Hunt for Jade Dragon (24 page)

Admiral's Quarters

Taiwan Starxource Plant

I
t was a few minutes past midnight when one of the Taiwanese guards stationed outside Hatch's door knocked. “Admiral, sir.”

In spite of the hour, Hatch was awake. He was reclined in his bed, reading. “Come in,” he said.

The guard opened the door and poked his head in. “Forgive me for interrupting, Admiral. But there's a young woman here to see you.”

“She'd better be my masseuse,” Hatch said.

“She claims to be one of the electric children. She says her name is Nichelle.”

Hatch set down his book. “Is that right? Has she been searched for weapons?”

“Of course, sir. She's accompanied by two guards.”

Hatch sat up, turning his body toward the door. “Go ahead and send her in. Alone.”

A moment later Nichelle walked into the room. When she saw Hatch she stopped, nervously standing at attention. The last time she'd seen him was at the academy in Pasadena when he'd abandoned her in his escape from Jack and the revolting GPs.

“Nichelle,” Hatch said in a low voice that sent shivers up her spine. “What are you doing in Taiwan?”

“I came with Michael Vey.”

“Did you?” he said, leaning forward. “That's bold of you, to stand in front of me and admit you're with Vey.”

Nichelle blanched. “I'm not
with
Vey, sir. He just thinks I am. He wanted me to help them kidnap someone from you. A Chinese girl. I came because it was my only way to get back to you.”

Hatch studied her carefully. “Do you know where Vey is?”

“Yes. I can lead you to him. And the others.”

Hatch was quiet for another moment, then said, “Why did you really come, Nichelle?”

Nichelle swallowed. “I want to be part of the family again.” She stopped and her eyes welled up. “It's hard out there. In the Nonel world I'm nothing special. I'm just another chicken.”

“And you want to be an Eagle again,” Hatch said. “Do Vey and his fellow terrorists know you're gone?”

“They think I'm still at the night market. But they hate me anyway, so they don't care.”

“Do you think they suspect you would come here?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“They think I hate you.”

Hatch drummed his fingers on his desk. “Why would they think that?”

“After you left me at the academy . . .” She took a deep breath. “They just do.”

Hatch's eyes narrowed. “Do you hate me, Nichelle?”

Nichelle hesitated, frightened by his stern gaze. “I felt betrayed. I was hurt.”

“But do you hate me?”

“I did.”

“But you don't now?”

“I want to come back. Please, sir.”

He looked her over a moment more, then said, “Where is Vey?”

“He's with the others at the Grand Hi-Lai Hotel in Kaohsiung. They're in suite numbers 2273, 2275, 2285, and 2287.”

“Who is with Vey?”

“Taylor, Ostin, Ian, McKenna, and Jack.”

“No Zeus?”

“He was with us. But he and Tesla left.”

“Tesla? My deserter. Where did she come from?”

“I don't know. She was with them when they came for me, sir.”

“They must have found her in Peru. I look forward to seeing her again. And Frank,” he said, curling his lip. “I'm especially looking forward to reuniting with Frank. Are there any members of the resistance with them?”

Nichelle looked at him, perplexed. “I don't know what you mean.”

“How did you get here?”

“Vey came for me in California. I don't know how he found me. I was working at a taco stand. He had a private plane. I don't know where he got it.”

“He didn't mention any organization?”

Nichelle's forehead furrowed. “You mean the Electroclan?”

“No. The organization that is flying him around the world.”

“He said someone was helping him but he didn't tell me who. I didn't ask. I didn't want to raise suspicion.”

Hatch stood, his eyes locked on her. “All right. I'll send guards over to the hotel. If what you're telling me is true, I will let you back in the family with full privileges.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“I want you there with my guards, to help keep Vey and his friends under control.”

“I'll do my best, sir.”

“That's all for now. Wait out front and someone will come for you.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“You can go.”

She took a few steps toward the door; then Hatch said, “Nichelle.”

She turned back. “Yes, sir?”

“Welcome back, Eagle.”

Grand Hi-Lai Hotel

Kaohsiung, Taiwan

I
t was almost three in the morning when I was woken by a knock at my door. I stumbled to it. “Who's there?”

Ostin rolled over and mumbled something but didn't wake.

“Michael,” Ian said. “It's me.”

