area where his face would have little chance of recognition.
He walked the dirt road, along the many rows of rundown buildings, makeshift shacks and endless garbage. People stared at him curiously from their rather simple dwellings. It was quite possible that they had never in person laid their eyes on one with fair hair and eyes. Let's not forget, one as strikingly beautiful as he had indeed been. It was the last place he would ever find himself, but yet and still he marveled in their stares.
While he walked on, Vega pondered on his next plan of action. This trademarked notion of always staying one step ahead of your enemy swayed in concurrent with the cloud of ideas that rolled across his mind. Due to his heavy involvement in Shadowlaw affairs, he had come to know many of the organizations incriminating secrets, landmarks, and other dealings of illegal trade with various organized revolts like the Japanese Yakuza, various gangs throughout Central and North America such as the Bloods, the Cripps, and MS-13. He knew all too well of their allied involvement with the South American government and their known drug cartels, and even their supply of weapons to Al Qaeda. Vega knew it all, and because of this knowledge, he knew he was sought after in high priority. Before even going after the very ones he had helped to escape, it was inevitable that Bison would be targeting him first.
Vega was wary of his surroundings and in the moment everything seemed uneventful enough to cease his walking for the time being. In the time of mental solitude, his thoughts collected quite fluidly. The predicament in which he found himself was a large inconvenience, but it was for the child that Chun-Li carried, his child. It was for them and if he was to survive this ordeal and see her again, then perhaps the appearance of his own death would have to come about in some way. If Bison wanted him dead, he would have to accommodate his wishes without bringing physical harm to himself.
The brilliant idea came to him when his thoughts traced back to a conversation he had with his agent some months ago. He had known Ricardo Galvan Ibarra since childhood, for the man had been a friend of his family for many years. Upon entering the ring as a bullfighter, Ibarra became his agent. Vega's own good looks, charm, skill, and noble status as a Baron in Catalonia coincided with Ibarra's gift of influence to create a rather successful career in the central spotlight of Spain. For this, the man held Vega's utmost respect. Just two weeks before his assignment on Dorai Xiang, Ibarra brought an idea he initially found to be rather absurd.
In this conversation Ibarra had shared his feelings on how a career boost was in order, and had brought in the suggestion of doing a theatrical movie on Vega's life. The idea had involved bringing in an actor who favored him in looks to play the lead role. To his initial and utter dismay, Ibarra had already scouted people to begin the process of finding men who resembled him across the continent of Europe. Vega felt the idea was farfetched, for there would never be one as handsome as he to live up to such high a standard. Deep down Vega feared this imposter Vega would somehow ruin the image he had already relayed to his adoring fans. From there the idea was dropped never to be spoken of again.
In that moment Vega found his own intelligence to be far superior to even that of Bison. Knowing how Shadowlaw operated, in their method of surveillance, he figured his various estates across the Mediterranean coast in Catalonia were even being watched in within that moment. This was why it was important to indeed always stay one step ahead of the enemy.
In lieu of his thoughts, Vega dialed his agent immediately.
***
Except for the beautiful scenery which had surrounded them along their travel down the edge of the coast, the journey itself had for the most part remained uneventful. As first predicted the trip lasted a total of two and a half days, including the two times it had taken for the boat to refuel.
Although she really should not have been, Chun-Li was dismayed to find that Ko Samui was actually a beautiful chain of green getaway paradise islands utilized and vacationed by the wealthy and elite of societies around the world. Located just off of the coast of Kra Ithsmus Thai Land, it came lined complete with lush beautiful jungle, white sands, and clear blue water with an array of coral wreaths beneath the waters surface. Ken of course had chosen the location so no ounce of dismay should have been there in the first place.
As they neared the shore off the coast of one of the smaller islands, Ryu said, "For some reason I thought this place would have been deserted, or at least low populated." He had seemed just as surprised by the sight as Chun-Li had.
