The Rising Sea

60

At the office in Shanghai, Wen Li and General Zhang watched the incident unfold live. Replays and descriptions ran in an endless loop. Commentators spoke in breathless tones. But nothing compared to the filmed unmasking of Han’s mechanical assassin.

General Zhang had seen enough. “It appears your play for dominance has been cut off.”

On the screen, aerial shots from a helicopter showed hundreds of police and military units swarming the prefecture building, surrounding it in layers three and four deep. Han could never hope to escape it.

“No room for liberty,” Wen said cryptically. “Side one cannot live.”

“But China will,” Zhang replied. “This is not the fault of our nation or our system. These are the acts of a madman. He will be sacrificed, of course.”

Wen looked over at Zhang. “You’ve found a way to save face.”

“I have,” Zhang said. “I will need everything you possess on the seafloor mining operation. And on Walter Han.”

“It will be delivered,” Wen said. He turned back to the screen and chose not to rise from his seat. “Please leave me now.”

Zhang turned and opened the door. Standing in the doorway, he spoke to the guards. “The Lao-shi is not to be disturbed. Consider him under house arrest. No one is to see him and he is not to leave the room.”

The soldiers answered in unison and stood at rigid attention. Zhang looked back into the office before closing the door. Wen appeared strangely peaceful and content. The weight of the burden was gone from his shoulders. The long struggle was over.