I walked to the door and opened it. Jack and Ian were both standing in the hallway. “What is it?”

“Nichelle just got back to her room,” Ian said. “She's been out all night.”

“All right,” I said. “Let's see where she's been.”

I put on some pants, and we walked over to Taylor and Nichelle's room. I knocked on the door and Nichelle answered. She looked afraid.

“Where have you been?” Ian asked.

“None of your business,” she said.

“Your business
is
our business,” he replied.

“Where have you been, Nichelle?” I asked.

“Out,” she said.

We all just stared at her.

“Look, I know you guys hate me, all right? It's not exactly a secret. I didn't want to hang out with any of you either. You okay with that?”

I glanced over at Ian.

“I don't trust her,” he said. “She looks like we caught her doing something. Her heart is beating faster than usual.”

“It's been beating faster than usual since I saw your suicide plan to attack the Starxource plant. If Hatch catches me, he's going to torture me for helping you. Am I supposed to be calm?”

“Maybe we should have Taylor read her mind,” Jack said. “Ask where she's been.”

“Fine,” she said. “Have your girlfriend read my mind. Like I care what any of you dorks think.”

I looked over. Taylor stirred. “We'll do it in the morning,” I said.

Ian pointed at Nichelle. “You watch yourself.”

“I don't need to,” she said. “You watch everything, you pervert.”

Ian's face hardened. I thought he might punch her.

“Let's go,” I said, taking Ian by the arm.

“She's bad,” he said. “To the core.”

We went back to our rooms to get some sleep.

T
he sun still hadn't risen when I was woken again by pounding on our door. “Michael, open up!” a voice shouted.

“Who is it?”

“It's Ian. Open now!”

I stumbled to the door and opened. Jack and Ian pushed past me into the room and slammed the door behind them. “The Elgen found us.”

The words sent chills through me. “Where are the girls?”

“They've already captured them. The guards have them down the hall with RESATs on.”

“What about Nichelle?”

“She's with them,” Jack said. “She's the one who led them to us.”

“What's going on?” Ostin said.

“Get up,” I said. “The Elgen are here.”

“Crap. Where?”

“They're right outside,” Ian said.

“Let's block the door,” Jack said.

Jack and Ian slid our dresser lengthwise up against the door.

Then a voice from the hallway shouted, “Open up!”

“Yeah, right,” Jack said.

“We'll blow a hole through the wall if we need to,” the voice said.

“They've got explosives,” Ian said. “They've strapped explosives to McKenna.”

“No,” Ostin said.

“So if she flares she kills herself,” I said. “They're getting smarter. How many guards are there?”

“At least thirty.” He paused. “Some of them are dressed differently. They're wearing all black.”

There was suddenly a high-pitched metallic sound.

“What's that?” I asked.

“They're drilling,” Ian said.

Within seconds a drill bit poked through the middle of the door. The bit was removed and replaced by a miniature camera lens.

“They can see us,” Ian said.

“The ones in black,” Ostin said. “Is there a patch on their uniform?”

“Yes. It's a dragon head.”

Ostin shook his head. “Looks like we're going to meet the Lung Li after all.”

“Come out of the room,” Nichelle said, “and no one will be hurt. They promise.”

“The Elgen don't make promises!” I shouted. “And if they do they don't keep them. Just like you.”

“Your plan was a suicide mission from the beginning,” Nichelle said. “They would have caught you and executed you. This way they'll let you live.”

“No, they won't,” I said.

“She's telling the truth!” Taylor shouted through the door.

Ian suddenly grabbed his eyes, groaning. “Ah!” He fell back. “It's Nichelle.”

I could feel her too. For a moment there was a struggle between us. I began pulsing and pushing against Nichelle until I heard her scream. The pain stopped. Ian staggered to his feet. He was soaked with sweat.

An amplified voice said through the doorway, “Admiral Hatch has authorized us to kill you all. Starting with this one. I am counting down.”

I looked at Ian. “Who is he talking about?”

“He's holding a gun to McKenna's head.”

I glanced at Ostin. He looked terrified. “Can you deflect their bullets?”

“I don't know,” I said. “Not if he has the gun to her head.”

“Ten, nine, eight . . .”

“All right!” I shouted. “I'll come out.”