"Same here," She piped in.
Ken scoffed. "Who do I look like to you, Crocodile Dundee? Am I here to hop onto some raggedy thrown together old cargo plane, escaping the hands of Shadowlaw in some outlandish adventurous fashion?" He laughed out loud.
"Um that sounds more like Indiana Jones." Chun-Li said sheepishly.
"Well whatever, there won't be any of that, not now, or ever. Now there's an air yard just ahead off of these docks. I know because I've been here several times."
"Guess I should not have been so surprised… huh?" Ryu asked as he turned to Chun-Li.
"Guess not…"
The jet arrived on schedule as planned. After bribing more natives with cash, Ken was able to speak to the pilot from the command post to guide him to the smaller island's air yard since it had been separate from the much larger airport off the main island. The outside of the jet had dawned Dalton Masters' red and black financial coerced logo, Master Corp on the either back end sides between tail and back engines.
They boarded the jet shortly after it had landed. Rather than the traditional row seating that one would find in a regular travel jet, this one appeared customized and catered to the personal comfort of the rider above all else. It looked to Chun-Li like a small lounge quarter rather than a jet. There was a full wet bar, a built in sixty inch monitor display, reclining leather seats, a full bath and shower, along with a private sleeping quarter off to the side.
With the intent of not discrediting her friend in her own mind, Chun-Li herself didn't think she could ever get comfortable being around this type of luxury, for she feared that getting wrapped up in something so extreme and so uncustomary for most people in the world, that she would lose sight to what was really important in life.
"Make yourselves at home." Ken said to his friends. "What's mine is yours and so-on."
The whole operation certainly hadn't been conspicuous like Chun-Li had first thought it would have been and this made her uneasy. Yet Ken seemed to pay no regard to what was going on around him. He sat across from her in one of the white leather recliners and grabbed the remote to the monitor in preparation for viewing.
"Movie?" he asked, gesturing to the screen.
"I'll pass…" said Ryu, "I think this will be a good time for sleep since I didn't do much of that these past few days on the boat.
Chun-Li too had to agree on that one. She was dead tired.
"There's a bed in that room," Ken pointed to the door off to their left towards the rear of the jet. "Once we hit appropriate elevation… you can go lay down." He gave her a strange expression upon that sentence, then said, "That's right, I forgot about… your condition…"
Neither of the three of them had spoken about it since they had been with Vega all those days ago. And the subject though a bit worn by the knowledge of a few days, had still created a bit of awkward tension for the three of them.
"Well it certainly doesn't give me a lot of energy being this way…" She said trying to make light of the uncomfortable subject.
Ken only frowned and shook his head grimly. "That bastard, I can't believe him." He looked at Ryu. "I should have killed him you know. He was still down for the count from his fight from Chun-Li, I could have done it."
"And what would that have solved?" Ryu asked sincerely. "Yes he took Chun-Li's father away from her, through the hands of Shadowlaw, but he is also the father of that child growing inside of her, are you saying you want to do the same in return to this baby? Two wrongs don't make a right Ken."
Ken only shook his head in opposition to his statement. "You've got to be joking Ryu. What kind of father do you think he'll even be? In my eyes, that kid will have no father."
"You're not following what I'm saying…" Ryu stated calmly.
"No, you're not following what I'm saying!" Ken said standing that time as he was lost in his point. With his arm he gestured to Chun-Li as he continued. "This baby was not made out of love, or passion, or any of the appropriate actions that would be listed above. No! It was created through trickery, force, manipulation and pure selfishness…." His words faded and he began to pace. "That guy is lucky he left when he did." Ken pounded his fist in his other hand.
"The point is, is that what's done is done." Ryu said as he remained seated in his own subtle confidence. "Everyone has a purpose, regardless of the circumstance in which we were created…" He looked to Chun-Li "… and you have a choice to make about a lot of things."
