The Ghost

Chapter 14 - Room 6

The ammonia stung Ryan's nostrils and his eyes welled up. Coughing and spluttering Ryan scanned the room. It was circular with what looked like a viewing gallery running around the top. He saw figures shuffling into view as they took their seats.

"Gentlemen. Please be patient with the patient. He's only just waking from the sedative we administered." Falconi looked up at the eager crowd. He had invited several interested parties from around the globe, keen to get their hands on the 'military weapon of its generation'. Falconi sure could talk the talk.

Ivan Yurinov was the first to speak. As Commander of Russia's Special Operations Forces (SOF), he wanted in on any technology that would wreak the most devastation. The SOF was designed as a strategic-level asset, whose primary missions would be foreign interventions, including sabotage and anti-terrorism operations. Falconi didn't care that these operations could harm the US: he had no real allegiance.

"Mr Falconi. I fly here all way from Russia to be presented with this! A man on operating table. You promised a game-changing weapon. I hope for your sake you haven't wasted my time."

"Shut your Russki mouth. If this ain't all you thought it'd be, piss off back to that shit stain of a country you came from!"

"Haha. I like you very much Mr  Falconi. Otherwise you'd be dead right now." Yurinov's eyes narrowed and a smile played across his lips. The scarring across his face was still visible from the explosion his tank unit suffered at the hands of Georgian rebels.

Gentleman. This is unnecessary. Please, can we see this weapon in action.  Although softly spoken, General Tang Quanxum was anything but. Before his promotion to General (Shang jian) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), he had already built a fearsome reputation among his men and those he opposed. Man, woman or child. He was rumoured to have personally killed more than 1,000 people, and had the blood of thousands more on his hands.

Falconi motioned to the theatre staff. "Dr Xi, please, let's get this thing moving."

As Ryan struggled helpless against the restraints, he watched the doctor wheel across a trolley. He looked away as the scalpel slid across his chest, drawing fresh blood. The pain drew a scream that filled the theatre.

"Now gentlemen. Let's get this show on the road." Falconi spread his arms theatrically. "You see before you a simple man. Who bleeds. How many of your comrades or guanxi have fallen in battle unnecessarily?"

Falconi's tone changed and he now spoke from the heart ( if it was to be believed that he had one) to his audience. "Imagine a world where the only blood spilled is that of your enemies! Why send thousands to do a job that a few could?"

He grabbed a cloth from the table and doused it in soapy water. As he proceeded to scrub Ryan's face and chest, the previously impatient audience were suddenly spellbound. Gasps and quiet murmurs filled the gallery.

The patient was literally disappearing before their eyes.

"See! Let's talk about a fucking game changer boys! Still taking up too much of your time Commander?"

"Yurinov shook his head. "It was worth the journey my friend."

"Doc. Take it away!"

Dr Xi spoke. "We have developed a new formula that when administered to the patient, renders them invisible to the naked eye."

"BOOM! There you go. Who wants to make me an offer. And it'd better have at least nine zeros in it: US dollars of course before you chinks get too excited."

"May I say you have certainly impressed me Mr Falconi. As representative of the People's Republic of China, I will first ignore the derogatory term and assume you have become a little overexcited. But we want what you have and I am willing to offer you one billion dollars."

"Comrade. Over to you."

Yurinov had been on his cell throughout the presentation and was nodding in agreement to whatever was being said "I like a lot and my superiors are in agreement. We propose two billion dollars. The money will be wired once we have the formula."

"Well I'm just flattered by your generous offers gentlemen. But money talks. General Quanxum. It's been a pleasure. But if you and your men can exit the building I'd like to close up here."

As the Chinese left the gallery, the Russians were escorted to the boardroom by Sergeant Suarez.

Ryan had listened intently to what had been said. He knew that once Falconi had the formula in his hands he'd be more than expendable.