Chapter 10 – Manuelo's Mining Factory

June 24, 2013, Luanda, Angola…

In the early hours of the morning, Manuelo Moreau prepared to enter his private helicopter which was heading for his secret mining factory. Today would be the day that the Lion's Eye will finally be excavated from its underground location. After getting in the chopper, his bodyguard, Soo Min sat along the opposite end of the passenger section. Once the chopper took off into the sky, Manuelo couldn't contain his excitement over finding his dream treasure.

Manuelo: "Finally, all of the years spending money of constructing and digging, today I will gaze upon the one thing which will assure me eternal power and life!"

Soo Min (not caring): "That's wonderful Manuelo. At least you won't grow old."

Manuelo: "That's true my girl!" (laughs.)

While she owed Maneulo's company her life for rebuilding her body into a weapon, Soo Min grew tired of her role as a bodyguard. Despite being promoted as the top bodyguard since Roana's departure, Soo Min secretly wanted to obtain the Lion's Eye from Manuelo. Manuelo was still too weak and stupid to deserve such a great power in Soo Min's eyes. With the Lion's Eye in her possession, she will automatically become the world's strongest fighter. Soo Min will wait for the right moment to kill Manuelo after he retrieves the diamond.

Meanwhile on the ground, 100 miles from Cuango, Lunda Norte, Angola…

It would still take at least another two hours before Eddy's and his group would make it to the mining factory. Their van was in the middle of the Angolan highlands. The driver stopped and asked if anyone needed a restroom break, since there was no restroom. The driver, Eddy, and Miguel all needed to take leaks. Christie was mesmerized with the different animals that she could see. She took pictures nonstop throughout the whole trip. Eddy was the first to return to the van to see Christie taking yet another photo, this time a zebra.

Christie (sees Eddy): "Look Eddy! It's another zebra! So beautiful!"

Eddy (frowning with his eyebrow twitching from his shades.): "Christie, I know this your first time in Africa, but this is not a safari! In a few hours we are going to free the people who have been abused and forced to work under Manuelo for digging up the Lion's Eye. Just try and stay focused!"

Christie: "I know! I wanna at least show this to my friends back home, if we all survive that is."

Eddy (grabs her shoulder.): "Justice is on our side. We will stop Manuelo for the sake of our country."

Miguel and the driver were walking back to the parked van. Miguel had a jealous look on his face watching Eddy console Christie.

Miguel: "Hey! What are you guys talking about?"

Christie (innocent.): "Nothing in particular. Is there something wrong Miguel?"

Miguel (looks at Eddy): "Was it something about me?"

Eddy: "What gave you that idea?"

Miguel (feeling stupid.): "Forget it. Let's go and get this over with. I'm really starting to hate it out here! It's too damn hot!" (Goes back in the van.)

Christie (to Eddy): "I think the heat is messing with his brain."

Eddy (smirked.): "Either that or he's still interested in you."

Christie: "Really? I never even noticed since we traveled together."

Eddy (shaking his head, laughing.): "You are something else."

Christie (embarrassed.): "Eddy are you teasing me?"

Driver (interrupts): "Hey guys. I just got a call from the military chief. He said they are going to be a little late arriving at the factory. Is it ok to drop you off near the facility by yourselves?"

Eddy: "Yea its fine. The factory workers are not our problem. But Manuelo's security guards will be."

Driver (Still concerned, but is ready to go.): "Well…ok. Let's go."

Everyone gets back in the van and proceeded onward within the hot, muggy highlands, of northern Angola.

30 minutes later…Just 2 miles from Manuelo's Mining Facility…

From the large canyon overlooking the valley where the mining factory could be seen, stood Roana next to her motorbike. She was the first to arrive near the mines. Roana had forgotten just how polluted the place was. With her binoculars, she could see the workers hauling tons of deposits either on wheelbarrows, carts, or trucks. The workers seemed exhausted and even malnourished, but they continued to press on and work. The haze clouded the valley which made the sky looked darker from Roana's point of view. Roana was looking for Napalm 99 and Golem, the two of Manuelo's best enforcers. Still no sign of them. Just then, a helicopter passes over her head. Her eyes widened to see that the white helicopter belonged to Manuelo.

Roana: "The time has finally come. I must stop you from getting that diamond."

Roana did not know if Miguel, Eddy, and Christie were coming or not. She decided to wait for them a little longer. Until then, she hopped on her bike and continued to move in closer at the mines.

25 minutes later…

The van finally arrived within just about ½ a mile from the mining facility. After the trio stepped out of the van, the driver bid his farewell and went back. Eddy was not happy that the Angolan military where not present. This meant that one of them would have to stay back and wait for their arrival.

Miguel: "So this is the place? Looks creepy."