Chun-Li looked to the ground as she placed her hand over her lower abdomen. In that moment she was sure she could feel her child within her. Though now only a tiny ball of cells, its presence was still known and felt by her.
"I do have a lot of choices to make…" She finally spoke in. "I don't have it all worked out and I know I will need time for that, but I do know I am having this baby."
Ryu patted her shoulder and smiled an appreciative smile at her. "You don't realize how strong you are. Please know that I'm here in whatever choices follow this one."
"Me too..." Ken finally spoke after moments of silence from across the room. His tone was slightly reluctant yet accepting all at once.
"Thanks you guys. You don't know how much this really means to me."
Within moments the jet started up again and in minutes they were in the mode of take-off. The sky had been clear enough that the clouds had given a picture perfect areal view of the lush green islands and blue water below.
***
The evening prior to his departure from the seemingly endless slum district of Bangkok, Vega had phoned his agent Ricardo Galvan Ibarra, expressing concerns over his need for a career boost. Though this particular notion was actually far from his mind, he knew he had to give some sort of leeway into his own reasoning. In turn he apologized for his initial reaction to the movie suggestion, and stated his wishes to convene in the project.
Ibarra was sharp witted, and because he had known Vega for so long, he initially questioned the sudden and initial spark of interest on the whole movie idea. He knew it wasn't customary for someone such as Vega to change his mind, over anything.
Vega however didn't relent in his quest for deception to achieve in his ultimate and rather selfish goal. Off the top of his head he prepared a rather dramatic speech over how he needed to connect more with the surroundings and people around him. He told Ibarra that he no longer wanted to portray himself as the idol that many of his adoring fans seemed to interpret him as. Instead he wanted to come across as a human being who had possessed thoughts, feelings, and emotions; someone who was real; who had real life aches, pains, and exceeding triumph. His words were so convincing that Vega had halfway believed his own story.
During their time in conversation, Ibarra had fallen silent, perhaps to absorb the farced emotion that be believed was truly felt from his speech. The reason was good and he turned to like the idea even more. It didn't take much more convincing from Vega for his agent to finally agree once more to the idea.
Ibarra informed Vega that there had been indeed one young man that he had met months ago on his travels during the original concept stage of the movie idea. He apparently favored Vega quite a bit and Ibarra originally hadn't informed him about this find because he knew he would not be interested. It was funny how Ibarra had known so him well, for he certainly wasn't interested. If he hadn't been placed in this absurd juncture with Shadowlaw, he still would not have cared. It was for the sake of circumstance that he had allowed Ibarra to continue in his explanation.
Vega learned the young man was a commoner from the mountains, within the convoluted border of Spain and France, deep within the Pyrenees' Mountains. Like Vega he had fair lengthy hair, a slenderized structure and green eyes. To Vega he was nothing; just a mere poet, artist and actor struggling to make ends meet. Having been so caught up in the detail of conversation, Vega almost wanted Ibarra to change his mind and find someone more worthy of portraying him. Yet and still he knew this man would be the one to die in his place. Therefore it really hadn't mattered after all.
Upon arriving at the strait of Gibraltar, a call listed as private on the caller ID came in on his cell phone. As he was weary from the long travels, he did not want to answer it, but curiously found himself doing so. Perhaps in the back of his mind, he had hoped it was Chun-Li.
"I hope you got my messages regarding the Spanish embassy" the calm yet tense traced voice of Bison spoke from the other line. This was the last person he wanted to hear from.
Vega smiled, yet didn't answer him right away. Bison's level of composed pretentiousness toward him was rather amusing. If only he'd known what was truly unfolding just beneath the surface.
"When I saw what you did to those men there in my medical center, and how you aided the escape of some of my prized fighters I was a bit confused Mr. Cerda. I just didn't understand the reason for your intentions. But then I did some more research… My findings were quite interesting to say the least…" Bison's tone was patronizing.
Vega had more important things to do in the moment. It was time to make a move on his next plan of action and he had no time left for such ridiculousness.
