Chapter 5: Enter the Snake

The ship's name was U.S.S. Chivalry. The aircraft carrier was docking for R and R in Hong Kong, with high end military equipment, fighter jets, crew, and the Cobra Task Force on board. As General Maxley headed for the deck, he stopped to admire the titan of war that was beneath his feet. Then he went on to meet the captain.

'General, we are ready to leave on a moment's notice. Just give the woord and we depart.' He was a relatively young naval officer, eager to prove, and eager to serve, since somehow, by a miracle, he landed a promotion just this month, and was put in charge of the vessel. How these unexpected turn of events came to be, he didn't care. He just knew that his position depended from this man before him.

'Our stay is extended for four days captain.

'But sir, we are scheduled to arrive in Peru in 3 weeks. If we stayed any longer…'

'I'm sure the ship can make it under your command.'

„My command my ass." 'Yes sir, but the authorities clearly expressed they would like us gone, after that incident in Kowloon.'

'Did that cause any trouble? As far as I'm concerned my unit simply tracked down and contained a dangerous contractor. That's how this story begins and ends.'

'Yes but they are concerned about the collateral damage, teh casualties, plus if they knew that Havoc came from us, then we'd be…'

'I am aware of that. But new orders came in. We are picking up two VIPs. For that we are staying here for four more days.

'When are they expected, sir?'

'I'm bringing them in right now.'

'Yes, sir!'

He watched from the windows as Maxley left the ship with his men. What an arrogant bastard, he thought.

Reynald Maxley and his unit stopped at the demolished construction site. He got off and ordered his men to wait. He headed for the ruins and saw the blonde woman sitting on pile of rubble.

'I thought we would be meeting in Japan. And now you ask me to orchestrate this mess just for us to have a cozy little meeting place?'

'Yes but I needed simething to throw MI6 off my trail.

'They are still onto you?

'Well, in a sense. It is convenient for this to happen here you see. After all the MI6 HQ for Eastern Asia is located here, and I just got my new orders to infiltrate the Syndicate. They thought it would be the best if I got captured, and then pretended to go to your side.'

'Because that's the rational thing to do, when your life is in peril. Side with the enemy.' said the general, disgusted.

'That's what a contractor would do.'

'Hmph. So they still think you are working for them.'

'Yes, though I believe they are a bit suspicious. That's why I needed Havoc.'

'To demolish this place?'

'To make my capture seem beliavable. If you came to get me with a bunch of weaklings, then MI6 thought you would suspect that I was letting myself be captured.'

'You make things way too problematic. Anyway, where is the other one?'

'Oh her. She doesn't know yet that she's coming with us.

'Huh?'

'Here's her file. Messiah code BK-201, codename Pai. She became a contractor three days ago.

'Are you for real? How did you make a file on her when she just awakened?'

'These things require a woman's touch.' she said while smiling. 'Do the usual routine, contact her then persuade her to come with you. Everything on her is int he file.'