Christie: Yea it does."

Eddy: "It would be nice if the military where here along with us. But since they are not, we have to sneak in and find that diamond."

Miguel: And kill that bastardo Manuelo?"

Christie: "Ok so…how do we sneak in?"

Eddy: "All of us can't go in. One of us has to wait for the military to arrive."

Miguel: "I'm not staying here for some troops. I'm going!"

Just then, a motorbike swiftly approaches the trio. The dust from the tires causes them to choke on it. After the bike stops, the passenger takes off the helmet, revealing her beautiful face.

Roana: "There you guys are. You all kept me waiting. I don't wanna fight these guys by myself."

Miguel: "Slow your bike down next time puta! What are you trying to prove?"

Roana (smirks.): "That I'm a tough muchacha! Anyway what are you guys planning to do?"

Eddy: "Someone has to stay here and wait for the military to arrive. That way they know who to attack and who to save. The rest of us will proceed and find the diamond before Manuelo does."

Roana: "That's easier said than done. Soo Min is guarding him like a dog would his master. Also, both Napalm 99 and Golem are nearby as well, overseeing the mines. For right now, Maneulo and Soo Min have already descended down the main elevator towards the location of the Lion's Eye. We will have to wait until they come back up."

Eddy: "Shit! How are going to get down underground?"

Roana: "Like I said, we will have to defend the entrance door until they both come back up. Right now we should stop Napalm 99 and Golem first. Those two together are nearly unbeatable as a tandem."

Miguel: "They sound like a challenge." (He cracks his knuckles.)

Christie: "I fought Napalm 99. He is no pushover. But who is Golem?"

Roana: "Just like Napalm 99, a street brawler and ex-convict. Golem is even bigger than 99 is. They are both formidable opponents."

Eddy (making up his mind.): "Alright. Miguel and I will sneak inside the gates, and proceed to the main elevator. I'm sure either Napalm 99 or Golem will try to fight us ourselves. Christie, I want you to stay with Roana and defend the entrance way until the military comes."

Christie: "But Eddy…"

Eddy: "I know you want revenge for Mr. Barros. Understand that this is about strategy. You and Roana are great fighters and can help watch our backs. Believe in me and Miguel ok?"

Christie: "Alright, Eddy. Don't lose ok." (Hugs him.)

Eddy: "We won't."

Miguel: "You girls be safe! Let's go chump!" (to Eddy.)

Eddy: "After you borracho!"

The girls couldn't help but laugh at their men bickering. Christie, while laughing, was worried for both men and wondered if they would make it out alive. Roana reassured her with a confident smile.

Roana: "Come on girl. The boys will make it out alive I know they can."

Christie: "You're not worried at all are you?"

Roana: "Course not. Stressing doesn't solve anything! So cheer up and let's do this!"

Meanwhile at the Last Underground Level of the Mines…

Manuelo and Soo Min proceeded towards the chamber room which contained the Lion's Eye. This diamond was excavated by the workers two days ago. Once it was found, the workers quickly built a chamber underground so when Manuelo arrived he wouldn't have to breathe the gases underground. When he and Soo Min walked inside they could see the sparkling diamond, shining in a goldenrod color. Manuelo's smiled from ear to ear seeing his dream finally coming true.

Manuelo: "She's even more beautiful than I could imagine." (Referring to the diamond.)

Maneulo wasted no time picking up his prize. He adored it immensely. Soo Min wasn't sure yet on how to unlock its powers. Neither did Manuelo. Soo Min asked Manuelo did he feel anything from it.

Soo Min: "Well? Do you feel its power working on you yet?'

Manuelo: "No. But this has to be it. No mistake. I'm taking the diamond up to the lab so we can channel it's energy."

Soo Min decided that it was now time to kill her boss.

Soo Min: "Before we return up. I want to tell you how grateful I am for working with such a great man like yourself."

Manuelo: "Oh Soo Min, your praise means a lot to me."

Soo Min (walks closer to him.): "That diamond is going to give us great power."

Manuelo: "Why Soo Min, what's this affection you are showing me now?"

Soo Min (touches Manuelo and the diamond.): "Unfortunately, when I mean 'us' I don't mean you."

Manuelo could not react in time for Soo Min grabbed him by the neck and used her powers to electrocute his body. Manuelo lets go of the diamond as it drops on the floor. Soo Min tossed his body aside, accomplishing her goal. With this diamond in her possession now, nothing will stop her from becoming the supreme ruler of the Earth.

Notes: Bit of a twist in this chapter. Soo Min will use her newfound powers and goes on a rampage before Roana tries to stop her again with Christie's help. Eddy and Miguel fight the two brawlers Napalm 99 and Golem. I wonder how things will turn out?