"Ryu Hoshi and Ken Masters, friends of this so-called girl named Mei-Lin Chai, a supposed college student from Malaysia. Not actually her name we found out, the woman we put you against in the ring was actually Chun-Li Xiang, only daughter of the late detective Dorai. While deliciously interesting as this was, we did a bit more in depth piecing together…"
"Go on…" Vega finally said impatiently in sharp a tone of defiance.
"We sent you in there to get to know that family; to get to know Dorai and his precious daughter for purpose of killing them. Wouldn't it be so interesting to guess that the child she is now pregnant with is actually your child? My assumption is that you got too close…" He laughed humorlessly. "While your actions of saving them are noble indeed Mr. Cerda, Shadowlaw finds that you will be too much of a liability from this point forward."
"And perhaps if you had been less careless in your unorganized approach to conquer and control, then perhaps I would not have overheard you speaking with the doctor that you practically murdered, about the whole operation." He replied in a matching tone of challenge.
Bison growled on the other line. "I'm disappointed to know that your allegiance to Shadowlaw was all a farce. All of our secrets revealed, all of the drug injections administered to maintain your shallow and irrelevant wishes of eternal youth. This is how you would repay us."
"Please!" He admonished disdainfully. "I could have cared less all along,"
Bison again growled. "When I find you, I will do more to you than just slice that pretty face of yours to ribbons!" he said bitterly. "Oh yes, and if you had the law in mind to protect you, I would definitely think again. There's no stopping me, you're dead Vega just remember that!"
"Just try." Vega said nonchalantly. After all, he held no intentions of even contacting law enforcement. Why would he? "If you expect me to tremble in fear of you, please reconsider your rather delusional thought process." After executing a hearty mocking laugh he ended the call.
***
Chun-Li returned to the United States and was within her own process of trying to remain concealed from Shadowlaw when she got the news. The headlines on the CNN world news channel had displayed that Vega Fabio De Cerda, noble Baron of Catalonia and the most famous toreador in all of Spain was dead.
The report stated that his death resulted from an explosion in his Barcelona home. The number of fatalities totaled to eight to include him, his agent, and a number of servants on the property. There was evidence of attack and forced entry and from it, Vega had received a brunt of the attack; his body having been severely battered to death prior to the fiery destruction. Chun-Li and the others knew all too well that this was Shadowlaw's doing.
News of his death was followed by feelings of initial shock and disbelief. Then to her dismay there was sadness. She was sad for herself, and for the child inside of her. He had done some terrible things, but if it hadn't been for him, she could have only guessed where they would be. In the end he had, in a way, sacrificed his own life for her and her friends. For this she grew a new found respect for him.
"I don't understand." Ryu said somberly. "Why would he return to his house, if that's the first place they'd look?"
Ken appeared dumbfounded as he was unable to speak. He stared ahead lost in thought, perhaps thinking of the recent comments he made regarding his own desire to kill Vega. In all reality now, Chun-Li could have only guessed that he wished he hadn't ever said those words.
"The news report said that the explosion didn't happen at his main estate. Apparently he had more than one." Chun-Li replied.
"Shadowlaw must have enough manpower to track every location they knew he lived." Ken finally spoke in. He then closed his eyes and lowered his head. "Man, what a bad scene."
Eliza, who had since joined them upon their return, comforted Ken. "Don't beat yourself up over it honey, you didn't do anything wrong. And thank God you all are alright. Could you imagine what could have happened to you guys if you had stayed with him? You're lucky you separated when you did!"
"Yeah, I know. But then you also can't take back what you say either." He said.
Ryu looked to Chun-Li that time. "Are you going to be alright?"
She forged a smile. "Sure I'll be fine."
That night after the others had gone to sleep; Chun-Li was left in the solitude of her thoughts. It was in that state of mind that she found herself weeping bitterly for him.
