Read Online Origin - Season Two by Nathaniel Dean James - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Nathaniel Dean James
Tags: Science-Fiction
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was all they had,” Francis said. “And in case you haven’t noticed, this is what passes for subtle around here.”
Francis spotted the car just as it pulled on to the highway and headed east. They were almost out of the city when the Mercedes shot down the off-ramp and entered the maze of roads leading through the industrial district toward the Jebel Ali shipping port.
“So much for the Hilton,” Francis said. “At least we can rule out the job interview.”
“Where do you think they’re going?” Titov said.
“I think our friend is about to be kidnapped.”
“What makes you think that?” Titov said.
“Call it a premonition.”
The Mercedes turned left down a narrow road between two parking lots full of newly imported cars. The next intersection led to the road running along the perimeter fence of the dock. When the car didn’t turn but drove straight to the gate, Francis cursed. They watched as the guard spoke briefly to the driver, then waved them in.
“How’s your Arabic?” Francis said.
“Not very good. How’s yours?”
“I knew a few words back in the day,” Francis said. “But I don’t think they’re going to get us inside.”
“What are we going to do?” Titov said.
Francis considered the question and said, “Take a left at the end of the road. We’ll see if we can follow them from this side of the fence.”
Titov did.
“There, next to the crane,” Francis said.
The Mercedes had stopped at the foot of a large container crane that appeared to be out of commission. Both the driver and the man who had met Jasper at the airport got out. When the driver opened the back door the other man reached in and pulled Jasper to his feet.
“Looks like you’re right,” Titov said. “We going in for the rescue?”
Francis shook his head. “We’d never get out of here alive. Especially with him slowing us down.”
The two men each grabbed one of Jasper’s arms and led him toward the ship moored directly ahead. When they reached the gangway the driver pushed Jasper toward the steps. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, looking around as if the cavalry might be arriving any minute, then began to climb.
Francis reached for the door handle, “Follow them when they leave. I’m gonna find somewhere to lay low until you get back.”
“You sure that’s a good idea?” Titov said.
“No. But it’s the only one I have. You got a better one?”
Titov didn’t.
Chapter 12
Pyongyang, North Korea
Saturday 9 June 2007
2000 KST
General Rhee straightened his uniform jacket and took a moment to steady his nerves. It seemed no matter how many times he found himself waiting in the vast tomb-like entrance to the supreme leader’s apartments, the experience refused to grow any less harrowing. He could hear heated voices coming from beyond the door, no doubt the fate of another wayward henchman being sealed by a man whose concept of loyalty was as infantile as his sense of humor.
“The supreme leader will see you now.”
Rhee turned, silently cursing the woman for startling him. She moved away as quietly as she had approached. Rhee followed her to the door.
The supreme leader had changed into one of his many uniforms for the occasion. Short, fat and round-faced, Rhee thought he looked more like a stage prop in a bad satire than a ruthless autocrat. On the polished granite table between them sat a poorly crafted polystyrene model of what appeared to be either a sports stadium or a concert hall. The young man standing beside it was the supreme leader’s personal architect. Rumor had it he had graduated from the Glasgow School of Art with honors. Looking at the model, Rhee strongly suspected the qualification was more a representation of the grading professor’s aversion to confrontation than an honest assessment of his pupil’s abilities.
The supreme leader dismissed the architect with an irritated swipe of the hand, then ordered the guards at the door to leave and turned to Rhee.
Francis spotted the car just as it pulled on to the highway and headed east. They were almost out of the city when the Mercedes shot down the off-ramp and entered the maze of roads leading through the industrial district toward the Jebel Ali shipping port.
“So much for the Hilton,” Francis said. “At least we can rule out the job interview.”
“Where do you think they’re going?” Titov said.
“I think our friend is about to be kidnapped.”
“What makes you think that?” Titov said.
“Call it a premonition.”
The Mercedes turned left down a narrow road between two parking lots full of newly imported cars. The next intersection led to the road running along the perimeter fence of the dock. When the car didn’t turn but drove straight to the gate, Francis cursed. They watched as the guard spoke briefly to the driver, then waved them in.
“How’s your Arabic?” Francis said.
“Not very good. How’s yours?”
“I knew a few words back in the day,” Francis said. “But I don’t think they’re going to get us inside.”
“What are we going to do?” Titov said.
Francis considered the question and said, “Take a left at the end of the road. We’ll see if we can follow them from this side of the fence.”
Titov did.
“There, next to the crane,” Francis said.
The Mercedes had stopped at the foot of a large container crane that appeared to be out of commission. Both the driver and the man who had met Jasper at the airport got out. When the driver opened the back door the other man reached in and pulled Jasper to his feet.
“Looks like you’re right,” Titov said. “We going in for the rescue?”
Francis shook his head. “We’d never get out of here alive. Especially with him slowing us down.”
The two men each grabbed one of Jasper’s arms and led him toward the ship moored directly ahead. When they reached the gangway the driver pushed Jasper toward the steps. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, looking around as if the cavalry might be arriving any minute, then began to climb.
Francis reached for the door handle, “Follow them when they leave. I’m gonna find somewhere to lay low until you get back.”
“You sure that’s a good idea?” Titov said.
“No. But it’s the only one I have. You got a better one?”
Titov didn’t.
Chapter 12
Pyongyang, North Korea
Saturday 9 June 2007
2000 KST
General Rhee straightened his uniform jacket and took a moment to steady his nerves. It seemed no matter how many times he found himself waiting in the vast tomb-like entrance to the supreme leader’s apartments, the experience refused to grow any less harrowing. He could hear heated voices coming from beyond the door, no doubt the fate of another wayward henchman being sealed by a man whose concept of loyalty was as infantile as his sense of humor.
“The supreme leader will see you now.”
Rhee turned, silently cursing the woman for startling him. She moved away as quietly as she had approached. Rhee followed her to the door.
The supreme leader had changed into one of his many uniforms for the occasion. Short, fat and round-faced, Rhee thought he looked more like a stage prop in a bad satire than a ruthless autocrat. On the polished granite table between them sat a poorly crafted polystyrene model of what appeared to be either a sports stadium or a concert hall. The young man standing beside it was the supreme leader’s personal architect. Rumor had it he had graduated from the Glasgow School of Art with honors. Looking at the model, Rhee strongly suspected the qualification was more a representation of the grading professor’s aversion to confrontation than an honest assessment of his pupil’s abilities.
The supreme leader dismissed the architect with an irritated swipe of the hand, then ordered the guards at the door to leave and turned to Rhee.
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