Rosa: A Wangxian Reincarnation Story

Operation Crimson Blade

A week later they rose early. The meticulous planning was completed and hte routed to Richmond had been scoured. Several decoy cars were poised to begin the trip down the interstate and provide the cover of being the cars holding the Lans, Nie Huiasang and Meng Yao. The cars that actually contained the rescue party took the backroads, old dirt roads that needed extra time. They would provide better coverage as they made their way to the small town of Peach Grove, the place of the small, discreet rest home sheltering Mingjue, or David Samson, as he was known in this life. Each member of the party carried a picture of David and Meng Yao together and a handwritten letter to the man, explaining why they were there, in case they were to find him before the faction including Meng Yao did not arrive first. They each had a code word known only to him and Meng. He was never to leave the rest home with anyone not knowing the words, Crimson Blade.

All ate a large breakfast and as they gathered the assigned weapons. Meng Yao was not given one. He was to stay close to Yenay and Qinyang, out of the way and fully protected. He was also not fully trusted by anyone yet. Satellite phones and first aid equipment were provided for each of the four Jeep trucks to be deployed in a few hours.

 While preparations were underway, Meng Yao cleaned up. He, still a neat freak, had volunteered all week and it had become his routine on a daily basis. It was fine with the group. KP was never pleasant, especially with a group their size. He, in turn, was fine with this. He could stay relatively invisible, and it was easier than facing constant stares of hatred and suspicion, something he knew would be ever-present, but was still painful to endure. 

Today. Just for today. One more day. It was thismorning's mantra, his talisman. He glanced surreptitiously around the room and slipped the medium sized fillet knife up the sleeve of his over-sized sweatshirt. Nobody noticed the stealthy movement and he eased a suppressed breath out, slowly. He would not enter into this unarmed. He counted on no one but himself. A sheep among predators must always have a plan.

 He trusted no one but Meng Yao with his David. And he would do anything to ensure his safety. Anything. He turned back to the group, doe-eyed and subservient, as usual.

They had not noticed. He had not expected them to. He was too practiced at being dirt under other peoples' feet. Not for long. Once he had his David safe and sound, never again. 

An hour later, the decoy cars left, heading at a steady but determined pace, North on Interstate 64, driving the opposite way from Richmond, operatives chosen to mislead Xue Yang and their other enemies were armed and aware of their own danger. If there was to be an attack, their job was to fight to the death, if necessary, as the others made their way along 33 to the old and rarely used logging roads that paralleled the larger road. Nie Huaisang had scouted them as he left the Playhouse each day and, while the roads were rough and the progress would be slow, they saw little activity unless an occasion local was on a casual outing. The group of trucks were admirably suited for off-road travel.

The six vehicles chosen were designed with extended cabs that needed the space for a half-dozen heavily armed soldiers heading into armed incursions. Two vehicles led the way, filled with Nie Huaisang's most trusted men, hardened ex-vets used to combat in the field. These men would encounter any offensive aimed at the occupants in the other cars, Thier jobs were to neutralize any opposition in the convoy's way. 

The next held Wei Ying, Lan Zhan, Meng Yao, Yenay and Qinyang. Immediately behind was Lan XiChen, General Ming and their operatives. The last was loaded with Hauisang, Mei Mei and four more bodyguards.

Nie was in constant contact with his mission leader, the satellite phone always tuned to the private link between each truck. Tension was high as they passed through Cuocoo and headed to Bumpass. The longest stretch of four-wheel terrain was ahead, the one that wound it's dark and quiet way towards the sleepy village of Peach Grove nd Mingjue. Bobcat Run had been carved out of the most secluded forest area they had entered yet and all was quiet and remote as they navigated the overgrown road once used by long-dead logging camps.